The story of Celtic’s left back position has been largely painful over the years. Emilio Izaguirre arrived after the 2010 Wold Cup and, for a few seasons at least, strengthened what was a perennial weak spot in the team. You’re going back decades, possibly to Danny McGrain himself, before you’ll find someone in the left back position Emilio wasn’t clearly a stand-out improvement on.
Having supplanted Emilio in the Celtic team, there’s a good chance that 18-year-old Kieran Tierney will make his Scotland debut tonight on his breakthrough season. It’s a great story for a player who has physicality and maturity beyond his years. We might just have a genuine player on our hands.
The echo of a big failure at left back still reverberates around the club. Seven years ago Sligo Rovers’ Seamus Coleman, was on trial at Lennoxtown, but was sent home as he wasn’t judged able to put pressure on Lee Naylor, during Gordon Strachan’s last season. Then reserve team coach, Willie McStay, recommended Coleman to Everton, where the player has turned into one of the best left backs in the English Premier League.
Assessing strikers is comparatively easy; there are objective statistics (goals scored) to inform your view, including at youth level. It’s not as easy assessing a defender, where picking a winner offers you only subjective opinions. Kieran has achieved far more than any of his teenage contemporaries this season, some of whom were more lauded than him.
Perhaps the crucial deciding factor in all this was who was given an extended run in the team. If you don’t allow your youth players to graduate (at the right time), and don’t sacrifice first team mainstays (at the right time) you’ll forever buy other teams’ graduates.
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MR PASTRY
Not sure you can refer to Celtic’s position as healthy when our turnover has dropped by a third,our crowds are down by more than that,and the performances have been lacklustre far too often.
And that is before we discuss the clear disenchantment felt by so many fans for so many reasons.
Almore
you deserve to get your feet up in the garden after last weekned! Lovely morning for in Dublin
Has Ian “behave yourselves” Bankier ever said anything good about the Celtic support?
Seriously!
He never misses an opportunity to treat us as naughty school children.
Bankier’s exploitation of the website remarks of a few nutters turned the last AGM into a field day for our detractors in which the Celtic support were portrayed as anti-semitic bigots for having the temerity to be critical of his fellow director Lord Livingstone’s political stance.
Then there is Brian Wilson who’s company went burst leaving open cast coal sites in Fife like Lunar landscapes.
Have faith in our directors? I think I will pass on that one.
Our crowds are down by more than a third? Is that when compared with the Martin O`Neill days or with the pre-Sevco days?
JJ
Is Tom Rogic playing in Australia tonight? If so, he is unlikely to be ready for Saturday. So, my team:
Gordon
Lustig Mulgrew Svietchenko Tierney
Bitton
GMS Brown McGregor Johansen
Griffiths
Mr Pastry
No mention of deliberately concealed side-letters?
You don’t need to await the outcome of any EBT enquiry to make a case for title-stripping with that proof of cheating.
http://johnjamessite.com/2016/03/29/a-tale-of-two-enquiries/
Morning Bhoys it is a lovely morning in Central Scotland. H.H.
Well it is good that the International break has finished meaningless friendlies dont tell us very much.Saturday is a tough game if Hearts play at there best they are a very capable side and we cannot afford to slip up.Hopefully we will get a big crowd to cheer the Bhoys on. H.H.
BMCUWP@9:31 – Hi – the club is structurally healthy – yes I agree that our financial position would have been different, but for the cheating – how different, I am afraid we will never know. Nothing in football is ever certain – results with the like of ICT, Ross County…etc, stand judgement to that.
What I am driving at, is that we will have to find a way to move on and live in the same ‘goldfish bowl’ as the new club down Ibrox way – that is a fact of life and we do so without tearing ourselves apart – I admit I don’t know the definitive answers – but answers must be found – to do this and stand together will character and a willingness not to be blown off course – of course there will be different viewpoints, but some of the vitriol on here is ‘beyond the pale’
Great night for wee KT last night, a cert now for the Scotland squad for the upcoming Euros…oh wait a minute…
Big Erik doesn’t seem too bothered about Bridcutts(I wonder who he supports) challenge but it could have caused some real damage.
