-
Looking at the UEFA web site there are 15 teams who go straight into the group stages therefore there will be 17 3rd round qualifying ties. Here's hoping the draw is kind to us.
-
Agreed, I'm losing no sleep that Celtic have signed nobody yet. I thin the transition from MON to WGS has been relatively smooth. There has been no mad scramble to find a manager before signing any old player left at the end of July. I'm hopeful and positive that the future is indeed green.
The reporting on Jackie Mac, has been as expected, I heard mention of "buscuit tin mentality" this morning on the radio. I don't think McNamara was as wanted as we've been led to believe otherwise his contract would have been signed weeks or months ago, then again maybe this was left for the new manager to decide? WGS must have (and I hope so) bigger fish to fry.
Have to admit to loving the rumour season, even if I do end up shouting at the TV/radio or throwing newspapers about.
It's better than listening, to arrogant snobs batter on about EU rebates or the next law to curb our liberties. I wonder if there is an EU directive on journalistic impartiality.
-
Paul67
Any thoughts on the budget for the coming two months? Would this be a stand-alone figure or would some it have to come from any share issue that is planned?
My thoughts are that we could afford a net £10mill spend and still keep the bank on-side without any need to draw down on the share issue.
Any ideas?
After yesterday we need to get back to the task in hand, building a better football club.
-
Paul,
Thanks for the latest analysis. I basically share your optimism about where we're heading. For the sake of folk like my Dad, who are getting nervous through the drip drip influence of such as Radio Snide and the Daily Hun & Retard, could you give us some idea of the quality of player we plan to be signing? Mind you, no rumours; we've more than enouhg of those to be going on with
-
Rapid Vienna ? Oh Yes - I'd take them in a minute. The atmosphere would be incredible,and it would be a great opportunity to right a few wrongs, methinks.
I would imagine we'll only get the first CL qualifying tie included with the new season book.
Lets hope we gel quickly and WGS gets off to a flyer.
-
Im really looking forward to theses qualifying games even though our squad seems to be getting smaller by the minute.
Im glad a bit of time is being taken to make sure we get the right men for the job (even if it is driving me up the wall).
The media coverage of the Mcnamara thing has been as predictable as ever.
-
Rapid Vienna - just the very mention of the name still gets my hackles rising!!!! Along with Atletico Madrid they are joint number 2 on my 'teams we would most love to give a right good drubbing to' list!!!
As yet I am not too worried about the 'goings' as long as the 'comings' are of the quality we desire. I find it interesting that it has gone fairly quiet around Niemi and Bellamy; indeed teams they have been linked with have been active in filling those positions! Or am I being just a bit too optimistic?
-
Current best XI to face a champsleague qualifier:
Marshall, Laursen, Agathe, Varga, Sutton, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson, McGeady, Hartson, Beattie.
I think that needs more than a major overhall. Does anyone know where to find the squad inherited by MoN when he took over in 2000? I don't think it would be a bad shout to claim that WGS might have a harder task than Martin did all those years ago (player wise, obviously the structure and standing of the club is much higher now).
Players like Larsson, mjallby, petrov, lambert were all at the club and still young. Does the current squad have anything compared to those four in their prime in 2000? Petrov excepted.
McStay
-
Though it was somewhat disturbing to see the manner in which Jackie Mac was let go, I think if the truth be known Jackie is at a stage in his career where it is Wolves who are taking the risk. Jackie is no longer the "barn burner" that Macnamara's Band could be.
-
frankiebhoy
there will be 16 teams who go staraight into the group....
there will be 16 third round qualifiers..
presumably UEFA's site still has the "blank" space for"holder"....it will not be filled with a direct enttarnt this year...Liverpool go in as a "non-country" team in the first round..
has knock on effects in various bits...in QR Romania's champs now go into qr3 rather than qr2.and I think Slovakia's title winners get into qr2 rather than QR1...
when it gets to the group stages...if Liverpool get in...then some teams might fall out of a Pot...e.g Porto will be pot 2 rather than 1...
but there will definitely only be 16 third round qualifiers.....trust me!!
-
Paul
You tell us you are led to believe that the re-building process this close season will be significant and that it is important that the money is spent wisely and not quickly. I completely agree that the re-building needs to be significant and am pleased to see the beginnings of moving on expensive benchwarmers.
