You and I have been doing this long enough to remember this place in meltdown at the prospect of Celtic signing a player from another SPL club. Domestically sourced talent was regarded as unimaginative, cheap, even. Contrast this with the utter joy when we signed Koki Mizuno, who was full-on exotic, but built for finer things then competitive football.
At 29, Aberdeen’s Irish international midfielder, Jonny Hayes is certainly unimaginative, and may be comparatively cheap, but he’s also a low-risk option for Celtic, who will know what they could get (and what they will not get) from the player.
With Patrick Roberts due to report to Manchester City on his return from holiday, Celtic are short of options for right-mid, with the first Champions League qualifier only five weeks away. The manager will view this gap in his squad as an unnecessary risk to next season’s objectives.
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Findlay says he “got a row from one of his juniors at the break” tells jury not to worry about moving seats or taking notes
Findlay: Let’s start with Dorchester hotel. Says Murray was about to sign deal but walked out as involved building flats at Rangers
“Why didn’t the advisers check in the first place?”
After that experience surely lawyers would have checked everything
Findlay Can I prove Murray knew about Ticketus, I can not. Can I prove he should have known, yes I can.
“It was more important to get the deal over the line…”
Findlay notes Murray spent money marketing the club, spent money on accountants for tax case, had Dundas and Wilson
“How much did they spend checking on Mr Whyte’s background? Nothing, not a penny”
Findlay to jury “You are entitled to ask yourself why, why were they so inneficient?”
Findlay The alarm bells were ringing, but no-one made inquiries..not the hardest job…Murray advisors focused on getting deal done”
Findlay notes previous potential buyers were checked out says McGill view on Whyte: let’s tell the press about it then let them investigate
4 May 2011 email from David Murray (as David Fraser) “Need to get this over the line..no realistic alternative..nothing is perfect”
“The fallout of no deal is really serious”
Findlay The deal was more important than the detail.
Findlay, when third party funding added to agreement, “no-one batted an eyelid, no-one cared”
Findlay moves on to then Rangers chairman Alistair Johnson. Notes his board brought in “not a penny” of Investment.
Findlay on Paul Murray plan “At 11th hour he put in a bit, failed for only two reasons “It was nonsense and it was illegal”
“I might be uncharitable but you would think a man from the financial world would know these things” a
Findlay recalls evidence from Walter Smith, notes he said playing squad needed to be strengthened but “the bank had had enough.”
Things were very very bad, chances of European football diminishing dramatically.
Findlay: common sense tells you no-one can guarantee the result of a game of football, “you cannot just buy success”
view of Rangers board “Borrow more money, spend more money and everything would be all right. Would have meant end of Rangers Football Club
“They were driving Rangers into a train crash and nobody saw it, or nobody knew what to do.”
Findlay notes that Ian McGill of Lloyd’s called the Rangers board “disfunctional” in his statement to police
Says £1.7m needed for health and safety work at stadium could not have happened overnight.
Findlay “Murray wanted to sell Rangers Football Club, there came a point in time when he had to sell Rangers Football Club.”
Findlay says there was an advantage to Murray from the sale of Rangers, bank would consider giving him metals business back.
That was his incentive
Findlay: “It was a con being run by people who didn’t know what they were doing”
Findlay The Advocate Depute said Mr Johnson and Mr King not called as witnesses, “that’s not my problem” adds up to Crown who to call.
Findlay notes after Whyte takeover, bank was paid, stadium repaired and players brought, including current captain Lee Wallace.
“What more did they want him to do?”
Findlay : season started “unfortunately had to have a trip to Malmö, if Rangers made Champions League we probably wouldn’t be here today.”
Findlay Talk of intention to invest in players “PR window dressing” adds “I might have an intention to buy Juventus”
Says £5m would have bought very little in way of players “was just PR”
Court adjourns for lunch, back at 2pm
Bed for me
Christ, if nothing else big JF has sure sparked a good debate in these desperate Post Season Depression days…
David
There was interest in JH from elsewhere. I assume that’s why we moved quickly.
Cmon…. over £1m for a squad filler? A reserve better than any of the entire Sevco squad?
What’s not to like?
TIMALOY29:
Yeah I remember the day we signed Ciftci. That was my meltdown moment for THAT window. This website said he was the manager’s “first choice” striker … a testament to low ambition and bad scouting if ever I’ve heard of one. And it was a disaster, as was all-too predictable.
On the other hand, I was delighted with getting GMS … an outstanding prospect who was capable of lighting up a game. He had a very promising start too. But injuries have ever been the bane of that young man and I worry they always will be. He’s never had a sustained run of games.
