Player trading improvement needed by Rodgers

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Setting aside Brendan Rodgers’ achievements at Celtic, where he won all seven domestic trophies on offer at his time here, his best season in football south of the border was 2020-21, at Leicester City.  That season he won the FA Cup, the first time Leicester lifted that trophy, and finished fifth in the league.  Dropping five points in their final two games of that season saw them slip from third.  A late collapse against Tottenham on the final 14 minutes of the season saw them lose out on a Champions League spot.

As he watched Casper Schmeichel lift the FA Cup a week later, Brendan was at the peak of his powers.  Two years after taking control at the midlands club, silverware was back in the trophy room, and they had qualified for the Europa League.  Until the closing weeks of the season, only the two Manchester clubs were above them, neither of whom were in contention when Leicester’s miracle league win happened in 2016.  Without Claudio Ranieri’s achievement, Brendan’s would have received even greater praise.

There was no shame in the fact that Leicester did not kick on in the following season.  They slipped to an eighth place finish that year later, as Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham all moved above them.  European competition seemed to tax his side, where they ended third in their Europa group, before a run to the semi-finals of the new Conference League.

The wheels came off spectacularly last season.  A home draw against Brentford and win over Nottingham Forest was all they had to show after nine league games, a run which saw Arsenal hit four, Brighton five and Tottenham six against them.

New signings were made last season, the joint-most expensive of whom was the £17m capture of Aberdeen-born Australia international, Harry Souttar (24).  Harry was part of the Australia side that won admirers during December’s World Cup.  Brendan moved for the player a month later.

Dundee United and Ross County fans pondered what happened to their former player to cause such a dramatic improvement in form, while some of us wondered if Brendan had made a classic tournament-scouting mistake.  In other news, Jack Hendry made seven league starts at Brugge last season, he was surely available for a lot less than £17.

Brendan can motivate and man manage with the very best of them.  Alongside Chris Davies, who yesterday joined Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, he was able to coach and organise.  For me, his Achilles Heel is player trading.  Fix that, and you have a more complete package.

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  1. Well, hours have gone by and still no news So be it.

     

     

    My only hope, other than an early announcement of the appointment, is that the Club DO NOT feck about a la Howe and that by Monday, if there is no news to be announced, we are told categorically that we are looking at the next candidate. And the previous candidate is no longer part of the plans for next season.

     

     

    Ave Ave

  2. Silver City 1888 on

    I wouldn’t be much of a Celtic fan if I couldn’t come up with a good conspiracy theory. One consequence of this long protracted negotiation is that a swathe of Celtic fans mad that Celtic had approached Brendan now feel that they’d be livid if he didn’t sign.

  3. theBHOYfromU.N.C.L.E on

    Hope the barriers that are being put up at Celtic park are to prevent Rodgers getting in.

  4. Ah well maybe tomorrow but then again you just never know.

     

     

    Remember Mr Howe wanting his backroom staff and the idiots at Celtic who were in negotiation let it go on and on and on and on and on and on and on… Oh and on.

     

     

    D :)

     

     

    D :)

  5. Don’t recall being too upset when Brendan left for Leicester, safe in the knowledge that Lenny was available to steer us through to the end of the season. To the end of the season. Brendan did well there, but it has not ended well for them or him. Do not always agree with Paul67 but on this I do. Brendan on his own, ie without Chris Davies, is not as an attractive proposition this time round. For Celtic FC.

  6. fourstonecoppi on

    Reading back on who’s gonna be the manager………..It’s a load of shite…10 ton that is

     

     

    troo dat!

  7. Baffled by those on here convinced that Chris Davies was the driving force behind the double treble and then the FA Cup while Rogers was just there to run interference and flash his teeth to the meeja…

  8. Lisbon Lions Upper on

    When Davies was here last time it was as Brendan’s number 2. JK was coach then but has been number 2 since Brendan ext. JK staying would only have been as number 2 therefore no place for Davies. Davies’ availability for Ange’s number 2 is only because it was clear he wasn’t getting the number 2 gig at Celtic this time round.

  9. HLS 10.47pm

     

     

    Some fans just love not to be happy … our nearest challengers have won 2 trophies in the last decade the same amount as St Johnstone … Celtic have won plenty

     

     

    Ange was magic … I sort of want him to do well with Spurs

     

     

    But will also quite enjoy if it all goes to shit :-)

  10. HAIRLIKESPAGHETTI @10:47

     

     

    Just think of Walter (Spit) and McCoist (Not enough spit in the world).

     

     

    Don’t think there was a decent set of Teeth between them….

