Relentless
Morning, all.
The Celtic players and management will have been glad to see the back of Tuesday night’s game, not just because we negotiated a potentially tricky match against Aberdeen with a somewhat flattering 5-1 victory, but also because it is the last in a long line of fixtures which have had us playing virtually midweek-in, midweek-out.
We have three games to go until the next and final international break, quite an important one for the national team as we attempt to get past Greece in the Nations League play-offs. It’s hard to believe that the first of those came six months ago-after we gubbed TFOD 3-0 at home-and even harder to comprehend that we have played forty matches since then. More games than in an entire league season. And that’s despite losing six weeks of that time to those breaks.
It has been absolutely relentless, and has undoubtedly taken its toll on our wafer-thin squad. Despite losing so few players to injury this season, we have had limited chances to rotate the squad, preferring instead to rotate during the matches themselves. The recent introduction of the five substitutes rule has certainly helped in this regard, but it has also served to show everyone concerned how limited the squad really is as an effective unit. We have our preferred first XI and maybe a few others that we can trust, and that’s it. And as a result, some of them are starting to wilt under the load. I think the proof of that lies in the fact that we lost only one game in the first four months of the run of games, but have lost four in the last two months. Yet despite that relentless schedule, we have been just as relentless in our pursuit of the three domestic trophies. And all this while rebuilding our reputation in Europe.
The next three games, away to St Mirren and then at home to The Foe Malign in the league, are split by a home cup-tie against Hibs. None will not be straightforward. We can take some comfort from the fact that the huns have two ties against Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in that time, but also should remember that they don’t have a Scottish Cup game inbetween. We might strip a bit more refreshed than otherwise for the derby, but they might be buoyed up by another unexpected result. Time will tell,I suppose.
The scarcity of viable options available for the manager this season has been little short of scandalous, and much of the blame for that can be set at the foot of those who sanctioned the signings during the 2023 summer window. To counter that, BR has in return sanctioned the removal of most of them during the last three windows, almost all of them on loan. In other words, we are still on the hook for most of that wage bill and all of the contracts that were signed. What a waste of resources from what we are constantly told is a well-run club which focuses on coming out of every window stronger than it went in.
I’ve got a bridge to sell you if you still believe that…
With more time now for coaching the players rather than just keeping their fitness levels ticking over while offering as much rest as possible, I’d hope that BR has a schedule mapped out for doing just that. We know that at the moment there are players in that squad who just aren’t first-team ready. Players who need to focus maybe on improving their concentration. Others who just need encouragement-or a boot up the jacksie. He has always said that his strength as a coach is in improving players, and we have seen that during both his spells with us. Now that he has more time to do just that, I hope he uses it to our advantage.
I hope too that he finds the time and the opportunity to sit down with the CEO and the chief financial officer to discuss budgets and player requirements, maybe during the international break. That is almost as important at this time of the season, and let’s face it, it’s not as though Nicholson can tell him he’s busy. It would be nice if just for once Celtic went into a window with the intention of keeping all of our top players, and adding to it with the players that the manager has pinpointed as his main targets. It would be nice if just once, in fact, we spent more than we brought in and actually improved the side.
These are the things which we as Celtic supporters will be considering over most of the remaining midweeks of the season. I hope that those in the positions to actually do more than just consider these things get off their collective arses and actually do their job for a change. It’s time to give the manager what he wants, which is to have a different selection headache from the type he’s had to deal with for too damn long!
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Above article by BMCUWP
Link to naps competition.
https://sentinelcelts.com/2025/01/15/12688/
Link to POTY competition
sencelpoty@gmail.com
Link to CHALMERSBHOY Beat-The Bookie Competition.
https://sentinelcelts.com/2025/02/22/beat-the-bookie-part-three/
This weekend sees ATHINGOFBEAUTY try to break our recent run of luck,all of it bad.
Blimey,I took a couple of days off from the blog and the politics goes full-on.
I know that these are trying times,new territory politically for us. I know too that politics play a big role in life. Which is why we prefer it not to be the case here.
Please remember that this is a Celtic site. There are plenty of political sites available to make the appropriate comments.
