Celtic (A) - Pre-Match Thread....

[gkmcfc]

We've come a long way in Europe last couple of seasons. We finally seem to have shaken some of the fear factor so I'm hoping their "atmosphere" won't have an effect on us given we've experienced similar atmospheres in other countries.

In terms of the opposition I don't believe Rodgers knows how to play pragmatically - we'll see. That said I do remember watching them turn Barca over a few years ago so we can take nothing for granted. Barca battered them that night and had circa 70% of the possession and still lost the match! Loud crowds inspire players and no matter how good they are or we are on the night, I expect them to turn up and cause us some problems. If a struggling Swansea can, I see no reason why Celtic can't. They will look to chase us and hit us on the counter. Players like Roberts and Sinclair are quick and have the ability to expose us if we're not careful.

Overall, if we play to our potential though I can't see anything other than a City win. Hope KDB is OK after Saturday but perhaps he will sit this one out:

City - Bravo, Zaba, Stones, Otamendi,Clichy, Ferna, Gundogan, Silva, Nolito, Sterling, Aguero

 

[jessery]

Some of the arrogant shite written on here beggars belief. "They're a championship team, at best, 0-4 written all over it, we will annihilate them."
It's a one-off game of football and all things are possible, especially where Celtic playing an English team are concerned, and the potential for a very difficult game should not be underestimated.

Well said.

 

[Sergio Picasso Aguero]

Bravo
Zabaleta Otamendi Stones Kolarov
Fernandinho Gundogan
Sterling Silva Nolito
Aguero

 

[worsleyweb]

Think and hope we will be far too strong for them. 3-0.

 

[pete1970]

Some of the arrogant shite written on here beggars belief. "They're a championship team, at best, 0-4 written all over it, we will annihilate them."
It's a one-off game of football and all things are possible, especially where Celtic playing an English team are concerned, and the potential for a very difficult game should not be underestimated.

Agreed

 

[the_game_161]

Celtic look a poor team but at home anything can happen and they will look to feed off the home crowd.

 

[BamberBridgeBlue]

I really don't think anyone writing on BM has mystical powers and an ability to influence the future, but thanks for pointing it out anyway. As for being confident. As I'm sure you know, there are two types of confident. There is the; if we play play well, we create and take chances and there are not many controversial decisions, we've got a very good chance of winning the game. And there is the; they're useless, it'll be a stroll in the park and nothing can go wrong. I just prefer the former to the latter, that's all.

Unfortunately, due to the new breed of fan we have already attracted and continue to attract coupled with those that have been here longer but have short memories, the over confidence will continue. Eventually we will end up with camera crews seeking out Richard Edghill twice a year to predict how many we will stuff United by at each Derby. It depends whether you have the energy to try to educate and keep grounded. I'll never stop supporting City, but you have to accept this element will drag you down somewhat.

 

[aguero93:20]

Full strength team, go for the throat right from the off, couple of early goals to shut the crowd up and try to get Gundogan/Silva/Sergio off early and rested for Spurs.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Unfortunately, due to the new breed of fan we have already attracted and continue to attract coupled with those that have been here longer but have short memories, the over confidence will continue. Eventually we will end up with camera crews seeking out Richard Edghill twice a year to predict how many we will stuff United by at each Derby. It depends whether you have the energy to try to educate and keep grounded. I'll never stop supporting City, but you have to accept this element will drag you down somewhat.

When did Richard Edgill ever say anything like that? I would always remember him as very modest and understated, as befitted our status of that time

 

[MarsLlama]

Nico... Dinho... Silky... Merlin..

For fuck sake who are these players :/

If you're genuinely asking then Nicolas Otamendi, Fernandinho, Ilkay (Ill-kee, rhymes with silky) Gundogan and Silva (he's a wizard, like Merlin).

 

[MarsLlama]

This will either be a very tough game or a total walk in the park. Celtic are very unpredictable and the atmosphere won't help us. If we get one in the first half-hour we'll probably be fine. Need to watch out for Dembelé, Sinclair and Roberts.

Bravo
Sagna Otamendi Stones Kolarov
Fernandinho
Sterling Silva Gundogan Nolito
Aguero

Caballero Zabaleta Clichy Fernando Navas Sané Iheanacho

Celtic 1-3 City

 

[Manchester_lalala]

This will either be a very tough game or a total walk in the park.

Nothing gets past you, does it?

 

[Rammy Blue]

Nothing gets past from you, does it?

lmao

 

[deano ou812]

Should win,but it isn't as simple as that added to the fact Rodgers will unleash the crowd it could be a tricky tie,still think we will win out comfortable enough..

 

[waterfootblues]

Not so sure Roberts will play.
He was there player of the season last year but when Brenda brought in Sinclair not had as many chances and when played has played poor.
Sinclair has been fantastic for them.
Celtic are by far the best team in Scotland and I wouldn't take the Barca game as form. Barca can do that to anyone on their day.
The atmosphere at Parkhead will be the most passionate any City player or Fan will have ever experienced. We need a couple of early goals and to keep the ball and they will lose heart.
The longer we go on unbeaten the more I realize a defeat is only round the corner and my guess is it will be against a team we think will be a canter.
I really hope its not this game. Anyway I will be there cheering the blues on, cant wait.
Hopfully take over the City during the day and maybe out sing them for the last 20 mins.

 

[Bewar3them00n]

The crowd shouldn't faze us, we've been to intimidating grounds before in CL and won, in fact our best performances last year were away.
KDB will be a miss, but we will have Nolito back.
It won't be a walk in the park, but we will outpass, and wear them down.
Rodgers has promised a more aggressive performance from Celtic, saying they paid too much respect to Barca, there's not much chance of too much respect from Rodgers for City, this will be his downfall.
All huff and puff for 15 mins, then we will take control 0-3 Aguero , Silva

 

[aguero93:20]

The atmosphere at Parkhead will be the most passionate any City player or Fan will have ever experienced. We need a couple of early goals and to keep the ball and they will lose heart.

Never been to a Rome derby then? Shaktar v Dynamo? Dortmund v Schalke? Porto Benfica? Any South American games? Been to Glasgow derbies at both grounds and the atmosphere is no more intense than most rivalries and a lot less so than some. I think most of our players will be well able to deal with it, after all the likes of Sergio and Zaba grew up playing in derbies where getting physically attacked by either set of supporters was a possibility.

 

[aguero93:20]

Rodgers has promised a more aggressive performance from Celtic, saying they paid too much respect to Barca

Lol. They paid far too little respect and obviously hadn't done their prep.

 

[Blue Hefner]

If we played them 10 times, we'd win 8 - we should win, they are bang average

Like any team, on thier day they can't create problems but you would expect us to win

1-2

 

[mat]

They are going to kick our flair players off the park. Even more so thanks to Nike giving us an Orange kit...