The assembly of Celtic-2015-16 continued apace yesterday with the arrival of Saidy Janko (19) from on a four year contract. Saidy spent the second half of last season on loan to Bolton Wanderers, under Neil Lennon, in one of the game’s most bizarre transfers.
Manchester United were happy to allow Janko to go to Bolton in the winder transfer window but his absence would have left their U21 team short. They needed a defender so Bolton offered Andy Kellett. Kellett had only been in the field a total of 85 minutes in his Bolton career and had been farmed out to Portsmouth earlier in the season. So it came as a surprise when Neil Lennon called to say “Pack your stuff, you’re going on loan to Manchester United”.
Saidy arrived in Manchester from Zurich as a 17-year-old right back but now plays all right-side positions. There are things I like about this transfer: he’s been watched by the manager and scouts and was high on the wanted list. The success rate of players who have been well-scouted is vastly better than players who arrive after glowing references from respected names in the game, but where the Lennoxtown guys have only seen rare glimpses of the target.
It’s heartening to read glowing references from those who have watched him in England but references don’t mean he’ll make it at Celtic.
The use of New St Mirren Park by Celtic for a friendly game was not in itself controversial. Before being liquidated, Rangers used the same venue for youth games, and Celtic have often used Excelsior Stadium Airdrie for the same purpose.
But when photos emerged early yesterday of Celtic livery above the club shop, temporarily stocked with Celtic merchandise, it stirred something within St Mirren fans. They don’t mind their stadium being used by another club in return for cash, but for some, sensitivities need to be observed.
I can’t say I was remotely bothered by Commonwealth Games livery at Celtic Park last year, nor would I have raised an eyebrow to the Celtic Superstore being handed over for the sale of Commonwealth memorabilia, very few of us were. However, I have some sympathy for St Mirren fans. We were in a position of strength when we agreed to the Commonwealth deal, St Mirren have just been relegated and most fans expect their stay in the Championship to be more than a single season.
Yesterday’s livery was an indication of St Mirren’s place in the world, not so much a Celtic competitor, more a facilitator, who survived for years on a dividend from Celtic fans’ TV subscriptions.
Paisley is big enough to support a vibrant community club, but it’s too close to Glasgow to build an independently resourced competitor, they are not an Aberdeen, Dundee United, Dundee (maybe still), Hibs or Hearts. We have a handful of economically viable tier one football clubs and should nurture them accordingly, while aligning community clubs to focus on what should be their strengths.
Imagine, for a second, TV money concentrated on six clubs, not 42. These clubs would harvest the talent from a community feeder system and have the opportunity to build a sustainable businesses.
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Hebcelt, I’d like to join your clique and start two others.
The Barra fish strangling clique and the rusty flange clique (just tell TOSB about this one).
BMCUW
It’s called Guinness!
johann murdoch
The hills round me are called Die Blauen ( The Blues) :))) Nice if oddly named!
Apreski CSC..
Mon The Janko
dena29 ….
I was able to vote several times ….
And its not cheating unless (i) there is a rule against it (and I dont see one), and (ii) you get caught….
and, even if it was cheating….. karma’s a b
PHILBHOY
I must be drinking cheap counterfeits…
Has to be one of the funniest names in sport….
I know Alexander Alexander and a polis man called Force had two daughters, named them Gail and Storm!
True story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teNgQTrv6pE
If whoopy golberg married Peter cushion would that make her a whoopy cushion?
Ohh and theres CQns newest clique. The vegas clique.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
13:48 on 2 July, 2015
That made me LOL… cover blown! Whole office looking in my direction now!
You have already voted today.
CELTIC 49.43% (18,807 votes)
RANGERS 50.57% (19,241 votes)
Total Votes: 38,048
http://global-vote.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/CELTIC-vs-RANGERS.html?m=1#pd_a_8958312
Get voting bhoys I know its nonsense but I dont like seeing “thems” beating us in anything
HH
I posted years ago about Gloria Hunniford and her BBC N.I. show.She had been asking for names and this guty called in. Craigavon McCorkingdale–I kid you not. She got another one–McNabb Tosh. She aked him was his name unusual and got the reply–“Nah! My Da was called McNabb Tosh.”
mike in toronto
15:05 on
2 July, 2015
dena29 ….
