One of the things you hope for when a player leaves for a richer league is that they perform well. It reflects on whatever value you will get the next time someone leaves. Joe Ledley has gotten off to a flier with Crystal Palace, although there is still a long way to go there, but our two big summer sales are finding it tough.
Gary Hooper hadn’t scored in his last nine starts for Norwich. His season tally stands at five league goals and two assists, which is still four goals more than Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who cost more than twice Hooper’s price but has scored only once in the league. Norwich other two strikers have yet to get off the blocks.
Bizarrely, Norwich are flooded with expensive strikers but their fans will bemoan the fact that they don’t have a goal-scorer, which Hooper was at Celtic and van Wolfswinkel was at Utrecht, where he scored a hat-trick against Celtic, and at Sporting. There is a good chance they will be relegated as a consequence, which will probably have them back on the hunt for a Leigh Griffiths-type striker.
Gary had his dips in form at Celtic, which included a meagre last four months of his final season, Cup Final apart, but Victor Wanyama is one of the best central midfielders we have seen at Celtic in a considerable time. He was a solid performer for Southampton before injury side-lined him for two months. Now back, he has a seat alongside Jos Hooiveld on the bench, due to the form of Jack Cork, one of Southampton’s many current stars.
Hooper and Wanyama were among the stars of the Celtic team last season but I suspect their new clubs’ fans are wondering what all the fuss is about. Form is fickle. It’s hard to tell when a career is about to turn all Liam Miller on a bright young prospect (and let’s be honest, Miller was every bit as lauded here as Hooper or Wanyama), or what consequences the new club, the move, or other distractions are having on performance.
There are also a couple of ex-Celtic goalkeepers doing a star turn in the FA Premier League, David Marshall at Cardiff and Artur Boruc at Southampon. After dazzling in his early months Marshall sipped well down the pecking order at Celtic, who eventually offloaded him. He was replaced as first choice by Boruc, who could claim to be the top rated keeper in Europe 8 years ago but completely lost ‘it’, before finding it again, recently.
My prediction is that Hooper, Wanyama, Balde, Boerrigter and Pukki will not fulfil their potential at their current clubs, although I considered Wanyama’s place on the list for a while. This does not make them bad players, ‘it’ just doesn’t always happen when it should. By contrast, some players look born to play for Celtic, including Kris Commons, who does not fit the profile of top-flight English clubs but is a rare gem in the Champions League for Celtic.
Really enjoyed reading the questions to and comments about Tommy Gemmell yesterday, as did Tommy, who spent the afternoon reading CQN and was “delighted” at the response. He’s not got a login yet but we’ll get him sorted and do a live event on the blog after we have the book out of the way.
I’m attending a meeting next Wednesday with Supporters’ Liaison Officer, John Paul Taylor. Let me know if there are any questions you’d like raised.
If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
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OSCAR-winning US actor Tom Hanks has become a celebrity Celtic fan.
Scots actor Ross McCall has revealed how he has convinced his pal to start following the Hoops.
Forrest Gump Brake Club
livibhoy – god bless wee oscar
10:40 on 14 February, 2014
tonydonnelly67
Thanks for that mate.
LB
————-
As a matter of interest, do you qualify for a concession? :-))
I think MWD stance is one being taken up and down the land. Its very sad.
Not even tonydonnelly trying to bully us around will make any difference!
MWD.
As auldheid says.
If those facts are established then the board will be ostracised. Until then it’ll keep on supporting celtic, I’ll not walk away. I would hope other supporters would do the same.
Livibhoy
I go to watch the football and want my team to win, and the enjoyment is greater if the opposition are a good team.
My point was that falling gates would not be an issue if we played in the EPL.
Auldheid @1128
It came from a guy who thinks our board would like to give the Huns a loan.
I know what is screwed.
AULDHEID 1126
I have praised the board previously for prudence in a very difficult financial climate,both locally and globally.
However,there comes a point where that crosses over the line to obsession and dogma.
That line was crossed a while ago. We need to go return to the programme of enticing fans into the ground by means of giving us something to look forward to,to enjoy,to discuss afterwards in the pub.
A few quality signings,a few young players blooded here and there. Standing up for the fans in the face of extreme provocation would be a start.
I’m beginning to compare our current custodians and their game-plan to the far-sighted eejits who changed GEC to MARCONI at the turn of the century,decided to forego everything that made the company great cos they knew better and drove it over the cliff.
sipsini
Nope. Long way off for me. I thought my dad might but he is about 4 years off. he will refuse to pay concession anyway.
