Greg Taylor’s departure in the summer is still lamented by some of us. He was the perfect example of how to develop a player. He arrived from Kilmarnock at the same time as Boli Bolingoli, expected to be backup but quickly established himself as first choice, a position he held until departing six years later.
Had he stayed, he would have played more football for Celtic than he has at PAOK so far this season, but it was right for him to move on.
Marcelo Saracchi has been an eye opener for a few of us. South Americans have tended to take a while to settle here. If this Marcelo settling, he will push Kieran for the starting spot this season.
Speak to people in the game, they still tell you the whole world is looking for left backs. It is a specialised job only 10% of the population can apply for. Marcelo will probably move on when his loan ends in the summer, but he has shown is the level to which we need to aspire.
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Weeron at 1:13 – you had me at pub but will watch the forecasts and climb Goatfell if we get very lucky.
Aipple – cheers – we share a love of Celtic and Arran so you’ll know how much I’m looking forward to the trip.
Petethebeat
Tommy Gemmell ?
AN DÚN on 9TH OCTOBER 2025 2:24 PM
Well, it’s great that P67 is so positive about Brendan’s left back plan for this season. Although it took you to apportion the credit.
Well darn it, you got me a good one there!
“But still, very positive.”
Thats the spirit.
From previous article.
moravcik on [9th October 2025 11:47 am]
Burnley78
“56” ?
You seriously believe that myth ?
…….
So called “Celtic fans” bought £49 tickets to agree that Sevco ARE Rangers AFTER Sevco got promoted in 2016 whilst they (Celtic fans) were totally enslaved to Brendan-1.
Shhhhhhh.
celtic40me on 9th October 2025 12:59 pm
An article on a meaningless Uruguay game ?
It was only used for one reason and that was to malign Celtic .
Dreadful stuff.
PeteTheBeat on 9th October 2025 1:55 pm
Quite a few decent right footed left backs in the past – Paul Breitner, Albert Tarantini (Argentina WC 1978 winner), Denis Irwin etc
——————-
Daniel Fegus to accomodate Sandy for the Scotland team.
and he was still the better player.
B78 – that’s really embarassing for me – forgetting Tommy Gemmell !
Yip.
And not the responsibility of the hack.
Monkeys with keyboards clack what they’re told to.
Editorial stance defined to make most money.
Specific scenarios and statistical data either shoehorned to fit that stance … or ignored.
Arsenal to expand the Emirates from 60,000 to ver 70,000.
The stadium is only 19 years old.
Match day revenues was £130m last season.
meanwhile at Celtic Park –
https://cdn.celtsarehere.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_9377.jpg
Really enjoying Saracchi as a player.
What he lacks in height, he makes up for in skill.
Looks to be a short term solution, though our player trading model necessitates this sometimes.
Interesting chat on previous thread about the objectives and, moving forward, the tactics of the Collective.
Demanding the removal of all three of the CEO, CFO and Chairman was, IMHO, an ill thought out, passion driven move.
Not Achievable.
Ran the risk of giving the impression the movement was lazily focusing on the default 3 cartoon baddies.
boss, money guy, guy in the shadows.
I suspect it undermined the group almost immediately in the eyes of the exec.
Removal of one or more NEDs was a more realistic objective.
Missed opportunity.
If you use a VPN you better watch this and think about how safe and private you really are.
https://x.com/tpvsean/status/1975615522956841087#m
HH
oot.
GOD, Ive read some tech bollocks , but……………
Tom- from memory Boruc, Forster,CCV, Jota,loan to buy deals,totally get the owning club are in charge,we should have learned from the Idah deal,not a fan of getting loan players fit for another club, but as C40 said we are only thinking short term,thanks for reply
WBC- Agree, I hope it lasts after the hostage exchange
Bada Bing
Sometimes there is just a hole where a player is not available to fill it.
I think there was hope GT might stay and share load with KT. We have no other obvious LB.
Who knows re KT fitness ? Having experienced cover for a season is fine for me. Better than no cover.
Worth highlighting many fans and BR don’t want projects and want experience. Sadly ‘loans to buy’ tend to be more at project level.
Morata is a good case in point. 3 big loans and none with options. Tell Juventus fans it was not a good deal for them taking him on !
The Idah initial deal was an 11th hour punt on a player being touted by an agent. There was never a loan to buy option on the cards as Norwich were a basket case at that time with ownership in potential transition . I do agree it would have been good.
I thought that Saracchi was very poor defensively last Sunday .
In the first half , His legs give way and the ball gets tangled between his feet .
The results in him giving the ball away well inside our penalty box .
Motherwell missed what was a guilt edged chance from his error .
On top of that he gave the ball away in dangerous areas of the pitch , with 2 very poor passes .
That’s before we look at his clumsy challenge , to give away the penalty .
He is half decent going forward .
