League Cup Celtic 2 - 1 The Uglies

The cup semi they put Bassey on Rogic and he constantly was allowed to foul him. In fact so much so Rogic turned him when he got too tight and Bassey got the freekick. They used to put Aribo on McGregor, what we need to do when they try that is have Hatate and or Mooy/ O’Riley to make themselves available.

What is often forgot about that semi final was we were denied a penalty when we were given a freekick despite a handball being in the box and their winner was offside when the ball went wide to Bassey.

On another note, there is a reason Bassey is getting found out at Ajax, he won’t get away with the constant grabbing and holding instead he will be getting pulled up for constant fouling or getting done for being to tight. In addition, his horrific on ball ability is being shown up. I never thought he looked decent as a CB. He was a decent outlet as a left back because of his pace and power but a very average footballer.

 

That’s why Mooy needs to start, Mooy has been excellent throughout his career at dropping deep to be an option to pick up the ball.

 

Lundstram was kicking lumps out of us in that semi-final and ref was turning a blind eye.

 

I am really torn between who to start on Sunday between O’Riley and Mooy.

O’Riley is that bit more mobile and his combination play with Jota could be key to creating chances for us. He is also very good at winning possession back, more so than gets noticed.

Mooy has been right at it recently and has more experience of playing against better opposition as he showed at the World Cup and there is a bit of me that thinks a game like this could bring the best out in him. His class could win us the game. My only concern is covering the ground as they will look to hit us quick on the break where he can be bypassed easily.

It’s a good problem to have and I suspect both will have a big part to play. There is a bit of me that thinks O’Riley to start and Mooy to come on and either take control of the game for us if it’s not going our way or maintain control and see us home if it is. The fact we will have one of those two along with quality attacking players like Haksabanovic and Abada to bring on and good physicality in Ralston, Iwata and Oh on the bench gives me a confidence.

As I say the one thing that is making me think against that is could Mooy have one of those games that we have seen a class player have where they take their game up a level and really run the show. Past examples for me include Moravcik, Roy Keane, Craig Bellamy, obviously all play different position apart from Keane and from a past era but their undeniable quality and experience of playing at a higher level really saw them take control of games vs them or the previous version of them in the past.

 

Mooy starts for me (fella proved me wrong, massively), as dropping deep and collecting stray balls.
O'Reilly on 60mins to as his movent would cause more problems to them at that stage.

 

That's why any talk to them dominating the midfield that game is a joke, basically every time rogic touched the ball either lundstram or bassey just climbed on his back and madden just let them do it, there was one I literally laughed out loud at, lundstram (I think) was pulling rogic back for a good 5-10 yards straight and when he did blow for a foul everyone automatically started moving towards their end, and then he points in the other direction, even their players looked confused for a second.

 

It’s Mooy for me, he has the big game experience to boss a game like this, his strength on the ball is second to none in our team. They’ll need to double team him and rugby tackle him to beat him. Cantwell and that other new * aren’t a patch on Mooy. You only need to see the impact he had at the * pit to know what he’s capable of. If Ange puts our strongest team out which for me is Mooy and Maeda in the only 2 contested positions, we will belt them.

 

I think you are right, they did put Bassey on Rogic in the Cup Semi, hence the value of discussion on this forum to hear all points of view and opinions, I actually thought it was McGregor, But I am referring to the last two league games where they targeted McGregor.

I'm for either starting with Haska or O'Riley, as I think this game will be too fast for Mooy, and we might end up with another St.Mirren away game on our hands. I would keep Mooy in reserve for the second half of the game, where his experience and ball retaining abilities would be better equipped to control the tempo of the game, in that vital cockpit of the midfield.

 

I'm flip flopping between Mooy and O'Riley..

Think the rest picks itself. Jota over Abada is the only other debatable one I'd say and the former is easily in better form..

O'Riley has more legs (although I don't think that will be a problem) and is probably gonna offer us more protection defensively (still creates bundles also to be fair) but Mooy is smarter and will keep the ball ticking over constantly for us. Set pieces I'd edge towards Mooy over O’Riley as well and penalties he's our main man (no laughing at the back, there is a possibility)..

I can see an argument for both. O'Riley on for when the games more frantic and end to end and Mooy on for the last half hour to dictate the game. Or Mooy to get his foot on the ball and play at his own pace when we need it and O'Riley to come on for half hour..

I still can't overly decide that one. Think I'll leave it to Ange

For people talking about Mooy's lack of legs. This isn't a game where I think he'll be overrun if he starts (he'll slot in next to McGregor when they've got the ball to the right and offer Johnston a hand, who'll also be tucked in). He's too clever and we have enough pace in the middle beside him. If it was Mooy and O’Riley together in there then it'd be a concern. We also have Taylor who'll be filling in inside there for extra protection..

I'm no worried about either from a legs perspective..

 

I want to see murder... total destruction. Full deletion

 

I agree with most of the above debate regarding Mooy and O Reilly. My view is that we start O Reilly first, not only from an energy point of view, but I think he's on the way up from a dip in form, I just get a feeling that he would seriously show up for this particular game.

 

Yep, I remember that clearly. That * was biased all game. If I am not wrong that was his last game as well, before moving to England to referee.

 

Literally.

 

I agree with that it would be Mooy for me with O'Riley to come on later in the second half where I think he can play a big role still.

 

I wouldn't want to be the one telling Mooy he doesn't start.
How the * could you justify that.

O'Riely seems to be coming back to form, I think Haksa could do a job in midfield, I've always rated Turnbull, I want to see more of Iwata.

But none of that is justification for dropping Mooy.

No Mooy no party.

 

Can see the arguments for either O'Riley or Mooy but Mooy should, and I think will, start.

Abada vs Jota isn't an issue. Everyone knows it'll be Jota.

I think the team is going to hold no surprises unless we've got injuries or illnesses that the public are unaware of.

If we play anywhere near what we're capable of, we should blow them away.

I think the real discussion is who comes off the bench. The game will dictate who and when but the options of O'Riley, Abada, Iwata, Haksabanovic and Oh are unreal substitutions.

 

I will live stream myself eating a nettle if the line up isn't exactly as follows:

Hart
AJ CCV Starfelt Taylor
McGregor
Hatate O'Riley
Jota Kyogo Maeda

 

Mooy and Turnbull were training today


Mooy to start and score


Turnbull on the bench to come on and score

 

Hart

Johnston
CCV
Starfelt
Taylor

McGregor
Mooy
Hatate

Jota
Maeda
Kyogo

Subs
Siegriest
Ralston
Kobayashi
Iwata
O'Riley
Haksabanovic
Abada
Oh

 

I'd start chewing those thistles if I was you. Or should I say yooy