Neil Lennon is bracing himself for a busy month of trading with players coming in and out of Celtic- and won’t be afraid to break the wage structure to bring in the right player
Three days into the transfer window and the hoops boss has been questioned about interest in Steven Fletcher and Leigh Griffiths while loan strikers Tony Watt and Mo Bangura have been arriving and in Watt’s case departing again.
Signing Fletcher would blow apart the current wage structure which is driven by signing emerging young talent rather than tried and tested, and well paid, established players.
When Lennon took over from Tony Mowbray his first moves were to sign David James, Sol Campbell and Jimmy Bullard but after failing to agree terms the Premiership has become a no-go area for the club.
With the manager admitting that his team has become stale expectations are high that fresh faces will arrive despite January traditionally being a quiet time of trading
“It’s important that we spend the money that’s available and get the right quality in,” Lennon explained. “We are no different from any other club. I had a meeting this morning with Peter Lawwell and we worked away at the business we want to do, as best we can.
“People might laugh at this, but I think our squad is thin and I want to add to it in certain areas. There is no question that there will be players leaving and there will be players coming in.
“We are trading as well. I don’t need to sell to do that but ideally you don’t want to clog it up either. The market is difficult but I would say that we’ve got two thirds of it right. We sold a lot of players in the summer and we will sell again eventually.
“We have huge assets in the team – again we haven’t had that for quite a while – but, at the same time, we still want to add to that and what I want is real, genuine quality. And if we have to spend a bit of money, which I think we have got, then we’ll spend it if we can get the right player in.”
The Celtic boss added: “You have to have a list of targets, because eventually you will come to a point when if your first choice isn’t coming, then you look at the next one. You have to have three or four targets for the majority of positions.
“I would say we are looking at three positions to add to. It’s about longer-term planning. There is no point bringing loan signings in now, unless it is a loan with a view to buying the player at the end of it.
“The policy is the same but we may have to break the wage structure eventually. I don’t know if we will in this window or not. I don’t want a huge wage differential with any player coming in. If we have to break the wage structure, it won’t be by much.”
Offloading Sammy and Stokes would be a start but it’s debateable how much we would recoup. We need creative midfielders and a striker who actually plays in the box. Sammy and Stokes offer nothing.
” if we break the wage struture,it won’t be
by much ” – Lenny.
Therin lies the problem.To get players of
” real genuine quality “, it takes 35k at
least.
In 2 years,just to qualify for CL group stage,will be worth a staggering 30 M, to
our club.
So, it makes economic sense to have these
players on board by then.Top players deserve top money.We the fans,also deserve,better than what we are watching.
If it was good enough to pay King Henrik,
Sutty and big John top dollar,then the
rewards are their, to do the same now.
I disagree! Breaking the wage structure is madness. Not only that, but it is offensive in a world where their are austerity measures imposed on ordinary people. Giving inflated salaries encourages divisions and does not make economic sense.
When the system collapses, as it surely will, anyone who has incurred serious debt will come crashing down with it. Go to the salary limit for the club, but no higher. Just because others cling to this madness does not mean we have to join in and buying for inflated prices does not guarantee success. Henrik cost little and rewarded us with loyalty. We rewarded him in return and he was not greedy.
mate he said “a little” not start giving players 70 grand a week. calm down fs. in reality. if a player is good he will get signed by a club with other teams trying to get him aswell, which gives the player options, he can get 15 grand from 1 club and 20 grand from another. he’ll 9 out of 10 times for for the 2nd club. then if that player preforms even better at this new club, couple of seasons later another club will come in for him, if hes on 20’000, this new club will have to offer him more because hes consistently played at a top level for his recent teams making him a proven scorer. this pattern goes on continiously. the best players are on the best wages because career wise (even though i think its way too much money) they deserved those wage increases due to the demand of his skills and consistency.
As a follow up, Derek Rae of BT sports has an interesting article today on our blogs which is very positive, in my opinion.
He speaks of all the fine young talent emerging in Scottish football’s top league at the moment. He also states that clubs like Celtic and ‘Them’ should be playing more youngsters in the first team.
I find it incredible that Atajic and Henderson have not been given more game time for us. To be fair, young Fisher has come in and looks a fine player. A rest for him now with a return soon will prove beneficial.
The same should be done with Atajic and Henderson. Then our pool of players will evolve the way we want them to. It is not rocket science.
Silver,
If only it was as simple as that, I wouldn’t
be interested in rocket science. lol.
