When it comes to the continuing saga of Matt O’Riley, two main concerns dominate the debate, and they form part of this whole summer long transfer saga, and neither offers much comfort for Celtic fans right now.
Firstly, we’ve wasted an awful lot of time this transfer window, and there isn’t enough of it left for fans to feel confident that, if Matt O’Riley leaves, he will be properly replaced.
Secondly, the protracted pursuit of Adam Idah raises questions about Celtic’s Plan B.
The Adam Idah situation has dragged on for weeks, making it seem as though Celtic is dragging its feet on a deal we seem to want done, but are prepared to leave to late. But what if we still don’t get him? The worry is this; if there was a Plan B would we not already have moved onto it by now? And if there’s not a Plan B, why do we trust that O’Riley will be replaced properly?
See, it’s not just a question of if O’Riley goes, will the club bring in a replacement? There’s a supplementary question; will it be the right type of player?
It’s not enough to just fill a spot; the player must fit the role well.
Midfielders come in various types: playmakers, defensive midfielders, box-to-box players, and attacking midfielders who can create and score goals. If O’Riley leaves, the club needs to sign a similar type of player to maintain the balance.
Because we operate under self-imposed restrictions, the talent pool we fish in is very shallow. Finding good players who can immediately fit into the first team is already difficult. The two-year hunt for a left-back proves how hard it is to find a player for a specific position and role. Therefore, there is considerable uncertainty as to whether or not we can secure a player of O’Riley’s type; ideally, you’d like to think we have a target already identified and ready to move for … but this is Celtic we’re talking about after all, and that seems unlikely.
When comparing the current team to the one under Ange Postecoglou, it’s evident we’ve lost key players like Jota, Giakoumakis, David Turnbull, and others who consistently contributed goals. Odin Thiago Holm might blossom into a player capable of scoring and creating goals from midfield, but there’s not much sign of that yet, and we know Palma and Kuhn can do it from the wing. Bernardo scored some critical ones last season, but isn’t an attacking player in the same some of mould, and we do need someone who can fill those rather large shooting boots.
Last season, O’Riley often made the difference between three points and none. No team can afford to lose such contributions without proper replacements.
Looking at the current squad, it’s unclear who can step up to fill O’Riley’s role in providing goals and assists. Reo Hatate might be an option, as he played in that role at the weekend and got a goal from there. Callum McGregor is another, given his past performances. But if McGregor is moved from his current role, we need a strong replacement for him … and as with the left back, we’ve been engaged in a fruitless scramble around for one for too many years now.
Since Brendan Rodgers took over, our midfield balance has been knocked off kilter by injuries; until very recently, he’s never been able to select from his squad. Now that he can you see he has things working perfectly, just in time for the inevitable disruption.
As I said earlier, it feels like we’re waiting for O’Riley to leave before spending any money—a scandalous and absurd situation. If O’Riley isn’t replaced with a like-for-like player, we’ll be further shooting ourselves in the foot.
The club still wants fans to have faith. That is crucial now, but there are very few who trust the club to get this right, to deliver for the manager, and to satisfy the fans. A couple of quick signings would alleviate current concerns, but the situation looks fraught.
O’Riley was always going to if the right offer came along, but we all assumed we’d be two or three major signings to the good before he was.
We are where we are, and it doesn’t look good. The past six or seven weeks have offered little to inspire confidence. If some of us are tense and frustrated, it’s because we have a reasonable fear that this window might yet get worse for us.
O’Riley will be sold late on in the transfer window so we can say we don’t have time for us to replace him the way we done with moussa dembele, rinse and repeat the lawell way
The past 6 or 7 years haven’t offered much in the way of inspiring confidence. Postecoglu’s first season was an anomaly.
It’s not a position that we can be confident in but also that we are aware that is going to occur sooner rather than later.
We have players that will make a difference and will be able to play a good part in our team going forward.
Callum will move to his previous position in the frontline attack , Kobayashi will play the defensive midfielder.
That will be more than enough for returning another SPFL title, which is the first and perhaps the most significant goal.
Though here is the trap, it will not be the move which will make us an improvement in Europe which everyone should be wanting to see.
