The build up to the big game starts now. A chance to progress to the last 32 of this elite competition and Celtic need a win in Udine to qualify.
Bhoys, what way would you set up? We don’t have a good away record obviously. Do we go with Stokes and Hooper and risk getting outnumbered in midfield? Or shore up that sector and play with only 1 upfront despite needing the victory?
I think Neil will go for the latter option and maybe drop Hooper to give Brown his first start since his return from injury. Look to keep things tight and switch to 2 upfront for the last half hour or something. Of course, that gameplan would be completely compromised if we concede early ourselves. I think I’d go with this approach too though.
Their league position is fortunate, they’ve got a lot of results they didn’t deserve. They’re very solid defensively, Benatia is an excellent defender and the likes of Domizzi and Danilo. Handanovic is a great goalie too. Their midfield is industrious but pretty average, we should break even here, we do need to play a narrow 3 man midfield. Di Natale gets goals up front but I don’t rate him, he’s not self sufficient, tidy player in and around the box but he won’t create much himself. I would much rather he starts than Floro Flores who is very good, mobile and troublesome striker.
The team is all about Armero and Isla though, Armero in particular is outstanding. I’d go with Brown on the right of midfield to combat him at Forrest’s expense. Will Ledley be fit?
Would you not play both Brown and Forrest though? Does Armero always play on the left for them? He was very good in the two legs against Arsenal in August - I don’t think I’ve watched Udinese live since then other than a small bit of our home game against them. Unfortunately TFK AFC will be action on Thursday night at the same time as this game.
Not sure about Ledley - he tweeted earlier on saying he hoped to be fit for next week but didn’t specify this game or next weekend’s league match.
I think Forrest can be very lazy when it comes to tracking back and he wouldn’t be the greatest defensively either. Udinese are a very athletic team so that should negate Forrest’s influence as well. I’d look to keep it tight for the first 70 minutes or so and then go for it.
I think it has to be one up front alright and I think that one will be Stokes. Neither he nor Hooper are ideally suited to that role but I think Stokes is in marginally better form (he was certainly better today but he has been out of luck in front of goal) and proved he can do that job competently enough now.
I can’t think of any scenario where I wouldn’t start Forrest. He’s been our most creative threat all season, he was lively again today, and the more they like to push forward from the back the more we need to keep them honest with Forrest running at them. While Brown does offer more defensive solidity he invariably comes inside anyway and doesn’t necessarily provide a solid flank.
I’d go for the same as Bandage. (These arrows aren’t working properly yet but wanted to try one anyway).
They need to be narrow alright. Having them black is a problem because they may cross over other players and they’ll obscure them if they’re the same colour. Anyway they’re removed now - was just trying something.
I’d go for Mulgrew in the centre and either Matthews and Ledley at left back (if fit). I might be harsh here but from what I’ve seen of Wilson he looks like a diddy, his performance at Ibrox earlier this season is one of the worst I’ve seen from a centre back there and that says a lot when you think about some of diddies who have embarrassed themselves in the past 5 years or so.
Hard to make the call without knowing the fitness of Matthews or Ledley but I agree that it’s imperative that Wanyama plays in midfield. Brown and Kayal would not make a disciplined central midfield pairing, even if Ki joined them.
UEFA have fined us for the fans singing of pro-IRA songs.
If Celtic had balls they would challenge this, as it opens up a can of worms, seeing as the board are subservient cunts, they will let it slide, until then we welcome the fines.
Benatia was involved in a big car crash yesterday. He escaped serious injury, don’t know whether he’ll play on Thursday though, it would be a welcome boost if he didn’t.
