"Football is a mirror of society and the brazenness with which large numbers of Spain fans joyfully displayed their anti-Muslim hatred is representative of a growing acceptance of discriminatory attitudes in mainstream discourse"
My opinion piece for BB Sport News.
bbsportnews.com/analysis/opi...
- Bernardo comes in to, hopefully, sit beside McGregor and shore up the midfield. Hatate seemingly can't play in a 3 with Nygren and has been off form anyway.
- Tounekti deserves his return to the starting XI. It'll be interesting to see whether he or Maeda spends more time on the right wing.
🆕 Abolish Ice Jersey
100% of proceeds going to "Stand With Minnesota" organizations 💜
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Another late show and another howler from Schmeichel. A feelgood win that also gives plenty of cause for concern. Martin O'Neill and Shaun Maloney have some big decisions coming up.
- Mvuka, Yang and Bernardo started at the weekend but all drop out the squad.
- Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur make the squad for the first time.
- Both starting wingers prefer the left...
- Saracchi's first start since November.
- Schmeichel returns, along with Maeda & Engels
- Sinisalo gets a chance
- Engels and Maeda rested
- Debut for Mvuka, hopefully Adamu too
- Big chance for Hatate and Bernardo to impress with AOC adding to competition
- Saracchi back should take pressure off KT
- Soon there should be real competition for a spot in the squad
Oxlade-Chamberlain: the excitement of another potential redemption story or symptomatic of Celtic's lack of transfer strategy?
It can be both, my piece for BB Sport News:
bbsportnews.com/analysis/opi...
Assume this is the XI for tonight. Given the lack of options, Ralston/Donovan is probably the only real decision for O'Neill unless he wants to beef up the midfield and start Bernardo, moving Nygren wide right, Yang to the left and Tounekti to the bench.
We'd have £100m in the bank instead of £70m...
Because we aren't signing anyone and he's the only backup to McGregor/Engels.
My piece on how tomorrow's Europa League match could be key to Celtic's domestic campaign.
bbsportnews.com/competitions...
- Back to 4-3-3, or maybe a 4-2-3-1 if Engels sits alongside McGregor
- Full debut for Araújo
- Schmeichel remains...
- Scales returns
- Tounekti straight back into the team
- Maeda back at centre forward
- No place on the bench for Shin or Balikwisha.
It may have been inevitable, but it would be misguided to celebrate Nancy's departure. It is but another symptom of the failings of those who run this club. Without meaningful structural change, the club will not progress.
Now, my doubt is whether this was a situational thing to get the best out of the McCowan-Maeda combo on the left (i.e. presumably Hatate wouldn't have spent time at left wing back), or is it something Nancy would like to keep doing regardless of who plays on that side?
Then, in possession, McCowan tucked inside to form a midfield diamond (McGregor; Engels, McCowan; Nygren) and Maeda pulled out wide left. There was some flexibility but that was the general pattern. It seemed pretty effective, especially as you get the best of Maeda at both ends.
Rewatching the game from Sunday, one of the fascinating aspects is the positioning of McCowan and Maeda. Out of possession, McCowan tracked back and occupied the left wing back role, while Maeda was in the left-10 position, meaning he was higher up the pitch for counters/pressing
- Hatate presumably injured is a big concern.
- Kenny again is a surprise.
- Persisting with Schmeichel and Ralston is puzzling.
- Bernardo on the bench when McCowan and Nygren start is harsh.
- And how uninspiring is that bench?
- Glad to see Bernardo start
- It is possible to drop Scales!
- Perplexed that Ralston keeps his place when Donovan, JSP and Murray would all be preferrable
- What does Kasper have to do to be dropped?
- Hope Maeda is on the wing with McCowan as one of the inside forwards/10s
Peter Lawwell leaving in characteristic fashion: insulting the fans and lowering the bar for success.
This is the team I'd like to see today. You could perhaps swap around the box midfield, or even play Engels wide right and Yang further forward, but that's the XI that combines form with suitability.
My sort of realistic suggestion/prediction for tonight's team.
I don't think Nancy will make major changes at this stage, but a few adjustments will be necessary. The main doubts being on the flanks and the forward positions.
You wait 28 years for another World Cup then land in a group that is 3/4 the same. Deja vu and leaning heavily into the 98 nostalgia. I'm not against it.
Draw probably a fair result overall in the Lisbon derby, with the real winners being Porto, of course.
That kit. Petrov winning a penalty. Maloney assisting Larsson. A MON comeback. Scott Brown goading Bobo Balde into getting sent off...
youtube.com/watch?v=HYsX...
Terrific break and a sensational finish from Nico Williams. #AthleticClub
youtu.be/36TznaUe1kk?...
Great strike from McGregor last night and you've got to enjoy moments like that. At the same time, the overall performance was dire. This group needs a coach.
In Sinisalo's head, he's probably already away.
I think the board got exactly what they wanted today. They sat down (those of them who bothered to turn up), raised their middle fingers at the support and then used the inevitable reaction as an excuse to shut the whole thing down before they could face any questions.
Andy Robertson hanging the Royal Banner upside down like a true republican. Respect.
