BBC’s Jim Spence reports this morning that Dundee United have rejected a £900k bid from Celtic for striker Nadir Ciftci (23), as Ronny Deila continues his quest to recreate the all-conquering (cough) Dundee United team of 2014.
While Ciftci is clearly talented, this is an unexpected move. He can hold the ball up and bring others into play but he never struck me as having Ronny Deila-type industry. Not that he would be the first convert to perpetual motion.
With John Guidetti away and Stefan Scepovic yet to stake a claim, we’ve space for a couple of strikers. It would be good to have at least one before the qualifiers.
Dukla Prague are one of those teams who my generation grew up hearing about. They were one of the finest teams in Europe, with one of the world’s top players, Josef Masopust, who sadly died yesterday. Masopust won the Ballon d’Or in 1962, after leading the great Czechoslovakia to the World Cup final that year, which they lost to Brazil.
He faced Celtic with Dukla in the semi-final of the European Cup in 1967, losing only once in the competition, at Celtic Park. Czech football retains the potential to create great teams, but, denied access to TV deals available in neighbouring parts of the EU, they have been robbed of the ability to achieve meritocratic progression.
The passing of Masopust is a chance to celebrate a great player and team, and to regret what appears forever lost because of television.
Enjoying Phil MacGiollaBhain’s work with the Belfast Telegraph, laid bare in his blog of yesterday. He includes scanned letters from the newspaper’s editor who regards it as “outrageous to suggest that I, or the Belfast Telegraph, would operate a blacklist of any form”, including one which includes Phil, despite how popular such a move would be in places.
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Ok Ciftci?
I have been advised by a current Dundee Utd player that we tried to get him in January along with GMS and GA and offered……wait for it……£5m for all three. I have to say I find this figure hard to imagine.
Take it as red though that we want the player and he wants to come to us.
My source rates him highly and thinks better than Guidetti and Griffiths (but rates Griffiths highly as well).
He thinks a deal will be done.
He says surprised we have not enquired about Andy Soutar ( I said we need to spread our scouting network). He also thinks we missed out big time on Andy Robertson and the Scottish Messi (nae shit Sherlock).
I am a bit underwhelmed about Ciftci but he is is not the nadir (see what I did there) of our ahemm striker signings. He will score in SPL but Europe will be the acid test.
BTW my source also doesn’t think Barry Douglas would be a good signing unless he has improved immeasureably over the last two years.
roberttressell
20:03 on 30 June, 2015
http://johnpilger.com/articles/why-the-rise-of-fascism-is-again-the-issue
Wow. If you have time read this.
~~~~~~~~~~++~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks,mate. It’s a powerful read. I’ll post you one about Thatcherism next time MACJAY’s on. Just to annoy him-!-or maybe explain some reasons for despising her.
Neil Lennon and McCartney
The american south wanted to keep slavery and fought a bloody civil war . I imagine there will still be a deeply ingrained racist attitude there. The confederate flag will be viewed by many as a symbol of that white supremicist mentality.
Interesting debate on the flops, size of squad, quality of transfers and how much faith we should have in RD, culminating in should we buy Ciftci? Is he UCL class? Is he Celtic class?
Well I’m not sure, but I’ll take Tontine Tim’s marker some forwards with his attributes have really excelled at Celtic. I trust RD we seem to have improved markedly in our overall approach to managing players, whether that brings us dividends across all competitions we’ll have to see. But here is why I think we’re on the right track.
The prospects, projects and players transfer windows seem to be a thing of the past.
We now only seem interested in players, whether from Dundee United’s elite or Man City’s seconds (the debate whether they’re “Celtic Class” is for me, for another day) the fact is they can come straight into the first team squad and do a job and that is key.
Now the prospects and projects side of things undoubtedly brought in a few rough diamonds who polished up to be excellent for us, up to and including UCL level and were subsequently transferred to the EPL for considerable fees. That was great, yet the majority in these categories didn’t even make regular appearances on the first team bench.
