When appointed as interim manager in October, Martin O’Neill did not know how long he had in the role, so would be inclined to make few dramatic moves. This time he has a straight run until May. That gives him scope to make a sustained change.
As a manager, Martin has seen footballers decline with age, it was a feature of his last season in charge at Celtic. Much is said about the impact Henrik Larsson leaving in 2004 had on the subsequent season, but 2004-05 was also the time the years caught up with 35-year-old Paul Lambert. 33-year-old Chris Sutton also toiled, as Celtic’s engine stalled.
Goalkeepers always perform better behind a competent and settled defence. Kasper Schmeichel has not had that luxury this season, however, his decline from the excellent form he enjoyed last term is marked.
The first name on the team sheet on Saturday, will be the first big decision Martin makes in his stint as interim manager. Lessons from 2005 should inform his thinking.
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murdochbhoy
Hope he has better luck than Brendan.
Thanks to all those for the Brendan updates…..keep them coming!
Always good to know what he is up to since he walked through Parkhead’s gates (in the right direction) and headed for Audi Arabia. Maybe Saint Stivs could provide crowd figures and an ongoing head count….
YegottarollwithitCSC
Not a fan of loan deals, although it would seem prudent to do so at the moment.
We are desperate for a striker. What about Callum Wilson who is surplus to West Ham at the moment.
HH.
From the MSM;
“Celtic have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Hadjuk Split star Niko Sugr but are said to have put the transfer on hold following Wilfried Nancy’s sacking.
And reports in Croatia say he was close to snapping up Canada international Sugr before getting the boot. The 22-year-old defensive midfielder – who can also play at right back – has also been linked with Wolves in the Premier League. But Croatian outlet 24Sata claim that it is the Hoops who have struck an agreement with Split to bring him to Glasgow.
Sugr spent time in the youth academies in his homeland with Vancouver Whitecaps and Vaughan Azzuri before joining Split back in 2022. He was called-up as a stand-by to the senior Croatia squad for Euro 2024 before changing his international allegiances to Canada, who he has won 15 caps for alongside Celts favourite Alistair Johnston.
They add that while the deal remains in the balance amid the change in management, Celtic’s close relationship with the player’s agents SA33 have helped the two respective parties agree terms.
Former Parkhead duo Liel Abada and Matt O’Riley are both represented by the same company and played their part in banking the champions £10million and £25m from their sales to Charlotte FC and Brighton in 2024.”
All will become clear when BR writes his 2nd book.
HH.
I’ll never forget the day I read a book.
It was contagious, seventy pages.
There were pictures here and there,
So it wasn’t hard to bear,
The day I read a book.
Jimmy Durante/BRRB 1967.
Guys sorry to be a party pooper but anyone who thinks Liam Scales is a good defender is not paying attention.
Oh and I know various managers have played him but his positioning is all wrong, his quick thinking on the ball is shocking, yes he can go and win headers (most of the time), take that away and he is a very poor defender.
Various Celtic managers have played him, I would imagine as it would let them concentrate whatever little transfer kitty on forward thinking midfielders and forwards and I fear the same going forward. I think there will be better ball playing CBs out there that can win airial battles too. Teams notice his frailty’s and allow him time on the ball then press him for a mistake.
Unfortunately for us the managed decline is that bad that we need quality all over the park and we will have to concentrate on midfielders and forwards and the defence will make do with what we have.
That should be enough in Scotland but Europe is a different animal.
D. :)
If by some miracle we sign 2-3 first team ready players, I assume they are not eligible to play in the remaining EL games?
DENIABHOY on 7TH JANUARY 2026 4:39 PM
If by some miracle we sign 2-3 first team ready players, I assume they are not eligible to play in the remaining EL games?
————
Yes 👍
https://share.google/KkaBzk4VX7zp25PJK
Possible new recruit,as told by DB
DeniaBhoy on 7th January 2026 4:13 pm
From the MSM;
Sugr spent time in the youth academies in his homeland with Vancouver Whitecaps and Vaughan Azzurri before joining Split back in 2022. He was called-up as a stand-by to the senior Croatia squad for Euro 2024 before changing his international allegiances to Canada, who he has won 15 caps for alongside Celts favourite Alistair Johnston.
