Brendan Rodgers declared himself delighted with his first transfer window as Celtic manager, which is now over, after the additions of Kolo Toure, Scott Sinclair, Moussa Dembele, Dorus de Vries and Cristian Gamboa.
Toure, Dembele and Sinclair, the managers three primary targets, were acquired early, while de Vries and right back, Gamboa, were added recently. Deals went close to the wire today but the hoped-for midfield player (which was never James McCarthy) didn’t materialise.
A permanent deal for a (known around these parts) central defender to backfill Jozo Simunovic, who was wanted by Torino, couldn’t be tied up either, so Torino also look to have missed their target.
You’ll hear direct from the manager soon enough but he’s got the calibre of recruit he wanted – which he didn’t know would be possible three months ago.
There was never anything possible to make a formidable Champions League group look any easier, but we’ll compete at the top table, and we’ll wipe the floor with all-comers domestically.
More tomorrow.
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It seems the CL isn’t an attractive proposition after all.
Soothsayers were nearly right bout us selling someone to balance the books, it just never came off.
Our CL bounty will disappear into the ether, or otherwise known as miscellaneous / extra ordinary items.
Thankfully BR IS proficient in horse trading
MIKE IN TORONTO on 31ST AUGUST 2016 9:41 PM
Can’t agree re. Bitton. Other than passing the ball straight back to the centre half who passed to him in the first place, he can’t pass. When he tries to pass forward, rarely I know, he gives it away more often than not. No coincidence that Brown’s good start to the season has come to a halt since Bitton came back into the starting eleven. He’s a last 20 minutes, trying to see the game out substitute at best. As for a third player in beside them to bolster the midfield in Europe, we tried that with McGregor last week. In theory you are correct, the reality is we don’t have anyone good enough. The back up two to Brown/Bitton are McGregor/Armstrong.
Happy with Brendan’s progress so far got rid of a few deadwooders & refilled with quality we are a far better team than last year. We will see further improvement in January as Brendan stamps his authority on the team even more. With domestic supremacy assured as well as competing in Europe
This was a Non heated drive way post :)
Clogher Celt, thumbs up.
Mixed emotions.
The best signing since last season has been Brendan Rodgers so in that sense we’re better off than the last campaign.
In terms of the playing squad I believe with Tore, Sinclair and Dembele we’ve come out of the transfer window stronger than when we went in. It’s too soon to talk about the other two new guys.
I watched the Israelis swamp our midfield last week, cutting incisively through too many Celts who can’t tackle and don’t close down space quickly enough against quality opponents.
I desperately wanted a strong, quick midfielder before midnight and I’m massively disappointed that hasn’t happened.
Aye in terms of the CL it would have been a sticking plaster but that’s better than leaving an open wound.
Yesterday I wasn’t bothered when I heard the details of net spend, all I was interested in was Celtic improving the squad as best we could.
My personal opinion is that Brendan will be very disappointed tonight. Why we didn’t get the much needed midfielder in is open to conjecture.
Bada @ 9:50
Brilliant! (and I like EA, but that is still funny!)
Disappointed we can’t get McCarthy on loan (if we are interested in him). Surely Everton would prefer to have him sign for a team who are not direct competitors? Obviously wages could be an issue but presumably the PL clubs in for him would not be paying all of his wages?
5 signings delivered, all clear BR targets from the over – hyped, inflated EPL market. Understandable strategy from Brendan but reflects very poorly on the existing scouting network at Celtic Park. How long has John Park been in his role? His job is to deliver a long term sustainable recruitment strategy, regardless of who the manager is, I assume Brendan has reviewed JP’s database and is not impressed.
Personally, I am concerned that our squad is still too big, Boyata, Commons and Cifti should all have been moved on in a professional manner, we remain some distance from a 18 man first team squad. Happy that Jozo deal fell through, think he gives balance and height to our defence, assuming he can stay fit.
Lucky Cody
I appologise, sometimes the gin takes over.
HH
Afternoon All.
You may recall that last year I decided to take part in the Celtic Charity Foundation Charity Sleepout.
Well I will be taking part again this year on 12th November as part of the foundation’s Christmas Appeal – however the charity sleepout and helping the homeless is of particular interest to me.
