The No. 1 rule of the transfer window is: get your first choices, and there is no doubt that Ronny Deila wanted Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven. We’ve tracked them for months, Ronny will have watched both players many times, John Collins will have watched them more often, and the entire scouting team will have watched them dozens of times, so on that basis alone, I’m happy.
I spoke to someone at the club early last month and there was some concern that some of our key players would ‘Do a Kelvin’, and present as not in the right frame of mind to play, unless we agreed to a transfer. While we are still competing in four competitions this was a major worry, but those players who were wanted elsewhere were happy to get their heads down and work to the spirit as well as the letter of their contracts. Happy at this too.
Stuart Armstrong is every inch a Ronny Deila player. He can run all day, gets into the box to support – or go beyond – strikers, and closes space in front of the defence. He will allow us to play to plan a lot oftener.
Last summer’s window was characterised by the signing of wingers. Wakaso, Inge Berget and Tonev all arrived on loan, while Callum McGregor emerged as a first team contender on his return from loan, and during the early season outshone all of them. None of these players are now considered as first choice, nor is Derk Boerrigter, who was recruited from Ajax 18 months ago and has proven every adage that ever existed for oft-injured players.
So we’re not short of wingers, but we need good ones, and Gary Mackay-Steven is another known quantity. He is fast, skilful, and will lend a creative hand to Kris Commons, who had shouldered those duties alone for years.
I’ve no proper information on Michael Duffy, who joined the development squad from Derry City.
To paraphrase Neil Lennon, this is only the beginning. Of the 10 outfield players who started at Hampden on Sunday, only one was a Ronny Deila signing, the rest were recruited by one of his predecessors. The summer transfer window was overwhelmingly misconceived, as the regime change cast a shadow over processes. As well as the wasteful wingers, two strikers were signed, neither of whom could dislodge last January’s late stocking filler, Leigh Griffiths.
Mackay-Steven and Armstrong will both make an impact at Celtic, but it will take more than a couple of players to craft the squad into the image of Ronny. More work will be needed in the summer.
Hibs, Hearts, Queen of the South, Ross County, St Mirren, Motherwell, and the SFA will all be alarmed at the flagrant influence Mike Ashley exercised at newco Rangers yesterday, despite his written agreement not to get involved. While the SFA must react accordingly, I’m not sure five players whose appearances are measured in minutes, not games, are ready for a promotion fight. It can take good player months to settle into a new team, and the potential for disruption, especially if the ‘manager’ didn’t play an active role in the process, is considerable.
The upside for newco is that these players settle quickly, take a Premiership place off Hibs, Queens, Motherwell or St Mirren, and leave a lot of clubs wondering what the point of having rules in the first place is. The only appropriate sanction the SFA can levy is a player registration ban, which would be the club’s second in their short history. Clearly a one year ban is not long enough to teach them a lesson.
Whatever you think of Ashley, you have to admire him:
On the last day of the window, he has 5 unwanted Newcastle players he is unable to loan to anyone else.
Realising he had no takers, he sends them to Ibrox, easing the Newcastle payroll.
Newco pay the players with Ashley’s loan, which they still have to pay back. If his men are kicked out at an EGM, these loans mean the new regime have even more money to find. It’s almost as though he wants to burn through the entire £10m loan before the EGM, leaving a new regime with an empty bank account and crippling debt.
It is a thing of Machiavellian beauty. Hibs and the rest are right to be upset, and Stewart Regan will feel humiliated, but I find the whole episode hilarious.
Welcome to Celtic, Gary, Stuart and Michael.
Well done Celtic on a productive transfer window. As always, it’s too early to tell how well we’ve done, but the perennial adage of leaving the window stronger than we went into it seems assured. Well done Mike too, keep up the good work.
Start your League Cup final weekend at the CQN11 St Patrick’s Dinner, at the Kerrydale Suite, Celtic Park, on Friday 11 March. Email me for details, celticquicknews@gmail.com
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Delaneys,
Don’t know if you saw my earlier post, but I am up for the Dundee game, asked the blog to let me know if there are any spare tickets
Inter’s problem is that they signed loans
martim1980
She could played in goals for us on Sunday. Parked the pram so to speak!
Hh jamesgang
Pedro
I was with OldTim when we met. It was late though………hazy memory. :)
pedro
We are all fine fine kiddo, and glad you are also. See you all soon. KTF. :-)
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Evening CQN,
just got this from the BBC.
