Every Celtic fan will be delighted Fraser Forster was included in the England World Cup squad. Fraser joined Celtic on loan four years ago, becoming a permanent member of staff in 2012. His transformation over that period has been remarkable, which is no fluke.
He is the most dedicated footballer at the club. First in each morning, around 2.5 hours before official start time, he’s also last out of Lennoxtown almost every day. He is possibly the most complete 365-day-a-year athlete we’ve ever had. This is a player who has set high personal achievement goals and has allowed no distractions to get in his way.
Enormous credit also has to go to the man who has guided him through his meteoric rise in recent seasons, goalkeeper coach Stevie Woods. Without the focus, technical development and remedial work Stevie has added to Fraser’s development we would not have nearly as effective a goalkeeper between the sticks.
It is never good to see anyone lose their job but surely the decision for Hearts to sack Gary Locke was one of the easiest to come out of Anne Budge’s 120 minute review (which was more productive than one 120 day review). Hearts early and late season form, where they comfortably recorded victories against most of their peer group, told a tale of what happened for six months of the season, when the team failed to show up.
Locke had the resources to keep his team in the league this season but found every excuse available to ensure they finished bottom.
I’m less sure Danny Lennon deserved to be hooked. The gap between St Mirren’s 8th placed finish with 39 points and Hibs on 35 points is narrow, but when he needed to dig deep, Lennon was not found wanting. St Mirren might not be so fortunate with their next guy.
Tommy Gemmell
We are going to have the one and only Tommy Gemmell on the blog on Friday afternoon between 13:00 and 16:00. He’ll be available to take your questions and talk about life, football and anything else you care to bring up. Tune in.
Issue 20 of CQN Magazine, CQLisboN, is out and enjoying great reviews. Click here to read for FREE.
[calameo code=0003901717b11f6e50af4 lang=en page=4 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
991 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 26
- »
Brth
A smashing post on Sammi
Harry Hood went to St.Aloysius.
Jim Craig didn`t.
QA Wagstaff
Not difficult, tbh.
:-)
Paul
I disagree in both managers
Thought Locke did very well under the severe conditions he had to work
Thought Lennon was very lucky to last until Christmas with the players and set up he had and the platform of the league cup win behind him
All about opinions
Although I’m no fan of hertz or Locke … And st mirren were my local team
I’m glad saints are in the spfl and the jambos in the ” toughest most competitive league in Scotland ”
Hopefully butcher will bring in lots of Richie foran / Ross draper types and Levine will get hearts fighting hard to compete against QOS and Falkirk as well as any of the minnows that might fancy a challenge
The ramsdens cup should be exciting too next season … Tougher than the champs league ;)
Always think that Fraser looks to be carrying a wee spare tire. Not as bad as Boruc but in that big banana goalie outfit it looks to be there all the same.
What time do They start training at ? 10? Impressive for big Fras to get out of the same pit as the company he keeps. Maybe he is a night time person.
A professional footballer acting like a professional. Whatever next.
I cannot understand why anyone can be of the opinion that Locke was justifiably sacked
IMO …he did extremely well with a group of very inexperienced kids
Kids often fall out of form …particularly over the course of a season
Levein is a numpty …Hearts have made a gross error
Thezombieslayer
You do not seem too enamoured with big Sammi.
However no one can deny him the accolade of Hunskelper.
Or in other words. A real life zombie slayer
HH
re Big FF & his training.. It’s reminiscent of Gary Player the golfers quote..
” it’s funny, the more I practise,the luckier I get!”
A message for all..
HH
Was Philvis at CQN 10?
Ou est il maintenant?
Gary Locke was not one of my favourite people .I was in the main stand at Tynecastle ,unable to get a ticket with the Celtic support. Locke challenged Andy Thom and kneed him in the small of his back . As Andy was writhing in agony on the pitch Locke looked across to the bench and gave a wink and a smile.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
13:07 on
13 May, 2014
pete the Beat- Jim Craig?
Did he not go to St Aloysius?
Philvis went there, so it’s probably posh enough.
_________________________________________
St Gerard’s, Govan, I believe.
Have hearts re-employe Craig Levein after sacking Locke?
Wow!!! What a feckin decision for Sevco that is.
MWD says Aye.
TBJ
Danny Lennon was on a par with his peers ..
The only manager whose team performed substantially beyond his contemprories was Tommy Wright top six finish,SC Cup final ,LC semi …together with very creditable showing in Europe
MWD
aye
and worserer than that …Robbie Neilson head coach
Blindlemonchitlin- how are things with ole Celtic First?
I’m sorry he couldn’t make it up for CQTen.
Will you be blowin’ the budget on the LZ re-issues?
Paul67 ,
I’ve been meaning to post this for a couple of days but circumstances , a hootenanny and a 1st HC party to beat all 1st HC parties have put paid to anything earlier than this .
