Celtic 2008/09 Match thread. pre/post [R] Stand up for the Champions

[azjohnnymac]

The SPL announced today that the last OF game will be 5/9 as Sean suggested. The rest of the run in will be announced after the last game on Sunday.

It is likely Celtic will have 3 Away and 2 homes games after the split, with Rangers getting 3 home and 2 away, since we will have played 1 more home game after this weekend.

With our away record since the turn of the year, this does not make me a happy chappy.

[frasermc]

i'd prefer Hibs to be the 6th team to make it into the top half of the split. if it's turns out to be Motherwell then it's likely we'd have another return trip to Tynecastle.

[frasermc]

on a sidenote, playing the Glasgow derby as the second fixture after the split will free up Bougherra from suspension.

shock-a-roonie...

[azjohnnymac]

Also means Brown will miss it. One week later and Brown would have been on the park too.

[camerondocherty]

huge game vs aberdeen on saturday. cant see rangers taking a win from easter rd.

[frasermc]

huge game vs aberdeen on saturday. cant see rangers taking a win from easter rd.

i can. best scenario is Motherwell beats St Mirren on Saturday. that would then mean Hibs need to win on Sunday to get into the top 6. otherwise i can see Rangers taking all three points there.

[YankHibee]

Easter Road is hardly a fortress these days.

[camerondocherty]

just realized rangers have won both games vs hibs this season. and 3-0 last time out at easter rd. but besides all that we just need to beat aberdeen. possible retun of maloney will be a huge boost imo.

[frasermc]

Celtic v Aberdeen - Saturday 18th April - 3pm KO Celtic Park



the last game before the split and every point is essential now. i think there will be a terrific atmosphere tomorrow but due to family commitments i'll have to miss out. :( still, my mate has my season ticket so hopefully he'll have a great day. very glad to see Shaun Maloney back in the squad for tomorrows match. doubtful he'll get anywhere near the starting line up but there's a reasonable chance he'll feature from the subs bench at some stage. Barry Robson is also nearing fitness but is not ready just yet.

also missing will be Darren O'Dea and Giorgios Samaras. Stephen McManus is a major doubt.

Aberdeen gave us a hell of a game here earlier in the season but hopefully we'll be fully focused tomorrow and get the three points in the bag to put the pressure on Rangers for Sundays match.


possible team -


---------------------------------- Boruc ---------------------------------

Hinkel ---------- Caldwell ----------------------- Loovens ---------- Naylor

Nakamura --------- Brown --------------------- Crosas ---------- McGeady

---------------------- Hesselink ----------- McDonald ---------------------


Celtic (from): Boruc, Caldwell, McManus, Crosas, Loovens, Naylor, Hinkel, Flood, Nakamura, Scott Brown, McGeady, Mizuno, Vennegoor of Hesselink, McDonald, Mark Brown, Ferry, Misun, Maloney.

[frasermc]

Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC…2
(Vennegoor of Hesselink 44, McDonald 55)

ABERDEEN…0

CELTIC: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, Naylor; Nakamura, Crosas (Hartley 84), Brown, McGeady; McDonald (Maloney 90), Vennegoor of Hesselink
Subs not used: Fox, Wilson, Misun, Ferry

ABERDEEN: Langfield, Foster, Considine, Diamond (Vidal 67), Mulgrew, Severin, Smith (Wright 55), McDonald, Young (Duff 33), Aluko, Maguire
Subs not used: Bossu, Mair, Stewart, Paton



wasn't at the match today. good to see us get the points in the bag. also nice to see big Jan grab another goal. he also set up McDonald's goal as well.

not holding out much hope on Hibs tomorrow but it is football and stranger things have happened.

[luciusmagister]

I didn't see the Aberdeen match but I'm relieved to see the score line. I thought this one was going to be tricky.

[frasermc]

Aberdeen v Celtic - Saturday 2nd May - 12:30pm KO Pittodrie


Our first post split game is upon us. And it's a toughie in Aberdeen. They've already turned us over up there earlier in the season. 4-2 was the final outcome and set pieces played a major part. We'll be missing Scott Brown as he serves his first match of a two match suspension. Also missing through injury will be -

Darren O'Dea
Mark Wilson
Barry Robson
Georgios Samaras


Either Hartley or Caldwell will most likely start in central midfield. Even both of them, but hopefully not. I think GS will opt for Caldwell with Loovens coming in to partner McManus in central defense. This will offer more protection at set pieces as well.

I'd like to see Crosas, Nakamura and McGeady start with the idea on keeping possession and pinning them back but recent away line-ups hint that this probably won't happen.

Hesselink has started scoring again and he needs to have a big performance in leading the line tomorrow. Draws are no good now. Victories are required in every game, other than possibly next weeks match at Ibrox.

Possible line-up -


---------------------------------- Boruc ---------------------------------

Hinkel ---------- Loovens ----------------------- McManus --------- Naylor

Nakamura ---------- Caldwell ---------------- Crosas ------------ McGeady

---------------------- Hesselink ----------- McDonald ---------------------


Celtic (from): Boruc, Caldwell, McManus, Crosas, Loovens, Naylor, Hinkel, Flood, Nakamura, McGeady, Mizuno, Vennegoor of Hesselink, McDonald, Mark Brown, Ferry, Misun, Maloney, Hartley.

[frasermc]

Never.

In.

Doubt.

:D

[frasermc]

Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic


YouTube - Celtic 3 v 1 Aberdeen 2 5 09

[Borussia]

What a relief to see us get the vital 3 points after the 0:1 lag! :eek: :) The Aberdeen defender who scored the 1:1 own goal short time before the interval, should get a contract at Celtic Park if we win the title again. ;)


Now let's hope that Hearts will manage to make a surprise at Ibrox.

[camerondocherty]

what a huge game on saturday..i cannot wait!

[frasermc]

McManus may not be fit for it. Which may not be a bad thing. There's one thing to be desperate to play and not shirk your responsibilities but it's something entirely different to try and convince your manager you're fit when it turns out to be far from the truth. Mick needs to take a break and get himself 100% fit again before returning. The team looked far steadier at the back with Loovens-Caldwell as the partnership. The Dutchman gets great distance on his clearing headers and has looked more confident as the season has progressed.

Our wide areas look in good shape with Naka/Hinkel primarily on one side and Aiden on the other. I'd prefer to see Darren O'Dea at left back for Saturday. Naylor didn't look to clever at times on Saturday and was guilty of giving away far too many free kicks in dangerous positions.

Paul Hartley filled in admirably for Scott Brown and may have to do so again this coming weekend. I'm sure he'll be up for it. Scott McDonald had an excellent game against Aberdeen and is sure to give whoever plays in central defense a torrid time.

[camerondocherty]

The team looked far steadier at the back with Loovens-Caldwell as the partnership. The Dutchman gets great distance on his clearing headers and has looked more confident as the season has progressed.

yeah i thought loovens did well and i think he should start next to caldwell too.

you think strachan will keep crosas in the midfield?

[frasermc]

you think strachan will keep crosas in the midfield?


I think he might. Crosas does look more comfortable at Celtic Park but he still gets involved and definitely aids our possession game. I can't see Caldwell being pushed into midfield as he'll be needed at centre back. If Robson was going to be fit then I could definitely see GS going for the Robson/Hartley combo. It's worked against them before. But I'm not sure if he's going to make it.

[frasermc]

Stephen McManus and Darren O'Dea are still doubtful for Saturday. Our captain rated the more doubtful out of the two. Better news though is that Sammi and Barry Robson both returned to full training today and have a shot at being fit for the match.