-
Neil as captain? He would get my vote.
You know he bleeds Green & white (not literally I hope) and with the possible exception of Sutto, he’s probably the most respected and feared senior player in the dressing room. It’ll be interesting to see how he deals with the added responsibility and pressure, plus the requirements of press conferences, etc.
I dunno how much input MON had into it though. I’m sure he’s passed on his recommendations, but GS seems like his own man to me. Mind you, maybe he just picked the shortest player he could find. Wee guys stick together!
Gotta get to bed. Still wired after REM!
-
Makes sense Paul.
As I mentioned a few days ago I think the other reason for his appointment is to instill the "Celtic Way, history, culture and beliefs" into the new signings, some who will be foreigners. Also Stan can understudy for next year when he takes over. Win - Win all round.
-
When you watch Lenny in games, he out-shouts anyone, but giving him the armband may give him (and us) a memorable finale to his Hoops career. Not so sure that Stan is ready anyway, and Sutty is too moody at times.
-
to me Neil has been captain for the last 5 years, but this year it will be official.
Well done Neil you deserve it.
-
Morning Guys
Although it's every fans dream to Captain Celtic, Most Pro's I hear talking about it think the Captancy is overstated.
They seem to think that you get to toss the coin and lead the team out, and that's about it.
Every team will have their big personalities on the park, people who will shout and encourage and tick off the players around them, irrespective of whether they have an armband or not.
So although I think it's a nice gesture to award it to Lenny, I still expect to see Thommo, Sutton and Stan greetin' the face off the newcomers this season
-
In respect to how important the captaincy is i feel that it really depends how well you use it. Many teams don't see much importance in it but it can literally be like having a manager on the park.
Obviously everyone has to take responsibility but a captain can be an inspiration to everyone. Everyone talks about the role Billy had for the lions also you can look at recent times with people like Roy Keane at Man U.
A strong captain is something a manager should try to use to their advantage and can be of great use.
-
A great appointment, we will now have leadership on the park. Nothing against JM but he never ever looked like he was the captain,
never urging his team on or giving anyone a tongue lashing when they needed it.
I think a few refs will be shaking in their boots though, NL gave them a piece of his mind at the best of times but now that he is captain........
-
We seem to be making headway -:
Wisla Krakow striker Maciej Zurawski is expected to become Gordon Strachan's first signing as Celtic manager in the next 24 hours.
Celtic faced competition from Austria Vienna and Trabzonspor, who had also agreed to meet the Polish club's asking price of £2 million, but last night the Turks conceded defeat in the battle for the 28-year-old's signature.
"Zurawski is a big disappointment for us," said Trabzonspor director Murat Bozoglu. "He is not coming because Celtic have offered him more money and he has said that he wants to continue his career in Scotland.''
Austria Vienna chairman Peter Langer flew Zurawski to the capital in a private jet last week but former Celtic defender Dariusz Wdowczyk has sold the player on Celtic.
Strachan assessed Zurawski in the flesh on Thursday when he watched him score his 25th goal in 26 appearances for Krakow in a Polish Cup semi-final defeat at Lubin.
The player's British agent, Raymond Sparkes, last night confirmed that Zurawski has accepted an invitation to fly to Glasgow and negotiations are expected to begin tomorrow.
-
Nice to see the private jet doesn't always work!!! ;-)
-
From the sporting life site -:
Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell believes Celtic manager Gordon Strachan must be given the cash to fund six high-profile signings.
Strachan has certainly been busy since succeeding Martin O'Neill last month, accruing air miles looking at players.
Poland international striker Maciej Zurawski is expected in Glasgow within hours to begin talks, with a £2.2million fee having been agreed with Wisla Krakow.
Left-back Mo Camara, a free agent after leaving Burnley, is also said to be on his way, having been recommended by O'Neill.
Strachan is also closing in on a top-quality goalkeeper to replace Robert Douglas but Gemmell, who helped the Hoops win the 1967 European Cup, is convinced an ageing and depleted squad needed an even more major overhaul.
He said: "To my mind, he needs to bring in half a dozen players. Each department needs boosting, from the back to the midfield to up front.
"I expect he will have his work cut out because I don't know whether the club will give him enough money.
"This is a team that needs fresh legs, fresh blood and fresh ideas."
