Stu92

We have "behind closed doors" games every summer. It's effectively an intense training session. It has nothing to do with procedures or testing.

Where was it said that other clubs' officials were allowed in to watch the game? Tabloid chat?

Where was it said Celtic were at the Killie game? Tabloid chat?

Hard to know really, could also be tied in with league finishes, promotion, etc.

I'd tend to agree usually but as weeyin says he's actually been getting a bit of game time already.

I had no idea Hull were in the relegation zone until just there. Doubt they'll manage it tonight but hope they escape for Scott's sake.

In the know? In the shadows.

I know you (quite rightly) bang the youth academy drum fairly regularly, but I just don't agree that we aren't giving youth a chance. Turnbull, Campbell, Scott & Hastie have all been first team starters in recent seasons. Maguire, Semple & MacIver (albeit not quite the same scenario) are on the fringes and have featured on occasion. Hussain, Devine and Cornelius look like they are going to feature more regularly this season. If we had 11 Turnbull's in the reserves I'd be all for playing them every week, but it's incredibly naive/romantic to think that these players are ready to play as first team regulars. We need to sign established players to operate at the level we currently are operating at, and certainly if we want to push on from here. I think the signings we have made this season, on paper, are very clever bits of business but also show a level of ambition I don't think we have shown in the market for a while now. If we were to add Lang, and possibly 1 other (a RB perhaps), as many have said this is the best squad we've had on paper for some time now.

Link to the twitter activity please? My initial thought also was that it's just a billboard.

I had thought it was only season ticket holders that would get the access to stream, hence the uncertainty over away fans getting to watch games, and that it was as much an incentive to fans to still buy a season ticket as anything.

We're getting away from transfer chat a bit here, but I suspect things will be determined by how well people can (or can't) behave themselves with a pint in them. If we're still seeing similarly low figures three weeks after beer gardens/pubs are open then I'd tend to agree with you that we'll see some fans back in grounds soon. Still sceptical though. Anyway, Lang. If the reported £100-200k fee is accurate would he be our highest transfer fee of the last 15 years? Can't remember us paying more than a 'nominal fee' for anyone during my time supporting the club.

Given other clubs are allegedly interested in Lang as well, I think the club are seeing him as an investment and that he'll be back out the door in 12 months time. If that's the plan I hope it works.

Do you know something that nobody else knows?

I would agree with the latter, nothing like him! No idea who it is though. Quick google search of Callum Lang there also doesn't resemble him.

It's funny you mention Armstrong's ambition. I often hear of him not cutting it, not 'sellick quality', etc, as the reason for leaving Celtic despite the fact he's now a regular starter for a good standard EPL team. Not really anything related to Turnbull mind you, just an observation on OF mentality

£4million transfer fee to sign for Newcastle. Season-long loan back to us. Newcastle takeover goes through, no way into the first-team for DT. Buy-back clause of £2million. DT holds record of being highest transfer fee received by the club as well as highest transfer fee paid by the club, with a cool £2million left in the bank to build the Alan Campbell Training Academy. Or at least that's what my mate's Saudi burd tells me.

Just went for a nosey there, fair bit of discussion on it. I think our board get it spot on about 99% of the time, would be very surprised if there was some sort of DT-related option/term/condition attached to a loan that could be cut short at Christmas.

I'd say in this instance it has been made up.

Aye?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lex_Baillie

I read an article on the BBC sometime in the last 6-12 months about Champonship finances, with an interview from a member of the Phelan family. He was saying something to the effect of Wigan having the smallest budget in the division when they owned them but they still had to pump £1,000,000 of their own cash into the club every month just to stay afloat. Can't find the article now but will share if I do. I think the English bubble has been due to burst for a while now. The top flight won't feel the loss of fans quite so much but I think it'll have a larger impact on lower league clubs that are being run far more precariously than teams north of the border in lieu of mental TV deals.

Win-win, as others have mentioned. Was merely playing devil's advocate on the unknown terms of the loan deal that may never actually happen.

Generally speaking I'm against taking OF players on loan, I'd rather a youngster given more of a chance or a punt taken on an uncut gem that could turn us a profit in a year or two. However, I can see the pros of putting Hastie back in the shop window to potentially net us something on the sell-on and also preventing a potential league rival getting the benefit from him on loan. But what happens if we sign him and he is utter pish, a la end of his spell with us where every other team sussed he was a one trick pony? Or if Seedorf steps up this year as we all hope he does? We'd potentialy be stuck paying his inflated wages for the season, or forced into playing him due to some loan condition Rangers will no doubt insist on. I know all ifs and buts...

Would love to see the reverse of this!