“Thank you for getting in touch. Firstly, we would apologise if you heard anything during the live BBC broadcast of the Celtic v Rangers League Cup semi-final which you found to be offensive.
While we make considerable efforts to reduce or remove offensive background chants and songs in pre-recorded and edited output, it is much more difficult to eradicate such material in live output, particularly when loud and sporadic chants from sections of the crowd are picked up by those microphones that are placed around the ground to capture atmosphere.
For the vast majority of viewers and listeners, the noise from the crowd adds both to the sense of atmosphere and to enjoyment of the game. However it is regrettable that, in the process of conveying crowd reactions during matches, there may be occasions when offensive language or chants which emanate from sections of the crowd are occasionally picked up and consequently transmitted. Please be assured that we take significant steps to try to minimise the audibility of any such chants or songs.
Throughout the game, our commentary team is focused on delivering match analysis and comment. To ask that the team members should comment on and/or apologise for every offensive terracing chant or song would place an impossible task on their shoulders. Indeed, they would have to be able to recognise and identify every such chant or song, and the specific contents thereof, while continuing with their match commentary.
Thank you, once again, for taking the time to contact us.
Kind regards”
obviously no one at the BBC told Rob MacLean or Pat Nevin this.,,
Gordy
Nice one. I have asked a few folk for spares. All good Tims. Hopefully we get sorted. I am looking for 4. One for you too.
DD
she definitely met old Tim and nearly floored him when she told him she was Ernie.
You were pointed out to me, but I think you were headin oot the door at the time.
We’ll catch up on Saturday.
obviously no one at the BBC told Rob MacLean or Pat Nevin this.
They are establishment tumshies.
MoretobepitiedCSC
jamesgang She may have inspired them to venture further forward….incredible statistics, but very enjoyable!
Another video of Ronny socialising,doing the rounds,don’t think guys should be posting where he goes for a night out………..
Ashley pays the price of zero hours contracts
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/03/sports-direct-zero-contract-workers-compensation
Delaneys,
HT posted earlier that he was looking for a couple for us and would know later in the week
Pedro
It was Old Tim who introduced me to your good lady. After she had near floored him with her wit. :)
Thanks Martim. Good news – The Scotsman were saying (wishing) yesterday only one
Gordy
HT has done me a few favours with tickets. If he can he will. Top guy.
Very strange.The young boy hit with the bottle.His name is Keiran Duffy,which you might find a bit odd.His brothers name is DECLAN DUFFY!!!!!!!!.
Bet there are a lot of strange looks for the father when he goes on the bus from Brigton.
Bada bing….anyone could post of Deila on a night out…even Thistle fans….
K C signed yet??
GerryBhoy
Funny how the BBC had to say the following after Andy Murray went a bit tourette’s in Oz the other day;
A BBC spokesperson also said: ‘This sometimes happens in live events, and our commentators apologised for any offence caused by the bad language heard.’
barrach obampot
Look like a generic response
BGX-I know mate,it’s a part of modern life i suppose,but just mindful of the assault on NL.Uncontrollable probably…….HH
Turkeybhoy..
..i know a young guy..Declan Hughes..on the books at St mirren….mad sevco fan..even has a brick with his name on it at ibrokes…changed days…
Mah 21.33
Get into him!!!
murdochauldandhay & wee oscar
Awe right auld yin :-)
Don’t know if u seen my post last week? BMCUWP’s is up in march and we’ve arranged for a wee curry n beer night in oor toon. March 19th.
No firm arrangements yet, but was hopin yourself, Catman and Saltires could join us also ( and anyone else in the vicinity ).
BMCUWP’s will probably bring some Ayrshire hauners :-)
thetimreaper
which one?
Tip for Andy Murray. Next time you go on a expletive laden rant, get the crowd to join in and the BBC will ignore it.
From Tannadice to Paradise
Welcome bhoys
Your life will never be the same
Enjoy
HH
overseasbhoy indeed and no surprises there. I’n not sure whether the rule is additional players anyway or that we can register replacements for Berget, Kayal and Twardzik.
Our first phase squad is listed below.
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2015/clubs/club=50050/index.html
Bada bing…sally doing his kareoke bit after the petrofac final defeat was posted…that was a belter…
Alfie Noakes
21:02 on
3 February, 2015
In all things, whether football, social or political, the vast majority of comments on this site are pure whataboutery – the very thing raged against by the late, and sadly missed, Paul McConville.