I cannot take issue either with your view that we need to spend wisely but cannot reconcile that spending wisely and quickly are somehow incompatible. Hence my uneasiness at the lack of activity so far persists since past evidence suggests that this is may be the forerunner ultimately of poorly thought out panic “buys” to assuage opinion.
It has been possible for you through this excellent site to highlight the opportunity for a big spend this summer for almost the past 9 months or so. If it was clear to you then surely it was just as clear to the powers at CP.
The poverty weariness and in some cases lack of ability of the squad has been discussed for months on this site. That surely has also been obvious to the people at CP .
MON’s situation must have been clear also.
Those players likely to be available on Bosman’s are known or can be established quite easily.
The players of interest for a fee are known or should be. If not then someone needs to be accountable.
The agents are out there.
Some suggest deals have been done. What possible reason could delay their announcement?
Why then I must ask is it not right for us to question the lack of activity thus far? It is simply not believable to suggest that this is part of a negotiating strategy. Rather it suggests entirely the opposite.
-
Paul67,
you say "led to believe" I would genuinely be very interested to hear where your optimism is comimg from.
MON and GS stated that it was vital that Lennon and MacNamara should stay at the club. An old pals act I don´t reckon. By letting Jackie Mac go we have lost a good solid player on a reasonable wage who will need replaced at a cost. If this is done then I for one will be happy at least about one thing.If this was the case his testimonial should have been his official swansong. Not a good start under GS IMHO so far.
The agitation felt by most supporters is due to recent circumstances; capitulation, MON, Bobo,Lennon,Jac Mac and the worst of the rest leaving without diddley sqaut been put in place yet.A pro active Celtic would be a fine thing. I for one am not panicing as we have VERY SADLY seen this situation TOO MANY TIMES before.ESPECIALLY RECENTLY! However we do only have 6 weeks to get a team formed that just might well have to play against a Shaktar or a Basle. Will that Celtic team be better than the one when we needed the dodgy decision against 9 of them at Parkhead last season? I really hope and pray that is the case. I´m sure we all agree that unless Celtic really splash the cash or pull a warren out of the hat this time it is still a very tall order for a team that recently couldn´t beat Hibs at home. Motherwell away even though a title and millions of dollars was riding on it.A team that MIGHT well also have included already our biggest summer signing in Craig Bellamy.A team that knew that our finest manager in years was probably leaving.Another PR mistake btw if it had been announced a few weeks earlier it might have been the spur to carry us over that line.. anyway I digress NO CL = NO PROFIT = LOSS which might just scamper any grand secretive plans that Celtic are about to surprise me with. I hope its not too professionally and slickly done as my heart will not be prepared for such a momentous change of direction from Celtic plc and Celtic when it was ran under the family dynasties. I hope the board are aware of this.
I will offer a cynical retort to the situation at Celtic and that due to our very parsimonious (a great word that one) ... our stingy board that we will see nothing special arrive at Parkhead until we qualify for this seasons CL.
-
-
Great_no_8
Here's the squad 99/00.
http://tinyurl.com/7l4gk
-
Paul,
What is your take on the reported £7 million that the club is set to receive from UEFA for their participation in last season's Champions League?
Will this be invested in players, used to pay off overdraft, or paid as a dividend to those that are privy to this?
If only we could have got an easier group, and therefore a decent run. Liverpool are set to pick up £20.3 million from this money that UEFA found down the back of the couch.
-
A couple of comments:
We should be very careful when discussing the likely opposition in the third round (or indeed the group stages) of next season's Champions League. We need to bring in some decent new players first, get them to gel as a team, and safely negotiate the preceding qualifying rounds. Then we can confidently discuss what might ensue.
But if we do indeed succeed in reaching the Holy Grail of the group stages, then it would be a shame if Porto drop into pot 2. They are no longer as strong or dangerous as they were under Mourinho, and took until the last couple of weeks of the season to actually guarantee their qualification. IMO they would have been the most beatable of the pot 1 teams. And of course we still have a score to settle there too!
Also, I'm sorry to regress back to the previous line of discussion, but lest it be missed right at the end of the last discussion thread, here it is again:
To everyone bemoaning Jackie's attitude, consider the following scenario...
You are working on a 1 year contract which finishes next month, and your employer has only offered you another 1 year fixed term contract. At the end of that year you are guaranteed a bonus of around £1M. You have around 4 years left before you have to retire, and you have a young family to support.
What do you do?
a) Leave for another job offering a 2 year contract with no £1M bonus.
b) Sign the one year deal and forfeit your bonus.
c) Sign the one year deal, take your bonus, and then look elsewhere for a longer deal offering more stability for you and your family.
