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| Celtic v Kilmarnock; 12th November 08 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 8 2008, 04:47 PM (570 Views) | |
| Jinty | Nov 12 2008, 12:16 AM Post #31 |
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Nakamura defies medical science in bid for a start MARTIN GREIG Gordon Strachan has been more like a doctor doing his rounds than a football manager this week. A raft of injuries to key players has left the Celtic manager with an emaciated squad ahead of tonight's home meeting with Kilmarnock. The casualty list constitutes a full team, though the return of Glenn Loovens, the Dutch defender, is imminent. Shunsuke Nakamura, meanwhile, has defied medical science by turning up at Lennoxtown this week and declaring himself fit. Strachan had expected to be without the Japanese midfielder for at least a fortnight after an MRI scan last week revealed a grade one tear on his left knee, but the 30-year-old is determined to play on. Nakamura, who is due to feature in a World Cup qualifier for Japan in Qatar next Wednesday, took part in training yesterday and experienced mild discomfort during crossing drills but wants to play. "He turned up, which came as a shock to me," said Strachan. "I turned around and I saw him slaloming through poles and I thought, what is he doing, I thought he would be another two or three weeks?' The scan said he had a problem but he turned up this morning. "The doctor was amazed and said he is probably one of the mentally strongest people he's ever met. He didn't think Nakamura should have been training, but he did what he had to do no problem. He looked fine." As well as Loovens and Nakamura, Georgios Samaras is also close to a return, but Strachan has minimised the risk of further injury by making training non-contact. "We can do technique training, passing, shooting, but mostly taking away the physical contact," said Strachan. "I don't think we can afford to make it contact. I can't remember an injury list like this. It's not the one type of injuries, it's all different types, so it's not as if we have to look at what we are doing in training. When I went to Villarreal I had this fantastic squad to choose from and I had to leave out some quality players. It's gone full circle now and you're trying your best to get a shape to a team." Willie Miller, the former Aberdeen and Scotland centre-half who formed a formidable partnership with Alex McLeish in their playing days, recently praised the Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell defensive tag team. Strachan refused to compare the two partnerships, but declared himself pleased with the progress his two centre-halves have made recently. "My two are far better looking than those two . . . and maybe that says a bit," laughed Strachan. "But what I know is that those two have been put under pressure by Loovens and Darren O'Dea. That's kept them on their toes. They are getting better all the time. I do believe centre-halves are at their best between 28 and 33-35. They're learning a lot every year." Despite their injury problems, Strachan insisted that his players would be ready for the challenge of the Rugby Park side today. "I don't think it would matter too much who we played against. Mentally, the players will be in the same place anyway," he said. Cillian Sheridan has been a welcome beneficiary of the injury situation and Strachan has been working closely with the Irish centre-forward to improve his game. "We spent 25 minutes with him this morning looking at Saturday's game. Then we worked with him and the other strikers on the type of runs they make," said Strachan of the 19-year-old who is likely to start again tonight beside Scott McDonald. Paul Caddis is another who could stake a claim in the absence of first-team regulars. The 20-year-old came on for Shaun Maloney in the 2-0 win over Motherwell at the weekend and is hopeful of playing a part tonight. On Saturday, he filled in at left midfield and also played right-back and right midfield last season, notably against Barcelona in the last 16 match at home. He believes his versatility could prove to be one of his biggest assets. "It doesn't bother me where I'm played," said Caddis. "You've got to be able to step in where the manager wants you. A player who is versatile is more use to him. Chris Sutton was the perfect example when he played here. He played centre-half, centre mid, up front, everywhere. "I want the manager to know that I'm ready to step in, and I think he does know that by playing me in different positions I was happy to get on and get a few touches of the ball against Motherwell. "You don't want to see people getting injured, but it gives you a chance to get in. Last year I played against Barcelona, but I don't want to be living in the past. I'm getting older now and I want to try and get in the manager's plans." the Herald not sure whether it's a good thing to be defying the doctors......but maybe Naka knows his own body best ...either that or he just wanted to say 'gerritupye' to Lenny! |
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| buckfasthero | Nov 12 2008, 08:34 AM Post #32 |
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Jeffries has said he will be resting his top players against Celtic with a few to keeping them rested for games they are more likely to win Jefferies ready to rest key men against Celtic as he looks to future We have three boys returning from injury and I'm not sure how sensible it owuld be to risk throwing them all on, especially Naka who is going against medical advice. The only one I would chance from the start is Samaras, as we need two experienced strikers who can bang them in (no disrespect to Sheridan). The squad is: Brown, Fox, Hinkel, Loovens, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson. O'Dea, Naylor, Caddis, S Brown, Hartley, Nakamura, Robson, Donati, Mizuno, McDonald, Sheridan, Hutchison, Samaras. My team from that would be: Brown Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson Donati, Hartley, Brown, Robson Samaras, McDonald. With a view to throwing on Caddis and Mizuno if we're two up entering the last half hour or so. |
