SENTINELCELTS

Tonight the world famous Glasgow Celtic burst back into action in an attempt to retain the SPL trophy for the 6th time in a row.

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The league started pretty much as it ended, Hearts and R2ngers unable to claim the 3 points, Derek fuming as usual, and Motherwell looking like a damn good footballing side again.

Are the Champions ready?
For a one-off game, probably.
For a season challenging on 4 fronts, nowhere near ready enough.
We all know who to blame but I do agree with the quality over quantity approach thats evident in the two we bought and those “we are trying” to buy. As complaining won’t help I’ll just move on from transfers and onto the game itself.

A starved of action support will turn out in maximum numbers primarily to see goals from our two new strikers. Whether they are paired together, how exactly they set up, is the question on everyone’s lips that is about to be answered. It will be a full house because of one of most anticipated debuts in my lifetime, we all want to see Hogh in the Hoops and if that swagger transcends onto the pitch. A couple of good goals or dare I say a hat-trick and we will genuinely start dreaming of another Treble and/or European impact spearheaded by the big viking who looks set to dominate defenses home and abroad. Having a proper forward gives us all reassurance, two gives us big ambitions, I sincerely hope tonight is the start of a successful partnership.

Our odds of victory are surely improved with AJ and Engels in the side, two players who whilst teammates today who ironically will probably face each other as rivals in England’s top flight next season. This might be the last time we each either as a Celtic player, savour it as much as you can.

Formation wise I do believe we will see another 4-3-3, if for no other reason that to get AJ and Arne into the team, and allow Duran and Kasper in the same side. That would obviously mean Duran on one of the flanks, but I imagine him coming inside a lot rather than a pure winger. I’ve been wondering if Nygren could benefit from them both meaning could he exploit the extra attention both are sure to receive, slip through the gaps so to speak, and do even more damage as the defense are occupied with our new dynamic duo? It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he actually benefits by fielding them, by attention being elsewhere.

Theres several “side quests” that are begging to be solved when you think about it.
Could Osmond go left and Duran right giving us three pure strikers on the field at once? He did exactly that with Sutton, Hartson, Henrik.
Could Hatton get minutes? It wouldn’t be a positive going forward if a youth player looking good is just bombed out when the season starts properly, I think he should be given some minutes from here on in order to improve.
Might Tonetki or Yang improve if they have a big targetman to aim for?
Will our setpiece plays look different now we have a specialist coach in that area?
Is CCV still the same player?
Will Reo be given his last minutes on the hallowed turf in order to give a proper goodbye?
Will Arne and AJ do a lap of honour signaling their departure?
Our family season books where in the Jock Stein stand and apparently its got spruced up over the summer, will that be noticable?

There’s no doubt about it, tonight begins a captivating journey, possibly Martin’s last journey with us. We will look different when the window closes but I for one wish to see a statement performance from those selected, a game to strike fear into Scotland and help get the ball rolling for a positive outcome in the CL qualifier.
I have no doubt the manager wishes the same.
Blow them away Celtic, set fire to the fuse of ambition, lets go on the marching again let both parties inspire each other.
Lets make it another special season that just like last year will live long in the memory.

Up the Hoops
By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com