International breaks are a chance for most Scottish Premiership players to recuperate from niggles and return energy to tired limbs. National team burdens weigh most heavily on the successful, so Neil Lennon will have little company at Lennoxtown this week – he anticipated no more than four of the first team squad will remain behind, not even enough to practice a corner kick formation.
We travel to Easter Road in 11 days, between now and then, many of the squad will have played three games and traversed the globe. The Salt ‘n’ Sauce Greens will not be so troubled.
Neil will focus on what can be achieved in the days ahead: Christopher Jullien’s return to fitness being top priority. Chris was a titanic figure in our Europa League campaign last season and his League Cup Final intervention was one of the highlights of the season. If we get through this break with no additional injuries, illness and with Chris back in the squad for Easter Road, we would all be happy.
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Fife,Perthshire into Tier 3
Bada Bing,
I know you don’t share my view, but I think Scott McKenna would have plugged our gap.
We could have bought him for a song and he could have been a commanding regular for many years to come.
I watch his progress with interest at Forrest.
HH.
BADA BING
Neither is Bitton
El Younoussi phoning it in?
How many times have you heard that one, and how many Celtic fans have you heard admitting that they would have dropped him after looking at his phone.
Mr Nice guy Neil Lennon CSC
Julien will help things.
Decent defender but an even better organiser.
Chips in with vital goals too.
As for players on international duty – I echo sentiments to withdraw players from friendlies but ( I suspect ) those running the club have resigned themselves to just getting past this current set of fixtures and then enjoying a lengthy spell with none.
Interesting point made earlier re money.
I presume the SFA get some kind of participation fee for these silly games. ( If they don’t fair enough – money still made from home matches sold to TV)
Important wider issue though …
The SFA are skint.
Not as skint as Sevco but in a bad place.
Skint football organisations – fighting for their very existence – tend NOT to prioritise good governance and relationship management (unless that involves screwing those you have a relationship with in order to survive)
I hope Celtic have a plan.
Hail hail
Keep The Faith
I don’t understand the big issue with Moi on his phone. He is on his own in he the stand due to Covid and goes on for about 30s. When they are in the dugout they can all talk and encourage those on the pitch but these are not normal times
If he is in trouble then I’d like to cite about 20 fans round me at CP for spending the whole 90mins on the phone or up and down to the kiosk for swedgers and coke
GB,St Tams, el Hamed is a centre back, not a right back, given all our problems, why has he not been played there? I think there is a dearth of CBs worldwide, look at the top teams with all the money? Apart from van Dijk, and Chiellini, I’m struggling to think of a good CB?
Bitton is never a centre back , midfield at best.
Bada
Some CQN’rs wanted to drive VVD to the airport
thursell.
I see free agent Jozo Simunovic s still free having failed
two medicals at two different clubs.
Sorry – Walking the 🐕 spacing
St.Anthony
@Stephen4_2
·
23h
Brilliant pic of Mayor of Sligo welcoming Sean Fallon to his home town after Celts won the European Cup in 1967. Sean looks brilliant in that Celtic blazer. Love the schoolboys following them with placards – Welcome home Mr Europe. Brilliant stuff.
@Fallon1Sean
@SeanFallonCelt
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmZISfTXMAAJzZU?format=jpg&name=medium
Bada
Elhamed talking about his best position
I used to play a lot as right-back, for many, many games, and my last coach decided to play me at centre-half which I did.
I played only four or five games at right-back over the past few months but I played right-back a lot before that.
I’m versatile. I can do many things. I’m fast, good with the ball, comfortable in possession and good in defence
If you say to me ‘play this position or that position’, I will always try my best. My position, however, is right-back.
this is a brilliant image of James Edward, obviously at his best. whenever is the club going to get around to a statue, it has to happen sometime.
Four leaf cloverThe Retro CelticFour leaf clover
@RetroCeltic
·
4 Nov
Untouchable Four leaf clover
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmA8_31XUAEYO-M?format=jpg&name=900×900
bada
should have added he said this when he signed his 4 year contract with us.
Play the players in the position they are most comfortable, might have to step in and help through injuries get our recruiting sorted out and coaching staff.
Could be wrong but think we were better with John Parks but again he is gone and maybe better in my mind than he was but still has to be addressed.
