🟢 Celtic v Rangers: Countdown To Kick-Off | LIVE Match Preview | Scottish Premiership #32

🍀 We’re gearing up for one of the biggest games of the season as Celtic get set to take on Rangers in Sunday’s Glasgow Derby clash.

Brendan Rodgers has taken the Bhoys to two wins from two against the Ibrox side so far this season and with the potential return of captain Callum McGregor will be looking for the win that will put us in pole position in the title race.

🎙️Join a full house of Tino, James, Asim & Paddy for all the build up ahead of Sunday’s crucial game.

🗣️Add your voice to the conversation by commenting during the live stream or when watching the replay.

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the time for talking’s nearly over and
after a week of B up we’re now just
hours away from Celtic V Rangers on
Match Day 32 of this week’s Scottish
Premiership this is Tino with the
countdown a kickoff show joined here by
James Assam and pad for this one James
I’ll come to you first for your initial
thoughts ahead of the big
game just the one we’ve been waiting for
isn’t it um very excited that’s the
overall feeling you just want to get
this game and get at them um it’s going
to be tough the weather looks atrocious
50 m our wins throughout the game so
there’s pros and cons on that you know
they’re a diagonal ball second balls
team that’s tough to do 50 milon wins
but it lends well to chaos ball which is
very much the Amo doesn’t really lend to
you know a passing game that we play if
you keep the ball down you know which we
do that that’s very much your game then
it it should land towards us so
whether’s an issue but these guys have
been over the course before that’s the
big thing that’s a big difference
between the two teams I would say we’ve
got the guys back who’ve gone and done
it before and that’s just stand is in
good stead should do Paddy spring has
sprung and it’s chucking it down Marain
in 50 m hour wins what is your your
hopes for the the weekend it’s a bit
warmer for a start um I
think I’m with James on that one the
weather and does play a part in these
fixtures um I don’t know how bad it’s
going to be um forecast isn’t looking
too good but I think if H yeah I think
if we do get the ball down on the deck
um it plays in our favor interesting to
see how the part looks as well um I do
think under clont obviously yeah they’re
quite known for playing the diagonal
quite a bit and especially under van
Broncos and deal and but it seems to be
a little bit different with him and so
one just to kind of keep an eye on um
but if it’s a it’s a good surface it’s a
slick surface then that really plays
into your favor as well so um and I’ve
been obviously will come on to it but
I’ve been sweing how we set up how we go
about this game but
for me comes down even getting kick off
and getting it right getting him on the
back foot for the get go so we’ll see
how it goes you reminded me there P was
there a kick off under Lenny before we
just took Center and shed it right into
at the corner done a few times at I
Brook Totino I think even under Rogers
and um I think even underand I’m pretty
sure we’ve lobed it that way um just to
just to put them in the back foot for
the get go especially when you have no
fans there it’s h it’s a very very
volatile place you want to make sure
you’re getting in there and and trying
to get them on Under Pressure straight
away so it’s a it’s a good we tactic
yeah let’s get them in the back fo La
Bells as how you feeling obviously a
week I B up various headlines you know
Radio phone and shows all the drama that
you get with this kind of but how you
feeling yourself about it yeah and as
was interesting you mention it was it
was under L wasn’t it when we we kicked
it I think it was the Johnny haes one
where he scored it was that game I
remember we did it right from the off
and kind of set the tone but you’re
right it’s just been it’s one of those
I’m just itching for the game to start
now cuz I feel like right from from
Monday we did our kind of weekly show
and the buildup has just kind of ramped
up as the week’s gone on and I’ve
listened to every podcast every radio
show and you’re just kind of itching for
the for the game to start I just feel
like we’re in such a good place so um
added to the fact that I know we’ll
probably touching it but you seen the
pictures of K McGregor today at training
so it just feels like everything’s
aligned for us you know we’re we’re you
know a few of us have mentioned that
could we just be peeking at just the
right time so I’m really looking forward
to it hopefully like you say the weather
is not going to impact it because I
think they’re they are a more direct
team than us so if it is kind of really
windy and Gusty you just hope that
doesn’t impact um I’m sure it won’t but
I just feel like you know everything’s
aligned for us we’re we’re looking good
we’ve got all our big players back
hopefully uh I just can’t wait for it to
get started to be honest I just I wish
it was you know game time already it’s
you know many have said it’s probably
one of the biggest ones in in many many
a year um and it certainly feels like
that just with the buildup and and all
the kind of intensity that’s going to
come with it so yeah can’t wait for it
to be honest
s and you know we’re agging ever closer
to kickoff and you know the excitement
is building there’s lots of great
comments coming in on that thanks to
everyone who’s joining us on the live I
think that’s Dale from the Celtics
supporters podcast welcome to Dell
Michael Ross Northampton Tim David gespi
Kean and various others thanks again as
always for joining us we’re now going to
cut on to the the lineup and what what
myself and the guys here think it’ll be
but do feel free to chip in with your
own thoughts and we’ll try and pick them
up as we get through the chat um James
I’ll come back to you and actually let’s
have a look at the the back four uh
joart of course but what is the the four
in front of him going to look like it’s
as straightforward a back for as we’ve
had um against them this season look
back at the the squads in September and
December so it was Johnson Lera skilles
and Taylor in September Johnson Steven
Wells skills and Taylor in December it’s
Johnson CCV skilles and Taylor all day I
don’t know if there’s a Celtic fan the
land that’s going to change that you can
argue longer term medium term about you
know canoski prove himself to take the
JS off his skilles maybe maybe not but
as it is for Sunday that’s your back
four I don’t know anyone that would go
against that which might stop these guys
going against it when they want to yeah
ask of any any change on that for you as
James says it kind of picks itself
doesn’t it is there anything that you
would do differently no it is it’s
definitely the the back four that I
think all of us probably would would
agree with and I think that’s why we’re
feeling a lot more confident it just
seems like there’s a bit of consistency
now with with the lineup and even just
defense that that is probably our our
best back four available and for the
first time this season in this fixture
that we’ll have CCV available and we
know how much of a difference he makes
despite the fact that we’ve won both the
games without him um you just add him in
there and you just feel so much more
assured so much more cam about it so
yeah um I feel like they’ve all kind of
