One of the concerns about the way the club used to be run was the exodus of promising young players down south to continue their development.
As a recent article on here showed, the reason wasn’t money, as kids are on a limited wage down there.
Which means there must have been another reason, and Leo Hjelde, the Norwegian defender who recently made his EPL debut with Leeds, might offer a clue.
“At Celtic I was told that I was too light. I ate a little more, and the workouts were nowhere near as hard.
“It was a shock to come from Scotland. It is a completely different level here. I have received good backing from the club and the players around me.
One can only wonder what sort of weight they were aiming for…..
Joking aside, it’s clear that the regime under Brendan Rodgers that attracted youngsters such as Moussa Dembele and Oddsone Edouard was no longer in place under Neil Lennon, and when money is not a factor, then the coaching and learning environment will be.
That’s why it was refreshing to read that at least one youngster won’t be heading down the M74 to learn his trade.
Daniel Kelly, a creative 16 year old playmaker is set to sign a three year deal at Celtic, amid reported interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and Benfica.
Ben Doak, who registered an assist with a young Scotland side last night is also interesting Liverpool, and as this story seems to be dragging on a bit, maybe he’s having second thoughts…
And through gritted teeth, the Record reports today …
Mossend Football Club have lost one of their most promising starlets – but they couldn’t be happier for Jack Thomson as he signs for Premiership giants Celtic.
The young striker has turned out for the youth club’s 2008 level side and his exploits in attack have caught the eye of the Hoops.
He now swaps the black and yellow of Mossend for Celtic’s green and white, having left the club to sign a pro youth deal.
It’s quite hard to believe that Celtic are actually doing something that most of us have been arguing for over the last however long we’ve actually been supporters.
The first team has been rebuilt with players that are first team ready. Signings have been made by Ange Postecoglou of players that strengthened the team.
No projects.
Even the loannees came with an option to buy, instead of the previous policy which meant that players who couldn;t get a game for their own club were guaranteed one at Celtic.
Thats usually part of a loan deal..if they’re fit, they play.
So it becomes understandable that youngsters want to get out, there’s little chance of development or progression, though that seems to be changing, and changing rapidly.
If you ever get the chance to watch wither the Colts team, in the lowland league, or any of the youth sides, it appears they are playing the same style as the first team.
It follows they will be training and learning with the same intensity, and if we, as fans, think that things are improving, take a moment to consider how players feel,
And I’ll wager most of them don’t even miss the post training pie and pint.
I
t seems like Ange is happy enough where he is, he’s getting support both on and off the pitch, and with Celtic , by his own admission, the only European club to follow up on their initial interest, he may well be happy enough to stay for a while yet.
Someone who doesn’t want to stay is Vasilis Barkas, the goalkeeper who bore the brunt of the poor defence last season.
Apparently he’s demanded a move in the summer, but thats more likely to be headline grabbing as it’s fairly clear he won’t have to demand anything.
Chris Jullien, whose attitude on Instagram far outweighed his attitude elsewhere towards the club is another who seems to have slipped out of the picture. Probably sustaining an ankle strain in the process.
He did make a brief appearance against Raith Rovers, probably just to get him some fresh air, but since then, he’s remained surplus to requirements.
Alben Ajeti has dropped well down in the pecking order, and he’ll be away as well. Though we probably won’t notice
One thing all of the new players has is enthusiasm,
Clearly someone has taken the time to assess a players personality rather than just looking at statistics and resale value.
Ange has made it clear he wants players who want to be at Celtic, and that’s made a massive difference throughout the club.
Josip Juranovic kind of summed it all up…
“Honestly, when I arrived in Glasgow I was a little skeptical,(sic..it’s from the Sun ) especially since the team won nothing last season.
“However, on the first day, the coach approached me and said, ‘this is a new Celtic, I want you in it.
“He automatically brought a smile to my face, and since then it hasn’t left my face.
Sooner or later, the media will try to cause a little bit of unrest by pointing out that Ange can’t keep everyone happy, and players who want away will be used to suggest unrest.
