LA-Don

I think devlin is worth a risk on a pre contract. Was a solid player pre injury and would hope to see him replace Reynolds in the squad, or Arnie given his age. Don’t think we need another forward, esp since McGinn can play up top too, keen to get another center mid in. Surely Storie was punted to free up wages and space in the squad for an addition now, as much as he didn’t play no reason to release him too given our lack of depth in the position if he’s not being replaced.

Given Mikey Devlin is on an expiring contract and he’s not fit I’d assume that’s a pre contract if anything. Although isn’t he a left footed/left sided central defender the same as McKenna?

Having a guy wanting to leave is not nonsense. It’s 500k now or nothing in 5 months. For a club like us that’s huge. Those who feel KM is the difference in league placing, I get your point, but I don’t think he’s that significant and the money now is more important to me. 2nd isn’t guaranteed with him. With Storie gone now it certainly leaves us thin but it’s two players from Shinnie AOC and the new boy, plus Ball as back up if needed at holding mid. Potentially another loan in if don’t get an immediate replacement.

Can’t believe all the positive comments about McLean. Where did all this come from?? He’s an attacking midfielder who doesn’t score enough and doesn’t assist enough. He can’t shoot for shit, plus can’t tackle or head the ball. You’ve got McGinn, Christie, and Stewart who can all play #10, with Shinnie, AOC and the new boy all able to play the two deeper position. Fuck, I’d even rather Storie got a chance ahead of a guy who is leaving. KM will not be the difference between 2nd and 3rd, don’t see the logic there at all. He’s not our captain, leader, play maker, nor heavily influential in defense or attack. He’s not Joe Lewis, no McKenna or Shinnie, those guys would be a loss. We take 500k if it’s there, complete no brainer for a guy who wants to leave. We all get that, right? He doesn’t want to stay. Transfer funds are limited, that 500k can be used to snap up a pre contract or two. Don’t expect a replacement for him immediately but this is a complete no brainer.

What makes you say that players are starting to think a move to the old firm isn’t that good? Jack just did it, the boy from St Mirren did too. Totally think Christie wants to be back at Celtic even though I see him having a similar impact to Jonny Hayes. Sadly they are both still a huge attraction and in Rangers case in particular, despite all of what they have been through.

Accept it and send Reynolds. Worth a try. They’ll get a refund if they return him.

Where are these hopeful rumours coming form?

Apparently dubbed the Nigerian Neymar when city signed him. Although also seen him listed as a defender/midfielder. If he’s the Nigerian Shinnie that works for me!

I honestly don't know if we need Shinnie at left back given the level of opposition. You could argue against Celtic perhaps but he's really needed in midfield for that game. Considine is limited but can contain the rest of our opponents for the most part, but we should be attacking all opponents and not relying on Shinnie at left back anyway. He's needed in midfield for the type of league we're in, in my opinion. Long term, I'd much rather we signed a new left back than move Shinnie back there. I think he gives us real drive, passion, and leadership from the middle of the park.

I'd assume this means McLean is with us until summer and leaving on a free? Don't see him signing a new contract as mentioned before. Pretty sure his performances have improved as he tries to sell himself.

Fuck. Oh please let it be so. What would the next new company be called?? That would make me so happy.

I didn't think Tansey was that bad but I think he's more of the McLean type than the Jack/Flood. I think DM wanted him to replace Jack but I think he wouldn't be bad in replacing McLean. Again, he's back up not the starting midfielder, but not the heavy lifter. I definitely agree, center mid is where we badly need a player, selling or sending on loan means we must get someone in.

Agree, not a great window to strengthen. I really want to see what a front four from MCGinn, GMC, Stewart, Christie, and May can do. Other than Stewart that’s some real pace with plenty of skill. Hopefully that gets rid of the long ball shit we’ve seen too much of.

I would think the McLean one may be possible, but still questionable. Look at Hayes, signed then we got a fee and fans were somewhat ok with him going, versus the Ryan Jack departure and how most feel about him now. But then again, does signing to get a fee rule him out of going to the huns?? Don't care if he went there and would be nice to demand money from them, but I'd still prefer to see him do a Jamie Walker and disappear into the English lower leagues.

Plus Christie will surely be seen as a good investment, sell on clause and future transfer fee. Worth paying for in my eyes.

Totally, you snooze you loose. Much like Moult, he’ll play well until May and we’ll not be able to afford him. Let’s try to get him now.

You look at the Celtic signing plus you hope GMS and McGinn can help convince Christie pittodrie is the place to be. Does anyone actually have proof of all the salaries and transfers being thrown around with Rangers? Million pounds transfers and a shit ton of weekly wage money, where is this info coming from?

