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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Tbj
He was away to a John Thomson memorial today ..
I should have stayed in the lounge myself and left mini with my nieces.
turkeybhoy
21:43 on 1 September, 2013
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Err, wind your neck in a little , please.
While you and I may agree with everything you say and would walk over broken glass to play one game for Celtic the fact is , it seems pretty clear to me. , that many players won’t come here for the reasons in my post. It’s not your or my perspective of Celtic that will determine that.
It’s their , or perhaps , their agents’ perspective that matters.
Frankly, any other view is delusional.
HH
Tlwio.
DJBEE
21:44 on 1 September, 2013
petec,
Alex Jones give away your bank details?
__________________________________
Way back before the open prisonplanet forums there was a private forum when you subscribed.
There is no doubt in my Mind Jones is a Plant as he was taking some heat just before he shut down the PAID to get into forum.
Control every side.
Doc, brilliant thanks
Hail Hail
Love the latest PL spin
We play in SPL. We don’t need a penalty box 30 goal striker
Brilliant
G64.
Best option.
The beer one…8-)
CowieBhoy, technology!
You’re welcome.
Braw Bhoy.
petec
I believe your detais may have been stolen but I don’t think AJones would have stolen them!
If it was a long time ago then the internet wasn’t safe, sorry still not safe nowaadays but I don’t think it would be him, seriously? With the trolls on that site?
Is a goal every 104 minutes a decent strike rate?
Gordybhoy
Lennon admits his patience was tested to the limit in the summer, seeing the spine of his team sold but none of his first choices come in as replacements.
Asked if that had put a strain on his relationship with the chief executive, he said: “It does, yes. I think it puts my relationship with everybody under stress.
“Not in personal terms but workwise it becomes stressful.
“The board never said to me you HAVE to make the Champions League – but I think probably the cushion for that was that we sold three players for £20m.
“Now we probably felt two were leaving anyway but we didn’t envisage Kelvin Wilson going and that was a blow.
“When you lose your mainstay centre half, a key midfielder and your top scorer for three seasons no matter who you are – whether you are Barcelona, Liverpool or f**gging Scunthorpe – it really bites you.
“Was that what I meant with the ‘Not much help’ comment? Yes. I wanted players in if we were selling players, and we couldn’t do it.
“We’ve brought players in with good potential but what you want as a manager if you’re losing a 30-goal striker, is to get in a 27-year-old who has banged in 30 goals last season for some great team or other? You want a ready-made striker to slot in and still have the development players around.
“Teemu Pukki is a good player and is a bit ahead of some of the others we have brought in. He’s a Finnish internationalist and has played at a big club for a year and a half.
“Nir Biton is an Israeli Under-21 player with experience but you are looking for value for money and resale value. It’s going to take time – we knew that.
“Amido Balde’s going to take time. Virgil van Dijk, once he’s played 10 games or so, will get the pace of the game. At SPFL level, he will be an excellent acquisition.
“I probably rushed him back too early and he struggled in two games. That is totally understandable and totally my fault.
“Steven Mouyokolo was brought in as a squad player and has done really well so far so I’m pleased with him.
“And Derk Boerrigter is ready made but has been injured. We’ll see the best of him when he’s fit. So the four we’ve brought in, we’re pleased with. It’s potential. Isn’t it?”
BT
He turned off the main rd just before asda… tell him the celtic stalker sees everything …lmfao
Basically saying pukki not his target but a project
Weeminger
A difficult stat to analyse
However ….in black and white …good
night night bhoys, this Armageddon is great ,can’t wait for our next game
HH
.
Sydster..
Furthermore..
Don’t think l have Not Noticed Your Change in Stance Re;Garry Hooper..
Remember it was Me that Told You Gary Hooper would Never Score 25+ Goals in the League....l think You mentioned it a Few Times..lol..
You Now seem to be Saying Gary Hooper was a 30 Plus Goal Scorer a Season..Did He Win top goals Scorer last season (League)..Was he in the TOP 3..?
His Stats Look good in Paper..
Have a Look at His stats in Big Games..CL..Cups semi finals..Finals Etc..Sammi blows Him out the Water..