Probably sooner than later, as there are three games to come against “rangers “, that will define our season to an extent, but probably end not only theirs, but them as an entity, should they fail to get anything from the games.
that’s why Dave king has reappeared on the scene. He wants his money before irony makes him one of the creditors of the latest entity trying to get their money, and we all know what happens to their creditors…
they’re in the middle of another civil war, with King and his puppet Club 1872 at one end, and the mighty Sons of Struth at the other.
Statement follows statement follows statement as the vultures take their place to pick at the carcass, and the media, as ever, aren;t interested.
Still, MyGers, the organisation accused of not being totally honest by one side in the war, held a special dinner the other night…
There’s that 150 years nonsense again, and although it’s being force fed even by the likes of the BBC, there doesn’t seem to be as much attention on their legends game this week.
Odd , really, when you consider the legion of superstars lined up to come….
They’re probably still trying to persuade a charity to be involved, so they can organise a collection for them.
Meanwhile, Celtic are looking to organise a bounce game ahead of the visit to Ibrox, and are actively seeking opponents of a similar calibre to “rangers “.
Oh, anyone looking for a job ?
It looks like VAR is happening, though the start date indicates things are still a bit vague.
“What school did you go to ?” will probably be one of the filter questions on the form, along with your Lodge membership number, with successful applicants required to undergo fitness training that will involve a lot of walking….
I love the bit about bonuses being on offer, as it’s not really in doubt what you’ll have to do to earn them…still, it comes with a nice new watch….which is being given to referees as well….
Yesterday, we had this….
Caption…….
Fast forward to 2024 and Brexit Britain marvels at the luxurious amenities that were on offer in war time Glasgow.
Today….
“ yes, this one, medium rare.. and hurry up I’m about to shed my skin .. “
Her royal highness gets to meet the loyal sevco Club 1972 members to boost morale before the war with the klub moves on to the next phase.
Security officers stand by with anti zombie weapons in case things get out of hand.
Urrrrrrrrrr!
Caption……..
’One likes this one William dear, I’m sure he would make a spiffing valet’.
Caption: “ah, is this a people zoo?”
my auld father-in-law pumped yir maw ,,,,, we could be related .
Her mother in law was beatified when she “touched” a leper But Kates not taking any chances
Caption
Young African kids get to see the new caged zoo animal belonging to the queen
One does love children,,,, but I couldn’t eat a whole one !
Caption: “Oh Willsy pleeeeese left me have one,the ginger bastard has two for fawk’s sake!”
State your case royalist. Beyond the limit of your intellect?
Caption
“When one was told there was fencing, one brought one’s rapier”
Royal security man gets his mask on just in time, she always farts when you pull that finger.
Caption …
Even royals have to stand in line for the Scran behind the wire…
New series in the Walking Dead franchise, in the Statements of The Dead, our hero’s protect themselves from the zombie hordes by issuing documents online.
Caption…….
Oh William dearest. I’ve found the thumbdooner, just give me a second whilst I break the w@nkers wrist.
Got an idea. Thumbs up everything (except the tinfoilly hatted) and then the wee snidey currant bun thumbsdooner is history.
Caption
Another visit to George’s Square is planned.
Brilliant Diary Ralph, really enjoyed it. Your inimitable mix of truth, laughter, invention and LOADS of enthusiasm, and Ange and The Bhoys deserve that, all of it, just now. Loved the Juranovic stuff, managing the mhan as well as the player and even the most dour clunt would agree that he smiles and laughs a lot. And he can play.
If it was anywhere but that Govan midden I’d be looking forward to our next game but I just hate that place. The men in black will be trying to give them everything, as usual, so the antidote to that? Get all the players around to watch the last new huns game (1st half over and over) and how we tore them apart and have a video compilation of dubious reffing so we’ve an inkling of what to expect. Outright cheating? Walk off the park; the World (and its media) will be watching, and clearly explain to them why. And that hostile scum wont be able to contain themselves.
