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-did you actually believe 100% we were going to win when we got to Lisbon, ?Inter were formidable opponents with reknowned players.
Final words as I need to go.
It has been a great season for the club winning the double, i would have liked a treble but we will get that next season. Neil is a really clever coach and a man manager like big Jock so we have good times to come.
On the book – thanks for everyone for buying it and I hope you enjoy reading it. Will you all post your comments on the book on here for me to read?
Thanks to BRTH for his great contribution to the book and to Paul for letting me post on here this morning. Hopefully I can meet many of you guys at the book signings or at Greenock or the golf day.
It’s a grand old team to play for.
Ramie
Good to see you post ….
Hope your well
Please pass my regards to martin… tell him he is always in my prayers and a candle burns bright for him in st brides cambuslang.
HAIL HAIL KANO
HAIL HAIL KANO……
For any of those who were not around at the time,it must be hard to believe what a privilege it is to have this legend chatting with us punters today.
For me ,Willie`s finest moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgi6vZvfzJM
Back in again….
_____________
whitedoghunch
11:56 on 29 May, 2013
HAIL HAIL KANO
______________
Yeah – HAIL HAIL KANO
Now we’re talkin aboot REAL LEGEND’S – CSC
Off oot to drive Mr Wallace to the airport – CSC
laters…
Willie,
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer everyone’s questions!
Sadly, I never had the chance to see you play (apart from video) but my Auntie Sadie said you were pretty good!
Ramie.
Remind kano he is for ever in our thoughts and prayers. ..
Thanks to lisbon lion Willie Wallace for being online and taking questions.
Cheers willie h.h
HAIL HAIL KANO
.
Hail Hail Kano..
KTF
HAIL HAIL KANO
HAIl HAIL KANO!!!!!!
JMcG
BT
Dya want me to drop off the electric chair to you this evening
TBJ
Can i plug it in
HAIL HAIL KANO
TBJ
I’ll be out my bed later on today. Hopped downstairs this morning to answer door. Blinking agony now….
Soal
You bring the wet sponge. .
SOAL
Mrs BT has already made that request ;)
guys
I have read all your posts to KANO and they are very ,very much appreciated….just like old times
Just a wee thought if I may….An email to KANO , now and again,would hit the spot like you would not beleive and keep him active and invigorated responding to you….especially if you want to talk songs!!!
Just a thought….
Hail Hail
Ramie
BT
Hope it wisnae jehovahs witness at the door… guess you would be hopping mad :)
Ramie
Can you get kanos e mail address to me on here or facebook or e mail.
I have a fair few of the kane clan on my fb so if one of them can get it to me I will mail martin
Ramie.
Can you drop me a wee reminder of his email address. I sent an email but not sure it was received.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
11:59 on 29 May, 2013
For any of those who were not around at the time,it must be hard to believe what a privilege it is to have this legend chatting with us punters today.
For me ,Willie`s finest moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgi6vZvfzJM
_________________________________________________________________
Superlative is about right. ;)
Afternoon all
Been working and only broke for dinner a few mins ago. Loved the q & a session with the great Willie Wallace
It’s not often that Celtic completing a double in splendid fashion won’t be the highlight of a weekend but it wasn’t. Meeting the great man was.
H x 2
Jimbo
Maybe we should have tried to field Jorge Cadete as a trialist……
HAIL HAIL KANO
Thank you Willie Wallace. …. what a pleasure ti read… most impressive for me was your comments about wee Jamsie Bhoy and the encouragement he needs…. take note all you mine shafters!
HAIL HAIL KANO
Ramie
Forgive me but I don’t know Kano’s email address. Could you post it, please?
Lhads
I beleive Paul67 would be in a position to pass the info on to you upon request
Just dont want to broadcast these details via the blog for obvious reasons
ramie
A big hail hail to Kano and to Ramie too.
Kano, you must be very pleased about what Kingoh and Sannabhoy and the others have achieved in your name. It must make your heart burst with pride to know that weans from all over the place are getting into Celtic Park to see Celtic in the flesh, flying a big Kano banner that is now part of the furniture in the North Stand.
Change of subject.
Who will take responsibility for this shocking failure?
Who is going to fall on their sword?
Where does the buck stop?
Who is funding this race to the bottom,and why?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22701975
Played 6,points 2
& a Hail Hail to Kano.
The last ICT game at Celtic Park, I witnessed a girl getting wheelchaired in at half time, the smile on her face was monumental.
We are all so very lucky with what we have.
glasstwothirdsfull
12:15 on 29 May, 2013Maybe we should have tried to field Jorge Cadete as a trialist……
Quality..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY3omdNwGWA
petec
12:15 on
29 May, 2013
I was lucky enough to be there,mate.
That night was: “Hey, maybe we could do it.”
And we did.
Ramie
Email to you.
Hooppeddreams: You’ve hit the nail right on the head. That’s the fundamental difference between Celtic and the huns, honour.
RFC and now Sevco followers have none. There isn’t a dirty trick in the book that is beyond them.
Even in these days where everyone that isn’t a Sevconite knows that the stench of corruption emanating from Govan and Hampden is overwhelming, still the Sevconites don’t care, just so long as their precious club is saved.
To them, the only shame is being seen as being less than the fenians. After all, they are “the peepul”.
And that is what Sally meant by his proclamation at their embarrassing celebration of having won Div 3.
It doesn’t matter what dirty underhanded form of cheating they use, just so long as they get what they want.
No shame. No honour.
‘There is not a prouder man on God’s Earth than me at this moment. Winning was important, aye, but it was the way that we have won that has filled me with satisfaction. We did it by playing football. Pure, beautiful, inventive football. There was not a negative thought in our heads. Inter played right into our hands; it’s so sad to see such gifted players shackled by a system that restricts their freedom to think and to act. Our fans would never accept that sort of sterile approach. Our objective is always to try to win with style.’ ~ Jock Stein, shortly after winning the European Cup. 1967.