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Does anyone else think £2m is a tad high for a Pole? I know it's not a fair way of looking at it but I'd say we'd be looking for up to £2m for BBJ and he has a more recognisable pedigree and is more of a household name.
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Edgar Davids and Christian Vieri for Celtic anyone? No, didn't think so!
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His agent, Raymond Sparkes, is now saying that we face competition for his signature from Turkey and if a Spanish or Italian club comes in then he'll most likely go there. Hopefully just bluff and bluster to try and talk the wages up. Is Artur Boruc also in Glasgow on Monday for talks?
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Sounds like a pretty bad bluff to me, probably trying to push wages up. I suppose there may be truth in it, you never know. He seemed to have his heart set on a move to CP.
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Would I be right in saying Maciej Żurawski is the Wisla captain?
I feel like I'm talking to myself sometimes!
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Paul,
Was the letter sent first or second class?
I hope it was First Class as I am getting restless.
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I do apologise for multiple posting but is it also the case that Maciej Żurawskim is sponsored by Nike? He is wearing Nike boots in pictures on the Wisla website.
Hope we're not only going after Nikes sponsors if this is the case.
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Terrific player, I'm confident we'll get him and he excites me. And the only clubs wanting him are Tranzaponsbor and Austria Vienna. The agent did not say other clubs were in for him, but that Celtic must give a decent wage because another club could come in with more money. It's definetely agent talk, to get more money for the man. He is the Wisla captain, and regarded as a god in Poland...Scored against Wales, Northern Ireland, England. Club level he scored against Real Madrid, Parma (twice), Lazio and moe quality teams. Here's hoping this doesn't mean Bellers will leave!
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http://www.putfile.com/media.php?n=zurawski
I'd pay £2m for this, he's been the top scorer in Poland 3 out of 5 seasons. He will be over for contract talks on Monday, so hopefully if Celtic are serious about this he will be the first of many signings this summer.
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Keith,
I think that it could mean the end of BBJ's stay at Celtic.
There is always a lot of excitement about signing players of an unknown quantity. Here's hoping he doesn't let us down. IF he signs.
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Him scoring against these team I would think (based on that they are better quality opponents) would indicate that he plays good counter-attacking football. This I would presume means he has a fair bit of pace and I look forward to seeing him at CP in the future if not attempting to pronunce his name.
TimOTay
I would have hoped that the board would have mastered the use of email or at least fax. But since mobiles are still a problem for them maybe they should stick to good old parchment or even morse-code.
Only kidding Board! Get a sense of humour!:P
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TimOTay
Trust me mate, this player will be a success, as long as we give him time to settle. He's caught my eye in many Wisla games before he was linked with us, and I can't see him failing for us, put it that way.
As for BBJ, TBH I won't be complaining if he leaves for a half decent price.
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This is excellent news.
A proven scorer and at international level too.
He will also want to prove his calibre in the "west", so lots of motivation for him.
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Good to see that we have put in an official bid for the pole. As far as i can see, any player who can score 24 goals in 25 games has to be of a decent standard....I may be wrong but i think poland are 24th in the world rankings (scotland in the 80s) so he cant be playing in that bad a league.
Its good to see that we have had a good clearout at celtic and we now look like we are making moves to bring fresh faces into the club.
I wonder where this will leave BBJ? If Bellamy does sign, then I would think celtic would be tempted to sell him and thus give more funds for GS. He has done a fine job for us over the last few years, but the time may be right for him to move on....and hence bring in some money for his transfer.
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My point on BBJ is that he has arguably more experience and had it not been for Larsson he would have been top scorer in Scotland for the last 3 years. I would prefer Zurawski over Hartson but don't think we should be paying the same price or possibly more than we would get for BBJ.
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Keith,
Hope you are right about him. I downloaded 100 goals that he has scored and he does look a class act.Also noticed that he hits a good penalty.
I don't think that we have had a natural penalty taker for a long while. Big Chris is good at them, but doesn't feel comfortable in taking them. Someone that does it as second nature would be a good acquisition.
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TimOTay
Where did you download the goals from? Do you have a link?
