28 Jul 2026 18:48:54
Matin O'Neill arrived at Celtic on the 1st June 2000. Before he arrived he was an active manager and probably very aware of what was on the market and what was available.
MONs first signings were as follows:
Chris Sutton 11th July 2000
Joos Valgaeren 28th July 2000
Alan Thompson 1st September 2000
Didier Agathe September 2000
Neil Lennon 8th December 2000
None instant signings, and there was no 48 team World Cup going on.
Come June 2026, MON signs a permanent contract but hasn't been in close touch with current player availability (argue about that all you want) . He'll get there!
So why is everyone flapping. As Oddball says, "Enough with the negative waves, have a little faith".
PS. Should there be an award for the 1st negative wave?
28 Jul 2026 19:55:18
Thats true AP, I think its just the fact we are 1 week away from season starting and we've spent 2m so far after what we have sold, not enough bodies in with what we glaring need, this week is huge we need to get off to a flyer domestically and CL qualifiers.
28 Jul 2026 20:12:54
I don’t know why I always thought that Valgaeren was Martin’s first Celtic signing after watching him at the Euros as a pundit.
28 Jul 2026 20:52:43
You may be prepared to forgive the board but many of us have had enough of them.
In my eyes, they are only making some high profile signings to try and get people back on board but it is too little, too late.
They told us they would improve communication but it anything it has actually gotten worse. They told us they had learned lessons but yet here we are again with major deficiencies in our first team heading into the most important, financial game of our season.
They showed no ambition, a complete lack of foresight and a reluctance to modernise by appointing Martin O'Neill. It is time for Desmond and his antiquated board to depart and let someone else take the reigns.
28 Jul 2026 21:24:56
Do you not like the Board Joe? You should have said.
28 Jul 2026 21:30:35
None of the collective, s goals have been met. The club still needs modernisation on and off the park from top to bottom or all of the issues will keep recurring. A couple of signings has changed nothing. This small minded cabal needs removing, the sooner they’re gone, we can start to progress as the football club we should be aspiring to be.
28 Jul 2026 22:44:53
I, and I'm sure many, don't disagree with your points regards the board Weejoe, 100%.
What I'm choosing to do is focus on the club signing, what I perceive to be, better players than those that have been in the starting 11 in recent times - particularly last season.
We could sign Mbappe and Messi by Friday lunchtime and this board and its abentee landlord, will still be a shower of s. hoite and require to be replaced.
In the meantime I'll take any and all positives going because at the end of the day, Celtic FC is bigger than any individual and will be here long after DD is in the ground.
HH.
28 Jul 2026 23:29:47
I will never forget meeting velgaerean and few Celtic lads in malahide. Ended up drinking in my parents house before going to city. Typical irish mother wanted to make sandwiches before pints, it was 12.30 on an Tuesday night.
Drinking in sitting room while mother made sure we had food before drink. Pictures will always be cherished. True legends.
Tommy Byod and big joos.
28 Jul 2026 23:38:45
That is your choice Pedro but I have had enough and there is nothing they can do to get me back on side. For that reason I will continue to be hyper critical of everything they do and won't rest until they are gone.
29 Jul 2026 03:16:51
Buzz, O’Neill was a pundit in the studio during the Euros and he definitely watch Valgaeren during one of the matches, I’m sure it was the Sweden game as he was asked by Lineker what he thought of Mjallby and Larsson his new players., Mjallby scored in the game and as they say, the rest is history.
29 Jul 2026 11:40:17
Fair do's Weejoe.
HH.