Key decision of the year for Neil Lennon

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If you thumb through the pages of the Celtic Quick News comments section you’ll find a couple of overlapping areas of indifferent form being reported.  One for Beram Kayal and one for the team as a whole.  You’ll also note several contributors commenting that Beram’s form improved after his new contract was signed, settling speculation surrounding the player.

It may be coincidental that Beram’s form seemed to pick up after his future was settled but the fact that this happened a few days after the pivotal 3-3 draw at Kilmarnock suggests a whole lot of what has been going right at Celtic was linked to the Israeli’s form in this crucial central midfield area.

Neil Lennon has a huge tactical decision to make.  Get it wrong and he will not be able to replicate the impressive run of 10 consecutive wins.  Before making a decision, a good place to research would be videos of Celtic’s run up to and including that Kilmarnock game.  Knowing some of the things to avoid is a good start.

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  1. Bottom line with Hooper for me is simple:

     

     

    If he really wants to go (and has already been tapped-up) then thank you Gary Hooper. It was great watching you. And £6m as an opening bid is fanciful.

     

     

    If on the other hand he’s happy to stay and the club, and Neil wants to keep him, then he’s not for sale.

     

     

    Ghuys may think that any fee would fund the signing of a replacement (e.g Rhodes or Diawara), but I would use the old “bird in the hand” metaphor.

  2. BIG-CUP-WINNERS says:

     

    13 January, 2012 at 19:50

     

     

    For disinterested I see frustrated as sometimes the Bhoy just does not get the service, he’s a couple of bad injuries too so I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

     

     

    Yeah he can always get better but I think part of being a Celtic Supporter is also to bear with our players when they are a wee bit out of sorts like all strikers are from time to time but when I see people calling for Sandaza and Sutton and Skacel etc atc in the Hoops I’m like open your eyes we have two of the best finishers in Scotland up front( excluding thugbaws Healy of course) if we add onother qualit striker this team is going places!

     

     

    Big Cup mostly full over here but watching on the computer is not the same as being at Paradise so I take your view as well as I guess you are there more often than me.

     

     

    SP

  3. .

     

     

     

    Rangers have won 10 of their last 12 SPL games against the Saints (W10 D1 L1).

     

     

    St Johnstone have failed to score in their last four league meetings with the Gers.

     

     

    Rangers have never failed to score in 11 games at St Johnstone in the SPL.

     

     

     

    The Ibrox Side have only lost a higher proportion of SPL games at Celtic Park (56%) than they have at St Johnstone in the SPL (27%, 3/11).

     

     

    None of the last eight league games at McDiarmid Park have ended in a draw (four Saints’ wins, four defeats).

     

     

    Rangers have lost three of their last four SPL games on the road.

     

     

    Prior to this run, the Gers had lost just three of their last 30 away from home in the league.

     

     

    St Johnstone have dropped just two points after taking the league in the SPL this season, the joint-fewest in the competition (with Hearts).

     

     

    Rangers have opened the scoring in the most SPL games this season (18).

     

     

    Summa

     

     

    I Make that 4/1 for them to get Beat and 5/1 a Draw.. Bizarre..

  4. CultsBhoy loves being 1st on

    Dubaibhoy

     

     

    the fact he has only played 60mins…is WHY he should be sold?

  5. The Singing Detective on

    Jings,Crivvens,Help Virginia…

     

     

    They’re trying tae sell off oor strikers !

     

     

    We can only hope that this madness passes..

     

     

    We need an additional striker to come in. as a starter…not to dismantle our forward line..

     

     

    Now Mr Hooper has appeared somewhat disaffected of late,and his mind may be distracted by thoughts of pastures new..

     

    However,he will just have to knuckle down and contribute if he hopes to be granted his dream move to unsuccessful play-off victims,Southampton,in the Summer.

     

     

    Fortunately,we have Anthony to take up the slack…

     

    He has been a new man this season,with commendable work ethic and burgeoning maturity.Some folk think he can be greedy,but I prefer a player who shoots on sight..no over-elaboration desired.

