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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Bmcuw lol.
Pat would be a very wealthy man if he was paying by the letter.
Big HH bmcuw.
Ps you are 1222 out ha. Numeracy obviously an issue. Place on Sevco board beckons.
Place on Sevco board beckons for me 1232 out lol
Wolves reject Celtic bid for Leigh Griffiths?
Walk away, Celtic.
15% interest??? That beats the return on my Tufty the Squirrel Super Saver account hands down that does! That’ll really get on the Zombies tats that will. See what happens when your credit rating is A++ get that roond yeh Zombie flesh eaters!! :0)
Bmcuw
Which Andy Goram was that? There were TWO Andy Gorams. Two Andy Gorams…..
gearoid 15.36
Haha, your right, one was a good keeper , the other was a despicable barsteward.
lilys
BMCUW
Thanks for that buddy!
HH!!
GEAROID 1998
Flip,where did I get 766 from?
You changed yer moniker to account for inflation or summat?
Or did I just screw up-again?!
Apols,got yer number now,haha!
Funny to see Leighton Baines has penned a new four year deal with Everton not only are the MSM Emilio Izzaguirre stories wrong, they’re too late.
Mercia Sources
Celtic have been told £1m for Griffiths which I believe they are close to going with, although initial bid was thought to be £300,000.#wwfc
TALLYBHOY
Not a problem,bud. Just feeding that paranoia,being as that is what I do best.
My niece is due a provisional in twenty months time. Hold yer fire and you can have yer revenge!
GEAROID xxxx
IIRC we put seven past Goram one night when he was wi Motherwell.
A hunner Gorams would have made no difference!
LILY’S GRANDPA
Cap doffed….
BMCUW,
Thank you my friend,
lilys
Rules of working class kids football
“Duration
Matches shall be played over three unequal periods: two playtimes and a lunchtime. Each of these periods shall begin shortly after the ringing of a bell, and although a bell is also rung towards the end of these periods, play may continue for up to ten minutes afterwards, depending on the nihilism or “bottle” of the participants with regard to corporal punishment met out to latecomers back to the classroom. In practice there is a sliding scale of nihilism, from those who hasten to stand in line as soon as the bell rings, known as “poofs”, through those who will hang on until the time they estimate it takes the teachers to down the last of their gins and journey from the staffroom, known as “chancers”, and finally to those who will hang on until a teacher actually has to physically retrieve them, known as “bampots”. This sliding scale is intended to radically alter the logistics of a match in progress, often having dramatic effects on the scoreline as the number of remaining participants drops. It is important, therefore, in picking the sides, to achieve a fair balance of poofs, chancers and bampots in order that the scoreline achieved over a sustained period of play – a lunchtime, for instance – is not totally nullified by a five-minute post-bell onslaught of five bampots against one. The scoreline to be carried over from the previous period of the match is in the trust of the last bampots to leave the field of play, and may be the matter of some debate. This must be resolved in one of the approved manners (see Adjudication).
Parameters
The object is to force the ball between two large, unkempt piles of jackets, in lieu of goalposts. These piles may grow or shrink throughout the match, depending on the number of participants and the prevailing weather. As the number of players increases, so shall the piles. Each jacket added to the pile by a new addition to a side should be placed on the inside, nearest the goalkeeper, thus reducing the target area. It is also important that the sleeve of one of the jackets should jut out across the goalmouth, as it will often be claimed that the ball went “over the post” and it can henceforth be asserted that the outstretched sleeve denotes the innermost part of the pile and thus the inside of the post. The on-going reduction of the size of the goal is the responsibility of any respectable defence and should be undertaken conscientiously with resourcefulness and imagination.
In the absence of a crossbar, the upper limit of the target area is observed as being slightly above head height, although when the height at which a ball passed between the jackets is in dispute, judgement shall lie with an arbitrary adjudicator from one of the sides. He is known as the “best fighter”; his decision is final and may be enforced with physical violence if anyone wants to stretch a point.
