If you are missing your competitive football fix you’ll have devoured the fixture list this morning but it’s still over seven weeks until the first league game of the season, when the league flag will fly before we face Ross County (we will have played a Champions League qualifier five weeks from today).
Thereafter, due to the postponement of a home game to allow for a financially lucrative friendly, Celtic are on the road six times in nine league fixtures, so if our away form is anything like it was for much of last season, it’s likely we will be in the mix, instead of clear leaders, come the end of October.
After an absence of some time, Celtic have a local derby to look forward to. They meet Partick Thistle at Firhill on 26th October with the return game at Celtic Park set for New Year’s Day. We are scheduled for two trips to the Capital within a month but don’t go booking your flights for the Hearts game in September, just in case…..
Curious news today that Celtic director and BT chief executive, Ian Livingston, will leave the telecoms company after five years at the top to become Minister for Trade and Investment in the coalition government. Livingston will serve from the House of Lords. How about boosting the ailing Scottish football industry by lobbying for a merger with a neighbouring league?
Have you bought a ticket for Firday night’s Lions Roar event? Join hundreds of Celtic fans and the Lisbon Lions to watch the Lisbon game and for a Q&A afterwards.
You can buy Willie Wallace’ autobiography below:
[calameo code=0003901713852289beccb lang=en page=10 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
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A New Years Day game, Punters AGAIN gonny get it in the neck, double bubble for all that day, buses, Taxis, (supporters buses that is) and a taxi home from the pub after a wee swally more money at double bubble, at a rough total I would say one guy going out on his tod will need at least £100, with not much change left, punter not thought once AGAIN,.
winning captains 10:44
They have a point, I would say the CQN Facebook page was obsessed, sad to see.
EN
Steinreigned supreme
Totally agree re the CL. But did Hooper not say his chances of an England cap would be enhanced in England? and why the delay in signing a contract
HH
lionroars67
10:31 on
20 June, 2013
I just wondered.
I suspect that unless it’s threats of physical violence against a named individual the Police will never act unless a complaint is received, and then they’d look closely at the source of the complaint.
As a general rule I’d say it’s probably understandable that they wouldn’t want to get mired in a lot of tit-for-tat whatabouttery.
spikeysauldman
10:02 on
20 June, 2013
Won’t be going on Friday mate I’ve got my weans to attend to :-(
OldTim67
Sorry things are a bit hectic right now as we near the ‘close of play’ and I have their prom this evening.
Keep your phone close at hand and I’ll call you at lunch.
Ps are you going to Hamilton races???
lionroars67
10:53 on 20 June, 2013http://www.scotzine.com/2013/06/roseanna-cunningham-msp-scotland-wanted-the-bill/A very weak lacking in substance argument from Roseanna Cunningham, no wonder she can’t meet fans for a face to face meeting
Och got fed up reading it….
Ayrshire is Green and White..
HH
There’s a delicate balance to be struck between buying young players and moving them on for big bucks, and building a team.
We will have to sell to make money. And I hope that seeing a VW or whoever come to Celtic, make a name and then get a big move will encourage other good young players to come. There are clubs on the continent do this very well – if we can offer a similar route added to regular 60,000 CL nights then I think we will look a very good option.
Chairman Ian Bankier on Celtics scouting policy,
“We Seek, We Find, We Engage and We Deploy!”
A like it…
http://sport.stv.tv/football/230081-celtic-will-sell-victor-wanyama-if-the-right-offer-comes-along/
2011: ‘Bring on the Hearts, the Hibs the Rangers…’
2012: ‘Bring on the Hearts the Hibs…’
2013: ‘Bring on the Hibs..’
Spain 1/500 to win tonight.
I’m not usually one for giving out tips but cant resist this one, from a good source, get on it while its still at that price.
TopTipsCSC
steinreignedsupreme
Dont think anyone should go ,even if they want to ,until after the CL qualifiers.
Some people have a problem with Gary’s attitude and i think they have a point. He seemed unsettled some might say disinterested at times . He comes alive in the big games but sometimes looks bored in others .
I am long past hero worshipping players but might make an exception for Victor
Gordon J
Spot on
http://www.irishpost.co.uk/uncategorized/in-the-weeks-irish-post-out-nowOutrage as mob torch Tricolour
Sectarian tensions have erupted in Merseyside as video footage showing a mob torching an Irish flag outside an Orange Lodge emerged online over the weekend.
The Irish Post reports on the disturbing footage and gets the reaction of Merseyside Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy.
Kev I think you’ve been hacked.
