The assembly of Celtic-2015-16 continued apace yesterday with the arrival of Saidy Janko (19) from on a four year contract. Saidy spent the second half of last season on loan to Bolton Wanderers, under Neil Lennon, in one of the game’s most bizarre transfers.
Manchester United were happy to allow Janko to go to Bolton in the winder transfer window but his absence would have left their U21 team short. They needed a defender so Bolton offered Andy Kellett. Kellett had only been in the field a total of 85 minutes in his Bolton career and had been farmed out to Portsmouth earlier in the season. So it came as a surprise when Neil Lennon called to say “Pack your stuff, you’re going on loan to Manchester United”.
Saidy arrived in Manchester from Zurich as a 17-year-old right back but now plays all right-side positions. There are things I like about this transfer: he’s been watched by the manager and scouts and was high on the wanted list. The success rate of players who have been well-scouted is vastly better than players who arrive after glowing references from respected names in the game, but where the Lennoxtown guys have only seen rare glimpses of the target.
It’s heartening to read glowing references from those who have watched him in England but references don’t mean he’ll make it at Celtic.
The use of New St Mirren Park by Celtic for a friendly game was not in itself controversial. Before being liquidated, Rangers used the same venue for youth games, and Celtic have often used Excelsior Stadium Airdrie for the same purpose.
But when photos emerged early yesterday of Celtic livery above the club shop, temporarily stocked with Celtic merchandise, it stirred something within St Mirren fans. They don’t mind their stadium being used by another club in return for cash, but for some, sensitivities need to be observed.
I can’t say I was remotely bothered by Commonwealth Games livery at Celtic Park last year, nor would I have raised an eyebrow to the Celtic Superstore being handed over for the sale of Commonwealth memorabilia, very few of us were. However, I have some sympathy for St Mirren fans. We were in a position of strength when we agreed to the Commonwealth deal, St Mirren have just been relegated and most fans expect their stay in the Championship to be more than a single season.
Yesterday’s livery was an indication of St Mirren’s place in the world, not so much a Celtic competitor, more a facilitator, who survived for years on a dividend from Celtic fans’ TV subscriptions.
Paisley is big enough to support a vibrant community club, but it’s too close to Glasgow to build an independently resourced competitor, they are not an Aberdeen, Dundee United, Dundee (maybe still), Hibs or Hearts. We have a handful of economically viable tier one football clubs and should nurture them accordingly, while aligning community clubs to focus on what should be their strengths.
Imagine, for a second, TV money concentrated on six clubs, not 42. These clubs would harvest the talent from a community feeder system and have the opportunity to build a sustainable businesses.
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Greenpinata
23:18 on
2 July, 2015
Macjay,
I am not against capitalism. I repeat we are all capitalist to a degree, but it has to be regulated. Anyone who earns their living in the private sector and aims to make a profit must be a capitalist, in the true sense of the word.
Football at the top echelons is capitalism in action. No hyprocarcy there.
HH to you.
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Absolutely agree.
That was my point.
I wasn`t suggesting that you were a hypocrite.
I was referring to others.
Hail Hail yersel`
HT
still got that twitter page
LOve
HT
NO TELLIN!
Ye know a luv ye :O)
Captain Beefheart..Educate me..Please..laughing..
Another player who falls into the Stokes category for me is Charlie Mulgrew. A great servant for Celtic and a very versatile player. If everyone is again being honest is he a certain starter? Not for me I’m afraid and I’m a big fan of the prodigal son. Bitton has the centre mid role sewn up and I don’t see him being dropped for Charlie. Our centre back pairing is VVD and Boyata for now. Charlie may get the nod there if VVD goes but I suspect VVD will be replaced with a similar player in style and age. Charlie can also play left back and provides our only realistic cover at this time. Charlie will be kept for now. Will Charlie be happy though? He is a Scotland international. Scotland could go to the euros and at Charlie’s age it may be his only chance to play in a major tournament. It’s another potential head scratcher for me. Without getting too excited about Rogic he may just be able to deputise for Bitton. I’m not sure if he is get ready but Ronny and his staff have clearly worked on him very closely and Charlie may be down the pecking order. Who knows I am speculating but it is another potential Lenny stalwart who may find himself on the bench more than he is used to or likes. See what happens there. I got Rogic all wrong. Hold my hands up there. Delighted to be proved wrong and hope he kicks on to be a star.
