It is not like Celtic to have no one to parade on deadline day, just as it is not like Celtic to have us glowing with contentment at the business they did early in the window. Reo Hatate (24), Daizen Maeda (24) and Yosuke Ideguchi (25) arrived from Japan, where today Daizen made a 68th minute appearance from the substitutes bench in a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
Matt O’Riley (21) arrived from MK Dons, in the third tier of English football. Matt has played one year of first team football, clearly a productive one. His early Celtic performances reinforce the encouraging signs we heard from EFL watchers. Johnny Kenny (18) arrived from Sligo Rovers as a development prospect.
Maeda scored within minutes of his debut, then watched Hatate steal the show and deservedly grab the Man of the Match award. Ideguchi came on as a late sub against Hibs before being brutally injured at Alloa. The early form of all three is encouraging, especially as they cope with living on a new continent, among new coaches and teammates.
We retained all first-choice players, with some on the fringes going out on loan. The major disappointment was that none of our well-paid bench sitters left. Has this been our most successful transfer window ever? Stay tuned to find out.
All the noise in town yesterday came from across the city, where Newco acquired a midfielder who has made seven 90-minute league appearances since August 2017 (only one since going to Italy in 2019). A friend suggested this was a classic Hail Mary move, although I’m sure that is not how they look at it at Ibrox. Not all intercessions happen.
Later this month we face Raith Rovers in a Scottish Cup tie. As things stand, they will field David Goodwillie, whom they signed last night. Goodwillie was found to have raped a woman at a civil trial in 2017. Fair play to Rovers fans for their overwhelming opposition to the signing. They have a fight on their hands for the character of their club.
The Japan – Saudi Arabia game is due to finish around 12:10 UK time. Hopefully by the time you finish reading this Daizen is in a taxi on his way to the airport. There will be a good hour in his legs tomorrow night.
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ST TAMS
….and if Taylor plays LB you’ll already have yer escaped goat lol
Ernie
Point noted re case type. Thanks for the clarification.
TLT
Also, noted re dates.
I suppose my confusion remains. What has fundamentally changed from ‘person who loses civil action and plays for Clyde’ to ‘person who loses civil action and plays for RR’?
Can’t stress highly enough, I’m not defending player or seeking to downplay seriousness of civil action.
Merely confused over seeming hypocrisy.
UNCLE JIMMY – @ 9:47
—–
Solid point. The answer maybe that Val McDermid is of course ‘in with the bricks’ at Raith Rovers & the SNPcult. The ’cause’ will have played a role.
——
THE LURKINTIM @ 10:17
ERNIE LYNCH @ 10:27
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100% correct – no criminal conviction.
Q. Sould any young person then be denied from making a living where their skills lie, in these particular circumstances?
A criminal conviction “beyond reasonable doubt” would be a different matter.
Q. What punishment would suit Val McDermid and all the others shouting from the sidelines?
Even murderers, convicted after a criminal trial in the High Court, get parole!!!
Uncle Jimmy…agreed about the hypocrisy…am just guessing…but I’d be surprised if this wasn’t just being highlighted because of loss of sponsorship money to the club
Long time not on the blog folks. With some time on my hands at the moment i’ve been back reading posts for a few days. I used to enjoy reading a poster called South of Tunis, does he still post?
THELURKINTIM on 2ND FEBRUARY 2022 10:39 AM
One other point. I’m not sure that ‘having been let down by the PF’ is correct. The PF has to make a judgement call on whether there is a realistic chance of obtaining a conviction by a jury on a beyond reasonable doubt burden of proof. On the evidence available I reckon he/she probably got it right.
Iniquitousiv from last night – cheers.
The BBC report (among others) referred to the PPE waste scandal.
If, as a nation, we really want to get to the bottom of this then (IMHO) we need clear answers to only five questions.
Historical PPE stock levels held by the UK. Headline total number only for “in date, safe to use” stock.
What was the stock level
1. at start of 2010
2. at start of 2015
3. at start of 2020
£8.7 billion of waste and write offs.
What percentage of this £8.7 billion came from supply contracts ….
4. Already in place with the NHS
5. Newly set up through VIP lane
The stats posted above on Madden are not correct. He’s sent off at least a couple of them (Rhodes and Morelos) and we had a penalty last year in the Cup that McGregor saved. May be more, but that’s just a quick recollection.
TEN MEN WON THE LEAGUE on 2ND FEBRUARY 2022 11:02 AM
Long time not on the blog folks. With some time on my hands at the moment i’ve been back reading posts for a few days. I used to enjoy reading a poster called South of Tunis, does he still post?
###
Sadly, no.
He is much missed.
He was posting regularly as the pandemic swept through Italy (he lived in Sicily) and then stopped abruptly. I believe Paul67 tried to contact him but was unsuccessful.
JHB on 2ND FEBRUARY 2022 10:56 AM
………..
As long as it WASN’T YOUR Daughter, Sister, etc who was the VICTIM of Goodwillie ?
BigJ Jimmy
Especially for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koY6kXhQDQo&t=50s
ERNIE LYNCH on 2ND FEBRUARY 2022 11:07 AM
Sadly, no.
