The January transfer window closed in an underwhelming manner last night. Celtic concluded a straight four-month loan deal for Adam Idah (22) from Norwich City. I started the week bemoaning how physically light we were, so the addition of a 6’ 3” traditional target man is welcome. It is somewhat regretful that this is not a strategic acquisition; there is no option to buy and if the player is a success, Norwich will use this to prime his resale value.
We seem to have talked ourselves out of a left back. From what I hear, that’s not as much of a stress as it sounds, as latterly we were shopping distinctly off-piste in the ‘clearly for backup purposes’ lane.
The only permanent and strategic signature was that of Nicolas Kuhn (24), from Rapid Vienna. Nicolas arrived in the middle of the month and has already made his debut. He is every inch the data driven dream: creates chances, is useful in possession and after an injured season, has been fit since the summer. They are out there, if we are prepared to commit to the system.
A few eyebrows were raised at the reported £2m Cardiff City paid for the signature of David Turnbull, a player who has been on the fringes of the Celtic first team since his arrival from Motherwell four years ago. We paid £3m to Motherwell for David amid high hopes he would become a mainstay of the midfield for years to come. He is a player with great technique and was the best finisher at Celtic Park. With only six months left on his contract I expected a fee of around £400k, so happy with £2m.
Our winger population was thinned out a bit yesterday. Mikey Johnston (24) went to West Brom on loan and Marco Tilio (22) returned to his former club, Melbourne City, both are set to return to Celtic in the summer.
Not one of you wants to hear this, but playing on the wings is a really tough gig, especially at Celtic. Mikey has talent, he reminds me of one of those five-a-side players you can never get the ball off. Decision making and a good final ball is never an issue at fives, Mikey needs to improve on both if he is to reach his potential.
The window shut with Brendan Rodgers words reverberating, “Obviously, statistics will give you a lot, but I’m not driven by it.”. So we’re off-piste now.
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If what Paul 67 is saying is true, it sounds like there’s a drive by the club to go with a data driven approach while Rodgers wants to go with a more traditional approach and there’s a “digging of heels” by both sides which is going to mean the summer widow will be just as bad as the last two. What sensible clubs would do is marry up the best of both worlds so you are led by the data in identifying where to focus scouting resources and use the scouts to add value to that by looking at things data might not tell you – like do they fit into how the team/manager wants to play, are there any obvious limitations that can’t be coached out, is the player padding shooting/XG stats by not passing to teammates in a better position which would provide a higher XG for the team, etc. Following one approach slavishly leads to situations like Lagerbeilke (probably showed well on stats but very obviously too slow/ponderous to play in the sort of high line we play in 80% of our games) or Phillips (signed because BR liked him but very obviously too slow/ponderous to play in the sort of high line we play in 80% of our games).
I half don’t blame Rodgers for digging his heels in. He seemed signed up to the data driven model in summer, but that provided him with Lagerbeilke (see above), Tillio (who we saw for 8 minutes and will never see again) and Yang (miles off it in terms of decision making and final ball). Holm and Kwon might come good (as might Yang) but aren’t players for the here and now and should have been the limit of our “project signings” alongside the 4 “quality” players the manager said he needed. Palma, Bernardo and Phillips were end of the window panic signings as it became clear that we needed a winger (Yang and Tillio weren’t up to it), a central midfielder (Kwon and Holm weren’t ready) and a CB crisis saw us bring in Phillips. Nawrocki seemed like the only sensible signing at the time and was likely to be with a view of easing him in as third choice CB before Starfelt left and that plan went out the window.
I expect that Rodgers will just about haul us over the line this year and we’ll just about retain the title. I half expect him to then walk, citing a Klopp-esque need to recharge energy levels and we’re on the hunt for a new manager. We’re also likely to lose MOR, while Hart will be out of contract and need replacing. CCV and Hatate have been injury plagued so we can’t rely on them being 90%+ starters next year (though for the same reason, we’re unlikely to lose them as other clubs will be wary about injury records). So we’ll have a massive rebuild to do and have reverted to the “data driven” approach and repeat the mistakes of this summer.
Brentford are known as one of the leaders in using stats to inform recruitment and this article sets out how they actually use a balanced approach: Training Ground Guru | Lee Dykes: The seven stages of Brentford’s recruitment. We should adopt this as our approach and between now and summer bring in some scouts with coaching experience to get us ready for what will be a pivotal window. If we don’t genuinely improve the quality of the squad in summer, we’re at significant risk of throwing away the league.
SPIDEY101
Sensible, well-run clubs appoint coaches on the same wavelength. Not a dig at Rodgers but any differences should’ve been made clear at the interview process.
Key members of our club aren’t on the same page.
GEEBEE1978 on 2ND FEBRUARY 2024 2:53 PM
Sensible clubs apply due diligence to all appointments.
Examples like appointing your pal in the showers and your pal because he’s your pal to top jobs just don’t cut it.
You reap what you sow.
did we manage to get James Mc Carthy off the books.
