Brendan Rodgers brought five players to the club this transfer window: Moussa Dembele, Kolo Toure, Scott Sinclair, Dorus de Vries and Cristian Gamboa, two defenders, a wide midfielder, a striker and a goalkeeper. Moussa has been used sparingly so far, but there’s a decent chance four out of the five will be first choice for our key games this season. Kristoffer Ajer also arrived but was signed up by Ronny Deila earlier this year.
The leavers over the summer were mostly deadwood, with honourable mentions to Charlie Mulgrew and Stefan Johansen, both former Player of the Year winners. Our best wishes go with them. We also saw Saidy Janko escape on loan to Barnsley, Scott Allan head to Rotherham for the season, while Aidan Nesbitt will continue his apprenticeship at Morton until next summer.
You would be hard pressed to identify a better transfer window than this since the ‘Robbie Keane window’, which looked good at the time but was ultimately unproductive. Try naming one. Peter Lawwell’s adage about coming out of the window stronger than we went into it, was unequivocally achieved.
We also managed to achieve something you and I have debated here for years: spend early in the window in enhance your chances of reaching the Champions League. No one should be in any doubt that the reason we were able to achieve this, this season, was down to the personal pull of Brendan Rodgers.
Kolo, Scott and Moussa would not be here for any other manager, and without them, we’d not be in the Champions League. It wasn’t a decision to spend early this year that we didn’t want to do in earlier years, we’ve simply not had the drawing power to get the targets we wanted. That included Teemu Pukki, who wasn’t prepared to walk among us until we’d delivered Champions League football for him to enjoy. This is the reality, even for everyday-jobbers like Teemu.
Those of us who like the scientific approach to football won’t like this. Success shouldn’t be about reputations, it should be finding good managers or players who are undervalued, and giving them a platform to shine.
What the last two years demonstrated more than anything else, is that a football dressing room is an incredibly difficult place to get scientific. Brendan’s reputation as a top manager helps him deliver success, which we’re all happy about.
I spoke to someone last night who felt “cheated” by the window. “Why?” I asked. “Because we were promised a major spend. Dermot was raging at that other lot after the semi-final and we were promised a big spend. A week ago we were promised James McCarthy.”
Honestly, some journalist writes a complete fantasy and we’re jumping off cliffs after one of the best July and Augusts we’ve had in years. Don’t confuse media output with actual reality. It’s mostly nonsense. Dermot left the game in question before the penalties, there was no overreaction from the other lot.
And Celtic told anyone who asked that they had no intention of signing James McCarthy. If a fan told you otherwise, his taxi driver-source was misinformed. It happens. If a media outlet told to this, they either wanted to run the story without checking, or didn’t care.
Did we want more from the window? Yes. We all did and we all always do. That’s why Celtic were still on the hunt for a deal or two yesterday, but the manager’s primary bases were all covered. Celtic will continue to do what they always have done financially – spend all the money that comes in over any business period you care to mention.
Enjoy this season, I think it’s going to be a memorable one.
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Macjay
What do you think of Jim Jeffries?
Funny guy
Macjay
Talking about the oz comedian not that greetin face puddin of the Scottish race
Allocating capital to company priorities as per strategy and direction.
Hmmmmm!
The more and more I read the more I agree with Macjay.
PL position is obsolete as the board do all this.
Sack PL.
MWD
SCOTBROWNSBHOYS
Seriously?
£50 to see the Huns???
Most significant post of the day
Unfuckinbelievable!
Your right
Colors shown
A wee song before bed for my pal Mr winklepickers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz1DgHYYIPM#t=39.828103
You’ll like this one and appreciate my thin fat thin bud fantasy……….wowwwwaaaaaaa!!
:_)
HH
I think it’s £49.99.
MWD
Oh. I feel a wiki moment coming on.
Night night Bhoys n Ghirls.
Man up TD67
MWD
ACGR @ OUTLOOK DOT COM – GET YOUR FREE THE ZADOK RINGTONE on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 1:09 AM
Its amazing that 12’000 miles of separation doesn’t reduce dilute the pish that Macjay spouts.
HH Macjay btw, hope you’re well bruv.
===================================================================
Very well, thanks, ACGR.
In European terms , we are irrelevant. No marks.
Nothing is expected of us. Except to be cuffed by the elites .
Or to put it another way.
Nothing to lose.
