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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tommysbhoy
It was about 1:30 when I got there. Might go back down with my daughter later today when she gets home.
Good afternoon all.
Hope everyone has sobered up sufficiently. :))
Weefra HH
To all that layed flowers today on the graves of our first ever team.
Thank you.
jim spence tweeting that championship club in for russell and utd need to think about long term future of club so he will be sold.
HH
I wonder if Liverpool would be a big enough club to satisfy Fraser Forsters premiership ambitions. I imagine if Reina ends up at Barcelona,as rumoured, Forster would bevery high up their shopping list.
mickbhoy1888
Do they not already have a deal agreed for Begovic of Stoke? 10 Million I heard.
Stoke have the over-rated Jack Butland waiting in the wings.
If FF has itchy feet, should we not snap up Shay Given, He is 37 but he has had outstanding career . He is now a free agent and the fact he hails from Donegal and is a strong Hoops fan is an added bonus.
Cavansman
I don’t know but I imagine that any club in the premiership parting company with a goalkeeper will no doubt be interested in signing Forster. Just depends on how high Fraser has set his sights as to what club he eventually signs for in order to satisfy those ambitions
Lying about with manflu
So I clicked on BRTH on his desert island.
Some of you might remember Wlnnings Captains comment a wee while ago about not being able to get a word in whilst in his company.
Well after listening to his Desert Island Discs show I can understand completely.
Judges must have loved you in their courtrooms.
Nice to hear you
To hear you.
Nice
OHITS
If you are lurking, you have mail.
Another Griffin tweet. Says a lot about your klan when you need to ask them not to turn up at a march full of beer….
Nick Griffin MEP @nickgriffinmep 1m Route for march on Sat 1st now with police. It’s 6 miles so don’t come full of beer! In fact, leave ALL the undisciplined nonsense at home.
Good afternoon CQN,
any Jonathan Wilson fans?:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/apr/13/the-question-why-is-offside-law-genius
AShortHistoryOfOffsidingCSC
TCC – “Hafnarfjardar Isl 4.083”
Is that short for Islam?!
We should be told….
T4
Henriks Sombrero,
they are going to need a bigger ‘home’.
Stumbled on an EDL march in Liverpool St 2 or 3 years ago – almost needless to say, but the ‘lead’ group did contain a guy wearing an oldco red, white and blue away top.
HH.
Man, I just got into a discussion on FB with a mate and former colleague, an intelligent guy too
He has just posted to say he would love to see Celtic AND rangers in the EPL
Sad, I had to explain liquidation, cheating, lying and of course the Tribute Act
Deary Dear
What date is the draw for the qualifiers ?
I hope within a week or 2 at max anyone who doesnt want to be at parkhead decides by then so we can get team sorted asap for next year.
Have a feeling big vic might stick around . Really hope so
Habcelt
Yes I did thankyou– I had the considerable pleasure of an afternoon with St Stivs.
Sorry I did not realise that my mailbox was full and had no idea how to call you back, I did send an e-mail on Sunday morning saying I had discovered the problem and had now sorted it, but by that time you may well have been off to the game.
However, a sincere thankyou for considering me and trying to help– you are a gentleman.
If I can ever return the favour please shout.
Thanks again and HH
BRTh
Help for Heroes Charity to refuse any donations from EDL.
Sir Paul
Fraser Forster is Too Good no tae Attract …. Covetous Suitors.
Anybuddy, wi’ half a brain kin see that!… which is Why..as some folk may Aver…
Ah eminently Qualify!
Wull Be surprised if thur ur no a few enquiries fur his Services, when the Big windae
o’ opportunity is opened.
Ah see that Neil has an appointment wi ‘ his Holiness… Demetrius, the AllPowerful.
Neil, Beggin’ Bowl in Haun, wull find that Money is Still as Tight as Ma Pants ,usually ur.. after .. a Visit tae Ma Auntie Matt.. Every Christmas!
Here is whit collie hiz tae Say…o’ Whit Neil.. Probably, wull Plead..
“Any Ole Bozomans.. Any Ole Bozomans.
Any , Any , ole Bozomans?
Auld Yins, Young Yins.. Guys oan the Broo,
Ah am No Proud.. Ah wull Tak some of Them Too!
We need .. Wan Center Hauf.. and a Whole Wan , tae Boot,
and A Winger, who runs,like a Linnet kin Scoot!”
Good Luck Neil.
You’ll Need it!
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Clink
I can assure you he edited it down lol— you can hear parts where he just takes wee bits off my speaking pattern to get it all in— was going to be two shows lol
Also what you don’t know is that Dermo67 had to sit there in silence while I got tore into him ha ha.
HH
Spiers getting harangued by DC Gow on twitter to acknowledge newco is oldco.
Graham Spiers @GrahamSpiers 2m @JohnDCGow I try to avoid ‘new club’ – hurtful for guys like you. But ‘refounded’, a bit like Fiorentina, also dissolved. History adopted.
