As Brendan Rodgers mulls over additions to his coaching staff, one possibility, Kolo Toure, has taken a position with the Ivorian Olympic team.
Kolo’s role at the club in the early part of last season, when he steadied a shaky defence sufficiently to see us through the Champions League qualifiers, could be reprised this season. Due to injuries, we’re short in central defence, while running with only two strikers until January (at least) seems tight. A Kolo-type figure may help both positions.
Scratch deep enough, however, and it gets more complicated. Kolo did well at the start of last season but was soon erring consistently, before being retired by omission. This was someone playing at the top of the game the season before.
Bringing in another experienced addition to the squad to patch gaps in defence or attack works on paper when you look at Kolo’s early work, but there are significant downside risks. The match fitness of anyone out of contract right now is unlikely to make them suitable to undertake hugely important games in the coming weeks.
Then there is the question of attitude – Philippe Senderos once looked like a good idea, but Phil took a red card instead of jumping for a ball, when his team needed him most. The small matter of money also has to be considered: Kolo was paid a fortune for his time in Glasgow; straight from the football budget.
Opportunity cost is another issue. Kris Ajer will not see a great deal of first team action this season, but his development would be hampered more with a 35-year-old team-mate on £35k per week as first reserve. And surely we hope to promote a striker through the ranks?
The final issue to consider is what will happen to the squad in the final week of the month, if Champions League qualification is secured and the transfer window gets into full swing. We were scourged for so long by squad fillers.
Sign quality combatants, able to last a season in the first time and with years of development ahead. This is where strategy has to be.
Listen to the new CQN Podcast below…
SUMMER SALE, KENNY OF THE CELTIC ONLY £10 – WWW.CQNBOOKSTORE.COM
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Most common phrase to be said to police officers at CP by jungle patrons?
“Haw, ah canny see”
Last time I was buying food at CP the variety of the fare on offer was very good . It’s all relative mind ye. It’s not so good when measured against a quality restaurant, but very good when measured against a pie, dry spam roll served from a cardboard box and a kwenchy cup.
*mother not mothers
I only have one…
Wait… actually, I better go check the records…
Recently researched my mothers roots. Discovered her great great ( a few greats) grandfather was the owner of a lot of land in Aberdeenshire.
Most disappointed to find that he died one of the richest men in Scotland due to the wealth he accumulated by inventing the Crombie coat.
I say disappointed, only because his wealth didn’t filter its way to me, but more importantly, when I asked for a Crombie coat in the 70’s my maw couldn’t afford to buy me one.
Ridiculous. That’s like Bill Gates’ great great great grandson not being bought a PC due to money being tight.
lionroars67 on 11th August 2017 8:09 am
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cotswolds-village-residents-dna-tests-not-british-gloucestershire-bledington-western-european-a7886541.html
Villagers in the Cotswolds have expressed their shock after DNA tests revealed they were collectively less than 50 per cent British, despite the majority of them believing they had no foreign blood.
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Hmmm. That means they’ll have to look 50% of themselves up and down with suspicion when they walk into the local pub. Perhaps they’ll have to start saying “I ain’t be from round these parts”…
I’m also left wondering if my mothers roots being in Aberdeenshire explain the strange urges I get when out hill running and like to take shortcuts through sheep fields?
Which reminds me of the Rolling Stones classic hit:
Hey McLeod get off of my ewe.
twists n turns
Likewise my father has Aberdeenshire roots and is descended from a family that ran a prominent and, at one time, successful fish merchants in Fraserburgh. Likewise, none of the wealth has filtered down…
Anyhoo, regarding the football…
Griff to play for 60 mins again (if we are winning)?
Rogic or McGregor? I’d go for big Tam for this match.
I’d also play Armstrong – loves a goal agains the Jags…
TWISTS N TURNS on 11TH AUGUST 2017 9:36 AM
The Aberdonian lament .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ga9Bs4fzSY
Hells Bells in Soccer AM quit shocker….
Our family tree which was located down Memory lane was cut down by the Council years ago.
SEE if Real Madrid get their finger out and get their regional titles(pre 30’s)
Accepted as being the Real thing they would have 55 titles.
Right enough one of the regional titles has ASTERIK ( annulled)
Was always told by Barca fans Real are Spanish hvns.
Right enough i suppose a regional title without BARCA
is as hollow as a Scottish regional wartime one.
But zombies should be careful what they wish for…
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 11TH AUGUST 2017 9:18 AM
MacJay
I note that you were in boisterous mood during the night. Your challenge to Mags made me laugh. Indefatigable!
===============================================================
If that doesn`t bring him back , nothing will.
MY family i think were Lithuanian Sheep/castle rustlers hence why we ended
up in this $hit hole
: >)
theBHOYfromU.N.C.L.E on 11th August 2017 9:48 am
Our family tree which was located down Memory lane was cut down by the Council years ago.
———————————————————————————–
Och, life’s a birch…
;)
Another 40 plus Scorcher -way down south .
Pot 3 / Pot 4 .?.
Good chat with a Napoli Season Ticket Holder last night . He ‘s got a good dose of the Heebie Geebies re their CL qualification tie v Nizza . Why — Napoli are a much better team than Nizza but Napoli , being Napoli , are very likely to blow it . He is not alone in thinking that .No official sale of tickets for both ties to away supporters — a hooligan fest is feared .
This morning’s wake up sleepy head choon –
Gregory ” Cool Ruler ” Isaacs – Produced by the great -Niney The Observer – Vin Gordon Jnr on trombone -https://youtu.be/Kizs5JgdtsI
MACJAY
I fear CQN has seen the last of him. I’m hoping to have as swally wi him next month. I’ll see how persuasive I can be.
Something like…
“My round? Get back on CQN and you might get lucky(!)”
13/2 both teams to score, and the cabbage totties & ribs to win, the morra, best bet of the weekend, imo :))
https://youtu.be/Kizs5JgdtsI
DAVIDOPOULOS
I knew you’d larch onto that one!
BMCUWP
That’s why I’m so poplar around here…
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 11TH AUGUST 2017 8:26 AM
BIGJIMMY
Only one cure for a hangover. Get yersel tae The Tollbooth!
…………………….
Yer right BMCUWP.
I am hoping to meet up with one of the cqnrs, either in Tolbooth or Empire Bar around 5pm , and watch the Celts.
Hope you are okay mate.
HH
I need a wee lie doon metninks.
HH
Twists n Turns.
Classic, still got tears in my eyes from laughing.
Yabbadabbadoo!!!!! Tickets purchased for next Wednesday. Took 33 minutes but got there ok. Now just have to be nice to everyone for the next 4 days to get the time off. Here’s hoping….
https://johnjamessite.com/author/sitonfence/
My family tree is easy my granda n uncles drank in the big tree in Coatbridge HH
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 11TH AUGUST 2017 9:56 AM
I fear CQN has seen the last of him. I’m hoping to have as swally wi him next month. I’ll see how persuasive I can be.
=====================================================
Re. Mags.
That really would be a pity.
A very witty guy.
new article posted.
Bobby & MacJay
Re. Mags.
That really would be a pity.
A very witty guy.
***************
Not only very witty, but a fine intellect too…..as well as being a lucky charm. Goes out for a puff in O’Gilligan’s and Armstrong equalises. Now, that’s a talent.
Regarding my post yesterday re Musselburgh racing, any tips for today’s meeting Thanks. H H Hebcelt