Hibs get top price again as cash tighens elsewhere

First? JammyDodgerCSC

Ya Beauty! Now to read the Article! :-)

3rd?

Hi Paul

Apart from the contracts that have run out, do you expect to see any transfer activity being completed this week? (in OR out)

NOTE I'm not asking for names :-)

I'm glad I'm going on holiday for 3 weeks in August. Perhaps we'll have signed someone impressive by then and progressed through the qualifiers.

KeeptheFaithCSC.

TB&F

CQN Cycle for Kano.

Bigjock67
Mouldy67
Jonnybhoy
Falkirkbhoy
Bigsinend
MWD (me)

are now registered participants in the Pedal for Scotland event taking place on the 13th of September 2009.

We will be cycling from The Peoples Palace in Glasgow Green to Victoria Park in Edinburgh approx. 50 miles give or take a couple of hundred yards.

We will be hoping to raise a few quid in sponsorship which will be added to the Kano fund already setup. If you would like to make a donation or sponsor Team CQN Cycles for Kano per mile then please send an email detailing your donation\sponsorship per mile to: -

CQNCycleforKano@googlemail.com

No donation too small. 1p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100. We don't mind. The choice is yours.

Thanks in advance and a big Hail Hail

from all the Bhoys of CQN Cycle for Kano.

Maybe we could buy Southampton and use them as our feeder club... or possibly even a back door into the English leagues and the big money!! ;o)

/Bishop B

Celtic Celtic
That's the team for me.

Hibs, Livingston & Southampton, Barcelona, Man City, Man U, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Arsenal (for you WG) etc. etc just don't get my juices flowing.

As a matter of fact the position or plight of any other club in the world does not even register an interest on my radar.

MWD

God Bless the Celtic
Good luck big mogga in your 1st training sessions today

Paul67

If i were a hibs fan, I would be absolutely spewing Paul as hibs have brought in so much money on players and spent prob under 300K

def something seriously wrong there

all the money has gone on their new stand

shocking return for the fans who would much rather see an investment in the team, even a minimal one at that

I also think he prob didnt need to haggle that much, as burnley knew what we had bid, and knew what hibs wanted and seemingly were happy to pay the £3million

Premiership money once again, makes these kind of deals so easy and closed within a few days

Paul67 - It's sad news about Livi, but perhaps the reality is that Scottish football has too many professional clubs and not enough paying customers, be they fans, media partners or corporate sponsors.

A thinning of the herd is inevitable, as the only alternatives to running a profitable business are bankrupcy or the absolute madness of nationalisation and government bailouts that are spreading through other parts of the economy like an aggressive disease.

Like Gretna, Livi have enjoyed a measure of success disproportionate to their appeal because they spent more than they earned. It is slowly dawning on our society as a whole that all debts must, in the end, be paid. Individuals, firms, governments, and football clubs can only cheat financial gravity for so long before they fall.

Next up: Hearts!

Just a few comments about Fortune, as a West Brom fan, if I may.

He came to us in January and joined a team playing only one up front. We had started the season using Ishmael Miller in that role and he had struggled, but had in fairness to him, begun to cope better when he was injured in December and out for the rest of season. He and others tried in the role (i.e. Roman Bednar, Luke Moore), failed mainly because they cannot hold the ball up while midfielders arrive in support.

Fortune can do this. With his back to a defender he can receive the ball to feet, turn, move away and look to lay it off. He is athletic, pacey but not lightning- quick. He cannot head a ball, is a poorish finisher but is intelligent enough to develop play in and around the box giving others opportunities.

If the SPL, apart from the top two, is on a par with our Championship I would expect his scoring ratio to improve significantly. Better quality defenders of the type you will meet if you progress in Europe will I think have no difficulty containg his threat.

He is 27 years old, is not likely to improve his game other than marginally, and was available to us had he wished to sign for £1.5m, which is about the right price.

It's obvious that the player's connection are trying to talk-up his price but I suppose his worth to you is something Tony will be assessing.

It is noticeable that no 'serious' Premiership club have expressed any interest.

ok

there are 2 other clubs outwith Celtic Football Club who under "certain circumstances" might get my juices flowing.

MWD

He'd never have been able to switch off the electric if they'd still been Ferranti Thistle.

' He cannot head a ball, is a poorish finisher ', sounds like a like-for-like replacement for the unflying Dutchman.

West Brom STH

you may not. :o)

I pretty much agree with you summation of Fortune and what he would offer. Anything above 1.5 million is way over the top in my book. If he was worth 1.5 in January he is still worth the smae now having only scored 5 goals.

Can you tell me who those 5 goals were against?

MWD

If you look at the EPL (and European football in general) the role of the centre forward has been devalued over the years. That's how Emile Heskey has made a career!

One of the reasons we score so few goals from midfield is we do not have a centre forward to face them. I think signing a centre forward who can do this is absolutely crucial and can only help the likes of Samaras, McDonald, McGeady, Robson and Brown score more goals.

Step forward Chris Sutton, an absolute superstar in the Hoops.

Moonbeams wet dream - "there are 2 other clubs outwith Celtic Football Club who under "certain circumstances" might get my juices flowing."

Are they Edinburgh nightclubs called The Cockpit and The Manhole?

Anyone notice that JVOH has been removed from the player's page on the official webiste - but Paul Hartley remains!!!!

By Moonbeams wet dream on July 1, 2009 12:40 PM

2 v Newcastle
2 v Wigan
1 v Boro

West Brom STH

good detailed post mate

i dont want him if all thats true

TOP priority for any of our new signings:

1) they can finish
2) they are fast, very fast

By Lennondinho18 on July 1, 2009 12:43 PM

Agree with your requirements but what if Fortune is the Heskey for an Owen? Maybe getting Fortune in is priority for the system TM wants to play and he has a pacy, goal scoring forward to join him & a winger in a front 3.
We can dream.........

philvisreturns

are they happy places. :o)

Gary67

so he scored 5 goals in 3 games from January against relegation and lower EPL relegation threatened teams. Sounds like a good investment of 3'ish millions.

MWD

Dontbrattbackinanger

sounds like a FULL kenny miller mark 2

nae chance

we want and need a boy that can put the ball in the pokey regularly

Joke time:

Kirk Broadfoot walks into a bar... His girlfriend calls an ambulance and he is rushed to casualty.

Haloha all,

I personally think Fortune would be a disaster in the SPL, he wouldnt get the time and space he did in the EPL and would get booted off the park unless he can hold his own 'sutton esque'.

Especially for the cash involved, would much prefer a technically gifted goalscorer from eastern europe who is experienced in the rougher type of game the SPL brings.

I personally think he wouldnt improve the current squad.

A technically gifted goalscorer...like Zurawski but preferably without the heart of a flea then?

Gary67

it might well be mate

but if he is a poor finisher we should not be looking at him at aw

we want 2 strikers that can finish

McDonald was very inconsistent last year and needs a really good season

i woul def start with skippy + 1 new guy

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Something that Paul67 has been mentioning from time to time is to get a young player in relatively cheaply, and if, given the opportunity and, it suits the club, then sell them on to make a profit.

Celtic obviously did this with Petrov with great success, and is something that they will hopefully do in the future. Ajax are a perfect example of a club who have mastered this over the past 25 years.

For me, the Fortune deal doesn't really make much sense. He is not a prolific scorer, is 27 years old, and he will want at least Championship wages, which will put him in the top few money earners at the club.

I am sure that the scouting network in Eastern Europe or beyond, could pick up a younger guy, cheaper who will score more goals than Fortune. However if the lad does sign, then I will back him to the hilt and hopefully he will prove me wrong.

Joke time #2:

Q) If Albert Einstein had his own prime time medical drama on BBC One based on Tolman's Paradox, what would they call it?

A) Causality!

Peter Rafferty's Kouros

excellent 1st post mate

and 100% agree with you

Peter Rafferty's Kouros

welcome to the board also

Skippy + Chris Killen, Mowbray knows him well!

Good Old (_._)nal

Craig, Zurawski is god-like compared to Fortune at goal scoring ability! I understand however his attitude stank.

Well said Kouros...........fully agree!!!

I've always liked that player Mifsud, think he moved recently for pennies. He would have be ideal in the hoops.

philvisreturns @12:50 PM
Good one mate..

Kirk Broadfoot's least favourite time of tear... Easter!!

/Bishop B

PRK

surely yuou know the furthest East we go is Easter Road.

Where is this place 'Easter Europe' you speak of?

MWD

Peter Rafferty's Kouros - I agree with you.

If we're chasing this guy, it suggests either Tony Mowbray has an insight into his ability that isn't obvious from what the player achieved at West Brom, or it suggests a startling lack of imagination in our transfer targets and a lack of value being added by our supposedly world-class scouting system.

BTW I loved Baker Street. (sax solo time: da daa da da daa daa daaaa...)

Thanks Len. :)

Poor Kirk Broadfoot. There's a village somewhere missing the big galoot.

WG

surely that is against the rules. :o)

MWD

need to get back to work now.

Paul67

I cannot help but feeling disappointed that we have missed out on Fletcher. Actually, missed out, is probably the wrong phraze, since it does not sound that we made any effort to try and get the player, a Strachan target, but not a Celtic one. I could be proved wrong, and indeed hope I am, but I do not think we will find a better player for £3million. Indeed, I would go further, Fletcher would have been a bargain at that price, could have adapted to any style of play, and played alongside any player already at Celtic, or likely to end up at Celtic!

well done Lennondinho18, you broke the internet.

I will be dissapointed if it's skippy plus anyone, the 4-4-2 is dead!

3 up front please Celtic!

thismancraig

How about a front three of Skippy, Flipper and Champioooon The WONder Horse!

We could even go for Casey Jones as the new rock in central defence

:-)

This Fortune bloke sounds dodge, a poor finisher who cant head a ball, havent we got enough of them ?

The market only opened this morning, lets wait and see what the boss actually spends his money on before we get all a fluster, I still hope that the hard work done by our scouting network may produce some enexpected results...

Ming

nostalgia.csc

£3m for a 22 year old Scottish international with potential who has a goal average of slightly better than one every 4 matches, and has averaged in excess of 30 league starts a season since he became a first team pick or £3m for a 28 yr old French striker, who has a goal average of slightly less than one every 4 matches, and has scored 11 goals in 71 games in the top french league.

I think Nancy have the french version of Rod Petrie if we pay more than £1.5m for Fortune.

StevieS - I would prefer this lineup:

.
.

Skippy............The Littlest Hobo

Babe....Lassie....Benji....Rin Tin Tin

Dunston....Clyde....Gentle Ben....Azlan

Artur Boruc
.
.
.
.
I know there's a lot of dogs in that squad, but I think it's a good combination of speed, strength, and tenacity.

And the defence would rip apart opposing strikers.

Moonbeams

I live right beside Victoria Park in Edinburgh, so if any of Team Kano would like a shower after the cycle, or nice cold beers and fresh sarnies delivered to the park, just gies a shout.

Frever

The Great White Shark 001.

I posted this on the previous thread.

tgws001.

Are you all set for the golf.Practicing hourly I bet,don't drink before you get on the course,leave that for afters,I might walk round with one of the teams for a couple of holes,rest up,and then head back to the clubhouse for a refreshment.

I'd like to say to all the golfers,enjoy yourselves, don't take it too seriously,as they say, it's only a game.

philvisreturns

when? adidnaemeantae

philvisreturns

doh

al no do that again

but u can imagine my pain at thinking about a skippy and killen front 2

philvisreturns,

is there a place on the bech for Rebel? (the big dug from Champion the Wonderhorse)

Freveranever,

nice one. very kind gesture.

drop a mail to cqncycleforkano@googlemail.com and I'll get back to you.

I think the beers will probably go down a treat.

MWD

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's Celtic career appears to be over as the club did not activate the one year extension clause in his contract before it expired at midnight.

The 30-year-old striker, who joined Celtic for around £3.4million from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2006, struggled with injuries last season and failed to find net with anywhere near enough consistency.

According to the Evening Times, new boss Tony Mowbray "wants to bring down the average age of the squad he inherited from Strachan, and recruiting players with a resale value will continue to be the route they follow in this transfer window".

Paul67,

First of all thanks for sorting out my small password and secret question problem so quickly.

Bold statement coming, Harry Callaghan style I am shooting straight from the hip.....as this is how i feel at present.

Dermot Desmond should by Southampton, shut them down and transfer the registration to CP, League One for a season, Championship and then The Promised Land, if only it were true or at least possible as we are never going to be invited and if we did, we would be out on our arse right away, no where near good enough.

I becoming disheartened by the level that our once great club is operating at these days.

After throwing away the league to a lets be quite honest, piss poor TFOD team, being trumped left right and centre for Managers and overly priced average players, by again to be quite honest, piss poor clubs that never have, never will.

We are weeks away from very important CL qualifiers, which at the present moment with the players on board we will not progress from. The very near future looks bleak and unless we can by some miracle progress to the CL proper.

We have learned that doing just enough to try stay in front of TFOD and keep a healthy bank balance does not work. Doesn't really matter that we didn't win the League, we have money in the bank, or at least until they steal it. Everyone, including Celtic has debt, as long as it is at a manageable level, then it should not be too much of a burden. While i am not suggesting that PL and TM go out and spend ridiculous amounts of money on average players, we need to do something as i cannot take anymore of this, Wigan, Burnley, possibly Hull! Who is next? Could it even be an administration ridden Southampton getting our 'targets'.

Yours in desperation

Polly67

West Brom STH - thanks for the profile update on Fortune. When we have been linked with pacy forwards down the years i initially get carried away & envisage us playing an attacking open style of play. However The difficulty & reality for us is that in the SPL we rarely face opposition who play an open game. This effectively means that our creative pacy players (Maloney/McGeady) are easily nulled as the opposition defence sits on their own 6 yard box. Take a look back at any Old Firm game under Walter Smith or the Hibs game at Easter Road game on the 2nd last game last season. Teams in our domestic league know that we can hurt them if their back 4 play high up the pitch. Whoever we bring in upfront, its critical that they have a physical aspect, can hold up the ball, throw themselves at crosses into the box & are cute at creating space for themselves in the final third like Larrson or Sheringham

Shame that my old works team, Ferranti Thistle, is in so much bother. I enjoyed my days in Edinburgh at Robbie Avenue ( especially winning the League at Love Street, despite Ref Crombie, Herts man, being under so much pressure for the Dens match at the same time)...but always thought it strange that the Works team could get into the Scottish League...but then again, the Murray International Metals Works team won the SPL last season!!

funny old world.

Here's to Brisbane next week...who would have thought!! Celtic in OZ! Great!

Certainly not going to judge Fortuné before he has even kicked a ball for us, if he ever does. I guess it's up to the management to determine his value.

However, more generally, even though its mere opinion I can't hide my disappointment at the standard of player many supporters are talking about as potential Celtic players. Mifsud, Buezillen, Beckford, Robinson, etc. Christ, even guys like Chris Killen seem to be winning a reprieve. Have our expectations really sunk that low?

At the very best these guys are no more than run-of-the-mill footballers. There is a real danger of slipping back into the standard of football that guys like Andy Payton, Mike Galloway and Paul Byrne consistently(!)produced for us. I appreciate times are tough and market forces conspire against a club in our situation but, by God, c'mon people. We are Celtic!

You may put your faith in a couple of good players, just like we did in the 90's (but even then I would suggest no-one in our squad is of the standard of McStay or Collins), but if you surround them with dross the results are inevitable. We've been on the slide now for a relatively short time but its a slide nonetheless - since Christmas 2006, in my opinion. The Board can either make the same mistakes as their predecessors and paper over the cracks or they can pro-actively address the problem now.

Have our dreams been diluted so much that the majority of us are ready to accept mediocrity once more?

Paul67

Is your "Hibs get top price again as cash tighens elsewhere" (tightens!) a secret coded board spin message for 'we're skint and canny afford him'? C'mon own up Paul own up, you know you want to!

Reyes freed by Athletico Madrid

hmmm

btp- I think your judgment of hoopslegend APayton is harsh; he got 15 goals in 36 appearances for the Hoops; at a time when the team was so rank rotten even Harald might have struggled.

Anyways; no team of dogs would be complete without wee Hunskelper

Good morning to all our supporters around the internet world, I hope you are all well.

Please do not believe everything that you read in the newspapers, as their remit is to sell as many copies as possible, and this is seldom achieved by reporting truthful facts.

The management team is working hard to strengthen the squad for the coming season and will not be rushed into knee-jerk signings just to appease the media. One or two possible developments are nearing completion, and hopefully something will be announced by early next week at the latest. You may not have heard much about some of the potential new arrivals, but rest assured, they do have the potential to be a success in the SPL and in European competition. And there may even be a big surprise for you all.

Keep an eye on the official website for news.

hi paul. felow celts .

just read the post from west brom sth 12.24. well that was a good honest assessment from the guy, that sounds like the calibre of player we go in for, just got rid of jvoh out the frying pan into the fire.I got a bit excited a few days ago thought there may be a chance of an ambitious signing in janko, but should have known better. reading back the posts our fellow celts are really clued up on players who are available, i particularly liked that full back from a few weeks ago,the guy who could stick the boot in, imho just what we need. but no-doubt as with all the other players our bhoys mention ,they will be out our reach. we wont sign any players of note .it will be average players to replace average players. so sad to say this is the level one of the biggest institutions in WORLD football has plummeted to. i dont know about any of you , but i cant wait till the bubble bursts down engurland way, as surely it must. Then we will be able to compete with the burnley,s and wigans of this world. scunnered. fed up. sick of waiting on white smoke .

bigtrainpete

Hear hear! Well said!

