06 May 2015 19:37:20
May we live in interesting times .

For the first time in a LONG TIME it seems that CFC are generally settled and looking to advance their profile in planet football.

We have a motivated, young and hungry manager looking to develop every single player in to better players no matter their age, profile and status.

We are (at last) focusing on those things that money needn't necessarily influence; things like fitness and hunger.

We have a manager who is no longer at the mercy of the over-inflated English market given his/their awareness of other lower profile leagues jam packed with credible talent (like Norway)

We have a coach (and a no. 2) totally committed to youth development which NEEDS to be part of the CFC strategy moving forward.

All of a sudden we look like we have OPTIONS and there does not appear to be an exodus looming either.

We may lose VVD (I think that will come in January 2016) but we have a lot of young players with phenomenal experience. Look at Griffiths. He has been here, there and everywhere and we are getting him just at that point in his a career where he has committed to cutting all the nonsense out.

We have a settled captain and an emerging midfield talent with 2 years to develop even further before his agent starts nipping his ear! The player of the year wants to stay. A top rate GK is happy just to be playing and happy just to be wanted. A swan song at 31 years old.

We are probably 3 players short of a really decent team with pace and verve. Not too shabby given the financial climate.

What is interesting is that we have a lot of fairly good players with points to prove or who know they need to develop before their next move. This will provide us with a sense of stability which will allow RD to build a team with minimal disruption.

Imagine if Forest was to turn it around. Imagine JF and GMS on the same pitch with Johansen Biton and Brown pulling the strings in close proximity.

Imagine a fully fit Matthews and a careering Izzy linking up with JF and GMS. Too dynamic? Okay, let's draft in Armstrong! Too lightweight at the back, okay let's make room for Lustig.

Up top? We know that we will get someone in! Can we be that unlucky that many times? Griffiths knowing that he has to keep up the momentum and the hunger levels to have a sniff of a starting berth can only have a positive effect in the grand scheme of things.

I have never been happier as a CFC fan going in to the summer.

May RD's reign last!

And the new strips look great in to the bargain.

1.) 06 May 2015
06 May 2015 21:08:16
Totally agree mate WELL SAID!
I said back in october when every1 was calling for his head that they need to give him time, we are playing the best football probably since the late great tommy burns era, oneil FOOTBALL was good not prety at times but effective. Good times ahead another cenre half & centre forward & we will be fine!!! HAIL HAIL

2.) 06 May 2015
06 May 2015 22:03:33
Paradise

Unfortunately we can only imagine a fully fit Matthews but we all know that isn't going to happen.

Also Forrest, what can he turn around? Never been good enough and never will be.

The rest of your post is excellent and it's true that is a great time to be a celtic fan. I just hope the feel good factor carries on into the summer and even if we do sell VVD that we have his replacement either lined up or in place ASAP.

3.) 06 May 2015
06 May 2015 22:58:52
Good post PW but it all means nothing unless we get into the CL that is the be all and end all.

4.) 07 May 2015
07 May 2015 01:05:22
Paradisewon I agree a great post , I too am very happy going into the summer break with the best and most suitable for Celtic management team that Celtic have had for decades . He really puts the players first and they seem to want to take on board his methods . I think we will see a good Forrest in the coming season , I have seen signs of improvement in the last couple of months .
I am worried about Matthews , I think he is still afraid of his shoulder as I haven't seen him bursting past players when in a tight spot . Young Fisher burst past players in the last 25 mins on Sunday and was very positive chasing in for ball which resulted in the penalty . I think and hope we can get the 3/4 players we need for a really exciting season next year . At the moment I have no worries about qualifying as it looks that we will have a settled team with the players and manager all singing from the one hymn sheet .

5.) 07 May 2015
07 May 2015 13:38:56
I too like Fisher Chris and have been suprised he has not had a couple more starts, especially with Matthews still seeming not 100% match fit as IMO he never really puts a foot wrong. Forest is coming on a wee bit and I'm still holding out, but will really need to step up in the first half of next season if he is to have any future at Celtic. I held out hope for Kayal for far too long and starting to think I'm clutching the same staws with Forest. I'll make my mind uo in January

6.) 07 May 2015
07 May 2015 18:06:16
Tompo88 I think and hope that we will find Forrest's form will step up continuously like many of his team mates . Deila's influence will mean we will see a different Forrest next season .

7.) 12 May 2015
12 May 2015 13:10:15
I really hope so man