Ronny Deila will see his international players begin a staggered return to Lennoxtown today as he prepares for two away games: in Motherwell and Molde. If Leigh Griffiths’ modest calf strain is the only injury the manager will have to worry about, he’ll be delighted.
The injury which occupies most fans is the sprained ankle which has kept Jozo Simunovic from playing since making his debut a month ago. Celtic’s greatest need right now is consistency of selection in defence. We need to allow a first choice central defensive pairing to become established, and that’s almost certainly going to involve Jozo, our most expensive signing 8 years.
Jozo’s partner is likely to be Dedryck Boyata. Dedryck has played 18 games this season. His career total prior to arriving at Celtic was 32 games, a low tally for a player who turns 25 next month.
The early season form Dedryck demonstrated was patchy, but with only 32 games stretching over five years, there’s lots about the game the player is still picking up, not least of all playing meaningful games in front of thousands of fans. He was caught-out by a fast bounce at Hamilton but since representing Belgium in a European Championship qualifier against Bosnia last month I think there’s been a perceptible improvement.
For some years now we’ve talked about how many games a player needs to have played for your scouts to decide he’s a genuine talent, but before the wealthy English step in. Dedryck, and Jozo, are still a dozen games short of the mark Wanyama, Hooper and van Dijk were when they became Celtic players. Which means the next few months should tell us lots.
Don’t bet against them establishing a very strong partnership.
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Hail hail
HAIL HAIL THE CELTS ARE HERE!!!!!
proudbhoy on 11th October 2015 2:01 pm
_______________________
A well timed visit to the site to check on the amount of damage inflicted by the Hootenanny Marauders proved to be very rewarding, thanks to your Curragh tip.
Beer voucher collection significantly multiplied.
Many Thanks, Proudboy.
Afternoon all.
HH!!
I hate international football cant wait for the proper stuff to return this weekend
PAUL67
I’ve high hopes for both the players you mention.
Both of whom are clearly inexperienced.
We have an established first-choice central defender for a top international team and we slaughter him.
Strange thing,this fitba.
It would be reassuring to catch a glimpse of our new Croatian signing against Motherwell.
BMCUW
magic to catch up on Sat,
i will hear the end of your teacher story next time :))))))
I met some great new folk on sat ,thanks to CQN & yer hootenanny
GRUMPHYAULDKILBOWIEKELT
Ah,jeez. It’s good to see you back posting again,bud.
Hope yer keeping well.
.
Boobby..
My Wee Ghirl in Oz has just been rushed into Hospital suspected Appendicitis..Trying to sort out Rented Car..Change of Airport etc to Fly back..
So Defo Not going to Molde Now..i will email you when l know whats Happening..
Cheers
Paul, let’s hope those two establishing a very strong partnership, enables us to have a solid defensive unit and we can cut out our problems at the back.
Onwards and upwards.
COYBIG.
Summa of sammi
you and yer lass are in my thoughts,
safe home sir
LEFTCLICKTIC
Yer kidding,yer ears must have been bleeding from the first part of it.
Promise not to reprise it on ‘wur trip doon the watter wi the wee man’.
That should be a joy. I’m thinking of showing him the famous horizontal trees in Troon. TALLYBHOY will confirm that these exist,nothing to do with my view of them after a couple or more…
Geordie
Aye, at least we were in a “proper” group where the teams all finished where they were supposed to (unfortunately).
Just noticed too that Norway finished just behind Italy. A timely warning before our double-header with Molde coming up. There should be no complacency here.
Haw Grumphy………!
………long time no-see.
Hope you are well?
HH
Billy bhoy,
The two of them slug it out tomorrow for top spot. Norway might still win the group.
Molde are no mugs….Unless we beat them… then they’ll be a pub team as per usual ;)
HH
Summa of Sammi
Hope all goes well bud! HH
SUMMA OF SAMMI
Sorry take hear that about your wee lassy
Thoughts and prayers bud
HH
Paul67
Totally agree, and I also think the whole back four have done great so far, and that’s with lots of chopping and changing either through injury or suspension, yet some complain still.
In my opinion, another couple of weeks and we will be a force to be recond with.
Unfortunately that will upset a few agendas in here, but who cares?
I know I don’t. Celtic keep winning, they are fryer tucked. HH
Lurking Huns GIRFUYs
“Don’t bet against them establishing a very strong partnership.”
————
Let’s hope so Paul. We really need to try to get a settled CD pairing, more so given Lustig’s inability to play every game.
Geordie
Never noticed they’re not finished yet in that group.
I’m sitting by the pool in the Algarve trying to read despite the glare on my Kindle.
