Three months scouting then Dudu Dahan called
It been this way for several years now, but people are only starting to realise what Peter Lawwell is doing, and has done.
After last night’s defeat to Aberdeen, I got off the Ronny Deila bus for good. But if he goes, a major shake-up is needed in the Celtic hierarchy too. And Lawwell should be on that list of people getting the boot out the door.
He’s short changed Deila and us, but the Norwegian has been the scapegoat for many fans due to our poor signings. He’s got his own flaws, tactically naive at times and unwillingness to change anything, until it goes wrong. But once it goes wrong there’s no coming back – as his Plan B is nonexistent. The lack of fight in the team when we are behind says it all for me. They had no shape for the last 30 minutes last night, no direction. So it’s time to slam on the brakes and get on a new bus.
A total of 78 first-team players have been signed since Gordon Strachan left Celtic in 2009. Under Neil Lennon, we signed 42 players, and under Deila currently, we have signed 22 players.
See the growing trend?
The latest signing was Colin Kazim-Richards. A troubled career saw him land in Glasgow to put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal. What you might not have known is his agent is very familiar at Celtic. In my best Troy McClure impression, you might remember Dudu Dahan from such players as Nir Bitton and Efe Ambrose.
See another growing trend?
The agent of three current Celtic players is selling players to Lawwell, and is doing his job very well I must add. But that is no use to us.
After Kazim-Richards was frozen out of the Feyenoord team and suspended for two weeks for threatening a journalist, I imagine the conversation between the two went something like this.
Dahan: “Hi Peter I’ve got a player for you, a striker in fact.”
Lawwell: “Uh-huh.”
Dahan: “He’s got years of experience at international level and he’s played and scored in the Champions League and has been all across Europe scoring goals.”
Lawwell: “How much is he?”
Dahan: “Well, he’s free, we’re best pals so I’m helping you out.”
Lawwell: “Have him fly into Glasgow and we’ll sign him right away!” [grins]
Lawwell: “What’s his name by the way, Dudu?”
Dahan: “Colin Kazim-Richards.”
Lawwell: “Ooft, a double-barrelled surname on the jersey, get in!”
This tight-fisted approach has led us to where we are today. It’s also why Neil Lennon left in my eyes. He wanted to leave the club he adored and loved for a ‘new challenge’ – or he saw no ambition from those above him to take Celtic to the next level, so he didn’t sign further year on his rolling contract.
At least four other signings since Ronny Deila took over have been under the heavy influence of Lawwell. Two Lawwell’s, in fact. Mark Lawwell’s role at Manchester City has seen an influx of their talented players arrive at Paradise, with the exception of Dedryck Boyata, of course, the only one we bought. Jason Denayer, John Guidetti and most recently Patrick Roberts are talented, but short-term fixes for a long-term issue. We haven’t seen the latter in a Celtic jersey yet, but we’ve all seen what he’s capable of doing.
The issue is Lawwell. He appointed Deila, and he hasn’t hit the heights he said we would reach. We’ve been duped into thinking Deila is the problem. But if he goes and Lawwell doesn’t, we will be faced with the same scenario all over again.
If one goes, so does the other, along with all the backroom staff Deila never appointed in the first place. Another critical error over the last 18-months.
We are in the same position as this day 12 months ago in the league. Three points clear of Aberdeen and questions to be answered. This time round, however, we’ve witnessed an even poorer European campaign and we’ve been dumped out of the Scottish League Cup.
The team have regressed, but so has the fan support in huge numbers since the two losses to Molde last year and Ross County on Sunday.
Once these changes finally happen, in the board and the dugout, then we can start to progress again, because the Scottish talent we have in the dressing room is capable with one or two more additions – it’s just the application and leadership that needs tuning.
ronny nd collins must go and take peter lawell with them disgusted with lack of ambition 1 decent defender and he only 18 why celtic charge so much for joe public to come and see this shammbles is beyond me ive ript my season ticket up nd will never apear at parkhead again while lawell nd rd collins are there this was a great club i was proud celtic fan but even sevco (rangers) cud beat us now disgusted by the board nd manager
We might be shite at the moment but SEVCO still won’t beat us
They lost me last season..For the 1st time in 30+ years I havnt renewed my Season Ticket and it’s breaking my heart but I’m not enjoying my Football anymore..I seen this Rite after Lennon left..Were being run by faceless men who nothing about My club..Sorry Celtic I won’t be back
The Stadium will soon be empty I’ve been going to Parkhead since I was two years old 67 years ago I’ve seen the good and the bad but at least they all tried this lot are gutless.
