The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

[Main Street]

Edouard tests positive...Jasus if any other Celtic player has it by the time the play Sevco it could be bad, lets hope this isn't the case. Lennon's fault no doubt

That's the first real positive news about Ed this season.

[tyroneman]

Edouard tests positive...Jasus if any other Celtic player has it by the time the play Sevco it could be bad, lets hope this isn't the case. Lennon's fault no doubt

At which point (and about what) are we allowed to judge Lennon in his role as manager?

Do we have to wait until the end of the season? The first Sevco game, second, third?

Is it permissable to comment on the style of football during the season?

It seems because we are winning (ugly) in the league that he is untouchable (despite another shambolic exit from the CL)

[illdecide]

Edouard tests positive...Jasus if any other Celtic player has it by the time the play Sevco it could be bad, lets hope this isn't the case. Lennon's fault no doubt

Your victim complex for Lennon is something else.

It was a tongue in cheek comment...We were meant to discuss the impact playing Sevco without possibly some of our top players, I know Edouard has not been great recently and Lennon did say the transfer speculation was effecting him. Now that that's over hopefully we can see him back to his best and we all know if he's on top of his game he's first class

[angermanagement]

The Scottish FA has been informed that Stuart Armstrong has returned a positive test for COVID-19.

The midfielder returned a negative test for COVID-19 on arrival at Oriam on Monday but the supplementary UEFA test returned a positive result this morning.

Stuart will self-isolate for 10 days from the date of the test – Tuesday, 6 October - and will now be unavailable for the forthcoming international matches.

All other members of the squad have returned negative results. However, the Lothian Health Protection Team have identified two players and two members of the backroom staff as close contacts. As a consequence, Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie – along with one physiotherapist and one masseur - will require to self-isolate for 14 days as of yesterday, and will also miss the forthcoming matches.

The Scotland National Team Chief Medical Consultant, Dr John MacLean, has been in constant dialogue with the Scottish Government's Clinical Adviser on COVID & Sports throughout.

Steve Clarke, Scotland National Team Head Coach: "While this is obviously disappointing news the most important thing is the health and safety of the individuals involved and the wider group.

"As soon as we were informed of the positive test, the Chief Medical Consultant immediately contacted the Scottish Government's clinical adviser, who in turn alerted the local Health Protection Team.

"We have informed the respective clubs from whom we have borrowed the players and backroom staff and we now have to prepare for a huge match ahead tomorrow."

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: "We were made aware of the positive test this morning and I reiterate Steve's view that the health and safety of those involved is paramount. We will maintain constant dialogue with Dr John MacLean to ensure that those who are required to self-isolate are given the full support of the Scottish FA in conjunction with their clubs.

"Equally, the protocols and procedures in place are designed to ensure that the remaining members of the squad – who have all returned two rounds of negative tests – can continue to prepare for the forthcoming matches in a safe and secure environment."

Chrsitie out of the Old Firm now as well!

[Main Street]

14 days quarantine is overkill for  Christie should  he retest negative in 5 days time.

Then it's reported that Armstrong who tested positive only has to undergo 10 days quarantine.

[illdecide]

Check out this for some coming and going...WOW


In: Albian Ajeti, forward (West Ham United, £4.5m); Vasilis Barkas, goalkeeper (AEK Athens, undisclosed); David Turnbull, midfielder (Motherwell, undisclosed).

Loan in: Shane Duffy, defender (Brighton & Hove Albion); Mohamed Elyounoussi, midfielder (Southampton), Diego Laxalt, defender (AC Milan).

Out: Eboue Kouassi, midfielder (Genk, £1.35m); Craig Gordon, goalkeeper (Heart of Midlothian); Jonny Hayes, midfielder (Aberdeen); Robbie Deas, defender (Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Calvin Miller, defender (Harrogate Town); Kundai Benyu, midfielder (Wealdstone); Luke Mahady, forward (Raith Rovers); Mark Hill, midfielder (Forfar Athletic); Dave McKay, defender (Brechin City); Jozo Simunovic, defender.

Loan ended: Fraser Forster, goalkeeper (Southampton); Daniel Arzani, midfielder (Manchester City); Moritz Bauer, defender (Stoke City).

Loan out: Boli Bolingoli, defender (Istanbul Basaksehir); Manny Perez, defender (North Carolina); Marian Shved, midfielder (Mechelen); Vakoun Issouf Bayo, forward (Toulouse); Jack Hendry, defender (Oostende); Andrew Gutman, defender (Cincinnati); Jonathan Afolabi, forward (Dundee); Kerr McInroy, midfielder (Dunfermline Athletic); Ryan Mullen, goalkeeper (Cove Rangers); Brody Paterson, midfielder (Queen's Park).

[illdecide]

6 in (three signed and three on loan)
23 out (10 out on loan)

[MoChara]

possibly only 5 first team squad out though

Loan ended: Fraser Forster, goalkeeper (Southampton); Moritz Bauer, defender (Stoke City).
Loan out: Boli Bolingoli, defender (Istanbul Basaksehir); Marian Shved, midfielder (Mechelen); Vakoun Issouf Bayo, forward (Toulouse)

Maybe Arzani too but he was injured that long I don't think he can be counted

[Angelo]

possibly only 5 first team squad out though

Loan ended: Fraser Forster, goalkeeper (Southampton); Moritz Bauer, defender (Stoke City).
Loan out: Boli Bolingoli, defender (Istanbul Basaksehir); Marian Shved, midfielder (Mechelen); Vakoun Issouf Bayo, forward (Toulouse)

Maybe Arzani too but he was injured that long I don't think he can be counted

Simunovic, Hayes, Gordon too.

