We all must just concentrate on ourselves and our own team, before speculating about events at Tynecastle on Monday…
There’s been plenty of chatter among the Celtic support, as to what the desired outcome would be in regard to Monday evening’s capital showdown between our two title rivals, league leaders Hearts and third place the Rangers.
Some supporters for the first and most likely the only time are hoping for a victory for the visitors. Others reckon that a stalemate would be the most favourable outcome, despite keeping the Rangers on our coattails.
A Rangers win would leave us level on points with Hearts at the top of the table, if we of course earn three points at Easter Road on Sunday. No chickens should be counted on that one. A Celtic victory, will regardless of what happens at Tynecastle, will set us up nicely for next week’s Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park.
Me? I wouldn’t be against an away win, although a draw would please me most, as I can’t fathom the thought of willing the blue half of Glasgow to win any game, even one that would benefit us!
A Hearts win will edge them closer to the finishing line and maintain their three points advantage while bringing the goal difference situation sharply into focus. Celtic can deal with that by being a little more free scoring, three goals a game to the end of the season should be more than enough.
And a Hearts win would essentially mean that both Hearts and Celtic’s visits to Fir Park could be crucial. Perhaps if one falters and the other wins against Motherwell they will go onto lift the title.
Of the three outcomes on Monday, a Hearts win is the worst possible outcome for me.
First and foremost however, we need to take care of ourselves, and that means beating Hibs at Easter Road tomorrow afternoon. It goes without saying that three points is of the utmost importance, if we want to remain in contention to be crowned champions once again, and clinch five consecutive league titles, our 56th in total and our 14th in 15 seasons/
Despite all the speculation of the Easter Road side not being up for the game, due to a home win benefiting their bitter Edinburgh rivals, it will be a tough gig for Martin O’Neill and his players, you can bet your life on that. Hibs supporters might look at things his way but not the players.
They are playing professional football, They have bonuses to earn. They want to finish ahead of Motherwell. They want to experience European football next season. They will want to win the match tomorrow that is clearly the case.
Our last visit to Easter Road is testament to that, as we were lucky to leave with all three points in a close 2-1 win. And of course, David Gray’s side reversed the scoreline at Celtic Park in the last meeting between the sides, although Willie Collum on his VAR review admitted that Celtic should have had a penalty when Liam Scales was hauled to the ground when the score was 1-1.
Celtic will need to be at our best to leave Leith with all three points, that’s for certain. And then, and only then can we look towards events taking place on Bank Monday over in the other side of Edinburgh.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
2 Comments
What I want is for Celtic to win the last 4 games as well as the cup final. As for Monday’s game, I just want them to kick f__k out of each other.
Only interested in our result tomorrow, and haven’t even considered, what suits ourselves best at that Hun fest on Monday?
Only potentially becoming relevant depending upon our own result imo?
The good news tomorrow is that we look like having a far more settled 20man match day squad in operation?
The bad news is that it possibly won’t be a totally 100% fit squad either?
Can understand managers taking the extra risks upon fitness of players, especially with the situation and circumstances involved at this stage of a season?
However, with potentially 10 out of our 20 players in contention for world cup squad places. Hope that doesn’t become a factor within the battles we are going to be facing during matches now?
So our mentality will be required to be spot on tomorrow, along with our remaining matches?
Still a couple of starting team selection for MoN to consider?
Saracchi or Tierney?
2 from Seb, yang and forrest?
Personally think Seb left and yang right might be the preferred option imo?
If so, then Saracchi might start, as his link up play with Seb, seems better than with Tierney imo?
Would potentially leave the Tierney and Maeda to operate later within the game if required. Also think Tierney can provide better service with crosses also imo?
Hope AJ has at least 60 minutes in him tomorrow, especially as we might be looking for the full 90 minutes the following week. Wouldn’t be overly confident if the ralston and forrest were to operate down our right later on in the match all the same
So if calmac continues to play at a higher tempo, where he operates much better, then the full 90 minutes may be beyond him at present. No real issues with the OX stepping in for calmac, especially if our tempo should drop during the course of the game.
If such a game plan is within the thoughts of MoN and Maloney, then that would include our 5 subs potentially?
Still have concerns regarding his involvement for an entire match.
Need Maeda and Engels to continue with there improved form.
Even with both our left sided CB in trusty and scales forming our CB partnership, still possibly the best we have available for ourselves, at this stage of the season, especially with the experience factors involved.
Still believe that we have more than enough to gain the winning result required. Still plenty of work required from ourselves to deliver it all the same, but hopefully achieved.
Then attention can be placed upon the Hun fest imo?