LB
Auldheid
09:48 on 14 February, 2014
_______________________
It’s no the case of – moving the deck-chairs – or, policies to be advocated.
It’s a case of having a manger with stock(and balls) to stand up to the ‘bored’ like MON did when, DD asked him what he was doing going after Chris Sutton who had only scored 1 goal the previous season ?
MON told DD – “I’m the manager – not you !!!”
Now, can you imagine – WGS / BTM / NFL – standing their ground like that ?
I said that MON worked his ticket ? He did. imho
I’m gonnae be twisted here but – who isny oan here ?
MON’s wife got better as soon as he was oot of Celtic Park.
Cynical ? Maybe ?
Btw….ah notice how ye didny want to mention or, answer the point about the, piss-poor performance on the pitch ?
Have ye got a vested interest ?
Ah wid say – aye, ye hiv.
So there.
HH
I would definitely like to see a policy of introducing more youths to the side. I feel Darnell Fisher is a fine example of what to expect when giving them a chance.
If I was in charge of Celtic’s transfer policy this year I would simply get a few out and bring nothing in, unless there is somebody truly special available. Maybe also another attacking player in midfield to cover the loss of Sammy.
Watt, Twardzik & McGreggor should be given a chance next year. The likes of Irvine, Rogic, Ataijic & George could use another season on loan.
Sammy is leaving and I’m afraid Kayal will probably have to follow. He is way down the pecking order even when fit.
If you haven’t got somebody to share today with, this is to cheer you up. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-fX0UbpZls
Bobby and Nan
Drawing parallels between Celtic and companies who have went bust are as hysterical as guys who think we’ll go under if we make a couply Big signings.
Both sides of this polar argument is pash imo.
KevJungle 11:42 on 14 February, 2014
For someone who goes nowhere near Celtic Park you appear to be remarkably well informed on what happens there.
Your favourite tabloid’s constant negativity towards our manager is clearly shaping your opinions.
The Honest Mistake
The narrative in question if it is true suggest a degree of stupidity that totally negates any business acumen on the Board’s part.
I use the word narrative because I once wrote a very plausible narrative concerning the derivation of the application of the word hun to Rangers.
I made it clear as I expanded the narrative that I was wondering rather than stating.
That did not stop it being accepted by some as true and 2 yrs later it was being posted as such on CQN by a poster who had heard it from a mate in a pub.
The thing is the narrative was plausible but still not true, so I tend not to buy into narratives readily.
I hope it is untrue because it cuts Celtic away from part of its roots. Roots btw as a born and bred Scot I feel no strong connection to, but I certainly recognise the strength of it in others and understand the reasons for the passion behind it.
KEVJ
Five years ago,a colleague spent nine months off work battling breast cancer. A hard battle. The treatment is as bad as the cure.
Despite regular checks and scans,he found out last year that he has cancer in both lungs and elsewhere in his chest.
The point is that cancer is rarely cured. Martin moved back to Wycombe because his wife still considered it to be home.
Her friends and daughters were there.
Villa is an hour up the M40,no comparison to Glasgow. Though I have no idea why he chose Sunderland.
The reason for the above is not to dig you up simply because it is you. It is because your point is offensive.
sipsini
11:33 on 14 February, 2014
livibhoy – god bless wee oscar
10:40 on 14 February, 2014
tonydonnelly67
Thanks for that mate.
LB
————-
As a matter of interest, do you qualify for a concession? :-))
______________________
I do indeed sir :)
Steinreignedsupreme
11:48 on 14 February, 2014
_______________________
Hi.
I stopped going when – MON left and WGS was
brought in cos – ‘that’ was the time that the’bored’
announced to every Celtic fan that – they would be
downsizing. They didny say that but, ‘thats’ what
they meant. In other words – we’ll be cutting the level
of quality from the product on the pitch but, you’ll still
be asked to pay the ‘top’ price to watch the new inferior
quality team that we’ll be putting on the pitch for yeez tae watch.
The fans getting took for mugs ? Yip imho.
