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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latchford
16:31 on 3 January, 2014
‘ the club are a mess’
The team might not be playing well and we might be a striker short but we are far from a mess.
I don’t like the way we’re run by lawwell the same as a lot of fans but I would call us a mess.
One look in the govan direction that’s a club in a mess.
Tyrea
Would- wouldn’t
The Onlooker
16:24 on 3 January, 2014
Yes, agreed. The main factors for me are application and attitude. We just need to compare and contrast the consistency of performance between the likes of Messi and Ronaldo with Eddie Bayer and Berbatov. Much of that is down to attitude (and way too much money).
Lennbhoy whats the name of the garage you are talking about.
theoriginalsadiesbhoy
16:40 on 3 January, 2014
Agree mate.
setting free the bears
Fletcher has had injuries but still has a ratio of 1 goal every 3 games for Derby.
Pukki has 3 goals in 14 games for us. On what basis is that comparable?
Factor in the price tags of the two and tell me what you think…
HH
latchford
“some people have their view and cannot believe that every other Celtic supporter does not live in a green tinted wonderland.”
I have no difficulty at all in believing that many fans are dissatisfied. Sure are they not on here often enough? You would have to be blind and deaf to miss them.
The jibe about “green tinted wonderland” is also one that can be addressed to the mineshafter tendency as they live in an imagined past where all was 5:0 wins and constant stars and that the present team, whenever is the present, are the worst in X number of years.
Did you read Gordon’s posts two days ago where he copied letters from old Celtic views bemoaning Jock Stein’s tactical nous and Jimmy Johnstone’s playing ability?
I was there on Wednesday and glad to be there even though the game, like many I have attended over the years, was forgettable. What is worse for me is the broken state of the fan base attending CP; the football I can thole, and even like on occasions.
I don’t think that Fletcher is the answer. He has never been a top striker. Mind you he is a good player. When he was with Hibs he had a great game against us once but that was from mid-field.
Good evening CQN
A Happy New year to one and all
Paul 67 it was nice to meet up with you again
For a short time just before the Hearts game
Just back from a wee festive break with the family
Down at Centre Parcs
No internet connection so was able to read my new CQN
Annual a great read
Keep the Faith
Hail Hail
When did fletcher sign for derby
traditionalist
If we are just going to compare them on output of goals, fair enough but there will be even better than Johnny Russell to throw in our face- guys that have scored better than 1 in 3 and cost even less.
The point is that they have to be able to do it at Celtic before you can declare them a success. It is easy and correct to state that Pukki, Balde, Boerigter et al are relative failures, up till now. That does not make Johnny Russell a success and I wish the boy no harm and hope he recovers from injury and proves me wrong.
tradtionalist88 Fletcher plays for Sunderland Russell for Derby. Do keep up. Hail Hail Hebcelt
latchford @ 16.31 hrs.
You have put your points across well, however I think you are aiming at the wrong target. In particular your last paragraph
“,Lawwell in particular had a chance to strengthen the club in the summer ; he failed spectacularly. Middle to front is one of the most ordinary Celtic Teams in the last 30 years”
——————————————————————————————————–
I do not go along with the theory that PL identifies, watches and signs the players. Yes he has made some errors of judgement and the time has come for Celtic to outline their strategy going forward, but to say he has failed spectacularly is just plain incorrect.
Mainly our signings have been —well projects, but whose fault is that.? It is PL’s job to find the finance, arrange the contracts and fund the not insignificant wage bill.
We have scouts, coaches and manager to identify players, then it is PL’s job to obtain them if possible.
No offence but I reiterate; some on here think PL has powers more associated with King Canute. Put your doll c/w pins back in the drawer.
God forbid we lose a game, it will be Armageddon.
HH, Always in Celtic.
Not sure if his performances and goals this season have already priced him out of our range but Danny Ings from Burnley would be better value than Fletcher.
I am definitely in the camp who don’t want to get fletcher. I watch MOTD every week and I have seen enough of Sunderland and Wolves to know that he is a very average striker. He is useful in the air and has a decent touch but he has no pace and is an average finisher. To my mind he is one the people who cost martin o’neill his job at sunderland. O’Neill paid a very large transfer fee for him and fletcher just didn’t deliver the goals. His goal ratio is less than one in three. We can do much better.
When did we have to wear numbers on the jerseys in Europe ?
Anyone who thinks lawell picks the players we sign is deluded. Anyone who thinks that lawell finances any of the players we sign is deluded. Celtic have a budget that the club must work to, that budget not of lawells makin. Im sure lots of players have been targeted by Celtic by manager lots in recent yrs that haven’t come for variety of reasons.
Blame the bond villain.
