Toure, Duffy, Diego and Leo

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I’ve not seen enough of Kolo Toure or Shane Duffy to have a view on their appropriateness for Celtic but I’m very pleased that despite the headcount of central defenders, Brendan Rodgers appears to be aware that he’s only got one he can rely on. We cannot afford to have another season of set-piece trauma in Europe.

Aston Villa’s Scott Sinclair has the makings of a more profound signing for Brendan, especially if he arrives for anything close to Villa’s asking price. Ronny Deila foundered in a sea of wide midfielders who were unable to command a starting place for any duration. We are the club where wide players come to damage their career prospects. Most of those who have ‘walked through Parkhead gates’ in this time had done so on a sale-or-return basis; at circa £6m Scott Sinclair would need to be right.

A friend once asked why the Argentinians adore Diego Maradona but appear reluctant to appreciate Lionel Messi. Diego single-handedly delivered the World Cup in 1986 and retired from international football having given everything to his country as a 33-year-old. Leo bowed out with a couple of runners-up medals two days after his 29th birthday. He could easily compete in another two World Cups, if he had the appetite.

That’s not to judge Leo; maybe he identifies with the people he chose, not with a nation. Many of us do.

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  1. I appreciate the Italian players ability to follow a game plan with tactical awareness and discipline, they really are a unit wether or not they have “big name, big game ” players.

     

     

    Can they win it, I would never count them out..

     

     

    Spain need a new coach and new ideas…

     

     

    One of the eras is over..

  2. embramike says "the Huns are Deid" on

    Spain have no Plan ‘B’ when up against it! Silva, Fabregas and even Iniesta not effective in midfield. Too slow, too predictable and it’s tough to play without recognised target No 9 when you are behind.

     

     

    Seem unable to lift the tempo and never broke quickly to get behind the Italian defence. Italy v Germany should be interesting though !

  3. I had Spain to beat France in the final but they got what they deserved today. The Italians handled the wet slippy conditions better. it looked like only Iniesta had the right studs on.

     

     

    Teams with good defences tend to win things. Italy have a chance but Germany and Poland have defended well too.

     

     

    I am afraid Iceland will get gubbed. They have already achieved their goal in qualifying. And if they were to take the lead, that Icelandic commentator does not have another register to reach with his voice, even if he goes castrato.

  4. Do Celtic scouts know that now we have 12 La Liga and 10 Polish Ekstraklasa footballers still fighting in this tournament :-)

  5. Well done Italy, by far the better team, better coached and wanted it more imo.

     

    Can see Chelsea back on top next season.

     

    Hope you take the Germans

  6. Paul67,”That’s not to judge Leo; maybe he identifies with the people he chose, not with a nation. Many of us do.”

     

     

     

    Perhaps he identifies with a people and a cause?

     

    Heard that before somewhere!

     

     

    Laters

  7. Neustadt-Braw on

    “No leadership,tactically inept and a shadow of there former selves” the Labour party on Spain..

     

     

    Nickedfromtwitter CFC

     

     

    Braw.

  8. On the plus side, all the euro 16 gear will be going for feck all tomorrow, got a few half price tops for the grandweans at the weekend, I reckon a euro a pop tomorrow :-)

  9. leftclicktic on

    zybszek

     

    TET has been saying for years about the bargains(no taps) :)))) in the lower leagues around europe

  10. Lefty

     

    Imagine we signed Lubo tomorrow, I reckon over 90% of the support would have it in for him long before he kicked a ball, forgetting he doesn’t fit the criteria so we wouldn’t :-)

     

    Virtually any player we will sign is up against it, so better getting ones cheaper than paying over the odds imo, they may then have a fighting chance with the support.

     

    HH

  11. https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/8705/full-speech-irish-president-begins-four-day-visit-scotland

     

     

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    Full speech: Irish President begins four day visit to Scotland

     

     

     

    Irish President celebrates shared Celtic history as Scotland visit begins

     

    PRESIDENT Michael D. Higgins of Ireland today [Monday 27 June] began a four day visit to Scotland with a speech in the Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre, Glasgow.

     

     

    His tour will include receiving an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh, and taking part in various cultural exhibits with connections between the two nations.

     

     

    On Wednesday 29 June President Higgins, known for his campaigning for peace and equality, will address the Scottish Parliament. His first speech during his visit to Scotland is published below.

     

     

    Ladies and Gentlemen, A dhaoine Uaisle,

  12. Italy worthy winners tonight, I thought their second goal was a thing of beauty, well crafted.

     

    Again tonight my tortured soul will be wanting Iceland/any team to beat my CQN sweepstake team – it’s nothing personal.

     

    Germany have not beaten Italy in a major tournament for 8 games that goes back a fair bit. It will be interesting to see how Conte fares against ole Scratch & Sniff.

     

     

    C’mon the Ice men and their sons.

  13. SFTB

     

    Grosicki has had serious problems with gambling at that time. He is well for a couple of years. I heard that Everton asked about him not long time ago but Stade Rennais not made decision yet.

  14. leftclicktic on

    bada bing 7 54

     

    howard fae the Halifax,

     

    thank you for making me splutter :)))))))))))))))))))

  15. I predict that someone playing in tonight’s game we will see a lot more off next season.

     

     

    I always liked the sugercubes and not bjork.

  16. LIONROARS67 on 27TH JUNE 2016 7:47 PM

     

     

    ‘Irish President celebrates shared Celtic history as Scotland visit begins’

     

     

     

    ####

     

     

    “Wheresoever knives and razors are used, wheresoever sneak thefts and petty pilfering are easy and safe, wheresoever dirty acts of sexual baseness are committed, there you will find the Irishman in Scotland with all but a monopoly.”

     

     

    Professor Andrew Dewar Gibb K.C.

     

    Leader of the SNP from 1936 to 1939

  17. SFTB

     

    You wrote about defenders. Short reminder to your and to the others. Kamil Glik was close to Celtic few years back. I mean, his agent wished that deal more than Celtic. Celtic did not decide to pay circa 1 million euros. Glik is Torino captain, worth 10-15 m euros. The other one for Poland Michał Pazdan cost Legia 800 000 euros one year ago.

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