One of the great truisms of Scottish football is that when one of the Glasgow clubs is in a particularly perilous state, as long as the other isn’t also falling apart, all the attention and pressure will be focused on the one in trouble.
This has been a disastrous seven days for the club from Ibrox, and so it is only fitting that this is where the attention should be.
Right now, they are playing in the League Cup, and its importance should not be underestimated. They are the holders of this competition, and if they go out to St Johnstone, there will be blood on the walls. The aftermath will be chaotic, filled with sound and fury, just as this past week has been.
On the other hand, the Celtic board has had as good a week as the Ibrox board has had a bad one. They played a blinder with the Ibrox ticket standoff, got it absolutely right, and went on to spend what will eventually be a club record fee on Adam Idah.
They’ve largely avoided proper scrutiny about why it took so long and why they rushed it through in the last seven days. I hope they’ve enjoyed the peace and riding a wave of positive news while the club across the city is in turmoil.
But when our game finishes tomorrow, whatever the result today at Hampden, these guys will be back under the microscope for the things they’ve done and the things they haven’t done in the transfer market.
The Adam Idah signing has only brought us back to where we were. We haven’t strengthened at all; we haven’t progressed one step. This team is still in dire need of reinforcement in at least three positions, and the board should be under no illusions that they might get away with doing less than a complete job here.
This needs to be completed.
No excuses will be accepted. No failure will be tolerated.
They’ve left it to the last two weeks, and even the fans who have accepted that so far have only done so on the understanding that this is when the proper business will be concluded. We are now in those final two weeks, and these people had better put their money – which is to say, our money – where their mouths are and get some business done.
The fear is always that the bigger the mess Ibrox is making, the less our board thinks it has to do. But Celtic fans are convinced that this season is going to be a glorious one, at least domestically. We’ve moved on from the state they’re in over there. We’re thinking about ourselves, our club, where we want it to be, and where we see our future, particularly in Europe.
Because we’re realists and don’t live in an Ibrox-style fantasy, we know that the only way to make that progress is with a better class of player.
As I said this morning, Brendan laid out the blueprint for getting there yesterday, and it doesn’t involve spending huge sums of money.
But it does involve spending that money better, on a better class of player – three players rather than ten. We know what his plan would be.
And let me tell you, none of this is impacted in any way, shape, or form by whether Matt O’Riley stays or goes. If he stays, it’s permissible for us not to bother with another midfielder, but that does not negate the need for a left-back, a central defender, and a third striker as backup.
The board got some benefit of the doubt in the last seven days, but they will not get that luxury in the next seven. We need to see progress. We need to do business.
James,
Just wanted to say your writings this week have been exemplary and throughly enjoyable.
I live Canada and your blog is my first read of the day everyday as I know I’ll read the truth of what is happening in Scottish football and my beloved Celtic.
Keep up the great work.
I agree with you Kathleen! I live in Sweden and must say this week you have written your socks of mate.
And if the Celtic board are having a wee sneaky look at this blog GET yer fingers out and spent more of OUR money.
Hail Hail
I’m one of those what I call emotionally balanced fans. I’m fine with where we are at on the transfer front but as you identify that’s because I fully expect some good signings to come in over the next fortnight. Where are we at in comparison to last season’s close. Well I suppose stalemate’s as good a word as any. Sure we’re down on numbers but not down on players of quality. Down on numbers but if anything up on performance. BR has got them in a good place, playing good football and in truth that’s an improvement on last season. We all know, angry at or accepting of, where we’re at this stage on transferred incoming players but I’m sure we all agree we expect that to change. We expect BR to get the 2 or 3 players of a good and better standard in and I’m pretty sure we all agree on which positions they are needed.
Another weird VAR decision goes the huns way again today highlighting only what we already know. We need to be in charge of our own destiny so come on board get charging and get those signings for BR and for us
One point James, I decided to tune into Sport sound this evening. Although the panel, pundits were pretty much Sevco partisan they were bemused by the VAR intervention for the Only goal of the game. We might be kicking cans re transfer business, however, the simple truth is Sevco will be afforded every moment to enhance their position as Scotland s second team. That’s the clear and present danger to our league. Not so much our danger, but the challenge to Sevco from Dandy Dons and even Killie. What happened this evening at Hampden was disgraceful. So lts see what the new VAR Tsar will do. To late for StJ.
That’s twice now they’ve been aided and abetted by Scottish Cheats with Whistles, Flags and Monitors…
A point gained at Tynecastle (Unless of course Hearts missed the stonewall penalty they were denied)…
Another progression to the next round of the cup as well –
Wheather it was Beaton v Albion Rovers or Aitken v St. Johnstone today, they are through…
At least – Levein spoke out about it unlike Naismith and he has previous at this from his days at Dundee United so Calvinist or not, I applaud him for that if perhaps not much else…
Good to see Naismith go out hopefully with Hearts denied a stonewall penalty for handball –
I highlight the Scottish Cheats with Whistles, Flags and Monitors on the forum of The unfashionable English footy club that I like and they are sympathetic from a distance of course – However I’m only one voice I’m afraid, though it’s satisfying to do it all the same !
Agree with every word there, Kathleen. Exemplary work and lots of it. Razor sharp analogies mixed with sarcasm when needed. What’s not to like.
Meant first goal.
Next 2 weeks we’ll find out one way or another. Tho ye only need tae look at last week’s 2nd half against hibs, tae see how important it is tae strengthen. Our support are confident of success, domestically anyway, this season, ah’ve nothin against that. Tho if this board don’t act, they’ll be doin ibrox the biggest favor of the lot imo.
I am watching Match of the Day. The opening game is Ipswich v Liverpool
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
Liverpool won the game, fairly comfortably after a decent display by the EPL newcomers in the first half. There is no doubt that Liverpool will need to strengthen to mount a challenge for the title and make a decent showing in the Champions League.
Total number of players signed by Liverpool in the current transfer window? A big fat zero.
This s not unusual for teams to wait until after the league season starts before making their moves.
I know you think this is nonsense but I am standing by what I said. Celtic will strengthen. We will improve on the current squad. After the signing of Idah, I am less worried.
I suggest people take a look at this list:
https://www.premierleague.com/transfers
More outs than ins for a lot of clubs, especially the bigger clubs.
As Brendan keeps inferring. Quality not quantity. Who could argue that the three first team players (Schmeichel, Idah, Berndardo) we have brought in are not quality?
What about Rangers light though, go on the Falkirk…..I can see a manager recycle happen there soon.
SEVCO lite JimBhoy – Sevco lite !!!!