Celtic have four central defenders in the first team squad, although Jozo Simunovic’s injury record and Jack Hendry’s complete absence from match day squads effectively reduces that figure to two. When required, Neil Lennon has used Nir Bitton as his third central defensive option.
This has worked well for player and club, but Nir was out of contract in the summer, so there is a risk for the Champions League qualifiers. We need four options in central defence in July and August, two to play and two to cover injuries (on top of Jozo’s perennial state), suspensions and the possibility that we have another central defender pull a Dedryck Boyata/Kelvin Wilson move.
I expect we will still try to add two central defenders to the first team squad between now and then, but the consequences of not getting the player you want, or that player turning in training performances like Marvin Compper, are great.
2020 could be a breakthrough year for 19-year-old Lee O’Connor, but the prospect of a Champions League playoff game is a lot to burden a player who has yet to make a senior debut at club level (he represented Ireland against New Zealand last month).
This is the primary motivation to award Nir a new contract. He is a player the manager knows and trusts to do a job when required.
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The problem is if you start allowing sweary words, where does it stop. Just read The Hun Media, The Bears Den, it is pure filth at times, I certainly wouldn’t want a Celtic Site going that way.
Corkcelt
Now that`s what I call a supporter !!
Fairhillbhoy
I thought your comment was intended to be humorous and , if so, it was, for me, successful.
FOURSTONECOPPI “TORIES ARE LOWER THAN VERMIN” on 17TH DECEMBER 2019 5:10 PM
If only the stupid , thick as pigpoo British electorate were as smart , well informed and educated as you and your socialist cronies think you are.
Exactly the kind of elitist arrogance that typified the Corbynista approach .
Corbyn , his CQN fellow travellers and his socialist great leap forward got the bum`s rush they deserved………….
…..from Labour supporters who ain`t as stupid as Corbyn et al. thought they were .
Corkcelt
My 8;25 comment was in response to your 8:19 post !
From the Tweets, our kids seem to be dominating but then the guy sending them is a Tim so maybe he is just reporting the good stuff.
Faithfully Bhoy.
Sorry, I didn’t make myself clear.
I couldn’t care less, if someone swears or not.
My issue was the hypocrisy of the blog, saying swear words were not allowed, when in fact, it was only certain swear words.
Paul confirmed that and it anyone doubts it, feel free to mail him, yourself.
My own opinion is who decides what a swear word is, anyway.
Tomorrow, yes, Hearts away always has a vibe about it, one of my favourites games, was the 3.2 on New Years day.
So last minute of the second leg of the ‘Round of 32″ and Celtic and Copenhagen are drawing.
Bitton breaks through on a rare foray forward and hits a screamer into the postage stamp, the ball catching the underside of the junction and rebounding down and the imparted spin taking it back into the grateful arms of the Danish keeper.
The ref points to the centre circle! A GOAL FOR THE HOOPS. BUT
The “Desperate Danes” plead for the whistler to check with the camera checkers. As the men with the zoom lenses and replays whisper in his ear, the players hold their breath, the crowd hold their breath, the burger men hold their breath, the ball boys hold their breath, tellies across The Celtic supporting world tremble at the prospect of being showered in celebratory lager or brace themselves for being booted out the window , ……the question on every tongue….
“Will it be Nir or VAR?”
Hail Hail
Matt
Timaloy29 – good point about the quality available in January.
What I would say is “surplus to requirements” at top clubs could become starters at Celtic (e.g. Jason Denayer).
Also, some smaller leagues finish in winter and, if you’re lucky, clubs could still be tempted to sell good players for single digit millions.
Hail hail
Macjay
How would you define Socialism?
Would you, for instance, go along with this definition:
“The term socialism refers to any system in which the production and distribution of goods and services is a shared responsibility of a group of people. Socialism is based upon economic and political theories that advocate for collectivism. In a state of socialism, there is no privately owned property.”
and Just like that Thistle go 1 up.
p.s. Robertson not in the squad, I wonder will he be involved tomorrow night.
Jimmynotpaul-when a young Stephen Mc scored a couple?🍀
JNP-don’t want to google,when was that?2001/2🤔
Matt
So we could be Bitton by VAR 🤔
Hot smoked-it was indeed 👍🍀
Fairhill Bhoy.
Yes, that’s the game, 2.0 to minis at H.T.
My bhoy has still not forgiven me for not taking him to that game.
Both of us game out the ballot on the bus, the issue was the bus was leaving at 9.am to go to a social club and we were told strictly over 18s only.
Anytime that game is mentioned, he still casts it up. :-)
Fairhill Bhoy, the dreaded 2006.
FATHER JACK on 17TH DECEMBER 2019 8:12 PM
Children are one of the worst offenders when it comes to swearing, to use that as an excuse is frankly ludicrous.
I agree with the rule though
Your moniker, with that post,made me laugh there….😆
Oko-Flex off the crossbar in the 67th minute, Thistle still lead one nil.
JIMMYNOTPAUL-no holding grudges tell him😉
I can remember the the moment SM scored,we were on our way out to Boxing Day out I thought
HOT SMOKED on 17TH DECEMBER 2019 8:31 PM
I wouldn`t define socialism .
And I wouldn`t go along with the definition you provide.
I am an acolyte and advocate of practice , not theory. In everything.
Socialism…………
Beautiful in theory , disastrous in practice .
Simply because it attempts to legislate against basic human nature.
Competition.
That`s the way nature designed us all .
Survival of the fittest . To reproduce .
