On Sunday we saw the value of our two January signings: Julian Araujo won Man of the Match, while Tomas Cvancara scored the opening goal. Time will tell if February’s three additions will prove as effective.
Junior Adamu (24) is primarily a striker but plays across the front line. Like Tomas, he joins from the Bundesliga, where has two and a half years with Freiburg. Junior’s first season at Freiburg was spent largely as a substitute, but he became starting striker in season 2024-25. That status ended in November 2024 when he was red carded for violent conduct at Dortmund and received a three match ban. The player never recovered his regular starting spot after that setback until April.
Celtic have an option to buy the Nigeria-born Austria international. 10 goals in his breakthrough season in Austria with Salzburg got him the move to Germany. He has played a lot of football for a 24-year-old, so should be ready for the challenge of the Scottish Premiership.
Norwegian Joel Mvuka (22) had an anxious wait before his move to Celtic was confirmed late last night after issues with his medical. Consequentially, the deal was downgraded from a permanent transfer to a loan with an option to buy. You have probably seen him before, he made substitute appearances in both Europa League games against Celtic in 2022
After spending 18 months at Bodo/Glimt, he earned a move to Lorient, where he has mostly been used in right-midfield. I’m told he has pace to burn and will get up and down the right side to support attacking and defensive play.
Benjamin Arthur (20) arrived on loan from Brentford, allowing Stephen Welsh to return to Motherwell until the end of the season. Brentford have high hopes for the player, so there was no chance of an option to buy.
The others going out the door were Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who managed to convince three managers he had no interest in being at Celtic. Life tip: recruit attitude before talent. Johnny Kenny leaves for Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season. Johnny endured a torrid run of form after such a promising display in the League Cup semi-final in November. You get the feeling his chance at Celtic has passed.
My big worry of yesterday was when Nottingham Forest bid £25m for Arne Engels. That figure has been Celtic’s ceiling, so any bid of that size would have caused serious thought, but with the title race so tight, it would have been too risky to sell a first-team player.
Under a different manager, Arne regularly started on the bench early in the season. The speed with which he went from being out of the team to being subject to a Celtic-record bid is fascinating.
The old mantra, we hope to leave the transfer window stronger than we went into it, was surely met. The squad lost fringe players and, even before yesterday, added significant value in Tomas Cvancara and Juian Araujo.
With Tomas, Junior Adamu and the return of Kelechi Iheanacho, Martin O’Neill has significant options for the striker role, which should allow Daizen Maeda to setting into the wide position. We are also hopeful of seeing Callum Osmand next month.
Kieran Tierney looks to have regained full fitness, while Marcelo Saracchi is back training and will be available for selection this month. Alistair Johnston is still some way from returning, but Araujo is a productive deputy, with Colby Donovan and Anthony Ralston as backup.
Auston Trusty and Liam Scales will be the focus in central defence; it remains to be seen what action Benjamin Arthur sees, or if he figures ahead of Dane Murray.
Martin is not short of options in the middle of the park. McGregor, Bernardo, Hatate, Engels, McCowan and Nygren have been used for the middle three positions. I expect might see Joel Mvuka in a deeper role – more like McCowan’s position than Yang’s.
Will it be enough? I would mistrust anyone confident either way on that question. With the two new signings we have seen, and the return to fitness of several absentees, in addition to yesterday’s business, we can at least be hopeful. One month in the roles, Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney have played their cards. It will be a fascinating end to the season.
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has anyone got any links to the latin banner unveiled by the jungle bhoys on sunday ?
Anybody financially endorsing a board who engage in “Cancel Culture” are financially backing a board full of fascists.
https://thecelticbhoys.com/celtic-fan-media-coverage-takes-a-big-hit-as-club-stands-by-women-s-team-ban-01kgj9a2jvkf
https://www.celticway.co.uk/news/25821388.oneill-explains-ghedjemis-didnt-move-celtic-window-reaction/
https://thecelticstar.com/martin-oneill-and-joe-hart-selling-celtic-move-to-oxlade-chamberlain/
My only complaint today,is that I have not heard one word of contrition from any of the Brendan abusers.Not a word from them.So unlike the tirade of nonsense from them the past couple of years,telling us just how much Brendan had lost us in the transfer market,with his grossly overpriced,Engels,Trusty,Idah purchases.
“No wonder the Board won’t trust him with a transfer budget,after that shambles” they told us.A wee bit forgetful that due to the Boards stupidity regards Idah,we ended up paying £3 million more.Even with that Idah had a brilliant season banging in 22 goals,securing the Trophies.Trusty,now being sought after by high flying Italian teams,for around £8 million profit times what we paid,and Engels doubling his transfer fee.Once again,Brendan delivers a thumping profit for the club,like every transfer window.From Saudi.
Sorry seems to be the hardest word.
Talking of managers, what’s Mark McGhee doing nowadays.
I don’t think I’ve never watched a Hertz game before in my life other than when they play Celtic.
Now I’m now about to watch them for the second time in as many days!!
Strange times.
MON The Buddies.
Vale v Wimbledon is on at the moment- turgid stuff
So Martin… you’re now on £60k a week minimum for the next 5 months …
Just wondering are you happy with the January transfers that Celtic have made…..
