Fraser Forster had a daily routine which verged on OCD. He rose at 6:00, ate his first meal of the day, drove to Lennoxtown (while eating six pancakes, as it happens), then worked-out in the gym. He stopped for ‘breakfast’ with the rest of the team, his third intake of the day, before training started at 10:00.
After training the players take lunch, then head home. Fraser stayed, back to the gym, or some specialist work with goalkeeper coach Stevie Woods, before heading home at 16:30. He was first to arrive and last to leave, every day.
This was his routine, broken only something as rare as a dentist visit. Every biological and fitness measurement was documented with improvements targeted.
Years ago, he decided he was going to this year’s World Cup. The personal relationship, which took visits to London to maintain, was put on hold. The visits interrupted the work schedule for two days, which he couldn’t afford.
There is a reasonable chance that he put more work into his game than any player in Celtic history, the contrast with some would anger you. The results were remarkable. Fraser transformed from a rough stone into the only man in the England World Cup squad not to play in their feted league.
Much of this was as a result of the meeting of minds he had with Stevie Woods. Stevie completely changed Fraser’s game, set career targets with him and planned how to reach them. I could make a good case that Woods is one of the leading goalkeeping coaches in Europe. He created one of the greatest keepers in Britain and will do so again.
On a personal level, he is everything you would want a Celtic player to be, had time for kids, time for fans. He graduates from Celtic as a credit to our club. We want more like this.
While I’ll have genuine regret if he goes, the axiom of the ages remains true, we manage our assets, or we fail to manage our assets. If we have £10m to add to or deny the budget, it should not be tied up in a goalkeeper.
So good for Celtic, but it’s left me with a problem. I’ve a nine-year-old who eats, sleeps, talks and, most of all, dreams, Fraser Forster. Hero worship has never been so intense, so I’ll delay wishing the big guy well, just in case….
Just so you know, Maribor would put us out if we played them this week. Don’t go dreaming of Champions League football yet.
Still cannot believe what happened yesterday.
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quonno
09:53 on 10 August, 2014
So it is a done deal.
You really could not make it up.
A miracle reprieve in CL and you immediately weaken your squad before possible Maribor play off.
F the team and the fans. It is a great move for the balance sheet.
Never yet saw a balance sheet holding a trophy above its head.
_______________________
Another one who was absent the day of our good fortune on the EUFA decision, funny that INNIT?
TD67
Think I will copy your punts.
They all look on to me. Thanks :)
When we qualified for the CL 2 seasons ago we had 3 central midfielders (Wanyama, Brown, Ledley) in midfield with Hooper up front and Samaras and Forrest or Commons on the wings.
I think we need to go back to this model. I would play Mulgrew, Johansen and Henderson in midfield with 2 from Commons/ Forrest/ McGregor on the wings.
Commons in the hole doesn’t work in Europe as it leaves us a bit short in midfield.
Upfront I would play Griffiths or Pukki as they have work rate and a bit of pace. Stokes has 2 goals in 20 European appearances for us, never scored against Rangers and hasn’t scored at international level. When he steps up from SPFL also rans he struggles to make any kind of impact.
• macjay1 for Neil Lennon
08:37 on 10 August, 2014
TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels
08:12 on
10 August, 2014
Soon after arriving in Oz,early `80s ,I asked the young lady behind the newsagent counter if I could have a poke.
Very strange look,I got.
Very strange look.
Thanks………………………………….
Coffee now all over laptop…………………………….
Joepissedhimselflaughing
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
09:57 on
10 August, 2014
Quonno
For all I am not happy with PLC £10M is a no brainier over holding onto an unhappy goalkeeper who’d have likely have mumped about at opportunity to not go to play and train with England’s International goalkeeping coach. I believe for once it’s not about the money for FF but his own career and international prospects. Good luck to the big man.
MWD says AYE
Nothing but praise for FF.
PL and DD knew that this was coming months ago. They knew that FF was money in the bank and did nothing to recruit a quality replacement.
Craig Gordon could turn out to be a latter day Ronnie Simpson signing.
Equally given his recent history he could fall victim to recurring injury.
Sorry but balance sheet as ever, has come before team sheet.
Quonno
I was sure ff would be sold as soon as the board got the fee they were looking for and with gordon being signed reinforced my thoughts the team needs strengthening or will the money to be banked ?