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Hmmm...Given the large number of bodies already out the door, it would appear that we need lots of defenders and a goalie. So, if we are to spend this much on a forward.....it might suggest that we won't have Bellamy. That would be bad. Real bad.
On the other hand, if it means BBJ moving on, I wouldn't see that as a disaster.
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See if this works.
https://s40.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2U3VLIYRDR6K22YF95CXHUR6EZ
This is where I got it from.
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The club will want 2 million we will offer 350,000 plus a bag of cand balls and some old oor wullie annuals tellin ye.
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TimOTay,
I'll give you a few intersting facts, this guy has never been injured in his career...and only ever missed 2 penalties in his career.
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Some how I don't think that Bellamy will be signing if Zura-what's-his-name comes. That would be £8m on signing fees alone never mind wages. Maybe our budget is much larger though? If we don't get Bellamy (and even if we do - if we have the money) I would like to see Riordan at the club. If we don't get him I can't see WGS moving Hartson on, we can't just have the one or two established forwards in the team. (Sutton, Magic and Riordan would do for me along with the backup in Maloney and Beattie).
Shame that Zurawski isn't a couple of years younger.
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Watching those clips of him, he certainly knows where the back of the net is.
I am just paranoid as Dziekanowski had tons of talent that he showed in the early games, but ended up not being bothered half the time.
Times have changed and I hope that this boy is a cracker.
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I had already copyrighted this release Paul....
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The two poles we had before were signed on a sham. Both of them were years older than claimed. This couldn't happen in this day and age, could it? Oops, forgot about Raphael::((
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The little info that I have read about him it seems that he is a good all round player....He plays up front with a small pacy striker at Wisla...(hopefully a sign of the future)....
His domestic record is very healthy...although the polish league isnt the greatest...
His international record isnt that remarkable..6 goals in 32 ( I think)...
His European record is ok but not remarkable..9 goals in the Uefa cup in 2002/03 was the highlight.....(although most of the 9 was scored in the early rounds- they were knocked out in the 4th round by Lazio)...
Big question is will www.sixtee7.com have a t-shirt with Majic on it or will it be Zura as he was known at Wisla?
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Malone19, £2million is a lot of money for a Pole. I am not saying that is what Celtic have bid, just that is what they have been asked for.
TimOTay, the letter was faxed.
Weeron, they are still hopeful of keeping Bellamy.
Well done rumoid (on being early with the news, not the shameless plug).
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I suppose it's a start but I would regard building a defensive unit, including a new goalie, as a greater priority.As things stand we have only 2 recognised defensive starters( unless we count in Sutton) plus the likes of Laursen and Mcmanus.I agree with various other posts that Marshall still has a lot to learn and an experienced GK is therefore required.
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Paul-- head hung in shame...rumbled again..
Heres the Press release from the official Wisla site for those who missed it on the last thread:
So far Celtic’s interest in Wisla striker, Maciej Zurawski, has been a kind of media speculations. It has changed today. – We have just received an official offer from the Scottish club. – says Janusz Basalaj.
- Celtic has presented their proposal and we have launched the negotiations - adds Wisla managing president.
Zurawski has been watched twice by the Scots and they must have liked what they have seen. Wisla demands 3,000,000 euro for the striker. If Celtic pays that amount, Zurawski will become their player very soon. If not, the talks are going to be held.
- We have not held any negotiations either with Austria Vienna or Trabzonspor these days. I do not know anything about Turkish plans to come to Krakow again to discuss Zurawski's transfer. - claims Janusz Basalaj.
Maciej Zurawski has talked to British media and said he would love to play for Celtic.
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I don't mean to be sceptical but surely we are getting ahead of ourselves? Nothing has been completed yet.
Does anyone know what kind of fee Laursen is looking for to terminate his contract?
