18 days into the transfer window we’ve landed our first business, 24-year-old Danish international central defender, Erik Sviatchenko, joining from Danish champions Midtjylland, who are due to compete in the Europa League knock out stages next month.
On paper this one ticks all the boxes. The player has been tested in a league a little stronger than our own, and in Europe this season, where Midtjylland eliminated Southampton, Bruge and Legia Warsaw. He will add security to the back line in the chase for the treble, and will be ready for Champions League qualifiers in August.
Ronny Deila now needs to make sure Sviatchenko and Simunovic form a proper defensive partnership – something we’ve lacked this season. Pressure will now mount on Efe Ambrose (27) and Dedryck Boyata (25) to up their game if they are to force their way back into the team. Both are in their prime years, but older than the two I expect to keep them out.
I’ve been shouting for a defensive mid for two years, most noticeably on Friday night, when Dundee United ran straight up the middle of the park to score, but we’ll see what shape the team takes after the addition of Erik.
I think Celtic should also be congratulated on getting this business done below the radar until close to the finish line. We’re involved in lots of transfer speculation at the moment but don’t spend your time researching every name that pops up. There will be five players linked to the club for every prime target.
Welcome to Celtic, Erik.
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Good afternoon CQN
Welcome to Celtic Erik Sviatchenko wish you every success at our club, hope RD ensures Erik fits in comfortably by altering a very defensively vulnerable playing system, having two center backs 40 yards apart with both full backs high up the pitch means Erik will have to be fast, excellent game reading ability and perfect timing in the tackle, looking forward to seeing him in the hoops
Travelling Celtic fans have been a subject debated on CQN interesting points raised below
http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1205-january-2016/13041-draconian-laws-govern-fans-coach-travel-to-matches
18 January ~ The laws around fans travelling to football via coach are “draconian and intrusive”, according to Football Supporters’ Federation caseworker Amanda Jacks. The Traffic Commissioners’ Guidelines require coach companies to inform police when groups of fans book coaches, that they don’t stop within ten miles of the “venue” either to or from the “event” unless the police give prior agreement, arrival and departure times according to the kick-off time are specified and that fans may only stop for meals at venues where alcohol is available but only if that is sold ancillary to a substantial meal with prior agreement from by the police.
According to Jacks it is “yet another example of how law abiding football fans are treated entirely differently from the rest society with very little scrutiny by the media or those who rightly champion civil liberties for all unless they’re fans of football. I can only imagine the outcry if these so called guidelines were inflicted on anybody else attending a lawful activity – be it a stag weekend, day out at the coast, concert or cultural or religious event – but because it’s football the police quietly get on with ensuring fans go directly to a match without passing go.
http://fsfg.uk/blog/view/Coach-restrictions-achieve-little-FSF-Faircop
Further players we have bought recently – but now seem to be judged as failures GMS Ciftic Boyata Blackett (on loan) even Allan is deemed not good enough and then there is Cole !!
What does that say about our buying policy
67ECW
Bolton Wanderers: Club avoid immediate winding-up order
Bolton Wanderers have avoided an immediate winding-up order after their case was adjourned until 22 February.
The Championship club are £172.9m in debt and under a transfer embargo for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
The High Court has given the club extra time to either close a deal with a potential buyer or raise sufficient short-term funds from asset sales.
This would enable the club to trade and make payments on the debts owed to HM Revenue & Customs and other creditors.
The Trotters owe HMRC £2.2m.
Bolton are currently bottom of the Championship table and facing relegation to the third tier of English football.
Club advisor Trevor Birch said HMRC did not want an adjournment but the High Court had “rejected its wish to liquidate” Bolton.
Source BBC Sports News
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Welcome Erik.
I have banged on for 30 years that we are best recruiting from the northern European markets where players are more used to the conditions in Scotland. Along with a few larger clubs such as Ajax, Feyenoord, PSV, Bruges, Stockholm etc. we are an attractive option for players who may not go directly to the big leagues. A side comprised of players from these countries, with as many home grown Scots as possible, may never regularly rival Barcelona but could be difficult enough to beat to make it a Champions League regular qualifier.
I think that they are more likely to stay with us and we get better value than from the Latin leagues even though I do admit that we have had some short term success from there – Cadette etc.
This has Ronny stamped all over it and it is clear that Ronny has the backing of the Board so we need to give him a bit more time to establish his mark.
Above all now, we need stability in the centre of the team and Erik and Joso are on medium term deals so must form a partnership to see us through the next 3 years to give us a platform to build on. Boyata? – some good/some bad – I would not write him off but he needs some time yet before he is ready to take the pressure that playing for us entails.