Gemmell, who sold Strachan to Aberdeen for £80,000 when he was manager at Dundee, was confident the former Scotland international would be able to provide the latter at least.
He said: "He will give it his best shot, there is no doubt about that."
Whether Strachan will be able to persuade Craig Bellamy to stay at the club following a successful loan spell last season also remains to be seen.
Newcastle know a number of Barclays Premiership sides are willing to pay big money - and big wages - to get him and Benfica are the latest side to be linked with a strong interest.
Zurawski would be a much cheaper option and has an impressive track record having scored against England, Wales and Northern Ireland last season.
The 28-year-old has never even been to Scotland before, however, and may need persuading that the Bank of Scotland Premier League is his ideal destination.
The player's United Kingdom agent Raymond Sparkes was cautious about the prospect of his client joining the Hoops.
He said: "It is a visit for him to find out what he and his wife would be coming to as this is a country he has never visited before.
"And it is also an opportunity for Gordon Strachan to look into his eyes and see if he really wants to become a Celtic player."
Celtic have not paid money for a new player since Stephen Pearson was signed from Motherwell for £350,000 in January 2004.
-
I hope we do sign this Magician, I'm sick of reading -:
Celtic have not paid money for a new player since Stephen Pearson was signed from Motherwell for £350,000 in January 2004.
It's like a permanent sin on our character. I wouldn't mind, but we get no credit for the imagination of the loan deals whether they worked out or not. I think we all expected great things from Junihno, and Bellamy did excite for the latter half of last season. Even, Camara, I was always hopeful he could blossom as his pace was electric too.
Still here's hoping.
-
A new thread and only a few comments, I'm missing madmitch, in fact I'm beginning to feel like him, answering my own posts. Anyway, seems like is not so sweet at Manure for poor (I use the terms loosely) little Liam. We did try to tell him -:
LIAM MILLER has vowed to put last season behind him and prove he can be a big hit at Manchester United.
The former Celtic midfielder made just eight appearances last season after struggling to cement a place in Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
But the Irish international insists he can make the grade at Old Trafford and show people he was right to leave Celtic.
He said: "I'd liked to have played in more games but I've just got to wait for my chance and take it when it comes."
-
He's the world ended and no-one told me?
I found this and thought it might interest you Paul67. It has some interesting facts and figures. It is a couple of years old but it shows the trends.
http://tinyurl.com/arf7p
-
Here is the 2004 version of the same report.
http://tinyurl.com/b2myg
-
Go on Neil, restore some pride !
-
Inspirational thread Paul :)
June 14th
BlantyreKev said:
We went to Ibrox a couple of seasons bak with almost no defence through injury and suspension, Sutton played centre back and Jackie came back from Siberia and was given the captain's armband for the day. Played a blinder and figured in the team thereafter as Jack(ie) of all trades.
-
MadMurph, you're not alone, the rest of us are just a couple of coffees behind...
As was said, in many ways lennie has been the captain, just without the armband...
-
I think it was important to keep Lennon and make him captain for the sake of continuity.
With so many experienced players leaving I think you need someone to pull the team together.
In the late 80s and early 90s we lost a lot of experienced players like Aitken, McGhee, Burns, Stark and replaced these with blokes who didn't know what we expect from a Celtic player.
We them appointed a captain who although a Celtic great was never IMOM a good captain.
Lennon will run through walls for Celtic and this will hopefully rub off on new players.
Does anyone know if Lennon has accepted a pay cut for this season?
-
Lennon was made to be captain and is a born leader.
I never saw Jackie rally the troops or lead by example in the same way that Lenny has done for the past few seasons.
It seems obvious to me that Jackie has shown through his conduct over the past week that Lennon should have been the captain in Lamberts absence, and that it is more fitting for your captain to be an influencial player as opposed to a utility man.
-
Thanks Jocky bhoy. I kept thinking I was the last poster on a previous thread and Paul had sneaked in another one. I kept going back to the main URL just in case.
Any on Topic, I was one of the ones who thought Stan was the obvious choice, but the more I think about it the more it makes sense. Stan can learn from Lenny. Hopefully he can instill what is required from all in the team and Stan can learn for the future.
Paul are the talks today just at a preliminary stage, or is this the end game?
