T minus 35 hours as the transfer window reaches its interesting stage, as clubs make consider what their final options will be. Celtic have an already bloated squad and are looking to offload in several areas, while hoping to add a left back, striker and possibly keeper.
The left back requirement was originally for backup to Greg Taylor, while a striker is required as cover (and an in-game sub) for Kyogo. There are short-term concerns at both acquiring positions. Greg’s recent injury means he could be out for games away to Aberdeen, Hibs and St Mirren.
Japan and South Korea’s continued participation in the Asian Cup means we are without Oh, our normal alternate for Kyogo, and Daizen Maeda, who has played through the middle when required.
Celtic are considering various options for both positions. How far down the list to do you go, when the acute need is only for cover, and only then for a few weeks? It is easy to say ‘We’ll not bother with another Nat Phillips-type profile’, but the reality is, there is uncertainty.
Anyone signed right now can ‘have a Kilmarnock’, as Nat did, or we could be left without a recognised striker, pricking memories of playing Lewis Morgan up front in the 2019 League Cup Final. No matter how sure you are, there is no right answer.
Hopefully, Gustaf Lagerbielke will get his move to Serie A. This season’s plan for central defence was that Cameron Carter-Vickers and Maik Nawrocki would be first choice, with Gus next in line and Stephen Welsh fourth choice (and a useful Uefa B List option). Liam Scales was due to be punted to Aberdeen.
Injuries to Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki and Welsh saw Liam thrust into the Ibrox limelight, where he rose to occasion and has since been a confirmed revelation. A naturally left-sided central defender, he did enough to keep his place in the team, never mind the squad, so Gus has dropped from the roster, despite having performed well when asked.
David Turnbull has known a new contract was not on the table since Brendan Rodgers arrived in the summer. He was used on Saturday, but if the proposed move to Cardiff happened it would be a good outcome for the player.
Celtic rejecting an offer from Greece for James McCarthy sounds unusual, but that’s only because we don’t know the detail. If Celtic fold on exit terms for one player, they set a precedent that others know they can follow. James could walk away this afternoon with everyone’s best wishes, if he wanted to. We’ll see if anything happens.
We’re not short of wingers, at least, we won’t be when the Asian Cup ends, so there should be no surprise if Mikey Johnston makes an exit to the English Championship.
I’ve no idea how all the bed-wetters manage to get through the first 30 days of January, poor things.
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Easy to see the hunterlopers on here salivating at the pathetic entitled malcontents manning the barricades. The same plastic rebels who fell for the negative momentum in 2020 which lead to the end of the quest for 10.
Last I saw Celtic had won 6 games in a row and sat top of the league. We recently beat our biggest challengers.
Our rivals have lost potentially their best player to injury for the rest of season and replaced with a Wolves reserve who is unproven. They swapped out a player signed in the summer as a world beater for a project from Denmark and may get an unproven left back in and one out. Plus a winger no one really knows much about.
We have signed a winger and an international forward.
Some quotes from Norwich fans on Idah
“£3m would be a steal for Idah. He’s awful”
“Idah muist be the worst striker we have ever had”
“idah is awful, get rid”
Aye quality right enough Brendan…
BURNLEY78 on 31ST JANUARY 2024 11:48 AM
The negative momentum in 2020 you speak of was caused by the board keeping a lame duck manager in post for far too long. remember?
Burnley78
“The ridiculous garbage we see on here “
Well we will all bow to your superior knowledge.
Tell your pal Lawwell to take his sons and sail into the sunset.(being polite).
BURNLEY78 on 31ST JANUARY 2024 9:41 AM
Some folk seem to still think Peter Lawwell has some sort of executive position at Celtic ?
AT- Burnley78 it would be remiss of Celtic not to use PL’s experience/goodwill/knowhow at this time of year,assisting both Michael Nicholson & Chris Mackay in executing their duties.He has a non exec position on the board but he is not sitting idly by if either of those 2 seek advice,do you really think PL would turn around and keep shtoom saying sorry i am Chair,its non exec
B78-What a funny world. Where folk get so so wound up about stuff they simply cannot understand or influence.
AT-They can question your view B78 that as PL is non exec he is not participating in the decision making process
B78-Even funnier when the team they seem to say they support are actually enjoying their most successful ever period of dominance in its history.
AT They are,like you all Celts,some like you have Board of Director experience thats where they are dissenting PLs influence
Not on the pitch.
HH
Managed Decline FC….This is what we have become…do we ever strengthen from a position of strength…always hoping to just do enough to stay in front…well maybe not this season…
BURNLEY78 on 31ST JANUARY 2024 11:48 AM
We have signed a winger and an international forward.
Another winger and an injury prone striker who has barely kicked a ball for his club.
TINYTIM
With the greatest of respect pal I cannot take anything you say about Brendan Rodgers seriously since you slaughtered him on here for sporting a tan [after over a year domiciled in Majorca] and having perfect white teeth.
Hail Hail.
Barry Robson sacked
Saw that coming.
new article posted.
An T
We should have a beer and discuss.
Too many points to work through on a busy day.
Of course they would be crazy not to seek PL advice. That is for sure. I am sure he would give it but he ain’t driving the bus.
As for those who have too much hate built into their attitude by years of anti Celtic board dissonance they only want to see things negative. They do need help.
Pity re Barry.
ONIL
34 game and not kicking a ball ?
Awe _Naw_No_Nae_Noo_Article__Anaw_Noo
Hatate taken off injured in Asia Cup.
Fur fox ache.
https://www.youtube.com/live/Gr-fddrw224?si=Co3hEGkNCER9EtWT