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Completely off topic and nothing at all to do with the hoops.
Is Riquelme fit?
and
Why wasnt Sorin playing Saturday?
top ten - do i get a goldfish in a bag
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gr1st?
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NOPE
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Paul67 Great result yesterday!
But you have to make space available for a sublime talent like Nakamura.
Was a strange game, I’m sure they must have had as many chances as us, thought there was only one difference in the teams that was the quality of the players and players like Petrov, Maloney, Keane and Zuraw were LITERALLY different class. Well done Neil Lennon seemed to really enjoy his football yesterday!
Think Zuraw with his runs and clinical finishing' protects the defence, he ran them ragged. It reminded me of the Larsson days (OK LET ME FINISH) when you have stiker that really scares the opposition they concentrate on him giving other players more time and space - Thought Maloney and Lennon's goals were classic examples of that!!
Hail! Hail!
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According to rough translations from Nakamura's website he hasn't been training properly for the past two weeks and he is worried about a potential hernia problem.
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The spell you mentioned Paul when Hartson and Naka carried the team was that when Zuraw was injured?
It seems to me that he will create as many chances for others as for himself.Now he's fit he looks full of running into the right areas at the right speed.
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Paul,
Can't quibble about the result or the quality yesterday. But I share your concern. We need to find space for the likes of Nakmura and defenders who can play the ball out of defense, not just thump the ball up the park or clear their lines.
Someone on the previous thread mentioned the 2-2 game aginst Dundee at Parkhead. I was there. It was the days of the one Celtic player I can't stand:Peter Grant. He and Roy Aitken offered Paul McStay hardly anything apart from heart. Neither should have been allowed to don the shirt in my opinion. Of the 2, big Roy had a modicum of talent. All Peter ever did was shout and point. Usually the game passed him by.
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L8L………..N88L…………….
Y8u h8d first p8st 8nd r8m8v8d it
bigj88
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b8gj8e-
y8o kn8w th8 r8les....
n8el.
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We are now undisputed champions when it comes to SPL records
Most goals in a season: Celtic 105, 2003/04
Most points in one season: Celtic 103, 2001/02
Fewest goals conceded in a season: Celtic 18, 2001/02
Biggest goal difference in a season: Celtic +80, 2003/04
Biggest win: 8-1 Celtic v Dunfermline, 2005/06
Top goalscorer in a season: Henrik Larsson (Celtic) 35, 2000/01
All time SPL top goalscorer: Henrik Larsson (Celtic) 158, 1998-2004
Player with most SPL hat-tricks: Henrik Larsson (Celtic) 12.
Celtic SPL records
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The problem as i see it is that in our wee league the football is not always that open when one of the big two (Bhoys and Jambo's :o)) are involved this gives way to two trains of thought attack is the best form of defence / and defence is the best form of attack i.e. attack..keep them in their 3rd of the pitch and they cant attack you, defend... i.e. keep them in your half and they cant defend the counter attack... as for the naka element in that .... and this may be one for are more far flung posters but does anyone know if the Japanese national left back is any good, how much he'd cost, where he is etc? cause it occurs to me that he'd have had to cope with this for a fair while (unless ofcourse naka plasy inside left for japan). As for naka as aiden has shown attackers can learn how to harass and tackle and do it within a system... unfortunately he could be a Paul Scholes who could tackle a bacon butty... at the moment i think wgs is planning quite the defensive overhaul in the summer so is happy to go with what wins the spl for the mo.... but next season serious preparation should be made for the european formation and if that mean winning 2-0 in the spl then 1-0 away in europe as opposed to 5-0 in spl and gettin duffed away then all the better
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Noel
One more removed post makes it eight.
Pat
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p8t-
d8ne 8t.
:P
n8el.
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what it has done, is force the people who insist on Lennon being dropped, that Keane and Lennon in midfield doesnt mean we wont create chances galore, and would only be able to shut up shop
we have seen the 2 dynamics of this partnership, its effectivess defensively, and in an attacking team.
its not perfect no, but it can and has worked when need be
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Dontbratback
Neil Cameron is a good Celtic lad. I'm sure he went to St Ninians and he was certainly at the pre season friendlies in London a few years ago.
