Celtic Banter Archive January 25 2019

25 Jan 2019 21:36:15
So since BR has come in we have an invincible season, a double treble, 7 out of 7 trophies in the bag, Champions league 2 seasons out of 3 and Europe after Christmas 2 seasons out of 3!

My opinion of this is :-

The board have let the purse string go by quite a bit to bring in a top manager. Then backing him by either trying to bring his targets here and be knocked back or actually bring some of them in.

5 or 6 years ago we weren't going anywhere in European competition, so to now be where we are in that respect taking into consideration the league we play in with the finances available is quite a remarkable achievement from everyone at the club. Especially the players and the manager. HH 🍀💚.

25 Jan 2019 23:04:51
You cannot argue that Rodgers hasn't domintaed domestically but we have remained about the same in Europe over the last 5 or 6 years in terms of results.

2012/ 13 - Last 16 of CL after finishing 2nd in group with 10 points

2013/ 14 - Finished last in our CL group with 3 points.

2014/ 15 - Last 32 of Europa after finishing 2nd in group with 9 points

2015/ 16 - Finished last in our Europa group with 3 points

2016/ 17 - Finished last in our CL group with 3 points.

2017/ 18 - Finished 3rd in CL group with 3 points and got to last 32 of Europa.

2018/ 19 - Finished 2nd in Euorpa group with 9 points.

However, I would say that we have probably improved as a team as it is harder to play attacking football than defensive football and we are now capable of dominating games in Europe, although that is not always the case.

25 Jan 2019 23:09:16
Well said Royjac, the whining from some of the support beggars belief. It's very very difficult for us to get players in within our budget that are better than what we've already got. We have went down the road of signing mediocrity Hayes, Hendry, Gamboa, Allan etc and I think the board are quite correct in bringing in quality loans at the moment until we get about 10 or 12 off the wage bill. HH.

26 Jan 2019 01:51:59
It's a weird one for me. We have dominated Scottish football but with no real competition tbh. No fault of our own.

Last year we would not have won the league. This seasons form we would be trailing based on a competitive season back in the day.

Again not our fault but I think on paper it goes down as one of our most successful eras.

To me though between these years we have seen lots of mediocrity on the pitch.

Even when Celtic were chasing them back in the day you had guys like cadete, di canio, van hooijdonk.

It's totally different circumstances.

For me O'Neill era still was amazing. Strachan also imo is more successful than Rodgers.

Better results in Europe. 3 in a row. Boring football 😂

Rodgers is doing it the hard way playing open and honest football though. So we probably have better individual players but when 5-0 down in Europe sometimes I wish we knew how to play dirty lol.

26 Jan 2019 07:37:55
So by all accounts and RAW stats provided in last 7 years including this season we have had European football after Christmas 4 times. When I think back to when I was a kid in the 80' and 90' I can't really remember that happening too often to be honest if at all.

And in terms of the way we now play in Europe, we play the Celtic way and the only way for me. Big Jock wouldn't have it any other way. It's in our DNA to play this way 🍀💚 HH.

25 Jan 2019 16:51:00
Sounds like that's it listening to Brendans presser usual sound bites we know the areas we want to strengthen but we may not be able to afford them. said a couple of weeks ago you just knew that no real money would be spent.

25 Jan 2019 17:08:08
That’s a bit unfair Mally, we have spent out a big outlay to Peter Lawell .

25 Jan 2019 17:30:16
We’re just going to have to wait and see after these last 6 days of the window are over. I’d have liked us to strengthen our CB and RB position but I’m starting to resign my thoughts that it’s not going to happen in this window. If that indeed does turn out to be the case then we’ve some major rebuilding job in defence come the summer. Boyata, benkovic, lustig, gamboa, Compper ( although he’s contributed absolutely heehaw) will possibly all be away, hendry needs to go away on loan somewhere, gain more experience at a decent level for me, jozo I don’t think is hugely fancied by Brendan. Only Ajer is a pass for me. Big big work needing done there to sort that mess out.

