As we reported yesterday, Celtic have been busy buying up land around the periphery of the stadium for many years. The club managed to get the deal to buy land behind the Jock Stein Stand done before the mineral seam running below it was discovered. I hear the excavation rights are estimated to be worth £50m to Celtic, who bought the land for £3m in January 2009 with money which had been earmarked to buy Stephen Fletcher. Hibernian thought the Fletcher deal was done but Celtic pulled out at the last minute when the land deal became available due to an emergency cash requirement at the Council, who needed to build schools to educate children arriving in the city from Eastern Europe.
Back then, when I asked why we weren’t signing Fletcher a senior source at the club told me, “We can only spend that £3m once and we need the land for burger vans and stuff.” Before kick-off, fans currently go off-premises to spend their money, cash that could be going to Celtic. Source added, “We’ll be able to buy a Fletcher every year with the catering income we’ll make from this land deal.”
Made sense at the time, makes more sense now.
That £50m is due to arrive in time to get the Co-op off our case and leave a substantial amount available to deal with what could be the first season we ever face Sevco- keeping them in their place.
Good luck to the Celtic fans based in North America ahead of the Féile on the weekend of 17-19 January. Events are based at The Plough & Stars, Philidelphia, include live music, a tour of the An Gorta Mor Memorial, a live Beyond the Waves broadcast and a Q&A with Celtic Youth Coach, Willie McNabb.
Visit ploughbhoyscsc.com for more details, including how to secure accommodation.
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paolosboots FC before PLC
01:22 on
10 January, 2014
Tet on contact section if your site
………………
In English please >}
HH
Agcr dont be too hard on cowiebhoy hes coming to terms with the news that sammy may be leaving these shores soon!!!
Tet on the contact form on your website I filled it in yesterday and sent it to you. Received a messsge saying it was received! Might be worth checking in case its not working. ..
paolosboots FC before PLC
01:22 on
10 January, 2014
Tet on contact section if your site
………………..
Ah, now I understand, must be a glitch in the system, never got a message, this is all new to me, it will be sorted.
Mail me, it would be better just now till things are sorted, thanks for your input, it’s much appreciated.
HH
TET buddy, I’ll be heading your way 3rd Feb for a week. Lets plan sclaffbaw.
BTW, love the website.
I’ll bell you
HH
Tet your welcome.
Right, really need to sleep, been up for too many hours for an old man, and too much to do early doors.
Again, sleep well Timland
HH
KTF
ACGR
Even auld Danny who is 89, jumped out his seat in my local when Amido pinged that beauty. Danny loves Amido, thinks he has the skill, power and hunger to lead the Celtic line. So do I.
ACGR
Looking forward to it already.
HH
KTF
Johnny Turk he was ready,he primed himself well
He showered us with bullets and rained us with shells
And in five minutes flat wee Pukki blew them all to hell……….
While looking at the UEFA website, I noticed that the number of National Associations affiliated to UEFA had increased from 53 to 54. I looked into this further as I was intrigued to discovered which new Nation had been incorporated.
GIBRALTAR is now a UEFA associate member.
I bet the Spanish are delighted with that development.
Macan
Nice one. The Bhoys did us proud in Turkey. Amido, Amido, Amido who?
Celtic reggae superstar!
Absolutely fantastic to see Pukki and Balde play well together and both score. You can see from that game that they both have a lot of potential. However, you also have to remember how poor both have been in the SPFL this season. They both have a lot of work to do over the next 6-12 months but hopefully we will see them develop into scoring first team players. Balde in particular has a lot of improving to do as a footballer. He’s strong, quick and has an eye for goal but his touch at times is absolutely awful!!!
I’ve said it a number of times on here (and in fairness a lot of posters agree) we are only a striker off having a really good team. In this window we have been linked with Fletcher, Long, Finnbogason, Johansson and Rudnevs. I’d take pretty much any of those 5 but I think the most realistic options, from a price point of view, are Rudnevs or Johannson.
The Norwegian player Johansen (a left sided defensive midfielder – not to be confused with Johansson the striker from AZ) looks like Ledley’s replacement if he leaves.
Really looking forward to the second half of the season now. Shame we weren’t able to qualify for the Europa League…..would be fantastic to have a run at that!!!
Any Celtic supporter who thinks that ANY result for Celtic in Turkey is anything other than worthless is deluded.
Any developments on res 12 other than that Celtic PLC dont want to ‘show their flush”?
