Celtic travel to Pittodrie missing influential captain Scott Brown (suspension) and defender Glenn Loovens (hamstring injury). The Bhoys go into the match full of confidence after their opening day win at Easter Road and with their recent record of putting Aberdeen to the sword, including a 9-0 hammering last November which saw three penalties, two own goals and both sides finishing the game with 10 men. Not even the most optimistic Celtic fan will expect a repeat of that scoreline but with Stokes and Hooper both finding their goalscoring touch lately the Aberdeen boss, Craig Brown, must be worried that his defense can contain the deadly duo. The biggest question, yet again, is who will be between the sticks for Celtic? With both Zaluska and Cervi being guilty of losing cheap goals during pre-season friendlies and no imminent sign of a new number one arriving through the doors at Parkhead, Lennon will likely opt to hand the gloves to the more experienced Pole. Games between these two are rarely dull and hopefully Sunday will prove to be no exception.
Thats a better name for him though - maybe it should stick As for the game i hope big dan gets a game along side Wilson at the back. Midfield needs to have commons on the left, or 3 in midfield and him in the hole behind stokes and hooper. He is wasted on the right wing. Id go for Zaluska (unless we can sign a keeper before tomorrow!) Wilson (mark) Big Dan Wilson -k Emillio Kayal ki Ledley Commons Hooper Stokes Maybe Forrest for Ki if they want to play 2 wingers
I wouldn't be surprised if Neil starts with Hooper and Samaras on Sunday. Just hope if we get a penalty or two (it is Aberdeen!) that they let Commons take it. Even Ki would be a better option.
I didn't realise Wilson was injured. Think Cha might be the better option to slot in at right back and use his pace to get at the Aberdeen defence.
Our right side will be a problem for us, as neither Cha or Matthews fill me with confidence as defenders, both are very good going forward but we don't have a defensive right sided midfield without Brown. I am worried we may be exploited.
Is the game definitely on? Heavy rain right up the east coast. It's been raining for about 15 hours non-stop in Edinburgh.
I can see Pittodrie out my living room window ST. No chance this game will be called off, it barely rained here compared to the rest of the East coast. I got offered tickets for a corporate box down there today but I was told I couldn't celebrate if Celtic scored as the company who own it only want Aberdeen fans in there. Told them to **** off.
Team for today: Zaluska Matthews K Wilson Majstorovic Izaguirre Commons Kayal Ki Ledley Hooper Stokes Will be interesting to see if Wilson and big Maj are compatible. Thought we might have started with Cha at right back to take advantage of his pace.
I’m pretty sure the game’s still going ahead, Stereo. In other news, Aberdeen manager Craig Brown speaking ahead of the match: “The results weren't good against Celtic last season but once or twice the performances were okay and there were mitigating circumstances in two of the league games. Celtic have a big squad, and plenty of players to choose from but a good result is just around the corner and hopefully it is on Sunday.” Proactive fighting talk from Craig there, he’s not at all simply hoping for the best. Only two measly points separate the teams in the table, however, which very clearly suggests this will be a meeting of equals. The table doesn’t lie. 2-2. (Both Celtic goals will come from the spot, with the Hoops successfully converting 50% of the penalties they’ll be awarded throughout the course of the match.)
Aha. You already know the game's going ahead. Didn't see you there, sorry. Edit: Aberdeen team..... Gonzalez McArdle Foster Considine Milsom Arnason Pawlett Osbourne Vernon Mackie (goal machine) Magennis