came onto a game recently Alis Johnson
Taylor scales has probably been the one
that’s been the the weakest link um in
recent weeks but again when you’ve got
CCV in there with them you just feel and
scales to be honest in both the derby
games you know in credit to him was was
very very assured almost Su some these
kind of games I think where it’s maybe
less of him on the ball it’s more just
his actual uh instinctive reactions
defending sometimes last G defending um
getting things cleared which which
especially in the September fixture I
remember him and ler Bela in that second
half really stood up to the test of any
cross balls so um yeah I’ve got no no
qualms with that back four and I think
that’s that’s what we’ll see I’ve got to
completely agree and I think what you
see across that back four is real
experience of that fixture Johnson
Carter Vickers certainly Greg Taylor and
Joe Hart behind them those guys have
have been there done that and then sumon
this fixture and Liam skills as Asam
rightly says has really stepped up over
the last couple of games and now he’s
not the debate for Liam skill’s future
and the future of Celtic in the center
half position but I do think he’s proven
himself a very capable defender in these
kind of games and he’s got to be
thriving on this and I think I’ve said
it a lot now but real credit to him for
putting himself in a position where he
came in way way back early in the season
against St Johnson and here we are mat
day 32 and he’s still commanding a slot
so good luck to Liam skills and I hope
he comes good once again at the weekend
Paddy not so easy as the Midfield three
we’ve had a debate about it h on the
weekly show on Monday there’s lots and
lots of chat online various folks have
commented ask you’ve confirmed that calm
trained this morning back on the grass
as meth would say um we’re recording
here at 12 noon we’ve yet to hear
Brandon rers comments in terms of where
C Max at but what do you think pad is he
is he right back in is there any debate
to be had for you if he’s fit if he’s
good to go um’s he’s of course right
back in um what fit could mean is is 60%
70% there um as I said to you like we
could spend all season listen to sports
scientists but when it really really
matters you want your best players on
the park and I think a 60% 70% fit K
mcga still brings an awful lot to the
table for this team um whether it be his
leadership qualities the understanding
in a fixture um and just what he what he
does especially going to uh a tough a
tough ground such as I broos um and I
think that you want your best players
there and as I said if you can take
control of what’s going to be quite a
frantic Affair I’d imagine for the first
10 15 minutes if you can get the game
under control you can get yourself maybe
a couple of goals then you look at or
then you look at Bernardo you look at
the legs coming on it
can take over from those positions but
he’s he’s got the start for me um 100%
if he’s ready yeah and are you going
then just to confirm py cak with her and
hatti up ahead strongest Midfield in
Scotland got the got the start 100% do
you know there is a lot of debate to be
had but when you come out with a line as
strong as that pad the strongest
Midfield in Scotland James it’s hard to
argue with those three guys being the
the guys who get the nod yeah I mean I
don’t think it is a debatable Midfield
three and I know that’s harsh on who’s
been playing really well but um as made
a really good point on on Monday in the
weekly show it’s the five we’ve got to
pick from that’s a luxury we’ve not had
all season not just in these games any
part of the season so to have the
quality like that that you can actually
say if McGregor you know failed a
fitness test in the morning and a wat
slotted in you’re not troubled by that
as much as you want k m there for his
presence his you know captaincy skills
all all those kind of things you’re a
lot more comfortable um than you would
have been another time so but for me
there’s no debate part’s spot on the
strongest three mfield in
Scotland
awesome it looks like we’re kind of
getting back to what we agreed on on
Monday night or or just about agreed on
I put forward what I thought was a very
decent case for t to start only as py
says Kum McGregor isn’t 100% he might be
you know they’ll be pushing him there’s
no doubt if it wasn’t Rangers this
weekend Celtic might give him an extra
week of training and see where he goes
there’s no doubt they pushed him to
and if it came to that he was just short
of the required Fitness I would be very
very comfortable with tamoka in there
but it’s not just what K McGregor brings
from a playing point of view it’s the
leadership it’s the the being there done
that element of of what he can bring
particularly iooks he knows what it’s
all about you’re going into The Cauldron
there you’re up against 50,000 fans with
zero Celtic fans by those who might have
sneak in or CED on their work in the
kiosk that day and that’s about it and
you need someone who’s not afraid of
that challenge and Kum mcrea certainly
the guy to stand up to that yeah you
know by all accounts he he’s not had his
best season but his two best
performances were were iooks and and
then the Celtic Park game against them
as well so he is he’s vital just in
terms of his his presence you look back
even seasons’s gone by the game where we
won Under anch and in at iooks towards
the end of the season 2-1 we were one
down at I Brooks and if you remember
McGregor kind of made that surging run
that led to roic’s equalizer and then
from there on and we took control of
that game the game again at Celtic Park
where he had his mask on he’s always
been that driving force for us and I
think just having him in there and I
think we we touched on it on Monday as
much as I don’t think they’re going to
give him the freedom of the park the way
they did H in September I think they’re
going to try if he’s playing they’ll try
and put a a man marker on him but that
again that might play into our hands
because then it frees up your real or or
Matt oy because they’re not going to be
able to do it with all all three of our
midfielders and as James and Pad said
best fielders in the country you know
all three of them individually you’d
easily say they’re the best three
midfielders in the country so um I think
it sets a tone if Cal’s fit to start I
would start him and get those three in
because I think that I don’t want us to
kind of try and go on the defensive from
the off I want us to take the game to
them um and I think that three can set
the tone really and get the ball down
get get their crowd quietened um and
yeah if he’s fit and that’s the thing i’
going as James said it’s a strong five
you’ve got to choose from because you’ve
got two other guys who are on form
feeling good about themselves and we
know can can do a job in this fixture
because they they’ve proved it Bernardo
scored in the last one AAS came on and
did well in several games against him so
you know it’s is it’s as good a position
as we’ve been in all season in terms of
the the squad availability so yeah we’re
have a strong strong position there it’s
a really strong position and all of a
sudden uh an optimal time in the season
Brendon Rogers has got all the options
available to him the very valid point on
the Midfield three of count Mar m and
realti is that all three can go and win