Last year,our charity drives raised over £4000 for deserving causes. You are truly a wonderful collective, giving selflessly to others in need.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The bulk of the money was split fairly evenly between our two nominated causes, which were Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust and Blood Cancer UK.
New Year, New Cause! From 1st January till 30th June, we will switch our attentions to raising funds for another source of wonderful work on behalf of those who need it most.
MacMillan Cancer Care
Once again, the donations page has been set up for us by CHALMERSBHOY, and my grateful thanks to him for doing this and so much more.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/3x3g3-sentinel-celts?attribution_id=sl:0cefe851-42bd-443e-8cdb-345070949a04&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
Please continue to give generously, which I know you will!
We clearly have a preferred first 11 and currently 6 go to subs we choose from.
Two more are not available at present- Bernardo and Forrest. In that respect, given the full on schedule of games played, we have been very fortunate to avoid more injuries.
It is clear we are light in cover/improvement in central defence(1) midfield(1) and forward positions by 2.
If we can keep our core group together and add in these four positions then I’d say that would be a very successful Summer. Big If, granted.
The surplus we have contributing next to nothing or already off the premises would, in a perfect world, be sold/released to free up the places available in the squad.
Nawrocki, Lagerbielke, Welsh, Holm, Palma should provide funds for at least one replacement.
MiT – your Mourinho post early am and the Huns possibly grabbing yet another break.
Fenerbache are appealing his ban.
Hopefully, they get that monkey off his back.
I’m looking forward to seeing his touchline antics v the Huns.
As for Barry and the EBT’rs – if you pay peanuts…
Good morning friends and a Big Happy Friday to all who post or lurk on this fine site.
You’ve got to ask , what is the point of the academy, when we are bringing through so few players.
There must be at least one midfielder who has shown promise and could be added to the squad.
If by the age of 18/19 they are not near the first team squad they should be moved on to allow the next youngsters to come through.
St Tam’s…Jude Bonnar is an Academy kid and made his debut this week!
#PayAttentionAtTheBack CSC 😉😁
Morning all,
Looking forward to meeting DRM and Chalmersbhoy later.
“Think I’m going to need a bigger wallet” 😁😁😁
Enjoy your day everyone.
HH 🍀🍀
I keep banging this drum but for me 2 no brainers this summer are Lennon Miller and Penrice. Both Scottish youngsters. Both talented and both in our range. Over the years we have allowed too many of our young talent to leave both academy grown and domestic club. We need to plan for season 25/26 and ahead as Forrest / Callum will be aging then. Home grown is a need for Europe and we are running low as it is. Look at the academy guys we have released over the last 3 seasons .
Re Jude Bonnar, let’s hope we see more of him and he makes the breakthrough, unlike his early season predecessor young Turley ( which is St Tam’s point, I guess).
Despite the oft cited view I have seen no evidence of BR bringing youngsters through in either term as our coach.
Am I wrong and can someone remind me of a youngster brought through in his first term?
And in last season and a half I don’t count youngsters getting the odd few minutes as integration.
Fan…I agree, was just being pedantic with St Tam’s as he would expect it from me! 😏
Re your point,when Brendan re-signed I had achat with my mate about it and we both agreed that despite his reputation that he was a developer (mibbe self-promoted) neither of us thought he was and would be more likely to look to buy in talent.
So far, I’m with you, there’s no much evidence he is a developer!
Bobby
Sorry but no longer buying into this blame the board if the squad isn’t to our liking?
Whoever the manager is, has the responsibility and using his squad chosen, as best as he sees fit in doing so.
That alone brings huge challenges and decision making along the way, especially throughout the course of a whole season, with the amount of games involved, and the added burden of international breaks also.
So even though it has been managed very well to date, it has had its challenges, and still remains so also.
So the main focus still has to be upon how the 20man SPFL squad is formed imo?
Presumably on the notion that we stick with how we have operated this season, or do we actually need to change that?
So 2 keepers, 4 full backs, 3CH, 5 midfielders, 4 wingers, 2 strikers is how our 20man squad is made up usually, with as you say, rotation within it, during matches usually.
