[FM20] Stuniverse's FM20 Adventure

[Stuniverse]

22 May 2024

MOTHERWELL IN BOX SEAT

The Bhoys: Motherwell took a huge step towards Premiership survival by winning the first-leg, of the relegation playoff, 2-0 at St. Mirren.

[Stuniverse]

24 May 2024

DEMBELE A DOUBT FOR CUP FINAL

The Bhoys: Celtic manager Stuniverse has been handed a major injury headache ahead of tomorrow's Scottish Cup Final against Rangers, after 21 year-old right-winger Karamoko Dembele pulled up with a tight hamstring in training.

Edited May 2, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 25th May 2024

Pre-match v Rangers (N) - Scottish Cup Final

Match Preview

The Bhoys: You've beaten Rangers four times out of four this season but you have to beat them today. You can't, absolutely can NOT, lose to Rangers in a Cup Final. We're counting on you to make sure Celtic win this Scottish Cup Final Old Firm derby.

Stuniverse: Look, this is football, and we all know how football works. I can't guarantee you that we will win the Scottish Cup today, but I can assure you we've prepared thoroughly, trained well, and I guarantee you we will be doing everything we can to try and give the Celtic supporters the bragging rights at Hampden Park today.

The Bhoys: You won four and drew one of your Championship Group matches, whereas Rangers have won one, drawn one and lost three. Even the form book says you beat the auld enemy today and lift the Cup.

Stuniverse: After our recent inconsistent league form, towards the end of our European Champions Cup campaign, we've been delighted with our performances and results in the Premiership Championship Group. We're looking to continue that momentum into the Scottish Cup Final today.

Doubtful: Karamoko Dembele (tight hamstring-90), Stevie Mallan (calf strain-45), Joe Willock (twisted ankle-45).

Stuniverse (Celtic manager):

Please LIKE if you enjoyed this update and FOLLOW the thread so you don't miss future updates.

[Stuniverse]

Saturday 25th May 2024

Celtic v Rangers - Scottish Cup Final

Team Selection

Celtic make FOUR changes.

IN: Ugurcan Cakir (GK), Greg Taylor (DL), Ewan Henderson (CM), Dennis Praet (CM).

OUT: Wuilker Farinez (GK), Brandon Williams (DL), Paddy McKee (MC), Scott McTominay (MC).

Highlights

28 minutes.

Bremner gives Rangers the lead, heading in Kent's cross. Rangers 1-0.

HT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers

59 minutes. Celtic's Danylo Sikan's header hits the bar from Dennis Praet's free-kick.

Post-match: Celtic (0) 0-1 (1) Rangers

The Bhoys: Of all the times to lose an Old Firm derby, losing in the Scottish Cup Final is the absolute pits. That was appalling and I hope you realise you've let all Celtic supporters down today.

Stuniverse: I can assure you we're all devastated not to have been able to win the Scottish Cup Final today and to see Rangers celebrating out there, at our expense, makes us all the more determined to be the ones celebrating next time... and we will be.

I thought it was an even, close, tightly contested affair with very little in it. One goal was enough to win it. Unfortunately for us, Rangers found a way to score a goal and we didn't, we did hit the bar, but we weren't able to score.

I was disappointed by the three early yellow cards we picked up - both central midfielders and a central defender - which then meant Dennis Praet, Ewan Henderson and Stuart Findlay had to ease off tackles and that made it very difficult for us to play our normal pressing, closing down game when they had the ball.

Stuniverse (Celtic manager):

 

Please LIKE if you enjoyed this update and FOLLOW the thread so you don't miss future updates.

Edited May 2, 2020 by Stuniverse

[kidthekid]

Tough end to a spectacular season. What areas do you think the squad needs improvement in?

[Stuniverse]

25th May 2024

NEXT SEASON'S PREMIERSHIP LINE-UP CONFIRMED

The Bhoys: The Premiership line-up for the 2024/25 season is now confirmed following Motherwell's 4-2 aggregate victory over St. Mirren in the Relegation Play-off.

With Motherwell surviving relegation via the play-off, there will be just one change next season with Championship winners St. Johnstone replacing the Premiership's bottom club Livingston.

Edited May 2, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

25th May 2024

CELTIC'S - 2023/24 SEASON REVIEW

The Bhoys: Here's a review of Celtic's 2023/24 season:

Edited May 2, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

4 hours ago, kidthekid said:

Tough end to a spectacular season.

Thanks, @kidthekid. The Cup Final could have gone either way. Rangers scored, we hit the woodwork. It was small margins. As I said in the post-game press conference I think the three early yellow cards to 2xMCs and 1xDC ultimately cost us as I ended up playing most of the game with those three key positions easing off tackling.

