Menu Close

Celtic Diary Wednesday July 4: My Heart Is Broken

More than one of our regular drunks have said that Keiran Tierney has decided his future lies elsewhere.

There is no reason to doubt this information.

With the start of the UCL qualifying campaign less than a week away, it means that Celtic will be without three of their regular four man defence.

Wonder who we’ll get in the Europa…

Image result for screaming gif

 

That may seem a little despondent, but the Tierney’s move has kind of given the Celtic support a smack in the face, not because he’s the greatest player ever, like everyone else, he’s replaceable, but because he has always claimed to be just like us, a fan.

He has shown that on a number of occasions, and when he signed his six year deal, he said;

I had no doubts about signing a long-term deal — I wish it was longer.

“It’s brilliant for me and my family. I’m buzzing. It’s a great feeling, the same as it was when I signed last year.” 

We believed him, and I have little doubt he believed it as well.

So, whats changed  ?

First of all, both Brendan Rodgers and Peter Lawwell tried to talk him out of it. So don’t blame the club.

If you are looking to blame anyone, first of all cancel your Sky sports subscription. It should be a little easier now you know where your money is going.

Thats the major factor here. The money Tierney has been offered is life changing, and he can still watch his beloved Celtic from the stands…although he might have to sit by himself.

Anything up to £140,000 a week has been mentioned, and lets be honest, all of us would at the very least start to find reasons to take it while they can.

Whilst Tierney would have been a very rich young man had he stayed at Celtic, the EPL, and don’t for a minute think this move will be his last big move, the EPL will make him wealthy. The difference is that the wealthy are the ones who make others rich.

And in a sense, he has to take it while its there. One glance into the dugout will remind him of the possibility of a promising career cut short by injury, and no one can deny Tierney gets more than his fair share of what amounts to little more than attempted GBH when he’s playing.

His chances of getting seriously hurt in a Celtic shirt are better than average.

That would certainly been mentioned to him by his advisors.

But above all, its the money.

It’s proved to be a greater draw than captaining Celtic to ten in a row.

 

Thats the reality, and it hurts.

Celtic are at the mercy of clubs who can throw around money that is way beyond our limits. We are the bigger club, but as far as money goes, we are way down the list.

McGrain, McNeill, McStay and of course McGrory are remembered and honoured for their refusal to leave, and rightly looked up to as an inspiration, they were players who could have gone anywhere, but stayed true to their heart.

Would they have had their heads turned at the sort of money thats been offered to Tierney ? I think they would certainly have considered it.

And its only Tierney’s head that has been turned, I can’t imagine his heart has looked away.

You can’t blame him.

If its not too late, though, I’d like to add a word of caution. I don’t doubt for a minute that Rodgers has already tried this, and that he will keep trying it right up until Tierney signs.

Tierney himself is too young to remember when Kenny Dalglish left, or Charlie Nicholas.

Or the effect it had on supporters.

Dalglish had actually delayed his departure by a year because he felt he owed it to the club, and Jock Stein, after the big man had a near fatal car crash. When he went, the club had a terrible season, as it coincided with injuries to Pat Stanton and Danny McGrain.

Nicholas was attracted by the bright lights of London, and was also a little peturbed that the club were ready to sell him so easily.

The big difference is that Dalglish, at 25, was a lot older than Nicholas, who was 21.

Dalglish, being more mature, settled and if anything became a better player.

Nicholas scored a goal in a League cup final.

Tierney is the same age as Nicholas, and at 21, is too young to make a move away from his family and friends. He still has a long way to go as a player and as a man, and up here he has that support that all young men need.

Friends, family and of course those of us who cheer his name. all of whom will be much more understanding if he has a few duff games.

We would put an arm around him if it was needed, down in Liverpool, the only time they put an arm around you is to get at your wallet in your back pocket.

He has plenty of time to move south, and the rewards will still be there.

When he hangs up his boots, and that period of time is a lot longer than his playing career, he’ll have a lot to of time to reflect. Thats why this move , as it all seems rather hasty, should be put on hold for a while.

A period of around four years should be enough.

 

Now that he has considered the material benefits of a move, he may want to consider what he would be leaving behind.

Its not too late to have a change of heart, and its what the heart thinks that really matters.

How does he want to be remembered by the Celtic support? That must surely have gone through his mind ?

