It takes more than just ability to be a Celtic player

294

Erik Sviatchenko made an instant impact on Celtic’s defensive performances when he arrived in January 2016, six months after the departure of Virgil van Dijk and Jason Denayer.  He was our top central defender for the remainder of Ronny Deila’s tenure and for the first six months of Brendan Rodgers’ time.

Then came a game at Ibrox on Hogmanay 2016.  Celtic were rattled for much of the opening period and Erik looked most out of sorts.  His assured touch was replaced by a need to get rid of the ball early.  Fortunately things turned out well that day but I wondered if the manager’s faith in the defender was shaken.  Some of us doubted his temperament.

The season just ended started badly for Erik as he picked up an injury early in the Champions League qualification rounds.  A loan for former club, Midtjylland, confirmed where he was in Brendan’s plans.

Midtjylland returned most of the money we paid for him and the player is in an environment, and at a level, which suits him.  It takes a lot to be a Celtic player, more than just ability or experience elsewhere.

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294 Comments

  1. McPhail Bhoy on

    Holding on to an accent always amazes me I too heard that documentary about the Irish Argentinians I think most we’re from around Mullingar and Delvin incredible to think! Different spelling of names ? The Irish surnames of Gallagher or Gallagher are just transliterations of the Irish Ó Gallachóir. People either dropped the O for ahem assimilation purposes of possibly they couldn’t spell it. Next question a Registrar asks you after what’s your name is how do you spell that?

  2. What is the Stars on

    Mike in Toronto

     

    True story. I used to sit beside two young guys in the North Stand. They were “characters “.

     

    Always arrived just after kick off,usually a bit tipsy and they would sometimes indulge in the wacky backy. One of the guys was mixed race/black and wore his hair in dreadlocks. He came in one day dressed up in suit and tie and wearing a little jewish hat on top of his dreadlocks. He explained he had been to the synagogue for a memorial service for his grandad.

     

    So there you had it. A young glaswegian Rasta kid of jewish descent supporting the Irish Catholics team

  3. Delaneys Dunky on

    JTT53

     

     

    Yon Ezra bhoy and his Paradise song is magic.

     

    Thanks for posting it again.

     

    PARADISE

  4. South Of Tunis on

    José Brown

     

     

    For what it’s worth-I remember a Radio Shortbread thing which stated that He was a descendent of a James Brown from the Scottish Borders who emigrated to Argentina in the 1800s under the auspices of an experimental agricultural project.. That obviously doesnt rule out James Brown being Irish.!

  5. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Gearoid, thanks for posting that song. First time I have heard it in over 20 years. A mighty fine tune .

  6. Delaneys Dunky on

    Wish the dj at Paradise would play Welcome to Paradise by Green Day.

     

    Wish Kikinthenakas or Roy Croppie were the Paradise match day DJ

     

    UTLR

  7. Kings farcical statements are a desperate last throw of the dice. The Gerrard appointment is also one.

     

     

    The financials are poor are he needs to sell as many season tickets as he can.

     

     

    The changes at the SFA which some are a little ambivalent about are an end to their influence in the governing bodies. Lawwell has seen that they are all out. Maxwell is obviously no friend of them and neither are any of the others at SPFL and SFA both. Doncaster has jumped sides.

     

     

    This war on the governing body is a final attempt to pick up a few more Orcs. I think it is also a premeditated long goodbye from King

     

     

    I think we can see them running out of money in November and they will take the 25 point penalty and reform as 3rd Rangers. I believe their plan is well developed and there are other investors who are coming in when King is gone.

     

     

    Park and the other RRM will be the majority Creditors and they will take a hit in return for some shares in 3rd Rangers.

  8. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    What is the stars , thank you for the stuff about Thomas Delaney

  9. Celticrollercoaster supporting @WalkWithShay on

    Bigbhoy -Surely, you mean Turd Rangers? :-)

     

     

    WITS- may be struggling now for tomorrow night for a catch up. So maybe next time might be better?

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  10. From a county Mayo town

     

    came a man of great renown

     

    as a sailor and a soldier was none bolder.

     

    He went to America

     

    at an early age they say

     

    as a cabin boy to sail the wide world over.

     

     

    Then adventure took him south

     

    to the De La Plata mouth

     

    San Martin was on the route in Argentina

     

    so three whaling ships he bought.

     

    And Brazil and Spain he fought

     

    and freedom then he sought for Argentina.

     

     

    Now Admiral William Brown

     

    you’re a man of courage shown

     

    and in battles fought the odds were all against you

     

    but your Irish heart was strong

     

    and in memory still lives on

     

    and in Ireland there are some that don’t forget you

     

     

    On St. Patrick’s day it’s told

     

    you had many victories bold

     

    you defeated all invaders thugs and bullys

     

    then through the Pampas rose

     

    and you found a happy home

     

    Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas

     

     

    He had heard of Irish hands

     

    in noble gallant bands

     

    that helped to free the land called Argentina.

