We’ve known for a while the strategic alliance Celtic have had with Manchester City, but how we have burrowed into the France international youth setup is, frankly, highly unlikely for a Scottish club.
First came Moussa, then Olivier.
Olivier Ntcham (21) will have known Moussa Dembele (21) from the French youth setup, and Patrick Roberts from their time at Man City. How both flourished at Celtic last season was a prime motivator for the player to head north.
With Olivier and Moussa flourishing in Glasgow, Brendan Rodgers was able to convince a third French youth international, Odsonne Edouard (19), to come to Celtic. We are now an attractive destination for players graduating from one of the world’s most productive international academy environments.
Edouard is here on loan. Celtic have the option secured with both Paris Saint-Germain and the player to turn this into a permanent transfer, should he developed as hoped over the next season.
The story is a little more complicated than just this, however. Odsonne was convicted of shooting someone with an air gun in July and given a suspended sentence. This, frankly, is grossly irresponsible and a suspended sentence is one of the better outcomes for Odsonne. Whatever influences were in his life leading up to this point, a new course needs to be taken in Glasgow.
I have no doubt that this conviction thinned the heard of some potential suitors, unprepared to take the risk on him. He has a year to develop his potential and set himself a new course. If he does, Celtic will acquire a remarkable talent for what in the current market, is a snip.
Patrick Roberts back on loan means that we have retained all first team players from last season, while augmenting the squad with several others. Patrick agreed terms to join permanently, but Manchester City were not prepared to let him go. They, like many others, believe there could be enormous potential on Celtic’s right wing this season. What happens next summer is too far away to contemplate with any certainty.
Jonny Hayes now looks third choice for the right wing slot, but he’s more likely to be utilised as backup for Scott Sinclair on the left. While Patrick Roberts was pursued throughout the summer, we were always going to have to wait until City made their decisions. This left us with only James Forrest for the right wing position for the qualifiers – and James is no stranger to injury. Jonny was available early in the window, so was an appropriate acquisition.
Kundai Benyu (19) arrived from Ipswich after a season on loan at Aldershot. Like Hayes, he can cover for Sinclair in left mid.
Rivaldo Coetzee (20) is the one that got away. He would have competed with Kristofer Ajer for the fourth central defender berth. With Simunovic fit, and Boyata and Sviatchenko both back from injury this month, there was no chance of us splurging big on a central defender. A strategic purchase, like Coetzee, was another matter.
The litmus test for any transfer window is, did we come out of it better than we went into it? Such outcomes are seldom evident the day after the window closes, but having retained all, and added such potential, we have delivered.
What we need to do now is develop Ntcham, Edouard and the others, win the league, perform well in the Champions League, and solidify our position as a club where outstanding talent will flourish and succeed. This is what success looks like for an economically disenfranchised giant in a highly dysfunctional industry.
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We will have a potent strike force to take into the CL but our hopes of progressing from the group depend on keeping a fit Jozo and Dedryck at the heart of the defence.
TURKEYBHOY on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 1:06 PM
If our first choice back 4 is Lustig Suminovic Boyata Tierney then that’s a new back 4 from last season’s CL campaign. In fact, in none of the six games last season did any more than two of the four play together. Dedryck didn’t play in any of the games, Jozo only in the last two and KT in the first three. Only Lustig was the constant.
GREENSIDEUP-GBWO on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 1:13 PM
Cheers. A touch disappointed with Liam Henderson, but not surprised. He got a good few chances, but unfortunately didn’t make the most of them.
HH.
All in all a pretty good window, although would have been much better with a defender. I would have had this as one of the priority positions even before the injuries.
Well done to all!
Oh, and welcome Odsonne!
did Liam sign for Hibs?.I read last night it did not go through.
