My friends in Celtic, last season we enjoyed our fourth consecutive league title, a League Cup win, and a disappointing end to the treble pursuit with a penalty defeat in the Scottish Cup Final. That loss was only the sixth domestic trophy Celtic have failed to win in nine years, and three of those came amid the testing absence protocols Celtic observed impeccably in season 2020-21.
The season just finished also saw our successful participation in the first Champions League, league format, which we progressed from, before ultimately losing to an equaliser in Munich. A repeat in Europe this term will be enormously difficult.
Since then, Nicolas Kuhn, our scorer that night in Munich, has left for Como, Greg Taylor went to PAOK, while a number of fringe players also emptied their Lennoxtown lockers.
Kieran Tierney (28) returns to fill the left back slot vacated by Greg, and we have seen a welcome return to a strategy of investing in young players. I am even happier that we have revived our Japan policy, with the arrival of striker Shin Yamada (25 but not long out of uni.) and left-side defender Hayato Inamura (23).
The arrival of striker Callum Osmand (19), from Fulham echoes the road travelled by Moussa Dembele in 2016. The final notable arrival (so far) is Swedish winger Banjamin Nygren (23). Let’s not burden him with the obvious comparison. Past performance of talent sources does not guarantee anything, but we are entitled to be encouraged.
We are a month away from the transfer window closing and the I read that Chris Sutton thinks we are weaker now than at the end of last season. Chris watched more of Kieran last season than I did, and perhaps he watched a lot of Japanese, Danish (Benji) and Fulham reserve football too. If I can go out on a limb, though, this feels like an extraordinary claim without extraordinary evidence. Doom sells more than “Nothing much to report yet”.
I spent much of last term flagging concerns that Brendan Rodgers had gone off-piste. £26m on Idah, Engels and Trusty (not counting the rest) was an alarming venture into territory I hoped he left behind during his latter days at Leicester. Therefore, I am delighted to see the manager back with what looks like a strategic fit.
Moreover, this looks like someone planning for the future, which was a concern I raised after last season’s business.
The window of course is not over and if we are to see off this season’s version of a domestic challenge with our customary manner (customary treble seems unnecessary), while reaching and performing in the Champions League, work needs to be done.
Past performances might again be useful. Our most transformational transfer window in two decades was surely the summer of 2021. Ange Postecoglou arrived and brought in Kyogo, Starfelt, Carter-Vickers, Abada, Juranovic, Jota, Giakoumakis and Joe Hart.
At the end of July 2021, however, only Kyogo, Abada and Giakoumakis had been signed. Of course, we could have signed another central defender rather than wait for Cameron, and there was no reason to wait for Jota, Josip, Carl or Joe. Alternatives were available well before their signing dates.
Fortunately, Celtic decisionmakers knew their targets and set about getting them. A short-term hit wins today’s headlines, but honestly, do we really need short-term hits? Is it perhaps better to get your plan right and follow it to the end, even if it means signing the likes of CCV and Jota on deadline day again?
I cannot believe you and I have this conversation every year. People I know and like, clever people, forget so quickly how these things work. How “Same old Celtic” actually means what we did previously, not what imaginary thing did not happen before.
We win more than anyone in world football – take this for granted and I don’t want to talk to you. We achieve this while running a sustainable business model which is the envy of clubs everywhere. We will continue to spend and strengthen the squad until the window closes (despite having competitive football before then, sellers often choose to wait until near the end).
Michael Nicholson is almost four years in the CEO job. That period has seen our bank balance climb to levels many of us are uncomfortable with (that includes me!). Michael carries the burden of spending that money on our behalf, which does not mean spending everything at once.
Do you want to look at past performance again? Peter Lawwell spent every penny that came into the club over any multi-year period you care to mention. [Gasp! What did the Romans ever do for us?] My expectation is that Michael will do the same. Anyone who thinks this is easy, or that there is complacency, or that they would boss the football industry, sits on a peak on the Dunning Kruger graph.
These are special years, the inheritance of work done by some of the aforementioned, by Martin, Fergus and the 10,000 who backed him. By Jock and the Lions, who picked the club out of obscurity and taught us to aim high. By those who carried Celtic during the dark decades before that, and by those who cleared the ground, when it was decided, “A football club will be formed…..”.
