A year after trying and failing to sign him from Lech Poznan, Celtic have secured the services of Aleksandar Tonev from Aston Villa. Tonev has blistering pace, a right footer who is usually used on the left, he is an archetypal counter-attacking player.
The player’s profile blossomed during the first six months of 2013, in particular after he scored a hat-trick for Bulgaria against Malta, which brought Villa and Celtic to the table. The step-up to the English Premier League from playing a speciality role for Poznan was, not surprisingly, too much.
Aleksandar plays the same position as Georgios Samaras, albeit he’s a completely different type of player, but we will look to him to do the same job – be an out ball away from home in Europe.
Ronny will have seen him only from DVDs, so he’ll be keen to get him onto the pitch tomorrow morning for a run-out ahead of St Johnstone. Let’s hope the manager likes what he sees…. It’s a worry. The most promising part of deal is that Aleksandar has a point to prove, I’d rather hungry players with a point to prove than those who’ve too much on the clock.
Welcome to Celtic, Aleks.
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justafan
12:30 on
12 August, 2014
PS…
£8m for VVD?
The madness of the EPL.
• Just Another Tim
11:52 on 12 August, 2014
Who’s your captain mate……………………..
justaskinglike
Gary67
Our aren’t good enough possibly ?
big wavy
I agree – though we have got value for money with Stokes, he is a squad man at most for me and his influence in the bigger games is minimal. Griffiths- same boat probably.
I do think McCarthy and Russell would have gone on to have long successful careers in the hoops and were both a level or two above Stokes. That we didn’t sign them for the sake of a few hundred grand was a huge mistake. This is not with the benefit of hindsight either as right up until the two players signed down south there was hope we would step in at the last minute. There is a strong argument that we should have signed Gauld too although the fee was considerably higher.
We can do better on many fronts, of course you are correct,but it is particularly galling when we have young lads proven in the SPFL, with potential to get better and desperate to sign, yet we allow them to go move south.
HH
The only reason that makes sense regarding the Denayer signing is that Ronny Delia thinks he is of better quality than either O’Connell or Findlay. If that is the case then why have we not let the 2 of them leave?
it always amazes me how many still buy the record
with the constant anti celtic stories.
even more so the so called fans who contact them
and give them fuel to spin their lies against us.
stopped buying it after their thugs and thieves
slander
please dont buy it
Probably stupidly, I am holding out hope that we are waiting on confirmation tomorrow that we are still in CL and have a striker, one we will pay for with money, lined up as our wildcard signing for the Maribor tie.
Interesting signing of the young MC player,it could mean that DVD will be away after next game against Maribor and he will be his replacement,but I would suggest that will be the scenario if we slip into the EL,if we qualify for CL proper I think we will then sign a more experience centre back..
Our wildcard signing should be a striker with movement,against the Poles the movement up front was a disgrace,I lost count of the number of times the player on the ball could not move it forward because of our lazy frontmen,I tell you something now,if we had Kenny Miller upfront it would be a different story. Whatever some may think of him he works his butt off.
Qualify for CL then we have plenty of time to sign new player.
Back Ronny to get rid of the lazy players,two sessions a day.? Lucky beggars .
The Legia player was suspended due to violent conduct. If the decision is overturned it creates a precedent whereas a player who is suspended due to breaking the rules could actually participate in a match.
The mistakes that took place that resulted in him being on the field are neither here nor there, UEFA cannot afford to set a precedent here, hence the rules being stated clearly and unequivocally for a scenario such as this and also made distinct from the scenario of player eligibility.
We will be playing in the Champions League.
Big Joe
12:35 on
12 August, 2014
Fabregas, Sturridge as vice captain
RogueLeader
In two words – Barcelona and Suarez
big wavy:
Nice try. The guy in question was, and is, a world class goalkeeper. World class, as anyone who’d ever watched him could attest.
In other words, Atletico wanted the best, the very best, they could get and he was only available on a one year loan deal.
I repeat; the manager who explicitly stated that he was not interested in loan signings because he’d rather develop his own players than those of other clubs has now, if we’re being expected to believe he HAS signed them, brought in three.
It reeks. No amount of “this is football now” or “we are too wee and too poor” is going to cut it here. In our every transaction lately we have acted like a club lacking class, lacking forward thinking and lacking in ambition.