a game for you they can play that killer
pass or they can score that killer goal
l so with a water talented player but
very much the water carrier number six
defensive Midfield type of role I think
Brandon Rogers goes here to win I don’t
think he goes here to set I don’t think
Celtic very generally over the years
know how to play for a draw I think
we’ve tried it once or twice in Europe
and it just doesn’t work for us and I
think Brandon Rogers he knows that on
our day we’ve got the beating of this
team we’ve proven it twice already this
season and I think he goes to win and I
think absolutely for that reason as much
as anything it’s cmak it’s real hatti
it’s m really James up front maybe two
out the three I think pick themselves
has got to be kyogo absolutely I think
he’s got seven goals in 11 games against
Rangers I think that’s the record um
it’s got to be him it’s got to be my
frustrating as he can be he likes this
fixture he scored open I Brooks not that
long ago um so I do think it’s those two
who’s on the right wing is it Kun is it
it young again you know I think this is
the easiest first 11 I’ve picked all
season I think it’s so straightforward
um football can be so harsh because Yang
was really hitting form H step in J and
beaten and he’s bed for two games he’s
out for two games just as Kon starts to
hit the ground K’s come in he’s a three
man in the match performances you don’t
drop a guy like that um he’s talking
about he’s looking forward to he’s ready
H left back such a serious weakness for
them so having a right winger like K
there that can go either side of the guy
one of the key things for me ear doors
is to get him to stand up to get to get
his fullback and just turn him inside
out early door so he knows that I don’t
know if this guy’s going to go my left
or going my right so he’s just going to
twist him um if you get that into the
left back’s head early doors I think
he’ll give him a tet time all day so Kon
absolutely straightforward choice for me
Yang will come on and plays pass you
know as he showed he’s a we bit more
physical than K as well he’s he’s quite
a big lad so there’s something in that
MAA yeah may matness have spoke about it
the last few weeks and that I think
longer term we may be need to look at
that but in this fixture he loves it and
Taver hates it so for that reason
alone yeah so you’ll have that Taver MAA
matchup on Celtics left hand side and
more often than not it’s not being cocky
more often than not MAA wins out in that
battle he tends to nullify
any attack and threat that Taber offers
at left back P I think it seems that
Rangers have got an issue Yas is injured
barich is barisich and doesn’t really
like this game and the talk is that
perhaps the fell dejon Sterling might
step in he’s I think he’s naturally a
defensive midfielder type if he goes up
over to left back robust a character as
he looks to be up against a tricky
Winger like K or Y could been an
absolute nightmare for him I did hear
some chat during the week I think it was
in the radio about
Nicholas Kon he’s certainly got the
ability we we’ve seen it in flashes and
we’ve certainly seen it more
consistently in the last two three games
but py this would be like something he’s
never experienced before he’s been at a
level hasn’t he you know he was at
Bayern Munich as a kid ax as a kid but
this is something completely definely
get into that cauldron of well I call it
a cauldron I hate that’s probably he
going to feel
five five minutes to kickoff it’ll be
like nothing he’s ever experienced
before and he might well be tasked with
going and driving at defense and
ultimately trying to unlock them so what
do you think do you agree with Jamesy
three K
kyogo I do I do I think the right hand
side will be so important for us I think
Rangers will also try and get our left
hand side on Sunday um GRE Taylor can
definitely hold his head high I think uh
he’s um he’s definitely kind of assured
himself lately um uh but they’ll want to
give H they like Sim scales time on the
ball they will try and cover our right
hand side more than anything and it’s an
important game for the likes of c c
Vickers alisar Johnson and Nicholas K if
it’s going to be him that starts I think
it will be um but I’m with James get get
whoever is left back straight away let
them know that they’re in for uh a tough
90 minutes because it’s been a few times
we’ve actually been really really quiet
down the right um especially I bro and
it’s all came down the left um MAA is as
we know is hitter Miss but he does pin
have here in um so we look at the goals
that we have got coming from the right
um I think that goal might have scored
it it came in from Johnston and the
right the right hand side I think it’s a
a big important game for him and I think
that he will be crucial and unlocking
Yang or whoever is going to be starting
there but I do think it’ll be Nicholas
yeah I’m inclined to agree absolutely
ask in the same B those three
guys yeah um 100% I think ch is right
you look at Yang pre the T Castle game
and everyone was really excited about
him and thinking he’s he’s the one
that’s going to be a key player but
again just we’ve we’ve been fortunate
that K came in and albe it’s been St
Johnson and Livingston but you can just
see it in his his kind of confidence on
the ball um I know a lot of a lot of uh
was made of the fact I think he’ lost
quite a lot of weight when he had that
dental treatment and and you could see
it whereas now he actually looks quite
brave and strong on the ball you look at
even how we we scored our goal the first
goal against Livingston it was him kind
of nicking the ball back using his upper
body strength so um I’m I’m quite
confident that he can handle it I think
he like like James said earlier he’s
he’s talking about it he seems confident
he seems up for it um so I I’ve got no
issues with that obviously if if we need
to we’ve got options to change it you’ve
also got James Forest who you know I
know we’ve all spoke about it but he’s a
guy who later on in the game if we’re if
we’re maybe ahead who’s quite sensible
on the ball he’s he’s quite you know
measured in possession so he’s another
one who’s who’s came on to a game
recently when he’s came on he’s looked
sharp so everything’s kind of looking
good in the terms of different options
we’ve got Adam as well he’s won a few
weeks ago that we were debating could it
be him or or kyogo um I’m sure you’re
going to touch on that anyway but it’s
just strong to have so many different
options but as James said I think it’s
for the first time all season you could
pretty much handpick your first 11 and
that’s not been the case since Rogers
came in and it’s probably no coincidence
that we’re on our kind of best run of
form right now um again caveat I know
it’s been since Johnson Livingston but
we just look like a solid settled unit
right now and I think that comes with
the consistency in selection um and yeah
for me could gets the start there with
with MAA and I think just those options
Asam it just gives confidence sing to
the manager his coaching stuff and the
players there’s no doubt you know if
you’re just say camon C Vickers and you
look up and you see K McGregor ahead and
you see Rio H you know kyo’s in form
you’ve got K doing his thing it just
breeds confidence throughout the team
and I think that’s got to be a really
positive thing some great comments
