Celtic Banter Archive August 16 2018

16 Aug 2018 22:18:37
Hi all, first time poster here. Can I just say as much as the last 2 games have hurt, it was only 2 games, where 1 we rested too many players and the other we had too many injuries. These problems came when the season has just started, we will only get stronger.
All the negatives are coming from the press and the other side of glasgow trying to bring us down.
Believe me that lot will collapse soon, I actually hope they qualify for the Europa group stages cause they don't have a squad like us as we have shown in previous seasons.
They're disciplinary is terrible and they've still to pick their injuries up yet. Mr Gerrard and co are getting a little too excited for me way too much early.

16 Aug 2018 20:39:30
Now that we have had a few days to analized the game I would like to air my thoughts.
This is not the first time we have been in this position over the last 18 years. Henrik and MON both decided enough was enough and left after we failed to strenghen when we had achieved brilliant success.
We then brought in GS and only after the Bratislava debacle did we give him the funds to strengten. He left when Naka left and again we failed to replace appropiately
We followed that by paying compensation for a manager who was about to be sacked
Then again we paid out good money on bad buying Fortune when we could have bought Fletcher {I know he ended up a poor player but that was after his injury.
Then realizing our mistake we gave NL the team to rebuild which took 2 seasons clearing the old and bringing in the new. I could continue to point out the pattern of failing to strengthen when sucessful and buying cheaply to replace very good players who leave seeking a club willing to build on success. I fear MD and BR may leave soon and we will repeat the same mistakes.
Lastly I would like to point out the one common factor throughout this period Peter Lawell.

16 Aug 2018 20:48:43
Fletcher was a poor player before injury.

17 Aug 2018 07:28:29
Did Martin not leave because of his wife’s ill health?

17 Aug 2018 22:23:47
Martin had squeezed so much money out of D D . That D D had to appoint P L to rein in Martin's spending.

16 Aug 2018 20:20:29
Evening Ed

I have been wanting to join and post having long observed the opinion and views of others and so here goes

The key to a successful season will rest with the current first X1. They haven't become dreadful overnight, and now more than ever over the past few years they need our support to rebuild their confidence. A couple of signings won't, in itself, make the difference in terms of success. Existing players getting organised, hungry, confident, committed, fit and motivated WILL make a massive difference all told.

The fans have a part to play in this too. Being bullish and confident is easy when we're sweeping everything in front of us aside, but mettle I tested when the chips aren't falling for us as we'd like.

I do wonder whether Tierney being actively marketed out of the club helped? The summer window so far has been about our big ticket players potentially leaving, and the public relations around that hasn't been the best. The McGinn saga has left a bit of a sour taste too.

However, if we can regroup, thrash Thistle and Accies and get back in to a groove ( Rosenborg second half) then perhaps an old firm triumph and EL qualification will steady us a little?

One last point. BR has been saying the right things but I do see a bit of tiredness and blankness in his delivery in terms of messaging. If he's vague and unsure and dissatisfied ( however justified) he needs to regroup too and LEAD his charges, especially now

Thanks Ed.

16 Aug 2018 21:01:30
Finely conceived and well executed first post, Deidrykb.

16 Aug 2018 21:14:39
@deidrykb welcome to the site, look forward to more of your posts hail hail.

16 Aug 2018 21:30:11
Much obliged both, followed your respective posts for a while and look forward to contributing 😁.

16 Aug 2018 19:36:01
I would also hazard a educated guess that the club have spent coming on for 20million pounds this summer between French Eddy, Stadium improvements that have to be made and contracts given to Rogic and Tierney with wage rises and length of contracts, I would also hazard a guess they were going to up Boyata's wage which obviously hasn't worked out the way they had hoped but still would have to be budgeted for no?

16 Aug 2018 22:16:52
good points royjac73.
We have managed to consolidate a few and Boyata spat out the dummy as he figured he was bigger than the club having played in the WC. (Good riddance)
We hear about how we have not signed anyone but the msm never tell us WHO we failed to sign (McGinn was always looking for a payday and WE were the obvious big fish until someone else appeared)
Celtic go about their business professionally so we will probably never know who may have been approached and said, thanks, but no thanks.

16 Aug 2018 18:17:12
Lots of rumours flying around about Denayer potentially being a goer. Tbh I've seen next to nothing of him since he was here and I would question the fact that Boyata was in Belgium's WC squad ahead of him. Ed do you reckon there's anything in it now that Galatasaray are apparently struggling to fund a deal?

{Ed007's Note - Denayer doesn't want to come back to Scotland so I can't see it - and if we're seen as a last resort - he also tried to get a move to Italy - should we even be considering him?}

16 Aug 2018 18:59:40
Think big VVD made him look good and don't really want him back.

16 Aug 2018 19:17:35
Vvd def made him look better than he is. We should have signed a quality CB before now. Now it's bargain basement time.

16 Aug 2018 19:18:54
Wouldn’t touch him. Doesn’t want to come and nowhere near good enough,

16 Aug 2018 19:30:32
Would be one the most underwhelming and desperate signings we’ve ever made! So it will probably happen!

