Celtic banter 2

23 Apr 2024 07:38:46
I saw Dermot Desmond was photographed in an Irish pub in Italy watching the semi final on Saturday.

Hopefully he is taking an active role in our recruitment and was over trying to get us some Italian maestros for next season
👍.

23 Apr 2024 08:36:47
I have honestly no idea what he does regarding Celtic - apart from appointing certain managers.

23 Apr 2024 08:53:37
As long as he hasn't done any of the scouting himself.

22 Apr 2024 19:04:24
Thats as bad as av seen our back 4 on Saturday hopefully that's it out the road and we kick on. its Been a funny old season with not much consistency.

22 Apr 2024 19:55:31
Celtic have only won 6 league games in a row this season and that was back in September and October, just before the Board banned our own fans.
Celtic can only equal that amount if we win our last 5 league matches.

The Green Brigade and our other Ultras have now been back for our last 19 matches and Celtic have only lost ONCE to Hearts at Tynecastle in that period.

Maybe it was only a coincidence, that Celtic lost 10 points in 10 league games without Our Ultras present.

22 Apr 2024 20:36:16
It was no coincidence. They were sorely missed. 🇮🇪🍀.

23 Apr 2024 08:45:14
It certainly was a factor, but to be honest far too many of the players have either been injured or have played below their best and we rarely keep clean sheets or 'blow teams away' like in the previous seasons. The poor recruitment and cover in key areas has also obviously affected our consistency. We will need a big improvement on Saturday for sure, to finish the season successfully.

23 Apr 2024 14:37:05
Onceabhoy 4 The biggest minority Shareholder should not necessarily be seen to do anything because the facts are he hasn’t the power to do anything . We can blame him when he does wrong, unlikely as it may seem we can praise him when he does right . But remember although he owns more shares than anyone else, he still has to have Board approval before he does anything .
He wanted to prevent Ange leading team out before Cup Final in May but the rest of the Board stopped him .
He is most powerful man in Celtic, but doesn’t always get his way .

22 Apr 2024 18:01:06
5 years ago today we said farewell to Celtic Football Club's greatest ever captain, Billy McNeil.

A one club man, his achievements and accolades cemented his place in Celtic's rich history as both a player and as a manager.

The pinnacle being that he was the first British player to lift the European Cup along with his fellow Lisbon lions in 1967.

Hail Cesar 🙏


☘️ ☘️ ☘️.

22 Apr 2024 19:06:57
I'm getting old, I would have sworn it was only 1 or 2 years since Caesar's passing.

22 Apr 2024 09:39:16
Ano a lot will disagree with me but a think Miovski is a must in the summer, sum will think we can do btr but can we. He tore us apart most games he's played and them. £4/ 5m no brainer for me.

22 Apr 2024 11:03:59
Maybe use Scales as part of the deal.

22 Apr 2024 11:22:42
If we want a proven goalscorer then shankland is the no brainer as he scores more goals than miovski?

22 Apr 2024 12:08:12
Miovski is a far better player than Shankland.

22 Apr 2024 12:24:29
I'd be surprised if Celtic bid for either, although I would add that at least Miovski scored in a high profile semi-final, whereas, Shankland predictably did not yesterday.

22 Apr 2024 12:27:50
Shankland is as slow as a snail.

22 Apr 2024 12:49:39
NO way we should sign Shankland he wouldn't turn up against Sevco or Tarts.

22 Apr 2024 12:49:50
A lot of Shankland's goals are from penalties.

22 Apr 2024 14:06:26
I thought we could do better than Miovski but after Saturday we could do worse! His runs are first class and gave our defenders a sore time. Glad when he went off!

22 Apr 2024 14:29:30
If I had to choose it would be Miovski, better all round player and with better players supplying him with chances could easily see him scoring 25 -35 goals during a season in our team.

22 Apr 2024 14:45:59
It would depend on Aberdeens valuation and if he wanted a move out of Scotland. If it was around 5million we should buy him.

22 Apr 2024 15:07:28
Gllen made good point use Scales as a bargaining tool but a think BR rates him.

22 Apr 2024 15:12:30
Miovski would be my 1st choice.
He can also score penalties.

22 Apr 2024 15:40:10
Realistically guys, say up to £10m valuation who do yous think is the best options out ther 1s that would actually have a chance of getting.

22 Apr 2024 17:36:08
I'm more looking ahead to next season and the CL, I know Miovski has scored 4 in 7 games for Aberdeen in Europe.
Do we think he would do it for us in Europe and would he play before Kyogo as I can't see him coming here to sit on the bench.

22 Apr 2024 18:17:44
Kyogo Furuhashi could possibly get a transfer to another team, Miovski a younger player and would be the No 1 striker at Celtic.

