I’ve heard a lot about Patrick Roberts. He’s burdened by enormous expectations, compared to the greats since shortly after his 17th birthday. Manchester City moved 2 starts and 17 substitute appearances into his Fulham career – £12m on the basis of 399 minutes football.
He’s here to force his way into the team between now and the end of the season, and be ready for the European challenges ahead. I think we’re going to enjoy watching this lad.
We saw around 80 minutes of Erik Sviatchenko on Sunday. As I said yesterday, he’s probably our best defender, not that that is taking enormous liberties. In Virgin van Dijk we managed to recruit a dependable defender who wasn’t scared of the ball, and was first to organise those around him. If Erik’s near that standard, he’ll do well.
Ryan Christie (20) is a No. 10. We need a No. 10. He’s 12 years younger than Kris Commons, the only comparable player in the first team squad. Kris has been our MVP for more seasons than anyone else currently on the books, but we’ve been far too dependent on him, which has become acutely evident recently, when he’s out injured.
There’s an argument that we could have done with another No. 10 during our European campaign but it’s far from clear Ryan would have got his chance. We’ll see a good bit of him before the end of the season.
Many of the things I could say about Colin Kazim-Richards I alluded about Carlton Cole when he signed. He’s a physical presence, not easily intimidated, should be an effective foil for Leigh Griffiths.
Colin joins with an actual rap sheet. Online comments yesterday recalled the reaction the day Griffiths signed. At the time I wrote that it’s important for Celtic to affirm positive values in Leigh’s life. The player hasn’t looked back, he’s every inch a positive role model. It’s now important the club and Colin work to ensure a similar result.
Aidan Nesbitt (18) is also a No. 10. He’s the player you’re most likely to hear development and youth coaches talk about. The next stage of his development required him to play against men. Four months in the Premiership playing for Partick will achieve this.
Farewall Nadir Ciftci, who is off to Turkey until the end of the season. I described Nadir as less like a Ronny Deila player than any other I’ve watched and known Celtic to be interested in. He has a touch and is a better player than we’ve seen, but he was built from different material than practically all other Deila signings.
Last month’s business will hopefully mean we have a settled and secure defence for the qualifiers, something missing at the beginning of this season, something missing on Sunday afternoon. The Kazim-Richards signing could go a number of different ways. The player will get his chance to live up to his own expectations.
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H H
We could have liquidated, remember that and thank yer lucky stars we have a board that saved us from liquidation.
Roberts and Nesbitt are the same age.
If Roberts can come to Celtic to “force his way in to the team” what kind of message is that sending to young Aidan Nesbitt?
Bob LobLaw on 2nd February 2016 9:02 am
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Ha :)…..Hail Hail fella. I well, maybe, just maybe….Michael has used the time-span since that cup game and, now….like a lot of folk…see’s Ronny’s ship heading for the rocks ? :)
HH
Oh and lucky we got the defensive midfielder we were screaming out for, that was a close one eh.
Although still feeling very disappointed about Sunday’s match for many reasons I’m now looking forward to tomorrow night and at least a performance where heart, guts and determination are to the fore.
HH
Paul 67
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If, Colin turns out half as good a Leigh then, Celtic have won a watch….imho.
Here’s hoping.
Hail Hail
Our biggest failing is our ability to defend as a team, signing one CB isn’t the whole answer, we either needed a midfield enforcer or a change/adaptation of our fabled system, neither of these have occurred.
Totally underwhelming we’re turning into the football version of the Harlem Globetrotters
OneMalloy on 2nd February 2016 9:13 am
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Hail Hail fella.
It would be good to see all those ingredients that you mention, on display.
I canny see it in this team.
But, having a fear of the manager can spark off a lot of energies in players.
I canny see that in the team either.
Thing is….a manager who knows his way around the block like, Wim or MO’N…non puppet manager’s would be seen to be a threat to Lawwell’s regime…imho.
Celtic has to be restructured….anything else is, just papering over the cracks.
HH
Apart from the missed penalty….how many chances did LG get at Hampden on Sunday ?
Welcome to Paradise Bhoys – You’ll get your chance – please take it.
A word of caution tho’ – Beware the Sleekits oot there, there joab is to unsettle and undermine you
………………………. and the Great Club we support……..
HH.
Nothing like a bit of turmoil at Celtic to embolden the sleekit…………
I can all but guarantee that the folk criticising the decision to loan Nesbitt out for 1st team experience would be howling to the rooftops about depending on laddies if we played him and lost.
Paul
Has Virgil van Dyke had some special medical procedure performed on him to “reset his status”?
their, their………their!
