I’ve been looking for signs for an inflationary bounce in English football. The next Premier League TV deal is still 12 months away but at this stage before previous TV deals kicked in, clubs started spending ahead of themselves as they looked to secure a piece of the lucrative new deal. In particular, I’m keen to see how central defenders are valued.
Today news broke that West Brom agreed a deal with newly-relegated Hull City to sign central defender, James Chester (26) for £8m. Chester has 11 months left on his contract at Hull. Three years in the English Championship and 45 Premier League games over two seasons was enough evidence to induce modest West Brom to pay the asking price.
It would have helped that three other Premier League clubs, Southampton, Aston Villa and Newcastle, were also reportedly interested, but no one is making false claims for a lad who has not troubled the scouts of England’s top clubs. He’s a modest player who is able to sign a pre-contract in January. This is a spectacular fee, passing between two modest clubs, for a central defender.
Consequences for us? We’ll see.
I’m doing a State of the Club article for Friday, as we do the day before the league campaign starts. So far there’s a flow to the words. A solid result on Wednesday will reaffirm that, whereas a reversal would, frankly, deem a satisfactory assessment inappropriate.
So much turns on these next few games, Champions League qualification, squillions of pounds, and sure, the State of the Club. We’ve come through a few iterations of acceptable levels of performance over the last 20 years, since winning our first trophy in six years. Younger readers will never appreciate how precious a 1-0 Scottish Cup win over Airdrie could be.
These days it’s all about the treble and Champions League group stage qualification. The loss of a cup would be an annoyance, but Celtic need to be part of the Champions League.
Our friends at Magners have offered a pair of Premium seat tickets for the Jock Stein Stand at the opening league game of the season on Saturday. To enter, all you need to do is email me with the name [IN THE SUBJECT LINE] of who we play that day, celticquicknews@gmail.com
If you’d like to donate £1 to the CQN Mary’s Meals school kitchen appeal, help towards what would be our fifth kitchen in Malawi, you can do so here:
Entries close at 6pm this evening, so not much time.
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Songs for tomorrow night
Tune: Rod Stewart’s Sailing
We are playing,we are playing
Euro football in the Champions League
We are playing Europes finest
And to beat them we must play our best
And to beat them we must play our best.
Tune: Keep right on to the end of the road.
Keep right on to the end of the game
Keep right on to the end
Tho the game be long
Let your hearts beat strong
Keep right on to the end
Tho your tired and weary
Still carry on
Till you get that winning goal
For we’ll be there to cheer you on
We’ll be there
At the end of the game.
HH
Anyone know of anywhere in Dusseldorf which will show the Hoops game tonight?
rudicantfail
Nae luck pal……..
Teuchter ár lá
22:35 on 28 July, 2015
Celtic FC: Wednesday’s match has not been sold to TV in any country – if anyone is advertising the game it is a false claim. Thanks
Don’t worry Bhoys and comrades… L7 is back in business. ..
I’m fit, had a good pre-season… tough at times as expected. ..
But I’m fit, ready for action and will be playing for 100 minutes if need be…
3 rules I learned from a movie way back. ..
Never underestimate you’re opponent
Expect the unexpected
Be nice
I’ve added to that since:
WIN!!
Celtic v Barcelona 2-1 You’ll Never Walk Alone 7/11/12 YNWA …
https://youtu.be/aVyEiuzKYNo
HAIL HAIL
pyfird
A Barcelona fan’s view
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=&ved=0CCUQiE4wAmoVChMIsPKwvpb_xgIVSckUCh2oPQXO&usg=AFQjCNF1sHlk2z9QIx28jtvfnGP_UlkifA&sig2=7j152RmmoAAn4h3hc9AzeA
This is what it’s all about…. ..
https://youtu.be/phKo0Qo6PXQ
https://youtu.be/yuKdVRmnwT4
https://youtu.be/ggz3Uw0FYIs
https://youtu.be/YsTfUQWTQXU
https://youtu.be/E9be3uZYvBg
A similar attitude will see us through. . … COYBIG
pyfird
COYBIG:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X4jIhy_jKCY
Since1888CSC.
HH.
It looks like everyone is safely tucked up in bed, dreaming of hat tricks from Griffiths, a brace from Ciftci and a couple each from Armstrong and GMS.
Tickets are safely stored in the top drawer, or the wallet or in the top pocket.
Scarves are folded neatly on the dressing table, and the ironed shirts and trousers are hanging neatly in the wardrobe.
