During the game on Saturday we had a conversation (it was that kind of game) about defenders in general, and left backs in particular, available for selection in the CQteN Dream Team (have played since July 2004). Consensus was that Izaguirre, van Dijk, Ambrose, Matthews and Lustig should feature high on the list.
The real concern was the lack of genuine competition for Emilio Izaguirre’s place over the decade. We have two excellent right backs, with Darnell Fisher showing lots of promise, but have had little genuine talent on the left. Mulgrew and McNamara (both used there occasionally), Naylor, Danny Fox, Braafheid, Mo Camara and Ulrik Laursen were at best fillers for the position.
Neil Lennon has talked for over a year about adding a new left back to the squad but I don’t think we’ve come close to signing someone for this position. The problem is not limited to Celtic, either, lots of clubs at the highest level (budget) have struggled.
I read during the week that Izzie has achieved more assists this season than any since he arrived four years ago. His form is good, so there is not a compelling need to recruit, but form and fitness are fickle. He is also one of the few from the squad who will spend the summer in Brazil, interrupting preseason preparations.
Izzie arrived after World Cup 2010, where he put in enough of a shift in two appearances to convince Celtic to move, without shaking the game to its core to the extent he was snapped up by an English or German club. If the groundwork has been done ahead of this summers’ tournament, I’d be happy to recruit another solid performing left back from a small Latin American country. I’d not be averse to shopping there for a striker either, instead of Europe, England’s lower tiers, or the Israeli league.
Seville – The Celtic Movement:
“As I recall, I was sitting at the table when I got a shout from some friends to come to the bar where they had engaged in conversation with the owner of the restaurant – Luis – who was originally from Lisbon. At the bar, Luis introduced himself and quickly handed me an official postcard complete with a place for a stamp and a message although this particular card was blank and had never been sent.
The Picture on the card was the Estadio Nacional on the afternoon of 25th May 1967 at the precise moment when Stevie Chalmers turned the ball into the Inter Milan net for the winner. Luis had been in Lisbon that day and he had kept this postcard as a memento of the day and had held it for 15 years as his own wee homage not so much to Celtic as the Celtic fans.”
Order it here:
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btw
Just back from a wee break to Verona. What a smashing wee town. If you get the chance, go. Beautiful town centre, relaxed people, history round every corner, the mountains and lakes on one side, Venice on the other. Brilliant.
Lots of scoffing, all of it terrific. At the top of the league in the division above terrific is Trattoria al Pompiere. Gobsmacking combinations of flavours, the most remarkable being a risotto flavoured only with 3 different red wines.
One for Whitedoghunch to add to his notebook.
Guys , eventually surfaced from Saturday night !
Thought i had posted about 5am yesterday as i got back to the room after the festivities but seems to have got lost in the ether .
A massive thank you to everyone who attended on Saturday night . You helped make it our most successful night yet (and the Radisson’s busiest night of the year) – final figures are being added up.
A special thank you to our table , MWD , BRTH , LeftClickTic , JamesGang and TootingTim ame all the way from Laaandaan for the night ) – you were all woinderful company and you kept Mrs Sanna occupied when i had other things to do – and trust me , that saved my bacon later on.
Also thanks to the other CQN’rs who attended , BlantyreKev , HebCelt and johnnybhoy as well as long time lurker rpmcmurphy – thanks guys – twas a great night .
Thanks also to , our patron , the fantastic Tom Boyd and the other Celtic legends , The original Holy Goalie , George McCluskey and Macca as well as Eoghan O’Connell , who put in an appearance on the day of his first team debut and Niall Mcginn who drove all the way from Aberdenn post-match to attend – thank you very much for your support.
We trialled some live facebook/twitter streaming on Saturday and it was a great success also .
Ok , feels like an acceptance speech now and it didn’t start out that way , but finally , a big vote of thanks to Hail Hail media , Lost Bhoys , CQN , CM , KDS , TNT and Carluke Shamrock for their support and promotion in the new media arena .