Enjoy the new season and always enjoy supporting Celtic.
Thank you to everyone who attended the CQN Golf Day at Aberdour in June. Blantyrekev and Taggsybhoy recently dropped by at Spirit Aid to drop off the funds raised. The golfers raised £1019.67 which will go to help the most needy in Scotland. Pictured also is Spirit Aid staff Mary Kavanagh and James Ridley (out of picture the indefatigable Patrick Rolink). Bernard Ponsonby (centre) was our fabulous guest speaker. Spirit Aid are dedicated to improving the lives of young people. They are worth of our support and your attention. Celtic fans are always so inspiring.
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B78
Your comment from last night is bewildering. The idea a board has nothing to do with transfers be it budgets or negotiations is fanciful. Equally the idea that any deal has to be approved by the major shareholder seems ridiculous. Having said that there is no distance you will not go deny any responsibility against the executive and wider board.
Frankly if the board has such little impact on anything then what exactly is it that they do? If they had any self respect they should call it out as we are effectively in a one man dictatorship. If they are supposed to be custodians of both the business and the heritage of Celtic then they are doing a pretty shit job if one man has such huge control.
If we had a player that was so ineffective he would be moved on (if we had a replacement??) perhaps the board members who contribute nothing should be also.
I believe BR is well within his rights to make the comments he did. In the main he answers questions put to him honestly and he is smart enough to deal with them and get message across. We as supports get more 10x more info via him than anyone else from the club that’s for sure. BR is not without his faults like us all but your dislike for BR is clear as is you love for the bullet proof CEO/Chairman and board but you cannot be objective which is a shame.
Nice day for the game – looking forward to the walk from home and hopefully a solid performance and victory.
Croftcelt
Govan’s dearly departed were jealous and protective of their 55 flags.
He can’t count either.
Being a Kuhn down, even without a replacement, is an improvement on end of last season. After Munich, the guy was useless.
BADA BING
Just saw your comment re Friday. Happy to buy you lots of pints. Where are we meeting? 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
Time to set off for Paradise. A leisurely stroll into town and a wander to the Cross and the Gallowgate. It’s a hard life. 👍
As soon as their keeper gets the ball, start the 8 second count.
There is an error in the article. At the top it reads “By Paul67”. This is definitely written by the chief contributor, PeterLawwell.
Hopefully we’ll see a change of tactics this season . So instead of always playing the ball to the free man , waiting for the opposition to drop a runner ; we need to play the ball into midfield to marked players who time their runs and lay the ball off to full backs and / or holding mid to breakthrough the opposition with very few passes.
This is the way forward for Europe.
Lots of transfer name targets likely this week after Brendan had to throw down the gauntlet to Celtic’s hierarchy. Flushing, out any old Celtic ditherers, keeping pace by use of vast resources, a striker, and a winger remain a bare minimum, for Euro Celts. The hungry Celtic support will be there ironically on the day Paul McStay too, and the same day in 1997, on which Henrik Larsson’s dreadlocks debuted.
Cracking match in prospect against a very pro Saints side, that tried to prevent James Forrest’s astonishing record, on title clinching day, a few short months ago. Any Kieran Tierney is a big guy at the back and welcome, Benny Nygren so far, doesn’t have that boardroom budget look, and there is excitement that Shin Yamada could shine just at the Parkhead peeps it’s tea time sun.
Could his third season, be the year of the Yang?
Enjoy the match CSC
I really hope that SHIN YAMADA will get a decent run out today, as I liked what I saw on his brief debut pre season.
I may be sticking my neck out here, but I predict that SHIN YAMADA may become a real Celtic fans favourite, along with being a favourite with Brendan ?
Its in the STARS….Hopefully !
HH.
Itamar Ben Gvir…
“The children of Gaza are not innocent; they are a delayed threat that must be completely eliminated.”
I’d loved to have been in my usual seat in 443 today but a trip to Prague to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary with Mrs KB beckons.
In my view, am 56, Paul McSray is the best Celt ever in my near 50 years of going to games. His skill but most importantly, his dignity and determination in carrying almost a full team/club showed his love for Celtic.
I hope he receives a great welcome and has a day to remember. God bless the Maestro.
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 3RD AUGUST 2025 12:15 PM
Itamar Ben Gvir…
“The children of Gaza are not innocent; they are a delayed threat that must be completely eliminated.”