22 Apr 2024 18:40:53
On Miovski,

he's clearly not Henrik but it's hard not to think that given his scoring record this season at a bottom 6 club, he'd score for fun in a Celtic team.

He offers something very different to Kyogo and perhaps, depending on the game, both could play at the same time. 🤔

Offering scales isn't a bad shout as that would kill two birds with one stone but in no way do I see him as a gamble as he ticks a lot of boxes and has already demonstratedhe knows where the goal is.

☘️ 🍀 ☘️.

22 Apr 2024 19:08:06
The question we need to ask is who would you sign in the summer.

A. Idah

B. Miovski

C. Someone else.

22 Apr 2024 19:23:09
Miovski for main striker, and see if we can get a deal with Norwich for Idah.

22 Apr 2024 19:34:02
Weejoe, it's a good question.

I'd imagine it very much depends on who option 'C' might be?

If it were a highly rated striker then it could be option C plus A or B to go alongside our No.8.

I think the majority of supporters would agree that OH NO needs to GO as he brings nothing to the party.

Kyogo, Miovski and Idah would not be a bad set 9f strikers to have on the books given the goals they scored collectively this season 👍


☘️ 🍀 ☘️.

22 Apr 2024 20:22:48
B for me Weejoe.

22 Apr 2024 20:43:35
Would not be surprised in the least if we went Scandinavian for a striker, as clearly they know how to breed them. Henrik, Haaland, Hojlund etc. Forget about Miovski - the sheep won't sell to one of their competitors - as per Cormack with his alleged comment.

22 Apr 2024 22:55:32
To me it all comes down to cost.

Are we willing to pay 5-6 million for either of the players?

23 Apr 2024 06:06:42
Put Kyogo, Idah, oh, in an Aberdeen or hearts team playing most mins of every game against teams that look to play against you and not low block and all score as many as Shanklin and miovski, of the 2 I’d want miovski and they would be to come off the bench.

if we want a new striker, we need to be looking at better quality. eddy was a loan fee followed by a hefty price there’s no reason while Kyogo still in building we aren’t using same method to find a striker, yes there’s an argument that we developing other teams players, but top teams are littered with youngsters that won’t kick a ball for them.

jota, eddy are proven examples of the method perhaps Bernardo will be also, ntcham, frimpong great examples also of types of player available from top young teams, we should sell that pathway to young talent while developing some Scottish players and making sure we have some experience about, we should have money to ensure our core team has quality.

23 Apr 2024 14:47:01
Tory blue, is likely to be right in saying Shankland wouldn’t try if playing for us against Sevco or Hearts.
I wouldn’t be happy selling Kyogo whilst buying anyone . I like Pedro’s idea of having Miovski ( or better) Kyogo and Idah to start next season .
I would be against trading Scales in order to get any striker even Aberdeen’s Miovski. Too often in the past Board has insisted we sell a cb or someone before we bring in a replacement. I have often seen us get our fingers burned as we find out over time the player we replaced was better than the player we bought to replace him.

22 Apr 2024 08:58:23
Sly saying all the refs in the top division have to declare the club they support before the season starts. imagine that up here 😭.

22 Apr 2024 09:40:47
Aye and if they're in a lodge or an order etc.

22 Apr 2024 09:52:33
They will just say they support their local team, that's Sevco refs way out im afraid: (.

22 Apr 2024 12:28:17
Would never happen up here, as even if they admiited their allegiance there would only be 5% of the lot, eligible to do Sevco games.

22 Apr 2024 17:37:28
Scotland are the only country in Europe where the refs don't have to admit there allegiance's.

23 Apr 2024 14:57:05
I think naming the club they have allegiances to probably works in England, Ireland, and Europe as referees and VAR Officials are in these countries basically decent people . In Scotland our refs and VAR Officials are hand picked from a small area of Country noted for its number of Orange lodges and strength of Masons . These people bear allegiances to their own people and not the wider Community. To ask them to list their preferred Football club would be unlikely to receive an honest answer.

21 Apr 2024 22:35:44
Ive been wondering what sort of wages our top players are on and how they compare to 15-20 years ago. Im just interested in knowing if we have kept up with rising wages over the years. I know larsson was on £25/ 30k pw and was our top earner then. Im not sure but im guessing our wage bill is less now than oneills time. Anyone in the know that can enlighten me?
Cheers.

22 Apr 2024 05:41:56
If I remember correctly Larsson was on 40k by the time he left.

With regards current players, I think Callum is our top paid player and is on 37k, next is CCV on 24k and then Kyogo on 19k.

Our overall wages is circa 22 million per year, which is around 20% of our income. This can be both amazing or depressing, depending on how you look at it.

While it shows amazing financial health, gives us more money for transfers and lots of room for growth. It is also likely the reason we don't attract an even higher calibre of player. It should also be noted that Sevco pay the biggest wages in Scotland, we are just lucky their recruitment suck.

