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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DENA29
Do you happen to know big Paul Mackechney from lurgan toon?
Good stuff theclumpany. Keep it up.
BobM, I was down in the Key’s not long after the event and the people there were being actively encouraged to make multiple claims against BP. Not one drop of oil made it to the Key’s but every boat owner the length of the islands got their claims in and paid in full.
Poor show.
The EU encouraging a coop in Greece, how will that work if the military take over again.
The EU will happily work with anyone except those elected by the people.
ACGR…welcome back mate!
How aboot a copy of The Fleg photo?
HH
TC45
i worked with a Roman Battle….Silke Kushian. and a Randy Stone!
CQN consists of a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly….a kind of Lee Van Clique.
Paddy McCourt has joined Luton Town FC……..all the best Hatters ….
braw
I’m surprised that nobody has mentioned German skier Fanny Chmeler yet.
Well I just have!
HH!!
What about the hero of smoke on the water ?
Claude nobs
Any Oz Bhoys vote for this guy? ;-)
Tony Abbott President of the USA of Australia
When I worked in savings bank cowglen there was HEO ( higher executive officer) listed in directory with surname cocksedge …………his initials were R.A.W. true
Always used to get a clap.
The normous family christened their son Dixie
TC45, you got hail hail mail.
Twotams
Sounds like a real bell end to me
Gary Gillespie
Apparently he was .
Funniest named guy I worked with was a Texan called Ace Riffenburg. Also worked with a Dave King (not the GASL one), and an Arthur Foxache. Some people just shouldn’t be allowed to be parents.
tallybhoy
17:27 on 2 July, 2015
That’s the one I’ve been trying to remember all day….hahahahahahaha..but you’ve got he spelling wrong ….it’s Schmelar …..hehe….brilliant
ACGR….
While Yer at it send me a copy, good to have your acerbic humour back on the blog ;)
During my years working in BT I came across some crackers.
Dealing with staff in India came across two colleagues Beena Wanka and Bobshua Unkel.
During the foot and mouth crisis had to draft a letter to the farmers union. Letter was being countersigned by a Debbi Hogg and was being sent to the secretary of the NFU Ruth Lamb :)
Finally, attended a meeting in London to be met by a charming Asian business man who went by the name of Ken Kong !!!!!
pogmathonyahun aka laird of the smiles
17:31 on 2 July, 2015
Absolutely brilliant, sir…..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
twotams
17:32 on 2 July, 2015
When I worked in savings bank cowglen there was HEO ( higher executive officer) listed in directory with surname cocksedge …………
Was his nickname rimmy!
sipsini, send me an email to my acgr@hotmail.co.uk addy.
I might even send you a zadok ringtone, it’s getting to that time of year again:_)
Sipsini
From what I heard of him he was absent of the humour to allow such a thing as a nickname.
Celtic Clique News.
Smashing tennis match between brown and nadal going on
Buzz Aldrin`s mothers maiden name was Moon
67 Heaven
It’s spelt Chmeler.
…but pronounced Shhhmeler.
Check wiki.
HH!!
Does anybody know this guy?
Pog
Was he in an Irn-Bru advert?
250,000 birds were killed by the Exxon Valdez oil spill,
About the same number die from crashing into window glass in the US every day.
jjhs, he comes from a line of Phanis
Pog….
Magic :)
On daft names – I once worked for a govt department that had a bloke called Max Member working out an office in the North west of England.
twotams…
I switched the game on when I saw your post…thought it was a woman Nadal was playing at first glance ;)
Pogmathonyahun aka Laird of the Smiles
17:57 on
2 July, 2015
Does anybody know this guy?
…………………….
didn,t he invent those buzzing panties that are the talk of a Swansea Supermarket?
braw
Oh Dear!