Last month I wrote about the highly-effective transfer windows culminating with the capture of Mikael Lustig in January 2012. The list of those who arrived over the next 18 months, culminating in the signature of Teemu Pukki on 31 August 2013, is largely a catalogue of expensive mishap. If only one of of the strikers signed during that period: Miku, Lassad, Balde or Pukki had made the grade, we would have been in better shape for the Champions League qualifiers.
Those mishaps sowed the seeds of where things went wrong recently but we brought in six players this summer, and in order to compete in the Europa League, we pretty much need five of them to command a regular starting place.
Craig Gordon is an excellent piece of business. Fraser Forster overcame almost all those doubters who would rather we bought Stipe Pletikosa in 2012 instead, but we have replaced Fraser with an equivalent, and banked the lion’s share of £10m in the process.
This alchemy is only possible due to doubts over Gordon’s fitness. We’ll find out how well-established his recovery is in the months ahead but the signs are good on this front.
Jo Inge Berget was signed on loan, like Amido Balde a year ago, he early in the transfer window. There is a great misunderstanding that there’s a shortage of players available early in the window. There are lots of players available the moment the window opens. For a reason. Jo wasn’t wanted by Cardiff City, who he made only two appearances for since joining in January.
He was given an unfair burden on his debut, in a highly-dysfunctional performance by Celtic in Warsaw, and, a solid performance against Dundee United apart, has been one of a number of players who have appeared lost in our game-plan since then. He has until Christmas to make his mark before he is due to return to Cardiff, but his chances will be limited by the subsequent signing on Wakaso Mubarak.
Wakaso is here on a year’s loan, with Celtic having an option to make the deal permanent, if he proves his worth. I hear good things about him; he has pace, strength, skill but his most prominent attribute is attitude, which he has in spades. This didn’t sit will in Kazan, where he was somewhat isolated.
Bulgarian midfielder, Aleks Tonev, bounced straight from medical couch to treatment table after his loan move from Aston Villa. He’s now fit and will be available for selection when play resumes after the international break and I hear Ronny Deila is keen on the player.
We now know that Manchester City teenage central defender, Jason Denayer, was brought in to play first team football. The player is highly thought of by City and Ronny, but I wouldn’t expect too much from him in what is his inaugural season of first team football.
Stefan Scepovic has the distinction of contributing 100% of the money spent on players signed by Scottish clubs this summer. He was Celtic’s first choice striker, and, as we discovered late in the day, was wanted by scouts in Spain, so the indicators are reassuring. His experiences over the past week have not without trauma for the player, but he kept focus and his word to join Celtic.
The overwhelming observation from our activity this year is the predominance of loan signings, which is a strategy I suspect was hatched after the ‘No refunds’ deals for Pukki, Balde and Boerrigter last season. We will get more from some of them than others.
Taking Berget for six months was clearly a short-term fix to an immediate gap in the squad. I don’t think we’ll see too much of him from now on. Despite the fact that Jo didn’t make a perceivable difference during our European qualifiers, I don’t have a problem with short-term deals in principle. We could have benefited from one for a target man.
Denayer will almost certainly return to Manchester next year, a more mature player, having pushed Efe and Virgil for a year.
Aleks Tonev and Wakaso Mubarak are here to impress, both are working for a permanent deal. I expect Mubarak to play in his favoured position on the left, with Tonev behind him in a more central role alongside Brown and Johansen.
Ronny has been putting apples in orange crates so far this season but with a central three of Tonev, Johansen and Brown, behind Mubarak, Scepovic and Forrest (or McGregor), he’ll have the personnel to play his favoured 4-3-3.
Two first team regulars left the club, the thoroughly professional Fraser Forster and Georgios Samaras. It was time for both to move on. Fraser, as Southampton was the right club for him, and £10m was the right price for us, Georgios, as he had become increasingly peripheral to team plans under Neil Lennon and would have been even more out of the picture under Ronny. Would Georgios have made a difference in our Champions League qualifiers? There’s a good chance he would have against Maribor but the gap against Legia was bigger than 6’3”.
Pukki and Balde were sent on loan, in the hope they impress and move on. Bon chance. Tony Watt was sold for £1.2m to Standard Liege, who will fancy they can take Tony’s undeniable potential and turn it into an asset their manager wants to work with. It’s been years since we’ve produced as exciting a young player as Tony but he’s now been shipped on or out by three managers.
I would still like to see John Guidette added to this list, even without European football – especially if he is prepared to stay beyond the end of the season. The incumbent strikers, Stokes and Griffiths, will continue to get game-time, but neither is suited to the lone-striker role.
I’m not going to sell a Europa League campaign as anything like the Champions League, but it is very important this squad is ready for Europe. Without much domestic competition (I’m ignoring Inverness and Dundee for a moment) we need to be competitive in the group stage and aim to progress to the latter stages of the competition.