• jamesgang
09:40 on 10 August, 2014
Morning to Big Joe
;-)
HH jamesgang
Morning buddy…………. Whats the crack………….
BigJoebabysittingaHarrisHawk
tonydonnelly67
09:58 on
10 August, 2014
quonno
09:53 on 10 August, 2014
So it is a done deal.
You really could not make it up.
A miracle reprieve in CL and you immediately weaken your squad before possible Maribor play off.
F the team and the fans. It is a great move for the balance sheet.
Never yet saw a balance sheet holding a trophy above its head.
_______________________
Another one who was absent the day of our good fortune on the EUFA
Sorry. Don’t understand your another one absent remark.
DD fill your boots mate
KevinBhoy
Prayers said for your dear Auntie Mary,
RIP
dessybhoy
10:02 on
10 August, 2014
Quonno
I was sure ff would be sold as soon as the board got the fee they were looking for and with gordon being signed reinforced my thoughts the team needs strengthening or will the money to be banked ?
PL will tell you that cheque has to be cleared before it can be spent.
Going out for paper. Will be back later.
delaneys dunky
Going to be interesting who will start in goal against st johnstone , Zaluska has played no 2 in preseason
TD667 / Delaneys Dunky –
So will you be hoping that all of your bets come up? Obviously you will and that’s the main reason I throw money away at the bookies as I can never place a bet on an outcome that I don’t want to happen.
Had a mate years ago who used to regularly back (old) Rangers and would argue it was a win/win situation – happy if they lost but happy if his bet came up. I could never get my head around that one.
Hence the reason that I have Hearts on today’s coupon at 7/2. But I’ll be delighted if Hearts win and at the same time they have a player sent off and concede a penalty which is scored!
goodluckallroundCSC
Sorry. Don’t understand your another one absent remark.
Naaaa didn’t think you would, let’s just say you missed a good day.
• quonno
09:54 on 10 August, 2014
Big Joe
09:51 on
10 August, 2014
• TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels
06:45 on 10 August, 2014
Macjay
I think Celtic would be excluded from all Uefa comps if they refused the CL place and legia certainly would not have been allowed in
If legia are so determined to fight this … Do you reckon they will refuse the Europa league place ?
Fantastic poit…………………………………
Why cant I thinks stuff like that…………
bigjoesAbotslow…….Morecoffeeneeded
You certainly won’t find PL and DD testing any of these theories.
True……………………………………………….
However its easy to criticise……………………..
The clubs run well, just cant buy a 30 goal a season striker for love nor money.
weNeedAnother30goalaSeasonSrtikerNOTaProject
TD67
Thanks bud. I have a wee party to attend tonight in Kilmarnock, could do with some extra beer tokens. :))
Sips – HH and tee hee to their song choices mhate!
Big Joe – chilling in bed big Mhan waiting for mrs JG to wake up and put down my iPhone and leave my CQN ‘sect’ alone and spend some time in the real world!!!
HH jamesgang
Big Joe / Tim Tanium
09:27 on 10 August, 2014
to be honest el maestro Stevie May reminds me of Frank McGarvey in that respect.
Remember Frankie’s flying header from Davie Ps free-kick against Dundee United, Off the top of his head, could have gone anywhere but bulleted behind the wonderful Hamish MacAlpine.
Dunno if I’m getting confused here (another game) , but Davie Provan’s free kick resulted in a shot over the wall into the net. McGarvey’s header, and what a goal it was, came from The Bear running down the right wing and driving a wonderful cross into the near post area for Squiggly to score.
If Zaluska plays in goals against Maribor we are out.
Most big games he has played saw us lose at least 3 goals….Braga, Utrecht, St. Mirren in the LC semi final!!
Morning Timland from a hot hun free mountain valley.
What is it about date’s and numbers with thems.
Yer man who was the sub for Legia and his apperance that got them kicked out…….
He was only born on the 12th of July…….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartosz_Bereszy%C5%84ski
HH
Joe Baldie
If they all stoat, it pays back £87.50, I’ll be happy wi that ;)
Short and to the point from Twitter –
Paulie Walnuts @padrepio1916 18m
Even the thickest Zombie might today question why Hearts are in Div 1 and they were in Div 3 despite both being in Admin! #liquidated
Hibs keeper scored from punt up the park after holding the ball for 13 seconds. Rules, what rules?
