{"id":10415,"date":"2016-11-25T12:00:19","date_gmt":"2016-11-25T12:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=10415"},"modified":"2016-11-23T10:31:17","modified_gmt":"2016-11-23T10:31:17","slug":"mid-term-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=10415","title":{"rendered":"Mid Term Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

El Cormaco<\/strong> gets that red and green pens out and gives the team, the players, the management and anything else in his path, the once over for a Mid year review<\/p>\n

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Back In August, after the Red Imps defeat, I took my critical eye and ran it over the Celtic squad. It was Brendan\u2019s first competitive game, we stank and there was much gnashing of teeth among Tims.<\/p>\n

That review is here<\/a> if you want to re-read or cross-check.<\/p>\n

As we are now into the meat of the season, the team are obviously going very well indeed so with so much talk of the Brendan effect I thought I d revisit my views from August and see what has changed.<\/p>\n

With January coming up who should be gently eased out the door like trying to get your drunk aunty home at Christmas time and who should we cling to, like your drunk aunty does with her son in law at Christmas time? Here is my mid term report , please get involved in the comments<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Name<\/strong><\/td>\nPosition<\/strong><\/td>\nKeep them?<\/strong><\/td>\nWhy \/ Why not? \u2013 August opinion<\/strong><\/td>\nMid Term Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Craig Gordon<\/td>\nGK<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nHe\u2019s fallible, can be improved upon but he\u2019s passable<\/td>\nBrendan tried to improve upon him, but forgot that a goalie needs to be able to save shots as well as pass the ball. De Vries is now his back up and Gordon has improved with the competition<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Logan Bailly<\/td>\nGK<\/td>\nmaybe<\/td>\nNot really been tested when he\u2019s played although his distribution is scary<\/td>\nIs he 3rd<\/sup> choice now? 4th?<\/sup> Will surely only be a future quiz question, can go any time and not be missed. At all.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Leo Fasan<\/td>\nGK<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nHe\u2019s been here for a right while and is still no.3? Not gonna make it<\/td>\nNo sign my earlier opinion will change<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Emilio Izaguirre<\/td>\nLB<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nI like Izzy, but he\u2019s had his time<\/td>\nViva la izzy!! Back in the team with Tierney\u2019s injury. He\u2019s not the future but is doing a fine job for the present, though I fear for him against Barca \/ Man City, he\u2019ll be fine in SPFL. Plus points for being a mad Celt now<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Efe Ambrose<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nWell, well, well. I\u2019ve not given Efe a position as he can\u2019t play in one. At centre half you think he might do less harm at right back, at right back you think he should play in the centre. The joke has run out of laughs, Efe, get your coat son, you\u2019re never to be seen in a Celtic shirt again unless you\u2019re on your holidays<\/td>\nIt seems Brendan read this, Efe has been spotted less than black on an Ibrox balance sheet. If any one, and I mean anyone, wants him he\u2019ll be gone. Do Sevco still need a centre half?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jozo Simunivic<\/td>\nCB<\/td>\nmaybe<\/td>\nI fear we bought \u00a35m crock here. Played very few times between injuries and looked pretty ropey when he did. Will be on good deal so difficult to shift, I would if we could<\/td>\nAlmost gone to Torino, now literally and metaphorically rehabilitated. When he\u2019s played he\u2019s looked stronger, more decisive and quicker, and would be in most peoples first choice centre back pairing, which is quite a turnaround. Recent comments from the manager about his ability to play more than once a week are a concern for a guy still so young \u2013 is his injury fully sorted or will it have to be \u201cmanaged\u201d for the rest of his career? Nonetheless glad he didn\u2019t leave<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dedryck Boyata<\/td>\nCB<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nRivals Efe for frightening Celtic fans more than opposition forwards. To think we used to have big dominating centre halves like Bobo, now have timorous clowns like this guy, terrible passer, terrible defender, terrible signing.