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Just watched the 100 goals video, this is what I picked up from the clips: Zura has a lethal shot that could be almost described as laser guided, arguably more important he seems to know where to shoot (the ball more often than not slips in wrong-siding defenders who are running to clear off the line etc.), he doesn't seem to be exceptionally fast at all but does have a turn of pace which can beat defenders who are flat footed. I didn't pick up much from the clips on his skill on the ball but he does seem to have a fairly good first touch - what is really impressive is his composure on the ball and infront of goal. His ability for keeping cool when under pressure to me is world-class. Didn't see many headers but any I did were good quality although all seemed to be looping. His penalty taking is assured although I did notice out of the 10-15 shown he only put two to the left. What I would say is that the defences he was playing against looked average at best (and thats the polite version). Anyway thats my analysis for the day - I'm off to get a job with Sky.
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Sevillian, I cant get your clip to work. Any specific software required?
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Leabgarrow,
Try updating your Windows Media player - latest is version 10.0....I think. Its only an .avi file, should play ok.
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Downloading real player should work
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thanks lifebhoy - living up to your name!!
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I think that Zura is very similar to Larsson in that he wants to finish his career in a country with better weather! All joking aside, let's hope he's the real deal.
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Just heard that Artur Boruc is flying in on Monday and is set to sign later in the week.
Anybody else heard anything?
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According to Celtic Fan Zone:
"Polish international goalkeeper Artur Borec is due at Celtic Park this Monday to undergo a medical and agree terms on a move from Legia Warsaw to the Hoops."
I doubt we will pay a full £2m for Zura but would guess we'd offer something in the region of £2.5m for the two - possibly more based on performance, appearences etc.
If we do sign both players and they both take 3 year deals and if Bellamy also signs for 3 years that would be around £3m out the kitty before wages. Add three defenders to this list a left and right midfielder and a centre mid and that's your £10 well taken up.
Has nobody considered that although we need a left-mid as Thompson has slowed down dramatically; that we don't actually have a right-mid???
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£3m is per year for 3 years due to amortisation or whatever you call it, would that be about right Paul?
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Since you beat me to to the announcment Malone19 hears the full transcript:
"Polish international goalkeeper Artur Borec is due at Celtic Park this Monday to undergo a medical and agree terms on a move from Legia Warsaw to the Hoops.
According to agent Raymond Sparkes the groundwork has been done and all that's left is the personal side of things. The 25-year old comes with a big reputation and is tipped for a great future. We certainly hope so.
Borec may not be the only Polish player to pull on the Hoops next season as a fee of around £2m has been agreed with Wisla Krakow for their striker Zurawski. Even then, Gordon Strachan is still looking at a couple of other Polish players."
Come on the HOOPS!
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If we do get this guy then we're looking at potentially:
Sutton, Hartson, Bellamy, Beattie, Riordan, Zurawski. (I'll discount Maloney for now).
Personally I reckon that's two too many. By the look of previous comments people wouldn't be bothered if BJH left for some cash.
So which 4 is more likely?
Sutton, Bellamy, Beattie, Zurawski?
or
Sutton, Beattie, Riordan, Zurawski?
or
Sutton, Hartson, Beattie, Zurawski?
Any comments Paul67?
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Now i don't want to put a dampner on things BUT....
If we are to sign a few Polish Bhoys what happens when Poland are playin an international and we have an important game on. Are we down a few bodies?
Steady Steady! as someone already stated we haven't even signed anyone yet!
Just as a tit bit:-~
Why go to Wolves when Celtic offerd the Exact same deal?
(Other players or was it really the need for a signing on fee??)
Jackie of ALL the rags you had to go to the Daily Ranger... FFS!
Enjoy your move
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What this really underlines is just how much of what the papers report is pure fiction or speculation. Referring to our supposed "chase" for Niemi, Phillips, O'Brien etc.
Also is noone else put out by the light in which the Kyriagos (no I can't spell the big cheating Greeks name and can't be arsed lookin it up) affair has been painted. I'm positive all the noises Rangers made were that they had signed him on a 3 year deal and that the 6 month loan rumour was rubbish. Yet RFC are not given anything like the treatment Celtic recieved over the Balde affair.
That's the papers for you, morale of the story is they talk...you know what.
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If Riordan is only going to cost £500k then I'd say bloody well buy him... even if he's not going to play much (apart from him giving us more options for wide forwards) we will easily be able to get the money back an a couple of years. Think how much he would come on playing with world class strikers every day.