coming in RL 77 valid point he says
snuff out beaten and they’ve got little
threat we’ll get to John beaten shortly
so don’t worry about that he also makes
another comment James about djn stellin
won’t cut the mustard but I don’t think
it deserves to be shown on screen he’s
better than that good comment coming in
from Delo at the C take supporters
podcast and he mentions the squad depth
which we’ve touched on there saying it’s
the best it’s Bean Yang Palma Ida a
Bernardo Forest probably Daniel Kelly as
well making up what’s a massively strong
bench James on that note and to D’s
Point what do you think about the impact
the subs can potentially have I think
we’re almost you know in agreement in
terms of their living if not completely
in agreement but the subs could have a
huge part to play and ASA makes a great
Point Adam as a guy who was winning
games for us not that long ago he
amongst others could have a role 100% I
mean Sly I don’t think Kelly and Palma
will make the bench and that’s because
it’s so much stronger than it has been
maybe all season um give you a quick run
down my bench is B Ron rotski Welsh and
then the five Bernardo tomoki Yang Eda
and Jamesy and I think all five of those
attacking guys will play their part with
that that just you know pushes K coming
back in puts Bernardo in the bench which
you know and tomoki which nudges Kelly
out sadly but yeah it’s it’s so much
stronger than it’s been all season and
it’s it’s got to be and it’s going to
play a big big part Ed in particular I
mean there’s some folk out there that
will say you know maybe does more City
to this game more physical all that
stuff and I totally get that for me I
would never drop K in a game like this
because he just loves it you know the
number of goals he scored but bringing e
on in 60 70 minutes that’s terrorizing I
used to love when with Jack amus on the
bench and you K with this we guy just
running about know turning your all
sides inside out and then you bring Jack
makus Off the Bench it’s a physical game
it’s so hard for a Defender I think
that’s where they’re vulnerable in
Center half on Sunday and two guys that
you know have got serious limitations
and I don’t want to be over conf I’m not
over going for never these games but if
you’re going to get out them anywhere
it’s a center half in Kyo and they’re
both going to play their part there yeah
Connor Goldson and John Su will likely
be the back two the center half p and I
don’t think py they look forward to this
at all kyo’s record just to clarify he’s
started nine games against Rangers 11 in
total but started nine of them and he’s
got seven goals and he’s just absolutely
the man for the big occasion party but
who do you think could have the most
impact what what we’ve got in terms of
the bench is Game Changers sometimes
whether it’s Brendon Rogers this season
or an over the last couple of Seasons
he’s looked down at his bench and he’s
had uh what I would call fillers guys
that can come on if somebody’s injured
guys that can step in and give you fresh
legs but not necessarily change the game
the three of Bernardo Yang and Adam I
would call them game changers party and
you’ve got a water who can come in and
see out the game if you managed to get
in a commanding position it’s it’s super
important and I think as uh as I’m said
like it’s the first time we’re really
looking at a full strength Squad they
um they don’t like playing against kyogo
H goon and and Su I think go goon
especially doesn’t know how to handle
him um I remember a game the one one
little thing that kind of concern me I
remember a game a couple of seasons ago
where h k ran him ragged for for 7
minutes we took him off and Jack M has
got a bit more physical with him but
actually didn’t do as much running as
kogo and that’s what you would need from
B and I think you would get it from him
to be honest um and it allowed him to
kind of start playing out to the back a
little bit more we are super strong at
closing them down with the p MAA and the
intelligence of kyogo and I’d like to
see the same forun um on Sunday as well
is is preventing him from play out for
the back because they’re not very good
at it for a start but they like to think
that they are and I think if we put that
pressure on them from the get go it’s a
it’s a shaky start at I Brooks Joo was a
man for that he always has been I think
so we’ll take a look at them in just a
second but just to clarify that starting
11 I think just about Universal
agreement here Joe har and goals a back
for of Alistar Johnson Greg Taylor
Cameron cers and scales in the center km
returns he was sit in the number six
with mat and real hat up ahead of him
it’s K go through the middle all day
long and it’s K on the right in my on
the left as in terms of Rangers um don’t
want to spend too much time on them with
all due respect SL no respect but what’s
the who do you think the danger men are
and who do you think their weak links
are um I think weak links to start with
uh goon I don’t think he’s the same
player you know I think he’s he’s
declined this season he’s he’s been cou
for a lot of different errors um I think
he’s slower and I definitely think him
and S are both really struggle playing
um playing against kogo you look at
kyo’s record it’s it’s insane what he’s
done in the last calendar year there
seven goals game-winning goals Cup Cup
finals um or was it the semi yeah no I
think it was the final wasn’t it that no
semi it was a semi I’m sure but um we he
scored two uh he’s just been brilliant
um even though you look at his two goals
this season so I think he can really
expose their back line which as I’ve
said is probably their weakest areas um
you’ve mentioned left back as well so if
it’s barisich again a guy who we’ve had
so much joy against in this fixture um I
think they might end up putting Sterling
there if if Yas is injured I think
they’ll go with that just because he
seems to be a better Defender um a bit
more athletic so I think they’ll try and
put him there to kind of nullify our
threat and then they’ve got there in
terms of strength it depends I don’t
know what how sema’s looking for Fitness
I don’t think he’s featured much at all
but there’s been chat that he might be
available again um so if he’s in he’s
obviously been one of their better
players but he’s been out for for months
now so I don’t know whether he’ll be fit
to start um and then you know you look
at like I think their Midfield will be
de Mandy lrom and cwell um and then
probably deser up front and then I’m not
sure who they’ll play on the right side
but uh ders you know for me he’s he’s
he’s nowhere On a par with kyogo so you
look at that in terms of the the front
options I think we’re far superior um
you we’ve seen how how he struggled in
the last fixture you know famous last
words I don’t want to say something in
case ends up doing the job but uh I
don’t fear fear Him um and again even
that Midfield you look at it there’s
there’s no one that you really fear from
them but as a collective clemont’s got
them playing playing effectively and
playing well I don’t think individually
they’ve got better players than us um
for me it’s just about how we start the
game uh rather than worrying about
theying individual players I just want
to make sure we’re not starting the game
the way we did in September we were were
quite slack and um let them kind of get
ahead of steam and we were quite
