I remember the early days of Joe Ledley’s time at Celtic, in particular for defending him with pleas to ‘give him time to settle’. He did settle into an accomplished midfield player but there should be no surprise he is moving on now.
Joe has managed his career well. He allowed his Cardiff City contract to expire, making himself available without a transfer fee. Celtic snapped him up but the leverage the player had, without a contract, was compensated by a top contract.
Is he worth a top contract? Is he worth pushing the boat out, beyond the current top contract level? Yes to the first question, perhaps, but no to the second, he sat on the bench when Wanyama and Brown occupied central mid in last season’s Champions League. Celtic put a contract to him but would have known there was a high possibility it would be rejected, as the player would be able to negotiate a contract in the ever-inflating English Premier League.
If his deal goes through at Crystal Palace he’ll leave with my best wishes, both parties probably made the best decision for their own futures.
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Kitalba 14.23
Indeed, but whilst I can make a stab at when D Day might be in terms of Decisions, I am unable to make a stab at your or indeed my D Day in terms of our demise.
To annoy Canalamar “Infinite patience produces immediate results”. :)
(WhenI say make a stab, I of course mean in the metaphorical sense and not the literal. I grew up with lads who became chib men as a matter of profession but eschwed that particular skill because of my stomach’s reaction ).
Time has a purpose you know, it stops everything happening all at once. (To send canalamar ott)
Celtic would probably be happy to take the CP fee. JL makes a lot of money at Celtic. I will be very disappointed if we don’t sign a very good player by the end of the window. There aren’t excuses.
weeminger:
If I stand corrected, then so be it, I honestly had it in my head his – bonuses – were close to circa I Mill. Now I don’t personally think he is doing a bad job, I just think he is very senior in a group that is alienating old Supporters who struggle to equate poverty with too much.
….PFayr supports WeeOscar
16:02 on
31 January, 2014
It was something Philvis did regularly and I liked it….thought I would do the same.
Perhaps a few smillies would have made it more acceptable? Or a thumbsup?
‘Arry being interviewed through car window, game on!!
A Ceiler Gonof Rust
15:59 on 31 January, 2014
Gonnay sumdi jist tell me………………………………………..pleez!!!
Is it official, has JL left the building?
——-
Nothing official so far mate, but then I don’t think LG signing is official yet!
Still pads of time though. :/
HH
/Bishop B
Is there a quiz on tonight?
I came in 5th place last week so I’m hoping to do a bit better this week if the quiz is on.
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar @15.58.
“I’d like to welcome Leigh Griffith to Celtic. When he wears that hooped jersey then I’ll sing in praise of him in the same manner I would any Celtic player.
Become a legend Leigh, as a Tim and as a man”
—————————————————————-
Great statement as I am well aware of you reservations regarding the man.
I would also like to reiterate and I appreciate that you always want the best for Celtic although our opinions differ at times.
HH.
kitalba
Just a general observation.
Do you think this board would be more congenial if your alcohol intake was synchronised with that of the majority of the posters?
I get the feeling that you’re drunk when most are sober and sober when most are drunk.
So … are we finished?
And why has no one mentioned Robbie Keane all day?
Auldheid :
Please don’t say that ever again…
Infinite patience produces immediate results
I’ve spent weekends cutting my grass and trying to square it.
After those weekends, I’m left to conclude that time goes where my whisky eventually goes.
Kayal33
Arry is always on SSN transfer windows…. ( In a cockney accent) ‘Yeeah, we ad a little look at im’. Who hasn’t he had a look at!
The man has a face that reminds me of a ball sack!
Robert88 @ 15:51,
Very true, Lee Wallace is just like any player.
What is he worth?
Whatever some Club are going to pay for him.
Lee Wallace of the wage bill and £500,000 say in the Bank must be getting close to the 15% the Board wanted from the players.
Hail Hail
ernie lynch:
Can you ask me that when you are drunk?
Afternoon all,
What better day for a brief return to CQN?
Some great articles of late. There was one recently that was maybe the best ever… now I’ve forgotten, but, I always think it’s worth saying thanks. This stuff, about Celtic, isn’t to be found anywhere else really… what with the mainstream media being rubbish.
Griffiths – not an exciting signing, but, another good back up. We have a plethora of quality back up strikers. And, I think this has been said, there will be a bunch of EPL signings in the £10m plus bracket today and a good proportion of those players would be less effective than Griffiths. It’s a good deal. Just not exciting.
Ledley – you know, good luck and all that. However, I’m a bit relieved he’s gone. I’ve been struggling to understand why so many hold him in high regard, to the extent that I simply had no idea how to discuss him in public, without feeling like an idiot. He’s solid, good finisher, technically adept, but utterly underwhelming. In many respects a typical English midfielder (albeit Welsh), hard working, box to box, no game intelligence. Always struck me as a player who took the easy way in his career. At 19 he was the next big thing, and I haven’t seen any progress from him.
More to the point, where Ledley is concerned, he hasn’t been a factor in many of our ‘big’ games at any stage in his time at Celtic. Usually injured during CL group campaign, or behind someone in the pecking order. This year we could really have done with him, in Brown’s absence, and again he wasn’t available. Given the SPL situation, we are, in effect, losing nothing. If we are to mourne his loss, it certainly can’t be for his contribution. It is the potential we all see in him, or the idea of him. I suspect his career will be remembered, if at all, for this lack of impact, for all his obvious ability he has managed to underwhelm on a consistent basis.