Has anyone got a link to clips of Zura/Boruc playing (particularly in Europe or for Poland)?
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thanks malone 19, also.
For anyone else struggling with the clips, I opened with real player which prompted a free download of dvix, now both clips visible.
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Reidy!
Huns with PCs what do you expect of them, don't buy the rags and expect no favours from them.
Leckie from the sun had the most vitriolic comments I've heard in a long time directed at MON.
Now IMO he must have known of the situation regarding his wife and yet he went on to slate Martin.
Donald Findlay,Andy Goram,Police that didn't turn up at court?
Sorry for the rant but it makes my blood boil!
COTH!!
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malone19 I say you are correct. If Riordan costs 500k lets hit da gamble.
I think Bellemy would be a horendous waste of our transfer budget. He is a good player, but not worth blowing all our cash on when we need practically a whole new first team.
I think if anyone offered us anything more than £1mill for BBJ I'll drive him to the airport.
After the cup final I watched the King of Kings video and was astounded at how much weight BBJ has put on since the seville season ! and we thought he was big then. He absolutely could not score the liverpool goal anymore, hes too slow and lazy.
I hope GS has him running up the sand dunes with the paracute on the back pre season.
Sutton, Beattie, Riordan, Zurawski sounds fine to me. and/or BBJ 2 stone lighter.
Hail Hail
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Just a question I would like to ask about the Polish striker.
I haven't seen a lot of clips but the ones I have seen have seen him scoring in a counter attack fashion.
Is there any clips of him dribbling/holding the ball up etc or even scoring from his own play 20 yards out with defenders around.
The goals I saw were very similar (although I must say better) to Harald Brattbakk's.
If we are going with Bellamy and Sutton up front next year and this guy is back up then excellent stuff but if he is the main striker alongside BBJ then god we are going backwards.
I'm glad to see we are scouting around Europe and he will come on relatively low wages so I'm happy with that but no-one can deny it is a risk and he is not a definite success. (Just like our manager)
But the good thing is our support always see the good things in people and are talking him up already.
Cheers
Tonybhoy
PS Any comments on the clips?
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Tonybhoy - I just watched the clips there. youz right. Crazy Harry lives.
Although he scores free kicks and takes penalties which is a good sign.
no signing is ever more less than 50% a gamble. Heres hoping he fits in. we do need someone like him to play off Sutty or BBJ.
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Fom the 100 clip of goals by Zurawski he looks like a very good finisher, a couple of the volleys were excellent especially one of them taken on the run at the end of the clip.
If we sign this guy he could possibly be the type of player we will need in europe when playing counter-attack. I would not think the SPL will cause him any problems.
Also seems to be able to use both feet!
Not a target man but def a predator, looks good IMO.
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Has anyone got clips of him with the ball at his feet? None of the clips I've seen so far have been anything other than running onto the ball and finishing (very good finishing at that). Does he get back to help the midfield? Can he pass? Can he dribble? How is he in the air? These are all questions still to be answered by anything so far.
He seems to be able to hold off defenders, although I don't think the Polish game is even half as physical as Scotland's.
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I must say i am impressed with the 100 clip.
He definitely looks a composed, penalty box predator - give him 1-2 chances and he'll score.
Also, think he is deceptively quick, similar to Agathe in that his legs aren't stomping away like mad, but a long gait eats up the ground (obviously not as fast as Agathe).
Is it just me or did it look like about 3 different guys scoring the goals?
Anyway, after John Barnes bought Rafael on the basis of an agents video, I am still a wee bit wary.
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All this talk about predatory Poles is great, but no-one seems to have posted about Lennon's new deal. That at least makes me smile since I think he is such an important player for us. He is not there to be creative, but he is always there - a role so important in CL football. What he needs is a creative outlet to play alongside. Short balls are not a problem if they are to somebody who can exploit them! I'll still be chanting his name next season!
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I noticed that too... there is someone with blonde spikey hair in the video, I would say he could have dyed it but his physique was completely different as well.
I'm sure there will be videos of full games available to GS and he has got to have watched him over the past few months. If not then why the sudden interest?