fortunate they didn’t score but in terms
of individual players yeah I think they
we’ I’ve highlighted their weaknesses in
terms of strengths um semi if he plays
would be would be a danger I guess um
and kwells had one good game against us
but it was a meaningless game wasn’t it
it was a game where the league was done
I’ve yet to see him impact one of these
important games so um yeah we’ll see how
we’ll see how that pans out yeah do you
know any player can do it when it
doesn’t matter and Rangers have won one
in the last nine against Celtic and
we’ll get to the head-to-head shortly
and the one they one didn’t so well done
can well enjoy your day but there’s no
relevance to what You’ done on that
occasion Paddy there’s a lot of chat
about Rangers potentially playing with a
high line we’ve seen it quite recently
against Benfica um and absolutely killed
them
they everybody almost aart for their
goalie you know pushing high up against
a very very decent Benfica side with
Pace to bun and absolutely come back to
B them and agree with as I think Philip
Clon has come in and made them better
but with Michael Beal previously being
the man in charge you know it’s hard not
to improve what he was doing but that’s
a naivity from Philip clong to to play
so high against a side like that and I
think likewise it could potentially come
back to bite them if they try and do so
against us I seen some chat last night a
Rangers Fan on Twitter saying kugo
doesn’t get in behind so it’s no issue
if we play a high line cast your mind
back just to September when kyogo gets
in behind and volleys it past your
potential England goalkeeper with he py
so I think it’s it’s a game where
Rangers they’re not in the defend I
don’t think they need to come out at
different times but it depends on just
how high they approach the game you know
in terms of their High Line they could
really play into what we’re trying to do
yeah I think um but you’re saying
naivity I think there’s also a slight
arrogance um about the tactics set by
this manager and I think that he um he’s
inherited a team that was pretty much
pretty much done when it looks it the
players that they brought in last summer
um you know didn’t really hit the ground
running few injuries um and I think
they’ve had injuries All Season very
similar to
ourselves um but they have pulled some
performances together have they has it
been breath taking football no it never
is with them um has he tried to change
things yes he has whether he thinks that
going a high line against Celtics a good
idea is another thing but I think for
for them tomorrow they’ll just be
looking to sorry for them on Sunday
they’ll be
they’ll be looking to get us on the back
foot for the get- go they need that
crowd behind them um if they don’t get
us on the back foot for the get- go it
can be a really toxic place they’re very
quick to turn on their own and we’ve
seen that in several seasons I think for
me we’re kind of talking about some of
the players that you know might pose a
threat I think Sterling’s actually one
of the better players I think he’s come
back and done done really well from
injury and um we see these one of rality
men they tend not to be the best of
footballers but it does seem pretty
comfortable in most positions I think
they had him at right wing at one point
this season um another one for me
actually I think has been quite tidy in
the Midfield is Tom Lawrence I think
he’s a a very comfortable player um but
I just think it’s it comes down to
intensity and I I I think back that
they’re talking about this reborn
wion I think back at one point the ball
was getting played in in the middle of
Celtic Park and he actually just threw
his arms up in the air because he was
the only one trying to chase the the
ball down but no one else was and he
could not get near us and I think you
know we mentioned the other week there
about the on Monday there about the K
McGregor game we came back um random
ragged saying it was two years ago a lot
of their players have played the extra
two years as well and two years ago they
still weren’t that very good I just I
think we’ve got enough about them enough
about ourselves I think we’ve got enough
Pace they really they really won’t push
ahead any of their players um I would
love Baris it’s to starting left back
and Sunday but I I think St you’re a bad
man Paddy um you’ve got a you’ve got a
situation though where Kum McGregor he
thrives on the opportunity to go Toe
totoe with somebody like Todd canwell we
seen it at Celtic par there back in
December and certainly with lrom he had
a couple of tussles with him and again
more often than not K McGregor comes out
on top and I think a huge part of what
happens on Sunday will be different
players winning the individual battles
and then the rest of the the team can do
their thing from there James just to
finish up as such on on the angel chat
any threats as I say in general any weak
points and also your thoughts on what
Philip clemont’s done since he came
in um start with that I think he’s got
them more organized maybe more
disciplined you know they were just kind
of unmanaged jambos under which he’s
proven as a bit his M mo mo since he’s
even left Rangers so it’s no great
shakes kind of stuff um I think they do
have danger have to say mland is the
kind of guy that can get at you
particular the left back I think he will
start have him on the the magic inhalers
all week and he’ll start um and he’ll be
going at Taylor between himself I think
I see you right it might be too early
for SEMA but you’ve got Silva there
simar player but you’ve also got matondo
they might be just going for Pace that
kind of thing and what that’s what what
they get from that is running past and
throwing themselves to the floor and
winning fre kicks around the de around
the the edge of the box I think that’s a
big big part of their tactics tomorrow
to try and get any kind of set pieces in
and around their box so in terms of how
assess them a very poor football team
that are quite disciplined and know
their strengths and know their
weaknesses and we be playing a physical
game ability to run Riot as well dy I
think he’s a red card walking in any
other game but’ll get away with Mur on
Sunday um so we know there’s challenges
there we just need to stand up to them
yeah and just on clong so
just some stats for you um in terms of
their their head-to-heads in Glasgow
Derby Philip Clon record so far 0% win
rate Brendan Rogers 80% win rate now
obviously been fous clont only had the
one game but it’s important James to to
stress just how experienced a winner
Brendan Rogers is in this fixture he’s
played Rangers 15 times he’s 112 drawn
two and lost just one we obviously know
the chat over the last couple of weeks
in terms of the the discipline issue you
know hamen the fact that Rogers missed
the game on Sunday had to watch from the
the stands but he’s back on the track
side he’ll be in the dressing room
pre-match halim and whatever else and
just how big an influence will he have
and can he have on this
fixture huge I mean he’s he’s such a
studious H kind of manager he been
spending a long long time working out
how he’s going to set up on Sunday and
he’ll be you know he’ll been using this
week and maybe even weeks prior just
starting to get that message into the
players is how he’s going to want them
to to deploy his tactics but you say his
