Just the facts, Ma’am: Hibs Preview

By: Matt | December 5th, 2008

I usually start out these Friday previews with some sort of witty anecdote, pun, or play on words relating to the weekend’s opponent or some news story in the world o’ Celtic. These usually are poorly crafted as I am often still reeling from the previous night’s pub session. Depending on whether you enjoy cheesy jokes and play or words or not, this week might be a disappointment or relief, I will have to bypass all of that silliness and tom foolery to be able to report the numerous quantities of news stories surrounding the Celtic football club this week. As Joe Friday said, “Just the facts, Ma’am.” Oh, you’ll be sorry when you make it through this post and you haven’t gotten your quantity of Celtic related dick jokes. Maybe I’ll slip one in, just for you…we’ll see. Anyways, away we go.

Celtic have worked to secure the future of their defensive backline by signing both Gary “That’s not the only big ‘Heid’ I’ve Got (see, we both knew I couldn’t stay away!)” Caldwell and Mark Wilson. Celtic are looking to keep Caldwell at Parkhead until 2014, and based on Heid’s play so far this season, it is well deserved. Caldwell has gone from one of the most criticized players on Celtic last year to one of Celtic’s most reliable players. The obvious turn around for Heid was grabbing David Weir’s gullet and choking the breakfast out of him. Wilson’s deal has him secured at least until 2012, yet I’m not sure why. Wilson is a SPL level fullback on good days and on bad days shouldn’t be starting on the reserves. Unless his role is to be a back up, I do not see Wilson to the answer at leftback if Celtic is looking for European progression. He’s not the quickest in the world and has trouble producing crosses on the left since he is right footed, two problems for Strachan’s fullback’s push up tactics.

It seems that American automobile companies are not the only ones feeling the hurt of this recent financial recession, and it is even effecting the worlds of Scottish and Japanese football. Shunsuke Nakamura will not be making the widely reported move back to Japan at least until his contract is up at the end of the season. Many speculated that Naka would return to Japan to play in the J League’s Yokohama F Marinos in the January transfer window. However, Yokohama’s parent company Nissian, does not want to spend the 3 million quid necessary to buy Naka in January and will wait until his contract is up at the end of this year. Of course, Celtic has a option for Naka next year, but most reports have the Mhan from Japan wanting a move back to his homeland to raise his kids.

Celtic have had a few youngsters on trial the past week, but the Bhoys have been linked with another Derry City star. Reports have been Celtic have been keen on Paddy McCourt’s former teammate and midfielder Niall McGinn. Derry City have not allowed McGinn to come to Parkhead for a trial, but reports are Celtic are likely to be the leader in January for his services.

Most people have heard that former Bhoy and Man U star Roy Keane has left his position as the first team coach at Sunderland. Of course, with Keane available, the Timernet has been filled with “Keane for Celtic coach” stories. However, the Daily Mirror is reporting that Gordon Strachan and Sam Allardyce are the top prospects for replacing Keane at the Stadium of Light. Ladbrokes also has the Ginger Man at 12/1 to head down south and changing his green and white hoops for red and white vertical stripes.

Finally onto more current events, Celtic travel to the capital to Easter Road to take on Hibernian this weekend. Celtic-Hibs matches usually provide a lot of offense, with both teams being two of the most creative, offensive minded teams in the SPL. You certainly won’t see Hibs hoofing the ball up field and hoping to catch Celtic in a counter after packing in the back for a majority of the match. Celtic are hopeful that Aiden McGeady will be ready for the match after spending a month on the sidelines with tendinitis in his knee. Celtic are riding a twelve game winning streak, but most of those victories came over the bottom of the SPL pecking order (tee hee hee). The Bhoys were able to build a seven point lead over Rangers in this run, but this team will really show what it is made of in the next couple of matches. Fixtures against Hibs, Hearts, and Rangers can either put the title away for Celtic or make things very interesting. Hibs is putting out a completely healthy side and will be looking to score goals, while Celtic will still be missing Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Marc Crosas, and Massimo Donati. It will be a close match at Easter Road, but Celtic will just edge out Hibs 3-2 in a entertaining, eye pleasing game.