Spectators ready for technology breakthrough
You will not read about cricket often here, but a small two-team tournament between England and Australia, affectionately known as the Ashes, gets underway next week. Cricket is not as sport I would associate with leading technical innovation, but the crowd at Lords will be able to view what the cricket authorities are calling their 'Pregramme', an interactive information service delivered free to spectators via Bluetooth.
While live sports spectators get to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the event they miss the insight TV viewers get from statistical updates and analysis of key moments. What an obvious idea.
Mobile phones with the ability to view video and check stats are ubiquitous these days, so the opportunity to deliver replays, stats and adverts to pay for the exercise, while providing a fresh revenue stream is real.
Evening
You're the best... around!
Howzat?
TTTT
as_i_thought - You are disqualified for the one word message.
Philvis wins!
jiminy cricket CRICKET
Bhoys and Ghirls in Oz....
I just thought I'd pen a few words, wishing you all well regarding Celtic's upcoming visit. Having been over 30 years in Canada, pre-internet and satellite tv......I can well appreciate the effort you guys put in to follow Celtic.
Back in the early days of the internet...mid, late 90's.....we had the Big List, which included lots of Australian and New Zealand Tims.
We also had a thing called IRC. A wonderful gentleman in Scotland, Charlie Harvey (the original Tic Talk) would listen to the radio and/or watch tv, and type the commentary on Internet Relay Chat. Charlie developed a style that kept the action flowing for us.
As soon as he'd type 'Goal Celtic!', everyone across the world would type their cheers - and the whole thing would crash!!! We'd all have to log off and log on again.
The reason I mention this, is that there were many down-under Tims who would go to bed, set the alarm for some ungodly hour, and get up in the middle of the night, crank up the computer and follow Charlie's comms.
I was always impressed by your dedication. We moan and complain about kick off times here in North America, but we are extremely fortunate, compared to what you guys have to put up with. This was brought home to me on a visit to Sydney, where I lined up at midnight or 1am Monday morning to watch Celtic with several hundred fellow supporters.
So....at last you have Celtic in your own backyard. It must be wonderful for you, and I truly hope that you have a memorable weekend.
Celtic played Roma in the Skydome in Toronto a few years back. Over 50,000 fans, must have beem 35,000 Tims. One of the great aspects of that was the fact that old codgers got to take their kids and grandkids to see Celtic. Some of these kids had no idea what dad was pratlling on about all these years. They get it now.
Have a great time, guys. You deserve it!!
Cricket? ZZZZZzzzzzZZZZZzzzzzZZZZZzzzzz
Celtic_First - "I feel I must point out that in 2006 a record number of journalists were murdered for doing their jobs, 177. In 2007, the total was just below that record figure, 171."
Yes, but we're not talking about journalists in Iraq, Angloa, Somalia and other places like that.
We're talking about smug hacks in the western world, in which the entire profession is lazy and unprincipled, with few exceptions.
I thought it starts today?
Sounds interesting (the technology, not the cricket).
cta!
Ashes have started already.
In the interests of unlazy journalism I'd just like to point out that the Ashes got underway this morning.
And there has been a lot of technical innovation in the broadcasting of cricket; a lot of it coming from Sky but probably going back to the Kerry Packer days.
Paul,
The ashes started toay mate... in Cardiff!
FREE THE UJPEST 1!
/Bishop B
Strauss waltzes back to the pavilion, caught at 1st slip off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson.
I like Cricket.
Paul67
Double signing today?
DD
from last post
How many of our players do you think could cut it in, eg, Serie A?
I'd reckon
Boruc
Hinkel
Crosas
Brown (maybe)
NcGeady
&, aside from Massimo, thats about it.
BTW, I'd have thought that you would have quite liked my earler post about Donati, given the implied criticisms in it of your great friend, our former manager ;-)
Goooooooooooooooooooog afternooooooooooooon.
From a not 2 wet Campbeltown, in west Scotland……
Paul.....................................................67
Thanks for a great day oooooooot…………………..
at the Gowf..............
It was something special..................2 me.
Thanks 2 everyone who was there 2.………………………
and I hope you were all………….as ruff………………
as meeeeeesell on Sat………………………….
Right off 2 T in the Park.
Cricket………………………………..................
They play for 5 days………………………………....
Have 2 different scores………………………………....
And they call it a draw………………………………......
BigJoeSAYSliveLongANDprosper
Paul,
The Ashes actually started this morning. Not like you to be behind the times!
BBC did something similar at the snooker World Championships. Everyone in the audience had a headset and could hear the tv commentary. This idea takes things one stage further though.
Celtic_First (from last article),
There are some great journalists around, just as I am sure there are some principled lawyers.
But in my view there are few of the good ones, and next to none covering Scottish sport. Foreign correspondents are a very different breed though.
OUT!
Michael Clarke has just taken Strauss's wicket. England 67 for 2. Not the best of starts.
Paul67
The new technology is even more incredible than you think, the cricket is in Cardiff, but the crowds are at Lords!
Not panic time for England yet, still some batting to come. However, if Australia remove Pietersen quickly England will likely fall apart as they always do.
At least I hope so ;^)
penang-bhoy.
Crosas? Have to admit I can't see what all the fuss is about, He would only stand out occasionally due to the lack of quality in our own midfield. Hw played well on only a few occasions and that was when teams stood off him and allowed him a lot of time and space. Falkirk and Hibs at CP come to mind. A half decent game against DU in the semi. Thats about it.
53
Whats happened to the blog?
Last night it was about some bloke getting a job as a chef,
today cricket..
whatevernexthhhmmmnnnnn
Paul67,
Ashes!!!
Lent already???
tojo - losing 10 months
53
re crosas
i blame stephen mcmanus, he is the captain after all.. ;0))
Paul
Cricket and technical innovation? They have 'Hawkeye', before Wimbledon, before football, they also refer some decisions instantly to a third umpire (a variation of this taken up in tennis too). Cricket on C4, then five, had analysis in a 'technical hut' before football on five had it. Players in 20/20 are 'mic'd up' to have conversations with the commentator during the game. They also have the Kerry Packer innovations hinted at by DBBIA. Cricket is miles ahead of football in terms of technical innovation.
Lurgan53
He has good technical ability, retains possession, & can play a forward pass.
More than most of our midfielders!!!
Philvisreturns
I'm only saying that it's unfair to tar everyone with the same brush.
Martin O'Hagan didn't live or work in Angola, Somalia or Iraq. He lived in Lurgan.
jees paul
i think you need a wee holiday
Paul67
Lazy Journalism, is there anything accurate about the article. Lol.
You sure they are playing for Ashes?
bhoys.forget yon poncy leather on oak guff
mon the tour de france
mon the bikes
BT.
LOL!!
penang-bhoy
"More than most of our midfielders" Damned with faint praise!
53
Hola!
The iPhone app for Wimbledon, where you pointed the camera at a structure and it popped up a box with relevant info,such as Order of play for that court, is also in another league.
Anyhoo, still beelin' over the SPL carve up....watching the games is gonna cost me a Sky sub AND an ESPN subscription....minimum of £27 extra on what I'm paying just now.....CRIMINAL!!! Sky will now charge me £18 extra for Sky Sports, £9 for ESPN and once again the fan is royally stuffed!!! SPL TV was before it's time but we could do with it now!!!!! £27 a month from the fans and the team gets not a penny more than they did 4 years ago....very poor!!! Once again, the Scottish football fan is used to subsidise the EPL....where's Nellie Kroes number again......I've got a complaint to the Competition Commission brewing!!!
Wicket! Bopara out ct Hughes b M Johnson.
90-3.
Just think how exciting it will be when it starts next week!
Chris The Tim,
The SPL are looking for a 3 year get out clause in the new tv deal. This is so that they have time for a feasibility study on SPL tv.
Celtic_First - I take it as a point of principle never to be fair to jounos, politicians, neds, animal rights campaigners, white guys with dreadlocks, fat kids, Jehovas Witnesses, cyclists, Audi drivers, the huns, TV Licensing inspectors, census takers, and people who tell me I'm being unfair.
DBBIA @12:52
I will laugh uproariously next week splashing coffee on the keyboards when that happens.I'll probably have to post that on CQN too1
Bopara gone
Caught at point off the bowling of mitchell Johnson. England in disarray. 90-3.
Fair reminds me of the time my good friend Merrylee Bhoy had a spare ticket for a game at Celtic Park, and brought his missus along.
She was very much looking forward to it, her first ever football match. A very excited young lady was Mrs Merrylee Bhoy that afternoon. Magnificent stadium, packed out with colourful noisy fans, the match introduced by a chap on the pitch announcing the teams, a 7 foot green and white dog bouncing around the pitch, the big screen videos, a chocolate bar and a diet coke. What more could a lady wish for?
Things turned for the worst though, when just after kick off, she turned somewhat disconsololately to Merrylee Bhoy and asked why they hadn't switched on the commentary.
Seems Mrs Merrylee Bhoy was onto something right enough.
JohnnyClash
67 for 2 ..."Not the best of Starts" Spot on. The Aussies should have had four wickets by now!
I don't like cricket.....Oh No.......I love it!
The Battered Bunnet - "a 7 foot green and white dog bouncing around the pitch"
Who let John Greig out?
philvis
AUDI DRIVERS? does that include wee Aiden?
steelica
See post @ 12:52
53
Fourstonecoppi 12.47
Monday and Tuesday this week of the Tour have been fantastic. That break on Monday was amazing and having to do a countback after the team time trial to determine the Race Leader is a new one on me but reflects the excitement of recent days.
Incidentally, I recently heard why the Leader`s jersey is yellow. Anyone else know (without Googling)?
FREE THE UJPEST 1!!!
Have I stumbled across Cricket Quick News by accident :-)
I'm really looking forward to Open Golf Quick News next week......
weeronn on July 8, 2009 12:30 PM,
Unofficially there were 44,000 Tims at Skydome the night we played Roma.
To the bhoys in Oz, have a great party this weekend.
WGS
From last night.
Forget about Nikola Petkovic.
Player is in Frankfurt since January 2009 and I hear that he has the worse statistics in Bundesliga. The other problem with Petkovic is much serious than that. Due to disciplinary difficulties at Eintracht he was fined for the affairs he caused during last season. Now, when Eintracht Frankfurt started preseason camp Petkovic was on holidays in Dubai. He came back three days too late. That was his internal decision. For that he will be fined again, this time with 10 000 Euros. Trainer Skibbe said – if Christoph Spyche confirms his ability to play left back position Nikola Petkovic won’t smell the pitch this season.
The story about Anas Sharbini and Rijeka is worth writing a book about bad acting in football. Yesterday he gave very interesting interview to the Croatian media. He is not taking part in preseason games. He won’t sign contract extension. Yesterday Sharbini said truth why his transfer to Red Bull failed. Rijeka tried to sell him to Red Bull Salzburg and wanted 2,5 million Euros no 1 Euro less. RBS offered 2 million no 1 Euro more.
Few quotations from the interview.
“It’s difficult to think about contract extension with the club which don’t pay your wages since February. What kind of the agreement I should expect from them”
“ Two years in raw I was the best player in Croatian league. Club does not know how to use this fact. They don’t know how to sell me. If they cannot sell me for fee A they should reduce the price to sum B”
“I got few calls from other clubs. People told me: don’t sign contract extension with Rijeka. We will take you for free and you will get bigger wages from us.”
Last reliable offer was 1,1 million Euros from Hajduk Split for both Sharbini brothers. If you wish to have Sharbini at Celtic call Tony Mowbray and ask him to hire Anas for six months with option to buy the player. Good option I think.
On the other topic.
While everybody is excited about MA Fortune posibble move to Celtic.
Few days ago I answered to the poster who called Boruc idiot and wanted Artur to be sold. The poster mentioned about Boruc wages.
Is it possible to calculate as follows 3 800 000 - amortisation after f.e. two years. Divide it by number of weeks (104) + his weekly wages. How compare it to Boruc, to McGeady or to Scott McDonald?
Paul67
I agree with you. No doubt this is good piece of business for Nancy in this time. We will see what kind of business this will be for Celtic. I hope the good one.
PjDali
Join us, you'll soon be bowled over with how great it is.
coat, taxi
BBC's live text refuses to admit that Bopara is out. No updates since his wicket.
voguepunter - Have you never noticed how aggressive Audi drivers are?
