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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The Big Match ITV 4,1984 Liverpool have 5 Scots in team v Spurs
I’m doing a bbq for my family tomorrow so won’t be going either.
Oh and who hasn’t been sick in a taxi ffs!
I get sick in a taxi just thinking about how much the fare will be.
Are Edinburgh taxi’s still the most expensive in the country?
Love my free bus pass!
Philbhoy- expertly handled by Brendan, I’ve no issues with guys having a night out when they are off the next day.
El Papa tells JD Vance to foxtrot oscar
!!BADA BING!!
Agree!
IF ( I am assuming nothing) we reach the Final, do we want Aberdeen or Hearts?
Gawn yersel, Francis.
Can you imagine the board meeting in Castore trying to decide the advertising budget to undo the televising of it looking like tissue paper
castoffs more like
Bada
Where did you read or see this?
Saw it on Sky news banner headline, not before time the justification of what that regime is doing is challenged by leaders of religions they claim to follow.
Another BBC Scotland hunfest
Scottish Cup semi final day, – no Rainjurz but they fair rule the air waves, Steven Thomson Steven Naismith Derek McKinnes lead the TV coverage. With multi channeled Neil McCann and Billy Dodds already away on a mission and Super Salary dominating the UK coverage “ Let me tell – they are going for it. “
Hot Smoked on 19th April 2025 11:15 am
IF ( I am assuming nothing) we reach the Final, do we want Aberdeen or Hearts
Tough choice since both set of fans have a particular nastie songsheet, but would rather play the sheep 🐑
Bada Bing 👆
* That’s Naismith that refused to move his contract to the new club in 2012*
Watching Tilio getting subbed off after a tepid show v Western Sydney Wanderers.
Flicks and tricks not even on show; looks super average/disinterested on tonights showing.
The other Celtic connection is the WSW defender Alex Bonetig; an ever present in the Sydney side all season.
We signed his wee – presumably better – defender brother; wonder where his development path is up to…
Prestonpans bhoys on 19th April 2025 12:22 pm
Likewise.
‘Hearts lost the league title…’
How can you lose something you haven’t won?
dons winger is fast
dons 1 up
Goal via Gordon’s bum !
1 1
Get more satisfaction when we beat the Jambos than Aberdeen. So there is that
jambos red card🤞
Don’t know if Steinwinder will sleep tonight.
hehehehe BD
poor aberdeen attendance today.
I was hoping to beat Hertz in the final. Looks unlikely now.
I see the BBC have removed the green and white ribbons from the trophy.
Thousands outside Hampden at kick off
Bada
They were Celtic fans leaving early for tomorrow
dons unlucky there – lovely header slips wide
wtf – a dons player had his shirt pulled in the box there and it didn’t rip!
Jamesie from the start for me tomorrow
The Billy Boys ringing out at Hampden. No mention, never mind condemnation, from the commentary team. Scotland in the 21st century….
Saint Stivs on 19th April 2025 1:21 pm
poor aberdeen attendance today.
———
Indeed.
The stupid ko time.
The travel and ticket cost.
Live on council tv.
Stupid points system, general sale should have been their starting position.
And , the stupid QR code not being available until day of travel. Mentioned earlier i would be wary of travel unless i got to see ticket and entry QR code beforehand.
HH.
PS : will the crowd start to leave after 75 minutes, that is the question . Or will pesky ET keep them penned in.?
2 keech teams. Dearie me.