Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Livingston - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - December 21, 2022 New Celtic signings Yuki Kobayashi and Alistair Johnston are seen on the pitch before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Alistair Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi could be in the Celtic squad for Monday’s Glasgow derby at Ibrox.
Over the last three weeks both defenders have been training with their new club with all terms and conditions agreed ahead of the Transfer Window opening on January 1.
Clubs can sign players at any stage but they can only be registered during the summer window of January with the exact mechanics something of a mystery.
January 1 and January 2 are Public Holidays in Scotland but with modern communications it should be a straightforward case of having the registration all in place and just to be validated tomorrow.
? Wanting to buy Iwata last year
? Why Celtic act fast with January deals
? ‘No contact’ for any of his players yet
? Can’t wait for this ‘cracking game’
? Learning how to say HogmanayAnge Postecoglou looks ahead to Monday’s trip to face Rangers live on Sky Sports ? pic.twitter.com/OU7M3h78vu
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 31, 2022
2 minutes 38 seconds:
Sky Sports: So Johnston and Kobayashi very much in your thoughts for Monday?
AP: Yeah, we’ve still got to get the international clearance so there are people poised to push buttons when the clock strikes 12. Yeah, if their clearance does come through they will definitely be available.
Johnston looks the more likely contender for Monday’s match, Ange Postecoglou already has Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Moritz Jens available to play in central defence.
Reo Hatate has played at right-back in Celtic’s last two matches, Josip Juranovic appears ready to play at Ibrox but with speculation over a big money transfer Postecoglou has a few issues to consider before deciding on his right-back.
Looks like old habits die hard as far as International registrations by the FA authorities in Scotland are concerned … Fast tracking should be a given , irrespective of the time of year , especially with everything digital nowadays … Or does those protocols only apply to the favoured clubs /companies …
Ha, good comment.
Sevco (trfcl) has NEVER been a club, just a cheating entrant company to the SPFL.
Under current circumstances it’s just the principle that matters.
We’ve, by miles, already got the best squad ever, IMHO.
This week the BBC and Talksport have been educating us on Pele the player, his definition of the “Beautiful Game” and of course that save from Gordon Banks!
But behind Ange there, there’s another quote, from Jock Stein about how beautiful football can be.
“We Did It By Playing Football. Pure, Beautiful, Inventive Football.“,
regarding his victory as the first non-Latin team to win the European Cup.
Of course for it to be beautiful, you have to win something!