But has rash tendencies, and can lack composure at vital times .
TT
I’m not sure that CCV was a loan with a right to buy attached.
My memory of it was that it was in the balance whether or not he would be staying.
There was then a bit of excitement over a photograph circulating that showed a delivery label on a batch of floor tiles for his flat.
That was interpreted as a hint that he would be signing a permanent deal.
Not sure if i am correct in this.
Tttedessco’s for ttttiling CSC
PeteTheBeat on 9th October 2025 1:55 pm
Philip Lahm captained Germany to a World Cup win, although he preferred playing on the right.
CCV, Jota and laterally Bernardo were all loans with a buy option. 👍
PETETHEBEAT on 9TH OCTOBER 2025 1:44 PM
Brilliant, hang yer coat back up :-)
Moisey….from last night
Thanks for your detailed and enlightening reply to me.
I read it at lunch time today but can only now reply.
Cheers
in
RTÉ just reported that Liam Scales did not travel to Lisbon for the Ireland game due to a family bereavement.
Condolences to him and his family
When directly asked about Rodgers’ “club signings” comment, the minutes show that Nicholson “shrugged his shoulders.”
This is exactly the leader we need…..the only thing ‘world class ‘ about him is his salary
“When directly asked about Rodgers’ “club signings” comment, the minutes show that Nicholson “shrugged his shoulders.”
He was being polite, I’d have said “ask Brendan Rodgers, he introduced the term”.
It is obvious from Brendan Rodgers comments ,and the lack of a statement from the board ,stating their support for BR ,after the “ leak” story .
That there is a rift between BR and at least some of our board members ,and senior officials.
What we don’t know is the information as to why the rift has come about .
An NDA will probably be put in place ,and everything kept hush,hush .
TT
A nod’s as good as a wink to a blind man
https://youtu.be/4Kwh3R0YjuQ
https://x.com/Gastro_Celtic/status/1976360886211375423?t=ck4WeB–FdU9ZomHvmDLSw&s=19
More than a few Celtic connections starting for Scotland, Robertson, Christy. Hickey, McGinn, McTominey and Doak, though not all did actually pass through Parkhead’s gates for various reasons, or did and passed back through in the opposite direction again for various reasons. Likewise among the substitutes more with a Celtic connection, Gordon, Tierney, Ralston, Hendry and Miller. So for that reason alone want to see them do well. And also that it would be good for Scottish football if we were to make it to the USA, Canada especially, and South of the Border down Mexico way for next years World Cup finals.
MEETING OF CELTIC FC AND SUPPORTER GROUPS MONDAY 06 OCTOBER 2025 (18.00) CELTIC PARK, GLASGOW Attendees: Club Attendees: Michael Nicholson (CEO) Chris McKay (CFO) John Paul Taylor (Supporter Liaison Officer) Mark Hargreaves (Head of Safety and Security Operations) Kevin McQuillan (Head of Commercial Operations) George Campbell (Head of Legal and Governance).
Supporter Attendees: Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs: · Alan Horne · Ann McElhinney Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs · Gerry McDonnell · Mick Hurley Celtic Disabled Supporters Association · Mark Henderson · Clare Byrne Celtic Fans Collective · Steph McGinn · Paul John Dykes · Kev Toner · Paul Thomson · Paul Quigley · Andy McGregor · Michael Gallagher · Ross Bready · Martin Macauley · Martin Gemmell Celtic Supporters Association · John Andrews · Joe Gallagher Celtic Trust · Paul Wilcox North of Ireland Supporters Clubs · Martin Gilmore · Seamy Darragh
Agenda:
The meeting had no fixed agenda, with the Club welcoming questions from attendees.
Minutes:
It was agreed that joint minutes would be drafted after the meeting and thereafter circulated following approval by the Club and represented Supporter Groups.
Welcome:
MN opened the meeting and thanked everyone for attending, confirming that the Club are aware of issues that supporters have raised and wish to discuss with the Club. Concerns have also been raised with the Club about the potential for impact on the team on the pitch. The Club has arranged the meeting to discuss a way forward. The Club invited the recognised representative supporters’ groups to attend the meeting, as we have done in the past, most recently in relation to the Fairhurst report. The Club received a response this morning with further attendees from the Celtic Fan Collective, and the Club is keen to make progress and to make arrangements work this evening. MN acknowledged that the Club is not in a place where we would want to be and that some recent communications have not been well received by supporters. The Club wants to find a way forward, which allows us to seek to address concerns, while backing the team on the pitch. We respect that everyone is entitled to their view, and we would hope that we can discuss respectfully. We are going to have differences, but the fundamental we all share is that we want success for Celtic and we want the team to win. The Club wants to find a way forward. MN then asked if there were any thoughts on the meeting from the attendees.
