After Sunday’s win over Motherwell, that’s six points Celtic have added in three league games this season with winners coming from the 87th minute or later. Luke McCowan’s deflected shot against St Mirren was early, compared to the added time penalty by Kelechi Iheanacho at Kilmarnock or Daizen Maeda’s stoppage time header against Motherwell.
Celtic are not the only team to strike late this season, Hearts also won with a late goal at the weekend, against Hibs, while Motherwell left it just as late to score twice and win their first game of the League Campaign against Aberdeen the previous week.
Again, summer signings made an impact. Benjamin Nygren scored the equaliser, but even before that, he was knocking on the door. Michel-Ange Balikwisha has endured a baptism of fire since joining from Royal Antwerp late in the window. He was thrown in at the deep end with a debut at Ibrox, then played in an unaccustomed position at Kilmarnock, before two brief sub appearances.
Michel-Ange’s assist for Daizen’s winner showed the edge Celtic needed and have lacked for much of this season. He turned 24 in May and will be a litmus test of our potential to develop a talent. There were fighters on the field at fulltime on Sunday, including Michel-Ange.
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hopefully one day Coca Cola will suffer from BDS too.
Spikey,
I concur.Absolute drivel.
Collective will or collective failure that is the question.
What were they doing there? Whatever is was ,negotiating certainly wasn’t it.
Their position is a classic Catch 22. They cannot threaten to destroy that which they support and believe in.
The Board knows that, even with a poor hand, they called their bluff. And it appears to have worked.
That said the Board will have to send a copy of the minutes to DD, and he might decide to address some of the issues raised. In the meantime Brendan needs to galvanize the team through to the end of the year, try and keep us in with a chance of getting into the EL play-offs with couple of games to play early 2026. Saw signs of that on Sunday, from pretty much every player, Nygren, Engels, Balikwisha in his cameo, Maeda at the end etc. Good signs. Moon rising in Aries…..another good sign
boondock@2.01pm
Great post, one of many, always bring the positive to the conversation, just what we need right now!
Regarding Michael Nicholson leaving the room during negotiations with McCowan and his agent: I’m sure on ACSOM today PJ Dykes, said that he told them that £800k was the absolute maximum that Celtic would offer. Hibs had offered the same. McCowan was told that he should try to find another club who would pay the £1m. McCowan said that he would not sign for Hibs and would return to Dundee. After he had left Celtic contacted them to say that they would pay the £1m. My hearing isn’t so great but I think that’s what he said.
MAOLMUIRE O MUIRGHEASA on 7TH OCTOBER 2025 10:24 PM
Brilliant post Sir.
An Tearmann on 7th October 2025 at 4:46 pm
“The story was a hatchet job on our manager.”
……
Can you prove that Rodgers didn`t write the article for the Sun himself????
How could we tell from a club full of liars and sneaky`s????
So that he would get you all to feel sorry for him when he leaves again????
Rodgers left last seasons ENTIRE transfer window on the bench as we failed to overcome Kiarat Almaty costing the club £40 million shhhh, whilst at the same time he was pleading for more players?????
Maybe the board know that Rodgers Jekyll dizny seem like Rodgers Hyde??????
Maybe the board booted Rodgers goolies and told him to hurry up and GTF out of Celtic and he ran sobbing to the Sun, with a Michael Nicholson mask on?????
Maybe Rodger Hannah is sitting on that story?????
Maybe all other teams watched on as Rodgers failed to lay a glove on Russell Martin, and the stench of match/rigging/fixing/betting/EBTing put these interested teams off of the Rodgers myth?????
Maybe the board told Rodgers he`s onto plums after blowing £26 Million on Idah/Engles/Trusty and many other dumplings, so the board are hoarding till Rodgers takes his chinese whispering violin to another club and splits their fanbase?????
What a time to be alive!
depends
SIONNAIGH well said my mhan, not follow following the sheeple then.
If I ever think I am not comfortable with my own opinion I am going to quote the Sun newspaper and start calling people Zombies, because Zionist is already taken.
So…..in your head, in your head , zombie, zombie, zombie ee ee ee.
The collective should calm their ( animal) farm or let someone on the waiting list get their seats at Celtic park.
The board will do their job, might include a bit of spend on the needy, and overpay for a couple more trusty like players to try to appease, but they won’t fold. Live with it and don’t let it eat your brain….zombie.
Hail hail
https://x.com/celts25/status/1975796209400127681?t=ir7p0tevCqInjYRZQfUZdw&s=19
What a disappointing but sadly predictable outcome to the “meeting”
It makes me a little sad that we are in this position and that I cannot see a reasonably simple solution if the board are as intransigent as they appear to be.
Firstly let be clear – BR and the team are on the hook for not winning through to CL. So for the fundamentalists can we park the “why is all the boards fault” shite.
However it was and is abundantly clear to anyone with eyes and common sense that 1. We were weaker at that point than we were at the start of the window, 2. We easily had the financial wherewithal to improve that position, and 3. That for a timely spend, not an over spend or extra spend we could almost guarantee progress to CL and enjoy both the status of doing so and the financial windfall.
