28 Jun 2022 13:44:25
I've picked out 4 players who were expected to make a bigger impact last season but due to various reasons they never played much game time.
Forrest, Jullien, McCarthy and Ideguchi.
Do you see any of these players getting a regular start under Ange Or even regular time on the pitch?
{Ed007's Note - I sent THIS article to Pablo last week and said to him seeing who wrote it that it's 100% came from inside the Club.}
28 Jun 2022 14:17:09
That’s the first time I’ve read that article from last week.
McCarthy always made himself available last season but our midfield was a strong area of our team especially moving forward.
The defensive midfield area does need strengthened from last season with the amount of games Celtic will be involved in.
If McCarthy or Ideguchi or hopefully both can step up and give Ange a team selection headache, all the better.
I’ve enjoyed the break from football but I’m now looking forward to the new season.
What a difference 12 months makes.
{Ed007's Note - With Bitton and Rogic both leaving there's going to be a restructure of the pecking order in midfield next season and even if we do bring in the strong/physical player we're all screaming out for McCarthy's aim has to be taking over Bitton's place in the squad at the very least.
I think Gucci falls into the category that he didn't get much game time simply because of who was in front of and the team playing and doing so well.}
28 Jun 2022 17:00:28
If Mccarthy gets a good pre season hopefully he's an asset, last year for me he always looked a bit lethargic.
28 Jun 2022 17:25:28
Craig Swan, what's his connection to the club?
{Ed007's Note - Craig's a BIG Celtic man and the Club often use him for their puff pieces, he's been in and around the Club as a journalist for 20+ years.}
28 Jun 2022 18:12:33
Ed/ Buzz
Hopefully Jimmy Mac can do a job this season albeit he’s been disappointing for me to date and Idiguchi has a bit of dig as we haven’t seen much of the lad after horrendous tackle and resultant injury.
I agree 100% we need a strong physical type to replace Brown and I’m on record as saying title no. 2 would be in jeopardy in my opinion if we don’t. Bullied in the middle of the park something terrible in games against them last season.
So it bothers me that I’m not sure Ange agrees. I don’t know if you guys can remember but I think it was Ice Man who said on the podcast we were on together that he didn’t think that type of player suited Ange’s system or McGreggors position. My view is McGreggor has played to deep for want of an enforcer but Ice Man felt it would force McGreggor wide out of position if I remember correctly.
Ice Man played the game at a high level so his opinion is worth more than mine or most. It would be good to hear him elaborate on this point as he’s a knowledgeable lad and good speaker. I didn’t quite get it at the time and still don’t.
{Ed007's Note - ?
28 Jun 2022 18:30:14
Cheers Ed, I don't like reading the smsm for obvious reason but I take it his articles can be trusted.
{Ed007's Note - I wouldn't go that far, Wylie ?
28 Jun 2022 21:25:49
My personal view on the four players mentioned in Buzz's post above;-
* Julien - clearly not fancied by Ange if he was fit, as he confirmed he was in a recent interview. 12 months left on his contract and feeling homesick?
* Forrest - looked to have lost some pace and unable/ unwilling to hit the byline after beating his man. Can't see him getting a start unless the bhoys infront of him are injured.
* McCarthy - our poorest signing last summer? Hasn't looked fit or sharp enough. We should have signed him from Accies. Possibly a full pre season will change this - time will tell but I remain unconvinced.
* Ideguchi - assaulted in the SC tie and missed a lot of games from the resulting injury. I think he'll see far more game time this season.
On your point JFP, I agree with you. If Ange doesn't bring in a Scott Brown type player, even to be utilised selectively then we will have a problem against certain teams i e. Sevco and some teams in Europe.
Not sure if the link to Souza is genuine or not but I thought that he would play in this role?
☘️ ? ☘️.
28 Jun 2022 22:21:24
Pedro
How’s your stout?
jfp.
28 Jun 2022 22:38:06
JFP how you doing buddy? Hope you’re having a cracking summer. I remember having the Calmac discussion on the podcast with you guys. My thoughts on it were for me McGregor is by far our best player on the ball therefore I felt having him in the deep laying role suited him best in Anges 4-3-3 system.
Like yourself a lot of other supporters prefer Calmac playing further forward as we have all seen how effective he can be in this position however this was when we played a different formation 4-2-3-1 and he played in front of Ntcham and Brown and had a licence to roam.
I don’t believe Ange will deviate away from his formation therefore if Ange was to bring in an enforcer type midfielder Calmac would most likely play on the left of the three which for me completely nullifies him and doesn’t suit his game at all. When Bitton played as the holding midfielder last season McGregor played on the left and was ineffective any time he played there. That is my reason for wanting Calmac in the number 6 role.
Having said all that mate i do agree we do lack steel in the centre of the park and given the fact we have been linked with a number of enforcer type midfielders in the last couple of weeks i. e SOUZA, SEMEDO and some French player from Metz who’s name escapes me, maybe Ange IS prepared to mix things up formation wise.
We shall see however IN ANGE WE TRUST and I can’t wait for the new season to start ???.
29 Jun 2022 07:43:13
That makes sense Ice Man and like everything else, time will tell.
I'm hopeful Ange will have noted our 'soft centre' and the links to the midfielders you've mentioned, if legit, is a step to ensuring we're better equipped for battle in the middle of the park.
☘️ ? ☘️.
29 Jun 2022 07:44:05
JFP, it's nectar.
☘️ ? ☘️.
29 Jun 2022 09:25:29
if calmac goes into the left of midfield and we bring in a bit of steel who would you drop out, for me its hatate as i don't think he like the physical side of our league.