Champions League Celtic v Lazio Wednesday 4th of October kick off 8PM TNT Sports 3/Celtic TV

Like that night we beat Benfica 3-0 at Celtic Park. Kenny Miller scored 2 and Stephen Pearson scored the other. We humped them and it was a cold wintery night in Glasgow if I mind right

 

Remember that game fondly. Watched it in an Irish pub in Greece and most of the TVs were on the Man U game. About five of us in the back corner cheering like *.

 

About time celtic park gets turned into the fortress it deserves to be. Celtic 3 nazio 1… wish I could be there, got the makings of another special night

 

Nerves kicking in a bit now. We can definitely win but will be very tough. Last night I couldn’t sleep so I end up watching their previous game against Milan. All of their players have great technical ability as you’d expect and great control can pass and are quite strong. A lot of them from middle to back looked quite slow though I thought and if Hatate and kyogo are on their game I think kyogo a runs in behind will catch them out but I think players need to join in in the attack to make these runs and cut the ball back into oncoming players. I reckon we need to score and put away our chances first half if we’re in with a shout to win as against Milan, they start to look stronger as the game went on. Milan were just clinical and both goals came from Rafael leao running beyond their full back and cutting it back into an attacker.

They seem to have really strong subs aswell, they brought on the likes of immobile (who will likely start), kamada who won the Europa with Frankfurt and pedro who although he must be touching on now looked quick and as slick as ever on the ball so very dangerous players off the bench. I think we need to attack from the off like rodgers said, put them under and try get an early goal or two before they settle into the occasion. The high press of madrid caught them out a couple of times aswell early as their defence were a bit slow. Lazio also pressed high and quickly as you’d expect.

Hoping the lads are up to it tonight and the game plan is right from the off HH

 

I love switching on my PlayStation and seeing a big Celtic badge advert with the CL logo...

* LOVE IT.

 

Any chance of progression in Europe means 3pts are essential here.

Lazio maybe on a downer domestically, but they'll be switched on and see this as a chance to kick start their season.

Need Iwata in beside Calmac in Europe. It'll be tight, but we can do it. 2-1.

 

We need a guy who has played a full 10 minutes this year and done nothing or note? Why isn't this mystery of a player getting game time outwith our hardest and most important match of the year?

 

Into these fascist *. Fancy us tonight which probably means we'll be comfortably beaten 2-0.

 

Calmac ain't a DMF and has been shown up repeatedly in Europe, playing this role alone.

Iwata was player of the year when we signed him and it's his best position. He's not gonna be burst after 10mins. There's no better option in that area. Moving Reo, Cal and O'Riley around to sort this position is just shooting ourselves in the foot. Sick to * of square pegs in round holes.

Get your strongest players in the natural position and give it 45mins. If its not working then shift around.

 

Dont know if i can get up for this again only to be ripped apart or defensive cockups which we know will come.take a draw right now.HH

 

Again if he's not good enough for domestic football he's not going to suddenly be top notch qaulity in Europe. If he was good enough, he'd be playing already. Let's drop this iwata fantasy and move on. Time to get real and get some points!

 

You make a good point but the fact of the matter is that he hasn’t been playing games. Would be mental to throw him in then suddenly against Lazio. We could’ve and I think should’ve been giving tomoki more minutes recently but it hasn’t happened, it’s a risk right now with his lack of game time. I agree that Callum isn’t a natural Dm but I also think right now our best midfield trio is Reo, Cal and Matt and they’ve been playing consistently the last couple since Reo has came back from injury. Okay he hasn’t been at his best form but that’s just match sharpness which hopefully will be improved now. Iwata would suit games like this but again he’s not exactly match sharp if you will with his lack of minutes. He could be ideal to bring on though for the last 30 to try settle the game if it’s going in our favour

 

Longest days ever waiting for these 8pm kick offs btw…… * hurry up man

 

Sometimes need to take a step back and realise the * talent we have in midfield

Cal, O’Riley and Reo are where our hopes are pinned. Johnston, Kyogo and Maeda’s pure tenacity back them up well. The rest need to stand up and be counted.

We’ve a talented team. Shame it seems CCV won’t make it as that would be an absolutely massive boost.

 

I take on the points above absolutely. But we seem light in MF, and played through with ease at times. Having that extra resilience by having a DMF in there, part of a dbl pivot beside cal would shield us far better, without limiting us going forward.

Not disputing the talents of Reo, Matt and Cal, but it's clear, the step up in class, where we fall short. Despite limited mins, I reckon Iwata would be more than capable to go for an hour tonight. Its the defensive side I'm looking to him for. Not the creative side.

Think Rodgers will start as he did at the weekend, with Palma and Philps in for Yang and Gus.

 

I don't think it's an issue of him not being good enough, we just don't play with a proper DM domestically, any time he has came on in midfield he hasn't really put a foot wrong.

 

We need to be winning this tonight. It won't be easy.

 

Atleast a draw to give us a fighting chance of a win in the last game to go through as 3rd place. A realistic opportunity aswel.

 

A well in advance Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesss