Stick Or Twist?
Morning,all.
Wednesday night in Aberdeen was not an easy time of it by any stretch. Howling winds and driving rain made the art of playing football difficult,while the appalling treatment handed out to our players and generally overlooked by MIB Robertson will have left a few feeling rather tender yesterday.
Hopefully they will all be fine for the visit of Hibs on Saturday. We are getting quite used to having a full squad to pick from, and we know that it is by some distance the best squad in the country. A far cry from recent years when we would waken up in the morning-any morning-to read of the latest injury blow suffered by one of our players. That they seemed to happen more often on the training ground than on the pitch only added to the problem. What was going on? Was it a problem in some way with the composition of the pitch? A byproduct of training in a godforsaken isolated environment, wide open to the elements? (Consider how many of our players are pictured there wrapped up like ninjas, only their eyes visible as they try to retain some body heat.) Was it a problem with our medical department, or with the training methods?
Hopefully this isn’t just coincidence and a short-lived one at that. Even so,I can see some changes being considered tomorrow. With such a relentless programme and a highly regarded squad available to him, it is likely that the manager will continue his habit of rotating the players, and our next three matches are not the most straightforward. Hibs are on a decent run of form by their own low standards of this season and have finally lifted themselves off the bottom of the table. This is followed by a trip to Croatia, which will hardly be a sightseeing tour and has the earliest start available, 545 on the Tuesday. And Sunday sees us visit Hampden once again as we look to regain The League Cup. Can’t have them buggers displaying it next year at their AGM along with two trophies won by their ladies team like some sort of glorious treble!
They will still be smarting from losing their long hold on The Pre-season Cup, and won’t want to give up another. And while I would normally be in favour of taking it one game at a time, it is a sensible move to plan two or three steps ahead. One of the changes that BR will doubtless consider is at left back. Valle, on loan from Barcelona, has been very impressive so far, but there’s no denying that Taylor was an improvement on the night when he came on at half time. He even laid on the winning goal for Reo with the sweetest of lobbed passes into a tight area, and probably deserves to retain his place.
Taylor has long been a conundrum and a source of contention amongst the fans. Signed in the summer of 2019, he frankly looked out of his depth at first and took a while to establish himself. That came when Ange Postecoglu tinkered with his role in the side. Playing as an inverted full back-an auxiliary midfielder-seemed to suit him perfectly, and we definitely saw the best of him at that time. To the extent that he signed a new deal to remain at the club till summer 2025, and most of us were delighted at that, given the improvement in his form.
But there’s no getting away from the fact that he isn’t a midfielder but a full back. And while he is very strong in the tackle, his positioning too often sees him caught cold when the opposition break at speed against us. He lacks the pace required to get back quick enough too, but the biggest problem is one that he can do nothing about.
He’s only 5’ 7”, which is just not tall enough to win very many high balls into the box. And the opposition haven’t been slow to latch on to that as a dangerous tactic against us. How many times have we seen him wishing he had a ladder to hand as he strains every sinew to get that extra couple of inches in his jump, but watched as the ball simply floated over his head to provide a shooting chance? It might be a bit harsh to condemn a player for one weakness in his game, but let’s face it-it’s a bloody major one for a defender!
And now as we approach the next transfer window in January, we are again facing the problem of finding a suitable left back. Only this time not so much as cover or an option with Taylor as first choice. No, the problem has become more acute with his contract running out in the summer. As Valle is only here on loan with no option or obligation to buy, we could well be looking at two, even if many of us would like to see young Frame providing the back-up and given his opportunity. It might be a risk, but but we can’t continue to deny our youngsters a chance for fear of failing. We’ve all seen the consequences of that, with our brightest being lured elsewhere.
Taylor has been negotiating a new deal with the club for some time now, but it seems that he is confident of receiving offers from elsewhere. Which suggests that at least one of those offers is concrete and attractive enough to lure him away, or that the best the club is willing to offer is well short of his own valuation. I reckon that his first contract in 2019 was far from the most lucrative at the club, and given his erratic form in the two seasons pre-Ange, wouldn’t have been that great in 2021 either.
Nobody likes to be taken advantage of, and he is probably resentful about the low regard that the club negotiators have for him, if reflected in the new offer. It’s a difficult one, and hardly on the scale of those faced by Liverpool as they try to hammer out extensions for Salah, VVD and Alexander-Arnold. But it’s an important one nevertheless. And the club have to face up to the fact that if he doesn’t sign this month, then he will have to be replaced right away. This will give us time to play the new guy into the side over the rest of the season, and familiarise himself with his new surroundings and colleagues. And we need to get on the blower to Barcelona to negotiate a deal for Valle too. This guy will be a top player, and it might as well be with us.
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Above article by BMCUWP
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If Greg won’t sign, and who can blame him if he’s being offered more elsewhere, what about a loan move for KT?
Just back from injury and highly unlikely to feature at Arsenal.
He probably would have been moved on last summer if he didn’t pick up an injury at the Euros.
Greg leaves and we utilise Valle/ Tierney,
perhaps with a view to KT returning permanently in ‘25, subject to withstanding the rigours of agricultural Scottish fitba’.
He will be 28 in June with a few years left, injuries permitting.
Additionally we maintain the homegrown element for Euro player quotas, have another leader in the dressing room with strong Celtic leanings.
His contract with Arsenal expires in ‘26.
Good morning, friends and whilst acknowledging the huge loss to our group may I still wish a Big Happy Friday to all who post or lurk on this fine site.
JUSTSAYIN
I agree with that. He probably has six years left at the top level, and should do everything possible to max his earnings. I thought he was one of our best performers under AP,and was one of his biggest supporters on here. Even if not at the same levels as MCCAFF’s manlove. I wish him every success.
But I also think that we need to improve in that area,particularly due to getting caught out by high balls into the box. Happens too often.
To me, the most interesting thing about the Taylor situation is his apparent confidence in getting offers/an offer from elsewhere.
if he’s as ‘wanting’ as many on here, including myself, feel, why is he wanted elsewhere.Perhaps he feels left back is not his position but is aware he has no chance of being a midfielder for Celtic.
His stature has really only been minus in Europe and he might not play there depending on his next club.
We should push for Valle to sign in any case.
Manlove? Manlove? A wee bit harsh, Bobby, I’ve met the boy once, in a park in Renfrew when we were out dogging! Walking them, that is!! 😬
To be fair, he’s a handsome boy in the flesh, and he’s got a lovely smile. His wee missus was a lovely girl, too, and both were happy to chat!
None of which changes my opinion that he gets the hardest time on here and it’s not always fair – sometimes i think he gets a lot of stick because he used to play for Them.
https://youtu.be/OMZB81uj5wI?si=1sYYExLJVnpHbWOc
Good stuff Bobby but kind of further promotes some myths about Taylor.
Not the fastest but quicker than you think.
The “Out of position “ trope is mainly due to him playing two other more advanced positions where a misplaced pass by a teammate or launched clearance by opponents lands in his full back space.
Settling for a point v Dons would not have seen him be in that position make that pass.
Every opposition keeper shells his side from goal kicks but he jumps with the forward often causing both to miss it and our throw result.
He can be caught inside but has learned to lessen this.
If you wrung the players tops out after a game, I’d guess the most sweat would be in Greg’s.
Rest in Peace Tony (SFTB) 🙏🙏
From all your friends at La Quinta Brigada, CQN and Sentinel Celts.
YNWA 💚 💚 💚 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
https://photos.app.goo.gl/GMyoc5rxeXXdvXcy8
I think KT is a no brainer IF we also get Valle. If we can share the burden between the two of them we might get something like the old KT back.
HHH,
I’m not usually one for bringing back former players but KT on a pay per play basis ( Assuming he agrees to this which, I very much doubt) is a no brainer.
However, I don’t rate Valle as high as a few on here, and think there must be better out there.
Time for the Scouting team to earn their corn !!!
All of this assuming GT is “Joe the Toff”
BMCUW
Injury angle — my thoughts are that there are a number of causes.
New managers trying to improve on the poor squad dynamics of old managers.
Poor foundations to build a new fitter future = twangs.
Also our medical efforts / department resources was framed by the SPFL.
PL saw it as an area to sweat the assets / save some costs.
Plus some managers pushed players too much — KT being the prime example plus JF.
