Trying so hard not to get drawn in to transfer window nonsense but our old pal Chris Sutton got the better of me last night on BT Sport. He has been assured Moussa is happy to stay at Celtic this window (presumably by the player himself, or his agent), so concludes that somehow Chris Davies is undermining the player by suggesting he is not playing due to transfer speculation around him.
I have not spoken to Moussa’s agent but I have heard lots about him. He is thoroughly professional and if Chris Sutton did manage to get a word from him, he is likely to have been 100% on-message. There have been no amateur dramatics from Moussa’s side, but that doesn’t mean the world and Own Coyle’s auntie doesn’t want to sign him.
January is famously a rubbish month to sign players, so if anyone wants to acquire Moussa, Celtic will hold out for top price. The same is true for our signing targets. Brendan has significant funds to spend, but the last thing he needs is to load the squad with more of the same.
When the manager arrived 18 months ago, improving results was a fairly straightforward proposition. Now, after twice qualifying for the Champions League and winning all four domestic trophies available to him, the job of improving Celtic is considerably more difficult. These are the joys of planning for successive trebles and a third consecutive season of Champions League football.
We are a week away from the window closing and the ball is in play, but you will not receive a bling hit this month, just to keep everyone happy. We will do the right deals or no deal, like it, or, express mild frustration, followed by a cognitive alignment indicating acceptance of the inherent wisdom. Or just lump it.
Being able to hold your nerve is another joy of planning for a successive treble.
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Has it occurred to anyone that Moussa is still fretting about his hammys? Perhaps the staff are too. Heavy winter pitches aren’t great for them either.
I tore (and I do mean tore – it was absolute agony) a hamstring playing football. That was 20 years ago and I still worry about sprinting at 5 A-sides. (I say sprinting – it’s like watching a 20 tonne lorry, fully loaded, pulling away from a junction!!)
They are a bar steward to recover from mentally as well as physically.
The other stuff may be an issue but I have a notion that his form and limited use in games is something to do with that.
BMCUW,wrote,
Look,this isn’t a pop,at you,far from it. Nor at anyone else. I just want to know why we seem to be so disjointed at the moment. I want us back to the performances I know we’re capable of,and pulled off so often in the last 15 months.Aye,a poorish performance and three points is lovely,but the poorish performances are happening too often. And the three points,not so much.
This is the problem with success.People have selective memories .Do you mean these riveting games from last season.
Inverness 2,Celtic 2
Dundee 0,Celtic 1
Kilmarnock 0,Celtic 1
Celtic 1,Hamilton 0
Celtic 1,Thistle 0
Celtic 2,Dundee 1
Celtic 1,ST Johnstone 0
Dundee 1 Celtic 2
Celtic 1,Thistle 1
Ross County 2,Celtic 2
Lincoln Red Imps 1,Celtic 0
Celtic 2,Alloa 0
Having watched every one of these games I can assure you they were for the most part ,dreadful,and not any worse than last nights game.Its not always pretty,no matter what your memory tells you.
.
Bit slow moving the ball last night. Better in the second half with LG’s movement.
Sill think we are a bit predictable in our play.
If we are looking for a right back the lad Naismith at Ross Co would be worth a look.
NEGANON2 @ 1:02 PM,
There is something about your posts these days, something I don’t remember in the past.
You’ve always firmly put you point forward, even backed them up with facts when they’ve been available but now you always seem to stretch logic to incredulity.
You did it recently with Auldheid, suggesting, erroneously, that his position on Forgiveness was akin to softening us up for the “walking away”.
Now you seem to suggest BR and CD are not playing Dembele and fanning the flames of transfer speculation to sell off the player.
Why on earth would they have created this scenario? To loose a quality player at a fraction of his value? Come on…
You can do better than that…
Hail Hail
SUPERSUTTON on 24TH JANUARY 2018 12:30 PM
How many goals have we lost due to Boyata’s poor passing. Or in fact, due to anything which can be attributed directly to Boyata.
Remember, there are only 19 to choose from for this season in the SPFL.