-
TheMadMurph, thanks for the link, I’ll read it tonight.
Talks today are the “end game”. Looks like we have got our man.
-
Great news! Lenon was born for this roll...Also makes me happy that GS has not simply went along with public opinion. Stan will have his day, sorry he missed out.
-
Has any one had any problem`s watchin the video clip of Zurawski`s goal`s? www.putfile.com/media.php?n=zurawski. I`m getting into the page but it`s just a blank screen the video doesn`t seem to be playing? Am i doing anything wrong
-
It seems Souness might be in a forgiving mood-:
Craig Bellamy is unlikely to sign a permanent deal with Celtic, according to Newcastle United chairman Freddie Shepherd.
The Welshman enjoyed a successful loan spell with the SPL giants in the last four months of the season, but the Bhoys have made no move to sign the striker on a permanent basis.
Craig Bellamy Newcastle United 2004/05 profile size
CRAIG BELLAMY
Bellamy has also been linked with Aston Villa, Everton and Benfica but Celtic appear to have been scared off by the £6million price-tag on the player's head.
"The loan option ran out and we've never heard any more from Celtic," said Shepherd.
"I'm not sure if they have the money or not.
"It's up to Graeme Souness whether he stay with us. There's a long way to go before the season starts.
"Everyone will tell you I'm a forgiving chap, but whether or not he plays for Newcastle again is up to the manager.
"I think Bellamy is lying on a beach at the moment and good luck to him. He's due back on July 4 and we'll see what happens then."
-
jackd,
I had the same problem. You probably need the DivX codec for Wwindows Media Player.
Go to http://www.divxmovies.com/codec/
to download.
Hope this helps.
Rob
-
respect to the madmurph for breakfast posting with a mission!
Delighted for Lenny and think he's the man. The point about captaincy being what you make of it is a good one but look how greats like Danny, Caeser and the maestro are remembered and that's one of Lenny's ambitions, make no mistake there.
Stan will be brought on in the role, its a natural transition and expect him (perhaps sutty) to sport the band if Lenny's out, subbed later on in games.
Watched the 100 goals Zurawski clip = roll on the press conference. I couldn't access the link on CQN either so had to search elsewhere and there's a few other links posted in most of the celtic chatrooms that connected for me.
Could we be actually be welcoming a new signing to the extended family today? OH go on, go on...
Remaining distinctly upbeat
CW
ps - Paul, any chance of a view counter on the site. Yes, gimmick but would love to see how many hits CQN is clocking up these days!
-
Rob71
Thank`s alot that worked a treat.
I watched the clip , what a goal that was, it was just the one goal though, does anyone have a link to the 100 goal`s ? Sorry if this has already been posted.
-
I'm fed up reading about MON's influence. His day has passed!! Let GS get on with the job the way he wants to do it. Imagine starting a new job, and the previous incumbent constantly trying to give his advice and thoughts on how you should do job. You would soon tire and tell him where to go!!
-
Latest report(for what its worth)is that GS decided not to take up the option on Bellamy.I am sure this was decided weeks ago-couldnt they have said so instead of us all living in hope.Very poor communications once again.
-
Could it be that we will see more signings from the Polish league as these guys no longer require work permits for the U.K. I know that Maciej is an established international but I dont believe the others that have been touted have the required 80% over the past two years.
Hoping for good news today.
-
JackD, try the following, takes a while to down load, but worth the wait...
htt p://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=366UTCYME78I336P3QGDNY4LIF
-
I'm delighted to see that Lennon has been made captain. With it being his last season, he is going to be really up for the coming campaign.
Although I have been trying not to read too much into the latest transfer gossip, I am getting increasingly worried that CB is not going to sign for us. If that is the case then I'm wondering who the 'plan B' big player is.
I dont think the pole would be classed as the major signing although I have a good feeling that this guy could be an ecxellent player for us.
We heard the phrase "exciting times ahead" being used often by the board, MON and GS in recent weeks. Lets hope we are going to have something to shout about very soon!
-
ryn,
I don't think the 80% thing matters anymore. It was applicable for signing players from outside EU.
-
themadmurph
Still here, but in this game timing is everything. Last two topics have my essay as the last entry. Consequently will have to get up to blogging speed.