CCV and CMcG seem to have been working under the same pressures last season.
Not a great place to be — hopefully lessons are being learned.
Bigger worry for me is the prep underway for January.
We will need a new defence over the next 12 months — half starters / half as back up.
Radio silence is good if it is stealth scouting / bad if it is PL inspired laziness.
We now have CL credibility to deal with — the door is now open.
Do we take a peek and then retreat or do we blow the doors off?
2030 T/O is down to how we work the next 12 months.
£100 mill if we make an erse of it vs £300mill if we show we can lead the football world.
How long ago was it the howl of far too many that the CL was not for the likes of us?
Now off to raid my mum’s attic for my Supertramp albums.
Greg drives me and the wee guy crackers! I don’t remember seeing a Tic player who looks so scared of the ball, or who can consistently give up possession from taking throw-ins! Having said that, we both had to admit he played a massive part in our victory the other night. His pass to Reo was sublime, cause it he puts that on the ground it goes straight out a play, so to put it right onto Reo’s chest was just brilliant ..fair play👍
Still want a proper left back though!
GT — Killie spec MF’er.
Did a turn at LB where he is a better than average footballer.
Defender — tough gig for him and it shows when he is left isolated.
When it starts to go against him he all too often collapses.
For us he can have a good 30 / 40 minutes and then one mistake later it is chaos.
Inverted FB — offers him hope / plays to his strengths.
He can play some good stuff but he can also get lost / crowd our centre / forget to get back and cover.
He is a very limited FB.
He is an SPFL spec MF’er.
He is a liability for us when we are up against any level of quality.
He can put in a shift but he can collapse after one mistake.
Squad player at best — not a starting LB / not cover at LB.
Under any sort of pressure it is obvious that he is not a natural defender.
Playing from memory / what he can remember the coach telling him what to do.
Not a good look.
I’ll be gobsmacked if that turns out to be KT.
Isn’t he on something like 100k plus?
If your T/O is £150mill — you can afford £100K per week in wages.
Just a case that you get value for money with the transaction.
NK in 2026 might be worth £100K per week basic in wages.
KT in Jan will not be worth that kind of a deal.
Morning all
I had a busy day yesterday so only caught up with the dreadful news of SFTB last night while watching the Spurs game. Condolences to all those who were friendly with him. He’ll be sadly missed.
I’m not GTs biggest fans but I fully appreciate his efforts. I do think we need an upgrade though.
Id take KT back in a heartbeat. He suffered terrible abuse up here last time and must have been the most abused Celtic player I’ve ever seen. I’ve no doubt that was a major consideration in leaving when he did. However, with the introduction of VAR, the landscape has changed considerably. Late off the ball assaults have largely been consigned to history – despite the sterling efforts of Robertson on Wednesday.
I’d also love to see Valle sign up.
Celtic v Kilmarnock
SC tie
Saturday 18 January 5.30ko
From memory KT on 165k per week!
For the record…I’ve never said GT was good enough but not as bad as a lot on here make him out to be.
From yesterday…Fan, what evidence of Calmac shuttling between 2 players can I give you? I see it every game, the lack of movement elsewhere as he ties up the front men or a midfielder is clear to see from my seat, to be fair it’s not so obvious on the telly. You consistently tell me you see the whole game on the telly but you must admit you might be missing some things!
Perception and Chinese whispers often determine our opinions of players.
Well known on here I don’t rate our captain in the position he plays in.
Contrary to what people think I rate him as a player but not as a lynchpin though.
GT has a rep based on some reality and our penchant for magnifying his flaws.
Can work both ways with Billy Gilmour in a Scotland jersey and the Hunnish mssm’s description of his performance contrary to actual reality.
He constantly gets an 8 rating by mssm no matter how often he passes to the opposition which usually results in commentator saying that is a rare occurrence despite him doing it frequently.
If GT, is confident of getting a better deal than Celtic are offering for him , good luck to him.
He’s always looked to me like a midfielder thats been converted into a fullback.
Too slow closing down his opponent, poor recovery and physically weak.
Morning all.
Apparently the BBC are showing that mob vs Fraserburgh live,
You couldn’t make it up. Anything to help them get cash 🤬
McCaff,
You are absolutely correct about Callum.
