Back in the 90s, when we struggled to achieve much, we appeared to have the Midas Touch when it came to signing strikers. The Three Amigos, Henrik and even big Mark(o) made the job look simple. It was keepers and the like we had trouble signing back then.
The litany of strikers who have trudged through Celtic Park in recent seasons provides sharp contrast to earlier times. Scott McDonald, Gary Hooper and Leigh Griffiths are the only strikers with a half decent scoring record since the departure of The Swede 12 years ago. Since then we’ve been home to many and various strays, from Dion Dublin to the Miku-Lassad twins, Kazim-Richards, Cole, Scepovic and Guidetti.
A few of these worked on paper (Scepovic and Guidetti) but the return on our money has been painful.
Getting it right in this department is important for Brendan Rodgers but I’d caution judging too much on what a player looks like on paper. I remember the comments section when McDonald (largely sceptical) and Griffiths (vehemently opposed by many) joined.
There are lessons from elsewhere too. Markus Rosenberg scored 20 goals in five seasons (none in 18 months at West Brom) before pitching up at his first club Malmo and eliminating Ronny Deila’s Celtic. Rosenberg was 32-years-old at the time but Malmo knew what they would get from him.
I’m not particularly inspired by any of the strikers we’re being publicly linked with but I’d take a player the manager knows and trusts can do the job before someone who shakes out of the scouting DVDs.
Chris Sutton Night, Irvine CSC
The Irvine Celtic Supporters’ Club are hosting a Chris Sutton evening on Friday, 24 June, at their social club in the town. Tickets are available for £10 by calling the club (evenings only) on 01294 271967.
If you are from the area, or fancy a good night out in Ayrshire with a Celtic striker who looked good on paper, looked better on the field, and delivered some of our best memories in the last 40 years, get along to see him – and bring your camera.
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Ireland too deep, need to push up the park
a bit.
Full of cliches the night so a am!!!!!
Genuine question, are there ANY players in this competition who have not, at some time, played at least some of their formative, and of course most important development, years at some club in England?
Big Empty Jersey just slides on past the ROI post :-)
Guidetti was the most overrated of our dud strikers
in recent year’s.
Good evening friends.
Can see Sweden NOT scoring here.
McLean on for Walters
Pearse trying to talk up chance of McLean being red carded before he even enters the field of play…
Zlatan just standing on the penalty spot waiting for the crosses to hit his topknot
I don’t know what has happened to site but really difficult to get into it and got help from my computer whizz kid of a son to get in
Lovely goal by swedes
Shit!
Larsson anaw!
It was coming!!!
1-1 71 mins og
Very strong rumour resurfacing that Zlatan Ib is coming to Paradise
Oops og !
Zlatan forces Irish OG
OG actually. Clark.
Great football from Sweden..
Oops OG, we Celts love the old foot shooting..
Ireland pressing. Corner. Ball in net, but FK for clear push.
Keep the heads bhoys
Nae foul there
RK on.
Lawrenson wouldn’t be as bad if he didn’t think he was funny.
Can’t understand why nobody has told him.
Swedes getting stronger – draw would now be good for ROI.
Final 10 minutes. Pretty streeeeeeetched the game now. So should still be chances for both. Just like that one for Sweden. Missed thankfully!
Aiden coming on
Aiden on for McCarthy.
Jobo…
Ya jinx :(
Welcome back Billy bhoy05. Where have you been?
Lustig injured more times than inzaghi caught offside.
3 mins to go plus stoppage time. Sweden on top now.
Ireland force their way upfield. Throw on halfway 90th minute.
Come on Ireland one more good chance:))
3 mins added time. Ireland in possession. Back with keeper. FK edge of own box Ireland.
Fair result,well played Ireland.
Ach that was best Ireland chance for 3 points..,
Anyway still in with a good shout if next game a draw
I think a draw was a fair result given the proverbial game of two halves…well played Ireland..