We seem to have a lot of forwards. Stokes, Pukki, Balde, new recruit Fridjonsson, and on-loan, Atajic and Watt, while Georgios may yet stay beyond the summer. That’s six under contract for the Champions League qualifiers, not counting Sweden’s ‘next Henrik Larsson’, who is likely to move on soon.
Quantity is one thing but cost is just as important, only Samaras and Pukki are likely to be on wages competitive with some of the richer leagues in Europe, so the actual spend on forwards is likely to be considerably less than on defence or midfield. The manager is likely to be operating within budget for this area of the team.
What we’re missing is an on-form striker who is capable of embarrassing St Johnstone and Inverness’s finest with their goals-to-games ratio, not to mention our own free-wheeling creative-mid. Gone are the days Celtic strikers stats are dismissed as a mere by-product of the sheer volume of chances they are presented with. Without a class act up front, the squad is unbalanced.
There was a note of disappointment in Neil Lennon’s voice when he spoke of missing a potential signing last week. I’m almost certain we’ll sign a striker this week but if he’s more of a hunch than a certified target we’re wasting our money. Hunch signings are fine but you can only give space to so many in any one season. We’ve made our low-cost gambles up front, and there is never a time for a high-cost uncertified gamble.
Celtic have a bit of money burning a hole in their pocket earning 15% interest from the Co-op Bank at the moment. The desire to spend it, from chief exec, to manager, to scouts and all other influencers will be practically unstoppable, which is why I’m so sure we’ll sign someone. Time will tell if we experience buyers regret.
Reminder to everyone who booked tickets for the CQteN St Patrick’s Day Dinner that they have to be paid by 31 January. Let me know if you can’t find details, celticquicknews@gmail.com
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In light of Barcabhoy facts about LG there does seem to be a bit of baggage with the boy. I don’t read the papers so most of this stuff goes past me, I only go on what i see on the park and i take it Neil isn’t put off by the baggage either. If we can get his head straight and focus on his football he will be awesome.
KLV
I refuse to write off any player irrespective of where he has previously played until he has had a fair run in the side.
bournesouprecipe just read the police stuff there from Barcabhoy, not a nice guy by all accounts. Neil wants him though and if he see’s past all this baggage then i think we still should give him a go. But as i said we’ll see.
KLV
Barcabhoy 18:11 on 27 January, 2014
I met El. Spent a couple of hours in his company the day after we humped the Huns 3-0 at Celtic Park. He was a shockingly decent character.
Maybe it was just my charm that won him over…
Bhoys and Ghirls,
Leigh Griffiths : for me no, even at a” bargain” price
With the baggage he carries it is a risk we do not need to take. He must be a target fuelled by frustration and reeks of panic buying.
I realise the importance of getting players in prior to the CL qualifiers, but it must be the correct players. IMO he is not.
We will need to erect a separate bus shelter for on the bench strikers.
HH.
BIG NAN,
Whatever you decide to do………….
THANK YOU.
You are one special person.
You don’t need the approval of people like myself who have NEVER tilted at life’s windmills.
I am glad that you happen to be a special Celtic man.
http://videocelts.com/2014/01/blogs/loan-celts/watt-double-helps-lierse-to-away-win?
Tony Watt…Tony Tony Watt’s Two goals
Maybe Griffiths is the attacking midfielder replacing Sammi and insurance for Commons ?
Proper goal scoring forward and multiple father of the year award winner at £6m by the end of the week !
Clutchingatstraws csc
Greenpinta
Why panic buy when we don’t even need to buy? The thought did cross my mind earlier when I first heard of the bid but I can only assume the manager wants him, he is available in this window and has decided to go for him.
If you remove the off field ‘baggage’ then he seems like a good signing, proven scorer, can play as lone striker, Scottish (which gives us another home grown player for CL squad) and not overly expensive
I agree with a lot on here regards what appears to be a flaw in Griffiths character.
I am however prepared to give the laddie a chance. We’ve all been young and daft and sometimes not so young and daft.
However , 31 goals in his last season with Hibs tells me he could score 50 with us.
Disapointed if Leigh would be our last venture this window.
I’d bite your hand off for Snodgrass & Griffiths combined .
I’d be happy with that
Hamiltontim
17.50
I wasn’t aware of the context of the tweet , now having read your explanation, I would agree that it was totally unacceptable. However, I would be happy to do the Christian thing and give Griffiths the man, a chance, just as I would be happy to give Griffiths the footballer a chance.
LG apologised for his racist tweet – that’s what it was, racist.
However he did apologise. And if is an isolated incident then it should not be held against him forever.
Ive never heard a rangers or sevco fan apologise for singing the famine song. Never.That is the difference.
On field, I could see Griffiths as a bit like Scott McDonald. A player with some ability who takes his chance at a club like Celtic and makes the most of it.
KLV – great article – nail – head – bullseye !
Was unaware of all LG’s transgressions. Sometimes it’s easy to forgive – sometimes not! I have no time for any form of racism – in that respect I don’t think leopards can change their spots.
Barcabhoy 18:11
I am staggered that we even considered signing Griffiths. 3 arrests in 2013 alone, for violence, for shoplifting and for racist abuse.
We looked on with contempt when Rangers signed Diouf. Quite rightly so, the guy was a disgraceful individual. Griffiths is cut from the same cloth.
Very very sad day for us that we are prepared to sign an individual of such loathsome character
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It would be interesting to see if the defence of his character was the same if it was Sevco who were trying to sign him…..
