Manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted he does not expect Celtic to go through the domestic season unbeaten, despite Saturday's 2-0 win over Hamilton Accies extending their league winning streak to 21 games.(Sunday Post)

He can say that all day long but we are still massive underdogs.

Even a point is a bonus.

Our goal difference is one better than Kilmarnock and County and two goals poorer than Hamilton's.  Goal difference could be crucial at the end of the season.  It's fine being all gung-ho in a one off cup match but we can't afford to lose heavily in the league.  We need a bit of realism here.  We must accept that we will probably lose the game and the important thing is to not lose by much.  Keeping things tight has to be the way to go.  But with the pace of Mulraney (assuming he's OK) and Mckay up front, we have players who are capable of hurting Celtic on the break so we always have a chance of taking something from the game.

Rodgers celtic side keep their focus for the entirety of their matches. I'd be inclined to physically narrow the field of play - giving celtic the playing space will lead to them punishing us again. I fully expect us to do what Hamilton have tried to do and park the bus. 

Park the bus but issue Mulraney, Cole and Mckay a "Park and ride" ticket.

1 hour ago, DoofersDad said:

Our goal difference is one better than Kilmarnock and County and two goals poorer than Hamilton's.  Goal difference could be crucial at the end of the season.  It's fine being all gung-ho in a one off cup match but we can't afford to lose heavily in the league.  We need a bit of realism here.  We must accept that we will probably lose the game and the important thing is to not lose by much.  Keeping things tight has to be the way to go.  But with the pace of Mulraney (assuming he's OK) and Mckay up front, we have players who are capable of hurting Celtic on the break so we always have a chance of taking something from the game.

Exactly this. Although we only conceded our second just before half time in the cup fixture, I thought we looked hopelessly out of our depth for pretty much the entire game, and didn't succeed in preventing Celtic from playing the way we did in the first half of our last league fixture at Celtic Park. It will be harder to press Celtic as effectively as we did Hearts and Rangers for most of those games, but with the greater dynamism of Polworth in midfield and pace of Mulraney wide right, we hopefully won't be chasing shadows quite as much as we were in the cup game.   

Edited February 26, 20178 yr by alternative maryhill

29 minutes ago, alternative maryhill said:

Exactly this. Although we only conceded our second just before half time in the cup fixture, I thought we looked hopelessly out of our depth for pretty much the entire game, and didn't succeed in preventing Celtic from playing the way we did in the first half of our last league fixture at Celtic Park. It will be harder to press Celtic as effectively as we did Hearts and Rangers for most of those games, but with the greater dynamism of Polworth in midfield and pace of Mulraney wide right, we hopefully won't be chasing shadows quite as much as we were in the cup game.   

The problem in the cup game at Celtic was going 4-4-2. This played into Celtic's hands, with space between the lines for their playmakers to exploit. I agree with top six - play narrow in defence and let them have it out wide: Physically narrowing the pitch is also not a bad idea. Play Draper and Tansey in front of presumably Laing/Mackay and Warren (McCart not available). Keep some pace out wide and Mckay up front. In short, no need to change anything other than enforced replacement of McCart. Any news on Tremarco and Mulraney - could do with both of them to be fit, although Raven and King are ready replacements. What's up with Doran these days?

Mesaage to RF - not 4-4-2 against these guys!

Difficult to call a team until we know who is available. I would not be risking anyone (especially Tremarco) if there are knocks. Cellic is a bonus game. There at three important games coming up and we do not want to risk anyone on Wednesday night.

I didn't realise that our Partick  match isn't until a week on Saturday due to the Scottish cup.

So we may as well aim for the same performance levels as last Friday and hope that Celtics quest for the treble is a distraction.

Edited February 27, 20178 yr by 12th Man

But it is still a real risk to play anyone who is not 100% fit. 10 days is a good recovery time and we need a fully fit squad for Firhill and beyond.

Can only hope we do not employ the same tactics as we did a couple of weeks ago in the cup, that was absolutely suicidal.

Same tactics, same formation as the last couple of games with only change being Warren for McCart.

Hopefully both Tremarco and Mulraney fit again. 

Us taking points of Celtic still hurts Rodgers as he keeps still banging on how they were the better team, with the better chances, but what he never mentions is how the referee bottled it that day for the last man foul on Draper. Game changer in our favour.   

One of these days someone will start a preview thread for a Celtic match and call it Tic Talk.....

While we wait, here's Richie's press conference from today.  Stay tuned right to the end for injury news.

 

9 hours ago, forresjags said:

Us taking points of Celtic still hurts Rodgers as he keeps still banging on how they were the better team, with the better chances

I think thats probably the motivation that BR will use, he needs to keep his team going and in some ways that result away to us is the one he can use to fire them up.

We will need to show the fight, desire and organisational discipline over the last few games if we are to take anything. If not every player is at 100% then we will get nothing.

9 hours ago, forresjags said:

Can only hope we do not employ the same tactics as we did a couple of weeks ago in the cup, that was absolutely suicidal.

Same tactics, same formation as the last couple of games with only change being Warren for McCart.

Hopefully both Tremarco and Mulraney fit again. 

Us taking points of Celtic still hurts Rodgers as he keeps still banging on how they were the better team, with the better chances, but what he never mentions is how the referee bottled it that day for the last man foul on Draper. Game changer in our favour.   

If taking a single point off them upset him so much then let's do our utmost to see how he reacts to us taking all three.

Eat Sleep Raven Repeat

1 hour ago, CaleyD said:

One of these days someone will start a preview thread for a Celtic match and call it Tic Talk.....

While we wait, here's Richie's press conference from today.  Stay tuned right to the end for injury news.

 

Great to see the smile back on his face! 

We may even make Tic Sick

 

Well that's it 3 points needed tomorrow night now, you can'd depend on Aberdeen!

Yes, the Dandies proved to be chocolate fireguards at crucial time again. Might as well give the SPL trophy to the Tic after tomorrow, regardless of the result.

14 hours ago, IBM said:

Well that's it 3 points needed tomorrow night now, you can'd depend on Aberdeen!

No.

You can depend on them to bottle it. 

Yes, and it won't be long now--the clock is tic-ing.