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1st?
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podium position?
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Will he get one if the Italian league collapses around him paul?
Or will that just lead to more problems for the poorer clubs.
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bronze ?
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I wud reckon more problems for the smaller teams..
The big teams really shud be helping the smaller teams otherwise there is no chance for competition....
Hail Hail
SPC
P.S. Noel, Stole your thunder.... :>)
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Sorry,cut before I intended.
If the proposed action goes ahead with the smaller clubs.I can't see much interest in pay per view if the matches are meaningless.
This in turn will hurt the finances of the big 3 and result in a downward spiral surely.
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closest I've been in a long time!!! It's strange the headlines seem to be pointing to potential moves afoot, at a time when the celtic board are playing down the possibility for any move away from Scotland for us!!
Paul, at one time we seemed to be actively looking to drive these things. Have we accepted that we need to wait to be invited, or are there moves being made behind the scenes?
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We're all doomed I tell ya, DOOMED!!!
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Paul, do you think this will spell the end of National Leagues as we know them? Will this be a good thing for us?
I read last week about all the money Mediaset were pouring into Juve and yet in terms of attendance they are a poorly supported club. Their stadium has been practically empty for some lesser CL games.
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Paul,
Does this serve our long term interests?
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It's noticeable that some of these big European clubs attendances are shocking, even at CL games.
It's indicative of a football club whose supporters see them as nothing more than that - a football club.
Could you ever imagine a half empty Celtic Park or Nou Camp for CL games?
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thanks for that Paul.
The moves towards some form of breakaway European League seems to be slowly gathering momentum. By the way i don't mean that the League would be sponsored by Breakaway biscuits.
Anyways i digress - the worrying thing is that i can see this process taking years to happen rather than the immediate months ahead & by that stage we'll be back to CR Smith on the jerseys & Tiger Tim driving a green tractor round the park at half time
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Interesting Topic Paul, - you can see the similarities between the smaller clubs threatening not to play the bigger clubs if they don’t get equal share of the TV money and what happened here a few years back before the Setanta deal we have now.
BadlyDrawnBhoy - your doomed post - are you referring to the probable fate of our experimental defensive line up at Fir park on Sunday? I was thinking the same thing - I can't get a ticket but I'll be watching it on Setanta from behind the living room sofa.
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Benbhoy
Been thinking about the national vs. international leagues thing too.
The advent of cheap flights make the prospect less problematic, and more interaction for Scotland with our European brothers and sisters can be no bad thing.
There is one other thing. I understood what Paul meant with the 'generation of dominance' thing, but I have to confess that I found the prospect too bleak for words. It sparked in my mind the image of my kids explaining to their kids the whole Celtic/Rangers thing.
There is a big, usually happy, Europe out there. Having to concern ourselves with men of the moral calibre of Donald Findlay is just too depressing. For our own sanity, we must escape.
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I'm struggling to see the bigger picture, a lot of interference, expect the test card soon (the girl with the chalk and blackboard, whatever happened to her?).
I think the G14 clubs or whatever guise they are in behind the scenes, should put their cards on the table and tell football fans what they want. Market research can then be done openly to see if it is what we want.
I would be excited by Celtic playing in a bigger arena, if we are asked. But, if all we are offered is some grasping money making venture to the detriment of the game in general, i think a lot of fans will be soured by the approach.
Let the people decide.
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Being a bit of a hypocrite here but is it just me that wants us to play in the EPL but for there to be NO euro league? I think due to the make-up of the UK this has a bit of purpose to it though I know FIFA/UEFA doesn’t look on it like this,
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More good news from the BBC that Neil McCann has re-signed for Hearts.
At least he cannot be linked wit Celtic anymore.
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Do Intel Milan have a chip on their shoulder or what?
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Why should we move I am happy that we play in the SPL If we moved to the EPL with tfod then we would only have 2 derby games before they got relegated.
I mean how dull would it be having to play Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal but no R*ngers.
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HanoiBhoy, agree wholeheartedly. This "thing" with that mob and their cohorts south of the river does get a bit tiresome. We have to educate them and show them the way forward, it's the only way things will change. Scotland, though I love it dearly is much too insular and parochial.
I'm not sure about a European league though. I would have preferred the EPL. There's enough competition there to get the blood rushing. I want Europe to be "special", a bit like a treat.
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leabgarrow - I think the test card girl came to us on a weeks trial, but didnt fit in to the new style of play. She's now playing in the french 2nd division alongisde Charles-Edouard Corridon, Danny Milosevic and Bill Tchato. The clown fell into bad ways and can often be seen dancing a jig outside Edwards on a Saturday night for change.
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My worry in all this would be that the Hoops are invited to join the EPL and while we've had our eye on the big games against Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal Liverpool etc, The so called elite EPL leave and join a European Super League, and we're left with a Wet Wednesday in Wigan.
We need to look at the big picture always.
Hail Hail.
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Thanks Ottokaiser, I'm glad she didn't hit skid row like the clown, wrinkles and a red nose wouldn't suit her.
I think what is also forgotten by the G14 clubs, and the sampdoria president touches on it, is that an awful lot of the current tv audience (total guess - 70%) do not support G14 clubs and could boycott subscriptions to watch Super league games.
Even fans of the G14 clubs could see it as short lived Mickey Mouse tournament, along the lines of the Tokyo one Liverpool just competed in or even the Dubai Cup.
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Thought this would come up after reading the story in the rags.
I see thid as an expansion of the champions league, rather than 8 x 4 team leagues I see 8 x 8 team leagues set up initially geographically???(spell checker please).
This would still allow participation in the home leagues, but the big money will be in Europe. This means the clubs would have to share the pot of gold with all participants both at home and in europe.
No home league IMO would kill off the football banter, hard to wind up Barca, Juve fans when in the local pub!!!
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It would be too much to ask I suppose for Motherwell to follow the Sampdoria idea, take the hump against Setanta and field a team of youth players on Sunday. There again Celtic will do better against their full side.
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Have been thinking about this for a long time and I'm not sure I would want a full Euro league either.
European nights hold some of the best memories of my life and I honestly don't think playing Juventus in a league match in March if we're out of the league race would be any more special than playing Hearts. (assuming we wouldn't win it EVERY year)
Look at the EPL, 'the promised land', everyone outside of Arsenal, Man U, Liverpool and Chelsea simply do not fill their stadium, some have embarassing yawning gaps. Like the EPL, a Euro league would be a short term sensation only. Clubs would find their own level even in Europe's elite and you would have league contendors, mid tablers and strugglers as is the case throughout football as it stands.
I think there are too many in football for whom 'money' is everything and 'memories' and 'dreams' are nothing.
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I would add that I WOULD like to move to the EPL simply because Scotland is too small for Celtic and it is unfair on both us and the other Scottish teams in terms of genuine competition.
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BBC are reporting that Du Wei is away, sorry if anyone else has already mentioned this!
on his Wei
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BlantyreKev
Your right about the EPL, and it has alredy been stated that the EPL members would not support us joining, FEAR.
So the alternative is a breakaway league away from UEFA similar to the Cl but with more gauranteed games and a bigger pot of money to keep us, the Germans, Dutch, French, Danish...............happier
This would also help attract bigger sponsors and help replace the fall in income in Italy and England and give the clubs more barganing power over image rights around the world.
Internet Broadcasting etc etc....
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I hope this decision is not just based on his one appearance, I find that to be very strange if it is the case.
Feel sorry for the big guy, but if he wasnt good enough, fair enough. Although everything I heard about him before the Clyde game was positive, thats including comments from WGS.
Some players have had loads of chances, and he only got one at top team! The word Scapegoat comes to mind!
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WeeMinger said...
Do Intel Milan have a chip on their shoulder or what?
Brilliant!
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On Du Wei I hate to see the young guy go as he's looked good in reserve matches, but I think PL and his staff should be praised as they negociated a loan deal which only cost the club the players wages during his stay instead of the full £700K fee.
Good luck in the future career Du Wei. You lived the dream if only for a fleeting moment.
/Bishop B
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Benbhoy
If Celtic were in the EPL then participation in Europe might well be a 'treat' as you put it.........like every two or three years as it currently is for Newcastle, Man city, Everton or the like !
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BlantyreKev, I think the EPL would be the right move for us and also prossibly for Rangers. It would take a while for us to find our level, granted, but eventually we would make that league more competitive. It's money that is creating this new order and we cannot afford to be left behind but as you say, keep the European nights special. I tend to think of beating Barca before recent victories over our Copeland Rd comrades and I think that is a good thing. We wouldn't really need them but as they are reactionary by nature, they very much need us.
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Equalisation...that's what makes leagues competitive. It used to be gate money that was shared, before the advent of the spl.
It was also transfer money from bigger teams to wee-er teams before bosman.
It was tv money until fairly recently.
Bit by bit, the big clubs in most leagues (Scotland included) have taken more and more of the pie. Soon, club chairmen throughout Europe will realise they have a crisis on their hands.
I'm all for European restructuring....but if it is done without equalisation, it will fail. I'm serious, what's the point of being in a non-competitive euro league, where 3 teams dominate, and we become the motherwell of western europe?
(I thought that would get your attention:)
Du Wei...let's not spend too much time mourning. The manager passed judgement on him every week.
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Burnley78
I think we would have more to offer than Everton and Man City, surely?
