Celtic’s January transfer window saw seven new players sign deals, although only four will be at the club for the remainder of this season, and only one of those, Vakoun Issouf Bayo, is on a permanent deal.
Bayo is a classic centre forward-target man, unlike Leigh Griffiths or Odsonne Edouard, who like to play in the channels. He has not played for two months, so it is likely to be a couple of weeks before we see him. He is here because of our Ivorian Connection through Kolo Toure, who is a coach at both Celtic and Ivory Coast. That being the case, the club should know more about him than most new signings, which should mitigate the risk inherent in any signing.
Since the resumption of action after the winter break, we have seen Oliver Burke and Timothy Weah fulfil the striker role, each on loan, from West Brom and Paris Saint-Germain respectively. Neither player is here to play the striker role long-term; expect them to supplement the wide positions after we return to a more normal compliment up front.
With minutes to spare, Jeremy Toljan signed on loan from Borussia Dortmund. This is a player who great things were expected from when he left Hoffenhiem 18 months ago, but Dortmund is a different beast and he did not find the move easy.
That’s not dissuaded many of his talent, which means Celtic’s chances of securing his services on a permanent basis are slim. I also believe the player is on pretty decent (cough) contract. He will not be here beyond May.
Maryann Shved, 21, arrived this week from Karpaty Lviv in Ukraine, where he has returned to stay until the summer. We moved early for Maryann, interest in the player was generated in only 38 competitive games. Players grow up on the football field and Maryann needs as many opportunities as he can get right now. With the manager having so many wide options for the remainder of the season, loaning him back to Karpaty was an easy decision.
Two American full backs were signed yesterday, Andrew Gutman (22) and Manny Perez (19), both loaned back to US clubs.
So all these loans arrivals, signings-only-to-be-loaned out, what’s the plan?
The top-level plan is to win the league, do our best to win the two cups and to give us the best chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Everything else is a consequence of this. Two decades ago, when Martin O’Neill set his mind to the same task, he signed talent who were at the peak of their physical capabilities. Many of those who arrived not only had experience in the English Premiership, they were top performers there.
By the time Gordon Strachan took over, signing strikers who were recently top scorers in England was no longer possible. Gordon took to Poland (as well as Easter Road), as we searched for talent in value markets.
Neil Lennon’s term saw the transitioning to where we are now. Neil found African talent, and successfully raided the lower leagues in England, but under his tenure we embarked on what would become one of the mainstays of our recruitment planning – loaning young players (Fraser Forster) who were not getting a sniff at wealthier clubs.
Many doors have closed to us in the last 20 years. There will be no more Chris Suttons, while competition for players across Eastern Europe is vastly greater than it was when we signed Artur Boruc.
The news is not all bad, in fact, significant things are much better than they were 20 years ago, most specifically, the development of young talent. Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney and James Forrest are more successful than any player Paul McStay and Aiden McGeady – and both of them were notable as exceptions for their eras.
The ‘Fraser Forster strategy’ – scout teams too distracted elsewhere to give opportunities to players, has been very productive. Olivier Ntcham, Odsonne Edouard and Dedryck Boyata all fall into this category (we’ll reserve comment on Daniel Arzani). We managed to get Odsonne on a try-before-you-buy loan first. During his loan he did enough to convince Brendan Rodgers to beak our transfer record on him. Celtic think this will continue to be a productive furrow for them.
Not all signings are Development Projects
Not all loans fall into this category. Some, like Jeremy Toljan, are here to do a job for a specific period. Development Projects are not the only game in town, sometimes you just have to plug a hole to strengthen the team.
There were choices for the right back role. Lech Poznan’s Robert Gumny was looked at and liked, but the player failed a medical a year ago and has not played enough football since a subsequent operation to convince anyone he would be fitter than Jozo Simunovic. Or we could have tried to find a nugget elsewhere, but Jeremy got the nod.
We sign a lot of players
Two American full backs on the same day we sign a German full back, “millions of wingers”. This has been going on for a while. You, me, Celtic and the players know, not all of them are going to make it. Football, for a century, has harvested talent, picked the cherries and cast the darnel aside.
I remember Martin O’Neill, flush with the success of his early signings and before his Ulrik Laursen and David Fernandez period, told us that every signing a football club makes needs to be a success. Yes, if you have the wisdom and insight, the luck and the money, maybe you can be so bold. But there is a real world out there full of scouts and managers who each carry the weight of experience of players who just didn’t work out.
There are formulas, some better than others, but we should know that just putting a Celtic jersey onto a player will not, and has never, made him a certain success. Martin would have been more accurate by saying ;You have to kiss a lot of frogs in this business’, just do your best to get some handsome frogs in the first place.
We have exceptional domestic talent: Scott Brown, Kieran Tierney, James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie – better than any Scottish team in 30 years, and we have done very well to retain them.
There is room for others to follow. The opportunity is there for Scott Bain and Tony Ralston.
