Celtic 0 - 4 Leverkusen

Definitely…

I’d start with swapping dugout and bench for tin-hat and trench…. It could be siege conditions.

 

Don’t fancy us to take much in our next 4 matches never mind Thursday.

 

The sheep played nine games and one win and if we don't get the win I wouldn't like to see this place on Sunday .

 

We are going to have real problems playing that set up on Thursday. A side that doesn't press and can't play out from the back? Bayern will chew us up.

Ange needs to set us up to be more pragmatic, even a 3.5.2 line up with a more defensive remit to keep it tight and use Jota/ Abada to take us up the park.

 

I'm not looking forward to this at all. They are fast, skilful and are flying in their league - all the things we are not. I always said my first priority is the league and that I don't really care about the Europa League however, I do care about the team getting a proper doing which would affect the player's confidence

 

Any chance of McGregor being back? Would be slightly more optimistic with him in the squad.

Leverkusen are a good team but they do concede. Shame about all the injuries or it could be a good game.

 

Watched the Bayer.L game against Dortmund - 3-5. Defenders do not dominate strongly. They are a good side.
Main danger men seem to be Wirtz and Schick. They exposed Dortmund when they tried to play out from the back.

Hart

Ralston, CCV, Starfelt/Welsh, Boli/Montgomery

Soro/Murray/Henderson

Abada , Ajeti, Jota.

I would assume there are injuries to McCarthy, Juranovic. Giakoumakis may make an appearance on the bench.

Subs - Bain, Bitton,Urhoghide, Shaw, Moffat- if eligible.

If we sit back we will get pumped so we need to take it to them as we did to Betis, and we will have the fans with us this time. We need to keep it together at the back - talking and no stuff ups.
If Ajeti is not firing we put Abada in his place and Moffat on the wing if he is on the list to play in Europa. If not, Montgomery goes left wing. Jota can play on either wing.

Here's hoping no one gets injured for the Aberdeen game.

 

Forgot to include Turnbull and Rogic - maybe not playing together in the same half of the game.

 

Abada up top is Morgan/Christie level of coaching. Get off our forum Neil!

 

Good for us we're playing Bayer

 

Abada is more of a threat than Ajeti will ever be and what games you watching your eyes must be painted on Mr Barnes

 

But playing up top Abada can't any longer sneek in behind an score his cheeky headers

He is as much a single striker as Ajeti is and would disappear in the same manner. My suggestion would have been to hire a striker who suits our system after Griff left. But I guess the people working at our club know it better.

 

Will be interesting to see Ange´s approach in this one.

You can only play as good as your opponent allows you to play. Leverkusen are a quality side, we´d have a job on our hands regardless if our manager is Ange or anyone else.

For me, it´s about keeping a clean sheet for as long as possible, and relying on whatever chances we can create. In other words, being pragmatic and adapt accordingly. More so now than before, given the length of the injury list. It´s not rocket science.

 

Abada is more of a threat coming off the wings and running into space or running onto passes behind fullbacks.

That doesn't then mean he'd be as threatening through the middle. As others said, he'd probably be as isolated and rigid as Ajeti and he'll get no service.

 

If we play Angeball here we will be absolutely slaughtered. It is a big test for Ange here- can he be a bit more pragmatic. I just hope we get away with a goal or two loss.

 

McGregor against Bayern even though we lost. Place went mental when he scored.

A game where we actually went toe to toe with Bayern that night. None of the parking the bus type stuff.

 

This game tomorrow is giving me the fear

 

McGregor was unreal that night. Forrest though was genuinely world class, his best game in Europe for us.

 

McGregor confirmed out for tomorrow night.Play Shaw and McCarthy together.He’s got to be a better shout than Soro,looked impressive in preseason.