So should such a policy remain in place going forward, or are we looking for far more in the 5 reserves who complete the 25man CL squad, and for cover of injuries if any sustained to the usual 20 that are dependent upon?
The board can get bought into the equation, especially regarding a situation currently brewing.
We know Tierney will be returning in the summer, but who will be the back up option?
Think schulpp is making a very strong case at present, but could we end up paying something like 70k a week to have the position well covered?
Already know Rodgers preferred choice could well be retaining Taylor, which would be a cheaper option than schulpp possibly?
Or even opting for Anderson as a potential youngster, that would potentially balance out the wages paid out to our right full backs playing the same roles for the team?
That’s just one example of the decision making Rodgers is facing at present, and many more throughout the team, before board level even comes into the equation whatsoever?
Another huge call is regarded this growing Trusty and scales situation?
Strange that Trusty seems to cope far better at CL level than SPFL, but paying 6M you would expect it to do so.
Yet is a 600k player becoming the better option now for SPFL matches in scales?
Yet both are regarded as international squad players this season, but won’t be considered if there not playing regularly with ourselves imo?
So another massive decision awaits, and this on the back of hopefully a very successful end to the season waiting in store for ourselves?
So Rodgers is already looking at some potential massive decision making to be made.
And personally hoping that Paul tisedale has done his work, to make that decision process far easier to be contended with.
And then the board can actually get to work upon trying to get deals done for the required standard of players we are still looking for?
Even then, the CL might be a big attraction point, but isn’t secured yet.
And the SPFL doesn’t offer that much attraction to the quality of player we are hoping for either.
And all the while we still require a higher level of stability than at present, to keep moving forward at CL level, as hoping to remain lucky within the summer window is nothing more than a hit and miss approach for a CL campaign imo?
McCaff
I do know Jude Bonnar is an academy player, no need to be smart.
Where are the rest of them ?
How could James Connelly Johnstone be called A Right Winger?
Well the player was just sublime, he could turn on a sixpence and leave defenders feeling dizzy and bewildered in his wake. You got the feeling that the bhoy had never fully grown up, such was his mischievous demeaner, but on the field, his talent shone brightly, it was heart-breaking to look on and watch that destructive illness ravage such an inspiring talent.
Some say that this was his finest game, there was so many games called his finest game it was difficult to single one out. There wasn’t a programme produced at the time, just days after Lisbon, this one was printed in 2003 – 67 out of 100 printed and had the guaranteed signature of the great Alfredo Di’Stefano, who many of my generation thought was the greatest footballer of our time and then along came James Connolly Johnstone.
Jimmy, Jimmy Johnstone, the ultimate football entertainer – The King Of The Wing.
The current team IMO are slow starters, too timid and this side to side passing is just inviting opposition teams to take advantage, i know that its to invite your opponents to move forward and to create space to our advantage, but you need to be certain that your first touch is perfect or you will be a goal down. ‘Self Inflicted’, was a character in an Alfred Daley’s sitcom, but Harry Carry Oot is more appropriate giving yourself the added burden of being a goal down within minutes of the start.
There was an old thought that the players should ease their way into the game, but ‘come on’.
Celtic used to take the game by the throat and attack from the off, lets get back to that.
COYBIG.
I’m hoping Greg leaves altogether.
If the back-up to KT isn’t going to be Sclupp, I would like to see us look at Donnelly at Dundee, a much cheaper option.
As long as Taylor isn’t there next year I’ll be more than happy!
Johnno
That 20 man squad should be supported by academy players .
When for example, one of our 5 midfielders or 2 strikers are injured.
We either don’t have the quality in the academy or Brendan is just reluctant to use them
Bawheid, good stuff!
I knew there wasn’t a programme produced for AD’s testimonial as I was a collector and would have had it in my collection.
But I didn’t know there was something like that produced all those years later, is it just like a programme you have in the frame? That’s a brilliant little keepsake.
Every time you post something like that it makes me a bit sad I got rid of my whole collection of Celtic memorabilia! Stupid!! The only thing I kept was my collection of scarfs, and I doubt the wee guy would part with them.
