Non -international Celts reported back for duty to Lennoxtown yesterday.
You’d have thought we’d all have been happy to see the guys again, but instead a;; most fans did was scour the photos and videos that were released looking for Jota, who wasn;t there because technically he isn;t a Celtic player yet, he’s still with Benfica, but that’s being sorted and we should stop whining.
Nothing was ever going to happen until this week, and whilst bringing in the winger is high on the list, there is other work to be done as well.
In an interview for Celtic TV, manager Ange Postecoglou laid bare his plans for the season.
“We didn’t set out with any specific targets last year. We just wanted to be the best we could possibly be.
“It will be the same this year. If we can improve on our performances from last year, which we have to, if we can improve on everything we do, then we’re going to finish in a pretty good spot.
“We don’t know what that means in terms of tangible results. But every year I’ve started a football season I want the team to be the best it can possibly be.
“Again, that’s our aim this year.”
That implies, quite simply a strategy of building from strength, with investment in the team, in the knowledge that success will follow on naturally.
No wonder Peter Lawwell got out of dodge. And one can only wonder how the ultra conservative board feel about this new, swashbuckling programme,
Well, we wonder, but we don’t care.
There’s half a dozen friendlies lined up, and it looks like the opponents weren;t chosen at random,as the manager explained…
“They will be super important because, once we get to the first round of the Premiership, we know from them on up until the break in November, we are going to be going at it and we want to be ready. We have to be ready.
“We know we got off to a slow start last year and we certainly don’t want to be doing that again with so many important games early in the season.
“So I think it is a good programme we have put together with the mixture of us going away which is great and playing against different types of opposition.
“We have a couple of games at Celtic Park and a couple of sort of European trips in the middle, which, hopefully, prepares us for the Champions League and the travels we have got there.
“So we have tried to put a programme together which we think will give us the best chance of being ready.”
After years in the slow lane, seemingly happy to distract fans with a somewhat pointless dream of ten in a row , it looks very much like we’re at the very least aiming to be overtaking some of the other vehicles.
To do that, he intends to get down to some serious work, as one fear he has already illustrated is that other sides get used to or find a way to stifle our style of play.
He has a month or so free of competitive matches to work with the squad, and teach them a few other little things now that they’ve mastered the basics, which should ensure a few surprises in the next few months.
Whereas Brendan Rodgers didn’t quite understand that four meetings a season allows teams to become very familiar with your style, Ange is well aware of it.
Those who were afraid he would refuse to adapt will be relieved, and those who like surprises will be chuffed.
One surprise was the addition of Harry Kewell to the coaching team, and the manager explained what he brings to the table….
Harry Kewell is someone whom I know through the Australia connection but we have never worked together. He is one of Australia’s greatest ever footballers and a guy who has worked really hard to get a coaching career going. From afar, the reports that I have had on him is that he will bring some really good qualities in terms of his on-field coaching and his ability to mentor players. It was really important that when the players came back this season they understood that nothing stands still and there is a constant evolution. We want to better every year and seeing a couple of new faces in the staff is going to help that. He will bring energy as I know he’s super excited about being involved at this level and this football club. He’s got Champions League experience as a player and has won it. He was an attacking player and that will help the group and the balance we have in the coaching group. Alongside Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea, I have a really good, exciting vibrant young coaching group who will put a lot of energy into the first team and the B team this year.
He didn’t mention Kennedy or Strachan, which is , well, worth mentioning….
Even though the squad are just back for a day, there seems to be an urgency already, at least if you read the mood, which must make a refreshing change from days of yore, where they would simply pick up their new kit, show each other a few holiday snaps and toddle off to the pub for a couple of liveners.
There’s a couple of other snippets doing the rounds, Josip Juranovic’s agent sayd he’s happy at Celtic, Vasilis Barkas says he didn;t enjoy his time there at all, and Jordan Larsson has become a free agent, and somehow Celtic fans think he should be snapped up, presumably because his dad was quite good.
If Celtic are indeed after another striker, then Larsson should be considered, but let’s be honest, what he would cost and the fact that he wouldn’t displace either Giakoumakis or Kyogo means that such a move is unlikely.
Something a little more serious now, which will certainly be filling trousers at Ibrox …..
Caption: Sevco start the savings with a fire sale of the team bus
Onion bears bus party
Caption – No Gio, I said a fire sale for the players and be rid of the wages, we canna afford to lose the bus too!!!
As the SPFL sponsorship row rumbles with a Hamilton bus company, Rylan takes matters into his own hands and he’s Cinched it.
Caption …
Celtics deal with parks goes up in smoke …
“I said park the bus, not spark the bus.”
Caption…
After being caught doing 52 mph in a 50 zone , a bus driver finds that government measures to curb speeding is a bit harsh …
Caption: The ‘ Bhoycie bus gains momentum ‘
the rocket powered Angebus is unveiled.
