I don’t know anything about Stefan Johansen, who is one of several central midfield players Celtic are tracking, but I’m pleased we’re scouting for this area. There’s no question we are missing a penalty box predator but you could make a case that the sense of calm and control exerted by Victor Wanyama in the middle of the park is a more telling absence.
Nir Biton has all the potential to get there eventually but it’s going to take him time. He reminds me of Ki, who a couple of seasons ago was fifth choice central mid for Celtic, behind Brown, Wanyama, Ledley and Kayal. This season I’ve watched him collect and distribute, close space and bring shape to a struggling Sunderland team.
I’ve also watched a bit of Barry Robson since his return to Aberdeen. Despite his advancing years he remains one of the most intelligent footballers in the game. His arrival in the Celtic midfield six years ago changed Celtic into a winning team. You don’t need Pele for this role, just a tactically aware athlete.
How many accountants does it take to tell you that losing circa £1m per month is not a good idea? Lots, apparently.
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Rogic going on loan makes sense for him as he is looking for games before the World Cup. The way Kris Commons is playing he isn’t going to get much game time here.
Always good to see Celtic in Europe for the sake of bringing money to the club, I’m sure we didn’t take part, at a loss. The two games were, two of this season’s most entertaining TV, despite the friendly tag.
If it annoy’s other clubs and MSM when Celtic cancel a league game, which they are allowed to do with the rules, just to suit Celtic, it’s o.k. by me.
Glad we avoided last placed Ajax.
I have to say that I’m in the camp where scheduled games should be played rather than shelved in favour of a lucrative jolly.
Overseas fans can generally book for Celtic Park on a Saturday with some confidence,though it may be an early ko. TV schedules give more notice than Celtic provided,and that is clearly bad PR. And,frankly,typical of the PLC’s approach of late.
Having said that,it was a worthwhile exercise,certain players got a chance to shine and did so. But IMO it still doesn’t make it right.
I have always liked and supported Sammi & Joe. Sammi has well exceeded my initial expectations while Joe has somewhat fallen short of what I’d hoped for.
Should either or both decide to move on then fine, thanks and au revoir. We remain.
In fact after 3 years with Lenny (who btw has certainly exceeded my expectations) this is perhaps a good time to refresh the playing staff and look forward to a new set up.
During the CL games I had a sense of watching another rerun of a favourite film…still enjoyable but getting predictable and a bit tired. I think our opponents knew all about us from our previous exploits and didn’t find it too difficult to counter what we had to offer.
Should Sammi, Joe, Beram, Fraser etc decide to go I don’t think it should regarded as a disaster. Its always sad when favourites retire or leave but always there is another page, another chapter of our story to be turned to and read!
MWD, You have a valid argument but in true CQN style you spoil it by going for the overkill. My initial reaction to the Turkish trip was similar to yours and it could easily have ended in disaster. However with the benefit of that wonderful gift of hindsight I honestly believe it was a rip roaring success and it will give a great lift to the season. Young lads got great exposure and experience, and established team got a bit of sun & rest ( I realise your prescription would have been a kick up the arse but I have to respectfully disagree with you on that one. We have been on the road very early this season and will be on the road very early next season. Games are games whether you are playing Arsenal or Ross County and if anything you are more likely to pick up injuries against the “pish” teams. Players welfare and long term health and well being are a crucial part of Football Management, kicking them up the arse should be confined to those who have an attitude problem.
weeminger
I know! The club are skint.
MWD
moonbeams wd. kano 2000 \o/ supporting neil lennon 99.9%. champions. c’mon wee oscar.
10:10 on 13 January, 2014
Don’t think I would be going either, if I was as irate as you seem to be…….here’s me thinking things are going great…..no bhuns, CL football, and sporting integrity (no favoured team) week on week …… Never thought I would see that in my lifetime….funny old World
From reading your posts over the years, I have the impression you are one of the true Celts…so, don’t you be going anywhere….hahahahahaha
kitalba 10 38.
Linsanity.
I watched it and really enjoyed it .
I recently read that Linsanity has been officially approved as being a new English word and will earn a place in the Dictionary of English words.
Corkcelt
Na! Kick up the arse for me.
Or we could just pamper their egos.
MWD
Moonbeams. Surely you jest
We have been pulling out all the stops to get a top class striker over last 20 months
Benburb and pollock have been ports of call for john park during these times
dontpatmadug
10:22 on 13 January, 2014
Every signing won’t / can’t be a success…….irrespective of age etc, it’s up to the new signings to ‘push’ their way into the team / displace regulars….HH
Jungle Jim,
Yip…Real radio…was their only mention of the match.
moonbeams wd. kano 2000 \o/ supporting neil lennon 99.9%. champions. c’mon wee oscar.
10:52 on 13 January, 2014
Corkcelt
Na! Kick up the arse for me.
>>>>>>>>>>
Na, don’t do that…….would hurt ye…..hahahahahahahahahahaha
corkcelt- SUPPORTING THE DAM 5
or anyone else
Any idea if Islam Feruz has played any games in the first team at Chelsea or is likely to?
