{"id":18999,"date":"2025-06-13T08:09:32","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T07:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=18999"},"modified":"2025-06-13T08:09:32","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T07:09:32","slug":"celtic-diary-friday-june-13-2025-a-cunning-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=18999","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Friday June 13 2025: A Cunning Plan ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the things, believe it or not, that we try to do with the Diary is to keep the absolute bullshit to a minimum, and we try only to give credence to the rumour, whether it’s one we’ve made up or not.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

what seems to be the style on other outlets and in the mainstream is to go with a rumour and discuss what would happen if it were true, instead of trying to actually verify the story.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Which is easier for us, of course, as we’ve usually made it up.<\/p>\n

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But there can even be dissension among ourselves on what we are led to believe, as evidenced on our own WhatsApp group , which we set up in order to avoid having to actually meet each other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When we do podcasts, our voices are done by actors.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yesterday saw such a disagreement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the Diary I mentioned that John McGinn, a player we should really be paying a lot less attention to, was not guaranteed first team football at Celtic, so chose Aston Villa , where he would start.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I can remember that being said in an interview with the player, and being backed up by Steve Bruce, the then Villa manager.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

However, one of our esteemed crew had a better source, and claims that the deal was done and Peter Lawwell put the skids on it, with McGinn desperate to sign for Celtic, and had thought the deal was done.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Another disagreed with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The point being that it’s entirely possible I’m right, it’s possible he’s right and it’s equally possible none of us are right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The moral of the story being that no matter what you here, it won’t be the whole truth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So as all strands of all media try to break a story first, be careful about what’s out there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is a fact is that Keiran Tierney has returned after his lengthy loan spell at Arsenal.\u00a0 Whilst their may be doubts about his fitness, there can be no doubts about what the man himself will being to the table. And not just the operating table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stephen MacManus, who formed one half of the “how the fuck did we make last sixteen with thise pair in defence ?” duo with Gary Caldwell, is over the moon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cListen, it’s massive,\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Even bigger than the unfeasibly large head atop the shoulders of his former defensive partner ?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest thing is the age that he’s at, coming back. It’s not as if he’s coming back with two years to go within his career. He’s still got his full career ahead of him, which is great. You look at the knowledge that he’s then gained, being at Arsenal, being away, playing in major tournaments now for Scotland as well. I think it’s brilliant. I think it’s really, really good. The fact that he’s coming and hopefully he’s got a good few years ahead of him. He can stay fit and he can bring his personality and his quality to not just the football team, but to the whole football club.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It’s probably one of the biggest things once you become that kind of experienced player,\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWhen you’re young and you’re developing and you’re playing, you play with no fear, but then the older you get, you start to then take interest in a lot more of what goes on around the football club. How you conduct yourself on the pitch, how you conduct yourself off the pitch, especially a club like here, it becomes really important.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see that with Callum [McGregor], you can see that with James [Forrest], the ones that have come through the academy structure here for a long period of time. They’re very similar in their personalities and that’s really important. Kieran’s going to then bring that as well. Again, he’s younger than the other two boys, so it’s going to be a massive, massive bonus not just for the football club, but also for the national team as well.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou never know what’s around the corner,\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI think if Callum doesn’t play for whatever reason, there’s somebody that’s got the personality, he’s got the profile, he’s got the ability. But like I said, it’s just a brilliant signing for the football club because he brings so much on the pitch and so much off the pitch.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u201cYou need people that know the football club to take it on to the next level because you’re always educating the next ones that then come. But first and foremost, Kieran’s a top, top footballer. He’s not coming back because he’s a Celtic fan. I think that’s important as well. He’s coming back because he’s a top, top footballer and he’s going to bring his experiences, his knowledge and his qualities so that he can then help our football club move forward.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

MacManus has a point there. Tierney is a ready made captain, and that might well ensure that he does move to centre half, so he doesn’t have to run about so much.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It could also be argued that Calum MacGregor, who by his own standards, didn;t have one of his better seasons, and might well be planning to wind things down a bit, maybe even taking on a club captain role to allow Tierney to lead on the field.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then again, at least one person ( you know who you are) would argue MacGregor has been on a downward spiral since he was about 23.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you consider that Celtic signed Sinisola to naturally succeed Schmeichel in goal, this could be a similar move, and suggest that Celtic may now actually have decided to have a long term policy for the team, instead of hanging around until deadline day\u00a0 and waiting to see who nobody else wants.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And then taking them on loan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Or those who are available for nothing..Glasgow World lists five ex Celts who could return to the club for nothing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jason Denaayer, Fraser Forster, Dedryck Boyata, Liam Henderson and Christopher Julien.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Clearly a slow news day on the sports desk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of those, only Liam Henderson would be of interest to Celtic, again, because of his experience in Italy, but also because he is Scottish, and would be a boost to the Champions League squad.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The rest , well, it’s better to try and forget them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Arne Engels, the club’s record signing, has thanked the support for their, er, support in his debut season.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy first season at Celtic has been a journey filled with highs, lessons, and memories for life. Whether we were at Paradise or away from home, I felt your energy every time I stepped onto the pitch. Thank you, fans, see you all soon\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Still young, and still learning, Engels has had his ups and downs, which for a young man moving to a new country and a new job is to be expected. He has still done well, contributing goals from midfield and will continue to develop the more he gets used to the glasgow environment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mind you, thanking the support is usually done one handed on the phone whilst hurling one’s possessions into a suitcase.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It’s Friday, and that means it’s time for the Etims..<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"knob<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jonathan Liew is a journalist. He works for the Guardian.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You might remember him as the hack who asked Ange Postecoglou if he could imagine himself winning trophies…. to which Ange replied that he didn’t need to imagine it, as had pictures of him winning trophies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Which, to be fair, made Liew look like a bit of a knob.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On the Guardians Weekly Podcast, November 2023, Liew\u00a0 said:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just not having Ange,\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not having Ange Postecoglou. As a coach, I can\u2019t stand him.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Which might explain this somewhat bitter and personal attack on the man who even won a trophy at piss poor Tottenham…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Image\"<\/p>\n

\"Image\"<\/p>\n

\"Image\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Liew, presumably has imagined himself winning trophies, and perhaps feels a little bitter that his own talents were not discovered, and thus propelling him to a succesful coaching career, and has decided to make Ange the subject of his frustrations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Or , of course, he could just be a knob.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Let’s be honest, though, at that he excels, and is thus this week’s Etims…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"knob<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I’m led to believe that’s his second trophy in a career that has seen no beginning to his talent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Jonathan<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yesterday, we had this…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"School<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
Owen Mullions<\/em><\/div>\n
\u00a021 hours ago<\/em><\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Caption<\/em><\/p>\n

Grand Master protests against First Communicants blessing themselves on leaving chapel.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Today..<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Happy<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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