     

    He had heard with great acclaim

     

    the Patricios name and fame

     

    When in 1806 the British came for slaughter.

     

     

    And to this very day

     

    in the Argentine they say

     

    the English ran away from Buenos Aires

     

    to the islands further down

     

    and they took them for the crown

     

    las Islas Malvinas, Argentina

     

     

    We remember William Brown

     

    and his land of great renown

     

    He, invader of the islands from your country

     

    when in 1833

     

    were by pirates forced to flee.

     

    And in Ireland sure we know the story fully

     

    and the people that went too

     

    to the Argentine when new

     

    to escape the English laws and wars and famine.

     

     

    They had proved a loyal crew

     

    just like all the Irish do.

     

    Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas

     

     

    The old colonial days

     

    and cruel English ways

     

    with her thunder plunder we will teach the natives

     

    For the Brits are going to war

     

    just like Whitelocke did before

     

    with her ships and guns and drums and flags and banners.

     

    In the Empire days of old

     

    when they murdered for gold

     

    and paraded it around the streets of London.

     

     

    Oh no human rights were given

     

    to the natives dead or living.

     

    Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas

     

     

    In the Argentine he died

     

    Father Fahey by his side

     

    ’57 was the year his country mourned him.

     

    A hero of the nation

     

    he’s remembered with elation

     

    throughout the world where freedom still abounds.

     

     

    And the Southern Cross take note

     

    where bold Willie Bullfin wrote

     

    “Tthe Irish still support you Argentina”

     

    With the Empire tumbling down

     

    let no Paddies back the crown

     

    Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas.

     

     

    With the Empire tumbling down

     

    let no Paddies back the crown

     

    Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas.

  11. What is the Stars on

    Crc

     

    Thats no problem.

     

    Having a few difficulties myself. My mother in law is very seriously ill and may not make it so I possibly would have to cancel myself. Had booked a trip to Lisbon this weekend but don’t think we will be going now.

  12. BIGBHOY @ 11:16 PM,

     

     

    Good post, of course I’ve no way of knowing how right you’ll be…

     

     

    What is for certain is that we are seeing King’s endgame.

     

     

    In fact the first thing that struck me when I read his statement today was, he want to be expelled from Scottish Football before…

     

     

    The TOP

     

     

    The SFA JTDT

     

     

    The RRM

     

     

    The Hoardes

     

     

    His New Management Team

     

     

    SARs II

     

     

    Get him…

     

     

    Hail Hail

  13. Mike in Toronto,

     

     

    The fellow you saw is not alone. I wrote an article in the first issue of CQN magazine on being an Orthodox Jewish Celtic supporter (for well over fifty years) and the particularly challenges of watching and supporting my team on a Saturday.

     

    Be well.

  14. Delaneys Dunky on

    Corkcelt

     

     

    That was the favourite song on our supporters bus circa the Falklands war. May Thatcher roast wi her idol Lucifer.

  15. mike in toronto on

    Chairbhoy

     

     

    Some vaild points… and a bit too much for me to respond to in detail at the moment… but I’ll note a few points..

     

     

    PL runs a decent ship …. but, could someone else do better? It is impossible to prove, but my feeling is yes ….

     

     

    I acknowledge that MMcL was at the SPFL before INM … I see in looking back at my post, I was not clear about that …

     

     

    As you seem to acknowledge, we have had years of people with no expertise in football running our football league, whicih has caused problems …. so, how is another one who has no knowledge going to help?

     

     

    I acknowledge that he could be of some use in negotiating a decent media deal … as most seem to acknowledge, the last one was pretty poor. And, as I recall, PL was involved in that negotiation….

     

     

    As for the process by which quality, impartial people are chosen … I am asking because I genuinely dont know the answer … perhaps you do, and can tell me… who else was considered? I am thinking it was only 2 months ago, the SFA made its groundbreaking appointment of … Neil Doncaster …. doesnt seem like people are trying to hard to shake things up …..

     

     

    to me, it all looks like rich guys taking care of each other ….

     

     

    If Celtic was that concerned about shining a light on the darkness, I would have expected some information about what they knew about the 5WA and when … but it has been 7 years of silence, and missed opportunities..

     

     

    hell, even P67 stop using the SSM line anymore …. that’s telling! :)

  16. Delaneys Dunky on

    WITS

     

    Thanks for that about Thomas Delaney.

     

    Rock the Kasbah

     

    Clash City Rockers CSC

  17. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    A sev I am friendly with has posted a comment on the sevco statement about Murdoch McLennan.

     

     

    I read through the comments from other sevs . They really are a narrow minded , blinkered and dumb shower. Everything is our fault with us destroying Scottish football.

     

     

    One guy mentioned about Ogilvie’s and G Smith’s conflct of interest at the SFA . A sev replied , in what way did Smith and Ogilvie have a conflict of interest ???? .

  18. WilliamF

     

     

    Now I’m looking for the CQN magazine archive.