22 Apr 2024 06:37:09
I’ve read that Callum McGregor earns by far the highest wage at Celtic.
The figures I’ve read is £37K per week for Captain Calmac.

The figure then drops to £25k per week for a couple of players and then a few other players are on about £20k per week.

This season Celtic signed a few £2M to £3M players and are giving them £10k per week.
I’m still not sure the reason why we chose to downsize as a club.

22 Apr 2024 08:57:19
The downsizing and wage 'freeze' certainly explains the absence of real quality in the squad and our steady demise in Europe.

22 Apr 2024 09:42:24
Well Said, Celtic decided to go for a cheaper option, that only they can explain why.

22 Apr 2024 13:38:05
Remember all quoted wages for Celtic players are at best rough estimates, usually come from sources that as a rule are not Celtic friendly . The problem with players wages in Scotland is that usually to attract players who come with a decent reputation we have to offer them a wage in excess of their worth . Celtic have been caught out several time, goal - keeper Barkas& striker Ajeti, we can’t anyone to match their wages and take them off our hands
Of course there are numerous players who could do a good job for Celtic who negotiations don’t get started because Board judge wages demands too high . We will have to continue to search for Head of Recruitment and recruitment staff that can satisfy Board ‘s wage restrictions and supporters football ability . So far we haven’t achieved that.

22 Apr 2024 14:34:22
Don't see any reason why we cannot pay a few players 40 -50k a week if they merited it. Its the only way to push the club forward, that and more selective and better recruitment.

There are clubs in Europe on similar or smaller budgets than ours but seem to do better in Europe than us, its a bug bear of mine how poor we have been in Europe the last few years.

22 Apr 2024 19:11:25
@Wee Des You are correct that the precise wages are unknown and the numbers quoted are just estimates. However, the overall wages we pay can be found direct on our annual accounts.

23 Apr 2024 15:01:32
I agree, do we know are the wages given under wages annual accounts all the wages paid, including ticket office, groundsmen etc . Or are they just the first team squad . Do all Scottish clubs do the same .
I think Weejoe Celtic could pay higher wages, but we haven’t got all the facts . Typical of Board keeping us in dark.

21 Apr 2024 21:24:40
At the end of 120mins on Saturday I was very disappointed with the performance of Celtic . I didn't see any individual players were any more to blame than others, except Yang who has never regained the form he had before he was blatantly dismissed wrongly v Hearts .
However we are in the S C final, just like Manchester Utd who year in year out are often amongst the biggest spending teams in the World . Utd drew with lowly Coventry who were last in EPL in 2001 . Utd struggling to win on penalties reminded me, something many may have forgotten, there is magic in the cup and strange unforeseen results often happen . Maybe Celtic like Manchester Utd suffered from the cup jinks and actually did well to win through.

21 Apr 2024 21:44:23
Yang was playing on the right wing when he had his best spell.
It’s not the best excuse, with him back to playing poorly recently.

21 Apr 2024 22:10:45
Yang needs a seat on the bench and personally I'd be looking to loan him out next season.

☘️ 🍀 ☘️.

21 Apr 2024 18:57:09

****** TEXT DELETED ******

{Ed007's Note - I'd contact the Club TT or if you're on Twitter put it on there maybe. 👍👍

21 Apr 2024 18:49:37
What we are noticing this season is that Starfelt was a far better player than most of the Celtic fans realised.

He provided pace and aerial prowess, which complimented CVV's attributes.

I know it took him a little time to settle, which was understandable as he was playing a new system that left the CBs exposed and he was having to play on his weaker foot.

{Ed007's Note - Starfelt had a bit of a nightmare on his debut v Hearts and a part of the support never forgave him or gave him a fair chance. Just like Scales is the fall guy now any mistake at CB was blamed on him even when it wasn't his fault.
It didn't help that Starfelt had been cooped up in a hotel because of COVID restrictions at the time and was working alone to keep fit, people also forget that at the beginning of his Celtic career he was partnered with either of Welsh and Bitton at CB, CCV didn't sign until the last day of the window.
Our defence is a lot weaker this season because of Starfelt's departure, we've spent about £8 million trying to replace him and we've ended up with Scales in there.}

21 Apr 2024 19:44:17
Aye he got a bum deal from a section of our fans.

I actually think Nawrocki and Lagerbielke have potential. It could not have been easy moving to a new country, having a massive increase in expectation and walking into a team low on confidence and your partner kept changing.

Hopefully see them both kick on next season.

{Ed007's Note - Would it be a gamble to replace Scales with Nawrocki for the run in? I think he could have something about but I can't see Lagerbielke in our plans at all going forward and wouldn't be surprised to see both of them move on in the summer.}

21 Apr 2024 20:04:08
I would stick with scales as it is out most settled defence.

Like you it wouldn't surprise me if either of them were moved on in the summer.

