Three matters to discuss today: players in, players out and players who stayed.
As the transfer window closed, the clear need in the squad was competition for our only left back, Greg Taylor. There was never any doubt a player would arrive, but I am delighted (and maybe a bit surprised) we secured the loan signing of Uruguayan international, Diego Laxalt.
He will significantly bolster our effectiveness on the left, which will, in turn, make it more difficult for teams to double up on Jeremie Frimpong on the right, making Celtic far more effective.
You and I have talked through over 30 transfer windows. I don’t think any will top ‘the Robbie Keane’ window in terms of general satisfaction, but this one comes close. In Vasilis Barkas, Shane Duffy, Diego Laxalt, Albian Ajeti and Moi Elyounoussi, we have added five players who will be first choice in most games this season. This is an exceptional return. We have added more players in the past, but I don’t think we have ever added as many starters in a single window.
I know several Motherwell fans who speak very highly of David Turnbull. His early Celtic performances have showed promise. He is comfortable on the ball, very mobile and has a great set-piece delivery. £3m is a lot to spend at a Scottish club but we will have scouted David more than anyone else who has arrived in recent years. He should do well.
We got money for Eboue Kouassi – nothing like the £3m reported, but payment nonetheless. The annual cull of youths who did not make the step up included Jack Aitchison. Four years ago, Jack became the youngest player to represent Celtic in a competitive football game, and with true Roy Race style, scored with his first touch of the ball. It was an exhilarating moment for us all. Remember his name, it will appear in quizzes for the rest of your days.
Regrets? There is one. Fraser Forster will forever be a hero around these parts. He has the unusual distinction of performing just as well in his second period at the club as his first, a talent some embittered pundits who scarcely put a shift in second time around would do well to consider. He was the highest earner at Southampton when he arrived on loan a year ago; £4.5m annually. Celtic were ready to do a deal involving the fee but the keeper prevaricated. Still, as I say, forever a hero.
Fond farewell to Craig Gordon, Jozo Simunovic and Jonny Hayes, all of whom were part of treble successes. Jozo is still without a club and will struggle to make the most of his talents due to injury impairment.
For me, the most surprising outcome of the window was that none of our contracted first choice players were sold, despite the economic situation. Five agents were looking to move their clients south; my informed expectation was, at least one would have to go.
Buying and selling is a gamble, as is not doing so. But, who could gamble with ‘the 10’? When we report our financials soon, there will have been money for at year-end date, 30 June 2020. That will be the last of having savings for some time, we are about to lurch into debt.
The economic headwinds look ominous. Next year, season book renewals will not promote ‘the 10’ and aggregate supporter bank balances will be lower. Like now, next season will also be one where the ‘supporters’ step up, perhaps not the more casual fans.
Upshot of all of this is that we are going to need to get a Champions League qualification and trading policy in place rapidly. Celtic are better placed to meet these times than the vast majority of others; there will be better value in the player market, but only for those clubs who are prepared.
Welcome, Diego, and well played, Celtic.
368 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- »
TOSB
I agree with your point with weak refs like Clancy.
The same tactic does not work so well with others like Madden. Some weak refs, like Collum , react petulantly to the claimers by booking them, either that or he fancied Aidan McGeady cos he was always geetin his name in his book
the look Lenny gave Mikey J when he played on despite having an injury (making it worse) suggests he was absolutely disgusted with him. Now, Mikey is a young talent who has an immature and sometimes petulant attitude, kinda like McGeady had (and he and Lenny did not get along) Does he have the character? Will he respond and bounce back OR will he take the huff and fade into the background.
I hope he mans up – I hope he has been using the time out to build his upper body strength and comes back to show speed and maturity in hi game.
hratvski jim
There used to be a few cyclists on here, least we could do is give them free parking.
And no charge if it was an electric bike.
5TH OCTOBER 2020 11:13 PM
We have added 5 full Internationals & an under 21 International, hardly throwing jelly at the wall & retained all our key players.
DELANEYS DUNKY on 6TH OCTOBER 2020 1:01 AM
Best windae ever. Well done Pedro and the Board of Celtic Football Club. Get behind Neil and The Bhoys.
*Stop it you 2 your talking too much sense.
CHAIRBHOY on 6TH OCTOBER 2020 9:00 AM
TONTINE TIM @ 12:28 AM,
“Ok Westcraigs who signed him [Benyu].”
The same guy who signed Arzani, Shved and hundreds of other prospects. The same guy who ships our “high value” players out at the first opportunity.
*not according to this same forum CQN which states:
CELTIC’S forgotten man Kundai Benyu, once so highly rated by Brendan Rodgers, is heading for the Hoops exit.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who was signed by the ex-boss from Ipswich Town in 2017, is poised to join National League side Wealdstone.
Benyu was acclaimed as a top prospect when he arrived at Parkhead after rejecting a contract extension by Portman Road manager Mick McCarthy. He had caught the eye of Rodgers’ scouts during a loan spell at Aldershot.
The pseudo moneyball king. No sign of his interference in this window, long may that continue.
