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January strategy and short-term cover

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

I know what you’re thinking, let’s hope we get more exciting January signings like Pawel Brozek, Rabiu Ibrahim and Freddie Ljungberg.

It’s slightly unfair to mock our January transfer business. Kris Commons arrived two years ago and constituted a one man title challenge for a few months (and still delights).  Georgios Samaras and Barry Robson arrived in 2008 and went a long way to ensuring the title came to Celtic.  We went signing crazy in January (and 1st Feb) 2010 when Robbie Keane, Diomansy Kamara and soon-to-be World Cup final legend…. Edson Braafheid arrived.  Robbie proved his class but it was all in vain, alas.

Most of our worries seem to be focussed on protecting those already in the squad.  I’m not too concerned one way or another for the Juventus tie, which will take care of itself, but decisions made today will need to consider the Champions League qualifier challenges we will face in August.  If we sell Gary Hooper today there is no guarantee we will be able to recruit his replacement until the final gasp of the August window.

So far this month we have addressed long-term strategy and short-term cover, if we do any more business I’d be happy with more of the same.

Contrary to career expectations 29-year-old Edson Braafheid is not now a delivery driver for Argos but he’s not playing a lot of football these days either.

If the server overheats later I’m on Twitter, @CQN, and I’ll do my best to figure out Facebook, CQN Magazine, too.
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  4. setting free the bears on

    I hate the transfer window and the lust for new bling.

     

     

    It is a sign of a settled squad and a club going in the right direction when you do not need radical surgery and upheaval.

     

     

    Transfers are important if you have an aging squad, lose some stars, or have no development strategy for younger players.

     

     

    None of this applies to Celtic in January 2013. Vic s not going yet. Fraser is not going yet. And Gary is not going yet.

     

     

    When they do, there will be room in the squad for Tony Watt, Paul George, Dylan McGeoch and Jackson Irvine etc;

     

     

    I like the bling we have and the bling we are polishing in the reserves.

     

     

    I fancy dancing in the streets of Raith this weekend.

  5. corkcelt on

    Bhoys on here were worried for weeks that any or all of Big Vic, F.F, or Hoops would be sold by our money mad Board. It didn’t happen another example of my philosophy 90% of what you worry about does not happen. So Bhoys dont worry, be Happy.

     

    Hail Hail & Ghood Night All.

  7. pintaguinness on

    Still think Jonny Russell would be a good investment and really develop further at our club. A place where he really wants to be. Disappointed csc

  8. Invercelt on

    Tallybhoy,

     

    I get even better deals from Vinicola Savese(£1/litre for Primitivo di Manduria). Mind you, that’s where they make the stuff.

     

    (Directions available for a modest charge).

     

    Can’t drink it all myself CSC.

  10. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    Watched Scotland Tonight. First half was about independence second half about a British league amalgamation. Wife asks if Scottish man is wee bit confused ? ;-)

     

     

    HH

  12. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    The Battered Bunnet

     

    19:17 on

     

    31 January, 2013

     

    Auldheid

     

     

    LNS will give the definitive decision. There might be wailing, teeth gnashing and all manner of incredulity, but the written reasons for decision will be clear, unambiguous and compelling.

     

     

    There will be some surprises in there too.

     

     

    Interestingly, he’s remitted to consider: “…which persons are alleged to have been responsible for the making of the EBT Payments and Arrangements, without disclosing them in the contracts of service disclosed to the SPL.”

     

     

    This brings the corollary of Fiduciary Duties into play, perhaps the most significant element in the entire episode.

     

     

    Whatever he and his chums conclude, there will be no room for ambiguity or concession. It’s too big in terms of profile for LNS and the other two to permit any fudging. If they hold against Rangers, it’ll be assertive to the point of carnage. If they go the other way, equally the reasoning will be thorough and beyond challenge bar the most conceited fools.

     

     

    The problem for the Game, in the event that he considers these paymetns to be within the rules, is how do you stop everyone else doing the same henceforth?

     

     

    We’ll see what happens in due course I suppose.

     

     

    TBB

     

     

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     

     

    TBB,

     

     

    I bow to your superior knowledge on this-and on many other matters. However,allow me to prevent an alternative view.

     

     

    Without wishing to suggest that the legal giants are going to stitch this up,a ruling of 0-3 in evry afected game will bring carnage to the whole of the Euopean scene. I can,of course,live with RFC being stripped of their titles-though I may,in fact,die laughing!-but the floodgates are then open for clubs who suffered to sue for lost revenue.

     

     

    Firstly,they will sue individuals involved,and then it will be the organisations which gave them a licence.

     

     

    Then European clubs will do the same.

     

     

    It will be carnage,and the game in Scotland WILL suffer.