Thumping Dundee United 6-1 taught us nothing, we need to mature as a team against European competition and exorcise the ghosts of Legia and Maribor. No matter how good the new arrivals are, there’s no way they would gel well enough to allow us to do anything more than endure >80 minutes of defending our 18 yard line in Champions League football this season.
We’ll miss the money, prestige and Zadok the Priest, but the Europa League is a better level for us right now.
My thanks to Canajunbhoy, who retires after running the Quick News section for the best part of a decade. Quick News will be back in a different format in the future.
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FISH
hoopy-do, surely a fish does not rely on its sides to move as much as its tail. NB tail = singular. If it had two tails, it might end up swimming in circles due to one tail being stronger than the other. Two such afflicted goldfish in the eponymous fishbowl would either constantly crash into each other or manage to swim in beautiful syncronisation.
A tail of two fishies.
The huddle,
Was Charlie bhoys goal down at rugby park I’m the 6-0 game not a wee peachy one with his right?
Or have I missed the gag? :)
rwe,
Some goalies though ;)
Marvellous analysis Paul, let´s see if they can be moulded into a team.
Gracias canajunbhoy too!
Gotta go, joe
seeya.
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
I like the sound of Guidetti both on a professional and personal front. Although I’m hoping he turns out to be a great striker, I also particularly like his charitable efforts.
Sounds like he could be a perfect fit at Celtic, assuming we get him and assuming he isn’t another dud!
ONE FOOTED PLAYERS
Subutteo found the answer to this problem, but it’s still to kick off.
The two Greatest footballers of all time were almost entirely one footed
Maradona and Messi
Syd Negakev. Guidetti is anything but a dud I am very surprised and happy that he is prepared to come to Celtic if we land him and he gets fit we have signed a cracker. H.H.
Hoopy do,
There’s loads of swimming mammals that don’t swim in circles unless they want to or are trapped in a pool dolphins and whales make an arse of darwins theory
I expect seals and otters make an ares of the rest
Apricale –
My bad! Not VOTED but rather OPPOSED the Iraq war :
British National Party
National Front
Liberal Democrats
UK Independence Party
Plaid Cymru
Scottish National Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Provisional Sinn Féin
The full list of “crims” who voted for it is online. Will post the link shortly – on the phone. My point remains however.
Question for the auld yins,what foot did Bobby Charlton consider his natural one.
FEET
Bhoylo83 whose next in line for that foot
http://en.metapedia.org/wiki/List_of_UK_MPs_who_voted_for_Iraq_War
Bhoylo83
14:19 on
3 September, 2014
Turkeybhoy
Mark Viduka is the most impressive footballer iv seen in the flesh playing for Celtic at Celtic Park
======================================================
You haven`t been to many games at Celtic Park, have you?
Tony D
For me, Neganon is one of the most passionate amongst us.
He is fully aware that the club belongs to us and is not some corporate commodity.
His views are to be admired as it keeps the suits honest, and it touch with our roots.
A hun? Gie yersel’ a shake.
2 September 2014 Last updated at 16:29
SFA and SPFL appeal to Fifa over Celtic’s move for John Guidetti
By Alasdair Lamont Senior football reporter, BBC Scotland
The SFA and SPFL are in the process of contacting football’s world governing body Fifa to ask for dispensation to register John Guidetti at Celtic.
The SPFL is satisfied that all the paperwork was in order but as it was filed after midnight on deadline day, a case is now being made for the deal to be allowed to proceed.
Celtic attempted to sign the Manchester City forward on loan on Monday night.
The 22-year-old is in the final year of his deal at the Etihad Stadium.
A joint statement from the SFA and SPFL read: “The SPFL had a 23:00 transfer deadline in place for registrations while the Scottish FA had a midnight deadline.
“At 22:56, the SPFL received a request from Celtic FC to extend the SPFL deadline for registration of John Guidetti to fall in line with the Scottish FA midnight deadline. The SPFL agreed to this request.
“Celtic FC began uploading the relevant documentation in respect of the player prior to the midnight deadline.
“Where an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) is required for a player, it is custom and practice for the player’s registration to be conditional upon subsequent receipt of an ITC.
“Due to part of the registration documentation being received by the Scottish FA very shortly after midnight, Fifa have not allowed registration by the Scottish FA of the transfer.
“The SPFL and Scottish FA are writing to Fifa in support of Celtic FC’s petition that Fifa permit the Scottish FA to register the player with the Scottish FA.”
Fifa confirmed to BBC Scotland that they have been contacted over the matter and are “looking into” it.
sipsini
17:58 on
3 September, 2014
Hoopy- do
What about octopus’s :)
octopussies are predominantly right tentacled , while octopi are predominantly left tentacled.
Just don’t get me started on squid!
Rwe
Timmery finery
Now y’ar talking!
Braw as yer Mhan would say!
HH jamesgang
Paul67
Good narrative of events over what can only be described as a disappointing transfer window.
The window is in my opinion a deviation from previously articulated strategy inasmuch as we are now. ‘Try before you buy’ loan club as opposed to buy ‘cheap develop and sell at a profit’ club…
However some analysis would have been welcomed. I agree with the summary sentence that Europa is a better level at this stage. However that’s because the Board have failed.