     

    Yep,Family-Man Stokes is ready to apply himself to the his fullest extent…his dilletante days are well and truly behind him.

     

     

    I am most wary of this Rapid Vienna striker,and not just because he shares a birthday with Our Trickster,Awe Naw.

     

    At 28years,he will probably be demanding a three year contract/pension fund….and I’m sure we will be strung along by his agent, to entice a better offer from another side in greater need.

     

     

    No,we must table a realistic bid NOW for Jordan Rhodes,who appears to have all the qualities required to lead the line for Celtic,and would make the transition from Division 1 to SPL with ease…….which may or may not be the case for Diawara.

     

     

    Step up to the plate,Mr Lawwell…abolish all those bitter memories of the Fletcher debacle….

     

     

    Or the Kojo Klique might not be able tae save ye fae a lynchin’ this time…

  6. The Singing Detective on

    As the sagacious Battered Bunnet has oft-times opined,you need to speculate to accumulate….despite what ‘mystery’ poster,Drogheda,might suggest….

     

    I hear Kitalba is flush,after a bumper harvest…

  7. DubaiBhoy (nee LondonBhoy)

     

     

    He’s played about 380 minutes (over 4 games’ worth).

     

     

    Not a goal or an assist in any of them.

  8. tarrant says:

     

    13 January, 2012 at 19:23

     

     

    Sometimes his first touch 30 or so yards from goal is shocking. But in and near the box his touch can be devastating.

     

     

    I believe he can only get better.

  9. TopCorner says:

     

    13 January, 2012 at 20:08

     

     

    Crosas and probably Juarez together as he has been told by Zaragoza to find a club…

     

     

    I’m keeping my Juarez t-shirt anyway!!

  10. BIG-CUP-WINNERS on

    Starry

     

     

    Yip I think the team is going places (Europe for all Celtic supporters IMHO) and think Mr Lennon has that goal firmly in his mind too. The club won’t do it in one sitting may take 2 or 3 years, as the players mature, Neil learns and we step from one stone to a better one. I think earlier in the blog and the Hooper rumour we were talking about improving the team, hence the stepping stone analogy.

     

     

    In short if we got major cash, then it may allow the manager to buy similar quality but a different type of forward. It may also allow the club the finance to hold onto the players who Neil feels are the one’s to take us forward for 3-4 years eg Wanyama, Forster.

     

     

    Starry, you’re right I am blessed to stay close enough to Celtic park to get there in 15 minutes.

  11. starry plough

     

     

    they’re both young lads and could do a job yet

     

     

    good luck to them, whatever

  12. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000 on

    Good Evening all,

     

     

    my apologies but not logging in earlier today, but I have more or less spent the whole day on Twitter or e-mail attempting to contact people about the Vanessa Riddle appeal.

     

     

    Can I thank those who kept repeating my earlier posts yesterday and so kept the flame burning on Wee Vanessa’s behalf.

     

     

    The Celtic players first came to know of her back in 2009 when they visited her at the Sick Kids in Yorkhill. She is a big BIG Celtic fan.

     

     

    Earlier today I was passed a note from her Grandad. which I repeat here.

     

     

    Thank you is not enough. Words can not say what we feel in our hearts as a family for the support we are receiving from everyone. The Celtic fans have been just fantastic they are just like one big family. Will you please pass on our thanks to everone you can. God Bless you all.

     

    Thanks Taff on behalf of Vanessa

     

     

    There is a raffle for Vanessa on Kerrydale Street tonight and the link is here.

     

     

    http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/8632869/1/#new

     

     

    The appeal has now raised over £40,000 but £500,000 is needed.

     

     

    The crazy thing is that if she doesn’t get to America this wee girl’s chances of making it are less than 10%. If she gets the funds for Philadelphia then her chances of survivin literally rocket. This is a battle we can win.

     

     

    Please give what you can.

     

     

    If everyone who went to Seville gave a fiver we could save Vanessa

     

     

    hail hail

     

     

    http://www.justgiving.com/vanessa-appeal

  13. The Singing Detective on

    Perhaps Dubaibhoy is unaware that Bangura’s agent has been told to find him a new club for a loan period or transfer?