     

     

    As to the question of them being found not guilty,so what is to prevent a repeat,well,IMO,the loophole has been closed,and the money in the first place is no longer there. A repeat is highly unlikely,especially if regulations are tightened up.

     

     

    I’m sorry,mate. Nothing will come of this,and all for the good of Scottish football!

     

     

    And,of course,I R-E-A-L-L-Y want to be wrong,,,,,,,

  13. Tom McLaughlin on

    Now that it is obvious that Hooper won’t be moving on for the time being, what about the clown on CQN who claimed earlier that Gary’s mind was on “other things” during the game v Kilmarnock.

     

     

    Sure, he missed a couple of golden chances, but what sort of professional footballer, with the ball at his feet inside the 6-yard box, thinks along the lines of “I wonder what the pubs are like in Norwich” before slicing his effort against a post?

     

     

    Utter mince from people who, quite frankly, know nothing about football and even less about human psychology.

  14. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    Pfayr

     

     

    Just an improvement and someone better to learn from. Good habits.

     

     

    HH

  18. !!Bada Bing!! on

    What if Hooper spits the dummy out at not getting a move? I know it’s only Norwich but It’s possible.

  19. sipsini on

    I’ll go to bed a happy tim tonight.

     

    I didn’t want to lose any of our key players and the door closed and they are tucked up.

     

    Well done pl and the board.

  20. Minceyheidman on

    !!Bada Bing!!

     

     

    What if Hooper spits the dummy out at not getting a move? I know it’s only Norwich but It’s possible.

     

     

    Then gave Stokes and Watt a game.

  21. Big G on

    Nite all, now we can get on with things, roll on Juve.

     

     

    Bit of viewing for the nightshift.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    Tommy Burns – A True Celt

     

     

    Part 1

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET8ZebeGPpw

     

    Part2

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7depyHC8N7g

     

    part 3

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLDuq11q_Po

     

    Part 4

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsD9gux1xSE

     

    Part 5

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN4DcToVaaQ

     

    Part 6

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onwp1GDSvOY

     

    Part 7

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czl7fBUPj0E

     

    Part 8

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAI32LQaXrs

     

    Part 9

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9r3zajtpRA

     

    Part 10

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4Qcjqg709Q

  22. CaltonTongues on

    Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo

     

    23:22 on

     

    31 January, 2013

     

    Wife asks if Scottish man is wee bit confused ? ;-)

     

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

     

    You in a nutshell – what a wummin :-)))

  25. ....PFayr on

    Now that this transfer bollox is over

     

     

    What about that insidious snake Longmuir …Hun puppet..beware

  26. Minceyheidman on

    Thought both Stokes and Watt gave us that added bite last night, being more direct for a change.

     

    If they would have been on the park on Sunday for the second half I believe we would have won.

  29. setting free the bears on

    Mincey

     

     

    Tony Watt is just about the most direct player I have ever seen. Wherever he receives the ball on the pitch, he immediately turns and heads off at the shortest angle towards goal.

     

     

    We must never play Tony Watt in our defence.

  30. Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on

    Agree with earlier post, question time was good tonight

     

    Well done Lancaster

  31. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Is it safe to assume we didnt sell off the silverware?

     

     

    The huns are raging and I’m sensing its because we have retained our squad.

     

     

    What news?

  32. Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on

    There was me thinking Tony Tony Watt was a natural centre half :oD)))

  33. normanstreet49 on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS

     

    23:23 on

     

    31 January, 2013

     

     

    As unpalitable as you may think a “guilty as charged” verdict may be for scottish footbal in relationship to the EBT scandal….. I can assure you my friend that justice must prevail……

     

    We’ll take what LNS decides is just and move on…….

     

    To be frightened of the truth being brought about is, well just plain stupid…..

     

    It goes against everything I was brought up to believe in…. in an honest and truthful society…..

     

    So just ignore it cause its done and move on…… Dont rock the boat???? I dont think so sunshine……. get a grip……

     

    HH

  35. 'GG on

    Hooper’s agent is now history.

     

    Gary is now in a position to accept Celtic’s offer with no agent fee involved.

     

    Celtic can improve their offer as no agent’s fee involved.

     

    In the shark species rankings, Peter Lawell must be up there with the Great White.

  38. Glendalystonsils likes a mr whippy with his lime green jelly on

    ….PFayr

     

     

     

    23:33 on 31 January, 2013

     

     

     

    Now that this transfer bollox is over

     

     

    What about that insidious snake Longmuir …Hun puppet..beware

     

     

    If he wisnae a hun he wouldn’t be in a position of power and influence in Scottish football.

  42. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Ok, no answer to my previous query.

     

     

    Are Mr Hooper and yon Masai warrior still playing against Juve?

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