It seems that Celtic are about to announce the arrival of Eddie Howe as manager, or coach, or whatever, and it follows that an announcement regarding a director of football will follow shortly after, if not simulataneously.
And Dominic McKay wants to start work immediately, which is either a sign that he’s keen to get things going, or that someone has decided that the problems are so great we can’t hang around.
Either way, thats a good thing.
John Kennedy , as agreed , will probably stay in charge of team affairs until the summer, but with things going a little awry at the Scottish cup draw and Celtic facing a trip to Ibrox a little earlier than scheduled, maybe there’s a real desire to finish on a high.
Or at least, a little bit higher than how we feel now.
Celtic have been drawn against one of the wee Rangers in the Cup, and although i’m not sure if it’s Cove, Brora or International, whichever one it is will be desperate to get their name on the old trophy for the first time.
Or , given the non adherence to the laws of mathematics in some places, the 55th.
The media are doing their level best to remind Howe that there’s a job going at Crystal Palace, which is a football club and not a hotel, and that has led to fears among the Celtic support that he’ll take the job there instead.
If he does, he was never the right man for Celtic anyway, so we’ve dodged a bullet.
If he doesn’t, then we’ve got our man.
It’s a win win as far as I can see.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing for those who will be in charge next season to get started immediately…there’s a lot to be sorted out.
It’s well known that players such as Edoaurd, MacGregor, Christie and probably Ajer want away. thats four senior players added to the loss of the influential Scott Brown that could mean next season will turn into a transitional period, and with the automatic UCL group spot up for grabs, the club cannot afford to take chances.
Brown is a bit of a mystery.
He’s going to coach at Aberdeen, yet it’s possible a similar role was probably on offer at Celtic. Why move ?
Under Ronny Deila, certain players, Mulgrew, Commons, Stokes and Brown, had a rather undermining effect on the manager, and Commons is still at it in the media.
Rodgers, on arrival, removed three of them and put Brown in his place. Brown, to his credit, responded well, more than well, in fact, but with the return of Lennon, standards dropped again, and this time round the aging captain probably feels he won;t make the grade under Howe, and can;t be trusted not to be a poor influence.
Edoaurd , and the rest of the French speaking crew have made no secret they want away, but are perhaps open to persuasion, whilst Ajer will have taken note of Norway manager Stolde Solbakken when he told him he;d picked up bad habits at Celtic, and needed to move.
Again, thoise habits can be ironed out by a proper coach, but if Ajer is to stay, he needs to be given the captaincy. On a good day, roaring forward, he is reminiscent of Roy Aitken, when defending with passion there are touches of Johann Mjallby, but on other days he’s just plain Scheidt.
Then there’s Ryan Christie, not satisfied with aiming for the stars with his shooting attempts, he’s aiming for them financially and angling for a move south.
Again, though, he may be open to persuasion.
Calum MacGregor has wanted away for a while, and he isn’t captain material, so the rumoured thirty million or so for the midfielder and Edouard in a combined move to Leicester may well be the reason Howe was able to receive budgetary assurances from Desmond…
Whatever happens, it might as well happen now as during the UCL qualifiers. If players really want to leave, get them out.
Thats the first step, sort out the team.
Season book and merchandising income will follow of thats done right.
That leaves the third major issue to be faced, the ongoing influence of the dark side at Hampden, which must be faced head on.
With Andrew Dallas certain to be the Ibrox player of the year, their only domestic defeat came when he was injured, there has to be more pressure put on the SFA/SPFL to sort itself out.
Five Ibrox players broke Covid protocol. It took over a month for them to be charged, and even now at that, Steven Gerrard is brazenly asking for him to be let off…
“Nathan is growing and growing. It’s a shame that he’s going to miss games moving forward.
“(The appeal) is something we’re still discussing at the moment. We’re in talks with the SFA over a date.
“The reason for the appeal is we think it’s harsh in terms of what went on on the night.
“I think everyone assumes because of what happened with Jordan Jones and George Edmundson that everything is the same, which isn’t the case.
“We don’t think everything has been taken into consideration when you are talking about the boys in terms of age and how damaging it could be for them in their careers moving forward now.
“You’re talking about one of the brightest prospects ever in terms of right-back. This kid is going to go and play for Scotland and all of a sudden the SFA wants to ban him for that long. I don’t get it.”
What he doesn’t get is that suddenly he’s got to adhere to the rules, and given his outfit have got away with so much this year, it’s come as quite a shock.
That, of course, is for later.