Hopefully we get a back up left back and a quality striker in and there is certainly a very able squad there to have a decent crack this season. Ronny looks to be focused and the team will be ready. It’s up to the players to make it happen. I think we have an exciting season ahead.
There have been some chats of cliques today and it’s a fact of life there will always be cliques. In my eyes Ronny is building his own wee clique so to speak. Lenny had his and I suspect Ronny is breaking that up a wee bit. It’s a fact of team building. Some fan favourites may depart. It happens from time to time. The key is that the group gets better. I think we are improving and clique or no clique I am delighted with what I am seeing and hearing about this coaching staff.
Can’t wait for the season to get underway. Players come and go but Celtic lives on.
LB
Ruggygman,
Maybe yer no drunk, Maybe you just need to visit you doctor for a repeat prescription, psychotropic drugs will always give you a false sense of reality, maybe ask for a lesser dosage, might help you get a bit closer to reality, I understand reality can be a problem for fantasists like yourself but it must help your back to the community status if you admit you need help.
Drug fuelled stupidity is treatable, you just need to be brave enough to ask for help, good luck, there are many like you and plenty of support groups out there all you need to do is make the effort, it’s no hard and no one will think any less of you if you go for it.
Back home tomorrow from a fantastic 10 day holiday in the ole Algarve.
Thanks for updates….well 97% of ye ,the other 3% can ram it.
HH Celts.
Sad ,but I must have voted at least ten times
Bovvered, naw
HH
Bgx,
How fcuking stupid are you, where the fcuk do you think that closed society power base stems from kkk society is your doorstep silence dissonance is a Scottish law not UK.
http://www.theslicedpan.com/mma/conor-mcgregor-walkout-song-will-be-performed-live-by-a-certain-irish-singer/299420
LB
voguepunter
Mind water your shirts
Love
weet weet weet(GBWO)
23:39 on
2 July, 2015
Sad ,but I must have voted at least ten times
Bovvered,
Yes
HH
Airport taxi drivers are true capitalists.
SOAL
an your suit ….Boa noite :O)
VP
Leave your gear at the airport and i will water it in 3 weeks time
Stokes has 58 goals for us in 134 games, which is not bad for a striker who is being played out of position. Coming back to training late before a big game was unprofessional and that may well be the nail in his coffin as far as Celtic is concerned.
I always regarded Stokes as a very good squad player and I would prefer if he stayed. However he dropped totally off the radar in the closing weeks of last season and I expect Ronny is only waiting to get a striker in and Stokes will be sold. Much the same as he waited for Janko to be confirmed before (if the stories are to be believed) before selling Matthews.
Must say Celtic under Ronny are doing their dealings in a very efficient manner. It remains to be seen how it all will end up, but shifting Pukki, Balde & Fridjonnson so quickly was impressive.
Goodnight Timland
KTF
HH
Socialist with knife and fork wishes to meet capitalist with steak and kidney pie..
Player with a year left on his contract … £2m (no doubt petey will have a sell on clause which will kick in in Adams prime)
Replacement from man utd secured
Good business once again ????
Canny have that ….. Sack the board
Greenpinata
23:42 on
2 July, 2015
Airport taxi drivers are true capitalists.
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In Sydney,they`re robbers.
Oops.What have I just said.:-)
Uber is now the answer.
Sorry to taxi drivers everywhere.
