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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KINGLUBO
They have been raking around for negative material on us for nearly 126 years.
No matter who we sign they will trawl and look, if they cant find anything they will look to ex players falling on hard times.
MSM = anti celtic
The wife has been missing for a week, the Police said prepare for the worst.
So, I went to the thrift shop, and took all of her clothes back home.
bamboo
10:14 on 28 January, 2014
SPD1956
I’m not sure about him being an attacking mid-fielder- he seemed to slot comfortably into a Paul Lambert type role in the few minutes we saw him .Another Lambert would be ok though.
That would do for me pal.
Off night shift, away to bed now.
Is aggusto the month before September? :))
KEVJUNGLE
NOT wishing to fall out,nor even to be pedantic.
But SAMMI signed for us in Jan 2008,I think.
Nat know
Not at all mate, we debated without anger, insults or ridicule; just the way it should be.
JFH
I don’t have a problem with debate, on the contrary I rather enjoy it. My problem is with the lack of tolerance I don’t think you grasped that as my main point.
Ernie
With regards to what?
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC
10:42 on 28 January, 2014
______________________
Bobby – No fallin oot as you say.
So, is it – seven good games in six years ? imo
Sorry about that.
Btw, I’m soory for the swear word i used aginst you when I flew off
the handle, back in the summer. Not you, or anyone deserved that. Sorry.
Hope all is well with ye.
Hail Hail – Off oot tae let ms riddy disappear :) laters….
They had a trivia contest at the Senior Citizens Centre the other night, I lost by two points :(.
One of the questions was….where do woman mostly have curly hair? Apparently the correct answer was, Africa! Who knew?
Hamiltontim. I think your pulling my leg a lack of tolerance I think your having a laugh.The only person showing a lack of tolerance is your good self.Now you are entitled to your point of view but I think If Celtic held the same view as yourself we would never sign anyone as everyone has transgressed at one time or another and we need to forgive or be forgiven and move on.H.H.
KEV
I thought it was me who used the sweary!
And it was,I must have missed yours. Maybe I’m so used to industrial language-elsewhere-that I missed it.
Sometimes I think my first name is F….ff. And not the England cricketer either!
The other question was, name one thing commonly found in cells? It appears that Mexicans was not the right answer either?
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
10:42 on 28 January, 2014
‘With regards to what?’
###
In this instance, with regard to LG’s tweet. He’s acknowledged it was wrong and has apologised.
JOE FILIPPIS HAIRCUT
Sometimes more tolerance can be displayed by those who have not been on the receiving end of the intolerance in the first place.
That is how The Famine Song can be described by some as banter.
BMCUW
Back in to say – I’m lucky ye missed it. Phew….
Oh, and…sorry about spelling mistakes and innacuracies above.
Take Care Fella – Off oot this time – bye.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC
10:54 on 28 January, 2014
And if someone who has sung TFS has acknowledged it was wrong and has apologised, do we still condemn the individual?
tonydonnelly67
10:35 on 28 January, 2014,
Good one ;)
Is tomorrow’s game being televised?
Working in Fife, and can’t get to Paradise.
Delaneys Dunky
11:03 on 28 January, 2014
No
Aw, the poor wee RIFC shares have taken another we plunge early this morning, down nearly 3%.
Interesting wee quote on the Share Discussion Board:
“Interesting. Damille have dumped over half their shares in RIFC, less than 2 weeks after buying them. This could be highly significant. What’s changed in the last 2 weeks other than Stockbridge leaving and River & Mercantile increasing their shareholding?”
sipsini
10:59 on 28 January, 2014
tonydonnelly67
10:35 on 28 January, 2014,
Good one ;)
Just a little humoresque moment here and there, fed up with the LG slagging from the. MSM GUYS and HUNS that come in here, and the sheep that read there crap and post it in here, bottom line is, they are after Neil Lennon, as usual, ohhhhhhhh, they just hate him with a passion, pathetic actually.
ERNIE LYNCH
That is the point I made about 40 minutes ago.
If an apology is sincere,it is churlish at best not to accept it.
Once.
I am not in a position to condemn anyone’s actions. I’ve been guilty of many indiscretions in my time. My point is that HAMILTON TIM has very strong views on this with very good reason. He is the first person I can recall slating Di Canio’s time in the Hoooops,for example.
Time has proven him correct on that,as in fact did Di Canio himself.
If Leigh Griffiths was guilty of making a mistake,then so are we all. He has apologised,I would not crucify him for that mistake-having apologised.
I am happy to cut him more slack than HAMILTON TIM is. But that is because I can afford to be more pragmatic. I’ve never been on the receiving end of what he and his have.
DD,
What area of fifecestershire?