Martybhoy
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Paul, sounding a bit Radio Clydeish there-:)
It is about the squad not just 11 players as per MON. Naka will come back in, probably in place of Maloney who should be next in line for a deserved rest.
As the World Cup is coming up I would imagine WGS will rest players involved as much as possible after the League Cup Final and, hopefully, winning the League ASAP thus enabling these players to be as fresh as possible for next season as it will be a short pre-season.
I would also imagine players who do not have the requisite number of appearances to qualify for a League medal e.g. Thomson & Pearson will also play more.
To this mere mortal this would be a far better way to utilise the squad.
Just watched yesterday's game again and noticed right after Lenny scored Bobo smashed a clearance right into his face. Talk about being brought back down to earth!
Hail Hail
CaltonTongues
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I notice that we also hold the shut out record……………………….
with Big Rab……………… 7 in a row……
that’s 1 short of 8.………………
Funny number that………………8
Bigjoewhoisgoing2thebookiesandputtherenton8
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Great stuff Paul.
I was wating for this article! To win a game 8-1 without our "one true match winner" is fantasic - it makes me think.... is there another match winner in there?
I agree that a potent player like Nakamura is essential in Europe - someone who can play a killer ball and swing a game in one movement. So many team have punished us with a moment of class.
P.S. expect a Rangers announcment after the Villareal tie. Shock horror they are going to announce record profits! Also going to confirm the renaming of the stadium to T-mobile and they are hopeful of announcing Paul Le Guen as well - then they will talk about a revolution. The usual stuff, nothing to worry about.
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Naka is a superb footballing talent and a class playmaker. That can only come to the fore in a balanced team.
We have 2 midfield runners in Stan and Shaun and a midfield holder in Lenny. Roy sits between runers and holders.
It is Roy who has given the current balance by assisting Lenny and allowing S+S to make forward runs easily.
The attacks are currently predicated on wide play or long ball knock down.
If you throw Naka into the midfield that's 5 players. Naka's style needs mobile forwards to be effective. We have one in Magic. We'll have a second in the summer with Miller.
Having a five in the mid needs a solid 3 at the back.
If we can't go to a three then WGS needs to decide whether we're playing the flanks, in which case Naka may lose out, or if we're playing precision passing from the centre in which case one of the other 4 needs to give way.
I can see a good balance with Shaun , Stan, Roy and Naka. I hope we can see this formation soon to see what we get from that.
Roll on winning before the split as that gives WGS 5 practice games to try out various options with impunity.
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Martinob-you forgot to include big Rabs record for shutouts!
It just goes to show that you can prove anything with statistics.
Marty-I'll look out for his reporting in future,and similar examples of unlazy journalism.
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Paul
Naka is a talent that can win games for any team no matter the opposition, but as the last couple of games have shown sometimes a bit of toughness is required in the midfield.
On Friday you thought that Stan should have been rested and Naka brought back in and I must admit I thought you were correct but considering some of the stuff dished out to Stan in the first half I am glad he played. Stan has taken this sort of punishment for years.
Not that I am saying Naka could not have taken the same level of punishment (he usually gets kicked a few times) or that it would be ok for Stan to get injured just that as most on here have said that WGS is picking the team on a game by game basis and putting out the best selection for the job to be done.
There is no doubt that Naka will have benefited from this rest and that from now until the end of the season Celtic will see a fresher player capable of tearing tight defences apart be that as a substitute or from the start.
WGS now has the luxury of being able to put out a midfield of any four from, Keane, Lennon, Naka, Maloney, Thompson and Pearson with Mcgeady due back from injury and youngsters such as Ferry and Lawson now making the bench we are looking very strong in that department.
Pat
Dont forget KEEP CLICKING THE ADS
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dontbrattbackinanger
Yep, I didn't scroll down far enough on the page but it is another SPL record for Celtic. Fair play to big Rab and I dont see Artur beating it this season (maybe next!).
Our Govan rivals are also conspicuous by their absence in any of the categories.
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The whole 'Naka can't defend or tackle' thing is exagerated a bit by our friends in the mainstream media and built on by these supposed supporters who call in (like the ones who say Dublin is garbage before seeing him or slag off Zurawski before he has kicked a ball).
