There was a standing joke on here for years. On day one of the transfer window someone would write, “The transfer window’s been open 13 hours and still no news, get your finger out Celtic”. It mirrored the less jovial comments when the transfer window had 13 hours left, although “get your finger out Celtic” occasionally still featured.
It’s not just Celtic, transfer business is a deadline activity. Why sell your prime asset early when you know desperate clubs will pay over the odds to appease the manager who is demanding sufficient resources to meet target?
You need to work an angle to pick up prime cuts this early in the window. We picked up Virgil van Dijk for a paltry £2.6m in June 2013, which is remarkable, considering he is an outstanding player who was working in one of Europe’s heavily scouted leagues.
We got in early with van Dijk, who had been released by Willem II without playing a game before making 62 appearances with Groningen. A false start followed by a period with just enough form to tempt Celtic’s scouts, but not so much as to alert the slower footed.
So what do we know about Dedryck Boyata? He’s 24, three years older than Virgil when he joined, but has played around half the number of first team games Virgil had experienced. Dedryck was vacuumed up by City as a 16-year-old, part of the annual harvest major clubs make each year. He clearly had something about him to convince City to retain him, but first team outings were rare. When Celtic came shopping a year ago, City were prepared to live without Jason Denayer for a season, but not Dedryck, who went into their first team squad.
It’s correct to say that knowledge of Dedryck is scarce, even among City fans, but Ronny has spent time on City’s training fields with him, and had him watched extensively in non-first team outings over the last year.
Is he the answer to our defensive prayers? Time will tell, but the recruitment strategy which brought him here is coherent. All our scouts and management team have watched him to the extent that a consensus has been reached. His profile is not high enough to commend a fee which is out with our budget, and most importantly, we can bring him in now, making sure he’s embedded before the potentially lucrative Petrofac Cup Champions League qualifiers.
Welcome to Celtic, Dedryck.
Still laughing, in case you were in any doubt.
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Let’s hope this is the window in which we successfully spend £2.3m on a striker who can, erm, score goals.
We seem to have ‘the knack’ more often that not with every other position, but make mistake after mistake with strikers.
Kojo always inferred that he knew “Sir” Paul67 very well. Last night a few of us were speculating as to why Kojo stopped posting and whether he was OK health wise.
I take it from Paul’s final paragraph that Kojo is alive & well (Thank God) and is still laughing.
I crossed swords with Kojo a couple of times but then developed a soft spot for him. Personally I would like him to come back, so if you are lurking Kojo, How about it.
Wasn’t Celtic v Penarol,second time,a charity match?
UNICEF Trophy or summat?
mild mannered pedro delgado @ 21:01 on 3 June, 2015
“Delaney’s
We played kokola(Finnish I think), in the champions cup”
I remember that like yesterday. I was 12.mBig Jock sold that match well. We were going to see something special. You would need to be at the match to experience it.
1. We wore an all yellow strip
2. We won 9 – 0
I think Jock was talking about the first.
Kokkola from Finland. Was at that game, they wore dark green strips and we beat them 9-0!
DD
Hee haw hee haw he always calls me that
Delaneys Dunky…Level five…Is Ladies underwear, sex toys and sexual suppliments for ” gentle ( not hard ) men….Allegedly..©Are You Being Serviced…Mr Humphreys…..Ha…
Ok ghuys, the blog is awash with experts tonight. Not a bad thing, I really enjoy reading all the memories and knowledge to this sacred place. So I have had an extremely busy day, nae friggin rain for a change, and plenty of sunshine which allowed us to get loads done. To say I’m fekked is an understatement. Night Night Timland. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
BGX
Don’t know and I don’t see the relevance to my argument that this should have been bi-partisan. Why did the SNP side with the OO to derail the GCC Labour proposals, as outlined by Gerry Braiden? Why have they done nothing to fulfill their promise to Humza Yousaf?
Sorry, a late dinner!
Dena
Good on ye ghirl and don’t worry about putting my name up, I’m Angela at the weekend anyway :-)
JNP/GlasgowD/Burghbhoy
I’m not sure to be honest. I think partly apathy is to blame. There are those who just can’t be bothered making the effort to sign it.
I also think there’s an element of the head in the sand attitude where some that as it doesn’t affect them then they don’t feel compelled to sign.
Sadly, I also believe that there are still people out there who, believe it or not, actually think the Act is a worthwhile piece of legislation.
Name comments on the Chilea striker big Dutton recommends then ?
Angelo Henriquez
Very decent record out on loan
Hail Hail
Anybody know what the view is like in section 102 row W
Im Asking This To The Blog…..Did Glasgows Labour Council Get PAID by the OO , In Other Words, Are Glasgows Labour Council Renting Out Geoerge Sq For the Day….I Dont Know the Answer…Enlighten Me..Someone please..
setting free the bears for res. 12 & oscar knox@21:09 on 3 June, 2015
Good and reasoned response.
Time for the GCC to get wise.
Every public space from March to November to be booked for community events. Get a bouncy (how appropriate) castle out to each and every one and a local family day set in the diary every Saturday and Sunday.
It has got to be cheaper and better than the alternative.
