No debate about what the boss is up to tonight.
He is going for the fast knockout. He has field an attack-minded team where Maeda and Giakoumakis both start along with Forrest. There are some strange absences; there is no place for Jota in the squad nor Abada.
The manager will definitely be asked about that, but for now let’s focus on the strengths of who is in.
I like the line-up tonight. It has the right combination of pace and power up front and the midfield balance – Hatate, O’Riley and McGregor – is the correct one. Juranovic plays at right back. The central defence is what you’d expect. No surprises there.
I think it’s a good, strong attacking team. We are not over-dependent on one player or even two players and this squad proves it. This is a line-up which is more than capable of winning this game and seeing us into the Scottish Cup semi-final.
I think it’s a big night for James Forrest, in particular, who showed up at Livingston in a big way and is now just a handful of goals short of the 100 mark.
Obviously, the temptation is to wonder where the missing players are, but I’d rather focus right now on the ones we have in team. Whatever’s wrong with our first choice wing players, it will resolve itself in due course and we’ll know soon enough.
For now, let’s give the bhoys who are playing our support.
See you all on the other side.
CELTIC: Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; Hatate, McGregor, O’Riley; Forrest, Giakoumakis, Maeda
SUBS: Bain, Jullien, Bitton, Ajeti, McCarthy, Rogic, Johnston, Guchi, Ralston, Welsh Karamoko
Nothig wrong with the team imo. We should have enough in our squad to cover Jota and Abada. A quick goal and it’s off an running, if not then at some point DU will need to come at us opening up space for our Bhoys. We have Tommy Rogic or Karamoka to come on and bag a brace between them if needed. As is always my way i never say it will be easy, but i believe we can win this one.
Screw the game, where’s Jota? He’s leaving us isn’t he? PLEASE GOD NO!!!!!! Or maybe he picked up an injury and his leg is hanging by a tendon.
I’m sure the MSM will keep us updated ?unless, of course, we lose. All bets are off in that case.
The Maeda goal that was ruled out for handball should have stood. Craigan has actually called it right. Beaton does not know the fucking rules. Awful refereeing.
He knows the rules, he applies them in a manner to suit/disadvantage whichever team he favours. Well done in comentary for pointing it out. Wonder if BBC see it the same, or even highlight it beyond Celtic goal chopped off for handball nothing to see so go away. Back to game now, should manage another goal or 2 based on first half showing.
Yup, Maeda goal was wrongly chopped off going by this year’s IFAB LoTG. I suspect there won’t be several days of analysis in the papers…..
Ha ha. Nae luck Benjy. D’oh!
We strolled that. And I don’t think we even played anywhere near our best. Mon the Hoops xxx
Packie “soup-taker” bonner. “Giakoumakis is all arms and legs he puts himself about”. He scores FIVE goals in his last two games ya west brit. HH