There are no pitch markings. Instead, physical objects denote the boundaries, ranging from the most common – walls and buildings – to roads or burns. Corners and throw-ins are redundant where bylines or touchlines are denoted by a two-storey building or a six-foot granite wall. Instead, a scrum should be instigated to decide possession. This should begin with the ball trapped between the brickwork and two opposing players, and should escalate to include as many team members as can get there before the now egg-shaped ball finally emerges, drunkenly and often with a dismembered foot and shin attached. At this point, goalkeepers should look out for the player who takes possession of the escaped ball and begins bearing down on goal, as most of those involved in the scrum will be unaware that the ball is no longer amidst their feet. The goalkeeper should also try not to be distracted by the inevitable fighting that has by this point broken out.
In games on large open spaces, the length of the pitch is obviously denoted by the jacket piles, but the width is a variable. In the absence of roads, water hazards or “a big dug”, the width is determined by how far out the attacking winger has to meander before the pursuing defender gets fed up and lets him head back towards where the rest of the players are waiting, often as far as quarter of a mile away. It is often observed that the playing area is “no’ a full-size pitch”. This can be invoked verbally to justify placing a wall of players eighteen inches from the ball at direct free kicks It is the formal response to “yards”, which the kick-taker will incant meaninglessly as he places the ball.
The Ball
There is a variety of types of ball approved for Primary School Football. I shall describe three notable examples.
1. The plastic balloon. “The Wembley wind blower” An extremely lightweight model, used primarily in the early part of the season and seldom after that due to having burst. Identifiable by blue pentagonal panelling and the names of that year’s Premier League sides printed all over it. Advantages: low sting factor, low burst-nose probability, cheap, discourages a long-ball game. Disadvantages: over-susceptible to influence of the wind, difficult to control, almost magnetically drawn to flat school roofs whence never to return.
2. The rough-finish Mitre. Half football, half Portuguese Man o’ War. On the verge of a ban in the European Court of Human Rights, this model is not for sale to children. Used exclusively by teachers during gym classes as a kind of aversion therapy. Made from highly durable fibre-glass, stuffed with neutron star and coated with dead jellyfish. Advantages: looks quite grown up, makes for high-scoring matches (keepers won’t even attempt to catch it). Disadvantages: scars or maims anything it touches.
3. The “Bladder”. Genuine leather ball, identifiable by brown all-over colouring. Was once black and white, before ravages of games on concrete, but owners can never remember when. Adored by everybody, especially keepers. Advantages: feels good, easily controlled, makes a satisfying “whump” noise when you kick it. Disadvantages: turns into medicine ball when wet, smells like a dead dog.
Offside
There is no offside, for two reasons: one, “it’s no’ a full-size pitch”, and two, none of the players actually know what offside is. The lack of an offside rule gives rise to a unique sub-division of strikers. These players hang around the opposing goalmouth while play carries on at the other end, awaiting a long pass forward out of defence which they can help past the keeper before running the entire length of the pitch with their arms in the air to greet utterly imaginary adulation. These are known variously as “poachers”, “gloryhunters” and “fly wee bastarts”. These players display a remarkable degree of self-security, seemingly happy in their own appraisals of their achievements, and caring little for their team-mates’ failure to appreciate the contribution they have made. They know that it can be for nothing other than their enviable goal tallies that they are so bitterly despised.
Adjudication
The absence of a referee means that disputes must be resolved between the opposing teams rather than decided by an arbiter. There are two accepted ways of doing this.
1. Compromise. An arrangement is devised that is found acceptable by both sides. Sway is usually given to an action that is in accordance with the spirit of competition, ensuring that the game does not turn into “a pure skoosh”. For example, in the event of a dispute as to whether the ball in fact crossed the line, or whether the ball has gone inside or “over” the post, the attacking side may offer the ultimatum: “Penalty or goal.” It is not recorded whether any side has ever opted for the latter. It is on occasions that such arrangements or ultimata do not prove acceptable to both sides that the second adjudicatory method comes into play.
2. Fighting. Those up on their ancient Hellenic politics will understand that the concept we know as “justice” rests in these circumstances with the hand of the strong. What the winner says, goes, and what the winner says is just, for who shall dispute him? It is by such noble philosophical principles that the supreme adjudicator, or Best Fighter, is effectively elected.