Tackling or tracking back may not be his strongest suit however I would encourage everyone to have another we look at the 3-0 Game at Parkhead vs. Rangers in November and check on who was winning back the ball before helping create the 3 chances.
There is a risk that at best a half truth becomes a full grown 'Celtic crisis' on this one.
St Gris
Good to see you are focused on what matters. I have not idea re Riquelme or Sorin. hopefully both will make it on Wednesday and Villareal continue where they left off on Saturday.
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SUch is youth ....
DUNFERMLINE star Greg Ross is hoping for the chance to repeat his goal heroics against Celtic this weekend.
The last time the sides met back in November, Ross grabbed the only goal of the game at Parkhead to produce one of this season's shock results.
The teenager, who has featured prominently for the Fifers until the past few weeks, is hoping Pars boss Jim Leishman gives him the call when the league leaders arrive at East End Park on Sunday.
Recalling his famous strike, Ross said: "The goal is obviously still imprinted in my memory but we've moved on since then and a lot of players have scored winning goals for us. We are not overawed about facing Celtic, we have confidence in our ability."
Have to disgaree with the earlier poster about Feed the bear and Peter Pointer, true Celts who stayed put during the bad times. The Maestro should have went to Juventus when he had the chance. They may have not been on the same wavelength as him but both are now assistants in the EPL. What´s the Maestro doing these days anyway whatever it is I´m sure he´s doing it with class and panche as he always did.
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St Gris, you are still up there.
Carlton', not quite.
Giz A Huddle, good point about the treatment Petrov took on Sunday - and thanks for your clicks.
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aw naw , he is on RTE very regularly ,
Guys is there a better quality link to the highlights? noels one is banned here as having adult content
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To get a victory at Ibrox & score 8 in the following game without Nakamura in the starting 11 is a major boost. It gives the squad the belief they can get a result even without our top player.
Zurawski is the new McClair
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Nakamura has not been dropped. He has been rested to help him recover from a painful groin injury. He fears a hernia operation now could hamper his chances of playing at the World Cup.
On TV, you could see Strachan pointing to Naka's leg, asking him if he was OK to play. Shunsuke-San nodded, and on he went.
When he's 100% fit he'll be the first name on the teamsheet.
Brilliant to see the difference that Rangers win has made to theteam's confidence. They look so much more relaxed and really looked to be enjoying themselves.
And Zurawski is absolutely deadly at beating offside traps. The only other Celtic player I've seen with that knack was Jorge Cadete.
But I think Magic's a bit less binky-boo than the mad Portuguese striker.
I said at the start of the season that I reckoned Zurawski would be the SPL's top scorer. If he stays fit, he WILL be!
JohnBhoy
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I am now even more convinced the Boruc is not our goalkeeping answer. I have said for months on this blog that he is brutal at crosses into the box from the wide areas. Sunday was another example. The rest of the team were superb. Keanes influence is immense. What a signing Dermot Desmond :-)
Hail, hail.
PS I heard a cracker about who our next manager is going to be, and soon. My mate is a Celtic man who owns a very up market restaurant in Dublin and DD is a regular. Do you want a clue as to who will be involved in the setup. Then look to Vargasshampoo.
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Someone asked for a picture of Hartson's victory salute.........
With pleasure !!!
pablophanque
No.1 This day in History
Memories Are Made Of This - Dean Martin. 1956
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Martinobhoy,
Nice Post.
Could be wrong but do we not have record for consecutive SPL goals as well? Viduka?
Lynchy
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The GOALS
pablophanque
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Bhoy Molloy…………………………….
Come on………………what kind of clue is that….
Vargasshampoo……………………………..
Or have I missed something…probably have……….
joetheconfused
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Celtic just can't win with the Scottish media.
Craig Burley's totally negative analysis of Celtic's magnificent 8-1 victory was typical of Setanta's abysmal coverage and the anti-Celtic agenda that clouds so much coverage of the SPL.
Burley denigrates Celtic's outstanding display by branding the East End Park Park victory as an embarrassment to Scottish football and concentrates on Dunfemline's limitations rather than Celtic's fabulous finishing.
The size of the winning margin is this simpleton's basis for launching a totally unwarranted attack on the SPL and a reason not to give Celtic full credit for an outstanding performance.
