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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snake plissken
16:20 on 27 January, 2014
Have we. bid for Griffiths?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
joe filippis haircut
16:36 on 27 January, 2014
Do we know how much was bid?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
My 2 bob worth with Griffiths is he IS better than anything we have and his record speaks for itself, We moaned when they sign player with poor goal record and moan when we try and sign one with a good record.
Good Player and will excel in the Green and White. We is a rambling man and He will find a home with us and we’ll reap the benefit of it.
KLV
livibhoy-i did notice at Hibs he ran his socks off for the team,as most bhoys are saying he is a better scorer than we have at league level ,but in Europe who knows? Off field stuff is a worry for me.HH
Nothing wrong with sticking up for himself Hamiltontim, tbh I don’t think you would get much different from our Captian.
KLV
If we end up buying Griffiths we should give the player a chance all this judging the Boys scoreing ability in the CL the only true way we will find out is to play him. H.H
Neil will bring the Boy to Heel, As i said Brown was a rocket and Look how much Neil has changed him, Neymar aside.
KLV
HT-That is the worry,the rags will be all over him like a rash,is he mature enough to play for and represent Celtic?
Lennybhoy supporting the Dam 5. Only a rumour but £300,000 is doing the rounds with Wolves wanting around 1.2 million if true we have to start from some where.H.H.
kevinlasvegas supporting wee oscar knox
16:43 on 27 January, 2014
Mate the only word missing was ‘famine’ and he could have professing utterings in line with a Hun.
Has Scott Brown ever said anything racist?
After all the failures in the striking department, I’m for some tried and tested, we might be after Griffiths and another who knows, Tony and the swede Bhoy out on Loan, Bang Bang getting freed and Sammy will be off i think, Leaves us pretty thin, Pukki, Stokes, Blade is all fine and well for spl but for building a team for euro qualifiers. The building needs to start now. KC’s form will dip eventually.
KLV
Ross McCormack @Rossmccormack44 2m
Griffiths to Celtic. He would score a lot of goals for them no doubts!! #lefty
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Bada
Maturity is irrelevant for me when someone is prepared to use such vocabulary mate.
I wouldn’t want him anywhere near our club.
LG = Life’s Good.
Perhaps not in this context. Could Score plenty of domestic goals but CL quality? Don’t think so. Shed loads of baggage.
Ref Broonie yesterday, I thought his breaking up of their attacks was excellent and his we pretty creative. Even managed a shot on target.
Becoming-a-HabitCSC!
HH jamesgang
Taranis
Re Falcone: there was a good film about his life and times with, I think, Chaz Palminteri in the title role. How weird it is that someone like Falcone ends up dead while a low-life like Berlusconi is the people’s choice election after election.
Still wouldn’t put me off the boy Hamiltontim, If Neil can contain him I think we will have a good player who knows the scottish game, Pukki is now just starting to get wise and he’s been to the Gym to adapt to our game. Let’s see how it players out.
KLV
HT
We had Frankie Bhoy and Jinky and Artur….all difficult bhoys to deal with….I am sure there are many more.
If he comes let’s see how he settles and behaves….gie the weans a chance.
Hope you and the minx are well. She was supposed to pick up a few things for the Dam fund but it was Chritmas….and we might have been…well……full of the spirit of the season.
Kikinthenakas
BigNan
so sorry to hear your news but the fight has to go on. It’s a war, not a battle. Is there no way we can embarrass them by going UK wide?? We all on here at least, know the wrong being done here. We MUST out them once and for all.
if that fails, tell them you’re from Selvage Street, that’ll shake them to their core.
So we lose the battle but surely we can win the war
KINGLuBO
Livibhoy
If Griffiths signs, I’m sure almost every bhoy in the stands , even the ones who ain’t convinced, will be willing him to score a barrowload. It’s a family thing. Personally, I’d rather see any one of a number of other players brought in, but, if Griffiths is the one, then so be it and we shall collectively hope he proves those who wanted him correct, and us doubters wrong.
I doubt even the biggest cynics will want anyone in a hooped jersey to fail.
On a kinda related theme, I’m of the opinion we really lacked a ” personality” in the team. You know the kind. A Henk, a Lubo, a McAvennie, and I don’t just mean in respect of ability, I mean someone who looks as though they were meant to be in a Celtic jersey. I felt Vic was a bit like that, and perhaps Virgil is the one who epitomises that ” Celtic way” character.
Perhaps that factor alone, might help Griffiths. He might just see this as his one big chance to make a real name for himself and that could kick him on to good times if he can keep a sense of balance. Can’t imagine he’ll ever be a shrinking violet on the pitch, but he needs to keep it in check off the field.
Put it this way, perhaps I can best sum him up as a player likely to stick 3 by Sevco the first time we cross swords again.
I still think both Pukki and Balde will make it at Celtic and we have Stoksie so along with Griffiths it would give us any two from four very different front men backed up with KC .I think Sammis time has come and gone also Kayal could be moved on.Ledley well its up to him and I think we still need a creative centre mid fielder. H.H
Wolves fans are falling out of love with Griffiths, but only 5 months ago, here is what one of their fans printed after they beat Gillingham.