Macjay
I see what you’re saying
Nothing to lose
Why risk anything CL wise when you have an OF gravy train pension
THE GLORIOUS BALANCE SHEET on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 1:22 AM
Macjay
You say “forget the scores in the CL, any point is a bonus, we got the bickies”
Why don’t we just forfeit all 6 CL matches and at the same time each match was due to be played, a giant paddling pool full of cash can instead be brought onto the pitch at Celtic Park and big Peter and Desmondo can get the speedos on and dive into all that filthy wonga (largely all intact thanks to our failed attempts to sign James Morrison on loan and no plan b)
==============================================================
Full house. More bickies.
Each point. More bickies.
As a nearly forgotten girlfriend once told me.
” Money isn`t everything,
It`s just what you do everything with.?
Pity you guys didn`t have the benefit of her input.
:-)
MOONBEAMS
See SANDMAN’s post at 533
About halfway down page 9
Macjay,
A post last night reminded me of this number (not you).
Maybe we can stick this on before the game to get the team motivated…:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR2qjvsqNSk
HH & Nite
CLOGHER CELT on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 1:23 AM
Macjay, @ 1.04 or 10.24 oz time
Baby steps ‘meantime?’
I think the third word there might be a bit of a Freudian?
‘Sack the board’ Macjay:))
==============================================
You mean “mean.”
I`m a Jock. What do you expect ?
Yep .Sack the Board.Elect the trolls.
:-)
ACGR
Is that RUSSELL BRAND on drums?
MARGARET MCGILL on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 1:35 AM
Macjay
What do you think of Jim Jeffries?
Funny guy
=======================================================
Brilliant , mate.
Politically hugely incorrect . Absolutely what is needed to counteract the social fascists.
Must say. I think Billy Connolly opened the door for so many of these guys.
How` bout Milo Giannopoulos.
Another star , for me.
Altho` ,admittedly seems to be on my side of the political spectrum.
The office gopher is unsackable.
Zheng Zhi scored for China today in a World Cup qualifier. Unfortunately, it was in his own net in a 3-2 loss to the Korea Republic.
IniquitousIV
MARGARET MCGILL on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 1:51 AM
Macjay
I see what you’re saying
Nothing to lose
Why risk anything CL wise when you have an OF gravy train pension
=======================================================
I would have loved the demise of the hun in the same way as the demise of apartheid.
The pariahs of Scottish ” society.”
Nothing to do with football or Celtic.
Their demise is totally and completely beyond the control of Glasgow Celtic F.C.
As is the bias of referees. Or their protectors in the SFA .
IF the police told Hearts to go easy on Hibs.
And McAvennie and co got done because of unusual circumstances.
Well, MI5 will have had a word with Celtic.
And nothing will be said.
Ever.
And if that means we kinda get on, it makes sense.
As the years go by, they will diminish.
CLOGHER CELT on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 1:54 AM
Macjay,
A post last night reminded me of this number (not you).
Maybe we can stick this on before the game to get the team motivated…:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR2qjvsqNSk
HH & Nite
======================================================
No surrender.
:-)
MacJay I am in Sydney darling harbour and have a free night Wednesday 14 September if you are interested in catching up for a schooner?
TAURANGABHOY on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 2:18 AM
MacJay I am in Sydney darling harbour and have a free night Wednesday 14 September if you are interested in catching up for a schooner?
=====================================================
Before anything else.
Thanks for your recent comments.
Sounds fine , mate.
Probably can do.
Email address from Paul.
Or whatever.
Good mhan will get if from Paul and be in touch. Sydneytim too busy with work. Looking forward to it. Mental day started with Tsunami alert then we had seven Olympic medals parading through our wee Main Street and some great Haka’s from Tauranga bhoys high.
The only way Celtic can possibly compete in the Champions (lOl) League, is when we bring through our home schooled players.
I was delighted to hear Brendan talking about Celtic bringing through Champions League players from their Academy, just like the Great Tommy Burns wanted, even spoke, into action.
We are on the Road again.
Guys Forget about the game in Israel, that was a game where we had EVERYTHING to lose, we came through it.
Now we have no chance of doing anything in Europe this Season. :))
MC & BM will get a chance to Feel the Passion of Celtic…… a nothing to lose Celtic. They will not know what is about to hit them, that is for sure.
Running through my Veins
TAURANGABHOY on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 2:37 AM
Good mhan will get if from Paul and be in touch. Sydneytim too busy with work. Looking forward to it. Mental day started with Tsunami alert then we had seven Olympic medals parading through our wee Main Street and some great Haka’s from Tauranga bhoys high.
