On his third appearance back after injury, James Forrest pulled-up in the dying moments of Saturday’s game clutching his hamstring. The player will be devastated but the mood was no better among those walking away from the stadium minutes later. Just as James was back and planning for what looked like an important season in his Celtic career, fundamental questions were being asked about his fitness viability.
We’ve seen this before. Shaun Maloney was forever breaking down, sometimes minutes after returning from injury. Shaun was a different type of player from James, he had a speed on the turn which made him a valuable asset, but likely contributed to his fragility.
The other pace player in the squad at the moment, Derk Boerrigter, has similarly fragile muscles. I hear the same about Aleks Tonev, currently injured. One of England’s greatest hopes of the last 20 years, Michael Owen was another member of the Fast and Fragile club. There seems to be a link between speed and injury.
There’s good news for James, and Derk too. After leaving so many regrets on the Celtic treatment table, Shaun’s limbs matured and stabilised. Michael Owen can tell a similar story, both players found their bodies vastly more robust from the middle part of their careers onwards.
James has to stick with it, continue to work on strengthening his muscles, and try to find what’s causing the problems, which can often be obscure. After a run of inexplicable injuries, AC Milan discovered that poor teeth were afflicting their athletes. Apparently your bite affects your running gate. Owen eventually found that his choice of cars (more specifically, sports clutches), was putting enough regular strain on the wrong muscles to leave him exposed to tears.
James’ and Derk’s bodies will continue to mature, to the benefit of the second half of their careers.
Not that Ronny is short of cover for James, having signed wide players Jo Inge Berget and Aleks Tonev we now have Ghanian Walaso Mubarak going through a medical.
The squad is becoming wing-heavy. It remains striker-light.
Greatest Irony
Do you know what would produce the greatest irony in sporting history? If Efe Ambrose came on as a late substitute tomorrow night, and we later discovered a rule deep in Uefa’s Articles that forfeit matches don’t count for suspensions. Forfeit matches are so rare no one will be familiar with the rules concerning them. Should we check? Oh yes.
James Alexander Gordon
It was the way he told them. Every week the man would uniquely intone the football results, you knew the outcome of each game, home win, away win or draw, before he read second number.
Maestro Match
Really delighted Celtic FC Foundation have nominated Unicef and War Child as their beneficiaries from the Maestro match next month, where we will “assist in their humanitarian work in a number of current Middle East countries”.
Foundation cheif exec, Tony Hamilton, said, “From our living rooms we have all witnessed some of the terrible vivid horror of conflict in recent days and the particular effects that these events have had on children.
“The work of UNICEF and War Child takes no sides but simply cares for all the innocent victims of conflict on a humanitarian level. The match in September will bring together some great names in football who want to make a difference.
“We hope as many supporters as possible can join us to assist children and their families who so desperately need our help.”
I know Celtic fans will want to support this enormously important cause. Read more and book tickets here.
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Really disappointed with my experience at CP on Saturday past……New season, new manager, new dawn…..
No CURRIE SAUCE to go with the, otherwise, tasteless chips……Grandson no pleased.
Get it sorted PL…..earn your dough…..n forget the Sausage Rolls.
Paddy T
Morning all,
Very excited, very nervous.
Little work shall be done today.
Mon the Hoops!
Burnley78 @ 06:47
Good to see your post, it proved a refreshing change from the usual negative narrative that has enveloped CQN.
Just read the obituary of James Alexander Gordon in HMDT. It does him , and his parents, great credit that he was able to overcome severe adversity to become a broadcasting legend.
Burnley- always the voice of reality and reasoning and refreshing to read your posts.
Sets me up for today and tonight.
Kev
Morning bud.
Is he any good you ask?
To be honest, I have no idea! The Cardiff fans regarded him as being someone who showed flashes of genius then faded . Inconsistent I guess is how they thought of him. Is it fair to suggest flashes of genius might be more regular in the lesser competitive SPL? How would he be in European football? He himself says he took a longer time than expected to adapt to European football, but was feeling more confident now. Would we get the benefit of him having already undergone his learning curve?
Don’t know mate.
Burnley 78. Very good post. There are some Celtic supporters on this site that have difficulty accepting that Celtic are not in a position to pay transfer fees of 5 to 10 million, and salaries of £30,000 a week. Well said
Morning all. Lovely day down here, although there’s a wee chill in the air.
Although I’m happy that we’re still in Europe, I’m a wee bit uneasy how we’ve come to be there. Maybe BBC Scotland’s constant harping on the result of the last round is affecting me. The ole Hidden Persuaders at it big time. It was ever thus with them, of course.
Hamilton Eddie
I am the last one to advocate folk not bring entitled to a dissenting view.
My own thoughts on our lack of progress in 10 years in influencing our playing environment are clear.
