Managers often have the task of focussing players’ attention on the next game, instead of an important subsequent game a few days later, but Brendan Rodgers has an additional task in this respect right now.
You only need to speak to a fellow Celtic fan this week to understand what’s on all of our minds. Two games over the next four days will make a significant impression on the season, but there is no certainty what the squad will look like when the second match takes place. The closure of the transfer window in a little over 48 hours will loom just as large as Sunday’s league encounter with Newco.
This is where the manager earns his wages. While tomorrow’s game against Suduva should present a straightforward challenge, you and I remember another Scottish team, no longer with us, going out of Europe to Lithuanian opposition just months after competing in the Uefa Cup Final.
Get them ready to run through walls for you, Brendan.
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mullet and co 2 on 29th August 2018 12:36 pm
Selling Dembele isn’t the issue for me, I always thought he would leave this window but was hopeful he may stay for another 6 months. The issue is if we sell him this late in the window. We wont have a replacement lined up (we don’t do forward planning) and we’d end up with a last minute panic buy (as we usually do) like Shane Long (rumoured this morning).
The manager said he wanted three players at the beginning of the summer, he got Eddy (eventually) but the other two (assumed to be Piccini and McGinn) went elsewhere for whatever reason. If he wanted a right back and a midfielder to replace Armstrong why are we less than 60 hours till window closes and no one has been signed in these positions?
PHILBHOY
Muddy Blarvlous,old bean. Mightily miffed that we are sitting through the same movie with some new actors.
Hope the girls are lighting up your life as usual,and that yeezuraw smashing!
Tontine Tim on 29th August 2018 12:55 pm
I wasn’t aware of that story. That’s amazing!
Selling Dedryck Boyata is a much use as a bombscare short versus Sevco
Celtic By Numbers. I love your site. I thought I knew everything about our 67 EC win, but your analysis brought a new perspective.
Although the window still has a couple of days left, from the fans perspective,, we certainly appear to have made a James Hunt of it. We do not look to have learnt lessons from previous windows.
I would normally discard any rumours re Dembele,, however, if it’s French clubs that are interested, then I can see that being an attractive proposition for Moussa, and would likely assist his chances in gaining a full International cap. If a bid comes in, it will certainly be a dilemma for Celtic.
As for Boyata, I would like to hear the full story, but will not be disappointed if he goes.
Thursday really should be straight forward. Sunday will depend largely on what transpires over the next 48 hrs, and our players state of mind and attitude going into the game.
I have not had the pleasure of watching our Glasgow rivals this year, but by all accounts they are much improved, but still lack quality throughout. They will however have seen our defeat to Herz, and will most likely approach the game in a similar manner. Kevlar shin-guards should be the order of the day.
HH
Lyon, Marseille and Sevilla unless I’m very much mistaken, none of these clubs are in the CL this season.
So if any of this trio of clubs (forgive the biscuit pun) sign any of our key players this week, that kind of puts to bed the nonsense about needing CL football to attract upcoming players.
French press reporting, Moussa’s agent in talks with Dortmund!!
Hopefully more nonsense.
Hail Hail
So let me think.
Why would the Dembele rumours start again ? Hmmm.
No signings but it allows the board to look good if Dembele stays after their recent balls up.
Joke.
Schalke in for Dembele?
HH
Moussa Dembele not for sale this window, we’re only selling our liabilities for gazillions.
Suck it up SMSM csc
I’m actually becoming more concerned about Peter Lawell earning his wages than Brendan Rogers.
You’re paid to deliver when taking home a couple of million per year. There’s time yet, but excuses won’t wash with most Celtic supporters.
I thought our position was that Dembele’s not for sale at any price ,At least in this window?
CELTIC BY NUMBERS
Sobering but unsurprising stats.
As our performances and results seem to be on a slight decline.
While the abundance of stats gives coaches more info to work with my only criticism is it seems to stifle creative expression.
