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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gene’s a bhoy’s name
Never stayed there. Just remember passing it about 3 weeks ago. Positano surely impressed you though?
Awe naw
Absolutely!
And long will it continue with the people in Scotland equating our club as upstarts to be kept in their rightful place.
Dr whatfor
canamalar@yahoo.com or hotmail.com
DBBIA
The fact that modern football is rubbish and getting rubbisher ….is rubbish
Paddy
I wis bein’ a wee bit facetious, but.
:-)
Canamalar
Will contact you tomorrow.
HH
Sipsini
Aye I agree totally.
Its going to be tough not watching Lennys bhoys develop. Thats the real fun part for me along with slapping down a few European know it alls here on the continent with Lennys bhoys qaulifying again. I would love to see us qaulifying for the EL …more games and its winnable. Withdrawal symptoms for sure but it has to be done.
HH
Doctor Whatfor
20:11 on 1 September, 2013
Petec
http://www.hotelcaliforniapositano.it/
It’s nice.
______________________________
Ta for the Tip.
Looks Heavenly, just like Scotland does, I cannae wait for the New Jerusalem. It should be unlike no other place on Earth. ;))
Anybody any idea what Lennys first 11 will be
the long wait
Went to a Celtic v cumbernauld friendly when kk played for us -1969 -70 i think-but wouldn’t count that as recent history
Will be interesting to see if a European league comes to pass which government wants it the most?
Won’t be surprised if spivco are involved to see Salmond and his Hun hordes levy a tax on Scottish people to be used to prop them up while enacting another law that allows them to operate in a tax free environment .
petec
Didnae stay there. Gene’s a bhoy’s name did and didnae like it. The New Jerusalem? Sounds heavenly. ;-)
Getting loaned to Cumbernauld Utd disnae count as a loan fgs!!
Pfayr-Wee Jamesie and 10 others.:)
Doctor
The link i posted was for hotel california in pisa
Craig Whyte wired for sound in the latest Charlotte tapes.
I’m watching Barca very closely, in order to be able to give Neil some advice on perceived weaknesses …….. I’ll get back to you in about 10 years, , Neil….
Meelan 2-1 up Robinho and Mexes
CQN Predictor (week 3)
Position Team Manager Weekly Pts Total Pts
1 (2) Koln Hoops Kolncelt 45 132
2 (14) Del Monte Shamrock jammabhoy 52 129
3 (7) Chocolate Bhoys McFudge 48 129
4 (1) Were on the one road Colts Cowiebhoy 29 127
5 (23) Green and Whiteley Murdoch, McGrain and Larsson 55 127
6 (4) Gohome Yahuns stevenagebhoy 40 125
7 (9) micktic 3mick3 44 124
8 (15) Celtic Under Ninety Team Paddy Turner 46 122
9 (6) Angola CSC thecelt45 37 121
10 (19) Maybe Next Year…………… Penfold 45 119
11 (3) Giffnock Old Bhoys gscbhoy 33 118
12 (13) Jessica Rabbit Mrs CRC 40 118
13 (8) Hillend Rockies Slabhoy 37 118
14 (30) Nitrams 11 ncmjc 42 112
15 (18) Rodfather Rovers Row Z 37 112
16 (10) 7-1 4-2 6-2 Travelbhoy 32 112
17 (11) Bada Bing Bada Bing 32 112
18 (33) iPaddys Plodders iPaddyMcCourt 42 112
19 (20) Bayern Bru Twists n turns 38 111
20 (39) Kiwinning Dangers BMCUWP 46 111
21 (27) Donny Gaels Bradbhoy 40 110
22 (22) Belfast Celtic cliftonville celt 38 110
23 (49) Hail Hail Rain or Shine FC Jobo Baldie 48 109
24 (31) Evergreen The Lurker 38 108
25 (24) Thom’s Sellick Thommybhoy 36 108
26 (25) Dougies Donkeys DougC 36 108
27 (21) Dreamchester Athletic Blantyre Tim 35 108
28 (26) Hopeful Hoops Bobby Evans Superstar 37 107
29 (34) Celtic rose Caityrollercoaster 38 107
30 (5) EK Green & White Army Kelvinbhoy 23 107
31 (37) MARCELONACELTIC F C Mhark67 39 107
32 (28) Looney Tunes Celticrollercoaster 36 106
33 (32) Norfolk Enchants Sponsored by Cheetah 36 106
34 (41) Kikinthenakas Kikinthenakas 42 106
35 (12) Hurdles Huddlers bognorbhoyle 26 105
36 (52) Roughrigg Brushers GG 45 105
37 (40) epl overated hmack 41 105
38 (17) ColleensBhoys Leftclicktic 30 105
39 (45) ruggyvogue c.s.c. voguepunter 43 105
40 (43) Minx 1888 Minx 1888 42 105
41 (47) Jinky’s Giants Johnbud78 42 104
42 (16) celtic 67 Deccyrollercoaster 28 103
43 (68) Kayal33 Kayal33 50 103
44 (29) celtic1888 Murdoch, Auld and Hay 33 103
45 (76) Weißbier X Pogmathonyahun 60 101
46 (50) Death or Wamba? Ard Ri 40 100
47 (67) lubosleftpeg castlebhoy 47 100
48 (36) Imran’s Maw Dick Byrne 30 99
49 (69) Diamonds B-Boy 50 99
50 (62) thebhoyfromoz thebhoyfromoz 44 99
