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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Ismaila Soro is likely to be used sparingly over the next few weeks as he adjusts to living in northern Europe
strange statement , is it not that the coaching staff have still to see him at training and that he fits in.
What a roller coaster following Celtic.
From a stomach churning trough to a spirit left peak.
Within 12 hours
LIFTING. not left. Bloody predictive text
Ron67
It’s an opinion. Paul67’s opinion. One I’d agree with as the young fella gets up to speed in chilly Scotland, new team mates, a new langauage and everything else.
Neil and the coaching staff will be better informed as to ‘when’….
Looking forward to the emergency podcast tonight.
‘GG on 1ST FEBRUARY 2020 5:35 PM
My boys Lennon/McCartney would have kept that mistake IN….
‘SPIRIT LEFT PEAK’……….I like it
Well the gambler will be rubbing his hands together today with two dropped points at mordor. still not sure why we don’t spend the cash and give Neil what he wanted – two experienced players – can the clique answer that one? Is the statement of financial position more important then the league title?
TBB
What position did Kris Ajer play at the club we signed him from ?
I agree he very decent and has a big future, hopefully with us
But
He is in process of being converted to play Centre Half, probably due to be 6’5″
The point, I believe we should have signed a big bruising Centre Half this window to compete with the big lumps of wood we play in the FtSPFL and often bully our current 2 Centre Halfs
My opinion
We have a massive two games coming up now. A real opportunity to build and maintain a comfortable lead for the second half of the season.
Any dropped points from us over the next few days will be a massive lift for them. Likewise 6 points gained come Wednesday night will absolutely deflate them. Get the job done, Celtic. This is a fantastic opportunity.
Saw 20 mins of the great new hope ‘Hagi’
Despite the huge build up from the scottish press
He appears to be more ‘Cameron Douglas’ than ‘Michael Douglas’….. hehe
I am thinking that wee commentator from Sevco TV must be a retired Lorry driver……”working through the gears ” seems a favourite link up…and then they were” stroking it back” and “stroking it forward”…..
Do you know what a lorry drivers best friend is ?
It is said to be a thermos full of raw mince….
wonder if the wee man takes wan tae work with him…..and the co–commentators have to look away …
smiley smiley take your ups where you can thing …
Braw
NEUSTADT-BRAW on 1ST FEBRUARY 2020 5:48 PM
hehe
Inbetween picking up and mudering hitchikers I suppose a gig doing the commentary for gers tv is a good distraction and cover up.
Everybody remembers the dodgy stuff…but it is often forgotten just what a dedicated and proffesional Lorry driver Peter Sutcliffe was….
Midway through first half at Old Trafford. 0-0
Soporific
aye twas always the case ……….
Parallel parking “! you,ve never seen such fine lines…
smiley hope abidy has been behaving ? smiley smiley thing
Braw
Need to go out and do Saturday things, no quotes from Slippy yet?
Norrie – he signed for us at 17 years old. At the same age, big Virgil was playing centre forward. That’s the way it is with kids – as Joni Mitchel might have said, you don’t know what they’ve got ’til they’re grown.
A pal of mine at the same age was a cracking attacking centre mid. He was previously a centre forward. He played his entire professional career at right back. Now a pro coach, he reckons in any other country Scott Brown would have been a full back, for what it’s worth.
Bale at the same age was a left back, while KT was a winger, and Puyol a centre forward. And so on and so forth. You don’t ‘convert’ kids, you let them play wherever they get the most joy when they’re wee, help them find their position when they’re big, then watch them blossom.
There’s a great deal of benefit in a mature defender having acquiring the sense of a centre forward or the nimbleness of a midfielder as a youngster.
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TBB
Enjoyed reading that, good stuff.
Paul67 et al
Of course the Broadwood/Old Cumbernauld areas were not of Lanark but previously part of either Stirlingshire or Dumbartonshire, before being for forced into being part of North Lanarkshire back in 1975. Then again lets not forget Airdrie once of Lanarkshire proper. Or Third Lanark, Lanark by name, but yet another Glasgow club as was. Lanark no more as the Proclaimers might have sung. Then there is ‘Lanark’ for whom the writer sadly is no more. As every Celtic fan could tell you, you got to know the history. But a bit of geography doesn’t hurt.
Hope y’all washed your fingers after copying those posts from hollow hollow, before pasting them on here
HH ☘️
Hail, hail….
Aipple, you need to get out more :¬)
Tel-Aviv Loyal RSC
@telavivrangers
·
34m
Davis looks like he did this time last season, Kamara is playing like a £50k signing, Kent looks lost at the moment, but Ojo is as bad as Dalcio.
——
Strap me up and inject it right into my veins. Ahhhh.
smiley put a sock on it thing
Braw
Also Aipple, post match with the Slippy one: https://twitter.com/RangersFC/status/1223667297941934080?s=20
and don,t eat the Tuc biscuits and Leberwurst!
smiley tuck in you wee huns thing
Braw
just a pity we have all those injured players as what a squad we would have to pick a starting 11 from.
TBB
Wise words two posts in a row from you!
Celtic Mac
Fond memories of renting out half pitch at Broadwood as a young man for sevens.
Been in the garden aw day…………knackered, first dry weekend since late December.
Bhoycott of Shortie continues…………………..
” Oh my days!”
Delighted!
Dada “Chocolate” opened and waiting. Living in a Timmed-up moment.
Tomorrow’s another day.
To the grimacin’ huns luikin’ in – get that up ye!
HH.
If I have counted correctly, we have 8 away and 4 home games in total this month (including EL and SC).
If we go out of the cups, we only have 4 games in the whole of March.
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 1ST FEBRUARY 2020 6:15 PM
Also Aipple, post match with the Slippy one: https://twitter.com/RangersFC/status/1223667297941934080?s=20
——-
Blames players individually and says generally they were ok. In other words i did my bit and the players let us down. Even brought up players mistakes that he wasn’t asked about and downplayed saves by McGregor to keep the emphasis on individuals and away from him.
Thanks for the link TBB. Skippy’s all but conceded the title there.
Bankies rule ok…
smiley I have awfy hoopy mammories ( memories) of Hamilton …20 miles fae the toon …..
smiley was a hot summers day ….far too hot for the wedgey Austin Princess thing
Braw
The Battered Bunnet on 1st February 2020 6:05 pm
thanks for that
‘ we are waiting for talent to come through, but in the meantime I’ll push the little talent we have’
aipple
Never been in it myself, though we’ve drove past it a few times. Looks a good facility, will be good to see it packed out next weekend!
NEUSTADT-BRAW on1ST FEBRUARY 2020 5:48 PM
Good tae hear from ye. When are u gettin punted out of Germany ?
🤪
3 Points is all that matters to me against Accies tomorrow,none off this gloating or oh my aching sides from me.