Liel Abada will leave Celtic this week, or early next week, and there’s nothing more to be said about that until that deal is done. Frankly, I am tired of that subject and I will be happy to do one more piece on him and then forget all about the whole saga.
We can’t change what’s happened there. His decision not to play for us – and that’s what this is, and I’m not going to accept being lied to on that or pretending that I believe otherwise – has already cost us another first team player from the Ange Postecoglou team.
There’s nobody at Celtic to blame for that, and although I think we should have waited for the summer I can well understand why people inside the club might just want him out the building.
But the story today about Bernabei leaving shortly makes no sense whatsoever and in fact would be akin to another jaw-dropping act of self-harm. I cannot conceive of any circumstances where someone could sell this as a good idea.
We badly needed a left-back in the January window and as everyone knows we didn’t get one. That was bad enough. Greg Taylor has just recovered from an injury and we’ve seen how poor the options are at present, in terms of having to play Ralston in his position at one point.
To weaken us further here, with nine league games left, every one of them a must-win, is absolute lunacy. Who in God’s name is making decisions like this?
What are we doing, folks? Where is the sense or the logic here?
Who is going to take responsibility if Taylor ends up injured and we have absolutely no cover in a critical position on the pitch? Bernabei doesn’t have a long-term future at Celtic and we all know that damned well, but selling him now is an act of absolute lunacy, weakening further a squad which already looks drastically short in so many positions.
This is absolutely indefensible.
Another act which seems to be in service of the balance sheet and nothing more.
What a disgrace. The people running this club have lost the plot, and the manager is a pure fool for sanctioning this, if in fact he’s had any say in it at all.
To be honest, I’d take the money if there’s any on offer. I’m sure he’s kind to animals and children but Bernabei is no left back – we’d be as well putting a cardboard cutout of Kieran Tierney on that side of the pitch. He was an absolute bombscare against Kilmarnock, when the tactical genius that is Derek McInnes instantly identified him as the weakest link and put everything down that side, resulting in their equaliser. Scales is left sided and another option would be to go to three at the back with Taylor or Johnston further forward, in the style of Martin O’Neill’s sides. I can’t see Bernabei ever becoming our first choice left back so we are as well cutting him loose.
Agree totally. He gives me the fear every time he puts on the jersey; cannot be trusted. One of Ange’s poorer signings. Those running the club should do their utmost to ensure this deal goes through.
You bet they can be so stupid ! It’s all about £ signs in front of them and not the protracted ,horrible injury problems which have burdened the squad since the start of the season . It’s apparent to me anyway , the strength and support the team has been lacking for months now has become irrelevant to the money counting board members .I keep getting this old ‘ Albert Steptoe ‘ image when thinking about the ongoing paucity attitude from the ‘men in grey suits ‘! Cobblers …..
Ive said from the start of the season that Celtic will deliberately throw this league to keep Lawwells OF model just like they did for the 10 by decimating our defence. Sevco supporters would leave in droves and Lawwell & Desmond couldn’t have that!
They are up to their old tricks again.
I will say again that Sevco will win this league because if not they are finished. Nicholson IS Lawwells puppet.
That being the case – more the fool the bloody well foolish Celtic supporters that will shell out their hard earned on season cards next season then !
The what a load of carp
Totally agree John.
I would imagine the “deal” would have been done before the league started. The four things that make me think that are –
Summer transfer window – complete disaster, no effort made to strengthen the team. £20 million wasted
Lawwells rainy day fund – he was actually telling us we weren’t qualifying for the UCL next season.
January transfer window – refusal to strengthen the first team knowing the league was on a knife edge. Utterly embarassing and no doubt used as a weapon by Lawwell senior to spite and undermine the manager.
Desmond/Lawwell/Celtic boards love of the OF. – almost all Celtic fans would happily see the huns liquidated again. Our esteemed board have the complete opposite view. A good vehicle to keep the tills ringing.
I agree with pretty much most of your articles James always very informative. On this occasion i disagree. When it comes to the point that the manager will play a right back in his position it is obvious he is not rated and is not going to play no matter wha happens to Taylor. In which cas might as well get rid if offer on the table.
Guys, i,m not a lover of our board but this isn,t about £ signs. He cost us the points against aberdeen and kilmarnock. Only hits the headlines for the wrong reasons and would rather have Tony Ralston playing left back. Never wanted to see him in a celtic jersey again and if we,re being honest most fans wanted the same. No ill will to him personally but better off gone
Nothing to do with money Kilmarnock last straw ! Even with injuries Rodgers would now play kids before him absolutely right decision bye bye to bad rubbish… one of many at the moment
If he’s that far out the picture that Ralston starts on his weaker side before him then what’s the point in keeping him. Get a left back from the reserves to replace him in the squad.