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Re Lennon,
What is going to happen next year if we buy a quality central midfield player. Playing a 4-4-2 you can't exactly drop Petrov can you? An alternative to this would obviously be the 3-5-2 and the 4-3-3 could be interesting; however it takes a certain type of player to be able to use a 4-3-3 effectively and at present we don't have that. The forwards have to support the mid as do the full backs. It's a risky formation IMO.
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First time contributor to this excellent site; well done everyone. Did anyone note that the wisla krakow homepage believe that GS was looking at Radoslaw Sobolewski as well as Maciej Zurawskim, rather than the other two defenders that have been quoted. He is also a polish int', 28 years old, although hardly a free-scoring player (ratio approx.1 goal per 10 games). Cannot find any more info regard role and type of player, only that he is a midfielder.
Concerning Maciej's video clip, while accepting that such a compliation of goals arguably does not allow an accurate assesment of his true ability, nonetheless he looks as though he would consistantly score goals, certainly looks like a natural goal scorer and could play well off CB (hopeing that CB will still be at CP for the start of the season).
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Malone 19
What sort of player do you need to exploit a 4-3-3? 3-5-2 workd very well for us up until this season dont you think? As long as you have the right players.
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TimeWillTell
We played a 4-4-2 for most of this season, IMO it did not produce good football. The 3-5-2 was good as the defence did not have to concentrate so much, the centre mid players had a good strangle-hold in the middle of the park which allowed the full backs to push forward (unless there were 3 pacey forwards in the opposition). This supplied good crosses and the defencive nature of 2 of the CM players allowed Petrov to push forward when needed. IMO 4-4-2 does not suit Celtic's style of play - 4-4-2 needs to consist of a good passing team, which mostly last season we were not. Although a 4-3-3 could be interesting I believe it can leave the team a bit short in midfield or if not, lacking in width. To counter this you need the full backs to be attacking but disciplined and the wide forwards to be able to move from midfield to up front for the whole game. Also I think our central defenders cause a problem as they are what I would call siege defenders but can lack in composure and positioning. This system could work if the right players are in place.
I would have:
Keeper
Agathe Balde Varga Signing (still a weak defence and not 100% confident in one of these players at high level)
Petrov McGeady Lennon (staggered with Lennon more defensive then stan then McGeady)
(Riordan/Beattie) (Sutton/Magic) Bellamy
I think Mcgeady could be used as a wide forward but is more effective in an attacking creative midfield position. This system would not allow him to be too attacking and would be more suited to a box to box type midfielder such as Petrov or Hartley.
Anyway that is just my opinion and I would prefer to go back to the 3-5-2 especially for the SPL. Insidently, can anyone remember whether it was a 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 that took us to Seville?
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Also, I think Lennon is best suited to a anchor-man position. He plays fine in CM and does the same job but when you consider that leaves us with only one attacking midfielder our options are limited in the middle of the park. Two box to box midfielers who can pass well, defend and run all day are IMO what is needed to run an effective 4-4-2.
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I know it is only an opinion but Celtic will get ripped apart with that team that you depicted.
The defence has conceded more goals last season due to the fact that Balde and Vaga don't complement each other.
Midfield: When did McGeady set the heather on fire.HE's still young and needs backup from other players. Also too inconsistent. Would that mean Petrov being played out on the right? as Lennon can't play there. Even wee teams like hibs who may not have players with class have out gun our midfield.. younger legs & a bit of movement.
Forward line could work but Sutton can't palay up front all season (he's getting on now 32 I think;-~)
The other teams in the SPL have sussed out what we do. Your suggestion leaves us open.
Sorry
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We definitely wont play 4-3-3 under Strachan, he has slaughtered Man u for playing that fomation. He likes a 4-4-2.
Depending on the personnel available or opposition it will be mainly 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 to suit.
I would like to see at least one centre half arriving, preferably with composure and pace (anybody got a spare £20m!!), no matter the formation we play.
I think most fans will be glad Lenny is staying, but he should be rested more often (though i thought Lennon and Lambert would be roatated for the past 2 seasons to save their legs, still cant understand why that didn't happen).