==========================================================
Brass medals ?
There`ll be a win over the huns to celebrate.
PETEC on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 3:00 AM
Agreed.
Too much emphasis on the game in Israel.
A hangover from two years of vulnerability.
Ship now much steadier.
The Mega signing was Brendan.
The Mega Tsunami is the Kids coming through, IMO.
Kieran is going to get roasted a few times in Europe this Season but he will get better and better because of it.
The very best of Luck to the Bhoys against Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Stadium on Saturday evening.
£10 for entry, a deep sea diver for concessions.
I think it is Time for Celtic to get a mini Stadium built so the Support can go and see those that are pushing to get to the First Team.
MM.CSC
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 2nd September 2016 3:08 am
PETEC on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 3:00 AM
Agreed.
Too much emphasis on the game in Israel.
A hangover from two years of vulnerability.
Ship now much steadier.
…………………………………………………………………..
macjay1,
I really do wonder about so many things. I really can’t understand so much.
Human Nature, I now realise, mean’t Ronny couldn’t be what he should have been @ Celtic.
It was a monumental gamble to appoint Ronny, knowing that he wanted to replicate what he done in Norway and the Time it took him to do that. Foisting John Collins on to him, who, was probably seen as a divisive Coach, got me Wondering early.
I can see why they went for Ronny D, and to a lesser extent, JC, as they wanted the kids (future) to be worked harder than ever to start getting up the fecking rankings.
I abhor group thinking, I’m sure you know that already about me. :))
Thomthethim posted food for thought earlier, I think John Kennedy, given his Time as a footballer and a Celtic Footballer was cut short…. Well let’s just say He would have appreciated Ronny Deila.
It is not Rocket Salad to work things out.
PETEC on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 3:32 AM
I don`t criticise the appointment , Pete.
I do think that the Board have to come under severe scrutiny for their failure to act sooner. Much sooner.
As ,I think , you suggested, Ronny could have been given a lesser role in the way Celtic used to do.
See Jock Stein and Jimmy Mc Grory. Course , we don`t know if Ronny was offered one.
Nevertheless, the action was finally taken and I ,for one , am delighted about our new appointment.
Compare and contrast.
The patience with the Board over Ronny.The impatience with the Board over Brendan.
After two years of gross underachievement , suddenly we want success and we want it NOW.
Agreed groupthink.
Prefer individuals to think for themselves.
`spect you know that about me too.
macjay1,
philvisreturns had an amazing talent, I loved it.
I’m wondering if Kojo was his Dad? :))
I despise political correctness, that is my prerogative.
I Love the Old Celts. They Done the Hard Yards.
We are Blooming, Blossoming Even.
Celtic, if they are in a Super League that is Elitist, well, End Times.
Conundrum.
You Can’t argue with The Word – well you would be foolish to.
C’mon the Underdog Celts – Enjoy Celtic.
Don’t you ever
PETEC on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 4:46 AM
Political correctness means one thing and one thing only.
Shut up.
My son introduced me to this guy.
Sticks it to political correctness.
You may like what he has to say.
Very short clip.
HONESTY.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXibfOxQQ5g
macjay1,
A very short clip, indeed.
Christ is a Jew.
I’m worried about Dominionism.
PETEC on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 5:10 AM
Milo Yiannopoulos is also a Jew who gives his honest opinion on Jews.
He`s also gay.
You should hear him on feminism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiESisEL43c
macjay1,
It is very late for me here, I won’t be watching stuff I know already.
God Stepped into his Creation to Bamboozle the Evil entity Satan that had convinced the World to Sacrifice Human Beings.
The antithesis of Christ is promoted vigorously through Vampire movies now.
The Pulpits are full of ……. Grrrrr, unless you got a hard hitting Priest/Pastor – Let me know as I’d go there every week.
Thank the Almighty for the Grey Brigadeers.
The last I read on Conspiracy sites…. and a long time ago now…. Billions were being spent on Disinformation.
Trillions easily now.
You Can’t afford to Live without Christ as Your King. ;))
PETEC on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 5:23 AM
Pete.
Christ is OUR king.
What happens to people who live in eg Myanmar.
Many religions. Many kings.
I was taught that the Catholic church is the one true Church.
Aye , O.K.
I`ve moved on. Just doesn`t seem fair to the others.
Very late? Away to your bed , pal.
Sweet dreams of Celtic success.
:-)
evolve or die?
Magic stuff.
Kris.
Charlie.
Sammi
Hooper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZKQPpAs8Y8