*that the same money ball mhan that gave us:
13 Titles 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18 , 2018–19, 2019-2020
8 SC 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
7 LC 2005–06, 2008–09, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20
Doubles and trebles
3 Trebles Scottish Cup, League Cup and League Titles with a possible 4th in December:
2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
4 Scottish Cup and League Title Doubles:
2003–04, 2006–07, 2012–13
3 League Cup and League Title Doubles
2005–06, 2014–15, 2018–19
Am I a PL fan, damn right as someone who lived through the Bob Kelly years, as I often say history and Big Jock have been kind to Sir Bob.
Cinema chains,showing Chelsea v Crystal Palace next week….me thinks his rich sponsors have booted his Denis Laws….
imo GT is not a left wing back but a left back of a defensive 3 and our latest signing will play the left wing back role ahead of him.
mcphail bhoy
I do not have to assume anything in relation to James Forrest.
“He has a minor stress fracture in the ankle. It’s remarkable that he played with that for a few games as well but obviously it got to the point where it was impossible” That’s Neil Lennon talking.
The impossible was against Riga if I am not mistaken.
Still think it might be a different injury?
Just come to my notice Scotland play three games during this break, Thursday, Sunday and Wednesday. International football is off the leash and running free.
Put a stop to it after the semifinal on Thursday, Neil. Withdraw our players then and tell Clarke and the SFA to pay their wages for a fortnight.
For those lamenting our loss of Jack Aitchison ( are yiz still pining for Paul McGowan too?) it should be noted that Barnsley signed him, the Barnsley manager promptly left , and seconds later Jack Aitchison was on his way to a season long loan at Stevenage in League Two, who finished 2nd bottom last year.
We moan about signing prospects and we moan when players depart to league Two clubs.
Some people can nurture a good moan to keep them warm
And Calvin Miller went to League 2 Harrogate
Thank you all for the lovely welcome for my lovely wee grandaughter Saskia I’ve seen photos and a wee video, I feel so excillerated it’s like beating the huns 5-1 with a Moussa hatrick HH
team to play them’s , just go batter them
Barkas
Duffy
Brown
McGregor Rogic Christie
Elyounossi
Griffiths Ajeti Eduoard Kilmala
6pm pub closing restriction a possibility from Friday…
Mad Mitch is more than capable of speaking up for himself, but given that he was responding to a post I had made earlier I will refer back to that response.
“Old JF and his significant injury problems – …..” (@3.42)
Nota Bene; Not JF and his old injury problems….
Was also the first on here to highlight Kieran Tieney’s injury/physical condition problems, his change of gait, style of running etc. That is perceptive in my book. Neil Lennon was prepared to play him in the 2019 Scottish Cup Final….that isn’t.
We will go 352 next week to prevent sevco from dominating the middle. 2 up top will keep their backline busy as they will go.
For 352 to work most effectively we need 2 wingbacks that are pacey. Diago in Taylor out, simple.
HH
HWG10IAR
yes 3 5 2 with GT playing left side of the back 3 with Diego playing left wing back in front of him , GT is a far superior defensive left full back than KA.
Fairly sure the new lad will be in straight away against the forces of darkness. This will absolutely not phase him. No worry about that.
its irrelevant to talk about forrest injury in terms of “prone”. – this is not a hamstring or muscle type injury , that could be prevented through training technique and/or warm up eg. This is a bone fracture caused by lack of protection from Scottish referees. Biton is the same and Frimpong is next unless we escalate.
Our new signing from South America won’t be back in Glasgow till Friday, the game against the hun is mid day on Saturday, not a hope in hell will Lenny start him against thems, not a hope.
St.Anthony
@Stephen4_2
·
Oct 5
Frank McGarvey scores a penalty for St Mirren against Rangers in 1977 at Love Street. I don’t remember Frank taking many of them in his career.
@CairtersSMFC
@Bingbud
@holmsy83
Some crowd there that day by all accounts.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjjoGSdXYAA-o3n?format=jpg&name=4096×4096
this is brilliant, love it when someone out there finds a picture I never seen before
———————————-
St.Anthony Retweeted
The Glasgow Irish
@55McCallum
#Celtic Quite a rare view of the Rangers end of Celtic Park in June 1897. A good view of the new cycle track which sparked the transformation of the Club into a Limited Liability company. http://theglasgowirish.com
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ejgr8HYWkAkkj_k?format=jpg&name=large
If we go on and win the 10 and Kris Commons turns up to the celebrations, do you boo him or cheer him?
I don’t think the window was good enough , sorry. I like the players brought in and I like the fact we kept some other players (assuming they want to be here – we don’t know that yet).
Left back has been brought in way way way too late – especially since hearing Lennon tracked him since last year.
We are not aggressive nor speculative enough, it may have caused us champs league qual and may cost us points against rangers.
LAST MINUTE DEALS SHOULD NOT BE FOR CRITICAL POSITIONS – TOO RISKY.