<\/td>\nReading what I wrote in August, I am spot on!! Played his first game of the season on Friday, was a mess; distribution absolutely shocking, clumsy, physically intimidated by Killie\u2019s centre forward \u2013 a guy who usually wouldn\u2019t get a game ahead of Kris Boyd. To think Mancini rated this guy when he was younger. A career going nowhere, apart hopefully, away from Celtic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Charlie Mulgrew<\/td>\nall sorts<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nLike Izzy, did a good job and should leave with his head held high, time and injuries have curtailed his \u201cpace\u201d to approx none and he can be a liability because of it<\/td>\nGone. Will be remembered well and welcomed back \u2013 just not as a player<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saidy Janko<\/td>\nRB<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nI was pleased to see him last night, thought it was about time he was given a chance. I was wrong. A coward on the ball, unsure of his position when defending. There is usually a good reason clubs like Man United release players (see Boyata & Man City)<\/td>\nWritten after the Red Imps game, his horror showing against Be\u2019er Sheva was quickly followed with a loan away for the season. No one is missing him, unlikely to come back into the first team at Celtic.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mikael Lustig<\/td>\nRB\/ CB<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nAnother who has been a fine servant to Celtic, but is also very injury prone and diminished because of it. Could possibly plug a hole at centre half but should be phased out and replaced<\/td>\nLustig is a bit of man crush at the minute \u2013 he\u2019s rarely missed a game, even after some heavy duty tackles, and been solid and consistent. Contract expiring \u2013 could be connected to an upturn in fitness and form but he seems a very decent pro and I\u2019d definitely want to offer him a new deal now, a complete turnaround. Well played big man<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Erik Sviatchenko<\/td>\nCB<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nA defender who defends. Novel stuff at Celtic Park. He\u2019s slow sure and can lunge in, but has the right attitude and tries to keep some kind of defensive shape around him. Possible captain<\/td>\nGrowing into a real defensive leader at Celtic, my opinion hasn\u2019t changed, he has real limitations to his game but he is definitely worth keeping and is a first pick on the team sheet at the minute<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Darnell Fisher<\/td>\nRB<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nHe seemed to be progressing well, good pace, decent defender, so it was odd he went out on loan last year. Hopefully he gets and takes his chance<\/td>\nDunno whats gone on with his career either, now also loaned out \u2013 or is it permanent. A few good early showings but never kicked on. We wish him well.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A Ralston<\/td>\n?<\/td>\n?<\/td>\nNot seen him play. Listed as a defender<\/td>\nIve seen him play now!! He did fine, hopefully he can keep progressing and become a KT at right back<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kieran Tierney<\/td>\nLB<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nour stand out youth player of the past few years, tenacious, committed, loves the Hoops and athletic. Possible captain.<\/td>\nHis career keeps going upwards. Was in fantastic form when he got injured, hopefully he\u2019ll get back to those levels when he returns to the team<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nir Bitton<\/td>\nDM<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nI wanted Nir to work, cut him a lot of slack but he appears to be playing a different game to everyone else, a game where the objective is to keep the ball from going forward and moving about the pitch as slowly as possible. He hasn\u2019t got any better in his time here, so time to try someone else<\/td>\nAh, Nir. My opinion hasn\u2019t really changed \u2013 he is okay, but no more- not physical enough to be a dominant defensive midfield, too slow in his passing to be a force as a centre midfield, if a decent offer came in I wouldn\u2019t be sad to see him go<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scott Brown<\/td>\nCM<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nSorry Broony but time waits for no man and a snarling aggressive combative midfielder is only of any use of he can actually get to his opponents. Broony cant any more. His passing is also mediocre and he doesn\u2019t score goals from midfield, so he doesn\u2019t really offer anything.<\/td>\nHands up, I was wrong. And glad to say it. Our player of the season so far, his European performances have been to a really good level (if we forgot Barca way please). He has been a revelation under Brendan, driving us on, winning the ball back, owning Barton; he\u2019s like the Scott Brown we thought we weren\u2019t going to see again<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stuart Armstrong<\/td>\nCM<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nCan be infuriating, can disappear from games, but seems to want to be a success at Celtic, which is something in itself at the minute, and has had very impressive games among the anonymous ones. Should play centrally<\/td>\nGood to see Brendan reads this, has only played centrally this season and is currently a starter on merit. He has been providing the energy Bitton can\u2019t. By no means the best we could hope for in the position but in Scotland at least he is certainly good enough and shows signs of getting better. Chipping in with the odd gaol from midfield too, which is always a bonus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kris Commons<\/td>\nAM<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nIn all honesty even in his pomp I wasn\u2019t a huge fan, too slow, too keen to shoot when a team mate is better placed but probably still our best player technically. Time must be up now though?