Do you by any chance have the centenary medal that was made in 88? I actually gave that to one of my nephews who still has it.
St Tam’s…I wasn’t trying to be smart, just pedantic! Look at your comment again, did you not say you’d like at least one coming through? Well, Bonnar is!
Just a bit of light-hearted fun, let’s not fall out! 😉
St tams
That is the growing issue, where we are looking at 16 of the 20 to be involved within matches usually.
Simplest way for Rodgers to manage and keep unity within the squad also imo?
Changes tend to start within the back line, usually with the full backs, as the tendency is to keep the keeper and CBs in position as much as possible, especially as they would be regarded as the strongest partnership required within a team.
So where is the room for academy players to be introduced?
Like you, I do believe that we need to find someway of addressing the issue, but how remains a massive obstacle to overcome still.
Give you another example, as was mention of a Irvine from West ham last summer, presumably to address this ongoing homegrown quota requirements?
Could still well be in the reckoning, especially as Irvine is only a very limited bit part player at West ham currently.
So could we be forced into trying to buy such a player for a huge fee,along with a massive wage also, just to try and get him to potentially bolster our squad, and looking to be a potential replacement for Calmac in the making?
This after being with Dundee United, I think, and would possibly never have even been considered as a potential player for ourselves either?
But looking more likely that such deals have to be considered moreso nowadays, due to no real development program within the club whatsoever of any note.
False economy in operation at present by the looks of things, regarding the homegrown requirement quota imo?
Johnno
Sorry but no longer buying into this blame the board if the squad isn’t to our liking?
Agree!
The coach has ultimate choice on who he picks.
The limited squad is to BR’s choosing.
Some youngsters and fringe players did well preseason and were not rewarded with game time.
We ARE producing lots of young players, we just aren’t willing-able to offer them the kind of deals they are being handed at English sides.
If anyone has a way around that, phone CP today! 😉
If you were 18 and on a grand a week, what would you do if a West Ham offer you 10k a week???
We know Celtic won’t pay the kind of money available to them across the border.
Fan @ 9:41am,
A few BR&CO gave a development opportunity first time round, obviously some more successful than others…
Ewan Henderson
Liam Henderson
Mikey Johnston
Callum McGregor
James Forrest
Kristoffer Ajer
Anthony Ralston
Calvin Miller
Kieran Tierney
Lewis Morgan
Hail Hail
Cheers BAD – No, never had the ’88 medal, a bit too modern for me, I collect Celtic match worn shirts from the sixties and very early seventies. That was a special match for my generation coming on the back of Lisbon. I like to present my stuff as best that I can, putting a frame around the few programmes that I have shows how much that they mean to me.
That prog. sits under Stevie Chalmers match worn shirt for the ‘Lions last game, on the other side of my bed under Alex Rollo’s Shamrock shirt first worn by the Ex Belfast Celtic team on the 17th. May 1952 verses Celtic charity game, sits a very rare Souvenir Programme………this one.
Its has a special meaning to me.
Bad
Get to know your sums?
10k a week on a 4 year contract is still an investment of 2M upon a young player with potential?
But west ham have a development programme in operation, with I think an u23 league?
We have nothing except the lowland league at present.
Solution?
What’s wrong in trying to get a proper development programme in operation, as Scottish football offers nothing?
If that means trying to get a development team playing elsewhere then so be it?
And that 2M investment on a 10k a week contract, still works out considerably cheaper than paying out 5M plus for a player because we can’t develop them?
Bawheid,
I love the fact the Jersey has clearly been worn! Big Billy’s by any chance?
Ps, who were the opposition that day (Cany blow it up enough) is it Shamrock Rovers??
Thanks again👍
Callum and KT were the last two big successes both given starts by Ronny D.
A way to address the issue with Academy players is to have an absolute commitment that at least 2 or 3 current players starts every game. The bench would also have a 50% contingent of current academy players.
With little prospect of minutes these guys will continue to leave.
Didn’t the SFSA Review recommend “bonus points” for clubs with 2-3 youngsters in the starting line-up? (In the SPFL).
That would certainly go some way to addressing the competition issue in the SPFL but it’s also the reality.
