[Matchday] Celtic vs Dundee Utd - Wed 30th Dec - 15:00

I just don't see the need to put Bain in when he's hardly shown in his time at Celtic he's deserving of the number 1 jersey, and Hazard who has been rated as a good prospect for a while now to be dropped when he's just kept clean sheets and saved two pens to win a cup final.

As @celtic warrior has said above, build the lads confidence and give him the nod for the Hun game. Having the gaffers trust is a huge part of playing with assurance and confidence. There's * all fans at the game so it's just another fixture we need to win - as they all have been of late.

 

Did he rise to the occasion against Hearts within the 120 mins in your opinion?

 

I didn't think he was any worse than any other player past the 45 minute mark tbh. He also got Jullien and Duffy out a hole when he saved Ginellys shot after they made a * of it and then saved 2 pens in the shootout.

 

Tbh bain was brilliant for a year in goals and seemed to lose confidence after a bad game and just fell away and was then replaced by forster who made it his own and no wonder .

 

Bain also saved two pens when he was back in against Lille & Hibs, you must have forgotten that moment in the first half when Hazard ran out & got caught in no man's land before Naismiths shot went through his legs but thankfully went wide, then his two moments at Hearts 2nd & 3rd should have been grounds for his inclusion in the side to stop post that match, Bain & Barkas are far stronger than that at dealing with & claiming crosses.

The lad should be taken aside, thanked for his efforts & told that we're going to go with the experience of Bain going forward over these next few fixtures before hopefully a new No.1 is signed in January.

 

And Bain was atrocious other than the penalty saves against Lille and Hibs - you must have forgotten that. He was then dropped for Barkas who was again * for the most part even if he did claim a few crosses well - we still conceded plenty with both between the sticks.

I don't see how dropping Hazard after a run of clean sheets in the league is justified but two goals conceded in a cup final that we eventually won warrants unsettling an already inconsistent & shaky defence ahead of a huge game, while simultaneously shattering the confidence of a young player breaking through.

We need continuity right now, not constant changes to key positions.

 

Hazard deserves to keep his place and I'd also play him against the filth.

 

Perfect game for the young lad to show us what he's made of, I bet he can't wait to go there and show everyone how good he is and he's done pretty good at steadying the ship so far.

 

Claiming crosses is a huge part of a keepers game, it happens more than they face shots per 90 mins I'd argue, his attempts at stopping Hearts 2nd & 3rd goals were worrying & that will be targeted. For as much as Bain & Barkas shot stopping wasn't good enough, I don't remember questioning how poor they were at claiming crosses.

It's too much pressure on a young, inexperienced man's shoulders, plus being a young keeper is different from being a young outfield player, it's a far more lonely place & I'd argue a young keeper will feel much more pressure than a young outfield player.

A great outfield performance can be undone by a horrendous goalkeeping performance, it's far too much of a gamble to go with Hazard, a far bigger gamble than Bain imo, the biggest difference to the team in recent weeks has been Soro to the team defensively, not Hazard.

 

we dont know whats happening behind the scenes is varkas and bain looking good in training ?

it was a massive call playing hazard instead of the no1 and no2 in the cup final and hes done ok so will probably play against the huns, could however be a good game for varkas to turn his career around at celtic if he has worked hard since losing his place to come in and show us all he is the keeper we bought

id says barring injuries or suspensions whoever plays against united will play the huns

 

Bain hasn't kept a clean sheet this season, Conceding 8 against Sparta Prague and a total of 17 in 7 games. I can't think of a reason he should be in the team. He played OK a couple of years ago but it has been a while.

 

Claiming crosses well becomes immaterial when our defence is horrific on the counter and at set pieces anyway. The goalies have all been badly exposed this season so I just feel it's pointless changing again when the pressure you talk of has been there since the Ferencvaros game. Every coach, player and game is under massive scrutiny this season.

 

https://snsgroupportal.co.uk/fotoweb/archives/5002-SNS-Images/?q=Celtic

 

5:0

 

Nobody in goals really stood out, this season. Hazard should remain the keeper for tomorrow. Against Rangers, it doesn't matter who the keeper is. Might try and build the lad's confidence by giving him that one, too.

 

Oh, but it does matter who the keeper is against the huns. What if Hazzard shows the same nerves against United like he did against the diets or is bullied the way he was by that little * Naismith by the United forwards. That would give NL a major decision to make and I honestly don't know who I would prefer in goals in that case.

 

Bain has two wins in three against them as our keeper, he makes most sense & should start tomorrow night in preparation for Saturday.

 

I suppose a bad game from Hazard tomorrow would give Lennon a headache. But I think the main factor tomorrow and on the 2nd will be how our midfield functions. If we can control the game tomorrow, Conor shouldn't be too busy.

 

Conor hasn't had much to do. His performance against Hearts really worried me when he did.

It's a tough situation that I have little confidence in all three keepers.

I'm hoping our momentum carries on tomorrow.

 

Lennon has already made that decision by promoting Hazard above 2 other experienced keepers.

Lennon has also not been one to gamble on youth so I think that says a lot about Barkas and Bains current form and what they are showing in training.

Hazard should play tomorrow. If he messes up replace him if there is a better choice. I'm just not sure there is. Barkas is a complete enigma.