Stefan Johansen

Would happily sell him, I do like him but i do feel if we can get Armstrong in his place in the middle of the park it will give us good balance, Biton the deep lying playmaker, Brown Ball winner and Armstrong Advanced Playmaker (bit of football manager positional descriptions) think it would be good and would bring the best out of Armstrong

 

he has more to offer than stefan imo

 

Still giving away needless fouls tonight fades out of games too easily.

 

Pls go

 

Yep, he's a liability with too many erratic passes and silly fouls and bookings. Gave away a dangerous FK as well. I hope that was a farewell game from him.

 

Brendan Rodgers hopes Stefan Johansen turns down Galatasaray but knows Celtic may cash in on the player

Brendan Rodgers wants Stefan Johansen to knock back a lucrative offer from Galatasaray – but understands that Celtic may want to cash in on a player in the final year of his contract.

Johansen can increase his wages significantly to £1 million per year with the move, should the clubs reach agreement on a fee, with the Turks still well short of the £2 million asking price.

But Rodgers, who saw Leigh Griffiths bag a double in the 2-1 friendly win over NK Olimpija in Ljubljana, said: ‘It is speculation but he is a player I’d like to keep for sure, if it all evolves how I want it to.

The club has to protect itself also. If a player clearly doesn't want to be at a club and had a year to go, the market will tell you that you have to sell that player. There are very few players who will be allowed to run their contract through to a free. That doesn't make any sense.

‘But, at the moment, there is nothing new to say. He's working well and he played well. I always look at players and gauge whether they are happy and want to play for the club or not. I have only known him this last week and a half and he has been excellent.

‘He has a smile on his face, enjoying being with the team, is working hard in training and I can see his qualities.’

Celtic will face Gibraltar side Lincoln Red Imps in their opening Champions League qualifier on The Rock next Tuesday, with the under-dogs having knocked out Flora Tallinn on Wednesday night – and refusing to move the fixture away from their plastic pitch.

‘I was surprised that Lincoln are through if I'm honest,’ said Rodgers. ‘From our reports, the Estonians were the better side in the first leg.

‘Our only issue is that it gives us a day less. If we'd been playing in Estonia, we'd have been on Wednesday night. Now the game is Tuesday and that's a quick turnaround. But we will deal with it and look forward to it. I believe it will be in Gibraltar.’

UEFA deadlines puts some pressure on Celtic to sign players if they want them to face Lincoln, Rodgers saying: ‘We have a couple of items ongoing and if we can them done, then great. But we will see.’

Praising the new strike pairing of Griffiths and debutant Moussa Dembele, the former Liverpool boss said: ‘I was really pleased for Leigh because I thought his two finished were top class. You know he is a player that will score goals whatever position he plays.

‘By bringing in more offensive threats, it will give him more freedom. His two strikes were top quality finishes and, as I said, I thought they combined well together.’

The Celtic boss was also pleased to finally see Efe Ambrose – a subject of interest from Bayer Leverkusen – in action after visa issues left him stranded back in Glasgow for the first half of this pre-season tour saying: ‘He has been training with the under-20 squad back home so when he came out at least he had some fitness.

‘They tell me he is a wonderfully physical being and he can slot into these situations no problem. You saw that with his speed and athleticism. He was fine.’

 

Ffs Brendan let him go please.

 

It's a mind *.
He was Captain in last nights 2-1 win.
Would Rodgers hand the armband to a guy leaving in days?
Makes no sense..

 

Or one that doesn't look the least bit interested either

 

he was captain for about 10 mins.

 

It's a rouse to bump up his price.

 

When is the deadline for signing players to play next week lads? Heard someone say it was yesteday?

 

Friday

 

could be an interesting couple of days. I wonder who the players are that we are looking at. Toure will be one of them I would imagine

 

I can see a couple of senarios here.
BR knows the deal might not happen so doesn't want to knock the players confidence incase he HAS to play him. Nothing wrong with that. OR..

..Johansen is looking good in training and BR thinks that's good enough to justify being * in matches. Surely to * we haven't got another manager who rates training more important than REAL games.

Don't think BR is that niave so I'm going for option one.

 

Keep him

One of our best players - and I would be happy if he stays

 

1.5 million is not a good price for him. He's a good player who is 25 and one of Norways most important players. No problem at all with his commitment last night. Played ok.

It's brown I have a worry about. I can see him being out the starting 11 before Christmas if he even manages that.. Don't see where he slots in. His passing is horrendous. I'd have johanson ahead of him no bother

 

He was * last season let's be honest but I'd have him in the squad ahead of brown everyday of the week.

 

Need to remember he had back problems for the whole season I believe. Anyone that has had back problems would struggle to play, never mind play at the top of your game.

 

He gave an interview in October saying he was over his back injury...and was gash from then on. He also hid v the huns in the semi-final. He'd likely increase his wages if he moved on, so I doubt he'll be keen to sign a new deal - nor do I think we should give him one.

I wouldn't grumble at £1.5 million, even though it's a fraction what we would have got last summer. No-one could have predicted such a dramatic loss of form. I'm confident we can and will attract a higher calibre of CM than Stefan.