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.
[calameo code=000390171ece27dd9e54e lang=en page=98 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
1,316 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- ...
- 35
- »
….pfayr supports weeoscar
18:20 on 3 January, 2014
Can I have raspberry
You didnae need one :-))
Backies in
latchford
18:22 on 3 January, 2014
Can I have raspberry on the champions league ice cream,
The other Pedro of course…..Latchford.
Six a side
Jamabhoy
“just what we’ve brought in”
If he was identifying and signing his own players its more likely he would say I
Hey you started the schemantics debate ? ;-)
HH
TET – I know , my point
Loads of comments about we cant spot this player, that player, he’s shoite, he’s crap. Who buys this one/ that one.
I think it is very difficult to get it on the money all the time.
John Park is a PL man -absolutely & even he gets it wrong. He didnt spot Hooper.
Very difficult especially for the main position – CF. Also, if some of the players that have come in hit the ground running we would be quids in ….but then it can also take time.
Just some thoughts mate
Twisty
PFayr
And others
Before leaving for a wee weekend break this morning, I responded to Twisty, but my comment was general…..just to explain…..we are asked to listen t, and tolerate, all the Board-Bashers, even when we know one or two of them are working to an agenda…….but we are vilified for daring to be pleased with our Clubs current success / progress / financial position ….well, while the negatonians continue to say their piece, I will not apologise for being a happy-clapper, not to redress the balance, but to express how delighted I am with being a Celtic Supporter,…….and….how delighted I am that they are deed…..
So, let the ‘battle’ continue…….hahahahahahaha
Ah agree ..
With..
STOKESY.
The guy is Right…. When He says ..that .. Admittedley..he has not scored Many, so far this season, but….. that is somewhat mitigated by the fact..that He has Not had
Many ..Scoring Opportunites,being Presented to him.
Our Strikers are ..well.. Being…. Bloody STARVED!
Our Mid-Field Engine Room is Empty.
]
We Don’t have a Guy in oor Present Mid-Field Formation..
Who has.. CONSTISTENTLY.. Turned Provider.
Instead. we have.. Two Holding Middys.. Sometimes Three.
Ledley, Never takes oan a Man.. or… Continues to Push Forward..
He.. Mostly.. Gets rid of the Foot Ball.. like a Hot Potato..
Prefering, tae Pass it Oan tae Anither Coleague.. often.. Backwards..n at ither times.. across the Park.
Broonie, occasionally , goes oan a Dazzling run wi the Football.. but, Nine times out of Ten..He Allows the football tae Get too far ahead of Himself..and Loses out..in the End.’
Of course, Broonie, Does oan occasion. make a Telling pass FORWARD… but ,those are few in Number..
Mostly, He enjoys himself, By Passing the Football.. Across the Pitch..or . even Backwards.
just like his Compatriots
Stokesy,is Right . Right.. Right!!!!
Our Strikers receive Very Few Forward Passes from our Mid-Fielders..
They have to rely on .. Crosses from oor Wingmen..
That ,mostly, Fall.. Among a Packed Defensive Set-Up.
making it extremely Tough.. going for oor Strikers.
Ah hiv complained fur Months ,tae the Effect that
Sure, we have a Group of Pretty Infeffectual Strikers.everyone Knows THAT.. but..
The Lack of Help from oor Mid Fielders..
Is certainly NOT conducive.. in helping Those Strikers to Become More Effective.
I am amazed, that Neil And his Coaching Staff..
Continue to ALLOW this BLATANT… Starvation of Our Strike Force to Continue..
Unabated.. In Game After Game.
This Patty Cake Business,that takes place in the Center of the Park..
between oor Mid Fielders..
Passing the Ball Back n Forth.. Amounts to jist… Marking Time..
It Allows oor opponents tae Close ranks.. and Smother Further Attacking Moves ,by Packing thur Defensive set-Up.
Whithout of a Better Word.. to describe this Pattern of Futility..
It’s jis .. Plain . WHACKO!
Yes..
Stokesy is … RIGHT.. RIGHT.. RIGHT!!
Undoubtedly, we need to strengthen oor Strike Force..
Howevahhhhhhhhhh..
Firsly..In Ma Opinion..
We need tae Bring in..
MORE EFFECTIVE MID FIELDERS..
that’s… PLURAL.
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
Awe_Naw
As I said, I’m no language expert but maybe he said we because he got money from a previous transfer window when he wasn’t the manager.
Or maybe it was just a turn of phrase.
dixiebhoy @ 17:01…
I can’t see that anyone has responded to your question so the answer is v Boavista Porto in the home leg of the 1975/76 European Cup Winners Cup.
I don’t think anybody seriously believes the Fletcher story, who planted it in MSM?