Some years ago, the late Brian Johnson, cricket commentator and eater of cake, arrived in Australia for the Ashes. On going through immigration, his passport was checked and one of the questions put to him was "Do you have a criminal record?" to which he replied. "No. I didn't think it was still required to get into this country". Immigration officers not best pleased but thankfully for Johnson no retaliatory full body search.
Now it seems that,in Australia, it is something of a status symbol to be descended from convicts aka original settlers. Similar status to the indigenous population, I don't think, is fully there yet but here's hoping.
Former Rangers and Motherwell defender Bob Malcolm hopes to play as a trialist against Celtic on Sunday and win a contract with Brisbane Roar. (Daily Express)
Maybe the Brisbane players will have FTP written on their forehead ;-)
The jersey is yellow because the newspaper which first suggested the Tour [l'Equipe?] was printed on yellow paper.
Bloke_109, Click the Ads!, DBBIA, Len, Gordon_J, Celtic Mac, clearly my interest didn’t extend beyond the technology.
CelticSephiroth, there is every possibility.
Big Joe! Great to meet you at last!
Bloke_109, good point.
celt for life, perhaps not.
Zbyszek, hope so.
Philvis
Cyclists and Huns branded together? I am astounded of forehead.
VelocipidesunitedCSC
Lunch on the first day; England are 90-3.
WGS
I forgot. I have not heard nothing new on Marek Cech recently.
Anyone got any thoughts on whether TB is looking to change the formation?
The purchase of Fortune and possibly a defensive midfielder suggests he may look to open up SB to attack more but i still have reservations about the lack of creativity which i hope will be addressed.
Do we need a replacement for Naka or does SM step onto the right wing.....
DBBIA
Correct and somehow you have managed to sound smug without making a sound!
JungleJim - Cyclists in Oxford seem to believe that they are made of ether and fairydust and that drivers have 360 degree vision and superhuman reflexes.
It is disconcerting to say the least when, in a sudden flash of skin tight day-glo lyra, you are confronted with the sight of an undulating male bottom. And cyclists are a pain in the bum too.
Also, I forgot vegetarians.
I hate vegetarians.
For every animal they don't eat, I'll eat two.
Antsman
Tony Bowbray?
Philvis
1) The Huddle Hound outfit does not shrink to fit inferior dogs.
2) I drive an Audi. I am not aggressive in the least. Anymore of your snash and I'll undertake you!
:¬)
TBB
Philvis
..."also I forgot vegetarians." Made me laugh!
Nice one weeron.
My wife and 2 kids are flying up from Sydney for the game and although the wife is looking forward to seeing the bhoys on Oz soil the 7 year old and 3 year don't realise what I'm letting them in for. Hopefully theY will enjoy it as much as i will. My old man was on the phone tonight and thought it was going to be weird that i would see Fortune and any other signings before he would.
Last thing and on your point about technology. I remember being out here for five minutes and trying to watch the St Johnstone game back in 1998 when we stopped them beating our 9 inarow and ended up listening to bbc world service just to get updates ever 5 10 minutes as they were covering some English game.
We've come along way in a short time.
Hail Hail
DBBIA
You seem to be saying that England are not doing well but if I understand this right, a score of England 90 Australia 3 seems quite good to me. Even in rugby, which has usually got quite high scoring, that would probably be an insurmountable lead.
Why have they stopped wearing their nice clothes(smart white flannels and proper white shirt with long sleeves)?
Cricket izzit ?
A sport loved by the Teser Elite.
WicketGoogly
Cadizzy
90 wickets for three runs would be `quite good.`
Cadizzy on July 8, 2009 1:02 PM ,
Criminal record
Jaihouse Rock by Elvis Pressley!
gsu
.....and probably an insurmountable lead as well.
The Ashes
- loved by Vadis
I dont know what stats I would need while at a Celtic game, but Im all for recieving highlights at half time, on the big screens though.
I cant think of anything I would be willing to pay for while at the game.
Talking of technology at Celtic Park, it would be great if we had wifi or better mobile phone coverage. Its alomost impossible to get on the internet at half time due to too many people taking up the bandwith of the local transmitters. Would be good to be able to browser at HT. Id pay for wifi coverage.
JJ
I fear I may have misunderstood. Have Australia not scored any points at all yet? When do they get a shot with the raquets?
Bob Malcolm in Australia! The way that our best talent is drained out of Scotland is a great worry to me.
penang_bhoy on July 8, 2009 12:35 PM
I'd like to think Fortune would!!:-)
I see what you're saying, although I'd be amazed if Donati becomes a first team (by that I mean first pick) fixture under BTM. He doesn't have the heart and doesn't have the playing style needed for scotland. Being Italian its obvious italian teams didn't think he had it for Italy either. I refuse to believe they couldn't afford him if they wanted him.
I'm sure BTM will give him a chance like all of his players but if we can get any money for him at all, it would be better spent on another midfielder.
DD
Looks like we are missing out here. Good or bad?
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has reportedly offered £2m for teen sensation James McCarthy as the bidding war for the Republic of Ireland under-21 star intensifies.
i dont like cricket,,oh no,,i love it:)))
actually i find it mind numbingly boring:(((
hail hail
Van Persie extends contract in N5
GSU
Boom boom! 0-)
Chris the Tim @ 12.49,
Have these details been confirmed? If your figures are correct and each person has to pay £27 per month to watch SPL games then that is £324 per year. From memory Celtic will only collect around £1 million pounds per year or the same as 3086 fans subscription payments. With this deal Sky and ESPN are going to get a hell of a lot more than 3086 extra subscriptions from Celetic fans alone. Again Celtic fans being ripped off with no real benefit to the club. Has anyone heard any whispers about proposed kick-off times to accomodate this contract? If we are given silly times for any home games the drop in attendence and associated sales will see this ridiculous fee of £1 million being lost over a few games anyway. Please God get us out this SP Hell!!
AFB
savo01
Boaby Malcolm, Craig Moore and Charlie Miller?
Hope we packed extra shin pads, I saw an inter view with Charlie Miller where he said "this is my last chance to play against them."
It might not be too friendly.
EN
Zybszek,
Thats not a bad idea about Shabrini, what have nothing to lose by taking him on loan. Looks like Celtic have woken up under TM and trying these sort of year long loan deals Looks like first up is N'Guemo.
Interesting times ahead i think with TM over the coming weeks with regards players.
Paul67,
Donati !! Is TM going to give him a chance to show what he can do, before deciding ? Somebody posted earlier he is on the plane to Australia. Has Massimio been given the Bobby Petta lifeline by TM?
Anyone know when the tickets for Aberdeen game become available?
WGS
Are we actually in for Sharbini? I've not heard anything.
E-tims this morning state that talks are at an advanced stage with a Spanish based attacking player.
I see fans are talking about technology. Years ago here someone would come back from Scotland with a bag full of VHS videos and they would all sit in someones house and watch the games.
I have only been here 3 years and i thank Setanta that i can watch the Celtic games live in the last few yaers and the season to come :).
4 days till i am off to brisbane, i hear approx 49,000 tickets sold for game so far, should be a wonderfull day on Sunday :)
Cadizzy.
90 - 3 would in most sports be a commendable score.
However Australia have still to play the Joker card which I believe can lead to all sorts of hokery pokery.
Its not OVER until its OVER.
Jeuxsansfrontiersblahblahblah. CSC
Sydney Tim
What is the stadium capacity?
Afternoon Bhoys / Ghirls
Does anyone know when the draw for our champs league qualifier is?
Hail Hail
Roccobhoy.
WGS
Did your namesake not take a Polish Goalie on a similar "try before you buy" deal when he first arrived. He also had Aliadiere and Du Wei on similar loan arrangements but neither worked out.
In following seasons Doube and Samaras were also taken on loan initially and the deal to take Crosas to the club could be described as a 2 year loan deal.
Hail Hail
Mort
SSN reporting we have bid £3.5M for Kris Commons from Derby
Roccobhoy
Friday 17th-July
celt for life i think its 52,000
sky sports just said we have made a bid of 3.3 million for derbys kris commons
hail hail
DD @ 1:15.
Absolutely. Massimo just ain't got it. As you say - sell and buy. And quickly before James McCarthy does something and goes to Wolves.
BTW. I know you're big on players ages. Have you noticed that after several year of being a 16 year old James Mc Carthy is now 19?
53
WGS- I think the test will be if [DV] Tony Mowbray is a success the Board will back him with money for new players in 2-3 years time.
M.O'Neill and your namesake were both given money to spend after their appointment, only for the supply of funds to dry up after the managers had delivered several successful seasons.
it's the 2nd test which is at Lords next week, don't you know, old chap.
TBF the technology and the spirit of cricket, even as more money creeps in, are millions of miles ahead of the fitba.
Celt for Life
Thanks!
Hail Hail
Roccobhoy
£200,000 saved on Kris Commons in 1 minute according to SSN correspondents above.
Given the length of time it takes us to conclude a negotiation, Derby will owe us a few bob by the time we're finished.
philvis
Sorry ,I was away for my lunch.
Aye cyclists "just look over your shoulders honey"awe naw,back to Michael Jackson.
Paul67
Kris Commons? Heard anything?
Hope you're well today :^)
Celtic Sep,
Not heard.
Mort,
True about Arth but that was the first season along with Aliadiere.
Been quiet since then on those deals. Samaras was for 6 months. Crosas i'll give you. We don't do enough of this. Similar to Bosmans. Who was last bosman we got? Gary Caldwell.
Let's expliots these markets. By the way i don't think TM will go for Valero as he has a similar player in Crosas. Like the idea of Commons coming.
I raved about this guy to a few people after i seen him play against Argentina. Liked him when he was at Notts Forest. Impressed me against Man U last year as well.
Cellular proximity technology has been around for a few years now via infrared and bluetooth (bigger area usage). Until recently brands have been very cautious as to it's capability. Football brands will need to follow privacy laws and ask fans permission to send them content (sign up process). On the content side this technology can be an exciting communication tool if used creatively. Could become a bit of a pain in the wrong hands.
the battered bunnet
my mistake,it was indeed a bid of 3.5 million pounds,my bad:)))
if these reports are true,then there will be a lot of humble pie being eaten on here,because it does look like the board are indeed backing anton mor(copyright lurgan 53:))) with serious cash.
hail hail
Good to see Doncaster earning his salary!
New Scottish Premier League chief executive Neil Doncaster will take a back seat in negotiations over a television deal.
The 39-year-old was officially unveiled at Hampden this morning as the SPL's first chief executive for seven years.
Lex Gold has been executive chairman in the interim and will now resume a non-executive role.
However, Doncaster revealed Gold will continue to spearhead the SPL's frantic attempt to secure a TV deal next season following the collapse of Setanta.
Reports claim Sky and ESPN have jointly bid around half the amount of the £125million, four-year contract the organisation had agreed with Setanta.
Doncaster told PA Sport: "Of course, it's something which everyone's aware of. I understand the situation.
"But the TV situation is one that Lex and the board have been dealing with for a number of months now.
"I'm just in with my feet under the desk and it's right that I let them continue to deal with that situation, hear what's going on, be of assistance - but they'll be leading that process."
The appointment of former Norwich chief executive Doncaster was confirmed after a meeting of the SPL's 12 clubs yesterday afternoon.
He was chosen by a panel consisting of SPL chairman Lex Gold, Hibernian chairman Rod Petrie and Rangers chief executive Martin Bain.
Anyone know if the game on Sunday is on over here in UK ?.
Cheers
Mort - from previous thread - Grapes of Wrath. In to that book myself presently. First two chapters were a slog and then BAM. I got it. Don't know where you are at with it but stick with it, it's excellent.
If you are looking for a quick summary of it then you could do worse than Youtube Andy Irvine 'The Ballad of Tom Joad' or Dick Gaughan's version. Or if you prefer Springsteen 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' - both songs are based on the novel 'The Grapes of Wrath' as you probably know.
I have started Crime and Punishment several times and never got past the first couple of chapters. My challenge for this summer after the Grapes (not my Piles you foul minded people, though they are challenging) is David Copperfield. It's fuppin massive!
