Celtic v Shakter Karagandy UCL Qualifier 20th Aug, KO 4pm, Live on ITV4

Yeah, not expecting it to be. Matthews will probably be benched, despite being better than Forrest. Ambrose will sadly continue his reign in defence. Mulgrew will be put in midfield. Commons and Samaras are guaranteed to start most games, this season, as well.

Hence the 'hope' part of my original post. I'd like to see something different for once.

 

As long as Samaras isn`t played up top again, we`ve picked the right team

I would go with this

------------Forster-------------
Lustig--Ambrose--Mulgrew--Izzy
------------Kayal--------------
-------Brown----Ledley--------
Commons----------------Burger
------------Stokes------------

 

:smiley-laughing002: * mobile devices and their auto-correct feature.

Think Balde could dominate this team wearing sunglasses, though.

 

Just realised this team are lower than queen of the south is the ufea rankings.

 

To not put Samaras in your starting eleven in Europe is absolute madness.

 

What's the UFEA rankings?

 

doesn't matter, they have beaten 2 sides to get this far, in order to play us for a chance of qualifying for the group stages of the champions league the biggest and most valuable competition in the world

so they must have something about them and are most likely a lot better than queen of the south

 

Nah they are just one of about 3 4 teams that happen every year and one usualy one makes it it to the groups like alborg apoel bate boresov etc but these teams are known unlike this mob I'm sorry but if anybody is giving this mob a chance you have to be joking ! And that's not arrogance as I have had to explain so many times! Sometimes it's just the truth!!!

 

I'd like to see something a bit different as well after seeing how poorly we coped in Elfsborg tie. Samaras and Commons should be some of the first names on the team sheet at the minute though especially in Europe. Mulgrew too imo. Also I'd like seeing Derk start here but I'm not sure Lennon will want to throw him into the mix on another artificial pitch especially recovering from an injury.

 

I love what Samaras and Commons have done for us, but both can be improved upon. Whether Boerrigter is that man, as far as Sammy is concerned is probably unlikely. He has too much baggage. We haven't found a better option for Kris, either, but I think we're better without him, if it means a strong midfield of Brown, Kayal, and Ledley.

As for Mulgrew, I'd play him. Just not in midfield.

 

Against a team where we are expected to see little of the ball and will be forced to chase and close down all night then I would probably agree. But against a team we will be looking to perhaps dominate the game, certainly at least score, then I think Commons has to play.

 

We do not dominate European away games, even against supposed minnows. Best going with a strong core, in my opinion.

 

I just don't see where that midfield would create chances. Commons is a big game player. He is always someone you can turn to for crucial goals. We should see a fair chunk of the ball against Karagandy, it's what we do with it when we have it.

 

Even if it meant a more compact midfield I'd still see it as a strange decision from Lennon if he were to put Kayal in ahead of Commons who's actually been on a good run of form lately.

 

I reckon we'll start with high tempo in Kazakhstan in search of the early away goal. I think Lennon will send out something like this:

Forster

Matthews
Lustig
Ambrose
Izaguirre

Forrest
Brown
Ledley
Mulgrew

Commons

Samaras

Subs: Zaluska, Moyokolo, Kayal, McGeouch, Watt, Stokes, Balde

Supposing Boerrigter's still carrying his injury I doubt Lennon will want to throw him into this fixture particularly with it being yet again another artificial pitch. I'd take a score draw but we should win.

 

1 CB?

 

Think he wants to play Lustig CB

 

Lustig has been known to play CB as well as RB and with the departure of Wilson I think Lennon might be tempted to move him in allowing Matthews to step in at RB.

 

I personally wouldn't want to send out that type of line up at all. Purely trying to predict what Lennon will go with based on recent starting elevens in these games.

 

This team are notorious for having powerful 6 footers up front. Ambrose was rag-dolled by Bangura and Lustig isn't exactly the meanest looking footballer you've ever seen.

I would be very worried with those 2 at CB.

Who would I play? Not a clue. We are not blessed with great CB's.