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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Incidentally I thought Scott Brown played the game like Pirlo on Sunday. Couple of misplaced passes in the second half but by that time he was done in. Stokes was good and this was evidenced by his assists and general play but Scott was world class.
Mind you, tying this back to the Forrest issue, I would have Scott Brown out on our right every time before Forrest.
In order for us to get better next year we still need a Centre half, a centre mid and a striker.
Pace required in the later 2.
“Right get the Apprentice on” said the Mrs. Fine, I’m off to YouTube and find the Lubo game at Ibrox, 0-3. Now I have been a great advocate of them serving their time in the lower divisions but, is there anything better than stuffin the Huns?
Viewfae – aye there is – not having to play them at all.
RobertTressell
22:19 on 28 May, 2013
Yip you’re right, but it’s good to remember the old days!
CRC
I agree with your analysis of GH’s performance on Sunday and my point has always been that he’s a big game player.
However, often his attitude is poor and his lack of application is frustrating as hell.
Still don’t think that he’s top 4 standard mate.
Howdy all!
Wee james Forrest best position is ( for me ) as impact sub on for last 15mjns -20mins to run at tired defenders and give us an outball at this period thought this worked well against spartak away this year in cl – hh
Sipsini / Doc
I would get rsi typing a small selection of billy liars stories.
Ffs… the English manager appealing for irish fans to behave.
Are you sevco international
Tiny Tim.
Pal..If Ye ur Referring tae .. Jamesie..
Then..
Let Me say This.
You are Wrang, Wrang, Wrang.
Jamesie,is a Brammer… ( in waiting’)
He has Bin Unfortunate, inasmuch ..His Progression tae Brammerhood..
Wiz .. Interrupted , through a succession o’ Injuries.
Wance he Gets over the Lingering effects of these.. said Injuries..
and gets back up tae “Speed”..
You and the Ither Jamesie.. Critics..
Wull soon Change your Minds concerning how much Value this wonderful wee Man diz add…tae the Celtic cause.
fur ..oan his Day..
He Sparkles like a Firecracker,
And kin change the run of Play.. with a darting ,daring and Exciting Run.
Kojo
Still.. Laughin.
Seen comments earlier about Colqhoun, not joining in the Huddle.
I was at school with him, never, repeat never Celtic class
Hail hail
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
TET-Nail on head.
the exiled tim
22:08 on 28 May, 2013
Nothing would surprise me anymore…their rotten to the core, the lot of them.
Caesar the cat had a nice surprise for me when i got home from work tonight… a bird without a head…Ach well, it’s the thought that counts :-))
TBJ
May you know who be with you. Ha. :))
Weefra HH
BT
Hope you are well on the progress path by now. :)
Weefra HH
viewfaethewindae, We stuffed them so bad they are floundering around like a fish out of water. I am waiting for them to be gutted by I suspect the SFA et al might throw them back in.
WeeFra
Why thank you sir I’ve just about recovered ;-)
Tiny tim
He got injured against hearts last year… pulling out of a tackle. If a defender touches him he pulls up appealing for a foul.
Not the attitude to become a real star … but hope he grows a set and proves me wrong
Gary Hooper is not only a great goal scorer but is one of the best link up players that we have had at Celtic Park for years.
He has a terrific football brain and would be a big asset to any team in the EPL. I hope that he stays with us for many years to come.
Whilst writing, I would love to see us signing George Boyd. I think we could really unearth a diamond for ourselves here. …………….just saying like.
Hx2
ht – blind spots? Good point….MON on keepers and WGS on Heid!!!
CRC – cheers, I’m good. Great pic of you & Deccy with the legend. I think the business plan is CL income AND selling one player every summer….and why not? Asset management is hugely important to our finances while we’re stuck in SPhell.
£120M for Crystal Palace, even if they go straight back down…? FFS!
T4
Big season for Forrest next year,a bit of a write off injury wise.Needs to add consistency and covering back when we lose the ball IMO.
Mullet and Co
You and I will wait until Hell freezes over
Forster
Lustig Mulgrew Wilson Matthews
Brown Wanyama Ledley Commons Samaras
Hooper
The above looks a very solid team to my amateurish eyes.
JJ
HT
Just as well, don’t want them pupils sharper than their teachers. Errr wait a minute……hehehe
Weefra HH
sipsini
Do you work at the Record ?
George Boyd signed for Hull today.
mcgrory1888
22:32 on
28 May, 2013
Boyd signed permanent deal with Hull today
Wee fra.
Hospital next Tuesday. Hope to get the go ahead to put weight on my leg then start rehab/physio
In Fairness,James Forrest Hiz Been Oan The Receivin’ End…..
Of Countless Disgraceful Assaults…..
An’ Not Possessin’ The ‘Rubber Bones’ Of Wee Jinky….
Hiz Been Really Made Tae Feel The Pain..
Its Not Just The Pain Of The Contact….
When He Is Brought Doon…..
But The Impact Of His Strurdy Frame…
When He Crashes To Earth…..
I Wince When Ah See Him Try Tae Cushion His Elbows…..
As He Falls To. Earth…..
Amazin’ He Hisnae Fractured His Arms…As Yet….
And Ah Think He Gets Less Protection Fae The MiBs In The SPL….
Than Jinky Got….Back In The Day….
More Dispiritingly…James Knows He Cannot Expect Any ‘Enforcer’…..
From The Current Crop Of Players….
To Put The ‘Frighteners’ Oan The Bad Boys In The Ither Team….
Like Auld ,Hay,Murdoch…& McNeil….
Did For Jinky…….
Back In The Dae….
An’ It Must Surely Play Oan Hiz Mind…..
As Well As The Risks He Runs…..
Of A Premature End….Tae His Fitba’ Career…..
Kojo
I heard Neil Lennon state exactly what you have stated.
Almost verbatim .
I hope both of yeez it right, and am wrang.
I have JF where Johan Murdoch has him.
Best as an impact sub ,when defenders are tired.
Jamesie is a what we call in Fife , a shitebag, when it comes to tackling.
Time will tell.
Yer pal.
TT
I worry about Forrest’s lack of courage also.
We should remember though that he’s a young guy whose had a terrible time with injuries, it could simply be a case of him trying to protect himself.
Hopefully next season his confidence will have fully returned and we’ll see the best of him.
McGrory 1888
Ye hiv jist pressed My… “Curiosity ” Button.
Who Is George Boyd? Whit is His Position?
And ..
WhO Diz he Play for?
Kojo
Still.. Laughin’
William Patrick Maley is buried in Cathcart cemetry in the southside h.h
TSD
Yer right.
Jamesie plays with the fear of getting hurt being at the forefront of his mind.
TT
TBJ
22.32
Me too.
TT
Mcgrory1888
The problem with Hooper is that his link up play is excellent but only when it suits him.
WeeFra
Too late ;-)
BCW
More masons on sipsinis work than the record
big-cup-winners
No, just another hun enclave mate.