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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Roccobhoy was telling me he was sure that Pat Fenlan was a ST holder at CP up to a few years ago. If true, then I hope he has the Hibbees sharpening their studs for Saturday…..er…in case Easter Rd is a bit slippy. C’mon the Edinburgh (we whitewashed our history) Green n’ whites!
up_over
What is this HurricaneBawBag to which they refer?
Hibs are 7/1 to win on saturday.
Having a bit of that.
31003
It appears you are rightly corrected.. way finders it is -I would have sworn it was pathfinder (now wondering if my Folks conned me with rip offs?).. Also remember Clark Comandoes..?
DBBIA
I hear BSR currently holds that particular record.
I’m just away out to reduce the height of the gazebo by half and tuck boulders in around the canvas on the ground.
highlandscampingtipsCSC
Disgraceful decision by the SFA dont they realise the Record had gone to great lengths to doctor that photo,
dont they realise just how much that cost in this period of austerity?
THE EXILED TIM says:
8 December, 2011 at 13:22
Hibs are 7/1 to win on saturday.
Having a bit of that.
I think I will have the other bit!! 7/1 has a familiar ring to it……
kikinthenakas – Alas, Cafe Mao is no more. Was always good grub in there though.
Curly alternatively you could try Rab Ha’s just around the corner – only been in a couple of times but food was great.
Re Wiggy not being there at the SFA today,was he not looking after his parents?
Emdae know where I can buy a battery for my Toshiba laptop??
RobertTressell – 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.
Heheheh.
Then he’ll threaten to sue the Salvation Army for their prejudicial muckraking.
You don’t mess with Craig Whyte, he’s a very important man. Just ask him. (thumbsup)
Paul67, you make a good point about recruitment policies, the success of these clubs does show that ours is somewhat flawed, although the capture of the 4 players you mention does give some hope that this being addressed. There was a similar article on Celticunderground recently comparing Celtic & Porto, although given Porto’s failure to qualify , behind Apoel, perhaps we shouldn’t concentrate on them. Napoli could be another case study, I understand for instance that Cavani is currently paid less than a number of first team regulars at Parkhead.
Interesting if you look at the Apoel Team that qualified, they have 3 Portuguese and 5 Brazilians, (2 of whom hold EU passports), many of whom have played for the smaller teams in the Portuguese league, or haven’t made the grade at one of the bigger sides. Could Celtic not buy such players , although you have to question, would they come to Scotland, or would the climate, the pitches and the style of football which favours physical strength over technique count against us ?
As for Basle, well didn’t WGS want to buy Frei in the summer of 2008, only for him to get injured at Euro 2008. Wonder how things would have panned out had we bought him, we’ll never know.
Hopefully when Neil Lennon leads us into the Champions League next year we can punch above our weight like these guys.
Here is a picture of the contact referred to by Super Sally
Aw Naw re mones being paid up front to Celtic by the Huns,I would imagine that there will be a lot of angry wee bears that have parted with their cash to Criagie already on the promise of a ticket ,still they might well be without a club as well by then!…thats a shame :)
J M
Wiggy?? Its a transplant. Same as Rooneys, fae his erse!!!!
hail hail
snow snow
rain rain
wind wind
I can actually confirm that as duffield arrived at hampden today, for the divers appeal.His wig blow off security thought he was Dr Evil and wouldn’t let him in the building….
What next…F de Boer ex hun complaining about match fixing and cheating…you couldnae make it up.
LET THE PEOPLE SING
SmashingMilkBottles says:
8 December, 2011 at 13:25
THE EXILED TIM says:
8 December, 2011 at 13:22
Hibs are 7/1 to win on saturday.
Having a bit of that.
I think I will have the other bit!! 7/1 has a familiar ring to it……
Smashy, the only ring you’re familiar with is……naw….lets not go there…..
johann murdoch says:
8 December, 2011 at 13:28
????
Unless Celtic ask for teh money up front they will have nothing to worry about.
Hail Hail
anyone on the huddleboard forum? I signed up but to join I need an excisting member with 1500 or over posts to refer me so my account can be activated, can anyone help? my name on it is mickybhoy84 , cheers hail hail
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire says: 8 December, 2011 at 10:34
“how about catching next weeks euro game in the marquis of granby ?? ”
Marquis of Granby @ Cambridge Circus? Big Richard’s pub? Ideal. I know it well. At a push could do TootingTim’s tip too, too long a trek but the Marquis works better for me. Will see you there.
SmashingMilkBottles says:
8 December, 2011 at 13:10
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???
—————————————————————————————————
Sounds a great idea! Yawn! Next minute 31003 will be playing CH beside Big Dan, but at least he’s getting a game.
Still waiting for my invite to the Sutty pakora nite, mind? I could run the quiz from there!
HH
CRC
Now that Aluko has been found guilty the referee must now be disciplined for sheer incompetence/cheating…
Totally surprised that Aluko’s ban was upheld – maybe things have changed at the SFA?
What’s funny is that they they need a decidedly average player like Aluko to create chances – I really don’t see him causing us problems on the 28th……not without the help of the MIBs.
Yesssssssssss times are changing and it maybe make the cheating scum realise no kore diving.
Lads I understand what u say about the referee being punished but we got the result we wanted and this goes along way that things are defo changing.
The SFA for once have to be given props lads so go easy.
The managers briefing tonight has been cancelled due to the weather.
TT
bournesouprecipe
Hurricane Bawbag – is that what happens when you get a flurry of posts on CQN after Celtic lose?
SmashingMilkBottles
I don’t think the hun will win at Hibs, the draw @ 3/1 looks good as well, penalties/cheating/honest mistakes and the like.
Emu good these days ?
Strathclyle Police are advising people over 6ft to remain indoors until 7.00pm at least.
bournesouprecipe says:
8 December, 2011 at 13:40
Strathclyle Police are advising people over 6ft to remain indoors until 7.00pm at least.
Damn it …….pesky platform shoes…..thats me stuck in work now
#scotstorm Hurricane Bawbag Update: A plant pot has fallen over in Airdrie. An eye witness retold the horror “it pure went sideways”
jude@13.29
you should be able to get battery on ebay
bournesouprecipe says:
8 December, 2011 at 13:40
Strathclyle Police are advising people over 6ft to remain indoors until 7.00pm at least.
Does the pub count as indoors?
………..smashy’s ok. He’s got his 9″ platforms on and he still only reaches 5′ 8″
up_over
Ha – This is a Celtic Site that’s the difference.
And when we get that flurry of posts after a defeat, – it’s Hurricane Ball Bag.
Will be a hoot on FF just now. They will be outraged that justice was done to Aluko, not the ref, and no doubt blaming Regan / Lawwell and VINCENT Lunny ( What’s in a name after all Mr Murphy>)
Only pity is I am blocked for ever and a day from having a chuckle on this site.
THE EXILED TIM says:
8 December, 2011 at 13:40
SmashingMilkBottles
I don’t think the hun will win at Hibs, the draw @ 3/1 looks good as well, penalties/cheating/honest mistakes and the like.
Emu good these days ?
Went to Tannadice last Sunday with him and he was in good form. Did you know he used to run through fields near Dundee in his birthday suit? Apparently a mixture of champagne and lager looses the tongue!!!
Its big Sami’s fault!! Thats according to—– waddell/ keevins/ dalziel/ darL king(billy)/jackshun/leckie/parks/traynor/mclean/burley/ and the rest of thems!!!
smashy’s arguing with me now…..I’ve got him up against the wa’ wi’ a measurin tape…..the tape does not lie