We either play them or they’ll leave.
Short-term pain perhaps but with continued inflation of costs and the competition to recruit the better young players, it might be inevitable.
If they are not good enough, that’ll mean resources will have to be allocated to the development of our own.
With no reserve league and the reluctance of the SFA to sanction a Colts team (it’s a system used in Belgium), something of this nature might be required.
– Even with a Development Team playing elsewhere there’s no guarantee that an ambitious manager will increase the minutes available to academy players.
Chairbhoy…didn’t Deila bring Ajer in? And I’m sure Forrest was an international player before BR arrived. And I think Deila introduced Tierney to the first team although Brendan did start him regularly, arguably, because and only because, Izzy got injured!
John,
Are you saying we should be paying all these kids £10K+ a week? You do realize we may still have first team players on less than that??
and it’s hardly our fault there isn’t a proper reserve league in operation.
I’m sure the club don’t want to keep producing young players for the benefit of other teams, but Playing in Scotland isn’t helping Celtic hold onto young players long-term.
McCaff,
it was definitely Ronnie who gave KT his debut.
ICT, it I remember correctly 👍
BAD…yeah but only a couple of games at the end of the season. I’m sure Deila left and BR came in, Izzy got injured and KT got his chance. It might have been a different story if Izzy hadn’t got injured (broken foot if I remember correctly!)
McCaff @ 11:43 am,
Fan said which players did BR bring through in a development sense.
So Ronny signed Ajer as a 16y.o. prospect, yet he left when Kris joined us.
His initial development was under Brendan Rodgers.
Callum and James were also played by Ronny but they continued to get there opportunities and develop under BR&CO
Mikey Johnston given plenty of development under BR up to and including last season, there was just something lacking though.
Calvin Millar, great prospect but never reached the heights and has now found his level.
If there is another criteria for measuring player development let me know.
I’m not excepting that it means players have to be signed, developed and reaching elite standards in the two and a half seasons BR was here.
Obviously due to skill levels, age etc, these players were at different stages of their development – but BR&CO gave them a development plan and the opportunity to improve.
Hail Hail
Chairbhoy…James Forrest made his full Scotland debut in 2011 at 20 years old, BR joined in 2016. I’m not sure Brendan can be attributed any of his development. I’ll accept with reservation he improved him but had responsibility for his development. That’s a stretch, mate!
Youth Development : Is There A Better Way ?
Below the first team squad Celtic have 12 players currently loaned out.
Celtic B has a pool of 20 players, the team currently third in the Lowland League behind East Kilbride and Caledonian Braves. I have no idea the standard of the this league, never having watched a single match.
That’s 32 players on the payroll, the vast majority of whom will never see first team action on a regular basis. Are these players assets or liabilities, or are they just an essential part of the model ?
What if the club scrapped the B Team but sent the best, say six, youths off on loan to clubs in a league where they would get regular game time. Those clubs could be in England, Germany, France, Spain, or wherever. If Celtic paid 100% of the loaned players wages and other costs, that might be an attractive inducement, and still more cost effective than running a full B Squad.
If we cannot develop in-house, in Scotland, then out source the development elsewhere.
Brendan has stated that wants first team ready players. We all remember McStay (Paul not Willie !), and Nicholas when we witnessed them for the first time in a Celtic jersey , I can even remember Dalglish. Oven ready from day one. Took the shirt and owned it.
There must be a better way.
Btw, Chairbhoy, I wasn’t dissecting your list nor rebutting your general point but the players I mentioned stuck out for different reasons which was why I answered.
Fan @ 11:08 am, Johnno,
Short memories fhellahs,
First time around the Board filled BR&CO’s squad with prospects* and not fit for purpose loanees** that stymied our player development.
This time around BR&CO has made short shrift of the summer ’23 prospects and has changed the squad completely.
