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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Kojo – Settle yerself my friend.
The only thing that I fear is an empty plate.
Go you and hit the roulette tables,have a drink maybe,pick yerself up a nice broad.
So what if ye have to pay for her,listen chara,all of us have to pay for it one way or another,at least those Vegas broads are honest about it. – No mun,no fun.
Be not afraid.
Rebels demolishing the Cats.
starryplough
That Celtic was founded to aid in assisting the needy in the east end of Glasgow is not up for debate is it?
The Club itself says, “Celtic Football Club is formally constituted in St Mary’s Church Hall in East Rose Street (now Forbes Street), Calton. The purpose is stated as being to alleviate poverty in Glasgow’s East End parishes.”
To my mind, “East end parishes” at that time (and I would be happy to discuss) means Irish and Catholic in Glasgow.
Again, as I understand it, the causes of that poverty (both systemic and intentional) were prejudices.
Not sure how much room that leaves for disagreement.
PS …. sorry for posting so much lads… as most of you know, my dad passed away a year ago, and Celtic and CQN was the thing that we had in common … came home from work, read CQN, and would call dad to discuss the day’s events. It has been a year, but for some reason, I am really missing the old guy of late…. so, CQN has been the place where I still sort of feel a connection to him.
Perhaps it is also why I have been a bit irritated with all the infighting of late. I know the old guy would hate to see us turn on each other like this.
Hooper being the best since Henrik isn’t that surprising given the lack of quality strikers we have had.
Hartson and Sutton were here after Henrik but they were near the end of their careers.
We’ve had a never ending supply of average strikers since Larsson.
No more heros anymore CSC.
mike in toronto
15:18 on 28 July, 2013
Memories never die
HH
Jorge Cadete’s first goal for the tic still makes the hair stand on the back of my neck.
http://youtu.be/AEs7xvafkFk
HH
Wonderful defending by the Rebels!
My top five players whom I saw in the flesh…….
George Connelly
Bobby Murdoch
Jimmy Johnstone
Paul McStay
Jorge Cadete
And my favourite goal?
Must be that cracker by Colin Jackson in May 1979!
Cowiebhoy 14:50 on 28 July, 2013
parkheadcumsalford14:43 on 28 July, 2013
agree on yesterdays game, enjoyed the movement of munchen , only wish we would coach our team to play the same way, we are a very static team in comparison. When they were on the front foot with possesion their formation looked 2-4-4 pushing us back.
Can we not have our young guys go over for to Germany for 6 month spells to experince different coaching setups rather than loans at St Mirren . Hamilton etc.
or have our coach team learn over there rather than Largs.
NegAnon2
The events of the last couple of years have asked us all to evaluate our support of the club and of Scottish Football in general, you have always narrowed it down to our board where as it seems to me that every board of every club has rubber stamped this mess.
There are many people who don’t accept this and are fighting the good fight some of them on here so my last question to you would be, what’s your focus, what’s your campaign to change the actions of our board?? How do you propose to go forward from trying to sway people’s opinions on here?
Thanks for your answers so far.
Hx2
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers
15:23 on 28 July, 2013My top five players whom I saw in the flesh…….George ConnellyBobby MurdochJimmy JohnstonePaul McStayJorge CadeteAnd my favourite goal?
Ye missed oot Patsy Gallagher..
HH
Dziekanowski scores 4 goals.
http://youtu.be/Odp3TcIIky8
HH
After looking at the Cadete debut goal, trying to sing the song we sang for him to the wee yin. I know spaghetti was in there but cant for the life of me remember it.
Anyone ?
well done cork – great result against the cats
Neganon. The huns don’t oppress me. They are irrelevant . The days of Celtic being booted around are gone. Celtic won. Celtic are in control. How do these huns oppress you?
So the charm offensive restarts to say Rangers International FC are the same team as erstwhile Rangers FC. Now we know how the msm are brought online…should do some editorial damage. A lies a lie no matter how often it’s repeated.
Dermotts interview is the same as made this time last year. …is it a rerun?
In my opinion Macdonald should nevrr have worn a Celtic strip and it was one of my happiest days to see him depart.
Roll on Wednesday.
HAIL HAIL
NICKY LAW and Jon Daly make competitive debuts for Rangers this afternoon as they are selected as trialists to face Albion Rovers in the first round of the Ramsdens Cup.
