Celtic V Dundee Utd (League, Saturday 21st, K.O 3:00pm

Gordon

Matthews Denayer Ambrose Izzy

Brown Armstrong

Commons Johansen GMS

Guidetti​

Matthews is back, right? Also would rest Bitton, he's went through fitness tests and taken a beating lately.

 

I hope some * breaks that * scum lego head looking * Paton in two.

A Broony special right on 90 mins.

 

A massive bonus being able to include Armstrong and MacKay Steven in the squad and possibly/probably in the starting line-up. Unlike United, it gives an opportunity to freshen up the side with equal if not better quality. Align the return of Johansen and in that regard a well rested version, the United defence will have even more to deal with. They completely fell out the game after the wee 10 minute spell on Wednesday night and Saturday will be just as demanding.

Other than the 3 aforementioned players and maybe the return of Matthews, I wouldn't envisage much change in the line-ups. Likewise I wouldn't expect United to alter their approach to the game. They will sit in and make it difficult, play on the counter and look to Ciftci to make the difference. On the latter, he struggles to perform on a consistent basis. On Wednesday night he drifted everywhere looking to get a touch of the ball. He ended up on the left hand side for the 2nd half, presumably to work on Ambrose.(this opened up more space for Forrest as a result) Despite his poor display, when he can be arsed playing he will remain a danger. With Dixon back in a left-back, he will probably move to a more central forward role.

Brown,Bitton and Johansen in the central areas are key, as they have been for months. If they work well, we function more effectively. If these 3 control the game, I would anticipate a comfortable win, 3-0 my predicted score line. I think United will be sick of the sight of us, early goal and pressure has the potential for them to fall apart like they did on Wednesday night.

 

* knows why he would play Gudetti. He was only on the pitch for about 15 minutes before he was blowing out of his * midweek there.

Griffiths for me, every day. And Scep as backup.

The AMF's we have are really becoming an embarrassment of riches: Commons, Johansen, Forrest , GMS, Armstrong, Henderson, Stokes (I know he is out.)

Great to know that you will get a certain level of performance out of them no matter who is on.

Brown and Bitton must always play when fit and we need backup and competition in those areas.

The back 4 takes care of themselves also. I'd actually keep Ambrose in though, as reward for a good performance through the week. The form players should stay in.

 

Think it'd be good to give wee Griffiths a rest and give them something else to think about, he's played a lot of games lately. Wouldn't mind seeing Scepovic either.

 

Gordon
Matthews Denayer Virgil Izzy
Brown Bitton
GMS Johansen Commons
Guidetti
​

 

Gordon
Matthews Denayer VVD Izzy
Brown Bitton
GMS Johanson Armstrong
Griffiths

Probably our strongest line-up right now and attacking midfield 3 should be fresh.

 

GMS Johansen Armstrong

Forrest Commons Stokes

Commons Johansen Henderson

etc

etc

etc

We have so many options in attacking midfield it's embarrassing. I'd be happy with any combination of Commons, GMS, Armstrong, Stokes, Henderson, Johansen and Forrest.

Edit: Stokes is out for this one obviously, but in general we only have good options

 

On one hand, I have a bet with a sheep fan about how many points ahead of Aberdeen we finish, on the other, I would be perfectly happy if this whole game was spent kicking * out of Paton, Connolly and Ciftci till the point it gets abandoned. Add McGowan in there if he plays

 

Would love us to try Commons upfront one game with the front 4 interchanging. Gives the opposition a problem.

 

Wow! I have read it all our attacking midfielders are becoming an embarrishment of riches .
With the very tough demands of playing at a very high tempo that Deila demands , I think that we are lucky to have as many attacking midfielders as we have . I would never be embarrassed by been able to rotate players in these positions. Have cover for lost form or injury . When we play the semi final and hopefully the final of the Scottish Cup with Stokes missing the semi final and the 2 UTD players both , I honesty cannot see an embarrishment. Maybe with ab injury or two a shortage . It never ceases to amaze me that some people always complain about too many midfielders , or in this case our most important line of the team attacking midfielders . Sheer nonsense one of the best way of ensuring that we get the best out of our players is , the players know that there are players on the bench or on the training pitch ready to take their place.
I will tell you an embarrishment of players in any position , is come pay day and you cannot pay these players .

 

Jackie's interview just in, someone post it from the Stv website The guys unreal..

Digs at Ronny being under pressure, says he wants to focus on the football but he's been cheap talking to the press for a fortnight, doesn't want to see retrospective action on players but after Hampden was trying to get Virgil banned for a stamp that never was and is still saying McGowan's tackle was a strong tackle for the ball..

Guys been a total embarrassment..

Still no comments on your players conduct on and off the field yet Jackie? 4 but should have been 5 or 6 and the comments his professionals have been coming away with throughout..

 

Would start GMS , Johansen and Armstrong.

Fitness wise they will be much fitter & our best attacking midfield players.

 

2 utd men this week saying the refs give us everything. Very shrewd Jackie.

 

I can't tell if this is sarcasm or you don't understand the phrase 'embarrassment of riches' :smiley-laughing002:

 

Who's the official tomorrow?

 

That would be my team as well.. Bitton or Forrest on for Commons at some point.

 

Paton said: “Ronny Deila has an opinion on everything but we see things differently.
“Ryan McGowan’s challenge looked like a good tackle to me but that is only my opinion. I will have to see it again to see who is right.

“I don’t really read too much into what Deila has to say or who he puts pressure on but I think Celtic as a club can manipulate people more than Dundee United can.

“They have been doing it for years.

“We have seen some injustices in the last few games we have played and that causes frustration. It feels we do not get any decisions – and that it is continual.

“There is no edge between the two teams and I think it has been taken out of context as there were not really any bad challenges in Wednesday’s game. It wasn’t a game like that and I don’t think Gowser deserved to get sent off.

“I don’t know if I am being biased but it was a hard tackle and he clearly won the ball.
“I might need to see it again but I don’t think there was much in it and they seemed to make an awful lot of it.”

The 27-year-old also claimed Hoops defender Efe Ambrose should have walked after being booked in the first half of the Parkhead clash – and then going on to commit a string of yellow-card offences.

Paton said: “I thought he was lucky to stay on the park as they were stonewall yellows but we have seen in the last few meetings that we don’t seem to get things like that going for us against Celtic.

“How he stayed on the park I will never know but when you come to places like this you never seem to get these decisions.

“I don’t know if it is just coincidence but you saw last weekend in the League Cup Final we should have had a clear penalty when Scott Brown pushed Ryan Dow in the box.

 

That's a bit childish and stupid . What do you think the repercussion for the Celtic players and the Celtic club.
I think you are not cued up to the way our great club behaves .
We don't really need your type of support .