I heard earlier this transfer window that the club didn’t expect an offer for Moussa Dembele. There was interest a year ago, but a year of injury, then a fresh injury at the start of this season, convinced all that the player would be with us until January, at least.
When Real Madrid invoked a buy-out clause for Lyon striker Mariano on Wednesday, the French club were prepared to throw a lot of money around to buy a replacement, and their primary target was Moussa Dembele.
There are millions of euros at play here. Agent fees alone would be in seven figures, while the contract available for the player would dwarf anything Celtic pay. In addition, they were prepare to offer Celtic a lot of money. So what do you do?
Celtic were not planning to sell Moussa Dembele, just as they were not planning to sell Kieran Tierney in July. The club gave very clear messages to Lyon that they would not entertain a bid. Note Lyon president, Jean-Michel Aulas’ comments “I know the boss at Celtic well. He is basically like a bulldog who negotiates after yapping.”
The assumption in Lyon was that after Peter Lawwell’s “yapping” there would be some negotiation. Lyon expected Celtic to roll over, but Celtic did not bite.
The choice was to pocket the money without buying a direct replacement (as it was too late), or reject the offer. The sale was not even considered, by the manager or board. As we saw three weeks ago with Boyata, Celtic do not need the money, what they need is talented footballers.
It was right to reject the offer. Not just because we need players more than money, but because if we fold under player pressure, we will only encourage more ‘sore back/not the right frame of mind’ scenarios when contracted players are tapped up during a qualification campaign.
The football business is incredibly unstable. We contract players, who, if they succeed, will soon be able to earn millions of pounds per year more than we will ever pay them. You either sell when the big offers come, or turn your face to stone and sell when you are ready.
I don’t know if playing hardball this month will stop this happening again, but folding would guarantee tantrums every time a player receives an 80€/week offer. We could be sitting this morning with all the money in the world, but a little light up front. That’s not the plan and never has been.
The first piece of business today was the signing of central mid, Youssouf Mulumbu. Youssouf’s career came off the rails when he broke his metatarsal weeks after joining Norwich three years ago, but a cameo half season at Kilmarnock convinced Brendan Rodgers to move. Welcome to Celtic, Youssouf.
Let’s get Filip Benkovic signed up, and spank Newco back into their dystopian existence on Sunday. Oh, and Malmo and Sarpsborg would do nicely in the Europa.
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All said and done I still think we will pump (is it ok to say pump?) the Huns (what about Huns, is that ok?).
MWD
Now! Now!
Thats me felt.
MWD
The Dark One DIVIDES to control people.
He is a Supernatural being that is so Greedy and Selfish.
I AM is his current War Cry to those that dinnae ken.
I am is used to sell products these days. :(((((
God `elp us.
If I`d known it was going to be this much fun , I would have been back sooner .
MWD 12.55am
I agree :-)
OGLACH on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2018 12:18 AM
Neanderthals you mean Celtic fans you cretin. I hope they serenade you all season with the entire Reb song book – just for you
Just popped back on and saw this.
a very mature, eloquent and erudite response.
Unfortunately for you some of us attend games to watch football and support the team.
We don’t feel the need to to reprise the 70s and 80s.
What’s next?
All those lovely racist or sectarian or homophobic ditties that were so popular back then before inclusion and tolerance entered the lexicon of Celtic supporters.
A cretin indeed and I’ve never even been to Crete.
Definitely, night night.
Is the I am Jibber Jabber from the Olde Testament?
PeteC – no more filming this…..
GLASGOW
CELTIC
Mackay 12.59am
Am delighted you are still about to post :-)
It’s been a struggle on here the last wee while … some would make you seem like a happy clapper :-)
It’s not even September and the Celtic entitlement crew are already for jumping out the (transfer) windaes :-)
Vale Bhoy 1.00am
Your best post in a while
Night night
GG
Whats that got to do with planned parenthood and Christian right hypocrisy?
I have lived here almost 30 years and know it’s a capitalist society.
Stats in isolation are nothing but a way for politicians to deflect.
And everyone knows how much government stats are manipulated to make those in power look good.
The country has changed and not for the better under Trump.
You can rattle off financial numbers as much much as you want.
But a lot of those are achieved by a lack of humanity and disdain for human rights.
Majay, grand to see you back , watch your back mate , the serial snake on your case ?my Celtic don’t need to win
What’s your opinions about the Benkovic signing/retaining Boyata guys?
Surely one positive outcome, this window?