A hero… a legend…or just another player, doubtless a good player, but we’ve seen a few of them come and go.

Its all about what he wants, and maybe there are others who haven’t quite emphasised the quality of life he has right now. Agents, for instance, are more concerned about their own quality of life.

I don’t suppose Danny McGrain, for instance , fancies giving him a bell….

 

Rodgers isn’t happy with him, and the word is that the players aren’t either.

Thats probably more to do with the shock, and the frustration.

There is probably no truth in the rumour that the megaphone he conducted the crowd with may well end up somewhere that will require surgery to remove.

It does put us in a bit of a pickle ahead of the qualifiers, and if you remember the Artmedia debacle, when one defender literally met his team mates in the dressing room before the game, there is a real danger that history might repeat itself , which is scary enough, but there’s also the fact that the other players will be aware that if Teirney can command that sort of money, then so can they.

Celtic are already considerably weaker than they were when they completed the treble last year, and when you consider that other players, such as Dembele, Boyata and Griffiths will be attracting attention, that long glorious summer we wanted has become a nightmare of unbearably hot weather.

Tomorrow night is the deadline for signings ahead of the first qualifier, and its possible to add one “wildcard ” after that, but that sort of panic move should be avoided.

There’s a saying about loving the one you’re with, and the manager needs to do that right now, and forget about those that are going.

 

Morale will be low at the ranch, and he needs to do something to lift it.

The two wins in yesterdays friendlies, 2-1 over Linz and 1-0 over Sparta Prague might help, and the manager tried his best to be happy with it..

It was a tough day for the players, with the game in the morning and in the evening. The last 15 minutes of both games, you don’t get that in training when you’re fatigued and tired and hanging on to something. So it was a really excellent exercise for us and a really good end to the whole nine days.

“It’s just so early in pre-season to try and get 90 minutes into players’ legs. We couldn’t arrive into that game next week without that, so that was the whole plan. It’s way earlier than you would like but it was great credit to players and their fitness and how they embraced it and most of the senior players have got that, so it was a really good week and they were good games for us.”

 

Next up is a trip to Dublin, the players head out on Thursday.

I’d be one to encourage a wee bonding session while they’re out there…

Image result for drinking

Whatever Tierney decides to do, we wish him all the best.

As long as he changes his mind and stays, of course.

 

 

 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
77 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

Gutted at this.

5 years ago

Judging by your Tweets last night, seems the deal is sign sealed and delivered.

If Tierney goes, he goes. The club gave him all he needed and he repaid us in performances and now with a hefty transfer
fee.

Its only business and business is no place for romance despite our clubs beloved dreamy sense of reality sometimes.

Johnny Hayes will fill in at left back or young Calvi will play until we buy some lower ranked International player to plug the gap…cue a move for Izzy in interim.

After decades of watching us fail to move forward from a position of strength, this is just more of the samee really. Hey ho..tomorrows a nother day and all that.

Shrug CSC

TicToc
5 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Decent comment, Desi.
I’ll be very, very sad to see KT go but that’s football and I couldn’t wish Kieran anything other than well.
I didn’t see why we ever let Izzy go but there may be scope to bring him in as he’s currently without a club and he’s just 32 years old so a good stop-gap?. I think risking Jonny Hayes may be a risk too far and we’ll be without Mika Lustig for at least another 3 weeks so we’re looking very vulnerable defensively, yet again!!
HH

puggy67
5 years ago

He wouldn’t be the first player to be used as a bluff in a deal for another by an agent or club, maybe wishful thinking, the Celtic greats get statues does he get a hotel?

George Lazenbhoy
5 years ago

Everton, jesus h christ. Loosing players to Everton. They made moyes look good. I genuinely thought if we ever lost Tierney it would be to a big club not mid table dross.

