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.
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BLANTYRETIM
Should we rename him Oldrascal?
Kitalba, the point I was making is that Celtic had identified targets that weren’t available because the holding club wouldn’t sell.
In attempted to illustrate that my offering my opinion on what I thought was a plausible explanation of how the “Dembele to Chelsea” story could have went.
Chelsea wanted to buy; Celtic didn’t want to sell. The seller holds the aces in this scenario.
What we do is not being driven by other clubs. I’m happy with that!
All IMHO.
Still surprised you felt ridiculed. That wasn’t the intention.
KTF F
Probably a good window for Celtic
Would like to have seen more of the deadwood out the door and maybe a winger. Hopefully we have a nice suprise in the summer regarding Paddy Roberts
..
MACJAY1 Said:
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
..
MacJay..
Sorry but I doubt there is a Country or Race in the World that has Not committed crimes against Women..
The Sydney Siege was by a Madman.. Not Mentally I’ll just a Madman plain and Simple.. see Anthony Hamilton Dunblane.. The fact he was Iranian was just Part of his Paranoia.. Hope You seen today that His Girlfriend was Jailed for 35 Years for Stabbing his Wife nearly 40 times resulting in her death.. Nearly a Year before Man Manus took Hostages in Sydney.. and Remember he was a Accomplice so was looking at Life in Prison.. also..
So we have a Iranian Woman killing a Iranian woman because of a Iranian Man.. who because he was facing life.. Kills Australians and Tourists in the Name of Isis..
Even the Flag he took didn’t even spell Isis correct never mind say Isis..
Poor Show MacJay using this to make a Point..
Ps.. My Next door Neighbour is Iranian.. His Name is Kevin.. lol
Summa
Macjay, presenting Pink Floyd (or Syd Barrat) as riding on the cost-tails of The Beatles is stretching it more than just a bit!
Chemicals had far more to do with it than Lennon or McCartney!
KTF
Coat tails even!
KTF
blantyretim
Think we could work something out! We will need to find out timetables and deadlines for any possible contributions, maybe Paul67 would be able to help out there. It is a great idea BT, I can see it now;
‘Tales from Old Tim’. Never knew he was a wine drinker mind you, has he got a secret store hidden away?
ERNIE LYNCH on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 2:07 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 2:01 PM
‘Elected democratically.’
##
By a minority of those who voted.
============================================================
Suddenly a supporter of the democratic process ?
Where was your democratically based outrage about the fifty odd year unelected fraternal duo……….
Fidel and Raul Castro ?
Power comes out of the barrel of a gun ? ( Courtesy Chairman Mao )
Or just lost in translation ?
Blatant hypocrisy.
But what would one expect from Ernesto ( Che Guevara ) Lynch ?
AKA Ernie Lynch.
Just about to leave . Here is my predicted team for tonight:
Gordon
Lustig Simunovic Boyata Tierney
Forrest Brown Biton McGregor Sinclair
Roberts or Dembele.
Mind you, Brendan surprised me on Sunday so, will tonight`s be another bold selection?
Cheerio for now. Paradise beckons.
JJ
SUMMA OF SAMMI…. on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 2:52 PM
No polemic against Iranians.
That would be racist.
I simply countered the earlier video which is used to make an anti Trump point by addressing the other side of the coin.
Man Monis . His dead ex wife, and her this day convicted murderess.
Incidentally he was out on bail too.
Simple issue.
Vet your immigrants with extreme care.
Precisely what Trump is doing.
BTW. I have an Iranian pal too.
Kitalba
Brendan said “6 months to identify targets only to find out they are not available in the window” does not mean targets were identified 6 month ago as we had to assess what we had.
Re Lisbon.
I was in Merchant Navy sailing up west coast to dock at Liverpool, close enough to pick up on tele. Only jock on the boat everyone shook my hand and congratulated me/Celtic on being CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE.
Was at Milan but did not make Seville, here’s hoping I see another European Final and let the young ones enjoy Celtic as much as have. Even before big Jock took over
HH
When I pointed out to Ernie that brit MP’s are no elected fairly, I was told that I was too think to converse with him.
He sure disny like losing a point does the bold Ernie, me thinks in reality, the roles are reversed……….
IMO gender equality is non negotiable in this country.
Plenty of cliches about women drivers, but should we welcome heads of state or royality from countries that simply do not allow woman to drive?
I’ll even drive the wife to the march.
Anyway enough of that, the famous Glasgow Celtic are playing tonight.
COYBIG.
WTF???
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwj9qubAmu_RAhWDJMAKHYZlDIwQhlQIHjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FLADFLEG%2Fstatus%2F826421123101368322&usg=AFQjCNFI7dd9ygtNAxFMj-LYAoJp9tL7hQ
Majcay…,
The occupied north of Ireland counties after Cuba is a more relevant and better example for your argument, not surprised you never use it though.
