Celtic Banter Archive April 01 2021

01 Apr 2021 21:02:55
So with the sounds of it celtic have went for manager first before dof with new ceo being involved in the process which is encouraging my Question to you ED 007!is the dof idea being dismissed now?

{Ed007's Note - How do you know they've went for a manager before a DOF, has anything been announced? Maybe both appointments will be announced together and the DOF has been chosen already.}

01 Apr 2021 21:48:03
Agree Ed. Especially with Hammond leaving yesterday, I think DOF is sorted.

{Ed007's Note - Things seem to be accelerating quickly since Hammond's exit was announced.}

01 Apr 2021 21:52:21
Rich you need to get on Ed’s Skype keep up to date.

{Ed007's Note - Or get on the Discord and pester someone else 😂😂 Just kidding, Richy.}

01 Apr 2021 22:08:32
Haha get on discord rich.

{Ed007's Note - It's easy to join the Discord, click HERE and create an account if you don't have one. Be warned though, I don't know much about it but the guy in charge of it is of dubious character.}

01 Apr 2021 22:09:04
Am not sure of either they have or not was asking you to find out if they were looking at a dof as talk of this position had gone on mute mode?

{Ed007's Note - I'll text Dermot and try to find out, but it'll need to wait until the morning as he like to be tucked up in bed with a cocoa & cigar watching Naked Attraction on All4 catch-up by 10 o'clock.}

01 Apr 2021 22:12:38
maybe their won't be a DOF.

02 Apr 2021 11:56:38
What's Discord Ed?

{Ed007's Note - It's like a wee private chat room/message board with the lads off here, Kev. Give it a bash.}

01 Apr 2021 20:25:59
If Eddie Howe is going to be the new manager I'd be very excited. He seems to have a similar approach to management as Rodgers and has a lot of good experience already. I accept the concerns that he's an unknown quantity when it comes to the immense pressure of managing Celtic but there's only one way to find out how he'd cope. His win % doesn't jump off the page but I'd love to see any manager achieve much better with a club like Bournemouth in the PL.

01 Apr 2021 20:42:39
Here is something to conside Kev, Bournemouth had the 8th highest net spend over a 5 year period, so I would say they underperformed for the money they spent.

01 Apr 2021 21:59:26
There's a huge difference from what he has done before, with the vast amount of cash at his disposal, to the expectation and must-win every game mentality at Celtic, especially after such a car crash season.

01 Apr 2021 22:14:46
this guy was once tipped for the arsenal job and future england manager.

{Ed007's Note - Aren't you thinking of Mark "The Bread Man" Warburton?}

01 Apr 2021 22:18:26
I'm aware they spent plenty of money LAW but I also reckon there's a premium even for getting average PL players to sign for a club like Bournemouth.

01 Apr 2021 22:20:09
no not that numpty ed.

{Ed007's Note - 😁

01 Apr 2021 22:30:13
LAW Fulham spent 150 million a couple of seasons back and got relegated

I personally think this guy is made for us, he plays the way we love. If our young players are good enough he will play them, he is a young hungry coach. I really don't see what us not to like about this appointment, I would hazard a guess he has probably been offered a good few jobs down South, so for him to be apparently coming to us speaks volumes about the man himself. It tells me it's not money that is motivating him, for me that is really important. If he gets the right team around him and we the fans give him the time I'm sure this can be a successful appointment.

I know it isn't done yet and with us we should never count our chickens, this now has the look that it's all but announced the way it is being reported. Get him in, get him started. Move out the one's that want out and get stuff done early for next season.

01 Apr 2021 18:34:16
Hi ed hope you are well, keep up the good work with the podcasts.
Couple of quick questions, Is Howe a contender and why has it taken so long to contact him or is it a case of the media just finding out today.
Also i noticed Brown today said TWICE that he didn't want to wait till the end of the season to find out how he stood with the new manager.
Do you think was that a slip of the tongue or does he actually know that.

