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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Martin O’Neill has told Brendan Rodgers to savour the “glorious intensity” of the Hoops job.
O’Neill, who led the club to only the third domestic Treble in their history in 2001 and took the club to the UEFA Cup final in 2003, has spoken to Rodgers since the former Liverpool manager was given the Parkhead job back in June.
And while the Republic of Ireland dismissed any suggestion that he had offered any advice to Rodgers, he did tell his fellow countryman to enjoy the full-on nature of the position.
“Brendan called me after he had got the job,” explained O’Neill. “He is long enough in the tooth to know exactly what he wants to do at Celtic and I wouldn’t be in the business of dispensing advice to anyone. Not that they would take it anyway.
“But all I said to Brendan was that it is a mighty job. The one thing about it is the glorious intensity of it. That is all. It is not like anywhere else and you know what? He will enjoy every minute of that.
“Honestly, there is simply no other way than to immerse yourself in the club and relish the spotlight that comes with the job. You are on all the time. The games are fast and the pressure is absolute and he will thrive on that, I am sure.”
O’Neill has watched as Rodgers’ has been successful in his inaugural mission of taking the Parkhead club into the group stages of the UEFA Champions League after a three year absence from the elite tournament.
The Republic of Ireland manager was the first Celtic boss to take the club into the Champions League and O’Neill is well aware of just what participation in the competition means to the club – and to the supporters.
“I didn’t speak to Brendan before he was given the job but we spoke afterwards. I was delighted when I saw that he had got through the qualifiers because it really lights the whole season up, having those nights in the Champions League,” said the Irishman.
“In some ways it feels like there is no time to enjoy it. The pace is furious and the season starts with a bang when you have the games on your plater to get into the Champions League. The supporters will be loving it, absolutely loving it.
“You feel that energy. You feel that willingness, the belief in you. The Celtic supporters are special people. They will be right behind Brendan now. I always felt that the Champions League nights and the big European nights under the floodlights were very similar to the games against Rangers – there is just something different in the air for them.
“You can sense the desire and the exuberance from the crowd. The atmosphere is fantastic and while I don’t give anyone any pointers, the only thing I would say is enjoy it. Savour every minute.”
I have a free class so speed_reading through the Top Ten Facility Demands For Fans at Celtic Park this is what I’ve gleaned:
1. Café by the Superstore
2. Celtic Museum
3. Decent food & service inside the stadium
4. Enough brown sauce for half-time pies after the first 5 gave been sold
5. A tannoy system that is audible
6. Mobile phone signal boosters
7. Clean the windows and surrounding area in the Jock Stein stand Food courts.
8. Give the passageways in the JS stand a lick of yellow paint and repair the green epideck surface which has seen better days.
9. Better policing of traffic when games are over.
10. Better toilet facilities outside the stadium
Almore
The PLC to tell the truth about Sevco.
Sorry:)
HH
ALMORE on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 11:15 AM
Looks like we will be playing the puns for the next week or so.
__________________________________
No, it’s just the one game on September 10th.
:>)
KTF
BMCUW
Fair point – hence the need to be thinking about next year now. Who would we ship out, what do we need, can we get any of those on Bosmans, who of our out of contract players sould we keep/let go? All that needs to be part of strategic approach to the team, taking into account the need to qualify to be able to spend. I think defensive midfield is the key area that needs filling, so I’d use my January clear out to fund that, plus some bosman signings if possible.
With that sorted, I think we ought to have enough to qualify for the CL next year, and then look at the other positions as and when we know what’s happening. Fortunately we have short term options then (keep Jozo and Kolo; keep Lustig until the end of the summer window and replace if we qualify) and we may also have some other kids (Ralston?) coming through over this season that mitigates the need to replace some of those I’d ship out, as well as sustained good form from McGregor, Henderson, Armstrong, which may mean we don’t need to replace 3 midfielders in one go. But we have to be clear who is in line for the chop, and what we might need to do to replace, regardless of qualification. If we don’t qualify, it may mean loans,free transfers or sub-optimal players for 12 months to tide us over – I’d swallow that if it meant we were able to bring in 1 or 2 proper players as part of the rebuild strategy.
