Late last night Celtic got their goalkeeper, Scott Bain (26), on loan from Dundee, from where he had already been loaned to Hibs this month, while also landing Jack Hendry (22) on a permanent deal from Dundee.
The Hendry deal is intriguing. The player didn’t get much of a chance to shine before being released by Wigan in the summer. Two dozen games for Dundee later and he is a Celtic player. This is not a conventional career path, so what are Celtic doing here?
First of all, the player has the attributes Brendan Rodgers looks for in a central defender. He has pace and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. The jump from Dens Park to the Allianz Arena is eye-watering, but when you have just signed a four and a half year contract at Celtic, someone must think you are capable of reaching the required standard to play at the latter venue one day.
I don’t know if Jack will make it that far in the game, but I am pretty sure Brendan Rodgers will improve him as a player and craft him into a valuable professional – one we may sell at a profit one day.
Set alongside the signing of Lewis Morgan (21), you can see a strategy here. If a Scottish player in his early 20s raises his profile high enough, we’ll sign him. Only some will make the grade, but the aggregate financial consideration of having these players at the club will probably be profitable.
Alongside all investment in youth sits Marvin Compper (32), one time German international and by all accounts, the real deal. Marvin will have the responsibility of leading the younger defenders through their on-field development.
The other side of the transfer window equation passed without Celtic cashing in any of their premium chips. By the time Moussa took to the field against Hearts on Tuesday, he knew he was going nowhere, and his performance indicated that whatever was previously on his mind had passed. Kieran Tierney’s recent contract renewal seems to have convinced all that there is no business to be had there. I expect some movement out in the summer in the central mid and central def positions.
You and I have been through January transfer windows when the objective has been to make sure we win the league. Now it is all about player development and getting ready for the inevitable Champions League qualifiers. We have not measurably improved our chances against Zenit this month, but it is not clear how possible this is (or even if it is necessary).
The market in England took another step into the ridiculous this window, possibly in anticipation of the announcement of a bumper new TV deal later this month. The new deal will not come into effect until summer 2019, but previously we have seen player values inflate immediately after the deal is announced. Game Theory suggests this inflating possibility will have been anticipated.
What you and I have also pondered for over a decade is when the great English football bubble will burst. I’m not going to predict that date, but just as sure as we knew Rangers would crash and burn years before they did, so will the English Premier League. The model has inherent risks which cannot be safely accommodated. Let’s wait and see how much Sky TV are prepared to pay this time.
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Morrissey,
Trust me his comments looked liked a drunken man loose on a keyboard, Mod within his rights to delete them. Initially the Mod showed restraint deleting only one, which was questionable, then he was given the excuse to delete the lot.
I think it is important to put what Celtic do in a proper context. Look at Scottish football in terms of other countries – pretty sobering:
https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/sports-business-group/articles/annual-review-of-football-finance.html
Both Neganon and Celtarella are Celtic fans and entitled to express their views on here, the same as any other Celtic fans. End of.
I have become very disillusioned with Blog, haven’t posted for a few weeks and do not intend to post again for a few weeks if ever again.
I did happen to lurk when the Celterella incident happened and without taking sides the main events that I read were Celterella posted a joke to the effect what was the difference between Racism & the Chinese, I won’t repeat the punch line but the joke itself was deemed racist (rightly so imo) & the Moderator responded with a rebuke and a deletion.
Celterella responded by telling the Moderator to F**k Off (without the asterisks) & aimed a few swipes at the general CQN fraternity including a jibe I’ll leave ye with your Mass Cards or something to that effect.
There was also a bit of baiting from some normal Posters supporting the Moderator & more or less going Cheerio Cheerio to Celterella.
All told it was extremely sad & distasteful.
Pogmathonyahun aka Laird of the Smiles on 2nd February 2018 10:11 am
……….
It wouldn’t have been “A FIGHT”…Trust me
God I miss the transfer windae:-)…..
Seems like one or two reckon they can spot a player better than our Manager.
Brendan Rodgers really rates Jack Hendry and the deal was done at his insistence – paying more than others felt was reasonable for the player.
He has also said he has no qualms about playing him straight away which also speaks highly of his opinion of the player.
Many questioned our need for replacements at the back; we have 2 new centre backs who can play straight away (barring injury). There was also a “requirement” for a creative midfielder; we got Charly Musonda who went straight into the squad and then got 30 minutes on Tuesday.
We also got a very talented young player who will be coached along and a decent keeper who make be given a permanent contract.
5 in and 2 out (Erik and Liam) so it looks like a good transfer window to me.
The surgery to the squad is patient but getting there; at one point on Tuesday, we had 6 of Brendan Rodgers’ signings on the pitch: De Vries, Kouassi, N’tcham, Musonda, Sinclair and Edouard. It seems to me that we are moving in the right direction.
KTF
Some good music, well I think so anyway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0q8Oho_RjM
KINGLuBO
Big Jimmy
Mags/Celta is most likely steamin’/stoned right now, feeling no pain. Don’t bite at the jibes.
BIG JIMMY
You are a poster I like and I am often amused by your input; however, this morning you are ding yourself no favours.
I have had a few disagreements with MAGS/CELTARELLA and NEGANON 2. However I decided that in the interest of others on the Blog I would refrain from “debating” with them because it usually ended up in disagreement and not always politely (from me).
I have been assured by others that both are dyed in the wool Celtic men; have met one of CELTARELLA’s brothers and he is a great guy so I will take that as a gauge that CELTARELLA canna be that bad!
