Kmcalpin

Red top rumour that highly rated Bailey Rice is attracting interest from the gruesome twosome and Manchester City. I think this has been on the go for several months. He wasn't in the list of lads who stepped up to the professional ranks. No doubt the club is trying to retain him but the lure of big names may turn his and his parents heads. I think the club will be due some compensation although it'll be minimal; we can negotiate with add ons etc. Not a great situation losing top rated youngsters before they make the breakthrough but thats life.

Ostensibly an odd signing, position wise. That surely calls into question O'Donnell's position does it not? As far as ther platyer is concerned, I don't care if he is talented or not so long as he is solid and makes few mistakes. That in itself would be an upgrade. All that said, I would have thought bolstering other positions would have been more of a priority. Anyway, welcome to Fir Park Mr McGinn.

I'm with you on this OTF. Goodwin has yet to prove himself with a bigger club. As for McInnes, I've never bought in to love in. I'm not expecting him to transform Killie - he might improve them a bit but not transform them.

Where we end up this season will depend not just on our performances but also those of other teams. At the very least a consistent core to our squad should aid consistency. GA will also now be more familiar with his squads strengths and weaknesses. However, we can't stand still and have to improve which means bringing in another 2/3/4 new players. Some of our rivals will be weaker and some will be stronger.

We need another out and out striker to complement / substitute for Van Veen. Apart from that, a central defender is a must, although that might depend on shipping someone out. Strengthening the defence should be our priority. GA is well aware of that.

Did we officially confirm that we were looking at him at all?

Just a heads up for those aged 60-65+ and renewing season tickets. If you already enjoyed an age concession you will have to pick up a new card in person at FP. The reason being that this group is changing category from "over 60" to "over 65". I wasn't given an option to have it posted out.

Outcome as expected. Just think of the uproar, chaos and disruption it woud have caused if they had switched the ties.

When does pre season training start?

Not a great fan of the kit and I didn't like it first time around. Still each to their own and its a personal choice. I'll support the players who wear it.

You're spot on Denny. Stevie Clarke (Yes there are questionmarks over him), is the least of our problems. The SFA and indeed the whole system needs overhauled, before we're going to progress. I've been saying this for years, IF, and its a massive IF, we get our act together now, its going to be at least 8 years before we have a realistic chance of qualifying for a finals. I won't hold my breath.

Not a player, but John Park is reportedly moving on from Blackburn.

I don't know how Spittal will turn out but he is a different kind of midfielder to O'Hara and Donnelly. Does this signal a change in tactics to allow us to play more through the middle?

Last season our defensive record was poor, especially post New Year. GA has acknowledged this, saying that he and Chris Lucketti are looking to address this for next season. Now that may involve a change in set up but surely it must also involve a change in personnel to some extent?

St Johnstone are tracking him.

Nine senior players out. Agreet that we should bring in 3/4/5 better quality players. Our exact shopping list will depend on whether Lamie moves on of course.

Over the course of the season, I agree. However, he's been the best of what has been a bad bunch.

Agree 100%. We need follow England's lead here and cut/limit the time for clubs in the same league.

No surprises at all in the released list. I assume Lamie has exercised a right to call off the Dundee deal and is now looking at other options, including our offer. I wouldn't bust the bank to retain him. A good squad player who has scored a few vital goals but that shouldn't mask his defensive perormance over time. Presumably we won't wait too long on him making his mind up?

A link to the Blair Spittal rumour. https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/sport/football/blair-spittal-wanted-motherwell-graham-27001308

And so the rumour mill has started. Reports on P & B Ross County thread that we're interested in Blair Spittal. Their official site confirms he is leaving but that is all.

Thats the way that I read your post.

Jordan Roberts and Mark O'Hara both confirmed they are leaving. Interestingly, the latter is 26 and St Mirren will be his 5th senior club.

A good move by the club to raise the concession age from 60 to 65. This is in line with changes in society in general and the Premiership in particular. It probably should have been done years ago to be honest. Its only fair to allow those in 60-64 cohort already claiming a concession to continue to do so. I say as this as someone who has personally benefitted. from the lower age limit.

Pretty much my view. We have to be realistic when comparing the two playing budgets and what that means on the field. Yesterday's result, whilst disappointing, was in no way surprising. The result and performance wasn't helped by our absentee list. I thought I'd look back at Celtic's stats for home league games this season. Outwith Sevco, only 3 teams (excluding us) have scored at Parkhead. In terms of goal difference, we're about halfway out of the 10 clubs. That said, some have only played once at Parkhead. Undoubtedly, and in general, our defence needs addressed in the close season and that means not just personnel but also tactics. Defence is not limited to the 4 or 5 at the back of course. I don't doubt that the constant pressure on our defence wasn't helped by a powderpuff strikeforce. Our specific tactics for Ibrox and Parkhead also need to be examined. Whilst not advocating all out attack, we do need to stop defending so deeply. In my view thats asking for trouble. Yesterday panned out pretty much how I thought. Dundee United were always going to pick up a point in Dingwall.