Easiest Team Talk Ever
5 days, 2 huge games.
That’s life at a massive club, that’s why the players and Ange are actually here.
However, I find myself in a quandary. Initially I told myself Ange has the easiest teamtalk in the world this coming Saturday, now I’m not so sure.
I was thinking all the gaffer needs to say before the derby is simple, play well and you’ll start against Real Madrid.
I’m having second thoughts.
Notice I didn’t type ‘win’ the upcoming clash, rather play well. The team could win the match with one or more players not performing at maximum, in which case a tactical switch against Los Blanco’s would make sense. If the player was promised being part of a winning side was enough, then of course he shall expect a starting berth which could weaken the team.
The starting eleven could put everything into this game leaving some jaded, again expecting inclusion from the start, when it might be better all around to introduce fresh legs. But a promise is a promise.
Playing more native players in the first of these two big games could make a lot of sense, the thinking being they would rise to the opportunity due to having more connection with the biggest game in the country.
I dont envy the big man here, these calls are massive and he will be judged on them, and I can’t pick his brain on the issue, but I can pick yours.
So today’s article is a simple question aimed to stimulate debate, plus seeing who called it right is always interesting.
How would you approach these two games?
Strongest eleven first, others start the next match?
Other way around?
Same starters or access?
Use the entire squad?
Fling the new guys in for the X-factor?
All natives start the first game?
It’s a conundrum I’m telling you, but I’m looking forward to reading what you would do if you were king.
By Mahe
Podium?….š¬
MAHE
Jock felt guilty about leaving Yogi out of the line-up at Lisbon. He promised him that a good performance against Leeds in 1970 would have him in the team for the final. It rankled with him that he wasn’t on the field at Lisbon-though he eventually got his medal.
He didn’t disappoint that night-but-and I hesitate here,as he has recently passed away.
De mortuis nihil nisi bonum
No-one really covered themselves in glory that night in the final,sadly. John told us in Wimbledon that it was the biggest disappointment of his life.
The point I am clumsily trying to make is that Ange will decide the team for Saturday. And he will also do the same for Tuesday. Not about a game three weeks previously,just the here and now.
He has already made a promise to the players,and they can see the benefit,as we all can. But not a one of them is a guaranteed starter,and none are promised a place either.
For the first time,perhaps as GER57 pointed out earlier,the first time in 50 years,we have a tremendously strong squad.
While I think we will use that squad to the max,we will use the core to the max.
I expect AP to send out his first choice eleven on Saturday,and again on Tuesday. And use those five substitutes when appropriate.
Mahe, if I were king there would be no Sevco but Iāll sleep on the rest of it š
āNight, lads, and cheers for the craic, nane like yez.
šŖšš®šŖ
Napsters,follow the link.
https://sentinelcelts.com/2022/06/25/the-twisty-naps-competition/
POTY,follow the link.
sencelpoty@gmail.com
BADABING
Well done,mucker.
You up for a quiet sesh in Coatbridge in two weeks?
I’d start the strongest eleven twice. Giving them time off to ralax of course ..
The strongest eleven is up for debate.
MAHE
That’s a good point!
Land of the free?
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/01/biden-speech-philadelphia-independence-hall-democracy-robert-reich
Morning all,
Interesting article Mahe.
I think the starting lineup tomorrow picks itself with 2 places up for grabs
Joe
JJ. CCV Carl Greg
Reo. Calmac. Matt Jota
Maeda Kyogo
Obviously, Jenz and Abada could start but I think the above team shades it for me.
Subs, Well thereās a terrific choice but if I pick 5 ( barring injuries) to come on, it would be
GG, H bomb, Mooy, Liel and David Turnbull.
This really is an exciting time to follow Celtic š
COYBIG ššššš
Ps
Catch up with you rascals in the Shipbank later šŗšŗšŗ
Police Scotland won’t need any encouragement to be even more heavy handed with stories like this.
Fears of rise in hooliganism at Scottish football matches as cost of living crisis worsens
There were violent incidents after Premiership and Championship games at the weekend and now prominent football figures have raised concerns.
