Squad changes for next season

This is either going to be a belter of a window or hugely disappointing. The "don't want to break up a winning side" excuse isn't relevant now. We're due a proper refresh of a window. Entire defence needs ripped up and started again excluding Ajer and Tierney. Boyata and Lustig can stay as back up as they at least have shown a bit of desire to play and can still offer something, but i wouldn't be bothered to see them moved on (taking my emotions out of the equation for Lustig). Hendry will likely be kept to mould into the player Rodgers sees in him, and Compper as an experienced option, with a new CB in to play next to Ajer. Try and cash in on Jozo and Sviatchenko, simply bang average. Punt Gamboa.

Seems like Gordon and Bain will be our main 2 for next season. Whether that is good enough is up for debate. Bain could grow into a top keeper, and Gordon with all his faults is still good, but again i'd rather one of them moved on to make way for a big signing. PUNT DE VRIES

As for midfield it's a guessing game right now but assuming Rogic signs up, i'd be happy with simply selling Armstrong and clearing some deadwood , adding another box to box player. I'd say the dream scenario in that position is Joe Allen. Would be perfect in Europe next to Ntcham and Brown, although i doubt we'll spend the money to sign someone in a position where we are pretty good for options. For this reason i could see McGinn coming in. Will be praying for Allen all summer all the same though.

Out wide, Forrest and Musonda will be our right options, Sinclair and Morgan on the left, with McGregor fighting to keep starting, and Hayes able to come in on both sides. Up front, cash in on the king and bring in Eddy, sign a new number 3 striker. Simples.

Summarised:

IN
Eddy
New CB
New RB
New Goaly/Bain
Replace Armstrong
3rd striker

OUT
Jozo
Erik
Bitton
Allan
Armstrong
Dembele
Paddy (Assuming we don't sign him)
Ciftci
De Vries
Gamboa

Other outgoings i wouldn't be upset with: Gordon, Lustig, Boyata, Hayes, Christie

 

Tbh not looking forward to the possibility of seeing some of that attacking squad leave, potential to devastate us.

Hope BR will get the finger out and be able to. Bring in quality but in all honesty his signings have been so so, with some being downright fkn brutal.

 

Really liked the experiment of playing Forrest as the false 9. I believe Sinclair would be even better in that role. After all, he is our top scorer this season (and our top scorer in the SPL last year).

- lightning quick
- can press the ball
- good finisher (likes curling shots into the far corner)

A (very) poor man's Thierry Henry if you like.

Imagine Sinclair up front, with Forrest on his right and a tireless winger on his left (let's say an Onyekuru type of player). Broony-McGinn-McGregor working their socks off in midfield. Tierney and a new right wing-back (let's say Sakai from Hamburg) running relentlessly up and down the field. Imo, that's the way we should be playing in Europe.

(never gonna happen, just saying)

....................Gordon....................
Sakai......Boyata......Ajer......Tierney
....................Brown.....................
.......McGregor..........McGinn..........
Forrest...........................Onyekuru
....................Sinclair....................

(ideally we should sign replacements for Gordon and Boyata as well)

As much as I like Rogic, when was the last time he delivered for us in Europe? Hate to say it, but he is far too slow. Bad stamina as well. Cannot press the ball. He is a great option to have against teams that are happy to sit back and defend (for instance in the SPL), not so much in matches against superior opposition (for instance in Europe). Call me crazy, but if Southampton wants him I'd be inclined to sell.

Don't get me wrong, Rogic is brilliant with the ball at his feet. Him, Paddy and Musonda are probably our best players in that regard. It's just that I don't think he is what we need in order to take the next step in Europe.

 

completely disagree on rogić. he is one of the few players we have who has the ability and composure on the ball that we need in europe, and he is very good under pressure.

 

Honestly think we could be looking at a huge turnover in players come the summer. Sviatchenko, Boyata, Simunovic, Roberts, Dembele, Rogic, Armstrong, Lustig, De Vries, Edouard, Mussonda, Kouassi and probably more I can't even remember off the top of my head could all be away. We'll need a seriously good transfer window to even attempt to replace some of those, especially Rogic, Dembele and Roberts.

