El Cormaco gets that red and green pens out and gives the team, the players, the management and anything else in his path, the once over for a Mid year review
Back In August, after the Red Imps defeat, I took my critical eye and ran it over the Celtic squad. It was Brendan’s first competitive game, we stank and there was much gnashing of teeth among Tims.
That review is here if you want to re-read or cross-check.
As we are now into the meat of the season, the team are obviously going very well indeed so with so much talk of the Brendan effect I thought I d revisit my views from August and see what has changed.
With January coming up who should be gently eased out the door like trying to get your drunk aunty home at Christmas time and who should we cling to, like your drunk aunty does with her son in law at Christmas time? Here is my mid term report , please get involved in the comments
| Name | Position | Keep them? | Why / Why not? – August opinion | Mid Term Report |
| Craig Gordon | GK | yes | He’s fallible, can be improved upon but he’s passable | Brendan tried to improve upon him, but forgot that a goalie needs to be able to save shots as well as pass the ball. De Vries is now his back up and Gordon has improved with the competition |
| Logan Bailly | GK | maybe | Not really been tested when he’s played although his distribution is scary | Is he 3rd choice now? 4th? Will surely only be a future quiz question, can go any time and not be missed. At all. |
| Leo Fasan | GK | no | He’s been here for a right while and is still no.3? Not gonna make it | No sign my earlier opinion will change |
| Emilio Izaguirre | LB | no | I like Izzy, but he’s had his time | Viva la izzy!! Back in the team with Tierney’s injury. He’s not the future but is doing a fine job for the present, though I fear for him against Barca / Man City, he’ll be fine in SPFL. Plus points for being a mad Celt now |
| Efe Ambrose | N/A | no | Well, well, well. I’ve not given Efe a position as he can’t play in one. At centre half you think he might do less harm at right back, at right back you think he should play in the centre. The joke has run out of laughs, Efe, get your coat son, you’re never to be seen in a Celtic shirt again unless you’re on your holidays | It seems Brendan read this, Efe has been spotted less than black on an Ibrox balance sheet. If any one, and I mean anyone, wants him he’ll be gone. Do Sevco still need a centre half? |
| Jozo Simunivic | CB | maybe | I fear we bought £5m crock here. Played very few times between injuries and looked pretty ropey when he did. Will be on good deal so difficult to shift, I would if we could | Almost gone to Torino, now literally and metaphorically rehabilitated. When he’s played he’s looked stronger, more decisive and quicker, and would be in most peoples first choice centre back pairing, which is quite a turnaround. Recent comments from the manager about his ability to play more than once a week are a concern for a guy still so young – is his injury fully sorted or will it have to be “managed” for the rest of his career? Nonetheless glad he didn’t leave |
| Dedryck Boyata | CB | no | Rivals Efe for frightening Celtic fans more than opposition forwards. To think we used to have big dominating centre halves like Bobo, now have timorous clowns like this guy, terrible passer, terrible defender, terrible signing. | Reading what I wrote in August, I am spot on!! Played his first game of the season on Friday, was a mess; distribution absolutely shocking, clumsy, physically intimidated by Killie’s centre forward – a guy who usually wouldn’t get a game ahead of Kris Boyd. To think Mancini rated this guy when he was younger. A career going nowhere, apart hopefully, away from Celtic |
| Charlie Mulgrew | all sorts | no | Like Izzy, did a good job and should leave with his head held high, time and injuries have curtailed his “pace” to approx none and he can be a liability because of it | Gone. Will be remembered well and welcomed back – just not as a player |
| Saidy Janko | RB | no | I was pleased to see him last night, thought it was about time he was given a chance. I was wrong. A coward on the ball, unsure of his position when defending. There is usually a good reason clubs like Man United release players (see Boyata & Man City) | Written after the Red Imps game, his horror showing against Be’er Sheva was quickly followed with a loan away for the season. No one is missing him, unlikely to come back into the first team at Celtic. |
| Mikael Lustig | RB/ CB | no | Another who has been a fine servant to Celtic, but is also very injury prone and diminished because of it. Could possibly plug a hole at centre half but should be phased out and replaced | Lustig is a bit of man crush at the minute – he’s rarely missed a game, even after some heavy duty tackles, and been solid and consistent. Contract expiring – could be connected to an upturn in fitness and form but he seems a very decent pro and I’d definitely want to offer him a new deal now, a complete turnaround. Well played big man |
