The Celtic Star writers have delivered their verdict for tomorrow’s Premier Sports League Cup final against St Mirren at Hampden Park…
After suffering consecutive home losses to Hearts and Roma, the Celtic boss will be aiming to mark the occasion by claiming both his first victory and his first piece of silverware for the club.
However, it will not be easy for the reigning League Cup holders. St Mirren will provide stern opposition like they have done in the two occasions the sides have met at both Celtic Park and in Paisley only a few weeks ago.
So, here is what The Celtic Star writers think will happen in tomorrow’s big match at the National Stadium…
Matthew Marr: St Mirren 1-3 Celtic
When Spanish explorer Hernan Cortez arrived in the Americas, he ordered the burning of his ships. This was to encourage his crew to make the best of their new lives, without the easy ability to return to Spain. Fellow explorer Christopher Colombus did not do the same. But former Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy may have to try something similar to inspire his new squad. Some people say the League Cup is of limited importance.
But for Nancy, this could now be one of his biggest ever games. Win and the good ship Celtic will hopefully start to steady after recent troubled waters. Silverware can galvanise even a rusting ship. But lose and a fate similar to the Titanic awaits. It would not be the end but would pile enormous pressure on Nancy. Over the years, numerous ships have shared the name ‘Celtic’. Hopefully a win on Sunday means it’s easy sailing from now on for Celtic’s new management team.
Eddie Murray: St Mirren 1-3 Celtic
Celtic will be desperate to put the Hearts and Roma results firmly into the background on Sunday. They will embrace the occasion and bring home the first available trophy of the season. 3-1 Celtic and the fans will ‘Wilf’ down the champagne.
Conall McGinty: St Mirren 0-1 Celtic
Can imagine my nails will be non-existent by the time this nerve jangling cup final comes to an end. Predicting it won’t be one for the football purists as for both teams winning the cup is all that matters. I think Celtic will control the game but struggle to create many chances. Can see Kelechi Iheanacho getting our goal before we end up hanging on at the end with our nerves absolute shot by full time. Nancy needs this win and winning, no matter how it’s achieved, is all that really matters here. Bring it home Wilf!
Liam Kelly: St Mirren 0-1 Celtic (AET)
Another game when, bar odd flashes , we look devoid of ideas in attack. A tense game with nerves and frustration on and off the pitch. The superior players that we have will just about see us through and that avoids immense toxicity.
Conor Spence: St Mirren 0-2 Celtic
The last final at Hampden Park ended in tears for Callum McGregor and his teammates, but I think it will be tears of joy for Wilfried Nancy’s side this weekend. The Frenchman badly needs a win. Football can be a funny old game, but a first trophy of the season may turn confidence and momentum again. A lot is on the line, but Celtic will complete the job against a well-organised St Mirren team who will make life difficult.
David Faulds: St Mirren 1-2
Third time lucky for Wilfried Nancy after his difficult start made tougher than it needed to be by the world class decision making of his bosses. Thrown in at the deep end, while still jet-lagged, implementing a new system after one coaching session and failing to start with the players Martin O’Neill had figured out were the best to get results. Start with the team that won in Rotterdam would have been a start but instead those that the experienced O’Neill quickly sussed out were back and so were the bad results.
Yesterday Nancy gave us some grounds for optimism with his comments about rotating the squad and learning from the two defeats. Hopefully we’ll see that in the team selection. St Mirren will sit in and look to exploit Celtic’s defence in the current chaos. They also have had more than a week to prepare for this final while Celtic has had two gruelling matches against Hearts and Roma. However glass half full as always so Celtic to get Nancy’s first win, roared on by the massive Celtic support at Hampden.
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Still believe in getting the starting line-up correct, and the result will take care of itself?
That still applies to ourselves, especially in Scottish football imo?
Despite the last 2 defeats, there has also been many huge chances created, that haven’t been converted.
So getting the first goal tomorrow is huge for ourselves, and hopefully confidence grows with renewed belief installed into our playing style?
Nancy has already used the best part of the squad available to himself, yet don’t believe that our strongest available starting line-up has been used yet, within the system of play he’s looking to introduce either imo?
Even at that, what actually would be our strongest line-up to start tomorrow?
Personally think Murray coming into the back 3, would strengthen ourselves against the long ball and set plays that we are going to have to contend with tomorrow imo?
Either Paulo or Engels to partner calmac? Paulo would be my preferred choice, but still not convinced that his heart is within our club any longer?
Tierney, Maeda and Yang for the wing back roles, so 2 from 3 to start. Personally Tierney and Maeda would be my first choice?
Still think Hatate is better used for ourselves, further up the field, than sitting deeper. Would opt for Engels or McCowan sitting behind kelchi leading the line?
Even at that, there are still options available from the bench, that shouldn’t effect our shape, for the game tomorrow?
Overall, still expect ourselves to have far more possession tomorrow. If we can convert the chances at a better rate, than we have done to date this season, then a comfortable enough victory can and will be achieved imo?
Will have to be a far bigger improvement upon individual duels, especially if the man to man marking approach is applied against ourselves?
Regardless
Celtic 3 nil victory
ST Mirren will they played to win the cup or play hoping Celtic loss it that means Robinson send his team out to park the bus hoping for a set piece goal or hold out for penalties or go at Celtic as there are a wounded animal id say go out hope Celtic lose it just like Scottish cup Celtic as a club have to let there supporters more info supporters some but media are concentrating on them since anurchists have showing there faces not alot but they make sure there flags political close to couple of sack the board plackards its the club they support and always will its a fall out with the board most clubs have but its the politcal flags thats nothing to do with Celtic im sure the fans were duped into thinking they were protesting against the blockade we as a club are proud to say a club for all buy what these anurchist have ruined thats stopped when fans relise they were duped but there is still some flags and its not the verge they try and get one of those flags into a photoshot and every one seeing it beleives it curve ir greebrigade cause greenbrigade dont take up the whole standing area thats why celtic built a standing area for supporters that want to stand and support there team but media have made out the standing area the ultra and greenbrigade zone its not and never has been we will see how it works out next season i hope Celtic keep it and other clubs follow Celtic might be some supporters that get season tickets for the area might have second thought or have a meeting with those who occupy area and sak if this area is going to be used by cektic supporters or like the start of this season anurchists used it for the large media that follows Celtic more seen at Celtic park than outside our city chambers im sure supporters dont want barred it hurts Celtic as we missed them when true supporters cheer Celtic players on dont need these thing attached to our great support we just want whats good for Celtic if you want something else go leave Celtic to Celtic minded people