Thread: Skippy and Fortune axed for Arsenal game??

TONY MOWBRAY is ready to make the biggest gamble of his fledgling Celtic career by dropping Scott McDonald and Marco-Antoine Fortune for tonight's Champions League clash with Arsenal.

Record Sport understands that instead of starting with what was considered his first-choice strike partnership, Mowbray will instead start Georgios Samaras with Aiden McGeady playing just behind.

Scott Brown is set to be brought back into the midfield along with Massimo Donati, Landry N'Guemo and Shaun Maloney.

And Dutchman Glenn Loovens is winning his battle to be fit to face the Premiership giants in the first leg and should take his place in the centre of defence despite taking a knock against Aberdeen at the weekend.

Mowbray's bold decision will stun Celtic fans who expected him to stick with his preferred 4-4-2 formation.

But the Englishman has clearly decided a change is needed to combat Arsene Wenger's side who thrashed Everton 6-1on Saturday.

The axeing of McDonald, who has scored two goals in three games under the new manager, will be particularly surprising to Celtic supporters.

But most would welcome the in-form McGeady being handed a freer role where he has excelled in the past.

Mowbray has warned Arsenal Celtic will not be starstruck intonight'sBattle of Britain clash and insisted: "If we can beat Manchester United we can beat you too."

AndtheParkheadmanager hinted he might be ready to spring some major tactical surprises on Wenger.

ButMowbraybristled at the suggestion from an English reporter that his players might be in awe of the likes of Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas and Robin van Persie when the teams collide at Celtic Park.

And he pointed to his side's recent Euro run-ins with English champions United as proof that Celtic won't be running scared of Wenger's all-stars.

Gordon Strachan's side stunned United in Glasgow three years ago when Shunsuke Nakamura's freekick clinched a 1-0 victory.

And last season McDonald's goal took Strachan's men to within six minutes of a second victory over Fergie's side, before RyanGiggs' late leveller.

Mowbray said: "If you've been there, seen it and done it, it's very important and some of our players have that experience in their lockers.

"I hope the players we have who have played in the big games - like beating Manchester United - can draw on that experience and bring it into thisgame.

"Let's not portray our team as being a group of poor little boys who are looking up in awe. We have played against Barcelona, ManchesterUnited and AC Milan and had pretty goodresults.

"So Arsenal? While we respect them, we have earned the right not to fear them."

And Mowbray insisted he will stick to his total football principles even though Arsenal are one of the most slick and stylish passing sides in Europe.

He said: "Is there anything we can do to bully them? No. That's not in my philosophies."

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/footbal...6908-21604800/

My only problem is who plays out wide right now that Aiden has been given a free role?

Brown?

To me that is a waste.

If we are going with one up top, it can’t be Skippy, he is the worst person to play in that formation.

Because Fortune is a big lad, I would have given that role to him, Arsenal struggle with guys like Cousin, so I thought Fortune would have been ideal.

So what play Sammy upfront himself in the hope that he does n,t make a cunt of it and scores then plan B?


Sounds like a plan just hope Sammy has n,t got his crazy eye's on tonight

What a stupid fucking idea. :confused:

Mind-games methinks.

Bastard, had McDonald on a bet.