HH
Back in 15 mins – have to go and pick up wife…
BMCWP 11:50
Thank you Bobby
Bom dia. Feliz “Dia de Administracao”
Last night’s Libertadores results:-
A.Parana x The Strongest 1 – 0
Dep Cali x C.Porteno 1 – 0
Lanus x O’ Higgins 0 – 0
U.Chile x Defensor 1 – 0
Nacional x Gremio 0 – 1
Atl Nacional x Newell’s 1 – 0
Emelec x Bolivar 2 – 1
I watched the Atletico Parana game and they struggled against Strongest, who were supposed to be a pushover team. Judging by some of the results this first round, it could shape up to be quite a tight competition. Pleased to see O’ Higgins getting an unexpected point away to Lanus though.
Meedja here (and not often I agree with the Brasilian meedja) rightfully in an outrage over the racist chanting at Cruzeiro’s, Tinga in Weds night’s game against Real Garilasco in Huayacano, Peru. Conmebol sit on this one next week and could expel Garilasco from the competition.
Rightly, I thought.
Until.
It turns out Garilasco are a wee provincial team from Cusco (the Real was inspired by a certain Madrid team). Garilasco can’t play at home as their stadium is under re-construction. Instead they opted to play at Huayacano, some 800kms away (apparently they chose this, as it has a similar altitude to Cusco). So, in terms of actual Garilasco fans it’s estimated that there was less than a few hundred in a sub 10,000 crowd.
So fine the team, fine the host stadium, fine the Peruvian Federation or what?
I suppose the Scottish analogy would be if Ross County elected to played a European game 800kms from Dingwall (lets say, Manchester), there was an incident which incurred UEFA’s wrath, but really it was Chelsea fans who caused all the trouble.
Oh wait a minute, that one’s already been used………
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC
Sunderland were MON boyhood heroes. There was an article in the Celtic View about it not long after he came to Celtic. A player from his hometown or county played for the Mackems.
LB
GEORDIE MUNRO
Not so. I was making the point that even seasoned businessmen can get it horrendously wrong because of their conviction that they are right.
The people who did for GEC had a previous record of success,as would be expected of those appointed to run a hugely successful conglomerate.
They still screwed up in spectacular fashion.
Lord Weinstock had to transfer one of his butlers and two of his chauffeurs to PHILVISRETURNS as a result.
tonydonnelly67
10:29 on 14 February, 2014
What happens with the 14/15 SB cost if you are 65 in Feb 2015, Tony..?
It’s bonkers that we downsized instead of overspending and ending up like Rangers/Sevco. What were we thinking? Jeezo!
Sack ’em all.
neganon2
11:34 on 14 February, 2014
I think MWD stance is one being taken up and down the land. Its very sad.
Not even tonydonnelly trying to bully us around will make any difference!
_________________________
Hey smart arse, no bullying from me, you scroll back to yer love in wi yer pal canamala last night, it was you two that brought me into the issue, as I have posted I backed off it, until last night, you and yer pal where bad mouthing me, when I wasn’t there so Whois the bully, ya crackpot.
Syd Negakev
completely agree, some people will never be happy with what they have. Lets see what neganon2 has to say about it. He’s currently trying to whip up interest for his new fans club the paranoid brigade!
SydneyTim
11:22 on
14 February, 2014
MoaningMin…..away out and find yourself a girlfriend or boyfriend – life ain’t so bad.
Or are you totally fixated on the sharp suited man? Through all your complaints I actually believe deep down inside you love big Peter.
new article posted.
67heaven … i am neil lennon, supporting wee oscar..!!.. ibrox belongs to the creditors
11:57 on 14 February, 2014
tonydonnelly67
10:29 on 14 February, 2014
What happens with the 14/15 SB cost if you are 65 in Feb 2015, Tony..?
___________________
You have to wait till season 15/16 mate sorry :(
We slag of the deid club for heads in the sand. But when some bloggers try to tell the truth about our club we get abused
It has taken Paul 8 months to agree with the the fans who can see through the tosh that Balde pukki and derk were a waste of 7 m pounds plus wages
We must do better
neganon2
10:37 on 14 February, 2014
67 heaven – ok lets here what you actually think?
>>>>>>>>>>
I think you should start trying to find a team to support, which will make you (even moderately) happy …… :)
@Geordie Munro
I think the thing is about “a couple of big signings” is what level would that raise the club to?
Would we get into the last 8 of the CL?
sydneytim
12:02 on 14 February, 2014
Is that you being judge and jury again..?…….
SydneyTim
12:02 on
14 February, 2014
Aye… Fin1690…..abuse? yir a roaster.
