We need to face facts - the league is over. Rangers will win it by a bigger margin than the current six points. Two games into Brown's "all we need to do is win the remaining games" master plan, we've blown it. Now Naka's at it. My advice to the team is to concentrate on winning at least one of the upcoming Old Firm games at Celtic Park before Walter Smith has a better record against Celtic than against Gretna.
But no matter how the league goes, I would not sack Strachan. He will have learnt more in defeat than in the two previous league wins. He's been badly let down by his signings. It takes talent to sign Henrik Larson; it takes strong drugs to sign Hesselink - not to mention Zurawski, Donati, Sno, Graveson, Aliadiere and Jarosik. Who "spots" these guys? You could go into any big European league with a blindfold and sign just about any half decent player in any half decent team and he would stand out in the Scottish league. So why sign Hinkel? Maybe they traipse around Europe with a sign: "Mercenary journeyman wanted. Crap league and weather. Champion League opportunity. Must be injury-prone. Excellent money."
Keep Strachan. Give him more money this summer, and sack a few scouts.
Agreed. Apart from Hinkel. I think he might be a good player.
ReplyDeleteThe buck stops with Strachan. Its not only his player signing which is questionable. He lacks tactical nous and does not have the burning will to win which all the top managers have. The difference between Celtic and Rangers this season is that Smith is a better manager than Strachan. And he will continue to be next season. Overal, Strachan has done well for Celtic( an almost indetical record to O'Neill's first 3 years in terms of trophies won)but his time is up
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add Perrier-Doumbe to my list. I see CQN is continuing with its blind optimism.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/2008/04/skewed-season-still-to-deliver-verdict.shtml
I agree with most of that Bobby, but think Hinkel might turn out good. The other guy I would defend is Alidiere. I don't think he got a fair chance. I remember him coming on against Artmedia away and looked pacey with a good first touch. He probably suffered from the fallout of that game. Its amazing to think his opportunities in the team were blocked by Beattie. What amazing bad luck to be kept out of the team for 3 months by the only time in his career that Beattie has went 3 months without injury. He seems to be doing a good job for Middlesbrough down south now. Scored against Arsenal a couple of weeks back to get them a draw.
ReplyDeleteI can't decide about WGS. I err on the side of backing him as I think he's earned it but we have to admit the challenge those 2 years was weak. If it wasn't for the CL I would be more critical of him.
Not sure how our anonymous friend can know for sure that WGS doesn't have a burning will to win.