Anyone know if Setanta Ireland is available still in the UK and will the GAA be broadcast on it????

Farewell Bobo you are a leegend in the hoops!

Farewell Jan you did your job and thanks for that!

Farewell Hartley you lived the dream!

Farewell Nakamura a genius among the permanently baffled!

DD

Kanu Owen Pennant all free

that would tidy up the spare wage capacity

I see Paul67 has a new blog name going by the post at 1:52PM. Excellent!

Tony Mowbary

thanks mate.

we can all rest at ease now.

I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders.

MWD

donegaldanny

Well said , but what is a leegend?

A leegend is where you find your feeet

voguepunter

It a legend only slightly taller, slightly wider and alightly better in the air than most...

:-)

DD

Thanks Tony, but you better get back to work, PL is due back from lunch at Forge Pizza hut.

Voguepunter,

form CQNCycleforKano team.

thanks for you Pledge & support.

MWD

Spot on bigtrainpete @ 1.54 - done no doubt under instructions from the board.

Cardiffbhoy@1.17 - I think you may have ht the nail on the head as to why we didn't go for Fletcher. Hibs wanted £3M, we (realistically IMO) valued him neared £2M. When there was no chance of getting him for that we looked elsewhere.

And I agree a basic fee above that for Fortune might be a little too much given his age.

Moonbeams
Will you accept a Provi. cheque...................naw didnae think so.
cheers

Some transfer window yet it will happen when Celtic actually sign a player without the customary saga.

Am I paranoid or does anyone else feel this is going to be another disapointing window like in January?

ANyone heard of the two French lads linked with Celtic in today's Evening Times?

Jean Calve
Landry N'Guemo

Also Tony it's not morning, it's afternoon.

Unless you're in Brisbane already, making sure we're going to hit the ground running.

Marty T

I've heard of Calveee ,he is a leegend:0)

Jean Calve is on loan from ASNancy to FC l'orient.

He's a defender.

He's 6'7" tall, weighs 15 and a half stone and can run 60m in 5.8 seconds.

He once scored a goal with a backheel from inside his own half.

He looks great in tartan

we will definately (surely) have at least one (i think 2) new face in by this time next week, after reading the stats of fortune on here though, im hoping he wont be one of them. . . . .
good luck to jvoh and hartley, we all loved bobo at one time, but what he done to celticfor the last 2 or 3 years is just ridiculous, no-one with self respect would sit on a bench and train with the reserves when there were teams willing to take him and give him 1st team football every week, then again i dont blame him for not wanting to go and play for alex mcliesh.

hail hail!

Jean Calve is fluent in 9 languages, has 2 Michelin stars and once saved Johnny Halliday from being stung to death by a box jellyfish.

philvusreturns 12:41

LOL

What is it about our misfiring strikers in that they always seem to score the most important goals.

Harald in the St Johnstone game.
Tommy Johnston in the St Mirren game
and Big Jan up at Dundee United.

They all left never having really shone but by heck they did make their contribution count when it mattered :o)

Farewell Big Jan, Bobo and Hartley (this one is stranger than most as his ability to fit into the team may be missed depending on who we promote to the first team or recruit)

The number of out of quality contract players without clubs is surprising.
Would have thought many would have signed pre-contracts with other clubs.

Voltz at 26 probably at his peak, looked a decent propect a few years back.
With Hinkel at RB maybe another German at LB could work out well.

Campbell mid 30's linked with a move to Greece, in a different class to old man Weir.
Surely if a Greek club can afford him then why not us. Exactly what we are missing,
powerfull, composed and masses of experience.

Maniche, like Campbell only a midfielder and younger at 31.

That's just a few I would like to see us go after. Others, Liedson, lita, Owen and if true Reyes
is on a free then we should be going after him as a replacement for Naka.

Why pay transfer fees for mediocrity when you can get similar or in some cases better without
costing an intial transfer fee?

We are losing a few on free ourselves. Bobo, Naka, Hartley and JVOH all out of contract
and will all probably benefit from different suroundings.

"The number of out of contract quality players without clubs is surprising".

DBBIA: Thanks for the info ;-)

He sounds like some player, I was thinking that with a name like Calve he'd be a bit of a coo.

Did someone say that reyes got freed by Madrid.

Now that would be signing and a half.

bournesouprecipe,
Reyes... now that WOULD be a signing!!

BigSwee,
Big Jan's header in the closing minutes against them two seasons ago will live with me forever. Wit a goal and wit a reaction!!

Ellbhoy,
I think Moritz Volz is a RB although I think he played at LB for Fulham sometimes. He was also onloan last year with Ipswich so might stay with Keano.

/Bishop B

tony mowbray, on here. WOW
Hi tony, please win us the league this year if you dont mind big chap, we would all appriciate it

hail hail!

It would appear the Willie Mc.Stay has had to officially sever his links to Celtic, in order to take up the Ujpest job.

Isn't it edifying to see UEFA being so scrupulous in ensuring that everything is above board in their parish.

Thank God that the game is in such safe hands.

cheers Tony, hope it's Eidur Gudjonssen

all the best

Mazy

dontbrattbackinanger 1:50
great picture, put a smile on my face seeing that again,
anyone else think we should hold onto paul hartley for 1 more season? i do

reyes is rubbish

Landry Nguemo is also at ASNancy, he is a midfielder. He is 5' 8" tall and weighs 65kg.

In 65 first team appearances he has scored an impressive 25 goals, including 7[seven] in one game against Lens, all of which were direct from corners.

He once singlehandedly saved 14 nuns from their burning convent.

He looks forward to joining Celtic once he has completed the Tour de France, and is flattered by their interest, and is secretly hoping that a big English club like Hull City FCwill come in for him.

thomthetim 2.40

really? i thought celtic were still paying his wages though?
i supoze now though we will save on wages, and still benefit from his contacts and information he sends us

Len Brennan on July 1, 2009 2:38 PM

Your right mate his best position is RB.

However he is versatile, can play all along the back 4 and also has played in midfield.
I agree you would think Ipswich would be an obvious destination for him.

Just watched him on SSN, seems no offers on the table but expects to move abroad
maybe even back to Germany. At 26 his best years are ahead of him could be a good signing for someone.

Has to be many out of contract players around at this time. Surprised some of the names mentioned
have not signed pre conntracts.

Surely Celtic with a limited budget for transfer fees can compete in the Bosman market place.
Personaly would prefer to give a quality player the money upfront instead of shelling out over inflated
prices to clubs for mediocre talent. Thankfully we turned a blind eye at Flectcher for 3 mill hopefully
we will do likewise with Fortune.

Check this out.

This is a Tibor Tisza. He's a striker who has scored 32 goals in 63 games.
He's the top scorer at his club, an International and a freekick specialist.

And who does he play for I hear you ask... none other than Willie McStay's Ujpest!!!

Have a wee look - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3_s-Bo8mZY

I know Youtube clips can make average players look amazing but this guy looks very good.
Paul67, Any chance we would be getting him on loan per chance?

/Bishop B

the green white & golden eagle on July 1, 2009 2:48 PM

I'm just going by the way it is being reported on the official site.

"Thanks for the service, wish you luck in the future," kind of thing.

I could be wrong, but what with the "conflict of interest" issue thrown up by UEFA, it could be the only way to proceed with the plan.

Free Nelson Mandela. :o)

Moonbeams - i wouldn't sign him even on a free. He's the same age as David Weir.

Len Brennan on July 1, 2009 2:52 PM

Looks like Lubo with pace.

Could be a good shout.

ThomtheThim: 2:40.
I suspect that tinker Taylor ibrox spy.

tomthetim 2.40pm

I just saw the story and thought the same about Wilie McStay, i really hope that he is still in some way involved with Celtic as the origional deal seemed to be although from what you have said and how it is worded on bbc it does look like he has said goodbye to Celtic. If that is the case i wish him well but again really hope we haven't lost such a man altogether

Free the Manchester one!

thomthethim 2:53 PM

i hope he sends us that fella len brennan was talking about - tibor tiszer, that could turn out to be a good bit of business, he just needs willie's recomendation now and were flying. . .

hail hail!

Free the Zurich one!

NavanBhoy / thomthethim

Not sure if he's still a Celtic employee or not but I doubt it will change much with regards to the set up. He might have to have technically "left" Celtic but he'll still be working for us regardless and will be back at the club next year. Not ideal but was maybe the only way around it.

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Ellbhoy.

Bosman... or... Out of Contract Players, to put it more PLAINLY.. find themselves in that
category, for a reasom.

They are Out of Contract.. not all, as,as in everything else, there is the ODD EXCEPTION... but, ignoring that Exceptional
Exception..let's find out why it Generally is... that they are out ofContract, in the foist place.

And, that reason is...

Ta Da!!

Their Present Club, no longer require their services.

So

Noo, a Guy like me.. wid immediately..

SMELL A RAT!!

Ah am like that.. Ah ayeways look fur the Reason.. Ah ayeways, go up the River tae find oot Who is Throwing
the Deid Bodies Intae the River.. I am no in the Least perturbed tae see .. Five Deid Bodies,one
after anither, Float by, as I watch frae the Bank.
Na..that sight disnae interest me.......... Ah am mair interested and Intrigued, in finding oot.. Who the heck
is Throwing in the Corpes.. FURTHER UP THE RIVER??

In ither woids.. ayeways, go tae the SOURCE.

Therefore..

On account of my investigations as to the whys and the wherefores,BEFORE AH MAK MA MOVE..

I kin assure Ye.. as an example..

That Mr. Fortune, if we sign him..would be a regretable mistake.

By the same method of making my choice, as I hiv explained..

I WOULD NOT BE INCLINED TO HIV ANY INTEREST IN A BOSMAN TYPE PLAYER.

As..

Their Present Employers do no longer wish to hiv them on their Payroll.

Simple..Easy.. Nae Tother A Ba'

Oan the Ither Haun ..

Ah believe that we should be more interested in obtaining GIFTED YOUNG PLAYERS, with
LOADS OF POTENTIAL...early in their Career. And therefore, much less expensive to obtain.

So.

If I were King..

I would load up my Celtic First Eleven Selections with. a Bunch of OOR AIN HOMEGROWN GUYS.

As I have mentioned oan these pages..previously..

Ah believe.. in Messrs.. Koki..who is a speedy and tricky and good passer and crosser of a Ba'

and Padraig, who is Peerless in his Ability tae Run the Game.. and Beat his man, effortlessly.. and
Young Master Ferry, and Master Grant...and yes, he is back in training..and Master Caddis, who is a
wonderful young Talent.. who never once failed to impress, when he has ever appeared in
the Celtic First Team..and we hiv a potentially World Class.. Left Back in JustK.. and the potential of
young Misun, is Frightening. he is a Brammer.

All of these youngsters should be Blooded,as soon as is
Possible.

Anyway.. I would not of course, push all of these guys into the limelight of the First Eleven,all
at once.

However, this coming Season, I would Promote at least Three or Four.

It is Uncommon Common Sense,tae me, tae me..

That.. we must Promote from WITHIN..and.. for the Foreseeable Future.

We simply canny compete in the Football Transfer Market for .. even.. Run of the Mill, Millers!

We must .. grow up and smell the Java..

So..

My advice,pal.. is this..

Fuggetttaboot. the Bozoman Market fur over the Hill and REDUNDANT PLAYERS..

We ur wasting our time.. and meanwhile, we could be gien oor young Lads,
a chance tae Gain that ALL IMPORTANT FOIST TEAM EXPERIENCE..

Maks Sense tae me.

Kojo.
yer pal, who likes ye a loat.

wonder how the bhoys are gettin on with BTM, venus grant and lenny up at lennoxtown

it says "were magic, were magic" grafitti on the wall
UP THE CELTS

Ellbhoy,
Possibly Tisza coming this way with somone like Ferry, McGowan or Conroy going the other way.
How ever it worked out I think the lhad could be a good aquisition.

Also surely if McStay is there he'll be wanting to change things around.. ;o)

Here's hoping!

/Bishop B

Tictical_Genius

Looks like a good player who would fit perfectly into the supporting striker role in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1/4-3-2-1.

Kojo

Fair point that bosmans are often bosmans for a reason but guys out of contract at clubs like Barcelona are only out of contract because they have world class players competing for their position. Guys like these could well be talented players who we should be looking at.

BT,

You Have Mail!

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Len Brennan,

You have unearted a beauty there. Lubo Mark 2 !! or what? One of those goal was similar to the one he got at Ibrox. turned back inside the defenderand bang.

Not to sure if Willie would want to lose him :)

the green white & golden eagle on July 1, 2009 2:43 PM

I agree with you on Paul Hartley, a true professional, loves the club and can pass this onto the younger players, has done a job when called upon the last two seasons. It's too bad that we got him later in his career.

gsu

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend..Malone19

My dear friend.. If you believe for one nano, nano..that The Teams Like the ones that you Suggest,

do not know the Exact Value, down to the the lone Peso or the Sou. how much any of their playersWoith on the open Market...

and Knowing that..

Allow, any of Those worthies to run out of Contract..

Then...in that case...

Ah soitenly believe that ye ur Climbing up the Wrong Acacia~

My opinion,of course.. My ain opinion.

Those Teams would never allow a valuable Player, to go oan at such a bargain non Price.

Kojo.
yer pal..who likes ye aloat

greensideup on July 1, 2009 3:22 PM

definately mate, especially in tony's 1st season in charge he will need a few players like this, i.e. Lennon when WGS took over, his value during the transition between the MON years & gordon's era was priceless

Ellbhoy,

Campbell's career finished around the time he couldn't make his mind up whether he preferred being mummy or daddy. Couldn't see that working in Glasgow...

hi
can someone tell me whaer the golf day is please?
i know its fully booked but when i looked at it months ago it looked nice so will try and pay a visit.
thanks

Dubaibhoy- that comment could be construed as homophobic. There was an important court case only last season when PortsmouthFC got their name dragged 'hrough the mud by the behaviour of some of their support towards Sol

Do you want the same thing to happen to Celtic?

No,I didn't think so.

Free the Budućnost one.

Paul Hartley is past it, and was past it for most of last year.

whatever happened to the target from fc mallorca? the venezuelan guy, i thought he would be a good replacement for naka.
crosas will get better this season, he should have played in the last 2 games of the season in my opinion too. . .

Dontbrattbackinanger

Lighten up would ye!

PCbrigadegettinoanmywickCSC

DD

Paul,
What a wonderful viewfaethewindae, they’re back, at last, oh how we’ve missed them. Tony put the players through their routines, one touch, quick, passing football, a joy to watch. Sammy’s looking good, well tanned, but couldn’t trap a bag of sand, still the ladies are in for a treat. Bhoystown’s looking glorious, a real Paradise. Tony took time out to speak to the faithful and sign autograph books, he’s building relationships already, good to see and a welcome change from WGS. Day one is almost over, yeah they are still training, almost a full day at work, that will never catch on. I wonder what this month will bring ? Hopefully a few tall players, have you noticed how small our squad is?

God bless the Celts and God bless Tony Mowbray.

Sorry disagree on Paul Hartley both Simon Ferry
or Niall McGinn are better and fitter

The fact we relied on Hartley during the run in
highlighted the dearth of the squad and a manager
who wouldn't change.

IMCO

playthebhoysCSC

viewfaethewindae on July 1, 2009 3:50 PM

lucky bugger, wish ah wis there tae watch
roll on the the new season

hail hail!

viewfaethewindae,

they're not small, they're just far away.

FatherTedcsc

I see we have made a return to Broadfoot yokes.

No laughing matter

bournesouprecipeon July 1, 2009 3:51 PM

niall mcginn better than paul hartley? away ye go
fitter maybe yes, as he is younger but better i dont think.
i live in Eire and ive watched him play for derry loads, while he is good he isnt the finished article yet, but i hope in time him and mccourt come good

Donegaldanny- do I really need to 'lighten up'?

Moi?

DBBIA/DotherightthingCSC

green white & golden eagle

Maybe you have saw Niall more often than me.

But watching the a league we lost
more than once, Paul Hartley brought nothing
to the table.

Hail Hail

Still see Fortune hasn't signed fot anyone..starting to get bad vibes that we are signing him.

Noticed that Bolton have signed Sean Davis on a Bosman...only 6 months after Pompey turned down £3.5m for him...terrible asset management!!!

Willie McStay appointed new manager of Hungarian side Ujpest
Jul 1 2009

CELTIC reserve coach Willie McStay has been confirmed as the new manager of Hungarian side Ujpest.

The Hoops agreed to let the former Sligo Rovers manager leave theclub in order to take up the position as part of their link-up with theeastern European club.

The agreement will see Celtic loan young players to Ujpest whilealso involving the club in their programme to recruit talent fromeastern Europe.

