{"id":17536,"date":"2022-03-05T08:50:19","date_gmt":"2022-03-05T08:50:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=17536"},"modified":"2022-03-05T08:50:19","modified_gmt":"2022-03-05T08:50:19","slug":"celtic-diary-saturday-march-5-sunday-on-our-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=17536","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Saturday March 5: Sunday On Our Mind"},"content":{"rendered":"

With Celtic sitting fairly comfortably at the top of the table, having rediscovered how to win matches with a 2-0 win over St mirren in the week, the club can only throw away the title from hereon in.<\/p>\n

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And if we’re going to allow “rangers ” back into this title race, then this is the weekend we’ll do it.<\/p>\n

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Alternatively, a win over Livingston tomorrow will boost the morale of all at Celtic Park…and the fans….and begin the drive for two more trophies in earnest.<\/p>\n

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Celtic have struggled against Livingston.<\/p>\n

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Of that, there can be no doubt, but each game is totally different from the others, and if the hoops play to their strengths and don’t fall for the rope a dope tactics employed by the Lothian Legbreakers then all will be well.<\/p>\n

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The plastic pitch is often cited as an excuse, but since Celtic train on a similar surface at Lennoxtown, they should be used to it, and if it is a problem it’s only in the heads of the players.<\/p>\n

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Or do they?\u00a0 This bizarre statement from manager Postecoglou suggests they don’t…<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe will address it. We have an artificial pitch at Lennoxtown and we will train on that on Saturday.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe will get the players an understanding of it again, but ultimately it\u2019s about the way we approach our football.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Nah…surely not ? Surely, given our recent performances on the carpets he’s tried to address it before ?<\/p>\n

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He continues, and in doing so does try to take the focus away from the pitch and put it onto the players…<\/p>\n

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On an artificial pitch there are still fundamental principles of our game that we can do.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we didn\u2019t do at Livingston last time are those things.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe got bogged down in the disappointment that the game wasn\u2019t going our way, without looking for the solutions.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be there and players need to address that and adjust to it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a real thing \u2013 the pitch plays differently. There is no point trying to ignore it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI can tell the players to ignore it and play their normal game, but you do have to adjust.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt becomes a little bit of a different game on that surface and the players need to be prepared for that.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut that doesn\u2019t mean it stops you from being successful.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou just have to adjust your game and your approach, so that it removes any negative impact the pitch has on our football.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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From that I can conclude the players have a problem with it, and maybe as a result of that we’ll see a few changes to the line up tomorrow.<\/p>\n

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Giakoumakis and Maeda up front ?<\/p>\n

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Given the propensity for Livingston to recognise the whistle at kick off as a signal to fall back I wouldn’t be surprised.<\/p>\n

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I’ve seen their tactics board for this game, and it’s not pretty….<\/p>\n

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\"African-American<\/p>\n

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The manager also dismissed claims that Livingston are a bogey side, and to be fair, their results this season suggest that they are a bogey side for more than just Celtic.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s all more indicative of the fact they are a good side. There is no doubt it will be a challenge for us but I don\u2019t go there wearing my lucky socks or anything!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe will go there and prepare the best way we can for the game<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTo be fair, I\u2019ve only had one visit there. \u2018Bogey\u2019 would be if I go there half a dozen times and don\u2019t win.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI was disappointed back then because we didn\u2019t play well and deal with the situation.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was also our third defeat in the first six league games and you knew we would have to be pretty good after that to make up the ground.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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That last bit suggests he’ll have pointed out to the players that Livingston are not a bogey side because they beat us earlier in the season, because everyone else was beating us as well.<\/p>\n

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There is one thing to watch out for though….the man in the middle…. Nick Walsh.<\/p>\n

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\"Image\"<\/p>\n

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There we go again, the perception of bias.<\/p>\n

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Though for the life of me I cannot think how that came about…..<\/p>\n

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\"Image\"<\/p>\n

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Here he is booking Cameron Carter Vickers\u00a0 for being punched and then booted whilst on the ground earlier this season….<\/p>\n

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Nick Walsh booked Carter Vickers for this, and in the same game he sent Porteous off, ignored the Lundstrum tackle.<\/p>\n

pic.twitter.com\/50NSNcxmtl<\/a><\/p>\n

— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) March 3, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n