Issue 5 of CQN Magazine is out today with some exciting changes. We’re moving print production into the UK for this issue, which will be available after the game against Rangers, with 8 extra pages not included the online version, covering all the drama from next week’s game.
We have a couple of retrospective articles touching on the momentous events of 2011, including an interview with George Galloway, discussing his book about the life Neil Lennon has had to endure. As you would expect, George doesn’t shirk out of the tackle.
We also have an excellent interview with Elaine C Smith, talking about growing into her life as a Celtic fan, her work and tackling domestic violence. We cover the recent Football Bill and question the possible agendas behind a senior police officer, and recent striking referee, reporting Celtic fans to Uefa.
We stick our first toe in the short story water, a clarion call to Reclaim the colour Orange, tons of great fan memories, many of which you’ll share and plenty more, it’s all there, including typos and deliberate mistakes!
You can order now with credit/debit card or Paypal and buy direct from the UK for only £3.50 + £1.50 postage and packing. Shipping costs £2 to ROI, £3 to Europe and £4 to the rest of the known universe. Click on the link below to order.
Click here to view the new issue of CQN Magazine online for free. You can support the online edition by making a discretionary donation here.
Many thanks to those who have helped get the magazine off and flying this year. Everyone who has contributed (or even read) are invited to the Cathedral House Hotel in Glasgow on Friday evening for a Christmas drink. Target time is 20:30, see you there.
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kit..,
did you get the ‘two front teeth’ you asked santa for last year :o)
that was all you wanted for Christmass if I remember right :o8
one I heard last night courtesy of Eddie Izzard
Scrabble was invented by Nazis to piss off kids with dyslexia. This is true, they proved this one. The word dyslexia was invented by Nazis to piss off kids with dyslexia.
Hail Hail
greenjedi
Remember you were going to check your uncles medals for the colours of the ribbons and thename and number?
I’ve got a mate in the registry so if you can give me the name and number and the campaign ribbons and colours I’ll see what I can dig up for you.
canamalar:
I lost my front teeth playing against the baby huns.
bournesouprecipe at 10:21
Pull your socks up man
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo says:
22 December, 2011 at 11:07
Nobody comes out of that well.
The ticket inspector was unprofessional. ‘The train’s no moving til you get aff’ Is that company policy?
The student was a bit chopsy.
And the fat guy picked on someone half his size. He committed an assault and is rightly being prosecuted.
Morten Rasmussen is set to return to Celtic at the end of a loan spell in Turkey and is keen to know where he stands at Parkhead.
The Danish forward saw his short-term deal with Sivasspor come to an end on Wednesday, and the club will not be seeking an extension.
The 26-year-old netted just three times in 11 appearances and will be sent back to Glasgow.
Rasmussen still has 18 moths left to run on his Celtic contract, but he does not appear to figure in Neil Lennon’s plans.
A January switch elsewhere has been touted, but the Denmark international wants his future resolved one way or another after struggling to make an impact during his two years in Scotland.
“I will be back in January and will hold talks with Celtic as soon as possible,” Rasmussen told the Daily Record.
Not ideal
“Nothing has been said so far, I’m waiting to find out.
“As things stand, I will be coming back to train with the squad but I don’t know what the club have planned for me.
“If Celtic want me to stay then I will train hard, do my best and try to get in the team.”
He added: “I have been in this situation for a while but it’s not ideal.
“I just have to wait and see what January brings. It would be good to get my future sorted.”
kitalba
Now is the season to wish for them back.
Love and Season Greetings
GRENJEDI 1105
Small world-my Dad and my uncle were founder members of the Garryowen.
Lemonade and crisps outside the Central Bar/Eglinton Hotel ring any bells?
Got sacked from the Salvation Army kitchen. Ungrateful gits.
All I said was – “Hurry up! Some of us have homes to go to!”
Ernie
Yep I agree but a the root of the problem was Scotrail incompetence as a court is about to find out.
Hail Hail
Paddy Gallagher
Well out of order.
:-)
Kids go for just £7 on Christmas Eve
By: Newsroom Staff on 22 Dec, 2011 09:27
BRING the kids along to Celtic Park for some extra special Christmas Fun. Kids go for only £7*!