I think the Snodgrass rumour was a shout to the player that we would like him at our club I believe in the summer he may be available for less as he will be entering the last year of his contract with Norwich.I will be happy to give Griffiths a chance if we sign him I think he is a goal scorer and Scottish and the manager wants him and thats good enough for me. H.H.
Putting Leigh griffiths so called baggage aside as we all have made mistakes.
How can a reserve striker for wolves in the 3rd tier of English football improve our squad for champions league qualifiers and group stages if we get there?
This season in champions league we were totally out of our depth and we were promised money would be spent to improve quality to help us compete.
And the manager tells us Leigh griffiths is now that man. Derek riordan and Chris killen scored plenty of goals for hibs. Means absolutely nothin.
Signing Leigh griffiths ain’t gony put bums on seats or help with the sale of season books.
I think it’s a joke to be honest.
Kayal33 @ 18.27hrs
Why panic buy when we don’t even need to buy?
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Exactly, although that’s what it seems like. I maybe wrong, but surely he is way down the list of NFL’s targets and is virtually a last resort. We don’t need him domestically so I ask, is this our answer to leading the line into Europe.?
Forget the morality about a fit and proper person to grace the hoops. In football terms he is struggling to get into a Wolves team in the third tier of English football.
However if he signs, I will give him my full support and hopefully he proves me wrong.
HH.
It seems to me that a lot of people on here are calling Leigh Griffiths a thug, thief and criminal.
Raman Bhardwaj STV shows the Sevco penalty incident which claimed the points against Arbroath. Unfortunately my eye response time was too slow to actually see the half a second penalty claim replay (no Joke!). I had to satisfy my curiosity and found a video online that proved it as highly dubious…..so whats new. How many penalties do this team need to get back up the lower leagues. The men in black are playing a blinder…..12th man indeed.
Burghbhoy 18:32
However , 31 goals in his last season with Hibs tells me he could score 50 with us.
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Is that using the Derek Riordan or Chris Killen calculator?
McDowellcelt god bless wee oscar 18:39 on 27 January, 2014
I don’t think we were ‘totally out of our depth’ in the Champions league this season.
We competed very well in the first three games and had rubish performances in Amsterdam (where we could still have taken a point) and Barcelona (where we were lucky it was only 6-1).
Even in the Milan game at home we created good chances, but our defending was hopeless on the night.
I must be the only one but I think Leigh Griffiths would score a lot of goals in the hoops and we all know goals bring confidence.As for the CL it comes down to the luck of the draw this season we had in my opinion one of the toughest sections we need a wee rub of the green in the draw to help us out.H.H.
freddiebhoy
18:43 on 27 January, 2014
What was the Ref’s name?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
joe filippi- True, we used up all our good luck in the 3 qualifying round draws.
glasstwothirdsfull
Neither Killen or Riordan were prolific scorers at Hibs.
Griffiths was.
Natknow…time will tell…
joe filippis haircut
18:46 on 27 January, 2014
Your not alone mate, I’ll take the guy in a heart beat. A lot of guys on very high horses tonight …..those who have never sinned and all that HH
GlassTwoThirdsFull
18:37 on
27 January, 2014
Barcabhoy 18:11
I am staggered that we even considered signing Griffiths. 3 arrests in 2013 alone, for violence, for shoplifting and for racist abuse.
We looked on with contempt when Rangers signed Diouf. Quite rightly so, the guy was a disgraceful individual. Griffiths is cut from the same cloth.
Very very sad day for us that we are prepared to sign an individual of such loathsome character
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Has he been convicted of anything or just accused?
A couple of links to Lees misdeameanours over the last couple of years.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/ex-hibs-star-leigh-griffiths-arrested-1972678
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDMQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.birminghammail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news%2Fwolves-striker-leigh-griffiths-arrested-1250019&ei=WanmUontLeey7Aai_oGIDg&usg=AFQjCNGjrV4hPVRyE53FazXJxBoqyNtaCQ&bvm=bv.59930103,d.ZGU
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/03/21/hibernian-striker-lee-griffiths-head-butts-manager_n_1369235.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-20986579
Is anyone worried that Celtic can’t identify and buy a striker that has the fans at least rubbing their hands together if not one that can make them jump up and down and wave their Celtic scarves in the air!!
Shortbread TV & radio using throwaway twitter comments ,mostly negative obviously, re Griffiths,remind me anyone ,why did they not recognise Charlotte’s material?
Burghbhoy 18:50
glasstwothirdsfull
Neither Killen or Riordan were prolific scorers at Hibs.
Griffiths was.
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Riordan averaged 1 in 2 in his three full seasons at Hibs. Killen score 16 in 25 games. I’d say that’s pretty decent strike rates.
Leigh Griffiths, career state look good though.
http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=45956
Lennybhoy…Supporting the DAM 5, Neil Lennon, Wee Oscar Knox, and CFC until I die
18:49 on 27 January, 2014
Barry Cook
Bhoys and Ghirls,
It may sound draconian, but I think a clause banning players from Twitter, FB etc., in fact all social media should be considered.
Some players simply do not think of potential consequences and need protecting from themselves.
HH.
McDowellcelt – how many reserves feature in all but one of the first team’s games starting two-thirds of them?
McDowellcelt god bless wee oscar 18:39
How can a reserve striker for wolves in the 3rd tier of English football improve our squad for champions league qualifiers and group stages if we get there?
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Indeed. And why would Wolves, chasing promotion, be prepared to let him go…..?
quite pathetic from celtic. leigh ‘effin griffiths. are we honestly saying we can’t find a better striker in the whole of europe better than this guy?