     

     

    SCUM

  11. Lisbon Lions Upper on

    For what it’s worth I’m not completely wild about Brendan’s seemingly imminent arrival but I’ll fully support it if it happens. As Paul says his signing record doesn’t really bear scrutiny too well and our points total seasons 2 and 3 weren’t great. Nonetheless there’s risk with all options and therefore he’s probably the best bet from all names quoted.

  12. Gftb – it’s in our interests for Ange to do well at Spurs. Same as when our players leave. It adds value to us.

     

     

    Annoying, but the reality of our world

     

     

    I’m over Ange to be honest

     

     

    He did his job. More than that, I just don’t care.

  13. RT 12.24am

     

     

    In the cold light of day I do wish Ange all the best

     

     

    I realise it’s these guys jobs

     

     

    But still a bit scunnered with some of the bull crap

     

     

    You’d think we would widen up the older we are .. sometimes I think it gets worse :-)

     

     

    When the EPL kicks off I will not care too much but by that time probably cheer Ange on …. Whereas 4yrs ago I had a wee smile every time Leicester lost …

     

     

    But now would be delighted if Brendan is next manager

     

     

    Who ever said football fans are fickle :-)

  14. GFTB @ 9:54

     

    I was thinking similar thoughts, and if memory serves me Paul hinted in one of his earlier pieces this week that nothing was signed and maybe this was due to termination clauses in his Leicester departure.

  15. I see the Record constant posting every couple of hours Brendan this Brendan that .. when he’s about to sign, what he’s going to do blah blah blah

     

     

    And it stinks

     

     

    I’ve got a horrible feeling he’s not coming at all and it’s being played out Eddie Howe style in order to set us back or it will be someone else.

     

     

    I hope I am wrong

  16. Everyone thinks they know more than they actually do. There’s a tight system for keeping things in-house usually based on gaining or losing money. IMHO Rodgers left because (i) he’s first of all a professional manager just like Ange and wanted into a richer and more challenging league; whether he was a real fan or not is besides the point (ii) he left in the belief that Celtic would go on to win the league regardless and he probably believed that Celtic would win the 10IAR regardless. I don’t think at that time Celtic were ready to meet his ambitions so that must also have played a part. Lenny’s failure to win 10IAR is a whole different story.

     

     

    I’ll take Rodgers again but he needs to be backed and he needs to improve his performance defensively both at home and in Europe. He’ll have a much more difficult time this time with a better rangers team and progress in Europe is a must and I mean at least the Europa League.

  17. GG 12.53am

     

     

    It’s all about the money :-)

     

     

    At many thousand quid @ week I wouldn’t pay them ti at least the players are back :-)

     

     

    Captain Callum hasn’t even had a break yet, although he’s used to trebles more than Grealish, Haaland n Co

     

     

    :-)

     

     

    Good things come to those who wait 🍀

     

     

    Stock Exchange CSC

  18. This cocky post popped up on my FB timeline.

     

    This panic signing is being made because they’re scared of Michael Beale and what he’s doing at Ibrox. The signing of Jack Butland, and the success of Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin have Parkhead aware Rangers will be far from a walkover next season, and they’ve tried to bring their a-game to rebut it.

     

     

    And we at Ibrox Noise absolutely love it. Did we already say that?

     

    Beale must be handing out Deludemol to the gullibillies.

     

    I won’t be able to sleep tonight for the tears on my pillow.

  19. Good morning from an overcast North Staffs.

     

    In overnight news – I didn’t sleep well, busy day planned.

  20. bigrailroadblues on

    Good morning all from Govanhill. Saturday fun day, let the good times roll. 👍

  21. Heading up to Stonehaven for the Midsummer Beer Festival.

     

     

    Weather looks good too.

     

     

    Have a good weekend and be nice!

  22. Super Saturday for us again,

     

    I have every faith in big curly whiskers getting our management team in place and backing for an onslaught on Europe now that we are world record treble winners.

     

    I see from above there is more tripe being spewed from the Sevies and msm about the noisey lot doon the river forever in our shadow. 🍀😎

  23. Scaniel on 17th June 2023 6:11 am

     

     

    Haven’t heard from Big Jimmy in a while. Hope you’re well Big Fella.

     

     

    ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

     

     

    I second that.

