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Monday, 2nd November 2009 Change Date Latest Issue

Caldwell prefers to pitch in on Celtic rather than Fir Park woe

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Published Date: 21 February 2009
GARY CALDWELL will disregard the well-documented problems of the Fir Park pitch to help Celtic try and find their form against Motherwell in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League tomorrow.
With only one win in their last five SPL games, the champions' lead over Rangers at the top of the table has been cut to two points.

The heavily-sanded Fir Park surface could lead to another afternoon of struggle for the visitors, but the Celtic d
efender believes it is simply another test for Gordon Strachan's side.

"It's always tough at Fir Park," said the former Hibs star. "Motherwell like to get the ball forward and put you under pressure physically. We also have to handle the pitch, which has been a problem.

"Sunday is one of the occasions when we need to be professional and do a job on a surface that isn't great."

Caldwell has yet to discover whether the circumstances will dictate a new gameplan.

"I don't know if we'll play a different style," he admitted.

"All I know is that we'll carry out the manager's instructions.

"I think we just need the confidence to know that we can go and win tough away matches like this. We need to string a few results together.

"A season has many ups and downs. Over the last few weeks, we've hit a sticky bit of form – but the first half against Rangers last week was a bit better.

"We want to build on that and hit a bit of form. By doing that, we hope we can win more football matches and have a chance of winning the title."





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  • Last Updated: 21 February 2009 10:27 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Motherwell FC
 
1

Shape to Shoot,

21/02/2009 12:50:08
Hurrah for the hootsman opening a Celtic thread...although how long it will last before the creepy crawlies get wind of it remains to be seen.

I liked the sound of Strachan at his friday conference yesterday. He was very upbeat about the way the players have been in training this week, and in the past such comments have proved a prelude to a good performance. The poor surface will suit the homeside more than us, but we have players - hartley, brown - who are ideal for these kind of contests. Robson is yir man for a game like this but alas will be out for a few weeks.

Returning from injury is an excuse which is wearing a bit thin for Big Jan and we really need to get a performance out of him on Sunday. He's done nothing since coming back, often resembling a giraffe on roller skates. He's had enough time to regain fitness IMHO.

Doubtless the threadbears will collect all three points today, and The Champions will need to win so as to preserve their position as the league leaders.

Motherwell will no doubt be at their combative best and the bhoys will need to win the physical battles to be sure of the three points.
2

WellFan,

US 21/02/2009 13:26:59
The poor surface will not "suit the home team" more than Celtic. McGhee has our team playing on the deck and even our captain is on record saying we prefer to play away from home while Fir Park is in such a state.
3

Daillyman,

21/02/2009 17:41:17
I wonder if McGhee will give his team the inspirational talk before he meets his mates side tomorrow.

He always seems to get them up to the task of facing the Gers.

Best of luck "Well"
4

BEMUSED EXILE,

Smilin' from the summit... 21/02/2009 18:38:33
Rather pedestrian match by all accounts, but sometimes in the SPL it really is only the three points that really matter. It's a nice feeling to see the 'Gers sitting at the top of the pile again, and I wouldn't put it past Motherwell to hold Celtic to a draw tomorrow and allow us to extend our stay in first place. I certainly had real doubts as to whether Rangers could ever realistically hope to look down upon Celtic again this season when we found ourselves seven points adrift, but we've clawed it back to our credit while Celtic have been slipping, we've gone to CP and earned a deserved draw, and now we've taken full advantage of playing first to put a little pressure on them. The SPL title race really does look like a true 50-50 now.

It was also nice to learn that our talented Under-19 team, who have won the League and Cup double in each of the last two seasons, have also today regained what is fast becoming their rightful place at the top of the SPL Youth League, as they pursue what would surely be an unprecedented "3 doubles in a row", an achievement that would surely underline the recent confident claims emanating from Murray Park about the exceptional quality of the current batch of RFC teenagers.

The future's bright.

 

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