Islam Feruz challenge to Celtic coaches

nobody up yet?

Sounds good to me.

first

third

dohhh

top 5?

Paul:

You seem to be conspicuous by your absence over the last 3 days, rarely logging on, post a few times to ask:

Have you managed to get any vibes about our activity in the transfer market?

I note your post yesterday about how business is done late in the window. Whilst I don't agree with this policy I accept that this is what will happen.

Any news on Fortune?

Fletcher? I'm led to believe that he is a definite target!

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

The bhoy looks to be the kind of player we should make an extra effort in making sure he makes it.

Only 14 and we have been hearing about him for a while.

Hope he doesnt end up going down the road of that wee fella that Rangers and their media were making a big deal about last season, cant remember his name.

Paul, you've probably been asked this before, but who's most likely to step up from the reserves this year?

I think Koki must have a decent chance, and hopefully Hutchinson at least gets a chance to show what he can do?

the wee man is apparently well aware of his own ability. Hope we can keep him, and keep his head out the clouds. He can walk away for free until he's 16, is that right? I have been told by one of the coaches he has plenty of suitors, and he knows it.

Paul67,

Have you taken a list og the experinced Bosmans out there? Sol Campbell, Oliver Dacourt, Hernan Crespo to name a few. Don't want to post all the list. Do you not think that maybe we should be looking at this market to amybe supplement some of our younger players that will be plying their trade in the next year, and help them along?

Keep the pressure off the Bhoy , he's a young teenager but they should let him be a teenager first before heaping enormous pressure on the lad.

He is nothing as of yet. The right attitude must be instilled in this lad whilst under the coaches protection or else we'll loose him to the bright lights of fantasy in england.

I was in Rome during the Tommy Burns tribute (still can't get over the fact Naylor scored a hattrick - am I right in saying that or was I extremely drunk when reading that?) how long did Feruz play and was he any good? There was a youth game on Celtic TV where we got horsed by a much more athletic Rangers team and he didn't look that great. Not sure which age group it was though.

Is there any news on the Caldwell contract situation? I'd hate to see him leave but if he isn't going to sign then we should punt him right now while we can still demand a decent fee.

Still think £6m is great "asset management" for McDonald.

Everyone seems fairly certain that we'll be playing some form of 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 next season. If it's going to work surely we need an athletic, hard tackling, defensive midfielder who can play a bit. I think this is why so many are advocating that we go after an African player as, although maybe a bit of a stereotype, physically they fit this profile. Personally I think Crosas could flourish in a 4-2-3-1 with plenty of targets in front of him to thread passes to, while 3 of McGeady, Maloney, Samaras, McCourt, Mizuno and Brown (or others) would enjoy playing further up the pitch and closer together.

The players we have throughout the squad are more suited to this formation which makes me wonder why we stuck with a rigid 4-4-2 for so long. We have an abundance of attacking midfielders while Maloney and Samaras are probably best suited to a secondary striker role. There isn't really a traditional winger at the club, even McGeady would prefer to play in a more central role which makes a 4-4-2 seem a forced choice.

However, what we do lack is a lot of bite and we're going to need someone with the engine of Brown and the intensity of Keane to really get the best from this system. For it to work we're going to need two good attacking fullbacks (Hinkel will do on the right although I think the jury is still out a bit with him) so IMO an attack-minded left-back and a dominating midfielder should be top priority.

A quality striker would be nice but unless we pull a Larsson out of the hat can we really afford one?

It seems the McDonal link to Hull is indeed another media myth...as Phil Brown dismissed the link!

However, whether it be from Hull or any other team,, £6,000,000 for Skippy, it is a no brainer, cut their hands off and run!

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

Kev

Kids are only permitted to be registered for one season at a time. The clubs try to ensure that there is no gap between one registration expiring and the following season's being filed.

Kids cannot move intra-season without compensation being paid, which is standardised at £3000 per season coached. If their reg is expired though, they walk for free. See Aberdeen's recent complaints Vs Rangers in this respect.

Fundamentally, if the kid wants to leave he can do so at the end of the season when his registration expires. Fair enough.

Interestingly, Celtic have another ethnic kid completing under 12 level just now; Qassim Mohamed. He is a big big boy. About 5'8" at the moment, which on standard growth curves is off the chart.

The interesting thing being that unlike most big boys, he is actually a very skillful player, in addition to being physically dominating.

Paul67

Is this your way of telling us we are not in the buying market?

Malone, we were previously linked with Michael Bradley and I think he could do the midfield role you speak of, unfortunately we may have missed the boat again as his stock will be high after the Conf cup. Though, I think we bought Naka after he impressed in Conf cup 4 years ago? Could be wrong on that one.

I'm sure I saw young Islam at ferguslie sports centre playing for Celtic against St Mirren a couple of years, mature byond his years, he had the St Mirren support adamant he was over age!! Physical presence and composure, great combintion.

BlantyreKev

I seen his Bebo page a year ago and there was talk on it of him going to Man Utd. Also seemed like he was in with a bad lot, plenty of gang talk going about. Hope his head is screwed on and he shows loyalty to the club but you never know with young'uns these days.

Moonbeams wet dream on June 27, 2009 11:08 AM

"Again apologies for any mis-understanding and I have learned my lesson (once again) regarding shooting from the hip.

MWD"

not a problem, no damage done.....

ThisLand, sorry if I’ve missed you, it’s been a busy month.

The news is.... there is no real news. Interest is being reported in Fortune because of Peter Grant’s press conference, reports about Fletcher are based on our bid in January (when Tony Mowbray was also interested).

Celtic are not ready to commit yet, both the above names will appear on a list but so will many others.

Specialbhoy, I’m hopeless at predicting who will step up but I am beginning to doubt that Koki of Hutch will make the grade. Both have been hovering around without making key progress for a while.

WGS, I am sure we will be looking at Bosmans among others.

Voguepunter, can I not talk about a youth player, who the official site discussed yesterday, without someone looking for a subplot?

Don’t be silly.

I'm all for supporting youth and seeing more talent coming through, but the 1st team is what concerns me more.......this young lad may well make it but 4 years till he's sniffing the 1st team is a long long time in a young players development.....

there is a long, long, long way to go in this transfer craziness so no panic from me, but the perceived inability to close out a transfer deal, due to our targets also being those of EPL neighbours means we're on a loser from the outset, SPL seems to have become almost unsellable to potential new players.

Plenty have said on this here excellent blog that maybe it is time we simply stopped wasting our transfer time on guys like Fortune who are already being bid upon by EPL clubs and look to Scandinavia or eastern europe for our fresh talent.

Paul67

Aye awe right,dont shout at me :0(

Paul:

Cheers!

Regarding the abusive posts a couple of days ago...you gave me some advice when I started posting, it was...don't give into the bullies. Glad to see you practice what you preach!

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2009/06/four-keys-to-stopping-spain.html

i see gabrielle marcotti has been reading walter smiths tactical playbook

vogue punter

you have just been told off:)))))

hail hail

Paul67

If Islam Feruz, or any other talented youngster, progresses towards being a top class footballer at Celtic, it will be a minor miracle. The youth structure, at Celtic, or pretty much any other SPL works against footballing development not for it. Celtic, and other clubs, refuse to allow their youth players to play for their school teams, to the detriment of not only schools football in general, but football development in particular. Aiden McGeady, is an exception to the rule, he developed as a young player despite the system, not because of it. Paul McStay played for Scotland at schools level, Michael Owen likewise played for England as a schoolboy, including against Scotland. The system we have now places young players in a cocoon, tells them they are better than they are and rarely, as recent history shows, allows the player to develop to a higher level.

MWD - At least barcabhoy didn't resort to calling you a "Buckie drinking neanderthal" which is what I got from a certain other veteran of CQN for the same crime, ie misunderstanding one of his posts.

Tom McLaughlin

Do you drink buckie? :0)

Celtic Mac @11.46

This is not the case any more. I work with a guy who's nephew plays for the bhoys club and his school.

Also, first post on your blog Paul. Have enjoyed reading your site for a while, but never bothered registering.

However, I wont be going for that 'podium' carry on. Not cool.

Keep up the good work though.

Tom McLaughlin

You are safe, it was Keith Jackson that branded you a "Buckie drinking neanderthal" ;^)

EN

Tom,

to be fair, as you are from Forgewood, it was a good guess by our esteemed colleague from The Fatherland :-)

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Celtic Mac - There is a very good reason why Celtic shcoolboy signings are not allowed to play for their school team. It was stopped a few years ago because there were too many instances of Celtic players being targetted for abuse, both on and off the park. Sectarian abuse was rife from the sidelines and there always seemed to be at least one player in the opposition whose sole aim was to cripple the Fenian B, egged on by the morons looking on, some of whom were only there to abuse the "Taig".

WGS .... sorry mate but Crespo unfortunately is no longer a Bosman.
snapped up by Genoa.

SFFS

To all those who posted kind comments about my post at 5.23pm on the last thread.
Thank you.

My cab was waiting as i was typing the post ,so this is the first chance i have had to read back.

On Islam Feruz

The young guy looks that it older than 14, with the right coaching it would be good to see him getting a chance

Moonbeams wet dream,

Thanks for taking time out to organise the cycle

Tyres and me are all pumped up for it now, training regime starts today

Hail HAil

Mouldy67

About Michael Owen, no way will happent he would cost too much in wages! That apart, he is too injury prone!

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

Kojo

We are very much of a like mind regarding Janko.

Burst the bank.

He will be a revelation in the SPl and after a couple of sensational seasons(maybe even one)we could sell him on at a nice profit.

Burst the Banko for Janko.

Get this fella a squad number, make sure he has 'islam' on the back instead of 'feruz' and can you begin to imagine the amount of new fans it would generate it the muslim parts of the world? And the shirts it would sell, ay carumba! Or is that a can of worms too far??
Mind you he does look about 18 easy! Reminds me of the Saudi under16 (I think) who were all 6 foot with beards who beat the Scotland 4 foot nothing weans in (again, I think?)under 16 world cup at Pittodrie a few years ago.

voguepunter - I can't get Buckie over here and can honestly say I never did drink it, or at least not that I can remember.

TTT - I left Forgewood at a young age, and the nearest I got to Buckie then was getting stuck into the chapel wine as an altar boy after mass while Father Winning was outside talking to his flock.

Can I go to hell for that?

Paul67,

I'll give you Ben, but Koki i think will hit the ground this season. Big pre season for him. Expecting him to make the breakthrough under TM.

Just logged on to Islam's Bebo site this is what he has to say...

"Me, Myself, and I
IZZY IS WHAT THEY CALL ME (:

MANCHESTER UNITED,BEST TEAM ALIVE

3 WORDS > JUST-DO-IT
FOOTBALL..
FoOtBaLl Is ThE GaMe...PlAY FoR CeLtIc ...CaPtAiN FoR ThE HOOPS........
MaN UtD Is ThE DReAM TeAm.........

MAN UTD
WHAT CAN I SAY..THERE SIMPLY THE BEST, NO DOUGHT BOUT DAT..."
--------------------------------------------------------

What's to say that Fergie hasn't checked the Islam out?
Remember Liam Millar?

Well his girly friends (He's got loads) are in love with him (heartburn me thinks) though they call him
"Abubakar Moughal Isllam"

Oh and he's got a great Manure badge on the site as well
(Simply the Best...?)

Voguepunter, Tom McLaughlin,

When young around the 16/17 years age, only tried buckfast once and just did not like it

However, a few years later around the time when we were playing at Hampden, we used to frequent the brazen head, got hooked up with a couple of mates from Dublin,

So one night after a game we are back at the brazen...

Can recall one night, one of the guys said "do me a favour and get me two pint tumblers with ice", Anyway gets the two jars with the ice, next min the bold bhoy pulls a large bottle of buckie out of his duke and pours the said bottle into the two glasses in the middle of the pub.

What a laugh, the best of it, it was actually all ok with the ice, probably helped with X pints i had as well

So there is my buckie story

Hail Hail

Mouldy67

TinyTim - Just saw your post. What a fantastic story. Pity Billy and I weren't there to wet your daughter's head. Only joking!

I was living in London when my first son was born on a Saturday afternoon in March 1981. I phoned home to give my parents the news and my father answered the phone.

The conversation went like this:

Me - Dad, it's me, Thomas. We've just had a baby boy.

Dad - Celtic won 5-0.

I kid you not.

Tom McLaughlin 12.17

Thank's,your own story isn't a bad one either.

My dad wasn't into fitba.

I took him to a couple of l matches when he was in his sixties.He only went because he knew it was important to me.I look back the time we spent at the matches with very fond memories.Celtic weren't in his heart,i was .

I miss both my parents every day.

As a teenager growing up in the "swinging " sixties...our Buckie equivalent was " Lanliq " wine or The Lanny to give it it's proper name.As I was trying hard to be a footballer at this time , I didn't drink too much..but I tried the the Lanny on a few occasions
and it wasn't half bad !!Anyone remember the Lanny and any other alternatives? ( Four Crown..was that one?).
Hail Hail

Tom McLaughlin12.17

Celtic beat St Mirren 7-0 on 14/03/81.

Was that the match?

EN & TT from previous thread, next door to Hamilton pictures, I'm
sure it was the classy hangout known as Park Lane.

TT

I went back and read your post, iknow what you mean about your wee one...

Sandy Nista

3D's was another classy joint... o)

I remember the small ad at the top right hand corner of the "Evening Times"

It's good. It's strong. It's Lanliq.

Sadly overtaken as the drink of choice of winos in the 1970s by Belair and milk.

Those were the days my friends ....

Sandy Nista,

That was the very beastie! I only went there once and that was enough :-)

Cheers
HAIL! HAIL!
Token

BT,

you been on the course much?
I need to get out once this week just to get some much needed practice under my belt.

Played only twice this year, first time was reasonable and 2nd time at outing the end of May was shocking even by my poor standards!

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

3D's bejesus, scariest bouncers on the planet, getting sweaty palms at the thought of getting a grilling from them (think I was about 16 with fake id at the time mind you)

By mouldy67 on June 27, 2009 12:14 PM

Mouldy

Senatogen predated The Buckie, so I really wonder what kind of neanderthal that makes me. But my initiation in the arms of Bacchus featured a bottle of Woodpecker Cider and a Penny Carmel and ever since I was always wary of Penny Carmels.
Hail Hail

BT

I'm looking forward to Friday.I see that your Da and CG are playing with Celticlover.

I guarantee you they have the time of their lives.The man is a pure gent ,and has a truly wonderfull sense of humour.A very funny man.

A couple of the ghuys that are coming with me are really looking forward to meeting your da.

Make sure you come over for a chat.

I believe that children are our future.

The ex Stockport manager Jim Gannon has been offered and verbally accepted the ML1 huns job, according to Sky Sports News..Don't know anything about this guy.

BT

Tom McLaughlin June 27, 2009 11:47 AM

Awe poor wee you Tom :-)

It wasn´t a case of you misunderstanding my posts. I reckon thats going to happen often with you having witnessed your take on CQN´s server problems yesterday. Thanks for the laugh good btw. It was more the fact that you bare faced lied about what I said as you have already accepted it was your misunderstanding. When given the opportunity to apologise. You didn´t. Similar to Glasgow Rangers FC and their no protestant signing policy. So it wasn´t really me name calling, it was I still feel an accurate reflection of your uncivilised behaviour. I dont blame you I blame your Mum and Dad.

DraggedupnotBroughtupCSC

Tiny Tim:12:24

My Dad was a St. Mirren supporter all his life ( he believed in supporting your local team )although we suspected he was a "tim" deep in his heart.
In the mid 70's Bayern Munich played Saint-Etienne in Glasgow and my brother Jim ( may he rest in peace)got tickets for my Dad , my brother Robert and me to go see the game together.I was left to make the arrangements and when I told my Dad he said ....
"Who's playing son"?
"Bayern Munich and Saint-Etiene " I replied.
"Are Bayern a German team " he asked.
"Yes Dad , they are". I replied.
"Sorry son...I saw enough Germans during the war to last me a lifetime ..you'll need to get someone else to go"!!
It's the only time I remember him " having a problem" with something like this!!
Like you I also think of my parents every day...
Hail Hail

Sandy,

hows Nicaragua these days then? :-)

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

TT

only played twice this year, last time about 6 weeks ago, oldtim told me the first was a par 3 and the second was over the water, I will need to bring some extra golf balls.. ;O)..he also told me that celticlover was a member so he will show them around the course...

looking forward to a good day...

doonhame del,

Regarding the U-16 World Cup. We played the Saudi's in the final at Hampden in front of 50,000. I was one of the crowd. A great effort against the old men from Arabia. Brian O'Neil was the standout for Scotland in the tournament playing in central midfield.

Harry fathersham,

Yes I recall having a wee go at the Woodpecker Cider, that was actually tasty

My first recollection was taking the sneaky sip out old man's tankered of the Tennants, back in the days when the lovelies where on the cans, must have been 7/8 at the time.

But seriously, must have been around 15 when we had a wee go at trying the lager, first recall it was sharing the cans of Super T

When you look back, some of the scenarios where funny,best thing that every happened to me was getting caught around the 16.5 age mark, then it was kind above board after that

Paul

By Celtic Mac on June 27, 2009 11:46 AM

Until the teachers' work to rule in the mid '80s, school football was the de facto football development system. Kids on 'S Forms' with senior clubs would train with the club, but play for the school.

In many respects, the demise of the talent pipeline through the '90s can be traced to this event, with schools football being replaced by a plague of shamateur boys clubs.

As far as this goes, I agree with you. However it is a historical perspective, and not one grounded in the present day.

Elite youth football in Scotland is in a very different place now. The SPL clubs, together with 2 or 3 of the top 1st division teams, work to and are assessed against a rigourous process, adapted from the Dutch model.

The SPL Pro-youth league comprises 14 teams, each with a registered squad of 16 players (excepting under 11 where they have 22). The SFL clubs have their own 'Development League' that commences formally at under 13, with 2 or more years of coaching prior to that.

