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Gosh, it's all very exciting Paul - get a grip.
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Hi Paul, just posted this on the previous thread, so I apoligise for repeating myself, but when exactly are you going to post the "BIG" story. You keep referring to it and say now is not an appropriate time, but when is the right time? Please let us know, as I am salivating at the thought of this exciting post.
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He's certainly making all the right noises. Looking good!
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Sounds good from the wee man and as you say Paul i liked the way he handled the Bobo Balde thing.
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Paul67 thanks for putting up this comment“We know what budget we’ve got and it’s quite exciting.” as I have read many web sites coverage of the press meeting and that quote was never put up. So it is great hat we can get an insight to what is said that is somehow not covered in the mainstream media. It will be interesting to see if anyother source picks up on it.
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“The guy was fined £100, he had a whip round in the pub and made £200 profit."
Get this guy on the board! This is the kind of revenue streams we should be looking at.
Kevin Murray's gramaphone.
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I have to admit that I was one of the Strachan knockers,but would support him by default.
However after this press conference I must bow to Paul and others who were so upbeat from the start.
I like what I have heard and read and our future is in safe hands, glad he has had input from MON.
Roll on the signings.
onward and upwards, roll on July and the new season.
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I was very, very impressed with what I saw and heard.
GS sounded very positive in everything he had to say and it seems that he really has hit the ground running in terms of bringing in players.
What a refreshing change that will be at CP!
Less than a week ago I was less than enthralled with the prospect of GS taking over at Paradise.
But I have to say that I'm rather rapidly being won over.
I know its the product on the pitch that GS will ultimately be judged on but I'm sure his enthusiasm and energy this morning won over more than a few doubters.
After all my criticism of the board and this appointment last week I now think that come the end of the season I'll be shovelling down spoon fulls of humble pie.
I hope its a double helping!!
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anon 11:40, did you come on here just to post that? i think its you that needs to get a grip mate.
Paul you know i'm a fan of Balde, i see that we need to replace one or the other from him and Varga and i would rather have a GREAT ball winner than a decent ball player at the back. however, im resigned to losing him and strachans statements have certainly softened the blow, i read on the bbc website he has been approaching players over the past 2 weeks, if so we may see something very shortly dont you think? still think Varga's complete lack of pace is not the cornerstone of a top class defence, he may be good back up though. im kinda old fashioned in that i believe proportionately more money has to be spent on midfielders and strikers than defenders. i may be wrong but i think the benefit of a quality attacking mid outweighs the benfit of a quality centre half.no more scheidt signings at 5 million. diamond and one other, supplemented by mcmanus and kennedy when he returns should do for now.
Brummiebhoy
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Paul,
Long time reader, first time publisher, the most informative and intelligent 'tic site, the real dogs b*****ks, keep it up. Am a lot happier with wee Gordon's appointment than last week. He is definately making the right noises, just pray he can deliver. Any word on who his potential signings are??
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Excellent news conference and ggod to see positive vibes coming from the new set-up.
It'll be very intersting to see hop the newspapers can turn around this and put a negative spin on it. Henry/Viera for Ibrox in world record deal possibly !
Come on GS and thanks for everything Martin.
First post Paul keep up the great work ! Any info on your breaking news ?
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Brummiebhoy,
I think the real assets we need in any centre-half these days is pace and mobility.
Over the past season or so our centre-halves have at times looked as sharp and nimble as that big bronze bull outside the bullring.
We have always looked at our most vulnerable against teams with quick and mobile forwards and in Europe these days that is what virtually every team has got.
Still, very excited now for the summer and the season ahead!
Hail! Hail!
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Exciting times ahead Paul! I was very surprised at his comments about Bellamy. I was certain he was away. I'm not certain we should be spending so much on him though. I think Keane might be a cheaper option and a more prolific goalscorer. PS How can I retrieve my password for the site which I've forgotten?
Seanbhoy
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well done GS on your press con, I think we have a clone of MON here (I could listen to him all day)
The bit I liked was "we have players in mind and we have contacted some already" (my god celtic's forward thinking :-))
That's Me, I for one are 100% behind the wee man and lets hope Jackie and Neil stay.
Paul67 do you know when a share issue will be announced?
Hail Hail
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I couldn't get to see the press conference as live overseas and have local sky - can anyone point me to a site with a video rerun of GS's first words?
Called a big celtic pal in Livvy though who held the phone to the TV (ta Stevie) and what I could make out sounded very impressive indeed.
I also read the words GS used to describe talks with Bellamy as 'positive', followed by a break then 'very positive'. GS doesn't mince his words and choses them carefully. Got to be a great omen.
Delighted he's focussing too on Lenny and Jackie Mac; both deserving of another year and agree that they represent the pride and commitment that should be mandatory to play in the hoops.
11.40 am anon (surprise there)...please make that your last post, pathetic.
Thanks for the swiftness of the post Paul67, great work.
celticwully
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Looks like GS has made up his mind about Big Bobo, and I'm glad he doesn't seem bothered about loosing him. As much as I like the big guy, he has made some pretty costly mistakes over the last few years and I'm sure with a bit of money we'll get a better replacement. Just a shame we have to loose him for nothing, pity we couldn't have sold him when we had the chance and got some return from him.
Anyways, from the rock bottom of loosing the league then finding out MON was leaving, things are once again looking positive and exciting! Looking forward to seeing which players GS has lined up!
Dave.
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According to the rags Celtic fans are still up in arms at GS appointment. ( Yes I read 'em - know thyne enemy. Keep your friends close and enemies closer blah blah)
Not according to this site - there is, rightly IMHO, a consensus to back GS.
If as seems more likely a few decent signings are made this summer then yes Paul67 GS has a great platform to build on.
Its still a wait & see scenario until they're presented to the hoops troops tho'.
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Very positive start from wee gordon, he seems very genuine - most unlike his friend big 'fake' at Rangers who always makes me sick with his 'this great club' proclamations. In this sense, he seems very similar to O'Neill - I think in footballing terms he may be very different.
It's exciting again!!!
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I have just read an article about Malcolm Glazer in which he states that once the current Sky deal is up with the Premiership that he hopes to earn £10 million PER GAME, by selling Man Utd's tv rights.
Now this sort of money is what he is obviously interested in and why the money men are backing him.
He sees the game moving on from television and the internet, to 3G mobile phones, especially in the Far Eastern market.
Going by even the British mobile phone market, there is obviously money to be made. Just ask Jamster and their irritating Crazy Frog.
Bluto Connelly
Bellshill
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Thanks again for getting the details up so fast Paul. Just checked the official Celtic qwebsite and not a dickie bird yet about wee Gordon's comments (so much for you'll hear it here first). Just welcoming comments from Lawwell.
Very encouraged by the wee man's comments. He certainly pressed all the right buttons.
Best of luck Gordon. We're right behind you.
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GS commented that one reason he wished for Jackie and Lennon to stay was to show new signings what it meant to play for Celtic.
Peter Grant was given a similar unofficial task when Di Cnnio came to Parkhead.
Maybe I'm reading too much into this but I see this as an implication that we will be bringing in players from further afield the the SPL and England.
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Alrite Bhoys,
Sounds music to my ears, especially the part that Gordon says he was in contact with MON for "TWO" weeks identifying targets.
I relly wanted Jackie to stay as i think he is what Celtic need. Lennie too though I'd be inclined to rest him more and bring him in when we need? though Europe??
I hope we can retrain Sutty as well though i do have a doubt he can stay fit over the course of the season.
The Bellamy situation will be interesting.
Were Celtic not linked to Aruna who had played against us? he's fast skillfull, would score goals in the SPL but wouldn't cost us £6mill.
Gordon knows the modern game is all about skill,pace,and tactics-- fingers crossed.
Incidentally if Gordon was talikng to MON for TWO weeks maybe thats why the team wasn't focused??
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while on the subject of players, anyone got any info on who we might have lined up, and any evidence to back it up(rather than just any rumours heard through the tabloids)? Any inside info Paul?
I know Keane's the one everyone's talking about at the moment, and he'd be a great acquisition, but do we really need him if we're trying to convince Bellamy to stay?
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Henrik has been offered a one year extension for Barca for next year and has agreed terms.
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One of the buzz words Strachan appears to use frequently is fitness are they fit etc etc.
Time to get round that runninig track BBJ.
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Evening Paul, fellow tims.
Good to see the wee man get his point across and make it plain who will be running things and what is important.Namely the club.
I wasn't one of the knockers when the appointment became public knowledge,and to be honest, the more I think about it,the more I like the idea of Gordon Strachan being our manager.
I hated the wee shit when he was a player.
But that was purely because he was damned good,and playing against us.
If everybody else apart from us hates him in his current position.I for one,will be an extremely happy man.
Good luck to you wee man,and may you bring us even more success than we have had in the last five years.
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I must admit I've been a BBJ fan for most of his time there but this season he has been a joke. If GS can get him to shed the 3 stone that is required then perhaps he can do us a turn next season - if not then he could perhaps bring in £2 million to spend on someone more mobile.
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I have just watched a pre - recording of the Jackie Mac testimonial.
I thought Beattie did well and caused thier players problems. Mcgeady also looked good at times but he is still learning. Maloney I thought caused them all sorts of problems which the took to fouling him consistently in order to deal with him. Macmanus also caught my eye steady lad who is also still young and learning.
Nonetheless the kings and even wee barrel moravacik s pure class stood out.
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I think that it is safe to say that Celtic will be one of the fittest teams around next season, and if I was a betting man then I would bet that the players will be a lot faster than they were last season.
Even the players that we have been linked with are a lot faster than previously.
Lothario J Cronin
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I wasn't convinced by the appointment of GS initially but then again I wasnt convinced by the appointment of MON at first. I would have liked the board to go for Hiddink then (and now). I think the board would have failed in their duties if they hadn't sounded out the likes of Le Guen, Hiddink and Hitzfeld.
Anyway, what's done is done and as the days pass I am becoming more optimistic about GS. For one, the team can't get much worse than they have been this season.
I like his attitude to fitness, he seems to favour giving some freedom to creative players and he is an intelligent guy.