Monti
5 years ago

TIERNEY IS GOING NOWHERE!

jpm 88
5 years ago

Good point re- ages and maturity of Dalglish v Nicholas ( Dalglish was 26 when he left) , there was also the matter of club chosen .
If Tierney goes , they’re -( age , maturity , club chosen )- his problem but I do hope the club plays hardball re the transfer fee ; he’s on a long term contract so there’s not the “Armstrong” pressure .If they want him that badly then make them cough up a fee to match those wage figures . Shouldn’t accept anything under 35m PLUS sell on clause as opposed to INCLUDING sell on clause .

jpm 88
5 years ago
Reply to  jpm 88

meant add-ons , not sell-on

Mike
5 years ago

I remember many great players leaving you feeling bemused, hurt, angry, It took me until 1999 to get over King Kenny leaving, some of the Lions leaving made me feel ill when they left and when the King of Kings left us teary eyed, his and ours, well he left us at the Heartbreak Hotel. Of course K.Ts. good friend Andy Robertson at Liverpool playing in the C.L. final and being man of the match, we read that he keeps in regular contact with him, would that figure in his decision making? When hero’s leave especially ones with the full on Celtic DNA, it always gives someone us the opportunity to become our new hero’s, still upsets you though… If he decides to go,then we wish him well..

5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Good point re: Andy Robertson. Also John Kennedy, I’d be sorry to see him go but could understand if he does.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Mike,
Broke my heart the day Henrik left, i was at the cup final v Dunfermline & when i got home pished that night, put the recording of the game on and watched it back.
Sobbed like a big fanny that night, proper tears.

Hope the man is back one day!

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Me also Monti, gret like a wean who had his jeely piece taken from him
but all things change some for the better some not so good. Celtic have had so many great players, its been a pleasure to watch them, nothing gives a Celtic supporter more pleasure than a young development player getting and taking his chance at Celtic park. I still remember George Connolly as a young player showing his skills and was gutted when he left, never in my wildest dreams thinking that I would play a couple of junior games against him, imagine that playing with one of your hero’s, mind you I was well past it by then..
Loved Henke, no the drunken one though, I just like him HAHAHA.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Mike,
That must have been a great occasion for you to take the field with George Connolly, last i heard he was a taxi driver in the Alloa region.

Nothing better than seeing home grown players come through, long may they continue to flourish.

The Cha
5 years ago

Not acceptable.

It would leave a massive hole this season, so we can accept he doesn’t want to be around for the full 6 years but he needs to stick around for another year or 2 until we’ve bedded in top quality replacements.

Selling now would just be naked greed and that WOULD be Lawwell, Desmond et al’s fault.

Al
5 years ago

No bids so far, a bit early to start going on about broken hearts and sh#t.
Teirny is a born Celtic man it’s in his blood, but if he does go, he deserves a hero’s send off not a f**k*Ng guilt trip

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Al

AI,
ABSOLUTELY!

liftedinmoscow
5 years ago

First of all Ralph I really hope your sources are wrong, they didn’t actually get it exactly right re John McGinn otherwise he’d be at Paradise right now. If KT does stay he will become a legend. If he does go then feck him. He would have been bullshitting all of us who pay his wages. Don’t buy into the huge wages on offer argument. Everyone who reads your blog wold happily play for the hoops for nothing never mind the money KT will be on. When Broony was linked with Newcastle a few years ago, where he would have earned considerably more money his response was ‘Why would I want to play for Newcastle, I’m the captain of Celtic.’ That’s KT’s future if he makes the right decision. The club PR team is awful here, saying nothing makes the situation for us supporters worse. Both the club and KT should either come out and say he’s staying or he wants to go,

alan
5 years ago

I feel sick…

Reply to  alan

I give you mucho drugs.

Reply to  alan

I give you mucho mucho drugs.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  alan

alan,
You’ve seen a pic of Una, then?

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Only kidding Una xx

Rebus67
5 years ago

Ralph,

Sad article but it has left me confused! You are saying that the fee is too big to turn down, but also that BR and Lawwel are trying to talk Tierney out of going! Which is it?

Is the club selling him, or is Tierney wanting to go?

Even if he stays now, the damage is done to the rest of the squad…some will be calling their agents.

Just when skies looked very blue….a big mealy pudden comes flying out the heavens and smacks you in the face!

Rebus

Devoy45
5 years ago

Tierney won’t leave. He’ll put in a few seasons more. He’ll leave after 10 in a row and will still be young, with great value. But meanwhile we need another left back or need to bring one up to speed. Tierney will stay because like us, he loves Celtic.

greenmaestro
5 years ago
Monti
5 years ago

Kieran Tierney will be the next Celtic captain, i expect him to be the Celtic captain for years & guide the team to further success.

We are building something special, let’s just put our faith in the player, the manager & the club.