Former Celtic player McStay, who has coached at Parkhead for 15years, said: "I intend to keep in touch with developments at Celtic butthis is a great move for me at this stage of my career and I am reallylooking forward to the challenge."

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell concluded the deal following talks with Ujpest counterpart Joe Borocz in Glasgow.

Lawwell said: "Willie goes with our very best wishes. This is atremendous opportunity for him to gain invaluable managerial experienceand we wish him every success."

Borocz added: "We are looking forward to welcoming Willie toBudapest. We are confident that he will have a very positive impact onour team and on Hungarian football overall."

finally confirmed!

this will pay dividends for us!....im positive about that!

well done PL and co for your vision,this is a masterstroke imho
farm out our upcoming talent out there rather than ruin them in the scottish reserve league.

hail hail WM and good luck!

bournesouprecipe on July 1, 2009 4:13 PM

hail hail mo chara!

anyy news on the boruc anyone?
do we think he is definately offski?

i hope not

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Aviewfaethewindae.

Your sign off line,palomine..says it awe.

I heartily agree.

Play the Bhoys... Play the Young Lads.. Gie it a Shot..EXTEND, yer Horizons, Mr. Mowbray.

This Transfer Market is fur the Boids..we canny compete fur even Guid coammoan or Gairden
Players..

So.. Let's start ower again..

Let's RETURN.. tae the FUTURE..

We used tae Rear oot Ain.. and we did a fine joab tae.

So the Question is..

Whit the Heck Happened te us.?

Well Ah wull tell ye..if ye must know.

We goat caught up in this .. Grass is ayeways Greener, attitude. We cast oor Covetous Eyes...oann the Ither
man's Back Gairden..

So.. we hid a shot at raidin' his Orchard..

And frankly..

His Plums wur too soor...His Gladioli.. Smell like the city Dump.. his Strawberries..

TURN TAE MUSH!

So..

Let's Start over,Mr. Mowbray.. ye ur an intelligent Gent.

Ye must see that we must start tae Gie SOME o' oor Youngsters an EXTENDED SHOT in the Foist Eleven.

Nae.. Five minutes frae the End..and waiting till we ur.. Three Goals Aheed stuff. Before we relent tae bring wan o these young guys in.

That is pure Windae Dressing!

Na..

Look.. back in the PRE STEIN DAYS, we produce a bundle of Guid youngsters..
and we soitenly kin dae that agin.

The only difference skillwise between oor Quality Street Kinds, and
a loat of the Young Guys that we hiv noo in oor Reserves is

This..,

And Ah thought ye wid nevah ask, that question..fur it hiz bin hingin
aboot this Forum fur ages.. and naeboady his evah thought of askin' it!

The answer tae that Burning Question is..

WE HIV NEVAH EVER GIEN ANY OF OOR YOUNG GUYS.. and extended run..

From the beginning of the Match..fur at least Six or Seven Outings!

We goata gie them a Fair Do..!

SO, Mr. Mowbray..let's see if Ah am Right.. when ah hiv
Pegged ye.. as an INTELLIGENT FELLOW.. or.. NO~

As you,pal. hiv written..

PLAY THE BHOYS!

Maks sense tae me.

Kojo.
yer pal...who thinks ye think, wisely.

kojo - it makes sense to me as well . The young fellas need to know that they will get a decent run and it will help if the supporters don't get on their backs. Mark Millar indeed looks the part. Others will say that when released (Rocco Quinn all the way back to Gerry Creaney and beyond have done nothing). True but maybe a wee bit of spark leaves them when they leave Celtic

Kojo,
Looks like you and I are the only people who have faith.
The Bhoys from Bhoystown are winners, give them their head and the rest will be history.
Boruc, Boruc, Boruc, oot,oot,oot
McGeadie the same
Brown choorieo

Oh yes of course!

Sell our best players!

Buy no one!

Play the youngsters!

Is PL actively posting under various names on this blog or what!!???

Some of you astound me with your lack of ambition and plain bizarre views on what will take Celtic forward!

DD

Kojo - i dig yer spirit & i take your point about chasing mediocre players in a market where we can't compete. However the big question is - Who ay the young wans is up tae it. The only wans i would take a chance wi are Misun & Caddis. The rest can g'up the road

Just popped in to say:

Lemon's Teeth at 3:00 pm

Top quality comment, deserving of many plaudits.

Paul,
worrying times for Celtic, I think. Especially when you look at the state of the league we are in. Our tv contract disappeared in front of our eyes. Revenues for everyone will be down. Celtic tv has gone, and severe doubts hang over our ability to provide game coverage to our overseas supporters.

Any decent (non Celtic) talent is leaving the country. Fletcher is the latest.

Motherwell need to rebuild by signing six players. On their budget, it is obvious that these players will be found in lowest corners of the game, possibly in semi-pro leagues.

You have pointed out that Livingstone are in trouble. Gretna were recently in the spl and that killed them. Rumours circulate that other spl clubs are under severe stress. Kilmarnock, Hearts and rangers among them.

Yes, we are in much better shape than our opponents. The problem is, we really don't have any opponents. The league is effectively bankrupt.

For the record, I don't blame the board for us not winning the league even when we had no opponents....the manager and players that we had, and the 7 point lead, were more than enough to win that league. It is nonesense to suggest that the board should have signed more players 'just in case'.

That being said, what do we do now? Our old carrot of Champions League football is stale. We honestly will get mugged in that rarified atmosphere. I really don't think that glorious victories against man utd, milan and barca are on the menu any more.

Anyone looking at the business model that is the spl will know that bare survival is the only reasonable hope. As such, we can only look forward to a cycle of declining revenues and declining quality.

My question is this, do you agree with this bleak scenario, and if so, where do you think Desmond's mind is?

(As far as the ongoing debate about who we should sign this summer....I'd put all my money on ONE player. Get the best player we can find, rather than 3 or 4 journey men. Our reserves can do that journeyman job just fine).

donegaldanny,
I would re-invest in the first team.
Boruc had some grim games last season, Brown has never lived up to the hype and McGeadie would be best in another place. Only my opinion, no agenda.

viewfaethewindae

There are an absolute plethora of players that should be frog marched out of the door at Celtic Park way way way before the three you have mentioned.

DD

What's the story with Willie McStay? I thought he was going to Hungary with some of the
younger players to give thm exp.
This looked like an exceiting idea when first mentioned.

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend...Heatleader.

I am glad ye agree,pal..

Look, Guys like Rocco.. wur nae guid.

so, we hiv no hid too miny wonder kids, in the past
few years.

But,

As AH Keep oan Tellin' everybaody who wull listen.

I, Kojo ..try tae ayeways deal in the Present.

And .. Presently..

We DAE HIV A FEW REAL GUID PROSPECTS .. wasting away, in the Reserves.

Tell me this,pal..

Dae ye no agree, that Young Caddis, proved tae be a breath of
Fresh air. when we gave hin a few games,in the First Team?

He is a Born ATTACKING MID FIELDER..

He kin MOTOR.. He Kin Beat his Man.. He kind Cross the Ba'..

Especially,when he Heads fur the Byline.

Ah raved aboot this Young Guy...and I believe I wiz Justified.

And Whit wis the Response of the Celtic Manager.. at that time..

We shipped Mr.Caddinsa aff tae Dundee United... and Picked up
a Dundee United Player,with only HALF OF THE TALENT that

Young Caddis Possesses.

How much damage dae ye Expect we did tae Young Caddis, Confidence..wi' that incompetent move?

Ah wid SAY.. wee damaged his confidence and hope fur a future in Celtic.

quite severely..

Look, when we gied Koki a shot in the First Eleven..right frae the start..

He showed us that he hid the stuff..he slotted in Well and scored a
very good one, efter a tight one oan one, with the opposing 'Keeper.

So whit dae we dae wi him,efter that display?

We bring back, Master McGeady, whom he had filled in for..

A young Man.. whom, I frankly, hiv loast awe Faith in.

But, that is neeether here nor over yonder.

Boattum Line..

We must utilize oor Resources Much, Much , Bettah... than we hiv in the Past.

So..

Let's see if Mr. Mowbray, sees it ma Way..and Yours as weel.. and
Probably a loat mair oaf oor Subscribers.

Gie the Youngsters a fair Shot.

Kojo.
yer pal.. who likes ye aloat.

Wee Ron,

Your post was like a Morrissey song. Sad but true.

donegaldanny,
Spot on, but who's doing to take them?
The three mentioned would give us cash to re-invest in BETTER players.

viewfaethewindae

we cant just turf boruc out because he had a few bad games last season, what aboot aw the times he has saved us over the years. . . he had his personal problems last year, so its understandable his form might dip. but the traditional celtic way is to get behind your players, get behind the team. not berate them and sell the best ones.

the green white & golden eagle

Sadly THG's transfer cash has been getting spent on CQN for weeks, they say he has sold both his properties in Scotland.

Hail Hail

DBBIA - re: "homophobia"

is anybody genuinely frightened by the likes of Sir Ian McKellen and Boy George (apart from the creepy chin makeup he wears, apparently in the belief that nobody will notice his chins if he paints them black)?

No, and I'll tell you for why - "homophobia" is a load of old cobblers invented to make it sound like people who don't think Brokeback Mountain and Mika are the best things ever have some sort of mental disorder.

am i the only one who thinks that we WILL be in the champs lge this season?
surely not. . . KEEP THE FAITH
hail hail bhoys & ghirls

.

Oldtim67....

"Practice"....I Have Played Most 19th Holes This side of the Equator....It's Getting to The 19th that Will Be My Problem....

Last Game was The Scottish Open in Melbourne Many Moons Ago....The Sheilas Going Round in The Buggies with Tinnies and Suncream Were a Distraction but Essential....:O)

Yes Looking Forward to it Now....After Watching Previous from Afar....The Course Looks Awesome and All involved Have Done well Organising Us Lot....:O(

See You Friday Buddi....

001CacheHandedCSC

Kojo,
ye huv made me think, n', huvvin thunk, ah'v hud a rethink, n' ah think, yer rite. Letz huv another bunch o quality street kids blooded slowly, bit shoorly. Wur aw runnin' aroond poondstretchers here lookin' tae root oot sumbdy thit belongs oan the harrids shelf, n trooth be telt, we need tae breed wur ain kwolity. N' litz face it, we'v no goat a loat tae beat in wur leeg.

Thur wid be summit mare speshil aboot winning wi wur ain product ennyway. The pre cursor fur yer master plan byrraway, wid be that mister mobray gitZ cut sum slack, fae you me n awbody else o the green persuashin, tae dae his thing.

Sooo, ah shull noo relax n stoap wurryin aboot who wuv signed, n sellybrate, who wuv no signed.

As ye wid say yersel, makes sense tae me.

viewfaethewindae

Ok given our recent scouting, I mean the past two seasons AND the fact our board are as water tight as a mermaids bra when it comes to signing players, what makes you think any money made from selling them would be put back into the playing side?

Plus McGeady is still a young man, likewise brown, there are no player their age we could realistically sign that are as good as they are right now.

Older and far worse player need punted first, I give you McManus, Naylor, Donati, Samaras, Killen, etc and don't forget Naka, Hartley, Bobo, JVOH are already gone so their wages are now free.

WE DO NOT NEED TO SELL TO BUY!!!!

DD

Are Boy George and Mika gay?

Jeez, I was never frightened of them before but I am now.0-)

Paul 67

Have you any idea what our income from season ticket sales is looking like compared to last season?

philvisreturns@5.07 - I'm reasonably certain the individuals beaten and murdered for being gay would take issue with comments. I do too actually.

They're not befitting of a supporter of the 'all inclusive' team.

what is the date of the first hun game

For the record philvisreturns I can't stand Mika. Nothing to do with teh fact he's gay but an awful lot to do with the fact his music is dreadful.

philvisreturns

Speaking of Sir Ian, I was fortunate enough to witness him perform in Waiting for Godot alongside Sir Patrick Stewart recently. It was absolutely mesmerizing.

Now back to Celtic. I would like to see us keep our best players as long as they want to stay. I'm not so confident that Boruc sees himself in the Celtic Goalie Jersey next season personally tho. I certainly don't want to see last year's POTY and the POTY of the previous season leave. We are in an awkward transition period right now but I'm confident we'll get through all right. The players are better than they showed themselves to be at the end of the year and I think Tony will get they going again. A few smart (not necessarily big money or big name) signings will be set us back in the right direction also.

Always look on the bright side of life

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Donegaldanny.

I do not know who it is you are referring to,pal..

When you say.. that someone.. no me.. I hasten to underline.

Is suggesting the we sell oor Best players...use our Youngsters instead.

I have been most careful in presenting my Points in this Discourse..

I expressly said, that we should only use Two or Three of our Best Youngsters as
Permanent Members of the First Team..

And as for the other Youngsters I suggest that they be Blooded much more, freqauently.

Blooded, meaning.. given a Taste of First Team Experience.

And Right from the START OF THE GAMES IN WHICH THEY ARE BLOODED

Fur, when all is said and done.. The only thing Lacking in Many of ooor Best youngsters

Is Experience.

I never once said that we should Sell oor BEST PLAYERS.

I am quite Certifiably Mad,of course..

Howevevahhhhhhh..,

Ah am NO DOO LALLY!

What I suggested and I stand By that Suggestion..

We should SELL...

ARTUR, Masters MC Geady and Scott Brown..

Nevertheless...

Those Three Players, In MY UNFLINCHING OPINION..

Are

FAR, FAR,FAR and even Further than That..from being

OOR BEST PLAYERS!

They can be sold to the Unsuspecting, at a fair Price..

and I AM ALL FOR THAr!

With that Money..

We could Buy.. a real, goldarned High Scoring Centre Forward..besides one or two More.. GUID PLAYERS.

like

Mr. Janko..

For the First Time we could be in a Position to COMPETE FOR THE SERVICES OF A GOOD ALL ROUND
PLAYER..

We wid Hiv the DOUGH.. we goat fur those Three IMPOSTERS.

Maks Sense tae me.

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

i would keep big sammy, (if only as a sub like in his 1st season). . .
he has got a good goal ratio for us and as last season proved when jvoh got injured, we do need a couple of strikers as back up to mcdonald and oor new guy. id say BTM will give him a chance anyway, doubt he will sell him, or mcgeady, boruc though i am worried aboot.

whitedoghunch:

October 3rd

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

WDH- 3rd October at the Deathstar but I expect the date and kick-off time will be altered once the Disney Channel starts showing the SPL.

A view...,

Our money is not much good to us: i.e. the amount we have to spend would not buy us better players than those you wish to eject, even if those better players would come to the SPL. (read Weeron above).

Peter Lawwell spelled out the way ahead for us, for those who were listening.

We cannot compete with the English clubs, even if we are in the same market. We don't have access to players that they can't have.

Just look at the reaction on here to any player that is within our price range. from "gutted to disgusted" should we sign any of them.

PL said that we would be relying on our home produced players, with the young Eastern European boys augmenting the locals.

We will also be looking to add to them from the transfer market.

Tony Mowbray's job is to work with what he has and try and add new dimensions to their game, hopefully in the case of Brown and Mc.Geady.

As far as the club's ambitions is concerned, all we can do is remain in a financially healthy state in order to ride out the recession and be poised to take advantage of any changes that may arise.

Dermott Desmond, powerful that he is, cannot effect change in the structures of the game.

All he and the Board can do is protect the welfare of the club.

To my mind, they are doing a good job in that department.

If TM and his charges do their part next season, then we should be all right.

Even then, we will still have the whingers.

As Willie Maley once said, " It's an Irish thing".

Some posters have expressed fears that as Gary Caldwell and Celtic have not agreed a new contract, it is a sign that Gary may be off to pastures new.

I think it is more to do with the fact that Gary, like all the players, only returned to work today after a close-season holiday and indeed, has only just met the bew manager for the first time.

dont wanna be the one to say 'told ya so!' :)

12.55 Reports from Spain suggest Valencia striker David Villa is edging closer to a possible move to Barcelona after holding a meeting with Camp Nou sporting director Txiki Begiristain

although i dont want any player at paradise if they do not want to be there. boruc included, i only want him to stay if his heart is in it. but what keeper could we get in his stature and quality if he did go? is zaluska any better than rab douglas for instance?

l bidding £40m for benzema? and still interested in ribery????

what credit crunch????

Weeron

You identify all the issues but offer little as the way forward.

Our business plan is based on fan involvement / inclusion.
Copyright "Wee" FMcC.

Our progressive business plan is based on CL involvement.
We must be working to QF involvement.
Being done over by £5mill wage bill is not an option.

Consequently we need to get 53K season tickets sold and have people wanting to buy.
With this in mind it is the board's responsibility to make this happen.

WGS = Good choice in May 2005, completely out of his depth from Nov 2007 onwards.
He had nothing else to give, not his fault just a case that his abilities are limited.

Cheeky chappy on MOTD 2 / relegation dogfighter in a small English city.

The board should have seen this and acted appropriately.
May 2008 was a tough call, we had won but only just.
Therefore we are currently reaping what we sowed over that summer.

Fat boy three contract wage increase / contract extention
Terrible asset management - JVoH / SN worth £10mill plus 12 months ago.
Currently slinking out the door without anyform of farewell.

