A crucial aspect of the season just past was the form of goalkeeper, Fraser Forster. Fraser has been Celtic’s first choice goalkeeper since joining on loan from Newcastle United as a 22-year-old but his deal was only made permanent 11 months ago, when he was secured for a fee reported as £2m.
Now 25, the keeper has enjoyed a dream campaign. Celtic’s major achievements this season were winning the league and qualifying for the Champions League group stage, but for Fraser more than anyone else at the club, that night against Barcelona produced an outstanding personal performance. La Gran Muralla had arrived.
Now a regular member of the England international squad, Fraser is the identikit of what Celtic are about right now. Scout players with potential and provide them with the opportunity to mature to Champions League standard. The added bonus of picking Rangers International’s partner-investor, Sports Direct’s pocket makes the deal sweeter.
Fraser has it all: presence, fast reflexes and an instinct for angles, but the most important item in a keeper’s armoury is a relationship with a rock solid defence. Celtic demonstrated they could deliver on this front on Champions League duty, until they faced Juventus, but the picture has been far less convincing in the SPL.
The most striking aspect of Fraser is his sheer physical size. His 6’7” he fills the goal frame, considerably reducing the space between keeper and post at penalty kicks, which his stats are well above average for.
Fraser was disappointed not to be included in the England squad for friendly games against Ireland and Brazil over the next week but Roy Hodgson will be mindful that Celtic have a shorter summer break than any other club he will be following, and Fraser will need some break-time before preseason starts in around three weeks. This is good squad management. The keeper is likely to make his full England debut as his country prepare for the 2014 World Cup, leading to a whole raft of revised comments on the Scottish game.
Have you bought a raffle ticket for the framed Celtic top signed by the Seville squad? It costs you £1, or £10 for 10!! All to benefit the 125415 campaign, aligning Celtic with our 125-year-old heritage.
Not only that, but………….
We have a framed Messi top signed by the great player who was able to breach La Gran Muralla after 183 minutes trying, available for auction. It’s not often you can buy such a memento of the world’s greatest footballer, and help Celtic charities too.
The Seville strip raffle closes on Friday but you have until Monday to bid on the Messi auction.
Willie Wallace, Heart of a Lion, available below.
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praecepta
20:38 on 28 May, 2013
There was a mention (down South) – Hooper to Sunderland with Maclean coming our way as part of the deal.
Thoughts?
*******
Unprintable!
Ten men
Totally agree – no chance of fast track into SPL 2
How can you be a trialist if you have signed a contract of employment? enlighten me.
especially for the Swinging Dick
later with Jools 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NfspgbQMnw
Hamiltontim
I could see him at Spurs HT, the way they play he could get goals there, Spurs problem tho’ is not up front, they can’t defend Basel were all over them in London..
Gary will get goals where ever he goes..
How’s the heid after the Double Weekend??
Hamiltontim 21:12:
I agree with you about not being good enough to hold down a regular place in a top Four EPL side. However, I believe Hooper would jump at the chance to go to Spurs if they came calling.
I cannot deny that he is a Goal Scorer but I have to confess, I’m not his greatest Fan. Although he does get my support.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
I think they`ve been punished far too much. Put them back in the top flight and give them their 15 points back. And a potful of cash. And Lionel Messi.
Gary Hooper isn’t good enough to get a game for any of the top 5 teams in the EPL. At a push he’d get a Liverpool or Everton but more realistically he’ll end up at a Villa, Sunderland, Newcastle, West Ham mid table/wannabe mid table club. Whoever takes over at Stoke may want a Hooper type player to try to get away from the Pulis style football of the last 7 years.
Can I give a special mention to BADA BING of these pages.
He helped me to obtain a ticket for Sunday’s cup final for a very deserving bhoy.
Not only that but I ended up keeping him waiting as a result of the taxi driver taking us the wrong way. In fact I was so late that he probably missed the kick off.
I offer my sincere apologies and thanks to a true Celtic gentleman.
The only trialists in Scottish Football should be the sfa and the spl. They should be on trial in the Glasgow high court charged with Grand Corruption. Chancers the lot of them.
Weefra HH
Sevco will not be fast tracked into SPL2. Montrose Chairman said earlier that Montrose had changed their vote and he had spoken to several other chairmen who also said they were now prepared to back last SPL offer. He was confident that a 42 team solution would be agreed over the next week as envisaged by SPL.
Sevco are losing £1M a month, they could sign Messi on the sly. Who gives a F as they will be out of business soon anyway.
Stupid, head-in-the-sand zombies…
There is no signing ban, the ban is on registering players before 1/9. If they sign them before 1/9 they will not play them as trialists. IMO
Starry
The head is only just about back to normal but I think an early night is called for. Too old now for 3 days/nights of it!!
How’s life back amongst the sheep :-)
Lennybhoy
I agree I think he’d jump at the chance but I just don’t expect him to get it. If any of the top 6 come in for him I’ll be extremely surprised.
