Notwithstanding we had four strikers isolating and that under most circumstances, four strikers would be sufficient, the games against Hibs and Livingston highlighted a long-term problem. Celtic have been able to produce wingers, defenders and midfielders who have become first choice starters in the first team, but we are unable to produce a striker.
In the last 20 years, Craig Beattie is arguably our most successful striker-graduate from the youth system (gulp), and he moved on having scored 13 goals for the club, the kind of return Leigh Griffiths may have hoped for in a month, a few years back.
Gerry Creaney made his debut 31 years ago and spent a couple of seasons as a regular starter, before eventually playing Premier League football for Manchester City (it was a different world back then, kids), but Gerry was nowhere near a top performer at the club.
It is now over 40 years since the last iconic striker, Charlie Nicholas, came through the youth system to electrify Celtic Park for three seasons. He returned for a five-year spell later, when he largely stood on the same spot every 90 minutes, before working out some deep therapeutic issues as a media pundit in later years.
40 years and we were unable to produce a striker with the talent of Leigh Griffiths, despite many changes in coaches, systems and first team budgets? This sounds unlikely. I suspect the opportunities afforded to the young Leigh at Livingston were denied to hundreds of Celtic youth strikers.
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BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 18TH JANUARY 2021 1:16 PM
Of the 3 you mention , MacGregor is an interesting anomaly . Off he went to Notts county and came back a new player .
Normally when our young projects are loaned out , it’s the football equivalent of the Bermuda triangle , where they disappear for ever .
Dear oh Dear.
We just cannot catch a break what with shite management, covid, Bolingoli, no strikers up front, shite management, 1 striker up front, shite management of squad, Dubai, shite management of covid bubbles, blind faith at (board level), unwillingness to act or do our scenario planning for future/current managers role (shite management at board level).
I wonder why we are in a mess?
Anyway surely the only way is up.
D :)
FIELDOFDRAMS on 18TH JANUARY 2021 1:38 PM
‘I heard it was Lennon that’s the positive case – could be just scuttlebutt.’
###
Don’t think he’d be doing press conferences if he had tested positive.
BIG GEORGES FAN CLUB – HAIL, HAIL, WEE OSCAR on 18TH JANUARY 2021 12:38 PM
And An Tearmann
Eddie Howe is definitely in the frame for the Manager’s position at Celtic, it is all I can say. However, do not take it to the bank he will be.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
We’ve got another positive Covid case at the club. Let’s trust that the social distancing measures have been more thoroughly applied since the Dubarse up.
Meantime, I gather Lenny, from from his 10 day isolation, has been taking PR lessons from Ali Hassan Abd al-Majid.
Unless we do something to get our young players playing in a proper league, there won’t be much coming through in any position.
Now another Celtic player tests positive:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55708291
Let us hope for a quick and full recovery. He has been in isolation so hopefully this does not affect others.
Neil’s Presser
GLENDALYS
Extending the striker tab Aiden McGeady for sure, and to a lesser degree Shaun Maloney.
Charlie Nicholas didn’t have a much success at the Arsenal, maybe that’s why he’s so full of chips?
Has someone dubbed that press conference, if not he’s living on a different planet
GLENDALYSTONSILS on 18TH JANUARY 2021 1:56 PM
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 18TH JANUARY 2021 1:16 PM
Of the 3 you mention , MacGregor is an interesting anomaly . Off he went to Notts county and came back a new player .
Normally when our young projects are loaned out , it’s the football equivalent of the Bermuda triangle , where they disappear for ever .
———
Was thinking on Saturday that we have our own developmental black hole. Anthony Ralston – I watched him make his debut in Perth, some years ago. Looked physically stronger and more assured than KT had at the corresponding point in his career.
Slowly…..very slowly….fast forward to last weekend, and I watched with despair at how he seemed to have regressed.
As for producing no strikers, I watched a team, made up in no small part by experienced professionals, letting the ball bounce in defence like frightened U-12s
HH jg
Just seen part of Neil Lennons press conference.Jeezo didnt miss.Looks under the weather tho.
Re press conference today.
First time I’ve seen him so animated.
Not after the European debacles, not after the Sevco games, not after the Ross County Humiliation.
Priorities?
LENNYBHOY on 18TH JANUARY 2021 1:59 PM
Some man – much appreciated.
And will heed the advice to avoid any financial institutions – would not be in the slightest bit surprised if it ends up as another ‘John McGinn’ moment.
I’m working – so, in light of the initial comments above, it is probably best that I save the Neil press conference until early evening.
