I remember writing with anticipation 10 years ago as many of Martin O’Neill’s benchwarmers came to the end of their contracts. Martin was not a squad rotator, so those not entrusted with his confidence found themselves on the bench or in the stand on match day, there was little scope to play your way back into the squad, and the wages spent unproductively inhibited our chances of bringing in fresh talent.
Ronny Deila spoke to the media on Friday about the same issue, moving on those who are already well out of the picture, as well as some who played their part last season but who are unlikely to see much in the way of game time in the season ahead.
There’s going to be a bit of churn in the squad, we’re still likely to add three or four players, but it’s been 20 years since a Celtic manager’s talked about creating space in the squad for youth players to fill. This isn’t a criticism of the managers we’ve had since then, more a reflection of the pressure they worked under.
Tommy Burns had to drive us from mid-table mediocrity to genuine contenders. Wim, Dr Jo and John Barnes weren’t here long enough to concern themselves about development, which Martin made it clear from day one that his interest extended only as far as the first team squad.
I doubt any Celtic manager worked under the intensity Gordon Strachan experienced during his four years. Every point dropped delivered a greater trauma than at any time I can remember. Neil Lennon managed through the transition, from competing head-to-head with three-in-a-row winners Rangers, to getting used to life as the last surviving superpower.
This is Ronny’s luxury. It doesn’t matter if we win the league by a record tally, or match the defensive records created in each of the last two seasons. Better to lose more games while giving a chance to young talent, than ask hoary pros to grind through the same gears one more time.
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thompsintwin,
Without Ireland Celtic are just a boring Scottish team. Republicanism for people here is about equality, respect, education and self determination.
We are not there yet.
Why do think it all about fighting?
St Stivs
The thing i think is that we should argue our case without throwing insults designed to negate the other persons argument
Its common when to throw around insults like “racist,facist” etc rather than actually argue the case, as calling someone a racist or facist generally means nothing they say is to be taken seriously
To me by implying that Macjay may be a serving or ex member of the British Security Forces you were doing something similar
He makes points that many on here are uncomfortable with.Argue your case with him but dont stoop to silly insults
But do what you feel comfortable with,you dont need my permission
Can’t wait to the 1st of July anyway, to buy the new Celtic away tap.
Pure class that.
HH.
I have known lots of Celtic fans in the Forces, they hate their job, but then again don’t we all.
Hail Hail.
Wits,
Your right, ta.
What regiment were you in ?
That was just a leg pull,
Me being a real west Brit, for now.
Saint Stivs
01:03 on
29 June, 2015
Wits.
Macjay had heavy heavy discussions on here one night with a particular poster who had been in the maze.
Things were said, implied, and commented on that made me uncomfortable.
——————————————————————————————————————-
That`s right.
And disgraceful references were made in relation to genetics and to my children.
16 Roads
You are coming across as a silly boy now
I am sure you are better than that
But as Dublin is the Capital of The Irish Republic I think made in Dublin are far more relevant .
The High Kings of All Ireland ?
Not really into the concept of Royal Families myself
Being a republican you see
Mac.
Good night, enjoy your sunny day.
St Stivs
Oh I am a Royal Dublin Fusiliers man meself,B Coy,(hiding under the bed division)
you see the Dublin Fusiliers,
The dirty old bamboozlers,
De Wet’ll get the childer, one, two, three.
Marching from the Linen Hall
There’s one for every cannonball,
And Vicky’s going to send yis all, o’er the sea
Macjay,
Fair play, but what do you feel about the actions of the British Army in the north?
Why are the Irish the terrorists in your view?
Did the British not commit acts of terrorism in Ireland?
God Save Ireland
I love the Irish.
Looking into things is really uncomfortable, not for the intellectuals – Not talking about Ireland.
That Tall Dude frae(wee) Norway came out of the Scooby Doo…. Can you Feel it?
I can.
Clogher celt
nobody has clean hands
How can you say that when one is an invading force ? that’s ridiculous .
Hail Hail.
TTF
And back then when I became a Dance Snob, I called them The T!t Factory.
Vespacide
Nobody has clean hands
Invading force /// resisting force
I feel the Ronny D – Energy Rushing over Moi.
ThompsonTwin
00:51 on
29 June, 2015
Mate,what binds us is our love of Celtic F.C.
I can`t see how association with the I.R.A. is in any way a positive one.
Quite the reverse.