• SydneyTim
10:06 on 10 August, 2014
delaneys dunky
Going to be interesting who will start in goal against st johnstone , Zaluska has played no 2 in preseason
Who would you pick mate………………………….
bigjowwillgoTheopposite
niallo83
10:09 on 10 August, 2014
If Zaluska plays in goals against Maribor we are out.
Most big games he has played saw us lose at least 3 goals….Braga, Utrecht, St. Mirren in the LC semi final!!
______________________
Ffs love yer negativity hahahahahahaha
Quonno 09.57
What woes do THEY have then?
Your posts don’t fool anyone and another thing….they won’t even win this second-rate league they are in !!
Jobo
The scariest thing is that the explanation most of them will come up with is that they were ‘victimated’ (sic) by a big easy to see Unseen Hand cos PL’s brother runs HMRC.
HH jamesgang
• Jobo Baldie
10:07 on 10 August, 2014
TD667 / Delaneys Dunky –
So will you be hoping that all of your bets come up? Obviously you will and that’s the main reason I throw money away at the bookies as I can never place a bet on an outcome that I don’t want to happen.
Had a mate years ago who used to regularly back (old) Rangers and would argue it was a win/win situation – happy if they lost but happy if his bet came up. I could never get my head around that one.
Hence the reason that I have Hearts on today’s coupon at 7/2. But I’ll be delighted if Hearts win and at the same time they have a player sent off and concede a penalty which is scored!
goodluckallroundCSC
I think that Hearts are a great bet mate, might be worth a few quid on just that single……………………….
bigJoelookigFortheHousekeepingMoney
Fraser Forster states that the club did everything it could to keep him but he decided the time was right to leave.
That blows a few theories out of the water.
He also said he will always be a Celtic supporter. Happens to us all big man.
• jamesgang
10:08 on 10 August, 2014
Sips – HH and tee hee to their song choices mhate!
Big Joe – chilling in bed big Mhan waiting for mrs JG to wake up and put down my iPhone and leave my CQN ‘sect’ alone and spend some time in the real world!!!
HH jamesgang
Haha…………………………………..
Your not on that celtic Quick news AGAIN……….
WeehaveALLbeenthereMate
ST
It will be interesting indeed. A fully fit CG would be my choice, though I like LZ, and young Leo Fasan for that matter. Confident that Stevie Woods will keep us strong in the goalkeeper department.
I see the hurting huns in the Daily Mail are having ago this morning. We feel ur pain lads :))
tonydonnelly67
10:11 on 10 August, 2014
niallo83
10:09 on 10 August, 2014
If Zaluska plays in goals against Maribor we are out.
Most big games he has played saw us lose at least 3 goals….Braga, Utrecht, St. Mirren in the LC semi final!!
______________________
Ffs love yer negativity hahahahahahaha
I think I’m usually pretty positive on this site…..feel pretty strongly about this though!!
eromek67
10:11 on
10 August, 2014
Quonno 09.57
THEY may not have any woes. But plenty here laugh at THEM.
Once Craig Gordon signed, FF was offski. It was only a matter of negotiation to get a decent price. If Sammi were to sign on a 3 yr deal tomorrow and someone offered us enough on Tuesday he would be gone too. Unfortunately we are now a selling Club, all of our players are available at a price. We need a bit of luck when buying in our prospects and we need to bring through a few good ones from the youths on a regular basis to have a good team on the park. We had no luck with our buy ins last year, that is the source of present problems. Anyways off ooot to Mass see yees later.
• THE EXILED TIM
10:09 on 10 August, 2014
Morning Timland from a hot hun free mountain valley.
What is it about date’s and numbers with thems.
Yer man who was the sub for Legia and his apperance that got them kicked out…….
He was only born on the 12th of July…….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartosz_Bereszy%C5%84ski
HH
Haha quality……………………………
BooooooooooooooooooooooooooooM.
Question……………………………..
Do you live in “ Drive over the Lemons Country “
PostGenesis
Anybody know why we’re not playing this weekend? HH.
Jeromek67
10:11 on
10 August, 2014
Quonno 09.57
What woes do THEY have then?
Your posts don’t fool anyone and another thing….they won’t even win this second-rate league they are in !!
It is a matter of opinion as to whether or not THEY will win THEIR league.
Mine is that THEY will do so easily.
Please oh please expand on my posts not fooling anyone.