Taking Celtic to The Next Level

Tino said:
This was the subject of our big debate this week as we look at what's needed on and off the park for Celtic to move to the next level.

For Ange "the next level" is Champions League progress. The league will always be a priority but think Ange is aiming higher.

What areas do you think we need to improve in most, on and off the park?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1587444027280031744
Click to expand...
I think the bottleneck created by tv money and its arbitrary allocation means unless that problem is solved the gap will get further over time, like it has since arbitrary allocation by tv companies began, means Celtic are unlikely imo to be able to progress much in CL levels.

Not only are Celtic falling behind world elite football

the relative resources in Non cartel leagues overall is declining at such a rate that clubs below Celtic are falling further below Celtic is resources and playing ability.

which will in time gradually bring standard of non tv cartel leagues down as inflation created by arbitratary allocation of tv funds makes it more expensive to try and put out an ever decreasing standard of football.

i think celtic have best players available at current wage bottleneck
better players will require better income but income is constrained by cartel of tv rights

tactics might get a point or two more than currently at this higher level but if im honest i think we are punching above our weight in terms of money/value curve.

basically i dont think we will improve much in CL while current football constraints on cerain leagues exists to the benefit of selected leagues
 
Last edited:
I think Hart is good enough with his feet for our level. Yes, there have been a couple of brainfarts from him which are memorable, but the vast majority of the time he does what is required. There is this question mark that hangs over him after Pep very publicly slagged him when punting him cos his ball control wasn't good enough. Yes, that may be true for a team trying to win the Champions League but IMO he is good enough for us, and his other attributes make him a fantastic vital player for us. If we had lots of funds then yes, we could upgrade Hart but as we have to spend very wisely then personally I'd rather use those £millions on strengthening another position.
 
Last edited:
Bridie Bhoy said:
I think Hart is good enough with his feet for our level. Yes, there have been a couple of brainfarts from him which are memorable, but the vast majority of the time he does what is required. There is this question mark that hangs over him after Pep very publicly slagged him when punting him cos his ball control wasn't good enough. Yes, that may be true for a team trying to ein the Champions League but IMO he is good enough for us, and his other attributes make him a fantastic vital player for us. If we had lots of funds then yes, we could upgrade Hart but as we have to spend very wisely then personally I'd rather use those £millions on strengthening another position.
Click to expand...
Yeh can't argue with any of that Bridie.

If it was one or the other and we could only buy a striker (for example) or a new gk then yes definitely think we should be prioritising other areas of the team rather than the gk.

If we have the luxury of being able to upgrade in both areas (either in January or in summer) then that would be the best case scenario.

Big fan of Joe Hart as I was saying and he's more than capable of being a big player for us domestically. Just think if we want to kick on in Europe then a change may be needed there.
 
We could realistically still get 3 good seasons out of Big Joe if he stays fit, he's only 35 I believe, and a guy thats 2 yrs older than him beat him with a penalty the other night and only when he went off did we get back into the game, although one could argue it was Ange's subs but imho they would be wrong.

However my prefared position to be improved would be a defensive Mid and I know we are interested in a left sided CB from the land of the rising sun otherwise that would be a place needing covered.

And unless we are going for the finished article as a striker I dont see the need for a 3rd one as we can utilise Maeda there. Kyogo going through a difficult time at the moment but name me a striker who hasn't, and get GG the right service and he will score.

But most importantly of all is for the directors not to sit on their hands and hope it all works out, we have all seen that video numerous times before, back Ange---- we do, if someone wants to leave make sure we replace them.

H.H
 
I think Ange wont hesitate to sell some of our players...even our best ones......as long as they are replaced by better players, who can play the Ange way......Ange knows that we should have had more goals in the CL games.......He is determined to prove that his system will work at Euro level.......If better players do come in.....it's all the better for us.......
 
50 Shades of Green said:
We could realistically still get 3 good seasons out of Big Joe if he stays fit, he's only 35 I believe, and a guy thats 2 yrs older than him beat him with a penalty the other night and only when he went off did we get back into the game, although one could argue it was Ange's subs but imho they would be wrong.

However my prefared position to be improved would be a defensive Mid and I know we are interested in a left sided CB from the land of the rising sun otherwise that would be a place needing covered.

And unless we are going for the finished article as a striker I dont see the need for a 3rd one as we can utilise Maeda there. Kyogo going through a difficult time at the moment but name me a striker who hasn't, and get GG the right service and he will score.

But most importantly of all is for the directors not to sit on their hands and hope it all works out, we have all seen that video numerous times before, back Ange---- we do, if someone wants to leave make sure we replace them.

H.H
Click to expand...
I agree with all you are saying 50, except for the need for a third striker. This isn't anything against Kyogo or GG as every forward's form varies throughout the season, but having a dedicated back-up striker covers us for injuries, suspensions, drop off in form, etc.

I suspect that Doaks might have been given more gametime this season if he had stayed, but that is no longer an option. I love Maeda who provides a lot of energy and will score important goals for us, but IMO I don't think he is quite clinical enough to be the spearhead of our attack - he seems to be more deadly when breaking at pace against opponents but that is not something he gets much opportunity for against deep-lying defences.