{Ed007's Note - Thanks mate. Apparently Howe has met DD and McKay in London today. There will be prior contact but it looks like Howe's now decided to see what's on offer from us and discuss his ideas. I don't know what you mean about Brown.}

01 Apr 2021 17:30:03
I'll back any celtic manager. But I just have a bad feeling about Eddie howe. Think it will be Tony Mowbray 2.0.

01 Apr 2021 18:12:38
your post sums up my thoughts to benny.

01 Apr 2021 19:38:33
Will be absolutely gutted if we appoint Howe as our manager. Think he is a decent coach but he has some major flaws and don't think he has that winner's mentality that is needed at the club.

Would actually prefer Lennon and Lawwell back to having Eddie Howe.

01 Apr 2021 20:08:28
I don't watch much English football, but I think the fact that Howe kept Bournemouth in the EPL for five years sways some people's opinion of how good a manager he is, if he had been challenging for a top six place for the give years, I would admit that is impressive, but if he has been hanging about the bottom half of the table for five years, I don't think that means he's a good manager, maybe he gives good TV interviews like the greatest manager we ever had, (when does Ronnie get his statue) , but I think it's a different kind of pressure fighting relegation every year than trying to win the league, I think people are looking starry-eyed at Howe because he was a EPL manager.

01 Apr 2021 19:54:48
LAW
Are you a troll/ Zombie if neither. Your a very negative Celtic fan.

01 Apr 2021 20:39:32
I accept that I am being a tad pessimistic, which is probably because I am worried.

In my defence, I just want what is best for Celtic and know that if we get it wrong it could take us a few years to recover and also allow newco a chance to catch us, as the winners of the league this year get automatic CL next season.

I have some concerns over Roy Keane and Eddie Howe, which is the reason I have been vocal about it, although I accept I have went a bit overboard.

Hope that helped you understand my position.

01 Apr 2021 20:50:19
First season he finished 16th, main aim is to stay afloat
Second season he finished 9th!
Third season 12th
Fourth season 14th
Fifth season relegated with 7 key figures injured during the season, a struggle for any club let alone a team like Bournemouth fighting survival in the PL

I hope how has the job, he will attract players, we aren't behind that mob, our players have underperformed, plain and simple, not really helped by tactics that have baffled me for a long time!

02 Apr 2021 07:07:47
LAW
Fair enough honest reply. Who would your ideal appointment be.

01 Apr 2021 16:42:23
Ed do you know what happened to my post about Eddie Howe's defensive deficiencies that I sent about 30 minutes ago?

{Ed007's Note - It's on the Other Posts page - one of the English Eds must be getting scunnered with your moaning 😂😂

01 Apr 2021 17:00:26
Talk of his defences being poor but he did something right 5 year iar epl. always thought anytime I watched them they played good football.

01 Apr 2021 17:13:17
LAW, how about a Keano/ Howe combo? Would that get your juices flowing? lol HH.

01 Apr 2021 17:27:19
🤣🤣🤣.

01 Apr 2021 19:39:07
Stop rubbing it in, I feel bad enough :S.

01 Apr 2021 16:40:18
Went to the shop and asked a store worker those she have any flip flops. No she said we only have flips now as Nick Hammond bought all the flops.

01 Apr 2021 15:57:37
I read below some people wanting statues erected for certain players, er have you all not noticed our defenders acted like statues this season at freekicks and corners, we do not need any more blooming statues at Celtic Park lol.

01 Apr 2021 12:55:08
Jimmy McGrory is easily the leading all-time British goal scorer after scoring 522 goals for Celtic.
McGrory scored 55 hat tricks which is also a British record.
He also scored 8 in a league game against Dunfermline which is also a British record.
After scoring 8 in the one game, it should be 56 hat tricks.
All of those amazing records and how many Scotland Caps did Jimmy McGrory receive?
7 Caps.

01 Apr 2021 13:01:52
Well said Buzz, and we have fans talking about statues for Brown. McGrory is only one of the many Celtic legends more deserving of a statue.

