Celtic Banter Archive February 02 2016

02 Feb 2016 19:32:13
What does everyone think is our strongest starting 11 using ronnys tactics as he won't change it's all about opinions
Gordon
Lustig jozo sviatchenko Tierney
Bitton brown
Roberts Allan gms
Griffiths.

{Ed007's Note - I'd swap Allan for Rogic but I agree with the rest.}

02 Feb 2016 19:52:18
Dempsey186.without even see g him roberts? I'd like to see christie first and let the boy roberts get a couple of games in the development t squad to see what kind of player he is first. and like ed. rogic before allan. . I think we missed rogic badly on Sunday just for his physical presence alone.

02 Feb 2016 20:23:20
id like to see Roberts get some game time to see what he's like but till then I'd say
Gordon
Lustig jozo Erik tierney
Bitton brown
McGregor rogic Christie
Griffith

Tomorrow I'd go for boyata for jozo
And gms for rogic

02 Feb 2016 23:11:00
I wouldn't start Roberts as he hasn't had time to settle in with his new team mates . Give him 20/ 30mins at the end and an opportunity to run at a tiring defence .

02 Feb 2016 23:19:48
Forrest for gms.

03 Feb 2016 07:54:59
Roberts am kazim Richards are in the squad for tonight.

03 Feb 2016 14:12:11
I would play both controversial l know but I think kazim was brought in to give us fight and fire something we have been lacking and Rogic in the middle would be my first attacking midfield.

02 Feb 2016 18:18:48
hows you ed?
listen a true story ed honest am walkin past "the balmore bar" in sarry st when a seen a sign above sayin it wiz fur sale>>>>
& the people sellin it?
"seymore clink! "
ah thote fk that av seen enough tae last a lifetime.

02 Feb 2016 15:40:47
I never anticipate much in the transfer windows especially the January one so not too surprised.
A majority of comments are criticising the new signings. I have never seen them play for Celtic alongside the other players so I will give RD the benefit of the doubt and comment AFTER they have played a few games.
Maybe, just maybe, RD might have got it right.

02 Feb 2016 19:35:46
I have lost a bit of confidence in our transfer strategy and in truth the direction we are heading, when I think back to Berget, Wakaso, Tonev and Scepovic and somewhere in the three windows since, there was Bailly, Blacket, Christie, Allen, Ciftci and Cole. [Maybe more? ]
This is nearly a full team who were rarely used - if at all?
I know before that we had the likes of Mouyokolo, Bangura, Balde Boerigter and Lassad, but we do seem to sign a load of players that we either don't really need or cannot fit into the 'system'.
Obviously we need a big squad, but we also need team spirit and good moral with everyone pulling in the same direction, but I don't see any structure and balance to our squad and most importantly there has been very little improvement for a while.

02 Feb 2016 12:47:48
Well, that's that. Hands up anybody that actually thinks we have now got enough to get through the CL qualifying? Assuming we win the league.

Even though, in our hearts we knew this window would end in bitter disappointment, we hoped, we always hope.

The defence is still not strong enough in depth. We still have Boyata and although, hopefully, the only time Ambrose will wear the hoops again, is sitting in the hoos watching us on the telly.

Sunday showed all of us at least, that we need strengthening as there is not enough class to give me any confidence under RD they can pull it off unless the draw is very kind. I hope I'm wrong.

Time will tell, but it seems the heart of Celtic is now one devoid of ambition. It has for many years been so to my eye.

The question that causes me anxiety is how far will be ahead of rangers if they spend some money once the get promoted, for they will.

RD has brought in a guy who has form, but not in the football sense and that to me sums his judgement in every area.

Keep taking the Valium lads.

02 Feb 2016 13:01:10
While there is always room for improvement, I would be happy to see us enter qualifiers with the following defence:

Gordon

Lustic Šimunović Sviatchenko Tierney

With the following making up the XI:

Brown Bitton

Roberts Rogic Armstrong

Griffiths.

02 Feb 2016 13:35:46
I think our big problem is fitting our signing in to our squad. Who will drop out for Roberts Richards cole etc we are ridiculously top heavy with players who are all similar quality and will be hard to move on for any return.
Defenders, tierney boyata simunovic sivachenko ambrose janko O'Connell fisher lustig izzy mulgrew
Midfield, brown bitton mcgregor gms Armstrong Forrest Allan Roberts Henderson johansson stokes
Forwards, Griffith Cole ciftci Richards Nesbit

Add in the goalies and your up to 30 players which is a ridiculous drain as there isn't many players that are above average ability.

