InglewoodJack Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 1 hour ago, Unnamed Trialist said: 6 is very early. Even 12. At 15 it should be clearer. With that incredibly positive mentality he has, that intelligence and optimism, watch out for his kid brother, those are things you get from a good supportive family and he may have it too. Apart from the physical genetics. 6 is early, and I think it's a problem that many kids that age are actually given these insane expectations when they barely understand why they're playing the sport in the first place, but I do think a lot of future stars start to pull away from the pack at that age. I think anyone who's played sports has some story of that kid who at 7-12 years old looked like he was from another planet, and that kid grows up to be a ~decent professional or bench player. But you'd think a child with a future european soccer career at such a legendary club would be turning *some* heads ever since he was a child, and I think it speaks to his character and how he grew up that he just kept growing. Hell, I don't even know if anyone would've put the future Europe label on him at Vaughan or even Wake Forest. I think you'd probably have been laughed out the room if you saw him when he started at CF Montreal and told people he's a future premier league player, but now even the fans of his new club are saying he's well on that route. Just comes off as a guy who goes about things "the right way" and he's seen his development pay out dividends at every step of the way. gator 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lansdude Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 I think it can take defenders a while to season. Having exceptional technical ability may make more offensive minded players stand out at a young age but ability to develop an IQ for the game over time is crucial for defending and it may take a while to see that tendency to keep leveling up. A secondary thing is physicality. Some kids without incredible talent might get overlooked next to their peers because they physically mature later. By the time they "catch up" and then separate themselves form the pack they're well beyond the developmental stages. gator 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SthMelbRed Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 8 hours ago, dyslexic nam said: I agree that you don’t want to bulk up (I think that is, or at least has been, one issue with Akinola) but the guys I referenced all seem to have put on a specific kind of muscle. Goretzka, Davies and AJ all look ripped without putting on a lot of extra bulk. Their physiques don’t deviate from what I would consider to be “footy friendly” - they just took it to its logical conclusion of maximizing strength within that phenotype. Lewa did it too - which makes me suspect Bayern invests a lot of resources to make sure their players are in peak physical condition (or they just impose very high expectations on their players). It was less than 5 years ago when Mo Salah was a lightning quick winger, at the end of one of the greatest individual seasons in English football history, whom Sergio Ramos was able to pretty easily throw to the ground, separating his shoulder. If Ramos saw Mo Salah walking towards him down a dark alley today, ol' Serge would run in the other direction, shitting himself. Salah has built himself into a brick shithouse without losing any of his speed or quickness. When you combine incredible drive and work ethic with supreme physical gifts, you can achieve a lot. When you add a 'never fucking again' chip on the shoulder, the results are scary. Cheeta, baulderdash77 and dyslexic nam 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 ^ AJ getting a bit ripped hasn't hurt his pace one jot, quite the opposite I'd say. It doesn't get mentioned a lot but this is a quick lad with an even better throttle. I mean he just advances through the gears bang-bang-bang! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonovision Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 (edited) The danger with packing on too much muscle (I don't think AJ or Davies or most other footballers are really in danger of being placed in this category) is not losing pace, but losing stamina/endurance. Edited March 7, 2023 by jonovision LeoH037 and RS 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PegCityCam Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 Xavier., dyslexic nam, Nello and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyslexic nam Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 Starting on the bench for Celtic against Hearts. Seems like it is probably load management given the minutes he has been playing lately (and how well he seems to be doing) but Hearts are 3rd in the league so it is an interesting one to rest him. Mind you, Celtic are 10 points clear of Rangers in 1st place, but Rangers have a game in hand. I am wondering if he has a minor knock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InglewoodJack Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 5 minutes ago, dyslexic nam said: Starting on the bench for Celtic against Hearts. Seems like it is probably load management given the minutes he has been playing lately (and how well he seems to be doing) but Hearts are 3rd in the league so it is an interesting one to rest him. Mind you, Celtic are 10 points clear of Rangers in 1st place, but Rangers have a game in hand. I am wondering if he has a minor knock. They’re playing Hearts again in the cup quarter finals this weekend. They’re also benching guys like Jota and Hatate who are usual starters too. dyslexic nam and