There was a standing joke on here for years. On day one of the transfer window someone would write, “The transfer window’s been open 13 hours and still no news, get your finger out Celtic”. It mirrored the less jovial comments when the transfer window had 13 hours left, although “get your finger out Celtic” occasionally still featured.
It’s not just Celtic, transfer business is a deadline activity. Why sell your prime asset early when you know desperate clubs will pay over the odds to appease the manager who is demanding sufficient resources to meet target?
You need to work an angle to pick up prime cuts this early in the window. We picked up Virgil van Dijk for a paltry £2.6m in June 2013, which is remarkable, considering he is an outstanding player who was working in one of Europe’s heavily scouted leagues.
We got in early with van Dijk, who had been released by Willem II without playing a game before making 62 appearances with Groningen. A false start followed by a period with just enough form to tempt Celtic’s scouts, but not so much as to alert the slower footed.
So what do we know about Dedryck Boyata? He’s 24, three years older than Virgil when he joined, but has played around half the number of first team games Virgil had experienced. Dedryck was vacuumed up by City as a 16-year-old, part of the annual harvest major clubs make each year. He clearly had something about him to convince City to retain him, but first team outings were rare. When Celtic came shopping a year ago, City were prepared to live without Jason Denayer for a season, but not Dedryck, who went into their first team squad.
It’s correct to say that knowledge of Dedryck is scarce, even among City fans, but Ronny has spent time on City’s training fields with him, and had him watched extensively in non-first team outings over the last year.
Is he the answer to our defensive prayers? Time will tell, but the recruitment strategy which brought him here is coherent. All our scouts and management team have watched him to the extent that a consensus has been reached. His profile is not high enough to commend a fee which is out with our budget, and most importantly, we can bring him in now, making sure he’s embedded before the potentially lucrative Petrofac Cup Champions League qualifiers.
Welcome to Celtic, Dedryck.
Still laughing, in case you were in any doubt.
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Mr Pastry? —> http://cache3.asset-cache.net/gc/sb10065974a-001-overweight-man-eating-pastry-in-office-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=ZWMQZdrGhfTErO7RNgKwTNku1iHpRzLoppl%2BpdhfspxK0Eqcd8aJQqPno0GxE1d8PlXbVeBN4XNmocd3h1z00g%3D%3D
Gerryfaethebrig
Jason may not have stopped growing just yet, and I think he is around the six foot mark right now. That said, don’t you agree, with James Milner on his way, that he could well have a future as a defensive midfielder in front of the Man City back three or four?
Mr Pasty
Anyone who believes any politician of any hue will deliver for their constituents in UK today are extremely delusional.
Anarchy for the UK!
Gerryfaethebrig
14:59 on
3 June, 2015
natknow
14:30 on 3 June, 2015
I wish JD all the very best but the way the Epl is, I honestly think he isn’t the tallest or strongest for their statisticians (a lot of mince in my eyes) but like you my point is a Boyata playing every week & hopefully in the CL could be an advantage, but JD probably looks at some the defenders down there and fancies his chances, Boyata on a 4yr deal looks good business to me
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Yep – hope Jason does well. But I hope Del Bhoy does even better! :-)
NB
The big Dunblane gangster knows where I live! ;))
Philbhoy- I’ve not been on much recently but have just read that the lovely Olivia has been poorly, I am unaware of the circumstances but just to let you know I am thinking about you all and wish your ghirl a speedy recovery.
HH
Ok Mr Pastry, you’ve talked me into it – I’ll vote SNP. Cheers.
Every single Labour MP combined aren’t fit to lace Tommy’s boots. Just wish the SSP hadn’t imploded or they could have been the most potent force in Scotland.
Good afternoon all.
Philbhoy, you and Olivia are in our thoughts and prayers.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
neustadt-braw
15:44 on 3 June, 2015
hey Delaneys …I think we got away with oor banter …. phew
braw
——
You gentlemen/mentolmen gave me a laugh. Just when I needed it most.
HH jamesgang
Celtic Mac
15:46 on
3 June, 2015
Gerryfaethebrig
Jason may not have stopped growing just yet, and I think he is around the six foot mark right now. That said, don’t you agree, with James Milner on his way, that he could well have a future as a defensive midfielder in front of the Man City back three or four?
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That’s a fair shout. I’d imagined him fulfilling the same role at Man City as he did for us last season – but perhaps he/they have something else in mind…
Aye…jist…canny…stoap…PMSL…an…awe…
When out at the shops earlier I was informed by a few Celtic folk that monster munch was returning to the dug out. Emdy heard anything about this? Apparently the hordes are going mental and refusing to renew STs.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Mr Pastry
14:12 on
3 June, 2015
A post that jars on a day when millioons of words are being expended on a politician, one whose virtues was that he had a human weakness. And when shove comes to push none of us is without them. Even Jesus had self doubts when the end was nigh.
Weefra
What shops?
Was it Greigs?
Did he tell you in person??
;-)
HH jamesgang
Delaneys Dunky
15:46 on
3 June, 2015
Mr Pasty
Anyone who believes any politician of any hue will deliver for their constituents in UK today are extremely delusional.
