Celtic Non Matchday Discussion Season 2014/15

Il_Bomber_Destro · February 8, 2015, 10:31am

We seem to be in a very solid financial position now. Do you reckon there is any chance of Denayer staying on permanently, lads? I don’t think he’ll ever break into the City team given the money due to their excess resources and restricted chances for young academy players. I know he said he’d like to return to City when he originally joined but he’s been steadily improving and this is down to playing regularly. I’d say there’s a good chance he’ll be back for a second loan spell but I’d like him here on a permanent deal.

He’s had a call up to the Belgian national side so I’d imagine there will be competition for his signature, this is my one gripe with these type of loans. Obviously Guidetti and Denayer have had an impact but there’s a big possibility that we will have two big holes to fill next season and no cash incoming from the players who have left them. I’d be hoping we have centre backs lined up for coming in next January - we actually haven’t been that active on the bosman ruling in recent seasons considering the initial success we’ve had from the likes of Ledley, Matthews, Lustig etc.

There’s actually not too much need for next year as far as I’m concerned:

[LIST]
[*][SIZE=3]Obviously Van Dijk will be leaving so we need a replacement and if Denayer goes then that means we need two. I feel we also need another centre half because I don’t trust Ambrose at all. Some competition for Izzy at left back would be nice as well. Another backup option in goal might be considered as well.[/SIZE]
[/LIST]

[LIST]
[*][SIZE=3]Another option for one of the central midfield roles would be fine, we have Brown, Mulgrew and Bitton here now with Johansen, Armstrong and Henderson capable of doing a job here so it’s not really that much of a [/SIZE]necessity[SIZE=3].[/SIZE]
[/LIST]

[LIST]
[*][SIZE=3]I wouldn’t mind another option for the left hand side of attack, at the moment it is Stokes position and there are other players capable of playing there but I don’t think they are entirely comfortable. Again not a necessity but it would be a boost.[/SIZE]
[/LIST]

[LIST]
[*][SIZE=3]If Guidetti doesn’t sign then I think we’ll be in the market for another striker.[/SIZE]
[/LIST]
I would then expect the following players to leave:

[LIST]
[]Wakaso
[]Tonev
[]Boerrigter
[]Rogic
[]Pukki
[]Balde
[*]Van Dijk
[/LIST]
I don’t see much hope for McGregor and McGeouch either with the arrivals of Mackay-Steven and Armstrong.

Bandage · February 9, 2015, 12:48pm

Music superstar Nathan Carter turned up at Celtic Park earlier for the stadium tour and did an impromptu performance for those in attendance. Wonderful scenes:
[ATTACH=full]2363[/ATTACH]

In even better news, we’ve been ranked as the third most financially stable club in Europe after Ajax and Arsenal in some index thingy or other. Who needs trophies when you get recognition like this?
http://www.celticfc.net/news/7622

Il_Bomber_Destro · February 9, 2015, 12:53pm

[QUOTE=“Bandage, post: 1088980, member: 9”]Music superstar Nathan Carter turned up at Celtic Park earlier for the stadium tour and did an impromptu performance for those in attendance. Wonderful scenes:
[ATTACH=full]2363[/ATTACH]

In even better news, we’ve been ranked as the third most financially stable club in Europe after Ajax and Arsenal in some index thingy or other. Who needs trophies when you get recognition like this?
http://www.celticfc.net/news/7622[/QUOTE]

Where did Sevco rank?

Bandage · February 9, 2015, 1:46pm

Cup quarter final draw at 2pm, bhoys.

Rocko · February 9, 2015, 1:46pm

[QUOTE=“Il Bomber Destro, post: 1088311, member: 2533”]We seem to be in a very solid financial position now. Do you reckon there is any chance of Denayer staying on permanently, lads? I don’t think he’ll ever break into the City team given the money due to their excess resources and restricted chances for young academy players. I know he said he’d like to return to City when he originally joined but he’s been steadily improving and this is down to playing regularly. I’d say there’s a good chance he’ll be back for a second loan spell but I’d like him here on a permanent deal.

He’s had a call up to the Belgian national side so I’d imagine there will be competition for his signature, this is my one gripe with these type of loans. Obviously Guidetti and Denayer have had an impact but there’s a big possibility that we will have two big holes to fill next season and no cash incoming from the players who have left them. I’d be hoping we have centre backs lined up for coming in next January - we actually haven’t been that active on the bosman ruling in recent seasons considering the initial success we’ve had from the likes of Ledley, Matthews, Lustig etc.

There’s actually not too much need for next year as far as I’m concerned:

[LIST]
[*][SIZE=3]Obviously Van Dijk will be leaving so we need a replacement and if Denayer goes then that means we need two. I feel we also need another centre half because I don’t trust Ambrose at all. Some competition for Izzy at left back would be nice as well. Another backup option in goal might be considered as well.[/SIZE]
[/LIST]

[LIST]
[*][SIZE=3]Another option for one of the central midfield roles would be fine, we have Brown, Mulgrew and Bitton here now with Johansen, Armstrong and Henderson capable of doing a job here so it’s not really that much of a [/SIZE]necessity[SIZE=3].[/SIZE]
[/LIST]

[LIST]
[*][SIZE=3]I wouldn’t mind another option for the left hand side of attack, at the moment it is Stokes position and there are other players capable of playing there but I don’t think they are entirely comfortable. Again not a necessity but it would be a boost.[/SIZE]
[/LIST]

[LIST]
[*][SIZE=3]If Guidetti doesn’t sign then I think we’ll be in the market for another striker.[/SIZE]
[/LIST]
I would then expect the following players to leave:

[LIST]
[]Wakaso
[]Tonev
[]Boerrigter
[]Rogic
[]Pukki
[]Balde
[*]Van Dijk
[/LIST]
I don’t see much hope for McGregor and McGeouch either with the arrivals of Mackay-Steven and Armstrong.[/QUOTE]
Denayer made some noises recently about going on loan to the EPL next season if he’s to prove himself to City. Might have been quotes out of context, and he was talking more about City’s expectations for him, rather than his own preference, but it didn’t bode well for his chances of coming on loan again, never mind signing permanently. I think 2 years would be a good return to get out of a loan signing anyway - better than the 6 months out of Bellamy or Keane etc.