Team Selection
To ensure a fair and balanced contest, teams are selected democratically in a turns-about picking process, with either side beginning as a one-man selection committee and growing from there. The initial selectors are usually the recognised two Best Players of the assembled group. Their first selections will be the two recognised Best Fighters, to ensure a fair balance in the adjudication process, and to ensure that they don’t have their own performances impaired throughout the match by profusely bleeding noses. They will then proceed to pick team-mates in a roughly meritocratic order, selecting on grounds of skill and tactical awareness, but not forgetting that while there is a sliding scale of players’ ability, there is also a sliding scale of players’ brutality and propensities towards motiveless violence. A selecting captain might baffle a talented striker by picking the less nimble Big Jazza ahead of him, and may explain, perhaps in the words of Linden B Johnson upon his retention of J Edgar Hoover as the head of the FBI, that he’d “rather have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in”.
Special consideration is also given during the selection process to the owner of the ball. It is tacitly acknowledged to be “his gemme”, and he must be shown a degree of politeness for fear that he takes the huff at being picked late and withdraws his favours.
Another aspect of team selection that may confuse those only familiar with the game at senior level will be the choice of goalkeepers, who will inevitably be the last players to be picked. Unlike in the senior game, where the goalkeeper is often the tallest member of his team, in the playground, the goalkeeper is usually the smallest. Senior aficionados must appreciate that playground selectors have a different agenda and are looking for altogether different properties in a goalkeeper. These can be listed briefly as: compliance, poor fighting ability, meekness, fear and anything else that makes it easier for their team-mates to banish the wee bugger between the sticks while they go off in search of personal glory up the other end.
Tactics
Playground football tactics are best explained in terms of team formation. Whereas senior sides tend to choose – according to circumstance – from among a number of standard options (eg 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 5-3-2), the playground side is usually more rigid in sticking to the all-purpose 1-1-17 formation. This formation is a sturdy basis for the unique style of play, ball-flow and territorial give-and-take that makes the playground game such a renowned and strategically engrossing spectacle. Just as the 5-3-2 formation is sometimes referred to in practice as “Cattenaccio”, the 1-1-17 formation gives rise to a style of play that is best described as “Nomadic”. All but perhaps four of the participants (see also Offside) migrate en masse from one area of the pitch to another, following the ball, and it is tactically vital that every last one of them remains within a ten-yard radius of it at all times.
Stoppages
Much stoppage time in the senior game is down to injured players requiring treatment on the field of play. The playground game flows freer having adopted the refereeing philosophy of “no Post-Mortem, no free-kick”, and play will continue around and even on top of a participant who has fallen in the course of his endeavours. However, the playground game is nonetheless subject to other interruptions, and some examples are listed below.
Ball on school roof or over school wall. The retrieval time itself is negligible in these cases. The stoppage is most prolonged by the argument to decide which player must risk life, limb or four of the belt to scale the drainpipe or negotiate the barbed wire in order to return the ball to play. Disputes usually arise between the player who actually struck the ball and any others he claims it may have struck before disappearing into forbidden territory. In the case of the Best Fighter having been adjudged responsible for such an incident, a volunteer is often required to go in his stead or the game may be abandoned, as the Best Fighter is entitled to observe that A: “Ye canny make me”; or B: “It’s no’ ma baw anyway”.
Stray dog on pitch. An interruption of unpredictable duration. The dog does not have to make off with the ball, it merely has to run around barking loudly, snarling and occasionally drooling or foaming at the mouth. This will ensure a dramatic reduction in the number of playing staff as 27 of them simultaneously volunteer to go indoors and inform the teacher of the threat. The length of the interruption can sometimes be gauged by the breed of dog. A deranged Irish Setter could take ten minutes to tire itself of running in circles, for instance, while a Jack Russell may take up to fifteen minutes to corner and force out through the gates. An Alsatian means instant abandonment.
Bigger boys steal ball. A highly irritating interruption, the length of which is determined by the players’ experience in dealing with this sort of thing. The intruders will seldom actually steal the ball, but will improvise their own kickabout amongst themselves, occasionally inviting the younger players to attempt to tackle them. Standing around looking bored and unimpressed usually results in a quick restart. Shows of frustration and engaging in attempts to win back the ball can prolong the stoppage indefinitely. Informing the intruders that one of the players’ older brother is “Mad Chic Murphy” or some other noted local pugilist can also ensure minimum delay.
