My friends in Celtic, we finish the year top of the league having just schooled our nearest rivals for the second time in two games. A dip in form ended just in time to see the club collect nine points from three games, with an important trip to St Mirren to complete before the winter break. All is right for three-in-a-row.
So why am I so worried? It’s about the strategic direction the club takes going forward. I don’t want to just win the league, or even just qualify for the Champions League. I am 56 years old, I want to see Celtic dive deep into that tournament. I want to see us achieve what Neil Lennon and Gordon Strachan did in Europe, even if the achievements of Jock Stein’s era are nothing more than a fantasy.
If we get everything right, I believe a successful football club can come from our league and achieve what the best in Holland or Portugal have done. To get there, we need to double down on what we are good at, improve where we can and avoid the obvious pitfalls.
Since 2021 we have concentrated development resources into players (largely) under 24 years old. Augmented by the significant contribution of a then-unknown (i.e. risky) Kyogo, this has delivered an enormous haul of trophies. Celtic finished a distant second in 2021 but have dropped only two domestic trophies since, a period in which their main rivals reached significant milestones in European competition.
Finding and developing players of the calibre of Carter-Vickers, Jota, Hatate, Maeda, O’Riley and Abada is so obviously where Celtic are as a club, it defies explanation (but here we are). The aforementioned benefited from arriving at the club during a period of rebuilt. In the squad, goalkeeper, defence, midfield and attack were all overhauled. The new arrivals got gametime and soon flourished.
This summer, our man outlays went on Nawrocki €5m, Palma, €4.75m, Lagerbielke €3.4m, Holm €3m, with an option to buy Bernardo for €6m. Palma was first to get a sustained opportunity and has thrived, scoring in the Champions League and recording assists in important games.
After a run of only three starts, Paulo Bernardo was the toast of Celtic Park. He contributes every inch as much as Matt O’Riley and at €6m is an absolute steal – IF we contribute to develop him correctly, and not allow him to wither on the vine.
Odin Holm (20) has the potential to be every bit as good as Paulo and Matt. He has had a terrible time with illness since arriving in Glasgow, but he will fully recuperate and by his peak years will be performing in a top European league.
For reasons I have not been able to fathom, Gustaf Lagerbielke’s face doesn’t seem to fit. The player has scarcely taken to the field, and when he did, he scored a Champions League winner, but minds have been made up.
On the other hand, great things are expected of Maik Nawrocki. He has endured persistent injuries since August, and was thrown into the deep end yesterday, but the consensus at Lennoxtown is that he will also play his peak years in a top European league.
If Celtic have been exceptional at anything in recent years, it is finding and developing great prospects. We need to do more of this, we need to look for ways to improve it, and we need to lead the club with this exceptional strategy. Convince the footballing world, if you have talent, Celtic will find it and grow it into something great.
Luck plays a part in football. Injuries, illness and opportunity can all determine whether or not a player is successful. But in this respect anyway, luck eventually evens itself out. Can we all agree, let’s have more of Cater-Vickers, Nawrocki, Jota, Palma, Abada, Holm and Hatate.
So with the strategic plan clearly so successful why am I worried? We lose two league games, get our backsides handed to us in Madrid, and we want a quick and lazy fix (which will not work).
This “we need more experienced players” harks back to past successes, like the phenomenal Scott Sinclair. But Scott came 8 years ago and the world has changed since then. “More experience players” means fewer like Nawrocki and more like Nat Phillips. Nat is 26, has experience in the EPL and Champions League with Liverpool and is exactly the player we can expect to sign when we go for “more experience”.
Nat is not the only example. Let me disturb your afternoon with memories of Duffy, Laxalt, Bauer, Marvelous Marvin Compper, Gamboa, Toure and (still on the payroll) James McCarthy! Look across the city. They have gone full pelt with this strategy; Lammers, Dessers, Danilo, Dowell, the wee boy with the tints in his hair, Davies and Lundstrum.
It’s not cheap either. Despite being universally acknowledged as being rubbish, they have a higher payroll than Celtic; Dessers is on £30k per week and that big lump Lundstrum banks £40k a week to traipse around in Callum McGregor’s shadow.
It is a strategy, but it’s a rubbish one. It leads to a development dead end, not just with respect of the players, but for the club as a whole. The chances of bringing a Scott Sinclair-type talent to Scottish football are remote, this is what “more experienced” looks like and it isn’t pretty.
This is where we are: Nawrocki or Phillips, Bernardo or Lammers. There is only one way forward for Celtic, do more of what we are good at, do it ruthlessly, without exception. Even Brendan should have personal developmental goals. This is where Alex Ferguson was so exceptional and others (Martin, even Jock), didn’t adapt. Managers need to be confident enough to disarm and learn.
It’s also worth correcting a commonly held belief that Celtic have a particularly young team. If our preferred starting 11 includes Abada and Hatate instead of Palma and Bernardo in yesterday’s line-up, the average age is 26.6 years. We are a team with a decent range of youth and experience.
