With the news that Arsene Wenger has finally taken the hint and decided to step aside at Arsenal, the media up here will be praying Brendan gets the gig.
A few comments in the Diary reflected on this and made me think of Brendan and the current squad members and here is a wee review of who from current squad that may or may not be there come the CL qualifiers ( I appreciate exits and higher quality purchases may depend on actual progress in qualifiers which could impact current personnel staying or moving on so leaving potential signings to another day)
So who’s who and how they looking for being at Celtic 2018-19
Manager 90%
Dealing with the topical question, Brendan, ever the Diplomat, has declared that he still has work to do here and its probable that Arsenal will go for a European coach. Diego Simeone would fit that bill perfectly in my opinion but media talk is of Juventus fearing a call. That is by the by as all we care about is Celtic and in all likelihood Brendan will still be our leader come Champions League qualifiers in the Summer.
The question of course is will he get suitable backing should he make demands above the recent “Peter, can we sign some freebies and maybe one player for a few million?” to freshen and improve the quality of the squad. That will be the real test but I think he will be here come summers end.
Ultimately I can see Brendan heading away after next season, especially if he doesnt get the money we need to raise our squad at least nearer to Europa League contender levels and cue a Lenny or Martin\Roy Keane dream team combo taking over for the push to the 10 in a row.
Back For Sure
Broony 100%
Hes our main man and nothing will keep him away from the Hoops next year. Will hopefully be bringing his replacement on through next season and the one after.
KT 100%
The boy who would be king is a stick on to be next Captain. The media touted big bucks move to EPL can wait for a few seasons at least
Callum 100%
Coming on leaps and bounds and what a season. One for the fans to appreciate more and more with skill, desire, energy and drive.
Nothing flash but committed as they come, a true credit to the club.
Forrest 100%
Form of his life for first half of this season and if he had a left foot he could be at Barcelona on some of his earlier form. His speed and right foot can sometimes work wonders for us though and he will be looking to 2018-19 to get Celtic into the CL and also score that first goal against Rangers.
Ajer 100%
After a good loan spell, came back from Killie and has done well in a pressured Celtic environment. Still raw sure but hes a ball playing centre half with drive who is learning well. With his football skills, Ajer should get the nod for next season unless the club go mad and spend big on central defenders.
( BIG NOTE 4 players above all came through the ranks and Broony now 10 years..who says continuity doesnt pay!)
Jack Hendry 100%
Came from Dundee and trying to settle in. The stats show we hardly win when he has played but hard to blame new kid on the block when more questions should be directed at others around him or the management team. He will be hoping to get a chance next season to make a place his own but will find new pressures with CL qualifiers looming, be interesting to see if he can step up but will be around next season for sure.
De Vries 99%
Got a contract till 2019, unless someone comes in offering him mad money ( and thats our job by the looks of it!), then his lessons in teaching Craig Gordon how to kick a ball will continue at Lennoxtown
Gordon 95%
Has recovered well and some saves in semi final. Unless Chelski come calling again then he will be our Number 1 even if he isnt the greatest with ball to his feet in this modern age of the sweeper keeper.
Johnny Hayes 95%
Came from Aberdeen, took a wee while to adjust as most foilk would withs uch a cultuire and pressure change. Got a bad injury just when a window was opening for him to take his chance. Likely seen as backup for left hand side overall but will be there to give his all when asked.
Ntcham 90%
Had a great season and playing really well alongside Broony. Should be stick on for next season but worth noting that he has formed a great alliance with Odsonne and Moussa and with those two potentially exiting, could Ntcham starts to feel fed up or a little home sick. Get wee Charly to keep him company.
Probably, I Think
Leigh Griffiths 80%
Griff wants to stay, but he also wants to be lead striker. Questions questions. Will Dembele go?, will another guy come in?. Can Griffiths shake off wee injuries and make a place his own. Its doubtful to be honest under Rodgers but he is ideal for the SPFL but the team joker needs to really dig deep and concentrate on the game rather than just being gemme
Mikel Lustig 80%
Signed a contract extension last year and has another year left after this next World Cup. Cant see him going anywhere as loves the club and his family are settled. With injury history he cant be overly depended upon so hopefully play mentor to a new right back and provide back up cover where needed this season.
Marvin Compper 80%
Came, got injured, sat down, played, sat down, got injured. Talk of some personal issues having to be dealt with recently. Probably will never be seen in the hoops first team again but likely to stay and enjoy his latest contract to its full.
