I remember one of the Q&A evenings in Blantyre when it was suggested from the floor that Celtic pay whatever money necessary to retain John Park as chief scout. John out-performed his peers for several years, but, as you know, there are no gurus in football. A fallow period followed the recruitment of Mikael Lustig in January 2012; many players arrived in the years since then but few were able to enhance the team (with the odd outstanding exception).
Football scouting at this level isn’t really about being able to spot a player, it is as much about contacts. Your network keeps you. With many of these guys, their networks diminish over time. They fall out with each other regularly – trust is a precious commodity in football transfer negociations. Your value as a scout to an agent is largely dependent on your club. Since 2012 Celtic’s financial position relative to the English leagues has diminished. We will spend less than they will on any given player, and we will buy fewer players.
Perhaps for these reasons Brendan Rodgers decided a change was needed and has now secured his former colleague at Chelsea, Lee Congerton. Congerton has had recent spells at two highly dysfunctional clubs: Hamburg and Sunderland, but rejected a pretty spectacular offer to join Brendan’s revolution at Celtic. We have recruited a known quantity who will fit with the manager’s plans as closely as Chris Davies does. He will also bring a fresh batch of scouts and agents to the table. I hear they are working on plans for the summer already.
Amid the gloating at the hubris of English football amid another humbling in Europe last night, my Dad made the point that unlike Arsenal, or Manchester United, Manchester City didn’t try to cheat us by scamming a penalty in our Champions League encounters. They played with a straight bat.
We have also established a beneficial relationship with them. A year with Jason Denayer, the purchase of Dedryck Boyata and 18 months with Patrick Roberts. So far.
Roberts’ situation at his parent club should be easier to fathom after City’s exit. 10 points adrift in the Premier League and the only team to be eliminated from the Champions League last 16 by a lesser- moneyed side, what chance Pep Guardiola decides what his team needs for next season is a player City shipped out to Celtic in January 2016?
It is not going to happen. Patrick is caught in an impossible situation in Manchester. The Manchester City football model harvests innumerable players, but precious few young English players will make it onto the roster in any decade. None will do so in a season when there is a perceived need for them to up their game. Pep will spend big this summer, Roberts’ opportunity to breakthrough in Manchester next season have diminished.
My first reaction at full time last night? Our chances of getting to keep Patrick increased. Which would be a very good thing, for both club and player.
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I am now convinced that the biggest threat to the future of the human race is who has control over the treasury. The vanguard for this discussion is american tax dollars. The access and availability of american tax dollars will decide the future of the human race.
Dbhoy
Studies have shown …….Jaysus
Next you will be telling me that studies have shown that people from council houses are less likely to obtain third level qualifications !!!!
Wow
Here is some advice
Never turn up for an interview in bare feet
Happy St Patricks day
Studies have shown that people who say Happy St Patricks day may be either Irish have Irish ancestry or even have no connection with Ireland
Europa league last 8 compared to CL last 8.
7 countries instead of 4. Now thats more like it!
Belgium 2 teams in the Europa quarter finals. Who’d a thunk it?
A sleeven and a gombeen
You choose
https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2017/0316/860285-st-patricks-day-us/
WITS
some years ago (I wont say how many) I went to a Scottish Highland games extravaganza in Lexington Kentucky. Proud of their Scottish roots those Kentuckians. It had everything Scottish. The sword dancing, the bagpipes, the kilts, the haggis, the robert burns society, the eejits in the made up red hair, tossing the caber, the lot. I was so amazed. This is America?
After an hour or so I went to a stall for a hot dog.
“OMG your accent is so cute where are you from?”
“er Scotland?”
I was the only Scottish person there out of thousands.
God knows how the Irish feel in America.
Maggie
Are you going to Lisbon ?
WITS
yup
me and my brother Morrissey. Awe naw cannot go.
See you there
Of course I will be fashionably late,arriving on Friday the 26th ,but sure better late than never.
WITS
ok see you there!
Since it’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, something appropriate and poignant for many exiles.
Finbar Furey The Old Bog Road.
https://youtu.be/lCXlTlyWDUI
WITS
TBH I’m just learning about income inequality and it’s effects on societies.
What surprised me was the potential benefits for the wealthy in a more equitable society through lower crime rates , higher levels of trust and better health outcomes etc.
These potential benefits to the wealthy never seem to get much airtime anywhere.
Anyway I was just sharing some opinions/thoughts and wasn’t trying to give you advice.
I didn’t realize that you knew everything about everything and that I needn’t have bothered
Re the discussion earlier on James’ and Paddy’s merits.
Although he’s playing better this season under Brendan, I feel that James has missed his chance to become a fixture in the starting XI.
He’s now 26 or thereabouts and he should be at his peak. However, he has many games where he makes little or no impact. By now he should be showing some consistency. He often gets the head down and is unable to pick out a team mate with an accurate cross or pass.
Paddy is still 20 and is still learning and improving under Brendan.
He has the ability to turn a game by creating an opening in a packed defence. He sees players and is able to to play incisive passes to players in good positions.
He needs to bulk up a wee bit and improve his efforts in tracking back to cover. These will come with maturity and improved stamina.
If Brendan or Peter CQN work out a deal with City and Patrick, I’d grab him with no hesitation.
Four years with us will raise his game, raise his reputation and provide us with a potent game changer.
CP will buzz with players like, Paddy, Armstrong, Dembele and Sinclair gracing our team.
Good morning CQN from a cool,clear and dry East Devon on this St Patrick’s Day.
Hail! Hail!
Good morning from a bright and sunny Somerset. Happy St Patrick’s Day to one and all.
Happy Saint Patrick’s day.
O aye and happy birthday Donald findlay QC
Good morning friends and a Big Happy St Patrick’s Day Friday from a very wet, grey, dreich and blustery East Kilbride.