Hatate out for a minimum of 6 weeks. CCV 3-4 weeks
Bada,
Ah,so not a back up for Taylor,a replacement.I see now.This the same Taylor that Ange and BR never drop?
You should have said.( As if I did not know what that,”Back up”shit was all about.Don’t like Taylor mob.
The Striker.You got one.Big,strong,what most,who called GG a dumpling after couple of games,all wanted.
O Riley.So,in case he goes,we should go now and spend,what,10 million, for a guy on 60 grand a week,to sit on the bench for 6 months.What team out there would be willing to sell,an O Reilly replacement in January?.
Goalkeeper.BR himself said that would wait until Summer.The one we want,20 million,but you want 2.
“Another winger”Yes a guy who can play,right,left,or through the middle,and who BR wanted.But obviously you did not.
You see,like the rest,all bluster,agendas,dislikes,and a mad urge to spend millions,in case PL runs away with it.
GeeBee,
I think that’s the point I am making. Rodgers seemed fine with it until the summer window showed up the limitations of a data focussed approach without supplementing it with proper scouting. We’re now at a point where Rodgers doesn’t trust the recruitment team’s suggestions and the recruitment team/club are stubbornly refusing to flex how we identify targets, even where flexing takes us to the best approach.
James Mc Carthy on the books is 6 foot 4.
Big thick books.
GEEBEE1978, ONIL is quite correct
The Club know Brendan Rodgers, know what he’s capable of.
Also he’s one of the best develop coaches in the business.
Why do you think the rank amateur jobs for boys geezers around our Club should dictate policy and strategy.
Unlike BR they have no track record anywhere.
There record at Celtic suggests they are just not up to the job, are they!?
It’s not the data, it’s not the policies, it is not the strategies that are the problem.
It is the rank amateurs who copy them, without truly understanding them and make a total hash of implementing them because they don’t have that skillsets either.
Hail Hail
Just watched the press conference and my view is that Brendan is saying a lot of what we see on here. Happy with the development of players but time is right to look at mixing that with a greater proportion of ready baked players. Looks like a guy who now knows that he has to shake things up a bit behind the scenes – watch this space!
Ange and BR pick GT cos he’s the best WE’VE got.
Doesn’t mean there aren’t much better out there and certainly doesn’t make him a great player
ONIL,
Yes,and we keep reaping what we sow.Quadruple Trebles,maybe a Double this year.Trophies galore.
Your stupid comments on how badly we are run,flop at that reply every time.Need a new scriptwriter mate.
The manager’s presser is certainly worth a watch.
It will disappoint alike those who want to hound him out and those who want to storm the boardroom.
As I said this morning, the truth normally lies somewhere in between polarised narratives.
TURKEYBHOY on 2ND FEBRUARY 2024 3:10 PM
Bada,
Ah,so not a back up for Taylor,a replacement.I see now.This the same Taylor that Ange and BR never drop?
He improved under Ange,back to being a Kilmarnock player, the big strong striker is only here for 4 months.You’re under the illusion that this is a Celtic team who are wiping the floor with teams,we have been inconsistent all season. Why not get a player in for MOR now,he could play this season BTW,the only player I can see who won’t be dropped is McGregor, CCV been injured most of the season, every other jersey is up for grabs,we need competition for places all over the park,we are looking stale.If the huns win their game in hand,we will only be 2 points ahead of them after beating them twice, and we have given the cheating referees something to work on.
Brendan presser
https://youtu.be/tpiquSpkDrE?si=SQNum2VkRpDg23zT
HH
Good afternoon all from Govanhill.
FFS …….
One of life’s truism is that other people always seem much easier than your own. This syndrome becomes heightened when your experience consists solely of watching something you think you understand but actually don’t.
Hope that clears up all the argy bargy on here the last wee while.
HH
I don’t care how long Adam Idah is here for , he will wear the jersey and get my support. If our players read what some of our fans say about them, then they would ask themselves whats the point. We have had players that have played for years under different managers that our fans have slaughtered, but the manager still picks them. Call me old fashioned, but I am going to go with the opinion of the guys who works closely with them and sees them everyday. It used to be so tough for young players to break through from the reserves and into the first team. Many of our fans wouldn’t accept them because we hadn’t bought them from some expensive team, or they didn’t have some exotic sounding last name!!! I remember being up at McDiarmid park one time and this one so called Celtic fan was screaming blue murder at Derek Whyte and calling him all sorts of names. I had enough and said Hi mate Derek Whyte’s not even playing today. The nutter paused and shouted see, youre not even good enough to be on the field. I just rolled my eyes and thought no arguing with this guy. We are better than what we are showing on this message board. Support the team ffs. They are trying and doing a job and deserve our support.
Sorry.
Sean
GEEBEE1978 on 2ND FEBRUARY 2024 2:53 PM
SPIDEY101
Sensible, well-run clubs appoint coaches on the same wavelength. Not a dig at Rodgers but any differences should’ve been made clear at the interview process.
Key members of our club aren’t on the same page.
—-
Spot on. What we got was a disengaged billionaire appointing the manager then effing back off to the golf course to let his manager and executive fight it out.
