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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WGS
would be better than no one, experienced, reasonable scoring record in Switzerland/Germany, if he is fit then why not
Setting the bears free
I applaud that post. Some Celtic fans need to ask themselves if the 5 million fee reported is accurate and also if the other supposed “interested” clubs are actually interested.
After all, if Alfie turns down his contract offer then the power will continue to shift in his favor. Next season will be the final year of his original 3 year deal.
Maybe next summer?
Some VERY interesting stats from the latest round of matches from the ‘big four’ Euro Leagues:
EPL – the self-styled ‘best league in the world’ – 10 matches, 16 goals – average goals per game = 1.6;
La Liga – arguably the most technically gifted league – 10 matches, 29 goals – average goals per game = 2.9;
Bundesliga – arguably the most exciting league, and the best supported – 9 matches, 32 goals – average goals per game = 3.55;
Serie A – according to many one of the most negative/defensive leagues – 10 matches, 43 goals – average goals per game = 4.3.
HH!!
Steinreigndsupreme,
Very funny, another comic, instead of answering some of the concerns you have a pop, fair enough, great debate, and heh if you don’t like a post scroll on by, and don’t respond please.
SFTB,
Again cant disagree, the players and agents hold most of the aces except in situations like today when the selling club hold a decent hand as well, the transfer market is a very complex and frustrating business of that i have no doubt.
But we as a club surely can be a bit better prepared than we are at the moment, we have enough squad fillers, we have let Watt go out on loan, we do not have an out and out goal scorer in the squad, i just hope Tony Stokes stays fit.
HH
gebhoy
Celtic First @ 13 14 . .
The violence at Italian football is between groups of Ultras . Ritualized violence between groups of men who enjoy violence . Violence in Rome last night was between groups of men armed with knives / baseball bats etc . There were organized fights between Catania Ultras and Inter Ultras in Catania last night . A spokesman for the Catania Police said this ———————
” It was planned , it was organized. We are not talking about street kids acting tough , we are talking about adults who get pleasure from trying to inflict serious injury on like minded adults ”
Italy is a fine mess but I don’t think that mess is the cause of violence between opposing Ultras. They do it because they enjoy doing it .
Kayal, Good squad assessment, but I’d add Fisher, Henderson & Atajic to that squad. We will win the SPFL, we won’t win the Champions League or Europa Cup we might win the 2 Domestic Cups. It would be a good year to blood a few of our own youngsters, it would give me a lot more pleasure to see a couple of our own graduates making a breakthrough into the first team squad then buying in established players for 4 or 5 million.
quonno
See my reply to gebhoy.
You better get used to last minute transfers. They are an inevitable outcome of the tension between selling clubs wanting best price and buying clubs wanting cheapest price.
You will do some early transfer window deals when seller and buyer valuations match or the buyer’s need is desperate, but you will also land targets late in the window when the selling club settles for what you bid earlier, in the absence of any later improved bids, or because they have landed their own target and can now let your guy go.
Like marriages, some transfers are agreeable and happen early- other s follow some stormy rows and fall outs. Both types have similar divorce rates.
gebhoy-
I support your 3 listed concerns about Celtic’s social relations with its fans.
I said on here over 2 weeks ago that Celtic should’ve had players signed before selling.PL negotiations skills were shown up to be seriously flawed.In these circumstances,as I stated previously,the selling club always had the upper hand.
I watched all the EPL games this weekend, in a word, dire .
WGS
Would you like a Bentley?
I always rated the player, thought he had good technique,
no idea what his performances are like these days,
but imagine he could still pick out a pass…
GEBHOY
You are justified in your criticism,IMO. If you have shares in the club,why not contact CANAMALAR and offer him your support?
Not every fan has shares-I don’t-but I’ll be getting some.
Honest mistake;
Fair enough………
gebhoy
fanadpatriot
13:39 on 2 September, 2013
I said on here over 2 weeks ago that Celtic should’ve had players signed before selling.PL negotiations skills were shown up to be seriously flawed.In these circumstances,as I stated previously,the selling club always had the upper hand.
——————————————————————–
How were “PL negotiations skills were shown up to be seriously flawed”?
pray tell
The EPL has started poorly, partially, because so many new players have arrived. Teams need time to gel. Just look at how disjointed spurs have looked so far.
It doesn’t help that the promoted sides are a bit defensive
glendalystonsils @ 13.32
No wonder Stokesy’s Daa – used to hate the Huns.
gebhoy 13:38 on 2 September, 2013
“Very funny, another comic, instead of answering some of the concerns you have a pop, fair enough, great debate, and heh if you don’t like a post scroll on by, and don’t respond please.”
Don’t tell me you expect to be taken seriously?
You put the post up for a reaction. I gave you one – clearly not the one you were hoping for.
Should I panic?
corkcelt. I think you make a good point and we can bring in a few of our promising youngsters throughout our domestic season.The more players we bring in that we have paid reasonable money for the less chance there is for our youngsters getting first team exposure. H.H.
Anyone who says Scottish Football is rubbish has not got a clue about the game and has obviously never played it at a decent level.
The current fitness level of professional footballers is phenomenal and a very high level of skill is required simply to control and pass the ball at the speed necessary for it not to be intercepted. Unfortunately, too many people cannot think for themselves.
JJ
Fanadpatriot.
You would have turned down top value bids for our players until we had signed another player? Surely the squad can take the strain until someone else is found?
