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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SANDMAN on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016 2:07 PM
In an alternative universe, Glasgow Celtic stormed the transfer window last night, Brendan Rodgers snapping up Dembele, Sinclair, Toure, De Vreis and Gamboa in the last hour of activity.
Fans are ecstatic about the signings, bringing a combination of pace, youth and experience to the squad, adding the essential qualities of players used to performing in the higher class of England’s top divisions.
The signings may not completely anaesthetize the pain of seeing the remnants of Ronny Deila’s reign pumped 8-0 in Astana back in July and the absence of any European football until summer 2017 but, hey, at least the Hoops got talked about for a few hours by Jim White…
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Good perspective.
Tom/Tam/Tommy/Tomas Rogic/Rojic/Roggic played a full 90 mins for the Socceroos today. Hopefully gets a rest on Tuesday against UAE, however fully understand that it is a competitive game and they need their best team out against a team that beat Japan today. At least he will be travelling back from UAE next Wednesday which is better than flying back from Oz.
This place really is turning out to be full of sad little clique of lickspittle apologist for TD67.
It’s scary.
Previously, decent posters to. I truly despair.
Well done TD67. You’re brand of support is rubbing off.
MWD
GREENPINATA on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016 2:19 PM
In the West of Scotland, in relation to Celtic, it’s most common usage, on the streets and in the pubs, rather than in the literary salons, is in relation to sexual abuse.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON:
I wrote an article after the Cup Semi where I said much the same.
A lot of Sevconites laughed at it.
None of them is laughing now.
http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/the-storm-before-the-calm/
ERNIE LYNCH on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016 2:15 PM
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016 2:06 PM
As I said, radicalising or brainwashing may have been more apt words.
This house is full of attention seekers, some more so than others.
It is why most of us post,although, personally I choose to post for the education, enlightenment and annoyance of primadonnas and Sacred Cows.
MWD
Like you said earlier.
The proof is there, in his own words.
He has back-pedalled so much, he be as well getting off the bike….a poor mans Bradley Wiggins indeed:)
HH
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016 1:59 PM
The concern has to be than any medium term (3 or 4 seasons) project could just fall apart if one or two key components leave, not least BR himself.
But that’s just the way it is.
WM @ 2.17
The SPL was and is the target.
But the world changed 8 days ago and we couldn’t keep up.
Look at the stiffs BR has put on the park to show that they aren’t good enough to be in the team.
Look at the gaps in the squad and the failing efforts we made to close them.
Just getting by isn’t good enough this year.
Given the wholesale movement of players at the highest level this year there will be a number of quality players washed up with little chance of game time.
That would have been a seam to work.
Look at the gaps we have — physically big CB / DM / missing a striker.
Look at the gaps BR has identified — playmaker or No.10.
They are still there.
Money in the bank won’t get us credibility in the CL.
We seem to be working to a script that will see us 4th in the group come Dec.
It’s not an attempt to impugn Tony Donnelly’s character; rather offering him an opportunity to accept that he may have been ill-advised to use such a term and admit that it has caused upset on the forum.
Ill advised ? As in someone telling me to say this or say that? I post what and when I like, and as long as it’s within the COC and OK by the host, I’m posting it, now there are a couple in here who may think that in saying it would be better or me not to post what they don’t like, REALY ? And why should I do that tell me?
I know who it’s annoying but that’s up to them, and I’m not backing down either, I was called stupid and ignorant two days ago? But that’s ok right? How does this work this constant one guy getting harassed? Do you all text each other saying…he’s on…it’s him….he said this…and he said that?
I wish kill ultra would hurry up and come in I’v had a long shift from the aweeeeee he said it again pack.
MADMITCH
Cheer up….I thought i was depressed:)
We can win the CL:)
Believe.
HH
Are we likely to go back for Mc Carthy ??
Straight fight for Senderos and we lose out to them. Appalling.
122 days till the transfer window opens. 16 league games, possibly as few as 14 depending on League Cup final and Ne’erday game being moved. Boycott till then, spend big, make a real push for a European place.
Am I doing modern CQN right?
TD67
Awww Poor Tony.
Likes to dish it out, but doesnt like it back.
Well, nae luck…suck it up.
The GB are the finest of Celtic supporters, and dont you forget it.
HH the GB
Gents,
TD 67 is an elderly Celtic supporter. Do any of you really think there was a sexual abuse context to his usage.?
HH.
Greenpinata
Yeah, i do.
That the impression i got.
He is still at it.
HH
Thomthethim
Radicalisation may not be such a good word to use nowadays.
It also has a more modern meaning.
HH.
DAVIDOPOULOS on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016 2:05 PM
50 shades of green
You eat crisps in the library? Shocking!
Monster Munch in the Horror section?
Walkers while perusing the Travel section?
Quavers beside the sheet music???
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Wotsits in the section containing’ the…..hingmies…..you know…..what they called??
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016 2:16 PM
No doubt we ill chat tomorrow!
KTF
Greenpinta
Firstly, TD67 is no gentleman. He is a back stabbing cretin.
Secondly. Please don’t tell me he was not aware, when using his choice of terminology, he did not know exactly the implied meaning he was aiming to associate with the GB (his pet hate).
My dad is an elderly gentleman. A real gentleman. He would never use this phrase in relation to speaking about any grouping or individual Celtic supporter.
Please stop apologising for and excusing the behaviour of this cretin and proven liar.