We didn’t – the decision was taken to weaken the team in terms of talent and not to spend our trading gains building that back, never mind improving, our first team in a timely manner.
If that is not a spectacular failure I don’t know what is and for the execs to bat that away and even defend “the strategy” in mind boggling.
There is trouble ahead because there is spectacular arrogance on our board and that is not backed up with professional talent or common sense awareness to be able to read the room.
Celtic self harm again……..tragic
Good morning CQN.
Another fine day to be a Celtic fan.
From Saint Stiv’s 5:01pm post yesterday.
“The Club said that transfer business involves a multi-disciplinary model and no part of that model has ultimate authority”
———–
Problem summed up in the last 8 words.
Depressing that this has descended into a black and white issue for those directly involved.
For many on the sidelines, it can simultaneously be true that Brendan Rodgers is a busted flush and that Celtics hierarchy and structures need a thorough refresh.
Teams in the EPL seem capable of embracing new approaches to the game itself and providing a direct pathway for teenagers to break into their first team – that seems to be beyond Celtic at the moment with fans measuring ‘ambition’ by a willingness to spend ever more money on second rate players that the current manager seems unwilling to develop. There is a fundamental problem with coaching and pathways to first team football.
For sure, there also seems to be a fundamental problem with the current transfer strategy whereby we can’t or won’t sanction spending early enough whenever we have to play in CL qualifiers – which will be our situation in the foreseeable future.
Celtic are in a fairly unique position where we are a ‘giant’ playing in a crap league, in crap weather against limited opposition. In this unique situation, it’s very hard to define what ‘success’ and ‘failure’ actually look like – yet many supporters seem willing to take a black and white view as to where credit or blame should be apportioned based on who they dislike the most (Brendan Rodgers or Peter Lawwell primarily).
Being realistic, Brendan Rodgers will not be sacked – but he will be gone at the end of the season. That is probably a good thing provided that there is also a shake up in the boardroom and that Celtic source a new coach with a support structure more in tune with the modern game.
It is encouraging to hear that we were linked with the likes of McKenna, Maresca and Iraola before DD took the easy option (for him) in reappointing Brendan Rodgers. That short-termism papered over the cracks for a couple of seasons.
There was a good broadcast on ASCOM a few weeks ago where they interviewed a guy called Paul Smith – worth finding it on YouTube if you have an hour to spare.
BTW – on what basis would the CEO be talking to a player’s agent about the transfer fee DURING negotiations with that player’s current club?
Until the fee has been formally agreed between both clubs, the player’s agent has absolutely no need to know.
Two possible scenarios spring to my mind
1. Nicholson revealing more than he should to get a pain in the arse off the phone
2. The story is made up
We can all agree or disagree about the relative responsibility of poor signing strategy/implementation v. poor coaching/play for CL failure. But let’s address one issue separately – a violation of confidentiality.
The Board agreed to meet with representatives of fans’ groups. As with any such meeting, confidentiality was a given. Minutes would be agreed by all and then distributed.
The upshot however is that a number of those attending immediately violated that spirit of confidentiality, and did so in a way that distorted the club’s position, so much so that the Board had to issue a statement refuting much of this.
The Board agreed to meet and speak candidly. A number of their interlocutors ran off, violating any sense of confidentiality, feeding those in the SMSM and increasingly among Celtic cyberspace who want to write nothing but negativity about the club.
I hope the Board do not agree to any such meeting again. This breach of trust has simply been used to damage the club; which I assume was always going to be the case.
IMO : The definition for success on the park must be European advancement with the knowledge that we are optimising our substantial resources. I also think that involves progressing our youngsters.
Domestically. Playing fast , exciting and attacking football.
Off the park it must be enhancing the match day experience putting Celtic supporters first.
Are we succeeding in matching these parameters?
HH.
Accusing good tims of being hun agitators, last resort nonsense. I’ve asked before no one responded, wtf is an assimilated tim? Is it another hun type insult?.
spikeysauldman on 7th October 2025 11:39 pm
get a grip of yersel sionnaigh – are you even a human or a bot – has anyone ever said spend all the money ? your trump-like, zionist-like parroting of the same old shyte is tiresome.
Spikey, doing my usual read back this morning when I spotted that. I will take your word about the post – I would not know as that is one of my ‘scroll-bys’ which make my read backs a bit quicker these days. (I would say that the tone of your post resonates with me from my memory of previously reading his posts).
Ave Ave
Greenpinata, I don’t often agree with you but that’s an excellent post. My answer would be no.
Moisey @ 7:59. Excellent.
When do we want it….now.
Zombies.
Spikeys @ 11:59. Agreed, every post just abuse. No discussion to be had.
Greenpinata,
‘European advancement’ is commonly referenced, but I am not sure what it really means given Celtics future situation.
Are fans going to go doo-lally any season we fail to qualify for the CL proper?
Or maybe go doo-lally if we do qualify but then come up short in the league stage and suffer a few thumpings.