25 Jan 2019 17:32:19
Aye that's for sure Quinn same rubbish different window. we have a major prob at rb gamboa and lustig are not good enough everybody and there granny knows it and young Tony still to be really tested plus he seems a bit unlucky with injuries. But the same mince every window.

25 Jan 2019 18:03:36
I really wish the Board/ Club would concentrate on the 'exit door' more; instead of pursuing pet-projects for other clubs; for as long as we have such a gigantic and expensive squad, they have BR over a barrel re: recruitment for positions we have more than adequately covered and he will run out of patience one day.
For a club of our stature, reputation and facilities; when it comes to transfer activity, we're severely lacking in efficiency/ expertise.

25 Jan 2019 19:20:35
2 million is a joke tbf.

25 Jan 2019 19:33:36
The negatives are out again in big numbers, I think we now have as exciting an attacking side as I can remember at Celtic since the mid 70's . You would have to be a terrible mean minded person to not be really excited by such attacking style and ability as we have put together just now .

Could you have imagined pre - window the attacking skills of Forrest, Weah, Burke, Sinclair, Eddie, Rogic, Christie and McGregor . We have combinations and skill that money in Scotland couldn't buy .
We are not conceding or likely to concede bags of goals .
All we have to do is to get behind this exciting young team and encourage them to another domestic treble.

25 Jan 2019 20:01:20
Unfortunately most of the players we want to get rid off, are probably on decent wages, and obviously if we want rid of them, no bigger teams are coming in for these players so it seems they are content to sit it out on big wages.

25 Jan 2019 20:09:17
Here, here Chris.

If we get in a right back like Gumny we would only need a replacement for Boyota, but I am hoping we can negotiate with Leicester to extend his loan deal to give the boy European experience - something he won't get at Leicester.

25 Jan 2019 20:13:57
I don't agree with the way we do our transfer business, I think sometimes you have to spend some money to actually improve the team, and not just look for future profits.
I think though that until we lose the league nothing will change. The club will argue that this policy has won 7 titles in a row and has allowed Brendan Rodgers to win 7 trophies in a row.
The club don't seem interested in strengthening for Europe, they seem content with winning the league and no more.
I find it hard to believe though that Rodgers didn't agree to this situation when he took the job, most clubs work this way, a manager is only really there to coach whatever players the club provides for him.
I honestly doubt whether our club would agree to pay our manager a small fortune, let him spend what he likes in the transfer market, and then risk him walking out if a plum job became available in England, they would view it as too much of a risk, and as we all know our club doesn't like taking risks.

25 Jan 2019 20:42:41
Well said Chris, I can’t believe some of the pish that’s being posted on here. We’re apparently rubbish at recruitment but we keep winning trebles. Maybe someone could talk me through that sometime.

25 Jan 2019 23:45:13
Celtic like every other club have players they cannot give away . For some reason Celtic fans expect every player on their books should be playing or else sold immediately.

26 Jan 2019 01:56:08
Chris the major flaw in what you say is that Weah, Burke, Benkovic and Boyata will be away in the summer.

We may have plugged gaps with loans but it's only temporary.

Then you have guys like lustig, brown, Gordon all ageing and need replaced soon.

Then we could end up in the summer having to buy 5-6 players in one go

Or risk it with our projects again.

Like we did with Hendry against AEK and it was a disaster.

26 Jan 2019 08:22:32
Ok must have missed something we don't need a rb jeez.

26 Jan 2019 22:10:59
Not many nightmares or disaster players are signed . That isn't to say that we haven't signed many players who haven't done well for us
Some players are overcome by the size of the place and quality of so many players at training. Players take fright in big stadium and finally sometimes our fans get on new players back and players lose confidence and become far worse players and draw wages from us for 3/ 4 years.

26 Jan 2019 22:16:59
Tesla Most supporters would recognise that we couldn't buy Weah, Burke and Benkovic . It wouldn't just be money that would stop us either.
Surely you don't begrudge those of us who appreciate good talent from having it in our team.

