The glut of youth players we have lost to England and Germany in recent years is disappointing but feels far from critical. Great talent seldom emerges above the background noise in the teenage years. For some, it takes a lot longer.
Henrik Larsson was 25 and had endured a season spent mainly as a Feyenoord substitute in 1997. He contemplated returning to Sweden when Wim Jansen took him to Scotland. That development story seems inconceivable; Henrik always had talent, he played a World Cup semi-final three years earlier, but his value was far from obvious, even in a tier two league.
Kyogo was four months older than Henrik when he arrived in Glasgow and had been first choice at Vissel Kobe for just 2.5 years. Vissel took a £150k punt on him from the third tier. His reputation in Europe is still vastly greater than in Japan, where he is a national team outlier.
There is a lot of snobbery in football. Half the scouts in Europe had watched and overlooked Larsson before he came to Celtic. How good could a player that has been watched that many times actually be? He was just shy of his 33rd birthday when Barcelona eventually moved.
I am hopeful we hold onto our double Player of The Year for similar reasons. Kyogo has ‘done it’ in Scotland, but so has Kevin van Veen, the 31-year-old Motherwell great and Scunthorpe journeyman. Snobbery will count against Kyogo, as will his slight build, at least until he troubles goalkeepers in the Champions League.
That day could be here within four months, but before then, Michael Nicholson will want to address the biggest challenge he faces, extending Kyogo’s contract beyond 2025.
The Road to Seville cyclists are nearing the end of their incredible journey. After a greulling day through the Spanish mountains yesterday, they have a more modest 44 mile journey to Talavera de Reina, which is just about the middle point in the country.
More importantly, their efforts have already raised over £64k for the Celtic FC Foundation. That’s an incredible sum which will help the Foundation carry out its life-enhancing work. Today we hear from cyclist Clare Sweeney and Foundation chief executive, Tony Hamilton. They share the values which inspire them in their football and daily lives, and bear witness to what this Celtic thing is all about.
I hope you enjoy the interview. You can donate to the team’s efforts here and follow their progress on Twitter here. Thank you all your support.
142 Comments- Pages:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- »
Harry Faversham
peter lawwell
Board has supported Ange well in all of his transfer windows so far. The next couple will really see if they are serious about keeping Ange as our manager. I have my doubts with the sharp suited arse back on the board.
Nothing different about Ange’s signings he’s done very well in the plus verse minus transfer world. The market we’re in determines the quality of player and when you pay £1.5M for a young defender, the chances he’s a Maldini are slim.
Every Celtic manager including Jock Stein signed players that never made it at Celtic, and moved on. So long as there is little or no money to compete with SKY football Celtic will remain firmly in the diamond in the midden market.
The J – League has revitalised Scottish football not just Celtic and we’re lucky to have a foot in the door. Lucky to have two centre backs of the quality we have, the tricky part is to have stars willing to be on the bench.
Few clubs have more than two great CB’s as partners . Few clubs have a daisy chain of brilliant full backs all sitting waiting on a game.
As ever CSC
The snobbery you speak of Paul will apply to Ange. He’s done a great job but a lot of would be suitors will look at his age and the league and move on. Luckily for us.
What happened to the Arsenal shares money?
Without Aipple no podiums count.
take a look at you, old man
As you sit in your chair
You could be almost anyone
For all I know or I care
But on your chest is a red star
From your days long gone by
For a proud fighting past
For a cause you held high
Son, we set out from Glasgow
To the war torn in Spain
Brave socialists fighters
From a Scottish Brigade
Not knowing our fate
Or what would befall
But for justice and freedom
We were proud to give all
And my hands fought the fascists
At Jarama in Spain
And my heart beats for justice
Until my dying day
I never set out for glory
But I’d my part to play
In the fight against Franco
At Jarama in Spain
For five weeks we waited
To be handed a gun
They drove us into the fighting
Under Spain’s blazing sun
And the fires of hell don’t compare
To the battle that day
In the heat of Jarama
Seven thousand were slain
Then we ran out of bullets
Taken by Franco’s Men
To Talavera de la Reina
And then moved on again
And the Calton had never
Seemed so far away
As I lay in my prison
At Salamanca in Spain
And my hands fought the fascists
At Jarama in Spain
And my heart beats for justice
Until my dying day
I never set out for glory
But I’d my part to play
In the fight against Franco
At Jarama in Spain
Take a look at me now, son
And the star on my chest
Some would have given everything
For the cause of the left
Then the deeds that they’ve done
And the parts that they played
In the fight against Franco
At Jarama in Spain
If as they say ange is his own man , it won’t be long till we see who really is the boss . A big concern for Tim’s everywhere .