(Oops Kris, watch out.)
The match day schedules have been gone over time and time again to make sure every possibility has been covered, every risky delay assessed and a recovery plan put in place.
So tomorrow, anyone who managed a sound sleep, will wake up refreshed, ready to go to work and smile knowingly at supporters of the club in the lower division.
Others will prepare for the long trek from all airts and paints.
By ferry, by plane, by train, by car, by bus and on foot, they will all converge on Celtic Park like migrating herds to gaze at the green field lit up by the floodlights and join with their fellow fans in an eye watering emotional rendering of YNWA.
http://youtu.be/Cav4uLyKXqk
Oh how I miss Celtic Park on European nights.
Massive LIKE and thumbs up to both previous posts…. hopefully some shut eye now… feel like a wee boy on Christmas Eve.
Please add a like button to CQN
pyfird
Morning bhoys.
The day is upon us.
COYBIG
Good morning hoopstars!
No rain ☔ this morning in the dear green place. I have woke up fresh as a daisy after about four hrs sleep
GG LARSSONSEVEN I’m even more excited after reading your posts and watching your vids.
HAIL HAIL
Have a great day fellows timmys
Going to be in Gdynia Poland for the game tonight. Anyone have any idea where I could watch the game? Will Setanta Europe be showing it?
Good morning friends and a Big Happy Match Day from an all-too-rare-of-late dry and bright looking East Kilbride.
Buzzing for tonight!
Zicomaltesebhoy
Yes , my dad was on FB to him last week
Sorry I fell asleep last night. O)
niallo83
Sorry friend but the word is that the game has not been sold to/picked up by any broadcasters.
HH
Pretty sure i read this a few days ago, but can anyone tell me if it is possible to buy tickets for tonights game at the Celtic store on Argyll Street?
Getting excited noo.
Thunder Road –
Some cash turnstiles tonight and also a print at home option – see here: http://www.celticfc.net/news/8700
Work calling now……..
THUNDER ROAD. 0730
According to this,yes.
http://www.celticfc.net/tickets
Enjoy the match,bud. Jealous as….
Hello again all you young rebels.
G,day from Oz to hoopies everywhere in our Celtic world,
i’ve been sitting here counting the hours until kick off, i’ve
not even got the wee mhan to smash balls at me and keep
me occupied as he’s at school.
The princess said to me this morning.
” No use sitting there biting your nails come with me to
the shops ”
” Precious, you’ve absolutely no chance of me going to that
shopping mall ”
” Well if you want Guinness for the game you better cause i’m
no carrying it ‘
Drat she knows me so well.
So hoops on ( auld saddo ) and off to the mall and the place
seemed to be buzzing, seen a few Celts about and wonder of
wonders a small sports shop with a Celtic mannequin next to
a Man City and Real strips and the place was busy, maybe
somebody’s been on CQN and seen all my whinging about
none of our merchandise being available in Melbourne anyway
it fair cheered me up.
The game itself is a hard one to call , as a support we don’t know
much about them so maximum effort from all the players should
see us through, i know the fans will do their bit , goes without
saying.
So c’mon you bhoys in green.
H.H Mick
skyisalandfill
07:28 on 29 July, 2015
niallo83
Sorry friend but the word is that the game has not been sold to/picked up by any broadcasters.
HH
Cheers for the info:-) CQN updates and some Tyskie will have to do!! 2-0 Celtic
jobo and bmcuwp
Thanks guys.
Kinda had to make a last minute decision whether to go or not and its a yessss!!
Going to travel through after work and would prefer to secure tickets 1st, get a few beers and possibly avoid a lot of queuing at Paradise.
.
Sandy Lyle gave Me one of My Favourite Golfing Moments..
Bet Him £25 Each Way @ 33/1 to Win The Masters think it was 89′..
Watched it every Night in our Bedsit in Nottinghill Gate..
By the Sunday Night the 4 of Us were Skint..
I was our Last Chance of the ‘Monday Club’..
The 4 of Us glue to the TV Sunday Night.. Think Lyle was in a One Shot lead with 4 Holes to Play..
The Feckin TV exploded..
We Ran down and asked the Spanish lady Landlord if we could Come down and watch the Last 4 Hole in her place..as All the Pubs were Shut..
In Broken English she told us No.. But she had a Spare TV we could Borrow..
Muchus Muchus Gracias Seniorita..
Sent Her Son up 5 Minutes Later..
