Celtic have Scott Brown suspended tomorrow night. In addition, Kris Commons suffered a hamstring strain on Saturday and will miss out, as will long term injury victim Adam Matthews. Mikael Lustig sat out the game at the weekend after hurting his hip on international duty but he trained today and will be assessed further tomorrow. Emilio Izaguirre missed that draw away to Hibs due to illness but has now recovered. Joe Ledley made his return from injury when introduced for the last 20 minutes but Neil Lennon expressed doubts as to whether he’d be fit enough to last the full game against Ajax after missing a month’s football. Our squad is a bit stretched but we also have James Forrest back and he played very well after coming on for the injured Commons in the first half on Saturday.
I guess Neil Lennon’s main decisions are whether to play all four of Forrest, Samaras, Stokes and Pukki as the advanced players in a 4-2-3-1, or only three of them with Mulgrew pushed into a wide midfield role. Ledley’s fitness might also impact on that poser as Mulgrew may be needed in central midfield, especially with Brown suspended. It could be a big opportunity for Kayal too.
I think Kayal has to start, with or without Ledley. It’s asking too much of Mulgrew to provide the energy in midfield in the absence of Brown, and that’s even more acute if Ledley isn’t available. Not sure where that leaves room for Charlie (if Ledley is fit) but I’d probably play him left back ahead of Izzy. So I’d go:
If Ledley can’t start then I’d start Izzy and shove Mulgrew into midfield. It’s quite attacking going with those 4, and as @Bandage has said we could play Izzy at left back and Mulgrew wide left but we’d then be shifting Sammy off the left wing.
Forrest might struggle to last the 90 minutes too. Really lacking options to come on if he and Ledley are both struggling to last 90.
[quote=“Rocko, post: 849743, member: 1”]I think Kayal has to start, with or without Ledley. It’s asking too much of Mulgrew to provide the energy in midfield in the absence of Brown, and that’s even more acute if Ledley isn’t available. Not sure where that leaves room for Charlie (if Ledley is fit) but I’d probably play him left back ahead of Izzy. So I’d go:
If Ledley can’t start then I’d start Izzy and shove Mulgrew into midfield. It’s quite attacking going with those 4, and as @Bandage has said we could play Izzy at left back and Mulgrew wide left but we’d then be shifting Sammy off the left wing.
Forrest might struggle to last the 90 minutes too. Really lacking options to come on if he and Ledley are both struggling to last 90.[/quote]
I’d prefer that team in a more orthodox 4-4-2. I don’t see why we should be playing either Stokes or Pukki in withdrawn roles, they are strikers and should be allowed to forge a partnership up front.
[quote=“Bandage, post: 849844, member: 9”]Samaras: “I don’t care about money. I am fully committed to Celtic. Both sides want me to stay and there will be a solution.”
What a guy.
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An inspiration. An utter shame that a maximum of 2 out of Ronaldo, Zlatan and Samaras will be at next year’s World Cup.
Milan score, Robinho
there is something inherently right about watching Milan play European football in the San Siro, Barcelona will never have this despite all they win
i will continue to update all the scores here for posters who arent aware of the goals going in.