One concern though, if he wants to hold on to Jackie and Lennon - to help show new players what is expected of them - can Thommo, Sutton or Hartosn not do this? We need to reduce our wage bill and bring in young blood. If that is to be done then 2, maybe 3, of the 5 players above need to go. I hope he's not planning to hold on to them all
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As someone who was less than enamoured when it became clear that MON was leaving and likely to be replaced by Strachan, I must admit I've been impressed so far with:
a) His dignified silence until MON
had officially left the club.
b) The news that MON was involved
in the selection process and
that the pair have worked
closeley on signing targets and
current strenghs/weaknesses.
c) His words today at his first
press conference.
Strange that no other media outlet has mentioned Gordon's excitement with his transfer budget - thanks for that Paul.
Gordon Strachan does not come from a Celtic background, in common with numerous Celtic legends before him.
On reflection, I think his fierce determination to win, his fiery temper and siege mentality honed at clubs like Aberdeen & Man Utd under Ferguson will be conducive to him embracing the whole Celtic cause in much the same way that Big Jock did.
Hail Hail Wee Man, and welcome to Celtic.
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If anyone in the game has the qualities to succeed MON it is WGS
he has a great base to build on and has the energy to carry it off. For me Bobo can be a squad player, not an automatic choice, and Liam Miller should stew at Man U
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Henkieisgod, I replied to you on the earlier post. It would have been inappropriate to post with the serious events of the last week or so, will do so this week.
Excellent idea Kevin Murray.
Lets aim high Brummiebhoy.
Thanks Morocco Mole.
I am pleading the fifth on all signing info for the time being.
Thanks Hail Hail, big post this week.
Seanbhoy, I cannot retrieve the password I’m afraid.
Anon 12.08, I expect the share issue will be soon.
Cheers CelticWully
Bluto Connelly, there’s that Malcolm Glazer starting to leak ‘my’ story. I need to have a word with him.
Tully57, Strachan apologies to the press for not taking any calls in the last two weeks. He said that he didn’t want to get in the way of “Martins time”.
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Refreshing to hear a manager at his first press conference naming names and avoiding platitudes. Get to work, Gordon!
Had big Billy's goal against Vodjvodina as my pc wallpaper for many years; changed it to MON at the weekend; now it's oor Gordon. I know, I should get out more.
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Well, it looks like that's our second transfer target identified:
(From the BBC)
"Hibs to consider Riordan offers
Hibs manager Tony Mowbray says he will reluctantly listen to offers for Derek Riordan after contract discussions failed to bring about an agreement.
Riordan has been a revelation since his emergence into the first team, scoring 23 goals this season.
But with his contract due to expire next summer, Mowbray does not want to risk losing him for nothing.
"It seems we have come to the end of the negotiations," Mowbray told the Edinburgh Evening News.
Hibs seem certain to lose captain Ian Murray this summer when his contract runs out.
Mowbray added: "We don't want to get into the same situation as we have with Ian.
"Rod Petrie (Hibernian chairman) tells me he has been talking to Derek and his agent for the last 18 months and we have certainly been talking since I arrived at the club.
"We try to be fair. I am a believer in having a wage structure and, if your talent warrants it, then you get top dollar.
"But, if you start stretching that structure, then every agent is telling you his player is the best and, before you know it, you are spending far too much money.
"We have reached our financial ceiling with Derek, he was made an offer which would have made him one of the top two or three earners at the club.
"As a football club, we have to make a decision and that decision is that we are not going to let the situation arise where he sees his current contract out and then walks away for nothing.
"This football club has devoted a lot of time and hard work to Derek, who joined us when he was 11 and so we have decided, very reluctantly, to listen to offers for him."
No concrete offers have been received for the player thus far, and Mowbray remains hopeful for both Riordan and Hibs that an agreement can still be reached.
"We are not sticking any figures or prices on Derek," he added.
"I've told him we'd love the situation to be resolved with him staying here, where we believe he can continue his football education.
"He still has a lot of developing to do, especially if he wants to play on the bigger stage down south.
"It is important that we get across to our supporters that, while every effort has been made to get a deal done, there needs to be a willingness from both sides."
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I was out for my dinner in Bothwell on Sunday night with the mrs....aye i know what you're all thinking - you having a meal in Bothwell kidding on you've got money, when you canny even afford a good jaikit for yer work.
Anyways Agathe & a large group of friends were sitting at the table across from me - at the end of their meal there was hugs & kisses. Now don't shoot me down & i know that every pre season you get the 'Aye i saw Zidane in the Alhambra Chippy', but this did look like a farewell. I don't want to speculate but i thought at least i would let you all know how i seen it. Whether it's true or total tosh - i dunno
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I was very impressed with WGS this morning. He knows what he is doing and as long as the board back him and we support him then everything will turn out just right.
New signings - plenty of movement on that score according to WGS at his press conference.
Pace and movement is required to get Celtic on top again at home and to improve on the European front.
Keep up the good work on this site.
Pussy Willow
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I have been reserving judgement on Wee Gordo so far.
Some initial things I was watching for were:
a) Would day 1 for him be today or 2 weeks ago when he got the job. Heard the right answer today, tick.
b) Does he display hunger for success and set the bar at the highest level...tick.
c)Will he display maturity/experience by building around some key players in the short term (McNamara, etc) while bringing in new players...tick.
d) Will he stablish himself right away as the Leader. Bobo has the answer to that, tick.
e) Does he have a human side to him or is he just a driven, robotic, ambitious individual. Appropriate comments about Mon's situation...tick.
Keep up the great start Gordo. We are expecting great things from you.
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I see Tom Shields gave the site a mention again on Sunday Paul. He mentioned lazy journalism and went on to get your name wrong. You got it right two weeks earlier Tom, were you having a laugh?
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Strachan should make us a fitter team if nothing else some may think but, I think he will bring us more. I have read his comments in the Guardian for several months and I think I have saw how an articulate coach can express tactics in a way that hopefully is transmuted to the players and can make the difference on the pitch. (worth reading if you can drag yourself away from here)
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,4284,1493551,00.html
As I've said, I expect (along with everyone else no doubt)a fitter team. I imagine John Hartson will be having cold sweats already about the 3 stones weightloss that is but a bawhair away. Nae mair drinking in Jinty McGinty's followed by a curry fae up the stairs for our lazy Welsh maestro- membership of LA Fitness awaits.
The exciting thing is the focus on pace and fitness. It seems that the culture change that we are about to undergo will only be a positive thing as pace seems to define the best from the rest. I just hope that his motivational skills are up there with MON. MON could pull the rabbit out of the hat when we were in the Barry White just in the way he could talk to players, it remains to be seen if GS can do the same.
Tight Mallaghan's medicine cabinet.
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So what happens if come the summer and Balde can't get another club? We are stuck with him on a increased wage?
Not the case!
On the other hand,after September we will be able to get shot of him with a transfer fee coming our way or at worst his game may pick up with a much better defense round about him in the coming season judging by all the noise coming from CP.
No loose situation for us.
I think this has been a very good deal done by the board with Balde thinking it was to his advantage,
Finally Celtic having the upper hand on a contract deal,It's been a while.
Bluto Connelly
You are ahead of the rest on this point,I was in Japan at the New year and the Japs were always quick to show me them watching "MOVIES" on their PHONES.
They can also be connected to TVs to screen.
It is expensive at the moment and not a lot of them use it,but still it shows you what will be available to us in the near future.
The technology is coming for sure,it's going to be huge,the information age in the future.
From what I could see in Japan,Singapore the last few times being there that it won't be long before the poor wee Celtic souls in places like the far flung locations in India,Thailand will be able to watch the game no problem on the net once the "ticket" has been paid for.
Even McGraininSpain won't have to put up with drunken Eastenders and unionjacks just to see a game.
Paul67,
Do you know if the Nike sponsorship is a fixed deal or can it be rewritten if we enter the EPL or the like? As I do believe the current deal would be very under valued in a future set up,I'm sure the board have this covered.
Not so many snipes at the board now!
Just shows how opinion can change when there is good information being passed out.I hope it continues.
Time they added, French,Spanish or German for our extended family on the continent.
Even noticed how much info is being posted on CELTIC.NET nowadays,still a bit slow at times but up until a few months ago you were lucky to get a post out them every few days.
Time they added, French,Spanish or German for our extended family on the continent,many not english speaking.Yeovil towns' website would put us to shame.
Time for the big Bhoys to have big Toys.
Cabbage
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Thanks Paul for the details about the press conference.
I for one was glad when I heard GS was going to be the manager. The guy has a will to win and has shown that he can get decent players to play to the best of their ability and work together as a team.
I think he will be a bit more in your face than MON, which will get very amusing when he has to talk to the joke media in Scotland.
If he does have an 'exciting' budget to spend then fair play to the board.
I am sure MON has influenced the board when deciding on GS and I am sure he has pointed him the the right direction for players to take the team on.
Cheers
Jama
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Thanks Paul for the details about the press conference.
I for one was glad when I heard GS was going to be the manager. The guy has a will to win and has shown that he can get decent players to play to the best of their ability and work together as a team.
I think he will be a bit more in your face than MON, which will get very amusing when he has to talk to the joke media in Scotland.
If he does have an 'exciting' budget to spend then fair play to the board.
I am sure MON has influenced the board when deciding on GS and I am sure he has pointed him the the right direction for players to take the team on.
Cheers
Jama
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Wee GS does his homework and has all the qualities to take us onwards.
Paul, do you expect the board to give GS the money from any player sales (if any) or will this be taken out of the overall budget for this close season?
Balbriggan Bhoy
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If Strachs has got us this excited after one press conference just think how the dressing room will feel after a team talk. Jackie & Lenny must feel 10ft tall now, when only yesterday their Celtic future was in doubt.
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From what Bluto Connelly and Cabbage have said, and Paul will no doubt subsequently advise, a major technological revolution is set to take place in football as we know it.
It will probably be the biggest revolution since the onset of Pathe News in the 1920s and 30s.
If you compare the mobile phones of 10 years ago then you had the large Del Boy types. However between now and even 2007, then the phones will be more than capable of watching films, live entertainment, and Football.
Vodafone when they signed their initial contract with Manchester United had this in mind as part of their deal, and I firmly believe that the club will go down that road when the technology is readily and inexpensively available.
Similarly O2 have had the deal with Arsenal and T Mobile have had their deal with Bayern. Maybe the technology has not arrived as quickly as perhaps O2 would have liked for Arsenal, who have moved onto Emirates.
As a club, we should be looking to be at the forefront of this technology, because after all, if we don't go with it, then we would fall behind.