I suspect that in the same situation 99% of us would go for (c).
So get off Jackie's back and wish him all the best. It's his prerogative to choose how he runs his on life.
Also, re: Cabbage's comment "Quick to take the fans money"...
Those fans who turned up at Jackie's testimonial did so of their own free will. And let's be honest, a good number of those only turned up to say goodbye to MON and/or to see Henke. If MON had already left and Henke & Lubo hadn't been there, how many fans do you think would have turned up?
Nobody threw these accusations at Henke last year, and he hadn't even earned a testimonial having only served 7 years!
-
Paul67,
You wrote:
"Celtic will be seeded all the way to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time this season"
Does that mean we will be one of the top 2 seeds in a group if we qualify?
Also, do you think that the pursuit of Derek Riordan means that we have given up hope on Bellamy? I believe Bellamy is key for us to get past the group stage. I think that we are incapable of attracting another player of similar quality.
-
Madmitch
I agree we will have more than £10million available without the share issue. In fact I have been saying that here since last August.
There is no point publishing a budget yet, as all the additions have still to hit.
Agree with your sentiment, put the past behind us and get on with building a better Celtic.
Parkheadcumsalford, I know we are looking at one box office signing. This will either be Bellamy or a direct replacement. The rest will be profiled more as well researched players who fit the right profile.
I am led to believe the goalkeeper situation has been sorted.
Awe Naw, the parsimonious board have seen the club lose money every year for the last six seasons. Who are you getting your information from?
TimOTay, The £7million is already accounted for last season and will still not stop us losing money.
-
Jim62 : Yes it still has a space for the holder. 16-16 is a bit more symetrical than 15-17. Turkish league winners may now go straight into the groups. Next after them on the list is the Scottish league winners, I was almost going to say we nearly got straight in - still can't get my head round us not being champions !
Anyway I don't suppose it matters how many ties there are, it's the luck of the draw. Could be a stroll like 2 years ago or a nightmare like the year before that.
-
sorry Paul. I do not share your optimism. Current squad are well past their sell by date and the rebuilding is starting too late for this season. I reckon we are the weakest of the top seeds and others will be hoping for us in the draw.
Strachan appears to be targetting the SPL and it is interesting that he has so far made no mention of sucess in Europe as a target.
-
I find these comments that 'deals are done' frankly preposterous.
Do you really believe that if deals are done it would be posssible to keep them secret for so long.
By all means tell me that deals are in progress but do not insult my intelligence by saying that players are already signed and being held back.
Lawwell's performance over the last couple of days makes me worry about the progress of whatever negotiations are happening.
I've said before there will be no major spending at CP this close season and it's highly unlikely that what we spend will include a big name.
I hope I'm wrong but at this stage I think qualification for the CL will be a big ask regardless of the draw.
-
I would be wary of teams that are already a few games into their season when we play them. Whilst we may be short of some match fitness we may also be trying to get a new group of players to gel.
-
Bigchipsuk
I feel the need to re-reply to your post:
Again, please steer away from the "stability for you and your family" drivel! JM does not need to work ever again in his life with the money he has. Before more people rant on about stability consider this: If you add the £1m testimonial money (yes I am aware this was for 10 years service) to his £12k a week salary that works out at over £30k a week. More than most earn a year! Therefore in his last year at Celtic he earned the equivelant of what someone on £30k a year would earn in a lifelong career.
I would have choosed to stay at Celtic, perhaps money changes you but if I was already financially not only secure but 'minted' I would be willing to take a pay cut never mind asking for an even longer deal than I had been receiving for the last two years from the club I love.
Get a grip...
And let us move on. This transfixed talk of JM is becoming boring.
Paul
Any info on the keeper situation other than it is sorted. Would I be right in thinking Marshall will more than likely be No.1 next season?
-
Paul67,
I asked first? :-) what is your optimism based on?
Can you be more specific as Im not sure what information you are referring too.
-
Yes Frank i am with you on that one. The talk of 'done deals' is utter nonsense, and frankly, insulting.
It's all the ususal smoke and mirrors from Celtic Park, and to suggest we have a great chance of making the knockout stages of the CL, when we will have a team of strangers getting to know one another, i fear is wishful thinking.
-
lincs,
You say that Wee Gordo seems to be targetting SPL. Can't say that I would come to the same conclusion. As far as I know he has made one public statement since signing on and that was a very optimistic one.
