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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Oh and Macjay, every time the American proxies open new elections the socialist parties return to power so contrary to your claims the majority consistently wants socialist governments, which starts off the whole cycle of American imposed dictatorships and death squads.
This cycle has caused the South American electoral systems to be the most robust in the world as verified by the independent electoral monitors. And why the new proxies are determined to dismantle the electoral systems as among their highest priorities when they usurp power undemocratically as in Bolivia and attempted in Venezuela.
In Brazil the election was rigged to ensure the socialist party would not be elected. The judiciary are now under investigation for wrongful arrest and imprisonment of the popular leader and favourite to win, under the instruction of the CIA.
Macjay,
Look up Argentina, another example that exposes your ignorance or lies on what people want.
Team for tomorrow
Forster
Frimpong
Taylor
Ajer
Bitton
Brown
Christie
McGregor
Rogic
Forrest
Edouard
We’re gonna win the league
Lenny has shown Hibs respect since he returned as manager. The 3-5-2 on Sunday was an interesting one, i dont think he trusted Boli and Frimpong to defend properly against an offensive Hibs so gave us an extra body at the back. Frimpong will excel in an attacking sense in a 3-5-2. If the wee man plays tomorrow as i expect then it could be 3-5-2 again. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the same team as Sunday with maybe only Ntcham making way for Rogic or Christie if fit. I would go with Taylor but i think Lenny will go with Boli again.
Cana
” Lies and ignorance ” .
Why do I bother ?
Will I ever learn not to attempt civil discourse with such as yourself , pobrecito ?
Cycle for fitness, they said.
Been doing it to work since April along the Forth & Clyde canal up to Speirs Wharf and down into Cowcaddens.
Been great so far….until Monday morning.
Wonderful way to see a bit of nature and avoid the ratrace of train/bus/car. Until Monday morning.
Realised that there was more ice than usual. “Steady as she goes!” The mantra. Saw a couple of herons, magic.
Until the viaduct over the Kelvin. No sooner had I shouted “morning” to a walker when my wheels spun out and I went down quicker than a Morelos under an imagery tackle.
Bang! There goes my hip.
Bang! There goes my shoulder.
Bang! There goes my camera as my head hits the deck.
I’m now sliding toward the water of the canal…..
I see my camera, now unencumbered from my heid also sliding towards the freezing waters…
…it was at this point I realised I still hadn’t seen a handsome Hun.
Luckily I spun like a big Catherine wheel añd it halted my progress.
The walker came to my aid. Thank you sir!
But I had rattled my nonce and probably didn’t make much sense. So thanks again.
End result is I’m in a bit of discomfort and had to leave work early today. Think I have cycling whiplash when my head hit the deck. So work looking dodgy tomorrow.
Moral of story.
Lycra can kill……
Macjay,
I simply say what I see, and as usual you fail to address any point, each and everyone demonstrates your duplicitous nature.
patético
Art of War
Now that was funny….
media conference with El Capitano, and likely POTY:
https://youtu.be/gQdjbOSoCBg
Oops ~ sorry!
https://youtu.be/SRzaZZ9sqFc
‘mon the Nir ~ he gets it
https://youtu.be/tck9-E9x_UU
Good morning CQN fro a frozen Garngad
AOW – hope all is well, you should probably get to a hospital and get checked over to be sure all is ok. I think Monday caught a lot of people out with how bad the ice was.
Right I’m going to try this again a team for tonight:
Forster
Ajer Bitton Julien taylor
Broonie. Cal Mac
Jamsie RC. Frimpong
Eddie
Or Yaylor oot Frimpong at LB but going to back 3 and Ntcham in middle and attack with impunity.
Again I will be totally wrong.
But whichever of Lenny’s Lions take the field get into these mini Hun feckers
HH
D. :)
In times of distress every penny is welcome.
The sfa are,with a knuckley handshake and not a hint of openness or transparency,the most devious set of blazers yet.slippin their works team a few quid (always welcome brithers)
https://www.reddit.com/r/euro_2020/comments/eaxed6/scotland_to_use_rangers_hummel_training_centre_as/
HH
Art Of War
Hope you get well soon, sounds like a nasty fall. I do a bit of cycling myself but from past experience never go out when there’s a chance of ice – can be absolutely deadly!
Take care pal.
FT
If Ryan Christie returns to the side I wouldn’t be surprised to see him line up on the left.
Big game tonight. Will
Squeeze into the dolphin at Partick to watch this one needs 11 players tonight
So Forrest must drop out
His performance the last 2 games were shocking
On sat his performance as a no 9 was a waste of a position. Jeremie performance at right midfield indeed finishes Forrest’s role at Celtic
SYDNEYTIM on 18TH DECEMBER 2019 9:15 AM
Did you miss James Forrest’s assist?
This article omits Edouard. Is that just forgetfulness? I hope so !
https://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/celtic-squad-update/
Sydney Tim
Your in Glasgow for Christmas? Dolphin- Good to hear it’s opened again,last I heard a wall or something collapsed.well hope you enjoy your time if home.
