SENTINELCELTS

I opted for this articles title because I’m convinced the victors of tomorrow’s clash shall actually lift the Cup. Whilst it would be fantastic for Aberdeen to claim the first trophy of the season a clean sweep by Celtic would be fitting, and a sign of progress. Signs of progress are there to be found, our results bear that out, but yet on the actual park despite flying out of the blocks, team form hasn’t been sparkling lately. The old football cliche about a good side wins whilst not playing well holds a large element of truth, but a team cannot just shine at the start and trundle through. And that’s where today’s clash enters the equation.

Due to the fixture list, clearly Celtic will wish to avoid extra time and penalties, clearly Celtic will wish to win the game in the first hour then ring the changes with Tuesday nights tough task in mind. And clearly Brendan won’t be under supporter pressure should we fail to navigate the tie, having credit in the bank plus bigger fish to fry.
The answer,,,go at them. Attack, attack, attack.
That’s one way to rekindle our early season form, take the handbrake off and in true Ange-ball fashion simply keep moving the ball forward and take our numerous opportunities created while limiting theirs.
Easy words to type though.

Converting chances is not a particular forte of the side right now, with our Japanese talisman in particular being guilty of spurning more than I would like. However, and I keep pointing this out, he just loves the Champions League for personal reasons, and given Adam started the last CL game, and given he got a bad knock at the weekend so will more than likely start today’s game on the bench, and given Kuhn and Maeda are fresh after being rested, the wee man can seal a starting slot on Tuesday with a big performance today. This gives me much encouragement and the gambler in me would fancy backing him to bulge the old onion bag.

In reality there’s goals throughout our team, and we’ve scored enough to be in contention no matter the competition, we’ve scored 9 more than our opponents in the league whilst conceding 6 less, but as we all know two of them came from our very opponents to cancel out our two, in our own house. As we all know, they just scored two against the other half of Glasgow, in their own house. And finally they shall obviously have extra support given the neutral venue, so just attacking and outscoring them might sound like a pipedream, but yet I honestly view it as our best tactic on the day.

We certainly have the tools in our locker. Any of Kuhn, Maeda, Bernardo, Reo, Engels, and now AJ can notch up a goal, our cut and thrust carried out at speed has served us well, and Big Cam is back is back to lower the odds of getting countered plus Kasper is in fine form which has somewhat slipped under the radar of most but not all. I’m of the opinion if Celtic decide to really go for a team and put them to the sword, they can do just that. This belief just adds another layer of anticipation to a showcase event that captures the imagination, because Aberdeen getting absolutely pumped just hasnt happened. Yet.
That’ll end someday and there’s no time like the present.

There’s no point in saying we would be doing them a favour letting them focus on the league with only one more game to go in the competition, but I’m extra curious to see their managers approach. He has the luxury of no midweek fixture so asking his players to put everything into this one-off clash is a given, but given we went two up against them and our defensive general is back, asking for exactly the same again is risky. As is attacking us given we are great on the counter. As is waiting for the starters to tire given our bench is strong right now.
I do believe he shall be in a bit of a quandary with regards team tactics, again those are easy words to type.

Their best bet is to start very quickly (again) and hope to score putting the onus on us, then defend their lead and break when possible, which is exactly how I think Leipzig shall approach Tuesdays game so in theory this clash is well timed and good preparation.

My great expectation is that we walk away from this saying ‘what a great game he had’ meaning one of the Hoops grabs the game by the scruff of the neck and dominates proceedings. The Kuhn show wouldn’t surprise me, nor the Maeda show, the Idah impact etc, however given Brendan’s liking of Bernardo in Europe I’m secretly hoping he starts and plays a blinder. He’s won games for us before, he’s a smashing find and signing, and I would love a real statement performance from him today, a performance that demands his inclusion in the starting eleven because (to me) he’s the type of player one could build a squad around given he’s still young and has many attributes. I’d start him, order him to score, haul him off and tell him to get ready for Ze Germans arriving.
If he’s dropped for Reo who I believe done well in Bergamo (haven’t seen the game) then the same instructions. The point is whoever starts today should start then, with the aim of cementing their European starting slot. I believe that’s the most sensible approach, best for consistency, and our best bet to actually take another precious three points at Europe’s top table. Defeat today opens the door for some changes, resounding victory for the starters closes the door, simples. I’ll toss Valle into that equation, and starting him or Greg should give us a real good insight into the new pecking order at leftback. The Spaniard is more than likely one goal or another assist from winning that tussle, and if I know that he certainly should.

It’s simply a great match up, the current juggernauts going head to head, and Scottish football should be thankful for the freshness on offer, the resurgence of the northerners. This tie has a very honest feeling to it unlike the dreaded Old Firm, both clubs are on the right side of the law, both sides got where they are through honest endeavor, and both sides are definitely not relying on the refs to bail them out.
It’s the best domestic game yet, and there’s no blue hue involved.

I’ll state it now, the New Firm is much better than the Old Firm. Better on the pitch, better on the conscience, better for the national sport overall.
Long may this continue.

By Mahe