Hindsight and all that, but looking back, Celtic’s form slipped in mid-April this year. We were imperious until that point, but even wins, like the Scottish Cup semi-final win over Newco, were not as impressive than the League Cup Final win over the same opponents a few weeks earlier.
The season petered out amid home draws against Motherwell and St Mirren and heavy defeats at Ibrox and Easter Road. The Scottish Cup Final win over Inverness was laboured compared to the League Cup Final performance.
Potency was lost when Aaron Mooy was injured in the second week of March. He returned for the odd cameo – one start and three substitute appearances, but the sharpness was gone. Adding to the issue, Cameron Carter-Vickers dropped out of the team after the Scottish Cup semi-final win in April. Aaron is now gone and it has been Cameron’s turn to put in cameo appearances this season.
Watching our midfield this season, it should be clear to all that the other big absence from the side is Reo Hatate. Callum McGregor has been partnered with two from Matt O’Riley, David Turnbull and Odin Holm. Stacks of potential there but we are missing the laser-like craft of Reo, nor have we replaced the strength of Aaron. Until this is addressed, nothing will change.
This is your timely reminder that Carter-Vickers and Jota didn’t join Celtic until deadline day two years ago. Without that day’s business, Tottenham fans would not be able to pronounce the name Postecoglou right now. We are not witnessing a managerial issue, just the normal process of rebuilding a team, while targeting valued players in demand with others fill their trollies with frees and journeymen.
Our own Mouldy67 has suffered injury in recent years, which stopped him participating in the recent Road to Seville cycle event from Celtic Park to the city we descended upon 20 years ago. I spoke to him last week for the video below and asked about his extraordinary work on behalf of the Celtic FC Foundation and the enormous challenge he is about undertake.
He will complete a virtual cycle of over 1,000 miles, including gradients, to raise money for our Foundation. For a man carrying an injury, it is a magnificent commitment, one that is an example to a few in the modern game. It was a moving insight into where we have been as a community in recent years, and Mouldy67’s take on being a Celtic supporter. I recommend it to you.
You can read more about his story, support his cycling and the work of the Foundation by donating here. Thank you.
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Playing Kyogo out of position.
Binning our best midfielder for David Turnbull
Totally changing the way we approach a game
Not managerial…..
Tam
When we won the league at Tyncastle last season .
I watched the match along with the Berlin CSC in Berlin .
The coverage of the post match celebrations was when I had the first inclination that Ange was considering leaving .
I was with Mrs TT ,Miss TT and her Bhoy friend .
We cheered along in the bar with Bernard Ponsonby .
The TV clips showed Ange lapping up our win with our fans in the stadium .
At that instant I thought to myself ,that it was very unlike his previous behaviour.
He was always in the background,very humble ,reluctant to be in the limelight .
I thought that he had made his mind up to enjoy the occasion,that little bit more ,because it maybe that he will never savour it again .
Of course this was just a gut feeling by me ,and there is every chance that Ange was just enjoying the moment .
But it registered enough with me that I told the TT’s of my concerns at the time .
I met Ange in Eusebis deli a couple of days before the cup final .
Mrs TT troubled him for an autograph .
I now regret not putting my theory to him in person .
I didn’t because at that time it would have been impossible for him to answer honestly .
When he came I thought he would fail.
His second season signings were far less than his first.
But his term was beyond my wildest dreams .
Im still in mourning that he has gone .
TT
Just caught up with yesterday’s acsom pod. Paul John is the best Celtic social media commentary out there for me.
His piece yesterday on where we are was measured, articulate and fair.
Well done, Paul John, keep up the good work.
Ajeti going Turkey, Soro going Israel
An Dun
I agree .
Paul John Dykes does a wonderfully balanced job.
TT
I think the moment Ange knew he was going to Dpurs was 30 seconds or less after he heard the wages on offer.
Spurs
PJD and the Ascom guys are excellent, always worth a listen.
