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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So we will be up against two Red Bull owned teams.
I cant get my head round this one.
There could easily be scenarios in which they could to help each other qualify for the next round.
There should be an objection from Celtic now!
Succession management is what BR calls it. He also references Confirmation bias, which is prevalent in all our posts, some just are too intransigent to debate or work it thru to a sensible conclusion.
Personally i dont have any time for anyone on the PLC board, with a special mention for the chairman and i wouldnt trust Pistol Pete with your money never mind mine. That doesnt stop me appreciating some of the things he does but i think this is one transfer window too far. We need a fresh approach or fresh personnel, much like the football team.
Alas these past couple of months have been such a shit-show that I don’t know who or what to believe anymore. I will therefore invoke the adage: ‘there are 3 sides to every story; your side, their side and the truth’.
Indulging in speculation based on no facts whatsoever, I do not believe Celtic would turn down £10m for Boyata and £20m for Dembele under normal circumstances. It’s not in their nature. In fact have we not indulged petulant players before? VVD, Wanyama and Petrov immediately come to mind.
If I were guessing I would say that with no replacements lined up, there would have been an almighty falling out between the executive and the manager. Brendan Rogers has got his way this time and Peter Lawell will make a virtue out of both players remaining at Celtic. A win/win.
However, and to address the question posed by SFTB, this time next year both Peter Lawell and Brendan Rogers will not be in situ. Only one will be in his current position and I am on record as saying I do not think Peter Lawell will survive this fiasco.
On other matters I am pleased with the EL draw and would expect Celtic to be competitive in that group. Elsewhere, it looks like the luck Gerrard has enjoyed in Europe has run out. Hopefully a good result on Sunday will begin the unravelling process.
@ BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 31ST AUGUST 2018 1:31 PM
Considering this transfer window in total, you cannot surely believe it has been a success? Obviously we have a couple of hours left but it doesn’t look like there will be a huge amount of movement.
We have followed a record breaking season (in every area) with a very poor window. Poor recruitment which has caused issues with the manager and split the support (although CQN does include a very conservative bunch whose opinion falls on one side more than the other).
@ BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 31ST AUGUST 2018 1:33 PM
Is that your logic? Because Sevco fans think we will struggle, all Celtic fans have to think we will go through?
Look at it objectively, a team that finished 6th in Germany last year (2 points behind 3rd) and a team that got the semi final of the competition last year. On the balance of probabilities, I’m thinking that we will struggle to get through.
Hands
We have clearly an analysis to do on our transfer dealings this summer. Constantly comparing us with brand Sevco and their evolution from total laughing stock to draw specialists does your argument no favours. As BSR pointed out it’s beyond apples and pears.
DAVID17 on 31ST AUGUST 2018 1:11 PM
BIG-CUP-WINNERS on 31ST AUGUST 2018 1:05 PM
DAVID17
What you on about ?
I haven’t referenced anything to do with you.
———
Ok, I misunderstood your post to TTT on page 1.
==============================================
Yes, you did. An apology would have been better.
bournesouprecipe on 31st August 2018 1:27 pm
Mind the time Red Bull we’re going to bid £7M for wee Barry MacKay.
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Not all of the bull is red – there’s quite a lot of brown out there too…
drawing Leipzig is going to cause me a lot of hassle
I have been on here numerous times in the past to correct people who call them Red Bull Leipzig, and thats when we havent even been playing them
And now we have drawn them there have already been more offenders today
They are not called Red Bull Leipzig, that isn’t what the RB means
They might be owned by Red Bull, and they deliberately chose their prefix to begin with the letters RB, but it doesn’t stand for Red Bull, it isnt the name of the team.
Hmmmph [insert snorting emoji here]
Negativity is not allowed, even when its accurate.
Its all the MSM’s fault CSC
@ BIG WAVY on 31ST AUGUST 2018 1:39 PM
Point taken. Last year I would have agreed. They are a laughing stock. But they seem to have made some prudent signings this year and improved on the pitch. I just feel that we are sleeping at the wheel and inviting a challenge that could have been extinguished before it began by flexing our (now) not inconsiderable financial muscles.
lets all do the huddle ? on 31st August 2018 1:42 pm
They are not called Red Bull Leipzig, that isn’t what the RB means
=========
Its one helluva coincidence though eh ;)
HH
TRADITIONALIST88 on 31ST AUGUST 2018 1:43 PM
Fixed that for you
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Negativity is of course allowed, but many don’t care if its accurate.
Its partly the MSM’s fault CSC
I can’t sleep thinking about all this Red Bullsh*t? I’m tense and nervous and I can’t relax.
big wavy on 31st August 2018 1:46 pm
I agree, many don’t!
HH
I’m looking forward to play Raw Baws Leipzig, I might even get up there for that experience:))
So some reckon if Moussa is unhappy its likely to have a knock on effect within the squad, Aye like when Cragie G ran the length of the park to celebrate with Dedryck after his unhappiness caused another split..
Looks like we are in for a load more Bull before the transfer windae gently closes the nicht.
What is it the 3 Musketeers say again .
