Occasionally an innocuous comment left here can stay with you for years. The day following the 2005 defeat in Bratislava someone wrote, “I suspect we’ll find an injury in Nakamura’s fitness test”. The player was scheduled to sign imminently, but with Champions League income looking unlikely, doubts emerged that Celtic would pay the money.
Soon others expressed doubts that Shunsuke would want to come, but within 48 hours of that defeat, he was sitting in front of the media at Celtic Park. I was there, among a gaggle of Japanese and Scottish journos, when one of the locals asked why the prospect of being without European football didn’t put him off.
Shunsuke handled the question perfectly, “I am not here for six games of football, I have signed for Celtic and hope to play here for many years.” Rumour has it that not everyone in the dressing room back then was equally as enthusiastic about life in Glasgow.
I’ve heard lots about Wakaso Mubarak in recent weeks, he appears to be a genuine talent, as well as being spirited. What is most appealing about him is that he wants to be here. This deal would not have happened if the player was not absolutely committed to coming to the club, and making his stay a success.
Back in August 2005 we didn’t know what we were getting with Naka, and I’m not going to burden Wakaso with a comparison to a player who turned out to be a transformational legend, but we need players with big personalities who can walk into the dressing room with the determination to be there, just as Naka did.
Welcome to Celtic, Wakaso. Be yourself and you’ll love Glasgow; Glasgow will love you too.
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weeminger
glad to see you would have backed a spend- me too!
and i would have spent it on one or two first team players instead of 8 squad fillers
While i agree that signing better(higher priced?) players does not guarantee CL qualification, surely a policy of only signing ONLY first teamers and not squad fillers would gradually increase the first team quality and thereby increase our chances of CL qualification, which in turn increase of ability to sign better players, which in turn increases our ability qualify for the CL and so on
Our current policy is probably the exact opposite. Sign 8 prospects. Maybe hit gold with 2 of them, sell them and repeat again. I struggle to see how that is a long term strategy to improve the quality of the side.
I also metioned a few suggestions to improve the match day experience. i dont know if we will EVER lure back the lost souls of the past decade, but we need to put bums on seats. Who in their right mind would currently
Pay 28 quid as a walk up fan
to watch us v st mirren
In a morgue atmosphere
during winter
on a sunday at 12 noon
while its live on TV
and be treated like a hooligan by eejit stewards
and see a Celtic side without a single star player
Not me anyway.
Thehoopedduke
Im hurt ok….cant stand to see us humped by legia and maribor.
We should be better than that.
I dont expect us to be world beaters
But I do expect us to be Celtic.
HH
Callum McGregor pens new 5 year deal
There has been some talk here about when precisely did Celtic’s present decline begin.
It began in September 2004 when, post Seville, a point at which Celtic should have been showing further ambition, Peter Lawell was appointed with a mandate to slash and burn.
This would have been what prompted Martin O’Neill’s slow lane comment.
It was also possibly the point at which DD realised that he was pissing in the wind pursueing Celtic entering the EPL.
Under the conditions he inherited, WGS did pretty well.
For the EL draw – give us Lille and Lokeren so that I can jump on the Eurostar to go see the games. It’s quicker than getting back to Glasgow for a match!
Oh and Everton would be quite handy too.
SelfishCSC (big fans on oysters and scallops)
The Green Man
10:44 on
29 August, 2014
Turkeybhoy
If sevco do go bust….I will be the first to say…you were right.
But they will be here cheating us…next season
HH
Yes,but they will be doing it in the bottom div again,as once again a new entity.Sadly,we cant stop someone buying them.But I am sure if it ever did happen,the new entity wont be playing out of “The Big Hoose”.Their pain will be tangible.
Any CQN bhoys (or ghirls) fancy a few beers this evening in Glasgow myself and a cpl of others will be in the Blane Valley from around 4(ish) if anyone fancies a beer and moan about Celtic etc please feel free to join us ;-)
HH
marrakesh
I echo those observations.