You’ve went of tangent, Joe’s blog is about
wage structure.
But, I will reply.
Yes,young players should get more game
time.When they are ready.
To say they should be given preference
to quality signings,is a bit bafling.
Are you.Lawwell’s agent ?
This is music to his ears.
Lennoxtown has not been a good return
for the costs involved.
Maybe you don’ trust the manager’s judgement,so keep reading blogs by derek
rae.He has done alot in the game,afterall.
Lawwell says we are recognised as a
Champions League club.If this is so,then
the calibre of player has to reflect this.
Playing boys from Lennoxtown, is not
going to live up to Lawwell’s boast.
Or silver fhox, we could turn Lennoxtown,
into a rocket science lab.
Now there’s a thing ?
silver,
Your rationale re breaking wage is madness is incorrect.
From my accountancy point of view, the
market dictates price.
Yes,no player deserves 35k +,but do you
want to be left behind,and continue watching an inferior product ?
I have looked at Celtic’s acconts,and there
is slack for 3 top quality players.Celtic are
prudent,and the structure is such that, the
business strategy would not be affected.
So,we would NOT have a” complete collapse ” due to market forces.
Also morality should not come into business decisions.You must be in a tiny
minority of our support,who does not
want to SEE a better quality of player.
I also don’t agree that these players would cause disharmony in the team.Players respect other players abilities.If a quality striker scores the goals
to get the team to CL,every player benefits
re bonus.
Your point re.” not guaranteed “” is valid.
However, the way qualifying is structured,
with the champions route,it is easier.As
we will be champions for the forseeable
future,CL is where the money is made.
Having 3 quality players will make the
difference, or do you want another
Karagandy ?
So silver fhox, do we stand still and do
nothing,on morality grounds.Or do we
be enterprising,both short and long term,
and give the fans football that befits the
CelticWay ?
Over to you Silver.
Dermot Desmond should sanction a mental signing spree & give the manager & us fans a team to be taken seriously in Europe!!
Come on Dermot, spend some major money FFS!!!!!
I see where the silver fhox is coming from in terms of wages. we dont need to break the wage structure if we start bringing through these young players. why have youth teams at all if none of the players ever get a chance by lenny? how many record goal scorers have we let go from the youth/development teams? tons. atajic will no doubt be the next in a long line.
Personally think its Lenny thats the problem rather than the quality lennoxtown is producing. he simply prefers big strong physical players above technical ones. its the same reason crosas, rogic, paddy, etc have never really got a chance under him. its only when we have been desperate that he’s brought in a youth i.e. forrest and fisher.
Watt who is strong and looked to me to have bags of potential was in the team but for whatever reason got punted as well. lenny is the issue. i dont see things changing. regarding the wage structure points, i agree it should be increased by maybe 5-10k however i think it should be heavily performance related, especially in terms of cl performances i.e. clean sheet money for goalie,defenders and defensive midfielders, goal and assist money for strikers, wingers and attacking midfielders. starting money, sub money etc, lower pay when injured after a certain agreed time not playing – say 1month = 20% reduction, 2m = 40% reduction, 3m+ 50% reduction, as this will help offset any poor performances on the pitch. you could maybe ever give extras for extra training etc. oh and the biggest savings of money would be made by not allowing lenny to buy any strikers as its just a constant line of pish. let someone else pick them, and lenny can stick to midfielders and defenders.
HH
Anybody who thinks players that are worth 35-40k a week want to come and play in the Scottish premiership really should step back and have a think.
We practically had to beg T P to come from Germany and he has been nothing short of terrible. I realize he is not that type of earner but my point is players would rather play in top leagues.Top rate, established players are not interested in coming to play in Scotland in their prime.
I’m not saying we can never make a marquee signing again but I think we have to be a little more realistic where we are. Teams like Porto, Ajax have been very successful with a signing/development policy similar to the one Celtic are currently trying to implement, unfortunately things don’t happen overnight.
If the money is right, players will come.
We are not talking about top European
players.
Where did we get Hooper from ?
The championship is full of good players.
Jordi Gomes at Wigan is on 30k.A good
creative midfielder,who would suit our
style of play.
Celtic could entice him.I am sure he would
love the chance to play in CL.
If we don’t make the CL group stage next
season, that will be a CRISIS.
We cannot do it with boys from Lennoxtown.
Experienced,good professionals are
required.We have so many,but the
added quality is BADLY needed.
If we don’t get these players, it’s going to
be a longer season than this season,with
NO champions league football.