Personally, I think Dembele wasn’t that great a player for us. His performances didn’t match his hype in my opinion. Griffiths (for me) is a much better goal scorer. Maybe Griff doesn’t have the raw power or holding ball ability but the other striker attributes favour Griff for me.
Missing striker numbers now or is young Johnstone expected to bridge that gap?
EMUSANORPHAN on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2018 12:44 AM
Don’t these French/ Belgian projects ever learn the Soldiers Song? s? Obviously not Catholic enough.
======================
Who – other than you – mentioned their religion ?
Who – other than you – has even brought their religion into the debate ?
Who – other than a Hun – would do such a thing?
If you are not a Hun, you are doing a good impression of one (and, no – ‘Hun’ is not a religion, before you ask).
HH
BGFC
Weebawbabbity
Hope your no on that hoe garden stuff
Ma Celtic have never needed to win
Andy Peyten CSC
Gerry
I just feel sympathy for those unhappy Celtic supporters who are unwilling , or unable , to see the big picture .
Celtic are in a better place than they have been for many years . Can anyone doubt that ?
No sympathy ,however for those who attempt to impose their unhappiness on their fellow Tims.
That`s just self indulgence.
Macjay
To this day am delighted to have met you and your daughter but I sort of liked the fact your Bhoy was out at the “dancing” hope your are enjoying these trebles that Brendan has brought and hopefully he will bring some more
Am glad to see you posting, far too many non-Celtic fans on these pages :-)
Hail Hail fae ML5
Bit mixed about MD leaving.
Moussa never seemed totally up for the bread n butter games and cut an uninterested figure at times last season. Suspect injury record. But he was our best and most explosive/dynamic player when on form and up for it.
Disappointed in the way he left but he’s just a young guy finding his way. I think he’ll go all the way if he can stay injury free.
Players come and go but Celtic football club will remain.
HH
Gerry ,
Lovely of you to say so .
My son , Eddie , should have been there .
He`s a welded on Tim and can`t wait to return to Bonnie which he loved , and to make your acquaintance .
God willing .
Si Dios quiere .
Some racist , eh.
:-)
Thanks to all of you who have been kind enough to say ” hello ” but most particularly to those of you who said
” goodbye “.
There`s only one negative . Being ignored .
Hail Hail to all .
Paul 67
An interesting few days ahead regarding the future of your blog and hows it is perceived.
Do you continue your support of Peter Lawwell even though it is to the detriment of the club?
You have always gave Lawwell your backing, most recently the cringe inducing ‘John McGinn didn’t sign
as he wouldn’t be guaranteed a starting 11 place’ piece to placate Lawwell, which resembled a Smithers/Mr Burns sketch from The Simpsons.
As many journalists used to admit, close relationships with people who give you titbits in exchange for good PR is fine until said journalists have to print a few home truths not to their main sources liking.
With the Dembele debacle now complete and no forward in to replace him, no right back signed, no replacement for Armstrong (Mulumbu is not that type of player), no replacement for Paddy and a loan centre half brought in after the critical Champions League games, our most important games of the season, now is the time for Lawwell to stand down or face open hostility for looking out of his depth.
Lastly, we are normally told these deal take awhile…the Moussa deal took only 3 days from the approach to his signing.
Lawwell had months to tie up McGinn and couldn’t do it.
He really has to go.
FAN-A-TIC @ 12.31
I disagree, you’ll not be surprised to learn.
I’ve spoken with a lot of Celtic fans today at work and elsewhere, anger is for the internet, perfect for venting there were only so many letters of complaint that could get printed in the Celtic view in 1964.
The angry internet doesn’t represent the Celtic support, the Celtic support IMO were inside Celtic Park on Thursday night, nobody cares that the CEO has a heated drive when Celtic cross the white line.
I’m not interested enough in Celtic’s chosen business strategy which people say they disagree with, and tell us on here every day why. I’m too busy being a Celtic supporter to be bogged down by those who think Peter Lawwell is this that, or the next thing, There are other directors on the board that don’t even get a mention on CQN, because some posters don’t even know they exist, never mind who they are, and what their role expects.
I’m happily able to ditch any entrenched agenda’s and open mindedly enthuse about the club, warts and all, I’m confident that our much maligned (on the internet ) transfer strategy is very sound and we’ve the money in the bank. Money in the bank? yes, but I expect it to be spent on players in the next window, and the next and the next prolonging the life of the best football side in Scotland by some distance. The only financially rich legitimately earned football club ever to have existed in Scotland, right here in 2018.