Big Erik also needs to calm down with the long balls, distribution very poor at times when keeping it simple would be a better bet. One good attempt at a long raking pass in the second half which the winger was unlucky not to control but a few shockers.
Looks like a huge crowd set for Paradise on Saturday, putting to bed the struggling to reach 20k KevJungle myth ;)
Therein lies the problem – unless those staying away for reasons related to the Board/Res 12 take discernible, visible action on a matchday, the wider support will not know they exist. Sadly Res 12 is just too complicated for fans who just want to watch football and until it comes out of the internet and into the mainstream little will change.
HH
Show character
BEATBHOY@9:47 – You are right, I did not cover absolutely everything – I am sure that we don’t even know everything – perhaps the upcoming Fraudco court cases will uncover more – but I am sure you got the jist of my overall points.
A player I think would be a great signing for Celtic would be Mc Ginn the young Hibernian midfielder for me he is far and away the best midfielder in that division.We could use Stokes or Henderson as a make weight in any deal. H.H.
Jungle Jim,
Tomas played last night and very well too, nice goal to boot.
Mr Pastry, I acknowledge what you said in your piece but I found it strange that you quantified the losses of the cheats but not of the cheated, we should not forget that the DOS has been admitted to and as such, every game that those two players were involved in should see a 0-3 forfeit, that should in itself set a few of the records straight.
TWISTNTURNS@9:29 – It is only my opinion, as you say – however I cannot for the life of me understand what benefit and/or gain the board and Peter Lawwell (please don’t say bonus) could hope to derive by telling deliberate lies and/or trying to hide the truth.
In the end in will ‘all come out in the washing’ – I have no DOUBT about that – HH
Good Morning one and all…
Haven’t commented for a while, it wasn’t exactly a Lenten thing but my MB&S activities during the time somewhat distracted me… in a good way of course but with mixed results.
Hope everyone had a good Easter, glad it went well for the fholk in Dublin Town.
Well done WGS and the Scotland squad, two great results from some average performances, is the sign of a winning team.
Great to see young Tierney get his debut.
See Resolution 12 is dividing and potentially conquering the Celtic supports consensus.
I’ve always seen this as a bit of an aside, in a conspiracy that was conceived and enacted to try to save Rangers over half a dozen years ago.
Of course much has been written on this subject by wiser folk than I, so I’ll leave it there. Suffice to say this conspiracy plan failed, or more accurately put, partially failed.
One area od failure was not to pay the outstanding taxes and penalties from the WTC. So is it worth pursuing, for me yes and no.
Yes because it is one of the few cases where the smoking gun is evident and questions can be raised. Canamaler was right to raise it, the good fholk who lent their time, expertise and no little fortitude in driving it as far as possible were, imo, right to do it. Good luck to the gang of four and more power to their elbow.
Yet it’s also a No because as I said, for me it’s a side show. We’d be much better off leaving it to those ghuys and concentrating on what’s going on at Celtic, we need to improve in all areas of the Club.
If Celtic are not going to show ambition and be a force in Europe then we will be left behind and have to be content with what we already are.
The finest team in Scotland…
Hail Hail
ANTIPODEANRED@9:59 – I quantify the consequences of the Ibrox lot, because they are quantifiable – they have actually happened – that being the case, it in no way excuses and/or attempts to justify any consequential loss that may have been felt by Celtic FC.
In short – consequences often have a more detrimental effect than punishments.
AR
Thanks.
Re Saturday.
I am quite confident. If I am remembering correctly, Kilmarnock,Hamilton and Dundee fully deserved their draws at Celtic Park. Hearts, on the other hand, were very much second best and were quite lucky to leave Paradise with a point. All, of course, in my opinion.
