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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Paisley Bhoy
Not just Lawwell,Ronny Must go also
How long do we have to put up with this
Huh, Craig Gordon deserves great credit. He has not conceded a goal. As for the “strikers” their scoring ratio is pathetic.
They join PL and RD.
HH.
Greenpinata
Ok keep Craig Gordon and the defence
But apart from that……we deserve better
After a few pints tonight,and after a few weeks off this blog,I came on for a bit of banter.Sorry but after a certain bloggers bigotry I wished I had stayed away.
I will not be drawn into an orchestrated debate,
If you don’t like what we are.GTF
Fanadpatriot
so what are we then
Saint Stivs
23:55 on
28 June, 2015
Macjay,
How’s was armed forces day, did you get to celebrate your unique heritage.
———————————————————————————————————————-
As a member of the Murphy clan?
WITS,
Ronny was superb in Dublin last night.
Not a West Brit,that’s for sure .
Just started seeing the Innis and Gunn Beerbond adverts appearing on CQN. Anyone else or is it just aimed at me?
Read about it yesterday in the FT and had some interest.
Having now seen Gordon Ramsay promoting it I suddenly don’t want involved.
What is the Stars
00:23 on
29 June, 2015
Thanks for that.
Macjay.
Did you enjoy armed forces day ?
Meet up with the old regiment ?
Simple question.
clogher celt
00:23 on
29 June, 2015.
Oh dear.
Clogher
Sounds like a good night
Fanad
My question was “so what are we then” in response to your charming and erudite comment “if you dont like what we are then GTF”
I would presume the WE is celtic or the celtic support.
Hence my question what are We
So your answer “not a West Brit” is very enlightening
Macjay1 – It’s no big deal, really it isn’t.
Opinions are opinions, divided or United.
One thing though – I resent this tripe that people in the 26 counties,somehow believe that they have the right to define which part of Ireland is Irish and which part isn’t.
We are Ulster – we are the most Gaelic of the 4 provinces – this is the land of O’Neill and O’Donnell.
This is the place where the Irish language is currently thriving, yet the language is in decline throughout the 26.
This is what it is – We decide, not some Sunday Independent Jack from the North of Dublin whom is completely immersed in English culture(if you can call it that)and is actually ashamed to be Irish.
The high kings of All-Ireland.
Marvellous.
HH. :)
Guys,
To all innocent people who are killed by terrorists. Does terminology matter to them.
HH.
What is the stars.
Good night.
TAL
16 Roads
Lots of nonsense there
but explain this one please
One thing though – I resent this tripe that people in the 26 counties,somehow believe that they have the right to define which part of Ireland is Irish and which part isn’t.
Whats that about
Saint Stivs
00:40 on
29 June, 2015
Macjay.
Did you enjoy armed forces day ?
Meet up with the old regiment ?
Simple question.
———————————————————————————————————–
No I didn`t.
I also asked a simple question.
It has remained unanswered.
Viz.
“Please tell me what was achieved in those thirty years of pain and sorrow in terms of the aims of the I.R.A. or the provos or the real I.R.A. or the Continuity I.R.A.”
Anybody?
Fanad
Good night to you also
Sleep well
MacJay 1 – agree – what on earth all the Irish Republicanism has to do with CELTIC FOOTBALL CLUB in 2015, completely escapes me.
The censorial and coercive nature of the narrow-minded and short-sighted clique on this forum, who constantly punt this stuff, sickens me
CELTIC FOOTBALL CLUB is not a political, racial, or religious platform – we welcome all comers, regardless of colour, creed, or, political persuasion.
Individuals may hold whatever views they wish – BUT – leave them outside Celtic Park.
We need Alfie knokes and declan back.
Off to bed.
Keep it lit.
Macjay.
Did you serve in the British army ?
Or in the ulster prison service ?
I’m right outa here. Have never been in the majority’s on here homeland, and never likely to ever visit, I will wish you all whatever you wish on yourselves. Wit a friigin crew you are.
Thank the lord I support Celtic.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Weefra,
Scotland is magic, Mon visit sometime
WITS – This is the land of O’Neill and O’Donnell.
We decide.
Not you.
HH.
Macjay,
Sorry you have may have missed my question. You replied “Oh dear.” when I asked about British terrorism in the north of Ireland.
Surely I got that wrong.
What is your view on that?
Weefrathetim – Gentleman and a scholar as always.
Ignore the Irish in-fighting.
It’s just what we do sometimes.
Goodnight and God bless.
Legend.
HH.
St Stivs
Why make such comments about Macjay (are you in British Army etc) because he has criticised the actions of The Ira
The vast majority of Irish people north and south of the border consistenly criticised the activities of the IRA ….of course we are all west brit quisling collaborators etc
Nonsense …
16 Roads
So Only O’Neills and O;Donnells decide
Decide on what by the way
I been going to celtic park since 1976, not as long as some but i’ve put the time in. there’s always been a political flavour around celtic park. not just Irish politics.
Saint Stivs
The answer to both questions is no.
———————————————————————————————————————
Would you have the courtesy to answer my question?
“Please tell me what was achieved in those thirty years of pain and sorrow in terms of the aims of the I.R.A. or the provos or the real I.R.A. or the Continuity I.R.A.
saint stivs
00:56 on 29 June, 2015
Weefra,
Scotland is magic, Mon visit sometime
Have never left Scotland in the last 25 years. Tell me you can match that. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
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.
I would like macjay to tell me if he was a paid employee of either organization.
Is that all right with you ?
Have I got your permission ?
Mackay,
Good on you cobber, ta for clarification.
I can’t answer or explain anything about IRA. I was never in it.
Off to bed now.
Ta for the fun.
Keep it lit.
Nighty nighty.
clogher celt
00:58 on
29 June, 2015
I specifically referred to Bloody Sunday and to the Shankhill butchers.
Does that not tell you how I feel about crimes committed on both sides?
WITS – We decide the future of the entire island, not Dublin.
Ulster.
Antrim.
Down.
Donegal.
Fermanagh.
Armagh.
Cavan.
Monaghan.
Tyrone.
Derry.
Always have been the high kings of All-Ireland,and always shall be.
Not Dublin.
Should ye not catching up with the Eastenders omnibus anyway?
HH.
F**k the armed forces I just finished watching the Forbin Project Colossus, does anyone have a resolution to this ending ? Colossus
Hail Hail.