Profitable transfer fantasies

761

Neil Lennon did us all a favour yesterday by dismissing rumours that he was targeting a striker from Vitoria Guimaraes as nonsense this early in the transfer window. The guidelines are set for your summer ahead. As well as being nonsense, though, it is also profitable news fodder; just think of the amount of advertising which has been wrapped around this story.

What does this teach us? I reckon that the least informed contributions left on the CQN comments page are about as reliable as what passes for mainstream ‘news’. There is a good possibility that even the player didn’t know Celtic’s position on him until it was reported yesterday.

Celtic will be trailing up to 30 players at any point in time, all of whom will have passed one level of scrutiny, but at least 20 of whom would never pass all levels, even if a deal was possible. When players are being scrutinised the position of the club will always be to show courteous interest in proceedings. You and I know what this really amounts to.

Willie Wallace’s autobiography, Heart of a Lion, is now back in stock, order your copy below:


Delivery Options




[calameo code=00039017189c2eca547bb lang=en page=130 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

761 Comments

  1. unew mike

     

     

    I didn’t know Token was going, CQN Worldwide!! No I’m coming to visit Mrs Starry’s family, she is heading back for six months in August, just wondering about watching games etcetc.

  2. unew mike

     

     

    A bit before my time but remember being told that when big Billy made his debut he was very raw and put out to right back at times , i wonder if the moaners would support a lad like that these days , look at the abuse James Forrest gets.

  3. Morning All,

     

    As many of you know, there is a third bridge being built on my doorstep at the river forth.

     

    There is a competition running to name the bridge.

     

    There is a shortlist of names, Caledonia Bridge (surely that belongs up north somewhere) Firth of Forth Crossing (bland) Queensferry Crossing (bland x2) Saltire Crossing (poor show) and …….St Margarets Crossing.

     

    Get your votes in, lets remind others in this greatest wee country in the world that we count.

     

    http://www.namethebridge.co.uk/

     

    Hail Hail

     

    Ryan

  4. blantyretim

     

     

    Cheers BT. Is there anyone you don’t know??

     

     

    Unew Mike I’ll drop you a wee message on F/B..

     

     

    Is the transfer windae open yet?? C’mon Cellik get the finger oot!!

  5. South Of Tunis on

    Johnny Russell ?

     

     

    Wee flurry of anxious posts on a Catania blog at the news that Johnny Russell hasn’t signed for Derby County.

     

     

    Somebody called Modugno says———-

     

     

    ” I was pleased to learn that he couldn’t sign for Catania , now I’m back to worrying “

  6. And mags is still here although I owe him a few beers coz I botched-up our Stag party rendEz vous last friday coz my mobile died

  7. corkcelt

     

     

    08:51 on 6 June, 2013

     

    googybhoy, You asked me yesterday if I intended going to Celtic/Liverpool game in Dublin, the answer is yes all things being OK I will be there.

     

     

     

     

     

    Thinking of coming over. Going to look at the CL draw first.

  8. Good morning from a beautifully sunny Nordrhein Westfalen, clear skies and 20*C with a predicted high of 23*C.

     

    As regards Johnny Russell, somebody posted on here last week that they had some insider knowledge that Celtic would wait until Dundee Utd accepted a bid for him before coming in to ‘steal’ him at the same fee, thus avoiding a ‘bidding war’. We’ll know by Monday. IMHO Russell could do a job for us and is certainly a better option than Lassad or Miku. GMS will not be allowed to leave Utd unless someone makes a substantial bid, and that will not be Celtic.

  9. googybhoy, I think most fans will be taking a look at CL draw before deciding. Its a no brainer though for Irish based Tims. T’would just be a 2 hour drive for me, I could abandon my car at The Luas Station before I get into Dublin and get the Luas (tram) in and out to the match. Alternatively we might run a bus from Clonmel.

  10. I’m just back from Medical Centre. A few posts lately particularly from Tom McLoughlin spooked me, so went in to get bloods checked for PSA & Cholesterol etc. No one wants to think too much about Prostrate etc but with advancing age the secret is if there is something better to get it early. Would urge all other CQN’ers in their sixties to do likewise if they haven’t been checked in last 2 years.

  11. unionbearBhind on

    agree with all other posters about give our young guns a chance, if we don’t they move on then sometimes it comes back and bites your bum? Joni Mitchell springs to mind you don’t now what you’ve got till its gone.

     

     

    HH

  12. unionbearBhind on

    As for big Vic Hoops & FF another decent fist of Europe, will only see their stock rise its no wonder NFL wants to pull out all the stops & keep them.

