There should be a slight embarrassment of riches around Celtic today as one of our loan players, Lewis Morgan, picked up his Championship Player of the Year award. The 21-year-old left-mid player signed for Celtic in January but remained a St Mirren player, on loan, until the end of the season.
Lewis is two years younger than Jack Hendry, who signed from Dundee this year, but will share a development play with the central defender, and with goalkeeper Scott Bain (26).
With left-footed-inverted-right-wing Patrick Roberts returning to Manchester City this week and one of our other left-footed wide players, Jonny Hayes, out injured since August, there is a clear opening in the squad for Lewis.
The Champions League qualifiers are (hopefully) a marathon eight games in eight weeks, a period that coincides with the start of the Premiership kick off. During this time the squad will need to reach peak fitness, but remain rested, two conflicting objectives.
Lewis should experience his first competitive action as a Celtic player during this period. There will be around 12 games in those eight weeks, a lot of tired limbs and a corresponding injury profile. For you and me, that’s a worry, but Lewis will know it is his chance to shine.
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Skrtl has nae vowels – looks like he even cheats at scrabble.
Paul67
High hopes for Lewis Morgan ( and Mikey Johnston ) much less so for Ryan Christie and Jonny Hayes in their present positions.
Odsonne Edouard will likely be our ‘big signing’ given we have first option to buy it would be rude not to, with the £100M’s we;ve got from the CL.
A lot depends on whether Moussa will stay keeping together Les Trois Mousquetaires
Where, how do you think we need to strengthen a double treble winning squad?
Skrtel must be great for scrabble – ugly enough to be a hun
BMCUWP.
I hope you reconsider your actions regarding not coming back,You will be missed so much as the blog is getting stricter by the day, it was Paul 67 who decided what happened in the early days,and it was mostly for bad language that he deleted posts, But now with unknown Moderators,You can get deleted by the moderators just becausethey don’t like the tone of your post that most on the blog would think that it was a good post, by the way I never read your post that was taken of the blog, if you used bad language you youself would have accepted it, but if there was no sweary words, the moerator should have had the courage to explain his decision, I suppose that is why they are so secretive.
Anyway if you don’t start posting again I’ll get your old man to give you a foot up the backside and get you back on the blog,We need you to come back,who will organise the hoot in annies that you organise.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE
With Paddy going Lewis and Mikey will get their chance this season to stake their claims for a hooped jersey.
Jack H seems to be earmarked for the RB slot but only when Big Mik decides to call it a day, I can see the Swede holding on to the Polis hat for another season.
Signing Edouard for me should see us covered up front if Moussa stays but I wouldn’t be surprised if we bring a young hungry striker in to be in place for Moussa going or to cover injuries.
Midfield for me hangs on what BR thinks of Kouassi, if he’s being patient with him and bringing him through slowly then I think we’re fairly covered at the back of the midfield.
Centre half is still very much open to questions, Jozo, go or stay, M.I.A. Marvin go or stay.
DB will stay I reckon, K.A still young and a wee bit raw at times, Brendan could cast his glance at the defender prices:))
Can’t wait for the next instalment of Planet Celtic.
Bring on the Qualifiers
HH
Hunderbirds-
https://twitter.com/gibbygibbo1/status/998651156917309448?s=12
Get yersel back on here………..
BMCUW
ThomTheTim
Corky
It seems to me that leaving is counter productive, yous all will be the losers, I and the rest of the blog know none of you want to leave, so why do it, by leaving you are allowing what you are miffed at to win.
I am but a simple Tim, maybes you can enlighten me how by leaving you are helping yourselfs or the blog.
Scroll and ignore, it’s actually quite easy, it shouldny be a bother for any of you three :-)
HH
To honour the incomparable Old Tim (2:26), I believe ( with all due respect to ACGR, the originator of the original term) CQN get-togethers should henceforth be known as: Hoot in Annies.
Whit ye daen the night, Jimmy?
