Ah Transfer deadline day…you know the old phrase…
As one window closes, another slams in your face…windows, doors, och its all the same isn’t it.
CyberParadise was a strange mixture of Pitchforks and PraiseHawks last night as the Celtic fanbase seemed split on their thoughts regards Celtic and the latest Transfer window. Everyone will have their own specific view on the successes and depresses of our latest foray into the weird world called Transfer.
Its always good to live in interesting times and while certain folk cited our lack of signings in specific areas, others heralded a rise in quality with our latest signings and highlighted that just cause Sky Sports demand we all jump into the 24 hour river of signing madness, we don’t all need to get the budgie smugglers out!
So, lets have a look at some key points and feel free to add your own thoughts in Comments section below.
Defence:
We now have Gordon to back up new first choice keeper De Vries and we have Baily and Fasan to help Stevie Woods carry the balls at training. At left back, we retained Izzy, a January exit is mooted, to back up Kieran Tierney and on the right we brought in Cristian Gamboa to challenge\backup Mikel Lustig while waiting for the last minute to send Saidy Janko packing to Burnley on loan never to be seen again after that Hapoel showing.
In the middle of defence we have a few options but our main 2 central defenders will surely be Kolo and Erik ( sounds very Sesame Street dont yout think?). As back up for those guys we have young O’Connell who had a baptism of fire recently, Dead to us Dedryk and of course we still have The Littlest Hob aka Jozo Simunovic.
Jozo, despite repeatedly telling fans the rumours were nonsense, went all the way to Turin for a medical and some duty Free fags and vodka before heading back to Celtic with no deal closed with Torino. The problem seems to be a broken Transfer Chain and/or Celtic not open to accepting any loan deal.
The Daily Record made a right mess of themselves claiming Jozo’s medical was failed but lets be honest, the Daily Record getting something wrong is hardly something new. Still, would be nice to see the Record and the Sun banned from asking any questions at Celtic Park for a while.
Lest we forget, also available to help cover Right Back, centre Half and Hoopy the Huddle Hound, we still have Efe the Entertainer who rejected a move to Rotherham and Standard Liege. maybe we never offered enough.
Midfield (Engine Room)
Well, here comes the rub. Celtic fans have been lavish in praising Scott Broon for his early displays but he has been very poor the last few games. The fact that he has been beside Nir Biton, or “that Ronnie pairing” as some call it may or may not be a factor. That pair just arent cutting it in the new Rodgers side and the centre mid area was crying out for a new face of true quality and vision. We all smiled on hearing rumours of interest in names like Hernanes and McCarthy. It got so desperate that even a bid for devout Hun James Morrison was being suggested but ultimately no-one was signed.
This was a big disappointment for a lot of Celtic fans and possibly to Brendan too but no-one will know as he’s too classy to down-cry the Board in public. Lest we forget, we punted Johansen, generating about £2m the other day so couldn’t we have used that cash to finance a replacement, even an expensive loan deal for the playmaker role?
And no, we wont be recalling Scott Allan…stop laughing at the back, this isn’t funny!
So whilst the SPL may be okay, we will go into the Champions League with a known weak link in the spine of our side and we should prepare for at least one horror show. All we have left as a regular starter is the industrious if limited Callum McGregor and as backup Liam Henderson who was a recent sub in CL qualifier and of course Stuart Armstrong.
Armstrong is the classic “I wish it would work out for him” guy at Celtic and has all our best wishes but in truth he hasn’t reached expected heights. Countering any claims that he doesn’t get to play in his desired position is the question that surely he needs to earn that right on the training ground? Armstrong was actually wanted by big Mick at Ipswich Town but that move failed to complete.
In out news, Chuck Mulgrew sorted out a 3 year deal at Blackburn which is probably one of the best negotiations of the whole window..kerching!
Forwards
Lets first split our forward minded midfielders away from the engine room as its one area where we have a few options. Sinclair has hit the ground running and we have Patrick Roberts and James Forrest also showing well in performances. Hopefully none will suffer any injuries but we do have some variations there at least. Ryan Christie has been involved and even scored recently but seems to be viewed more as a sub, least for now.
Covering either wing is also Gary Mackay Steven who rejected the idea of loan moves to Ross County and Dundee United. While GMS wont be in Brendans immediate plans, he could get a few League games as sub and a Cup run out here and there. As for Kris Commons…if he ever gets fit enough for a side of Brendan Rodgers then I will admit to being pleasantly surprised. One positive note was we managed to avoid Aiden McGeady heads home stories, with the man-child heading to Preston…phew!
Thats the wings sorted..now what about through the middle. Cue the groans!
Lets start with Ciftci, no I cant see it. Ever.