I’m also interested to know how long the new management team have to prove themselves. To the fans I’d say a month …to the Board? Well that depends whether or not we are aiming for CL or EL…?
Larrybhoy: And currently all those league matches are exactly two days after the Euro match. I can’t imagine flying back only to play the next day. Hopefully they knock those league matches back to Sunday …
Embramike is on the case!
Reeeezult!
HH jamesgang
tonydonnelly67
17:55 on 3 September, 2014
McKaskill and that scotlands chief of police wuts ez face? Would give the SS a riddy,.
Awe they need is brown suits an skull badges on their lapels, scary people, very scary.
===============================
I always thought McKaskill had the perfect face for running a concentration camp.
teuchter ár lá
18:13 on 3 September, 2014
Tony D
For me, Neganon is one of the most passionate amongst us.
He is fully aware that the club belongs to us and is not some corporate commodity.
His views are to be admired as it keeps the suits honest, and it touch with our roots.
A hun? Gie yersel’ a shake.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hey wo! Easy tiger, I never said he was, he asked me if I thought he was one, I’m just putting it out there, your the first to answer so well done, and calm down.
glendalystonsils
18:15 on 3 September, 2014
sipsini
17:58 on
3 September, 2014
Hoopy- do
What about octopus’s :)
octopussies are predominantly right tentacled , while octopi are predominantly left tentacled.
Just don’t get me started on squid!
____________
Hope your not going to hit my left hand with a ruler teacher :((
Tom McLaughlin
17:11 on
3 September, 2014
quonno –
The Europa League is a reincarnation of the UEFA Cup, just as the Champions League is a reincarnation of the European Cup.
The UEFA Cup, just like the Europa League, was the second tier tournament.
*and the ould Cup Winners Cup was a third tier one…was once presented in a lavvy.
Bhoylo83
18:08 on
3 September, 2014
The two Greatest footballers of all time were almost entirely one footed
Maradona and Messi
*as was the Galloping Major
Breaking my own rule I fear… but
Since Uefa have listed Guidetti as a Celtic player, I assume this means that they have registered him as such. The Scottish blazers couldn’t even agree on what time to close the SFA/SPFL window…so they closed at different times.
– self-serving, attention seeking, pedantic, duffers, bigoted, faux jobsworths, sad, controlling, petty, not very bright, juvenile, dissembling, dishonest, corrupt, incompetent, …
Just some of the words some might use to describe the registration officers at the SFA/SPFL.
Now c’mon tony I didn’t ask anyone else I asked you.
It’s a really simple question.
Do you think I am a Hun?
C’mon Tony like some other questions it’s a simple yes or no?
RWE
18:23 on 3 September, 2014
– self-serving, attention seeking, pedantic, duffers, bigoted, faux jobsworths, sad, controlling, petty, not very bright, juvenile, dissembling, dishonest, corrupt, incompetent, …
Just some of the words some might use to describe the registration officers at the SFA/SPFL.
================
You missed out ‘wanks’…
Kojo @ 17:58
You, like your puppet, miss the point I’m afraid. What Celtic actually needs are players with a SOUL!!
A soul that’ll leads them to make a connection with the club and supporters and raises them to a higher level than simple egotistical fullfilment.
ffm – i’m the only conspiracy theorist in the village)
18:07 on 3 September, 2014
ONE FOOTED PLAYERS
Subutteo found the answer to this problem, but it’s still to kick off.
________
Preferred striker myself, then again I was one footed.
FEET
We could sign foosball players to a man they are two footed but they can only play one formation
If everything was just a yes or no, then the referendum mob in here would be fecked, I’ve put it up for debate neganon2 I don’t know you and honestly couldent care if you are a Hun, but if you are, then GIRFUY.
Sorry for not reading back bhoys I rarely do these days.
Is the one footed footballer debate been sparked off by Berget ?
He strikes me as being very right footed with no left foot to talk about. That he is Ronny first signing and he elects to play him on the left is a worry for me. As is giving Stefan ‘hospital ball” Johanson a middle of the field position.
MON learned first and foremost that you need to win the physical battle especially in Scotand and especially with the special place Celtic FC has within the mib psychology.
John Collins a class player but even he knows especially now that we need to break down defences and that fouls given to us in the opposition half will be minimized.
The lack of a Fu(* You attitude against Inverness, Dundee and the Qualifiers is a worry is it not ? Especially if Berget was a Ronny Delia choice signing? Which considering he was thrown in straight away against Legia away on the left is very concerning.
Or is it only me ? :-)
HH
HH
It’s like being back in time and watching a primary school playground fight on here sometimes.
ONE FOOTED PLAYERS,
Sipsini, Fusball (or feckin Table Football as it was called when I grew up) also had a solution to this problem.
In this era of genetic modification, how much will the the first 3 footed footballer sell for in the EPL…..? Or will he be worthless as he can only run round in circles….