As we know many of these players were signed up on four year contracts, so when it became clear they weren’t going to make it; not good enough, poor attitude, didn’t settle, injury prone or a selection there off. The next season they were either loaned out or left in the squad and replaced, normally with another prospect on a four year deal. This lead to an inefficient bulbous first team squad. Although I wouldn’t lay the “blame” at his door, this has been going on since Gordon’s time.
We do not have the resources to coach, treat, commercially manage, tactically manage this squad efficiently. E.G. If someone is on the phone to Bronby trying to off load a “disappointing prospect” they are not on the phone securing a “Man United starlet”, so significantly reducing the first team squad and freeing up precious human resources makes perfect sense to me and is way overdue.
Does it leave us short of cover? Well possibly but let me put it this way, we should have two grades of player in the first team squad. Those who are International class and can compete at UCL level (even if they don’t excel), and those who are top quality SPL players. We can’t afford much more than eleven of the former and shouldn’t be indulging more than eleven of the latter.
So what if our International/UCL player is suspended and his back-up SPL player is crocked? Well we have a development squad, the person(s) in that position in Celtic’s development squad (and arguably the U21s) should be more than capable of coming in and doing a job in the League and the Scottish Cups. A case in point was our situation at right back last season, I think Lustig, Matthews and Fisher demonstrated this point.
Also the squad needs utility players like Mulgrew, not universally liked, but an International calibre player that can come in and play in half a dozen positions in all competitions, is to my mind worth their weight in gold.
So I’m with RD’s revised plan, reduce the first team squad, play the same tactics throughout all the Celtic teams and ensure every player is comfortable with the way Celtic play, maximise attitude, maximise fitness, maximise athleticism and technique. Bring in players with known ability* that can fit this pattern.
*Now to me this does NOT mean no more Wanyamas – it means hiring ghuys that can tell the difference between a Victor Wanyama and an Amido Balde because if you can’t, you’re in the wrong profession.
If you say well that’s all well and good but it could still leave us playing a UCL game, crucial League/Cup game without a first choice player or even with a development squad player? Well I would hope squad rotation would be used wisely so we can field the best possible teams on these occasions and as Paul67 pointed out the other day RD and his team are in a unique position of having the luxury to do this, we must take full advantage. But we are where we are.
E.G. Last season I was listening to 606 on radio five live after Man City had been unceremoniously dumped out of the UCL. A Man City fan called in, he was raging, although they were missing key players (I think Kompany was out??) he said they were still at least five players short of a UCL standard squad. Yes five and Ian Wright agreed with him. Now as I was shaking my head at the radio and thought ‘for the money they’ve spent and are spending on that squad?’ Underlying was a thought, ‘where does that leave us?’
So inevitably there will be times like a few seasons ago when Scott managed to get himself irrationally sent off in a UCL game and subsequently suspended, we suffered greatly, but the fact is there are times when the team are going to have to face first class opposition beleaguered, but I’m afraid that’s where we are. All we can do is maximize resources and minimize the risk.
Hail Hail
tim tanium I was home briefly recently and went to the DundeeU v Celtic game in April. Have to say that Soutar was immense. Young big strong lad spreading the ball around , was the pivot if every Arab move in the first half which was scoreless. Hammered them in the second half but yes Soutar really impressed me. Interesting stuff about Cifti , all about opinions.
Woo-hoo………………………. Hoops tonight on CTV
7-0 prediction.
Pide & beer required.
The thing about Cifti is that we just dont know if he will thrive on the Celtic stage ,like a Larrson, or be over-awed and out of his depth like a Pukki.
1/6 hoops win………… 5/1 draw………………10/1 for the washing machine mob to win.
23:48 on 30 June, 2015
Malvinas
Thanks for the info. Coming over the Erskine Bridge from Clydebank, thanks to the bus the Easedales put on. :)
Good morning CQN
Delaneys Dunky what time are you getting the bus over the bridge
I will be getting on the bus at the top of the hill to go over to game
Not sure what time as I have to wait for the wife getting back from the hospital
And get her settled in + wait for the niece to come over.