( may as well start looking for the positives!)
Wolves FanZoner Karl Sears hails the performance of Leigh Griffiths and his Wanderers team-mates in the weekend win over Gillingham.
The day has arrived. Finally I get to write a piece about Wolves without using a single negative adjective or depressing adverb.
I was one of the 19,000 plus at Molineux on Saturday who left having witnessed one of the most impressive performances from a Wolves team in years.
Yes, I know this is the third tier and yes, I know Gillingham weren’t great, but you can only beat what’s in front of you, and boy did we beat what was in front of us.
After a goalless performance at Preston and a horror show at Morecambe, we needed to hit the ground running – an early goal from a striker of whom much is expected would be perfect, I thought. So when Leigh Griffiths put us ahead early-doors, the cries of joy from the crowd were partly cries of relief. This was it. This was the start. We could relax and enjoy this.
I can’t mention Griffiths without shining a light on his overall performance for those not in attendance on Saturday. To put it simply, he is far too good for this level of football. His first touch, his vision and his passing was sublime.
But what impressed me most, more than his lust for scoring goals, was his movement off the ball. When we were coming forward, Griffiths was always on the move, looking for the ball, creating space for himself and others; he barely ever stood still.
It’s easy to see why Griffiths was attracting so much attention north of the border – he’s got a sharp footballing brain and is very difficult to handle – Gillingham won’t be the only defence he ruins this season.
His celebration and general demeanour showed that he was clearly enjoying himself; he played up to the crowd and they were only too happy to respond. Griffith celebrated converting his penalty to put us 4-0 as if he’d just scored a last-minute winner. Enthusiasm is just as important as skill when it comes to winning over fans, and Griffiths has it in abundance.
There are many who are saying that Griffiths should have been brought back from his loan spell last season, but I for one am glad he was not. From what I hear, the dressing room has been poisonous for the last few years – not a great environment to be introduced to.
Kenny Jackett, however, made it clear immediately that Griffiths was a big part of his plans: “I got the job one day and phoned him the next and that’s how I feel, having watched him last season. I told him ‘You’re not moving, you’re coming back to Wolves and I’m going to give you a chance'”.
Who doesn’t want to be wanted? I doubt that Griffiths would have got such a warm welcome from Solbakken or Saunders.
I still have my doubts as to whether we can keep hold of him for the long term, but let’s enjoy it while we can.
To single out Griffiths is justified, but the whole team was wonderful. Richard Stearman and Danny Batth were calm and solid at the back, and David Davis and Lee Evans were in complete control of the midfield from minute one to minute 90.
Kevin Doyle, while not much of a goal threat, did what Doyle does best. He won the aerial battles and linked midfield with the front line with dinks, flicks and little passes.
Bakary Sako, too, showed that he was interested, and tormented his marker with step-overs and sprints to the byline with every opportunity. If this was Doyle and Sako’s final Molineux salute, then they bowed out on a high. I would expect both to move on this month as we certainly can’t afford to keep them both, but I tip my hat to both for putting in a shift.
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar 16:38 on 27 January, 2014
It wasn’t the smartest thing to say, but other people associated with Celtic have said or did embarrassing things and are held in high-esteem.
Most footballers are numpties, but they are signed on the basis of their talent and not their brain power. I think he’s a good player, and I reckon he would do a decent job at Celtic.
HH
On Goalscorers
Its a long time since I started to kick a ball and I did not take an interest until about age eleven, but in a short time it was clear I would be playing up front.
First I was a coward and fifty fifties were not for me, so not midfield or full/centre back.
Second I was nippy over 10 yards.
Third I had a good touch in tight spaces.
Fourth I found myself arriving in the right place at the right time in the territory starting at the goal line and ending at the edge of the penalty box.
I sclaffed them in, I placed them in, I lobbed them in, even from halfway, the ball hit off various parts of my body, including the goolies in an unforgettable freezing cold day in Balornock, and went in.
I played against Tony Green and Jimmy Smith who could make the ball talk but were not big scorers and wee fat Joe Harper who did nothing other than score goals against my team and rarely left the box.
Celtic do not have a box player and some of the best box players were and are criticised for being just that.
I think it is a box player that we would like to see signed.
Unfortunately I have lost at least a yard of pace and whilst my head knows just where to be when watching a game, it would take the rest of me ten minutes to catch up.
So it will probably have to be Griffiths.
Que sera sera.
joe filippis haircut
16:36 on 27 January, 2014
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.
The SMSM will be rubbing their mitts on this one. Deflection shield on full power. Good luck to the boy but he’s going to need one helluva minder.
KINGLUBO
16:56 on 27 January, 2014
BigNan
so sorry to hear your news but the fight has to go on. It’s a war, not a battle. Is there no way we can embarrass them by going UK wide?? We all on here at least, know the wrong being done here. We MUST out them once and for all.
if that fails, tell them you’re from Selvage Street, that’ll shake them to their core.