Brendan McGahan
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Paul,
Thanks for the quick post-all sounds very positive(ok-exciting!!).
Echo the thoughts of above in relation to how the handover has taken place etc. Lets hope we get news of signings soon. That coupled with your BIG story should have us drooling at the mouth.
Gordon, if you are reading you will see that whatever spin the trash tabloids want to put in on it, you are welcome. Your passion and determination will hopefully rub off on the club.(Whoops-nearly said indefatigability there!!)
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Like most of you I am very positive about WGS. I think whoever was going to take over was not going to get a favourable reaction at the start. We would always find the negatives with the new man but maybe thats because of what we had previously.
I was thinking that some of the more concerned posters were perhaps based in Scotland and hadnt seen much of WGS on MOTD. (When I lived in Scotland sportscene replaced MOTD maybe thats different now)
Anyway he was BY A COUNTRY MILE the most intelligent analyst on the BBC, So much so that being witness to his tactical understanding of a just watched game that you realised 99% of match day analysts talk is predictable drival.
At this point, If anything I am overly confident about this appointment Welcome aboard Gordon.
Btw, Jackiemac and the lads are on the golf course at Galway Bay Golf and Counrty Club down past Oranmore and will be at a corporate dinner in the Galway Radisson tonight. Its black tie lads so dont even think about it!
I reckon you could sneak in for a late pint though :)
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Nice to see Strachan here and I am more heartened now than I was 2 weeks ago. But Paul the funny thing is Strachan admitted he'd told McLeish he had the job over 2 weeks ago, which takes me back nicely to my post about who leaked the story to the N.O.T.W. in the first place. You yourself have stated he would not have told anyone he was taking the job, evidently he did and the story broke on the morning of our last league game. The rest as they say is history.....Obviously you will say this is all complete tosh but others on this site may not all share that view.
NAAS
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Mick: re. resting Lennie: He's still got life in those wee ginger legs of his - how many games did he miss this season?
As to Hartson struggling with the new fitness regime, he's quoted in The Scotsman: "He's different to Martin in that he is out on the training ground all the time, he gets involved with all the five-a-sides and still wants to play. He's very much hands-on, he's in charge of everything. Gordon wants to be involved in all of the day-to-day stuff, he doesn't miss out on anything.
"The training side of things is very physical. Pre-season with Coventry was the hardest I've ever had in my life. We went to St Andrews University for two weeks and were running along the beaches. It was probably the fittest I've ever been in my career. He based his playing career on fitness, he never stopped running. He feels that the fitter the players are, the better they will be. "
Full story: http://sport.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=590032005
Must admit I was not 100% in favour of Strachan when the news broke, but think that was more the shock of it all - the league loss, MON stepping down etc. He's making all the right noises and I'm getting very excited ;o) - like the idea of great formations stopping you from losing goals, whilst great players get you goals - lookingfor a banner name here Gordy...
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Sounds like the wee man has set his stall out early doors to boss the press. Good on ya, Gordon.
If Bobo's commitment to Celtic is reflected by his insistence in a get-out clause in a new contract with enhanced wages, then Bayern or whoever are welcome to him.
He's been a liability in crucial European games anway.
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Cabbage - I'm still here to have a snipe at the board.
I'm just waiting to see the colour of the money.
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TOO EMBARRASSED TO PUT A NAME TO THIS POST.
it was forwarded on to me,sounds bo**icks to me,injured and had an operation?take from it what you will,sorry Paul for the "rumour"
Taken from another forum but worthy of discussion i think.(i don't)
I am happy to confirm that Harry Kewell is Celtic's first new signing of Strachan's reign. The deal was signed just after the Champions League Final.
I expect to be bombarded with negative comments for posting this information in the tone it is written but it is 100% accurate and will be proved right in 2 weeks time when the press conference is announced.
He is also hoping to be announcing the signing of a top-class centre-half who is available on a Bosman and was identified by Martin O'Neill as their choice to replace Balde who was always leaving in the summer.
I will stick my neck on the line here no matter what is said. And I will not be revealing my source as he is very well known.
Once again I re-iterate that this information is 100% guaranteed and will be announced in 2 weeks.
Not necessarily the type of player I like to see but I have full faith in Strachan and O'Neill's judgement.
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exciting?
EXCITED?
Darn Tooting!!!
New manager, talking the talk.
Dead wood, about to walk the walk.
Only a corpse would not be excited.
BTW - my daughter (first time at ra footie on Sunday) loved the occasion but was disappointed that Hoopy the Huddle Hound was not around. What the hell was that about!! Gordon - GET ON THE CASE and get Hoopy out and about.
She keeps singing the songs and wears her scarve to bed. 1-2-3 Aaawwwwww.
Like what I'm hearing from GS, but words mean nothing, it's action that count. Still..all the signs are good. Bring on the new season!
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Cabbage McF you state:
"On the other hand,after September we will be able to get shot of him with a transfer fee coming our way or at worst his game may pick up with a much better defense round about him in the coming season judging by all the noise coming from CP.
No loose situation for us."
If Bobo can't get a club in the summer when he can leave on a free transfer immediately what makes you think someones going to wait till January to get him and give us a transfer fee?
At the worst his game will pick up and he'll become a better player? Not exactly worst case scenario. Worst case scenario he'll get dropped and still have 4 years left of his contract or maybe even pick up an injury and have to sit out his contract. I think your being every so slightly optimistic...
Mark
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Cabbage, the Nike deal has a clause which would pay more if we got into the EPL.
Balbruggan Bhoy, any money GS creates from player sales will go back to him.
NAAS, this is how bad rumours start.
Gordon Strachan DID NOT say he told McLeish he had the Celtic job 2 weeks ago. In fact he went out of this way to say that he had not spoken to McLeish since getting the job two weeks ago.
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BTW 1.46 Anonymous was me, Jocky Bhoy. Still etting the hang of this...
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NAAS,
I understand your concern but even if he did tell McLiesh and it was leaked from Ibrox surely our players new about it anyway.
I dont see what difference it would have made. We were dead on our feet in January and only kept in the race thanks to Bellamy. If it wasnt for that rangers would have walked it. We did well to go as far as the last day but in the end there was nothing in the tank.
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several points.
very upbeat about GS. positive vibes all around.
the keane we should be after is roy.
craig beattie looks to me the best bet of all the younger players to get into the first team and stay there.
bilko bhoy
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Brendan McGahan - i hope your right about us being involved in the Technological advances & Revenue opportunities ahead, but i'm a little sceptical.
You always hear people say that we're such a massive club, but the truth is - we run the club like Bairds Bar. If you disagree with me on this one then fair enough, but i ask you to do 3 things:
1 - phone up Celtic Park & don't put the receiver down if you think you've dialled a local hairdressers by mistake - you've actually phoned the right number
2 - go into a Celtic Shop & ask a member of staff a very basic question - the likelihood is that they'll reply whilst consuming a Double Whopper meal
3 - have a look on Celtic's official website - it looks as if it's been done by a 15 year old
Now i'm not putting the boot in here, but it just makes me so angry that we're well behind the times compared to other big clubs across europe - i hope to god this changes
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Vargasshampoo -
How right you are.
Anybody that has been inolved at the web end of a business can see how badly Celtic is let down in that department. Quite frankly it's a joke (in rather bad taste).
When most profit making ventures are pouring in resources to capitalise on the customer interface, we have Celtic cuting back on staff. It really does beggar belief.
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Have to agree with the comments on Celtics website quality. For a huge number of fans the website is their main source of getting information directly from, and about, the club yet its just filled with adverts and flashing banners whilst providing almost no information. The ticket ordering system on the website is also totally laughable and makes trying to get to a game the most frustrating of experiences for those who don't have a season ticket. I'm sure most Celtic fans who post here on a regular basis almost never visit the official site.
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Paul,
I now increasingly find that I am leaning more & more to using your blog for info about the Club.
Since you were given access to the press conferences it just highlights the spin some of these so called reporters put on things. Not so much a free press more a sort of "wee free" press.
Is the access a trial thing and do you get to ask any questions ?
Back to the WGS/MON handover , I am greatly impressed by the way that they seem to have seamlessly handed over the reins of power.
For a club that hasn't exactly been progressive in the past at getting it's house in order in terms of transfer targets/signings.
To hear WGS say that he has been cross referencing MONs transfer targets fills me with hope.
That Sunday in Motherwell seems a little bit further away now.
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Several points.
A/ who the hell wants to watch a football match on a mobile phone {curse oft the modern world}.
B/ Strachans assistant is not liked by players apparently a bit of a sergeant major type.
C/ he has according to coventry websites a penchant for getting teams relegated.
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Very Impressed with GS's first day at work, as I said last week he should enjoy this honeymoon period with the press it wont last.
Anon 1:48
Allarmed if what you say is true. A friend of mine spent a week at Liverpool training ground this year and his abiding memory is of Harry Kewall being last out of the dressing room and first back in.
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RE:1:50 PM, Anonymous
Maybe I've picked him up incorrectly but didn't Bobo say that he colud leave for a free ONLY this closed season?
If he didn't go then he would be here for three years.
I know this isn't ideal but if he was here and under contract then we could get funds for him if we sold him.
1:46 PM, Anonymous
Yes granted played most of the games this season, but isn't he getting on a wee bit now 34 isn't he :-@ (ancient!)
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NegativeAnon, I know you are always there.
There is a difference between general snipes with nothing to back it up with and constructive comments which you tend to have,constuctive not negative(well not all the time) that is!
Yes,A lot of beating of the chest just now going on.
Actions speak louder than words.
Not even any offical words coming from the board about a single thing except for the Strachan appointment.
By the time comes at the end of August we will all know if the board are going to do what is being sounded out from various quarters.
Strachan should have a few quid to spend,after all the wage bill is going to drop dramatically,whether this is going to be added to the "next big spend" that's not including money from the new investors and the fan investors. time will tell.
I'm feeling positive right now,if it turns out to be all talk from the board then I'll be getting a piggy back off you up the London Rd to the front doors of CP.
You bought your shares yet Negative?,I'm paying mine off with my new credit card I just got sent to me.Just wondering when the bigbhoys are going to buy theirs?
Any news on the share issue Paul67.
I got some inside information for all you bhoys on here.
SELL YOUR SHARES
Invest in property,I have just bought two flats overlooking Barrowfield,they are going to go well up in price once Celtic are finished with the area.