HH
Welfare state you say,
Alive and kicking if you are a multinational oil company who pay no tax. SHELL.
https://t.co/sK8YgQXNUP?amp=1
HH
Fix Fitba: Empty Hampden.
AOW……………
Us mamils…..( middle-aged men in lycra)……..need to be careful out there.
:)
Cycling with even a hint o’ Jack Frost?
Bonkers!
;)
HH
Great to have Nir signed up.Class act.So underated by so many fans.The thing about signing real quality,as I keep harping on about,is that I cannot see players of this calibre ,being prepared to sit on the bench,waiting their chance due to injuries.This to me is a big problem.One of the blogs today saying,Benkovitch.Apart from the cost,very high,who would he replace?We have a very big squad.So much so that too many good players are not getting enough game time.EG,Bayo.Not one of us knows how this boy would developed with 6 or 7 first team games in succession.
Good mid-morning, friends from a cold, frosty, Christmas-like East Kilbride. Tough game in store tonight. Double shinpads required I fear but the incentive of a 5 point lead at the top.
TURKEYBHOY on 18TH DECEMBER 2019 10:11 AM
I don’t know about Benkovic. He isn’t really fancied by the rat at Leicester. Barely featured.
TURKEYBHOY on 18TH DECEMBER 2019 10:11 AM
I know what you mean , but I would be astonished if it were not made perfectly clear to the ” fringe ” players on signing that they would have to work for a first team spot.
I get the impression that Celtic are a very professional outfit, from head to toe.
In spite of ……………………..well you know the rest .
A new name to me added to the UEFA list of referees for the second half of this season. David Munro joins Nick Walsh at Cat3 level. Never mind a Celtic game, has this bloke ever reffed any Premiership game?
The others are unchanged; Elite Collum, Cat1 Beaton and Madden, Cat2 Clancy and Robertson.
Scotland also has a registered futsal referee; Cat3 Gordon McCabe.
Reading back I see some folk mentioning the Dortmund game last night and enjoying it.
I was at the Bayern Munich v Werder Bremen game on Saturday in the Allianz with some friends.
Absolutely loved the whole experience & 7 goals too, what’s not to love!!
Art of War: hope your injuries aren’t too bad.
FellowcyclistsCSC
Not a good time recently for yours truly…EXCEPT for the Celts winning . After my infection and heart attack in October during 17 days on hospital , I was allowed home. Sadly, after 2/3 weeks or so at home, I found myself back in hospital with a very dangerous low blood count, and I am posting from my hospital bed, via my phone. I’ve been back in since December 5th, and its driving me nuts. I had to watch us gubbing the Huns in the Final on my phone, but it did cheer me up ! Tomorrow is my 64th Birthday, which looks like I will spend in here , but hopefully I can get home for Christmas ? In the meantime Celts, keep racking up the victory’, and cheer up this auld git !
HH
Guy- I wonder if the rookie, is from the notorious Lanarkshire Referees?
Big Jimmy: 🙏 for a speedy recovery and quick return home.
BIG JIMMY on 18TH DECEMBER 2019 11:18 AM
Your pals on CQN are thinking about you .
Be sure of that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCTunqv1Xt4
Bada Bing on 18th December 2019 11:19AM
Past experience tells us it’s most likely, though in the absence of a Head of Refereeing Performance I doubt any individual will hold their hand up to recommending his appointment. Lanarkshire has more referees than players.
Scotland has seven referees with a UEFA reputation to defend yet the champions repeatedly come up against the stiffs Muir, McLean, Dallas, Aitken etc.
PHILBHOY on 17TH DECEMBER 2019 3:01 PM
ERNIE
How do you no Rod has said or done nothing to change views he expressed in a press article nearly 50 years ago?
You’re talkin’ shite again.
####
What I know is this.
1. Rod Stewart said this.
“I think Enoch [Powell] is the man. I’m all for him. This country is overcrowded. The immigrants should be sent home. That’s it.”
2. Celtic was founded by immigrants for immigrants. To this day Celtic fans have faced calls to go home.
3. Any Celtic fan who has any respect for the history, heritage and traditions of the club should find the views expressed by Rod Stewart to be utterly obnoxious.
4. There is no evidence that Rod Stewart has ever recanted or apologised for the views he has expressed or has changed his opinion. If you or anyone is aware of any such evidence please provide it.
5. His actions (Sun City, Israel, congratulating Johnson) are consistent with him having retained his views.
6. He has attached himself to Celtic and is regarded by some as ‘a great ambassador’ for the club yet for some reason has never been called out for his racist views.
I’d suggest that until there is a public apology from him and a credible recantation then he should be persona non grata with Celtic fans, just as any other racist arsehole should be.
Big Jimmy
Hope your health improves soon, and you get home for Christmas.
HH
I’d go with a 3-5-2 tonight and swap out Boli for Taylor and JF for Bayo with Eddy given licence to roam. A physical presence who will occupy the box and get on the end of crosses from Frimpong is what we need tonight and Bayo is the only striker who will do that. Christie (if fit) to replace Ntcham as well.