Come On You Bhoys In GREEN!
Caption: The bitch at the back, to herself, “Nothing going on here, I’ll just take another selfie. I’ll send it express to ‘Carribean Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ and hope they get me out of here, sharpish”.
BTW, I’d get rid of the monarchy and would’ve done 50 years ago and ditto the ‘gongs’ (at a price) of “Lord” and “Sir”. But, if the monarchy HAS to exist, we could do a lot worse than Kate Middleton being part of it.
On another theme, my Auld Fella, many years ago, when the age of consent for ‘pillow biters’ was being reduced from 21 to 18 said, along the lines of: “I’m getting TF out of here, before they make it compulsory.”
Dae ye see yon birkie ca’d a lord
Wha struts and stares and aw that
Though hundreds worship at his word
He’s just a couth for aw that
For aw that and aw that
His ribbons, stars and aw that
The man o’ independent mind
He looks and laughs at aw that.
RSP, I’ve always admired your ability to bring out the best (laughing) in most folks, but with intelligent, relevant content. Your patter has always brought a smile and a consideration with it. Burns was special in his ability (A man’s a man for aw that’) but I can’t always fully ‘get’ some of his stuff. I’ve a book on him, his life, his songs and his poetry, from Alloway tae Edinburg’, New York tae ‘new’ Dumfries.
Anyway, I’m hoping your intention (to me) is in the last two lines.
Regardless, keep commenting, you’re one of few worth reading.
The ‘thumbdooners’ without comment will “drift away like the melting snow”, that’s if I don’t get there 1st.
PS I watched the excellent “A Sense of Freedom” the other day, about Jimmy Boyle. It hasn’t aged badly. Watched it on Prime where it says extra content including live footage and other snippets. They didn’t materialise but the film is top drawer. See how many actors you can spot that went on to ‘lesser’ things!
AND, for Monti, they’re at one point flogging ‘Lanny’ and Buckie.
Most Tims in my top days at CP drank Lanny, El D, Springbok or Four Crown, I think. All fortified wines. Buckie was more a hun drink in my day and even then ‘irony’ was lost on them. (Work that out for yourself)
Come On You Bhoys In Green,
When we hit ‘them’ next, rupture a spleen,
Smash the scum in their old midden,
Anything less is pure forbidden. (Anon.)
Caption – “And how many missionaries did your daddy eat?”
1 young player signing on is welcome but far too early to declare that we can now fend off interest from ‘the best league in the world’ (or more accurately, richest) in our best talent.
Its good that we’re addressing this issue and, hopefully, we hold our nerve even if we continue to lose some players, as money talks and its filthy.
Its too early, for me, to write off Julien, as what’s the plan if CCV doesn’t stay?
(re)Promoting Welsh or getting in another CB will lead us back to where we’ve been for a long time ie starting the season with an experimental back line.
Its been frustrating the length of his absence and various set-backs and he’s not going to get much game time until, hopefully the league is wrapped up early or late sub appearances.
He was a dominant CB performer for us before his injury and hopefully he can be again, especially his aerial ability, where he’s head and shoulders above the others.
Caption “I know she’s caged but get that parasite away from us, we’ve enough trouble with diseases as it is. Oh, and tell her gran-in-law, that her team’s getting gubbed by the Tims.”
Caption; there is no black or white segregation to see here, just move along and smile..
Touch me if your in laws had tonnes of ivory stored in London
On the topic of bringing on kids to the first team. I fear the Celtic academy isn’t about that. It’s an earner for the club that feeds off parents’ dreams to the detriment of the kids. Decent prospects are brought on better at Hamilton and St Johnstone. Ange is a bit of an enigma in that respect. I think he sounds like a guy who could shake up the club root and branch but he knows he didn’t bring the CV to do that (from a board perspective) and he needs to prove himself by winning a title before he can lay out his master plan. Amazing times to be a Tim.
shit. the rings have gone watch the bangle maam
Caption: Do you have anymore diamonds one could plunder?