Morning, just on to say morning snd if LG signs, I’ll give the boy s chance, he will score goals for us. Well done NFL for the retort to the questions put yesterday by a “journalist”, he’s no daft and don’t treat him as such…….God bless Neil Lennon
Ayrshire is Green and White
HH
kayal33
11:04 on 28 January, 2014
Delaneys Dunky
11:03 on 28 January, 2014
No
————————
You sure about that, I was told it was on the telly?
Bobby Murdochs cuw. I dont think many tims living in Scotland will not know or have suffered from intolerance . Leigh Griffiths admitted his tweet was wrong and he apoligised yet there are posters on CQN who dont want to sign him because of the tweet in my book the player would be a very good signing.H.H.
Micktt
What was the question to nfl and what was his reply?
HH
Maybe we shouldn’t have signed John Hartson after failing a medical with thems?
This is how this twitter article sounds, absolutely redicules , STOP READING THE PAPERS, Ffs.
A full EPL programme tonight/tomorrow night. 6 points covering the bottom 11. Results will determine how mental the transfer window will go in the last 48 hours. I would expect bids for Samaras & Ledley, possibly others, from the desperate, hopefully at inflated prices.
Leigh Griffiths eh
The footballer… Pacy, works hard, athletic, technically good, scores goals from all points, often from little chance at all. Prone to lack of concentration occasionally.
More in his locker than Tony Stokes.
The bloke… Apt to react unpleasantly to folk who (he thinks) stick it to him. Appears immature, self-centric, and irresponsible. More in his closet than Tony Stokes.
In terms of his football education and his personal development, I can think of no better place for him to grow than at Celtic.
In terms of box office, he’ll make a considerable contribution to filling the family section.
shameless repost from last night
LiviBhoy – God bless wee Oscar
23:00 on
27 January, 2014
Griffiths has been discussed at length today and rightly so. He is potentially a future Celtic player. He has not lived the life of an angel. He is a very good footballer and has potential to be a great Celtic striker. For all his misdemeanours something has been overlooked. He has probably faced more provocation than no other person in Scottish football in the last 5 years except Neil Lennon. Anyone who is based in Edinburgh will testify that the Hearts fans hated him with a passion. They hounded the man. Everywhere Griffith’s went he was goaded, abused and in some cases attacked. One of his attackers was a boy of no more than 12 who decided that he would abuse Griffith’s in the street and throw a drink over him. This was done in full view of his father who encouraged him. This guy maybe appeals to our manager because he sees something of his self in him. I can only speculate but their is no doubting the lads talent. His twitter account was disgraceful. Again he was subjected to the most incredible abuse and was hounded daily. His private life did not help him. He was silly with women and got girls pregnant with his children within months of each other. Some would say he was an easy target. The boys is not the sharpest tool in the box. Footballers seldom are and he reacted in a shocking way but he was clearly lashing out and done it in the wrong manner. He apologised.
The incident where he was accused of robbery was perhaps the worst of the lot and by far the worst reported. I shop at the store in question regularly. Your standard modern supermarket. Very open plan and one which you can pay for goods at the kiosk newspapers and other items or continue shopping and purchase your goods in the lines of check outs. Leigh saw the special offer on the soft drinks and decided to proceed to the kiosk where he was manhandled by a jobs worth security guard who supported Hearts. He proceeded to make a fool of Leigh and causing a scene Griffith’s was embarrassed and got a bit aggressive. He again made a mistake he shouldn’t have took the bait.
The lad has been very stupid many times but on the field of play he can score from anywhere. He is lethal from anywhere around 40 yards from goal.
I know a lot of Hibs supporters and they swear that Leigh is the best striker they have had in 20 years. Riordan has a family which didn’t help him too much. They had a bit of a reputation. Not necessarily bad people but not a great influence. I have been told that people who know them both expected Riordan to find it tough going at Celtic. They have no such worries about Griffith’s. He has the full package as a footballer. As a man he maybe has a bit of a way to go but surely the club can manage that. I’m not entirely convinced he is the right fit for Celtic but I believe we need two goal scorers and if Griffith’s and an other was to be brought in it would be a decent window. The boy would have to accept terms in his contract about his off field antics. He wants home. He hasn’t settled down South and has been up here many times in the last few months.
I am not making excuses for the lad I am trying to give a fair assessment of some of his misdemeanours by people who know him first hand and who have met him. He is apparently a decent fella. Aren’t they all. His uncle is a Tim and goes on the Craigmillar CSC. I’m sure he will be on hand to offer the correct advice.
The boy is no angel but they can’t all be choir boys. We are in the business of football not the training of saints. Some of the biggest clubs in the world take the odd player who hasn’t exactly been the most popular person in the world. If he is signed we work on his PR. That’s easy to do. Advise him where to live and how to operate off the field. This is not a Mickey Mouse club it’s Celtic there are standards to be met. Players have come before who worried us and were perfectly well behaved at Paradise.