| Erik Sviatchenko | CB | yes | A defender who defends. Novel stuff at Celtic Park. He’s slow sure and can lunge in, but has the right attitude and tries to keep some kind of defensive shape around him. Possible captain | Growing into a real defensive leader at Celtic, my opinion hasn’t changed, he has real limitations to his game but he is definitely worth keeping and is a first pick on the team sheet at the minute |
| Darnell Fisher | RB | yes | He seemed to be progressing well, good pace, decent defender, so it was odd he went out on loan last year. Hopefully he gets and takes his chance | Dunno whats gone on with his career either, now also loaned out – or is it permanent. A few good early showings but never kicked on. We wish him well. |
| A Ralston | ? | ? | Not seen him play. Listed as a defender | Ive seen him play now!! He did fine, hopefully he can keep progressing and become a KT at right back |
| Kieran Tierney | LB | yes | our stand out youth player of the past few years, tenacious, committed, loves the Hoops and athletic. Possible captain. | His career keeps going upwards. Was in fantastic form when he got injured, hopefully he’ll get back to those levels when he returns to the team |
| Nir Bitton | DM | no | I wanted Nir to work, cut him a lot of slack but he appears to be playing a different game to everyone else, a game where the objective is to keep the ball from going forward and moving about the pitch as slowly as possible. He hasn’t got any better in his time here, so time to try someone else | Ah, Nir. My opinion hasn’t really changed – he is okay, but no more- not physical enough to be a dominant defensive midfield, too slow in his passing to be a force as a centre midfield, if a decent offer came in I wouldn’t be sad to see him go |
| Scott Brown | CM | no | Sorry Broony but time waits for no man and a snarling aggressive combative midfielder is only of any use of he can actually get to his opponents. Broony cant any more. His passing is also mediocre and he doesn’t score goals from midfield, so he doesn’t really offer anything. | Hands up, I was wrong. And glad to say it. Our player of the season so far, his European performances have been to a really good level (if we forgot Barca way please). He has been a revelation under Brendan, driving us on, winning the ball back, owning Barton; he’s like the Scott Brown we thought we weren’t going to see again |
| Stuart Armstrong | CM | yes | Can be infuriating, can disappear from games, but seems to want to be a success at Celtic, which is something in itself at the minute, and has had very impressive games among the anonymous ones. Should play centrally | Good to see Brendan reads this, has only played centrally this season and is currently a starter on merit. He has been providing the energy Bitton can’t. By no means the best we could hope for in the position but in Scotland at least he is certainly good enough and shows signs of getting better. Chipping in with the odd gaol from midfield too, which is always a bonus |
| Kris Commons | AM | no | In all honesty even in his pomp I wasn’t a huge fan, too slow, too keen to shoot when a team mate is better placed but probably still our best player technically. Time must be up now though? | Time officially up, he has been told to find a new club, so Hibs in January surely for Kris, and I wish him well. |
| Gary Mackay Steven | winger | No | do you remember his debut? He was tearing past people, scoring goals? It was also the last time he played well, the jersey is too big for him, get him away back to Dundee United type team where one good game every 6 weeks is okay | in his defence he has been injured, and who knows he could be another to benefit from the Brendan effect though I m far from convinced.I d still get rid if some one else wants him, which is a shame as he has something about him, but its not seen often enough |
| Ryan Christie | CM / AM | yes | Its too early to judge, wants the ball which again at the minute is a bonus, still young so deserves a chance | May need ot go out on loan as he has not featured recently and needs to play, with a view to coming into the first team picture next year |
| Tom Rogic | CM/ AM | maybe | He’s a weird one Rogic. Last night he was spectacularly bad. Other games he can look like a world beater. He’s slow, inconsistent and hides at times, but he does have something. A last chance to show that consistently now or sell him, I m not really bothered | Good that Tom reads this to – he has upped his gaem, is much more consistent, still cant go 90 minutes – why?But another who has raised their game this season, signed a new contract and righty a fans favourite – can do things others can’t |