A week earlier when Celtic's "sieve-like defence" as Burley, Joke Brown and Hately like to remind us, put up a professional, disciplined performance to shut-up shop and grind out a throughly-deserved victory at Ibrox it suddenly became one of the most sterile and dull Old Firm games of all time.
Burley please read the following Premiership scorelines and then tell me the English Premier League is crap and a total embarrassment:
Man U 9, Ipswich 0
Notts Forest 1, Man U 8
Arsenal 7, Everton 0
Arsenal 7, Middlesbrough 0
Every league in the world has games where one team batters another, but Man U and Arsenal were lavishly praised for their brilliance on the day not told they only won because the oppoistion was mediocre and we certainly didn't have the whole of the English Premier League slaughtered because of a runaway win.
Is it not just a few short months since pundits like Burley were telling us the SPL was the most open in years?
But since Celtic began romping away with the title the twisted men in charge of microphones, cameras and laptops have suddenly done a complete U-turn and now find it embarrassing, boring and predictable.
They are hurting big time and it shows. Keep the humpings coming, WGS and Celtic...
I want to hear Burley, Brown, Hately, Traynor, Keevins etc moaning right until the last day of the season when Celtic take that title back to Parkhead.
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Big Joe
Vargas shampoo last post mentions naka Zuarawski and one ex-celt now involved in coaching.
Does that help with Bhoy malloy's suggestion
kingohwhoisabitbrighterthanbigjoe
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I haven't seen any other comments but seeing as we didn't have a clean sheet the Dunfermline player that crossed the ball back in looks offside to me.
Boruc came out and missed adn the Dunfermline player headed forward. To me it seems that only Wilson was in front of 2 Dunfermline players, one of which came back to cross the ball in.
On another day it could have made a difference. Add that to the certain penalty. Thank goodness these decisions balance themselves out over the season (sic).
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If the huns are going to rename their stadium T-moblie stadium - The T must stand for something (not the obvious t*ts, t*ats etc)
How about -
Tumschie
or
Third
or
Terrible
anymore.......
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Lynchy_83
I think you're right on Mark Viduka because some of the press recently got excited when it looked like Lovenkrands might beat it.
We've also got the SPL record for consecutive victories (25 if I remember correctly) but that isn't on the SPL website either.
When it comes to setting standards we're way out on our own.
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Sean South,
If that was a Chelsea or Man U performance the goals and the rousing plaudits would be all over the TV news and back pages, and if Lampard or Rooney had finished like Maloney it would have been goal of the season by a world class player!
Interesting they announce the Scotland squad after such an emphatic victory and we'll be lucky to have one player at Hampden!
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Craig Dargo scored in his 8th consecitive SPL match on Saturday breaking the previous record.
CaltonTongues
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St-Gris 2.29pm
Trophyless ?
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hate to be a party pooper......but, the only record that counts.... who has won the spl the most times (if we hadnt lost those 2 to big eck would we be in front?)
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magic eurosport's player of the week.
http://www.eurosport.com/football/european-leagues/2005-2006/sport_sto837167.shtml
sorry if its already been posted only done a quick check, anyway that my first ever post here despite beig a long time reader, funny how an 8-1 win can drag you outta the woodwork.
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Bhoy molloy
Not wishing too doubt you but I hadn't heard that WGS was leaving.
Pat
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Kirsty, "They" have won/stolen/been given (delete whichever) it 51 times and we have won it 39.
There's a handy wee link on the right hand side of the blog......... 2 Minute History.
pablophanque
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Paul67, Edward (where r u btw?)Lhads and Lhassies,
I was just thinking about the possible T-mobile deal with Rangers.
It struck me that without champions league football next year T-mobile or whomever may not be so keen to sponsor and certainly not at the amounts of between 100 and 150mil as suggested by those with blue tinted glasses?
Does the whole PleGuen or should that be B-Davies deal hinge on this ?
Edward your thoughts appreciated.
('T' for Teas oot - Mobile)
- Got it and out the door already
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Kirsty
In terms of the SPL when we win it this year it will be 4 wins each for Celtic and Rangers.
However we've never been out of the top 2, something which Rangers may not be able to claim after this season.