Does an immune system not expel a corrupt organism ?
Hail Hail.
WITs,
I know.
But let’s not forget, they invaded here. Spent 800 years here, until they were chased out.
HH
WITS,
Thanks for the Ascot Tips, out of this World.
If you are in Belfast July 17/18 I can repay you a wee bit by buying you a few Beers.
WITS – Ancient systems of governance in place,centuries before the Saxon ever set foot on these shores.
The Celts were welding the axe against one another long before their arrival – can’t be blaming the Saxon for everything.
As for Dublin – Cheating, unfair advantage, whatever.
It’s supposed to be an amateur sport, is it not?
AIG?
I hope and pray that Donegal put yous to bed at some stage during the Championship.
Don’t see why not, considering that Dublin are the worst bottle merchants in the history of both codes.
ChokersCSC.
HH.
Macjay
For a lot of people they go hand in hand
And ….I understand why they see anyone who criticises this as being someone who is trying to dilute the Irish connection or irish roots of Celtic Fc which undeniably were entwined with the political/cultural aspirations of the Irish diaspora who founded Celtic.
Its complicated…as I am sure you know
It’s Ireland , all of it, north, south east and west, it’s the island of Ireland, always has, always will be.
Hail Hail.
Ooft, I’m right off here. I have a family and animals to attend to.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Clogher Celt
800 years and chased out ??
They havent gone away you know
16 Roads
Sorry I missed the Native Game this afternoon ( was watching Coronation Street) but I gather the True Blue Dubs AKA Capital of West Britania wiped the floor with some rural Irish Peasant team
Bring it on
Vespacide
No arguments from me with your geography
but so what
clogher celt
01:16 on
29 June, 2015
When British troops arrived in Derry `68 ( ?) ,they came to help Catholic families who were being attacked and burnt out of their houses by loyalists.
They,from memory,were welcomed with open arms and cups of tea.
I don`t think that should be forgotten.
Tragically it wasn`t long before that changed.
If you feel that the actions of British troops in Ireland were terrorism,then I`m not going to disagree.
Come on now.
F**K shi*ania.
Hail Hail.
clogher celt
01:16 on
29 June, 2015
When British troops arrived in Derry `68 ( ?) ,they came to help Catholic families who were being attacked and burnt out of their houses by loyalists.
They,from memory,were welcomed with open arms and cups of tea.
I don`t think that should be forgotten.
Tragically it wasn`t long before that changed.
If you feel that the actions of British troops in Ireland amounted to terrorism,then I`m not going to disagree.
Come on now.
How about my question to you.
Wits,
Maybe not, but Ireland is a great place to bring the young one’s up.
WITS – Yous are settling yerselves up for another fall, once again.
Never learn, do yous?
If it isn’t the green & gold of Donegal, it’ll be green & gold of Kerry.
Good to see.
Dublin really are the Sevco of Ireland.
HH.
Macjay
You arent completely correct with your version of history
Northern Ireland was teetering on the brink of civil war,the Westminister administration what had shamefully ignored the festering sectarian cesspit until it exploded belatedly intervened to try and contain the situation by putting troops on the streets
In Derry with its nationalist majority the troops were probably more welcomed by the RUC which was taking a hammering,however in Belfast where catholic/nationalist families were under constant attack from loyalist mobs led by the POLICE,its true that the British Army was initially welcomed as a respite
It didnt take long for the army to align themselves with the loyalists and sadly we had 30 years of mayhem
What is the Stars
01:27 on
29 June, 2015
I love the Irish connection to Celtic.
I cherish it.
I can perfectly well understand the sense of grievance that Irish people feel about their history.
Recent and ancient.
Re Celtic and Republicanism (either constitutional or militant)
Apart from Michael Davitt laying a sod of turf in 1892 and Eamon De Valera sending a new tricolour as requested by Jimmy McGrory in 1951-2.
Can anyone point out ANYTHING that organised Irish Republicanism, of whatever hue, has done within the last, say 60 years, specifically and exclusively for the unconditional positive benefit of Celtic Football Club?
16 Roads
Kerry maybe
Donegal no chance
Yes us Dubliners are very arrogant…..but we have a lot to be arrogant about
Christ is King of Kings
Clogher
I am Irish,I grew up here
my children grew up here
It is a wonderful place
Why do feel the need to tell me all this
That Number 7 definitely wisnae BAD.