As well as developing our own talent, we have cooperated with two of the world’s richest, Manchester City and PSG, to foster young players who are not getting a chance at their parent club. This is affordable, enhances the squad, and has helped achieve our football objectives.
We have five young players out on loan: Lewis Morgan, Calvin Miller, Andrew Gutman and Manny Perez, and Maryann Shved. The hope is some develop into first-team regulars, like Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie did.
That’s the strategy. Is it better than signing the best permanent players we can? Like you, I prefer the good ones to be tied down to long-term contracts at Celtic, but despite this, the answer is a clear yes. We need to work angles with PSG, Borussia Dortmund and Man City. We need to take risks on players with only a few dozen games under their belt. When an opportunity to sign a Ntcham or Boyata arises, take it. And we need to continue to do what we are doing with youth development.
Will it deliver 8-in-a-row? You bet your bum it will.
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The Monsters that misuse the Bible – I hope the Big Man stops you doing that – who knows the Hatred is deep.
Love is the Ki
John Fleming Resign – Shine a Light.
Tiocfaidh ar la,
God Bless, must get sleep as we have a Cup Final Today.
Thanks for the Love.
I’m Tchaikovsky, Hopefully be here for Celtic showing mega Class in a few hours.
Love is Powerful – Especially noo in this Day and Age.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Top of the morn all! Not long til Mass now!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN1jh-FMHtY
‘GG on 3RD FEBRUARY 2019 5:41 AM
I suspect you will be having a wry smile at the discomfiture of Gov. Northam.
I certainly am .
PETEC on 3RD FEBRUARY 2019 4:51 AM
Tiocfaidh ar la,
God Bless, must get sleep as we have a Cup Final Today.
===========================================================
That`s the way I see it , Pete .
Stephed Gerrard doesn`t do irony .
Oran Kearney , Northern Irishman , doesn`t do histrionics.
Jolly old pals.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47102847
In the wake of Brexit, how Scotland could do with her James Connolly now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Wd9-TLERo
Ave Ave
Ladies, Gentlemen & everyone otherwise gender neutral withoiut meaning offence for missing anyone out.
I awoke this morning with “that 4 penalties thing” in my head and wondered how I would aim to solve such a problem if it arose in a work situation.
For my sins, I somehow fell into a line of work Bill Hicks did not approve of, marketing, unfortunately I was quite good at the analytical side of it, so, like Paul Telfer, my career followed something I had no interest in, simply because someone would pay me to do it. This is a long winded walk in to my point.
Statistics can provide certainty, this site has helped many good causes, we can also have to odd vanity project though, if we want, let’s say referee applicants & success v failure rates. This amusing experiment can go further though, explore correlations with applications to local masonic institutions & (far be it for me to suggest any correlation in advance) freelance journalist positions.
Is anyone in? It’s the only way
What time does Mass kick off today?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdcDiiFFgLc
Ave Ave
Good morning CQN from a chilly but not freezing Garngad
Right let’s get a good performance or any performance, but let’s get the win.
I hope we get to see the new Right Back at some point.
Today is my first bevy in a month, I hope this already dodgy liver has had a rest.
I am actually quite proud of not having had an alcoholic drink for a month.
Anyway COYBIG
Hail Hail
D. :)
Controversial I know but Dallas’ performance happened because Celtic fans accept it. I haven’t been to an away game for over 25 years. I’ve only been to one domestic cup game since Norman Bates FC were shoehorned into Scottish football. Turnbull Hutton’s Raith Roberson case you were wondering. Unless you behave exactly like me, you are not a true Celtic fan.
Rovers. Damn predictive text!
morning bhoys from a frosty Cheshire,.D66 enjoy your drink you deserve it, lets hope for a good win.hh.
JNP Malone bhoy
Interesting post from the states regarding Guttman,the ownership and registration of players over there is different.players owned by the league,from my light reading more akin to the American football,basketball etc
It appears loaning Guttman back to Nashville,clashes with the rules laid down to top teams by mls.
Strange one also as prior to signing there was an unsettled vibe/AWOL tales coming from Guttman.hopefully it’ll be ironed out.
HH
Just heard first name on team sheet today
Mikael Lustig
David66 hope the ref doesn’t make you drink even more today :-)
Only a fool would make a prediction
St Jo 0 Celtic 3 … with 4 stonewall penalties denied
Beat the cheat(s)
‘GG on 3RD FEBRUARY 2019 5:41 AM
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
——-
They’ll be a Yes for VAR then!
???
GFTB- exactly, the incompetent Refs and the Cheatin Beatons, Maddhuns, Dullass, Aitkens and Thompshuns of the Refereeing Fratenernity/Ludges would drive anyone to drink.
Bp1 – just opened the blinds and we have light snow now in the North of Glasgow.
Come on the bhoys in Green.
The Famous Glasgow Celtic.
HH
D. .)
players looking fresh as they get ready to head out for a walk here at the hydro. will ask for team news but not sure I will get it.