I would say at least one defender has to move on and someone with pace and aerial ability needs signed.

{Ed007's Note - We don't need to sign an improvement on Scales or the other 2 imo - we need to sign an improvement on CCV to play alongside him. Imagine we could find a CB to come in and have the effect on the team of a Hatate or MOR?}

21 Apr 2024 21:00:15
100% agree Ed.

I'd also play Nawrocki for the remaining 6 games of this season, Scales is simply not fit for purpose.

Next season the aim should be to improve EVERY position of the starting 11 on the pitch where at all possible.

As I've already posted, regardless of where the remaining two trophies end up, I personally feel that given the level our players have reached this season, we need to replace 5 or 6 of the current starting 11 if we are to progress.

We've got more than enough cash already in the bank, as well as fees we'd get for the glut of players who are already surplus to requirements.

Lastly, I'd take the armband off CalMac and make CCV the captain as I think it's too heavy.

☘️ 🍀 ☘️.

{Ed007's Note - 👍👍

21 Apr 2024 21:09:10
I like the look of Jacob Greaves at Hull Ed! And he’s left footed. I really do think there are some gems
In the champ who wouldn’t cost too much.

Again I reiterate there is a number of top class players floating about the better teams uk shrewder leagues on the continent that we could afford. Teams like Salzburg, Copenhagen, Bodo I could go on.

The part that shocks me is that I can see it. Why can’t they?!

We need to conduct our business quickly this summer. The only hamper being the Euros which tends to cause problems, as we enter this new CL format.

The club will run the usual agenda “we tried”. I’d like to be proven wrong.

{Ed007's Note - They do try imo but do they try enough? Push the boat out on 1 or 2 "top" signings that will kick the team on, go out and look at a £10+ million striker to replace Kyogo, £8-10 million on a partner for CCV and the same on a proper CDM, offer higher wages to players that will take us to the next level, that's the important part, transfer fees involve so many variables but a players wages makes all the difference to where they fancy a move to.}

21 Apr 2024 21:11:40
Granted this has not been CCVs best season but I still rate him. When he is fully fit he bosses it up here.

{Ed007's Note - What about in the CL? Up here players like CalMac & Greg Taylor boss it but get found out BIG time in Europe. Kyogo has 4 goals in 17 games in European group stages, is that good enough?}

21 Apr 2024 22:08:25
We're in a great position financially to bring in proven players in key positions who will improve the first 11.

* cash in the bank
* fees from players to be sold
* sell on fees for players e. g. Frimpong
* CL money (should we win the league)

Im not a fan of the term 'marquee signing', as if it's some sort of bonus the fans should be excited about.

We should be scouting and signing TWO first team starters every single season, players who come in and are an automatic upgrade on the player they are replacing.

That way the bar gets raised higher, the team shape doesn't get upset as it's not wholesale change and the consistency of performance and results should follow.

The aim here should be to continue domestic dominance but importantly make an impact on the European stage, targeting the latter stages of the Europa League initially, which requires skills and experience we just don't have at this moment in time e. g. game management.

☘️ 🍀 ☘️.

22 Apr 2024 05:51:18
I think Callum has the talent but is not suited to the role when it comes to CL. I do think CCV is good enough but our system can leave him exposed and he needs a partner who compliments him and covers up his deficiencies.

22 Apr 2024 14:21:43
I think we all agree we knew better players in as many positions as possible and to get them in early so they can start pre-season training with the rest of our first team squad.
However it isn’t going to happen, it’s only about 6 weeks until summer transfer season starts . Our top people in our recruitment team are enjoying gardening leave and the only experienced people we have left on our Board are PL and
DD . Recent history has shown that to put it very mildly our supporters wouldn’t be happy with this pair . Like top Managers and Directors of Football (if we went that way ) bigger clubs than Celtic with more financial clout are finalising their entire Recruitment team, and we are starting out, looking at who is left, who isn’t wanted elsewhere and trying to coax him to come to us.

21 Apr 2024 14:44:50
A concern for me yesterday was how passive our defending was especially our full backs Johnstone and Taylor were nowhere near aggressive enough how many crosses did they allow. if your a full back in my book your doing your job if you stop crosses and yesterday was nowhere near good enough.

22 Apr 2024 14:10:25
Mallythetally67 . I agree our defence is very passive, in fact we are very passive all over the field . I think that comes about because our managers are very keen in us finishing game with 11 players . The way Scotland and Rangers2012 top elite referees handed out yellow cards to Celtic players and hardly awarded frees for fouls committed by Sevco players, must have left no doubt in Celtic players minds as Rangers2012 attacks became desperate that any contact by a Celtic player was a straight red or second yellow . Rangers2012 third goal came about because both AJ and Yang were both afraid to get too close .