Young Bhoys Patrik Twardzik, Callum McGregor, Joe Chalmers, Marcus Fraser and Paul George are all in the squad to play Rennes.
Hooper, Sammy, El Kad and Commons are out along with the others that have been out lately ie. Izzy, Brooney
Hope Lenny gives a few a run out, especially Paul George
---------- Post added 20/10/2011 at 08:53 PM ---------- Previous post was 19/10/2011 at 07:11 PM ----------
From the Celtic Website
20 October 2011
UEFA Europa League
Stade de la Route de Lorient
Att: 21,825
RENNES 1
(Cha 30)
CELTIC 1
(Ledley 70)
JOE Ledley’s second-half equaliser sealed a share of the points as Celtic came from behind to draw 1-1 with Renne in the third match of the UEFA Europa League.
A defensive mix-up 30 minutes in gifted the home side the lead after Cha Du Ri slid the ball into his own net, but a spirited and composed display brought the Hoops back into the match to pick up a well-deserved point.
Neil Lennon had made two changes to the side, bringing in Victor Wanyama and Glenn Loovens while Daniel Majstorovic dropped to the bench and Gary Hooper missed out through injury.
Ki Sung Yueng had the first chance, just seconds into the match, before Wanyama cleared the danger from the feet of Abdoulrazak Boukari at the opposite end.
And the Kenyan was there to block another attack on 15 minutes, this time Boukari had turned provider, back-heeling a crafty pass to Youssouf Hadji in the middle of the box.
Nine minutes later Celtic had a good opportunity to open the scoring when lone-striker Anthony Stokes skipped past Kader Mangane, but Rennes keeper, Benoit Costil, knocked it over the bar.
The Hoops were playing a good passing game, with their next attack coming almost immediately, this time with Ki driving a low effort just passed the near post.
But their efforts were squandered on 30 minutes by a piece of slack defending. Cha, the only outfield player in Celtic’s half, made a pass-back to Fraser Forster, but his touch went beyond the keeper and both could do nothing but watch as it agonisingly crawled over the line, gifting Rennes the lead.
And clearly boosted by the goal, the home side attacked three minutes later, with Alexander Tettey crossing the ball to Hadji. There was relief for Celtic, though, as the striker headed it over the bar.
Rennes went into the break with the goal advantage and almost went two ahead on 49 minutes. Tettey showed great strength inside the box but was eventually closed down by Loovens and Wanyama, with the Dutchman turning the ball away from his feet and clearing the danger.
Forster then blocked another chance for the home side, deflecting Chris Mavinga’s shot passed the post after Julien Feret had slid the ball into his feet at the edge of the box.
Substitute Jonathan Pitroipa posed an immediate threat, outpacing Adam Matthews and then setting up Hadji, but Rennes couldn’t find a second goal.
Stokes had another opportunity at the opposite end just after the hour mark, this time playing a one-two with Cha. With space inside the box he unleashed an effort but directed it straight at the keeper, who punched it clear.
Cha was involved again a minute later, forcing Costil to parry his shot away, only for it to fall at the feet of Ki. The midfielder couldn’t keep it on target, though, and powerfully hit it just over the crossbar.
Celtic were getting more of the ball as the second-half progressed and their hard-work paid off on 70 minutes when Ledley headed in the equaliser.
Captain for the evening, Charlie Mulgrew, swung in a free-kick from the right flank and the Welshman made a good connection, curling it past Costil and into the top corner of the net.
And five minutes later Mulgrew lined up another free-kick, this time more central and 30-yards from goal. He took it himself but despite the keeper missing it, it went beyond his left post.
Hadji had the chance to seal the victory for Rennes on 80 minutes with a spectacular overhead kick, but Forster pulled off a magnificent save to keep Celtic in the game.
Stokes showed great control in midfield keeping a hold of the ball before playing a one-two with Ki, but as he was played onside Magane slid in with a well-timed challenge to clear the ball from his feet.
Hadji almost struck a winner inside injury time, but again, Forster punched the ball clear for Celtic to seal a share of the points.
RENNES (4-1-3-1-2): Costil; Jebbour, Mangane, Kana-Biyik, Mavinga (Theophile-Catherine 76); Tettey; Pajot, Brahimi (Pitroipa 58), Feret; Boukari (Kembo-Ekoko 58), Hadji
Subs not used: Diallo, Dalmat, Montano, Doumbia
CELTIC (4-2-3-1): Forster; Matthews, Loovens, Mulgrew, Ledley; Kayal, Wanyama; Cha, Ki (Bangura 89), Forrest; Stokes
Subs not used: Zaluska, Majstorovic, Wilson, McCourt, George, McGregor
Website man of the match: Victor Wanyama
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Good result for the bhoys. Never saw the game so can't comment on the goals but heard Cha Du Ri's og was horrendous.
We didn't pick up any points from them in our first derby game last season either but we went onto dominate THEM in pretty much the rest of the derby matches. The 3-0 game ring a bell at all? The Scottish Cup quarter final replay job a memory cell as well?
)