Celtic team news and reports (merged)

**~~BOB MARLEYS DUG~~** · 19-05-2013 02:32 PM

Who is available/injured/suspended for them? Also, what do you think their line up will be, think its important that we keep tabs on them for this week. Although, we should be keeping tabs on Hibs, and only Hibs only, i thought it'd be a good idea to keep a wee eye on Celtic. Which individuals do we need to watch closely/who's quite dodgy and is likely to make mistakes etc.

**Thecat23** · 19-05-2013 02:43 PM

For me every player in that Celtic squad is dangerous. Hibs will have to be at the very beat of their game and maybe have a bit of Lady Luck on our side. We play like we did against Hearts and use the wings we have a real chance. We sit in and look for the break Celtic will stroll it. Midfield could be where the game is won. Guys like Claros/Tawio/Thompson are our key players who can supply Harris and Griffiths who then could do the damage. Win the battle against you're own man you will win the game.

**Sir David Gray** · 19-05-2013 02:46 PM

Wanyama and Kayal are suspended.

As far as I'm aware, they have no injuries.

***H18sry*** · 19-05-2013 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by FalkirkHibee

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Wanyama and Kayal are suspended.

As far as I'm aware, they have no injuries.

Charlie Mulgrew, Adam Matthews and Lassad face a fitness battle ahead of the Scottish Cup final against Hibs. (Various)

**#FromTheCapital** · 19-05-2013 02:49 PM

Wanyama and his natural replacement Kayal are both suspended. Not sure if the have any significant injuries although Scott Brown has only recently returned from injury so may not be 100% fit. I hope not anyway cos he's a big player for them.

**MWHIBBIES** · 19-05-2013 02:52 PM

Stokes is the only one that I really fear tbh, Hooper is a better played no doubt but in tight games Stokes is better for scoring those important goals than him. If they need a goal with 10 minutes to go and he is on I will be really scared.

Their defense is awful though so I do think we will score.

**Sir David Gray** · 19-05-2013 02:53 PM

I think their line up will be the same as today's to be honst.

***Billy Whizz*** · 19-05-2013 03:05 PM

Think James Forrest is a doubt as well

**HUTCHYHIBBY** · 19-05-2013 04:10 PM

Very important that we keep Commons quiet methinks.

***Stevie Reid*** · 19-05-2013 04:15 PM

Commons has the goal out of nothing factor, and needs to be closely policed. Forrest is a huge danger also. That said, they have quality and goals right throughout their team.

But we can do it.

**chrisski33** · 19-05-2013 04:41 PM

You know what, lets not worry about them! We need to start at them and not sit back and let them play. Im pleased we are the underdogs more chance of an upset which we are capable of! Im more worried that they will stop sparky but this could make them take their eyes off our other players......

**CapitalHibs** · 19-05-2013 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by chrisski33

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You know what, lets not worry about them! We need to start at them and not sit back and let them play. Im pleased we are the underdogs more chance of an upset which we are capable of! Im more worried that they will stop sparky but this could make them take their eyes off our other players......

Yep want to see Doyler and especially Harris (just like he did against the jambos) hitting the bye-line and hammering low hard crosses into the six yard box...defender's nightmare and hopefully a tap in for LG

**NAE NOOKIE** · 19-05-2013 06:42 PM

Thellic have coasted their last few games without being troubled a great deal.

Its not about how they play or what players they have on the pitch. Any one of their starting 11 would probably walk into the Hibs team, but that has pretty well always been the case.

This is all about how we play. If we can win the midfield battle we have a chance, but as others have said, we must be able to get the ball out wide to Harris and Griffiths who often drifts out wide during games.

They are average at the back, but its hard to take advantage of that unless you can stifle their midfield and keep the ball away from their front players.

The only hope I can see is to press them high up the park from the word go and try our best to get the upper hand pushing forward. Make them defend.

Williams

Maybury, McPake / Forster, Hanlon, McGivern

Harris, Taiwo, Claros, Thomson

Griffiths, Doyle / Caldwell

Lets see what we have then:

Williams ............ Was at Old Trafford and has had a great season.. the odd bluper aside.

Maybury ........... Massive experience, but not the quickest.

McPake ............ Was off form before being injured and must be a doubt to start ... will give everything if chosen though.

Forster ............. Stroke of luck him coming through .. looks like a decent player, but nerves might be a factor if he starts.

Hanlon .............. This could be his finest hour if he plays to his full ability .. on his day as good a CH as anybody in the SPL.

McGivern .......... At Man City so you would think he wouldnt be intimidated playing celtic .. good going forward, not so good defending.