So look out your diaries for next year , we’ll be doing it all again in 2015 .
Hail Hail
Sanna
tonydonnelly67
The committee (7) decided to put it forward that a vote be taken on the money be used to help Houston(SoS) legal fund.
The NARSA responded with
Statement from NARSA regarding recent events involving the RFFF:
“The RFFF voted today that in the event of litigation against Craig Houston, arising from content on the Sons Of Struth Facebook page, a proposal to provide financial support will be taken to a general meeting of fans.”
Below is the NARSA (North American Rangers Supporters Association) response to the above statement by the RFFF (Rangers Fans Fighting Fund) from Wednesday March 26, 2014.
NARSA hereby demands that the seven members of the RFFF who voted in favor of the motion to support the above proposal resign their positions on the RFFF Committee by Friday, April 4th. NARSA feels these seven persons have failed in their duty to use the funds in the manner befitting the original purpose or in the best interests of Rangers FC and the RFFF.
Should any of these seven individuals remain on the RFFF Committee by end of day Friday, April 4th, 2014, NARSA and its Member Clubs will demand the immediate return of all monies donated.
In addition, we propose that, as NARSA raised and donated funds in excess of $80,000 USD, we have official representation on the RFFF Committee going forward. Our representative would be the sitting President of NARSA, by default.
Sent on behalf of the NARSA Executive
Sunday, March 30th, 2014
They are tearing one another apart on twitter over it.
Just chucking it out there.
Izzy’s international backup/competition/teammate, Roger Espinoza, currently playing for Wigan. Ostensibly a winger/wing-back so would probably suit our style.
Saw this guy when he arrived at Wigan in Jan ‘13 for the close of their ill-fated premiership campaign, put in a great performance in the FA cup final.
Were We not looking at the young PTFC left back or was that paper talk.
till later all
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………Praying for ouWEEHERO!
I’m fed up with it. Allow our manager to build a team.
I don’t know if that can ever happen as I believe that over the past 3 years our club has been sold to incoming players as a stepping stone to the EPL by those in power.
Then you got the issue of contract renewal’s which I don’t believe our board ever has any intention of offering to any player with a resale value of over £5 milllion.
PL seems to play little mind games with the fans by offering on demand players minimal increases on their contracts, high in the knowledge that the player is gonna reject it. Then when the player decides he’s leaving the board can say there was a contract on the table & the player refused to sign, we done our best.
I just can’t imagine how you can ever lose the stepping stone tag when you’re forever talking about increased player value in the media. To me that suggest’s players are only brought to the club to be auctioned off at a later date for a hefty profit.
Who can trust what PL say’s when one day he says (with regards to Sevco) that “Rory Bremner can do a great Tony Blair impersonation but”…..
While on another day he claims that “R*ngers (his words) will be back stronger than ever”
Then he comes out with a statement claiming “Celtic don’t need to sell” but, we all know we will sell Fraser Forster, at the very least.
I would ask anybody on the site with the authority to remove offensive material to DELETE the sad references to Michael Mols wife.
Has this great blog descended to the level of mocking the appearance of competely innocent women, for the simple reason that she is not some dumb photogenic fashion accessory.
Victor Valdes out for the rest of the season and the world cup. His contract is up in the summer so he might have played his last game for Barca .
Wonder if they might take a chance on ” the great wall “.
Football supporter singing in a pub on derby day about the rivals…… Front page news !!!
Only in Scotland
TBB
Verona? Now there is an Italian city I have never visited — must correct that.
Were there any good shoe shops?
50 shades 13:31
I would think Reina would be more likely, but you never know…..
BRTH
Verona. Shops. FFS. The toon is ovderloaded with high end shopping to steal all your sheckles, including shoes shops. I must concur with TBB. It is a wonderful town to visit and has some fine eateries. But do remember your wallet!
MWD
I agree with K.K. Petty comments about appearances have no place on this wonderful site. Sorry if this seems like I am taking sides just my personal opinion.
