Teemu Pukki’s permanent move to Brondby for a reported £500k is good business for a player who never came close to commanding a regular starting place at Celtic. While we did well exiting him from Celtic Park but his arrival two years ago is worthy of review.
He came from Schalke as a 23-year-old, having been at Sevilla as a teenager and scoring slightly better than one in two in Finland. Even his Schalke stats were decent, 8 goals in 7 starts and 30 appearances from the bench, which for a sparingly used young player is around the mark expected. On paper, Teemu looked a good fit for us, so do we have anything to learn?
For a start, being able to score goals in the Bundesliga does not guarantee you will be able to translate this into an even better scoring rate in Scotland. We have made similar mistakes when recruiting strikers from Spain in recent seasons. For all our lack of financial clout, delivering in Scotland is not an easy task.
There is a whole world of potential issues around psychology, motivation and appetite, which I regularly hear cited about players from people in the game. For the most part, I reckon these are excuses to bridge the unexplained gap between expectation and outcome. You get the odd indulgent nutcase, but most players have an overwhelming sense of their need to maximise their commercial value by delivering on the park. I suspect Teemu is no different.
Whatever the reason behind him not fitting at Celtic, the exercise cost us not only the £1.5m net loss on transfer fees, and wages paid, but more importantly the failure to kick on from reaching the last 16 of the Champions League in season 2012-13.
There’s a truth in the game which has stood the test of time: only people who watch a player week-in-week-out know his true value. Schalke fans would have told us things about Teemu which we can tell others about John Guidetti. John will pick up a club keen to exploit his untapped potential. A year from now they will be a little wiser.
Our lesson: scouting is the only important part of recruitment, stats, references and YouTube clips don’t count.
Our friends at Magners have offered us two of the new Celtic away jerseys. It’s another fantastic offer from Celtic’s main sponsor, my thanks to them. In order to win, answer the following question:
Which team won this year’s Premiership Play-off final 6-1 on aggregate? Put the answer in the SUBJECT line of your email to celticquicknews@gmail.com
Competition closes at midnight TONIGHT, so get busy, these are two great prizes and there’s less than a 12 hour window to win them.
And………….. while you’re entering, you might want to kick a pound or two towards our Marys’ Meals Malawi school kitchen appeal. Thank you.
And #2, if you enter, check your inbox for a response over the weekend. There’s a home shirt unclaimed from a similar competition last month!
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MIKEINTORONTO
If you are in Dublin,I suggest you hook up with ALMORE of this parish.
I have his addy-as do others. He will make your trip worth it just on his own.
Just enjoy your trip,enjoy showing someone who sounds like an amazing woman who you are and where you came from. And why.
But one wee bit of advice…
If you make the Hootenanny don’t let her near ACGR.
Good morning/afternoon fellow tims, the sun just about to break through here in Toronto, heading to Canada’s Wonderland with the grand kids and looking forward to it,weather is lovely, and the beer is cold, but that will be later, I noticed we are playing mini thems on Boxing Day, and then four days later away at Dundee, some things will never change, that spfl couldn’t run a f….n bath, any way have a great day all, and HH.
PS
Has anyone blamed PL yet for the league fixtures, no? Ah well stick around, they will :))
Fed up with fans constantly saying Scepovic makes good runs, is an intelligent player etc etc. Strickers are judged on the amount of times they put the ball in the onion bag and rightly so. End off.
MIKEINTORONTO
Tony has my mail addy,but you can contact me on
bmcuwp@gmail.com
Had a few run-ins wi Aussies myself in my past-my brother in law is one,and a lovely fella.
The women take some taming!!!
Dear Avid Fan: inherit my mantle and surpass my achievements.
Mementoes for you at Baltimore Central. Left luggage 72683.
Cambhoy
Awe Petal did yer stricker no satisfy ye:))
BMCUWP ….
I enjoy Almore’s posts, so would enjoy meeting him in person, I am sure….
and the legend of ACGR has reached even these far shores!
Although, I may need ACGR’s advice on something, so I better be nice to him…
my oldest pal in the world, and the nicest lad anyone could hope to meet … is turning 50 this year, and is a fanatical golfer. For his 50th, next year, he is hoping to get to Scotland/Ireland on a golfing tour …. I am not a golfer at all, so have been no help to him …but I know that some of the lads on here are (including ACGR) and was hoping to pick some brains/get some information for him about when/how to go about getting on some of the good courses.
TONYDONNELLY
Delighted yer having a great time,bud.
Not only in Vegas but more importantly with your family.
Had some mails from others in Vegas. I’m gonna save up and get the money together so one of them can send me a postcard!