Join in the Family Fun within the Family Section in Areas 115 to 117 in the Lisbon Lions Stand.
Kids – Would you like to be mascot for the day? Complete our puzzle sheet and send it to the Ticket Office by December 24 and you could be mascot at the Inverness match on February 11, 2012.
Click here to download the puzzle sheet! Remember – tickets for kids are only £7 for this match.
Tickets are priced from £26 adults, £17 concessions and Under 16´s go for just £7*
Tickets can be purchased ONLINE, by calling 0871 226 1888** or by visiting the Celtic Ticket Office
Tickets are also available in the following Celtic retail outlets: Argyle Street, Sauchiehall Street, Clydebank, Coatbridge, East Kilbride.
Alternatively, why not try Ticketfast, our Print at Home Facility! Simply select Ticketfast at the checkout page and you will be sent your tickets by email. Avoid the queues and use Ticketfast today!
Booking fees apply.
Kit
Our connection with our people is through the channels you name.
Particularly the C.Q.N. channel without whch we would never have met.
I support Celtic.
No qualifications,no requirements,no reservations.
In success or failure.
That`s what we are.
“vindictive dentist’s revenge”
What`s that about?
Mutual friends?
kitalba says:
22 December, 2011 at 11:20
Consistency mucker – ye cannae whack it :-)
macjay:
Mate nothing to do with you. I used to steal the appointment cards from my dentist in Scotstoun so I could skip chool and go up and watch the players train at Barrowfield. It went on for a long time but eventually I got caught. The next time I went to the dentist he tried to irrigate my gums with his drill. And he was a Celtic supporter too. Dumbarton Rd. Half way along the avenues towards town.
Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic given blessing of Croatia boss Slaven Bilic over possible January move
Dec 22 2011 by Keith Jackson
CROATIA boss Slaven Bilic last night gave Nikica Jelavic the green light to leave Rangers next month after initially being unsure who he was being asked about – but warned that Celtic will be the biggest winners.
Bilic claims he is entirely relaxed about the prospect of his free-scoring frontman, left, changing clubs just six months ahead of the Euro 2012 finals.
And he believes the 26-year-old will not attempt to scupper any move if the financially troubled SPL champs wish to cash in on his multi-million-pound status during the January sales.
Speaking exclusively to Record Sport, Bilic said: “Nikica is a good lad, he’s an honest lad. He’s a brilliant guy and straight with everyone. I’m sure he will do not only what is best for him but also what is best for the club. That’s the type of person he is.
“So it could be a perfect situation for everybody, except Ally McCoist. Maybe Celtic fans are the ones who are going to be the most happy if he leaves.”
Bilic made it clear yesterday that he would be equally happy for Jelavic to continue his hot scoring streak at Ibrox between now and this summer’s finals.
But he would understand if Rangers opted to grab the money that’s likely to be on offer from a string of big-spending English clubs.
Bilic said: “It’s not my job to put a price on his head or to say if £10million is enough or not enough. But let’s be honest, £10m is huge money for one of my fringe players.”
“When Rangers signed him everyone said £4m was big money. Now suddenly £10m is not big money it´s peanuts?
“It all depends on your position – are you selling or are you buying?
“But if Rangers make a profit of more than 100 per cent they will have done some pretty good business but with their very precarious financial situation I will be surprised if any club offers 50% of what they paid for him. Nikica does not owe Rangers anything and will take advantage of the situation to maximise his income ”
Hearts pay tax in nick of time as Jambos avoid winding-up order for second time
By BRIAN MARJORIBANKS
Last updated at 11:35 PM on 21st December 2011
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Crisis club Hearts were pulled back from the brink again after owner Vladimir Romanov settled an unpaid tax bill in response to a second winding-up order in only two months.
A petition had been lodged at the Court of Session on behalf of HM Revenue and Customs, who were seeking payment of what was described by a club source as a ‘significant’ sum, believed to be at the upper end of the ‘six-figure’ scale.
