For Celtic, summertime business is every bit as important as the more traditional cup finals and league deciders held later in the season. We face qualifers for Champions League or Europa League group stage, which define our financial health and desirability as a potential employer.
The most important achievement was recorded on Wednesday when we qualified for the Champions League, but now we’re there, how prepared will we be?
Seven players left the squad, Daryl Murphy, who had already spent two years out on loan, Thomas Rogne and Paddy McCourt, who rarely saw first team action last season, and Tony Watt, who seems to be less effective than he was in the opening weeks of last season, and is now out on loan.
More importantly, Gary Hooper, Kevlin Wilson and Victor Wanyama all left, three players who were instrumental in our European victories last season.
Hooper is a textbook big game player who scored home and away against Spartak Moscow but he missed the home win over Barcelona and scarcely got a sniff of the ball home and away to Benfica, or in the Camp Nou, where his role as a penalty box poacher was less effective.
Kelvin Wilson had a disappointing first season at Celtic but as last season progressed there was a noticeable rise in appreciation of his talents. He had an exemplary Champions League campaign.
Victor Wanyama was the most effective central midfield player Celtic have had for some considerable time. We saw little of Roy Keane at Celtic but in Wanyama, you could see a player with the potential to go as far in the game. He is young and still has lots to add to his game, concentration, for a start, but we saw him grow from a place on the substitutes’ bench to a £12m player in 18 months.
It surprised a few that Victor (along with Gary) went to a team often found at the wrong end of England’s top flight, but he is still potential. The acclaim he received at Celtic is similar to that bestowed on Liam Miller nine years ago, whose Champions League performances were breath-taking. I still can’t fathom what happened to Miller but I hope Victor continues to improve; if he does, he could appear in the Camp Nou as a home player.
21-year-old Israeli central midfielder Nir Biton looks like a straight replacement for Wanyama. I don’t know enough about any of the new recruits yet to put my name to them but on paper, Nir works. At 6’5” he continues our current tradition of signing players born to shoot hoops, as well as wear them. A trial at Manchester City fell apart amid a diplomatic incident involving his nationality. He was going to make a move to a Champions League team at some point and, for the player, Celtic will look like an excellent option.
There was a moment during THAT game at Fir Park in 2005 when Craig Bellamy tore up the turf with the ball before looking up for someone to accept his cross, only to throw his arms up in frustration that there was no one in the box. Having one fast player is just not effective.
We’ve had pace-merchant James Forrest for a few years but we don’t play a speed-based game to suit his talents. With fellow-sprinter Derk Boerrigter also in the team now one of the things I know Celtic were looking for in a striker was pace, which is what I expect to see from Teemu Pukki.
Much of our Champions League game will be about playing counter-attacking football so we have to recruit for this model.
Teemu has been playing a supporting role for Schalke since they played against him, then signed him, from HJK Helsinki two years ago, but we have not had a striker who could claim a regular starting place in that company in nine years. He is another one who, on paper, works for me.
Amido Balde has been given some protection from too much responsibility and exposure to allow him to settle into the club, city and language, Celtic is a lot different from Vitoria Guimaraes. I heard that, like Wanyama during his first season, he’ll be allowed to settle into life as a Celtic player.
Virgil van Dijk was simply delicious against Dundee United yesterday. He has height, build, speed, can run with the ball and can pass. Build a defence around him. Steven Mouyokolo is one of those gambles managers like to take on players, who were once lauded but have had injury or other blemishes on their record. Most don’t work but we’ll soon find out if Steven has overcome his injury problems.
Derk Boerrigter has skill and pace. He is another one recruited with Champions League football in mind (not to face 10 defenders in the SP), a competition he has already performed well in for Ajax.
The comment was made to me that the players coming in were uninspiring compared to the three key players who left but while I could contest that, there doesn’t seem much point. We recruited Hooper and Wilson from the lower leagues in England, and Wanyama as a teenager from a small Belgian club. It’s not what you know about a player when he signs that counts……..
For years we have been encouraging Celtic to scout better markets and find value. They have been doing this to great effect in recent seasons. The gap between where we were last season and one stage further in the Champions League was enormous. To bridge it will take a while during which time we need to make every pound work.