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Sorry to change the subject while the new thread is in its infancy, but why is the official site mooting the possibility that we may have signed pre-contract agreements with Gary Caldwell and KENNY MILLER???
Big Sutty goes to be replaced by MILLER!! Someone tell me this isn't happening.
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Interesting article Paul67,
Raises more questions than it answers, as the thread highlights crisis point is being reached in Italy because of media competition.
Crisis point is being reached in England, Man U can't sustain its short term financing, Chelsea are broke without consistent financial support from Abramovich, Arsenal have a new Stadium to pay for.
Yet if a European league is formed, how would the members be decided?
• The G14
• The Richest Clubs
• Uefa Club Rankings
Assuming there is initially a single league of twenty, if it’s the G14 presumably it will be made up of the current 16 members plus four invitees. Otherwise it could be the top twenty from the richest clubs or to be fair in a footballing sense the Uefa rankings. All of these lists are different with only 7 clubs qualifying from all of them:
AC Milan,
Bayern Munich,
Real Madrid,
Inter Milan,
Juventus,
Liverpool,
Manchester United,
Some interesting omissions, Barcelona are outside the Uefa rankings (22), presumably Man U will be next year (20 at present). Chelsea are not in the G14 and seem to be persona non grata, yet one of the world’s best and richest football teams.
Celtic are not in the G14 (but would be an invitee one would suspect) 13th in the Rich list and 55th in the Uefa rankings.
This is even before you talk about the representation of minor leagues (Israel would be putting in lots of political pressure to have a representative). How do teams get promoted relegated, where does it leave the Cup competitions etc. etc….
I suspect the momentum from some of Europe’s more prestigious clubs mean the League will happen sooner rather than later but one thing is for sure there will be blood on the carpet.
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Hail Hail,
Not sure how this mutiny will benefit the rest of us just yet as the SPL aswell as EPL are not in a postion to negotiate individual rights at the minute.
If we move away from the current set up then we will find similar situations to whats happening in Itay then it will be up to the big fish in their respective small ponds to get together and sort somehting out.
On the Du Wei matter, I dont think he's being judged on that one half. Its unfortunate, but he wants to stay and Celtic want him to stay but Shanghai Shenua want Celtic to commit to the 4 year deal and cash in now or lose him and I dont think we can commit on the basis of one half! Pity.
TBE.
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Fresh from Aberdeen -
"Just had a hot tip that John O'Shea is at Parkhead today.
He is according to my source there to thrash out a loan deal with Celtic until the end of the season.
My insider is usually pretty good (he told me about Mark Wilson months ago) and apparently Roy Keane helped to engineer the deal from
Manchester United.
You heard it here first!"
The above is from a fellow Tim, just hot off the e-mail.
Any thoughts??
Hail! Hail!
Curlywhodoeslazyjournalism!!
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DW - I think he will make it, where and when I don't know but we have not seen the last of him.
TV rights / Euro leagues - Can of worms. No easy way out and no easy money.
In a world with individual TV rights all you can guarantee is the money from your home games everything else requires co-operarion with the rest of the league.
The big issue in all of this is that no alternative is risk free:
SPL = Little TV money vs Access to the CL.
EPL = Lots of TV money vs potential mid table mediocrity/rationed Euro activity
Euro Sat league = Lots of TV money/big names vs flash in the pan and relegation dog fight?
Way forward for me is the current status quo, looking to sell all the games in England on the net and broadcasting to the US / EU and Asia.
Sell the SPL with "digital" season ticket that would allow access to only one club's games. Payments to the clubs based on how many people signed up with a base payment to keep the minnows happy.
Euro Saturday league = Lack of crdibility, will make the extra-ordinary very ordinary in a short space of time.
Harlem Globetrotters x 20 anyone?
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It is worth remembering the pull of the domestic leagues in many of the big countries is as great or greater than the CL.
La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga all have crowds as big or bigger than CL averages for the main clubs. Even the EPL has bigger crowds for domestic games than CL & UEFA.
Italy is in the biggest mess both in terms of structure and finance. Spain, Germany and England do not have the same 'dire' situation to deal with. My understanding is that the Dutch and French positions have actually improved in the past couple of years. not all is rosey in the garden in the others, but it is certainly not desparate either.
NE Bhoy
The 8 x 8 team League is an intersting concept alongside slightly reduced domestic competition. The challenge is creating meaningful games to stimulate interest and at the same time guaranteeing a minimum level of involvement.
An NFL type conference system could well work effectively, however I believe that some form of merit based promotion is a vital component in Football, so promotion / qualification should be incorporated and might keep UEFA onside.
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Should we have misgivings about a scheme which has the backing of that pillar of financial rectitude,Signor Berlusconi?
The testcard girl[and clown]feature in the BBC copshow'Life on Mars'.
Showers then rain.
Moderate or good.
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Curly
Was John O'Shea not one of those singled out for Keane's abuse on MUTV?
If so I wouldnt imagine he would be touting him to his new employer as a potential signing...
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dontbrattback
Hopefully, Berlusconi would be just the stalking horse, stirring UEFA to accept different scenarios - but you never can tell.
Incidentally, I'd love us to be in the EPL, but the way appears barred under the current English structure, which appears will not change, without a push from the European structure.
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can i make a correction regarding uefa rankings....
my understanding is that at this moment in time Barca are officially ranked 3rd in Europe, we are 21st and Rangers are 47th
Uefa use results from the last 5 years, so this years debacle will hurt us for a while yet, and in a couple of years we will lose th benefit of Seville.
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maybe reading too much into this but just noticed Everton have sold Bent, does this lend any credence to the BBJ rumours? Everton dont exactly have a dearth of talent up front, so they will definately be on the lookout for another striker. Any thoughts?
TBE.
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Michael__67,
Don't know if Mr O'Shea got a lashing from Rhoy but I'm pretty sure Du Wei did.
John O'Shea doesn't seem very likely, unless he is prepared to do a Lennon/Keano and take a drastic wage cut. He is on a long term contract and is on 45K per week.
If the speculation is correct and Du Wei goes and JO'S arrives it may say a lot for the growing influenence of our make shift Centre back.
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Chairbhoy 12.05, superb post.
I cannot see the league being made up in any fashion that would overtly display fairness or considered rationale. I think we could probably all name the teams that will dictate membership and the crieria will be fudged after its finalised.
I just wonder if Celtic have lobbied hard enough, or bought the right people a dram or two in the past to swing an invite. Maybe Mr Desmond could turn out to be a messiah after all!
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God, I love the country but only in Italy could the owner of AC Milan buy the TV rights for Juventus! Imagine if we had individual bargaining in Scotland and David Murray bought the rights to all of Celtic's games??????
Certainly the game in Italy is going through massive changes. Serie A used to be one of the most competitive leagues in Europe. From 1980 to 1991 it had 7 different winners; Inter, Juve, Roma, Verona, Napoli, Milan and Sampdoria but since then Milan and Juve have basically shared it (although Lazio and Roma won it in 2000 & 2001).
But as dontbrattbackinanger alluded to - would you buy a league format from Berlusconi?
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Didn't make it clear, I was using tUEFA CLUB COEFFICIENT RANKING SEASON 2005.
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With regards to TV money - what really infuriates me is that the main or only option open to many fans who want Setanta is through Sky.
This effectively means that we are subsidising the obscene amounts that EPl clubs are entitled to, whilst seeing our own great club being given a pittance from Setanta.
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Epl v Euruo league set up.
Celtic v Wigan mmmm
Celtic v West Brom mmmmm
Celtic v Birmingham mmmm
Celtic v Sunderland mmmm
Celtic v Bolton mmmm
Celtiv v Charlton mmm
Celtic v Middlesbourough mmmm
Celtic v READING mmmmm
Celtic v Barcelona ?
Celtic v Real Madrid ?
Celtic v Juve ?
Celtic v Milans even the one with the chip.
Celtic v Bayern ?
Cletic v Lyon ?
Celtic v Benfica ?
Cletic v Porto ?
Celtic v Paris st ?
Add Chelski, Liverpool, Man utd to either of the respective leagues which one would you rather be in. Even with a European League set up you could still have a European cup. A proper cup home and away lose and your OUT.
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Burnley, Chairbhoy,
Some good thoughts there.
I agree that if a Euro league goes ahead then there will be a number of qualification criteria that will be aggregated on a system devised by Swiss statisticians.
As you mentioned not all of the richest clubs are the most successful, and vice versa, and I feel that there will be more than one league. A series of leagues (4) of 18 teams per league would give the clubs enough games to generate their annual income. The top 4-8 clubs from each league would then qualify for a champions league.
By allowing a large amount of clubs to enter it would be possible to allocate each country a position for their domestic champion.
Personally I feel that there would be too much red tape involved if FIFA / UEFA try to set something up. A media group/individual will drive this one and the authorities will be forced to follow.
Kerry Packer did it with cricket and was frowned upon, but money talks.
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Chairbhoy
Those rankings are way off the mark, you'll find a more accurate idea of the European rankings HERE.
I've no idea what the 8,568 for Celtics co-efficient means, its neither their co-eff. nor the scoring for this year. and Newcastle united ranked 5th in Europe???
TBE.
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Sorry to go of topic - but got a text from Celtic that CIS semi tickets are now on sale to season ticket holders 1st come 1st served - 0870 1611888 (don't you love 0870 numbers!.
Wouldn't mind JO'S....