02 Feb 2016 14:04:04
Jim1972, The whole point of us having so many players is for 2 reasons. 1) we play a hell of a lot more games than anyone else so change is needed throughout the season and 2) It's a development tactic so that no one rests on their laurels. The players know there's competition so have to perform. I half expect McGregor and Armstrong out of the team to face Aberdeen. I might be wrong though.

02 Feb 2016 13:57:36
The list grows commons rogic

02 Feb 2016 14:28:03
Cmcbhoy how did that squad work out with Europe and how many of that squad don't get any game time yet pick up wages constantly draining resources. There are far too many players who don't get game time and can't be moved on they just sit and run their contracts down
Boerrigter stokes janko O'Connell Cole Allan ciftci commons Forrest mulgrew etc
We need to trim at least 10 of those players and add 2 better players not similar level players

02 Feb 2016 16:46:41
Jim1972, I'l refer you to any my recent posts about Europe and taking time. I agree some have to go but we can't just ship out players if no one wants them. Of that list Janko has been injured and if we didn't have him wheres the RB cover? O'connell's a kid that'll get time eventually, Mullgrews been injured and will play some games, Forrest will play games, Cifti is away on loan and Allan will definitely play more at some point. Look at decent clubs that play a lot of games, they have large squads. Why should we be any different? Aye Boerrigters been a waste but so was big Bobo and others. Martin O'neill was a legend but what he wasted was insane but no one mentions that.

02 Feb 2016 16:50:22
Gordon, Forrest, Mulgrew, Commons, Izzaguire and Lustig are players in my mind, who's best games are far behind them.
Boerigter, and Cole have nothing to offer and we have far too many midfield players vying for similar roles.
In addition we have to keep Boyata and Ambrose apart and a distance of around 3,000 miles should cover it.
Bailly
Janko Sviatchenko Simunovic Tierney
GMS/ Roberts Johansen/ Brown/ Bitton Rogic Allen/ Richards
Griffiths

Still leaves the young goalie, Armstrong, [Boyata or Ambrose], Christie, MccGregor and two of the above surplus covers a squad.

02 Feb 2016 18:12:27
My point is we need to stop buying these players as they aren't any better than what we have so why buy them. We had fisher who whilst not great is no worse than janko, we bought 3 centre halfs so where does O'Connell get a game as he's behind ambrose and mulgrew also. Why sign Allan when he clearly isn't better than Henderson who we sent to hibs as his replacement. Will Christie get game time? Who will Richards get a game ahead of, why sign Cole?
Personally I would rather we had 20 outfield players who we can try to improve rather than 35+ which means you have players who know they won't get a game and will possibly hinder training and will restrict the likes of nesbitts progress as he should play against Stranraer ek and the Particks etc rather than Cole etc.

02 Feb 2016 18:58:24
i get your frustration jim, it's clear we have a difference of opinion. i think football has changed and a big squad is needed. no one knows if these guys are better as they've not played enough. i trust rds judgement as no matter what peoples opinion he knows how to build a team on a shoesting budget and develop players.

02 Feb 2016 19:00:25
Jim we have 70 registered players. That takes into account the development squad but 70 is too many. Look at the amount of average midfielders as you have pointed out. We are not buying players better than what we have we just buy same as or worse than. Young kids won't develope because they can't get close to first team. Why buy Cole. Can't get game can't get fit. Man city guy comes highly rated but he will keep other youngsters out of the team. The signing policy looks crazy.

02 Feb 2016 23:24:40
I am sure at nearly every club there are some fans who are totally frustrated with their squad . There are others like Rabmac, who always wants Celtic to do well who can see the makings of a good team from the same squad . We have people who are glass half empty proponents and we have people who believe the glass to be half full.
We have fans who have wound themselves up into a knot and can no longer enjoy Celtic no matter how they play . When Celtic string a few good results together they are hurting so much that they switch either back to the last European campaign or forward to the next.

03 Feb 2016 10:00:00
Wether the glass is half empty or half full as a supporter I don't want to settle for a half. Ps your an idiot if you think people are hurting if we win,personally I don't see how Carlton Cole Richards boyata Forrest gms Armstrong and even Griffith is going to progress us with Ronny giving the tactics?

03 Feb 2016 13:21:54
Jim in your negative haste to condemn, u don't even allow Richards the opportunity to kick a ball for us . Some encouragement from u and some confidence building.

03 Feb 2016 13:52:23
People claim Ronny hasn't had an input on transfers well Carlton Cole i'm certain he did and we can all agree he's a dud and looking at Richards record and stats if this is ronnys type the sooner he goes the better. I'm sick to my back teeth watching the club being run into the gutter but if you want to give Richards and co a fair crack of the whip then why not sign joey Barton and ched Evans next.

