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Successfully prepare for the season in a dysfunctional industry

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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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  2. gordybhoy64 on

    Fairhill bhoy,

     

    was in it a couple of years ago,

     

    the chocolate bar sold chocolate beers and martinis,beautiful they were

  5. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Delaney’s , one Thistle fan I know was pulled up by me for let’s say, unsavoury comments about a black player, years ago when a crowd of us were out in a pub watching a game.

  7. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Delaney’s , the sevs will claimWoodburn is related to former deid club player Wulle Woodburn.

     

     

    P

  9. Delaneys Dunky on

    Dallas

     

     

    His name was preceded by Bad bassa, when my dad spoke about Woodburn. My dad was normally mild mannered and respected and admired many Rangers players. Woodburn, Shearer and Greig he despised.

  10. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Delaney’s , I wonder why. Lol

     

     

    Was Woodburn not sine died by the SFA?

  11. fairhill bhoy on

    I’m away definitely this time,it’s our10th anniversary this year,got married in cancun ten years ago,so was always going back for our anniversary:-)) mon the accies:-))

  12. Gene on

    GENE on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2017 1:34 PM

     

    Son is still on hols so it’s off to Vale for more disappointment :(

     

     

    —————————————————

     

     

    Sometimes I hate being right :((

  13. Delaneys Dunky on

    Dallas

     

     

    Aye, he flattened a young player, who happened to idolise the masonic thug. My dad told me.

  14. Jimmynotpaul on

    Fairhill Bhoy. 9.51.

     

    TD will be on in a minute saying he was right that some Celtic fans want their team to lose after your mon the Accies. :-))

     

    Have a great time.

     

    Hail Hail

  15. petec on

    Gordon64 on 2nd September 2017 9:29 pm

     

     

    An invincible season, Champions league football and Paddy returns. However ill not be happy until Roy Croppie is back on CQN. Hh

     

     

     

    The Guy Rinsed out the STYLE.

     

     

     

    Another Incredible.

     

     

    Magical, :L:ogical, In c

  18. Delaneys Dunky on

    Pete

     

     

    The Sons scraped through v the Welsh Nomads today.

     

    Onwards and upwards in the Rock. San Pedro the rock.

  19. Gerryfaethebrig on

    G64

     

     

    Roy C made a fleeting appearance the other week

     

     

    The ML6 tease will just keep us waiting :-)

     

     

    Especially some of his great Tommy Burns stuff…

  20. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Delaney!s, the huns/sevs seem to prefer brawn over brain players , unsurprisingly . Those three you mentioned disliked by your dad , typify hun players to me.

  21. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Dallas

     

     

    Mindset

     

     

    Huns best ever player (?) Greig

     

     

    Celtic

     

     

    Jimmy Johnstone

     

     

    There is your difference

  23. Delaneys Dunky on

    Dallas

     

     

    My dad’s favourites were Bobby Evans, Bobby Collins and Bobby Murdoch. His name was Robert :)

  24. Greenpinata on

    Fairhill Bhoy,

     

     

    Hope you enjoy Cancun. Just back a few weeks ago and witnessed 10 weddings in our complex alone. Beautiful setting and was proud to be asked to celebrate a few .

     

     

    Cocobongocsc

  25. Delaneys Dunky on

    GFTB

     

     

    Probably why some ex hun supporters I grew up with, now go to Scotstoun to watch Glasgow Warriors.

  26. Art of War on

    All the good guys are on tonight :-)

     

     

    Garry, first in with your support, i thank you sir.

     

     

    Connaire12- humbling and grateful for your words. I was able to cut and paste your message to sis-in-law in Canada who was overwhelmed.

     

     

    Every message has been read to the missus and she is both staggered and comforted.

     

     

    She no longer of the mindset that CQN is full of saddos like me :-)

     

     

    When Paul created this site i wonder if he knew just what it could achieve.

     

    Today i leant on you and you supported me and my family (wipes actual tear but it could be the Stella)

     

     

    Sorry, got a bit emotional there.

     

     

    Your support has been heard and gratefully accepted.

     

     

    Thanks to one and all.

     

     

    AoW

  27. Gerryfaethebrig on

    DD 10.52pm

     

     

    The proof is in the pudding apart from cheating none of them could kick a ball, while they were all out walking with their sashes we were sneaking tennis balls into school for a 30 @ side at playtime …. that’s what happened in St Augustine’s primary school in the late 70s :-)

  31. Art of War on

    Gerry, just did so. She’ll think I’m after something:-)

     

     

    Missed the whole Scotland thing. How did our bhoys do?

  33. roy croppie on

    The Transfer Window:

     

     

    The best signing we have made in decades is the manager and I think he’ll have a smile on his face at the end of business. All the stars stayed despite constant speculation that emptied Lennoxtown on a weekly basis…dream on. They slag our league and the cup competitions and when they see excellence they slag that too.Remember this is their living,

     

     

    I note our club had a major impact impact on the national team on Friday evening. Shout it from the rooftops and the major cash injection 11 Premiership teams received from our Champions League qualification. Oh and all taxes paid thank you. Embrace the future press huns it is Green, it is White and Scottish football will benefit with our talent,

     

     

    An experienced centre-half would have been great but I’m still waiting on the McLaughlin and Nevin transfer window…Narey or Hegarty anyone?

     

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paNrxISa4Ac

     

    Tomorrow

     

    James

     

     

    Hail Hail

  34. Gerryfaethebrig on

    AoW 11.18pm

     

     

    Celtic, ah mean Scotland were magic, will be a tough wee while for you and the family but am sure you will get through it…..your post when you mentioned “peacefully” means a lot, sometimes them not being in pain is a bit of blessing, again look after your good lady (although I know she will be looking after you :-)

  37. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Art of War , here’s me thinking your wife was called Stella. The old ones are the worst ones.

     

     

    Its good that the messages of condolence here have helped your wife.

     

     

    Delaney’s , my dad never trusted Bobby Evans as he gained a lot of caps for Scotland when so many of his team mates who my dad considered more deserving of international recognition , were rarely capped.

     

     

    Forty years ago ,one of my sisters was a rep for Joe Walsh Tours in Santa Ponsa.

     

     

    When she came back home , we picked her up at the airport. When she came out arrivals she pointed out this guy with greying red wavy hair, she told my mum and dad he was a real pain and always moaning then she ended up on the same flight. It was Boabby Evans . My dad said he wasn’t surprised.

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