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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League table at 2.30pm
Celtic Played 23 GD 50 Pts 61
Sevco Played 22 GD 44
It’s nice 2b3.
Don’t be AFRAID of yer Freedom.
D’oh. try again…
League table at 2.30pm
Celtic Played 23 GD 50 Pts 61
Sevco Played 22 GD 44 Pts 56
Live League table at 3.01pm
Celtic Played 23 GD 50 Pts 61
Sevco Played 23 GD 44 Pts 57
League table at 5.00pm?
Celtic Played 23 GD 50 Pts 61
Sevco Played 23 GD 4? Pts 5?
John Bleatin postin here now ?.
Support Every Celt selected for 4 Months.
Dylan McGeoch and Niall McGinn to do us a favour today? And will wee Alfie manage a game against Aberdeen without yet another card being shown?
‘Hmmmm……….’margins’. I’m afraid excused don’t cut it given what’s at stake and how much these guys are paid.
As I’ve said already, the way expectations were managed during this window was absolutely dreadful.
Know your customer for goodness sake. Under-promise and over-deliver. If you can’t do that then say nothing at all.
These guys have brought unnecessary pressure on themselves and the Club.
Ballers or just stupid?
Only time will tell.
Today’s CQN Coupon –
Jobo – Hibs
Pog – Middlesbrough
Awalk – Man Utd
TET – Fulham
BMCUWP – Cheltenham
GFTB – Raith Rovers
LB – Newcastle Utd
Bet very responsibly if at all!
His name is Neil Lennon,and he is manager of Celtic.
He has a first name.respectfully use it please.
HH
In the midst of all the disappointment of my club not signing the players for the positions we are short in, I had at least the happiness to wake up knowing that I am still an European having possessed an Irish passport for more than 20 years.
Shame on pl only giving Neil lennon 20 million to sign players this season. Celtic have the biggest budget in the country and spend on players they beleive can help win the league. One eye is always on the future and so we tend to go for younger players. No shame on that we have had some outstanding players as a result.
It is Neil’s job to make sure our goals are achieved. If the goals are not achieved he is responsible because he has the tools to do the job. Better than his competitors. However, I don’t think he or we will fail.
And I still have issues with the lack of experience bullocks ffs the core of our team are not wee boys. we have a team full of players that have multiple titles ranging from 22 to 37 year old. Yes we have a good few 18 to 22 year olds with limited experience but they are actually not the core of our team.
HH
Hi Ghuys, salve salve;- Long time no post but have been lurking assiduously , I feel there is no need for disappointment at the lack of signings this window for two reasons, firstly what is the point when the “manager” will only play his favourites? meaning anybody coming in will be banished to the hinterland of Lennoxtown, secondly there is no doubt that Celtic have the best squad of players in the country. The coaching however is worse than lamentable.
Wednesday night was a masterclass in abysmal use of a player squad, after the first half with the game secure Eduard should have been rested and Klimana ? should have been introduced to give him much needed game time, the same for Christy. We have I believe signed a topper of a player in Soro but I fear like Schved sightings will be as rare a rocking horse droppings.
The title is under serious threat, I will not lay the blame for this at the door of the manager, I have already given my opinion of his appointment at the start of the season.
If the title goes across the city the blame will lie squarely on the shoulders of Peter Lawell and it will be up to the Celtic support to deliver the deserved sentence.
Semper Idem
Greenwells
Huddersfield res 1 Celtic res 3
https://youtu.be/5sU4PSp-k44
Highlights
HH
wait until the season is over before we all complain.
would have liked more cover but i think we have taken our foot off the gas pedal.
time will tell.imo.
Roddy- VG
Transfer window….
…Provided a fix for the CDM conundrum. Not fussed it wasn’t an older, less kneeworthy Victor Wanyama but a hungry young thing.
…Provided a fix for the over-reliance on Eddie. Wanted the next hot thing from french U21 conveyor belt. I even googled his name. Perhaps he wasn’t that keen, affordable but Patryk looks like he has some cracking traits and might prove to be the next Dziekanowski. I like him in what little I’ve seen.
..Didn’t provide a fix at CH and the over-reliance on the 2 automatics and the conveyor belt of spaghetti-kneed or midfield converters we seem to have. I hope that doesn’t bite us on the arse at the margins (hun games and Europe only).