{Ed007's Note - I don't think we should be talking about statues for players that are still alive unless the're older like Billy McNeil was. Willie Maley, McGrory & John Thomson should get one and so should TB and I also think there should be something put up - even just busts of them on a plinth - for Johnny Doyle and Phil O'Donnell.
In years to come I would say Paul McStay and Larsson deserve them and further forward in time again Brown and yes, Neil Lennon would get one.
I'd love to see statues of our greats line The Celtic Way eventually, so who would you guys have in there?}

01 Apr 2021 13:09:24
In those 7 Scotland Caps Jimmy McGrory received, he scored 6 International goals.
McGrory never scored in his first or last games for Scotland but he scored in all of his 5 International games in between.
Half of his goals for Scotland came in a couple of victories against England.

01 Apr 2021 13:13:12
Buzz Bomb

My mother who was born in 1923 used to sing a song about Jimmy McGrory the ‘Pride of Parkhead’. God rest her on this Holy Thursday.

{Ed007's Note - Is it in here?

01 Apr 2021 13:25:09
Well ED 007 another great show but with reports coming out all over the place are u hearing concrete stuff to back up claims its between Howe and Keane?

{Ed007's Note - Nothing concrete, no. Just reports and claims, Richy, reports and claims.}

01 Apr 2021 13:29:05
I love the banners displayed around the outside of the stadium with our legends. McStay, Burns, McGrory, McNeil etc. As for statues Fergus McCann.

{Ed007's Note - McCann would be totally against that though which is a shame because he certainly does deserve recognition for what he done for us.}

01 Apr 2021 13:31:08
I'd love a statue of Jozo putting Miller into orbit 😂.

{Ed007's Note - That would need to include Miller though and FECK that!}

01 Apr 2021 13:36:03
That was great JFP.
The song must bring back good memories.
I agree with everything you wrote Ed.007 about the statues.

{Ed007's Note - Cheers, BB.}

01 Apr 2021 13:44:05
Think a statue of Tommy Burns would be very fitting Ed.

{Ed007's Note - I've thought and said for years that Lennoxtown should be called after TB.}

01 Apr 2021 13:45:59
Bobby Lennox, Bertie Auld, Tommy Gemmill, Bobby Murdoch, Danny McGrain and I am sure you could make a case for any of the other Lions.

01 Apr 2021 13:49:47
Mcgrorys hold up olay was poor that's why he couldn't get a game 😆.

01 Apr 2021 14:34:26
Agree with the above in terms of the the majority of the names mentioned.

We have so many players throughout the history of our club who should be recognised, that, if we put up a statue of even half of them, there wouldn't be room to move.

It's something that will no doubt require some thought.

01 Apr 2021 14:35:46
Maybe it will be Howe with Keane his number 2. Just a thought.

01 Apr 2021 14:53:37
Tommy burns is the nicest individual I've ever met in my life took the time to sit and chat for ages all about celtic guy lived for the club. If anyone deserves recognition from the club its him. RIP TOMMY.

01 Apr 2021 14:44:52
@JFP - come off the roof, don't listen to McMillana, he knows not what he is saying.

01 Apr 2021 16:04:32
Buzz Bomb 10 what made McGrory’s goals total all the more remarkable was there was no League Cup or European cups in those days .

01 Apr 2021 16:40:54
Won’t be right without a statue of efe with his balon dor.

01 Apr 2021 17:18:43
It seems as if the club are actively against naming Lennoxtown after Tommy Burns. It's been touted so often from so many fans I don't see how the club could have failed to consider it.

01 Apr 2021 11:33:47

Last night's podcast has been uploaded onto the Podcast Talk section on here. Please remember to subscribe and hit the like (thumbs up) button.

