Greg Taylor was 21 when he arrived six years ago. In that time, he has won five league titles and seen off competition for the left back slot from an array of challengers. He has also been a model professional and remained a positive force in the camp, despite not having a contract extension agreed. Now 27, I would have been more than happy to extend his contract, if he was here as first choice left back.
That will not happen. Instead, Kieran Tierney, also 27, will be first choice. If he stays, Greg will fill in, if and when Kieran tires or is injured. This is not ideal for such an experienced player at his peak.
More importantly, if Greg is offered improved terms to stay, as was reported yesterday, it would signal our player development strategy is no longer an active part of plans. It is (just about) acceptable for some of your signings to have no scope for growth, but for backup players?
Celtic are about to become four-in-a-row champions because under Ange Postecoglou we scoured the globe looking for talent. Players arrived from Portugal, Canada, Russia (Starfelt), China (Mooy), England and, of course, Japan with lots of development scope, lifted us off the canvas and into our dominant position.
When Brendan Rodgers came in 2023 and assured us he bought into this strategy. I would like to see more evidence. Signing players at their peak, even reserves, is short-term, indicates a lack of understanding of the importance of the player development path, and will lead to underachievement.
I watched some great drama in the Europa League last night. It is an overlooked aspect of the changes to the Champions League this season had on the Europa. Previously, the top 32 clubs played in the top tournament; 32-64 entered the Europa. However, the 16 who qualified for the Europa knockout rounds were joined by eight sides who dropped out of the Champions League. The result of this, was that the 25th team in Europe was competing for the Europa League.
This season, the top 36 sides are lifted out of the scope of the Europa. This lack of elite sides left a door open and after 20 games in the competition, Bodo/Glimt became the first Norwegian team to reach a European semifinal. A penalty kick decider in Rome against Lazio last night did the trick.
Bodo now face Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham in the semi. Perhaps, Ange will be better prepared for them than he was when Celtic faced the same side three years ago.
Viewer were treated to a wardrobe malfunction in Bilbao, as Cyriel Dessers’ shirt was torn inside the Athletic box. Cyriel dropped to the turf, indignant that he was not awarded a penalty. There are two takeaways from this incident:
1. Defenders who grab shirts inside the box are playing with fire. Just don’t.
2. The media must not campaign for penalties for torn shirts. It would reward flimsy garments and incentivise the use of tea bag-like material. It wasn’t a penalty, it’s just a shoddy shirt.
Have a lovely Easter season and I’ll see some of you on Sunday.
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Jackie Mac
I think hibs got Didier from Raith Rovers
Who’s been a naughty bhoy
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cn917z279zno
BSR
I assume they are talking about the £42 pricing !
HH
Prestonpans bhoys on 18th April 2025 7:39 pm
I hope so.
Dundee United ripping off Celtic supporters
However, fans are being asked to pay a premium for their spot at the title showdown in Tayside. Supporters in the upper levels of the Jerry Kerr Stand, where Celtic fans are typically located along with the Shed End, will pay £42, while those in the lower section will be charged £40. For this match, away supporters have been assigned sections in the Jim McClean Stand.
Tickets for the Saturday lunchtime encounter, which will be shown live on Sky Sports, are available at £25 for the upper tiers and £33 for the lower. Due to the large number of season tickets sold and the substantial away allocation, only about 500 tickets remain available for home supporters.
Looking at the SPFL rules, the home club has complete discretion on the pricing. So looks like ‘like it, or lump it’
We must be about £38 at CP for an away ticket? Embdae….
Thanks HJ
from Raith Rovers GGHS and JC 👌
shamelessly copied from kds,
but dearie me, that is a John Grieg level of defeats for the 2nd rangers.
and some here are worried that they are coming.
its not a gap, it is like one of those coastal houses in yourkshire that are half way over the cliff.
——————-
Last night was the 30th time the huns have failed to win a competitive game since last April!
17 defeats: Celtic (x4), St. Mirren (x2), Ross County, Dynamo Kiev, Lyon, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, Man Utd, Queen’s Park, Motherwell, Fenerbahce, Hibs, Athletic Bilbao.
13 draws: Hearts (x2), Dundee (x2), Celtic, Dynamo Kiev, Olympiacos, Dundee Utd, Spurs, Motherwell, Hibs, Athletic Bilbao, Aberdeen.
Their players, fans and coaches all wildly celebrated the 3-3 draw which started this dismal yearlong run.
They have since lost knockout ties to Dynamo Kiev, Queen’s Park and Athletic Bilbao; lost two finals to Celtic; and watched Celtic win one league title by 8 points and another before the split.
whisper it, or just tell all the huns you know, they would have won that tie with clement.
i found it funny last night 9and watched again today0 Gio is the best manager they ever had, and they hunted him. i thought he was kind of bemused with the bold Barry.
