Brendan Rodgers spoke to the club media channel the other day in preparation for the game against Ayr, and as interesting as it was the absence of any update on incoming signings was clear and obvious. Is he biting his tongue, or basking in supreme confidence?
He talks about a better mood than this time last year, and I liked the sound of that … but let’s be honest, the club is in a holding pattern right now, and because of that so are the fans.
But frustration is not far from the surface.
I know a lot of people are pretty relaxed about this, but most of them are pretty relaxed as long as the club has a healthy bank balance as if that was the only thing that mattered. For the rest of us, there is a lot of suspicion and that feeds into the sense that anything can happen.
By the very definition of the word, that is not always good.
Rodgers is the front man, and he needs to get in front of this.
He can set a lot of minds at ease by talking to the fans direct on this, and he’s not going to be able to dodge it indefinitely. We’re behind the curve right now, that’s the fact of it, and if we go to the US without some key signings, and especially a keeper, it will be a dire development.
A pre-season tour is when your signings should be bedding in and preparing for the season.
We always seem to throw them in late in the day. What is it with this club and the inability to get stuff done?
It looks as if we have no overarching strategy for this stuff at all. Rodgers might be in charge of the targets, he might be the man with the plan, but the people in charge of making that plan flesh don’t half seem to enjoy dragging their feet.
If we go to America without key signings, I reckon we’re going to start the campaign with a weaker squad than we finished the last one. If that happens, a lot of people are going to be very pissed off, and I would not be surprised if the boss was one of them.
We want to see signs of life. It’s all well and good us moving for Idah – a deal which, by the way, doesn’t seem nearly done yet – but that doesn’t even get us back to where we were before the season ended. There is a ton of work to do here and the clock is ticking.
This is why the club ought to have had its ducks in a row much quicker.
There’s too much to do for us to be messing about or taking our time.
And we ought to have got at least some of the work done by now.
So, the next time the boss stands in front of the cameras he has to remember that what the fans want to hear is not vague talk about how exciting this all is, but direct information about why we should be excited.
That won’t put meat on the table, but it’ll at least give us a sign that things are progressing behind the scenes and that the good news – the signing news – is coming soon.
James, it’s great you are banging the drum for Rodgers but most fans are right behind him now. The difficulty is that this happens every single season. A need for players are identified. The board procrastinates looking for low hanging fruit and cheap options till eventually we end up with gems, projects and unsuitables. There was a feeling that due to Hart retiring we would have got a keeper in early. At least 1, as we need 2. Also a left back. But as usual, as it has been for years, we are starting our pre season weaker.
As I said before the window opened, I have absolutely no faith in this boards ability to get things done. I can imagine the Idah negotiations dragging on for another week or two, and then they’ll say Norwich were holding us to ransom! Offer Norwich what we think he’s worth, and if its knocked back then move on to ‘plan B’, if there is a plan B. I knew as soon as we didn’t have a keeper already identified n ready to sign in th opening week of th window that this was going to be a slog. C’mon Celtic, just give us a bit of good news, the stress and frustration levels are increasing, and the patience levels decreasing with every passing day!
It is bizarre that the hierarchy constantly drags it feet regarding incoming signings, surly the targets have been identified and there is movement regarding this , if there’s behind the scenes haggling with the manager about not needing these type of players due to sevco being a basket case and money they don’t have getting poured down the drain regarding their stadium fiasco it’s an absolute disgrace.
Our club does not adapt to what they think they need to keep 1 step ahead of sevco , this board needs to get a grip and start making Europe their bench mark rather than the spl title , otherwise go and let someone else take over that’s not just interested in the bank balance and bonuses for mediocrity.
Joe Hart’s main attribute at Celtic was his decisiveness and accuracy in distributing the ball. When Joe played up the field his return kicks were accurate, well weighted and safe. This suited Ange at the time. Ben Siegrist is an exceptionally good ball stopper.
One of the best keepers Celtic faced in recent years in the SPL. Did I have to say that?
Anyone who thinks going back to this dragging our feet after the rapidity of the Ange seasons isn’t connected to Lawell being back in the building hasn’t been paying attention.His legendary Cool hand Luke poker player shit goes away back to Gordon Strachan losing out on Steven Fletcher 15 years ago.He can’t help himself.
True mate , lawwell the big riverboat gambler, well in his head , he’s been a hindrance for many years, 10 in a row anyone, now he returns on anges feel good factor and look what happens, he’s hindering Brendan Rodgers big time .
Maybe we were waiting until the election was over and we were certain Reform UK didn’t get into power and impose a ban on signing foreign players…….
Farcical as usual, we have known since January we needed a keeper why has no one been signed, other positions need strengthening no moves as yet, what are they up to, not a lot is my guess.
There hasn’t been a lot of signings anywhere so bit of patience ,I,m sure Brendan will have his targets in mind , been couple of tournaments as well ,most clubs have had players in both
Get rid of Lawwell then we’ll see some progress.
Nicholson is being paid £750,000 a year for what, pushing paper around a desk?These two plus the absentee landlord are ripping the pish out of the Celtic support.
Get them removed, now!
What a bunch of pessimists; we don’t know which players agents have been approached and which clubs have been sounded out regarding players available. I am sure that there are many deals underway and as usual the club are keeping their cards close to their chest. Just because loads of names are mentioned in the pathetic Scottish press does not mean we are interested in signing them. Have faith it will all turn out fine.
Faith? Lol. Wow.
Let me tell you something; this board flogged their right to “benefit of the doubt”.
They get none. Action, not words, is all we’re interested in.
Enough of the foot dragging already, Celtic.
Agree James, that boat sailed many seasons back.
Lawel?
If we go to America without any signings we are liable to get battered, the repercussions are bigger than ‘just a friendly’.
I don’t like our laid back approach thus far. I get the impression that the focus isn’t on making us as strong as possible, more ‘let’s just do slightly more than enough to maintain’. Brendan might be relaxed and confident now, hopefully he knows something.
LAWELL
Whether we like it or not there is a trickle down effect from top table transfers as one player moving facilitates a series of moves. With 2 international comps on the go it’s no surprise that the whole transfer market is slow right now. Whilst we don’t normally need an excuse, I would start to worry if no signings by or around 20th July.