Can you make your debut if yer a trialist, are ye not just a trialist and when yer signed ye make yer debut.. Or can ye be signed and be a trialist making yer debut…
HH
Nobody on here talks for Dermot Desmond and only a rocket of a mentalist would have the audacity to tell you what he was/is thinking.
I am happy with Dermot Desmond being in the position he is in regards Celtic football club but my endorsement means the sum total of hee-haw to you or him both. But at least my endorsement is sincere and I don’t profess to be a Jedi-Supporter.
I think I am the only one ever to come out on here and say I would be happy to see Rangers back in the SPL, and I would. I’m not a sectarian bigot.
If Rangers pay their dues and clean up their act and dispense with the brotherhood manipulation of sport and the pitch is levelled and seen to be so, and policed as such by an exterior authority… I would not be adverse to humping them again.
If there is a mirror in your house, don’t look at it, look behind it.
Top 5 goals.
1. Henrik chip over Klos
2. Henrik v Boavista over there.
3. Davy Proven v Dundee UTD 85 cup final
4.Lambert v Deidco new year game at CP
5.Terry Butcher ( diving header) at CP.Jungle singing 1 Terry Butcher , there’s only 1 Terry Butcher!!
FOUL LANGUAGE ALERT.
Paddy Nakamura
time for change
15:32 on 28 July, 2013So the charm offensive restarts to say Rangers International FC are the same team as erstwhile Rangers FC. Now we know how the msm are brought online…should do some editorial damage. A lies a lie no matter how often it’s repeated.Dermotts interview is the same as made this time last year. …is it a rerun?In my opinion Macdonald should nevrr have worn a Celtic strip and it was one of my happiest days to see him depart.Roll on Wednesday.
Yep, much as he played for us, I just could never get that day out my head, he left… second thought I didn’t..
HH
Zihu . Great footage of the Pole. Obe of my boyhood heroes. Couldn’t watch the end though. Thanks. All hail Jackie!
There’s only one Jorge Cadette, he puts the ball in the netty, he’s Portuguese and he scores with ease , walking in a Cadette wonderland .
Cannae mind the spaghetti yin but!
burghbhoy
15:34 on 28 July, 2013Top 5 goals.1. Henrik chip over Klos2. Henrik v Boavista over there.3. Davy Proven v Dundee UTD 85 cup final4.Lambert v Deidco new year game at CP5.Terry Butcher ( diving header) at CP.Jungle singing 1 Terry Butcher , there’s only 1 Terry Butcher!!
Seen all but number 2
Butchers goal being in the jungle, still makes me smile…
HH
MICKTT 1526
Ya cheeky young whippersnapper,PMSL at that one!
Any more of yer lip,and I’ll set my kid sis on you…..
burghbhoy
15:36 on 28 July, 2013There’s only one Jorge Cadette, he puts the ball in the netty, he’s Portuguese and he scores with ease , walking in a Cadette wonderland .Cannae mind the spaghetti yin but!
Hair like spaghetti
HH
Rankers 1872 died ,deed , liquidated ,no more kapoot
When we eventually meet TRIFC 2012 I will enjoy skuddding them aswell
Dont let the weans watch Alba at 4 o clock scary stuff on!!
Neganon
Did Ah mak a Boo-Boo..Pal
Why Ah coulda Swore that Ah didnae..
Well.. Ma Mistake.
The G.A. are a Force of Evil..
Agreed..
Celtic, are a Force fur Good.
Agreed..
Pal. Ye must hiv Opposites.. that is the Wey The World is Set Up
Commies and No Commies.. Labour and ..well.. New Labour.
Ah shouldnae hiv tae tell ye these things.
Celtic, need the G.A. in order, tae Prove that Good wull always Triumph, No In the End.. but..Awe the Time.
The Celtic Board.. being composed of Men of High Intellect ..
Know that . Competition, is a Required Ingredient .
Lack of Competition , is Not a Guid Thing..
The G.A. represent oor Competition..Ergo..
Celtic Need ‘Em.
Ah hiv made it A Simple as Ah kin ,in gien you an Explanation..
as tae Why.. the Celtic Board,and Me.. Want the G.A. Back.