16 Aug 2018 19:31:34
Like I said I haven’t seen him at all for a good while but I tend to agree Ed. I’d personally like someone a bit more commanding in stature and with a proven track record as a leader who can bring on the other guys.

16 Aug 2018 19:57:59
Would Liam Moore still be an option? Plus we still need to wait for a CH to leave first and that's no happened yet. So could be in for a long 2weeks left of this window. Just on a side note what is the deadline date for the Europa league play offs?

16 Aug 2018 20:27:57
The worrying thing now - on top of the CL exit and loss of cash - is the inevitable anti-climax whenever we do sign someone.
We will not spend millions, we will not attract the CL quality we have been craving to improve the team and we may even settle for yet another loan or two? I sincerely hope not because we clearly need a lift and more quality in key areas.

16 Aug 2018 16:27:56
Stan how dare you. I have an Alcatel onetouch FYI.

16 Aug 2018 16:52:26
Sometimes I think you physically post your replies Brendan and a few times it looks like you've forgotten to put a stamp on the envelope!

16 Aug 2018 16:58:33
Haha class.

16 Aug 2018 19:09:04
I love seeing Brendan's apparently random comments on their own at the top of a page. It's like playing 'Jeopardy', where you have to guess the question or the topic it relates to ha ha.

16 Aug 2018 21:04:08
He's a scatter gun for sure.

16 Aug 2018 12:44:01
forgot to mention Ed. Glad to see you guys removed the thumbs down option. imo it contributed nothing to any conversation and was a waste of time.

{Ed007's Note - 👍

16 Aug 2018 14:49:13
After we were bullied by that gang of "footballers" on Saturday, I'd like to see us sign a midfielder in the mould of John Ogu from Be'er Sheva. Nigerian International, 6'3", big threat at set pieces and hard men like Naismith would think twice about sinking the boot in him. He can do the box to box role but likely wouldn't match an on form Armstrong in the goals department.

16 Aug 2018 15:07:10
Lassana Coulibaly would have been a great signing and was available on loan how did Sevco beat us to signings like that what does our scout actually do.

16 Aug 2018 15:16:16
Decent trolling.

16 Aug 2018 15:43:08
Bring serious I watched the first leg hoping Sevco would get humped but he gave them something they hadn't had in a long time fight.

16 Aug 2018 16:08:17
Fair enough but I'm sure there are other battling central midfielders we could add to the squad.

16 Aug 2018 18:38:46
Kevbhoy, yes we were bullied hacked at and kicked by that crowd on Saturday and they were encouraged by Beaton and assistant . On top of that the SFA compliance team have shown they are not going to accept any Celtic player making contact with an opponent . This season is certainly going to be very difficult for us domestically because even though the refs and their assistants have always had it in for us, this season they have encouragement as the SMSM insist that Gerrard has revolutionised Rangers2012 and they will at least push us hard.
Brendan and P L need to remember who are real enemies are and concentrate on keeping them in their place.

16 Aug 2018 18:42:20
They will be no pushover this season. They will play against us just like Hearts did. We need to lrarn to give back as good as we get.

16 Aug 2018 18:55:32
How can we learn to give it back, the compliance team certainly won't allow it . Lafferty and Naismith continuously dished it out on Saturday . Other Hearts players were not shy either but somehow after Hearts hard over the top show Mr Copliance officer managed to site S Brown for a nothing incident . It doesn't take a genius to realise God forbid, if a Celtic player happened to touch an opponent ( 3 match ban I think )

16 Aug 2018 18:57:05
I smell a hundercover agent in this thread.

16 Aug 2018 20:05:57
Chris apart from Brown, we never put a challenge in.

16 Aug 2018 12:59:29
Now I've had a few days to calm down from the game on Tuesday.
The line has been drawn and we have to move forward and get back to a level that makes us all proud.
If I was B. R I would have a clear the air meeting with the players. The ones that don't won't to be at the club get them out ASAP. We what guys who what to fight for the Jersey.
I would urge all fans to get behind young Hendry (i know he isn't the best) he's young and the poor guy looks lost. Until we find a more experienced C. B he will play.
The Financial situation has just changed drastically and we may have to sell one of our major assets to help cushion the blow. But I hope and pray that we don't and money will still be available to bring new recruits in.
I expect a big reaction on Sat and let's shut up the Media who love it when we fail.
Faithful Through and Through.

16 Aug 2018 15:07:25
Part of the reason Hendry looks lost is because he is feeling the pressure of playing at a big club with huge expectation every week. He has also not been paired with an experienced stalwart to help him settle down and cut out the errors. Ajer is another young prospect and Simunovic has seriously went downhill since he came.
Ideally we place Boyata with the right type of leader and organizer and by the way - I don't think Gordon has helped the situation.