4 hours ago, kidthekid said:

What areas do you think the squad needs improvement in?

That’s an interesting question because domestically we finished 30 points ahead of our closest rivals Rangers and Hearts, but against Bayern Munich we were some way short.

I don’t think it’s too much to be honest. I think at GK, DR, DL, CM we are well set. We have an amazing MR in Karamoko Dembele and at ML Mikey Johnston is good enough, but we’re short of back-up wingers.

Domestically the main area for improvement is DC and on the European stage our SCs, although I think the current four or five are more than good enough domestically.

I’d like to build a more Scottish (or British) team but my scouts have scouted the Scotland National Teams at all levels, plus all the Scottish players valued at £250K or more and, with the exception of Kieran Tierney and Andrew Robertson (neither of whom we could afford, even if they did want to join us), there’s nobody the scouts think would improve our squad.

Edited May 2, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

25 May 2024

RECORD BREAKING MALLAN

The Bhoys: Celtic's 28 year-old midfielder Stevie Mallan signed by Celtic manager Stuniverse from Hibs this season, has broken two season records.

Mallan set a new Premiership record for assists with 21 this season, beating the previous record of 18 held by Ryan Kent (Rangers).

Mallan also set a new average rating record for Celtic of 7.94.

Unfortunately for Celtic, Mallan suffered a calf strain in training on 24th April and didn't play again this season. Would Mallan have made a difference in the Scottish Cup Final loss to Rangers?

Edited May 3, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

26 May 2024

CELTIC SET NEW RECORDS

The Bhoys: Celtic's Premiership victory this season makes them the most decorated football club in Scottish history after claiming their 55th title. The previous record was held by Rangers.

Celtic also set a new season attendance record with an average of 59,417 this season.

[Stuniverse]

26 May 2024

OVERALL BEST CELTIC XI

The Bhoys: Three Celtic players have been considered good enough to enter Celtic's Overall Best XI. Four of the current Celtic squad now figure in the starting XI with another four on the substitutes bench.

[Stuniverse]

26 May 2024

CELTIC END OF SEASON AWARDS

The Bhoys: At Celtic's end of season awards, 28 year-old midfielder Stevie Mallan was named Player of the Season and Signing of the Season awards.

21 year-old right-winger Karamoko Dembele won the Young Player of the Season award.

[Stuniverse]

26 May 2024

ENJOY THE BREAK LADS AND COME BACK READY TO DO IT ALL AGAIN!

The Bhoys understand that the Celtic Players were in buoyant mood after their end-of-season Team Meeting. Celtic manager Stuniverse congratulated them on winning the Premiership and Betfred Cup and commiserated with them over their Scottish Cup defeat, before telling them to enjoy a well-earned break but to come back ready to do it all again and win the domestic treble next season.

The players will report back for training on Monday 24th June 2024.

Edited May 3, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

26 May 2024

FINANCES

[Stuniverse]

26 May 2024

CLUB VISION - MORE FOCUS ON YOUTH

The Bhoys understand that Celtic Chairman / Owner Ian Bankier and the Board wish to put more focus on youth moving forward and are proposing to include a club philosophy of 'sign players under the age of 23 for the first-team' in the Club Vision.

Essentially, as we understand it, this would mean...

It is unknown, at this point, what Celtic manager Stuniverse's thoughts are on this...

We're also awaiting the inevitable speculation over Stuniverse's future that always seems to accompany him at this time of the year. Although Stuniverse managed Falkirk for three seasons, he only managed them in the Premiership for one season, before moving onto Hibs for one season, and Stuniverse has now managed Celtic for one season.

Of course, unless Stuniverse wants to take his career to another country... there's nowhere in Scotland to go after Celtic.

Edited May 3, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Adding to Club Philosophies
I’ve reached that point in the save where the Board come to you as manager proposing their Club Culture / Vision moving forward. I’d been thinking I wanted to negotiate it by adding in a Club Culture Philosophy they haven’t suggested... but I don’t know if it’s possible and, if it is possible, I can’t work out how to do it.

I’ve started a Thread in the General Discussion forum, but wondered if anybody following my save on here might know...

Many thanks.

[Stuniverse]

My thoughts on the upcoming 2024/25 season...

In these unprecedented times, FM20 has been a great form of stress relief for me, aided - thank you very much - by the interaction I'm getting with all of you on this thread about my save. After three challenging, but successful seasons at Falkirk, followed by another challenging, but successful season at Hibernian, this season just gone at Celtic, where we smashed pretty much everybody domestically, and had a tremendous run in the ECC, meant I could pretty much play FM20 without having to think or work at it too hard although, as I hope this detailed thread has demonstrated, even managing Celtic has thrown up its challenges, albeit different challenges to those I faced at Falkirk and Hibs.

