Living so close to England it’s easy for us to get drawn into the ways and processes which prove effective south of the border. SPL clubs all scout there, more often than not trying to pick up physically robust scraps discarded by the lower leagues, or troubled souls looking for a sixth chance. Scottish clubs are full of players who have failed to make the grade in England.
When Motherwell were looking for a manager a year ago I heard one of their directors say they hoped to get someone with experience of the English lower leagues, as this has proven to be an effective place for them to network in the past.
Problems with the neighbours works both ways. It’s too easy for English clubs to use the loose change part of their budget to scoop up anything that looks like promising talent from the SPL. While most players will earn well in England, few enjoy the career progression they hoped for.
They do things differently elsewhere. When was the last time teams from Cyprus or Switzerland badgered an English League Two side for their surplus talent? Developing football teams is difficult but a good top level plan helps. One of the most encouraging aspects of Celtic’s top level plan is that it meets criteria that match our place in the world. Recruit talent from the right markets, at the right age and price. Some money has been spent in England, but not much, and those who have arrived from there look decent value.
If Celtic are to match the recent Champions League achievements of Basel or Apoel Nicosia, players like Izaguirre, Kayal, Wanyama and Ki, who pitch up in Glasgow from what appears to be beyond the horizon of the English, will be crucial. Just as those players at Basel and Apoel, they arrived here within an affordable budget and appear to have the talent required to compete at the level Celtic aspires to.
11 years ago we bought Chris Sutton from Chelsea against competition from other FA Premier League clubs. He was soon joined by others at the peak of their ability and reputation, all relatively low-risk signings. We had a few years in the sun but it was neither affordable nor sustainable.
We’ll know soon enough if the current crop of players trying to establish a reputation for themselves have what it takes to win the league and compete in Europe. Good top level plans can still fail in execution, but I’d rather this strategy than send my cash down the M6.
Issue 5 of CQN Magazine is due out next week, let me know if you would like to advertise, celticquicknews@gmail.com.
Read CQN Magazine for free online here. Subscriptions to the online copy are discretionary but you can contribute here. Old-school hard copies are available here from Magcloud.
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Hail Hail in Sauchiehall St
TheGreenManalishi(WithTheTwoProngedCrown) says:
8 December, 2011 at 12:40
***********************
I did innaw, took the shoes out and tossed the box away, took the compass out the shoes and ……. well you know the rest.
V
HH
Kayal
You got the shakes? Thought they should have made it 4??
So Aluka’s ban has been upheld. He is officially a cheat.
Wonder what Duffield has to say about that?
Go gadget arm defence fails.
I’ll get you next time gadget.
doo do do do do Aluko Gadget
doo do do do do do dooooo
Whipping up a storm
Whipping up a storm
Whipping up a storm
What a Hue n Cry
Afternoon Bhoys
Just a wee note to say that tomorrow marks the 2 year anniversary of our CQN friend, Kano getting home to his family, thanks to the kindness and generosity of CQN and indeed the Celtic family.
As per last year I am asking that you join in celebrating this achievement around 10:30pm tomorrow (after the quiz) by raising a wee malt (or your favourite tipple) in honour.
This year, I am also suggesting that we also commerate the wonderful work of the bhoys being The Kano Foundation who will have reached a milestone in taking 1000 kids to Paradise in the name of our CQN friend. For many of these kids, this is their first (and hopefully not their last) visit to CP.
HH
CRC
Kayal33 says:
8 December, 2011 at 12:54
What about the Referee, does he just walk for gifting the orcs two points??
Shurely no!!
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon 8 December, 2011 at 12:58:
Aluka???
He’s anything but Aluka.
Have you not seen his photie?
The Honest Mistake,
It was an honest typing mistake
Celts Celts the Hail is here
http://thefrontofthebus.blogspot.com/2011/12/launch-it-from-bronx.html
I remember having a feeling a few seasons ago that we were going to thump Hearts 5-0, We did. The day Donati scored a cracker.
Hearts are in turmoil, We owe them a good seeing to & most importantly WE are playing well.
If we get an early goal i can see us dishing out a hammering, It’s been coming & i feel this is the weekend it will happen.
Everytime we play this horrible Club i pray we annihilate them, Please Celtic do it this weekend.
starry plough says:
8 December, 2011 at 12:59
Kayal33 says:
8 December, 2011 at 12:54
What about the Referee, does he just walk for gifting the orcs two points??
Why should Conroy be an exception to the rule?
