11 Aug 2026 21:31:17
Edd, Hassan looks very close to signing which would make a front 3 of Hassan, Hogh, Duran. do you think that will b formation mate as I think Duran isn’t really a winger, or mb a 442 with Duran playing of the big yin.
{Ed007's Note - I don't see us moving to playing 2 strikers as for me - like when MON said we weren't looking at any CBs - the numbers don't stack up, if you're playing two up you need 4 in your squad, only having 3 you're one injury from a crisis and no offence to Kenny but he's nowhere near good enough.
Duran can play up front or on either wing (he's even played about a dozen games as a No.10) and I think tactically he is Maeda's replacement for that versatility.
I'd love to see us go back to playing 4-2-3-1, get a proper CDM in to play beside CalMac and Nygren would thrive in the freedom of playing the No.10/CAM role imo.}
12 Aug 2026 10:03:55
A 4-2-3-1 formation would give us more cover and stop us from conceding in 90% of the games we in.
{Ed007's Note - ???
12 Aug 2026 10:20:49
I don't think we should stick to a rigid formation as the demands of SPL and CL are miles apart.
4-2-3-1 might be fine for CL when a more cautious approach required but in Scottish games 4-1-3-2would be fine.
As striker cover, don't forget young Osmand. He's shown great potential and can handle big game pressure. Leave him sitting on the bench and we'll lose him, without even getting near the limit of his potential.
Sinisalo
AJ CCV Scales KT
Engels
Hassan Nygren Calmac
Duran Hogh
New Keeper
CD Murray Trusty New LB
New CDM
Yang McCowan Tounetki
Kenny Osmand
It's as plain as the nose on your face, we need another LB, then a CDM then a GK, prioritised in that order!
{Ed007's Note - I know we have Osmand and as I said Kenny simply isn't good enough imo and is due to leave anyways leaving us with 3 strikers, if any of them get injured or suspended we'd be down to 2 strikers both playing and no-one on the bench.
If Celtic are going to play 2 up top they must bring in another striker for the balance of the squad.}
12 Aug 2026 10:21:45
It would also put Nygren in the position he is most suited at nos 10.
Would require us to get 2 CDM. 1 to play and 1 to cover.
12 Aug 2026 10:35:32
Ano Hogh is ny main signing and he will finish top scorer, Duran is a player in my eyes everyone wants to see doing well and a think your right on the No10 roll for him.
12 Aug 2026 11:51:15
Did SM not say MON wants Kenny to stay. Hopefully I got that wrong, he's a nice lad but nowhere near the level we need and nowhere near Duran or Hogh.
I just wish Tounekti would step up as he shows glimpses of quality but not often enough.
MON and SM really like and rate Yang so I really don't think we will get in another forward.
I just wish we could sign the Lithuanian midfielder playing in Series A and keep AE.
The power and ability of that 2 would run our domestic league and improve us in Europe but I genuinely think AE will be sold.
If we don't make decisions quickly Rohl will get him if rumours are true.
IMO Baur should be a no brainer, he would bring energy and similar passing ability of Hatate to open defences.
If our club are serious about quality over quantity then whoever comes in after Hussan needs to be similar level of the 3 we have brought in.
We can get those level of players in by selling 1 ir 2 if our better players, it seems like a strategy that would be self perpetuating.
After the window closes the biggest changes we need is the CEO and board.
12 Aug 2026 12:18:21
MIB your post made great reading until u Put Murray in mate, Bho should b loaned out for cpl yrs see if he Progresses. Not good enough for a start with us.
12 Aug 2026 12:52:04
Do you think there's some hold back with extra players due to the SFA crisis summit in St Andrews on September 4, 2026 which might look to enforce clubs bringing forward and bleeding in young Scottish talent.
I know we still need additional players, but this might be a concern for some clubs. Ed, thoughts?
12 Aug 2026 13:43:01
I think Kenny and Murray are very similar, bags of potential but both need more game time to develop.
Scales went to Aberdeen and came on for his stint there. Hopefully Kenny and Murray improve their games significantly in the next 2-3 years at which time they will be in their prime.
That said, they're not going to improve bench warming, so if we're not going to rotate the squad, (which we seldom do! ) then loan them out for more experience.