Would winning the Europa League or even the Conference League be viewed as a ‘success’?
Would we accept the occasional bad season or two while we develop a team that can better compete in Europe – or is a Rangers or Hearts league win unacceptable?
11:39.
Timmy7 your trying too hard again
You are
You’re very trying. But that’s down to practice, congratulations.
Timmy7 Mrs Tauranga would agree with you, crashing now . Have a good day.
MAOLMUIRE O MUIRGHEASA on 7TH OCTOBER 2025 10:24 PM
I thought that was excellent. The highest compliment I can pay you is to say that, apart from a difference in style, it was like SFTB was back.
Well done.
Cheerio for now.
Bhoys Town on 8th October 2025 9:02 am
let’s address one issue separately – a violation of confidentiality.
—-
Agree with the tenet of your post BT.
If one assumes for just a second that the collective’s view of the board is correct?
That they do not respect fans groups?
This silly move has played right into the board’s hands.
I’ve no doubt that – upon news of the leak – one of the execs turned to at least one other and said something like …
“See? What did I tell you?
This is what happens when you try to engage in good faith”
… with circling wagons to follow.
Nice job by the leaker.
Well played.
What happens when your principle weapon is passion rather than smarts.
Bhoys Town on 8th October 2025 9:02 am.
Your point is fair enough, but is there much difference between that and someone with links to the Celtic board briefing a journalist for The Sun newspaper?
Chairbhoy 8.11pm
I think you are aware that most of those you mentioned came after Dom had departed.
Likewise you omitted the 2 deals with low value release clauses which were triggered JJ and GG and you also missed a 4 year deal for and ex premiership player McCarthy who never kicked a ball for us.
But a good big list looks impressive. Even if it is totally wrong.
CroftCelt @ 10:24am.
Perfectly reasonable observation, IMHO.
So, here’s a suggestion to all on here.
Given the similarities, why don’t we treat both cases similarly?
I’ll kick off that equitable treatment.
NAME THE RAT !! (AAARRRGGGHHH !!)
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
Let’s put to bed the idea BR was involved in the Sun piece ….utter utter nonsense….everyone and Owen Coyles granny knows who it was.
He was bristling with anger ffs when questioned about it !!!
Do we have a transfer budget each year ? Or is it on a whim of how someone’s feeling that particular day ?….the strategy is ridiculous beyond belief….is it 20 million? and any players sold is added? Or is it zero and only player sales is the budget?…or haven’t we got one 🤔 …or maybe it’s 5 million until the last day then it shoots up to 13 depending on the anger on social media 🤔
Croftcelt on 8th October 2025 10:24 am
Bhoys Town on 8th October 2025 9:02 am.
Your point is fair enough, but is there much difference between that and someone with links to the Celtic board briefing a journalist for The Sun newspaper?
—-
I agree that, if this is what happened (and I would not trust the Sun or any other SMSM outlet) that it was very poor, and BR was right to be aggrieved.
But I think we now have a situation most fans can agree upon. The Board has been complacent, signing strategy has not been good. But our coach has also been complacent and inflexible. And back-covering criticism of the players – lacking quality – has back-fired, as seen in the lack of confidence in recent games.
The board’s willingness to talk was a huge step forward. But instead of meeting them half way there are loud mouths who now won’t stop destroying attendances and merchandise income until they get what? A new owner? Who could only be a shyster or set of shysters like the Huns have.
It’s time now for a bit of balance. Support the team and the club and keep pressuring for more communication and explanation. But also everyone, including the manager needs to get a finger out and do their jobs. Enough of the politics and grand-standing. We are a football club; win football matches.
de ja vu all over again
Can I make one other point on the confidentiality issue? Anyone who works in business, particularly at a high level, takes private communication as a given – even when meeting business rivals. It is so much taken for granted that it is usually unspoken. Nothing is said except what is put in the minutes. That’s when you discuss sensitive business details you would never reveal at a press conference. For those not involved in the business to be invited to hear and discuss sensitive business details is unusual and a considerable privilege. One which requires maturity and respect.
The fact that so many who attended don’t understand this also suggests they don’t understand very much else about how a large footballing business is run, which undermines their purported criticism of business decisions. Someone told me that some at the meeting were shocked to hear that BR does not have complete discretion on transfers. Seriously…
It is very difficult for a board managing a PLC, to explain business basics. It is even harder when those listening don’t want to hear and simply want to play to a pre-fixed agenda of running the club down and exercising some kind of pitch-fork power to overthrow our governance structure.
If you want to put forward legitimate, informed criticism, and be listened to, you have to behave like you belong round the table.
St Stivs
We maybe don’t agree about the board etc… But I enjoy your posts.
I read the one on the Holy Family in the Port, and was v sorry to see it is closing. Must be very painful for generations of parishioners. My own parish church is a similar, cheaply built, late ’50s building which is starting to crumble, with a dwindling congregation. Only a matter of time I fear. For those who are not religious and so don’t really care – your choice of course – bear in mind there are thousands of Celtic stories that have been told in church porches after Mass over the years, and that tradition too is passing.