I didn’t like how we set ourselves up for a fail with talk of an experienced profile we didn’t deliver against or the feeling we were stumbling aimlessly around the disco at kicking out time yesterday looking for a last minute fumble.
I’m not a gum bumper per se and in a results business, we keep our winning run going, we’ll all be friends still. We don’t and the injury crisis has Scott Brown playing at the back and Jonny Hayes as our No 1 left back in a series of stumbles then I’m prepared for All Hell breakin Looz…..led by the James and SydneyTims of this parish….
Strap yourselves in…..
SFA taking no chances, Dallas is the MIB at Poundland, penalty anyone?
Jobo, I had a good feeling about Hearts getting something last weekend. I thought Ross County had a sniff of a chance.
Aberdeen, at Mordor, with McInnes in charge?
No chance.
Just watched Jojo Rabbit, wow, what a powerful and funny movie on a topic many would rather all humor was censored.
Not much changed on this forum. Paul67 with his board apologists article. His wee clique backing him up. I’m glad I had my own thoughts and moved to other forum’s. Enjoy your wee heated seat Paul. You have earned it .
Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on 1st February 2020 2:57 pm
Just watched Jojo Rabbit, wow, what a powerful and funny movie on a topic many would rather all humor was censored.
—————
It really is a brilliant movie
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/ntcham-bias/
@jucojames meets the Ntcham critics head on as he considers the question of the Frenchman’s consistency.
lennon’s passion hated by the clique on 1st February 2020 3:01 pm
Not much changed on this forum. Paul67 with his board apologists article. His wee clique backing him up. I’m glad I had my own thoughts and moved to other forum’s. Enjoy your wee heated seat Paul. You have earned it .
————-
Thankfully you moved on and don’t read or post on a forum you moved on from ;O)
Roddybhoy post of the year HH
And on Sandy Bryson………. financial advantage means nothing..I
IF YOU AREN’T PREPARED TO USE IT
heatedseatsforsomeCSC
Yep.
I`m glad he movd on too.
Ingratitude is hunnish .
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/unshackle-mcgregor/
Celtic midfield misconfiguration has been much debated post Derby defeat. @jucojames considers the evolving role of McGregor.
Si far it’s pretty even steven between the Huns & Sheep. Sheep seem to be up for it.
Hibs minus Kamberi 2 down at home.
Shame that .
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 1st February 2020 3:25 pm
Hibs minus Kamberi 2 down at home.
Shame that .
——–
To be fair to Hibs they’ve been trying to punt him the past few transfer windows, the clubs interested weren’t willing to meet the £750k buy out. He’s not popular within the club or with the fans.
THE_HUDDLE on 1ST FEBRUARY 2020 3:27 PM
Fair enough , mate.
Didn`t know that .
Hope he`s not popular with the huns either .
The huddle
Correct, don’t know of one single Hibs fan who rates or wants him. General opinion is that he’s a complete (.)(.)
Cosgrove misses a one on one .
PeteC @ 2:32pm …
“Support Every Celt selected for 4 Months”
That’s it in a nutshell. Respect.
Some observations here about changes in the blog?
PB is a big enough boy to defend himself, or not, as he sees fit.
Here’s my observation of what’s changed SIGNIFICANTLY in the last two years.
A “resurgent” Sevco have successfully got under the skin of some.
Their spin, their lies, their “journey” and, yes, their results.
The league is a competition, not a procession.
One opponent is competing harder now than any others have in the last four years.
I know what I am going to try to do.
Put every frustration aside, back my team and the manager.
That manager who some on here condescend by calling a puppet, a Lawwell yes man, a tactical novice.
I was lukewarm about Neil’s appointment.
With our support and encouragement – I hope he handles the inevitable pressure he faces, delivers the 9 and, metaphorically, shoves my indifference down my throat.
I won’t care, I’ll be too busy eating and drinking in history.
Hail hail
Keep The Faith
Cosgrove through one on one with McGregor, touch of a donkey straight to McGregor..
Come on , Dons.
A draw will do .
Sheep should have scored, Considine was clean through with only McGregor to beat but took a heavy touch and gave McGregor chance to rush out & smother shot. Terrible miss.
Stream of Rangers TV, hilarious.
Cosgrove with the touch of a baby elephant back passes to McGregor when right through.
RTV hailing it as a wonder stop from the keeper
Which stream , NTB. ?