On the eve of Celtic's crucial Europa Cup qualifying match with FC Sion of Switzerland we take a look ahead to what is a vital two matches for Neil Lennon and his Bhoys. Celtic have had a good start to the season, winning all three of their opening games and scoring eight goals in the process. What will satisfy Lennon even more is that the goals have come from all departments of the team, not just the strikers. The bright opening has been tinged with some bad news in the shape of last year's SFA Player of the Year Emilio Izzaguirre's long-term lay-off plus injury to hitman Gary Hooper. Thankfully the striker should only be out for a couple of weeks. FC Sion arrive in Glasgow embroiled in controversy having incurred the wrath of both FIFA and UEFA for bringing in six new players despite being subject to a transfer embargo. How the Axpo Super League team will line up tomorrow night is anyone's guess. Even the Celtic boss has admitted that he is finding it difficult to decide which team and tactics to choose. With the absence of Hooper, Lennon must decide whether to start with a 4-4-2 with a front two comprising any two of Stokes/Samaras/Maloney or go with a more conservative 4-5-1 and use a previous tactic of playing Samaras up front on his own. Another decision he has to to make is who will fill in for Izzaguirre at left back? Charlie Mulgrew took his place for the weekend's game against Dundee United. Not only has the former Wolves defender played in the position on many occasions but his quality at set-pieces might prove the deciding factor. Lennon does have other options available to him in the shape of Adam Matthews and even Joe Ledley who has slotted in there previously. Celtic missed out on the Europa Cup group stages last season after a 4-0 thumping in Holland at the hands of Utrecht. This was despite Celtic comfortably defeating the Dutch side 2-0 at home in the first leg. Many felt that Lennon had got his tactics wrong at Celtic Park that night and settled back instead of pressing for the killer third goal. Alas, the two goal cushion proved not to be enough and some amateurish defending caused us to crash out of Europe. The Celtic boss will be hoping to avoid the same mistake should the opportunity repeat itself tomorrow night. It will be a real test for Neil Lennon and his team to show that they have learnt from the mistakes of the past and can be as successful in bringing back the thunder to Celtic Park on European nights as they have during domestic games. Fingers crossed we'll be looking forward to European football after Christmas for the first time in more than three seasons.
Can't decide myself whether 442 or 451 is best! Samaras upfront on his own has never really done it so I'd be raging if he does that, with Stokes playing the way he is he has got to play. If Kayals fit he could partner Ki with Brown & Ledley wide & Commons playing off Stokes. Ki has shown he has an eye for goal as has Ledley & Brown so a good solid midfield.
Were we not drawn away in the first leg seeing as we were seeded? Have we had to change because of Rangers playing the same day??
We need to play in our normal attacking way at home... if we conceed a goal first, I think we are ****ed.... However, if we score a goal first I think we will win the tie very comfortably.
That's actually a decision by Celtic themselves not to sell the rights. They've done it before for qualifiers to try and make sure it's a bigger crowd. Channel 67 is showing it though. Although I'm gonna be ****ed getting up for 5am to watch it.
Team for tonight: Forster; Cha, Majstorovic, Mulgrew, M. Wilson; Brown, Ki, Ledley, Commons; Stokes, Samaras Subs: Zaluska, Matthews, Maloney, McCourt, Forrest, Wanyama, Slane So Forster starts. Shows how much confidence Lennon has in the big man. Front two of Stokes and Sammy. Not a fan of the Greek internationalist but I would rather start with a front two than play a 4-5-1.
0-0. dave ki playing great....everyone else meh. diet huns getting a good clipping. edit, cha is going ok too.