But, on a day when midfielder Eggert Jonsson jumped ship to Wolves for £200,000, the Tynecastle club insisted they had paid the demand — the third time since August HMRC have pursued Hearts through the courts for unpaid tax.
A Hearts spokesperson said: ‘This (legal action) is in relation to a historic debt, separate to the previous case, which has been paid this week.’
The latest tax demand comes just a month after Hearts were taken to court before paying a £1million outstanding tax bill, the club later citing that hefty settlement as the reason they failed to pay players’ wages for November.
And, in August, the Edinburgh club were forced to pay £200,000, after a similar winding-up order was lodged in July.
This latest tax demand comes as a pre-Christmas blow to the Tynecastle players, who are wondering when, if ever, they will have their December wages, after receiving late payments for the previous two months.
As they wait for monies owed, the club’s unhappy players this week lodged an official complaint with the SPL, through PFA Scotland, over their treatment by Hearts. The league’s full board have set up a sub-committee to sit in judgment on the issue on January 4.
Amid the gloom, there was some financial cheer for Hearts as they banked £200,000 for Jonsson, who has agreed to join Wolves on January 1
Molineux manager Mick McCarthy, who has former Hearts captain Christophe Berra and ex-Hibs striker Steven Fletcher in his squad, said: ‘We’ve been watching Eggert for a long time and he has impressed our chief scout Dave Bowman.
‘He’s a versatile midfield player and will be a good addition.
‘He’s a good player now, but he’s also one of those at an age where he has got more improvement in him and should get better and better.
‘Playing alongside better players in a better league will only help him.’
Jonsson is the highest-profile departure from the club since problems arose over wages and the shock announcement by owner Romanov that he had lost interest in the club and wanted to sell Hearts.
Former Scotland Under-21 striker Calum Elliot and goalkeeper Janos Balogh have both left, while next out in January could be Andrew Driver, after the fed-up and out-of-favour winger handed in a transfer request
SPL must have courage to make decision on two-tier league in next few months, says Aberdeen chief Stewart Milne
Dec 21 2011 By Ian Orr
Aberdeen must find £7.4m to allow work on their new stadium to get under way by April
ABERDEEN chairman Stewart Milne has warned that a top-10 SPL backed up by a 12-club Championship is the only way to save Scottish football from meltdown.
The building tycoon insists urgent action is needed to drastically restructure the game and deal with the crisis caused by rising debts and falling attendances.
His club has suffered more than most and just this week he and Aberdeen Asset Management, the two major shareholders at Pittodrie, had to pump in £2.5million to keep the Dons’ twitchy bankers at bay.
And Milne is now urging clubs to put their own interests aside and support his plan to halt the decline in our game before they sink in a sea of debt.
He is convinced introducing a two-tier set-up for the leading teams with the rest of the SFL clubs dropping down into community-based regional leagues is the best way forward.
Milne said: “We need to have the courage to make a decision in the next two to three months. We need a clear plan on the table as to how we are going to move forward.
“You can focus on the gloom and doom in the Scottish game or you can start doing something to drive real progress.
“There might be more problems here than in other countries but with a concerted effort we can move things in a positive direction and a main part of that is reconstruction.
“We must do something to generate more interest and, having looked at all options, I have no doubt the best one is a top 10 and a 12-team championship below that.
“That delivers on a football front as it would make us stronger in a European context and deliver for the supporters as it brings meaningful games for the whole season.”
Branded Milne is adamant a country the size of Scotland can only really support a limited number of senior clubs and that the smaller teams not included in his strategy will just have to survive at a lower level.
He said: “We would only have 22 top clubs. The rest would go into regional leagues where some would be community based. That is the only way forward.
“Action is needed now to set up two competitive leagues so the game in this country can progress. This can be achieved if there is a genuine will to make it happen.
“What could be better than an SPL where you have teams playing for the title, others going for Europe or to avoid a play-off or to prevent being relegated? “This would make it competitive all the way through the two leagues.
“It also delivers financially because you sell season-tickets, corporate hospitality deals and TV rights on the basis of knowing what you are buying instead of the unknown we have with the current split.
“I believe that would bring in more money from sponsors and increased cash from TV so that over time we would build up real financial strength in the game.
