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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What is the stars. I’m always a pleased when we buy good players. However are we not in need of a striker?
Thanks to all of the lads who replied to my post about Mick.
You can be sure he and his generation knew we were being cheated and he was delighted the likes of blogs like this, Phil Mac Giolla Bhain, RTC, KDS and others proved this.
His only regret is that he will not live long enough to see the bulldozers turn left at the top of Helen Street and down to Edmiston Drive to begin the demolition of an eyesore being raised to the ground and just like the shipyards that refused the likes of him and many others from having a trade they will be finally be banished from Govan for all time.
Kayal33
22:34 on
28 July, 2013
Kayal,I would not contest the accuracy of your statistics as he indeed plays when fit,the key here is the amount of contribution he makes.
We cannot afford to play anyone who is not putting in a shift in either a constructive or destructive role ( marking out his marker ) in any game.
Sydney Tim likes Finbogasson because he has a cool name and would score a barrel at scrabble.
When Henrik Larsson arrived he had been played as a wide player for Feyenord.
Perhaps we are about to see something similar.
OptimisticintheextremeCSC
The Hollander can be a scorer. Check his stats befor Ajax. Not sure where he played but the return does not suggest a winger.
Find it amazing that anytime we buy a Scandinavian or someone from holland or a wide player that bloggers say ” maybe a new Henrik”
ClutchingatstrawsCSC
Excath. Indeed Forest gives very little to the team. We should however praise him. Build him up and do a Hutton on some poor EPl team
Sydney Tim…..
Quick question(s)……
When was the last time (year) that you were happy with the Celtic Team?
The Celtic Manager?
The Celtic Board?
Thanks.
Last year in all competitions we scored 128 goals
Gary Hooper was top scorer at 31 goals approx 1 in 4
16 other players got the remaining 97 goals.
13 got more than 2
I am quite happy that we were not reliant on one main goalscorer to get us through the season.
If we score 128 goals this season I will not care one iota who scores them.
in fact it could be argued that a larger variety of scorers would be preferable to having one or two hotshots
Lot of money on this Ajax guy, press never got a sniff of it!
Here’s hoping he does well, get the feeling he could star in CL, he scored against Madrid for Ajax suggesting he started the game so by no means a dud.
However, Gary Caldwell also played games against Spanish opposition in the CL, and ended up spraying a wonderful pass to Ronaldinho for him to set Henry up quite nicely….
I mean if you break it down Finnbogson, Finn son of the bog, how could he not play for us…
If we sign both the Dutch guy, and Finbogasson, are we allowed to utilise the ‘late registration’ for both legs, I.e. register one this week and the other next week?
doc in neil lennon
yes and i think was bought to replace john collins and took a wee bit to settle then he was not bad
I really don’t know why people interact with the troll from Sydney, baw & bag comes to mind…
TommysBhoy, if he gets in in time for Wednesday it’ll be interesting to see where he plays, wide or through the middle.
Finnbogsson, hopefully to join him.
Cowiebhoy
The right back looked good… left back looked nervy ( no surprise )
Midfielders were ok but out of their depth against quality men against bhoys.
The young bhoy who came on later… henderson I think… made an error on the break …should have laid it wide to dylan but cut inside and lost it… I liked his reaction as he was raging at himself
Always like that in a player
Crowd was my wild estimate from my seat … very hard to tell when sporadic gaps are evident in every stand.
EDB
When we get that drink arranged, I’ll tell ya about my day with Bobby Murdoch, and the stories he told me, some of which I’ve never put in print because it does not feel right to do so.
Anyhow, I was in awe of the man, and didn’t want the day to end. I don’t know who drank more that day, but suffice to say neither of us would have passed the breath test:-)
A son of dan. Contacting paul67 about your comment
Lowest of low
Sally Magnusson should be called Sally Magnusdottir- Sally daughter of Magnus.
What some people do to stay in the media eye, even worse than changing you name from Maguire to Martin.
Well, always time for a first.
When is the last time anyone can recall the number of times a player being subbed OFF the team was used in any article?
STV, hang your heads in shame…..the bitterness is there for all to sniff.
sydneytim
That’s pathetic. But gauging from the content of what you somehow contrive to post it’s not unexpected.
Bhoys
Since I came back on the site more regularly I’ve noticed Stephen Black and James Forrest have not been posting. Does anyone know if they’ve left CQN?
Sydney tim
Honestly mate … if someone calling you a baw bag insults you that much .. you been away from glasgow wayyy too long … its almost a term of endearment in my work place… in fact its now been updated to bag baw for 2013 ;)
asonofdan- Yer a big bad boy so ye ur!
tractorbhoy
Sorry to hear about Mick,My wife has been type 1 diabetic for 30 years
and every year it’s a worry how bad it’s going to get.
Seems poor Mick had been hit with everything ,God bless him .
Twisty.
James has started a new venture and posts mostly on FB as does James.
Stephen even….
Kilbowie Celt @ 14:21 – Celtic Huns Definition
How about adding those who refer to the Board as the Bored?
BT
Wit is this aboot Strathaven? I demand to know. :)))
Weefra HH
Good night all here is a shamless repost for a fantastic group
—————————————-
sannabhoy
Bhoys and Ghirls ,
Begging bowl time – not for money but an hour of your time .
We’re looking for volunteers to help with a Bucket Collection before the first league game of the season on Saturday 3rd august against Ross county .
As you know this is a 5:15 ko so it causes us (the fans) some issues but also gives us the chance to collect some well-needed funds to help us keep bringing kids along to Celtic Park.
So , if you’re interested AND can spare an hour or so pre-Match , can you drop me a line to contactus@thekanofoundation.com ?
Also, could someone do me a favour and re-post this every 4-6 hours or so if I don’t get to it myself ?
Hail Hail
Sanna
Guys , at the end of the day we have a passionate love for all things Celtic.
We have differing opinions on this crazy club of ours.
I read some views that infuriate me.
However , whilst we may all feel we are right , leave some room for the opinions of others.
There is absolutely no need for personal insults .
That is an insult to this fine site and not the Celtic way.
Hail Hail
We’re on the one road, et cetera.
Most roads have some holes that need filling in and fixing. Most of the time you can shuffle round them and carry on. That’s football. That’s life. There is enjoyment in being on the road itself, especially if it’s with other people, enjoying the same experience as you and helping you along the way, and allowing you to help them too.
Walk on.
Clashcitybhoy.
Play them as trialists! Seems to work in Scotland.
BT
Ah I see. I dumped Facebook some weeks ago. I used to chat to Stephen on there now and again. As long as they are both good , then all is well.
TnT, neither have left, they still post occasionally, but not as often as in the past.
Stephen plays 5-a-sides on Thursday, and keeps in touch.
James is now a published author, I read his book over the summer, great read, The Believers.
Toffee we Fra…..o)
Bt and wee fra
Tablet aint toffee