…..don’t feed the anti-Celtic troll…..
….hahahahehehehohoho…….
Violence reduction expert Karyn McCluskey joins SPFL board
FEBRUARY 2ND, 2016 – 12:28 AM KIRSTEEN PATERSON NO COMMENTS
THE woman tasked with cleaning up Scotland’s streets yesterday walked into a new beat – football.
Karyn McCluskey’s work for Strathclyde Police paved the way for the establishment of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, which she now leads.
Since its establishment in 2004-05, the number of killings in the country have fallen from 142 to 59 in 2014-15. Significant drops have also been recorded in cases of attempted murder, serious assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
Yesterday the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) announced McCluskey has been appointed to its board with immediate effect.
The appointment comes as club bosses considers plans to introduce facial recognition technology at stadia to combat disruption on the terraces. Yesterday SPFL chairman Ralph Topping said McCluskey’s “independent mindset” would help member clubs.
Accepting the unpaid non-executive director role, which will be carried out in her own time, McCluskey said her targets would be the “racism, sexism and violence” that impacts on children.
She said: “I work with hundreds of children, many of whom love playing and watching football; their lives are often shaped by what they see on the pitch.
“I want them to be able to go to watch a game and, win or lose, know that sport is a great thing to take part in and watch. So I have accepted this role on their behalf. My wish is that we allow them to remain children as long as possible free from racism, sexism and violence in every area of their lives. I hope we can enable them to enjoy becoming the next players and supporters of football clubs over the coming decades.”
McCluskey, who has also worked in the NHS and HM Prisons, praised club bosses for work to reduce disorder, saying: “I don’t own a football club or claim any expert knowledge about the game itself, what I do know about is changing behaviour for the better.
“I’ve worked in reducing all forms of violence across Scotland for nearly 11 years. I know what damage a small number of people can cause. I know it’s serious. But football has been transformed from where it was decades ago, thanks to everyone’s efforts. I think we often forget just how much has been achieved. I hope I can help play my part in those ongoing efforts.
“We need to focus on the assets we have in Scotland. Let’s be proud of the progress that’s been made but never be complacent.” Reacting to the appointment, Andrew Jenkin, head of Supporters Direct Scotland, called it “an encouraging step”.
He added: “It’s good to see Karyn add much needed diversity to the board and there is no doubting she has a very impressive background and qualifications.
“Any step taken to reduce some of the more negative aspects of the game can only be a good thing.”
Meanwhile, Campbell Bell of Children 1st said: “While much has improved, young people have told us that poor behaviour by adult spectators at sports events is still a regular occurrence. This takes many forms from verbal abuse to, in some instances, physical violence.”
Paul67
“Virgin Van Dijk”.
Somehow doubt that, Paul!
And wish it was 9:35 pm rather than am!
….anyway…..Sack The Board….
…or, the died huns will be back tae put yeez in the pikchur….
…Don’t Say Yeez Wurny Telt – CSC….
….zzzzzzzzzz…….
KEVJUNGLE
I thought Leigh’s first touch let him down a few times on Sunday or he’d have had more chances. He definitely didnt look like he wanted the penalty. He’s been excellent this season and I expect him to do the trick tomorrow night. Biggest problem for me is how much we rely on him, if he hits a bad patch who’s there to fill in ?
HH
lionroars67 on 2nd February 2016 9:33 am
You’d think there were battles on the terraces at every game from that.
WEEMINGER @ 9:32 AM,
And I wonder how many have seen him play, he has great potential but at first team level he’s still a work in progress.
Hail Hail
Paul,
Something missing on Sunday!
Bang on.
A place in yet another final.
TRICOLOURED RIBBON on 2ND FEBRUARY 2016 9:28 AM
Kazim-Richards,Carlton Cole and O’Halloran.
Not for me any of them.Aidan Nesbitt,slayer of Sevco yesterday chased up the road to Maryhill.Astonishing
I’ll cut Kazim-Richards a bit of slack maybe as the lad hasn’t kicked a ball yet.
We’ll see
Posted this late last night and thought I’d get it off my chest by re-posting. Looking forward to Pittodrie…
Sunday’s result could have been so different had we got a second early goal, but it would simply have papered over the cracks.
Firstly we have fallen into a media trap of discussing trebles. The only time we should ever do that in the future is the day before the Scottish Cup Final having won the league and league cup.
My first time at Hampden was to watch a much better Celtic side than Sunday’s and we got horsed 4-1 by Partick Thistle. Now that was a shock result!
Gordon Strachan sometimes changed his system and altered his team when faced with bad weather and/ or sodden pitches. He’d miss out the midfield, drop Aiden, Naka etc and go long.
