Olivier Ntcham, 21, yesterday became the third most expensive signing in Celtic history, the initial payment was slightly north of the £4.5m quoted, and there are add-ons which are likely to take the total price above that which was paid for Chris Sutton and John Hartson.
The most striking element of the deal is that the player has played only 39 games in senior football. Compare this to van Dijk and Wanyama, who had played over 60 games before coming to Celtic, and you get an idea of how the transfer market has changed in a few years.
60 games is now too late. You need to be on the ground watching and ready to move inside 40 games. More than this and top talent will likely already be competitively priced out of reach.
A consequence of this trend will be an increase in one element of the transfer risk: any scout would prefer to see more than 39 senior games before making a recommendation. But this risk is mitigated by the fact that waiting on a player to increase in value, only introduces the risks associated with paying a higher price.
Then there is the risk of doing nothing at all………
What we do know is that everyone at Celtic, the management, scouts and board, are happy to have secured Olivier’s signature.
Welcome to Celtic, Olivier.
You know when the PSNI say, “The only way you can have the game in Belfast that week is if it’s on Friday and there are no away supporters”. Then Linfield insist on having the home game first due to TV money. Then someone else at the PSNI says they did not block Celtic fans from attending?
Well, that just happened.
Here is the new CQN Podcast…
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KINGLUBO on 13TH JULY 2017 6:59 PM
-To all bhoys going to Belfast tomorrow I say, look out for each other. These peepul are poisonous.
8 – 0 to the good guys
KINGLuBO
Poisonous is putting it mildly.
My own view is stay at home.
Any incident anywhere in Belfast will be blamed on Celtic or their support.
Going back to earlier post.
Has any Belfast punter got the time or inclination to go to Linen Hall Library or some such and see what other good causes past City Councils have spent money on.
Bada Bing
She’s three months older than me. Fancied her like crazy when she played Wimbledon at 17. Evert actually holds the record of appearing in 34 Grand Slam singles finals, more than any other player.
WHITEDOGHUNCH on 13TH JULY 2017 2:33 PM
can anybody help with a bar in Nerja to watch the game tomorrow,
not for me unfortunately but my uncle who took me to my first game
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The Cubhouse Murphy’s
CalleHuertos, 53, 29780 Nerja, Málaga, Spain
Cervecería La Ferretería,
Calle Rodríguez Acosta, 2, 29780 Nerja,
Tell him to try these. Both show U.K. sports – rugby football etc. Murphy’s is nice with good Guinness but is not an Irish bar, the owner is Welsh if I remember correctly.
My personal favourite is La Ferretería (The Ironmongers), they sell Weißbier and do a mean Mojito. The following photograph may explain why I like it:
La Ferretería
CATMAN on 13TH JULY 2017 2:39 PM
Congratulations on the birth of your first Grandchild.
I too heard today we are still keen on Steven Caulker. I am told that we spoke with him in January he was up for it but QPR wanted too much. He has been down in spirits since but just maybe Brendan is the person to raise them again.
On Paddy, again I hear there is willing on his side to rejoin the Bhoys but as you posted it is a long way to 31st August.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
OLDTIM:
A big hoopy Birthday to you I hope one of CQN’s finest is having a hooptastic day.
I trust PFayr got you home safe and sound after the Wedding of the year.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Advice appreciated. I’m off to Berlin in a few weeks for four days. When I look online there’s just too much info and my heads spinning. Some of you will hopefully recommend stuff like museums, bars (maybe with live music) eateries, and anything else worth doing. Accommodation info too would be a plus. Thanks in advance.
Derek McInnes speaks well….he’s better at Aberdeen than Sevco imo
By Malcolm Brodie
December 27 1948 – a day of tragedy for Irish League football and one which, as the club’s official history said: “Linfield’s image was tarnished by a fringe group of irresponsible so-called supporters.”
With Christmas falling on a Saturday the traditional Linfield-Belfast Celtic match was switched to the Monday at Windsor Park where Jimmy Jones, Celtic’s 20-year-old bustling centre-forward was attacked at the end of a dramatic 1-1 draw by a crowd who invaded the pitch, pushed him over the reserved enclosure terracing and broke his right leg.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sunday Tribune 20/12/98
Belfast Celtic – The day a team died
It might be said that the team died of natural causes through violence, writes Eamonn Mc Cann.
It will be fifty years next Sunday since the day that Belfast Celtic died. It might be said that the club died of natural causes through violence. Celtic walked away from football at the end of the 1948/49 season, in protest against a mob assault on players at Windsor Park the previous 27 December.
The Celtic team had had to run from the pitch for their lives – literally – when Linfield fans poured over the terrace barriers at the end of a 1 – 1 draw. Centre forward Jimmy Jones was thrown over a parapet, kicked unconcious and left with a broken leg. Defender Robin Lawlor and goalkeeper Kevin Mc Alinden were also seriously hurt. At a meeting the same night Celtic’s directors decided to withdraw from football once the season’ commitments had been fulfilled.
