Celtic Banter Archive April 22 2019

22 Apr 2019 22:23:28
hey lads
i agree with most of your posts but stay calm it will happen.
we are in a final already secured, we where all over hibs sunday but not in the net, there goalie did gd and a clean sheet for us. Ntcham should have been hooked in ten mins he's not ready yet. scot brows mistakes where bad he always goes side ways he caused us problems he needs a break, imo we play gd forward attacking when he is not there.

weah should have been on in 50 min marg guy runs for everythng we looked brill when he came on.
lennon done great we should have won that was the easiest game we have ever had at hibs but never scored.
so recap encham to soon weah ready always has been our out play was gd just putting ball in the net, let's give lennon some credit he is like a new manager a everything has changed at CFC he is learning and has done great.

22 Apr 2019 23:31:32
Ntcham should be sacrificed for our summer rebuild. Will require a lot of money and he's been rubbish this season and he'd recoup a sizeable fee.

23 Apr 2019 09:08:43
I don't think we'd recoup much more than what we paid for him initially bravetart. On his day he's every bit as good as any player at the club but he's had almost an entire season of notably poor performances which would go against him no matter how good he can be when he's on form.

23 Apr 2019 09:26:01
I'd keep him. He's a great player and hopefully our new manager gets the best out of him.

23 Apr 2019 09:27:54
Ntcham had a great first season and looked to have the lot for a midfield player, but the Dembele (and Boyata) situation has really unsettled him and he has offered very little the entire season.
On Sunday he was again very poor and should have been hooked, but NL kept him on, probably hoping he would get into the game - wrongly.
If he doesn't want to be here and his attitude would suggest this, we should let him go - along with the other surplus - and buy better.

22 Apr 2019 19:13:08
So what's with Lenny refusing to play the loanees, and Sinky?

Is the angle that he's looking after the club's medium term interest (and hence a suitable custodian) ? Is he cutting his nose to spite his face? I know many of us are dying to see Weah play. Could it even be that he's trying to minimise their chance of a lucrative permanent move someplace, so we get 'em back? Baffling, I must say.

22 Apr 2019 20:32:21
You beat me to the punch Cav; I was in the process of posting a similar question? I can understand Ajer and Simo's good form keeping Benkovic out and possibly same goes for Lustig for Toljan, but Sinclair has proved himself as top scorer, while Burke and Weah offer variety and different options to compliment Eddy.
In January when The Board sanctioned three loans, they must have thought they were required (whoever the manager was going to be) and expected to see them contribute to the success of the team?
When Biton was recalled last month I wondered if NL was relying on guys he knew well from before, incld - Lustig, Izzy and Rogic and he wanted to do things his way? He has been here long enough to know his best 11, how to set them up or shuffle the pack when required; we just need to get behind the team and see it through.

{Ed007's Note - Remember Benkovic is coming back from a serious injury and that he isn't our player, maybe Leicester's medical staff (who will have monitored him throughout his time out and have a say) or even our own medical team don't think he's ready for 90 mins yet and with Boyata out we need him on the bench in case Ajer or Jozo take a knock? He could maybe handle 45 mins if needed.
By my calculations we've kept 15 clean sheets out of 18 games since the winter break - so why change it unless you need to? Lustig, Ajer and Jozo are playing well and although it's unfortunate that KT's struggling the other 3 and Bain have done there jobs, I'd definitely be offering Lustig an extension based on his performances since New Year but only if there's a young quality RB brought in to allow some game time management at RB. Lustig, sadly unlike Izaguirre, is still capable of doing a fine job in the SPFL if we can keep him fully fit.
With the rest of the loans I'm as baffled as you guys.}

23 Apr 2019 04:35:12
I was very critical of Lustig earlier in the season but after his recent displays, I've got to admit I was wrong. He has been playing like the player he was a couple of years ago and deserves a contract extension. I'm also very sure Mikael would be desperate to be a part of the 9 in a row team.

23 Apr 2019 08:55:29
If he wants to prolong his Celtic carreer he needs to bin the international football it takes too much out of him and his club football suffers.

22 Apr 2019 17:00:24
I have an awful feeling that we will sell Ntcham and Edouard, to fund our Summer transfers, even though we have millions in the bank.

22 Apr 2019 17:50:57
Edouard is going no-where. Ntcham I hope we can keep hold of but we never really know what we're getting with him I admit.

22 Apr 2019 18:45:44
Most likely we will. However investing can make you more money in football.

As has been pointed out Ajax increased their spending but maintained their sales club status.

Each time they spent more on better players they then sold them for even more as they had a higher quality of player.

Making CL more often £40mil and £30-40mil profit on sales.

Something very achievable for us but we won't get there making just £1-2 mil signings.

22 Apr 2019 19:40:28
Sorry but Ntcham has got to go he is woeful please ohh please Porto come back and take him but no doubt that was a load of crap there is no way he is good enough to play for them as for Lennon thanks for stepping up when the rat deserted the ship but for all I love him as a true Celtic man he is below the standard required to take us forward. We need to move onwards and upwards Lennon is a blast from the past we do not need. ☘️.