Over the last couple of months of the season (and I've spoken to a couple of you by message on here about this) I was wanting a different challenge for next season because, actually, smashing everybody domestically whilst fun and enjoyable, the novelty does kind of wear off after a bit and I thought one season of that would be fun, but a second season and possibly ongoing seasons (if the Board renew my contract) wouldn't hold the same enjoyment for me.

Making things more challenging managing Celtic...

So I was thinking of how I could make it more challenging and, hopefully, more enjoyable to stay at Celtic for the 2024/25 season which, currently, is the final year of my contract with Celtic?

 

My thought was to go with more of a Scottish (possibly British) Celtic squad moving forward. At current count, I think, 11 of my first-team squad aren't Scottish and seven of those aren't British. I'd hoped to be able to negotiate with Ian Bankier and the Board to include ‘sign Scottish / British players’ as one of the Club Culture Philosophies when negotiating the new Club Vision (that's the point I've reached on the save now) but I can't work out how to do that or even if I can do that.

My scouts have already scouted all the Scotland International players at all levels, plus all the Scottish players with a value of £250K or more my scouting team are aware of in the save, and with the exception of Kieran Tierney and Andrew Robertson, they haven't recommended anybody else they think can improve the squad.

Moving on from Celtic...

My other thought, whilst not wanting to quit Celtic, was to see if any other clubs express an interest in me (as happened in my final year at Falkirk and Hibs) and leave if an opportunity interested me enough to leave Celtic for. In my mind, I was thinking I'd see out my two-year deal at Celtic but probably not renew, and was prepared to leave this coming summer / season if an interesting option presented itself to me but, unlike when I left Falkirk, I wasn't going to go proactively seeking that opportunity...

But a strange thing has happened...

...well two things, in fact. 

Firstly, I've got really attached to this squad of players during the season, and I'm thoroughly enjoying working with them, and given the signings I made this season, I feel like it's my Celtic squad now and not Neil Lennon's successful squad that I inherited. Gaining more points this season with Celtic than Neil Lennon achieved in the last three seasons helped in that respect and, let's be honest, it felt great!

Also, losing to Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final, and missing out on the domestic treble after beating Rangers four-times-out-of-four before that, has annoyed me more than I care to admit...

So, I'm thinking I'd like to at least see out my two-year deal at Celtic Park and have another crack at the domestic treble.

Celtic Board want to go with youth...

And then there's this new Club Culture Philosophy the club are proposing to 'sign players under 23 years-old for the first-team'.

Now that's something I think I can get behind... and there are quite a few, good young Scottish players here already that I was thinking I'd give more playing time to next season, not just in my current first-team squad, but young players who've gone on loan to other SPL teams this season and impressed.

Any thoughts...?

I would welcome any thoughts, comments or opinions.

At this time, more than ever, I hope you and your families are well and keeping safe.

Best wishes,

Stuniverse

Edited May 3, 2020 by Stuniverse

[kingjericho]

You should stay and try at least a domestic treble and also have a really good CL run.

These days winning the league with Celtic isn't that big of a feat, you should aim for an extra milestone to really leave your mark.

[rodesire]

Random thought, how about going for the Europa League title whilst winning everything in Scotland and transitioning into British/Scottish team in process?

[Mrlee.1986]

Yeah I tend to agree, at least stay and achieve a ‘double double’ - if you can add the third and a decent CL run, that would ‘cement your legacy’ plus boost your rep. 
Stay put unless you’re offered a job elsewhere and see what happens.

Out of interest though, would you have a preference on your next move? As in a country? The top league? Bring up a Derby County? Or a completely new experience abroad?  

[samboing]

47 minutes ago, rodesire said:

Random thought, how about going for the Europa League title whilst winning everything in Scotland and transitioning into British/Scottish team in process?

I was thinking along the same lines of going for the Europa League as it’s a major European title, only problem is getting there ha! Throwing games? Fielding weaker sides, all depends on the group I suppose, but if the likes of Bayern etc are going to be too strong then this would be a great option! 

[Stuniverse]

50 minutes ago, Mrlee.1986 said:

Out of interest though, would you have a preference on your next move? As in a country? The top league? Bring up a Derby County? Or a completely new experience abroad?  

Good question, @Mrlee.1986. I don’t really have a preference for my next move, although the prospect of going to Italy’s Serie A and renewing rivalries with Napoli’s Neil Lennon does have a certain appeal.