Defend it all you want, but I suspect you’re only kidding yourself and not even doing that particularly well. We are going to get scudded against Maribor, and it’ll be no more than we deserve. If they field an ineligible player or two or are a little shoddy with the paperwork, God help us when we face serious teams.
Someone is going to score ten against us. Is that what it will take?
Or is it REALLY going to come down to watching a 40 year old Lee McCulloch with the SPL trophy before some people get angry?
I refer you again to the “stats” which Graham Speirs and others would deem “success.”
In six years we failed to win three league titles, won one where our opponents dropped a 15 point lead and won the other two with no domestic competition. We’ve won three trophies out of a possible twelve and in five of those years we suffered total humiliation on the European arena.
This is not a knee-jerk reaction to a couple of bad results and underwhelming signings.
This is a considered, measured reaction and one that’s at least a year overdue.
We are going backwards whilst some of us are applauding.
What is WRONG with these people?
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Long time lurker here. I am taking the family down to Devon next week. Cottage near South molton. Does anyone know of any celtic minded pubs in that neck of the woods, or anywhere like minded tims will be catching the Mario game on Wednesday.
• Just Another Tim
12:37 on 12 August, 2014
Big Joe
12:35 on
12 August, 2014
Fabregas, Sturridge as vice captain
Lesson number 1…………………………..
Never divunlge your team, especially to another player.
Schoolboyerror
Maribor. …. damn phone
Just Another Tim
Spot on, we have this tendency to have players who are not doing the business and clearly not good enough to hang around for years before punting them. I’m pretty sure Paddy McCourt got more of a chance to shine than Niall McGinn. There was only one winner there and that was Aberdeen. And what the **** is Beram Kayal still doing anywhere near CP?
HH
I expect our wildcard signing will be Paddy MCCourt.
He’s inexpensive, available and can play wide.
Big Joe
12:40 on
12 August, 2014
LOL!! I may have been lying..honest :l
Big Wavy
Don’t know if you’re around as I’ve not read anything this morning.
I pointed out last night that I think we desperately need a goal scoring striker, not necessarily spending fortunes but someone who has been hitting the back of the net regularly.
I emphasised this by pointing out that we scored one goal (from a midfielder) over two legs against Legia.
Do you seriously think we don’t need an addition up front?
• Just Another Tim
12:37 on 12 August, 2014
Big Joe
12:35 on
12 August, 2014
Fabregas, Sturridge as vice captain
Sturrage and Giroud…………………………
Or……………………is……………………………it
UEFA will not overturn the decision . They could declare the decision null and void if they have reason to believe that proceedings before and during the relevant Disciplinary proceedings werent kosher .
The Sion saga demonstrated that UEFA was a procedural shambles . I assume they sorted it out —–but then maybe not ———-?
new article posted.
• campbellbhoy
12:40 on 12 August, 2014
Long time lurker here. I am taking the family down to Devon next week. Cottage near South molton. Does anyone know of any celtic minded pubs in that neck of the woods, or anywhere like minded tims will be catching the Mario game on Wednesday.
Welcome to …………………….
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HopeYoufindsomewhere2watchthegamemate
James, Courtois was just a young player with potential who was available on loan and fitted what Atletico were looking for and would not have been available to them on loan. Atletico shop at a far, far higher level than we do. The kid from MC may not be a world beater, but we are hoping that he is better than what we currently have, or that he gives us more strength in depth. What is wrong with that?
traditionalist88
12:41 on
12 August, 2014
Just Another Tim
Spot on, we have this tendency to have players who are not doing the business and clearly not good enough to hang around for years before punting them. I’m pretty sure Paddy McCourt got more of a chance to shine than Niall McGinn. There was only one winner there and that was Aberdeen. And what the **** is Beram Kayal still doing anywhere near CP?
HH
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Add to that what it must do for these players confidence when they see another youngster coming in on loan who plays in their position. If the manager or club feels they are not good enough then why are we wasting resources on them? It makes no sense whatsoever. As for Kayal, I can only assume he will be with us until his contract ends as it’s obvious no-one rates him enough to buy him from us.