Enjoy the rest of your trip,mate. And remember the date-10/10.
Be there or be square.
TBB -that is one scary,scary book.
MIKEINTORONTO
Generate a new mail addy and contact me on the above.
Be a pleasure.
And I’m sure the two fine gentlemen referenced will agree.
Celtic confirming publicly what we all knew
Celtic assistant manager John Collins says central defender Virgil van Dijk will remain at the club, at least until the end of the Champions League qualifiers.
The Dutchman, who signed from Groningen in a £2.5m deal in the summer of 2013, has been linked with a move to Premier League duo Southampton and Sunderland.
Arsenal and Manchester United are also reportedly monitoring the 23-year-old’s situation but Collins, who assumed his role at Parkhead when Ronny Deila took over last June, says he is going nowhere at the moment.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, the former Celtic midfielder said: “Virgil van Dijk is staying, certainly for the Champions League qualifiers.
“He has two years left on his contract. Everyone connected with Celtic loves Virgil. He’s a great player and we want him to remain in a Celtic jersey this season.
Virgil is such an important and commanding player for us. He stops goals going in at one end and scores them at the other so we want to keep him.
John Collins on Virgil van Dijk
“He is such an important and commanding player for us. He stops goals going in at one end and scores them at the other so we want to keep him.”
Celtic have been linked with Scotland international duo Ikechi Anya of Watford and Sunderland striker Stephen Fletcher but Collins insists the lure of the Premier League will ultimately prove too strong for them to resist.
“They are two players I like,” he said. “But they are Premier League players and everyone knows what the salaries are like in the Premier League.
“That said, we would maybe like another couple of players to come in before the start of the season.
“We have one in already in Dedryck Boyata from Manchester City who is a terrific acquisition, but we’d like another couple. However, like every other club around the country it’s easier said than done.
“But the most important thing is to get the right players in rather than just rushing into it.”
SP, Not at all, but its plain to see that we have been crying out for a decent goal scorer for a few seasons now, but so long as Stefan continues to make good runs we will be fine………
The Battered Bunnet
14:36 on
19 June, 2015
Dear Avid Fan: inherit my mantle and surpass my achievements.
Mementoes for you at Baltimore Central. Left luggage 72683.
______________________________________________
HanniballectorCSC.
Have the Huns got a home tie for the 1st game to unfurl their 3rd place flag?.All these players that they have lined up,how are they paying for them?.Where did they get the £200,000 to pay for the new signing?.
The things you think about while waiting on Celtic transfer business.
BMCUWP ….
Just sent you an email. Cheers.
Amazing the amount of people who take the bus now a days, tehehehehehehe.
James and Sandy Easdale post record profits of more than £3 million- just months after their rocky departure from Rangers
13:13, 19 JUNE 2015
BY SALLY HIND
THE latest accounts for McGill’s Bus Service show pre-tax profit has almost doubled for the Greenock-based business.
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Jeff Holmes/PA WireThe Easdale brothers
BUS tycoon brothers James and Sandy Easdale have posted a record £3.2 million profit – just months after their rocky departure from the Rangers FC board.
The latest accounts for McGill’s Bus Service show pre-tax profit has almost doubled for the Greenock-based business compared to the previous year – up from £1.75 million.
And their turnover has risen from £33.8 million in 2013 to £35.3 million last year, according to documents released to Companies House yesterday.
Finance chiefs said the figures show the firm is “back on track” after profits dwindled in recent years – crediting a new fleet of buses, major investment and a lucrative new contract for their success.
VIEW GALLERY
The announcement comes only months since the brothers exited the Rangers board amid the club’s long-running cash crisis and power struggle.
Former director James resigned in February in the build-up to a meeting that could have led to him being voted off the board.
The announcement came hours after the Rangers Supporters Trust revealed that it had bought a chunk of shares previously controlled by his brother Sandy.
Sandy followed suit in March, resigning from the board with immediate effect days after he was suspended from his position pending an internal investigation into the reign of the previous regime he was involved with before club chief Dave King swept to power.
The club said matters had been resolved on an “amicable” basis.
McGill’s latest turnover of £35.3m – up from £33.8m – saw profits soar from £1.75m in 2013.
Managing Director Ralph Roberts said: “The 2014 results achieved show that McGill’s are back on track to fulfilling their growth and profitability targets set some years ago.”
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Question – 1 of 5
Cambhoy
Maybes if Stefan was given the ball after making the good intelligent runs !!!!
Me thinks it’s a proper middy we need, one who can see the killer pass to the striker making the intelligent runs.
He scored for fun in a much better league than the spl, I think he had players who gave him the ball….
