Tag Archives: Celts

Celts in for tough tests

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Both the Republic of Ireland and Scotland return to international action on Saturday with a couple of tough friendly matches.

For the Irish they face Bosnia-Herzegovina in their last home game before they turn their attention to the serious business of Euro 2012. Elsewhere, the Scots have no major tournament to prepare for but they will be keen to get a result across the Atlantic against the United States.

Republic of Ireland v Bosnia-Herzegovina – 3pm

There is bound to be a jovial atmosphere inside the Aviva Stadium on Saturday as Irish supporters look for their team to continue their Euro 2012 preparations with a win.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni has done a fantastic job with what is predominantly an ageing Irish team to get them to Euro 2012. However, if Ireland are to make it out of Group C, with Italy, Spain and Croatia all in their way, they will have to up their game.

The clash with  Bosnia-Herzegovina is a good test of what this Ireland squad is capable of, with the Balkan nation narrowly missing out on a place in Poland and Ukraine this summer after a play-off defeat to Portugal.

Coach Safet Susic has a few talented players at his disposal, with Edin Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic, Senad Lulic and Zvjezdan Misimovic all expected to start on Saturday.

Having just failed to reach the European Championships you’d expect Bosnia-Herzegovina to give a good account of themselves, even after a long, hard season. With Trapattoni naturally cautious the game is unlikely to be an open one, especially given all of Ireland’s injury concerns in defence.

Kieren Westwood will start in goal ahead of Shay Given as he recovers from a knee injury. Paul McShane has been called up to the squad because the central defensive trio of John O’Shea, Richard Dunne and Sean St Ledger are all unavailable.

In attack, Trapattoni has a big decision to make when it comes to who should partner Robbie Keane (11/10 to score anytime), with Shane Long (3/2), Jon Walters (7/4), Kevin Doyle (13/8) and Simon Cox (15/8) all in the reckoning.

Despite having something to play for and home advantage Saturday’s game could be something of an anti-climax, with a draw the most likely outcome.

The draw is 9/4, with Ireland evens and Bosnia-Herzegovina 3/1.

USA v Scotland – 1am

Even the most hardy of Scotland fans might give this game a miss given the kick-off time here as Craig Levein takes his team to Florida for this ’soccer’ match. You might be forgiven for thinking this is just a jolly for the Scottish players and if they treat it like that then they’ll be turned over by a strong USA team.

Levein has taken a weakened squad to Jacksonville for the clash, with Jamie Mackie, Kris Commons, Darren Fletcher, Steven Naisimth, James Morrison, Graham Dorrans and Charlie Adam all left at home. The uncapped duo of Blackpool winger Matt Phillips and Dundee United striker Johnny Russell have been called up to fill the void but are unlikely to feature against the States.

Despite failing to reach Euro 2012 Levein can be happy with the progress he has made in the national set-up, losing just one of his seven games in charge and that was against Spain. However, the USA have a strong squad and under current coach Jurgen Klinsmann recorded their most famous result to date when they beat Italy 1-0 in Genoa in February.

The States team boasts a number of familiar names, with Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Maurice Edu and Tim Howard all expected to feature against the Scots. Given the season Dempsey has had at Fulham he could be a good bet to score anytime at 11/8, or you could place him a scorecast with Dempsey first goalscorer and the USA to win 1-0 priced at 20/1.

The States have won the last four, three of which finished 1-0, and will be expected to roll over the Scots. A USA win is 8/13, with Scotland 9/2 and the draw 11/4.

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Celts face tough opposition

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England’s friendly with the Netherlands on Wednesday may have been called off but Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland are all in action – and all three face some difficult opponents.

The Premier League clubs may be angered by an international fixture list so close to the start of the season but for the fans, and of course punters, it will surely whet the appetite for the new campaign.

Wales face Australia at the Cardiff City Stadium in what should prove a huge test for Gary Speed’s side.  The Socceroos are 23rd in the Fifa world rankings table, while Wales are 112th in the table but it should be a tighter affair than the rankings system suggests.

Former Sheffield United boss Speed will be able to call on Spurs wideman Gareth Bale for the first time since taking charge of the national side.

The Spurs schemer has missed the first four games of Speed’s tenure through injury but is now fully fit and is expected to be included in the starting line-up.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will captain the side, while Craig Bellamy should also be included in the starting XI and Australia coach Holger Osieck admits he expects a tough test in Cardiff.