Martinez cleared to talk with everton
Poty G S
Ypoty V W
HH
See this guy in the pink tie….well i dont get it, meaning whats the fuss about , he looks as if hees just giving a clenched fist and a big yessssssssssss…is their 2 pics of the guy….or is it my eyes………….can somebody plees put up the pic again…as its bugging me..
Quantum
Eto Gyor HUN?
Yer kiddin, ye slipped that in fer a laff?
Oh what fun in Timberspace from that one if we drew them.
Jude
I was asking the guys in Tangos about the walk.
I thought from your posts that they were actually leaving from the street outside St.Mary’s Church.
They said that they were only being allowed to use the car park but the walk was kicking off from School St.
Surely to goodness the police will be there in numbers outside the Church and the Parish house when those scumbags will be hanging around.
I’m sure their cars will be safe enough in the car park when they go for their wander around our streets!
~SPF~
KevJungle – Murdo’s 4-2 winner = the BEST since Lisbon
11:38 on 28 May, 2013
Dear, dear, dear….
Back in again…
_______________
TinyTim
10:58 on 28 May, 2013
__________________
Is a lapsed Catholic – still a Catholic ?
Dom Bosco – CSC
*Absolutely, you cannae unbaptise yourself.
RCIA CSC
Not looking to start a debate or an arguement…
But, Sorry to disagree, but I renounced Roman Catholicism a long time ago
The last thing I consider myself to be is Roman Catholic
I had no choice in being baptised when I was 6 weeks old or whatever it was, sounds like being shanghai’d to me
I am a baptised Christian through my choice, I consider myself to be a Christian
tommysbhoy
13:50 on 28 May, 2013
Flowers laid at the grave of Neil McCallum in Bonhill church..first goal scorer of the first Celtic X1..a special thanks to rev.Millar,if it wasn’t for him he may never would have been found h.h
*our first captain and 2nd goal scorer that day was a Back Street apprentice joiner.
John Glass allegedly camped on his doorstep for his signature, as Brother Walfrid allegedly said “Nae Kelly, Nae Keltic”.
corkcelt 13:57 on 28 May, 2013
Just thought I’d share a small little family story thats of no consequence to anyone but me. I have an 8 yr old grand-daughter who like lots of kids loves to make her own cards for birthdays Christmas etc. Just before kick off on Sunday she presented me with a “Good Luck Celtic” card. It featured a drawing of a “footballer” in a Hooped jersey. A little Green & White bow glued on to the front and a message saying Good Luck Celtic, Win the Cup for my Grandad. Must say I was choked, clever little girl has guaranteed herself treats for a month……………………….
You lucky, lucky, mhan but well deserved I’m sure……… Lovely story pal. Good luck to you and all of your grandchildren………….
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Mate of mine used to to live opposit a hun pub….said saturday nights were brilliant when they all got dressed up in them outfits….the kind the circus lion tamers wear…they used to all get drunk and start battling with each other…i used to love seeing them getting their erses kicked headfirst into the polis motors…he never had a tv well not on a saturday night….gteat tim
ElDiegoBhoy
14:18 on 28 May, 2013
tommysbhoy
It was about 1:30 when I got there. Might go back down with my daughter later today when she gets home.
*That’s on my bucket list next time I’m hame, my great grandfather also buried out of St Mary’s North Street is also interred there.
Talking about going hame, my ouldest grand daughter is flying intae Glasgow on Sunday morning, staying up Bellsmyre with her uncle, well her mammy’s uncle, ben merr times there in recent years than I have.
RRC
Point of Order..
Pal..
Ye UR ..lookin fur a Debate!!!
Never underestimate the Ability o’ Yer Readers
tae.. Notice when a Guantlet is thrown Intae the Ring o’ this Forum
Kojo
Still.. Laughin’
Just wanted to say thanks to weefrathe Tim and his Good Lady.
was up at the weekend and he gave me a selection of eggs, also had
one of the wee ones with me and she loved seeing the chickens and other
birds, I now have to take the rest of the clan when I go back
The eggs were superb so thanks again
brnobhoy
Haste ye back TT.
topkat
15:55 on
28 May, 2013
Mate of mine used to to live opposit a hun pub….said saturday nights were brilliant when they all got dressed up in them outfits….the kind the circus lion tamers wear…they used to all get drunk and start battling with each other…i used to love seeing them getting their erses kicked headfirst into the polis motors…he never had a tv well not on a saturday night….gteat tim
BRILLIANT
Kojo
I am not looking for a debate, if one comes my way I am strong enough in my faith to handle it, thanks
just making a simple statement of fact about myself and what I believe, not trying to convert anyone
I dont think they will alter their setting out route..re school st whifflet @ st marys rc church…. intervention will be needed from police etc etc…they have this thing about rc churches….couple of years ago they made a nuisance of themselves outside st pats rc church….terrible what decent people have to put up with…cleaning up their shit