18 Jan 2014 13:57:13
Celtic XI v Motherwell: Forster; Fisher, Ambrose, van Dijk, Izaguirre; Forrest, Brown, Ledley, Mulgrew; Commons; Stokes.

Subs: Zaluska, Biton, Balde, Pukki, O'Connell, Henderson. Final substitute still to TBC

1.) 18 Jan 2014
Mulgrew should not be playing midfield and Ledley shod be no where near that team until he signs a new contract Lennon is showing no loyalty at all to the players who want to be here just my Humble opinion.

Wee111

2.) 18 Jan 2014
Thought Balde and/or Pukki might have started. Hopefully Stokes can get himself on the scoresheet and justify his place in the side. Regardless its good to get back into some competetive action. No chance of Fridjohnson or Johansen getting on Ed?

{Ed007's Note - No mate, the final substitute has now been named as Bahrudin Atajic.}

3.) 18 Jan 2014
Disgraceful, the usual suspects again! So much for giving youth & the newer lads game time! Really dissapionted NL has not made any changes (except Fisher which was forced upon him)

4.) 18 Jan 2014
18 Jan 2014 14:37:57
Disappointed, only defence it's the same team a think that gubbed St Mirren. Surely Ledley has told Lennon he is staying. Turkey for me now just a waste of time the players that performed not in team

5.) 18 Jan 2014
Mulgrew and Forrest starting? ah well maybe another day .

6.) 18 Jan 2014
Hope the break has done them good, because it looks like the same old same old.

7.) 18 Jan 2014
Agree with most of the above, Mulgrew should not be in midfield, Ledley if he ain't signing should be dropped and I am fed up with Stokes up front, he has proven this year why he was always dropped for games that mattered.

Lennon really needs to look at his line ups, in Turkey Balde and Pukki did really well, Stokes has been utter crap all season.

8.) 18 Jan 2014
Now that stokes is suspended for next game it is about time nl started pukki and Balde together against hibs next Sunday but no doubt he will leave Balde on Bench and play Pukki on his own with Commons supporting . NLs predictive team selection and tactics really starting to annoy me and I don't care that we won today he needs to give other players a chance.

9.) 18 Jan 2014
Pretty sure not so long ago fans were complaining about Lennon being inconsistent with his team selections and not this?

I remember him getting it tight when he played a team last season when he played a few young players.

It was a top of the table clash today, when have we ever treated that like a training exercise to showcase the youth players.

Still would liked to have seen things changed after the 3rd goal though.

Ah who says football fans are fickle!

10.) 18 Jan 2014
18 Jan 2014 19:18:45
Not for me m8 a go to the games to see celtic win a won't be going to the game and thinking we're getting beat 2 nil brilliant the Bhoys are playing.
Can't see how we can complain about game 2day we played some nice football created good few chances scored 3 .
Most players played well Forrest included. Thot big Efe had 1 of his games.

11.) 18 Jan 2014
@ mrs e! Been reading this site for years now and you are normally on the ball! Tonite is the first time av read your post and thought I had to reply! Lennon has been spending a mill here 2 mill there for a while now and no first team players? Think a lot of supporters want to see what he has bought and if they are up to scratch. Yes we all want entertained, if not for commons then we would be f@ck&d! We are running away with domestic, but Europe strengthens every season we are spending money on maybes rather than players who can make the grade! Feeder club I feel now rather than glory nites at paradise! Buy cheap for profit! The fans will pay!

12.) 18 Jan 2014
Del, I would play a couple of the youth players and would love to see Balde get a run in the team. Stokes is out next week but I think he'll go with Pukki who seems to prefer playing deeper and is defo not a poacher type player.

I do remember last season fans complaining about lack of consistency in the starting line-up though.

I'd be interested then, say for arguments sake in this window we sell - Stokes, Forrest, Samaras, Kayal, Ledley and Mulgrew. What would your team be and why?

I mean what have you (or other posters) seen of the other players to think we have better on the bench or in the development squad.

I not for a minute saying its a must that we keep these players, just interested in what others have seen and think?

13.) 18 Jan 2014
Sorry Del, I know I ask a lot of questions.

I would not have started with a load of youth players today based on a kick about in Turkey. That was a particularly physical Motherwell team today who could easily of picked off younger players.

At 3-0, I would have brought on Henderson and Balde. Stokes was playing well and there was no need to sub him earlier.

Lennon was the cheap option for our board and not a chance in hell this would have happened 10 years ago with such an inexperienced Manager but anyone in his position would have taken the job.

14.) 18 Jan 2014
Mrs E, I would without a doubt move on samaras & kayal ASAP. Stokes has also had long enough to prove he's good enough to play at the top level. It's not happening for any of them right now for very different reasons, so time to move on now or in the summer. There's more than enough cover in midfield & I'm sure most of us would like to see the new strikers get a good run in the team to see if they can stake a claim for next season.

15.) 18 Jan 2014
Agree Rory, I would move those 2 players. Sammy's attitude at times is awful and Kayal has never seemed have found the form from his first season. Although the injury by the halfwit McCulloch hasn't helped.

