Play it again, Sam.

‘Well it’s the same old same old. (See what I did there? I made a pun with Motherwell’s name since we are playing them AGAIN!) We have Motherwell again this weekend, this time at Fir Park. Motherwell’s season has been marked by tragedy and a poor pitch, but they somehow are in control of the third place and the last European spot. Not much has changed since last week, as each game is a must win, though the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to fade after last week’s disappointing loss to the ‘Well. Rangers gave Celtic a small reprieve by only drawing with a tough Dundee United team last weekend, only adding a point to their intimidating lead in the table.

Hope is a funny thing. Throughout this rough patch, I have been critical of the team, but I never really stopped believing that this team would get back in the hunt of the league and win it. “They have too much talent to waste away a distant second” or “Strachan has led them to two previous titles, so he’ll find the winning way” I thought. However, last Saturday morning (Eastern Time, of course), a little bit of that hope died. A pitiful offense sputtered for 90 minutes while a defense fans have questioned all year let in a bad goal from bad marking. I think all the remaining hope I have is on lifelines, waiting for Sunday. If Gordon Strachan puts out the same players in the same 4-4-2 that could not score against Motherwell the previous week, it will be the last straw for me with him (not as if I have those decisions though sadly). If we cannot score and win on Sunday, the white flag from me might have to be flown. Calling Dr. Saving Our Season, PH.D you are needed in the ER.

In better news, the U19 team easily defeated the Hibs U19s 4-1 in the Quarter Finals of the Youth Scottish Cup. The team now faces Aberdeen in the semis. Sound familar? It should, as I think every version of Celtic has faced or will face Aberdeen in their cup competition. Rangers await the winners of that game.

I guess we have to approach it in the way that the Green Brigade did with their banners last Saturday…
“Learn from Yesterday”
“Live for Today”
“Hope for Tomorrow”
“Celtic Forever!”

In squad news, Scott Brown will begin his 3 match ban on Sunday. Derek Riodan will also not likely be in the squad (surprise, surprise) after being fined for his comments about his frustration during this season. I guess that Barry Robson or Paul Hartley will fill Scott Brown’s spot in the line-up.

Here’s the squad put forth to the Beeb:
Celtic (from): Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Donati, Robson, McGeady, McDonald, Samaras, Vennegoor of Hesselink, M Brown, Wilson, Sno, Hartley, Hutchinson, Killen.

Interesting to see Hutchinson in the squad. Perhaps for a change he should get a start or at least a run instead of Sno or another holding mid if we are down a goal or are tied, like what usually happens.

Category: Celtic

Tags: Celtic, Hope, Motherwell

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