Paul67 et al
If indeed both Dedryck and Eric were both fully match fit I do not think many of us would be unduly concerned re the early Champions League matches. Fact is they are not, so any fit centre back brought would have been a certain starter, not competing with a young midfielder for a place. Coetzee was never going to fit that bill, he has been injured for weeks, and as it turns out suffers from some kind of longstanding bone disorder. Good luck to him in the future. The overall squad has improved no doubt, but Brendan has failed to address a problem, in the centre of defence, which he identified this time last season. No point dressing it up, no point writing not one, but two articles on the hapless Jason Denayer, talking about mega deals, or saying look how well we have done elsewhere, or claiming we would have had too many central defenders, (anybody count the midfielders these days), when, at the point of writing, we only have one.
Think Liam at Celtic at least until Jan – seems a bit unfortunate he didnt get away on loan at least.
HH
GARY67 on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 1:17 PM
TURKEYBHOY on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 1:06 PM
If our first choice back 4 is Lustig Suminovic Boyata Tierney then that’s a new back 4 from last season’s CL campaign. In fact, in none of the six games last season did any more than two of the four play together. Dedryck didn’t play in any of the games, Jozo only in the last two and KT in the first three. Only Lustig was the constant.
Cheers Gary.I thought that was the case.Be great if,as expected we get all 4 in for the PSG game.
We should not underestimate big Dedryks prowess at set pieces.
Mikael Lustig scored 1 and made 1 for Sweden last night
But his legs have gone…..
#bollix
CELTIC MAC on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 1:20 PM,
Unless Brendan is telling us all lies,we have 2 fit CHs.Dedryk is already training,and Jozo is fit.
Where are you hearing otherwise?.
If we had got a CH in,do you really think that in the short time available,he would have played against PSG.He wont even meet up with Jozo until Wednesday.
!!BADA BING!! on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 1:22 PM
Mikael Lustig scored 1 and made 1 for Sweden last night
But his legs have gone…..
Aye. Scored with a nice header. Good job his head’s not gone!-))
!!BADA BING!! on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 1:22 PM
Mikael Lustig scored 1 and made 1 for Sweden last night
But his legs have gone…..
They have gone a bit.Not so much his legs.I dont think he has looked as mobile after the Hip operations.
Still a terrific player for us though.Will be sorely tested next Tuesday.As will most RBs coming up against Neymar.Good luck to him.
GlenD- some hysterical criticism on here after the Astana game, since Lustig signed, he has been our most comfortable player at CL level, and he will be up there again this year.HH
The fact we replaced Ciftci with a young player who has the ability to run and play football is enough for me to say we’ve improved this window.And that’s before we mention Ntcham the mhan.
I’m no fan of the board but don’t think they’ve let us down this window.
Diablo Desmond and his snidekick Lucifer Lawwell done naw bad. ;)
TB- for a FB not to have great pace, Lustig’s reading of the game and positional sense is exceptional.
TURKEYBHOY on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 1:18 PM
TRADITIONALIST88 on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 1:20 PM,
seems as though he didn’t sign for Hibs after all, a fee of 250-300k was mentioned yesterday but Hibs site saying nothing
HH
gsu
AULDHEID@12-36
Very pertinent article.
Was surprised at Sky losses and 14% drop in viewing figures was larger than expected.
The warning signs are there for the once beautiful game.
The last Sky deal i believe was facilitated by NBC sports in USA and BT causing them to panic.
Rather than adjust to a new climate the football elite will contrive to create a super product.
The rich who have invested in clubs will demand a return and if changing the structure of football to maximize returns is deemed the only way it will happen.
These guys see the goal market as key but are not factoring in how important parochialism is in football.
The rise of VR and constant advances in technology will reduce the younger generations interest in football.
The Asian and American markets have been been a huge reason for the vast revenues coming into the sport but both these audiences are fickle so it’s a gamble to assume they will continue.
Even the mighty NFL has seen a large decline in the under 25 audience and are trying to address.
They have hired a specialized advertising agency to specifically try and reignite the youth market.
But face what i think is a futile battle against the new entertainment landscape.