That means have 3 decent performers, Super Leigh, young Dembele and Hot and Cold Tom Rogic. Rogic when on form is a great player but some games just don’t seem to suit him and for all the great games from the Aussie, there’s the same amount of anonymous showings. Hopefully that can tip towards the positive as this season goes on. Dembele has done really well since joining and has shown real confidence, especially with THAT penalty. The issue is we don’t seem, least for now, to be able to play Dembele and Super Leigh together at the same time. Whether this will work out is up to Brendan but for now, Im viewing Dembele as Plan B and also as a backup to Leigh (but not a direct backup as Dembele plays with his back to goal and Griff on the shoulder so any replacements mean tweaking approach.)
Which brings us to the 30 million dollar question,,,what if SuperLeigh gets injured?
We already hear worries about his hamstring (thankfully already out of Scotland squad as a precaution) and we will have to ensure our superstar is protected and rested as much as possible. It is good to see folk like Rogic, Sinclair and Forrest scoring but every team has their focal point and we all know ours, as does everyone else. There were rumours of Robson Kanu ( who was available on a free!) and even Jordan Rhodes but over the window, only Dembele was purchased for a striker role.
The failure to bring in another striker to help lift the burden from Leigh’s shoulders is one we may wish to regret, not just in the CL but also in tight games in the SPFL, i.e up at Pittodrie. Given we have been told for years that all clubs need 4 strikers, can we assume Sinclair will be deemed a possible No 10 as we don’t have many other options, bar Kris Commons getting a lung and legs transplant.
Tactics
To help combat a real lack of strength in depth in certain areas, the manager may already have some variations in mind and he will be tested as much as the players to get us through to January given the up and coming heavy demands on the squad.
Quality Kids
“What about the weans?” some will say. Well we may be able to promote some of the kids but the League cup is already well on its way and Brendan hasnt made many gambles in the squad so far so I think he will stick with what he knows for now. Young Aitchinson up front may grab some game time eventually but I cant see it being anything other than last 10 mins or on a truly emergency basis…Tony Watt vs Barcelona anyone?
Some will cite Kristoffer Ajer also being available for both Midfield and Central Defence but I think the kid needs to be nurtured rather than rushed and I wouldnt expect to see him in the Hoops first team bar possibly some early Cup run outs or a post January run-in when hopefully the League will be wrapped up early.
Conclusion
We got some quality signings in and we have some clear areas still needing improved upon. Its gonna be a tough 4 months but fingers crossed we have enough. Interesting times meet Interesting Tims.
Generally pretty happy with the dealings this window, and in agreement with the post. Like most I think we needed a quality centre mid but appreciate it’s a bloody difficult market for us, Everton were quoted as wanting £20m for McCarthy so how do you find quality we can afford when we are next door to a basket case like England? Glad we didn’t just buy someone for the sake of it like most deadline days of late.
Another striker would have been great, but how do you convince quality players to come to Scotland as back up to our top striker, or even as third choice?
Lets hope Leigh can stay fit and on form and we should have enough in the squad for a decent season (domestically at least).
Would have been worse if we had got James Morrison.
Ach. I don’t know, he does have the odd decent tune. 🙂
One fact that has become crystal clear is that the transfer market down south has gone completely crazy. If ridiculous sums and wages are being paid for mediocre players, how the hell can Celtic be expected to attract any talent to the SPFL without totally breaking our budget & wage structure?
Disappointing but at least Peter’s bonus is looking good!
bloody conned again ,would not surprise me if rodgers buggers off after CL gamest,the idea of DE vries playing against sevco makes me shudder,bloody awful goalkeeper,in the vane of ian andrews,or dennis connaghan,the board are a disgrace no ambition other than a big profit.on the spreadsheet and fuck the results
Like everyone else i would’ve liked a c.m. but i’m sure Brendan knew this was an area that needed looked at and as the msm kept writing about it I have a feeling we were probably being held to ransom by clubs,but on the whole not a bad window and we certainly leave it stronger.
desi i think joso looked a player before he got injured brendan will sort him out brendan also got the wee clearout he wanted and that will encourage the young bhoys to run harder in training trying to impress i also trust brendan to see what he wants to keep and get rid of what he disnae in january hopefully still in the champions league or europa league COYBIG
Nadir is good back up. Written off he scores when starts
1 in 2 games. Can create few games in the league . Chinese market stipp open ( if he needs a few shifts )
The Jozo non-deal is curious. Did BR think he was injury prone and therefore willing to let him go? Turino thought there was a risk and wanted him on loan first? So what is his future? Obviously if he impresses in training he’ll get a game and I guess sooner or later we’ll know if he’s got a future here.
If DDV is as good as Craig Gordon but with better distribution and able to command his area and even get down to low balls then we’re on to a winner but I’m sure Craig will get some game time too.
We’re always wound up during the transfer window as we’re so unrealistic. The best for us (ad the most realistic) is to bring through the young kids and buy some older players to give them (the kids) the benefit of their experience and how to deal with pressure. That’s why it’s so great having Kolo. Does anyone have any insight into the youth set-up? Is there enough good players coming through? Most of them seem to good enough only for other Scottish clubs but not for Celtic. Is that set-up cost-effective or does it need a shake=up?