(never thought I'd see the day I'd buy a hoose in Barrowfield)
Donald Trump look out!
Cabbage McF
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Mick,
The point I was making is that you can't just say that if no-one takes him in the summer then we can sell him later. If clubs aren't prepared to take him for free then what makes you think they'll be lining up to pay us a transfer fee later. If they wanted him they'd get him now while they can, and if no-one does take him then the chances of shifting him later aren't very good.
Mark
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Paul67 - is the next story anything to do with the long awaited training facilities? And is there a sponsorship tie-in with it? I've heard whispers along those lines from a few sources with construction links.
Also - what's the scoop on the golf day? I'm signed up and looking forward to meeting Mr McGrain. How are numbers etc.
Franny Trevino
Colville Park
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Cabbage McF - can you expand on your last post - seems interesting.
By the Way the properties at Barrowfield you've purchased - hope you don't mean the ones across the road - when you walk pass they houses & look in the window - the decor is like 'Man about the House' or George & Mildred'
Rigsby's Kitchen
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I watched the whole press conference. No doubt our guy is a top man at handling the press, the best on these islands. This attribute is what you might well describe as necessary but not sufficient.
No-one has picked up on WGS's repeated references to this season's priority - win the league. He initiated no dialogue about Europe, and was on 'strictly routine' mode when responding to the single question there was about it.
The last column he did for The Guardian was typically honest and self-diminishing in recalling how Southampton got made mugs of by a poor Rumanian side in the UEFA.
I think he's correct, by the way. I know the CL money's great and so on, and the European nights at CP are tremendous, but it's the league that matters, as we know.
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Mark,yes your right ,I'm optimistic,always have been(ok I'm lying)
MON would have let him sit in the reserves and waste our money like the high paid others.
I don't think for one minute after WGS comments on Balde today,his first public day at CP,that he's going to be letting anyone sit about in the reserves.
If he is still here in the summer,you never know,he may well hang off for the big deal with Bayern,during that time,say no to other teams interested in him,they in turn go and buy someone else,only for Balde to find out that Bayern have lost interest or realise how bad he really is(in my eyes)
Come January if some team is desperate for someone like Balde,in the way we were desperate for Henchoz,Camara,Janinio(never stayed long enough to be able to spell his name)they will buy him.
As you can see there are teams out there,just like us,EPL one at that more cashed up than us don't forget.
What's Wigan FCs' phone number?
If we get even 1 million,it's a million we didn't have.
The exact same can be said of Bellamy,he MAYBE left wanting,stuck playing in some average team in the EPL,no CL,no medals.(big paypacket though)after he has no big offers and Celtic won't pay him the big bucks.
You are right though,the worst case is Balde staying not getting any better on better wages,as he can't get any worse.
What I say Mark and what I write are two totally different things most of the time,as you may well read in my ramblings.
Cabbage
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I can remember over 3 years ago being told by a "good source" (or contact?) Around the time of the Huns NTL deal (- what a whopper that turned out incidentally!) That DD had a vision of the future that we would all be able to see Celtic in the comfort of our own home.
The vision was that Celtic TV (and I guess now Celtic Internet, Mobile etc etc) would be available to all.
The "Value Proposition" was also to be pitched in such a way that everyone would have it, as his view was that it would be better to sell it to say, 100,000 people for £6/month than 50,000 for £12.
Celtic did indeed keep the family jewels when they never took NTL up on the £15Million offer (Not sure if that was the figure).
Zap forward to today and we have broadband, on demand TV on the way, Nokia have mobile broadband tablets on their website and Celtic own their own internet rights and whoever made this decision is indeed pretty shrewd.
Celtic do have a pretty poor IT infrastructure however, I wouldn't be surprised to see this problem be rectified and part funded by the new share issue.
Good IT is expensive. My own place of work has undertaken a massive project of this nature recently and it will be our biggest opeartional expense of the next 3 years.
Just ask Paul about CQN and it's only a blog (well it's the crack cocaine of blogs but you get the drift) - it's not cheap.
It was quoted that Man Utd have millions of viewers to MUTV but only a million or so global subscribers (can't remember the exact numbers)
If he expects to make £10M per game (assuming from all sources of revenue) I'd guess he is hoping for a million globally per game at a fiver a pop, £3Million at the gates and what say £2Million from SKY??
These figures are just plucked out the air but they do illustrate the fact that the clubs will own their own destiny but the choice of media partner, quality of content and distribution channels will be key to future wealth.
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All sounds very exciting at the moment. I have to say GS sounded very positive today which I am sure made most of us relax quite and bit and will help us regain confidence for next year.
I really would love to know more about the "Big Story" that is supposed to be in the horizon. I hear that the 3rd or 4th of June is when we will hear about it!!!
Personally I do not think it envolves players but is more to do the Celtic resigning from the SPL. Hope so, fingers crossed.
BelfastBhoy
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what an 'exciting' Afternoon all, The mates in work asked me in work was i in better form this week than last and after GS' blinder of a press conference I'v been grinning like a fool all afternoon.
Wee Jinky mentioned Peter Grant earlier, he's the first name that came to mind when discussing who GS would be bringing with him, as head coach at West Ham so he's doing something right and if anyone knows what its like to play for the Celts its him.
Just read comments that GS has been studying teams all over the world for the last 15 months and coaching techniques as far a field as Australia, so the wee guts sounding more and more ideal the more I hear about him. Roll on the 'exciting' transfers then 'exciting' August as we have a trophy to claim back. and an 'exciting' Champions league campaign to embark on.
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Echo comments on the operation of the web site, failed to process any ticket applications I have ever made and buying online has been a poor experience for me.
Many thanks San Miguel.
Agree, it is good to see our man in place early, remember Dr Jo and Win.
Anon 2.09, Merry Christmas to you too.
Please everyone, just because someone else is selling advertising on the back of this nonsense about Harry Kewell does not mean that we need to discuss. Anon 1.48, well seeing you are not giving your name :-)
Franny Trevino, golf day is in the hands of our good friend Taggsybhoy, numbers are healthy, thanks. Look forward to meeting you then.
VargasShampoo
That is the third time this month the Alhambra Chip shop has had a mention here. Gordon owes me a fish supper I think.
Anon 2.47, some interesting comments there.
TV rights and the reach of the Internet are the way in which the Intellectual Property owners (the clubs) will squeeze the broadcaster (Sky). Sky will be the big loser from the new technologies.
“Good IT is expensive”, can I get you to tell all my customers that?
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Anon 2.09pm
Instead of me driving for 2.5 hours (one way)to watch a Celtic game here in Australia at 10pm at night at a pub were I can't drink either as I have to drive all the way home again at 3 in the morn, and go to work at 7am.
I'll snuggle up to the wife under the sheets with a phone in one hand and a beer in the other any day of the week.(wish I had 3 hands)no broadband in the bush,no ntl or sky for us.Setanta only in 1 pub in most cities here.
We all don't live in Glasgow,don't forget that.
Southern Cross
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Southern Cross said:
"I'll snuggle up to the wife under the sheets with a phone in one hand and a beer in the other any day of the week.(wish I had 3 hands)no broadband in the bush..."
Try plugging your PC connection into your phoneline rather than your wife's bush and you might have better luck (getting Celtic TV that is)! Or leave the phone and beer on the bedside cabinet, concentrate on the bush, and your luck might get even better still!
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Anon 2.09 said:
I'll snuggle up to the wife under the sheets with ......in one hand and a beer in the other any day of the week.(wish I had 3 hands)........in the bush,
Hector Nicol
Glasgow
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Wish I had 3 hands
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A good breezy start for Strachan, now for action!
Australian humour? No thanks!
Ian Old Kilpatrick
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Am no Laughing out loud in the office. This is too hard to work this blogging.
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VargasShampoo,
Agathe is definitely not leaving Celtic. Trust me. He kisses and cuddles everyone... don't let this start nasty rumours.
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Bigchipsuk, just had half the office wondering why I'm pishinh myself laughing. Bit hard to explain when your meant to be working..!!!
Still laughing... Shammy.
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How the heck am I meant to follow up those posts?
Anyway, Paul Hartley is signing by the weekend. Only a couple of minor things still to be agreed.
The Mole (Far away from Australia)
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Very impressed.Im a bit disappointed in the assistant but will have an open mind.Thought he might have gone for someone with a link to the club but as of now he is the BOSS and if he trusts this guy,fair enoough.Does anyone know his football background.
Only 1 complaint about this blog Paul,its becoming a full time job keeping up with all the comments coming in lol.
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may i be the first to start the rumour of GS being the next manager of man utd.
bilko bhoy
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several points.
good feeling about GS.
the keane we should be after is roy.
craig beattie looks the best of the young players and the most likely to get into the first team and stay there.
bilko bhoy
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Paul Lambert should have been kept on to assist the new manager, we were in too big a rush to get him off the wage bill. Who is going to come in? Lets hope its not some English Eejit who bawls and shouts a lot. Has Rab Douglas gone yet? I'll be glad to see the back of him. What happened in those last 5 minutes at Motherwell? Surely before we go into next season we need to find out exactly how we managed to blow the league from a seemingly invincible position. Its all very well letting WGS start with a clean slate - and like everyone else I wish him the very best - but we need to do a Post Mortem on that Motherwell game first. DD.
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What's that smell ?
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paul, interesting to see your point on sky getting the squeeze. This is much sooner than many think. Telecom providers are pushing ahead their "tripple play concept" where they will bundle internet,voice and video playback down your telephone line.
This already has market share in Italy as against satelite based delivery relaying paid for football content.
Telecom providers see this as a major source of long term revenue and battle for customers should commence by the end of this year.
The companies involved are actively recruiting entertainment gurus to form the packages that will place them in the driving seat as video broadband goes mass market.
Sky used football to drive subscriptions and it worked the club,s and the ADSL providers wont have missed this trick.
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a glove probably. Why the wasted post?
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anon 4:51
apparently it's an outback internet connection!
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The Mole, nailing your predictions to the mast. Hartley would make sense from a number of angles.
Thanks John_H
Anon 4.45, the Motherwell game is past now, and in the past it will remain. Also, Paul Lambert will benefit from some front line experience before returning to the club.
Anon 5.14, the IP rights are the really big prize in all this.
