After the frustrations of coming so close on Thursday night against Leverkusen and the overwhelming sadness of saying goodbye to a giant of a Celtic legend yesterday, it's back to Paradise tomorrow where 60,000 supporters will get one final chance to pay tribute to the Lisbon Lion, Mr Celtic Bertie Auld. Scott Brown will join Callum McGregor for the commemoration ahead of the game and Celtic have asked that everyone is seated ten minutes ahead of the 3pm kick-off.
The 3 points are essential and with less riding on the game against Real Betis - other than the chance to develop as a team - it perhaps allows the emphasis to be on the league and of course winning the cup final too, setting Ange on course for a debut season treble. Aberdeen were robbed of a victory at Ibrox by a few honest mistakes and they'll know that won't be a factor that Celtic can rely on tomorrow.
The players, back from an energy sapping night in Germany in the early hours of Friday morning, then gathered to pay their respects to Bertie so the tiredness could be a factor that will give Aberdeen further encouragement.
Yet the three points are absolutely vital. Expect a few changes to the starting eleven, perhaps Starfelt or Rogic or maybe both will be back. Bitton could be a doubt after his head-knock, a factor that possibly cost us the game the other night. Celtic need to find a way to win, get the three points and then let's look to a massive December when we can really motor through the gears and end up top of the league by the time the final whistle blows on 2 January.
Remember folks I'm heading round after the game to do the pos match media conference with Ange and a player. Immediately after the final whistle tomorrow can you drop into this thread any questions you'd like asked and I'll have a read while waiting for the gaffer to emerge. HH
Prediction Celtic 2 Aberdeen 0.
The 3 points are essential and with less riding on the game against Real Betis - other than the chance to develop as a team - it perhaps allows the emphasis to be on the league and of course winning the cup final too, setting Ange on course for a debut season treble. Aberdeen were robbed of a victory at Ibrox by a few honest mistakes and they'll know that won't be a factor that Celtic can rely on tomorrow.
The players, back from an energy sapping night in Germany in the early hours of Friday morning, then gathered to pay their respects to Bertie so the tiredness could be a factor that will give Aberdeen further encouragement.
Yet the three points are absolutely vital. Expect a few changes to the starting eleven, perhaps Starfelt or Rogic or maybe both will be back. Bitton could be a doubt after his head-knock, a factor that possibly cost us the game the other night. Celtic need to find a way to win, get the three points and then let's look to a massive December when we can really motor through the gears and end up top of the league by the time the final whistle blows on 2 January.
Remember folks I'm heading round after the game to do the pos match media conference with Ange and a player. Immediately after the final whistle tomorrow can you drop into this thread any questions you'd like asked and I'll have a read while waiting for the gaffer to emerge. HH
Prediction Celtic 2 Aberdeen 0.