Celtic and grasping how the world works

293

Your timely reminder.  Players who are available at the start of a transfer window fall into one of a few categories:

Their clubs do not value them.
Their clubs need for cash is too urgent to wait until the end of the window (see Rapid Vienna).
Their clubs operate in a weak market, where the offer was a surprise and no other is expected.
When the player downs tools.

If a club is operating under normal financial circumstances and has an in-demand talent, why would it sell before the end of the window, when they can work on attracting higher bids?  If you were Celtic manager, why would you sanction the sale of a top player early in a window?

We all know why deals happen late in the window.  It frustrates the life out of all of us, but it’s the consequence of a natural bargaining position.  Yet, goldfish-like memories really struggle with how the world around them works.  There are exceptions, but see the above list for every one of them.

Then there’s the buyer.  Option 4 is available, and you can have him at the start of the window but none of the coaches really want Option 4.  They want Option 1, Option 2 at a push, but the further down the list you go, the less likely they are to give you the green light.  You might even hear, “Option 4 is no better than what we’ve got, so forget it” – which happens often.

Celtic are in the market for a striker.  Utrecht managed to sign a 26-year-old striker on 10 January with a Europa League winners medal, and experience in the Italian and German top flights.  Celtic have Oh at the Asian Cup and are relying on Kyogo, why can’t we do what Utrecht have managed?

We are in the market for a left back.  Now Greg Taylor is injured, we have to play his understudy Alexandro Bernabei against Ross County.  There are dozens of left backs available within Celtic’s budget, why haven’t we signed one already this month?

Tell me, why can’t we do what Utrecht did and sign a player with the pedigree of Sam Lammers, or just go out and spend £3.5m again and sign another Bernabei or Boli Bolingoli?  It can’t be that difficult!

Failure to grasp how the world works – when it is so obvious and predictable – holds people back more than they are prepared to accept.

Delighted Matt O’Riley has his eyes on the prize.

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293 Comments

  1. Centre back and jotta replacement were summer priorities I thought ?

     

     

    And Mooy replacement in Centre mid

  2. The returnof weeron on

    Hate to say it, but…..

     

     

    CCV isn’t ‘Committing his future to Celtic’. He’s signed something that will give him more money while he is here. Might also cause Celtic to get more money when we sell him.

     

     

    But he will still leave as soon as we get an offer that will allow us to buy a project and put the remaing 75% in the bank….

     

     

    That’s how we roll.

     

     

    Weeron

  3. Paul 67

     

     

    Your timely reminder. Players who are available at the start of a transfer window fall into one of a few categories:

     

     

    Their clubs do not value them.

     

    Their clubs need for cash is too urgent to wait until the end of the window (see Rapid Vienna).

     

    Their clubs operate in a weak market, where the offer was a surprise and no other is expected.

     

    When the player downs tools.

     

     

    If a club is operating under normal financial circumstances and has an in-demand talent, why would it sell before the end of the window, when they can work on attracting higher bids? If you were Celtic manager, why would you sanction the sale of a top player early in a window?

     

     

    Yet, goldfish-like memories really struggle with how the world around them works.

     

     

    —————————

     

    Why can’t those who constantly moan grasp the above?

     

     

    They are not “goldfish-like”, indeed they will eagerly recall the “Willie Flood window” to back-up and comment on anything derogatory regarding Celtic; and the target of their ire is always, boringly, Peter Lawwell, followed by Mark Lawwell, with Dermot Desmond thrown in for good measure.

     

     

    Give someone a platform on which they can moan, and moan they will, time after time.

     

     

    Michael Nicholson is our current CEO; however it is always Peter Lawwell that is in their crosshairs. Do they think that the club is lying? Do they think the manager is lying? No organization in Scotland, however ‘staunch’, has ever openly accused Celtic football club of lying. Imagine the outcry if it did; and yet an element of our fan base can level this accusation daily in blogs, and you can add-in blackmail for good measure when it comes to the GB outpourings.

     

     

    Since 2002 when PL took charge, we have won thirty-five honours in twenty-one years. This is totally disregarded as the bile against the man constantly spews out. However the same ‘suspects’ will happily trot out statistics like eleven titles won out of twelve, world record eight trebles and four quadruples, when pitting themselves against the Ibrox faithful and/or their champions in the Scottish media. They can’t have it both ways!

     

     

     

    Re: Coneybhoy (1:54), five out of our seven summer signings appear to be settling in well and contributing to the team. That is a high percentage (70%), and the two outliers, Lagerbielke & Tilio still have a chance and have not been written-off. That compares very favourably with Ange’s track-record of bringing players in. If you get 50% success from all your incoming transfer dealings, you are doing well; any club in the EPL would ‘over the moon’ with those statistics, and they are spending multi-millions in a totally different market from Celtic.

