Reading Auston Trusty talk about his performance against Atalanta last season was illuminating. Having played for bottom of the table Sheffield United in the EPL season 2023-24, he was adjusted to defending deep every week of the season. Season 2022-23 was spent with Birmingham, who finished 17th in the Championship. Celtic’s more natural game, where central defenders play high up the field and have lots more possession, would have been alien to the default style the player arrived with.
We got the breaks against Atalanta but it required a super-human effort by Auston, Liam Scales, Alex Valle and Alistair Johnston to get to the end of the game without conceding. Even if Auston was ready to hit the ground as a back-to-the-wall defender, there was a requirement to develop his other (potential) talents.
There will be more back-to-the-wall games in Europe this season but we should look for growth in Auston in possession.
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Morning bedwetters!
It isn’t Monday anymore.
EC67
Celtic40me @ 11:32 am,
Well, back in the day, I was regarded as a happy clapper and then went to a mineshafter, that a dozen years ago, so change my argument yes, regularly – no.
Over ten years ago I was making the same points on here, as I am now, pretty much one of the most consistent contributors.
Now, I’m not saying I’ve always been right.
Then I argued as Rangers have died and UEFA brought in the Champions path for qualification that we should be investing more money on recruitment and keeping our HVPs so we could qualify for the UCL and make more money.
Wiser fholk than I argued that the money we’d have to spend v the risk of failing v the income from the UCL made it too risky a strategy.
Now of course the UCL has been restructured with much greater income, Celtic are in a better position to qualify and we are in a much sounder financial footing.
So those that disagreed with me all those years ago and agree with me now, have not necessarily changed their mind, just reviewed the changing circumstances and agree with the approach now.
Yet for me, my position hasn’t changed, however I’m willing to accept the position was a lot riskier then than it is now.
Hail Hail
mon the trusty!
Auston Trusty is an interesting point…
My feeling was he could cope admirably with International football, European football and had some sound qualities, Arsenal obviously thought the young Trusty had something about him.
Yet dealing with the undue physicality of SPL players, particularly the forwards and the odd partial officiating that goes hand in glove, seemed to be a huge challenge.
It’s still my opinion that Nic Kuhn getting ABH while the perpetrator was receiving admiring glances from officials had a lot to do with the lads inconsistent last sixteen months and eventual move.
I expect to see a much better version of Auston Trusty this season.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
AIPPLE on 29TH JULY 2025 12:02 PM
Morning bedwetters!
It isn’t Monday anymore.
————————————
We need first team quality, ready made, difference making bedwetters 🫢
I like Auston.
Has a kultchured left peg and good height and presence; could get a bit more mongrel as well.
It’s helpful not just to judge players on their pure individual merits but on how they perform as part of the wider unit or team around them. The whole defence was up for it v Atalanta.
Hope Paul is right and that we get to see another side of the likeable big ghuy.
Good too that Welshy’s shooder injury wasn;t too bad; hopefully Mechelen bound for a bit of cash our way.
https://thecelticunderground.substack.com/p/roi-a-guide-not-a-gatekeeper?utm_source=substack&publication_id=2631292&post_id=169294782&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=4532ki&triedRedirect=true
To paraphrase Aipple, Bonjour pisse en lits, which, given the average age of CQNers, is no joke so it isnae.
Good afternoon all.
Afternoon BRRB
CHAIRBHOY on 29TH JULY 2025 12:03 PM
Changing your mind and contradicting yourself are two different things.
Strategy is not something we can change on a whim. Like Brendan says “ People know the model over a number of years.,” although not everyone understood it, it wasnt that long ago that you said yourself
We’ve gone from Brendan “working with the players he’s given”, to your good self saying” no more projects” within months. Two squads, small squads, dont sell your best players, only sign players at their peak, the recruitment strategy has changed, it’s the same, no more “moneyball,” no data-driven signings, sign them cheap and let Brendan have a look at them.
