SENTINELCELTS

We’re back with a bang as the old computer managed to throw together an excellent round of fixtures for the weekend. Every single match-up holds a degree of interest and/or intrigue, but the Champions visit to the capital is clearly the pick of the bunch.

We are of course faced with the old traditional timeslot of 7.45 on a Saturday night, I say traditional because only the world famous Leather Belts seem to get the nod, understandable from a scheduling directors viewpoint, and I don’t see much complaints from the Tims which is unsurprising given the very meager number of away tickets issued to supporters. A couple of points on this. If the 500 number is correct and there’s Pyro from that area, no need to call in Sherlock Holmes for the list of suspects, it goes without saying I don’t wish for pyros in the slightest, but given the clubs ‘can’t do anything’ response at the AGM, and the historic animosity between the sides, some idiot might be emboldened. It also goes without saying that our team shall never be playing at home for one of these Saturday night shows, I do believe the club would be absolutely furious at the chance of less matchday attendance hence revenue. So if it’s a Saturday night and Celtic are on the TV, we’re away from home fullstop. Fine by me.
My final point is that the atmosphere should be supercharged with such a timeslot, extra bevvy and probable increases attendance etc.

A supercharged atmosphere generally delivers one (or more) of three things,,a pumped up home team, a full blooded affair as the player get caught up in the crowds emotion, or an angry reaction from the home support when the game isn’t going their way. In respect of the latter, the clash is fortunate timing for their new manager as defeat wouldn’t result in calls to sack him. A St. Stephen’s Day home loss to Hibs would see such calls, but not losing to the Champions and hopefully last 16 of the Champions League quality opponents.

I generally love these games for self sadistic reasons, revelling in silencing the vitriol, or perhaps pure football besting thuggish players, but given their manager is a Tony Bloom pick, one would imagine he wants his charges to actually play a bit, and it’s a decent surface for it. I’m looking forward to see what he is doing that’s different to Naismith, except losing of course.

Team selection should be interesting, and it would be remiss of me not to mention we face the prospect of two brothers playing against each other, handy for the family outing, but not for the dinner table come Sunday.

The first name on the teamsheet this week won’t be the Captain but the contract extension Bhoy himself, a whopping new five year deal for the Canadian whom one cannot help but like. On that front, I’m sure I’m not the only one who now expects Greg to sign similar, the gaffer did hint at it, and it makes sense especially if Valle is actually getting recalled. I’ll say this though, he’s in the last chance saloon to get that pen out, because if Valle is going home in January it’s a certainty another left-back will be signed, and start with the aim of being fully integrated for the CL qualifiers come July, if Greg is leaving. If GT signs up, and the club know Valle won’t be hanging around, it’s more likely he plays most games and gets an understudy rather than a direct rival. A new deal would bring a pay rise, given the choice between the English Championship on similar wages to any new deal plus winning trophies with a global giant that dines well at the top table of European football,,I’m honestly expecting a December announcement he’s put pen to paper.

The manager publicly acknowledged our Japanese contingent felt the strain of so much traveling during the last International break, so it wouldn’t surprise me if one or two were benched to help recuperate. Idah instead of Kyogo looks sensible from where I’m sitting, as does Luke for Reo, although Bernardo instead would be perfectly understandable.
And I’ve gotta mention my bhoy Yang, if Daizen is shattered, give him a shot at revenge at the stadium which saw him unfairly dismissed.

I fully expect to begin today’s fixture in second place given Aberdeen have just had two weeks of tactics and training together, it should be a good game (which I might watch) but I think they will best the Saints,,there’s added incentive to emerge victorious. With Club Brugge visiting Parkhead on Wednesday, there’s enough time in between games to put full effort in tonight by whoever is selected to put full effort into this clash, to do whatever is needed to grab those three Tynecastle points.

My personal player-cam is on Idah tonight, as Bobby pointed out yesterday we are entering a period of hard, non-stop football, and Kyogos starting slot is there for the taking. A couple (or a winner) against the Jambos would go a long way towards sealing the switch.

I’m really looking forward to this, let’s do it Celtic!
By Mahe sentinelcelts@gmail.com