Hail Hail
Mt
Wigan Athletic look to have won the race to sign in-demand Dundee United striker Nadir Ciftci.
After a dramatic day of transfer activity surrounding the Turk, he was last night given permission to speak to the English League One side.
United are understood to have accepted a £1 million offer for Ciftci and, if he can agree personal terms, he will be on his way to Wigan, who are managed by former Scotland and Celtic defender Gary Caldwell.
The Courier.
Herbo
05:12 on 1 July, 2015
‘There is people in South Carolina and Georgia that I know who abhor racism. They don’t see the confederate flag in this way.’
###
Would those people mostly be white?
Scorchio at 9 am – way down south.
Football.
UEFA EURO Under 21 Final – best team in the tournament ( Portugal ) lost on penalties to a very average but fit , organised and tactically disciplined Sweden.Best player in the tournament ( Carvalho ) missed a penalty . Another watch of Guidetti – looks thinner and fitter than he did at Celtic.Not a great player..
Copa America
Argentina 6 – Paraguay 1.
An absolute treat !
bamboo
If Cifti is the level of our clubs ambition then we are in a bad place.
Morning all.
Well, I’m in a good place this morning. The sun is shining in Largs for once. Here’s hoping for a bit of sun worship at some point.
Celtic are playing tonight and, imo, under our manager, we are in a very good place.
I hope Rogic and Scepovic get a run out tonight. If Rogic won’t get into the first team this season, how about a loan move to Hibs?
Cifti is a guid idea…..imho
He reminds me of a player that I would liked to have seen in the hoops – Frank McGougall(sp) when he played at St Mirren…he was exactly the big fecker-type of striker that we needed when we were up against the likes of, Miller, McLeish, Narey, Hegarty, Gough etc…we had McGarvey who was brilliant in his own way but, he wasn’t the big-cage-rattling-type that we needed but…there was a difference when these trypes of players were in a Celtic jersey ie: like Murdo and, big McGhee…they had to be dicsciplined enough to be able to – tackle without fouling – that was the key…be tough – not violent…only those who play against us will be allowed to behave like that.
I think that if, we had beaten ICT in the semi-final we’d have went on to win the treble and, RD would have been prised away from us by now….only saying.
I also think that, initially….RD wasn’t sure of Johnny Collins and, understandably….wanted to make his own mark on the club. Indeed…the initial style of play and, the first few signings had RD stamped all over them….and, it demonstrated to me that he was PL’s new puppet-manager…the signings were proof of that.
Then….RD eventually….it seemed to me….to start to take on boad, w
sorry posted too soon….be back with the rest in a wee min….:)
Almore
08:17 on
1 July, 2015
I hope Rogic and Scepovic get a run out tonight.
Carl Mikael Lustig will hopefully get a wee run out.
Reading back
I assume the John Gudetti that has be classed as a flop/failure is not the same John Gudetti that posters were demanding that PL break the bank to sign…?
Easy this buying players routine…
Parkheadcumsalford
We’re in a good place?
Why then is the CEO not backing the manager it’s only another 100K to snap the turk from the mighty wigan(sic) and by all accounts it’s RD that wants him.
i wonder why NFL left the club?
Then….RD eventually….it seemed to me….to start to take on boad, what Johnny Collins could bring to the table and, that he ‘had’ to get SA & GMS into CP or, the crowds would start to fall and the were….anyway….RD had to see that, Collins wanted to build a celtic team that the fans could identify with….I mean….these two players fro Dundee Utd were crucial to Celtic…the fact that they didn’t play in the semi-final demonstrated the hole that is left in the team without them.
Hail Hail…..back later….BMCUW…I hear you – keep it lit.
