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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The black and tan William Hill is ruining my CQN logging in. WTF
Corkcelt at 9.33, sorry for the late reply.
Hayes is a very effective player who can use both his feet which is always a big plus for me.
Since Lubo and his amazing ability with either foot, , its annoying seeing players do all sorts of manoeuvres to get the ball onto their strong foot. Leigh is getting better with hid right foot which is great to see.
thetimreaper on 29th March 2016 10:10 pm Tanner giving it OF pish. – Tanner just giving it pish, disgrace at half time when Schmeichel said Teirney was the best player on the pitch, bitter bitter hun
I see Johansen scored tonight for Norway.
He obviously hasn’t had a good season, but unlike some others I don’t have a short memory.
He hasn’t become a bad player.
He was actually looking more like himself before the shocking tackle he received 3wks ago.
If you add to that the current form of Rogic, and then appreciate that both McGregor and GMS have showed decent form of late.
Then for me the 3 that play behind Griffiths must come from these 4 for the up and coming big games.
Commons looks like a shot player. He’s done
Armstrong. Poor season. Not a player in form.
Paddy Roberts…. I can see being used as an impact substitute
Allan…. Unfortunately not trusted by Ronny
Christie…. Needs more game time, the bhoy is a good un
James Forrrest….. See ya
Dallas
My Godson Chris and KT are good pals from their days at Lennoxtown as 9 and 10 year olds on. Chris texted his best wishes to KT, but reminded him that he was after his place. :)
Dallas Dallas…Leigh hasnae done a very good job of hiding it, if we can see it. :)
Hail hail
Mutt :)
Glendaly, It would be better if our Neil stuck one on Tanner who really is a putrid little jobby.
Good planning by Sky having two pundits with the same first name .
The thing about McGinn is he better than Scot Allan? Allan was earning rave reviews while at Hibs but for whatever reason can’t seem to make the break through to a permanent starting position in our midfield. Would McGinn be given more of a chance in the current climate, I don’t think so.
For what it’s worth I think next season will be easier for Ronny with Sevco in top division, as a significant proportion of our fan base will be happy to get back to just winning every game and performance will be secondary therefore allowing for more experiments.
Matt, Lol . My terrible typing again .
I know Refs aren’t too keen to show red cards in a friendly but that tackle on Eric bordered on the criminal.
Thank God no damage was done.
Dallas
Chris is a leftie but very two footed. He slags KT about how he canny kick wi his right. :-)
Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on 29th March 2016 10:28 pm
You’re right, one’s as bad as the other.
EIK
You are havin a laff right,
“For what it’s worth I think next season will be easier for Ronny with Sevco in top division, as a significant proportion of our fan base will be happy to get back to just winning every game and performance will be secondary therefore allowing for more experiments. -”
HH
I don’t think we should sign McGinn. We need to get more out of what we have. Adding more players won’t achieve that.
Shocking tackle!
http://talkingbaws.com/2016/03/somehow-erik-sviatchenko-didnt-get-his-legs-broken-by-liam-bridcutt-tonight/?
Delaney’s, that’s your second post tonight to put a smile on my miserable coupon.
We need a bit more pace and strength in the team.
Kieran has been top notch for us , great attitude and a huge heart, but I have heard a few people say they wish he was four or five inches taller. He’s doing fine as he is.
God bless Nick Blackwell. Prayers being said.
BT-i tried Adblocker, done nothing so deleted it, might give it another try tomorrow mate HH
TET, wait and see all that will matter is that we stay ahead of them in the league, not to many will give a f@@k how we play as long as we beat them.
EiK
McGinn and Allan play different roles and positions
Who do we have as potentially stepping in for Broonie?
McGinn has dig, movement and energy to play in there ?
In saying that, I also believe Armstrong could do a job in there ?
As for Allan, I’ve not seen much which would warrant a game for us, yes a couple of decent forward passes, but not enough for me
Good to talk about the Celtic though :-) nae interest in any FTSFA team
Bada Bing – go to settings – safari and down at bottom turn off JavaScript and it’s sorted.
Thetimreaper
We urgently need to clear our decks of the many who are not and will not contribute, creating some space for players like McGinn
Just read on another site of 6 players to watch out for with our current U20 squad though :-)
EiK
I agree with that, but experimenting, that was havin a laff, no.