“Below that set-up you would have a properly-funded new Championship, branded effectively over a five-year period, and I would hope we could find a way to invest £5m into that league.
“That would allow teams to move up and down far more effectively while belowthat below that there would be regional leagues with more community-based clubs.
“We should be able to devise that system to drive our game forward and it can happen if enough people start pushing for it now.
“There are a lot of different agendas in the game but we have to put some of those aside for the greater good.”
Target Aberdeen hope to move into their new 21,000-seater stadium by 2013-14 but must find £7.4m to allow work to get under way by April.
So far, 80 per cent of the funding for the £37m complex has been raised but Milne conceded it will be tough in this economic climate to find the rest of the finance needed to complete the development.
He said: “The 2013-14 season is still very much the target. The plan is to try to make a start on the project in April but we still have a number of major hurdles to get over.
“But we are not underestimating the scale of the challenges to get everything in place to make that start.
“We are going to need a lot of help from the private sector in what is a very harsh financial climate.”
Aberdeen have never been relegated but they hit rock bottom in the SPL last month and the threat of being demoted has heaped the pressure on the club’s hard-pressed board.
However, the chairman is convinced the experience of team boss Craig Brown and director of football Willie Miller will help ensure the club continue their recent climb away from the drop zone.
He said: “We have been disappointed so far this season but from our perspective there is a belief that there is a squad capable of delivering better results.
“The players can get us further up the table and there have been encouraging signs of that with the seven points from our last three games.
“That is decent progress and hopefully that will be maintained in the weeks ahead as we all know what football is like.
“We were bottom of the table less than a fortnight ago and now we are six points off fourth place which proves how quickly things change.
“About a month ago everyone was saying Rangers had won the league as it was a one-horse race but Celtic are right back in it now.
“In the last few months we have been in a very uncomfortable position. However, the important thing is we are still very much in touch with the top half of the league and we have seen what a few results can do in the last week.”
So the Fat Game Show Captain is actually Pep in disguise…………
Is shock to Rangers’ system on agenda as Ally McCoist plans next attack?
Richard Wilson
Sports writer.
Ally McCoist has shown a willingness to be bold with some of his thinking.
He has tinkered with the shape and composition of his midfield, been prepared to trust in young, developing players such as Ross Perry, Jamie Ness, Thomas Kind Bendiksen and Kane Hemmings, and nobody would have expected Sasa Papac to line-up in central midfield. Yet should the Rangers manager be more unconventional?
With the personnel that he has, and the qualities of some of the individuals in his squad, would 3-5-2, or a version of that shape, suit Rangers better than the other formations McCoist has been employing? It is a tactic that can be undermined by opponents who play three up front, or have clever wide players who can target the space between the three defenders, but is being revived from its place in history. With Rangers tending to dominate most domestic opponents, they could switch their shape without being weakened.
Udinese and Napoli both use the system to impressive effect in Serie A, while Pep Guardiola is increasingly using a back three with Barcelona. These are decisions made on philosophical grounds, with the respective coaches convinced that the shape is the best use of space and width; for McCoist, it would be more a case of pragmatism. Some of his players would be a better fit in some of the positions, and it might provide an answer to the lack of creativity that has reverberated in recent games.
The use of three centre-backs is considered a defensive manoeuvre, particularly in Britain, where 4-4-2 remains the template. When Craig Brown used the formation with Scotland, he used three ball-winning defenders at the back, such as Colin Calderwood, Colin Hendry and Matt Elliott, and it was a robust system. Yet it can free up other areas of the team and become an attacking ploy, while a defender who is comfortable on the ball and capable of an extensive passing range, can effectively become a deep-lying playmaker.
With Dorin Goian and Carlos Bocanegra having defended solidly this season, Kyle Bartley could play between then as the centre-back with the confidence, poise and ability to bring the ball forward and initiate attacks. He would be the free man, able to sweep up behind his defensive partners or move into midfield when Rangers are pushing forward. Lining up with three central defenders would also allow McCoist to push his two full-backs further forward,
Both Steven Whittaker and Lee Wallace are more comfortable moving upfield to join the attack, they are energetic, dynamic and tireless on the overlap, and their tendency to be occasionally uncertain in defence would be less of an issue if they were deployed as wing-backs. They would provide the width for the team, but are good enough in their delivery of the ball from crosses.