So cash-strapped Rangers have released a Christmas album. Apparently 10p from every purchase will go to the Salvation Army (good luck seeing that money, eh chaps?) and it includes such classics as:
* (I’ll have a) Blue Christmas (without you)
* Fleck The Halls
* Sheriff Officers Are Coming To Town
(thumbsup)
Sally – what better person to represent Aluko at the SFA hearing – master and pupil
Have we handed over our briefs to the huns for the derby game at the end of the month ?
The away team has ten days to pay the home team the funds once they have received them.
Does anybody think that hun fc will hand over 250,000 to Celtic plc by the 8th of January ?
Are we seriously just going to give them a 250K hand out ?
Surely with the litany of court cases, failed AGM´s, non audited accounts, Court dates etc we can refuse to give them until they have paid for them in advance ?
Is their the possibility of NO huns at Celtic Park on the 28th ?
Hail Hail
31003
Pathfinders…I remember them well…and fondly! I’ in my mid 40s – they were the default school shoe at my school in the 1970s!
Philvis – you just know that when Whyte fails to hand over the cash to the Salvation Army he will say that he said ‘at least 10p will go to Fat Sally’s Army!’ towards the Christmas bonus.
Next thing ye know smashinmilkbottles will start postin
Paul67
A good few players emerging from the Academy now, that is the road we all want to head down…
With the odd Izzy thrown in of course.
HH
Aluko was found guilty of causing the referee to make an incorrect decision.
It is all the players fault you see; no blame can be attachesd to the referee. In fact, he is the real victim here
!!Bada Bing!! says:
8 December, 2011 at 12:43
Any ideas on a reasonably priced HD telly,about 42″ .ta.
************************
Aye BB, try ebay thats where we buy out telly’s fae.
I’ve mair telly’s in the house than folk tae watch them :¬)
and besides nowadays I’m either on cqn or watching BB.
V
HH
I am Neil Lennon on a celticrollercoaster says:
8 December, 2011 at 12:59
Hey CRC.
Why don’t you take the quiz “live” on tour. You could start in a certain rugby club with me ‘n 31003 telling you all our stories about playing 7’s against our good good pals – Henke Sutty Lenny Thommo Dolph Stan-V…..the non Ibrokes attending Orcs would love it…
Whadd’yathink???
Rangers Aluko case, falls down at SFA hearing.
Is there any mhen oot there ,who are still at their work?
out is our on my ifone!
V
CultsBhoy hates being 2nd says:
8 December, 2011 at 13:08
31003
Pathfinders…I remember them well…and fondly! I’ in my mid 40s – they were the default school shoe at my school in the 1970s!
As the man said in the orthapeadic shoes..”We stand corrected”….I’ve been reliably informed they were in fact called WAYFINDERS
iki says:
8 December, 2011 at 13:05
Aye I know, sometimes I wander into the realms of fantasy.
Bring on the minis they’re due a skelping.
Hx2
Fellow residents of the central belt,
http://bit.ly/vx19eW
Aluko ban upheld!
Mon the Hibs!!
Duffield was unable to attend the SFA hearing as it was too windy.
Paul67
No more heroes any more?
I agree we have had good value from some Foreign signings. I am massively behind grow your own talent but I would like the occasional ‘semi box office’ signing…
It sells seats and also gives youngsters a hero in the Hoops…I’m not so sure we have a player who drags folk along and gives Kids a name they really want on their shirts..
Gone are the days of having 4 or 5 big signings but I’d like to see one known, proven leader recruited in January, ideally in Goal or CB…
31003 says:
8 December, 2011 at 13:11
When 31003 talks about him being in his mid 40’s – he is referring to his waistline. 54 yr old liar!!
Curly
try this
http://www.cafemao.com/
been in a few times and always been very nice, in the heart of merchant city
HH
Oh well, Aluko loses appeal despite the Daily Record’s advance salvo of incontrovertible ‘hand touching arm’ rule.
On more pressing matters, where’s bournesouprecipe’s weather sketch?
I wonder what the thoughts are of the current rankers players who have paid they’re tax and NI contributions to rfc, are they ok that the club they play for have witheld these payments?
If rfc go bust will the players still be liable for the tax and NI payments?
I wouldn’t be happy in those circumstances, would you?
When does the transfer window open?
V
HH
curly says:
8 December, 2011 at 12:53
Not been in for about a year now, but I always found Mings (Princess Arcade) very good.