  24. Fullname: Patrick Gallacher

     

    aka: Patsy Gallacher, Patsy Gallagher, Patrick Gallagher

     

    Nickname: The Mighty Atom

     

    Born: 16 March 1891

     

    Died: 17 June 1953

     

    Birthplace: Milford, Donegal, Ireland

     

    Signed: 25 October 1911 (from Clydebank Juniors)

     

    Left: 29 July 1925 (to Falkirk)

     

    Debut: Celtic 3-1 St Mirren, League, 2nd Dec 1911

     

    Position: Right Winger, Forward

     

    Internationals: Ireland (Belfast based IFA) / Ireland (Dublin based FAI) / Scottish League XI / Scottish FA Tour / Scotland (wartime)

     

    International Caps: 12 caps / 1 cap for Irish Free State / 2 caps / 7 caps / 1 cap

     

    International Goals: 0 / 0 / 0 / 7 / 1

     

     

    “So long as there is a Celtic the name of Patsy Gallacher will be revered, and his sons and their families can rightly be proud of that.”

     

    Robert Kelly Celtic Chairman

  25. Good morning all from an overcast Garngad…..Or is it smoke comming from the Celtic park chimney…..Nah?

     

     

    Oh well maybe later, I am sure all is going swimingly I think it does take a week or 2 to get a signature.

     

     

    After all it cannot be backroom staff holding BR signature up, remember Ange came with no one.

     

     

    D :)

  26. When Maley first introduced the fragile looking player to his new team-mates the legendary Jimmy Quinn remarked:

     

     

    “You can’t put that Bhoy on the park boss. If you do it will be manslaughter!”.

  27. To be honest I would not be disappointed with Brendan Rodgers appointment , but I really fancied us getting the boy from Bodo Glimp I was overly surprised at the quality of football from them when we played them last season , they outplayed us . Sorry to see ange go but more disappointed with his leading us up the garden path , hate badge kissers and chest thumpers knowing he is for the off , thought we deserved better from him , I won’t be looking for spurs score as soon as he left that’s the end of the story for me . HH

  28. SILVER CITY 1888 on 16TH JUNE 2023 10:04 PM

     

     

     

    Supporters being what they are, that could certainly be true !

  29. fourstonecoppi on

    I hear the sound of a distant drum………

     

     

    the deluded now march past, waving their wee flegs and some dont even have pot to piss in.

     

     

    Oh dear, what a shame never mind!

  30. By Ryan Maher

     

     

    As the great-granddaughter of a genuine Celtic legend, the green and white run deep in Amy Gallacher.

     

     

    A 14-year career with Celtic in the early 1900s brought six league titles, four Scottish Cups and four Glasgow Cups for Patsy Gallacher, one of the most gifted players to ever wear the Hoops.

     

     

    Now, just less than a century on, his legacy continues at Celtic Park in the form of Amy, who signs for Fran Alonso’s side for the start of the 2022/23 campaign, joining after a successful career at Hibernian.

     

     

    With her grandfather Tom also a famous player for Dundee, and Uncle Kevin representing Scotland at the 1998 World Cup, football runs deep in the Gallacher family tree.

     

    No.6 Patsy Gallacher (1911-1926) 192 goals in 464 games – a goal every 2.4 games.

     

     

    However, it’s Patsy’s achievements at Celtic that draw the most inspiration for Amy as she signed her contract in the club boardroom with her great-grandfather’s medals in the cabinets behind her.

     

     

    Speaking exclusively to Celtic TV, she said: “I’m very happy to be here, obviously it’s a massive club and a successful one, so I’m happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started.

     

     

    “Following my great-granddad makes the moment a bit more special. It’s a special moment for me and for my family.

     

     

    ‘Obviously, he’s a Celtic legend, so I’m not sure if I’ll live up to that but it’s a special moment.’

     

     

    “Like him, I want to be successful here and continue to develop myself and win trophies.”

     

     

    After beginning her career at Forfar Farmington, the 23-year-old joined Hibs in 2017, going on to win multiple Scottish Cup and League Cup titles.

     

     

    She gained vital Champions League experience, scoring in a tie away to Slavia Prague, and Gallacher says she wants to continue to add more top-level European experience while at Celtic, alongside adding to her medal haul.

     

     

    She continued: “It was a no brainer to sign here. I spoke to the manager a few times and I love the style of play and I think I will fit in really well here.

     

     

    “I’m an attacking player and I like to create things, so hopefully I can bring goals and assists and just add things on the pitch.

     

     

    “I want to qualify for the Champions League and win titles and hopefully that’s something I can do over the coming years.

     

     

    “Champions League nights with the men’s team at Celtic Park is massive so hopefully we can qualify here and bring it again.”

     

     

    https://cdn.celticnewsnow.com/assets/images/photos/20220525-great-granddaughter-of-patsy-gallacher-to-follow-in-his-foot-l.jpg

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