Opening Comments from Supporter Attendees:
Representatives of the Supporter Groups agreed with this objective, and the desire for increased fan engagement going forward. PQ expressed the supporters’ desire for a further response to the seven questions that have been published. The creation of the ‘Celtic Fan Collective’, together with the objectives of this group, was explained, with representatives highlighting the support they have received in recent weeks and outlining the diversity of signatories and participants. It was noted that Celtic Fan Collective represents a wide range of individuals and opinions, but that there is a united demand for change amongst the Collective, including in relation to personnel (noting the roles of Chair, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer), strategy and execution, and accountability of the Celtic plc Board to the supporters. The 2025 summer transfer window and the Club Statement which followed was noted as a flashpoint for the Celtic Fan Collective along with the lack of preparedness of the team for European qualifiers (noting that the Club had failed on the last five occasions to qualify via UCL qualifying rounds). The Celtic Fan Collective do not believe that the Club is currently operating in a way which reflects its desire to be “world class in everything we do”. This had led to an expression of unhappiness at the direction and leadership of the Club. It was noted that the fans collective did not feel that a CEO who was perceived to be not communicating with supporters publicly could hold such a position. The Celtic Fans Collective noted that they hoped the meeting would bring about tangible results, and that they were looking to begin good faith engagement with the Club through honest explanation. The Collective reaffirmed their right to protest and made clear that, in the absence of tangible progress, they will continue to advocate publicly for reform and accountability. While many of the fan reps had met with the Club on various occasions over the years, it was noted that this was a new approach and a declaration by supporters that we can’t revert to ‘business as usual’.
the Bada Bing on 9th October 2025 7:24 pm
When directly asked about Rodgers’ “club signings” comment, the minutes show that Nicholson “shrugged his shoulders.”
This is exactly the leader we need…..the only thing ‘world class ‘ about him is his salary
____
Pretty pathetic from a guy way out of his depth. A bit like his ‘”penalty to Rangers” quip at the AGM, maybe. A charismatic, innovative CEO he ain’t.
Supporter Concerns
MGe highlighted his duty to supporters within their group to further request answers to the seven questions they had put forward and queried why the questions had not previously been addressed.
MN confirmed that the Club was aware of the questions, together with similar correspondence received by email directly to Club colleagues. MN confirmed that the Club did not believe it was appropriate to respond in writing at the time the seven questions were first published. CMcK noted that it is difficult to explain all the variables in written form. MGe asked why Club wouldn’t utilise video and speak to supporters directly instead. Following meetings with supporter organisations on Friday 05 September 2025, it was understood that there was desire for the Club to address supporters’ concerns regarding the transfer window. Club engagement with supporter groups was also discussed more generally, with MN highlighting a number of meetings with supporters’ groups, the Fans Forum and the AGM. Engagement with media on footballing matters was also discussed, with MN confirming that the football manager comments on footballing matters.
MN then addressed the Statement released on behalf of the Celtic plc Board dated Saturday 07 September 2025, which was intended to address some of the specific issues discussed at the preceding meetings. MN and CMcK acknowledged that the Statement was not well received, noting that this further highlights the importance of having these discussions with supporters to provide further context. The meeting also acknowledged more general concerns regarding the tone and delivery of the Statement and how this was viewed by supporters as insulting. MN confirmed that this was not the intention of the Statement. MN reminded CFC that they do not speak for all supporters and confirmed that some supporters defended the Club Statement. When asked why there was no signature on the Statement, MN declared this was normal practice and the Statement was released on behalf of the board.
MN confirmed that the Club was happy to discuss the questions raised to seek to make progress, but some issues (including the removal of directors) are matters for the Board and shareholders. The importance of maintaining confidentiality was discussed, together with the impact of this obligation on the Club’s ability to share confidential information relating to the Club’s business affairs, including individuals and transfers. Supporters Groups confirmed that they sought to understand the Club’s strategy, rather than details regarding specific transfers or reported potential transfers.
Question 1: What is the Club’s long-term footballing strategy, and when and how will this be communicated to supporters?
MN confirmed that the Club’s strategy is clear – the Club aims to be a world class football club in everything we do. This includes footballing success through dominating in Scotland and competing in the UEFA Champions League, based on creation of UCL players through the academy, player recruitment, player trading, technical functions and development of training facilities. The importance of the Club’s self-sustaining business model was highlighted, noting that this has provided the necessary funds to invest into the required facilities and structure, with an example given of the development of the Barrowfield and Lennoxtown training facilities over the preceding 2 years, representing an investment totalling over £20 million. MN noted that this strategy is communicated via the Club’s Annual Report, the Fan’s Forum (adding that the Club’s Head of Football Operations, Paul Tisdale, has presented to the Forum on Football 3 Operations), through on-going dialogue with supporters’ groups and, in part, through the Club’s Statement on 07 September 2025.