Enjoy the ride.
Tomorrow we’ll talk money. In short, while I blogged a couple of weeks ago illustrating the circa £17m operational gap we have before Champions League or player trading income (i.e. we are not a rich club), notions that we are anywhere near being a poor club is laughable.
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Cheers Cowiebhoy, pleasing to hear that, for a great man and a great cause.
The Enlightenment…….
If ever there is a coded word for the esoteric.
Ogilvie/Reagan tapes?
Could be interesting.
Come on Charlotte.
Anyone know anything about thon thug, Paton, who played for DU yesterday? Sad to see McNamara resorting to such “football” players.
Enlightened in how to Take Life.
‘Teh’ British Royal Society, they are caring considerate, are they Not?
Messi misses a great chance for his fourth.
Seville have a goal unfairly chalked off for offside.
the long wait is over
17:36 on
1 September, 2013
Croppybhoy
“However Paul neglects to mention that we will only play 6 games in the CL initially at least
We play the vast bulk of our football in Scotland
In Scotland we know now that we will win the league by a distance – even with this current squad.
Anything else would be a disaster and sacking offence – no disrespect to the other teams”
—————-
All of that is 100% correct. It is possibly precisely the reason we can’t entice a decent striker to come to us…
Tlwio
This nonsense keeps getting brought up.Why would players from the majority of leagues in Europe not want to join us?.We pay more money,we win things,we are in the CL,we are a great stepping stone,as proved.Good god,find some other excuse and leave this ridiculous one out of it.Its plain and utter nonsense.Derk and Van Dyck from Holland.Pukki from Bundesliga.Buttners agent has said he would be delighted to come to us on loan,from the EPL.
By the way,have you been watching the dross served up from the supposed top teams,in the supposed “Best league in the world”.People like you keep talking us down,and letting this myth flourish.There is no finer club,prestige,stadium,fans,fame,to play for than Celtic.
Help required,
regarding the game next sunday,i have been given lounge passes and executive box seats,does anyone know if that allows you access to the car park as I am taking a couple of guys who cant walk too far
Another great chance for Messi. Saved.
petec,
Alex Jones give away your bank details?
Valencia hit the woodwork.
Amazing double-save by the Valencia goalie Alves.
Valencia-Barcelona has been a brilliant game. It could easily have been 5-5.
England’s football is self-destructing.
Delaying tactics from Barca….hehe
gordybhoy64
21:43 on 1 September, 2013
You will get free access to the parking, behind the Lisbon stand, as long as there 1 hr before kick off.
And yes should also get a car pass if seated in exec box seats, which may include parking at front of main stand
Hail Hail
Stoppage time in Valencia.
gordybhoy64
21:43 on 1 September, 2013
Best to call CP…..
.
UK Border Agency posters branded ‘racist’
‘Go home’ van campaign probed by ASA
Vans target ‘go home’ campaign
A Home Office poster campaign advising people not eligible to stay in the UK that they can be given help to go home has been branded “racist” by a charity.
The campaign began at offices in Glasgow and London on 29 July and will run until 4 October.
The Home Office said it was part of a policy to help those who cannot stay in Britain to “return home with dignity”.
Positive Action in Housing, which works with asylum seekers, said the posters were “shameful and deeply offensive”.
One of the posters on display at the Glasgow office reads: “Is life here hard? Going home is simple”.
Another shows a photograph of an aeroplane with the caption: “This plane can take you home. We can book the tickets”.
Chairs in the waiting area had stickers which said: “Ask about going home”.
‘Xenophobic refrain’
The Glasgow-based charity’s director Robina Qureshi said: “As we all should know, ‘go home’ is a well-known racist taunt that has been used for decades in this country by fascists and racists against those of us from immigrant communities.
“That a government agency should decide to take up the same racist and xenophobic refrain while processing would-be refugees to this country, is shameful and deeply offensive.
These posters are designed to ensure people know that we can provide sensitive advice and assistance to help them return home with dignity”
Home Office spokeswoman
“The go home poster campaign exposes the UKBA’s attitude and gives us a small idea of what refugees in this country go through when they seek asylum.”