Lovely day here in Arbroath and we are now on the Summer Course at Arbroath GC so, much fun though it is on CQN, the GC is where I am heading now.
Hail! Hail!
JJ
Coneybhoy & CRC: Cheers for kind wishes.
It is a lovely day here so back to the garden for me. Another 43 jobs to do on 51%’s list:-)
MR PASTRY on 30TH MARCH 2016 9:52 AM
‘What I am driving at, is that we will have to find a way to move on and live in the same ‘goldfish bowl’ as the new club down Ibrox way – that is a fact of life and we do so without tearing ourselves apart – I admit I don’t know the definitive answers – but answers must be found – to do this and stand together will character and a willingness not to be blown off course – of course there will be different viewpoints, but some of the vitriol on here is ‘beyond the pale’’
######
Could I suggest that the only way to ‘move on’ is to establish where we actually are at the moment?
You refer to a ‘new club’, but that’s not the official view, whether of Celtic or any of the football authorities, or of the SMSM, is it?
In fact, anyone who suggests that they are a new club is subjected to all sorts of abuse and vilification.
So maybe what needs to be done is for Celtic to make it clear, concisely and unequivocally, where we actually are at the moment ie that our soon to be rivals are a new club.
If that doesn’t happen, for me, it’s over, for good.
My friends in Celtic,
Friendly international games do nothing for me.
However rightly or wrongly I was glad to see Engurlund gubbed last night, especially after the German result.
Looking at the sky sports results they state Holland rather than the Netherlands.
I am aware that although the term Holland is widely used it is really only a part of the greater Netherlands.
But why call them Dutch : surely if Poland is called Poles then Holand must be Holes.
Anyway agree with DD. Hampden is not fit for footie. In my opinion they should have left it as a decent Athletics arena.
Roll on Saturday.
Hail, Hail to all and especially to those who will make the effort to see Hearts broken.
Jungle Jim Hot Smoked on 30th March 2016 10:13 am –
Totally agree with you, Hertz should have been down 2 or 3 by HT. Parked the bus with two blocks of fives in the second. Me thinks they will do the same on Saturday.
A RESOLUTION TO RESOLUTION 12
————————————————–
Supposing on Friday morning, Regan from the SFA issues a statement which say:
We acknowledge, in hindsight, that Rangers FC should not have been issued with a European Licence in 2011, to enable them to participate in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Champions League on 26th July & 3rd August 2011 – and also the Preliminary Round of the Europa League on 10 August and 25 August 2011.
This was due to misleading information regarding outstanding tax demands, passed on to us by Mr Craig Whyte, however notwithstanding this, the SFA accepts that due diligence was not carried out to a satisfactory standard at that time. We have now put extra measures in place that will ensure such an occurrence cannot happen in the future.
The financial loss to Celtic FC is being discussed for the denial of opportunity to participate in the aforementioned ties – these discussions are ongoing”
Would the above put an end to this issue?
ernie lynch on 30th March 2016 10:20 am
MR PASTRY on 30TH MARCH 2016 9:52 AM
‘What I am driving at, is that we will have to find a way to move on and live in the same ‘goldfish bowl’ as the new club down Ibrox way – that is a fact of life and we do so without tearing ourselves apart – I admit I don’t know the definitive answers – but answers must be found – to do this and stand together will character and a willingness not to be blown off course – of course there will be different viewpoints, but some of the vitriol on here is ‘beyond the pale’’
######
Could I suggest that the only way to ‘move on’ is to establish where we actually are at the moment?
You refer to a ‘new club’, but that’s not the official view, whether of Celtic or any of the football authorities, or of the SMSM, is it?
=============
The new Rangers date of incorporation is a matter of public record. Why do you need anything else from Celtic to confirm this?
And if Celtics official view is that they are the same club, surely there would be lots of ‘Old Firm’ advertising ahead of last years and this years semi finals – please give us some links.
And since when do we give weight to anything in the MSM?