     

     

    HH

  13. mibees aye…..mibees no aye!!!

     

     

    Sheelagh McLarenþ@sheelaghmclaren34m

     

    Clyde sport understands Celtic are NOT preparing a bid for Dundee United striker Johnny Russell – more at 12.30 on

     

     

    or

     

     

    Inside the SPLþ@AgentScotland50m

     

    Celtic made official contact with Dundee Utd over Johnn Russell last night and are expected to make an £800,000 bid this afternoon

  14. Morning Celts

     

     

    Just dropping in to make a wee point before I retire to – Lurking – for a while just to gie yeez awe some peace to watch Cellic through yer ain eagle eyes.

     

     

    I hope we sign – Johnny Russell as we need some quality up front to partner – GH. imo

     

    The rest of the strikers at the club don’t have the class to wear the hoops – apart from TW.

     

    Although – I would have to say that of all the rest – Bangura hasn’t been given enough opportunity and, if Henke has seen something in him then – maybe the manager is incapable of managing his resources as some on here and elsewhere would have you believe ?

     

     

    The rest of the team I would leave as is – unless something happens on the Richard Dunne front. Hmmmm

     

     

    You see – I think that – maybe the players that John Park is bringing in could in all probability be the right ones and – it’s just that the mix in the dug-oot isny right ?

     

     

    I mean – Daniel Fergus McGrain – will always be a monument in my Celtic life.

     

    But, you don’t all of a sudden have something to offer in a coaching capacity at the age of 63 ? A cheap appointment that puts the fans between a rock and a hard place – just like the appointment of the manager ? Hmmmm

     

     

    It could be that there are a lot of guid materials to work with at CP – it’s just that the right folk urny there to press the buttons ?

     

     

    Only a thought here but – I would have thought that it was time for – Stevie Frail – to be promoted into the dug-out. Gary Parker ?

     

     

    I think GP could be Neil’s – Terry McDermott or even worse – Eric black ? Hmmmm

     

     

    Anyway – final thought….remember what happened to the huns when their fans became sheep !!!

     

     

    God Bless the Green Brigade – the only tangible Celtic strand remaining on

     

    Kerrydale Street.

     

     

    Hail Hail n God Bless n Good luck Bampots

     

     

    Off oo tae – Lurkdom

  15. Not every aspect of a football clubs operations has to make money. For example , based on experience world wide, there is no such thing as a first team fully sourced from youth

     

     

    Barca are the best example of getting it right in recent times. But even based on Barca’s standards , the recent crop isn’t just outstanding it is highly unusual

     

     

    When I first attended games at the Camp Nou , the team was effectively full of graduates of the Ajax academy. Various De Boers, Reizigers, Kluiverts, Cocu’s and Overmars. These were supplemented by Riquelme and Rivaldo, with only Xavi and Puyol offering any hope to Barca’s own Academy

     

     

    The cost of acquiring this team was unsustainable . The Barca youth academy doesn’t make a profit, what it does do is reduce the need to buy other clubs graduates

     

     

    The key to this success was and is to employ Catalan coaches and management , who are invested in the long term plan. Van Gaal , who was the manager of the above lot, did little to support a long term plan

     

     

    Celtic in my view have got the model correct just now. The small size of Scotland’s population means we need Academy prospects from elsewhere. The key investment for me is to continue Academy development.

     

     

    The Academy will run at a loss , however without it we will be consigned to paying transfer fees for players with little or no feeling for the club. Barca showed under Van Gaal that’s not viable.

     

     

    In the long term it’s the only option for us. We need managers and coaches committed to this viewpoint as well. In this regard , much as I have a high opinion of him, I wish Neil would just shut up about his own future.

     

     

    Everyone needs to be using the same playbook, and a manager who either sees public comment as a negotiating tactic, or as a public flaunting of his CV , is off message.

     

     

    Neil has done tremendously well so far, he should gave a bit more faith that he will be rewarded and supported within the structures we can afford

  16. KevJungle – fae Lurkdom’s tranquil easy life…

     

     

    What do you know about Gary Parker, naw really what do you know about Gary Parker or his role at Celtic Park, you come on here every day running yer mooth about all that is wrong at Celtic and rubbishing players and management with equal bitterness just what the feck do you know about the running of Celtic??

     

     

    Nish that’s what, I’m sick and tired of your pash, treating good Celtic men and women as if we and they don’t know what the club is doing and we’re all except you wandering around like wee sheep, well feck that Kev, you’re the wan that is lost, lost fae yer club and yer culture, wandering aboot in yer ain misery, noo feck aff and gie’s awe peace..

