It’s gonna take balls
Does our new look quality over quantity squad have what it takes?
They did, now they don’t. Well the didn’t last time,and thats a good indicator. Twice we have sank when pressure is on.
I’m sorry, but bench some players as repeating the same would be madness.
Martin Please Act and NOW.
Come Thursday it cannot be the usual suspects but rather a press puzzle for them to solve. Like it or not this midweek game should be the testing ground for Europe and the Ibrox mob. I personally believe
in attacking both fronts with everything we’ve got until the January Bhoys arrive. Why not?
This team hasn’t displayed a pair, and if they are going to collectively find their resolve the time is nigh.
This lot cannot coast it to the break without putting in the effort. I want everything for two games, I’m sure the man from Derry does also.
By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com
We now have a new JustGiving page set up to enable donations to be made for our latest charity appeal.
We wanted to focus again on a local charity, and this time one which is dedicated to helping those suffering from homelessness, addiction or poverty.
The one we have gone for is
GLASGOW CITY MISSION
You can find our dedicated page at
https://www.justgiving.com/page/sentinelcelts67
D R M has also very kindly volunteered to operate a competition over the three days of the AYR GOLD CUP meeting. September 17-19th.
Usual rules, with a selection from each race.
There is £100 of prize money, and as alway is FREE TO ENTER!
More details are available on the dedicated page, so click on the link.
https://sentinelcelts.com/2026/08/31/d-r-m-ayr-gold-cup-meeting-competition/
Goals so far…
Høgh……… 3
Nygren …….5
Durán…..….6
Yang………..2
McCowan …1
Baur………..1
Tounekti……1
Trusty………1
McGregor….1
Scales…….1
******
Assists so far…
Nygren …. 6
Tierney…. 3
Høgh……..1
Engels …..1
Duran ……3
Hassan…..1
Yang…..…1
Tounekti …1
Stats as given on BBC match report
Good morning, friends.
Just a reminder that when our thoughts turn towards Thursday’s Europa League opener, 3 of our 25-man ‘A’ squad can’t play – Johnston and Osmand are injured and The Ox will be serving his final suspension game. Oh, and Mheuka wasn’t registered for the squad.
We can however call on loads of young players from our ‘B’ squad… https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/50050–celtic/squad/
JOBO
Ah yes, our B squad. Sorted, then.
MoN has failed miserably in the two major tests put in front of him. He is a major negative factor in
both outcomes.
The Lask performance from 4-1 ahead, with only 45 minutes to see out, and Sunday’s debacle starting with one unfathomable decision to “ rotate” a key performer with experience of that hate filled arena out the team for a barely played newby. Mental stuff.
At least he had the sense to rectify the Tounetki embarrassment.
A pity those remaining onfield capitulated meekly …again.
To do so twice suggests a lack of leadership, mental fortitude and physical weakness on the pitch as much as tactical incompetence displayed by the manager/ coaches.
He needs to get a grip quickly or abdicate.
Only problem there is Buggins Turn rotation within the current management set up. We’d be stuck with Maloney/McManus etc Mediocrity.
The more things change …
I’m still of the opinion that since the end of last season, everyone and their granny wanted to see Celtic get a bloody nose as often as possible. The hopes of a nation were dashed on that final day and the fast track bullies won again.
As such, nothing this season has been a shock, not the officials, not an away cup tie against the odds, not the away fan ban, not the police and certainly not our own club self sabotaging by appointing an old friend in the dugout but then leaving him high and dry with lack of signings in midfield and defence.
This was in the post. ( It has been for some time tbf). The test now is how we respond. We’ll know in 5 days for certain exactly where we are.
Saint Stivs. From previous post.
Desmond is a businessman. He invested in Celtic. It wasn’t a donation. He clearly does give a rat’s ass about his investment, irrespective of how wealthy he is.
He didn’t become incredibly wealthy by being charitable. Just look at Trump, Musk and others. No matter the wealth these people gather, it’s never enough. That’s what gets them out of bed in the morning.
Mahe
“the January bhoys”.
In other words the guys who should have arrived in the second half of the window! 🤔
I’m still trying to recover from the shock of what happened on Sunday. Blown away by a team who had just scraped 3 x 1-0 wins due to a defensive brainfart v Aberdeen, a goalkeeping brainfart v Motherwell and an injury time winner v St Mirren. If it hadn’t been for those 2 brainfarts they’d be NINE points behind us and this Sunday we could have virtually killed their title hopes. Instead we’re shiting ourselves for another doing!
I have no faith in this team or the management. Sunday was a total capitulation on the park and in the dugout.