  14. Just received the print version of CQN, absolutely fantastic quality, both production and content.

     

     

    As much as I enjoy on line and the interactive nature of new media, for me, print cannot be beaten for a publication like this.

     

     

    Congratulations to you and your team, Paul67

  15. JimmyQuinnsBits on

    May the blessings of Allah be with you infidels

     

     

    wots the gen… Diawara, Diawara, Diawara…. any transfer news?

  16. lenny’s building a good young team with potential to go places and there are a far few players we should be keeping, unless they want to go and we get offered silly money.

     

     

    foster – keeper keeps getting better

     

    mathews – quality young player

     

    izzy – better than mathews, how scary is that

     

    rogne – ability is there, just needs game time

     

    ledley – reliable/ steady as player

     

    kayal – bhoy is pure class – get well

     

    vic – see kayal

     

    forrest – good player, getting better

     

    commons – bags of ability

     

    sammi – the left sided attacking midfielder is very good

     

    brown – the right sided midfielder is very good

     

    hooper – clinical, but not helped by injury

     

    stokes – = goals

     

    lustig – wait and see

     

    k. wilson – wait and see

     

     

    for me its 15 players to keep

     

     

    and

     

     

    for the players not mentioned show us your money, all offers considered

  17. BIG-CUP-WINNERS says:

     

    13 January, 2012 at 20:14

     

     

    15 minutes for Paradise, rolls eyes and remembers the glory days of living in Glasgow, spare a thought for the Auld Bhoys living abroad!!! I got to see us 6 times last year and that was a lot with family and stuff!!

     

     

    This is the beginning of a great Celtic team…

     

     

    In Neil we trust..

     

     

    SP

  18. Danny Boyle, Blaser Brown and Charlie Donnelly and Neil Lennon on

    Guys, no one should be sold in January. No one leaves till this league is won.

     

    Simples.

  19. DubaiBhoy (nee LondonBhoy)

     

     

    two first team starts no goals, hes had his chance..bin him.

     

     

    What you mean hes been injured….

  20. celticrollercoaster says Hail Hail to Kano1000 on

    Danny Boyle, Blaser Brown and Charlie Donnelly and Neil Lennon says:

     

    13 January, 2012 at 20:30

     

     

    I would reduce our bloated squad by moving on non essential players that are consuming wages, in order to finance a couple of acquisitions. Problem is will teams want these players?

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  21. JimmyQuinnsBits on

    Partizan says:

     

    13 January, 2012 at 20:37

     

     

    Just reading Chomsky at the moment…. his name makes me hungry tho, like you’re missin a right good chew

     

     

    mighty fine mind tho

  22. Danny Boyle, Blaser Brown and Charlie Donnelly and Neil Lennon on

    CRC

     

     

    Agree with the principle but in all likelihood I doubt we’d receive anything for the players you have in mind. So do we let them leave for free or keep them in case they end being required (who knows what fate lies ahead). I say keep everyone till the summer. All these salaries will be included in our budget anyway.

  23. It’s been a long week and I confess to feeling very tired, but the Tory-Dem Secretary of State for Scotland is driving me bananas on Any Questions.

     

     

    Could the guy have any more Tory-smarm about him?

  24. BIG-CUP-WINNERS on

    Starry

     

     

    your question earlier, I have no sensible answer. The Celtic have cast the net far and wide nowdays, most I have never watched, in most cases the names are novel: Kayal, Emelio, Victor……

     

     

    Ironically, Mr Hooper is someone we could see regularly on BBC, looked good at the Irons and so it proved. The wee guy at Rotherham LeFondre was another we could have got for little, he’s gone though.

  25. TopCorner says:

     

    13 January, 2012 at 20:14

     

     

    I really thought Juarez was one to watch but there you go I guess we will never know what happened there! Marc Crosas I rate as a player too hope he does well another who came and fell in love with Celtic..

  26. Lesley Riddoch is the only person worth listening to in this whole discussion.

     

     

    The Tories haven’t got anyone on the panel. Michael Moore is their representative.

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