Mubarak brings echoes of another adamant player

1779

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.

[calameo code=000390171586f6fbaa2ba lang=en page=122 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

1,779 Comments

  1. eddieinkirkmichael on

    tonydonnelly67 the only poster on CQN who wears a demitasse and not a Beanie as it would fit his head like a sombrero.

  2. eddieinkirkmichael on

    tonydonnelly67 the only poster on CQN who wears a demitasse as it fits his head like a sombrero.

  3. Celtic and Dinamo Zagreb 1967

     

     

     

    Three Yugoslav clubs participated in the 1966–67 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, but they were knocked–out early in the competition, excluding Dinamo who went on to become the first ever Yugoslavian team that won a European competition. In the first round Dinamo played against Spartak Brno and after the aggregate score was 2–2, coin was flipped in order to determine the winner. Dinamo was through to the second round, where they were drawn against Scottish side Dunfermline. For the first time in the history of the cup the away goals rule were introduced, which helped Dinamo to qualify for the third round after the aggregate score was 4–4 (2–0 at home and 2–4 away). On their road to finals they defeated Romanian side Dinamo Piteşti, Italian powerhouse Juventus and German side Eintracht Frankfurt. In the finals the club was draw to play its first match at Maksimir against Leeds United. Dinamo won 2–0 in front of the 33 thousand fans with Marijan Čerček and Krasnodar Rora scoring, which was enough to secure the title as the match at Elland Road finished 0–0.

     

     

    As everyone knows, they also beat us in a friendly that year so

  4. So we’re in EL group with …

     

     

    Salzburg (Austria) from Pot 1

     

     

    Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) from Pot 3

     

     

    Astra (Romania) from Pot 4

     

     

    Excellent chance of progressing to Play offs with that draw HH

  5. So Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb and Astra. Not exactly a money spinner. Free on the season book please.

  6. Right now we should be thinking that we really do have a chance to progress. If we need other players get them now and lets ahve another good run in the Europa. This is doable!

  7. Nice draw from a ‘we really should win the group and win most games and boost our coefficient and confidence’

     

     

    Not exactly CL glamour though, so not expecting big crowds

     

     

    Expect £50 3 match package please

     

     

    Oh Astra knocked out Lyon!!

  8. mullet and co 2 on

    Good. I should be able to watch Jonathon Soriano and Duje Cop… Who we should have signed.

     

    Good draw lets see how Ronny does.

     

    Failure is not qualifying.