Players and agents are now aware of stats and lower percentage plays like forward diagonal passes are rarely attempted despite often higher rewards.There now seems a reluctance for players like JF to take opponents on when a simple pass back to a teammate results in a completion stat.
We are a classic example of a high possession team who create few clear cut chances.
Strangely enough a better patient defensive approach instead of continually ball watching would increase their stats but those seem to have been lost by our coaches.
Also curious to know if Gorgons pass completion percentage is as bad as i think when he has to kick it further upfield?
There is every chance Dembele is injured again.
I would sell him for the right money.
The problem with keeping him is he is likely to break down again.
The other HUGE problem is that we don’t have an adequate replacement.
TT
I said weeks ago we would buy no one and sell Boyata, Dembele, Ntcham and possibly KT if crazy offer comes in for him. I will stick by the first 3.
BMCUW
It’s listening to ghuys like you that has made me this way!
B-)
Get them ready to run through walls for you, Brendan
i think if we could get them to defend and pass properly from the back to midfield , be able to take corner and free kicks & throw-ins to our advantage would be a start , before we run through walls.
ron67 on 29th August 2018 1:29 pm
Yep, not lazy journalism at all. Yet some on here still think the SMSM is relevant enough to have a regular pop at on here when a bit of self analysis wouldn’t go amiss!
HH
you would think there was a game against ‘thems’ coming up , with all this negative press reporting.
Maradominic
It is my belief that Brendan wanted McGinn to replace Ntcham.
McGinn is a completely different player to Armstrong.
The club have known that there was interest in Ntcham for some time.
Our succession planning and scouting for this window is utterly shambolic.
It is also my belief that Dembele failed a medical at Chelsea last year.
Couple that with Simunovic failing a medical at Inter .
We are left with players keen to move but unable to fulfill the needs of really big clubs.
TT
I asked earlier who was in for Moussa the day, maybe I should have said, who isn’t in for him, dont forget guys if its in the papers it must be true.
H.H
Stands for ho ho this time.
Maradominic.
Ntcham is staying.
Ron 67.
The comments about Moussa are coming from the French press.
Ron67
How very dare you.
Brendan can make silk purses out of sows ?.
TT
Anyway, I’m off oot.
Not good for your health all this negatively.
I just hope the manager’s job isn’t to make his players run through walls whilst the CEO sells the team from under him. Rodgers won’t stick around for that gig. He’s not Ronny Deila, grateful just to have the job.
Seriously, people actually follow big Raman on Twitter. Must be the same people who have a couple of red tops and a bottle of irn bru on the dashboard of their transit van.
Suppose if you’re going to be a cliche you may as well go the whole hog.
THE BLOGGER FORMERLY KNOWN AS GM 121
Time will tell if PL has played his cards correctly by denying funds to our manager,or being somewhat lackadaisical in his pursuit of those within-budget targets.
He does not have a great record in this regard. But survives nevertheless.
Sharp suited man,Teflon suited man,who cares. The great survivor,a man who divides the Celtic support perhaps like no other.
Heyho,sod all we can do about it. And he knows it.
#Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers confirms Moussa Dembele missed training to have discussions at Parkhead with his representatives about his future.
Signing a new Celtic deal?
#Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers confirms Moussa Dembele missed training to have discussions at Parkhead with his representatives about his future.
Disclaimer – I don’t have a transit van, I don’t like irn bru and I don’t read newspaperd
Moussa in talks with his agent more fuel for Lawwell made up the Lyon story?
Who would win a fight between a Level 5 squirrel and a CQN squirrel?
BHOYLO83
Ooops. Sorry.
Still,never too young to learn!
What about yer man, A. Trialist, haven’t we inquired about him yet…….?
Moussa’s agent is in Dortmund for talks and also at Parkhead?
Must have one of them Star Trek ‘beam me up Scotty’ thingies.
Contrary to reports, Moussa Dembélé’s agent is not currently in Dortmund http://bit.ly/MoveMoussa
Glendalys
Double Agent?
BSR
thought that was Pedro?