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Kano, the inequalities are there to stay. Berlusconi will get his way (sooner I hope).
TheMadMurph, Celtic are active in pushing things along on a number of fronts. DD in particular on the European front.
Benbhoy, there is certainly a desire for a Euro league. Once this happens the national leagues will never be the same again.
Parkheadcomesalford, I believe it does server out long term interests. In a Euro league I believe we would be a stronger team than Juve, Milan or Inter.
Leabgarrow, while I believe the fans would welcome a Euro league, notions of ‘let the people decide’ will nto happen. Berlusconi & chums will decide.
Chairbhoy, I believe participation in a Euro league should be achievable on merit, however the longer the football authorities procrastinate, the less likely this becomes.
Martinobhoy, Yes only in Italy could the owner of Milan buy the TV rights on Jucentus (or equivalents), but the fact that he is also the Prime Minister, and has passed laws making the whole thing happen is the cherry on the cake.
No one says ‘No’ to Snr. Berlusconi.
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Although,
Lets remember Snr. Berlusconi is a right wing corrupt ol' fat cat with views not to far from Di Canio ( now vying with Mo the Judas as Celtic's most shameful ex-player )
It makes me queasy to hope Berlusconi will succeed at anything.
long spoon and all that...
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NAKA free kicks
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How about regional European leagues with the top X-amount being entered into a European Super Cup?
Europe is divided into regions who form leagues and then the best teams still qualify for something, it would probably be far too complex to organize but would keep things competitive.
Again, WGS - PLEASE DO NOT BRING KENNY MILLER TO CELTIC, for your own sake man!
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We are now down to the last 16 in this year’s C.L. and for followers of Celtic the main interest and hope is that the winner will have already qualified to next year’s competition by means of their league position. This would have the effect of allowing Celtic to progress directly into the Group Stages, which would be Pot B. This is a stroke of luck as we blew our best chance t.y. against Artmedia and as a consequence our co-efficient has been badly affected.
The 16 teams are as follows:
CHELSEA ……………………….. POSITION 1 AND VIRTUALLY QUALIFIED (ENGLAND HAVE 4 QUALIFIERS)
BARCELONA ……………………. POSITION 1 AND 13pts AHEAD OF 5TH PLACE (SPAIN HAVE 4 QUALIFIERS)
REAL MADRID ………………….. POSITION 4 (SPAIN HAVE 4 QUALIFIERS)
VILLAREAL ……………………… POSITION 6 2PTS BEHIND REAL MADRID. WE WOULD WANT THEM TO MOVE UP THE SPANISH LEAGUE
ARSENAL ……………………….. POSITION 5 3PTS BEHIND LIVERPOOL. (ENGLAND HAVE 4 QUALIFIERS)
LIVERPOOL ……………………. POSITION 4 (ENGLAND HAVE 4 QUALIFIERS)
WERDER BREMEN …………… POSITION 3 (GERMANY HAVE 3 QUALIFIERS)
BAYERN MUNICH …………….. POSITION 1 (GERMANY HAVE 3 QUALIFIERS)
JUVENTUS …………………….. POSITION 1 AND VIRTUALLY QUALIFIED (ITALY HAVE 4 QUALIFIERS)
A C MILAN ……………………… POSITION 4 (ITALY HAVE 4 QUALIFIERS)
INTER …………………………… POSITION 2 (ITALY HAVE 4 QUALIFIERS)
PSV ……………………………… POSITION 1 (NEDERLANDS HAVE 2 QUALIFIERS)
AJAX …………………………….. POSITION 6 (NEDERLANDS HAVE 2 QUALIFIERS)
LYON …………………………… POSITION 1 AND VIRTUALLY QUALIFIED (FRANCE HAVE 3 QUALIFIERS)
BENFICA ………………………. POSITION 2 (PORTUGAL HAVE 3 QUALIFIERS)
RANGERS …………………….. POSITION 4 (SCOTLAND HAVE 2 QUALIFIERS)
FROM A CELTIC VIEWPOINT WE WANT:
A) BARCA TO BEAT CHELSEA (IF ONLY BECAUSE OF HENRIK)
B) REAL MADRID TO BEAT ARSENAL
C) JUVENTUS TO BEAT WERDER BREMEN
D) BAYERN TO BEAT JUVENTUS
E) LYON TO BEAT PSV
F) INTER TO BEAT AJAX
G) BENFICA TO BEAT LIVERPOOL?
H) NOW THAT’S A DIFFICULT ONE!!!!
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The way that Italian politics works means that with a change of government Silvio could be running his league from behind bars-
he has already faced 6 completed trials,with several more running.
The details are on his Wikipedia biography,and elaborate on some of the numerous ruses he has used to stay out of chokey[allegedly!]
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Paul,
You no more about these media things than most, how usual is it for the official Celtic website to talk up the possibility that we have signed (Kenny Miller) someone on a pre-contract? I can't recall it happening before. Personally I think it would be a great move - IMO he would fit right in with GS style of play. A fit Miller and Magic would score a lot of goals as a double act.
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On the Du Wei Stay or Du Wei Go Now... I understand from various reports that he, his agent and Celtic are happy to extend his loan deal to give him more time to make his name, but the Chinese club are suspicious we'll pull some kind of scam and want him back...
As to the Italian story- the country is a basket-case. As was posted earlier, I wonder if the same thing that happened in Scotland (effectively a strike) might make them see sense. Most European clubs (even the biggest) have very low ticket prices but rely on TV money:
From the Grauniad: "Two hours before kick-off the two biglietteria (ticket offices) outside AC Milan's ground were doing a brisk trade. One window offered tickets for €10 (£6.75), positioned in the Gods behind the goals (apparently v. scary). Second tier grandstand seats with a side-on view (v. good view according to the article) were on sale for €28 (£18.90), while those with deeper pockets could queue at another window for €110 (£74.26) tickets, although not many were." and it goes on to say "a San Siro regular hailed his €230 season ticket (£155.27) as excellent value" - damn right!
...so if the little clubs have much less support and get jack from TV, they must be struggling on budgets not far off the SPL!
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As a regular at Hampden for Scotland matches I have a sentence for you to arrange:
of bag miller a cement trap couldn`t.
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Paul
If I lived in Milan I could live in a Berlusconi house, shop in his supermarket, read his paper, watch his television stations then go and support his team.
As you said no one says no to Berlusconi. David Murray is an amateur in comparison.
Berlusconi
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NE Bhoy - Wit a player oor Naka is. Thanks for that mate!!
It's funny watching him at PH on Saturday and viewing those clips I keep asking how did we manage to get this guy so cheap?
Not that I'm complaining but he's a outstanding find.
/Bishop B
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The Bald Ego, barcabhoy,
Yes the rankings over the clubs last five years would be more accurate, however I used three criteria from 2005 assuming the European league kicked of in September ’05 (this season). To demonstrate the randomness of qualification to the said League.
We can all pick 12 to 15 dead certs to be part of the League, as Paul said we should be big enough and good enough to do this on merit!
With all the politics, posturing and vested interests involved Celtic NEED to be dead certs no matter what the criteria.
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Will Kenny Miller score goals in the SPL?
Yes,but in the CL?
Any signings we make from now on have to be with the view that we will punch at least,if not above,our weight in Europe next year.
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I know players like Caldwell and Kenny Miller are hardly Champions League class but if you think back to MON's first season, there was similar reservations about a number of players back then, yet some of them served us well in big matches
here are a few: Jonathan Gould, Tom Boyd, Stephane Mahe, Alan Stubbs, Bobby Petta, Jackie McNamara, Didier Agathe, Rab Douglas, Ulrik Larrson, Ramon Vega.....right that's enough
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It's yet another interesting article on Celticfc.net, I can't remember reading an article on the website where specific players are mentioned without an unequivocal confirmation or denial of interest in the said player.
Either it’s an uncharacteristic flyer to check the reaction of the Celtic faithful, or unofficial confirmation that Miller is coming in the summer.
I’m in two minds one because I have an irrational (not bigoted) apprehension of anyone who played for Rangers pulling on the hoops (and vice versa). But I have been unfair to the KM before, on my way to watch the Scotland vs Italy match in a Scottish pub in Londinium (not for the fair hearted Tim), I was talking to my cousin on the phone he told me Miller was playing, I said ”hat will have Nesta quacking in his boots”
As you know he played up on his own a ran the Italian centre backs ragged and scored a goal – once bitten!!!
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Sign miller and the support will revolt. Guarantee it. Pure and utter crap the player is. Not even good enough for our youth team never mind our reserves.
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miller and o'shea. no thanks.
if miller's mentioned on the cfc website that's worrying. not the calibre of striker we should be looking at.
man u mate says we can have o'shea for free. "he's rotten" were his words.
having watched him myself he tends to give the ball away a lot and tries too many daft dribbles and turns for a defender.
No ta!
hope its not true about du wei. he never got the chance like his fellow defenders did.
Emjay
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The comments about Caldwell and Miller on celticfc.net are very tabloidesqe though the author covers his own a** by stating that GS"Fuelling rumours that pre-contract deals have already been struck with Hibs’ Gary Caldwell and Wolves’ Kenny Miller, the Celtic boss expressed satisfaction with the preparations laid for the summer, and he revealed that the search for a new striker is taking priority in the club's transfer dealings.
He said: "We feel we have at least another couple of players in position for the summer, but we can't reveal who at this time.
