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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Willie Wallace
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Great Sir – What was it like to play in front of the Jungle ?
Hail Hail
.
I actually had Mark Viduka as my guest at a Collingwood match just before he went back to Parkhead. It was all quite interesting because I rang my cousin in Scotland who is a mad Celt and asked him if he wanted a word with the V-Bomber. The first thing he asked him wasn’t, ‘how are things going etc etc’… but instead… ‘What the hell are you doing over there your supposed to be back here training.”
..
Oh Dear..
Marco turned up at The Melbourne No1 Christmas party when he Ran away from Celtic..Then went to a Aussie Rules game instead of getting the first Flight Home..
We All know the End of this Story..
Eddie is like a few Second Generation Aussie’Celtic’ Supporters l know and have met..See Scott McDonald..
btw his Family are from Paisley Not Glasgow..
Summa
Willie Wallace,
Welcome home.
I asked the old fella to ask you a question.
He asks yer fine self, who you think is the best Celtic player you played alongside?
Willie, Of all your celtic goals which was your favourite and why?
I see the MSM saying that Hull City are preparing a 4 Million bid for Hooper if it is true they should be told to get talks underway double your offer.I think going from a Champions league side to a side who will struggle in the premier league is all about money for the player financial ambition not sporting ambition. H.H.
I have also sent an e-mail to Mr Bryson askin to explain the rule on a signed player being a trialist, it went through, so I await with baited breath for his reply, might be tomorrow as thems have a wee meeting today and he may be a little tied up, I am only assuming mind you.
borgo67
10:19 on 29 May, 2013
Sorry didn’t mean to get in the way of Willie Wallace
_________________________________________
Yeah – Me too !!!
I’ve still got a big riddy :)
HH
Paul – any of the current team because they’d be playing with a right good team. Could the current team handle the heavy parks and the tackling. But probably Charlie as he lives and comes close enough to the radius of the Glasgow.
Mr Wallace, thank you for giving up your time to indulge us fans today. Thank you for your goals to get us to Lisbon, thank you for giving us the greatest day of our lives, along with the other Lions. Still say you were the best £30,000 Mr Stein ever spent in the modern day you would be worth millions.
Who was the greatest player you played against.
Did I say thank you.
HH
Willie,
We feel that the Media (and refs) is very much in favour of the Ibrox Club. Did / do the players believe that too?
JJ
JJ – under the “View” tab (top left) make sure that “Navigation Pane” has a tick against it in the drop down menu.
bognor – bottler! :-)
WW – a real honour to have a living legend on the blog.
Hail Hail
T4
Willie Wallace
Hail! Hail!
Glad you are enjoying the bookshop ‘whistle-stop’ tour. :-)
Q? Leeds Utd were a hard (dirty?) side 1970 EC Semis (I should know played against Eddie Gray as a boy). Did Bertie take retribution (off the ball) on Alan Clarke for a stamp on Big Billy – I seem to recall there were a few; fists, elbows, kicks flying around that night at Hampden.
Brilliant time watching you guys (especially European games) during that period!
Hello Willie,
I dont know when you were last back in Glasgow, but how does it feel when you catch a glimpse of Paradise again ?
Are you impressed by the changes in the environment and landscaping around the stadium ?
Willie Wallace
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Great Sir – How did you rate Hibs Jim Herriot as a GK ?
Hail Hail
The referees always gave them a helping hand when required. Media – I tended to stay away . I didn’t like to be up the front so I liked to be in the middle – so nobody ever gave me a hear time.
I had my fair share of bookings – I got sent off at Parkhead I went to hit Davie Wilson when he was playing for Dundee United. I got put to right back and said something. I throw the punch but stopped so never hit him but he went down as if i did.
Willie –
Would you have liked to be playing in this era, rather than when you did?
H x 2
Ulryc
Davie Wilson – king of the divers.
I was at the ground yesterday for an interview with Celtic TV – stadium is fantastic – it is ideal now. I’ d like to see the second level on the main stand. The new training ground is also very good.
Just received this from Sandy Bryson:
” A trialist is a player who is not registered. Regards.”
JJ
Willie,
I was working overtime at a new school in Bearsden when you signed.
I was on my knees, fitting skirting when it was announced on the radio. A prayer answered.
There was a rumour, which persisted during that summer, that you were signing, so it wasn’t such a shock for me.
Was the rumour founded?
On Stevie. My dad used to say that when Stevie’s legs slowed down to the speed of his brain, he would be an even greater player.
Enjoy the rest of your stay and thanks for the memories.
Willie
Thank you for this:
“The referees always gave them a helping hand when required.”
As direct as you were when you had a sight of goal!
JJ
I don’t remember that. It possibly could have happened but that isn’t a story I hear from the other guys. it wouldn’t be like Bertie to do that!
Willie Wallace
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Great Sir – What was it like to play in front of the Jungle ?
Hail Hail
Happy with my era – has the current lot won the European Cup. Look at Henrik he won his European medal in Barcelona. I thought that Celtic team had the best chance to win the European Cup since my time
TTTT
Navigation Pane does not show on View.
JJ
Hi Willie,
Bought the book via CQN and looking forward to reading it.
We played Rangers home & away in the old League Cup section in ’68, beat them twice and you scored ALL the goals, 2-0 away and 1-0 home.
Who was marking you?
Hail Hail
tully
When an opposition player stepped out of line I remember our fans saying that Bertie would sort him out.
HH Willie
Perhaps it is a difficult question but post Lisbon Lions squad what Celtic players have impressed you the most and who would you have liked an opportunity to play beside?
Willie-hope you are well,when did you see Big Jock at his angriest?
Willie… do you believe that the game was more a mans game back in the 60’s/70’s than it is now. In other words, do you think that many from the modern game would have hacked it in The Battle of Montevideo.
best goal – against Kilmarnock when i scored the four. The last goal that night. It started in our own half I virtually went from the half way line beat a few players, then flicked it over another player’s head then checked and put it into the opposite corner from where the keeper was expecting it – he never even moved.
best Celtic player – got to be JJ without a doubt but in saying that the squad would all match up but Jimmy was number 1. Bobby Murdoch was fantastic.
Willie – what do you remember about your Dukla goals?
My Dad’s 10:20 is a real toughie. I put him on the spot and he asked that.
That is why I don’t get him to do CRC’s quiz. :P
I once heard that Jimmy Johnstone was the fastest Of the Lions over the first ten yards. Was that true Willie??
Rather than the talk about us bringing in – Johnny Russell – If GH goes….why can’t we bring in JR to play along side GH – and get rid of – Lassad – Miku – Mo – or better still
get rid of whoever wasted all the Cellic fans money on this dross !!!
2 steps forward – 3 steps back – CSC
Big Jock angriest – its in the book. Just before I left for Palace after he spoke to my wife Olive. the story is in the book and I discovered more about this myself when Jim (BRTH) wrote his part of the book.
I have also sent an email to our good friend Sandy but I wont hold my breath waiting for a reply.
Welcome home Willie Wallace top player, top man and legendary Lisbon Lion.
Hx2
Bobby Lennox could give a hare a start – he was the fastest. Jinky fast over a few yards but it was all about ball control – you couldn’t get if off him. He could also ride a tackle better than anyone else. Jock would tell me to just stand anywhere in the box and wait because Jinky would find me. He nearly always did.