Neil Lennon suggested Gary Hooper, unquestionably his favourite son, was Celtic’s best striker since Henrik Larsson. It’s an interesting question.
The list is long: Chris Sutton, John Hartson, Henri Camara, Craig Bellamy, Dion Dublin, Scott McDonald, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Chris Killen, Maciej Zurawski, Kenny Miller, Derek Riordan, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Georgios Samaras, Robbie Keane, Diomansy Kamara, Olivier Kapo, Anthony Stokes, Pawel Brozek, Moh Bangura, Daryl Murphy, Miku and Lassad.
Apologies if I’ve overlooked someone. That’s 22 strikers in nine years (it’s a bit soon to consider Amido Balde), some of whom were loans, but the list doesn’t include the many Celtic youth players who got their shot at first team football, or those, like Tony Watt, who were signed for low fees from lower league Scottish clubs.
Chris Sutton and John Hartson were already at the club when Henrik left, but it quickly became evident they were past their best. Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy were quality but only played a dozen or so games, so can’t really be considered as competition to Hooper.
Maciej Zurawski arrived a year after Larsson left and had a phenomenal first season at the club. He made his debut after the 5-0 reversal to Artmedia but inspired Celtic to a 4-0 win six days later. Maciej was on fire when he joined and only failed to score in five league games before the league win in April but he never found anything close to that consistency again. Record: 22 goals in 55 games.
Scott McDonald’s YouTube clip of goals in the Champions League and against Rangers will have featured heavily in the portfolio as his agent looked for a new club this year. His goals got us into the Champions League, beat European champions, Milan, and regularly put our (then) nearest rivals to the sword. Record: 51 goals in 88 games.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink arrived in summer 2006 and immediately outshone Zurawski. His debut as a substitute against Hibs transformed Celtic and won the game. His signing was pivotal in Celtic winning the title in 2007. Record: 34 goals in 78 games.
Georgios Samaras arrived 18 months after Vennegoor of Hesselink and alongside Barry Robson pushed Celtic over the line for three in a row. 2008 was a fabulous year for Georgios but although he’s still a forward, he’s not really been a striker since. Record: 41 goals in 138 games.
With 63 goals, 95 games, Gary Hooper’s scoring record is better than anyone else’s, but the challenge to be best since Larsson was simple, just outperform Scott McDonald. With all those strikers as competition, that’s not as high as the bar could be.
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EDB
Yes, indeed we must. I hope to be in Scotland mid to late September and I’d like to catch up with a few friends if possible. Problem for me is that it needs to be a Friday night usually since I have to drive on Sunday morning, ruling Saturdays no go. Friday afternoon races perfect for me:-)
Kitalba
I’ve phoned him,
Messenger on so I sent him a text
Ps
Spoke to MWD
He’s Alive and well and his same auld brilliant self (thumbs up)
V
As replacement for Hooper would anyone take Jelavic?
5.15. Ko Next Saturday
Derk Boerrigter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09yXpNoE_tg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8EnAkBQftg
JC2.
That was for you btw
el maestro 18:55 on 28 July, 2013
As replacement for Hooper would anyone take Jelavic?
Are you serious? Had a good first 10 or 12 games for Everton then got well and truly found out.
twists
I’ll look out for your plans closer to the time.
Doubtless oldtim will be there or thereabouts. He is a truly great guy.
Dutch Football @football_oranje
A medical the only thing standing between Derk Boerrigter moving to Celtic
But is he as good as Nicky Law… :0)
Derk seems a bit long in the tooth for us!
He will be 27 in October ffs!
:-))
HH!!
Boerrigter set for Celtic move
Posted By Jake Davison On July 28th, 2013 06:55 PM | Eredivisie, News
According to Dutch media outlet Tubantia, the Ajax left-winger Derk Boerrigter is about to complete a move to Celtic.
It seems a deal has been struck between the two clubs and that Boerrigter is ready to start a 3 year contract, pending the results of a medical. The cost of signing the 26 year-old has not been made clear, but it is likely to be in the region of £2-3M.
The Dutch winger has already made his frustration at a lack of first-team action at Ajax known towards the end of last season, stating that a move could be on the cards. Boerrigter joined Ajax from RKC Waalwijk and was expected to achieve great things with the Amsterdam club. However, a persistent back injury and shaky form kept him from making the impact he should have. Even when fit, Boerrigter found that his preferred left-wing position had been taken by Viktor Fischer, the youngster who has laughably also been linked to Celtic.
Boerrigter is certainly a talented player, as he proved in a pre-season friendly against his old club RKC in which he scored 3 goals. On his day, his pace is enough to change any game and ,when followed up by his adept shooting, he can be deadly around the edge of the box.
Derk Boerrigter scored 5 and assisted 4 last season, starting 17 times.
el maestro. In a heart beat fella. H.H.