Anyways, I doubt Ronny will be in charge, I personally hope he is, just can’t see it masel.
HH
WC-do you need Java script for other apps/ sites? Ta
Young McGinn for Broonie would be a natural succession…
Cowiebhoy, my son and I were at the youth team game against Valencia in February.
The players we were most impressed with were Jack Aitchison (he’s only 16) , Regan Hendry, Mark Hill and Jamie McCart. Mark Hill had a terrific game that night , helping out our defence and trying to link up with Hendry and Aitchison.
I think Joe Thompson was either injured or over 18 and couldn’t play in that game but him and Aiden Nesbitt are two others I hope can make it into our first team.
It was a topic of discussion on here about a week ago.
Beyond Brown and Bitton, we don’t have what you would call holding or defensive midfielders.
We have on one hand 103 attacking midfielders.
Out with Brown and Bitton, Ronny has played Johansen as one of the sitting 2. It’s not Stefans natural position, he’s better further forward.
McGregor has played in the sitting 2 also, but again McGregor strength lies in his goal getting and running energy.
Mulgrew, again is only for me a back up sitting midfielder. His best position is at the back.
Therefore McGinn is a real consideration. Although baring in mind the big Norwegian will be joining up with us come the summer.
Dallas
Joe Thompson is 19 years old now so was ineligible for Valencia game.
Cowiebhoy
Boeriggter, James Forrrest, are 2 definite’s for the exit.
I’d also be inclined to say that Commons should be edged out
Bada Bing – it disables flash so you may need to go in and click it on again. We are trying constantly to make user experience better. If you use sites like Videocelts or Celticblog it will help having it off.
If you are getting problems switch it off for instant fix.
Problems worse on 4g or 3G rather than wifi.
Good Late Evening Bhoys and Ghirls
I hope CQN Dublin 2016 was a hoot for all those involved and big congrats to the CQN hosts, Almore and Cloghercelt who both put in so much work and effort to all allow BMCUWP and his younger dad and company to try and drink it dry!
just jealous like that I couldn’t make it, but I had a nice wee weekend with the family.
You all take care of those around you. Time is precious!
HH
CRC
Cowiebhoy, we seriously need to clear the decks but I fear we wont hence my believing there may be little chance of SB being given a rest and someone taking over for periods to learn the role.
I would love it for us give young guys the chance but can’t see it coming to quickly hence guys like Mulgrew, Commons etc being retained, don’t have anything against them other than that while they are here the prospects of younger guys getting a chance are diminished. Most mangers go down the safe route, Ronny doesn’t strike me as someone who is going to take a huge gamble on youth over a short period.
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/resultion-12-questions-for-celtic-f-c/
Gary, thanks.
I was disappointed Joe didn’t play against Valencia but your explanation would explain why.
Its been a right good night on here tonight and the most enjoyable for a wee while. All it was missing was some great photos and tunes from Mr Croppie.
Thanks again everyone .
Good night all and sleep well.
Yip Broony is done, after all he’s 30 nowadays. Need to look to the future and bed someone in for 2020 season.
I was on some other blog a few weeks bavk where some pists were screaming out for experienced pro’s too !
Cowiebhoy on 29th March 2016 10:48 pm
Who would you move on?
Cowie
John McGinn is fenian through and through. Scott Allan aint. Hope he converts.
Sam Wardrop, Aidan Nesbitt, Calvin Millar, Regan Hendry, Leo Fasan & Fiacre Kelleher
Are the 6 youth players named in the article
I would also personally retain Mulgrew, I think he is currently playing in best position for both him and Celtic, and does offer experienced cover at left back and holding midfield
Boerigter, and Forrest yes can go, although I think Boerrigter still has another 12 months on contract ?
Sadly Commons not guaranteed games so can go
I am concerned Rogic still not signed up – if not get money for him
Allan been there 8 months and at 25 still not in our team, sell in summer
I do not rate McGregor, although has done better lately, sell
Think Izzy may be sold ?
Ciftci, Cole, Blackett and Ambrose could all go for me
So there’s a team of 11 to start with
Hail Hail