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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Dallas
Ryan was 7 and season ticket holder when Tommy Johnson was in his pomp. All his pals were Henrik fans. R liked to be different and declared Tommy his favourite player. He thinks Tom Rogic is our best current player, by a country mile. :)
Enjoy the Lisbon Lions show tonight.
I think my granda Thomas Delaney has an effect on my son. Likes his Tommy’s.
Tommy Burns for me. :)
Petec…it seems you and I are the only guys not watching the football…
Pete
Naw they urnae! ;))
In Paradise anything is possible!
COYBIG
Art of War, condolences on the sad loss of your mother in law. Remembering the good times will help at this time and in the future.
Just watched Hungary v Portugal match.
Terrible game. Bruno and his bun will get a showing up in Scotland. Slow and only capable of big punts up the park to opposition defence. Moussa and Leigh are rubbing their hands together about facing him, I am sure.
Absolutely astounded at mass today, our pp is off to Russia for a week and the Canon deputised. He spoke of a incident of a sectarian nature in Glasgow last week where a group of schoolkids(in uniform) were subjected to a torrent of abuse from 3 adults and were only chased from the scene when other members of the public became vocal and put an end to their nonsense.
He went on to explain that my parish (Broxburn) had more Orange walks than any city or town in Scotland as the OO had infiltrated the local councils and rubber stamped any request to commemorate their hatred.
He called from the pulpit for anyone brave enough to stand for council and make these hate-mongers a thing of the past, and to fight to remove them.
Strong stuff indeed from the pulpit.
My question to anyone in the parish………..Are you?
TAL
The sectarian abuse of the school weans by bigoted hun adults, happened in Central Station concourse. In full view of Polis and CCTV cameras. I await prosecutions.
sweet Lord, is this the 21st century.
After the hurling final, I spent my company with a fella who was born into a different christian religion than me but no one on this planet I would rather to with.
Haven’t been on blog all day as busy with stuff.
Read back and realise I’ve got to read a whole lot more to the Mrs.
It’s a very welcome distraction and i am very grateful for the kind wishes and caunels lit.
Peggy shared the same christian name as my maw, even the same ‘nee’ surname..Campbell. Before you comment, my Campbell was Irish, hers Scottish.
Niall, my father-in-law died 12 years ago but he shared some crackin stories.
While courtin Peggy he took her for a spin on his Norton bike thru Glencoe. Peggy laughed and shouted about the beautiful scenery They stopped tae admire the view before the bold boy shot off to the next viewpoint.
He said that she had went quiet for some time and concerned he turned to ask if she was ok.
She wiznae there.
Concerned, he rode back 5 miles to find her in the lay-by uninjured but not best pleased.
When you see these wee wrinkled people at the end of their days it’s hard to imagine them being cool and free and full of vim. But they were…just like you and me.
I have been privileged to know them both and smile at the good times i have known.
Thanks again bhoys and ghirls.
RIP Walter Becker co founder of Steely Dan
My fav band evér.
Oh and up the Celtic
Hail Hail
PhIL
OmaCelt on 3rd September 2017 10:19 pm
now that’s progress
Good night Timland
HH
BSR- That song is in my all time Top 10
As a derry man i look forward to our minors
AoW
Hope all is well as can be with your family.
Just heard tonight that we lost a good Knightswood man. Kenny Weir. Not a fitba man, but a great family friend of ours. He preferred the hoops if pushed. :)
Good man Kenny RIP.
AoW
Riding a Norton through the Glens whilst courting sounds pretty awesome….except for the funny bit ;-))
Aye, it’s true….we tend to forget that the older generations were, once upon a time, as young and daft as we used to be….keep it lit ;-))
H.H.
Valencia @ 7:06 got to ask are you a hun? Welcome to the blog H H Hebcelt
TLT
Riding a Norton through the Glens.
Song title there.
AOW condolences to you and your good lady. H H Hebcelt
The Lurkin Tim , i’m just back from the show. It was terrific , again,.
Davie Mackay who played Stookie Doyle on tv years ago is in the cast.
Bruce Morton who pays the big hun polis fae Larkhall is the star of the show.
I can’t reccomend it highly enough
Hebcelt
Was a pleasure to use your seat for the Astana match, in such fine Lewis company too. See you at PSG match L.
Thanks again sir.
HH
Delaney’s , Ryan is a man of great taste.
One of the shw’s cast was wearing a Kieran Tierney t shirt tonight. It looked good.
Dallas
Looks good for Oran Mor in November.
Glad you enjoyed it. Think I will on Byres Road.
Garry, Kenny Weir RIP, HH to a good man.
Lurkin- Niall was some man. Him and the old man sank a bottle of Grouse discussing my terms of surrender.
Hebcelt, will catch ye at the coarner sooner than later. HH to ye!
Dallas
I am quickly coming round to my son’s way of thinking concerning his favourite Tommy Rogic.
How can a 6 foot 2 well built man with size13 feet, move the ball and himself so quickly around a fitba pitch? Genius fae Oz.
DD not a problem sir we are both down for the PSG game should be in the BV before the game. H H Hebcelt
Delaney’s , I cant recommend it highlyenough . Most of the cast are Celtic fans and it shows.
In saying that Bruce Morton and the actress playing his wife , steal the show.
There would have been no chance 25 years ago of the play being done in Eastwood/East Renfrewshire.
I see the Huns are over the moon about Luxenburg drawing with France
Delaneys,
Truly sorry to hear about yer friend Kenny Weir….may he Rest in Peace
AoW….no sure what the terms were…..but am positive you consider them favourable ;-))
H.H.
Delaney’s , Tom has magic in his feet.
My favourite goal scored by him was the one he scored at Pittodrie last season. Excellent touch with his right foot then incredible accuracy when he placed the ball with the outside of his left foot in the onion bag.
His goals at Rugby Park and in injury time at Hampden were very special but the above goal was sublime.
Hebcelt
I will be in BV pre match for PSG match.
Diary sorted. See you Hebridean Mad Tims there.
HH
Dallas
Who would have thought that Colin Beattie would show it in his club on Byres Road, 20 years ago?
The times are a changing for the better.
Delaneys
Hope to be in the Blane Valley about 5pm on day of the PSG game
WITS
Yess. The boss OldTim and the rest of the mad crew will be there early. Nice one D.
My 8 yr old grandson is pretty fickle about his football preferences, 2 years ago he was a Barca fan complete with Messi shirt etc and then last year he did a total about turn & decided to transfer his allegiance to Real Madrid & sported a Ronaldo jersey.
Was teasing him this afternoon about what team he was following now, I know it’s stupid but when the little blighter replied, I’m following your team Grandad, I’m following Celtic, I got a real buzz.
Of course a few minutes later the little opportunist was asking when was I going to bring him to a game.~
I said how about a shirt with Paddy Roberts on it, naw Grandad he replied, I’d prefer to go to a game.
Wee Bassa.
Art of War .
Just catching up . Lovely post at 10.25 . Sorry for your loss . Take care .
Corkcelt
Bring him over ye auld scrooge.
Delaney’s,the times they are indeed a changin but in some cases its for our dosh more than any ethical reasons.
Corkcelt
Absolutely magic. See you and the wee yin in Paradise soon.
HH