I said before the Huns ECL qualifier that I hoped they were successful as 8 free midweeks while we are playing in the EL could be detrimental to our title hopes. We’re just about to find out!
@Mike in Toronto
‘Ange had a style of play, and brought in players that fit that style. Im not sure I see the same synchronicity between signing and style of play with other managers…’
I think there’s an argument to be made that Ange was permitted to bring in the players that he wanted/fit his style. While correlation ≠ causation, it is awfully coincidental that our best summer transfer window since the turn of the century coincided with our longstanding CEO stepping to the side.
Equally, I would say it is slightly suspicious that his return in January 2023 coincided with a noticeable downturn in our transfer policy and success (reminiscent of the pre-Ange era). By the following January the club was releasing an apology to fans about our conduct in the transfer market.
@Rebus67
‘Laying that aside, though, the cards fell for him because he made minimal demands on the purse strings. Maeda, Hatate were bargains. Kyogo, at peak, was also a steal at 4.6 million.
The more expensive signings like Jota, CCV were brought in cautiously as loans then converted to permanent. The financials were never stretched.
Rogers was different, he wanted more expensive signings as the rule.
Lennon, Mark 1, left because he did not get the replacements he wanted as his best were sold off.
So, Yes, Ange was the last to get what he wanted but because he drew from a bargain market, he did not challenge the financial plan. Purse strings were not loosened abnormally.’
This is a common misconception re Ange’s time, but it’s not borne out by the facts. The accounts show that Ange (for first FY of his tenure) had the largest financial backing in terms of player investment of any Celtic manager (at least since MoN – and it may be even greater in absolute terms, though not relative terms (accounting for inflation etc)).
This backing was provided against a weaker financial foundation than other preceding (latter half of BR’s 1st term) or subsequent seasons (BR 2nd term).
Once again, I do not think it should be overlooked that Dom McKay presided over the initial summer investment for this year, and that PL was not on the scene during this period.
JLTTB
DMcK working with Ange for the betterment of our football operation was clearly seen as a threat to the business/financial operation. The easiest way to put the mockers on that was to get rid of the new and rebellious CEO. It was the worst decision the PLC made since, imo, bringing Lawwell onboard in the first place.
The irony is that DMcK was considered too ambitious-yet we still made a profit during his only transfer window.
I’m not a great believer in what might have beens, but I’m willing to make an exception for this one.
If Desmond cared, like anyone here, he’d have made sure he sat down with Martin and provided the coaching staff with the tools the team needed-needs
How many managers have told him & his lackeys about the crucial pieces of the jigsaw that are STILL missing from the squad!!?
We had months to plan and prepare ..years in the case of at least one crucial position in the team, so why didn’t Desmond step in and make sure another window didn’t pass without the team get the vital positions filled??
…
Surely any Celtic fan, with the wherewithal, wouldn’t want the manager & team entering a crucial CL tie with the team unprepared and incomplete, eh??
We keep getting told he’s a big fan of the team, so surely he’d want to make sure we had the very best team we could afforfd??.
Personally I think he’s as fake as those fags they sell down the Barras. He was absolutely done,as far as I was concerned, the moment he chose to tell us how amazing the Huns are.
Imagine sitting in your CSC pub with your mates listening to the RAT wax lyrical about how fantastic a club the Huns are, eh? If it had been on Sunday there he’d have been ejected out his seat and into the street before he finished his first sentence!
Billy Bhoy
The saving grace is McInnes. He’s of the rabid variety and each and every time he’s managed in Scotland he’s gotten his team’s fired up for the home games v Celtic and generally has a game plan of sorts to nullify us. He done it with Killie, Dons, and Diets. It generally involves pure physicality and persistent fouling and then relying on set plays or one if their few talents to make a mark.
His issue is , as we’ve seen in most games this season, and throughout his career, those tactics are poor against the wee teams and he is often left relying on officials for hand ups to keep them in games.
I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
https://open.substack.com/pub/andymuirhead/p/the-real-reason-hgh-isnt-firing-at?r=4j2o6i&utm_medium=ios
great article and another coaching failure. Two top class strikers and using neither of them properly or playing to their strengths
MoN should have had the team prepared to face a one dimensional McInnes strategy. The McInnes playbook is a one page diagram.
That’s the failure. Get this sorted out on the training ground. Time for MoN and co to get the shape and personnel right.
HHH
Not utilising strikers accordingly is nothing new, we done it with Kyogo and Oh under BR, Giomakis under Ange, Pukki under Lennon, and countless others over the years.
