Steve Clarke made the right call to leave Leigh Griffiths out of his Scotland squad for the right reasons, saying, “I feel we should just give him a little bit more time to settle into the role again at Celtic…a fully fit, firing, sharp Leigh Griffiths will always be good for us.” It is difficult to get a quiet period of normality when you are a high profile football player, but that’s what Leigh needs, while simultaneously getting back to what he does as a top football player.
International football is a tax on Celtic, as more of our players feature in full or youth squads than our direct competitors, most of whom get international fortnights off. It’s a pity Callum McGregor and James Forrest are not also rested.
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G
Glasgow Derby officials
Referee: Bobby Madden
AR1: Graeme Stewart
AR2: Frank Connor
Fourth Official: William Collum
By now we should be well use to our players international commitments. If we want to give rest periods to our international players, I would humbly suggest investing in our playing squad. We’ve less than a week left to do so.
Mr Clarke’s perceptiveness continues to impress.
So what he’s actually saying is that Leigh isn’t near back to being Leigh yet (in fact, can he recover to the same level or will he be a Hibby again at season’s end?) I actually think he’d have a better chance in a BR team – Lenny’s looking for longer, more direct runs and I dont think that’s poacher LG’s best modality. Hope he proves me wrong tho.
And just an LB addendum, our LB search is for real quality and savvy in that role should Boli’s jitters continue. To me, Aaron is at Calvin Miller standard but not quite Tony Ralston level. Would hate to pin our big game hopes – and kiss our money goodbye – for a cheap Hickey (geddit??) HH
Any signings? 4-5 in next few days.. June…. 3-4 in next few days ..July.. 2-3 today ..yesterday.. “Difficult to buy in summer window” Nearly got it over the line, hard to get player to come to Scotland…. we didn’t value him that highly.. we are well covered.. only bring players who are better than ones we have…..
Sign some players then
Greg Taylor is 1.7Metres
“There are other people who get it from the Celtic fans,” Steve Clark told BBC Scotland. “It’s not a one-way street. It’s two different sides, two different clubs, two fantastic clubs, but they have to do more to stamp it out.
Why drag us in to it Stevie? What part of Celtic Park has Uefa shutdown? This ‘Old Firm’ thing has somehow manage to re-establish itself – in spite of thems being Liquidated. Seen the post earlier about Bolton and Bury applying to join the Scottish League as Liquidation isn’t recognised up here, how true is that.
I wish we would just sign anyone so that everyone who’s moaning about not signing anyone can then moan about how poor the signing is then continue to moan about them until they turn out to be decent so that their attention can go to the next one to moan about.
ROCK TREE BHOY
Absolutely agree , surprised no one picked up on that comment from Clarke.
On signings, especially RB, if Rosenborg get knocked out of Champ League play off tonight (down 0-2), Melling would likely be available then. Unlikely he or they would contemplate a move before the play-off is decided. He was scouted by us (again?) in the 1st leg (I thought he played well despite result) so we are interested and would likely be able to match financial demands.
It might take confirmation that we have secured Europa League group stages on Thursday to ramp up our signing activity, leaving 4 days, Fri – Mon midnight, to seal deals.
Was surprised that Lenny said he planned to take new signings with us to Sweden to help bed them in. Also that they might be considered for Ibrox on Sunday ? Let’s just get the players we have targeted signed first Lenny !
* RB should be LB (Melling)
Any news on the 3 signings, that Lenny said he hoped to have by Tuesday, in his post match interview on Sunday?
Steve Clarke’s comments including Celtic fans could be justified in that Steven Gerrard was sung a similar ditty if I recall correctly, at Celtic Park last season.
We have our own idiots but cannot and hopefully will never compete with the Hun scum that pollute our ears every week with their racist and sectarian abuse which has been ignored by our administrators for decades.
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 27TH AUGUST 2019 12:02 PM
I don’t disagree with your logic on Hickey. My only hope would be that the player would let Hearts know that he’d rather come to Celtic.
Why would he do that? I feel as if some players are getting wiser to the big clubs antics. When you sign for Manchester City or Chelsea you are effectively signing for the Academy. A separate business looking to generate cash by loaning and selling the players on before they have even played a game.
I don’t know the lad so maybe he is desperate to go to City. We will see.
As for the “he’s too wee” comment, its used so often I honestly don’t believe its the case. Maybe its an excuse made and given to young players instead of “we don’t think you have the talent to make it here”
Plenty of wee guys got chances at Celtic. Aiden McGeady, Paul Caddis, Shaun Maloney, Callum McGregor, Jack Aitchison, Karamoko Dembele & Paul McGowan are all munchkins who have at least been tried out for the first team (Islam Feruz was highly rated and is absolutely tiny)
QUADROPHENIAN on 27TH AUGUST 2019 12:47 PM
And just an LB addendum, our LB search is for real quality and savvy in that role should Boli’s jitters continue. To me, Aaron is at Calvin Miller standard but not quite Tony Ralston level. Would hate to pin our big game hopes – and kiss our money goodbye – for a cheap Hickey (geddit??) HH
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Good one. These puns are becoming a pain in the neck.
Seriously though, Hickey impressed me, albeit in one game. My preference is Meling, then Taylor, then a potential loan signing, then Hickey.
Worst comes to worst there are a couple of decent free agents out there. Martin Olsson is the pick of them in my opinion. His brother Marcus is also available.
Robinbhoy
Clarke’s comments were predictable, it’s a pity he has to make them in the first place, given his owns bosses ignore racism on the industrial scale it exists, and have done for a hundred years of old Rangers.
