[Official TC Thread] Celtic 25/26 Summer transfer window: Stage: Something Stinks and it's not happylosses' sweaty baws

It does seem unbelievably that the board are waiting to see if we make the league phase of the champions league or not when it comes to signings. Whether thats true or not it certainly looks that way to me and regardless to be in the situation we are with a weaker team overall then finished last season as we approach this game tomorrow night is an absolute disgrace and the blame for which falls on the board.

 

100% it is....

 

Few quotes from Brendan





There'd been a report, I think, from down south yesterday saying that Jamie Vardy would be keen on a move to Celtic. He was maybe waiting out for a move to Celtic this summer. Is he someone that you'd like to work with again?

"Listen, I won't speak about any individual player. Of course, I worked really well with Jamie. He was brilliant for me in my time at Leicester. There's been so many names floated about, but I wouldn't disclose either way."

Are you're hoping to strengthen the squad before tomorrow's game? Is that now possible? Or are you going to have to go with the guys that you've got in the building just now?

"Well, that's what I'm feeling at this moment in time. Yeah, so the players that we have will be the players that I trust that can do the job and if we can get some players in before then, then that would be amazing. But the focus has been very much on what is here at this moment."





Brendan, you mentioned there about kind of the players blocking out the noise. Is that kind of one of the messages to the guys in the dressing room that there's so much kind of chat at the minute about players coming in and out and about potentially what the club could make from getting to the Champions League, but I imagine from the players' point of view they can block that out completely.

"Yeah, I mentioned this a few weeks ago to the players. I think it's important to just set the narrative for them because like you say, there's so much noise, especially as it ramps up towards the end.

“I've been in enough changing rooms to know how stability can be lost in this moment because some players will be thinking are they staying or are they going. But in the midst of that you're you've got really important games.

“I've already mentioned this to players a number of weeks back just about respecting and acknowledging that it is a difficult part of the season. However, the money will be in your bank every month. And it will be from Celtic and while it is, you need to perform. So you don't need to worry about anything else. I respect and acknowledge that it can be tough, especially are you going to be here or you're not. If Celtic pay your wages and while they do, you focus on doing the very best you can for Celtic. And then we start that process every day in training. Being the very best that we can, pushing each other, demanding and then we'll take that into the games.

“In fairness to the players have been brilliant with that. Been, you see it in their attitude in the game, the energy in the games been very, very good. So now we have to keep this going and then like I said, come the end of the window, that'll be the squad for the rest of the season."





And again, I know there's obviously so much chat about signings but do you feel the group that you have just now is Champions League ready, regardless of what happens in the next couple of weeks?

"Champions League ready as in for these two games?”

For the league phase.

Well I think firstly we want to qualify, of course, and if it's with this group of players I'm confident that we can do that. Going forward, listen, clearly we would have to improve the squad.





Is there a level of frustration, Brendan, that you're at this point and the work in the squad hasn't been done that you want?

"No, listen, I'm experienced, I've been here long enough and I understand where we're at. So I'm not going to get too frustrated on it because I can't really control a lot of it.

“What I can control is the players that we have, helping them, being the very best that they can be and making sure that they're prepared and making sure that they're ready and like we were against Falkirk the other night, hungry for the game.

“We played some brilliant football the other night and played at the intensity that I want and those players there now have given me absolutely everything.

“I'm not going to get into a situation where I look frustrated or am frustrated because that transfers on to the players I have. And those guys, these boys have been brilliant. So we're hoping that if we get somebody in, it'd be great. If not, then we'll go with what we've got. We'll do everything we can, try and ensure all the details are right for the game and let's see if we can take Celtic back into the Champions League again, which is ultimately what we want to do."




Obviously you want to add if you get to the League Phase, but are you confident you've got enough just now to get through this tie?

"Yes. Yeah, we have no injuries and I believe that the quality of our game and the intensity that we want to work at can hopefully be enough to see us through. But like I said, these games will always be tough games."








Paulo Bernardo didn't feature in the opening two league games and you gave him 15 minutes on Friday. Where do you see him fitting into the Celtic side and the competitive midfield area?

"Well it's exactly that. It's a very competitive squad in our back line and in the midfield area. He's one of a number of good players that we have in there and sometimes how it works in football, the ones that aren't playing, you get asked, and then it switches about.

“I think what we see in this early stage, and especially when there's been one game a week, that the team sort of stays pretty similar. I obviously changed it against Falkirk knowing that we've got this game, knowing we've got a game Saturday and then a game on the Tuesday, so it's quite tight, so I needed to make sure some of those players that might play those games are up to speed. But I think once you get then into Europe, you need every player. And Paulo's a very talented player, and he's one of a number of talented players in midfield






And there was no room for Hayato Inamura in your Champions League squad. Can you just elaborate on that decision?