Make of this what you will
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Emjay, and why take O'Shea to do that when Bobo can do it fine on his own.
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I'm not happy about Miller or Caldwell but what I will say is if they do come they are many times better than the bosmons and cheap deals MON got.
If these guys are coming in as backup or squad players fine - it's probably a good move. If they're coming with the intention of being the quality expected at CP then NOOOOO!
I always believe you should only bring in players who better your first team and not just your squad, however to be realistic this can't be done due to financial constraints (unless the scouting system is really good). If we can get some half decent players in and sell them later on this saves us from selling our favourites or top players.
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Paul,
If no proper information is available to the fan base and no proper market research done, they could have the best sporting spectacle in the world or a pig in poke.
Much as it will bruise the collective ego's, it's the fans that will decide if it is the former or the latter.
Did anybody watch the Tokyo tournament? Would anyone have paid to watch it? Any new tournament would probably have more of an authentic feel than that,but would a breakaway destroy the image of it being "real" - breakaways destroyed boxing which was the world biggest sport. Maybe not.
But who knows? Not the market.
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Does anyone else think what the club needs up front is a mobile targetman who can score goals? Preferably someone who can play with the ball at his feet a bit?
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As I have the misfortune of living with two MU Rowdies fans, I can state that O'Shea is indeed utter mince. He's used in a variety of positions at the Glazerdome. Left back, right back, centre back, centre mid and apart from Paul Telfer,there is none worse. I cannot think of a more apt phrase than "Jack of all, Master of none."
Or in the immortal words of one of the Rowdies...."John O'Shea couldn't tackle himself" Make of that what you will.
TAXI FOR TELFER!!!!
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malone19
that sounds like (in the words of Bobby Charlton) ...'the perfect striker'
Don't think we'd get Shevchenko.
Seriously, there aren't many mobile targermen out there. Options of O'Connor, Miller, Zurawski and Beattie would certainly give us intelligence, pace and strength in abundance. I guess pace being the most sought after 'talent' - Boyd certainly has none which has so far been overlooked.
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Malone19, add pace and you have just described Craig Beattie.
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Our new Chief scout,Ray Clark was supposedly hired to scour Europe and the world for cheap young(ish) talent and hopefully another Lubo from Eastern Europe.
He's been on board a few months now and presumably on a decent earner and so far we've bought Wilson and Caldwell from the SPL and have a Hungarian most people have never heard of on trial for a week. There's talk of Kenny Miller, I don't think I can take it any longer.............
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JohnH,
you're right. O'Shea is just like Bobo in that sense but i'd keep BB over any of the defenders we've been mentioned with.
maybe sad but true!
Emjay
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Kenny Miller, fast, has terrible close control, and a touch like an elephant. 7 goals Miller has scored this season, 7. He is the poor mans Craig Beattie....without the muscle, or the goals for that matter.
As for Gary O'Connor, give me strength.....
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malone19....... 3.12.................... we have one C Beattie, if he stays fit that is.
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timoot - Wilson was identified by the previous regime. i.e. Tom O'Neill.
I think in fairness, Clarke is scouting coordinator, responsible for the complete overhaul (introduction?) of the scouting network including such things as having an active scout in every european league.
Players like Miller and Wilson are not 'scouted'. Strachan, I suspect has enough knowledge of the game to identify such players.
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Hi Paul, been reading for a while but never posted before now, great site and essential reading for all in our house !
Off topic but it's been annoying me for awhile on here.
Can't believe some of the negative comments on here from fellow supporters, as someone said the other day some people only seem to be happy when they are talking the team down. I remember thinking back to Seville and saying whoever followed MON would have the hardest job in British football after Fergie leaves Man Utd. The way things panned out couldn't have been planned and I think Gordon Strachan deserves support for what was always going to be a difficult year. MON's men in the dressing room probably had it too easy last year then it bit them on Black Sunday and now they don't like someone new telling them what to do, well tough and so long it's been good to know you Sutty. As PL said, the press always forget to print the last sentence the player says " I always wanted to play for Celtic....If the money is right"
we're 7 points clear at the top of the SPL and they're still fourth in the SPL !
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How about that Swedish guy that isn't getting a game for Barca?
I bet he could put in a good shift at fullback as well.
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if zurawski and beattie are going to be our main strikers next season we will need cover and options up front.
if BBJ goes in the summer we can use the money to strengthen that area.
i just think we can do better than the names mentioned.
anyway priority at CP isn't the strikers position!
Emjay
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Normally I'm very wary of press rumours of players signing. However, seeing as it's had a mention on the Celtic web site -
I certainly don't want Kenny Miller. Another dead wood, dead end signing. I remember (years ago) on reading newspaper reports about Celtic signing Paul Dickov, writing a less than complimentary letter to Fergus McCann regarding the direction the club was heading and his stewardship and aspirations for it. By return of post virtually, I recieved a reply. One that castigated me for believing newpaper reports and for doubting his ambition for Celtic. I've never been as pleased to receive a slapping down in my life. It bothers me that the Kenny Miller story is on the Celtic website however.
If Peter Lawwell thinks that he'll sell 50,000 season tickets on the strength of Kenny Miller and Gary Caldwell I fear he's in for shock. And Celtic could be in for more financial hardship.
I don't care who Kenny Miller played for before, but I do care that he's not of the required quality. Not now, not ever.
I should offer the proviso though that until it's officially announced, I'm giving everyone the benefit of the doubt and assuming it's rubbish.
/p
[who's keeping fingers, toes and eyes crossed that it's paper talk]
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dontbrattbackinanger
I remember a game against Dundee at Dens when Didier got sent off (an absolute joke of a decision) and MO'N played that certain Swedish player in a defensive role on the left side of midfield to protect our one goal lead.
MO'N's verdict after we won? "He looked like he had played that role all his life."
So you're right he probably could put in a good shift at fullback!
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Re ...... the rumour regarding Wayne Bridge...... I see an Aberdeen player saying his move to Fulham has fallen thorough because Fulham have singed Bridge.(it may all be paper talk)
Re ......Du Wei more reports coming out that he is away home, can anyone confirm this or was he at training today?
If we let him go what happens to the tour we have lined up for the closed season?
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Kenny Miller. Dear God. One good game for Scotland and he's the Most Wanted Man in Europe.
I have no problem with signing ex-Huns, as long as they're good. I've have taken Gio Van Bronkhorst in a second, for example, but Miller does not inspire me.
I think Caldwell and Wilson will be great signings though, and I'd take Riordan or O'Conner. And I'd definitely take Scott Brown. But the real question is - do we need those guys?? Our priorities have not changed. A left back, a strong central defender and a thirty-goal striker.
All this talk of left-wingers and Scottish international forwards (and WHO was the last of THEM to score thirty plus goals) leaves me cold.
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James Forrest - surely Kenny Miller has scored more than 30 goals in his career?
{8-)))))))
Curly
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paul,
re: the kenny miller story
fanfan II.???????
please say yes.
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If kenny miller signs for us......I will be crying......
Also I have heard that Fulham have turned their attentions away from Wayne Bridge to Matt Taylor from Pompey with a fee of £2.3 million being mentioned.
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On the subject of Kenny Miller .......if you go back a few months it was rangers that where favourites to sign him .....now it looks like it is us.........i tell you.......the world has gone mad, mad i tell you, Kenny Miller [shacking my head in disbelieve] (and thinking it's all paper talk too)
Remember Paul67 said it's all bull regarding Miller (i think) ..........Paul67 why is it on celtics web site
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Someone mentioned the Aberdeen player and Fulham. Fulham have issued a statement saying they never had any interest in the player and never spoke to Aberdeen. In fact they spoke to the agent and HE asked if he could come for a trial, Fulham agreed to nothing.
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P8ddy
I virtually always agree with your sentiments on CQN but I'm afraid I have to differ in relation to Kenny Miller - I DO care that he played for Rangers. That would be good enough reason in my book to take him out of the picture. Not only does that expose my own prejudice (not sectarian I might add!) but it is also founded on the realpolitik of the point you made re season ticket sales. Signing KM would diminish income not only from season tickets but other sources I suspect and that WOULD be based on sectarian prejudice held by a significant proportion of our fellow (but less enlightened) fans.
My prejudice is not sectarian but results from a healthy , long held sense of rivalry with our counterparts in Govan. They are not our enemies but they are our rivals. I get a bit sick of the PC brigade on CQN professing a 'holier than thou' approach to aur rivalry with Rangers. Relax - it's ok to have prejudice against sporting rivals. It doesn't make you an IRA activist because you support Celtic and feel intense rivalry towards your city opposition.Let's be honest we all revel in their misery and feel tainted by anything that emerges from their ranks. Do we really need their rejects?
Anyway, that aside KM is a substandard/ poor player. It's hard to stomach anything after Larsson but I fear the likes of KM is a step too far for most Celtic supporters.
I wonder if WGS is flying a kite to test supporter's reaction to the potential of KM - if so then lets give him a resounding answer - NO WAY!!!
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Can we be sure of that, Curly?? I demand an independent enquiry, seeing as this is becoming the done thing in all matters relating to Celtic.
On that note - since I haven't posted for a while - let me vent my spleen for a second in frustration and fury at the latest antics of the rag trade we know and love and call the Scottish media.