     

     

    My own memory of that first issue was the article by Rogue Leader.

     

     

    Cannot recall the subject or content but by one of these fortuitous printing/typing errors it was credited to Rouge Leader.

     

     

    I thought the article was fine but when I made a stab at a humourous comment on the name being “made up” or similar – it went down like a lead ballon with the author himself.

     

    Personally, I think it’s a great nom de blog.

     

     

    Whatever happened to Rogue Leader?

     

     

    Take care friend.

     

    HH

  19. I’m the only person I know whos family came from Westmeath. Moate. Near Athlone. Most folk I know, their ancestors came from Donegal.

  20. WHAT IS THE STARS on 29TH MAY 2018 11:25

     

    Positive thoughts with and prayers offered for your Mother-in-Law my friend

     

     

    HH

  21. SFTB

     

     

    Gilberto Typoes is a Portuguese internationalist.

     

     

    Pronounced Teepawish

  22. Delaneys Dunky on

    JTT53

     

     

    Would love to meet you for a blether pal.

     

    I predict it will happen soon, cause I want it to happen. ???

  23. DD, you mentioned Joe Strummer a few nights ago. I looked him up on Wki. Poor soul died too early. And not even in bad circumstances as you might expect. A weak heart. Not to worry, he will be with our Lord now.

  24. MIKE IN TORONTO @ 11:32 PM,

     

     

    Well I totally accept that, this subject could get very detailed and tangential.

     

     

    Suffice to say it’s late here but I think it is worth pointing out…

     

     

    In the early days of CQN when P67 used to get involved in the discussions we had a debate about the next SFA CEO…

     

     

    I suggested a chap, he was way above the salary scale of the SFA, I stated, somewhat tongue in cheek that he might take the role out of patriotic duty as he was a Scotsman.

     

     

    See a few years earlier he’d taken over the role of F.A. CEO from Graham Kelly… ( I liked him in an everyman type of way) but he was an old school blazer and stuffed shirt.

     

     

    My chap had revolutionized the FA and put in place the changes and structures that were to make the FA the preeminent association in World Football.

     

     

    He was media man Adam Crozier… many thought he was totally unsuited for the FA role but the rest as they say is history;)

     

     

    Good night and God Bless

     

     

    Hail Hail

  25. As for Sevco’s latest angry statement…

     

     

    King believes that all others will act as he would do in a situation such as this.

     

     

    He cannot conceive of anyone – including Celtic shareholders or any of their thousands of employees behaving with integrity where conflicts of interest might arise.

     

     

    It never or rarely occurs to King that a random ridiculous thought expressed to/by minions in his presence is anything less than brilliance personified.

     

     

    When he was a director of the deid club, they made no secret of the placing of their men in key places within the governing body – names that others have listed – from CEO to player registration wallah.

     

    Neither was there any attempt to disguise the preferential treatment & consideration operated by these place men at the SFA. Indeed, the whole DOS/EBT/liquidation fiasco could have been avoided if SFA employees had done their job remotely conforming to the transparency code outlined in King’s statement today. That King became a beneficiary of that institutionalized failure by the SFA is just one more laughable outcome.

     

     

    Does this mean that Sevco are now top of the famous SPFL Club statements league?

     

    Last I heard, Hearts were ahead by a nose, but King is not giving up and walking away yet…

     

     

    Is King a serial Sevco blogger lurker and this is where he gets all the impetus to rant in official statements?

  26. Delaneys Dunky on

    JTT53

     

     

    I truly believe that Joe Strummer was a prophet like John Lennon, Bob Marley, Thom Yorke and Richard Ashcroft are.

     

    The Lord works in mysterious ways.

     

    YNWA

  27. mike in toronto on

    Jim the Tim

     

     

    Thanks. I think Liam had given me some of his music, but hadn’t paid it much mind. But just listened to that, and really enjoyed it, so will give him another listen. Thanks.

     

     

    Wits … Ha!

     

     

    WilliamF… I still have the first CQN annual, and remember your article. I enjoyed it. Perhaps we are on at different times, but you should post more often.

     

     

    Chair bhoy … as always, I enjoy and appreciate our discussions. I always learn something. Cheers. You may laugh, but the first time you posted (or the first time I remember you ousting at least), I had a feeling you might be PL! Sorry or you’re welcome!

  28. Delaneys Dunky on

    MIT

     

     

    Saw a huge poster by the Clyde at Kingston today.

     

    Del Amitri and Trashcan Sinatras at Embra Castle. Got tickets for it. Should be sweet.

     

    HH

  29. mike in toronto on

    DD

     

     

    I’m seeing the Sinatra’s in a few weeks. But that is some double bill! I’m jealous!!!

     

     

    For anyone else that might be keen, They have now have announced a few shows at the Barrowland on July 28 and 29.

  30. Mike in Toronto

     

     

    We’re geographically pretty close-I’m in Chicago.Been here for 30 years.

     

    Proud member of the Chicago CSC.

     

    Be well.