Are we all arguing with each other?
Aww, that’s nice.
Is Armstrong fit for tonight? Are his arms THAT strong? Really?
What about Griff? Is he primed to run his wee legs off after the kick up the bottom? How wee are his legs?
Various other questions too…
P.S. I missed transfer deadline day on here – were there lists?
Celticmac
He has a wine collection in the spare room as well as every other alcohol drink known to man
Maybe someone will give him back the banner which he gave to a couple of Portuguese bhoys when we scored the second
He lives in hope of finding it in May by going into every bar in the city……. :-))
Whaws like us???? H H
Oh wait, contemporary imperialism doesn’t quite suit your agenda does it
Cuba was not a democracy prior to Castro so your point used as evidence is moot but I’m sure that dead horse needs a bit more flogging
blantyrtim
It was a rhetorical question. You know there are pictures of the banner, (somewhere), before they left for Lisbon. That might be be a good starting point. Not sure if OldTim has got them though!
BLANTYRETIM IS PRAYING FOR THE KNOX FAMILY
my brother did same thing. he ran on to the park and fell.a guy stole his hat’ so he hands his banner to another guy to hold for him and chases after first guy.both lost.
his banner…
we’ve come a long way to pip HERRERA.
CELTIC CHA CHA CHA.
EASY JOCKY SYEIN.
on an IRISH FLAG obviously.
emdy oot there want to own up.you can keep it but we would like to see it again on 25th may.will buy you all the drink you can handle all day.
SUMMA OF SAMMI…. on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 12:48 PM
Talking about Youngsters coming to Celtic and being Helped to Settle in..It’s maybe only 10 -12 Years since Young Celtic signings would be stay with Families in Bellshill to help them settle into life in the west of Scotland from wherever they came.
*a few years back I was hame on holiday and up at the ground one morning to pick up tickets for a game, I believe it was Phil O’Donnell’s debut at Firhill.
On leaving I noticed the team bus parked at the main entrance, pulling out of the parking lot I observed some young lhads, tastefully attired in shirt, tie and blazers, walking down the side streets, popping intae a wee shop and coming out with what looked like bags of crisps and bottles of ginger for the journey.
When I got home I found it the reserves were playing up at Aberdeen that afternoon/night. Not the best of dietary preparation for the long journey.
STEIN. ffs.
Davidopolous
Lol
Are we all arguing?
Aw thats nice.
:-)
HH
He did mention that papers attended when they left, maybe in some archives of Grangemouth weekly … hmmmm
Fav uncle
Sounds like a plan….
“Power comes out of the barrel of a gun ? ( Courtesy Chairman Mao )”,
Aye Chairman Mao came up with that idea :OD)))))))
50 years without a vote in Cuba the living democracy, tell us, how many years did it take Australia or South Africa to get a vote, how did that work out for the locals ?
KITALBA on 1ST FEBRUARY 2017 1:19 PM
FESS19:
I watched the Lisbon game on TV. I was at the Milan game.
*Likewise
missed the Seville game. I did watch it on TV though.
I had just gone through a 5 hour procedure to correct an atrial flutter the Friday before. Really glad that I had it done then as probably might not have survived the game.
In 1993 my mammy brought me back a flag from Lisbon when Celtic played Sporting. It doesn’t fit the description of any of the missing flags being discussed here. As such, I can confirm that I do not have your flag.
Doyouhaveaflag?CSC
“You namby pamby European tree huggers and your terrorist loving ideas.
If you dont like Trump go back to Dublin where you belong!”
….bout an hour ago
Do an internet speed test. Upload and download speed equates to power nowadays.
HH.
Power comes from protein shakes.
Every millennial knows it…
Tactical voting was a hot topic a few years ago.
Would us losing to Aberdeen tonight be a big disappointment, especially as it would give them an advantage over our cheating down river opponents?
Not that I would advocate such a policy, but should it happen and should events in Edinburgh go our way, I wouldn’t shed too many tears.
Macjay..,
When it comes to democracy you exemplify the Dunning-Kruger effect.
BT-
“He lives in hope of finding it in May by going into every bar in the city……. :-))”
What’s Oldtim going to do with the rest of his day then?
Gordon
Kieran
Erik
Jozo
Gamboa/lustig
Brown
Sinclar
Mc greggor
Forrest
Leigh
Wee jack
HH
HooahmistCsc
Re last night’s post re the hotel,nothing concrete yet :0,a guy who worked on the existing ticket office,said they were doing a lot of ground tests around the TO area,and he heard it was for a hotel,with the TO moving to beside the LL Stand