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If Hartley is signing then presumably he'll be free and used as backup. Still not too pleased with the way he celebrated his goal aginst us the other week but I'll get over if he does the same at the Broomloan Rd next season (wonder if he'd get booked for that by the way).
Brian G
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For all the GS doubters i hope today has eased some nerves. The market now is very different than the one 5 years ago we all know that. What is the same though is Celtic's finances.
Paul - i questioned the statement about having a good platform but i can now see that it is true. I think the trauma from the 'well game blurred my vision. We will have seasoned capaigners, a lot of wages and a modest transfer kitty.
Now we are underdogs again, always the place in which Celtic do best. The huns are making a lot of noise of 4 first team players then squad players to follow. The pressure is on them now, I am happy for WGS to go about things quietly.
Hopefully we will make some noise at the first old firm game, anyone else got some steam to release?
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Picked up a PSP (play station personal?) today for my brother. Wireless internet connection, plasma screen, pocket size. Sweet little number. I think this will be the future for accessing Celtic matches from wherever you are in the world (provided the area has broadband).
The future is now. Soon we'll all be wearing silver clothes and flying about on jetpacks.
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I predict ...
More signings from England.
For instance:
a) Strachan has a very high opinion of James Beattie (now of Everton). What a pity Everton don't fancy any of our players, he could do a swap ...
b) A good pro with a good-ish engine, could do 75 per cent of Petrov's job, a free transfer and lower wages:
'Steve Stone, meanwhile, could be a target for Sunderland.
"You get emotionally involved with a club and work your socks off and then this happens - I'm gutted," said Stone of his exit from Portsmouth. "They are not going to offer me anything, basically they don't want me.
"The new manager wants to go a certain way with younger players, but you still need a bit of experience around. There will be a lot of Championship clubs who will want a player of my experience, but I'll look around the Premiership and see what is available."'
c) Scored 13 goals for a bad side in a good league: Kevin Phillips
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May67, how did you get Big Billy's header against Vojvodina as your wallpaper. Would love that or , even better, his goal against Dunfermline in the Final, which started the glory years. Both courtesy of crosses from THE best midfielder of them all, Charle Gallagher. Now, he had a left foot!
Parkheadcumsalford
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Interesting comments about Glazer hoping to get 10 million from every game.
Just shows how short sighted the Man Utd board must have been. Maybe they were too busy thinking they are the biggest club in the world to look at the opportunities that may lie ahead.
Perhaps it's a good thing we have been stuck in the SPL during that time, thinking we are not able to maximise our potential and therefore looking for possibilities to increase our revenues and so identifying the way the future may unfold.
Abramovich investment at Chelskie doesn't seem so mad anymore does it?
The pointers are all there Paul as you have said repeatedly throughout the lifetime of this site.
I notice that the first comment after todays post was one of negativity.
I wonder if that is reaction to GS and Lawwell confirming a hefty budget is in place and in so doing proving your theory correct and the doubters wrong.
Maybe they are more upset at you being right and themselves being proved wrong, than being happy that the club are in a position to spend as was suggested here, and has been consistantly ridiculed by themselves. makes you wonder doesn't it!
GS put in a good performance today, as was expected really.
i woke up this morning feeling genuinely sad in the knowledge that MON has indeed gone, it really started sinking in waiting for the GS press conference.
I was glad he mentioned that he spoke with Bellamy and it was positive.
We could build a brilliant team around Bellamy, Petrov, McGeady and a few exciting, pacy attacking players.
My guess though, is that GS will build from the back first as a priority.
We can only hope that the budget is big enough to extend into the attacking side too.
He needs around 20 million i think to do the job properly.
Lets hope the rumours of major sponsorship announcements are proved correct.
I look forward to the story about the EPL Paul.
I'm sure many more are starting to believe now too!
Tony, Latvia
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Re the online tickets, I have ordered tickets several times and last years and this years season books and have never had any trouble.
A few members of the gala supporters club have had problems but have all been that they forgot their passwords.
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delaismith
I hope your cooking is better than your speculating,I wouldn't want one of the players mentioned anywhere near a Celtic shirt!!!
BankieBhoy
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You beat me to it Bankiebhoy.
Deliasmith
Your 'recipe' has all the ingredients for of a half baked plan (or should that be flan)
Stick to 'whipping up ' the crowd into a frenzy at Carrow road.
'Beat it' then pop in oven for 20 minutes at gas mark 7.
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Messrs. Bankiebhoy and Corrib04,
Genuine humor, is always acceptable on this Blog.
Hurtful sarcasm is definitely Taboo!
Now like two big strong men, submit a heartfelt apology to the young lady!
Selena.
M.I.T.
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Tony, Celtic Quick News has made a few enemies, more than a few Celtic fans would like to see it drift. Trying to get in first with a negative comment is a tactic to influence other readers.
We are as well knowing how the debate is being viewed by all, not just those who participate constructively here.
GalaBhoy, with respect to online tickets, my brother and myself have sat side by side, his application worked, mine did not.
Selina, when have we ever seen genuine humour on this blog? Poppycock, as you alter once said.
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Oh Selena, that WAS genuine humour silly!
Deliasmaith, of course no offence meant. I just think Beattie is a bit overated and Stone isnt the class of midfielder we should be looking at. Good way of looking at it though. Unlike my unconstuctive comments :)
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Selena
I completely and unreservedly fail to offer any apologies to the young lady,notwithstanding my inability to spell her name correctly!!!
There was no sarcasm in my response to her post as a)her choices of possible signings are without doubt an attempt to undermine Rangers by unveiling their summer signings in advance and b)I've seen her programmes on the telly and her food looks like complete cack!!!
Yes,the truth hurts!!!
Taking on board the comments above,my post can be seen for what it is.A hard-hitting,factual response to a middle-aged cook/housewife with delusions of football know-how.
The case for the defence rests M'lud.
BankieBhoy
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Corrib04,
Thanks for the "sort of" apology.
Bankiebhoy,
We the members of this Blog shall never know who you are.
However, we have now ascertained two facts concerning your persona:
You do not comprehend the difference between the words, "truth" and "sarcasm".
You are a Gold-Plated "M.C."
I pity the Female in your life.
Selena
M.I.T.
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I dont understand why some celtic "fans" take it upon themselves to be obstructive and negative about this site.I can read items i disagree with but have no desire to riducule anyone.There are loads of internet sites about our great club and they can all be enjoyed particularly because they all differ from each other in some ways.i enjoy this site for reasoned debate and to get information.If i want a laugh or a joke I go to other sites.
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Corib04: Let's be 'avin you.
No, seriously, I wasn't saying that these things should happen. I'd be very sorry to lose Petrov, I think he's a great asset and a credit to the club. Also, he is one of the few who regularly shines in European games. But I am pretty sure that Wee GS rates James Beattie very highly, both as a player and as a presence in the dressing room (I get the impression there aren't a lot of laughs in the present first team), and in fact would blame Soton's relegation on his sale to Everton. The rest follows.
In fact, Stone is exactly the kind of player WGS identified in the press conference - fit, experienced, a good pro (and I would put Phillips in the same category}.
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Selena
The woman in my life is indeed to be pitied.She says so herself on an almost daily basis.
BankieBhoy
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Have to agree with certain posters when I read about Celtic's possible involvement in future Technological advances & Revenue opportunities.
As an exiled Celtic, the only way I can see matches is thru Celtic Replay. Although there have been some improvements in the last year or so, it remains very amaturish and completely unreliable.
In my experience, any complaints about bad (or no) reception are fobbed off, with absolutely no attempt at customer service.
There are one or two there (and I won't mention the names) who I would LOVE to see were they belong - out the door. We've got future "Technological advances & Revenue opportunities" to think about and keeping thousands of exiled Celts satisfied.
Anyway, that's off my chest (for a while)...
Just watched the video on the BBC website (the one on the Celtic website is - how can I say it - short, dire, disappointing, amateurish - but who's surprised).
Quite liked his dealings with the press, although I hope he learns to keep a certain distance. Otherwise a lot of his comments that smack more of the fan than the manager could be twisted and "misinterpreted".
I backed WGS to do well when the news was first announced - I haven't changed my mind.
Hoping for a lot of exciting (there, I said that word too!) news in the coming weeks just to keep us ticking over for the new season.
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delia
Thanks for qualifying your previous post.I thought GS was refering to players already at the club that he was trying to retain.
I don't think any of the players mentioned would assist us in a European context and that is where we need to improve.
BankieBhoy
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You may be right there Paul.
What is their agenda i wonder?
They are fighting a losing battle anyway. The site is growing and looks likely to be the trend for the future.
I'm just amazed at how low people will go. A little sarcastic and snide comment, for what purpose?
I can't get my head around it.
Do people not have dignity anymore?
Whoever you are, is that the way you want to live your life?
Is it low self esteem? is that why you hide behind an anon and spout your snide comments? Was your back cowering when you wrote it?
Get a grip, be a Man! I'm sure you can do better than that.
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Bankie - that's OK.
Personally, as I said above, I think WGS sees the league as absolute priority - all his remarks at the PC today, bar one lukewarm response, were to do with the league title.
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The Sunday Herald Diary has told us Paul67 is two different people two weeks apart. Split personality Paul?
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Shammy said..
From what I saw on the BBC news WGS did OK. I thought he could have been a bit more discreet on the Bellamy news. The media have jumped on this comment and will have great joy in sticking the boot in if Bellamy decides to go elsewhere.
I also see the Huns announced they signed Murray from Hibs. This was obviously timed to take some of the limelight off the positive Celtic news. I see the Mint is also in the Evening Times spouting about how loyal he's been to Mcleish. What an ego..!!
Anyway, let's hope we see a couple of early signings tp prove that we mean business.
Time to walk the talk..!
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Speak and the devil is sure to appear!
Hide and snide anon 9.05....your so low, how do you expect people to respect your words?
Do us all a favour, go and have a word with yourself. Come back when you see yourself for what you are representing yourself as and decide to be brave enough to change!
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Shammy...i think the mint knows he has push any positives he can at the moment.
It's just a matter of time before it all starts falling around him.
His club are in serious debt, whether he is hiding the debt in another part of the company or not.
His decision to sell the media rights was a massive mistake as well in my opinion.
When celtic benefit from not selling ours at the same time and coming up with something far bigger finacially he will not be looking too clever.
I still beleive that Celtic are far superior to them on the pitch too.
