Referee is....Willie Gollum!

 

Hopefully, the team have shaken off the disappointment of the weekend and get their act together again for a game that would effectively seal second spot.  Hearts are miserable this season and fortunate to be in the top six imo.  We really have nothing to fear there, but we just need to make sure we're focused and score a goal or two.

 

Was surprised this game wasn't on TV, but then noticed the media's darling's are away to a real team on the same day...

 

Out

Dying on a flight back from some place for a stag

curled up on the sofa

TBC

2-1 Dons, Rooney and Consi

Celtic's centre halves are big boys, trying to bash them about could play right into their hands. Why don't we get either Hayes or McGinn (or both) changing their runs and cutting inside at times to run at them and get them turned and running towards their own goal? No defenders want that. They'd be much more uncomfortable with that than a physical battle which they'd likely win anyway.

Celtic's centre halves are big boys, trying to bash them about could play right into their hands. Why don't we get either Hayes or McGinn (or both) changing their runs and cutting inside at times to run at them and get them turned and running towards their own goal? No defenders want that. They'd be much more uncomfortable with that than a physical battle which they'd likely win anyway.

 

Ive mentioned something similar a few times.Why not even trial playing without a recognised striker like Rooney or Stockley.It would force Hayes,McGinn,Christie etc to cut out aimless punts into the middle,and encourage better movement,while making our attacks quicker at the same time.All 3 are capable of end product

They need to try something different in the final.

 

The thought of Rooney playing a lonely furrow up front with little service and a total anon passenger in the game gives me nightmares about leaving at 3-0 down after 57 minutes again.

Ive mentioned something similar a few times.Why not even trial playing without a recognised striker like Rooney or Stockley.It would force Hayes,McGinn,Christie etc to cut out aimless punts into the middle,and encourage better movement,while making our attacks quicker at the same time.All 3 are capable of end product

 

Did we not try that with Storey earlier in the season? Obviously that's a world away from Hayes or McGinn mind, one which I wouldn't be against.

Did we not try that with Storey earlier in the season? Obviously that's a world away from Hayes or McGinn mind, one which I wouldn't be against.

 

We played Burns up front against the Tims at Parkhead and it didn't really work that well. We also played Hayes up front for large spells against the Tims in the last cup final with Rooney out wide. Didn't work either as the key issue - regardless of who plays furthest forward - is first getting the ball and second support of the highest player on the park once they get on it.

 

That said, McGinn has played very high up the pitch in a lot of games this season (especially since the turn of the year) and very narrow giving us almost two up front for a lot of game time. This seemed to result in the most goals and the most chances. I just don't see how McInnes does that with then Tierney and Sinclair up against Logan on his own.

 

I'm starting to think that we just don't have the available resources to combat the Tims. Best option for me is to play McLean (or Pawlett if Jack isn't fit) really high up alongside Rooney and put real pressure right on their back line. There are mistakes in there definitely, they just need to be forced.

Agree with Rico.

 

Burns (also) played up front against them at Pittodrie with Rooney on the bench. It didn't even come close to working.

 

We've looked our best against Celtic when we play the likes of Pawlett running off the back of Brown because it forces Brown to sit a bit deeper and he'll also be turning towards his own goal most of the time, rather than us playing in front of him for long periods at a time.  I actually think Pawlett is a good option for that role because of how he draws players in and changes direction quickly, often getting the foul. If he gets past Brown, he is either drawing a CB out or potentially has a free run at the defence.

 

Would rather see McGinn or Hayes in that specific role than McLean too. But if Jack is fit, I can't see McInnes deviating from his tried and trusted.