The Battered Bunnet
quote of the day......splendid ;-)
An Fear Beag if you are right about the cost of watching Celtic on TV then I am going to buy a season book! I might not see as many matches, based as I am, in Ireland, but I would rather Celtic got my money and a Scottish based friend or relation got to see Celtic every other week if I couldn't get over and I reckon 4 times a season would be my max if the last few years are anything to go by.
I've said this before but a young family and a big mortgage do put the halters on ones football. At least Setanta provided me affordable and regular doses of my Celtic Fix.
Curse SKY and curse ESPN.
RichardandJudyBookClubCSC
roberttressell
Thanks, only a few pages in. It's the style of writing that's bugging me at the minute but I will persist.
Funnily enough I was the same with crime and Punishment but once I got to a certain point (once you get there you'll know what I mean) it took off and had me engrossed.
Mort
ibleedgreenandwhite on July 8, 2009 1:45 PM
Humble pie or otherwise will be eaten or not at the end of the transfer window. I hope we have bid 3.5m for commons I think he'd be good on the left.
But rememeber there are still more players to leave before the end of the window too.
DD
Robert T
Excellent novel. Distressingly good.
Just finished The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. Worthwhile read, all 4 hours of it.
A Quiet Belief In Angels by RJ Ellory was a pleasant surprise. Surprise because I thought it was by the author of The Black Dahlia, a certain James Ellroy.
Celtic Quick Books
roberttressel
Like you, living in Ireland means I can't get to as many games as I would like but if ESPN is going to cost too much, i'll just get Channel67 and listen to the games on Internet. Without regular "live" TV coverage I'm sure I'll be more determined to make the journey over the Irish Sea more often.
Hail Hail
Mort
lads,
i think the earlier poster came up with that price based on the fact he would also have to sign up to sky sports 1 & 2 also
Think that ESPN be about £9 a month, May be wrong there though
I've just finished a brilliant book called the Da Vinci Code by a guy called Dan Brown . Anybody read it.
Paul67 any truth in this Kriss Commons report?
Hail Hail
BB
The Battered Bunnet
I too enjoyed the Ellory book. Have you read "The Cold Six Thousand" by James Ellroy? For me, it is his best...and there is a lot of competition there.
WGS, I expect Donati to move if there is a taker.
Roccobhoy, 17 July.
CelticSephiroth, Bundoran Bhoy, know he impressed but news of a bid is new to me.
Kingdom67, thanks for that input.
Paul67, any movement in fringe/youth players going to join the McStay Machine over in Hungary?
Plus any news on anyone coming this way?? ;o)
FREE THE UJPEST 1!
/Bishop B
Is Kris Commons not a bit similar to what we already have? I was impressed in the Scotland appearances but that's all I have managed to catch and using that scouting McCormack and Morrison (Jim) would be ahead of him in the queue!
Where does it all leave Maloney and McGeady, both of whom it would seen fit the Mowbray philosopy,?
Cheers Paul67
HAIL HAIL
BB
I think Shaun might get deployed as a striker. However, who's to day that he might not have a place in the middle of the park.
I hear Harry Redknapp is wanting Aiden big time. My bro in Law is a Spurs supporter and the word down south is that Harry wants him.
Paul67,
Maloney in the middle was always something that has been mentioned especially by yourself on this site.
Quiet here today.
Has MAF officially signed yet ? Is he on the tour to Australia ? can't seem to find confirmation anywhere (have been working hard though!)
bjmac
Keep up!
English born Scotsman Commons on the left and Scots born Irishman McGeady on the right. With Malaysian born Scotsman Maloney as back up?
WGS on July 8, 2009 2:23 PM
The spurs rumour is also very strong over in Gweedore.
Wouldn't surprise me, sell McGeady for 7 get commons in for 3.5, make 3.5 profit and humble pie stays firmly under cling film in the fridge before being passed out to happy clappers :-)
DD
Cadizzy
Thought the Cold Six Thousand was a great read as was the first installment American Tabloid
Kris Commons is a mistake, this is a case of not having a look what we have coming through, Mizuno, McGinn, McCourt,
Welcome Mr Fortune, I think he will be playing on the right hand side of a front three
Donegal
Talk of teach jacks is aiden is off to spurs
I hope not as he has a lot to do with us before he heads for the epl as he
Should and will do one day
We can all talk about humble pie but the end of the transfer window
Is when we will see how serious we have been
Coyle was told he would have to sell I remain to be convinced
Anton mor is not under the same orders
This may not be a bad thing if we come out sep 1 with a faster
More mobile team
Hail hail
Just been chatting to the guy who put together put the youtube video about Tibor Tisza (he also runs a site devoted to the player as well).
He seems to think the player might not be suited to the physical Scottish game (Lubo managed fine!!) but said he would be available for around the €1M mark as he only has one year left on his contract.
A real bargain IMHO.
Paul67 if you have any insiders at PH please direct them to this little magician!
FREE THE UJPEST 1!
/Bishop B
i see timothee atouba has signed for ajax..another left back gone!
Donegaldanny
c,mon man! Why look for the worst outcome all the time, as my wee boy says, "take a chill pill, old man" Sorry bout the old man if yer not one.
I'm not convinced by BTM MAF and now KC but I look forward to this breath of fresh air for the start of the new campaign. We cant buy Kaka, we cant get Hiddink, let's just see where these new Celts get us. We sure are a far better bet than Scotlands Shame already, with more to come!
Relax!
Del
DBBIA & Lurgan53
Do you think Paul67 is a closet little Englander? A lot of the English do not believe that a Test Match should be held in Wales (despite it being the Enagland and Wales Couunty Cricket Board).
So maybe it doesn't start until next week:-)
BTW Lurgan53 it is just how slow I take to type that seems that I'm way behind.
Looks like Colly and that South African bloke are putting up a bit more resistance. And Colly who was gash in the 20/20 is coming in quite high up the order as well.
C'mon the Aussies get that Pietersen Salmon and Trout!
notoneofthepeepil
I haven't read American Tabloid..one for the holiday suitcase.
I agree that we should be looking to give a chance to some of the players we already have before going for Kris Commons. I'd like us to spend that £3.3m elsewhere.
Can Kris Commons do 3 stepovers, 2 pirouettes - beat the full back 4 times, chip the ball at waist height to a bemused striker then stare into the dug out with a screwed up face?
vargas shampoo
is that a dig at mcgeady?
if so,its quite pathetic!
hail hail
ps if im wrong ill apoligise
VargasShampoo
Oh for a time when Aiden can't do all of that either
ibleedgreenandwhite
aiden's final ball into the box can be terrible at times and spoils all of the good work he does elsewhere. He always seems to want to caress the ball and so sometimes ends being too tentative resulting in waist height crosses. It's unfortunate but it's true in my view.
DD,
Seriously man??? What would be the problem with selling one player, replacing him with a young player of equal or possibly greater ability and making a tidy profit at the same time?
cardizzy
its your opinion,but that does not make it true!!
i dont have a problem with what you have just said,its more constructive than some of the other pathetic little jibes you read on here about aiden,does it matter what his face looks like??
well to some on here it does,,his face just does not fit,,fact!
hail hail
Haven't seen that much of Commons, but can those who have confirm whether he is faster & more direct than Aiden?
If KC comes to Celtic, will he bring the Sunshine Band?
"Celebrate Good Times" and "Rangers Give It Up" - destined to be a Tim.
Waist-high crosses are extremely dangerous and underrated, in my view.
I bleed green & white - Unfortunately it was me taking a cheap pot shot at McGeady. How can someone with so much natural ability not grasp that he has the ability to help the team score goals. However all we get from him is self indulgent play that rarely bears fruit. harsh but truthful
Is Kris Commons not a another kinda small guy similar in height to Wilson, Aiden, Naylor, Sean, Willo, Caddis, Mizuno, Skippy etc. I can see a pattern here.
Ooops, that should of course be Shaun...
Battered Bunnet - I think of The Grapes of Wrath as an American Ragged Trousered Philanthropists! The rest of your reading list is way ahead of mine!
Mort - we might get some time to read on the journies over! I reckon the SKY/ ESPN subs could pay for at least 3 trips if the drinking was minimal/ non existant! I'm in the north so day trips are feasible if not ideal.
The big problem will be getting a pass from Mrs Tressell. She is not that inclined to philanthropy when it comes to me abdicating my familial responsibilities, even if it is for Celtic. Still if the season book is purchased I have an 8 going on 9 year old who could come with me and get his £50 season book.
Bhoy from the County Hell on July 8, 2009 2:58 PM
Because it is arguable at best that Commons is better than Aiden.
And anyway Commons should be Nakas replacement as he plays on the left.
'Honestly' BFCH what is peoples problem with Aiden??
And some on here want Donati in the team???
I seriously wonder about people I really do. Do they even watch football or just go on what other people say??
DD
Naw am urny bhoy
What with all those small guys,surely Aidens waist high crosses should
land on their heads :0)
Naw um urny
Commons is about 5ft 6 and nearly 26 years old so I don't know where the 'young player' some people mention comes from.
I hope we get him, just not at the expense of our best player.
DD
vargas shampoo
i believe that next year aiden will have a fantastic season under anton mor(copyright lurgan 53)i wonder then, what excuse will the macgeady haters come up with then to continue with their cheap shots and jibes about his facial expressions,pathetic absolutely pathetic.
your entitled to your opinions though:(((
even if you are wrong:)))
hail hail
DD
When did Naka play on the left for Celtic?
Mort
I see Bristol City could now in for JVoH after landing Zico.
I wonder if they'd be interested in M Brown, Willson, Flood, McManus, Naylor, Doumbe.....
We can but try!
FREE THE UJPEST 1!
/Bishop B
VargasShampoo on July 8, 2009 3:02 PM
Could it be that he is right footed and was played on the left by WGS perhaps? Cos that was a great tactic wasn't it?? Same as playing a left footed player on the right...
DD
Celtic fans that 'hate' McGeady! Cant see it, sure he can be frustrating, but dont believe any of us 'hate' Aiden. I mean what kind of support is hate! Nope, over dramatic I'm afraid.
Does Kris Commons have real pace? - that would be a big asset.
DD Answer
The problem with Aiden is he looks down and not up. This leads to a lack of awareness of where colleagues on the park are and leads to poor choices about passing and crossing. Naka always played with his head up, hence his much better distribution.
Having said that Aiden is 10 times the player Chris Commons is, who is not worth half the £3.5m quoted. If Flash got Aiden for £6m that would be the steal of the decade for the EPL.
Question
If the pie is in the fridge with the cling film on how does it get to the Happy Clappers?
Mort on July 8, 2009 3:10 PM
Very rarely if ever, thats my point we now have a manager that will sort out that wee tactical conundrum that WGS couldn't, forcing both players to constantly check back inside onto their other foot.
Again thanks for your input.
DD
McGeady was very poor last season (most players were) and has as much to prove as anyone. Whereas his play the season before was effective and direct, last season he was wasteful and self indulgent.
He has it all to prove, much like everyone else in green and white.
We cannot loose Naka and McGeady in the same transfer window, we are struggling for creativity as it it.
Theres a reason McGeady has a reported value of £7m and Commons £3.
Keep McGeady TM could help him fulfill his potential.
Simon Cox has signed for WBA £1.8m
Donegal Danny - You mean like Thierry Henry (right footed) playing on the left for Barca & Lionel Messi (left footed) playing on the right. That will never work surely...........
I heard Celtic had a top crickter at the the club in the the late 1980 Big Jackie from Polland he was always bowling maidens over
Left or right?
Lionel Messi is left footed and plays.............on the right!
Thierry Henri is right footed and plays...........on the left!
It is perfectly acceptable to decide you want your wide players to cut in rather than attack the bye line.
There is more than one way to get to goal. It only makes 'sense' to play Aiden on the right if you want him to hit the bye line and cross. Given his weaknesses (yes he does have some!) at crossing he might be more effective at stepping inside?
Why would we have wanted to play Nakamura wide left anyway? He didn't have the pace to get past a fullback, relying on his trickery to create space.
I certainly do not hate Aiden McGeady nor do I want him to leave Celtic. I certainly don't want him to go to make room for Kris Commons who doesn't have the talen that Aiden has. However,in my opinion, he underperformed last season. Playing on the left may be a factor but he played on the left the season before when he was voted POTY.
