It is worth more than a passing observation that in yesterday’s game Celtic had players from 11 different countries in the starting line-up:
England, Sweden, Honduras, Scotland, Nigeria, Netherlands, Finland, Israel, Ireland, Greece and Wales.
Recruitment came from clubs in 7 different league structures:
England (3) and Wales, Scotland, Norway, Honduras, Israel (2), Netherlands and Germany.
There were a further four different nationalities on the bench.
Of the starting line-up only Fraser Forster is not a full international, although that is surely only a matter of time, but Fraser is the only player we have from a large football nation, perhaps an indication that it is more difficult to recruit nationals from England, Germany, Italy, France and Spain than elsewhere.
The signing of Emilio Izaguirre from Honduras three years ago came two years after the player’s representatives had him on trial in England. It’s likely Emilio’s CV was in every mailbox in the British game, so I doubt we have much of an infrastructure in Central America.
Celtic have obviously matured links in Israel recently, Beram Kayal and Efe Ambrose have delivered value, while Nir Biton fits the profile of the player Celtic should be looking for. Embedding relationships in similar markets offers a higher likelihood of value – and therefore football development – than taking our chance on the mainstream British and European circuits.
Prize to anyone who can point to Guinea-Bissau (Amido Balde’s country of birth and location of a Sporting Lisbon-associate club) on the map. There is a lot of work to do to catch up with the Portuguese.
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Bruff 4.05 Galway
HH
What happens if SuperSammy comes back on and complains to Paul67 that I called D67 A pwick,
Or if Pat Nevin ever figures out how to operate the primary tool of the modern journalist, and he too complains to Paul67 because I too said he was a pwick.
Who’d be the last Celtic Supporter standing?
McCoist has just been asked if he has received any assurances that Craig Whyte is not involved in any way with his wee football club.
“I’ve never seeked any”, says Ally. He chews up the English language more than a Gregg’s pie.
Why has he not asked for such assurance anyway? Is it because he doesn’t want to be seen as anti Whyte in the event that ole Craigy is the only show in town?
BSR -ole Pete looks like he could swivel his eyes as well as twirl his tache.
Does he flounce on here?
Hi
Does anyone know where the “fanzone” is going to be in Amsterdam?
thanks
Hamiltontim:
Whether you agree with the point or not, sincerity mate, you’re a teacher, you know how to spot sincerity, and sincerity equates to honesty, in my mind anyway.
EmeraldBee\o/ proud to be an internet bampot
13:40 on
28 October, 2013
Paul you neglected to say what the prize was!
I knew where big Amido’s home country was right away because it is just two ‘down’ from my favourite African country The Gambia – being a Geographer has its foibles I admit.
——————-
bonus point, was The Gambia formerly know as Gambia
Whoyouloovenat??
14:46 on 28 October, 2013
‘Hi
Does anyone know where the “fanzone” is going to be in Amsterdam?’
###
Certainly not something you want to be asking the locals when you get there, just in case they misunderstand you.
yorkbhoy
14:45 on 28 October, 2013
I’m a clique…. ( can you be one by yourself)?
you wont get in mine till you get a snow shuvl.
ernie lynch 14:35 on
“Some just bought theirs off ebay.”
Aye. The ones that shout-the-odds about the Wars.
Whoyouloovenat??
14:46 on
28 October, 2013
Hi
Does anyone know where the “fanzone” is going to be in Amsterdam?
thanks
given the city should it not be the fan zonedoot.
Mccoist also did not seeked [sic ]any reassurance that Ian Black could not bet against his own team.
He’s not exactly the ole Scarlet Pimpernel.
St Stivs
I didn’t know that Gambia had been liquidated. Did The Gambia get their history?
When Ian Black bets on football, is it always fixed odds?
Paul67
Celtic League of Nations
Agreed that it’s interesting to demonstrate how well we encompass a small world within our big club but I have my doubts that the variety of agents/agencies Celtic are engaged with is as widely reflective as the players themselves.
Any noos oan Sammi’s nee or Izzy’s heed or KC’s hammy?
Is Amido due a start against D Utd?
