High Hopes For Hoops' Home Run: Match Preview

High Hopes For Hoops' Home Run
~~~~~~~~~~Official TC Match Preview~~~~~~~~~~


6 in 6: Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates against AZ Alkmaar



Saturday, 21 August 2021
15.00 BST
Celtic Park

Celtic fans will be eagerly looking forward to making their way to Paradise once again this weekend, in the hope of being able to watch some more of the entertaining brand of football that has been on offer in recent weeks.

It is a run that has seen the Bhoys string together 5 consecutive wins in all competitions and interestingly, 4 at home. Another win tomorrow will see them having secured 5 consecutive victories at Celtic Park for the first time in over a year, and 6 consecutive in all comps, home or away, will also better any streak that was achieved at any stage of last season.

Wednesday's match against Dutch visitors, AZ Alkmaar - and 2-0 final scoreline it secured - has continued to build on the run of exceptional performances that has brought with it such a seachange of optimism as attention shifts back to the domestic scene and league action, with the visit of St Mirren.

The visitors from Paisley have struggled since the season proper has gotten underway, sharing the spoils with newly promoted Dundee on the opening day of the campaign followed by a defeat at the hands of Hearts and subsequently being knocked out of the League Cup last weekend - albeit via penalties - by Livingston.

Clearly, the Buddies are a side in need of a jumpstart to their season. Indeed the last time they visited Parkhead, they emerged with a rare 2-1 win over a disappointing Celtic side back in January - the first such defeat at home for more than 30 years.

However, the Buddies will be further hamstrung by the news today that manager Jim Goodwin has tested positive for Covid, so will be unable to attend tomorrow's encounter.

Goodwin is in self-isolation and irrespective of club affiliation, am sure we all would hope that he is back in the dugout again soon for his club after taking the necessary precautions, as well as underlining how crucial these protocols are that everyone involed in the game are subject to.

Team News
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With the Hoops in such fine form at the moment, and aside from Leigh Griffiths and Christopher Julien, Celtic has close to a full squad to choose from for the match tomorrow.

But with a trip across to Holland next week as the Bhoys seek to seal the deal on qualifying for the Europa League, the big question will be if Postecoglou will want to roll out the same side again or make some changes in order to keep players fresh.

If there are changes to be made, it may be as Postecoglou continues to rotate the forward line, possibly with Edouard coming back in and the manager hinted at this also, about rotating players, as well as the inclusion of Ryan Christie.
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“He (Christie) trained over the last couple of days and he’s ready to go. Everyone pulled up okay after the Alkmaar game. It was a pretty punishing game, to be fair, so there’s probably still a couple of sore bodies in the group."

Ange hinted at Ryan Christie's possible return to action tomorrow

Whoever does line up tomorrow, the hope will be that there will be more of the same inn regards to the flowing attacking football that has been on offer recently.

Ange Says...
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“I’d be very surprised if anyone here is taking anything for granted. The world and the football world, in particular, changes pretty quickly and once you take something for granted, you’ll get a pretty quick reminder that you’ll get brought back down to earth pretty quickly.​

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“I haven’t sensed that at all with this group. At the moment, the key thing for us is that they’re enjoying their football, they are getting their rewards and for the most part none of them want to miss out.

“That’s a good thing and that’s also part of the battle as when I ask them how they feel and they’re all buzzing and they all want to play, but I kind of know that there must be a couple who are feeling a bit sore."

Ange in good spirits ahead of tomorrow's clash

Head to Head

Overall
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P:256 W:177 D:46 L:33
F:590 A:210

Last 5 Overall Meetings
WLWWW

Overall Last Meeting
0-4
10 Feb 2021

Record Overall Win
0 - 7
1962/63


At Celtic Park
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

P:128 W:94 D:23 L:11
F:333 A:92

Last 5 HOME Meetings
LWWWW

Last Time at Celtic Park
1-2
31 Jan 2021​

Record Home Win
7 - 1
1961/62

2021/22 Form
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Overall: WWWWW
Home: WWWWD
SPFL: WL


Overall: DLDWW
Away: DDWW
SPFL: LD​