If the Polish striker is more than a rumour and we land him, I think he will be known as "Magic". I have a Polish friend of the same first name and thats what he is known as.
Regarding the CL qualifiers whoever we get will be tricky. Just as we have done before, some other teams will punch above their weight. The other factor is how well and quickly our "new" team gells.
Paul, I agreee we may have a better chance than ever of getting to the second stages, but I would also say (for the above reasons)the banana skin is bigger than ever as well...would you agree?
-
Paul,
I'd love to share your optimism, but I can't. The way we played toward the end of the season was awful.
Qualifying for the group would be an achievement. At the moment, Everton would murder us (1-0 and 0-0)!
Also, I disagree about your point about wide Vs quick signings. We need to be quick are all the decent Bosman's will have been snapped up.
It really looks like our hope that WGS would hit the ground running was false.
-
Done deals is nonsense. Also it's very likely we'll hear of signings before they are actually done deals. How many transfers take place these days without the media reporting interest, signing talks, medicals etc
-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/4095680.stm
Lennon signs for Spurs
-
Awe Naw, Behave!!! You really had me going there!
-
Malone19, with respect, your maths is a bit dodgy, as is your assumption that JM has been on £12K pw for his entire 10 years at CP. But I accept that some people feel betrayed by the circumstances of his departure, and we are all entitled to our opinions.
(Incidentally, Craig Bellamy will probably exceed JM's career earnings in the next 4 years alone.)
It's a great thing, this freedom of choice!
-
Have to agree with Frank, Frankie and Ardoch. Secret done deals does not sound feasible in today's media / agent climate. Friday is looming like D-Day. If nothing happens on Friday I fear very great unrest. And that's just in my house.
Also fear that WGS is under too much pressure in his first season already given Paul's post. Our manager of choice has left. WGS walks in to rebuild from a decimated squad. Taking a step back surely the SPL and CL group stage is a ligitimate target? CL last 16 a year down the line if we are to be fair to him. Remember we took him on knowing that he has no European experience to speak of in management.
Interested to know others expectations.
-
last word on Jackie from me (maybe).................
Yes, we lost a good player, but that's all, a good player.
He was not a world class or outstanding player for us.
I am lead to believe that Jackie was on 12K per week, i think that's ok money.
Dose anyone think he was worth 15/20K per week? I can put my hand on my heart and say NO.
We can pay that kind of money for a younger, quicker and better player.
We have spent big on wages before (don't think i need to name players) for sitting on the bench and it's time to stop.
-
Paul67
How much above a net spend of £10mill are you currently thinking?
£20mill?
£15mill?
I can't see us being able to support a cash outflow on players above £7mill this year on a carryover budget, consequently I think £10-11mill is where its at.
£10mill on players means a further £2mill on agents / signing on fees.
Player transfer fees have to be paid in full 2 years after the contract is signed. The staging of the fee payment within this rule is a matter for the two clubs?
The current hassle @ Rankers over the Greek CB shows a deal that was heavily back loaded. 40% of the fee is due one day before the two year deadline.
Consequently in a 4 year deal, the cash is paid up front over the maximum of a 2 year period while the value of the player is run down across the term of the contract. Amortisation is a charge on the books against the value of the player, it does not represent money physically leaving the club.
Agents and signing on fees are treated as an expense booked in the year that they happen?
I'm not sure about this as some teams link the player element to a loyalty bonus paid annually as long as they are still with the club. Is this instead of a signing on fee or in addition to it?
Cash outgoings possible this year = £7mill. This is made up three components:
£2.5mill extra in the NIKE deal
£2.5mill spent last year on loan fees and signing on fees carried over as a non recurring expense.
£2.0mill used to reduce debt last year.
I am assuming a carryover budget with no need to reduce debt.
Outgoings =
2005/6 = £5 mill in transfer fees and £2mill in expenses.
2006/7 = £5mill in transfer fees
This will leave thin pickings for next year but needs must.
All these figures are informed conjecture of the type that the bookies love. Consequently only for discussion.
The spend could be bigger if debt levels could be increased, we paid back another £2mill the previous year so that could be added in. Also the dividends could be re-invested to provide another £2.5mill of cash. The negative in all this is the lack of Eufa cup cash which I have optimistically set this aside as a wash with inflation and ancillary income.
Main point in all this is that a full time board and an ambitious manager can deliver "surprise and delight" in making the revenues go further.