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ah...refreshing change in the scottish press today...sometimes i'm glad the press don't start lumping praise on us as I get nervous about them setting us up for a big fall..........
so just are we expepecting guillaume davies to be unveiled as the new Orclord then?
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My dear friend, GIZ A HUDDLE,
Mr. Strachan is on a One YEAR contract.
His tenure is indeed, coming to a close, soon.
However.............
There is a strong possibility that his contract will be renewed.
The above info. is the reason for the IDLE TALK..... which will be surfacing more and more...... as his present contract winds down..
Pay no heed........
It is, as my pal Sir Paul, has been heard to say.........
"Just STEAMIE TALK..... nothing more and nothing less"
Hail! Hail!
Kojo
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martinobhoy..........it should be 6-2........
still makes me sick to think how they took it on goal difference....aaarrrrghhhh!!!!!!!!
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Pablophanque
There is plenty of media speculation that it was not a victory salute BBJ gave the fans at Ibrox but a farewell salute as he is leaving in the summer. Normally I would just blank that kind of speculation but when I think about it - BBJ doesn't normally do victory salutes so maybe it is a farewell. What do you think?
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guillaume davies....classic :)
Good to know we are only a matter of days from the "big announcement."
Tam Cowan's prediction on the big Murray announcement after the Villareal games:
"We're oot."
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Parkheadcumsalford - tho I can see where you are coming from with regards grant - tho i cant agree that he wasnt fit to don the shirt - with regards "The Bear" I think you will be in very small minority.
To suggest Aitken wasnt fit to don the shirt is "in my opinion" scandalous, ludicrous and bewildering. In fact, I reckon he'd maybe have made a great partner for Bobo.
Feed The Bear
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Ohappydaze, I don't think anybody would blame the ghuy for wanting to be near his kids.
He has been a great Celt and having spoken to him on a couple of occassion, a real gent.
He can go with my utmost RESPECT.
pablophanque
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Ohappydaze,
I think it had a lot to do with the greek tradgey being 10 feet away when he gave the salute.
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grant only played for as long cos no other club would sign him. even with the best efforts of his agent. he was NOT good enough. he found his level in the english 2nd division.
aitken WAS a celtic legend.
remember his goal and fist pumping salute which shut the 'billy boys' up?
FEED THE BEAR
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Kojo
According to the official site Gordon is on a one year rolling contract just like Martin O'Neill was so just like the day he signed it he still has a year left.
Strachan to succeed O'Neill
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Sir Paul,
I read your piece concerning your thoughts on Naka and the success that was enjoyed, by the Team, sans he.
Nice piece.... well constructed..... thought provoking...... it is all there...... good writing, pal
My answer..... is that there is no answer!
I claim it was all coincidence.....in which I am a staunch believer~
As you pointed out, a playmaker is a number one priority..... especially against well organized defenses, as one is bound to face, when confronting top class oppo.
Yes, Naka is needed......... no question.....
And right about here, I figure it would be appropriate to drop a VERY STRONG HINT!
If inserting Naka, into the Celtic First team is becoming a bit of a problem.... WELL.....
That problem is about to grow into an EXTRA STRENGTH EXCEDRIN HEADACHE....... when.......
In the GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME, a SPANKING NEW TOP CLASS STRIKER will be procured.
Now ain't that a KICK IN THA "HEAD"( for want of a more Picturesque Term!)
Hail! Hail!
Kojo.
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Sir Paul,
OOOOOOOOOOPS!
Check that, "SPANKING NEW TOP CLASS STRIKER"
Should be, "SPANKING NEW TOP CLASS PLAYMAKER!!"
sorry about that C.B.
Hail! Hail!
Kojo.
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On Reuters now
14:59 20Feb2006 RTRS-Soccer-Rangers raises profit thanks to Champions League run
GLASGOW, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Rangers have increased profit and turnover after reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The Scottish champions said on Monday turnover rose 9.4 million pounds ($16.4 million) in the six months to December 31 to 40.33 million.
Profit, before interest and tax, rose 1.32 million to 6.83 million.
"Our revenue benefited from ... Champions League football, but we have, at the same time, controlled costs so that much of our increased revenue has come through as profit in this six-month period," chairman David Murray said in a statement.