Does anyone have any info if any of these incredibly gifted an talented players (how many caps for Scotland) wud actually have signed for Celtic rather than head south in first place.
That fact doesn’t suit somes agenda.
HebCelt, well done.
SFTB, at 4.21 output of goals was the only criteria you used to dismiss the prospect of signing Russell and compared his output to Pukki etc
His output is way better than Pukki.
I’d also say his all round game is far better.
At a fraction of the price.
Again, in the limited market in which we operate… the wrong choice was made.
HH
The Descendants of the Drowner speculating that Wallace is in meditatione fugae:
“is this true? Wallace unhappy? Do u know what with?”
scotlands shame- so you don’t think PL sets the budget for Celtic? Who does then?HH
scotlands shame
17:06 on
3 January, 2014
Anyone who thinks lawell picks the players we sign is deluded
============
Zheng Zhi, Koki Mizuno, Du Wei, Nakamura…
1 of out 4 turned out not bad;) Actually thats a better ratio than we have now, maybe we should let Lawwell loose on the market.
He sets the budget based on money we have, he doesn’t finance this money. We can only buy players we can afford to that budget. Unless we are rangers. Or hearts. Or killie. Or bolton. Or wolves. Or wolves. . You get my drift.
Im sure Celtic have went to plenty players an offered them deals only to get turned down champs sides offer more
Traditionalist….
Don’t think Fletcher ever played for Derby , but his strike rate in the top league for Burnley,Wolves then Sunderland is impressive in struggling teams whenever he is fit.
Cracking player mate….tremendous aerial threat and great first touch for a big guy.
Predominately left sided but can score with both feet.
Well worth pushing the boat out at 6 million from what I’ve seen of him in England.
The king got bout 40k tops from us. Dean windass got more than that at bradford.
Can’t really blame lawell for that no matter how much you hate him
Not only does the new striker have to be able to score goals, he needs to be able to get into positions to get plenty of chances to score goals. Too many of our strikers can’t sniff out a goal scoring opportunity. They don’t have that natural ability to position themselves where and when the ball is gonna arrive.
Too many of our current crop couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a Bangura.
ryecatcher
Typo re Fletcher, meant Russell. Trying to work here while keep up with theses stories;)
HH
Screen73…..
Think you’ll find Connor Wickham cost MON his job more than Fletcher.
They’d have gone down without his goals.
MON was shot as a club manager by the time he got to Sunderland.
South Of Tunis
14:46 on 3 January, 2014
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.
=========================
Lmao. Quality.
The treatment by fans at recent games. Terrible an down to lawell. The lack of comment on dougie dougie returning. Terrible an down to lawell. The crap football last few games nothin to do with him. The overreaction to these 2 games partly his fault due to my first 2 pts but mainly down to fans.
Incidentally the willow window down to wgs who didn’t want to sign anyone other than him. Had lawell stepped in an signed someone on own bac there wud rightfully be outcry an club wud have been thrown in to turmoil. Man can’t win. All managers worked under him seem to appreciated him. Maybe he is the chief exec equivalent of super Joe!
SSN saying Fletcher to Celtic they seem to think it is a done deal.If it is true I cant see Celtic paying over 3 Million for a player who doesnt exactly score for fun and also struggles to stay fit. H.H.
hun skelper
15:50 on 3 January, 2014
What is it with modern footballers
Southampton complain about mark clattenburg and his crime …….
He told the Southampton player he had changed since getting an England cap ……unbelievable
==================================
Really? Jee-zus.
I hope they got counselling for the poor soul.
There will have to be a new by-law added to the rules regards offence: Ungentlemanly Conduct – Making Someone Cry.
scotlands shame
17:16 on
3 January, 2014
Don’t forget the £1M that was deferred and paid for by his ‘Farewell Game’ – that brought his final year salary up to £60k/week equivalent. A lot any league in those days.
Found time, finally, to peruse my CQN annual.
Congrats to all involved – a great product full of interest, although PAGE 75 has to be the finest in the book.
Denny Johnstone is better than Steven Fletcher! Jessica Fletcher is better than Steven Fletcher… It’s no gonnae happen.
timbhoy2
16:48 on 3 January, 2014
Sorry for delay, if you e-mail me I will send you details lennybhoycfc@gmail.com or alternatively email paddybhoy1888 at patmcg1888@aol.com and he will give you details.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
I think Fletcher would a great signing for us but I would grudge paying 4m more than he would have cost us last time around.
If I would grudge it, PL certainly would.
Nothing but rumour anyway. They always throw these kind of names at us. Probably end up with Griffiths.
The king cud have doubled his money elsewhere. He stayed an was rewarded well for it but he was unique. Most footballers these days wud prefer to get rich playing for stoke rather than win medals an play best in world. Up to them but can hardly blame lawell for that