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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Proudbhoy….
I agree that James McClean would do a great job at Celtic and is exactly what is required.
He would also be highly motivated to play for the team he supports.
However…..his wages will be a massive problem to the tight bassas in control of our biscuit tin.
delaneys dunky
11:13 on 10 August, 2014
Rye
Agree fully, something is just no right at oor club. The same description of AS on Wed, could be applied to Kris and Virgil.
Something is rotten at Celtic just now.
DEILA
• 67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon ….The angels are with Wee Oscar in Heaven.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
11:18 on 10 August, 2014
big joe
10:51 on 10 August, 2014
..and 8 is my lucky number…..we’re gonnae win this, and then go on tae win the World Cup…
Im with you buddy…………………….
Its funny how things pan out……………
I believe if ronny can get ALL the players Onboard, the worlds our oyster.
ShipOutorSelltheNonbelievers
If RD is looking to offload Griffiths it’s a start. The boy is trouble and we knew this before we bought him.
Hopefully if Griffiths moves on he’s the first of a few more.
quonno,
you can refer the doubters – using a link thingy – back to any of your posts from Friday ?
Easy enough, unless of course…
fleagle
Buy then unload?or unload then buy? A bit of a dilemma, and a gamble no?
Interesting how successive posts up there from Lennon’s Passion and Big Joe highlights perfectly how we’re already (in august, with the league not even started!) divided on who’s responsible/to blame.
Tis a worry fhriends.
HH jamesgang
steinreignedsupreme
10:52 on 10 August, 2014This week saw the passing of an old friend, a tried and trusted cliché: ‘you can’t win football matches on paper’ #RI
Reminds me of a conversation I had with a zombie a wee while back the talk was about the old saying ” there’s only 2 things sure in life death and taxes” much laughter after I pointed out his team where doing their best to avoid both.
Anyway prediction time, hearts to finish with 9 men and the hun media poke fun at Nielson for not practicing that.
Score—- cgaf.
• tonydonnelly67
11:30 on 10 August, 2014
Daily Record Fri Aug 8-14
CELTIC OUTED FROM EUROPE AS THEY PLAYED A SUSPENDED PLAYER.
Astonishing Celtic are out of the CL as they broke the tournament rules how on earth could a club at this level make such a stupid mistake like that is beyond comprehension, ok we know they beat the opposition home and away handsomely in a 7-1 aggregate but that is neither here nor there, and you can have no crying about rules, this is the same club who where the leaders of the integrity campaign when RFC was liquidated and where made to reapply for a licence to play in the lower league in Scotland, this has nothing to do with the opposition as they automatically qualify for the next round and rightfully so as they played by the rules.
No doubt Celtic fans will be out raged, but the only ones that they can point the finger to are the lack of knowing the competition rules done by their own leaders, Celtic will supporters will feel hard done to, but rules are rules, it’s a hard lesson, and I for one hope they learn from it, and good luck to their opponents in the next round as they didn’t look all that bad.
Am I close?
CLOSE……………………………….
I think you hit the nail on the head mate………….
That would have been the headline……………….
FORSURE
tonydonnelly67
11:30 on 10 August, 2014
100%
Proudbhoy
James McClean is a far more realistic prospect than signing Callum McManaman, a far better prospect than Tonev and a massive improvement on Boerrifter. Would fit the RD system and give us pace and creativity on the left side.
TD67
Tony…its a dilemma ok.
And if even you are having twinges of doubt.
Im worried.
What a carry on.
HH
Also the Grif on loan to Hibs , I wouldn’t,
I would just bloody give him to them. :-)
50 shades of green 11:44 on 10 August, 2014
steinreignedsupreme 10:52 on 10 August, 2014
This week saw the passing of an old friend, a tried and trusted cliché: ‘you can’t win football matches on paper’ #RI
———
“Reminds me of a conversation I had with a zombie a wee while back the talk was about the old saying ” there’s only 2 things sure in life death and taxes” much laughter after I pointed out his team where doing their best to avoid both.”
Ha Ha Ha
Great shout.
LP
Hope you are wrong, and Ronny Deila turns us into a lean hungry team of winners.
I know one U20 player personally, and he is delighted with the new regime. However he is a Scottish schoolbhoy champion athlete, who loves a hard training schedule. Unlike some of our senior players.
I think we have no option but to wait and see who we bring in and also who we move out.I am sure Rony will know who will and who will not fit into his style of play.H.H.
I too must have watched them Villa games that Tonev played in.
He was outstandingly rubbish.
If LG doesn’t have a future under RD, rather than loan him to Hibs why not offer them a swap deal with Sam Stanton or Alex Harris, their two best prospects. We’re quite happy to bring in ‘projects’ from abroad so why not Scotland.
Eventually most of the current 1st team pool will no longer play for us, it’s always that way when a new manager arrives por cierto
Want to show Ronny Deila how it should be done? Think your better than Stein? Do you have the luck of Celtic or the administration talents of Legia? Then here is the invite code to the CQN Championship Fantasy Football League, we are now approaching 100 teams entered.
296638-123206
You have 6 days left to register your team & join the league.
http://fantasy.premierleague.com/
As an added incentive I’ve decided to offer some prizes for the top 3 come the end of the season. The winners will each receive items of their choosing from the Official Celtic Webstore to the tune of
1st £100
2nd £75
3rd £50
Or alternatively, winners can choose to donate any winnings to a Celtic charity of their choice.
Also if by some miracle I end up in the top 3, the winnings will be passed onto the next placed team.
HH
Snake Plissken
Re Stokes and Griffiths. Both are poor professionals and neither should be in the Hoops.
