Moussa’s violation

When the players arrived at Lennoxtown for training yesterday morning, Brendan Rodgers had no intention of allowing Moussa Dembele to leave the club.  Such was the player’s behaviour over the following two hours, the manager’s view changed to “Get him out of here.”

Yet again, the days ahead of an important game were clouded by distraction, but this time it took the form of insubordination against the manager.  Brendan’s view changed from not wanting to be left with only two strikers, to insisting the player was shipped out of the club.

One photographer, there for the press conference ahead of tomorrow’s game, told the manager, “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and never seen behaviour like that.”

You and I have seen many come and go over the years, so losing one is nothing new.  Receiving £20m also breaks a barrier in what we can ask for our players in the future, but the manner which this came about is a source of regret.  Moussa is a great player, one who delivered for us when it mattered most.  His goals and swagger were a joy to watch.  Now, the memory of his achievements have been violated by his behaviour.  Having a go at the manager on Twitter, where he talked about being lied to (utter rubbish) and ‘Liked’ a comment from Chris Sutton saying he was targeting Brendan, all while playing to “Bhoys and Ghirls” is deplorable. I’ll get over it and applaud politely when you do the Paradise Windfall 15 years from now, but we’re not buying it, Moussa.

Lots to say on the transfer window, but I’ll pick up on it more next week.  We have a game tomorrow against an outfit who think they can win the league.  This is a day for Brendan and Scott Brown, Dedryck, Kieran, Callum, Tom and the others to do what they do so often against Newco.  It’s a day for you and me to lift the team and paint Glasgow green and white.

Last month was traumatic, but it was also cathartic.  We are a united club with a bit of an edge right now.  Do your thing, Celtic.  Spank this lot one more time.