You remember the days we used to bang on about Asset Management? The Martin O’Neill was glorious but that team left with barely a dowry. Great players were kept on ever-increasing wages, some until they could scarcely run the length of themselves. Tales of John Hartson’s bleep test live in the memory!
This was unquestionable folly. Celtic lost money each season under Martin (and Gordon Strachan), debt rose ever-higher, while the background noise was an incessant call to spend more money. The early days of CQN saw demands to show the kind of ambition Sir David Murray did at Rangers, or for Dermot Desmond to donate cash, by some who had confused Celtic’s charitable ethos with being a charity case.
A successful trading strategy is crucial for any club to achieve its potential. Keep them on wages you can afford and sell them to a wealthier market when you cannot get them to extend their contract.
All of those great goals from Stuart Armstrong, the Cup Final equaliser, all those trophies he won, cost the club zero. Absolutely nothing. His transfer fee to Dundee United and entire wage bill was more than covered by the fee from Southampton. In fact, we made a profit, which is available for us to kick on with.
There were two alternatives:
Let him leave without compensation next year. Celtic would be busy looking for a replacement as Stuart’s agent would be shopping him around. And there would be no money to reinvest.
Or, break the wage structure to match what he can get in England. And even then, he might still fancy a the chance in England. There are some players worth breaking the wage structure for, but with all due respect to Stuart, you can only do it for an unequivocal first choice.
More important than the money, Celtic cannot stagnate. There are lots of reasons to feel good about our general domestic brilliance, but your football club regards itself as a Champions League operation. On that front, we have plenty of room for improvement.
Just as there are limits to our wage bill, there are practical limits to the squad size. We need to churn those on the fringes and try to replace them with players who will become un-droppable.
Best of luck at our benefactor-by-the-sea, Stuart. I hope you are a huge success.
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If we are going to sign McGinn, this is the optimum time to do it, if he goes south and does well, which i think he will, any future transfer fee and wages , will probably be beyond us.A solid performer with more improvement in him IMO, and the more supporters in the team the better.He knows how to play in thos league as well, which can be a bit of a culture shock for some.I think Hibs would be keen, as they would be getting Allan for free.
BIG-CUP-WINNERS
Apologies,mate. I’m not deliberately ignoring your reasonable request for a reply,I’ve honestly just missed them. Even yesterday,the one you made a minute after my post-I’d closed my iPad and hit my cot!
Back at work-hallelujah!-and my body clock isn’t quite back in nightshift mode yet.
Anyway,here’s the post from me which set things off.
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BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 26TH JUNE 2018 10:38 AM
GARY67
The coaching/management team could do worse than either clear out the central defenders they don’t rate whatsoever,or actually coach them.
That part of our team has been a nightmare since VVD left. And for plenty of years before he arrived too.
At the moment,I think Kris Ajer will be a mainstay for a few years. Boyata will probably leave. The others flatter to deceive-at best!
Now,THAT means we have a bliddy big problem!!!
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I wasn’t particularly happy with your reply,I thought it was ad hominem rather than dealing with the subject at hand. That is,why do we have such a poor quality pool of central defenders,why do the management team seem unhappy with the quality at their disposal?
I think BR’s team-picks reflect this.
~~~~~~~~~|**~~~~~~~~~~
Here’s your reply.
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BIG-CUP-WINNERS on 26TH JUNE 2018 11:18 AM
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 26TH JUNE 2018 10:38 AM
GARY67
“The coaching/management team could do worse than either clear out the central defenders they don’t rate whatsoever,or actually coach them.”
Maybe Brendan does rate them ? Why would he play them otherwise ? The guy isn’t stupid
“That part of our team has been a nightmare since VVD left. And for plenty of years before he arrived too.”
So it’s you Bobby, and not Brendan who doesn’t rate the Double treble winners ?
At the moment,I think Kris Ajer will be a mainstay for a few years. Boyata will probably leave. The others flatter to deceive-at best.
Do they honestly ? Can Iask for the litany of errors ?