HH
derbyshirebhoy
11:43 on 12 August, 2014
bada bing
No but the timing is wrong to spend now till the appeal result is known
Totally immaterial if LG appeal is successful or not, a convenient excuse .So if we don’t make Europe, ST holders can take a bath for their money? We needed a striker and a playmaker this time last year, and look how that turned out in the CL last season.
James
There is a danger in engaging with you in such a mood. They are all opinions fella, your quest for being in a superior place than the rest of us comes through some time too much fella.
Courthois is a perfect example just played out in a richer playground. Take the player, play him as your number one and develop him as we will want him back as our number 1 soon.
The world is changing fella. Shopping in a global talent pool and being less obsessed with the contractual commitments of those who ‘work’ for you will be the norm. The players hold all the cards and will continue to do so. We need to adapt. A talented guy in our ranks for a season or maybe more getting better to our benefit shouldn’t be quaffed at.
While I am somewhat perplexed at some of the selections & tactical changes made by RD in his 4 matches to date. I am even more annoyed at the apparent lack of committment shown by several of our more experienced players. Can anyone honestly say the majority of the team have matched the hunger / desire as shown by young McGregor. If they had we would most certainly not have been on the end of 2 very disappointing displays (Albeit the away game was nearly a great escape at 1-2 with 5 mins left v 10 men)
I’d be pointing fingers firmly at our established players, demanding they show the same energy / spirit as the younger players or step aside and give them their chance. Too often we hear about not being CL level, David Marshall did fine when thrown in at the deep end, so too did John Kennedy, Darren O’Dea v AC Milan, even way back Pat McCluskey v Inter Milan.
We have lashed out millions on players like Pierre, Thom, Cadette, JVOH, Scheidte as compared to picking up Scott McDonald for a relative song – good enough to score the winner against CL holders Milan. It’s not about how much we spend (Would fans have been happy if we splurged £10m+ on Ross McCormack I doubt it) but on getting the best from our resources.
Last year Ajax outplayed us home & away, yet had previously sold their 3 best players….replacing with youth options or low cost additions. We might be someway short of Ajax’s level at present but hopefully we are learning.
I’ll give the management time to show what they know what they are doing.
Gary…
Fully understand what you’re saying tho I have seen very little of any of these young players.
The loan system is IMO an iniquitous thing anyway. The super rich clubs just hoover up all the best young players at silly prices (but peanuts to the super rich) knowing a very small percentage will actually ever break through.
It can be said Celtic are developing a player for another club. On the other hand it could also be said Man City are giving a player unlikely ever to play for them an opportunity to assess career prospects elsewhere!
Personally I’d prefer every new signing be the result of try before buy every time and I’ve always advocated that on here.
It’s simply the best and safest deal, if a club refuse this for a target then I’d be suspicious.
But that’s just me.
On the manager, like every other manager and player we sign I advocate at least one season and must admit I was very disappointed the Tony Mowbery never got that chance, there are a few on here telling us to give the Ronny a year but were screaming for TM’s head after only a few months.
I feel that our players were shocked when Neil resigned. I’m sure he was well respected by the players. I thought they were still stunned when the Legia games came around. They didn’t fight and give “the new guy” their best performance. They know it. They have got to know Ronnie better and I suspect they feel partially embarrassed by their contribution. The players are so so anxious to make amends for that immature display that they are chomping at the bit. I am very confident that we will all enjoy the two Maribor legs and don’t doubt we will go through ‘on fire’ and with lots to spare. Leading the way will be Charlie Mulgrew and Chris Commons. Who knows maybe even Anthony will stop moping. HH
Ernie Lynch
Have you seen the state of the carriage that makes up the “gravy train”?
Any policy waiting for the return of that would be extremely risky to a risk averse PLC.
Then how much ” gravy” will come with that train? How many supporters will it add to gates?
10k at £600 is £6m, how much added quality does that buy? It will go into players pockets not the PLC.
All clubs will want Rangers back not because they represent a gravy train but the shake of a sauce bottle to add a bit of competitive spice.
It is no coincidence Celtic’s move into the profit that is causing so much consternation coincides with Rangers demise.
When does profit stop being a more succulent gravy train to a club apparently he’ll bent on profit than the return of risk to that profit? It’s illogical.
There is no gravy train for Celtic out of Sevco entering the top tier, just the spreading of a thin layer of jam across the game at Celtic’s expense because the nature of football requires opposition to exist.
It’s that simple.