News
BARRY'S THE BHOY
By Trialist
Gordon Strachan has provided the strongest indication yet that Barry Robson and Paul Hartley will be Celtic's central midfield partnership against the Huns in Sunday's all-important League match at Celtic Park.
The experienced duo combined superbly well in Celtic's recent 4-1 pumping of Motherwell at Fir Park and then in the Hoops' 2-1 humping of the Huns ten days ago.
But Paul Hartley's hamstring injury resulted in the partnership being split up for Celtic's 1-0 win over Aberdeen, when Barry Robson was partnered with Massimo Donati.
However, now that Paul Hartley has resumed first-team training and is available for Sunday's crucial derby, Gordon Strachan has strongly suggested the Barry Robson and Paul Hartley partnership will feature, despite Scott Brown's availability after his three-match suspension.
Gordon Strachan said: “Barry and Paul have done well. Their energy at this time of the season has been good. So that is something I need to think about.”
Gordon Strachan continued: “We're happy with Barry but he is never happy with himself. He always wants to do better. He always beats himself up if one pass goes astray. He is so intense about getting better that we need to pull him back sometimes. However, we like that enthusiasm.”
Gordon Strachan added: “I'm not telling anyone to be physical. We will just try to play the game we think we can win. That's all we try to do.”
The Celtic Manager has admitted what everyone in Timdom knows: Celtic must beat the Huns on Sunday at Celtic Park and then win our three remaining SPL fixtures against Motherwell (A), Hibs (H) and Dundee United (A) if we are to have any chance of winning the League.
A victory for Celtic on Sunday would propel the Hoops five points ahead of the Huns, who then have six League fixtures remaining, four of which are away from home amidst their self-inflicted fixture congestion.
Therefore, Celtic require snookers from other teams against the Huns, but first things first and Gordon Strachan would not be adverse to Sunday's derby being an old fashioned battle.
Gordon Strachan said: “When I first came here three years ago, it did seem the game was more sanitised. They have now become more retro and gone back to the 1980s. There are more local lads playing now and that has added tension.”
Gordon Strachan continued: “You always find people happy with the sanitisation of the game. Then there are others who go the other way and want more violence. There is always someone complaining about something.”
Strachan added: “A win would keep the League going for another week or so. That's all we can do.”
Hump ‘em, Celtic. Hump the cheats.
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