Surely the biggest challenge will be how do we improve to make an impact in the Champions League while not pulling too far in front of our partner club to an extent would make the old firm uncompetitive?
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL on 16TH MAY 2023 12:34 PM
Are you Pedro in disguise?
Yes, snobbery in football is huge but actually works to our advantage.
I remember when BR was touted with a move back to the EPL top clubs, the Daily Mail saying, despite invincible trebles, he was “shooting fish in a barrell”
Of course the Board wouldn’t give him backing to compete in Europe and Brendan Rodgers wasn’t here for ten in a row
If we get competitive in the UCL and we will see youngsters clamouring to come/stay in Scotland, transfers out going through the roof and fholk signing contract extensions
Win-Win
Hail Hail
There will be no downsizing or slowing down to let the Rangers catch up, I nevr believed that was a strategy from Celtic PLC.
They made a lot of wrong decisions, but it was not to have a viable Rangers existing and winning things, I just cannot believe that.
Next seasons league champions get direct entry to the new Champions League format.
10 Gauranteed games. 4 home and away, against different opponents, then a home/away playoff round to go to last 16.
Those riches are not being gifted to Rangers, I just cannot fathom that anyone thinks that is a plan.
The NEW Champions League format commencing from the 24/25 season EXPLAINED…
https://twitter.com/centregoals/status/1657712030982328325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1657712030982328325%7Ctwgr%5Edbff570efcfad9f59e559bd7c8a4d5445acdf1f4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailyrecord.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news%2Fceltic-rangers-alive-latest-champions-29990019
Interesting summer for Celtic coming up and Nicholson will be busy. We all hope Lawell will be too, in some other domain than funding what Ange needs/wants for next season.
More imposing incomings at CH, CM (x2) and Keeper for starters.
How much would the following command, who need/want to go:
Bain, Hazard, Welsh, Turnbull, McCarthy, Barkas, Ajeti, Johnston, Guchi, Uroghide, Scales, Montgomery, Soro, Shaw, Abada and Kenny. TM suggests they are worth just shy of £30m in current value ???
Big summer coming up.
HH
We all agree that Ange is his own man. Takes no prisoners. suffers no fools.
Yet some think PL is back to meddle.
As recently as the youth cup final, there were pictures of Ange, PL and MN together in conversation, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Ange has said in several interviews that he gets on well with the board.
Can we leave it at that? Accept that Ange is getting the support he needs and the appropriate funds?
We are a well run club, enjoy it.
Any trouble and the Lawman gets it.
I think one of the challenges facing us, is how to we identify the next batch of signings.
Ange delivered some outstanding talent in his first few waves of signings.
He has now been away from the J league for a few seasons. The players he knows are older and form could have changed. Emerging talent may be unknown.
How do we keep our scouting efficient and effective? We may have to rely on Anges little black book less this season and next.
VALE BHOY on 16TH MAY 2023 12:19 PM
Without Aipple no podiums count.
———————
Work got in the way today and was on the road trying to grab a podium spot at a traffic light! This time tomorrow I’ll be in Mexico so podiums should be up for grabs for the next week. That said, if I do grab a wee top three in the next week it will be the 3rd country I have done so from. A wee challenge for myself!
HH!
For those on loan, their appearances ? – An indicator they are wanted there ? Adding something?
Seems positive on playing time….
Barkas (34)
Ajeti (23),
Johnston (29 + Irish internationlist)
Guchi (buckled)
Uroghide (29),
Scales (37),
Montgomery (30),
Soro (29),
Shaw (39),
Kenny (36 – 2 clubs)
HH
AIPPLE
Hahaha!