‘GG on 3RD FEBRUARY 2019 5:41 AM
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
The truth is Rangers died and I rejoice in that truth…..but I think Jamesgang`s 9:10 comment is funnier :-))
JJ
That boy Dallas fae yesterday, disnae look a bit like his da……. only sayin..
That boy Dallas has quite a good tan for February….quite dark…like trump…no quite red and no quite yellow…somewhere in between.
A few miles north of Perth and its snowing so if your going to the game wrap up warm and take care on the roads.
Good morning all from the Govanhill zoot allures. Gerrintaethum Celtic.
4 penalties in one game – crowded house
That annoyin wee musical worm twirlin in ma head,since suggested in homage to Andrew dallas thanks Phil:-)
Jeez tis gettin a habit with the refs
Or am getting cynical
Last fortnights worm has been
The cheat is on
In homage to his brither in black.
:-)
HH
Paul @ 7:32 – not a bad shout.
But, respectfully, a simpler approach may be easier to achieve and just as effective.
Put freemasonry to the side.
Johnjames recently opined that 27 of 32 grade one referees in Scotland support one team.
85%.
A staggering statistic.
If you are the SFA, well worth concealing.
So, where any poster can, provide DEFINITIVE evidence of supporting Sevco.
Definitive. No taxi drivers, no relatives of Owen Coyle.
Example – Etims recent piece on Greg Aitken.
Let’s safely assume Madden, Beaton, Aitken and SOS (son of sectarian) are in the bag.
23 to go.
How about it guys and gals?
Will cut and paste into the new article.
Hail hail
Southside, worked with Dallas junior years ago , he always had the dooking for chips look , see he asked Defoe if he dived and he said no,! That’s ok then after all the huns don’t lie????
Just seen a picture of the Cup Final that Hibs pumped Sevco.
The 4 officials. MadHuns, Dullass junior, Cheatin Beaton and McClean if ever a picture told a thousand stories.
Everyone of their faces were so sad.. Awe wee souls.
Seriously though that picture is incredible.
D. :)
Back to Basics 10.45am
Seemingly Ex-ref Willie Young was part of the official Sevco party at Celtic Park earlier in the season
“HE CURRENTLY ALSO SITS ON THE U.E.F.A. REFEREE OBSERVERS’ PANEL”
Am sure Girvan Willie is impartial :-)
The SFA have circled their wagons and allocate favourites only for Sevco, with sinners and kafflik school teachers confined o the bin. Token tim Kevin Clancy has never been so busy in his career with SPL games here there and everywhere under severe pressure, to live down his name. Greg Aitken new from the lodge was launched in midweek and denied Celtic our only penalty, in the most bizarre of circumstances since Inverness Caley.
Andrew Dallas is already a laughing stock amongst Scottish football fans outwith the sash his father wore, he’s guaranteed a second division game next week like Madden, Beaton, McLean, et all before him, rested away from the public eye, the SFA may be corrupt but they are anything but stupid in modern day Scotland.
Neutrality is one thing big decisions in favour of the ‘anybody but Celtic brigade ’ is another and always has been in Scotland, so en route to ten, things will naturally get rough and more audible in the Green brigade.
Old habits CSC
SILVER CITY 1888 on 3RD FEBRUARY 2019 7:54 AM
—-Unless you behave exactly like me, you are not a true Celtic fan….
——————–
Aye? All right then, I’ll remember that.
Me and Wee BGFC en-route to freezing Perth – pretendy Celtic fans unite !!!!
HH
BGFC
FakeFansCSC
@ Back to Basics – Glass Half Full
Respectfully accepted, I didn’t see that 85% stat, and in the words of the fictional Josiah Bartlet ” Is it possible to be astonished and, at the same time, not surprised”
I get the feeling that Celtic will be lucky to get four free kicks today.
Good morning, friends.
It’s the same starting 11 from midweek. Toljan makes it to the bench where hell sit alongside Gordon, Bitton Hayes, Edouard, Weah and Johnston.
Today’s confirmed starting line up v St Johnstone……
Bain; Lustig, Ajer, Simunovic, Izaguirre; Brown,McGregor, Forrest, Christie, Sinclair, Burke
Subs: Gordon, Toljan, Bitton, Hayes, Edouard, Johnston, Weah
Good strong team and bench.
Come on the Famous……..
D. :)
LIVE UPDATES UP
Hello again all you young rebels.
BIG GEORGES FAN CLUB
You’ve no idea how much your post resonates with me, it brings
back so many memories, sitting here now sweltering, heid burnt
again and peeling like an onion, and where would i rather be, yes
back to my youth and slugging the Lanliq with my mates in a
freezing Perth.
I pray you bring us back the points but i’m not so confident, in my
70 odd years supporting Celtic i’ve never seen such blatent bias
towards the ragers and to say otherwise is just stupid, but does
anyone care ?
H.H Mick