Like any other player, he will come in for criticism at times from the support...at games,in pubs, on blogs like this one. I do not see people reacting with accusations of hatred towards Stephen McManus when he is criticised (and probably more often).I agree with No I am not, bhoy (his pan loaf Sunday name; we get frustrated with Aiden because of our high expectations of him for exciting, entertaining football that wins us games.
DD
Very rarely if ever, thats my point we now have a manager that will sort out that wee tactical conundrum that WGS couldn't
And how do you know how the team will play when Tony Mowbray gets straight to work?
Is Giovanni Trappatoni as tactically blind as you think Gordon Strachan was, as his preference is to have Aiden McGeady on the left.
Mort
VargasShampoo on July 8, 2009 3:19 PM
Aye cos thats very relevant.
hat like saying 'cos an F1 car can go 250 mph why can't my fiat 500'.
Different class of players, different class of team and evidently different class of manager.
The lad was player of the year, if you didn't like your boss would you be at the top of your game?
DD
naw am unrny bhoy
you are being a bit naive are you not,next you will be saying tat some celtic fans dont hate macdonald,when in fact i know quite a few who in fact cant stand macdonald or mcgeady,why?
they hate macdonald because of black sunday,and they hate macgeady for no other reason than his face doesnt fit,simple as.
mcgeady is our best player by a country mile,why people continue to attack this boy is a mystery to me,over dramatic-i think not.
harsh but truthful:))
hail hail
donegaldanny - if he is 5ft 6in thats smaller than Shaun Maloney! He's the same height as Willo Flood though who is also 5ft 6in.
Mort on July 8, 2009 3:25 PM
Eh no he doesn't, I think if you look back over all the Ireland games that Aiden has played in he has swapped wings with Duff or whoever has been playing opposite side. Go on have a wee check.
And you're right I don't know how BTM will play. But I bet left footed players play on the left.
DD
donegaldanny
The lad was player of the year last year while Mr Strachan was still his manager.
Vargas
Nippsys!
Donegal Danny
Surely it is relevant to bring up the examples of Messi and Henry (or anyone else that plays on the opposite side to their stronger foot) since you brought it up with the inference that it was an issue that affected Aiden's game detrimentally last season.
Now it seems that you are indicating that he underperformed because of his relationship with the manager. Presumably, in that case, it was all sweetness and light the season before when he was POTY.
ibleedgreenandwhite @ 3.27
Possibly as I dont know them all personally, just find it very hard to believe that any current Celtic player could be hated by a Celtic supporter. Or to put it another way, they cannot be a Celtic 'supporter' if they hate any of the playing staff.
thismancraig
Ive had McGeady under the microscope last season and my opinion is that it is his off-the-ball game that is his big problem . He does not work at finding space for himself . Maybe a change of system with more running off the ball will allow him to realise his undoubted potential.
Nancy thrashed Motherwell not that long ago with our man Fortune scoring . I remember being impressed with the french team and thinking at the time that they would probably have given us a hard game.
Gents
This thread on McGeady is pointless.
Those who want rid of him sound slightly sinister in their dislike of him, who knows why.
If we sell him to bring in an inferior, older and smaller player, i hope that pleases you all. Where we will get creativity from If we lost him after losing Naka I suppose only you can fathom because I certainly can't.
He was the one creative spark in an otherwise moribund team.
Naw-am-urny-Bhoy on July 8, 2009 3:27 PM
well it was a Wiki stat so may be wrong.
DD
Cadizzy on July 8, 2009 3:32 PM
What were a lot of people on this very forum shouting for last season? Aiden on the right and naka on the left so they could cross with their natural foot.
It's not just me you know.
I think Tommy Burns might have had something to do with Aidens form prior to last season. Rememeber he was the 'buffer'.
DD
Bamboo
I know Aiden is not the biggest but "under the microscope"? Do you perchance live in the "Land of the Giants"! Loved that programme so I did, even if it did have really bad paranoid McCarthyist Cold War feel to it.
Cutting in from the wing or hitting the bye line are not to do with:
1. Personality
2. Ability
3. Relationship with manager
They are to do with:
Tactics
It is therefore reasonable to conclude that it could be fair to see left footed players on the right and right footed players on the left.....IF..... you want those players to cut in.
The fair debate is whether Aiden is better deployed on the left cutting in or the right hitting the bye line.
Personally, I want to see him play direct through the middle where I'm convinced he could be a 30+ scorer a season.
Donegaldanny
Sorry,but I dont believe I have read today anyone wanting rid of or hating Aiden.
donegal danny
i am a fan of macgeady as are you,vargas shampoo and a few others are quite clearly not.
so why dont we call it a score draw and leave it at that,but in future it would be nice to make some constructive criticisms of players instead of snide or pathetic ones which we have had to put up with recently,at the end of the day mcgeady and the rest are our players,they put up with enough crap from outside of the club without us starting on them.
hail hail
DD
"Those who want rid of him sound slightly sinister in their dislike of him, who knows why."
As I have said, I do not want him to go so I have no axe to grind with the above statement. However,it does not equate to anything that I have read here today from anybody that perhaps does want him to go.
Apologies to Aiden McGeady, who apparently is 5'10", at that height he'll be looking down at most of our other players.
I expect the sinister reason behind this dislike of AMcgeady is further mischief being orchestrated by the Duke of Edinburgh.
Aiden Mcgeady is a good player but not as good as Aiden thinks he is. So far he has shown bags of potential but he needs to press on.
England 194-3 at tea.
I quite like the idea of getting stats and info and even possibly some form of commentary delivered to the phone don't know about anyone else but i'm forever coming back to the club and asking the guys who watched the game on the telly for an explanation or clarification on decisions and incidents through the game
It seems to me that for everybody who has a sinister dislike of McGeady, there is someone else with a siniser like of him.
Celtic hit rock bottom last season, McGeady included (especially becuase he failed to build on a season of excellent progress). In not other sport would this drivel about playing on the wrong side be tolerated.
Imagine it in golf 'ach, I don't hole out because I'm not that great at that', or tennis 'sorry mate, I don't serve to the deuce court - it doesn't suit my game'.
There is plenty of space, and time, at Lennoxtown for players to work on 'weaknesses'.
DD
Of course it's not just you re the left/right debate but it's not just Gordon Strachan who favours switching players from their natural side. That is why the mention of Messi, Henry etc is relevant.
You may have a point about the Tommy Burns being the buffer. I certainly hope so since that should mean a retunr to form for Aiden given the absence of Gordon Strachan...regardless which side he plays on.
DD,
My problem is not with Aiden. It never has been.
In response to a comment about the possibility of Aiden joining Spurs you reference the bid for Commons and the difference in price.You then use this as some sort of poorly veiled dig at either the board or 'happy-clappers' as you refer to those of us who happen to think the guys in the boardroom might know a wee bit more than we do. Why?
You wanted WGS gone. Your wish has been granted.
You want the board to start spending. They appear to have started doing so.
Whats wrong with you this time?
I think there is a sinister moderator inserting spelling mistakes in my posts!
DD - As you know I am a big fan of Aiden but you made two points that for me sum up the niggling doubts I have about him.
1) "The lad was player of the year, if you didn't like your boss would you be at the top of your game?"
2) "I think Tommy Burns might have had something to do with Aidens form prior to last season. Rememeber he was the 'buffer'."
To me we are talking about a 23 (or is it 24) year old man. Not a child anymore or even a youngster. A grown man. He is someone with talent most of us could only dream about but your two statements above, which I agree to be correct about Aiden, could be construed as him being unprofessional (you should be at the top of your game no matter who your boss is) and immature (needs some sort of minder to show him how he should be behaving and acting as a go between with other people).
My concern for Aiden after watching him since he broke through into the team is that he has not visibly "grown up". For me he is the most talented player in the side, he saunters around like someone with that mantle should, yet for me last season he shirked the responsibility that goes with that status.
For me, even with his undoubted talent, I think Aiden has reached the end of the road with us sadly. For him I feel he needs to move on to achieve his potential as I am more and more convinced we will not see it whilst he wears a green and white hooped shirt.
DD
I'm with you on not selling Aiden to bring in an inferior player (like Commons). On the other hand if Flash or his ilk want to pay a decent price I would be comfortable with the transaction. That price would not be in single figures (£m) for me.
We do have creativity lurking. McCourt and Mizuno are both creative in different ways, as is the bhoy Kojo hates, wee Shaun.
Thismancraig
the so and so is at work on mine as well. Presumably that'll be the Duke of Edinburgh's doing too.
This cricket lark seems to have an awful lot of meals in it. Is that how Ian Botham became Beefy? What's wrong with quarters of orange and a quick fag at the side of the park washed down with some irn bru?
Bhoy from the County Hell
It's the wrong type of money. Those who are not "happy-clappers" want to see "new" money (whatever that is) being spent.
As for Aiden, I would love to see him stay at Celtic but can he reach the heights of a couple of years ago. Maybe like managers, certain players can get too used to a certain club and for want of a better word stagnate. Hopefully Tony can bring the best out of him again but unless suitable replacements are lined up for him and Naka then he shouldn't be let go anywhere.
Hail Hail
Mort
Bhoy from the County Hell on July 8, 2009 3:43 PM
You want the board to start spending. They appear to have started doing so.
Whats wrong with you this time?
Where about? As I stated yesterday the signing of Fortune (a good one I hope) is covered by the wages alone of the outgoing Naka, Bobo and JVOH almost to the dime.
The bid for commons I hope is a real bid that does not rely on us selling another of our best players. Do you agree?
RogueLeader
He turned 23 a couple of months ago, not surprised you're one of them who think 'he has reached the end of the road with us' funny that.
A 23 year old former player of the year reaching the end of the road. Only at Celtic eh!
DD
RogueLeader
I agree
Free the Celtic 1
When has Aiden ever played a good season?
Yep, he was player of the year in 2007/8, but for me, he played well for maybe 6/7 months, & at the business end of the season was one of our poorest performers. Apart from that, relatively short, period, he has never performed consistently well for us, & was a huge disappointment last year.
I share the views that other posters have about his final ball, & that he plays with his head down not up. He has a lot of talent, but he's no longer especially young, & its time for him to show that he can translate his talent into an ability to contribute consistently to the benefit of the team.
I hope that a new manager, & new system, might work as well for Aiden as I hope it might for Donati, & I am not advocating that we should sell him & bring Commons in, but wouldn't be especially upset if it happened, & we made a healthy profit which was used to bring in another player of quality.
THERES A BUZZ ABOUT THE PLACE
THE BUMBLEBEE TOP IS BACK
WOOT WOOT
dumbhoy,
There was never any suggestion of McGeady being sold to make way for Commons..at least not before Donegaldanny started worrying about who was plotting against him in the boardroom..
http://www.kitbag.com/stores/celtic/products/kit_selector.aspx?selector=65&portal=V9KK6LM7
i LOOVED THIS STRIP
woot woot
donegaldanny - if you don't already work for a Scottish tabloid then you could have a bright future in the employment of one of them as you possess the qualities required for the role!
DD - I thought I gave a reasonable asessment as to why I believe he has reached the end of the road and actually added the caveat that I felt it was for his own good he moved on to reach his potential as I don't think he can reach it here.
I think you are using your own definition of "end of the road" rather than the one I clearly spelled out. But I suppose people giving rational and reasonable reasons for thinking a player should move on would not fit with your view of some sort of sinister Aiden persecution.
FRRE THE UJPEST 1!
/Bishop B
I Bleed Green & White - i don't hate Aiden McGeady or any Celtic player. As i said in my earlier post, i find it deeply frustrating that we have a player we have brought through the ranks who has natural ability & who could make a massive difference, but spends more of his game being self indulgent.
Look at Gary Caldwell - a very ordinary player who was happy to go & play right back for a period at the request of his manager. The benefit of that exercise was that it instilled a 'can do' attitude in the dressing room which i'm sure rubbed off on other players, it also buys the player, the tolerance of the support knowing he is out of his natural position. What we now have is a very dependable centre half.