TB – youve def been enjoying the sun too much, for that im only concerned for your health and tinged with a little jealousy, due to our propensity for inclement weather.
As to your question, i dont know if id look to replace Kyogo, id def like another option, not sure what Idah will do, maybe more of a rummel them up type player to dovetail Kuhn, or Abada, or Maeda when he returns. Its clear Idah is a stop gap signing, perhaps for the Danish boy we’re continually after.
As for your LB, i dont mind Taylor, but he’s not good enough defensively, the boy at Peterborough would def have been a good back up until he’s ready to take over, if we pursue Beck in the summer i dont think it would be long before he’s first choice.
Now a question well more of a portent there are none so blind as those who will not see.
Enjoy your night pal
Bada,So,get in this imaginary clone of MOR,if any club would sell now
and play him now,dropping MOR,because he might leave.
FFS listen yourself.
Hatate has done both calves 6 weeks out coming back soon according to BR
Young Becks looks smaller than GT maybe he’ll get bombarded with high balls as well.
In the league the opposition pumping high balls down our left side is absolutely fine , very rarely anything happens as a result … they be better off pushing into our left sided centre back.
HH
31003
Only your opinion on Taylor.And only your opinion on hat the managers thought.
Of course there’s better players than Taylor out there,but a few obstacles in the way,clubs don’t want to sell.Player not keen on Scotland.Price way too high.Wages way to high.Bigger clubs or clubs from better leagues want him.
Grass is always fkin greener with our fans.
ONENIGHTINLISBON on 2ND FEBRUARY 2024 2:56 PM
GEEBEE1978 on 2ND FEBRUARY 2024 2:53 PM
Sensible clubs apply due diligence to all appointments.
Examples like appointing your pal in the showers and your pal because he’s your pal to top jobs just don’t cut it.
You reap what you sow.
==========================
Did you miss worthingbhoys post from a couple of days back showing it was ANGE appointed Mark Lawell.it may help you
HH
For the Kyogo doubters.
Loss of form is temporary.Class is permanent.
Tactics to blame much more than Kyogo.He has not changed,still making the same runs.Tactics have changed.
Decision making and a good final ball is never an issue at fives ???????
You have got to be feckin joking here !!!! The sorest of points, the morning after a game where decision making by younger, faster & more skillful players left a whole lot to be desired !!!!!
AT,
They reckon Ange is a liar and never worked with PL Jnr.Why Ange would lie about that,their addled brains could no doubt garble up something.
Spidey101
Good essay,i agree it needs to be a fusion of both tradional and Data driven.
Ask what does the Data not measure?
It may be higher due to the way a team play.
The ownership and decision making should always Brendans choice imo.
Roll on tomorrow and bring on Aberdeen.
Good to see you on.
Hail Hail
To me it looks like BR is onside with whats going on. Got to support him as he will need it IMHO.
Turkeybhoy on 2nd February 2024 2:37 pm
You should give your anger a day off. You must be exhausted.
the key word in Rodgers presser was BRAVE! he’s basically telling us they had identified players (recruitment did their job) but the board were not BRAVE enough to release the funds OR not BRAVE enough to trust the judgment of recruitment (incl Rodgers).
With Hatate and CCV out – this is an absolute shambles of a window by Celtic. Utterly disgraceful!
O’reliey has been struggling with a back / nerve issue and we are completely exposed with not quality in depth.
It really makes you question why we bother with this club (and I’ve supported for over 40yrs).
I can take not winning a title (jeez went through the nineties and still partied after defeats) – but this season is very different. THEY are dead on their feet and we had the opportunity to put the boot down on their face and keep them there ( with 2 decent signings).
IF they win the league – with champs league money – our generation of dominance is over.
Their lack of ambition is astounding and may be unforgivable.
Sorry for the over reaction but I’m really disgusted and feel for Rodgers AND the team
TURKEYBHOY- it’s impossible to have a conversation with you,you clearly don’t understand the concept of a blog,where guys have different opinions on things,……wrestling with a pig comes to mind
Spartim,
SO,you would’ nt replace Kyogo.Idah might do a job,who knows.Taylor you are not too keen on,defencively,what attacking FBs are.Robertson isnt,Liverpool had to move,their attacking RB forward,because he couldn’t defend.Grippier,not great.Nearer home,Tavernier,many more,but its your opinion.Maybe Beck will be the same.
So not a terrible window for you then?.
TURKEYBHOY on 2ND FEBRUARY 2024 4:06 PM
AT,
They reckon Ange is a liar and never worked with PL Jnr.Why Ange would lie about that,their addled brains could no doubt garble up something.
===============
I only see you posting the term LIAR TB,its a blog and its nature imo is to counter the established media,or correct misinfo by Celtic fans,its happened to me and long may it continue,it just leads to a better informed Tim and is far away from the amrightyourwrang stuff.
HH
TURKEYBHOY on 2ND FEBRUARY 2024 3:19 PM
Just scroll past wee man, no one cares what you think
BOONDOCK SAINT on 2ND FEBRUARY 2024 3:46 PM
That Derek Whyte bit was brilliant 👏