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Thursday, May 1, 2008

Paris St Germain banned from next League Cup Paris St Germain have been banned from defending the League Cup next season after some of their fans unfolded an abusive banner during this season's League Cup final, the French League (LFP) said on Wednesday. (Guardian)

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McManus targets top team return McManus suffered a calf injury in last week's 3-2 victory over Rangers but is confident he can play in Celtic's final three league games. (BBC)
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Friday, May 27, 2005
Superstitions prove true for Celtic before several farewells

I am not superstitious, but every now and then some things get to me.

I am in sales, and if I hear that I have lost a deal I will not take a call from another prospect all day.

Once, on hearing bad news on the telephone, I ended the call, but the phone in the bin and went out and bought myself a new phone.

I think it was Phob who informed Celtic Quick News readers some months ago that we had not won the league in a year ending in a ‘5’ since 1915, and could expect some disappointing news around now.

There is some good news for us, though. Rangers have only won the Cup in a year ending in a ‘5’ once, that was in 1935 and they have not even reached a Final in a ‘5’ year since then.

Celtic have been in every Scottish Cup Final in a year ending in a ‘5’ since, only losing once, to Clyde in 1955.

I was at Hampden to see us beat Airdrie in 1975, Dundee United in that great final in 1985 and Airdrie again on that long day in 1995, so I’ll be wearing my lucky boxers tomorrow.

A fond farewell to Martin, John and Steve. Not to mention Paul, Jackie, Rab, John, Craig, Joos, Momo, Magnus, Neil and Alan (sigh).

With that much leaving the payroll the big spend I was talking about last year does not look so silly now does it?
Posted by Paul67 at 11:04 AM :: 

220 Comments:
  • At 27/05/05 11:12, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    do you actually think all of those players will Leave Celtic?

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:14, Blogger Sean.zo' 88 said…

    ''I am not superstious'';)

    With all those players leaving there is obvisously a huge rebuilding job needed.When should we expect the first signings to appear?(better be soon)

    Sean

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:15, Blogger Belfast Bhoy said…

    Yeah prob is now that there is an extra qual. round to navigate, by the time the players come back from their hols, not to mentions the old "waiting on agents who are on holidays" line, any replacements won't have much time to bed in. Assuming GS even gets teh assistants that he wants in.

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:16, Anonymous Adrian1888 said…

    Have to get my opinion in about GS, i dont agree with the appointment but i will give the man a chance he could surprise me.

    And thank tou Martin for the great years YNWA.

    That Craig you mentioned is that Beattie or Bellamy.

    You think it could be the end for thompson and jackie aswell Paul.

    They would be the two 30+ i would keep along with Sutton.

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:18, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Chris, Didier, Bobo staying ?

    mmmmmm

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:22, Blogger giggsy14 said…

    all the players listed some have been better for the hoops than others.

    Of the 1st team players listed really only Bellars Jackie, canny beleive we are letting him go, and Lenny maybe missed all the rest judging by this seasons performances are past there best and need to be moved on. Sorry Paul.

    Tomorrow is a time to thank them all for their efforts and the joys they all have brung to us over the last 5 years.

    Give them a reception that no matter where they go they will see it as a step down.

    Mon Martins Hoops one last dance.

    Then we can look to the future (which im now buzzing about)

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:24, Blogger Liam_H said…

    Paul,

    The list of players leaving...

    "Not to mention Paul, Jackie, Rab, John, Craig, Joos, Momo, Magnus, Neil and Alan (sigh)."

    Do you know something we don't?

    Paul Lambert - gone
    Jackie - Hoped he'd eventually take Lenny's role
    Rab - no shocks
    John - Kennedy???
    Craig - Never thought we'd keep him, shame though.
    Joos, Momo, Magnus - no shocks
    Lenny - pity, our most underrated player
    Alan - average season (by his high standards), will still be missed.

    If your list is comprehensive, does this mean that Fernandez will be staying?

    Happy to say this is my first proper blog! Nice green name at the top!

    Regards

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:30, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Lets just enjoy tomorrow and give MON a fantastic send off.

    The mood seems to be getting lighter. Things will change. Players will leave. New ones will come in. I, myself, am looking forward to the change in style at press conferneces. Here is what might expect. Courtesy of Big Kenny a Hibbie and avid CQN reader.
    "Reporter: Gordon, Do you think James Beattie deserves to be in the
    England squad?
    Strachan: I don't care, I'm Scottish!

    Reporter: "Gordon, can we have a quick word please?"
    Strachan: "Velocity" [walks off]

    Reporter: Welcome to Southampton Football Club. Do you think you are the right man to turn things around?
    Strachan: No. I was asked if I thought I was the right man for the job and I said, "No, I think they should have got George Graham because I'm useless."

