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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The Gareth Bale transfer is morally wrong; the sums involved can never be justified.
I am sure he’s a decent young man and never forgets his mum’s birthday but this is just wrong.
Modern football is rubbish, and getting rubbisher by the minute.
chairbhoy
19:21 on 1 September, 2013.
I never mentioned the hatefest! To be honest I don’t want their fans? Anywhere near celtic park again.
As I said, I agree with most of your points…we all aim for the same thing…enjoying watching our team play the Glasgow Celtic way.HH
Gene
Liam miller went on loan…
Dbbia
Back in the day when trevor francis went for £1m i thought football had gone mad -it just gets madder
Gary Hooper @HOOP588 37s
Anyone needing a Fiat go and see Owen Lloyd at Glyn Hopkin Fiat in Buckhurst Hill, Essex.e
acgr 19:50
If you can, can you get me a room at the hotel California?
Preferably Room 101. ;))
Much appreciated and nae worries if it is too late in the day.
Gene
None whatsoever under Lenny. I share your concern about Tony and also Jackson out on loan. Anyhow, time to assess our upcoming opponents on SS1. Do sevco fans have a channel where they can assess future opponents?
Just a wee reminder to some ……. We’ve reached the CL Group Stage..!!! ….. off to watch the Barca game….will cheer me up, and help me forget some of today ‘s posts …..LOL
Tbj
He went on loan in 2001
I believe he only made 26 appearances in the 3 years after his loan-but if he had stayed with us who knows
Is it STV or sky coverage for the Milan game? Anyone know.
Q: How can you the difference between a CQN mineshafter and a Lurking Zombie?
A: The lurking Zombie is more complimentary towards Celtic…
;O
The pre champions league qualifiers awaits me in the cqn predictor game! Finished 51st with 99 points.. Missed the cut off by 1 point!
Need to re think my strategy and ensure I qualify!!lol
Last picture of world’s most expensive footballer in the ole Tottingham shirt.
Daleney
There was always this
http://www.arbroath-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/tv_documentary_on_arbroath_803015/index.shtml
VP- That’s you telt …..again
praecepta
19:46 on 1 September, 2013
BSR
Gareth Bale will earn more between now and Christmas – than CFC will take in gate receipts for 3 x CL Group Stage games!
________________________________________
TBH it is not Gareth Bales fault.
I really hope Tottenham win loads now he has left, coming from a dude that has bet Arsenal to win the EPL for so many years now.
It is all about Pride now. Gareth has been swallowed up in this nonsense. I could understand it if he is going to a Club for massive rewards if his intention is to help as many people as possible with this *Windfall*, I hope I am Extremely wrong but hopefully Bellamy is guiding the young “manwell”. :))
Barca start v Valencia with Messi and Neymar up front…..
Dbbia
I always felt that computer generated fantasy games will impact the sports landscape.
Not in the immediate future.
In countries that lack facilities for top class sports participation will diminish .This has already had effect in Scotland.
If future generations lack the passion then audiences will be reduced.
The present generation of coaches will also decrease the publics interest.
Canamalar
What was the email that people use to contact you regarding the shares?
awe_naw_no_annoni_oan_anaw_noo
19:00 on 1 September, 2013
Debate for and against in a wider perspective has been the mainstay of evolvement over the millennia even.
Holding on to one perspective doggedly, without a willingness to consider another opinions is a recipe for disaster.
This doggedness could be leveled at many on the blog IMO, with a certain few that just never take any joy at all in Celtic. Their consistent absence during success and celebrations, would hint at something deeper.
Gene’s a Bhoy’s name supporting wee oscar
19:39 on
1 September, 2013
Re Tony Watt -i think recent history is against him -can anyone name a player we have loaned out that came back to command a first team spot.
probablyregretthequestionCSC
——————–
Kenny Dalglish..?
Gene
I think miller is the only young bhoy we have loaned to a team in mainland Europe…
Unless we count bang whora
Bada
My mammy always said i could never take a telling too….of course that was
before the heady days of ole CQN. HH
awe_naw_no_annoni_oan_anaw_noo
19:47 on 1 September, 2013.
I fell asleep watching the epl games today…something I’ll never do watching Celtic…it’s in your blood.
Petec
http://www.hotelcaliforniapositano.it/
It’s nice.
Gene
Lol, we will be enjoying our paella n sangria, whilst they have smokies n buckfast
the long wait is over
20:09 on 1 September, 2013
Gene’s a Bhoy’s name supporting wee oscar
19:39 on
1 September, 2013
Re Tony Watt -i think recent history is against him -can anyone name a player we have loaned out that came back to command a first team spot.
probablyregretthequestionCSC
——————–
Kenny Dalglish..?
************
Regular first team player at 19 – if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
You were only jesting yes?
Fan a tic
Haven’t Sevco been bailed our far more than Real Madrid ?
Especially when you consider the size of the bailout and their respective market size and turnover ?
HH
Messi scores 1-0 10mins
Listened to Neil at the begining there and he seems to be hurting for our club. Neil Lennon is and always be Celtic thru and thru. He does not suffer these idiots who show no respect to him or Celtic!!! Brill to listen to him.
Do us a favor Neil and ban that clown Burley!!!
If we are running at a £17m deficit without CL football or player sales …I am concerned
We were always advised that we budgeted for EL participation
Last years figures … Up to 2012 showed a moderate loss …with no CL participation
Why such a dramatic change in fortunes ….confused !
If Messi scores another one like THAT tonight, I think we should go for him in the January window…
dontbrattbakkinanger
19:54 on 1 September, 2013.
My bhoy tells me off for saying rubbisher ;-))
Kaka previously a world’s most expensive footballer set to return to Milan for nothing.
Wonder if he’s remembered he’ll have to face up to \ 0 / \ 0 / \ 0 / \ 0 /
Paddy Gallacher. There is a first time for everything fella. H.H.
Doctor
I stayed here once not impressed
http://www.parkhotelcalifornia.it/
VP- You’re getting your fortune told on here every week….
PG
No – was loaned out to Cumbernauld Juniors,
Just checked on wiki
” In his first season Dalglish was loaned out to Cumbernauld United, for whom he scored 37 goals.[12] During this time he also worked as an apprentice joiner.[9] By the following year Dalglish was a full professional and a regular member of the highly-rated Celtic reserve team that became known as the Quality Street Gang …”
HH
Tlwio