<\/td>\nTime officially up, he has been told to find a new club, so Hibs in January surely for Kris, and I wish him well.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gary Mackay Steven<\/td>\nwinger<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\ndo you remember his debut? He was tearing past people, scoring goals? It was also the last time he played well, the jersey is too big for him, get him away back to Dundee United type team where one good game every 6 weeks is okay<\/td>\nin his defence he has been injured, and who knows he could be another to benefit from the Brendan effect though I m far from convinced.I d still get rid if some one else wants him, which is a shame as he has something about him, but its not seen often enough<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ryan Christie<\/td>\nCM \/ AM<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nIts too early to judge, wants the ball which again at the minute is a bonus, still young so deserves a chance<\/td>\nMay need ot go out on loan as he has not featured recently and needs to play, with a view to coming into the first team picture next year<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tom Rogic<\/td>\nCM\/ AM<\/td>\nmaybe<\/td>\nHe\u2019s a weird one Rogic. Last night he was spectacularly bad. Other games he can look like a world beater. He\u2019s slow, inconsistent and hides at times, but he does have something. A last chance to show that consistently now or sell him, I m not really bothered<\/td>\nGood that Tom reads this to \u2013 he has upped his gaem, is much more consistent, still cant go 90 minutes \u2013 why?But another who has raised their game this season, signed a new contract and righty a fans favourite \u2013 can do things others can\u2019t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scott Allan<\/td>\nCM \/ AM<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nhe can see a pass. He gives the ball away a lot too and isn\u2019t in great physical condition, but he\u2019s not been given a fair chance yet so until he is I say keep him<\/td>\nGone. Seems to have fallen out with folk at Rotherham too, so may have some attitude issues. Safe to say no one is missing him, which is a contrast to last season when he was the unseen player who was going to make things better if he got a chance. Cant see him getting a chance after his loan, it seems his best moment was when he signed as a GIRUY to them.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stefan Johansen<\/td>\nCM<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nhe wants to go, we are on the same page. One great season a complete non entity last year. If he wasn\u2019t fit then he shouldn\u2019t have made himself available for selection. Nowhere near as good as he thinks he is, like so many of the squad<\/td>\nGone. The Johansen of Ronnie\u2019s first year would be an asset but again no one is missing his pointing, giving the ball way with stupid outside of the boot under hit passes or fiddling with the bit of string keeping his hair out of his eyes. Fulham got him from us, we have Dembele and Roberts. Yep.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Patrick Roberts<\/td>\nwinger<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nHe\u2019s on loan for another season so of course we will keep him. Despite his horrendous semi final miss he\u2019s shown up well and it was a mystery why he didn\u2019t\u2019 come on last night<\/td>\nHas had a bit of a mixed time, was playing well then got injured and hasn\u2019t really hit the heights since \u2013 he\u2019s clearly pining for his mate Kieran to come back to fitness.He\u2019ll come good again, I d still look to negotiate either a further loan or permanent transfer from City \u2013 with them spending more crazy money on players in his sort of position \u2013 like Nolito and Sane his chances of getting into their first team seem remote<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kristof Ajer<\/td>\nDM\/ CB<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nonly just arrived so not seen him, seems he is not being thought of for the first team for now<\/td>\nThe runour is he\u2019ll go out on loan and is being viewed moe as centre half. Big unit.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Callum Mc Gregor<\/td>\nCM<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nGood squad guy, can score a goal and keeps the ball moving. Not really the standard to get where we want to be but not so bad he should be punted either<\/td>\nOpinion hasn\u2019t changed, I actually like parts of his game, he has a good turn on him, but he is not physical enough and doesn\u2019t score enough for bigger games or a more advanced position. Still worth keeping around though<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