BT
dont know if that was for me cheers already knew
just thought something different
Need to confirm times of tourney as that is criteria numero uno
GlassTwoThirdsFull , aye am being serious ,get the tinted specs aff!! done a job in Scotland and Europe with rapid, probs in price range and young enough to move on in time!! And it was merely a suggestion , are you claiming Kenny Miller did excellent when we brought him up from England??
3.5m??!! On tip of the 2m for van dyke and 2m for Balde?
What the hell is Peter Lawwell playing at???
We don’t spend money on new players. Doesn’t he know the “bored’s” strategy??
Dermot best be on the phone soon to remind him that as a CEO he should be spending money.
This won’t do at all.
Shouldn’t
EDB
Or better still, if you fancy a wee break away, just name the weekend and we’ll get you on a flight to East Midlands and I’ll collect you put you up and wine and dine you for the weekend. Might even break out the Roxy stuff :-) I’m sure Chris or PF would accompany you down. You’d all be made most welcome.
In the final year of his contract at Ajax. Scored a Hattrick two weeks ago in the first half of a 1–5 win over his former club RKC Waalwijk, in a pre-season friendly encounter scoring in the 17′, 21′ and 28′
Jc2
Yes. Doc and cowiebhoy could help out
EDB
Oldtim? One of the finest. I missed him at Hamilton races.
el maestro
No tinted specs – just don’t rate the guy. If Moyes really likes him maybe he’ll take him to United.
Bond holders at ibrokes have received letter stating this is last season seat will be honoured as agreement was with ‘old company’.
pmsl…
BT
cheers and you no doubt have a number for them : > )
Let me check times I have a copy of details on my desk at work as I am statto for the team and was asked to check out competition.
Check tomorrow.
Thanks again
Derk Boerrigter…28%.
Not bad for a winger.
Is he related to Robin van Persie?
They look quite alike.
HH!!
Up the Rebel County, just back from match in Thurles, knackered but delirious. Really didn’t give us a chance of beating Kilkenny but we did and now onwards to All Ireland semi final, Magic day, the bulmers/magners helped to make it special.
Jc2.
Just sent a text to doc. 8)
jc2
18:51 on 28 July, 2013
Bannockburn CSC will leave around 3-3:15 from Bannockburn.
There is also the Paul amcStay bus, but no idea where that leaves from.
twists at 19.04
That sounds like an offer I couldn’t refuse. Yes we’ll make that happen. I’m off on holiday next month so maybe look beyond that if that’s fine.
BT, I get my phone.
ASonOfDan
19:11 on
28 July, 2013
Bond holders at ibrokes have received letter stating this is last season seat will be honoured as agreement was with ‘old company’.
pmsl…
+++++++++++++++++++
It is stuff like that which will undo the same club fallacy. I mean the bond holders are all watch the same club team on the park are they not? So why is that bond broken on the basis given?
Oh what a tangled web we weave.
Doc ha ha..
EDB
Definitely. We’ll sort out some dates that suit when you get back.
OptaCeltic @OptaCeltic 1m
Derk Boerrigter, 26 years old, 6ft 2, left winger. Career, 3 clubs (Ajax, PEC Zwolle, RKC Waalwijk) – 199 apps, 56 goals, 43 assists.
Another cracking weekend at the Wickerman festival.
Jc2
Where is the tournament ?
Bannockburn bus will be leaving at 3.15
St Ninians Paul McStay bus will be leaving around same time from St Ninians
There is a bus leaves from Vinny’s bar down the Raploch,
Then also the Tommy Craig bus comes through Stirling, don’t know pick up points for this
Hail Hail
Now here’s a thought.
‘Sposing instead of replacing GH, wego all modern and play without an out and out striker.
You know, thekind of player who hovers around the box waiting for. Chance to appear.
‘Spose, instead, we look for other players, as the opportunities arise, get into those positions and take their chances.
A kind of, whoever sees the snake, kills it!
We know that Stokes, Commons ,Forrest and Sammi can score goals.
It would appear if the rumour is true, then this Dutch boy can also grab a few.
A mobile, interchanging front line is a nightmare for any defence and means that all players are involved in the game at all times.
Scott MacDonald scored more game changing goals against better and more important teams in more important competitions than Gary Hooper…….I don’t think theres any argument with that.
As with all goal scorers theres not much else to their game however Sutton could play CF, CH and even defender. Clearly a much better footballer.
Hartson had much better link play than Hooper and scored killer goals too (Liverpool anyone?)
Larsson was easily on a par with Dalgleish but quicker IMO and our best player since The Lions……
Maybe we should ask John Clark?……hehehe
Just saying…..
BT, I got the text, Ta,
JC2, you should be fine for a seat on the bus on Saturday, £10 for an adult, £4 for kids, last season price, might be more, doubt it though.
The bus leave from the bus stop near the Lada garage. You can get my email from Paul67, or BT if you know him, I can give you more details then.