Nir Biton 70%
The guy who always stepped up to the plate and gave his all when asked. Sadly got a bad knee injury and out for most of 2018.
Doubtful we will see him near a fully fit first team squad again but he is contracted until 2020 so an exit during early summer months probably unlikely with him being seem as dependable backup in an emergency for CL qualifiers if he continues to recover well.
Scott Sinclair 70%
Just won top goalscorer at Team awards but been a tough second season for Sinclair. Set the world alight last season but has faded this season to the point where he lost his “first on the teamsheet” standing. Looks a shadow of his former self and low on confidence at present. Sinclair Could really do with a good final run in of games to see out the season on a high. Loves playing for Brendan and the Celts but maybe with form dip and with a new baby on the way, he might just be interested in a move back down South.
Mibbes Aye, Mibbees Naw
Tom Rogic 50/50%
Gordon Strachan said of Nakamura “Good players can play, but great players can play when it really matters, when the pressure is really on and something has to be done”. The same can be said of Rogic who is now in the last year of current contract. Rogic is a true big game moment player if not a big whole game player for Celtic. Our Mr twinkletoes has been a great find and credit to the work of himself and Celtic to bring him on from glorified 5 a-sides starlet. Such a talent draws attention of course and whilst injury and stamina are not his friend, the guy scores great goals, dribbles with ease and suitoirs are lining up to see him in the World cup as the star of Australia…its a true “pray he returns home” time for Celtic fans come August.
Eboue Kouassi 50%
We had a few flashes of Eboue this season but likely he could be off away on loan come next season unless he can really step forward in next few months
Calvin Miller 50%
Been on fringes and I reckon he looks good for a loan deal to Hibs, Aberdeen or St Mirren next season but may be kept around for cover if we struggle to get names in quick.
Looking Dodgy
Dedryk Boyata 40%
One who definetely splits the support. Some want him out, others want him out now! The big Belgian defender has a decent season last year but one thing after another makes him now defender non grata in most Celtic fans eyes even if Brendan has faith in him. Dedryk might still make the World Cup squad and chances are he will stay over in Europe once the finals ends although he might just fancy running the last year of his contract down to escape on a Bosman ( Will they apply after Brexit? – Ed).
Stuart Armstrong 40%
A player who is now more heralded for his hair and his song than actual performances this season.Possibly Injury prone and commitment prone and its now or never for the talented midfielder to shit or get off the pot. I reckon he has missed his chance to be a Celtic great and a taxi south awaits in the summer. Got the look of a player who will end up at Aberdeen in a good few years before that Law degree comes in handy after football.
Jozo 30%
We thought he was gonna be our hard man, turned out he was made of glass. Probably the best defender at the club but fragile as they come. The combination of injuries, suspensions and persistent want away rumours suggest this might be the final season for Jozo in the Hoops. A decent player and still only 23 but one who plateaued pretty early and never really fulfilled our hopes for him, eventually drifting out of all our thoughts. He is contracted till 2021 so things could change but for now it looks appropriate for everyone if he goes this summer.
Moussa 30%
After a great first season, the second season took quite a while to get going for both Celtic and Moussa and injury didnt help.
Hitting form as we near the important end of season and his destruction of Rangers recently reminded folk just how formidable our star striker can be. Playing well for the France U21s and an outside hope for Russia 2018, chances are Moussa will depart come this summer but what a great time we have all had. Our best bet might be hes around for CL qualifiers and then exits for big money to an Arsenal or alike.
Cristian Gamboa 20%
Yeah, he is still here. The right back dud will be at the World Cup and its doubtful his passport will be stamped for UK again.
Celtic are likely to pay off his remaining contract year rather than give him a bib but he might just choose to stick around like a bad smell.
It makes you miss wee Izzy even more!
Loanees In
Charly Musonda Jnr 95%
Has faded since a really bright start. That has probably been due to adrenalin crash and a first Scottish Winter but the wee man now has a full pre-season to look forward to before really turning it on next season. Would he go if Brendan left?, probably not.
Scott Bain 70%
Did okay since arriving from Dundee via Hibs, especially at the 3-2 game at Ibrox. Enjoying his time there and Brendan and co seem to like him so unless Conor Hazard gets promoted then theres a very good chance Bain could be putting pen to paper..just how much will Peter offer him mind is another story.
Odsonne Edouard 20%
Scored a cracker at Ibrox and has shown some nice touches but doubtful we will pay anything above £3m for him in truth and lack of starts may have him looking elsewhere too. Another loan deal might be our best bet at seeing if Edouard can step up in any absence of Moussa Dembele.
