Lambs to the Slaughter?



Inverness are off to the East this weekend, the East End of Glasgow to be more exact in the unusual position as table toppers, but will we be slaughtering lambs or lambs to the slaughter?

Celtic were humbled in midweek by that well known Kazakhstani club Shakhter Karagandy at the Astana Arena, a 2-0 reverse making life more difficult for the Glasgow giants than they would have liked. I'm not sure if Inverness will employ the same tactic of slaughtering a sheep prior to the game at Parkhead. It's such a cruel thing to do to one of your girlfriends, and there is no truth in the rumour that Terry Butcher will quit drinking red wine if Inverness win.

Celtic will be smarting after their European nightmare, but they will need to be cautious in their approach to this game ahead of the return with Karagandy as there is a lot of money running on success in the Champions League, whereas winning the SPFL is surely a certainty over the long run as the other contenders play for the best of the rest.

Immortal Howden Ender has been given a weekend pass and he seems to be having a question and answer session with himself. He will use his time wisely to compile this preview ahead of Saturdays clash at Parkhead, where for the first time ever, Inverness will arrive in Glasgow as league leaders, but can they sustain it?

WE’RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE AND YOU’RE NO !!

Q.  When was the last time that ICT headed to Parkhead sitting at the top of the Premier League ?

A. Never. Well that is until Saturday 24th August 2013 – yet another memorable, history making landmark.

The euphoria may not last long but I suggest that we breathe in the air of satisfaction and enjoy it whilst we can. The “spirits” may well be with us at Parkhead and there must be some optimism that we could possibly maintain the lofty position.

We go there brimming with confidence – nine points from the opening three games, six goals bagged, McKay netting in each game, three clean sheets from the “newbie” Brill, Vincent settling in nicely and  seven of the probable starting eleven having tasted success at Parkhead last November. And in late October 2012 eight played their part in a 3-0 victory at Ibrox.

One more realistic manner to look at, is that we have already got nine points in the bag, nine more than our Highland rivals and TWENTY points clear of relegation.

Q.  When are Celtic at their most vulnerable in the SPL?

A.  When the games fall in the midst of Champion League ties.

We should not be complaining of a 360 mile return trip this week after Celtic have had to endure a 6000 mile trek to far flung Kazakhstan. They may well have travelled in style and stayed in a luxury hotel but the artificial surface would have taken its toll and the 2-0 defeat is close to disastrous financially and they have to have one eye firmly focussed on the return leg next week. I suspect that they may even be confident enough to sacrifice Saturday, confident that they will catch up in time.

It will be interesting to see Lennon’s selection but I am sure that he will be forgiven if he secures a Champions League Group spot. Some may point out that Celtic have beaten us before with a second team on display. I would actually be more concerned if we were playing at the TCS. I think that the big pitch will be to our advantage and we really do not have many rookies in there this season.

Q. When was the last time that Dean Brill and James Vincent played in front of 50,000 fans?

A. I suspect never – well that is until Saturday 24th August 2013.

It should be an uplifting and memorable experience for both of them but also clearly the biggest challenge that either player has ever faced – especially Brill. To me he has been the surprise package. I am sure that there were few if any fans who would have placed a bet that he would have had three clean consecutive sheets. I am sure that he would also be the first to share the accolades with the team as a whole but especially the back four who are looking as good a defensive unit as anywhere else in Scotland.

Can you imagine how Dean and the defensive unit will feel if they march out of Glasgow with a “four in a row” record?

James Vincent is probably not under as much pressure and that may encourage him to put in that extra mile. He has a “stage” to audition on and to enhance his already growing reputation. Add Brill and Vincent to Raven, Meekings, Warren, Draper and McKay one can only compliment the Varsella/Butcher “scouting” prowess and sticks two fingers clearly up to the retractors who had initially scoffed at the recruitment of “lower league” unknowns.

So once again we venture through the Gorbals and the hardier of us will enjoy the pre-match banter with the away support in the surprisingly welcoming ambiance of the London Road Tavern and the Springfield Vaults. And let’s hope that recent results add a few more to the away support, albeit stuck in the far away corner. I suspect that we may even create more atmosphere with the demise of the Green Brigade section and the locals saving their vocal chords for next week.

Terry is keeping his injuries to himself this week. I can’t see Warren being a doubt due to a hand injury unless he is being considered for the goalkeeping position. The other “two” doubts probably pertain to David Raven and A.N.Other. The big difference is that we do have significantly more strength in depth this season to cover such eventualities – but let us hope that it is a case of same again.

It is nigh impossible for any punter to guess what team Neil Lennon is going to pick but he evidently will have next week praying on his mind and undoubtedly the Board and the fans as well. We have to accept that any point taken from Parkhead, despite the opposition player selection, will need 100% effort and concentration on our behalf over the ninety minutes and is nowhere near a possibility. Such things have to be fought for and earned.

In conclusion Terry has made a couple of quotes this week which probably could never have been uttered at any time previously during his spell at ICT – or possibly anywhere else:

“We know how good they are just now, but we don’t know how good they can be"

“The players are playing with smiles on their faces and we’re sending the supporters home with smiles on their faces.”

 

Long may that last, J