I hope Aiden stays & Tony Mowbray can get the best out of him. Lets wait & see
DD,
I have no idea whatsoever who will be sold or who will be signed. What I do know however is that the team and the squad need freshening up. This requires us to say goodbye to some faces just as we welcome new faces in, otherwise there is no room in the dressing room. Speculation that we will have to sell to buy is just that. Speculation. I just cannot for the life of me understand why you always look for the negative even when things seem to be going as you wanted. If you were basing your negativity on fact then fair enough,but you are basing yours on speculation whilst ignoring evedince to the contrary.
He's great at blastin the ball over the bar or the wrong side of the post! Can we blame WGS for that I wonder. Lets hope he gets the chance to put last season behind him and that BTM gets the best out of him this season. C'mon Aiden, we love you really.
RL
do you mean that sinister Aiden is being persecuted? That would certainly put you squarely into one side in this debate 0-;)
actually, as a left handed person, I object to the pejoratiiive meaning attached to the word "sinister".... I say I'm left handed but my boss has got me writing with my right.
Well I hope I'm wrong at the end of the transfer window. I'm sure secretly all of you are too.
But until then i remain unconvinced.
DD
I bleed........
I know Celtic supporters who hate ALL players. I hear them regularly at Celtic Park. I know Celtic supporters who hate some players and some who seem fixated on single players. In the last category I would include recently; Naylor, Caldwell, Hinkel, Samaras and Telfer. But you can take that list back a long, long way.
It happens on here and all other forums where players are regularly disected.
The concept of supporter has been lost to the concept of fan....atic resulting in the rise of football fundamentalism rather than moderation.
Now is that a good or a bad thing?
FRRE THE UJPEST 1!
/Bishop B
DD
Wrong about what at the end of the transfer window? That we sell Aiden to buy Commons or,more generally, sell him and do whatever (or nothing) with the money? I don't think many people would keep their agreement with that a secret.
Donegal
Keep it up you must be saying something right when the uber clappers
Start the personal abuse
Wonder if they still feel we will do 4iar or the diddy double will do
Oh no wait a minute sadly you were right and they and the osterich csc were wrong
If anyone thinks we will not sell a main player this window then they are
In for a shock
I don't like it but aiden might be off
Hail hail
vargas shampoo
fair do's!
hail hail
Bhoy from the County Hell on July 8, 2009 4:00 PM
Its not speculation its logic. I posted this yesterday but here goes
Approx weekly wage for Bobo/Naka/JVOH 25k x 3 = 75k
75k per week x one year is....wait for it... 3.9m
Fortune transfer fee 3.8m
How did that happen??
I remain unconvinced but hope to be convinced before the window shuts.
DD
Is it not ironic after so many calls for spending we Look like signing one player for close to £4m and have alegedly bid £3.5m for another...............yet none of the names massively excite anyone
Mort,
Missed your comment earlier but agree. It seems that if the board conduct a decent bit of business this should be used as a stick with which to beat them.
Eustace P Merryweather - nothing like hard facts to back up your opinion!
Bhoy from the County Hell on July 8, 2009 4:10 PM
A decent bit of business??
Selling one of our best players to buy a player who isn't as good for less money?
How is that a decent bit of business???
DD
"By Eustace P Merryweather on July 8, 2009 4:07 PM
Donegal
Keep it up you must be saying something right when the uber clappers
Start the personal abuse"
apart from one comment, I can't see where there has been personal abuse to merit the use of the plural (uber clappers). The debate has been pretty good,I thought, with good points being made on both sides.
Mind you, ostrich csc wasn't all that friendly so maybe you have a point about the abuse.
Antsman
Sign of the times I'm afraid when players are more expensive than we would be used to.
I'd say when MON arrived and was spending (at the time) megabucks we could have signed a Marc Antoine Fortuné type player and a Kris Commons type player for no more than £1m each.
DD
Approx weekly wage for Bobo/Naka/JVOH 25k x 3 = 75k
75k per week x one year is....wait for it... 3.9m
Fortune transfer fee 3.8m
How did that happen??
Meticulous planning on behalf of the board to try and pull the wool over our eyes. It's a good job we have you to keep them honest.
Mort
Cadizzy on July 8, 2009 4:13 PM
Eustace was right on one thing though, I was right and the happy clappers were wrong.:-)
DD
Eustace P Merryweather @ 4.07
Good shout and one I agree with. I remember clearly the "I BELIEVE" campaign during the league run in and the abuse the non believers got, as if somehow by not believing you were directly contributing to our poor form at the time. Laughable.
I think it would be a mistake to sell Aiden now and I don't think Anton Mor should. Like all players he should be given a chance to impress the manager and convince him he deserves to be a first choice. But he still has it all to do. If he doesn't measure up there's always the January window.
The crux however will be if we receive an acceptable offer. Although £7 million has been mentioned there has never been such a bid for Aiden and that probably tells us a lot about how he is perceived down south - or anywhere else for that matter. If such an offer materialised at this stage I would imagine both Anton Mor and the board would be more than happy to take it.
53
DD,
Whats your point? Seems like a sound way to run a business if you ask me. Out with the old and in with the new.
Or maybe Dermot should just reach into that bid deep pocket of his and buy us a new team?
How do we know that its £3m+ we've been reported to have offered for Commons?
I've been watchin SSN and all its got is that ''SSN understands Celtic have made a bid''
For what its worth i rate him but im not sure where he'll fit into the team. Im sure BTM has a plan though and i'll back his signings and his plans 100%
Bhoy from the County Hell on July 8, 2009 4:16 PM
What bringing in poorer players at the expense of better ones? And for whats its worth we are a football club first and foremost says a lot about you that you see us as a business.
DD
DD
You were certainly right about us not winning the league but,due to the very obvious for-all-to-see shortfalls in the team last season not exclusively so. From the people I know, happy clapping was rarer than one hand clapping
Eustace
Aiden has his price just like EVERY other member of that team beacuse......not one of them is a Henrik and is therefore sellable.
They all have a price because they are ALL replaceable. That includes Aiden and Artur.
You may not agree with me but better Managers than you do. Ferguson is a master of asset disposal at highest value but crucially is also a master at asset REPLACEMENT at the same time. In my view we have players currently on the books who can replace A and A immediately.
from BBC:
Page last updated at 15:06 GMT, Wednesday, 8 July 2009 16:06 UK
No Celtic bid for Commons - Derby
Derby County insist they have received no firm offer from Celtic for winger Kris Commons, BBC Radio Derby reports.
Bhoys manager Tony Mowbray has made no secret he is a fan of the Scotland international, and it is believed there is genuine interest from the Hoops.
A spokesman for the Rams has said no official bid has been made, even though a fee of £3.5m has been talked about.
The 25-year-old joined Derby in the summer of 2008 from Nottingham Forest and scored seven goals last season.
Commons was born in Mansfield, but is an international having qualified through his Scottish grandparents.
Antsman
I think it's fair to say that names who would excite us ..are out of our reach.I know it seems " pricey " for what we are getting...but that's the market I'm afraid.It's gone doolally....
£5million for Andy Driver I believe ????
Hail Hail
FingsaintwottheyusedtobeCSC
DD,
Well I hope you and Eustace had a great party that night the happy clappers were proved wrong.
Remember one thing though....
That didn't prove you right about anything.
dumbhoy on July 8, 2009 3:38 PM
I agree Aidan could be an option through the middle, I think it’s his preferred position, I remember an interview in the Celtic View when he was just breaking through, in which he said that he preferred playing through the middle, rather than on the wings.
I also preferred Naka through the middle as he was more often involved in play.
On another matter….
If we’re starting to spend some dosh on players why aren’t we looking at the Eastern European market instead of the over inflated engerlund leagues, go east Celtic yir money will go much further.
vmhan
Look Bhoys...We can't win.
Don't spend and we're being fleeced by the board. Spend and the player doesn't "excite" people.
As Paul67 pointed out, Fortunes goalscoring record in a new country for the bottom team was almost equal to a £28m player playing for the champions. The EPL is far stronger and he will get more chances per game than he did at West Brom and remember - this is a player we're being told where scoring isn't his MAIN attribute. Mowbray has worked with him, will know what he can and can't do and will know better than any of us what he can offer the team. Mowbray is the boss and we'll have to trust him on this one.
Let's face it, it WILL be an improvement on JVoH and Samaras and any sort of improvement will see us as Champions again.
As for McGeady, I'm sorry but for all his ability, he doesn't have much of a football brain and is showing no signs of improvement at an age where youth is no longer an excuse. After last seasons debacle, EVERYONE in that squad has a price...as long as it's reinvested in the playing staff.
I thought at the time that the whole "I BELIEVE" thing was a wee bit toe curling. I HOPE was about as far as I could go without feeling a bit daft.
dumbhoy:4:19pm
Totally agree....
Hail hail
Bhoy from the County Hell on July 8, 2009 4:20 PM
Yes it did, it proved what we were saying all season in the midst of BELIEVE, diddy doubles and 4iar from happy clappers was true. Oh and being called huns umpteen times by the armchair CSC who couldn't see the wood for the trees.
And no we didn't celebrate but we were already resigned to the inevitable. I celebrated the next day when i heard WGS was gone though, that I will give you.
hail Hail
DD
DD,
As a confirmed member of the asset management club, I have absolutely no difficulty with selling one of our better players as long as the money is then wholly reinvested.
You can strengthen a team this way- rangers did it last year by selling Cuellar & buying Bougherra in his place, & using the extra cash to get the likes of Davis, etc. Lots of clubs do the same.
In my view, thats not much different than is being proposed by some re Aiden & Commons. Aiden may be a better player- you obviously rate him very highly- but then again, Ugly Betty is better than Bougherra, & despite that, Rangers were strengthened through selling a superior player because they could then use money that they would not have otherwise had to improve another area of their team.
If indeed Aiden is off to pastures new I can only assume the only remaining member of the last regime,Neil Lennon,must have had some input into the decision,as I cant believe that Tony M would take that decision without first trying to get the best out of him.With Tony M record with young players at Hibs I would expect Aiden to recapture his form and be the player we all know he is.Why buy Commons when we have young players desperate to show what they can do,Mccourt Flood MIzuno Ferry,and Mcginn.SLAN
That ostrichCSC were found out when they put all of their eggs in one basket.
Are those cricket players still having their tea? They'll all be the size of a house when they come back out and won't be able to throw the ball at the sticks or hit it with the raquets.
Supersizers all of them!
Eustace
It's all well and good sticking up for people on the blog but I didn't see any personal abuse from anyone during the Aiden McGeady/Spending Spree debate that was taking place earlier.
All I read was a number of people having different opinions and expressing them in a mannerly manner.
Suggesting that people resorted the personal abuse is very disingenuous.
Hail Hail
Mort
DD,
Are you just trying to wind me up?
Are you seriously bemoaning the fact that we have let Bobo, Naka (who wanted to leave), JVH and P Hartley go to make way for new faces?
I feel like you are arguing for the sake of arguing.
Re. McGeady. I have nothing at all against him but would be willing to accept an offer of around 7 million for him as I would hope a 7mill or dare I say it Two 3.5mill players would have a bigger impact on our team than Aiden has had over these past few years
Maybe Cadizzy's ultimate fighting TV programme could feature the ostrichCSC against the armchairCSC.
DD,
My point was that there is no evidence to suggest your way would have worked any better..
...And I have never called you a hun..
DD
Your equation is missing an entry?
It should be £3.8m + (£25kaweekx1yr) = £5.1m as compared to the (alleged) wage savings of £3.9m
On the other hand you could through in Paul Hartley and make up his wages at 25k a week to reach the same conclusion.
At this point it's a conspiracy lacking enough factual data to get to the possible stage.
I've had enough of the arguing on here,I am away hame tae argue with the wife.
SEE YOUSE LATER HAIL HAIL
England 228-4. Collingwood ct Haddin b Hilfenhaus.
http://therams.co.uk/stories/rams-no-commons-bid-from-celtic
If we do sign Commons, will the media be outraged at this plastic Scotsman who turned his back on the country of his birth to represent the country of his grandparents? Will commentators refer to him as "the Mansfield-born Scotsman"? Will he be urged by hordes of neds to "go home"?
Just asking.
Who is deadliest? The ostrichcsc who could break your neck with their great big legs but can't find you because they can only see sand below ground or the armchair csc who can give out personal abuse with the best of them but are too comfortable with the pringles and beer to bother getting up off their backsides?
