Glut of strikers but budget remains intact

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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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  1. Its obvious that LG was not top of Lennys list,but its January.Teams will not part with their strikers with relegation,top 4 places at stake,unless you want to pay(Perish the thought to many on here)big money for them.At the money,he is more than worth a punt.Can he score in Europe?.Could Scott Mc Donald?.I remember Robson scoring against Barca.Whos to know.

  2. TootingTim supports Wee Oscar on

    Hopefully Leigh Griffiths – if he signs – will pleasantly surprise some along the lines of John Terry at the Stan charity game.

     

     

    Sure I remember reading reports on the timternet of Craig Bellamy’s chit-chat at a CSC or similar function revolving around boasting of the amount of cash he had made from the game, and that it garnered a poor response from players and others present.

     

     

    Now he seems to be one of the few big-name players who has tried to ‘put something back’.

     

     

    HH!

  3. pfayr-i hope so mate but wouldn’t want to wait til summer,a club like a Leicester could easily offer 35-40k a week for 3 years on the back of a paltry transfer fee,and not think twice about it.

  4. turkeybhoy

     

     

    Any decent striker can score in Europe…..a great striker can score in Europe regularly……there’s the difference…

  5. TheOriginalSadiesbhoy, Bada Bing,

     

     

    Got a series of pieces planned this year on the McStay’s, to coincide with some anniversaries. The Maestro is 50 in the autumn and the game I asked about is 30 years ago come April. Some other notable dates relating to great uncles Willie and Jimmy also.

     

     

    Anyway, looking for some memories of the experience of the game (the only Celtic – Rangers game in history where two brothers scored apparently). Would be obliged if you could help out in the coming weeks if I get in touch ?

     

     

    Cheers, TJ

  6. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon, supporting WEE OSCAR..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    We haven’t signed him yet, and i am confident we won’t pay more than we feel he is worth…

  7. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon, supporting WEE OSCAR..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    31003

     

     

    Yes….hehe

  8. Cowiebhoy supporting the Celtic to 3 in a row on

    lennybhoy…supporting the dam 5, neil lennon, wee oscar knox, and cfc until i die

     

     

    21:39 on 27 January, 2014

     

     

    We’re connected, or did you forget :-)

     

    Incidentally did you also get the CQN t-shirt with Beanie, nice

     

     

    Will look at another we night in May, still to agree date (once wife and Ghirls have booked their weekend away :-)

     

    And you can get a taste of the Craigellachie- Telford’s Bridge

     

     

    ACGR, did you know there is a real Telford Bridge in Bannockburn, pity though it has a Knuckle crunchers meeting place sits on it

     

     

    Hail Hail

  9. TootingTim supports Wee Oscar on

    jackie mac

     

     

    Depends which way the wind is blowing, I guess :)

     

     

    HH!

  10. The No.13 Shorts on

    Is it just me or has this blog become an tool in expectation management? Leigh Griffiths? Leigh. F***ing. Griffiths! Where are some peoples ambitions at?

  11. TJ

     

     

    You’ll get the match report and pictures on the CelticWiki; search using the date on there.

     

     

    I was at that game: Paul scored in the first half with Willie McStay and Davie Provan -who came on for Jim Melrose- scoring in the second half.

     

     

    I remember they took off Davie Cooper and brought on Hugh Burns…oh how we laughed!

     

     

    HH

  12. 31003-aye add Keanu Reeves to that.TET- I think Clooney is a very good actor,The Descendants was a good movie IMO.

  13. NatKnow - Supporting Wee Oscar on

    31003

     

    21:47 on

     

    27 January, 2014

     

     

    Am I the only person in the world that thinks Harrison Ford can’t, and never could ACT?

     

     

    He’s no as bad as Nicholas Cage!

  14. Cowiebhoy supporting the Celtic to 3 in a row on

    stephebhoy1

     

     

    21:55 on 27 January, 2014

     

     

    Watch out for. Paddybhoy1888 posting

     

     

    Think its patmcg1888@aol.com or patmcg@aol ?

     

     

    Hail Hail

  15. NatKnow - Supporting Wee Oscar on

    !!Bada Bing!!

     

    21:54 on

     

    27 January, 2014

     

     

    31003-aye add Keanu Reeves to that.TET- I think Clooney is a very good actor,The Descendants was a good movie IMO.

     

     

    That was a good movie. Watched it again last week.

     

     

    Saw The Wolf of Wall Street at the weekend. Was like Goodfellas but with more sex, drugs and swearing. It was mildly amusing at times but very repetative. But it was 3 hours long!

  16. Evening CQN, good debate tonight Leigh or not to Leigh seems to be a gift of a daftie , doubt he will be alone in our dressing room.

     

     

    Strange one as he doesnt fit the 6ft tall minimum height we have been signing recently and English market can be overpriced.

     

     

    His goal scoring is better than decent and didn’t look out of place up front on his own for Scotland. At the right price he is different from what we have.

     

     

    As for playing the youths presume Neil doesn’t see any youth strikers stepping up over next 6 month’s

     

     

    If he signs I will support him like all other guys who get to live the dream of pulling on the Hoops

     

     

    PS think pukki is settling down , looks a clever player with a good touch and awareness

  17. lilys grandpa-Me and Lily backing Oscar on

    31003.

     

     

     

    Now theres a guy that can act, good guys, bad guys ,………………. and he can do adverts!

     

     

    lilys

  18. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon, supporting WEE OSCAR..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    the no.13 shorts

     

     

    21:50 on 27 January, 2014

     

     

    “an tool”…..if the cap fits…….jist kiddin, honest, unless you’re a……..

  19. NatKnow - Supporting Wee Oscar on

    31003

     

    22:02 on

     

    27 January, 2014

     

     

    Always thought Bacon was a ham…

     

     

    You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear..

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