Nobody seems to be interested in financial questions at the moment, maybe the recent stramash over legal issues has had an effect.
With regards to outstanding issues, I have many more questions than answers, trying tie up the loose ends that any thread produces is almost a full time job.
Regarding the captaincy, no major issues, looks a bit short term but NL is an inspirational figure. He could never have been captain under MON as it would have looked a bit incestuous.
Point on the importance attached to the job, when in the past the captain was the best paid player in the team the job was desirable. I think making King Kenny the captain in the 70's was a money saving measure, the board didn't want two people on his money.
John H
Interesting point on Bellamy, iIhave spent the weekend taking the skelfs out my ar*e after sitting on the fence on this subject. Love the player, did a lot in a short time but 50% of the budget on one man is a leap of faith beyond most people including me, well 50% of the time anyway.
Still mugging up on tactics, Stan, AMcG and NL all in the one team without any of them playing on the wing? Difficult!
Paul
Any comments on the posts late last night? Looking for any info you have on the bank and its attitude to our debt level. Slow squeeze or will they listen to a good argument or failing that heavy pleading?
-
Bhono,
Thanks. I was having trouble getting this to work too. Seems calm on the ball and scores a good variety of goals.
Seemed to have a reasonable turn of pace.
Someone said we have only signed 3 players in June in the last decade. Hopefully no4 will be today.
-
On looking at the video of his goals, you can be sure he won't have an issue with the Scottish winter.
-
Pure6, many thanks for your insight. I am really looking forward to seeing Zurawski now.
Madmitch
The money/borrowing facility was not available after Seville. We had our highest income in our history and wiped £13million of the balance sheet even though we reached a European final.
We came very close to selling key players that summer, spending more was never an option. Great though Seville was, it cost a fortune to get the team there, money which was not recouped in income.
I am staying away from getting too specific about budget at the moment as thinks are changing so quickly. To answer your specific questions:
1. The bank will support an increase in borrowings if this is the route the club want to go.
2. The share issue will relieve cash pressure, so I do not expect borrowing to be increased.
3. I expect the share issue funds to go to infrastructure projects.
4. I do not expect Celtic to spend £20million this summer. The negative feedback from the fans following the last big spend/low spend five year cycle has hit board morale (just read DD for a clue).
From now on we will get enough money each season to keep all the complainers happy, there will not be a repeat of the massive ‘speculate to accumulate’ back in 2000/2001.
-
The clubs official site really is garbage when your looking for crumbs on the tranfer front.
The info on it is no better than what appears in the scum rags.
I know they might not want to give too much away but just repeating whats in the papers isnt good enough.
-
Bhono
Thank`s alot. Some superb goal`s on there, Agreed that the polish league isn`t the best but you can only play what is put in front of you. I noticed one of the games was against Parma. Look`s promising!
-
Tried the link suggested by Bhono for the Zurawski goals but no luck. Does anyone else have one I can try.
-
Cheers for that Pure6.
Calm, composed and confident on the ball. Maciej Zurawski certainly looks the type of player that we need.
Pity about Bellamy though, as he looked to be enjoying his time at PH, but when we can possibly get a player of Zurawski quality for a third of the price and a fraction of the salary I think he's a better option.
Here's hoping this will see the start of the rebuild.
-
ISPY,
Bhono put a space between the h and ttp. Delete the space and you should be in.
Charlesandringo
Giddygins?
-
I telt everybody aboot these Polish boys coming long before anybody else. Including The Mole.
-
I can't believe the amount of times someone has said 'it's only the polish league'. its scotland and SPhell he's coming to, not la liga! he'll score a barrel load, he looks to have everything. It's easy to say the defending in that video is poor, but a lot of those goals would be scored against any team. its not like they're going through the keeper, most of them are clinically tucked just inside the post.
i'm sure i read somewhere WGS saying he'd always wanted a player like neil lennon in his teams, and tried to shift players about to make one, but never successfully. he obviously rates lenny.i just hope the anticipated fitness regime pays dividends and lenny picks up a yard or 2 of pace!
-
I agree with your comments thebhoys67.