Right now, we need to get our own house in order.
As soon as possible.
Caption from Saturday…
Caption
Is this no the 55?
Naw it’s the number 1
Today….
So many bizarre things have gone in Sevco’s favour this season, from only one COVID case to no red cards (despite the fact they have had more retrospective bans than any other club) and no penalties awarded against them). The Dundee Utd keeper clearing a ball upfield, only for it to hit Morelos on the face and go into the net…………you really couldn’t make it up. However, Gerrards latest appeal for the COVID group takes the biscuit.
As you say, why was there such a long delay to impose their ban? Was it because they were still in Europe at the time and losing the services of these players could hinder them? Why 6 games (with 2 suspended) when players from other clubs received 7 games (if memory serves) The excuse about Paterson’s development being hindered is absolute nonsense, even by their standards.
Celtic need to sort this now as Sevco know they can get away with pretty much anything now.
It was a stone waller to do absolutely everything to stop the 10 and get cash in their filthy pockets. We laid down and died and unlike the Green Brigades excellent banner stating do not stay down, we did. Sport is fixed everywhere, including boxing, and Juventus having titles stripped after proven refs bribed. Here it is probably the SFA handing out the sweeties. Those who fix things think they are better and it is funny. No morals, no understanding and no conscience. We ain’t silly enough to think they will change. We move on, play better, play more determined and beat the bastards. That will pish them off the more. HH!
I would also like to see why so many young prospects are opting to go elsewhere
I assumed that they would wait to appoint the new manager until after the Scottish Cup was over. I suppose if Kennedy is staying then they could go sooner. I hadn’t heard MacGregor wanted away, is that factual or a social media myth. Can we best the new club, they are a decent side and well enough coached( but not by Slippy) but they should never have been near our squad, a quadruple treble winning side.I have never heard a credible explanation for thiscseasin’s melt down. Is that the way it goes not an aging team but one that had just run its course.A victory in the Scottish cup against the new club would heal a bit, an imaginative appointment and getting rid of those who do want to leave is fine by me.
Is it a coincidence that the previous saviour at Celtic Park, Mr smiles Brendan Rogers, has suddenly broken silence on his departure.
Is it coincidence that just as Celtic appear to be about to make what is predicted as an even better appointment good old Brendan suddenly speaks out. I smell a rat.
Being a bit unfair on McGregor.
Although him and Lennon never got on , he has and doesn’t want away.
As for Christie. I would take the first offer we get for the headless chicken
Caption – Go easy on them, the petrol bombs in belfast are only letting off and besides the willy and billy boys are my cousins and their mums have invired me round for tea and scones. (Not meant to be funny.Bastards.) HH!
Caption,The Sevco appeal to the SFA gets underway with the impartial police helping the bears as usual
Caption
At last the SFA take action on “the rangers” covidiots and march them into quarantine, for 55 days.
Club statement:
This is unfair but we will be back training and stronger tomorrow.
Howe should be in NOW! Yes, if he wants it. Get in some idea of the fair-minded honest mistakes by our wonderful refs. Feel the Glasga vibes. Sort out the dead-wood. Be sure of needed recruitment. Look at Dempele and the up and coming and maybe get him on side for a while longer, he wants to play which is why he stayed afore. Find out if Bonner is right and see if there is any fire left in Griff, a mean kick in the groin, extra training, extra weights, extra practise, or pish off. (Why I would have prefered Keane, would have taken no sevco from anyone!) And a team settled or close enough to, to ensure £40 million + from a European Champs place to start to repair the 200 – 300 millions Lawwell cost us.
Caption: On the Celtic Way the Scottish sports media adhere to social distancing protocols at the Eddie Howe unveiling press conference.
Caption
Right boys here’s the Green Brigade coming
Jock Stein was always right that Celtic played against twelve, he came from that background and understood how they operated. Today it is more sleekit, but you can see by the actions of the Football authorities, the Government, the Polis that there is an anti Celtic bias. But the media address this as Celtic supporters being paranoid. How in the twenty first century is it deemed acceptable for the sludge to spew their hatred as they pass chapels, The zombies taking over the centre of a city and turning it into a sewer, with their hatred.
Lawell and the board allowed the zombies to rise again, now they must return to where they came from. Down in Ayrshire the bunting the butchers flag, the 55(probably the IQ) flies as if they have won a World War, probably the Z one.