When he is moving toward our CBs he’s is dragging at least one opposition midfielder out of position creating space in midfield.
When you see him pointing, he is telling the man in possession where the space is that his movement has just created.
He is the best midfielder in the country! There is no one in the country that comes even close.
Strachan, McCleish, Deila, Rodgers x 2 and Postecoglou are just some of the managers that have made him their main man in the middle of the park.
I think those guys might know a thing or two about playing the game at the highest levels, and they all agree on one thing, Callum is a brilliant football player.
McCaff
As I said that’s your opinion mine differs.
On Wednesday at Dons there was zero forward space for CCV or Trusty to pass or move into until substitutions changed the game.
You could clearly see both gesturing about having no outlet so continually passed to each other.
Where was the mythical spaces Calum created until the subs who changed the game.
Also the camera thing in Scotland is usually a wide angle covering the central area and cameras covering each end.
we don’t have budget of bigger leagues with multi camera set ups so they generally stick to wider aspects so as not to miss things.
Brian,
Unreal!
We are playing Killie.
There’s a Dundee derby.
And an all premiership tie between St Johnstone and Motherwell iirc
But the BBC choose the huns at home to Frazerburgh?
You’ve gotta laugh.
Fan…I never said he created the spaces, I said he ties up 2 players, often shuttling between both, surely the other players have to then make the moves (hence his pointing that you so often criticise).
It’s clear you and I will never agree on this but there has to be understanding that he’s asked to play a very specific role and in my opinion he does it very well.
Btw…I hate playing the “were you at the game” card but as I have the luxury of being at the games and seeing them on tv I do think they offer different perspectives and therefore points of view!
It’s also worth remembering we are not privy to exactly what Brendan is telling Callum to do.
And while others are rotated in and out of the team, Brendan seems to pick Callum almost every game we play.
If he wasn’t following instructions or doing his job properly, I’m pretty sure Brendan wouldn’t keep picking him to play almost every game.
…and I meant to say also, as I alluded to yesterday, the low block utilised by Aberdeen the other night, with a tight 433 not getting pulled out and not opening up, is difficult to break down. If players don’t make moves and allow the horseshoe game to just keep going with no real pace or intent then it becomes increasingly difficult to move the opposition about. And that particular failing is one of my biggest criticisms of Brendan’s gameplan!
2 good comments BAD! I hope you’re good mate. Have you managed to get your wee guy kicking a ba’ again?
McCaff,
The wee guy needed both knees operated on. When he got the first one done, he waited till his mum left the room and through tears said to me dad I can’t go through that again it’s too paintul. A very similar situation happened with me with my ankle, so I knew exactly how he felt.
It’s such a shame he doesn’t play anymore because he was as good a player as I’ve ever seen at his age.
Thanks for asking mate, you’re a gentleman! 👍
Sheep on Wednesday — they tried to close the space in play.
Defence had a high line and the forward line mixed it up.
They tried the high press then they gave up space.
Very tight game — trying to close the space between the lines.
Crying out for balls over the top for a MF’er or KF to run on to.
We struggled in poor conditions to find the confidence to play that ball.
CMcG directing traffic in a Peter the Pointer manner was not what was needed.
He took 70 minutes to work up the courage to take the ball and get mobile.
Not sure if he is fighting his confidence levels / saving his energy / fighting against BR’s instructions but it is happening quite a lot.
Second half drags on and then CMcG starts to get expansive / get mobile / run the game.
Makes a huge difference.
Not sure if it is desperation that is making him change his style.
McCaff BAD
I often say I have absolutely no clue to the inner workings at Celtic.
Also the paucity of tv spend does allow you a much wider view of the field.
It’s often used by officials to cheat us with wrong offside calls and good goals chopped off as they are aware of what they can get away with due to limited camera angles!,
BAD
sorry to hear of your sons knee issues!
Fan,
I’m surprised at your views on Callum but I respect it’s what you’re seeing when you watch him play
Be boring If we all saw things the same.
I also think you’re correct about the cheating we regularly have to deal with.
Still not seen any mention of the hand ball on the line the other night! It couldn’t have been more glaring!