Only the 12 game SPL run saved last season from being a complete disaster.
The LC win was a battle won but a war lost.
Just how could we lose the league to that shower?

Consequently all elements of the club deserve blame.
To absolve the CEO / board is delinquent in the extreme.

They allowed last summer to happen.
They allowed the Jan 2009 window to become a case study in complacency.
They are currently making a fool of the support with all the talk spending little and selling lots.

I don't know who on this board is closely linked to CP but some of the comments scare the proverbial out of me.
On the basis of what is said and also on the basis that the person who is making them could be employed in an executive capacity at CP.

Kojo / PL's mother / CareinthecommunityCSC is only the half of it.

I don't know how thinhgs will turnout this season.
However the start has not been very good so far.

However benchmarks have been introduced into the discussion:

1) Forward - SF @ £3mill has been lost - Who we get should be compared against him.
2) Young Talent - JMcC is the benchmark - How he plays this season will tell us a lot.
3) Asset management - Two or three of the Big 4 to go? - Average selling price of £7mill and we will have been done.
If RP was running the sale that figure would only be the reserve.
4) Season Ticket sales - Will tell a story - Gaps in September games and we will be in trouble.
5) Quality of football / coaching improvements - BTM has history on this - Needs to deliver bigtime.

The league is the goal, however we will only need to wait until September to find out how we will do.

Consequently the board need to deliver.

flying start for new look academy
Gregor Kyle
IT’S been a busy start to his first day at work. On the wall in Tommy McIntyre and Chris McCart’s office is a whiteboard, covered with the names of current players, scouting targets and imminent signings.

On their desks the phones are ringing incessantly, while this exclusive interview with the club website is sandwiched between a series of meetings that stretches late into the afternoon.

It’s hardly what you would describe as a gentle introduction to his new job at Celtic Park, although the surroundings are not entirely alien to Celtic’s new Head of Professional Academy.

Since accepting the post back in April, former Scottish Football Association Head of Youth, McIntyre, has used every day off and spare minute to visit the park and Lennoxtown preparing for the official July 1 start date.

This has meant that both he and Celtic’s Head of Youth, McCart have been able to hit the ground running as they make the plans for the new campaign begin in earnest.

“I remember someone once said to me that if I had a chance to go into a club and observe and speak to the players, staff and coaches, before taking a job, it will be to my benefit,” said McIntyre. “I have to say that it has been invaluable.

“Chris has been excellent in inviting me in over the past few months and, coming in today, I feel as though I started months ago.

“Starting a new job can be a daunting task, but I don’t feel that way. I have come in, I know people, I know the faces and the idea has always been to hit the ground running and ensure that there is as little disruption as possible. The experience has been invaluable.”

McIntyre’s first day at work signals the start of Celtic’s new Academy structure in earnest, with Chris McCart heading the operation and six ‘line managers’ covering each aspect of their work and co-ordinating the efforts of their staff.

Already their plans for the short and long term have swung into action and this afternoon at Celtic Park six of the club’s schoolboy players were in to sign their first professional contracts, while new arrivals from England will travel up to Glasgow over the coming days.

“It’s been exciting,” commented McIntyre. “You always think that you have everything covered, but you know that there will be things that you need to change and you need to be flexible.

“We are now gearing up for Friday, when we start training with the Under-17s and Under-19s.

“The staff have been tremendous, they have really gelled together and we have a good, healthy working environment.

“That will filter and drift down to the players and they will be able to see that we are working collectively and collaboratively. A lot of hard work lies ahead, but it will be enjoyable hard work.”

As Chris McCart explained, there will also be continuity in the relationship between the Academy and first-team set-up and similar to Gordon Strachan’s approach, where he took an active interest in promoting young players, new boss Tony Mowbray has already shown a similar interest.

“It adds some further excitement,” explained McCart. “We have had discussions and speaking to the manager and speaking to Mark Venus, they have an interest in youth football and have already asked who are the better younger ones and if they ready to move up and train with the first team.

“The young players are in their thoughts and that is the kind of working environment they fostered at Hibs and West Brom, promoting young ones and seeing just how far they can stretch them. It’s very encouraging and I am sure that the boys will appreciate that as well.”

The new Academy structure will see McIntyre take responsibility for the U19s and U17s, working directly with coaches Stevie Frail and Miodrag Krivokapic.

Elsewhere John McLaughlan will take charge of Intermediate Level, Martin Miller the Junior Academy, Brian Meehan will work as Welfare and Operations Manager, Ian Coll as Sports Science, Niam Mohammed as full-time Academy physiotherapist and Tom O’Neill in charge of scouting.

It is a framework which covers every age group and aspect of Academy life and one that McIntyre is clearly excited about playing his part in.

“I don’t think there has been a prouder moment for me than when I was first offered the job and spoken to about the work I will be doing and about the legacy and tradition of the club.” he said.

“I was in a comfortable job with the Scottish Football Association, a job that I was happy in and genuinely enjoyed, but I was presented with an incredible challenge by Chris and Peter Lawwell.

“Youth development today is a huge factor in football, not just in Scotland, but throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

“When you look at the resources that clubs put into youth development, there is far more detail and investment.

“At a club like Celtic, we have to go that extra yard to be the best we possibly can be and fulfil our aim of forming players who are able to play and compete in the Champions League.

“There is a new management structure in place, new coaches at the club and I think it’s an exciting time for everyone, not just for me coming into the job, but for the supporters, the staff, the players and everyone connected with it.”

real that is...

ThisLand...

I will put every penny I can find on Celtic to beat them that day
And I will Win.

TTT at 3.20...

replied to your email just cathing up...

BT

Whitedoghunch :- depending on who you sign and how they play you may win, but at this point in time you have a weaker squad than you did last season. What makes you so confident you will beat the champions on their own ground?

Kojo

THE YOUNG BHOYS AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH.
Not one ,that i have seen is consistent enough.Not one.

Your plan will see our standards drop even further.

Rangers got two gems from The EPL.They are able to afford Mendes and Davis,when they are supposed to be on there financial knees.

Walter proved to be a better manager than Mr Strachan.He has reached EVERY domestic final since his appointment(winning all but one).He reached a UEFA cup final.He has won one title and taken the other to the final day.

He has achieved this whilst selling Hutton and Cuellar for millions.

The secret is not to draft in unproven youngsters on mass.

It is to employ a manager who is a good judge of value for money in a player ,who is also a good man manager.

David Murray is due enormous credit for fixing quickly his mistake that was PLG ,and going against the grain to re-employ Walter.

David Murray is back on top.

Dermot Desmond needs to pick up the gauntlet.PL has a great deal of latitude to make decisions ,but ultimately the most powerfull man at CP is DD.

Ultimately,there has always got to be a winner.I hate losing.I repeat, i hate losing.
So must DD.

He must get us out of the SPL.His business return can't be a big winner otherwise.

TinyTim -

What's all this?

Walter (twice) and Mr Strachan?

Is there something you wish to tell us?

:)

Ed - you seem a bit cocky these days, not like you!

Anyway, today's question is can you remember times when Rangers would complain about being kicked out of games away from home to the SPL also-rans? That was a big factor for us last year which I don't think WGS appreciated with his recruiting of Flood, Maloney etc.

I think you had a lightweight bunch around 2003/4 but that wasn't typical.

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Twist N Turns.

Thanks pal fur yer welcome endorsement of my suggestions,
which are mostly intended for the eyes of Mr. Mowbray.

As you quite rightly point out,and I am in close harmony
with those sentiments which you posit...which are... we must get serious
about becoming serious, regarding our future plans for
laying down a future path of our young Hopefuls.

Up,until now..

Celtic have only payed lip service, to fully committing
themselves as to giving their youngsters a reasonabe chance
to advance themselves.

I Like the way you think pal.. you are on the right track.

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

TinyTim

Agree with a lot you say but the real reason WS / TFOD won last year was that he was up against a dry husk of a manager and a team on its knees. One good performance in 2009 is all that we could muster.

Down to the last two games and JH / Falkirk would have got closer than we did.

We were that bad.

WS / TFOD = Their own AMB moment, worse than that we got done over 90 minutes they got done over 180.
WS / TFOD = Two occasions in 2008 they were 7 points behind.
WS / TFOD = Lost 15 points in 2009 and still won the league by 4.
WS / TFOD = Only won because we were atrocious.

We are currently behind them regarding preparations for the league.
They have £15mill CL money in the bank.
All that and they are the establishment team.

We need to go big and invest this season.
And we need to make a start this week.
Four weeks until the first qualifier?

Edward

I work through the relevant information on which I have access to make a call.

Champions act the same no matter the result.

I never gamble.

Excellent article Paul.

I agree that Petrie got top dollar for Fletcher. Wouldn't have grumbled at us risking £2mill on him but any more would've irked.

Southampton's plight is a shiver down the spine that throws me back to our darkest days in the early nineties; also reminds us to be grateful for what we have now - malcontents take note; instead of bemoaning transfer rumours we could have been counting the days 'til there's no team left to support.

Wouldn't want Reyes, despite the glamour. Madrid got shot of him because he was more interested in the mirror and the ladies than working as a professional footballer.

RE: Andy Payton - slightly slurred and susequently defended above. I'm in the latter camp. Always admired his lightning pace and striking prowess in the six-yard box. Anyone remember his superb bit of poaching in the last ever OF game in front of the jungle?

Filed his memory away as one of those guys with assets I'd like to have seen surrounded by better providers (the Maestro excepted.) A good Celt who never gave anything less than his all in the hoops at a time in our history when it would have been easy to hide. Respect.

Been busy today, what have I missed?

Sandman, cheers.

Madmitch - So Rangers have £15m CL money in the bank, have they? How did they manage that when they weren't in the CL last season?

far too many un-realistic tic fans on here.

we arent a bad team, we just had a bad 6 months last season.

partly due to the players, partly the management team and partly due to the supporters,
well glory hunting fans to be honest, real true supporters like me and my mates back the team always 100%, even if we dont always agree with what is goin on at celtic. . .

now we have a new manager, we will have new players, and we will get rid of a lot of old players, the futures looking bright, the futures lookin' Green & White. . . . .
hail hail!

KEEP THE FAITH BHOYS

weeminger - " I'm reasonably certain the individuals beaten and murdered for being gay would take issue with comments. I do too actually."

You might wish to "take issue" with my genius comments, but you can't rationally refute them, and no amount of implying that homosexuals live in mortal terror because of all the murderous "homophobes" - so we better all adopt a Stalinist PC mindset or else! - is going to change reality.

I've yet to meet anyone who admits to being afraid of the gay, most people are more homo-sceptic if anything, i.e. don't have anything particularly against gays, but just don't agree that people who wear leather chaps and mince around going "Ooooooohhhh!" should be treated like gods who have descended from Mount Olympus to walk among us mere mortals. Even if we're talking about Doctor Who's John Barrowman.

"They're not befitting of a supporter of the 'all inclusive' team."

I'm pretty sure Brother Walfrid would be on my side.

Besides, God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve!

sandman 5:54pm

well said mate, im just grateful everyday i wake up we still have, & and can support the MIGHTY GLASGOW CELTIC.

#1 team in the world, and dont forget it

hail hail!

bhoy sean - Sir Ian is amazing. I can't say I'm one for the theatre (the last time I went to the theatre was to see Jesus Christ: Superstar, an experience so painful it had me cheering on the Romans), but he was brilliant in the Lord of the Rings and everything else I've seen him in.

He was also the best guest star on Extras, his explanation of the acting process still makes me laugh.

Petrie has done well but there were plenty of factors in his favour.

The Tony Mowbray / John Park approach successfully brought through young players. (here's hoping!!)

The red top dummies also helped fuel the perception of Hibs. The "Leith conveyer belt of talent" was a tired cliche dragged out any time they needed to run with a non Old Firm story.

IMO the last major asset has been flogged, this well of talent is now dry and there will be no more multi million pound transfers out of that club over the next few years.

PS - Have we signed anyone yet?

Hail Hail

philvisreturns - but just don't agree that people who wear leather chaps and mince around going "Ooooooohhhh!" should be treated like gods who have descended from Mount Olympus to walk among us mere mortals.

Is that really how you see someone objecting to perceived homophobic comments?

You need to get out more.

philvisreturns - Sir Ian was magnificent in Coronation Street too.

why all this gay/homophobic talk on here?
whats goin on that i missed, CQN i thought this was

celtic aw the way!!!!!

Gold Coast Tom
who cares aboot corrie?

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

I am sorry to read that you do not agree with my suggestions
that should be considered, by Celtic,in the making of Future Team Selections.

Nevertheless, I am prompted to Point out, that nowhere in my
previous admonitions to Mr.Mowbray..did I suggest that
we should promote our young hopefuls into the Celtic
First Team.."en masse" as have claimed I did.

That of course, is beside the point..

although, I do feel that I must make it drystal clear, that I an not guilty
of suggesting such an untoward idea.

Again.. as you know,pal.

I do not approve of using Comparisons in any Conflict of opinion.

Frankly, whatever the G.A. does.. or does not do.. is of
Absolutely.. No Interest to me,at all.

In fact, as you know..

I very seldom refer to any G.A. doings etc..in any of my
Submissions..

I am a One Man Team, Man.( Run that by me agin,pal.. ed)( Like iit?..Ah rather Dae!)

I am only interested in the celtic.

I do not offer these claims as to my own personal sentiments in this matter, as a castigation to you, or
anyone else, who feels that they should have an interest
in whatever our Bitter Rivals are up to.

I have only given you the info.. as to how I look upon
that dismal and sad Lot of Miscreants.

Anyway..ye ur still ma, Bestest Pal.

Kojo.
yer pal..who likes ye the Bestest of the Lot.

The article on the official site about the Academy and the scouting network suggests that everything is in place there. However, youth development and scouting are two areas where we have failed abysmally in recent years.

How are young players going to get a chance at Celtic when we have such a bloated squad? At the end of last season we had something between 35 and 40 professionals, not counting youth players. Great if you want to keep winning the reserve league. But youth players hardly even get a chance to play for the reserves, let alone the first team.

I have been looking at the size of the squads of teams in the Bundesliga. Bayer Leverkusen, for example, one of the wealthiest clubs in Germany, a "works team" sponsored by the Bayer pharmaceuticals giant, has 24 professionals on the books. Surely that's adequate. If there's an injury crisis, then youngsters are given a chance.

As for Celtic's scouting, I think that's a poor joke. Why did we not have a target lined up to replace Big Jan? Was Donati the best we could get for the midfield? Why do we go for players like Janko only when it's far too late because the whole world knows about them?
Misun is potentially a good signing, but that's the exception. I think we should be concentrating our scouting on a few key regions like Scandinavia, Holland and Serbia/Croatia/Bosnia - countries that produce good players who aspire to play abroad and generally integrate well.

We talk a lot about the business model. I think the problem is the football club model.

Footballers and homosexuality?

Graham Le Saux was regarded as gay by some of his Chelsea team-mates on the basis that while they played with their game boys and listened to their ipods on the way to games, he read The Guardian and/or a good book.

From Wikipedia . . .

Despite being heterosexual (he is married with 2 daughters), Le Saux was dogged by rumours of homosexuality during his playing career. He attributed this to his lack of enthusiasm for the 'typical' footballer's lifestyle, his university background, and the fact that he read liberal broadsheet newspaper, The Guardian. This led to abuse from opposition fans and even players.

On one such occasion, in a Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool on 27 February 1999, Le Saux became involved in a running series of taunts with Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler. With Le Saux preparing to take a free kick, Fowler repeatedly bent over and pointed his backside in the Chelsea player's direction. Despite the obvious taunts, Le Saux, who refused to take the free kick, was booked for delay of play. He later struck Fowler on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area, but the incident wasn't seen by the match officials. In an interview with The Times, Le Saux said of the incident, "More than anything in my career, that offended me. What he did was wrong and he has never admitted that. He still talks as if it was a bit of a laugh." While still playing, many writers theorised that these unfounded taunts were behind Le Saux's often suspect temperament.

By the green white & golden eagle on July 1, 2009 6:11 PM
Gold Coast Tom
who cares aboot corrie?

I do, and we're about a year behind the UK here. Roy Cropper is my favourite character. Sheer genius.

I bet you're a big Emmerdale man, right?

:)

Anyway, it's nearly 3:30am and I only got up to watch Andy Murray cruise into the semi-finals.

Back to bed now for my beauty sleep, and bhoy do I need it.

Be back for the night shift.

:)

Gold Coast Tom - "Graham Le Saux was regarded as gay by some of his Chelsea team-mates on the basis that while they played with their game boys and listened to their ipods on the way to games, he read The Guardian and/or a good book."

See also: Peter Lovenpants. Regarded as a big girl's blouse because of his cowardly dive while clutching his face when Thommo leaned towards him.

Cognitive Dissonance - #156

philvisreturns -

Lovenpants wasn't really holding his face. He had lost a contact lens and was reading Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment.

Ok you do have a point.

Goodnight.

Paul67:

Did we or did we not start training today, I thought it was but you would not think we had with the dearth of media coverage?

Can we expect white smoke anytime soon?

