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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TET
100% agree with you re Hoops. Class finisher (see Sunday’s 2) I cannot think of any better in the EPL.
Clever football brain. Hope he stays with us for years.
Hx2
Le Fondre,Charlie Austin,And James McCarthy….
When We First Considered Signing Them
Could All Hiv Been Bought For The Price We Paid For Bangura…..
And There Wid Still Be Enough Change…
Tae Treat All CQN-ers……
Tae A Legendary Buttermulk Dainty…
HT
Again, you really can’t say that, given the chance, he could be a revelation, who knows what could have been, or could be ???
Sleep well mi amigo
HH
Praecepta
Isn’t it funny how two people can view the same thing, and see them completely differently?
GH isn’t a speedster, but I think back on the second goal against Sevco in the 3-0 game (the assist from Izzy) …. his pace was electric. I think he would do phenomenally well in England…I think our play is too slow and stultified. Because teams usually just set out to defend, and we don’t attack with pace, he doesn’t get nearly as many chances as he would otherwise. I think in a team that plays at a higher tempo, he would be a revelation. MY fear is that, when he goes to England, he will score a barrow load, and only then will we really see the best of Gary Hooper.
But, just my opinion…
mcgrory1888
His goals on sunday were world class, seriously, he still had to dispatch them, and he did with aplom.
I thought his first was better than the second, no being a manager, I don’t have a clue it seems >}
When he missed the tap in for his hatrick, that made him human, but super Joe was on hand……….
Some well deserved recognition for Gary Hooper.
A striker?
He`s far more than that.
He`s a target man,a link man who regularly tracks back and ,as a bonus,he scored 30 goals last season.
Don`t take my opinion of his value to the team.Listen to Lenny.
Mike in Toronto
Agree 100%
he is stiffled in scotland, he needs to play at a higher level, and as you say, then GH will rise to the top.
HH
Gary’s goal against Spartak was world class
saint stivs
You disagree. Honestly, do you think Hoops should score more ?
TET
Not knocking 88’s strike rate or his potential ability to score in the EPL.
Using your apples and pears analogy applied to circa 16 teams play/ their set-up in the EPL – predominantly cagey/ not particularly attack-minded who look to beat those around them or below them.
Now outwith the top 4 – think a Hibs-type reliance on Griffiths (here) and ask yourself could Hooper do a similar stand-alone/ one-man job in the EPL?
having spouted all my support for Hoops he doenst make my top 7 for forwards i have seen, seen mind,
and he didnt play in teams with the great service of Thommo (over 20% of henriks goals)
or McStay,
7. Nicholas
6. Hartson
5. Sutton
4. Cadete
3. McAvennie
2. Lennox
1, Larsson
praecepta
A short answer
Yes
He is a natural striker imo, the scottish game is not suited to him, but he still bangs them in.
He is playing against a packed defence week in week out, given better player around him, better service, better protection from the referees, who knows.
It’s all what if’s…I want him to stay another year at least.
“emilio izaguirre, celtic love you more than you will know, ohhhh”
“emilio izaguirre, celtic love you more than you will know, ohhhh”
“emilio izaguirre, celtic love you more than you will know, ohhhh”
Mike in Toronto
See my reply to TET above – don’t think 88 is designed (stamina?) to do the role of a pacey 90 minutes striker that lives/ thrives playing on the shoulder of the last man.
Glad to see a bit more appreciation of James Forrest’s role on Sunday.
Sorry to read some of the character assassination of the boy, though.
G’night sportsfans.
ttt
Dormir bien mi amigo.
HH
BIG-CUP-WINNERS
00:17 on
29 May, 2013
saint stivs
You disagree. Honestly, do you think Hoops should score more ?
——————–
no, not really.
we enjoyed the 2nd greatest striker in out history in the last 19 years, and this skewed opinion on strikers ability.
scoring more than 30 in a season , more than once only happens with a Larsson , a McBride, a McGrory (10 times!) or a Quinn.
Hoops record is favorable.
if he stays he might have one of those 40-50 goal seasons.
but right now, i like what he does,
strikers can allways score more.
Mags mc gill chucked it on here?
praecepta
I think you are completly discounting the effect that the referees have on players like Hooper, in engerland, he will be afforded prtoection that is sadly lacking in scotland, he gets booted up and down the park game in game out, and yet we still expect him to perform at the highest level…..soreeee, it can’t be done.
If Hoops played in engerland, he would be a revaelation imo.
Just ask wee Malloney >}
offski this time
keep her lit
Saw Victor flatten Izzy after the cup presentation all good fun btw.
TET
Its all opinion. I’ve watched Celtic strikers for 60 years (subtract 10 when I was a boy for a more balanced view). :-)
IMO – any CFC striker worth his salt should be scoring 20+ goals per season (no matter the MIBS/ opposition) given our resources/ playing style.
p.s.
Saint Stivs post (pre your reply to me) – I could double his strikers on his list and Hooper would still not feature and that’s NOT to say he’s a bad player!
His Master`s voice.