At age 12, there are some 10,000 male kids playing organised football in Scotland, about one third of the population. Only 220 of them are playing SPL pro-youth - 2% of those playing. This becomes 1% at under 17, 0.5% at under 21, and damn few at senior level. The network to identify them is extensive, and the programmes employed to develop them are class leading. Scouting starts at age 7, and reaches a peak of activity at age 10. Boys in the system from age 8 work on technique, game situations, technique, physical conditioning, technique, nutrition, technique, sports science.

I'm not for a moment suggesting that the process cannot be improved, of course it can, must and will be, but it is a generational improvement on what was there even 10 years ago, both in terms of the development of the players and the education and experience of the coaches.

It will be another 10 years before we see the true benefits, although some kids are now starting to make their way into the senior squads.

Clubs are not permitted to prevent kids from playing for their schools, but many kids choose not to on the grounds of the sheer time committed to football already and the inevitable clash of fixtures. Kids in the system train a minimum of 3 x 2 hours per week at age 11, rising to 5 as they get towards age 16. Fixtures are played at weekends.

The difference in standard between SPL 'pro-youth' level, and schools football is about 3 years development. That is, a typical pro-youth team at under 12 will beat the better school teams at under 14. That in itself is not a definitive measure as the physical advantage the older boys have masks to some extent the gulf in ability.

There is no developmental benefit in pro-youth players playing for their schools, or even their districts. The gulf in standards, both technical and coaching, is huge.

To suggest that it is the absence of schools football which is inhibiting the development of these players is, politely, incorrect.

Best,

TBB

Mouldy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zwwqEm5YhQ&feature=related

A N N A O A N

Very good, I used to drink the big bottles of Bulmers when I used to go over to Dublin every 4/5 weeks a few years ago,

Absolutely Magic

Hail Hail

Mouldy67

Tim Bucktwo.

If only they new.Maybe they do?

4 thousand Orangies walking in Kirkcaldy so a day in front of MTV and posting on CQN.

Watching MJ as a child singing and dancing with the Jackson 5.
,
I don't know what went on in his personal life,but as a performer,the boy and man,were magical.

Tiny Tim:
Would love to think so...
Hail hail

BT

First 2 are par 3s. Wee 7 iron on 1, maybe a 6 on two. The water is lovely looking from the 2nd tee, but it's the trees that'll get you long before the water is an issue.

Its a cracking wee course, with some terrific holes of golf. Don't be fooled by the length, there are dragons all over the place.

One final word of warning; Celticlover is a self proclaimed bent bookie. If you want to play off 18, he'll knock at least 4 off your 'cap.

TBB

I have no chance of winning unless taggysboy hands out the booby pize...

Will need to clean the clubs and sharpen the spikes...

Everyone,

Nothing to do with tic so pass by

Mouldy67,

Appfelwein (apple wine) which is an apple based drink is actually the most popular drink in the region of Hessen in Germany. 180 years ago Hessen was famous for its white wines introduced to the region by the Romans. Unfortunately massive climate changes in the region (i.e it got steadily much colder) meant that the grape harvest decreased sharply in quantity and quality.

They had to provide an alternative and all their efforts went into apple production. Over the years many incentives were given to farmers and tradesman to bolster this fledgling industry. Today it is massive.

There are still many "Lokals" Pub-restaurants that make and produce their own applewein. Even today it is 50% cheaper than most beers due to local tax legislation and can be consumed by anyone over the age of 15 as it is normally only 3.5% proof. It is characteristically sour in taste not sweet but you can ask for it Süss (sweet) and they will put water in it making it less sour.

I can heartily recommend it but I only drink it myself when the sun is shining. I also prefer it sweet as it tends to have a laxative effect on me if I drink too much of it without the water in it. Sorry for that last fact but nobody told me this when introduced to it and I got caught short. I wouldn´t want the same thing to happen to you.

Hail Hail

appleweinweaklingCSC

BT,

yep Oldtim is of course correct as you would expect from the venerable old bhoy :-)

1st is an elevated tee (right at the back of the clubhouse with the big windaes lookin right down on you.....nae pressure!) down to a green next to the water if I remember correctly. neat Par 3, but I was too busy trembling with nerves to really enjoy/remember it clearly! In fact I think I almost landed amongst the 3 guys in front of us as they were heading up to the 2nd tee!!!

The 2nd I think you need to hit across a wee inlet to the green, although it may be possible to play safe, but need more shots of course.

On the whole is it a nice course, quite short yardage wise, but some great views across the Forth. Lovely course. It'll be great but if the weather is again kind to us, it will be fantastic!

Look forward to having a blether and a drink with you my friend.

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Leabrannagh

I don't particularly like Bradley as a player, don't think he is particularly skilful but did hear the commentator mention he had covered more ground than any other player in the tournament. Saying that, we did hear similar about Nakamura from Strachan every few weeks.

TTT,

My home phone landed in a bucket of water last week.
can you email me you FIL's home Telephone number ?

I´d like to call him tomorrow for along chat. Don't tell him this in case he has other plans and my Svengali like memory gives up on me.

Thanks

Tom McLaughlin

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure but I don't think I've ever met you. I left Larkhall for Gourock when I was about ten.

My post was all about nosiness, pure and simple. But I did remember the letter because it was so literate and so quirky.

just catching up with the specials at Glastonbury..brings back the memories...fantastic...

A N N A O A N

Thanks very much for the tip on the apple wine,

I have decided to park up the cider binges, as mixed with vodka and red bull i tend to get carried away with myself.

I found myself a new tipple, over and above pints and bottles of lager beer

I have found myself liking the Rose Wines,very tasty, get grief of some people as they say it is girly, who cares

The one I am into just now is called Isla Negra, and is South American Rose, if I can get it for 4 pound odds I am happy or now and again ASDA do it it three for a tenner. Absolute dream at that price.

Then it is a big bonus as some of the local corner shops try to sell it for 8 pound a bottle

If I cannot get that usually opt for the three for a tenner deals and take my chances, sore heads next morning, couple of paracetamol

Hail Hail

Mouldy67

I think part of the problem with the coaching staff 'failing' to bring on our young stars is that basically, there have not been very many really good young players.
McGrain, Dalglsih, Hay and the rest of the quality street kids were always going to be star footballers wherever they went. Would they have been any better now given that we have state of the art facilities, coaching methods and dietary support? They may have been fitter, faster and stronger but the one thing that would have made them stars is their innate ability.

I don't know why Scotland has not been producing players of that standard since the 70'a and 80's but it isn't exclusive to Celtic.

I believe that less is more when it comes to training young players. get them fit, give them good advice about nutrition and lifestyle, teach them the basics of tactics and good team structures, what to do when opponents have the ball and then GIVE THEM A JERSEY AND A BALL AND LET THEM PLAY.

Perhaps we are over coaching them? Perhaps they lose an edge of spontaneity after 10 or 12 years of constant caoching and being told to mark their man, keep their shape and all that. We need to let youngsters play. Perhaps then we might see the next mcgrain, dalglish or Murdoch.

Mouldy67

A nice fresh crisp white zinflandel is very girly.

Alas i too like it.I like it a lot.

TTT, you know, the usual, police still on my back but you can't beat the career opportunities :)

if people are being nostalgic about the cheap wine of their youth then you can't beat that Friday night feeling of drinking Eldorado under the Gourock peir then trying to get into Janeys covered in seaweed stains

BT,
I'm looking forward to playing with you on Friday but, after this morning's performance in my club's monthly medal, you'll be under no pressure whatsoever. Is OT caddying for you or will he be carrying the cans?
LFT

Tiny Tim:
On the subject of MJ....
One of my best mates at school was Chris Tervit. His family moved to Glasgow, however, in the 60's ... and we lost touch....
In 1992 I was reading Billy Sloan's column , where he had interviewed MJ's tour manager, prior to the forthcoming concert in Glasgow Green. I wrote to Billy and asked him if he could put me in touch with the Tour manager?? Sorry, don't know where he is...was the reply....but he would be coming to Glasgow Green to take charge of the stage production etc. he reminded me.
On the Thursday ( day before concert) I went along to the Green at lunch-time and asked the security guard if I could see the Tour Manager? "He doesn't arrive until to-morrow, chief" was his reply.
"Could you give him my business card and ask him to 'phone me please" I enquired , handing it over. I walked away convinced that the guy would chuck it in the bin.
Next day at work at 11:00am my 'phone rang...
"Hello John speaking " I said
"Hello John it's Chris Tervit speaking....how the hell did this come about"?
Long story short...I went back along to the Green..met my mate after more than thirty years..we had lunch and some beers...he showed me all around the set..and gave me six tickets !!His story was quite remarkable and you can read the full transcript in my book when it gets published !!
Thought that might take your mind off the walking dead in Kirkcaldy.
Hail hail

Tiny Tim,

Yes I also Like the white zinfandel, as it is the only one I can recall what is in it, but yes that is very good also, usually pick them up three for a tenner.

Read your story last night, absolutely superb

Hope you are doing well, I wont make along Friday, but hope you enjoy yourself like last year

Hail Hail

Mouldy67

Awe-Naw

You have Mail!

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

mouldy67,

Keep your eyes peeled in Aldi for Macedonian Rose. I´m not kidding you on when I say its normally pretty good quality for a Rose. I am not talking as an expert but I have no reservations about putting it on the table when I have guests round for dinner.

Hail Hail

robertressell

I think that there just aren't enough kids playing the game.

I am looking out my window there are no kids in the street out playing.None.

they are inside watching TV and playing with computers(like us).

In my era there would have been boys on EVERY street out playing Fitba,.

The gene pool is much smaller therefore ,there are fewer coming through the system.

By ValeBhoy on June 27, 2009 9:43 AM
As a FP of St. Pat's, Dumbarton, congratulations to Stevie Woods for getting a top job at Celtic.

I fully concur Stevie is a good lad and a highly rated coach.

Hail Hail

LFT

I asked him if he wanted me to hire a cart for him to drive around in, he could be like the ryder cup captain, roving around the course checking up on everyones progress...o;)

it will be nice to meet you when we are both sober,

BT

greenyin:1:26

Eldorado....that's the one I couldn't remember....thank you.
Hail Hail

BTW

Popped into JJB Sports East Kilbride last sunday. Incredible. There's virtually no stock. Previously, there was about 5 metres of wall for Rangers merchandise. Now? Hee-haw.

Seems they can't afford to buy the stock.

Awe Naw No Annoni Oan Anaw Noo

I usually get confused when I go to ALDI due to the amount of choice, I must look out for that when I pop in there with the wife next.

I am going to dream about the wine now and set my sights on that for later,

I now need to get my big arse out onto the bike and get the training regime started for the Cycle for Kano

Enjoy the rest of your day

Mouldywhoiswellmotivatednow

Hail Hail

Mouldy67

Mouldy67

I was on the white zinflandel last year and will be again on Friday.I'll think of you as i have my first sip.

Apologies if this has been posted before, but I saw it for the first time today and thought it worth sharing this amazing 360 degree image of the tributes of scarves and shirts people left at Celtic Park in honour of Tommy Burns:

http://www.vrmag.org/issue31/Farewell_to_Tommy_Burns.html

TT - I think that is part of the problem certainly. I encourage my own son to get out and play and I was of the generation where you spent the summer holidays engaged in endless kick abouts, keepy uppy, penalty kicks, headers and volleys, 3 and in - all to suit the number of guys that were about at any given time.

My own father blames it all on the cheap and easy availabilty of decent quality footballs. In his day it was tennis balls. Must have been a dream to get a proper ball at your feet after learning to control a tennis ball. Some of his brothers spent their school lunch times playing such games with the young Bobby Murdoch. Perhaps there is something in it.

Let the youngsters play and don't molly coddle them - i think that is the key.

of tack a bit here,will be in central london on the sunday for the wembley cup,about 10am can anyone know a place we can get a pint,cheers in advance

Here, quit all that talk of drink. I am in bad shape today. And it was a girls drink that did it- Gin and Tonic. La de da!!!

see you all laters.

chachacha - are you getting in to Euston? I think the London no1 CSC used to meet in a pub close by. Sorry I can't remember the name, As I recall you come out of Euston and turn left. Down there somewhere.

What a pathetic attempt by me. I am sure someone will enlighten you further.

All the best.

Back to the lead article.

I can't allow myself to get excited by the prospect of Islam Feruz.

I don't think we will ever see him in the Celtic first team as, either he will fizzle out as a youth player, or, more likely, as soon as he is old enough, he will fly the nest.

If the remarks posted on his Beboface, or whatever, are in any way accurate, he doesn't appear to give Celtic much of a mention.

I suspect his head is already turned and Celtic is merely a means to an end- and a passport.

Hope I'm wrong.

In Greenock in the sixties there were generally 4 wines of choice.
Lanliq (lanny), ElDorado (Eldee), Four Crown and Emva Cream Sherry, all tasted disgusting until you had a couple of swigs out of the bottle.
I now live in Stonehaven and am amazed to see some of these "wines" on sale in North East off sales for about the same price as a bottle of Chablis.

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

YEE-HAH!

Liberation Day +1!

Just dropped in for a ninute after sobering up. Got to go now but in the words of General McArthur - or was it big Arnie?, I'll be back!

Hail! Hail!

Still Standing.., pertinent to your postings @ 1.11 A.M. and
1.29.A.M... which are referred to, herein.

jist in frae the jiggin'

Before, I commence in penning my main dialogue..Nota Bene...
I left the premises AFTER, my submission @ 12.34. A,M.

I read, for the foist time,this morning... yer less than mannerly requests fur a reply from my guid self.

I was not pleased at the tone you inserted in the contexts,especially, the woid you used in the 1.11 A.M. request that you made,pal.. not pleased at all.

That woid which you used to describe my attempts to indulge in a sensible and positively FRIENDLY discourse with yourself, is not one that I find would be conducive to the furtherance of open and honest discussion.

Therefore,Please be informed that any further communication between you and I ... owing, to your truculent and abrasive attitude toward my good self,which is patently conveyed in your 1.11. A.M. request...has been rendered impossible.

see yooz all later...

hail hail...

BT

patsean: 1:54

You, sir , were obviously a connisseur of fine wines. You've brought the "Famous Four" back to my mind. (I remembered Lanny and Four Crown ).
I was once told that a cure for the 'flu was to boil Lanny in a pot
then drink it while it was hot. This I duly did....and nearly died!! Honest ....it was bowfin' !! Happy days...
Hail hail

thomthethim - Agreed. There is a lot of wishful thinking going on about this boy. If he makes it, brilliant. Let's see where he is in 5 years time.

Tim Bucktwo
Yes, happy days indeed.

Patsean :- You Greenock kids must have been softies. In Ayrshire real eejits drank Scorsmac, a mix of whisky and wine made in Largs :-)

EdwardUrsus: 2:04

Did you mean Scotsmac? And what years apply? We're talking early 60's here!!

The above mentioned drink was of course Scotsmac

Paul67,

This young boy is indeed a challenge for our coaching staff and they have done very well, thus far, simply keeping him at the club.

However, that has only been achieved by bending over backwards to accommodate him and tolerate behaviour which wouldn't be tolerated from anyone else.

His potential is beyond doubt but his attitude toward Celtic is questionable, at best. He shows no gratitude toward the club for all they've done for him (and his family). That said, he is only a young boy and has never been accompanied by any family member to any games/training etc in the time he's been at the club, so there's no parental influence there to curtail his prima donna behaviour.

He does now integrate a bit more with his team mates, so some progress is evident. A lot of work still to be done and he certainly looks worth the investment. Whether he ever appreciates that or not is another matter.

Chachacha

I'm pretty sure the London No. 1 CSC meets in the Cock Tavern, 23 Phoenix Road, Somerstown (left hand side of staton), which is only minutes from Euston Station. Phone number is 020 7378 1884. It's in a tough working class area but quite safe and very friendly - at least it was when I was a young visiting officer for the DSS there some 20 years ago!

Robert Tressell@1-23pm
The modern era computer games and Scottish weather have all contributed to the decline of youngster's skill and enthusiasm for football.
Coupled with a total lack of organisation and investment at the grass roots level.
Overcoaching is another problem but in the modern game flair is a rare commodity.
I don't think it's coincidental that the poorer countries like Brazil and some of the eastern Europeans are still producing more skillful players.All you need is a ball,space and willing participants.

The big guy at the back:
Very interesting and thought provoking post..you obviously know the score.
Hail hail

TimBucktwo :- The time frame does make a difference as it would be the early 70's I was talking about.
The above mentioned Scotsmac when consumed along with two bottles of nookie broob was a sure cert way of getting refused entry to the school dance, ruining all the good gear you had bought for it, and months worth of ear bashing from a very irate mother.

Edward Ursus
What about Clan Dew?

Wouldn't Islam's fulfilling his potential be the best possible tribute to Tommy Burns? Isn't the lhad a midfield player, like Tommy?

TimBucktwo :- Again a typo, I meant nookie broon, I think I have typing dyslexia today :-)

Tim Bucktwo, Edward U, since we're talking about cheap wine, cold remedies and Largs, I can confirm that I was given the same advice as about you about heating up some Lanny by 'wee Freddie', the legendary car-park attendant at Nardinis and doyen of Largs boozers open mic singing sessions (his party piece was 'Rock-a-bye my baby (with a Dixie melody)'.

Suffice to say I've never tried it!! ;-)

Ed:
I do remember Scotsmac ...in the early seventies, however, one was a parent ( apologies to the Witch) by then and any spare money went on Ostermilk, nappies, Farley's Rusks etc.
I'm now retired..and making up for it...cheers !!

Afternoon Chaps

how are you all today?

Well after a wee burst of news yesterday I see newsnow has gone dead again. I dont know why but I thought we might have signed someone this week!

Has anyone heard anything about Fortune? I'm starting to get a bit annoyed with the English press.

