If you were lucky enough, like me, to enjoy a long Christmas holiday, I hope you had a good one. I’m sure few of us are delighted to be back at it today but there’s an indisputable mood on the blog for bringing in the New. A fresh start is needed and fortunately we’re at the start of the transfer window.
For Celtic most attention will be directed towards recruiting a striker who is capable of doing the business in the Champions League, not to overlook the important point of doing the business in Champions League qualifiers. 20-year-old Icelandic striker, Holmbert Fridjobsson, finally joins the club this month but although we’ll hopefully see plenty of the player this month he is surely considered ‘one for the future’.
One prolific striker does not solve all of Celtic’s issues, however. The club remains acutely dependent on Kris Commons’ creativity (as well as goal scoring), which will become increasingly less-effective as opponents setup to inhibit him. He needs a foil.
Since the annihilation in Barcelona Celtic have offered greater protection from midfield but with both full backs encouraged to overlap the midfield anchor role, previously occupied by Wanyama, becomes crucially important. It also offers support to the strategy of allowing Commons a free role as an attacking midfielder.
Over the break, Archie MacPherson, Scotland’s greatest ever broadcaster, wrote an article for Celtic Quick News comparing two of Scotland’s greatest ever managers. These debates are, of course, subjective, but the article provides a few objective points for consideration. Archie has a totally unique range to deal with this question and is in no doubt as to who the master was. Look out for the article next week, you’ll enjoy it – no guessing now.
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charles kickham 13:51 on 3 January, 2014
Steinreignedsupreme 13:40 on 3 January, 2014
“Whatever happened to the requisitioners?”
they are having a night out tonight in the auctioneers – just off George square
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That’s going to be some staring contest when it comes to putting the ole hands in the pockets to get a round in.
Understand that Celtic have the ‘Investors in People’ quality award/accreditation but cannot seem to locate an organizational chart re Celtic FC/PLC………
Appreciate any guidance re. Thanks.
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Happy New Year to Paul67 and to CQNrs everywhere. Been in since the beginning and used to need at least 3 fixes of CQN a day but been giving it a rest lately as the tone had changed – too much argument and abuse for my liking. But I’m back for another go.
My ever-tolerant wummin says I sound like Geo Osborne on speed shouting “CUTBACK! CUTBACK!” when we get to the byeline. We don’t score enough from cutbacks or shots from outside the box although we have the players who can hit them from distance. I was probably spoilt by what I saw in the Stein years. The ball is a lot lighter nowadays and can be more easily manipulated that the heavy leather versions from the stone age so why so few attempts?
Just a thought.
oldtim67
14:12 on 3 January, 2014
Glad it went well…blue thread though, a small price to pay.
Be in touch soon re-CQteN.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
the moon bhoys
14:10 on 3 January, 2014
Happy New Year to you mate.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Understand that Celtic have the ‘Investors in People’ quality award/accreditation
-Sevco have a new world record for the ‘Investors in We are the People’ quality/award accreditation.
Italian rumours —— { for what they are worth }
Kaka to Manchester United
Andrea Pirlo to Real Madrid
Balotelli to Galatasaray
Vucinic to Arsenal
Quagliarella to West Ham
Juan Mata to Napoli
Higuain to Chelsea.
El Sharaway to Liverpool
Cambiasso to Manchester United / Chelsea
A striker who scores goals in the Chsmpions League would be great.
I’ll settle for one who will score goals in domestic games!
Investors in People ?
Memories of a mate who worked in an FE College . College was applying for IIP status and he was chosen for interview . Interviewer asked what he thought of College Management -his- ” that would be a good idea but maybe it’s a bit radical for this place “- didn’t go down well..
Same guy sat through a Powerpoint presentation re IIP by 2 whizz kids armed with heuristics ,etc and when it came to the any questions thing ,enquired ——- ” Do you have to throw a 6 to start ? “.-that didn’t go down well either.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/195231558/TRFCL-to-RIFC-Share-Exchange-Agreement
Best signing for me would be Chris Sutton to join the coaching staff.
‘heuristic’- Of or relating to a usually speculative formulation serving as a guide in the investigation or solution of a problem
=on that basis Celtic’s midfield on Wednesday also came armed with heuristics.
notthebus
14:54 on 3 January, 2014
Best signing for me would be Chris Sutton to join the coaching staff.
Couldn’t agree more
Natknow @ 14:18
And we wish you a happy 2014.
2013 is so last year. ; )
notthebus (14:54)
Best signing for me would be Chris Sutton to join the coaching staff.
Chris Sutton to join the playing staff would probably improve our goal-scoring threat.
If we bring another striker in Balde will go on loan as will Bangura again.Failed policy or what?
On Chris Sutton, I was watching the St. Johnstone game on BT TV and he was one of the summarisers. Reading between the lines you were left with the impression that he would have enjoyed playing against Efe!!!
Would love to see Sutton join. In either capacity!
At the risk of scunnering fellow CQN-ers who went back to work today I just ‘discovered’ an extra day’s holiday. I go back on Monday. But till about an hour ago I was labouring under the false belief that today was Saturday already!