What is the Stars
23:47 on
2 July, 2015
Socialist with knife and fork wishes to meet capitalist with steak and kidney pie..
—————————————————————————————————————-
What`s the knife for?
dena29
23:42 on 2 July, 2015
weet weet weet(GBWO)
23:39 on
2 July, 2015
Sad ,but I must have voted at least ten times
Bovvered,
Yes
HH
NAW ;))
HH
Gorrago.
HailHail
Livibhoy
Yes The Foggy Dew. It’s a great one to come out to. Be interesting to hear that.
It’s a pity Aldo has pulled out
wits,
More chance of that being the other way round,
capitalist needs socialists to make them money
If the idea fails you are expected to bail out your oppressors, it the natural way you know it makes sense. Stockholm everybody’s favourite syndrome.
Can someone please explain how the headline and story link?
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/781041186?-10583:834:0
Express Headline:
“Darren Fletcher convinced youngster Saidy Janko to leave Manchester United for Celtic”
Quote, by Saidy, from article:
“I didn’t speak to him about the move but we always had a laugh with him.”
So, by not speaking to him Darren Fletcher convinced Saidy to join us!
HTF do these people get away with it?
angelgabriel
When the whole sorry tale of the ‘RoH 7’ comes out it’ll hopefully waken up the apathetic majority.
VP
I hope you’ve left some beer for SOAL and me!!!
SOAL
On second thoughts, sod you! X
Twitter?
Professor Green
But is it a sport
Give them knives and guns and let them sort it out like men
Paoloantony
I agree good business, PL seems to be backing Ronny .
Any company that is run efficiently will have budgets so moving deadwood or guys with a short time on their contract is sensible and buying players with potential sell on value ie Janko and Boyata makes sense .
Macjay,
Is it true that you used the used the word bast….in relation to our Freedom Fighters?
Sipping a cold beer, reading CQN & sitting overlooking a moonlit lough Foyle from my (rented) holiday home in Moville, co Donegal, man things don’t get much better than this…
Cheers from a happy RP
Canamalar
Its a joke from my teenage days
It was funny then
I would nearly tell you to lighten up,roll a spliff ( or like me have the butler make you a gin and tonic) and chill.
Only I know you would react by putting on the beret,grabbing the aul klash and heading for the sierra maestra with a few good men
Clogher
Leave it
It will go round in circles again,
wits,
Capitalists pay the poor to fight and convince the ignorant they are doing them a favour, protect my freedom to screw you ya clown.
Capitalism is fascism don’t be fooled by the liars
What is the stars
Wonderful idea!
Right up there with your Ronnie out :-)
IF anyone did not have the pleasure of seeing it……Rogic’s great piece of skill from last night
http://www.talkingbaws.com/2015/07/02/video-celtic-star-tom-rogic-produced-this-moment-of-pure-sorcery-during-friendly-with-den-bosch/?
Canamalar @ the barricades
Interesting stuff.
Very powerful comments to upset the chosen people aka the Tartan Tories / Nats.
One issue that has come out of the woodwork today is the U.S.
Their attitude towards the Greek crisis is becoming ever more loud.
They are getting more energetic in their calls for a compromise solution.
Add in the IMF and its comments about the need for more support.
Who would have thunk it …
The U.S. Trying to tell the EU sorry German housewife orthodoxy to keep the heid.
Maybe BO has suddenly found his progressive Democratic backbone 6 years too late.
Or his generals are starting to worry about the NATO angle in all this.
They are maybe thanking their lucky stars that VP’s chequebook is on short rations due to the oil price slump.
$130 a barrel and the Kremlin would be organising a financial lifeboat as we speak.
Canamalar
Dont be so angry
We all know the story
Its always been the same aul shit,its the rich wot get the pleasure and the poor wot gets the blame
If only Napoleon had won at Waterloo,fecking frenchies let us down
And dont get me started on that bleeding spanish armada
Where were they at Kinsale when we needed them