“Now,THAT means we have a bliddy big problem!!!”
Hopefuly, we’ll have the big problem of a Treble treble problem mate.
PS When VVD was in the team was he or Celtic anymore or less successful in Europe ?
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where did I say that I don’t rate the double treble winners? Or that Brendan is stupid? And if you genuinely believe that Brendan is happy with our central defenders,why is Kristofer Ajer a first pick?
Think back to his early days in the team last season,when he was parachuted in. Because of poor performances by others,btw. Brendan specifically stated that he needed experience,wouldn’t be used in certain upcoming games,etc. Next thing,he’s in every week.
And the defence was clearly better with VVD in it,to suggest otherwise does you no favours.
This post is long enough without dealing with the rest of the trivia spouted by us both. IMO,the only way any of the current squad CHs will regularly get back in the team is if they and BR work hard on specific coaching.
Time will tell. After forecasting a Germany victory in The World Cup,I’m sticking to refusing to do forecasts!!!
HH
CONNAIRE12
Sincere condolences to all of Joe’s family and friends.
R I P
I was kind of half looking at the first half of the game last night without fully focusing on it. For me a couple of things stuck out.
Morgan is possibly a first team player for us. He seems to have a similar range of passing to Allan but with pace, the ability to take a man on and is a goal threat. If he can go up a couple of levels over the next few years we could have a very good player on our hands.
Unfortunately I don’t think Christie will ever make it for us….despite me desperately wanting him too!! Also, Aitchison doesn’t have the physical attributes yet for first team football with us. He could do with a few years out on loan to aid his development. Johnston has definitely overtaken him as the next big thing from the academy.
John McGinn looks a good player to me, especially in the games against us at CP. One question though for those who are saying BR will improve him, does that mean Lenny is not getting the best out of him? I thought the Hibs midfield was superb most of the season – strong, fit and tactically astute. Not sure there is a lot of room for improvement.
DENIABHOY on 28TH JUNE 2018 10:30 AM
John McGinn looks a good player to me, especially in the games against us at CP. One question though for those who are saying BR will improve him, does that mean Lenny is not getting the best out of him? I thought the Hibs midfield was superb most of the season – strong, fit and tactically astute. Not sure there is a lot of room for improvement.
I think training and playing with better players, improves guys, and we are seeing that Brendan can make players better than they had been previously
Rodgers would surely be able to smooth the (very) rough edges off MacGinn .
JM can win the ball ,likes to drive forward ,can hit raking passes to the wing ,has a good shot too.
With his family background he surely would love to don the hoops.
What he doesn’t seem to have in his locker is composure and game intelligence. If the Rodgers training regime can rectify his defects then we would have a great player.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dgw–WBXcAUdtov.jpg
what is the alternative? blue bins…
welcome to the sevco world Mr Bottle
who is cant cant?
Braw
Is McGinninoroot today ?
CONNAIRE12 on 28TH JUNE 2018 7:09 AM
Thoughts and prayers with your B-in-Law Joe, his wife, family and friends at this sad time.
Kouassi needs game time. Anytime he’s played (Zenit away being the exception) he has looked a good prospect, but as long as Brown is fit and playing he won’t play enough.
We should send him out on loan for the season and development. Could do worse that go to Hibs along with Allan if a deal for McGinn can be sorted.
Bada Bing.
I couldn’t agree more.
It’s inappropriate, in my opinion, to use phrases like Celtic dud.
Hail Hail
Overheard in High Burnside from behind tall wooden gates, ‘Mum, are we taking the Mercedes?’ ‘No, dear, we’ll take the Audi, that way we can have the roof down.’ ….’Awwwwww!’
No McGinn for me…(sorry DD)
GARY67
God point-Brown and Koassi are unlikely to be in the same starting 11,particularly if Ntcham is also there.
Scott is nearing the end of his career,and maybe we could do worse than rotate the two. It will extend Scott’s career,while giving Eboue much-needed game time and experience.
If not,then he should be on loan,as you suggest.
