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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Regarding LG . not celtic class on or off park,if that is our standard of player we are looking for to improve our team for the cl next season I will not be renewing my season ticket. WE MUST DO BETTER
Ktf
an tearmann
19:43 on 27 January, 2014
You can contact paddybhoy1888 at patmcg1888@aol.com
Definitely recommended, got mine Saturday.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Have a good night Celts
Hail hail
….PFayr
………what does it say about the manager?
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
19:47 on 27 January, 2014
‘Lily
Not racism mate. I’m sorry but it’s never forgiveable to say what he said in my opinion.’
####
Condemn the sin, forgive the sinner.
If we sign him (and I’m not exactly overjoyed at the prospect) he should be made to do so anti racist work, just to make the point.
January Transfer Window:
Dec 19th – Lenny watches £5M+ Finnbogason
Dec 20th – Lenny watches £2.4M Aron Johannson
Jan 4th – Lenny insists CFC have funds for £6M Fletcher
Jan 18th – Lenny admires £6M Snodgrass
Now in each case Lenny is on record in interviews; stating his interest, has watched them, that CFC have that the money to make that kind of purchase – which brings us to Leigh Griffith!
Reverse psychology or a merry dance?
If Griffiths’ was signing for Sevco we would be saying a marriage made in heaven..
I was in the jungle the day bananas were chucked at Walters… never will condne racism or racists at CP. Not going to threaten never to go back or renew but not a happy Bhoy with thee prospect
Fixed Odds time.
List specs on Friday and could not post.
Shuggy Jnr put on my coupon…..with call-offs, had a double..Wolves 4/7, Sevco Elbows Penalty 1/10.
Tough luck on the punters who had Scunthorpe . That was a sore one.
Tuesday
Head to head stats.
CP v Hull. Last 13 at home in this fixture, Palace w5 d7, L1.
Liverpool in the derby match at Anfield have 1 loss in 17, W7, D9.
Reading v bazza’s Blackpool. Blackpool have not won in 13 visits, losing 8.
Brentford are in great form, but have poor htohead v Bristol City. In last 7 at home to bC they have won 1 and lost 5.
Stevenage have played Crewe 5 times in all, w3, D2.
Dag and Red have hosted Southend 3 times, losing all 3.
Mansfield v Bury. Mansfield have won one in 10, h and a.
York v Chesterfield. York have won just 1 in 20 h and a, d8 and losing 11.
WED
Villa v WBA. Last 4 h and a drawn.
Chelsea have lost 1 in 13 at home to West Ham.
Sunderland have lost 1 in 12 at home to Stoke.
SheffU v Peterbro, in all SU w5, d2, lost 1.
HH
Think Griffiths would score a lot….knows the route to goal. Bit daft, but a natural striker.
Someone mention Anelka. Yeah why not ? He could be the guy for Champion League.
Lets get him.
I am really upset at the negativity surrounding our attempts to buy Leigh Griffiths.What is the problem with our support.We demand we buy a striker”Who scores goals”..What is the problem with Griffiths?.He has a wonderful goalscoring record.Is it because he is small,with red hair?.”He has too much baggage”scream the fans who are demanding Tony Watt back.A boy who was sent abroad because he had”Too much baggage”.I have only ever wanted one thing,irrespective of what he costs,and that is,someone who is a proven goalscorer,someone who can make the runs,get into scoring positions,and play on his own.Griffiths proved he can do all of these things with Hibs,and probably with Wolves.
For gods sake,get off your high horse and give the boy a chance.We did with a wee bachle,Scott Mc Donald,and he did wonders for us.Need I mention,Dixie Deans,Brian Mc Clair,Andy Walker,Joe Mc Bride.Enough said.
Evening friends….
Fairly dismayed by most of what I have read / heard from Celtic supporters today re Griffiths. CQN as ever, seems slightly more balanced.
I understand people’s reservations. He has “baggage”, he is not at this point an elite level centre forward. As far as I am aware he doesnt rise and bullet headers into the net with regularity, which he have missed for a long time now.
Dismayed though, that certain Celtic fans seem to retain scant belief in people’s capacity to change, and disappointed that a measured judgement of the player has not been readily forthcoming from most !!
111 goals in 224 professional games is by any standard very good. He is 23. Gordon Strachan deemed him worthy of leading the line himself away to Croatia. He works tirelessly, finishes instinctively and will only get better.
Like I say, I understand the concerns, but it’s not inconceivable that he might eradicate some of his character defects with good people around him is it? Many others have.
As for the suggestion that Neil Lennon can’t handle Tony Watt, I would contend that he has handled the situation perfectly to the betterment of Tony’s career.
TJ
Philbhoy
That unfortunate event actually improved my visage :-)
Ernie
Isn’t that simply masking things?
Lenny is spouting the p*ish peter Lawwell wants him to spout.
He might as well have said he was watching Ronaldo and Messi.
We were/are never going to spend decent money on a decent striker this window.
And i thought the huns were delusional!
Praecepta
Lenny also advised we had the money for Snodgrass
I wasn’t under any illusion that we would spend that kind of cash …..very unguarded statements to make …especially when we dip into the bargain basement
bamboo
19:53 on 27 January, 2014
Someone mention Anelka. Yeah why not ? He could be the guy for Champion League.
