Hooper best since Larsson?

981

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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  1. A Stor Mo Chroi on

    NegAnon:

     

     

    In life I have seen many things, experienced many things, had some great laughs and some disappointments too. I know my days are numbered and the older I get I look back on the life that I have had, and to the greater extent it has been good, not always easy, but good. My parents have both gone and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss them dearly but there is not a day that goes by that their legacy to me lives on. One of the things my parents taught me, one a Scottish Protestant, the other an Irish Catholic, was, before you can be honest with anybody else you must first be honest with yourself.

     

     

    I do live by that and sometimes it hurts, it hurts to fuck.

     

     

    Hence my earlier post… don’t look in the mirror – look behind it.

     

     

    I will gladly die before I would ever subscribe to xenophobia; Celtic or other wise.

     

     

    I don’t do accounts mate, I do living.

  2. Margaret McGill on

    A Stor Mo Chroi

     

     

    17:20 on 28 July, 2013

     

     

    A good discussion w/you and Neganon, however, if this happens

     

    “I bet now that the next Celtic v Rangers game will be a sell out with non-auld-firm fans bursting their nuts trying to get spare tickets.”

     

     

    I am done and so will many others by the sound of things.

  3. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    Neganon,

     

     

    You seem to have ignored Paul Mc Brides part in that particular piece of legislation and our own plcs stance at the time after the shame game. I do believe that the SNP were doing us the favour and thats why we continue to deflect whenever we are unfairly targeted.

     

     

    Ok dont reply to me ….I will see you all next week

  4. BIG-CUP-WINNERS on

    Anyone been thinking about the Celtic Nation story ? It’s curious isn’t it ?

     

     

    Small non-league club bought over, re-branded and sufficiently financed to rise thorough England’s pyramid structure. But what for ? It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that Glasgow Celtic are behind this venture. But, if that’s the case, why use a club which started 7 levels below the Football League ? Nation are still 5 years, assuming success, from League 2.

     

     

    Curiouser than curious.

  5. JamesGang

     

     

    Pal, your description of Young Tony Watt,captures the Essence of his Persona

     

     

     

    And

     

     

    Yes.. Ah believe.. that Young Tony is , the next best thing tae hivin a Spot o’ Amnesia…tae mak us furget.. Hoops.

     

     

    Tony, is a Center of the Park Predator.

     

     

     

    He is being .. Wasted.. Being held Back.( oan Purpose!)

     

     

    You Tell…Me!… by being Played as a Winger ..Withoot Portfolio.

     

     

    Neil, should realize that Tony…is and Oot and OOt . Striker!

     

     

    He jist Thrives oan taking oan his man..

     

     

    and when he diz this..IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK..

     

     

    Then it is…” Katie, Bar the Door!.. “.. Time.. In the Panicked defense of the Opposition

     

     

    We saw an excellent Example of . That..

     

     

    In the Barca Game.. when Tony. Slipped past the Defender.

     

    whilst,playing the Role of a Middle of the Park. Oot and Oot. Striker.

     

     

    Neil,is Smothering this La.. when He shold Be”Motherin'”,this Youngster.

     

     

    Kojo

     

    Still ,Laughin’

  6. A Stor Mo Chroi on

    Margaret McGill:

     

     

    It is going to happen. How level the playing field will be will not be dictated with silence. That way is the way of the ostrich.

     

     

    I don’t like many aspects associated with Rangers, many Rangers supporters don’t like many aspects associated with me and my beliefs.

     

     

    We can each wish the other lined up against a very long wall and shot….

     

     

    Or we can each strive to live.

  7. I have a dilemma and need some CQN help.

     

     

    I have a lot of white tile on the floors of my townhouse, I use a “Light and thirsty” mop that you just swish across the floor, it has a cat tail type head and it is green and white. I needed a new head and they are now blue and white, I bought the new head as I needed it but noticed a lot of other type of mops that had green and white heads. Should I toss this one and get a new one or just continue to grin every time I dunk this head in my bucket of water and bleach. TIA……..

     

     

    cleaningthehoosewhen sevcodie..CSC

  8. archdeaconsbench on

    Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon

     

    13:36 on 28 July, 2013

     

     

    Could it just possibly be, that The Rangers haven’t actually signed these players yet? How else can they play them as ‘trialists?’

     

    I, like a few others, have to admit to being surprised at how they were snapping up these out of contract players whilst still burning money at the monthly rates quoted on here and elsewhere.

     

    Dont be surprised if a few of these names fall off, once the season ticket money is in….