But if you think folk calling radio phone ins and texting the like with ‘delia is a dud’ and dancing to the anyi celtic tune of guidi dalzeil McIntyre wishart et al is the behaviour of anything other than halfwits then I have to disagree. But maybe Laurie from dentiston is your best pal. Hail hail.
Springhill Bhoy
08:00 on 20 August, 2014
Burnley 78. Very good post. There are some Celtic supporters on this site that have difficulty accepting that Celtic are not in a position to pay transfer fees of 5 to 10 million, and salaries of £30,000 a week. Well said
__________________________________
Ah, but it’s ok to pay a kings ransom to a CEO?
Listening to Laurie is like getting your teeth pulled.
Hail Hail Burnley 78. Well said. No issue with debates and different opinions if they are based on reasonable assumptions , dreams are ok to but prefer the ones that support the hoops.
Kitalba have a blast in Glasgow , enjoy every game and every pint.
Kev
Oh, and he did make 60 appearances for the Bluebirds so it appears that he was able to hold down a place in a pretty demanding environment. Gut feel? Worth a gamble. Problem is I suppose, can we afford to gamble with limited funds. (I am talking wages only of course)
If every penny is a prisoner, then the ones that are freed up need to be wisely spent. I am not convinced that we can say we have spent wisely in recent times, and I take Wanyama, Hooper etc into account when I say that. Some gems yes, but those gems are overshadowed by the duds.
Hope we can reverse that trend and Ronnie has some say in who is delivered to him. After all, it is his neck on the block so he should at least have some say in the matter. I hope he has a voice in transfer dealings, cos the voice he has with regard to football philosophy, is one worth listening to imho.
twists n turns
07:59 on 20 August, 2014
_____________________
The fella might be worth taking a chance on?
Who knows, maybe RD will go on to prove a lot of folk wrong.
Even me.
That, I would welcome with open arms.
I do, fervently hope that comes to pass.
Thanks for all yer stuff ye put on here – very informative.
Hail Hail
Going away now – stuff to do, bye.
Political point …….
Why are Tory ministers directly criticizing NHS England on an almost daily basis, surely they should be directing their criticism towards Jeremy Hunt, the secretary of state for health of the UK?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28851443
NHS Scotland is a separate entity but the repercussions from the recklessly fast privatisation of NHS England will surely follow.
Burnley78 the reversal of fortunes is indeed astonishing.
But lets be clear here. Celtic obtained success by steady investment in the team. They are no longer doing that. We are not trying to get any better. We are limiting our own horizons and the real question is why.
You see Celtic I believe are awaiting the return of the zombies and they think all will be well. The cosy old firm cabal will be back and we will be back in our rightful place.
In the absence of the club telling us what the hell they are playing at this is the best theory we have.
As for accussing your fellow celtic fans of following some media agenda – well thats just lazy journalism – we can see the lack of ambition for ourselves thanks.
And for those of you astonished at the medias constant criticism of all things celtic two points:
1) Scotland is an insitutionally sectarian country – what else do you expect?
2) Why dont Celtic do something about it?
For the answer to 2 see my point about the old firm cabal.
Stop blaming your fellow supporters and start asking celtic to do better.
twists n turns
08:06 on 20 August, 2014
_____________________
100% agreement fella.
Hail Hail – bye.
Burnley78
Really good post and I sufferered along with you through the 90’s.
We do have a lot to be grateful for and a lot to look forward to.
However, are u happy with a transfer policy where we now can’t seem to buy a player ?
I think we are being short changed to a massive extent with our signing policy but most seem to swallow it. Why?
NegAnon2
08:08 on 20 August, 2014
_____________________
Looks like you’ve arrived right in the middle of the
Hahahahahappy-clappers ball :)
Keep yer guard up – CSC
laters…..
Burnley78,
Thank you for that. Too too many on here for too too long have been voicing nonsense on here and claiming that it is simply a different viewpoint. Most of that viewpoint is, imo, purely an undisguised attack on our CEO. Again imo, it stems from a political agenda, which sees itself at odds with our Board.
Burghbhoy- we can sign plenty of players, no problem, loads of dross would love the chance to earn £25k a week for keeping the physio busy. The occasional Wanyama gem may slip through.
Personally I am warming at the loan policy where we can get exciting young players for a year to two. Problem is we inevitably have to give them back.
Burnley78
Hear what you are saying but your post does smack of O** F**mery
Given this opportunity to put clear water between us and deidco I think it is depressing and sad that, two years after the DEATH OF BIGOT FC, we still use them as our yardstick.
They’re gone and they ain’t comin back – unless Celtic PLC take the view that we will bend over backwards to help them as we have before.
Today is not a day for division in the ranks.
COYBIG.
I am Kev.
For too many people the desire to feel that all is well is overwhelming.
A reminder to you all. All is NOT well, celtic are once again failing to capitalise on a great opportunity. You may want to sleep walk into it – I dont.
