It will not have escaped your attention that Scott Bain is the only senior goalkeeper under contract at Celtic. Fraser Forster is floating around while we wait and see if we can afford to meet Southampton’s terms (assume nothing here), while Craig Gordon rejected a “vastly reduced” offer to stay.
I know how important Fraser was last season, so if at all possible, I would have him back, but as a general position, I would be reluctant to pay comparable rates to anyone not in the ‘absolutely critical’ category. Football clubs everywhere cannot afford the contracts they paid last year. Like Celtic, many have to pay expensive long-term deals, but there can scarcely be a club in the world that would not be happy to offload players to generate enough cash to keep them in grass seed.
With so much trauma in the market, the clubs who shed expensive contracts and take advantage of newfound value from places they could not afford to buy from a year ago, will make the biggest gains this year.
The challenge for Celtic is to find a keeper who can mount a genuine challenge as first choice on the “vastly reduced” offer we made to Craig. The same is true for other positions we are looking to fill. Having missed Champions League football for two seasons, we have to be frank and admit that despite closing in on a fourth consecutive treble and nine-in-a-row, there are better players across Europe than some in our squad. 2020 will be the year of the trader, let’s roll the dice!
I’m not against reconstruction on principle, but like everyone else in the country, the first thing I think of is, “What’s in it for my club?” A 14 team top flight has two fewer games against bottom 6 (or 8) clubs. These games do nothing for Celtic beyond cluttering up our calendar, so I’m happy with that.
Since Hearts have moved on from both the football-competency and arrogant-belligerence approaches to avoiding relegation, their latest proposal, for a 14-10-10-10 setup hit the “What’s in it for me?” question. For most clubs the answer is nothing, beyond putting your name to a motion that helps a club that participated in an outrageous charade against the league in recent months. Aesop could have told the tale of Hearts actions this year.
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statement from p.t.f.c
“We have kept our counsel during current discussions and debate about reconstruction. It may prove to be the ultimate exercise in futility but this may be our last opportunity to speak out.
“If there is no change to the current set up, Partick Thistle will be the Scottish club hardest hit in professional football as the new season starts.
“Despite being relegated in an arbitrary fashion – with a game in hand and only two points behind our nearest rivals – we stand ready, willing and able to play, including behind closed doors. But today, we still don’t know when or even if we will play football next season.
“Does anyone in Scottish football believe we deserve to be punished with a double whammy like this? Which club would find it acceptable if they were in our shoes? Not one of them.
“Clubs need to think carefully about what their indicative vote to the SPFL will be on Monday and what will inform that decision. Everyone needs to reflect on their motives and thoughts behind their next step.
“Let’s be blunt in our plea to fellow clubs so that there’s no misunderstanding. Use this opportunity to do something positive for our game – right the wrongs done to us and a number of other clubs.
“We all want to protect our own club; Thistle is no different. But there’s a difference between that and self-interest, which seeks to protect a perceived advantage created by an unforeseen crisis.
“Don’t use your vote to settle old scores. Don’t reinforce rivalries between clubs just to keep fans happy. Don’t turn a blind eye because it doesn’t impact on you – this time.
“Recognise there will be far-reaching consequences of your actions for Thistle and everyone associated with the club. If that doesn’t matter to you, then focus on doing the right thing for Scottish football. If this vote collapses because people cannot set aside self-interest and ego, our game potentially faces irreparable damage and ongoing division for many years to come.
“At a time unparalleled in footballing history, countries throughout Europe have re-jigged their league set ups to protect the whole – we have the opportunity to do the same.
“For Thistle, if proposed reconstruction fails, the consequences of the actions visited on us by fellow clubs will be long term and serious. We will prevail because “that which does not kill us makes us stronger” but not before we suffer more pain and financial harm than is necessary or fair.
“We believe it is time for clubs to show solidarity with us as we arbitrarily and disproportionately bear the brunt of the damage being done to our game due to circumstances that are no-one’s fault.
“Our plea is simple: choose to do no harm.”
Chairman Jacqui Low on behalf of the Board of Partick Thistle FC
hh
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock Retweeted
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock
@TheShamrock1888
·
Jun 7
In 1893, 6 years after Celtic FC was formed, the North British Daily Mail published a letter criticising the SFA for selecting Celtic players for the national team:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZ6G2oBXsAIVm7C?format=jpg&name=large
The Shamrock MagazineShamrock Retweeted
St.Anthony
@Stephen4_2
·
Jun 8
Amazing old photo of Hampden in its heyday in 1969 SCF. Big Billy imperious in the air that day outjumps a future knight of the realm. 132,000 in attendance with real figure nearer 150,000 with the wallclimbers, boys lifts and double shuffles at the turnstiles. And Celtic won 4-0
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZ__jflXkAQieJV?format=jpg&name=small
Four leaf cloverThe Retro CelticFour leaf clover(FROM House with garden)
@RetroCeltic
Celtic Youth, Class of 2002/03 Four leaf clover
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZ7_-ELXgAA8nQ8?format=jpg&name=medium
SAINT STIVS on 13TH JUNE 2020 2:36 PM
Four leaf cloverThe Retro CelticFour leaf clover(FROM House with garden)
@RetroCeltic
Celtic Youth, Class of 2002/03 Four leaf clover
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZ7_-ELXgAA8nQ8?format=jpg&name=medium
———————-
I’m no sure wee Jamesie is good enough for that team :O)
Jamsie doesn’t look much older now
AT- very honest,statement from Thistle ,very harsh to get relegated in these circumstances.