A certain downmarket tabloid, which I will not name and would not normally wipe my arse with, carried an article yesterday on our plans to have the Tyrone team parade the Sam Maguire Cup on the field at CP before the Dundee Utd game. The said report was sent to me by a friend of mine, another avid media watcher and fellow media student, because it would "get my blood boiling."
Here's the brief text:
"Celtic were blasted by a Glasgow MSP last night for allowing an Irish football cup named after an IRA legend to be paraded at Parkhead.
Tory Bill Aitken said it was "unfortunate" Irish champions Tyrone would do a lap of honour before the game with Dundee Utd on January 28th.
He added, "Whilst I appreciate that Celtic have an Irish background, they are a Scottish club. I do not see what relevance the activities of Tyrone have. It is time all of this baggage was put behind us."
Sam Maguire was head of IRA operations in London at the time of the Easter Rising and is said to have ordered the 1922 murder of a Tory MP.
Celtic refused to comment on the controversy.
It comes just days after the club re-affirmed its anhorrence of sectarianism after stars John Hartson and Stephen Pearson were filmed at a supporters' event during which chants of "IRA" and "Sinn Fein" were made."
Now, I don't know about you, but this is a waste of newspaper space. They could have easily gotten an article on David Beckham's hair into that slot, or something equally up their street, so I have to ask:
With all the "Hartsongate" stuff going on right now, is there a concerted media campaign aimed at us, and if so why? Being a political campaigner as well as a media student, I can spot a smear campaign when I see one - and this has all the hallmarks of a calculated and concerted effort. I cannot even hazard a guess as to its overall objective, BUT here's hoping that Celtic do not lend these people any credibility by doing something daft. Like cancelling the Tyrone bhoys trip. Not only SHOULD we bring those guys over and let them do their lap of honour, but we should put Sam Maguire's picture up on the big screens as the ultimate GYTF.
But that's just me...............
Okay, rant over.
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P8ddy
I completley agree, regardless of who he's played for, he isnt good enough. 100% seriously - Id rather we signed you than Kenny Miller.
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Can anyone tell me where I can find the Opta stats on Shunsuke? For weeks it's been doing my head in trying to work out how many assists he has since signing and I can't find the data anywhere???
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Celtic Res 2 Dundee Unt Res 1. Rocco quinn scored both goals. :-)
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Maybe we are being clever with an agent or a player i.e. maybe there is a player an agent out there sweating because of our alleged 'confirmed' interest in Miller.
Also, the website merely refers to media reports - it does not confirm them.
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Does anybody know how many goals Kenny Miller has scored this season so far?
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What is the Sam Maguire Cup?
Father John H Costelloe tells me the GAA don't like to have anything to do with'the garrison games'so I'm a bit surprised they have sanctioned its display,even at CP.
Other than his goalscoring thatSwedishguy's major attribute was his freedom from injury[other than fractures].His hamstrings etc must have been made by Bofors rather than muscle and sinew.
In an interview he said this was because he understood the need for proper rest.
Beats and Majic need to improve their fitness record,if they are going to carry us in the CL.
Wasn't it a good day when we signed Alfie Conn?
Still he could play a bit.
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thismancraig, that is what cheeses me off with the official Celtic media.
Why does the official club website have to refer to media reports. It's as though the website is unrelated to the club and get no useful information.
Why isn't it first to "tell" it's own fanbase what is going on. One of the reasons this site is so popular is that fans, Celtic fans in particular, are hacked off (excuse the pun) with the garbage the media feeds us. We are looking for a reliable and informative outlet, why is the club not providing it.
If it is to put pressure on a player / agent fair enough, but I doubt it.
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The Du Wei news is very disappointing .
Clearly we see it as too big a risk financially to go through with the deal at this time whilst the stance taken by the Shanghai club is not unexpected in view of what they may have seen as a hard deal on our part originally.
The disappointment for me is one in the fact that Du Wei had for me lots of potential to become a very composed defender and two in the possible downside for the club in terms of future dealings in China. We all know how shocked the Chinese were at our media’s treatment of Du Wei after the Clyde match. This will not help in their perception of Celtic as a club.
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Cultsbhoy@4.16pm
"Let's be honest we all revel in their misery and feel tainted by anything that emerges from their ranks. Do we really need their rejects?"
I'm definitely not in the pro-Kenny Miller camp (if there really is one...), but I'm interested to know how you feel about Craig Beattie being a Celt? Does the same vehemence apply?
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michael_67 - i think it's 7 goals so far.
Agree with most of the comments on here, not too enamoured with the idea of signing Kenny Miller, if it's true! (red tops/agents at work). Granted, he'd score goals in the SPL but europe-wise he's a novice and going by his international performances (Italy excepted)I think it wouldn't be the right move.
Also - I once saw him cutting about Tiger Tiger wearing bleached jeans and some sort of "trendy" flat cap. Do we really want this kind of thing at the club? - we already have Aiden Mcgeady to fulfil our footballer-stereotype quota.
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Sir Paul,
'Your lead article, drew attention to a Train, that had been lazily Sojourning in an anonymous Siding.
Entrance by Celtic into a Euro League is Paramount in the Things to do List, of the Inovative Demetrius.
The Expected Decampment of the CELTS is very much that....... EXXXPECTED!Hmmmmmm
I was tempted to use that rather revealing bon mot..... INEVITABLE..... But I am not one to over Elaborate.( HHHHmmmmmmm!..Ed.)
As we speak, the fire-box in the Venerable Contraption is being tentatively stoked, by a Prominent ITALIAN ...... Once a full head of steam is raised..... Off she goes.......
The Avenue that Demetrius will follow, will be the ROAD THAT LEADS TO THE EURO UNION YARDS......
Not the EPL... that was the starting FAVOURITE in the RACE to RICHES.
So, let everyone be aware......
Celtic are on a FIVE YEAR Itinerary....nothing WILL HAPPEN OVER-NIGHT.......
Demetrius has cast a hint...that should have been picked up ....and Knitted into the Fabric of the CELTIC FUTURE, TAPESTRY.
If one faithfully studies his Opening remarks in the Infamously Twisted Interview,which he gave,recently......
The Clue to what his future intentions apropos (Sure that's a word?) to the Celtic Cause will be found.'
..............................
The above was gleaned from a conversation, that I just had with the BOSS.......He is still too busy, to send a personal note.
He did say,before he went out....
"Don't believe what you read in the papers....... or... sometimes.....
The CELTIC Official Site......
Regarding the latter....... REMEMBER ......IT IS NOT OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL, UNTIL IT IS OFFICIAL!"
Hail! Hail!
Kojo.
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Michael67
11 goals this season.
93 goals from 201 starts through his career.
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Had the pleasure of meeting Kenny Miller in Edinburgh a few weeks back. For the record, he is far too young and trendy for me too but came across as a really nice guy. But then I try to be myself and I know that's no criteria for filling Henrik's boots.
I don't think he is as bad as many have suggested, but I do admit I have changed my mind on this only after the last couple of Scotland games. He wouldn't be the first Scottish scoring machine to be a late achiever. I really don't think he deserves the vitriol some guys are giving him.
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Kojo
Can I just ask you to clarify whether your reference to FROGS on the previous thread was intended as a derogatory reference to our French cousins or was it an indicator that we might currently be scouring Ligue 1 for some talent?
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newtagggsybhoy
I suspect that Miller is getting the same treatment that Strachan is still getting.
i.e. 'I hated him when he played for Aberdeen in 1982 and I'll never accept that the wee irratable guy is our manager, I mean - he's not Martin O'Neill'
Replace the above with ex rangers, not henrik larsson.
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I wish I could be there to see Tyrone with the Sam McGuire at Paradise. My mother's side of the family are from Omagh, Tyrone and my father hails from Moville, Donegal. So my background is Ulster, Irish, Celtic daft, and proud of it! It's just a pity we don't get the All-Ireland games on telly.
During the flag controversy in the fifties Sir Robert Kelly said he would change from soccer to gaelic games rather than remove the tricolour. He stood against the bigots then. The attitude expressed by the aforesaid Tory MSP has the stench of bigotry.
Ever felt aware of feeling unwanted in this land of the Scots?
The reason I want us to join the EPL or a sustainable European competition has as much to do with the attitude of the Bill Aitken's and their ilk. That said, we are a Scottish Club of Irish tradition and Celtic Park is staying put!
In the meantime, mindful of our past, we can but look forward to our next game and a winning debut for Celtic daft Mark Wilson!
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I do not dislike kenny miller, he took ironsides shilling and signed for the huns, which I think put his career back a year or two. I do not dislike him because he wears faded jeans and a girls cap.
I don't rate him because he is not a good footballer. As Alfi conn showed you can cross the devide but i am sorry we can do better than kenny miller. After Camara, Telfer, virgo and Caldwell we need a boost.
Let's aim higher i am sure we can afford better than kenny Miller.
Anyway down in london on business and evening standard says bridge off to Fulham or tottenham. Well it was a nice dream while it lasted.
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Thismancraig,
If we are playing games with players/agents I don't think we're being clever.
The web site has been a trusted and reliable source of information on Celtic. Sometimes it is frustrating when there are stories over the media and nothing from Celtic, but once it had been posted on the web site you knew it was confirmed.
This particular article and recent ones on Sutton and Petrov's contract negotiations are disquieting, plus the fact that there seems to be little or no information on players availability and fitness.
If the site is to be used to offset the disinformation in the press the way it has been operating for many years i.e. telling it straight, is by far the most effective.
