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.
1,404 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- ...
- 37
- »
well done scotland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZk9CmJIDLQ
Ironic, isn’t it.
Much of Scotland despises us and wishes we didn’t exist . Yet, Celtic has transformed that Scotland team beyond all recognition. Not Strachan, not the SFA, and certainly not the establishment team, who may never provide another member of the Scotland squad in the foreseeable future.
Look at the picture on Shortbread -all 5 tic players. You can see the team spirit
To be fair to P67, as far as I know, anytime someone has been redcarded, P67 has said so, and explained why …. so, I suspect (hope) that TGM is just taking a day off, but will be back soon.
unless, I scared him off by calling him ‘flower’! :)
International football yawn :-(
Friday is music night init? – song for Brendan R
https://youtu.be/0cOy2P_4PzI?list=RD0cOy2P_4PzI
Chilli and the Baracudas – ‘King of feckin’ everything’
‘Songs the Cramps taught us’ CSC
SA shot easy save
JIMMYNOTPAUL
Your right about Darvel, they are a big physical side ! I saw them pre-season against Girvan and certainly put themselves about ! Hoops bhoys doing well in Lithuania HH !!
Delaney’s Truncheon München Map
MiT
Easy Skanking. Great wee tune by The Wailers.
MIT 8.45.
Yes, don’t forget Pussy too.
Maybe he’s waiting to see what you will call him tonight. :-))
Hail Hail
Leigh goes close….
JNP … you’re not helping!
:)
Pussycat
Mississippi
https://youtu.be/jZEPIpTpoPs
Nice wall art ;)
Andy Robertson linking well with the Celtic midfield
Pog
Sipsini and I are at Olympic Park. Munchen Nord. Looking for a gymnastic type frauline. :)
Tierney is so good it’s such a joy watching him.
Scotland different team these days. All down to Brendan…..
This Celtic team is playing very well tonight.
MWD
komm schon
the dd and sips
DD
http://europeforvisitors.com/munich/articles/allianz-arena.htm
MacArthur could not trap a bag of cement…
Probably the best and most underrated band ever,
THE CRAMPS
Whats inside a girl?
In memory of my psychobilly quiff CSC
DD, keep the 19th free and I’ll take you on a tour, of drinking establishments ;-) Nae Charles Manson burdz mind.
JF shot saved corner
Oglach on 1st September 2017 9:01 pm
Probably the best and most underrated band ever,
THE CRAMPS
Whats inside a girl?
In memory of my psychobilly quiff CSC
==============
opps a link would help
https://youtu.be/jLFpYjjQsqc
Danke Schoen!
KT has put some great crosses into the box
JF subbed played well (not injured)
JF off unscathed:))
DD,
Bitte
Scotland have tried to play a quick one touch football… it’s noticeable hoe certain players are a lot better at it..
SA shot saved
3-0…
https://youtu.be/n6tIBFwNj3o
Bit of Christy to be followed by some more Christy. From the Moving hearts era.
Is it just me shouting at the telly that the games won sub Leigh and Kieran?
https://youtu.be/Q-yb2P9hzUA
Penned by the boul Bobby (as well as Back home in Doire.
The Griff off safe:))
Classic
https://youtu.be/3Ln9QnLaWrY
CATHEDRAL VIEW on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2017 9:20 PM
Is it just me shouting at the telly that the games won sub Leigh and Kieran?
No…