Haissem Hassan will experience a dramatic contrast in the football he experiences at Celtic compared to Real Oviedo. Oviedo won just six of 36 league games last term and failed to score on their last five outings. Avoiding catastrophic defeat was their modus operandi. They largely succeeded in this aim, losing by more than two goals on only five occasions, which is quite a feat considering some of the teams in that league. I doubt Celtic would have got through the same tests with similar outcomes.
The job for Celtic in Scottish football changed last term. The traditional 10 men behind the ball routine we were familiar watching gave way to a league dominated by teams who were prepared to press. Motherwell, Falkirk, Hibs, St Mirren and others participated, while Dundee and Kilmarnock both pressed Celtic this season, albeit with different levels of competence.
We missed players who could reliably beat an opponent, too often a pass was controlled and moved on. That instant control we discussed yesterday, should open space for Hassan to attack. He will be crucial in how Celtic break the press and transition. When Jota was doing his thing, opponents were prepared to pay the price of doubling up on him, the prospect of an comparable threat on both wings is interesting.
The prospect of Mika Baur also arriving, as soon as today is, frankly, astonishing.
Good luck to most of the Scottish teams in Europe tonight!
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Friday eve all!
Act accordingly BRRB.
Afternoon all
Celtic linked with two full-backs as Spanish club join chase for Rangers midfielder…
Celtic are keen on landing Chelsea left back Landon Emenalo on loan, with the 18-year-old given a tour of the club’s Lennoxtown training complex yesterday. (Scottish Sun, external)
Canada and Hajduk Split right-back Niko Sigur, 22, is back on the radar of Celtic. (Daily Record – subscription required, external)
Celtic are closing in on the signing of Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur, 24. (STV, external)
West Ham are ready to return to Celtic with a increased offer for Arne Engels, guaranteeing £25m and including promotion bonuses. (Alan Nixon on Patreon, external – subscription required)
Hail, hail!
Good luck to most of the Scottish teams in Europe tonight!
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Co-efficient monkies assemble
Good luck to ALL Scottish teams in European action tonight. Apart from the British one! por cierto
Kilmarnock assuredly did not press us. They had three up front but they were passive when out guys had the ball.
Witness the remarkable pack-passing numbers for CCV and Auston Trusty, for example: 41 pack passes between them taking out a combined 177 Kilmarnock players. Trusty alone took out 100 Kilmarnock players in the match. Trusty! The best in the team.
I don’t know where you get your data from Paul, but it often seems a bit back door.
I think sometimes the entertainment aspect of fitba gets sidelined too easily in pursuit of wins wins wins. Understandable.
But the thought of seeing us playing a fast attacking game is as exciting a thought for me right now as trophies. Fair lifts the spirit. Let’s hope it all works out.
CHAIRBOY
If Daizen had the 1st touch of Regi Blinker he’d be at Barcelona.
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QUAD/WBC
Apologies if I came across as a moaner.
It’s most unattractive & a bit of a riddy tbh.
I’ll try & be more chipper from now on. 👍🍀
“small mercis” 😊
didnt realise there were so many coronation street fans on here going by the faux outrage about the man u leeds friendly being on instead of the english soap.
stv wouldnt have needed to pay for it, and wouldnt have been able to show corrie at that time either so would have had to put on some old episodes of weirs way or something like that.
easier just to show the game.
STV have an audience to cater for, a Scottish audience. It’s not about it being easy for them, it’s about relevancy. What is relevant about a Man U Leeds game in Scotland? They could have shown the 1967 final, it lasts the same time as the game they broadcast, surely folks in Scotland would be proud as punch to see that again? :) por cierto
Really pleased that we’re embarking on a far more aggressive, and very different, signing strategy from previous years.
Lots of very good points being made, too many to reference
However, ‘small mercis’ is surely worth a round of applause 👏🏼
When Hssan scores, I hope the DJ plays ‘Walk like an Egyptian’ by the Bangles or, alternatively, Jonathan Richman’s ‘Egyptian Reggae’.