01 Apr 2021 12:29:25
Good effort lads :)

{Ed007's Note - Thanks mate.}

01 Apr 2021 12:31:30
Sorry - hit reply a bit too quickly - Not really a podcast guy but will be tuning in weekly. Nice to be able to put voices to some of the posters haha :)

{Ed007's Note - I've honestly never listened to a footballing podcast in my life - I've not even any listened back to any of ours. I think if I had to hear my own voice I'd chuck it lol}

01 Apr 2021 12:49:36
Struggled to make out what I was saying first time I heard myself on video hh ( no it was not in a police station)

{Ed007's Note - 😂😂

01 Apr 2021 15:11:43
🤣🤣🤣.

01 Apr 2021 11:22:38
Nice April fools there Paul but i would wet myself if it came true and he was announced tomorrow at the press conference for the SC game hahah.

01 Apr 2021 13:07:24
🤣🤣🤣🤣.

01 Apr 2021 10:29:00
Just finished last nights podcast, best one yet in my opinion.

A wee thought running through my head throughout it when talking about players individually was that most you would rate on paper, but collectively as a team or squad its not really the right fit. For example Ed hit the nail on the head with the left backs. there's a strong argument that both are good enough and under new management both could flourish but when asked the question if you'd be comfortable with Taylor and Laxalt as the two left backs the answer would probably be no.

I have the same feeling with the midfield as well. I think all 3 of you on the podcast voted to keep Calmac, Soro and Turnbull. there's also the talk of going out and signing Lewis Ferguson. Being honest if that ended up as our 4 central midfielders for 2 or 3 starting places I don't think its strong enough. Its lacking leadership and physicality for me. It would be ideal if Ajer could step up to central defensive midfield role but given he plays centre back for Norway I can't see that happening. I can't actually see him staying past the summer to be honest.

Whats your thoughts lads. Would you be happy with Calmac, Turnbull, Soro and Ferguson if we signed him as our main pool of midfielders with Bitton, Connell etc as squad players?

{Ed007's Note - Thanks, Del.}

01 Apr 2021 11:19:52
@Del

When you replace so many players at the same time, you run the real danger of them not settling quickly as it can take time for them all to gel. For that reason I think we should do it incremently.

First of all we need to see who is out of contract or intent on leaving. If we end up with a large number in this category, I would be tempted to keep everyone else.

GK - keep 2 and bring in someone to challenge for top spot

LB - keep both, tackle this position either in January or next summer. I am assuming that we can get Laxalt for about 2 million, anymore than that I would look elsewhere.
RB - Keep Kenny if fee is decent and bring someone in.
CB - Keep Julien and Welsh and bring 2 new CBs in who will hopefully be our first choice. Assess Julien at end of season.

CM - Keep Soro, McGregor, Turnbull, Shaw - possibly bring 1 more in or give the youngsters a chance as we have 2-3 good young players who have chance of making it at Celtic.

LW - Keep MoI if the fee is right and have Johnston as backup
RW - Keep Forrest and bring someone in as cover

Striker - Keep Klimala and Griffiths and bring 1-2 in

That is around 8 new players coming in during the summer. I have assumed that Christie, Edouard and Ajer will be leaving, along with players out of contract and the ones we want to shift off the books.

Don't get me wrong I am not saying I want all these players to stay long term but I think we should definetely do the rebuild in phases, rather than have a mass exodus right away.

01 Apr 2021 11:21:03
It amazes me Bitton still is a celtic player. He never really is awful, or stands out as controling a game either. he's just so slow and 1 dimensional.

01 Apr 2021 12:10:39
Lennonatwork, I agree with the majority of that.

All great teams have a great spine from GK to CF.

Looking at our current squad the spine is very weak. Goalkeepers are shocking, Midfield is just lacking something for me. It could be that Calmac has not been his usual Mr Consistent. Upfront I just don't feel the balance is right with the players we have.

Barkas should be sold. Look for a new no.1, Bain as no.2 and young Hazard to a SPFL team where he will play every week.

It seems Ajer will go. I'd look for 2 new centre backs and sell Julien. His injury record isn't great and I'm not sure how committed he really is, especially when its likely Ntcham and Eddy will leave as well.
I'd say Taylor is first choice left back and send Laxalt back to Milan and try someone different to challenge Taylor. I'd keep Jonjoe Kenny for Right back if the price is right. I think he has done well since coming up.