Jota, Carter-Vickers et al gave us a reputation as a great place to for a young prospect to come to. If we screw up with the (also very good) most recent crop of recruits, we will not get next season’s crop, they will go elsewhere.
The next two transfer windows are pivotal to the direction of the club. The manner in which we won the game yesterday, with Bernardo and Nawrocki writing the script, adds valuable perspective on where we are and where we should be moving. Double down, be the best and what we are very good at, no reverse gear, no Phillips, Duffys, Comppers in a vain effort to find Sinclair.
Our condolences to the family of Len Murray, Celtic fan, lawyer and twice guest speaker at the CQN Golf Day. Len was a warm man of great intellect and a devastatingly entertaining manner.
Many thanks to those who helped me on CQN this year, Alex Gordon in particular and the two Mods (one on temp vacation) – honestly the worst role in football!
Thanks also for everyone who drops in to give their thoughts or only for a read. I know so many people I respect who read this stuff. Not everyone ‘gets’ this club. You can see the intelletual sneering in some who have left grubby matters like thier football team behind; they have no idea what they have lost. It is a tonic to know my Celtic addition is shared by people I like. This is who we are, it is our link to the generations past and forward, and for some of us, that really matters.
Take care and have a great 2024!
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AIPPLE on 31ST DECEMBER 2023 8:34 PM
BIG JIMMY
I am having one for you here brother!
……………
Feel free to have TWENTY or more PIERCE !
Whatever takes yer fancy.
Happy New Year to you and the family mate.
Hopefully, I can get back on the BEER Wagon asap ?
LOL
HH
Happy New Year to ma Big China….DAVID66….He’s STILL my Local HERO.
Happy New Year to my mates BRRB, BELMONT BRIAN, SFTB, BIG LEGGY ( From SC) and to ALL the other GOOD Guys that I have met over the years of being on here. Too many to mention…..
Happy New Year to PAUL67 and his Family also.
I woke up on the Sofa, while watching a Movie just THREE Minutes before The Bells.
I ” Celebrated” the Bells with a Can of Cola.
Did I miss anything ?
AYE, I DID…..A right good BEER FRENZY !
LOL
HH
NEW YEAR Message for the MANKIE HUNS…
I sincerely hope that CELTIC Fecked Up your planned New Year ” Celebrations”….Your Christmas ” Celebrations” ….and ANY possible BIRTHDAY ” Celebrations” that you would normally have over the Festive Period.
Your HUN TEARS bring such JOY to the Millions of CELTIC Supporters from around the Globe.
Has BALOGUN been arrested yet ?
Has BALOGUN been CITED yet ?
Have SEVCO FC released a statement defending BALOGUN yet ?
These are just some of the questions that SHOULD be asked.
BETS….
Ive had some Winners at the Horses in the last few days, but NOT enough to shout about…..Sadly.
However, I had Spurs to beat Bournemouth by the correct score of 3 – 1 at odds of 11/1.
I also had Nottingham Forest to beat Man Utd by the correct score of 2 – 1 at odds of 12/1.
I did NOT get the Celtic v Huns score correct….NO MATTER…Just as long as The BHOYS WON, thats all that matters !
HH.
A Happy and peaceful New Year to Paul 67 and all CQNers roon the World .💚🍾🍀 hh
Oh man heeeeeeed.
Back to bed.
HNY To all especially Big Jimmy…take care Jimmy….oh ma napper.
D. :)
Morning all.
DAVID66@ 1.52 am. What a lovely compliment that was to me. I have my reasons, obviously, for staying away, keyboard bullying being the main one. I still lurk daily and miss not posting. Thanks again my friend. HH
A Guid New Year to One and All!!!
*******
You’re on good form today, BIG JIMMY. I Hope this augurs well for the new year and your health improves big time.
What a great read back this morning. Many Thanks to all on here for keeping the rest of us entertained and enlightened.
Cheers for now….work to do.
Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir.
🇵🇸🍀💚🇳🇬💚🍀🇵🇸
Kyogo will not be going to the Asia Cup.
Hatate and Meada have been called up
Happy New Year to fellow CQNrs , keep up the chat in 2024.
Many tanks to Paul 67 for keeping the site going all these years.
Maybe a good day for letting a few of the lads who recently erred back off the naughty step.
HH
A Happy and prosperous New Year to all who frequent this Dear Green Place .
Paul 67 thanks for the opportunity for all to air their views , a good New Year to you and yours…
Up the Hoops
SCANIEL on 1ST JANUARY 2024 9:29 AM
A Guid New Year to One and All!!!
*******
You’re on good form today, BIG JIMMY. I Hope this augurs well for the new year and your health improves big time.
What a great read back this morning. Many Thanks to all on here for keeping the rest of us entertained and enlightened.
Cheers for now….work to do.
……………
Cheers mate, and a Happy New Year to you and your family and ALL the great animals that you look after.
i hope that I can shake off this FLU/Chest problem before too long, although Ive had it since December 3rd, which is long enough !