[illdecide]

With 6 days to go the big game how will it unfold? Are Edouard and Chrisite def out? if not they prob wouldn't be sharp from isolating for the last 2 weeks. Will NL start the new bhoy Laxalt? If Chrisite is out will he play Rogic or Turnbull? Even though Edouard had not been playing well recently Sevco would still be scared marking him. Bitton would have been an unlikely starter anyway but Jullien is back fit anyway...Team i think he'll start on Sat will be...

Barkas
Frimpong
Jullien
Duffy
Ajer
Laxalt
Brown
McGregor
Turnbull
ELYOUNOUSSI
KLIMALA

Possible changes...H. ABD ELHAMED instead of Jullien
Rogic instead of Turnbull
Ajeti (if back fit) instead of Klimala
Taylor instead of Laxalt
Ntcham instead of Elyounoussi

So many options...Griffiths, Eddie could still be sub, maybe last 15 mins. Will be interesting come the end of the week to see who's fit and who's available.

[Angelo]

I like Bitton in the back 3 and I think he'd have started if available.

Would imagine Taylor will get the nod at wing back.

It's not ideal, is Edouard still a possibility to play?

[illdecide]

Apparently Eddie's isolation ends the day before the game but his fitness from having the virus as well as isolated for almost 2 weeks could not be ideal. I think Bitton makes the odd clanger and can get caught flat footed a few times but is decent and wouldn't get bullied like Jullien would. I've a feeling NL will start Laxalt and Frimpong as the two wing backs and one up front 3-5-1-1 with either Turnbull or Rogic as the link man to the centre forward

[illdecide]

Looks like H. ABD ELHAMED could be out now too...FFS.

[themac_23]

I'd be going

Barkas

Frimpong

Ajer
Duffy
Julien

Laxalt

Brown
McGregor

Ntcham/ moi

Eddy
Ajeti/ klimala

Get Griffiths on with 20 to go if we need a goal, though I think their play will suit us, we struggle against teams that sit deep, their ego and the fact they are buying the MSM hype about how good they are won't allow them to do that, they'll come at us and we'll rip them apart with 2 up top. Klimalas pace will kill them if they push up which I tho m they will

[illdecide]

It's been quite the international break.

After coming through the September break unscathed, Neil Lennon has helplessly watched on as a number of his Celtic stars have been ruled out of the upcoming fixture against Rangers. Ryan Christie, Nir Bitton and Hatem Abd Elhamed are all confirmed absentees. Mystery also surrounds Odsonne Edouard's availability, though optimistic fans will hope his return on Friday will give him enough time to feature in the derby.

When you consider that other players such as James Forrest are injured, it doesn't paint a pretty picture. Even Albian Ajeti is still coming back from a hamstring problem. However, I don't care who is playing for Celtic; I will always fancy our chances against that lot across the city. That's the nature of the rivalry. You also can't argue that Lennon doesn't have a multitude of quality options still at his disposal. So, as it stands a few days out, what's the most exciting eleven he can field?

In goal, Vasilis Barkas is the obvious and only choice. He's featured heavily since arriving and has been praised by the manager too. The former AEK man has been on international duty with Greece over the last week but has remained on the bench, so he'll be fresh and ready. There is uncertainty about the defence and whether or not Lennon will revert to a back-four. However, I reckon deploying the trio of Shane Duffy, Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer is the way to go.

Jullien has hopefully recovered from an injury while Ajer and Duffy have both been in good form for their countries. It's a three that should be able to cope with Rangers' attacking threats. Some may question my choice at left wing-back, but I think Diego Laxalt has to play. Yes, a derby debut is a big ask, but he's a player who has been playing and training at the elite level for years. The hope will be he offers more than Greg Taylor and can nullify the threat on Rangers' right-wing. The best way to keep James Tavernier quiet in our half is to keep him busy in his own.

On the right flank, it's an obvious choice that needs little explanation – Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutch U20 international has been one of our best players over the last month and deserves to be one of the first-named on the team sheet. There has been massive debate about the role of Scott Brown in the early stages of the season but put simply, we can't go into this fixture under pressure without our leader and captain. We'll learn a lot about his current ability at 35 years of age on Saturday, but I'm backing the warrior midfielder to give us a good performance. Rounding off my midfield three would be Callum McGregor and Olivier Ntcham. Rangers' route to victory at Celtic Park last December was through the central midfield areas. They out muscled us and, frankly, outgunned us. This weekend's match will likely be won and lost in the same area. We need this trio to be at the peak of their powers, defending our back line and supporting our attack in equal measure.

And what about our attack? This is where I think Lennon may throw a curve ball. In recent matches, he's preferred an attacking midfielder and striker combination. The smart money would be on Mohamed Elyounoussi getting a game. However, my gut feeling is that the manager will surprise everyone and go for Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths. If the Frenchman was symptom-less and keeping himself fit in self-isolation, then there's no reason why he can't feature at Celtic Park. It'd be a bold call, but he has a fantastic record against the Ibrox team, and it can't be forgotten he is our best player. It'd also be a shock to see Griffiths start his first professional match since March but, again, he's had ample time to work on his fitness further since scoring against St Johnstone. What a sight it would be to see the pairing line up, ready to rekindle a partnership that was on fire in early 2020.

That's the frontline that I think can punish Rangers and put them on the back foot from kick-off. All eyes will be on Lennon's team announcement. Will he play it safe or go for the jugular?