You can’t play at Strategy, or your business will fail
Will there be “more backs-to-the-wall games in Europe thus season” though?
At best our current odds of getting through the play-off round is 50%. If we spend some money on quality at this late stage we’re probably only increasing those odds to 60% at best.
Or is P67 suggesting even Europa League teams will force our back to the wall? Is that because failure to qualify for the ECL will likely lead to the sales of Maeda and Hatate? So whether in the ECL (with those two) or Europa League we can expect to be outmatched?
Having competed so strongly last year the logic of this is that we accept regression whilst building up cash reserves.
Mind you, we’re world class at peddling merch, so at least we now know why we exist.
“There will be more back-to-the-wall games in Europe this season but we should look for growth in Auston in possession”.
Yes indeed.
I have 3 criteria that need fulfilled in order to improve.
One of them is exponential improvement in the performance of Trusty, Idah and Engles.
Trusty played very well against Newcastle who came at us and made it a proper game of football.
Can’t remember if he played against Ajax, but it will be interesting to see who starts at left CB against St Mirren.
As for the other two🤔
Celtic40me @ 12:27 pm,
Look, I’ve quoted the Chairman ‘s description of the strategy many times, I stated that I agreed with that strategy many times.
The ‘moneyball” approach is a model within the overall strategy.
It’s important that the moneyball model is not taken as the overall strategy.
Now, I have sympathy with any CQNer who gets the two confused.
Paul67, often cites this “model” as Celtic’s approach to recruitment.
Mar
Cont….. Mark Lawwell followed this approach strictly in 2023.
However it has never been the overall strategy, just a prong in a multi-pronged strategy.
In other words
Don’t believe the hype
Hail Hail
Maccabi or Kyiv
Slovan or KeiratAlmaty
Qarbag or Steau
3 of these will likely join
Basel
Sturm Graz
As possible play off opponents in next Monday’s draw.
Although I would love Pafos to upset the seedings and beat Maccabi tomorrow evening in Serbia and then Kyiv. (Currently 1–1).
Not sure I remember us playing a Cypriot side in Europe before ?
Point of above post and relevance is some of these maybe ‘backs to the wall’ and some maybe not.
Likewise if in Europa and we do lose on £4m or £8m swing of cash v our domestic rival then we could still face several quality teams this season. Especially if the draw does not favour us.
Blogger GM
It will be interesting to see who starts at left cb v St Mirren. They have some pretty sizeable front men. They also play on transitions and set pieces. Neither have been AT strengths so far.
We’re only now getting rid of the frogs we kissed in the previous couple of seasons who, sadly, turned out to be nothing but frogs.
In line with strategy, we have replaced them with frogs who already look as if they may have princely qualities, just waiting to shed that slimy skin . Are we getting better at this business or just getting lucky?
As for the £6m +signings we appear to be nervy about , I just wonder if Trusty , Idah and Engels had hit the ground running (instead of jogging) would we be more confident of pursuing that market? Others have fairly made the point that even ‘first team ready’ players may take a season to adjust .
Just my musings .
CHAIRBHOY on 29TH JULY 2025 12:48 PM
Celtic40me @ 12:27 pm,
“Look, I’ve quoted the Chairman ‘s description of the strategy many times, I stated that I agreed with that strategy many times.”
You have also argued against the model consistently and very forcefully over the last two years and claimed to have no understanding of how it could work. The model that you say hasnt changed and you seem to be fully behind now.
If changing your mind about it is suggesting you were wrong then “chapeau” as the saying goes, it undermines your views a little if you do a 180 turn on them on a whim, though
But you got there in the end which is what’s important
I look forward to you arguing in favor of it with the same energy you put into arguing against it
BSR
re: Difference making bedwetters.
Aye, I’m keeping the plastic sheets on the bed and tinfoil hat on my heid.
I like Trusty.
I think he is an improvement on Liam Scales (who has also improved and contributed).