MWD
Take a look at @SimunovicJozo’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/SimunovicJozo/status/771310274758356993?s=09
Putting on the Ritz
Wireless is a word I use all the time, Trany too ( that’s even dodgy now) but I still use it, that’s bad too right? I remember going into the local pound shop I know the Wee lassie, and I said …I need to get some batteries for my Trany ….well the look she gave me, I explained and she laughed, obviously you gathered by that she doesent post in here, as I keep saying it’s the people who think it’s what it means knowing full well it doesent, well that’s they’r problem, my last post on the matter, it’s getting silly now.
MADMITCH on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016 2:28 PM
See the rarely seen pessimistic side of me says that no matter who we signed for DM there’s a chance we’d get humped anyway, so why not wait til January or even next year and get the same guy for less (or a better player), when he might actually make a real difference.
That transfer/wages saved could be used to strengthen elsewhere. This time next year we’ll probably be looking for another CB, a replacement for Scott Brown and probably a replacement for Paddy Roberts (unless we can sign him). If we’re going to improve those positions in line with this season, we’ll still need a lot of cash.
I’d have liked a great DM as much as the next man, but I just don’t see why as soon as something doesn’t work out there’s always a need to blame somebody.
Some have all but stated that BR is a barefaced liar for stating he’s pleased how the window went.
Dermot left before the penalties ?! Next time he should give his ticket to an actual Celtic supporter.
A headline of spin.
A successful transfer window would have been addressing glaring deficiencies in the team.
That we did not says everything about the priorities of those running the club.
Every supporter knows central midfied(THE SPINE) is a serious liability.
Now every team we play in champions league is planning a strategy to exploit.
Unless Brendan finds a solution from within we could lose a lot of goals and face in Europe.
That is unfair pressure put on the coach by a bunch of profiteers.
If only the board backed the team like supporters do.
TD67
An extremely stupid analogy. Expected though.
Your wee nerve must be raw eh?
Just man up and admit you got it wrong. Prove me wrong and show you actually have some testosterone in those genes of yours.
MWD
Mad Mitch,
Are you a fan of the Two Ronny’s by any chance?
FUNEMNX.
9IFE10M
( Have you any Ham and Eggs )
No, I have eaten them)
HH to you.
016 2:41 PM
Take a look at @SimunovicJozo’s Tweet
That’s good enough for me.
TONYDONNELLY67 on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016 2:29 PM
It’s not an attempt to impugn Tony Donnelly’s character; rather offering him an opportunity to accept that he may have been ill-advised to use such a term and admit that it has caused upset on the forum.
Ill advised ? As in someone telling me to say this or say that? I post what and when I like, and as long as it’s within the COC and OK by the host, I’m posting it, now there are a couple in here who may think that in saying it would be better or me not to post what they don’t like, REALY ? And why should I do that tell me?
I know who it’s annoying but that’s up to them, and I’m not backing down either, I was called stupid and ignorant two days ago? But that’s ok right? How does this work this constant one guy getting harassed? Do you all text each other saying…he’s on…it’s him….he said this…and he said that?
I wish kill ultra would hurry up and come in I’v had a long shift from the aweeeeee he said it again pack.
________________________________
It’s not an attempt to censor or dictate what you write; absolutely not. Or to impugn your character.
I (wrongly) had a pop at both you and The Green Man last week and said some things I regretted; I apologised for that.
Similarly, this is about recognising that you have used a term that has caused upset to number of posters here, albeit within the COC as you put it. It was simply a suggestion that should you wish to, you could easily take steps to recognise that you upset a good number of people and refrain from continuing to do so. It’s that simple.
You don’t need to respond to my posts, your action or inaction will be response enough.
KTF
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ on 1st September 2016 2:30 pm
Are we likely to go back for Mc Carthy ??
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If Paul is to be believed we can’t go ‘back’ as we were never there in the first place!
MOONBEAMSWD ‘STAND UP ON 15 FOR THE GB’ on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2016 2:46 PM
TD67
An extremely stupid analogy. Expected though.
Your wee nerve must be raw eh?
Just man up and admit you got it wrong. Prove me wrong and show you actually have some testosterone in those genes of yours.
MWD
As I said in my last post I’m done with you all on the subject, people are fed up with it as I am, I’m not giving your agenda any more oxygen.
VFR
No need for an apology to me.
Nothing you have ever said has offended me, not in the slightest.
Some of us have got thicker skins:)
Im just on to crack a few gags, and moan about the board, and call out the trolls:)
HH
Ironically big Jozo starts off by saying he prefers to do his talking on the pitch :)
In your own time, big man.
HH
NatKnow
Laughed oot loud…
Thought of some more:
Pringles over at the knitting books
Nik Naks in antiques
Squares in Mathematics
Bikers in Sports
Space Raiders in Science Fiction
Pomme Bears in Wildlife
Lays in…. I’m not going there.
You don’t need to respond to my posts, your action or inaction will be response enough.
KTF
Read my last post.
Who was the best player last season? For me it was young KT. How did he get in the team (apart from being bliddy good). He was thrust into the spotlight due to lack of squad depth at that position.
Could we see the emergence of a central midfielder for the same reason? That would please me no end.
TD67
You set the agenda.
Some of us are just questioning it.
So no manning up then. As expected!
Says it all about you and your own personality trait with regards this issue. A worry I must add.
MWD