22 Jun 2014 00:17:27
Heard a rumour that Ronny's interested in signing Rosenborg's 23 year old Norwegian-born USA international midfielder Mikkel Diskerud n Hertha BSC's 21 year old German-born USA international defender John Anthony Brooks?

1.) 22 Jun 2014
Not heard that, but Diskerud is a great player. Saw Brooks against Ghana the other night and he looks a good player for his age. Trouble is we probably don't have space in the squad for either player at the moment.

2.) 22 Jun 2014
I actually googled the boy Brooks during the USA v Ghana game, because I liked the look of him, but I hadn't heard we were interested. The USA must be a good example/must be doing something right as they are very consistent, and always bring through these prospects. I think we have plenty of space for a centre half - we badly need cover there. But yeah the squad is far too big, full of average players, and hopefully one of the first things Ronny does is decide who should be kept long term, whether it's the younger ones who have just come back from loans, or your Kayal's and Balde's etc we need more quality, and less guys who simply don't have the quality/consistency. Going forward the youth players need to be let go earlier, for the sake of their own career, there is no point keeping them until they are 21 and then realizing they are first division players, this has been happening at Celtic for years, and the youth coaches must take most of the blame.

3.) 22 Jun 2014
Some players will be moved on in the next two transfer windows
Sammy already away, derk looking for guaranteed first team footballike, there will be spaces for new talent. Cheers 🍀🍀

4.) 22 Jun 2014
Who's going to keep them out the squad? Ambrose? Kayal n Mulgrew?

5.) 22 Jun 2014
We have a solid midfield unit with Brown and Johansen. Diskerud would not get in our midfield. As for Brooks, he could partner Ambrose if Virgil were to leave this summer, however, I suspect if Virgil does leave then Mulgrew will move to CB.

6.) 22 Jun 2014
Brooks I would have. From what I have seen of him in the Bundesliga he's comfy on the ball, and a ball-playing defender, similar to Virgil. His physical presence is obvious too. Certainly one for the future for me but perhaps just a good squad player. I'd have most CBs over Ambrose though.

7.) 22 Jun 2014
New manager who will have new ideas and will be assessing who he wants to keep and who is for the door, thus creating space.

Just because you are of the opinion brown and johansen doesn't mean Ronny Deila has to share same opinion.

8.) 22 Jun 2014
DN30 - Brown and Johansen WILL be the midfield partnership this season, there is absolutely no question about that. There is about as much chance of England winning the World Cup this year as there is of Deila dropping either from the team.

9.) 22 Jun 2014
LLF1 how do you know that for sure? Your just guessing.

Its common sense, any new manager to any club will assess squad and make judgements based on their managerial skills. i'm not slating brown or johansen in any form whatsoever. They are 2 good players. But it happens regularly, a new manager perhaps thinks it time for change. One example I can think of was steve mclaren dropping beckham.

10.) 23 Jun 2014
So you think Ambrose is better than Brooks n he'd only get a game for us if Virgil leaves? Have a word wi yourself, eh?!

11.) 23 Jun 2014
Agreed hamiltonbhoy

12.) 23 Jun 2014
Hi guys always read everyone's view but never posted. I'd love it if we signed brooks but just can't see it after his performances at WC he will be out of r price range and there is no way the board will spend more than 2.5m on any player. Also what's everyone's thoughts on the cl draw I think we got a difficult enough tie as they will be midway thru their season but feel we should have enough to get through!

13.) 23 Jun 2014
DN30 - Johansen was Deila's star player at Strømsgodset until Lennon bought him in January. Deila has already been raving on about how good a captain Scott Brown is. Diskerud is good enough for our Starting XI, but it would not make sense to sign him.
HamiltonBhoy - Where is Brooks' Champions League experience? Yes Efe can scare us sometimes, but he was absolutely terrific last season alongside Virgil. Signing Brooks would not make sense either when we Mulgrew, Lustig and Mouyokolo can all play in that position. In addition, Deila has said he wants to keep the squad together more than signing new players. It's all rumour and speculation at the moment, as Deila said himself at his press conference today.