They were very fortuante to get the league, i still can't see it in the context that they won the league and are Champions, only that we threw it away and are by far the real force in Scotland.
Let's hope they give us another couple of million extra next season, by not getting into the champions league when we do, and giving us all the TV money.
They would only embarrass themselves in the champions league anyway.
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Paul, Re your post at 8.07. I enjoy your site and have done since last year but I take umbrage to your comments regarding negative posting. You sound like a Board member with your retaliate first strategy. Am I to assume your site should be an online Celtic View where only good things can be said? I use no tactics Paul, on the contrary I believe a healthy touch of scepticism to be a necessity on a site such as this.
I find it strange that you seem to believe anyone who disagrees with your slant of events is not participating constructively here either and as much as the hits to the site have risen dramatically over the last couple of weeks I am glad that it's only a few hundred supporters who congregate here and not the thousands of fans you apparently want to convert to your way of thinking.
You also promised to publish your big story last week even though it would make you unpopular Paul, then it was after the cup final, now Thursday apprently. I find myself comparing the wait to that of Tic fans waiting patiently for transfers to come to the club.
If you want to bask in the glory of everyone who agrees with you but are loathe to accept any sort of criticism whatsoever then eventually you'll end up feeding scraps of meat to the pet wolves.
Rant over
NAAS
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Could I just clarify my statement earlier when I advised that the club should be at the forefront of technological advances.
I would be expecting a major player to come in and take over the running of such a thing. Similar to what Vodafone had planned at Old Trafford.
The current Celtic set up is very amateur, however one of these top companies, complete with a full call centre to back them up, would have the professional outfit behind them that would allow such a deal to prosper for both companies.
Brendan McGahan
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"Fit players playing badly can still win a game because they can compete and wear you out.
Skillful players who are unfit are like Ferrari's without gas. Beautiful to look at, but useless."
These true words were given to me by a friend who is a coach. If WGS is going to stress "fitness" I believe that this is his way of getting rid of the dead wood on the team in a way that avoids a mutiny.
I can see it now, "Gee (insert player name here) we'd love to keep you but this fitness thing is standing in the way". "It's not really me that is shipping you out of town but rather you are doing it yourself".
Thank you Paul for your work on this site. I love it.
By the way Celticwully you can watch the press conference on the BBC website.
The future's bright. It's green and white. It's Wee GS now fighting for US with all his might.
Hail Hail!
Honeybhoy
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Naas, i think there is a difference between negative comments, there are some that are hidden behind anons and saying very little and in comparison with negative comments such as your post where you outline your points in a manner that can be understood.
Debate is welcome here, most of us enjoy the encounters that go on.
What the site does do is give many people a better understanding of the finance side, and possibilities of the future of the club that we would never get reading articles, or red tops that just get published for the sake of selling.
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hi paul 67. fellow tims.dont want to pour cold water on the recent word from g s . but that is all it is speak ,no names in ,no names out . have read all the posts and feel we are going a bit overboard here , i will bide my time and wait and see how his team performs on the park before i acclaim his arrival , and in my heart of hearts i hope im made to eat my words . we will be informed ,when our friends in the media round on him he surely will have arrived hail hail
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Just watched the full Press conference on Sky and I have to say that I am so excited about the new season with GS in charge.
At the moment it is all just words,but he seems to have a look in his eye that suggests he means business.His interruption on the Bobo Balde story was pure class.Bobo and any others should be sure that he isn't interested in those who want to be elsewhere.
Shammy,can't say I agree on the Bellamy situation.Remember we were being told just a few days ago he was offski.Perhaps he knows something we don't.A little positive news does no-one any harm.
Delia,you are right he did allude to the fact that he was looking forward to testing himself in Europe without really going into detail.I would agree though that the priority next season is to get the title back.I get the feeling that he is quietly confident though about Europe.
Tony,Mr Murray is Scotlands greatest living comedian!!! Only kidding Billy :)
I bought the Evening Times tonight and had a real chuckle.Iain Murray adds nothing to their squad and being linked with guys like Quashie and Phillips hardly fills me with dread.And with Mladenovic coming back,Big Feck's transfer budget may be further depleted.
What is really bothering him at the minute is that they won the title last week and nobody seems to care.Celtic is the only show in town.Long may it continue!!!
BankieBhoy
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NAAS, if you have been reading since last year you will know that I always welcome comments which disagree with me. You should also know that I get my fair share of unfounded and personal criticisms – which I reserve the right to ignore or respond to if I see fit.
If I respond to them (as above) I can hardly be accused of getting my retaliation in first now can I?
Thanks for your support Honeybhoy and Tony.
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Can anyone with the suitable skillset please post the sky footage on the net please.
The BBC one is ok but doesn't cover the Bobo quip...
Im sure our fans on the other side of the water would appreciate it too...
My assesment was a bit less banter with the press and a bit more substance...Did MON really have targets 2 weeks ago...surely not??
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Thanks for the reply parkheadcumsaldord. Thread seems like ages ago with all today's happenings. Was initially sceptical about GS but starting to warm to the idea.
What's the craic with the IP rights? Have some clubs (Rangers) sold theirs off?
Hail Hail
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Guys - I think some of these (anonymous) posters need to get a grip.
There is plenty of room on here for rational, reasoned debate. I personally think the whole concept gets devalued when we get into silly name-calling.
Paul - realise that it would stifle some valid commenting, but have you considered making a login compulsory for posting? Keep up the good work.
On the GS front, I get the feeling that there will be some movement soon (maybe even Hartley at the weekend - stranger things have happened). Why would he come out with some pretty bullish comments and set expectations running (although I did laugh when hearing Lawell trying to reign these in at one point!).
Anyway - lets be honest. There's never a dull moment following the hoops.
Sprite.
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Vargas shampoo,the french are prone to hugs and kisses so heres hoping they were only following tradition and Didier is staying and will be attending the Ian St John soccer school to work on crossing. On a serious note, after the revelation that Glazer will be finding new revenue streams post SKY could it be we are also going down the same avenue but in the confines of the SPL? It would appear the EPL dont want us. Impressed with WGS so far.
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Cabbage - no shares bought yet - risk is still enormously high. Hence DD & co are playing the waiting game.
Dunno about your investment in that property - have you spoken to a good risk manager about it???
Anyone taking bets on the first negative GS story in the tabliods?
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Tony, Celtic Quick News has made a few enemies, more than a few Celtic fans would like to see it drift. Trying to get in first with a negative comment is a tactic to influence other readers.
Paul, I would certainly say the above was retaliating first. As for your share of unfounded & personal criticisms...Personal ones are not on and are probably from idiots with nothing more to than try and mischief make.
How do you define an unfounded criticism though? Is it unfounded in your eyes because it is simply a criticism or do you take every criricism personally?
NAAS
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I have read this for some time now, and feel that Paul is very often the victim of very petty remarks.
While debate should be actively encouraged, and I think that Paul does this, meaningless jibes serves no purpose.
Anyway, I hope that we will have a wee signing or two in store before the weekend.
Mole - Would the Scotland international not affect Hartley's chances of signing by the weekend?
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Negative Anon,
You should know their is a big difference between a bucket counter / property / security surveyor and "good risk management"
;-)
Hail Hail
Martybhoy
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Spot on Tony. I get really sick of people just posting insults and smart remarks without anything constructive to say.
Jimtim, in fairness, GS doesn't even start until the 1st of June. After the last week and a half that has passed can you blame people for getting a wee bit excited after the very positive press conference. Of course though, he'll only be judged on his results. But I sense that the Green half of Glasgow is really buzzing more than the other only nine days after losing the title.
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I fancy us to sign Boa Morte from Fulham. I think he has enough of playing with Fulham and would jump at the chance of playing in the Champions League
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Our new manager tells us what's on his mind. We may well come to see the down-side to this trait in the future, but for now it justifies a wee bit of research.
For instance, Gordon spoke on May 13:
(Premiership players of the season, excluding the clubs with real money)
...................................................
Best XI
Again I've excluded players from the top three: 4-4-2.
Nigel Martyn (Everton): Top performer and a big part of Everton's finishing fourth.
Tony Hibbert (Everton): Great engine and rarely beaten.
David Weir (Everton): Bags of experience and composure.
Sylvain Distin (Man City): Great in the air, gives balance on the left and scores the odd goal.
Franck Queudrue (Boro): Fantastic going forward, has improved defensively and calmed down.
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City): Has pace, scores goals and can go on to become world class.
Ivan Campo (Bolton): Can tackle, head and is a good user of the ball.
Michael Hughes (Crystal Palace): Brave on the ball, never gets rushed and hits good passes.
Darren Huckerby (Norwich): Unstoppable sometimes; plays from box to box and is a good crosser.
Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace): Bags of goals, good movement and great work rate.
Peter Crouch (Southampton): Has scored all sorts of goals, not only headers but nicely caressed volleys.
.............................................................................
Four of these players are now in the Championship, and a couple more are 'in play' (or are free-floating mercenaries if you like).
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Paul,
Whats the chances on giving us a brief insight into the comments you are replying to when you post.
I cant speak for everyone but i am playing catch up today and the wife is giving me gyp. It would personally save me a bit of time if i didnt have to read back on posts to remind myself of what you were replying to.
I know what you are all saying. Probably my fault for having a poor memory and a demanding wife. Although on saying that, my memories of certain Celtic victories, scores, times etc remains undiminished.
Im off now to reassess. It really is about time
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Lisburn Lion, Rangers sold 50% of their media rights.
Sprite, compulsory login is under review, thanks for your input.
NAAS, the quote you used from me was in replay to a personal criticism, so clearly is was not retaliating first. I define unfounded criticisms as comments like “crap” without any attempt at argument.
You remember the Python sketch, “that is not an argument, it is simply contradiction”.
Many thanks TimOTay
Trevelyans Quorn, I am hoping they look beyond the Premiership for ‘journeyman’ type signings.
Ingeresting post Delia, congrats on the research.
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Havent posted yet because it took me that long to catch up.
Off this site for a few hours and well what do you know.
And its idiotic comments like anon at 11:40 am that add to the post number.