Firstly because I became interested in the homeless issue whilst at University when completing a project surrounding the cause and effect of the homeless persons act 1977 during which I was horrified to find how many people were officially homeless; how many were not officially homeless because they were living in temporary accommodation and how absolutely bloddy awful that accommodation was.
Most people become homeless because of the break up of a relationship or because they are evicted by a bank, buikding society or a landlord.
Many become homeless with the intention that it will be for a night or two which then drifts into a week, then a month then ………… well it could be for a long time.
The very fact you become homeless makes it difficult to get back on the grid and the longer you are homeless (officially or unofficially) the harder it gets.
Shelter is saying that today homelessness is on the rise with more and more people facing the problem.
The homeless include kids and families who just have no permanent accommodation and have no certainty in their lives. It is not just those you see begging in the street either. Many people who are homeless have low paid jobs, cannot get benefits and despite holding down one or maybe two jobs just fail to be able to afford accommodation.
For the really desperate and alone, when you pass and say hello to a homeless person that might just be the only humnan contact they have that day.
The Celtic Charity Foundation work with people like the Simon Centre, The Invisibles and the Seaman’s Mission among others.
The foundation has arranged food, shelter, clothing, blankets, sleeping bags and other support in the past but it all takes money so I am trying to raise a few quid for this.
The second reason for doing this is that due to my duff knees (one of which is soon to face the surgeon) I can’t run, swim, peddle or climb for charity so in the absence of any charity storytelling, talking or drinking events I am somewhat limited on the fundraising event front.
If you want to support me then my donation page can be found here:
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jamesmcginley2
Hamilton Tim and The Mynx and also doing the sleepout so if you have supported them there is no need to support me as well, and if you know anyone else who is also doing the sleepout, then please support them as it is the collective effort that counts.
However, we can make a real difference to people this winter with this and the time to start making that difference is now.
If anyone has any other fund raising ideas that don’t involve being Sir Edmund Hillary, Brendan Forster or Bradley Wiggins then please let me know.
Thanks for reading.
HH
BRTH
5 players in and how many out ?
Did we spend about £4.5 million ?
18 years ago , we bought Marko Viduka for £4 million
I think we are a much stronger team now, than we were when the transfer window opened.
However, we should be in an even stronger position for CL group. One more signing would have helped for Def mid.
It’s a pity we didn’t get the midfielder and striker, but it was Brendan’s first transfer window, and five first team players in, ok 4, don’t know if the RB will be a starter.
Either Brendan was brought in under false pretences………….or…………………………
Gary67 ….
I really rate young Christie … I know he is young, and is slight, but from the times I have seen him (including before we bought him), I think he is going to be a really good player. For now, maybe slight….
As I have been saying for a while … if not him, play Sviatchenko… and I would play him beside NB …. SB would be used only when we are playing Barca, etc., and need to swamp the midfield …
but, all about opinions… and I’m not saying I am right … just my opinion.
We seem to be running it to the wire tonight.
Was hoping to see more of the deadwood mocked out.
Currently it is not a case of Klingons on the starboard bow.
It is Klingons in the middle of the defence, left mid, right mid and up front.
As things stand I think that KA is going to have to grow up PDQ to get our CL campaign half way credible. Looking damage limitation away from home and a crowd inspired wave of emotion to try and get some points at home.
I think we are a bit light in MF for a number of reasons.
We do not have a VW class DM at any level — squad / U20 / youths.
We do not have a go to guy to police the MF when and I’d a MIB inspired / protected Clogger starts to hand it out when we are on our travels — not pretty and not really in the Corinthean ethos of the game but sometimes needs must as in be prepared.
Interesting to see if KA is asked to step up?
Interesting to see if SB and NB can roll back the years and play as a unit?
Permanent malcontents are , by definition , never happy.
The biggest most significant ” IN ” these last few months has been an ” OUT.”
Celebrate that fact and look forward with optimism to our future with Brendan.
Even though that may be out of character.
COYBIG.
Cambhoy @21.23 hrs.
Nobody will give you stick for your honest opinions.
However what would Mario Ballotelli bring to us ? For one , our manager publicly slated him while at Liverpool. In the last two seasons he has scored 2 goals I believe.
He is a controversial figure in the dressing room when we are in the business of getting rid of such players.
His off- field activities are well documented, and he has been described as unmanageable by a former manager.