Caption……
Bozo’s Brexit bus.. the sequel.
thinks its about time you learned to w@nk. first steps out of puberty and I don’t recommend that you ever breed.
Still got the mange you rancid fascist twat?
If you poke the big boys in the eye don’t be surprised to find your balls booted up your arsehole. now get that homework done.
oh and btw. the diatribe you post on here is some of the worst on the web. you are in a very unique club.
You must be reading your own posts mangy. By the way, why a cvnt like you frequents a Celtic site is one of the biggest mysteries I’ve come across in many a year. You’re a piece of insignificant shit that couldnae fight his/her way out a wet paper bag.
na-na-na-na-na
Caption……
Mangy fascist moron spontaneously combusts on his way home from the vets, when someone dares to rip the pish out of his fuhrer.
Sandra regrets having the vindaloo at the monthly Larkhall ladies LLOL 1690 curry club. But she is pointing the finger at Jessie for ignoring the no smoking sign on the bus.
Brechin Police finally release footage of the ‘Sevco Superbus’ ‘ final journey. Douglas Parks was unavailable for comment…
Maeda’s personal trainer gets ready to follow him jogging round Glasgow Green
Caption,The Celtic Board take delivery of the new Parks Team Bus and see no reason to change
Caption
Ibrokes Loyal let off flares prematurely enroute to Seville
Caption: The most combustible coach in Scottish football since Mark McGhee was offered a seat amongst the Aberdeen fans.
Caption: “You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off”.
“Whereas Brendan Rodgers didn’t quite understand that four meetings a season allows teams to become very familiar with your style, Ange is well aware of it.”
FFS, Rodgers won every domestic trophy available during his time with us.
Caption “The Lou Macari CSC bus spontaneously combusts when the denizens realise that UEFA FFP changes mean SFA while local governance is still in place”
Just sent Douglas park a fire extinguisher, hope he’s delighted
Daily Rancid ‘exclusive’: Park’s of Hamilton say there was a minor malfunction on their new prototype driverless team bus but it’ll be fine for the start of the ‘The Rangers’ new season. They absolutely deny the bus in the picture is the same bus but confirm the Ibrox ‘club’ IS the same ‘club’ that didn’t actually die in Liquidation in 2012.
PS “Our new bus will be ideal for towing caravans!”
🙂
Morelos let’s one go just as McGregor was sparking up a fag.
Caption…
On a quiet, rural English road, the Brexshit Battle Wagon finally succumbs to its inevitable fate as the combined forces of entitlement, hubris, xenophobia, exceptionalism, the John Bull spirit and a previously unexploded piece of WW2 German air ordinance provides the final parting gift from the European Union.
like a phoenix from the flames the new bus will arrive for the rangers
it will still be the same bus of course
Jimmy Bell takes the wheel of the original Rangers Team Bus one last time declaring he’s going for 55
is that yon sevco superbus////////// mcmoist said celtic fans burnt
Paul Gascogne lights fart on the bus to away game.
An alternative view? As far as I’m aware Jota has yet to be signed by our club.
Much as I love the guy and know he’d be a real asset, I’m also thinking about other areas of the pitch and how much we’ll spend in total. If JJ stays and he hopefully will and we’ve signed our 1st Argentinian then the full back spots are covered. We already have several very good forwards that can play on the wings but we’re light at CB and NEED a top defensive Mid to help the defence but also start attacks.
Ideally we’ll do both but, as always, only time will tell.
Can’t wait to see The Bhoys again regardless.
COYBIG
Caption
Sparks of Hamilton
Good to get another important signing over the line, especially in that LB position. Like Taylor, Alex Bernabei is only pint-sized but he looks to have all the attributes to handle the argy-bargy of the Scottish Premiership. Could have a future Argy international in the making.
Bienvenido al Paraíso Alex – échale huevos chaval!
“Welcome to Paradise Alex – throw eggs at him kid!”
Is that an Argentine or a Parkhead tradition?
Ha ha, not a bad attempt at the literal translation but I’m sure a man of your calibre will find a way to get hold of the real meaning of that expression. 🙂
I’ve just seen his presentation interview on YouTube and he comes across as a friendly (not the type of bloke that’s into nutting geezers he doesn’t like), humble and very ambitious lad, hellbent on achieving great things. His style of play looks ideal for Ange’s system.
Ha ha, not a bad attempt at the literal translation but I’m sure a man of your calibre will find a way to get hold of the real meaning of that expression.
Have you seen his presentation interview on Celtic TV yet? He comes across as a friendly, humble and ambitious young player – not the type of bloke you’d expect to see nutting geezers he doesn’t like. His style of play should suit Ange’s system down to a tee.
Fully expect Jota to be confirmed by tomorrow at the latest.
Next……
I’m not daft on the tiffo malarky but a Malvinas themed one would be lovely.