Ritchie
Simples,Mr Buyer I have 20m in my briefcase I would like to buy your player.
Can’t argue with that, I’m afraid.
The honest mistake
That is exactly what Spurs did.
Just watched the shaktar game highlights again on Celtic TV. You’ve got to love those commentators (including Tam Boyd)
http://www.celticfc.tv/archive
Steins,
You are far to intellectually intelligent for me…………
Troll on by my man troll on by!
HH
gebhoy
gebhoy – why are the GB back in 111 if the PLC want rid of them? They’d already started that process, so why bother getting back round the table with them to sort out the problem?
Currently watching SSN Italia.
The female presenter – cant remember her name – is positively bursting out of her blouse.
Potential ‘blouse malfunction’ on the cards.
HH!!
BMCP,
I do have shares but not a lot, do they not need to be in a block of 100 for canamalars question, i only have 10.
HH
gebhoy
Fanadapatriot.
You are seriously comparing our strategy with a top 5 EPL teams strategy?
Ps how did bale get on in the games he played for spurs this year?
gebhoy 13:49 on 2 September, 2013
“You are far to intellectually intelligent for me…………”
Not me. I was bottom of the class.
Maybe I’ll do the basic accounts course.
gebhoy
I accept and I think the majority of Celtic and CQN fans think that Celtic are exceptionally light in the striker’s department at present. Even a
I think Neil Lennon and Peter Lawwell probably agree with that too. However, how much can they tell us, the fans, without putting themselves over a barrel in future negotiations?
If they tell us the Willo window excuse, that they were after a big name, Robbie Keane e.g., and were confident of getting him but it all fell through, our reaction would not be “aye, that’s ok then, I’m sure you tried your best!”
They are more likely to be met with criticism and pressure to buy “at all costs” next time. Clubs trying to sell at the highest price to us will try to use Celtic fans’ anger to pressure the club to spend more on a player than he is worth. That way we lose money and player value and will trade down rather than up both as a competitive club and as a plc.
Having said that I am worried about the value in free agents. If Mladen Petric is such a “no brainer”, how come his club let him go.
I still hope that we sign a free agent striker, otherwise Bahrudin Atajic is going to have to be ready for regular SPL action.
Gebhoy
Can you tell me how the PLC will get the huns back as quick as possible and where you get the £4m from and how bringing back our main rivals for at least £16m CL money represents a better financial case than the £4m you say we will get from a huns return which cannot happen for at least 2015
I mean if its all about the money logic suggests the last thing the PLC want is a quick return.
But hey its the bad ol PLC so reason goes out the window.
There are 40 odd clubs in Scotland who do not want the Rangers to go out of business and those in the lower tiers who have still to “benefit” from a visit of The Rangers support most certainly do not want to see a quick return. Everybody wants a bite at a carcase that also looks like it is eating itself from the inside.
The last thing Celtic will be wanting is any involvement in any form with a diseased body.
So maybe stop and think about what you are saying and maybe even why for folk always have a reason for thinking as they do. Sometimes its because of what they know or think they know, sometimes its because of what they do not know and sometimes it is just personal.
Happy with the new bhoys from what I have seen.
Has there ever a transfer window that ended happily for all Tims (other than the Roy Keane one)?
Family day here today.
Bill Shankly’s birthday. A man I would love to have spoken with about football, Scotland, the mines and sundry other stuff.
“John, you’re immortal now.” Bill to Jock Stein in Lisbon, 1967.
Once, on a trip from the Borders to the Ayrshire coast with Mrs RWE, we stopped off at Glenbuck just to see the memorial that Liverpool fans have put there. Very powerful experience. Glenbuck is gone as are so many mining villages. The memorial seemed to speak for the village too. Have a look if you can.
HH
Glenbuck CSC
SFTB @ 12:55 – Excellent post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
The Tomlin situation speaks volumes of the calibre of people (Fry, Ferguson) at Posh.
Reading their oppobrium (guff actually) you would think a representative of Celtic ran on to the pitch during the match and whispered in the player’s ear that we wanted him.
More about grandstanding for their fans. Shame really.
BTW – I must be getting old. I know we’ve had lively debates about Celtic’s transfer policy but £42 MILLION for Ozil ?
Hail Hail
“I still hope that we sign a free agent striker, otherwise Bahrudin Atajic is going to have to be ready for regular SPL action.”
He should be.
If we cannot make use of this generation then we should just stop having youth sides.
GEBHOY
These are likely to be the original issue.
They have been split since then.
Check out your ownership,or contact CANAMALAR as he may know the answer.
Nothing wrong with pertinent questions,bud. Keep asking them.
Weeminger,
For approximately a year PL has wanted rid of the GB, They quite calculatedly hatched a plan to close 111. They were called out on the evidence of the broken seats and from GCC wanting to shut the ground, total fabrication.
Dont want to go back over it all, very very poor situation, extremely badly handled but for JP the GB would not be back, funny how there has not been a peep from the club over the “lateral” movement at the last 2 home games! #CBB
HH
gebhoy
tonydonnelly67 @ 13 26 .
There was violence [ between Ultras ] before , during and after Verona 2-AC Milan 1 , last weekend .
Verona were fined 30 k euros for the violence [in the stadium ] / Milan were fined 5k euros . The relevant ” authority ” stated that Verona Ultras were largely responsible for the violence within the stadium and Verona therefore paid a heavier penalty.
The honest mistake
Sorry,but I don’t understand your thinking.