Oldco hail hail. The best thing scotish football could have asked for once they get rid of them. It’s better than any comedy show on the box.
YNWA !!!
DBBIA
Ole Pete says he could swivel everything, then again he was all torque.
.
So the Conspiracy Theorists Just need to read their Spam folder and all will be Explained..
Good job Ole Canamalar isnae the Lead singer in a Band..
Imagine Him and Morrisey trying to get the Banned back together..
Summa
kitalba
14:45 on 28 October, 2013
What happens if SuperSammy comes back on and complains to Paul67 that I called D67 A pwick,
Or if Pat Nevin ever figures out how to operate the primary tool of the modern journalist, and he too complains to Paul67 because I too said he was a pwick.
Who’d be the last Celtic Supporter standing?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reminds me of a recent post re questions to be asked to Pat Nevin.
“If you were Chinese,do you know you would be a plick?”
Sorry if wrongly attributed,but I’m sure the credit for that is to ANGELGABRIEL.
Sure made me laugh anyway!
Paul 67
If you want to compare Celtic’s scouting system with Portugal you must factor in the visa
and work permit issue.
Portuguese immigration gets approached by their clubs who say we need a visa and work permit for this guy from wherever….bingo…its done. Or they say he has Grandfather/Grandmother from where so he is eligible.
This is how Porto can operate in a very small country and win the CL.
This is the fundamental flaw in our system. We have to ask a government whose football teams play in a different league from us for permission to give a footballer a residence visa and work permit.
WHY?
I am a clique you’ve seen before
I am a clique that lives next door
X-Ray Spex CSC
.
Georgios is a Golden Bhoy
WHEN Georgios Samaras scored on Sunday, it wasn’t just the opening goal in what would prove to be a 2-1 victory over Partick Thistle in the Glasgow derby.
The goal was also Samaras’ FIFTIETH league goal for the Hoops, a significant total for the Greek striker who has netted a total of 70 goals since joining Celtic in January 2008, originally as a loan signing.
The 28-year-old has played 235 times for Celtic and is an experienced and important member of Neil Lennon’s squad.
And we look back at some of the milestone goals along the way to the golden 50, starting with Samaras’ first league goal, back in February 2008
No.1
February 27, 2008
Celtic 2-1 Inverness Caley Thistle
Having scored his first goal for the Hoops on his debut in a 5-1 Scottish Cup victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, Georgios Samaras netted his first league goal in a 2-1 home win over Inverness Caley Thistle in February 2008. The goal, just after the hour mark, had put Celtic 2-1 ahead and it was a near-post header after a trademark twist and turn and superb cross from Aiden McGeady. The visitors pulled a goal back but Celtic took all three points and their Greek striker, at that time on loan from Manchester City, had got his league goals tally up and running.
No.10
September 13, 2008
Motherwell 2-4 Celtic
It was in September 2008, and with Samaras now having joined Celtic in a permanent deal, that he hit double figures in his league goals. And it was on a day when he got a double in a 4-2 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park. In a blistering first-half, the Hoops hit four goals without reply. After Shaun Maloney’s early opener, Samaras made it 2-0 on nine minutes, and after a Scott McDonald goal, he scored his second and Celtic’s fourth of the afternoon, and his 10th league goal for the club. The goal on 42 minutes involved a one-two between Lee Naylor and Maloney, a neat lay-off from McDonald and an emphatic finish from Samaras.
No.20
May 12, 2009
Celtic 2-1 Dundee United
In Celtic’s third-last league game of what would ultimately prove to be a disappointing 2008/09 league campaign, Georgios Samaras scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Dundee United at Celtic Park. Glenn Loovens had given the Hoops the lead before Samaras extended it on 52 minutes, a goal which also marked his 20th for the club. The Greek striker’s first-time shot cannoned off Lee Wilkie and fizzed past Lukasz Zaluska in the United goal to make it 2-0. Unfortunately, two goal-less draws against Hibernian and Hearts denied Celtic four league titles in a row.
