Ivorian link at work again, this time in Athens

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With three deals done, the pace of transfer activity at Celtic appears to be approaching relentless.  The Ivorian link will have been at work again, as news that we are interested in Olympiakos full back, Omar Elabdellaoui, testifies.  Celtic coach, Kolo Toure’s brother Yaya, spent half a season at the Greek club before leaving last month.

Signing players is always a risk, so getting a first-hand insight into how a player performs from someone who has worked with him daily for the last six months is a huge advantage.  Bear in mind, Elabdellaoui is just one of the right backs Celtic are considering.  This one could run a while.

Reports from the US that we have agreed a deal to sign 22-year-old left back Andrew Gutman are amusing, mostly as he was being trailed as a signing elsewhere in the city.  Great to see that as well as using our Ivorian links, we have plenty of connections at Scotland’s smaller clubs.  If he arrives, hopefully Callum McGregor will not see more action in that position.

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  1. Fool Time Whistle on

    DD

     

     

    What’s happening re Stevie Murray?

     

     

    I’m out of the loop here.

     

     

    HH

  2. DELANEYS DUNKY on 11TH JANUARY 2019 3:06 PM

     

     

    Tontine How good was Stevie Murray. Saw his debut. He was a Celtic type player. Tragic

     

     

    *Very cultured, his signing was the reason Jock let Bobby Murdoch leave.

     

     

    He was the school captain at Tradamus Lampada when I was there, a really nice lhad back then, nae bullying or pretentious like some monitors were.

     

     

    My brother played in the same school team as him although Stevie was about a year younger, as did Evan Williams (European Cup Finalist) and John O’Hare (twice big Cup winner). Sir furious said in his biography that the only school team that Govan High feared was St Patrick’s down in Dumbarton. The school incidentally is located on the site of Robert the Bruce’s Cardross Estate where he allegedly retired.

     

     

    When Stevie retired with a foot injury my da, who knew both Stevie’s da and uncle fae Silverton, was over here on holiday and both him and my brother said at the time if a toe was causing him bother than have it taken off, they didnae realise the importance that toes are tae the body back then.

  3. I understand Celtics strategy in signing young players of potential, developing them and getting them into the team. The US lads, Gutman and Perez are projects – they play in semi amateur leagues and will need a season of training and playing in reserves to adjust and prove themselves. Weah, Burke and Bayo are a step above them but I’m not convinced they have earned a place in the Celtic starting 11 based on a few games at senior level – its possible but too risky given what we are chasing this season.

     

     

    I get where we are and what we’re trying to do. However, the strategy needs to ensure the maintenance of the current football team and be laser focussed on achieving immediate short term objectives in parallel.

     

     

    Right this minute, we need a left back and a right back (if KT is out as rumored) of proven quality – been there and done it. Same may apply to center back.

     

     

    I’m happy to see we are linked to these types of players.

     

     

    The run in will need all the experience, pace, determination and leadership to overcome an improved rangers and a bitter SFA.

     

     

    Ranger will win games they should have lost – not by glorious play but by sleekit linesmen and refs. Yellows against opposition, offsides, fouls at corner to take the pressure off (frustrates the life out of me).

  4. traditionalist88 on

    GREENPINATA on 11TH JANUARY 2019 2:27 PM

     

     

    Agree, do not do Hibs any favours.

     

     

    =====================

     

     

    Agreed – lets give them Hendry.

     

     

    HH

  5. OOL TIME WHISTLE on 11TH JANUARY 2019 3:25 PM

     

     

    DD What’s happening re Stevie Murray? I’m out of the loop here.

     

     

    *just mentioned in a discussion of one of the players hundee widnae sell tae us. As far as I know he’s still alive and well and living up there.

  6. We played our worst game of the season at Poundland, the huns played their best,Beaton assisted.The stupid huns think it will be like this till end of the season….i have every faith that we will restart the season, sharper and stronger .

  7. Good afternoon, friends.

     

    After the break, –

     

    Celtic play St Mirren, Hamilton and St Johnstone all at home followed by a trip to Perth then home to Hibs. Should be at least 13 points.

     

    Sevco travel to Kilmarnock and Livingston, then home to St Mirren, then away to Aberdeen. be doing very well to get more than 7 points

     

    Kilmarnock are home to Sevco, away to Aberdeen, home to Hearts, away to Dundee – maybe 6 points?

     

    Aberdeen are away to Hamilton, home to Kilmarnock, away to Hibs, home to Rangers – I’d say 7 – 9 points.

     

    So in this short period, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams all play one another.

     

    By then, 6th February, we will have a much clearer idea of whether there is still a title race. At the moment

     

    we are still 2/7 to win the league (on bet365). In 4 weeks time I expect we’ll be more like 1/20.

     

    Aff oot for a fight the flab run…….

  8. Delaneys Dunky on

    Tontine

     

    I played in a Saint Thomas Aquinas school team that 5 of our team made a career in fitba. We beat everyone bar one team.

     

    Saint Patrick’s Dumbarton.

     

    YNWA

  9. traditionalist88 on

    !!BADA BING!! on 11TH JANUARY 2019 3:30 PM

     

     

    After Airdrie we have 3 home games in a week which *should* take us up to 12 home wins out of 12 in the league.

     

     

    Then the fun starts in Feb with 8 games I make it, including trips to Killie, Hearts and Valencia, and a probable away trip in the Scottish Cup.