Cheers SCANIAL Mate.
HH
NO KYOGO for JAPAN…
Thats GREAT news for Celtic.
The Japanese Manager must be a Hun cos he doesnt rate KYOGO ?
He must be related to Kris ” KNOW IT ALL” BOYD ” ?
LOL
What a BOOST for the Celts.
Brendan will be pleased.
HH
Horses…
CHELTENHAM Today…
FIVE Races on ITV.
My Favourite Jumps Trainer ONLY has TWO Runners Today ( BOTH at Cheltenham), despite there being several Meetings.
The odds on his Two Horses are 9/4 and 11/8, so I won’t get rich IF they both Win ?
HH
Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd on Sky –
BOTH said no penalty.
Bothroyd said it isn’t even a penalty for handball.
Cue the meltdown again.
Happy New year.
DAVID66 on 1ST JANUARY 2024 8:26 AM
Oh man heeeeeeed.
Back to bed.
HNY To all especially Big Jimmy…take care Jimmy….oh ma napper.
…………..
Get yerself out early DAVID and get a few CURER’s doon ye, if you can find a Pub thats open Today ?
Happy New Year to you and all the family.
HH. Mate.
Have we signed anyone yet?
This time last year we had 9 new players signed and training at Bobbytown
All the very best to all who make CQN possible and add a touch of colour (mainly green) to our lives.
I leave you with a very old quote from a commentary-
“I think Chalmers put it in but it doesn’t matter’
Hail hail
JRS
Sky sports no friend of Celtic.
All about Celtic fouls particularly Johnson and Bernabei ,not one mention of Goldson and Soutter blatant fouls.
Phone call soon to Sky goodbye.HH
Happy New Year to all TIMS 👍🇮🇪
Happy New year to one and all
Beautiful morning here in the north of Staffordshire.
Don’t do Hogmanay so no hangover.
31003 we want quality not quantity.
Happy new year to all in Timland!
Health and happiness in 2024
FFS
Kyogoi has been left out of Japan’s squad for the Asian Cup. Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, without a Celtic appearance since October, are included in the squad of 26.
DERBY FALL-OUT: 3 QUESTIONS FOR VAR
………..
I do NOT AGREE with this Thread Today.
It suggests that Celtic SHOULD ask questions of certain incidents during the Huns game, but it ALSO suggests that Celtic have somehow kept a dignified silence since the match finished ?
THAT is what is WRONG …..Celtic SHOULD be seeking ” Explanations” from The SPFL and VAR…ESPECIALLY AFTER we have WON !
GOLDSON assaulted Bernado…and yet the Huns are trying to make out that PAULO was too blame and should have been sent aff ?
Who are they trying to kid ?
HH
BIGRAILROADBLUES @ 3:59 AM,
Apologies for my latness, just finished my run:))
It is in fact A Grand Year To Be A Tim….
Happy New Year All
Aff oot
Hail Hail
Happy New year weefra.
Hope you are well and 2024 is good to you my friend.
Love from ML5 bud
LEFTCLICKTIC
Happy and healthy New Year to you and your family my friend. HH
Happy New Year HH
Sad, but true, I enjoy thems hurtin’ more than our win. As I say, sad.
Funny not a bit of mention to when Turnbull was clean through to be brought down. Penalty, no , offside.
Just loving it.
Enjoy 2024
KINGLuBO
My good wife from Roscommon made me laugh this morning with one of her rare jokes..
Paddy says “Knock knock ” Mick says ” who’s there ”
Paddy, “John ”
John who, “Burt Lancaster
Gene
Of course you’re right
My tongue was firmly in my cheek
Penalty or no penalty is neither here nor there for the huns.
It’s all about deflection and intimidation. The huns are simply being huns.
Happy new year to all.
Happy new year to all here on CQN.
New Year’s Day concert from Vienna just finished.
Has a more beautiful piece of music than the Blue Danube waltz by Strauss ever been written?
Fields of Athenry ain’t too shabby I suppose.
A very happy new year to all who access CQN, especially Paul67 and his loved ones.
Happy New Year Paul and all on CQN.
A few have mentioned Alistair Johnston’s form.
Absolutely no doubt there’s been a drop off lately. We’ve seen it before with new signings making a great start then losing a bit of form, some recover others don’t.
Think we should cut him a bit of slack , he’s a strong character and I’m hopeful he’ll find his form. Won’t be the last player to suffer second season troubles.
Interesting to see the sky panel views on the rangers farce of a penalty appeal.
Perhaps in the interests of balance their views on the penalty Celtic should have got could have been sought. Turnbull was blatantly pushed and no one was actually offside in the lead up to that one. Quite remarkable that everyone I met last night our a wee new year shindig we’re talking of Celtic getting a break from a refereeing decision yet the opposite is true.
10/10 to the media for their total compliance on this. Until the sky panel of folks today at least.
Meantime of course back in the Dallas days our CEO at the time was accused by the media of being crazy when behaving like the new rangers are post Saturday.
Ca plus ca change etc etc.