You and I have been through a number of transfer windows in our day but none have been like January 2017. Tens of millions of pounds were on the table for Celtic, while incredible wage terms were dangled in front of agents, but Celtic declined to sell and the players knuckled down and got on with it.
That wasn’t always the case, Kelvin Wilson in particular, springs to mind, as does Stan Petrov. Moussa, Craig and Erik were all happy to get on with the job of setting records and picking up medals.
Celtic’s decision not to sell is easier to explain. Moussa Dembele has three and a half years remaining on his current deal, Celtic can afford to allow the player to mature and perhaps even appreciate in value.
The offer for Craig Gordon was significant for a 34-year-old keeper who was dropped earlier this season, but we’ve not been in the market for a goalkeeper and were not prepared to shop blind.
The project under Brendan has gone superbly well. We will earn circa £50m more than our nearest domestic challenger this season, a considerably pick-up on our position a year ago, so money isn’t an overbearing constraint on team development. This biggest challenge in that space is player recruitment.
To this end, last month saw the arrival of 19-year-old central midfielder, Eboue Kouassi (or Jules Christ Kouassi Eboue, to give him the most Sunday of all Sunday names).
I hear good things about Eboue, specifically that he’s first team-ready, but a note of caution. The outstandingly successful Victor Wanyama was also 19 when he arrived. Even though Victor only had to make the short cultural journey from Belgium to Scotland, it still took him six months to look like a player.
Eboue may trap sooner, but the lad only turned 19 in December and has a lot of change going on in his life right now. A settling in period will be needed.
We’ll talk more about Eboue’s recruitment later, but the key observation to make is that he’s played fewer games than most players we’ve paid that kind of money for, and he’s played most of his football in a Black Sea resort city.
Another of our teenage targets this month remained where he was after a different club had a €10m bid rejected – and he wasn’t valued by Celtic any differently than Eboue. Not only is transfer fee and wage inflation well established, the expectation is that significant inflation will continue for a while yet.
Inflationary expectations have real world consequences, such as Celtic (and smaller clubs) rejecting incredible offers for players they could not dream of getting a year ago. This scenario is very reminiscent of the period from the 1990s until the ITV Digital collapse in 2002.
Back then you could buy a flop and sell him at a profit and sell your successes at a huge mark-up. This market fuelled the bonfire Sir David Murray built under Rangers. The ITV Digital collapse deflated the market slightly, while the 2004 enlargement of the European Union kept prices suppressed for a while longer (a temporary effect).
Many clubs had to cut back for a while; most survived. Most, not all.
Lisbon Lions documentary
The BBC have commissioned a 60-minute documentary to mark the 50th anniversary of Lisbon. The plan is not to go over old ground, but to tell the fans’ story – which is where you come in.
I’ve me the director (known to these pages back in the day) and he’s asked if those of us who were around at the time to come forward and tell our stories. There are few times we are able to contribute to what will be a film of record, documenting the lives of people during a historic event.
If you or someone you know enjoys telling the Lisbon story, it’s time to tell it. This is from the company making the programme:
It’s 50 years since the greatest moment in Scottish football history and BBC / IMG are paying tribute – with a special 60 minute documentary to celebrate the all-conquering Celtic team of 1967.
This Lisbon Lions documentary will interweave fantastic archive, revealing interviews with key players, and pay tribute to the great Jock Stein.
But this is not Football Focus. It’s not all about tactics, results and refereeing decisions. We’re very keen to hear from fans who remember the game, the build-up, the journey and the atmosphere – both watching at home in Glasgow and in Lisbon.
It’s a social history, a chance to recall that amazing team, and the community that forged them, and what it meant to the city.
Stories, recollections and – dare I say it – old photos / footage from the attic – all welcome….please email us glasgow67@img.com and we’ll get back to you when we can.
The documentary will be broadcast on BBC Scotland later this year.
181 Comments- Pages:
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Paul67
Great idea regarding Lisbon Documentary.
Wish I would of thought of that :)
HH
KITALBA on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:12 PM
The only thing I offered an opinion on was it was not very professional to spend 6 months researching to fail.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
The only thing I offered was my thoughts and opinion it; realms of fantasy? No, just my take on the speculation. I never commented on your thoughts that it was a semantic minefield or your opinion that it was not very professional behaviour by some at the club.
However, you seemed to think it was appropriate to disabuse me of my “fantasy” opinion. That’s not debate nor opinion; it’s an attempt to prevent me expressing my opinion if it differs from yours.
KTF
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:15 PM
I do.
KTF
Overall quite happy with this window. Sounded like Brendan wanted one or two more in, but we have filled the position that most needed to be filled, which can’t be bad.
Ajer, Christie and McCart out on loan getting games is good. Have high hopes for McCart from what I’ve seen.
Be good to see the likes of Henderson and MacKay-Steven getting some games before the end of the season to see if they can make it.
Still plenty of time to add to the squad in the early summer. The last CL qualifier is the only one that should be a stretch and that’s not until August.
Lyrical genius:
So you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it’s sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again.
The sun is the same in a relative way but you’re older,
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.
KTF
..
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:05 PM
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:02 PM
Kit, we’ll leave it there as you aren’t really open to debate or discussion it seems.
KTF
================================================================
Please , guys.
I really enjoy the contributions you both make.
..
VF (Sorry I don’t write Names I don’t have a Scooby what they Mean)..
I concur with MacJay..
Unless You are Building a New Townhouse in the Brisbane area.. if so..