    Reporter: Is that your best start to a season?
    Strachan: Well I've still got a job so it's far better than the
    Coventry one, that's for sure.

    Reporter: Are you getting where you want to be with this team?
    Strachan: We're not doing bad. What do you expect us to be like? We
    Were eighth in the league last year, in the cup final and we got into
    Europe. I don't know where you expect me to get to. Do you expect us to win the Champions League?

    Reporter: Gordon, you must be delighted with that result?
    Strachan: You're spot on! You can read me like a book.

    Reporter: Gordon, Agustin Delgado?
    Strachan: I've got more important things to think about. I've got a yoghurt to finish by today, the expiry date is today. That can be my priority rather than Agustin Delgado.

    Reporter: This might sound like a daft question, but you'll be happy
    To get your first win under your belt, won't you?
    Strachan: You're right. It is a daft question. I'm not even going to
    Bother answering that one. It is a daft question, you're spot on there.

    Reporter: Bang, there goes your unbeaten run. Can you take it?
    Strachan: No, I'm just going to crumble like a wreck. I'll go home, become an alcoholic and maybe jump off a bridge. Umm, I think I can take it, yeah.

    Reporter: There's no negative vibes or negative feelings here?
    Strachan: Apart from yourself, we're all quite positive round here. I'm going to whack you over the head with a big stick, down negative man, down.

    Reporter: where will Marion Pahars fit into the team line-up?
    Strachan: Not telling you! It's a secret.

    Reporter: You don't take losing lightly, do you Gordon?
    Strachan: I don't take stupid comments lightly either.

    Reporter: So, Gordon, in what areas do you think Middlesbrough were
    better than you today?
    Strachan: What areas? Mainly that big green one out there
    "

    HT

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:33, Blogger Tom64 said…

    The problem I find I have is I have played too much 'Championship Manager'. I now find myself very ruthless when is comes to players of a certain age and those players that have poor pace or stamina.I guess that is why I have a major downer on Hartson (spare me the goals he has scored, how many has he squandered or ruined for others?).

    I am not alone on seeing the current squad as passed thier sell by date, and I for one will look forward to the changes being wrought over the summer.

    All that '5' stuff is very interesting. Did you know I only have food on days whose names end in 'y'? ......just as relevant, is it not?

    Lots and lots of speculation on the Web regarding transfers. It's fun reading all that stuff but it does not amount to a hill of beans. It only becomes relevant when they hold up the shirt at the press conference and tell us how proud they are to be joing Celtic.

    I hear Charlie Miller is available.....

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:44, Blogger Paul67 said…

    Believe all will leave Anon. Hope signings will happen soon Sean.

    Belfast Bhoy, the extra qualifier will work in our favour.
    It will give us 2 competitive games before we play the really important game. As there are so many new players these games could be crucial preparation.

    I believe the assistant will come from within the club (TB).

    Beattie will be staying Adrian. Agree on Jackie and Alan, see when I am the manager…

    No news Anon 11.18

    Congratulations Liam on getting a blogger account!

    The John is not Kennedy (BBJ)

    Without Fernandez who would put out the cones in the morning? You guys just don’t know what that he does for us.

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:45, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Tom64,

    those of us with longer memories have even seen the strip being held up at the press conference only to see us being pipped at the post.

    KD FfM

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:46, Anonymous John_H said…

    Paul-why do you think Jackie and Tommo will be leaving?

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:49, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Shammy said:-

    Obviously there will have to be players moved on to freshen the team but what should be remembered is that this season's team again had the measure of the Huns.
    They might be that bit older and slower but on their day they still humped our friends from the dark side.

    That's why I think we have to be careful and not get rid of too many of our experienced players. They still have that hold over the huns. Take too many out of the team and you give the huns more of a belief that they can beat us.

    I would keep jackie, Thommo, Sutton and Lenny. These guys still have hunger to get back what belongs to them.

    Sorry BBJ, you can go.

     
  • At 27/05/05 11:55, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Can't say I share your superstious nature, Paul. I do hope you're right about those leaving, because, although people lile your own favourite, Allan Thompson, look to be leaving, and Jackie and Lenny, who are Celtic through and through, our squad are simply collectively too old. So, let everyone who has the privilege of a ticket tomorrow let them know how much they mean and will always mean to us for what they have given us.
    By the way, like yon Anon 1.02, could people simply ignore the ravings of David Murray on this site, please? Long may he be happy in their utter mediocrity.

    Parkheadcumsalford.

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:05, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Paul, if you thin kthats bad
    the last time Dundee were relegated (1994)...

    Rangers won the league
    Rangers won the league cup
    Falkirk got promoted from the First Division
    Stranraer got promoted from the Second Division
    Celtic parted with their manager at the end of the season and...
    arrrggghhhh......
    Dundee United won the Scottish Cup.

