Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the spectacular world of Scottish football, where the Celtic juggernaut prepares to roll over Dundee tomorrow evening at the iconic Celtic Park. This is Celtic’s second of four matches in a frenzied ten-day stretch – because who needs sleep, right? I mean, it’s just football! And if you think about it, what better way to procrastinate from real life than watching grown adults kick a ball around?
If last weekend’s 3-0 stroll against Motherwell was a fine tea with crumpets, tomorrow promises to be a full-on Scottish fry-up. Celtic has been strutting their stuff in the league, aside from spilling milk against Aberdeen – a classic Celtic move, really. It’s a bit like walking into a lovely bakery and finding the only thing missing is the full cake.
In terms of team news, Brendan Rodgers has announced some changes, which is like saying a magician has his tricks. Adam Idah is nursing an ankle after a “disgraceful” tackle, and knowing the rivalries in football, Motherwell probably thought “Well, that was just a friendly game.” Spoiler alert: it’s *never* just a friendly game! Kyogo’s stepping up as Idah’s replacement, apparently playing superhero while Maeda dons the cape as backup. Let’s just hope they don’t need to call for a sidekick!
And speaking of sidekicks, Callum McGregor is training, but it would take a miracle to see him in action tomorrow. I mean, they’re treating him like the last slice of pizza at a party—everyone loves him, but you need him for the big ones coming up against Aberdeen and RB Leipzig. It’s all about managing those resources. That’s what we call “football sustainability.” Who knew it was a real buzzword in sports?
Brendan’s Thoughts on Dundee
Brendan’s been giving the ol’ pep talk about Dundee. He referred to their previous form as “not ideal.” Well, I’d say the same about my ex’s cooking, but we all know what we really mean. The past few matches have been like a box of chocolates—only if you chose the chocolates with a lot of nuts in them. But Brendan’s respecting Dundee’s manager, Tony, who’s going through a tough time. It’s like watching a guy attempt to juggle chainsaws—entertaining, but you want to see him survive it!
Quick shout-out to the Celtic squad, who seem as excited as kids in a candy store. Jamesy came out with the classic footballer cliché: “You need the squad!” Yes, Jamesy, that’s… brand new information, isn’t it? But kudos to him for keeping a straight face while he says it. And who wouldn’t be enthusiastic, when you’re literally the star of one of the biggest clubs in Scotland?
Predicted Team and Match Officials
The predicted Celtic team looks impressive! Kasper Schmeichel’s at the back, trying to catch all the loose balls while everyone else is throwing caution to the wind. Meanwhile, rookie referee Ross Hardie steps up to the plate. Good luck, Ross! You’ll be remembered in one of two ways after this game – as a hero or a meme. No pressure!
Kick-off Time and Where to Watch
The grand spectacle kicks off at 7:45 PM, and folks outside of the UK and Ireland can catch the action team on Celtic TV…I mean, people are paying for Pay-Per-View now? They must really love the experience of watching 22 men running after a ball! I can see it now, “I’ll pay extra just to see it live!” It’s like going to the cinema in Britain, paying for popcorn, and then realizing you could have just made it at home!
Score Predictions
The Celtic faithful are optimistic, predicting a 4-1 scoreline. That’s right, they’re expecting a bit of scoring fireworks! And as for the other match between Aberdeen and the Rangers, my money’s on a thrilling 1-1 draw. Because nothing says drama quite like two teams that refuse to move past a polite conversation!
In summary, folks, as the Celtic train rolls down the tracks, keep your eyes peeled and your expectations high. And who knows? You might discover that football really is just life with slightly more shin pads!
Celtic is set to square off against Dundee tomorrow evening at the iconic Celtic Park, as part of a grueling stretch of four matches in just ten days, spanning three different competitions.
In a recent photo, Luke McCowan celebrates his goal alongside teammate James Forrest. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.
Following a successful weekend where Celtic secured a commanding 3-0 triumph against Motherwell, the focus now shifts to welcoming Dundee to Paradise. Celtic aims to uphold their impeccable league record, having dropped only two points so far this season against Aberdeen.
In preparation for this match, there were four adjustments made to the squad that faced off in Bergamo. Manager Brendan Rodgers is expected to continue his strategic rotation to navigate this demanding schedule, which will see the team head to Hampden Park for a Premier Sports Cup semi-final clash against Aberdeen before traveling to compete against RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Remarkably, Leipzig currently sits at the bottom of the group despite their strong showing in the Bundesliga, where they are positioned just behind Bayern Munich in second place.
Celtic Team News
Brendan Rodgers is awaiting scan results on Adam Idah’s ankle following a reckless tackle by Motherwell defender Liam Gordon. The incident was serious enough that Motherwell opted not to contest the red card decision. Given the circumstances, Idah is unlikely to feature in tomorrow’s encounter, with Kyogo stepping in as the starting striker and Daizen Maeda available as a backup.