Using three central midfielders would allow Steven Davis greater license to roam and be a creative influence. The Northern Irishman has been a subdued figure this season, lacking the verve that has established him as Rangers’ most imaginative and cultured player in previous seasons. If he could play in front of two hard-working midfielders, and behind two strikers, Davis could recover the inventiveness of his play.
Nikica Jelavic has been isolated up front since Steven Naismith succumbed to injury, with McCoist unable to turn to a similar replacement in his squad, at least in terms of Naismith’s movement, his tempo and his spirit. Re-shaping the team would allow the Rangers manager to play a formidable midfield three while still proving a partner for Jelavic, and so resist the team’s reliance on sending long balls upfield towards the Croatian centre-forward.
There are no easy solutions, and McCoist has shown a preference for wingers in his championing of Gregg Wylde and the signing of Sone Aluko. If he wanted to make use of his other options, he could play 3-4-3, with his wide players lining up either side of Jelavic. The midfield four could be a mix of defensive, energetic and creative players, while Bartley could still push forward from the back during play, and one of the midfielders would then in turn move up to play closer to Jelavic.
With the likes of Kirk Broadfoot, David Weir, Perry, Matt McKay, Kyle Hutton, and Ness offering options for the central defence and midfield positions, Rangers would also have players competing for places in the side. McCoist is not an idealist, and he has often tinkered with the shape and tactics of his side this season, so switching to three at the back need not be seen as a drastic option, or even the defensive approach that it became when Walter Smith used three centre-backs at Old Trafford in the Champions League and the two wing-backs were restricted to defensive duties.
If McCoist wants to revive his team’s spark without compromising its resilience, then a change in formation might offer the best option.
Kit
I know who you are talking about.
Forget the name.
Afore my time and Jim Craig`s.
Great Christmas to you, your wee lads and your wife.
Hope to see you all in the New Year.
The S.P.L. is ours.
.
It’s the Season too Drink Sherry La la la la la.. La la la..
When does the.. Should Sammi play against the Huns debate Start.. Count me in..
Summa ft ImAWhoreGetMeOutOfHereCSC
greenjedi@11.05am
Even before my time-the Sarsfield on Ballater Street/Florence Street out of the Tavern Bar was The Sarsfield Brake Club.My brother Gordon ,the factual par excellence contributor to this site has photos from,we think,the 1890s with the club banner prominently displayed on the horse driven brake.Some years later 1955 that banner then appears at a club function with Sean Fallon and my late Mum prominent again.
If you know your history.
My other brother has a copy of the club constitution from the early days.It open with – a club open to all irrespective of creed,colour or religion.I am so proud of those working men living in depressed conditions such as the Gorbals and held steadfast to these ideals.
Whilst living in the same city as the despicable Glasgow Rangers and their supportive establishment.
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
Thats if you believe the students story. Still no excuse for the foul mouth though.
Kitbala
I’ll look it out, we just sold our house yesterday though, so hopefully its not been packed away.
BM
I wasn’t born till 69, so I used to hang about The Blarney, The Lantern and The Phoenix when I was wee with my bottle of coke and crisps
Summa
Have you met Kit?
You certainly should.
Aussie Tims must stick together, even if our opinions about Sammi differ.
Seriously,Summa,your support for your boy is beginning to look logical.
b
garcia lorca,
I would lone to read the original club constituton any chance your brother could post a copy on here ??
I agree 100% Gordon is the Celtic guru IMO
hail hail
greenjedi
I have no reason to disbelieve him having had similar previous issues with Scot Rail and often. I agree their was no need for the verbal abuse even under the extenuating circumstances exacerbated by the rail guards technique the physical attack and assault was more inappropriate. I think if this does pan out in court and the young guy is not lying he is the only one who will be exonerated. If it was my son and he did get exonerated I would be considering legal action against the person who uploaded the video on youtube.
