SENTINELCELTS

On Monday I stated Wednesdays team sheet couldn’t come fast enough. I wanted the same lineup that blew the Hibs away.
My wish wasn’t granted, but tellingly the spine of the team remained unchanged.
Et voila, another good performance on the park.
Coincidence? I think not.

Cameron Carter Vickers
Moritz Jenz
Matt O’Riley
Reo Hatate
Aaron Mooy
Frankly I’m happy with either ‘keeper, whatever Ange selects, although I think a game on the bench was merely a boot up the hole for Big Joe and not curtains on his Celtic career.
But those five players named have become our current spine and results improve.
Exactly what the doctor ordered.

I’ve realized I would be happy to see Ange tinker somewhat, but leaving the spine alone until the game is won.

Two different wingers in two different games clearly worked as they each notched a few goals,,,that is the type of rotation I can easily get my head around.
G-Mak into the starting lineup and scores, next game Kyogo matches him, it sounds almost too simplistic, please Ange play one then the other. But it worked.
The four full backs can easily be switched out at any time, ditto between the sticks.
Our spine though should have games together full stop.

I missed the midweek game but noted Mooy was given a thumbs up by most. He wasn’t in his first outing post Calmac injury. Clearly some gametime benefitted him, it’s not rocket salad, but I recall Nir for example constantly ‘being brought in from the cold’ and not having the greatest game.
Games bring form, hopefully form translates into consistency.

That’s what I want today, consistency.
My wish list has three items,,,
The same spine,
Another three points,
Score more than three again for the third time in a row.
Not much to ask, is it?

Tynecastle has always been one of my favorite away venues, that throwback stadium almost on top of the pitch, the venom spewing from the home support who get silenced when their ‘agricultural’ approach is overcome, raising their game for the Champions not realizing raising it every week would lift your club up the table, the bent ref,,,it’s a hard place to go. The points must be fully earned by first overcoming the hostility, the hammer throwers, and then creating unquestionable goals which can’t be rationally chalked off.
1,2,3 again.

If we achieve three wins in a row, with the same midfield trio, while banging in three goals or more, I shall rest a lot easier believing that our beloved team has truly found their mojo again at the ideal time.

Over to you Ange and the bhoys.
Go break some Hearts please and show the nation why we will be Champions again.

By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com