Ex First MinisterĀ Henry McLeishĀ fears theĀ cost of living crisisĀ will fuel a surge in hooliganism at top flight football matches.Ā PoliceĀ were called to deal with incidents followingĀ Scottish PremiershipĀ andĀ ChampionshipĀ games last weekend. FormerĀ Scottish LabourĀ leader McLeish is concerned the violence is a sign of things to come as people struggle to cope with crippling economic pressures.
His warning comes as fansā group chief Andy Smith urged supporters to be on their best behaviour amid concerns social unrest will spread to the terraces of football grounds. McLeish,Ā hired by the SFAĀ to investigate the state of football in Scotland in 2010, said “people could be seeking outlets for their anger and sadly one of them could be football”.
He added: āThereās a degree of tension building up in society, at every level, and a degree of worry and fear about the future. Itās going to get much worse next year with inflation going up, the possibility of a recession with the threat of unemployment. This is unprecedented. I canāt recall a time, even in the ā70s and ā80s, when things were as bad as this.ā
McLeish said: āThereās no doubt thatās putting pressure on families and individuals and it may well be putting pressure on a lot of people who go to football matches. The danger is that it could be expressed in hooliganism or bad behaviour. We are in uncharted waters in the UK.
“If people feel theyāre being neglected and that their views, through traditional outlets, are not being listened to, then thereās a danger that you could slip back into using certain activities like football to vent that frustration.ā
The pub criticised Motherwell fans for going on the rampage in a Facebook post about the incident. Another brawl between rival fans also took place in a nearby pub resulting in one supporter being injured and leaving him with a ripped shirt.
On Friday night, Ayr United fans fought with Dundee supporters in the streets outside he townās Somerset Park after their 3-1 win over the visitors. Andy Smith, chairman of the Scottish Football Supportersā Association, said: āIām worried there will be a rise in incidents this season due to whatās going on elsewhere in society.
āFootball is an outlet and some people have no other release. We are on the edge of civil disobedience. Anger, despair and a lack of control are a dangerous cocktail and football can be a spark. I am worried that people in Scotland are angrier than they have ever been.
āWeāre all being affected negatively by relentless populism politics and our lack of control over the spiralling price rises of things we need to live like food and energy. Football and its fans reflect the state of society and there is deep and growing anger that needs an outlet.
āBut supporters have to remember two things – we are all in this together, and away fans are guests and should behave and be treated as such.ā Police Scotland said their enquiries into the disturbance in Kilmarnock were ongoing.
Chief Inspector Kevin Lammie confirmed officers attended a reported incident in Ayr. He added: āPolice in South Ayrshire continue to work with Ayr United and travelling fans to ensure public safety surrounding football matches at Somerset Park. No crimes have been reported to police following Fridayās match.ā
** Thank feck for the edit button š¤£š¤Ŗ
CRAIG76
I will attempt to edit that for you.
Already done it Bobby š
Site working perfect now from my android phone š
CRAIG76
I wish Iād known that,would have saved some time. Strange how people speak out whenādiddy teamsā fans are at it,but keep quiet while George Square is being trashed.
Morning
We have a core 16/17 with cover from the āfringeā guys we saw on Wednesday. Iād go with Leggyās core squad plus Jenz.
The āfringeā outfield players are AR, SW, AB, JF, JMcC. Ironically mainly Scottish.
Our new guy OA is unlikely to feature in the next two games.
Ange will play his best available, but we need all 23 for the rigours ahead.
Mouthwatering stuff, Cannae wait , particularly since Iāve taken the plunge to visit Warsaw via GdaÅsk.
HH
Mahe
Heart saying a first half 3-0 nil like last season
Head saying more likely a repeat of our last Scottish Cup tie… they will press/block and kick with impunity, and we will struggle to answer that.
We don’t. Have the right players yet…or if we do he won’t play them because they aren’t ready yet.
We need to see who comes through tomorrow with fully functioning limbs
Then consider Madrid
Doubt it will be pretty, but hoping I’m wrong
Craig76
Alrite buddy – always wondered how much data fits on a c&p function
Now we know eh?! ššš
If Celtic score early I can see the game being a total rout.
No bias,no trying to predict the future, only a personal opinion/observation.