Another wee snippet regarding transfers from 2011…
Transfer Budget and Squad for 2011-12 Season – PL said that as with past managers Neil will not have a budget per se. NL will identify where the team needs strengthened. Then they will discuss potential targets – Neil has the final say on any signings.
NL said that he specifically hopes to strengthen Goalkeeper, Centre-back, and Strikers. He will let a few people go – to leave a core squad of around 23 players. He is happy with the midfield, – says it is “one of the best in Britain”.
This came from kerrydalestreet after a Q&A with Neil and Peter.
jamabhoy
18:10 on 3 January, 2014
Que the lennons a liar brigade HH
hun skelper
That was a coffee all over the keyboard moment. Cheers ;)
Hail Hail
As a Celtic supporter who posts on CQN I am intrested in my team putting the best team on the park we can afford.Although I worked in banking and financial services up and until I retired I do not have the knowledge to run a football club.I accept that the board have to juggle many figures and various departments when running Celtic and in my opinion in the main they do a good job.I am not particularly interested in the politics of CQN and all the nonsense about mine shafters and happy clappers I
joe filippis haircut
18:44 on 3 January, 2014
Brilliant post of the day….well said…
Kikinthenakas
Why is Neil saying today we can afford to pay £6m…….tell them nothing…!!!!
My fingers now and then are to big for the keys on my lap top.I was going on to say that supporting Celtic in the main gives me great pleasure.If I was as unhappy as some others on CQN I quit following Celtic and football and do something else.H.H.
adi_dasler
I knew you knew >}
Aye, for sure JP is PL’s man.
Problem is, strikers for little cash are as rare as honest huns, it was a football man who spotted Hooper, to spot a defender or mid is so much easier imo, even I could do it.
What we need is a quality middy first and foremost, there are plenty out there for little or no money, Spain and France are full of them, they would jump at the chance to get much better money, win things and the chance of CL football.
Guys like Michu cost 2 mill, I reckon they could sell him for ten times that today, I don’t hold with the they won’t come to scotland stuff, money and prizes will determine that.
HH
joe filippis haircut
18:44 on 3 January, 2014
Absolutely spot on….
SFTB
That DD is not interested in Celtics loose change.
Not only was there a bigger spend for the,EPL dream there was the Dream team big spend too. A mistake that Fergus warned him about but he took no heed. NOT EVEN AFTER SEVILLE. Since then it has been rationalisation with the only ambition is to qaulify for Europe due to the focus on turning a profit. Not only him but the entire board take only a passing notice that they are very well rewarded for. The sermons and the preaching are unnecessary because they are nearly,always misplaced and coupled with business and political spin. Deceit in other words. If we are a family. If we are special. If we are truly a global sporting phenomenon. Then we need more involvement from them all. If you take more of an interest and you are seen to do more and actually deliver then the bonuses might be more deserved and less complained about
Custodians..guardians..parents of the family need to look after them and not just exploit them and insult their identity and ancestry and intelligence by trying to placate their greviances by pointing to the SPL table and the bank account.
If thats all they can offer they need to move over.
I think the custodians are behaving this way due to two things. Hun revival….see DDs mindset. Geld uber alles
Worried about exposure.
If they dont then I expect an emotional stale mate for many Celtic fans.
HH
Joe Filippis Haircut
Sometimes on here it reminds me of one my favorite Anchorman scenes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pdWAcK6Eh8
Hope the link works
Kojo
A lot of good points in your post.
We need to raise the tempo to stop inferior opposition organising themselves defensively.
And we need a striker that makes a front post run! It limits the options of the crosses put in by our full backs.
Still, well done to a young team who’ll only get better.
PF
I totally agree. I honestly believe that a proven goalscorer could make the difference of at least 5000 season tickets. Now at £ 500 each that’s £2.5m in revenue. I know of course that I’m speculating, but I think the apathy enveloping a lot of the support at present, may be alleviated with a decent signing. Another ” project” signing in this window, may compound the situation and be a false economy. As I said earlier, I genuinely believe the next few months are critical to the club.
As for Sammy, I have a lot of time for the big guy and have stated so on here many times. I think he will be going though. I can understand the club deciding that it may be the last chance to cash in.
Jamabhoy
Pal..if whit ye hiv jist Reported..
That Neil, claimed…”We have ONE of the Best MID-FIELDS..in Britain(!)”
and..if that Report of Yours Is GENUINE..
Then..
Now Ah know why.. Neil allows his Mid Fielders tae Continue tae
Do whit They Ur Daein’!
Hmmmmmmmmm..
Amazing.. tae Tae Me.. Truly .. An Amazing state of Affairs.
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
Kojo,
Spot on a striker is not enough especially for CL qualifiers. We need a creative midfielder as well and preferably one wide man with pace ( who can stay fit ). An Agathe for 50k would be ideal.
It works the other way too, a more creative midfield needs a striker to finish the moves off.