Kev,
You on the phone to uncle Hugh last night (1950) congratulating him on his return and asking if Stefan is the new Murdo?
BBB
OK so we are lucky to still be in the Champions League but now let’s go on and win it!
(Well at least this tie.)
BTW good, intelligent and pragmatic analysis from Burnley78
Burnley78
we are only guaranteed footy in Europe through sheer luck and stupidity from Legia. Not through footballing brilliance or great administrative running of our club. Some facts easily ignored by you.
Our club is not being run properly.
You can stick taht in your corporate pipe.
MWD says AYE
Beebawbabbity
_____________
Yes.
I miss my counselling sessions from Hugh Keevins on the ‘hotline’ every monday.
Good to see a man allowed back into his place of work.
Joe Miller was on ‘speed’ I think(only kidding Joe if yer reading).
The only two journalists that I would go out of my way to hear their – Celtic views were, Hugh Keevins, Gerry McNee and of course, the late James Sanderson.
The rest of the SMSM can jump into the clyde as far as I’m concerned.
Indeed, The Celtic hierarchy should ban the SMSM once, Hugh Keevins retires. imho
Hail Hail
My friends in Celtic,
From a financial perspective, one thing that is indisputable is that our club is and has been run properly over the last 15 years.
A quick glance across the city will prove that.
HH.
Bye, laters…..
Goldstar
8.04
Morning, I got two teeth out last week, I can assuse you it was more pleasurable ;)
lilys
Burnley78
Why compare us to ‘Rangers’?
I’m afraid to me your post was more about contrasting our situation with theirs.
So much for Celtic standing alone.
I don’t care what they do I’m only interested in what happens at our club.
Parkheadcumsalford
Didn’t you admit to booing Neil Lennon when he passed the ball backwards in the game against Boavista at Parkhead?
I’d call that far more negative than voicing concerns about the manner that our club is being run.
But that’ll just be me.
Kev,
Great voice for radio…..ever think of doin’ the scores?:)
You omitting Hughie McIlvanney.?
BBB
Greebpinta
No one disputes that the club has been run well most who voice dissent know we won’t pay 10m for a player but Celtic over that period have declined as a football team when. It comes to value for money for the fans.
Fans go along go a football match to be excited and entertained. That hasn’t been on show for the past few years.
henrik left a long time ago and we have been trying to name someone who inspires the fans since then…
Fans are entitled to make their views known. Its just that the PLC and ignore the concerns and you are then left with people being caught up in msm agenda….
A bit of dialogue wouldn’t go amiss..
The agm is a propaganda show. Nothing else…
burnley78
06:47 on 20 August, 2014
Well said, though gave me some horrible flashbacks to the 90s when we knew we couldn’t beat the rotten mob.
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family @ 08.54 hrs.
Agree with everything you have said. Although the club is on a sound financial footing the “Thunder” and entertainment has been missing.
That is part of the problem : a football club cannot be run by the same rules & criteria as most businesses.
I feel sorry at times for the fans that drive to the games. Many times if I’m being honest, when we have been winning at a canter I have been longing for the final whistle to get back to the pub.
However, maybe that says more about me and the environment we ply our domestic football rather than how the club is run.
HH.
Stunning crisp and bright today. Let’s hope that doubles as a match report for this evening.
Duped mrs jamesgang with the usual ‘want to watch a documentary tonight? About 2 hours long…set in Slovenia…’
Once almost duped her into going to Macdiarmid Park with a line about a cultural gathering in a nice green park where 23 people run to and fro and crowds watch and engage in community singing!
MorrisDancingCSC
I’m going to pick a giant skelf oot my erchie while I sit on the fence and declare my support for both sides of the debate in the last hour…..
We’ve seldom had it so good.
HaroldMcMillanCSC
And/but
We could and should do better.
StrictTeacherCSC
The future’s ours to write. Hopefully starting tonight. PL (I know you post as Moonbeams Peter!) your bit if writing needs to include a goal scoring striker. Pronto.
Aff oot. Enjoy being Tims all say long.
HH jamesgang
Ach we’ve always had a downer for the Celtic board for as long as I can remember. Can’t see that changing.
They should be commended for their fine bookkeeping skills and parsimony that keeps us an unbroken club in all true sense of the world.
They are however getting on my wick for their cautious / poker playing antics on qualifying for the champions league each year.
And I’m not sure what ‘failing not capitalise’ actually means – we’re going to win the league and we’re not going to win the champions league. In between we should win the odd domestic cup or two. Oh, and football in general has stopped being a competitive game at the big table.
From @DanielOConnel18
In 2011 @ScottishFA cleared Bocanegra to play for dead Rangers against Maribor despite his having no work permit. Won’t do same for Wakaso.
Could this be another rule break from the SFA & they won’t do it this time because they know we are scrutinising their ever move.