30 Nov 2017 11:51:07
Hi Ed, Just a wee question on our unbeaten run. It's a marvelous achievement and i hope it goes on and on but do you think it actually hampers us at the moment with regards to throwing in some fringe players/ youngsters to freshen things up. Some of the players look tired and in urgent need of rest. I guess the ideal situation would be to get to the break unbeaten. I'd like to see Kouassi, Henderson, Ajer and even young Johnston given some game time.
{Ed007's Note - I don't think it's hampering young players, it's showing them the standard and level they need to reach at Celtic and it's up to them to show the manager and his staff that they're ready for the permanent step up to the first team squad, youngsters aren't going to learn anything sitting on the bench instead of playing games for the Under 21's or their youth team.
I expect Ajer to move out on loan in January btw.}
30 Nov 2017 12:18:43
Hoping for that myself he was making good progress on loan playing every week, like Christie is. Would far rather the best of our youngsters were on loan rather than playing for development team. Was watching one of Simon Ferrys interviews i think it was the one with Barry Ferguson and Ferguson said these young players are not learning playing against players they have played against year in year out at different age levels and that the reserve league should be brough back so that the youngsters can learn every game playing beside fringe players or first team players coming back from injury. I agree with that.
{Ed007's Note - Players need to be at a certain level before they go out on loan but I agree that more of our youngsters should be out on loan to get regular games. Kouassi would be another one who could benefit from a 6 month loan to get games under his belt now that he is more settled in his personal life.}
30 Nov 2017 13:09:47
I like the look of him Ed i think himself and Ntcham can be big players for us next season. Hopefully get Benyu out aswel.
{Ed007's Note - I had forgotten about Benyu. He was meant to go straight out on loan until Rodgers seen him against Kilmarnock(?) but he seems to have slipped off the radar since then so a loan in January is definitely a possibility.}
30 Nov 2017 22:16:23
If Ajer goes out on loan in January he will join Christie as another promising youth that will never again play a meaningful game for Celtic. Over the last ten years we have loaned out dozens of players and only McGregor has created a Celtic career for himself . I am sure loaning players out is primarily to give them some exposure and hopefully someone will come in for them.
01 Dec 2017 06:31:01
Another thing about the unbeaten run, what would you rather do, if the championship is won, in that enough points have been amassed, and say, eg, there are still seven games left in the season, would you rather give some of the young players game time, and help them develop, by playing them in meaningful games (for the opposition, they might be trying to get into Europe) , or would you rather play the strongest team possible, to try and maintain the unbeaten run, I mean, what would be in the best interest of the club?, the unbeaten run will have to end sometime, but some youngster might get let go, because he never got a real chance to show his capabilities.
01 Dec 2017 07:25:33
Totally disagree with that Chris you are just assuming that's what will happen why can't Christie who has been Aberdeens best player be the same as McGregor and become a better player for being out on loan, same with Ajer. These lads are progressing better than the players playing in development league playing to 30 fans against lads their same age who they play season after season. Or maybe we can just keep them on the bench where they can enjoy a free season ticket and not progress. Christie has done enough at Aberdeen to warrent a game for Celtic right now. Henderson was also out on loan and game back and impressed although hasn't had a look in under BR.