A no score draw would be my forecast.
dumbhoy on July 8, 2009 4:29 PM
Doumbe and Hartleys wages combined would be somewhere around 18-20k
not a kick in the posterior off it eh?
Its no conspiracy theory we haven't spent a dime yet. and we're down on men.
Bhoy from county hell
You're missing my point entirely, the fee for fortune has been entirely covered by outgoings so we have spent nada as yet.
DD
Helloooooo ......... Anyone home?
Some of you must feel very much like one of those characters in the movies who walk into an empty house and, with no sign at all that ANYTHING has happened, feels an unmistakable dread.
Paranoia does, indeed, stalk these Halls wielding an AK-47.
For the record; McGeady is STILL a Celtic player. The media is not reporting any concrete bid has been made. Boruc is STILL a Celtic player. Brown is STILL a Celtic player. Our board, our Chief Executive, have given assurances TIME AND TIME AGAIN that although the days of six million pound signings may be OVER we are NOT a "selling club".
Tony Mowbray has said he looks forward to seeing McGeady in action. He looks forward to getting the best out of Boruc. He is looking forward to being reunited with Brown.
Yes, this house is empty. Wife, kids, the goldfish even .... none are present. But there's no sign of a struggle, no upended furniture, no burst locks on the doors. There is no blood on the carpet or spatter pattern up the walls.
So why in HELL are we discussing these things?
Has CQN become a new forum for Masochist Theatre?
Some of the folk here today REALLY need to chill out a little.
donegaldanny,
your logic in determining that the funds for signing Fortune came from ex-players unfortunately doesn't take into account his own wages, and Zaluska's & N'Guemo's, who will hopefull sign as part of the Fortune deal, never mind any wage increase the likes of Caldwell may get if he signs on for another few seasons.
I don't doubt the club will have a net spend this transfer window, as they continue to back the Manager in improving the team, and I'm sure it'll be Mowbray's decision alone whether he sells anyone to increase the budget further.
However, if he was to spend 3M or anywhere near it on Commons, it must be a concern that Aiden may leave when you consider we already have him and Maloney who play the same positions (also the same position as our best reserve players last season, Mizuno & McCourt) - and I don't think we would start spending that sort of money just to have more 'competition' for some roles when there are clearly other areas in the first team that need filling.
Too much for me!! Daft squabbles about hee-haw and .... CRICKET!!
See ya!
James Forrest
Well said i couldn't agree more it's ridiculous!
Maybe it's a like swine flu....out of control nationwide......if you check the link at 4:32pm the Rams fans are ranting on about the same thing replacing Commons with lesser beings...NUTS!
James Forrest
You haven't looked in the Loft or the Basement yet!!!!!!!!!
Be afraid........................!
James Forrest
"There is no blood on the carpet"
Ah, but it's only a matter of time......
.....Anybody have any thoughts about what Celtic should do next poppy day?
I see England have got 228 and Michael Owen didn't even get one of them. Swalex can have him;we dodged a bullet there!
Naw-am-urny-Bhoy, Cadizzy, DD
In the final week of the season I started signing off my posts with "I Believe". This was in response to the amount of negativity I was reading on this blog and even though I know the easy thing to do would have been to ignore it for a week, it's like a drug, I just keep coming back for more.
I believed, because if nothing else I always believe in Celtic and always will and will never apologise for that. I also wanted to project a little bit of positivity to the blog and I think for those few days at certain times the blog was more fun to be on. My and others belief was misguided even though there was a certain sense of inevitability about the destination of the title. Doesn't mean we should stop believing in the team especially when they needed us most.
Those were my thoughts and as far as I can remember I never had a go at anyone for not believing nor did I have a go at the towel throwers the previous season when we did prevail against all odds. I just think it's pretty poor for people to have a go at those supporters who had belief last season and didn't complain or badmouth the team and manager at every opportunity.
Peace Out
Mort
Ostrich cfc - that's a new one. I'm not sure how supporting your team makes you an ostrich? Or how believing that we were going to win the league equates to head in the sand, if that's what the avian reference was supposed to imply.
I believed up until the second last day that we were capable of winning the league, indeed were favourites to do so. Not in the stylish manner I would have liked, or by the margin that we should have been ahead of the opposition. But I expected us to have just enough to win our last two games and take the title.
That conclusion was based on watching practically every game of the season, and knowing our strengths and weaknesses. And if taken back a few weeks in a time machine I would come to the same conclusion.
Optimistic perhaps, but then that's part of being a supporter for me.
DD,
Still failing to see the problem here mate. If it was clear that they wouldn't figure in TMs plans then why keep them around if not only to prove to you that we could buy a player without selling one?
This "Commons thing" looks and smells like an attempt to start a bidding war for his services. If no bid has been made by Celtic, why is the figure of 3.3 or 3.5 mill being quoted? Derby are at it. Remember a few days ago they said that it would take a silly offer to move Commons, but they did not wish to sell. Again why say it? Smoke and mirrors, my friends.
Let's wait a while said Slo --- the gas may go oot on this wan soonest.
Rebus
I think mogga will give his all to the job .
All he asks from his players is respect and commitment that will do for me .
He also seems to have assessed the possible need for a change in the captaincy ,this again will do for me as I personally thought GS made a mistake in giving it to big mick .Who knows with the pressure of being captain off his shoulders his game may improve .
I have not seen anything of fortune but if what some say is correct that he is physical and has good movement ,then that is something I think most of us would say was lacking last year .
So c'mon mogga get us in a solid LB and get us back the title
hail hail
Mort, I certainly agree that you did not have a go at anybody and I was not for a second agreeing with the view that you were. As I say, it was not my chosen way to express myself. Hope was all I could realistically muster. Apologies for my post appearing more dismissive than it should have done.
Peace out? Was it for a duck? 228 for 5 then?
Donegaldanny,
Money saved on wages of departing players.
Saved money spent on signing new players.
= The board are pulling the wool!!!!
By your calculations we won't be paying any of the new players any wages then cos factoring in the wages blows your sums?
Some people will never find any positive in anything the board do. And it doesn't matter who is on the board. The title 'board' is sufficient.
1st September will be the time to judge how this transfer window has gone. It needs to be and must be better than the last two.
I believe it will be. Pity we've had to reset the 10-in-a-row-ometer though. The board carry some of the can there - but not as much as the manager or the players.
Cadizzy
No worries and no need to apologise.
A duck? I thought we were talking about Ostriches.
Mort
Cadizzy
You are turning this blog into Cricket Quick News. You're ball-by-ball commentary is, in fact, quicker than the BBC website.
Are you Henry Blofeld in disguise?
LOL! You hit the nail on the head James Forrest.
A spurious story hits Sky news about us bidding for a Derby player; folks assume it's gospel and the guy's as good as signed; folks then assume we need to sell in order to pay for him; it's then assumed to be McGeady; que an arguement on the merits of McGeady!!
This place makes for facinating reading over the summer.
Petersen out.
241 - 5
donegaldanny - “Its not speculation its logic. I posted this yesterday but here goes. Approx weekly wage for Bobo/Naka/JVOH 25k x 3 = 75k. 75k per week x one year is....wait for it... 3.9m
Fortune transfer fee 3.8m”
Erm ... no, that is actually speculation. The clue is in your own use of "Approx" - logic has never resulted from approximation!
GM
You make a very good point. We are very quick to jump the gun. In my defence I was very bored at work and glad to join in any debate on CQN. Heck, I was even about to look up the rules of cricket to see if I could contribute to that side debate.
Thankfully the football chat came back though tomorrow is another day.
Mort
hoopeddreams, much as I would love to take the blame for turning the blog into cricket quick news, that particular accolade rests with DBBIA who seems to have a morbid fascination with the cricket players' eating arrangements. He is the one who should be burnt at the stake. I am not worthy of that honour.
Mort, ostriches, ducks....I've always had trouble with birds.
Gordon_J on July 8, 2009 4:40 PM
Well said!
gsu
Sir Paul
Again.. I am astonished at the possibility that Mr. Mowbray,would.. well.. would..consider, for a second, the pursuit of a Player..such as
Mr. Commons.
Disnae he know,whit collie knows.. and Ah know.. and Even ..Lou, knows..
That.
Mr. Commons is an Injury Prone Player?
He has already, at a young age.. approx. around 2001.. experienced a Horrific.. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Blow Out..
That little set back.. cost him... A YEAR OFF!
You may ... or again.. ye may no.. Ah suppose it depends if ye are a Fish Eater or No..so my Granny told me..
When ye learned that Mr. Commons had this type of Injury oan his Medical Record.. feel yer Inner Man.. gie ye a SHARP Dig in the Ribs~
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
Although, that injury occured.. Eight Years Ago..
Ah am sure a Man of yer undoubted Perspicacity.. would ... when ye learned aboot that injury...drew a wee skinny imaginary Question Mark.. oan Mr. Commons, imaginary Foreheid!
And ye wid no hiv been sae Wrang.. eethur..
It seemed that Mr. Commons, hid an INJURY PLAGUED SEASON.. in 2006..2007..
And wait,kiddo..
It gets Bettah.. or .. Worser.. depending oan which wey ye wanta look at it.
In.. 2008.. his team..Notts Forrest(?) gave him a FREE TRANSFER.
He wiz immediately snapped up , by Derby Co..
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
Subsequently, oan the strength of HIs scoring a Wonderful , One in a Million Super Goal..agin Manchester United..
Suddenly, his value has leaped oan the Transfer Stock Exchange tae..
Well..at tae at least Three or Four.. Half Ripe. Pomegranates..
and Immediately, Mr. Mowbray is seen as an afficianado of this Fine Lad~
Wow.. if this interest, by Mr. Mowbray, is proved to be Accurate.. then..
You Noo know why.. my opening Sentence,is weel justified~
Fur, Ah hiv already stated what I think aboot Mr.Mowbray's last Bold Snatch ..frae France.
Tell me,kiddo.. that this new Head Scratcher,that ah am suffering frae... is jist a Figment o' the Yellow Press?
Kojo.
My astonishment at the Actions of this New Cetlic Manager, is mounting and mounting.. it seems on a Daily Basis.
Mort,
Like you, last season I continued to stand up for Gordon Strachan and his team despite the glaring deficiencies obvious to us all. The reason for this was, again like yourself, I was troubled by the amount of negativity around while we were still engaged in a battle for the title.
I know many or most of the 'mineshafters' will tell you that they cheer the team as loudly as the next man when at the games but I think they fail to realise the effect their remarks on here have on the wider support when they deliver them so relentlessly to such a large audience.
I have a feeling a bit more positivity throughout last season might have seen us over the line in the end. It would not have solved our problems but it would be much nicer addressing them with 4iarow in the bag. We all have our concerns about how the club is run but if you only voice your concern and never your appreciation then it all starts to look a bit bleak.
I Believe in Tony Mowbray and Celtic 09/10
GordonJ at 4:40 p.m.
I am not optimistic by nature, however, I felt exactly as you did at the end of last season. My expectation, that we would win the league, was not optimism nor pessimism, but logic.
We were good enough to do it. We blew it. Moving on
Paul67,
Whit are you doing man?? Cricket? CRICKET?!
Look what you've started. Strange scoring posts now that make no sense to your average football man.
Talk of people being out (gay?).
Weird acronyms (b?? ct??)
Poultry references?
Overs? (and overs we will follow you?)
We'll be talking about McGeady playing silly mid off and square leg being Caldwell's best position. And as for that long standing problem at left slip??? When is that ever going to get sorted.
I blame the board.
Yellow cards all round for the cricketeers.
In fact, more yellow cards than Mike McCurry could flash at hooped heroes at Middenville.
Where did the fitba go....?
I no that i have sade this befour but I have went too Parkhead for meny yeers and have scene lot's of grate playurs their. Unfourtunatley, I do'nt think Aiden McGeady is oll that grate. I no lot's of Gers fans hoo call him McGready which is reelly funney wen yous think about it. I do'nt think we shuold by Kris Common but their is a bettir Chris plain in Ingland and his name is Chris Burk. Lot's of my frends thuoght he waz a grate player in Scotland and I agree with them that he is bettir then Aiden.