We have to be sensible. We all know that we have a tight budget and a massive rebuilding to do. When we can get a guy with his track record (and he has a better scoring record than Bellers both for club and country) for less than a 1/3 of the overall costs then it is a no brainer. It will allow the other money to be spent on improving other area's of the team.
We all agree we need at least a goalkeeper, a central defender, and a left back. In my opinion we also need a guys who can play wide left and wide right. Maybe Thompson will pull his head out (or Wallace will make the step up) and we will not need the guy on the left). But by my accounts that is at least an additional 4 guys. We also need some cover in the middle of midfield.
-
Ispy,
Space is between t and p.
-
I guess I'm in a minority here but my main feeling on reading that Bellamy is unlikely to sign is relief. Don't get me wrong, his pace was breathtaking anf some of his finishing was world-class but, not only has he a worrying record of injuries (vid Martin's unwillingness to play him on the plastic pig at Dunfermline last season) but his reputation as a wind-up artist, particularly one who would almost certainly be the highest paid player at the club, would, in time, become disruptive. I can imagine him offering one of the new POlish players part-time work as his window cleaner or pool boy. I don't think Craig can help himself in this respect - like the scorpion said to the frog 'It's my nature.'
On a happier note, did anyone else notice the final poat on Paul's last thread? It's Pure6, a Wisla Krakow fan who has not only generously given us a glowing appraisal of Zurawski's ability but also a great chant which could cause even greater consternation to the denizens of Ibrox who are still struggling to understand our ability to construct coherent sentences in English.
Great times ahead.
Gail
-
Whoops! Just noticed Paul had already thanked Pure6. Still encourage everyone to read his post.
-
MadMurph
Sorry my post (on re-reading) is a bit dis-jointed. The point I was trying to make is that now that the 80% over two years is no longer a condition may mean that we are looking at an influx of players from these countries.
-
greenghirl, well worth the rewind.
A very generous and passionate eulogy to a departing legend; perhaps not too dissimilar to what we would have been posting last year on Barca Quick News.
Not of course saying he's the new KOK but, well, most welcome comments from old friends in Poland.
CW
-
Any of you lucky bhoys and ghirls going to see U2 on Tuesday are in for a blinder of a treat!!!!
Saw them at Twickenham last night and it was brilliant stuff!
Coexist.
Hail! Hail!
Martybhoy
-
Hi zbyszek
We remember Darius Dziekanowski and Dariusz Wdowczyk well in Scotland, both fine players.
I have no firm news on Boruc for you, though Celtic have been looking at him. Please let us know is you hear anything in Warsaw.
Thanks for the update on Zurawski, very encouraging.
Celticwullie, sites hits have gone through the roof in recent months. I’ll add you comments to the site review suggestions.
-
Is it just me that's thinking Newcastle have shot themselves in the foot by claiming the possibility of Bellamy going back to St. Jame's Park. Saying this IMO not only makes them look like they are going back on their word but also that they have recieved no offers for him. If this is the case Celtic's position will be strengthened and the transfer fee could fall. Of course this is on the assumption that he doesn't go back... I was of the belief last season that Sou would get the boot and Bellamy would return as they done so poorly last season but this doesn't seem to be the case.
Any idea of when a press conference will be held (on the assumption that Magic is all but signed)?
-
greenghirl,
I went back and read pure6's comment and the one after it by zbyszek. Good stuff. Although someone should explain to Pure6 that the UK is one of the few countries which does not have the Euro and it is about £2M
-
Ryn,
it certainly looks like we are looking at these players as value for money is the name of the game. We need to cut our spend on wages as a % of our income. These guys may be the answer. If we can get on or two in, then more would be likely to follow.
-
Although im a bit dissapointed about the fact that the bellamy deal looks doubtfull I suppose I can see the sense in bringing in a proven goalscorer at a fraction of the price and using the money saved to strengthen other areas.
Roll on the new season (after some more signings of course)
-
Although im a bit dissapointed about the fact that the bellamy deal looks doubtfull I suppose I can see the sense in bringing in a proven goalscorer at a fraction of the price and using the money saved to strengthen other areas.
Roll on the new season (after some more signings of course)
-
Malone19,
I was thnking the same when I was reding what Freddie shepherd was saying. It could be that Bellamy has intimated he is not interested in going to smaller EPL teams and snce Celtic are cooling their interest, they might have a problem on their hands.
