McGuiness sabbatical somewhat frustrating

If I’m being bluntly honest, news that Jim McGuiness was told to “concentrate on Donegal” until October or November was not welcome.  I hear great things about Jim’s work with, and from, players he has had access to.  Instead of sending him back across the sea, I hoped he would be working more with the players we will look to, to deliver this season.

Even if his work was limited to the development squad, the reason given for knocking him into the long grass, that we get into the teeth of the season in October/November time, is incongruous.  Player development takes place before the weeks with crunch games, and the whole point of the development squad is not to win crunch Youth games, it is to develop players.

If he is as effective as everyone who works with him says he is, an opportunity has slipped. Our place in the world right now depends on us working the margins, getting an extra couple of percentage points out of the players. We’ve all seen how the alternative – “let’s just get stuck in” – works out, it leads to failure and decline.

Where are we aiming for now, Celtic? Somewhat frustrated.

One good one out, one good one in. Delighted to hear John Paul Taylor is back as Supporter Liason and Service Officer. John Paul has probably spent more hours working with fans, and fans groups, than anyone else still walking the planet. Smart appointment.
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