Midfield I would like the idea of a big physical presence sitting in front of the defence with Calmac and Turnbull playing more advanced.
Moi is a must if he wants to come permanently. He is class and I'd like to see him play just off the left suppoing the striker. Getting James Forrest back is a must for the right hand side.

Upfront I think I'd only keep Klimala and Ajeti on the assumption Eddy is off. I think there's a player in Klimala, he just needs a run of games and injection of confidence. Ajeti I think looks as natural a finisher as Griffiths and should get the chance of a decent preseason to see how he does. Griffiths has had his chance, letting himself go and not getting in shape for 10iar season is unforgivable in my opinion.

01 Apr 2021 12:27:35
I think it’s best that Ajeti also goes at the end of the season because I don’t think he will ever get his fitness under control, especially if he has a bad attitude.
Barkas and Ajeti have been a waste of £10 million but Celtic need to salvage back as much as possible this summer and move on.

01 Apr 2021 12:45:28
Del Bhoy we need to replace Brown. Not just bring in another midfielder. I'm all for calmac, Turnbull and Soro and maybe Ferguson from Aberdeen but we need a midfield leader/ general/ enforcer to bring out the best in the others.

01 Apr 2021 12:55:23
I was on the fence with Ajeti Buzz, I'm only just giving him the benefit of the doubt. I'm hoping he knuckles down in pre season and shows us what he can do.

Last summer I actually thought he was brought in to replace Griff and thought Toney was a target if Eddy was to be sold, I'm not sure it was one or the other between them. I think him and Griffiths are too similar to have in the same squad.

If we could keep Moi and play him just off Ajeti I think that could be a good partnership. It was successful in the past with Basel.

01 Apr 2021 09:07:09
@Cork Paul and "ED077" my lawyers will be in touch as I have the EXLUSIVE rights for any and all April Fools jokes on these pages.
I am awaiting an apology to avoid costly legal action and all legal costs will be met by yourselves, I have engaged Mr Ashley's lawyers.

{Ed077's Note - ??

What? I'm confused.}

01 Apr 2021 10:49:16
Timalloy has exclusive rights to BAD jokes on this site.
If it’s Ashley’s lawyers dealing with your claim, it should be dealt with, by April Fools 2025. 😂.

{Ed077's Note - What joke is he on about? Getting the numbers mixed up I guess with Ed007 and me.}

01 Apr 2021 11:51:31
😅😅😅.

01 Apr 2021 08:09:27
DD will announce Roy Keane as manager as contract confirmed. Shay Given leaves Derby and will be keanes assistant. Announcement to be made according to sky sports today.

01 Apr 2021 08:17:20
This can't be true.

{Ed077's Note - That's what is being said

01 Apr 2021 08:30:52
OMFG - if this is true then the whole board including DD need removed immediately as they are clueless.

01 Apr 2021 08:45:24
Celtic fan Anthony Joseph is reporting it on sky transfer rumours.

01 Apr 2021 08:46:16
Well it is April fools day.

{Ed077's Note - well oldkilly it's about time someone clicked on

01 Apr 2021 08:56:58
Ya fookers, you but me on a total downer lol.

01 Apr 2021 09:08:11
Ya pair oh rascals 🤣🤣.

01 Apr 2021 09:12:05
I know its April fools, hopefully this is just a joke. A massive backwards step if true.

01 Apr 2021 09:56:10
Can I come back down aff the roof?

01 Apr 2021 09:56:41
Watch now and it will be through after my joke. LAW was waiting for you to say something.

01 Apr 2021 10:58:54
I have been scouring the internet and can confirm Roy Keane has not been confirmed.

@JFP I think you can come down off the roof now but keep the loft ladder and velux window open just in case. lol.

01 Apr 2021 11:53:07
LAW and JFP very funny.

31 Mar 2021 23:54:42
I really hope the Eddie Howe rumour is bollocks.

Don't get me wrong he is an upgrade from Roy Keane but his teams tend to let in a lot of goals.