16 Aug 2018 16:42:17
Hendry is 23 years old not so young and I for one think he should not have a Celtic top on.

16 Aug 2018 19:04:30
Our biggest problem over the two games were our inability to score . Surely the fact we had not got our three very good strikers match fit for either of our AEK matches had the biggest consequences to our results . We suffered at both of the park Boyata, acting the spoilt child, but could have been an asset if he was a man . Ajer suspended and of course totally unfair as AEK were playing only their second game and we were playing 6th game, thus accumulative cards bearing suspension.
We were not a terrible team a week yesterday and we haven't changed much since.

16 Aug 2018 20:39:37
I think it is very unfair to keep casting up that Hendry is 23 and that is not young . He has only been playing in front of 50,000 to 60,000 people for a matter of months . In our fans there are a great number of excellent supporters encouraging our players and helping to build their confidence but there are also a small number of loudmouth thugs who shouldn't be allowed to mingle with home support and these tramps have decided Jack isn't good enough and do their best to destroy his confidence and result in him playing badly . With these loud mouths in action it isn't any surprise that J H sometimes looks young and vulnerable .
These thugs have been particularly hard on centre backs, they chased Ambrose, they are chasing Boyata and now preparing to destroy J Hendry .

16 Aug 2018 22:44:47
I don't think any one is destroying Hendry apart from himself Chris He is young by myself true but at 23 you can't say he is inexperienced yes he could come good at some point but why in a Celtic top? At this moment in time he is not good enough and I really doubt he ever will be. When I am at Paradise I cheer on all our players But we are all entitled to an opinion If Celtic do bring in another CB of quality who would you honestly drop?

16 Aug 2018 10:37:48
AND NOW THE GOOD NEWS

We are playing 4 qualifiers because of our poor coefficient, even making the CL group stages last 2 seasons never really helped as we lost most games. So dropping into Europa League, hopefully, will allow us to pick up some much needed coefficient points with some wins (2 points win 1 point draw same as CL) Also, with a bit of luck, if we do our bit, the other Scottish teams will pick up more coefficient points also to raise our whole Scottish coefficient.
Next is the sevconians and their gloating, they have not even WON their tie yet but are boasting about "going further than Celtic" and "putting in a serious challenge for the league" Sorry, sevconians, but even with all our troubles lately, we are still head and shoulders above the new club.
Next piece of good news, despite Lawwell's reluctance to sign any cheques, I believe at least 2 signings will be made before end of transfer window, probably funded by Boyata leaving (which will keep Pedro happy) Commper will probably be let go also.
Finally, for now, the bold "Lying King" is back in the Court of Sessions today, facing a Contempt of Court charge, once that is in force, King AND Sevco are doomed, both on and off the park.

16 Aug 2018 11:07:02
If I was you Tim I really wouldn’t worry about what that lot say. Everyone knows we are light years ahead of them. They don’t pose any threat whatsoever.

16 Aug 2018 11:32:23

CL groups guarantees 4 pts and then you build on that.

EL groups guarantees 3 pts but the further points aren't added to that. If you get 5 pts during the groups then your total will be 5 but if you get 2 pts then you'd be given the guaranteed 3. Also says EL is 1 pt for a win.

16 Aug 2018 11:33:32
Aye and we're light years ahead of them too when it comes to disco lights 🤣.

16 Aug 2018 11:59:50
Sorry Kevbhoy check your facts again.
UEFA have new rules from this season. Europa League is now same as CL 2points win 1 point draw, so the more wins the more points.
Remember our run to Seville, we gained lots of extra coefficient points because of that as did the people when they got to Manchester.
I got my facts straight from UEFA website, where did you get yours from.

16 Aug 2018 12:07:36
Is it not from next season that it is down to the individual clubs Co-Efficiency and not the nations?
So really it doesn't matter how the rest of the Scottish teams or even the National team performs.

16 Aug 2018 12:15:25
I was going to ask the same question Jonbhoy.

16 Aug 2018 12:39:41
I was just passing on what I saw on social media Tim but the first part of my post was removed. I'd heard the person was very reliable but if you've checked then I'll take your word for it.

16 Aug 2018 14:43:26
In fact I read it wrong altogether lol.

16 Aug 2018 15:05:33
They could be out of Europe tonight and out the League cup on Sunday.

16 Aug 2018 10:08:43
I'm in two minds here, part of me is saying this has been a blip and it'll open some of the players eyes that they can't just turn up and expect to win football matches, the other part of me is saying that we are on a slippery slope and players have become complacent and the squad has stagnated. Reading the posts here hasn't helped create a positive atmosphere either lol. Hopefully things pan out, its probably too much to ask for another Treble, but I'd be happy to get a run in EL and winning the league and a cup (as long as sevco don't win one) let's start getting positive about this season starting with this weekend!

16 Aug 2018 20:47:21
Surely eg93 you knew before you read the posts that you wouldn't get a positive atmosphere , the usual glass empty crowd took great delight after we won the treble in May, that we won less games in SPL this season than last .
Their Christmas came early this year losing 2 games in a row.

16 Aug 2018 06:23:05
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 16th August 2018