He is much missed.
He was posting regularly as the pandemic swept through Italy (he lived in Sicily) and then stopped abruptly. I believe Paul67 tried to contact him but was unsuccessful.
Cheers for replying Ernie. I’m sad to hear that he hasn’t posted in a while. Many thanks for the update.
Great piece by Andrew Southwick on Matt O’Riley on BBC website – worth a look!!!
Here’s the story – avoid givin’ shortie the hits……………
:)
……………………………………………………
Matt O’Riley: Can new Celtic midfielder be surprise Old Firm star?
By Andrew Southwick
BBC Scotland
Last updated on2 hours ago2 hours ago.
From the sectionCeltic
Matt O’Riley
Scottish Premiership: Celtic v Rangers
Venue: Celtic Park Date: Wednesday, 2 February Time: 19:45 GMT
Coverage: Listen to live commentary on Sportsound and follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app
“I don’t sign players, I sign people”. They were Ange Postecoglou’s words as Matt O’Riley arrived at Celtic Park.
Two games in and the 21-year-old has certainly got people talking, and now he could be set to be the surprise star in the heat of the Old Firm derby on Wednesday.
Celtic go into the game against their fierce rivals Rangers aiming to end the night top of the Scottish Premiership.
After slipping through the entrance almost unnoticed then being handed his chance amid injuries and international call-ups, is the thought of dropping the Hounslow-born midfielder unthinkable?
Lightning start for Celtic
O’Riley came through the ranks at Fulham before moving to League One MK Dons in January 2020, scoring nine times – seven this term – in 52 games.
Capped by England at under-18 level, he became Celtic’s fifth January signing for a fee of £1.5m, following Japanese trio Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi, Reo Hatate and Irish teenager Johnny Kenny.
O’Riley did not have time to ease into his career at Celtic. Signed on 20 January, less than a week later he was in the starting line-up away to third-placed Hearts.
Within six minutes he was denied a debut goal, but went on to create eight chances – nearly as many as the rest of the team combined – and provided an assist in a tireless midfield shift as Celtic secured a 2-1 win in the capital.
Three days later O’Riley made his bow in front of the home support against Dundee United and again dazzled.
He had five shots, created five chances, put in nearly double the number of crosses (16) than the next highest Celtic player on the list (Jota) and had more touches in the opposition box than anyone.
Only Carl Starfelt had a better passing accuracy. But while 53% of the Swede’s passes went to fellow defenders, O’Riley’s were spread around the team.
Defensively he put in the most tackles, won the most tackles, and won back possession the joint-most times alongside Nir Bitton, as Celtic claimed a late win to close the gap on leaders Rangers to two points.
‘The type we want at Celtic’
Celtic boss Postecoglou has made it clear he wants his side to play quick attacking football, with players able to switch positions and move the opposition defence about.
It’s a style that players need some getting used to and Celtic took their time to adapt as they struggled initially under the Greek-Australian earlier in the season, but O’Riley has made a seamless transition.
“Matt can play in different midfield positions and I like that area to be very fluid for us,” said Postecoglou. “I want players who can move about and Matt fits that perfectly.
“He can play in the deeper-lying role as he has a great passing range, but he also has a goal threat and can play further up.
“Matt is only 21. He has really good attributes and will fit into the way we play. That can help us in different areas and he will be able to play in a couple of roles for us.
“I don’t just sign players, I sign people. That is important and I had a great conversation with him. He is a very mature young man and credit to his parents for his upbringing.
“He knows what he wants to do and what his priorities are right now. Matt has a burning desire to reach the very top and that’s great. Those are the types we want at the club.”
McGregor & Maeda in Old Firm mix
Who makes your combined Celtic and Rangers XI?
‘O’Riley’s issues have gone’
Former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant was O’Riley’s coach at Fulham as the-then teenager began his journey in the game.
His career nearly stalled in its infancy due to back problems, but Grant is confident those days are behind him.
“There was a bit of training missed as he was growing up,” Grant told the Daily Record.
“One thing he always had was a lovely left foot – when he was on the ball, he was terrific. But he always felt he couldn’t get to the levels he wanted if he couldn’t get that run of games or training sessions and it was difficult for him because of those back problems.
“People say kids play too much, but Matt was maybe the opposite. You felt he wasn’t getting enough games.
“That’s the biggest thing I see when I look at his games now and the way he is playing. You know the talent he has and now, with the run of games, you know the issues have gone.”
……..note they also “talk” with the tawdry tabloid……………….
Bankiebhoy – from earlier, enjoy Two Fats
Gosh, that felt good……………………………………
:)))))))))))))))
Thanks Jinky – they were all good recommendations but yours looked brilliant. Thanks again.
HH
SURE MADDEN gave us two penalties in scottish cup semi
new article posted.
Solid point. The answer maybe that Val McDermid is of course ‘in with the bricks’ at Raith Rovers & the SNPcult. The ’cause’ will have played a role.
Racist vermin,
You are an imbecile.
TWO SEWING MACHINES MEET IN A NIGHTCLUB
one says to the other
“you a Singer? ”
“no, genome”