Yeah midfield has been shored up a bit but I think we’re still short on pure central midfielders. We have Brown and Bitton as pure central midfielders, Mulgrew and Henderson who are fairly natural there but might not be ideal and then there’s the more attacking players who can drop back. It provides a bit of cover but I think I’d like one more natural holding player to replace Bitton if he gets injured.

Centre back remains the biggest need. I think we’re already one short there. I really don’t want to see Ambrose playing there any more. I reckon Lustig or Mulgrew are better options to fill in if Denayer or Virgil are injured but both are probably more natural elsewhere. Was surprised we didn’t go after Sean St Ledger or someone (considering past interest) but obviously there’s a consensus among managers/scouts that his days are numbered.

thedancingbaby · February 9, 2015, 2:05pm

Away to Dundee Utd in quarter finals of Scottish Cup

Bandage · February 9, 2015, 3:35pm

Probably the toughest draw possible. Either that or Caley Thistle away. Celtic now play Dundee United three weekends in a row at three different venues in March - 7th/8th at Tannadice in the Cup, 15th at Hampden in the League Cup final and the following weekend at Celtic Park in the league.

Bandage · February 10, 2015, 2:50pm

Lustig has been ruled out for 3-4 weeks. He’s a superior player to Matthews so that’s quite a blow. Likely to miss the Inter Milan tie now.

Commons is also doubtful for tomorrow night with a slight hamstring strain.

Armstrong and Mackay-Steven are in the squad.

Bandage · February 16, 2015, 10:09pm

Tonev, McGregor, Henderson and Scepovic played for the development team against Falkirk tonight. Celtic won 2-0 and Tonev was apparently very lively and set up a goal for Scepovic in a 2-0 victory. He could be an option from the bench on Thursday night but is probably behind 3 or 4 players for a wide attacking role now. McGregor and Henderson were withdrawn at half time while Michael Duffy, the recent signing from Derry, made the first goal for Calvin Miller.

Il_Bomber_Destro · February 16, 2015, 10:24pm

Is Calvin Miller the bhoywonder we have?

Bandage · February 16, 2015, 10:34pm

That’s the bhoy alright.

Il_Bomber_Destro · February 16, 2015, 10:38pm

Where does he play, midfielder? Winger? Forward?

Bandage · February 16, 2015, 10:58pm

I don’t know. I’ll ask Paul The Tim.

Check this out:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=3zIUYyC60OA

Bertie Auld.

Il_Bomber_Destro · February 16, 2015, 11:21pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYQ3yN0bvdk

mickee321 · February 16, 2015, 11:34pm

if sean dillon has any gumption about him he will smash that quisling cunt mackay steven’s leg .
those 2 transfers summed up the pitiful nature of the scottish game, all the clubs there are feeder clubs for Celtic and Sevco who are in turn feeder clubs for the English Championship and the Juliper League.
dundee utd having a decent season, next thing their only 2 half decent players are flogged for pittance to their main rivals mid season… there’s just a complete lack of dignity about the whole thing really

Il_Bomber_Destro · February 16, 2015, 11:41pm

[QUOTE=“mickee321, post: 1093230, member: 367”]if sean dillon has any gumption about him he will smash that quisling cunt mackay steven’s leg .
those 2 transfers summed up the pitiful nature of the scottish game, all the clubs there are feeder clubs for Celtic and Sevco who are in turn feeder clubs for the English Championship and the Juliper League.
dundee utd having a decent season, next thing their own 2 half decent players are flogged for pittance to their main rivals mid season[/QUOTE]

That’s endemic of football as a whole, not confined to Scottish football. Dortmund lost Kagawa, Lewandoswki and Gotze after winning titles and reaching European Cup finals. Atletico lost Costa, Falcao, Aguero, Luis etc after winning league titles, Europa Leagues and reaching European Cup finals. Sadly, football is now business and a few teams have all the resources to take care of any threat. Look at Bayern pillaging Dortmund for its best players.

What is pitiful though is the English game, all that money and hype yet all they can produce is soulless tripe.

Il_Bomber_Destro · February 21, 2015, 11:28am

The average age of the players involved on Thursday night was 24.07 the average age of the outfield players was 23.46.

Gordon 32
Matthews 23
Denayer 19
Van Dijk 23
Izaguirre 28
Brown 29
Bitton 23
Mackay-Steven 24
Johansen 24
Griffiths 24
Armstrong 22

Ambrose 26
Guidetti 22
Henderson 18

Bandage · March 3, 2015, 1:17pm

[ATTACH=full]2459[/ATTACH]

Ronny giving it straight in today’s press conference.

Armstrong (glute), Commons (tight hamstring) and Griffiths (ankle) don’t have serious injuries but they may not be risked tomorrow night.

Izaguirre is also expected to miss out again with a broken finger.

Bandage · March 3, 2015, 10:40pm

Is our game on TV tomorrow night?

Rocko · March 3, 2015, 10:47pm

Nope.