Paddy Roberts 20%
Its been a disappointing season really for Paddy and Celtic this season. Injuries and the form of others have meant limited starts for the wonderful winger and with this current loan deal running down, it would take major money to bring him here full time. More chance Celtic just siding with Lewis Morgan instead and diverting cash towards a new right back. Our best hope might be another loan deal from Man City but a third time might be pushing it and likely Paddy will be away to a West Ham, Brighton or Burnley.
Loaned Out
Lewis Morgan 60%
Had a great season for St Mirren and even after signing for Celtic, kept up his dazzling form. Should enjoy a good summer and pre-season but unless he really set the Celtic world on fire there is a decent chance he could be back at St Mirren or a Hibs to help ease him into the SPFL experience rather than hoping to make the bench with Celtic.
Ryan Christie 50%
I reckon the jury is still out on Christie making it in a Celtic jersey. Seems decent for Aberdeen but never seems to dominate a game against a big opponent and might struggle to find a place in front of current first team players. Could be one to benefit should Rogic and Armstrong head off but could also find himself in a taxi heading out of Lennoxtown.
Anthony Ralston 50%
A bit of a Catch 22 here for our young wannabee right back. Hes on loan at Dundee United and they have been in and out of form but hes been playing. If Ralston does well enough come seasons end and returns to Lennoxtown to ask where he stands, he may either get his chance, be shown the bench again, which in turn may make him seek pastures new, or discover the plan is for him to be sold or sent back out on loan. Hopefully he gets a chance at Celtic as highly thought off ( Hi Mike!) asI thought throwing him against Neymar and Co was too-much too-soon and a big mistake by Brendan this season.
Conor Hazard 50%
Highly thought of and promoted this season by Brendan. Hazard has a 4 year deal and has been away on loan to help Brendan’s mate Paul Hartley at Falkirk. Another season on loan is probable I would say. Its either Hazard stepping up as number 2 or Scott Bain getting a new contract with the Hoops, a call for the manager to make.
Kundai Benyu 40%
Another taking his time to adjust, understandably to playing at a side as big as Celtic. Another loan spell, possibly abroad next season will be likely for current Oldham midfielder.
Erik Sviatchenko 10%
Away on loan and wont be back unless Brendan heads away and a new manager gets desperate for centre halves.
Ciftci 0.01%
Not a chance. Saw him come on for Motherwell last week, and duly fall over his own feet. What were we thinking?
Scott Allan 0.001%
Doing okay at Hibs but never a Celtic player and more chance being at Ibrox next year than Celtic Park.
Get as much as you can for Jozo, Armstrong, Lustig, Sinclair, Boyata (about 5 mill for the lot) and about 10 mill for Dembele and add 15-20 million from the 60 million they have in the bank and that might just be enough to make some decent signings to have a chance at qualification to the CL, which ensures we have a season after August. No CL and we will be playing in front of 35-40,000 by Christmas. Get rid of Ciftci, Allan, Compper, Benyu, and Musonda, never going to happen for them. Ralston and Christie should be welcomed back with open arms and given a shot in the league and in the league cup immediately. Roberts is gone and Celtic won’t want to pay the money to sign him permanently and this is disappointing. Edouard is a possibility but Celtic need first team ready players in every area to be ready to challenge for a CL spot. That will cost money as we need them before the qualifiers, forget about players only coming once we have qualified that is bollocks and every body knows it offer them the right wages and they will be there in July. Failure to qualify for the CL is unthinkable and may end the 10 in a row bid as it will have such a negative impact on the entire club. Over to you Pete, time to step up.
Doomsday John
Yer teams deid mate, beat it.
Ciftci – Who else is going to be daft enough to take him – he has bombed everywhere
Gardening leave beckons
Was looking at the Liverpool fans opinion on Brendan being the Arsenal manager,and through all the static and white noise one particular comment stuck out,”Can’t organise a decent defence,has a bad eye for a player,and a poor record in Europe” remember NOT my words,BUT I really can’t argue with ANY of that statement. While I LOVE the Guy,and hope he stays,he NEEDS to give Sir. Martin a call on how to build a team from the back!!Just a thought guys,his signings,Dembele and Ntcham apart,have been poor,we’ve been handed our ar**s to many times in European games. Hopefully he trims that midfield this summer,STOPS changing 4/5 players every game,we NEED continuity ,in Defence most notably,and gets the money he deserves to push on in Europe. This is just me thinking out loud before anyone starts looking for their gun!! C.O.Y.B.I.G,B.R.G.W.A,Y.N.W.A, H.H Here’s to a HAPPY,GLORIOUS,Sunday!!
