19 Aug 2015 06:48:01
Time for the weekly debate, Griffiths or Ciftci. I think Ciftci will get the nod once again. We've got through 2 rounds with him up front so I see no reason to change that. They'll be a big physical side so he'd me more suited to the challenge than Griffiths, who can come on in the last 20 and nick a goal or 2 when they tire. Nervy night in store and I'd take any win. Celtic 2 Malmo 0 is my prediction
19 Aug 2015 08:05:12
It's a tough call I think. We created an awkward situation by not signing another forward as ciftci can't be match fit due to the league ban and Ronnie seems to want to play him for Europe . Lg is scoring regularly though. In saying that I'm hoping for a two or possibly three goal lead . I'm praying we put on a good show and Malmö can't live with it, and the fans play their part as usual. ðŸ™ðŸ™
19 Aug 2015 08:36:13
2-0 would be perfect although if they're there for the taking we should finish them or we will have a nervy 2nd leg like last season
19 Aug 2015 08:49:04
The annoying thing about the whole Ciftci situation is that the guy doesn't hold the ball up. I don't think he's a bad player, but he's not the big man to hold the ball up that we need. I'd go with Griffiths. I have no faith that Ciftci will score or make something happen. I'll leave the door open for him to prove me wrong!
19 Aug 2015 09:03:41
I think Ronny might surprise a few people and go with both of them up top tonight
19 Aug 2015 10:10:13
It is a tough call. Ones game is more suited to 1 up in Europe but can't score. The other can scire but his game isn't suited. Start Ciftci bring on Griffiths too for me. Probability would tell you that surely NC has to start putting some away.
19 Aug 2015 11:15:12
Personally you play the man in form LG but I don't expect that from Ronny so I think NC will start. If they are going to be physical at the back then play LG as he's more likely to get away from them. Lm67 you think lg might come on with 20 min and Nick a goal or two then your prediction is poss 0-0 with NC for 70min that would be a very nervy night lol. I'm confident if lg starts for 3-0 with commons putting 3rd in with a cameo 20 min at the end. Hail hail
19 Aug 2015 11:27:49
Think u make a great point NT87! I really don't know where this ciftci holds the ball up stuff comes from! I've watched him for Dundee Utd and for us and I've never seen it! I really don't think there should be a debate,wee griffiths should start all day long! Nothing I've seen in ciftci with us or Dundee Utd impresses me! Wee griffiths deserves the chance to show what he can do from the start!
19 Aug 2015 12:19:59
BigTim I've hoped that a few times, starting to think that he is going to go with 4-2-3-1 no matter what. It's obviously his thing and he'll stick with it. I think at home in Europe and always in the league we could play 2 up top. Brown and bitton are good enough to play in a midfield 2; then could play a narrow midfield with johansen and another. Griffiths or Ciftci would no doubt pull wide at points
19 Aug 2015 13:40:40
Id personally start griffiths bcus he's the man in form and I think it would just be a bit of a kick in the teeth for him what else can he do to get into the team other than clearly be the best striker we have rn
19 Aug 2015 15:27:06
I don't think he will start both as we have lost four goals in two games and that will be a concern.
Therefore I expect 4-4-1-1 or 4-5-1 formation.
Griffiths is the man in form, but Ciftci needs games - and under his current suspension, the CL is the only place to get his sharpness and fitness levels up to our standard.
Therefore I think he will start with one striker and bring the other on later in the game.
19 Aug 2015 15:58:21
I suppose the other position where a starting spot is up for grabs is on the right wing. GMS will probably start but he hasn't played well so far this season despite being our best player in preseason. Forrest was excellent against Killie last week but blows hot and cold (mostly cold)! Surely its a night for Kris Commons? His ability to score a goal out of nothing are what nights like this are made for!
19 Aug 2015 17:16:55
Griffiths had his chance to impress last season when he started both home games at home to Salzburg and Inter Milan. He had big chances in those matches to prove what he could do at that level against much better sides than we face domestically and he failed to deliver. A sitter of a header against Salzburg and a chance against Inter which he snatched at by hitting it straight at the keeper when all he had to do was lift the ball over him, he can't cut it against these sides. I understand Malmo aren't as good as Inter and Salzburg but I can understand why Ronny doesn't trust him at this level. Yeah he's on form scoring against your Kilmarnocks, Inverness' etc. But come on this is a step up. I don't rate Cifcti highly either and should we progress into the CL I don't think either of them will be leading the line personally this season. Can see Stokes and Scepovic leaving with Griffiths, Cifcti and a new striker being our three choices this season.
Anyway for tonight though I feel he'll go with Cifcti and I won't argue with that decision, he'll bring Griffiths on with 20 mins to go most likely.
LM67, on the right wing personally I would start with Commons, just feel he brings good experience, goals and technique. Yeah he can be a little slow but he can spot a pass an is a goal threat. Scored twice against Swedish opposition in the past in Helsingborg and Elfsborg. However I do feel he'll stick with GMS, which in his current form will be the wrong choice imo. Forrest played wel against Killie because he was played out on the left, he plays better there than on the right imo, so I wouldn't play Forrest unless it was left wing but with Armstrong a guaranteed starter I would leave Forrect on the bench perhaps as an impact sub.
Regardless I'm pretty sure we'll see Commons, Griffiths and Forrest all come on at some point.