While on the subject of our direction I’d like to say a word in support of Shanghai Shenua many Managers have to make their mind up on players with recommendations from advisers/scouts, trials etc. If we can’t make up our mind on a player after six months with the squad it ain’t saying a lot.
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Its one line in an article about something else. The Sutton issue was clearly dealt with as has the Petrov issue. I don't know what the club could have done differently in any of these situations.
It is written by Stephen Sullivan and is not presented as OFFICIAL CELTIC POLICY which always are accompanied by 'The Club can confirm'
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Teen sensation Ross Mccormack is going to Doncaster Rovers on loan
He is said to be excited at the prospect of'playing for a big club with a real chance of landing silverware'
Doncaster are currently 15th in Coca-cola League 1.
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Evening and welcome tail o’ the bank.
Agree on many of your sentiments, especially:
Fourth in the SPL
Your fourth in the SPL
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to roll that one out again.
Kojo, aye, would you say no to that Italian? Didn’t think so (this is not an endorsement of his politics).
It was Berlusconi who single-handedly brought the Champions League into being. He will do the same for the European League.
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Kojo,if it's not official until it's official, why on earth is it being trailed on the official website?
This story has been carried by a couple of semi-credible outlets for there not to be some truth in it.
For the record, I am not bothered that he is a former Rangers player. I am, however, bothered by the fact he is crap. Jumping on this guy's bandwagon after a couple of good games is such a HUN thing to do.
I am normally pretty level headed when it comes to all matters Celtica; but if this guy signs a pre-contract the week after we lose Sutton on a free, I will be furious, absolutely furious.
First Artmedia, then Clyde, now MILLER. It would try the patience of a saint.
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Anybody got Mark Wilsons profile. What weight and height is he. Is he a light weight like Wallace or solid like Tommo??
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Alfie Conn was some player!
Sometimes seemingly uninspired signings end up,well, inspiring! I recall excitement(76/77)at the emergence of Roy Aitken and Tommy Burns, was unsure of appointment of veteran Pat Stanton, and was underwhelmed, to say the least, by the prospect of Joe Craig donning the hoops. Joe formed a brilliant goalscoring partnership with Kenny Dalglish and Ronny Glavin, and we won the double! A different era, granted, but then we trusted the judgment of the Boss, roared our support to all the players, and reaped the reward!
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Just heard some the sad news that Wallace Mercer died today.
Wallace was a fine man, who I got to know quite well in recent years. Lots of anecdotes, of course, and never missed the target when speaking to me privately on Rangers and their governor.
He loved his football, and was fascinated by the Romanov goings on at Hearts at the moment.
It would be an understatement to simply say that he was a character.
My thoughts are with his wife Anne and son Iain.
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Re KM
Biggest GIRUY would be to turn this late developer into a CL / SPL sensation.
No issues with who he played with in the past more interested in what he could do in the future.
Ex Hibee - Better than GC?
Ex TFOD - Used and abused, he may have something to prove
Ex EC mid table side??? - Will he play better with better players around him?
Scotland NT - Slow start but recent performances have been a revelation. Possible issues with stamina but he was played on his own up front.
Big improvement on his TFOD squad years and showed to me that he may have something and that if he was supported by SM and CB then the NT could be on to something.
Same personnel - different strip.
Consequently he would be a good recruit for the medium term.
Better KM on the way up than R(obbie)K on the way down for three times the money?
I say yes.
Consequently no issues with the guy, I am old enough to remember Alfie Conn and the way his acquisition confirmed that we were different from "them".
JS mandated new haircut and top tucked into shorts, he was a new man.
CB - TFOD past now forgotten
RW - TFOD past?
KM - Why any grief.
Surely the biggest thing that you could hold against him is his Edinburgh birth.
1) You'll have had your tea!
2) A castle, a rock and a smile? Well two out of three ain't bad!
3) You get more laughs at a Glasgow stabbing than a Edinburgh wedding!
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Paul,
If what you and many others are thinking as an European League eventually coming in to place, then how do you envisage the monies from TV Rights being allocated.
Would this mean that teams from "stronger" leagues would be calling the shots and perpetuing the unjust and self-serving deals that exist in the European Cup presently.
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Moey67, I suspect that a Euro league would have TV rights retained by the clubs.
This would suit Celtic, as we would be free to sell the rights for these games anywhere.
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Paul67 - What rights would we have and who could we sell them to?
Home games only and we have 52K season tickets to sell.
No panacea.
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It is sad to read of the passing of Wallace Mercer. Anyone who was as passionate about their club as he was, even if it was Hearts, was welcome in the game by me.
RIP.
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Signor Kojo-the firebox in the venerable contraption is being stoked by Dick Dastardly-do we really want to hitch the wagon to his train?
Leaving aside his politics this is a man who changed the law in Italy to stall prosecution,and runs the risk of being indicted in Spain if he ever loses the protection of being an MSP.
He once said the Mussolini regime didn't kill their opponents,but'sent them on holiday'
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Sorry-he isn't sharing a sunbed with Tommy Sheridan.
That should be MEP.
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James Forrest,Minx and others
Regarding the article in the Mail you talked about. I've just received this email from Real Radio in response to a few emails i sent (video of Hartson&Pearson).
Dear Sir
Thanks for your email to Billy Anderson at Real Radio regarding Ewan Cameron
and it has been passed on to me for response. There appears to be an
orchestrated campaign mounting against Ewan and the station from some
followers of Celtic Football Club and whereas we note your views, we do
however hope that you will understand the stations position with further
clarity as a result of this response.
I wish to point out that Real Radio does not and never has condoned any form
of sectarianism in its programming output and I'm sorry if you feel that
this is the case with the hugely popular Real football phone in which
attracts numerous guests with connections to both Celtic and Rangers
Football Clubs. Whatsmore the station enjoys extremely good relationships
with the clubs management, supporters clubs and supporters in general.
Our Programme Director Jay Crawford was an invited guest to the First
Minister's Summit on Sectarianism last year, and I can assure you that we
take this issue extremely seriously and understand the problems.
As far as our Football Phone in is concerned whenever the topic does comes
up for discussion it is important to understand that balance and neutrality
is essential but because of the subjectivity of the issue it will always be
difficult to please everyone and in that respect the presenters may
regularly be involved in vigorous debate with callers and guests in the
quest for accuracy and fairness rather than with narrow mindedness which is
one the definitions for the word 'sectarian'.
At Real Radio we do hope that all the clubs, fans and media can work
together to see all points of view. That's why we have a nightly people's
forum supporting free speech and in the main feel that true football
followers in Scotland enjoy talking about the game, its issues and
characters.
Judging by the huge numbers who have tuned in the make Real Radio,
Scotland's most listened to commercial radio station and also by the
enormous popularity of the Real Football phone in, since launch four years
ago this week, many people agree with this approach which is to entertain
and inform the communities it serves.
To conclude may I unreservedly confirm and point out that there is
definitely no bigoted hate campaign being conducted by Ewan or Real Radio
against Celtic FC and we are sorry if that has been the impression given to
you and others.
Please don't hesitate to contact me again if I can be of further assistance.
Yours sincerely
Jeff Stephenson
Head of Compliance
GMG Radio
Tel: 0113 3071400
Nice email but it didn't address the main questions i put forward.
1)Calling Peter Lawell a lier not believing anything he says,BUT still wants to ask him more question on the video.
2)Alluding that Celtic had whitewashed the whole inquiry into the video,(how can it be completed in three days)
3)Questioning Celtic's use of a professional Audio/Video person when no name had been given.
4)Assuming the video was genuine and hadn't been doctored, when it was sent in by readers of follow follow.
5)Claming that Hartson WAS involved as a second video shows him clearly lapping up the atmosphere, when the second video is widely known to be a fake.
6)Why is Ewen the only journalist who is running/perpetuating the story when all others have dropped it,is it the case that Hartson & Pearson have contacted their lawyers so as they can have a look at the accusations made against them?
Mick
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Mick............email him back and ask if they are running the story about the Clyde player singing racist songs about Bobo at a night out last week
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mc-grory-for=arsenal (from last post)
The line that it was an English editor in charge when "thugs and thieves" was printed, is the one trotted out by Jackson and Traynor, when anyone takes them to task over this. It is also a moot point.
The Daily R*****? STICK IT UP YER ERSE!!!
Even if we accept that he was English, it does not excuse him from printing a story, which was untrue. It is after all, meant to be a NEWS paper, is it not?
As editor, he should have had the story substantiated by credible witnesses, rather than by the cameraman involved. He saw the chance for a cheap headline, and went for it.
It's funny, but the "I'm English, so I didn't know" line, did not prevent him being removed from his job, did it?
Also, were Jackson, Traynor et al, conveniently unavailable to advise against the publishing of these lies?
"Thugs and Thieves" is just one in a litany of past misdemeanors, (anyone remember, "You're a Nutter, Mahe"?) committed by that rag, and for many Celtic fans, it was the last straw. They obviously haven't taken any heed, as last weeks pathetic apology regarding the circumstances surrounding Chris Suttons' departure, illustrated.
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My dear friend,Gm,
The reason given to me, by the Boss, was:
The Celtic OFFICIAL SITE, is the VERY,VERY,VERY,VERY LAST place,where the CELTIC MANAGEMENT
WOULD TIP THEIR FUTURE PLANS!!!!!