There are lots of fans who are not normally critical of PL or the club strategy who feel that a rainy day has arrived, and that the transfer mistakes of last season have to be addressed.
However, will the signings of Mubarak and Scepovic, on top of Gordon, Berget (confirmed), Denayer (not a real signing) and Tonev (sent back??) be enough to appease fans just now or will they be saying that we need more than that.
I think the reaction to the so-called “signing” attempt of Insua tells us it wont.
SydneyTim,
aye cheers for that heartwarming recommendation mate :-)
To be fair it cannot be any worse than some of the places i have been to (or indeed eaten in) in Indonesia……..I hope!
How’s you anyway – apart from the obvious that is ;-)
And how is the wee yin, or not so wee yin now? Started school I take it? My 2 started the other week. Cant believe it.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
ernie lynch
10:36 on
29 August, 2014
Peter Lawwell aint bothered with what any of us think.
Peter Lawwell/ernie lynch. On this one aspect, any difference?
JJ
No matter what draw we get today, I’ll do my utmost to get over for a couple of Thursday night games. Yeah, the CL is the place to be but looking at some of the groups yesterday, you could easily get a tougher group in the Europa. Some good wins in the Europa coupled with the team settling and improving and we’ve got a lot to look forward to both this year and next.
mildouwolf
“That’s fine but please keep them to yourself, but I specifically remember you flying the Pukki flag”
No, you don’t.
On that I hope we can agree.
I agree that we agree now, so well done on the turn around :-)
A little help here, please:
a) Seville was one of the truly great Celtic supporting experiences;
b) The Europa League is singularly uninspiring.
JJ
LiviBhoy
10:54 on
29 August, 2014
Sevco should be banned from signing players instantly.
They have been cheating since their inception spending money they don’t have.
Hibernian might just grow a pair and pull them on it.
They are abiding by the rules whilst Hearts and Sevco have bent and cheated financially and may cost Hibs again.
LB
More than Hibs, some of them close to home should be growing a pair.
But it ain’t going to happen.
PL and DD would have joint heart attacks if there was any chance of THEM not getting back next season.
Some of us may despise the very notion of it, but THE OLD FIRM mentality is very much alive and well in the Boardroom of Celtic PLC.
That was for SFTB
JJ
You are a clever man. Aren’t you? Just checking because I’m sure you can marry how a) relates to b).
That said I do understand how difficult it is to happy clap in these circumstances to i’ll let you off. This time.
MWD says AYE
Hutchybhoy
Yes! Where are the horse racing tips?
Thats the only reason i logged on today!
B-)
embramike
The good news just keeps on coming!
https://twitter.com/JackOFriel/status/505295757889798144
Whens big nero…sorry, peter’s hun media interview?
HH
Token tim. Twins started school , seperate class? Wow time flys in
My wee one starts in feb
Lol Indonesia. Was there last year in a place called boga for work Very apt , I could not leave the bog , awefull place
Cant believe some Celtic fans are kind of sneering at the Europa.Between the two tournaments,the Europa is the one with any sense of fair play.The CL is a travesty of what it should be.A bauble for the ridiculously indebted teams to play for.Hundreds of million in debt,and kept alive by TV money to the detriment of the rest.
The shame lies with UEFA.They are the ones who have downgraded this tournament,not in terms of competing teams,but by lack of prize money,playing games on a Thursday.
The Europa is our level.Watch and see how Maribor do in the CL.This is no fault of anyone else except UEFA.
Anyway,what difference will it really make to us.We have Qualified the last twice,and we are no further forward.Two steps back.It should probably be better for us as the chances of a right hiding will be reduced.
Big Wavy,
Apologies for my post yesterday.
setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox but saying no to CQN racists
11:01 on 29 August, 2014
marrakesh
I echo those observations.