Neudstat@10.41
Caption … for those of a certain vintage
“Flopalot”
Appropriately enough
HH
weebobbycollins on 28th June 2018 11:03 am
Were they deciding which car to nick? :)
Hail Hail
Matt
“little weed?”
awfy braw
Braw.
All about the Ragers ? Definitel I neef som laufhs in my life apparently a key to longevity laughter.
These wee gems are from the BBC :
Steven Gerrard says he gave Rangers’ players a few extra days holiday to help them recover emotionally from a traumatic season.
“They have actually over-delivered in terms of the numbers they have given us back physically, so from a fitness point of view, I am delighted”.
But this one is beyond laughter a real fascinating insight on so many levels:
“A lot of them are them are bright and a lot of them have taken it on-board quicker than others”
Who are the one’s not bright who are these peepil ?
It’s saying something about the strength of our squad,she some are advocating the sending out on loan,the excellent Kouassi.We all know how many games we will have to play this year.BROONY,not getting any younger.Kouassi should be his understudy.Brought on as a sub for BROONY more regularly.Given more game time against the lesser sides to give our Captain a breather.Even in Europe,himself,BROONY,and Ntcham would form a formidable midfield trio.
Lewis Morgan is not million miles away from Paddy with his style of play.
Desperate to see Commper against better opposition.Looks great on the ball.
BCW- Another gem today is , Cardiff have allegedly ‘triggered Windass buyout fee….’ as if they are a big club.We all know they will take any money in they can get, convicted wifebeater Flanagan in for free, Tavarnier will be getting hawked around Championship clubs to pay for his wages.
TURKEYBHOY
BR has said he wont rest Brown as he is better if he keeps playing, he’ll only be left out if injured.
new article posted.
Bmcuw
Thanks for reply.
It was the insinuation that I’d made a cheap insult, that I was uncertain/unhappy with ? Still dont know what it was. I’m on the phone small screen, so if Ive missed something apologies.
I was perturbed at you being upset, as I perceive you as a good guy, with admireable traits, even part of the glue that holds the blog together at times.
I’ve no qualms about dishing it out and getting some back and did that yesterday. But as in the paragraph above I simply wanted to know what was what from your good self.
You’ve been writing on here for donkeys huh ? Youll be aware of the imperfect medium that is the written word.
Re VvD tenure. The central defence was and is an area that our support criticise.
The boss seems happy with Boyata and Ajer. Personally I like both. I liked VvD and Denayer. Mulgrew did us a turn too.
Sometimes bobby I think CQNers have too much time and its like picking at a scab.
In that respect our wider support is no different. I watch the Celtic a lot and the antics of our support is so counter productive.
We as much as any other supporters destroyed Ambrose. Boyata and the blind antics of the “crowd” is so counterproductive but above all else wrong. The guy is a mainstay at the back for Brendan at the WC too. He cannot be a dud ? Im not watching a dud week-in week out.
Gordon is another non-favourite.
Our support can destroy players ? Who needs the SMSM: Samaras to Boyata, and all players/stops in between…
I only saw the second half of yesterday’s game, and my observations were…
… Hayes seemed to have recovered 100%, he went in to a few tackles fairly hard, and does not seem to have suffered any mental trauma, which often accompanies such a serious injury. I still don’t know if he is good enough for Celtic though.
… James Forrest, on yesterday’s showing, seems to have maintained last seasons’ improvement in form, and took his goal well. He will be a key player in the early part of the season. Remember it was his goal that saw us safely negotiate the tricky Rosenberg tie last season. Same again Jamesie? I hope so.
… Conor Hazard, when he was younger, this BHOY must have slept standing up in a bucket of manure. What a height!
… Kouassi was the stand out player on the park. Strong, calm and composed. Very watchful, and showed good game intelligence. A mystery to me that he doesn’t play more often.
… Tierney was brilliant on the left of a defensive three, and still found time to push on and raid forward down the left hand side. Bhoy did we win a watch when Kieran broke into the first team.
… overall a very satisfactory first outing against a tall, fit and competitive outfit.
?⚽️