Monday’s win over Dundee gave an insight into the acclimatisation required for new players to settle into a team. Focus in this regard often goes on new living arrangements, the language and social aspects of being remote from your friends and family, but pragmatic aspects are just as important.
When to make a run, what it means when a team-mate does a specific action, where a player is most effective at receiving a ball are all things you learn in the heat of battle. We had two new forwards on the field on Monday, but this issue is more important for defenders, who are in danger if they do not know what the plan is when pressed in possession.
I am sure Martin O’Neill wants signings in as soon as possible, but for me, retaining the current squad until after the trip to Austria is more important. Celtic never looked back last season after the return from injury of Arne Engels and Alastair Johnston. They brought the energy and structure we missed for much of the campaign.
Monday looked rusty. The fastest way to change that is to work on fitness and process, without exit distractions.
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Re transfers , other than last seasons abomination ( which I’m attributing to Tisdale and Brendan facing off ) , surely we’re getting caught up in the cycle of the better players awaiting to back of August to see what turns up ; equally other players will be waiting to see if we qualify for the CL ; as in turn we’re holding off on AJ and Arne until our tie with LASK is settled.
Ideal scenario
– New keeper ( no clue)
– RB Arajuo
– LB Greg
– Ben ( Dane on loan to Dundee)
– midfield Baur
– midfield ANO
– RW Algerian bloke
– LW Jota
– 3rd CF Calum
Hope MON is OK
HH
Not wanting to scaremonger, but I have had a few small procedures and after every one was out the same day, a couple of days is not a small procedure, a tad bigger than small.
Hopefully you are out sooner rather than later Martin and recover 100%
St Mirren v Celtic
Saturday 5th September
8PM KICK OFF🤬👀
did you not watch LS play at left back or even when moved as a sub , big no from me.
THE EXILED TIM
Maybe Martin was in the hospital having the Celtic blogosphere surgically removed from his back.
Greg at left back is total lack of planning and ambition. I liked Greg’s energy and was good in the forward areas. The inverted role. It’s not how we play. More importantly , he is jut not a good defender. Too small and too slow. We can and must do better but I’m already sick of this board.
We were interested in hassan before the wc – Nicholson has had a nightmare again and again. Now other teams circling. Same goes for the Italian lad. The Board have clearly not adjusted their wages and funds policy. Long drawn out affairs to the detriment of the team and possibly the loss of another 45m. 90m over two seasons bcoz they do t spend money we actually have. Stresses every Celtic around d the world.
Speedy recovery MON
MON in hospital after undergoing a “small procedure”
O’Neill is expected to be released from the hospital “in the next day or two”, a spokesperson added.
TBH the fekn transfer fiasco would put anyone in hospital …if its in anyway serious he must leave for the good of his health.
Can I just recommend the Rebel city of Cork
Great vibe great people…
Friars walk Tavern….class and a must visit
My body still not really recovered from 3 days on the lash…oh to be young again!!
On to the football…….15 out and 2 in..doesn’t get any better than that !
I think it’s madness keeping players who are virtually out the door for hugely important ties …it doesn’t work….
What an utterly shocking remark at 4.55. Crass does not cover it.
yeah Tom Mc – not sure what you’re getting at – let’s keep MON and his family in our thoughts – TET’s got a very good point – minor surgery – that’s a day surgery.
have to think that this is not a planned surgery
In the first week of the season….
At this point I think all our best wishes are with Martin and his family
Martins health is 1st, 2nd, 3rd…………………………priority
Leave ill judged speculation and wild mad accusations to tabloid rags and the crazies
PLB @ 1:27pm – cheers.
Was using BSR’s list as my reference .. but you are correct.
I’ve completely forgotten about Schmeichel
… which, perhaps, says something.
BSR @ 1:47pm – cheers and Lol.
Good point (one i wasn’t focusing on)
15 players out (most before August) creates a wad of financial capacity, no question.
Martin’s health and wellbeing must be foremost in our thoughts.
Anyone trying to exploit this for their own personal agenda must go home and rethink their life.
Obi Wan Kenobi CFC.
JACKIEMAC
My comment was in no sense aimed at TET.
Rust Never Sleeps
#NeilYoung.csc
https://x.com/i/status/2085002309818368046
Gallstones
I know that Tom Mc – it was the getting something off his back I didn’t get – I’m slow on the uptake tbh!
So we blocked a loan move for Dane Murray to Dundee , shows how much we need to hang onto players that are not good enough at this moment to play first team and badly needs game time to to improve and progress in his development , poor decision
Laxalt on 5th August 2026 6:43 pm
Gallstones
*Nothing to be laughed at, my da suffered from gravel not just stones, too much salt and whisky
Certainly not laughing TT.
My dad had the same and actually ripped a hospital cistern off the wall with his bare hands due to the pain.
It was terrifying to watch.
Laxalt on 5th August 2026 7:39 pm
Certainly not laughing TT. My dad had the same and actually ripped a hospital cistern off the wall with his bare hands due to the pain. It was terrifying to watch.
*wisnae actually aiming at you personally, should have said no laughing matter
👍
hope it is gstones. so f painful but not a big one at 72 yrs young
Every man and his dug knew Arne and AJ were for the off, except it seems, out board.
What a narrow minded insular bunch of twats, and to think, they run the club,ffs
kinglubo
If Dundee is after a guy in the first team squad, tells you where we are,Welsh likewise but he was well out the picture
Seems Gornik weren’t happy with us re Bernardo….
Go on Bada reveal all……..
come on, martin ! Ya can get through this MON flu !!!!!!!
Steve Clarke sitting by the phone…
PB – they wanted him 3 weeks ago ,we messed them about, and they walked away from.the deal twice, can’t even sort a loan deal out
KINGLUBO
please provide your evidence that the board did not seem to know that the two players might leave.
HJ- Do you think both will be here next season?
Which position did Bertie Auld play for Celtic?
Old fashioned left half i would say
Yeah BD – christ he was mobile – I’m watching the 2nd half of the ’67 final. f all over the gaffe
(I always wondered why jinky was so quiet – marked out of it , I suppose!)