Pertinent issues and reasoned argument are a million miles above the ‘blindfolded’ clique who pat each other on the back and brand anyone with an actual fact-based point as variously: “a hun”, ” a plant”, “a parody”, ” a wearer of the bloodstained apron”, or sometimes even “Peter Lawwell”
Perhaps the comments section should be renamed CWN = Clydebank (and friends) Whataboutery. Nonsense
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
evening all
why then Alfie do you continue to hang around.?
you can always go elsewhere and give your fingers and everyone else’s eyes a rest
shutthedooronyourwayoutCSC
barrach obampot
Both
Why Did Celtic Bring in Armstrong?
If ye Know..It is not Necessary to Read Any Further/Farther.
If Ye Don’t …You may continue readin’.
Bitton, in case ye wondered… wiz Nevah Considered tae Be
Broonie’s Back-up… or..Don’t Mak be Laff.. Possible Replacement..eethur.
Na.. No Bitton.. he is no the Type..
Howevahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..
Kayal, wiz Broonie’s Back-Up…among ither things..
The Ither Things?
amongst ,which wiz
that of a Sorta Sword of Damocles. .n wid be Hingin’ ower Broonie’s Heid.
Ready,tae .. Chop it aff.. n .. tak over Broonie’s Place,in the Line-Up..
Should oor Captain Courageous.. Evah Falter.
That wiz the Plan..n..it wiz a Sound Yin.
Howevah…as everybuddy Knows.. Kayal, lost hiz Mojo.. after the Infamous
Elbows McCulloch Incident.
n.. the rest is History.
Kayal..couldnae dae the Joab..that he wiz Hired tae dae..
as he turned oota be…nae Threat tae evah takin
over Broonie’s Place in the Line-Up.should Broonie..evah falter.
Exit, Kayal.. Stage Left..
Enter.. Stuart.. stage Right.
Noo.. that Begs the Question:
is Armstrong, Kayal’s Replacement?
n..if he is..
Should Broonie be worried?
that Stuart wid pose a Threat ..tae Him?
Is Armstrong, the New .. Sword Wielder?
well.. Ah wid Be. Worried like Hell..
..If..
Ah wiz Broonie.. but..as Ah am No Broonie..
Then.
Ah am No worried..in the Slightest..In fact, Ah am Happy as Kin Be.
But,that disnae answer The Question.. Diz it?
It sure, diznae.
But, Ah wull say THIS..
Ah think that Armstrong is.. Commons. Replacement.
so..If that is true..then.. Broonie.. is aff the Hook.
n..If Commons is Leavin..anyway..
then..
Commons, wull soitenly No gie a Counterfeit Continental..
Right?
So..Armstrong coming in..wull No upset..
Anybuddy..Efter awe.
Which is Fine wi Me.
All’s Well , that ..ends well.
Interestin’..
Doncha Think?
We ur still Lookin fur a Back-up and or Possible replacement Threat
fur Broonie..
We jist hivnae goat wan..n.. Well.. THAT kin be a Worry..
fur we Need wan, Badly.
But, we wull Keep lookin’..
That wull be Pierre’s Next Project..
Findin a Broonie Back-Up/Replacement.
Kojo.
Still. Laughin’
BGX-it sure was mate :}}
Bada Bing 2133-
Absolutely agreed. These eejits with their camera phones that feel the need to record every minute of their lives and then post it on the internet and social media really do my head in.
They should have more sense than to broadcast Ronny Deila`s movements and private moments online. The guy is entitled to a bit of privacy and to socialise in peace and quiet. If people see him in a pub and he speaks to them, fair enough, but speaking to someone in a pub is not the same as giving them permission to broadcast this to an audience of thousands on social media (and indeed more besides once the MSM run with the footage too).
We all know how sleekit the huns are, how much they`re hurting right now, and how much they`d love to lash out. I don`t think it does any good to let the more reactionary elements of the hun support know Ronny`s favourite haunts.
But I guess some people are more concerned with getting all their wee Facebook pals to give them a cyber pat on the back and make them feel important for five minutes.
thetimreaper
that’s what I thought!
:-)
HH
double-standardscsc
Speyside
Alf is best ignored. He is welcome to come to Clydebank anytime and decry oor toon in person. If he does that. I will give him credibility.
Pedro
Not seen you in the Railway. Are you keeping a low profile?
Any spares for Sat?
HH
TGBS…could have been hun who posted it..or a non football fan..anyone…thats life…it aint gonna change anytime soon…