That’s not a bad assessment, Desi. Question is, who do we try and come to Celtic?
Very good and tough question.
I physically laughed out loud recently when I heard that Jack Rodwell was gonna have to drop down from £78k to £44k per week next season at Sunderland regardless of what league they were in. That’s a total dud and the mad inflated English league for you and journeymen players are on mad contracts in almost all divisions these days so good luck finding a gem there. Its the “Anyone loanee?” approach for there I expect.
It does however seem that’s where we are focused these day so cue some Windass style bargains being picked up as “great potential!” yet again.
Europe..you would think there would be a decent scouting network but for every VVD theres a Jozo ( decent but disappointing) and even worse random Irish league players who disappear. It will be the Middle East ( more Turkeys – Ed!) or Iceland I suspect for any first team squad purchases.
Lee Congleton scouted Rodwell for Sunderland and apparently promised him the £74,000 per week would not drop in the event of relegation! Congleton is our chief scout!!!
Isnt Congleton Brendans man though?
You’re totally correct D.Mond as is “Not many” Davies……
So. Does that exclude him from criticism?
typing too quick there. Who do you think might come in?
Bobs wife….
Very good assessment Desi mond, The one that I might question would be Doris Day (he yearns to be kissed) De Vries, Sure I read somewhere that he wanted away at the end of last season, but Brendan talked him in to staying. With Scott Bain suggesting that HE wants to stay at Celtic, I think the odds are on De Vries going in the summer.
We could sell five midfielders and sign Scott Arfield, because according to John Hughes he can do the job of five players, that’s next years signings sorted. Looking forward to seeing how Ian Maxwell does at the SFA, at the very least, he doesn’t seem on the outside to have any association with the Govanites, its gonny be interesting to see his handling of the C.O. report, unless its in the drawer, not to be opened until 2068.
He will become exactly like all the rest…sat down, shown exactly what he needs to be shown and then told to say “lets all move on together eh?” in the press.
Our chance for change has come and went, we fcuked it.
Whether that was intentional or just happenstance only Peter and Dermot know
D- Notice slapped on the CO report Mike, never to be spoken about again, not even in hushed tones. Lol
Not so sure about Ian Maxwell though, he was always his own man, the tubes suggesting that he should toe the party line….Petrie/ McRae, surely no one in their right mind would listen to them…yesterdays peepil. Plus the CSA and the Celtic Trust are looking on to see what happens. Theres only so much shite can fit under that wee SFA carpet, its full already. Auldheid will be sitting by his phone, sharpening his blade and loading his gun…staring, alert, angry. 😉 with Ralphy up his arse watching his back.
Noel, I think the CSA and the CT will have something to say about that
plus Ralphys pal Auldheid, he’s sitting with his gun cleaned waiting on the call, Ralphys got his back covered. Dinny mess with the auldies.
I know the Res12 guys have been doing sterling work and won’t let it rest but I think it’ll be in vain. I hope they wheel out the cannons and prove my gut feeling as wrong.
Well my explosive post, was injured and like Commper disappeared.
That F Johnson..is the F for “Fuck me he can play anywhere?”
🙂
Scott Bain has already signed but the club have yet to announce it.
Feel free to quote me on that.
I will be happy about that Sid, I always liked Scott when he played for bonny Dundee, he always looked calm and collected. He will push Gordon more than DeVries ever could.
I agree with Yoker about McGinn coming to Celtic with a part exchange for Scot Allan, McGinn has only one year left on his contract, so the Hibees will cash in methinks, plus Scot Allan is more suited to the Hibees style of play. Not Christie though, I think he has a future at Celtic.
Mike,
Do you remember Andy Penman at Dundee? I know he went to the dark side but did he buy into their WATP culture?
Rebus
Rebus, Yes I remember Andy, 5/6 years at the dark blues, gave them the best years of his footballing life, fantastic player
only got a few International caps, died about 50ish I think.
Remember hearing when he played for them, how he continually set Colin Stein through with wonderful passes but Stein could never put them away. And no he never bought into that culture
they would have lynched him in Dundee if he ever did and truly that’s where his heart lay, in the dark blues.
I wouldn’t be surprsed if we do a player(s) + cash deal with Hibs in order to land John McGinn, probably Christie + Allan + cash or something similar.