Bitton has a lot of ability – he needs a settled defense behind him and to know who is beside him to let him do the simple things well which is how we will get the best of him. Scott Brown can add his experience for a few years yet to anchor the midfield.
Leigh looks to be better focused now but he needs a settled wing force/midfield to provide the supply, especially at Celtic Park where teams close up on us.
The contrast between Partick Thistle at home and Dunde Utd. away was night and day. DU weer open and let us have space. PT closed every piece of space down and we kept turning back. We are fine (attacking wise) when the game is open but Ronny’s biggest disappointment for me has been inability to inject movement when the game is tight. I do hope that Scott Allan/Ryan Christie will be able to unlock defenses but they need people moving to do this.
A new winger will only hep if he also has options to distribute the ball. Leigh is not a target man so a winger who hits over a high ball will not make a great difference. I am looking for someone who will hit the bye line and play the ball across the front of the defense for Leigh to use his pace or, as an alternative, cut back for Commons, McGregeor, Rogic, Christie, Armstrong, Allan etc. (I know we can’t play all of these at the same time so no funny comments) to get onto the end of. I have watched us in this position many times recently and the attacking midfielders are not making themselves available enough. They are often grouped on the edge of the box whereas I would prefer to see one going hell for leather forward (and taking defenders with them) and leaving more space for the cut back. It should not be difficult to coach this type of understanding but it needs a settled team to make this work.
Ronny talks constantly about tempo – now is the time for us to see it especially at Celtic Park.
With respect, HJ
P.s. – Has Celtic ever had a player who is the son of a renowned international artist? – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Sviatchenko
James Forrest is probably Ronnie’s worst blind spot. Against Hearts recently he needlessly gave away the free kick that enabled them to equalize, against Dundee United he almost gave them a penalty but for poor refereeing, I dont like singling any one out but with James its not only a lack of anything positive at one end but also a liability at the other end, a standout for the wrong reasons.
I’m really pleased we have signed a centre half. Hopefully he can play the ball out of defence. Our style depends on it.
100% with P67. A defensive mid is a must. Though I have to say a settled 3 in the front would be about evens with that. We have a ful team of those 3 players.
I suspect we will shunt Griffiths to the wide left or right of the 3 and sign a false 9. We can recycle the other players on loan or sale and get a decent couple of quick players for the other two positions. I’d like to see us punt Johansson now and chop some of the quantity to get the quality in.
I’d keep Armstrong, Commons and Christie. Forrest might be worth a punt for loan to a Championship or lower top division side in England to see how much we could get. Niall McGinn leaving instead of Forrest was a mistake.
Still think we need a Keeper.
Florida Bhoy on 18th January 2016 1:27 pm
I remember Lennon as an average manager – I liked him he wore his heart on his sleeve – not forgetting that he got non stop abuse from all angles – he wasn’t perfect and it wasn’t all great
But thats my point its not any better
How do I measure it
Playing with style and winning convincingly (like Friday night)
Qualifying for CL Group
Not getting embarrassed in the europa league
Improving players performance and value
PS Enjoy Florida – I spend a lot of time in Tampa/Orlando
67ECW
Natknow-
Apologies to your good self, but often the end of article posting is akin to looking for a virgin on Sauchiehall Street late on a Saturday night. Finding a decent post is hard to find by comparison if you get my meaning…
Apologies in advance to the moral compass police.
:-)
Now I remember how to disable an account!
Paul67
Nice reasonable read on the blog this afternoon. Any coincidence?
Anyone wonder why Rogic was removed on 60 minutes on Friday? He was our most creative player up til then. Game won at 4-1? Save him for Hamilton tomorrow?
I’d like to think it was to allow Armstrong to flourish and give Allan some game time.
EC67
EUROCHAMP67. Fella I am like you I thought he was destroying Utd. with his skill and the time thought it was a strange decision to take him off.However, I have been told he is not fit enough to last the full 90 minutes.H.H.
67 European Cup Winners-
I know where you are coming from, and I’ll concece at times the entertainment value this season has been glaringly lacking.
I would, however, not use our sell on value as a measure of success, as simply what’s the point? The team is consistently left with holes to fill.
My point is that, if the stats are to be believed, Ronny’s team is not as bad as what the shoite stirring, gutter SMSM are trying to brainwash us into believing.
