You and I will miss our football this weekend but the winter break came at an excellent time for Celtic. They get to rest after an arduous nine game December on the back of handing Newco a lesson on their own pitch. Having to sit for three weeks, unable to get a defeat out your system, would have been torture.
Celtic have already played 36 competitive games this season (only one against lower league opposition). That’s close to a full league programme concertinaed into a little over five months. Add in the fact that almost the entire squad is involved in some form of international football and you realise the players have been on match duty twice a week since preseason.
This is exceptional and not conducive to delivering top performances. By comparison, Aberdeen have played 30 games (two against lower league teams) and Newco have played 28 (five against lower league sides). That’s eight and 10 times we’ve played two challenging games a week more than our direct opponents – neither of whom are particularly burdened by international football.
The second half of the season will be more balanced. We only have three midweek games scheduled, including our game in hand – so you can be reasonably confident our “slump” will end soon………..
We all remember the days when someone talking about putting in a £20m offer for a Celtic player would be held in a locked room until a deal was signed. We’ve been on a long road since, but the financial stability we’ve earned through many tough years affords us the ability to keep players who have several years to run on their contracts.
As for Moussa, I hear if we can arrange for him to play against the Target Practice Torags every week, he’d extend his contract until 2027.
Really enjoying the dissonance in some places over the anticipated approval of Kouassi Eboue’s work permit. Play by the rules, work inside areas you are allowed to and pay your dues. It’s not difficult.
By now you should be aware of The Road to Lisbon project. 28 cyclists will set off from Celtic Park on 11 May, arriving in Lisbon in time for the 50th anniversary of the Lions’ triumph. It is an immense project which is expected to raise tens of thousands for Celtic FC Foundation, Solving Kids Cancer and Children in Crossfire.
An opportunity exists for corporate sponsorship of the project. If you would like more information, look here, or email, theroadtolisbonmay2017@gmail.com
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James Forrest,
Great article, totally agree. Those who play together, stay together.
HH.
If we are serious about being a football team Moussa will be here two seasons at least.
The money may be a lot but the disillusion it would cause amongst the players and support would cost a far higher price if we sold now.
Let Brendan put his team together for at least two seasons and many players transfer values will grow as our stock rises in European football once more.
Short termism is self defeating.
Good blog James.
AN TEARMANN on 6TH JANUARY 2017 12:54
Cheers sir, it’s a once in a lifetime event. I’m totally focussed on it and training like an Olympian, albeit a fat, baldy, specky one lol
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 6TH JANUARY 2017 5:03 PM
Celtic hold the transfer record for the top four fees paid to a Scottish club
Vic , VVD, The Wall, and State Aiden McGeady.
How much did Hearts get for Craig Gordon?
Gordon went for 9
Yorkbhoy
9m
Bada bing
Right back atcha
:-D
Paul Gascoigne in rehab to ‘get free of his demons’
Happy Friday one and all:
https://youtu.be/LQ8v-cjym_M
HH.
YORKBHOY
@OptaCeltic stats have him in Fifth Place around £9,000,000
Yes James, a great time to be a supporter of the magnificent Glasgow Celtic.
Paul67, is there going to be an article on a planned visit to Lisbon by CQNers?
I know, having spoken with BRTH and his good lady at Aberdour, (when Oldtim was sowing the seeds), that we would in some way commemorate the 50th anniversary of Scotland’s greatest ever sporting achievement.
I have already booked,( independently), prior to Aberdour, but would hope to travel up from the Algarve to meet with any CQN delegation heading to Estadio Nacional.
Maybe we can start a list of who is all going?
Eurochamps67
HeadinghometomorrowalreadyboredwiththewinterbreakCSC
Paul67 et al
Good to hear we are planning on keeping Moussa at Celtic Park.
Good news all round. Well done Big Pete!
Anyone got information about the trip to lisbon ?
Is there still time to book or is it a sell out :)
From the crazy world of the English Premier League. Just picked up my copy of the London Standard here tonight with the colour photograph of Moussa Dembele resplendent in this hoops staring out from the sports page. The story is a rehash of the news from the Hammers website yesterday claiming a £20m bid for a Scottish player had been lodged.
The real big story is that West Ham are preparing to up their bid for Brentford’s Scott Hogan to £10m having failed with an £8m bid. Brentford are holding out for £15m!
Perhaps the even bigger/ madder ( delete as appropriate ) story is that West Ham are interested in Robert Snodgrass who is expected to leave Hull in this transfer window- with a clutch of clubs, including West Ham, interested in signing him for a fee of around £20m.
Whom the Gods destroy……………..