Last season when the team kicked on we were arguably one of the best 1st half sides in Europe,but faded somewhat in the 2nd half, understandably so.
This season by contrast, the team isn’t just quick out of the traps, they are maintaining and sometimes even increasing the tempo throughout the entire duration of matches.
I genuinely don’t know how the manager has achieved this, because it’s a phenomenon that I’ve never seen before.
Velocity F.C.
HH.š
SES
Aye that will teach me to try and avoid posting links to that rag šš¤£
I think we need to do something different with the midfield.
That’s why I would start with Mooy.
Hart
Juranuvic, CCV, Lenz,Taylor
Mcgregor Mooy, Hatate
Abada, Kyogo , Jota
Think about the team for Madrid after Saturday
Looking at Celtic to score over 4.5 goals @ 14/1.
Celtic to score 4 goals or more is 15/2.
The zombies are praying for it to be bucketing out of the heavens on Saturday morning, they think rain will slow our players down – that’s how desperate they are.
Short memories, because if my memory serves me correctly – it was raining heavily the night we had them buried before half time.
HH. š
We know how they will play, their team will set up with Lundstrum and another DM- Kamara, Davis or Jack in front of a shaky defence.
Three in front of that – Kent a definite, and Colak up top.
They think a PSV away performance will win the game.
Difference is we will be relentless in attack, they will get little joy from Tavpen and Shitebag who will be too busy back pedalling to counteract our width.
Nullify their threat from full back and isolate Kent.
Goldson and Sands are neither quick nor positionally good.
Canāt see past a win, with no doubt the odd scare thrown in cos itās against them.
Good morning, friends and a Big Happy Friday to all who post or lurk on here.
What I learned from Wednesday evening is that I’d have absolutely no problem with any of them retaining their place on Saturday. Given the type of game plan that I’d expect Sevco to employ there’s be a good argument to have Ralston up against Kent and Gio at centre forward. However, if I were king I’d start with
Hart
Ralston, CCV, Jenz, Taylor
O’Riley, McGregor, Hatate
Jota, Kyogo, Maeda
I reserve the right to change my mind with every passing hour!
Just for info I had to sign in again to post. I closed down the site then came back in again from scratch. I see my post but there’s no edit facility. And I’m having to sign in again to post this one.
Not a complaint as such, just letting you know….
The edit facility is now on my 2 earlier posts and not having to sign in for this 3rd one.
Aff oot…..
Not sure about Kyogo & Maeda both starting the game.
Zombie defense is unable to cope with Giakoumakis.
Abada is flying at the minute.
Ange Postecoglou will call it correctly.
HH. š
Morning guys!
I see I sent some of you to bed happy last night. Even more pleasing was the confirmation that we finally have the missing piece of our jigsaw – a big DM!! Its just a pity he hasn’t arrived in time to play in two massive games – or has he?š¤
Mahe, for tomorrow I’d go with our strongest 11 which was supplied earlier by St Tams:
Hart
Juranuvic, CCV, Jenz,Taylor
Mcgregor Mooy, Hatate
Abada, Kyogo , Jota
Its almost the team that beat DU 9-0. Jenz is in for Starfelt and Mooy for O’Reilly. Carl isn’t quite sharp enough yet for this one and I think we need Mooys physicality. At a push we’d perhaps be even stronger with O’Reilly in for Calmac but that’s a complete non starter obviously.
I wasn’t expecting to be there tomorrow. I share a ST with my son but have given him the hun game every time for the last few years. I’ve seen hunners and I reckon that this was now his time. However, one of his pals is away to a wedding down south so we’ll both be there.
What a wonderful institution marriage is! š
As if that isn’t enough the guy who sits next to.us in the North Stand can’t make the CL games so well be sitting together at those. I’m looking forward to some magical nights.
I’m as excited as an excited thing that’s never been so excited!
Blackadder CSC
I must admit. I find the contract extension for MJ very strange.
Nothing against the boy and I hope he goes onto have a good career.
But I don’t see it happening at Celtic.
Still having to put my details in
Weāre on the one train šµšµšµšµšµ
The big smoke beckons ššš
https://celticpools.co.uk/poty
Wow,
Jobo, your in the big league now.
