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Bhoys 'Livi'n on a Prayer: Match Preview

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Taz, Sep 18, 2021.

By Taz on Sep 18, 2021 at 11:07 PM
  1. Taz Blind Justice Gold Member News Writer

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    Bhoys 'Livi'n on a Prayer
    ~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~

    [​IMG]
    Josip Juranovic scores from the spot against Real Betis

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
    Sunday, 19 September 2021
    15.00 BST
    Almondvale Stadium


    Ange Postecoglou's side once again must put the disappointment of a European defeat behind them as the fixtures continue to come thick and fast, with a short trip away to West Lothian to line up against Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

    A couple of months into the 2021/22 season, and it is almost like 'Angeball' is halfway there; in attack and at home, things are firing on all cylinders.

    However, at the back and on the road, it's a very different tale.​

    While Celtic have been capable of some truly sublime football at Parkhead, and have been getting the rewards in terms of results, the same cannot be said at this stage, while on their travels.

    This is a trend that extends a long way back into last season. In fact, the statistics speak volumes, as there has been just the one win in the last 9 competitive games away from Celtic Park in all competitions, and have not won a domestic 'away' game in the League or Cup since the middle of February!

    Therefore it is absolutely essential that the Hoops turn around their fortunes away from Celtic Park, if there is to be any genuine hope of staging a concerted effort to win anything this season.​

    Celtic were once again lauded for their fine efforts going forward in midweek against Real Betis, with Tom Rogic in particular pulling the strings (along with some displays of superb close control), sparking the Hoops in attack. However, all of this was undone by two short bursts where the hosts were able to double sucker-punch through the Bhoys' defence, underlining how this continues to be a major concern.

    So it is time for the Celts to take the 'Angeball' show on the road and start to string together some away wins in the league, starting this Sunday.

    In one of those odd and seemingly inexplicable vagaries that only someone at Hampden can explain, these two sides faced each other four times in the league last season, but Celtic benefitted from playing three of these matches at Parkhead, which seemingly is just as well, winning two of these. The other two fixtures resulted in draws, including the last time the Hoops visited Almondvale, where the sides drew 2-2, back in January.

    On the brighter side, the last time that Celtic and Livingston went head to head, it resulted in a 6-0 victory at Celtic Park in April.

    As it happens, the lineup that day was Bain; Kenny, Welsh, Ajer, Taylor; Turnbull, Brown, McGregor; Forrest, Edouard & Elyounoussi - of which only Turnbull played in the match on Thursday, and again further underlines how drastic a rebuild that the Hoops are undergoing this season.

    Team News

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    Celtic will be able to once again call upon the services of Israeli pair, Liel Abada and Nir Bitton, both of whom missed the Real Betis match in midweek due to observing a religious holiday, but there remains concerns about the fitness of both Callum McGregor and James Forrest, in addition to Giorgos Giakoumaskis, who also missed the trip to Spain, in order to focus on his fitness and getting up to speed also.

    However, the Bhoys will continue to be without Kyogo Furuhashi (knee), along with long term absentees, Christopher Julien (knee), Karamoko Dembele (ankle), and Mikey Johnston (hamstring), while Greg Taylor's shoulder is still likely to rule him out for Sunday's match.

    Meanwhile, Craig Sibbald will be missing for the hosts, along with Jackson Longridge and Sean Kelly, however recent signing Stephane Omeonga is ever closer to being fit and ready to make his debut for his new club.

    What Ange Says...

    Speaking ahead of this weekend's clash, Postecoglou spoke of the performance on Thursday, and underlined that despite the absence of a number of key personnel, that there were no excuses for not trying to play the attacking style, and this would be the same for this weekend's match also, when the Bhoys line up to play on the artificial surface at Livingston.
    “Thursday was a classic example of that,” Postecoglou said. “We had plenty of excuses not to try and play football but we didn’t do that and that’s the type of team we’re going to be.


    “That’s how you build resilience, by coming through tests like Thursday. People will look at the result and say we lost but at 4-2 down we could’ve folded but we were trying to score a thirds and fourth. “It’ll be the same on nday, not thinking about the limitations of what we can do but making sure we try and play our football."


    [​IMG]
    Ange Postecoglou seeks to build his team around CalMac - his main man

    While on the subject of not seeking out any excuses, he also acknowledged what we all know anyhow about some of the differences between playing home and away.
    "I assume the team that plays on it regularly might. There’s a natural advantage in playing at home, regardless of the surface. It’s not just the surface it’s the dimensions of the ground, the crowd, a whole range of things."

    And now that the transfer window is closed, the Australian spoke of his wish to have Callum McGregor and some others currently under contract extend their deals. McGregor, who Postecoglou sees very much as the lynchpin around which he is building his team, is currently secured through to 2024.


    [​IMG] Head to Head [​IMG]

    P: 47 W: 26 D: 11 L: 10

    Last 5 Meetings
    WDDWD

    Last Time Out
    [​IMG] 6 - 0 [​IMG]
    April 10, 2021

    2021/22 Form
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    [​IMG]
    Overall: LWLWW
    SPFL: WLWWL
    Away: LLLWL