If not, fair play to you pal.
Stein, I’m with you but I can also see why people would want to sell the best players if their heart is elsewhere.
What I can’t abide is the ‘get to f##k’ brigade.
KevJungle.
I won a few bob but that was with the help of a friend.
Kev. I was a bit surprised when I met you at the Question & Answer night in Blantyre. Certainly not the person whom I envisaged before meeting you that night, I was expecting an angry man,but you were nothing like that.
I wouldn’t go about apologizing about your posts,They weren’t everyone’s cup of tea,but they have the chance to read them, or ignore them,I read your posts but don’t always like what you post.There are a good few on the blog who need to take a hard look at themselves,and be a bit more forgiving at times.
Hamiltontim.
Okay, and yes.
lilys grandpa 11:02 on 20 June, 2013
Sadly – he’s probably right regarding the England cap. Although I haven’t read those quotes.
We can only speculate on the reasons why he and Anto (who is not getting the same amount of advice on here, by the way) have not signed their new contracts – the obvious conclusion is they are trying to get better deals from Celtic.
That doesn’t mean they want to leave though – and is standard practice in virtually all negotiations in football.
The big difference is the media are constantly pissing in the wind to create negativity with all things Celtic, and it spooks some of our fans – who really should know better by now.
If Hooper signs a new contract I will be delighted, but I’m not stressed out about the fact he hasn’t done so yet.
Gordon j. Yup.
Until we consistently reach the last 8 of champions league I’m all for the current policy.
If arsenal can sell van persie, if utd can sell ronaldo, Dortmund sell gotze……barca…..figo…….
gordon_j backing neil lennon
11:05 on 20 June, 2013
Exactly
Much as I lived the big guy, A Boruc should have been sold immediately following Euro 2008 at a time his displays there had half of Europe talking about him
Asset management the key
2020hindsight CSC
Geordie Munro
11:10 on 20 June, 2013
___________________
Yer a guid Mhan M8
I’m gonnae go – Off oot noo.
You Take Care – God Bless
Stein
” and it spooks some of our fans – who really should know better by now”
Bang on!!
I despair at fans who read the headline “Norwich bid for Hooper” and then let their brains turn it into “Hooper hates Celtic and wants to play with lower half epl club”
weeminger
11:03 on
20 June, 2013
Have you read the blog? read the blog then tell me its whataboutery
oldtim67
11:10 on 20 June, 2013
___________________
It was pleasure to meet yer self and many other faces to put to the names that night.
One thing I’m still puzzled by – why do they call ye – oldtim67 ?
Yer still a nipper M8 :)
I hope yer wee bit a luck continues :)
Hopefully we’ll meet again some time, eh ?
Till then – You Take Care.
God Bless n Hail Hail – Off oot.
Take it easy Kev.
I should bail too. There’s some guy who calls himself my employer constantly looking at me ;)
Ktf!
I remember SFTB writing a great post drawing the comparisons between being at a game or watching it on TV.
He pointed out that there are many advantages to sitting in front of the box especially nowadays with the number of camera angles, replays and analysis provided.
For example close ups will provide the TV viewer with a more detailed perspective that many actually at the game simply will not have seen and won’t get the opportunity to see until they get home or back to the pub. There are many incidents that I miss or don’t see when attending games and frequently I receive texts from friends who are watching at home giving me their analysis of specific incidents.
However, there are are also many things that those in the stands witness that those sitting at home aren’t permitted to see.
One of these is the body language and movement of players throughout an entire game. Yes I know that with modern technology it is possible to use Playercam and focus on an individual for the entire 90 minutes but even that is limited in effectiveness because it doesn’t allow you to see the whole field of play.
In my opinion, from the stands, Gary Hopper is a very good player. When he is on form and interested he has an excellent first touch (evident on Boxing Day with his goal against Dundee) and he is effective at finding space in the opposition box (evident in his two goals in this years Cup Final).
However, he is also incredibly lazy at times and I certainly wouldn’t class him as a team player. Frequently his body language is poor and he leaves the supporters with the distinct impression that he lacks motivation and interest.
I’ve seen reference to the few chances that Gary actually misses in games and that this is a consequence of a lack of opportunities being created by team mates. That’s nonsense. Without doubt if he upped his workrate more chances would come his way. Too often his running off the ball is poor or indeed non existent and the frustration in other players is evident.
In my memory I don’t remember another ‘top class’ striker at Celtic lacking application in the manner that he does. Don’t get me wrong, as I’ve said I think that he is a very good player and I’d prefer him to stay. However, he needs to work harder as a player and as a team mate if he is going to reach another level.
