The Celtic Thread

Predictions for tomorrows game lads??

3-1 celtic, hooper first goal

Big match tomorrow lads. 

tonyjaa wrote: trapped wrote: Meeting a few lads for pints in town tomorow night. Where would be a good place to go for this match in terms of atmosphere? what city are you in ?

Dublin city centre.

trapped wrote: Meeting a few lads for pints in town tomorow night. Where would be a good place to go for this match in terms of atmosphere?

HEADS on the game instead of heads being turned.

That's how Neil Lennon sums up the difference in his side today compared with the one trounced at Ibrox in September.
When they last faced Rangers the likes of Beram Kayal and Scott Brown had still to pen new deals.
As far as Celtic boss Lenny is concerned, he reckons that played a major part in the 4-2 hammering.
Now though, the ink has well and truly dried on the new contracts the midfield duo signed subsequently.
That stability is one of the reasons Lenny thinks his side have gone on the eight-game winning streak that's pulled them to within just a point of Gers ahead of tonight's clash.
It's why he believes his Celts side won't be outfought at Parkhead.
Lennon, whose side led 2-1 at the break three months ago, said: "I think we went to sleep at Ibrox.
"We had a chat at half-time, said we knew what was going to happen and to be ready for it.
"We never heeded the warnings, although there might have been mitigating circumstances.
"There were players who were in the middle of sorting contracts, who weren't fully committed to the club if that's the right way of putting it.
"Maybe their heads were being turned elsewhere — but now the squad's in a different place.
"I'm expecting a big performance from the big players this time.
"Kayal's played very well for instance. Since he's signed his deal we've gone on this winning streak.
"He's instrumental to us and likes these games but we have to compete in the physical side of the game.
"We have to stop crosses. We must not do what we did at the start of the second half at Ibrox, which was to think we just had to turn up and see the game out.
"You cannot switch the light on after 15 or 20 minutes. You have to play each half from the first whistle and we didn't do that second half.
"We got outworked and outfought back then. Rangers wanted it more.
"You always get a physical approach from Rangers. I'm not saying that they won't play any football and just lump it but they will be very competitive, I'm sure.
"They have a different manager now, he might have a different mindset. He has personnel missing as well.
"I can't really comment on how they're going to approach the game but the onus is on us being the home team to take it to Rangers."
Tonight's clash is the first night game between the sides since the infamous Scottish Cup Shame Game back in March.
Three Rangers players saw red with seven yellows also dished out.
Lennon said: "I've no worries about my players' on-field discipline.
"It won't change my plans beforehand, I won't mention it before the game. I think the players will thrive on it and enjoy the atmosphere.
"There's no better place to play under the floodlights whether it be a European game or a Rangers game."
Georgios Samaras should shake off a cold while Lennon also hopes James Forrest can play on despite his lingering hamstring problems.
When Celts were struggling earlier on in the season Lenny reckoned Samaras was the type of player who could get him the sack.
Since then the Greek has come on to a game and bagged both goals in the weekend win over Kilmarnock.
Lennon said: "I had a chat with Sammy as I was disappointed with his performance at Ibrox.
"Since then he's been excellent and instrumental in this run. He said to me he wanted a consistent run of games. I said to him that I wanted a consistent run of performances.
"He's shown a lot of character to come through the sticky spell when the fans were on his back."
Forrest has gone from a wet behind the ears rookie to a major player for the Hoops too.
He'd been dogged by short-term injuries and Lennon said: "Forrest is feeling fatigue in both hamstrings. It might be a problem stemming from his back. We tried to drip feed him into the team at first but he's mature enough to play in any given situation.
"He is a special talent and one we need to look after.
"He's an explosive player and it's the way his mechanics work as well.
"We've had him sent down to London to see specialists. They have provided orthotic footwear to take the pressure off that area. It's worked very well.
"We don't have many in Scotland who can get people off their seats like him."

Mon the Hoops lets do those scumbags.. Hail Hail!!!

Green Devil wrote: My mate is gone over to tonight's game , he's got family in Glasgow who are huge Hoops fans and they won a bidding auction for a box in the stadium tonight! He'll be sharing a corporate box with Frank McIlvenny and Alan Pardew!!

Green Devil wrote: My mate is gone over to tonight's game , he's got family in Glasgow who are huge Hoops fans and they won a bidding auction for a box in the stadium tonight! He'll be sharing a corporate box with Frank McIlvenny and Alan Pardew!!

he'll be watching Jelavic, lets hope he does feck all