The media including the Billy Boys Club should be avoided as they whither on the vine, like Northern Arlan since Engerlandshire got its Brexit, the loyalists are beginning to realise where that leads
Caption: ‘ PRINCES ‘ corned beef have an open day at Hyde park
Caption – “So remember, when we get to Ibrox, I want everyone deployed to the Celtic end. Got that?”
Ryan Christie is a very, very good footballer, his influence on the side had grown but he is going through a sticky spell.
He brings energy & creativity to the side, unless it was a huge offer, i’d be trying to keep Ryan at Celtic Park.
Callum McGregor is also a major asset & one we must try to keep, again if it was a huge offer, look at it but Callum has been fantastic for Celtic for years now.
It’s clowns like Griffiths that need to be shown the door!
“Presumption of guilt” is a denial of an International human right.
Who can judge who is the guilty one, in a mouth to ear whispered short conversation between two players? Racism is a toxic subject, Irish racism? apparently not. In the Logan verses Tonev judgement the SFA accused Tonev of breaching rule 202 – ‘excessive misconduct by the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language of a ‘racist nature. What is natural about a kangaroo court judgement? Well it’s the SFA stupid. The SFA know a lot about racism, they listen to it every week. Tonev appealed, the judgement? appeal denied. How could they, the SFA, know the truth of that whispered conversation, how? Kamara verses Kudela, what judgement will UEFAs inspector of ethics and discipline come to? Claim and counter claim, judgement made by a compliant press and media, as well as Gerrard ‘toe to toe. with Kamara, Park – Wilson – closed rancid pressure. No doubt but the disgraced ex referee and SFA President will also be making secret whispered conversations in the ear of UEFAs inspector of Ethics and Discipline. Politics and accusations, judgement, appeal denied. We wait and wonder how UEFA will handle that whispered conversation…
Dom McKay went to a family reunion, he asked ‘whose that elderly gentleman’? his wife said Its your Poppa-Dom.
I think the 1 game ban is for his admitted foul and abusive language.
Yes, he admitted that his language was abusive, hence the ban. Kamara ran to his lawyer squealing, no mention yet of Hi Karate Roofe’s assault or the assault in the tunnel of love.
Still got a way to go, the inquiry. Fingers crossed Hunco get banned.
Update: Kamara could face a five game ban after UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings. Kamara has been accused of “serious assault”. Slavia filed a criminal complaint against Kamara after allegedly punching Kudela in the tunnel. Kudela was given a temporary one game ban for calling Kamara a Hun prick 😉 but faces a ten game ban if found to have used a racist language. Who nose what ban the Hi Karata Roofe will face for his 10 stitch, nose breaking, facial breaking tackle, could be another big ban.
Caption
Police Scotland Equine Division Stewarton
“Ok brethren, that’s the Catholics allowed back to mass, LET’S ROLL!”
We still need to know what’s happening with the DoF position. Can’t have Howe picking him. That’s the whole point, continuity. They need to be clear with Howe that Harkin has the job and maybe Hughes could work under him or something. This is hopefully being ironed out.
I agree with the wantaway players but not McGregor. He’ll stay if Howe sees he can play, along with Turnbull, Soro, Forrest. It’s back up options we need to sort. New team at least confirmed by end of Easter hols hopefully
Paul Mc,
Spot on, it’s not acceptable for a manager to appoint his boss, it’s nonsense.
If Howe doesn’t like it then jog on.
Richard Hughes could be part of Howe’s backroom team but not as DOF.
Except he, Hughes wouldn’t be his boss. Howe and Hughes work together and its Hughes that answers to Howe. Hughes makes the scouting recommendations to Howe and looks after the academy on Howes behalf. McKay would be both their bosses. If you want old style continuity, then look no further than the Harkin and Peter Lawwell continuity, they have worked together for years. Where did Deila come from ? answer, Harkin.
I don’t want Lawwell having any say on any kind of Celtic FC matters, or his son, or past associates. It will become a better run Celtic FC when he leaves. DoF has many rolls and different titles, Hammond was Celtics ‘Head of football Operations’, before Celtic he was called a DoF, same job, different title.
Zactly,
Harkin is a Continuity Lawwell production that we don’t need.
Also he’ll effectively be a Man City employee on loan to us before being recalled if he does well.
Feck that for the game of soldiers.
Pish
Phish
Quote; ‘Following Hughes retirement from the game (born in Glasgow raised and played in Italy) Hughes later joined Bournmouth’s recruitment team under Eddie Howe and later promoted to Technical Director.’