It might work in our favour. I think hes pace is fantastic and he has a football brain too. The only question mark is his finishing. If we had someone who could keep up with him to do most of the finishing, it might be a winning combination.
Although points made about his status as a wind-up merchant may have been noted iside CP too.
-
Any one else optimistic that WGS and his fitness programs could help revitalize Hartson’s celtic career? Same goes for Lenny as well but if Hartson has no choice but to train and get in shape then we it could be like a new player, by the way if we don’t get Bellamy what’s the chances of him turning out against us for Everton in the CL qualifiers? Don’t want to tempt faith though, hope we get these Polish players, reckon they look the part
-
This is for the 'it's only Poland' brigade.
The Polish National Team is comprised of players almost all based in the national league.
Given the gulf betwixt Scotland and Poland in the rankings, I think this statistic speaks for itself.
Maybe we should be saying 'it's only Scotland'
Just watched the majic clips and I am SO EXCITED.
-
Tom64
You may be right if it is true that the majority of the national squad play in Poland. I have no doubt he will score plenty here but people are right in saying some of the defences in the 100 goals video looked deplorable - I've seen boys clubs teams defend better. Nobody seemed to put in a tackle - at all. Also, is the guy with the blond hair Zurawski? He was No.9 but apart from the possibility that he could have had a (much needed) new haircut and dyed his hair the guy in the clip looked a smaller more build player.
-
-
P.S. what time did Pure6 post at? I read it earlier but it seems to have disappeared.
-
Will any fitness regime really help BBJ? My impression is that the injury problems he has had in the past tend to need rest to be kept at bay. He coped with most of last season but by the end was obviously running on empty.
Zurawski looks a player - let's hope we can agree personal terms. Certainly the last two we had were excellent players (albeit in one case a bit too fond of Victorias!).
-
malone19,
Pure6 message was on the previous thread at the bottom.
-
P.S. Previous post as tommyl. I think I screwed up on user names and screen names somewhere along the line. Oh well, no one ever said IT was easy!
-
Ah Paul - you teased me into the debate with that "speculate to accumulate" comment!
Hang on - I thought DD and BQ did not speculate to accumulate. They keep telling us this so are they just confused?
The reason they spent relatively big (its all relative when it comes down to Celtic Boards) was because they were trying to eradicate the hash they had made during Barnes and Co - and at the same time it was part of the deal to get MON to the club.
You say the share issue will go into infrastructure "projects". Is this a second share issue to fund the youth acadamy that was promised at the last share issue? Is it also to make the posh seats a bit posher?
And now - after about a year and a half we see that we will not have a £20M spend. After years of underinvestment the board will continue its parsimony. Not only that but everything is the supporters fault is well. This really takes the biscuit.
And yet more evidence of confusion and chaos amongst our "ruling class". If the polish striker is to be our first signing is this the big name we were promised. Or is this just a case of downsizing from any attempt to sign Belamy - to soften the blow.
With every passing day I become more and more concerned with the alleged lack of direction and strategy at CP. All this board appears to have an interest in is their own welfare.
Another season or two of this and not only will we not be invited to any new league but we will go into terminal decline with a fanbase thoroughly dissillusioned.
-
Paul I wonder if you can tell us why Mo Camara is in talks with the club? is he just there to keep Bobo happy? I think we should be going for bosman players but this guy is surely not good enough
-
I believe there will be signings and don’t think for one minute that this board or WGS are sitting back without a signing direction or strategy. My only fear would be that there isn’t a robust enough back up strategy in place should the first choice signings fall through. I think this is what undermined our plans at the start of last season.
-
Don't know if this has been discussed already, but is the lack of action on signing players maybe down to the Umbro deal ending, and the Nike deal starting on 1st July.
If a player is signed, what strip would they hold up if they were signed before 1st July?
Is it true there is already a nike tick on the seats at CP?
I know adverts are in the press etc..., but unsure what the contracts says.
ANyone shed light on this.
-
Falkirkbhoy,
I do not think that is an issue since we have seen pics of Celtic players in the new kit both in the press and on the website. You can even pre-order it on the website.
As for the swoosh at CP, see:
http://tinyurl.com/9qegj
-
Neg Anon
I think you are taking it a bit to the extreme negative end on this one. I think the truth usually lies between what you and paul say (somewhere in the middle).
