[Matchday] Celtic v Raith Rovers, League Cup, Thu 23rd Sep K.O 1945

Until Jullien is back, it should be Juranovic Welsh CCV Monty imo.

 

Same team as Sunday. Hopefully see the Greek at some point. Should be a decent result, unless Livingston loan them that 9ft centre half that played against us.

 

4-3-3 Bain, Ralston, Urhoghide, Welsh, Montgomery, Bitton, Soro, Henderson, Moffat, Johnston, Giakoumakis

 

Hart

Ralston
Welsh
Scales
Boli

Shaw
Mccarthy
Henderson

Abada
Ajeti
Johnson

 

Hart

Ralston Starfelt CVV Monty

Mccarthy Soro Turnbull

Jota Ajeti MJ

 

I'd like to see Giakoumakis start so we can see what he can offer. I'd also start McCarthy to get him more match fitness.

 

If Ang puts that team out then we have every right to question his tactics and team selection and Aberdeen did similar and put out a weakened side and lost against Raith rovers .

 

I think one reason for us starting the way we did against Livingston (slow, meandering) was that McCarthy just isn't comfortable playing the way Ange wants him to yet. We at least looked better once Soro came on Sunday, and I think he'll start this one if McGregor is out.

 

A fair point and there's every chance Soro could start. But given that it's opposition from the division below, I'd see that as an ideal opportunity for McCarthy to get some match fitness.

 

Hart
Ralston CCV Starfelt Scales
Abada McCarthy Turnbull
Rogic
Giakoumakis, Jota ​

 

People on here suggesting we play Bain? *?

 

Usually I'd agree with this and also advocate for rotating a few others, but Ange can't afford a slip up after Sunday so I think he's going to put out the line-up he most trusts to be able to play his high intensity game, which was completely missing against Livi. That'll be Soro as the 3rd central midfielder I think, while McCathy is given more time to get up to speed in training.

 

Hart
Ralston CCV Welsh Scales
McCarthy
Soro Turnbull
Jota Ajeti Montgomery

Would like to see Scales, McCarthy need games to get up to speed, Soro playing but not as the sitting midfielder. Rest Rogic who is playing well, Abada who has had niggles, Juranovic who is new and played a lot of football already this season. Get Johnston minutes from the bench. Go with Welsh again also as Starfelt was kind of thrown in to playing every week and a week off will let him settle a bit.

 

Hart
Juranovic CCV Welsh Scales

Shaw McGregor Turnbull/Rogic

Forrest/Abada Giakoumakis Johnston/Jota

We need to put out a strong team and let guys bed in my one exception is Shaw in midfield to see of he could do something in midfield for us as we badly need a box to box midfielder and I am not convinced by any of our other options.

 

Goalkeeper is not a position you need to rotate IMHO. As far as I am concerned Hart should start every game we play this season if fit and available. Plus there is also the fact our back line is still a disaster area in many ways. Goalkeeper is the one the only area of it that we have solved as of now so don't * with that.

 

Can take your point. Maybe I'm being complacent but I'm not worried about Raith at home, regardless of who plays. I'm actually wondering if McGregor will be able to return for this one. Postecoglou did say he was hoping he'd be available at the weekend.

 

Tickets can't be selling well, they've had to bring out the big g̶u̶n̶s̶ lights

 

My thoughts exactly.

No * about, win the * game.

 

It's the league cup against lower league opposition, some players deserve a run out and players like Rogic and Turnbull can't play two games a week in Ange's set-up, nothing to question.