Harris ............. What a find .. our best chance to get celtic on the back foot ... if we can get the ball to him.

Taiwo ............. Has hit form at just the right time, has to run and run on the day to break up the midfield.. but can do it.

Claros ............. On his day as good as any midfield player celtic have and if he is up for it can run the game.

Thomson ......... Another player with huge European and big game experience ... fitness a problem, but could be our ace in the hole.

Doyle ........ Wanders about in a trance sometimes, but can score if he keeps the head.

Caldwell .... Still not sure about him .. needs to get in the face of the opposition CH a lot more and take up better positions.

Griffiths ..... Can be out of the game and still score, works hard as well .... our one big chance of something out of nothing.
In last years final he never got a kick and we must not let that happen this time.

In Conclusion ............... Be brave .... ***' go for it and dont worry too much about what celtic are going to do. Get Harris & Griffiths Involved early ... and if a celtic defender even looks at you within 25 yards of their goal fall down and try to win a free kick.

**number9dream** · 19-05-2013 07:46 PM

Samaras galloping at Maybury is a worry and Forrest is threat on the right, which makes me think wee Pat will play Stevenson in front of McGivern.
Commons is the man in form right now, drifting behind Hooper. He's clever but not quick, so KT could stick on him like a limpet.
Weakness is probably central defence, so let's get Harris & Griffiths running at them!

**DH1875** · 19-05-2013 10:52 PM

Think they'll go with

Forster
Izaguirre
Ambrose
Wilson
Lustig
Commons
Ledley
Brown
Forrest
Samaras
Hooper
If Mulgrew is fit, he'll play. NO Stokes which is a good thing. Really hope we try and have a bit of a go. Their defence is their weak point, so why not.

**MWHIBBIES** · 20-05-2013 05:32 AM

We need to let them play in their own half like we did at Easter Road, close them down hard in our half and hit them hard on the break. Although we got some luck in that game we played well and certainly deserved it.

**YehButNoBut** · 21-05-2013 04:23 PM

Doesn't sound like James Forrest is 100% fit but hoping to be included, would be happy if he missed out as can be a dangerous player for them.

Interesting quote at the end saying "it won't be a disappointing season if we don't win it" makes you wonder how motivated they are.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/scotlan...medium=twitter

***easty*** · 21-05-2013 04:25 PM

They'll be plenty motivated. We dinnae need to worry about that though.

**YehButNoBut** · 21-05-2013 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by easty

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They'll be plenty motivated. We dinnae need to worry about that though.

Their recent record at Hampden is not too good though so hopefully they have another bad day on Sunday. :pfgwa

**Craig_in_Prague** · 21-05-2013 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by DH1875

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Think they'll go with

Forster
Izaguirre
Ambrose
Wilson
Lustig
Commons
Ledley
Brown
Forrest
Samaras
Hooper
If Mulgrew is fit, he'll play. NO Stokes which is a good thing. Really hope we try and have a bit of a go. Their defence is their weak point, so why not.

Agree with all this; and I have to say, if Hibs just have a go (but work hard and defend well of course), we can cause them problems and score goals, I really do not rate their central defenders at all. Sparky and Harris must get the ball and just run at them!

I fear Pat will want to try and 'hang in' and play a 4-5-1 and lose us the game before it even starts.
Granted, we beat them at ER playing this way, but we really need to get support up to Sparky and give it everything we've got from start to finish.

***Oscar T Grouch*** · 21-05-2013 05:04 PM

Just having a wee look over at smelliedale street, they are a bunch o paranoia ridden slum dwellers aint they? Collum is going to hand us the cup

farry and dallas gets a mention, they really don't like ANY of the 6 officials. That's only in the first two pages

There is a lot who think we will win it, a few who thiink they'll pump us. A lot of nerves about the game though. The overall consensus is if celtic turn up we will lose.

Now I need to go an wash my PC down after that wee visit

**adhibs** · 22-05-2013 01:46 PM

Article on the scotsman site with lustig talking about fatigue. Even more reason to get right in about them from the start

**~~southsider~~** · 22-05-2013 02:05 PM

Two solid banks of four with both LG and Harris given free roles up front to use their skill and pace. Draw free kicks near the box and wait for Sparky to do the business.

***JimBHibees*** · 22-05-2013 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by adhibs

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Article on the scotsman site with lustig talking about fatigue. Even more reason to get right in about them from the start

Wouldnt believe a word of that. They will be raring to finish the final as early as possible as they have had the league won and been able to rotate their team the last few weeks.