If you don’t like what they have to say, scroll on by and don’t get baited. Keep the heid and enjoy the Blog!
KTF
KINGLUBO
Great!! What about this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJb7dh71kKo
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821
Ach ya auld dissenter ye how can you come on here and post such positive stuff, Celtic heading in the right direction:))
Shirley no Shirley:))
Looks like another sad day on the blog :((
I find long goodbyes emotional.
Lighten the mood…..
https://www.facebook.com/UntilthelastRebel1/videos/2046788835597167/
Thanks Jimmy for heeding my advice.
LogOffCSC
So, Celtarella finally tired of some of the eejits on here and pushed the self-destruct button ?
No surprise there, and I can’t say I blame him.
It’s fine to disagree with his opinions. No problem with that, but some of the abuse he’s taken here is positively hunlike, and as deserving of censorship as anything he’s posted here.
Time for a break, I think.
Big Jimmy
Celterella/Mags is the cqn equivalent of Frankie Boyle. He was pulling your chain and I suspect loved how fell for it. Even now, following his Ethernet demise he continues to haunt you.
Ironically your rage about supposed keyboard hardmen makes you come across as something of a keyboard hardman. I’m sorry you can’t see that.
How about a poppy debate? I actually thought Kevj’s suggestion the other day the we proactively seek a permanent white poppy was interesting and thought provoking. Nails our colours as a Club associated with peace.
HH jamesgang
BIG JIMMY
Don’t know why you are so wound up. I enjoy your posts, mainly but surely everyone has a right to an opinion, surely!!
I for one do not agree with all the posts on the site but I accept their right to have an opinion, like we all do.
All this talk of “a square do” is infantile and certainly not worthy on here.
So someone thinks we are chumps, I don’t agree with that but , fair enough.
Have a wee dram and settle doon
KINGLuBO
Couldn`t we all just be friends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KKO8eBPCp8&t=13s
Starry Plough
I know; I’ll be getting a visit from the Mods for that kind of stuff!
KTF
A good follow up article from James Forrest after his article on the BBC yesterday..
Very good points about what’s happening.
https://thecelticblog.com/2018/02/blogs/yesterdays-farce-at-the-bbc-had-nothing-to-do-with-morelos-it-was-about-power/
Minging wet and cold day -way down south . Snow is forecast . It was 19 yesterday !
Today’s choon —
https://youtu.be/5RyEb5OZ7kQ
Traditionalist88 you can get a lot done between 9.54 and10.01.
Mags and negatron, hope you’ve no scared them off. The blog needs some characters, some pure mad mental bampots. I have rarely agreed with anything mags and nega have said but so what, they are Celtic supporters and have every right to be Miserable.
Big Jimmy don’t head off either. Walk on by when something gets up yer nose.
Hail hail into they Killie Pies.
Jamesgang good point Kevj makes my teeth hurt but I hope he keeps on good health and his white poppy idea is a cracker. Everyone to their own opinion.
WE ARE ALL CELTARELLA
UTLR !!!! ( unless the mods tell us to behave)
Looking forward to the game the morra with hopefully, the same team as the other night, and maybe bring the youg fella Hendry on for a wee bow all going well.
I will watch the game with a cautious mind as, I’ve been impressed wi, Steve Clarke at Killie, he’s a shrewdy, ah like that.
Also looking forward to watching Gerry Adams on the, Andrew Made show on BBC1 on Sunday morning.
Anywye,……BLANTYRETIM, hope yer OK pal, HH.
WEEBAWBABBITY, am fine mate, still got crutches and lots of magical medications ;)
Mind n keep the oul flag flying on thee oul Jungle roof ;)
MORRISSEY 23 – HH fella, sorry about the treatment of, CELTARELLA.
Only The Real Stars Shine In The Dark CSC
…….oot.
TAURANGABHOY on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 11:00 AM
Traditionalist88 you can get a lot done between 9.54 and10.01.
============
You can blow off a lot of hot air, certainly. The ‘log off’ button just a step too far:)
HH
Taurangabhoy
I always like your posts. I wish you’d post more often.
HH jamesgang
Apart from if you post pash of course!
;-)
50 SHADES OF GREEN on 2ND FEBRUARY 2018 11:06 AM
Welcome back Big Jimmy.
=================
I think he logged off 20 mins ago
HH
JAMESGANG
TAURANGABHOY
BARNEY
HH fella’s.
Its the Andrew Marr show on BBC1 on Sunday, I was hearing that Gerry Adams will be talking about, peace and reconciliation with a view to a united Ireland, though don’t quote me. HH
……oot.
Everybody will be back on board when we beat Zenit.
We are better in adversity.
HH.
PS: I don’t think the white poppy is a good idea, but now is not the correct time for a debate.
All together now….Kristoffer Ajer….ra ta ta ta ta …..
100 years from now our brains (preserved in jars with electrodes protruding from them) will try to explain to futurelings what a blog was, specifically a Celtic-based quick news blog. The explanation will confuse them.
Wait until I tell them about my sausage blog…
Post Script: Not all CQN brains will be preserved. Only those that aren’t already pickled :)
KEVJ
Could do wi peace and reconciliation on here. Worse than an international fortnight.
Or a Willo Flood window.
Life —
Having a fag on the terrace — rough / rough sea on the horizon . Radio on — 90 drowned in the Med overnight .. Stop looking at the sea ..
There wont be a DVD coming out featuring the last 24 hours on the Blog
May be CQN has run it’s course….