Although I won’t say never, I am trying to avoid England because I nearly always manage in England and the deeper I get into a save in England the more likely I am to lose interest when the newgens take over and teams bear no resemblance to what they do in real-life (although that may be different now no football is happening in real life). This save has helped in that respect as I don’t follow Scottish football that closely and could barely name a player who plays in the SPL in real life.

Derby County don’t need me as they are doing surprisingly well this season in this save. They sacked their manager much earlier this season because they were in the Championship relegation zone, but I’ve got my ticket for Wembley to see the mighty Rams play Brighton in the Championship Playoff Final.

[Stuniverse]

4 hours ago, kingjericho said:

You should stay and try at least a domestic treble and also have a really good CL run.

3 hours ago, rodesire said:

Random thought, how about going for the Europa League title whilst winning everything in Scotland

2 hours ago, samboing said:

I was thinking along the same lines of going for the Europa League as it’s a major European title, only problem is getting there ha! Throwing games? Fielding weaker sides, all depends on the group I suppose, but if the likes of Bayern etc are going to be too strong then this would be a great option! 

3 hours ago, Mrlee.1986 said:

Yeah I tend to agree, at least stay and achieve a ‘double double’ - if you can add the third and a decent CL run, that would ‘cement your legacy’ plus boost your rep. 

Thanks, @kingjericho, @rodesire, @Mrlee.1986 and @samboing. I think I will be giving it another go at Celtic for the season and see how we get on. I’d love to do the domestic treble and progress further than the QF in the ECC if we possibly can.

3 hours ago, rodesire said:

and transitioning into British/Scottish team in process?

That’s something I’m keen to do if I can, @rodesire, although the likely new club culture philosophy of ‘signing players under 23 for the first-team’ will make things somewhat interesting. I guess a lot will depend what offers come in for my ‘foreign’ players, the amount of the bids, and whether any of those players become unhappy and request to leave.

3 hours ago, Mrlee.1986 said:

Stay put unless you’re offered a job elsewhere and see what happens.

I think I’m staying at Celtic Park, @Mrlee.1986, but I’m not 100% so I could be tempted if the right opportunity came along but, right now, I’m looking forward to another season managing Celtic.

[Dodecalicious.]

On 03/05/2020 at 11:13, Stuniverse said:

My scouts have already scouted all the Scotland International players at all levels, plus all the Scottish players with a value of £250K or more my scouting team are aware of in the save, and with the exception of Kieran Tierney and Andrew Robertson, they haven't recommended anybody else they think can improve the squad.

Staff at Celtic can be far too harsh on players in my experience. They obviously don't need to be world-beaters to do well in the SPL and with a good tactic and all the confidence and momentum from mowing through domestic competition, deep runs into Europe are very feasible. 

I'm on 24/25 myself and I've found that while my own youth intakes aren't spectacular or even great most of the time, Hearts, Hibs and Dundee United fairly churn out unreal newgens, so with some diligent poaching I think a Scottish/Irish only approach really could work. 

[Stuniverse]

7 hours ago, Dodecalicious. said:

Staff at Celtic can be far too harsh on players in my experience. They obviously don't need to be world-beaters to do well in the SPL and with a good tactic and all the confidence and momentum from mowing through domestic competition, deep runs into Europe are very feasible.

That’s a very good point, @Dodecalicious.. The four players I signed from Hibs, I signed more on the basis of what they’d done at Hibs so I knew first-hand how good they were and what they could offer me in the SPL. If I relied on my scouting / coaching reports alone I might not have signed them. Mallan, Shankland and Ralston all had standout seasons for Celtic. Hornby struggled, mainly because he broke his leg early on and then he struggled to get back into the side because of the form of Sikan and Shankland.

7 hours ago, Dodecalicious. said:

I'm on 24/25 myself and I've found that while my own youth intakes aren't spectacular or even great most of the time, Hearts, Hibs and Dundee United fairly churn out unreal newgens, so with some diligent poaching I think a Scottish/Irish only approach really could work. 

I’ve been scouting the Scottish International side at all levels but I think I’ll point my scouts in the direction of my major SPL competitors’ academy teams. Thanks for the tip 😀

Edited May 5, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

25 May 2024

CELTIC REVISE CLUB VISION

The Bhoys understand Celtic manager Stuniverse has met with Chairman Ian Bankier and the Celtic Board and a couple of revisions the Board wanted to make to the Club Vision have been unanimously agreed on. These are:

• Sign players under the age of 23 for the first team [Favoured]; and
• Win silverware extended into the 2025/26 season [Required].

We understand, although it hasn't been officially confirmed by the club, that Stuniverse is keen to transition to more of a Scottish / British squad with less reliance on non-British players.

We understand the Board are very pleased with the manager's overall leadership of the Celtic team and Stuniverse's job status is currently very secure.