The main problem we’ve had the past few years is that our so-called strategy wasn’t working – it was a collection of projects with numerous failures and a few who came good and we sold on. It meant we were self-sufficient (ie no debt to buy players) but did nothing for the team. The missing element was ensuring we had a core of good players who were happy to stay 3-4 years (truthfully, we’ve only had Brown and Lustig in that position) with room for 3-4 projects in the squad to polish up and, if neccesary sell. It’s what we did during the early part of Lennon’s time (Forster, Lustig, Ledley, Brown, Hooper) with the likes of Wanyama, VVD, Ki, etc fulfilling the project side.
WIth BR in charge, we may be able to get teh balance right, with a core of Erik, Tierney, Brown, Sinclair, Griffiths, and a couple of others over the next couple of windows (defensive midfielder, other CB, Goalkeeper) then room for projects in the side – but more claculated projects than the previous grab and hope for the best approach we’ve had. Once you’ve got that, we could start doing what Porto, etc do – have a project (O’Connell) waiting to step into Jozo’s place when he moves on (he’s not a 3-4 year guy in my view) or Christie into ROgic’s position, etc. Rather than having the heart torn out of midfield/defence every other year and going into CL qualifiers with a distinctly lower class second choice – our second choices ought to be solid pro’s who can’t physically cope with playing every week or someone being blooded carefully to replace the first choice next year.
TBB,
Carroll is the name. I know you are implying C*n*.
I know I broke the blog rules. I’m very sorry for doing that.
I am so very different from you. I really could not be any more different from you. That is Creation for you.
I hope EK do very well in the Future when All is well… and ends ok. So have a nice day.
Petec
Nobody is perfect Pete.
Not even me:)
You apologised.
Im sure you can be forgiven:)
HH
VFR
Re my reply.
Won’t be too far from the post to which you posted a link.
If I go searching, the log on log off merry-go-round will start for me.
Peter Lawell: THIS IS WHAT THE FANS WANT:
1. Café by the Superstore
2. Celtic Museum
3. Decent food & service inside the stadium
4. Enough brown sauce for half-time pies after the first 5 gave been sold
5. A tannoy system that is audible .
6. Mobile phone signal boosters .
7. Clean the windows and surrounding area in the Jock Stein stand Food courts.
8. Give the passageways in the JS stand a lick of yellow paint and repair the green epideck surface which has seen better days.
9. Better policing of traffic when games are over.
10. Better toilet facilities outside the stadium
11. The PLC to tell the truth about Sevco.
the most important thing to me about celtic is getting the best team on the park everything else is secondary does that make me odd
Imagine having to demand the truth.
Ridiculous, isn’t it?
Only got 5 law lords, 5 courts and a UEFA letter to back us up,right enough.
BROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN SUPPORTS OSCAR KNOX, MACKENZIE FURNISS AND ANYONE ELSE WHO FIGHTS NEUROBLASTOMA on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 11:02 AM
KIl Ultra
Forgive me as I have been absent from these pages over the summer (I can go for some time without being involved in anything CQN when other issues come calling).
Am I to understand that you think that the resolutioners sold the jerseys somewhere along the way and that I or someone else was a board “plant” tasked with scuppering or sidelining Res 12? Have I got that right?
——————–
“a board “plant” tasked with scuppering or sidelining Res 12?
BRTH. I don’t think, necessarily, that there was any pre-ordained plan. I think you, and the other requisitioners, some wittingly and I’d say, in fairness, maybe one or two unwittingly, fell in with the plc plan, that, going forward from the AGM 2013, it wouldn’t involve itself in any action against the authorities that would inhibit resumption of the Old Firm Brand; that would have included taking action to futher the aims of the resolution.
By the way. I appreciate, though don’t necessarily agree with the club’s position of economic pragmatism trumping moral rectitude. Having said that, I use the pause button when it comes to any moral dilemma involving Celtic, and my eyes will be glued to the television on September 10th.
________________
For the avoidance of doubt I have no connection to anyone who works for or at Celtic PLC and no one within the PLC has any baring on my views or thinking on Res 12 or any other matter,
——
BRTH. I know you work for the Celtic Foundation, but do appreciate that it is not the same as being an employee of the plc.
_______________________
Also in a previous post I think you imply that you have evidence that this is so and that you are willing to disclose that in private. Is that so?
If that is the case would it be ok with you if I get the chance to hear and see what that evidence is and on what basis you reach any conclusions or draw any inferences?
————
BRTH. I hope to be in a position within the next week or two to provide material. I’ll certainly email you with details before that happens, and you can reply accordingly.