So we lose the battle but surely we can win the war
KINGLuBO
……………………..
12 Selvage Street, it was. I set the house on fire while cooking a fried breakfast when aged 8-9 (Cub’s proficiency badge). Dad was at work in the Dockyard, mum and sister at 9 O’Clock mass.
3 brothers upstairs didn’t heed the warning cries till too late and had to be rescued by firemen.
Don’t tell the PPC that but the abandonment is only a setback. Lets see what they say tomorrow, if anything, and there may be some mileage left in it yet, but over it ain’t.
Celtic have official bid for Wolves striker Leigh Griffiths rejected by English Championship side
27 Jan 2014 14:25
THE Molineux club snubbed the offer for the 23-year-old Scotland hitman but boss Kenny Jacket says he will sell the player to the Hoops if the price is right.
Leigh Griffiths in action for Wolves
Nick Potts/PA Wire
CELTIC have had a formal bid for former Hibs striker Leigh Griffiths rejected by Wolves.
The 23-year-old starred at Easter Road last season before returning to his parent club in the summer.
The striker has earned four Scotland caps and Hoops boss Neil Lennon has now made a formal offer for the player.
Molineux boss Kenny Jacket said: “We’ve had a bid from Celtic but it has been rejected.
“We don’t know how things will develop.
“We do 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 the Celtic situation as most Scottish lads would be when a club of that size come in.
“But the deal would have to be right for us and we will have to see how it goes.
“If not Leigh is still part of our squad and is with us for Oldham tomorrow and Bradford on Saturday.”
KLV
Agreed – let’s wait an see. He has scored some great goals up here and I’m certain that if he does join us, he will be left under no illusion as to what is expected from him or he will be out on his Lierse !
Also, re your nom de blog, I will be in Las Vegas visiting pals in early June if you fancy a Guinness?
Big Nan,
sorry to see that you have abandoned your petition after all your hard work but i fully understand why.
Scotlands “Fabric” is still rotten to the core and that’s why it’s NO to Independence for me. Perhaps in a generation or two when “reasonable” people have reached the levers of power then Scotland should be Free.
HH
Natknow….cheers for comment…have watched him closely over a period of time I think he is the same as other people on our books….personally feel we need another Van Hessellink of Venegor tyoe of striker.
Hooper had played well before coming to us and I think we got him as other teams were tempted with the six foot plus option…
in my view Mac Donald should never have come anywhere near our team….
Hail Hail
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
16:38 on 27 January, 2014
I’ve heard a lot worse towards Celtic players from Celtic fans.
I’m a fan of if your giving it out you must be prepared to take it HH
The Blog aspirations have fairly plummeted as we head towards the closure of the January Window.
From the need to get a CL type striker bedded-in for the CL Qualifiers – the clamour for Fletcher (pre-rickshaw) – now down to chasing Grifith’s signature (and baggage) – all I can say is…………
I pray this is all Media speculation and we sign nobody or if we do – somebody out of ‘left-field’ with a decent pedigree (man and player).
If we sign Griffiths he will score goals. More goals than any of our current strikers. Whether he can do it at CL level remains to be seen but I remember being equally sceptical about Scott McDonald’s signing and for a couple of seasons he scored goals both at home and in the big CL games. Truth is we don’t know how good Griffiths can be but it sounds like we are going to find out.
I just can’t get my head around having 7 strikers at the club, though 2 may leave by the end of the week, and a further 2 out on loan. Good squad management and use of financial resources??
If we sign Griffiths, and with rumours of Snodgrass coming either this week or in the summer, maybe we should also go for Dorrans and try to recreate the Livi team circa 2008/2009
embramike supporting wee Oscar and Res 12
I wish i stayed in Las Vegas mate, Sunny old Airdrie I’m Affraid.
;)
KLV
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
16.50
27 January, 2014
Bada
Maturity is irrelevant for me when someone is prepared to use such vocabulary mate.
I wouldn’t want him anywhere near our club.
=========================
Have you never met anyone who is not the same person they were say 5 years ago?
Are you not prepared to give someone that five years to become someone different?
Indeed might they not become someone different because of the twin gifts of patience and setting aside of judgement offered to them?
I posted this opening sentence before from the book The Long Glasgow Kiss by Craig Russell, and whilst you are a Hamilton man that is close enough to Glasgow for it to be apt, for it is an attitude I often see at work:
” Some concepts are alien to the Glaswegian mind. Salad. Dentistry. Forgiveness.
( an enjoyable series starting with Lennox about post war crime in Glasgow in the fifties)
Kev
Fair enough mate I disagree though.
Kickinthenakas
But the guys you mentioned weren’t racist or use language that’s practically identical to a slur thrown at us by the Huns. For me there’s a massive difference.
Ps Minx apologises and will mail you later :-)
Er…LG is a goalscorer!
Of that there is no doubt.
He’s also a cheeky little s o b
D’ya know, I think he might just fit in!!!!
Auldheid
Did you live in Balornock?
I also played against Tony Green.
JJ