SFTB…did The LABOUR council Get Paid For George Sq…Its a YES or no question…Did They…
eireann
21:27 on 3 June, 2015
That is very decent seats, in line with inside the 18 yard box at Celtic End
I am in 107 CC, seats 1 & 2, I know the 2 seats directly behind me 107 DD 1 &2 were empty last season ?
Personally I think if you can get into 104/105 or 106 perfect for when we attack either end, Celtic end or our visitors goal
Hail Hail ,and hope this helps
Wonder if the Webcam in George Square will be on this Saturday?
ekbhoy
19:39 on 3 June, 2015
Foghorn leghorn
You could always try the Calderwood Inn ; years back ai was asked for the half time scores by a sedentary auld geezer ; 2-0 to Celtic , I replied in all innocence.
Well that didn’t go down too well , lots of muttering and rattling of dominoes …
No changed much.
BGX
Read the first two words of my 21.25 response.
After that, pester someone else with your obsession on rent.
It has nothing to do with what I posted or what I am interested in.
This is your squirrel. You should try and do the legwork to answer it.
eireann
Should have added, don’t go any lower than row W (lower in alphabet) Scottish weather is not very kind if lower :-)
Hail Hail
barrach obampot
Apologies mate I’m snowed under with stuff just now.
CRC, Leftclicktic or Lennybhoy could you please mail me a contact email for barrach obampot.
BGX,
This is what they sent me this morning, for what it’s worth.
“People use George Square and other public spaces around Glasgow for a wide range of events and activities.
Providing events are properly planned and do not encourage unlawful behaviour; the Council is not permitted to simply ban them on the grounds that someone dislikes, opposes or holds contrary views to the organiser.
The event organiser is responsible for all costs.”
AR
Hope Peter Robinson didn’t see the fleg at stormont earlier
Him not being well recently
SFTB
The decision is a scandal. It should be opposed and those who sanctioned it should be held to account regardless of their political persuasion.
In this instance it’s the Labour Party, with regards to the OBAF Act it’s the SNP.
Whether MPs, MSPs or councillors they need to carry the can for their decisions and mistakes.
Mark Daly on panorama investigating cheating in athletics Allan Wells and Mo Farah’s coach Salazar in the spotlight.
All very interesting Mark but you’ve unfinished business at Ibrox, come on you know there’s more to uncover there.
Corkcelt
Kojo drew me to this site in the first place. His humour is very unique and intelligent.
I miss him from here.
Kojo CSC
bgx,
According to the OO spokesperson on Radio Shortbread this morning they are renting the Square, and are paying for security. Apparently Police Scotland have rated it a low risk event.
If Paul doesn’t mind, and mention another Celtic fans site. If anyone has a fond memory of listening to one of our games on the tranny( when a tranny wasn’t a referral to a guy cross dressing ), e tims has an article about.
The repsonses are good, with the 1982 Amsterdam, Love Street 1986 and 1988 cup semi final against Hearts being the most popular so far.
The Penarol game in 1976 was played on a very hot day with a big crowd. My family left on our holiday the following day, to a much less developed Santa Ponsa and our first package holiday.
I’m sorry but I don’t miss Kojo in the slightest. I have no time for racists and in my opinion his ‘expert analysis’ on Celtic’s youth players was gleaned from the official club site.
HT
“In this instance it’s the Labour Party, with regards to the OBAF Act it’s the SNP. ”
I do not agree.
I provided the historical sequence here.
The Glasgow Labour Party tried and failed to reduce the parades. The SNP talked about doing something but preferred to have a go at football supporters instead.
I have more respect for someone who had a go and failed than for those that bever tried.
Hamiltontim
Cheers mate.
I’m sure we’ll get a few signatures for you out here.
:-)
HH
Cowiebhoy
You will be in my thoughts tomorrow sir,
I have already started the war stories wae the weemhan,
see the day ah went to see us getting the four in a row trophy well my foot was broke but pfffffffffffffffffft not a jot did it bother me:)))))))))))))))))))))
Skyis
Good job you are in oor baldy mafia clique!
HT
Just dropped big Leftie a text
Lennybhoy at his sisters wedding celebration plus his and Maureen’s 21st anniversary today, so not about
I will also drop a text to CRC
Hail Hail
HT
He is some giggle after one of my puffs though. ;))
SFTB…so they Rented George Sq…They Being The Good Old Labour Council…HA….You must Do Better…Its Getting Wayyyyyy Tooooo Easyyyyyyyy…Haaaaaa Haaaa
SFTB
If the Labour Party in Glasgow are so opposed to the OO then why grant permission for the abomination on Saturday?
This isn’t just another walk this is an unprecedented static celebration of anti Catholicism.
B2k
I too was just old enough to take in the euphoria of the 65 Cup win. I remember walking, or floating up Aikenhead Road to Castlemilk after the game with my old man. I know special memories can be sort of enhanced over the years, but it seemed that day that every fan knew this was the start of something special.
The season before I actually asked my da, after another loss to Thirds if I could support another team, that’s how grim it felt even for an 8 year old. He shot that one down of course, without even considering the 1000 to one odds that most of that team would conquer Europe three years later.
April 65 is a magical memory and the springboard to Lisbon.