Gary Hooper, scorer of two goals in the William Hill Scottish Cup final, tops that list. “He’s a master player, a master goalscorer,” he said of the 25-year-old, who attracted bids from Norwich City in January. Both Victor Wanyama and Fraser Forster will also have suitors but Lennon said of Hooper: “He would be one I would be desperate to keep.”
praecepta
Ehh, Hoops scored 29 goals this season….what is your point caller >}
Apparently, Spain is to suffer her worst summer for 200 years this summer, and going by what is happening presently, the predictions could be right.
So, no more over 50 deg this summer, only an average 40 deg for the summer months, that will do for me >}
Take care and god bless Timland.
HH
KTF
Night all. God bless Neil Lennon and his family. HaiL HaiL
TET
This is about opinion Amigo – a debate not an argument.
Any Celtic striker should be scoring 20+ goals minimum – Hooper has scored 31 and meets the criteria for a CFC No.9 (or 88).
IMO – it should be the rule – not an exception!
T.E.T.
That`s yer global warming for you.
Oooops.Climate change.
Praecepta
Given our resources … yes.
‘Given our playing style’ …. no. We fetishize possession, but given our superior fitness, players, and possession, we do not create nearly enough decent chances most games…. I think our playing style hampers our strikers more than it helps them.
And yes, I think GH could do a good 90 minute shift… but not the old fashioned battering ram striker type of shift…. and paired with a decent creative partner, I do believe he would be first pick in the England squad.
But, not trying to convert or convince you… was just enjoying the debate you were having with TET (a very wise man, I have to say!) and thought I would throw my two cents worth in…
TET
Has anyone told you that you are wise beyond your years (and not just because I happen to agree with you a lot)….
Mike in Toronto
TET and I chat off-blog regularly – would be a typical debate over a pint or bottle of vino between a couple of Tim mates. :-)
You make an excellent point about the limited scoring chances .v. the amount of possession/ dominance our playing style creates!
Pracepta
That is one of the disadvantages of living where I do… I have met a couple of the lads on here (you could live to 100 and never meet two nicer guys than Torontony and Teuchter ar la), but not many… I need to get back a bit more often and remedy that.
It has been apleasure chatting, but I know that its getting late for you, so I will say good night. Looking forward to chatting again.
Hail hail
To be cont’d…………
Bed for me – night all. H!H!
saint stivs tet well said re hoops & james f ,i think you both have a little knowledge of how football is suppossed to be played, glad neil as well
Injustice happens everywhere, every day, every hour, every minute and every second.
I’m going to pull out a quality little nugget from BOBBY’s Ipod, and I only introduced it to the Wee man at the Weekend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pey29CLID3I
Really shocked at the level of criticism for wee jamsie forrest. For me Forrest is a star, possesing qualties like no other in our squad. Hearing comments like he cant tackle and is a feartie. For Gods sake the kid is a winger not a centre half. Paul Scholes is the worst tackler i have seen and he was a central midfielder yet is one of Man Utds greatest players. A player is not in the team for what he cant do but for what he can. Forrest imo is a bigger talent than Mcgeady, more pace and a bigger goal threat.
I hope the lad doesnt read CQN. No allowance given for been injured for most of the season. Players need a run of games to reach top form and Jamesies season has been stop start.
People forget this lads just a kid who is still learning and developing but not many have achieved what he has at his age and is well ahead of schedule.
As a defender i would much rather play against a player who plays in front of you but Forrest makes you back off as you are scared he will kill you in behind.
The opposition even set up differently with Forrest in the team scared to hold to high a line and he has shown this season that he can finish and without injury is capable of between 15-20 goals a season.
Jamesie you will do for me.
Udinese is a tough place to go and play well.
James Forrest played very well, Udinese were flying at that time as well.
The wee man has had a hard time with injuries also.
Jamesie isnae a midfielder, he is a forward, he may be developed into a midfielder, I hope not. 4-3-3 or variants are taylor made for the young lad.
The wee guy is a star in the making IMO, even if he will be deficient in certain areas, not everyone is a Larsson.
I said a while ago that James Forrest would be the top man next season. If he stays clear of damaging injuries, IMO, he still will be. He will be even hungrier next season and I’ve seen enough courage the season before to realise he has what it takes.
Sid –
I too am shocked at some of the criticism aimed at James Forrest on CQN.
His biggest problem when it comes to a lot of people is that he is Scottish and not Irish.
You’ll never read such abuse being directed at Paddy McCourt.
Sad really.
Tom McLaughlin
03:28 on 29 May, 2013
Sid –
I too am shocked at some of the criticism aimed at James Forrest on CQN.
His biggest problem when it comes to a lot of people is that he is Scottish and not Irish.
You’ll never read such abuse being directed at Paddy McCourt.
———————————————————————————————–
I’m misunderstanding things here probably.
___________________________________________________+_+_+____++
http://www.celticfc.tv/freeview………………………………………
Mr Ferguson and Mr Moyes.
I just cannae get enough, that Ferguson Shirt will go for a few bob surely, especally as the older generation know a lot mair than the youngsters, I’ve always said that.
A tip to anyone starting an apprenticeship, ask to work with the oldest guy in the company.
Or if you don’t care, well good luck.