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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The best thing in this transfer window was the emergence of Kouassi.
The guy is exactly what we needed to address some of our recent malaise.
Ntcham is no shrinking violet either and a fantastic player.Young Hendry has the physical attributes also for SPL and being coached and training with people of a higher calibre he is going to be good.
We have plenty skill players but needed to be tougher so the introduction of Ajer.Kouassi.Compper,Hendry and Ralston gives us steel.
`Levein was asked if young players require more action from referees.
“Yes of course,” he replied. “I think everybody should get a bit more protection from Scott Brown really. But we will see.” `
I an very surprised that the above comment has not drawn a massive and angry response from CQN. It really is out of order.
Levein`s `natural order` followed by this comment are showing him in a very poor light.
How are the ref`s going to treat Scott Brown now?
JJ
I think Bain was in Hibs squad last night, and went to CP from Easter Rd…
No doubt if Scott was at Tynecastle, Levein would refuse to pick him because he disapproves of his playing style.
Aye, right.
Who’d have thought that in 2018 we’d find a new and innovative way to pinch players from Hibs!
HH
Leveins got a cheek, If you watch a replay of their goal the other night Brown is pole axed by their No10 for the ball to get to Lafferty, a clear foul.
!!bada bing!!
Think that was the road often travelled. Back then.
CELTIC MAC on 1ST FEBRUARY 2018 3:30 PM
He came from RB Leipzig who’re also in the Europa League
BARNEY67 on 1ST FEBRUARY 2018 3:43 PM
Charly was on the pitch 5 mins and he’d been fouled twice, not to mention the sinister targeting of KT,
HH
As captain of Scotland i’m sure the SFA will jump to Broonie’s defence and file a disripute charge against levein
Can you imagine the outcry in SMSM if Levein had made that outburst about a Sevco player ?
Scott Brown is everyone outside of Celtic’s favourite pantomime villain. They all hate him, but would love to have him in their team.
Levein is a dead man walking in terms of his managerial career. A clueless knobend who knows his level is manager of the mini-huns.
At the risk of being neganon’s ‘creepy acolydte’ I too was underwhelmed by the article’s defeatism ref Zenit and the implied salivation at the prospect of selling on a young Scot who’s literally only just walked through the door.
HH jamesgang
celtic40me
And what difference should that make? Something similar happened to Alan Thompson when he signed for Celtic under Martin. Wrong then, wrong now.
“The Green & White Minstrels rooled the place, wi the Invisible McGregor oot the team!”
This is the 21st Century… seriously!!!
Now I’m not having a pop at anyone but could we please think a minute before we write race related (not saying racist in any way shape or form) post or comments.
I seen a post relating our black contingent and Ron Actinson’s “Three Degrees”.
We have players of colour, a higher proportion than before but so what?
Not wanting to get hugely politically correct but our French, Belgian, English etc etc players are Celtic Footballers, sure their religion, politics, ethnicity, nationality etc etc are all points for discussion on CQN but… you know… and if you don’t… think!!
Hail Hail
HOT SMOKED on 1ST FEBRUARY 2018 3:33 PM
`Levein was asked if young players require more action from referees.
What he should have responded was.
Absolutely Kieran Tierney is now subjected to violent tackles in every game.
I sent out my players with implicit instructions to assault him and even a knee high studs up challenge by my player that could have been a career ender did not receive a caution from a compliant referee .
Jim Davidson is a hun………..
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm………………
………………
Hmmmmmmmm.
*boom-boom*
Rumour Regan has resigned……
Poor Kheridine from the BBC now retracts his previous post that no offers were made from China, no doubt had his balls kicked from those above him. North Korea BBC !
!!BADA BING!!
I told you he would slope, that bar steward need to be held accountable:((
Hyeana of a man..
REGAN RESIGNS
https://stv.tv/sport/football/1407460-stewart-regan-resigns-as-scottish-fa-chief-executive/
GENE on 1ST FEBRUARY 2018 3:46 PM
As captain of Scotland i’m sure the SFA will jump to Broonie’s defence and file a disripute charge against levein
————————————————————————————————————————–
I said the same earlier my friend, this is an attack on our Captain and the club, the fSFA should act, I wont hold my breath.