Mahe,
If, and it’s a big IF, we sign a replacement for Taylor in January that’s an huge indication of significant changes in relation to forward planning. Welcome, of course.
I’m obviously not getting into the merits of any individual player during the campaign, as have always considered that counter-productive. Anyhoo, rightly or wrongly the notion we might buy a player one window before a new Season starts to ‘bed in’ and acclimatise is hugely encouraging.
Also, a bit short of ready made cover for injury and suspension in midfield. If the above happens for Taylor then the same thinking/planning should apply.
as you can imagine, have huge doubts any of that will happen.
We all find oot soon enough!
I dont believe Wednesday night was a good basis to criticize any player. Conditions dictated how the game was played. High balls from defence towards the beach end held up in the wind continuously. From beach end to other even Daizen struggled to catch them . Possession was the name of the game and even although it is not the most exciting game to sit through it is at time needed. We as a team played it well. Kasper had very lttle to do and young Doohan with two great stops at least in 2nd half kept them in it. One moment of magic won the game. As probably Taylors biggest critic I had to admit his through ball was brilliant but Hatate’s control and finish sublime.
As far as McGregor’ s performances go ,for me he is by far the best midfielder in Scotland and this season has upped his goal tally with some superb strikes as well.
Thanks Fan, I appreciate it buddy.
10 years coaching and following him all over the country watching him play, and it all came to a shuddering halt one night after his kneecap popped right out! I couldn’t believe what I was looking at ..his kneecap was half way up his thigh! Not been many things I’ve been more gutted about.
You can tell how much he misses playing.
Celtic, Motherwell, Sevco charged by the SFA over pyros at Premier Sports semi finals, the Aberdeen end was on fire,no charges…..
Son’s ST didn’t work v RC having worked up til now.
Phoned up… ( girl obviously trained by the DSS )…need to get the form into us saying you’re a student.
No notification to do so.
Says, did it last season saying now in last year of four.
No matter, “you could have left “ !
Downloads the form, gets it printed, takes to the Uni and gets it stamped.
Sends it electronically to the ticket office.
We need you send it from your Uni email. ( no prior notice to do this )
Does so.
They ask the same thing again.
He does it again and tells them he’s done it twice.
This morning they ask him to do it again.
He politely tells them this is the third time.
They’ve just got back to say received and ok.
Would be totally unsurprised it doesn’t work
tomorrow.
What a way to run a business.
Oooft! BAD, I never appreciated the wee guy’s injury was so bad, that sounds nasty.
Steve Naive…had it with them for years until I forgot to renew my son’s ticket this year! Disaster loomed, no seats available, then restricted view, then no 2 together anywhere, then 2 together a few rows in front of me, back and forward for a few days. I offered a wee suggestion that they could phone the guy whod bought my wee guy’s seat to see if he’d take one of the alternatives I’d been offered…he might say no, yes I know he might but let him know the details and see what he says…the guy gave up the seat and I managed to renew. All of this about 3 or 4 weeks after the deadline!
To be fair, I was over the moon and thought despite their shortcomings they’d done me a solid!!
Beaton gets dream job as MIB on Dec 15. His chance to raise a kitty for his New Year drinks in The Crown in Bellshill.
Cup game v Killie Saturday night 5.30pm ko.
https://www.thenational.scot/sport/24773579.celtic-next-ucl-opponent-missing-player-dubbed-next-luca-modric/
A wee bit of turmoil at Zagreb….
Bada…it was the Celtic end at Hampden that was on fire with red flares, the Aberdeen end had a few but nothing like the Celtic end!
https://youtu.be/7wSVm5ctEFc?si=cmRyeVWZdMg9fuKj
McCaff,
It’s called patella alta and is something he was born with.
Me and his mum had no clue until that night he got injured.
I tried to get him to get both done and sorted, but I can understand why he doesn’t want to go through that pain again.
He’d just won player of the year and then that happened! I was and still am absolutely gutted for him.
BAD…that sounds the same thing as my daughter’s pal has. She’s had years of her kneecap popping out randomly – emergency ambulances from school to hospital etc. It’s a real shame! Too young to miss out on a lot of stuff!!
No romance in the cup in Scotland. Clydebank facing Hibs is fairytale stuff . Completely ignored for us and the Huns games. Ridiculous.