Celts Visiting St James’ Park Tonite!

By: JT | July 26th, 2007

I’ll keep my remarks relatively brief today, because I need to mentally prepare myself for the first meeting of the new season for the Supporters Club. It’s Newcastle hosting the Celts, and since its an afternoon match around here, the bar will be open. Normally we have to wait till 11 when there’s a 10 am kickoff. I know, the horror!

Anyway, some Geordies have put together a nice little preview to help us out, because I haven’t really followed the comings and goings this summer at St. James’ Park. Michael Owen is unlikely to feature, and future Bhoy Shay Given looks set to return between the sticks. Thank heavens for no Joey Barton. All our midfielders will still have kneecaps when the match ends.

For the Hoops, Gary Caldwell is ready to rock and roll. Darren O’Dea (my boy!) and JFK are fit again, so we’ll all be looking for improvement in the back four. Here’s the squad I want to see, with WGS’s likely selections in parenthesis:

Boruc
Caldwell (Wilson)–Kennedy (Pressley)–McManus–O’Dea (Naylor)
Bjarnason (Brown)–Donati–Brown (Hartley)–McGeady
Vennegoor of Hesselink–Riordan (Miller)

I only say that Naylor should sit today because he’s played every minute of every friendly thus far, and given his well documented tendency to play dead, we need to have someone prepared to step in. I’d also like to see some of Evander Sno if possible.

Aiden McGeady is all set to have a go at his sorta countryman Steve Carr on the Newcastle right. That should be a fun matchup to watch.

Neil Lennon sees Stephen McManus as the obvious choice as new skipper.

Hey look, the quasi-reserves played a 4-3-3 last nite against Airdrie United! It would be great if they had scored enough goals to inspire WGS to try the formation out a bit, but the grumpy first teamers who played were not in the mood to actually expend any energy. Blushes were spared by a wonder goal from Paul McGovern, which I’m doing my best to track down for ya.

Of course, Derek Riordan mouthed off after the match. Blah, blah, blah. No wonder WGS hates him. The key quote is “I haven’t spoken to the boss.” Do that first, and then talk to the press.

If you can watch the match, definitely do so, it’ll be a great atmosphere and both squads should be strong. This is what preseason friendlies are all about!