Tomorrow Celtic have a Scottish Cup tie away to Peterhead, currently second bottom of the Third Division. Peterhead have recorded their only two home wins of the season in the last two weeks, so Celtic’s scouts will have seen them at their best, but the break from league action will allow Neil Lennon to rest players who have been carrying niggling injuries, including James Forrest, whose terrific form could be jeopardised by the stresses of carrying such a prominent responsibility for Celtic.
The game in Peterhead will also give fringe players an opportunity to shine. I suspect Paddy McCourt is still carrying the can for hitting the post against St Johnstone in August, the day it all started to go wrong. We’ve missed him. Emilio Izaguirre and Kelvin Wilson would also benefit from 90 minutes football as the squad reassembles itself, although the game might come too soon for Kris Commons.
News that Beram Kayal’s injury is likely to keep him out of action for four months was sickening. This is the third serious injury Beram has suffered since joining Celtic 18 months ago. I read a bit about grade 3 eversion ankle sprains yesterday. He’ll need the best treatment and recuperation in the days and months to come.
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Snake Plissken
i will ask him !
and its all just jumped up Knight Rider to me
nod wink
:)
Top C
just watched Hangover 2 tonight..a carbon copy of the original film set in Bangkok…quite funny if a bit risque in parts,
For anyone interested, The Dubliners are on TG4 in a concert from 2006.
Its on Sky 163 or Virgin 877.Only about 30 mins.of the show left right enough.
Lennybhoy
In saying that, this is the first window for as long as I can remember, I wouldn’t be too bothered if we went with what we have, we are well good enought to win the league with the current squad, barring injuries and the MIB intervention obviously, but no amount of players can make up for the cheats with the whistles and flags.
Lennon’s Passion
I am not sure where you are coming from, but there are several leagues throughout the world where clubs have a greater or lesser control over their own media rights.
Benfica do a superb job of harnessing their diaspora in South America.
The key point for me is that we need to show vision and leadership , beyond the current myopia which is all too prevalent in Scottish Football.
TET/Lennybhoy
if KC is for the off on loan, how come the boss says he’ll be back up and runnin in the first team within the next week or so ?
confuses me
THE EXILED TIM says:
7 January, 2012 at 22:26
I almost agree with you mate. However, if there was one position I think it is important to get somebody else in for is striker. We really only have Stokes and Hooper as proven strikers. Bangura is the only other out and out striker we have and in my opinion he is not the real deal.
As you probably know from my posts I am a Sammi supporter and I am. However, he has found his niche in my opinion and has a role to play in the team but not as a goal-scorer.
If Stokes or Hooper pick up an injury. In fact Hooper is injured just now, I believe we need another striker that will take either’s place and or fight for one of the automatic places.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
I honestly hope my club is keeping tabs on all decisions made regarding the plight of the govanites and that is from everyone ,sfa /spl/other club chairmen /Uefa /taxman and the LL and may I suggest they keep meticulous records of everything that they all do .
I have a feeling it may come in handy in the future .
fergus slayed the blues says:
7 January, 2012 at 22:34
Aye, like when it comes around to accepting tickets to their grounds and submitting a applications to the two cup tournaments.
Lennybhoy,
You seem to be a man in the know !
What is the story with Rasmussen ?
If we need another striker , would it not make sense to get him in , big him up , hopefully he scores a few goals, and then we sell him.
I heard a rumour that he is about to reach a payment threshold and if he plays X more games it costs us ?
Clashcitybhoy@22:01
You are absolutely correct in all that you say.
There are income streams and media advertising possibilities which area available to Celtic– and dare I say it other clubs– which are being totally missed!
As you say, the hits for this blog, CQN Magazine and say the RTC blog demonstrate that there is a market out there for online and digitised content that can be easily accessed.
When I approched John Cairney about interviewing him for his book, he had never heard of me or CQN Magazine, but the moment I advised him of how many people were accessing the magazine online he was more than happy to meet and promote the book.
I also know from my own twitter account that several people bought that particular book as a result of reading the CQN Magazine review, and that reference to the book in the magazine has at least in some way boosted sales.
This then takes me back to the notion of some sort of membership scheme or participation event involving Celtic fans and those who may well follow another team but hold an interest in things Celtic as a second team. These are not people with season tickets, and many live outwith these shores or at least far away from Glasgow– yet they WANT to be Celtic supporters.
There are many who list their interest on Twitter as “all things Tottenham and Celtic” or “Stoke and Celtic” or ” New York Giants and Celtic FC” and so on.
The PLC are sleeping on this.
If the Mainstream media are ignorant or oblivious to the power of “New media” so are those at Celtic Park and many who would pay to advertise and participate if the viewing figures as they stand at present were known.
However, those figures are a moveable feast, and provided the quality of the content is good, the digitised media– like this blog and the related magazine– will continue to attract numbers, interest and as a result should be able to attract investment and revenue.
