Champions League Play Off Round, 1st Leg: Celtic v Astana. 16th August 2017, 19:45. BT Sports

Can't see Gamboa playing tbh.

 

I think he'd be a good option to have there. Astana have some ridiculously fast players and lustig is pretty slow. Gamboa's pace would help a lot.

 

Think if he was thinking along those lines we would have seen him at some point Ralston seems to be ahead of him now.. Gamboa has had a hard deal imo looked good yet hasn't featured much..

The fact he's tried the Bitton-Simunovic partnership the last two league makes me think he's set on playing them v Astana..

Tried make Can a CB too.

 

Only one word to describe this game - massive.

Gordon
Lustig Bitton Jozo Tierney
Brown Ntcham
Forrest Rogic Sinclair
Griffiths

Assuming no one new comes in between now and Wednesday.

Both what I think the team is likely to be and probably just about what I'd like to see. I said on the Bitton thread he's never a CB, but I think Brendan is going to persevere with him there, especially having played him there last night. Just needs a word in the ear to cut out the moments of slackness and lapses of concentration. To be honest as much as he's not a CB, I think it's as good as a coin toss between him and Ajer for who I prefer to start or not to start rather.

In terms of midfield, need to go with our strongest set up, which would normally include Armstrong alongside Brown. I think they built up a really good understanding of how each other plays last season and it paid dividends for us domestically. Ideally if Armstrong's contract is sorted by Wednesday then throw him in for Ntcham. But as long as it drags out, he needs dropped for someone committed to the club and as Brendan said tonight, it's been affecting him and there's no room for turned heads on the pitch on Wednesday.

Hayes, Benyu and potentially Armstrong for possible impact subs if needed but hopefully not.

Again, this is assuming no one comes in but really hope we get someone in the door even for another option from the bench.

Going 3-0. I think we'll do it.

 

Does anybody know who is missing for them, if they're missing anybody at all? I know they lost an attacking midfielder to valencia, but it looks like kabanenga and twumasi will stay until after this play-off.

 

Gordon
Lustig jozo Tierney
Forrest Mcgregor Brown ntcham hayes
Sinclair
Griffiths

 

We can't afford another Rosenborg game at home. We need a 2 goal win. I don't think conceding will kill us, but we need to go to Kazakhstan with a cushion. 2-0, 3-0, 3-1. Anyone of those results would get us through IMO.

Biggest worry is we don't have 2 CB's. Simunovic - duh. Bitton's been 50/50, and Ajer's been good but still only played 2 first team games for us. Out of the two, I think I'd go with Bitton honestly.

This is exactly the type of game where guys like Sinclair and Rogic will awaken. Can see them having big matches. I know McGregor's been favoured but I think it's imperative that big Tam gets a start. He can win this tie in the first half.

 

Actually quite worried about this tie now. Nae Dembele and the possibility of Bitton at centre back. That scares the * out of me. This is going to be a nail biter, I can see it now.

 

Ajer has to start,has done nothing wrong in the games he's played so far,has warranted his place in the squad for the season.

 

We allowed to play with 12 players now, yeah?

 

We need a better atmosphere than what we had at rosenborg at home.... cant wait till wed just hope to * we perform and takeca lead of there

 

4-0.

 

Gordon
Lustig Jozo Ajer KT
Brown Ntcham
Roberts Rogic Sinclair
Griff

And 3-0 Celtic

 

did wee shudders no get done for that in a prestwick nightclub a few years ago?

 

Think UEFA wont be happy if we start with 12 players

 

If ajer does not start, I'd b happier with lustig at CB and gamboa or Ralston at RB. Anything but Bitton at CB.

 

We need to beat them by at least 2 and keep a clean sheet, they will be compact and use their big striker on the break since he's their top goalscorer and seem to rely on him for most goals.

Need to feed Griff so Rogic will be key, need Sinclair to be on form he's struggling with form so far. Ntcham will definitely start over Armstrong. Agree with everyone that Ajer should start, much more natural at the back plus his confidence in his passing is brilliant.

 

I'm glad last night we only won by 1 goal. We always seem to score alpt more the game after. I'd be worried if we won 7-0. Luckily players had an off night usually means the next game we pump who ever we play.

I'm calling it 4-1.

 

Gordon
Lustig Jozo Bitton KT
Brown Ntcham
Forrest McGregor Sinclair
Griffiths

At home we should have more of the ball. Bitton is far superior to Ajer with the ball at his feet, our flair players do the job right then there should be less to worry about him defensively.
McGregor has been excellent so far this season and I'm putting him in ahead of Rogic cause I believe he covers more ground. Having said that I've noticed Rogic doing a bit more work off the ball so far this season, that can only be a good thing. He's also basically our only game changer on the bench. Unless Roberts appears between now and then.
Don't lets kid ourselves, this'll be tough and nervy. A win to zero will do me.