GasPed 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InglewoodJack Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 Celtic legend got his first assist just now against Hearts in the cup semis. baulderdash77, Corazon, sebdeserio and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamboAl Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 8 minutes ago, InglewoodJack said: Celtic legend got his first assist just now against Hearts in the cup semis. Good ball in and a gorgeous finish by Kyogo. Johnston doing really well and taking up some very advanced roles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InglewoodJack Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 11 minutes ago, JamboAl said: Good ball in and a gorgeous finish by Kyogo. Johnston doing really well and taking up some very advanced roles. A complete laser of a pass: great finish by Kyogo, just good play all around dyslexic nam, johnyb, Approve My Account Pls and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinceA Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 Kyogo not going to the WC is still baffling to me. InglewoodJack, king1010, nolando and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
footballfreak Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 Apologies if this has been posted here already. Saw it on the Celtic subreddit and felt it was worth sharing. Quote Really rate Johnston. I actually met him by chance a couple of weeks ago in Edinburgh. He was presumably just on his day off and wandering around sightseeing, whereas I was standing outside my dad's funeral reception getting some fresh air when I saw him. I went up to him and said that I wouldn't usually bother him but it was too much of a coincidence that I'd see a Celtic player pass by on the day of my absolutely Celtic daft Dad's funeral. He was really lovely and stayed to chat to me and a couple of other people for about 10 minutes. We talked about the cup final and it was clear how keen he is and loving it here. Chatting to him was a really cool part of (and a great story to tell!) an otherwise shite day. A cool guy. - /u/macaronipickles clamlinguine, sebdeserio, phresh and 10 others 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scullion44 Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Corazon, WestHamCanadianinOxford, sstackho and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InglewoodJack Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Alright, I’ve seen enough. Future Celtic captain. sebdeserio, Approve My Account Pls, Cheeta and 13 others 1 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frmr Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 1 hour ago, InglewoodJack said: Alright, I’ve seen enough. Future Celtic captain. If you don't read the comments/replies in that tweet, well, its 'cause you're a dick, Scott. Olympique_de_Marseille 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahmedou Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 The Voyageur! sebdeserio, PastPros, Xavier. and 18 others 20 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyslexic nam Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 5 minutes ago, ahmedou said: The Voyageur! That is awesome. Love that guy. johnyb, Canuckia, gator and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamboAl Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 I had Alistair come over to say hi at HT and he spent the entire interval talking to the supporters and signing stuff for the kids; even joked with him about his time at Celtic so far. Absolutely top man! Obinna, Strait Red, dyslexic nam and 20 others 22 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted April 3, 2023 Share Posted April 3, 2023 Hard match to shine in but thought he had a good run against the Staggies this morning. Had his moments but the highlight was when he went on a beauty raid. A Jota heel flick that lead to him slipping a tackle and then muscled himself onto the ball for a dangerous crossing opportunity. Naught came of it but as sexy a bit of footballing as you'll see away-up-north. BTY, Loturi had a good day. I mean, if that's possible when you're defending for 90 minutes. Pressed when it made sense. Went on his own raids when it made sense. Didn't over-force it. Really smart bit of footballing with enough aggression built into it to try to be more than just reactionary. cronaldo7, Corazon, gator and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamptern Posted April 3, 2023 Share Posted April 3, 2023 A bit of off topic, but I have a feeling that one or two of high profile or solid CB candidates might emerge in next 12-24 months. Jack1997, gigi riva and dyslexic nam 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigi riva Posted April 3, 2023 Share Posted April 3, 2023 17 minutes ago, lamptern said: A bit of off topic, but I have a feeling that one or two of high profile or solid CB candidates might emerge in next 12-24 months. I hope ypou are right An Observer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InglewoodJack Posted April 3, 2023 Share Posted April 3, 2023 Heard he had a great game, but apparently Loturi was giving him a bit of trouble? Heard great reviews for both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maccaliam Posted April 3, 2023 Share Posted April 3, 2023 10 hours ago, lamptern said: A bit of off topic, but I have a feeling that one or two of high profile or solid CB candidates might emerge in next 12-24 months. Who would you consider in this group of high profile or solid CBs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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