Auldheid once said to me that on this particular blog you will get discussion, information, advice and entertainment!
From Jobo’s weatherforecast, to advice on IT, or cars, or music, or books or whatever– these pages provide a service. If that service– or a similar one— attracts viewers and readers in numbers because of quality of content, then you have a vehicle for promotion of your product, service, team or club.
Look at the number of Celtic related web sites. There are a huge number, yet all seem to have their own band of dedicated followers, and more seem to appear regularly. The Celtic View sells about 6,500 copies a go— which I thought was low, yet apparently it is the largest selling official club football magazine in Britain. I don’t know what Gerry’s figures are for Not The View but i know that it still goes out the door by the thousand despite the keyboard revolution.
The pull of Celtic in this medium is seriously overlooked and underated and there is a real opportunity to promote the club by advancing the interest that is already evident.
Just my opinion of course!
Oh and John Cairney was a joy to meet and just chat to about Celtic, acting,philosphy and people we both new once upon a time!
TopCorner says:
7 January, 2012 at 22:30
That’s what Managers do mate, you don’t expect him to say anything else. If he is for the off, is it not better to say something like that as it let’s other clubs know that he will be fit before the window closes.
Managers, including Neil will say things in public for different reasons, reasons that are not for the obvious reasons. I heard something tonight that backs that up but cannot expand on it.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
i would much prefer a couple of quality players in now rather than later, but i can see the logic in waiting to the summer
if lenny does not win the league, then its a case of more for the next guy with a much reduced squad
i’ll be happy when we say farwell to dan, loovens, o’dea, thomspson, wilson, cha, zaluska, chavi for free in the summer can you beleive we give these guys a combine wage of about 60k per week.
i’ll be happier again when we see murphy, radmussion, mcginn, mccourt, jaurez, out the door ASAP to save another 40k per week
joke, just a joke
Clashcitybhoy says:
7 January, 2012 at 22:39
I get information from time to time mate, I take what I am given, I never ask for information on individuals. However, Rasmussen I personally believe was not given a real good crack. I think he is a goal scorer, poacher, perhaps we did not have the ideal foil for him at the time, who knows.
I was told yonks ago Neil did not rate him, can’t remember exactly when but it was early in Neil’s tenure.
I have not heard anything about the payment threshold, sorry.
Keep the Faith!
Hail!
Lennybhoy
I obviously would like another striker as well, with Hoops being off the boil ish and injured, we are lacking, and same as you I love Sammi but a striker he ain’t he’s a goal maker imo.
Whatever happens the league will be won.
TC
I don’t remember saying I thought Kris was for the off, I hope he stays, but there has been something happening behind the scenes, he has had his probs with injuries and I hope that’s all it is, and as Lennybhoy said managers say what they have to say.
THE EXILED TIM says:
7 January, 2012 at 22:51
I too believe we will win the league.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
TET
This is first window in about 10 that we don’t NEED to sign anybody…but what a kick in the teeth for the Huns if we do..particularly a decent one.
Also an opportunity for us to start shaping up for Europe if we sign now…
BRTH,
A couple of thoughts
The music industry is a great example of how an industry had to fundamentally change its modes operandi.
I remember as a Bhoy, nipping out of school at lunchtime , down to the apollo and buying a concert ticket for a chart band for around £2 , and ,if I wanted their LP , it would be £3 /4.
These days a chart band is a minimum £25 + booking fee, and if I want the CD, it’s £8 or £9 ….and , that’s only because I buy the record through official channels. Many don’t pay at all, or they perhaps download a couple of tracks.
I suspect similar is about to happen with books. As quickly as E books and E book readers appear, then someone circumvents the technology.
At New Year, I was in my bro in laws house and he has subscribed to a online service which gives him all the SKY games for £25 every six months. As far as he is concerned it is completely legit and above board.
As a club, we have been very slow , to embrace fundamental changes in behaviour.
Rather than spend all our time moaning about the injustices of EPL media money, why don’t we show a wee bit of vision and push the technological boundaries and develop new streams.
One final bit – if football goes the way of the music industry , and people start downloading games at non premium prices, then the revenue for clubs will be about bums on seats , the EPL will be a busted flush……and that’s where we might just do very well !
Griffiths scores for Hibs then gives his own supporters the GIRUY sign followed by a right mouthful. Wonder if Pat the pincil will mention it?
Just watched Paulo’s Swindon dump Wigan, brilliant an offside goal as well. Sky 993, FA Cup highlights.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Griffiths goal was a corker almost as good as the Blog below:
dundeebarryleighgriffiths.blogspot.com
Watching Queen live at Milton Keynes DVD from 5/6/82 because,ahem, Santa brought me it because, ahem, I was there . It’s pre Radio Gaga and it’s brilliant:-)
It is absolutely UNTHINKABLE that we don’t win the title this season and for that reason alone I think we should go flat out to get another striker in.