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Mick
I don't think you read the full post: I said I am not confident in any of the Defenders at the moment (they are all we have). Also the 3 in midfield in a 4-3-3 are all central positions. I don't think McGeady is the finished article but he can do a job if played in behinf the strikers in a 3-5-2 which I said I would like to be played.
Keeper
Defender Defender Defender
Agathe Petrov Lennon (Left wing-back)
McGeady
Bellamy Sutton/Riordan/Beattie/Magic(any of)
That is how I would line it up... no idea who at the back or in goals.
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Zurawski hasn't only been the best striker, but also the best player in Polish football for the past 4-5 years. It's true to say that he is exceptionally clinical when he's killing opponents on the counter-attack, but that's only because he's such a natural and great finisher. In the 100 goals video you see a lot of his goals he has created for himself, such as taking the ball from around 25 yards from goal, dribbling past 2 Groclin defenders and ending with a great finish. His movement is also exceptional as is evident from a few of the goals you see.
The guy was born to play on a stage like Celtic park and if/when he signs for Celtic he'll be a smash-hit, that is inevitable.
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Malone19, it is a bit early for me to pull amortisation figures, but Bellamy and the Pole together will cost around £2million per year (transfer figures only).
Trig, as far as I am led to believe you can forget about Riordan, that one was a media wind-up. I expect BBJ to go if Bellamy stays, or a Bellamy replacement is found (which is the plan). Beattie will be a supporting player.
Reidy, totally agree. As Mick has said, the problem is not with the papers, though, the problem is with the people who buy them and take their bate.
Welcome Shanghaied Bhoy, thanks for the info on Sobolewski, I had not heard it.
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Paul67 Beattie is on his last year of his contract a squad player we might just have ah gem there. New contract asap. Then again we might not but the potential is there get him signed up.
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The problem with 3-5-2 was always our ventures into Europe.
While we could boss the midfield with the numbers in the SPL when we came up against a better class of winger (in the Porto game for example) they destroyed us down the flanks. To pull off 3-5-2 in Europe you need exceptionally quick centrehalfs who read the game, or very mobile wingmen who can defend (we only have Agathe in this respect).
In Europe you really do need four at the back to prosper, and utilise wingbacks supporting midfield. I believe we will play 4-4-2, as Strachan commented you need "good formation" to prevent goals but "special players" (or something similar) to score them.
However 4-3-3 could work at our club if we make a couple of additions, mainly at the back with players capable of supporting midfield. Because up front McGeady, Beattie, Bellamy (say we keep him) would all be well capable of playing the outside forward role very effectively.
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Let's hope that Sutton stays fit next year. If what Paul is saying turns out to be true then we will have one striker up and BBJ down. Sutton and whoever the new Bhoy is can't play all season as I'd imagine Sutton would tire at times. Hopefully Beattie will continue to improve and add more goals to his game.
Paul what are the chances of landing Bellamy and Zurawski? In fact, what are the chances of landing Bellamy? Do you have any further news regarding defenders? The way it's going just now we could find ourselves back in Barnes's 2-2-2-2 football fantasy. A lot has been said about Zurawski but not really anything on the defenders from Poland - does anyone know anything about them?
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Am I the only one that thinks we are already taking McGeady for granted?
This is a young guy that took Milan apart in a serious game. Playing out of position for most of the season - when he played. Whoever else comes in, whatever new players appear, we have some damned good players still at home.
Remember Maloney, when he was match fit before the injury? Was he just Livingston on loan class? Give him a chance to get fit now.
THere's a new manager - there will be new arrivals - we will bring out the best in who we are.
And WGS will start to understand what CELTIC and all it brings to its heart and soul is all about. And somehow it won't mattter who owns it or has bigger shares. It's only the fans - no not the fans-the people ,or who want or need or expect or just assume that there is something that says that's what affirms my identity; I smile when I see Celtic won: I don't know anything about football bu I know where I'm from _ and I hope to God Celtic win.
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malone19,"The way it's going just now we could find ourselves back in Barnes's 2-2-2-2 football fantasy."