25 Jan 2019 11:16:34
Team for morra has got to be same again with no Boyata if fit.

25 Jan 2019 12:51:04
Boyata has to be a bit part player now he’s made his bed.

25 Jan 2019 13:21:07
Bit part player? They guy should never wear the hoops again, after what his agent has spouted about the contract etc, it's time he went, if he stays he should be training with the kids until he's gone.

25 Jan 2019 13:29:37
Sw many times has he been in the hoops since his carry on? Bit late now to do that unless wee flog him he want go anywhere tho.

25 Jan 2019 13:30:41
Definitely, we should reward commitment.

25 Jan 2019 13:59:47
Greenockbhoy what since the summer or since his agent came out with that statement about not even entertaining a new deal? Since the summer he has gave off the impression that he was going to consider a new deal, there was no denial when it was reported so it seemed like he was going to commit to us. but then his agent spotted his statement before or just after the sevco game and that for me was the point he should of been dropped and told to find a new club in this window or face training with the kids. i don't think it's too late to be doing that, and to answer your question, it will only be a couple of games he has played since his agents statement as they were in Dubai not too long after it.

25 Jan 2019 14:25:14
I would thather get shot of him to sw but I think Rodgers wants to keep him regardless.

25 Jan 2019 14:41:10
The big man needs to play when fit end of. He's leaving at end of contract that's fine we bought players same way. Can't let what happened under wee Gordon with bobo and no play one of best center halfs out of princepal that cost us the league don't let this.

25 Jan 2019 15:27:55
Bit mad to have him training with the kids while paying him a huge wage, he is a good centre back and if he is still here he should be a first pick for the first team, forget about loyalty and commitment, it's all about money these days, if he is playing well, play him, don't play a lesser player just because he is committed to the club.

25 Jan 2019 15:38:24
I really don't see why anyone calls him our best CB.
I'd play ajer and big Ben not because of boyatas contract situation but because I think they are better players.

25 Jan 2019 19:05:08
Boyata is a professional footballer and when he wasn't allowed to leave last summer he knuckled down and has played well for us. I agree with Madyin as it would be a terrible shame not to play Boyata at the risk of losing the league. Paying him a good wage and leaving him to rot is not only stupid and vindictive but also verging on suicide. As I said if he is fit and available I don't see any reason not to play him.
Just think if Steve Clark had thought I can't play Jones against Rangers as he has signed a precontract with them.

25 Jan 2019 19:04:47
Agreed kev👍.

25 Jan 2019 19:40:28
The anti Boyata brigade should take a couple of pills and lie down .
Every top manager will always pick the best team he has available to him, unless tactically resting players because of schedule .
If a manager starts messing around because he likes or dislikes individual players it's time for him to go .

25 Jan 2019 02:51:41
Ok lads I think if boyata Is fit Saturday wee have to start playing young Ajer before him getting him up to speed I shouldn't think we should be giving game time to someone who doesn't want to be there before those who do.

25 Jan 2019 06:15:31
I'd like to think we're doing everything we can to get a few million for him this window.

25 Jan 2019 13:03:58
Chaseing a big sign on fee Jim heel be going nowhere.

25 Jan 2019 13:36:22
I agree, bomb him out n get ajer in.

25 Jan 2019 15:07:52
I don't think Boyata is motivated by money.

25 Jan 2019 19:14:12
As I said on another thread, if Steve Clark thought like that maybe we wouldn't be 3 points clear of the rangers. It would have been easy to think that Joneshas signed a precontract so we won't get a penny for him and there is no way his heart is in it or he is going to give his best above all against his future team and yet Clark played him and he scored the winneer and celebrated (much to the disappointment of many rangers fans) . He is a professional who gives his best for whoever is paying his wages. Boyata is a professional and I feel all decisions re the central defence should be based on footballing ability and availability etc, one game at a time.

25 Jan 2019 22:35:31
Aye he sure acted professionally when he refused to play in the cl qualifiers v Athens. I get your point about Jones tho, different circumstances but. Did anyone hear the clyde phone in last nite when 2 Paris buns said they didn't go to work cos they would've got ripped to bits. You'd think they would've developed a thick skin over the last 7 years. The most unbelievable bit was 2 of them work.