Celtic v Kilmarnock: What Killie Fans Think

By: JT | August 4th, 2007

For match previews this season, I’m going to go to the best source of all: supporters of the club that Celtic is playing. Who knows better than the people that support their club with such vigour that they’ve taken it to the internets? I could regurgitate the BBC Sport preview for you, but what fun would that be? And truth be told, I’ve seen maybe four or five SPL matches which Celtic weren’t involved in over the last two seasons, so I’m no expert on the league as a whole. I’ll keep my comments on the match brief, with some news, notes, and predictions.

Huge thanks go out to Baz at killiefc.com. The idea came up last nite at a bar, and his responses to my questions this morning came back in a flash. Hopefully future comments will be as laced with Scottish wit as Baz’s.

How do you think the whole Steven Naismith transfer saga has been handled?
Badly, by everyone involved. I think if the huns don’t put a last minute bid in before this transfer window shuts then they will definitely be back at the January one…and no one will say a thing until it is signed and sealed.

Now that Naismith looks set to stay at Rugby Park, what are your thoughts on the upcoming campaign?
I think we can still finish in the top six with or without Steven Naismith as JJ [manager Jim Jefferies] is a wise old duffer and already had someone lined up to replace the wee man if he left. If he’s out to impress possible suitors then that could go in our favour and we have bags of flair in the team…unfortunately we are still weak defensively and if anything that will be our weak spot.

What’ll the First XI look like for the Celtic match?
We’ll be the ones in the blue and white stripes. Seriously though, we normally go with a 442 but tend to be a bit more conservative at Celtic Park…who isn’t? To be fair to JJ he’s tried every combination and nothing has worked so far, but with 1955 our last victory at Parkhead that’s no real surprise. You can expect to see Combe in goals, Garry Hay at left back, David Lilley at right back (Grant Murray suspended) and Frazer Wright and either Simon Ford (probably) or Ryan O’Leary (hopefully) in the centre. We have a lot of options in midfield but I’d imagine James Fowler, Gary Locke and Alan Johnstone will get a start with Naismith wide left, Gary Wales wide right and Colin Nish up front himself…a 451 with the wide men going forward into a 433 when on the attack. Don’t think Sylla will play as word has it that he’s offski due to disciplinary reasons but that’s not yet confirmed.

How do you see the match developing?
Very badly, we get restricted view seats you know!

Prediction?
My heart says 1-0 Killie, we’ve got to turn you over up there some time! My head and the bookies say otherwise and you don’t get many poor bookies. They reckon 5-0 is a stick-on, I reckon 2-0 with a dodgy penalty for the opener and another in the dying minutes when we’ve given up. No, I take that back…5-0 Killie, football is all about the heart and you’ve got to be positive, even if it costs you a few quid with Corals.

CELTIC PREVIEW

Artur Boruc is injured and Mark Brown will deputize, while Scott McDonald and Steven Pressley are carrying over suspensions from last season. What a stupid, stupid rule. Mark Wilson looks to be fit again at right-back. Shunsuke Nakamura is chillin’ because he just got back from Asian Cup duty. Likely XI:

M Brown
Wilson–Kennedy–McManus–Naylor
S Brown–Hartley–Donati–McGeady
Vennegoor of Hesselink–Zurawski

The Championship flag goes up tomorrow, and emotions will be high early on. Its going to be tough for Killie to withstand what promises to be an early barrage from the Bhoys, and I expect a quick goal or two. A motivated Stephen Naismith could be tough to handle, but Celtic will have this one wrapped up by the half. The second half will stabilize a bit, Naismith will get his goal, and Chris Killen will open his account. The Celts cruise home to a 4-1 win and get ready for Falkirk.