Good for you, Aipple.
DENIABHOY @ 12:47 PM
Can we leave it at that?
No
Why be complacent!?
Big Pedro has form
The last twenty four months has seen an efficient and effective recruitment strategy
If it deviates now, we know who the culprit is
Hail Hail
Urhoghide
Shaw
Abildgaard
Jenz
Ideguchi
Scales
All signed and shifted by Ange
Uncle Jimmy
Mark Lawell, Joe Dudgeon and the ole Man City Group memory bank will scour the planet for us as scouts…
Think we’ve prepared the ground well. Suspect the guys will be pretty well scouted and pretty unknown.
Value out there still to be had. I look at Ecuadorian Casciedo at Brighton. £4.5m a couple of year ago, will go to Arsenal for circa £50m this summer. Looks excellent, both physically and technically.
These guys exist and we need to be in there befoe the Brightons of the world.
HH
BSR – I don’t think Ange had anything to do with Uroghide, Shaw and Scales (a wee pressy from DD).
Jenz was keeping the shirt until Kobayashi arrived.
Abildgard always looked opportunistic when the guy had no club, decent credentials and was a big lump of a DM that Ange seemed to like (didn’t get Souza sadly).
Convincing the guys of SPFL remains the challenge.
HH
Celtic FC Women
@CelticFCWomen
🏟 We’re BACK at Paradise for the final day #SWPL decider!
After last week’s fantastic backing at Celtic Park, we have the chance once again to create new records and reach new heights.
– The right answer…
COYGIG
HH
adidas have kindly agreed to sponsor this hugely exciting occasion and we are therefore once again to be able to offer this match free to current Season Ticket holders at Celtic Park and U16s.
ANGE had a meeting with Gregorv Townshend the R gby coach.
I hope he discussed bulking up and adding speed to our players with no loss of technical ability.
These rugby players impress me with their speed and stamina, could be a good move .
get a couple of the rugby players at centre half ?
I believe Ange said at the last pre game media muddle that next window’s transfer activity was well underway.
He had a huge smile on his face when he responded.
Cup Final tickets on sale to HCTS members tomorrow at 10am
St Stivs @ 12:45
Next seasons league champions get direct entry to the new Champions League format.
10 Gauranteed games. 4 home and away, against different opponents, then a home/away playoff round to go to last 16.
=======================================
As I read it, only 8 games are guaranteed for all CL entrants.
Teams finishing 25th-32nd play no more, after their 8th game.
Only teams finishing 9th-24th get to play the 2 legged play-off.
Unless I’m reading it wrong, of course 😁
HH
Marspapa
I thought that was very encouraging too, I would like to see genuine links between Celtic and other sports and coaches. Townsend did a lot for Glasgow rugby with the warriors before he became Scotland coach and he is not one of the Lothian set.
SAINT STIVS on 16TH MAY 2023 1:25 PM
get a couple of the rugby players at centre half ?
I think we’re fine at centre half. 👍
RIMTIMTIM on 16TH MAY 2023 1:38 PM
Marspapa
I thought that was very encouraging too, I would like to see genuine links between Celtic and other sports and coaches. Townsend did a lot for Glasgow rugby with the warriors before he became Scotland coach and he is not one of the Lothian set
————————
RIMTIMTIM
Maybe the guys on here who watch a lot of rugby could give us their take on Gregors input to the national squad.
From what I’ve seen they seem much improved…..
To the tune of “Robin Hood, Robin Hood, riding through the glen”
Tommy Burns, Tommy Burns, chanking down the left,
Tommy Burns, Tommy Burns, his passes were so deft
A Celt proud and tall!
A Calton bhoy ‘n’ all!
TOMMY BURNS
TOMMY BURNS
TOMMY BURNS
MARSPAPA
Think Townsend was through at Lennoxtown to see what he could learn from us. Sounds like he really enjoyed it.
Totally agree about the general point of learning from other sports. Aussie and New Zealand coaches are always coming up with innovative ideas in their main sports to keep them ahead of rivals.
gerry you are right.
if your in the bottom 12 only 8 games,