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:08, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Paul,

    The next time that you are going to put a phone in the bin, give me a shout, as I'll take it.

    Tony Mallaghan
    Cleland

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:17, Blogger McGraininSpain said…

    I'm supposed to be off CQN for a week - Mrs. McGraininSpain's orders, but couldn't resist adding a bit to your 5 theme.

    Martin O'Neill became Celtic manager on 1st June 2000 and his successor will take over on 1st June 2005....

    Also I had 5 pints last night and I'm going to have 5 more tonight.

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:26, Blogger Belfast Bhoy said…

    Seeing as most of think we'll need a new defenfer or two, over next few weeks, what about ramage from newcastle, or would him and kennedy at the back be too young, oh and he is 6'1" so he's not too small

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:26, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Ok then, I predict 5 nil to the Bhoys on Saturday.

    Wouldn't surprise me. Like the rest of us, they'll want to give MON a top send off as well.

    GM

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:28, Blogger Rohail said…

    Long time reader, first time post! loving the site Paul.

    Re: signings, Robbie Keane seems to be a real possibility as he has fallen out with Martin Jol at Spurs who are now chasing Andy Johnson of Crystal Palace.

    When is the transfer deadline for the champione league qualifiers?

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:35, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Think the better, older guys whose contracts are up will maybe take the oppo to move south (thinking Lennie in particular), but don't see what someonelike Jackie would gain from it...

    Tom64 re CM - let's hope Gordon's been practicing on it too...

    Will be a revolving door for a couple of years, but as I posted before, at least Wee Gordy has had the chance to see a hell of a lot of players over the last 18 months or so. Was initially a bit sceptical, but 100% behind him now...

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:35, Blogger richie8 said…

    Paul are the players you mention leaving your opinion or inside info?

    If its your opinion then I think its a bit knee jerk. Thomo, Jackie & Hartson have no reason to leave. I dont believe the only reason they are at Celtic is because of O'Neill although I'm sure thats a factor.

    Strachan wont be able to build a whole squad on £15M so I'm sure he will want to keep his best players especialy as so many squad players are leaving.

    Also where are those 3 going to go better than Celtic anyway? Not a team playing Champions League football anyway thats for sure.

    I think if Bellamy goes which he might not, Strachan will go for self confessed Celtic fan Robbie Keane who he had at Coventry and isn't happy at Spurs just now. So its not all doom and gloom as long as Gordon gets the money he badly needs.

    R

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:35, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I am superstitious as well. Only ever buy anything by mail order.

    Regards, John Manila

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:35, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Ref all the chat about who's leaving - did Thommo really have an 'average' season ? Been a great signing, but he can go now - along with Hartson, etc above. If we can keep Petrov, Sutton, Lennon, Jackie and Agathe - and the more promising young boys - Beattie, McGeady, Wallace, Kennedy, Marshall & (maybe) Maloney, that would be good. We should be freeing up the best part of £200k/wk in wages which we should use to tempt 5 or 6 high quality Bosmans.

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:40, Blogger RAB1888 said…

    good to see the dark clouds have lifted a bit and some of the banter has returned.
    i for one am looking forward to some big changes over the summer and a change of style next season.
    i wasnt sure about GS at first but lets all get behind him and go for it.
    im looking forward to net season already and we've still got this years scottish cup to win.

    hail hail

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:46, Anonymous Adrian1888 said…

    i would move on BBJ but keep sutton and play him up front.

    Get like 3 defenders two centre halfs and a left back a central midfielder and a striker.

    I am not for keeping Bellamy.

    I can just see him having a run in with Strachan down the line and he would only alienate the dressing room.

    I think Robbie keane and Sutton would be a deadly combination.

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:50, Anonymous BigSwee said…

    I do believe that the close season will see quite a few of the players you mention moving on.

    I agree re. the comments on the wastefulness of Hartson at times and I often find myself hoping he would be replaced earlier in matches and Chris Sutton being pushed forward with our other striker as I think he is far more potent for us in scoring and laying on goals for his team-mates.

    A few folks have mentioned Sutton being more injury prone but I think this may have been down to the fact he was being asked to play in midfield more often than not, even Henke struggled when asked to play there in game against Dundee when we were down to 10 men. Recall him pulling up with cramp and the whole Celtic support stopping breathing as we feared worse had occurred.

    In short my ramble is that whilst sad to see Hartson go, if he does we should look to hold onto Sutton and try to bring in another good quality striker to play alongside him with Craig Beattie and Shaun Maloney as cover.

    Thompson is a player I like and thought he and Sutton could provide some real danger in their play together but for me he has had far too quiet a season and has only really clicked in patches in very few games. Simply not good enough at times.