The Celtic way and the Celtic Star are also worth a listen, good measured opinions.
The Celts are here is also catching my attention now.
Podcasts.csc
KLV
I’d guess what we know now, as soon as his pal was behind his desk at spurs, Ange was interested.
As I said I wish him all the best but I’m starting to get a bit pissed at his interviews and stuff, word for word just about, clever man and very good manager, he’s part of our history now so I won’t revise anything, just a bit annoying.
Sky’s the limit for him down there. He has them eating out his hand. That’s a plus for us.
KLV
I remember Pace and Power back in the days of the ole Burn’sssssss Howf
If Mark Lawell manages to get Soro and Ajeti out the door, he deserves credit, both guys been hanging around for years longer than some of our icons. Don’t get me started on James McCarthy.
KLV
Things can only get Beitar for Soro and all he ever gave us.
PJD and the Ascom guys are excellent, always worth a listen.
The Celtic way and the Celtic Star are also worth a listen, good measured opinions.
The Celts are here is also catching my attention now.
Podcasts.csc
KLV
—
I listen to quite a lot of them. I subscribe to the cynic and TMT lads as well. Driving 35K miles a year means I listen to a lot of pods.
There’s a lot of them running around with their hair on fire at the minute but PJ yesterday made for a breath of fresh air. ACSOM is my personal favourite, notable mention also to the huddle breakdown guys.
KLV,
That’s the reason he is going to Turkey.
Tiny Tim
Ange did look like he enjoyed a good Eusbi deli.
LoL
Agree he is missed hugely but the more we see him regurgitate the same stuff he did with us down at spurs the more I feel more bitter.
2 things I would say are :
3rd year burnout is definitely a thing with his teams.
He actually failed in Europe (although we didn’t once get to play our recognized CB pairing and missed our captain a bit).
Those things aside I really can’t recall looking forward to going to see Celtic as much as I did through calendar year 2022.
This year will be tough as, at best, we transition to the more functional Brendan method which I do hope has evolved from where he was before he left.
Sunday will hopefully take care of itself.
The Celtic Way,a front for a Rag looking for hits.
In Ange we trust……
Wait a minute.!!!!!!!! :-0
TT,
Great place Berlin and latest CSC seems to be going strong —- been there a couple of times.
Celtic knew Ange was leaving for months as he refused to engage on a new contract. He was also approached for Crystal Palace job in March 2023 and he wanted to go.
Considering this regarding manager, need for GK, STK, CDM, LB, CB coupled with exits of Jota, Starfelt, Mooy we had the biggest transfer window in our history with £50M at stake in revamped CL.
We brought in Rodgers and furnished him with 7 projects with none being first picks in an Ange team that needed reinforcements.
Chairman, Boards, CEO, Head of Recruitment have collectively failed. Celtic is still a corner shop and its down to these guys not being able to take a step back and strategically plan a way forward.
This cabal need to be cleaned out as they are not capable.
Burnley78 11.17
Just like when BR went .
I find it painful to watch anytime he is on TV .
I almost always snatch for the TV remote and change channels.
I’m a little depressed/frustrated at what we are currently watching and I am already missing the high press ,quick throws ,quick free kicks ,and Gung-ho attacking .
But Ange wasn’t without his failings .
Bernabei,Ideguchi,Koyabasi,Iwata ,and Oh ,all have different degrees of failure or questions still to be answered for me .
I wouldn’t have brought Rodgers back .
Once you have been unfaithful in a marriage ,very few marriages can be successful and happy thereafter.
Rodgers was unfaithful to us .
He may have had mitigating reasons for his infidelity,but the damage has been done .
I feel as though my daughters husband has been unfaithful to her ,and she has taken him back .
I have no choice but to support his return .If I want to see my daughter and grandchildren.
The most important and most difficult function within the football department is acquiring players that will improve the first 11,within budget .
We have 2 days left to solve several positions ,this window .
My nerve is questioning my previous optimism that we would .
TT
new article posted.