Fan-a-tic :- ClanDew was a far inferior product as it wasn't made in Ayrshire :-)
It was probably taken by the likes of DBBIA who being jealous of Ayrshire tries to avoid everything pertaining to it :-)

nakamura-san:

I'm now sitting here singing....Rock a bye your baby with a Dixie Melody ...Al Jolson eat your heart out !!
Hail Hail

RT: Definitely agree let the kids play. I've been watching kids football for the past five years and you can count on one hand the number of coaches who allow them to do this. Too much emphasis on winning rather than being taught to play the right way. This includes the couple of Senior clubs who I have watched, Hearts and Hibs mainly at U11s. Apparently the Hearts boys are coached to mirror their seniors by playing "up and at 'em", power play, kind of football with no time for the more technical and skilful aspects of the game. I couldn't believe the coach at a recent Hibs U11s[sevens] berating his Goalkeeper, for not kicking the ball out of his hands up the other end of the park! Until this is sorted out the days of producing a Dalglish, Johnstone, McGrain and even a Baxter are well gone.

Ed Ursus

Scotsmac ( the bams dram)
sounded awful,the only one I tried was half bottle of auld english,
dont know why as I was certain to spew it up.
I was a bit of a twocandan in those days,now i am a man I can drink three. cheers

Nancy have announced that Hull City look the favourite to sign Fortune.
Hail hail

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Tiny Tim

Ye ur soitenly right,palomine.. Without a Doubt...

Janko, could be the Answer.. whit am Ah sayin'?

Janko, IS.. the ANSWER.

Awe o' our Problems o' Last Season..came from.. and ONLY Frum..

Oor maist Vexin' inability tae Break doon a Stuffy defense.

And Score a Goal.

Otherwise, Teamwise were wur awe Right.

Oor trouble hiz naethin tae dae wi' a crying oot Need fur a Master Planner.. or a Mair Solid Defense..

If we could only TAK OOR CHANCES at Scoring that darn Goal..when it is eventually Presented..

And it is, Presented,awright. .at least, Two times in EVERY Single Game.

Oor last Two Games.. tells tells the Tale..

We couldnae top oaff our obvious Superiory by pittin' the Ba' in the Net.

We hiv the darndest trouble in daein that dratted thing.

Look.. we beat St.Mirren.. wiz it 7 to 0,wan week and the next time we played them.. WE LOAST!

Why wiz that? and how in the name of the wee man, did we manage tae score SEVEN Goals, anyway?

The reason we scored Seven ..is Because .. for the Foist and THE LAST TIME..

WE Simply took oor Scoring Opportunities as they wur Presented..

Nae Mystery.

Howevahhhhh.......

We couldnae retain a Scoring Run fur Toaffee..

The Message is Loud and Clear.. tae me,tae me.. and.. I know it is Screaming the Same story tae you,as weel , pal..

We NEED A GOAL SCORING CENTER FORWARD.wan who knows the road tae the Cross..A Dixie or a.. even a Nicholas.. the foist time roon Nicholas,I mean,which goes withoot saying.. so ah shouldnae hiv said it~

So

How wull we get the Gelt tae buy this needed High Scoring Center Forward.. and Ah emphasize the woid. .HIGH!
Which, immediately. ..ELIMINATES.. Mr. Fortune or Mr. Fletcher.

Why....

Sell, wan o' our So called Stars.. who hiz gone intae Nova..

And his Fire is noo quenched.. and He is noo a Damp Squibb.

But the Suckers oot there in TransferLand, dinnae Know it.

Which Star wid that be?

Ah kin Name .. THREE.. But this is neither the Time nor the Place tae tell ye whom they may be.. or I may be Accused of talking Nonsense..

And.. ye know How much I get upset, if somebody Accuses me of Talking That.

By the way.. It is NO because I Dinnae TALK NONSESENSE.. fur. AH DAE. FROM TIME TAE TIME.. Disnae Everyboady?

It is jist that I dinna want tae be ACCUSED... of Talking Nonsense!

Maks sense tae me.

Kojo.
yer pal..who like ye the best o' the Loat.

Afternoon Ahll

Just came on for a quick hit of all things Celtic, got to go to a one -in-a-row BBQ, where no doubt they will not be funny.

Bottle of Goldschager will dumb my agrivated senses.

Kittoch who's not looking forward to today.

WGS/Paul67

Now is the time to move for Appiah. Out of the game for a while so his wage demands will be dropping. A full pre-season to get him fit.............clear asset management potential - a good season and he can be Carlos Cuellar style sold

Sorry that should read

Bottle of Goldschlager will dumb my aggravated senses.

Thats before a drink!!!

Aw naw and the wine afficianados

All this talk of Appelwoi, roses and Zinfandel,

and never mind Wiezenbier, how about a nice Berliner Weisse?

Don't seem to get it the shops here, including Aldi & Lidl,

It's a sour beer (cold), mixed with a fruit syrup and frothed up
served in a wide schooner.

Delightful on hot days,

Prosit!

Kitablba,

You made my day bud !

Hail Hail

the young lad islam..

what a prospect!

what a hell of alot of work,time and money has been spent by our club on this lad.

but when the glitz and glamour starts to come calling....

well.....ask liam miller!

but then again...add liam to the top of the pile of our hot prospects whom turned thier back on our club,then get islam to find them and ask 'did you make the right move?'

he will find then at clubs such as cardiff,dunfemline and partick thistle.

Antsman

I had wondered about Appiah myself but there is quite a bit of back story there! Would he be to much of a risk? I had read that he was quite badly treated in regards to his health, but I cant help wondering if there is more to that story.

The Battered Bunnet@12.53

Thanks for the update on Youth/School football, very informative. I am not convinced that handpicking the better players of any age group is necessarily the best way forward, though obviously it would guarantee that a youth team would be better than a schools team, even a slightly older school team. Where is the end product? My main point is that the current system creates an exclusivity for young players, which they get comfortable in, until they are released that is.

Patsean

I fear your reckless post of 13:54 will needlessly encourage the younger members of CQN, not to mention the impressionable youth of the fair town of Stonehaven, to seek out and imbibe the aforementioned potions.

I trust the vigilant moderators will remove you're post forthwith and the board can return to discussions in a sober manner more becoming of true Celtic supporters...

Yours in sobriety

FTS

Kojo: 2:36

Dear Kojo, being mindful of your legendary status on this blog it is with the utmost respect that I wish to take issue with you, on your post.
You have stated that last season's debacle was because we didn't take our chances..pure and simple. How simple, and inaccurate IMO, is that??
My biggest problem with the teams , over the last few seasons, is the LACK of chances that we create . You , by your own post , refer to TWO TIMES in every single game...is that amount of chances , in a game , good enough for a team of Celtic's calibre? Two times ??? I would contend not...
You can have the best goal scorer in the world playing for you...but if he doesn't get the proper service or ENOUGH chances to score...you're doomed!! Sorry but I think your solution is too simplistic ...we need pace from the mid-field and a reminder that football is played up and down the field ..and not across it!!
I guess you won't like me loat now....but there you are.
Hail Hail

By billyimatim on June 27, 2009 2:22 PM

Your spot on mate,one of my pals played for hearts till last year while stevie frail was the manager he was captain of the 19s and was a regular with the reserves and even though this is older boys he had a fall out with frail because of the insistence to hump the ball and leave out the midfielders(position he played) and even when they had the ball they were told to pass out to the full backs never to play with any flair...needless to say frail wasn't to happy at being told this and end result was a mutual termination of contract a year and a half into a five year deal.hes said that that mentality is also in the scottish youth setup aswell.makes you shudder to think this frail is working with our youngsters now!

MB

Rioskorrie on June 26, 2009 5:02 PM

AB and his good lady (IB) will for sure make themselves known as soon as the season starts. Long term members of the DHCSC and really great people....

Re, sending CV, will do so, as nothing much is happening in Dubai.

Gardening leave finishes next week and then off to Cebu, and then????? Well, if nothing turns up soon..... Maybe even open another 'Hoops Bar'.....

Again, congratulations and good health to you and yours.

Regards & Hail Hail
TBM

Tim Bucktwo
Agree on all of the above.
Our chances created under GS was awful.Pele would have struggled in that system.
Still think that if those cheats in charge of Scottish football had agreed to our request to move the goals at either side of the half way line we would have won league easily.

New Interest?
Just been reading on an Austrian website that Celtic and Hearts are interested in signing a forward, Ilro Naumoski, from SV Mattersburg.
He is a 25 yr old Macedonian who has played in Austria and Italy.
Has often been topscorer. Played 141 Bundesliga games, 39 goals, 53 yellow cards and 3 reds! Sounds like a tough cookie.
Described as being both capable of being a flop or making the breakthrough to the top spot.

Herr Villie,,

23 years and I have never tried it.

A wee trip to Berlin soon should sort that one out!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berliner_Weisse

Thats me off to a Thai Barby now.

Ignore any more postings tonight.

SpicyMekongCSC

Is anyone else a little relieved it looks like we're missing out on fortune?i watched MOTD most weekend and saw a few live games with westbrom last year and he does look that good certainly not worth the reported 3.8 mil we've supposidly bid.I would rather see us scour the markets for a young hungry goal scorer not some mercenary which is what he sounds like choosing hull city over us!

patsean 1.51
Signs of a mispent youth. I would add one more to your list. The equally dreadful QC (Quality Counts) On a par with amnesia lager!!!1 Slaithe Hebcelt

Hebcelt
I had forgotten about QC, it's something you would want to forget right enough.
FT Simpson
Just hope you are not following the path taken by your elders when they were boys.

Hail Hail

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. TimBucKTwo.

Ye ur mistaken, Pal..

Ah like ye a loat Bettah, noo.

Fur, ye took the time tae gie me a Riposte.

And.. that, is whit this Forum is awe aboot.. Don't ye think?

Sure, my Solution tae oor Scoring Problem is simplistic.. fur. is is SUPPOSED TAE BE..

Fur Ah hate Complicated and Convoluted Reasoning..

The Simple Solution is the Best...a fellow named.. Occam, could set ye straight oan that.

I did say we are Presented with Two Scoring Chances in Each Game..

I used the number Two .. but, I did not say How Many ither no sae soiten Scoring Chances were presented, as weel..

I meant this .. and it was soitenly dilatory for me not too..state it mair clearly.

I should have said.. that we were Presented with..

Two Gold Plated Certainties ..of Scoring,in Every single Game.

I still Maintain and Stand By My Simplistic Solution.

Ye must Score mair Goals than the Opposition and I believe in Every single Game that I watched last Season..

Celtic, missed Chance after Chance, tae put the Game to bed.

It always comes down to Scoring Mair Goals than the Oppo.

and you are not telling me.. if you are.. then I am soitenly no Listening..

That We do not Need a Free Scoring.. and Opportunistic Striker~

Tae heck wi awe this stuff.. the Need tae Create Mair Chances provided by ithers..

Oor Strikers au Jour.. Get plenty of Scoring chances that are Created By ithers..

Ah suppose it awe depends oan how wan interprets the woid.. "plenty"!

Tae me.. Even TWO SCORING CHANCES CREATED BY ITHERS.. is Mair than sufficient tae get te Joab done..

If.. and Ah say If...

We hid even WAN STRIKER, who wiz woithy o' that Title, oan oor Books.

We wid hiv Skiffed last Season's Championship race,nae bother.

How many times, as an example. hiv ye seen a team that we wur defeated by..and in this.. I include oor Bitter Enemies..

A Team who gets only WAN SLIM chance at getting a Goal.. Cashing it in..

And Doon we go agin, tae the Agony o' Defeat!

Sure, pal. .Ah stand by my foist statement..

We should be able tae Cash in oan at least Wan of the Two scoring Chances that ur Presented in each Game.

In short,

We Need A High Scoring Center Forward bearing the Description which I have excessively Repeated oan here.

If we dinnae get wan. .then awe the creative woik that a Bunch of New Midfielders etc wull turn in.. wull go fur Naething.

Kojo.
yer pal.. who likes ye a loat.

mattybhoy:3:11

As I've said previously...I don't know enough about Fortune to make a comment..I would have trusted the new manager's judgement however.
On your comment about him being a mercenary and choosing Hull over us...he is a professional and this is his bread and butter and he owes us nothing. I'll be honest and say that if Celtic had offered me ( when I played ) £200 per. week and Aberdeen had offered £300 ...sorry but I would have been off to the North East.
Let me hasten to add...neither remotely did....
Hail hail

Do not assume that Fortune is set for Hull just because of a quote from Nancy...Hull may be further down the line in discussion with them but they do not know how far down the road Fortune is possibly with us or possibly with Hull.

I'm not saying we are further down the line in discussions with Hull but this could be the old media at it again...putting 2 and 2 together and coming up with 5!

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

that should have been Fortune and not Hull in my second paragraph!

...is made for you and me!

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. TimbucKTwo.

Well,pal.. Ah soitenly know enuff aboot Mr.Fortune to state this, confidentlly..

I hope Celtic do not Walk away from the Opportunity to sign this fellow..

Na..

THEY SHOULD DARN WELL.. RUN AWAY~

His C.V. tells awe.

He is absolutely NOT a Prolific Striker. Not by any stretch of the Imagination.

So.

well..

Please, could someone explain tae me.. if we.. Celtic, are in Such Dire need of an More Prolific Type of Striker than we already Have...

Should Go out and Spend oor hard EARNED.. oan a Man, Such as He?

Of Course, not.. we should not consider that for a nano nano.

When one looks at this Rumour and I say it must be a Rumour...that we are interested in this fellow,in an UNCOMMONSENSICAL MANNER.

It is Glaringly... obvious.

THAT IT MUST BE A Prevarication.

Or?

Well, the alternative answer, is too Painful to Contemplate~

Kojo.
yer pal.. who likes ye a loat.

Kojo : 3:25
Dear Kojo,
We shall have to agree to disagree on this one. One good point you make is the number of teams who score agaginst us with just one chance...I can't argue with that......however....
I still contend that we don't make a lot of chances and I'll back this up by asking you the last time an opposing goal-keeper was Man of the Match? You may find one...but that wil be it I suspect.
Also... are you familiar with Scott Mac Donald's stats. since he joined us? He's a goal-scorer ...pure and simple.What ever went wrong last year was not just down to him ...something was wrong with the set-up IMO...and I wonder if we'll ever know what it was .
Your friend who is glad you like him better!!
Hail hail

Historic Headlines On CQN?

Kojo Runs Away From Fortune

Yes South Africa win the rugby.

By Celtic Mac on June 27, 2009 2:50 PM

Yip, it's a highly complex problem altogether, combining variables that include genetics, homelife environment, education, mentality and aspiration. The end product of the current system will be a little while in coming along, but I see kids with a level of skill and imagination unknown in my days.

The vast majority of the kids currently in the system will not make it, and will be released at some point along the way. The clubs set a high standard, and some kids just can't maintain the level of improvement necessary.

The SPL locally needs only about 20 kids per year moving into the senior squads to maintain the professional numbers. Thats' about 10% of each year group.

Being released in itself is not a bad thing for the kids. It's about their reaction to it. The kids at Rangers and Celtic do tend to be 'spoiled', certainly in relation to their colleagues at the other clubs. Motherwell, say, attend a tournament in Oban, while Celtic's under 12s go to Dubai (gen up). That may set an expectation for the kids, perhaps more worryingly, the parents. In this respect, the parents are key.

My own experience is that those kids who go through the system tend to come out better equipped to deal with life's challenges. They have a maturity and perspective that their peers do not have, and an understanding that you get nothing without hard work, and even then there are no guarantees. Football in this regard is a good analogy for life.

Compare a football career to a medical career. The pressure on kids to get the necessary "5 A Highers" (becoming 6 As at first sitting now) is intense, and few make the grade. The work required to make the grade covers three years of dedication at school before the exam results hit the mat, then 5 years at University, followed by 2 years post grad training and then years of further specialisation, giving more than 12 years to go from a 14 year old wanna be doctor, to the real thing. Many fall by the wayside.

Ought we discourage our kids from setting ambitious targets when most of them will ultimately be disappointed? How many wanna be docs end up missing out on the required standard at Higher, yet find themselves later in their adult life enjoying a full and fullfilling career elsewhere?

Same with football development. Most kids will not make the required standard, but surely we should encourage whole hearted pursuit of the chance, provided of course it is tempered by reality, and promotes opportunities in other areas of life, specifically education, family life and friendships.

What are the chances of a given kid becoming a medic? Well, we turn out about 900 new doctors each year in Scotland, from a peer group of 50,000. As opposed to about 20 SPL footballers from a peer group of 25,000 in Scotland. The chances are exponentially better that a given child will have a medical career as opposed to a football career.

Now, try to develop a Walcott, a Benzema. Big big numbers to crunch there. Shouldn't stop us trying mind.

Estadio
Were you supporting S Africa?

ah the old ones are the best

business isnt done till late...oh how we laugh

its hard to bring in quality...oh how we giggle

aye but celtic have had mowbray ringing my mate on his holidays here in menorca pleading for him to buy his season ticket

sign some decent players then ya bunch of charlatans

keep the excuses rolling paulo

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend. TimBuckTwo

You pal..are a woithy opponent.. ye mak Incontrovertibly sound points.(Easy fur you, tae say...ed)(Mebbe, but it's a Bear.. tae spell~)

Sure, Ah am no One Hundred Per Cent Right in my personal opinions and claims..

Naebuddy kin be.. although.. Ah must say Ah gie it a guid try!

Heck, If Ah wrote and thought.. like everyboady else.. and you wrote and thought like everyboady else..

Then, it wid be a complete waste of time tae write or say..anything!

Howevahhhh...thank Godot,that the above is not the case.

Someboady, Somewhere,an at Sometime... must Beg tae Differ.

Maks sense tae me!

Kojo.
yer pal...who likes ye aloater.

None football matter but...