    Lennon is a player whom I admire for what he does and the way he has protected our fragile defenders in some of the games. He tends to get caught out when the other teams have pacy and quick passing midfields. They simply pass the ball around him and the others in an area where we used to dominate games.

    Would love to write more but don't want to bore you all and I need to get back to work.

    Hail Hail

    Will be singing heart and lungs out on Saturday and praying that the bhoys bring home the cup for Martin and his family (and those of us who have been his spoiled children for the last 5 wonderful years).

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:51, Blogger Estadio said…

    Apologies for going off topic, but I am now officially mentally, emotionally, and physically drained by the events of the last week.

    As I head off back over the Victoria bridge towards that Glaswegian Shangri-la aka the Gorbals and a reinvigorating Gunness or two in Sharkey's, I leave you not with one of my wistful nostalgic senile ramblings, nor with a rhyme or two of tribute to heroes of bygone years.

    For as well as being at core a Celtic supporting monster, Estadio (all great men refer to themselves in the third person) posses a smidgeon (I must remember that word if I ever need something to rhyme with pigeon) of antipathy towards those sad beings untouched by the Darwinian magic of evolution.

    So as I remeber that the first step to a full recovery is found in considering those less well off than oneself, I give you my take on such creatures.

    Hope you enjoy it...and Hail Hail.

    Ah wis barely oot o nappies when ah wis telt that the folk next door,
    Were no the sort tae mix wae, they were rotten tae the core,
    Their songs came frae the devil; their souls were black as sin
    They ate their first-born wean, and dumped its bones intae the bin.

    Their hame was like a midden, but it didnae smell sae nice,
    On Sunday they ate jobbies, and their hair ran thick wae lice,
    They cursed, they swore, they boiled newts, and cast their spells o’ doom,
    As midnight’s hour pressed doon on them, they’d rob a new filled tomb.

    And with that corpse jist barely cold, they’d conjure up auld nick,
    And slake their thirst wae fresh tapped blood, and gorge on cups o’ sick,
    They’d bow and laud their clove-hoofed boss and offer gifts of shite,
    And orgy till their evil lust had melted into night.

    But when the sun would crack the dawn, they’d scurry tae their lair
    For fear of turning into dust and lose their palms o’ hair,
    ‘And where’s that lair?’ o’ me ye ask, ‘where hides that evil coven,’
    A place of putrid fetid hate, ….it’s a fitba’ grun near Govan!

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:52, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I think you can add Rab douglas henchov, fernandez and varga to that list. In addition bobo laursen and didier.

     
  • At 27/05/05 12:56, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I agree that extra qualifying round will be to our advantage. It will give the new manager and players a dress rehearsal for the important final qualifier.

    I think this close season we will witness the largest turnover of players in our history and perhaps in the history of all big clubs.

    Of the 11 who started against 'well I can see only Sutton, Petrov and Varga being at the club in August. And Strachan may have to consider bids for the first 2 of these.

    JimV

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:05, Blogger Marzepans said…

    Why is everyone so sanguine about the possiblity of McNamara leaving? He has been our best defender for a number of years and I personally would like him to stay. He and Agathe compliment each other well on the right and if the team is to have a major overhall, the areas that don't work so well should be looked at first i.e. Central defence and central/left midfield

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:11, Blogger Tony said…

    There will be no one left by the time you get a new post done Paul.
    Just about every first team player has been mentioned leaving the club in the past hour and a half.
    I doubt GS would let that many go.
    I would like to see new players coming in and as many as possible but not a full first team with all the current players leaving.
    We have to keep a nucleus and whatever GS decides i am sure he will bear that in mind.
    I am still hoping that Bellamy will be around and hoping too that GS has a few europeans in his sights.
    It should make for an exciting summer though and a change from waiting until the last day hoping that we sign somebody.
    Tony, Latvia

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:11, Blogger GlassTwoThirdsFull said…

    I’m afraid I stand guilty of the 1915 statistic Paul. Sadly it turned out right....

    I’d get rid of Bobo and Stan (V) before Jackie. Not too worried about the others. Bellamy, good player that he is, I think we need a better finisher for 6 million and 40 grand a week. I also worry about him being a disruptive influence.

    I also think the extra CL round could work for us – remember how we started on that great run two years ago (see there’s me getting superstitious again!). By the way, Paul, will we still be in Pot 2 if Liverpool get in?

    Paul, if we get rid of Fernandez I’LL put out the cones!

    Hope your new phone is bringing you more luck.....

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:11, Blogger CanajunBhoy said…

    And Celtic will no longer be signing 6 ft. 5in giants as Wee Gordo has ordered the maximum height to be 5 ft 6in.
    Apparently it was that or he would need to be standing on a 2 foot stool when bawling them oot in the dressing room.
    Time to lighten up, eh.