I repeat:
DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING that is PRINTED in the OFFICIAL SITE, UNTIL IT IS OFFICIALLY,OFFICIAL!
Makes a WHOLELOTTTTTTTA SENSE,to ME!
Hail! Hail!
Kojo.
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Platowasatim-
I agree with every word that you just posted.
well said.
DontBrattBack-
The Sam Maguire Cup is the trophy presented to the winners of the All Ireland Gaelic Football Final.
Sam Maguire was -apart from his heroic wartime exploits-The 1st non-catholic President of the G.A.A.
noel.
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EH!! I don't know how part concerning the insertion of the R*****, into a certain part of your anatomy, appeared there!! It should have been at the bottom(!!!), of the post
SORRY!!!
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Cheers, Noel!!
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My dear Derbyshire Bhoy,
Yes, we are scouring the Ponds, where one would find a choosing of the Possible PADDOCKS.
Have been for 2 or 3 months.
So far,no joy....... only some Tadpoles..... Which is not a bad choosing....as Tadpoles do have lots of growing Potential.
Hail! Hail!
Kojo.
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Gerry
I thought I'd heard something about that this morning but didn't have my usuall cup of java.
What's the story behind it, any names?
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hi paul, fellow celts . a wee point if i may . i cant for the life of me understand WHY we celts cant have a medium where we can look up everything celtic and get hard facts, if i pick up the herald(murrays new plaything)and it says celtic chase blah blah , i would like an official vehicle that when i log on it tells me yes there is a chance of that,(watch this space ) or its a false story . we continually (ALL US CELTIC FANS B T W )go on about the scottish media and their anti celtic leanings yet they are given first hand news from our club.then they add their own angle to it . paul; i posted to you regards this a few months ago . i asked if through your contacts and through this marvelous site that we celtic fans could have all the breaking stories DIRECT from celtic park .and as a bonus any of my fellow fans who still buy the rotten scottish papers would know that whatever celtic news was in the rags that it was second hand. i for one dont need them .i have changed my read so often because of them . and now one of the better papers (as i thought ) employes. a proven sectarian song singer. to end with the party piece of my learned friend DF,QC all together now.celtic fc and paul give us our own first hand news site now. hail hail
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Daily Ireland has Celtic distancimg themselves from a move for Kenny Millar."Friends of Millar"say he prepared to wait for a free transfer to Parkhead in the Sunmmer but Celtic are concerned with signing a stiker in January.Wolves recently turned down (as did Millar) a £1.5m bid from Sheffield Utd.Apparantly Wolves valued him at £3.5m!The Guardian( Ewan Murray)Has Stachan fueling rumours of Celtic move for Millar."We are light on stikers admitted the manager coyly naming no names.So Mr murray brazenly names Millar for him ( on what basis we are not told).As for John O`Shea my memory is that he had an outstanding first season for United As already posted he was then played in a number of positions and his game deteriorated sharply.He also displayed a causalness at international level that seemed to imply an exaggerated opinion of his own abilities.However Ferguson seems to rate him so I would be surprised if he let him go on loan
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Do you think the red tops would be any different if we were in a Euro league or the EPL, with or without TFOD? I think not!
The bottom line dictates otherwise.
Do we really care? Why does anyone read the daily......?
If you want real news about Celtic, you'll never, ever get it from the red top tabloids.
Journos like Traynor get their salaried kicks out of doing us down. I'm damned sure he won't be getting my cash.
IMO the best football news comes from (CQN and), sites like E Tims and KTF, other teams websites, papers like the Scotsman, Telegraph, Times
(albeit rags of capitalism),
and......bringing up the rear.....lazy radio/telly people!
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Any other Tims in Chennai yet? It's fine reading this stuff, but no substitute for blether and banter face to face over a bottle.
Anybody know any good Tim slants on Burns? I'm doing the Immortal Memory to the Masonic Ayrshire Ba...rd next week and am up for a little bit of cultural provocation with my colonial colleagues.
PS. On our little blip, never has Keep The Faith been more appropriate. Our ride to the top will be a rollercoaster, as will their ride to the bottom. Ignominious exit from the SC, ignominious qualification for the CL knockout. Milestones on different journeys.
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Mick ........it was on the front of one of the rags today, the lad called Malone sang......'Bobo Balde Peels Bananas With His Feet'
When the player was asked about it he said ...... "I cant remember singing that i was to drunk" it was on camera phone and witnesses out side the night club says it was him.
It may just be all paper talk thou
ps .....nothing on the main news...BBC or STV
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BTW,
CQN matchday coverage is brilliant!
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Dear Paul,
Wallace Mercer, didn't he once say, that he liked when glasgow Rangers came to Edinburgh, because they both (Hearts) sang the same songs!
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Take 2 Anybody got Mark Wilsons profile. What weight and height is he. Is he a light weight like Wallace or solid like Tommo??
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Random thoughts on ra Meja -
Interesting that the Evening Times did not follow it's sister paper on limited on-line access.
Maybe they assume people with computers don't read the Times.
On the other hand - people who can read don't read the Record.
I remember coming back from London one weekend and everyone had bumper stickers 'REAL SCOTS TRUST THE RECORD’
That was 1990 maybe. I was still rather raw, but I knew this much. Anyone with that line should never be trusted. Cynical and manipulative...wow I thought. Where do they get the courage to be so naked (lazy for Paul67) Do they feel we are the living dead. How can they not be afraid they will lose custom? WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE. Does no one care?
Anyone else remember that campaign?
Charliedhog - you are right about the Redtops. Wherever we go EPL Euro-L they will manufacture controversy to titivate the weak and boost circulation.
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Bhoy_Molloy
He's solid like....Mark Wilson and light on his feet like....Mark Wilson.
If you can, watch his performances against us earlier this season.
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The ould man says if Wilson tries as hard for us as he has done against us, he'll do OK!
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Is Mark Wilson like Jocky Wilson??
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MadMitch
I posted a response to your question re: Wilson and the ruthlessness or lack of it in our management team.
Maybe you saw it, maybe you did not. I thought I would highlight in case you had not.
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Bhoys;
Food for thought.
Nakamura to leave after the world cup,to be replaced by Kevin Thomson ...Hibs, who will sign a pre contract agreement before the end of January.
Petrov,Nakamura,BBj,who else will be left.
We will enter the CL without a prayer in heaven.
Based on normally good info source,but they have been wrong before.
Makes you think though!
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My VERY good contact at Ibrox rues the day a certain Mr Miller left the scene. “A bit like Craig Beattie without the injury problems” was his assessment.
I know at least one Glasgow club is looking for him as a zero cost player to strengthen their squad.
Charliedog, I always make a point of reading the CQN Live Updates, even when I have been at the game.
There is a unique atmosphere reading how a dozen people describe a goal a dozen different ways all at once.
Falkikbhoy, Wallace may have, and he did not deny his past allegiances to me, but he sure moved on, believe me.
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bhoy_molloy
He is more Jackie Mc than
Pat McCluskie (both good players).
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JonG
What is your basis for throwing Naka into the controversy / uncertainty pit?
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jong,
"Naka to leave after the world cup" please tell me that's not true. My god why???? That would be devastating news. Source?
Kojo/Paul67. Do you know anything about this?
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Bhoy_Molloy
Mark Wilson Profile
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On the subject of Celtic coverage,
I was lucky enough to have been in the Jungle for THE 4-2 game, I subsequently watched the Celtic Films show of the match(at Salsburgh,near Shotts). You could hardly see the picture but the sound was fantastic. Does anyone have any footage(audio or video) of this famous occasion?
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st.anthony...Did you reveal the answers to last night's quiz?
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JonG, "they" are wrong again.
No worries Baba, get used to this kind of stuff.
I believe Naka will sign a new contract this year.
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Paul67 ......7.41 ........I take it we're the Glasgow club that's looking at him or is it all paper talk with us?
jonG ..... why would we sell Naka just after the world cup .....have we not got a tour of Japan coming up?
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Paul,
I just hope and pray that Miller isn't coming. He is not good enough. To me, I couldn't care less about his playing for Rangers. He just isn't class and never will be.
A sad day with Du Wei going. We might well have blighted our chances in China for years. From what I 've heard I would have thought he was well worth persevering with.
Now I see Nakamura's future at Parkhead is in doubt. Help ma boab! Time to log off CQN. There's only so much potentially bad news one can cope with in a day.
But thanks anyway, Paul, for providing the greatest site of Celtic news ever. Long may it flourish.
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Cheers Paul,
Big sigh of relief there mate!!
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Gerry, I know that Rangers would like Miller back.
JonG, see what you have done to Parkheadcomesalford?
Learn from all the rumours you have heard.
Did you hear the one last week about Neil McCann coming to Celtic? I sure did (from an excellent source as well), but here is the problem:
PL is master of spin and misinformation.
Did I ever mention Fanfan? Another day.
Celtic fans are fertile ground for negative spin. Naka is the most profitable football player Celtic have ever had apart from Larsson – and the powers at be are well aware of this fact.
Stop this one in its tracks.
Parkheadcomesalford, thanks for your kind words.
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1st?
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Is it me?
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Kojo
Can you tell us what is happening with Naka? Oh and by the way, where exactly is Du Wei? Please ask the BOSS and then flush it away with all the other crap.