I just question what it is some see with the squad? Those 6 players I mentioned are all experienced International players who have also played at Champions League level, I know they aren't everyone's cuppa tea but we are struggling to replace Hooper never mind another 6!

Domestically we can get younger players on the park but fans want CL football, we lose all those players - are we getting through the qualifiers?

I don't like how mediocre the squad has become compared to years gone by but I'm not sure a mass clear out is the answer.

We need to win the Scottish Cup so maybe Neil Lennon's trying to build a bit of momentum for the Aberdeen game, that could be a reason for going with his 'favourites' as the are known.

16.) 19 Jan 2014
19 Jan 2014 00:03:59
Ur rite mrs e people want the treble never mind Scottish but they also say who cares about the unbeaten run, surely we need a pretty consistent team for that.
A do think 3 or 4 youngsters could be blooded through out a full season not all in same game

17.) 19 Jan 2014
Mrs E, I can't disagree with anything you said, but I'm not sure anyone was asking for a mass clearout. Just think the squad could do with a good injection of youthful spirit. These bhoys have proved against top drawer continental opposition that they can step up to the next level! (Kayal, Samaras, ) Need to move on! Stokes is in last chance saloon (I think he too may move on come summertime) James Forrest gets a far harder time from the support than I think he deserves (he's a great young talent who will no doubt have a good sell on value). And last of all Charlie Mulgrew - the most consistent celtic player in over 2 seasons (quite rightly so because he averages 7/10 performances over the season NO MATTER what position he's played in) Give the bhoys a break ffs! One bad CL campaign means f*ck all. All the club needs is a few quality additions in the right departments & in Johannsen, we already have one ;)

18.) 19 Jan 2014
Mrs E its not a matter of who is an experienced international. that does not justify a player who has not been performing to a consistent standard, being selected over an uncapped player just because he has played at international level.



KP1888

19.) 19 Jan 2014
Agree with above post iam actually gobsmacked that big Mulgrew is taking a bit of a hard time, play him anywhere & he never let's us down, Stokes as I've said time & time again on here no one would have bothered if he stayed if Hooper was still here, would let him go in summer, Kayal yeah got a bad injury but time to go, Sammie don't know why we dicking around get rid same way Ledley but hope he does stay cause he Quality but no one bigger than club also Foster will be sold in summer to fund the board reckon we get £8 million. I think the young lad on loan at Notts County deserves a run nx season has proved he can do it in a league not any worse than ours & was there best player against Liverpool, but agree with fellow posters only seems like Forrest who in my opinion shouldn't be classed as a youngster anymore is going to get a chance from youth level under Lennon, I know Fisher played a bit but this is due to injuries & the lad has been outstanding everytime I've seen him but what I will ask my fellow posters is if we meet them in cup would you play our strongest or youth team. Chris30

20.) 19 Jan 2014
@Chris30, you think the lower levels of English football are on par with the Scottish top flight, come on mate.

English football is the most over hyped and over rated there is. There is no way you can compare playing at notts county to playing with Celtic.

British football is the same throughout the region, fast paced, kick and chase. It's time stopped believing, the pr machine of ssn and see English football for what it is. The rich mans SPFL.

Frewbhoy.

21.) 19 Jan 2014
19 Jan 2014 12:37:01
None are on a par with celtic m8 but a wouldn't think there would be much between an aberdeen and a notts county .

22.) 19 Jan 2014
I think experience can count in some of the 'big' games KP. I know there is a strong argument that Celtic are in a position to give young players a run in the team but I would not start 2 or 3 of them just now.

Dylan McGeouch and Tom Rogic started against Morton, not that I'm blaming those players for the defeat but, they are at a stage of fighting for a first team place and didn't exactly impress. Maybe this is an unfair example but look at Januzaj at Man Utd, he gets in the first team and knows he has to make an impact right away. He starts against Sunderland and scores twice when Manchester United are 1-0 down. Even Forrest when he got handed his first team debut, he worked hard to prove his point. (Maybe I expect too much). I haven't seen much of this from any of our bench/development squad players. Maybe Balde.

Chris, I think Mulgrew has been one of our most consistent players as well. Again, he might not be world class or whatever some expect but he's scored important goals for us and Lennon and Strachan obviously trust him.

A few younger players are out on loan - probably the best ones lol. McGregor is doing well at Notts County and Jackson Irvine okay at Kilmarnock. Both are midfielders so wouldn't get much game time at Celtic.

I'm not having a go just trying to give a different side to the 'lets play the youth players' argument

@17 I hope your right about Johannsen, my Son thinks he's a good signing to!

CL campaign was a huge let down and the meal we made of qualifying. We need a striker ASAP. With Brown getting sent off and Wanyama away, we were shown up badly in midfield.