Livi 2 Ayr Utd 0
Background to Celtic’s pricing complaint…
“in the home sections, it has been announced United season-ticket holders can bring a friend for £10.
Parkhead chiefs believe such a contrast in pricing for the same game could constitute a potential rule breach.”
Dang
Livi 3 Ayr Utd 0
Watching a bit of the Livingstone-Ayr match on Beeb Scotia, the pitch at AlmondVale is more threadbare than it ever was. With the rain though, Livvy do seem to be able to play some half decent football on it, now up 3-0.
Celtic Mac on 18th April 2025 8:32 pm
big conundrum.
we hate playing on that pitch, but it allows for our biggest away support in the league, andf the bhoys love a day out there.
thems blogs …………….. uefa wanted bilbao to through because they are hosting the final.
what happened with munich then ?
hehehehe SS
Allegedly wee Greg signs new three year deal.👍
saint stivs
Yup, it is a very accessible ground. And with a grass pitch would be even more amenable. Motherwell have one, and no reason Livvy should not have one if they make it make it back to the SPL, which they may well do. Think plastic is banned from 2026, so they will need to look ahead, as will Killie, Falkirk, Ayr et al.
PRESTONPANS BHOYS on 18TH APRIL 2025 7:39 PM
BSR
I assume they are talking about the £42 pricing !
……………………
£34.00 for our last visit but they can up it depending on circumstances of game.
The weeping and wailing from Celtic hypocrites who said nothing when the game was officially rigged after the Huns won promotion back in the day and big integrity Celtic agreed to put Rangers 2012 prices onto 2016 Sevco tickets and not a word from the Tory Tims whose minds are all bent by the disgusting snp/greens swamp. The trail leading all the back to wee horrible Fergus’s reign.
To the customers with their wee mortgaged ( Toryism ) season ticket, soon to be facial recognition tickets as well to. Tory Tim era that was started by David Murray, Souness, and wee classless Fergus who couldn’t wait to bend the rools of the game to keep the Majority of the gate money like crooked Murray and Souness, turning the SPL into the Irish League played in Scotland.
Celtic fans bathed along with the Hun “Greed is good” narrative, and continued to turn Scottish football into a backwater by keeping the majority of gate money, and austerity for the weaker teams, a £3 million CL Brown Envelope does zero for the oasis of Old Firm joined at the hip Tory PLC austerity drift, which splitting the league into Top and Bottom 6 does nothing for anyone, weakening the opposition to the point were there is zero opposition, but the tickets get dearer and dearer, and we have a manager who sells his best striker whilst Bayern Munich should have been approached more seriously, then toppled.
We are not a serious club anymore.
Kev .. deep down mate you don’t even like Celtic
But keep on keeping on … your like the wee old drunk that comes into a boozer and tells everybody else that they are the ones who are not blotto …
But keep on keeping on … you are the most unhappiest Celtic fan alive … not sure if it’s a Blantir thing or maybe a New Steveston thing :-)
On Celtic … Brendan is the real deal 🍀🍀🍀
Kev .. remember Mr Q.. the Daily Rekord barred you … at least P67 … gives you an outlet for your … shoite
Greg T number 3
KT number number 63
That would be a terrific double signing 🍀
Am loving this Brendan …
Was gutted when the midnight flit happened … but if I could treble my wages maybe then my love of Celtic could be a wee tiny bit diluted …
Even better if I could return on more money
Our Brendan can even outsmart the Celtic board while delivering trophy after trophy …
Whit a Bhoy 🍀🍀🍀
Life is far too short … enjoy every minute of Celtic
Brendan might not be perfect …
But my goodness .. that Bhoy can collect trophies !
Again … after the midnight flit (god Bless Neil Francis)
Enjoy the good times …. 🍀🍀🍀
Good morning all from Govanhill.
Good morning from an overcast North Staffs
https://www.celticnewsnow.com/hoople/
Got it in 4
BRRB
I blame you for the Vale defeat yesterday- jinx
😉
Gene – hoople
Got it in 5
Thanks!
Gene
That’s me. 🤣
Huge game tomorrow, I’m hoping my ticket actually appears on my phone as promised tomorrow morning. Losing to St.Johnstone a fortnight ago should ensure complacency eont be an issue.Would be nice if we also perform in both the 1st and 2nd half.
Oent means won’t apparently
Hand of God
Your ticket should be visible in your hampden app at this point.
Only QR code released tomorrow.
Sorry if I’m telling you something you know already, but might be worth a look.
Why is this form of mobile ticketing so much hassle?
What i wrong with being able to view yout ticket from purchase like ticketmaster .
I would not be happy travelling a distance without seeing my ticket, QR code or whatever
HH.
I’m not going tomorrow but looking at my supporters WhatsApp, they got their tickets loaded on Monday. Tomorrow the QR code is released, so if you haven’t got your ticket yet, make enquiries now!