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| Cowiebhoy | Nov 12 2008, 09:54 AM Post #33 |
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Or he's just a malingerer! Don't think I'd bother risking him against the Killie cluggers, on the otherhand he maybe wants to rip them a new one after the treatment they dished out recently. |
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Our revenge will be the laughter of our children. | |
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| Doc67 | Nov 12 2008, 05:31 PM Post #34 |
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Aw fur fuxxakes!! I'm going to this game
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Good to be back! | |
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| Jinty | Nov 12 2008, 07:14 PM Post #35 |
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and tonights team is..... Brown Hinkel McManus Caldwell Wilson Brown Maloney Donati Naka McDonald Sheridan
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| Jinty | Nov 12 2008, 07:24 PM Post #36 |
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fox, o'dea, caddis, hartley, mizuno and didn't catch who else! *edit* am I hearing things? :wtf?: robson is apparently also on the bench |
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| Jinty | Nov 12 2008, 07:26 PM Post #37 |
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it's sami back on the bench! :celtic: how could I have missed him oot? :rolleyes: |
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| Jinty | Nov 12 2008, 07:52 PM Post #38 |
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great run into the box by wilson there! :thumbs.up: mark browns clearances!!!!! :cover.eyes:
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| desachi | Nov 12 2008, 08:05 PM Post #39 |
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walking barefoot
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Fantastic forward play, 1-0, Cillian Sheridan. :cheer: |
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In the nation of the blind the one eyed man is king. All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing HWEUCSC & Chicago CSC Buena Vista Celtic Club, Keeping the Green Flag Flying High | |
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| Jinty | Nov 12 2008, 08:05 PM Post #40 |
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great combination play between sheridan and skippy for that goal :thumbs.up: |
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| desachi | Nov 12 2008, 08:16 PM Post #41 |
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walking barefoot
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Killie's answer to Naka lining up a free kick? No wall. :unsure: I suppose it hasn't worked out for them actually using one in the past. Hope Naka punishes them anyway for it. :thumbs.up: |
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In the nation of the blind the one eyed man is king. All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing HWEUCSC & Chicago CSC Buena Vista Celtic Club, Keeping the Green Flag Flying High | |
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| Jinty | Nov 12 2008, 08:24 PM Post #42 |
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kiilie's purple strip is obviously a pointer to the bruises they dish out :angry: that wee prick skelton in on yellow after a terrible tackle on....guess who? :rolleyes: |
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| desachi | Nov 12 2008, 08:34 PM Post #43 |
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walking barefoot
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I am really enjoying this. Some of the midfield play has been terrific, fast, flowing, good movement and defending really well from the front. Donati a standout in that half, used the ball well and played his position very effectively. Might have had a penalty on another day, with a really really generous ref (wearing green underwear). ![]() Well done Celtic. :thumbs.up: Would be nice to have a few more goals though.
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In the nation of the blind the one eyed man is king. All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing HWEUCSC & Chicago CSC Buena Vista Celtic Club, Keeping the Green Flag Flying High | |
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| Jinty | Nov 12 2008, 08:39 PM Post #44 |
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yep....the only thing that's missing has been more goals some great play and movement up front, especially from cillian :thumbs.up: totally agree re donati.....could be one of his best games for us if he keeps this up! :luck: |
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| 1888bhoy | Nov 12 2008, 08:47 PM Post #45 |
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some very nice fluent football tonight but disappointingly not many clear cut chances from the passing and movement we've been doing, a wee bit more killer edge in the second and a few more goals to ram it right up that monkey bassa Jeffries :celtic: |
| [color=green]A Brave Son Of Ireland, We Will Not Forget You[/color] | |
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