  9. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000

     

    15:57 on

     

    28 July, 2013

     

     

    Good afternoon BRTH.

     

     

    Very good post as always and thought provoking. I thought it was a pretty fair assessment of how the club has been run in the past.

     

     

    One example a quote from I think it was Archie McPherson’s book on big Jock. When Jock was manager of Scotland he was called to Ernie Walker’s office and given a pay rise. (The normal Annual Salary review I think). He recalled in all the time with Celtic he had never being given a pay rise without having to fight tooth and nail for it. Just one small example of how one of our most loyal servants was treated by the board.

     

     

    I agree that the current board from a business perspective are running the club more professionally than it ever was during the White/Kelly years.

     

     

    Also of course you are correct in pointing out that DD had to be very careful when dealing with the hostile MSM. I would have thought in his interview it would have been wiser to side step the “old firm” question. I would have thought a man of his capabilities would have been able to do.

     

     

    I don’t have a problem with a strong fair competitor emerging preferably without the baggage. (Sadly in this country I think that’s a pipedream).

     

     

    My main concern with the board’s stance is that it seems to be ignoring the airbrushing of history. Rangers 1872 will soon be liquidated. Any new club to emerge in future years is simply not that club and should not be allowed to claim it’s history.

     

     

    With recent Charlotte allegations it’s bringing home to me and others how deep the corruption runs. Agreed the Club have to tread carefully, but surely now is the time to challenge these allegations in the press. Get a debate going. I stated on here last night how bitterly disappointed I was with the club muted response to the LNS findings.

     

     

    If the club keeps going down the road it’s going and ignoring what’s happening we will at some point get a strong competitor back with the clear message to them and the corrupt influences in Scottish society that they can go on as before.

     

     

    Why shouldn’t they. Celtic don’t care do they?

     

     

    I am all for being careful when our club is dealing with the press, but there must come a tipping point when integrity overtakes business interests. The ignoring of rules, corruption, our Club’s good name being sullied, surely this must be challenged at some point? Otherwise, are we simply not complicit in the goings on if not challenged?

     

     

    Why should it be Celtic that is challenging it in the press? Because as we can see history is all being conveniently re-written and I think only with Celtic coming out all guns blazing will the debate go truly National or International.

     

     

    Dan

  10. Evening Celts, it’s what it’s all about isn’t :>)

     

     

    Just back in from walking wee Riley with Derryghirl, cracking weather, and ahem…… wee had a few swallies looking over the Irish Sea.

     

     

    Had great chat with Kitalba this morning and really want to meet him some day.

     

    HH and back in a mo

     

    V

  11. weeman67

     

     

    17:52 on 28 July, 2013

     

    I have a dilemma and need some CQN help.

     

     

    I have a lot of white tile on the floors of my townhouse, I use a “Light and thirsty” mop that you just swish across the floor, it has a cat tail type head and it is green and white. I needed a new head and they are now blue and white, I bought the new head as I needed it but noticed a lot of other type of mops that had green and white heads. Should I toss this one and get a new one or just continue to grin every time I dunk this head in my bucket of water and bleach. TIA……..

     

     

    cleaningthehoosewhen sevcodie..CSC

     

     

    I just get the wife to do it

  12. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000

     

    16:54 on

     

    28 July, 2013

     

     

     

    Sorry to harp on but I also recall someone on here, and it may have been you, opining with regard to the FTT tribunal that the chap Mure, who was one of the judges, would, like LNS, be scrupulously fair in dealing with matters.

     

     

    Apologies if I’ve mis-attributed another poster’s views to you.

  13. Dan

     

    18:00 on

     

    28 July, 2013

     

     

     

    Walker might not have been so generous if it had been his own money.

  14. The events of the past year kinda lead me to believe that castle greyskull was gonna crumble and all the years of unfairness would be redressed.

     

    It now looks to me like Celtic will crumble first-because those with integrity will eventually get sick of the corruption.

     

    just a thought…

  15. !!Bada Bing!! on

    Ajax winger Derk Boerrigter on his way to Celtic for €3.5 million according to reports in Netherlands

  16. Margaret McGill on

    Ten Men Won The League

     

     

    18:15 on 28 July, 2013

     

    Currently I’d be content with one.

  17. We don’t have the money to have 2 good players per position, and we don’t need 2 players either.

  18. A Stor Mo Chroi on

    Just a thought!

     

     

    Who, worth a breath, never mind a pound, puts A pound before soul?