I would call their bluff.
I’m lazy, you know it
I’m ready for the second show
Amazin’, thing growing
Just waitin’ for the juice to flow
But you’re so very picturesque
You’re so very cold
Tastes like roses on your breath
But graveyards on your soul
I’m hurting, I’m wanting
I’m aching for another go
You’re squirming wet, baby
Nothin’ bad comin’ very slow
And it’s burnin’ holes in me
You’re so very picturesque
You’re so very cold
It tastes like roses on your breath
But graveyards on your soul… whoa-oh
One spastic explosion
Two pressure-cookers go insane
It makes me act crazy
I shiver but I love this game
You’re so very ordinary
You’re so very lame
Tastes like whiskey on your lips
And earthworms rule your brain
M McG
Twist. :)
Great goal from Amido tonight – that’s all I know/ saw of the game from earlier. Going to take a look for highlights in a mo.
In the meantime, has anyone got a tally of the number of Celtic supporters criminalised/ arrested in the past 3 years? Mibbes worth looking at that figure in comparison to previous years when discussing apparent falling attendances, which don’t seem to concern ye ole Celtic Board.
My sources tell me that the SNP are draughting in rozzers from Holland to educate local bizzies on how to properly manage crowd control at football matches. They’re using UEFA funding from the Department of Referree Development to pay for it. Hugh Dallas to be gifted an honorary knighthood by King Alec Salmond the First in 2022. You heard it here first.
ACGR,
Many belated happy returns – so you’ve hit the old Hawaii then? <:O My goodness! Hope you had a great birthday mister, you deserve it.
Delaneys Dunky
03:13 on 10 January, 2014
Whaddye get?
joker?
FFM aye, I’m officially an auld cantankerous bass from here on in. bah blah bassa…………..*&%)*
I’m voting for the ACGR dramming CFC party. It’s a party where we all drink drams and tell the other parties to shove their offerings up their jacksies and then get the Celtic flegs oot, including the FU Eufa one. TET and Pracepta (ippillogies far tho spollin mistook) are already members.
How you doing bruv? Are you going to the Cq10 gig? I’m hoping to make it but I’m not certain I’ve got a ticket,………………………………….. yet:-)).
Hope you get my post and it finds you well.
I’ve two more drams to have, an Ardbeg and a Laphroaig. My front two, they never let me down.
Hail Hail Bruv
Maggie doll, when are you back here again? Yer bro tells me we’re due a date.
So stop yer knittin and show’s yer kitten.
Thanks for passing on my message to ra haitch bom.
HH bruv
ACGR,
Happy BD mate! 15 YO, single barrel ‘The Balvennie” raised to y’all!
HH
TC45
ACGR,
I got your post, and it found me well.
Not going to the CQN 10 thingy – it was all being arranged when I was busy at work. Feckin conspiracy !
Have to say, I’ve only been doing a lot of catchup the last few months rather than “contribute”, but yer wit always has me laughing away :))
HH amigo.
BTW, “wit”, in case you’re forgetting in your old age, is the highest form of intelligence. Sarcasm, on the other hand, is the lowest form of wit.
If you reverse that wee note, it can be quite witty and sarcastic. :))
Haven’t forgotten I owe you the price of Morrissey’s hotel room, broken glass, replacement TV, and dry bar etc. Just send the bill for it all to BMCUW, it was him what organised the whole mess :))
Blinkin’ flip!!!!!!!
Just back in the door after a dismal 50-odd hours,and I’m being abused!
Better than being ignored,I guess.
ACGR-leave some of that whisky for Sunday!
Off to my cot.
The last line of my previous post should have killed the blog for a bit…
FFS,
Thought this was a Celtic blog.
Talk about whiskey and 50th birthdays.
Off to my cot for the night, might never come back.
acgr.
Tickets are sorted ;)
FFS,
No chat at 5am when am tending the chickens.
Not be back on here again :(
FFS,
Chickens aren’t counting themselves.
Not going back to tend to them ever again >:(
Weefra,
Forgive my humour, but your flounces are the most hilarious ever :)))
You LOVE it here :))
Flounce Resolution Campaign:
Article 1:
We, the flounce haters, demand that Hugh Dallas is employed to referee discussions on CQN at an agreeable rate of up to £1.50 per hour. Minimum wage does not apply as it’s a second/ third/ fourth job for him, and he is only earning above average wage due to CFC acquiescence.