#
Courtesy of Por Cierto, from the other Channel. Well done Sir ššš
My team for tomorrow
Hart, JJ, CCV, Carl, GT,
Mooy, Calmac, Reo,
Jota, GG, Maeda
I think we need to be physical in midfield to counter Lundstrom. If the ref won’t sort him, Mooy or GG will. Maeda and Jota will terrorise their defence. We can then bring on Matt, Kyoto and Abada after GG has softened them up.
A couple of honest mistakes, of course, could scupper my grand plan.
Good morning folks, BMCUWPS et al…
We live in interesting times.
Jobo Baldie @ 10:00 pm,
*SENTINEL CELTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2022-23*
RESULTS FROM GAME #6 ā ROSS COUNTY 1 CELTIC 4 (McGREGOR, GIAKOUMAKIS, MAEDA, FORREST)
Iāll tell you what was clear last night ā we have a squad where every single player has bought into Angeās System. We score 9 at the weekend, make 9 changes last night and still looked a very strong team who put on a very good performance.
One of the early features I noticed was how comfortable Welsh was in coming forward with the ball whenever space allowed. It really was a crying shame when injury struck him down early in the 2nd half. At that stage young Stephen was certainly in my thoughts for one of my votes.
Ultimately it was another comfortable performance and win despite conceding only our 2nd goal of the season ā both of which have been scored by Ross Countyās Lacovitti!
So, 6 games played, 6 games won, 25 goals scored and only 2 conceded. Not too shabby!
And so to the voting. Thanks to the 58 who sent in their opinions. Incredibly, the 5 players that are receiving points were all on zero before last nightās game. Very close for Man Of The Match, an example again of the fact that every vote counts!
The total votes cast for each player (with my own choices asterisked) are as follows ā
Siegrist: 3
Ralston*: 41
Welsh: 0
Jenz: 1
Bernabei: 4
Mooy*: 40
McGregor: 13
Turnbull*: 22
Abada: 0
Giakoumakis: 19
Maeda: 28
Starfelt: 0
Forrest: 1
Haksabanovic: 2
McCarthy: 0
So, the top 5 players receiving POINTS for the game against Ross County are ā
Ralston ā 5 pts
Mooy ā 4 pts
Maeda ā 3 pts
Turnbull ā 2 pts
Giakoumakis ā 1 pt
*PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR AUGUST 2022*
The Player Of The Month award is based purely on the TOTAL votes given to each player during that monthās games. Thereās a wee quirk for this as Iām also including our home game against Aberdeen on 31 July.
In 3rd place with a total of 114 votes is Kyogo Furahashi. The runner up for August with 161 votes is Greg Taylor. And the Player Of The Month for August 2022, and a clear winner with 235 votes is Joao Pedro Neves Filipe; or JOTA to you and me.
*THIS SEASONS GOALSCORERS*
6 ā Kyogo
4 ā Abada
3 ā Giakoumakis, Jota
2 ā Jenz, Starfelt
1 ā Forrest, Juranovic, Maeda, McGregor, Welsh
Total Goals ā 25
Our thoughts and positive vibes are now surely focused on Saturday lunchtime when we entertain (hopefully, quite literally!) Triggers Broom FC at Celtic Park. Itās a 12.30 kick off so the polling will be open from around 2.20pm on Saturday until 10.00pm on Sunday.
Hail Hail!
Replied to this last night, the comment disappeared into the ether I thought it may have appeared this morning but alas no…
It was interesting watching the game, my initial thoughts was that three home grown bhoys would be voted for – Ralston, Welsh and CalMac…
They all deserved a vote but I gave GG one for playing on through the rough treatment and injuries and gave as good as he got.
The Sead’s debut cameo, really caught my eye, the Bhoy was keen to impress and had the ability to do just that…
Interesting to see Greg Taylor in the mix for player of the month and splitting our best talents…. Kyoto and Jota…
The quality and consistency necessary to get into – JB’s top three POTM is immense as the bar is pushed forever higher.
Hard one to call tomorrow, two very different sides. Fascinating encounter.