God forbid if we were to lose both our main strikers at the one time,then we are really struggling.
Please Celtic get it done and bury these monkeys forever.
Tricoloured Ribbon
100% agree…
Not sure if it’s been posted but,
Reports that Celtic will take 27 year old, 6″1 tall Rapid Vienna striker Hamdi Salihi on trial this week. With his contract up in the summer (so fairly cheap if bought hopefully) and 44 goals in 62 appearances for Rapid.
TET……21.57…I totally agree with you…….that’s the resistance part……they have been trying to destroy us for decades, and our Board (surely) know this, and will act accordingly…..if I thought for one moment that we needed ‘them’, I would ‘walk away’ ……I WON’T HAVE TO WALK WAY…..I honestly believe our Board are with us on this and are patiently ‘watching developments’……
Tricoloured
I THINK we will win without signings…but I KNOW we would win with 2 key signings – Striker and CB…
We have plenty of ‘nearly guys’ to sell that would fund purchases. Applying the two season rule – we have quite a few who have had their chance to stake a claim to 1st 11 and haven’t quite made it but who would be great players elsewhere..
cabbageandbacon says:
7 January, 2012 at 23:09
My post from earlier:
Lennybhoy…Supporting Neil Lennon and CFC until I die says:
7 January, 2012 at 20:13
Good evening Bhoys, I am hearing we are very interested in Hamdi Salihi, 6′ 1″ striker and get this he currently plays for Rapid Vienna.
Hearing we are also still keen on the Algerian Centre Half from Fulham.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
__________________________________________
Curiosity, where did you hear this?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
cabbageandbacon says:
7 January, 2012 at 23:09
With his pedigree I doubt that we will be allowed to take him on trial.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
My dear,dear,dear,friend..Lennybhoy
Aboot. Rasmussan.. Bangura..
The Celtic Coaches.. and Lenny, tae boot..
Pit a loat of emphasis,in how a player diz ..
get this..
IN PRACTICE Excercises~
That is why.. Sammi, and Broonie..and wan or two ithers. who..hiv us
scratching oor heids…
as tae …
Why a Particular Player..is ..well. so Popular …wi Lenny.
It seems.. or .. So, Ah am told by the Dug.. that
Bangura and Rasmussan.. are very Fitless.. and Clumsy.. and Canny dae the wee
fancy.. sets.. the wans which the Celtic Crack Coaching Team place say much
faith in..as a means as tae whether a Player is worth a Team Berth or No.
Mebbe, Lenny and Co.. are Right..
Who knows???
No me..that’s fur sure.
Noo.. Rasmussan, strangely enuff.. in Ma Opinion..
Didnae dae too bad..when He wiz gien a Chance ,in Prime Time.
He did score.. Ah remember.. a Coupla
Very important Winning Goals fur us.. the last coupla games Ah saw of him.
But,his name soon disappeared fae the Selection Sheet..and He was sent oan his
way.
Bangura.. in Ma opinion.. is an oot and oot Poacher… something like Rasmussan.
And..
well
It appears that the Celtic Team o’ Today.. dinna play in a wey.. which wid
accomodate.. a Player o’ that Mysterious an Arcane Art.
Lenny,is quite happy fur his Strikers.. tae be adept at playing
maist o the time. wi their Back tae the Opponents Goals..
and are Adept at Passing.. Back.. to Mid Fielder..who is equally
adept at Passing the Ba’ immediately.. across tae a Winger..
who..
Ya Got it..
Immediately, passes the Ba. Back tae the Celtic Full Back.. who..
Ya got it again…~
Immediately. Pumps the Ba into the Middle of his Opponents Defence..
and .where oor Striker is Oot Jumped.. and the Celtic Attack. Breaks Doon..
Pity.
Ah hiv a great Respect fur a Poacher..
Fur a Poacher.. diz a loat wi his..
LACK of Fitba- ing Skills.
Fur,He turns aroon.. and confounds everybuddy by
SCORING the Goals…
and.. tae me..
That is whit a Striker should Dae… but,it seems.. that
Scoring of Goals.. is no such a Big deal as Performing
like a Champion… At the Training Exercises.
Right?
Howevahhhhhh.. Lenny and his Mates.. they are hell bent oan
only gien.. guys.. who.
Are Blessed wi.. Dazzling Fitba-Ing Terpsichore..
Like..
Maloney… who.. in Ma opinion.. wasted .. his Time wi us.. yet
It appeared that he could always walk back intae the Team..
Even after .. a Long Absence..
Maloney wiz a Real Bobby Dazzler on the Training Pitch..
so
Ah guess that explains it.
Kojo
yer pal.. who likes ye aloater.