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

Gold Coast Tom 6:22pm

oh aye, i love emmerdale, canny beat it, soap operas rule -
bit of emmerdale, a pair of slippers, my pipe, my supper and bed.

its the life to live, top notch, i also try and find a wee bit of time for celtic sometimes too, if im bored or have nothing better to do, or if emmerdale isnt on

LOL

ThisLand 6:33pm

wonder how they got on, and i wonder what TM thought of the squad

the green white & golden eagle

I think you are partly right when you say the fans were partly
responsible for us blowing the league last season.

We were culpable of allowing ourselves to believe the hype that
Rangers were slightly more rubbish than us.

After the draw at Fir Park we should have chased GS as it was
fairly obvious he couldn't buy an away win.

From the official website.

SOCIAL MISSION STATEMENT

Who is Celtic Football Club for?

Celtic Football Club is for people who want to support a football club that strives for excellence in Scotland and in Europe, is proud of its history, supportive of its local community and seeks to support the following aims: “To maximise all opportunities to disassociate the Club from sectarianism and bigotry of any kind. To promote Celtic as a Club for all people, regardless of gender, age, religion, race or ability.”

______________________________________________________________________________________

As Celtic fans, we should welcome any new players or new fans into our beautiful club with open arms, regardless of thei personal beliefs.

Hail Hail

ThisLand, you may have but I didn’t, no idea if the players did.

PetetheBeat :- I don't think I'm being cocky, I did say depending on who you signed and how they played.
I do remember the times you mentioned and it confirms my belief that good teams need a mix of skill and strength. Great teams will have most of the players with that mix, fast, skillful, strong and with stamina, sadly my own opinion is that any player like that in Scotland would soon move on to another league.

Whitedoghunch :- I feel it's too early to have the relevant facts to make a call yet, we will have to wait to see what the complete squads are and in your own case how Mr Mowbray has them playing. Even then it's normally a hard one to call :-)

Thegreenwhiteandgoldeneagle :- I have to disagree with you on that, good teams can have a bad run of a few games but a bad run of 6 months means a bad team in my opinion.

Paul67:

Thanks...and the white smoke any expectations soon?

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

Football News Headlines

Johnnie Walker to leave Kilmarnock
Andy Murray to stay on at Wimbledon
Celtic huvnae signed embdy

From the Guardian's article on extinct tournaments " Joy of Six" Probably the only tournament ever where the semi finals were more important than the final.

"2) Coronation Cup
Given Scotland and England's international rivalry is the oldest in the world, dating back to 1878 – on the football pitch, anyway – it's odd that the two countries have never managed to get a serious Anglo-Scottish championship off the ground. A British League Cup was held in 1902 to raise money for the first Ibrox disaster; it was won by Celtic. The 1938 Empire Exhibition in Glasgow was commemorated by a trophy bearing its name; again, it was won by Celtic. And Celtic would do very well out of these trophies, also winning the 1953 Coronation Cup, a forelock-tugging affair to celebrate the ascent of Lizzie.

The Coronation Cup is our favourite of this lot, simply for the reaction of the Guardian at the time. At the quarter-final stage, big wins by Manchester United and Newcastle, over Rangers and Aberdeen respectively, were reported in a big two-column box; the Hampden final, between the English duo's semi-final vanquishers Celtic and Hibernian, got two lines in a round-up article, beneath the latest score of a lawn tennis match in Ireland."

EdwardUrsus 6.49pm

or a lack of proper management? and a lack of motivation (due to the management, perhaps?)

i dont think they are a bad team anyway, i think they just needed a new manager and a few new teamates, and a new motivation, the players thought they would somehow just win the league like we had done the 3 previous seasons, they didnt realise how hard you have to work to get the title, and part of that blame must go to the players themselves, of course. but what was WGS doin behind the scenes? obviously we now know - not enough. . . . .

now to get the title back. . .

hail hail mo chara!

Possilbhoy - "As Celtic fans, we should welcome any new players or new fans into our beautiful club with open arms, regardless of thei personal beliefs."

Good point. I don't think anybody was suggesting otherwise.

However, you raise an interesting question.

Would Paolo DiCanio be welcome back at Celtic, regardless of his personal belief in fascism? Would we welcome Fred Goodwin if he decided to become a fan? How about Josef Fritzl? Are there limits to tolerance and if so where do they lie?

Of course, if we are welcoming to all viewpoints and beliefs, that must include welcoming "homophobic" ones too. We can't discriminate against the religious convictions of our Christian, Muslim, and Jewish supporters, all of which teach that Adam and Steve weren't shacking up together in the Garden of Eden.

The clue that the social mission statement is a piece of well-intentioned but ultimately meaningless eyewash lies in this bit: "To maximise all opportunities to disassociate the Club from sectarianism and bigotry of any kind."

If the club took this seriously, we wouldn't have joint commercial activities with Edward's club.

By madmitch on July 1, 2009 5:32 PM
Weeron You identify all the issues but offer little as the way forward.

I didn't 'offer little'. I offered nothing. It wasn't my intention or my pretence to offer 'anything'. I asked a question, and didn't portray a massive ego by pretending I know things that I don't. That didn't stop you, though.....

Consequently all elements of the club deserve blame.
To absolve the CEO / board is delinquent in the extreme.

Easy, cheap and shallow. Not you, your idea. Spending because we can. Madness. In my view, it was completely sensible and reasonable to expect an experienced manager, with the best players in the league, bolstered by a 7 point lead, to go on and win four in a row. IF, the board knew the manager intended to leave in the summer, then it made even more sense to not cut into our cash in January. The fact that the manager and the players imploded is entirely THEIR responsibility.

I don't know who on this board is closely linked to CP but some of the comments scare the proverbial out of me.
On the basis of what is said and also on the basis that the person who is making them could be employed in an executive capacity at CP. Kojo / PL's mother / CareinthecommunityCSC is only the half of it.

Honestly, you have lost me at this point..........

1) Forward - SF @ £3mill has been lost - Who we get should be compared against him.

To be fair, a LOT of your peers think that he was either not the answer or not worth 3 million pounds, (looks like TM didn't think so, either) so while you may have a point, it is hardly as black and white as you suggest.

2) Young Talent - JMcC is the benchmark - How he plays this season will tell us a lot.
Co a sinn? Not sure who you are referring to.

3) Asset management - Two or three of the Big 4 to go? - Average selling price of £7mill and we will have been done. Terrible asset management - JVoH / SN worth £10mill plus 12 months ago.

These 2 comments appeared in a different sequence in your post....but I'm not sure what you are saying. we SHOULD have sold players last year, and we should NOT sell players now?

I have no strong views on who should go or who should stay, but better teams than ours sell top players at the top of their game. There is an argument to suggest we need to get better at this.

Consequently the board need to deliver.

Agree on that. What I don't agree with is your fairly clear view that they are worthy of derision and hatred.

My main point however was.....we have a nice house in a crappy neighbourhood. What now?

Ed - Thanks for the reply.
However, do Rangers fans ever complain about their team being kicked out of a game? Not a loaded question, BTW.

442 magazine this month features 'British football's 20 greatest managers'. Jock Stein comes
in at number three behind Bob Paisley at 2 and Alex Ferguson at 1. Bill Struth comes in at 13,
being described as 'ruling with an iron fist - players who arrived for training with their hands
in their pockets were ordered to walk down the road with their hands by their side'

Presidents snub Struth!

Jardine! That's more like it! You there! At the back! Hands where I can see them sonny!

Bloke 109

That photographer must have been a giant in your 7.29pm photo

PetetheBeat :- Being honest it's not something I've heard very often and when I have it's usually after a poor result so it sounds a bit like an excuse.
I think a lot of the time fans tend to take the attitude that their own teams hardmen are enforcers who protect thier ballplayers while the players who do the same job for the other team are described as thugs.
Remember the chants of "Bobo's gonnay get ye" if Mr Balde had been playing for Rangers then I'm sure he wouldn't have been seen as a big strong no nonsense Centre half by Celtic fans but as a dirty big #$%^& who shouldn't be allowed on the field.
(I'm not having a go at Mr Balde here, just using him as an example)

Cognitive Dissonance - #157

ED - I take the point about perception. In my view, Alan Thompson was the Celt in recent years who would have overstepped the line sometimes. He made a shocking tackle against a Barca player early on in the 1-0 Uefa Cup win.
As for Rangers, I was jsut wondering whether they complain about an over-zealous ICT for example.
I was glad to see MON go for the big guys. It was remarked once that even the wide men, Thompson and Agathe, were 6 ft plus. Not like last season.
Your boys, though, are not handicapped by the need to play football :>)

Paul,

Kris Commons, any whispers?

Celtic_First on July 1, 2009 4:51 PM

Many thanks for your kind comment. :-)

bloke

best comment for a while, or was it moderated? o)

Standards slipping

bt

My best comment ever I think :-)

Celtic to put 3 Million bid for Kris Commons............source...Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris_Commons

bloke_109,
thought that ment speechless :o)

Keep it up Tony

Mogga as Mjallby

Benzima to Real Madrid confirmed reported €35m and €6m in add-ons.

Man United miss out on another player. Good.

Kris Commons.

1. Asset management - sign him for £3m and sell Aiden for more than that - there's a song ready-made
2. Football-wise, play two wingers in a 442, or two either side of a front man and go
for 4-3-3. TM played Sproule like this I think. Commons is quick and direct with a few tricks
Downside, he's 5'6", average height in the Celtic squad.

Whats the source of this Kris Commons story?

Gold Coast Tom @ 6:18 PM,

Remember seeing an interview with Kenny dalglish

He said he was worried when he started sharing a room with....

Greame Souness

He had serious doubts when young Greame turned out his bag with

lots of hair product and a hair dryer! Apparently Souey was a wee bit sensitive about it!

Remember his first competitve game for R@ngers - maybe George mentioned the village people moustache

OR

As Edward pointed out maybe he's an enforcer protecting thier ballplayers

Spot the ball player!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHpY0mDy1lM&feature=PlayList&p=EF3E42A0C663D3F5&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=20

Estadio

Someone has edited the Wikipedia page. "you heard it here first" ffs!

I would say if the only source is a website that can be edited by anyone then the story might not be true

Is it the same Commons that put in tidy performances for Scotland last year?

...is made for you and me!

Hail Hail!

Commons story came from Kerrydale Street, some joker has edited the Wiki page after seeing it over there.
Not a bad player at all...

Expect a story in the papers tomorrow, which will be copy pasted here for discussion followed by 'Celtic snubbed by Derby player,' headlines.

I hope the new youth set up does the business, good luck lhads.

Újpest FC are not a bad team to be linking up with, they have a very decent history, Established 1885, winner of the Hungarian Championship 20 times.

Újpest FC

philvisreturns ,

Paulo Di Canio may be a fascist but whether he would be welcomed back or not, i don't know. As for Fred Goodwin, i wouldn't like a man of his values being a Celtic fan. I don't like what he done, and that goes for most bankers, but if he was a Celtic fan then so be it.

Everyone is entitled to their beliefs but we go to Celtic Park to watch a game of football being played by the team we all love. If you or i, or any other person have homophobic, racist, fascist or even sectarian beliefs, we should keep them for our own private lives.

As for our club being part of joint ventures with our southside neighbours.... well that's another discussion altogether. I belive that we should stand alone in everything we do, wether that be sponsorship deals or standing side by side to show togetherness against bigotry. This, to me, seems as if both clubs are afraid that the other may get a better deal than the other. I understand that some companies may be afraid that one clubs support may boycott their product but we should not enter into any deals with companies who fear this. Celtic should, & can, stand alone in this part. All it takes is for those in charge to show they have the balls to do it.

Hail Hail

weeron @ 4:53pm.

What a depressing post. But sadly, I think you are just about on the money. I think we are in real danger of seeing the collapse of the SPL in the next 5 years. Why? Numerous reasons...

There is no television market. Any decent youngsters are leaving.

Rangers and Hibs have effectively been kept afloat by their ability to fool other people into paying over the odds for their players. But Hutton has played 20 times for Spurs since his 9 million move. Few others have covered themselves in glory. Craig Gordon is another out of his (very average) team. The gullibility of the EPL will only last so long.

Hearts- who should be a real force- have the look of a Ponzi Scheme about them. Killie and Falkirk are nearly bankrupt and have no real fanbase to protest their demise.

We struggled in the CL last season, in a relatively favourable group. We would not last 2 minutes against a decent Spanish or English team at the moment I'm afraid. A couple of years ago a continental journeyman like Fortune would have jumped at the chance to play for us- now he is hesitant.

Real big strategic questions for DD in the next wee while. Stay here and we wither away. But is a move a realistic prospect..?

Possilbhoy,

Regarding Fred the Shred I have no issues with him being a celtic fan if so be it, I guarantee that if you were in his position with that kind of pension ( remember the gov let him have it ) you would NOT be giving the money back or would you start investing in celtic???? . Lets get a grip here and stop being so pedantic on who and should be a fan of celtic. I may disagree with some of the green brigades kak but don't say they should be fans.

EN

Club with a good tradition, no doubt about that, but they last won the league over
ten years ago, and since 1986, Hungarian football has been well, a bit rubbish. Can't
really remember a Hungarian team making any headway in Europe with only players like
Gera and Huszti doing ok, and players playing for clubs like Watford, Plymouth and
second division German sides. With the national side lying second in their World Cup
group, there could be green shoots of recovery, and this could be the time to mine, but
I'd just have thought Croatia or Serbia, Sweden or Denmark would be better prospects
short and long term. The US even... Hungary would be down the list. Looks like the cheap
option I'm afraid.

No thanks anybody that spells Kris with a "K"

Bloke_109

And we can afford an expensive option?

We could also simply do nothing. Haud on. That's not acceptable either.

Not The DJ ,

i don't get to say who can & can't be a Celtic fan. I am only a fan after all.

As for Fred Goodwin, i couldn't give two hoots about him & his pension money. If i had his dough i would buy some shares in Celtic !!! Is that a crime ?

You write " I may disagree with some of the green brigades kak but don't say they should be fans. "

Don't say who should be fans ?

Hail Hail

ItaliaBhoy,
if/when it happens here, it'll happpen everywhere,
there'll be quite a few teams throughout Europe in the same boat,
could be the best thing to happen to football in a very long time.

no so frightened about your scenario with a positive spin :o)

So farewell Molley Sugden, I hope you get a comfy seat in heaven.

First Danny La Rue, now Molley.

We shall never see their like again. (Except of UK Gold).

ItaliaBhoy....yes it is depressing, but it is the forest in which we live. Some bloggers are hammering away at the board for not signing players in January....but these are trees. The bigger issue, I think, is our neighbourhood. Nice house we live in, but everything else is getting boarded up or run down. Carling and Nike won't see us as attractive, and the spiral will continue.

I'm not raising this so we can all beat on Peter Lawell for not solving world hunger. I'm raising it because it concerns me, and I wonder if it concerns Desmond.

I also feel that it is a bit of reality that we all need to understand. Otherwise, our expectation gap will be grandcanyonesque.....

Sutton to JVOH to ? Trolling around the barras of football to find a striker shouldn't be seen is a lack of ambition, as much as it is a requirement for survival.

Or, maybe everything is ok, and it's just me that's not seeing things right....:) Oops, that should be.....:(

Imagine this guy reffing yer gemme!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86AJje3ElDc

EN

Fair point, I used that as a throwaway line and it was lazy of me. Neither you
or I know the cost of the Hungarian plan to be fair, but surely for the same price
we could have done something a bit more exciting and innovative. Would you really have
plumpled for Hungary for a link-up? Is Willie McStay going to set the heather alight there?
I know I'm being a bit 'Lubo who?' here but nor am I going to say 'Cracking link-up Celtic'
- it is a bit underwhelming. Not generally negative you know and I really hope I'm wrong.

canamalar,

Sadly I think there are reasons to believe that Scotland is uniquely badly placed to weather a football downturn. We haven't invested in youth set-ups properly for years, and our game's infrastructure is still essentially Victorian. There are far too many senior clubs and the process of rationalisation will be a wrench across the country.

We still delude ourselves that we are a major football power, when the truth is our nation's glory days ended sometime in the 1970s. Our clubs are mostly badly run and operate in a suicidal way. Yet an air of expectation that we should be challenging the best in Europe and the world persists, creating a vicious cycle of unreality, denial, and disappointment.

When the reckoning comes much of the football architecture of this country will be destroyed, as sure as the shipyards and mines were when the cold winds of international reality hit.

Whilst I won't be tempted to attend a benefit match to "Save our Jambos", the collapse of our environment, as weeron points out, can only be damaging for us I fear.

Sorry to be so depressing. Must be the winter weather we're having getting me down...

'a good innings' as me maw used to say

weeronn

You have just depressed me. I agree with what you wrote, but that is very depressing.

jvoh67

Lubo @ 6:14,

You may not be aware, but there is no reserve Bundesliga, hence smaller first team squads. Most teams have an amateur team linked in which is where young players are tried out. I mean, what value does Celtic get from the reserves??? I don't see anything wrong with a small first team squad backed up by lowly paid (relatively) reserves who get big bonuses when they make the step up. The problem is that a significant amount of our reserves were bought on 1st team salaries yet have a cushy life playing against juniors.

KeepthemhungryCSC

Listening to Substitute on Clyde2 just now.

I believe it was the first vinyl disc I ever purchased.