Last night my wife and I noticed the light outside our window was a very peculiar colour.. An violent thunderstorm had just rolled over...
And the whole city experienced a very rare phenomena..

Check this out...

Kojo

Well said sir..
On a "serious " note if I may...are you from this sceptered isle...or would I need a big silver bird to visit your lands??
Hail hail

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend. Just P.J.

Now that Headline would indeed be a Brammer o' a Grabber~

Congratulations..pal. ye jist proved that it is no necessary tae wear oot yer fingers in writing a Grand Opus..

Tae Mak a Salient Point!

A tip o' my Fedora, tae ye,buddy..

Kojo.
yer pal.. who still emphatically avers that ye remain his Favorite... Dominie.

Tim Bucktwo

I have to disagree with you.If he goes to hull he will be a mercenary and so would you if you choose aberdeen over your own team...there are still players though they are fewer in number these days that aren't motivated by the pay checks but their hunger to suceed and win be the best....he certainly wouldn't achieve this at hull nor would you at aberdeen.Some people still believe in the love of the game and their team.I would walk over hot coals and broken glass to even get sniff of celtic changing room and to walk out at celtic park no matter what team i played for!

My second point was that he wasn't impressive to me anytime i seen him which was a fair amount....i would prefer us to spend it on as stated previously a young hungry goal scoring striker.I'm with KoJo on this one!

MB

Paul et al...
a few thoughts on youth development. I coached everywhere from 5 year olds to 15 year olds for a number of years. I don't know much about the system in Scotland, but I'd offer this...

There is an age below which there should be very LITTLE 'competitive' football. Don't want to debate what that age point should be, maybe around 13. Up to that point, the ratio of 'practice' to playing should be heavily in favour of 'practice'. By practice, I don't mean cross country running.

During that period, basics should be taught and taught and taught. Every player should have total comfort with the ball, even blindfolded.

Games should not be for cups or medals or coaches egos. They should be learning events. You can even do this with coaches empowered to stop and 'freeze' the action, delivering a learning point for both teams.

During this phase, nutrition and fitness should also be emphasised.

At a certain age point, these players should be turned over to different coaches, who will then teach them how to use these skills in game situations.

Identifying talent and seperating it from the rest at too early an age is a huge mistake. 'Elite' players should go elite camps for short periods and be returned to their local/school/regular team. In many areas of development, kids surprise us. Telling them they are 'in' or 'out' too early creates big egos and wee egos, which are hard to reverse.

Technique first, application second.

I could go on.......:)

Tiny Tim, loved your wee story from yesterday...

Does anyone know where I could find highlights of the Tommy tribute match online?

Weeronn

You've got my attention. Please go on.

TBB

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. TimBuckTwo.

At this time, I am, and have bin fur Donkeys Years, living in the United States.

I am Presenly Domiciled, here,in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I lived in Glasgow, for several Years..and also in London and its environs..

And I also have lived and attended College in Canada.. I graduated from McGill.

Let's see.. whit else?

I am an Unmarried Gentleman,with a Girl Friend.. I hasten to Add.

And..

I am a dyed in the Skin... Celtic Fan.

And

I still woik for a Livin'.

So.. noo ye know something aboot me..

No heckava much... as is ma Intent.

But, sufficient, I would say.. sufficient.

Kojo.
yer pal.. who likes ye a loater.

weeronn,how come the Lisbon Lions came out of a system where competitive football was played in primary schools as ten year olds.

Hail Hail.

mattybhoy:4:20

If you were a married man with two young kids and worked for Tesco..who you loved working for...great company ... and who paid you ..say £7:00 per. hour. Then you were offered the same work at Asda for say £9:00 per.hour.....what would you do then?
Very few people have the luxury of working for who they would like to work for...you earn as much as you can...while you can.
Last question...do you know of any player who came to Celtic for less money than they had been earning elsewhere??
Hail hail

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. TimBucKTwo.

Oh~ Ah Dae.. Please,Sir~ Ah Dae,dae!

And.. ah am burstin tae tell ye...

Neil Lennon.. he did come to Celtic fur Less Pay.

And so did.. well.. I bettah no tell ye, who that wiz.. but, there is wan ither than Neil.

Kojo.
yer pal.. who likes ye a loater.

weeronn

we could discuss the pros and cons of your theory all day long but I'll tell you where the biggest mistakes are being made right now.
Like you, I've coached every age group and it prides me to say that one of my 'boys' performed in the Champions League this season past. He was an exception though because of the flaws in our structure.

we spend vast amounts of money on boys at every level but regardless of the level of a lads ability, unless he is ready for first team football by the age of 19, he's finished, end of, no prospect. Clubs dump boys at 19 after years of nurturing. There simply is nowhere for a lad to go at that point in his career, clubs can't afford a non 1st team player, boys can't survive on the middle of a donut. The problem starts and stops right there.

Kojo

Thanks for that...
My younger daughter lives in LA ( not so far away from you), and one of my older sisters lives in Jacksonville, Florida.
Do you own one of the big hotels we saw when we visited LV about four years ago? :) ( we stayed at the MGM Grand). What a city....couldn't live there I don't think...but well worth a visit, for those who haven't been there.
Keep well my friend...
Hail hail

Kojo:

Chris Sutton?

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

weeronn

The development league system has been embedded in Scottish Youth Football for a number of years now and has emphasised all the points you make.

It advocates small sided games, smaller age-appropriate goals, rolling subs so everyone plays and, though score is kept, once a team reach 5:0, the score reverts to zero. No league tables are kept and tournaments, with prizes for all, rather than cup competitions are emphasised up to around the age of 12.

Unfortunately the tabloid press, in its default anti-SFA default mode, ridiculed all these concepts and the SFA Development Officers & Coach Tutors are having to constantly battle against frustrated coaches and parents who are desperate to introduce a competitive element, 11 a side games and full size goals.

The development material and the Coach Education programme of the SFA is, actually of a high standard. Craig Brown & Andy Roxburgh do deserve praise for that, whatever other faults they may have.

The kids in development leagues should be encouraged to have plenty of fun, practice their skills, and end a coached session with a game simulation which highlights the skill just practised.

The Battered Bunnet is more informed about the pro youth set up. The team I coached got to play against a couple of pro youth teams and they were very good but, we found that they creamed off the best of the players from the development league teams. Not a bad idea in itself but there was a high churn factor where a lot of the boys were returned to their development team with the message that they had not made the grade and disillusion set in. I would have preferred if the pro youth teams could each have adopted a development league, allowing them to move in and out of pro youth coaching, as their development ebbed and flowed without it being seen as such as a make or break issue.

Still, as TBB said, it is often those boys who coped better with rejection at trials who have the mental strength to bounce back and make it later.

weeronn

Completely agree that sometimes it is maybe too young to decide if a player is good enough or not but I think if you are phased by playing competitive football at a young age you may never have the mentality to play at a professional level.

Barry Bannan (Aston Villa) was a couple of years below me at Primary but played in our team because even at his age he could cope, I think being in with bigger players, albeit still kids, would have given him a good foundation to go on with, particularly as he's quite small.

Kojo:

I was going to say "EXCEPT THOSE WHO HAD ALREADY MADE A PACKET ELSEWHERE" but didn't think that necessary.
Seriously, what "youngish " professional would do that ?? No one IMO.
Hail hail

weeronn,

that's exactly how i feel coaching should be done in this country. almost word for word. i've been saying this to people i know for years.
get them up to a minimum level of technical ability before they're allowed to play in competitive games. encourage them to express themselves, rather than shouts of 'get rid!'. teach them how to be a professional, having the approach of it being a career like any other.
it's what they do on the continent.

even looking at the u-21 tournament you can see how the different countries approach it. england have a decent success rate below senior level because they've always been coached competitively.
they've done well again because all they're thinking about is winning the tournament.
the other countries obviously want to win as well but the main focus is the long term development of the players, it's more of a learning progress.

and as we know that the english method, which is pretty much the same as ours - just better resourced - isn't successful at senior level at all.

Chaplin,
Great point about 19 year olds.The pressure on a Celtic manager to win the league every season means that we will never develop many players out of our youth system.Clubs like Hibs can play young players as they have no choice and expectations are lower.Mc Carthy and McArtur at Hamilton both have 30 plus SPL games under their belt this would not happen at Celtic.
Hail,Hail.

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend... TimBuckTwo

Na, I dinna own any of the Big Casino Hotels,pal.

But, considering the amount of Dollars that Ah hiv eagerly dropped, at STEVERINO'S Latest shack..in Abundanza...

I feel that I should hiv a claim fur a percentage o' the take.. there.

Kojo.
yer pal.. who likes ye a loat.

weeronn/TBB,

I have had discussions on this before, but I'm not sure if I mentioned the following.

A few years ago my youngest brother's boys club became THE team in the lanarkshire area for the age group. Challenged for and won everything execpet the Scottish Cup (beaten finalists 1 and beaten semi's twice). Of his team 7 were signed up by SPL teams.

2 of the boys especially were superb (Both of them played for Scotland U15's, one as captain). One was at Hearts, the other Dundeed Utd. Both were Man of Tournaments for club and country. Both were wee guys but who loved playing with the ball and covering every blade of grass - both midfielders. Both could tackle.

Both these kids at 15/16 had their natural football ability and instinct coached out of them, along with their love of the game.
They were told "this is your role, you don't go there, you don't do this, you don't do that, this is what you do, nothing else."

Neither of them even so much as kick a ball about, never mind playing for a team amateur or junior.

I have several discussions with both boys, (now in their early 20's) and one of their Dad's about this and whilst the dad in particular is bitter about the way his son was treated at Hearts, the 2 lads have accepted their lot, but both have no interest in football -apart from watching that is, one is a season ticket holder at Celtic Park - and both put the blame for this squarely at the door of the coaching they received at both clubs.

They literally had their love and ability for the game coached out of them and their size definitely went against them once they reached 16 yrs old, although one of them now stands at 6ft.

The stories I have heard and still do hear about the coaching at various levels makes you wonder what type of players we will produced in the future apart from automatons.

Hopefully this is wrong, but......

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

PeteTheBeat

Sure was.

EN

Tim Bucktwo

What your saying makes plenty of sense in terms of working normal jobs and having money to support your family.And heres the big BUT, playing football is who different ball game specially in terms of playing at the highest level.Say celtic are offering him 20-25k per week and hull are offering him in region of 40k now im pretty sure that most people are able to live a very good lifestyle and support your family and have money left over on the salary of celtic.Also playing football for a living isn't your average run of the mill job it is most players true passion in life therefore aslong as it is making you very good money most players look to be sucessful its medals championships and cups that players SHOULD be the game for not that extra 15k per week.Maybe thats just the way i see things but i like to think that the players are at our club as they are hungry for sucess not just to pick up they're pay checks.

On a final note didn't tommy G take a huge pay cut to join us more than 50%?

MB

Sandy Nista

Cheers for the info, I remember the place now.

EN

mattybhoy,

Forgot bout TG, your spot on!

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Just This Land.

Na. or.. tae be mair truthful.. I Dinna know aboot, Chris.

The ither Celtic Employee to whom I referred,shall remain anonymous.

as it is a secret, shared between him and me.

But, I can assure ye that there wiz anither wan, who took a cut in weekly emolument... tae play fur the Bhoys.

Kojo.
yer pal.. who likes ye. but whose lips ur sealed.

thisland....

Cheers bud i'll pick up prize later,He was on and eye watering 90K per week at real basic salary and ended up on 40K here which was painful enough when he turned out to be stinker!

MB

mattybhoy,

It could be argued that he is showing ambition by wanting to remain and play in the premiership which is one of the top two leagues in the world.

Token

It still happens at some clubs where the coaches feel pressured by the hierarchy to produce winning teams at youth level instead of winning players. Think 8 Reserve championships in a row, and heehaw Celtic 1st team players to show for it, for example.

Remember the structure is 'player development' NOT team development. That should come later.

Craig Gordon was going to be released by Hearts at age 15 because he was too small for the under 17 level. They kept with him though, and the rest is 6'4" of history.

It's a pity the boys you know chucked it. Love for the game shouldn't be binary. I have a mate who was in a similar position (many years ago) but decided to step down to the 1st division and ended up in 2 Scottish Cup finals and got a couple of rounds in Europe. 20 year career in the end, and he's now coaching kids. Full circle.

Guys like Robson and Hartley have my respect for demonstrating the old Robert Bruce spirit. Neither were the cream of their generation, but my goodness, they worked hard, persevered, and ended up playing Milan in the Champions League.

Here's to the work ethic!

Kojo:

I admire your faithfulness to the Bhoy!

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

chris sutton is a legend

Aye you have a point the premier league is of the highest standard and there are fantastic teams in the league but it terms of being sucessful it won't happen with hull who only survived relegation through default in the end and will be my tip next year for relegation fodder!

to be honest like i said i would be glad if he went i dont rate him so hull are doing us a favour in my opinion!

MB

mattybhoy,

I'm of the same opinion regarding him as a player. For the money being quoted, if true, then I'd rather we didn't go near him. As Kojo has pointed out, his goal scoring record after 9 seasons of football is far from outstanding. He's only been in double figures for league goals three times and those were in Ligue 2 in France.

But the premiership, as well as offering oodles of cash, also offers the opportunity to prove yourself in the company of some of the best players in the world. And the chance to improve your game through that same route as well. The SPL rates a poor, poor second to it. Which is unfortunate for us but hey ho. Geography can be a swine at times.

Re Motherwells new manager?

Jim Gannon.

Is he not a soap character?

Kojo

Whit is yer medical field?

On the Fortune debate; Here's Didier Drogba's career record

Years-----Club---- Apps---(Gls)2
1998–2002 Le Mans 62 (11)
2002–2003 En Avant Guingamp 45 (20)
2003–2004 Marseille 35 (18)
2004– Chelsea 134 (55)

With that record, aged 26, and with only one season at Marseille, Chelsea decided he was worth a £24 Million punt.

What do they know right enough?

Estadio
I was supporting the Lions because there were 8 Irishmen on the field. I think only 3 English players got on, not that it matters.
Maybe I wouldn't have been so bothered if there wasn't the strong Irish representation, similar to how I feel about the Ryder Cup.
Added to that, between Burger's eye gouging in the first minute on someone half his size and the mentality of the Afrikaner rugby person, I don't have much time for the S Africans.
I don't know you and don't want to cause a cyber argument plus I don't have the time, but I hope you were supporting S Africa for reasons other than anti Englishness.

mattybhoy: 4:53

Did you see my post at 4:45 ? I'm EXCLUDING NEIL LENNON, TOMMY GRAVESEN, ROY KEANE, CHRIS SUTTON, and indeed anyone who was already minted when they came.
Bottom line as far as I'm concerned is.....
99% of players who have still to make big bucks in the game will go to the highest bidder ..everytime.
Yes it would be nice to pick your favourite team...but it doesn't work that way.
Let's agree to disagree..ok?
Hail Hail

chris sutton is a legend

Aye mate spot on in regards to player and his stats and the quality of the leagues.
But we also have the champions league(if we qualify) to offer and although its only 6 games minimum along with the 4 old firm games minimum season which can be classed as supposidly high standard games and considering there are probably no more than 8 top quality teams in the premiership that a player would play each twice per season it shows that being with celtic isn't all bad in terms of the quality of teams you play although there is a fair amount of dross in the spl.Also there are some teams hearts hibs and dundee utd that although they aren't premier league quality are still decent teams and as last season showed aren't a walk in the park to play against!

MB

PeatTheBeat.

Like you I was supporting The Lions. Always will when they play - no matter the opposition.

Absolutely gutted at the result. Hear OConnell, O Driscoll and O Gara getting a lot of stick. OConnell had a poor series and O Gara made a terrible mistake at the end. Thought O Driscoll was excellent all through though.

53

The Battered Bunnet,

And in that one season for Marseille he also scored 10 times in Europe for them.

15 goals in his first season at Chelsea. In his second season at Chelsea he scored 14 times in all competitions despite going to play at the African Nations Cup during the middle of the season. 33 goals in all competitions in 05/06.

He's proven himself over more than one season.

Pete

I was born there, parents headed back to Scotland when I was two, never been to the ther place.

EN

Tim Bucktwo

Sorry mate i didn't catch that bit of the post must have been to eager to respond ;o).
Its not that im disagreeing with what your saying totally there are plenty of players that are money orientated but i don't agree with it it shouldn't be like that,i just think there are some and there should be more that their motivation is sucess not money.I think it would be better for the game but the premiership has turned it into a money orientated world.
So i hope you dont think i'm disagree for the sake of it.
Anyways consider it case closed!

MB

Meant to finish by saying Fortune hasn't proven himself yet and at age 27, with a supposed price tag of over £3.5mill, he would be a huge risk considering our budget. More so than the risk Chelski took with Drogba.

Estadio

Fair enough - no problem.

Lurgan - The game turned when the two Welsh props went off. O'Gara was unlucky but maybe he should have kicked the ball out and taken the draw. The Lions were running on empty the last few minutes.
Still, it was a staggering game in the physicality.

More so than the risk Chelski took considering their budget at the time.

Can we get an edit post option please? :-)

Pete

It was a daft post on my behalf, excitment at winning bet also. Didnt watch it until the last five minutes, didnt know there had been rough stuff.

Last post should have read 'other' rather than 'ther'.

EN

EN,

I was about to type that I thought at the time you posted that you may have had a punt on it. I need to start interrogating you for tips.

Battered Bunnet

Fine point but celtic don't have the finance and the supporters dont have the patience for us to be taking gamble on players which is what i would class the fortune transfer if it went through.

MB

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Tiny TIm..

I did obtain a Degree in Psychology...which I did not pursue.

Something else caught my fancy, so I decided to drop my interest in the Medical Field.

It turned out to be a wise choice.

I go to woik,such as it is, everyday, with a happy heart.

Kojo
yer pal...who likes ye the bestest of the lottest.

