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.
1,017 Comments- Pages:
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WeefratheTim
Great minds, eh?
Hopefully you are not the only one whose chickens are coming home to roost this summer!
The fact that thems are allowed to sign anyone at this time just shows that they have not been punished.
SFA/SPL and SFL are all complicit in the cheating..
TBJ
hope all this football talk never interrupted your enjoyment of JLo showing her assets on britains got nae talent?
Tbj.
I went back to work today and heard the fantasist was at his old tricks.
He told a couple of new starts and word spread.
Doc.
His stories are great…the zombies in work are mortified with him :-))
In my opinion Hooper is most intelligent football player we have with only Commons coming close I agree that he lacks yard of pace to play top 4 epl but i think it would be very hard to replace his alround team game and still have goals at his ratio
Also have to repeat my opinion of 9 months ago that Forrest is another Mark Burchill without his heart Imho Forrest is a coward with no heart as per Sunday when he wouldnt even compete for 60/40 balls Skill and pace mean nothing if you havent got the heart
spongebob
It is really so frustrating playing in a league where the top authorities are hell bent on blocking you progression. Hate the friggin lot of them.
billy bhoy
Great minds indeed. At least I can control the chickens, who is controlling our authorities? P@@@@s me off. Anyhoos, we carry on and win everything and shove it up their a@@@s. Whats not to like. Haha
Weefra HH
I think the 2nd & 3rd Division sides are presently having a meeting in Stirling Albions Ground, so there might be some news shortly. Montrose Chairman expects a change of heart and that the required number of Clubs will back 42 team solution. I would welcome Longmuir being sidelined, he is an out and out Hun.
It would prob. help if the SFA OR SPL explained exactly what the rules are, but then again it could all be in the hidden 5 way agreement, and that means they prob. gonny make em up as they go along, back to square one AGAIN, no chance of moving on . feekin joke.
che
21:47 on 28 May, 2013
Jlo…phew!!
TTTT
I agree that Hooper is an intelligent footballer and he has the finishing skills to match.
However, I just don’t think he’s good enough for top 4 in the EPL. Yes NL rates him highly but personally I think Neil’s faith in him has been a blind spot on occasion.
Doc
A real hun moron… hes been spinning lies for 30 years in sipsinis work
Sipsini, TBJ, a teller of Tall Tales then.
TBJ
How are you this very mild evening. I hope the ole alcohol did not do too much damage on your ever so sharp brain since Sunday. :)))
Weefra Hh
Quite diverse opinions about Gary Hooper on here tonight.
As for a top 4 standard, who really knows, but imo, he is as good a striker that england have presently.
And not to omit HT from that last greeting. :)))
Weefra HH
shimmies33 21:51:
I agree with your view on JF, that’s why you and me are not the Manager. James was poor on Sunday but our Manager sees something in him, personally I don’t get it. Who knows one day he may prove us both wrong, I hope so.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
T4
Hope you are well?
I believe the business model is either a sale of a player or success in CL? Not sure what level of STs are required and the impact of the price reduction this season on all this!
Time and numbers will tell.
HH
CRC
LennyBhoy, Shimmies33, I thought James had a poor game until I watched it again, he played a more disciplined game than usual, right side of a midfield three rather than a four, or up front in the wide role. He did the job asked of him well, not great, but effective.
Think Hooper could score goals in any team. He has improved his game since coming to Celtic, and does an incredible amount of link up play. On Sat he scored 2 great goals, taking his chances well and should have had a hat-trick
HH
CRC
Music post
Any Wilko Johnson/Feelgoods fans
might be interested in a couple of radio shows on BBC iplayer
about “Down By The Jetty” guitar playing ,mortality etc
A Side
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01sm7hv/Mastertapes_Series_2_Wilko_Johnson_(the_Aside)/
B Side
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01sm710/Mastertapes_Series_2_Wilko_Johnson_(the_Bside)/
Doc 22.04
Agreed,I think criticism of wee James for last Sunday was well overdone.
Shimmies33
I couldn’t agree more.
Neil Lennon rates Forrest as our best prospect.
He has stated that he will be the BEST of our current crop of players.
I just don’t get it.
In my forty years of watching Celtic I don’t recall a 1st team player who avoids tackling as much as he does.
The level of cowardice he shows is mind boggling.
He has other attributes , but we are playing a man short , when he positions himself between players , so that he can’t tackle either.
He was the one major disappointment on Sunday.
He is young , but courage isn’t gained with age.
He is just a wee feardie.