Out since Ange went…
MF Aaron Mooy
FW Jota
GK Conor Hazard
DF Osaze Urhoghide
GK Vasilis Barkas
DF Carl Starfelt
DF Bosun Lawal
MF Ismaila Soro
FW Albian Ajeti
MF Yosuke Ideguchi
MF Kwon Hyeok-kyu
FW Marco Tilio
FW Mikey Johnston
MF David Turnbull
FW Liel Abada
GK Joe Hart
FW Sead Hakšabanović
FW Rocco Vata
FW Oh Hyeon-gyu
GK Benjamin Siegrist
DF Bosun Lawal
MF Daniel Kelly
DF Yuki Kobayashi
MF Matt O’Riley
DF Gustaf Lagerbielke
MF Tomoki Iwata
MF Liam Shaw
DF Stephen Welsh
MF Odin Holm
DF Alexandro Bernabei
FW Kyogo
Players in since BR&CO had more input into the player signings and the old Board marginalised
Engels – 11 mn
Jota – 9 mn
Idah – 8.5 mn
Trusty – 6 mn
Bernardo – 3.5 mn
Kuhn – 2.8 mn
Sinisalo – 1.0 mn
McCowan – 1.0 mn
Schmeichel – Free
Jeffrey Schlupp – Loan
Keiran Tierney- Pre-contract
*Shved, Arzani etc etc
**Laxalt, Tolijan etc etc
Hail Hail
McCaff
👍
BAD – It was a charity match played at Celtic Park Belfast on 17th. May 1952, before big Billy’s time, it was played between Ex Belfast Celtic players (they went out of business in !949) so the players scattered across various Leagues, the game was facilitated by Newry Town. The Shamrock – Political jersey was Celtic’s second strip and was loaned to the Ex Belfast Celtic players, it was the first time that these jersey’s were worn, and that honour went to the Ex Belfast Celtic players.
A charity match for the ‘De Salle’ Orphan Boys Home.
Belfast Celtic and Celtic FC share a long history of brotherhood in football, they wore the same shirts and played for the same ethos and charitable causes, Belfast Celtic were a very successful club playing on Donegal Rd. Belfast. They closed in 1949 and were greatly missed … to this day.
This was my latest journey into the link between Belfast Celtic and Glasgow Celtic, the enjoyment I get at revisiting Celtic’s history is fantastic.
Tell the son to look on ebay its amazing what you can find, my Grandsons and Grand Daughter have started collecting one Celtic one golf. I wish him all the best and he will love sharing collecting with his Da. what a great pastime that will be.
McCaff @ 12:03 pm,
Well it’s all about points of view, James was a great prospect at twenty but was never developed under Lenny.
He did make progress under Ronny for sure but never hit his potential until he played under BR&CO.
POV: The fact that Lenny rarely gave youngsters an opportunity to develop meant they were a little older when Ronny gave them their real chances and BR&CO did the heavy development lifting.
Hail Hail
McCaff @ 12:05 pm,
Totally understand…
For me player development is not quite so straightforward as maybe in Jock Stein’s era – a long term manager and coaching staff, improving the squad they had then bringing through the quality street gang*.
How much player development can a manager and his coaches do in two or three years.
Think first time around BR was able to build on Ronny’s development work, although his first team was another issue altogether.
This time BR has managed to build on Ange’s legacy, though again development wasn’t Ange’s strong point.
*A lot of the quality street gang never fulfilled their potential and a lot moved on before their prime years.
Hail Hail
Chairbhoy…meeting his potential at 25/26 is about right, I’m not sure BR can get the credit for that!
To go back to Fan’s original point, and I’m in agreement, we as a Club haven’t and aren’t producing the number of boys that we should be. If the reason is we’ve no access to youngsters showing potential then it’s down to the structure of the game in this country, from Grassroots up. If we have identified la creme de la crem and they do then make the 1st team in reasonable numbers and regularly then the problem is down the the Club.
If Brendan is charged with development of these boys are part of his fitba remit. If it’s not in his remit but he’s expected to ensure succession from our Youth teams then he needs to understand the structure and disciplines used to further ensure that a successful pathway is employed at the Club.
Right now none of the above is happening.
Bawheid,
You are definitely a man after my own heart!
Like yourself there was a time when I was interested in anything that was related to our history and have spent a lot of time reading about our past …and what a story it is!
