Not Actually that Crucial a Summer as of August 2023...beginning to now think everything isnt fine!

Surgical changes, one out one in, more pragmatic in Europe please. 20 years ago fast flowing might have worked but since then euro football has moved forward leaps and bounds and we dont have the calibre of player to play like that against tier 1 and 2 teams. We can release the hounds against lesser teams though

 

I'll have a look mate.. Definitely said it though unless I'm going mad haha

 

Lesser teams in Europe?

While Ange is here, I think we'll continue to strengthen. But as others have suggested, it's if and when Ange leaves that the rot could set in with a new manager without his vision, drive and networks.

Kevin Muscat learned Ange's methods and followed him at both Victory and Yokohama, getting (arguably) better results than Ange. He did play a season for the huns though and has been one of the world's arch * in his time. However, he's clearly an excellent and passionate coach (and was a brilliant player when he wasn't breaking legs). Could he ever be forgiven for that?

Almost certainly not, but it would sure screw with hunnish heads to have hime appointed here. Surprised the huns didn't appoint him instead of Beale, although I suppose it would open him up to "Ange's acolyte" hatred in Govan.

 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63517439

There mate

 

No, we do not want Muscat. Yes he's done well with the Marinos picking up from the foundations Ange built and he managed to pick up at Melbourne as well, I'd not want him, he was sacked within 6 months at Sint Truden and he was a dirty Hun, I don't know enough of his proper style of play in his team's but no, who succeeds Ange when he eventually moves on will have big shoes to fill

 

Reasonable doubt like this is completely justified and I can see where you’re coming from. The board will always be the people with the ultimate say so and a manager will always be an employee. I don’t doubt they respect Ange and his opinions, but if anyone thinks Ange is calling the shots at the club from top to bottom then I’ve got some magic beans to sell you.

I think it’s worth remembering that there is an element of fortune in the situation we now find ourselves in as a club. Eddie Howe was very publicly first choice. Credit to them for having done their homework and knowing a capable backup in Ange but he could’ve so easily remained an unknown quantity to most of us had Howe taken the job. It’s pure speculation but there’s no guarantee Howe would’ve had the same impact here despite him being a very good coach. My point here is that even with the best intentions (Mowbray as an example), the man the club appoint sometimes just turns out to be the wrong man for the job. So no, I wouldn’t be absolutely confident we’d appoint the right man.

A right winger is essential. I do think we’d seriously miss Maeda if we replaced him. He’s such a hard worker and despite his flaws he is capable of great moments such as his goal against Hibs or that cross to win the semi final.

I think a goalkeeper and a striker are priorities too. Hart has been great but he’s at the end of his career and while he could be fine for another year, there will come a point where his decline hinders us. Oh has come in and done a decent job but he still has a lot to work on. If Kyogo is out for any length of time I’d have concerns.

My biggest worry is the players we may saying goodbye to this summer. Ideally we want to keep as many key performers as possible. Ange’s recruitment record so far has been outstanding but every new player is a risk.

 

For me I am absolutely fine for any player to be sold, except CCV.

I have complete faith in Ange to find better replacements.

Maybe for the first time ever we can accept bids for our best players and be very confident we will replace them right away.

Ange spoke about it before but this is what takes us up a level.

It feels to me like the thing that has changed is we will no longer roll the dice on a player to maximise their value. Ntcham is a perfect example in our recent past. At one time we could’ve got £8m - £10m, maybe more, but we gambled we could get more and ended up getting nothing. We see the orcs across the road doing the same.

Juranovic and Giakoumakis have shown us we can accept reasonable money for first team players. In my opinion Abada will be next. Instead of waiting for a £20m bid that might never come in 2 years time, take the £8m - £10m now and keep the squad fresh and bring in someone even better.

Apply that logic to almost every player. No more, “Keep the squad together”. Now it’s, “Keep the squad fresh, adapt and embrace change”.

 

Would only really say a Gk to bed in to replace Hart

Thinking a right winger to replace Abada , but we've got Vata and Johnstone aswell as Haka for back ups to Jota and Maeda

Iwata showing good early signs him Hatate and McGregor are my 3 in the middle

 

RW is a must in the summer. Vata isn't at the level yet and Johnstone will never ever be a Celtic player imo. Haksa isn't a RW either and neither is Jota. Filling round holes with square pegs is fine domestically but won't get us anywhere in Europe.

 

It's all different opinions , I know its only been 10min cameo's but would give wee Rocco more mins and see if he'll grab it with both hands , similiar to McGeady and Maloney , less so likes of Watt

 

I'm not against giving Vata minutes I think he'll come good but expecting an inexperienced 18 year old to do the job in the CL is just unrealistic.

 

We should be signing 2 right wingers thus summer..

A like for like Abada replacement
A left footed right winger

Forrest is getting on and spending more time out and Jota is much better off the left..

I'm all for Vata getting some minutes here and there....but we need the above to go up a level next season. Will be hard for the wee guy to then get a lot of first team football..

 

I wouldn't want him either at Celtic.

He is a talent though (and had no chance at St Truden with their squad). Will do well for someone eventually, just hope it isn't them.

 

its a weird one ,the signings from japan have totally * up the perception of a manager being backed .sure ange is getting players he wants but at the same time they have not been massive fees , its class being able to get someone like hatate for the same money as you spent on jack hendry .* knows how much money has been saved due to anges knowledge of that market or if we could even afford players of the quality of the japanese lads from elsewhere . even the fees for jota and ccv turned out to be a snip after seeing what they could do for a year and again low risk .think if ange wanted to push the boat out for a more expensive player i think the board would back him his transfer record is unreal

 

That's true. If we had a manager who'd been in Moldova started buying players off i shot the Sheriff for half a mill then the board would be loving that as well..