Pulling a few rabbits out of a hat!
Signings from leftfield that make you look twice!
Headlines the "Laptop Loyal" can't stomach!
That is what we need, the club suits to really earn their keep. They have to work to a much higher level generating a much bigger player spend than a mere salaryman can hack together in his lunch break before the canteen closes.
-
Wee Jackie IMO has been shafted treated with disrespect due to his loyalty he’ll sign anyway I can just hear the boardroom lackies cry no need to worry. Treated shabbily and IMO should have been offered a contract as soon as WGS said he wanted to keep him. The board should have taken note of WGS comments and done their job.
Seems to be a running theme now of Lawell mismanagement of the contract situations. Seems to call a lot of them wrong. BBJ and Bobo being perfect examples those two getting highly lucrative extensions in Jan and one can still walk away for nothing.
Lawell is not getting us value for money, maybe time for a director of football to come in and handle these things, someone who knows about football.
After slagging Jackie yesterday about Wolves I feel we have forced him into making a genuine decision he will regret. He has lower his standard and if he had played hardball and waited he would have got the deal he deserved. Lot more at CP have given less than him but earn more.
The way we have treated him and reeks of the same way the old guard treated Burn’s, Grant etc they will sign for peanuts cause of the love of the club.
We are playing into the huns hands and unless there are 6 or 7 rabbits to get pulled out the hat then WGS is already 1-0 down.
-
Whilst it is highly unlikely that there are deals that have actually been completed, does anyone think that Nike may have asked the club to wait until 1 July to unveil signings. The majority of the donkey work could be done before then.
After all, if any new signings are paraded in a blaze of publicity at the moment then it would have to be the old Umbro strip for contractual reasons that they would have to wear.
This would also coincide with the players going back to training.
Zurawski on Polish TV anyone?
-
One or two hysterical reactions on here at the slow progress of things. Take a wee step back from all the guff we're getting fed from the likes of the Daily Record & Radio Clyde. Go for a pint after work & relax - there's 5 players already signed - a goalkeeper, upson, bellamy, hartley & diamond
BTW - McNamara has a cheek. After earning a good living out of Celtic & getting a nice testimonial, his outburst ranks alongside Viduka, Cadete & co - poor show Jackie
-
blantyre kev
in truth at this particular moment my expectations are not great, although this is only based on the current situation. i fear if replacements are not in place soon we may have to look forward to a place in the league stages of the Uefa cup. league wise, can we really get any worse than last seasons debacle?? the DOB's wont be much better (and they were near their best) than last so the league will again be close on current situation.
if the right player are signed and we gel as a team i dont see us having a probelm in the league and would imagine our usual foray in CL group 1 will end in a Uefa place after coming 3rd.
PS. i for one cant wait to get behind the bhoys next season no matter who is there for us and hope everyone will agree that the team need our backing like times of old and make CP was a place to be feared and intimidated by visiting teams
hail hail
-
BlantyreKev
I never once said he was on that sort of money for 10 years. However, even if he was only on £10 per week last season bonuses wouls have made up another few thousand. In any case, my point is still valid. JM is a multi-millionaire, security is not a problem and the only reasons for moving comes down to either guarenteed football next season or greed (not that I'm saying this is bad on his part as it is the money that drives most people).
-
From an earlier blog but worth repeating. When MON arrived when did he reveal his first signing? Well into July I believe.
And on another note. What is so unbelievable about the fans not knowing that someone has signed on the dotted line? We have been linked to dozens of players. The only way we might know that someone has signed is if CFC, the player or representatives say so. Or is the boardroom at CP bugged? We already know that our red tops print utter bull.
I for one believe that there will be at least four signings, probably more. I will judge them when I see them in a Celtic shirt, not on whether I have heard of them,their age or their price tag. (Lubo??-probably in the top half dozen players I have seen grace the hoops in the last thirty years)
-
Thanks Rob, appreciated.
-
malone, que?
i fear you are replying to another mail.
any thoughts on fair expectations of WGS?
-
Well said TimOTay - there is no way Nike would be happy about new signings being paraded in the old Umbro top.
Patience fellow readers, patience. I am shocked at the amount of players that we are going to need to get in before the start of the season but not too worried. I am happy thinking about the shape WGS is going to get these people into - by all accounts he rates fitness above everything else. Having the manager there at every training session will also be a bonus - we may see less players being played out of position next season.