I know we have numerous examples of generosity and consideration for others on this site but i’d like to pay special mention to one of our exiles , namely KolnCelt .
KolnCelt contacted me about a ,month or so ago to explain that due to changed circumstances , he no longer felt able to justify his 2 South stand seats that he’s had for a fair few years . However , he still wanted to contribute to Celtic in a meaningful way .
As a result , he has agreed to donate 2 adult and 2 child seats in section 115 , adjacent to The Kano Foundation , for our use throughout the season . KolnCelt , you’re a gent . Thank You.
This brings the number of seats we can give to deserving and disadvantaged kids , on each and every league matchday to 82 (72 kids and 10 adults) . This is all down to the generosity and hard-work of each and every supporter that helps us out .
I know i say it a lot , but , as long as you keep donating , I’ll keep saying it . Thank you , one and all
If anyone knows of any groups that are interested in attending next season , drop a line to contactus@thekanofoundation.com and we’ll get you sorted .
KolnCelt , again , thank you . You epitomise what it means to be a TIM.
Hail Hail
Sanna
BMCUW , Sipsini and PFAyr , thank you . You know what for .
Gents the lot of you .
Sanna
Paul67 et al
Big Fraser worked hard to improve himself, with Stevie Wood’s guidance, as a goalkeeper. It should be the template of course, for a professional sportsman but we know it is not always the case. Great achievement, not so much to go to a World Cup while playing for Celtic, but while playing outside England, and in particular outside the EPL. Heading South did not work for Gary Hooper, despite the fact, as someone on here pointed out, that England did not have great choice of strikers to choose from. Hope the Big Man sticks around for the foreseeable future, he has a great career ahead of him.
tbj
Surely you mean ” the toughest , most competitive league in the world – ever ” :-)))
4GF
Silly me ;)
FFS PF
Is that wumin a Hun that took over or a Jambo.
MWD says Oh Yeah
Catman
13:21 on
13 May, 2014
Jim Craig went to St Gerards in Govan as did Joe McBride and Brian Quinn
As did I.Oh,and Billy Connolly as well.Grey flannels and Emerald green jacket.Very posh.
Pete the Beat re public school players
Jim. Brogan. St. Joseph’s Dumfries.
I guess he benefited from being close to Brother Walfrid’s final resting place
FGF
Great craic as ever mucker
Always a pleasure
tbj
You still flashing those independence boxers :-))
My friends’ enemies are my enemies!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’!
Orange Order to stage Pro-Union marches on day before Referendum Vote.
Afternoon all
Walker went to St Aloysius for the first two years I was told by those who went there. ( a couple of posher friends of mine I sometimes meet in Babbity’s)
Jimbo67 praying for Oscar Knox
pfayr
As ever mate , the pleasure was all mine . Thanks for another great day .
First ——-Newcastle United have confirmed that Alan Pardew will be their manager next season.
Second —- I see I am not on that list of people educated at St Aloysius. Good.
Third —- Andy Walkers sister did go to St Aloysius but he didn’t.
Fourth —- I am not at all sure about Celtic Football Club encouraging complete and total strangers to publicly get their balls lodged in the boot of a small car from distance.
That kind of thing was certainly never encouraged at St Aloysius — unless you were in Sixth year.
Fifth —- I never stayed for Sixth Year.
Jim Craig St Gerard’ s, I think. The Brogan brothers, St Joseph’s, Dumfries
In those days,St Gerards and St Mungos were the only two Senior Secondary schools in Glasgow.You had to pass your “Qually”to be accepted into them.I remember my mother being outraged when we moved to the East End and I had to go to St Gregorys.
She was a right Hyacinth Bucket in those days.
ZERO HOURS SCOTLAND
120,000 Jobs in Scotland with no guarantee of hours.
Bitter Together::You’re having a laugh
Zero Hours Contract will be banned in an Independent Scotland….As will Foodbanks
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s out Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
And bump Ryan Stevenson,
BRTH
This is the reason why St Aloysius have never enjoyed victory in the small car ball lodging scottish cup.
My own school however……
Billybhoy05
An Independent Scotlnad will ban foodbanks?
I hope you mean there will no longer be a requirement for them rather than them being banned in an Independent Scotland.
MWD saya Aye so he does.
BRTH
Was Mr Ferrie your Englsh teacher?
Glasgow School of Art churns out Turner Prize Nominees by the bucket load, but Glasgow itself is the teacher that brings out the best in them.
Edinburgh Festival & Fringe
The most successful festival in the world as claimed by many in the industry.
Not bad achievements for our two main cities in this – as quite a number of bloggers on this site put it – horrible little bigoted country.
This country of poets, writers, artists, inventors, engineers, scientists and some brilliant footballers and some brilliant athletes
MWD- how are you votin’ in the ole referendum?
Are you yay/nay/undecided/can’t be @rsed?