“I rate Wales pretty highly,” explained Osieck.

“Knowing some of the individual quality. If you look at Aaron Ramsey, Gareth Bale, Craig Bellamy, Robert Earnshaw, they are top-class players and the rest are not bad either.

“We are facing a very strong team.”

Wales are 2/1 to beat Australia, who have Premier League stars Mark Schwarzer and Tim Cahill in their ranks, the visitors are the 11/8 favourites and the draw is priced at 9/4.

Scotland face Denmark at Hampden Park and boss Craig Levein has been left without regulars Darren Fletcher, James McFadden and Craig Gordon.

However, Liverpool new boy Charlie Adam and Blackburn summer recruit David Goodwillie have been included in the squad and will be keen to cause Denmark problems in Glasgow.

Scotland are 9/4 to take all three points, the draw is 9/5 and Denmark are the 6/4 favourites to seal an away victory.

Adam is the most likely candidate to take the Scots’ set-pieces and the mercurial midfielder does have a knack of hitting the target in dead-ball situations, as he did on the final day of the season for Blackpool under extreme pressure at Old Trafford.

Adam is 9/1 to open the scoring at Hampden and 5/2 to score at any time.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland host Croatia at the Aviva Stadium and the Italian tactician has seen his side heavily hit by injuries.

Jon Walters, Marc Wilson, James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman and Kevin Doyle have all been ruled out through injury, but West Brom new boy Shane Long is fit and will replace Doyle in the starting line up.

Croatia are 6/4 to win the fixture, while the hosts are 7/4 and the draw is priced at 23/10.

Wales and Scotland have both been drawn in qualifying Group A ahead of the 2014 World Cup and the duo will be treating their respective matches on Wednesday as warm-up fixtures ahead of the qualifying campaign.

Speed and Levein will also be keeping an eye on events in Dublin as Croatia are the top seed in Group A, while Serbia, Belgium and Macedonia complete the group.

Wales are priced at 66/1 to emerge top of the pile in Group A, Scotland are 14/1 and Belgium are the 15/8 favourites to secure top spot and book a place in the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

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Battered Celts set for battle

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Wednesday night throws up a traditional Celtic clash as Wales and Scotland go head-to head in the Carling Nations Cup in what should be an open and exciting contest (Wales 23/10, draw 23/10, Scotland 6/5 – match prices).

But after a long hard season for many players, there are a number of causalities who will not be able to take the field at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley is a doubt for the Scots after he took a knock on the hip whilst playing for the Black Cats in their 3-0 victory over West Ham United last weekend.

The 25-year-old has only earned three caps for the Scots but has become a key member of the defence under manager Craig Levein because of his attacking and defensive abilities.

Scotland will be hoping the full-back will feature in the starting XI, although there will be no hope for attacking threats Kris Commons and Craig Mickail-Smith.

Commons has been ruled out of this game with tight hamstrings and is also a doubt for Scotland’s game against  Republic of Ireland on Sunday.

The former Derby star has been a revelation since he moved north of the border with Celtic and has developed into a key player for the national side.

As for Mickail-Smith he will be absent due to his club side Peterborough reaching the play-off final to face Huddersfield on Sunday.

Scotland will be relying on the likes of Rangers striker Steven Naismith, Bursaspor’s Kenny Miller (5/1 to be first goalscorer) and Leeds United’s Ross McCormack for their goals.

The Scots have a number of talented players coming onto the international stage in the midfield with Charlie Adam, Barry Bannan and James Morrison, although the tireless skipper Darren Fletcher will be with Manchester United ahead of their Champions League clash this weekend.

As for Wales they have named Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw as their captain for Wednesday’s game.

The talented goalscorer takes the armband from Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey who is one of a number of Premier League players being rested by Gary Speed for the game.

Wales have injury problems of their own, as Aston Villa defender James Collins and Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley are both sidelined.

Experienced international Craig Bellamy is also unlikely to feature, which leaves Wales lacking some firepower upfront.

As well as having the responsibility of the captaincy, Earnshaw (7/1 – first goalscorer) will have to have one of his best games at this level if Wales are to get anything out of this clash.

Speed’s side were comfortably beaten in the opening game of the Nations Cup 3-0 by Republic of Ireland and it would not be surprising to see a similar scoreline against the Scots, who have a bit more quality in key areas of the field.

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