SENTINELCELTS

The appetizer passed, the main course was an unforgettable feast, now this mini cycle of games delivers the dessert, and while despite being gorged I’m sure we can all find room for a ‘wee sweetener!’.

This tie offers that different type of flavor than the two preceeding, both in personnel and the oppositions approach. After blowing a Champions League team away it would be easy for me to state we’ve already beaten Falkirk, but the truth is I believe no such thing and as a matter of fact they will more than likely play better on the day than our beaten Champions League opponents.

I heard they have a playing style and are in good form overall, and as you know their players will be gunning for a shock win or shock performance, this visit might be the highlight of a few careers and everyone wants that magical tale for the grandkids. And IF the Celtic team is rotated, their odds of upset increase. I say if, but it seems like everyone and their granny believes Brendan will ring the changes with so much football left to play.

I certainly would and a debut for Valle would be top of the priority list. Get that lad playing and somewhat upto speed because at some stage injuries will strike. Who is a question that puts the fear in me, because this group are excellent. One Twitter poster opined Maeda is basically essential, and it’s hard to disagree.

Which leads me to my main point, YANG!
Jeez, I had almost completely forgotten about him, but he is a left winger, and we just cannot afford to run Daizen into the ground. I know James Forrest gave us a big returning boost last season, but so did Maeda. Shows we missed him then, and this team would miss him bad anytime.
Could we see Yang then?
I could make the case by saying it’s the perfect fixture for reintroduction, he has skills and now more time on the training pitch to absorb (I hope), and as stated Maeda needs rested occasionally so he has the perfect game to try and claim that second choice slot in the gaffers mind. I personally would rather see him over Palma, I believe Yang is much more suited to our current style of play.
A new look left flank with the first choice in reserve? Sounds okay to me because I honestly like Yang and I certainly like the sound of Valle. They will both be smart enough to know being on the winning side doesn’t mean you’re an automatic pick now, and they will also know that a good performance on those rare occasions alongside good training will keep you in the ‘might be called up if needed’ camp, and that camp has seen quite a few go on to make themselves undroppable with their ‘emergency’ call-up.
Or did the Anthony Ralston, proven themselves worthy of sticking around.

On that front, I’d throw Trusty into the mix from the off. CCV didn’t train therefore it’s sensible to rest him, another big bad Yank is called for.
And if AJ didn’t train I would wrap him in the proverbial cotton wool also.

It’s not all change though, some players suit constant games, and some players will see a game like this as the perfect opportunity to make a true impact.
Step forward Arne Engels.
Keep that lad playing because he’s pure pleasure to watch. It wouldn’t surprise if he grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and won it singlehandedly. Not one bit. He is jawdroppingly good in only two appearances, if he starts I can guarantee he will be one of the POTY players receiving points in the competition.
Reo doesn’t suit being rested, he was having one blooper every six games up until now, I wanna see if the gaffer has trained that outta him.
Bernardo for Callum, if I were king.

Yesterday Bobby was questioning Kyogo, justifiably by the way, but strange as it is, strikers really do rely on confidence, and that’s why I’d start him, to hopefully bag a few and get that mojo fully back. I seen a past interview when he emphasized he really really wanted to score and make an impact in the Champions League. Two seasons in a row now he’s scored upon Europe’s top table, how do we prepare him to score more? Play him, and let the luck/goals/rhythm come back naturally. I posit it’s best to play our Talisman for this tie. He should score if played, and that’s two games in a row, which is always the start of a run.

So that’s,
Schmeichel,
Valle,
Scales (our best defender right now),

Trusty,
Ralston,
Bernardo,
Engels,
Hatate,
Kuhn,
Yang,
Furuhashi.

No matter what, I’m looking forward to the game, how can one not be these days? Martin’s team was very good and very strong,,,but look at the average age.
This team hasn’t peaked, not by a stretch, we have so many with their prime ahead, and belief is growing with every passing day and game. Now that we improve the first team with our signings, there’s more positive shoots and a pathway to progression.
It’s an honour to watch our players rip straight up the field and conjure up a goal via great movement and finishing.

So welcome in Falkirk, wipe yer feet and enter the sacred turf as you’ve earned it. Pat on the back son.
Play your best and all that.
Make us sweat, make us work really hard, give it your absolute best on the day and you never know, the Hoops might just sign you giving you real stories for the grandchildren.
But sorry, I hope you get beaten on the day, and I hope a few stake their claims.

By Mahe sentinelcelts@gmail.com