Papajoe
best wishes my friend.hope all are happy and healthy.:-)
exiled tim
thanks for the update on your good lady.will keep her in my prayers
God bless
hh
STEBHOY,
Couldn’t agree more. We get kicked off the park all too often (often enough without any compensation, like stonewall penalties). We need to start highlighting tackles like that inflicted on Klimala on Sunday and demanding justice. Look at the treatment regularly meted out to Tierney. The hammer throwers know they have virtual carte blanche to do their damnedest.
TheGlasgowIrish
Dundee United have a historic link with the Celtic. This game was played at the request of Brother Walfrid. The Harp were the second team to play Celtic to help fund the new club on 9 June 1888. A pound or two for their GO Fund campaign would be nice.
@dundeeunitedfc
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EcfrRgdWoAAI-dI?format=jpg&name=medium
Commons, Walker, Nicholas, Bonnar, Provan.
These guys have no sense of pride in the fact they were worshipped by the faithful at Celtic Park and are too keen to put the boot in to please their hun paymasters. These guys are the lowest of the low.
I will cheer Kris Commons, he gave us some wonderful hun skelping and championship winning moments
Huge welcome to baby Saskia
Huge Congrats papajoe to your daughter and family
And particularly to your good self and wider family 👍
I would only let Commons in , if he paid at the gate
Commons, like the other uncle Tims, did Celtic proud as a player but has done nothing but slag us off since he got his 5 minutes of fame on TV or the press, I wouldn’t let him within a mile of Celtic park. Prick.
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock Retweeted
COPA90
@Copa90
·
4h
Nakamura has scored over 50 free kicks while playing professionally, so he can quite clearly do it with a football.
But can he do it with a rugby ball?
https://twitter.com/i/status/1313480048930951173
THE EXILED TIM on 6TH OCTOBER 2020 7:15 PM
Our new signing from South America won’t be back in Glasgow till Friday, the game against the hun is mid day on Saturday, not a hope in hell will Lenny start him against thems, not a hope.
—
Our new man doesn’t appear to be in the Uruguay squad.
this tickled me a bit,
Nortei Nortey is the Managers latest addition to the squad. Welcome to Palmerston. > http://qosfc.com/news-5250
Wee bit of digging and from the Sun:
“Neil Lennon’s squad is scattered all around Europe right now due to international commitments.
But Laxalt will get to work at Lennoxtown this week as he looks to hit the ground running.”
I reckon he’ll play.
HH
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock
@TheShamrock1888
Celtic Retro magazine/site. Exploring and celebrating the story of Celtic FC, its support and the history of the Irish in Scotland Flag of IrelandFlag of ScotlandShamrock
4,445 Following
11.9K Followers
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock
25.3K Tweets
See new Tweets
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock
@TheShamrock1888
Celtic Retro magazine/site. Exploring and celebrating the story of Celtic FC, its support and the history of the Irish in Scotland Flag of IrelandFlag of ScotlandShamrock
Dear Green Place the-shamrock.netJoined November 2013
4,445 Following
11.9K Followers
Tweets
Tweets & replies
Media
Likes
The Shamrock Magazine☘️’s Tweets
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock Retweeted
When Saturday Comes
@WSC_magazine
·
Oct 5
Subscribe to WSC by direct debit and get your first 12 issues for just £24.99 – we’ll even send you a free book or T-shirt as well https://shop.wsc.co.uk/wsc-subscription-offers.html
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock Retweeted
Celtic Football Club
@CelticFC
·
Oct 5
Camera with flash You’re never going to keep
@KlimalaPatryk
down! Fisted hand
Strength White heavy check mark Attitude White heavy check mark Composure White heavy check mark
#MondayMotivation from Polish Paddy Flag of PolandFour leaf clover
GIF
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock
@TheShamrock1888
·
Oct 5
Mixed fortunes for Scotland’s refereeing fraternity yesterday. Bro Walsh’s fine performance at Perth was undermined by 2 late Celtic goals which left him inconsolable.
Bro Aitken was at his best against the mighty Ross County with 2 great penalty decisions to ensure victory.
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock Retweeted
Celtic TV
@CelticTV
·
Oct 5
Ajer’s skill Dizzy symbol
Elhamed’s cross Direct hit
Griffiths’ finish Fire
Klimala’s determination Flexed biceps
Soccer ball #𝙎𝙏𝙅𝘾𝙀𝙇 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚 𝘼𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 Soccer ball
44.6K views
0:04 / 1:37
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock Retweeted
Lost Glasgow
@LostGlasgow
·
Oct 5
Sad, today, to hear of the death, aged 90, of Anna Heraghty – the licensee of MJ Heraghty’s, on Pollokshaws Road, since 1973.
She pulled an awful lot of pints of stout. I’ll raise one to her memory tonight.
Picture: Adrian McMurchie
—————————–
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjjcowVXsAAwoaO?format=jpg&name=medium
Big Wavy
Thanks for that, I assumed he was as he has been in all their other squads for the past couple of years, in that case maybes he will start, but as most of the others will be away and he won’t be in tune with the rest of the squad maybes not :>}
HH