My only worry is how BBJ is going to cope with the increased fitness regime. Maybe the rumours ARE true and he IS off to West Ham.
-
Trig, yes we will be seeded no. 2 in the group if we qualify. Riordan is not a replacement for Bellamy.
Malone19, Marshall will be 2nd choice keeper next season.
Awe Naw, my optimism is based on sound information. Lets wait and see.
Canajunbhoy, I never seen the Basel or Shakhtar banana skins coming, so quite possibly.
Madmitch, agents fees and signing-on fees are amortised along with the transfer fees. I am going to let your budget sit for now as there are too many variables at the moment. Suffice to say there will be plenty of budget if the clearout is a thorough as it could be.
TomOTay, one more time, Nike have nothing to do with the delay. Celtic have agreed deals for two players. The first player to be registered will be a big name.
On the subject of BBJ, I believe he will be sold if the signings go to plan.
-
Cambuslangisreality
Be grateful if you could enlighten us all as to why these "signings" have not been announced.
-
Can't imagine of we sign this Polish striker that he will be called 'magic' as posted earlier. He will be called 'shuggy' and he'll have to like it.
-
Any new signings would not be paraded in Umbro outfits. There is nothing to stop Celtic having there player pictured in Nike outfits (see the official site for cases of that already). We are not able to seel the Nike kit until the 1st, but that will have nothing to do with the timing of any announcements.
-
Paul, when is the deadline for registering players for the Champions League?
If we can offload BBJ to WHU for £2M then I think we should go for it, especially if we can get a striker in with some aerial ability, as well as skilful feet and an eye for opportunist goals. Does Magic Zurawski fit the bill?
-
TimoTay, Paul
It does not take a great leap to assume that signings would be better once the new strip was on sale although it is a bit of a catch-22.
If signings are held back during this time of growing discontent then sales of new replics jerseys will be the first measurable metric. Aside from advanced orders, player signings or exogenous events (seville) have the single most powerful positive effect on sales.
Even bellamy signing (which i still doubt having been told so in person) would not have a huge positive effect as he is not a new entity. Much of his box office appeal has been used up and certainly lost in Motherwell.
Signing an irish international would bring significant benefits as I am sure you can all imagine.
McStay
-
BigChips, we already have a striker with arial ability, and with a bit of luck Sutton won't be played out of position any longer.
-
Can they not just be paraded in suits or casual clothes if this is the case .....?
-
From the Official Site:
Gordon Strachan today dismissed claims that Jackie McNamara’s move to Wolves was prompted by a failure on his or the board’s part to make the player feel wanted at Celtic Park.
In an exclusive and revealing interview with the Celtic website, the new Hoops boss spoke of his surprise and disappointment at McNamara’s decision to reject an offer over two years on substantially increased terms.
The end result, of course, is that the former Celtic captain will now be playing Championship football at Molineux next season, an outcome which Strachan insists cannot be attributed to any lack of desire to keep the 31-year-old in the hoops.
Asked about McNamara’s claims that he had been left feeling unwanted, he said: “That couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, Jackie was the first player I spoke to face-to-face after arriving here, and I made it clear not only that I wanted him at the club, but also what I wanted and expected from him over the next couple of seasons.
But, while it’s disappointing that the outcome isn’t what we would have wished, it’s not fair to say that Jackie wasn’t wanted here. He was more than wanted.”
Keen to reject this particular allegation, Strachan was equally anxious to quell suggestions that, after stating so publicly that he intended retaining McNamara’s services, he feels let down that the club weren’t able to satisfy this desire.
His only disappointment, in fact, is with the player’s agent, whom, he revealed, never expressed dissatisfaction with the negotiations.
Said Strachan: “I feel we did what we could in the circumstances and I’ve no problems with the way Peter and the club handled it all.
“There was negotiating taking place, but that’s only to be expected. After all, if every player who came in got exactly what he demanded, all hell would break loose.
“But everything appeared to be progressing quite well in the discussions until, all of a sudden, we got a call on Monday to say that, if Jackie didn’t get what he wanted by five o’clock, he’d be off. That was an unexpected development and I must say that, in all the years I’ve had in management, I can’t ever remember a player setting a deadline like that.
“But we reacted to it, even though squeezing the timescale was far from ideal, and agreed before the deadline to give him an increased offer. I thought that was it done, but then his agent came back asking for a lot more. Then we got a call at six o’clock on Monday to say that Jackie would be signing for Wolves.