More pics of Virgil van Dijk arriving in Glasgow.
http://www.snspix.com/20_06_13_virgil_van_dijk/photo/99003.html
HH
/Bishop B
The Hearts situation is an interesting one from a Hearts supporters’ perspective. For as long as I can remember, the club has been owned and managed by a succession of eccentrics and egomaniacs, but there is now a distinct possibility that the supporters can take the club into a Not for Profit/ Community Interest constitution.
The reason for that is quite simple: The sum of the parts is considerably greater than the whole – the value of the club as a going concern. On a going concern basis, the company is worth zip. On the other hand, there is a prime piece of West End real estate, and a first team squad of footballers.
Accordingly, the assets will be sold – contracted players and the stadium – leaving just the husk of the operation, which can be sold intact for a burton.
A decent Administrator should be able to get +£20M for the creditors, and the fans can pick up the remainder for tuppence.
If the Hearts fans pile in, they ought to be able to generate sufficient cash to re-capitalise the company and ‘stock’ the first team. A short term lease deal on Tynecastle – say 24 months while planning is progressed – will allow a new plan to be developed and implemented, and a new business model for Hearts can be delivered in a planned way.
Much is made of the importance of stadium ownership, but there are many examples near and far of successful clubs who do not own their stadium, and that simple shift from owner to tenant (location tbd) can open the way for a new beginning for a club owned by and for the supporters.
After decades of Mercer, Robinson and Romanov, the fans can finally invest in and pay for their own dreams. Self respect is a powerful driver.
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/230085-virgil-van-dijk-champions-league-football-helped-sell-me-on-celtic/
squire danaher
I think Celtic have learned from these things. Boruc was subjected to a hate campaign by the MSM instigated by our old friends across the city. It affected his personal life and performances. He has only just recovered.
It’s amazing the damage they can do to players when they want to.
The players will go when the club will feel it is right and everyone has their price. never been one for slating a player who leaves Celtic. Liam Miller is probably the only one in my time I felt done a bit of the dirty on us.
We all need a change in our working life and I reckon some foreign players struggle with our weather and lack of their own culture. Moving to London for the cosmopolitan lifestyle or abroad for the weather is fair enough. Can’t blame these guys. Even the South of England has much better weather than we have.
I blame the thunder that Neil brought back to the club ;-)
LB
borgo67 11:07 on 20 June, 2013
I know some people have said that about Hooper. But I’ve never bought into that – and I’m pretty certain the stats would back me up.
Hooper was leading the line on his own for most of the season, and was without his best partner (Anto) for five or six months and I think fatigue played a part in a dip in his form after the turn of the year.
But that dip was nowhere as bad as people are trying to make out. Hooper was our top scorer and he was also involved in creating a lot of our goals last season.
The problem we have at games these days is people are too busy pissing about with laptops and phones and not paying attention to what is happening on the pitch.
Estadio Nacional
Really? Go count the features. Sometimes don’t know why we bother.
‘What do they call you bhoy?’
‘They call me Mister van Dijk’
DBBIA/SidneyPoitierCSC
I think efe will be a utility player for Celtic unless we get a good offer from turkey..although any time i’ve seen him in the midfield (v st.mirren away)he has been lost to say the least,great ability with the ball at his feet and can take a man on but cant takle and isnt the greatest at defending in the air
DBBIA
Is it true that VvD is 1.9628155m tall?
Winning captain.
A good reason as to why you bother is that people are interested and take enjoyment from your work.
A better question is why make snidey negative comments about good Tim productions?
There’s plenty of green Huns around. Keep up the good work!
Hail hail
steinreignedsupreme and hamiltontim
Excellent points about Gary Hooper . I wish i could engage further but got to get the shop opened.
Apologies, i should really stick to lurking at work
I think the guy has something to offer. maybe at RB although we are well covered there.
I think Neil has looked at where we came up short in Europe.
A centre back with pace was a must.
A striker with ariel threat will certainly make us a threat up front and gives us options.
We are still needing the play maker in the middle. The Pirlo type player who holds the ball and makes wee passes. A Paul Lambert/Neil Lennon type player even. maybe Rogic is earmarked for that role. May come too soon for the lad though.
Delighted by the Van Dijk signing if it goes through. That is the calibre of player I would expect.
LB
I personally thought that Gary Hooper improved greatly as a player last season. His work rate outside the box and unselfish running was a major part of that improvement.