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.
470 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- »
Peoples on MP
https://youtu.be/3TMiNpHA6q8?si=VHvCiO83lR3bd2
HORSE RACING…Scroll by if not interested.
GOODWOOD DAY FOUR Yesterday ( FRIDAY )…
NOT a great day for me betting wise as I only had TWO Winners at odds of 11/2 and 5/1.
So Today ( SATURDAY) is the Fifth and Final day of GOODWOOD, and hopefully I can add a few more Winners to my Tally ?
I live in hope.
HH.
Old Man – Beck
https://youtu.be/X98XFT3FzRQ?si=fhCvMowVTi8A2QyT
Ave Ave
The Partisan – Leonard Cohen
https://youtu.be/9RYy_8u4blk?si=nHdqTyjfqCPws17K
Ave Ave
Fifth and final day of Goodwood and not a TIP to be had.
I Watch the Sunrise (Close to You) – The Wullie Malloy Experience
https://youtu.be/nUB-nrvHDPA?si=VLbHDm6ojUW5UJCs
Ave Ave
GlassTwoThirdsFull @ 10:34 pm,
Yes, very strange, also this…
“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.”
Now, I’m not going to disagree with the premise; player recruitment and transfers and signings is not a challenging one and doesn’t have it’s complexities.
Yet that the perennial approach has only one predictable outcome.
That is, we fail to qualify for the UCL-Proper, from Ronny Delia, to Ange Postecoglou we have failed to qualify, with two exceptions
2016/17, 2017/18, when BR&CO navigated their way through and proved the exception to the rule*
“insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results
– David Dunning & Justin S. Kruger
“Just thinking – did Shaw and Urgohide not come in quite early in that window? Wonder why they weren’t mentioned…..?”
Yes, they did and Liam Scales.
It’s another partial point the lead makes – it just mentions the successful off-piste signings, forgetting the ones who hit the model “sweet spot”.
Brendan Rodgers getting pelters on here for not developing every player signed, yet forgetting that Ange didn’t try an arm on that front.
For completeness it is worth pointing out Daizen Meada, Reo Hatate, came in, in December 2021 as is Ange’s wont.
Off-piste players brought in early doors seems to be the way to go.
*Guess statistically having BR&CO at the helm means our chances are greatly improved – but why gamble!?
No Time For Love – Christy
https://youtu.be/ZPJPbFm0RDs?si=06hewcih-26eLEha
Charles Carrigan
https://youtu.be/AALoqb2oMpI?si=Ifyi3KYJFpO42DIW
BSR @ 12:22 am,
Again some great points, and you are correct – a transformation needs to start at the top but it would be nieve to think root and branch was not the way to go.
Yes, anyone who cites our business success as a paragon of virtue is missing several points.
The key one is what Celtic stands for…
The other day I commented on Symbiosis, on how the relationship between Celtic PLC and Celtic FC is a parasitical one.
Celtic cannot thrive as “Celtic” with the vast majority of the resources going to the PLC, who are busy looking good
Have a great day…
Aff ooot
Hail Hail
Good Morning Britain – Aztec Camera
https://youtu.be/3_QSMTtUQYY?si=2rPQ89rzk_LaTbYp
quadrophenian on 1st August 2025 11:52 pm
“BTW: We’re trying to watch the recommended Landman but while it’s brilliantly shot, the script is more wooden than Gepetto’s kid.”
I concur, but, stick with it, por cierto
Sionnaigh on 2nd August 2025 5:33 am
Fifth and final day of Goodwood and not a TIP to be had
………….
IF the above comment is directed at me, then I can advise that I am NOT a ” PROFESSIONAL TIPSTER”……
However, IF YOU or anyone else wish to send me Cash each day or week for Horses that I may fancy, please feel free to do so ?
Top of the morning bjoys here are some nerflix flix recommendations.
https://x.com/darshal_/status/1951521833246924866?t=OfhdzZTJdCnVqSwtwUU5Cw&s=19
📺 🎥
Bhoys
😎
I am very much looking forward to flag day tomorrow and no doubt it will be busy and noisey amd 59+ thousand of us will sing Fly the flag as he aim for 5 in a row and get behind the team in what is a massive month with CL qualifiers league matches against our nearest rivals and help the new players settle in quickly and put a smile on all our faces.
Hail Hail and happy new season just a pity its not today.
💚🤍💛
Son leaving Spurs, what say you MN :))) por cierto
Son has been wonderful to the league and Spurs only right he leaves next year for a final pay day in Suadi no doubt he will wish he could have won more medals but a true modern day role model and complete professional.
In the upside down world inhabited by P67 and P Lawwell 2024 was a disaster and M Lawwell is a lost prophet (profit?) destined to lead recruitment for Man U. Still waiting on that call to come…
quadrophenian on 2nd August 2025 1:03 am
TEXASTIM: we watched x2 episodes but yep, it is all a bit hackneyed.
Finding a new series that’s up there with BreakingBad, Gomorrah or The Wire aint easy.