All this stuff aboot the G.A. cheating us oota Money..
Is.. auld News.
If they Did.. Well.. That is noo History.
We are daeing jist fine, whether they cheated us or no..
Celtic, are oan a Roll Noo.. and We should Not Fear The Return of Stern Opposition
in fact, We should WELCOME IT.
Somebuddy, once said this.. It May hiv bin Me.. but, It wisnae!
“If we conduct a Quarrel between the Present and the Past.. then We are Liable to Lose the Future.”
So ye see. This Stuff aboot Dwellng oan Past Events, relishing in…repeating Recriminations..and Harboring and giving Board and Lodging,tae Revenge and Anger.. again the G.A. That Ah see oan here Coming fae Maist of Ma fellow Subscribers.. is a Loada Nonsense..
“Ye gotta Let Go, Mo”
Kojo
Still Laughin’
“If
Having a signing ban where you can make signings is like a new signing.
Hateley
What a boring site it would be if we were all in agreement over players and the politics of the corrupt system we find ourselves in.
I find myself agreeing with neg on a lot of his points but having being in pl’s company, he definitely has the club in his heart and will be doing his utmost to ensure we will always look down on the Hun.
Cheers Burghbhoy,
The spaghetti bit might have crept in after all these years, maybe it never existed…
Top 5 goals, off the top of my head
1. Tommy Gemmell, Lisbon
2. Charlie Nicholas in Amsterdam
3. Henrik’s chip in 6-2 game
4. Samaras debut goal at Killie
5. Tony Watt v Barca
15:21 on
28 July, 2013
Jorge Cadete’s first goal for the tic still makes the hair stand on the back of my neck.
http://youtu.be/AEs7xvafkFk
HH
Thanks for posting that Zihuatanejo.
Im ashamed to say thats the last time i actually attended a game but what a night eh?
Sat in the temporary stand right behind the goal and it poured the whole night!
Thankfully it was an amazing show that Tommy’s team put on that it was a pleasure to get drenched :)
NegAnon2
The whole question of protecting shareholders interest is complex. More so in the case of Celtic where the majority of shareholders probably view matters differently from the holders of the majority of the shares.
Although the views of directly paying customer are most important, they are less so than say fifty years ago when there was little or no lucrative sponsorship deals, corporate hospitality or television income.
For example. Saturday’s 5-15 kick off time is clearly a case of the interests of the ordinarypaying customer being disregarded in favour of television exposure.
Cheers MickTT
Thats it !! got the wee yin singing it now
Hun line up for blockbuster ramsdens cup tie v Albion is as follows
Trialist, Trialist and Trialist. Trialist ,Trialist and Trialist. Trialist ,Trialist ,Trialist Trialist and Trialist.
Subs : Trialist ,Trialist and Trialist :O)
HH
Starry – yes a lot of soul searching was done by many clubs. Don’t forget the reason why the huns ended up where they are was down to rebellions amongst supporters from all clubs.
I narrow it down to the Board because its their job to lead and to act in the best interests of the club (and the supporters). My anger is that, in my opinion they haven’t led and they are not acting in our best interests. This is because they are wedded to the sectarian pound.
As for what I am doing about it – well that’s a good question. Firstly I am not going to let other supporters brush all this under the carpet. I’m afraid that is what is being attempted on this site. So its time to call it out and ensure I proper debate takes place. I have also been trying to influence my MSP and other public bodies in Scotland. Now I wont be the only one to face it but the wall of silence and unwillingness to even talk about the corruption let alone face it is quite remarkable. Its incredibly frustrating.
That’s why we as a group (the supporters) need to force Celtic to confront it openly. I am very sure it will cause havoc and we will get a bad press. But so what? Its the correct thing to do morally and for the good of the club. It will also unite Board and Supporter.
So speaking candidly I am at a loss as to what to do next unless we can get our Board to act.
What about you?
John O’Neill and A Stor – I am afraid you are both spectacularly missing the point.. The huns haven’t gone away and they, with the aid of the rest of Scotland (Celtic included) are pretending they are still the same. Their bigotry and cheating with renew and you will be face with the same sectarianism and corruption and will again be called paranoid for challenging. The last few years will be airbrushed.
So Celtic will again be booted around and the huns wont clean up their act. How do you feel about that?