SPFL Hearts v Celtic Sunday March 3rd kick off 12PM Sky sports football

They have been pish for multiple games though?

Midfielders going missing is an oxymoron. Can't happen and has cost us dearly this season. Can you imagine Lennon or Lambert not being involved in the full game? Lennon would have knocked himself out for it.

 

3/4 games definitely. Funny enough, I think he was making a difference in a way Lenny and Lambert did. Working, covering space, tackling, aerial duels, interceptions because it wasn’t quite working going forward for him.

Not going missing as such, just not upto standards he’s set for himself.

Same with McGregor, he’s not been upto his own standards he’s set. Both Hart and Taylor start of the season had much longer periods of poor form, Taylor due to being used wrong and BR pretending he’s a Roberto Carlos and Hart think he let talk from fans wanting a new keeper get to him.

Both recently and end of December have been outstanding though. But over the course of the season, only Scales and O’Riley’s been consistent the full time, O’Riley’s been sheer quality though. Scales if he got poty before him right now, it’d be like Johansen infront of Van Dijk getting it.

 

Honestly thinkg O'Riley and McGregor's drop off has been the most astonishing thing. Just went missing for me for games on end. People are complaining about Kygo not being involved, wingers and the defence and I'm just thinking - there is no midfield involvement.

Iwata for me is the glue now that stops that.

 

Tactically they weren’t being helped, had O’Riley and his other CM whoever it would be at that time, usually Bernardo, hugging both touchlines. Nobody within miles of Calmac, and fullbacks cuddling touchline as well whilst doing that. So Calmac had miles of space to cover in the middle, nobody near him to pass to, and at one point he ended up actually panicking and just punting the ball in the air and swiping at it.

GT being on and the penny dropping for BR give him freedom to plug the gaps he feels he needs to, then there’s support in there for other midfielders to go up the wing or in the box.

And then there’s Iwata last two games, always in space, always makes the pass, sometimes bursts through the lines to keep opposition off kilter and his first thought is covering, interceptions and defending. Protection for the backline. And that makes the defenders more confident on the ball and pushing the defensive line up, CCV being there making everyone more confident and doing there own jobs cos he’s behind them. And then Hart’s on form, so there’s a final safety net there. And that makes players play there natural games without doubting themselves if they should play it safe just incase or drop 5 yards back just incase.

And we’ve let McGregor off the leash as well because Iwata’s there, and Calmac trusts him both with the ball and not needing to be there next to him all the time like we’ve seen him do with Holm playing there earlier this year. And McGregor after looking frustrated and without a lot of support near him all year - that can be a * masterstroke rest of the year. People have forgot how good an attacking midfielder or number 8 he is. My favourite position for him that, problem for me was we never had anyone anywhere near him as that lynchpin setting the tone. Iwata I * love though

 

score in the first 15 mins pls

 

I’m hoping for the first time this season we have 2 halfs of a game we play to the same level in both of them. 2nd time maybe, Aberdeen at home I think we done it

 

3-0 to us

 

Ralston -> Johnston
Welsh -> CCV
Bernabei -> Taylor
Bernardo -> Iwata
Kuhn -> Yang
M. Johnston -> Maeda
Kyogo -> Idah

Genuinely mental how massive an upgrade we’ve had to our starting team in the past few weeks. I see no reason we can’t continue this form. I fancy us.

Absolutely enormous game. The biggest non-Derby game I can remember actually. Although our form has caused a title race.. by * is it entertaining. Bring it on.

 

Would love it if we get 2 or 3 penalties to win this match.
The dietz and sevconians would be apoplectic with rage and conspiracy theories would be all over SMSM.

 

Just win. Second half vs Motherwell and Wednesday game are the standard. We hit that and we win this comfortably. A poor hibs side (granted we got lucky against them) should've beat these the other night.

 

Feeels lke the first time in ages that the entire side picks itself.

 

Probably be Bernardo in for Callum.

 

Seems fair enough to me. And plus when their defence gets tired we'll bring on kyogo who is still the best striker in Scotland

 

Calmac doubtful - achilles injury

 

Worth a repeat, 5-1 to us

 

Any indication that's why he came off mid-week then?

 

Kelly injured too then

 

Aye mate brendan said he felt it and calf too

 

Guess he still had the choice of Bernardo and played Kelly but hadn't realised it was a forced change.