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…
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Mike
Bmcuwp has my number so we can get sorted that way. I will text him now. Be nice to meet up have a beer or bite to eat
MIT
You were one of the first to welcome me to the blog. If in Glasgow I’d happily buy you a beer.
Tallybhoy, if you are lurking, etims has a very good article about the Italia CSC , based in Verona.
I read it a few minutes ago, their dedication to our team is incredible .
The heid honcho from the club states that Rubentus represents everything the new club playing out of Ibrox represents in Scotland. ( Obviously not the orange stuff) .
gutenberg
would be my pleasure.
fan-a-tic on 10th August 2017 10:18 pm
I think we are part of a clique :-))
HH
Wits
Surreal. Hilarious. Mildly squished for all those in the back (i.e. Not you and me!!!!)
Seriously smiley thing.
HH jamesgang
Celtic bracing themselves for £3m Southampton bid for Stuart Armstrong – Prem clubs keen
PUREPISHEPLUPPITYENTERPRISES.
Jamesgang
It was a bit like the THE James Gang in the great Northfield Minnesota raid when Frank rode back to rescue Jesse…except there were no horses or bank robberies gun shots etc
But THE jamesgang was there
Walter Mitty CSC
Goodnight Timland
remember we’re all in this together….
so play nice
HH
WITS – I Ann back home in Ireland in a couple of weeks and would like to take my lad to the Dubs v Tyrone game. Although from the six counties I live in Engerland now, will be neutral, not from Tyrone. Do you reckon it will be easy enough to get two tickets? Don’t care where I sit or stand!!! HH, CB
Dena
Goodnight
Ok boys shes gone. Get the whiskey out and the boxing gloves
Night night my Dote…..
Wits crack out the whisky!
HH jamesgang
Cambhoy
I will make a few enquiries and let you know.
Dublin games usually sell out. But if i can help I will
Cheers WITS. I am in a GAA club in England so am trying through them as well.
Cambhoy
I will post on here if any developments.
Almore is a big Dublin Gaa fan so he might help
VOGUEPUNTER
Is that jist fur his hair??
Looking for info on availability of tickets for Astansa next week.
Have son and daughter and American fiancee in Scotland and all desperate to go to game.
Any info welcome.
ChairBhoy
I wasn’t meaning prove the motivation or what drove them.
I just meant show they didn’t do their job. The evidence of such is what is missing from the Judicial Panel in spring 2012 and LNS a year later.
Then in a review consider the evidence of such of which there is plenty.
WITS
I will drop you MIT’s email address, top Bhoys :-)
MIT, will reciprocate with WITS contact
Hail Hail
Cowiebhoy
Thanks. Much appreciated
If we eventually get Paddy, for real or on loan, I’d be delighted.
However I think that we might need to be patient as it’s unlikely he will live up to our expectations straight off. I don’t think he would feature as a regular as his defensive contribution won’t suit every occasion.
He is though what we don’t have at the moment – a Lubo or Naka – and when he does feature, and is on song, he will raise the bar.
So, hopefully we’ll get something sorted.
fan a tic.
general sale. tickets available everywhere.
go for the print from home option, or collect from celtis park
https://www.eticketing.co.uk/celtic/details/event.aspx?itemref=8138
Gutenberg
In some ways paddy is a luxury player….but we can afford a luxury player (don’t mean financially)
He was born to play for Celtic
By the way I would love Armstrong to stay
WITS
Exactly what I mean. Luxury players make people want to watch football when they’re on their game and Paddy fits the bill.
Done, both should now have contacts :-)
Mike, when you hitting Bonnie Scotland ?
Meant to add, I also want Armstrong to stay. Even though he’s not Celtic-minded I think he’s at home here too and might get lost if he goes somewhere else.
lot of nonsense about paddy being a luxury player.
maybe started off at celtic park a little scared of the physical battle to tracking back and putting in a tackle.
but in the last few months of last season, i saw patrick run the length of the park side by side with the opposition, making a block or cutting the space, or nipping in and taking the ball away, getting in the road, and coming away with the ball.
sure it happened at ibrox and hampden.
the bhoy was encouraged by keiren,
and thats that
Saint Stivs
Differences of opinion are all good and none of us are 100% correct but even though I agree that he was more physical towards the end of the season that’s not his natural game.
He is much better used in a sort of roving role where his ability is put to better use.
Cowie
In Glasgow Weekend of sept 15
Would be great to catch up
Paddy is a luxury player.
Football is a luxury. The only thing that would starve and die if you didn’t attend is your soul – and PL’s heated driveway fund!!!
Give me luxury! Give me beautiful football played the Celtic way.
HH jamesgang
Stivs
Ok maybe luxury player is the wrong term to use.
No doubt he worked hard. Rodgers demands that.
Henrik Larsson was one of the hardest working players I ever saw. That’s why he was so good.
But paddy has a bit of magic about him.
Cowie
Nothing received by me yet
Paddy is an entertainer, i pay my money to get entertained, it takes all sorts to make a team.
WITS- Larsson probably the fittest player i’ve ever seen, he could work a back 4 on his own, trying to close them down.
Larsson was ‘awright’…..
just noticed, didnt score against the 2nd rangers. send him back.
patrick rodgers 17 goals for celtic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_KM6g3ZxzE
Jamesgang.
Halleoohua
Celtics minded
Fracky days
Braw
Bada
I remember a game (I think it was November 2002) Celtic were 4 nil up against Partick and late in the game Larsson chased back to his own corner flag to disposses a Partick player.
Great attitude.
But his movement across the front line sure kept defenders on their toes.
He could win a game without touching the ball.