Tougher call on team selection, many have done enough to deserve a start, particularly Mooy – but we don’t want too many changes
Team for me…
Celtic: Hart, Juranovic, Starfelt, Carter-Vickers, Taylor, OāRiley, McGregor, Hatate, Jota, Meada, Kyogo.
Subs: Siegrist, Bernabei, Ralston, Jenz, Mooy, Haksabanovic, Turnbull, Forrest, Abada.
Hail Hail
LEGGY 1049
Wowee!
St tams @ 10:12 am,
Think this is only odd in terms of the way our Club was run before Ange arrived.
I’m assuming we took up the extension on his current contract rather than give him another.
It could be partly to incentivise the lhad to go out on loan.
It means after after this season we can reassess where MJ really is, obviously has always been regarded as a talent.
We can get as much as we can for him in the transfer market and won’t have a player coming back, if indeed he does come back, looking to run down his last year and looking to sign pre-contract agreements.
Much tidier way of doing things to my thinking, respecting the player who came through the ranks and looking after the Clubs interests.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
That’s great news about Jobo’s POTY being adopted by the Celtic Pools! I joined today Ā£4.34 per month! I swore I wouldn’t put another penny into Celtic plc but the Pools is seperate enough for me.
POTY Thanks Jobo.
Ralston as top pick surprised me. What do I know other than pretty much everyone is playing well now so itās not easy to see who stands out.
Re team selection Iād have Jenz before Starfelt. Opinion seems to be split on this. For me Jenz is much more reliable on the ball.
OA is supposed to be the last piece of the jigsaw. The hard man in midfield. If heās eligible Iād give him some minutes tomorrow to introduce him prior to RM. Then again was he signed in time for the Champions League squad.
Friends,
What happened was Por Cierto emailed me, basically to ask if it’d be OK to include the results on his Celtic Pools site. he did suggest some fangled clever techie thing where my posts on here would automatically update on his site (I think) but in the end I just suggested to him to copy and paste! I think this is just his own site as a pools agent and nothing grander! However if I end up with 400 emails over the coming weekend I’ll have to pull the plug!!
Right, freedom over and grandweans to watch from now till half 6. Life’s Great!
(had to sign in again….)
Looks like OA isnāt available. From James Forrest site:
Heās here on a one year deal. We will find out what the ins and outs of that are later on, Iām sure, but he is Celticās player. He has already said his goodbyeās to Russia. The reason for the one year contract relates to the way his time there has come to an end; weāve effectively bought out the final year of his deal. Weāll see how this develops, but expect international clearance to be given to the transfer, and a longer term deal to be agreed. This is why there is no mention of a āright to buyā clause.
FRODSHAMBHOY
As I said last night,
Might be that we canāt pay a fee to a Russian side due to sanctions,of course.
I’m pretty certain we got Sead for free too.
Jobo / great news but now you have to upgrade to Xls.2016ā¦
š
Hard to imagine how we could be in better shape heading into the next couple of games.
Strange that we’ll be facing the 2 most successful teams in this galaxy āŗ
If our unbeaten run is still intact when we meet Livvy, I’ll be happy as can be.
Some of our greatest keepers.
https://youtu.be/VGYbL9GBNcA
Some of our greatest goal-getters
https://youtu.be/AgWkPuVsqME
Some of our best Scottish cup wins.
https://youtu.be/I3hyZd4eAe4
Selection of our title day wins
https://youtu.be/8wiNO6DVUHs
Our League cup final wins since 1980 Pt1
https://youtu.be/mKqYEgpslRc
League cup final wins 1982-2022 Pt2
https://youtu.be/S4hgT7_xyi4
BIGAUDIODYNAMITE
I despaired for over three decades about our goalkeepers. I thought Ally Hunter was the last decent one-until he wrapped himself around the posts at at Wembley-and not a man since to have faith in till Artur arrived
(I give David Marshall a huge pass mark of course for his performance in The Bernabeu.)
Not had a bad one since!
FF will always be my fave. Not for his performances against the huns or Barcelona. Just for being the best and most consistent keeper I’ve ever seen in our colours.
Chairbhoy
Is there any reason you’ve left out Giakoumakis and opted for Haksabanovic (sic)