Match Preview: Newcastle United vs Glasgow Celtic
By Ben Letby On Thu 26 Jul 2007 |
Kick off: 19:45
Referee: Mark Halsey
Live on Setanta Sports 1
As the search for new signings continues, things are looking bright again with Chris Mort and Sam Allardyce both speaking of their desire to bring new faces to St James’ Park.
After fitness trips to Hartlepool and Carlisle our new boss will look to up the tempo a bit with what will be his first home fixture in charge of Newcastle United. For many of us this will be the first chance to see what effect the Allardyce revolution is having on the pitch as we take on the reigning Scottish champions; Glasgow Celtic.
» The Squads
Newcastle: Given, Harper, Krul, Carr, Rozehnal, Geremi, Ramage, Huntington, Babayaro, N’Zogbia, Solano, Milner, Luque, Butt, Pattison, Troisi, Martins, Ameobi, Carroll.
Celtic: Boruc, M Brown, McGovern, Naylor, Virgo, Caldwell, Balde, Wilson, Pressley, Kennedy, McManus, O’Dea, S Brown, Hartley, Sno, Gravesen, Donati, Jarosik, Nakamura, McGeady, Bjarnason, Zurawski, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Riordan, Sheridan, McDonald, Killen, O’Brien.
» Injuries and Suspensions
Newcastle are still without Damien Duff (ankle) and a recent addition to the injury list is new signing Joey Barton (fifth metatarsal) with the latter likely to be out for at least six weeks.
Record signing Michael Owen is unlikely to feature until the game against Juventus on Sunday while Shay Given, Shola Ameobi and Celestine Babayaro are all set to be welcomed back to the side. Albert Luque and James Milner could well make their first appearances this pre-season.
Steven Taylor is still not fit enough after sustaining an ankle injury on international duty.Ex-Magpie Gary Caldwell has just recovered from injury and is expected to turn out for Celtic for his first action of the campaign while defender John Kennedy is no longer suffering from a twisted ankle and could play some part after missing the Bhoys’ two friendlies in the USA.
» Head2Head
Who could forget last year’s testimonial for Alan Shearer? Celtic provided the opposition as 52 000 Geordies turned out and countless more watched on television as we bid farewell to our greatest ever goalscorer. That wasn’t the first time Celtic had honoured a Newcastle hero for they also took part in the testimonial of Peter Beardsley in 1999, a game his XI lost 3-1.
Others will remember the pre-season friendly against the Bhoys in which Les Ferdinand made his debut for Newcastle, a game which saw David Ginola shine after he had turned down a transfer to Celtic just weeks earlier.
» What the Managers have to say
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce on the injury situation:
“The injury to Joey Barton is a terrible blow for us and the player.”
“Michael Owen’s isn’t as serious, he has a slight thigh injury so we are keeping him out the side at the moment.”
Celtic manager Gordan Strachan on his squad:
“We had a good work-out in the USA and now the summer is over and we must get on with things.”
“We are stronger both physically and mentally. We are ready to go.”
» Predicted Line-Up
Geremi Rozehnal Ramage Carr
Milner Butt Solano N’Zogbia
Ameobi Martins
» Match Prediction
Hopefully things will go well and we’ll get a victory over one of the strongest Celtic sides seen in a few years. I fancy Martins to get his first goal of pre-season and Ameobi to chip in with another.
I can’t see us keeping a clean-sheet with Ramage and Carr still occupying two berths in the backline, but if we can attack well we might just sneek a winner on home ground; 2-1 to the Toon.
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Sent in on: September 6th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
We’r still light at the back in terms of quality but the thought of Carr, Ramage and particularly the talentless blue eye Huntington playing at the back week in week out puts the fear of God into me. I’d like to see Taylor and Rozenthal in central defence with the young giant Edgar , who I’ve always rated rate highly, used as back up or played at full back !!
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
newcastle should give the youth players more chances like frank wiafe danquah who is a cracking player kazenga lualua who is as well
they should do it like liverpool they give the youth many chances to play for the first team so that the future off newcastle will be better
keep a eye on this to players because there will be clubs who are after them
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Just offer, say, 7.5-8 million for Curtis Davies and 7.5 million for Shorey. Who cares if that’s a little over the odds? Just offer it. For both, it would be a desirable step-up to go to the Toon (okay, Reading are a strong team but don’t have the kind of possibilities that exist at SJP). Both bids could be made today.