When Auston signed i think I recall reference to a stat (not the stat itself) that he had the best successful passing stats of any defender playing for any really rubbish team in the top European leagues?
Brendan spoke midseason about the need for new players to be able to handle playing for Celtic, citing previous really talented guys who just couldn’t deal with the expectation.
Auston has a year under his belt.
He’s a good athlete and I have hopes for him holding down LCB in a stable back four of KT-AT-CCV-AJ.
One suggested area of urgent improvement?
Visible aggression.
He’s a big guy but – facially – looks like a mild mannered, gentle person.
I’d like to see him pointedly put a striker on his ass.
Just cos …
No striker in particular. Any will do.
OK, maybe someone from Livingston.
Hrvatski Jim on previous thread.
Re deadlines for signings – thank you
It’s not unrealistic that we could be facing
Basel or Sturm Graz (both champions)
As rangers take on Feyenoord 3rd or Fenerbache 2nd or Salzburg 2nd for CL qualification.
Although Benfica or Brugge are current seeds to play them.
The £8m swing is not completely ridiculous.
this is a serious question – and open to the whole forum.
it is not in favour of the current personnel that own the plc/fc or the make up of the boards ……
but if the desire is to have desmond bought out – no lawwell ivolvement, and a new set of executives, welll whom and with what skill set should they bring that would allow this plc to do anything different,
how much to get a controloing interest in celtic , £300m as a guess.
and then what, what is in it for the new owners ?
instantly – lets pay ourselves dividens, all in favour say aye.
think about it, what do you actually envision for us ?
Celtic40me @ 1:09 pm,
Please try to understand….
It’s the semantics that are confusing.
Here is our official strategy…
Our successfully proven strategy has delivered stability and footballing success over many years and remains the same. We must balance the signing of players that can be developed and sold when conditions are optimal alongside the need to sign players who are able to make an immediate impact and deliver footballing success. The execution of this strategy is increasingly challenging owing to wage and transfer inflation, but this formula has underpinned both our footballing success and financial stability over a number of years now and it is vital that we adhere to it.”
Peter T Lawwell, Chairman
September 18, 2023
Got It!?
I agree with the offocial strategy
Got That!?
Paul67 often cites the moneyball approach as the only show in town – it isn’t
Got That!?
Paul67 often states stuff like a signing has gone “off piste” – it hasn’t, it is only his opinion
Got That!?
Now, I have a lot of sympathy for those who get confused as kot only us the moneyball approach CQN’s preferred “model”, ot is obviously senior people on the Celtic’s Board preferred strategy.
As I’ve said, in 2023 Mark Lawwell stuck strictly to the moneyball model – yet it never was Celtic’s overall strategy
It was just one prong of the overall strategy
Got It!?
Here is Celtic”s official strategy….
“We must balance the signing of players that can be developed and sold when conditions are optimal alongside the need to sign players who are able to make an immediate impact and deliver footballing success.
I agree with the official strategy
Hail Hail
GLENDALYS
Frog One…….. is playing on Sunday
I don’t see the relevance in talk of £8 million swings when we’ve ten times that in cash. If you don’t spend then money is irrelevant.
Desmond exercises a control over Celtic but he does not have a controlling interest. His level of control far exceeds his shareholding.
Saint Stivs on 29th July 2025 12:18 pm
https://thecelticunderground.substack.com/p/roi-a-guide-not-a-gatekeeper?utm_source=substack&publication_id=2631292&post_id=169294782&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=4532ki&triedRedirect=true
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Good article, thanks for sharing. An issue rasied in it, amongst others, was ROI in enhanced communication and finding new ways to contact and create interaction. Throughout the pre-season, I received several emails promoting the benefits of becoming a Celtic TV subscriber—highlighting access to live games, behind-the-scenes content, and more. I found it frustrating to receive these messages as someone who has already been a subscriber for many years.
