Celtic deliver Sviatchenko below radar

485

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.

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

485 Comments
  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. ...
  10. 13

  1. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    Looking forward to seeing the new bhoy play, hope he is as good as the hype.

     

    On JF I don’t think one MotM game a season is a good enough return considering how many he vanishes in.

     

     

    Hopefully we are looking at a few others but I’d be surprised if we move many on, too many lucrative contracts unlikely to be matched elsewhere will see to that.

  2. South Of Tunis

     

     

    AC Milan were on last night and it looked as if they were playing to a half empty stadium.I know they are not having a great season but are there other issues there.

  3. prestonpans bhoys on

    !!Bada Bing!! on 18th January 2016 2:48 pm

     

     

    If its worth as much as the car park at Ibrox then they are sorted :-)

  4. Genuine answers only – on a postcard suitable for graphic reproduction to be sold in art galleries at an extortionate price.

     

     

    In a previous life my company sponsored the display of a painting , about 12*10 inches, in the Hunterian Gallery in Glasgow. Our contribution was to pay for its insurance during the display.

     

     

    It was valued at £6m.

     

     

    Sadly I cannot remember the title or artist now.

  5. chicagobhoy1967 on

    Hello All –

     

     

    I am looking for a bit of advice. I will attend my first match at Celtic Park on March 2. Tickets should go on sale soon from the club. Looking at the seats available in the next 2-3 home matches at the CFC web site, it seems our choices will be limited to back rows.

     

     

    I am wondering if anyone can suggest a secondary web site to buy better seats. We’re coming a long way and I’d like to find some seats with good views. In the US, it’s fairly straight forward with Stub Hub, etc., but I’m not seeing CFC tickets available anywhere. If this is not done in Scotland, I will just buy from the club.

     

     

    Also, we’d like to visit a proper Celtic pub prior to the game. What would you recommend?

     

     

    In advance, thank you.

     

     

    HH

  6. chicagobhoy1967 on 18th January 2016 2:58 pm

     

     

    I’d recommend you get in touch with the ticket office or the fans liaison officer John Paul Taylor.

  7. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    Chicagobhoy1967,

     

    Depending on your budget you could get pretty reasonable corporate seat I expect.

     

    As for Celtic pubs, the barras gallowgate is probably yer best bet before the game

  8. Good Blog today!

     

     

    My bet is Chicagobhoy67 will be gifted tickets by a big hearted Celtic supporter who posts on here.

     

     

    It’s what happens and it’s lovely!

     

     

    God bless the Celtic and all who support Her.

  9. Barrybhoy @ ages ago

     

     

    Yeah we need to move some on, before we can build.

     

     

    Stefan Johansen albeit erratic this season has a stock value and could attract other teams, unlike some of the others.

     

     

    The James Forrest situation if we believe the internet is very odd. Not sure why his agent would want to stay under the radar, and doubt that Celtic would let his contract run down without offering new terms.

     

     

    Whether he deserves a new or better terms is another matter, but until a better player is signed we should be trying to sign JF.

     

     

    If he goes out of contract the support will turn on Peter Lawell, who either way, can’t win.

  10. lennon's passion on

    Absolute disgrace some are crowing because they have forced a old die hard Tim of the blog. Grown men getting so upset that his opinion doesn’t suit their agenda. Shocking but hey ho you can all meet up and congratulate yourselves.

  11. KEVJUNGLE on 18th January 2016 11:44 am

     

     

     

    ….Off oot wi Ken Dodd to spread nothing but….

     

     

    ….Happyness…..

     

     

    *huge goatshagger, nae wonder he’s had more than his share of happiness.

  12. Not crowing, just enjoying a pleasant day’s lurking, with the occasional post.

     

     

    Oh and I didn’t force anyone of the Blog.

     

     

    Post according to Paul’s rules or accept the consequences.

  13. NatKnow on 18th January 2016 12:51 pm

     

     

    How does Jinky’s injury record compare with JF’s?

     

     

    *wisnae the wee mhan’s injury problems that was the cause for concern, it was his disciplinary ones, on and off the field.

  14. lennon’s passion on 18th January 2016 3:20 pm

     

     

    While I wouldn’t be crowing I have to say the fact that I’d found a method of filtering his posts but still left in the likes of Neganon2 and ErnieLynch I’m afraid speaks volume for his posting style and content.

     

     

    Other than people copying and pasting his posts I haven’t seen them now for a few months and I can only assume he’d gotten worse.

     

     

    Use of the blog requires a certain level of respect for the way it works and too often it was missing from his posts.

     

     

    Paul67 is a very lenient host compared to many. For it to get this far, tells me that he must have seriously overstepped the mark.

  15. GlassTwoThirdsFull on

    MSM questions for Erik:

     

    Are you joining Celtic with a view to moving to England?

     

    How much are you looking forward to playing in the Old Firm games?

     

    How important is it to have Rangers back next season?

     

    How good was Brian Laudrup?

  16. Florida Bhoy on 18th January 2016 1:03 pm

     

     

     

    What a goal that was by Kris Commons!

     

     

    If that goal had come out of one of the “big leagues”, it would be getting the old repeat treatment ad nauseam.

     

     

    The pin-point cross from the young lad wasn’t too shabby either.

     

     

    *absolutely, it was a sublime chip.

  17. Chicagobhoy67

     

     

    Get my email from paul67

     

    I’ll be able to sort out some good seats. Let me know.

     

     

    Kikinthenakas

  18. WEEMINGER

     

     

    He posted yesterday he was going to

     

     

    “Hunt down HT like a runaway slave”

  19. Well done Celtic and congratulations to Erik Sviatchenko on becoming a Celtic player.A quality centre back from Denmark,i hope you are as solid as your countryman big Marc Reiper.

     

     

    well done to ~Celtic on our performance on friday night,scoring 4 into the bargain.I got the impression we were much faster going from back to front,maybe down to no Nir in the team

     

    good to see Jozo breakin his duck,brilliant goal from kris and a superb double from Griff,a player who has improved vastly under ronny and jonnys management.

     

     

    roll on tomorrow :-)

     

     

    HH

  20. chicagobhoy1967 on

    Many thanks to everyone. Counting the days now.

     

     

    **kikinthenakas**

     

     

    Very kind of you, and will do.

  21. glendalystonsils on

    Wi’ awe these artists gaun aboot, to paraphrase a certain fat hun;

     

     

    “the Bauhaus must be kept open”

  22. lennon's passion on

    PHILBHOY on 18TH JANUARY 2016 3:32 PM

     

     

    Why are you posting it again if it offended so many people.

  23. 67Heaven .. CHALLENGING THE LIE ..I am wee Oscar...... Ipox belongs to the creditors on

    Lennon’s passion

     

     

    Who’s been forced off CQN…?

  24. I was advising WEMINGER what was posted as he does not see his posts.

     

     

    No offence meant to anyone who had not previously read the shocking post.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. ...
  10. 13