It’s a subject that has invoked much chat but if you look at what he does on the pitch surely anything under £1m is good business for a guy who will score 20 goals at least per season.
Neil Lennon is the man whose opinion matters and if he thinks he can do a job the lad has to be supported.
LB
Td 67
And what about the kick on poor wee eyal?
Still not seen any inverted comma’s that officially confirm our alledged interest in LG and NFL refuses to discuss players who are contracted to other clubs ….. so until there is confirmation of a bid by us from a reliable source I’ll continue to be skeptical ……
oh and I got a knock at the door last night and when I answered it there’s a cop standing with a photo …. is this your wife he says ? yes it is I replied ……. looks like she’s been in a terrible accident ……. yes I know but the kids think the world of her ……..!!! …. :-)))
Top of the morning to you all from a bright Fife where the sun even put in an appearance.
Can’t say saddened by the death of Pete Seeger but glad that he lived as long as he did to make such a massive contribution to folk music and good causes worldwide.
He was tickled with another hero of mine, Matt McGinn and talks about it in a tribute to Matt before singing Manura Manya. Class!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqdavIPBhyk&list=PLE60B5DD26D4FED1F
On more mundane matters will update you on post mortem of petition which, (seeing as we are in folk music mode) like the Mary Ellen Carter, will rise again!
H.H.
TBB
Locker/closet/family section – VG
Geordie munroe
04:32 on 28 January, 2014
I’ll take care of Griff
Celts still chasing striker
Scotland star Griffiths is keen on a move to Celtic
0
By ROBERT GRIEVE Published: 4 hrs ago
NEIL LENNON vowed to tame Leigh Griffiths as Celtic last night weighed up a second bid for the wayward Wolves ace.
Celts had their first offer for Griffiths rejected by the League One outfit.
But Hoops gaffer Lennon is desperate to get the deal done.
He said: “I know he has baggage off the field, but we all did. You can manage that.
“If he comes here then he is here for the football and not the controversy. We will cross that bridge when we come to it.
“There have been a few I have come across over the years.
“You just have to treat every individual on their own merits. It is not a concern, not at all.
“If you look at Leigh being back in Edinburgh last year then he thrived.
“He did not seem to have a problem on the pitch. His goal record for a team that struggled was very impressive.
Neil Lennon insists he can keep the striker in check
“His overall performances were very good.”
Lenny has other targets, but believes Scotland star Griffiths is the only hitman he will be able to bring in before the transfer window shuts on Friday night.
Lennon added: “Maybe not this month, maybe in the summer. It will be Griffiths if anyone.”
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett has not given up hope of keeping Griff with talks set to continue today.
Jackett said: “We understand every player has their price, but we are not desperate to sell players here. Leigh has gone public to say he is interested in Celtic, as most Scottish lads would be when a club of that size come in.
“But the deal would have to be right for us.
“If not, Leigh is still part of our squad and is with us for Oldham tomorrow and Bradford on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Lennon has dismissed speculation linking Everton with a move to sign Hoops left-back Emilio Izaguirre.
Lennon said: “I wouldn’t sell Izaguirre. I only have one left-back.
“I don’t want to sell any players, the bulk of the team has been playing consistently now for this season and the previous seasons, and Emilio is a part of that.
“I have been really pleased with his resurgence this year. He has been really consistent and played very well in the Champions League.
“You are obviously concerned he might not get back to his previous level when you have a bad injury like that, psychologically as much as anything else.
“But in the Champions League last year, and this year, he really put his mind to it and his qualities shone through.”
JFH
I think that we’re best moving on. My point was about the lack of tolerance here on CQN, I’m not sure if you’re deliberately missing that point. I’ve already said that I’ll support him if he indeed signs, I just happen to think that we should be steeriing clear of someone who is so quick to use this type of language. How is that lacking tolerance?
Ernie
I do understand that it may come across as that. I’m vehemently opposed to racism in all its forms. As I’ve said repeatedly, I can put down all the other stuff re the guy as ‘baggage’ but the specific words used by LG mean that he shouldn’t be considered as a possible transfer target for Celtic Football Club.
Emerald Green
NFL confirmed bid for Griffiths at press conference yesterday then went on to wax lyrical about the player. Wolves confirmed that a bid had been made and rejected
Will Griffiths give us a significantly better chance of UCL qualification? No.
Is he significantly better than what we have? No.
Is he being signed at a sufficiently low financial outlay that he is low risk? No.
Is he going to increase in value and be sold on for profit? Highly unlikely.
With all that in mind, why bother signing him. Keep the powder dry for someone who ticks at least one of the boxes above. This is the signing we can make, rather than the one we need to make.
If he signes I will give him my full support, and would love to be proved wrong, but I’ve never been more downbeat about a possible Celtic signing than I am about this one.