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 2m2 minutes ago
We’ll have more from #NewBhoy Erik Sviatchenko and manager Ronny Deila later on http://www.celticfc.net (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 5m5 minutes ago
Erik: “Means a lot to me to be at a club where I can feel the intensity and atmosphere, want to experience the big games.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 6m6 minutes ago
Erik: “I rejected (Premier League) as I saw Celtic as a much bigger club than some of the Premier League clubs.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 8m8 minutes ago
Erik: “I could have gone to Italy and the Championship and, last year, to the Premier League.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 10m10 minutes ago
Erik: “I could have left before but when this opportunity came along I was so happy we could connect the dots.” (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 11m11 minutes ago
Erik on his playing style: “I’m a defender with a capital d. but I know we have a lot of possession and want to develop in that phase” (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 16m16 minutes ago
RD on Brown and Mulgrew: “But a bit early for them tomorrow.” (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 17m17 minutes ago
RD on Nir Bitton: “Yes he’s back and injury wise we are looking good now, things also progressing with Charlie and Broony.” (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 18m18 minutes ago
RD: “We need to get the tempo up in Celtic Park and stretch lead to six points again. Very important game.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 18m18 minutes ago
RD on Hamilton fixture: “Going to be a tough game. They have been struggling lately and need the points.” (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 18m18 minutes ago
RD: “Very excited to get this deal done and looking forward to the future Still have some days left (in window) and still working.” (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 19m19 minutes ago
RD: “He needs a bit of time to get fit as he hasn’t played matches for a couple of months but we have big hopes for him.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 19m19 minutes ago
RD: “We have big competition and he has to fight to get in.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 22m22 minutes ago
RD: “He knows what he’s doing. He’s professional and wants to develop and get better.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 23m23 minutes ago
RD: “Been captain for his team, won something and a leader which is important.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 24m24 minutes ago
Ronny Deila on his latest signing: “We are very happy. Watched him for a long time. Quite an experienced player for someone so young.” (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 24m24 minutes ago
Erik:”Talked to my former team-mate Morten Rasmussen, though he never had success here, he said Celtic was a big club, can feel that.” (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 27m27 minutes ago
Erik: “Walked around Celtic Park and had goosebumps. You can’t compare Celtic to another Premier League team.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 29m29 minutes ago
Erik: “Biggest competition in Danish national team is central defence so this is another reason it’s a good step for me.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 29m29 minutes ago
Erik on moving to Celtic helping international ambitions: “See it as very important.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 30m30 minutes ago
Erik: “The fans can expect someone who will give everything, someone who will connect with them.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 31m31 minutes ago
Erik: “Played in Denmark and now playing in Scotland with Celtic. Signed a deal for a long time, want to be remembered in the Hoops.” (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 31m31 minutes ago
Erik on what other clubs came in for him: “Italian, French & Championship – nothing could compare to a huge club like Celtic” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 33m33 minutes ago
Erik: “This was a good match with Celtic.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 34m34 minutes ago
Erik: “Celtic have won the league last four years. I won the championship in Denmark &I want to be remembered as a winner.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 35m35 minutes ago
Erik: “When Celtic came in for me, I felt this was a very good decision for me. This is a winning club.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 36m36 minutes ago
Erik on signing for Celtic: “It means a lot. It means I’m finally away from Denmark. It has been a tough wait for me.” #NewBhoy (MH)
Hrvatski Jim
This guys son was pretty famous.
Gil Heron
Footballer
Gil Heron was a Jamaican professional footballer. He was the first black player to play for Scottish club Celtic, and was the father of poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron. He died in Detroit of a heart attack on 27 November 2008.
I remember having a discussion on here last week with a guy saying we bring in too many loans.
We have 1 loanee in our squad.
Some folk love a moan
soukous on 18th January 2016 1:51 pm
:-))
I love these snipets about past players that I didnt know
HH
timaloy29 on 18th January 2016 1:57 pm
Now dont you know never to let the truth get in the way of a good moan :-))
HH
dena29 show respect
http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2009/01/090108_heron.shtml
Soukous
Yes – they both have a great story.
Gill – Father footballer/son artist. Erik Father artist/son footballer so not exactly the same.
Now I have got myself thinking about artist fathers/footballer sons. How about this pair?
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/bob-van-persie-interview-meet-the-other-artist-in-the-family-8815830.html
HJ with respect
Timalloy,
On my brief lurks of late I read last week that us agreeing terms with Utd over Stokes was a sign of our feelings towards der hun.
It’s a funny ol blog Saint.
HH
soukous
love it……………..
HH
67 European Cup Winners on 18th January 2016 1:19 pm
If you compare their relative careers at Celtic RD is doing better then NL was at the same stage.
