Well this fixture v Hearts has just come at the right time for Celtic as they are starting to play some exquisite footie and, strangely enough, they've been performing well without the injured Broony. Also they play Hearts away from the JTs "wee pitch" at Tynecastle and Murrayfield's "huge expanse of green, hybrid grass" (so similar to Celtic's home pitch), will provide a perfect base to mete out a footie lesson to Levein and his team on Sunday afternoon. I'll predict a 4-0 win for the Hoops in a game that I reckon Rodgers will be demanding a big performance to "prove a point" v a team that has previously "turned them over" on their wee pitch but this time Rodgers will be fielding a much stronger Hoops' side and playing on a pitch that is conducive to playing "slick football". No "growing of long grass" (to try and gain an advantage) in this instance eh!!! I also think Rodgers will have picked up enough info from Rangers recent demolition of Hearts at Ibronx when the Huns hardly "broke sweat".
Betfred Cup semi-final at Murrayfield
23-10-2018, 14:44
I think this will be a close game 0762, celtic will have had a tough tie in Germany on the Thursday and they tend to struggle a bit after a midweek tie.
I'll differ on that view mainly because I think Celtic have suddenly "changed" from a predictable kinda "lethargic" style of play (based on their high standards) to a more dynamic style with pacy interchanging attacking movements that are far more predominant. However, note that Boyata is suspended for this match and it will be interesting to see how Rodgers covers that position. I still think Hearts are an "accident waiting to happen". Lets see if they implode on a far bigger pitch than they are accustomed to and v a hi-press team. Also lets not forget Hearts don't win League Cups (TBH they shouldn't even be in this round of the Betfred Cup had the proper rule been applied re fielding ineligible players!) - never won it for almost 60 years!
Willie Collum confirmed as the assigned referee for this semi-final and, even though he is a bit of a controversial "up n down" referee, he has been generally a "lucky mascot" for Celtic. It's a case of just "keep the game flowing" Willie and Celtic will do the rest v a Hearts team that is definitely overrated and not as good as many folk seem to think they are even though Levein preaching that they have "strength in depth"! Aye, they must be "top of the tree" (or close to it!) for loan signings, that's for sure! They couldnae do it any other way because they are not a big enough footie club! I reckon a number of National League sides in England, incl Salford City, would beat any Hearts line up fairly easily and that places into perspective why the JTs hope that Celtic arrive at Murrayfield but are not at their best!
http://www.celticfc.net/news/15160
Brendan Rodgers expecting a "classic"? It looks like Tom Rogic and James Forrest returning to 1st team duties and both players currently in fine form. Also some late checks on certain other injured players and he'll be pondering how to tackle his defensive line ups after assessing who is available. This man is still a "wily fox", prep work already practised on the Murrayfield pitch and I expect a motivated, hi-press Celtic team to run out on to this pitch and put in a solid performance on the "domestic front" again.
Brendan Rodgers expecting a "classic"? It looks like Tom Rogic and James Forrest returning to 1st team duties and both players currently in fine form. Also some late checks on certain other injured players and he'll be pondering how to tackle his defensive line ups after assessing who is available. This man is still a "wily fox", prep work already practised on the Murrayfield pitch and I expect a motivated, hi-press Celtic team to run out on to this pitch and put in a solid performance on the "domestic front" again.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/45969194
Final score 3-0 for Celtic and this could well have been a 6-0 or 7-0 "thrashing" on another day. Celtic suddenly "springing out of the blocks" after a cautious first half when I reckon Rodgers, "the footie tactician", sussing out what Hearts had to offer (not very much) on the pitch and "pushing the right buttons" - off with Kouassie, on with Sinclair and Christie replacing Ntcham at HT and playing very well in a revised attacking line up in which Tom Rogic was a "shining beacon" - sheer class!! God only knows how this result was only 3-0 as Celtic forwards "queuing up" in the last quarter to score more goals and pulverise a "punchless" Hearts team playing on "short grass" and on a huge expanse of a footie pitch that was crying out for slick footie to be played on it. Hearts were "mince" TBF and to any Hearts fan reading this thread one can only say, "WHO IS THE DADDY"? A well deserved win for the Broonyless Hoops and far too good for the JTs.
Final score 3-0 for Celtic and this could well have been a 6-0 or 7-0 "thrashing" on another day. Celtic suddenly "springing out of the blocks" after a cautious first half when I reckon Rodgers, "the footie tactician", sussing out what Hearts had to offer (not very much) on the pitch and "pushing the right buttons" - off with Kouassie, on with Sinclair and Christie replacing Ntcham at HT and playing very well in a revised attacking line up in which Tom Rogic was a "shining beacon" - sheer class!! God only knows how this result was only 3-0 as Celtic forwards "queuing up" in the last quarter to score more goals and pulverise a "punchless" Hearts team playing on "short grass" and on a huge expanse of a footie pitch that was crying out for slick footie to be played on it. Hearts were "mince" TBF and to any Hearts fan reading this thread one can only say, "WHO IS THE DADDY"? A well deserved win for the Broonyless Hoops and far too good for the JTs.
28-10-2018, 19:29
Pitch looked pretty slow which i felt helped hertz first half, but they didn't cause celtic any problems and when they got the first goal there was no doubt about who was going through. They could easily have had 5 or 6, but by the hour point most of the hertz fans were heading for the boozer anyway.
A bit of karma for that nasty piece of work naismith and potter weeping about a stonewall pk summed up their day.
A bit of karma for that nasty piece of work naismith and potter weeping about a stonewall pk summed up their day.
Then give him that pk in a 6-1 or 7-1 skelping eh - this Hertz manager needs a "reality check" as usual! Definitely men v boys when the Hoops "put up the sails". 3-0 was flattering and the JTs very fortunate to leave the stadium after just a 3-0 loss! How many clearances off Hearts goal line? Three? And lucky their goalie had a decent game although he "choked" on the second goal that was definitely coming eventually anyway with Celtic running amok!.
28-10-2018, 22:44
It was the cellick penalty he was moaning about, looked 100% a penalty to me.
Levein had no answers when they fell behind, their pressing game was totally nullified because bain is very comfortable with the ball at his feet unlike craig gordon. Rodgers knew exactly what he was doing with those changes too.
A lesson is there for us for midweek.
Levein had no answers when they fell behind, their pressing game was totally nullified because bain is very comfortable with the ball at his feet unlike craig gordon. Rodgers knew exactly what he was doing with those changes too.
A lesson is there for us for midweek.
As said in one of my previous threads, Rodgers is a "wily fox" and it was surprising to hear some of the nonsense being uttered that Levein had some kinda "Indian sign" on the Hoops' manager - total bullshit akin to the likes of that "rag", the Daily Mail! Aberdeen in the final and I'll bet Rodgers and Celtic players will be "rubbing their hands with glee" after watching such a non-descript, crap semi-final at Hampden Park - a game that was not for any "footie purist" - real huff n puff stuff!
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