Also, pleese stop making fun of the Duke of Edinburra. He dose a grate job and he is the hubsand of our queen who we all respect and admiar. Thanks to her wee one the cornation cup so we shuold be greatfull. HaIL HAIL TO oll loyal and true Celts
James Forrest
Not many clubs would describe themselves as seling clubs, but many/most/pretty much all (even as high up the food chain as Man Utd) will sell players, if they think its to their advantage, & they can use the cash to improve the team overall.
You are right to identify that there is nothing concrete, & may be nothing at all, about us wanting to either buy Commons, or sell Aiden.
However, the general comments that have been made about whether we should try & asset manage, & if so who should be moved on, & who should be bought, are surely of the type that are to be expected on a slow news day!
With all this talk about believers and non believers are we not running the risk of a certain faction of this blog being ostrich sized,
I don't have the heid nor the legs for it :)
gsu
Mort:4:40PM
I'm an old git who isn't up to the new fangled way of doing and saying things....
When you ended your post with "Peace Out" .....I'm thinkin' ....
"Is that like CHILL OUT or PEACE MAN " ???........
I'm also an old git who knows nuthin' about cricket either...Doohh!!
Hail hail
GavemealaughanywayCSC
hellllllo everyone.....just back from a week in very hot Lake Garda!! excellent spot. now to real matters....
Len B ...who is the FREE THE UJPEST 1!?
WGS/LEN/MR Z ... what have i missed in the last week rumours wise?
any morfe on Stilic or Sharbini?
Not been near a computer for a week.
SFFS
jungle jim 12.58
agreed loving every minute of it.
question...whos the astana leader (whos carrying the water) contador or armstrong?
very odd
paul67/WGS
ETims recon we are after a Spanish based attacking player
with Javier Saviola disappearing further down the pecking order at Real Madrid ,could this be the player they are alluding to? possibly a loan deal?
i seem to remember that MON tried to bring him to Celtic some years back
Mazy
maisy dribble ..... J Saviola joined Benfica last week for 4.5m so not him
SFFS
If we sold Aiden for £7 million that wouldn't be asset management, it would be asset stripping
Modric cost £16 million, he is not as good as Aiden. Cuellar was £8 million for a decent centre half who as good as he would ever be
If Aiden leaves for less than £12 million it would be a scandalous misuse of our resources
I will go further, if we are stupid enough to think about accepting £7 million, expect to see Sir Alex swoop in and do a deal in short order
If we sold Aiden for £7 million that wouldn't be asset management, it would be asset stripping
Modric cost £16 million, he is not as good as Aiden. Cuellar was £8 million for a decent centre half who as good as he would ever be
If Aiden leaves for less than £12 million it would be a scandalous misuse of our resources
I will go further, if we are stupid enough to think about accepting £7 million, expect to see Sir Alex swoop in and do a deal in short order
barcabhoy
really? I would be amazed if SAF thought that Aiden was anywhere near man Utd standard, whatever the price tag.
Just goes to show how differently we all see things!
Paul67 etal.
First post since the golf outing,The heat in the clubhouse was what I would call horrendous,I felt like one of the police alsations that died of heatstroke just a day before.
Congratulations to Jonnybhoy on winning,He must have had a good game to win so easily,there was some good golfers playing that day,Jonnybhoy,can you tell me something,Do you post as much when you lose,Your doing a lot of posting these last few days,I suppose it's called braggards rites.Only kidding.
As I said,First post since the golf,I'm glad to see that there's some movement on the Football front,Our first Signing under the new manager.
Tony,Mark,and Peter all say he,Fortune that is, will make a good signing,but there's a few on here,well more than a few, who don't rate him,Fortune,very highly,and most probably they haven't even seen him.I haven't, so I won't comment on whether he's a good,or bad signing.
I just wish him,and any other signings that are unveiled at Celtic Park in the coming weeks, all the best.
Kitalba.I just wish that I could have come to Brisbane to see you and all the others that are either making the trip over,or are travelling from all over Oz to cheer the team on.
Would you get Jerry the Painter a drink for me,You'll know doubt see him on the Twelfth,marching along the road waving his banner?.
I may have gone if (Smashing Milk Bottles)had gone,but it was not too be.
The new seasons getting nearer to the start,Last season I said that we would win the League,I still don't know why we didn't,The Manager,and Players,were all equally to blame,I actually feel the players let us down more than the manager,because they were on the field of play,if they wanted the League as badly as we the supporters wanted it, they should have won it for us,but they didn't,they decided to lose it instead,I will take a long time to forgive them for that.
I'd like to pass a comment about Aiden,A player who is very gifted,but seems to have lost a bit of his magic,Whether it was the Arguement with GS that turned his head,or the punch up with Artur,or was it just the matter he lost form drastically,could it have been supporters singing his praises,even when he was not playing well,That would turn anyone's head,but you can rest assured,He wasn't playing up to his capabilities,most of last season.
I hope know one minds if I post this from Alec Parker,from the golf on friday.
Hi John/Taggsybhoy.And all the guys who I met on Friday,and some of you on previous outings.
On behalf of Big Leish and I.
Can I thank you for your brilliant reception and welcome on Friday. We both had a great day even with all the rain that Taggsybhoy and Big John managed to miss.
The organisation was up to your usual first class standard,but the one thing that Speakers fear when doing Golf Days is that some of the guys would have had several hours drinking
under their belts and get a bit rowdy.
I could not have been more wrong, as the order was brilliant even allowing for the constant heckling about my alleged Govan leanings.
You could have heard a pin drop when Leish was up from start to finish, and made our job so much easier.
The Mary Leishman Foundation has given Jim a new focus and the welcome you all gave him on Friday are making him get back out where he belongs with Great Football guys like yourselves.
May you go from strength to strength, and you all have a great season ahead, unless you get Dunfermline in the cup.
If you do,I might know a big guy that could help with
tickets.
Hail, Hail.
SFFS
pity that
surprising Benfica paid that much for Saviola, given his lack of games these last few years
Mazy
Barcabhoy
Thinking about it, I can't see that SAF would bother much about whether we wanted £7mill or £12 million. If he rated aiden highly, he'd just go get him.
Penang
Do you think he would have paid £12 million for Michael Owen
There is a price that makes a player worth the punt
Aiden definitely has the talent. Sir alex has said as much
Penang
Do you think he would have paid £12 million for Michael Owen
There is a price that makes a player worth the punt
Aiden definitely has the talent. Sir alex has said as much
Just read that Craig Moore/Charlie Miller/ Bob Malcolm will be playing for Brisbane Roar against us......
Care to forecast how many Bhoys get injured??
Hail hail
Barcabhoy
Actually, if the player is not good enough, I don't think thats true.
Aiden has talent, but has shown me nothing to suggest he is remotely good enough to play for Man Utd, whatever the price on his head, & am pretty sure that as they have loads of cash available, then if they wanted him, they'd make a bid.
What's all this Celtic good news with big bids flying all over the place
I know, "Let's big up poor John Kennedy's seventh knee operation"
Scottish Media don't you just love them
Barcabhoy
To answer your question re Owen-
He is someone who has undeniably operated, & excelled, at a very high level, but who looks a pale shadow of the player he once was.
Signing him on a free with relatively low wages is obviously something which SAF thinks is worth taking a punt on, & i agree that he wouldn't have been likely to do so if he'd also had to pay a £12 million fee.
Re aiden, whether he was available at £7 mill, £12 mill, or somewhere in between, given that his overall costs taking in wages woul;d be relatively small beer for a club like Man Utd, particularly after trousering £80 mill from selling ronaldo, & saving themselves about £7 mill in wages p.a., I really don't see that there would be any barrier in them coming to get him if SAF really rated him. There is quite a difference in saying that a boy has talent, & thinking that he has enough quality to play for a team like Man Utd.
doonhame del on July 8, 2009 2:41 PM
"I'm not convinced by BTM MAF and now KC"
Well......you dont convince me niether chief!!
:)
SAF took Liam Miller and there wasn't even a fee involved, still took him and he wasn't fit to lace Mcgeady's boots.
Liam Miller, or SAF that is
Further to the mini-debate on Spiers yesterday...
I read his article in today's Times and I have to say it was the type of vigorous anti-Celtic spin we have come to expect from one of the Darryls.
Every paragraph was a sly dig at Celtic. The chase for Fortune was "prolonged"; underlining "the extent of the task" TM faces. Mowbray himself is described as "weary"...
Dreadful stuff.
Dreadful.
On the McGeady left wing or right wing which was discussed earlier i believe he has been told by TM that he has plan to play him in the middle behind the striker(s).
FLC
Excuse my ignorance but why is mowbray called anton mor?
FLC
Good a few on here had TM letting him dribble doon the hard shoulder o the M6 awe the way tae North London
I much prefer you're report :)
Can anyone explain why Fortune hasn't been officially announced as having signed yet? Is it possible there is someone else we are closing on and we are waiting to parade them both together
muillach
Someone explained the other evening that it was gaelic for "big Tony"
I think!
hongkongjohnson
yes... n'guemo
TnT
Cheers, with me being a tcheuchter i should have known that!
Gallacher,
I think he could really shine under TM. If WGS was still there Aiden would probably be better off hitting the M6. I think Aiden's treatment at times last season was shocking.
A good run in a new position and we will see what happens.
FLC
Fourleaf clover 6.00pm
I have been thinking that could be his best position for two seasons.
How do you know this?
Are we likely to see more signings this week or is that it until the team returns from Oz? How long are the team away for?
Has Fortune actually signed?
aidens best bposition and it's been his best position since he was 12 years old is right in behind a main striker facing goal...we played him there in the league cup final and he ran amok.
Kojo @ 5:05pm
Good day to you, i am going to disagree with you about Monsieur Fortune, i like the fact that this homme has rejected the extra bucks he could've collected by joining one of the EPL clubs,especially the London ones of West Ham or Fulham as it would have been so easy for him to have acclimatised in the cosmopolitan UK capital,he didn't and fair play to him i say...............
HOWEVAAAAAAAAH.........KC...Mr Commons.....i despair....a complete and utter waste of cash IMHO....when we have.....
McGeady,Maloney,Mizuno and McCourt on the payroll let's allow TM to bring out the best in these guys before buying any more wingers or attacking midfielders........WHADDYA SAY MUCKER?
MWD/BT/Jonnybhoy,
You Have Mail!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
maisy dribble
Given he has signed for Benfica i doubt it is Saviola
ItaliaBhoy.
Standards can only be described as being "poor" if even the two major selling red tops in this country are sharing journalists.
A Ewen Snith appears to be the author of both of the articles in The Daily Record and The Scottish Sun.
Although everyone has read pretty much the same interview being 'touched' up by the various journos, personally I have never seen the same journo appearing in different publications, especially rivals like these.
Not that you can expect much reading from either, I have to add...
FLC
I certainly hope he does excel under TM and a good few others too
I think it'd be madness to sell any of our creative players just now
Hail Hail
Tiny Tim,
It was from an English school teacher who used to play for Sheffield Utd, who likes a quiet pint in a cosy southside local and who has the same Surname as Aiden.
FLC
philvisreturns on July 8, 2009 4:32 PM
No.
FourLeafClover
and his younger brother was in my class at school.
TTT
reply to your good self...
BT
re: Aiden
I think Aiden has the world at his feet, bags of skill and ability but for me I'd cash in now.......
For a guy who can get into so many dangerous positions the final pass \ shot is far too often wayward, and sadly for me I'd take an offer of £5mill+.
I really hope he proves me wrong and takes the SPL by storm this coming season but I'm not convinced he's learning the difference between what makes a decent player and what makes a great player.
The guy could be an absolute legend if he'd just learn to look up and play in team mates earlier and with more vision....but it's the head down image I see far too often when he's on the ball.
Purely my opinion......and I'm away out for a pint of the black stuff!!
I am very surprised to see so many, so willing to sell off one of our most creative, if not THE most creative players we have (now that Naka has gone).
OK last season wasn't the best for Aiden, but seriously for how many Celtic players was last season a good one????
In addition to the on-field downturn whic all the players suffred from, Aiden also had more than a enough on his plate from his off shenanigans with his manager and one of his team-mates. OK he possibly doesn't have the best attitude, but he had more than his fair share of criticism.
Personally I am looking forward to seeing what Tony has in store for Aiden in terms of how and where he plays him.
If FLC is correct, then I certainly will be pleased as I would love to the shackles taken off the wee man and let him do his stuff.