If not, Karma.
You’ve got to admit it’s worth a laff,
We have a meaningless friendly, we do better than okay in said meaningless friendly, even the misery guts acknowledge we did better than okay in a meaningless friendly and all of a sudden, the uber-happyclappers spit the dummy and whinge at the lack of moaning from the uber-mineshafters.
Makes me wonder who has the most whinge-DNA in their blood.
Just for BT 0:-)
18/01 Motherwell Premiership1 5:00H
26/01 Hibernian Premiership 12:45A
29/01 Kilmarnock Premiership 19:45H
1/03 Inverness CT Premiership 15:00H
15/03Kilmarnock Premiership 15:00A
22/03St Mirren Premiership 15:00H
26/03 Partick Thistle Premiership 19:45A
29/03 Ross County Premiership 15:00H
A plethora of Home games coming up.
JJ
Hi Jungle Jim, won’t be at Motherwell game off to Lanzarote for a break, back on 1st Feb. South of Tunis, there is a difference between a pre- season and yesterdays game. Pre-seasons are just about building fitness and if you do have a naturally fit player involved eg Moma Sylla he will be a stand out in pre-season. Yesterday all the players were fit, the Turks roared on by a fanatical crowd really wanted to win and our Bhoys got stuck in as well. There was nothing at all friendly about it, it was a genuine competitive game and we are justified in being chuffed at how our young lads performed. However kitalba is absolutely correct, football is littered with lads who despite early promise never quite fulfilled their potential.
I was disappointed and even angry when I saw that the club had entered into this tournament at the weekend.
Firstly, I thought it hugely insensitive to involve ourselves in any competition, friendly or otherwise, which had the possibility of throwing up a tie against Ajax particularly when 5 Tims are still awaiting trial over events in Amsterdam.
I also had great sympathy for the many Celtic supporters who travel long distances simply to watch the team play at Celtic Park. Many would already have booked flights, coaches, accommodation and probably arranged work/family events around the Kilmarnock fixture which would have taken place at the weekend.
Having said all of that by the sound of things the young Celts acquitted themselves admirably and I believe will have benefited greatly from the opportunity to play in such a highly prestigious tournament. However, there’s no point in that experience being of benefit to Partick Thistle or Aberdeen or Hearts etc we need to start giving some of these boys a chance in domestic football at our club otherwise the whole things a waste of time for me.
Moonbeams WD. Kano 2000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 99.9%. Champions. C’mon Wee Oscar.
10:50 on
13 January, 2014
I know we’re not but it’s a double edged sword. If you don’t accept invites for these things will we stop getting invited?
As I said, and for the reasons highlighted by BMCUW above, I’d prefer fixtures weren’t moved but as it stands I see it as a necessary evil.
One thing that I think could be explored is using non-UEFA blocked mid-week dates to run a mini league with some other teams of our stature – if we are out of European competition after Christmas. I’m sure there’s enough free dates to run say a 4 team home and away league that TV would pick up. Make it about youth as well by dictating that at least 3 or 4 u20s must feature in the starting line-up to ensure at least one finishes the whole game.
South Of Tunis:
Watching the movie was the best hour and a half out of my life in a long time. Especially so when he shoves it down all his detractors throats, which of course he didn’t as evidenced following the Lakers game and “who is Lin?”
MWD
Surely you realise you are on the wrong road when Sydney Tim agrees with you? );-0
JJ
Snake Plissken
10:57 on
13 January, 2014
Only a friendly last summer and for 60 minutes.
Scored 3 in 6 UEFA Youth League appearances and 4 in 11 for Chelsea U21s.
Players welfare means so much?
How many needles did Celtic stick into Scott Brown?
Snake, I don’t think Feruz has got a first team game but he is only 18 as far as I know so he has plenty of time yet. Just when I was listing all the potential young talent we had couldn’t resist a kick at Feruz. However being sensible about it, he is only a kid and very few kids would turn down the move he was offered. p.s. When I was listing the young talent, I omitted Tony Watt, I believe he could still be a major player for us.
One that really confuses me is year after year our young team skoosh the league. They play well in foreign competition, at international level they really do punch above their weight… and then they disappear.
Just in to say….
I didny see any of the game yesterday – been reading back over all the balanced updates.
Yeah, the young fellas certainly were no shrinking violets, by most accounts – young Henderson especially for me as, thats the area that I look at in any Cellic team. I always look for the grafting / ball-winning / goal-scoring / midfield dynamo…like some of my favorit Cellic players – Glavin / Macleod / Burley / Collins / Maestro / Burley / Petrov / Lubo and, also some who werent Celts – Koeman / McMahon / Whelan / Houghton. I’m sure ye get my drift ?
I saw the young fella Jackson Irvine during the summer and thought – Joe(the ghost) – yer taxi awaits !!!
Then – hey-ho – JI’s off to Killie on loan ? Who wiz keeping him oot Neil ?