—————
Is that genuine and can you provide a link please?
Absolute animals with their views on and treatment of the Palestinian people.
How much longer can all these so called civilised countries stand by and watch what’s unfolding in Gaza?
Sickens me to see the images and read the stories of what’s happening. Yet, the UK, US etc continue to support Israel with weapons and covert support for their actions, whilst condemning some of their actions in the media.
Seems money is all that matters. 😡🤢
https://twitter.com/i/status/1951721818664091771
Well done big Chris.
Morning folks from Ottawa….
Lots of focus (rightly so) on transfers.
However, look at the big picture: 13 out of 14.
Enjoy,
Weeron.
The returnof weeron
Shall you be watching in the Heart and Crown?
vale bhoy on 3rd August 2025 12:43 pm
The returnof weeron
Shall you be watching in the Heart and Crown?
Indeed I will. What about yourself…?
Weeron
You are right Scully us at the match should count down form eight to zero as soon as the opponents keeper has hold of tbe ball.
Pass it on
8 7 6 5 4 3 3 1
🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣
You are right Scully us at the match should count down form eight to zero as soon as the opponents keeper has hold of tbe ball.
Pass it on
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣
I’ll be at the game.
You enjoy the company of fellow Tims.
Dusted down and ready for new season
A lot to be worked for today
Play Celtic play
Good luck to all going
Good luck to all Celts watchin globally
God bless Celtic
HH
Think it will be a close game today, any win will do.
God bless Paul McStay.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rDEMbDVgE6I
old cektic park
here we go again.
i reckon this is my 56th season going to the [lace.
vale bhoy on 3rd August 2025 12:47 pm
I’ll be at the game.
You enjoy the company of fellow Tims.
Vale Bhoy,
I certainly will. I’m jealous of all of you who will be in Paradise today, but such is the pain of the emigrant….
That said, I might get over sometime this autumn….
Cheers,
Weeron.
Maestro on 3rd August 2025 12:47 pm
You are right Scully us at the match should count down form eight to zero as soon as the opponents keeper has hold of the ball.
Pass it on
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
——
Passed on 👍
🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣
oh the SF49ers are shite
oh the SF49ers are shite
enjoy SS
The hun will never do the countdown. They can’t fooking count.
Afternoon CQN
Melvin Udall on 3rd August 2025 12:32 pm
There are plenty of examples similar to Itamar Ben Gvir here
https://law4palestine.org/law-for-palestine-releases-database-with-500-instances-of-israeli-incitement-to-genocide-continuously-updated/
Good luck to the Bhoys today
HH
ps here’s the new Roger Waters song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6dcS6SOYZc
Saint Stivs on 3rd August 2025 12:58 pm
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rDEMbDVgE6I
old cektic park
here we go again.
i reckon this is my 56th season going to the [lace.
————————————-
Hope you enjoy the game as much as I enjoyed the link. Great days.
Melvin Udall @12.32…
https://x.com/Middle_Eastern0/status/1951908635992596758
New Drover. Blaring very loud music . Not for old guys like moi.
Good shout earlier by GreenPinata and then Burnley78 for those fans travelling a long distance to attend the match.
Credit to them all.
BARRACH OBAMPOT on 3RD AUGUST 2025 1:58 PM
&
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 3RD AUGUST 2025 2:09 PM
—————
Thanks both.
Absolutely disgusting human beings to think, talk and act like they are.
We are actually living through and witnessing live, another holocaust. The last one was evidenced after the fact. This one is playing out live on our screens.
Makes you realise how helpless we are against the rich and powerful. All the protest marches and demonstrations in the world won’t affect what’s going on. All that matters is money to the people who have the power to make this stop.
Feel so bad for the Palestinian people. 🇵🇸 🙏
Mon the hoops btw!
Realise this is a football blog after all. 😁👍🍀⚽️🇮🇪
That comment from Ben Gvir is a variation of the ” nits breed lice ” statement to his troops by Colonel Skivington before he let them loose to massacre a Native American village of mostly women and children, and for which he since has been rightly vilified by history.
Timmy7
Aye, too loud for this old geezer. 🙄
Melvin Udall
Who asked you anyway?
Hope you are well young fella. 👍