  19. Distributing the final draft for signatures, I’m trying to keep it easy and inexpensive, so when you get it please try to print it, fill in the details, scan the first page and return it to the address it came from, it’s a different address from the contact, it’s simply an easy way for me to collate and keep the paper work to a minimum.

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    Being issued today

     

     

    This AGM requests the Board exercise the provision contained in the Procedural Rules Governing the UEFA Club Financial Control Body Article 10 with jurisdiction and investigation responsibilities identified in articles 3 & 11 (Note 1), by referring/bringing to the attention of the UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), the licensing administration practices of the Scottish Football Association (SFA), requesting the CFCB undertake a review and investigate the SFA’s implementation of UEFA & SFA license compliance requirements, with regard to qualification, administration and granting of licenses to compete in football competitions under both SFA and UEFA jurisdiction, since the implementation of the Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations of 2010.

     

     

    Supporting Statement

     

    We the undersigned request this course of action, from our clubs custodians and corporate representation, responsible to protect our interests in line with corporate law. We consider the SFA governance has displayed a disregard for the rules and spirit of fair play, contradicted FIFA, UEFA & SFA mission statements and acted in contravention to the spirit of the rules of fair play outlined in FIFA, UEFA & SFA Rules, Regulations and Supplementary documents of which the SFA are signatories, such as;

     

     

    FIFA Code of Conduct Article 3 – Eleven principles for behavior and conduct of the FIFA family. (Note 2)

     

     

    FIFA Standard Cooperation Agreement of 2004 Article 2.1 – Basic Principles, which states;

     

     

    The basic principles governing the organization, administration and financing of football are as follows: football statutes and regulations, democratic election of governing bodies, legality, competence, dignity, probity, mutual respect, responsibility, trust, communication, transparency, fair play, solidarity, protection of sportsmen and sportswomen’s health and promotion of friendly relations.

     

     

    A number of recent examples of this including but not limited to the following;

     

     

    1. Unprecedented transfer of membership and granting of license to operate to an unqualified new club, facilitating queue jumping into the lower professional set-up, at the expense of existing qualified clubs, who had applied through the recognized process.

     

    2. Secret cross governance agreements to facilitate point 1. above, which took place during the preparation and contrary to the ethos of the SFA’s own published mission statement Scotland United A 20/20 Vision 2012, regarding trust and respect, as part of the future governance of the sport. Further the process for the above agreement is in direct contravention of the FIFA Standard Cooperation Agreement of 2004 Article 2.1 Basic Principles, which identifies Associations responsibilities outlined above.

     

    3. Participation of a new club in an SFA affiliated domestic club competition without proper registration compliance.

     

    4. The participation of the SFA, in an inquiry on improper player registration, an inquiry the SFA declined to initiate on the grounds that; the SFA required to be neutral, maintaining appellate authority status, then not only compromising that neutrality by participation but providing an interpretation on player eligibility that UEFA and indeed FIFA should examine.

     

     

    These in our opinion are just some of the more blatant contradictions to the spirit of fair play, however, far more serious, and the main thrust of this resolution is the granting by the SFA of a license to participate in European Competition in 2011, to a club who prime facie did not qualify specifically under the non-payment of social tax requirements identified in the FFP 2010, still outstanding to date, a decision that had a direct financial impact on our CFC Plc’s financial well being.

     

    Our concern is directed at the governance of the game in Scotland, the SFA, and its apparent disregard for the licensing system that was designed to protect against such commercial impropriety and to ensure sporting integrity; we wish to eliminate the opportunity for possible future indiscretions and insist this problem requires immediate action through investigation by the FCFB, to restore trust and respect in the governance of Scottish football.

     

    We have no confidence in the SFAs governance within the current framework, to satisfy our concerns and therefore request the Board supports this resolution.

     

    If the Board cannot support this resolution, we require a response in writing before the AGM, followed up with a statement addressing this issue at the AGM, justifying any such reticence, as to why it is believed the SFA’s actions or lack of, in granting the UEFA license without due rigor, has not had a detrimental financial impact on our club, also justifying why there were no license administration irregularities if that is the Boards contention.

     

     

    We ask you to support this resolution and the written statement above circulated to shareholders in advance of the meeting, in the interests of a stronger Celtic

     

    .

     

    I/We (Name/s)__________________________________________________________________________________________________

     

    Of (Address)____________________________________________________________________________________________________

     

    being an Ordinary shareholder of Celtic Plc (the ‘Company’) and/or a convertible Preferred Ordinary shareholder of Celtic Plc support the above resolution and supporting statement and wish the resolution to be considered at the Company AGM

     

     

    Signature_______________________________________________________________________________Date___________________

     

     

    NOTE 1

     

     

    Article 10 – Tasks of the CFCB chief investigator

     

     

    1 If a case falling under the jurisdiction of the CFCB in accordance with these rules comes to the attention of, or is referred to, the CFCB, an investigation is conducted by the CFCB chief investigator.