     

     

    Yer Pal Starry..

  17. If Celtic have no interest in Jonny Russell and that is a big IF at the moment it would appear that Neil wants someone with European experience which is fair enough considering we will need someone for the Euro campaign.

     

    I like the boy Russell though and feel he ticks quite a few boxes for us in the forward areas.

     

    Every faith in Neil Lennon and his team to get the right players in the door.

     

     

    LB

  18. jungle jam67 on

    JOHNNY RUSSELL ……a yes or no debate ?

     

     

    fits our clubs remit

     

    young,potential,attitude,proven goalscorer….emmmmm

     

     

    johnny is a hoops fan and should be given the chance going from the price the media are saying…..imho

     

     

    then again some fans thought

     

     

    a young guy from belgium would not make it

     

    a reserve goalkeeper from newcastle would not make it

     

    a couple of guys from hibs would not make it

     

    a right few guys who cost less than £1 million would not make it

     

     

    you got to get the chance to prove your worth bhoys

     

     

    go get em ……….celtic

     

     

    jam67

  19. Burgas Hoops on

    KevJungle – fae Lurkdom’s tranquil easy life…

     

     

    What do you know about Gary Parker, naw really what do you know about Gary Parker or his role at Celtic Park, you come on here every day running yer mooth about all that is wrong at Celtic and rubbishing players and management with equal bitterness just what the feck do you know about the running of Celtic??

     

     

    Nish that’s what, I’m sick and tired of your pash, treating good Celtic men and women as if we and they don’t know what the club is doing and we’re all except you wandering around like wee sheep, well feck that Kev, you’re the wan that is lost, lost fae yer club and yer culture, wandering aboot in yer ain misery, noo feck aff and gie’s awe peace..

     

     

    Yer Pal Starry..

     

     

    Cracker ………………i’m 100% with your thoughts.

  20. Pogmathonyahun aka Laird of the Smiles

     

    09:57 on

     

    6 June, 2013

     

    ryan\o/d

     

    09:45 on 6 June, 2013

     

    ————————————

     

    I think ‘The Lisbon Lions Bridge’ has a ring to it. :-)

     

     

     

    seconded.

     

     

    its a damned disgrace that The Lions are not honoured in some public space, somewhere in Glasgow. The Commonwealth games new houses could be named after the team members and staff.

     

     

    ————–

     

     

    Ryan, thats gonny be an awful nuisance a big bridge right on your door step.

     

     

    hows the posty gonne deliver your season books.

  21. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    starry plough

     

     

    10:25 on 6 June, 2013

     

     

    Absolutely…….

     

     

    dontbrattbakkinanger

     

     

    10:23 on 6 June, 2013

     

     

    Luv your ‘post’ ……. Makes me laugh every time I see it…..!!

  22. Starry,i have only just logged on and you fair put a smile on my face with your last post,calling it exactly as it is

  23. Dontbrattbakkinanger

     

    10:23 on

     

    6 June, 2013

     

    Whither the cash strapped scrofulous hillbillies the day?

     

     

     

    —————————

     

     

    off the coast at Aberdour, still sailing for the Isle of Saps.

  24. scottmcauley on

    Given the recent successes of Celtic’s scouting policy and the attention John Park has been getting, it would be wise for a club with Celtic’s financial constraints to keep quiet about all transfer targets.

     

    If the likes of Norwich are interested in our players but can afford to outbid us before they arrive then it doesn’t do much service to the club to shout about our interests in the papers.

     

    The less I hear about Celtic signing players until they have actually signed the better.

     

    I know that doesn’t suit most fans who rely on transfer speculation to get them through the football free summer but it is undoubtably for the best.

  25. NAIROBI, Kenya, June

     

    5- It is difficult to create heroes from defeat

     

    it was once said but in Celtic FC star, Victor

     

    Wanyama, even Nigerian coach Stephen

     

    Keshi admitted he was a winner as Harambee

     

    Stars succumbed to the Super Eagles in their

     

    backyard on Wednesday.

     

    Statistics will show the teams have clashed

     

    15 times in total, with Nigeria winning 12

     

    and Kenya managing to draw thrice with the

     

    reigning African champions but Wanyama’s

     

    show of brutal energy in the middle of the

     

    pack was a tale by itself.

     

    “We did not deserve to lose today, we were

     

    just unlucky. They caught us on the counter

     

    attack and scored but, the best team lost.