| Scott Allan | CM / AM | yes | he can see a pass. He gives the ball away a lot too and isn’t in great physical condition, but he’s not been given a fair chance yet so until he is I say keep him | Gone. Seems to have fallen out with folk at Rotherham too, so may have some attitude issues. Safe to say no one is missing him, which is a contrast to last season when he was the unseen player who was going to make things better if he got a chance. Cant see him getting a chance after his loan, it seems his best moment was when he signed as a GIRUY to them. |
| Stefan Johansen | CM | no | he wants to go, we are on the same page. One great season a complete non entity last year. If he wasn’t fit then he shouldn’t have made himself available for selection. Nowhere near as good as he thinks he is, like so many of the squad | Gone. The Johansen of Ronnie’s first year would be an asset but again no one is missing his pointing, giving the ball way with stupid outside of the boot under hit passes or fiddling with the bit of string keeping his hair out of his eyes. Fulham got him from us, we have Dembele and Roberts. Yep. |
| Patrick Roberts | winger | yes | He’s on loan for another season so of course we will keep him. Despite his horrendous semi final miss he’s shown up well and it was a mystery why he didn’t’ come on last night | Has had a bit of a mixed time, was playing well then got injured and hasn’t really hit the heights since – he’s clearly pining for his mate Kieran to come back to fitness.He’ll come good again, I d still look to negotiate either a further loan or permanent transfer from City – with them spending more crazy money on players in his sort of position – like Nolito and Sane his chances of getting into their first team seem remote |
| Kristof Ajer | DM/ CB | yes | only just arrived so not seen him, seems he is not being thought of for the first team for now | The runour is he’ll go out on loan and is being viewed moe as centre half. Big unit. |
| Callum Mc Gregor | CM | yes | Good squad guy, can score a goal and keeps the ball moving. Not really the standard to get where we want to be but not so bad he should be punted either | Opinion hasn’t changed, I actually like parts of his game, he has a good turn on him, but he is not physical enough and doesn’t score enough for bigger games or a more advanced position. Still worth keeping around though |
| James Forrest | winger | no | Why did he come on last night? His tracking back was non existent, his chance at Celtic has come and gone, offers nothing positive – rumoured to have pace, never shows it, cant cross a ball or beat a man. Looks done at 24 | Hands up again, Jamesy has proved me and the other doubters wrong. His end product is still inconsistent but at least he is now working hard for the team and earning his place. Signed a new deal and looks to be really settled, I thought he should be out the door, now looks a real asset again. Another fine example of the Brendan effect, long may it last |
| Liam Henderson | CM | yes | I like this player, has a bit of character, as he showed when he turned the cup final Hibs way last year. No more loans out please, start integrating him into the first team | A strange one, I think Brendan likes him but cant get him game time. Would like to see him given areal go, I think he could make it as Celtic and would hate to see him leave and then develop into a fine player elsewhere. |
| J Thomson | ? | ? | Not seen him | Nope |
| Nadir Ciftci | CF | no | Just not good enough. Was okay last night but he’ll never be prolific and I m not really sure what the point of him is- even in his best Dundee United form he didn’t look good enough and the size of the number 7 shirt seems to have killed his confidence. | Please release him let him go…and give the iconic shirt to someone more fitting. He awas never good enough and never will be, sorry Nadir, you are the poster boy for how bad things were getting under Ronnie, when we signed you and tried to convince ourselves it was a good thing. |
| Leigh Griffiths | CF | yes | I doubt if we would have won the league last year without him. Has clear limitations but he scores goals, simple as. Needs to play centrally, while the idea of him cutting from the right onto his left foot makes sense in reality it doesn’t suit him | A coupleo f injury issues have seen him displaced as first choice, and while Dembele is scoring for fun this won’t change. Will get his chance again though and should be retained at all costs (up to a bid of about £8m) Love him I have to say, a throwback striker |
| Moussa Dembele | CF | yes | for a half last night he looked good, only just arrived, and should get better over his time with us. | “should get better over his time with us” – yes, I am a seer. The story of our season so far; strong, quick, technically very good, a good link man, a good finisher, good mentality he really does seem to have it all. Sadly he will leave us at some point, and the board will want to maximise his sell on value so it may be sooner than we would all like. Has scored goals in big games and leads the line so well, a first pick right now will need to be rested at some point as he is still only young, but what a fine job in getting him here, and to think we could have had Garner for just three times more. |
