Hearts 1 - 2 Celtic

They'll cause us problems, no doubts. Gonna need a big performance.

Hart

Ralston (gonna need some dig in this game)
Welsh (too many mistakes in Starfelt for me)
CCV
Juranovic

Bitton (can't believe I've picked him)
Hatate
O'Riley

Forrest (harsh on Abada but I think he'll get bullied)
Giakoumakis
Jota

 

I thought Rogic was selected for international duty.

 

Changed it

 

Need to consider injuries situation. No way Calmac will play. Guchi and Abada doubtful but in with a chance. Abada may be on the right wing but he has developed a lethal left foot, as long as he keeps his shots low.

Maeda and Rogic on international duty.

Watched Hearts play last week. They will make us work for the win and look to be in form.

Hart

Juranovic
CCV
Starfelt
Taylor/Scales

O'Riley
Bitton
Hatate

Forrest/Abada
Giakoumakis
Jota

Hatate,GG and Jota to score. Very impressed with the accurate early crosses from Scales on the left.

 

Expecting couple more injuries here, don't recall a time we haven't been battered around the park at tynecastle

 

Depending if Abada is fit to go, after looking back through highlights of his time back in Israel, he looks like he’s really suited playing up top with a big forward, so I’d put him up top with Giakoumakis.

So combined with how well we(and Abada) played against St Johnstone with Abada up top in a 352, I’m going:

Hart​

Welsh CCV Starfelt ​

Juranovic Hatate Biton Scales

Jota​

Abada Giakoumakis
​

If Abada isn’t good to go, then back to 433 with Forest on the right, Welsh to the bench for Guchi into the midfield and swap Scales for Taylor.

We should have enough to do these guys.

 

Hart

Juranovic
CCV
Starfelt
Scales

Biton
Hatate
Riley

Forrest
GG
Jota

As strong as it gets. Starfelt has to start. Welsh isn't on the same level at all. People seem to forget Starfelt has been a part of the stingiest defence in the country playing next to different LB every couple of weeks, not really settling down to form any real partnership.

Biton in for experience, Riley as there's no other option and Hatate looks class.

Time for GG to show us what he's about, being supplied by Forrest and Jota.

1-3 to the good guys.

 

Expect it to be tight with them targeting our vulnerability at setpeices..

Need the experienced ones to step up here..

 

This is an absolute must win game, the last time we made up some points on them we gave them straight back the next game. We can’t afford to do that again.

The team will depend on who is all fit but my back 5 would be Hart, Juranovic, CCV, Starfelt, Taylor with Bitton in front of them Hatate and looks like having to pitch O’Riley straight in. Jota on one wing and either Forrest or Abada on the other with Giakoumakis down the middle.

Need to hope Abada is fit as he gives us at least an option if Giakoumakis isn’t working of putting him through the middle.

Great when having a strong bench lasted one game then half your team are out between injuries and internationals.

Anyway one game at a time with three must wins coming up. If O’Riley can bring his form straight in to the team it would be huge for us.

 

Hart
Juranovic CCV Starfelt Taylor
Bitton
Hatate O'Riley
Abada GG Jota
​

Went with Juranovic over Ralston, even though this game would really suit Tony. Just think JJ has to start, and he's not as effective from the left - and good service from the wings is essential with GG starting.

Abada is on a good run of form, if fit he has to play. If not then obviously it has to be Forrest. O'Riley getting thrown in at the deep end here, but we don't really have an option.

Massive game for us, but then this is what football is all about. I'd bite your hand off for 3 points, don't care how we get them. Really looking forward to the game though.

 

Hart
JJ - CCV - Starfelt - Scales
Biton
O'Riley - Hatate
Forest - GG - Jota
​

Think Forest is better at tracking back and defending than Abada. If O'Riley does get his first start, it would be good to have the more experienced winger playing.

Hate not including Ralston, but think JJ and Scales are the better crossers of the ball. With GG playing up front I think quality crossing will be even more important than usual.

 

I think Ange will go with that other than Taylor for scales. I'd actually prefer Ralston at right and juranovic left but Ange looks like he prefers Taylor at left back.

 

Would normally be worried by our injuries but still pretty confident ahead of this. Hatate and O'Riley are coming in off good form at their previous clubs and Bitton has been good in midfield this season.

Hart
Ralston Vickers Starfelt Juranovic
Bitton
O'Riley Hatate
Abada Giakoumakis Jota​

Any win and no injuries please.

 

Keep changing my mind but hoping Bitton starts this now alongside O’Riley with Hatete a bit more advanced. Front 3 of Forrest - Abada - Jota also. Back line will be tested more than last few games but I have a lot of confidence in them now.

Have no doubts we will start quick but need to take a couple of the chances in the first half.

Jota will be raring to go aswell can’t wait to see him start a game feels like forever.

 

If Giakoumakis does play, Forrest and Jota from the start would be better for him as the both like to come in and link the play....meaning he won't be as isolated. Abada is great at pressing and comes inside but stays wide a lot more..

Bitton and O'Riley give us a much taller, physical midfield along with the tenacity of Hatate as well. Hatate is good on the turn and finding space/can beat a man. O'Riley also looks like he's good on the half turn and getting himself free. Bitton has the occasional burst as well which could be important here..

This won't be easy but they'll fancy it, leaving more space for our danger men to exploit..

I can see us winning by a couple. 1-3..

 

These injuries and now our internationals havd * us for me.

Can see them beating us 2 - 1.

Squad is so stretched.

Would need some performance.

 

lol

 

We win 3-1 if I am wrong 3-2,or very wrong 2-1 or very very very wrong 4-1. But we do win

 

Hart

JJ
CCV
Starfelt
Taylor

Bitton
ORiley

Hatate

Forrest
Abada
Jota


Can’t wait!

 

As we have all seen, when any teams up against us rough it up they do so with impunity however, should any of our players rough it up they invariably end up getting penalised. How many times have we seen opposition players boot lumps out of our players and, after 3 or 4 times perhaps get warned about it, only to see one of our players immediately getting booked for their first hard tackle. Like practically everyone else, our club need to speak out about the * we get from the referees and the SFA