No.30
March 20, 2010
Celtic 3-0 St Johnstone
Georgios Samaras’ 30th league goal for Celtic came in a 3-0 home win over St Johnstone in March 2010. The goal, three minutes from time, added to the earlier strikes from Josh Thompson and Robbie Keane, and it would prove to be the last victory of Tony Mowbray’s reign as Celtic manager because, just four days later, his team lost 4-0 away to St Mirren. Samaras’ milestone 30th league goal came on 87 minutes. On as a substitute for Marc-Antoine Fortune, he brushed off two St Johnstone defenders before coolly finishing.
No.40
December 26, 2012
Dundee 0-2 Celtic
Goal No.40 arrived on Boxing Day last year in a 2-0 victory over Dundee at Dens Park. The strike gave Celtic the lead on 16 minutes, although it would take until the 71st minute to double the lead when Gary Hooper scored with a superb lob over Rab Douglas in the Dundee goal. Samaras’ goal came from a Mulgrew corner. It was Tony Watt who connected with the ball, and although Douglas made a superb reaction save, Celtic’s Greek striker acrobatically hooked the rebound into the top of the net. And it was another save from the former Celtic goalkeeper which denied Samaras a second goal on the night.
No.50
October 27, 2013
Partick Thistle 1-2 Celtic
The first Glasgow derby between Celtic and Partick Thistle for nine years came last weekend at Firhill, and it was the Hoops who returned to the East End of Glasgow with all three points. While Amido Balde scored the winner, the opening goal of the game came on 33 minutes from Georgios Samaras, heading home an Emilio Izaguirre corner from inside the six-yard box. The added significance of the goal was that it was also the Greek striker’s 50th league goal for the Hoops, a significant milestone, further illustrating his importance and contribution to the Celtic cause.
Summa
“Let them eat pies”.
Wee Marie Antoinette CSC
Ernie Lynch fancy meeting up for a beer and a chat? Hail Hail Hebcelt
What about the people that think there’s a clique clique?
Summa of Sammi….
14:55 on 28 October, 2013
.
‘So the Conspiracy Theorists Just need to read their Spam folder and all will be Explained.’
###
I’ve not being paying much attention but if someone is having difficulty logging on is it not because Paul67 has taken some action to prevent them from being able to log on?
Or is that not what’s happened?
hebcelt
14:59 on 28 October, 2013
‘Ernie Lynch fancy meeting up for a beer and a chat? Hail Hail Hebcelt’
###
Not practical I’m afraid.
What with this tag and everything.
Or all the smarmy half-wit cliques of one trying to be original. Their wit has seen the cyclical neon lit gravestone… heard it ya fanny… yer only about ten years late. But applaud their effort, after all, they took the time to try and be witty.
Clique Clique
HT, true enough, but it will bounce back.
.
Super Sammy wasn’t banned – he was liquidated along with his favourite team.
He is now known as The Super Sammy, although he occasionally posts under Sevco Sammy when he wishes to gloat about victories over Elgin and Annan.
CQN Golf Society is a cleek clique
There are a lot of sensitive souls on here,poor Canamalar getting the full treatment.
Next the racists will be getting it,of course not ,how stupid of me.
Grow up ,sticks and stones etc.,..
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS:
I was not responsible for calling Mr. Pat Nevin of the BBC, who called the Celtic Support SECTARIAN BIGOTS, a plick, or a pluke, or a prick… as far as I am concerned the guy puts coin before everything else, else, and that takes us back to Friday night and how meaningless he, or his opinions are, to my tomorrow.
GREENDREAMZ
I think that the UK system is the correct one,tbh.
Too many garbage players from foreign lands were the ruination of the game in the ten years or so from the late 80s.
The national team in Scotland has never recovered from that,and England is suffering too.
Maybe the likes of Porto are just better at scouting and we would just,by and large,be left with the dross anyway. Maybe they are simply a more attractive option,I dunno.
What I do know is that few for whom a work permit has been needed have been a success up here.
In nearly quarter of a century,remember,there will have been a fair few.
But I’ve been working since eleven last night,and halfway through my fourth pint and can honestly only think of STAN.
There are obviously loads of others,but overall,I would prefer to see local talent get the gig if possible.
CQN Self Improvement Club is a Tweak Clique.
CQN Monro Baggers is a Peak Clique.