Hopefully we’ll see the back of Sammi(7 guid games in 7 seasons) and, Joe(the ghost) !!!
Whose keeping Balde oot the team ? One goal in 16 games Stokes ?
Why is Pukki played as an ootside right ?
Theres been talk about bringing in a striker coach ?
I think we need a manager coach or, a new manager ? Or, a new coach ?
All this stuff – reposts from the papers yesterday – about ‘Celtic would have died if it wisny for Fergus’ ?
Are we to assume that – Willie Haughey and, Gerald Wiesfeld were standing across the road waiting for a bus ?
Fergus sucked the fans in – took awe their money – then put them awe back ‘ootside’ again – were they’ve been ever since. imo
Danso – Is correct….Celtic FC have been systematically r#ped by a, succession of Celtic ‘boreds’ who have kow-towed to the hun esablishment for 125 years. This current ‘bored’ have done the same – since the ‘shame-game’ imo
Conclusion – Keep paying to be abused or, close it down. imo
Hail Hail – Take Care Tims – Off oot.
KITALBA
I’m shocked that any player nowadays takes painkilling or cortisone injections in order to play.
There’s a good reason for pain-it’s yer body’s way of saying “Gonny no dae that?!”
Anyone considering it should talk to an older player who experienced it,and struggles to walk.
twists n turns
04:14 on
13 January, 2014
Wee bit late catching up with this one.
Your post merely confirms what I have been posting here for years.
THEIR tea was well and truly out when Murray or his acolytes could no longer go to the Bank of Scotland, apply the monkey’s paw to an old school pal or lodge brother and everything would be squared away.
The day that the Bank of Scotland was swallowed up by the Halifax was the worst day in THEIR history.
Interesting about players and painkillers.
Dennis Law has long resented Man U forcing him to play when he was not fit.
Wee minger and CorkCelt
To be honest there are so many young players who fall by the wayside especially at clubs where the transfer policy is to buy buy buy.
I cannot see Feruz making the cut to be honest but hey that was his choice. Liam Miller learned the hard way as well.
kitalba, I don’t think it was the case of Celtic sticking needles into Brooney against his wishes. I seem to remember on a couple of occasions that Brooney was reluctant to go for surgery and opted to play on with the benefit of pain killers. My understanding was that Brooney was the guy who was demanding to play whilst the Club wanted him to get his injuries sorted out.
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon, supporting WEE OSCAR..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
Agree that signings are hit and miss, particularly if you shop in the bargain basement were we are forced to shop. All I am saying is instead gambling with our limited resources why not try out one or two of the youngsters throughout the season.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC:
Taking a booking for the team is one thing, taking several needles for the team while your body suffers, well that is another level altogether.
I wonder how many needles went between the toes. Now that is painful.
corkcelt:
Mate with all respect… no player can demand to play, if he can and does, then that makes him bigger than the club. I think you’ll find Celtic were happy to inject.
There’s a former Morton manager – McGraw? – who is now basically unable to walk because of repeated injections in bad knees.
kitalba, Obviously one would have to be in the dressing room to know exactly how these things pan out. Footballers all over the world take pain killing injections to get through matches. Its not the nicest aspect of the game but it is the reality. I don’t think that Celtic should be singled out, I believe our record in looking after our players is as good as any Club.
I have to admit I find the young player debate on here really interesting!!
I think we would all love to see 4 or 5 youth team products in the first team. And I think with the money being pumped into the youth teams and things like the St. Ninians partnership and our participation in the Uefa Youth League we might actually get there. In theory the players coming through now should be at a higher level than what has been coming through in the recent past.
I think we need to use the loan route more often though. Very few players are capable of making a breakthrough at Celtic at 17 or 18 like McGeady, Maloney or Forrest have. Players like Irvine, McGregor and Watt have done the right thing going on loan and will come back better players. Herron, Atajic, Rogic, McGeough, Fraser etc. should also look at getting out on loan for the next 6 (or even 18 months). None of these players are good enough for the first team just yet but some might be after 40 or 50 first team games!! At the end of the day though I guess only a handful (if even that) will make it at Celtic.
Finally, I would defend Celtics record for playing young players in the past. With the exception of Given (and possibly Marshall) I can’t remember a young player in the last 20 years leaving and going on to bigger things. IMO players who have the talent will eventually make it (lots of examples of this…..Sturridge left Man City and Chelsea, Forster left Newcastle, Adam left Rangers, Pogba left Man U). Lots of fans in the past wanted Celtic to play Burchill, McGowan, Ferry, Caddis etc. The fact is these players just weren’t good enough for Celtic and no amount of games would have changed that!! I really hope this new batch are superior players…..I’m convinced they are!! HH
Gordon, I know amateur Gaelic Footballers who can’t walk because of the wear & tear on their bodies from playing games. Its a sad part of sport but this debate was sparked off by someone slagging Celtic for saying that players needed a rest. The attitude was there being paid enough, they need a kick up the arse more than a rest. So the Club is damned if they do and damned if they don’t.