Stuniverse's contract with Celtic is due to expire at the end of the forthcoming season on May 31st 2025.

Edited May 8, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

26 May 2024

CELTIC COMMERCIAL / FINANCES

The Bhoys: Here's some interesting commercial / financial stuff for this season.

Finances:

Commercial Summary:

World Scouting Budget:

Celtic pass ECC FFP:

Celtic hit by tax bill:

Training facilities downgraded:

[Stuniverse]

26 May 2024

SWANS WANT SIKAN

The Bhoys: According to FourFourTwo English Premiership side Swansea City are keen to sign Celtic's 23 year-old striker Danylo Sikan this summer. Celtic manager Stuniverse has responded by saying the striker, who scored 19 goals this season, is not for sale.

[Stuniverse]

26 May 2024

STUNIVERSE SPOTTED AT WEMBLEY

The Bhoys: The Glasgow Football Latest have reported that Celtic manager Stuniverse was at Wembley Stadium today for a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the sun watching the English Championship Playoff Final between Brighton and Hove Albion and Derby County. They even speculate on which players Stuniverse was scouting.

Ha! They obviously don't know Stuniverse as well as we do. As a lifelong Rams fan, we believe that Stuniverse was at Wembley cheering on the football club he supports and Stuniverse will have been over-the-moon that a solitary goal from Jason Knight was enough to give Derby County a 1-0 victory and promotion to the English top-flight.

 

[Stuniverse]

Normal Service about to resume...

Apologies, at the end of the 2023/24 season, I decided to take some time off from this Falkirk > Hibs > Celtic save, but I’m going to get back into it this weekend so normal service is about to resume...

[Stuniverse]

27 May 2024

DEMBELE SWEEPS ALL BEFORE HIM

The Bhoys: Last night's Scottish Football Awards evening was a night Celtic's 21 year-old right-winger Karamoko Dembele will never forget as he swept all before him winning Player of the Year, Player's Player of the Year, Top Goalscorer, Young Player of the Year and Player's Young Player of the Year. Dembele was also named in the Premiership's Team of the Year alongside seven of his Celtic teammates.

Dembele dedicated the top award to his manager Stuniverse.

[Stuniverse]

27 May 2024

11 CELTIC PLAYERS GOING TO FINALS

The Bhoys: Celtic have had 10 players included in European Championship international squads and one player called up for the Copa America international squads.

[Stuniverse]

31 May 2024

CELTIC RELEASE DUO

The Bhoys: Celtic have released 32 year-old goalkeeper Mark Gillespie and 19 year-old defender Jack Gow as their contracts have expired.

[Stuniverse]

1 June 2024

MONTHLY REPORTS

Manager Performance:

Finances:

Dynamics:

[Stuniverse]

6 June 2024

CELTIC AGREE DEAL FOR HARRISON

The Bhoys: Celtic have agreed a £6M (£8M) deal to bring Aberdeen's 19 year-old goalkeeper Steven Harrison to Celtic Park on a three-year deal with a one-year extension option. Harrison was Aberdeen's #1 goalkeeper in the Premiership last season and has one full Scotland cap (v Austria in March 2024).

 

[Stuniverse]

8 June 2024

SCOTLAND INTERNATIONAL McCRORIE SET FOR CELTIC

The Bhoys: Celtic have agreed a £1.2M deal with Vancouver Whitecaps to sign 26 year-old goalkeeper Robbie McCrorie on a deal until the summer of 2027. McCrorie, who is currently on European Championship international duty with Scotland, is said to be delighted to be returning home to Scotland. McCrorie currently has 29 Scotland caps.

 

[Stuniverse]

9 June 2024

SEVEN CALLED UP FOR INTERNATIONAL DUTY

The Bhoys: Seven more Celtic players have been called up for international duty. With 10 players at the European Championship, and Wuilker Farinez away with Venezuela in the Copa America, Celtic now have eighteen players on international duty.

3 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

27 May 2024

11 CELTIC PLAYERS GOING TO FINALS

The Bhoys: Celtic have had 10 players included in European Championship international squads and one player called up for the Copa America international squads.

 

Edited May 9, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

9 June 2024

CELTIC'S GLUT OF GOALKEEPERS

The Bhoys: As we revealed earlier this week, two Scottish goalkeepers - Robbie McCorie (26) and Steven Harrison (19) - officially became Celtic players today.

A 'Glut of Goalkeepers' would seem an appropriate assessment as Celtic manager Stuniverse now has six first-team goalkeepers to choose from. Last season, 28 year-old Turkish international Ugurcan Cakir and 26 year-old Venezuelan international Wuilker Farinez shared the gloves.