James Forrest on 6th January 2017 at 4.11pm
Not sure if a bikini snap counts as boots-on-the-ground confirmation of a story to an intrepid blogger such as yourself, James, but Josefin Lustig appears to be demonstrating what the well turned out woman wears in Dubai today.
One for the beach or pool, I think. Maybe a hat as well required for the mosque.
Thanks for the answers regarding CG’s fee
Quiet on the blog so a few weeks ago I asked posters to nominate any Celtic player they would want in the present team.
So which non-Celtic player (from any era) would you like to see in today’s team? Not necessarily the best player ever but one who would be ideal for the team..
Mine is Carles Puyol… on of my favourite players ever.
Garcia Lorca
At least the paper is free.
PS- Moussa Dembele is reported as wanting to stay with Celtic!
BHOYJOEBELFAST on 6TH JANUARY 2017 1:37 PM
ACGR
As I have said before,it is not who they are…But what they are.Remember the slogan on a Belfast wall’NO POPE HERE’ and someone scribbled underneath lucky Pope.
======================================================================
Love it.
garcia lorca
There is also the attempt by West Ham to sign Daniel Defoe from Sunderland.
Could be a made up story mind you.
Good evening, friends. The night before the first Fat Bhoys Slim weigh in. Could get messy.
If , as most of us expect, Moussa stays. It’s like a new signing. ( BFDJ )
HH.
GuyFawkesaforeverhero on 6th January 2017 6:27 pm
Not sure if a bikini snap counts as boots-on-the-ground confirmation of a story to an intrepid blogger such as yourself, James, but Josefin Lustig appears to be demonstrating what the well turned out woman wears in Dubai today.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
?????
Josefin Lustig in a bikini?!
Evidence?
Link to Pics NOW!
The person who will get first refusal on Moussa Dembele is Zinedine Zidane; the understanding is already in place between Moussa’a agent/Zz/Celtic.
£35 million with add-ons the current expected fee for next January/Summer 2018.
Lurking Huns/SMSM (one and the same) GIRUY.
Just read this:
“Davies confirmed that Efe Ambrose is not travelling to Dubai with the squad due to an immigration issue”
Anyone know why an established Celtis pro is having problems accessing Dubai?
Yorkbhoy-Baresi,just class
TIMGREEN…
Probably an Israeli entry/exit stamp issue…
TBM
Just watched team leaving for Doobye. BR gets it. Some players went out Monday. Wags and kids as well.
Brill man management.
And watch out for Stevie G !
Great suppoert for the Goals For Shay competition as we now have 82 entries meaning a prizepot in excess of £400 and, more importantly, a similar sum going to the Walk For Shay campaign.
For those who have entered I hope to issue the first set of fixtures tomorrow giving you all a full week to study recent form, research any current injury problems, check how each particular head to head generally pans out or, if you’re like me, base your decision on a set of rosary beads and a pin.
Loads of room yet to accommodate more entries. I just love receiving and responding to hunners of emails – slows down my food and drink intake! Just send a ‘can I play’ email to cqnpredicor@gmail.com
Great suppoert for the Goals For Shay competition as we now have 82 entries meaning a prizepot in excess of £400 and, more importantly, a similar sum going to the Walk For Shay campaign.
For those who have entered I hope to issue the first set of fixtures tomorrow giving you all a full week to study recent form, research any current injury problems, check how each particular head to head generally pans out or, if you’re like me, base your decision on a set of rosary beads and a pin.
Loads of room yet to accommodate more entries into the best clique on the blog. Posters and lurkers all equally welcome. I just love receiving and responding to hunners of emails – slows down my food and drink intake! Just send a ‘can I play’ email to cqnpredicor@gmail.com .
Thanks again for the wonderful support.
THEBARCAMOLE on 6TH JANUARY 2017 7:06 PM
TIMGREEN…
Probably an Israeli entry/exit stamp issue…
=======================================================
Most of the squad would have one of those.
Perhaps some obfuscation related to ongoing negotiations.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST JOBO D’OH MOMENT EVER (and there have been plenty!)
Firstly, apologies for the double post
Secondly and much more inportantly the correct email address is, of course cqnpredictor@gmail.com
hangsheadinshameCSC
Thought UAE just opened an Israeli consulate
JOBO BALDIE on 6TH JANUARY 2017 7:22 PM
ONE OF THE BIGGEST JOBO D’OH MOMENT EVER
The blog’s been so quiet , I look forward to a double post!
Lurkio CSC
God
Another day.
Another murderous nutter.
Bloody hello jobo
Do a need to do the email again
30,000 people a year go missing in Scotland alone, UAE Cannes tell me there’s no aliens eating thum
You cannae tell me even