It’s the magic of the League Cup today with Celtic in Kilmarnock to begin their defence of a trophy that’s always nice to have in the cupboard to set up the second half of the season.<\/p>\n
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Although Carpet World on a Sunday afternoon does sound more like something one’s wife came up with as a way to spend some quality time as a couple.<\/p>\n
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It could well be yet another edge of the seat thriller, though, because Derek McInnes has started the season quite well in Ayrshire, presumably because he thinks his dream job is about to come up.<\/p>\n
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The Record hacks won’t admit it publicly yet, but Mickey Beale will pick up his first award as Ibrox boss soon, well, that’s what he thinks a P45 is.<\/p>\n
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For a match preview to rival any other, it’s over to Yoker Bhoy<\/em>….<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Maybe not the ideal draw for a second round league cup fixture but it has all the ingredients for an explosive tie where a positive result cannot be taken for granted.<\/em><\/p>\n Killie go into this one on a high with a notable hun league victory already racked up and were clearly the better team after a 0-0 draw at Tynecastle last weekend. McInnes has got this team well-drilled with his new signings already making a positive contribution and gelling well. In his own words he claims that they are \u2018starting to look a bit like Steve Clarke\u2019s Killie\u2019.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n They\u2019ve been playing 3-5-2 lately and are unlikely to change that system against our good selves tomorrow. Loanee goalie from Bournmouth, Will Dennis, has looked very confident so far while their likely back three will comprise Stuart Findlay, Robbie Deas (both Celtic Academy products) and Lewis Mayo (hun academy product) although Ipswich loanee Corrie Ndaba could come into the reckoning although he is currently being deployed in midfield, where Brad Lyons has been imposing himself extremely well as a highly efficient organiser and grafter. <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n They\u2019ve also picked up midfielder Kyle Magennis on a free from Hibs and he\u2019s also enjoyed a very successful start to the season. <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He was a great prospect, especially during his St Mirren days, but serious injuries have severely hampered his progress. In the wide left position Matty Kennedy (ex St Johnstone and Aberdeen) has been playing above himself (MOTM at Tynecastle) while the pesistent and speedy right winger Daniel Armstrong, who has been a nuisance against us in previous games) also possesses decent technical abilities. It\u2019s up front where Killie are lacking and it\u2019s difficult to understand why McInness would want to persist with ex-Aberdeen freebie Marley Watkins, who\u2019s definitely over the hill and, to be honest, hasn\u2019t been very good anyway over the last two or three years. Their best bet would be to use big old fashioned style N\u00ba\u00a09<\/u> Kyle Vassel, who showed a reasonable goal return last season but they\u2019re badly in need of a proven goalscorer if their rise in form is to continue.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019ll be interesting to see Rodgers\u2019 starting line up for this one but I fully expect big \u2018Lagerbeer\u2019 to make his debut given that neither CCV nor Welsh will be involved. I also expect to see further impressive contributions from recent signings Thiago Holm and Yang, although I expect Daizen will start. The Japanese \u2018buzzbomb\u2019 was in top form last time he appeared at Rugby park.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although Kilmarnock have been potent in midfield and solid enough at the back lately, the main weakness to exploit will be on their right flank as Armstrong is not great defensively while Mayo can be a bit hit or miss.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As long as we spray the ball around quickly and show plenty of movement off the ball the gaps are bound to open up for us in their defence.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our two league outings there last season turned into goalfests so here\u2019s hoping that recent trend will continue.This\u2019ll be a great opportunity to rise to the occasion, put on a show and knock McInness off his high horse.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n There’s little doubt it will be a difficult game, Celtic have yet to hit their stride this term, with only a couple of games under their belt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And we need something to shout about for the right reasons.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The transition fro Angeball to Brendanball hasn’t been completely seamless, amd at least one hoops fan…me…has been casting doleful eyes at the news from London yesterday which saw the Australian impose his will on his new club with a 2-0 win over Manchester United.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tottenham then decided taking our manager wasn’t enough….they plundered the songbook as well…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n *volume up*<\/p>\n The scenes after Tottenham beat Manchester United.<\/p>\n Spurs fans singing Ange Postecoglou\u2019s name.<\/p>\n Early days, but they\u2019re loving him already.<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/Rs1KvJD9nh<\/a><\/p>\n — Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) August 19, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n