Menopausal old bag confiscates ball. More of a threat in the street or local green kickabout than within the school walls. Sad, blue-rinsed, ill-tempered, Tory-voting cat-owner transfers her anger about the array of failures that has been her life to nine-year-olds who have committed the heinous crime of letting their ball cross her privet Line of Death. Interruption (loss of ball) is predicted to last “until you learn how to play with it properly”, but instruction on how to achieve this without actually having the bloody thing is not usually forwarded. Tact is required in these circumstances, even when the return of the ball seems highly unlikely, as further irritation of woman may result in the more serious stoppage:
Menopausal old bag calls police.
Celebration
Goal-scorers are entitled to a maximum run of thirty yards with their hands in the air, making crowd noises and saluting imaginary packed terraces. Congratulation by team-mates is in the measure appropriate to the importance of the goal in view of the current scoreline (for instance, making it 34-12 does not entitle the player to drop to his knees and make the sign of the cross), and the extent of the scorer’s contribution. A fabulous solo dismantling of the defence or 25-yard* rocket shot will elicit applause and back-pats from the entire team and the more magnanimous of the opponents. However, a tap-in in the midst of a chaotic scramble will be heralded with the epithet “poachin’ wee bastart” from the opposing defence amidst mild acknowledgment from team-mates. Applying an unnecessary final touch when a ball is already rolling into the goal will elicit a burst nose from the original striker. Kneeling down to head the ball over the line when defence and keeper are already beaten will elicit a thoroughly deserved kicking. As a footnote, however, it should be stressed that any goal scored by the Best Fighter will be met with universal acclaim, even if it falls into any of the latter three categories.
*Actually eight yards, but calculated as relative distance because “it’s no’ a full-size pitch”.
Penalties
At senior level, each side often has one appointed penalty-taker, who will defer to a team-mate in special circumstances, such as his requiring one more for a hat-trick. The playground side has two appointed penalty-takers: the Best Player and the Best Fighter. The arrangement is simple: the Best Player takes the penalties when his side is a retrievable margin behind, and the Best Fighter at all other times. If the side is comfortably in front, the ball-owner may be invited to take a penalty.
Goalkeepers are often the subject of temporary substitutions at penalties, forced to give up their position to the Best Player or Best Fighter, who recognise the kudos attached to the heroic act of saving one of these kicks, and are buggered if Wee Titch is going to steal any of it.
Close Season
This is known also as the Summer Holidays, which the players usually spend dabbling briefly in other sports: tennis for a fortnight while Wimbledon is on the telly; pitch-and-putt for four days during the Open; and cricket for about an hour and a half until they discover that it really is as boring to play as it is to watch.”
tom
04:07 on 22 January, 2014
My boss is Peter Principle –
An excellent read and for once a very long post that at least has some purpose to it and is worth the time spent absorbing it.
When I played street, or “back-green” football as a kid, the penalty-taker was the player who caused the penalty, eg I was tripped, I took the penalty or if it was my shot that was illegally handled, it was my penalty.
Bmcuw/ Lily’s grandpa
There is a gerry766 on the blog. Don’t know whether it’s a good thing or bad thing you have my number ha.
Lily’s grandpa.Senility obviously setting in BOTH were Barstewards of the worst kind. Black armbands at Billy Wrights death anyone. Other Andy insisted it was for his Aunt that passed away( even though he couldn’t remember her name, where she lived etc…)
Apologies
Repost of wc kids football which I sent to someone other day discovered on this saintly blog. Post to Bmcuw and Lily’s grandpa at bottom of said post.
Mea culpa
georoid,
Point taken, was only judging his ability, nothing more. Senility? not so sure about that!
Lilys
No one can tell me the very best striker option we could source was sitting on the bench at Wolves.
Yet more big talk followed by small action. It’s always the way.
Lily’s grandpa
Only a wind up my learned friend. I’m sure you look well for your age although some say they put your picture on the mantelpiece to keep the weans away from the fire.
geariod
Haha this coupon has scared more than weans,thats the reason no pets in here!
lilys
Se7en
16:01 on
27 January, 2014
He’s started 18 of the games he’s been in the squad for and come off the bench 8 out of 9 teams he’s been on it.
While I’m not 100% convinced he’s the right signing, suggesting that he’s a bench warmer is a little inaccurate.
I think Griffiths from a purely footballing perspective would be a good addition to the squad.
He may not be a decent human being but he may improve with age. He is still young but has many mouths to feed.
The boy has undoubted footballing ability.