Anarchy for the UK!
A tad extreme. However, at the end of the day, a politician even the best of them will worship at the altar of votes.
Probably in the modern era, again for all his human faults, Robin Cook was probably the most principled of them.
Jamesgang
As soon as I posted that I realised I would get a catty reply, you never let me down ya heid banger. Lol. How you doin’ big fellah? I loved yer unseen fenian spellchecker earlier, nearly spilled ma coffee on the ipad. :-))))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Since when did Failte stop serving food?? Gutted. I’ve been out the country too long!
Humph
HH
I’m fine thanks pal.
Hope you’re continuing your road to full fitness. Our very own CQN Lustig!
HH jamesgang
I must be out of the loop.
Who is the big Dunblane Gangster.
Or do legal nicities stop him being named.
Jamesgang 14.31
It is precisely because Scotland does not have what passes for a summer that I choose to absent myself as much as affordability allows.
I was returning from one such escape to Spain on an Easy jet flight arriving at mid night Monday night.
It being “summer” I did not bother to make a weather check.
Well that landing came in the ten decades of the rosary category so fervent I swear the plane had a halo.
On disembarking I would have tripped over a penguin had the wind not blown me on to the waiting bus.
From now on when I say summer fitbaw I mean not here.
Sigh.
Yet another “brand spanking new moniker” polarizing the blog to once again focus on politics.
Welcome to Paradise Big Dedryck. A ball playing CB with no shortage of pace. Just keep it simple when required.
Busy day ahead.
Aff oot.
Got a load of cloots here, no sure if I should cast them or keep them handy, any advice ?
On Newsnow – HITC are the epitome of lazy journalism.
Every non story based on lies or nothing is regurgitated with a more dramatic headline in a sorry attempt to generate online hits.
Ignore HITC Support Group
Last time I click CSC
celtic mac
15:46 on 3 June, 2015
Agree with what you say regarding JD but got a feeling Man City will be looking for higher profile players than JD, but as Natknow also said lets hope Boyata does well for us and the Man City boys can worry about JD, I am sure Ronny D will know what’s best for us
I keep seeing that Celtic have already sold 44,000 season tickets.
It was just posted by someone on my Facebook.
How does anyone know this?
Celtic have not released any information to my knowledge.
Can anyone provide any proof that Celtic have actually already sold this amount of season tickets?
TT
A coherent recruitment strategy with a bonus.
The penny appears to have dropped that there is not much point to getting a few bob for pre season trailing playing squad thousands of miles to engage in meaningless friendlies.
There’s been a few shout outs for Kojo in the last few days. I think that after the weekend that’s just been it’s safe to assume that he’s still laughing.
GottaGoJo CSC
Canman
Is that for drinking through?
Or
Casting.
RWE
16:15 on
3 June, 2015
On Newsnow – HITC are the epitome of lazy journalism.
Every non story based on lies or nothing is regurgitated with a more dramatic headline in a sorry attempt to generate online hits.
Ignore HITC Support Group
Last time I click CSC
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Yip. Click bait site. I noticed before that it’s all regurgitation – but sometimes slightly sensationalised. A-grade Cold Pressed Extra Virgin bullshit.
Jamesgang
Ffs I’m no that bad!!! Am I??? Lol.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
rwe
Why not try http://www.cqnmagazine.com instead?
Great two part feature today on Ronnie – as opposed to Ronny.
BT,
Been hanging on to it since May was out and reluctant to cast it cause it’s too cauld,
You up for a beer ?
http://www.u.tv/News/2015/06/03/Irish-Tricolour-erected-over-Stormont-38373
Another fleg protest? hahahaha
not sure about Boyata signing (don’t think anyone is) – i always maintained the spine of the team is the key to champion league success and this is where we should invest. I think we are taking a risk is a key position here, particularly if Van Dyke leaves. Trusting Ronnie and the scouts
auldheid
16:10 on 3 June, 2015
Jamesgang 14.31
It is precisely because Scotland does not have what passes for a summer that I choose to absent myself as much as affordability allows.
I was returning from one such escape to Spain on an Easy jet flight arriving at mid night Monday night.
It being “summer” I did not bother to make a weather check.
Well that landing came in the ten decades of the rosary category so fervent I swear the plane had a halo.
On disembarking I would have tripped over a penguin had the wind not blown me on to the waiting bus.
From now on when I say summer fitbaw I mean not here.
——-
Friend. You must have been Hail Mary-tastic by the end of it all!
Let’s rename it ‘warm football’ – or just indoor footie!!!
HH jamesgang
Mr Pashtry/Horrid Henry/Alfie Noakes/Mr Caprophagia.
There are people on here who talk sense about politics,of all shades who can talk politics
you are not one of them.
love
Weefra
Skilful smooth Scandi hunk with the looks of a matinee idol and a wonderful family.
It’s you to a T!
HH jamesgang
Also hearing rumours that sleekit may be on his way back.
Either him, Carlo Ancelotti or Jurgen Klopp.
HH!!