Disappointment yes, but not anger that we didn’t buy the Level 1 type of player that only we in Scotland can afford probably Full Back, as the most urgent. I accepted the plan which I believe was to keep Dedryk, Ajer, Hendry, Simunovic which should have been enough to see off ,AEK. I don’t believe that another Level 1 Centre Back would have made that any more certain.
Most posters post without a clue or regard to the wage bill at Celtic never mind what another ‘Level 1’ player would do to it. Setting Free The Bears posts the details, and has done for years on CQN and that’s where I learned to understand it enough to satisfy my mild disinterest.
We didn’t beat AEK because of tactics, our side, the format, the style, is regularly easily beaten by defensive sides in Europe and the Greek Club had clearly did their homework, in exactly how to do it.
In a sense that’s a much bigger concern for me than not having bought more in the transfer market.
BSR
Have enjoyed your input in the last wee while
Macjay
Hope your back for good
CQN open to all but far better when it’s actually Celtic fans :-)
Sleep well fellow Celts
Griff hat trick now he has hit the Ton
BOURNESOUPRECIPE
We will have to agree to disagree then.
I won’t say we failed to plan as outcome was a result of a well worn strategy
I agree on your opinion about reasons for AEK defeat.
The Greek coaches strategy was better.
I’m sure you know i have been critical of playing system and our purposeless possession for a while now.
So not convinced new signings would have made a difference.
Though hopeful that Molumbu will improve our real problem area.
Fanatic
Apologies for delay in response. The wife was waiting for me to make the tea.
And you know the saying “Happy wife. Dinner tomorrow.”
The diversion into Trump came originally from a remark to Petec somewhere back on page 20 re Trump not caring about the unborn.
I pointed out his record in contrast to his predecessor.
We can differ on his record or on the Trump Derangement Syndrome, but you cannot ignore the jobs and wealth created.
Personally! I am far more concerned about the current Church scandals reaching into the highest echelons, their relative silence on Catholic values on human life and the habit of aggrandizement of career prelates who truly believe they deserve the trappings and lifestyles of princes.
It’s been a very bad summer and not only in the transfer window.
GG
Thanks for keeping it civil.
On the Catholic issue as i already said self preservation and hypocrisy go hand in hand.
I like the new Pope as he seems to be a man with values Christ would be proud of.
On the stats that you presented they are produced through self interest as all administrations do.
The wealth created has been to the benefit of the wealthy so has no impact or benefit to the vast majority of this country.
Trump is a dishonest opportunist and crook and i find it truly comical that the Christian right have so enthusiastically lined up behind a man who Jesus would be ashamed of.
Brendan is at Celtic because, nobody else fancied him.
Skelping Scottish pub teams is his zenith.
If he hasn’t got the know how to clear the AEK Athens hurdle, then how are bigger clubs than Celtic supposed to be impressed ?
Brendan, stumbled across the, tactics, formula etc, in the 1st leg with Zenit, and he has also been lucky that, Scottish football has arrived at the point that his old pal, Tommy Burns(RIP) used to talk about it reaching, if Souness hadn’t came here when he did, TB said that, Scottish football would’ve ended up like the Irish league, had it not been for the arrival of Souness(the beast). Well, it’s a fag paper between, Scottish, and Irish football leagues, Scottish football, without the £49 Old Firm freak show, would be on a par with the Irish league, imho.
Celtic the brand, sucks.
Sure it’s great getting £££££millions in for assets, but, if the manager has tempted fate by not enhancing the team, and then fate nocks on the door, will the manager put his hand up and admit his incompetence, or, will he talk in riddles again, claiming that he wasn’t properly backed by the PLC ?
My hunch, is that the Lyon deal was done weeks ago, and, Brendan, PL, DD etc, sat on the deal, and, the Lyon £20 million, and the last two season’s CL money, will be tanned by those just mentioned, probably with some of it making it’s way along Edminston Drive to keep the £49 Old Firm lights on.
Soul sucking Old Firm orientated guislings.
When the PLC have no further use for Brendan, probably if he fails to clinch the eight 8 in a row, he’ll be gone, troosering ££££millions as he goes. He came from nowhere, and he’ll go back to nowhere.
Good luck the morra.
HH
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Fanatic. Glad to be civil always. However ………. Kidding.