As others have already said, I struggle to recall the last time Samaras made a telling contribution to any game in the hoops, so would be rid of him in this transfer window or allow him to cool his heels on the bench for the remainder of the season. Stokes is another that has flattered to deceive with his overall contribution to our goal tally unacceptable for a regular starting place. Pukki and Balde need to be given game time to show if they can or cannot hack it at our level. I would hope that Atajic and Watt return as better players in the summer to provide genuine competition for places upfront. With Kris Commons now being deployed as our main striker I see the challenge being to find him the most suitable partner out of what we already have, rather than spend money on another project or squad player.
Glad to see the beanies arriving safely.
Glasgowbhoy and Tri coloured ribbon, you need to email me so i can post yours out.
another lot of beanies ordered today and will be in touch with owners in a few days.
Teething problems with the project are now ironed out.and will be able to send out within a week.
Anybody who wishes their own CQN pesonalised beanie email me patmcg1888@aol.com
I was at my first away game in ages yesterday and was happy to help out Goldstar10 with a couple of tickets, good to meet up with fellow CQN’ers.
I don’t think we need to sign any new srtiker
AMIDO AMIDO AMIDO frriken BALDE heeees the MHAN
lastly, yesterday I was decked out in my CQN beanie, celtic scarf, and celtic jacket as I looked out among the celtic support (mainly to see if I recognised anybody)
I was taken aback by the number of supporters who had no green and white colours at all.
First impession mainly young guys late teens early twenties.
Just wondering is this the norm?
HH PB
Afternoon all.
Well it’s looking like Griffiths is the answer to our striker problem.
I’m not saying another thing on the subject!
Here’s the latest updates for the List!
————————————————
Players in:
———–
Name Age Position Club Price
—-— ——– —-—–
Fridjonsson – 20 – Striker – Fram Reykjavik – £100K
Johansen – 23 – Midfielder – Stromsgodset – £1.7M
Players out:
———–
Name Club Price
—-—- —–
George – Hamilton Accies – Loan deal
Rogic – Melbourne Victory – Loan deal
Atajic – Shrewsbury Town – Loan deal
Rumoured transfer in:
———————
Keepers
——-
Name Age Club Source Price
—-— —- —— —–
Forde – 33 – Millwall – STV – No fee mentioned (06/12)
McCarthy – 24 – Reading – Talkceltic – No fee mentioned (16/13)
Johnson – 24 – Chicago Fire – Daily Express – No fee mentioned (11/01)
Johnson – 21 – Port Vale – Celticrumours – No fee mentioned (12/01)
Defenders
———
Name Age Club Source Price
—-— —- —— —–
Taylor-Sinclair – 22 – Partick – Various – £75K (30/11)
Taylor – 27 – Newcastle – Talkceltic – 6 mths loan (13/12)
Kalas – 20 – Chelsea – Celticrumours – 6 mths loan (05/01)
Kingsley – 19 – Falkirk – The Herald – £500K (10/01)
Capuano – 22 – Pescara – Various – No fee mentioned (14/01)
Williams – 26 – Middlesbrough – Scottish Sun – £1.5M (22/01)
Morrison – 25 – Charlton – Daily mail – No fee mentioned (23/01)
Buttner- 24 – Man Utd – Talkspurt – £1.6M (26/01)
Midfielders
———–
Name Age Club Source Price
—-— —- —— —–
Armstrong – 21 – Dundee Utd – Various – £500K (01/12)
Gauld – 18 – Dundee Utd – Celticrumours – £500K (01/12)
Guidetti – 21 – Man City – – Talkceltic – Loan until summer (09/12)
Bryson – 27 – Derby County – STV – No fee mentioned (12/12)
Toivonen – 27 – PSV – Talkceltic – No fee mentioned (13/12)
Norwood – 22 – Huddersfield – The Scottish Hun – £3M (17/12)
Eikrem – 23 – Hereenven – Various – No fee mentioned (21/12)
Henrikson – AZ Alkmaar – various – £2M (23/12)