YBhoy, I think your suggestion might be the most realistic one. I hope you’re in good form.
Scott Bain has signed a deal with Celtic FC says Sid.
I predict nobody will be playing for the Hoops next season…..check out the proposed new top for 2018/19….deary me……
To try to bring together Monti’s post and Desi’s, here are some random thoughts. To progress in Europe will require a substantial clearoutt of dross and project players. This would be necessary to help pay for a higher salary structure associated with players valued at 6-7 million in the market. This means a brutal cull of players like Christie, Miller, Allan, Ciftci, many of the development squad, Hayes, Boyata, Commper, Jozo, possibly Hendry. I assume that Edouard and Roberts will leave. Ralston may be on that list as well
If Dembele stays then we need 3 quality signings to replace the above, and four if Dembele goes. Cost 18-24 million plus salaries. All a very substantial investment for the club.
PS it is all well and good to say move these players out, but A) someone has to want them, B) they have to agree to go, C) payouts on contracts need to be minimised..
Rebus
The clearout may bring in circa 2.5 million.
Rebus
what happened to the van dyke dough. 6m isnt much if BR wants to achieve half as much as lenny did in Europe.
£6m off the Co-Op debt
how much more is there?
Charlie,
You are correct my fag packet calculations for transfers out was an under estimate. So that makes my plan more feasible financially, although 4 mill is dreaming, I think, for Jozo….1 million.
The big risk with the plan is the increased salaries. If the plan fails to improve our performance in Europe, we are left with bigger salary bill since you cannot curl salaries backwards. Another aspect is if we fail to win the league and/or fail to qualify for the CL groups.
Rebus
Jozo..£2m
Erik 900k
Biton 500k
Dembele 20m if England..12 if France
And that is the problem in a nutshell Rebus, once a player has a contract he is in possession of his own destiny. Its all very well saying that the Virgils and the Wanyama’s are out there, but more and more clubs are scouring young players hoping to reel them in. Then you have to pay humungous wages to keep them happy. One thing Celtic has in its favour is we can offer younger players the playing time that they want and cannot get at wealthier clubs. So we can attract and with a good manager develop them, that’s what they are after, before they move on. Wealthier clubs are after the finished article, that is why we are attractive to younger players and the club can afford them. We I think have found our niche and I cannot see the board changing its system, unless a new opening in a wealthier league appears.
brutal? most of those guys are minging or dont play coz they are injured. I rekon Edouard will stay.
we need players to replace Gordon Lustig boyata and ayer. now thats brutal
steven gerrard is a hun.
Fucking hell, Liverpool are tormenting Roma. Does anyone think it could be Liverpools year for winning the CL?
Bruce Lee Grobellar and his spaghetti legs.
aye but he always got his line on
4 more sleeps till title party day. Cant wait.
Im sure the magnificent 7 theme will be played once again in paradise. Used to love that when Henrik scored. Be great to hear it again.
What a find was the Henke, how much are we due to Wim Janson for bringing him to the club, what a player. I will never forget him nutmegging Konterman and dinking the goalie, did I say what a player.
Double leg breaks still widny stop him. I often wonder how his loss after his leg breaks against Lyon that put him out of the game for a year, if he hadn’t been injured, how long would Barnes have stayed in the managers job. “The Fickle hand of Fate.”
Stilian Petrov: “Five trebles in a row…” FFS I wish some of our former players would stop talking shite to the press. Stubbs too. I don’t mind Sutton and Hartson talking, because it’s mostly not shite. Sevco and later, Motherwell, have seen from the Hibees how to beat us. Press us from the start and don’t let up. How to beat a press? The long ball and some of Broonie’s long passes. Of course, how to beat us is to stop Broonie controlling the game. So that’s what to expect. What we gonnae do about it? Brendan?
We have a twofold task. Win this Sunday then also win on Sunday 19th. Job done.
Fun thing is, if you defend too close a faster player like Forrest or Roberts will jink or nutmeg right past you then in on goal. I would see 2-1 or 3-1 to the bhoys on Sunday but a win please, no draws. Let’s wrap this thing up!
Hail, hail
You always know how good a player is by the way his team mates, talk about them, like the currant Celtic team and how the players look up to and admire Broony. The way that Sutton talked about Henke and the rest of the players, they knew like us how great he was, a giant in footballing terms, as well as his modesty and the length that he stayed, how much he would have been worth in todays transfer market.
Hunners of millions!! Still could’ny stand his gravelly voice though, me….bad.