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:14, Blogger bhoyobhoy said…

    Hi Paul

    When you were forecasting the big spend last year.I do not believe you were predicting to loose 10 players like you now suggest??

    Since MON said last year we needed a net 5 or 6 additions to the existing squad, and we got 2 (Bellamy and Henchoz bench warmer), then does that mean we now need to buy 14 players in?

    Using our £20m pot of gold, our average spend per player will be £1.4m.

    Of course very cynical I know!!!

    Good luck to all Tims for the weekend.

    Tip for Desmond stick a £1m on dundee utd half-time/Celtic fulltime at 28/1 and we can increase the pot of gold to £49m

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:15, Anonymous DAMIAN1888 said…

    Can anyone tell me when the transfer window opens?


    PS: Great site. Keep up the good work Paul.

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:18, Blogger Nominatim said…

    I think the challenge WGS and us as a club have to face is balancing youth with experience. IMO the successes of the last 5 years were built on the mentality of key guys who were "winners", (Henrik, Lenny, Sutton, Thommo). MON himself said this season that if we played all the promising youths we'd probably finish 3rd in the league. So for me, the wish list would be to get in the fresh younger faces, but to mix them with a core of existing guys with the menatlity of the last 5 years. For me this would invlove doing all I can to keep Lennon, Sutton, Thomson and BBJ at the park next season.

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:20, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    This is madness!! There are some folks on here advocating turning over the entire team.

    In my view this would be a recipe for disaster. We need some continuity. To bring in a whole host of new players who have never played together, have no experience in Europe or playing the huns is folly.

    We should at least look to retain a nucleus of Sutton, Petrov, Balde and Agathe. Aiden and Marshall have been on the fringes for a while and know the score.

    You're setting yourself up for a big disappointment if you expect a new manager and team to be successful from day 1, which is what is needed if we are to progress to the CL draw.

    Big bang changes rarely go smoothly and I for one would like to see some familiar faces in the team next season.

    GM

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:25, Blogger ExiledInAberdeenTim said…

    I was never superstitious until the whole Ken/Deirdre,Pope, Liverpool thing. Then an astonishing comeback and miraculous save by Dudek. So now I'm not so sure.

    In order to try and achieve some kind of serendipity(can you do that?) I'm going to try and drink eighteen pints tomorrow. The last time I did that was when Celtic beat Airdrie in the Final. (I think it may have been the old 3.2% stuff though). The ninteenth pint slipped through my fingers at about 3 a.m.-lock-in at the Railway Hotel(if you went to St. Modan's you'll know where I mean;wouldn't want to hamper a repeat tomorrow!)

    Or-to save my liver-lets millions of 'Tic fans around the world WILL a Celtic victory to mark the end of and start of another era.

    Come on the Hoops!!!!

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:28, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    GM - I'm not so much advocating huge turnover as pointing out that it is likely to happen.

    What I would say is that teams change much more frequently these days and that wholesale changes need not be a disaster.

    Yes it would have been better to have gradual change but this did not happen so we have to get on with it.

    Jim V

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:30, Anonymous Adrian1888 said…

    We have got to keep some core players we all know that.

    The two goalkeepers need to go hedman and douglas.

    Bobo and Varga are not good enuf, Bobo makes me nervous it used to be just in Europe but now it is in the SPL aswell.

    Keep jackie and Agathe, keep Thompson and sutton aswell.
    Not sure about Lenny, want to say yes but he is slowin down and with MON gone Lenny will more and likely follow.

    Keeping Petrov has to be a priority.

    But BBj has hit a peak, it's over for him.

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:39, Blogger brigtonbhoy said…

    1:11 PM, GlassTwoThirdsFull

    Even if Liverpool are allowed in we'll still be pot 2.

    We are currently No.14 seed for The Champions League, Liverpool getting back in would make us No.15.

    We need to be Top 16. to be Pot 2, Problem is we've got to qualify and that ain't gonna be easy this year when you see some of the unseeded qualifiers.

    Still I'm sue we'll do it.

    Hail Hail

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:44, Blogger Paul67 said…

    Anon 12.05, agree aaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh.

    Some phones you don’t want Tony.

    Welcome Rohail, don’t know about the CL transfer deadline.

    Richie8, ‘I am led to believe’.

    Usual good form again Estadio

    Apologies GlassTwoThirdsFull, just too “lazy” to look back and check.

    Damine1888, the window is officially open. New players cannot play until 1st June.
    Thanks for your support.

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:46, Blogger greenmaestro said…

    I thought 5ive were over rated, and I don't like Blue.

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:48, Blogger brigtonbhoy said…

    I'm sue??

    Who are you?

    Should have said "I'm sure we'll do it."

    Really should spell check before I post.

    Good to see everybody is in a much better frame of mind, as we head towards Saturday.