Don't see right back as a priority right now. Sadly Shay has been average at best and Ball can fill in there. That's a summer priority I think. Ball can cover at right back, central defense, and in midfield. Worth keeping as a worst scenario for now. Priority is definitely center midfield. I don't see Shinnie's as a left back any more. I'd like us to try Harvie in the next few months and maybe get a left back this summer if needed. I think Shinnie is one of the best central midfielders in the league now, it's a waste to put him at left back despite being good there too. We need someone to partner Shinnie behind our front 4. Not a good window to sign players, I certainly agree, but Celtic have dropped points in 7 games so far, us 9. A couple of good signings could make things interesting. Not quite the situation of a couple of seasons ago but Celtic are not that strong.

I don’t think McGinn was in our budget, became available and we got him. That could have been an agreement with DM and his new deal. In terms of shifting players, who do you see potentially moving? I’d recommend Maynard since McGinn and Stewart can play up top if for some reason May and Rooney are unavailable. Maybe Craig Storie? I’d argue that the performances on McKenna means Reynolds could go too. We’ve got Ball and OConnor who can cover at the back, plus Considine could obviously play in the middle. We’ve got squad depth in all positions but aren’t that big a squad. Would like to see Harvie given a game or two at left back to see if he’s capable. I still think we’re crying out for another central midfielder. We’ve got the flair of Christie, Stewart, Wright, GMS, and McGinn, we need another Shinnie/Flood type. Happy to see McLean punted if we get this player. I’d say Tansey is the back up, not a regular starter when fit. Any suggestions on who??

I think May has the potential to be excellent. However, tactically, I don’t think we play him the right way. He’s not a hold up target man or a Rooney type poacher, and not a long ball player. We have to adjust tactics to get the best out of him, or play two up front.....and that doesn’t mean sticking the second forward out wide. Similar argument for Stewart too.

Can’t remember who posted it, but it was regarding the fact we now have defensive and attacking midfielders. The likes of OConnor does nothing but sit in front of the two central midfielders but offers nothing in an attacking sense. McLean is incredibly weak defensively. If we had two Shinnie type players in midfield with the flair of GMS and McGinn on the wings, then you have May and Moult up top. That would be a fucking wet dream!

I always thought it was May or Moult, didn’t think he were trying to get both.

My last point, I think DM and this team peaked in 2014, we’ve lost our central midfielders and wide players. Opponents know McIness and his tactics and how we play. New players came in and and new approach is needed. Case and point Celtic, we play the same tactics and lose every time in the league. Only once did we change and that was the cup final - hate to lose but was certainly very proud of our effort that day. Not saying a new manager is necessarily needed, but he needs to change for things to improve. Is he capable?

It’s interestibg how we see players and games so differently. We’re learning a lot about what Rooney can and can’t do this year, less opportunities to play and score so his missed chances and poor play are more evident. His miss was as close to a sitter but maybe not quite - you can argue he’s turning, a snap shot, and the keeper makes a great save but he shouldn’t have hit it near the keeper, really should have scored. I honestly don’t know if Maynard would have been worse. And playing Rooney to his strengths, what are those? As for him getting service, I didn’t see that much at all, we went sideways and backwards most of the time or tried to penetrate with wide play, from the midfielders, or the shite long ball. Playing Rooney through the middle where he scores goals only happens with us attacking at pace and getting crosses in. We stretch the field for him to get on the end of crosses, or pick off tap ins and rebounds. Playing him centrally makes no difference when supply is so limited. All we see as a result is a forward do little or nothing and have zero impact on the game. Thought Rooney played mainly through the middle and Kenny more advanced in midfield since Shinnie and O’Connor were alongside him initially. We can criticize Rooney McLean Stewart etc but I point the finger at DM. He hasn’t adapted tactics since losing Hayes and McGinn and yet again I didn’t think we created many chances. Just because McLean outruns Hughes once GMS is sent wide right when he scored a hat trick recently against a better Hibs team from wide left. Leave GMS in his best position and stick Christie in a more advanced wide right role where he’s played before, can cut in on his left, playing to our strengths. We have a different team and squad this season but it’s the end of December and DM doesn’t appear willing to change. Maybe McGinn will bail out DM but our frustrations stem from us trying to play the same tactics with a different team who after 5 months of the season can’t really play them.

Totally agree with you regarding McKenna, played very well and I thought was clearly MOTM, plus there was a point where the camera focused in on him barking out instructions. Confident and vocal, long may his play and progress continue. We relied on the counter attacking pace in recent years with Hayes and McGinn. GMS gives that but isn't as consistent, hopefully that will come. Stewart does not and we've really struggled to break down teams this year yet DM doesn't appear to have altered tactics. Certainly think McGinn and GMS will give us that greater threat, plus a healthy May up top will stretch defenses. McGinn and May can certainly switch roles too so I'm intrigued to see how that front 3 plays out. For what it's worth, I thought the Lafferty foul was a booking, not a straight red. A clear foul but didn't injure the guy, not the last man, and I was surprised he went. I know if it was a don that was red carded for that we'd feel agrieved.