Burgas: If Lustig gets a run out tonight I hope he doesn’t injure himself. Great player, it would be nice to see him regularly.
spelling mistakes come free btw…:)…laters
Great to watch Messi and Javier ‘ Smooth Operator’ Pastore playing in the same team .Used to travel to Palermo to watch Pastore play football.A delight.
Ristretto and water break over – back to tieing jasmine plants to trellises. ..When that’ s done – check the lettuce plants for slugs and snails and then head for the beach for a dip and a snooze in the sun..
“Why then is the CEO not backing the manager it’s only another 100K to snap the turk from the mighty wigan(sic) and by all accounts it’s RD that wants him.”
I suppose the above information comes from a very reliable source?
JJ
Almore
Lustig had no problems with injury’s at GIF Sundsvall/Rosenborg, bhoys just been very unlucky with the hoops imho.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
07:18 on
1 July, 2015
roberttressell
20:03 on 30 June, 2015
http://johnpilger.com/articles/why-the-rise-of-fascism-is-again-the-issue
Wow. If you have time read this.
~~~~~~~~~~++~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks,mate. It’s a powerful read. I’ll post you one about Thatcherism next time MACJAY’s on. Just to annoy him-!-or maybe explain some reasons for despising her.
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Go on,then.
John Pilger? You`d get a more balanced account from he who was “sin cojones” .
Seriously,pal.
Pilger.A major supporter of the chap accused of rape who now resides in the Embassy of Ecuador.
I`m happy to agree with you about her shortcomings.
What`s your opinion about the donkeys who led the lions?
Any room for a slight accommodation? Compromise? Give and take? Reasoned debate?
It was suggested on here a couple of weeks back that we could expect to see Ashley going to court to get his monies. Is there any sign of this potentially end game developing?
Greece has no intention of paying back the loan to the IMF according to spokesman Davos Kingopolis.
The real fitba’ must be startin’ soon, eh!
(shameful rocketry from panto hun pop-ups.)
I also am in a good place.
The life/work balance is better than it has been for years, the bairns are settled and thriving[ they take after their mother] and the sun is shining over Shangri La.
And as for the ole Celts- when ever I would complain he would just shake his head and say’ Michael, you’ve never seen a bad Celtic team.’ which would be the cue for him to tell me [again]about Jock Weir’s heroics.
Burgas Hoops,
I don’t know why Neil Lennon left, any more than you do. Imo, he probably had enough of the nonsense he and his family had to put up with.
And while I would have been happy for him to remain as long as he wanted because of what he had to endure, I think Ronnie Deila is the better manager.
KEVJ
Frank McDougal was some striker,right enough. Would have been interesting to see him in The Hoops but we signed others instead.
McGarvey,as you point out. Sublime. McClair,simply lethal. Judas,poison. Oh,and I (still) canny forget Jim Melrose.
I think he had to retire early though,about 28yo. Shame Celtic-daft apparently. Seemed to love playing against us!
It’s going to be an interesting sub plot to see how Neil does at Bolton this year.
Tough ole League, English Div 2.
Almost as world recordly tough as Scotchland Div 2.
DBBIA,
I too was raised on the heroics of Jock Weir. My auld Dad was there that (in)famous day. Was it in Dundee?
DBBIA .
I see the great Sturgill Simpson has an Edinburgh gig on 18th August.
Highly recommended !
MACJAY
Pilger writes with his heart on his sleeve. I’m perfectly aware of that. His statements in that article,however,bear up under scrutiny. Check some of them out.
As for donkeys and lions,you know my opinions on that. Scargill walked into a trap. The government had stockpiled coal and also arranged alternatives supplies. Scargill disagreed with new union legislation so ignored it-like the pigheaded choob he was. Idiotic,since he would have won a ballot.
The police were given free reign to act outside the law to overcome striking miners. Perhaps with the assistance of the army,though that has never been proven/admitted to.
Now,on lions and donkeys. Try this one. The unions wrecked the British car industry.
So how come Britain now builds more cars than ever before,in unionised premises.
Could it be down to the presence of Japanese,Indian,and German management? Rather than British ones?