To our eternal confusion, when Daizen Maeda got to the World Cup in November, he was used as a striker, a role he only fulfilled at Celtic when there was literally no one else available for the task. It was not madness on the part of manager Hajime Moriyasu, who left the brilliant Kyogo back in Glasgow.
Daizen is not as accomplished a striker as Kyogo, but Japan were in Qatar to play a different way than Celtic, they were prepared to concede possession for long spells, so needed someone who could press defenders at an elite level. There is none better for that role than Daizen.
At 25, I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet. The vast majority of games he plays for Celtic provide little scope for his natural game, as active space is so contained in Celtic’s attacking third. It is perhaps only against Newco, who vainly try to go toe-to-toe with the champions, where he can really turn it on.
His goal at Ibrox in January, when he spooked Tavernier is a perfect example, as was his Scottish Cup semi-final move, when he won a ball he was third closest to, before whipping in an inch-perfect cross for Jota to nod home.
“Another four years” is perhaps a bit misleading. Sure, he’s contracted for that long, but I expect bids for him in 2024 or 2025. His physicality, speed and perpetual motion is made for the dozen-or-so teams that regularly counter-attack in the EPL.
You can imagine the goings-on at Celtic this week. “We’ve all this money, do we need to tell the stock market?” It reminded me of an old Dave Allen joke:
A man sits in a confessional and says, “Father, I’m having an affair with a gorgeous young thing that lives down my street.”
Priest, “That’s not how a good Catholic should live.”
Man, “Oh, I’m not a Catholic.”
Priest, “Well, why are you telling me?”
Man, “I’m telling everybody!”
Football is a hard enough business, if you have a good story to tell, tell it.
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The mighty Birmingham City in for Tav Pen and Fat Charlie
Bada did Kent leave them?
HH
Djokovic could have just told the truth, if he had he wouldn’t have gotten into Australia removing the need for the courts to kick him out. He wouldn’t have been able to give public press interviews in Serbia and in France when he admitted he had had Covid recently. The worst possible type of liar, they say is a cowardly liar, Novak it seems got somebody in his ‘team’ to specifically lie on his behalf, making him that dreaded liar, and a coward.
He admitted to having Covid on at least two occasions, and had ‘ the cojones ‘ to have his team organise a tennis tournament in Serbia, during the height of the pandemic at which of course dozens of spectators, contracted Covid. At least he apologised on that occasion, hollow though it turned out given his further international law breaking.
He is a superstar and an anti vaxxer, plenty of anti vaxxers who kept it to themselves, no jet setting, no self serving behaviour. Didn’t, understand the or want to understand the potential spread of the virus, but didn’t care, because there was 99% chance he’d survive, to win more important than someone dying tennis tournaments.
Novak still doesn’t care, quietly many more pandemic observers will drop their eyes, he’ll raise his fist to whoever he has in the sky, as he falls to the ground crying with emotion having won another precious slam.
Tontine Tim on 7th July 2023 9:10 pm
Hogmanay 2019 we were preparing the following day’s dinner, steak pie complete with links, totties, turnips and peas, real ones that we steep and no oot of a can either, this was an annual occurrence as we usually went tae one the weans for Christmas dinner, Mrs. TT hudnae been feeling that great for a couple of days but as the day went on it got worse, now she does suffer from an auto immune condition and is a very brave wee lassie but as the day went on it got worse so eventually around 7:00 pm asked to be taken tae the emergency at the local hospital as the pain had worsened.
Not going to drag this out but she went fae emergency tae the icu and fentanyl tae morphine tae extra strength Tylenol within the 6 days she was in there and they still couldnae determine what was up with her and she only got out as the cardiologist who had been on vacation came back and said her ecg was fine, now although the bottom half of her left lung had collapsed the reason they couldnae tell her was that Covid hudnae been declared in the country yet, oh they suspected that’s what it was but still not a registered illness.
Anyway, she was on painkillers etc plus an enhanced inhaler and that was that but come back if you have any more concerns, oh it did return in a mild dose and a couple of my daughters and grandkids caught it but again NOT a declared illness in the country as of yet, but to be perfectly honest as the year went on I told one of my daughters that she widnae see next Christmas as she was struggling pretty bad.
Then one day she requested a new inhaler from the pharmacy, now as it was a hospital issue our family doctor was contacted for a refill, she called her and on hearing her breathing immediately sent her to a Pulmonologist who on again another phone call detected a lung problem, so she has now had her 3rd Pulmonary Function Test, and thankfully its getting better but she still requires 2 inhalers, now like me she has never smoked a day in her life but at least the concern for COPD has dissipated and we managed a long trip back hame last year and another as soon as the forest fire smoke clears and flights are again readily available.
So, GG there I always hope, its just a case of keeping your proverbial chin up and thinking positive as when you do that then positive things do happen to you, plus you will also be added to my candle lighting group at the Saturday Vigil.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Tontine Tim, yer an Incredible dude, HH
I didnae really want to put this on the blog.
Yer post is inspirational.
I was doon @ Castleview care home visiting my Dad who turned 82 yesterday.
He cannae eat any mair because he has the most Aggressive cancer. I was holding his hand and when I was just jibber Jabberin’ away he’d squeeze it.
You know something, I might be right, I certainly could be wrong. I think Celtic are gonnae Win a Euro trophy this upcoming Season.
‘GG need you to be reporting on it when it happens.
PETEC
Sad news about your Dad.
Wee prayer said for him and you.
Take care.