I’m wondering if negotiations are actually going okay and it’s just the press and hundreds of pundits and the odd retired orc (boyd, hutton etc) who are guessing, spouting off about what the structure will be….Howe seems to just want details sorted. Harkin is a long term goal, he would be committed to the club under a new CEO. I cannot see Desmond rolling over and letting Howe pick the DoF, that’s not how business is done. But if he is keen to have Hughes involved, then maybe it’s Howe as manager, Hughes as recruitment director or chief with Harkin as the overall director of football. So if say in 5 years or something Howe went back south and Hughes left, it would be fine as Harkin would continue on and help the structure and stability. That’s what I’m hoping but it would be good if they can agree all this, announce it and move on
Paul Mc,
Totally agree, some are panicking and willing to let Howe do as he wishes, i just don’t think it’s healthy for a manager to pick the DOF, i can’t think where else that would happen.
Pish.
Done celebrating the title win you fvuck wit
Do us all a favour and away follow your hero Lennon to the pub
Steady now or the next flounce will be on us before we know it.
Does Scott Brown know that Peter Grant is coming with Howe. After all the bad mouthing Grant done towards Scott. Is that why he’s moved.
Caption “Right lads, we’ve got statues to defend. Let’s go”.
Don’t talk pish.
Just get to fvuck from where you are not wanted
Howe now, brown cow
The grass is always Greener at Celtic Park
When we slaughter the little blue fvcks
Meeting (fixed) sevco FC early in the forth round of the Scottish Cup at IOUbrox…the substances must be having an adverse affect.
sevco fecal incontinence FC.
Kris Boyd should be made to publicly explain his nicknaming of John Kennedy as “Big JK”.
No guilt, no empathy, no remorse, no shame seems to be OK.
John Hughes ( Ross County ) has said referees support Celtic or rangers (Sic)……
John could you point out the ones who support Celtic please? Because it isn’t obvious to me.
Folk getting all excited about the imminent arrival of Dom Mckay, i’m definitely happier he is arriving now rather than July, however i think some big things need addressed at Celtic.
The victims of abuse at Celtic boys club should be high on the to do list, i want this to be dealt with by the club.
Secondly, McKay needs to publicly declare he will be seeking the stripping of titles & trophies ‘ won’ during the ebt cheating years & all moneys lost to Celtic as a consequence, if McKay doesn’t do this i’m done with it!
Kenny ,Laxalt and Moi
All 3 are sh!te. Luckily not our players, they can fuck off immediately if not sooner
Kenny ,Laxalt and Moi
All 3 are sh!te. Luckily not our players, they can f_vuck off immediately if not sooner
them 3? did you not watch this season. We just got butt f_vcked by the hunz. These 3 can f_uvck right off. Howe is a fugazzi. The only thing worrying me about him is who the next manager is when he tells us to f_vuck off ! that would be just before the euros
Probably your hair was a lockdown mess
Caption:
Police Scotland turn out guard of honour for latest Vanguard Bears demo.
A new CEO on the way and by all accounts a new manager and maybe new director of football. The question is how much latitude will they have to change things? The Board outside PL remains the same.
There are multiple problems to address from players who want to be elsewhere to sports science, diet and training. Winning games again!! as well as addressing the wider issues of Scottish football which as we all know are Rangers version 1 and version 2 and the astonishing latitude they get to do as they please both is Scotland and by UEFA it seems.
Will Celtic take on the establishment with this new team or simply try and exist inside the “rules”? Time will tell
I don’t think the board, excepting Desmond, have much power and never have had.
Desmond (major shareholder), CE and Head Coach/DoF are the only power brokers.
The rest of the board, especially the NEDs, should be holding the above to account but this season has shown they are incapable or unwilling to do that.
They should be gone and replaced by others that will do their job but they have no shame so won’t do it voluntarily, so it would need to be done at the AGM with the backing of Desmond, Train etc.
The main focus should be on getting the best Head Coach/DoF to work with the new CE to get us back on the rails.
I agree, I don’t think that we asking for somethings more than we have had before, like….
A competent manager and coaching staff.
a CEO who will engage with the support and will stand up for the support rather than castigate it. McKay we are told does engage with the support and can bring in good sponsorship deals. Someone who can disintangle us from the dead club. Someone who will fight the governing bodies and pressurise them to bring honesty into Scottish football.
And lastly, someone who will let the football department deal exclusively with any new players and try to bring them in and stop the many Cosy Contacts that bring in players from totally unsuitable countries.
Looks increasingly more like another false dawn. Howe still not signed typical by this board of imposters.
Caption:charge of the sh’ite brigade.