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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Given the fact that we live in a country that permits public displays of intolerance and bigotry, giving over the centre of its major city to an ‘Orangefest’, maybe Hajer club quick News is bemoaning these ties to the unsophisticated, ignorant, anachronistic ‘Scots’?
Celtic are linked to a football club, not a regime. It’s pretty narrow and small-minded to condemn a sporting link on the basis of a country’s human rights record before there are any details about Hajer known.
Are we, as Celtic, a representative majority of Scotland’s mindset? I wouldn’t think so, given the number of Orcs in the country.
So why do we automatically assume Hajer Club are in any way representativ eof the Saudi totalitarian regime?
You’re just giving lazy Hun hacks ammunition to fill tomorrow’s columns.
Wait for the details, then form an opinion.
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11401031_10205829606795490_6762290791103984998_n.jpg?oh=48ceae024094ffcbbb9c0731ff787aaf&oe=55ED895D ……………………………..
make of this what you will
I can only assume that The Great Desmondo has some Saudi connection.
Horses maybe?
I don`t know if it is inherent in human nature but negativity seems to attract a greater response than it positive counterpart.
JJ
PS ….and it does not even have to be confirmed before the negative reaction explodes.
Sandman
I guess you would have been happy with a tie-in to a South African team during Appartheid, despite the majority of the world imposing sanctions?
Sandman
11:21 on
4 June, 2015
Given the fact that we live in a country that permits public displays of intolerance and bigotry, giving over the centre of its major city to an ‘Orangefest’, maybe Hajer club quick News is bemoaning these ties to the unsophisticated, ignorant, anachronistic ‘Scots’?
Celtic are linked to a football club, not a regime. It’s pretty narrow and small-minded to condemn a sporting link on the basis of a country’s human rights record before there are any details about Hajer known.
Are we, as Celtic, a representative majority of Scotland’s mindset? I wouldn’t think so, given the number of Orcs in the country.
So why do we automatically assume Hajer Club are in any way representativ eof the Saudi totalitarian regime?
You’re just giving lazy Hun hacks ammunition to fill tomorrow’s columns.
Wait for the details, then form an opinion.
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Well said-take a step back for now
We have absolutely nothing to gain from this deal with a Saudi Arabian club,but the reputational damage to our own Club will be enormous.
Sandman
Let the country without sin, cast the first stone.
Don’t understand the upset at the Saudi Arabia link.
Once again the board prove that we as supporters have absolutely no say in the direction the club takes, we are not even consulted. No doubt they will claim it is all to do with market strategy Saudi Arabia FFS what next a team from North Korea.
Anyone who wants an insight into how the Saudis along with the state sponsored Wahhabi Islamic sect have influenced and supported Islamic terrorism ‘Hatreds Kingdom’ by Dore Gold is worth a read. A book banned in Saudi but yet the Saudi government bought an entire reprint run for their officials.
Should Celtic sever all ties with America???
Starry Plough
What ties?
But if there are any then yes
Manchester City have similar links with a Chinese team. China’s human rights record is a lot worse than Saudi Arabia.
City don’t get hammered about,nor will we. But I’d prefer Celtic to think things through a bit more in future.
We could do a lot worse than sign Lee Wallace he is not a bad player but I dont think he has been released by the Rangers so would cost us a transfer fee correct me if im wrong ? H.H.
Sandman
11:21 on
4 June, 2015
I’m sorry but there’s a world of difference between a country that allows an organisation to air views we find abhorrent but should see people arrested if they cross the line (we’ll see if it happens though) and a country that beheads people for sometimes relatively minor offences (90 so far this year) and in general is extremely intolerent.
Meanwhile Hajer Club Quick news goes into apoplexy at the thought of a tie up with a club from the most bigotted wee country in the world!
Press conference re saudi link.
Question from Peter Smith Stv
” does this further deepen the links formed when Arab money was used to fund Irish terrorists?”
“but the reputational damage to our own Club will be enormous.”
Enormous? In the same way as those clubs associated middle east airlines, for example?
JJ
Delaneys Dunky
11:26 on 4 June, 2015
Sandman
Let the country without sin, cast the first stone.
Don’t understand the upset at the Saudi Arabia link.
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Yeah, it’s like highschool political hour.
Hold up a mirror.
Approx 500,000 innocent Iraquis, Arabs, ‘middle eastern’ women & children etc slaughtered since the carnage began with the 2003 invasion, by weaponry supplied from Britain and allies, and here we have a Western – ‘British’ club, to them – supported by a majority carrying British passports, linking up with an Arab club.
I think, therefore – given the broad strokes the blog seems to be adopting this morning – that Hajer Club supporters might have more of an issue to contend than us…
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
11:31 on
4 June, 2015
I don’t think Man City is a club built with the same ethos as us. This move stands completely at odds with that ethos.