     

    We need back-up at left-back and another striker; there is no panic in the goalkeeper department at this present time. So two in (maybe loans) needed to ‘complete’ the squad. I’m confident we will bring in a couple before the window closes(see Paul 67 explanation above). The fight for the title is well and truly on and we cannot afford slip-ups like St Johnstone(H), Hibs(A), Motherwell(H), Hearts(H) & Kilmarnock(A). Dropping another twelve points like these will not win the league this season. It’s now up to players, coaches and management.

  4. THE RETURNOF WEERON

     

     

    CCV isn’t getting a big money move anywhere now. He’s too old.

     

     

    We sold Jota and spent more than we received on players in the Summer

  5. We brought in the players we had already identified prior to BR being appointed. Those who were signed have more than likely been “scouted” for 1 or 2 years, might even be 3. Now there’s a new coach, and what he wants , is now the remit of the recruitment staff, and will take every bit as long to source them as it has for every other player who joins us. We might get lucky in the summer if we have already been tracing somebody who falls into what BR is looking for, very lucky! But, I’m more than certain we will acquire 1 or 2 in the summer. BR stated, not so long ago ,that it would take 2/3 windows for the squad to resemble what he has in mind for us, por cierto

  6. happy to secure CCV , however we need a dominant center beside him to win headers. CCV, Scales, Rocky and welsh are all the same type!

     

     

    Fed up about the LB situation. Been a weakness for years – Taylor has given 110% every game he plays, and he’s overplayed – now we pay the price for not securing an athletic player (as a #1 for that position).

     

     

    Celtic board are disgusting me at the moment – we have a significant financial advantage yet we dont want to show it!

     

     

    Rangers on the other hand , despite their challenges are at least making moves – sure , no guarantees with their players – but they fit a profile of physicality and promise.

     

     

    Over you you board/bored – complacent, frugal or dominant?

  7. Tom McLaughlin on

    BADA BING

     

     

    Only you could turn a key Celtic player signing a new contract into a negative. You still upset at Brendan and Matt shoving your prediction up yer jacksie?

  8. If BR does decide to move Liam Scales to LB tomorrow and he has a good game then I would think it will be the summer before a new LB is signed. What would be the point. We have more than enough good CB’s to cope with one of them, LS, moving to LB in an emergency, por cierto

  9. TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 26TH JANUARY 2024 4:06 PM

     

    BADA BING

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Only you could turn a key Celtic player signing a new contract into a negative. You still upset at Brendan and Matt shoving your prediction up yer jacksie?

     

     

    What are you on about daftie? I never said O’Riley would leave just now,get your facts straight

  10. Bada Bing

     

     

    You are correct there. We didn’t get the extra cover there some felt was needed. We did in Midfield, Wide Left and Centre Back. Perhaps it was not seen as the priority.

     

     

    My recollection is that Taylor wasn’t even considered by most as even good enough to be our left back early in season.

     

     

    Now folk are wetting the bed because he may be out for a month.

     

     

    The Liverpool lad was due to be signed and loaned back to Dundee until end of season. Until Greg’s injury it seemed to be a good fit for us. ESP given his (Greg’s) injury record to date which is good. Also given recent form.

     

     

    This injury like that of Sima at Ibrox has the potential to change our plans.

  11. ONIL

     

     

    So what is going on then ? Do share ?

     

     

    We extend a contract of a top player.

     

     

    Is it a conspiracy ? Maybe we want these rangers to win everything ? How sneaky.

     

     

    If so then with the record posted earlier by someone on here then the evil board are clearly incompetent with achieving that task. Celtic seem to be winning far too much.

  12. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Brilliant news about Cameron.

     

     

    Will Paul put up a new article?

     

     

    Our best players, the core of our team, most influential onfield contributors and most valuable assets are all signed up until 2027 or beyond.

     

     

    AJ, Maik, CCV, Calum, Matt, Reo, Liel, Daizen, Palma, Kuhn, Kyogo.

     

     

    Doesn’t mean that some won’t be sold.

     

     

    But it means we have real control.

     

     

    Brilliant news.

  13. My recollection is that Taylor wasn’t even considered by most as even good enough to be our left back early in season.

     

     

     

    Now folk are wetting the bed because he may be out for a month.

     

     

    —-

     

     

    If you were of the opinion that GT was not good enough to be starting at LB for us, you should be happy that a guy not deemed a better option by BR for the entire first half of the season will now be playing there ?

     

     

    Wha ?

  14. B78- I would sign Beck now,even though we cant play him till next season, we are very used to signing players who are injured and we don’t see for months, Tilio for example, Nelms on Liverpool Board I think?

  15. CARFIN on 26TH JANUARY 2024 12:30 PM

     

     

    “A” is for apologist.

     

     

    No,its ‘A’ for Are you a hun?

  16. I dont think the main frustration was about Taylor – it was a position that could be improved physically. EVERY team we play (Europe and Scotland) has their goalkeeper play directly to that position because of this weakness.