Gamboa as well.

 

Fair enough. Problem is, we cannot outplay the top teams in Europe. Imo, the only way to compete with them is by relying on speed, stamina and pressing ability. Rogic can do none of these things.

Rogic is a brilliant player for our domestic games. No doubt about that. Thrives under pressure. Scores crucial goals time and time again. Honest question: when was the last time he delivered for us in Europe?

Compare Rogic's record in Europe with McGregor's record. Not saying McGregor is the better player. It's just about their style of play. McGregor is tireless. Never stops running. Rogic is extremely talented with the ball at his feet but at the same time he is lethargic. Let's face it, lethargic number 10s are a thing of the past.

 

I can actually see Rodgers going in for Joe Allen now he's been relegated with Stoke

 

naw! dont start that one again!

 

Every CB bar Ajer will leave celtic in the summer IMO, can see Dembele, Rogic and Armstrong going also, probably generate £40m in income from the sales of the below

Boyata
Simunovic
Sviatchenko
Compper
Armstrong
Dembele
Rogic
Chistie

Released

De Vries
Allan
Ciftci

End Loan

Musonda
Eddy (might get him back)
Paddy
Bain (but should sign him)

 

* me, some of you lot are having wholesale changes! Absolutely nae danger we’re selling the amount of players suggested. I mean fans are insane if they think Rogic Dembele Armstrong Boyata Sinclair Simunovic are all being sold.

 

Massive summer that could possibly see Rogic, Musonda, Dembele, Armstrong and Paddy all potentially leave.

That’s a scary thought.

 

Rogic - less than a year left on deal come the end of the month - wont be allowed to leave on a free
Armstrong - read above as Rogic
Boyata - read above as Rogic
Dembele - might feel its time to move him on with 2 years left on deal when down to 1 year value drops.
Sinclair - as dembele plus looks like he cant be arsed
jozo - not no1 anymore under brendan and has been shaky might look to move on

 

Musonda wont be back reading brendans comments and Paddy wont be allowed back for a third loan spell.

 

A lot will depend on who we keep and lose. If we can keep Armstrong, Rogic, and Dembele then besides maybe a centre half I think we will only tinker around the edges. If Dembele goes then Edouard feels like the obvious replacement. Losing Armstrong and Rogic would be material though and would hopefully force a couple of decent signings.

To be honest I dont expect us to spend too much money and I dont expect the first 11 to be better by the end of August compared to what we have now. Maybe if rangers find money from somewhere to spend it may force the boards hand, but otherwise I really dont see any reason to expect anything better than what we already have.

 

The only thing that makes me think Rogic and Armstong will go is celtic wont allow them to leave on frees!

 

It really is. We'd really have to spend well into 8-figures to replace that.

 

We'd also be getting well into 8-figures too though.

Rogic is the big one for me, we just can't afford to lose him.

Dembele would undoubtedly be a loss but not irreplaceable, especially considering we'll have a healthy whack if he does go.

Armstrong has barely kicked a ball all season and I've every faith we can replace him for the £3-4 million we'll probably get.

Musonda and Paddy have barely contributed this season, if we can't get Paddy back then we'll still have the bones of £40k per week to play with for replacements.

Huge summer for the club in so many ways. If we could come out the window stronger than we entered it and managed to qualify again for the Champions League then we are so far out of sight we're over the horizon.

 

For sure. It will be mad finally seeing us spend so much in one window, but if they do all leave, it is genuinely necessary, and probably still would do so while making a profit.

 

There is a lot of deadwood in the first team squad, ideally I'd be looking to get rid of a lot of players, but they wouldn't be near as many of actual first team picks as being made out by some.

Of the ones out on loan - only Christie and Morgan I feel should be in the squad, so the rest can be gone. Then you have the likes of Boyata, de vries etc that need moved on. But not the Rogic, Simunovic, Sinclair's of the squad. That's large parts of the match day squads, ya loonies.