Hail Hail
kitalba says:
22 December, 2011 at 11:25
Must be something about Scotstoun dentists – I went to one on Queen Victoria Drive back in the 80’s and told him that I didn’t want the gel he’d used previously to numb the gum before he gave me the jag, as the gel made me gag. He proceeded to work on me without even giving me a jag. Name was Caulfield I think. Still have a phobia of dentists over 20 years later. Funnily enough I switched dentists a couple of years later to one on Dumbarton Rd in the ground floor of the tenaments across from the avenues. Can’t remember his name, but he was so much better than that evil b on QVD.
ernie lynch says:
22 December, 2011 at 11:15
If more people did what the ‘big man’ did on the train the world would be a better place. Only my opinion of course.
hamiltontim says:
22 December, 2011 at 11:48
ernie lynch says:
22 December, 2011 at 11:15
If more people did what the ‘big man’ did on the train the world would be a better place. Only my opinion of course.
………………..
20 years ago or so it wouldn’t have been news, it would have been par for the course
hamiltontim says:
22 December, 2011 at 11:48
I agree with you to an extent.
I think the student is a lying wee scumbag and it was quite clear from hearing his dad speaking on radio the following day that he had £ signs in his eyes (even on radio!). My poor wee diabetic son wouldn’t hurt a fly. My A*se. Shouldn’t dish out the verbals if you can’t take the consequences.
JimRoyleCSC
Christmas gift hunting.
Book called, ‘who’s side are you on’ anyone read it? Worth a purchase?
.
MacJay..
No Not met Our Mhan (Kit) Yet..
Don’t know if You seen My Sydney trip is Cancelled CamperVan Died on Me..
Alas..
It’s The Celtic Club @ 6am on the 29th for Moi..
Summa ft SammiTheGreekMessiahCSC
If more people did what the ‘big man’ did on the train the world would be a better place, with no need for the laws, the courts, the police, etc. Just a large number of ‘big men’ and Smeatos keeping us all line.
Aye right!
Bed time for me, tomorrow is my longest day, buying a present for my wife that she might like, might not. I never remember a girlfriend ever having a problem with any Christmas present I ever bought.
Anyway, I hope all the homeless get a blanket and a meal tonight, and tomorrow night too.. I hope all the lonely find a kind ear. I hope all those, whether old or young, who are struggling, I hope they find a kind wee helping hand.
I wish I was back home in Scotland.
Christmas is Christmas… I hope you all have a good one.
Clubs will come looking for a bargain at Hearts but not at Rangers
By Alex Schweitzer-Thompson
Published on Thursday 22 December 2011 11:47
It’s the week before Christmas and the sales have not yet begun, but an orderly queue of bargain hunters will begin to form imminently outside a major Capital retailer.
Hearts legend Colin Cameron believes representatives from clubs in England and elsewhere will be more aware than ever of the cut-price signings available from Tynecastle after Iceland internationalist Eggert Jonsson signed for Wolves yesterday.
The departure of one of the Riccarton Academy’s most prized products, for whom Hearts reputedly received compensation of just £250,000, could “set the ball rolling”, says Cameron, and spark interest in the likes of winger David Templeton and Scotland internationalist Ryan Stevenson. Cameron says clubs will be keen to exploit Hearts’ necessity to reduce a crippling wage bill, with managers in the Premier League and beyond looking to wheel and deal wisely to realise the full potential of their transfer budgets.
“Wolves have seen the situation at Hearts and moved before anyone else and got the first bite of the cherry,” says Cameron. “They’ve thought it’s an opportunity to get a player of Eggert Jonsson’s quality at that kind of money. There are a few players that will be of interest to other clubs, especially now that Wolves have started the ball rolling by coming in for Eggert, and I’m sure a few more will be looking for similar moves.