Ex Machina
Those failures have been glaring since day 1 of the season, that two average teams have taken advantage is not a surprise.
We’re now 10 games in and nothing has been learned in that space of time. That’s my worry, not that McInnes outsmarted us.
S L
Yip. There is no master class we have to overcome.
We appear under prepared for the inevitable.
There is no excuse for that.
As there is no excuse for unfathomable selection choices.
Please delete
What we are witnessing is the thoroughness and meticulousness of Brendan Rodgers preperation combined with the abscence of his experience. With regards tactics, player relationships, opposition analysis, team selection.
Maloney is a disciple of the 4 3 3 and all that it brings. Martin has admitted modern football is alien to him and that he is the pupil. As has been remarked we played our best two games when Martin was in hospital.
Martin is not present at Lennoxtown during the week. It’s our temporary emergency coaches who do all the coaching. They are the one’s that see how players perform during the week and how they respond from games. It’s them that have to take all the ingredients on offer on the training pitch and fashion it into a strategy that is best for the next game and the longer term strategy over the season. While continually improving.
They then report that to Martin and I assume he approves or disapproves. Tweaks some things. Offers assistance and guidance on others while trying to form the many new ingredients while having lost some staple ingredients into something palatable.
The problem is for all to see is that it isn’t improving. Issues are not being addressed. This time last year we and Brendan were going through something similar and he was being accused of deliberate sabotage. Brendan was starting to throw players under the bus.
Something needs to change. I’m not advocating personal change but we need to learn from our mistakes on and more importantly off the pitch.
Why are the players not up for it?
BAD
Great post mate
And also we still made a profit this windows so much for re-investing all the money we took in plus an extra amount on the team. Usual bollocks.
In light of this news the club have decided to issue the Green Brigade a 2 match ban 😊
Club Statement: Block SevenClub
1 hour ago
By Hibernian FC
Share
We can confirm that the Block Seven supporter group have been issued with a one-match ban from attending fixtures at Easter Road Stadium, with a further three-match ban suspended for the rest of the current season.
The sanction follows incidents involving the unlawful use of pyrotechnics and general unacceptable conduct by individuals associated with Block Seven across the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
As a result, Block Seven will not attend our upcoming home fixture against Kilmarnock on Tuesday 15 September. The Club will monitor the situation and reserves the right to utilise the further three-match sanction should there be any further unacceptable conduct incidents involving Block Seven during the suspended period.
The Club has discussed the decision with the SPFL and are in communication with representatives from Block Seven, who have been made fully aware of the sanction and have accepted the decision.
The Club has been clear about its position on unacceptable conduct, as outlined in our Supporter Information document, which is communicated ahead of every matchday.
We remind all supporters that unacceptable conduct will not be tolerated. Anyone found in possession of pyrotechnics, throwing objects, causing damage, entering the trackside or field of play, or bringing bottles or cans into the stadium may face sanctions.
The Club will continue to support Police Scotland and the courts in taking action against anyone detected breaching the Ground Regulations or involved in unacceptable conduct.
Regardless of whether we are playing at home or away, individuals involved in unacceptable conduct may face an indefinite Club Ban or a Football Banning Order, while serious offences may also result in criminal prosecution.
We recognise the passion and atmosphere our supporters create and appreciate the incredible backing the team receives. However, the use of pyrotechnics is unacceptable, as it is a breach of the Club’s Ground Regulations and Unacceptable Conduct policies, and the Club has a responsibility to act when such incidents occur. This is not a decision taken lightly, but following incidents at multiple fixtures this season, we believe it is necessary.
The Club will continue to work with supporters and relevant authorities to identify those responsible and, where possible, take appropriate individual action.
We thank our supporters for their continued backing and ask everyone to play their part in maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
Scary…
I see Leeds whooped Newcastle last night playing a 3 5 2
Bada Auldheid
From previous thread .. thanks
westcraigs.
i dont believe dd is in celtic now to get a return on investment.
he was in the beginning but not now.
,
Bada
£203 front and standing, just to get covered in beer and pish.
Be like being back in the Jungle!
Speculative post.
Sinisalo is on about 15k a week. Sam Johnston is on about 50k a week. We are paying half of that. That extra cost needs justified via 1st team selection. I also speculate that although he saved the penalty Sinisalo is being held culpable for not doing better against LASK. I also speculate that Maloney would choose Sinisalo as he’s much better with his feet playing the ball across the back and into midfield. This disruption of continuity has unsettled our fragile back 4 and midfield. That will improve with familiarity but enough to satisfy Maloney? Time will tell. I expect Johnston to be given a long run in the 1st choice 11
Awe Naw. Your post on coaching is quite correct, and that is the problem. Maloney and company do not have the ability to do the job. MON motivation got us through last season, but we need better for day in day out stuff. Otherwise we are really relying on individuals having a great game, like Duran.