Lenny/cabbage – looks like you’ve been in the same taxi! :-)
T4
A well respected German based poster on another site reckons Salihi is a better striker than Jelavic.
That goal scoring record is phenomenal.A trial?
Lennybhoy
It’s coming home mi amigo.
HH
KTF
Cults
Agree 100%
The bigger picture is eurpoe, we are playing in a two bob league, but as we showed against quality oposition we should not be phased by what the rest of europe has to offer.
We have some quality players who will only get better.
I remember back when the hun were doing their 9iar, and as usual they were getting papped out of europe, the hacks were moanig about the lack of quality oposition in scotland was to blame for their euro failure, bollix, twas the same then as it is now, the referees in scotland were helping them at ever turn.
Tricoloured Ribbon
Awe Naw?
I hope he doesn’t mind but this has been posted on RTC.
From Barcabhoy.
Take it from me the Celtic board are every bit as disgusted with the possibility that Rangers will escape their creditors and gain entry straight back to the SPL with a mere slap on the wrist.
Their preferred position is that fair play prevails. Any club who enters administration and fails to exit, in the process causing the death of that club, a la Gretna, will need to enter the Scottish Leagues by applying to join at the lowest professional level. That is Celtic’s default position. I have that directly from board members.
Celtic would support an application from a Rangers Newco to re-enter at the lowest level.
Should there be a move to have a Rangers Newco gain entry directly , or a Hearts Newco or any other club, to the SPL. Celtic will oppose that vigorously. The basis for the opposition is that it is unconstitutional and inappropriate given the financially irresponsible and reckless behavior shown by Rangers.
If it becomes obvious that no other SPL clubs have an appetite to deny Rangers Newco entry to the SPL, then Celtic have very tough decisions to make. Do they try and force significant multi year penalties for Rangers. Do they refuse to accept tickets for any away games. Do they attempt to join another League in another country.
The idea that Celtics board are going to be in a any way soft on this is absurd. I am hopeful that Hibs, for reasons of SPL self preservation and fan reaction would not support a Rangers Newco into the SPL. I would be very confident that Hearts , in better financial health , would oppose Rangers and Aberdeen would face the same , possibly more hostile fan reaction as Hibs should they support a Rangers Newco
Hibs and Aberdeen in particular have had to cut back on the quality of player they sign as they have developed their stadium or prepare for a new stadium. Their fans have every right to be disgusted as they have watched Rangers benefit for £65 million of Lloyds bank money , public money in large measure, being written off for Rangers benefit.
Make no mistakes, they money MIH splashed on Rangers, courtesy of Lloyds (in its guise as Bank of Scotland) will never be recovered. No a thin dime of it. Rangers were effectively given free money whilst every other club in Scotland had to pay its way
That is obscene. Compound that with a Tax Scam and a washing of hands with no penalties, and you have a scenario that Franco or Ceacescu would not have contemplated.
Rangers, in the form of Murray , have been a plague on Scottish Football. There must be a price to pay, and it must be severe
Gotta Scoot
Good Night Scotland
Good Night Ireland
Good Night Wales
Good Night England
Good Night Canada
Good Night New Zealand
Good Night Australia
and
Good Night.. Hamish Macdonald, wherever you are.
Kojo
Kojo says:
7 January, 2012 at 23:18
Rasmussen I would agree, he is a poacher and as I have posted earlier perhaps he did not have the foil for him.
Bangura a Poacher he maybe but not of goals in my opinion. He might poach a good egg or poach fish but no way is he a good footballer. Pains me to say that as I never like to slate Celtic players. From what I am told we we will never know the full story about Bangura.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Clashcitybhoy
My very first article for the magazine– Good Morning Fatty– was all about the fact that the whole game is a bum’s on seats business.
The teams in the English Premier League spend most if not all of the TV money on transfer fees. It is as if that money was not there at all when it comes to paying wages and so that is why so many get into financial trouble so regularly and ultimately go bust!
The guy I was speaking to is a smart cookie– a real money man! He pointed out that Rangers for example had already hit an optimum income stream because it is not possible to increase the number of bums on seats at Ibrox without knocking the place down lock stock and barrell and at great expense.
Celtic Park on the other hand is more than capable of expansion in a number of ways!
As you say, if the TV money across Europe disappears or diminishes significantly for any number of reasons, then Celtic will do very well indeed because of sheer size of fan base.
You only have to look at the German experience to see how mass bums on seats improves the whole football offer.
I went down the hill myself a few times for tickets at the Apollo box office in days of yore, and blew a few more pounds in Listen on a regular basis– still got the Vinyl under the stairs lol.
On the back of the Karen Murphy decision I am surprised that the issue of selling our own games to at least an oversses audience has not raised its head again. DD was threatening all sorts on that front a few years ago– and I think his hand would be even stronger now!