*Vaughan Azzurri are the top youth development club in the country, by far, our own AJ started out with his local Aurora Youth Soccer Club, moving on to Richmond Hill Youth Soccer who are another progressive club before Azzurri snapped him up
Paul67,
Worried that the preference of three managers to play Kasper Schmeichel should be disregarded, by some supporters. Maybe it’s a conspiracy by all three, to sink Celtic?
More, worried that it may say more about Sinasalo (not great against Livingston) and who is much more long term, than Kasper at retirement.
We won’t win the league without a Centre Forward.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 7TH JANUARY 2026 2:23 PM
Who was Jock Stein’s last signing for Celtic?
…
Playing catch up , sorry if posted …. Big Packy
HH
Niko Sigr……I have seen him play for Canada. Versatile and with a bit of dig.
BSR,
we do have a centre forward
his name is jonny kenny
he was given a new contract by one manager, and plays every week under another.
im worried that the preference of 2 managers should be disregarded – maybe its a conspiracy by both to sink celtic?
that was tongue in cheek obviously in response to your comment about kasper.
point being that theres plenty of times in football that fans can trust their own eyes and what they see happening on the pitch, if a striker isnt scoring when he should be, and a keeper is letting in goals that he should save, then i dont need anyone else – including managers – to tell me what im seeing.
How about a cheeky wee bid for Rocky Bushiri of Hibs? A good strong centre-half who has always played well against us.
The bar is getting lower every day.
Halkett is a better CH but he came through at Sevco and has just signed a new contract, I would sign Gogic for Def Midfield and for cover at CH, would not cost the world.
MOM
I doubt very much anything is already in the pipelene, so players that know the game here wont need settling in time.
And we are soft in all areas of the midfield.
MOM
Then cut out the bevvy.
Maolmuire O Muirgheasa on 7th January 2026 5:34 pm
The bar is getting lower every day.
…………………….
Nail on the head
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 7th January 2026 5:51 pm
quadrophenian on 7th January 2026 11:49 am
Re Shaun being in charge of signings.
Earlier on, I did a search to see which players he signed in his stints at Hibs and Wigan.
Almost all were frees or loans, with only two north of 300k.
How much did those teams have in bank.
If any of Maloney’s prospective centre-backs says that he’s “always looked up to wee Shaun”…..
maybe better look elsewhere….
TET
Nail on the head
Really?
That would explain a lot.
🤔
murdochbhoy on 7th January 2026 3:04 pm
Daizen has missed many chances since he’s been here, but that’s been down to a lack of technique rather than any attitude problem.
The guy is still working his ass off in games, has contributed with a few goals and played his part in creating many opportunities as well.
IF he wasn’t bothering and was trying to be sold, he wouldn’t have been as committed as he has been and certainly wouldn’t be putting himself at risk of injury.
Martin will be glad you have noticed this though, as well as pointing out he is his biggest problem.
You may have swayed Martins mind.
He will undoubtedly be dropped on Saturday IF he is still here.
HH
Valebhoy
Don’t worry Brendan looked after himself very well. Don’t you worry about him. All at our expense and pulling the wool over most folks eyes. You won’t hear a cheep from him.
Vintage Stationary Man.
Chapeau.
Quad
Great plan. Let’s get something sorted nearer the time. I saw the Baltimore Ravens win their first Super Bowl back in 2001 down in Tampa with a couple of other Celtic fans funnily enough.
Super keen to not spend whole time with Tartan Army when over. Nothing against them but smallish doses is best.
Hopefully we can celebrate an 18 game sprint to an incredible league win. MON doesn’t owe us really but a win this season would compensate for 2004/5 helicopter Sunday. It would be even better if final game was a win at Fir Park.
Aipple
It would be great to meet up for a beer up in Boston area if it works for you. Going to games up there and to Fenway Park for the Baseball while over. Never been to that iconic stadium before. Are you from Bourbon country ? My son works for Sazerac which owns Buffalo Trace, Weller and Pappy van Winkle of those names mean anything to you ?
