The January 2020 transfer window closed with Celtic signing Patryk Klimala and Ismaila Soro, while Lewis Morgan and Scott Sinclair left the club. In addition, Eboue Kouassi and Jack Hendry, as well as several youth players, left on loan.
With two left wingers out (or on their way out), Mikey Johnston’s injury on Wednesday set the club off looking for cover for that position. If we continue to play three at the back, this will be less of a concern, but Neil Lennon’s other regular formation, with four at the back, requires two wingers. It will be a couple of weeks before Mohamed Elyounoussi is back to full fitness, so James Forrest will carry much of the burden until then.
My big concern is in central defence. We have the headcount in this area, but the two covering players, Jozo Simunovic and Nir Bitton have endured another season of injury, we are vulnerable. Hatem Elhamed plays both right and centre back, so should be able to provide cover. Like Moi, he is working towards full fitness. You can chart your own expectations on when he is Hatem is back and Jozo is next injured.
Ismaila Soro is likely to be used sparingly over the next few weeks as he adjusts to living in northern Europe, but I have hopes for him. We need a player we can rely on when Callum McGregor or Scott Brown need a rest. Patryk Klimala looks to have pace and a directness in front of goal. He will give the manager options.
Despite the hero-status I attach to Scott Sinclair, those who have left contributed next to nothing this season, so should not be a miss between now and May. The transfer window litmus test: Stronger or Weaker, will hopefully be passed. What we know for certain is that we will not be significantly stronger or weaker. This was a window of the margins. Given the importance of this season, that fact is frustrating.
We now have our squad for what will either be our second nine-in-a-row season and possible fourth consecutive treble (!), or something considerably less glorious. They are the strongest squad in the country, with the best manager in the country, do not bet against them.
The job starts with three consecutive games in Lanarkshire, the first time in our 132-year history this is the case (if I momentarily stop claiming Glasgow as part of the County). History is ours for the making, let’s get it done.
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GFTB
Gotta be a different shite as the last one went swirling doon the pan. The flies could be the same although one thing is for sure – They are more desperate, which scores you just one point for saying they are more nastier. 🤣
HH
TAL 2.47am
Maybe different smell but trust me shoite is always shoite .. the same flies will always hoover around Govan :-)
Tiocfaidh ar la 🍀
The CELTIC juggernaut.
3 points Today please Neil.
See my post at 10.51…. but not as early as I feared. Happy Sunday from a pitch black East Kilbride…..
Reports El Buffalo was shown to be a bit rusty after his lay off. Missed a sitter and passed up a great chance to play a team mate in for a clear shot at goal. Apparently one booking away from another enforced rest, hope he never wisens up.
Their biggest hope is a liability.
I hope we don’t consciously or subconsciously write them off in anyway, they’re a decent outfit when on form.
A bit disappointed with the window, thought we might have got the experience in Lenny had asked for. It’s done and dusted now, hope the hoops faithful get right behind the Bhoys in green for the run in. This could be an epic season.
Hope we go full throttle from the kick off today. League won’t be won today like it wouldn’t have been lost with a defeat at Kilmarnock.
A lot of work to do, we have the players and manager to get it done.
Hope we stick with two up top as teams are not used to setting up to defend it. Other teams will have to adjust their tactics to deal with our new attacking shape and patterns. Some good link up play between Griff and Eddy already, this will only improve the more they play together.
Griff, Eddy and the Hun Heartbreakers has got a ring to it!
COYBIG
HH
Jobo – I know the feeling last weekend I had my 2 Grandkids 💚💚💚staying with us and the youngest wee Leyla 💚💚💚was up and down all night.
D. :)
After a sober Datirday (for a change!) I had been planning on a few beers to accompany my lunchtime viewing. But I fear that may result in me snoozing through the 2nd half. So might need to look out my sensible head and delay the beers for my watching of a rerun of our fine victory later on…
God Bless ye Jobo.
Real Deal Holyfield.
Come on the fantasticque Glasgow Celtic.
Good morning CQN from a dark and cold Garngad
No grandweans this weekend for me but I’m afraid I still awake at bloody 6am 😡😡😡
Ok Celtic let’s take 3 points today and if we can let’s lay down a marker and blow them away but 3 points will do me just fine.
Just read the Pi hired by El Buffalo’s Mrs got charged for trying to bug his car.😂😂😂 brilliant El Buffalo is now El Rat
By the way had a wee glimpse at Sevco game yesterday and they were rank rotten and El Rat was either not fit or he has spat the dummy out as he did not look interested, although with no Tavernier launching balls from everywhere into the box he had no service.
Cannot wait to see the Bhoys today COYBIG
HH
D. :)
Hello again all you young rebels.
And g’day to you early risers Jobo, David 66, Petec, or have you been up
all night pete? and of course Dbhoy but he’s an Aussie lol.
And i agree with his post , lets batter into it the next few games, everybody
together, and get the 9 over the line, regardless of how we all feel our cubs
custodians have behaved.