23.) 19 Jan 2014
Yeah I certainly agree with Frewbhoy - it's no coincidence that players who are deemed very average up here can go down to England and be raved about, the latest examples being Craig Bryson and young Mcgregor at Celtic. But even over the last few years you have Dorrans/Snodgrass/McCormack/Maloney(twice) James McCarthey who Celtic weren't sure about is now a 12-15 million pound player. If England hadn't brought over the Zolas/Bergkamps/Cantonas/Henry's etc and of course your Arsene Wengers the whole British game would still be backward! As it is, outwith the English Prem the football is still primitive. I include the football Celtic play-I've said on here ad nausium that I don't enjoy watching us play. Paul

24.) 19 Jan 2014
I don't know what's going on with this iPad, I keep getting logged out.

The above post is mine that starts 'I think experience can count. '

25.) 19 Jan 2014
Paul. Can't agree with you calling Celtic's play "primitive". As NL said in one of the rags today, celtic would hold their own in EPL right now (before we even take EPL tv money into account). Also some great football being played in the english championship! As for Maloney/ McCarthey being deemed "average" when they played up here, you must be having a laugh. They were both recognised as class acts in their time here & received numerous player of the year & young player of the year awards for their efforts!

26.) 19 Jan 2014
Mrs e, am not saying I don't want the tried and tested players! Stokes has proven why he is never first choice in big games . Forrest has no end product! For 8-10 games a season sammy is not worth the wage! The wanyama money, cl money, hooper and Wilson money could have bought us a finnbogson! Instead nl has spent millions on maybe future gems. We needed a striker! We could have got fletcher in the past, didn't pay the money! Went for 12 mill, now linked with a loan, wouldn't pay for Rhodes? All the money nl has spent on maybes, we could have bought a gem for now

27.) 20 Jan 2014
Alright Rory, - the facts are that Maloney wasn't a first pick in either spell at Celtic-Strachan even hinted that he wasn't mentally strong enough to play for us, his spell at Villa he did well but couldn't settle, which is fair enough, after struggling at Wigan, last year he was sensational. The point I was making, giving examples of the top of my head, was that he didn't fulfill his potential at Celtic, and in the end all the fans I know where totally exasperated with him and just saw him as ok. Young McCarthey I think has done better than anyone imagined - I saw him live a few times and thought he looked a good young player, he was linked with many big clubs but none were convinced, so bottom line is up here he was deemed not good enough. As for the English championship, it's pretty exciting to watch, but technically and tactically very poor, if you think otherwise good for you. I have been watching Celtic for 35 years and this team is not great to watch, our ball retention is poor-if you think otherwise then you are going to different games from me, I loved watching the team under Tommy Burns, Tommy hardly had a bean to spend and still ran a great rangers team very close. We all know you have to marry attacking football with not being naive/being good defensively as well, and that Celtic team just fell short. 10 - 15 years on and me and all my friends that go to the games feel the football is primitive, when I say that I mean very British-but I understand why you like it as you like the Championship in England - the world would be a very dull place if we were all the same! Paul

28.) 20 Jan 2014
Del to be fair, Stokes is the past has been 20 goals a season and last season he struggled with an injury. He does seem to be suffering this season and we also knew he wasn’t effective as a lone striker.

Totally agree that some of the signings seem baffling but with Fletcher, was that not the board again?

It was just the outcry about the team choice that was my point. I do think it would be good to see more youth included on matchdays but fans have seen these players included before, they just never made an impact.

It should not be made easy for them to get a place in the starting line-up just because the league is not competitive for Celtic. They should still be made to fight for a first team place as has always been the case (look at he reasons given for Abedeen letting Gregg Wylde go). I just get the feeling some think Neil Lennon is hiding a Ronaldo or Messi in the development squad and they are in for a huge disappointment.

It just this the fans expect to see youth, do they? Who asked them all? Some just expect to see a win and a good game of football.

29.) 20 Jan 2014
@mrs e totally agree winning team all day long! A remember being gutted when mon was going for over 100 points one season then started resting/ playing kids! Ma point about fletcher( yes it was the boards fault) is we didn't take the chance now it will cost us 10 fold to get him( not that he is what I think we need ) they boy McCarthy at accies 1 mill! Missed the boat on that 1 too. My problem is I think nl is trying to buy cheap youths hopeing to sell after a season like wanyama? A don't care of age! Commons, Sutton hartson weren't spring chickens but awesome players! Surely there must be forgotten players like that Celtic could A afford and B attract with the lure of cl football! not saying a player like Kevin Phillips but maybe 30 odds that would bring a bit of experience a mean Defoe went to USA?

30.) 20 Jan 2014
Del, totally agree with playing the strongest team!

The youth are playing at Cappielow tomorrow and its free entry for those who are genuinely interested.

They're sitting 7th in their U20 league with 3 games in hand over the leaders Hibs and Rangers. A few of the young players also play for their National Team at U21 and U19 level, the games are often on the telly.

Then there's the UEFA youth league where they won just one of their 6 games (not that this experience is all doom and gloom).

Just think the criticism of the Manager can be unfair when some have made no effort themselves to find out about youth players.

Some have had injuries - Chalmers, Fraser, Hoareau, Toshney, Waters.

I loved Martin O'Neill's time here, a treble, European final and no Green Brigade to squabble over.

MON also came in for criticism too for leaving behind an aging squad on hefty wages.

Suppose you can't please everyone all the time.