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.
821 Comments- Pages:
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Tricoloured Ribbon on 3rd February 2016 11:54 am
TRADITIONALIST,
Pretty sure Ronny said they were available.
Whether they play or not is another matter..
======
Cheers
HH
MR PASTRY on 3RD FEBRUARY 2016 11:43 AM
‘God help us if those who want fan ownership ever get their way’
####
Are you suggesting that The Great Desmondo is not a Celtic fan?
Might explain his non attendance right enough.
It’s a 50/50 blog so far today, 50% really want a good game from us an a win tonight, the other 50% are on a roll since the semi on Sunday they’ve been waiting on it for weeks, and now the agenda is in overdrive, everything related to Celtic is getting it in the neck, and they really couldent give a fryer tuck what tonight’s result is (although a loss would be a great help to they’r pathetic cause) Celtic supporters my ass , The are of the Smithsonian of fools.
“If young Roberts is trutly deserving of ‘the English Messi’ label, then unleash him on the Sheep with Broon looking after his back”
Sandman,
A similar comment could be made toward Young Aiden. Didn’t even make the Partick bench.
I have no fact or figures to back this up but in my expert experience (smileything) only players from a higher standard league who have been playing first team football regularly go straight into the team.
HH
I see Janko’s back in training.Still think there’s a player in that fella-IF he can stay fit.
I would love to see Efe getting the winner tonight.
Weeminger,
Also liking your guarded estimate, I’d expect the reduction in corporate tickets would make that figure a lot higher.
Geordie Munro
That’s the type of player we require then.
TT
THEMAESTRO72 on 3RD FEBRUARY 2016 12:05 PM
I would love to see Efe getting the winner tonight.
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Preferably for Celtic.
Newly signed players in England went straight in last night.
I would expect the same from us.
HH.
Top of the league ,big game tonight and some on here and elsewhere want our manager sacked,unbelievable .
How many league cups did Big Jock lose ? I know I was at every one,never once did I want him sacked.
Support your club don’t play the media game.3-0 to the good guys.
Lustig has to cover Johny Hayes ….none of this standing about dreaming until he gets the ball out on the wing then going to him……mark him throughout the game
Tiny Tim,
Defo,
Or certainly a balance of the two. More quality and less punts.
HH
Is efe free from suspension tonight?
Tia
HH
topkat on 3rd February 2016 12:13 pm
Lustig has to cover Johny Hayes ….none of this standing about dreaming until he gets the ball out on the wing then going to him……mark him throughout the game
===============
Doggedly,
HH
If Ronnie is such a poor manager then why do the meeja want him sacked…..surely they would him still as manager…..until such times their favourite club gets promoted or busted
http://etims.net/?p=8583
new article posted.
“they would want him as manager”
Looking forward to game. Hopefully bounce back. Will be tough considering our unsettled defence. Would be surprised if we saw PR or CKR start tonight but may be on the bench to make an appearance. Thinking 3-1 but rarely get these correct!
HH
Tony Donnely67
eh Tony,those who you are posting bout cant see you!
those who can, like myself are seeing a list of ad hominem attacks on people you cant see.Also if you dont like any of the newsnow content dont give it the oxgen of posting it would be the logical path(that goes for the rekkkkord and evening hun guff too)
i do not think you are defending Celtic,if you were you would take their arguement,disect it and give a general critique to fellow Celtic fans who are your equal.
The day dissent and criticism for Celtics betterment is stinted is the day this club stops being the dynamic and all encompassing club we are.
play the man not the ball,there is no agenda on any side,except to make our club better
remember if dissent in our club had not been followed in 1994 you and i would not be conversing today
due to the actions of Michael Kelly and his ilk
Your posts bout Celtic,your experiences(your brothers seat etc) are some of the best Celtic posts,as they are bout your experience of Celtic and as one of the older posters i know you have plenty more in there and thats what i come onto read
hail hail to you
:-)
Jimmnotpaul
Cheers for the LD update,much appreciated.its a pity he appears to be niggled by injury.I know when he went out to East Stirling it did his confidence the world of good as he was getting responsibility and taking it on board.i hope he makes it :-)
Re bellarmine,Aye big Ped done ok coming from it and makin a path to our board,ma wee primary done better as thats now 2 board members wi Chris Mackay our noo F.D takin over from Eric Riley so dont mess wi the vinnies hehe.
hope you well mate
hail hail to you
:-)
I think we have contested 29 League Cup Finals,and won 15,Big Jock`s teams were winners 6 times ,in that period we reached 14 League Cup Finals in a row losing the other 8.
We haven`t won the Treble since 2001 courtesy of MON.
Jock Stein won 2 Trebles in the 9IAR era,
Amaruso won 2 Trebles in 6 years with diedco.
Reality is a Bitch.in hindsight.
HH