HH
Bada,
What a shame I was just starting to warm to him………….
Regan going changes nothing, it wouldve been nice to see him locked up for his part in the biggest football scandal in UK history
Rat Regan resigns after being part of the biggest crime in sporting history.
Thursday 1 February 2018
The Scottish FA today announced that Chief Executive, Stewart Regan, has taken the decision to step down from his position at the association.
His resignation comes almost eight years after he took up the position. During the intervening period he has made a range of changes, including streamlining the Scottish FA committee system, introducing a more transparent and independent disciplinary process, creating a pyramid system, and delivering a new performance strategy.
He also leaves the Association in good financial health, having recorded its highest ever profit in 2017.
Stewart Regan said: “I have devoted my time in Scotland to modernising, protecting, developing and promoting the game, whilst facing into some extremely challenging head winds during my time in the job. While it has been tough, I am proud to leave having overseen a period of significant change and substantial growth following the McLeish Report in 2010.
“We are now at another staging point and I recognise that it is now time for further change. I have decided to step aside to allow new leadership to take the organisation forward.
“I would like to thank the staff for their energy, hard work and support during my tenure. Their love of the game mirrors Scotland’s passion for football and I am proud to have served the Association.”
Chief Operating Officer, Andrew McKinlay, will manage the day to day business during the interim period.
Alan McRae, President, said: “I would like to place on record my thanks and appreciation to Stewart for his commitment to Scottish football.
“He has worked tirelessly and has helped drive through a number of improvements to the governance of the game in the country.
“The search for a new Chief Executive will begin immediately as we will continue to drive Scottish football forward on and off the pitch.”
Another failure for Scottish Fitba’
He should never have been allowed to resign. He should have been held responsible for the cover-up of the biggest scandal ever seen in this country and sacked
Rewgan`s departure was predictable enough . Don`t let it distract from Levein`s inexcusable attack on Scott Brown.
i hope celtic come out with a statement regarding leveins attack on brown.
i dont know of any manager(could be wrong) who made a statement regarding a opposition player.
JAMESGANG @ 3:50 PM,
NEG needs as many acolytes as he can get at the moment… creepy or otherwise. It seems to me the poor chap is under the cosh… he’s running out of angles and facing desperate times as Celtic fill in the mineshaft.
“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).”
NEG’s take on on this statement is not mine.
I’m sure he genuinely interpreted the way he did… Auldheid graciously explained the thinking the other day where he mis-interpreted our Sol man.
My take Paul67’s comments… firstly, could we really go into this transfer window with realistically being able to put together a team capable of beating Zenit…? For me no, we couldn’t afford it.
Secondly, (or even if it is necessary), do we need to fashion our transfer activities to beat a team like Zenit? Where are we aiming, should we be focussing on building a Celtic squad with clear objectives? (those already outlined by Brendan) Or should we be aiming for Zenit?
I think, stick to the stated objectives, in the round it will get us there…
Just~Mi~Take…
Hail Hail
Has he seen the CO investigation into Res 12 ? Ratbag will walk away well looked after
Wouldn’t be surprised if Levein threw his hat in the ring for Regan’s job……….
Regan is a rat leaving the rotten ship – his durty work has been done.
So the inappropriate granting of the 2011-12 Euro license was done by a big boy who ran away!
Shell game fix.
This will be the first time ever,a departing CEO of any company,insists on a gagging order in his severance package.
Not posted in a while but Avril got ma blood boiling . “Need protection from Scott Brown” ?
People in glass houses – he needs to look at his own team first . Quick glance at 17-18 league games.
Celtic P25 Y27 R0
Hertz P24* Y57 R5 * Couldn’t find the stats for 1 game
Hearts have had 5Y and 1R on 3 occasions this year . Our ‘worst’ has been 3Y in games against Sevco and Hibs .
Grrr , Celtic need to call Avril out on this or give him enough rope to involve the compliance officer .
Go get ’em Brendan.
bring back Duffield…….
Chairboy
HH to you too Sir
HH jamesgang