Celtic Rumours Archive July 07 2017

07 Jul 2017 14:40:39
Boyata facing three months out with knee ligament damage. Looks like signing a CB has became a bit of a must now.

07 Jul 2017 15:21:09
Such a shame really, this was going to be a big season for him in my eyes, hoping it would be a full season for him but to get a set back like this is a kick in the balls. The way in which it happened as well, it wasn't even a bad challenge or a situation that looked like it would have caused such an injury.

07 Jul 2017 16:09:27
Big blow he showed great attitude to work his way into the team and scored some cracking headers. Hopefully he will be back sooner than expected. Fully expect someone to be brought in now i enjoyed watching Erik last season but this season when called upon his passing has been slack and more often than not gets caught in possession whether that is down to not playing i don't know but he will need to up his game if he is to partner Jozo.

07 Jul 2017 16:33:55
He showed fantastic attitude to work his way into the side, Stan. And spoke of how happier he is at the club now. He's physically all there, and absolutely immense in the air. All he needs at this stage of his career is experience, i. e, playing -- to kick on another level. You think of the best CBs and typically, they're in the later stages of their careers, because it's the experience of reading situations, knowing the game, that gives them the touch of class. I've always maintained that I reckon, if Boyata added that, he could be VERY good.

07 Jul 2017 17:54:21
The making of a very good player JT, for him to train outwith the club to get fit showed a desire not seen enough with footballers these days and i'm sure this time will be no different. I've longed for a CB like Elliot or Stubbs and thought we had it with Kennedy until injury ended his career so in time with the right coaching and like you say experience maybe Boyata can be the man. Fingers crossed for a full recovery.

07 Jul 2017 18:28:03
We probably do need a centre back in during the window . But then again many were saying Bogata was useless any way, so for them there is no change .
I hope he is back soon and better than ever.

07 Jul 2017 18:57:53
Chris, I don't think Boyata and Jozo are a strong enough partnership to go into the CL groups with. A quality CB would have been a requirement regardless, this injury just means BR doesn't need to decide between the two yet as only Jozo is fit.

08 Jul 2017 01:02:15
I would have no problem if we had to play Champions League matches with Jojo and Boyota, my worry is that our central midfielders don't protect our defenders well enough from time to time .
If good players are allowed to run at centre defences or are given time to place a precise ball between centre backs, then CB can look very weak and look like a disaster to happen . Rodgers sets our team up to pressure up the field and if we lose out sometimes opposition can exploit our defence .
It's the price Brendan pays for his attacking/ pressure style.

08 Jul 2017 18:31:14
hes no great loss.

08 Jul 2017 19:00:19
Jamesbhoy I agree. I hope BR signs a new Cb anyway but if push comes to shove we have Ajar who I think is better than Boyota anyway. Chris don't agree we have poor central midfield players? Are you saying, Brown, Armstrong, McGregor don't protect the back 4? Don't agree.

09 Jul 2017 01:22:49
I suppose when he comes back into the team in September, instead of us supporters supporting him and encouraging him to regain his top form he had from Feb to end of season, we should get on his back and ridicule him on forums and from the stands and of course after about 3 months we can then say he has lost his confidence.

07 Jul 2017 09:47:28
I think the 'mystery' player BR was referring to last week is Bojan!

"Working on it for 6 months" - there were rumours we tried to take him on loan in Jan and also rumours Lee Congerton met with him a couple of weeks ago.

"A number 10" - used to be a striker but has played as a number 10 since being at Stoke.

"Pedigree" - Barca, Milan, Roma, Ajax (Stoke haha) - he certainly has that

"Cost a significant amount" - well he's coming from the EPL which automatically means a chunky fee - £6mil or thereabouts you'd think

Not certain but Bojan ticks all the boxes of the player BR described. How we can get it done sooner rather than later!

07 Jul 2017 09:56:32
Possible lm but again it'll be wages.

07 Jul 2017 10:44:08
BR has said he is after an number 8 a ball playing center mid. anyone who heard the twenty minute tims podcast before it was pulled that same morning it was released will have heard this from BR. he said no 8 was his priority then a CH. depending on the PR situation a RW. he also said a 3rd striking option he would like.

07 Jul 2017 10:58:20
Its a Rogic type player he is looking at, final 3rd baller type player, Bojan would be outstanding imo, but its a wage thing, Id be surprised if we sign anyone from the EPL overrated and overpaid, If Ake worth 20 mill what's jozo worth?

07 Jul 2017 11:20:03
You could be right LM, and I hope so too. Certainly got pedigree, probably on 40k a week and would cost 6-7m if we negotiated well and Stoke dropped that asking price. I certainly think we need a CAM over a CM as Rogic is still a concern for me fitness wise and only Bojan would come close to him ability wise compared to the rest of our squad. Would certainly be the level of quality we're all waiting for. Would just be a shame to see Rogic on the bench, but that's ruthlessness, and that's what is needed to get quality over quantity.

07 Jul 2017 14:23:52
Didnt BR say he had power and pace? Not sure Bojan fits that description.

07 Jul 2017 15:11:49
I was thinking that rayman. Didn't want to p*iss on LM's parade though. I must have missed the mention of a number 8 and 10. It could be any position really.