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

Very disappointed after today.

After Rangers scored it was clear they would sit back and defend a 1-0 lead and hope that was enough. It turned out to be enough as we were laborious in the final third all day long. Playing Maloney instead of McGeady on the left when Dailly is at right back made no sense to me whatsoever. McGeady has been in good form recently and should have been utilised to get at arguably their weakest link.

We had more than enough possession and territory to win the game but we struggled to create clear cut chances against a team that was sitting deeper and deeper as the match wore on.

Person I feel sorriest for is Gary Caldwell, who I thought was absolutely outstanding today.

Three games to go and after twice having held a 7pt lead we now need Rangers to slip up either at Hibs(slight chance), Aberdeen at Ibrox(no hope in hell) or away to Dundee Utd at Tannadice on the last day of the season(possibility),

Of course, we would also need to win our three remaining matches and considering one of them is away from home, and the way our away form has been against top 6 clubs this season, that is far from being a straight forward task.

To top it all off I have to work away from home all week next week so I've had to give my season ticket to a friend while I'll be watching the game in the Celtic supporters club in Newcastle.

 

A fair point. Aiden has never really turned it on at Ibrox which may have factored into GS's thinking.

Yep. They struggled, Crosas especially. Hopefully he'll learn from the experience. I thought Hartley did ok in the first half but started becoming more sloppy as the match wore on which I took to be a sign of tiredness on what must have been a heavy pitch with the torrential rain affecting it.

 

Yes we can. But by the same token we have to accept that we need outside help. Rangers are in the driving seat, but it's by no means over. Obviously my views are biased but I still believe they will drop points before the end of the season.

Whether we claim all 9 of our remaining points, which is a must, is another matter. Hopefully we will.

 

Celtic v Dundee Utd - Tuesday 12th May - 19:45 KO Celtic Park


1-1
2-2
0-0
2-2


Does that sequence of numbers ring any bells?

It should do. It's our results vs Dundee Utd in 90mins so far this season. It's about time we won a game against them this year and what better time to do it. But of course, that's not all. We only have a +1 difference in goal difference so assuming(hoping, praying etc etc) that we get in front, we can't rest on our laurels. We'll need to win, and win convincingly. This may yet come down to goal difference at the end of the season and we all know how painful it can be to lose a title because of that statistic.

Dundee Utd have aspirations of 3rd place and won't be arriving as sacrifical lambs to the slaughter. So how best to get the points in the bag and aid the goal difference column? Well firstly, we welcome back the PFA player of the year to the team - Scott Brown. Skoosh will drive the team on from the middle of the park which could be the key area. I'm not convinced with either big Jan, despite his goal scoring purple patch, or Sammi. I can't see it happening but I'd be over the moon if we started with a midfield of -

Maloney --- Crosas --- Brown --- Nakamura

with Aiden playing anywhere across the pitch between them and Skippy.

The back five will be the same as the Rangers game with the possible exception of Naylor replacing O'Dea. I think that one comes down to who is the fittest of the two.


So lets go for it tonight Celtic. A massive performance is needed, both from the team and the fans. I only wish I was there instead of watching it from the CSC in Newcastle or a pub nearby.

 

Scottish Premier League
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC… 2
(Loovens 22, Samaras 53)

DUNDEE UNITED… 1
(D Robertson 57)



CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, Naylor; Nakamura (Flood 85), S Brown, Crosas (Hartley 62), McGeady; McDonald, Samaras (Vennegoor of Hesselink 76).

Subs: M Brown, O’Dea, Conroy, Maloney.

DUNDEE UNITED (4-5-1) Zaluska; Kovacevic (Dillon 88), Wilkie, Kenneth, Dixon; D Robertson, Gomis, Buaben, Swanson (Shala 58), Conway; Sandaza (Goodwillie 81).


It wasn't as plain sailing as I'd hoped for but we got the necessary result. The game seemed to play out in eerily familiar fashion as to the first match played here this season between the two teams. So much so that when Utd clawed one back I was starting to sweat a bit. But we saw it out and after tonights result we know we must go to Easter Road and come out the blocks flying. Get the three points there and we're in pole position on the final day.

Best players last night -


Scott Brown - He was simply awesome. Badly missed during his suspension and will hopefully play a huge, positive part for us in the last two games.

Gary Caldwell - 'Heid' showed why he was voted the Scottish writers player of the year (and congratulations to him on that) with another excellent, composed display at the heart of our defense.

Andreas Hinkel - His foraging forward runs are causing havoc in opposition teams and allowing Nakamura freedom to come off the flank and become more involved in the middle of the pitch.

 

Hibernian v Celtic - Sunday 17th May - 1pm KO Easter Road


After the result today Rangers have the advantage, at least until tomorrow where a win for us will put us back into pole position. Nothing else will do. Anything less doesn't bare thinking about. Seeing as it's an away game I have no idea what sort of team GS will send out. Probably have more chance of guessing the 6 lottery numbers.

What we do know is neither Barry Robson, Mark Wilson or Stephen McManus will feature as they are all out for the season.

Start Sammi GS and play your footballers! Naka and McGeady with Maloney waiting in the wings.


Celtic from: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, Naylor, Nakamura, Flood, Scott Brown, Crosas, Hartley, McGeady, McDonald, Samaras , Vennegoor of Hesselink, Mark Brown, O'Dea, Conroy, Maloney.

 

Starting 11 for this important fixture -


Boruc

Hinkel
Caldwell
Loovens
Naylor

Nakamura
Hartley
Brown
McGeady

McDonald
Samaras


Hartley is in for Crosas.

 

I'm gutted. Did we learn nothing from Rangers result on Wednesday?? All credit to Hibs for a battling performance. No credit to us for a bottling performance.

It looks like we've blown it although Utd have something to chase and it wont be easy for them at Tannadice but if they secure the three points they need then they deserve it.

Hopefully, regardless of what happens next Sunday, Lawell will spend some money on revamping a team that has looked devoid of ideas for a lot of the second half of the season.

 

Can't argue with that. You have the bragging rights for now.


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I was very disappointed with some so called supporters at Celtic Park today. When Rangers third goal went in some fans got up and left. Obviously glory hunters and it can only be good for the club if they don't bother returning.

As for the Hearts fans celebrating, doesn't bother me either way.

Lets face it. We blew it this season. Twice we were 7pts clear and we couldn't close the deal.

I wonder what changes will be afoot in the close season...