Good morning from a stunning deep royal blue Auchenhowie were the temperature is always heated and the sky always blue.
Told the lads to have a lie in today. And as a wee treat I came in early to decorate the place. Well everyone does love St Patrick’s day. A few tricolours here and shamrocks there.
Our word renowned breakfast will include Boxty, White Pouding and Ulster Fry.
Later the traditional Irish dancers will entertain over lunch.
I tried to book a few Irish Bands for the part I’ve organised later but the theme of each conversation when I tried to book them was laughter. So I have a few tradition Irish music CD’s.
Should be a great day.
Happy St Patrick’s day ya shower of
unrepentant Fenian bassas.
Pedro
Malones has a day full of music and craic if you wish to start there, or you could try Kitty o Sheas , then cross to the south side to the Brazen for more bands and cheerful merriment
Or you could , like your club and their fans hate everything green….☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
Hail Hail my friends
Good morning and a Happy St Patrick’s day to all.
Dbhoy and WITS
It was myself that mentioned 99 keeping the 1% wealthy, so your chat in the early hours was enjoyable.
Dbhoy, Thanks for the stats, info etc and WITS your bit about fake news, was you at your best, a burst out laughing moment for me, That way my wife turns around giving me a funny look.
Thanks ghuys.
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 16TH MARCH 2017 11:30 PM
ERNIE LYNCH on 16TH MARCH 2017 10:39 PM
That’s why you don’t win the debate Ernie; unwilling to present a cogent argument or answer a straight question.
You are the weakest link; goodbye!
###
This wasn’t a debate. It was people asserting that the British constitution wouldn’t allow a Catholic PM, and me correcting them with facts.
You might at least have the good grace to acknowledge that you are now better informed about the issue than you were previously.
HAPPY PADDY’S DAY !! ☘☘
Oh my. That went down a treat.
The players were stunned by my efforts this morning. Apparently they have never enjoyed a party like this before. I understand that training shouldn’t really be fun and admire the players professionalism but I explained, that this was a team building excercise and everyone should relax and enjoy the day.
It seemed to be going well, especially when Jimmy Bell came in and immediately did the best Irish jig I’ve ever seen. This beat knows how to enjoy himself. Gradually the players joined Jimmy and oh what a sight to behold. Unfortunately all the decor was damaged in the fun but I’m not overly annoyed at that. Especially so since the players stopped their jigging, probably the best Irish jig ever performed to demonstrate their pleasure in song. Boy can they sing. As I say watching they sang a song which I think had the words ‘we want to go home’ as they bounced and danced in joy. All the while strangely pointing at me.
Since the decor has accidentally been ruined I will move the rest of the party to a local Irish Bar. Blantyre Tim, thanks for the heads up on Molly’s etc. I think we will hear over to Sharkys for a while though before moving to the a Brazen later.
Maybe see you all there.
Happy St Patricks day to you all.
Happy St.Patrick’s day one and all.
Working later on so I’m now having a wee drop of powerful whisky, courtesy of the legendary ACGR.
Mighty fine dram.
Slainte.
God bless Ireland, America, Escosse, President Donald J Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and God bless the Celtic.
It’s a wonderful life.
Slan.
HH.
Word of The Day
secern /sɪˈsɜːn/
verb (transitive) (rare)
1. to distinguish or discriminate
2. to discriminate or distinguish in thought.
3. to become secerned.
4. (of a gland or follicle) to secrete
Derived Forms
secernment, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Latin sēcernere to separate, from sē- apart + cernere to distinguish
KTF
Happy St Patricks day
Wear the green,as always, with pride
HH
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to one and all …… oil be celebrating in the Kerrydale Suite, as usual, tomorrow night…….while Ireland has her sons ….!!!!
16 ROADS – CELTIC ÜBER ALLES…on 17TH MARCH 2017 8:23 AM
Enjoy your tipple
God help america as its came to be that Donald and Mickey are in charge.:-)
HH
Happy St Patrick’s day to one and all!
KTF
ERNIE LYNCH on 17TH MARCH 2017 8:06 AM
You might at least have the good grace to acknowledge that you are now better informed about the issue than you were previously.
___________________________________________-
Ernie, that was my first laugh out loud moment of the day.
I can assure that in the off-chance I am better informed on any issue based upon any of your posts I will let you know; it hasn’t happened yet and I ain’t holding my breath!
KTF
Apart from that, you’re the best of friends …. hahahahahahaha
I will be wearing the green in the ebvirons of Coalburn an Lesmahagow today.
I think that’s called missionary work.
My wee Parochial song for St. Patrick’s Day. The singer of this song once threw a stone at me- my big brush with rock stardom-
Gleanntáin Ghlas’ Ghaoth Dobhair
VFR800 – Got shot of the adverts thanks chief, Bobby M email the Java script how to get rid of adverts, also EL recommended app adblocker worked a treat.
Thanks for all your help lhads.
Apologies to Fleagle for missing the Cheltenham competition, haven’t been lurking or posting much lately because of exhaustion due to work.
https://youtu.be/wyQ-tScuzwM
Laters.
HH.
ATM – Only time will tell mo chara.
Have a brilliant day chief, and hopefully catch up with ye soon.
Hail Hail.
‘Mon the snakes!!
So what is everyone doing with their Friday now that there isn’t a live stream of a Supreme Court hearing to watch?
Root canal treatment?
On the comparison during recent days between James and Paddy, here’s what I think.
James – wrote a bible. Big wow, who hasn’t done that?
Paddy – rag-dolled druid dudes, invented the colour green, shamrocks and Guinness. A proud Scot.
It’s a Paddy win for me, all day long. Cheers to us all.