======================
The problem is about his poor positional sense, distribution, and general clumsiness. This doesnt mean the opposition always take advantage. He got skinned near the end of the game last night with nothing more than a guy knocking it past him and running after it. Thistle narrowly missed scoring so does that mean we forget about it?
We are making life harder for ourselves than it needs to be with clumsy defending and poor ball retention/moves breaking down due to unforced errors.
Ps. Boyata passing a ball 5 yards into midfield is not a ‘lovely’ pass, its a very basic pass. And he still manages to fire the ball at players with unnecessary force at times. But the biggest problem is the guy can’t defend.
Trad 88 – in the spirit of debate I would say that hearts defensive record is also down to how they have changed the way the team lines out. They protect the centre backs far more than we do. Levein knows how to organise a team to be tight defensively.
Celtic have conceded only one goal since Hearts gubbed us (6 games since then I think). Of course we don’t have to defend as much as other teams so it’s not as simple as me saying ‘we aren’t that bad at the back’ but I do think we would benefit from two simple things regardless of personnel:
1. One of our CBs needs to be sent out to be the primary organiser and defender. The other should be the primary ball player. The no nonsense guy should Keep the other guys in shape, cover the ball player and stick it in row z when necessary.
2. The team as a whole has to react quicker when we lose the ball as a result of playing from the back but, more so, because teams are now pressing the back four to force errors and stop us playing the game brendan wants us to play, they need to be better at offering an outlet for our defenders when in possession. We were great at that last season – less so now. It’s one thing criticising boyata or Lustig for giving the ball away cheaply but if he has more and easier options for a pass then it’s not going to happen as often.
That said, better players in that position will also help!!
Just some thoughts.
For Celtic to attract the Moussas of this world… Moussa has to go.
if not now then in the summer
Two year playing in front of fanatical fans, here worship, Goals a plenty and most crucially CL exposure means the next promising youngster can catapult himself into a mid division PL team and pick up North of £50k.
Its our Pitch to any propoects, its our business plan to stay on top.
Virgil, FF and Victor have proved it works, Moussa is the next in line.I suspect This time next year we will be having exactly the same debate over Ntcham
CHAIRBHOY on 24TH JANUARY 2018 12:59 PM
Spot on. Pretty lethargic and creatively nowhere near last seasons levels. You’d hope to see Roberts back soon to give us another option.
HH
1 loss in 74 domestic games.
MON the Slump CSC
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 24TH JANUARY 2018 10:38 AM
JUNGLEJIM HS 1013
It’s not our job to identify players,bud. That’s why we employ highly-paid professionals.
Few of us have the extensive knowledge of the markets where the club can find the nuggets to comment on the suitability of a player as a target. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t know enough about football to be ignored in our criticism of individual or overall performances.
This is a real contradiction.What if these “Highly paid professionals”have been searching high and low to get in the type of player the fans say we need,and for a multitude of reasons,they cant get them.
Too expensive,want to play in the EPL,salary way too high,nutter outside the game,club wont sell,etc.
Would that mean that they have failed?.Would that mean Celtic are too tight with the money?.
I trust Brendan.It now seems that many dont,and they should be ashamed of that fact.
If the player is there,he will try for him.If we cant get him,then everyone acting like spoilt brats wont change a thing.
One signing that would lift the spirits would be the permanent acquisition of Patrick Roberts in this window, use the VVD money to get him if City will sell.
Just received my ticket for the Zenit game posted out from ticket office. Yahoo
We’ve conceded 16 goals in the league this season. We lost 25 in total last season. We look set to do worse this season.
Aberdeen conceded 35 last year 24 to date this season. Will probably do worse stat wise this season with a fair few games to go.
The orcs are on 25 conceded – it was 44 in total last season. They’ll probably do better this season if they avoid two 5 goal skelpings from us this time around.
Hearts, despite being 5th in the league and having had a really poor start to the season are the second best with 19 so far.
Hibs have conceded 26 to date.
I don’t know what conclusions can be drawn but it’s interesting none the less. Perhaps the biggest sign is that 2nd to 5th places are too close to call at this stage.
