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Ange's Bhoys' Final Frontier

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Taz, Mar 3, 2023.

By Taz on Mar 3, 2023 at 5:00 PM
  1. Taz Blind Justice Gold Member News Writer

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    Ange's Bhoys' Final Frontier
    ~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~

    [​IMG]
    Oh, Here We Go!: Oh Hyeon-gyu nets his first goal as a Celt in the 5-1 Scottish Cup win v St Mirren

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
    SMiSA Stadium, Paisley
    Sunday, 5 March 2023
    12.00 GMT

    The Hoops make the short - but tricky - trip to Paisley, high on confidence and looking to secure a 7th consecutive League win on Sunday against St Mirren.

    Bouyed by triumphing in the League Cup Final, Ange Postecoglou will be quick to remind his side that there is still much work that needs to be done.

    And no more awkward than what faces the Bhoys this weekend.

    Since his arrival at the beginning of last season, Postecoglou's Bhoys have yet to win on either of their previous visits to the SMiSA Stadium, essentially making it the final frontier in the Premiership landscape for Celtic in the Angeball era, as it remains the only ground where the Bhoys have yet to taste victory in that time.

    Last season, a possible combination of hangover from winning the League Cup combined and complicated by COVID-19 significantly disrupting both sides, resulted in the Hoops dropping points, when they were held to a 0-0 draw.

    As for this season, the last visit has been the only blemish on an otherwise almost perfect domestic campaign, when the home side came out on top 2-0, back in September.

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    Carl Starfelt put in a fine shift in the League Cup Final last weekend

    But this isn't just a Celtic issue though this season.

    The fact is Stephen Robinson's side deserve considerable credit for a home record that has been the foundation for their current success, having lost just 2 games on their own patch all season.

    Considering only Hibs at the beginning of February have managed to take 3 points away from Paisley since the opening day of the season, it goes to underline how difficult St Mirren have made life for anyone visiting Paisley, and why they're currently 5th on the table.

    Even taking all that into account, considering that Celtic are leading the division by 9 points, are in a strong run of form off the back of 10 consecutive wins and now with the first silverware of the season already having found it's way to Paradise, the Hoops should go into this game confident and highly motivated in ending the SMiSA Stadium hoodoo.

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    Aaron Mooy played a pivotal role in the League Cup Final win including creating both goals

    By the Numbers
    • The Hoops have won the last 10 straight games across all competitions and are undefeated in the last 19 league games, winning 18 of these.
    • Celtic have already scored more 'Away' league goals (41) this season than they have in any season* since 2016/17 (*- 2019/20 season ended early but had scored 39 to that point).
    • St Mirren are one of 4 sides undefeated in the League when they've scored first - however the Buddies have recorded just 1 win and 3 draws after they have conceded the opening goal.
    • Sunday's hosts have lost only twice at home this season - going down to Motherwell on the first day of the league campaign, while only Hibs have managed to win there since.
    [​IMG]
    Party Time: The Bhoys celebrate as Callum McGregor holds aloft the League Cup last weekend

    Team News

    Ange Postecoglou will have a strong squad to pick from, as he confirmed there are no fresh injury worries after last weekend, apart from Benjamin Seigrist (calf) - although the Swiss shotstopper is expected back in training on Monday.​

    As for St Mirren, Scott Tanser, Keanu Baccus, Alex Greive and Joe Shaughnessy are all due to be assessed ahead of Sunday, but Declan Gallagher (hamstring) is definitely ruled out, while Jonah Ayunga is due to have an operation on his knee next week.​

    Referee: David Dickinson

    This weekend marks the 2 year anniversary of the 43 year old's Premiership debut. Since then he taken charge of 22 top flight matches in total, including 3 previous occasions officiated Celtic - the most recent of which was the 4-1 win over St Johnstone, last month.

    Celtic's Overall Record
    M: 3 W: 3 D: 0 L: 0

    VAR: Andrew Dallas

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    [​IMG] ~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~ [​IMG]

    Overall
    P: 262 W: 181 D: 47 L: 34

    Last 5 Meetings
    W W L W D

    [​IMG] ~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~ [​IMG]

    Overall
    W W W W W ~ D W L L L

    SPFL
    W W W W W ~ D W L L W
     
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