Next season is a very big season for both Celtic and Aiden and one I am looking forward too.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
MAF was spotted in a certain "Gents Outfitters" just behind the St Enoch Centre today purchasing a new suit,shirt and tie. Seems he only came to Glasgow with a pair of jeans and a couple of semmitts. Supposedly his new duds are for his press conference tomorrow...
Celtic as well as offloading McGeady, should consider getting rid of marathon man and current player of the year, Scott Browne.
Let's face it the chap can't pass or even kick a football properly. Best suited to running marathons.
Then perhaps we could shunt off Arthur Boruc, the fifth best ranked keeper in the world, like a lot of us he has a head problem.
Why not complete the cocktail with the addition of Scott McD, Maloney and Garry C. No class among that lot.
Once the money comes in then maybe we can start from scratch again and bring in a few cast-offs from the EPL and guys from various leagues past their sell-by date. Let's the get back to the bad old days of the recent past and admire the Gers as they pick off one championship after another. Oh Lisdoonvarna Lisdoon, Lisdoon, Lisdoonvarna.
L'Equipe reckon we're after Amadou Alassane, a striker from Le Havre. Apologies if that's been posted already. He was their top striker last year but they got relegated. Rangers were linked with him yesterday...he's obviously got a good agent. :)
Not sure MAF has officially been signed or not, but it looks like a done deal, so regardless of that, Welcome to Celtic big fella.
I notice on or two would still have preferred Fletcher.
I haven't seen very much of MAF, in fact very little, but the new manager has worked with both at close quarters and chose MAF, so that's good enough for me!
I know some of the bhoys on here enjoy their stats, so I ask those doubters would you rather have a guy who scored 5 goals in 17 games for the worst team in one of the hardest, most competitive leagues in the world, or a guy who scored 5 goals in the last 18 league games for the club who finished 6th in a much easier, less skillful league?
Hmmmm as our host is wont to say!
HAIL! HAIL!
Asset management at Celtic is becoming worrying - seems more about helping others do it well based on this season so far
MAF £1.5m to £3.8m in less than 6 months
Commons - Free to £3.5m (allegedly) in 1 year
Celtic themselves
Gravesen - £2m to PAID OFF IN 2 years
JVOH - circa £3m to released in 3 years
Virgo - £1.5m (up to) to released in 3 years
Hartley - £1m to released in 2 years
Jarosik - £1.5-2m to £750k in 2 years
Maloney - extra paid to bring him back circa £0.5m
Donati - Almost certain to make a loss on him
On the plus side are Sno and Miller
i think kc would be a great signing for us
does anyone who wants KC think taht he is better than AMG or SM?
i've only just opened a bottle of rioja and my spelling has improved
Evening Antsman
I can see where you are coming from with your general point, but a few comments;
On JVOH: at his age, 32 at the end of his contract, I do not think the board would ever have expected any return on him. I'm sure his wages reflected that.
Jarosik: was 31 when he left. Again, a loss of only £750k for a player that age does not seem so bad to me.
Maloney: negligible sum for a 25 year old, and one whom we would still I think recover our outlay on, and perhaps even make a profit on in a year or two. A fit Maloney in a free flowing team would be easily be worth more than £2.5m in my humble opinion.
Virgo: came in as a young man, highly recommended by a former celtic player, and although I agree it went badly wrong, it wasn't a massive financial disaster. It was a risk that went pear shaped I agree.
Relax Boys and girls,
The word in Annagry, the Heart of the Timdom of Donegal, is that Aiden is going nowhere, except Brisbane.
Talking of Brisbane, I hope that those who get to the game bear in mind that it is the first game of the pre-season and Celtic will not / can not go full out.
That won't stop the Bear infested Roar from steaming in though, so give the Bhoys the best you've got and enjoy.
BT
Your "spilling" will improve after another glass.
As ever 53
I think one of the main problems for Aiden McGeady last season was the fact that all the better SPL teams had caught up with Gordon Strachan's tactics. Rarely did Aiden get the opportunity to run on to a ball, but when he did he looked more likely to score. Aiden had to generate his own pace time and time again, all the while being up against two or three players, and without a settled fullback behind him. Also, he played in just over half of the league games. Ok, so too many headlines, and not enough highlights, but coming off the bench against Aberdeen early in the season and playing on the right was one, very good game against Villareal and of course his performance in the League Cup Final showed that the ability is there. For a player who can hit the ball with both feet he could and should score more goals, who knows, maybe he will hit 20 for us next season, lets hope so!
53
never spill a drop...;0)))
its official,big fortune has signed
yeeha
hail hail
its official fortuneee has put pen to paper
Gregor Kyle
CELTIC Football Club is delighted to announce the latest signing of the summer, with centre forward Marc-Antoine Fortune signing on a three-year contract.
The 28-year-old French Guiana-born striker joins Celtic from French Ligue 1 side, AS Nancy, after a six-month loan spell with manager Tony Mowbray’s former club West Bromwich Albion.
Fortune scored on his debut at Albion and impressed during the second half of the league campaign.
After undergoing a successful medical yesterday (Tuesday, July 7) the Frenchman pledged his future to the club and is thrilled by the prospect of challenging for the Scottish Premier League title with his old boss.
“This is where I want to be,” said Fortune. “Having met the people at the club and knowing all about the club’s fantastic pedigree and support, this is where I saw my future.
“I am looking forward to the challenge of winning the league title, competing for the cups and playing in Europe, in front of the Celtic supporters.
“I am also looking forward to working with my manager, Tony Mowbray, once again. I had a great experience with him, Mark Venus and Peter Grant in the Premiership last season and I am looking forward to now working with him at one of Europe’s biggest football clubs.”
Tony Mowbray is equally enthused about the prospect of being re-united with his former charge and added: “Marc is a quality player and at West Brom he was a privilege to work with.
“Some of his play in the second half of the season was phenomenal and, if you look at our goals ratio as a team after he joined, you can see the impact he made.
“He is a team player, we were delighted with the way he performed in the Premiership and are looking forward to working with him at Celtic.”
Fortune will officially join up with the first-team squad today, ahead of the team’s trip to Australia for the pre-season game against Brisbane Roar.
He will be officially unveiled as a Celtic player at a press conference at 10.15am at Celtic Park tomorrow (Thursday, July 9).
official fortune has signed!!
A free flowing football team will suit Aiden down to the ground. Hopefully thats what we will be seeing from the team this season. As people have said earlier, the poorer teams try to nulify Aiden as that was half the battle last season if Naka wasnt at the races.
If we have 3 or 4 flair players playing it will be pointless trying to nullify just one of them (i.e Aiden). I feel we will see a massive season from him. As everyone saw from the leage cup final and some of the European games when he has room he can be brilliant.
Kris Commons would be a good signing from what i saw of him last season in the cup games against Man Utd however he couldnt replace Aiden and i hope that isnt the plan.
Can I risk some flak re Adam Virgo:
I remember seeing him against Motherwell, and thought he looked good, and played in a similar style to Roy "feed the bear" Aitken. It all seemed to go downhill a bit from there, but I think he might have shown a bit more if given a wee bit more time. Difficult for the manager I agree to persevere, but Gary C went through a prolonged dreadful spell and came out the other side a reasonable player. Maybe, just maybe, Virgo would have improved.
Incidentally, he's been doing well back at Brighton which either means he was a bit better than he showed in his time at CP, or, he has found his true level!
http://www.celticfc.net/news/stories/news_080709161700.aspx
On Nancy's website:
Marc-Antoine Fortuné and Landry N' Guemo are from now on players of Celtic of Glasgow. The Guianese attacker was transferred for three seasons. Landry N' Guemo was lent for one year with option to purchase. The two players will fly away as of tomorrow with their new club to take part in a tournament in Australia.
Don't know if this has been posted before but the official CFC site is announcing that MAF has finally signed. Welcome to Celtic Marc and may your stay be long and successful.
On the other transfer story today, Kris Commons is a very capable pacy winger and would be a welcome addition to our squad. If we are playing 4-5-1/4-3-3/4-2-3-1 then we will need players capable of playing the wide attacking role. McGeady, Maloney, McCourt and Mizuno are our main wide attackers with only Aiden and Shaun having regular first team experience. Commons would at the very least provide competition.
Craiginho
twists n turns
Agree with you regarding Virgo, he was very good that day against Motherwell. I cant seem to think of any other games he played which suggests he didnt get a fair chance. We always seem to have about 6 centre halfs anyway which probably explains it. The fact Virgo was injured when his first season started didnt help him either
timbhoy
He started 3 and made 7 apps as a sub, so it wasn't a great deal of playing time. Maybe he wasn't showing in training either which made up WGS's mind that he wasn't ging to cut it
BT - a wee white wine spritzer over in G14. Enjoy yer Rioja!
FLC - no doubting Aiden's ball control, but do you think he has the maturity and football intelligence to be a success in that role?
His decision making when on the ball has been questionable and I don't believe that we should only blame WGS for Aiden regressing last year. Certainly give him a try in behind the main striker, as I couldn't bear watching him cutting in from the right and shooting over the bar again!
Give us the Aiden from the previous season, the POTY who was very effective wherever he played. If he had shown the same level of improvement last season, then we would have lost him to a major club.
I hope he can get himself back on track. It's going to be a crucial season for us and Aiden.
TTTT
Celtic Mac.
I think what you say is true up to a point. GS tactics were "sorted" by other teams. And you're correct, rarely did Aiden get given a ball to run onto.
The thing is the tactics shouldn't ahve been that difficult to sort and if Aiden had half the ability he thinks he has he would have been able to come out on top of his duels with journeymen full backs. He rarely did.
I don't take the lack of a settled full back behind him at all. A winger doesn't need a full back behind him to beat a full back in front of him.
Yes Aiden had to generate his own pace. That goes for all wingers. Lennon at Tottenham, the wee guy at Arsenal, are two examples.
There is no doubt Aiden has great technical ability. Its his ability to translate that into team performances that represents his next challenge. Inherent in that will be his decision making which is very poor.
It may well be that a move to play behind the front two / one may bring out the best in him. Whatever it takes it will have to happen soon. Anton Mor will I am certain give hin his chance. He must take it quickly.
53
new article posted.
blantyretim
kc would get more balls in to the box from the left hand side than amg so would be a good signing maybe aiden would be moved to a better posistion on the pitch and that would be better for us
and if anybody has watched him they would know he would improve our squad with the amount of dead wood about at the moment
Antsman
I fear the story you are telling is even worse than you suggest.
JVoH = £3.5mill to zero in three years.
You have missed out an intermeadiate step, he was seemingly the subject of a £5mill+ offer last Aug.
We said no, and now we lose him for nothing.
TG = We seemingly paid £2mill to get him and £1mill to get rid of him. Two goals against the TFOD but we could have had so much more from him.
The 2006 transfer window was very poor for us.
The A list -- three targets -- CF / platmaker / LB had an average age of 22.
We end up with the C list, all players of some ability but an average age of 28.5.
To make matters worse one is injury prone and the other two struggle in WGS's 4-4-2 world.
PH = £1.1mill all because PL would not pay £2mill for KT.
Again the role of PL in all of this needs to be looked at.
Why was PH not bought two years previously.
Half the money would have got him, we stalled at £375K and we would have got twice the useful life out of him at lower wages.
SM = Some mistake surely?
We paid £2.5mill for him, £1.5mill more than we sold him for 18 months previously.
If you want to question my figures ask JR.
Regarding the three others you mention -- MD / JJ / AV.
I fear that the exact buying price / money that has actually been handed over has not been fully explained.
Consequently talk of big losses would appear to be premature.
tommytwiststommyturns
play aiden in the hole and we will all see the player most of us know he is..
re adam virgo
his dad was killed in a burglary when he was at celtic, he found it very difficult to settle.
i couldnt work out why he was never given any sort of chance by our fans, he seemed to be a whipping boy from the start.
madmitch
paul saw you coming...new article ;0)
twists n turns
The lesson to learn there is don't spend heavily on 28-29 year olds
Ooops we just did!
However i am pleased that TM's judgement is being backed, even if it does probably mean £3.8m gone
i really hope this lad does us a turn. we haven't had someone who'll put the boot in since lenny.
in my mind, fortune will need to prove himself.
N’Guemo just needs to hit someone hard.