     

     

    2 The CFCB chief investigator establishes the facts and collects all evidence.

     

     

    Article 3 – Jurisdiction of the CFCB

     

     

    1 The CFCB is competent to:

     

    a) determine whether licensors have fulfilled their obligations and whether license applicants/licensees have fulfilled the licensing criteria as defined in the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations;

     

    b) determine whether licensees fulfill the club monitoring requirements as defined in the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations;

     

    c) impose disciplinary measures as defined in these rules in the event of non fulfillment of the requirements set out in the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations;

     

    d) decide on cases relating to club eligibility for the UEFA club competitions to the extent provided for by the regulations governing the competitions in question.

     

     

    2 When a case seems to come under the jurisdiction of both the CFCB and the Control and Disciplinary Body,

     

    the chairmen of the two bodies decide in their own discretion which body shall deal with the case. If they cannot

     

    reach an agreement, the chairman of the Appeals Body decides in his own discretion. Such decisions on

     

    jurisdiction may only be appealed against with the final decision of the body to which the case was assigned.

     

     

    Article 11 – Collection of evidence

     

     

    1 The CFCB chief investigator may, on his own initiative or, where appropriate, at the request of the

     

    defendant, convene a hearing as part of his investigation.

     

     

    2 All means of evidence may be considered by the CFCB chief investigator. This includes, but is not limited

     

    to, the defendant’s testimony, witness testimonies, documents and records, recordings (audio or video),

     

    on-site inspections and expert reports.

     

     

    3 The defendant may consult the case file.

     

     

    4 The CFCB chief investigator may set a suitable time limit for the defendant to submit its observations

     

    and/or submit or request complementary evidence.

     

     

    Note 2

     

    3 Eleven core principles for behavior and conduct of the FIFA family

     

    As a member of the FIFA family, we shall at all times comply with the following principles:

     

     

    3.1 Integrity and ethical behavior

     

    We all behave ethically and act with integrity in all situations, keeping in mind that a reputation for integrity is

     

    of the utmost importance to FIFA and its objectives.

     

     

    3.2 Respect and dignity

     

    We treat everyone with respect, and protect the personal dignity, privacy and personal rights of every human

     

    being.

     

     

    3.3 Zero tolerance of discrimination and harassment

     

    We are committed to a diverse culture. There shall be no discrimination as a result of race, ethnicity, origin,

     

    skin colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, language, physical appearance, sexual orientation or political

     

    opinion, or engagement in any kind of verbal or physical harassment based on any of the above-mentioned

     

    or any other criteria.

     

     

    3.4 Fair play

     

    We believe in the importance of fair play guiding us at all times in all our actions and decisions.

     

     

    3.5 Compliance with laws, rules and regulations

     

    We comply with all applicable laws and adhere to internal rules and regulations, including respecting

     

    stakeholders’ interests.

     

     

    3.6 Avoidance of conflicts of interest

     

    We act always in the best interests of FIFA and its objectives. It is the personal responsibility of each member

     

    of the FIFA family to avoid any conflict of interest.

     

     

    3.7 Transparency and compliance

     

    We seek transparency and strive to maintain a good compliance culture with checks and balances.

     

     

    3.8 Social and environmental responsibility

     

    We are committed to taking our social and environmental responsibility seriously. We want to contribute to

     

    positive social change through football, and aim to minimise the negative impact of all our activities on the environment and to promote sustainability within our sphere of influence.

     

     

    3.9 Fight against drugs and doping

     

    We want to play a pioneering role in the fi ght against drugs and doping in sport. We are strictly against drugs

     

    and all doping practices.

     

     

    3.10 Zero tolerance of bribery and corruption

     

    We reject and condemn all forms of bribery and corruption.

     

     

    3.11 No betting or manipulation

     

    We do not take part in betting connected with football and do not tolerate any form of manipulation or unlawful influencing of match results.

  20. Can I Have Raspberry On That Champions League Ice Cream

     

     

     

    am single………….but thanks anyway, think I will just have a wine….

  21. top 5 in the flesh.

     

    1.Maestro

     

    2.Lubo

     

    3.Henke

     

    4.McClair

     

    5.Mo Johnstone ( judged on ability only).

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