Rangers play Villarreal in the first leg of their knockout Champions League tie on Wednesday.
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Followed my usual ritual when Celtic are televised. The next day or evening depending on work commitments I watch the game again, although this time with the sound turned down ( sad yeah yeah }. No distractions no rubbish spouted by messrs Hateley and Joke Broon.
When the game was at 1-1 Dunfermline had a good spell of about 18-20 minutes. They fought for the ball (at times too much) they harrased, they fouled.
The look on the players faces at Boruc`s antics said it all, wtf are you doing big man.
The Pars are a very physicall side and were up for it an example Burchills reaction when he blatantly went into the back of Keane. Keane took 4 challenges that bemused him somewhat,taking this into account and the treatment dished out to Petrov you can see the way the Pars set out to play the game. Bobo being bobo restored some balance when slam dunking one of their players near the corner flag. But the fouls commited by the Pars which could have should have been booked illustrates they physicall way they try to play against Celtic.
What started the rout was crisp passing and I must say excellent finishing. The Pars had NO anwser to it. Magics goals were magic they were precise one touch and bang angles right etc, in the back of the net. Maloney"s well that is two world class goals the wee man has scored this season, IMO Sunday"s was better than Hamiltons due to the wee man having to realign his body to take the shot, pure brill.
I do not buy into this the Pars were rubbish, the Pars defence was woefull, if you can term it that way it is due to Celtic and the quality we posess that one the day.
Imagine the scycophantic drooling in the papers and media over the next few days if it had been captain pugwash and his crew from the south side who had inflicted such a punishement on Sunday.
Will we get the credit or will it be down to a crap Pars team?.
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Al,
a crap pars team. The only team to beat us at CP this year. The only team to have made it into a cup final this year.
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T Mobile / canal + deal will not be the moonbeam making investment.... that is for sure...
There will be no new money at Ibrox after Villareal.
'Selling the family silver' is the order of the day.
As I am neither a hack nor do I work on phone in shows, nor am I a Rangers chairman. so there is an fair chance that what i have to say might be true.
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On the Naka debate, in the first half of the season the likes of Naka and Maloney seemed to be doing more tracking back and ball-winning. As Paul pointed out at the time (and Burnley 78 in this blog) after the 3-0 against Rangers, it was Naka who won the ball back leading to each of our goals.
I noticed that just after Keane came off yesterday, the Pars had 3 good chances within ten minutes. I was delighted to see the team come back so strongly as it looked like they may have been becoming complacent.
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Lennys weekend goal from Celtic TV freeview link at
http://www.celticfc.net/newsroom/news.aspx?id='2006-02-20_1350jc' hold shift down as you click to open link in new window
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Boruc. Wilson Caldwell Space Space Petrov Keane Space Miller Zur Maloney Paul, I feel Stachan would like to play 4-3-3 with two wide fast men supporting both the midfield and the centre forward. Naka is a wonderful player but a luxury, there would be room in this team if we buy a defensive leftback, however with both fullbacks also likely to attack attack attack I don’t see an obvious starting spot. This team still has three players to sign, unless they are promoted from within.
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My dear friend, Martinobhoy,
I stand corrected.
I was a victim of that deadly ole debble......PRESUMPTION.!
You are indeed accurate in you claim.
I thank you for that important piece of info.
A Rolling Contract is Re-Newable on an ongoing DAILY BASIS!
Sorry about that C.B!!
Hail! Hail!
Kojo.
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Al Obundy
Shaun's goal was better than Jim Hamilton's for the simple reason that Shaun could do it again if he tried.
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Peter Grant had a very long Celtic career and in terms of games played he certainly got the most out of his limited abilities;perhaps his career was prolonged because of the paucity of alternatives at the time.
There is a photo of Mike Conroy in this weeks' view-in terms of talent he was every bit as good as Grant but never played the same amount of games.
To me Big Roy's greatest achievement was winning the league in 85-86 when no one else,apart from Davie Hay,thought Hearts could be caught.The events at Love St were a complete vindication of his efforts.
The board had so little faith they even shut the old Rang### end with several weeks of the season to go so they could'make an early start on ground improvements'
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Welcome Declan, excellent first post, thanks.