Off oot again now lookin for a hurtin hun, think i’ve more chance of finding
a Lambhorgini my big fat erse will go under 8-))
H.H . Mick
Logs in.. See the mud slinging, posts and signs out.
I witnessed Celtic alongside Brendan. The Loss of his Bro was palpable.
The Celtic is Magical.
teh new Stadium is Full. That wis whit B lamented.
Celtic. GLASGOW Celtic.
Interesting that the Sunday papers have got the Morelos car story all over the front pages. Thought they would have tried to keep that quiet after going big on brake tampering BS.
The PI went to the police and reported he was putting a tracking device on the car as part of a surveillance job. His wife is trying to keep tabs on him. Been caught shagging about.
MM.HH
P.S – if anyone watches Sky Sports News, let me know if they report it. They were keen enough to insinuate it was a Celtic fan trying to kill the rat.
3 points the day Neil please.
Gods story, so it might not happen.
Jimmy Forrest to SHINE.
Alcora, dinnae let it hit it.
BELFAST CELTIC.
Glasgow too..
Magical.
Love is the Law.
Never Forget this.
David66
Family christening yesterday … wee granddaughter wouldn’t leave her Grans side (they are more like pals) so she had a sleepover, anyhow Gran now at work started at 6am so yet again the 2nd best (me) will have to step in :-) …. little does her Gran realise later in life the wee blade will remember spending time with me more than her current favourite :-) ….
playing the long game CSC
As for today, I wonder if Klimala might get a start, think there are a few plastic pitches in the ole Polska… although loving the Odsonne & Leigh partnership …
in my opinion all is very good in the ole Celtic hood 🍀
GFTB – 👍 Enjoy
Yes it would be good to see a wee bit more of Klimala.
D. :)
Stephbhoy 12.57am
Apologies I had logged off, don’t disagree at all with your post but I think far far more still want a Hun entity to beat :-)
Right back to Ben & Holly… one going am enjoying about Neil’s tenure even before the team start kicking a ball the starting 11 is never straight forward ..
buckle in … the current champions are chasing the 9
Somebody on Twittet says it was Gerard who hired the P.I . . .
To see where Alfredo goes to against Celtic 😂😂😂😂
I’m Biased. The Edouard song is the Best ever.
I hope he gets it and after hopefully 9, he stays Henke style.
MOUSSA wis Really Good, Odsonne is a different Level.
Moussa pushing over the corner flag….. Have u heard about a Big Strong Man.
The Terminator is wan for Ibrox.
JOZO.
Nae mercy.
Lenny is a Genius. Love is the Law.
Good morning CQN from a somewhat chilly Forres. We need to put this game to bed today with a fine win. Ultimately 3 points is the target but substantially increasing the goal difference also heaps more pressure on the huns.
As regards plastic pitches watch the highlights of the Killie game – we played some good stuff and should have scored about 6 or 7.
https://youtu.be/lfeFOnUQk8M
Pog in the first half against St J as well we could have been at least 5up.
Hopefully the more game time the Griff gets his finishing will get more refined.
As much as I love the wee man I thought maybe his race had ran, but if he can improve on Wednesday performance he will get back to his goal scoring best. He is getting in the right place it’s just fine tweaking on finishing he needs.
Eddie too has missed a few good chances, but again at least he is getting into these positions, so the goals will come.
HH
D. :)
Leigh has many more races to run
Goals can come and go, but you canny teach ability and the wee mhan has it in abundance ..,
He will make our Edouard even better than he is … Mark my words
Leigh Griffiths = natural ability 🍀
LG…NFL.. LOVE….. mystical….. CELTIC.
DANNY, all around my hat….. a Tri Coloured……rhythm.
CElTIC.
It could only have been “Inch High Private Eye” tampering with Morelos’s motor!
G frae the B,
The ghost at the older back Post.
CELTIC
While the league won’t be won today, 3 points puts us in a great position. Win today and it would take something near a collapse in form to let them back into the race.
Next couple of weeks is an excellent opportunity for us to break the back of this league challenge. Any win will do today.
CELTIC.
Glasgow CELTIC.
Why has there been no announcement of how much compensation Sevco have to pay Sports Direct?
How was King able to announce he was stepping down , but not able to announce his successor?
Is this related to Newcastle”s deal to sell to the Saudi consortium dragging on ?
Have King & Ashley sorted out a deal in private , that now hands in the balance , due to the hold up in the sale of NUFC?
TT
TT, paranoia is Healthy.
Ta for the Tour. Respect.
Petec 9.01am
Starkie …. ?
Billy the ghost
A terrific £70,000 steal
Just watched Match of the day and seemingly Newcastle have spent £80m on 3 strikers who have scored 4 goals between them …. money isn’t always the answer
GFTB, it is Gods story.
Griff hat trick today. It’s coming.
“His wife’s done more to stop him cheating than every ref in Scotland” 😂😂😂