Kmcalpin

I would have been at it but can't recall the game. Seems that Kirky Lawson and Jim McCabe scored the goals.

Agreed, but any interested club would also need to offer higher wages and/or a longer deal.

Surprised that we're discussing the new Celtic manager on our Forum under "Mark McGhee". There will be wall to wall coverage in the media for anyone so inclined. If we must discuss it there could be a thread under "General Football". Personally I've no interest in this whatsoever, but just think our forum should be our forum.

Don't bank on it.

Maybe some truth in that. When I saw him at first he seemed to have a bit of talent and skill about him although woefully short of pace.

You're right about Chalmers and it seems obvious that Mark McGhee doesn't rate him. I doubt very much though that Ian Baraclough scouted the likes of Straker and Chalmers on his own. Someone else must have recommended them.

Before my time, although my late father was at it. An interesting game and a lot of talk at the time about our games against Hibs. On 14 October 1951 Hibs whacked us 6-2 at Fir Park. A fortnight later later Hibs were odds on favourites to beat us in the League Cup Final but we beat them 3-0.

Aha, this is interesting Andy. When the proposals for a revised League Cup were announced there was a fair bit of discussion on these boards as to whether friendlies would simply be dispensed with as being unnecessary and burdensome in early / mid July. The body of opinion, if I have got it right, was that the early League Cup section games would, in effect, act as de facto friendlies. A few of us did however have doubts and wondered if the season would simply start even earlier say at the start of July or even in late June. I'm not sure that clubs such as ours would be overly happy just diving into competitive games even against lower league opposition. The prize money at stake will surely mean that teams will want to start off competitively up and running and not ring rusty. Time will tell.

Thats just about sums it up. Both central midfield and left back have been problem areas for us this season, along with right back, with or without Las and Hammy.

I would guess that of the 3 named Scots clubs, all three will outbid us if they want this player. Then of course there's the unnamed clubs. I don't like such information being made public. It smacks of a player's agent or club's agent trying to whip up an auction. Traditionally we tend to keep matters quiet and thats the best way.

I agree that it was a difficult choice and I'm not impressed with Chalmers at left back - is he not a centre back? However, Marvin Johnson didn't play that well at left back against St Johnstone. He had a few impressive marauding runs in the first half but defensively wasn't great. We really do need two new full backs on both sides.

Just watched the goals again. Yes, Celtic played well but they were the kind of goals we've been losing all season. Getting torn apart down the wings and the central midfield failing to shield the central defence. Probably a the result of poor tactics, lack of confidence and not working hard enough.

Absolutely. I had hoped we'd learned our lesson against St Johnstone, but obviously not. One rookie full back in Watt and one no full back on Johnson. Irrespective of how badly he played, Watt was hung out to dry by playing Ainsworth in front of him. Interesting too that we lost 4 goals after Watt was hooked but only 3 before - does that prove he should have been kept on? You're correct Wullie - we played far too open a line up and paid the price. Keith Lasley's absence is a complete red herring. Just think for a minute - why wasn't he playing? Illness - no; injury - no. He was sent off at Pittodrie for a badly timed and clumsy tackle and has been given a 3 match suspension. He's made a few tackles like that this season. Irrespective of how good a player is he's no good to us sitting in the stand. When he's played, opposing teams still manage to gain easy access to our central defence and keeper. Now I'm not saying he's to blame for our defeat today but simply making the point that his absence (and Stevie Hammell's) weren't the reason for our hammering today. Josh Law wasn't playing either was his absence critical in the defeat? Our heavy defeat was down to a combination of circumstances: absences, yes absences; Celtic playing well and fired up; our lads hitting the beach early; some players having an off day; and last but by no means least Mark McGhee's team selection and line up. I hate losing 1-0 never mind 7-0 but I've witnessed worse in my time. We should however view the game in the context of the season overall. A 5th placed finish is a great achievement and that is down to Mark McGhee and his management team and the players. He'll have learnt a bit more about his players today and fair enough. In terms of transfer dealings we badly need to replace Keith Lasley and bolster central midfield. We also need 2 new full backs. Over the course of the entire season, too many teams have exploited our weakness down the wings and in central midfield. We finished the season with the 4th worst goals against tally and that tells its own story. However our 2015-16 season is now over and we finished in 5th spot, well above where I thought we would do; and most importantly, avoided playoffs. All this with a managerial change during the campaign. Not bad in my book. Finally, I feel sorry for our fans who went to the game - they deserved much better.

I'll take a 6-0 and 7-0 defeat every season if we consistently finish 6th or above year after year.

Leitch, Fletcher, Lasley, McManus, Hammell, McFadden, Samson, Hall, MacDonald, Clarkson and Moore. Gomis and Ripley - their loans end.

An interesting discussion about the importance of the senior players and I can see both sides of the debate. On one hand we do need to retain a certain level of experience to bring on the youngsters but on the other hand you don't want too many aged 30+ in the side. For a starting line up I would have thought two from McManus, Pearson, Hammell and Lasley. Its a fine balance to strike. Add in maybe a couple of youngsters under 20 and you're left with 7 players aged 20-30. Not an exact science but thats a reasonable balance surely? What we also have to remember is that you're not assessing senior players mainly on the basis of their fitness/performances this season but what they'll be like next season. As for our defence only 4 clubs have shipped more goals than us this season so far. That has to improve. On the basis that Ripley has not cost us a barrowload then you have to examine the 4 outfield defenders and the midfielders. That said I would have no problem in shipping 5 goals a game if we scored 6!

Good to see Pearo notch a brace and us score some from midfield. If he's played in the correct role ie a box to box attacking midfielder then he's an asset to the side.

That win tonight was worth £105,000 to us. A great result.

Yes, I think you're right Captain. McDonald is in a different position.

Agree with most comments about the 5 senior players offered reduced terms. You do have to ask who is going to offer them better money? Aberdeen, Hearts, Dundee United, Hibs, Ross County? I very much doubt it. Of the five, I'd really only be concerned if MacDonald was to leave. That said we do need some experience to help the younger players. Mark McGhee is no fool is will have contingency plans in place.

At the split I was doubtful that we would achieve 4th place but thought that 5th was not beyond us. However Saturday's defeat made even that harder to achieve. Still 6th spot is better than being in a play off.

On what grounds? Financial cutbacks or the fact that some individual members of the squad won't be deemed good enough to be offered new deals. If its the latter then I guess thats life.

OK

Not necessarily. The offers may reflect Mark McGhee's use of his playing budget re offering other players enhanced deals or bringing other players in. In any event its maybe just an attempt to use our money more wisely. Doubt if it has anything to do with Les.

Absolutely. Its not surprising that the other senior players are being asked to take a wage cut as this will probably reflect anticipated decreasing time on the pitch. Bit surprised about Samson though and wouldn't be surprised if he rejects the offer.