PeteC
You will never walk alone my friend.
I will keep your dad in my prayers.
HH
Morning to all.
Anyone jetting in today?
Anyone else miss the buzz of the Ange early signing days, transfers done and dusted due to forward planning?
Thought it was a sign of things to come, the Nicholson way let’s say. In 11 days we are playing games again.
Good morning all from Govanhill. A lovely sunny day in old Glasgow Town.🌞
Petec: Sorry to hear about your dad. KTF.
Peter
Sorry to hear of your dad’s issues. It’s a tough time
Not easy Peter but keep your head up.
J
Good morning from an overcast North Wales
PeteC – thoughts and prayers for your dad.
Deniabhoy – could do with a couple of signings this week – Tempus Fugit (no not the Italian centre half)
Talking transfers Vale have signed 7 players unfortunately none of them a forward which is a pressing need.
Patience . still plenty of time to get players signed and bedded in before the serious business starts .
Priority signings: all must be technically good and fit the system.
Pacey powerful and physically robust Leftback
Pacey powerful and physically robust centre midfielder
Powerful ball playing left sided centreback
Pacey and physically robust left winger
Goalkeeper with view to replacing Hart over cause of season.
Punt – seagress, hazard, uragedia, welsh, scales, mccarthy, soro, gucci, turnbull, shaw, ajeti.
Micky johnstone – last chance season.
Loan – Montgomery (done), bernabei, Kennedy, vata, lawell, summers, Anderson
Glendalys
Indeed
Holm and Tilio both signed early in the window, plus new deals for Kyogo and Maeda, is a pretty good start.
Bosmans elsewhere, are easy low hanging fruit there’s no transfer involved negotiations involved, when you don’t have a club or a contract.
Our targets cost money and will wait for options . Ange collected a fair few hot bodies for pre season, most of them have moved on, before him.
We’ve no need now for squad fillers, proven quality is a different ball game.
HH
I just watched a tiktok video of Yang hyn-jun & bhoy does he look like an exciting player, with his silky skills, fast turn of pace & his big bag of tricks. This lad looks like the real deal
When do we release the new variant on the population))
Someone should tell NHS Scotland that the booster has stopped as I got one 3 weeks back
BSR
Yes , most of those hot bodies proved to be not so hot and turned out to be neither Ange nor Brendan type players .
Let Sevco hoover up the nickel and dime dross ,while we build our empire .
Peter’s oft quoted quip that we aim to come out of each transfer window stronger , might actually be coming to pass now that he is no longer key to making it happen .
IronicCSC
Sammy Q
“That three stellar agencies of truth that you have linked to SFTB.”
———————————
That’s what you’re going with? Reuters, West Virginia University and the National Library of Medicine are all in the fake news business. You don’t have to deal with the evidence- you just call it fake and it goes away.
Without answering for any of your refuted assertions yo want me to dance and answer something new- why did the booster jabs stop?
The government announced the reasons why they were (for the time being) stopping except for targeted populations.
But you will have done your own research and will know the real reason no doubt. Did Senga tell ye?
And then you jump to some other rock having successfully immunised your mind from reason and evidence.
Precious time with your Da, and he knows that you are there for him. Take care Petec.
Good morning CQN
The work week is done.
Long lie on a Saturday morning
Cup of coffee in the garden under bonus sunshine (before the thunder comes)
What more could one want?
Er ….
– a Celtic signing ?
– a Celtic game?
– an end to austerity?
– peace in all war zones?
– sustainable living to protect the earth?
– altruism from all billionaires?
Have a great day all.
Saw this on Twitter, no idea if it is accurate but, if it is, looks like there is a common denominator:
Beales signings so far;
Cyril Desser 6ft 1in
9 clubs in 10 years
Sam Lammers 6ft 3 8 clubs in 8 years
Dijon Sterling 6ft 1in
6 clubs in 6 years
Kieran Dowell 6ft 1in 7 clubs in 7 years
Abdaliah Sima 6ft 2in
5 clubs 3 years
Jack Butland goalkeeper 6ft 5in
10 clubs 13 year
CAMUSBHOY on 8TH JULY 2023 10:59 AM
Someone should tell NHS Scotland that the booster has stopped as I got one 3 weeks back
Hope your own journey continues to be positive mate.tell me are you and the wee(big) fella taking a trip over this year?
HH
Deniabhoy.11.39
Do you have the twitter link there Deniabhoy?
HH
Sorry to read about your dad Petec, take care mate.
SFTB
Sub-Saharan Africa is a living rebuttal to all Covid lies.
AT – https://twitter.com/MichaelMcCahi10/status/1677618459323056128?t=Y8QEk9nB20tkQounCdrB1w&s=19
Deniabhoy 12.07 thanks.👍 HH
Beale signing the Harlem Globetrotters, Peter McCloy coming out of retirement.
FAO PETEC..
I wish your DAD all the best.
HH Mate.
Sam Quentin
Shush now
Pack it in or you will be removed
FAO TONYROME…
Tony…You have MAIL.
HH
CAMUSBHOY
Good to see you posting!
Hope you are good!
Take care!
Huns interested in signing Hen Broon.
Right height and also a good age.
Hi Philbhoy, yeah all good here. Hope all is well with you!
Just back from the Lake District, think it would have cheaper to go abroad, at least I don’t drink now or may have needed a new mortgage 😂
Looking forward to the new season and a few new quality additions hopefully making a decent impression in the Champions League.
https://youtu.be/l8EEHX-wObw
BR on pre season….