Me ? Ah`m gonnae hae a Hoot in Annie`s. Whit aboot yersel`?
Aye, sounds great. Count me in.Will BMCUW be there?
JJ
STARRY PLOUGH
Think you pretty much summed up our situation well.
Morgan looks like a good piece of business and Johnson excites every time i have seen him play.
Kouassi is a strange one and i think a player of his ilk is vital particularly in Europe to help our defensive shape.
Hendry may develop as a right back but he seems more of a centre half.Ralston looks a more natural successor to Lustig.
Calvin Miller is not a great full back but looks better in a more forward role.I think he should go out on loan.
I thought Regan Hendry looked ready to contribute so if Armstrong leaves i expect he will get game time in an area we are well covered if we keep Christie.
The centre of defense is an area we still need a leader.I hope Bhoyata stays and signs a new deal but we still need a conductor at the back.To often our backline have no awareness of their fellow defenders position.We need someone to call the shots and solidify them as a unit.
This and attack is where we should spend our money.
FAN-A-TIC
I was surprised to see Anthony go out on loan, is he back at the club yet? Seems to me to have the tools for the job.
Hendry doesn’t look like a natural full back that’s for sure but in the modern game you do have guys that can play both positions. I would love us to sign Michael Lang but that’s just a Starry Pipe Dream I reckon, smashing player who would move us up a gear in Europe.
Kouassi is stick or twist time too, looks a player to all of us on here but of course he’s behind ON and The Broony:))
Is Reagn Hendry attacking midfield then, haven’t seen much of him?
We also got a shedload of players to move on, there’s the rub.
Scott Allen to Hibs, Ryan Christie he might move to get regular football if he’s not in BR’s plans.
De Vries, Gamboa, Hayes, Ciftci etc
HH
Starry
No idea what will happen at Centre Back.
Again it depends on who we sell, we’re unlikely to shift Marvin Compper but there may be interest
in Jozo Simunovic before Dedryk Boyata who completed the season rightly the preferred choice with the upcoming Ajer and Henry.
Jozo has faltered and let Brendan down with fitness in Europe, I think we’d sell, and hope to upgrade.
Don’t think we’ll buy another striker more likely offload two right backs Gamboa and Ralston ( on loan ) and bring in another experienced player, SMSM are fantasising about a Keiran Tierney sale.
Who is in the ole revolving door CSC
This being the business end of the season… A quick and hopelessly unappreciative reccy of our first team squad, suggests the following list of players can be thanked for the efforts, and sent out into the world to earn a living:
De Vries
Gamboa
Compper
Bitton
Hayes
Sviatchenko
Ralston
Allan
Benyu
Ciftci
Added to which, the departing loanees, Paddy and Musonda, and there’s a fair whack of salary to repurpose.
I’d also suggest that Christie, Miller and Simunovic are unlikely to see much football at Celtic next year.
That’s 13 contracted players (excl PR and CM), 6 of whom returning from loans elsewhere, from whom the sum of their contribution to this season’s successes is minimal, and for whom the forward prospects at Celtic are strictly limited.
There’s probably in excess of £5M of wages in that group, while a number of them should generate a bob or two in transfer fees.
On the toss side, we need a defence that can compete against very good sides in Europe. Two capable and experienced centre halfs please, and a 4 year plan for right back.
Clearly, there are decisions to be made and consequences to deal with as regards Moussa and Odsonne, but for me, the priority in the attacking side of the team is a ball striker – the kind of guy who gets us 15 goals a season from corners, another handful from free kicks, and who finds the passes that creates the goals against the top defences.
Imagine Naka playing in this team, or Lubo. There’s a wee project for the scouting department.
TBB
Not just because we sometimes sit together, you’re reccy is spot on
your = you’re
iPhone CSC
THE BATTERED BUNNET
I would hold on to Christie,I always kept an eye on him when Playing for the Dons,he had a few games where he wasn’t at his best,but about 80% he looked good and he will improve under BR.