“That’s obviously what’s since happened and it goes without saying that I’m disappointed because he was very much part of my plans here. But it’s his decision and it’s one he’ll have to live with.
“Although we are disappointed that Jackie has left Celtic, I would like to say that we do wish him well for the future at Wolves.”
This was a sentiment shared by the club’s Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, who nevertheless hit back at the assertion that it was only as McNamara was en route to Wolverhampton that Celtic upped their offer.
He told the Celtic website: “Reports today suggesting that Celtic had called Jackie to make some sort of offer to increase his money at the last minute are complete nonsense.
“I did speak to Jackie yesterday but purely to confirm Celtic’s position and Jackie’s understanding of it. Although we are disappointed to lose Jackie, the club is satisfied with the way in which it handled negotiations.
“I must stress though that, despite Jackie leaving, I would sincerely like to thank him for the ten years' service he has given to the club. Jackie is a great lad and we do wish him well for the future.”
-
Looks like Jackies telling porkie pies .... or is it just sour grapes because he didnt get the contract he wanted ...?
-
Good thinking shamrock_stu - I was thinking they could wheel out that huge club crest that they photographed Larsson with when he signed. I've not seen it used since - surely a waste of money?
One of my hopes for the new season is that they get rid of that yellow bin which usually sits between the dug-out and the entrance to the tunnel.
BTW I see Henrik is back to his old ways - scored twice and set up another in Barcas 2nd friendly over in Japan.
-
Sounds like Mr Jackson is most to blame out of all this! Damn agents!
-
Larsson7: "if the right player are signed and we gel as a team i dont see us having a probelm in the league and would imagine our usual foray in CL group 1 will end in a Uefa place after coming 3rd."
Is there not a change in the rules this year that means a UEFA Cup parachute is no longer available for 3rd place, or even that failure in the CL qualifiers does not lead to a UEFA Cup spot? Maybe someone can confirm either way...
-
This business about not being able to see the Nike kit until the 1st of July...
On the official website Neil Lennon is stood there proudly sporting the new Nike kit.
So what's the difference between contracted players being pictured in the new kit on the club website and newly contracted players being pictured in the new kit on chip-wrappers?
-
'Sounds like Mr Jackson is most to blame out of all this!'
That's right lets all blame Michael Jackson!
Leave the guy alone...he's misunderstood.
-
The group winners and runners-up will advance to the knock-out stage of the competition, with the eight third-placed teams moving to the UEFA Cup third round, while the eight fourth-placed teams will be eliminated.
-
computergeeekjohn.................I wonder if D Jackson will come out and say anything? I would like to ask him.........
How much money did he make from Jackie moving?
How much money would he make if Jackie stayed?
That's agents for you
-
Footnote on Official Site, saying to check back later regarding news of new signings.
-
Tom64 - no offence meant, didn't realise he was such an idol to you ;-)
The official site is requesting us to come back later this afternoon for word from Strachan and Lawell on new signings!
Hopefully this will not be of the "yes, we need to make some signings" variety!
-
Hail Hail!
Here are my thoughts on Jackie and the quality of the squad. Supporters of all clubs tend to overestimate the talent of their own team's players. This is a natural thing because we see them play the most and we want them to do well.
WGS has had the unbiased view of our team and surely has his own opinions as to the individual players abilities. He also knows that throwing out the team captain would not be well received by the support or the bhoys.
I believe that WGS was sincere when he stated that he wanted to resign both Jackie and Lennon...at his price in order to fit in his budget. I assure you that WGS has a team budget identified on a position by position basis.
Jackie has been a great player but he is not a "difference maker". Does anybody really think that opposing managers say, "We must control Jackie to be successful against Celtic." As I see it Bellamy, Petrov and Sutton are the only ones that fit in that catagory. Maybe Beattie can join this rank next season.
We need more "difference makers" if we want to excel in the European Cup, excuse me, Champions League. C'mon Gordon! Bring us some new bhoys!
The future's bright it's green and white!
Honeybhoy
-
Tom and Gerry (sory couldn't resist), I am told that wages were not the problem but a demand for a signing on fee similar to that given to thompson/hartson/sutton. Having just had a testimonial, the board felt it was perhaps a bit much to ask for a substantial 6 figure payment on a 2 year deal. Wolves are paying a substantial signing on fee. Go figure.