Anybody else with similar purchases back in time?

the window has only opened. I think it wise to reserve our judgement on
Celtic's signing policies/ activities etc until the window closes.

This may well be a telling transfer window one way or the other. But I
think some posters are going to end up with an awful lot of egg on their
faces with some of the ill informed nonsense they are spouting.

The truth is that none of us know what Celtic are planning, who we want,
if those players will come, if some other club may turn to our targets
when they don't get their own number 1 target.

there are too many variables to be getting annoyed about any of it at this stage.

I for one am hoping, optimistically, that next week will see a flurry of activity
of a very interesting type. But HOPE is all it is. I do not KNOW
anything more or less than most of you guys.

If true about Commons, does that mean Aiden and Willo are for the exit?

ThisLand, not heard of anything imminent.

Doherty's 7, no whispers.

Dubaibhoy,

You have reinforced the points I made. Our board is praised for financial prudence, but having an enormous squad and playing in a reserve league is a waste of money. We've won the reserve league how many times in a row? So what? I would like to see a smaller squad, with more emphasis on quality, our reserve team scrapped and our youth team playing regularly against the youth teams of clubs in the north of England.

Dubai Bhoy - you have a point and we have much more to learn from
the german league. Cheaper admission to games for example.

WGS

i dont think his signing would affect willo

he is better in the central midfield anyhow me thinks

commons is some player though

as is james morrison

ElDiegoBhoy on July 1, 2009 9:34 PM

Day tripper/We can work it out. Double A side.
It wasn’t yesterday LoL :-)

WGS, who knows if the Commons story is true? He is a decent player though and I think he would probably do a job for us.
I wouldn't think it would spell the end for Aiden if he signed, but, Willo... I still have no idea why we signed the lad and can't see him being part of TM's plans.

sorry, i should add the cheaper admission to games may
be as a result of smaller squads.

Lower league Celtic, as touted last season, is the way ahead.

EDB

Bought 2 45's on vinyl to play on the brand new "dansette" which if I remember correctly, my maw bought with embassy coupons.

Manfred Mann - Mighty quinn
Love affair - Everlasting love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liIQLIx2Onw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAHqGGSgxxk

Evening all
just back from hols and wondering about a few things,
any signings yet,
any news of who are going to the games live on tv (if anyone).
Also a tip(from personal experience)for any of you in cqn land who may be going to America this year, don't bother filling in the ESTA form as recommended because when you get there you have to fill in the green card anyway.

ItaliaBhoy,
dont worry about the climate,
worry about 21/12/12 the day the myan calander stops,
if indeed its a worry your afeter :O)
lets get back to the important business of who we are signing Friday,
if we dont show Janko and Castillo wearing scarves I will be gutted,
then I will get beligerent and call everyone in the world a hun :o)
demand the heads of the board squealing about incompetence,
and the manager, well, that dirty no good toerag (see what a done there;o)
scouts copulating scouts, its all their fault too,
and what about that youth development eh,
two year old neice dribbles, dont make her a good football player :O)
But thankfully all thats changed now,
it almost looks like a plan, Park then Mowbrey,
At least I hope it works.

hail hail

EDB

Barry Blue "Dancin on a Saturday night".

When does the clear-out start and the signing begin?

Every day in every way this becomes more and more a typical Celtic window; confidence and enthusiasm leading to wary optimism leading to caution at the lack of activity leading to concern leading to acceptance of yet another opportunity wasted...

No qualms about Commons. Actually would prefer him to Morrision. Something about Morrision i am not too sure about. Commons i like and I went to Argentina friendly and i thought he was really good that night. Very tricky player.

We all go to back TM if he gets Fortune. His call and he will get 100% of me. But i would love if he went for Tuncay. I would be doing cartwheels down Buchanen Street if he signed. I really like him and for £5 million, i hear is the asking price. Now if the reported fee for Fortune was 3.8 million, then i would stick it towards getting Tuncay. For all the talk about big clubs down south being in for him, it hasn't and by the looks of it won't materialise. Fulham, Hull and Blackburn and those type of the clubs will be the ones that might be in for him.

Can you imagining waking up one morning in the next week and you hear that Celtic have had an offer for Tuncay accepted. The whole place would have a lift. One thing for certain is though, it looks like Tonys on the lookout for a big presence centre half. This dude from France is the latest to be linked. Looks like TM is going to try and build a spine to the team. Centre forwards and centre halves getting linked these days. All we need is the midfield general as well, then that's right through the middle of the team being covered.

roberttressell,

As the largest population in Europe, Germany's Bundesliga teams have the luxury of high tv payments and are not as reliant on matchday income to balance books. Generally they aim for a 33/33/33% split between tv/sponsors/matchday receipts.

And if you paid German taxes you'd understand why prices are lower. That's why Awe_Naw never puts his hand in his pockets when you're out for a beer with him.

With Michael Ball being released at Man City. Anybody take the punt? MOn was very interested in him before he went to join Advocatt. I heard many Stories about Ball saying when he was out he had joined the wrong Glasgow team.

Robert Tressell: 9:38

You may be stuck in the (wary) optimism stage. If this persists too long some counseling may be helpful. However, bear in mind there is no standard pace at which one should move through the process. In your own time my friend, in your own time...

By WGS on July 1, 2009 10:00 PM

Ball is a good left back but his career has been blighted by injury. Wages would also be high so probably a no-goer

Edward, read your coments earlier. You say we have a weakened squad.
In fact we would argue that it is a smaller squad until such times as additions arrive.

I am of th opinion that if we were to play the season again with the same squads Celtic
would be too strong for your team IF they were to play to form.

I know fitness played a major factor (ie Celtic's was far superior) in the LC Final but
our players hit form and Rangers couldn't live with it.

I know Celtic supporters are over anxious bout signings or lack of them, but Rangers people
seem quite the opposite. Why? Nary a word has been spoken about rangers lack of activity.

Perhaps that is because it really isn't a big issue until the window is shut?

As frustrating as last season was for Celtic I would compare rangers success with the double
we won in 1988 (albeit our double then was MUCH better than yours last season!) in that
it was a very dim light in the wilderness we were about to enter. I think Rangers are somewhere
similar right now.

My mum bought me three records to start me of in my record collecting career. I used to have the record player that the lid lifted of as the speaker. £12.99 in the Kays catalogue.

Lou Reed Walk on The Wild Side
Gary Glitter I Didn't Know I Loved You 'Til i Saw you Rock N' Roll
Elton John Crocodile Rock

Everyone a Winner I think you'll all agree

No matter how advanced technology gets these records and everyone else's first records never sounded so good as they did back when first bought.

Can someone delete the post at 1.06, causing havoc with my screen.

Bloke_109

They are a famous Hungarian name, agree that Hungarian football is not what it was but I liked the idea we are using them to help our playing squad.

EN

Weeron

You were right about one thing - you offered nothing!

All the talk is a severe case of Chicken Licken.
Times are tough but we can't just give up.

SPL 10 / ex CTC + TFOD - Average gate = 10K almost.
That kind of money is not to be sniffed at.

Case of develop your own talent and stop taking agents calls flogging continental diddies with sophisticated sounding names.
Base wage of £800+ pw should keep full time football in the SPL with £500 for the First division.

The TV deal has gone but we are a nation of 5mill potential subscribers plus the ex pat market and some foreign interest.
Main thing is that the Setanta jumbo deal was in the future.

ASny new deal will match and possibly surpass the current Setanta deal.
Want to make it happen, mass resignation from Sky Sports will get it on the agenda.

Regarding the club we can only deal with what we have got.

Consequently the 53K season ticket base has to be supported at all cost.
That and regular CL football are the two main components of our business plan.

I have to question your management strategy regarding thye lack of spend in Jan.

You say 7 points clear and there was no need to invest.
The club says 7 points clear and the right candidates were not available.

Consequently your attitude differs from that stated by the club.

We went into Jan with three recognised forwards and a lack of ability at LB.
We came out of Jan with three recognised forwards and a lack of ability at LB.
In fact it was worse than that, one of the reserve forwards was put out on loan.

To keep money in the bank when the team was demonstrably weak in key positions was the wrong option no matter how many points we were in the lead by. We should always be building for the future not trying to keep a bank afloat with our own deposits. Positions of strength have to be protected, the last 6 months is proof positive of that. We have been acting recently as if we are somebody's cash cow, I just wonder who's and what purpose does it serve.

I hope you do not work at CP or have dealings with ER / PL?
Surely not!

All in all I disagree with your ethos, specific argument and your take on the future of Scottish football.

Fair point again Dubaibhiy. What we learn from Germany cannot be replicated but it can be built on
and adapted.
TV money in Engurland has not seen a drop in ticket prices. We seem to take our lead from them
and not more sensible leagues where debt is limited, squads are smaller etc etc.

By jvoh67 on July 1, 2009 9:33 PM

Sorry about that....:(

WGS,
Who's the French Centre-back?

Not sure how an alleged outbreak of homophobia on CQN will do us if we sign a trio of Nancy bhoys.

addictive game whilst waiting for the white smoke

EN

Agree on that, and on the 1.06 post :-)

WGS

I see Ball is a Bosman and I rather think that'll be the way we go rather than paying
transfer fees. 29, and bags of experience. Love changes everything is a poor song though.

weeronn

You only said what I already knew, but did not want to admit.

We should face our fears, it's healthier.

Hail Hail

jvoh67

I remember growing up, and one thing which was certain was that Scotland would be in the World Cup every time it rolled around. (1974-90 unbroken).

In fact the only other team to qualify for 5 in a row were Belgium.

Apart from qualifying the easy way (i.e. hosting it or winning it).

Anyway, it sems to me that in Scotland today, it is expected that at least 1 team will be in the champions league every year.

Now the idea of Scotland qualifying for the World Cup is almost fantastical.

And I wonder if in ten years time, the concept of a Scottish club qualifying for the CL will seen almost as fantastical.

The qualifying rounds contain more and more quality teams, and the automatic place will be away in a year or so for certain.

That is why I think it is vital for all the stops to be pulled out to get there this year. I think success or failure will resonate for many seasons to come.

The first records in our house were not vinyl. My maw had some Cliff Richard "death song" called "A voice in the wilderness" I think.

Mind you there was "Slattery's mounted fut" and "Come back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff" on 78 to counterbalance the Cliff mistake. Lonnie Donegan's "The Battle of New Orleans" and a Clancy Brothers LP with tracks like "The West's Awake" and "Kelly the boy from Killane" were also available to the discerning listener.

My first vinyl single purchase was "Lay Down" by Melanie. I thought she was African-American when I heard it first.

Trying to remember any skeletons in the vinyl closet. Think I had "Heavy makes you happy" by Bobby Bloom. Does that count?

What about Noe Pamarot and Djimi Traore who have both today been released by Portsmouth?? Pamarot is a centre half who i'm sure we were linked with under WGS, and as far as i know Traore is a left back, i'm sure both guys could do a job up here

some interesting history regarding willie mcstays new team....of course there is no
formal connection between them and us (nudge nudge wink wink)

upjest history

Early years
The club was founded on 16 June 1885 by school teacher János Goll in Újpest, a separate city in those times, just next to the borders of Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, under the name Újpesti Torna Egylet (Újpesti TE). It was formed first as a general athletic club, performing gymnastics and fencing, and their motto was "Soundness, Strength, Harmony" (Hungarian: Épség, Erő, Egyetértés). In 1899 a football club was formed in the city of Újpest under the name Újpesti FC and with the same colours: purple and white. The first official match of Újpesti FC was a 1:1 draw on April 29, 1900 against III. Kerületi TVE. In 1901 the two clubs (UTE and Újpesti FC) merged together and formed the football division of Újpesti TE and the club joined the second division of the newly formed Hungarian League. Újpest is ever since one of the only two teams in Hungary that have never missed a season since the beginnings of league games in the country.

Újpest were promoted to the first division in 1904 and they have managed to play on top flight ever since except for the season of 1911-12 when they finished as champions of the second division after a one year relegation.

[edit] The first golden era
The club built the new Megyeri road stadium in 1922, which marked the opening of a new era of medal collection. The legendary "Fogl-gate" (Fogl-gát in Hungarian), a massive defending formation of brothers Károly Fogl II and József Fogl III for both the national team and Újpest was the key point for the club's successes. From 1926, after the introduction of professional football in Hungary, the football team was playing under the name Újpest FC. The late 20's and 30's brought the first golden age of the club, marked by finishing on top of the Hungarian first division 5 times and international cup success, including two Mitropa Cup titles in 1929 and 1939, and also the Cup of Nations title in 1930. The team finished on one of the first three positions in every season between 1926 and 1942, and played in five cup finals during the 20's and 30's.

Újpest gave 5 players for the World Cup of 1938 to silver medalist Hungary including György Szűcs, Antal Szalay, István Balogh I, Jenő Vincze, and the rising star of Hungarian football, Gyula Zsengellér.

[edit] After World War II
The first years after World War II saw the second golden era of Újpest, and saw the club on the top of the championship three times in a row, once even giving 9 players to the Hungarian national team. Players like Ferenc Szusza, Béla Egresi, Sándor Balogh II, István Nyers or Mihály Nagymarosi were setting records of winning 30 consecutive games, or scoring 187 goals in one single season.

In 1950 the communist government chose Újpest as official club of the police and renamed them Budapesti Dózsa (after György Dózsa), a fairly common practice in Eastern Bloc countries (except that in other places "police clubs" were all named Dinamo/Dynamo) and two decades of moderate league and cup success followed. In 1951, defender Sándor Szűcs, after being executed by the communist government for high treason during a secret pre-arranged trial, became a martyr of the club. As a result of the less successful years, Mihály Tóth was just one of two Újpest players in 1954 World Cup squad, and the only one to play in the final. During the 1956 revolution, the club renamed itself Újpesti TE, however after the revolution was pulled down by the Soviets, the Hungarian government - unlike for FTC or MTK - didn't let the club use their old name. This resulted the name Újpesti Dózsa, which was referring both to the district and to the police. After 13 years without a league title, Újpest became champions of Hungary in 1959-60, and reached the Cup Winners' Cup semi-final in 1962 with the help of the new star, János Göröcs.

[edit] Magic Újpest
The year 1967, when manager Lajos Baróti was signed by the club leaders, marked the start of a new golden era. After two silver medals, Újpest won the league in 1969 and played in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final in the same year (and lost with a result of 2-6 on aggregate against Newcastle United). The team started an amazing 7 wins in a row in the league, Újpest won all the seasons from 1969 to 1975, setting incredible post-war records like scoring exactly 500 goals in the seven seasons or losing only 4 home matches in 10 seasons. The club enjoyed success in the other domestic competition, winning the Hungarian Cup for the first time in 1969, and also in 1970 & 1975. On international level besides the Inter-Cities Faris Cup final, Újpesti Dózsa reached the European Cup quarter-finals in three consecutive year after 1972 and once even played in the semi-final in 1974, where only the later winners Bayern Munich could put a stop to the campaign. The club was considered one of the best teams in Europe beating such teams like English champions Leeds United in 1969, Spanish champion Valencia CF in 1971, Scottish champion Celtic Glasgow in 1972, or Portuguese top team Benfica in 1973.

The 'landmark' of the team - as always for Újpest - was goal scoring. The famous Fazekas - Göröcs - Bene - Dunai II - Zámbó attacking formation, invented and led by manager Lajos Baróti, scored dozens of goals, attracted thousands of football fans both in Hungary and outside the country. Bene became 5 times topscorer of Hungary, Dunai II and Fazekas won the Silver boot award for scoring the second most goals in the continent.

After Göröcs, Bene and Dunai left the team, András Törőcsik and László Fekete joined Újpest to reach two more league titles in 1978 and 1979 with former player Pál Várhidi as the head coach. Törőcsik was considered a "magician" by the fans of the club, making unbelievable dribbles, scoring amaizing goals and getting unexpected assists to teammates, while Fekete also won the European Silver boot.

[edit] 1980s-1990s
The general decline of Hungarian football reached the club in the early '80s, and league results worsened, winning only one silver and one bronze medal during the decade. However the team was more successful in the cups, winning the Hungarian Cup in 1982, 1983 and 1987. Some good results were also reached by Újpest on International level, beating UEFA Cup title-holder IFK Göteborg, German top team 1. FC Köln and Cup Winners' Cup title holder Aberdeen, which also meant reaching the Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final in 1984.

After the fall of communism, the club changed their name back to Újpesti TE. The club started the new decade with a championship title in 1989-90, and with cup success in 1992. The team also won the first ever edition of the Hungarian Super Cup in 1992. However the league results were again poor, with a 14th position and relegation/promotion playoff games bottom in 1993. After securing their first league position, better results started to come. The team, including players György Véber and Zoltán Szlezák, reached the 2nd and 3rd positions in the middle of the decade, and finally won the Hungarian league in 1997-98, after Zoltán Kovács and Miklós Herczeg joined the squad.

[edit] Recent History

2006/07.
With the fall of the communist government and the termination of state sponsorship there came financial problems as well, just like for all other Hungarian football teams. Professionalism was once again introduced in Hungarian football in 1998, thus the club changed their name again, but this time to the well known Újpest FC. However hard times reached the club soon, and the key players left Újpest due to the lack of money. The situation became better after 2001, when the stadium went over a complete renovation, and the club's new owners invested more money in football. Their efforts resulted in a new Cup and Supercup title in 2002, but the team finished in the middle of the league table for years.