Chris sutton is a legend

Im not the man for tips, hence the excitment are a rare wee win.

EN

Tiny Tim
Did you see my post at 1:27 pm re. Michael Jackson?
Hail hail

CSIAL

Yip, fair points all. Drogba fancied a move to Celtic around 2003, but we had Henke, Sutton and Larsson at time. Ah well...

I'd say if BAM wants him it's because he understands his capabilities balanced against the asking price.

I'd say this was PL's first BAM test. Bring Fortune home for Mowbray to set the principle, or decline to meet the asking price and thereby demonstrate that PL is the final arbiter in player assessment.

EN,

Ah I see.

I'm sure you've mentioned before the odd fixed odds win gathered from a selection of choices throughout the European leagues when the season is in full swing.

The Battered Bunnet,

If we try to put ourselves into our managers shoes for a minute. DO you think he sees Fortune as becoming a bonafide goal scoring threat in Scotland or does he see him more as the perfect foil for Skippy?

If it's the second option then I can understand his(TM's) eagerness to sign the guy. But the worry for me is the media has turned it into an auction and generally speaking, in those instances, the only team that wins is the one collecting the cheque after the dust settles.

That's if there is any true mileage in the story at all of course.

Chris sutton is a legend

I did, Im sure we have had similar coupons a few times. For this season I already like the look of

Celtic league 5/6

Barcelona league 10/11

Liverpool league 10/3

Hull relegated 1/1

Will add a few others and make a decision on it at the end of the transfer window.

EN

I'm Also a wee bit disappointed that not any transfer gossip even if it is just gossip to us excited thats what makes it interesting to me during the transfer windows so far there hasn't been anyone that we've had a BIG link with that has excited me.Although one of the smaller links that has made me wish we would hear more develop was when we got linked with the french playmaker at lazio the little zidane guy...now he looked exciting!

MB

P.S.

The King of Kings was an outstanding player but you can't use him twice as a reason for Drogba not arriving back in '03. ;-)

TimBuckTwo :- I agree with you when you say he may be showing more ambition by remaining in the EPL.
It's OK to say that if you have ambition then you should sign for a club that has a chance of winning something in a lower class league rather than chase the money in a team who have probably no chance of winning anything but who give you the chance to play against some of the best in the country.
It may not be the best aanalogy, but take a player who has the chance of signing for Hamilton and the other team after him is Irvine Meadow. He can sign for Hamilton for between two and three times the wages that Meadow will pay and then play in a league where he gets to play against the top teams in the country but with no realistic chance of winning anything and will probably be fighting relegation mst seasons.
Or he could sign for Meadow, earn 300 per week plus the same again from a job outside football, he will be in with a good chance of lifting cups and league titles each season and will be playing for one of the best teams in the league.
So Hull v Celtic is in many ways like Meadow v Hamilton. More chance of medals but for less money and in a lower class of league.
I think many of us are blinded by the passion and love we have for our teams and forget that those that don't share that love are in it to make money as football is their trade.

EN,

I hit a wee run around Feb/March time but missed the target more often than not. But I do prefer fixed odds punting on European League matches rather than the odds that we usually get for EPL/SPL games.

I'd be interested to see your list once the transfer window is drawing to a close and before the season starts.

Matt

At the risk of patronising you, which is entirely unintended, every player purchase is a gamble.

We've had a long list of 'nail on' signings in the past 4 or 5 years, and which, if any of them, has cut the mustard?

Take your pick from Juninho, Keane, Jarosik, Graveson, JVoH, Donati amongst others. Our successes have been dominated by players the manager had prior knowledge of. P67 referred to this very thing earlier in the week.

If BAM reckons Fortune is a top Celtic player in the making, then it's his call, and I support his judgement.

TBB

Edward :5:55

Your last paragraph says it all....cheers

CSIAL

Ah, Hartson/Larsson, my mistook. Cue embarrassed mumbles.

To be honest, I've no idea what BAM wants Fortune to contrubute specifically. But as I said, he's worked with him before, knows what he can do, and thinks £3.8 million is sufficiently good value to have PL make the acceptable bid.

We'll see in due course. And that, in Kojo speak, is just about all she could write.

Chris sutton is a legend

I'll post my list, will probably jinx it though.

I keep a record of what has been spent and what I have got back, Feb and March were the glory months, both ends of the season was a waste of time.

EN

By stpatricksbhoy on June 27, 2009 4:30 PM
weeronn,how come the Lisbon Lions came out of a system where competitive football was played in primary schools as ten year olds.

Different era. Different world.

By Chaplin on June 27, 2009 4:41 PM

Good point, albeit at the opposite end of the chain from which I have been referring to. I do think that you are right, though. Reserve team football doesn't seem to be the answer. There is a big difference between keeping pros warm for 1st team action, and developing players from their late teens into becoming pros.

In Canada and the USA, hockey and football have set ups to promote such development, such as pro or virtually pro leagues for players in their late teens and early 20's.

I'm not claiming to be an expert. However, take all the money we have spent on development in the last 20 years, and compare it to the number of 1st teamers we have successfully created. Any sensible analysis would have us bin the whole thing. We are not getting value for money out of that system. A bazillion-in-a-row reserve leagues means nothing.

By setting free the bears on June 27, 2009 4:44 PM

I would have preferred if the pro youth teams could each have adopted a development league, allowing them to move in and out of pro youth coaching, as their development ebbed and flowed without it being seen as such as a make or break issue.

Totally agree. Over here in Canada, you are in or you are out. Players who are in, sometimes don't develop as hoped. Others who are out sometimes are late bloomers. Keeping the former group on their toes is something worth doing. Keeping the door open to the late bloomers is vital.

Thanks for bringing up the topic. It is a subject that I enjoy listening and reading others views on. A great step up from what has been a shameful week on this blog.

Have a great day, everyone!

EN,

Who will you be predominantly using for your fixed odds this coming season?

Have a sneaking suspicion that Panathinaikos may break Olympiakos's dominance in Greece this season.

Blow it!

Blow all the money on Janko (and try and get Gomis with the change).

Never mind the left back - goal scorer and midfield hard nut required...

Where have you all gone?

I showered today.

Guys

Non Celtic topic but have any of you been to The Bothy in Ruthven Lane just off Byres Road?

Tennis sucks.

Just cos he's a scot don't make it an interesting game...

To be ambitious is to strive to be successful. In football terms, Barcelona were more successful this season than Chelsea, however Chelsea players earn more money than the Barca players, does that make Chelsea players more successful in some peoples eyes? Will Eto'o be more succesful by leaving Barca and doubling his money at Man City and proably finishing 7th in EPL?

Battered Bunnet

Don't worry your not patronising me you are speaking sense.Any signing is a potential risk i regards to form injury etc.
And i admit that maybe some of my posts are typed with a youthful naive.
I just feel that we cannot afford to make mistakes in terms of our signings,every penny we spend must count we can't let them get a firm grip on the championship.It a rebuilding process and there are a number of positions within the squad that need strenghtening the money the board will provide will be no more than 10 million now to spend nearly half of that on fortune who although TM rates very highly is not from his previous records prolific is a huge risk considering part of our downfall last season was strikers who couldn't hit the net.

MB

MB

Leabrannagh:
Eto'o will be leaving Barca mainly because they are a club who knows when a player has passed his peak. Similarly, he knows it too and mega bucks from Man City is a fair enough option.

You are right Ed, it is not the best analogy, but good attempt at comparing us to Irvine Meadow.

I posted a while ago about Boca Juniors 'footballer factory', in the article I read on them they realised that some great talents just couldn't do it when they made their debut in a packed Bombonera. They froze and ended up fading away.

I don't know if there is a cure to this but Boca built their training pitches right beside the stadium and made the pitches the exact same dimensions as the stadium pitch. I also don't see that having much of an effect but it shows how much detail you may need to go into to make things right for future stars.

They also make sure their teams at all levels play to the same systems and train the same way so when a player is promoted to the first team the transition is as smooth as possible.

Barcelona and I think Ajax also do this, I really hope we train all our teams to play 'the Celtic way' but I know we don't do it to the level of these teams.

Johan Cruyff set up the Ajax youth system and restructured Barcelona's to be similar, all teams playing the same way and youth coaches instructed to develop players rather than pile up championships. There would be no harm in consulting Cruyff.

Many have asked this summer where Celtic is heading when we cant compete with EPL fodder, its a fact we cannot do that, we need to face facts, we will not be getting into the EPL either. The only way we can be serious about Europe again is to make the most of our youth system.

Increase our youth scouting in the way Boca do it, last year they gave trials to over 25,000 kids and signed up 42.

Structure the coaching to play the Celtic way.

Give ourselves a chance.

I hate making Comparisons.

To fully appreciate the sincerity of that statement.. I shall repeat it once more,specifically, for your rumination and contemplation.

I hate making comparisons.

Howevahhhh.sometimes I am forced to Haud Ma Nose, Bite ma Tongue...dae the Hokie Kokie..and

Make wan.

Such as this.

The Main Difference..Between the Teams that Martin O'Neill and Mr. Strachan Managed.. wuz There wuz a Loat of Differences between the Two~ ( Whit?..ed)( Well, thus wuz,Wurn't they?)

Be that as it may, and pressin' oan, regardless..

I wish to Compare Strikers.

Martin's, Striking Cadre was Composed of..

Larsson, Sutton and Big Bad John..

Mr. Strachan's, Cadre of Strikers.

Wur..

That's it, Folks!.. Ah canny go aon.. wit this.

Ah Told ye at the beginnin'...

I hate making Comparisons.

Noo, Ah realize.. why!

Kojo.

West Wales Celt, fair enough, Barca have a history of doing that, my point was not about Barca or Eto'o, but peoples perceptions of success.

Yep Kojo - it is one hell of an uncomfortable comparison!

Leabrannagh:

Fairy snuff my friend. It was a reasoned point to make as well.

Leabrannagh,

I don't know if Fortune is in it just for the money, so to speak. But it can be argued that he is showing ambition by wanting to play in a league with a fare higher level of ability and prove himself against these players and maybe make himself a better player through that experience.

fare = far

Kojo

Not quite sure of my point here but I pay considerably more for my season ticket nowadays than I did when Sutton, Larsson and Hartson were our main strikers.

Possibly the EPl and Sky money are damaging us even more than we care to think.

Chris sutton is a legend

I dont get any favourite teams til quite a bit into the season, I was thinking I would fancy Panathinaikos in the CL play off Sparta Praha first then Panathinaikos could see us through. Not so confident now you are tipping them for the league.

We have got to do all we can to get into the Champions league, there are some people already counting their Champions League money. Since we handed it to them it would be good to take some back.

EN

Our yoth system has produced about 3 good uns in the last 10 years
Comments

Wishaw: education, education, education was a lie ;-)

EDB

I haven't.Have You?

ElDiegobhoy:6:26

I don't know the pub at all mate...but I thought someone should answer your question......hope it turns out ok....
Hail Hail

The Battered Bunnet on June 27, 2009 5:46 PM

"I'd say this was PL's first BAM test. Bring Fortune home for Mowbray to set the principle, or decline to meet the asking price and thereby demonstrate that PL is the final arbiter in player assessment."

I'd hate to think that any non football man was the final arbiter in player assessment....i think that is the road to disaster, and would only come about if there were serious ego's at play amongst the non football people

i believe the only sensible way to run this, is to set a clear budget, both for net transfer fees and for the total wage bill....if the manager wants to spend 80% of his transfer fee budget on a single player and pay him 25% of the entire wage bill, that should be his call....equally if he wants to follow the last few seasons of quantity over quality, than he should be free to follow that path as well

The only time the CEO should be able to make a judgement call, is if the manager is asking for money over and above his budget.....if the indications from gordon that he didn't have a budget were true, and that he had to make a justification for each signing, i find that outrageous...it effectively leaves the manager at the CEO's mercy over every single signing.....and that will never work properly.....

we have just appointed a manager of intelligence, with a high reputation in the football world....who has proven that he can spot a player and mould a team.....the idea that any executive would overrule his opinion on a football judgement call is too ridiculous for words...or at least i hope it is !!

Annual transfer income twenty pounds, annual transfer expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness.

Annual transfer income twenty pounds, annual transfer expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.

MicawberCSC

Hey bhoys

doesn't look like I have missed much since this morning?

Does anyone know when the first friendly is due to be played?

Wee Green Machine

12 July Brisbane. 3pm kick off.

EN

Wee Green Machine

I make that 6am Celtic Park time, no news of TV coverage.

EN

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. West Wales Celt.

Ye are durnedblamed right, pal.. It is doonright Painful, so it is.

When ye realize how Easy, Mr. O'Neill had it.. and ye think o' the Pathetic Dregs Frae the Boattle that Mr.Strachan hid tae use.. it maks ye admiration fur the wee Fellow.. become rather Turgid~

My purpose in submitting my Ultimate Posting was this.

It is time to ring some changes.. and gie Mr. Mowbray a fair chance at Turning aroon the Ship.

So

We must dig deeply and Provide Him with at least Wan Striker who could haud a Votive, tae Wan o' the Beezin' Strikers that Mr. O'Neill hid at his disposal.

And we kin stert aff by No gangin efter Players o' the less than Adequate Scoring Talents of Mr. Fortune.

Kojo.
yer pal...who likes ye a loat.

Tiny Tim/Tim Bucktwo

My older daughter has a graduation ceremony at Glasgow University on Monday and we're due to have lunch in The Bothy.

Read mixed reviews but hey ho we'll give it a go.

The Battered Bunnet

You had the medicine career aspect spot on earlier.

Anyone else watching Andy Murray humping this serbian guy in the 3rd round at wimbledon?

Mon Murray!

MB

Sorry if anyone posted about this last night (I haven't managed to check into CQN for about a week) but did anyone see Corrie last night. The metal doors on Kevin Webster's garage had 'Celtic'
scrawled on them.

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. ElDiegoBhoy.

Possibly that particular submission wiz a wee bit Obscure, in meaning..

see my last submission to our Friend.. West Wales Celts.

Kojo.
yer pal... who likes ye a loat.

Chris Sutton is a Legend (what a player),
I can see that argument as well, especially if a player has not had a shot of it. He had 6 months of it, so only he really knows. The best comparison I can make is a similar standard player having the option of joining Benfica at £25k per week or Getafe at £40k per week, I believe the football ambitious would join Benfica.

LeaBrannagh

SPOT ON!
Thats the best analogy to compare our current situation with.And your of my line of thought aswell excellent!You made my night ;o)

MB

Kojo

Naw your submission was fine.

My heid's up in they clouds our friend PJBHOYNYC drew our attention to.

And anither thing - if you keep praising Tiny Tim in the way you've been doing of late he'll no fit his heid through the doorway of Aberdour Golf Club next week:o)

Estadio Nacional

Thanks very much mate!

Sorry it took so long to answer..my damn computer had frozen.

I thought it was quite soon, hmmm I wonder how our CL dates will effect the pre season in terms of dates.

My wife worked with andy murry`s dad a few year back,that family at the time are very anti-celtic.Need to say he won`t be getting my support

Tim Bucktwo 1.27

Soory i mised your post,the first time.

Great story.
I was at that concert.i took my nephew ,who was ten at the time.

We squeezed our way through thousands to get to the front.When we got there ,the wee man looked like he had fought every single person wee passed.

We stood for ten mins ,getting crushed ,when he declared "Uncle TinyTim,i need a pee."

No amount of cajoulling by me could get him to whip it out and do it were he stood.

So we fought our way back through the heaving crushed crowd and watched the spec that was MJ arrive via a James Bond one man jet thing.

Ten minutes later i looked round and the wee man was sleeping standing up.

I figured he had had enough and we left.

It was a diassappointing concert for me.

I saw Whitney Houston at the SECC and left at the interval after getting bored at her taking ten mins to change costume ,after each song.

I have been to many live concerts,but the best for me was Tony Bennett
I tooke my dearly depaerted dad to see him at the Royal concert Hall ,and then on to McNees Showbar at Eglington Toll, to catch the second half of Athenry.

We stayed at the Moat House hotel, got up early next day ,went out to Shettleston where he was delighted to find the tenement that he was brought up in ,was still standing.
Then back to McNees to catch The Blarney pilrgrims,before heading of to Celtic Park.

The problem was McNees had been burned down overnight.

Celtic won,Tony was magic ,and i had a very special two days with my old man,who rarely went anywhere.That was his first and last visit back to Glasgow in over 50 years.

Cheers Mattybhoy, I'll probably log off whilst the going is good!

El Diego

RE. The Bothy,I have been couple of times( must look like a dosser as they keep sitting me at back end of restaurant) You will like it fine,good chips:0)
Any ways you could go to mcdonalds and it will still be one proudest days of your life(like myself with my son)
Cheers vp

Leabrannagh :- re my post at 5.55
I could just as easily have used Rangers rather than Celtic in that example but chose to use Celtic as this is a Celtic site and Celtic were the team under discussion.
The point I was trying to get across was that many people would rather play for a lower team in a higher class league for more money than play for one of the top teams in a lower class league for less money despite the fact they pick up medals in the lower class league.

Carrot196

He's a Hibs fan but that might down to his grandfather playing for them.
Well he's a proud scot so he'll be getting my support as a fellow proud scotsman!

MB

voguepunter

Thanks for that my friend. Still figuring out where her brains came from!

Tiny Tim

I hope you're saving a few wee stories for Aberdour?

ElDiegoBhoy :- After recent events it's good to read that something pleasant is happening in your life.
Congratulations to your daughter and best wishes to her as a new chapter in her life opens up.

Leabrannagh,

Sound reasoning. But as you say, only he knows for sure.

Leabrannagh on June 27, 2009 7:06 PM

good analogy.....the only problem is football players who sign for getafe or hull or wigan, usually convince themselves that this is a stop off before joining barca, madrid or man utd, who will notice them because they play in the same league

hopelessly wrong of course, but at least they can try and claim some kind of footballing ambition

E D B,

2 emails to you,

Martin.