McStay
-
I would think there would be some rules or laws to be followed parading new players in a strip which is not being released yet. I am not sure about this at all but I would think players appearing in yet to be released strips is only only for promotional purposes only. Yet saying this I suppose new signings could be seen to be promoting the strip as well. Maybe there is certain constraints that must be followed? Paul do you know anything of this?
-
I agree that with Ginger Prince's assertion that we already have a striker with aerial ability in Chris Sutton. But, I don't think that Sutty, at his age, can be relied on as the main striker, who will bag 30+ goals over the season. He is great supporting a spearhead attacker in a supplying role, perhaps sitting just behind a front two, but I fear we would be asking too much to expect him to keep pace with Bellamy for 90 minutes in every one of our 50+ games through the season.
I would therefore suggest that a younger and quicker player would be better to partner Bellamy, with Sutty playing a supporting role. Or could it be that we see him drafted in to help sort out the defensive situation?
-
BradBhoy -
'Tom64 - no offence meant, didn't realise he was such an idol to you ;-)'
I humbly apologise for that pitiful attempt at a joke. Shoot me now.
Taxi...
-
At 2:31 PM, OttoKaiser said…
Good thinking shamrock_stu - I was thinking they could wheel out that huge club crest that they photographed Larsson with when he signed. I've not seen it used since - surely a waste of money?
I believe that shortly after the photo shoot with Henke the crest was dropped and broke. Then some numtpy at PH stupidly sold it to the Daily Retard and they've been making as much use of it as they can!
-
Great_No_8 McStay You don't happen, by chance, to be the same guy spotted in Asda Linwood?
-
There is a serious reservation about the way in which we handle transfers, past experiences highlight this significantly. Not losing sleep over the departure of many of the older and underachievers in the squad. There is a grave danger of supposition here, we are waiting for ONE box office signing, what category does that leave the rest of the other signing targets? There is not guarantee that these targets will be CEltic players, given past history, its not bloody likely either. If someone has been signed but is not box office then should we be pleased, there is an inference that we will be improving the quality of the side significantly, but the "two deals already done" wont be setting the heather on fire, both to the supporters and the meeja. Having optimism about possible signings is one thing, but the summer transfer window in previous years has taught us that we wont come close in attracting the players we would all like to see at Celtic Park, the longer it goes on the less likely it will be, better players will be holding out for better deals. Take Shalke 04, they've already made about 4 signings in preparation for the Champions league qualifiers, and not just the usual haddies we have been linked with, and i'll bet they wont be paying more than we would be prepared to pay (better league i know - but i thought players were only in it for the money these days). As ever Celtic are waisting time,if deals are done then let us know - its not such a big ask.
-
Again, I said previously on the subject of losing JM that the board will probably have to bring the inroduction of new signings forward because of the dissapointment of losing Jackie. Let's hope that 1) signings have not been rushed and 2) that any signings made do not recieve bad PR. This is on the basis that there are going to be signings announced. Hopefully if they were simply going to say signings are on their way they would not have said look later for more info as this could ignite the bad PR brigade. Adding it on to the JM interview would be good PR but releasing this info seperately as if it is big news IMO is a perfect example of why the PR at the club needs improving.
-
Dont Panic!
The following clubs are yet to sign a player:
Villa,Blackburn,Bolton,Suderland,
Liverpool,Man City,Newcastle & West Brom.
Does anyone believe because the above have done nothing yet that this will remain to be the case, of course not.
-
bigChips, I agree that Sutton is capable of "filling in" the roles you mention, but I'm hoping that with the departure of MON thet we'll no longer see square pegs in round holes.
IMO Sutton's best season was up front alongside Henrik. He'll not require an awful amount of pace, if he's alongside Bellamy.
I'd love to see him given another season up front, I definitely think he's got all BBJ's qualities...and some.
Paul - the only reason I can see Celtic keeping some signings upder wraps is if they want to announce the "big name" first, and this won't be until either Bellamy signs or AN Other.
But I do agree with most people here that in the information age it's virtually impossible to keep these things quiet.
No only would Celtic and the player need to keep stoom, but the selling club and the players agent/family also. Too much to ask.
-
On the post made earlier on whether 'Magic' is an aerial threat - I have never seen him play as far as I know but in his discriptions he certainly is a goalscorer and has a good threat in the air. Whether or not he is skillful or pacey I do not know.
Can anyone enlighten me?
-
At 2:47 PM, Great_No_8......good one :-)........ so he was wanting a big chunk of money up front....do think DJ made a good chunk from Jackie going to another club..........I thought other teams wanted to talk to him?
-