Sorry, not for me and thank God he is now spoken for
HH.
Of course I feel disappointed, new signings are like toys to kids we always crave them. Whether today was an OK day or a disaster we won’t know until season unfolds.
We will still have Jozo, who knows in a couple of months we could be raving about the guy.
Re The Champions League Group we could have spent a hundred million today & still finished last in the group we are in.
What really counts is how the team develops. Yea, I feel a bit deflated right now but I’ll get over it.
We have a decent squad & plenty of decent Development Players looking to emulate KT, roll on the next game. Can’t remember who we are playing, but I do know there’s going to be a show & Glasgow Celtic will be there.
DAVIDOPOULOS on 31ST AUGUST 2016 9:35 PM
Honestly, it was jam! It looked, smelled and tasted like jam. Although now that I think about it, it may have been Peters Butter…. no, it was definitely jam! It was nice jam and I was happy enough with it, but next seasons fruit will make better jam.
HH!
-Tambo
Well done BRTH, I haven’t sponsored anyone for that yet, so which of you behaves best will get my shilling.
The next set of accounts will show huge annual losses.
The season tickets sales and CL money will not show until next years accounts.
Therefore this window we do not yet have the riches available that many are thinking.
We are still balancing the books.
The none sale of Simunovic has obviously hampered our own spend.
I don’t buy Pauls spin that we refused to sell Simunovic because we didn’t get our target to replace him.
Time will tell if Simunovic is an even longer term crock.
The board won’t push the boat out to win the SPL.
We may just have to suffer the humiliations that await us in the CL.
We are caught between domination in Scotland and humiliation in Europe.
Let’s hope I’m wrong on the European front.
TT
Transfer deadline day.today
at Celtic park it’s Wednesday
I must have the same window cleaners as Brendan. No streak finish n all.
Not so sure about lack of fight in midfield though. I expect a few embarrassing results in CL with hope that the strongest man works wonders from the stands.
Ah well. A wee pile of bonus collecting stashing up all the same so alls good and fairly normal.
MWD
From 5 days ago.
Peter Lawwell has promised Brendan Rodgers every penny of profit from the Champions League to power up his squad after sealing a return to the big boys playground.
“We knew what we wanted to do before qualifying and we know what we want to do now.
“The manager is looking to add to the squad and we will look to do that in the coming week.”
“We have always reinvested everything that comes in because for us it’s all about the football.”
They believe the SPFL is in the bag and can strengthen again in January if necessary or get someone out of contract etc.
The CL is an unexpected bonus, if we spent £4m would it mean qualification? I don’t think so. Third place, who knows. A gamble.
Nope concentrate on getting the wages down and rationalise the squad.
Maybe even use some of the CL money to offer BR an extended contract??
Maybe he’s delighted with that??
thinkingpositivecsc
Gary67
He was only kidding……
HH
Any quotes from Brendan being delighted, or just -lazy journalism’ ? We might get a couple on loan after EPL teams puck their 25 man squads
“I assume Brendan has reviewed JP’s database and is not impressed.”
Sloleybhoy,
Brendan proper player was a jp database player.
HH
TAMBOURINE BHOY OF 1967
Haha, that gave me a good laugh.
THE EXILED TIM
Or we only get £400k profit from £30m windfall!!
Bada,
The ol loan period after the window shuts has been done away with is it not?
HH
Ambrose loves the Celtic. Aka wants his passport. He’d have moved to an English side.
TT
I share your domination in Scotland, humiliation in Europe fear.
I am baffled as to why we have not strengthened our obvious weak spot.
Broony needs help beside him.
Poor end to the transfer window IMHO
A midfield that barely scraped past a very ordinary Isreali team will get well turned over in the CL
If the board have no ambition in this competition that lack of ambition should be reflected in the price of tickets!
Having paid out £600 for a ST, asking for another £100 for three games is a bit steep when so little investment is being made in the team.
HH
Geordie Munro,
Brendan proper player was a jp database player.
Which one – Dembele?
Boyata,Ambrose,MacGregor,GMS,Armstrong,Janko
Are all taking big wages ,and can’t be moved on ,because they are not worth what we are paying them.
Such a pity 6 out and 2 of quality in ,would be better.
TT
Doh.
Brendans first proper signing.
HH