Kojo, it is remarkable how quickly Gordon's apparent approval rating has soared.
Talk can be a pain, but results are all that counts.
I got your picturesque term loud and clear. Nothing like "SPANKING NEW TOP CLASS" to answer a few questions.
As for the "playmaker" bit, that is a wee surprise for someone who likes to think he knows a thing or two.
The World Cup is a great opportunity to manage some assets. I wonder...
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Still waiting for the official website to publish a report on our Under-18 side's triumph in Italy, so here's one I made earlier:
CELTIC secured their first trophy of the season on Saturday when an Under-18s side led by Willie McStay won the Coppa Arcobaleno at Manerba on the shores of Lake Garda in Italy.
A goal by Irish midfielder Graham Carey was enough to secure a 1-0 final win over a Sampdoria squad coached by former Juventus and Crystal Palace winger Atillio Lombardo.
Things had looked bleak earlier in the week when the young Celts lost their first match in the group stages 2-1 to Sampdoria, being robbed of a perfectly good equaliser by a poor refereeing decision.
But the young Bhoys hit back by beating Verona 3-0, then a Paul McGowan goal secured a 1-1 draw with Brescia to put the Celts through to Friday's semi-final.
Against Sturm Graz of Austria, Celtic turned on the style to win 3-0, with goals coming from McGowan, Mark Miller and the big Canadian midfielder Jacob Lensky.
Then the following day the Hoops got revenge for that earlier loss by beating the tough-tackling Italians in the final to clinch the prestigious tournament.
Among those in the squad were keepers Paul Skinner and Scott Fox, full backs Paul Caddis, Jason Marr, Dean Richardson and Danny Lafferty, central defenders Ryan McCafferty, Mark Staunton and Paul Hutchinson, midfielders Sean Anderson, Ross Hepburn, Paul Cahillane, Graham Carey and Jacob Lensky plus forwards Mark Miller, Paul McGowan and John McGeoch (my apologies if I've missed out a couple of players.
This victory could prove highly significant for Celtic's youth policy, as it will raise their profile on the continent as well as giving so many young players a taste for winning trophies.
Meanwhile, several members of the Under-19 squad stayed at home to draw 0-0 with a very strong Rangers reserves team last week.
And the remaining Celtic Under-17s were still strong enough to secure a 2-0 away win at Kilmarnock.
With Simon Ferry making the bench for the first team yesterday and Charlie Mulgrew scoring twice for Dundee United while on loan, things are starting to fall into place for the entire strategy laid out by Tommy Burns and enthusiastically adopted by Gordon Strachan.
I predict our triumphant teenagers will get to parade their trophy at Celtic Park in a fortnight.
Before then, the Celtic Under-19s face St Mirren at Parkhead on Friday night in the semi-final of the BP Youth Cup - a repeat of last season's final.
Make no mistake, several of those you will see on the pitch on Friday will soon be turning out there in front of 60,000 fans.
So get along and give the Bhoys a cheer!
celticfcblog
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Are there any New York Tims on here who could recommend a place to stay in the city for St Patrick's day?
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What do the eleven players of this star-studded British Isles eleven have in common?:
Neville Southall (Wales), Gary Kelly (Ireland), Tony Adams (England), David O'Leary (Ireland), Bobby Moore (England),
Peter Beardsley (England), Bryan Robson (England), Bobby charlton (England), Ryan Giggs (Wales), Mark Hughes (Wales), Ian Rush (Wales).
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Kojo,
Very interesting prediction re the top class'Playmaker' arriving in the summer.
Is that a prediction or wishful thinking? Have any names been passed to WGS by his Chief scout Ray Clark,any clues yet?
Do you still think Pierre will be tempted by the 5 - 6 m Pounds and Stan will leave thereby leaving a vacancy. A top European class playmaker would cost that at least incl wages.
I hope Naka stays as he has a lot more to give and CL nights at Parkhead and in Europes finest capitals are surely the stage of dreams for this little wizard.
I don't believe he is a luxury and I feel that WGS is definitely of the same opinion.
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sean south-did they all have testimonials against the Hoops?
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Sean South
Celtic played in their testimonials ?
