{"id":7884,"date":"2015-10-07T11:21:47","date_gmt":"2015-10-07T10:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7884"},"modified":"2015-10-07T11:21:47","modified_gmt":"2015-10-07T10:21:47","slug":"celtic-diary-wednesday-october-7-including-a-video-of-our-next-centre-half","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7884","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Wednesday October 7: Including a Video Of Our Next Centre Half"},"content":{"rendered":"

Manager Ronny Deila has given a hint as to who the next big money departure from Celtic could be, and it does go some way to explain, or possibly explain, the lack of form the player is currently showing.<\/p>\n

Deila, still smarting from not being linked with the vacant position at Liverpool, told the Evening Times;<\/p>\n

“When you lose experienced players you lose knowledge and skills so then you have to rebuild and the next player has to be ready,”. “What if Stefan Johansen gets sold? Is Nesbitt ready to come in? He has to be ready.”<\/em><\/p>\n

“Stefan didn\u2019t play in his first two years at Stromsgodset because he was behind Mohammed Abu who was the Player of the Year in Norway. But he just kept working hard and when Abu went to play in Germany Stefan was ready to take over and the next year he was even better than Abu.”<\/em><\/p>\n

“So it\u2019s not about \u2018I need to play\u2019, you have to make yourself deserve it. And if you can\u2019t handle competition then you are nothing at Celtic,” \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Could Johansen be the next to leave ? Or am I seeing something that isn’t there ?<\/p>\n

Although , in truth, there will always be players leaving for the wealthier climes of the south. To improve not only their bank balance, but there game, if you are to believe Virgil van Dijk, who has all of a sudden started to learn his trade.<\/p>\n

Or was he taken out of context ?<\/p>\n

Inside Futbol may be a little more accurate when they report his response to being called up to the dutch national squad…<\/p>\n

“I’m\u00a0not sure if my transfer played a major role, but I am now playing at a higher level and I will be looked at.\u00a0”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

A little more diplomatic, and it’s clear that van Dijk is determined to represent his country. He certainly has all the personality traits, or disorders, \u00a0of most dutch footballers, so he should be fine.<\/p>\n

Celtic are still, somewhat incredibly, interested in bringing Carlton Cole to the club, although there is talk of a possible loan move for James wilson, who is struggling to break into the Manchester United first team. With a couple of Old trafford youngsters already trying to break into the Celtic first team, perhaps the old boy-or young boy-network will mean the striker will end up in Glasgow.<\/p>\n

But please, not on loan.<\/p>\n

It doesn’t always take a new signing to add a wee bit extra to a team. sometimes the return of a player can do that.<\/p>\n

Stuart Armstrong made a welcome return to the side from the bench against Hamilton, and he’s looking forward to getting back to work on a more regular basis.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s quieter around the training ground but it\u2019s nice to have a few days focusing on getting my fitness back. Earlier in the season, I came back and it was too soon, so then we made the decision not to rush and be patient.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an important time for me because we don\u2019t have a game for another week and a half, so that\u2019s good for me to build up slowly.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBeing injured is never fun and very frustrating. I\u2019ve never been good at it. The bad timing as well with the Aberdeen game, the Ajax game and Scotland trip made it upsetting but these things happen and you learn to live with it. It\u2019s nice to be back. Even just for a couple of minutes against Fenerbahce and then a little more at Hamilton and I hope to fully get back soon and play my part.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Still can’t put my finger on what he brings to the team exactly, but we’re a better side with him than without him.<\/p>\n

The final international break gives management and non participating players a chance to rest up and assess the situation so far.<\/p>\n

Or , of course, they can just let their hair down for a few days;<\/p>\n

Either is good.<\/p>\n

and it could give our new centre half time to get up to speed….<\/p>\n

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