    Let's all get right behind the team or if you can't get a ticket, then get right in front of the telly.

    I'll be having a few "5 Alives" tonight and hopefully more than 5 pints in celebration tomorrow night.

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:51, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    No Stan Varga on the exit door list....that is worrying, really worrying !!


    Jeromek

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:56, Blogger rimtimtim said…

    Has McGeady been injured since the Hibs game? If not, I´ve a hunch Mon will play him. Wallace did alright when he came on at the Cup final last year and it could be the artful dodger's turn to get a chance tomorrow. But Maybe MON will stick to his tried and trusted troops and if it´s the last game for many...

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:56, Anonymous ghg67 said…

    I suspect Paul is right with regards to a number of those leaving.

    There clearly must also be a huge question mark over Balde although quite why anyone would want to pay him £1M a season after watching him this year is beyond me (why we were prepared to do it in January is another puzzle)

    I will be sad to see Jackie go as he is a rare breed of utility player that is actually useful in a number of positions.

    The rest - well they've had their time - some such as Neil, Alan, BBJ, Paul and Craig (great player but a hand grenade waiting to go off)I'll miss.

    Other such as Rab, Momo and Magnus, I'll still wonder what we ever saw in them.

    Agathe will have one year left on his contract this summer and we MUST either make a decision on whether to keep him or not. Give him a new contract which he must sign or ship him out and get "some" cash in.

    One last point - Sutton and Keane sounds a not bad partnership but both are likely to miss at least 15 games a season with niggling injuries - we will need other strikers as well as young Beattie who if he can stay injury free will hopefully improve as I believe (although I may be in the minority) he could yet do something for us

     
  • At 27/05/05 13:58, Blogger Sean.zo' 88 said…

    I think it is imperative that we keep Didier an Stan(p)who says he will decide what he is going to do when he comes back from his holidays.
    He knows that everybody has to impress the new boss to warrant their place in the team, though i don't think he'l have much bother doing that.

    Lennon would do another year, me thinks.Yes he is too old, but for what?He's never had pace and his whole game play is based on short passes and breaking up the opposistion attack.
    Maybe in Europe though this would be a problem.
    Paul Hartley, anyone??

    Sean

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:07, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Niemi's agent is touting a move to Celtic...the fun has started already:)
    T. Latvia

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:07, Anonymous Adrian1888 said…

    Niemi's name has been thrown around in NEWSNOW, makes sense worked for Strachan before plus he is a quality keeper, Marshall can only learn from him.

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:09, Anonymous Adrian1888 said…

    You heard it her first even though i am below T.Latvia.

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:09, Anonymous ghg67 said…

    Sean

    Have always thought that Lenny does a job for us. Yes he might lack pace but his reading of the game was superb

    If he does go, I personally will be very sad. This abuse and insults that this guy has had to put up with in Glasgow is a disgrace and a huge embarrassment to the city and to me it says so much for Neil Lennon that he never reacted to it.

    Will always wish him the very best and he should be remembered asa great Celt.

    As for Hartley - must confess that I am not really a big fan. Squad player at best and we need more than that

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:14, Blogger leabgarrow said…

    Paul, I was at the same cup finals, but cant be at tomorrow's. I hope that isn't an omen (i know - get a grip).

    Are the names mentioned definitely going?

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:15, Anonymous Adrian1888 said…

    Yep think were in agreement Hartley would just be a pool player.
    Someone for the squad.
    But not a bad player to have around.

    Derek Riordan also has had a great season dunno about the step up in class, Paul or anybody do you think he could make it.

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:16, Blogger johnM said…

    One thing about GS taking over....which manager would ever fancy following an act like MON? To me, it shows he's got guts. Good luck to him.

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:19, Blogger richie8 said…

    I hope Jackie stays and we get a few million for Hartson then Paul.

    I notice you dont mention Balde leaving. Does anyone know if he really has this leave for free clause in his contract?

    I would like to see him go personaly but would prefer to get a few million for him.

    Heres a though what about Lennon as assistant manager!

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:22, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    It would be nice to see Willie McStayt as assistant Manager.
    Tony, Latvia

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:22, Blogger The Bald Ego said…

    Hail Hail

    Glad to see a bit of sense, returning to the site, it got a bit heavy for a few days, for obvious reasons I fear.

    Nice post, 11.30 Anon, passed it around the mates in work.

    12.05 Anon, have to admit, I’m not the most superstitious person in the world but that scared me (still does actually). Not to put a dampener on the bhoy-ant mood at the minute but last Sunday was effectively a Final and we tripped before the line so I’m holding a few reservations about tomorrow…. But they soon pass, we shall overcome.

    Lets give Martin and his team, John and Steve, the biggest cheer they’ve ever had. I personally want them to wake up on Sunday morning thinking “Jesus, when can we go back?!”

