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Fixture gains and worries

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

We travel to Ibrox the day before the transfer window closes.  I’m not entirely happy about this.  My expectations are that several of our key players will be subject to offers, some of which will go to the wire, some of which may not be accepted.

Approaching deadlines are unsettling.  There can be a tacit acceptance that the player will move after a game, such as Odsonne Edouard moved to Crystal Palace two days after he ‘posted in’ a losing performance at Ibrox.  And there can be an outright refusal to contemplate a transfer, such as when Lyon were given a heard ‘No’ when attempting to sign Moussa Dembele, only for the player to throw a hissy fit in front of teammates, coaches and press photographers.

Even getting replacements in early does not fix all problems.  Kyogo was on the field when Odsonne performed so poorly at Ibrox, but the our new Japanese forward played on the wing until the last 20 minutes, when he started to terrorise the Newco defence.

Managers are understandably reluctant to bench a tried and tested player for an untested one in important games.  Ange Postecoglou should have started Odsonne on the bench and put Kyogo through the middle, but no one seriously considered that before the game.

The most positive reading from the fixtures is that we are away to Aberdeen, Newco, Hearts, and Dundee United in the first round of fixtures.  These are difficult games and will mean we have the same sides at home during the winter months, when away pitches are often poor, and for the deciding set of fixtures in April and May.

Plastic pitches are a larger than normal feature for next season.  We have Livingston and Falkirk at home, and Kilmarnock away, in the first 11 games.  I don’t expect any of these sides to make the top six, which means we will have one less game on plastic than we would if we had two away games at these venues during the opening set.  It’s a small (potential) benefit, but still welcome.

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  10. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Private Eye had a feature (might still have) called ‘Desperate Business’

     

     

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx24k905d8xo

     

     

    The article speaks repeatedly of an unknown buyer.

     

     

    Doesn’t mention the seller at all.

     

     

    Desperate outfit running on the fumes of journeys of the distant past.

     

     

    And the kicker?

     

     

    Rolling up the VAT and fees into the purchase price in the story headline.

     

     

    “Look, we’re still big !”

     

     

    Absolutely pathetic.

  11. quantum on

    Well at least for 5 seconds I was absoluely delighted.

     

     

    5 seconds was the time it took to check that the report was dated 2023

  24. The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on

    If true, that’s a fantastic piece of business.

     

     

    The risk/reward is mouthwatering.

  30. Celtic Mac on

    Blistering hot in the mid-west, 105f in St (dont meet me) Louis, could tip 100f in NYC, Philly and DC this weekend and yet this is where Saudi/FIFA decides to hold a multi club World Cup in the summer heat, with some games kicking off in the midday sun. Same next year with a 48 team World Cup. Luckily we’ve got Steve Clarke in charge so unlikely to be going…

     

    You could not make it up..

  31. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Benjamin Nygren.

     

     

    Fantastic signing.

     

     

    Six weeks ago I’d never heard of him.

     

     

    One of the above is currently true.

     

     

    Time will tell.

     

     

    On a serious note, picking up young guys with very creditable pedigrees for a song as their contracts run out?

     

     

    Very intelligent business.

     

     

    Well done to all involved.

  32. clunks on

    Celtic Mac

     

     

    25c in ayrshire today

     

     

    Not dropped past 18 overnight

     

     

    Still managed to get 3 or 4 minutes of rain about 2pm tho lol

     

     

    Too hot for me…

  33. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Meanwhile you know who are currently lining up the first of a pile of (might work, might not) loan signings.

     

     

    And remember …

     

     

    If we sign someone who has hardly played in a year?

     

     

    …. They’ll be “rusty”

     

     

    If you know who do the same?

     

     

    That player will be “fresh”

  35. Celtic Mac on

    clunks

     

     

    I remember that it used to make the news if the ol’ barometer hit over 70f

     

    BIg news too

  36. Burnley78 on

    I see young Bernardo was hooked again after an hour tonight.

     

     

    His Portugal team lost 1-0 to 10 man Holland and are out.

     

     

    It seems he has been hooked early a few games. Anyone know if he was injured / played ok ?

  37. TexasTim on

    CLUNKS on 21ST JUNE 2025 11:17 PM

     

    Celtic Mac

     

    25c in ayrshire today

     

    Not dropped past 18 overnight

     

    Too hot for me…

     

     

    36C in Houston today – went to Post Oaks for a wee road trip and some retail therapy with Mrs Tex.

     

     

    As we walked to Loch Bar from the car park, we were shocked to see lots of people eating outside at 4pm. Astonished to see that. Grateful for AC!

  38. Celtic Mac on

    texas tim

     

     

    That”s around 97f in old money….

     

    Great for a game of soccer mid afternoon….

  42. Big Jimmy on

    ASCOT RACING 5th and Final Day YESTERDAY..

     

    Scroll Bye IF NOT interested…

     

     

    A bit of a mixed bag for me yesterday ( Saturday) punting wise as my Three PLACPOT Bets were beaten before the 6th Race, as was my QUADPOT Bet.

     

     

    However, I did manage to Bet on ” NOBLE CHAMPION” who Won at odds of 25/1 in the 4.20 Race.

     

    Thankfully, I had backed it earlier in the Day in a SINGLES Bet at odds of 33/1. I had a small Single wager on it.

     

     

    I did also find THREE other Winners at odds of 4/1, 6/4 and 4/5 on a Lucky 15 Bet.

     

    Overall, it was probably my best ever Royal Ascot over the FIVE Days that showed a small profit.

     

     

    Was it worth all the time and effort that I put in ?…..YOU BETCHA !

     

     

    Fantastic to watch all those magnificent horse athletes in action, trying their best.

     

     

    HH.

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