Not all SPL signings end in disaster. I don’t expect this one to be a disaster. Indeed, he’ll do well in domestic games. But my hopes for Ronny’s second season vanished the minute we signed Ciftci and it was made clear he was as good as it was going to get.
A little more ambition this time, PLEASE, Celtic.
James
Just the one :-)
We will just have to wait and see what transpires, europe is the goal and if the great moustachioud one wants us dining at the top table, BR will be backed of that I have no doubt.
The Hayes spend is peanuts these days :-)
HH
TGM
Aye, we have weeks of this pish :-)
HH
Got to laugh at all the would be managers on this site. We have just recorded a unbeaten treble thanks to the management skills of Brendan. If he thinks we will benefit by signing Jonny Hayes, I trust his judgement.
Steven Fletcher spotted at Parkhead Cross, revving his big flash car/hovercraft
Johnny Hayes in the passenger seat:)
HH
JAMES FORREST on 2ND JUNE 2017 1:08 PM
TWISTS N TURNS:
Brendan Rodgers KNOWS Jonny Hayes is not a Champions League player. And there is no way he would sign him believing otherwise. As I said, I do not question the manager’s judgement at all.
And Dermot Desmond was in the press just a week ago saying that our ambition is nothing less than qualifying for the last 16. Not even the Groups or getting out of the Groups … the last 16.
It is INCONCEIVABLE that Hayes is being signed with that goal in mind.
____
Inconceivable? Says who?
Celtic reached the last 16 in 2007 with Mark Wilson, Stephen McManus, Gary Caldwell, Darren O’Dea, Lee Naylor, Thomas Gravesen, Kenny Miller, Jiri Jarosik, Paul Telfer, Derek Riordan & Perrier Doumbe making appearances.
Celtic reached the last 16 in 2008 with Paul Caddis, Mark Wilson, Gary Caldwell, Stephen McManus, Lee Naylor, Paul Hartley, Barry Robson, Scott McDonald & Evander Sno making appearance
Celtic reached the last 16 in 2013 with Efe Ambros, Kelvin Wilson, Charlie Mulgrew, Adam Matthews, Tony Watt, Lassad & Miku making appearances
None of those players were proven CL performers. That’s the reality of what we are trying to achieve.
TWISTS N TURNS:
Well, that’s definitely the cheery aspect of it, to be sure.
I reckon it might well be more money than they spend on a single player.
Their “marquee” signing was a 35 year old freebie.
TET
Perfect time for me to fake a few wild football rumours:)
HH
JAMESFORREST
I genuinely think you need to calm down,mate. At the moment,you’re only stirring with no apparent sources to back up your dread.
Let it go for the moment. If you are right-and yes,I know my history about building from strength wrecked by parsimony-I’ll be the first to admit it.
In my usual vitriolic style for such occasions.
Let the club get on with it. For once,we are concerned about who we are signing,rather than losing.
Book me a place on the barricades just in case,and our next beer at the autumn hoot is on me.
Regards as always,ya daft bassa!
TIMALOY29:
There’s some very good quality in there! ;)
Is Hayes not more often deployed on the left? I’d have no problems with us getting him – although would hope we wouldn’t lose Christie as I think he could be a real talent (if he manages to work his way into the team) – and also hopefully not at the expense of at least giving a good attempt at bringing Roberts in.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS:
And with THAT the argument is over :)
See, why couldn’t someone have said, sooner, “We’re arguing about who we’re signing rather than who we’re losing”?
That would have been enough! That would have done it!
James Forrest
You are out of order wanting better players:)
HH
PMSL!
Popped in to see if the feel-good factor has lasted more than a couple of days – but naw! Replaced by the shrill screams of the opinionated who have themselves down fan as opinion-formers.
Away to listen to some opera to bring the drama down a bit…
I was going to do an article about the under-representation of players in the SPL Team of the Year.
I looked at it and thought “Less than HALF of them, Celtic players?”
Then I realised Hayes was in there.
More than half of them are Celtic players.
Less cause for complaint now.
TWISTS N TURNS
Indeed, but this CQN and I demand an argument…
:)
NATKNOW:
I’m a blogger. I can barely form my own opinion most days.
You take me WAY more seriously than I do.
Sevco to sign Tiger Woods:)
HH
I’m hoping the Viktor Fischer rumour is true. Sinclair, Fischer, Forrest and Hayes. Options and competition for places
So, just who are Aberdeen going to sign to replace Jack, Hayes, Taylor, McGinn, Christie…?
Lol, bottom 6 beckons…
A STOR MHA CHROI on 2ND JUNE 2017 1:01 PM
SANDMAN;
When we signed the King of Kings he was an unknown entity to the vast majority of Celtic Supporters… Jonny Hayes is an known entity.