Then take it from there.
I’d play Edgar against Celtic - if ready - and maybe start with Troisi? Save our best players from more injuries if possible!
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
If we don’t sign a left-back I think I’ll cry. Seriously, this is the position that hindered us so much last season (Just ask Damien Duff) and if it isn’t sorted I’ll be a lot less hopeful of any improvement than I really expected to be at the start of the season.
Would like to see Luque get a run-out tonight at some point, maybe we’ll see an improvement of work-rate if he’s fully fit - although he hasn’t had as much training as most so I’m not expecting miracles.
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
What a depressing line up. I know its a kick about but still worrying with the season opener a few weeks away
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
I’m growing more pessimistic as the season approaches. Will we sign anyone else? You don’t become a billionaire without being tight, and Mr Ashley doesn’t need to launder any money (like some who won’t be mentioned!) so an influx of signings may not be imminent….
Whats clear is we desperately need more players.
As for tonight’s match, as long as no one gets injured the result doesn’t concern me too much.
Good luck to Celtic next season.
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Well we do have a small squad, but due to injuries and impending transfers we haven’t listed Duff, Dyer, Barton, Taylor, Emre, Edgar.
I just read that players like Ameobi might not be risked tonight.
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Good luck lads for the coming season. I’m sure The Toon will make great progress under big Sam. I support the Celts but have always had a soft spot for Newcastle FC.
Best wishes to the Black & Whites from the Green & Whites!
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 10:36 am
I’d be happy with the following three signings:
One left back - Shorey would do me.
One older center back - Hypia would be a decent backup for a couple of years while our youngsters develop or we get into Europe again, to sign long term quality.
Someone that can link midfield & attack who has vision - Gudjohnson would be perfect but probably out of reach at the moment.
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 10:34 am
52,000 Geordies turned out for the Shearer testimonial? I think there may have been a couple of Celtic fans there? Glad to see Shepherd has gone - maybe you guys can begin to flourish - watch out for Roy of the Meckems though! 3-1 to the Bhoys.
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 6:23 am
Ha Ha!
Any squad listed beside Celtics is going to look small. We have the opposite problem. 28+ players and we dont do squad rotation. Your welcome to Graveson if you want him. Take him and his wages away!
Good luck this year (starting after tonight!).
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 3:46 am
Newcastles squad has TEN fewer players than ours(Your site isnt listing Kenny Miller) ! Thats a big difference! We are tipped to be adding a few more players to our squad as well like…..
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 3:34 am
If we sign 3 quality defenders and two mf - if that were possible before the end of August - I think we’d have an ample squad. Also, it’s the first time for ages that we’ll have 5 good strikers in the squad. Sam should persuade Owen and Martins to re-sign revised contracts without clauses.
But, yes, right now we need serious bolstering. Not to the extent Dodds reckons though! He probably has virtually every extra topping on his pizza.
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 2:30 am
an untried central defender, a real/chelsea reject a once classy but on the way out striker and an adolecent under the threat of a jail sentence. My god do we realy think that were in a better position than last year. Ashley might be a billionaire but what passion has he for the game or club…..None! its a business, so all you loyal geordie fans be prepared for 10 more years (at least) of failure. The only thing different is that this guy won’t be caught out slagging the geordie public off, he’s to clever for that.
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 1:58 am
I am at a loss to how you think things are looking bright, we could sign 8 players that are good enough for europe tomorrow and I would still class us as having a very small squad, with Joey injured it’s clearly a sign of things to come and I am dreading this season as yet again I can see us suffering from injuries and the world’s smallest squad.
Am not one to want them to rush signings but they were talking about creating a revolution and to do that you need to make good signings, and if you dont you get sounded out of the transfer market like we have been, I mean hell we need at least 5 defenders & before window closes we will probably need 2 more strikers as well judging by release clauses for Martins and Owen along with Dyer wanting to go and there being little cover in CM as well, thing ain’t looking good.
Anyways good luck for coming season lads.
Sent in on: July 26th, 2007 at 12:07 am