Personally I would like a poacher who can score from the huge number of chances we create - even if this is just for the domestic games (which account for 85%+ of our annual matches) where we trying to snatch goals in a crowded penalty area.

Looking at our goals scored, it may be greedy to want more from this exciting side, but we could get much more based on the many excellent chances we routinely miss.
 
Last edited:
lennono said:
I think Ange wont hesitate to sell some of our players...even our best ones......as long as they are replaced by better players, who can play the Ange way......Ange knows that we should have had more goals in the CL games.......He is determined to prove that his system will work at Euro level.......If better players do come in.....it's all the better for us.......
Click to expand...
Like nearly every club out with the big leagues, that is our business model - buy low, develop the players, sell for a profit and reinvest in another prospect who we hope will develop into an even better player - continue this and over time you hope your overall quality (and success) improves to help you compete better against the financially-doped sides in the big leagues. In fact, I guarantee we encourage potential new signings to join us with the possible pathway to move onto greater riches in the English Premier League by highlighting previous players who won this "golden ticket" like VVD, Wanyama, Ki, Armstrong, Christie, Ajer, Eduoard, etc, etc.

Juranovic may well be the first player we cash in on, but let's enjoy players like O'Riley, Jota, Abada, who may well move on in the next year or two for big money. These days players and managers will move around after relatively short time periods, so we should just enjoy them while they play for Celtic.
 
After watching all the champions league games, it's a good time to have a review. The overall concensous was that we missed toO many chances (which the stats and goals highlight). On the flip side we conceeded too many goals and chances too.

Easy there to pick out the issue - the whole team. I'm not in any way throwing anyone under the bus. The team did what I expected, finished bottom. We didn't throw stupid money at the champions league which could have been a hap hazzard process concidering that we have never seen any of them at Champions League level.

Ange came into the club, without a squad and his own backroom staff. He built a team that won the league. Step 1 complete for him. Step 2 was trying out this team at champions league level.

Step 3 will be winning the league again, and preparing the team for another crack at Champions League level.

What we all have to realise is that alot of our team are on very long contracts. And going back to the issues with Champions League level players, I feel that nearly every one of them has a price and nearly everyone of them can be replaced. It's going to be very interesting to see how it goes and who comes in. I feel that Ange won't be making whole sale changes, but by replacing some with extra quality. Exciting times.

Those that I feel are up to champions league standard and can't be sold (I'm not saying winning groupd here, but being very competitive):

Callum McGregor
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Jota
O'Riley
Reo Hatate (probably just below the other 4)

Those that I feel could step up with the experience they've gained (or sold to be re-invested):

Joe Hart
Greg Taylor - good prospect to sell for decent money - (Only because we have Alexander Bernabei in the wings ready)
Josip Juranovic - good prospect to sell for decent money - (Only because we Tony Ralston in the wings ready)
Carl Starfelt
Moritz Jenz
Stephen Welsh
Sead Haksabanovic
Aaron Mooy
David Turnbull
James McCarthy
Yosuke Ideguchi
James Forrest
Georgios Giakoumakis
Kyogo Furuhashi
Liel Abada
Daizen Maeda

Obvioulsy we can't sell and replace all that (and it would be stupid too), but we need to be smart in the transfer market. The only 2 that I would seriously sell at the moment is Taylor and Juranovic - as we would get quite good money for them and have 2 replavements already waiting. Sign up 2 new young prospects to learn. And spend the cash on other areas.


New signings - Goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and striker. Hopefully of better quality (I don't care about the price as that's missleading). Which could leave us with a good squad.
 
Not sure about selling Taylor if I'm honest I know he got the run around the other night, but other than that he's had some season, and I feel Bernabei is still a project, so selling Taylor and leaving Bernabei as number 1 left back might be a bit risky, and I doubt Taylor would go got much more than a couple of million.

A few other bit part players could move on, but I hope we keep the nucleus of the team together, of the 4 you mentioned mate I would add Hart ( still got at least 3yrs in him) and Hatate to the do not punt club.

H.H
 
Respectfully disagree-ange has a philosophy -just like rogers and mowbray-which will cost us against top teams
 
Rodgers and Mowbray eh, Ange's mantra ain't anything like either of them Rodgers was a 50 passes manager before you cross the halfway line, Mowbray was out of his depths at Celtic, Ange has a belief in his system and pragmatic enough to admit it when better teams exploit it, his belief will bear fruit with better players and decent continuity of backing from the suits in comfy seats.

H.H
 
To be honest-naw-I think lve been traumatised by Brendan and Kieran leaving us unexpectedly-now I dont trust anyone-genuinely believed Tierney would be a one club man-made Rogers was here for ten-like ange and hope he proves me wrong
 
Phuxache said:
To be honest-naw-I think lve been traumatised by Brendan and Kieran leaving us unexpectedly-now I dont trust anyone-genuinely believed Tierney would be a one club man-made Rogers was here for ten-like ange and hope he proves me wrong
Click to expand...
I think you're at it mate, one minute you say Ange style will cost us against top teams. Then on the other hand say you hope Ange proves you wrong and stays for the long haul????

Did you not take your meds today?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 164 (members: 3, guests: 161)

Latest posts

Share this page

Back
Top