When the rich investors fail with their ideas of a global super league i expect the clubs that prosper
after the carnage will be those with an emotional pull like Celtic,Ajax,Benfica and other of once great European stature.
Bada
Do you think Mikel is as good as he was two or three years ago?
JJ
Happy Friday!
https://twitter.com/IL0VEthe80s/status/903282541326716929
a good window that – let’s work hard and smart for the spfl and really challenge the others in each CL match
Auldheid…if your rumour is true, then I hope Lithuania skelp Scotland…(being from a Lithuanian background makes me feel less of a traitor saying that :-) )
How long before we start hearing about how Sevco didn’t want Walker because he doesn’t fit Caixinha’s “new system”?
Oh and no doubt Odsonne joined Celtic so he could play in the “old firm” games!
AULDHEID
Although it would be good to see the back of Regan, the idea that he just walks away Scot Free after his appalling service to the national game really gets on ma nellies..
And should his successor carry on the same insular nightmare of unaccountability the no change is no change.
The fight goes on:))
HH
Apparently Sevco didn’t want Walker because he doesn’t fit Caixinha’s “new system”………
newsjustin csc
Paul67
As CEO of TPSBBBBHPWDS I protest at your latest article. I will raise this article at our groups next party evening before putting in writing to you our considered and reasonable request that this article is withdrawn and a true and honest summary of Peters Crap performance is published.
Who are you?
MWD TPSBBBBHPWDS CEO
Liam Henderson didn’t do much wrong. I think he is a great player,..,,.just needed to be played. We should give more chance to him during season when we knew we would not gt caught!
There are a lot of assumptions in this,
All our current internationalist are fit and still at the club next summer.
We don’t lose or add any more in the Jan window.
Currently around 11 internationalists.
We win the league 17/18
We have 4 CL qualifying rounds next summer.
Only 4 qualify from Round of Champions.
1st CL qualifying round dates this year, 17/18 – 27/28th June.
World cup finals dates are 4 June 2018 – 15 July 2018
Factor in some holidays for players.
Scotland Qualify for Russia.
Anyone want Scotland to qualify?
Potential advantage if we don’t qualify and draw teams that have a lot of players that do.
Play
Liam Henderson is still a Celtic Player, young Nesbitt is gone MK Dons. A pity he is one I always hoped might make the grade with us.
With the new players brought in this window, competition for places will be tough, Ralston & Calvin Miller are the only likely Academy players that have a chance of first team action.
The squad is full of young hungry talented players looking to push on their careers, Brendan will have a job managing their expectations.
turkeybhoy
I do not think Brendan was telling us lies when he said that bringing in a central defender was one of his priorities, not at all. As for Dedryck being “in training”, that is not the same thing as being fit to play, never mind match fit, indeed did not Paul67 state that “……Boyata and Sviatchenko both back from injury this month”, well today is the first of the month, so he may yet be proved right. As for bringing in a centreback now, well Brendan has been aware of the situation since this time last year, and Dedryck has been out injured for months, so just maybe we could have addressed the problem earlier.
HOT SMOKED on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 1:34 PM
Bada
Do you think Mikel is as good as he was two or three years ago?
JJ
Yes i do Jim, i don’t think we have had any player show a run of form yet this season, maybe Ntcham.IMO after last season’s efforts, amount of games played and lack of a decent rest period, has affected any fluent play .We have the right guys in place to manage this, but because we have so many playing internationals, they are struggling to find decent form, individually and as a team.HH
Paul 67
Why would Celtic not spend big on a centre half when that was the position we were crying out for better quality to see us have a chance in CL?
Surely our goals against in CL last season and our away performance in Astana highlights where we will fail again this season in CL as it hasn’t been adressed?
I honestly have no idea why you said Celtic would never spend big in this position..why?
You don’t make sense.
I thought the idea in football was to strengthen where you are weeakest.
Scullybhoy
Why are you mentioning Evans from the EPL as regards transfer prices?
There are 211 countries who play football.
Why do you concentrate on one out of 211, namely England?