‘The prospect of Mika Baur also arriving, as soon as today is, frankly, astonishing’
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That sentence alone sums up how catastrophic our recruitment has been for the last 18 months.
Good afternoon all from the Orchard Park, leafy Giffnock parish. Come on the Jags, hammer the hun.
Just when I thought the suits were playing a faultless blinder – with Duran, Hogh and Hassan – they look to a Chelski academy kid to be KT understudy. What does this say/message does it send re young Montgomery? Surely Monty’s stints at Aberdeen, Motherwell, St Johnston and Livi render him battle ready (least for the SPFL)? If he aint by now, or aint ready to be blooded, what is his development path as an academy LB ?
(And yes, I know he seems to be a bit off it, but he’s on the rehab from a horrible injury, rght ?)
Same, for me, with Raldo; a Scotland international who many instantly dismiss as crap. Probably not as sharp as AJ but Tony never shirks or gives less than 100% – with many highlights in his Celtic reel.
PS:
BABASONICOS71 on 13th August 2026 12:15 pm
QUAD/WBC
Apologies if I came across as a moaner.
It’s most unattractive & a bit of a riddy tbh.
I’ll try & be more chipper from now on. 👍🍀
“small mercis” 😊
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BABASONICOS – I think you got me wrong so def no need for apols.
I was akshully agreeing with your post where you referenced posters who like to snootily or snidely have a pop at others.
And WBC “moaners be moaning: point seemed quite a meta point about critic criticising.
Agree with you both.
No need to change the chipper/non chipper quotient imo. HH
I’m not sure about the data but from telly it looked like Killie did try a redimentary press that was so poorly coached and or executed that it made it pretty much pointless.
The single biggest problem we’ve faced tactically for years was breaking a well-organised press. Watching Høgh offering a genuine option through the middle for Sinasalo to hit was really encouraging, but so was how well Duran was able to take the ball under pressure and look either sideways or forward instead of passing to CCV.
If Hassan is able to do what Paul67’s suggesting and with Baur, who’s data suggests has a game built for breaking a press we might really see some progress in Europe.
New player who havent had a very rigid system coached into them.
There were signs that we were playing less of a possession based game towards the end of last season. A new formation in 4-2-3-1 also suggests a bit of a thinking going on about tactics. Martin mentioned in an interview today gain about the need to be more tactically flexible and signing players who can change a system – Duran playing up front with Høgh for example.
All very promising
Very pleased with transfer window. Also v pleased our B Team lads beat Hamilton Accies 3-1 despite missing two penalties. Tam Hatton and Rhys Dargie among those to impress. If we get CL qualification I hope these lads will get some game time in league and cup games.
QUADROPHENIAN on 13TH AUGUST 2026 1:01 PM
Just when I thought the suits were playing a faultless blinder – with Duran, Hogh and Hassan – they look to a Chelski academy kid to be KT understudy
The suits arent in charge of recruitment. If we’re signing Emenalo it will be because Martin and Shaun have identified him and want him
“That sentence alone sums up how catastrophic our recruitment has been for the last 18 months.”
You wonder sometimes if people actually watch Celtic play.
The prospect of Mika Baur also arriving, as soon as today is, frankly, astonishing.
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Indeed, Paul.
Those many excuses we’ve all read on here for years about why we couldn’t do what we’re currently doing, seem a bit silly now.
I haven’t read you express joy in any of the signings yet Paul.
Is there an underlying disappointment that we are not signing under 21’s with potential?
It is a genuine observation.
Like many I just want to see us be the best version of Celtic as a club. We haven’t attempted that in 25 years.
I welcome all 3 signings made so far (and Baur when it happens) because these are the profile of player we have wanted for a very long time. It guarantees nothing but it gives us a far better chance.
It also creates optimism and togetherness.
We will probably end this window with a net spend in the black (as we almost always do) but it isn’t always necessary. What matters is what we do over a few windows and that we give out manager a chance to compete in every competition. The CL is of course a whole different level at the top end.
I am excited but also relieved. This is how we should run the club.
