This week was an awful and calamitous one for the players exported from Celtic but still linked to the club.
This week was an awful and calamitous one for the players exported from Celtic but still linked to the club. There is very little in the way of virtue to inform you with on any player at all. Players who were unhappy but may be exempt from criticism are as follows: Jason Marr, who was unable to play due to injury. There was a trio who were not chosen to perform for their loan club side; they were: Jos Hooiveld, who was not selected to play for FC Copenhagen this weekend. Similarly, Josh Thompson was not picked in Rochdale’s eleven this weekend and was left onward looking from the bench for the duration of the match. As was Darren O’Dea of Ipswich. The final exemption is Paul McGowan, who couldn’t play this week vs Celtic, due to the terms of his loan deal that states ‘he may not play against his parent club.’
| “Despite the suffering of his mental mindset and self esteem, there was a good element to his technique, in that his touch was simply impeccable” |
With 5 players, stated above, not able to acquire a taste of action- only 3 remain and it doesn’t make for positive reading.
Firstly, a man who presented a good case of promise and expectation for Celtic of late – Richie Towell. He was ruled out of the midweek clash against his full time employers due to identical terms in his loan deal as Paul McGowan fell victim to. However, at the weekend, he was both able and selected to start the match for Hibernian vs Aberdeen. That’s as it good as it gets in an upbeat manner for Towell. Despite making no mistakes, he offered little and seemingly wasn’t mentally up for the match. A moment when Richie was behind an instance of impact on the game is something I am unable to come by. So in a distasteful conclusion; Richie Towell was well below par on this occasion.
Equally as eventless and disgruntling was Benjamin Hutchinson in the latter stages of the week. His Lincoln team were up against a very strong Gillingham side, who were of League 1 last term. Ben was on the field of play from the outset. Mainly because Lincoln were on the backfoot for almost the entire match; touches were few and far between for Ben and he provided next to naught. As a result he was subbed in the 68th minute. A bad day for Ben and a bad day for Lincoln – the match ended Lincoln 0-4 Gillingham.
Finally, Morten Rasmussen returned to playing ways vs AC Horsens on Saturday afternoon. He appeared a little shy of confidence. Despite the suffering of his mental mindset and self esteem, there was a good element to his technique, in that his touch was simply impeccable. That’s about the only compliment that can be paid to Morten in the aftermath of this match as his general play was lax and atrocious. In front of goal he was far from comfortable and he provided unsatisfactory help in attack. This is rather concerning. It has been a long time now since we have been able to credit Morten with a good performance.
In summary, Celtic would have been left to ponder on their loan exploits. Feeling both despondent and dumbfounded by the numerous abysmal, disappointing displays or incapabilities to secure a starting eleven place. Every player they hold in either low or high regard will have not pleased them to say the least. Whether or not this dents the loaned players’ opportunities with the Hoops remains to be seen; but one may think a tough turnaround in form certainly needs to be evident sooner rather than later if they are to impress the Celtic management team.
Written by afcbliamk
* More expanded details of each players progress and their season’s statistics can be found under the thread with their name on in Liam’s Loan Reports section.