That was comfortable if the second half was a little scrappy. Comfortable in the sense that we were barely tested, not even in the second half when Hibs got themselves together after we’d absolutely battered them in the first 45.
It was not comfortable in any sense watching Kyogo spend two periods on the turf, nor in the sense of watching Mikey Johnston trundle onto, and then off, the pitch with another injury to firmly cement his credentials as a player who doesn’t belong at Celtic Park, no matter what fantasies some people still indulge.
That was our backup striker. I hope never to see him in a Celtic shirt again. It’s a travesty that he’s still here wasting his time and ours. It is absurd to see him back in this team, and there is no more dreadful an indictment on this window than that.
So now it’s Kyogo, who stands alone, one of the most fouled players in the league, a guy who is one popped shoulder from being out for months. Our single recognised front-man 11 days into August after spending an entire window so far going through the motions chasing a target who we haven’t got yet and we might not sign. This is Celtic, in 2024, pretending to be a major club.
People seem content for us to pretend that this okay and that it is in some way normal but they are only kidding themselves on at this point because a blind man can see that this is just plain wrong. It stinks to high heaven, and even those in the clown car slagging those of us who are concerned about this situation had their hearts in their mouths today whether they want to admit it or not.
We sold Oh over a month ago and for every day since some of us have been screaming at the club to either get the Idah deal done or move on to another target. It is dangerously stupid to be pretending this is alright, and every day we go through the motions and drag our feet like this we’re playing Russian Roulette.
Let me present you with a scenario that is all too possible. Norwich have decided not to sell Idah at the moment and continue to play him. So, imagine they fling him into a game this week and he goes down, injured, and it’s a bad one keeping him out for weeks if not months? Are people still feeling relaxed about situation?
Remember, the manager wants two strikers signed. Two. We’ve not got one deal across the line yet. Are you confident of getting two done? Cause if we sign Idah and Kyogo gets that shoulder injury, do you want to go through this same gut-wrenching feeling every time Idah takes a hard one? Anyone who thinks Mikey Johnston is part of the answer is certainly not contemplating the right question.
This is a weaker squad than finished the last campaign. No-one should be defending that at this point. Nobody.
And I don’t think we’re coming out of this window with a single signing who will enhance the starting eleven, which was the objective when this window opened. I have stopped hoping for it. I will only be disappointed.
For all that, we’re playing great football in spells and asking all the right questions. We have six points out of six and we’re six goals to the good. The machine is rolling smoothly and strong but this is a painfully weak squad outside of the starting eleven, which is the consequence of not having signed a single player for the starting eleven (bar replacements) in the last five transfer windows and I am not even going to put the words “so far” at the end of that sentence because this is that fifth window and we’ve not done it and I don’t believe we will.
I was pleased to see Kuhn do well today; doubtless the leeches in the boardroom were too because that saves them a few quid on a wide man. His performance was exceptional. McGregor, too, stepped up and was brilliant with a tremendous goal, as if his decision to quit playing for Scotland has inspired him.
The guys who are here are looking good. Very good indeed. But we saw the problem today when Bernardo came on; he’s behind the rest of the team in how we play and what his role is, and that’s the challenge every player we do sign at this point will face and that’s because we’ve waited this long to get business done.
It is the Idah thing I keep coming back to though, that and watching Kyogo limp on today. Anyone who believes that there is a process here needs to have a long hard think about what the three month long pursuit of Idah suggests about our club, a club which hasn’t closed that, which didn’t even submit a proper bid until late last week, a club which has squandered months on one player … and who still hasn’t done the deal.
I am beyond the point where I’m pissed off with this. I am resigned to this window ending on a scandalous let-down, on the manager short-changed, and I already know that the board will try to sell us on this having been a success based on whether Idah comes back … a completely fraudulent premise as the squad will be no better off than it ended the last campaign when, and if, we get it done.
But Mikey Johnston coming on and then coming off again sums up this situation better than anything I can ever write. The unacceptability of our positon neatly distilled in one footballer. Shame not only on those who have permitted this inside our walls but everyone who continues to pretend that this is how huge clubs do business. This is not amateur hour anymore.
Our directors apparently just don’t give a shit.
Guys and girls, you’ll have to excuse me on the comments situation; I’m away for the weekend and won’t be back until tomorrow. In the meantime I’m posting on the fly and doing what I can. I’ll have your comments up tomorrow at some point, so don’t be shy about leaving the,.
Hit the nail square on the head with your last sentence.
Celtic is just a cash cow to them and they prey on the faithful fans every year.
We laugh at the Ibrox mob for getting fleeced but the Celtic board are every bit as bad their “firm friends”
Sickening
I Hate to say this But I think the Celtic Board are Arrogant Self Serving People??