There are some really good youngsters in the under 20s. Nesbitt (on loan) is really skilful and fast, Miller, Aitchison, Crossan, Hendry (no. 10) Ralston, McCart , Wardrop are for me able to step up in the domestic games. As for CL not sure as its a huge jump and most not able to cope with he physical side yet in Europe. There are others out on loan so maybe a few of them can make the jump up. Leo Fasan must be disappointed to be further down the reckoning as he is a good goalie. We have produced KT and McGregor recently which is a real good start. Rogic was a “project” who has made the jump successfully also.
I’m quite happy with business this summer, but we can’t stop, so next window I’d be looking at the following departures:
Bailly – Free;
Ambrose – Free;
Boyata – £500k if we’re lucky;
Biton – £3.5m;
Commons – Free;
GMS – £500k if we’re lucky;
Ciftci – £500k if we’re lucky.
I’d also loan Fasan out for the experience, and Christie if he’s not getting game time.
So that would bring in around £5m. But remember if we sell a player who doesn’t want to go (or at least hasn’t asked to go) we have to agree on paying up contracts, so it’s not a “we’ve earned £5m there – we’d lose a chunk of that on paying those contracts off – hence, the talk of net spend being negligable isn’t entirely true when that and signing on fees are taken into account.
Whatever is left of the £5m, and any other money available to strengthen, I’d spend on a defensive midfielder. Thus the squad would look like:
GK – Gordon; De Vries; Fasan (pos loan);
RB – Lustig; Gamboa;
LB – Izzy; Tierney;
CB – Kolo; Jozo; Erik; O’Connell;
DM – New guy; Ajer;
CM – Brown; Rogic; Armstrong; Henderson; McGregor;
RW – Roberts; Forrest;
LW – Sinclair; Christie (pos Loan);
CF – Griffiths; Dembele.
Of course we also need to plan for the summer. I’d let another of the Goalkeepers go (Gordon or De Vries, whichever isn’t playing)and promote Fasan to Number 2 or, if neither Gordon or De Vries can be shofted, send Fasan on loan until the following summer when those two guys are out of contract.
In defence, with Izzy out of contract I’d be looking to pick up a left back on a Bosman. I’d also be looking at offloading Jozo (at a loss/free if needed) if his injury problems continue, keeping Kolo for an exctra season in that case. If Jozo does a good job, I’d let Kolo go in summer. So we need to be looking for another CB – bosman ideal, otherwise just be planning early (Denayer on loan?). I’d also be thinking about Lustig’s long term future – either moving him in as cover at CB permanenetly (thus negating the need for another CB) or letting him go. In either case, I’d be on the hunt for another RB, again on a Bosman if possible.
Midfield, I’d be looking to freshen up. Henderson, Armstrong and McGregor ought to have had a chance to show if they can do it, if so, keep them but if not, move them on and bring in replacements. I’d say that would be Brown’s last season as a regular, though I’d maybe keep him as back-up and coaching. BR mentioned he could move to CB – not sure about that to be honest. So, I’d keep our new DM (from Jan window), Ajer (I have high hopes for the boy but he needs to be integrated gently), and Brown. Up to 3 midfielders required depending on progress made by McGregor, Henderson and Armstrong.
On teh wings, we know we’re going to lose ROberts unless we can sort something out. SOrting something out would be my priority between now and January. SO potentially a replacement for him. Forrest needs to maintain his improved form – if he does, gret, if he doesn’t I think it would be time to cut our losses on him. I’d also consider movng Christie central – back up to Rogic in the No10 position (thus meaning we’d only need 2 midfielders depending on progress by the “at risk” trio). So, up to 3 wingers needed.
Up front, I’d stick with Griffiths and Dembele. I’d also like a third player as cover, but not sure anyone of any quality would be content with that role. That said, if we could get a really good player, I’d snap them up, even if it means one of those 2 have to leave (would have to be an amazing player to even consider letting Griffiths leave).
So summer would see the potential departures of 1 goalkeeper; 2 or 3 defendenrs; and up to 5 midfielders/wingers (assuming Roberts doesn’t stay(. 9 players out – I’d be looking for 7 replacements. It’s probably too much to do that in summer, so that may have to be over the summer and winter windows of next season. That would give us a squad of:
GK – Gordon or De Vries; Fasan;
RB – Gamboa; New guy;
LB – Tierney; New Guy;
CB – Erik; O’Connell; Kolo/Jozo; Lustig/New Guy;
DM – January this year guy; Ajer;
CM – Brown; Rogic; Christie; Then McGregor; Armstrong; Henderson or replacements for 1 or all of them;
Wingers – Forrest; Sinclair; Roberts/New guy; New Guy;
CF – Griffiths; Dembele; New guy(maybe – I wouldn’t want a Ciftci type bench warmer).