Here we go 8 in a row!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Charlie Saiz,
I think the whole thing is a lot of shite, you don’t sign a six year deal then immediately leave.
Kieran will be here for a few years yet i feel, if somebody comes in with £30m or £40m then we must take it seriously.
I DO NOT believe Kieran wants to leave.
I DO NOT believe the club has even spoken to interested clubs.
I DO NOT believe ANY bid has been made.
I DO NOT believe Celtic wish to sell the player.

In short, it’s a lot of shite!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Charlie Saiz,
I agree with you for the most part of this, however do you not think we CAN knock a bid of that size back, at this time?
2-3 years down the road we’d get the same offers.

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago

Ralph,

Have you had a lobotomy? The beloved Diary is like something straight out of the Daily Rag today. What happened to waiting till the facts are released? For the first time in all my years reading this fantastic blog, I am disappointed. Forget the ifs and buts and stick to what is.

“But, I still like you!!!”

Caption: ”

H H

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago

Ralph,

Have you had a lobotomy? The beloved Diary is like something straight out of the Daily Rag today. What happened to waiting till the facts are released? For the first time in all my years reading this fantastic blog, I am disappointed. Forget the ifs and buts and stick to what is.

“But, I still like you!!!”

Caption: “Ralph has gone all superSMSMsportsjournalistic!”

H H

H H

5 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

Well said, i was so disappointed in todays piece i didn’t trust myself to post a comment until a few hours passed and I calmed down. I’ve avoided social media since this PR story broke, recognising it for the media mischief making that it is.

Ralph I normally look forward to your usually entertaining and even insightful output but on todays diary effort I have to nominate you for Friday’s Knob of the Week.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

No,
At his age and shaky fingers he tapped ‘ post comment ‘ twice. 🙂

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

Weered and Wiered (Monti),

I only posted once but got a whole lot of funny stuff (straight IT, in case you had any other ideas) appearing so I tried again and the same thing happened. I am quite flabbergasted among other things my comment appeared at all. I think there is someone tinkering with ETims over and above Ralph’s current emotional distress. He needs some TLC – Tierney Loves Celtic.

H H

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

PB,
Always good to see you on old bhoy!

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

Until the club or Tierney say something about where his future lies we should believe he’s staying. I always got the impression that playing for Celtic meant more than money too him.

5 years ago

Celtic should call out those lying bastards in the media by asking them, in no uncertain terms, to name their sources on this Teirney rumour. “Retard Sports understands”, or “a source close to” is not fucking acceptable – if their sources are some high heid-yin at CP, Goodison – or both, name names, or shut the fuck up!!

Until that time, the BHOY is going NOWHERE!

what part of GO FUCK YOURSELF needs to be explained to these churnalists?

Rebus67
5 years ago
Reply to  Steven R

Steven,

All the club has to do is deny that a bid has been made, or thst it has been rejected. Then this will go away. Ditto, Tierney can issue a statement saying he is staying.

None of this has happened yet, strangely.

Rebus

BJF
5 years ago

Rebus good point, I accept he must go someday but valid points are made above about the timing of a move down south.
Anyway Ralph you are at it, you are just trying to wind us up and take our minds of football is “ coming home.” Think I don’t know you by now….. but if you are right ….. to we know where you live!

Bgbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  BJF

Why must he go though?

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

Bgbhoy,
He isn’t!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Ralph,
This Bgbhoy talks some shite, he’s up there with Charlie Saiz & Mike…..

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Hahahaha

charlie
5 years ago

if keiran leaves he leaves if he stays he stays either way its the bhoys decision and i wish him well sumday said yesterday hotels dont build thersels but keiran might build oors COYBIG

Rebus67
5 years ago

Charlie,

The trialist has gone to Brentford to train. Does not sound like he is being considered.

Weshall just have to sit back and let events unfold.

We should be OK for the first qualie.

Rebus

PS can McGinn play wingback?

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

I see Moron FC gullibles are wetting their sisters knickers over an orange football top. I see Moron FC fans think that the chief shafter has nothing to worry about regarding non compliance of the TOP ruling. I see Moron FC fuckwits are accusing a well known gutter rat drinking den of trying to fleece the rats who infest said den. Moron FC gullibles accusing a pub of fleecing them, whilst successive boards have been doing so since their formation in 2012.

Moron FC have to have the most unintelligent followers anywhere in the football world.