 

Seems as though all the panic and worrying has came from the fact that Lawwell Snr is back in a designated role at Celtic.

For me, I'm not worried in the slightest - in fact, I'm the opposite - absolutely buzzing to see what this transfer window brings.

The deadwood will go, for starters. Guys like: Barkas, Ajeti, Soro, McCarthy et al, although I'm unsure if we'll recoup anything substantial in terms of transfer fees but getting them off the wage bill will be more than enough.

Ange WILL be backed. Period.

He's been backed when he first came in, and he's been backed this season - very well so.

He's earned another season of further backing.

Lawwell being back in as director changes nothing. He IS, and has always been a major shareholder in his time since leaving as Chief Exec - meaning he has a major say in what goes on, regardless if in an active club role or not. I suspect he has been brought back in just in time to be at the forefront of Celtic's imminent "expansion" into marketing us as a global club with the upcoming Japan and Asia tour, as well as a certain legal case on the horizon.

But apart from that, let's not kid ourselves on - Lawwell has been at the helm in some of our most successful periods at the club. He's been at the helm when managers HAVE been backed (as well as probably two occasions when managers were NOT backed) - this time is different, I believe. Michael Nicholson is not some sort of Lawwell puppet - he is our Chief Exec in his own right. He deserves respect for the job that he, Ange and certain other members of the backroom team (and beyond) have done in terms of stabilizing the club and reinvigorating the recruitment department. I don't see any of that changing THIS upcoming window simply because Lawwell is back on board in an active role...

The powers that be up in the upper echelons know that they have made mistakes in the past, and I firmly believe that they recognise this and are more than willing to make up for it very very soon. Ange all cozied up with Lawwell at the youth final was a good sight to see, cause that wasn't simply a staged encounter for the cameras, it was two important figures at the club working in tandem with an eye on the future.

Our future is bright, our future is GREEN AND WHITE!

* the King!

 

aye its a very uneasy situation where everyone is happy ,perhaps im doing ange a disservice he had to trust thoes guys could make the transition ,hit the ground running and be successful

 

Essential that we push on from a position of strength, especially with the bonus of guaranteed CL football. In terms of exact transfer strategy, I think a lot could depend on potential outgoings. Abada I expect to leave, Id also expect interest around Turnbull, O'Reilly and Hatate. If we want to take the next step in Europe we need to be roofless and look to upgrade positions where we maybe have good players and replace them with great players. Players like Starfelt, Taylor, O'Reilly/Mooy and Maeda spring to mind. Not easy to do but that's the standard if you are serious about competing in the later stages of European competition while simultaneously dominating on the home front.

 

Every player has their price which is determined by their circumstances which includes contract etc. It will be a judgement call by the manager to pick the opportune time to sell a player and maximise on what we can bring in for the player. Whats reassuring for Ange is that if a player doesnt want to stay at Celtic, they are moved on and he doesnt let the player dictate the situation.
Our success in finding replacements for these players will be down to a variety of factors, not least our scouting network which seems to have broadened under Ange.

Nobody wants CCV to be sold right now because he has been solid and consistent but even still there is an fee we will find hard to knock back.

Not every player we bring in can be better than the player they replace. We should always be looking to improve in every position but to expect every player to be an instant improvement is an unrealistic expectation.

 

This squad needs minimal work done to it what you are looking for now is upgrades to replace departures or potential departures like we did in January and i have full faith in ange to have plans in place.

We all have our own views on who will be leaving I think without going into too much detail EVERY player on loan will be sold or loaned again there is no question in that.

It could generate a decent wee income from their departures.

You then have sell on clauses coming in from the likes of KT, Frimpong and Christie which sounds like another 8 figure sum to the pot so when you think ange is already in a nett profit in terms of ins and outs that's pretty nice place to be in financially!

You then have to look at the squad.

2 goalies will be leaving looked like bain and hazard but now I think it will be 3 add siegriest to that list so another GK potential 1st choice might have been identified. Joe Hart has been excellent for us, but like all GK aging process is catching up and he has never been a great penalty stopper and with ball at feet limited. I like dubravka at Newcastle and the Croatia goalie who is available from him homeland they would be my shouts.

Full backs - right hand side we are solid no issues. Left back I don't think bernabei is settled and most likely heads home on loan as you won't recoup the cash for him, going forward he has looked good but suspect defending. GT for all he has had an amazing season I think we need a AJ type for his position so maybe a left back.

Centre back - someone leaves no doubt so you are looking for a 4th choice CB if welsh or a potential starter if starfelt, that could be difficult to try and get a 4th choice CB if turns out to be the case.

Central midfield - turnbull a stick on to leave for me, Mccarthy should get paid off or leave on a free. Only turnbull needs replaced then and we must look for an upgrade on him someone in the mould of hatate, rest will stay as is I feel.

Wingers - abada leaves no doubt, you should be aiming for 8 figure transfer fee with a sell on, his goals and assists are insane for a right winger and he moves on with best wishes, forrest is older now and will be a squad player so we need a right winger upgrade on abada. Jota, daizen, hacksaw backed up by young vata will be fine.

Strikers - you need another striker no questions. Doubts or ifs or buts if kyogo gets injured we are *, oh is young and raw but you can see the talent, we are going into a UCL campaign and will be playing Wednesday/Sunday from September to March.

So for me must have a GK, CM, RW, LB and a striker all of upgrades on the current squad.

Ange should be given the budget big time! Given the cash at bank. Potential income from previous players and disposal of current players not to mention guaranteed UCL and the Asian tour!