I watched Stokes on Wednesday: disinterested, slow of thought and no effort. He played CF against Legia and I watched him play a ball out to Emelio on the left wing. Emelio carried the ball and looked for a centre……..Stokes had trotted forward and was 30 yards behind. Could be down to football nous, but it looked like he couldn’t be bothered. Not for me a selfish, half hearted player who should not be in a Celtic jersey.
Griffiths as many predicted is a rocket, he has passion and skill, but off the park the wee guy is a liability. I’d hoped he could mature and produce the football he is capable of, but he seems to be unwilling or able to curtail his problems.
I don`t know if the Club are being given stick on here for selling Fraser Forster. If so, perhaps people should digest this first:
“I know the club wanted me to stay, and I know the club has done everything they possibly can to keep me.”
“But I felt now was the right time for a new challenge in the English Premier League.”
Fraser also said:
“I have accepted a new opportunity, but I am a Celtic supporter for life and will be cheering the club on in everything they do.”
Good man and I wish him all the very best. A model professional.
JJ
Serious question …
Which past Celtic squad in the last 50 years were comparable with the current lot?
I’m undecided between 2 …..
Jimmy McGrory early 60s or Liam Brady early 90s
I think all the others , with the exception of Macari and Sean Fallon( when big Jock had a year off after the accident) were better than what we have now…..relative to the competition we face.I think even Tony Mowbray had a better squad but he was cheated by the Huns and the SFA that season.
• jamesgang
11:44 on 10 August, 2014
Interesting how successive posts up there from Lennon’s Passion and Big Joe highlights perfectly how we’re already (in august, with the league not even started!) divided on who’s responsible/to blame.
Tis a worry fhriends.
HH jamesgang
At the end of the day the managers to blame…………..
We were lucky and got a second bite at the cherry.
I think Ronny’s only problem so far it trying to change 2 much, 2 fast.
RonnyNeedsTIME2turnTHINGSaround
“Reminds me of a conversation I had with a zombie a wee while back the talk was about the old saying ” there’s only 2 things sure in life death and taxes” much laughter after I pointed out his team where doing their best to avoid both.”
_________________
Quality, pure quality ;) I’m using that one.
The important thing is everyone concerned to be pulling in the same direction….. If stokes, commons, and whoever else are letting their ego’s get in the road, or if their noses are out of joint because the new guy isn’t Neil Lennon….. Then they both can do one. They get paid a substantial amount of money, and they are privileged to wear the Celtic Jersey. They are therefore duty bound to put their shoulder to the wheel and follow management instructions.
It’s obvious to me, they aren’t ….. Therefore stokes , commons, and who ever else falls in to this category…..See ya !
Where is this Griffiths on loan to Hibs story coming from? Sounds nonsense to me.
JJ
BIG-CUP-WINNERS
Not disagreeing with you but both are proven at scoring goals in the league we play in.
Pukki and Balde will never do.
Watt is gone.
Unless there is something dramatic coming along soon, getting rid of too many players too early would be a handicap.
A few bad league results and the manager is under pressure with a transfer window closing in under 3 weeks.
Ger57,
I thought I was reading a religious evangelical leaflet when I read the following:-
“You need raised from your complacency and arrogance.”
“All I have foretold is coming to pass.”
“Are you willing to reclaim it? Do you even recognise its death?”
“Face the truth or I and others will remind you of it every single day.”
No, the above are extracts from a post on CQN earlier tonight.
Nothing like some fire and brimstone on a Saturday night/Sunday morning.
How can we take a person seriously when he spouts drivel like that?
Your continued personal attacks on me are becoming tiresome. How long have you been posting on CQN?
Also do you have anything to offer other than acceptance of our decline?
JJ
Agree mhate.
You’d have laughed at me yesterday. Cycling misfortune! Got a bee or wasp lodged in my lug hole as I was whizzing along! Was trying to dig it out and not fall off!
It’s deid now. But my lug was louping all night!
HH jamesgang
I’m no major backer of Ronny D by the way…. His worth will become clear over time…. But if there’s guys there not willing to break sweat because their pal Lennon is gone….. Go and join Lennon in the wilderness. We need 100% committed players. Nothing less.
Also, where is the `dressing room unrest` story coming from? Again, sounds a nonsense to me and the kind of story the MSSM would `leak`. It`s a pity some have already taken it as a fact.
JJ
Morning Bhoys :-)
Not read back so not joining in – got too much to do today to risk losing 8 hours!
Thought I’d share this wee gem I watched whilst having my breakfast. The last goal is my favourite and shows all the wee man’s class in a flash. No lack of pace either I might add…;-)
Enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiSq_-u4UfI
HH
Seriously…im asking.
Why would you want to buy sub standard players?
Are we really being asked to believe, that a batch of inferior players, will improve the team.
What kind of logic is that?
I dont understand wtf the plc are trying to do.
Are they stupid or what?
HH
• Jungle Jim
11:53 on 10 August, 2014
I don`t know if the Club are being given stick on here for selling Fraser Forster. If so, perhaps people should digest this first:
“I know the club wanted me to stay, and I know the club has done everything they possibly can to keep me.”
“But I felt now was the right time for a new challenge in the English Premier League.”
Fraser also said:
“I have accepted a new opportunity, but I am a Celtic supporter for life and will be cheering the club on in everything they do.”
Good man and I wish him all the very best. A model professional.
JJ
Great post mete………………………………….
WeneedMoreplayersWithFF’smentality
jamesgang
….and I agree with you, too……I would have laughed. Are you sure you were `whizzing along`? Whizzing??
JJ
Tonev ?
Remember an Italian journo asking Roberto Donadoni( Manager of Parma ) to comment on an agents claim that Parma were interested in Tonev .
Donadoni replied ——–
No,we are not . He would only get a game after me.
Snake Plissken
I appreciate your reply.
Right now I’m getting frustrated and annoyed at Celtic’c negligence.