@Sydney
“It has taken Paul 8 months to agree with the the fans who can see through the tosh that Balde pukki and derk were a waste of 7 m pounds plus wages”
Or maybe he is the type of person who waits for a larger sample of games to make a definitive judgement on a player. I dare you to go back to the Shakter Karagandy blog and read comments made about Virgil. Derk has played 19, Pukki 24 and Balde 19. Though a good proportion will be sub appearances.
Personally, I wouldn’t write off any of them but I agree the performances this season have been poor. I am hoping that they will settle in their second season, especially Balde considering his limited career before Celtic.
Apologies for the long post but I have to say this. I’ll take any comeback on the chin.
Okay okay we didn’t sign a £6 million pound striker. Perhaps we made a bid for one. Maybe that was accepted. Then we opened talks with player. His demands are out of our wage structure. Intelligently and in a business like fashion we as a club have a wage structure, controlled by Peter Lawell who would succeed in business wherever he went. We do not sign this player as this would break the structure and have a very good chance of disrupting the squad. Why? because EVERY player we sign and their agent is told we have a wage structure and a limit. I cannot say this for certain(only because I don’t work for Celtic) but it is the way I see it and how other clubs manage expectation of their players when it comes to contract time. (Blackpool in the prem for instance. Maximum wage was £10,000 a week.) What would then happen if we, as a club broke our promise to these players? Why not put it this way, how would you feel if you accepted a modest wage when you joined a company because that’s all they could to offer only for a young-gun to arrive a year later on double the wages you were on?
My point here is, now we’ve got that out of the way (as it seems to be the fall back position on here) why would we go out of our way to overspend to win the Scottish League. Deadco did this, and the clue is in their name as to why this is a foolish idea. Whilst we compete here we should not be signing 6 mill players until at least, the other teams (Aberdeen, DU, Hibs) have grown financially and are competing or we are in the prem or a euro league. If we go on to spend like the huns did to win the Scottish league it will feel dirty to me. I never want to be anything like them, ever. If we get too successful in the future we should give our 9th title in a row to albion rovers to show them(sevco) how much we don’t give a france! In the mean time there is nothing wrong with saving and preparing to compete in a bigger environment where Champ League qualification money will be chicken feed to the regular tv money of this bigger league in whatever shape or form.
Only then, and quite rightly will our intelligent board outlay a larger transfer budget which will match the revenue streams. the quicker you get over this the better. You’ll feel much happier. The reason, for me, Neil said the six mill statement was just to remind the “peeple” we could and they can’t. I still think we shouldn’t. I didn’t always think like this but it makes sense to me now.
Also, for me the club cannot comment publicly on everything, The Scottish Press would have a field day and it would we end up engaging with sleekit and the orcs, they want this, the press and media want it but we don’t. Let them talk themselves back to another oblivion. As one of their fans said on r*ngers media after they were kindly allowed to join the old third division “when it comes to them and us-we’re not even in the same league”
Anyway for me Peter Lawell is following up on the magnificent foundation of Fergus and stability brought by Brian Quinn. Please accept that a modern football club is nothing like the club we grew up supporting. There is something else with Celtic, different to all of us, it will always that way in identity, we are a special club, but the shape we are in business wise, marketing wise,charitably- in the modern game, given our poor revenue stream is remarkable, truly remarkable.
Lawell must stay. Hail Hail:-)
Last?
Fed up Philbhoy
like it!
KevJungle 11:54 on 14 February, 2014
“I stopped going when – MON left and WGS was brought in cos – ‘that’ was the time that the’bored’ announced to every Celtic fan that – they would be downsizing. They didny say that but, ‘thats’ what they meant.”
Come on Kev. We have already established you no longer attend Celtic Park for financial reasons. No harm in that. I know plenty of people who don’t go anymore for the same reason. Money is tight and family takes priority over football, as it should.
“In other words – we’ll be cutting the level of quality from the product on the pitch but, you’ll still be asked to pay the ‘top’ price to watch the new inferior quality team that we’ll be putting on the pitch for yeez tae watch.”
The glaring problem with your position here is you constantly reminisce about bygone days of the Jungle and Murdo ect, ect, ect … a time when Celtic fans were constantly taken for mugs by the people running our club and when investment in the team was minimal.
Yet you hanker for those days. I’m confused at such contradiction … well, not really, as I know devilment is your forte on here.
HH