Last week, we were focused on the absurd idea that Bruges were a club in crisis. Then, we moved on to the equally ridiculous notion that Dinamo Zagreb were a club in crisis. It seems every team we face at the moment is being portrayed as a club in turmoil. And now, predictably, the Ibrox camp is crying, wailing, and moaning—yet again—about its supposed injury problems. There’s not a single person at Celtic Park buying that nonsense for a second.
Their manager sat in front of the media yesterday and said he “hopes” to have their latest world-beater, Igamane, and John Souttar fit for the game. Let’s not kid ourselves here: I have no doubt whatsoever that both of them will be deemed fit and both will play. They are a much lesser team without Souttar at the back, and they aren’t going into this one without the superstar. If those two can be patched up, stitched together, or drugged enough to get through 90 minutes, they’ll be in that starting XI.
What amazes me about this whole charade is how the psychological warfare is always so clumsily deployed over there.
Brendan Rodgers, at his own pre-match conference, was very clear in saying that Alistair Johnston is expected to make the match. Now, Johnston may or may not make it, but Rodgers plays it straight. He’s sending a clear message to the Ibrox club: expect Celtic to field our strongest possible team. He doesn’t indulge in any of this phoney-baloney “will he, won’t he?” nonsense designed to keep people guessing.
The truth is, there’s about as much suspense here as in your average teen horror flick. We all know the plot: if a player can walk, they’ll walk out onto the Hampden turf in a blue jersey. Their manager might want to deflect attention from his disastrous record, but deep down he knows it isn’t good enough. He knows the record has to change—and Hampden is the stage where it must happen. If it doesn’t, there’s a very real chance he won’t get another opportunity.
So, he’ll take the gamble. Or, more accurately, he’ll ask his players to take the gamble because, at the end of the day, it’s their livelihoods and careers on the line. Every time he throws a half-fit player into the mix, he risks their futures. I wrote earlier this week about how few injuries Celtic have had this season. That’s a testament to Brendan Rodgers, the players, and the exceptional work going on behind the scenes—work we rarely see but which pays dividends on the pitch.
By contrast, if Ibrox can field a reasonably strong team tomorrow, it’ll be a tribute to superglue, duct tape, and a bag of nails. The media, of course, won’t ask the tough questions. They won’t challenge the manager on why, after a summer of supposed changes to address injuries, his squad seems more fragile than ever. Perhaps it’s down to his strategy of throwing every warm body he can at the mounting problem of too many games and too small a squad.
I’m tempted to call him reckless, but the truth is, it’s easy to be reckless when you’re not the one taking the risks. It’s someone else’s body on the line, not his. That’s why I found his performance at yesterday’s press conference so nauseating. Sitting there, pretending there’s genuine doubt about whether these players will feature—he’s fooling no one. He’s not kidding us, and he’s certainly not kidding Brendan Rodgers, who has seen this pantomime a hundred times before. This is amateur-hour stuff compared to the challenges Brendan has faced in his career.
So, what do we do? We prepare the way we always do: for the strongest possible opposition starting XI. Rodgers will assume that every one of their key players will be ready for action because that’s the professional approach. That’s what great managers do. Not only will Rodgers have his own starting XI locked in, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he can already make a very accurate guess at Clement’s lineup too.
I’d put money on both Souttar and Igamane being in that team. Even if their manager has to staple their limbs back on, they’ll play. He can’t afford not to risk them. His record in big games is abysmal. He’s under immense pressure. He knows that another defeat, and especially as it will send silverware to Celtic Park might just seal his fate. But in chasing that elusive result, he risks alienating his own players. When you push players too far, when you gamble with their health and careers, you lose their trust. That’s not something you can easily regain.
Celtic, by contrast, exudes stability and professionalism. We also have the luxury of that better, bigger squad and we’ve managed them intelligently. Our squad rotation has been smart, our medical team outstanding, and the results speak for themselves. It’s no more about luck than our financial power is based on it; it’s about preparation, planning, and discipline. It’s about putting the long-term health of players above short-term gains.
At Hampden, we’ll see the culmination of these two approaches. One team will field a patched-up lineup, held together by desperation and hope. The other will field a side prepared to the highest standard, mentally and physically ready for the challenge. That’s the difference between a club in chaos and a club with a plan.
We don’t take anything for granted. We never do. That’s why we’re at the top. Brendan Rodgers knows what it takes to win games like this. He won’t underestimate the opposition, no matter how fragile they appear. He’ll prepare for the best version of them and make sure our players are ready to meet that challenge head-on.