Go for Your Life as You will get the Foundations for Free.. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Summa of GodiMissIntrecontinentalConcreteTuckDebatesOnCQNCSC
Ps.. Yir No Tam are Ye..? ****
Innocent until proven guilty in The Land of the Free.
https://mobile.twitter.com/malonebarry/status/826307519412838400
VFR800:
I posted a verbatim copy of an interview, you then address me with regards that interview whereby you engage me in bold to then go off on a fantasy tangent vis-a-vis Dembele and Chelsea, which I had noteven mentioned. I had no idea what you were trying to imply from your fantasy post beyond my personal perceived inference of ridicule.
..
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:26 PM
Lyrical genius:
So you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it’s sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again.
The sun is the same in a relative way but you’re older,
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.
..
Can I ask You why You posted that or the Meaning..?
Serious Question..
001
SUMMA OF SAMMI…. on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:18 PM
Mate.
Back certainties .
Buy quids.
But don`t take my advice. :-)
In truth , I`m just hanging out for another episode of the Brendan story.
Seven hours hence.
Summa, i’m no’ Tam!
But I suppose I’m one o’ Jock Tamson’s bairns!
KTF
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:26 PM
Lyrical genius:
=================================
Agreed.
Who ?
Kitalba, there was no inference of ridicule, and I’m very surprised that you took any.
It was simply my belief that Celtic and Chelsea were probably having some discussion with Chelsea looking to see if there was an option to buy and Celtic being steadfast in their refusal to sell.
The emboldened text was to highlight what I took to be the most salient line in the quote.
No more, no less.
If i wish to ridicule, I tend not to be oblique!
KTF
Sixty minutes for the documentary won’t be enough if some of the guys on here are going to contribute.
Some posts are longer than that , not mentioning any names :-)
Summa, it’s just what I’m listening to at the moment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwYX52BP2Sk
As I said, lyrical genius (IMHO).
KTF
Macjay: Mason, Waters, Wright and Gilmour. Minus Barret of course.
KTF
VFR800 :
But I was not ever talking about Dembele or Chelsea, why you chose to introduce it was beyond me.
What Chelsea do does not dictate what Celtic have to do, at least I sincerely hope it doesn’t.
KITALBA on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:43 PM
VFR800 :
What Chelsea do does not dictate what Celtic have to do, at least I sincerely hope it doesn’t.
____________________________
My point entirely; we got there in the end!
KTF
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:28 PM
Bobby.
Painful to watch.
Painful also to see that recording and the pain of that person being used as a political weapon against the legally elected president of the U.S.
If you wish , I can , with ease , point you to crimes committed recently by Iranians in Australia.
Crimes in particular against women but also the comparatively recent siege in central Sydney.
But VFR, How was I supposed to know the destination called ‘the end’ when I never offered any opinion on Dembele or Chelsea, so never in reality could I deny you any of your fantasy opinions on my non-existent published opinions?
Your track has got me lost.
ACGR:
Just got my UK/USA offshore medical approved for the next 2 years.
KIT, off oot, but I’ll respond later.
KTF
MACJAY:
Individuals within every demographic have committed horrendous. evil, brutal, vicious, nasty crimes. Whataboutary does not ease the pain of the victims and their loved ones.
MACJAY
I’m sure you could. Equally people in England could direct me to evidence of crimes committed by Scots in England.
That wouldn’t rank as a defence of Trump’s actions either.
did anybody else think that window was a pane?
jaikit aff the shoogly nail…….oot
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:43 PM
Oblique is right.
Pink Floyd.
Newbies.
Rode on the back of the Beatles.
:-)
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:55 PM
That wouldn’t rank as a defence of Trump’s actions either.
==========================================================
Trump.
Elected democratically.
Carrying out precisely what he promised to do.
What is your problem ?
Who needs a defence ?
Blame the voters if you must , but not Trump who is doing what he promised to do.
KITALBA on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:54 PM
Individuals ?
Not an individual.
The duly elected president of the U.S.
Keeping his promises.
What`s the problem ?
Good night , sweet Tims.
Big game to look forward to.
Nir Bitton raffle tickets.
Go on, help the poor and the starving — you can do without the curry at the weekend or the M&S dine in for two!!
http://www.ebid.net/uk/for-sale/matchworn-signed-celtic-shirt-with-celtic-charity-foundation-logo-nir-bitton-153619704.htm
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 2:01 PM
‘Elected democratically.’
##
By a minority of those who voted.
All the best to the Celts tonight and the young Celts tomorrow if the development league fixture list is any guide. I wonder in which game Jack Aitchison will see more minutes on the pitch.
This is a night for the bhoys to stand their ground then let football ability win the points. Can’t wait to watch it, literally. Out the door in five.
Celtic forever.
from twitter in case it hasnt been posted already
St Johnstone still selling Celtic end tickets for Sunday, call 01738 455000, tickets sent first class post
ernie lynch
I think it is called a Federal System.
Ernie,
How many MP, s do UKIP have for millions of votes. Or 12.6 % share.
Not that I’m complaining.
It’s the rules, it’s our democracy
Labour have 230 or thereabouts for approximately 30% share. It that fair?
We all know the rules before the game commences.
HH.
Paul67 et al
Was hoping the BBC would do something to commemorate the Lisbon Lions 50th anniversary and pleased that they are about to. The Beeb made “Alfie’s Boys” last year as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup winners. Great documentary, introd by David Jason. More of a traditional style than what seems to being proposed, which sounds more like a vox pop type of a programme. Great news!
Ernie
in uk 2015 electionand labour in scotland got 1 seat for 24% votes SNP 56 for 50%
sad but thems the rules
and when real democracy happens in a uk wide referendum and vote brexit by a clear majority then people still not happy
you cannae win
school run bekons
Celticmac
I spoke to oldtim about Lisbon earlier this afternoon, He doesn’t feel comfortable about writing his escapades down on paper or word for that matter.but would be ok to discuss it with a researcher over several bottles of wine..he has many tales to tell from that trip….
Failing that we could hire a scribe for him……