"Yeah, very easy. He's not quite at the level as of yet that I would expect. The plan for Inamura was to come in and train and see where he was at with the possibility of going out on loan because he's only had a year's football. He came in as a center half, stroke left back, but his defensive qualities aren't at the level that would see me put him in, even if I had to. So it's as simple as that. So that's why he's not involved.

“He's played in some really good games against Cork and Queen's Park, but the reality is that's the level that you play, you get 80% of the ball and you've got the ball. But we also need a player that can defend. And we're hoping that over the couple of years with experience and with maybe a loan, that can that that can take place. But at this very, very moment, that's why he's not in the squad. It's as simple as that.






You may be glad that the transfer window is coming to a close in the next two weeks. But if you can just take your mind back to two years ago, you sat next to Michael Nicholson, he said that he wants Celtic to be a world-class club in everything that they do. Do you think Celtic's a world-class club in the transfer business so far this summer?

"Listen, I don't know about world class. I'm just, we just want to make sure that we are in the best possible place that we can be. I honestly can't sit here and give you every answer for every question. I'll do my very best.

“What I want to do is make the team the very best that we can. And I'm hoping that by the end of the window that we can be that.

“As a football manager and coach, I would want it now because I'm going into games here that mean everything for this club going forward. But if we don't have it in the building now, then we have to work with what's here. So, but I would want us to be, you know, operationally, strategically, I'd want us to be the very best that we possibly can be.








And I also ask that because in terms of outgoings, there's been a bit of uncertainty regarding some players, but Stephen Welsh and Marco Tilio who both probably would be moved on this summer but not moved on yet even though offers have been there. What is the latest with them and what is the process?

"Yeah, well what makes it difficult is that there's selling a player and loaning a player. And obviously we only have a certain amount of loans. So there's six loans internationally that the boys can go out. So then you have to look at it, then who is to go out. And sometimes clubs will offer to buy a player, and they'll offer to loan a player.

“We have to make sure that it is the right loan. And the two boys you mentioned have been great and they have had opportunities to move on and I hope for them that they get the chance to do that. But there's a little bit more behind the scenes that needs to happen for that to take place.

 

"Is celtic a world class club in its transfer business".

 

It's a bit like asking if Alex Rae has a world-class mind or Michael Beale is a world-class lover.

 

shouldnt nicholson have came out and made some sort of statement by now to tell the clubs paying supporters hes trying to get signings in ?

it would have shown at least a little bit of respect, the fact none of them have means they arent that fussed and think the club can get through the season or to january with what they've got or

they are trying to bluff other clubs that they would like their player but only at a certain fee if that fee is not good enough then theyll do without

 

“Because I’m going into games here that mean everything for this club going forward”. Brendan Rodgers

That quote from Brendan shames the celtic board, they obviously dont feel the same

 

Not a good look for club captain to come out with, "it's up to the club to supplement the guys here already. We have to add quality, not just numbers."

A total lack of accountability in the hierarchy regarding, transfers, recruitment, set up and strategy. Ran by an closed cabal of business men, who's knowledge of football is completely outdated.

 

A total riddy that now are captain feels obliged to come out and speak about it as well..

CEO's still mute..

 

* * man. I'm seriously scunnered with all this.

 

The whole window has been an utter embarrassment.

We haven’t signed a first team ready player since Nygren 6/7 weeks ago.

An * outfit.

 

The fact that Mcgregors feeling like he needs to answer transfer questions just shows you how much of a * mess this is

 

It’s just so unprofessional because it takes all the light away from our games and players instead everything is geared towards getting a soundbite from Brendan or McGregor about transfers that should of been done weeks ago.

Instead lessening the stress for the manager and squad the board have added to it while sitting on a pile of money. They should be dragged over the coals for it and be answering the fans questions not just the media. Shower of spineless shitebags.

 

How the club hierarchy can stay resolutely silent when they know how much noise this creates is hard to fathom.

Such a terrible look that they cant even be organised enough to give the manager something to fend off the constant media questions

 

Still 2 hours to go, but I think we have to accept that the Rancid * in charge of Celtic won't let us get too far ahead of Triggers Broom FC

It would suit those * if they got to the CL and we didn't.

Horrible Rancid *

 

Manager and squad seem as clueless as we are about the transfer strategy. Or lack of one.

Tin pot look

 

Tbh wouldnt be surprised if BR is knocking targets on the head and waiting for the final moments of the English transfer market.

Can see him now.