Lets get him.
Reorganise this well know saying
Heid erse his up.
justafan
The point I’m trying to make……we’re trying to progress in Europe…..our downfall this year was lack of a goal scoring forward……is our ambition now for a goal scoring forward for domestic games only?…….Griffiths HAS proved himself here……but so has Stokes….and even Samaras…..but when it comes to BIG games in Europe…..Griffiths has done nowt…..hate to say it……but I’d jump at Anelka…..for ability only…..god…..I think even Kevin Phillips would be a better bet for Europe……he’s scored regularly at the highest level
Just in to say….
I don’t think that we need a new striker.
What we need is, a manager who izny PL’s puppet.
No harm to LG but, wasn’t LG one of the four names nominated for the
Scottish Footballer of the year awards that Neil said – at the time – none
of the four players would geat a game at CP ? What’s changed ?
The way that I see it is – Neil told us that…
Balde will score goals in this Celtic team.
Pukki will score goals in this Celtic team.
Bangura will score goals in this Celtic team.
Brozeck will score goals in this Celtic team.
Lassad will score goals in this Celtic team.
Miku will score goals in this Celtic team.
The common denominator is – you Neil.
NO striker will score goals in this Celtic team
if, they don’t get chances.
Why don’t they get chances Neil ?
Scott MacDonald scored chances cos
Aiden n Naka were making chances. imo
Gary Hooper scored goals cos – Izzy n Forrest
were making chances. Since Izzy got injured, the
balance / chemistry / fluency has gone from the team. imo
Only saying – Hail Hail
ernie lynch
19:51 on 27 January, 2014
No he shouldn’t, if he comes to us he’s here to score goals not pander to drama queens and beg forgiveness.
Give the boy a break for goodness sake
I.m away to see if I can answer more questions than my 13 year old kid on University challenge.
Back soon.
Philbhoy
I can’t understand our signing policy re forwards
Staccato , scattergun, crap ….
hamiltontim.
Big computers back up and working,what the hell do I do with the new laptop now.
PFAyr.
What are you doing on Saturday re wee drink,are you still up for that masonic club in Blantyre.
….PFayr supports WeeOscar
19:49 on 27 January, 2014
LG, why not the summer? He just returned to Wolves and they wanted him to stay so they could remove some big earners from the wage bill. What’s changed is he wants back home to Scotland. What is says about Watt and Atajic is they will be sold in the summer, Balde? who knows.
Hamiltontim,
Sound, I can understand that.
Its just Ive never been called ugly, dont know how Id react!, Im joking, only being flippant.
HH.
Lilys
….PFayr supports WeeOscar
19:59 on
27 January, 2014
Our forward signing policy reminds me of the bad monoploy player who buys everything he lands on.
hoops front row at snooker shootout blackpool
H.H.
OT
Text you soon
You are of course talking about next Saturday 8 th
I think it is difficult to attract a “name” to play in the SPFL ,with a try at the CL a possibility.I think we are settling for CL Group stage / EL type players.I think the £6 mil bluff stuff is a pre-emptive ST sales pitch.We have been here many times before bhoys.
What about the top goal scorer in the SPL??
Kris Boyd????
Taxi for Googy
Griffiths seems likely to score in the SPL- something our our present forwards seem unable to do- as for Europe- I dont think so on current evidence and the other concern is his ability to stay out of trouble- so signing him will give Lenny a chance to show his man management skills
PFAyr.
Correct,Aberdeen Cup game.
Prestonpans
Brilliant ….and …oh so apt ….unfortunately
Googybhoy
Not sure there’s much between him and Griffiths
Poor Leigh Griffith. A lad of proven quality level, maybe another Scott McDonald in the making, having his character slaughtered on here by those self-appointed moral police.
Should he become a Hoop let it be a start with a clean slate and a chance to atone for previous intractible sins with positive behaviour.
The current attitude of some towards him assumes the position that Pope Benedict himself would have been denied a place in the Celtic first XI due to his past ‘involvements’.
All you latter-day Saints condemning the lad before he sets a foot in Paradise – to paraphrase Bill Hicks: if you’re such good christian souls, then FORGIVE him.
Also …why re-sign Stokes
How many games has LG played in the champions league ?
All those advocating that Balde is involved in the team,just listen to yourselves.If Balde is played then we will have the high ball punted up to him,(like Sammi)hoping he wins a header ,to who?.Balde is an impact player at the moment,he has very little first touch,shocking control,and the balance of a Giraffe on ice.At 1-0 down and all else fails,bring him on and punt high balls to him.All the people saying that Lenny is the boss,and we are not managers,so keep our opinions to ourselves,seem to forget,Lenny has said he is a “Project”with much to learn.He is learning,leave the boy alone.People telling me we should be playing Pukki and Balde,are the same people saying we should not sign Griffiths.The boy would score double the goals the other two would score,in total.Most people know I like Pukki,a very good footballer,but never a striker.Balde,at the moment,is not a very good footballer,and we dont really know how good a striker he is,and on this evidence they are advocating that they be given a chance,with the view to be leading our attack in the qualifiers,in front of a proven goalscorer like Griffiths.
I am not advocating we buy Griffiths ,but the sheer hypocrisy is mind boggling.
Sandman 2012,
One hundred percent agree.
lilys