That’s what Matt has, but money speaks louder than words in our clubs upper echelons of management, rather than restoration of our European reputation and future progression in that arena. Somehow the realisation that tat is where the real progress will need, to be achieved financially not through
O Reilly will go this window I have no doubt about it ,I have a feeling thst Idah may possibly b the only other buy,reason being they have no choice with only 1 striker currently. Their may b loan deals.They are looking across ar the other mob n believe they are not up to it.When O Reilly leaves we are going to b severely weakened .I hope I am wring but their is a bad smell off all of this.
Well for the first time ever I’ve not spent an August penny on Celtic FC official club merchandise…
That of course will be reviewed pending Brendan getting what he needs before the window slams shut –
I’ll take stock of the situation and see what Brendan says, and thereafter decipher if he’s been ‘forced’ in saying things that he doesn’t necessarily mean (“I’m content – It’s a difficult window this one, everyone tried hard but it just wasn’t to be” – blarney n’ bullshit)…
If I don’t like what I see then that couple o’ hundred notes will be going in the direction of Clachnacuddin FC instead…
I don’t go to see Celtic live any more as I’m not prepared to subsidise a bent and corrupt and dishonest game in this country…
Saturday’s show by Cheats with whistles, flags and monitors shows me that it’s still as corrupt, bent and dishonest as it was when I chucked it all in nine years ago…
But I still spent well on merchandise from Celtic…
As I say this time that plan is currently very much ‘on hold’ and standby !
Nail on the head again, James (if not a bit tentative – big brother is watching?)
This Board of incompetents led, by a narcissist Chairman, have no intention of spending at the levels required to improve the team. The absolute minimum to do well in Scotland is the peak of their ambition. It’s criminal really!
I honestly fear for where my Club will be at the end of this transfer window. We most certainly will not be stronger.
There was a noticeable drop off in quality on Sunday after the subs were made, meaning the quality we do have in the squad is only skin deep (I believe that’s what the rest of us non-conformists have been saying for months). The next two weeks will be telling. I can honestly see a situation where we, having already sold either or all of O’Riley/Hatate/Kyogo (new agent can only mean one thing) without any real effort to replace them, could end up eerily close to being a few injuries away from disaster.
With the injury profile CCV & Kyogo (if he’s not sold) over the last couple of seasons and only one left back, this season could deteriorate very quickly. And I say that knowing we have the best part of £100M in the bank, a surplus in this transfer window so far and unprecedented levels of UCL money on the way. It’s beyond negligent (I’m afraid there is no word invented yet to fully describe it) of the Board to leave us in this position.
Other than a few Board apologists, including one is so far up Lawwell’s arse he could lick his tonsils, is there any Celtic fan who trusts this Board to show the requisite level of ambition to drive us forward?
Never mind. The Board will have made sure of their substantial bonuses and can sit back back and wait for the takeover offer. I’m afraid that’s the world we live in, where mediocrity is the high benchmark.
I don’t know about you ,but I would most definitely sign young McCowan of Dundee …I think this guy has the po- tential to go right to the top of the tree ..anywhere . A cultured left peg to die for and not scared to get stuck in ,every game .
I agree, though I’m biased as I’ve known Luke since he was six, as a friend of his Celtic mad family.
As well as an absolute wand of a left foot, he has pace and a great engine, covers every area of the pitch and takes all the free kicks, corners and penalties. He also has a strong record of goals and assists. Clubs are coming in for him now so I’m not sure if he’ll go where he’s certain to start games or accept a Celtic offer which could leave him on the fringes.
There is a lot of money paid to winning teams in the next UEFA CL.
After the Tour in the US; I felt confident, Celtic could win many games the
in the UCL, if we keep Matt. There is no sense in getting 15 mill Quid and
paying out much the same to replace Matt and upset the balance
of the team. It’s too late. Maybe next summer. James said it. Agree.
Not many days left to get two strikers. Michel-Ange from
Belgium Pro League has a serious injury. Reported by a Celtic Fan
Media site. BR will use money talk to convince the suits; NO DEAL.
I do not trust these clowns to deliver on any position. They are utterly incompetent and only believe in their bonuses. When we were cruising at the weekend should have been the perfect time to hammer the board. I was dismayed that there was nothing. All this does is embolden them.