Same feeling as you very occasionally used to get when you found a fiver in your jeans as you put them into the wash !!!
HH jamesgang
cuchulainn
14:58 on
3 January, 2014
Natknow @ 14:18
And we wish you a happy 2014.
2013 is so last year. ; )
I’d like to think of a smart-arse response that suggested I meant the 2013 comment. But I don’t have one!
Happy New Year – whatever year it is!
Does anyone remember Chris Sutton’s coaching career?
Celt55 Sutton would toast Efe.
Sutton or Hartson versus VVD – now that would have been a contest to savour! Throw Bobo into the mix – ouch!
HH jamesgang
Neil scoring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Maybe we should bring Henrik in as a coach too?
Or BBJ??
Bound to be better than what we have? I mean, what could go wrong, eh?
setting free the bears (15:09): “Maybe we should bring Henrik in as a coach too?”
Henke recommended Bangura to Celtic! He has still to prove his coaching credentials, and that his eye for talent is as good as his eye for the opposition goal.
sfbt
I think big Chris was the manager of Lincoln for a very short period.
Gordon J @12.38
Read the article re the honours system -which I entirely agree with- and would add that I would prefer it if no Celts accepted such an honour.
But on a point of ( possible) correction I think the highest honour is not the CH but the OM ( Order of Merit) which is limited to 24 and is very much seen as being the personal gift of the sovereign. Only given to Academics, Politicians and distinguished figures in the ‘High’ Arts. So none of you riff raff film, pop or sporting types. Oh and you can’t be dead to get one.
I was going to announce my own 24 drawn from the worlds of Celtic, Sports, jazz, movies, rock music, literature and, er, ‘talent’. I am sure I could design a medal.
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
Big Chips
Can you tell me what icon I should use to convey that I am being sarcastic?
I think the point is neither NL,JM or GP were strikers or prolific scorers.He could also teach a few how to head a ball in both boxes.
When we were flush with CL money and sales of Hoops, Vic and Wilson the most we spent on one player was circa £2m.
Can’t see Lawwell spending more than that now. Also with a 1 in 6 success rate recently there will be much concern about more slip ups. So Fletcher is extremely unlikely.
However there is 20 mil CL participation at stake and 30 mil the following season, so hope Lawwell can think strategically and take the right decision.
roy croppie
I knew that. I was trying to remind the guys that advocate signing someone because he was a good player for us, that we should maybe look at their credentials. A guy who leaves coaching, after 7 months in early 2010 and does nothing until entering the realm of punditry almost 4 years later, has not shown credentials.
20-year-old Icelandic striker, Holmbert Fridjobsson, finally joins the club this month but although we’ll hopefully see plenty of the player this month he is surely considered ‘one for the future’.
==============================================
Why? He’s not 12. If he’s good enough at that age he’ll be in and around the first team immediately, allowing him time to get his fitness up to scratch of course.
Of course, players do improve after the age of 20 but they have to have a certain level of ability to build on and we will know relatively soon if he has it, rather than at some point 3/4 years down the line.
He’s 20, most of his development has been done. He’s not going to morph into Pele. He’ll either be good enough or he won’t be.
If he’s as good as he tells us he is would you prefer he was kept in reserve?! ;)
HH
SFTB @ 15 08 .
He was Manager at Lincoln City . He resigned -stated reason was ” family reasons “.
I’ve seen Chris Sutton playing cricket , in a village blacksmith stylee.
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
Joining the coaching staff to work on a specilaist position is entirely different to managing a team.
Our success with forwards is lamentable.Cant All be bad choices.
Compare with the relative success stories in midfield/defence.
JIMBO67
An order of merit was awarded this year,cannae remember to whom.
He obviously deserved it though.
Since the annihilation in Barcelona Celtic have offered greater protection from midfield but with both full backs encouraged to overlap the midfield anchor role, previously occupied by Wanyama, becomes crucially important. It also offers support to the strategy of allowing Commons a free role as an attacking midfielder.
What I have been saying since the Hearts,Well games.Playing the diamond with Biton/Charlie as the anchor,allows the two full backs the chance to bomb forward at will.You have Broony,Ledley tucked in just behind Commons in a free role,and two strikers.
Since those two games,Lenny has reverted to playing wingers.The full backs are more inhibited as we then only have two in the midfield.We have the players to play the “Diamond “really well,as we witnessed,but I fear Lenny has his favourites,which amazes me.How he can watch the team play so well,in a system they really enjoyed,then change it to punting the ball up to Sammi again,and 20 odd passes sideways and back,is beyond me.
Cantseethelightattheendofthetunnel,CSC.
traditionalist88
15:18 on 3 January, 2014
NL was asked when we signed him, was he one for the future. He replied quite clearly no he was not, he was one for the now.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
I’ve seen Tosh McKinlay playing Ker!plunk.
In Bobby Fischer stylee.
Turns out there were three awarded!
Jings,don’t want one of them. One in eight members die every year….
Stats,eh?