Can we not look at other countries where prices are more affordable.
What you stated is classic deflection mode.
The sickening thing is that the club is cash rich just now, and could afford to push the boat out a fair bit further.
lambert14 on 1st September 2017 2:13 pm
Looked at the latest Norway Squad as an example. Of 8 defenders, 3 still play in the domestic league – two for Rosenborg, the other for a smaller club. At first glance the latter fits the bill for a 4th choice CB. Well over 6ft, 130+ domestic appearances, 15 goals, 23 years old – career trajectory is upwards.
Just broken into the Norway squad – is he going to want to sit on the bench at CP? Or maybe establish himself a bit more and walk into the starting 11 at a bigger club?
Celtic scouts will know this guy and every guy in the Norway squad like the back of their hand.
I get the disappointment over a CB but you’d love to know the criteria and the thought process for ruling players in/out. Are we ruling some of these guys out too easily because we don;t think they’ll turn us a massive profit? This guys already 23, is that now too old?!
HH
Hi Paul67,
As many of guys we got in are youngsters it’s difficult to assess just how good this transfer window is.
We can certainly see the direction of travel though and this is very exciting.
We seem to be relying very heavily on Brendan and his Coaching team’s ability to spot and develop talent in a Footballer.
We have seen many of squad team players and young prospects moving on. Calvin Miller and Alden Nesbit being prime examples. A couple of Seasons ago our top prospects in a forward position, Brendan has decided ones a Fullback and one will not reach the standards we are now setting ourselves.
We now have half a dozen genuine top prospects from 19 to 21. If we can develop these players we will see real dividends in 3 years.
Sure, we can point to some positions that may have benefitted from bringing in proven quality, say three positions at an average of £5M per pop, plus wages, for what?
Lets call this, the “enhanced squad”. How much better would it really be?
As things stand the squad we have will dominate in Scotland. Europe will be much more difficult but we could have European Football after Christmas.
With the “enhanced squad” we have will dominate in Scotland. Europe will be much more difficult but we could have European Football after Christmas.
So, is the extra transfer money and wages justified? IMO No, we were never going to get near the “next level” in this transfer window.
Where we are now, allows Brendan and his staff room to develop a much more focused and improving squad.
If we can consistently have transfer windows like this – though it is inevitable we will loose our top Players from time to time – we are going to build and build from a position of strength.
So, that’s, that done for the next few months. We can now enjoy the Football.
Don’t get me wrong, when we could have got a draw in the UCL and we lose to a defensive mistake I’ll be cussin’ with the best of us but deep inside I’ll know…
What the practical, pragmatic window has given us is a real future…
Hail Hail
!!BADA BING!! on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 1:32 PM
TB- for a FB not to have great pace, Lustig’s reading of the game and positional sense is exceptional.
Yes,it is.I still think the Hip Ops have affected him.Before he had the problem,one of our most reliable and talented players,I just think they have left their mark.
Great bit of business to secure Odsonne Edouard. If all goes to plan, we have a ready made replacement for Moussa when he departs for £100m next summer.
Up front is the one area where our academy pipeline doesn’t look great, a conveyor belt from France seems a good medium term plan for everyone.
Why the clamour to strengthen “for the Champions League”?
I thought we were already in the CL. And we have NO chance of getting 1st or 2nd place. Regardless of who or how many centre backs we sign.
Therefore the only question is whether we can get 3rd place. Based on the form of Anderlecht, and without looking to see how many players they signed in the window, my opinion is that we are well equipped to achieve 3rd.
Signing a centre back may increase the odds, but there is no guarantee either way.
Put me in with the happy and contended clique please.
Chairbhoy. I seem to have duplicated some of your thoughts. Great minds…
More of a concern for me is how do we keep hold of our best players? They are entitled to maximise their earnings and no amount of love for the club will hold them down. An unfortunate reality.
Next summer transfer window, or even January, could see significant number of players leaving. I’m sure we must already be scouting to cover that situation.