Gut Check Saturday: Celtic v Hibs Preview

By: Matt | January 23rd, 2009

Friends, Colleagues, and Fellow Celtic fans, I have officially declared Saturday January 24th “Gut Check Saturday” for Celtic players, coaches, administrators and fans. After enjoying a seven point advantage, as well as a seemingly financial advantage over Rangers, the lead in the Scottish Premier League has been whittled down to two points with a red hot Hibernian (or Edinburgh Thistle as I like to call them) coming into Celtic Park Saturday afternoon. Hibs have already beaten Celtic 2-0 at Easter Road this season, as well as suffering defeat at the hands of the Champions in their previous trip to Celtic Park. Frustration seems to be building in the Green and White camp with recent dropped points and the lack of big name transfer moves this January transfer season. With the shrinking of the lead, talk has gone from Rangers financial woes to how the title race is back on, and quite frankly Celtic need to show some, for lack of a better word, cojones this weekend. Neil Lennon is not worried however. In interviews this week, the former Celtic midfielder and current coach believes that Celtic have the experience to succeed in a tight title race, saying “We’ve proved that the last three years and I think we’ve got players who are equipped to go the whole way again.” While that is theoretically true, it would have been nice to see some of that experience last week. Regardless, Saturday will be a good test of Celtic’s abilities and resolve, and with Rangers taking on a fired up Aberdeen squad, it just might be a chance to rebuild that points lead before another match up with Rangers in two league games.

Of course, many of Celtic’s woes came from injury last week. Players had to be shuffled to unfamiliar positions, in the case of Mark Brown this was on the field making saves. However, it seems that for this weekend’s crucial match up against Hibs, there should be more regular squad available. While I have been accused of having a man crush on Barry Robson, the Robo Cop just doesn’t have the skills to play left back, where he played against Aberdeen. While no Celtic fan ever seems to hope to see Lee Naylor in the squad, it must be said that Naylor is at least a natural left back and I would prefer him in that position over Robson, and it seems our leftback savior will be healthy this weekend after missing the Aberdeen match.

A couple weeks ago, the Tim-ernet was a buzz debating the question about whether or not Artur Boruc’s howler against Dundee in the cup was enough to earn the Holy Goalie a spot on the bench. Four goals in four shots against Mark Brown have certainly answered those questions, eh? To be fair, hindsight is 20/20, but without a serviceable back-up, the Holy Goalie is pretty much undroppable from now until the end of the season. Of course, this means fuck-all when Boruc is injured, with a groin pull in the 11th hour before the Aberdeen match meaning Brown got the start, yet this does not seem to be the case this week. It seems Boruc has recovered from “Jan Vennegooring his Hesselink” and will be fit for Saturday’s match against Hibs.

The other topic that seem to be on every Timmy’s mind is the transfer season and Celtic’s lack of activities. Gordon Strachan has come out many times and said not to expect any big money signings, but this of course cannot appease the Tim-ernet. Many Tim’s see Rangers financial troubles as a chance to put the foot on their throats and have become frustrated Celtic do not seem to be signing the players necessary this January to do so. A sort of Espanyol-ification if you will. However, there is something to be said for not spending every penny available. In case it hasn’t been noticed, the world is in a bit of a economic recession and perhaps it is wise to not spend our way out of the secure financial position that Desmot Dermond has Celtic in. We all remember the trying times of the 90’s and the fears of the banks calling in Celtic’s loans. With that being said, I do not think buying a fucking serviceable leftback would send ole’ Des to the poorhouse. However, Celtic have continued the trend of “buying for the future” and have bought Milan Misun, Lukazs Zaluska, and couple other teenagers to plant in that luscious garden they call the Celtic youth set up. Celtic have not made a decision on American midfielder Sacha Kljestan, but should with in 24 hours, as the Chivas USA player has been training with Celtic all week on trial.

So, what should Celtic do this weekend? Well, that’s awfully nice of you to ask Gordon. Say while we’re at it, since you’re asking for my help, do you have any of those snazzy track suits for me? You’ll check later, oh alright. I suppose I am digressing anyways. First Strach, can I call you Strach? First I would keep Barry Robson away from any form of the wing. He doesn’t have the speed to play there, he’s far much suited to give the Hibs midfield and you’re old pal (who Strachan was quoted this week as saying “Derek Riordan was good fun here. I enjoyed his company.”) Deek in the middle of the field and allowing Scott Brown to continue to run rampant on the SPL. Seriously, I don’t care who’s injured for the rest of the season, if Robo and Brown are not the midfield combo then Strachan deserves to lose his job. Just look at the hell they created at Ibrox. Second Gordo, let Aiden McGeady and Shunsuke Nakamura be Aden McGeady and Shunsuke Nakamura. Celtic got 20 shots last week, so I do not think that offense was really the problem. Let the two most creative players on your team be just that. Finally, and this might be a little ex post facto (Introductory Law 101…LOLZ!), but I would have had Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus worked on marking men during set plays, maybe bring in some U14s for advice since all four of Aberdeen’s goals came off of free kicks.

It is early to say that this game is a must win with plenty of the season still remaining, but if this is not a must win game then it is as close to that as possible. Celtic are at home in a game the keep them in first place. This is not the time for putting players out of position, tentativeness, or caution. A win is needed and I think Celtic answer the bell 2-0, with Scott Brown continuing his run and Scott McDonald netting a 80th minute goal to answer any doubts.

TAL