“I would say the obvious targets are David Templeton and Ryan Stevenson, players like that who are young and have got it all in front of them and are doing well at the moment. Other teams will see that as a chance to tap in and get these players cheaper, players with potential and an opportunity to improve. If Premier League clubs can get these guys at a knock-down price, it’s going to benefit them. Unfortunately it won’t benefit Hearts, it will weaken the squad, and they won’t get the what the player is really worth. EPL clubs will not try and pick Rangers as they have far too much respect for them. Rangers have always acted with dignity and that reverberates around the world ”
Hearts, who in 2007 traded academy product Craig Gordon to Sunderland for £9 million, could be unable to refuse relatively modest offers for players in whom they have invested years of time and money. Cameron argues that if those who have driven forward the youth set-up at Riccarton in recent years, such as Darren Murray and John Murray, grow frustrated at seeing some of the club’s finest self-produced talent leave for a pittance, only major shareholder Vladimir Romanov and those in charge of finances at Hearts can accept the blame for not being able to command the true value of players.
“It comes back to the running of the club,” says Cameron. “It has to be the people behind the scenes with financial responsibility [who take the blame] – the way they’ve run the club has got them into the situation they’re in.
“Of course [Darren and John Murray] will be frustrated. Everybody connected to the club will be frustrated and disappointed. But, there’s a lot of potential in the current under-19 team, and now there’s an opportunity for them to step up to the plate because of the current situation that the club is in. They will be thrust into the limelight and, in the long run, that’s good for the players as they gain experience. Initially, it will be a baptism of fire, but Sir Alex Ferguson threw in [David] Beckham, [Paul] Scholes and the Nevilles [Gary and Phil] at Manchester United and look what happened there.”
Jonsson’s versatility is one of his greatest assets and no doubt key to the appeal he holds with Wolves boss Mick McCarthy. But, because the 23-year-old adopted various roles in the Hearts midfield and defence and will perhaps not be missed in any one area of the pitch, will his absence be as keenly felt as if he had served as a mainstay in a single position? Not so, says Cameron, who feels Jonsson’s on-field aura will prove hard to replace.
“He’s got a good presence and is experienced enough, and that’s not an easy thing to replace, especially when the likelihood is you’re replacing that experience with a younger player with relatively no experience. It will be difficult initially, but if the young player gets the opportunity maybe that eagerness to prove himself will benefit the team.”
A year and a half ago, Jonsson was named Hearts’ Young Player of the Year, with manager at the time Jim Jefferies calling him a “terrific professional” with admirable attitude and determination.
Such a personality, coupled with his consistency and ambition as a player, earned Jonsson his dream transfer to the Premier League, following in the footsteps of Scotland defender Christophe Berra and Cameron himself in making the move from Tynecastle to Molineux.
Cameron said: “There’s been a few of us – Wolves are obviously tapping into resources up there and gaining the benefits.
“From Eggert’s point of view, it’s fantastic. He has seen Christophe go down there and do well, and he’ll be looking to do the same.
“Only time will tell. It all depends on Eggert himself and how he can adapt to the physicality of down south. With no disrespect to the SPL, the English Premiership is a different level. They’re physically stronger players, real athletes at the top of their game, playing at the highest level, playing for all the big international teams. That’s going to take a bit of getting used to. If he can adapt himself to that, he’s got the attributes to become a top player.
“For him, the predicament of Hearts will have influenced his move, but whether the money they’re taking makes a great deal of difference to the bigger picture . . . I don’t think it will. Whether the players receive their outstanding wages or not, I’m not sure.”
Cameron divided the best part of a decade between spells at Hearts, whom he joined in 1996, and Wolves, who he left ten years later. The culture shock he experienced when arriving in English football from the SPL in 2001 is, he says, still keenly felt today by players whose careers assume a similar upward trajectory.
“For Eggert, it’ll just be about adapting to the way that he trains. It’s different down south to Scotland. Wolves, in their training complex, have their own gym and their own programmes – it’s a bigger issue down there. Training is important but the preparation and the diet is a bigger deal.”
The predicament of Leigh Griffiths illustrates the great demands of such a move. The striker joined Wolves from Dundee earlier this year only to be sent on loan to Hibs and subsequently told by Mick McCarthy he was no longer required by his parent club. Jonsson must prove his worth or face a similar fate by being labelled as “returned goods”.
Sorry for talking a whole load of rubbish – an emotional reunion ..
Allegedly they are saying that UK rap sensation Tinchy Stryder’s middle name is – ‘Wincy’.