EL Fixtures
CELTIC will play host to Rosenborg on Matchday One of this season’s UEFA Europa League group stages, on Thursday, September 20, with the Norwegian champions visiting Paradise for the second time this season.
When the sides met at the end of July in a Champions League qualifier, the Hoops won 3-1 at home thanks to goals from Olivier Ntcham and a double from Odsonne Edouard.
Celtic’s first away tie will be in Austria on Matchday Two, when they take on FC Salzburg, before a double-header against German Bundelisga side, RB Leipzig. A trip to Norway to take on Rosenborg follows before Brendan Rodgers’ side complete their group-stage fixtures on Matchday Six with a home game against FC Salzburg.
GROUP B FIXTURES
Celtic v Rosenborg
Thursday, September 20
KO: 8pm
FC Salzburg v Celtic
Thursday, October 4
KO: 5.55pm
RB Leipzig v Celtic
Thursday, October 25
KO: 5.55pm
Celtic v RB Leipzig
Thursday, November 8
KO: 8pm
Rosenborg v Celtic
Thursday, November 29
KO: 5.55pm
Celtic v FC Salzburg
Thursday, December 13
KO: 8pm
This didn’t age well, given the club did indeed fold. The whole window has been a car crash. The team has lost huge attacking threat. Our best defender is only here under duress and at odds with club and fans. We have a huge profit from transfers that will be written off against ECL failure.
Worst of all are the conflicts that have riven the club, between manager, Board, players and fans. A club divided is a club defeated. Some forces are beyond our control, but most of the damage from this window was self inflicted. Should we lose to the cheating bigots on Sunday I fear for the recriminations to follow. Hope the CEO invests some of the profits in a top of the range tin hat.
Revisionism in full force, closely followed by patronising pontificating by those supreme beings that know it all
And they talk about the self entitled, we are a club open to all sadly we’ve got our fair share of bawbags.
Cue the anti BR rhetoric being ramped up esp on here
PETERSLATCHFORDSBELLY
`The CEO wears a hearing aid that blocks out all noise made by real Celtic supporters so no tin hat needed.
If some manage to create a nuisance for him he can fall back on his previous strategy of supplying their names and addresses to the police.
I had a sales director once who always declared at forecast meetings
“Revenues cure all ills.”
Likewise a convincing win on Sunday will not paper, but plaster over any remaining cracks between fans, CQN posters, the management and players.
Until Wednesday.
How bad a transfer window was that?
Playing side-squad considerably weakened,and areas of concern not addressed.
Financial side-overpaid and bloated squad reduced,c£30m brought in. Plus four sell-outs in the qualifiers. Didn’t make CL group,but balance of probability suggested huge investment wouldn’t have changed that.
Conclusion.
Playing side-still good enough domestically,but gambling unnecessarily.
Financial side-who needs Europe when we have a genius at the helm to pull success from on-field disaster?
‘GG
Did he work for Roundup?
Welcome back Macjay.
You certainly know how to bring the best out of peoplw ?
This was a summer where too much was taken for granted.
That we had enough to get through the CL qualifiers. No, we didn’t.
That a boyhood Celtic fan would wait forever and a day for us to come in for him. No, he didn’t.
That our players at the World Cup would be able to come back to meaningfully contribute to the CL qualifying campaign. No they weren’t able to do so. Given within this cohort there is gamboa, a fringe player for 2 years, rogic who rarely completes 90 minutes and the ageing Lustig who has always been carefully managed through intense periods of fixture congestion, it was absurd not to cover for some of these guys.
That a guy who had avoided any attempt to extend his contract while using the World Cup as a shop window would somehow be happy to leave when it suited Celtic. No, he wasn’t.
That your Star striker, whose signing talks when joining the club largely focussed on where and when he moved to next, would patiently wait to be moved on at a time and price that suited Celtic and not him. No, he didn’t.
That Sevco continue to be mince. Too early to say on that.
That the Celtic fans would tolerate the poor planning and money piling, to the detriment of team planning, approach in this transfer window. That remains to be seen.
That the best manager we have had in many years will stay around in the face of an amateur hour summer window that culminated in us selling our best player for £20m and trying and failing to scavenge yet another unproven prospect – Dominic solanke – on loan to replace him. I very much doubt in the longer term that Brendan Rodgers will stand for this.
The final thing being taken for granted is that the CEO who has presided over this window will survive despite growing fan unrest and a clear schism emerging between the boardroom and the manager.
An unnecessarily turbulent season in prospect.