Whose Charge Will be Halted
Official TC Match Preview


Commons wins player of the month award


Celtic vs Motherwell
SPFL, 18th January, 2014
Celtic Park, 3PM (GMT)​

After a refreshing short winter break in Antalya its back to domestic business for the Hoops. While watching Celtic in friendly competitions certainly helps the 'fix' they are nothing like real competitive matches. What the competition in Turkey did reveal though is that there are players in Celtic's extended squad who are more than capable of stepping up to the first team.

The likes of Fisher, Henderson and Balde all performed really well against some quite reasonable opposition. The likes of Muslera, Sol Bamba (for his comical effect) and Sneijder. The youngsters were up against some top class players and they performed with distinction. Now as we all know too well managers can be reluctant to mess with a winning team too much, especially Neil. However i would have little cause for concern if Saturday's line up saw Pukki and Balde up top as a front two and with young Henderson partnering Scott Brown and Joe Ledley in midfield.

Small changes, allowing the youngsters to play with some of the older heads will help them to acclimatise to a higher level. Sometimes the opposition one faces can influence whether or not to change a team. Motherwell are on a fantastic run of form winning all their SPFL games after being dismantled 5-0 by the Celts. Can they be the team to beat Celtic this season or will their winning run come to a crushing halt?

However, knowing the way Motherwell generally play against teams superior to them it might actually be safer to start with the strongest team we have available. It will definitely be a feisty encounter. I would start Balde and Pukki together though, they seemed as if they were comfortable playing together in Turkey, it would be a real blow to their confidence if they were dropped for an out of form Stokes. Like most players they need a run of games together and i am sure with that they will blossom.

Johansen signs for Celtic​

With it being January another transfer window is upon us, having already acquired the 'Fridge' from Iceland Celtic continued their recruitment of Scandinavians with the signing of the Norwegian player of the year in Stefan Johansen. As he strolled into Glasgow one might have thought there was a skating tournament being hosted, alas no he is a footballer. Having read multiple reviews of the Norwegian International it seems like we have captured a multi talented midfielder. A player who is cultured, has a good range of passing and creativity but also doesn't shirk from his defensive duties. Something required in Scottish football, i wish him and Celtic all the best for the future both the long and immediate term.