Hence the competition amongst all of us , male and female , to find a mate , and the lengths to which people go to attract a mate.
Pathetic , maybe , but that`s the reality .
Incidentally , the suggestion that the opposite of socialism is capitalism is equally ridiculous.
What`s the opposite of a repeatedly failed political philosophy ?
There is none.
Because none exists .
Follow what nature programmed us all to do.
Compete.
Most certainly with compassion for those less able.
But I wouldn`t have to tell that to a fellow Tim.
Starting with ………..
Come on you boys in green.
Jimmynotpaul, re games at Tynecastle . I have two favourite games there. My first game there November 1976 Hearts 3 Celtic 4 after being 3 1 down . Danny McGrain and Kenny Dalglish were imperious that dat.
The other was eight years later we won 5 1 with Brian McLair scoring a hat trick and Tommy scoring a sublime goal. The other scorer is not worth mentioning.
Dormund v Leipzig game on BT is cracking , 3 2 to Dortmund so far.
Macjay
Thanks for the reply.
I would hope to meet you some day and discuss this over a pint.
`Easy Rider` just about to start on Freeview so it is a
Cheero for now from me.
last 10 minutes in Glasgow Cup still trailing by a goal.
Regarding games at tynecastle-Allan Thompson’s ball in for henrik 🍀
In the snow to💚
Macjay..,
I don’t understand how a political philosophy that is forced to end because of external influences can be considered as failed. Capitalism has paid a great amount of money and resources to pervert and corrupt socialism everywhere the population have democratically elected it. If it is/was always bound to fail why spend so much on forcing it out against the will of the majority.
Meanwhile capitalism is designed to fail and does so regularly, to the point it no longer even pretends, it is imposed by imperialist advocates.
Dallas.
Yes, another 2 crackers.
The 1976 game was my first ever away Celtic game, outside Glasgow.
Went on Govan Emerald, time we got in, minis were 2 up, another great comeback.
Another good one, was the Tommy Coyne hat trick, there, 1989?
YEEESS. Last minute equaliser, substitute Liam Burt. Final Score one all. Well done the young Bhoys.
DAVID66 on 17TH DECEMBER 2019 6:46 PM
Marspapa- a few mates coming in for the game and I finish on Thursday at 3.30pm until 6/1/20.
Tomorrow night could get a bit messy.
HH
Unfortunately with the games coming up it could be a messy month for you.
Your liver will be looking forward to the 6th :))))))
Broony presser…guy has matured immeasurably.
Well done Scott you handled them well.
Dortmund v Leipzig a good watch.
Hail Hail.
Vital match tomorrow as they all are these days. Confident but expecting a toughie and for them to raise their level as they always do against us. Read something about them a few days ago, very slow and flat footed, Berra, Maclean and Whelan through the spine of their team. Ancient. They may start fast and try and hang on. Hopefully we can get on top early and capitalise on the anxiety.
Corkie: thanks for the updates. ET or replay?
For some reason tonight’s chat brought this to mind.
https://youtu.be/iNQns0jhy4k
HOT SMOKED on 17TH DECEMBER 2019 9:00 PM
Macjay
I would thoroughly enjoy that .
David 17.
Just the mention of McLean will have Dallas growling. :-)
To say he doesn’t like him, is an understatement.
Is that correct J?
Almore. It’s a League, Clyde, Queens Part & Thistle first teams & Celtic & Huns Colt teams,
Think each team plays the others twice in a round robin and the 2 top teams at end of round robin play off for the final.
CANAMALAR IT LOOKS LIKE OCD OBSESSION on 17TH DECEMBER 2019 9:03 PM
Your suggestion of outside influences may be true , and was true in the case of Chile
, but socialism fails because the people don`t want it .
Given the chance to rid themselves of socialism , eg the whole Eastern Europe including the Soviet Union , tell me one country which has freely chosen to elect a socialist govt.
But having done so , can`t get rid of them .
Poor wee Nicaragua perhaps and look at the state of them. A lawless country .
Latin America is a political basket case with primitive political practices.
The people don`t want socialism .
Jimmynotpaul at 9.03.
A first half willie Gibson hat trick for Hearts in the 4 3 game.
We both probably were at the game Tommy scored a hat trick , I think it was the start of the 1989/90 season.
Tommy made his debut for us at Tynecastle the previous season playing as an attacking midfield player rather as a centre forward.
I always had my doubts about Tommy’s ability other than as a goalscorer . I saw him play a few times for Clydebank and wasn’t impressed.
In saying that by the time he left us , against his will i believe, he had turned into a very important player and I was sad to see him leave. It was very pleasing to see him start games for Eire in the 1994 world cup and play well.
Tomorrow will be our usual difficult game at Tynecastle and i think Madhun is the ref , to add to what will be a tough night. That sleekit hun , Steven Maclean, will be up front for them and will be up to his usual flyman antics.
Macjay,
I did say democratically elected, no ?
Every country in South America who elected socialist governments improved their standard of living and practised mixed economies. Every single one.
The US are determined that no other socioeconomic model will be allowed to succeed and poured billions into destabilising all of them.
Even Nicaragua, the US paid for insurrection and trainer death squads to eliminate supporters
of the alternative economic philosophy.
It is all well documented so I don’t get your continued insistence on the lies you are prepared to propagate to pretend any credence.
Death squads always follow American liberation in South America why is that if the majority who have consistently voted for socialist governments. That is a simple and verifiable fact you continue to ignore in your dogma.