*whit!!! he scored in the 3rd place play off in the WC. I watched Dutch fitba over here and he was a star back then, he just fell oot with the management team at Feyenoor and wanted to go hame. The only ones that classed him as a breest also spoke about a dud Czech and Dr Who.
You all remember the last guy called Hayes that played for Celtic.
Send a shiver right down your spine….oooft.
Hope they urnae related:)
HH
JAMES FORREST on 2ND JUNE 2017 1:19 PM
TIMALOY29:
There’s some very good quality in there! ;)
___
Absolutely! Here’s hoping Hayes rises to the occasion in the CL like Barry Robson did!
That said, I really just want Paddy at Celtic. I don’t think Hayes will prevent Celtic for doing that. I’d be happy to go into the new season with Paddy, Hayes, Forrest and Sinclair fighting for those two spots.
Well done to James Forrest for breathing life back into CQN today.
DAVIDOPOULOS on 2ND JUNE 2017 1:26 PM
Their top target is Liam Boyce, they are also trying to get Shaun Maloney.
TIMALOY29:
Barry Robson was BORN to play for the Hoops :)
Loved him!
JAMES FORREST on 2ND JUNE 2017 1:24 PM
NATKNOW:
I’m a blogger. I can barely form my own opinion most days.
You take me WAY more seriously than I do.
——————–
James – I get it mate – you’ve got a blog to promote. Crack on…
Aberdeen based take on Jack and Hayes..
AFC fans are slightly embittered that Jack has gone to their much hated rivals Hunco..but not too many thinking they’ve lost any jewel from the crown. In fact consensus is he peaked 2seasons ago. McLean Shinnie and soon to be Tansley viewed as better. Jack slowed play down is the consensus.
Hayes has more claim among AFC fans as being the jewel in the crown. I’ve said for a couple of seasons he should be at Celtic. I think he’s perhaps a year or 2 too late in coming but he’s a much much better player than many Celtic fans realise. As you know I’m a regular at Pittodrie. He’s a serious influence, he’s fast and direct. We could get 3 good years out of him. By all accounts he’s a highly intelligent guy so he may bring more than just on field benefits. I thought he held his own playing up against Paddy Roberts on Saturday and arguably had more influence. Paddy is potential.. Hayes a lesser potential but a stronger more mature ready now player.
He’s make a better squad player than GMS.
So good luck to Pedro he’s buying a pup. Hayes if he comes is an older dog, well trained with plenty of tricks… And capable of biting when called upon to do so.
The guy from the SFA who did the cup draw with Rod looked really happy giving Broonie the cup on Saturday
Thrilled in fact
A STOR MHA CHROI @ 12:56 PM,
You know, we are agreeing on Ciftci, it was a cock-up, or maybe Ronny was played but remember what happened.
Guidetti was released by Man City and expected to sign… he didn’t, turned us down and went to Spain.
We were promised a top Striker but as VVD was staying until the end of the European Qualifiers we weren’t buying the Striker until the end of the window.
Ciftci was brought in as back-up…
We sold VVD and we’re told two things…
1. We ran out of time to secure the Striker
2. Ciftci was our number one choice – RD.
You pays your money, you takes your choice. Hopefully we’ve seen the last of that nonsense.
Hail Hail
And finally, before I make constructive use of a day off…whoever said…uch ah’ve forgotten noo…
I was reading some twitter blurb yesterday, the jist of it was according to the view of the Dons fans we are buying Hayes just to weaken their team and so no one else can have him.
They must think he’s really special!
My tuppenceworth, IF we do sign I think he will do well for us, in the SPFL. Brendan we get the mosr out of him and he will probably become a better player than he ever has been.
In Europe? Well we’ll see.
GARY67
Stop undermining my points with good answers. FFS.
;)
JAMES FORREST on 2ND JUNE 2017 12:37 PM
This story doesn’t look to have much grounding in reality; the thing emerged last night from a click-bait site and immediately jumped from there to McGowan at the Daily Mail.
If that’s thecae, why are you getting so worked up about it? It’s been doing the rounds for about 3 or 4 days. It will happen or it will not. This will not, IMHO, be the yardstick to measure our transfer dealings this summer.
KTF
Green Brigaders…hope you’re already working on a remix of Hendrix’s Purple Haze for next season.All this tittle tattle about what kind of player he is and how good he is or not is of little importance compared to the opportunity to take advantage of his surname to add another ditty to our support’s ever expanding songbook.
Priorities.
If The Blessed Brendan and MON rate him who are we tae question them.