22 Apr 2019 20:33:02
There is a player in Ntcham, but he made so many misplaced passes against Hibs, I think he is lacking in match sharpness.

21 Apr 2019 23:32:39
Ed just a quick one on our summer recruitment. Do you think we'll look to sign a striker (maybe a target man type) or do you think we'll go with Edouard, Griff and Bayo?

{Ed007's Note - I think it'll be Edouard, Griffiths and possibly Weah for next season.}

22 Apr 2019 11:19:58
I hope Weah is not put off by his lack of game time Ed. He doesn't come across that way and his attitude has always been brilliant i just hope he sees next season as his chance to shine. Was disgusted with the minutes he was given yesterday given that we needed a goal. We created more chances in the time he was on than the previous 80+ mins. I'd start him against Kilmarnock.

22 Apr 2019 13:27:48
From what he's said before, I think he's happy to be in the first team as his time at psg was mostly spent in the stands.

22 Apr 2019 14:24:01
He's the type of guy who can become a fans favourite Steph. I'd love to see him get more game time, extend his loan with a view to making it permanent next summer. His attitude has been outstanding, going by the training photos he looks like a very likeable guy always has a smile on his face.

22 Apr 2019 15:16:05
He’s not ment to be the best trainer in the world! Think he has to be pushed.

22 Apr 2019 15:34:06
Definitely Stan I'd rather have weah than Burke if at all possible. He's very grounded which fits well with our squad, considering their ability and achievements they don't come across as big headed.

22 Apr 2019 16:23:51
Whats happend with Bayo? Is he injured or just pi$$?

22 Apr 2019 18:31:05
Hi Ed, why do you not think Bayo will be utilised next season? Do you think that he has got all the warning signs of another Marvin Compper?

{Ed007's Note - Surely we've learnt from this season that we need 3 quality strikers Bayo is nowhere near good enough. He's only here because of Toure so maybe Leicester will fancy taking him in the summer.]

22 Apr 2019 18:43:59
Pud he ripped a muscle on international duty and won't play again this year.

22 Apr 2019 22:26:51
Good point Ed, just don't like writing players off until I've saw them, however he was seemingly rather underwhelming in the reserve team.

Hopefully Weah will stay, but we will leave all the transfer rumours for a while to let you recover from the winter transfer window Ed 😉.

23 Apr 2019 00:45:06
Eds how long is Weah contract was it till end of season or longer?

{Ed007's Note - His loan with us, Rich? We tried to get him on an 18-month loan but it ended up only being for the 6 months. During those negotiations he also signed a one-year extension to his PSG contract, which now runs until 2021.

22 Apr 2019 08:43:36
Nothing but gratitude to Neil Lennon for stepping in at our time of need after being left in the lurch by that fake Celtic fan. However for me he is not the man to take us forward. I will always regard him as a club Legend but i will not let that feelings or sentiment get in the way when thinking what is best for our Club and at this current time we need to look elsewhere. Read some very valid points on here, would we have asked him to take over had he still been at Hibs, the aswer is no. It's a case of he was available and able to come in immedietely to steady the ship. That he has done as we limp over the line. At this time of year when we have the treble treble in our sights you would think adrenalin alone would have playing teams off the park. Instead we look tired and there is no real identity to our play. As i have said many times we have a very young talented squad with an abundance of youth players ready to step up over the next season or 2. We need a someone who can continue to develop them and the club on and off the park. I don't think Lenny is that man. Take the green tinted specs off, love for the man and sentiment away and most will feel the same. It worries me that Lenny said after the Aberdeen game Dermot Desmond said during a phonecall the day before that game they had not spoken to anyone else. It is their duty to make sure they have a list of 5+ candidates atleast to speak to regardless of who is currently taking the team, especially with a summer of ins and out plus early qualifiers. We have made huge strides off the park recently we need to continue that so for me it has to be someone new, not Neil Lennon. I'd happily have a role for him within the club but i don't think that is something he will want at this stage of his career. Maybe the Board have not spoken to anyone because they already know Lenny is their man i do not know. He is not my choice but like everyone else is he is chosen of course he will get my backing 100%. As we get ready to seal 8 and go for the 9 this is our biggest summer in a very long time. Time to think big Celtic, we have the money to do it, show us you have ambition show us you want to dominate in Scotland for years to come and show us you want us to compete in Europe.