     

     

     

    From my pov, as much as I think GT gives his all in every game , and provides quality (much of which is unnoticed in terms of his positional play in the inverted role). He has defensive frailties – torn apart against pace and quality.

     

     

     

    If Celtic has aspirations – we can do better and add height , pace and skill in that role. GT would be a worthy back up to have. just my opinion and same applies to striker and center back or center mid with physicality.

  17. onenightinlisbon on

    BURNLEY78 on 26TH JANUARY 2024 4:18 PM

     

     

    I think you are well aware of the timing of this.

  18. boondock saint on

    I can’t quite grasp why folks are so negative on Greg Taylor. Is it because we didn’t buy him from some exotic names team, or an over inflated player from the EPL!!!! The wee mhan does his job, and others at the same time. He is living the dream and giving his all. Is it because he doesn’t grab the megaphone and start the chants with the Green Brigade. Gie the bhoy a break and support him. Reminds me of some of the posters who used to say that CalMAc was not good enough for our midfield, and that was recent as well!!! Faithful through and through the song said. The wee guy must have something if good managers continually play him.

     

    Sean

  19. Great news on CCV, whichever way you look at it.

     

     

    Not too worried on the LB issue; we have another LB (whether you rate him or not) and I’ve always said Scales should be a LB (he was at Rovers).

     

     

    anyway, McGregor can play LB , can’t he? 😈

  20. Guys wake up Liewell’s bonus is more important than signing players, players are an irritant to the Liewell bhoys, they use up cash that can go to them.

     

     

    Follow the money guys, follow the money.

     

     

    D. :)

  21. NOTTHEBUS on 26TH JANUARY 2024 12:39 PM

     

     

    Cmon PAul. multi million pound negotiations are a dawdle..20 secs on the playstation..sack the board !

     

     

    Jokin aside NTB i think the younger generation are definetly influenced by such gaming rituals.

     

    The ease it is to sign someone,

     

    We can afford emdi

     

    Get him to flook

     

    Whits the delay?

     

    Failing again.

     

    Sometimes i wish it was a simple as playatation makes out.

     

    Its not .

     

    Ps am goin for my 22nd title on the trot ha

     

     

    Hail Hail

  22. Boondock Saint,

     

     

    Taylor plays well in a system that suits him; similar to most players of his calibre.

     

     

    Under Lennon he had to play as a wide LB in a slow as treacle system. He was clearly not good enough for that (neither was Boli and the Argentine fella).

     

     

    The inverted LB role and the fast transition under Ange made him a potential POTY. Suited him perfectly.

     

    Starfelt and Maeda (sometimes Jota) protected him defensively too.

     

     

    Early this season under Rodgers, he seemed to be playing the conventional LB role and with new CB and winger (LM chopped around too). Made him look like his 2019-2021 self.

     

     

    He was terrible for Scotland as well, coming inside for help or playing man to man and never in the right place.

     

     

    Only top players can play in any team or system (Tierney)

     

     

    Recently he has been inverting again so perhaps Rodgers has admitted that he got it wrong and big enough to admit it.

     

     

    all just opinion and fantasy from a fan but i’d like to hear your opinion(as a player and coach) on our LB/LCH positioning this season as most goals conceded come from there with Liam and Greg

     

     

    PS buy the pub and tell BRRB where it is. Sorted

     

    Hail Hail

  23. Non execs don’t get paid performance related bonuses. That’s the whole point of non execs – no skin in the game

  24. rangers signing Brazilian left back (he he’s of the Rafael sheite calibre) – they will sell ridvan and buy shankland with the profits. him and celement didn’t fondle each other for nothing.

     

     

    btw – whats the caution on Miovski ? does he lack pace? holding ball up , link up ability ? he certainly knows where the goal is , and all types at that !

  25. After today’s condescending article from our host I took a look back at articles from around this time last year.

     

     

    Found one by a naive young lad called Paul67 lauding the club for getting business done early.

     

     

    https://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/deadline-day-is-as-it-should-be/

     

     

    Comments are interesting. I suppose when you’re running PR for the administration they’re strategy is always the right one. Get transfers in early? That’s the way it should be. Scramble about the last few hours of the transfer window? That’s the way it works stupid. From a guy who was lauding the clubs progression plan after replacing Star felt with Lagerbielke after he played in a friendly international. A player we can’t get rid of quickly enough if only there were a taker. A bit of humility wouldn’t go amiss

     

     

    Credit where credit is due well done on the club for getting CCV tied down.

  26. The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on

    Would love to know all those gushing about Beck have seen him in more than 1 game?

     

     

    For sure he played well against a rusty Maeda, but what’s he like going forward? Can he hit the bye-line and cross a ball? Surely these are prerequisites for a Celtic full back?

     

     

    Of course we can answer none of these questions because Celtic had the lions share of possession and were camped in the Dundee half for most of the game. So why the excitement on the basis of one game?