Morons of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your stupidity #letspandertothebigotsandfailasper

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

Noel,
Who gives a fuck what colour of shite their rag is?
I actually like the fact they have done it, let the world see what these cunts are all about.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Mate, I see a lot of comments coming from the drain dwellers claiming it’s nothing to do with them having a penchant for all things Williamite when it’s clear the tramps are pandering to the most lumpen football fans anywhere in the world.

PS: I’m a mad Sevcoer mate lol

#letsfail

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

Noel,
They aren’t right in the head m8 lol

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti, yer not one for missing the target, so I’m totally underwhelmed by yer comment. Lol

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Noel,
You obviously never played football with me, i missed the target regularly 🙂

Monti
5 years ago

Charlie Saiz,
I think the point is that we could sell KT in 3 or 4 years and get the same amount, it makes NO sense for the club or the player to move now.

It’s a lot of shite!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Charlie Saiz,
Like yourself i’ve seen the treatment KT get’s but you just dish it back out to them.
Look at the players of the past in that position, guys like Stuart Pearce, Julian Dicks or our very own Tommy Gemmell?
These guys didn’t get pushed around, get your retaliation in first, nothing wrong with being a bit dirty!

Monti
5 years ago

Tá Sé ina Ián de shite

Monti
5 years ago

Est multum vacca foeda

Monti
5 years ago

PISELLO TOTALE

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

I noticed McGinn isn’t playing for Hibs against Berwick. Might be nothing, then again???

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

Noel,
Ask Ralph’s ‘ source ‘ 🙂

Cough

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Richey could be getting a yarn thrown his way or it’s true. I think I’ll just wait for a solid statement from the club. Better dealing in facts rather than speculation, mate.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Weered,
In Ralph’s case, it’s the drunken seen Fenian hand 🙂

Monti
5 years ago

PISH

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

😉

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

Monti and Wee Red, yer a pair of feckers. I’ll need to Google translate the Latin you’ve both typed. Lol

Monti
5 years ago

Ooh matron….( kenneth williams voice )

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Weered,
My grammar was always shite…that’s why i did well at school….cough.

Murna
5 years ago

I was agreeing and understanding everything you were saying and feeling as an Evertonian who went through a similar situation with Rooney, that was until this…
“ We would put an arm around him if it was needed, down in Liverpool, the only time they put an arm around you is to get at your wallet in your back pocket”
Absolute cunt of a comment and people wonder how the rotors keep getting in, working class solidarity at its finest there

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Murna

Murna,
In the words of Jeff Lebowski….” what the fuck are you talking about “?

Murna
5 years ago

* Tory’s not rotors ffs??!

Monti
5 years ago

A big round of grateful applause to ALL who work in our NHS, Hospitals, doctors & especially the nurses….especially the nurses…oops said that.
It’s time we looked after our NHS more, a vital servivce and thr nurses…i mean ALL the NHS deserve the utmost credit & respect!

Epecially the nurses……ooh i’ve got a stauner noo….

Monti
5 years ago

Bhoys ar maidin ar maidin

Monti
5 years ago

Ralph,
What’s Bojan up to these days? Cough 🙂

Monti
5 years ago

Talking of the NHS, i remember when i went in for my Circumcision the nurses handled me well, a bit later in the day, post op, i heard a nurse say to another, ” the excess skin could have covered a Gazebo ” i sat there quite chuffed with myself until i realised they were talking about the fat cunt in the next bed who had a tummy tuck.

Still…..

Monti
5 years ago

Guys,
If you are considering going for a circumcision let me give you a sound piece of advice, after the op, for the next six weeks don’t let sex enter your thoughts ( this isn’t a problem if you’re married ), you are in trouble if you get a semi or a full blown stauner, i had to avoid mirrors for two months 🙂

Mike
5 years ago

Anyone heard if Jack Wiltshere has found a club yet, I heard that he was going cheep, a wee burd told me.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Mike,
Wilshire has held talks with West Ham Utd

Mike
5 years ago

Och that was a cheep shot Ralphy gets more right cough than wrong…. mibbee.

FredDDobbs
5 years ago

England through … ya fuckin beauty. Plus lustig home.

FredDDobbs
5 years ago
Reply to  FredDDobbs

only one of two dumpling teams left to beat and it the final.

Follow us on Twitter @ETimsNet