Here are the details of Celtic's six goalkeepers.

1. Steven Harrison

13. Ugurcan Cakir

21. Wuilker Farinez

26. Robbie McCrorie

29. Scott Bain

41. Constantin Frommann

 

[Stuniverse]

9 June 2024

CELTIC REJECT THREE BIDS

The Bhoys: Celtic have today rejected an £18.75M bid from Crystal Palace for 25 year-old left-winger Mikey Johnston. At the same time, a £2M bid from Manchester City for 17 year-old right-winger Jonny Telfer and a £1M bid from Middlesbrough for 26 year-old goalkeeper Constantin Frommann were also knocked back.

Edited May 9, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

13 June 2024

BRENTFORD TOLD TO BEE OFF

The Bhoys: English Championship side Brentford have had a £6.25M (£7.25M) bid for Celtic's 23 year-old full-back Brandon Williams rejected.

[Stuniverse]

13 June 2024

MY CELTIC SITUATION

Contract Status:

As you know, I'm one year into a two-year deal at Celtic Park which expires at the end of May next year.

I've enjoyed my time managing in Scotland for five seasons and have reached the pinnacle of Scottish domestic football, I guess, by being appointed the Celtic manager. In terms of career, I'm a big fish in a small pond and there's no real progression beyond Celtic so for a continued career in Scotland I would need a contract extension.

The question is: Do I want to stay at Celtic longer-term or is it time either this summer or next summer to move on and ply my managerial skills outside of Scotland?

Celtic Club Vision:

Last season was a very successful campaign: we won the Premiership, finishing on 97 points, a whopping 30 points clear of Rangers and Hearts who finished tied on 67 points. We won the Betfred Cup, beating Dundee 2-1 in the final. We reached the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup, losing to Bayern Munich, which I also consider a success. But our campaign was marred on the final day of the season when we missed out on a domestic treble, losing the Scottish Cup Final by a solitary goal to our arch-rivals Rangers.

The Board, and my boss Ian Bankier, are 'very pleased' with my overall leadership of the team and my job status is seen as 'very secure' so, if I want to stay at Celtic longer term, now might be the appropriate time to approach Mr. Bankier and ask him about a NEW contract...

Should I ask the Celtic Board to extend my contract?

I've been thinking about this a lot and there's a few things come into play for me when I think about the prospect of staying at Celtic Park:

1 - And you may not agree with this one but, after four difficult, challenging, but ultimately successful seasons at Falkirk (3) and Hibernian (1), I think I've earnt this. 

2 - I have grown very attached to the playing squad and the backroom staff, a fair few of whom followed me to Celtic from Hibs and some were even with me at Falkirk. Most importantly, this feels like my Celtic squad, not a successful squad I inherited from Neil Lennon, and I feel I've put my mark on it with the signings I've made and the change to a more dynamic, attacking style of football. I'm enjoying working with these players and in 21 year-old right-winger Karamoko Dembele we have a phenomenal talent who, despite being English, has played for Celtic his entire career starting in 2018/19.

 

3 - But, and there's no getting around this, although last season did throw-up its fair share of problems to deal with, it was the most successful season of the five on this save so far whilst at the same time being the least challenging given the sheer size and scale of Celtic, its resources and commercial revenue compared to the other clubs in Scotland. As a one-off season, it was fun (although missing out on the domestic treble to Rangers, of all clubs, still annoys me) but I think there is a project here at Celtic that I can buy into...

Build a younger squad

3a - The Board have negotiated a new philosophy into the Club Vision for this season - "Sign players under the age of 23 for the first team" - which is a clear sign that they want to go with a younger squad and lower the average age of the squad. This is something I can definitely buy into and get behind particularly as, much to my surprise, there are only five Celtic players in the current 23-man Scotland U21 squad, and only two Celtic players in the 23-man Scotland U19 squad.

Transition to a British / Scottish squad: (HGN) / (HGC)

3b - But I think I can go further than that because I'd love to transition Celtic into a British / Scottish squad comprising of Homegrown in Nation (HGN) and Homegrown in Club (HGC) players only. That would be too much to do in one season - we currently have 13 non-Scottish players in the squad, eight of which are Non-British/Irish (although some of those may count as HGN/HGC i.e. Dembele). Also, based on my scouting reports, with the exception of Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) and Kieran Tierney (Arsenal), there isn't a Scottish player out there who can come in and be better than the non-Scottish player he'd be replacing so, in the short-term at least, this transition will make the Celtic squad weaker, not stronger.

My question for you all is this:

If I approach my boss for a new contract, is the project to transition to a younger Celtic squad, made up of British/Irish players (first), then Scottish HGN / HGC players (longer-term), something you can get behind and support?