I was able to vote several times ….
And its not cheating unless (i) there is a rule against it (and I dont see one), and (ii) you get caught….
and, even if it was cheating….. karma’s a b
HH
“Rusty Flange”??
Big redhead?
I’m sure I saw her “act” at The Gargoyle Club in Soho…..
;0
On the names front the Chief Exec of Angus Council is (genuinely) called Richard Stiff
From the very small, one-man band Glassford Clique
MALC
Thanks,mate. First heard that at my Dad’s 70th do. Room full of Middle-aged women who would have tut-tutted and ostracised me for telling it.
Coming from a master of timing as it did,even my Mum laughed.
Praise indeed…
Cowiebhoy
14:33 on
2 July, 2015
Oops, spell check
Malcolm Macolm is the name
Dena29, depends on who you intend giving a wee jab with those needles :-)
Hail Hail
Missed your post wasnt ignoring ya (honest)
thers no-one I would use these on that goes to Paradise
but they could com in handy on the boat :-))
HH
The fe**in’ huns are voting more than once!!!
Scumbags.
Knew a guy called Prince Albert.
His real name was Wullie Pearson.
GLASSFORD03
Nip round to a certain pub on a street of that name and you might meet some genuine great guys.
I admit that they have their own clique,mind.
The-‘naw,I saw you nipping out for a smoke when you bought that round so I got a doubler in,what’s the problem?’ clique.
You’ve got to be on your toes to get near the bar with them. Good luck!
Re mad names : Max Power., I seem to remember we were linked to this energetic player.
HH.
I knew a guy called John Shite.
He did change his name though, to Peter Shite.
Makes sense tae me.
It had never clicked with me before that the BV is on Glassford Street. Even more of a reason for me to finally get in there one of these days. Perhaps once the footie kicks off again. Does BT attend? I haven’t seen him for a while now so it would be good to catch up with him and all the rest of you
BT is enjoying the last day of a holiday in Turkey.
(Swine —;-0)
Used to be a Mrs Bytheway in Drumchapel. True.
GLASSFORD03
He has been known to. Disnae wear the guid trainers very often though!
Kidding,mate.
Get yerself round there,you’ll spot the suave the sophisticated and the stupid. All having a craic.
hebcelt @ 14.50.
I’m in the Stornoway Black Pudding clique as well but I’m in the inner circle of that clique being a proud owner of the SBP Bible.
De rigueur if you love the ole boudin noir and using it in recipes.
philbhoy 1528
Winner
My auld ma used to use a cleek to open the damper for the coal fired immersion heater.
The first time I played golf I had a club in my bag called a cleek.
I’m no as young as I look!
I went to school with a guy called Campbell McDonald.
Someone had broken his nose.
True story.
Ray Winstone’s Big Disembodied Heid
15:36 on
2 July, 2015
My auld ma used to use a cleek to open the damper for the coal fired immersion heater.
…………………
aye and there were Tattie cleeks for unblocking the rollers on a dresser….
braw
Also had a spoon and a mashie niblick.
Plus ma putter a wis ready a take on awbody!
Does the ‘Creepy/Fawning Acolyte'(think that was the term Neganon liked) clique count now or has it been disbanded with Tom McG’s absence?
Won’t let me vote twice? Only Allowed One Vote Clique.
DENA29,
I have voted a couple of times but it’s now telling me that I have voted already today. So, it looks as if I can do so again tomorrow. Hope the rest of the CQN lot whatever clique they’re in or out of join in the voting. We can’t let thon deid team win.
What about the cuddle clique?
I went school with a Gerry Ferry, poor bloke couldn’t pronounce his r’s…hence the nickname….Twee-twunk..:)
Parkheadcumsalford
15:45 on
2 July, 2015
DENA29, :-))
Thunder Road
15:46 on
2 July, 2015
What about the cuddle clique? O yes count me in :-))
HH