With three silver medals won in 2004, 2006 & 2009, Újpest is once again back to the top teams of Hungary. Today the club's financial situation is relatively stable, with one of the largest budgets in the country. They are currently strong contenders in the domestic league, but international appearances are still few and far between.

Újpest is now linked up with Scottish club Celtic F.C., the two clubs are involved in exchanging players in the benefit of both teams.

By madmitch on July 1, 2009 10:16 PM

You were right about one thing - you offered nothing!

...that's right. I didn't profess to. That's like me moaning that you didn't buy me a pint today. You never intended to, and you weren't in the pub!!

All in all I disagree with your ethos, specific argument and your take on the future of Scottish football.......

Fair enough on my take on Scottish football. I could be all wrong, in fact i already said that. I don't think I am, though.

Fair enough on my specific argument, which of course is based on my take on Scottish football. So if you didn't like one, I'd hardly be surprised or bothered if you didn't like the other.

As for my 'ethos'. I'm going to way out on a limb here and presume that you didn't really mean to use that word, given that you don't know much about me. I've pasted the following for you.

e⋅thos  /ˈiθɒs, ˈiθoʊs, ˈɛθɒs, -oʊs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ee-thos, ee-thohs, eth-os, -ohs] Show IPA
Use ethos in a Sentence
–noun 1. Sociology. the fundamental character or spirit of a culture; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society; dominant assumptions of a people or period: In the Greek ethos the individual was highly valued.
2. the character or disposition of a community, group, person, etc.
3. the moral element in dramatic literature that determines a character's action rather than his or her thought or emotion.

And finally, you said.... I hope you do not work at CP or have dealings with ER / PL?

I'm not telling who I work for....:)

Thanks for the banter. I rarely debate stuff on CQN. I'll leave you with this one thought. Be nice to Peter Lawell. He's your friend, you know....

G'night.

Sir P67

weeron @ 9:17 - very good post
could this form the basis of an article?

we criticise the board - sometimes fairly, sometimes less so.
'The Wood For The Trees'.....?

ps, EDB - Madness, One Step Beyond

Nuttybhoyscsc

weeronn

I thought Ethos was one of the 3 musketeers.

weeron

If Ethos was used in a madmitch post, maybe it's an acronym.

Every Text Has Omitted Sense

Weeron

Parting shot.

Ethos in the context of a football discussion forum, no more no less.
With that established I think your ethos relates to keep counting the pennies.
You never know what is out there and so we need to put something away for a rainy day.

I fear Noah would have been shocked by last season.
Loosen the purse strings, you know it makes sense.

On the job front you must be a teacher / social worker.

VIEWFAETHEWINDAE,

Jean Calve

SFTB / Some fa**y talking b*ll*cks

If only I could text.
My one contribution from a mobile phone took 20 minutes to do.

One minute to think about it and 19 minutes to type it.
Or was it the other way round?

10.54pm in Scotland and 27 degrees of hot sticky heat.

Beat that Oz Bhoys.

actually, maybe some on here could help
moved home recently and need to find address to write re Celtic shares
(I have them in 'Certificate form')

sadly, certificate et al are still safely packed away. Will probably surface,
in due course, with Christmas tree
thanks
sg

WGS,
Another rightback?

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2511989/Celts-to-wait-for-Fortune.html

madmitch

Good comeback with the acronyms.

That's the second time you have "accused" someone of being a teacher (or Social Worker). I was the last one.

I can understand your animosity to teachers as they would have made you write in sentences so that sense was more easily derived :-)

What did Social Workers do to you? (BTW I am not a Social Worker either; I just like to be able to understand what I'm reading)

EN

just home after spending 2 hours sweltering in the SECC with the kids at the Walking With Dinosaurs "live" stage show.

To those of you with kids under 10ish, can i recommend that if you can, get tickets and go.
It is superb.

Kids loved it. I loved it. Some great effects.

Not cheap it has to be said (when are these events ever?) but well worth it....not sure about the Dinosaur heads though, £8 for basically a big bit of coloured sponge!!!

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

.

10:57pm The Lanarkshire Rivera Oot Ma Maws Back....Wee Breeze Thru The Trees....Cool Drink in Hand(Non Alcholic)....Strawberrys and Ice Cream....Oot O Aldis....

Cannae Beat it....

001HooseLikeaOvenCSC

DBBIA (1.50pm)

That poor dog had only one day left in the service and went and caught rabies.

Hopefully we can hold a minute's applause "the Celtic way" on the 8th August for such a brave hero.

The Token Tim

You do know its illegal to complain about hot weather in Scotland ;)

EN

St Galls

Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
BRISTOL BS99 6ZZ
United Kingdom

Telephone: 0870 702 0192

That Tel No is Celtic specific

From One Nutty Bhoy To Another

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

EDB

I think my first record was by the great Irish Republican band the Nolans along with Happy Days theme tune sadly not performed by the Fonz.

Happily my taste in music got better after this as I got right in to Sheena. The lass from Bellshill was great!

FC Barcelona Gladiator Pep Guardiola's motivatonal video Final Champions Rome 2009

Not as good as some of those Hunskelper videos though.

viewfaeawindae

Centre half i heard.

Paul67,

When is the finnish centre half due over for pre season training? Looked good on those clips last week that done the rounds. Certainly likes a tackle.

EDB,

First 9inch ever bought by moi - This Ole House by The Welsh Elvis himself, Shaky!!!

HAIL! HAIL!

GreenDoor CSC

RobertTressell :-I would agree with you about the squad but until new players have signed then you are a weaker squad.
I think it's hard to make a forecast for next season until it's seen how Mr Mowbray will play and how he runs the team.
He has never been in the position where he is expected to win almost all his games before, he may rise to the challenge or he may find the pressure too great, I suppose that's part of the fun of pre season no one knows so everyone can speculate.
As far as new signing at Ibrox go I think a lot of fans realise that we don't have a lot to spend so the level of expectation isn't as high but there is a while to go yet and there may well be some new faces.
My own feeling is that we should strengthen the defence, with a new right back and a centre half, I would also like to see a half decent winger brought in.
Midfield and attack I'm fairly happy with and I think most fans at Ibrox would agree with that. We look set to lose Mr ferguson but this is balanced by the return of Mr Thompson, though it may take a few games to see if he regains the form he had before injury.
Next season will be interesting and close in my opinion, where I think we can shake it is that we may have the more settled squad and an experienced management team who have been over the course and know the pressures involved. Add this to the fact that we don't have Euro qualifiers to worry about or risk injury in and again I feel it could add to our edge.
Of course all the above is liable to change depending on new arrivals, injuries and early season form.

Dubaibhoy on July 1, 2009 9:59 PM,

I´ll remember that for the next time your here ? ;-)

Not all of us can be rich oil barons.

Hail Hail

TTT,

Freudian slip ? I blame Shakey ...he always had that effect on you ?

HAil HAil

ED,

Thompson if fully fit, will be a big bonus for you. I don't really like saying anything complimentary about rangers players, in fact I say this through gritted teeth and or rather type it with athritic-esque knuckles, but that boy is a class act albeit a diving cheat :-)

Be interesting to see where big Tony considers our weak areas and who his new signings will be.

Still think we'll do yies tho :-)

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

BFDJ, John Greig and Sandy Jardine on some glory years programme on Sky Sports.

Within minutes of programme starting, John Greig states that Hearts did not want to sign him as he was only 5 foot 3.

Hibs were interested, but to quote Greig - "But ah didnae want ti go tae Hibs, as ah hated Hibs"....

Got me thinking.

Does anyone think George Best, Bobby Charlton, et al would say they would not sign for, say example Liverpool as they hated them?

I would doubt it...

ED,
the more settled management squad, has not been too good in recent years, in fact I'm surprised you went there looking for hope :o)

That Sky Sports programme...

Jeff Stelling: 'In the first round you played Rennes, and the manager wasn't very complimentary - he said you were anti-football'

Sandy Jardine: 'In those days you wurny getting back til the Thursday, then training a bit til the Saturday, and there were no Sunday games, so it did have an adverse effect in the league'

Plus ca change, but at least they didn't have their hands in their pockets.

The Token.......

cheers for the address. I also believe my stated first single may have been incorrect. "Green Door"....oops? Now that I think about it..?

Listen, let's just agree that Madness was mine.
Get thee behind me, Shakey
sg

For MWD

Hibs impressive selling record. The West Ham of Scotland!

O'Conner £1.6M
Thompson £2.0M
Spourle £0.5M
Brown £4.4M
Murphy £1.5M
Whittaker £2.0M
Fletcher £3.0M

total £15M.

Compared to Celtic

Petov £8M
Maloney £1M
Miller £3M
Beattie £1M

total £13M + a few bob for from misfits.

Hearts and particularly Rangers are also excellent sellers.

Paul 67 cheers for sorting out my account.

WGS/Paul 67 any info on any possible signings???

Bundoran

tnt's link to The Sun at 11.04 indicates one, possibly two. £3.8m is quite something.

Dundeeperth :- What is so surprising about a Hearts fan not wanting to sign for Hibs? I've heard many on here state that if they were good enough to make it as a pro they wouldn't want to play for Rangers and I've heard many Rangers fans say the same about Celtic.
Mr Greig came from a Hearts supporting family, I think you are making a deal about nothing on this one.

Canamalar :- To be honest I don't think they have been too bad, a Euro final while taking the league to the last day and a domestic cup double, then the league and cup double last season.
In the two full seasons he has had since he came back he has lifted two Scottish Cups, a League cup , a League title and reached a UEFA cup final.
Mr Mowbray may well have a good record with Celtic in the future but at present he is an inknown factor.

According to the seemingly obsessive Broadfoot in the Herald, there is no end to the Bobo saga

EdwardUrsus/Dundeeperth:

Does that mean Ham and egg is a Jammy dodger. :-)

I’ll grab my nightcaps and gown on the way out…..G’nite

Ed,
since the little genital, the most settled management team have suffered most (except PLG), the challengers seem to do better, no?
So I'll go with recent trends ;O)

could the bumblebee top pictured in asia really be the one???

i really hope so!!

http://www.talkceltic.net/forum/talkceltic-pub/62879-celtic-away-kit-09-10-a.html

Ed- It's only right that you should defend your greatest ever ranger.

I think it's his use of the word "hate" that leaves a lot to be desired-indefensible,as far as I am concerned.

I would cringe if I heard a Celtic player(current or past) using this word when referring to an opposition team or opposition player.

Love is all you need:-)

HAIL HAIL.

Bloke_109,

I don't think anyone is surprised by this. Bobo will run to the papers and it will come out on the Sunday before the next Derby if the laptop loyal have their way. Bobo would prefer to embarrass PL so we might see it sooner towards the end of the transfer window. Him talking about verbal agreements is naive in the extreme. Am I right in asserting that PL signed a cheque to avoid a scene which was subsequently deduced from his wages rather than it being part of a verbal agreement? He´ll easily recoup what he thinks he has lost and then some especially as there seems to be no confidentiality clause. Considering the deal that Bobo negotiated for himself I don't believe he´s that naive.

Hail Hail

So, we turn our respective backs on lazyjournalism, yet we still quote darryl broadfoot. Is it just me, or is that ironic. Listen, I'm sure what he says is gospel (forgive me, Father)

A fire without oxygen soon goes out. Let's look at the bold one's salary for the past 5 years. Who has contributed towards it? Not I. have you?

Could all CQN men (and women) please add their name below.
I've kept darryl in a job, signed......

LemonsTeeth :- Surely he was a jam tart who became a currant bun :-)

Canamalar :- There is a lot to be said for that, a new manager can provide a big lift to a team, on the other hand as you pointed out there is always the PLG factor where a new manager flops.
I think we will have to wait until at least the first quarter of the season is over before minds can be made up.

MuckishMountain :- I remember a while back there was a discussion on the blog about the use of the word hate in a football sense, my own feeling is you can hate a rival team without hating anyone involved in it.

Lazy journalism is it? We all are. Speculation all over this site on who might and who might not sign. Speculation about a strip. Speculation about a Hungarian link-up. Speculation about who has left Celtic. Speculation on Paul Hartley, on Bobo, on JVOH, on Caldwell staying or going. A 't' missing from the headline to this article ('tighen').

Not criticising Paul, not criticising anyone who has speculated, because none of this really matters. Maybe we're just lazy. We're in off-season and Celtic FC are not in the 21st century. We're news hungry and Celtic news is being slowly, badly managed. 21st century Celtic fans is a hungry beast and is not being fed. We then look at alternative sources. We read the Herald site. We watch Scotland Today. We look on newsnow. Celtic FC news is 24/7, 365. It is being managed part-time - Mark Venus talking to the press was the last club quote. A friendly with Man City, Willie going to Hungary. What about Paul Hartley leaving? Any official word? JVOH? Any word? Bobo? Any word?

stgalls

It ain't so black and white and I think you know that. Broadfoot has his story from somewhere and new meeja is but a child when it comes to sources and stories like this - dontcha think he may have been talking to Bobo? Maybe not, but I'll tell you who wasn't - every Celtic website. A few views of an article on a website ain't going to keep Broadfoot in the job, nor is not reading the site going to lose him it. I stopped buying the paper copy five years ago. So did many others. That's made a difference. If you really want to make a difference, get the advertisers to stop advertising. On the other hand, doesn't a modern democratic Scotland need a national newspaper? Question for another day. PS - my mum had the Frankie Vaughan version of Green Door :-)

Out of our recent managers four out of five won the league in their first season, the failure was due to an un-tried management team.

Anybody know any air conditioning installers who do a night shift?

Bloke_109

yep - good reply. Valid points, one and all. I dare say the big bold bobo balde has, indeed, been speaking to certain meejia types (why them? what has he learned in his time in Scotland that makes him want to give an anti Celtic interview to that shrew of a man?)

We're not perfect and I ain't immune to anything anti-Celtic (I avoided the commas there for a reason)

That said, darryl has more than just this one story...he has an 'agenda'. He is a gers fan. He does not like Celtic. I am keeping this dead simple for lurkers / lawyers. I think darryl likes to put the boot into Celtic - justified or not. He is a devious little man.

ps, go easy on the welsh denim-god. "oh, that old piano....."
sg

EN

lol - my pc has temperature at 18 - that's positively chilly :-)

Bloke_109

25 here, fantastic stuff.

Im a big fan of big fans.

EN

Interesting that on more than one occasion, Broadfoot uses the words "Celtic refute this" or "Lawwell refutes that" in reference to claims made by Bobo Balde.

I say interesting, because there is a big difference between "I deny" and "I refute". I deny simply means I disagree, or I do not accept etc, while I refute means I can prove it is not true or I have evidence to the contrary. Refute is more powerful than deny in that you are producing, or can produce evidence/proof to backup a denial.

Was refute Broadfoot's choice of words, or is he quoting Lawwell accurately? Or, do either or both of them know the true meaning of refute?

Confused?

Me too.

Gold Coast Tom

Ive not read the piece but going by previous Id say Lawwell knows the difference and Broadfoot would know the difference. He gets confused between facts and fiction at times.

EN

* and Broadfoot would NOT know the difference.

Thats me done, typing like a journalist.

Estadio -

Yes, I've seen your type before.

:)

Celtic to bring near full-strenth outfit for friendly with Brisbane Roar

FOX SPORTS Australia

July 02, 2009

Socceroos striker Scott McDonald will head a near full strength Celtic outfit in the Scottish club's friendly against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium later this month.

Boasting a host of internationals the Celtic squad contains the core of the squad that recently fell just short of claiming the Scottish Premier League title this season.

McDonald, the prolific Celtic striker, will be the best known to Australian football fans but new Celtic manger, Tony Mowbray will also bring Poland’s national keepers Artur Boruc and Lukasz Zaluska along with Germany’s 19-time capped player Andreas Hinkel.

Northern Ireland’s exciting Aiden McGready (28 caps) will be a further drawcard.

Mowbray was intent on bringing all his stars for the Roar clash because it would be one of just three games the manager would have to assess players before the commencement of the UEFA qualifying finals.

Willie Wallace, the game’s official ambassador and a former member of the Celtic team that won the European Cup in 1967, was ecstatic with Mowbray’s decision.

"Everyone will be keen to impress Tony (Mowbray). Reputations will count for nothing, and they will all start with a clean slate.

"This is the first time in about 30 years that Celtic has visited Australia and I know everyone associated with the Club is keen to reward their many fans in this part of the world.

"I am looking forward to a great game of football in front of a very vocal and friendly crowd at Suncorp Stadium," Mr Wallace said.

==================================================================

I bet Aiden will be a bit put out by the report.

Aye...

The Old Tunes eh?

Gold Coast Tom
To paraphrase yourself..
Yes, I've seen your type-face before..

But more seriously...
Hows about that old favourite.......
"Big Bobo's Gonna Get You...."
Ironic? Most Definitely....
Past (imperfect) Tense? Of course....