Everyone is of the same opinion except the management and they haven’t got a clue.
I agree if when Deila goes not if, Lawwell must go too he’s been good for the club but his strategy for the club is now dated. The rot starts from within. One out all out.
I agree – and that was a terrible tackle from Kazim – this is not the Celtic that i have known for over 55 years. We have had good and bad times but this team are not a celtic team.
Lawell has to take some of the blame ,ronnie too but you get what you pay for most of the time. Lawrell appointed Collins and JK to work with Ronnie , Iam sure he would have liked to be able to make his own decisions on that one but he took the job undet Lawells terms so must sholder some flac , Collins for me is rhe one the one thats goy us passing square all the time allowing the opposition the opposition to get orgsnised and JK has no real experience of top quality defending. Shame it has come to this but i feel a few first team regulars dont like Collins as was the case at Hibs he had a big arrogant mouth for someone who has no managerial pedigree worth talking about and should keep his thoughts to himself after all thats why he is a number 2. Not sure Ronnie has the mantle to turn this around but with a backroom staff picked for him he was always going to be up against it. Is it just me or did anyone else think that CKR was pushed into the so called stamp and Roony should have been booked for diving!
Anybody that says they won’t be back to support Celtic are a disgrace
your absolutely correct though i think we shud start the clear out at the very top i mean we have a main share holder we never hear anything from especially in times like this a chief exec who banks as much cash that is humanly possible to make sure he has a good balance sheet for all to see and that makes it ok for him to collect his huge bonus at the end of the season and poor ronnie got only loan deals to try and win anything with and takes all the shite that goes with it when things go tits up which is 90% of the time, i we need a clear out i wud sack the whole lot of them cheek to call themselfs celtic men i dont think so.
It is crystal clear that Celtic fc is being directed to make money for those who own or run the club only . The genuine Celtic supporters are sick to the back teeth with a lack of spending and ambition from the board.
They are clearly running Celtic as a business which represses the needs of a committed, fervent and adoring Celtic support . Basically they are taking the money and running without giving anything back (lining their pockets) !
As an Ardent Celtic supporter who continually thinks of the club from a football perspective feels that the only way forward is to demand change!
This can only be done through the Celtic support holding back their hard earned financial support !
I understand there will be those who believe this to be the wrong strategy and who desire no harm to the club however how else do we as a group (nay family) prevent this from happening again.
We withhold our financial support to send the self serving people of the board and the major shareholder ( Mr Desmond) a strong message “Stop treating us like idiots” and get your act together or we will withdraw our support for a greater period of time!!!
Finally if change is required and I believe it is the Celtic support must take action which will only hurt the pay packets of those who are running this once great and mighty club !! For a long term solution action needs to be taken otherwise see you all again in eighteen months talking about the same thing !!!!!
Keep the faith ( Hail, Hail )
Geordiebhoy
i was part of save our celts. not by starving the club of money but being there in numbers and staging protests at the ground. boycotting away grounds and generally identifying the problems at the club. the last resort is to starve the club of money as you wouldnt have a club to support. stick together and get organising. the club arescared of thegreen brigade and they should be as they are a loud voice. hail hail until the last rebel
Well fans that say they won’t be back are not fans and can fluck right off, what did they do in 80/90s they are only glory hunters fans are supporters that go win,lose & draw.
As it is is with Deila, so it was with Lennon, Strachan, and even O’Neill.
Lose a couple of games and some so called Celtic fans totally lose the plot.
Top of the league, and a chance to win the Scottish Cup, and the inmates of the asylum want the manager sacked.
What happens if Deila is sacked and another Tony Mowbray pops his head above the parapet?
Best fans in the world my arse….
I understand the situation celtic find themselves in.I’m a season ticket holder too and I believe if ronny deila is yes man well its down to him cos he accepted this.as for our lawwell is replaceable but be careful with what you wish for on dermot desmond as there’s nobody banging on the door to buy him out.He under writes everything we do or buy.
RD maybe naïve but he MUST be allowed to sign who he wants. Correct me if I’m wrong but Craig Gordon signed when we didn’t have a manager in place and RD responded in an interview when asked about Scepovic that he didn’t know anything about him because he had “never seen the player”.
If RDis replaced the new man will come in with the same problems.
Get John Park out now for starters!