And despite all of this and with absolutely no evidence to back it up, I think Hearts goals against column will take a battering at Celtic Park. We owe them. You can conclude that I’m a hopeless opTIMist
TRADITIONALIST88 on 24TH JANUARY 2018 11:41 AM
For example, Hearts, at their level, have realised this and not lost a goal for 8 games. No one is saying Souttar and Berra are the answer to our problems but lets get defenders who know how to defend. As a general rule if opponents can’t wait to play against them and at age 27 their game intelligence renders them a liability they really shouldn’t be in our team in such a critical, influential position.
Yep Hearts must be doing something right with their defence.
Just remind me,how many points are we ahead of them?
And all of these players,who have had one victory out of 75 games,that cant wait to play against us,can you name me one of these lunatics?.
ROBERTTRESSELL on 24TH JANUARY 2018 1:28 PM
Possibly, but they can only put 11 players on the pitch like everyone else. Scott Brown provides good protection though I’d agree McGregor doesnt do enough in this regard and some games are passing him by.
The problem with Boyata runs too deep and won’t be solved by one of our midfielders marking him!
People don’t realise hes 27, hes supposedly at his peak. His positional sense is brutal and clumsy in possession.
Hes a big threat from attacking set pieces but hes back to doing all the things that got him dropped for a significant spell when Rodgers arrived.
The quicker we solve this issue the better for all concerned.
HH
Brendan Rodgers made a mistake not keeping Charlie Mulgrew.
TT
Dont care how well mulgrew is doing he was not doing it in last couples of seasons and he is as lol as fuck, mile turned quickler ffs.
We need a creator mid and a rightback, centre back goalkeeper and striker if dembele goes.
This window i would be deleted with cheating mid and rightback
I think i will be disappointed but we shall see ps i will be more disappointed if we sign up players that cant get in our first 11, thats what the academy boys are for and to pass on if good enough of course
HH
TURKEYBHOY on 24TH JANUARY 2018 1:44 PM
Oh yes, we’re ahead of Hearts in the table, clearly then you are correct and we shouldnt be looking to strengthen our team. What was I thinking!
In case you haven’t realised, we have aspirations to do well in Europe, well, most of us do. We get away with a lot domestically that we don’t in Europe.
When we get punished in Europe theres the usual inquest on here as to why it happened and what we can do differently. Well lets start by replacing the clumsy centre back. Part of the backbone of the team. When we struggle in Europe its often said we had no backbone. Go figure.
If you watched the game last night you’d have seen Boyata up to his usual tricks, firing what should be short, simple passes to colleagues, getting caught out of position and skinned by a Thistle player, who with an outrageous piece of skill, knocked the ball past him. Unfortunately it didnt occur to Boyata that this could happen.
If you think Boyata inspires confidence and defends well that is your opinion. You clearly haven’t watched him or the effect he has on team cohesion closely.
Amazing the number of people who have an issue with our deficiencies being highlighted and with talk of strengthening our team. We have the resources.
Jim Duffy called it right, if its creativity we need we should have recalled Ryan Christie from Aberdeen during the winter break, he has loads of creativity and would definitely add value to our squad. Particularly with Rogic, Roberts, Armstrong and Hayes all out long term. Bit late now mind you, he’s cup tied.
I think Moussa decided to leave after nearly losing his leg against Motherwell in the cup final. Scottish style football and it’s quirky refereeing decisions put his long term health at risk. Cast your minds back, when Motherwells french defender wasn’t booked for his potential career threatening lunge, then subsequently there was more up close and personal type attention on Dembele that saw him reacting in a manner we’ve not witnessed ie his feathers were ruffled and Moussa is calmness personified, usually. Then he was subbed in the next game against Anderlecht and hasn’t kicked a ball since. That’s what i think, Scottish football is now a risk to him. HH
Oh for the days when we used tae sign players
that wur guid enough tae immediately strengthen
the 1st team, by going straight into the 1st team.
Ah mean, who thinks that either, RC or, LM will
return to play in Cellic’s 1st team ?
Who’s keeping thum oot the noo ?
Wan ae the biggest loads a pish ever ventured
into by the occupants of the PLC swamp and
their latest puppet mibbery muzzle wearing manager.
