Motherwell v Celtic SPL Match Preview

 

I say enjoy it but that’s unlikely, its not as if such a glamourous game is on TV, heaven forbid. You cant catch this  Mc Classico live,  unless you go to somewhere like bet365 for beamback or use those dodgy sites like firstrowsports.eu. We know however that our respectful readers will do the clever thing and tune in to a quality Radio Station like  Clyde 1 and listen to folk listening to other folk or watch the ticker tape while Charlie Nicholas get excited about another West Brom corner in the Sky TV studios.

 

As for the game itself well what to say. Its the SPL Leaders against our Bhoys. You didn’t know it was the SPL Leaders? Where have you been? This is the great Motherwell side of Stuart McCall. No-one can stand in their way, theyre like a football juggernaut slamming through any challenge and driving the ball into the net at will with constant forward motion.

 

This Motherwell are NOT to be confused with Motherwell F.C who played against The Rangers midweek. That insipid, dire, limp, impotent, embarrassing, cowardly and shameful team were just a bunch of likeable lads from out in the sticks who were scared witless playing in front of big city Zombies who were led by someone called ‘Fat Sally’ ( Copyright BBC & the The Rangers Website). Who can blame the poor wee mites for being so scared that they never managed to put up any sort of challenge against such rampant teenage acne and Lee McCullochs elbows.

 

 

 

It will be a different Motherwell at Fir Park come 3pm Saturday (Let it go! – Ed). It will be the usual Murderwell and we look forward to seeing the sad sight of  Stuart McCall pleading (see feature image above)  with the referee “But its only Lasleys 5th bad challenge..hes usaully allowed 8 before you talk to him!” after yet another  potential-leg-breaker from the angry snarling hacker. To be fair to Lasley, he isnt selfish, he always graciously spreads those brutal challenges amongst  the spine of the Celtic side. Yes Keith, we have noticed!,  Lets hope the referee notices too but we wont hold our breath. 

 

The Motherwell side will have renewed vigour after their no show at Ibrox and the lumpen Michael Higdon cant play any worse than he did at his Managers favourite ground in midweek. Celtic’s defence will have to make sure the Motherwell main man is marshalled and kept away from the penalty box as his shots from range don’t appear to be his strongest attribute. That’s about it for Motherwell, stop Higdon and their game should be nullified.

 

As for Celtic, well did we mention everyone is fit? Honest, look at the Celtic Doctors office –

 

 

Yip, Manager Neil Lennon has a full box of toy Bhoys to choose from and as far as we can tell, only a few guaranteed starters are likely, but in a good way.

Forster, Matthews, Hooper , Wilson ( whodathunkit 6 months ago?) and probably Izzy should be straight on the team sheet in their usual positions. The rest is a ‘Well I never!” scenario as Lenny looks at the players and then tries to jumble players on form,  players returning from injury andneeding game-time, A certain big game in Moscow and of course the expected rigourous demands of a ‘professional’ game in Motherwell against  such ‘dogged and determined’ Opposition.

 

In defence the Celts should see Forster, Izzy ( oh for the old Izzy to return) and on the right Matthews who will be buoyed at talk of an extended deal with a wage increase. Maybe now he can move out of Joe Ledleys wee room? In the centre could be any 2 from 4 really with the rejuvenated Wilson looking to partner Rogne, Mulgrew, Ambrose or Wanyama although the latter 3 could also all make the Celtic midfield.

 

Midfielders starting should be James Forrest, Kris Commons and in addition to any of the solid players above who don’t make it into defence we also have Scott Brown, Joe Ledley, Kayal, McCourt, McGeough available although all of these midfielders are to an extent  still a little tender. Its expected that at least 1 or 2 should see some game time over the 90 minutes.

Up front there will be super 4 goals in the Cup Hooper and possibly Tony Watt or Lassad. Also available are Sammi and star signing Miku but both of these Bhoys will probably be saved for Moscow and of course saved from Lasley. Again, its envisioned Lenny will try and get a run out for some where possible  during the 90 minutes but its doubtful any bar Hooper, and at a push Watt,  will start.

 

The line up world is literally Lennys oyster and he has every option available to him. To paraphrase Big Jock only a fool would try to predict how Celtic will line up.

 

I’ll go for a 4-4-1-1

 

 

E-TIMS Prediction – Just need to weather a tough first half hour and we should stretch away to record a comfortable 3-1 win. Being only human some Hoops players minds will drift to Moscow and we can see Motherwell getting a late penalty consolation after a Hooper first half Double and a Watt tap in at the back post sends Celtic top of the league come 5pm Saturday night. Yes, that’s Saturday night ( you’re fired! – Ed)