Kojo

Your goodself and SFTB are too of my favourite posters on this blessed blog.

Now what was the chances that you would both be qualified in the same field?

The subject of Psychology interests me greatly.

What makes people tick is important in my line o work.

Dinnae listen tae EDB ,genuine praise (and sometimes calculated) win hearts and minds.

Keep it up.

A aye hid a big heed anyway.

Am jist mare aware o it noo than ever hiv been.

PAul or anyone

Any news on the SPL tv contract.

Will it be ESPN or sky?

Mattbhoy

Na probs mate,have a wee bit of me that want`s him asweel to be totally truthfull but just remember the remarks his dad made to me when i was picking the wife up,but he is not his dad(own man).It would totally annoy the knuckle draggers that dont like him for his i would support anyone but england quote

Well said, mattybhoy. People are allowed to support other teams...
I'm fair enjoying Murray's performance - he's playing some tremendous stuff.

Hail! Hail!

Ed

Cheers pal.

Hope your day with our mutual friend went well.

EDB

I am looking forward to it a great deal.I know that you will delighted with the young ones achievments.

My best wishes to you and yours for Tuesday.

carrot1969

Aye mate youve got your reasons and thats your perogative and as a fellow tim i shall respect that as i would with anyone else.
I will support a scottish athelete or team competing for our small but proud country no matter their creed or back ground.Now thats not meant to patronise anyone thats just the way i am and i tell it like i see it.

On a side note Murray is playing some blinding stuff i really think hes got a great chance of lifting the trophy he's learned what its like to play against the best player of all time in a slam in the us open which was new to him but i think he'll have learned from that experience.

MB

Murray wins in straight sets

Male of the year. What the dickens does that mean?
" The bridge between protege and Celtic hero is enormous".
Sorry about the lack of acutes.
Dalglish McGrain and Hay etc.
This must be the daftest ever post from a poster for whom I have the greatest respect.
He's fourteen for God's sake.

Or to put it another way,

Murray wipes the floor with the guy in straight sets. Some of that tennis was breathtaking stuff and it takes a lot to take your breath away with a tennis shot.

achievements

Pretty useless thread to be honest - He's fourteen for God's sake

Favourite Celts Top10

Here's mine

King Kenny
Jinky
Murdoch
Lennox
King Billy
Henke
Fergus McGrain
George Connelly
Lubo
Sutton

FritzaGrandOldTim,
Yes, That's what I said.

Kojo - Nice to be on-side with you. Spend the dosh and give us a net-buster - not a tricky message really...

If we'd have had Herr Janko in January... you know the rest...

JANKO!!!!!!!!!!!We could never afford him .
I cant understand why we still have supporters who think we can compete with major league clubs .

WWC

Honestly, can we afford his wage demands? If he is as good as many reckon he is then he'll easily pick up far more than we can afford.

We can't simply say he's that good that we'll pay him 20 grand per week more than every other player. Mayhem would ensue.

Sadly we are where we are.

I Kid you Not
There are females 'cooking' in some eateries.

My era reflected:

The King of Kings
BBJ
Sutton
The Maestro
Looooobo
Mjallby
Thomo
McClair
Dalglish
Packy

WishawTim

Jinky
Henke
The Maestro
TB
Danny Mac
Rpy Aitken
Bobby Lennox
Lubo
Charlie Nic (the first time)
Hard to choose between Frank McGarvey,Sutton, BBJ,or George McCluskey.If pushed i would go for Frank.

EDEE

have you still got that little mess on your top lip

WishawTim

In no particular order:

Henke
Sutton
McStay
Lubo
Boruc
McGrain
Chris Morris
Petrov
McAvennie
Burns

I've rated it on the fact I had to see them play hence why no Jinky, McNeil, Dalgleish or anybody before the 80s.

Evening fellow Tims

I have to say I'm with Carrot 1969, if Murray and his family are anti Celtic then I hope he loses everytime he plays. Can I just say at this point a couple of things, I did not know Murray and his family were anti Celtic until now, Until now I disliked Murray anyway as, for me, he comes across as being arrogant unlike Federer or Nadal (lets be honest they both have every reason to be arrogant whereas Murray, at this point of his career, certainly does not!!) I'd also like to point out I'm not Scottish I'm Irish so perhaps if I was Scottish and heard Murray and his family were anti Celtic then maybe I would still want him to do well (from a patriotic point of view) although I doubt it!

Also I'm a big federer fan and Murray is a big threat to Federer but still my over riding impression of Murray is that he is very arrogant!!

Hail Hail

Roccobhoy

whitedog

??????????????whitthefu....did i miss summit.

met a guy today that admitted to sunbeds

Orange.
Manx.

TTTT,Tiny Tim, Gordon_J, Kit, McGrain

You have mail!

First contact has been made.

God Bless Kano

CRC

Ghuys, I have no idea whether or not we could afford him as I have no idea what his fee or wage demands would be. He'd be a budget buster for us but we need a scorer of that reliability.

We paid the KoK decent wages and if we limit our signings to Janko and Gomis maybe we can afford him (even if it does mean we gamble on the debt growing a little).

When you spread inadequate budgets too thinly you get mediocrity. I can't believe we've still got supporters happy to accept this...

Wishaw Tim/EDB

You are probably right ,but i still think we have a good chance.

We may have to structure the deal that his basic wage is within structure but he gets a cut of a future sale ,or a bigger bonus.

I think we can afford him it's just a matter of how much we want him.

Wishaw Tim,
There was just something about Bobby Lennox.

Of course, the goals were a factor, but it wasn't just that, he seemed to exude such sunshine, such joy. He's just an embodiment of joyful football.

I mean , I'm not gay or anything, but I might have married Bobby Lennox or Henrick Larsson.
Now I'm trying to decide between them.
Chris Sutton said he wouldn't want to be married to Larsson.
Well...
Sorry, That's enough.
I'm just kidding.

roccobhoy

I have little time for Murray. Wouldn't be pleased if either of my daughters brought him to the door.

Boring is as good as I can find for him. Not interested in which footbal team he "supports".

The nights are fair drawin' in.

Tiny Tim: at last, ambition!
Sod the doom 'n gloom merchants, this bhoy would be a pukka signing and show that we intend to get our title back.

Wot, a hun and a tennis player. Dastardly.

EL DIEGO BHOY

I'M 27 AND SINGLE MATE ARE ANY OF YOUR DAUGHTERS NEAR THAT AGE AND LOOKING FOR A GOOD IRISH CHAPEL ATTENDING CATHOLIC WHO IS A DEVOUT CELTIC FAN AND WHO GOES TO GLASGOW BETWEEN 15 AND 20 TIMES A SEASON TO SEE MY BELOVED HOOPS?? :)

Only joking mate Yes I agree he is rather boring alrthough I concede Murray is an outstanding talent!!

Dennis 47

My mate sued his wife for divorc on the grounds of unreasonable conduct........ she refused to wear a Henrik Larsson mask during lovemaking.

That should have read 'divorce'.

Mr and Mrs steel win £30,000 for charity on celebrity Mr and Mrs did murry win at tennis

roccobhoy

Yer well there but are you intelligent and handsome?

And btw she knows all of the words of our celebrated songs.

She is also big on Eva Cassidy songs.

Thanks to the area my season ticket permits me in to I've grown up to love a great number of your fellow overseas Celtic supporters.

And Tiny Tim is a regular.

On top ten favourite Celtic players, how about.
Tom Dunbar 1888 - 91, 1892 - 98
George Livingstone 1901 - 02
Alec Bennett 1903 - 08
Robert Campbell 1905 - 06
Davie McLean 1907 - 09
Patsy Gallacher 1911 - 26
James Young 1917 - 1918
Charlie Tully 1948 - 59
Maurice Johnston 1984 - 87
Kenny Miller 2006 - 07

Mr Z and Paul67,

Add this kid to the Romainain kid you mentioned last week as a punt. One word to sum up this dude:

Hot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARJ0EjXLOhM&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eimscouting%2Ecom%2Fplayer%5Fto%5Fwatch%2Easpx%3Fid%3DICE8pWevflX9bGq4E%2Ber5A%7C%7C%26name%3DEtien%2BVelikonja&feature=player_embedded

OK Ed, so you can google. An advance on most huns admittedly...

Teddy Bear

They are awe deed tae me.

Sadiesbhoy,
I know. I've got to let go.

Ed

You forgot wee Alfie 'the barrel' Conn

Top 10 Celts IMHO from 1965 when I started to go to CP regularly. I had been to some games in the 50s but can't remember them in detail.

Henrik Larsson
Kenny Dalglish
Jimmy Johnstone
Bobby Murdoch
Lubo Moravcik
Danny McGrain
David Hay
George Connolly
Paolo Di Canio
Artur Boruc

WWC

Is that necessary?

I, and many other CQN guys have been in ED's company. And enjoyed his company.

SadiesBhoy,
And you spelled them all right.

EDB,

Did you get my latest mail,

Martin.

My all time Celtic XI:

Of the players I have seen in the flesh:

Boruc
McGrain
McCarthy
Elliott
McKinlay

McStay
Burns
Dalglish
Di Canio

Henke
McAvennie

I have followed the Bhos for 31 years bu have struggled to pick a LB, shows how long we have waited since Gemmell for a stand out LB. I plumped for Tosh as he could put in a fair cross and gave it his all!

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

Dennis 47

I spell better during the school holidays than I do during term time even when strong drink has been taken!

ShatnersSyrup :- Nah, I only counted the good guys :-)
I'll admit I had to stretch it a bit to reach ten as Mr Tully and Mr Gallacher only signed for Rangers on a technicality so they could play in a benefit game.

WestWalesCelt :- Now Now, you are starting to make me think they didn't build Offa's Dyke high enough ;-)

El Diego Bhoy

Not big on Eva Cassidy mate, thats where I would fail! LOL

As for Intelligent and Handsome A resounding Yes to the former and just a Yes to the latter!! LOL

Yes the Irish Celtic fans are impressive in their passion for Celtic! Its a huge commitment from overseas Tims getting up at 3 or 4 am in the morn to make a flight to glasgow for a 12.30pm kick for an Old Firm game for example but to be honest I can only speak for myself but its definitely worth it!! Being a Celtic fan, in my opinion, is impossible to explain to people who dont support Celtic. I, like almost every Celtic fan in the world i'd imagine, feel truly blessed to support an institution like Celtic. We all feel a deep sense of pride in supporting a club like Celtic.

P.S. I'm off to get working on my knowledge of Eva Cassidy and her songs!! LOL

Hail Hail

Roccobhoy.

"As a mark of respect to wacko jacko thousands of p*********s are putting on their white gloves & marching all over glasgow on 12th July "

I will get my coat

Hail Hail

Mouldy67

EDB and Ed:

Twas meant light heartedly and should have been followed by a ;-)

Apologies if offence was taken...

By barcabhoy on June 27, 2009 6:49 PM
The Battered Bunnet on June 27, 2009 5:46 PM

Barca, unless I have missed something (entirely possible), you seem to be implying that the Manager has been overruled by the CEO on Fortune? Do we know this?

I wouldn't go as far as to give the manager full control of the budget. Someone at the club needs to maintain a long term view. Managers can not be expected to focus beyond the current season (or two). MON admitted as much.

No, there needs to by a GM type person who ensures that young blood is being hunted down. There also needs to be a long term view that has us selling players before the get too old, or their contracts run down.

There also needs to be a veto on signing 33 year olds for serious money. Unless they are Lubo-like, and he didn't cost that much.

Where I would agree with your view is that no-one should join the 1st team pool without the managers say so, and he should spend his annual budget where he sees fit, as long as long term considerations are not violated.

Unless Celtic have said otherwise, it is quite possible that Tony Mowbry agreed to spend x% of his budget on fortune, and that HE declined to spend 2X%.

Let's give our people the benefit of the doubt........

Mr Z,

I missed out the new Stilian Petrov. The next star in Bulgaria

WGS; the footballer looked great, but the backing music...

Comparable to Stan's basin haircut on his arrival!

EDB

Do you have a ramp at yer front door to wheel in Murray

Love

I want Andy Murray to win because he, like me is Scottish... I didn't want Tim Henman to win because he was English....

RoccoBhoy

I have the greatest respect for our Irish fans who make the commitment you are talking about. I posted a wee while back that I had been over in Belfast in April with my son on some business. As we boarded the return flight a guy got on wearing a jerkin with a badge 'Ballymena Shamrock CFC'. We were playing Hamilton at CP that night. I went to the game as well but I was well impressed by the commitment of this fellow Celt.

Hail! Hail!

See all this Fortune stuff. Nancy have driven the price up and got an auction going.

For a player they rated just more than a million quid and agreed to sell to West Brom at the end of the season if they wanted him, they have started an auction big time. For the price they are asking we could possibly get two decent players for this that are on par if not even better than Fortune.

Zybzsek,

Dani Kiki (Bulgaria's new Stan Petrov)

Blantyretim:

Ah, but would you have felt any differently if Henman had been a dyed-in-the-wool Celt?

What comes 1st, club or nation?

Ask yourselves which is the better, your country wins the world cup or your club wins the CL?

Yes Ed, you can join in: its a fantasy-type question ;-)

WGS on June 27, 2009 8:36 PM

was reading about that slovenian dude on IMScouting.
looks a great prospect.

SFFS

My other half, when a 15 year-old at St Mary's Grammer School in Belfast, used to go to Smithfield Market, sell off some school books then go off the the Scrumpy Rooms in Divis Street where they could buy a pint of scrumpy for 2 shillings. They went back to school in the afternoon but were often sent home by the Christian Brothers, who thought they were suffering from malaria!

Arrests at Armed Services event,
Just another saturday

Confrontations erupted involving those for and against the event
Five people have been arrested and another eight taken into custody during an Armed Forces Day event in Glasgow.

One person was injured in George Street where sectarian songs and chants were sung, as a service was conducted in nearby George Square.

Events are being held in towns and cities across the UK to allow the public to show its appreciation for the work of serving personnel and veterans.

The trouble has been condemned by Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy.

The protestors were believed to have been from an Irish Republican group. Supporters of the event were also involved in noisy confrontations.

Strathclyde Police said 12 men and a woman, between the ages of 20 and 30, were taken into police custody, five of whom were arrested.

The remaining eight have been detained and are being interviewed by police.

A 24-year-old man, who received a head injury as a result of the disturbance, was taken by ambulance to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Mr Murphy, who himself was targeted by a group shouting religious abuse, described the disruption as "sickening".

He added: "I was proud to be part of Armed Forces Day in Glasgow today and so proud of these brilliant men and women in uniform. They are Britain at its best and Scotland at its bravest.

"At the other end of the spectrum, the event was soured by a tiny minority of mindless demonstrators who can't begin to understand the meaning of bravery and what the veterans have done for our country.

"A separate group of mindless idiots also soured the day for me. After doing an interview for BBC, I was subjected to sustained sectarian abuse from people who seemed to take great and foul-mouthed offence because I am Catholic

West Wales Celt

That's an easy one if you're a Celtic supporter. The Celts to win Champs League every time! So many of us have split personalities. We don't know if we are Irish or Scottish or Irish/Scots. (Scots/Irish are the KKK.)

Bhoys4ever .... good school!! i went there.

SFFS

WGS,

Regarding Kiki,

Was he injured seriously in 2008? I see he didn't play a game for Lokomotiv Plovdiv from 19th April 08 until 6th March 09. Was wondering if it was a football decision or an injury. If it's an injury then it was an extremely serious one that merits attention to have him out that long.

WWC

my family/faith come first,
my club second, a very distant 2nd,

Seven,

How much do they think he's worth?

I had look on that site to see how much they rated Mats Jorgensen and Daniel Wass last week and i couldn't get any info.

WWC .... Champs league EVERY time as i dont have country to support. coming from belfast i cheer on the opposition everytime.

SFFS

WGS

Have to agree to a certain point nancy have pumped the price up(fair play to them lookiing after there intrests).Fortune if he goes to hull,says all we need to know(money is his goal).Doubt we will get 2 descent players though for same money

Sutty,

Had a bad injury but has fully recovered. Box to box midfielder in the Petrov mould i believe.

WGS .... 0.5m!! i think even we could afford that!!!

SFFS

barcabhoy/weeronn/TBB

if Lawwell has any say in who we sign i for one am very concerned

he is entitled to make the manager keep to the set budget

beyond that it should have nothing to do with him

if as has been suggested WGS had no budget but had to get approval Lawwell before signing any player .It may go some way towards explaining the pigs erchie that we have made of the transfer market over the last 2 years .

i pray that it is not so

WDH

magic BBQ yesterday ...3 am ...rough a badger`s for most of the day

a nice Semillion Chardonnay has made me feel a whole lot better

see your posts are following the general thread as always

Sadiesbhoy

Yes we love our club!

I've often flown over to glasgow on a wednesday morn for a game against Kilmarknock or falkirk at celtic park on a wednesday night!!

Without wanting to sound in any way boastful (Honestly not my intention) I spend between 8 and 10 000 euro's per season on following Celtic!! Between my season ticket, flights, accomodation, spending money, changing Euro's into sterling, European away games Jerseys scarfs match programmes etc!!

It is an expensive business supporting Celtic but I would not change it for the world!!

For the record I'm sure there are Thousands throughout Scotland and beyond that spend more on Celtic than me!!

We really are a hugely passionate fan base!!

Hail Hail

Roccobhoy

Sadie's Bhoy:
I'm with you bud.

Confused nationality (English dad, Irish mum and welsh-speaking, adopted Welshie).

No faith (but you have my respect Blantyre).

Politics died (for me) when the wall came down.

So, the Celts everytime!

roccobhoy

keep the faith man....

hope to catch up with you soon..

BT

Er... ahem, not before family though (sorry kids!)