| Aidan Nesbitt | CF | yes | only seen glimpses, but he seems like he has a chance. | Seen no more of him |
| J Aitchison | ? | ? | Not seen him | Nope |
| Scott Sinclair | CF/ WF | yes | Hadn’t arrived when I wrote this, he has been excellent. I always thought he had something about him – I saw him a few times at Swansea, and a career going nowhere has been revived. Has the technique and pace to get us up the field in European games, plays the wide left position so well, getting into the middle of goal to link up and score at the right times. He reminds me a little of Henrik.. .he’s not as good, but in certain movements, the way he collects the ball and turns at times, I can see a little of the King of Kings in him.Last season’s team badly needed some pace, he has been great at stretching our game. Big fan | |
| Kolo Toure | CB | yes | Another hit. Apart from Monchengladbach when he was not. But without him we would very likely not be in the Champions league – when we were rocking in Israel he was immense, so for a free transfer he’s worked out very well – if we could put him in a time machine and get another five years from him id be very happy | |
| Dorus De Vries | GK | no | Weird he was player of the season at Nottingham Forest, “begged” to be allowed to join, and then proceeded to stink the place out. That’s maybe a touch harsh but never made any great saves (or saves at all – Ralph), he is a good mate of Brendan’s, so that’s nice | |
| Christian Gamboa | RB | maybe | Another new bhoy, not played too much, was terrible in his debut in Barcelona, but has looked alright in Scotland, although also poor in conceding a goal at ICT. Should do well in Scotland for the time being |
Ambrose-out
Boyata-out
Janko-out
Bailly-out
Fasan-out
Gordon-must stay but as the number 2 next season.
Izzy-gone in the summer.
Mackay Steven-loan
Commons – out
Bitton- out in the summer
Henderson- loan
Christie- stay.
Allan- out
Ciftci- out
Elco,
It is all about opinions, is it not? Here are mine.
In order to move to the next level we need to replace the following with better players:
De Vries in case Gordon gets injured.
Izzy has about a year left for domestic duties only. Assuming Tierney comes back from injury, we are well fixed there.
Gamboa may come good but Lustig is one more bad injury away from being finished. We need either someone stepping up from the youths or a replacement RB.
Erik and Jozo will do nicely with youth prospects developing nicely to sub for them. O’Connel, sadly, will not make it with us.
Brown has shocked me and it would be a brave man that predicted how his future will unfold. How many years does he have left? Currently, he is a mainstay of the team.
Armstrong might be the answer but the jury is still out. Still more improvement needed, plus consistency.
Rogic, McGregor need replaced. Creativity in the midfield needs to come from their positions. It does not at present.
Sinclair, Griff and Dembele are keepers. We require at least one winger. One of Forrest, Roberts should retained but we require a goal scoring wide player.
In terms of priorities, we should spend on the midfield first. Big bucks on a creative mid is THE priority.
Will this happen, given the league in which we play, I doubt all of it will happen. However, I am more optimistic since BR arrived. I think we shall get one big signing for sure.
Rebus
I forgot to mention GMS and Bitton. I regard GMS as already gone, he is just on the payroll. I agree with Monti, Nir should go as soon as possible. That would benefit both parties.
Rebus
Rebus – Agree almost 100% with your assessment. Would retain Forest before Roberts every time.
Good summation El.
Darnell Fisher i believe was sold.
Broony was always immense in my book,he played thru an injury that would have put lesser mortals in the sick bay,a warrior,who luvs. the Tic.I hope he gives Scotia the elbow.
Forrest same as Broony,a talent that not to many see,Delia nearly destroyed his career.
We need a new right back,Gamboa is to lightweight for me,he got a two year contract only,says it all really.
We urgently need two new midfielders,both need to be strong and athletic,one to make a killer pass upfront and a big defensive mid. in the John Ogu mould of Hapol Beer Sheva,to keep it tight at the back.
I would go for Calum Paterson of Hearts!
Agree with most of that. I think that more quality will come in.
Brendan knows that the way he wants the team to perform,some of them can’t cope with it.
Good enough for domestic football,but not good enough for European games.
Cup final
Gordon
Lustig Eric Jose Izzy
Armstrong Brown Roberts
Forrest Dembele Griff.
