SENTINELCELTS

Morning,all.

Although we haven’t yet reached the middle of January,our long wait-it will be over three weeks-is almost over,and we can look forward to seeing our team once more. That the Scottish Government took the decision earlier in the week to rescind the limitation of 500 on large crowds,including football stadia,has certainly vindicated our decision to request that the winter break be brought forward by a week. 

Two rounds of matches which were previously condemned to be watched by a mere 500 attendees will now be attended by as many fans as are willing to brave the elements.  And I’m pretty certain those will include full houses twice at Celtic Park. Rangers of course will be none too pleased at this,as the previous arrangements would have seen them play at Pittodrie and Celtic Park in front of a near-empty stadium,but in my opinion the early shutdown was the correct decision to make,and vital to the integrity of our game. 

So at the moment,Lennoxtown will be seeing our stars old and new getting back to full fitness,integrating with new team mates,getting to know them professionally and personally. As I’ve said previously,I’m delighted with this window so far,it is such a pleasant change to have our dealings done early. And according to the press conference with AP on Thursday,not only have our dealings been done early,but they have been done,full stop.

He is still open to new signings of course,and said so. But with the decision of McGree to opt for Middlesborough instead of us,he said that we currently have no irons in the fire and are not in talks with anyone. However,if the right player became available,that would be a different matter. That means,for me,that we should be concentrating our efforts on two signings which many of us have been looking to make for a few months now. CCV and Jota. 

I think it is fair to say that our best players thus far have been four new signings in Kyogo,Jota,CCV and Hart,plus two “forgotten men” in Ralston and Rogic. But two of them are not our players,though they are on loan with an option to buy. It is time then for us to move on those options,and swiftly too. Our option to buy doesn’t impose on the players the necessity to sign for us,they can still walk away and rejoin their parent clubs. More likely is that their performances so far for us will have alerted other clubs to their qualities,and we need to avoid being left at the altar on this. So new signings are perhaps unnecessary and certainly unlikely,but confirmation that these two will join permanently needs to be our highest priority. 

One player who may join the squad is Lee Griffiths,as Dundee may take the opportunity to return him to us. He is unlikely to be seen in our colours again,and AP has already told him that he needs to investigate other avenues. This is a shame,of course,but it is the correct thing to do. His quality when on song,in the mood,totally committed,cannot be questioned. But if we are honest,we only really saw the best of him prior to the arrival of Rodgers. Sadly,he was unable to cope mentally with the problem of no longer being a first pick-despite an outstanding FORTY goals the previous season. Even worse,he allowed his physical condition to deteriorate too,and though I hesitate to say it,he was a liability at the club towards the end. 

I say it is a shame,because most of us absolutely adored the fella at his best. That’s the way I’ll prefer to reflect on his time with us. I wish Griff well,both with his future in the game,and personally too. If he can beat his demons,he can still have a good four years at,say,Hibs or Aberdeen. Only he can do that,and it is a short enough career as it is without curtailing it early for non-football reasons. 

And speaking of Hibs,bring them on!!!

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Above article by BMCUWP