02 Feb 2016 11:43:53
I’m going to have a rant and then I’m done.

Folk going on about CKR and his baggage. Well the same stuff probably by the same people was said about Griffiths and look how that turned out. The same was said about Big bad John. At least give the boy time before casting him off.
Now I can’t say I haven’t been disappointed with the things that have happened but seeing folk trying to compare players that were brought in previously and compare us to previous teams is just ridiculous. We are not working the way we did previously. We are trying to promote youth (not just our own academy) and developing players. That’s what RD was brought in to do. Yet fans still think that these players should be coming in and hitting the ground running. It’s not going to happen. These players are not ready made for Europe or even the Scottish game. It takes time! All I heard when Lennon was here was to bring through the youth, and now it’s happening fans aren’t happy because they don’t perform in every game. There’s moaning because we’re only 6 points in front of Aberdeen but yet moaning because there’s no competition.

Between Rangers dying, the prices of players and the sheer number of scouts out there make it hard for us to bring in readymade players or at least ones with any pedigree.
Another note being the lack of treble. Well 3 managers have done that in our history (is that correct? ) Whether Rangers were here or not it’s a hard thing to do.
If the manager is sacked we will still be working under the same constraints and personally I see RD as the man to bring the best out of these kids.

Anyway rant over. Have a nice day.

02 Feb 2016 12:31:03
Cmc bhoy . its his scoring record. for me is the biggest problem . then the fact he has only steed 1 year at each of his clubs attitude or not good enough? Added to that he is 30 in august . so why jumping with a two and half year deal . a 6 month loan with option to buy was the most lrudent.

02 Feb 2016 12:39:17
Good points cmcbhoy. There is a sense of entitlement among CFC fans that far outstrips the reality. We get rid of Ronny, then what? It throws the club into turmoil as I can't see the board investing any more than we have done so far in the last 3-4 seasons. Ronny needs 3-4 years to bring in the changes required and get rid of the deadwood at the club. There are still a good few who should be shown the door, and have had their chance. I like what Ronny is doing, the club is in transition on the playing front, and when you are going through change you will take a few hits. IMHO we still need a few players with experience, who can contribute, maybe that's the reason for signing CKR and Erik. We will probably get a few more of these types in next transfer window. The team needs a backbone. KTF!

02 Feb 2016 12:47:35
I understand that DRB but all i'm saying is give him a chance before condemning him. Larssons record was poor before he came to Celtic. Sometimes the make of our club just brings players on.

02 Feb 2016 12:49:00
Bankie Bhoy, I couldn't agree more. I'm disappointed myself that more experience wasn't brought in.

02 Feb 2016 13:01:26
Trust me people he will be a good talent for us, I watched him at Blackburn and galatasaray and a little and feynord might not score a lot but his playing style opens defences and if he plays with LG then he will love the amount s goals he will score, CKR will bag a few himself as wee trust me.

02 Feb 2016 13:47:03
Cmc bhoy. larson. was 1in2 for hogaborg just under a goal a game fir helsinburgs. and 1 in 4 for feyenoord . And 1 in 3 for Sweden thd latter two as a winger, people keep saying this about larson but it's utter pish his record was good . I worked in holland when we signed him and the feyenoord supporters I worked with were ragin g He was allowed to come to us . looking at social media yesterday they are delighted we've taking him of their hands. some jokingly asking how much feyenoord paid us to take him. I also seen online a quote from Mark mghee saying the boy is impossible to work with circa brighton.

02 Feb 2016 13:56:16
1 in 4 for Feyenoord is not a good record although I think he was playing on the wing. TBH DRB I couldn't care who has said things about him. The way I see it is he's a Celtic player now and I will back him to the hilt until I'm proven wrong. People are far too quick to condemn before giving him a chance. All you need to do is go back to the Griffiths posts on here when he signed to see how quick people are to judge.

{Ed007's Note - Didn't LG appear in court as a CFC player for singing a racist song about Rudi Skacel? Looks like those who quickly judged him were proven right within a year of his signing.}

02 Feb 2016 14:05:03
Yes he was and has he not sorted himself out since that incident and fully admits he was a knob?

{Ed007's Note - So in other words we were right.}

02 Feb 2016 15:16:15
You're right stubborn ed. Griffiths has been a tremendous signing for us. I've never heard of this guy we've just signed and by all accounts he seems like a right nob. But if he proves to be a good player for us then I'll be quite happy.