50 shades of green,
I thought Barce had already agreed to sign a German keeper from Monchengladbach – can’t remember the name offhand.
Kilbowie Kelt will vote YES
13:30 on
31 March, 2014
The reason I shop on here exclusively is to avoid such puerile nonsense.
Kilbowie Kelt will vote YES
13:30 on
31 March, 2014
I would ask anybody on the site with the authority to remove offensive material to DELETE the sad references to Michael Mols wife.
Has this great blog descended to the level of mocking the appearance of competely innocent women, for the simple reason that she is not some dumb photogenic fashion accessory.
I made a joke about the mans wife & i’m not gonna apologize for it, as it was just that A JOKE.
Why do some people have to be so irate & take offence at the slightest remark?
Infact, you probably sit at home rolling about in fits of laughter at Frankie Boyle every other weekend.
Children are being murdered all over the world in the name of democracy.
Wheres your cries then?
sannabhoy and 2000 kids say hail hail to pablo’s family
—
Niall mcginn is a gentleman by all accounts.
He loves our club. Would love him to do a mulgrew and become good enough. Even as back up. Cant see it thou
BRTH
You know me too well!
TBH, the shoe shops were the only disappointment. I had my mind set on a pair of emerald green suede winklepickers before I went, but completely struck out, and not for the want of looking. First time I’ve been to Italy and returned unshod. Need to set up a wee trip to Rome to remedy the situ…
As MWD says, the shopping generally is pretty chic, but the town itself is well worth spending some time in, and is a great base for north eastern Italy. Recommended.
leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon
13:22 on 31 March, 2014
tonydonnelly67
The committee (7) decided to put it forward that a vote be taken on the money be used to help Houston(SoS) legal fund.
The NARSA responded with
Statement from NARSA regarding recent events involving the RFFF:
“The RFFF voted today that in the event of litigation against Craig Houston, arising from content on the Sons Of Struth Facebook page, a proposal to provide financial support will be taken to a general meeting of fans.”
Below is the NARSA (North American Rangers Supporters Association) response to the above statement by the RFFF (Rangers Fans Fighting Fund) from Wednesday March 26, 2014.
NARSA hereby demands that the seven members of the RFFF who voted in favor of the motion to support the above proposal resign their positions on the RFFF Committee by Friday, April 4th. NARSA feels these seven persons have failed in their duty to use the funds in the manner befitting the original purpose or in the best interests of Rangers FC and the RFFF.
Should any of these seven individuals remain on the RFFF Committee by end of day Friday, April 4th, 2014, NARSA and its Member Clubs will demand the immediate return of all monies donated.
In addition, we propose that, as NARSA raised and donated funds in excess of $80,000 USD, we have official representation on the RFFF Committee going forward. Our representative would be the sitting President of NARSA, by default.
Sent on behalf of the NARSA Executive
Sunday, March 30th, 2014
They are tearing one another apart on twitter over it.
———————————————–
NARSA-holes.
Niall McGinn is a smashing bloke. He came on our bus to Pittodrie just before he signed for Celtic and couldn’t have been more giving of his time or understanding of those who wished to pester him without mercy about his impending transfer.
He continues to make wee visits to well known Celtic hostelries and is always given a great reception.
I know most of the NARSA guys over there, and they are no shrinking violets, so this should be interesting.
well seid kilbowie kelt. we are better than that dont stoop to others we know. is the boy robertson at dundee utd not celtic class we had him as a bhoy but as you know we do tend to let good players go the thay go on and do well elswere i think he would do grate job for us or am i thinking of rong side of play if so still think he would do well here.
Any chance, any chance at all, of, for at least one season, not selling any of our top players?
(May accept FF moving but otherwise…)
Any chance, any chance at all, for at least one season, buying good quality players to ADD to a not weakened squad?
Must be something amiss in my brain as I liked it when I saw the pictures of LG at the Hibs game
TBB
I appreciate the kind thought for my notebook,
let it take you back to the ghetto for another taste
http://www.travelchannel.com/video/dine-at-romes-nonna-betta-11690
Verona,
Great place to visit. We have been twice.