Celtic should not help any other club in Scotland unless it’s in Celtic’s interest to do so.
Most of them sat back and said absolutely nothing when evidence of systematic cheating and malfeasance was staring them in the face.
Let them rot.
I wish the polis, would get stuck into that mob in London just now….
Is the new top on sale yet ?
Back in the day I used to write the odd not so short story — but I haven’t done it in a long time due to lack of time.
However, I thought I would change that so here is a new Strandsky Tale — or two.
It is the story of two very different men from the world of football.
One is the greatest footballer who never played the game, and the other is perhaps the greatest enigma in the history of football — potentially the greatest player there ever was, but certainly the greatest most people have never heard of.
The tale of The Kaiser and the The Fork
Not a short read so you might want to get a coffee and take 20 minutes out!
https://broganrogantrevinoandhogan.wordpress.com/2020/06/13/football-legends-the-tale-of-two-men-the-kaiser-and-the-fork/
!!BADA BING!! on 13TH JUNE 2020 3:19 PM
I wish the polis, would get stuck into that mob in London just now….
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Are the huns doon there ? :O)
VP- Yes,all white,skinheads, taps aff,tattoos,Union Jacks……you get the picture mate…..
Bada
Aye mate …neo nazi’s it’s their country …well the white part of it. fekrs.
An Tearmann
“that which does not kill us makes us stronger”….
Things have got to be bad when Partick start quoting Nietzsche!
BRTH
Fantastic read and thank you for posting.
Good old BBC Scotland. I’m guessing Mark Walters was unavailable.
ROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN on 13TH JUNE 2020 3:26 PM
A truly fascinating read . Thanks for posting.
BRT&H…what a fabulous read that was…thank you.
see huns out rotec=sting themselves today
See he hun supporteres out protesting on their own today.
Scum
Facist scumbags
The Mail may not be everyone’s cup of tea (including me) but some of their sports journalism is good.
This article paints a very sad story about the plight of Gerd Muller. 711 goals in 784 games, nearly all at a very high level of football who now cannot walk, speak or feed himself at the age of just 74.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8412001/Der-Bomber-Gerd-Muller-fighting-dementia-legacy-untouchable.html
Apparently the mob are in Glesga Sq protecting some monument😱
the lost bhoy
—————-
🍀The Retro Celtic🍀(FROM 🏡)
@RetroCeltic
·
18h
Lost 🍀
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EaWI-qxXsAE1RZN?format=jpg&name=small
imagine what it was like to get hit by bobo
size o that leg.
dont know who the other player is.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EaVw8Q8XQAA7LHv?format=jpg&name=large
There is no good reason to reject a 14 team top team league. There are very good reasons to accept. The top league has needed a change for a good number of years. The current set up of 3 rounds of games followed by a 6/6 split is just annoying. It would be nice to know you’ll play even amount of games home and away when the season starts.
A couple of additional teams and an additional relegation spots (keeping the play off spot as well) adds interest to the bottom. Fans dont like it but it’s great drama.
The pyramid system and lower leagues have added a freshness to the 2nd division and I dont see why opening up the premier league a little would not do the same.
The only real concern would be how to keep fans of teams in the 7 to 10 spots interested if not drawn into the relegation battle.
HH
Brt & H
I enjoyed that.
a quick word – velocity.
I was reading up on Tommy Chalmers today, never realised he was fast fast
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EaFzBwnWoAMt-2M?format=jpg&name=900×900
If the Sevco fans when we start back up carry on with their ‘up to their knees in Fenian blood’ nonsense we should be right out in the streets demonstrating – Fenian Lives Matter. It’s not just banter, somer of those half wits actually believe it to be an attainable goal and given half a chance when nobody is looking they will strike. We shouldn’t just laugh it off anymore, you never know who they will pick on, could be any one of us.
…and with us going for 10 in a row they are not going to be happy.
Just looked at the George Square webcam. No sign of any Huns protesting.
BRTH,
GREAT READ,
every day is a school day
it has been a while, missing your stuff.
HRVATSKI JIM on 13TH JUNE 2020 6:36 PM
That is tragic reading about Gerd Muller — a man who was an automatic International pick at a time when when each international team through up a panoply of footballers who were a must watch with West Germany having their own dazzling collection.
Beckenbaur, Brietner, Schwarzenbeck, Vogts, Netzer, Overarth, Heynkes, Bonhof, Holzenbein, Hoeness, and so on.
Football has a lot to answer for in terms of so many great players eventually succumbing to Dementia.
However, reading the article I wonder whether it could be said that Muller was Germany’s equivalent of Jimmy McGrory — a straight forward smack bang wallop the ball goes in the net type of player?
No frills, no fuss, not even finness just pure end product in terms of goals scored.
BRTH.
judith weather tonight.
dearie me.
SAINT STIVS on 13TH JUNE 2020 6:53 PM
Thankyou for that.
Unfortunately work stuff gets in the way but current circumstances have at least allowed me to get that story out inspired by the recent death of the remarkable El Trinche.
BRTH
warm front tomorrow.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/pa7
SS- missed her,she must be back from self isolation …..😶
Sometimes it is the wee things that perhaps tell most about a person.
https://twitter.com/EricMcA/status/1271491251238510593