With a 2″ Inch Black & White.. TV/Radio.. Ffs
I can Still Remember Lyles 2nd Shot to the 18th..
We all took the Week off..
It’s Funny watching the Golf Now on a Screen that is 63″ Inch too Big..【ツ】
Summa of SandyCSC
Eeeeek!!! It’s Wednesday!!!!
Hail Hail
Thunder Road
hope you get sorted ……..green eyed monster here :-)))
skyisalandfill………. me toooo!!!!
HH
gg
Oh how I remember that feeling, horrible.
Morning chaps, looking forward to tracking the game tonight… Wish I was going.. We should beat this mob if we respect them appropriately….
I am in Edinburgh, grass market… Anyone recommend somewhere near by where I can get a good meal for me the wife and two kids?
Cheers
Mulgrew out.
TR
They are doing the print at home ticket also
HUNDERBIRDS ARE GONE
Since yer new on here,I’ll let you off wi that schoolbhoy error.
It is actually Champions League Day.
Only huns call it Wednesday!
Enjoy the match,everyone that is going. I’ll be watching on the radio(!) while I’m working.
MELBOURNEMICK
You have a lovely habit of cheering me up,bud.
I hope you see more of our HOOOOOOOOPS in Melbourne.
Can’t wait for tonights game.
Although not the finished article (which team is?), I have to say Celtic are exciting right now. Kinda feel like we’re on the verge of something special
‘Mon the Hoops!
..well said GG.
………………………………………………………………………….
‘GG
03:39 on
29 July, 2015
It looks like everyone is safely tucked up in bed, dreaming of hat tricks from Griffiths, a brace from Ciftci and a couple each from Armstrong and GMS.
Tickets are safely stored in the top drawer, or the wallet or in the top pocket.
Scarves are folded neatly on the dressing table, and the ironed shirts and trousers are hanging neatly in the wardrobe.
(Oops Kris, watch out.)
The match day schedules have been gone over time and time again to make sure every possibility has been covered, every risky delay assessed and a recovery plan put in place.
So tomorrow, anyone who managed a sound sleep, will wake up refreshed, ready to go to work and smile knowingly at supporters of the club in the lower division.
Others will prepare for the long trek from all airts and paints.
By ferry, by plane, by train, by car, by bus and on foot, they will all converge on Celtic Park like migrating herds to gaze at the green field lit up by the floodlights and join with their fellow fans in an eye watering emotional rendering of YNWA.
http://youtu.be/Cav4uLyKXqk
Oh how I miss Celtic Park on European nights.
Morning all.
Lovely at the moment down here. Earlier, it was the ole red sky at morning scenario. .
Hopefully, we are not drenched at Celtic Park as we were on Saturday.
Nerves kicking in as ever, whoever we’re playing.
WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED.
Summa – you’re obviously a degenerate. £25 each way in 1989 whilst living in a bedsit? My type of guy.
Hey Melbourne Mick, only 11 and a half hours to wait, with the Guiness :-))
Neganon, I forgot about L Baillie also signed in 2015 – Hooops
Right
COYBIG
jinkynewton
Depends what you are after food wise to be honest and how much you fancy paying.
Plenty nice restaurants walking distance from you in the Grassmarket.
http://www.musselandsteakbar.com/
My wife loves this place. If you like sea food then this is a must.
http://www.howies.uk.com/victoria-street-edinburgh/
This is also worth a look. Bring your own bottle. It’s good Scottish scran and not too pricey.
http://www.vittoriagroup.co.uk/vittoriabridge/
This is a cracking Italian. Really nice food and a good choice.
Guess it depends how old your kids are but if you want something a bit more child friendly then let me know and I will have another look. I’m sure you will discover some places yourself.
As for watching the hoops you have Malone’s on Forrest Road. All 3 restaurants are within walking distance to Malone’s.
Not sure again about the kids getting in. I would give them a bell.
http://www.malonesedinburgh.com/
I work down Lothian Road way and the Beer Kitchen has just been open around a week. It is Innis & Gunn’s first bar. Not been in yet but had mixed reports regarding the food and the beer. Not sure if that is your type of thing but it’s maybe worth a look and a lunch. I believe the beer is about £4 a pint though. This is Edinburgh I’m afraid so I am sure you have paid at least that a few times.
Enjoy
LB
Never thought I’d be asking this but if there is no TV Coverage there will be no sausages, I’m assuming it will be broadcast on radio. Can anyone tell me what frequency.