CMcK sought clarity from the Supporters Groups regarding their concerns and asking for confirmation if such concerns related to the strategy itself or the execution of the strategy. It was confirmed that both were relevant. Supporters argued that there is a prevailing sentiment within the fanbase that the strategy is Rangers plus one. There is no recognition from supporters of the Club as meaningfully aiming to be world class. MN and CMcK both said “Rangers plus one” this is not the Club’s Strategy.
MGi suggested that the club lacked players to improve the squad. He also noted the challenge around the B team league and the lack of a reserve league. MN noted the points already discussed regarding communication methods, highlighting the recent Chief Executive report in the Club’s annual results, which noted the successes and also acknowledged that the Club did not achieve all of its objectives in the summer transfer window. PQ asked when the Club last achieved its objectives in a transfer window. MN noted that the Club had had success in transfer windows, and accepted that we had got things wrong, but that the Club cannot get involved in commenting on individual players. MN noted that two key concerns had been raised by supporters during the transfer window: timing of transfers and the level of investment relative to cash reserves, and that the Club accepted that its communications on these issues had not been well received.
MN noted that player recruitment is something the Club continually assesses but cannot necessarily share publicly. MN confirmed that the Club had invested in players for the short, medium and long term. Supporters felt short-, medium- and long-term recruitment in theory looked scattergun in practice, citing the 2023 and 2025 summer windows as strong evidence of this. When asked if the Club has identified what went ‘wrong’ during the summer transfer window, MN confirmed that an internal process of review is ongoing, which will focus on what went right and/or wrong and examine this against relevant factors, including the players’ personal career objectives, the selling/buying clubs aims, agents, taxation (Belgium and Germany tax systems were compared with UK) as examples of the variables at play, amongst others.
Supporters acknowledged these various factors but highlighted their opinion that the Club does not complete its business ‘early’ in the transfer window and is therefore not ready for UEFA qualifying matches and sought a response from the Club as to why transfers are not conducted sooner. MN sought to reassure attendees that the Club’s objective is to complete its transfer business as soon as possible in the transfer window (with the examples of Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren highlighted), and to attract the best players available to the Club within that window – and that the Club’s model allows for investment to be made when needed. The Club did not accept that there is a disconnect between the board and the manager or that transfer policy needs a fundamental overhaul.
MGi asked whether the Club would look at using ex-employees in the way that other clubs do (such as Ajax). MN noted that the Club is open to all suggestions.
MN noted that the Club heard the need for better communications. The point was made that it is not just communications that were the problem but the strategy itself. MN noted the performance in the UCL last season as well as the number of trophies that had been won as evidence of the Club’s performance. MGe said the nature of Scottish Football means Celtic have a licence to play in Europe every season, and one of the reasons for Celtic entering Group stages automatically last season was our rivals’ European performances rather than our own. MN disagreed and PQ pressed on whether he felt results in Europe were satisfactory, 4 MN felt they were, referring to qualification for group stage football in 19 out of 20 years. The view was expressed that if the Club thinks that the level of performance is acceptable then that is a concern. The Club maintained that the strategy was broadly working but there are things we can do better.
Supporter Groups noted their concerns regarding the development and/or acquisition of Champions League ‘ready’ players, together with concerns that players are being identified and acquired by the Club’s football recruitment team and thereafter not making their way into the first team squad. MN noted that he cannot comment on specific players, but that the Club looks to the short, medium and long-term for player acquisitions as well as through the academy, and the Club’s objective and strategy is to continue to improve its operations in this respect. The Celtic Fan Collective noted that it was believed that the current First Team squad largely centred around ‘first team ready’ players that were acquired under the Club’s previous manager, and that there was a belief amongst supporters that more recent acquisitions were not of a similar calibre.
Discussions also centred around the question of whether the Club’s strategy is accurate insofar as it refers to the creation of UEFA Champions League players. CMcK highlighted some of the Club’s most successful homegrown UEFA Champions League players and the role that both coaching and facilities at an academy level has in player development, referencing the importance of the Club’s recent Barrowfield redevelopment. The importance of a stable domestic season was also highlighted insofar as this provides opportunities for the First Team Manager to introduce academy players. MN said our performances in Europe last season followed on the application of the Club model over a number of years. MGe said that last year’s performance was an anomaly. A brief discussion took place amongst Supporter Groups regarding comments directed at both former and current players on social media. This factor was understood by MGi to be a consideration in players leaving the Club, other supporters disagreed.
Let me get this straight, the Board was upset that the Celtic manager, a well paid employee, aided and abetted by Captain Flint, was attempting to undermine them, and his players in public while currying favour with elements of the support?
They were not alone in that…..
Question 2: Why has there been no investment in critical positions despite repeated pleas from the manager, obvious weaknesses in the squad, and calls from supporters?
It was noted that this question had been discussed as part of the discussion on question 1.