Wee Basher Barry playing the Star Sixes
wonder if hes got an EBT sorted
MARRAKESH, why go somewhere for four days and not book accommodation in advance?
Half Time Niedercorn (Lux) 0 – 0 AEL Limassol (Cyp)
Paul67 et al
Perusing the blog this fine afternoon I have reached the conclusion that there is a cohort whose;
Favourite TV series is On The Buses
Favourite film is Gregory’s Girl
Favourite actress is June Whitfield
Favourite tennis player is Chris Evert
garbinemuguruzacsc
Marrakesh Express.
Re Berlin . I thouroughly recommend the WW2 bike tour .
25 euros takes about 5 hours , stop off for lunch and a beer.
Leaves from under the TV Tower .
Best part of my trip to a wonderful city .
HH
Celtic Football ClubVerified account @celticfc 17m17 minutes ago
More
BR on @StuArmstrong16 contract latest: “Final year of his contract and we hope he signs a new one.”
BR: “Speak regularly with the boy and he wants to be here. If his agent can speak with the club and organise a deal then would be great.”
BR: “He’s a boy I really like and someone who still has development and a young player who I believe wants to be at Celtic.”
——
So the latest update is there are no talks in progress. Obviously agent and player not happy with the offer that was made. Maybe I’m reading too much into it but the comments from Brendan seem to suggest the agent is reluctant to talk to Celtic. Stuart is a smart boy, smart enough to realise he if he is being badly advised. Genuinely it looks to me as if he will be leaving.
Ron
Just booked flights and will book digs tomorrow somewhere.
SA change your agent if you are aware of what he is doing.
Channelislandcelt
I’ll put that on my list, cheers
MALONE BHOY-12:55?Maybe they can’t afford even half price,just saying
Met Jimmy Jones and his wife a good few years ago at my late parents 60th wedding anniversary party at a local hotel. Jimmy took time to speak with my late father and myself. My late father told Jimmy he seen him play many times with Belfast Celtic and enjoyed watching him play. Jimmy then took time to let us take photos with him. A true gentleman. Rip
L57
MARRAKESH EXPRESS 7:20 PM
https://www.ramonesmuseum.com
Armstrong’s agent is a PFA Scotland lawyer, Liam O’Donnell.
Ye know it them lawyers are like…
*wit not it
Obvs
Marrakesh Express,
Try this hotel. I’ve stayed their. Good hotel, nice location with plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby. Also close to Berlin public transport system. Go direct to hotel booking service or look it up on Booking.com or similar. A couple of Irish bars nearby if you really must.
http://www.hotel-augustinenhof.de/en/
And if it’s more design than circumstance then this was good too
http://www.bauhaus.de/en/
SCULLYBHOY on 13TH JULY 2017 7:23 PM
Do you know if Linfield suffer any punishment for the attack on the Belfast Celtic players
Pog OG
Thanks
Turkey Bhoy,why would you won’t to keep big nasty people hating dugs,wits the fekn point
!!BADA BING!! on 13TH JULY 2017 5:26 PM
Just seen June Whitfield at Wimbledon, and thought of ACGR?
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Nooo that was funny, expect a retort from him ;))))))
Anybody going down the Gallowgate or in town after the Lyon game?
Taking my welsh lady to here some tunes.
Marakesh … that surprises me somewhat … intuitively, I would have thought it would have been Margaret Court … I think she has 24 grand slam titles, but it may be that she didn’t lose many finals, whereas I know CE lost almost as many as she won.
For any local Toronto Bhoys that want to come and see him.
http://www.burlingtonsoccer.com/Default.asp?id=club-news&l=1&a=article&cid=645
Evening All.
On the day of Old Tim’s Birthday, and in the year he said he wanted to go back to Lisbon, isn’t it great we can post his photo on the blog showing him at his — er– juvenile best!!
Happy Birthday Davie.
http://www.theirishvoice.com/sports.html
Bit of a surprise result with FK Qabala drawing 1-1 with Jagiellonia Bialystok
MARRAKESH
Take the City Bus tour and sit beside the English speaking guide ( if possible )
Short boat trip is also excellent
I have my dad’s autograph book. There is a page of Belfast Celtic autographs with a Celtic FC stamp. No date. Among the signatories are Jimmy McAlindon, Kevin McAlindon, Elisha Scott, John Leathem, Walter Bunch, Thomas Lavery, Jimmy Turnbull, Alex Shannon, Robert Walsh, Charles McIlroy, and many more.
going to play 5s : > (
was enjoying that Star Sixes
ENGURLAND 1 SPAIN 4
Scotland up next
Big Rab
Jackie
Simon Donnelly
Mark Burchill
Limassol 8/13 v the 4th best team in Luxembourg in play
Marrakesh Express,
Take public transport, U-Bahn, to Potsdamer Platz and visit the Sony Centre, Cafés and bars but worth seeing as a modern structure. Then walk down Ebertstrasse to visit the Memorial of the Murdered Jews of Europe, then continue along to the Brandenburg Gate and finally onto the Reichstag building. A flat easy walk taking in some Berlin ‘musts’.
Potsdamer Platz