Glad to see this “trialist” guff being called out here. We can’t allow this to happen on our watch.
Well, apart from those who should be genuine Ibrox trialists;
Whitey, Greeney, Bainey and Minty’y.
Hingin’s too good for them!
Evening bhoys…
Celtic1st. I was singing your praises on Saturday night to TBJ, lennybhoy and captainmoonlight and sure enough you came up with the goods when bognerbhouy(sp) asked a question..
Keep up the good work. …
I don’t believe that they have actually signed anyone.
They will have some kind of “agree to sign” arrangement.
The rest is just newspaper subterfuege to keep the neds happy and to encourage ST sales.
Same with the SPL2 nonsense.
The cheating ( old and new ) club have got away with so much already but surely there must come a time when the rest of the clubs say enough is enough .
BT
You were indeed
B B
Trialist whats that abt?
TBJ
tell me he wasnt really singing….
The link posted earlier to the Sevco chap bemoaning the fact he was not guaranteed his seat for life at the Bigotdome , having paid for it ,is pure quality.
That zombie mob still keep going back for more , even though its sting after sting.
How fick are they?
Loving it
HT-you are too kind it was a pleasure.You are always on the lookout for tickets to support the team home and away.I don’t think Hooper has the pace to play at top 4 EPL level.If guys play for us and do well,i like to see them doing well Stan,Aiden for example.Not really that interested who they sign for when they leave ,as long as we get a good return to re-invest.
Bramble Is A Total DISASTER…..
Gary Caldwell Must Hiv Been MAD….
Jist MAD…..
Tae Join Wigan….In The ForeKnowledge..
That He Wid Hiv Bumblin’ Bramble….
As Hiz Partner In Central Defense….
Compared Tae Him….Glenda Wiz WORLD CLASS….!!!!
Kevin Dunn..? N-O-O-O-O-O-O-O..!
James McClean..? N-O-O-O-O-O-O.!
Robbie Keane… ? N-O-O-O-O-O-O.!
Hitzlesberger…. ? N-O-O-O-O-O-O..!
Any Oirish Pub-Player..N-O-O-O-O..!
Right….?
Hmmm…..Tonev Looked Braw In Yon Youtube….
Even Allowing For It Only Bein’ Youtube
BlantyreTim
Not worthy, amigo. If only.
thomthethim @21.24
At last, someone deciphers MSM propaganda, and posts it.
Pre side letter, side letters.
blantyretim 21:23:
Did Captainmoonlight eventually arise from his nap?
Thanks again to the The Bhoy Jinky for getting us there and back safely. Oldtim tried his damnest to get us in for a night-cap. Wouldn’t have made the Final if we had.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
WeefratheTim
21:18 on
28 May, 2013
The only trialists in Scottish Football should be the sfa and the spl. They should be on trial in the Glasgow high court charged with Grand Corruption. Chancers the lot of them.
—————————
I laughed at that but the truth is, you are correct and the saddest thing is they would get off
Tbj.
Did you get a chance to read my post about Billy liar this morning… he flew down with his son on Friday to go to the champions league final… He was in his local on sat night. :-))
Ten Men Won The League
20:56 on
28 May, 2013
FGF
A ‘trialist’ can’t be one if he has signed a 2, 3 or 4 year deal two months previously.
——————————————————————————————-
RIFC will appoint an independent forensic accountant QC to declare they gained no sporting advantage and have been punished enough.
Hamiltontim
Sheep no way Jose, Horses where I live, aye it’s been full on since I got back, wee day oot in Basel the morra if the rain ever stops..
WhithappenedtaesummerCSC
ht – Hooper doesn’t come across as such when being interviewed, but I think he’s a really intelligent footballer. As is Kris Commons. I just don’t think they play with enough guys on the same wavelength!
The fact that our manager is so keen to retain Hooper tells me how highly he regards him. Everyone assumes he’s away this summer, it will be interesting if he agrees terms on a new deal.
At least one player will be sold this summer, as that is the business model, but it might not necessarily be GH.
T4
The new super star Sevco signed today said he had signed a 3 year contract, ergo he can not be a trialist right…then again maybi not.
Burghbhoy
As shechter in the neck of a bottle
Corkceltic. There was an article on news now celtic on Sunday sorry I dont remember who wrote it saying The Rangers would win the league they are playing in next season and get promoted to the SPL so your post might be right on the money fella. Any Celtic fan looking for justice or fairness is deluded in my opinion. This is the bigoted wee nation of Scotland move on timmy nothing to see here.H.H.
Sipsini
Roughly what time this morning did you post
Sounds like the one from yonks back when he left work at 4 pm … flew to bucharest… in work the next day at 8 am
tommytwiststommyturns 21:35:
Your spot on with your view that Lenny rates Hooper and wants him to stay. There is a good chance he will pen a new deal unless Spurs come calling.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
TBJ, Sipsini, does he have a Tardis?