Fitness gambles can backfire

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News that Kris Commons had surgery yesterday on a back injury he’s been carrying for months was news to me. Injury and illness hampered Kris at various stages this (last?) season but when he reported back ‘fit’ his form didn’t hit previous heights. Now we know why.

Commons, Scott Brown and Mikael Lustig played through injury for large portions of the season. They are big players for Celtic and the story of our season can be seen through the prism of their situations. Jozo Simunovic was also less than 100% fit for what little we saw of him.

Correctly diagnosing the fitness of each of them will be important to Celtic’s performance next season. If we think Jozo and Scott will be capable of performing at Champions League level and they’re not, you could write the script on how next season will transpire.

The new manager will take a look at Kris’s age, vitals and recent injury record, and will immediately underestimate what he’s likely to get from the player next season. No new manager will rely on having a fit and able Kris Commons, but if fit, he’ll get a player with the craft to help him in Europe and domestically.

Mikael’s persistent hip injuries suggest we need to recruit a right back. There’s insufficient evidence to determine whether Saidy Janko is ready for the task, so we need to find someone who can take the pressure off Mikael’s hips.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the newspaper advertisement about Resolution 12, which will run in The Guardian and a Swiss business ‘paper.  It’s been a remarkable project. You can read more information here.

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734 Comments

  1. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    ELDIEGOBHOY

     

     

    Wishing you the best of luck with your treatment regime.

     

     

    HH

  2. An Teach Solais on

    ELDIEGOBHOY

     

     

    Hope that your treatment is a success. YNWA. You will know that all of CQN is rooting for you. Prayers being offered. HH

  3. EDB

     

     

    All the best of luck with your treatment sir. Just shout if we can do anything.

  4. Mats Nilloc (The History Man) on

    If indeed Brendan Rodgers is the man for Celtic, then of course like every true supporter, I will be 100% behind him from day one in what will be an extremely interesting season for our club.

     

     

    Some may say that the powers that be have zoomed in in Brendan, if he is the man, as the middle way candidate, in contrast to the combustible and controversial Keane, or, the austere and more reserved Moyes. Brendan’s Irish credentials and his admiration of Tommy Burns will of course not have gone unnoticed by a large section of our support.

     

     

    In my opinion, neither Keane, nor Moyes were ever real starters in the race; Keane because he is contemptuous of the Scottish game, and Moyes whom I believe sees himself as a mid-table EPL manager, at the least.

     

     

    Rodgers, is alas, not my first choice for the job. At Liverpool in his second, almost title-winning, season, he had at his command an exceptional bunch of players, including Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in attack with Steven Gerard enjoying a great season in midfield, and really should have landed the title. My reservations however are centred around the change in his personal demeanour during this time.

     

     

    He underwent the most remarkable make-over during the 2013/14 season and looked like he wanted to lead the life of a young superstar footballer, rather than the manager of one of the most famous and successful clubs in the world. Weight was shed, new dental veneers fitted, sharp suits were the order of the day and a perm-tan was cultivated. He also ‘changed partners’, introducing a young WAG type and severing his previous marital connections.

     

     

    It appeared to me seeing and listening in interviews and in a ‘fly on the wall’ documentary, that he was too close and too friendly with the players and indeed identified and behaved as one of them. This may well have played a part in Steven Gerrard leaving the club, very much against his (Gerrard’s) wishes; perhaps Brendan felt that his authority was being undermined by someone of Gerrard’s legendary stature in the dressing room, and wasn’t too keen to persuade him to stay.

     

     

    So for all his good points and the type of football that he likes to play, is this really the manager that Celtic want/need at the moment? I say not.

     

     

    My choice would be between Malky McKay and Steve Clarke. Both have good experience at top level and extensive contacts throughout the game in England.

     

     

    Steve is rather understated, however has vast experience in and around the best in the game. I think he was ‘panicked’ out of his job at WBA. He knows all about Scotland and Celtic and would come in with his eyes wide open.

     

     

    I can picture Malky’s, who also knows Celtic and Scotland, as a dominating presence on the touchline, he will take no nonsense and could be the one to get the best out of the players we have currently on the books. Please can we set aside, and not prejudge him, on his stupid mistakes at Cardiff, which had nothing whatever to do with his football ability. It seems to me that he was ‘cut off in his prime’ and deserves another chance to continue in what was a very promising managerial career. He has apologised and will, I sure, be much more circumspect in future.