“Erm naw I’m totally pissed off and wanted more.. sack the board “
What do the morons expect him to say !!!!
“My only complaint today,is that I have not heard one word of contrition from any of the Brendan abusers.Not a word from them.So unlike the tirade of nonsense from them the past couple of years,telling us just how much Brendan had lost us in the transfer market,with his grossly overpriced,Engels,Trusty,Idah purchases.
”
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if you were to hear some contrition from them folk, would that help us win the league?
no, of course it wouldnt.
we need to try get the league won, then moan about what people did or didnt do, or say.
thats the reality of where we are at the moment
Vale v Wimbledon is on at the moment- turgid stuff
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had all the makings of a classic as well 😀
Hmmm……no wins and no goals for The Buddies in their last 3 games.
On the bright side, Hertz have failed to win there on their last 3 visits.
eratic on 3rd February 2026 7:41 pm
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MON presser and appearance on talksport today were excellent.
Those trying to feed him words, and trying very hard to get him to denigrate either the support or the board were made to look stupid, again.
He said he is here to win football matches, and is not a UN peacekeeper.
But, honestly, the broader Timternet, there are posters who want his team to fail, all the quicker to remove the owners, they ponder.
Martin and Shaun are one defeat away from getting the “board lackeys and legacies tarnished” treatment.
so can we start speculating on the time of the hearts penalty?
or the dodgy sending off that st mirren will get?
The options were Tony Mowbray, Craig Levine, or the manager who was playing the best football in the country but with enough steel in the team to dish out some dishy noses to the EBT-Doped Huns, ie Motherwell manager Mark McGhee.
Those were the 3 realistic possibilities to replace Gordon Strachan as our manager.
And the rest is history.
Gene on 3rd February 2026 7:22 pm
Talking of managers, what’s Mark McGhee doing nowadays.
lets all do the huddle on 3rd February 2026 7:44 pm
Vale v Wimbledon is on at the moment- turgid stuff
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had all the makings of a classic as well 😀
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Sometimes it’s the biggest fixtures that let you down. I have higher hopes for Crewe v Barnet…
timmy7-noted@6.54
Think it was call the JVC Centre, did an FA coaching course there back in the day. Funny thing although it was an indoor facility it had more of a slope than Easter Road. The indoor ‘grass’ surface was pretty decent though.
Enjoyin the haver bout London/shire grounds folk attended things I recall.,
Tottingham v Arsenal soon after Macavennie end Chris morris after pass of Century by maestro at time I could hear the players shout on park!! at times.
Main Stand at a Millwall watchin fan base chase fight palace fans
Palaces ground used to have a Sainsbury’s supermarket at one end of the ground as part of the ground
Was at Loftus Rd a ‘kilbowie park on steroids .
Was at Sutton fc was like Pollok juniors and plough lane was a glorified junior like pitch used in old 1st division.
Visited Barnet,Dulwich hamlerOrient and West Ham at Upton park was great i note their fans complain of the stadium we built as being passionless.
Arsenal,seen a few times,best being the timfilled Pail Davies rip testimonial.
Chelsea were a yo yo side struggling to pay of a 3tier stand that towered over the other 3 sides of old run down terraces.
Suppose it was there i gained respect for and gave kudos to those fans that run these clubs.the time effort and no doubt money some put in
Brentford astonishes me with its success,but it shows how to harness the epl money to a small fan base.
HH
CHAIRBHOY @ 6.45
Spot on as ever.
This is a shock to Celtic supporters and the first time since 2012 that DD’s ‘ successful structure ‘ has been somewhat derailed to the extent some aren’t, taking it well. Some younger supporters know nothing but a superior Celtic. It’s the moneyball alright always has been, Celtic supporters being rich and second is a new phenomenon, that doesn’t go.
Both you and I and many others have already made our minds up about ‘ the board ‘ as TBB said it’s all been posted, a transfer window won’t change the long term.
The loan players we’ve brought in look to have come from better stock, and the results driven business is about to take over looking at the fixtures, – damage unknown big, big changes guaranteed no matter what happens.
HH
Saints come close
Decent chance for St Mirren there. Hertz haven’t settled at all.
Celtic Mac, we used to put together a team of hooped up tims to play a group of mainly Greek cypriot guys.
timmy7_noted
Hope ye’s didnae get done up like a kebab….
test
test
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failed.
go back a year.
Stivs7.47pm
Would hope that Martin , maybe not so much Shaun have earned the respect of anyone associated with Celtic….
Unfortunately football and it seems Celtic fans expect success and nothing else, unfortunately sport just doesn’t happen that way….We know……we’ve lived through the bad times !
Hertz down to 10 men.
Halkett out for Hibs
Unfortunately hoarding money, fans money, in order to keep your nemesis in the game will eventually wear thin and you will find yourself where we find ourselves today.
You are a cretin, if you cannot understand this. A cretin.
Halkett off…
What did Halkett do? That must be them playing with 10 men for the third time in the last 3-4 games?
Watched the last 5 minutes of this game at Love Street.
The officials are clearly torn.
Should be another red
Maybe not
Halkett brought down Devaney as the Saints player wss heading on goal…
Disallowed goal.. Offside.
Vale better this half but Wimbledon score in 89th minute 🫣
Penalty!