____
Try Southland
We’ve signed 7 players for the new season at an average of 500k a player !!!!….I think someone is taking the pss ….totally and utterly
I don’t think they the board are taking the piss as you say, it’s by intention by low sell high problem is it brings you much closer to other teams of an equal or better standard. Only influence is season ticket and ticket sales , seasons are sold out so that endorses the policy of the board.
buy
If anyone claims to be happy with Celtic’s transfer window thus far they are either a liar or deluded.
Good morning all.
QUADROPHENIAN on 2ND AUGUST 2025 1:03 AM
TEXASTIM: we watched x2 episodes but yep, it is all a bit hackneyed.
Finding a new series that’s up there with BreakingBad, Gomorrah or The Wire aint easy.
—————
If you’ve not seen it, ‘The Virtues’ starring Stephen Graham is outstanding. Only a 3-parter, but well worth a watch. 👍
Will see if I can think of another couple for you both. 👍
The hand of God on 2nd August 2025 9:47 am
You mean I’m not a bedwetter?
Thank God for that……
QUADROPHENIAN & TEXAS TIM
If you liked Breaking Bad, ‘Better Call Saul’ is excellent and is about the lawyer from Breaking Bad, played by Bob Odenkirk and ties in with bits of Breaking Bad.
I actually liked it more than Breaking Bad. 👍
Good morning CQN.
Maestro @ 7:09am. With you on that.
Looking forward to tomorrow .. and the season
£20 million on Idah and Engels
Or
£20 million on Nawrocki, Lagerbielke, Holm, Kwon, Palma, Tilio, Yang and Iwata.
——
Idah and Engels played more minutes than all the latter combined, probably several times over alongside 30 odd goals.
worth a listen
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2211642176004848
vinniethedog on 2nd August 2025 9:28 am
We’ve signed 7 players for the new season at an average of 500k a player !!!!….I think someone is taking the pss ….totally and utterly
‐————————————————
It’s a bit too linear to look at it like that. Included in that is the ‘Bosman’ of Tierney (great signing I’d say and assuming fitness is not an issue, will add so much to the team). Nygren looks a good bit of business, albeit early doors, at circa £2m and Yimada/Inamura look as if they have something.
We shouldn’t turn our nose up at value in the market if we can identify it but a significant amount of fans, me included, are more than a bit peeved at the lack of activity in the forward areas where we know it is likely to mean big fees being paid.
This week is a massive one for the Board to heed BR’s shot across the bows
The hand of God on 2nd August 2025 9:47 am
If anyone claims to be happy with Celtic’s transfer window thus far they are either a liar or deluded.
——————–
that will be me then, neither a liar or deluded.
without being ecstatic i am not unhappy with the business done THUS FAR.
For me, the outs are as important as the ins, I dont really subscribe to the “you need to have a replacement in before you let someone go”. If someone wants to leave let them go. If we also have offers for “deadwood” (terribly disrespectful term) ;let them go.
Transfer fees paid or received wont be used by me as the sole judgement on a player real value – ie how he fits in the team and what contribution is made on the pitch.
At this moment it is just a body count.
High hopes that KT, Benji and the two Japanese being first team contributors.
Loan deal for a young city player, well whats wrong with that, it has worked on several occassions.
The stronger/weaker argument as well, I find it tedious, until you see players play how do you actually know ?
We drew 1-1 end of season with St Mirren, if we beat thhen tomrrow does that mean we are stronger ?
Anyways, I am looking forward to seeing the flag unfurled, praiising McStay, and seeing the new bhoys, new kit, KT and shiny dugouts.
Chairbhoy @ 5.53
Thanks
“ Aff oot indeed “ , there will be a fair few more of them on CQN this window, that started fairly well. 7 or so players signed, at a fraction of the cost of the 2023 overspend. The three musketeers Engels Idah and Trusty are mentioned more on the internet than Crippen. A question of total value and for first season contributions level maybe, but not a reason to reintroduce a biscuit tin mentality, or a spending cap, or to pillory the manager.
The gaps in the squad cost us our 16 out of 16 Cup Final record, but that’s all, so far, and there’s time to plug them. The big picture reveal will be 1st September and we’ll know if Michael and Brendan sang from the same page. I hope they are both involved in the transformation/revolution when it comes.
It’s hard not to be philosophical about Celtic, even Voltaire was here , poking his nose in the window, ( enjoyed the Candide responses👏 )
Schmeichel
Johnston
CCV
Trusty
Tierney
Nygren
Calmac
Hatate
Yang
Idah
Maeda
Hail Hail
No surprises for me to see our managers self serving nonsense yesterday.
Predicted 3 months ago except I actually thought it might not emerge until the CL qualifiers and final weeks of the window.
Paving the way for his hero exit and blame the suits.
He has had 3 windows to sort his recruitment out he has his own guy in now. He struggled in second half of last season.
Any other business would have him disciplined. Celtic should have the balls to get rid now.
Sadly the sheep and those with blinkers will buy his crap … none can name anyone we should buy but they will dance this hired hand’s tune.
DD will hopefully see through this charlatan.
Time to judge the transfer window is still over four weeks away.
B78
I’ve asked you many times before, who would you like to replace Brendan.
“Celtic should have the balls to get rid now.”
“DD will hopefully see through this charlatan.”
Finally out in the open…must be a relief eh?