Just saw Strachan on BBC audio. Found myself enjoying the interaction with the press and he came across pretty well. Lets hope it continues that way. Hopefully there is some news on the transfer front in the not too distant future!
deliasmith
Out of those names, im struggling to find more than a couple that i would be happy to be at CP in the summer. Remember, these are English based players with inflated wages. Thought we werent going down this road. Normally the only way to intice these players north is to tempt them with a massive wage rise. (well apart form the CL of course)
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Yes some pretty useful players in there Delia. Most seem to be of the solid, workmanlike, unsung hero sort. No real stars in there. Is that a sign of things to come I wonder.
I still think Saviola would be worth enticing. He is on the Barca transfer list apparently.
Paul67, keep up the good work, looking forward to that article.
Tell me though, do you ever sleep?
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there are some great bosmans out there, i never understood how we never managed to take advantage of them in the past, particularly given MON's undoubted charisma. juninho, as i posted in a previous thread, is leaving lyon next summer and would be available now for 2-3 million. assuming we can persuade a world class player like him to ply his trade in this neck of the woods (bearing in mind he was one of the lyon mob so impressed with parkhead on a european night), he would be one player that could really take us onto the next stage in europe. and he'd fill a huge gap in the team, that of a genuine quality free kick taker. if we're gonna spend money i want it to be on guys out of contract next year like him. mikael forsell is up for grabs for 3-4 mil as well, for the same reason (out of contract next year). saviola and riquelme are getting the big boot frae barca as they try and get funds to tempt henry. there are several players leaving bundesliga teams as their league near financial meltdown, ailton. these are the quality of player we need to attract if we really want to go places.
so over to you GS
Brummiebhoy
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cheers honeybhoy, got it on replay finally although their first 3 min montage was a joke.
Watched the fu' monty conference and interview with Cole and still brimming with excitement. Love the style of the man, what's wrong with a bit of banter eh? Is it not what we were all brought up on? My gripe, much as I loved him, with MON was his mind-games with the press; IMO it had the adverse effect and ended up adding to my celtic paranoia.
Re signings, still hearing that Scott Parker is up for a move north.
Deliasmith: 'Four of these players are now in the Championship, and a couple more are 'in play' (or are free-floating mercenaries if you like)' - you can hardly blame the individuals for their teams massively expected RETURN to the 1st division or whatever they've dressed it up as these days. You included the words: (Premiership players of the season, excluding the clubs with real money. nuff said.
Paul67, don't let the 'you said this first Paul, then you said that Paul' ranters get you down.
Celticwully
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Just returned from the land across the sea and managed to catch the full Strachan interview on Sky Sports News. Entertaining stuff.
Yes, it means nothing and the danger remains that he could be more Liam Brady than St Martin, but he said the right things and, as an earlier poster noted, Wee Gordon ticked all the right boxes.
I liked his put-down of Balde, who I think we can safely assume is offski. His emphasis on fitness and defensive organisation is also welcome. And he didn't come out with any idealistic "We'll play football the Glasgow Celtic way" statements. He wants to WIN, as do the fans, but even we are sometimes not too fussy about how the result is achieved (Barcelona - twice, games against Rangers, etc).
I have no doubt Celtic next season will play with more pace, energy and defensive discipline, especially down the middle. Gordon was quick to praise MON's veterans and stressed they will have an important role to play, but made it clear new players will come in to "help" them.
I think a couple of the stragglers will be desperately looking for new homes after the first week of Strachan's pre-season training.
Finally, the wee man didn't dole out any guff about wanting to be loved by the Celtic fans. In fact, I loved his wee jokes about the guy who attacked him 23 years ago. Gordon knows he'll have to earn a fraction of the respect and love shown to MON. I have a feeling (call it wishful optimism if you will) that we will soon be singing his name loudly.
PS, If a post is clearly malicious, ignore it. Don't even acknowledge the existence of these pathetic attention-seekers.
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Hello Paul ,enjoy the site,Technology will change the way we watch football,here's my example, I have a choice of 3 ways to watch a celtic game, at the pub here Kells..nice pub near pike place market good bands, on my computer, or via direct tv to my home with the setanta usa channel all games home and away plus every european match...plus celtic tv soon,plus all the other programs,,via the phone in the next 2 years will be the newest way,fox here sky in the uk will no longer be the only game in town..stay positive.
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Seen a few folks having a dig at the Celtic Website. As an exiled fan for the past 20 years or so I am absolutely thrilled to be able to watch the games live every week. I remember the days of IRC chat rooms and internet radio over a 28k modem line trying to keep up with the games. Very fond memories of sitting alone in the office one Sat afternoon and seeing the message come up that H Brattback had scored to win us the league. I would pay a lot more than the 8 quid (or whatever it is we pay) each month to get the games streamed live from Parkhead. OK the Web-site may not be the best around but it has got everything I need.
I watched John Cole's interview with WGS and was surprised at how openly WGS stated the clubs desire to play in a "British League" and how they would need to make sure the Scottish League survived first. Discussions are clearly well advanced.
Great site Paul - Keep it up.
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I missed the comments on the British league.
Is anyone able to elaborate for those of us who did not hear it?
Tony, Latvia
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Tony,my wife Maree happened to read your post,she said your starting to sound like me,can't you get the Celtic fix quick enough?
Cabbage
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Heard an interview by Alan Brazil with Jim Craig on TalkSport this morning.
When asked to compare the situation for GS taking over Celtic with MON 5 years ago, JC said that it's more dificult for GS since Rangers are now in a stronger position.
When MON took over, Advocaat had already lost the dressing room (no, MON caused him to lose it starting off with 6-2) and that Rangers had mounted up big debts over the last few years, but
"thanks to David Murray, they are now debt-free"
Disappointed in you Jim. Murray's got enough poodles within the Scottish media acting as spin doctors for him, without a paid Celtic employee going on a UK-wide radio station doing the same.
What's their debt - around £17m?
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Cabbage,
I can confirm that Mrs McFlabbergasters observations are 100% correct!
I am two hours ahead of Uk time here in Latvia. I wake up early, have my first cup of tea and go straight to newsnow and CQN.
But please let your lovely lady know why we are like this especially at this time.
1. we have a new manager
2. we are expecting some news on new signings, resignings and we love the fun that the unavoidable rumours gives us:)
3. we are expecting news about a new training complex to be announced... perhaps with sponsorship contributing to the cost, so we would still have money to buy more players
4. We are waiting for news about a new share issue, which may indicate a move to a better more lucrative league where our club can finally realise it's true potential and would be in the transfer market for the BIGGEST names in world and European football.
5. Paul has a big story that has been imminent for more than a week regarding the above.
6. We like it here!:))
Tony, Latvia
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Food for thought, Strachan has signed some good and some not so good players from abroad. At Coventry he brought in, Mustapha Hadj, Youssef Chippo, and George Boateng. He also bagged Robbie Keane. But were he had more success at Southampton he signed Ormerod, Delgado, Chala and Fernandes?? exactly, although he did sign Neimi.Maybe somebody knows of more of his signings, but its a mixed bag, a bit like our Martins signings, hits and misses. If you still have doubts about Strachan its always good to read what other clubs fans made of him. Check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/southampton/sport/clubs/saints/messages.shtml use your edit tool and use find for Strachan. What is certain is that we are back on the Celtic roller coaster today with Wee GS at the wheel. Hold on tight bhoys!!!whoosh!!
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Waitng for Pauls big story, you guys make me laugh. Paul is in sales, I have never met a sales person I would trust, from the doughtnuts trying to sell you a credit card in superstores to the complete and utter tossers trying to sell you those little wee extras in your new car purchace. Bunch of flowers at the end who do they think they are kidding.
Nope sorry folks sales people fall into the category of estate agents, wannabees on reality shows and people who knock on your door insisting your driveway needs tarmacing. All not to be trusted, selling you a line, spiel what ever way you want to put it. Big story indeed.
Celtic and Rangers into the premiership not in your nelly, they dont want you, they dont like you, wake up and smell the coffee.
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Please post only max. 5 lines.
Most posts here are self-absorbed, boring rubbish.
Gerry
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Anon 9:32
"Celtic and Rangers into the premiership not in your nelly, they dont want YOU, they dont like YOU, wake up and smell the coffee."
YOU sound suspiciously like an imposter. Doesn't look like a post that would come from one of the chosen people.
GingerAvenger
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Anon 9.32
Time will tell.
I think it will happen,many people on this site think it will happen, Dermot Desmond thinks it will happen, Strachan and Lawwell think it will happen, probably Glazer does too.
Will you come on here and admit you were wrong if it does happen or will you decide to be a typical hide and snide poster on a site that you obviously do not like and do not fit in to?
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Unfotunately the image in Ireland of Celtic fans was hurt on Sunday.
1. Nobody knew the words of Amhran na bhFiann
2. The disgraceful booing of L.Miller
The Glasgow image of Oireland (essentially drinking and the IRA) is no longer valid. Some Celtic fans need to grow up.
I predict an increase of M.Utd, Liverpool and even Chelsea tops being sold in Ireland in favour of the hoops.
Oh Dear.
Seàn
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Re Anon 9.56...
Why was the booing of LM a disgrace? He binned us for another team after playing 17 games for the first team and showing promise.
Other than that I can't comment on the increase in sales of other team's kit
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Gerry , this is a blog not a messageboard. Anyone who wants to do a long blog may do so. you are under no obligation to read. it looks like you dont bother anyway.
Sean, I dont believe that for a minute. Irish celtic fans are more than aware of how distinctly different the Irish and Scottish sets of supporters are ( and the differences between Irish supporters ) , The hoops will always be a big seller in Ireland ( mainly because it looks class!!) and long will it continue...
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"I very rarely have long-term ambitions" - quote from WGS.
Is he the right man for the job ?
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I think we should steer away from scrutinising Strachan's transfer record. I remember before MON arrived i was fearing the worst when i looked at some of his signings at Leicester. Then there was constant speculation with players like Matt Elliot, Muzzy Izzet etc. All you can say is that Strachan like O'Neill before him was working at a much smaller club than Celtic, who had different objectives/aspirations, therefore they had to operate at a different end of the transfer market.
Strachan knows the expectation levels here, he'll know that any players coming in will need to be mentally strong & be able to compete at Champions league level. If we keep this in mind plus the fact that his emphasis is on attacking football & fitness - then there's every reason to be optimistic
Hartson will need to ditch the fry ups in the morning & get the Swingball out of the hut - if he's to survive though
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re booing of Miller, he screwed us and got what he deserved. If he hadn't given all the 'I'm a celtic supporter, don't want to be anywhere else' crap the week or so before he left, which he chose to say, it wouldn't have happened to anywhere near the levels it did.