As per I’ll wait until the lad play before proffering my (worthless) opinion.
Whether working his ticket or genuinely injured, the news on AJ is really disappointing.
If it’s the former I’d find it difficult to be overly critical given the fait that befell Chermiti.
If it’s the latter I’d like to know what it is and how long he’ll be out for. Given he missed a big chunk of last season through injury I may be tempted to take the money and run.
Unfortunately I think the huns will get some pressure relieved tonight with a victory, Motherwell will go through, Hibs will ‘Hibs it’ and Hertz are already out.
It’s astonishing that it’s astonishing 🤔
Good afternoon from a +30degC North Staffs – just back from a great week in the Forest of Dean. Beautiful place to visit especially if you’re keen on hiking or cycling.
Great news on recent signings. I think we need to get Baur signed today to meet the CL deadline.
Chelsea wonder kid spotted in Lennoxtown
Poor Burnley must be aghast at this level of spend without a long term contract in place for the manager…
Catastrophic means causing a sudden, very great disaster, massive harm, or complete ruin. It describes events that bring severe physical damage, deep suffering, or total failure.
We are resigning champions double winners, we’re on a run of 10 winning games in a row, we just hammered a Killie 5-1 going on 15-1 at the weekend. Our new striker got a hat trick.
We appear to have turned a corner with our recruitment so far this Summer
Be happy
celtic40me on 13th August 2026 1:15 pm
QUADROPHENIAN on 13TH AUGUST 2026 1:01 PM
Just when I thought the suits were playing a faultless blinder – with Duran, Hogh and Hassan – they look to a Chelski academy kid to be KT understudy
The suits arent in charge of recruitment. If we’re signing Emenalo it will be because Martin and Shaun have identified him and want him.
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Valid point.
Tho it was rumoured MON wanted Scratchy and Kel and got neither.
So has he recently strengthened his hand somehow?
GENE on 13TH AUGUST 2026 1:24 PM
We can swap out up to two players from the squad list we submit today up to 24 hours before the kick off next Thursday
QUADROPHENIAN on 13TH AUGUST 2026 1:25 PM
Tho it was rumoured MON wanted Scratchy and Kel and got neither.
So has he recently strengthened his hand somehow?
I think the last few years have conditioned us to believe that everything is some power struggle.
I dont know but my guess is it was simply circumstances that meant we didnt sign them, as is normally the case
celtic40me
Thanks
bhoys town
Wasn’t able to follow the game against Hamilton last night so thanks for the update.
Pity about missing the two penalties because I had bet on Celtic winning 5-1 with Corals @ 100/1
I know. Also had Celtic to win 3-1 @ 30/1 so that ship came in. That young team has scored a few goals recently so I thought they might have had a chance of winning, and as we know if you get 3 goals chances are you have missed a few. Two penalties though……shades of what might have been. Thanks again!
CELTIC40ME
Personally, I don’t think this transfer window is any way a power struggle but – really and thankfully – a blunt and executive effort to mollify supporter discontent by bringing in the profile of player several previous managers (Ange, BR, Lenny) were previously begging for.
All the fraught vexation of prior windaes seems somehow unnecessary.
Happily, we look to be adding the right stuff atm.
“Tho it was rumoured MON wanted Scratchy and Kel and got neither.”
But it took the eyes off who we were chasing, clever Ol’ Martin, who’d have thunk it! por cierto.
celtic40me on 13th August 2026 1:26 pm
GENE on 13TH AUGUST 2026 1:24 PM
We can swap out up to two players from the squad list we submit today up to 24 hours before the kick off next Thursday
Good info – thanks for that
quadrophenian (1:01pm)…
More to the point, what message does it send to Chelsea’s “wonderkid”?
“You can’t get a game for your employers, so why don’t you go and sit on the bench in the lovely Glaswegian weather as back up to KT?”
QUAD
No worries, my mistook.
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We’re making decent signings this summer so MON can turn them into proper Celtic players then McKenna can progress them from there when he arrives as MON’s replacement next close season.
That’s my theory.