James Forrest<\/td>\nwinger<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nWhy did he come on last night? His tracking back was non existent, his chance at Celtic has come and gone, offers nothing positive \u2013 rumoured to have pace, never shows it, cant cross a ball or beat a man. Looks done at 24<\/td>\nHands up again, Jamesy has proved me and the other doubters wrong. His end product is still inconsistent but at least he is now working hard for the team and earning his place. Signed a new deal and looks to be really settled, I thought he should be out the door, now looks a real asset again. Another fine example of the Brendan effect, long may it last<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Liam Henderson<\/td>\nCM<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nI like this player, has a bit of character, as he showed when he turned the cup final Hibs way last year. No more loans out please, start integrating him into the first team<\/td>\nA strange one, I think Brendan likes him but cant get him game time. Would like to see him given areal go, I think he could make it as Celtic and would hate to see him leave and then develop into a fine player elsewhere.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
J Thomson<\/td>\n?<\/td>\n?<\/td>\nNot seen him<\/td>\nNope<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nadir Ciftci<\/td>\nCF<\/td>\nno<\/td>\nJust not good enough. Was okay last night but he\u2019ll never be prolific and I m not really sure what the point of him is- even in his best Dundee United form he didn\u2019t look good enough and the size of the number 7 shirt seems to have killed his confidence.<\/td>\nPlease release him let him go\u2026and give the iconic shirt to someone more fitting. He awas never good enough and never will be, sorry Nadir, you are the poster boy for how bad things were getting under Ronnie, when we signed you and tried to convince ourselves it was a good thing.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Leigh Griffiths<\/td>\nCF<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nI doubt if we would have won the league last year without him. Has clear limitations but he scores goals, simple as. Needs to play centrally, while the idea of him cutting from the right onto his left foot makes sense in reality it doesn\u2019t suit him<\/td>\nA coupleo f injury issues have seen him displaced as first choice, and while Dembele is scoring for fun this won\u2019t change. Will get his chance again though and should be retained at all costs (up to a bid of about \u00a38m) Love him I have to say, a throwback striker<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Moussa Dembele<\/td>\nCF<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nfor a half last night he looked good, only just arrived, and should get better over his time with us.<\/td>\n\u201cshould get better over his time with us\u201d \u2013 yes, I am a seer. The story of our season so far; strong, quick, technically very good, a good link man, a good finisher, good mentality he really does seem to have it all. Sadly he will leave us at some point, and the board will want to maximise his sell on value so it may be sooner than we would all like. Has scored goals in big games and leads the line so well, a first pick right now will need to be rested at some point as he is still only young, but what a fine job in getting him here, and to think we could have had Garner for just three times more.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aidan Nesbitt<\/td>\nCF<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\nonly seen glimpses, but he seems like he has a chance.<\/td>\nSeen no more of him<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
J Aitchison<\/td>\n?<\/td>\n?<\/td>\nNot seen him<\/td>\nNope<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scott Sinclair<\/td>\nCF\/ WF<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\n<\/td>\nHadn\u2019t arrived when I wrote this, he has been excellent. I always thought he had something about him \u2013 I saw him a few times at Swansea, and a career going nowhere has been revived. Has the technique and pace to get us up the field in European games, plays the wide left position so well, getting into the middle of goal to link up and score at the right times. He reminds me a little of Henrik.. .he\u2019s not as good, but in certain movements, the way he collects the ball and turns at times, I can see a little of the King of Kings in him.Last season\u2019s team badly needed some pace, he has been great at stretching our game. Big fan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kolo Toure<\/td>\nCB<\/td>\nyes<\/td>\n<\/td>\nAnother hit. Apart from Monchengladbach when he was not. But without him we would very likely not be in the Champions league \u2013 when we were rocking in Israel he was immense, so for a free transfer he\u2019s worked out very well \u2013 if we could put him in a time machine and get another five years from him id be very happy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dorus De Vries<\/td>\nGK<\/td>\nno<\/td>\n<\/td>\nWeird he was player of the season at Nottingham Forest, \u201cbegged\u201d to be allowed to join, and then proceeded to stink the place out. That\u2019s maybe a touch harsh but never made any great saves (or saves at all \u2013 Ralph), he is a good mate of Brendan\u2019s, so that\u2019s nice<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Christian Gamboa<\/td>\nRB<\/td>\nmaybe<\/td>\n<\/td>\nAnother new bhoy, not played too much, was terrible in his debut in Barcelona, but has looked alright in Scotland, although also poor in conceding a goal at ICT. Should do well in Scotland for the time being<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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