There are lots of fans who are not normally critical of PL or the club strategy who feel that a rainy day has arrived, and that the transfer mistakes of last season have to be addressed.
However, will the signings of Mubarak and Scepovic, on top of Gordon, Berget (confirmed), Denayer (not a real signing) and Tonev (sent back??) be enough to appease fans just now or will they be saying that we need more than that.
I think the reaction to the so-called “signing” attempt of Insua tells us it wont.
————————————————————————-
One of the main reasons it won’t appease anyone is that the problem is much bigger than just the signing policy. There is a massive disconnect between the club and the fans and the club are the only entity that can heal this. They appear not to want to engage beyond sending out a questionnaire. We recognise our role in this relationship is multi-faceted (fan, customer, shareholder, etc.) but that is not reflected back to us by the club.
If the club want to heal the rift then there is much communication to be done. But as is demonstrated from the “handling” of the Legia issue, the press, etc. communication isn’t Celtic’s stong point. I feel sorry for the SLO who is given dogs abuse by some even on here through sheer frustration. Communication is key in everything we do. Celtic are attrocious at this critical task.
quonno-been posting for a while,come hell or highwater,there will be League Reconstruction to get Sevco,Hibs and Hearts on top division
MWD
Ah! One was the UEFA Cup and was great; the other is the Europa League and is dreadful. Have I got it correct?
JJ
quonno
PL and DD would have joint heart attacks if there was any chance of THEM not getting back next season.
———–
I’m not sure about that. I’d like to think the money men at CP are smart enough to know that Sevco FC are bust and can not be relied upon to resurrect Old Firm FC.
I can’t see us basing the running of our Club on the emergence of a viable competitor from the shambles that is Sevco.
MWD
“I’m still going with A flying Casino and new stadium on The Dark Side of the Moon with regards Celtic’s SSDM succullent lamb selected sports blabberers back patting.”
Bet you my version is closer to what actually happens than yours is.
Peter Lawwell does not care what the fans think. Only his personal income
2% of turnover as a salary. Unheard of in modern industry
mildouwolf
To you a turn-around in my opinion.
To me a considered evaluation over a fairer period of time so that knee-jerk reactions do not harden quickly into prejudices that are unaffected by future evidence.
Semantics, eh?
JJ luv
Naw! Naw!
Here was me thinking you were clever to.
I’ll give you another guess.
MWD says AYE
Clue:
Europa\UEFA only becomes exciting after the xmas. Can’t see us getting any excitement this year.
Well done to Celtic in rewarding Callum McGregor with a new 5 year contract. Great news.
“Communication is key in everything we do. Celtic are attrocious at this critical task.”
Apart from the spelling of `atrocious` , this is the negative with which I most agree.
JJ
Turkeybhoy. There are quite a few teams in the Europa league in my opinion who would give the current Celtic side a doing.H.H.
SFTB luv
you could be righter than right.
MWD says AYE
An Dun
10:40 on 29 August, 2014
Don’t buy into the idea that clubs all over eastern Europe are pro-Legia. Just as many can’t stand Legia and were more than happy to see them feck up.
Correct, I have loads of Polish colleagues, none of whom support them and one in particular hates them and rejoices in their demise………….
I agree that we agree now, so well done on the turn around :-)
Jungle Jim
11:05 on 29 August, 2014
A little help here, please:
a) Seville was one of the truly great Celtic supporting experiences;
b) The Europa League is singularly uninspiring.
JJ
———————————————-
Ha! Nice one – the horns of a dilemma.
My view is that current attitudes are a failure of the club in terms of communication and expectation management. Seville was an amazing experience. We won nothing but what a year. However – look at the team that got us there and tell me part of the thrill was nothing to do with the excitement being delivered on the pitch. If we had a team like that now the pain would be less. N’est-ce pas, chief?
MWD
“Europa\UEFA only becomes exciting after the xmas. Can’t see us getting any excitement this year.”
It will be exciting seeing if you are correct.
JJ