     

    “It was a very important game and

     

    unfortunately we lost. We still have two

     

    games left and we can make it to eight

     

    points and take it from there,” the player

     

    who won admiration from all present said

     

    with tears welling in his eyes as Kenya’s

     

    World Cup hopes took a debilitating blow.

     

    Until when he first collapsed in a heap on 67

     

    minutes then again with 12 to the final

     

    whistle after he was clipped twice on the

     

    same shin, fellow Chelsea FC and Nigerian

     

    midfield general, John Obi Mikel barely got a

     

    look in during the game.

     

    It was not therefore, not a surprise that the

     

    winner came when the Wanyama force waned

     

    with the Super Eagles getting into their

     

    range.

     

    The otherwise excellent Ahmed Musa got just

     

    reward for his industry and purpose by

     

    sending a deft chip over Duncan Ochieng in

     

    the 81st minute for the winner after

     

    substitute Stephen Waruru lost the ball deep

     

    in the Nigerian territory and defender Efe

     

    Ambrose lifted it over the backline.

     

    “It was important because he is a very

     

    creative good player. If you give him the

     

    opportunity, he will destroy a team but it

     

    wasn’t just him, we took the whole team as

     

    a unit and made sure we lock them down.

     

    “He is one of them, excellent player, I wish I

     

    can have him for Nigeria! Can I take him?”

     

    Super Eagles boss, Keshi, said amid laughter

     

    from the press pack majority who felt the

     

    pain Wanyama was going through at the

     

    time.

     

    It was left to the 21-year-old who is coveted

     

    by top clubs worldwide to carry the team in

     

    the absence of the side’s talisman and

     

    regular captain, striker Dennis Oliech upfront

     

    and first choice keeper, Arnold Origi at the

     

    back following their suspensions from the

     

    game.

     

    Head coach, Adel Amrouche, was also forced

     

    to watch the duel from the stands since he

     

    was also in Fifa’s naughty step.

     

    “We need all the important players. Today, I

     

    don’t think we were that bad and it was just

     

    a little bit of poor combination in front and

     

    finishing but the players did well. It was a

     

    bit down but we will work on it.

     

    “We wanted to go out and win and we were

     

    caught, we always want to win and we did

     

    not plan to play for a draw,” the captain of

     

    the day added.

     

    Wanyama declined to blame lack of mobility

     

    upfront on Al Nasr based forward, Kepha

     

    Aswani who came in to fill the void of Oliech

     

    but after struggling through the opening

     

    minutes with a hamstring strain, drew

     

    vociferous calls to be substituted from the

     

    stands barely 20 minutes in.

     

    “It was difficult for Kepha as a main striker

     

    in his first start. It was his first game playing

     

    under this system but he tried but with a bit

     

    of concentration, he will be fine.

     

    “We have a good coach and a young team

     

    and if we stay together, we shall be a good

     

    team. We need time to grow together and

     

    then we shall see,” he stressed.

     

    “It’s not easy coming in and trying to get

     

    into the game especially against the African

     

    champions. We missed the coach a little bit

     

    since he is an important person at the

     

    bench.”

     

    Wanyama acknowledged he was ready to be

     

    a target of some rough house treatment

     

    during the match owing to his bludgeoning

     

    reputation.

     

    “I knew it was going to be tough but I had to

     

    keep on moving. I went for the ball and one

     

    guy caught my shin and I knew they wanted

     

    to get me.

     

    “Now, we just have to look ahead, work hard

     

    and rectify our mistakes so that we can get

     

    good results.”

     

    And in a testament of how he has developed

     

    to be a professional European star who does

     

    not give away what he is not supposed to,

     

    Wanyama deftly deflected speculation of his

     

    future at Parkhead with links to various clubs

     

    being reported daily.

     

    The latest was a 10 million pound bid

     

    interest by EPL side Arsenal.

     

    “I’m in the national team right now and I

     

    just want to focus on national duty and when

     

    I return to my club, I will let you know what

     

    is going on.”

     

    With that, he rose to accept the adulation

     

    from autograph and photo hunters and being

     

    the only Kenyan who got a Nigerian jersey at

     

    the end of the game albeit from Celtic team

     

    mate Efe Ambrose, there was no doubt in

     

    which team he really belonged.

  26. Barcabhoy,

     

     

    what has really impressed me with our own Academy, is not so much that a few are making it to the first team, but that many go to other clubs and make careers for themselves.

     

     

    I can rhyme them off, but how many ex youth players are now the mainstays of their chosen teams.

     

    McGowan as a n example.