Best wishes,

Stuniverse

 

Tagged: @andychar @Axyongaming007 @bigmattb28 @coady @dap1987 @enigmatic @Garmt02 @HarrisFFC @JaytheGreat @Johnny-Trotter @kidthekid @King Cactus @kingjericho @ManUtd1 @metallimuse @Mrlee.1986 @Pavi @rodesire @ryanpol123 @samboing @SRL88 @Tajerio @Tee2 @Branne96 @Deano81

Edited May 10, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

13 June 2024

CELTIC PLAYERS IN CURRENT SCOTLAND SQUADS

Scotland - European Championships squad

Celtic have eight players in the Scotland squad for this summer's European Championships. Additionally, Stevie Mallan (MC) was in the squad for the pre-tournament friendlies but didn't make the final cut.

New signing Steven Harrison (GK) won his first full Scotland cap in March this year, but has been overlooked by Scotland manager Steve Clarke for this tournament. At just 19 years of age, Harrison has time on his side.

 

Scotland U21 squad

Celtic have five players in the Scotland U21 squad.

 

Scotland U19 squad

Celtic have two players in the Scotland U19 squad.

Edited May 10, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Johnny-Trotter]

47 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

 

My question for you all is this:

If I approach my boss for a new contract, is the project to transition to a younger Celtic squad, made up of British/Irish players (first), then Scottish HGN / HGC players (longer-term), something you can get behind and support?

Best wishes,

Stuniverse

I see it as being a realistic challenge as the logical next step on this managerial run - you will have enough prestige with Celtic to attract 90% of British and Irish talent (but not the 10% who will be in the English Premier League) and it'll give you a few more years of effort in Scotland before you might think of moving further.

[Mrlee.1986]

As in basically make the Scottish National team, the Celtic team? I can get behind that. Again, out of curiosity, what would be your thinking if the board say no to a new contract like the previous club did?  

[Stuniverse]

8 minutes ago, Mrlee.1986 said:

As in basically make the Scottish National team, the Celtic team? I can get behind that. Again, out of curiosity, what would be your thinking if the board say no to a new contract like the previous club did?  

That’s an interesting question, @Mrlee.1986. I think I’d want to try and win everything domestically, and progress as far in Europe as possible, to earn a new contract with Celtic by the end of the season...

...but it would probably slow down the transition to a British / Irish, then Scottish HGN / HGC squad as I’d be inclined to keep my best players with me at Celtic Park until I had a contract beyond the end of the season.

Edited May 10, 2020 by Stuniverse

[coady]

Yes, sounds like an interesting idea to me. The opportunity doesn't come around too often to have a realistic chance at doing it, so why not give it a go?

[kingjericho]

Interesting idea, but I would wait until later in the season to discuss this. You know, just to keep options open.

[samboing]

I like the idea of making the squad as Scottish/British, with any luck you can sign the best available, as we’ve discussed the best of Rangers players would be interesting if you could tempt them! But money talks. It would also keep things interesting for you as the squad could potentially be weaker in the first season of the transition but on a whole would be a great test! Go for it

[Stuniverse]

CELTIC SQUAD REVIEW - GOALKEEPERS

Why six goalkeepers?
Let me try and explain. I’ve been thinking about going down a Britsish / Scottish squad route for quite a while now and, if I was to do so, goalkeeper represented my biggest problem area as it’s the one position where I don’t have any real Scottish / British quality at all as:

#1 Ugurcan Cakir - Turkish international

#2 Wuilker Farinez - Venezuelan international (not much to choose between him and Cakir)

#3 Constantin Frommann - German, some way off the standard of Cakir and Farinez but potential to be better than both.

#4 Scott Bain - former Scottish international, not as good as Frommann and unlikely to improve

#5 Mark Gillespie - English, older than Bain, not as good. I’ve just released him at the end of his contract.

So, whilst I had money to burn, as the Celtic squad is definitely good enough as it stands, I decided to bring in the best two Scottish goalkeepers that I could.

My choices narrowed down to: 

1 - A Rangers newgen, Ross Brophy, the current Scotland #1

2 - Craig MacGillivray, ironically playing for Derby, who’s in the Scottish Euros squad and is either #2 or #3

3 - Ross McCrorie, playing for Vancouver Whitecaps, who’s in the Scottish Euros squad and is either #2 or #3

4 - Steven Harrison, a 19 year-old newgen, playing for Aberdeen, who’s their #1 and impressed against us last season, and made his full Scotland debut in March this year, but didn’t make the Euros squad. Harrison has been on my radar since he first played against us and impressed immensely.