ElHamed Julien Ajer Laxalt
stick with this back 4 and get on with it , best we’ve got by a mile currently.
RC on 10TH NOVEMBER 2020 3:40 PM
ElHamed Julien Ajer Laxalt
stick with this back 4 and get on with it , best we’ve got by a mile currently.
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Yup – easy.
HH
BGFC
SAINT STIVS on 10TH NOVEMBER 2020 3:26 PM
this is a brilliant image of James Edward, obviously at his best. whenever is the club going to get around to a statue, it has to happen sometime.
Four leaf cloverThe Retro CelticFour leaf clover
@RetroCeltic
4 Nov
Untouchable Four leaf clover
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmA8_31XUAEYO-M?format=jpg&name=900×900
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Absolutely agree can’t understand why it hasn’t happened or the North Stand named after him. Next to Fergus (who has said he doesn’t want a statue or stand named after apparently) he is the big omission.
Tic- didn’t know that thanks,he definitely could have been tried at CB….your back 4 ☝️👍
RC on 10TH NOVEMBER 2020 3:40 PM
ElHamed Julien Ajer Laxalt
——————————————
IMHO Taylor is possibly more of a traditional left back than Laxalt. Laxalt is more attacking wing back/winger.
Same goes for Frimpong on the right. Now if we could just sort the centre of midfield, no one could live with us.
Not holding my breath under this coaching team.
Final Only an Excuse on Hogmanay, about 10 years too late
Meanwhile, as we focus on the return of Jools, we read elsewhere that big Kris, will (thankfully) miss out on playing a friendly for Norway the result of a recurrence of an injury or more accurately a condition incurred one week previously. As in the Scottish Cup semi-final, a week earlier. A week earlier. James Forrest required ankle surgery after playing, according to Neil Lennon, with the problem for weeks. Whatever problems we have at Celtic, professionalism certainly isn’t one of them.
bringbackthespongecsc
Celtic Mac- with players getting overplayed, and carrying injuries, what chance have Turnbull and Soro got of getting a run? Be as well keeping the money in the bank,and having U21s on the bench.
DOWNFORSAM on 10TH NOVEMBER 2020 4:18 PM
RC on 10TH NOVEMBER 2020 3:40 PM
ElHamed Julien Ajer Laxalt
——————————————
IMHO Taylor is possibly more of a traditional left back than Laxalt. Laxalt is more attacking wing back/winger.
Same goes for Frimpong on the right. Now if we could just sort the centre of midfield, no one could live with us.
Not holding my breath under this coaching team.
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Think if we went for the four at the back and left ElHamed at left back, we Jeremy might be more free to play as a winger (and concentrate on developing his crossing).
I do like Laxalt more every time I see him. I know what you are saying about Taylor (and I’m not down on Taylor at all), but I think Laxalt is better than him both as a defender (or at defending) and as a wing-back – so either way I’d have Laxalt.
I’d like to see (at least until, or if, French Eddie gets his game head on again) the following:
Barkas
ElHamed Julien Ajer Laxalt
McGregor
Jeremy Christie Rogic Moi
Griff
That said, I’d also like to see
– an extended run for Ntcham
– Turbull getting a shot
– big Nir, the Hash-Smoking-Fiend, in the McGregor position
– Oh, and wee Luca Connell – would love to see him in the team. Only saw brief snippets – looks a cracker.
– And Jimmy back
– And Soro (is he any good, or a headless chicken)
– And Broonie’s not finished
– And – in a parallel Universe – Big Duffy is a monster defender
– And wee Dembele – what has happened, why is he not developing into the world-superstar we had hoped he would be
– And…I need to go home
HH
BGFC
!!BADA BING!! on 10TH NOVEMBER 2020 4:33 PM
Exactly! Mismanagement and poor succession planning.
Our previous manager deemed Scott Brown surplus to requirements yet he plays every game 2 years later.
ElHamed – right back, of course….
– And Ajeti
– And Polish Patryk
– And…the list is endless….
Right – I’m off to see thee wee man. He’s eight weeks in, and doing well at Uni so far – up at 08:30 every morning, and doing a full day every day – sometimes online till 7pm. All wee class exams passed so far – 70% / 80% mark. Proud of him – what a bhoy!!
