Hatate, the backfill issue

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Reo Hatate was important to everything that worked well for Celtic last season.  When he was injured, team performances dropped.  He finds space to receive possession and can measure a pass into the opposition box with precision.  As importantly, he shows up in big games with goals and assists.

Reports in Saudi Arabia this morning suggest interest in the player there.  With three years left on his contract, Celtic can afford to sit for at least another season before feeling any pressure to sell their first-choice creative fulcrum.  He will be 26 years old then, still with plenty in the tank, so there are lots of reasons to think a move this summer is unlikely.

There’s just one counterargument.  Brendan Rodgers indicated a desire to increase the squad’s physical presence, a thought many of us share.  We are usually shorter than opposing teams, with fewer players who can run for 90 minutes.  If that is to change, churn has to happen.

Reo is 5’ 7” and more an artisan than a 90-minute gyroscope, both factors count against his chances of a move to England.  When we sold Josip Juranovic we had backfill sorted.   There is little chance we would sell Reo at this stage without a replacement lined-up.  The story would have more legs next year.

Sorry to hear the passing of former Scotland manager Craig Brown.  I had dealings with him a few years back, he was all that is said about him: funny, intelligent and humble.  As a youth, he was on the books at Rangers but was very comfortable mixing with Celtic fans.  He joked with me, “I was third choice left back at Rangers.  First choice only had one leg and second choice was a Catholic!”

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  1. DAVID66 on 28TH JUNE 2023 8:46 AM

     

    🤣🤣🤣 Guys

     

    “The morning sun is baking. It woukd drive a man to drink….earlier…but no as early as BRRB.

     

    D :)”

     

     

    I concur! por cierto

  2. Turkeybhoy – Craig Brown’s girlfriend was a Celtic fan, rangers had won the cup and he was winding her up. Nothing more, nothing less. Some of my best friends would do the same to me after a huns win, just as I would give them it tight after a win for us. If I had to disown everyone I know who has sung the Billy Boys at one time or another as some kind of rancid bigots I’d lose half my best friends. Songs can be sung in jest, as banter. Of course the same songs can be sung with hatred and regularly are.

     

    But Craig was no bigot and you will not find a single person that knew him who will tell you ant differently, in public or private. I met with him on a daily basis for the best part of a year, talked football, talked sport had a laugh. Not once did he say anything remotely inappropriate.

     

    You say our memories prove what kind of place CQN is. Well Craig’s death has been met by genuine grief and condolences from the top of Celtic FC and countless ex-players and ex-managers, that must also tell you about the club you support?

  3. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Good morning CQN.

     

     

    Busy first two weeks if transfer window darn sarf.

     

     

    I like Declan Rice. Good player.

     

     

    Would I fork out £105m for him? Hmm.

     

     

    Looks like Ange – who moved to a big league – is shopping in big markets.

     

     

    Understandable.

     

     

    His job depends on making a mark quickly.

     

     

    I have absolutely ZERO data, and could end up doing a Kirk Broadfoot egg thing …

     

     

    … but hopefully our fans who are worried about a Postecoglou raid on our squad are reassured slightly by where he has gone to get a goalie and a playmaker …

     

     

    … plus the noises about centre backs he is chasing.

  4. bigrailroadblues on

    Meeting Leggy at Crystal Palace, Jamaica Street, for a few beers 🍻 at 12. Feel free to drop by. And bring plenty money. 😉

  5. TB @ 11.32.PM.

     

     

    Really tells all I need to know about this blog.Truly shameful

     

    ——————

     

    Generally this blog is filled with good , compassionate and fair minded people.

     

    Yes we disagree at times, sometimes robustly but there is nothing shameful about this blog and the persons who frequent it.

     

     

    HH.

  6. garygillespieshamstring on

    Just stop oil protesters at cricket.

     

     

    Bring back the streakers instead.

  7. Further to my earlier rant about loyalty, I suppose the good news is we won’t need to pay out for testimonials.

     

     

    KingLubo

  8. I can’t see James Maddison making Spurs a better team. Strange signing unless Leicester are happy to offload big wages.

     

    Does anyone believe he’s a better player than Callum?

  9. glendalystonsils on

    BSR

     

     

    I suspect the final total could be much higher . Ange really shouldn’t bother looking at any of our bargain basement rubbish such as Kyogo , Reo or CCV ;-))

  10. 19.30

     

    Cove Rangers (Sco)

     

    Dunfermline (Sco)

     

     

     

    19:45

     

    Glentoran (Nir)

     

    St. Mirren (Sco)

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