Olivier Ntcham, 21, yesterday became the third most expensive signing in Celtic history, the initial payment was slightly north of the £4.5m quoted, and there are add-ons which are likely to take the total price above that which was paid for Chris Sutton and John Hartson.
The most striking element of the deal is that the player has played only 39 games in senior football. Compare this to van Dijk and Wanyama, who had played over 60 games before coming to Celtic, and you get an idea of how the transfer market has changed in a few years.
60 games is now too late. You need to be on the ground watching and ready to move inside 40 games. More than this and top talent will likely already be competitively priced out of reach.
A consequence of this trend will be an increase in one element of the transfer risk: any scout would prefer to see more than 39 senior games before making a recommendation. But this risk is mitigated by the fact that waiting on a player to increase in value, only introduces the risks associated with paying a higher price.
Then there is the risk of doing nothing at all………
What we do know is that everyone at Celtic, the management, scouts and board, are happy to have secured Olivier’s signature.
Welcome to Celtic, Olivier.
You know when the PSNI say, “The only way you can have the game in Belfast that week is if it’s on Friday and there are no away supporters”. Then Linfield insist on having the home game first due to TV money. Then someone else at the PSNI says they did not block Celtic fans from attending?
Well, that just happened.
Here is the new CQN Podcast…
615 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- »
When you look at the unseeded teams in group 2 of the draw we definitely have the easier group of potential opponents
Group 2
Seeded
Olympiacos (GRE)
Hibernians (MLT) or Salzburg (AUT)
Žalgiris Vilnius (LTU) or Ludogorets (BUL)
APOEL (CYP) or Dudelange (LUX)
Qarabağ (AZE) or Samtredia (GEO)
Unseeded
Partizan (SRB) or Budućnost Podgorica (MNE)
Rijeka (CRO) or TNS (WAL)
Sheriff (MDA) or Kukësi (ALB)
Hapoel Beer-Sheva (ISR) or Honvéd (HUN)
Viitorul (ROU)
Green Trousers / Pants / Slacks – depending on which part of the world you are in, should NEVER be worn with a pink shirt. That in itself deserves jail time.
On an unrelated subject, been talking to some Aberdeen fans who were at their game last night. Their view is that Ryan Christie is a ‘stick-on’ for their player of the year this season. Even at this stage, he’s showing more skill, hunger, desire and commitment than anyone else and is head and shoulders above his team-mates at ‘todders. Was outstanding last night amongst those around him.
Well done young Ryan. Exactly the right attitude to show whilst out on loan.
EMBRAMIKE SUPPORTING RES 12 on 14TH JULY 2017 10:35 AM
DAVIDOPOULOS on 14TH JULY 2017 10:25 AM
embramike
Pfft, how uninformative. I mean, what are the first leg scores? Who’s at home in the second leg?
I bow to the master ;-)
**************
Aye, master of the bleedin’ obvious!
Beatbhoy
I am on Sky so can’t go the Virgin route. You watching live? You say that now….
Very little chance of it being on in a pub near me……only one pub anywhere near me anyway.
Oor Lenny on Efe.
“The eagle has landed,” joked Lennon. “The hatchet has been buried – in his head. “
Is the draw on any TV channel
beatbhoy
Sorry. Didn’t mean to be condescending.
That’s where you talk down to people btw…
;)
SIONNACH ABU
on14TH JULY 2017 12:32 AM
England’s difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity. p.s. Linfield 0 Celtic 12.
Eh confused here mate:-)Celtic being a Scottish club and champions of aforementioned country.
may I add imo Celtic are the finest example of the irish diaspora at work on this planet but we are a scottish club
Where is the English element?
HH
I don’t post much now but read the blog nearly every day. I’d just like to thank everyone for best wishes on my birthday yesterday,ta so much.
the draw is on here
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2018/draws/round=2000879/index.html
I wonder how big a story it would be if Linfield fans were unable to attend Celtic Park over fears for their safety..
Oldtim67
Belated birthday wishes
cadizzy on 14th July 2017 10:20 am
………………………………………………………
Yes, just subscribed to premier sports online using offer code CELTICWEB. Took about five minutes to complete and am just waiting on the channel being activated.
Will report back if this is successful. Bloody better be as they’ve taken the tenner off my account.
Hope you get this set up.
HH
Can’t understand why they don’t wait till the preceding round is finished before draw is made
Uefa man outlining procedure.
Blah, blah, blah….
Belated MHR to [even older] Old Tim.
ole Cadizzy’s hame frae hame
Dundalk or Rosenborg
Champions League Q3 draw:
Linfield or Celtic v Dundalk (IRL) or Rosenborg (NOR)
1st leg – 25/26 July
2nd leg – 1/2 August
Home first leg
Celtic v Rosenburg / Dundalk
Dundalk or Rosenborg
Ronny Deila compiling a dossier for Brendan as we speak…
or Linfield v Dundalk
Caddizy, that worked ok and I now have access to the game tonight.
Batter the Belfast Bigots
HH
Davidopoulos
beatbhoy
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to be condescending.
That’s where you talk down to people btw…”
************
Typical, talking yourself up!
A Ceiler Gonof Rust on 14th July 2017 11:03 am
Many thanks and congratulations on getting through. The rubbish website is made to look good by the even more rubbish call centre.
You have given me fresh hope…which, as you know, is what kills us. I will try again before losing the rag again….luckily, we don’t have a cat to kick
Highly likely Rosenbog. No great travel which is good, we should be able to take care of them, I don’t think they are as good as they have been in the past although they are mid way through their season.
Rosenborg have former Arsenal star Nicklas Bendtner leading their front line.
Rosenborg ?
Should be negotiable, since the Greatest Living Norwegian has hung up his size 4s.
Dundalk travel to Rosenborg on Wednesday after 1-1 draw in home leg. Winner plays Celtic
HUTCHYBHOY and Treblewinningcaptans,
Thanks for info on buses leaving Dunblane. Huge help for getting to CP on Wednesday. Dunblane’s a foreign country to us west coasties!
Mon the Dundalk..
Premier Sports seems to have risen, Sevco like, from the ashes of Setanta.
That’s quite an incentive for Dundalk. I would imagine the Club would have no issues selling tickets to us for an away game in Ireland ?
Assuming Rosenborg qualify, that is a reasonably tough test.
Their match fitness levels is a big advantage for them .
Greeks bearing gifts?
I watched Dundalk and Rosenberg the other night
I hope Dundalk get through,