Roles include:
1. To research thoroughly the accuacy of any post made by any member of CQN, and respond within given timescale (10 mins) of the accuracy of said post and advise of any possible subjective discrepancies not immediately obvious to users of the internet (which Hugh will tell you, is heavily funded by the Queen and her benevolence).
2. To pray for 5 mins on a daily basis in any House of God which he does so choose, and ask for the gift of honesty, that he might contribute to the betterment of the whole planet.
3. To recommend a fair and honest independent refereeing comittee be set up to employ and manage members of the Scottish Refereeing Association, with a particular push on the agenda of disclosing possible bias, familiar association, and secret organization membership, any of which would render membership unavailable.
The above is all fair and equal in request as it should be.
But for some reason, it seems there’s only one man for the job.
Clearmyconscienceanddon’thateunionsbecauseofme.dallas.uk.
Morning all CQNrs. Good result in Turkey and Big Balde looks like one to keep. Hope Lenny gives him a run of games; was a cracking goal!
HH
Gerry
Chelsea’s Full Accounts Reveal They Have Tumbled Into The Red Again. EPL club, who have been bankrolled to the tune of £1B, reveals shocking amount they have spent on players since June 2013. (Guardian)
Why does the Guardian both writing this guff? LNS has already decreed that there is no sporting advantage to be gained.
So come along Timmy. Nothing to see.
These clubs spend all these vast amounts of money out of charity, not out of desire to win at all costs.
You can tell LNS is spot on. I mean, after all, these big spending clubs, like Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal, Barca, Real Madrid and the rest…. what have they ever achieved?
Total vindication of the LNS judgement.
Aye right!
both = bother
Good morning friends and a Big Happy Friday from a damp undefoot but dry overhead EK.
Another fine away win in Europe and, for the 4th time in my life I can look forward to a European final. And hasn’t Neil been proved 100% correct in his decision to protect our big European players – Teemu and Amido – from the rough and tumble of the ole SPL. As for Sunday’s final I hope we get a chance to pit our wits again against Ajax and I’m sure we’ll see Scott Brown proudly lifting the trophy. Hope it’s a wee bit bigger than the ole Dubai cup from the 1980’s.
“We’ll be champions of Europe,,,champions of Europe…champions of Europe once again…”
meninwhitecoatsCSC
Has anyone said yet that last night`s game was a bit like turkey after Christmas?
Coat on. Cheerio for now. Golf beckons.
JJ
By ROBERT GRIEVE Published: 7 hrs ago
CELTIC plan a quickfire raid for Stefan Johansen this weekend in a bid to fend off a string of rivals.
Neil Lennon faces stiff competition for the £2million-rated Norwegian international.
As SunSport revealed yesterday, the Hoops boss has identified the 23-year-old midfielder as one of his top January targets.
But Roma, Aston Villa and Everton are keen on the Stromsgodset star.
Lennon said: “I don’t know how far down the road we are, but maybe we could move on it this week. That’s all I can say on it. There is an interest there and we have made an enquiry for him, but that’s as far as it has gone.
“Any signings we make would be ones we would be hoping to bring in now. We won’t be doing loans or anything like that.
“He is a young player who we have heard good things about and we’ve had him watched a couple of times.”
Johansen has emerged as one of Norway’s rising stars and is his country’s current Player of the Year.
Norwegian legend John Carew is desperate for former club Villa to get in before Celts.
The 91-times capped striker said: “Villa should definitely take a closer look. He would be a good addition to the team.
“He’s Player of the Year back home, young, has the heart of a lion and has the stamina of a Duracell rabbit!
“I’ve been asked by Villa fans who they should sign this month and I said Stefan.”
Stromsgodset sporting director Jostein Flo confirmed: “Celtic are one of the clubs showing interest in Stefan. But there has not been anything more than that just now.”
Johansen’s agent Tore Pedersen said: “There is nothing concrete right now, but I can confirm there are many European clubs interested.”
Johansen’s contract expires on December 31 and Stromsgodset manager Ronny Delia fears his star player will leave, despite the offer of a new deal.
He said: “I wouldn’t completely rule out him signing a new contract — nothing is impossible.
“He is a sensible man and we are a reasonable club. It depends what offers he gets. We’ll see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Lennon was happy with the scoring performances of misfiring strikers Teemu Pukki and Amido Balde in Celts’ 3-1 win over Trabzonspor.
He added: “They worked very hard and deserved their goals and that will do them the world of good.