If he had played for us last season, I would have expected him to be one of our star players over the season.I hope Celtic keep him,and if he doesn’t improve over the next season, I will agree with you.
Are you going to the Lisbon Doo on Friday.,It must be 18 months since I last spoke to you.
Oldtim67 See you Friday night should be a hoot Hail Hail Hebcelt
Dontbrattbakinanger is 1.888 metres
What Larks CSC
HEBCELT.
I’ve got a wee present for you,I hope I can get it past the stewards
Corkie.
A great post this morning, apart from the bit about only posting now and again.
I know exactly what you are getting it and I’ve spoken to Dallas and Mick about it previously.
Hail Hail
THE BATTERED BUNNET
I think Ralston should stay.He is raw but i thought he showed something in his few appearances.
To early to jettison him.
Calvin Miller is a strange one as he does not look to be a full back.He looks better in a forward position so we should send him on loan and hedge our bets.
If Armstrong is sold it may free space for Christie..
I mentioned Regan Hendry earlier as he has something.He is strong and makes a lot of good choices in the positive areas.
I wonder if Eddie signs, will it encourage Moussa to sign on for another couple of years? The French Bhoys really look like they are enjoying themselves.
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 22ND MAY 2018 3:21 PM
Bitton, Hayes and Ralston will definitely be kept and rightly so. Simunovic has said he had a heart to heart with Brendan and is staying. Calvin Miller would benefit from a season long loan and so would Kouassi although I would limit his to 6 months.
Buy Odsonne, keep Moussa and Boyata and add one more centre half and one more winger/no10. Look out for another French addition and another from Manchester City.
What happened to the £49.00…….money?
Interesting debate on this Summers comings and goings…
With those already mentioned on the way I guess Armstrong and Boyata must feature. Two quality International players that I’d like to see staying but if they don’t extend their contracts they are far from irreplaceable.
It’s difficult to second guess where Brendan Rodgers is with the squad development but sometimes is good just to listen to folk.
BR said he’d like to build a Team around Scots another thing he said was when he gives a player a contract it’s a contract to train, no one gets an automatic right to play.
The fact is, we will have to continue to let Players move on and bring in a few with real quality.
I think we lacked that and consistency last Season. We really need to this quality and consistency, firstly to qualify for the UCL and secondly to compete in the UCL.
It my belief and sincere hope that Lewis Morgan fulfills his potential and gives us the extra dimension we’re missing.
The signing of OE for me is a no brainer, he has already shown his worth, if we can keep Dembele a little longer, maybe even an extension to his contract I believe we’ll give most Teams a headaches in defence.
Hail Hail
TBB
I agree completely on our need for a “quarterback”, and said so a few weeks ago. I just don’t expect us to score from a free kick or a corner anymore, and as you say, that never used to be the case, with the likes of Lubo and Naka, or even Thompson or Mulgrew in the team.
?⚽️
Lewis Morgan is two footed is he in the frame as a free kick specialist:))
WeneverreplacedNaka CSC
I think that there will be more outs than in this summer. The obvious/definite outs are the loaned out with no intention of bringing back (Sviatchanko, Allan and Ciftci), the didn’t/hardly featured (De Vries, Gamboa, and Compper) and the wantaways (Simunovic and Armstrong). I think Christie will be given a chance during July but will probably be sold to Championship down south before their window closes in mid August. Morgan will be added to the squad.
I think Boyata and Dembele will sign extended contracts, Moussa will play another season providing we are in CL groups. If not he’ll be sold to compensate for that loss of revenue.
Youngsters like Ralston, Johnstone, Benyu, R. Hendry, Aitchison and maybe even Kouassi will possibly go out on loan for experience and game time.
With Bain signed and hopefully Edouard to follow, priority signings will be a right back, a midfielder and a Paddy replacement (wide/playmaker). Anything other signings will be replacements for sales if Dembele, Boyata or any other first team player leaves.