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/september/15/celtic-football-club-statement–danny-mcgrain/
My favourite ever Celtic player
At least there is a realisation that our coaching is awful.
I would change now but realistic to know Despot and The Lackeys will stick to same strategy as Covid season and do nothing.
They just don’t care and will base any action on next seasons season ticket sales..:@
When the gap between where you are and where you want to be is large, focus on the next step. One sentence in the book. One workout. One email. While the ultimate goal helps you navigate, focusing on it keeps you from achieving it.
Steve Naive
(When the gap between where you are and where you want to be is large, focus on the next step)
We are exactly where Despot and the Lackeys want us to be!’
Not fit for purpose coaching staff and glaring deficiency in team personnel.
same as it ever was
BADABING
That linked page “doesn’t exist.”
Saint Stivs on 15th September 2026 2:09 pm
the celtic suporters paradox.
there are thousands of available seats for thursday.
but given the fixture lists, there is a possibility celtic will have the highest attendance across europe.
and yet, these greedy greedy plc still manage to price families out of the game – anyone thing these prices are fair ?
————–
Prices
The prices for General Sale tickets are:
Adult: £45
Concession: £32
No under 13 price available on general sale
A booking fee of £1.60 per ticket applies to all single match purchases.
Celtic Football Club Statement: Danny McGrain
General
By Celtic Football Club
Share
15 Sep 2026, 1:30 pm
Celtic Football Club is today sharing the news with supporters that club legend, Danny McGrain, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The club has been in close contact with Danny’s family throughout this time.
In recent weeks, Laraine and their daughters, Vicki, Dawn and Carly, decided that, through the club, they wanted to be open with supporters so that Danny can continue to receive the love and support of the Celtic Family, just as he has given so freely and humbly to others throughout his life.
Danny is continuing to manage this diagnosis privately with his family. Despite the changes this diagnosis has brought, Danny remains in good spirits, enjoying time with his loved ones, following the game, and staying close to the club he holds so dear.
One of football’s true legends, Danny played 663 competitive games for Celtic between 1970 and 1987, winning seven League Championships, five Scottish Cups, and two Scottish League Cups across a 20-year association with Celtic as a player, while earning 62 caps for Scotland.
Regarded as Scotland’s greatest-ever full-back, he was widely considered by football experts, journalists, and peers to be the finest right-back in world football during the 1970s. Danny has remained a constant presence at Celtic over the years through a range of coaching roles, supporting our Youth Development Programme via Celtic Pools, and hosting hospitality at Celtic Park.
Danny’s wife, Laraine, said: “Danny received this diagnosis some time ago, and as time has moved on, we felt it was right to be open and clear. Danny has always loved helping supporters – whether through hospital visits, assisting fans with charity events, or sending messages of support.
“As time has gone on, that has become more difficult for Danny, so we wanted to explain his situation with honesty, and with the care and respect the Celtic Family has always shown us.”
So many families face challenges like this disease, and it is a journey no family wants to face. Danny is surrounded by people who love him, and his family continues to give him the same love and support he has always shown to others.
Michael Nicholson, Celtic’s Chief Executive, added: “When we talk about Celtic legends, Danny will always be right at the top of that list. He is a true great of the game, and we are deeply grateful for everything he has given to Celtic and to the people around him.
“Danny has meant so much to so many supporters, and at this time we fully respect the openness shown by Danny’s family. The whole club will ensure Danny and his family receive our full support, care, and kindness throughout what lies ahead.”
I hope we don’t wait until it’s too late to change the manager and coaching staff, like we did during the covid season.
AWENAW, BADABING
Thanks, lads. Dreadful news once again. I wish Danny and his family all the luck in the world in fighting this horrible disease.
I haven’t watched the game. I can’t watch us losing to them but I saw the foul on Hogh on YouTube. The sevco player knew it was an obvious foul. He hesitated expecting the whistle and then played on. The referee was giving the all clear to sevco. Brazen cheating. Once again we remain silent. When decisions go against sevco, even when the decisions are correct, they don’t hold back in attacking officials.
so replace martin and coaches after losing two matches.
and bring in who ?
what is wilf doing ?
same players mind.