Hail Hail
Oh, and Aberdeen FC too, of course.
With all my love I place this onion ring upon your finger.
beatbhoy on 2nd September 2016 11:38 am
VFR
Re my reply.
Won’t be too far from the post to which you posted a link.
If I go searching, the log on log off merry-go-round will start for me.
__________________________________________
Ok, I’ll have a wee look.
KTF
bournesouprecipe on 2nd September 2016 11:50 am
With all my love I place this onion ring upon your finger.
_____________________________________
There won’t be time to share our loaves for we must say goodbye
KTF
Gladdens the heart, this.
Step up, Celtic.
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/no-aberdeen-apology-over-no-previous-meeting/
Well said my favorit 2nd team who hate the huns more than we do ;-)
Ain’t no Aberdeen FC PLC-Hierarchy rolling about the bed with the hun establishment to ensure(at all costs) the retention of the old firm….imho.
53.000 Celtic supporters took to school by a squirrel !
Ach well….
….oot-zzzzz……
Petec – CQN hero
“The Dons fans would simply not tolerate their club playing along with the continuity myth”. CQN magazine 2/9/16.
new article posted.
KILL ULTRA on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016 11:46 AM
Cheers for that.
Can I just clarify something?
I don’t, and never have, worked for the Celtic Charity Foundation either as an employee or as a third party consultant.
Any involvement I have with the charity foundation is purely on a voluntary basis and performed in my own time — which is sometimes very difficult as I do have other things that I must do and which have no connection to Celtic in any way.
I am much more interested in the charity side of things — the original ethos of the club — than any function that the PLC performs, although I recognise that proper business governance is a must and we are saddled with the PLC model whether we like it or not. Personally I don’t – although I have to recognise that I am in a minority there and that I am perhaps throwing stones from outside the glasshouse.
With regard to the PLC and Res 12 — Hmmmm.
What’s the point of rowing a boat but swimming the last 100 metres to the shore?
By all means drop me a line.
Cheers
BRTH
If the PLC are buying into the hun agenda….is that ok then?
Are the PLC going to deliberately lie about this?
If the PLC insist on lying, …what are we going to do about it,..ignore it?
HH
‘Ah sittin’ here wondering’……does anyone else hope that the prodigal Tony Watt can come back with the correct attitude and play for Celtic again?
Imagine……..Sinclair….Dembele…..Griffiths….Watt…….Roberts
“Tony Watt is a shock contender to lead Scotland’s attack for the World Cup qualifier against Malta after talks with Scotland assistant Mark McGhee over the summer convinced the management team the Hearts’ striker’s bad attitude and sloppy habits are a thing of the past.”
PETEC. 1128
PHILVISRETURNS would give that a huge thumbs up.
HH.
BRTH
Time for a bit of rest and relaxation,and perhaps some DIY
Don’t Involve Yourself!
Conscience clear,of course you defend yourself,but you’re talking about National Enquirer stuff.
Got the goods,I’ve just not released it yet.
Ffs,gaun yersel.
BRTH,fill yer cowboy boots on him.
CQN Saturday Naps Competition
Lads,
Naps here today please – and latest results are updated here :
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/champions-league-draw-live-updates/comment-page-27/#comments
One minor adjustment to last week’s results – Cathal had sent his selection via e-mail which I only noticed yesterday, so he has a loser (Seamster) instead of ‘No Selection’… he still loses a virtual quid
:)
Cheers, fleagle1888
Carry Me Home 17:05 @ Haydock Park.
Good morning from a sun drenched Sa Coma balcony:
Sirius prospect 4-15k please.
I think the last lion at 3-15 is best bet of the day but 7:4 maybe a bit short.
GL all
Thirsk 425 Love on the Rocks
Good luck everyone
Nap the day
Shakopee 3.30 Haydock
Best of luck to all
Cheers GFTB
Lady Macapa in 4.00 Haydock
Quiet Reflection 4:30 Haydock, hope the rain arrives
in time for this beast,good luck everyone.
Good day and good luck to everyone.
Ascot 3.10. Stargazer
Morning all
Shrewd 15.30 haydock
HH
15:30 HAYDOCK
SHREWD
HH.
Swaheen 5.00 Thirsk
Apologies for email selection last week Fleagle1888; in Spain, and WordPress and Phone weren’t talking … today Intense Tango 3.30 Haydock from the PC. (Probably same result :))