     

     

    So there it is, Malky McKay for me – no not the cheap option, although it will be portrayed as such by a good number on here, should it materialise. Rodgers, Keane and Moyes may be the ‘sexy’ choices, however whilst here they will always be looking over their shoulder to their place in the EPL taxi rank, whenever a bigger job comes up.

  5. Good morning friends from a damp underfoot but dry overhead, bright yet cloudy East Kilbride.

     

     

    Jobo Baldie

     

     

    skodaownerCSC

  6. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    MATS NILLOC

     

     

    My preference would be for Rodgers as I think he is the better manager.

     

     

    If it’s Mackay,I won’t be throwing my toys out of the pram because of his past;he was a grown man at the time who should have known better,but he’s done his time.

     

     

    What he did was deeply offensive,but…

     

     

    It wasn’t a hanging offence,nor a life-ending one.

  7. Mats

     

    I agree that Rodgers’ final season could’ve ended better, and I also agree that he perhaps caught a dose of the ‘big I am’s’.

     

    I’d also like to think though that it’s something he will have learned from and any mistakes he made will have been learned from. Stevie Gerard was pleading for a long term contract to be given to Rodgers in his early tenure.

     

    “Brendan has been a revelation. He keeps tinkering and tweaking formations, making little changes to personnel and pulls it off,” said Gerrard.

     

    I think the relationship between the two soured somewhat when SG was considered injury prone by BR and was no longer an automatic choice.

     

    Yes, mistakes made, but there is no doubt he knows his stuff football wise, and as I said, hopefully any mistakes made will stand him in good stead if he gets the manager role with us.

     

    My niggling doubt is Europe. In my opinion our defensive frailty needs addressed, and I’m not absolutely convinced this is an area he excels in, but again, perhaps the time he has had out of management will have seen him reflect on where he can improve both tactically and in his personal behaviour.

  8. themaestro72 on

    I hope we get 1 of the guys mentioned but I remember all the names floating around 2 years ago and we got a man no one had heard of.

  9. themaestro72 on

    Twists and turns

     

     

    I’d be delighted with any of them, I’m trying to hold off renewing but with the names being linked it won’t be for long.

  10. I tells yeez. If it’s in zee media it’s a squirrel kite flying in Queens Park before a quick pint in the heid full of Brazens. It’s no in zee dugoot.

     

     

    Twisty Rogers with a D. How’s you ole fella?

     

     

    EDB luck O the Irish with the Chemo. KTF.

     

     

    MWD

  11. I still think we will all be shockeroonied by our next managerial appt. Good shockeroonied or bad shockeroonied I don’t know! But shockeroonied all the same.

     

     

    MWD

  12. Brendan Rodgers is a season ticket

     

    smoke-screen

     

    don’t be fooled!

     

    Keep yer guard up – CSC

  13. NEUSTADT-BRAW

     

    ___________________

     

    Sorry to read about yer auntie Agnes

     

    so sad.

     

    Thoughts & Prayers to all who are close.

  14. ELDIEGOBHOY

     

    _______________

     

    My family wish you the very best

     

    of luck for your chemo treatment.

     

    You’ll be in our prayers.

  15. SFTB

     

     

    I note you brought up the ole Europe EU thing.

     

     

    Any chance you could educate on the pros and cons. It is one helluva task trying to understand whether it’s good or less good or bad or more bad being in or oot respectively.

     

     

    I haven’t a clue. But alas I do find it funny that the exitiers are moaning about the tactics employed by some of them to save the Loyalist Royal Union are now being turned on them to save the WTF do they actually do Union.

     

     

    It’s all extremely not interesting.

     

     

    I’ll probs go with the WTF do the do Union over the Loyalist Royal Union campaign though.

     

     

    MWD

  16. Mats Nilloc (The History Man) on

    BMCUWP@6:48

     

    TWISTS & TURNS @6:57

     

    ———————————

     

     

    Thanks for replying. I agree with all you say.

     

     

    I see that the Daily Record and Jackson are setting us up for a fall, with stories of £10 million may be needed to land Brendan.

     

     

    If we chose someone else, undoubtedly we will get stories of the ‘biscuit tin’ and that we were not prepared to pay the money.

  17. Cowiebhoy

     

    ___________

     

    I’m sorry for missing yer lassies

     

    birthday last week.

     

    Is it Jenna ?

     

    Please wish her a belated

     

    Happy-Hoopy-Birthday.