22 Apr 2019 12:19:35
Good post stan, I believe there is a difference from actually speaking to someone as DD put it to setting in motion other options.
Its all done thro intermediates nowadays so he wudnt actually be lying to NL.
I believe to score goals u need goalscorers in your team sounds obvious doesn't it but every time I see a team its the first thing I do is count the potential scorers in the team.
Yesterday I counted 2 poss 3, Eddy Forrest and Calmac.
Yet unbelievably we had 4 on the bench Weah, Burke, Sinclair and Rogic.
In a league where we are dominant and have the bulk of possession we only have 3 on the field that's just nuts.
Is it any wonder we are not scoring as much.
Back to the manager and I was a NL fan last time and defended him on here many times as ed will vouch for (mainly against him lol) but I don't want NL this time. It may be a fantasy but I would go for Arsene Wenger, no idea if we could afford him tho.
And for a total curve ball what about Nigel Pearson the guy that built that Leicester team with practically nothing too.

22 Apr 2019 12:51:09
I'd like to think that is the case Rayman, surely we have been working on things behind the scenes. It would be a neglect of duty if not relying or hoping Lenny will come in and hit the ground running. Love the guy but too many strange line ups and decisions since coming in. When Brendan was here there was 2 or 3 that were finished now he is playing them all regularly. What is Wenger up to these days? Always felt Arsenal had a similar model to ourselves albeit on a bigger scale. The so called unheard of signings they were making were costing £15m+ 😂 interesting times ahead and for this one it has to be head over heart, we have to look elsewhere. HH.

22 Apr 2019 13:47:23
I sincerely hope the board were telling Lenny porkys And that they have a man to step in right after the cup final God knows they have had the time to look and get him in It would be inconceivable if they haven't taken the time to get the right man in with the time limit they have had I can't see our board being that complacent.

22 Apr 2019 14:13:50
Maybe we are all in for a big surprise Tony 😊 Let's hope so.

22 Apr 2019 14:43:08
When the snake was announced the place was buzzing and we went on to the invincible season. Season books up again a new strip out again we the fans deserve more so Lennon is def not the answer. We are in a great financial position to push the boat out and attract a manger with ambition with a few who’d to spend. This Celtic mindedness is a lot of rubbish the snake played us on that part but he knew this club would get him back where he wants to be. If the pub league is the holy grail for managers then what ambitious manager wouldn’t want to take up the post. Ten in a row on the horizon to become a legend while building your stock as a manager. Who wouldn’t want that?

22 Apr 2019 14:47:10
I hope you are correct Stan.

22 Apr 2019 15:59:32
A massive carrot for anyone Welshy, the chance to win Titles and make history. I'm really not fussed about the Celtic connection thing that just limits our search for the right person. Tony it's quite possible the Board are playing a blinder behind the scenes and Lenny has known since the begining it was going to someone else. Time will tell gents, a very interesting summer awaits.

22 Apr 2019 16:26:05
I just can't see the board saying to anyone just now if they have the guy in place for next season for now It would put Lenny on a downer with still so much to play for It's not good but saying that it's good business to let him carry on blindly just makes sense.

22 Apr 2019 21:29:28
Anyone fancy Eddie Howe as our new manager?
Has brought Bournemouth through the divisions and kept them in the Premiership for 4 seasons. He is only 41 years old and has one year left on his contract.
Don't think he can achieve anything more there other than a top ten finish at best.
Maybe a new challenge would be good for him and Celtic.

22 Apr 2019 22:22:38
If Lennon isn't who is the right man to take Celtic forward . Remember he hasn't got 6 months to get used to the bias and bigotry of the SFA and referees . He hasn't got 6 months to get use to the abuse from Rangers2012.fans .
Our new manager has to hit the ground running, he has to win every game right from the start in conditions and atmosphere h has probably never encountered before
Like it or not he needs Scottish Football experience or we are taking a major gamble Nine in a row could be gone before Christmas.

23 Apr 2019 10:00:09
There is always going to be pressure Chris and not just from the cheats and bigots but from us lot aswel. Imagine the pressure Wim Jansen must have been under to stop that lot winning 10. Our new Manager will not only be under pressure to win 9 and 10 he also has to make sure we continue the work Rodgers did off the park with training etc. Lenny has already said he had never seen the training methods John Kennedy has shown him. I have no idea who is the best man to take us forward, the Board will be under just as much pressure to get this right. Going by what is being said on here and elsewhere it seems a very divided opinion on Lenny. Not sure if having experience of Scottish football is essential, Rodgers had none, nor Deila and O'Neill in recent times. Even Strachan was down south most of his career. They all delivered the title without it.

23 Apr 2019 13:23:55
Stan Petrov, I agree Brendan Rodgers told us all he was a great forward thinking manager. , as well as a life long Celtic fan . However after the rat ran away I am not sure that he had taken the club much further forward . Again he may have introduced new training methods, which may or may not be the reason why our team looks so tired and worn out after 20-25 mins play, maybe we would be better with proven training methods in which the input of a sub or two gives the whole team new lift &we can play most of game at exciting pace .
At the end of the day we have only B R's words to inform us of improvement and most of us thought he reduced the standard of the squad, by the players he bought in . Finally he should have been able to charm P L into buying players he wanted . He allowed it to become a public battle and B R wasn't going to win that.