Carrot,

See Seven fishes post at 9:05pm. That would be one :)

Seven you serious? For that alone it's worth a punt. Think Henrik 650,000, Lubo 350,000, Jorge Cadete 400,000.

What's JP and TM's number :)

roccobhoy

Eva Cassidy was very special.

Well worth a look.

Weeronn@4.23, I've been saying this for years. I coached for around 10 years, first assisting and then managing, and what happens is that the kid who's starting to fulfil his potential is snapped by one of the bigger schoolboy sides.It happens all the time. To my mind the joy and glory is taken away, to be replaced by a win at all costs mentality. As I've said before, kids level out big time when they hit their teens.Physical superiority disappears, and the skills the kids should have had by incessant practice and small games is not there. I just hope that the Celtic set-up is aware of this from early on, otherwise the money invested in the boy's game is being wasted.

club before country every time here.

But similar to Bantyretim - Family first, club second (and although im described as a head banger regards football) football is a very distant second.

Skippy

If I were King...

I have nevah evah played the Beautiful Game... Not Surpised?

Is it that obvious?

Ignoring, the Roar of Unanimous Assension..

I shall carry oan regardless.

I always aspire to reduce any matters which are under discussion...if not to Absurdity.. which would be.. well....Absurd!

That Notwithstanding.. Nevertheless..

I aver that I always reduce matters as close to the Bare Essence as I possible can.

Now remember from this point on..

I am speaking of..

The Number one Art that is the Fundamental Foundation( Is that whit ye ca'...a Redundancy?...ed)( Na.. a Redundancy, is when ye get laid aff woik..)

to Repeat..

The Number One Art,that must be perfected by any Young Man who wishes to attain Soccer Stardom..is the art of Collecting the Ba'.. Deftly, Neatly,Swiftly and Precisely...and it goes without saying..also Immediately having it under Complete Control..without missing beat.

Once a young man has perfected this ART.. the rest of his Soccer Skills will fall into place.

Now let us go a wee bit further.

I say...Unless, any Celtic Target...has this Fundamental Skill well established and can show me that he has developed this Fundamental of Fundamentals..to the Nth degree..

I would immediately scratch his name from my want list.

Yes, Pal.. This Skill is so Fundamental.. that it is Fundamental.

The pity of this is, this..

I can readily see that My Idea of what a Player must be able to achieve..and what the Celtic Scouts look for in a Player, is very much at Odds..

For..

Out of the Present Celtic Forward line..

Only Aiden, Molly, Naka...would pass my not so stringent requirement.

Therefore.. I also know that.. Macko, Jvoh, Sheridan,Georgio.. would fail miserably.. therefore. under my aegis.. these Four Chappies would not have ever been in my Celtic Team to start.

Take the Rest of the Midfielders. in the PRESENT FIRST ELEVEN..

Only .. Young Crosus and possibly, I said Possibly Mr. Hartley and Mr. Flood... would pass my test.

Master Brown, Robson.. thumbs down~

Centre Backs...

Loovens, would possibly Squeak thru..

Big Mick.. absolutely Not!
Gary? a Mebbe oan a guid day.

Back Fielders..

Ange would indeed pass my Teat, honorably.

Naylor?

Is that a serious question?

I think not.

In Summation..

I have given my Background regarding my Limited Knowledge of all Things Soccer..

What puzzles me is why the Powers that be in Celtic, whose Knowledge of Soccerania.. far Outstrips my own Humble... WEE TATE.

Have Stacked our Team with players who are so Sadly Inhibited in being not quite able to Consistently. Trap. Control..a Pass from a colleague,because of the Limitations they show, in not Possessing the Fundamentals of the Fundamental Art, which they should have initially Perfected at the Beginning of their Soccer Career?

Crazy.. Ah Call it.. Darn, Crazy.

Kojo.

roccobhoy on June 27, 2009 9:06 PM

Very true statement mate i wouldn`t like to count how much it costs to follow the hoops.What would her in doors say if they new the real cost.

Blantyretim

Defo catch up soon mate!

El Diego Bhoy

Thanks for that, might get a look sometime!

I'm logging off now Bhoys, things to do.

Fellow Tims Keep the Faith.

Hail Hail

Roccobhoy.

Kojo, its what comes of spreading the jam too thinly...

Boa tarde,

Haven't read all today's comments yet (saving that for my babywatch time tonight).

Not much new in Brasil today. Kerrison (or K9 as he's irritatingly called here) rumoured to be moving from Palmeiras to Barca for 16 mil Euro. If true, it'll be intresting to see how that works out. The kid's got real attitude problems (on the pitch)

Meanwhile, Palmeiras manager Wanderly Luxemburgo (remember him at Real Madrid ?) got the bullet this morning. Muricy Ramalhos (who was sacked by Sao Paulo last week) the early favourite to fill the hot seat. Any takers for Luxemburgo going to SP?

Controversy still raging over alleged "monkey" remarks made by Gremio's Argentinian forward Maxi Lopez (the man who Barca signed to replace Henrik) during Wed nights Libertadores SF against Cruzeiro. Legal action now in process, which should make the second leg at Gremio an intresting affair.

Flamengo have bought Zico's team CFZ as a feeder club (and more importantly to get a decent training ground). The fee will go to arbitration which will no doubt involve Zico (who's on Contract to CSKA until Dec 2011) getting a place on the board.

Fla/Flu here tomorrow but should be a small crowd due the Confederations Cup kicking off only two hours before. The CBF really do make the SFA look like a professional outfit.

Oh and here's the Brasilian view on Joel Santana's mastery (or lack of it) of the English language

The Joel Santana Rap

WGS .... nearly surely it was 0.5m Get him with Fatos Bećiraj and you have 2 potential superstars for less than £2m!!! £1.8m LESS than Fortune!!

SFFS

Jim Murphy epitomises all that is wrong with politics

A mediocre mind and no principles whatsoever

Tool

Weeron,

You are correct when you answered StPatrick's bhoy on the Lisbon Lions question.

They were from the era that played football on the street and on any piece of waste ground available from morning till night during the school holidays.

Plus, though they probably played primary school football, there was no such thing as coaching then. The first time they were probably exposed to such a thing was when they met up with Big Jock, who was, by then, the reserve coach at Celtic .

As to the the term development squad.

I heard an interview on the late, lamented Celtic TV, by, I think, PL, when talking about the prospect of Willie Mc.Stay at Ujpest.

He said that part of the plan was to send their development squad (not reserve) players over there to gain experience in a competitive league.

No wonder UEFA's Taylor is trying to block it.

WWC

we will agree, mini BT is the only thing that matters to me, everything else comes second...

Naw, I shouldn't be embarrassed. I do put the family first.

My limited income goes on them and very little is left for me to pursue my passion.

Not enough for frequent trips north, not enough even for Sky or Setanta. Thank ghod for those square sausages!

WGS .... Velikonja is rated 0.5m Euros! Incredible pace and acceleration. fantastic dribbler, superb shooting with both feet but not the best header.

SFFS

WGS

I did not read the blog and don't know much about what todays topics. My neighbour told me that you called me. So, I'm back for a while.
I don't know it it was posted yet.
German prtals say that Celtic is for Ilco Naumowski from SV Mattersburg. He striker, free agent.

Blantyre Tim

On your list of priorities I agree 100%. My answer referred to the question that West Wales Celt posed. There are, however, no higher priorities than family and faith.

RoccoBhoy

I am in awe of the amount of money you spend to follow the Bhoys. I am priviliged to be able to see the Celts (mainly home games)for about £1000 per year, although when I was younger I spent several seasons following them everywhere at great expense. Now I have a family and a wee bread snapping grandson that still require a considerable amount of support :-) but I love hearing the Irish accents at CP on match days. I hope you are able to follow the Bhoys for a long time to come.

Hail! Hail!

Seven,

He's only young and under 21, plenty time to master the head. He's got cracking movement and can finish with two feet and most importantly has speed.

r Z.... good evening my friend. see my post at 9.13 and 9.18 and WGS at 8.36

SFFS

Weeronn and thomthethim,

I respect both your views however we are not doing it correct in today's environment.All aspects of life are a competition and the sooner the kids understand it the better.Many young Africans and Eastern Europeans currently coming up the hard way.
Anyway it's good to see the blog returning to normal after some of the rubbish earlier in the week.

Paul67 keep up the good work.
Hail Hail

Ilco Naumowski from SV Mattersburg scored winner in 1-0 over Scotland for Macedonia

SFFS

Kojo

Your on a fair bit of form for the close season, great stuff the past few days.

Yer Pal thats fluent in Kojoish

EN

Zybszek,

WGS @ 8:53PM and 8:55PM.

Forgot to say, apparently our new manager was eyeing Semir Stilic in his last post at West Brom.

WGS .. .. where did you hear TM was after Semir Stilic at West Brom?

Would love to see him in hoops soon.

SFFS

WGS I will check your new Petrov.

I just read the article on Slovenian website about Etien Velikonja. The journalist says he is the most talented Slovenian player.

HIT Gorica wants 1,5 million Euro for the player. Journalist says 1,2 will satisfy them.

WestWalesCelt :- I'd love to see either but if it were one or the other then it would be Rangers every time.

To be honest even if it were the UEFA cup I'd rather Rangers win it than Scotland win the W.C.

I like to see Scotland do well but I don't have the same passion for international football that I do for Rangers.

Sadiesbhoy

I agree, we are only on this site because our families allow it,

BT

Seven Fishes,

I'm sure it was around the time we were aftter him in January. Makoto Hasebe of Wolfsburg is pretty good as well. WGS likes him very much

I woould love us to sign Christan Poulsen. I think that a signing like that would show some intent and certainly would bolster our midfield big time to help Crosas and Brown.

Glastonbury.

See that Bruce Springsteen fella, does he get called 'The Boss' due to having a variation of Stein in his name?

The real Boss.

WGS

I checked Bulgarian websites. No news about Dani Kiki going out of Bulgaria or about interest in him from foreign clubs.

ooops

better go, mrs and mini are shouting for me...;O))

God bless and keep the faith...

God look after and protect Kano..we are trying our best Martin..

night all

BT

Sadiesbhoy

The secret is to ingrain supporting Celtic into the extended family. That way when its birthdays, father's day, Christmas etc all pressies are directly linked to following the hoops.
So Christmas might be a collective pressie which goes towards a season ticket, birthdays - mines July - supporters club subs, fathers day - trip for two for a match and so on.

Don't make midweek matches myself - except CL matches - but following Celtic does cost a fortune.
Worth every penny too!

Looking forward to the LONG summer hols?

53

Zybzsek,

Bargain at that i think. What's John Park and Tony Mowbrays number?

Considering Nancy have had an auction with Fortune. A player like this and Bacrij you mentioned last week would probably do, if not a better job that Fortune and we would have saved money to spend on other positions in the team.

Ghuys, wouldn't it be great if we could field Koki and Kiki in the same team. When I was a young teacher taking the school football team, I had two great players in my team, Raymond Boyle and Kevin Doyle. I taught in a huge Primary school of 1150 pupils. I scoured the school from P1-7 to see if I could find a Coyle (even a wee P1 girl would have done) to play in the team so that I could boast a midfield of Boyle, Coyle and Doyle - sadly we didn'y have a Coyle in the school at that time!

Lurgan53

Did you see the latest CU podcast features "Michael Kelly from the Association of Irish CSCs" Ive yet to listen to it but if its half as good as the one with the North American CSC fella (cu51) it will be great.

EN

Didn'y should have read 'did not'. I'm quite posh you know. :-)

Lurgan 53

I'm still jealous that your summer holidays are longer than mine! People who know me regard me as being a fanatic but I can tell you when I read about what it costs our Irish fans and some of our fans from far flung parts like the North of Scotland and in England and Wales - to be honest I'm just an ordinary supporter.

West Wales Celt

You shouldn't need to cite the reasons as to why you don't get up so often to see the games. Any money you have should be going to the family. That's what makes you a man. Attending the games is a bonus. It's sufficient to be a Celtic Supporter.

don't know if this has been talked about yet but... http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/06/27/1350398/borussia-m%C3%B6nchengladbach-sign-juan-arango-from-mallorca

looks like arango's off to germany. anyone think we were actually in for him?

Signing off ghuys for the night - got to get my beauty sleep! Let's hope we sign a quality player soon and that we don't ever let Peter Grant or Mrk Venus in front of a microphone again.

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Estadio Nacional

Music tae ma ears,pal.. Music tae ma ears!

Thanks fur yer gracious remark of appreciation.

Kudos,my friend, regarding The Name that ye hiv cleverly coined, as an esoteric description of my singular use of the English Language...the learning of which, is definitely a prime requirement for anyone who wishes to experience the full stunning impact of being completely lost in the avenues of my circumlocutionary prose.( Whit?.. is that you showing aff again?...ed)( Why No? How many chances dae Ah get tae show aff,since Ah wiz drummed oot o' the Rotary Club?)

Kojo.
yer pal .. who likes ye a loat.

WWC,

On the purely footballing question.

Celtic to win CL every time mate.

In fact as I agree with ED inasmuch as I would rather Celtic won the Uefa Cup than Scotland the WC.

Rocco,

No wonder you're still single :-)
Seriously though I take my hats off to you and all the travelling Celts, you're committment and faithfullness (nearly said loyalty there!) is superb and helps makes our club what it is.

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Surely in regards to the young players are they not in need of work permits which are nearly impossible to get if the player isn't playing for they're countries.I'm not in the know i terms of what countries this applies to?
These guys and this area of the market is were we should be searching the premiership must be avoided at costs because clubs when they see premiership clubs in for they're players get proverbial dollar signs in they're eyes!

MB

"My hats"???

"My hat" of course :-0

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

The token tim,

liked the way you had to check to make sure you didnae use the word loyal there. Words are so emotive.

I used to work with, and still keep in touch with a great guy who one day told me it really got up his nose being called a non-Catholic.

Quite rightly, he explained that he wasn't a 'non-Catholic', but was a protestant. A member of the reformed faith.

Now up until he had mentioned his annoyance, I had never used that particular phrase.

Although since that day, I have always managed to fit a reference to him being a non-Catholic whenever we talk about football/religion/society/etc.

Childish, but good fun.

Talking of the EPL.

Aparently Spurs have put a £18m price tag on Darren Bent, mentioned here a few times

Dean Ashton who was mentioned on here last week is currently on £60k a week.

The sooner that bubble bursts the better.

Dont buy players, make our own.

Shatner's

I agree, the childish digs can be very entertaining.

Sometimes its the small things in life that give most pleasure......or so hang the dj's missus says :-)

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

The Token Tim

Too right & she still exaggerating to spare my blushes

Estadio Nacional

CU podcast ye say ?

not as good as listening to Kubla not swearing ................

Was reading another website there, and the talk is of Jim Spence and his theory that sectarianism is a west coast problem. I had to laugh and it made me think back to last week at the school I teach at. My school is in West Lothian, and we were recently involved in a growing potatoes project. So, to cut a long story short, due to yon new curriculum for excellence mince, we decided to make it a whole school task. As a member of the English dept, myself and a colleague decided to write and perform a play based on the Irish famine. Now, this is a non-den school, and the amount of obstacles placed in our path, was unbelievable. The kids were excited about it, as we had explained to all that the famine happenned here too. The struggle to get time to rehearse, the indifference shown by colleagues, and the unwillingness of many staff members to help an become involved, really made me sick. There seemed to be only two of us, and the children, wanting the play to go ahead. I can only register my disgust at so-called hearts fans (note no capital letter, to intensify my antipathy towards them), amongst others, make me realise just how deeply rooted sectarianism is in our wee backwater. And I thought I had witnessed it all, having worked in North Lanarkshire, I now realise just how anti-Irish/catholic this horrible wee country is.

velvet......

you should try the south west ........they don`t try to pretend

as for hearts fans ...wee hun bar stewards

velvet underpants,

West Lothian is every bit as rank as North Lanarkshire.
You only need to spend 5 mins in Armadale, West Calder, Whitburn and the like to realise this.

Ask Awe-Naw he grew up in Whitburn!

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

hang the dj,

:-)

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

TTT

knew there had to be some explanation

Token and Ed; we know no borders!

Sadie's Bhoy; Cheers! That gave me a lovely warm feeling and I had this (albeit deluded and transitory) vision of myself loking like something out of an Old Spice ad...

PF,

:-)

How's things wi you then? And what is it tonight, Red or white?

Unfortunately Im dry tonight and its no fun :-(

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

PF Ayr
I originally hail from the west. I know all about blatant sectarianism. At least they don't try to hide it there, and pass it off as a problem that soeone else has. My mate Stevie, who helped me with the play, came from North Lanarkshire and told me there would be objection, obstruction and dowright indifference to what we had planned. In fact, after I announced it in the staffroom, I noticed a marked difference in the way even the HT treated me!

bigjie

Where does he not swear? I thought Tommy Johnston was quite prolific in that department, quality stuff.

EN

The Token Tim

I was wondering why you were not dancing...

EN

TTT
You forgot Harthill, that even though belongs in North Lanarkshire, seems to think it is part of Whitburn.

TTT

Semillion Chardonnay...Aussie

just the one though

had a bbq last night

way too much red ..started with a Chianti then toured Europe ...then the new world

real burst heid this morning

PF ayr

Going by your moniker your definition of the South West stretches a wee bit north.

Surely only DG addresses count :-)

velvet .....

it`s all Catholic school`s fault

even though there is no such thing as a non denominational .....i`ve neve seen a priest in one of them ..plenty of ministers though

Kisstherug

lived in Stranraer for 12 years ...

Estadio Nacional

he disnae swear on msn ................

EN,

yep I'm one of those who wont even think about gettin on the floor without 6 beers in me :-)

Imagine if you will Thunderbirds on stilts and thats me on the floor when sober :-)

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

THRILLER VIDEO..BBC2...WONDERFUL

Bigjie

I dont know the fella.

When are we signing Remi Gallard?