“They have shown what they can do and that will do their confidence no harm whatsoever.
“They’re good players, they just found it a bit difficult to adapt to the expectation, the pressure, the games. But they are coming along quite nicely.
“We always knew Amido would be a long-haul type, but he showed again what a handful he can be.
“I was really pleased with Teemu as well.
“They should be pleased with the contribution they made.
“They need confidence. It’s easy people saying they need a run of games, but when the team is playing so well they have to knock on the door and that’s what I want them to do.”
HARALD BRATTBAKK is convinced Stefan Johansen’s career would take off at Celtic.
Qualified pilot Brattbakk, who helped deny Rangers 10-in-a-row, is even prepared to FLY Johansen to Paradise.
Brattbakk, who netted the decisive goal in the title-clinching win over St Johnstone in 1998, was excited as he gave SunSport the lowdown on Norway’s joint Player of the Year.
Stromsgodset ace Johansen, 23, is an attacking midfielder in demand at clubs all over Europe.
Now Johansen is preparing for the biggest decision yet of his promising career — to stay with the current Norwegian champs — or seek a big move to Celtic, England or Italy.
Stromsgodset confirmed SunSport’s exclusive that the Hoops had started talks over the potential signing of Johansen.
Brattbakk said: “I had been aware of some rumours a few weeks back, but I’m delighted it is now official that Celtic want to sign Johansen.
“He is a very exciting midfielder who makes excellent passes and is a very offensive player.
“Yes, I would very much like Johansen join Celtic.
“I don’t often fly to Glasgow, but if Celtic were to charter a plane, then I’d be only too pleased to take him there to sign for the club. That would be fun!”
Brattbakk is well aware of the fierce competition his old club faces to grab Johansen.
Liverpool, Manchester City, Everton, Aston Villa and Roma have all been credited with an interest in the six-times capped talent.
But former Norway star Brattbakk would advise the £1.9-million-rated Johansen to shun them and commit himself to Celts.
Brattbakk, 42, three years a Celt after costing £2.2million from Rosenborg in 1997, added: “They are all great clubs and it shows how good a player Johansen is.
“But of course, in my eyes none of them are better than Celtic.
“I didn’t fully appreciate how big a club Celtic was until I came to Glasgow. After that I was left amazed.
“It really is a wonderful stadium and the supporters are amazing.
“The history of Celtic is incredible too, and I just loved being there.
“I had some difficult times, but overall I’ll always be happy I had the experience of playing and scoring goals for Celtic.
“If Stefan was to ever ask me about the club then I would strongly advise him to take the chance of wearing the Celtic jersey.
Johansen could swap Norway for dream move to Paradise
A\Action Images – Reuters
“He is a young player with a lot of talent and his best years are ahead of him.
“If Celtic can get Johansen for £2million or less that would be a very good deal.
“Stefan is one of the best known sportsmen in Norway and has a good profile. That is because he has been consistently good for a few years. Johansen plays with great energy and is a very competitive midfielder.
“When you are at Celtic you have to play with your heart and give everything you can.
“There is obviously real pressure at such a massive club, but that should not frighten you, it should only inspire you.
“Johansen is still trying to establish himself in the international team but everyone expects that to happen soon. I know the Celtic management look all over the world for players of good potential.
“Could Johansen do well for my former club? Yes, I have no doubt about that.”
Johansen was born and bred in the remote northern Norwegian outpost village of Vardo.
Brattbakk believes his modest upbringing has played a large part in shaping a strong character and gifted footballer. He said: “You often find a player who comes from a small place, with few facilities and not much coaching, has good talent. It means he is forced to work harder on his skills, and also be more determined to make something of himself.
“Johansen was clearly born with excellent natural talent.
“But I’m sure coming from a small town will have motivated him all the more to be a success in football.” Through the decades Celtic have had many outstanding midfielders in their squad.
Brattbakk’s spell alone saw enough top operators from the middle of the park.
He added: “Paul Lambert was the extraordinary midfielder in my time.
“I did not know a lot about him when I signed for Celtic but I soon really appreciated just how good he was.
“We had so many good players. There was also the likes of Morten Wieghorst, Phil O’Donnell and Craig Burley in midfield.
“You know at Celtic there is an expectancy to maintain the standards set by previous outstanding players.
“That will always be the case, and it is good to have that.
“You push yourself to be the best you can, to make your own mark in the club’s history.
“I’m certain Johansen would really love playing for Celtic.”