Because of that i really look forward to the stuff you post, as it is usually stuff I’m either remind of, or you are teaching me things about our past I didn’t know 👍
Till your next post 👍
Celtic have been hit with another fine from UEFA due to fan misconduct during the Champions League clash against Young Boys last month.
But the financial penalty from European football’s governing body is a modest £13,0000 after the Scottish Premiership champions were sanctioned over the “blocking of public passageways” under article 38 of UEFA Safety and Security Regulations.
McCaff @ 12:50 pm,
Well your point is taken – with James to be fair to all, he did have his injury/fitness challenges as well.
Brendan Rodgers is not head of Football.
Stevie Hammell is Head of Academy coaching.
Darren O’Dea Professional Player Pathway Manager.
You would hope they are all working together and that Celtic are able to utilise Brendan Rodgers’ vast experience in football development.
Yet the first team is his main role.
A season and a half in the role, with the changes to the squad that I highlighted at 12:09 pm, plus having to secure domestic dominance and improve our European level, BR&CO had a huge job on their hands.
For me they have delivered on all fronts, especially when you take the summer of ’23 recruitment cluster-farrago into account.
Matt O’Riley shows just how good our player development can be.
We need Hammel, Stephen McManus and O’Dea to bring forth homegrown talent into the first team sphere, where our top coaches can do the business.
Dane Murray looks the most advanced in that regard and I hope he can make it, I believe he will, BR&CO did great things with Liam Scales and hopefully Johnny Kenny will come through.
Brendan Rodgers has always had a passion for player development and I’m sure he still has that.
Yet his day job is the small matter of domestic trebles and taking on the best UCL competition.
Hail Hail
It was Ronny who gave us Tierney. My own re collection is that Izzy suffered a bad ankle injury at Pittodrie and Tierney replaced him. And it was early in the season. Kieran played a couple of games and then we had a European tie where I have vivid memory of meeting folk, as usual, at ‘CQN Corner’ and all of us wondering who would play at left back as Ronny surely wouldn’t play the young boy. We were wrong, and Kieran played and pretty much kept his place from then on.
Typing between babysitting but I’ll check Wiki later in the hope that my memory hasn’t completely failed me!
I always thought it was Brendan’s arrival that was the catalyst for James Forrest getting his recurring injuries back under control.
I may be remembering it wrong but he seemed to be fitter and stronger under Brendan, while making that right wing position his own.
Thoughts on “Development.”
I think there are different forms of development. The needs of 14-16 year olds will be different from the needs of players like Kuhn, MOR, Johnson, McCowan etc. The latter group have had professional experience elsewhere before arriving at Celtic. BR’s expertise is in developing players in the latter group. Look at Kuhn and MOR as good examples.
Developing younger players who are trying to break through is the responsibility of the Academy and the Player Pathway team. They should also be pushing forward players that they think can make the first team squad. Frankly, I do not know if the Academy staff are assuming their advocacy role., but the development of youth players is their responsibility, not BR’s.
You can see Br’s development skills at work, briefly, at the end of each game. He singles out specific players and discusses aspects of their play. If he does it then, it is not too much of a jump to assume he does more of that off camera.
The Academy players at Celtic are really up against it because there is no proper league structure to help them…no under 21 league; no reserve league. Without something like that, youth players showing potential would be smart to move into an environment that offers that structure. I do not think it is only about money at that development stage.
From afar, it seems a key issue might be: is the SFA prepared to back either the establishment of a reserve league, or an under 21 league, without the participation of Sevco?
Have a great day, everyone,
Rebus
BMCUWP
Celtic fullback Alastair Johnston has backed Jessie Marsch, his national team manager’s, comments about Trump..Marxch, who is American, described Trump’s comments about Canada being annexed by America as embarrassing and disrespectful.
When asked about his manager’s comments, AJ said,
“Because as much as we like to say we’re in a bubble, keep politics out of sports and all these different things, no, we’re human beings. We hear everything. This is our country that people are proclaiming as the 51st state. It’s something that you need to stand up and fight for, as well.“
This is from a Celtic player, so it qualifies as a Celtic story, no?
okay, I’ll behave
😆