We went there one September on the way back from Croatia via Milan. Our hotel was just outside the old town. When we went through the gates to the old town, all we saw was Scottish and Italian flags hung across every street. It transpired that there is a regular festival where traditional Scottish and Italian sports (no rude jokes please) are practised – e.g. wrestling, highland dancing etc.
The main square and every piazza was crammed with different activities. We then heard the sound of pipes and the Milngavie Pipe band appeared from round a corner and marched down the main part of the old town.
The place was so full that we did not get a table to eat until just before 11.00 at night.
Well worth a visit – lots of shops but you can get some good Italian shirts at reasonable prices (for Italy). These small hilltop Italian towns like Verona and Bergamo have great history and we love the small streets with real shops, cages and bars.
DjYNWA67
13:48 on 31 March, 2014
_______________
I have already said what I felt.
I have nothing to add.
I have never seen or heard Franke Boyle , but if laughing at innocent women is what he does, then I am not missing anything.
TBB
Cobblers!!!
Now a trip to the Rome shoe shop! I’m yer man.
” Two pairs of Papal slippers, one pair of Spaghetti Western boots — any colour– a set of Jesus sandals — oh and if you could just throw in a barefoot Contessa then I will give damnation a try!”
MWD & TBB
Two Gentlemen of Verona…….
Sorry – cafes (not cages ) – bit of an unfortunate typo there.
djynw…
Accept that u think the joke is OK and is funny. Accept that you accept others may think it is cheap, nasty and misogynistic.
But
To suggest someone objecting to your post might therefore be twiddling their thumbs at infanticide, or war, or corporate greed is not worthy I think.
Hrvatski Jim
13:59 on 31 March, 2014
“real shops, cages and bars”
Is that a speacialist holiday Jim? :-)
* gordon_j backing neil lennon
13:46 on 31 March, 2014
50 shades of green,
I thought Barce had already agreed to sign a German keeper from Monchengladbach – can’t remember the name offhand.
*
cheers Gordon never heard that .
Hope he stays, but if he goes please not another mid to lower table epl team.
Di Rigeur – TBB pre Verona
There are 2 SPFL left backs who are better than anything we have in our reserves, Andrew Robertson and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair.
They are 20 and 22 respectively. The younger one is two inches smaller but, crucially, two years younger with more development potential. He has also been capped at under-21 level and has just earned his first full cap. He might cost a bit more than the Thistle boy but, for once, the answer might be a bit closer to home than S. America.
We were warned before about World Cup scouting and we have seen Seb Coates and Diego Lugano star for Uruguay and fail at Liverpool and West Brom.
Hamiltontim
Wheesht!
Seville– The Celtic Movement being mailed out today to the following addresses:
Bromsgrove Worcestershire
MOTHERWELL
Glasgow
Midlothian
Greenock Inverclyde
London
Northamptonshire
Alexandria West Dunbartonshire
Stepps Glasgow
Angus
London
Derry
Devon
Highland
Edinburgh
Renfrewshire
Montrose Angus
WASHINGTON Tyne And Wear
BFPO 47 London
Tomonie Fort William
Hawick Borders
Glasgow
Glasgow
Station Road BIGGAR
Wishaw
Lanarkshire
Kildare
Letterkeny Co.Donegal
Ijmuiden Netherlands
Amsterdam Netherlands
Sligo Ireland
06200 Nice
Weiningen Switzerland
McCall, ID 83638-4800 United States
RI 02893 United States
Alberta t3a 2×3 Canada
TX 77080 United States
IL 60655 United States
NY 11704 United States
NY 11377 United States
Bay Of Plenty 3330 New Zealand
perth Western Australia 6168
BRTH
and whether you like Opera or not a night at the Arena of Verona (Colosseum) is a must.
MWD
Hrvatski Jim
You make Verona sound like a Trantino movie. :)
MWD