SENTINELCELTS

Well folks, it looks like the footballing God’s have blessed us with another opportunity to find form ahead of the much desired Cup Final replay (what are they like?) and like last weekend this one is also away from Paradise with a pretty decent opponent who cannot be overlooked.

Thankfully the winning finalists won’t face extra time, nor penalties, and they had midweek free which resulted in some frolics and one imagines a bit of team bonding. I wonder if they will have a spring in their step. We all know what the manager got up to,,sorting out the January spend, and I wonder if this alongside a Cup will put a spring in his step.

Alas, the weather will not lend itself to a game of finesse, quite the opposite, and I wonder if that suits our opponents? United could take heart we just conceded 3, shouldn’t be able play the usual game, and there’s known injuries, AJ and James.

They could find some hope but ironically I would suggest Celtic have a lot of tools in their locker for a poor conditions/just win it tricky fixture. Ralston might have started anyway, the Canadian does need the occasional rest and the native would love an old fashioned crossing frenzy in the rain. Crossing to Adam, it’s much more his type of game than Kyogos.

We couldn’t pass well on a wet surface not long ago, I’d like to see a more direct style of play, and three midfielders who can test the keeper from range.
Callum, Luke, Reo all with license to shoot?
I’m not too bothered by the other selections, but with the annual injury to James the right wing position looks weak and we could do a lot worse than having Kuhns understudy signed. I’ve a nagging memory of Palma playing decent and scoring in the rain somewhere/sometime, perhaps he is in for a shot on the right taking over from Nicholas after he’s ran his race? Wouldn’t surprise me. Who is actually considered the backup right wing player will emerge as the German can’t play every single minute.

I like to imagine there will be no Cup hangover, team quality and good vibes will carry us through and deliver the 3 points,,and as much as I’ve banged on about form recently, I am not demanding it from this fixture. Winning ugly would be perfectly fine, it would actually reassure me.

As for the opposition, everyone involved should be delighted with their current position, not only 5th but looking like an SPL regular already. I really want to see a full-house and given the timeslot I was almost going to type there’s no excuses,,,but in reality there’s the biggest excuse of all. Christmas being three days away means any gift tickets can’t be handed out yet, means the belt must be tightened for a hell of a lot, and it’s dreich weather to boot. I know The Tims will be there and inevitably get topless belting out their own version of Merry Christmas to the supporters of last week’s eventually beaten foe. When you see that, Santa really is coming, that’s his cue.

Up The Hoops!
By Mahe