    12.52 Anon, if we add Henchoz, Varga, Bobo, Laursen and Didier to the list we’ll be left with God knows who in defence (wee Aiden? Cos everyone else seems to be going too!). Although I’m still holding the faith that money will be made available, I don’t think it will be enough for a complete overhaul.

    When your garden, gets old and messy, you don’t exactly send for Ground Force, you weed it, feed it and tidy it up, our squad needs a bit of weeding and feeding, lets not forget the experience we have in our squad right now, that’s a valuable asset and should be exploited not thrown away. Ambition can also be blind.

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:25, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Just thinking there - MON's first competitive game for us was against Dundee Utd (que twilight zone theme) - here's hoping he'll be able to sign off with a win just as he did on 30th July 2000.

    For the anoraks here's the team that day (swiped fae thon BBC Site):

    Celtic: Gould, Stubbs, Valgaeren, Boyd, Mahe, McNamara, Lambert, Berkovic, Petrov, Larsson, Sutton.
    Subs: Kerr, Johnson, Petta, Tebily, Burchill.


    Kevin Murray
    Near The Blackhill Transmitter

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:26, Blogger Tom64 said…

    KD Ftm

    I remember Mo Johnsthun very clearly. The 64 in my handle is my year of birth not some glorious Celtic achievement a'la 1967.

    Usually, almost always, when they hold the shirt up they actually join.

    I'm taking my eight year old daughter to Jackie Mac's game on Sunday. Makes me proud to introduce her to the glory that is Celtic football club. The next generation of Celtic fans has arrived.

    The future bright, its green and white .....and three foot tall.

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:26, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    The last ever game my grandad got to see was the 5-1 game, and oh what a game that was.

    Prophet of Doom Bhoy owes me a fiver.

    We are allowed out away fae work at 4 instead of 5 today because it's bank holiday and scorchio!

    5 is your friend embrace the 5.

    Celtic will prevail.

    Hail Hail

    Martybhoy

    PS Estadio - great work.

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:26, Blogger Sean.zo' 88 said…

    Adrian, ghg67,
    Point taken on Hartley, he ain't no world beater,ok at best.

    But the last couple of seasons he's been playing with dudds from the cousins of william.Just like Marshall would learn from Niemi, Hartley would surely learn from Stan who is one of the best midfielders going.(though he does run a bit funny,eh?)

    Anyway, according to 'the cousin of the great Fargo' he's a done deal.

    Sean

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:42, Blogger Paul67 said…

    Leabgarrow, I believe so.
    Riordan is the business Adrian.

    I am off to meet our old friend NeilR in the Drum & Monkey after 4 pm today if any of you are in town.

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:42, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Why go for Niemi when we have already signed the Polish keeper, according to the cousin of fargo

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:51, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    The Bald Ego,

    I think BBJ has been fed enough.

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:51, Blogger Tom64 said…

    Paul,

    When in the Drum & Monkey avoid the Grolschkkk(sic) it's rank.

    I was in at lunchtime. er....so this is breaking news.

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:52, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hi Paul et al
    Great blog, although I'm worried that I may need therapy to deal with what has become an addiction!

    Looking for some info - I'll be down in England this weekend, will I be able to see the Cup Final anywhere?

    Cheers

    Jimbo.

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:57, Blogger brigtonbhoy said…

    Jimbo

    It's live on Sky Sports

     
  • At 27/05/05 14:59, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Cheers Brigton Bhoy

    Jimbo

     
  • At 27/05/05 15:01, Blogger Martybhoy said…

    Jimbo - Englands big, gees a 20 mile radius!!!

     
  • At 27/05/05 15:28, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    ETIMS Hunline
    Thought you'd like to know.

    ''wheres chick young, im gonnae bust him! Stephen Pearson, Reserves

    ''I hope no one noticed I was slightly enjoying that victory''Terry Butcher, Cloud 9

    ''The Board says every thing is great, so it must be.They know best.'' Paul 67, CQN

    U Should get them sorted!

     
  • At 27/05/05 15:41, Blogger BennyBhoy said…

    Any truth to the rumour that Celtic are, within the next week, going to give the SPL 2 years notice of quitting, so as to join a new look EPL in 2007?

     
  • At 27/05/05 15:45, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Bald eagle - sorry I gave the wrong impression re didier, balde varga and henchov being added to the list. Balde and didier are press speculation pic of removal van at bobo s house and the malaga connection again with didier.

    I personally would keep

    marshall
    didier
    bobo
    jackie
    lennon
    sutton
    petrov
    mcgeady
    wallace
    pearson
    beatie
    maloney
    bellamy if he can
    macmanus
    kennedy

    To this I would add a couple of the under 21 squad and then supplement it with the wee mans choices. Six new players in a squad of 21. We must also take into account the new rules that uefa are imposing on us re home grown players etc etc.