When the whistle blows, all the media spin, all the injury talk, all the excuses won’t matter. It’ll be 11 versus 11, and Celtic will be ready. The real Celtic. Exactly as Rodgers promised us at the end of the last campaign.
I am expecting a straightforward victory for Celtic tomorrow. That is not over confidence on my part, it is based on the fact that we are better than them in every department, so I see no reason to be wary of the officials or any other extenuating factors that might affect the game…..we will overwhelm them with our undoubted quality, our focused approach and winning mentality.
My only concern is for the safety of our own fans after the game because I am expecting vengeful trouble from their angry hordes as the Survival Lie is laid bare.
Be vigilant and careful, all those who will be at the game, for we all know how their hateful bitterness can manifest itself.
A very good point about the safety of our fans Johnny…
A dark night, all day drinking and narcotics free for all –
What could possibly go wrong if Celtic smash The Pathological Survival Lie trophy count…
Beaton will be primed not to let it happen by the usual suspects for sure –
As Johnny says – Please take care all Hoops and Hoopetts !
I think we need to play the game, a lot of our fans have us winning before a ball has been kicked, you need to respect the game as well. If they win tomorrow, which I can’t see personally, but stranger things have happened, they are in good form, no doubt about it, so we need to be cautious of that fact, and play with humility. I don’t like this arrogance that’s come in to play recently. It’s a big game tomorrow, one that will take us clear with regards to titles won. We have the players like Mcgregor who have done this many times, I’ve never been one for oh the referee, could impact things, players win matches , not referees. If Celtic turn up, we will win, as I feel we have the bettter side, as long as we play our game.
I very much agree Thegoodguy as I also I don’t like the arrogance that has crept in recently regarding this Glasgow Derby Final on Sunday…
However I disagree regarding referees impacting things…
And while players do indeed win matches for Celtic –
Referees very much lose games for Celtic…
Hell I’ve seen it far too often in ma 44 years of being a Celtic supporter !
It’s not arrogance, it’s well merited confidence.
Another good article James, very accurate. One of the most important and pertinent sections is…
“We don’t take anything for granted. We never do. That’s why we’re at the top. Brendan Rodgers knows what it takes to win games like this. He won’t underestimate the opposition, no matter how fragile they appear.”
We’ve witnessed this movie many times, but it is hugely important to go into these games as pragmatically as is possible, regardless of the various circumstances leading up to it.
Managers that look for, or use excuses or speak with forked tongue, prior to a game, are usually not very confident in their, or their players ability to succeed. Clement shows these weaknesses and has demonstrated so, this week.
Our manager, is, like our club, in a good place. He’s previously went into these fixtures with several key personnel missing, but used his managerial nous and tactical acumen, to get a result. There is the fundamental difference in the two leaders!
Our club won’t approach this final with anything less than 100% focus, steely determination and mental strength of perennial winners. We do have the better manager, players, squad and set up, and if we turn up as expected, there can only be one winner.
That is not arrogance…far from it ! It is just the view of a Celtic fan that has seen many of these games, from both ends of the spectrum and when you have the majority of positive factors going for you, the result tends to work in your favour.
There can be no excuses if we don’t win the first trophy of the season. So Celtic, let’s turn up and win this game with the style and flair of champions! HH
Johnny, Jock Stein once said that no matter how bad a referee is, if you are good enough you will always win. That may have applied at that time, especially with no VAR then, but now with the high pressing game that we play it allows the ref to have a certain influence in the game. Think about it. I just don’t have the confidence this time that we will win with cheatin Beaton in charge.
Any rational analysis of the game tomorrow has Celtic as winners. But football isn’t always rational – Wimbledon’s Crazy Gang, our own 7-1 heroes who were underdogs in the ‘57 Final. The difference is that if we lose it’s a bump in the road. If they lose it’s earth shattering.
Whatever happens (and whatever influence the officials have on the match) let’s keep this perspective. We are in a great place as a club – probably the best since we blew our position of strength from 1967-1972 when we were a true force in Europe. We need to raise our sights to secure our future (Bayern Munich got knocked out of the German Cup a couple of weeks back – no one really noticed in Europe as their focus is League and CL).
If Souttar plays, he’s playing injured. I’d say the likelihood is he’ll be out. Unfortunately, the same is probably true for AJ too. Although I’d much rather AJ played but we can cope with any injury.
I’m just in pushed form pubs Brattback…….
Not
Long to go now to find out just over twelve hours !