SPFL Huns V Celtic Sunday September 3RD kick off 12PM Sky Sports Football and Celtic TV

The form team would probably be them then wouldnt it. In domestic football we've both lost to Killie, we've w2 d1 the rest, they've won their other 3.
They are * but they don't have the injury problems we do. Our main 2 CBs are injured, and I think CCV would control them but he's a big miss.

 

I know all managers are very egotistical so what I’m about to say will never happen, I’d revert back to Ange’s inverted full backs etc until we get some players back, or at least for this one.
Bealing would never expect it and it might help the players be more comfortable. * knows, I’m grasping at straws because I can’t see us beating them with what we have tomorrow.

 

Yet the one they won was against lower league opposition and needed a penalty that wasn't. We've scored more aswel even though we've had 2 scoreless games. So it points to a draw

Hope we win though. Rodgers stuff works better in games like this.

 

100% mate

 

My thinking is: put Iwata in to add a bit more running and solidity to midfield.

I believe Scales has played more at LB for us than CB. In Ange's first season I remember thinking Scales looked decent at LB: good defensively and can cross well (think he got a couple of assists). Don't think he suited Ange's inverted role though.

AJ has had a good amount of training and seems like a naturally tough and athletic lad. If the medical team think it's ok, he should play.

Palma is a good age, has been in great form and I've just got a good feeling about him.

Phillips has been signed to get us through this CB injury crisis so he better be ready to go now. Remember he's played CL games for Liverpool against Bayern amongst others.

Sticking Bernardo in might be a change too far. Maybe O'Riley or Turnbull would be better, but hoping Bernardo can provide that creative spark.

Hart
AJ - Phillips - Lager - Scales
CalMac - Iwata
Abada - Bernardo - Palma
Kyogo​

 

We're underdogs, can't hide away from missing four CB's where two of them are normally first choice and Hatate. Playing away is also a huge disadvantage with no away fans. I want to see Celtic attack with style and purpose tomorrow, not the weak crap we've witnessed the last couple of games. I'm ok with not winning tomorrow, but there should at least be clear signs of a style of play and a willingness to put these * to the sword.

That being said, the orcs lacks quality all over the park as shown against PSV. Their defense is suspect at best, utter * at worst. Their midfield can go a whole match missing except the odd chance created by Cantwell. Their attacking three lacks everything you want from attackers at this level. Their team also seems to switch off after 60 mins. I don't know if that's a mentality thing or down to lack of match fitness, but if we put out a team that's willing to run for 90+ mins we could upset them later on in the match.

 

First in a long time I’m not feeling very confident hopefully do the business

 

My mood going into the game will largely be dictated by the team selection.

Same as last week and we're in for a long 90 minutes. Few changes and a statement of intent and I'll be right up for it.

 

Not confident.

 

Defeat tomorrow will take my scunnered levels to a whole new level following that * transfer window. I'd bite yer hand off for a draw and a win would see me believing in miracles

 

Completely agree that Rodgers doesn't escape pressure for this one but I do feel that if we lose it, we lose the bragging rights. However, if they lose, it'll be complete meltdown.

I do think Rodgers will turn this team around but he's running out of time before the Champions League kicks off and a win here could propel us forward.

Beale has to win. A draw is a failure. A loss is unthinkable. They've just been battered by PSV, they're at home, we haven't found our gears yet, we have a huge injury crisis, they have had way more time to gel as a team than us, no opposition fans and they'll be helped by the ref and var.

If he can't win this, they will spiral.

Depending on the result, we could be going 4 or 7 points clear every Saturday until Christmas with them playing catch up on Sundays.

The odds are stacked in their favour. No win, Beale's days are numbered.

 

Agree completely, if we lose it'll be * because it always is, and people on here are going to go absolutely wild, but it's far too early to be hitting the panic button while we're still transitioning from Ange's style into Rodgers on top of injuries.

Beale has had two windows to put his stamp on their team now and they look worse, none of the forwards he's signed seem up to much (so far) and there's less pace and width in their team than before, there's loads more pressure on him to get a result and a good performance at this point. I'd say the only position they've improved on is replacing the old jakey keeper.

 

Might be too early for Phillips, it's a big ask to throw him straight in with his limited game time..

Injuries are definitely a real concern.. CCV, Hatate especially..

We need to show a lot character to get a result time for Rodgers to step up here..

 

I reckon that’s why he’s there though, rodgers comments was something along the lines of that being a specialised position so need experience. I reckon if we went with scales ahead of Phillips we’d really regret it. He’s had a full preseason etc with Liverpool id say and has experience of playing in big games so I reckon he’s the best choice with the likes of ccv etc out. He will be able to deal with the magnitude of the game, scales looked out of his depth against st Johnstone

 

If we start Phillips, a low to medium block is best, since he's slow, but can win headers. We must play on the counterattack.

If we start Scales, a medium block is best. Faster than Philips I assume, but not lightning quick. He's better at predictions than outright physical duels. Playing on the counterattack is still a good idea.

If we start Iwata at CB because the first 2 are deemed not ready/ not good enough, a high line is necessary, because Tomoki lets us have it, but we'll get slaughtered if they pin us back into our box. Kwon must play DM in this case, so we have some height. We can't play on the counter here, yet that means Maeda won't be as useful, other than shielding Taylor.

 

This game isn’t as big for us as it is for them.

if they win it’s expected

if we win, they * the bed and the wheels truly come off.

that said, im not the slightest bit confident of getting a result - more hopeful that it just * clicks. On the flip side I’ve watched them a couple of times this season and they’re not up to much, they may well beat us, but over the course of the season I’m pretty confident in saying they’ll drop more points than us.

Luis Palma 90 min winner anyone?

 

Think we need Holm or Iwata beside McGregor in a double pivot, keep it tight and hopefully our forwards can do the damage in a 4-2-3-1.

Game like this might suit Rodgers and his tactics..

 

Aye O'Riley is nailed on to start, may see Bernardo from the bench.

 

would love to see Iwata start, he had a good period under Ange playing in the midfield 3 with CalMac and Reo, but with 0 competitive minutes so far this season I don’t see Rodgers chucking him in at the * pit, although stranger things have happened