Assists..? Hoops thinks it it a Wart-Like thing..Ha Ha
Summa of StatsSydneyStatsCSC
Delaneys Dunky
21:24 on
1 September, 2013
maestro-number8
21:28 on
1 September, 2013
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Thanks for the nod guys.
Sydneytim
Where dud you get that text from ?
Interesting
Sydneytim – there’s no indication in any of those quotes that Neil Lennon got none of his first choices.
Paul67 et al
That’s us missed out on Christian Bale as well, gone to some no hopers in Spain.
Pity that, he would have been a good back-up for wee Izzy.
Hi petec,
Don’t want to argue with you but you seriously think Jones is a plant?
Although did see a sycophantic(spelling?) interview with Russel Brand today.
No way I think he is a plant though.
Cmac
He may get a part in the film though.
Weeminger
Seems to me he was looking for a 30 goal a season 27 year old ….didnt get one in …
Pfayr – that stat belongs to Pukki. Admittedly it was from his time with HJK but I firmly believe that if your a goalscorer you’ll find the net at most levels and I’m fairly sure that the Finnish league is on a par with the SPL. While his Schalke appearances were limited his goals per minute ratio more or less match Hooper’s in the SPL. I’ve no worries about his pedigree.
Don’t know if Alex Jones is a plant, but she comes over a bit thick on The One Show
PF
A 30 goal a season.. 27 year old.. striker
Who would fit that bill and how much
Summi. Hooper scored 31 goals in all comps
Off down to garage. We sydney tim dragging me, she loves childcare
Then off tae work
Greendreamz
It is nice to read sometimes, a shared faith. Also happen to think that Amido in time, could blossom into the complete striker. He has dropped a couple of hints so far.
TBJ
Ask Lenny ….his words not mine
Richie #TeamOscar
Aye very good Richie, got better legs as well : -)))
PF
Just saying pal.. I cant actually think of any that fit that bill… maybe rvp
DJBEE
22:09 on 1 September, 2013
Alex Jones allowed sensitive details be accessed. I’m a nobody really but there were some amazing researchers that had their details exposed, Most of the Private forum contributors were also Banned from the public forum that he created, the moderator name… Sane.
Killed just after 9/11
Blantyretim
Ha! That’s all I’m saying.
Are you going next Sunday?
surely we’re not on first :-)
HH
CRC
weeminger
22:11 on
1 September, 2013
Is a goal every 104 minutes a decent strike rate?
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It works out at…..
8.65 goals over 10 games
17.3 goals over 20 games
25.95 goals over 30 games
34.6 goals over 40 games
…….if the scorer is consistent and the game lasts the regulation 90 minutes.
Very respectable…..who is it?
Pfayr – so that would be one of his first choice targets not none. He then talks about Pukki being a step above the others, so it seems like he’s happy with that signing although perhaps nit ecstatic.
I wonder if ManU Quick News are grumping about Moyes not landing Fabregas and blaming the board for not pushing the boat out.
I would agree with some that the transfers in, have been a tad uninspiring but all in all i trust in Neil and what he can do with this bunch.
I was one that was crying out for an out and out striker after Hooper left, the gap upfront was plain to see. Though now i do not think this is NFL’s strategy for the season ahead.
We have enough goals in this team to take care of domestic duty with not too much effort. I believe Neil is creating a team that is designed specifically for his assault on Europe and based purely on speed and counter attacking football, Hooper was good but he wasn’t great I would of chose Sammy over him in the CL all day long and I think Pukki will turn out to be that little bit of quality we need who’ll take the few chances we get on the break.
I can think of a number of uninspiring signings in recent years who have turned out to do a job for us. Its amazing what donning the hoops can do to lesser players.
KTF Hail Hail
Apologies for the comments in the last link. It sounds like an Anti Jewish link, nothing could be further from the Truth.
The Israelites
weeminger
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ManUQN is in meltdown :o) They actually have silly money yet look like ending up with Fellaini for around £30mill, the mind boggles at that waste.
Gonna be a long season for them.