TT
https://twitter.com/lawtop20/status/339473583099232257
shimmies33, I can maybe see where you are coming from on James Forrest based on one or two challenges on Sunday but I don’t think these incidents mean he should be compared with Mark Burchill.
Burchills failure was his inability to trap the ball. He did rely on his pace too much and so much so that his only asset was speed. James has a turn of pace but he also has a good first touch. I would say he lacks a little in positioning sense but not in the grand scheme of things heart. James needs to look at Kris Commons to learn how you can play without the need to tear your hamstring at every opportunity.
Che
Latino thunder thighs… plays at centre half with marc crosas
Doc
Not tall… big fat baldy red faced screaming hun banshee fables
Wee fra
Not had a beer all weekend.. despite the cqn night .. the cup final. . And a wedding at loch lomond.
I think its the islam thing making me teetotal
blantyretim
21:47 on 28 May, 2013
The fact that thems are allowed to sign anyone at this time just shows that they have not been punished.
SFA/SPL and SFL are all complicit in the cheating..
===============================================
It’s a funny thing when a transfer embargo for a year means you can sign players at the beginning and end of that year and if you need someone in the transfer window and they are a free agent then, sure why not sign them too?
It’s like being banned from buying alcohol between midnight and 9am but being allowed to buy a Carry Out at 11.55pm
To be honest I am very surprised that they are still using the same scouting system/ business model – get some of the dross from the SPL and pay them inflated wages to beat lower division teams. But more power to them – the insolvency will only come quicker as a result.
There are slow learners and then there are no learners. Doomed I tell ye, they’re all doomed…….
TinyTim, can’t really argue with your point about wee Jamsies bravery, he needs to work on it.
I noticed it on Sunday at the game, that influenced what I thought about his performance, but watching it back I noticed what he did well, and there was a lot.
Hooper would do ok in the EPL but would be better served with us if he wants medals and a career to remember. Go and see John Hartson Gary.
Re Forrest I didnt criticise his performance on Sunday I can only judge what i have seen since he came into team not one game He has no heart Look at jinky or even Mcgeady they would take kicks and keep coming for the ball I dont see any bravery in Forrest I dont see a willingness to overcome the kickers and his stopping everytime someone gets near him is telling Listen I hope i am wrong but the evidence i see makes me very doubtful he will ever fulfill whatever potential he has
TinyTim 22:07:
Disagree with your use of cowardice, I may not rate him but to describe the Bhoy as a coward, it’s not right. He needs to believe in himself more, then he might start to prove the doubters, including myself wrong. I will support him, encourage and cheer him on like I do all Celtic Players.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
See this ‘5-Way’ agreement, call me old fashioned but I just think it’s wrong that Craig Whyte, Charles Green, Neil Doncaster, Stewart Regan and Campbell Ogilve are going to do that with each other and I really don’t see how it’s gonna save Sevco. That has to be the ugliest 5 way ever.
Filthy beasts the lotta thum!
Doc.
When I have the pleasure of being in your company again, I’ll run some by you…tbj probably knows a lot more of his lies.
Regarding the huns…mc murdo is saying the board is split in two and expects an invite from the spl to go into the spl2 if green doesn’t come back…thems on hunmedia are not too happy with him.
Long may thems troubles entertain us ;-))
“Mrs. Peel.. You Are Needed.”
That says it awe..
So diz..
“Victor, Ye kin go. You Are No Needed.”
So diz..
“Efe, Ye kin go. You Are No Needed.”
So Diz
“Paddy, Ye kin go. You .. WUR NEVAH NEEDED.”
As Diz..
“Kayal, Ye Kin Go. You wur Nevah Needed,eethur.”
As Diz..
“Murphy, Are You No Away yet?.. and don’t furget tae tak that ither guy, who Ah
canny remember whit his name wiz,wi’ ye.”
Ah..Noo Ah feel Much Bettah.
Kojo.
Still Laughin’
And another thing when does a 5 Way technically become a Roman style Orgy?
Sipsini, I’ll look forward to it.
I get the feeling that a 40K or more a week appeals to many footballers today, rather than winning medals in a micky mouse league that is scotland.
HH
on the day we commemorate the founding Celtic players by reverently visiting their graves, (how ironic that a new club-sevco 5088,borne,from a grubby old club is still tarnishing Scottish football. )
I visited Willie Maley s grave tonight. I d love him to know Celtic are still the honourable club he helped develop. His legacy carries on..
YNWA
CELTIC FC 1888
Arranmore – where is Maley buried?