Jozo, medicals and a midfielder

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Reports that Jozo Simunovic may have failed his medial (not always a euphemism for rejecting a derisory contract offer) at Torino come as little surprise, but will be a distraction to Celtic as they had backfill offers ready to move. The player is fit, but will need to put a season together which demonstrates this beyond all doubt.

Some insight into what failing a medical can sometimes mean might be useful:

Medicals provide an overview of a player’s condition.  When an issue appears, as will often happen by default for a previously injured player, an alert is raised.  The buying club can then instruct a more detailed examination of the player.  Celtic occasionally send players to London for a second examination for this purpose.   Even then, with the best medical opinion money can buy, you are presented with no more than an opinion.

Whatever the first or second examination determines, the information is presented to the club, who have a decision to make.  If the player’s VO2 Max isn’t where it should be, but he’s not trained for six months, they might be prepared to take the chance.  Clubs seldom get a scan which reveals something as decisive as a piece of bone hanging off.  An evidence based but subjective view is taken.  Turino may be here right now.

The Jozo situation is symptomatic of the problems and opportunities of deadline day. If Jozo stays, another player, his club and agent, will only now be looking for an alternative move if Celtic is no longer an option. That will seriously annoy those concerned but this is the nature of the day, and creates opportunities for others.

Our principle target to add to the squad (not to swap like-for-like) is a midfielder. We’ve been working on this for a while but the nature of the target is such that there can be no guarantees, even at this stage.

What I can repeat is that despite what has again been reported (and at the risk of standing on a lonely ledge), Celtic have no idea where the James McCarthy story came from. It didn’t come from them and there is nothing in it.

Stay tuned!

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414 Comments

  1. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    The money being spent in England on transfers is just stupid and Celtic just cannot get involved we may get an odd player like Sinclair but we must look at other cheaper markets. I dont know if we will bring in anyone else before the window closes but we must look for value for money we are at the beginning of Brendans rebuilding and in my opinion it doesnt have to all be done in one transfer window. H.H.

  2. JFH

     

     

    Given how poor we were in the Zionist state I think it is imperative we strengthen one more position and that is a solid MF. We have bought the RB we hope will fill that position. But the MF is required.

     

     

    Get that I will be happy no matter the red or black of it.

     

     

    Iniesta or Xavi or Rodriguez or Koos. One of those guys would be good.

     

     

    MWD

  3. Sounds like Jozo deal still alive, 2 part medical passed, personal terms being discussed, according to SSN.

  4. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Thomthetim

     

     

    Glad u posted , I mentioned it last night but didn’t do the link

     

    My nephew doing the climb for my da

     

    Charlie Gallagher also going with a cup with big ears I understand.☘☘

  5. Bless……….

     

     

    Earl of Leven

     

    Earl of Leven is online now I can hear you Clem Fandango

     

     

    Join Date

     

    07-08-2006

     

    Posts

     

    98,435

     

     

    Default Remember – another reason for the anger is the lack of any justice

     

     

    People are rightly saying:

     

     

    “Well, even if they get NIAR…as long as we build foundations, and get a better youth system people should relax. Board doing what they can…”

     

     

    That is not reality…and let’s remember that psychology is behind a lot of the reaction. People are angry…angry about the constant bad press, the constant made-up bullshit about sectarianism, the 4 years in the wilderness, the shit merch deal, the debts, and the lack of ANYONE being held accountable other than us. We were demoted, we went to Alloa 167 times in 4 seasons (it felt that way). Murray? Bain? Green? Whyte? Ashley? Walking the streets and not giving a single f*** about us…we’re angry.

     

     

    Neither team was ever supposed to get NIAR again…and suddenly we were holed below waterline and to this day no-one really knows how, why or when we get justice. I tend to follow these events, and tend to take a pride in having being on the right track for years re the shysters at our club….but even I have know f***ing idea why the ONLY punishment meted out so far is to us fans.

     

     

    Try and forgive….and understand….we want normality, and even that seems elusive.

  6. The Battered Bunnet on

    You don’t half read some mad rumours on transfer deadline day.

     

     

    I read one earlier to the effect that Jozo Simunovic had passed a medical. FFS.

  7. we really really need a central midfielder in.

     

     

    I just watched the Aberdeen game again there and broony and bitton are rank rotten together.

     

    as last season also proved.

     

    we need one, more likely another 2 to partner broony or bitton or we will take a scuddin in CL

     

     

    happy with everythin else, so just gee us a CMid please pedro/brendan

  8. Nae mair donkey’s, nor coos and definitely nae mair Asses.

     

     

    Hee, haw. In Brendan we trust.

  9. cigalasporfavor on

    Cam doon lads,I just seen that picture of Bastien Schwansteiger,s burd…I,m sure she gave me a mischievous wink?

  10. Blantyrekev @15.32 hrs.

     

     

    Unfortunately we shared that same pane with the Huns mark 1.

     

     

    HH.

  11. Jack Wilshere’s move to Roma broken down, AC Milan reportedly interested.

     

    Reports that during the medical the doc tapped Wilshere’s knee to check reflexes and he is now out until Christmas unconfirmed.

  12. Personally I don’t care if we sing ANOTHER player this window.

     

    A goalkeeper, two defenders, two midfielders and a striker so far.

     

    Will another midfielder make a difference in the SPFHell?

     

    Will another midfielder help us qualify for the EL or latter stages of the CL?

     

    I think the answer to both is a resounding NO.

     

    Our manager and baxk room staff will have their work cut out incorporating 6 new players into an already bloated squad.

     

    Let’s blood youngsters like McGregor, Henderson etc during the season particularly following difficult European ties.

  13. The transfer market is absolutely mad today. Lots of activity as per the norm on last day. In that respect, Celtic are no different to lots, and lots and even more lots of teams.

     

     

    HH.

  14. GlassTwoThirdsFull on

    !!Bada Bing!! on 31st August 2016 2:59 pm

     

     

     

    Mickael Kadlek spotted in Greggs Lennoxtown

     

    ———

     

    Sharing a sausage roll with Riquelme?

  15. gg

     

    the answer is a resounding yes

     

    the central midfield we have is rank

     

    it need fixed asap and to not do so

     

    would be foolish.

     

    watching brown and bitton continually

     

    pass the ball backwards on Saturday

     

    was torture…

  16. mike in toronto on

    I would have liked a cm (in fact I think we desperately need one)… but I wasn’t too upset about things …. that is, until I read Cigaolosporfavour’s post @ 3:43 ….

     

     

    CPF … having read your post …. I am fuming at you/incandescent with rage!!!!!! …..

     

     

    Why is the lovely Ana Ivanovic winking at you, and NOT ME?!!!!

     

     

    :)

  17. mike in toronto on

    Rt. Rev …..

     

     

    bang on, my friend.

     

     

    We desperately need a new CM at Celtic Park ….

     

     

    and Ana Ivanovic!

     

     

    So, Schweinsteiger it is!

     

     

    HH

  18. GlassTwoThirdsFull on

    Someone tell me Charlie Adam is a joke.

     

    I mean I know he’s a joke, but we’re not really after him are we?

  19. Just to confirm, Jozo Simunovic passed his medical with Torino. Talks continue over his transfer from Celtic @BBCSportScot

     

     

    Daily Radar said he failed, full of s*** as per.