See when ye think aboot it,……..Charlie Nicholas CSC
see if, Stevie Clarke or big take no mibbery shyte Levine
had the same tools tae work wi, that Brendan hiz goat
we would be cute enough tae be real contenders for the
Europa league trophy ‘this’ season, imho.
Nane ae this, gittin skelped 7-0 etc, for the second season
in a row, and then coming out and claiming that we’re adapting
to the competition at this level ¿¿¿
That’s jist, brazen PLC puppet pish!
Drain The PLC Swamp, or the Tory PLC billionaires will keep
yeez at the back ae the move along Timmy bus!
Jeremy is draining the rid Tory swamp in the Labour party
only empty seats will drain the PLC Tory Swamp
dae it, or yeez ur jist like thum!
Pedro’s Barking Caravan was a ‘key’ component of the Invincibles
treble, only a £49 Old Firm Same Club Lie fool, would deny that!
Anywye,……WEEBAWBABBITY, keep it lit mate, HH
………oot.
Paul 67
It’s a strange one. On one hand we’re hearing Moussa’s happy and wants to stay and on the other we’re being told by Brendan and Chris that he has been affected by transfer speculation and that he won’t play until after the transfer window. Then we hear Brendan wants to bring on new players. To me it looks like Celtic want to sell Moussa. I’m for keeping him and giving him all the games he needs to get fully match fit. I think he’s great and we should keep him for as long as possible.
Kevj – so Brendan is a puppet mibbery muzzle wearing manager
says more about you than it does about him
how is the barnet boy doing
Kev
Your’e previous post from a couple of days ago was thoughtful and incisive, glad to see you are back to normal, the meds must have kicked in! Craig Levein would empty the park right enough!
Take care, …….OOT!
two cents worth.
thought last night we were not bad first half found it tough to break down pt.
second half i thoght we were good played with a lot of pace.
cm i think is v ery light and not sure ka hope he makes it, think he would be good in cm.
db hmmm. lg still our cf. only my opinion
TimHorton
Less of the Timbits, give us the real names
:-))
Charlie Mulgrew has found his level and good luck to him there, never was never will be……
Jim Duffy is never right, we will recall Christie if and when its time, or we will let him go
It seems that there are larger sections of the support who will not be satisfied until we win every game at least 5 nil with the opposition not touching the ball at all, and that includes games in Europe.
kevjungle
u do not half post shite.
As for the game last night ,improved 2nd half saw us win comfortably in the end,, no god given right to beat any team, In Brendan we trust
ROBINBHOY on 24TH JANUARY 2018 2:27 PM
It’s pretty obvious there’s more than one person logging in as kevjungle. At least the original one raised the odd smile. This particular incarnation, with his impotent fury turned up to 11, is a common or garden troll and no fun at all
Tonight’s game outwith us vs them is the mist interesting game in Scotland by far but it isn’t on tv. What’s the chances of United vs Chelsea not being on the box? Our administrators really do sell our game short
Non football item!
Need to go to funeral in Linn Crematorium on Friday.
Best way and how long from Glasgow Central on public transport?
Will look in later for replies.
ALBERT KIDD CSC on 24TH JANUARY 2018 12:45 PM
i agree but you must have the players who are capable and confident to play that way, we are laking in both.
CELTIC40ME on 24TH JANUARY 2018 3:05 PM
Assume you’re talking about Sevco v Aberdeen, and can only conclude that it may be to do with Aberdeens pathetic performances against them in recent times that its not been picked for coverage.
HH
Whatever the truth is about MD, we are not getting the whole story. To repeatedly say on the one hand we have received no offers, then on the other hand to say his head is not right because of transfer speculation doesn’t add up.
And even if there were offers, or indications of interest, why would that be such a big distraction that you couldn’t go out and do your job on the park? He’s getting paid well to play football, he only recently extended his contract, his agent and various other people looking out for him, like ZIdane, have said Celtic is a good fit for him at this stage.
Is he not professional enough, and being well enough man-managed, to give it his best until such times that he has to actually go and have a medical somewhere else? Playing and scoring is surely in his interest as well as Celtic’s?