{Ed007's Note - So it doesn't matter what type of people we have playing for us, We'll just ignore racism and homophobia as long as they score goals? I'm sure you'd have been delighted if we had signed El Hadji Diouf.}

02 Feb 2016 17:58:36
Bankie Bhoy I don't have a sense of entitlement but I expect celtic to beat Ross County in a semi final at Hampden. What happened on Sunday was unacceptable. Ronnie has failed to deliver on everything he promised we are not fitter, faster we don't play a high tempo pressing game we don't control games despite his failed system. He is a failure we need a different manager now.

02 Feb 2016 16:41:07
Ed, so you don't think he's settled now? People are prone to mistakes, that's what makes us human. It's whether we learn from them and I think Griffiths has. Everything isn't about being right or wrong.

{Ed007's Note - Only time will tell. People said the same when he signed and he let the club down - as was predicted.
If he has settled down so much why has the club banned him from going to Ibrox or Tynecastle to watch Hibs and if he goes to Easter Road he has to sit in the director's box? It seems the club are still struggling to trust him to behave.}

02 Feb 2016 18:17:26
No Ed my point was even you have to admit that Leigh Griffiths was a good signing for us. I don't know anything about this guy but he surely can't be as bad as Diouf! Btw what does a homophobic gesture look like? In my opinion the world is too PC nowadays!

{Ed007's Note - So you don't know anything about him but you're sticking up for him? I think I'll leave it at that.}

02 Feb 2016 19:04:47
he's probably been banned from these places because he's a scapegoat for anyone that want to goad him. i've said previously that i don't care what players have done in the past as long as they knuckle down and perform for celtic. a fresh start so to speak. i also think griffiths singing was blown way out of proportion. i've probably sung worse.

{Ed007's Note - Of course, it's never his fault. Assaulting school kids, dingying his own kids, being caught out being racist... TWICE etc etc The whole world's out to get LG.
I couldn't give a monkey's what you've sang, you aren't a CFC player.}

02 Feb 2016 19:24:52
we're going to have to agree to disagree, i couldn't care less what they done prior to celtic as long as they sort themselves out at the club. i don't think i said anything about the world being out to get him, nor have i said he's a perfect guy. people make mistakes, i'm sure you have! i also have to point out that you're right he has been caught out, perhaps others have done the same and just not been caught. it would still make them racist, you just wouldn't know about it.

{Ed007's Note - I'm pretty sure that any professional footballer being racist on Twitter would get caught, call it a hunch.}

02 Feb 2016 19:51:34
i meant in general ed, not twitter. what were the racist tweets?

{Ed007's Note - Go and look it up.}

02 Feb 2016 23:28:05
The forum of saints and scholars.

02 Feb 2016 08:28:31
Ed after sitting talking to a few of my fellow
Tims we can't believe how much Celtic have failed in the last two three years , but we came to the decision that if we ever had the chance to speak too DD the first thing we would ask is, in his many businesses if the people in charge failed liked himself and employees have at Celtic what would be the outcome , you do t have to be a genius to work it out, if these people have any love for the club they would step aside now, its time for them to leave , the numbers inside Celtic park for home games is nothing but laughable but its going to get pure embarrassing for the remainder of this season. I have no doubt they are relaying on them coming up next season, but that goes to show how pathetic set up it really is at Celtic, at the start of the season we had 5 lads going up to nearly every home game now it's me left, all of us have been through the hard times at Celtic especially the 9 in a row years from the cheats but ther was still faith and belief and spirit at are Celtic, that just isn't ther any more, my hearts breaking and I hate to admit it but for the first time in almost 30 years I have to admit it's time to start being a armchair fan as its just not worth the money I spend to see that crap week inweek out.

02 Feb 2016 11:09:43
One of our biggest failings - and I can remember back to Big Jock's teams - is we never build or improve from a position of strength and whenever we are successful, we rest on our laurels.
In the period you mention, we should have emphasised our superiority and pushed on as far as we could with diligence and confidence.
However, we have dithered/ faltered far too often and whether you choose to debate the managers we have employed, style of football, players we sign or the trophies we have won - the conclusion is we have come up well short of expectations - waiting for Sevco.

02 Feb 2016 11:52:23
No one has failed in the last 3 years as you claim. The remit for the Celtic manager is to get to group stages in either European competition and win the league. This has been achieved each year.

02 Feb 2016 19:14:13
Rab Mac how do you know the remit of the Celtic manager?

02 Feb 2016 01:58:12
Ckr played most of hid career at right back.

02 Feb 2016 01:31:53
Tim,

BTTS, red card, penalty awarded and penalty missed.

Unfortunately ona a celtic game instead of Barcelona or real!