Celtic v Dundee United Preview. Battle of the Busy Clubs
By: Matt | March 11th, 2008
On Wednesday, the Bhoys are back in Celtic Park, hosting Dundee United. While most in the SPL have any trip to Glasgow highlighted on their calendar, perhaps the Tangerines will be looking forward to their trip to Hampden on Sunday against Rangers in the final of the CIS Insurance Cup. Personally, I hope the Tangerines take it easy on Wednesday, saving their energy to give the Huns hell at Hampden. I hope this not only so that Celtic can earn an easy three points Wednesday, but I also prefer the Huns trophy case to contain “fuck all”, as it did last year.
There seems to be no serious injury problems heading into the match. WGS mentioned that Lee Naylor and Stephen McManus were fighting a virus, but were back in training and should not miss the match. So that is there excuse. Anyways, this match will be the beginning of a busy stretch for Celtic. Including Wednesday’s match, Celtic will have 3 matches in 7 days, with a surely emotional trip to Motherwell for rescheduled match of the rescheduled first match against the ‘well since the tragic passing of Phil O’Donnell, as well as the replay at Celtic Park against Aberdeen on Tuesday. The Bhoys will need to stay up and not rest in all three matches as all three will be tough. Both Motherwell and Dundee United are fighting for third place and a UEFA Cup spot and Aberdeen, well out of the league and Europe next year, will be fighting for the only piece of hardware they are eligible for still. With the title race as nerve racking as it, I don’t think I need to remind anyone how important every point is!
Would like to see Darren O’Dea get a run out personally as I think Caldwell’s been shite recently. However, WGS usually does not like to have two same footed Center backs, thus perhaps sitting Captain Mick down for a match is in order. He has struggled defensively and perhaps hasn’t lived up to the captain arm band. I am no means calling for Mick’s sale or long term benching, but perhaps a wee message is in need. Maybe Mick is just spent from doing so much modeling for the online team store which is seen in the beginning of the post. All those appearances on Bravo TV for “World’s Next Supermodel” must be tiring…Anyways, the combination of Celtic looking to avoid a match like in Aberdeen and Dundee United resting players for the cup final makes me believe that the Bhoys will be victorious 2-0.
Thoughts?
Teams named (taken from the BBC)
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Naylor, O’Dea, Caldwell, McManus, S Brown, Donati, Sno, Hartley, Nakamura, Robson, McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Samaras, Riordan, M Brown.
Dundee United: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Grainger, Flood, Kerr, Gomis, Swanson, O’Brien, Hunt, De Vries, McLean, Robertson, Conway, Kenneth, Buaben, Odhiambo.
Category: 
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
Morning troops.
First time post - although I’ve been following these pages for a while. Would just like to start by welcoming you Matt - hope you can keep up the good work - no pressure!..
I’d like to see Robson start tonight - always likely to raise his game against his old team-mates and likely to be first scorer in my books. Be nice if Samaras gets a longer stint on the park aswell.
As usual an early goal is crucial tonight and in the next few games. You can see the confidence start to ooze when we score and thats when we play our best football.
Hail Hail
Posted from
United Kingdom
-
Tonite should be a good nite for the Bhoys for the reasons you mention. Dundee’s got to be looking toward the final, and staying healthy.
But the flipside is that every Dundee player will want to keep their place for the final, making this match a dangerous prospect.
Tough going early on, and the Celts take control in the second half.
Did you ever notice that Hartley tends to sit against Hearts even if he’s been on a run with the first team? Interesting to see if the same happens to Robson.
Posted from
United States -
Early goals are the key Vini. Obviously we play a lot better when we are up early. It also deflates our opponents, especially the smaller teams. The longer it is tied, the longer they think they can nick a point of three points Thanks for reading, by the way, I’ll try to keep up and appreciate you reading. Robson probably starts because Donati was pish in Aberdeen and Barca. Scotty Broon play was questionable but I still am waiting for the reemergence of the old scotty from the first trip to St Mirren, perhaps a personal bias towards the lhad. Would agree with you and like to see Samaras out there, though JVOH has stepped up his game and Skippy has continued to be Skippy. Perhaps a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 is in order?
Posted from
United States -
we will crush the arabs. i would lovvve to see odea play too!
Posted from
United States -
Tonight should be a good match. Robson should get a game against his old team!
Posted from
United Kingdom -
mon the hoops
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