15/ 16 - 68 conceded
16/ 17 - 67 conceded
17/ 18 - 61 conceded
18/ 19 - 70 conceded
19/ 20 - 65 conceeded

His teams are in the bottom 5 for goals conceded every season. Personally speaking, I do not think he is the right man for the job and certainly won't improve our European fortunes with that kind of defence.

If the club are doing their due dilligence, surely they realise that there are concerns over Howe's defensive record in management.

I must be honest I am really disappointed with all the names that have been heavilly linked with the post. There, have been a few who I think would do well but they have not been heavilly linked as their name seems to come and go quickly.

01 Apr 2021 09:02:44
id rather roy keane than eddie howe. one of the ed says a wile back on here howe can't set up defences.

01 Apr 2021 09:12:15
In saying that law av stated a few times. he took a small club right up to epl and kept them they're for 5 years, that's some doing, you would expect a club that size to prob lose a few goals against the world's top strikers, but they were doing something right or outscoring teams. and selling there best players as well. i quite fancy him out of most of the names mentioned.

{Ed001's Note - they were funded by a huge input of cash from a Russian billionaire and he still couldn't get them to defend. It was nothing to do with a lack of players and everything to do with Howe's inadequacies. He can't organise a defence and (he admitted this as well) he can't spot players. His failures in the transfer market were bad enough that he actually asked for someone else to take control of recruitment.}

01 Apr 2021 09:43:17
Well atleast his teams are consistent lol.

01 Apr 2021 06:57:12
LAW who would u realistic have as manager if u don't want Keane or howe?

01 Apr 2021 08:03:38
Law may I ask, who would you be happy with. Brian Clough perhaps?

01 Apr 2021 10:01:52
Howe is little more than an upgraded Warburton. One style of play and concedes lots of goals.

01 Apr 2021 10:15:19
@Mally - I am not trying to diminish his achievments at Bournemouth as he done a great job coaching them. He managed to get them from league 2 to the Premiership and keep them there for 5 seasons.

However, I think it is right to point out his inadequecies as a coach.

Would love him to come in and run our youth development as I know he is rated a good coach. Whilst that is an option for me, I am not confident he would bring success as a manager for the main reason I highlighted.

01 Apr 2021 10:27:24
think he had a poor spell at burnley to and went back to Bournemouth. eddie howe gives me the fear. id have roy keane over him any day.

{Ed001's Note - he did and put them in such huge debts that Dyche had to sell most of the team to keep the club from going under. Dyche also won promotion that season, something which Howe couldn't do, despite having to sell players. They did come straight back down, but he refused to spend money on players after their relegation and told the chairman to spend it on the club's infrastructure to help the club for the next 20 years or so.}

01 Apr 2021 10:41:43
ed001 is howe someone who just likes to spend and not very good at it.

{Ed001's Note - he does like to spend, I suppose it depends on what you call very good at something. He was good enough to spend his way into the Prem but then, once people realised how he played, they were relegation battlers and lucky to survive as long as they did. I certainly wouldn't say he was good enough to win without significantly outspending the opposition. His defensive organisation is absolutely laughable.}

01 Apr 2021 10:42:18
ed001 who would you choose out of keane and howe. and reasons why.

{Ed001's Note - talk about being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea! Keane is someone who can do well initially but then his persona turns everyone against him and it all goes to pot. I have never heard anything good about his coaching either, so it would have to be Howe, because at least you could take recruitment out of his hands and provide him help on defensive coaching.}

01 Apr 2021 11:07:52
I would love us to go for Martinez from Granada, de Zebri from Sassuola or Jindřich Trpišovský from Slavia Prague.

Would also take Wilder or Sean Dyche if we were staying locally.

There are others that I would take but they are less realistic targets.

01 Apr 2021 11:18:29
so ed if you DD your giving the gig to howe if it was between them

i think keane just needs a good coaching team with him and he will do well mate. i was not that keen on howe then you says a few things about him to has put me right off him.

{Ed001's Note - if it was between them, yes but it is only fine margins and I would want to select the coaching team with either and restrict their power to a head coach role only.}