The Hands
It’s only the internet mate you’re taking yourself way too seriously.
The crowd last night are the majority we are less than 1%.
Nobody cares what it says on the internet they are too busy enjoying Celtic
The Hands
The Sevco dilemna was always going to be a distraction. Absolutely better than last year as judged by end of August but we have still to see :
– Trophies allocated out.
– Impact of injuries on their squad – Halliday is in there and Couliibally is out injured already (1 of their better buys).
– Decent managers (Lenny, Clarke, Stubbs, Levein etc) sussing them out tactically.
– Their dip.
– Competing on cold winter nights in Ayrshire and the likes.
– Their drop from ‘Going for 55’ to competing for 2nd and the crowd reaction as players move from heroes to zeros.
Their journey through the season has always got to be judged in its entirety as these things pan out in all its glory. At the end of the season I expect it all to come full circle again as it always does.
I think our clusterfucking has amplified their usual WATP nonsense pre and early season brings regardless.
Hope we hammer them on Sunday csc
https://thecelticblog.com/2018/08/blogs/all-the-key-issues-appear-settled-for-the-day-this-is-everything-until-january-then/
Is he staying, is he going, have we no replacement, bla de bla de bla.#
We have a perfectly adequate replacement in Griffiths who to my mind has not been treated very well. Fair play to him, no spitting out the dummy, no tantrums, he just gets on with it. How many goals has he scored for us compared to Moussa, who in my mind is not as great as everyone seems to think. A bit sizzle without the steak for me, but the board knows best eh??
We will see
KINGLuBO
https://twitter.com/STVRaman/status/1035499228691398657?s=08
MD leaves training…
Ok the draw:
Salzburg
Celtic
Red Bull RasenBallsport (Grass Ball sport) Leipzig
Rosenborg
Right fixed that for everyone
!!BADA BING!! on 31ST AUGUST 2018 2:00 PM
https://twitter.com/STVRaman/status/1035499228691398657?s=08
MD leaves training…
Brendan sent him to detention?
It hasn’t been confirmed yet but the deal looks very much complete as Filip Benkovic trained with the Celtic squad for the first time this morning.
Brendan put him on tea making and boot cleaning duty . Get him to fek
Photos of Benkovic training with us today – standing beside Mulumbu ironically.
Any reason why we haven’t announced then ?
Ooohh. That’s a tough group. Think RBS made the semis last season and RBL the quarters, although they might be on the decline a bit. Finished second the previous season. Have lost Keita since then too.
Salzburg probably favourites. Excellent recruitment setup.
Celtic web site shows currently a first team squad of 34 plus 2 new signings = 36 players. Surely this is far too many. If we have 11 starters and 3 subs that is only 14 players contributing in any game. 22 unused players. It beggars believe after Brendan was quoted saying he preferred a tight squad of 25-26
How much will the wage bill be?
So we have RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, RosenBorg and Celtic – we might as well add RB to Celtic since we’ve made a Right Balls-up of this transfer window
Big Wavy
Maybe waiting to announce all the new signings together. Dream Dream Dream
WILL HE OR WONT HE
VFR and I have a bet … will MD still be at Celtic at the end of the window? I say no, VFR says yes. The loser donates 25 quid to Mary’s Meals (so, really, there is no loser …. although the ‘person who doens’t win’ will no doubt get some good natured ribbing on CQN.
anyone else want to join in? pick a side… and find someone who holds the opposite view. small wager… all money goes to Mary’s Meals, or a charity of your favourite choosing.
At least something good could come out of this transfer window.
Yes… I am clearly missing GFS or LMS … and I’m not even a gambler!
:)
Bigbhoy
I’d hope for exits for Miller (loan confirmed), Comperr (paid off), Benyu (paid off), Allan (paid off), De Vries, Ralston (Loan), Hendry (loan) and Eboue (loan) at least…
Would have added Christie to that list but he was great last night..
Former Celtic star Shaun Maloney joins Belgium’s coaching team
Hard to say what’s going on, but body language doesn’t look great in the video. It may be the case that Moussa wasn’t applying himself properly and Brendan sent him inside. I would imagine that is more likely than a bid having been received. We shall see.
https://twitter.com/stvsport/status/1035504642506084352?s=21
TimJim
Think that approach was shattered when we announced Mulumbu separately…
Like lots of things this summer it all feels a bit amateurish
I’ll (OAP) put a fiver on, he’ll still be a Celtic player (a no to happy one) the morra.
lets all do the huddle ? on 31st August 2018 1:42 pm
drawing Leipzig is going to cause me a lot of hassle
I have been on here numerous times in the past to correct people who call them Red Bull Leipzig, and thats when we havent even been playing them
And now we have drawn them there have already been more offenders today
They are not called Red Bull Leipzig, that isn’t what the RB means
They might be owned by Red Bull, and they deliberately chose their prefix to begin with the letters RB, but it doesn’t stand for Red Bull, it isnt the name of the team.
Hmmmph [insert snorting emoji here]
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Quite right. In Scotland they are known as NBMKRB Leipzig.
Nearly-Barry-MaKays-Red-Bull-Leipzig.