Just saying like :-)
HH
Mike in Toronto
Boat of Garten, north of Aviemore and Royal Dornoch, Dornoch, if you are likely to be up north.
Both stunning venues, great views if your golf is shite.
Book your tee in advance just to make sure.
Loads of accommodation round about too.
Cambhoy
I’m pretty sure that’s what I said in my post…I also think we haven’t really seen Stefan play that much..Strikers can’t score if they don’t get a run, ask Leigh Griffiths.
HH
Philbhoy …. thanks, I just looked them up online … as you say, spectacular, even for a nongolfer like me! I will pass that along.
In fact, I might just have to get my pal … who is an Italian who support Inter Milan (I know, but he’s like family) … to sign up for CQN! Torontony knows him (in fact, I think they are supposed to go golfing when Tony gets back from his break) …. he would enjoy this place!.
TheClumpany
14:00 on
19 June, 2015
Fixture Release Day!
And it’s a miracle!
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/06/19/the-miracle-of-fixture-release-day/
Enjoy the rest of the day!
———————————————–
Brilliant. Hat doffed. Keep on Clumping! :-)))
Mike in Toronto
I was going to mention Taymouth Castle GC, just by Aberfeldy, as it is one of my favourite courses. However, as a frequent visitor to Kenmore I was aware the course had been closed for years for redevelopment.
I have just spoken to the club secretary and he has told me the course is finished and ready for play, however, he does not have a definite date at this point, but is expecting word soon and it will be posted on the website.
Definitely worth a round, stunning location. and pleny places to stay roundabout.
The Kenmore Hotel is reported to be the oldest hotel in Scotland and is one minutes drive from the first tee.
The hotel sits on the banks of the River Tay as it exits Loch Tay. Again, stunning views, great food and beer.
Book well in advance if you can.
Good luck!
SP and ET point taken. Cant understand why Ronny persevered with Guidetti towards the end of the season with Scepovic not getting a look in apart from the ICT game at the end. It was clear after the League Cup final that Guidetti’s Celtic career was over
mike
I’m sure it would do him no harm stopping off here to get his swing in order
http://www.eriska-hotel.co.uk/
WDH … that place looks spectacular… like the badgers!
Damn… Leon Bridges tickets went on sale this morning …. I have been raving about his last show to friends for a while, so i said I would see if I could get tickets for this one …. the show sold out in less than a minute … before my order was even processed!
Cambhoy
I’m with Exiled on the midfield, let’s hope that Johansen or Armstrong are the ones to supply the strikers this season:))
Is it not fair to say, the only thing standing in the way of “Saturdays are back” would be ourselves? If we don’t qualify for the Champions League and have to do the Europa League again, then playing Thursday night then Saturday will be impossible, this is a given.
TV can’t really be blamed as its very rare games from Paradise are televised on BT/Sky anyway?
turkeybhoy
14:45 on 19 June, 2015
Warburton paid it out his own pocket and big Davie said he’ll square him up when he remembers where he put the 30 million quid, honest HH
Philbhoy
14:51 on
19 June, 2015
Mike in Toronto
Boat of Garten……….
Longest round of golf i’ve ever had!! (and nothing to do with bad golf)!!
Unusual for Scotland it was a beautiful sunny day; all day!!
Spent more time taking in the scenery and can’t remember too much about the course… think the 1st was either a par 3 or a short par 4 directly opposite where the green fee hut was.
Always meant to go back.. will make it one day.
Hello Celts,
Changing the subject…………….
Did anyone notice if What is the Stars put up any horses for today? We pensioners need to make some cash!
Hail! Hail!
Yogi
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers
14:08 on 19 June, 2015
Nice
desertbhoy
The first is a par 3. Plain, flat, featureless……………..but when you get to the next tee the golf course comes alive.
Lovely!
It’s becoming so predictable that every time Celtic announce some good news, be it Saturday games, safe standing etc etc, some ‘fans’ come on with their own little snippet of negativity just to sour the atmosphere. It must be a personality thing. Why not just enjoy these great times?
Off out and smiling.
Yogihughes.
Last night he said he fancied Hootenanny but you will have to be quick it runs at 3.40.
It’s been backed from 5/1 this morning to 11/4 just now.
Jimmynotpaul,
Thanks
Richie.
You have mail.
Desertbhoy
It sounds like I am going to have to take up golf …. just to enjoy the scenery.
Would love to do the West Highland Way with Kate, but this trip will be more Ireland/less Scotland, so that will have to wait until the next time….
the trip is months away, and I am already getting excited about going ‘home’ to donegal! (and to Celtic Park!)