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I, like most other people surf celtic cyberspace and I am still amazed by the number of celtic fans who pass on sighning rumours as if they are gospel/factual.
i am aware that the transfer window is open but recently, I feel, celtic fans on this particular site should know better about the working's of the press.
As Paul keeps telling us "How much advertising space did that story sell?" It does not matter so much about the varacity of any "news" but the amount of stirr crazy it creates amongst the fans!
What has surprised me,today, is that the official celticfc.net should indulge in such a story concerning the prospective signing of Miller.
I believe sports stories carried in the national are bad enough and they may be easily dispelled by the likes of me as rubbish as I'm sure they do not have many reliable sources at celtic park.
But what about such stories appearing on celticfc.net?
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Chairboy cheers, he is a decent height considering he is not a CB, he is also light enough for pace but I hope he is strong enough to hold his own.
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reference the "bananas" song mentioned earlier, I first heard this song sung by Newcastle fans towards Peter Reid (then Sunderland Manager) to the tune of Yellow Submarine - the 'joke' being that Peter Reid looked like a wee monkey.
The words went along the lines of
#In the toon, where I was born
#there lived a man, with a monkeys heid
#and his name was Peter Reid
#He peels bananas with his feet.
chorus
#Peter Reid peels bananas with his feet
#bananas with his feet
#bananas with his feet
(repeat)
Quite amusing. However, replace Peter Reid with a black footballer and it ceases to be a jokey dig at the opposition and becomes something quite distasteful :(
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Paul a couple of weeks ago I asked you a question and your answer left me more confused,nothing to do with you I might add, it was the way I phrased the question. The developments in Italy have got me at it again.
When Lawwell said the move to the EPL was a non-starter, I asked if a European League would be getting touted, you replied that it already had,to re-phrase and clarify is it,
1/ The EPL is the preferred option and Lawwell is throwing up a smokescreen,
2/The EPL looks incresingly less of an option and a European League will be the new Holy Grail albeit as second alternative.yours John-b
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Parkheadcumsalford.................
you are upset at the possibilty of miller coming because hes not good enough but distraught at du wei going???? (who is clearly not good enough)
if we want another chinese player i'm sure we could sign him no probs. why will du wei's failure blight us?
all in sport
CFC!
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Heard from a reliable source
Du Wei back home
Naka moving after World Cup
Pierre signed a pre-contract with DM
Kenny Miller signing for us
Kenny Everett signing for huns
There you go
That was easy
Moral of story?
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How many on here have actually seen a lot of Kenny Miller? I know I haven't. someone has posted his scoring record earlier which is about 1 in every 2 games - good by anyone's standards. If we do sign him he'll have my support.
As for the Euro league; is the interest really there or is it wishful thinking on our part?
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Apologies for not printing the answers to last night's quiz but my trusty accomplice Gordon gave you them anyway.
For the record on trialists :
1. 1972 Israeli was Mordechai Spiegler.
2. 1975 Irishman was the wonderfully named Hilary Carlyle.
3. Scots player from 1976 was Jimmy Smith.
4. Unknown German 1977 was Dieter Knapper.
5. Amaral.
6. De La Pena
7. Dani
8. Marcio Amoruso.
More arrant nonsense next Monday.
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Whether we care to admit it or not Kenny Miller is not being accepted by the support (even before he signs - or if he signs perhaps) because of his history. Nothing to do with his goalscoring record ability.
And we think we are better than the support at Ibrox!
If Miller is to sign he'll need broad shoulders as much to do with our own prejudices than Rangers.
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Paul !
St.Anthony !
We have had divine intervention -the title will be OURS....
:P
noel.
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Bhoy_Molloy,
Nae bother,
Some profiles have him at 5'10 but he's a decent size/wieght for a fit 21 year old.
Timmy7,
KM has scored 7 goals this season, thought that wasn't bad as he has been out injured, but it seems like he has played 21 games -not so good.
Never been a great fan of his but I've got to say he's a very improved player, yet why Celtic would want him baffles me!!
We have let an experienced forward go on a free, our current forwards are doing the business and potentially C Beattie, A McGeady and R Quinn will be pressing for a regular position.
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Martinobhoy,
I was intrigued by your comparison between Darth Murray & Silvio Berlusconi but I don't think it stands up to scrutiny.
One is a man who has used the media and football to perpetuate his lying, thieving and cheating to climb up the business world and the other is the Italian Prime Minister - boom boom.
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Memory lane game. August 1979 Rangers 2 - 2 Celtic.
Picture the scene. You're 2-0 down at Ibrox around the hour mark and Roy Aitken attempts to decapitate Ally Dawson and is sent off. Just not our day, is it ?
WRONG.............
In 84 minutes a wonderful cross by McGrain was headed in by Sneddon, his only ever goal for Celts.
With the huns now panicking like hell Celtic mounted a flurry of attacks and McAdam volleyed in the equalizer on 89 minutes, as Rangers players hammered the turf in anger.
The attendance was only 36,000 as the Celtic end was being rebuilt. Celts had only 3000 tickets in the enclosure and with Rangers fans above them they were spat on and....use your imagination.
The celebrations lasted well into the night. Happy days.
'10 men won the league, tra la la la ............'
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Noel,
you'll burn for that one mate :-)))
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Peatblog-
I,ll burn for a lot less than that......:P
Still HE wasn,t telling any lies........
noel.
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paul, ur teasing us again about fan fan.
plato...''even if we accept he was english'' ....remember boris johnson's (accurate) observation that liverpool likes to wallow in self pity ...well: replace the 'self pity' with 'victimisation' or persecution and you have the celtic fans!!
we are not comfortable being top dogs we want to be the underdog. the majority of celtic fans actually crave persecution.
THAT story was having a go at some overpaid, badly behaved drunks. it was not a persecution of the irish diaspora!!!!
the majority of journalism is lazy but we have to look in the mirror and realise celtic fans are seeing conspiracies where only cock-ups exist!!!!!!!!
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glass half-full 9.08pm-
Dont use my name in vain again.
D O'V.
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This is not rumour or speculation.......it's a question.
WGS is making machinations regards strikers yet we are not linked (however loosly) to any strikers less the KM thing. Does anyone think that Gordon might be holding a candle for the return of the Khing? Now that would put the fear of God into our oposition!!
These are just my ramblings btw nothing but that and for all you neigh sayers out there, "the King is dead, long live the King", well naw hes no, he's only across the water..........hurry home.
Hail Hail
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mcgrory-for arse nal
what utter,utter,utter drivel.
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As i said Paul,they HAVE been wrong before.
Gerry,wouldn't make sense to me either,although i seem to remember some months back on here,someone spoke of the sense it would make if Naka had a good world cup to sell him on at an inflated fee good asset management and all that.
Parkheadcumsalford,it's all hypothetical ...at this time,the world cup hasn't been played yet.
One thing.I would welcome Kevin Thomson to the ranks right now.Good inventive player,with a good engine.
It's great how a new nom de plume pops up when something remotely contentious is said...hello Amuseanemu...or amuse us name!
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Gerry67, spot on “How much advertising space did that story sell?”
We all know that is the media business plan.
John-b, I have it on very good authority that the PL comments were not as quoted.
The comments were reported some time after an earlier interview and there was no attempt to deny or undersell the possibility of moving to the EPL. “Pipedream” was not a quote.
However……….
Here are a couple of points:
Events in Europe have overtaken things in England.
Events in Manchester, Liverpool and Ashton Gate are getting critical (I chose that word carefully).
The plan is maturing.
Put your money on Europe.
AmuseanEmu, spot on.
St Anthony, I remember leaving the house that day in 1979 with 10 minutes of the game left, returning 30 minutes later to my dad in hysterics.
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Paul - What has Ashton Gate got to do with anything ? Isn't that Bristol City's ground ?
Confused !!!
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TheGodfather,
Disagree,
He would get the same in Madrid, Milan and Rome.
When George Graham was Spurs manager what do you think his reception was like at Highbury - he would have got a better reception at Cliftonhill.
Kenny Miller left Rangers because he wasn't good enough! Celtic are re-building a squad that by all accounts are to be competitive in the CL, is Kenny Miller good enough to take Celtic to the next level?
It's totally correct for Celtic supporters to ask the question.
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St A, apologies, my mistake, Ashburton Grove.
There is no Bristol involvement in the grand European plan.
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Noel
you will burn in Hell and rightly so
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Noel I think Mayo's got a point, I reckon you would burn in hell :>)))
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My dear friend, Emusanorphan,
Long time no hear, good to greet ye.
Du Wei.......
Like the Boss says.......
DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING UNTIL The NEWS in QUESTION......
RECEIVES THE OFFICIAL CELTIC IMPRIMATUR!
Simple, Really.....(The WELSH TARGETER)
Naka:
He represents Celtic's Passport to the HEAVENLY Kingdom of Akihito....
This line has been used by a good Scots Friend......
Nakamura will be released by Celtic.....
"only outa the cold dead hand of The Li' Admiral!!"
No, Nein, Non, Nay,Nee,Iie,Nyet and To make myself Poifectly Clear.... NAW!
Naka is here to stay!!
Hail! Hail!
Kojo.
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The reason the Miller story appeareds on Celticfc.net is to give it some credibility and alert the support to the eventuality of an ex-Rangers player joining the club.
I have no problem with the fact that he formerly resided on the Dark Side. My difficulty is that i think he is a tit. A heedless chicken unable to lace Craig Beatties boots!
SB