I discounted MacGillivray because he was over 30 and made bids on the other three. As expected all three were rejected so I increased and bid again.

A McCrorie bid was accepted first, we agreed personal terms, but I delayed a week to see if I could land the other two.

A bid for Harrison was agreed, more than I wanted to pay, but worth it because my scouts have him slightly behind Frommann but with potential to be better than Cakir and Farinez are projected to be. We agreed personal terms and confirmed the deal.

Bids for Brophy were getting higher and higher and kept being rejected, so I walked away from the Rangers divide, and confirmed the McCrorie deal. According to my scouts, McCrorie is better than Frommann but unlikely to be as good as Cakir or Farinez.

What happens next (other than my goalkeeping coach working overtime)?

Frommann is now on the transfer list with at least five clubs interested in him. I’ve rejected two bids already, because it’s early in the window and I think I can get more for him.

And that’s it so far. Potentially, I need to find a way to keep four keepers happy  - McCrorie, Harrison, Cakir and Farinez - until I decide what I’m doing. For definite, one of Cakir and Farinez needs to go. McCrorie and Harrison both signed as ‘backup’ so I think I can keep either Cakir or Farinez as #1 and keep the other two happy; Harrison could even go out on loan for the season. But if I think McCrorie and Harrison are both good enough now, with a third Scottish GK Bain in reserve, then both Cakir and Farinez could go.

I’ve given Steven Harrison the #1 squad number because, long-term, I’m hoping he’ll become both Celtic and Scotland’s #1. He’ll be given the chance to impress in pre-season and decisions will then be made based on how he gets on.

Watch this space...

23 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

9 June 2024

CELTIC'S GLUT OF GOALKEEPERS

The Bhoys: As we revealed earlier this week, two Scottish goalkeepers - Robbie McCorie (26) and Steven Harrison (19) - officially became Celtic players today.

A 'Glut of Goalkeepers' would seem an appropriate assessment as Celtic manager Stuniverse now has six first-team goalkeepers to choose from. Last season, 28 year-old Turkish international Ugurcan Cakir and 26 year-old Venezuelan international Wuilker Farinez shared the gloves.

Here are the details of Celtic's six goalkeepers.

1. Steven Harrison

13. Ugurcan Cakir

21. Wuilker Farinez

26. Robbie McCrorie

29. Scott Bain

41. Constantin Frommann

 

 

Edited May 10, 2020 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

CELTIC SQUAD REVIEW - DEFENDERS

Centre-backs:

After goalkeepers, central defence is my next problem area if we're to transition to a British/Irish > Scottish squad as we have four CBs of SPL standard and two of them are non-British.

5. Chancel Mbemba (DR Congalese), 29 years-old, 31 (1) apps, 3 goals, 1 assist, 7.21

Mbemba was our most reliable central defender last season and organised the back-four well. His composure on the ball and his ability to play out from the back were real assets, as was his ability to play anywhere across the back-four. Mbemba is about to embark on his fourth season at Celtic and it would be sentimentally hard to move him on. Having said that, he was starting to show signs of his age catching up on him as he needed to be rested due to tiredness at times during the season.

25. Stuart Findlay (Scottish HGC), 28 years-old, 29 (4) apps, 2 goals, 0 assists, 7.00

A £3.9M signing from Leicester City last summer, Findlay began his career at Celtic and counts as HGC. Strong in the air and the tackle, the left-footer was expected to be the regular starter alongside Mbemba, but deficiencies in his all-round game meant he was unable to make the shirt his own. 

30. Scott McKellar (Scottish HGN), 20 years-old, 18 (5) apps, 1 goal, 0 assists, 7.16.

Celtic have high hopes for this HGN newgen who began his career at Hearts and has now completed his third season at Celtic so he should (I think, but I don't fully understand the rules) qualify as HGC for next season. Defensively not as strong as Findlay, but has a better all-round game and is young enough to improve considerably. This season was his breakthrough season, next season could be the one where he kicks-on and establishes himself as a regular starter.

4. Javier Montero (Spanish), 25 years-old, 15 (0), 0 goals, 1 assist, 7.05.

A £2.1M capture in January, the left-footer was brought in to provide extra cover in the heart of defence due to the number of times midfielder Scott McTominay had played CB and also to provide competition for Findlay. Inconsistent, is probably the best way to sum up Montero's first half-season at Celtic Park.

Youth Prospects:

64. Graeme Budinauckas (17, Scottish) is probably the pick of the bunch coming through, but neither he nor 65. Calum McCann (19, Scottish) or 66. Nic Madden (19, Scottish) are ready to step into the first-team any time soon.

Edited May 10, 2020 by Stuniverse