With virtually every blog, saying we have a poor squad, just think what the players must feel when they see that rubbish. Martin WILL boost their confidence no doubt and personally I reckon we have a very good squad of players. We all need to raise their confidence starting saturday.
Sure we need renforcements , but mark my words, Kenny will turn the corner for sure
king LUBO
Let’s all do the, @ 5.21
Yip, point well made and apologies to the young guy, in my over emphasis of a generally well held critique from supporters.
We do have a Centre Forward and I prefer when he’s selected before Daizen. I’d play him again on Saturday. Both MON and Nancy played him, but he was dropped by MON, I recall.
Henrik on The Overlap podcast tomorrow
BBC Scottish news doing a special feature on ‘resurgence of *Rangers’ .
*Rangers , played 21 points 41 =resurgence
Celtic played 20 points 28 =crisis
Kenny has missed a load of chances last few games, I would be surprised if he makes it,he plays because there’s nobody else.
Sorry should be 38 points of course
An Tearmann on 7th January 2026 3:49 pm
……
Say it in ENGLISH Yours Mine Our Plantation Slave Language.
Thanks.
Your my hero. And you don’t even know it!
YOU were born under a Union Jack.
YOU will die under a Union Jack.
YOU will/can do ZERO about THAT sad FACt!
Stop being a pretentious idiot. Fanks. Hero.
Some Rangers supporters and Tims want to join with open minded, opposites on a growing number of issues, to enlighten our comrades THAT, we need to face up to the FACt that we have been lied to about loads of things, Religion, Celtic, Rangers, Republican, Loyalist, Orange Order, Ancient Order of Hibernian’s, clique, after, clique, no go area, after, no go area, etc, etc, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, more etc’s.
Talking is the first steps on the road to admit that, whilst all above listed are hating each other, the hand rubbing sleekits who set us at each others throats, are strengthening their hands, destroying country, after, country, till there are no more countries left to destroy.
Meetings of minds MUST HAPPEN, obviously not on EVERY issue, but who knows, what we agree on then we need to start there.
How about a room full of Tims and Huns agreeing that every bit of history that they have been told about, is a lie?
Who told us these lies = schools, churches, etc!
Who decides what does and does not go into the curriculum?
Who wrote the holy books?
Why was the park half empty, the last time the Pope was in Ireland?
Just think of the sudden FLIP in the psychology of Timdom and Hundom, that open minds can bring to the table.
Good folk from each side know that this has to happen.
This is much more important than ANY Football club.
Your limited mind will see you bitch about this, calling it racist, etc, when it is the opposite of that.
But that is ok. Your still my hero.
Why do you think the hand rubbers invented the racism smear?
Because it is not Religion that they fear.
They fear people waking up and standing behind their race, because they know that religion was made up.
Why do you think that, BEN SHAPIRO, has been wheeled out to INSIST, that ALL Christians MUST go to Church, and that it is bad for him and his flock, if Christians are NOT in Church?
Why would it be bad?
Because Christians had started to see through all of the lies that they have been told, by the Shapiro’s of yesteryear as well as the present day idiot?
Why are they worried? Which is a good thing. imho.
Are they scared that BILLIONS of people will learn that they and their ancestors were lied to from the cradle to the grave?
Meeting of minds are a good starting point. imho.
Who was the first person to RACE out of the Celtic dressing room at Ibrox to help Rangers fan victims when he heard that the Ibrox disaster had just happened?
Mr JOCK STEIN RIP. YNWA.
Your still my hero Teary man.
Love from the JUNGLE of my heart and mind.
PS, Isn’t it strange that without the JUNGLE no board since 1994 has feared the power of Celtic supporters.
Capitalist all seating turned Timdom into finger pointing, judging, expectant, entitled, customers, who are simply not potent, or uppity, sitting on a plastic seat listening to Celtic View brainwashed experts on every subject except, awareness.
Always mind your surroundings was the JUNGLE Way.
HH
oot.
Kenny just needs a first goal, then watch him fly
KINGLUBO on 7th January 2026 7:04 pm
Kenny just needs a first goal, then watch him fly.
………
KENNY needs a partner as in 2 strikers up front like a traditional Celtic team would play.
Then you’ll see dozens of goals fly in.
HH
oot.