So, harsh, all that stuff about Ledley. I recognise that. On the other hand, I’m glad we don’t have to worry about his enigmatic qualities and pretend he’s a top player for us, the way Brown, Wanyama, and Mulgrew have been… and even Kayal has done more for Celtic on the big stage. I’m just relieved this odd conundrum of a player is moving on, and wish him the very best. Truly hope he proves me wrong, because he seems like a top bloke.
In TD mode for a second ( if said gentleman will pardon)
To any lurking huns: THIS is what the blog of a club with money looks like on transfer window closing day.
GIRUY as TD might say. :)
Now back to normal.
new article posted.
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
If you see me about I would recommend you do not talk to me….
kitalba has caught me out today – I am a hun and the past 38 yrs I have been living a lie!!
Saw your comment on LG – good stuff, everyone deserves a chance.
:-)
kitalba
16:08 on 31 January, 2014
ernie lynch:
‘Can you ask me that when you are drunk?’
###
I’d hardly be likely to be remembering if I was drunk.
ernie lynch:
I’m curious, which post in particular tripped me up, or was it all of them.
If Joe Ledley doesn’t move on or sign an extension, I for one won’t be surprised.
He played pass the buck football when up against strong opposition…played well when we coasted.
Hopefully we can get some money in for him as he’s for the off at the end of the season sitting pretty if we don’t.
Estadio blame AGCR for every fan in Timdom having a Zadok the Priest ringtone, lucky i remembered it or id i’m sure i’d have been thrown off a ferry to Belfast with the orcs in the bar :-)
Tully57, good post, i think Joe got what it means to play for celtic he goes with most fans good wishes. He has managed his moves well & its a short career but he wont ever play in front of the best fans again. He has opened the door for others to get their chance now.
Sammi looks like he will stay around, very clever is probably assured of place in Greek squad & doesn’t want to be unsettled while at same time able to big up a last big payday.
HT
I expect nothing less from you …well said
Bonty Bhoy
Pal.. efter reading yer Take oan Ledley..
Let me Gie ye a Big …Cyber. High Five!
Regarding yer Take oan Joe..n his less than Sparklin’ Contributions tae the The Celtic Cause.. Past.n Present…
Ye ..absolutely .. Nailed it!
Joe wulll NO Be MISSED!
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
Chairbhoy…..
Lee Wallace isn’t worth a lot of money, but the selling of him must put Hearts’ back up, they got nowt for him and there’s Sevco attempting to flog him off and get the money for him.
Anyhow…
Sevco still think that they have income that they once had and aren’t moving with the times, example doing a Gretna Green, buying the best players for the league and wining it, so on and so on, then growing as they go up the leagues. Super Ally cant go out and do that the hordes would go f ing mental, that’s the reality they just wont accept it.
John O’Neil:
I will be very disappointed if we don’t sign a very good player by the end of the window. There aren’t excuses.
=======================
Did you hear the one about the Turk?
Doesn’t bode well, the old ‘we tried’ routine.
HH
Someone earlier enquired how many fans turned up at the park to see leigh Griffiths.
Probably the same amount that turned up when the kok and lubo signed!.
If this laddie concentrates on fitba he will score 30 goals a season for us.
Welcome to paradise son.
Hail hail.
Big sean.
sean thornton
I agree. He will be a goal machine.
Its the variety in the type of goal he scores(with both feet) that impresses me.
HH
….pfayr supports weeoscar
16:14 on 31 January, 2014
HT
I expect nothing less from you …well said
Ibid from me HT. Comment if a big man and a proper gentleman.
HH jamesgang
Could someone/anyone please answer these two very simple questions:
1) Has Joe Ledley left?
2) Has Leigh Griffiths arrived?
Thanks,
JJ
Blog not working? last comment showing as 16:31
Lennon on Griffiths “He represents good value for money ………” Here we go again, don’t doubt for a minute how far we have slipped as a club.Champions League ambitions but we always seem to shop at Poundland. Unfortunately all our other ‘bargain’ strikers seem to sit in the stand or the bench. Am I the only one feeling like this?
I think Joe has been a good player for us but not a great player.
Some very good performances but not enough of them and too many that he was very quiet.
He did a lot of the unapreciated dirty work but to me thats something every player should do anyway.
Still overall he has been value…..free and then sold for a fee(if its actually been concluded?)
Altough he did net the winner against the huns, my favourite moment from Joe was his long ball to Samaras for a goal.
Peach of a pass.
On me phone at work so cannae do the link think and apols for my spelling cos i cannae spellcheck!
Thanks for your contribution Joe, its a shame that you will miss the title party this year because you played your part.
I do think its the best thing for the club though that he does move now instead of waiting until the summer and especially if it has brought in a fee.
Oopla !
For the record .—————
Quote I posted earlier re Pippo Inzaghi came from Marco Van Basten.
Next youngster tae Watch..oot fur??
PAUL MCMULLAN.
He is .. wee Jamesie… Mark Two!
He is a Winger..n He is as Fast as Fornication!
He wull be Eighteen..next coupla days time..
Note..the Name..
Paul McMullan.
n
Yes.. He is..
a Wee Nippy Player!
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Gotta Scram, Sam.
Seeya.
Lads,
CQN Naps here today please…
fleagle1888
I’ll try
Smoking Aces at 2 40 Ffos las please.
14:40 @ Ffos Las – Soll – NAP!
Good luck everybody.