14.) 24 Jun 2014
Is the CL the be all n end all when it comes to judging a players talent? That's like saying Adam Lallana or Luke Shaw couldn't get a game for us as they play for Southampton. Ridiculous statement! Ambrose n terrific should never be seen in the same sentence together. Mouyokolo? He should've never been signed in the first place. Lustig is best at RB. The only CB's we have who get pass marks from me was Mulgrew in his POTY season n Virgil last season. I'm sure Mouyokolo n Ambrose will have him creaming his pants, imagine they two wi Gordon in goals? We'd struggle to keep a clean sheet the entire season!

15.) 24 Jun 2014
Do you have any direct quotes from Deila raving about Brown? Because my understanding is they've never met, he's only spoke to him on a transatlantic phone call re JC?

16.) 24 Jun 2014
"We need strong personalities, we need many opinions and we have to handle them in a good way and then we will progress and produce good results for Celtic."

"Scott is a fantastic captain so of course he will be captain this season."

17.) 24 Jun 2014
HB I agree Celtic are badly needing CB cover, as ambrose although ok in domestic comp can be found wantin in Europe

18.) 24 Jun 2014
And thanks for picking out those quotes Tompo88

19.) 24 Jun 2014
HamiltonBhoy - It's all a matter of opinion, although I think you're blinded by one game against Juventus at Celtic Park where Ambrose had a stinker. You can't slate Mouyokolo either. Looked decent from the first glimpse we had of him at the start of last season and unfortunately picked up a bad injury which kept him out. And I don't see why Lustig HAS to play at RB when we have Matthews and Fisher in the squad as well? And for ridiculous statements, you should look at your last one. If Craig Gordon does sign, gets his match fitness back and is eventually our first choice, it will have been shrewd business by Celtic as he is a top quality goalkeeper.

{Ed007's Note - There will be weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth from me if we sign Gordon and he ends up our No.1.}

20.) 24 Jun 2014
Ed, I completely understand where you're coming from as he's not played competitive football in two years. My gut instinct is that Zaluska will leave and Gordon will only be back-up, however, if he does become our first choice then I'd expect the supporters to at least give him a chance to prove himself.

{Ed007's Note - He's only played 1 match in the last 3 seasons and apart from his first season in England he has been extremely injury prone since 2008/09. Between his arms and his knees I can't see what he can offer the club even in the short-term, signing him would be a massive risk, signing him as our No.1 would be a massive mistake imo.
GKs rarely get short term niggly injuries, if a GK gets injured it is usually medium to long term and with a seriously injury prone back-up it would leave us open to having to play our 3rd choice GK in matches, how would Gordon's arms and knees hold up to playing 2 matches a week if Forster (or his replacement) is out long term? You have to consider where he is confidence wise and mentally as well, there's a world of difference between training and the hustle and bustle of a penalty box during a match. If our No.1 gets injured we will be relying on someone who is perhaps one awkward fall away from his career ending, even in training he is risking serious injury.
I just don't think the GK position is something you should take any chances whatsoever with, you need to have 100% confidence in both your Gks and because of injury and the length of his time out I don't think Gordon gives you that. If, and I know it's only an if, our No.1 gets injured we will be on shaky ground with Gordon in goal, his injury history is always going to be a concern, I think it should be someone else's concern.}

21.) 24 Jun 2014
Has Ronny Deila mentioned anything about Craig Gordon? If he is signed, in my eyes that is a lawell signing

22.) 24 Jun 2014
Well I guess we'll have to get behind him because it looks like he'll be Deila's first signing. Gordon could yet surprise us all, no matter if he's first choice or backup.

23.) 24 Jun 2014
DN30 - For once I agree with you there. Gordon is definitely not Deila's signing, although Lawwell may be doing this because he knows we will definitely be losing a goalkeeper this summer.

24.) 25 Jun 2014
LLF1 there has been a lot of speculation about Forster being linked with a move. i'm thinking perhaps lawell has told him he could go after world cup in hope he gets capped, plays well and his value increases. I hope we don't sign Craig Gordon, he is on a steady decline and I can't see it working out

25.) 25 Jun 2014
If I'm being completely honest I'd rather we sold Van Dijk this summer than Forster. Need stability and that is what Forster give us. Van Dijk is an exceptional talent and would be missed, but he can be replaced. Not so easy to find good goalkeepers at this time.