Celtic FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014/15 Mod Warning post #6011

BhoscaCapall

PauloMN wrote: »

My pessimism is based on our dreadful home form of late, now I know the CL is a different kettle of fish completely, but I'm not that confident tbh

It baffles me that anyone would connect the two tbh. Out home form can largely be put down to (relatively) crap attendances and squad rotation for the very reason of CL games. Tomorrow night there will be 60k in Parkhead creating what's seen as the best atmosphere in European football, with a nearly full strength squad (fingers crossed).

Our first game at home v Benfica might be the one that comes back to bite us. Obviously will be delighted to be completely wrong!

I said the same after the game I know Benfica's squad was reduced but ours was in ruins. All we needed was Samaras and maybe one other and we'd have nicked a goal I think.

RoryMac

I think the danger with our home form is the expectation that we can simply turn on the good performances when needed, hopefully we can but watching the laziness and lack of motivation in recent times I do worry that the team may struggle to up their game tomorrow.

Surely you agree it would've been preferable to come into this game on the back of some good results in the SPL & Cup? This should have been achievable by introducing fresh players over recent weeks that are showing signs of wanting to push for a first team place rather than relying on the same exhausted guys every week.

PauloMN

BhoscaCapall wrote: »

It baffles me that anyone would connect the two tbh. Out home form can largely be put down to (relatively) crap attendances and squad rotation for the very reason of CL games. Tomorrow night there will be 60k in Parkhead creating what's seen as the best atmosphere in European football, with a nearly full strength squad (fingers crossed).


I said the same after the game I know Benfica's squad was reduced but ours was in ruins. All we needed was Samaras and maybe one other and we'd have nicked a goal I think.

I don't buy the squad rotation/atmosphere bit though, not as an excuse anyway. Arbroath ffs. Come on, if the only person in the stadium was Lenny's dad, and every player was a reserve, we should still be beating these teams at home. Anyway, I don't think there was that much squad rotation for the league games we dropped points in at home.

Yes the atmosphere will help tomorrow, but atmosphere comes from the importance of the game, and the importance of the game comes from the level of opposition you are playing and the competition you are playing in. By virtue of the fact that Arbroath are gash, we should have beaten them easily, regardless of squad used or the crowd at the game. One or two games you will always struggle in for whatever reason, but our home form is definitely a worry.

BhoscaCapall

I dunno man, if you think Ibrahim and Zaluska are gonna be playing tomorrow with a crowd of 8k and a GB boycott then fair enough, I reckon it will be different altogether.

PauloMN

BhoscaCapall wrote: »

I dunno man, if you think Ibrahim and Zaluska are gonna be playing tomorrow with a crowd of 8k and a GB boycott then fair enough, I reckon it will be different altogether.

Of course not, they weren't playing in the poor home league games though either.

BhoscaCapall

PauloMN wrote: »

Of course not, they weren't playing in the poor home league games though either.

The players who beat Barca were.

Honestly it's the Benfica game I'm more worried about. I can see us both winning. Like I said, had we nicked a goal at Parkhead we'd be going through with the away goal in Lisbon

ColeTrain

For arguments sake let's say it goes wrong tomorrow night and we drop into the Europa. I have to say I wouldn't feel too bad about that. There would be a chance of a run of games whereas we will be underdogs against any team in the last 16 of the CL. Hopefully we make it but it's a decent cushion for us and I certainly would have taken it when the groups were drawn.

BhoscaCapall

ColeTrain wrote: »

For arguments sake let's say it goes wrong tomorrow night and we drop into the Europa. I have to say I wouldn't feel too bad about that. There would be a chance of a run of games whereas we will be underdogs against any team in the last 16 of the CL. Hopefully we make it but it's a decent cushion for us and I certainly would have taken it when the groups were drawn.

Agree totally. It speaks volumes that we'd actually feel a bit gutted if we came third. Nobody gave us a hope before the groups started, possibly not even to qualify for the groups.

No mistake about it, it will be heart breaking if we don't go through tomorrow but once that wears off we can hold our heads high after a successful campaign. The team put in 3 or 4 great performances, the fans won yet more plaudits all over the world, and we're still in Euope.

Worst case scenario is we've overachieved. Hats off to Lenny and the bhoys for that.

henke

ColeTrain wrote: »

For arguments sake let's say it goes wrong tomorrow night and we drop into the Europa. I have to say I wouldn't feel too bad about that. There would be a chance of a run of games whereas we will be underdogs against any team in the last 16 of the CL. Hopefully we make it but it's a decent cushion for us and I certainly would have taken it when the groups were drawn.

Yes but I think from a financial viewpoint the round of 16 in the CL is worth more than a run in the Europa. I would certainly taken Europa at the start but given the position we put ourselves in I'd be disappointed if we were to drop into it now.

BhoscaCapall

If we got a generous draw (lol as if) we could progress one or two round in the Europa. It would be more craic than getting pumped in the L16 when we inevitably draw Real Madrid or Bayern or someone.

ColeTrain

BhoscaCapall wrote: »

Agree totally. It speaks volumes that we'd actually feel a bit gutted if we came third. Nobody gave us a hope before the groups started, possibly not even to qualify for the groups.

No mistake about it, it will be heart breaking if we don't go through tomorrow but once that wears off we can hold our heads high after a successful campaign. The team put in 3 or 4 great performances, the fans won yet more plaudits all over the world, and we're still in Euope.

Worst case scenario is we've overachieved. Hats off to Lenny and the bhoys for that.

It's been a great campaign alright. Breaking the away hoodoo and beating Barca is some going for Lennon. We could have beaten Benfica at home and weren't that far off a point in Lisbon when you look back - even though they were the better team it was still miles away from the doings we've gotten away in the past. I don't think anyone can complain.