IMO spending £20m when you really can't afford it is absurd. Apart from the chance that the money is wasted on a few big money deals (Flo for TFOD, Rafeal for us - less money but less action). £10m to me and maybe £5m for next season and the season after would be much more suitable IMO. Rather than blowing everything we can spend for the next few seasons all at once then having to only spend £350k on a Pearson ever couple of seasons; I'd rather we revamped as much as possible just now then chase a couple of top quality bosmans. These guys should be on a fairly large shortlist of possibilities that we should be chasing for over a year. Adding a couple of signings to this and I believe we should be able to achieve a good CL quality side for under £5m a season.
-
Everyone,
Just heard a bit of info regarding the transfer kitty.
A reliable source has informed me that GWS transfer budget is not £15m, as promised, but only £5-£7m max.
Is this why we haven't contacted NUFC regarding the purchase of Bellamy?
If true, I feel completely cheated by Celtic as they made a promise that £15m would be made available.
Paul, can you shed any light on this matter.
-
Alistair. I don't think the club ever made such a promise. I suspect you have been taken in by media speculation.
-
Could it possibly be that the £5-7m is transfer fee alone without wages? Also, when you take amortisation into account (yawn, yawn) we could buy 3 Bellamys for this (without wages I must add).
-
Has anyone actually confirmed that the Bellamy deal is dead yet? Nothing I have read so far convinces me that it has.
-
vclxi, it's still all speculation at this stage. No definite statement has come out of either club. The media are just trying to fill space by drawing conclusions from Freddie Shepherd's inconclusive comments.
-
vclxi,
All the news reels report Freddie Shepherd as stating Celtic's option to buy has ran out and no one from Celtic has been in contact with NUFC.
malone19,
Good point about amortisation, however, this would not come into account when purchasing a player. It only effects the balnce sheet, not cash flow (yawn). Anyway, If we only have £7m max, then we clearly cannot afford to spend £6m on Bellamy.
What is happening to the rights issue? Was this a hype by DD to rally the fans in order to ensure the season tickets were sold in quick fashion?
-
Think Shephard's comments are just trying to force a reaction from any interested clubs, but IMO if the deal with Zurawski is at such an advanced stage then you can just about rule out a move for Bellamy as WGS doesn't have the luxury of bring in 2 strikers when the squad is so depleated in other areas.
-
I see from today's Rumour Mill on The Guardian site that Spurs are possibly looking to buy Andy Johnson leaving them with a spare Robbie Keane! They also mention Everton are looking at Bellamy for £5m.
2+2 etc?
-
Otto, the answer is 15!
-
Does anyone know much about Mo Camara? I can't say I know much about him or have noticed him playing but I'm just presuming he isn't of the quality that we are looking for at Celtic. Does anyone have any info on him or have video clips of him playing?
-
Malone19
Any discussion on the club's finances and its ability to invest in new players should be undertaken without any reference to the concept, idea, notion, theory or hypothesis of amortisation.
It is a complete non starter given the situation we are in. Discussions involving this word should be let to accountants and accountants alone. The issue should be who will be on the park in 4 weeks time not how it will affect the books in 4 years time.
Here's hoping the first instalement of the rebuilding programme 2005/06 will be announced soon and be the first of many.
Since its his gaff and his rules Paul should be the only person who can use the dreaded "A" word.
-
I see that world footballers are quoting from the Daily record claiming we turned down Bartez. I'm glad if we did as I think he can be a great goalkeeper when under pressure constantly but when you only have to make one or two saves a game I think he doesn't have the concentration for the Celtic sticks.
-
malone19,
I've heard Camara has got quite a high opinion of himself and his "talent", probably a footballing version of Derek from Big Brother.
15 indeed!
-
With regards Mo Camara, I have not seen him play much but I will assume that WGS knows better than me.
We have already seen players come from lower leagues and do well in the EPL. You had Peter Crouch doing the job for Portsmouth doing the job in the 1st division, Danny Murphy who Liverpool got from Crewe, Matt Holland who came from Ipswich,and Delaney came from Cardiff. The point is to do your checking and analysis correctly and you can find quality at smaller clubs.