Your Directors will be Celtic Supporters
There’s an argument to keep any given player – he’s been injured, he’s young, he’s a back up etc etc – but for me, the bottom line is; Can this guy perform in the Champions League?
Answer is pretty much ‘No’ across the board for the guys I’ve noted, some having proven they can’t, others providing little evidence that they can.
Brendan’s job is to produce a team that is better than the one he has at the moment, and that means one that can get results in Europe. I’m looking for a “Salzburg” season from him in Europe, a Leipzig season, a Marseilles season, a Porto season.
Our Euro coefficient is pretty crummy for the wage bill we maintain, and our budget is comparable to the teams above. We need European performances that reflect our wage spend. And to get that, we need to spend better. No point collecting footballers for the sake of it. We need performers.
Oldtim
Sorry, no, I won’t make it along to the Lisbon do. Enjoy yourself, and I’m sure we’ll catch up soon.
I quite fancy a Hoot in Annie’s oo-er missus
DoubleentendresCSC
By the way if this lowers the tone of the blog, don’t make me the escaped goat
Old Tim you,ll get your swag by them as long as they,re not proper barstewarsds?
See you on Friday ya oul duffer and wear the green.
Lewis Morgan, i think overhyped so far. Played in the Championship with St Mirren, let that sink in for a minute. The step up to become a top Celtic player is enormous. From what I have seen of him he has a good bit to go to make it. However, never mind me, Tosh and Brendan have scouted him extensively so here is hoping.
!!Bada Bing!! on 22nd May 2018 2:43 pm
Hunderbirds-
https://twitter.com/gibbygibbo1/status/998651156917309448?s=12
——————————
LOL, Chuck Norris is a Tim.
Heroes are Forever – absolutely the very best to you and yours after that heartbreak.
Flouncers – Really? After that special season? Been busy and missed the drama.
One should adopt the Sandman perspective when it comes to CQN – From the very beginning I just assumed everyone was a total roaster and have spent the interceding years being pleasantly surprised…
And occasionally vindicated…
;))
Won’t make it on Friday, however it’s only 38 sleeps till the CQN Open at Aberdour. Mind you it’s been approximately 240 sleeps since I last hit a golf ball…
For me we will lose players from the squad who we would like to retain like Armstrong. We will also see players who we don’t want that will stay and see out their contracts
My leavers
De Vries
Gamboa
Compper
Bitton
Miller
Sviatchenko
Hayes
Allan
Benyu
Ciftci
Roberts
Musonda (12)
Additions
Hazzard
Ralston
Christie
Morgan
Johnston From Dev Squad
Hendry From Dev Squad(6)
If it works out this way then we need CH, LB, Mid this will leave the squad number at 23 + 3 newbies. We are currently at 28.
WE could also lose Dembele and or Edouard and we need to replace them
The Battered Bunnet
What about ‘ the Champions League is different ’ debate?
I’d love to think Brendan and Celtic judged every player on how they’d perform
in the Champions League sadly I don’t think they do, as proved to date.
He does need to up his game, on his buys, more Ntchams fewer DDV’s please, staying ahead of Aberdeen is no longer the benchmark at Celtic, when you’ve just completed a double treble.
I’ll settle for CL football after Christmas but the money we’ve banked shouldn’t just gather interest, or be wasted on more squaddies and lightbulbs, we’ve already too many that can’t get a game and as your post illustrated we need to clear the wages path for Europe.
A CEILER GONOF RUST.
If they don’t let me bring in a wee gift for Hebcelt it won’t go to waste, I’ll just sit outside and drink it,it’s my favourite gin Hendricks, I don’t think I’ll manage the meal with all that gin inside me och they’ll let me in, I’ve also got A dozen bottles of wine to get past the Barstewards.
By the way I’m putting on my Salmon Pink Jacket, it should match up with my Celtic strip,not a bad dress code for a 79 year old minus 49 days.