It’s not actually that sunny. I could be sitting outside in Ardrossan when I look up at the cloudy sky.
Anyway,getting dragged away for lunch now.
From Perma-rage to Parma-rage, it seems, over on CalcioQuickNews
BMCUW
The weemhans reading has taken off,
this morning he came in and picked up the wee book
ÇelticFC
On this day book by David Potter.
Its yours i told him
woooooooooohooooooooooo
was his reaction,he is walking about with it as proud as punch
pricelessCSC
on this day
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 1959
A large crowd comes to Parkhead to see the hanselling of the floodlights in a game against Wolverhampton Wanderers,
Unfortunately Celtic lose 2-0 to a talented side of Stan Cullis, but everyone is duly impressed by the brilliance of the new Parkhead floodlights whose pylons ,reputed to be among the highest in the world,will now become one of the landmarks of the East End of Glasgow.
aye i had to look up hanselling :))))))
SUMMA OF SAMMI
That’s not good news at all,mate. You take care of business,family first as we all know.
I hope she’s absolutely fine and dandy and I just want to say it was a pleasure meeting you.
If my niece gets all her goals in life,her daft uncle might pop over for a visit.
See you then!
Meantime…
HH,bruv.
Like everyone else I hope they establish a solid paring. Big Derek worries me though seems to get to close to his opponent. Big Hartson can turn quicker than him. Hopefully it’s a settling in period. Was surprised to read he’s nearly 25 looks very raw for that age. Time will tell.
Good to see Efe scoring for Nigeria . Worth a try as a striker for us?
“the new Parkhead floodlights whose pylons ,reputed to be among the highest in the world”
Lefty,
I hope they weren’t too high. Not wanting them in the flight path of them pesky German bombers ;)
HH
This just occurred to me. Someone on here suggested that Efe’s abilities may be better suited to a defensive midfield role a la Victor Wanyama, rather than central defence, where any occasional lapses in concentration might not be punished every time, by losing a goal. His less than perfect arial skills would also not be such an issue in that position, as opposed to central defence. His pace in a central defensive position would be a great asset, and he does like to step out of defence with the ball. The flaw in the plan is that Broonie and Nir are our best players. However I think Efe and Broonie could dovetail well together.
What we have been lacking up front is lack of forward movement from the front infield three, in the sense that they just constantly pass sideways, hoping to find an opening. If the opposing team are vigilant, and stick to their jobs, the openings never just appear. We need a central front midfielder, who can a) Make a bit of space for himself, and b) Pick a FORWARD pass. Johanson is not that player. Biton might be. So…………. Flog Johanson, and use the dosh to fund new long term contracts for Biton and Efe. As an aside, we would not have to suffer looking at Johansons whinging coupon :-))
⚽️ Love Celtic
Morning all
For those who wrote a few words for Tony’s Book, we thought you’d like to learn a wee bit more about how it came about. A short link for a short piece.
http://wp.me/p6DYht-53
That old convergence of coincidental happenstance.
No One Walks Alone
SUMMA OF SAMMI
Good thoughts and best wishes for your girls’ speedy recovery.
It was good to meet and talk with you on Saturday
HH
Decided to cash a bet out yesterday when Hungary were 3-2 up,those nice people at Bet Victor paid out in full :} ,1 minute later Greece equalised and went on to win 4-3
Well that’s a week done in Grenada ( Carribean) and now it’s onto Barbados, as my Whife and I celebrate 31 years of bliss :-))
Hooootenaniers, great to see you all had a fantastic time
Right 25min flight to catch
Hail Hail
GRUMPHY AULD KILBOWIE KELT on 12TH OCTOBER 2015 12:21 PM
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No problem , haven’t a clue about the horses but mate seemed pretty confident so glad few on here made some beer tokens off it.
I’m told it is running on Friday again.. Working long hours so only get on very quickly once a day. I will get the details of the race posted when I hear more.
Weet Weet Weet
How are you keeping,hope you and the family are well.
Big Bada Bing says he was talking to you at the Hootenanny on Saturday,wish I could have been there.HH.
Cowiebhoy
Enjoy sir
and yer good lhadys medal is in the post.:))))))
Just too many errors in that last post to correct. Blame the meds.
Central defensive = central defensive midfield.
Front infield three = front midfield three
Hi Zico
I’m fine pal
The big man was saying your Mrs. Had a prang
Tell her I was asking for her
Hope to see you when your back
All the best I
HH
Afternoon Cowiebhoy
Thanks for letting us all know where Grenada is. Is that just in case we think you’re at Granada ( Manchester)
Enjoy the second week of your love-a-thon with Mrs Cowiebhoy :-)
HH
CRC