The fantasy being we could win matches with just nine players on the field!!!
BankieBhoy
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Leabgarrow 9.32, Not sure if Barnes even saw a video of Raphael. Apparently, Vanderlei Luxembergo owned part of the agency representing Rafa. He gave him a couple of caps in meaningless internationals (Brazil play a lot it would seem). This resulted in the agency touting him to clubs by showing them that he had played for Brazil. Barnes must have figured, 'this guy must be good', and signed him up without even eatching him. This is not the only case as there are dozens of bad to average Brazilains playing across Europe who have been sold to other sucker clubs. Anybody else hear about this?
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Yeah there was a whole lad of players sold in a similar way to Rafael, it is widely believed Luxemburgo got a good pay out of and i'm sury many others did as well. That was a farse, hate even thinking about it.
It is safe to say you will get a 4-4-2 from Strachan. The way I see it is that magic is BBJ's replacement and Phillips is the back up plan in Bellars falls through. Whittaker was the back up plan for Jackie so we will now persue him, I am fairly confident he will sign. We bought Jackie for 650k and I think this boy will be a steal and not too dissimilar to Jackie at that age, possibly more athletic.
Chris agree about McGeady, I watched the Milan game the other day on Celtic TV - he was great!
So all that talk about forward planning and back-up plans has realy got me excited; it would seem Celtic are learning the error of their ways.
There has been no talk of a left sided defender, this would be my number one area and historically Strachan has started building from the back. I hope there is something going on there.
Riordan - definetaly no! Too small and slim, drifts in and out of games and could possibly struggle to handle the pressure. A couple of bad passes and you have 60,000 at you, not everyone can deal with that. Bellamy defo worth 5-6M.
We need to keep moving along slowly but surely, it looks as if it will be a long and eventful summer.
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The problem with McGeady, like every other wingers is that they bloa hot and cold.
I am not old enough to see Jimmy Johnstone, but my father assures me that he had many a bad game for Celtic.
I am not a McGeady fan as I feel than he does too much when he beats a man, however some of the things than he had done has proved that he is a touch of class.
Strachan is going to play a 4-4-2 for definite. However I feel that he will work this into our way of playing.
However I have major reservations about Neil Lennon in such a role. Neil is a fantastic holding player, but Strachan in the past has preferred box to box players like Petrov.
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What about playing Lennon as a sweeper as part of a 5-3-2 formation.
Goalkeeper
Lennon
Agathe Bobo Varga Thomson!(maybe)
McGeady(Maloney) Petrov Pearson(Wallace)
Magic/Beattie/Bellamy/Hartson/Sutton(choose any 2)
The 2 wingbacks pushing on with fast/tricky wingers in front of them and Lennon directing from the back, this system can be changed to a solid 4-4-2 by moving Lennon back into the midfield if required during games.
Maybe I play too much Football Manager for my own good ;)
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TimOTay
"The problem with McGeady, like every other wingers is that they bloa hot and cold."
I don't know about everyone else but I wouldn't class McGeady as an out and out winger. I would have him behind the strikers similar to where Juninho SHOULD have being playing. The difference was McGeady could do a job if not played in his favourite position.
BankkieBhoy
Must have missed out a 2 but you never know; Barnes would have fielded 9 players if it meant his could read the team-sheet all in the one breath.
Anyone know of any left or right midfilders/wingers who we could get... I've not heard of any speculation of this but feel they are clearly needed.
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coached properly and McGeady will become the best kid to come through the ranks since the Maestro.
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Paul can you tell us if Rafaels contract has just expired?
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Guys like McGeady are worth their weight in gold if they are developed properly.I sometimes wonder,if Ronaldinho had played in Scotland would he have been considered a winger too?
You want guys like that running at the centre of a defence,not taking on a full back.By all means play him there on short-term basis to allow him to develop,but if he starts to show that he is consistent enough,move him infield where he can do most damage.
To my mind it's not just his ability to beat people that he possesses,he also has a lovely weight of pass when he is in and around the box,remember his little reverse pass to Bellamy against Caley Thstle for the opening goal up there?