     

     

    So it works well with a couple of weeks for the new bhoys to bed in with home ties before a tough February and some scores to settle at certain venues.

     

     

    HH

  10. traditionalist88 on

    The away form needs to improve (4 wins out of 11) or it will be tight until the very end of the season.

     

     

    HH

  11. mike in toronto on

    st. stivs

     

     

    I find the story really interesting. I’ll dig about and see what I can read about the process. If I cant find too much, I may come back and get you to point me in the right direction, if that’s okay.

     

     

    thanks.

  12. traditionalist88 on

    SAINT STIVS on 11TH JANUARY 2019 3:42 PM

     

     

    Pretty sure the Belfast Celtic society had some serious concerns and said they weren’t consulted on the proposal late last year.

     

     

    After that not sure about developments or bigger strategy…

     

     

    HH

  13. DELANEYS DUNKY on 11TH JANUARY 2019 3:36 PM

     

     

    Tontine I played in a Saint Thomas Aquinas school team that 5 of our team made a career in fitba. We beat everyone bar one team.

     

     

    Saint Patrick’s Dumbarton.

     

     

    *Don’t forget that St Pats had a huge catchment area, Whitecrook tae Kilcreggan and Gartocharn tae Luss so lots of talented lhads in that pool. The 2 school captains prior tae Stevie Murray were both Bankies, good players tae. BTW our goalie coach’s da played in the same tame as Stevie, both primary and high school.

  14. MIT.

     

     

    i am no expert on it, I am really just interested in the history of the club, which I find fascinating.

     

     

    This wee info graph is good. Page 2map and trail vg.

     

     

    The Swifts play on Glen Road heights, I dont know exactly where.

     

     

    I will do the same, go research the current.

     

     

    http://www.belfastceltic.org/images/CelticTrail.pdf

  15. forget petrie – if we can loan players out to SPL clubs that would increase their chances of taking points from rangers – that’ll do for me. (I’m assuming they can’t play against us). I’d also rather they go to a Celtic minded coach – he doesn’t do slackers!

  16. Trad- they think that they have the measure of us,therefore i think we will go to Poundland in the Scottish Cup…..

  17. traditionalist88 on

    !!BADA BING!! on 11TH JANUARY 2019 3:51 PM

     

     

    Wouldn’t be a surprise at all,

     

     

    HH

  18. succulentlambstinks on

    Can anyone help me. Looking to buy retro Celtic top from 1969 for my mates 50th birthday present. Thanks in advance.

  19. succulentlambstinks on

    MIKE IN TORONTO on 11TH JANUARY 2019 4:01 PM

     

     

    Thanks. Been on there. Would prefer 1969 jersey. Tho can’t find it anywhere

  20. on squad size.

     

     

    At one point only a few weeks ago, we had 8 players injured.

     

     

    take international games, and all the havoc these extra games cause us, and we get threadbare very quickly.

  21. STEBHOY on 11TH JANUARY 2019 3:50 PM

     

     

    forget petrie – if we can loan players out to SPL clubs that would increase their chances of taking points from rangers – that’ll do for me. (I’m assuming they can’t play against us). I’d also rather they go to a Celtic minded coach – he doesn’t do slackers!

     

     

    *Is that the same Neil Lennon that said on the alleged “death threats” tae beathun “It’s shameful and my sympathies go to John and his family. He’s just trying to do his job as honestly as he can”

     

     

    He’s been silenced since he slammed the same mitb for failing to protect his players after a 1-1 tie up in Perth.

     

     

    Who needs enemies right enough.

  22. mike in toronto on

    SLS

     

     

    wasnt the same strip worn from 65 – 71/72? so, wouldn’t the 69 and 70 jerseys be the same?

     

     

    sorry if I am misunderstanding.

  23. DELANEYS DUNKY on 11TH JANUARY 2019 1:59 PM

     

     

    Dont think we can afford 2 quality players for each position also think it makes sense to have space for younger players breaking through.

  24. TONTINETIM, I remember yrs ago there was a building named the Tontine,near the Trongate in Glasgow,I’m sure it was like the Bellgrove Hotel,for single working men,im just curious are you originally from that area,ie the name Tontine.

  25. traditionalist88 on

    SAINT STIVS on 11TH JANUARY 2019 3:59 PM

     

     

    Yes, not sure if their concerns have been addressed, will have a look at the twitter feed later, cheers

     

     

    HH

  26. TIMBHOY2 on 11TH JANUARY 2019 4:12 PM

     

     

    TONTINETIM, I remember yrs ago there was a building named the Tontine,near the Trongate in Glasgow,I’m sure it was like the Bellgrove Hotel,for single working men,im just curious are you originally from that area,ie the name Tontine

     

     

    *naw Tontine is an area in the Renton and was where the World Champion Renton side with James Kelly and Neilly McCallum played. Renton’s always been green and white well before Dumbarton.

  27. PRESTONPANS BHOYS on 11TH JANUARY 2019 4:24 PM

     

     

    Succulent Good grief there are some shocking shirts in that collection?

     

     

    *Now now there is no such ting as a bad Celtic strip just some are better than others lol

  28. prestonpans bhoys on

    TT

     

     

    I’ve got one or two of those,”less better ones” in my loft. God knows what I was in my mind all those years ago in particular the ones sponsored by People’s ?

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