Come on johnston got a smash in the face a bit harsh tbh
Two loan deals as the clock ticks down on the final day. Idah 50/50. Hatate was terrible today and if MOR goes we are in big trouble. Scales is an ok back up at best. Kyogo and Taylor should be ok for another 50 games this year with no like for like replacement, my God. Mikey Johnson is just a troll at this point. Sick of these morons who believe our transfer policy is ok because we beat poor teams by a couple of goals. The bench today was scary bad.
Penny Pinching Peter, Pays Peanuts for Players.
I did say when season ended that we had to have our act together.
Well the transfer window end draws closer.
Deja Vu as its just like last season.
No left back, no striker, no central defenders signed.
It only takes the injuries to leave us struggling again.
Penny Pinching Peter has gone way beyond his best before date.
I largely agree with you, but there are two things that I disagree on and I think are important, if we are to put pressure on the board. For me Schmeichel has improved the first 11. Your parsimonius comment about Kuhn, for me is also unhelpful. The board have a massive lack of ambition, but being unfairly negative turns the people who are ambivalent about the board, against you. Just my opinion. Feel free to ignore. PS The Celtic board threatening you with legal action, was atrocious.
Parsimonious on Kuhn? I love Kuhn this season. Lol.
Don’t know that I could be happier with him than I am 🙂
I mean, in relation to the credit that you assign to Celtic for signing him. I agree with you, that Kuhn ooks a player and is my tip for POTY.
Couldn’t agree more,we are going backwards under this board and nothing is going to change unless there is a complete clear out and fresh people are brought in with new progressive ideas.
Right on the button. Celtic will never be the club it should be with this Board in control.
The board are intent on not getting too far in front rangers 2.0, for what reason I know not. They are also in danger of ruining our chances of winning the title because we do not have enough quality in depth.
Who will replace CCV,Kyogo,Taylor, Scales (to name a few) if injured.
What if O’Reilly is sold on the last day ? How do we replace him then?
Are the board keeping cash in the bank for a rainy day ? Or because access to CL riches are no longer assured after this year.
This is completely and utterly frustrating. The board, apparently, do not want to allow the club to progress.
A board of directors with no ambition, no plan for advancing Celtic as a football team or club. Most of all no shame.What will it take to enable these people to read the room. When will they begin to realise the self harm they are inflicting on our club.We are in real danger of being locked out of the Champions league and the cash this competition provides.
While I agree that Johnstone is not of the required standard for Celtic it’s a bit harsh to comment on him going off today for what I believe was a concussion substitution.
If you listened to Rodgers post match interview, he KNOWS that [players aren’t coming in, he used the word QUALITY three times as if we now, out of nowhere have QUALITY in the same team as last season.
I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU’RE SAYING JAMES I HAVE SUPPORTED CELTIC FOR 60 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER FELT SO ANGRY WITH THIS BOARD OF CHANCERS.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.I LIVE IN BENIDORM NOW BUT I READ YOUR BLOG EVERY DAY.
What’s the manager doing in all of this fiasco, because I’m not sure he’s blameless,if I was Rodgers I’d be telling desmond and liewell,spend some money on the players I want and NEED else I’m out of here again,what on earth is he playing at ,or is he just playing along with the board because he’s on fantastic money regardless what happens.
Scandal ????. Many young players go through long periods in & out of injury, yes Mickey has had more than most but hes been a good servant , not continually wanting to leave example Ben Doak & the 10 other youngsters all left before they are 17 ( lost count how many have went to top clubs now ). So when a kid does stay & gives his all… Give him bit money re respect
Firstly James – And PURE FAB about the comments…
Ya had me very worried about the comments as I love The Whole Celtic Blog Community and of course even those who disagree with me – (It’s a forum after all) !
But back on main topic – These miserable bastards are gonna get caught out yet and it’s us Celtic SUPPORTERS that’ll suffer the worst…
Hibernian (ma late granny – God rest her’s team) hit the woodwork twice today and on another day these could’ve just as easily went in…
They are really pissing a helluva lotta people off now for sure…
Revenge is a dish best served cold they say –
Sonny Lawwell has been gone since April (I think – but could be wrong) and stand corrected if so…
If Daddy is serving that revenge now it’s cold enough –
Still there’s two weeks to go…
Anyway James Please Enjoy, Enjoy your wee break away for the weekend for sure…
Four words –
IT’S – WELL – FUCKIN – EARNED !!!!!!
This appears to be a gathering place for crybabies and secret Rangers supporters. Are on of you capable of simply not complaining for one day?
It has a fair collection of wankers as well.
You being a prime example.
Absolutely it’s a disgrace that this board gets away with this fucking clouns
Sick of flying over every month to make Desmond even richer while he forgets Celtic should never be only judged on how they do domestically. We are a world class club with world class supporters and a board that have zero ambition for the clubs progress and measure our progress purely in pounds.