Hassan – 19 – Al Ahly – Various – £2M (24/12)
Tomlin – 24 – Peterborough Utd – Celticrumours – No fee mentioned (03/01)
Mackay-Steven – 22 – Dundee Utd – Various – £1M (03/01)
Berisha – 20 – Red Bull Salzburg – Celticrumours – No fee mentioned (03/01)
Fletcher – 29 – Man Utd – Various – No fee mentioned; possible loan (04/01)
McDonald – 25 – Wolves – Celticrumours – No fee mentioned (04/01)
Hupperts 21 – Roda JC – Talkceltic – No fee mentioned (07/01)
Mane – 19 – Sporting – Scottish Sun – Reported £1M buy-out-clause (09/01)
Firmino – 22 – Hoffenheim – The Times – £4.5M (12/01)
Larsson – 16 – Hodaborks – Celticrumours – No fee mentioned (13/01)
Bryson – 27 – Derby – Radio Snyde – No fee mentioned (16/01)
Tomlin – 25 – Peterborough – Daily Mail – No fee mentioned (23/01)
Golasa – 22 – Maccabi Haifa – Israeli press – No fee mentioned (24/01)
Strikers
——–
Name Age Club Source Price
—-— —- —— —–
Parzyszek – 20 – De Graafschap – Polish press – £800K (30/11)
Vaughan – 25 – Norwich – Daily Mirror – No fee mentioned (03/12)
Ings – 21 – Burnley – The Scottish Hun – £5M (03/12)
May – 21 – St Johnstone – Northern Times – No fee mentioned (07/12)
McCormack – 27 – Leeds – SSB – No fee mentioned (07/12)
McKay – 24 – ICT – Daily Express – No fee mentioned (12/12)
Boyd – 22 – Rapid Wien – Talkspurt – £1M (13/12)
Damari – 24 – Hapoel Tel Aviv – SlySpurtsNews – No fee mentioned (14/12)
Assombalonga – 21 – Talkceltic – No fee mentioned (16/12)
Wells – 23 – Bradford City – Daily Rectum – No fee mentioned (16/12)
Ntep – 21 – Auxerre – Talkceltic – No fee mentioned (16/12)
Finnbogason – 24 – Heerenveen – Herald – £5M (17/12)
Mawuli – 24 – Hapoel Ashkelon – Herald – £750K (17/12)
Johannsson – 23 – AZ – Daily Mail – £4.5M (19/12)
Soriano – 28 – Red Bull Salzburg – Daily Express – £4M (31/12)
Fletcher – 26 – Sunderland – Various – £6M (02/01)
Janko – 30 – Trabzonspor – Various – Player has expressed wish to join (11/01)
Aboubakar – 21 – Lorient – Talkceltic – £3M (13/01)
N’Doye – 28 – Lokomotiv Moscow – Celticrumours – £6M (13/01)
Nikolic – 26 – Videoton – Guardian – £500K (14/01)
Le Fondre – 27 – Reading – Talksport – No fee mentioned (15/01)
Bent – 29 – Aston Villa – Daily Mirror – No fee mentioned (15/01)
Walters – 30 – Stoke – Celticrumours – No fee mentioned (15/01)
Rhodes – 23 – Blackburn – Talkspurt – No fee mentioned (16/01)
Marica – 28 – Getafe – Daily Express – No fee mentioned (16/01)
Kermorgant – 32 – Charlton – Daily mail – No fee mentioned (23/01)
Griffiths – 23 – Wolves – Various – £1M (23/01)
Damari – 24 – Hapoel Tel Aviv – Israeli press – No fee mentioned (24/01)
Kone – 30 – Everton – SlySpurtsNews – No fee mentioned (25/01)
ShamPOO rumours:
———————-
Name Club Reason
—-—— —–
Yamada – 24 – Jubilo Iwata – After a week long trial Celtic decided against
Pawlowski – 20 – Udinese – Player going to Slask Wroclaw on loan
Snodgrass – 26 – Norwich – Neil Lennon denies interest
Djuricic – 21 – Benfica – Players agent has insisted Djuricic will not be joining us
Rumoured loan out:
———————-
Name Source Club
—-—— —–
Rumoured transfer out:
———————-
Name Source Price
—-—— —–
Foster – Various– £7M to Southampton/Sunderland/Everton/Benfica
Samaras – Various –£2M to Borussia Monchengladbach/Hull/Toronto/Aston villa
Ledley – Various – £1M to Carrdiff
van Djke – Various – £10M to Man City or Arsenal
McGeouch – Various – £250K or loan to Coventry
Bangura – Daily Rankers – Loan move to Falkenberg
McGregor – Express and Star – £750K to Wolves/Derby
Pukki – Celticrumours – West Ham interested
kayal – Various – Could be part of Griffiths deal with Wolves
As always let me know if you’ve heard of anyone that isn’t here.