experience his desire to win of course
clemont’s going to have the exact same
desire to win but the experience is
lacking there I think having Rogers back
and you know in The Dugout not banned is
massive for Sunday so you know it’s just
I imagine it would be without him you
know so I know he’s not be everyone’s
favorite cup of tea myth looking at
yourself but you can’t deny talent and
you can’t deny his well to win this
fixture yeah he’s been there done that
and that’s why having him and Kum
McGregor a part of this setup on Sunday
is just so so important um as I’ll come
to you for some um reasonable minded
opinions on John Beaton he’s obviously
picked up a lot of headlines since he
was announced was it Tuesday morning and
there’s been all sorts of tales and and
complaints online about what he might or
might not do I think he’s taken five
Celtic Rangers games so far since 2018
something like that he’s yet to send
anybody off and I think if that remains
the case on Sunday that is huge for
Celtic you can consider a penalty but
11v 11 You’ always get a chance to clone
that back however if you get down to 10
men in a fixture like this is such a
tall order but what do you think about
beating being appointed in the first
place and what he might bring to the
table we joked about it on Monday um
saying surely not honestly for for life
of me as much as nothing should surprise
us and nothing should shock us I didn’t
see this coming because I thought surely
Common Sense will prevail whether it’s
just to do with the fact that obviously
our managers just called this guy
incompetent two weeks ago for them to
then throw him straight into this
fixture you know two weeks later it’s
smacks of arrogance almost it’s like
doubling down we don’t care what you
think we don’t care how it looks we’re
going to do we’re going to do as we
please of all the referees they could
have picked they’ve picked the guy
that’s been at the center of this
controversy um you know in terms of even
just for the referee yourself why are
they putting him in that position why
are they putting him under that added
scrutiny now where every single small
decision again will be analyzed to the
the 10th degree um it’s just baffling
for me uh like I said nothing should
surprise us but I genuinely didn’t see
that coming and and as I say Max of
arrogance um it speaks to every every
concern that we’ve had for for God knows
how long um you know this is a guy who
again without going too much into it but
openly goes to to drinking rangerous
pubs after Derby games is is not shyen
Hayden who he supports has been um in
charge of games like that Hearts game
nobody could watch that game and say
that those decisions that he came up
with in the VAR room were not
incompetent they really were so why is
he then getting promoted with the
biggest game of the season why is he
getting like getting awarded sorry with
with the biggest game of the season um
literally two weeks later so it’s it’s
baffling and for me it’s not even you
look at some of the games against them
in this season anyway and even last
season there weren’t any major major
kind of big calls that that were like
red cards or or penalties obviously they
were all complaining about the penalty
that clearly wasn’t a penalty in the in
the fixer at Celtic Park um where they
wanted the Audi release and whatnot but
generally for me the concern is just in
terms of how the the referee sets a tone
so whether that’s letting them away with
lots of niggling fouls if they get ahead
or even just things like time we all
these kind of things I think are the
stuff that I really kind of get worried
about because it might not even be a a
blatant um
controversial decision it would just be
things that set the tone for the game to
be refereed in a way that that will suit
the home team and with it being a game
at I Brooks with obviously no fans for
us the the tendency generally would be
for you know these refs to sometimes be
like comers and give them all the
decisions but I just think especially
with with the game with having so much
importance I wouldn’t be surprised if
they’re putting a few heavy challenges
in early doors and the ref will just
kind of allow it to go and that sets the
tone you know that sets the tone for a
igly game which again plays into their
hands um I remember a game a couple
years ago like that and it wasn’t any
mad major decisions but it was just
small things like that constant break up
of play we were chasing the game I think
we were one nil down and you just
remember it and then stuff like that
that really gets frustrated so I’m I’m
baffled by it I know the the phrase is
you know we should be good enough that
the referee doesn’t come into it but
that t Castle game and many other games
we’ve seen sometimes you can’t help it
if it’s a gamechanging decision or
things like that you really are up
against it but you just hope for
everyone’s sake that that the game goes
away without too much controversy but um
chances that that are quite slim I’d say
yeah you certainly hope there’s there’s
no controversial red cards or penalties
but a game can be influenced by the nug
fils and just the the small stop start
things that might break up momentum I
don’t want to put the 10f hat on and get
all conspiracy but I think we’ve kind of
seen what can happen in these kind of
games suppose the only bonus for some
lucky JS fan is that they’ll get John
beaton’s ticket for the game given he
need to use it being the man of the
middle so there’s something there um py
let’s move on from referee stuff well in
fact the final point I’d like to make
actually is
that to be fair to John beon and I won’t
say that a lot he is under huge pressure
more so than any recent fixture getting
this fixture for any referee is a
pressure game regardless of the noise
you know that comes before it this time
the noise has been ramped up by the
disciplinary issue and the the arrogance
as Asam says that the SFA have shown by
a point him there was a suggestion I
don’t know how true it was that John
beon requested not to have the fixture
now I don’t know how accurate that might
be or not but you can certainly see why
even before a ball is kicked he’s under
huge pressure and I just hope that
doesn’t influence any of he’s thinking
on Sunday py we’ll take a look here at
the the head-to-head so over the last 13
games I’m taking it back to the start of
the 2021-22 season and just’s first
season in charge there’s been 13 games
since then Celtic have W eight there’s
been two draws and Rangers have w three
one of which was very much dead rubber
that we mentioned there um in terms of
the the aggregate score line it’s Celtic
22 Rangers 13 there have been changes of
course to the squads in different places
but by and large the starting lineups
will be very similar to what we’ve seen
in recent
times how much of an impact do you think
that plays on The Players Minds you know
P we’ve talked about starting 11 there
and most of the 11 have have been there
done that how much do you think they’ll
be thinking about the fact that we as it
stands have had the upper hand for some
time in this fixture well I just think
that comes back to the the starting 11
doesn’t it it comes back to McGregor
starting it comes back to ATT car
Vickers Joe har GRE Taylor kyogo is a as
a Swagger you need that Swagger you need
that confidence and you need that little
bit of arrogance going into these games