     

    Hail Hail

  18. MWD

     

    I’m not so bad D, ( with a D:-), thanks for asking. Season ticket not renewed yet. Clock ticking. Waiting on res 12 detail, which will hopefully see me commit.

     

    Gonna be depressing if I’m up in Scotland and kids are all off to the match and I’m sitting looking out window feeling sorry for myself:-)

     

    How you and yours bud?

  19. THEMAESTRO72 on 18TH MAY 2016 7:18 AM

     

    Kevjungle

     

     

     

    It’s a smokescreen for McGhee…

     

    __________________________________

     

    :))))

     

    Hope yer right.

     

    HH

  20. Truth_Beauty_and_Freedom on

    jmccormick on 17th May 2016 9:24 pm

     

     

    I Love Cala de Mijas! Relatively quiet for the Costa del Sol. Spent a great October week there with my daughter at the 4* Hotel Gran Vik. I would definitely recommend it. Bus Service to Benalmadina and Malaga is good. Coming back, don’t get the Bus to Mijas or you’ll find yourself in the mountains. ☺

     

    Yours in Celtic,

     

    TB&F.

  21. EDB

     

    Dena

     

     

    Love and a wee prayer coming your respective ways.

     

    HH jamesgang

  22. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    TWISTSNTURNS 719

     

     

    If that happens,you can always join PF AYR for a pint…

  23. TB&F

     

     

    Thanks. Just took a wee notion for that area, not been since Seville! I am normally a Barcelona sun seeker Spetember there can be cloudy.

  24. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    TWISTSNTURNS 657

     

     

    Celtic have needed a defensive coach for most of my lifetime! A few years back,Oxford United employed one as their manager. It didn’t end well as they missed out on promotion. But their defence was first-class!

     

     

    From being on the verge of the (now) championship,they were relegated to the Conference after two successive delegations immediately after sacking him.

     

     

    I’m not usually one for left-field,but I’d give him a go.

  25. Bobby

     

    Hmmmm ‘A’ pint? A? You know the singular is just not gonna happen:-)

     

    I was with him Friday night as it happens at the racing. Fine fella.

     

    I hope I’m satisfied with the res 12 actions, but I’m a stubborn sod and if I’m not happy, I’m oot.

     

    Over the years I couldn’t list all the org’s , companies , folks I’ve refused to deal with, buy from or donate to. From Direct line, to the Salvation Army to Anchor butter, the list is endless. I’m hoping Celtic don’t have to be added!

  26. A fly in the ointment? Brendan Rodgers would lose his garden leave payments of £5m P.A. for the next two years if he signs for another club.

     

    Mind you, it’s from the Daily Ranger, who, given the standard of their investigative journalists might need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

     

    Do they have insight to the minutiae of Brendan’s contract? Mmmmmhhhh!

     

     

    On the other hand, it might be true and DD might need to give us a helping hand.

  27. Jim

     

    That story has been flying around FF as they desperately try to convince themselves that we won’t get him.

     

    I’d assume that any potential payment issues would have been discussed at the first interview. Celtic wouldn’t be inviting him back if it was a problem.

  28. thetimreaper on

    Hurting Daily Radar this morning. Rodgers is on £3.5m a year, not £5m. With two years left to run £7m, less tax and NI, he would earn approx £4.5m. And of course we will pay him. So he’s looking at couple of £m hit provided he cannot agree a settlement. Liverpool are a wealthy and reasonable club, I’m sure something will be sorted out.

     

     

    Funny how they reported how much of a hit (pun intended) Joey thug will take if he moves up here.

  29. Mats Nilloc (The History Man) on

    JIMTHETIM @ 7:37

     

    ————————-

     

     

    Looks like more made-up tosh from Jackson.

     

     

    He says that Brendan will receive £5 million per year severance pay, if it is severance pay, i.e. cancelling his contract, then it is a ‘done deal’, and he is ‘off the books’ – nothing can affect his settlement.

     

     

    However if he was put on ‘gardening leave’, and we have never heard that mentioned, then he is still a Liverpool employee, getting his salary and subject to his contract, although not working.

     

     

    Gardening leave would expire at the natural end of the contract and he would be free to seek other employment, with no impairment to his settlement.

     

     

    So once again Jackson is concocting a nothing story from snippets of information – the guy has set himself up as Celtic’c anti-PR department.

  30. Twists n Turns, that’s reassuring. I’ve got all my hopes built up since yesterday.