    I have been advocating a major cull in the squad for next year for some time now which looks like it could happen. I just didnt think it would be a new guy doing it.

     
  • At 27/05/05 15:52, Anonymous ghg67 said…

    Sorry

    But I cannot understand anyone wanting to keep Bobo.

    He has been abject all season resulting in his slack marking that was partially to blame for the McDonald equaliser on Sunday.

    Do you not remember Ibrox Nov 04. Seville, Lyon, 2002 Cup Final ? And if there had been a better referee, he would have cost us last year's cup final as well. He lets us down in nearly every big game.

    Why we gave hima four year contract I will never know.

    His one strength had been his power in the air and his man marking. Well this year it has been non-existant.

    If the removal vans are here for him - its not a moment too soon.

    Sorry if that sounds harsh but if we are to improve we must find better

     
  • At 27/05/05 15:55, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    exiledinaberdeentim - Ahh the memories of 18 pint binges. Waking up on a train hundreds of miles from home. Leaving the house with 100 pounds and waking up with loose change. Wondering if my head was actually attached to my body. A hunger that needed instant gratification. No hangover. Ahh the days of eighteen pint binges. Problem is I drink the black stuff and you do begin to waddle a wee bit on that stuff. Now as I reach closer and closer to my half a century of being on this mortal coil I limit myself to 8, shuffle off home and wake up on the lounger in the garden rather than somewhere north of watford.

     
  • At 27/05/05 16:04, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Let's not forget Pearson is kicking about somewhere.

     
  • At 27/05/05 16:08, Blogger BennyBhoy said…

    Pearson may get a game now that JR's going

     
  • At 27/05/05 16:16, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Tom64 & Paul67, The Drum & Monkey, I take it you's like some jazz? been it once a few xmas ago with my brother (wife's where shopping) 1 pint then the jazz band started up, downed the pint and off (oh I hate jazz :-)) oh well we all can't be cool. ha ha

    gerry
    (sorry for the off topic)
    Hail Hail

     
  • At 27/05/05 16:25, Anonymous John _H said…

    what really happened with Pearson-Ive heard many conflicting stories.

     
  • At 27/05/05 16:26, Blogger The Bald Ego said…

    Point taken about BBJ being fed enough, but the big guy gets more stick than he deserves.

    People seem to have short memories when it comes to pre season changes, for example, i would take 3 or 4 million for BoBo now if it was offered, but it would cost at least that to replace him, Boumsong cost £8m and i would put him in the same class bracket as BoBo (he's average in the EPL!) so, finances aside, we should concentrate on who's coming in and not who's going out.

    When the money's needed then we should look at selling players we can afford to replace. e.g. if we could get £1 - £1.5m for Malloney that would go towards keeping Bellamy I would take it. Same for Thompson if it would fund a better left winger, as for Pearson, cracking wee player, made boys out of Barca's defence, cant wait to see him back.

    Excuse the spelling and grammer mistakes its a rushed job, headin to the pub.

    Slán

     
  • At 27/05/05 16:28, Blogger ExiledInAberdeenTim said…

    Anon. 3.55 Stirring memories. I am clinging to my youth by still drinking pints of lager and attempting to kick a ball round a full-size pitch. It's been my last season for a few years now!

    The influx of continental lager did for me. Years of conditioning has meant that I'm obliged to drink a pint in circa 25 mins. That means at best I'm wheeled home now about three hours after I arrive at the pub.

    I'm hoping that nanotechnology stuff comes off and I'll soon be able to buy a new liver 'off the shelf'.

     
  • At 27/05/05 16:31, Blogger The Bald Ego said…

    John_H 4.25, this isn't the place for rumours to fester, but apart from his double hernia operation nothing officially

     
  • At 27/05/05 16:35, Anonymous John_H said…

    I know bald ego-think Pearson could do a really good job for us-was wondering if anyone knew the real story-was why I never revealed the different stories I had heard

     
  • At 27/05/05 16:39, Blogger Tony said…

    Bennyboy,
    You said you heard a rumour about us giving 2 years notice...where did you get the information from?
    T.Latvia

     
  • At 27/05/05 17:00, Blogger Marzepans said…

    "In January I gave a lecture to coaches who were doing the full Uefa badge about how we can can get British coaches to the level where they can work with a Champions League team. Bryan Robson and Dave Jones were among the people there. I think if you get a chance at a club with European potential, you have to jump at it." - From WGS column today.

    This is the last time I post a link to the Guardian (Promise) but for those of you who haven't already read this, you need to.

    http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,4284,1493551,00.html

     
  • At 27/05/05 17:02, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    ghg67.
    a better referee at last year