as well we’ve been a dominant team and I
think that that continues and it only
breeds on to the other players the new
players that are with us at the moment
pardon me if you have that winning
mentality um we can talk about referees
all we want guys and and listen I think
it’s a a ludicrous decision that he’s
taken this game in Sunday I really do
but I think it’s even sweeter if you
then go get the three points it’s a a
thinger up to every bit of what we’ve
come up against um for me that mindset
of the of the head-to-head is is is
great absolutely brilliant but I tell
you I just think we’ got a manager
that’s just looking at it saying you
take us you take this game on Sunday
you’ve got one hand in the trophy in my
opinion and I think that that’s that’s
the party line that’s the message for
these players um as we’ve said it’s in
our hands if we want it and I generally
believe that we’ve got a squad of
players that know how to go deliver this
trophy so um yeah it’s good to have a
strong head to head I was listening to h
i was watching old Sky Sports uh games
last night just for 20 odd year ago um
and it was uh of the games and Crawford
Come Away with a stat or Celtic haven’t
won a i Brocks in five years and you’re
just like that’s that’s things of the
past now we’re a dominant team as as
we’ve said many times before it’s our
city and I just think that we just keep
continuing to show that and going get
the three points in
Sunday James pad’s got the battle favor
on Couple come on couple of be for his
breakfast this
morning um James they do say that the
form guide getes out the window in this
kind of game but as I said earlier on
there Rangers have only won once in the
last nine games and it was that dead
rubber after last season’s league title
had been confirmed how important a
factor do you think that is Grant
hbrooks
it is important but I think
you’re it’s more important that we’ve
got the squad back together you know
it’s as strong as the squad’s been as
we’ve all picked out the 11 there as
strong as the squad’s been since the
start of the season that’s the biggest
thing for me and they’re starting to hit
momentum um Rangers as M said are
starting to lose that momentum that
that’s the key point for me we on the up
when there maybe on the down you know
they’ll be Resolute I’m sure um the
biggest issue for me is I think P
mentioned if it turns into a scrap um
then that’s going to be a challenge that
that doesn’t really lend itself to our
game and never really has I suppose you
know we’re looking to play football and
you’ve got a referee who will use the
weather and say well you know I can see
you didn’t really mean to go through
that guy and boot him in the head it’s
just the weather kind of thing so those
are real dangers for us but um we’ve
shown we know how to handle this fixture
we’ve got a manager who sh knows how to
handle this fixture so you can’t take
anything for granted it’s just every
single player needs to be so switched on
management coaching staff guys on the
bench everyone needs to be 100% up for
it and as you say py like win this you
get one hand in the trophy so there’s no
greater
incentive yeah I’m looking forward to
hearing uh Brendon comments and whatever
players put up for the press conference
later on today because I do believe
there’s a real confidence cing through
Celtic at this moment in time you I’ve
had John Kennedy being quite spiky uh
with I think it was luk shanle again
from Sky Sports at the weekend who
wanted to pick up on the negative or
first clean shoo a long time John and he
said I but we’ve scored I think now 20
goals in the last five games or so out
with the Hearts game so there’s a lot to
be confident about and I think Celtic we
talked about it previously The Siege
mentality approach that Rogers adopted
some time ago now and I think they’ve
just been chipping away about that
internally not been saying too much in
the public but I do believe there’s a a
confidence a belief and a resilience
about what Celtic are doing right now
Lads we’ve talked for long enough we’re
g 44 odd minutes it’s time for your big
score line predictions James I’ll come
to you last I know you like a big score
but um let’s see let’s see we at as him
and as well as your Score Lane
prediction ask him can you also give me
who you think will be the star man on
the
day yeah um I said I said on Monday I
thought it was going to be uh um a draw
and I think I’m going to I’ll stick with
that I think it’ll be one each um
obviously in terms of the outcome of a
draw I think it still suits us more than
it suits them um you know I think for
them if it finishes a draw they will go
off disappointed obviously ideally we be
delighted if we could go and win as you
said it’s one hand on the trophy and I
think we’re more than capable um but I
just have an ugly feeling that it’ll be
a score draw um and for us I think the
key man I think again could be um k go I
just think he’s he’s made out for this
fixture he’s obviously scored so many um
he thrives on it his his record is is
unbelievable really if you look at it um
and I think he could be the main man
again if we are to win it um I wouldn’t
bet against him being the one that the
next winner again so yeah I’m I’m
hopeful I think the key will be the
start to be honest if we can quieten
them quite early on as Paddy alluded to
earlier they can get pretty toxic so if
the game’s gone on and they’re not
playing well and giving the ball away
you can just imagine the atmosphere
transcending on the pitch and and US
kind of grown in confidence so I think
if we can get a good start I know I’ve
said one each but um you know that could
change and I say one each now guaranteed
Sunday morning I’ll be I’ll be thinking
that we’re going to win um so yeah we’ll
see how it goes yeah so we’re going one
each for now but that’s very much
subject to change but I do think agree
if Celtics scor early and if we’re g at
half time with a lead that whole
environment changes and it could play
right into Celtics hands before I come
to py um anyone watching the live please
do chip in with your own scoreline
predictions Michael Ross is going 21 to
Celtic Maestro 95 with the same score
line so if anyone’s got a a thought
David gesp 2 please share your
predictions with us Paddy your own
prediction and your main man on the day
and I’m going to go for 2-n Celtic um I
think that we will come and and and
upset the party I really do I think that
we’ll we’ll really try and take control
of the game for the get goal um anything
they throw it us for the first 10
minutes and I think they will throw
everything at us for the first 10
minutes I do think we sweep up if we if
we keep ourselves in a in a bit of a
compact unit against them I I think back
to the the 2-1 game you were talking
about as with K Vickers and Ro SC there
were firing balls in left right and
Center desperation from them to be
honest but it was just getting moed up
any ball was coming in was getting moed
up from starfi and and from C Vickers I
think we’ll be working on that this week
and training an awful lot and I think
we’ll keep a cleen sheet I really do I
think a goalkeeper there as we mentioned
in Monday that switched on him wants to
see his career out in a high as well and
that back line will be organized more
than it’s ever been um big man for me on
Sunday I think we’ll be mat Riley I