Just Like Tom Thumb,
Earlier I argued that Ange did not put a strain on the purse strings. You asserted that Ange’s period was, in fact, the most expensive. I have used AI to check the transfer dealings of Lennon, Rogers and Ange. Assuming I can rely on AI, you are correct. Ange had the highest net spend on transfers although Rogers’ second term ran him to within three million in absolute terms. Might I say you crafted your response excellently. Mea Culpa!
Part of what I was saying still has value. The initial transfers from the Japanese market were bargains…Maeda, Hatate. I do not think we lost much on Ideguchi through loan fees and ultimate transfer out. We even made money on the sad Inamura effort.
Personally, I think the Board bought into Ange’s low cost, high potential resale of Japanese players. There was some risk but it fitted with the buy low/sell high ethos. The use of loans for Jota and CCV also worked well from the Board’s perspective. Each demonstrated the potential to return profit.
I would be interested in your view on the Rogers second term. I suspect there was trepidation over the financial risks associated with Engels, Idah and Trusty……and, yet, those were the level of expenditures we needed to improve the quality of the squad.
Finally, I am not sure about the commonly held view that DOM was what was needed. Conceptually, I agree a different approach to the Lawwell accounting based focus, was needed. DOM was not around long enough to assess that he was the answer. The McCarthy signing was laid at his door, rightly or wrongly.
Like you, I believe facts are important and the whole scenario is riddled with misconceptions. However, sometimes the deeper I look, the more despair I generate. I revert to the dumb ass strategy….just watch the games and enjoy the sporting effort. Yep, it does not work long term!
Rebus
Saint Stivs
You’ve obviously have not been watching our football.
If Nancy had been appointed in the summer, he would have been gone by now.
Eddie Howe ,Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna are all available.
Not sure if any of them are Irish
Daniel Arzani at Ferencvaros.
Sad news.
The family of Celtic FC legend Danny McGrain have revealed that the 76-year-old is suffering from Alzheimer’s
His wife and daughters say they wanted to be open with supporters so that Danny “can continue to receive the love and support of the Celtic Family, just as he has given so freely and humbly to others throughout his life.”
The former Scotland right back is continuing to manage his diagnosis privately with family.
He remains in good spirits, enjoying time with his loved ones, following the game, and staying close to the club he holds so dear.
St Tams
Freely available Irish Managers:
Kieran McKenna
Robbie Keane
Compensation fee Irish Managers within our price range.
Neil Francis Lennon
Damien Duff
Brian Barry Murphy
There’s probably a few more.
I hope Danny is honoured like Billy as an outstanding one team servant.
I’m sure Athletic Bilbao will have Danny under consideration for their One Club Award.
For what they are worth, here are my thoughts on the coaching staff.
Should we let MON and the others go at this stage? Nope, doing that at the moment would make matters worse. None of the junior coaching staff are capable of improving the situation. A search should commence(if it has not already) to find a replacement for MON.
Did MON contribute to the Sevco and LASK fiascos? Yes, poor decisions were made on selection and tactics in both cases. He did get it right for the last seven games of last season.
Are these sins enough to fire MON? No, taken in the context that he has guided us to a five point lead in the league. However, they are indicative of his limitations. At this stage, let’s just say a file has been opened. This is another reason why a search should be underway.
What is the basic problem here? MON and the bhoys should not have been appointed for this season. MON should have been offered a seat on the Board. There was time to find a quality replacement during the off season. The new coach should have the right to bring in his staff.
I think MON knows he made a mistake in taking the job but he is too proud/honourable to back out now. The hospital stay was his opportunity for an Out. Having decided to take the job, MON compounded his position by making few demands on the Board. He obtained a certain transfer budget but did not insist that certain gaps in the squad be filled with permanent signings.
I feel sorry for MON and detest the way he is being used. His re-appointment was a ploy by the Board to avoid making a managerial appointment that could have turned into another “Nancy.” It is yet another example of a leadership vacuum.
Enjoy your day,
Rebus
St Tams,
The boat has sailed on Eddie Howe, thank you.
McKenna wants a time out.
Always liked Thomas Frank …the Spurs job is a poisoned pill for a manager.Ask Ange and De Zerbi.
Is Knutsen available?
Incidentally, we are a million miles away from getting a new manager, even though we need one.
Beating Sevco will act as a bandaid.
Rebus
So sorry to hear the news on Danny McGrain. My thoughts are with him and his family.
For some reason, one of Danny’s comments come to mind.
When he saw Amido Balde in training he asked if he was a professional football player!
Rebus
Horrible news about Danny. It was only yesterday he appeared on just about everyone’s top five list of favourite Celts.