For whatever reason people seem less prepared to give RD the same amount of time as NL got to improve in Europe.
Have I just gone back in time to the c
“None of them cost a fortune (I think less than £2 million each) all played under Lennon”
67ecw,
Of the list you gave, only two were signed under lenny for under £2m.
Two were sold under Ronnys watch for £10m+.
WEEMINGER
I think playing badly in the CL, and humiliation in the EL.
Might be the reason why lots of fans are not convinced.
I hope RD proves me wrong.
Time will tell.
HH
Interesting quotes from Ricky Gervais the last quote i feel is what the Celtic Trust do
Ricky Gervais @rickygervais 4h4 hours ago
Don’t TRY to offend anyone. That’s pointless. Just be honest & enjoy free speech & loads will be offended anyway. Then it’s not your fault.
Some people are offended by mixed marriage, gay marriage, not worshiping their God…so what? F*** ’em. Have a nice day :)
Offence is good. It makes people think. It makes people confront an issue. And just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right.
The greatest privilege that comes with freedom of speech is using your voice for those who don’t have one.
The blog is very repectful today.
Just checking my new name.
May be no need for the post below.
“Time for us all to show more respect for each other.
Many of us have started lurking rather than contributing due to the personal abuse and threatened violence online and offline.”
Rijeka’s sporting director Mance confirmed club rejected a bid from a Russian club for Ivan Mocinic (believed to be Rubin Kazan 3.8m euros).
Some on here the other night slaughtering Celtic for not increasing bid to 3m€.That’s his release clause,Celtic haggling over a poxy €300,000. PL costing us again. TD would have got another yellow card for telling lies that some declared as inside info.
I hope our PR folk have advised Erik on how to answer the games against Sevco question as the SMSM certainly will ask.
Weeminger
I have often suspected it was because he has never played for Celtic, much the same way many didn’t take to WGS. I know MON didn’t play for us either but he was a high profile fan
Hrvatski Jim
“P.s. – Has Celtic ever had a player who is the son of a renowned international artist? ”
Rafael Scheidt
Klee Sun Yeung
Paddy JMW Turner
Giorgios El Greco Samaras
Virgil Van Dyk
This might feature on Channel 5 .Footballers do the funniest things!!
KNOWLEDGE ARCHIVE
“Over a few beers last week a friend regaled me with a tale that included the rather random fact that John Hartson once stole a sheep but I have no means to check the veracity of the story,” wrote a bemused Phil Sedgewood in 2007. “Say it ain’t so.”
Sadly, Phil, it isn’t just defenders, scales and Eyal Berkovic who have been given a fright during the Welshman’s career but also our woolly four-legged friends. “I was at Luton and two of my Swansea mates, Jason Wright and Kevin Davis, came up for some fun,” Hartson told the Sunday People in an interview. “We got absolutely lashed and, at about three in the morning, we found the minibus that was to take us back to my place. On the way we stopped beside a field and stole a sheep that was minding her own business, threw her in the back of the van and then drove on home for a sleep.
“There was understandable pandemonium in the morning. I had a hangover and I’d completely forgotten about the sheep, which was roaming around the back garden in a state of some distress. We bundled her back in the van and dropped her off in the first field we found with sheep in it. Somehow we got away with it.”
setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox on 18th January 2016 2:23 pm –
You could be on to something there……….
personally every manager deserves time
there will be times we are all frustrated ……but he is our manager and thats enough for me
HH
The Green Man-
How do you justify your claim we were humiliated in the EL?
As I recall there was very little in it versus Ajax and Fenerbache. The performances against Molde could have been better, but it hardly equates with “humiliation”.
Mocinic.?
For what it’s worth – The Italian fitba media have him ” being of interest to ” Verona / Sampdoria / Lazio and Inter..Speculation is that he will choose to sign for Inter .Quoted fee varies between 3.5 and 4 million euros
sorry last post was for Weeminger
HH
DENA29 SHOW RESPECT
Gooooooooooooooooooooooood afternoon, hope ye get yer computer gremlins sorted,
catch up soon
Til later bhoys
Play nice
HH
SOUKOS
Gil Heron wasn’t the first black player to play for Celtic,as defined at the time.
http://www.thecelticwiki.com/m/page/Salim,+Mohammed
Pretty sure Scotland were captained by a black player in the late 19th Century.
Florida Bhoy
Humped home and away by Molde…Threw it away against Fenerbache, beaten at Home by Ajax.
We were very very ordinary.
We should be doing better in Europe.
No excuses.
HH