ColeTrain

henke wrote: »

Yes but I think from a financial viewpoint the round of 16 in the CL is worth more than a run in the Europa. I would certainly taken Europa at the start but given the position we put ourselves in I'd be disappointed if we were to drop into it now.

It would be a disappointment and a missed opportunity if we don't but it won't be the end of the world. I still think we'll do it btw.

RoryMac

Missing out on second place tomorrow would be a big disappointment but only because we have done so well to get into the position in the first place. The management and players deserve huge credit for our European performances and results so far and hopefully this won't be forgotten if things go against us tomorrow.

I still fancy us to get a win tomorrow to see us through although it won't be easy.

ColeTrain

BhoscaCapall wrote: »

If we got a generous draw (lol as if) we could progress one or two round in the Europa. It would be more craic than getting pumped in the L16 when we inevitably draw Real Madrid or Bayern or someone.

I'd love to draw Real Madrid tbh

SomethingElse

Scott Brown has said he won't be having the operation until he he can't play/train.

Wanyama, Stokes, Forrest and McCourt are absentees for tomorrows game. Everyone else is fit.

BhoscaCapall

Forster
Lustig Wilson Mulgrew Izaguirre
Brown Ambrose Kayal Ledley
Hooper Samaras

Matthews on for Lustig later on, Commons on for Brown or Kayal and put on the wing

SomethingElse

BhoscaCapall wrote: »

Forster
Lustig Wilson Mulgrew Izaguirre
Brown Ambrose Kayal Ledley
Hooper Samaras

Matthews on for Lustig later on, Commons on for Brown or Kayal and put on the wing

Ambrose definitely won't be in midfield imo.

Forster
Lustig Ambrose Wilson Izaguirre
Brown Kayal Ledley Mulgrew
Hooper Samaras

Or

Forster
Lustig Ambrose Wilson Izaguirre
Commons Kayal Brown Ledley Samaras
Hooper

BhoscaCapall

SomethingElse wrote: »

Ambrose definitely won't be in midfield imo.

I know, because Lennon thinks Mulgrew can play there

RoryMac

Mulgrew will definitely start and IMO deservedly so, his delivery from set pieces is one of the reasons we're in this position. I can see him out left with Samaras alongside Hooper. Hopefully Brown is able to put in a performance.

PauloMN

ColeTrain wrote: »

For arguments sake let's say it goes wrong tomorrow night and we drop into the Europa. I have to say I wouldn't feel too bad about that. There would be a chance of a run of games whereas we will be underdogs against any team in the last 16 of the CL. Hopefully we make it but it's a decent cushion for us and I certainly would have taken it when the groups were drawn.

I agree also, like some others have said I'd be disappointed only because we could have been in the last 16, even after game 5 with a point away to Benfica. It shows a lot for what Lenny has done.

I'm only sounding like a spoiled child because I WANT WANT WANT to be in the last 16 of the CL.

Besides, I'm hoping that in just over 24 hours, I can plaster that ITV Sport tweet all over my Facebook with a huge big GIRFUY message lol.

SomethingElse

RoryMac wrote: »

Mulgrew will definitely start and IMO deservedly so, his delivery from set pieces is one of the reasons we're in this position. I can see him out left with Samaras alongside Hooper. Hopefully Brown is able to put in a performance.

His threat from dead ball situations is almost worth his place alone. But if Lennon decides to play three in midfield, that would probably mean dropping either Mulgrew, Hooper or Samaras. I think he will go 4-4-2 though, I see no reason for not, unless he lacks confidence in Kayal taking over Wanyama's role

SomethingElse

BhoscaCapall wrote: »

I know, because Lennon thinks Mulgrew can play there

Mulgrew will probably play wide left. Wilson and Ambrose have been playing well together and I don't think that can be broken up. Mulgrew at LB is a non-runner while Izaguirre and Matthews are fit (I also think it's his worst position of the three, he has always looks more defensively sound when deployed in the heart of defense).

BhoscaCapall

You can usually tell after 10 or 15 mins if Sammi is going to have a good game or not, so hopefully he gets hooked for Commons/Watt/Lassad at HT if he isn't.

ft9

Gutted I couldn't make it to Paradise tonight, had to sell my ticket.

Come on you Bhoys in green!!!!

PauloMN

The pre-CL nerves are kicking in now.... looking forward to this (I think)!! Will be flicking between matches like a nervous wreck, hope all goes to plan.

Such a shame Wanyama is suspended tonight, if there's any player we'll miss it's him. Still no Forrest either. Brown looks set to play, hopefully the hip holds up. I think he'll be important tonight so I'm glad he's fit.

McGeady an injury doubt for them, I wonder if that really is an injury or have they decided it might not work for him tonight playing in front of a packed Parkhead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20522174

BhoscaCapall

Kim Kallstrom wrote:

I remember the game at Ibrox, we had to win with Lyon and it was a great night," said Kallstrom.

"It was one of my favourite games in the Champions League. The atmosphere at Ibrox was fantastic and I think it will be even better (at Celtic Park).

You said it Kim

Madam

Oh please, please let Sammy score tonight!

Husband is a little scared Benfica are going to do well tonight but Messi did say he'd play for us so I'm confident:)

SomethingElse

Ledley misses out for Celtic, McGeady starts for Moscow.



Forster; Lustig, Ambrose, Wilson, Izaguirre; Commons, Brown, Kayal, Mulgrew; Samaras, Hooper


Subs: Zaluska, Matthews, Ledley, Rogne, Miku, Lassad, Watt

Jelle1880

Seems like Spartak fans had a bit of 'fun' in the Gallowgate.

Hope nobody innocent got caught up in it...

shanered

Messi is on the bench , hopefully he gets on a stays true to his word!