The defence is better than last year. Fraser has one years more experience plus an England cap. Emilio is playing well again, rejuvenated with Brazil world cup. Virgil and Efe have done well and are more secure than last years pairing. At right back we are spoiled for choice with Lustig, Matthews, Fisher.
Defensively we are solid. Middle to front is uninspiring to say the least couple with Lennys defensive approach.
A good transfer window is crucial for the club. Let’s see if the CEO is prepared to act like a CEO.
How to sort the malaise that is impacting on what is otherwise an upward trajectory for the auld CFC- the club should;
1. Start some meaningful dialogue with the GB- develop a fenced off standing area and allow the GB and others to fill this part- and the ground with some badly needed sound- with stewards controlling access
2. Defend the fans against the media, police and SNP campaign to criminalise them (see the non reaction to the new firm smoke bombs as an example).
3. Sign a creative midfielder and a goal scoring forward, and play them and younger players on merit
4. Drop the admission prices- £20 per adult ticket and £5- £10 for the under 16’s
this would be a big step in the right direction
twists n turns
18:54 on 3 January, 2014
The way things are at the moment 5000 might be a conservative figure mate HH
Kojo
The quote was from 2011, I think the midfield was better back then. ;-)
Hail Hail
BFDJ is hilarious.
“dave king might come in and give then £10m for players”
In Am Opinion..
As ah am Ah Guy who Still..
Thinks that..
the Best Formation.. for .. ENTERTAINING FITBA..
Is the Auld Time
Right Hauf.. Center Hauf Left Haul
n
Ootside Right, Inside Right Centet Forward, Instide Left n Ootside Left..
Nooadays.. that is Gone..
n
Ah ..For Wan..
Miss It.
Kojo.
Still,Laughin
Gotta Go,Joe..
Seeya.
Latchford was he stroking a white cat at the time. Jeez
TET
Thanks for spotting that :). Scotland is still portrayed as a backwater with little or no help from the MSM (these guys are writing their own death sentences). I had a lot of time for Crosas. He’s my type of player but the scottish game and tactics of (get in their faces AKA boot the shoite out of them) doesnt help. I enjoyed the Hibs v Cousins of last night. PT tried to upset CFC on Wed. D UTD V ABERDEEN ( top crowd). Meanwhile our game is dying according to people who have airtime!. I just dont get it.
Anyway I agree there are players out there and I digress – rant over but hope u get my drift ?.
HH
Hun skelper
Agreed mate. You only have to take a snapshot of some good bhoys on here to realise all is not well.
On a footballing front, it’ll be tough to get through the CL qualifiers with the present squad. 2 to 3 players of quality required.
He’s been wittering on about Dave King for a while now. Inside knowledge or a desperate plea?
I’d love the hacks to ask him why he thinks that could happen. I was always under the impression journalists asked searching questions!
we have seen them come and we have seen them go
from boardroom to playing staff .
this will continue into the future , the only constant is the support .
some of the support are saddened because its not the celtic
they want . some are happy just to support celtic .
this will also continue into the future .
20 hats you will have to change your name as iv’e bought you another hat ! :-))
Keevins on Snyde .. There will be no Sevco signings this window !
BFDJ .. Unless Dave King invests 10 million or something ….
Wwwwwaaaaahhhhhhaaaaahhhhhaaaaa !!!
What a tickling stick he is !!!!!
We all believed in the idea of Celtic turning a profit and why not ? I have no problems with that. I do have a problem when it changes from turning to maximising for the sole sake of it. Regardless of the football especially European ambition. That this present course took place directly after Seville and would emphasise that along with the threats of us going bust like the huns. The huns will be proving in 18 months that the plc is not the company.
Ok guys my last post. So you can all enjoy yourselves tonight.
They need to deliver with regards transparency and governance with the football authorities and the politicians to address this issue that is STILL a concern for our more motivated good citizens. Demanding fairness in sport is not an option its a pre requisite.
HH
adi_dasler
I was going to mention Crosas, he gets the club, but until the referees give players protection, players like him will always struggle in scotland.
This is where I can’t understand clubs, all clubs accepting the hammer throwers in the game.
The likes of Dun Utd have quite a few kids, who when allowed to play are good to watch, but are out of their depth when they are involved in a physical game.
Guys like Inesta, would struggle in scotland.
The derby last night was full of passion, both teams were giving there all, dire standard of football mind you, but enjoyable all the same.
Sort the referees, sort the problems.
HH
If (and I have huge doubts about that) we are willing to pay £6 million on a striker I wouldn‘t want it spent on Fletcher…
TET
I think there are players we fail to get, either because they don’t want to come to Scotland or more likely because we have to go through the qualifiers before getting into the Champ League proper, especially young players.
I think some players want to use Celtic to put themselves in the shop window and they want to do that with Champ League football.
Hail Hail