This isn’t about branding or identity—it’s about the most basic level of customer interaction. It’s disappointing that the Club’s communication systems don’t seem to recognise or reflect my existing relationship with Celtic TV. It gives the impression that the Club doesn’t know who its customers are, which undermines the sense of connection and loyalty that so many fans feel.
This issue may seem minor, but it reflects a broader concern that many supporters have raised about communication from the Club—whether it’s updates on Barrowfield, infrastructure developments, or player news. Addressing these seemingly small issues could go a long way in improving the overall fan experience and rebuilding trust.
I’d put our chances of qualifying for the Champions League at 20%
I’d put R2ngers chances at 80%.
What’s my evidence base for this assertion?
…. er ….
McPhail Bhoy – I hear you and agree.
Create a new director level role with teeth.
Chief Customer Officer, (CCO).
Right now the fan/customer stuff crudely handled by two functions at opposite ends of the hierarchy.
SLO, JPT – a great bloke but not empowered. Ends up handling volumes of small stuff …
… while once in a blue moon the Chairman or CEO says summat.
IMHO, crying out for a simple, but significant, change.
GDT – “I just wonder if Trusty , Idah and Engels had hit the ground running (instead of jogging) would we be more confident of pursuing that market? Others have fairly made the point that even ‘first team ready’ players may take a season to adjust”.
Interesting question and a good point.
IMHO the answer to the question is yes. Imagine if Trusty, Idah and Engels improve little and we spend another £25/30m on 3 new players who come in and are also inconsistent and underwhelming?
That could mean £50m+ spent on 6 players where we have to cut our loses at some point and the guy who signed them may not be around to pick up the pieces.
I personally would not take that risk.
Which brings me to your point on players taking time to settle.
Along with exponential improvement in Trusty, Idah and Engels, the second of my criteria for improvement is that new players coming in hit the ground running faster and contribute more than Trusty, Idah and Engels. Indeed, my definition of ‘first team ready’ is the ability to stand out almost immediately e.g. Juranovic, AJ, CCV, Jota, Hatate, Maeda, Kyogo, Abada to mention a few in recent times.
FWIW, my third criteria is that we retain Maeda.
An Dun – don’t quote me, but I think DD has a third of the ordinary shares outstanding but also owns preference shares that confer disproportionate voting rights.
The Blogger Formerly Known As GM @ 1:54 pm,
A couple of points, Arne Engels is a development player, he should be given two or three seasons.
Secondly, there are no losses.
It strikes me that people who want to ignore or make excuses for real losses, as in the case of Ajeti, Barkad and Jullien
Are quick to point to the non-existent losses we have made on Engels, Idah and Trusty
Our player development and recruitment strategy is working a treat with huge profits and currently no losses.
Hail Hail
An Dun
It doesn’t exceed his share if his proxy’s are included.
Also worth highlighting Chris T and family are next largest with 10% or so. Generally he and DD align on most things although not all and not always.
Chris is not in it for short term. Although like DD I doubt he would be happy with the losses we saw back in the MON era. Neither of our main shareholders are driven by a Murray type ego and risk taking mentality.
Maybe that is good. Maybe that is bad ?
McPhail Bhoy
It shouldnt be hard to segment an email list into buyers and non buyers.
Then break the buyers into segments based on their buying history
So when we send an email selling something, people that have already bought that product don’t get that email.
It’s basic list management.
Chairbhoy
Perhaps the thinking at end of 22/3 season was that we had a good mix of quality with Kyogo CCV Maeda Harare MOR AJ Cal Abada and had just won another treble. Perhaps the feeling was the mix needed sorted re development players at that time.
Perhaps we called that wrong. Perhaps also we made some wrong choices or made some mistakes in how and when we introduced certain players. We had injuries for instance and I can’t imagine the team we put out at Feyenoord away or at Ibrox was close to what our manager would have liked. It certainly didn’t fit with developing some young new signings.
No blame attaching here. Just maybe indicating we didn’t really change from strategy in totality. We maybe just didn’t read how it was going to work with a new manager.