51 (54) Mcdowells Bhoys mcdowellcelt 40 99
52 (48) Billys Boots Lionsroar67 37 98
53 (44) Meiklehill Rovers Mayanman 35 97
54 (53) The NoNames Kingoh 37 96
55 (55) Set Phasers to Malky Jeez_I_thought_blinker_was_pants 37 96
56 (46) Googys Globetrotters Googy Bhoy 34 96
57 (58) Patrick Missal Patrick27 37 94
58 (51) Acacia Milan Doubting Thomas 31 91
59 (38) Dan City Dan 26 91
60 (60) FC Pasch(ing) praecepta 35 90
61 (35) Heaven Albert Kidd 21 90
62 (71) The Dukes of Montrose Celtic Mac 39 87
63 (42) Berocca Juniors The Pips XI 24 87
64 (63) Dim Sam’s Tims Dim Sam 31 86
65 (56) Somerset Harp Gherrybhoy57 28 85
66 (59) Lennys Bhoys Lennybhoy 30 85
67 (65) Rossini Sammi the Hun Skelper 31 85
68 (57) The Exiled Tim The Exiled Tim 28 85
69 (66) Setting Free the Bears Setting Free the Bears 30 84
70 (61) Athenry bhoys stpatricksbhoy 28 83
71 (72) Sipsini Sipsini 35 83
72 (70) Bannockburn Bhoys Doc is Neil Lennon 33 81
73 (73) RalphWaldoEllison X1 RalphWaldoEllison 36 81
74 (64) Dark Horse FC Stephen Black 25 80
75 (78) Lennys Lions The Lizard King 42 77
76 (77) Frank’s Frantic Eleven Celtic Soul Brother 35 76
77 (75) Glasgow Brazilian Mouldy67 27 70
78 (74) Gordybhoy Rovers Gordy Bhoy 64 20 64
79 (79) Jonny the Tim Jonny the Tim 37 64
80 (80) Port Brigade Saint Stivs 40 51
TheSPORTBible @TSBible 55m
Gareth Bale’s wage breakdown at Madrid:
Yearly: £15,600,000
Monthly: £1,200,000
Weekly: £300,000
Daily: £42,857
Hourly: £2,040
Minute: £34
gene’s a bhoy’s name
I huvnae stayed there either. I’m constantly amazed at the number of places that I huvnae stayed in. ;-)
Petec / doctor
Sorry for hotel california confusion -thankfully the song was wrong and i could leave
16s played St Mirren 17s today and lost 2-1. Played well against a big physical team. Shld have at least got a draw.
Bada
And Charlie ….leaves nine :-))
Just discovered that after week 3, I am leading the CQN Predictor, best not get carried away.
Liverpool are also top of the Sky Debt League and Inverness are top of the SPFL, so I do not expect to stay there for long.
Early Days CSC.
Positions 49 to 80 play in the first qualifying round of the CQN CL on week 5 and 6
Good luck Bhoys
HH
CRC
Wee Sharon Osborne’s face is tighter than a Sevco budget.
Doctor Whatfor
20:24 on 1 September, 2013
petec
Didnae stay there. Gene’s a bhoy’s name did and didnae like it. The New Jerusalem? Sounds heavenly. ;-)
——————————–
The Elderly 10 Commandment Massive are the Rock for the WHOLE World.
jude2005 is neil lennon \o/
Yes he does. He has to continually suffer the SFA sabotaging his work as we are Not prepared to Do anything about it.
Craig Burley or Neil Mc Cann versus Golum or Vincent Lunny
Lenny has had his wings cut …by our plc.
We need to get our priorities right.
A six game ban for saying fanny versus ambulance chasers looking for a quick buck ?
You know it and I know it. The Happy clappers and the plc are not helping him with this battle by their continued adherence to the point of being proud of being ostrich syndrome Stockholm sufferers.
HH
Sipsini
I left the pub at half time last monday night… bored with the two biggest teams in the epl… even the beer couldnt convince me to stay
Roll on 48hrs later.. I met you at cp…. two so called poor teams. …. different class excitement
kolncelt
You should have predicted that!
Pauls blog wd put Kojo to shame!! Well done P.
Jude
Does getting loaned to sevco count
Bsr
The bun is 90% skin
bournesouprecipe
20:28 on 1 September, 2013
Wee Sharon Osborne’s face is tighter than a Sevco budget.
_______________________________________
Get philvis Bach ASAP, I dinnae have access, you KNOW.
The conspir.. are ….. hint…… but…. not ….. saying anything that TSD is philvisreturns.
This Skunk, is Reeking.
jude2005 is neil lennon \o/
20:24 on 1 September, 2013
Getting loaned to Cumbernauld Utd disnae count as a loan fgs!!
——-
As I said above I was being a bit facetious but you do see the internal conflict in your sentence above , don’t you..?
:-)
weet weet weet
Brilliant, hadn’t seen that before. We just use the ole spray to keep them from pecking each other. But the mrs said “mmmmmmmmmm”. Take what you like from that. Haha
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar
Petec, affirmative. Nothinh booked yet but I,m on the case. Me, you ffm, 16 roads and bobm + da.
I,ll sort it in the next week or so.