Pop ups and ads were doing my nut in so tried an app on iPhone6 ‘1Blocker’ it’s a purple sort of colour with a 1 in a white circle.
Works so far (once you change safari settings to allow it under ‘content blocker’) and also takes away those stupid pics before you get to read….
As I often only get gprs this will (hopefully) make a big difference.
I paid about the price of a pint for the pro version and clicked to use most stuff.
Will report back if it all goes goose over stumps.
TB
Ernie Lynch @ 10.20…you said, “So maybe what needs to be done is for Celtic to make it clear, concisely and unequivocally, where we actually are at the moment ie that our soon to be rivals are a new club. If that doesn’t happen, for me, it’s over, for good.” – –That will never happen Ernie, so, it’s goodbye from you…shame!
Jungle Jim and prestonpans,
Agreed.
Celtic should have been out of site against Hearts. The others that you mentioned Jim did indeed deserve their draws.
Efe taking one for the team was possibly their best/only chance.
HH
MR PASTRY
____________
How about if,……Celtic’s hierarchy come out and say…..
“We, as custodian’s of Celtic Football Club announce to our supporter base and shareholders that, we will be resigning from our position’s at the club with immediate effect. We will be taking this course as, we know what is coming down the track like a train from hell at us and, we’re gonna be fun oot for, looking the other way when, our greatest and bitter rivals were ransacking the Scottish game of, countless tens of millions of ill-begotten CL-money-pots and, 22 trophies taintedly achieved during the, skull-dugging David Murray era.
So, we’re well aware that the pitch-fork-brigade will hunt us down for this so, we’re off to divvy-up what’s left in the biscuit tin as our going away present.”
Too-ra-loo the noo!
….Who would be surprised if they came away with the above ?
Ernie,
Do you honestly think people will stop being vilified and abused if Celtic make a statement saying they are a new club?
I’d like them to make one and if they don’t it won’t change my mind but to think a comment from Celtic will end this all is pure delusion.
TRADITIONALIST88 on 30TH MARCH 2016 10:39 AM
That’s cowardly, and you know it.
Not, in my opinion, the sort of tradition I would associate with Celtic.
KEVJUNGLE@10:51 – You avoid the ‘real’ world, like the plague – but on occasion make it slightly more colourful and noisy.
ernie lynch on 30th March 2016 10:55 am
Cowardly is not answering the questions Ernie , you’re a master at that.
I don’t work for Celtic and I presume you don’t either – all too easy to throw around accusations of cowardice when you won’t be the one who has to deal with the fallout of any statement stating the bleeding obvious which will be taken as an attempt to rub their noses in it.
Its a matter of public record, Ernie. It was even on the front page of MSM tabloids who you curiously give credence to, sometimes.
Mr Pastry
__________
Aye……whatever.
KevJ…I hope you are well on this fine sunny day…
TRADITIONALIST88 on 30TH MARCH 2016 11:05 AM
Oh, that’s OK then.
Probably best no one says anything.
Don’t want to make a fuss.
Just buy a season book, that’s the main thing.
Celtic don’t need to make a statement about the same club issue.
All Celtic have to do is….be cute.
Arrange for an interview with the broadcast media where, a Celtic official will answer questions about, will the club back the group of it’s shareholders with their – resolution : 12 – issues.
Cute answers like…..
“The evidence gathered by the shareholders seems to be water-tight and, if it proves that Celtic and, almost every other club in the country was ‘cheated’ by the slanted governance of the Scottish football authorities, then we will be duty bound to back their resolutions.”
All Celtic have to do is……
…un-pin….lob….staun back…..
Simples!
Just a thought – if the SFA wanted to, they could give us the 250k that they are ‘docking’ Sevco – now wouldn’t that be nice – but it may have to be done ‘on the QT”
WeeBobbyCollins
__________________
Hail Hail fella, hope yer well.
I’m as well as I know……
Denial is a guid weapon….
HH