Another ex Oldco season ticket holder for Sunday, what can possibly go wrong?
we have lost £30M already this season by not replacing our defence. Lost 2 LBs 2RBs (plus one on loan) signed none BB is never a full back in a million years. We will get hammered IF we are lucky enough to qualify for EL
SG is not an O B.. but he works for them!
would it be an offence in UEFA books if you had a go at Klu Klux Klan? Nazis?
MARADOMINIC on 27TH AUGUST 2019 1:34 PM
would it be an offence in UEFA books if you had a go at Klu Klux Klan? Nazis?
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Made the same point myself. There should (may) be an “…unless the said group are, in of themselves, sectarian or racist in nature…” clause.
HH
BGFC
Where is Boaby Madden on a scale of one, to John Beaton?
Hope McGregor picks up a calf strain after Sunday’s game….
TIMALOY29 – ba doom tish on the neck, indeed.
Not saying AH doesnt have potential, but I don’t even think he’d better Gutman yet, far be at Bolingoli’s level. People saying ‘Aye spend a million or so…’ See how that worked with a more accomplished player in JHendry.
With all the alleged targets who’re hemming and hawing, I think we say sayonara and move on. You’re right to look at the 30+ category; steady Eddies who can keep that left defensive flank locked yet energy to bomb on.
I noted the Olssons (not the twins) but also noted Concecao and Ivan Strinic are both free, each at 32. HH
‘Three new players on the plane to Stockholm?’
Latest score at Ibrox
Sevco 1-0 Good guys
Early Bobby Madhun tap-in. Pitch invasion.
Guess we have to score 2 + again….
MARADOMINIC on 27TH AUGUST 2019 1:32 PM
we have lost £30M already this season by not replacing our defence. Lost 2 LBs 2RBs (plus one on loan) signed none BB is never a full back in a million years. We will get hammered IF we are lucky enough to qualify for EL
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If Celtic qualify for the Europa League group stages it won’t be £30 million.
Secondly, I honestly believe we had enough quality to comfortably put Cluj out. The manager got it wrong and a couple of players let us down on the same night.
Boli has played the vast majority of his football at LB. He’s a LB.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 27TH AUGUST 2019 1:48 PM
‘Three new players on the plane to Stockholm?’
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Flight departs early 2020 and we aren’t talking 24 hour clock.
Why do we issue this kinda stuff? Amateur hour.
Sevco give away keep the lights on figure by setting £18m asking price for Alfredo Dimbilly.
You can get 6 Greg Taylors for every 1 Alfredo Morelos……
QUADROPHENIAN on 27TH AUGUST 2019 1:41 PM
Not saying AH doesnt have potential, but I don’t even think he’d better Gutman yet, far be at Bolingoli’s level. People saying ‘Aye spend a million or so…’ See how that worked with a more accomplished player in JHendry.
With all the alleged targets who’re hemming and hawing, I think we say sayonara and move on. You’re right to look at the 30+ category; steady Eddies who can keep that left defensive flank locked yet energy to bomb on.
I noted the Olssons (not the twins) but also noted Concecao and Ivan Strinic are both free, each at 32. HH
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The difference between Hickey & Hendry is age. We signed Hendry when he was 23. To be honest, the warning signs were all there.
Meling may make up his mind tonight when it’s clear that Rosenborg aren’t reaching the CL and Celtic have qualified for the EL.
Dunno what to make about Strinic. He’s not played because a heart problem but is also linked with a move to Parma. He’d probably stay in Italy if given the choice.
I suspect Coentrao has something lined up. He was set to sign for PAOK but pulled out the last minute. I doubt the lad from Portugal fancies Glasgow much.
Wouldn’t be surprised he ends up in the US or China.
timaloy29 – we lost £30M by failing to qualify for CL.. If we had enough quality then we would have won.. obviously not good enough.. we weren’t good enough ;ast year to make play off round yet we lose whoiole defence and think we have enough quality
insane Boli is not aFB goodness knows how he played there. he ahs no positional sense can’t tackle. and a first touch like Kenny Miller!.
Lenny continually hinting at getting new signings in the door in the next day or two, is doing his credibility no favours. Thought his post match comment on Sunday about getting three players signed by Tuesday, on the plane to Stockholm, and ready to play on Sunday, sounded a bit bizarre. No sign of these three players today yet?
Big Wavy
It’s another strange one from Neil.
Some Celtic fans think he’s merely keeping the pressure on, the board.
Fact is, as at the very beginning of a window that seems to have been open too long, Celtic were always going to be involved just before it slams shut.
It’s the Celtic way.
If the answer is this is to sign more players don’t we need to make sure they’re not good enough to get an international call up?
BSR
The pressure thing is the only way I can interpret it and you are right that a flurry of last minute activity in and out will be the usual fare.
Not good enough for the focus on ECL qualification or it seems. losing out on 3 seats on board the jet.
I’d much prefer if both Peter and Neil just said: “We’re sticking the KT money in the high interest account until the last day of the sales and see if we can pick up a bargain from the highly priced boutique called EPL”.
Meanwhile outside Lennoxtown, Oli Burke sits waiting for the call from inside his car.
MARADOMINIC on 27TH AUGUST 2019 2:00 PM
timaloy29 – we lost £30M by failing to qualify for CL.. If we had enough quality then we would have won.. obviously not good enough.. we weren’t good enough ;last year to make play off round yet we lose whole defence and think we have enough quality
insane Boli is not aFB goodness knows how he played there. he ahs no positional sense can’t tackle. and a first touch like Kenny Miller!.
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If we qualify for the EL group stages we still get money. It’s still a loss but not £30 million.
Neil Lennon had 10 million worth of defenders on the bench. He chose not to use them. He chose not to utilize Bitton or Sinclair or Shved.
Nobody is to blame for the second goal outside of Bain and Brown.