Anthony Stokes is in the best form of his Celtic career at the moment, arguably the best form of his life if you overlook his stunning cameo at Falkirk. It’s hard to know if this is related to no longer being in the shadow of a more favoured son, or if Anthony has just got his ‘stuff’ together, but his intervention was absolutely crucial in our only Champions League win so far. He had all the wisdom necessary to bate an opponent into a clumsy foul.
The psychology of a three year contract, worth more money, before performance bonuses, than the player will be able to spend is not always a good thing for a footballer, but the competition for a starting berth up front for Celtic is acute. On the back of his winning goal on Sunday Amido Balde has been talking about his ambitions to secure a regular place, Teemu Pukki is guaranteed nothing while Georgios Samaras has been used regularly as a striker. Anthony will remain under pressure to perform.
All of this competition will come into sharp focus in Amsterdam next week. Celtic will come under pressure for most of the game, but this is something they are comfortable with. We will need someone to exploit the openings Ajax will leave in their defence. Put your money on Anthony for the George McCluskey role.
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Hello
3rd?
im here
Just saw the cannonball kid on sauchiehall st..
Pity I was too slow to xatch him..o))
It’s quiet in here today
Now for Ledley and Samaras!
Its good news that Stokes has signed – but I disagree that he will be kept on his toes by competition. Striking is by far our weakest area.
Meanwhile, over at Planet Zombie, the wee souls are getting all excited about playing the mighty Celtic in the Scottish Cup Semis.
Warning FOUL LANGUAGE: http://tinyurl.com/nexsxx3
Starting 11 ?
There is competition for the striker roles ,but it is not strong competition.
At the end of the season Stokesy will have scored more goals than Pukki,Sammy,and Balde combined.
TT
His value must be going up with his recent Irish caps as well as his good performances at club level, a good piece of business all round. And he’s still young with his best yet to come.
I know some of the younger players have been up with the first team, but are the fringe type players getting enough football since the reserves were scrapped?
If we were to get the young team, under 19′s playing friendly matches against Championship sides or League One sides in England on a regular basis it would further player development and expand the brand more
HH
gsu
desertbhoy
12:44 on 30 October, 2013
richie #teamoscar
……
Cheers, said I was no good at names, apparently applicable to locations also.
Higher geography of no use whatsoever.
“…….
Looks like I got BMCUW’s reverse podiums.
Paul67
Reckon he will score a few now that things have been settled.
The scoring stats for the two Icelandic boys are not bad. 10 in 21 games and the other was joint top goal scorer with 13.
It would be great to sign these guys before they end up in a better league and have transfer fees of Millions.
Well done to Anton on the new contract, still one of the most skillful players with the ball at his feet
HH
gsu
Tiny Tim,
That’s a bold statement to make.
I predict that two on that list will score more goals than Tony Stokes this season.
While the MSM salivate over the ole galacto-diddies reachin’ a Cup Final it will have overlooked them that Ireland won the final of ‘One Man and His Dog’ on Countryfile.
It was tremendous entertainment, like playin’ billiards with sheep.
DBBIA/TiocfaidhArLassieCSC
THM
What 2?
TT
DBBIA
Barking mad.
Tiny Tim
Balde is set to be first choice pick once he improves his hold up play.
Sammi will play well with Balde.
Stokes will fall out of favour.
Alasdair MacLean
A bit of shameless podium chasing there , now get back to work ha ha.
dontbrattbakkinanger
12:50 on 30 October, 2013
While the MSM salivate over the ole galacto-diddies reachin’ a Cup Final it will have overlooked them that Ireland won the final of ‘One Man and His Dog’ on
It was tremendous entertainment, like playin’ billiards with sheep.
…was it an Irish dug doing the kettlin’??
He’s only scored 3 more than Balde/ two less than Sammi despite hitting into a vain of form.
vein of form
The need for a goal scorer has never been more obvious. Hooper most certainly has not been replaced & won’t be in January. Stokes is the cheap Lawwell option !
THM
Time will tell.
I will bet you a bottle of your choice that Stokesy scores more goals than Sammy and Balde combined ,this season.
TT
RetroCelt
22 in 10 league games. 15 from forwards. Seems we’ve got a few goal scorers.
THM
I meant to say ,from this point onwards,
Until the end of the season.
TT
A striker being kept on his toes by other non scoring strikers….
think not
Can i be the first to congratulate scotlands newest club on reaching their first ever cup final?
I think it is a remarkable accomplishment in such a short history.
Yours in sport
Ggh
And wasn’t George McCluskey a substitute( replacing Provan 72 mins ) for in the Ajax game ?
TinyTim
You’re on.
Stokesy needs to score 5 to catch up at this early stage of the season.
Tiny Tim I,ll take a small wager with you on that statement,you up for it? Charity of our choice. Hail Hail Hebcelt
TinyTim,
You’re still on.
Staring today.
Stokes 5
Sammi 7
Balde 2
Re Ibrokes hosting SC semis:
Rangers finance director, Brian Stockbridge, said: “The Scottish FA’s decision to play these ties at the home of Scotland’s most successful club underlines the fact that Ibrox remains one of European football’s elite arenas”.
When are these peepul going to get it into their think heads?
Paul 67,
Do you think that tactically Celtic wanted to get Stokes signed up before they tackled Sammy and Joe’s contracts ?
I assume they are both on more than Stokes, and this potentially gives flex, without risk of Stokes being able to ask for same as the other two ?
TinyTim
12:41 on
30 October, 2013
There is competition for the striker roles ,but it is not strong competition.
At the end of the season Stokesy will have scored more goals than Pukki,Sammy,and Balde combined.
TT
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I doubt it but opinions are allowed…….:)
Baldes goals per minutes played are what you should look at…ditto Pukki.
The end of the season is when it will count. Goals should be spread around the team anyway.
Tiny Tim where has Pukki gone? Hail Hail Hebcelt