SNP MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, James Dornan, said he had written to Home Secretary Theresa May demanding that the poster campaign be stopped immediately.
“There is no room for this type of abhorrent xenophobic campaign which will only serve to make already vulnerable people feel unwelcome and fans the flames of racial bigotry,” he said.
“The Home Office has absolutely no idea about how modern Scotland treats vulnerable people – regardless of where they are from. Their campaign in Brand Street must stop immediately.”
The Scottish government said immigration policy was currently reserved to the UK government.
But a spokesman added: “An independent Scotland will also ensure that we uphold our long tradition of providing shelter for those fleeing violence and persecution in their own countries.”
Forced removals
A Home Office spokeswoman said the posters were part of a pilot campaign running at the UKBA offices in Brand Street, Glasgow, and Hounslow, west London.
She said it was part of a wider policy aimed at highlighting the range of help and advice available to those not eligible to stay in Britain to return home voluntarily.
The spokeswoman said this was more cost-effective and less traumatic than forced removals.
“Those with no right to remain in the UK should leave voluntarily,” she said.
“These posters are designed to ensure people know that we can provide sensitive advice and assistance to help them return home with dignity.
“We also continue to work closely with community groups who welcome the opportunity for someone who is not here legally to leave the country of their own accord.
Summa
The ref only added three. Mascherano and Valdés were on the deck in the Barcelona area for two-and-a-half.
I wonder, I wonder, if there are links between Helena P Blavatsky and Charlie Darwin? and his Uncle?
It is documented that Adolf was influenced by the writings of Blavatsky. I wonder if the Orange Order are ready to rumble.
Barbara Max Hubbard obviously knows the Book of Revelations quite well, she is a Rider that is promising to exterminate, silly old fool.
Stick to the 10 commandments and we will all do ok, IMO.
Summi. The person that matters with squad assessments is Neil Lennon. And he stated yesterday that he wanted a ready made striker to play along side projects
He never got that and he got none of his targets
What does that tell you about our CEO
Full-time.
Valencia 2-3 Barcelona.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MX7so7Ir74
God Bless
greendreamz
21-19
That’s more like it a bit of belief at last,this time next year victor and Gary will be a distant memory we will have our new stars to think about HH
Mascherano is hurt right enough. The doctor came running on at the final whistle. Mascherano hadn’t realised the game was over, according to Radio Nacional, as though he is concussed.
My faith in fitba fully restored by that game in Valencia, after the dross served up in England today.
DJBEE
21:44 on 1 September, 2013
petec,
Alex Jones give away your bank details?
________________________________________
He had a private forum way Bach, you had to pay Bach then. I was hungry for Information.
My details were nothing really compared to the guys and ladies that were contributing information. I Pray they people are still alive, they were sensational researchers.
.
Link to BBC Article..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-23897533
Summa
Sydneytim – what’s your basis for saying Lennon got none of his targets? We got VvD in early and NL stated he was signed to line up with Wilson.
On what we’ve seen so far, if he wasn’t a target he should have been.
cowiebhoy/67heaven,
cheers for the advice I will give CP a phone to check
G64.
If you are parked in main car park you had better stay in lounge after the match for a while.
10.45 before we got away on Wednesday.
maestro-number8
Thanks for posting the link .
Here is LennyBhoy.
He is CowieBhoys new Pup.
http://twitpic.com/dbhraf
Sydneytim,
not doubting what you say,but do you have a link to NL saying he wanted a
proven goalscorer as I don’t remember hearing that anywhere
BT
Too busy getting photos… ;)
Btw.. saw your dad coming out of joes after 12 mass today.
BIG-CUP-WINNERS @22:01
no probs, special man and special memories !
HH
.
Sydster..
As You know l stated 12 Months ago..That in a Year Celtic FC Would Struggle (In a One Horse League) to keep Players with any Real ambition..
But would Definitely Struggle to Sign Players.The fact that Champions League Football was Less than 50/50 until last week just made it even harder to sign Quality Players..
Easy to sign Players who are Just after the Dollar sign..
But l think Keane is in America now..;-(
Summa
BT,
thanks for the heads up,might just get them a taxi,that way I can have a
beer or two as well :-))