Bye for now fholks!
HH
/Bishop B
Taranis
15:27 on 27 January, 2014
Anyone looking for a good book, found below to be well written and knowledgeable on mafia in Italy during last 3 decades. It covers the murder of the anti-mafia judge Falcone and the fall-out from it
Vendetta: The Mafia, Judge Falcone and the Quest for Justice
……………………………………………..
People talk disparagingly of Italy, corruption, cowardice and Berlusconi, but forget the Italy of honesty, bravery, and Giovanni Falcone.
Would any of our lot stand up to the might of the Mafia?
Struggling with the thought of the Griffiths signing….ok less than 500,000….waste of money if more. He is no different from the players already here.
If the bid was 300,000 Hibs might have been able to push the boat out seeing as they paid 100k for Collins.
Why is it we ALWAYS go in too low?
I am not saying Griffiths is the right player but if the manager wants him I’d say paying a million for a proven goalscorer in our league is not unrealistic given these type of players have gone to England for more or around the same price.
It would seem that lessons have not been learned.
Whatever else you think, Griffiths is a bigger goal threat than any of our other strikers currently on our books.
Puzzled.
Not sure Rogic has made the right move going on loan to Melbourne. Skelped 5-0 on his debut!
LB
monaghan1900
13:54 on 27 January, 2014
FFin’ probing interrogatory on the land deals:
“Is it possible for a citizen of Glasgow to take them to court for misinterpretation of public funds?”
Monaghan my Mhan your posts should come with a ‘ y’ar gonna wet yersel’ health warning!!!
‘Misinterpretation’ of public funds ?!?!
Love it!
Misinterpretation of taxation obligations more like!
HH jamesgang
hen1rik
15:44 on 27 January, 2014Mercia SourcesCeltic have been told £1m for Griffiths which I believe they are close to going with, although initial bid was thought to be £300,000.#wwfc
300k plus Kayal and Bangura off the wage bill might do it
Griffiths strikes me as the kind of character more suited to a blue jersey. He’s certainly got the looks for one.
Some people think Griffiths may be the answer and some people don’t. Not totally convinced myself but I believe a prolific striker at any level will score goals. Did ian Wright of the Arsenal not go from scoring in a pub like to scoring in cup finals in 2 years or something?
It’s getting the right player with the right hunger for me.
LB
Weeminger,
13 goals in only 18 starts? Tidy.
Snake
“why is it we ALWAYS go in too low?”
1. I can’t believe you are asking that
2. We don’t.
3. I hope and prey we never do the opposite.
HH
time for change
16:17 on
27 January, 2014
Struggling with the thought of the Griffiths signing….ok less than 500,000….waste of money if more. He is no different from the players already here.
If the stats other posters have posted are correct then he is different from the strikers we have already in one important respect – he scores goals! :-)
A few people have said they don’t think he’s the answer. That all depends on the question. If the question is “Is he a proven goalscorer” then the answer is “yes”. If the question is “Will he make the difference in Europe” then the answer has to be “Not sure”.
Personally, I’d take a risk with him for less than £1m. Although – as others have pointed out (Jungle Jim?), our SPFL stats show that we don’t appear to need a striker for that competition.
If he comes to Celtic and does not score then it will be clear (if it isn;t clear already) that the issue is creating and not taking chances.
On his personal life – I know nothing about it so cannot comment. If he sticks to the terms of his contract with Celtic I will have nothing to say about it.
Well Wolves have turned down our offer for Griffiths I think he would score goals for us but wither we could keep him from getting into trouble outside the game is another thing altogether. H.H.
Seriously disappointed that we are going for Griffiths.
We need a striker who can make the difference in the CL and who is comfortable playing alone up front. A strong player who can play with his back to goal holding the ball up and bringing others into play.
Griffiths cannot do this. He needs acres of room in front of him and does not flourish when space is limited.
“F@@@ off back to your own country ya clown”
No not the words of one of the great unwashed, but a reply from Leigh Griffiths on Twitter when he was called ugly.
Is this what we want at our club?