Should Neil Lennon start with Daryl Murphy for Wednesday’s match with Hearts at Tynecastle?
The former Sunderland man put in an impressive performance in the 2-0 win over Kilmarnock complete with his Rab C Nesbitt bandage which could well be available from the Celtic Megastore before the season ends.
Murphy had a hand in both goals today and was certainly a handful for the Kilmarnock defence.
After spending most of the season watching Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes from the stand or subs bench Murphy is the freshest forward at the club.
Hooper and Stokes have been showing signs of wear and tear recently with the former Scunthorpe striker failing to recapture his form since Madjid Bougherra raked his studs down his calf during Celtic’s 1-0 Scottish Cup replay win over Rangers at the start of March.
Tynecastle on Wednesday night is going to be an evening of blood and snotters as Tommy Burns once memorably gave an alternative description to a ‘good old fashined cup-tie’.
The pressures and tensions normally present when Celtic visit Gorgie will be notched up a level or three with the locals desperate to bury Neil Lennon’s title challenge regardless of how Tuesday’s Dundee United-Rangers match goes.
While not sacrificing the style of play that has become Celtic’s hallmark this season a more direct approach will be called for on Wednesday.
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Stokes and Georgios Samaras will be available again after suspension but after the relative success of Murphy and Hooper today I think Lennon will opt for the same combination to start against Hearts.
Murphy won a lot of headers that provided the ball to Hooper and Kris Commons who combined well together and threatened the Killie defence.
Midfield will be the main battleground with Ian Black bound to be heavily involved- he usually is.
In his last three team selections Lennon has gone with two central midfielders flanked by wide men such as Jamie Forrest, Kris Commons or Shaun Maloney
Against Hearts a more solid midfield will be required selecting just one wide player. Drafting in Efrain Juarez or Charlie Mulgrew must be tempting for Lennon with Tynecastle not reknowned for providing the space for players like Maloney or Forrest.
With the back four almost picking itself I’d like to suggest this team to get the points at Tynecastle to take the title race to the final day is
Forster; Wilson, Majstorovic, Rogne, Izaguirre; Mulgrew, Commons, Ki, Brown; Murphy, Hooper
Select your midfield and strikers below and feel free to add your comments and thoughts.
WILL NEIL LENNON TURN TO YOUTH AT KILMARNOCK?
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I’ve got a feeling Lennon might go with Stokes and Murphy up front.
Hooper looks a bit sluggish in recent weeks, definitely not as sharp as usual, let him know he’s not guaranteed a place and if it needs changing he can always bring him on.
Rarely have I heard or seen a Celtic player being given as many pelters or stick as big DM got earlier in the season but, credit where it is due, I think he has done really well in his last few outings against St Johnstone, Killie yesterday and who can forget his Messi-esque goal against United?
He hardly lost a header at all in the last few games and certainly deserves his chance, especially in a good-old ‘blood and snotters’ such as we’ll get against the Jammed Farts of Midlothian.
Go on big yin, prove the doubters far wrong!
Is Izzy going to be OK for this game?
Murphy deserves the chance but not sure who should play with him, think it might be Stokes. I’m sure he’ll keep Brown in centre mid, if only because him and Ki have now had a game there together. Right mid is the interesting position in that case, I think Juarez has the energy levels but match fitness could be a problem. Just think Maloney and Forrest might be a bit light.
Mon the Hoops!