I could understand it if he was asking for a move and not getting it or if we had the situation where a big club was turning his head (e.g. EPL top 4, La Liga top 3, Bundesliga top 3 etc.) but he can’t be losing sleep just because there are a few relegation battlers sniffing around him.
I came over from Spain and took in the Aberdeen game on December 23rd. He contributed little and trundled off the park when subbed in a way that looked to us like he thought it might be his last game (just as he did against Sevco).
If he moves then good luck to him, he has plenty of years to become the big star that those in the know think he will be. On the other hand, last season may have been as good as it gets.
Personally I’d play LG before him most weeks and would be more worried if he wanted away. In Europe the idea with MD, as far as I could see, was to have a big, fast mobile striker who could hold up play and take the pressure off the defence. In the games I watched, he struggled to do this often giving the ball away just as quickly as he received it. The same thing happened against Aberdeen and sevco.
Here’s hoping it ends well for everyone involved.
i don’t know about tiring the opposition out by playing the ball about our back 5 at a snails pace, imo it’s more likely to put them to sleep.
RobertTressell on 24th January 2018 1:12 pm
Has it occurred to anyone that Moussa is still fretting about his hammys?
=========================================
Yes.
And it’s a vicious circle. If that hamstring tears again – and it was a bad one first-time round – he’s labelled a crock; forget any sort of substantial fee for him; a disaster for Celtic’s best project in years.
I suspect Celtic are guarding their prize asset and Moussa’s reluctant to give it everything in case of a breakdown. It was the spongy turf of Hampden that did for him last year; it may be that the Scottish habitat is playing on his mind and the only way to ‘reset’ his career on an upward spiral is a change of club, playing environment, and a new challenge to focus his mind off an injury recurrence.
Boyata:
being asked to step out of defence with the ball and link up a la Van Dijk. He’s not capable of doing that to any useful degree. He’s a big raw centre back who’s best attributes are ball-winning and an ocassional goal-threat.
He does not have the sophistication in his game to be trusted with controlling the defence; he performs best when he has a mentor in beside him offering instruction and security- Jozo at his best worked Boyata from the back brilliantly, but Jozo’s injuries appear to have caught up with him and he spends his mental energy marshalling his own performace up to standard, not looking comfortable enough recently to take charge of the back line properly.
We might not need a replacement for Boyata but we do need a knowledgeable, calm football-head in that defence who can really call the shots and make a pass or two. Get in somebody like that (Franco Baresi-esque) and the quality of your defence takes on an entirely different aspect because the little things – the stupid errors, the indecision – that we notice and form opinions on disappear overnight and are replaced by a formidable disciplined unit.
The best thing about last night was that we seemed to get our verve and appetite back a bit in the second half. For spells it looked like everyone was focussed and in sync again, harking back to last season’s smooth running Celtic machine; once we have all eleven tuned in properly we’ll blitz our way to the title.
Tempo tempo tempo
We need to maintain a high tempo in games, thats when we are at our best, this was evident in the second half. I generally dont mind the ponderous stuff at times, if we are switched on enough to increase the tempo dramatically when it matters.
Afternoon fellow Tims from a cold and showery day in Dublins fair city
Thomthethim for Oscar Ok @ 12pm
Excellent post.
Rogic, Roberts and Armstrong would make a big difference to Celtic.
Re Moussa I think it’s likely he will go. If he does go, I hope it’s in next day or so to give us time to get players in. It would be a disaster if he went on the last day even if the money was 25 million or more. Every signing in Jan is clearly geared towards CL qualification therefore its massively important that we get 1 or 2 genuine quality signings in especially as we could lose Moussa and are unlikely to have PR for CL qualifiers ( if at all next season) and S.A. will also be away in the Summer as he only signed a 1 yr contract extension. This next week could be the difference between CL qualification and not. Our fans really shouldn’t underestimate how important 1 or 2 real quality signings is over next week. I just hope we get deal(s) over the line. I’d be deeply concerned as to our CL qualifying chances nxt season if we dont add quality in the nxt week or so.
Hail Hail
Roccobhoy