Although Callum McGregor has begun training, it would be a significant surprise to see him play, as Rodgers is keen to ensure his captain is fully fit for the pivotal matches against Aberdeen and RB Leipzig in the coming days.
A decision looms on the defensive front as Cameron Carter-Vickers has returned to fitness, alongside both Auston Trusty and Liam Scales, who are also ready for selection. Brendan tends to avoid frequent changes in his central defensive pairing, so expect Carter-Vickers to reclaim his spot in the starting eleven as the manager assesses the rest of the lineup moving forward.
Celtic Manager’s Thoughts on Dundee
“Teams go through various phases. The Kilmarnock match will undoubtedly sting for them before the international break, especially after being in a position to win but ending up losing. They managed to secure a solid win away at Motherwell, which is always a formidable challenge, but then faced disappointment last weekend.”
“The past five or six games haven’t produced ideal results for them; however, I must commend Tony for doing an excellent job. They lost their best player and captain during the summer, which always has repercussions.”
“Spells of difficult results are common in this league; however, it’s a precarious moment for any team. They will strive for a standout performance against us, and teams tend to elevate their game when faced with the champions. It’s crucial that we remain sharp and focused to secure a win while executing our game plan effectively.”
Celtic Player’s View
“It’s beneficial for both the manager and the players to rely on the squad as fixtures come in quick succession. Initially, during the first four games of the season, we had ample time between matches, but the pace has certainly picked up now. Being at a major club like Celtic means competing in every tournament, something all the players are eager to embrace.”
“I’m relishing my time on the pitch and enjoyed a productive pre-season. Contributing to the team’s success is incredibly fulfilling. The depth of our squad allows for rotation without hindering performance, which will be crucial in the upcoming months,” Jamesy expressed enthusiastically.
“Having been at Celtic for several years now, I can attest that maintaining competition for spots is pivotal. In forward positions especially, options are vital for keeping the squad fresh and on their toes. The understanding is clear: when the opportunity arises, you must perform to support the team, and thus far this season, everyone has risen to the challenge.”
Predicted Celtic Team
Kasper Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers (c), Scales, Valle; McCowan, Bernardo, Hatate, Forrest, Kyogo, Palma. Subs include Sinisalo, Taylor, Trusty, Maeda, Kuhn, Yang, Engels, Ralston, and Nawrocki.
Cameron Carter-Vickers trained with the team at Fir Park. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.
Match Officials
Rookie referee Ross Hardie will preside over the match, marking his debut officiating Celtic at home. The detective constable from Dunoon will have Graeme Stewart and Paul McAvinue assisting him. Matthew MacDermid will manage VAR responsibilities with Andrew McWilliam supporting.
Kick-off Time
The match between Dundee and Celtic kicks off at 7:45 PM.
Where to Watch
Brendan Rodgers took the opportunity to discuss the team’s efforts following their recent victory at Fir Park. As always, the match will be broadcast live on Celtic TV for subscribers located outside the UK and Ireland. However, viewers in Britain and Ireland can catch the game on a PPV basis. This marks the first live pay-per-view broadcast on the newly launched Celtic TV website.
Non-subscribers in Britain and Ireland can enjoy all aspects of the match by purchasing a PPV pass for the price of £12.99. Current Celtic TV subscribers in these regions will benefit from a discounted rate, allowing them to buy a match PPV pass for just £9.99, with the discount automatically applied at checkout.
💻 #CELDUN this Wednesday (Oct 30) will be available on PPV within the UK & Ireland, on Celtic TV!
Full info below ⤵
#CelticFC🍀
– Monday, October 28, 2024
Score Predictions
Earlier predictions suggested Celtic would achieve a 3-0 win at Fir Park, and the optimism for tomorrow’s game remains high. It’s anticipated that although Celtic may concede once, they are likely to find the net four times against Dundee’s goalkeeper, Jon McCracken, wrapping up the game with a final score of Celtic 4, Dundee 1.
The battle between Aberdeen and the Rangers also garners interest, as it could impact the league standings depending on the outcome. Brendan Rodgers acknowledged the importance of focusing solely on his team’s performance, stating, “We can only manage our own destiny. I’m pleased with how the team is functioning and if we shift our focus elsewhere, it impacts our performance adversely.”
As Celtic aims for three points against Dundee, they recognize the potential to enhance their league standing before setting their sights on Aberdeen. The fixtures are indeed coming in thick and fast.
For those interested in Celtic’s rich history, the new publication “Celtic in the Thirties” by historian Matt Corr is set for release on November 5. This two-volume work is available for pre-order; fans can secure their signed copies at Celticstarbooks.com.
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr promises to be a definitive resource for devoted fans. Order yours now!
More Stories / Latest News
Celtic v Dundee – Team news, match officials, KO time & where to watch
Celtic’s upcoming opponents present significant opportunities for analysis, and the excitement surrounding their league encounters continues to grow.