It remains to be seen whether WGS will give him the opportunity centrally this season but I can see a day not far from now,if he develops like we all hope he does, when he and Petrov will be our midfield partnership.
Incidentally,nice to see the positivity that was circulating here on Friday,including Negative Anon,has not disappeared.Amazing what a little activity in the transfer market can do for you.
BankieBhoy
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TimOTay
Strachan is a massive fan of Lennon. He described the role he plays as something very few people can do well (which is true.
He went on to say that he has always wanted a player like Lennon but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get one so was left to have makeshift players try that role that wasn't familiar with them.
This should mean we are certainly going to be playing with a holding midfielder and i'm sure he will have Petrov next to him. I guess this means we should be expecting a proper 4-4-2. You know with two real wingers (not petrov) and a box to box midfielder and a holding midfielder.
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Call me paranoid if you like but no mention whatsoever on Radio Scotland's sports bulletins about Neil Lennon re-signing, despite the fact that it's on teletext. Could it be that a good news story about Celtic is not a priority? (And it is good news - can't believe some of the negativity towards oor Neil from some on this site. Anyone who watches the guy in the flesh as opposed to on the telly can see what a great job he does preventing the opposition from playing). Nope, Radio Scotland prefers to go large with Graham Roberts and his plans to bring the wife-beater back to Scotland to coach (suppresses giggle) and play for the mighty Clyde..
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Lennon just gets the same critism that all holding players receive. Fans wanting to see goals and attacking football so your Larsson Bellamy McGeady's are always going to be more popular. I would hope the vast majority appreciate Lennon still.
As for your paranoid, this atricle from sky sports news website(not the most reliable) may help ease your fears.
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Neil Lennon has set his sights on lifting the SPL title with Celtic after becoming the club's new captain.
New boss Gordon Strachan will hand Lennon the skipper's armband when he signs his new 12-month deal at Parkhead - replacing Jackie McNamara as captain.
The 33-year-old was being tipped to leave The Bhoys, but he is now thrilled at being the new captain - and wants to lift the title next season.
"To take over as skipper is an absolute honour. I will do everything I can to be a successful Celtic captain," Lennon told the Sunday Mail.
"To follow guys like Billy McNeill, Danny McGrain and Paul McStay is a special feeling.
"I've also been lucky enough to play with Celtic captains such as Tom Boyd, Paul Lambert and Jackie McNamara.
"They all won titles as skipper and I want to do the same.
"The hurt is still there from how last season ended and we will be out to make amends. I am determined to win the league back."
Strachan is looking to re-shape his squad for next season, and was determined to keep Lennon in his side.
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Every day of the week someone will say "Lennon doesn't get enough credit, he's underestimated". This, in itself, is giving him the credit he's due and we all say it!
My problem with him is that he's a very limited player and for the amount of money that we spent on his transfer fee and even now, wages, he should be doing even more.
This is not to take away from what he does contribute but for that money, I'm after more.
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white smoke on monday I believe. Very encouraged about Magic, using his new hopefully appropriate moniker!
Shephard states that Bellamy's not back until 4th July - is this is case Paul?
If so doesn't fit in with our expected box office signing to guarantee maximum exposure on 1st July for Nike strip launch.
Perhaps a box office midfielder or centre half prior to CB or DD's private jet bringing back Bellamy?
Ridiculously positive
CW
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I agree that as McGeady progresses he will become one of our best players. I do however worry where he fits into a 4-4-2. I don't know about everyone else but I think the central players in a 4-4-2 need to be either one defensive type (Lennon) and one box-to-box type (Petrov). This is more of a defensive formation; on the other hand you could have two box-to-box types for a more attacking force. I don't think a playmaker like McGeady would provide enough bite in the middle of the park when the midfield needs to be bossed. Any battle in midfield I would think would be a problem if say McGeady and Petrov play. That's why I prefer him in a 3-5-2. Thoughts anyone? (Preferably positive critisism as I am aware that I may be talking rubbish).
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Well we have know the problems with getting stretched at the back with 3 defenders. Very few teams in Europe play with 3 at the back because of this.
But in saying that having the 5 in midfield