MON’s Celtic was STRONG – not a usual Celtic characteristic. In defence, midfield or upfront, there wasn’t a player who couldn’t look after themselves.
Neil Lennon’s side could adapt and could defend – things this side lacks.
Too many lightweights.
Most of all we struggle in the must win games.
We beat Sevco a year ago today but they were dross. Then Dundee Utd in the final but they were also pretty awful as their results since has shown. So I’d go back to March and beating Aberdeen 4-0 for a crucial win.
Maybe add QARABAG win to that but it just set up the Malmo disappointment.
And Ronny’s ability to alter the game from the sidelines is not obvious from what I have seen.
As for referees – yes, he has been done twice at HAMPDEN but so has every Celtic manager!
Next season – assuming they get promoted – if we flop meakly against them then all hell will break loose. Is RONNY even aware of that prospect?
I don’t know.
I like the idea of RONNY. He speaks well and he fits Celtic well given we need to be very clever to compete. But talking is one thing. Celtic can’t afford to be so weak as we were in Europe and at Hampden against the two Highland sides.
The next game is massive for RONNY. Losing at Aberdeen will make it very hard to see a way forward for this management team.
Crap… let our best young prospect go.. get another teams in ..why? Buy a useless unprofessional player in.. let a player with 6 months sitting on bench go. And stokes. We need a central midfielder.. everytime we attack i am scared we will lose a goal on a bre4akaway.. People were critisised for complain about hamilton scoring against us a few weeks ago. It showed that even against a team playing as badly as any away team ever at parkhead all they have to do is attack once to score a goal
Paul67 – I seen you mention yesterday that you anticipated a change in our system – great when playing a ragged Hamilton, utterly terrifying (for us) when we play a team in Europe. What have you heard ?
Is anyone in our squad convertible to a defensive midfielder in the big Vic mould ?
Twentyfirstofmay1979 on 2nd February 2016 9:37 am
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Yer right fella.
Again, it’s just another example of the rudderless aspect of the club…imho.
Long may Leigh stay fit – CSC
HH
We should have sent Johansen to Firhill on a free and kept young Nesbitt and played him instead.
That sounds better to me.
Ronnie Delia did not bump a RC player who then took a dive. RD did not get sent off. RD did not wear a grey outfit in goals (the worst colour ever for a keeper) RD did not take a penalty. RD did not blast the ball at the keeper(wearing bright yellow- the best colour for a keeper) RD did not keep passing the ball back to the keeper. RD did not rugby tackle the keeper. RD did not make the referee myopic.
RD cleverly brought on Erik and Scott Brown. RD did not stupidly kick a RC player petulantly deserving of a red card.
RD insisted on an 18 month loan and RD sees the potential in Colin.
I still believe we will win the double and qualify for the CL group stages in August.
Paul67, how can we get a settled defense when teams are allowed to run straight through them. Until RD gets it into that stubborn head of his that his tactic is flawed it will get worse.
Our right side was pathetic against RC. the bigger the pitch the more his tactic is shown up for what it is.
Expect Lustig and Boyota to be under pressure against the Dons.
The PLC have known for a very long time now that big Vic was not replaced and have done nothing about it.
KTF
Maradominic,
Spot on fella.
Armageddon………………………………….
Alex O’Henley @OHenleyAlex
Busiest transfer window in years North of the border, indicative of healthier finances. @JamTarts esp busy, fans rewarded for full houses.
In ither news……………
……….the McCluskey appointment will doubtless be a boon for headline hungry sleekits.
I look forward to the first robust and fearless “initiative” rolled out and over unsuspecting tims while the elephant in the Blue Room is ignored. Much like Show Racism The Red Card – this will be a comfortable and convenient and hunneccessary piece of scoddish miss…..direction.
HH
WINNING CAPTAINS
Couldnt agree more, RD going to be under so much more pressure next season with the re-introduction of that mob. We should be so far out of sight of them just now but on any given day it’s hard to predict how we’ll perform. Hope he’s up to it
HH
KEVJUNGLE on 2ND FEBRUARY 2016 9:14 AM
Paul 67
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If, Colin turns out half as good a Leigh then, Celtic have won a watch….imho.
Here’s hoping.
Hail Hail
………………………………….
Only time will tell….
Fisiani,
Deila is responsible for playing the duds that are Ambrose,Lustig,Armstrong and Johansen.
Aided and abetted by Lawwell,Park and the other clueless clowns in the stand.
That’s where the blame lies.To say otherwise yer kidding yourself on.