EN

A nice half saltire tricolour flag waving about for FF at Glasto

PF ayr

Stranraer...... Interesting (documentary-wise) place

PF
oor wee school has an RC chaplain, who is actiely involved in the school. He does great fundrasing or us, we are a 'special school', and I don't believe he gets the credit he deserves, as the school rarely visit his parish church, despite being very close.

PF ayr

There was a news reporter yesterday who was saying 'Michael Jackson will never leave us.' they had the Thriller video on in the back ground.

EN

the boss on bbc2 now from glastonbury.

Kisstherug :- I think PFAyr was meaning the south west of civilisation. This obviously rules out D&G.I have it on no authority whatsoever that down there in the darklands people still run screaming from horseless carriages and then lacking addresses go to the grove where their shaman (who has the unpronouncable name Dbbia) chants spells and gives them potions to bring them out of shock.
Out of pity the good folk of Ayrshire recently sent a young female missionary down to try and train the shaman in modern techniques but after a year she fled back up to beautiful Ayrshire.

SHATTERED ......NIGHT NIGHT

Does the fella that was a regular in the Supranos not play with Springstein anymore?

Awe_Naw_No_Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo_Oan_Moanin_Anaw_Noo

So you call me a "Buckie drinking neanderthal" and now you claim "So it wasn´t really me name calling, it was I still feel an accurate reflection of your uncivilised behaviour." and even after dishing out such abuse, you still expected ME to apologise to YOU?

Uncivilised behaviour? Your head is so far up your own arse I'm amazed you can manage to type.

One more thing, you can say what you like about me, but I will ask you to leave my parents out of it. Bringing my parents into it is really the lowest of the low, especially at this particular time, so I am asking you, wrap it.

Velvet,

Couldn't bring myself to even write that place - had a run in or two when playing up there, on one occasion was lucky to get out in one piece.

PF,

sounds like a heavy one last night. Enjoy the odd red or two but it kills me next day!

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

PF ayr

Whereabouts in Stranraer?

My family used to have a caravan in Sandhead, for 16 years my summer holidays including a week in Stranraer

TinyTim - Yes it was indeed 14th March 1981. I knew it was a big score that had my father so excited.

:)

I always chortle when religeous schools are explained as the root and cause and reason for sectarianism and racism in the West of Scotland.

S'funny, but although they have many religeous schools (R.C., C. of E., etc) in deepest darkest Surrey, they dont't seem to have 15 year olds having their throats slit because of their percieved religion, or any of the rest of the ingrained problems we have in this presbyterian utopia we live in.

PF You and the drink!

My theory, contrary to Kojo et al's view that the misfiring forwards cost us four in a row, is that you falling down on your Lenten contract with the big G ( no drink for me, 40 days, no probs big fella) is what really did the damage.

What I want to know is, what other sinful behaviour yours will we all be paying the price for in the coming season?

I blame you, personally.

TinyTim - Just out of interest, as you are a Fifer and your father had no interest in Celtic or football, how did you come to be such a big Celtic fan?

Intrigued.

TTT
You are spot on West Lothian is the most bigoted areas in Scotland.
I grew up in Whitburn only RC in the street. Me and brother had to get out

hang the dj

lived in the town initially

then had a farmhouse just outside

Sandhead beach is wonderful

used to take my dogs there early mornings at the weekends ....something i really miss

The Boss on BBC 2 right now

blind

is there a grammatically correct english version of that

anyway

me given up drink was a significant ask

as for you ya two pot scremer ...a matter of little moment

blind

is there a grammatically correct english version of that

anyway

me given up drink was a significant ask

as for you ya two pot screamer ...a matter of little moment

What with it being the silly season this video may help distinguish between the mince that the media continually throws at us.

Im afraid I dont see what the fuss is about Bruce Spring (Not getting to use steen anymore)

Is it because he is good at wearing jeans?

PF ayr

Aye, used to walk along the beach up to a wee village, canny mind the name of it but there was a hotel in the village called The Tignamara(no idea spelling)where the grub used to be good

PF ayr

Im blaming you also;*)

Bring back GS.

EN

hang the dj

that would be Sandhead Village

Tig-na-mara ,,,,good effort

known as "The Tig"...still good

Velvet Underpants
You have my sympathy- look towards early retirement.

night ....this time
blind.....chase yersel

just in..

GL2,INKY,TTTT,PJ.

you have mail..

am off to read the thoughts of the asset strippers...

jeez boruc out,aiden out,skoosh out...some people really need saved from themselves...

will post further shortly..

CSIAL..also mail to you..

Martin 47 - aha, fame at last.

Seriously though, I am amazed and delighted that you remembered that.

I used to be a regular in the Herald, and ended up assisting Tam Shields with the Diary for a while.

Happy days.

awatr,

Returned.

Yes

Two weeks to the day til our first friendy.

Come on the Celtic get into these, eh, upside doon fellas.

EN

pf..@10.51..

re the south west..you are right..but we arent that outnumbered in certain places..well those that ed doesnt stay in and those that eggs and microwaves are involved...

daddys gonna pay for your crashed car...

zoooropa csc..

Estadio Nacional -

My son plays football in the Gold Coast Premier League, here in Oz. He and 3 of his team-mates, all Aussies, have tickets for the Brisbane Roar v Celtic match.

Every weekend, the Gold Coast FA choose a "match of the week" from the list of fixtures, and move it from the Saturday to the Sunday. It turned out that my son's game was switched, only last week, from Saturday 11th to Sunday 12th July with a 5pm kick-off.

When my son spoke to his 3 team-mates about it, they all said they really wanted to go to the Suncorp because, in their own words, "Seeing Celtic play is a once in a lifetime for us."

My son phoned his manager and explained the situation. He said he would contact the chairman and "get it sorted".

My son went to play yesterday (Saturday) afternoon and was advised by his manager that the chairman had taken it up with the FA and the game has now been reverted back to the Saturday.

A reult!

The power of Celtic knows no bounds.

:)

Gold Coast Tom

Great news, I doubt that would happen here.

I need to get my act together, need to fly around next weekend get settled then head to Brisbane from Sydney, the draw of the game is making it beyond tempting.

Update on the BR poll

"Which Celtic star are you most looking forward to watching at Suncorp Stadium?

Scott McDonald 37 %

Shunsuke Nakamura 18 %

Aiden McGeady 10 %

Other 3 %

None. I'm going to watch the Roar play! 32 % "

Feel free to vote

Gold Coast Tom

Are the Roar any good & will they give us a hiding?

Estadio
Gold Coast Tom
I don't imagine you guys get to see Celtic "in the flesh" very often, so I'm pleased for you that we'll be playing in Oz.
Enjoy.

EN,

I would love to be joining you and the OZ Bhoys and the Sing Tims, but needs must and all that - the 12th is my wedding anniversary after all - Hope and no doubt that you will all have superb time.

Lets show the rest of the Aussies what it is to be a Celtic Supporter.

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Gold Coast Tom,

That is brilliant news for your Bhoy and his mates.

What an accommodating FA you/they have. Tremendous on their part.

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Bhoys 'r us

Easy mistake to make, I was at most of the games near the end of the season. Stay in Blantyre. An Oz CQN Celt got me a ticket for the fatal game in Govan, but had a great night afterwards.

I have sympathised with the Oz Celts on here many times, TV coverage, tv times, and the 'not a real fan' posts that appear from time to time p me off.

Im planning on combining a visit to see my Sister with the game, or vice versa, to be honest the game is the driving force.

EN

Lisa Hannigan on bbc2.

Thanks to CQN I like her.

I have only just recently started getting the Springsteen thing after watching the Superbowl halftime show earlier this year. Thunder Road is now in my top 5 songs of all time.

Tonight was jaw droppingly brilliant.

He sure knows how to play an audience.

ok..just caught up with all things CQN..

am amazed with the sell..AB/SB/Aiden mob..

tantamount to asset stripping..

plenty more to go before those three..

ie..donati,doumbe,naylor,jvoh,sammi,skippy(if 6m accurate),jk,m.brown,mick,hartley,bobo,wilson,(but he signed new terms recently)mcgowan...not to mention Naka(already left)..koki/mccourt/mcginn/ben(jury out on all due to fitness/ability etc..)

AB,AH,GC,SMCD(IF NO 6M BID TURNS UP),SB,MC,LZ,SM,should be spared from the CQN cull..

ins??..fortune wouldnt be at the front..neither would be fletcher(not at 4m anyway).and as for robbo at wba...

would have gomis in a minute no doubt..a left back..midfield enforcer,centre back and at least 1 striker..

as for the shout regards owen..if structured the right way then it could only be a win for either side regardles of his fitness..

I see Gaud has another opus on Etims, wellying into the board and John Ried in particular.

There is a bit of me thinking I should be agreeing with him, but actually, I find myself more in accord with the financial tact taken by the board, though I do think Jan 09 was a howler of Michael FIsh (Hurricane? Nae chance) proportions. My view is the board have got more right than wrong over the past 5 years, so lets see how it plays.

Over a foaming ale or two tonight, the word from a "source" was there will be two players paraded next week - the deals are done and agents are dotting i's and crossing t's, the usual stuff. No details on who, or where they play (which is good - no leaks at CP is a policy I love) but there have been agreements reached.

The Etims article makes me think where we will be with net spend come September 1st. WGS got £9m in year 1, but had inherited a team that needed major surgery. IF TM gets the same, we might - might - just about cover the areas we need to add to, though Naka heading off increases our need.

My hope is we invest heavily now.

My fear is the strategists will have already settled for Europa League and finishing 0.0001 points ahead of the Huns in the league, and will not invest above the line previously drawn in the sand. In fact, if previous form is repeated, they will wait to see who "Walter" brings in or chases out before making the call (Basa or Tamas anyone?) Last year must surely demonstrate how that tactic really doesn't work

Now isn't the time to be daft, but it is the time to be bold.

Estadio
As you say, easy mistake to make. I assumed from your post at 12:27 that you lived in the "outback".
Enjoy, all the same.

TTT,

Thanks

Here´s a wee present for you

http://www.gohomeproductions.co.uk/

Check it out ! Maybe not your thing but a party solution for sure.

Ended up in an allotment tonight at a Thai Barby with my ancient old car being the only source of music. I have a lot of Go Home Production mpegs. That went down a treat. I´t was all very Walhoresque especially when the Thai guy showed me his crop ... Very impressed. Leonardio Di Caprio eat your heart out. Ended up getting tanked and left the car blaring away after a change of battery at least I wont have to drive it home tomorrow ... And have taped most of Glastonbury

Players that came back to to tic for less money FRANK Mc Garvey

Steaming and have promise d Awe Naw Jr. to go to my local Highland games tomorrow.

LOve and Kisses

Awe NAw

should have read long term fitness..

Well they closed down the auto plant in Mahwah late that month
Ralph went out lookin' for a job but he couldn't find none
He came home too drunk from mixin'
Tanqueray and wine
He got a gun shot a night clerk now they call 'm Johnny 99

Down in the part of town where when you hit a red light you don't stop
Johnny's wavin' his gun around and threatenin' to blow his top
When an off duty cop snuck up on him from behind
Out in front of the Club Tip Top they slapped the cuffs on Johnny 99

Well the city supplied a public defender but the judge was Mean John Brown
He came into the courtroom and stared poor Johnny down
Well the evidence is clear gonna let the sentence son fit the crime
Prison for 98 and a year and we'll call it even Johnny 99

A fistfight broke out in the courtroom they had to drag Johnny's girl away
His mama stood up and shouted "judge don't take my boy this way"
Well son you got a statement you'd like to make
Before the bailiff comes to forever take you away

Now judge I got debts no honest man could pay
The bank was holdin' my mortgage and they was takin' my house away
Now I ain't sayin' that makes me an innocent man
But it was more 'n all this that put that gun in my hand

Well your honor I do believe I'd be better off dead
And if you can take a man's life for the thoughts that's in his head
Then won't you sit back in that chair and think it over judge one more time
And let 'em shave off my hair and put me on that execution line

vclxi on June 28, 2009 12:48 AM
Totaly agree with you on Thunder Road, been listtening to it for 25 years it's still as good now as it was all those years ago.

Just watched The Boss and the E Street Band just incredible.

First saw them in 1985 Round Hey park Leeds over 100.000 fans he did 4 1/2 hours. Stil to this day I have never been to a better concert, his energy and the band's sound is just phenemenol. Would have loved to go to Hyde Park tomorow but will see the show in Hapmden in July.

Can't wait.

aw..naw..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2aQogGfYtY

Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo,

Annnnnnnnd Sleep, should be interesting reading you tomorrow:-)))

SuBoe CSC

Awalkacrosstherooftop

Agree, the Scott McDonald story was based on the almost clichéd 'Recordsport' and to top it off it was by the grand master of Keich. Agent Keith Jackson.

The spelling of that dodgy word is subject to much debate, unfortunetly here is not the place, but Im talking K...

Anyway the past two days we have witnessed posts doubting our top scorer, I refuse to give my opinion on him at this time due to the circumstances. These rags bring up these stories, and they are a success if it leads to us doubting the player or posting 'I will drive him down the road', 'Hes a greeting face wee knaff', etc.

Post like that are worse than anyone buying 100 copies of the Record daily, despite all the good work, people are still taking something from the stories in that rag.

All we can ask is that people ask themselves the source of the story they are about to post about.

boss was brilliant tonight,..over an hour missing too...roll on hampden in a couple of weeks.
ESTADIO,
yes sopranos steve van zant still with the E Street band,was on stage tonight.

Elbhoy,I will see the great man soon,Bastille day.

anyway..19hours to the playhouse...

video poor..but music good..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiErQiDJ7Ds

its not just the blue nile csc...sophistication branch..

Bhoys 'r us

Apologies, I would have thought the same.

My Sis said last year, 'you and your mate go around Europe to see Celtic, and dont bother coming to see me? Huff'

She stays in Sydney, Ive only been to the two last 16 CL games, last year I said 'I will go to Oz when Celtic play there.'

Did the SFA do the draw for the friendles?

Im no globe trotter, got paid of from work on Thursday, got a bit of time and that on my hands.

Hail Hail

EN

zimmerman

I kept waiting on Steve Van Zant to do his Al Pacino impression

zimmerman

Silvio?

I wasnt sure that I had seen him, what a guy.

EN

hang the dj - To be honest, the standard of the A-League is pretty poor. I would place it on a par with the Scottish First Division or thereabouts. To give you an idea, Charlie Miller is a star here.

However, given Celtic's recent record in pre-season friendlies, especially across the oceans, I may live to regret those words.

TTT - The GCFA really didn't have a choice, because a few weeks ago, they acceded to a similar request from another club, because a few of its players were attending a pop festival on the rearranged day, so they could hardly turn down this request, especially as the situation arose due to football reasons, as opposed to a music event.

What do Springsteen and Clapton have in common? (Note the omission of first names)

They have never hit a musical note between the two of them while singing!

Listen, watch and learn, they talk their way thru their rip offs!

CaltonTongues

Im no fan of either, I see you are a fan of Crowded House.

I wish they would keep their weather with them. ;~)

EN

CaltonTongues

They seem to have made no a bad living out of it thought.

I agree about Clapton - dreadful singer but no bad on the old guitar

The Boss is quality

Estadio Nacional,

The weather's fine here.

Are you not in EK?

BTW, they two are not the worst but, the Hype on Sprinsgsteen is hysterical. I could spill the beans on him re donations.

The most original tune Ive heard all night.

The Sun Smells Too Loud

Estadio
I have a lot of respect for the Bhoys from Oz.
I met a few in Seville who had travelled all that way WITHOUT a ticket.
I live in Denmark and only get to see the Hoops "live" when I'm home visiting family, but follow faithfully through CH67.
Have a nice trip, and say "Hello" to Sis from a fellow exile.
COTH.

EN..

where to start..if somebody could guarantee a 30+ a season striker then we would be happy..

reading the forum.

boruc 7.5
brown 7
aiden 7..

gives us 21.5m if all 3 go for the assumed fees..

ask yourself(general question)if we went to the epl to buy..could we improve on these 3 for that money(wages and fees/quality)..
as far as I see dont see the best goalie at cp in many years being easily replaced,after nakas left then sell the most gifted player on the books??dont think so..and those who think we should.. name names..dont hide behind the anonimity of slagging off various players with the hes not good enough routine..

lets face it..the sell brown/mcgeady/boruc(who must have won the club 12 points every season since he arrived with his performances)brigade are the first guys to shout about the lack of movement/class..sorry change for the sake.. not for me..

yes we need to refresh/push on the squad..but if the ideas involves asset stripping then we aint improving..

and those on here who advocate it for total unknowns..ought to know better..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wsd-vRaVHE

CaltonTongues

Im 'black affronted' as some folk say.

I say down south of EK, Blantyre where we have weather, I joke about EK weather and feared some people might think I was from up there.

I kind of saw the reasons for the hype about Bruce Spring, there were many hits he played tonight that I had forgotten about, he is ok for a run of the mill american singer, up there with Billy Joel, and close to Neil Diamond.

I know you want to spill beans, dont make a mess...

EN

hang the dj,

Springy also plays the guitar:-)

Estadio Nacional,

Apologies re EK.

I actually stayed in Blantuur for a few years for my sins:-)

As for spilling the beans - Think of his Surname and millions to the middle east! mmmmm.

I bought this guitar and I learned how to make it talk.

You just dont speak his langauge EN ;.)

Cos tramps like us
Baby we were born to skelp hun

goodnight & god bless all those in timdom.

I was at an anniversary party last night and decided to break the ice at our table by telling a 'mother-in-law' joke.
'What's the ideal weight for a mother-in-law?'
'Two and a half pounds including the urn!'
I expected a wee laugh but the guy on my right made me go red when he told me in no uncertain terms that his mother-in-law was an absolute saint - always there for them and lending a helpful hand at every opportunity.
'It's her fecking daughter I can't stand!' he muttered.
Hail! Hail!