HH
BGFC
Shut up and resign….
https://twitter.com/plzsoccer/status/1351164222978338826?s=24
!!BADA BING!! on 18TH JANUARY 2021 2:18 PM
Totally, he’s an embarrassment. Holding on for cash.
He’s unrepentant.
Some folk don’t like that about him.
Inability to accept when you are totally out of your depth….
Mad Mitch
Your idea of combining education with football for folk in emerging nations is a great one.
We can’t do everything, but bottom line is the current modus operandi isn’t working and a radical change is needed.
unwillingness to see that your actions are contributing to the destruction of the club. Legend? Aye right.
No way hes staying after that..hes gone..just when.
Ernie do you like the way he has handled this situation or our failure so far to get the 10.
Or his tactics/slash formations etc.
Yes we all feel sorry for the way he has been treated in Scotland and we admire Neil but its time to go do you not think so?
I take it with the unrepentant remark and saying people don’t like that you are excluding people from this blog or Celtic fans in general?
D :)
VFR / PHILBHOY
Agree 100%. Saves me writing up my own comment on the poorest leader I have read in a long time.
PAUL67
This leader reads like you are clearly hurting at the moment, like we all are, but to make a young and inexperienced, probably badly coached, and a thrown-in-at-the-deep-end young Oko-Flex the butt of your derision and anger is ill thought out and way below the standards we have come to expect of you. 🤔🤨. Come on Paul67, we all know you can do better…
Take Care, Keep Safe, God Bless and Hail Hail,
Yours in Celtic, 😊 🧣 🍀
TB&F. 😊
MM & TBB
Alan McInally was not developed by us- he was at Ayr United till he was 21- scored over 30 goals for them
I think Stevie Chalmers counts as Celtic developed. He had only played Junior for Ahfield before he came to us. I fwe are counting junior clubs we never developed Kenny Dalglish or Billy McNeill either
Devious directorship allows Neil Lennon free reign to keep his permanent position as public enemy No. 1
I think every one of us appreciates the huge difficulties Neil Lennon has faced as Celtic manager and would thank him for his service to us over the years.
That does not prevent us from seeing and commenting on the harm he has done and is continuing to do this season.
His continuation in the job is in danger of tranishing anything he has done for Celtic in the past. Go now.
Take him home.
A complete embarrassment to himself and the name of the club.
Although given the public utterances of other club employees/bloggers, he probably thinks he’s on safe ground.
DAVID66 on 18TH JANUARY 2021 2:29 PM
He’s a Celtic fan, which is more than you can say about at least some of those who hired him and who will hire his replacement.
We are entitled to expect the very best manager and coaching team. Surely that’s a given?
Just thinkin about Lawwells interview..Is Lennon gettin the blame internally for trip..??
I’m sure Lennon will be the fall guy. Don’t expect Lawwell to protect anyone else than himself…
Dreew 1967
I agree – that sounded like a defiant GIRUY- I’m outta here- kind of speech.
It may not have been wise- the Scottish Govt. has a tendency to try to gain revenge on anyone who criticises them and so does the Scottish Media.
It might have ben a vain attempt to provoke a Null & Void outcome but I think it was just a howl of anguish at the situation he has had to face from Bolingoli through to Dubai
I expect he will be leaving soon and any who are inclined to do so, can hang out whatever coloured bunting they prefer
CCB @ 2.25
The higher education angle was an attempt to encourage talented youths from middle class backgrounds in the US to come to us.
The huge numbers of middle class children playing football / soccer in the US is a big resource that we should tap into — they currently do not all have opportunities locally so I think we should mine that seam of talent.
Some will want to come for a traditional youth career.
Others could be encouraged if we offered a bit of higher education on the side.
Bearsden Tech with its Harry Potter arches would be a great draw to get some talent over here.
Main thing is to try different stuff.
The all roads lead to St Ninians route is not working.
Great for East Dumbartonshire’s wannabe WAGS but not much else.
There are some posters who never take any joy from Celtic or reminisce about their favourite games and players. Their main contributions are to intervene when someone reminds us of the many infamous acts of the Ibrox club and its supporters in the media, to say – “Stop talking about them- We are wasting time that could be used for putting the boot into Celtic!”
This song is their mantra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naiLTLH5lj8
I actually worry for him now. It is (more) dereliction of the board to allow this man one more day to represent Glasgow Celtic FC. He needs an arm around him. But not as Celtic manager.
BSR
Charlie Nick and a few other ex Celts seem to have a gripe against us . Maybe if we had given them EBT’s and got them cushy jobs on BBC Sport they might be singing our praises instead .
Whilst I think he should be moved on, it’s about time we called out “hypocrites” in the media
So no complaints from me in this