Bobo was simply the beneficiary, the Fortunate
Pawn in the Game, in the right place, at the right time, under the right circumstances...
MON? Played the Chairman & the SSM like a fiddle IMO...
His Revenge was Sweet because it was served cold, and colder, and colder still...
While we Moved into The Slow Lane..
Just my opinion mind...

Roll On The Future...

Gold Coast Tom.

New song for Brisbane Game.

He plays in the North,

He plays in the South,

Aiden McGready(28Caps) he makes the huns look...

FoxSportsLazyJournalismCSC

On another muggy, sleepless night, a wee question.

Is the generation of domination;

1. Over
2. In abeyance
3. Just about to begin in earnest.

cannaesleepbutliveinhope csc

Chaplin - What generation of domination?

Morning CQN'ers, awfy quiet on here has Paul67 posted a .......

NEW ARTICLE?

vmhan

morning vmhan

my dad is at a wedding in Blackpool this weekend...
He had a good time in Derry at the weekend, say hello to coorslad for me and him...

BT

When is our 1st Euro Qualifier? anybody know the dates, their not on the CFC website and I was windering how close they are to our friendly games.

CELTIC

Morning all.

any signings?

naw.

oh well.

MWD

Will do BT, he was on the phone last night for about 2 hrs......

I keep saying it would be cheaper coming over here........

He met you're da last Fri. in Derry and it sounded like a good time.

away to walk the dog.

vmhan

Could the Fortune deal be taking so long because we are in fact after 2 AS Nancy players?. Landry N'Guemo on our radar according to Nancy, 23 year old Cameroon international midfielder, loan to buy deal or £1.5m.

hi ghuys

does anyone have any pics of the supposed new bumblebee top??

or any links too it??

or is it all just a hoax??

hail hail

questionmarkCSC

ibleed

paaloantony posted a link at 12.40 this morning night..

don't know if it is the real deal...

can't do the linky thing

BT

Doooh

this morning night is a timezone that we have in Blantyre....

ibleedgreenandwhite

The Celtic Superstore have started advertising the new away kit and the holding page above and the new training range seems to suggest it will be a bumblebee top.

Mort

Seen that snivelling little wretch splayedhoof's article in the herald, and if you didnt know he detested Celtic I think that story makes it clear, and what about that parasite wishart, where was/is he during all the turmoil involving players futures in this climate, where was he during bazzagate, representing his members I dont think so. How often has he made official statements to the wee free meeja that are complimentry to Celtic. I think you'll spend a long time looking.

vmhan -

Sunday 12/07/2009 - Friendly - Brisbane Roar - Away

Wednesday 22/07/2009 - Friendly - Cardiff City - Away

Friday 24/07/2009 - Wembley Cup - Al Ahly - Wembley

Sunday 26/07/2009 - Wembley Cup - Tottenham Hotspur - Wembley

Tuesday 28 or Wednesday 29/07/2009 - CL 3rd Round Qualifier 1st Leg

Saturday 01/08/2009 - Friendly - Sunderland - Home

Tuesday 05 or Wednesday 06/08/2009 - CL 3rd Round Qualifier 2nd Leg

Saturday 08/08/2009 - Friendly - Manchester City - Away

blantyretim

thanks for the info mate:0)))

mort

so its official then,we are bringing back the bumblebee strip,i for one am quite happy about that,there certainly is a buzz about the place:)))))))))))))

hail hail

This is an oldie but a goldie, have a listen, its also a good warning :o)

http://www.entertonement.com/clips/flzpkrzhyr--Gerbil-and-FelchingHumor-Big-Bucket-O'-Random-

Canamalar, you going to the City game?

Gary67,
We've actually been linked with 3 Nancy palyers.
Fortune, N'Guermo and Calvé.

So this could be holding it up.

FREE THE UJPEST ONE!

/Bishop B

By Len Brennan on July 2, 2009 10:02 AM

What positionis Calve?

ibleedgreenandwhite

the new top is def the bumblebee

the advertising campaign for it is:

Theres a buzz about the place, Paul McStay

with the strip colours on a bee

def def def the new strip mate

Correction -

Tuesday 04 or Wednesday 05/08/2009 - CL 3rd Round Qualifier 2nd Leg

Gary67, He's a 25 year old defender think a LB in fact.

FREE THE UJPEST ONE!

/Bishop B

l/m,
doubt it, I like to go home at the weekends.

ibleedgreenandwhite/Lennondinho18

Can I plead that this is not the advertising campaign.

"There's a buzz about the place" is so linked with The Maestro. However he oft said it during the very dark days of their GOD.

Loved the strip. Lets hope it brings better fortune with it than last time.

I'll be making a B-line (Oh dear! Oh dear!) to get it for my son though.

all you's doom and gloom merchants make me sick,
listen to yourself's, thinking you's are EXPERTS.
when you's clearly arent.

italiabhoy, who cares if carling dont find us attractive anymore, we will get a new sponsor, hopefully without having to share it with the huns.
nike love having us - we sell more shirts than any other team they make tops for in the u.k. FACT. . . . .

SPL goes bust = then we will have to create a new league, its naw as if we are just gonna stop playing fitba is it, the MIGHTY GLASGOW CELTIC will always be around, we all know the SPL is in a bad state at the moment,

WE ALL KNOW,

please stop goin on about it, change the record, stop being so negative every single day, its boring. . .

how about saying something positive for once, just a suggestion, who knows if you give it a try you might end up liking it. . .

I see Bobo doesn't feel he's been paid enough for his 3 year rest from football. What a guy!

philvisreturns on July 2, 2009 10:21 AM

aye mate ah ken, what a greedy so & so. no class at all

hail hail!

ibleedgreenandwhite

Can't be bothered putting it up online but this guys bebo profile page has it, I like it! Finally they listen to the fans... don't think they want it being spread about because of the recent release of the International Rip-off... I mean away kit

http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=1750751927

So is anyone really surprised there's a "Bobo cash story". The Herald agenda aside - I'm not at all convinced there is one - Bobo's departure was always going to be punctuated with some of this type of nonsense. I'm quite sure the origin rests entirely with the player. The big guy loves his money and loves to have a lot of it. His contract says he's entitled to what he gets paid so thats what he recieves.

But lets not forget one thing. In theory Bobo did nothing wrong in behaving like he did. He wasn't wanted at the club - wrongly in my opinion - and chose to stay, consult endlessly with his solicitors, refuse to play football aywhere else despite several lucrative offers and chose to remain on the bench, solicitors office and refused to do what he was good at - play football. He wasn't treated with respect - I'll concede that. A more dignified response in my opinion would have been to choose to ply his trade - a gift millions of us would give our right arms to do - some where else and attempt to prove those at CP who wanted him out wrong. He made the wrong choices for thw wrong reasons.

Loved him as a player. No respect for him as a man.

53

By Gold Coast Tom on July 2, 2009 3:16 AM
Celtic to bring near full-strenth outfit for friendly with Brisbane Roar

FOX SPORTS Australia

July 02, 2009

Socceroos striker Scott McDonald.....

Northern Ireland’s exciting Aiden McGready (28 caps) will be a further drawcard.

Mowbray was intent ....

mon the norn irn !!!!!

European draws potentially involving Celtic:

Friday 17/07/2009 - Draw for CL 3rd Qualifying Round - includes Celtic - seeded. Will face one from Sparta Prague (Czech Republic), FC Twente Enschede (Netherlands), Dinamo Moscow (Russia), FC Timisoara (Romania), Sivasspor (Turkey).

Friday 07/08/2009 - Draw for CL Play-Offs - includes Celtic if they win 3rd Qualifying Round - not seeded. Will face one from Arsenal, Olympique Lyon (France), Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), Sporting Lisbon (Portugal), Panathinaikos (Grece).

Friday 07/08/2009 - Draw for Europa League Play-Offs - includes Celtic if they lose CL 3rd Qualifying Round - seeded

Thursday 27/08/2009 - Draw for CL Group Stages - includes Celtic if they win CL Play-Off - Pot 3.

Friday 28/08/2009 - Draw for Europa League Group Stages - includes Celtic if they lose CL Play-Off - Pot 2.

in my ideal world i wouldnt buy any player from nancy fc. they are a rubbish team with average players.

id def take a punt on the #10 from Ujpest, if willie recommends him to us and doesnt want him to leave,

although i hear he def will be goin this summer,

if not to us then to some belgian team.

then they will sell him to an english team in a year for €10million.

I sense another slow news day.

I really don't want Twente Enschede, but that's who we'll get.

Phoned Man City just then to organise a couple of tables for the game. No pricing structure agreed as yet for corporate hospitality, AND, "you'll need to join the waiting list due to the number of enquiries we've had"!

Looks like it's gonna be popular.

the whole thing concerning MAF reminds me of the mark viduka scenario,
will he wont he sign. . .
who is this fortune anyway,
never heard of him before we were linked with him,
who does he think he is,
he should walk from france swim the english channel, walk the length of england, up through Scotia and jump at the chance of playing for us. . .

but il trust tony mowbray's judgement, so he gets a pass

hail hail!

the green white & golden eagle,

The Ujpest #10 has to be our top target if we are taking anyone from the Ujpest deal.
As I said yesterday a potential Lubo Mark II in the making!!

FREE THE UJPEST ONE!

/Bishop B

Malone19 - I firmly believe that later today we will hear that Fortune and Nguemo have agreed to sign for the Bhoys.

GW&G Eagle @ 10.16

Agree with most of what you say,feel as if most of us are frightened
to miss the last boat to EPL/missing out on a sugar daddy etc.

Me I am happy enough playing in SPhell and qualifying for champs league or even europa,you can stick England up your erses,No offence
to any of our english Celts.

id take fc twente before the czechs or the russians,
ideally the romanians but i dont fear any team in the draw. . .
when they see celtics name they wont want to get us either

hail hail!

green and white

that b(l)awbag McClaren has already said he wants Celtic as he "feels sure we will beat them"

twists n turns on July 2, 2009 10:57 AM

brilliant, thats what i like to hear, hope we get twente then for sure, id LOVE to ram his words doon his throat, just like we did to s**ness at blackburn, c'mon - fc twente better than the TIC?

naw in my lifetime

hail hail!

I seem to have been asleep for a while, but would someone please tell me who is the Ujpest No. 10.

Thank you.

Ripvanhinkel CSC.

eagle

that's exactly who sprung into my mind when he said it....Souness..

thomthethim on July 2, 2009 11:01 AM
I seem to have been asleep for a while, but would someone please tell me who is the Ujpest No. 10.

he plays for the youtube dream team. a real star for them apparently.

twists n turns

Did he say it in his Harry Enfield Dutch Accent?!?

cta!

can'thelpbutfindmcclarenfunnycsc

who is the ujpest no 10???

hail hail

Just a feeling - but I think we could have quite a few additions by September. Mith MON and Gordon, they were given the opportunity to put their stamp on the squad at the start. With people leaving at the end of contracts this seems like a natural time to renew the squad. No bad thing from everyone's perspective. Sometime players need a new challenge and fans certainly like the excitement and (uncertainty) that come with new faces.

Hail Hail

voguepunter on July 2, 2009 10:53 AM

-me too mate, me too

thomthethim on July 2, 2009 11:01 AM

-Tibor Tisza is the #10 from Ujpest, willie mcstays new team who we are supozed ta be swapping players with

twists n turns on July 2, 2009 11:02 AM

-wouldnt it be sweet to see mclaren with egg on his ugly face

hail hail!

the green white & golden eagle on July 2, 2009 11:15 AM

Thanks.

Keep up the positive vibes. They are all needed on here at times.

Tisza never liked it, preferred Curries Red Cola...

thomthethim on July 2, 2009 11:19 AM

ah ken, cheers pal

hail hail!

I LOVE CELTIC

I LOVE SCOTLAND

I LOVE IRELAND

UP THE CELTS

#1 hail hail!

News on another Lhist has it that Kevin Cawley has been released.

Tell me it ain't so Joe.

He seemed the number one youngster.

free the bumblebee!

i see nike asked for the 'leaked' picture to be taken down!

http://www.footballshirtculture.com/09/10-kits/celtic-2009-10-away-nike-kit-leaked.html

Well Good morning Bhoys

I see there is still no news yet..has anyone told PL there is a new season coming?

Actually I'm starting to wonder if there is a surprise coming, that maybe..just maybe, we are looking at a good signing and the rest of the budget is resting on if that player comes in?

I'm prob being to hopefull again huh?

I still can't get over the fact that we're looking to sign two guys who Nancy don't really want. N'guemo has only played 60-odd games in 3 years so isn't even a first team pick for a poor side. Fortune was loaned out as he wasn't needed. They may well turn out to be good players but it's a sad reflection of where we are.

I would like to think that if a player was good enough for us they'd be good enough for their own club (unless it was a top top team).

but once the bee was out the jar!

there was no chance of nike getting it back in!!!

http://www.talkceltic.net/forum/talkceltic-pub/62879-celtic-away-kit-09-10-a.html

get in there!

free the bumblebee

it p**'s me off that we have two new away tops this season,

why? surely the new bumble bee top would have been mair than enough. i got the new tartan top for my birthday,

but i know il want the new bumble bee one too when it comes oot,

the pictures of it look amazing. . . rip off celtic as usual

hail hail!

McLaren,was always good at the mind games.
I see he's got some of us going already.
He does it to wynd people up,and he's certainly successful at it.

thomthethim,

Here's the wee clip I posted yesterday regarding Tisza -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3_s-Bo8mZY

Reminds me of Lubo or that type of player.

FREE THE UJPEST ONE!

/Bishop B

Does anyone know what time training starts, I fancy attempt number three at operation 'find the gate' up in Lennoxtown.

The new shirt looks great if the bebo link pauloantony posted is a gen pic, ordered it today on line with no sponsor on kitbag, dont care what it looks like as long as the bumblees back.

ps.

Beware winningemmel with his big jam jar folks.

Malone19

Absolutely, if the player is not wanted by his current club we should be seriously asking why and if there is anything to suggest that he would be a valuable asset.

Sutton wasn't wanted by his previous club but he had form that everyone knew about and one poor season didn't make him a bad player. Plus he was by no means a freebie and would have walked into most EPL sides at that time.

Others who weren't wanted by their previous clubs include Graveson and Donati. Neither could be called a success.

I still hope we sign either Marcus Berg or Marco Janko but I'd say they are both outwith our budget but you never know...

Hail Hail

Mort

Malone19 on July 2, 2009 11:31 AM

im with you on this one, true tony must know what he's doin, but it doesnt excite the fans. but we have to put our faith in the new man, back him and trust him that he ken's wit he's upto. . .

hail hail!

the green white & golden eagle

I took it that the International Kit was aimed at overseas diaspora, i.e. the American and Australian fans, etc.
Their climates appear more conducive to the predominately white shirt and who, other than kids wear football shorts?

Gold Coast Tom on July 2, 2009 9:58 AM

Many thanks amigo, the qualifiers are sandwiched between the english friendly games lets hope they're up to speed by that time and the "new signings" are busy playing the Glasgow Celtic way!

vmhan

It's one of the most important part of a manager's job to identify things that others can't see and make the most of players.

Henrik Larsson wasn't wanted by Feyenoord
Alan Thompson wasn't wanted by Aston Villa

I'd argue that we could fill a team 'unwanted' by Real Madrid and AC Milan and easily compete in the Champions League. The problem with both Gravesen and Donati (and not Sutton) was in the personality / application / character. The fact that Mowbray has worked with Fortune gives him a heads up on these issues (guaranteed you don't take on either of the above after a 6 month loan deal).

Irving Washington on July 2, 2009 11:36 AM

i always buy my new tops withoot the sponsor these days, i think it looks way better, like when the lions used to play.

i dont want to advertise an american owned beer on my top,
i dont want to advertise any company on my celtic shirt for that matter, when i wear my hoops thats what i want to advertise - CELTIC FOOTBALL CLUB

hail hail!

the green white & golden eagle

Most teams now have a "third" strip called an International or European kit. I think Liverpool had a specific kit just for European games that was almost identical to their home kits so for those seasons you could have bought 2 red tops and a yellow or green one. Now that was taking the perverbial.

It's just the way of the world these days and with children always wanting the latest kits, it's no wonder the kit manufacturers want to get more kits out to increase their sales and profits. It is a rip off but it's not just Celtic or NIKE that's at it.

Hail Hail

Mort

the green white & golden eagle

I have been trying to get the sponsorless shirts for ages but haven't been able so far, think i should be ok this time, possibly the first person to get it ordered (theres not even a pic up of it yet). Here's hoping.

thismancraig

That's where managerial expertise comes into play. Wim Jansen had worked with Henrik Larsson and knew a good deal about him and knew he how he could fit into the Celtic side.

I don't remember much about Thompson's time at Villa to be honest but he had shown promise at Bolton and with MON's knowledge of the English game at that time he had known enough to give him a chance.

By my own reasoning on Larsson, Sutton and Thompson I wouldn't be adversed to giving Fortune a try if Tony Mowbray thinks based on what he has seen of him in the past 6 months that he has what it takes. My main concern is about the other Nancy players who don't seem to be wanted and it's unlikely Tony will know a great deal about them.

But whoever comes in will be given my full support.

Hail Hail

Mort

new article posted.

Michal Kucharczyk went out on lone yesterday