In a 3 5 2
Lustig Eric Jose 3 centre backs
Rwb Armstrong LWB Izzy
Broony def midfielder
Forrest Roberts. Cutting in from wide areas.
Dembele Griff up top.
5-0 the bhoys.
Roberts has not been the same player since he missed that open goal against the huns in the semi!s.
Young Christie,joins Henderson in the heart says yes,head says no.
Mike,
Agree on Hendo and Christie. However, my heart is overruling my head on Hendo. I cannot understand why he has not been given more chances. If we have Christie, we do not need GMS.
Your choice of RB may arrive in January, I anticipate more than believe.
Rebus
Gordon keep
Bailly keep
Lustig keep
Gamboa?
Jozo/Eric keep
Effe keep play in the mid-field pos
Tierney keep
Izzi leave
Forest leave nearly/almost man for so long
Roberts keep?
Biton leave
Rogic leave
Sinclair keep
Dembele keep
Griff keep
GMS/Cifki leave
Armstrong keep as back up only for SPL
McGregor leave
Christie keep for 1 more season but only SPL at CP.
Ffs nurse
In all honesty…I could argue a case for MOST of the team that played on Wednesday night to be shown the door.
ONE player proved his worth…and that was Broony.
Eric came a close second…but after that..? Forget it.
Players like McGregor…Rogic…Bitton…Forrest…Lustig..Izzy..Armstrong,
and Roberts just looked totally out of place.
If our ambition is to win the League…then hopefully qualify for the riches of the Champion’s League. Then maybe, just maybe, what we have will do.
But if the plan is to qualify for the last 16 and beyond…then a major overhaul is needed.
Hopefully BR will be given adequate funding..but more importantly..will spend it wisely.
We’ve had too many duds recently.
Mike Bhoyle,
Ffs m8 give the team some credit man!
Credit for what….??…Getting beat again..and not creating much at our home ?
All I’m saying is…
There’s no use using the SPFL as a yardstick…
And when it comes to Europe we’re found wanting.
The players I mentioned, don’t,in European terms, meet the requirements.
If the plan is to stumble along in Europe and take the money…then fine. These players might do the job.
But if there’s a genuine intention to proceed much further in the Tournament… We need a step up in class.
You canny argue wi’ that…surely ?
Mike,
I think the intention is to qualify for the next 3 years while building a squad that can qualify for the last 16. Next year’s aim must be Europe after Christmas, the following 2 years Champions League after Christmas. Then our team will get dismantled and Brendan will leave. Followed by a Tony, Ronnie type manager. Who will be the fall guy while we buy crap to only just win the league by 9 points and lose both cups.
A fair assessment but I still don’t get the jamesie Forrest love in – maybe slightly better this season but still anonymous in far too many games especially in Europe and at the end of the day doesn’t live up to the hype – I think he will be replaced at some point – hopefully very soon
Pish
A good team gets better the longer they play together. There are only a handful of players who should leave the club and a lesser number who need to come in. Simples. Pick your best 11 and then your best seven subs and let them gel.
Here goes (best 11 keep)
Gordon
Lustig/Sviatchenko/Simunovic/Tierney
Brown/Armstrong
Forrest/Rogic/Sinclair
Dembele
best seven subs:
Griffiths/Roberts/McGregor/De Vries/Christie/Henderson/Izzy
I would buy in a right back (Patterson from Hearts) and a few other positions.
Monti’s list of those who should go is all right by me.
Let me repeat:James Forrest comes on to rattle defences and maybe allow others to get into good positions. He is the only player we have who can do that consistently. Sinclair may be fit sooner than we think.
Its only opinions,I remember a friday night game,a guy standing next to me asked “whose the guy playing inside right”
His names Murdoch i replied
The answer i got was “Murdoch he,s fucking murder like i said its only opinions and thats NO PISH (shite).
Reserve game many years ago
Today, Partick Thistle. The MIBS have added a new tool to red cards, offsides, penalties:just add five minutes on and hope something happens in the last minute or two. It has certainly been working lately. Cool strategy. Keep the game going until your side wins!
Anyone who thinks rogic should go is a half wit
I think Mike Bhoyle is right to a large extent: It depends on your level of ambition. In the SPL the team is solid enough but in Europe it’s a different story. Players like Rogic and McGregor and Armstrong don’t have the skills, nor Izzy or Biton or others.