think he really really thrives in these
fixtures um I think he knows what it’s
about and we’re talking about if it does
get a bit Scrappy I think he knows what
he what he’s doing there as well I think
he’s um a real confidence boost over
some of the challenges he makes um he
doesn’t let much go past him um and I do
think he’ll be doing a lot of running
for the likes
and kak if they both start probably with
the the sharpness not being there but is
the adrenaline of these games it will
pull these guys through um they might
not get the 90 minutes as we’ve said but
M really the galine for for him will
make sure he’s M up for these two
Midfield Partners as well I think you’ll
have a good game here’s open Paddy you
see a comment from Alan th on the screen
Alan says agree with mold mate Paddy two
Celtic o and MAA I think what we’ve also
got potentially is mat’s last Tri iooks
as a Celtic player he and Joe har you
know will very probably let’s be real
about it move on from Celtic in the
summer and I think those two as much as
anybody will want to finish this fixture
on a real high James I’ll come to you
next five n or six now
please H it’s less I actually started
out the week very very conservative I
was going I thought Rogers would come
out in a very kind of you know
deliberate considered approach control
the game and just you know get your
goals from there from there on so I was
kind of thinking 2-1 the start of the
week I really do think the referee
appointment changes that I don’t think
you can be patient at all you need to
get out and get ahead because he’s shown
exactly what you can do in terms of
changing the direction of a game the
weather plays into it as well um I think
they’ll get a lot of free kicks around
their box and we’ll need to be really
steadfast in that regard I think they’ll
score I think we’ll be two up by half
time they’ll get one back and we’ll
score another 3-1 3-1 Celtic James
you’ve stole my thunder I’ve been seeing
it all week and I’m sticking with it
there’s a few very positive score lines
in h d Celtic supporters podcast 3 n
James Livingston 2-1 mck 41 i b over
that mck would love to see it Patrick
Duffy 3-2 and Keith Stewart M really to
break his duck against them in a 211n
I’ve been seeing 3-1 all week and it’s
not to be [ __ ] arrogant it’s just where
I think we’re at I do think there’s a
few factors several factors that play in
Celtics favor absolutely having Brandon
Rogers on the sideline there return of K
McGregor the genuine confidence that’s
course from through Celtic at this
moment in time the fact that Rangers
need to come out and that and it the
fact that it let Celtic in the back I’m
going to go for 31 as well James so I’ll
go 31 so who did you say the main man
man was for
you main
man Co Nicholas K sparkling on his
Glasgow D debut H I’m going for R hatti
I think he’s in a brilliant place all of
a sudden you might have seen his comment
he’s he quite a smart young lad doesn’t
he he came through the university
program in in Japan and he blogs part I
think he writes a a column somewhere
online in various uh Publications have
now picked up in the comments and he’s
basically saying that frustrating as his
timeout was and you know he suggested he
was borderline depress during that time
through the support of friends and
family he’s used that time effectively
to change his training regime change how
he eats change his mindset and all that
kind of thing he looked delighted to
play his part H last week at Livingston
I think we all thought he was going to
get 20 30 minutes he get 65 minutes and
he showed just how much we’ve missed him
I absolutely think it’s it’s set for
real hat to shine so I’m going to go 31
same as James but R hatti to be the main
man lad we’re running down the clock on
this one nearly fin so I’ll just come to
each for your final thoughts ahead of
Sunday’s big game Asam I’ll come to you
first
um yeah no I’m just saying I’m looking
forward to it honestly I can’t wait it’s
it’s one of those as well like you try
and enjoy it but it’s hard isn’t it like
the buildup just waiting for it you just
want the game to get started but um I
listen to you guys and your score
predictions you’ve kind of swayed me
already I’m like ash but um it’s yeah
it’s all topl for honestly it is it’s
huge we all know the significance of it
it’s by no means done regardless of the
outcome but you know you look at the
three different potential outcomes and
it’s going to have a massive imp isn’t
it so if we can go there and I’ve said
it all along if we can go there and
avoid defeat you know it puts us in a
really strong position if we go and win
it’s you know it’s it’s brilliant
because then you’ve then they’ve got
their needing Snickers um and I think
that’s the approach we’re going to go
with I think Brendan is going to set the
team out to win I think we’ve got the
players that will go out there and
believe they can win um and fingers
crossed and bring it on yeah and I do I
fully believe Celtic go there for the
win I said earlier as don’t worry too we
can ED out your one each and we can let
you join me and James in the 31 club
because I know that’s how you’re you’re
really thinking I won’t be tweeting too
early put it that way any I’ll keep I’ll
keep my tweets quiet till F time I
wouldn’t be like you uh Paddy your own
final comments for this one yeah just
listen as I’ve mentioned earlier on I
just think it’s up to us really um if we
show up we win the game I just think
it’s as simple as that um Brandon Rogers
does not play for a draw he doesn’t play
for a draw he wants he wants the three
points and he thinks his team’s capable
of going to getting the three points as
well no matter where they
play as I said I do think we’ve got the
best Midfield in Scotland um and I do
think that even the two players coming
in still B of that for me um they will
be crucial on on Sunday I think a lot of
the game will be won or lost in the mill
the park I just think we’ll get enough
for it so can’t wait for it yeah I think
Midfield could play such a huge part p
and I think we’ all be delighted if
you’re to0 production comes to Fresh
James final word of the day goes to
yourself yeah I mean it’s been a strange
old season you know we Canter near doors
um and then just had a blinding flash of
Good Sense get of Michael be um so we’re
now in a position where we shouldn’t
really have been um and there bigger
issues for another day on that but we’re
very much in the hunt you know we’re
ahead with them a game in hand but
you’re not going to get that title
without at least taking a point on
Sunday so the players know that Rogers
have them well Dred get your point there
get your three home it’s one hand in the
trophy if you get a win so absolutely
cannot wait for I wish it was you said
earlier on ask I wish it was right now
I’m ripping for
a the clock’s cting down and I think
we’re all H really excited for it the
only hope is it was it was sooner than
12:00 on Sunday as thanks huge thanks to
James Paddy and askam for joining me and
also to everyone who’s joined in the
live and contributed there even the
Rangers Fan who joined us for the last
20 minutes or so some some unknown
reason listen thanks to you Lads for
joining me here um we’ll be back shortly
after the the final whistle on Sunday
and hopefully we’re bringing you a
massive result for Celtic in the
meantime enjoy your weekend we’ll see
you guys again very soon