HH
BGFC
“CONEYBHOY on 10TH NOVEMBER 2020 2:50 PM
I don’t understand the big issue with Moi on his phone. ”
Easy to undesrstand. He plays for Celtic therefore must be perfect.
MCPHAIL BHOY on 10TH NOVEMBER 2020 3:53 PM
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The same Fergus who said “It’ll be the WORST decision in the history of Scottish football, if Rangers are moved out of the top league.”
This was just after the extent of Rangers ebt scandal was made public!
To make matter’s worse, Celtic’s present PLC custodian’s were going to brass it out to follow Fergus’s idea, until Celtic supporter’s association was dragged, kicking and screaming, to announce their backing of a Celtic supporter’s, season ticket boycott, which was only decided on, after every SPL club’s supporter’s, apart from Kilmarnock, backed a boycott.
!!BADA BING!! on 10TH NOVEMBER 2020 4:23 PM
Final Only an Excuse on Hogmanay, about 10 years too late
Yep . The last few have been only an excuse for only an excuse.
!!bada bing!!
Kieran Tierney was an example in kind. Soro and Turnbull are a mystery, often there on the bench, never on the pitch. The problem is even worse this season, not just for us, with even more International matches, look at the cost during the last ones. The finals of the Nations League are scheduled for next summer, as are the Euros. All using club players. Kris is just the latest example though, Shane Duffy not having a great season, but at least he is not injured, and yet he was on the bench and Ajer in the team. Who has any medical input re these decisions?
Lennon and McCartney
“Christie and AJer want away
Another conspiracy theory”
Ill-founded rumour maybe.
Conspiracy thory is a stretch.
Many Celtic sites commented on the rumour – Celtic management confirmed that an unwelcome bid had been made- and Chris Sutton and others have criticised him for wanting to leave. He also changed Agent after the last one had (inadvertantly?) advertised his desire to move. If AC Milan are prepared to llok at you, then you are bound for a higher profile and wages than Celtic can offer you
So unsubstantiated?- I plead guilty. Not reflectie of his current mood? Possibly that is what the change of agent means but… I still have doubts.
Ryan Christie has indicated he is in no rush to sign a new deal. Burnley and Nice, at least, have been open about their interest in him and his dad has spoken openly about being convinced Ryan could thrive in the EPL. Does not mean he will move and it does not mean he is agitating for a move but it does prove that he is thinking about it.
But it would only qualify as a conspiracy theory IF I told you that AC Milan gave us Laxalt as a down payment on a January or Summer 2021 transfer deal. Or that We’ve already agreed a transfer fee and time for Ryan but we’ve asked the buying club, Ryan and his dad to say nothing about it. Highly unlikely, don’t you think
Giving due (low) regard to rumours is not anywhere the ball park of relieving outlandishly large conspiracies of silence amongst people who have no track record of being reticent or secretive. It’s as daft as seeing a Pizza restaurant as being a front for paedophilia but…. each to their own, I suppose.
downforsam
“Our previous manager deemed Scott Brown surplus to requirements yet he plays every game 2 years later.”
Are you havin a laugh ?
When did BR deem this ?
OK time for debate, you young ghuys look away.😍is it simpson craig and gemmell,,fallon young and gemmell,, haffey mckay and kennedy,,kennoway hog and morrison, beattie donnelly and fallon, you choose.H.H.
can you get a double lifetime ban ?
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Jim Spence
@JimSpenceDundee
And all of the buses named after him
Paul Larkin*
@paullarkin74
· 9h
Remembering Pádraic Pearse, born this day 1879.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Emcxy6HXEAA3l_N?format=jpg&name=medium
An Tearmann
Eddy and N’tcham are probably our Technical best players. They aren’t on the bench due to lack of ability but lack of performance. It has been mentioned that these players want away but we require to read between the lines. I think Lenny demanded to keep all the players to deliver the 10. Instead disgruntled players have under performed and reduced their transfer value.
I think we would have been better selling them
In hindsight we should have punted Eddy and bought Toney but who could have known Eddy would chuck it. Extraordinary really whats went on this season.
RC on 10TH NOVEMBER 2020 3:40 PM
ElHamed Julien Ajer Laxalt
stick with this back 4 and get on with it , best we’ve got by a mile currently.
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Yes i agree.
Big Packy – I can only get back as far as Haffey, McKay and Kennedy – never forgive big Frank for that penalty miss 😀