The lads not quoted by Rodgers, let him move on for much needed match time.
If there is a sale at the end of the loan then that will help balance the books for future worthwhile signings.
Personally I feel the lad has not been developed at Celtic, that’s a massive failing of Rodgers and in particular his coaches.
Time the lot were changed.
He sure is pretty poor indeed so he is…
But even at that if Taylor is injured (and glass players we certainly are this season for certain) who the hell is there –
But even at that it’s almost an empty jersey…
But it needs addressing and addressing bloody quickly in the summer –
But does anyone truly trust Daddy Lawwell (now that Sonny is gone) and Lord Lucan-Nicholson to do anything…
I’ll tell ya one thing – I sure as Hell bloody well don’t !
Have ti seen him play? He’s yet ti do any kind of defending for us – ti me there’s a logic in it. First of he’s utter pish, but also, am guessin no a very happy camper either, given his situation, so why have him mulling about, inevitably bringing a negativity to the group. If he gets on, how likely is he ti run through a wall ti help get a result, when he knows he’s no future we us.
We him gone yi have a closer knit group of players working for each other, if it’s Ralston, or scales, or the young boy that’s coming up that provides cover for Taylor of needed, there is a group fighting for each other…
Just a thought
HH
You nailed it. Getting rid of Bernabei now makes sense. Why keep paying him when he contributes nothing? Ralston or Scales will suffice although at this point I’m not sure our season can be salvaged anyway. Our much hoped for turning a corner will never happen as our players will always be too inconsistent right to the end. And BR will never have his best team on the field as it’s only in his head. Current team whatever its composition will never be more than second best.
Couldn’t disagree more James, he’s worse than a man down when he plays and just watching him puts my stress levels through the roof
Totally agree losing Turnbull Johnston Abada Bernabei doesn’t make sense with 9 weeks to go. We are a shambles at the moment
well, in fairness james…neither player has done ANYTHING for us this season…all the shit about abada not being in the frame of mind because there are palestinian flags being waived at his place of work….SHIT is what it is….if he feells so strongly about it…then why not go back to tel aviv and enrol in the idf…..tho he might already have done his duty in isreal’s stormtroopers…
and as for bernebei…….what a joke of a buy he was….thank christ he’s gone…rather see hart playing left back…just about equal on distribution….
a complete liabillity when he played….
good riddance the pair of them….
James do you not think it’s Rodgers decision? He’s never rated him and if he thinks Ralston is a better bet as a back up to Taylor …. As you pointed out, then as manager he has the right to make that decision…. No?
Who knows what goes on,James.
Bernabei has been underwhelming at best,and downright awful at times.
Personally I’d rather see Ralston,out of position or not,instead of Bernabei.
He’s not very good at defending,and we can’t afford that,especially as he offers little going forward. In short,i couldn’t argue with moving him on. Good luck to him wherever he goes,and i believe he tried his best…sometimes it just doesn’t work out.
He is worse than a man down, contributes nothing, instantly passes back to the player that gave home the ball. Whatever the rights and wrongs of those currently in charge if we get anything for this useless player then they have played a blinder.
I get that it leaves us short but the alternative to play him is much worse.he’s absolutely useless
Trade him in for a better prospect or an existing proven left back of Brendan’s choice not Lawell’s.
Ultimately he’s one of the several failed signings from the Ange era but probably ‘found’ by sonny Lawell during his brilliant service to the club.
Neither Ange or Brendan has been able to get a tune out of him and they’re both good coaches. But whether that’s your view or not performances speak louder than words and unfortunately the evidence does just that.
There’s plenty of similar priced left backs in the lower EPL and Championship and indeed in Scotland so if we can recoup anywhere near the money invested in him then get him gone. We have enough in Scales and Ralston and even a young reserve to provide cover til the end of season
Are you just realising that the people running the club have lost the plot, have you been asleep for the last few years?.
Have YOU been asleep for the last few years?
I’ve been writing that A LOT LONGER THAN THAT.
Talk about a ridiculous question.
Nothing but nothing is surprising me anymore. We are doing everything in our power to hand the title over to Old Firm FC. Its now pretty obvious Brenden Rogers either doesn’t care or doesn’t have any say in anything. He told us once we got to the winter break he would add quality to the team and nothing happened. I’m convinced he’s not going to be at Celtic next season but worse still we have board that really don’t have Celtic FC at heart. Honestly, what are we going to do!?!? Do we boycott our team. Do we turn our back and empty the stadium because the board have thrown the SPL Championship away. If anyone had told me how this season would unfold I would never have believed them.