Add to that the fact we paid his wages for years while he sat on the treatment table (we got 17 games for our years of investment) and he left for nowt.
Compare Pearson. He recognised and appreciated what Motherwell had done for him and insisted on extending his contract so the club were rewarded to the tune of £300k.
If you, as a 'big celtic fan' knew Man U were in for you, or at least that big offers would come in, would you not have signed on the dotted line to make sure your team was at least recompensed for the TLC and dedication invested in you?
I know for a fact that he was offered the biggest contract that any young player had ever been offered at Celtic (around £16,000 per week) but demanded wages that outstipped most of the first team regulars. At the same time he was continually in big cream puffs which combined to make him deeply unpopular in the dressing room.
What goes around, comes around.
CW
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A few posts have been put up about signings, I have some points:
1) Was it not the case that Paul67 told us that the policy was to go for younger players rather than the policy of last year of trying to get older `named’ players.
2) The country we were to look at was not England but more likely Germany for potential signings.
3) I don’t think this policy will have changed even with the turnover of late.
4) Also given that we have major problems in the defence trying to keep cleansheets and with WGS saying that you get a team with a sound defence and then get your quality players to make the difference up front should we not be thinking of who will fill the very much needed defensive positions.
Sean you said "Nobody knew the words of Amhran na bhFiann" well I do and so did the two guys on either side of me, who says you should not make sweeping generalized statements.
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Rather than question Strachan's transfer record maybe we should consider the club's scouting network. When did we last actively scout a player i.e. an unknown name...Petrov?
With regard to health and fitness levels...isnt that why we have a full time doctor and physio?
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Sean, just because Liam Miller is Irish doesn't make him immune to acting distastefully, and doesn't mean Celtic supporters will choose not to express their opinion of his distasteful behaviour towards the Club. If anyone (other than his family) in Ireland - or anywhere else for that matter - was upset at him being booed then to me they're being hyper-sensitive. I doubt he was bothered - well you'd only be bothered about being booed if you really cared about the Club, eh?
As for Chelsea/Liverpool/Man U tops increasing in popularity - who cares? Celtic don't need part time supporters. True Celts don't just switch allegiance because someone from their country got barracked by the crowd, or some folk didn't know the words to a song.
Agree Paul about Bobo, been saying all season he should be punted, too much of a liability. In the past there was hope he could improve the weaker aspects of his game (i.e. the football!), but not much hope now. I'd be amazed though if Bayern sign the big man. No doubts his heart is in the right place and he gives his all, but who would be really upset football-wise to see him go? All the best, Bobo.
I'm all for Strachan as manager having heard what he had to say yesterday. Plenty of action to come in the next few weeks. Wonder what PR stunt Murray will pull to try and grab the attention? Heh heh!
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Momo gone to Leicester for £100k. The clear out begins.
GM
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balloch_bhoy,
Doctors and physios do not necessarily know anything about fitness. They are there to look after injury prevention and injuries themselves.
From what I hear WGS is very active on the training field and is a strong believer in a hard training regime.
I am a competitive athlete in an endurance sport and I believe that some players at CP do not fit enough. I am confident WGS will sort this out- and maybe we won't lose so many late goals in the CL.
GingerAvenger
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Perhaps I was wrong to emphasise the doc and physios but surely a change of manager shouldnt dictate a change of diet a la BBJ?
I think we seem to have a decent medical team as we tend not to get to many niggling injuries. We just focus on leg breaks and knee injuries!!
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Seán,
Why would Celtic fans know the words for Amhran na bhFiann, we are a Scottish club with Irish links. Strong links granted.
Do you think Irish is a compulsory subject or even a subject of choice in Scottish Schools? Most of us Scots can't speak Gaelic let alone Irish!
For 25,000 thousand red pounds a week I think Liam can handle it.
Whilst I wouldn't boo him myself I think Celtic fans have every right to let him know that he let us down.
Being Irish doesn't exonerate him from critisism.
On your 3rd point I would agree that is partially true although dont you think you are generalising a bit here?
As for the outselling of Celtic tops in Ireland, when I came over to this country 13 years ago there wasn't a Celtic top to be seen but gradually and especially in the last 5 years there has been quite a dramatic surge.
Celtic is everybodys second team over here apart from a quickly growing minority, put us in a different setup and the next generation of football fans will be wondering why their older relatives support teams like Man U Liverpool etc.
PS Even Bertie said he was a Celtic fan last night in Galway.
But he isnt is he. He is a Man U diehard through and through.
Good Grief! Now you've got me going, Ill never get any work done today. Sorry for the rant Seán, I'll have a lie down.
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On the diet and fitness front, wee Gordon got his eyes opened when he spoke to physios involved in Australian Rules and Rugby League. They are ahead of the game in terms of developing players' strength and fitness.
Last season there were several big matches in which the team "died" in the final 10 minutes. I don't expect that to be a problem next season. Also, we have some good young players who look too frail to compete at the top level yet (McGeady and McGlinchey to name but two). I expect them to benefit from the new regime.
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I watched sunday's game in a pub in Donegal. The Irishmen I was watching it with (not all Celtic fans) were laughing at the treatment of Miller. They also laughed at the sight of Celtic fans saluting Keane after he scored.
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I felt the need to email the writer of the following article to complain about his ridiculous statement that "Gordon Strachan is not an overwhelmingly popular appointment with Celtic fans".
I suggested that he visit this site, where he will see that this is clearly a false statement, and invited him to retract the statement from his article. I do not expect him to do so.
http://www.thisishampshire.net/hampshire/southampton/sport/SOTON_SPORT_THESAINTS0.html
And there is no way that Celtic would pay £4M for a 33 year old goalkeeper.
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Man utd, Liverpool and Arsenal tops have always sold well in both the south and north of Ireland. No doubt chelsea will as well due to the popularity of the epl in Ireland.
Wearing celtic tops in the south of Ireland can be viewed by some as a political statement and therefore at times shunned.
Whereas wearing celtic tops in the north is much more the norm in nationalist areas.
I have the wolfetones on video at a concert held in London back in the late eighties. What surprised me about this was the following fact. All the songs were sung but when it came to the boys of the old brigade they stated this is for the celtic supporters in the crowd.
Celtic fans have consistently been a politcal voice during the conflicts in the north. Those who think otherwise are deluding themselves, thier lineage and historic past.
One has to look at why the integration of the catholic communities in Manchester, London, and Liverpool are indeed different to those of the west coast of Scotland. Could it be the host nation although initially viewing the irish imigrant with disdain have become multi cultural societies and moved on, whereas the Scottish institutions refuse to do so.
London Manchester and Liverpool have large Irish/catholic communities but do not feel the need to belt out republican songs through thier football teams why do we?.
Why because the disdain felt by these people has waned, in bonnie Scotland it has not. One only has to look over to the east coast and the hibernian to see the difference .
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And another one...
http://newcastleunited.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=893&p=2&stid=8382265
"STRACHAN - WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
By L Teasdale
Date: 1/6/2005
He has only been in the job 24 hours, but new Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has revealed the club's dream of moving to the Premiership has substantial support in England. What the hell do we want with those biggots in England?"
Well, there are only really two things we can say in response to that:
1. It's "bigots", not "biggots". I think he is getting confused with "maggots", which is what two thirds of the teams in the EPL are, feeding off the scraps from the big boys.
2. Now then, let's have a look at the respective reputations of English and Scottish fans across Europe:
Every time the English fans embark on an overseas trip we see the biggest security operation ever witnessed in their destination country, as their hosts quake in their boots at the prospect of the invading hooligans.
Meanwhile Celtic take 80,000 to Seville without even the slightest hint of trouble. And after being knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Villarreal their fans set up supporters clubs to come and watch Celtic again. My, we must have terrified them!
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TimOTay,
You may not be far off the mark with the Scotland game slowing down the Hartley signing.
I just heard this morning that this, but more importantly the late arrival of the new Hearts manager is slowing things down significantly. Incidentally, Hearts are waiting on a work permit for the Teplice manager to take over at Swinecastle.
While Hartley has agreed terms with Celtic, Hearts don't want to sell a player whilst they don't have a manager. (All has been agreed behind the scenes).
As Celtic transfers go, things never run smoothly do they?
The Mole
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Sean,sorry to be ignorant but what is Amhran na bhFiann?
I only speak Scottish as my first tongue so I don't have a clue what your talking about,sounds like your the one with a narrow mind not Celtic supporters.
We know the words to this song as much as we know the words to "Scotland the brave"
Tell you what Sean,give me your address and I'll send over a chelsea shirt free of charge,just don't come running back to the hoops when they don't win anything for another 50 years.
Jock McTavish,
Scottish & Celtic through & through
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Anon 1:22
If you only speak Scottish why did you post in English?
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Here's my opinion on the ins and outs this summer:
Definetly outs:
Lambert
Sylla
Douglas
Hedman (probable/hopefully drop out)
Possible outs or retirements:
Sutton
Varga
Balde
Thompson
Lennon
McNamara
Henchoz
Slight possibilities:
Petrov
Hartson (don't know why but I have a feeling he will be moving)
Obviously not all these players will go (I'd certainly expect less than half to leave). I've not heard Agathe whinging about playing elsewhere for awhile but he's always a doubt now O'Neill has left.
What I've picked up so far on Strachan's shortlist is possibly:
-Bellers
-Antti Niemi
-Robbie Keane
-Kevin Phillips
-Derik Riordan (1 or two of the above strikers)
-At least 1 defender (possibly O'Shea according to the gossip)
-If not niemi then one of the 2 foriegn keepers whose names I can't remember from media articles.
I would love to see Wilhelmsson from Anderlecht come to CP but it looks like Inter will snap him up for about 3m euros.
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Anyone that calls themselves a Celtic fan 'should' be right behind GS. True i will be as wary as anyone as how well he will fair but I do think he will be fine. But anyone that writes someone off before he gets the chance is not a real fan and we have to be happy that we have someone passionate as our manager.
As for Balde it will be sad if he leaves but life goes on and no player should be made to feel they are bigger than the club. GS is right to say he should fear for his place as everyone should at a club the size of Celtic. If they want to leave then let them leave Celtic will always find someone to replace them. (exceptions with Larsson and Lubo).
Sean