Well said Sandman.
T
BMCUW
Boaby, really could not give a jot about Man City.
I am however certain we will be damaged by this .
Of the thousands upon thousands of teams we could have tied up with , we pick a Saudi team.
Sir Robert Kelly refused to play a European tie , refusing to countenance Soviet invasion.
Where are our morals?
Is it all about money?
Sandman
11:33 on
4 June, 2015
And if fans of Hajer are objecting to the link up with Celtic due to Britain’s involvement in Iraq I have no real problem with that either.
If it’s shown Hajer are making steps to campaign against their country human rights abuses or at least have an ethos suggesting they are more aligned to ours then perhaps it would make some sense.
Hah! I found the article. It is in the Daily Record:
“CELTIC have reached a lucrative partnership agreement with ambitious Saudi Arabian top-flight outfit Hajer Club.
The Hoops have built up a number of worldwide affiliated clubs, including many in North America and Ireland.
But their link-up with newly-promoted Al-Ahsa-based Hajer Club will be their first partnership with a team in the Middle East.
Hajer Club chairman Sami Al-Melhem said: “This is a pioneering move for a club in Saudi Arabia.
“The partnership will benefit both clubs professionally and commercially. We will be able to use Celtic’s expertise in coaching, recruitment and the administrative side of football.
“The partnership also allows us to send the most promising players in Saudi to train at Celtic.”
JJ
joe filippis haircut
11:31 on 4 June, 2015
You’re having a laugh, my ghood MHAN….. :)
Sandman
A club that had John Reid on it’s board.
Oh by the way, there’s no point saying it’s alright for other clubs.
We’re not other clubs.
Burghbhoy
11:24 on 4 June, 2015
Sandman
I guess you would have been happy with a tie-in to a South African team during Appartheid, despite the majority of the world imposing sanctions?
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Yes, – might have given some of the poor black kids with talent the chance to rise above the contorted condition of their state’s politics and achieve something to turn their lives around and inspire others in similar circumstances. The true power of football, facilitated by Glasgow Celtic.
Your point was, caller?
Burghbhoy
11:36 on
4 June, 2015
BMCUW
Boaby, really could not give a jot about Man City.
I am however certain we will be damaged by this .
Of the thousands upon thousands of teams we could have tied up with , we pick a Saudi team.
Sir Robert Kelly refused to play a European tie , refusing to countenance Soviet invasion.
Where are our morals?
Is it all about money?
==
Well said sir
Delaneys Dunky
11:38 on 4 June, 2015
Sandman
A club that had John Reid on it’s board.
===========================
LOL, EXACTLY.
PerspectiveCSC.
BMCUW
09:27 on 4 June, 2015
__________________
Thanks Bobby – Hail Hail
I’m going away now….in case I say something that brings the blog into disrepute(widny be the 1st time:)……oot. YNWA.
Sandman
Yes, – might have given some of the poor black kids with talent the chance to rise above the contorted condition of their state’s politics and achieve something to turn their lives around and inspire others in similar circumstances. The true power of football, facilitated by Glasgow Celtic.
Your point was, caller?
===
Absolute and total nonsense
Iain’tgonnplaysuncityCSC
Oh! It wis in the RECORD! That’s fine then, nothing from Celtic. Also in the Record, Celtic donate £5k to the Orange Fest in Glasgow this weekend!…
67 Heaven. I was responding to the post by Bobby Murdoch who might be at the kidding.However,I stick with what I said Wallace is not a bad player we could do a lot worse.H.H
jungle jim hot smoked
11:37 on 4 June 2015
What’s the issue with that …… If it has to do with human rights, people’s human rights are abused in EVERY Country on Earth….. I would suggest that only good can come from different countries / clubs fostering relationships …….might even improve human rights
Sandman
11:38 on
4 June, 2015
No it wouldn’t, because poor black kids wouldn’t have been within a mile of any football clubs during apartheid.
Sandman
Some things are just not right.
This ain’t right.
And do u honestly think those South African kids you claim we would have helped under Appartheid would have really seen any benefit, financial or otherwise, when the state’s constitution was to persecute them ?
Would the SA authorities have said , ah well, it’s Celtic money and expertise, let the black kids benefit?
Come on bud, get real
joe filippis haircut
11:43 on 4 June, 2015
He was the best of a VERY bad bunch, and very slow / deliberate / predictable in his play …… We’re aiming a lot higher than Lee Wallace….
Oglach
11:40 on 4 June, 2015
Absolute and total nonsense
Iain’tgonnplaysuncityCSC
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No, perspective.
Broad strokes = small minds = ignorance.
Hajer = the historical and current combined ills of the oppressive Saudi regime = absolute and total nonsense.
Fixed it for you.