Likely summer signing number two, Virgil van Dijk, arrived in Glasgow this morning for a medical after terms were agreed with the player and his club, Groningen. The 6’4” player, who will be 22 next month, is a Dutch under-21 international.
Virgil is two weeks younger than Victor Wanyama and emerged into the Groningen team around the same time Victor pitched up in Glasgow, they have made almost exactly the same number of appearances for their respective clubs, 62 top flight games in total, in the case of Virgil.
62 games is an interesting figure. Enough to bed in, catch local scouts’ eyes and have well-travelled men from Glasgow watch several times before making a recommendation. Not enough to catch the eyes of less well-organised, but no less resourceful, scouts in the bottom half of the English Premier League, who Celtic now seem to compete for talent with.
If Virgil is the real deal, another couple of dozen games might have changed the competition for his signature.
Is there a 50-80 game window which can deliver sufficient evidence of a player’s talent, but not too much evidence, which evaporates the value gap? This hypothesis would be easy to test and if it holds would provide an interesting filter on the hundreds of names pushed to the club each year.
Have you booked for the Lions Roar event at Celtic Park tomorrow night? Last and precious opportunity to watch how the European Cup was won with the men who did the work. In short, priceless. Tickets available here.
Speaking of the men who won it, buy Heart of a Lion here:
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Former Sevco superstar Kevin Kyle has been launching a book written by p1ss-poor Zombie ‘journalist’ Lisa Gray – who files appalling copy in her day job at PA.
Proof of her shoddiness surely comes in the title of the book: Rangers FC: We Don’t Do Walking Away…
Coming soon from Lisa –
Why I’ll never leave Barcelona: Lee McCulloch
Acting responsibly around women – the Paul Gascoigne Story
My Best Goals For Rangers – James Beattie
Walter Smith – The Glory Years at Everton
Proudbhoy
I think we fielded dylan out to a wee diddy club and he came back to us a couple of years ago ;)
canamalar1
Hope you don’t mind me hijacking your draft points to the board to give my tuppence worth in support of what you are proposing and my understanding of the background which has prompted the proposed action.
BACKGROUND
In 2011 rfc were awarded a licence to compete in European football.Many on here and elsewhere found it strange that they appeared to be eligible.Thanks to the efforts of guys like Auldheid and others who took the time to read, understand and interpret the relevant UEFA Articles those feelings of “something just isn’t right here” grew.Questions put to Mr Regan of the SFA were met with responses which did not make sense.Given Celtic FC stood to lose significant sums of money through potentially being unfairly denied the licence for the CL,a number of people questioned the stance (or lack of one) from Celtic FC
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE/WHY NOW?
Recent documents released by CharlotteFakes throw even more doubt on whether the licence being awarded to rfc was proper.
Mr Regan apparently intended issuing a statement re the licence but chose to first run it past CW and his team for comments/approval.Why would he do that?
Whyte’s team advised/instructed SR not to issue the statement saying it would be bad for both rfc and sfa.Why would they say that?What did they mean?
SR did not issue the statement.Again why?
These questions (and more) have prompted some of us to re-ignite this issue and to look for a way to have it aired publicly.The Celtic AGM being one avenue considered.
SIMPLE GUIDE TO UEFA LICENCE (see Aulheid’s stuff for the tekky backup to this)
In order to qualify for a UEFA licence,a club cannot have an outstanding,overdue tax bill.
If,however,a club has written proof that they are in an appeal process with the tax authority or are paying the bill up in instalments,they may qualify.
RFC did have an outstanding unpaid bill.
There is no evidence of any written appeal re the “wee tax bill” before October 2011
OBJECTIVES (MINE ANYWAY)
Use whatever mechanisms appropriate to have this issue addressed openly and honestly.If it’s the Celtic AGM fine.
Use this episode as a vehicle to promote transparent processes at the game’s governing body along with responsibility and accountability for their actions.
If incompetence or wrongdoing is uncovered,those responsible dealt with appropriately.
Celtic FC (also Kilmarnock FC) compensated for losses incurred.
Create and environment of fair play in Scottish football or a mechanism to leave it.
Again,apologies for hijacking your theme canamalar.
If a resolution requires a given number of shareholders to support or promote it,you can count on mine
Uncle Fester
Showpark is leased from the council. Thistle have been given a further year there, but my sense is that the council will lease it long term to whoever can spend the couple of million needed to put down a 3G surface and build a modern standard facility for players and spectators.
Mind you, picking cow dung out of a rubber crumb pitch doesn’t sound too attractive…
Bawsman, I accept that you are probably correct, and we can add Miku, Rogne & Darryl Murphy to that list as well but there has been no official announcement from the Club, Usually there is a statement and are thanked and wished well etc. If Paddy is gone and a free agent I’m surprised that he hasn’t been linked to any other Clubs.
tommysbhoy,
Getting some feedback, initially there was flurry of support but slowing up, appears its a personality issue, I’m thinking if someone more popular on here took up the challenge there would be more support.
I’ll keep plugging away all the same
Hail Hail
Is the Queen not getting a bit auld for riding the horses?
Phil’s laid up in hospital right enough – I suppose she has to make do…
I love the new kit!
16 roads – Neil Lennon walks on water.
Look at the big clubs in the so called big leagues. They all have to sell. It’s about timing and selling when it’s right for the club. Every player has their price. We need to keep the nucleus. That is the key. Even the real Madrid and Man Utd’s of this world have to sell players. Players want a change. It’s human nature. They want to try out new cultures and also try a different style or brand of football. They are enticed by different coaching styles and opponents to test themselves against. They are ultimately also enticed by money but the sums players are making these days are pretty high everywhere. The players we have are playing CL football and there are few clubs who can guarentee that and also guarantee you a game. Players are wising up to the fact that signing for a lower EPL team may pay you more cash but not raise your profile.
The Thai Tims, The GB and the fans as a whole are showing how big Celtic are. No club in the world have benefited more bby the internet/social media/Facebook/Twitter/etc more than Celtic have. Google Celtic and anny major city in the world and there are Celtic supporters there. Not many clubs in the world if any can do that!
We are just at the beginning of our potential and out with Scotland the world are taking notice of Celtic. We are huge, we haven;t even touched the surface yet. I believe there are massive days ahead for our football club. The work that Fergus laid the foudnations for is still ongoing. It may not be finished for a decade yet. It may never be finished. Celtic are still growing at a huge rate. The work of Tommy Burns in the youth set up is still on going. It will be his legacy. We may not reap the full benefits of that for a decade yet but it’s in place. The training ground, the youth set up, the philosphy. People wannt instant success. It’s understandable. It won’t be instant but it will be constant once it does happen because the foundations are strong. Nothing has been scrimped on. It has been planned thoroughly and from the training ground to the stadium it can be expanded.
Good times are now. Great times are not far away. This club is going to places we could only dream of in the past. I reckon within 10-15 years Celtic will be a big player in Europe. A very big player!
LB
16 Roads
Jist read ye Submission..
Where ye expressed.. some Reservations..No a Loat, mark ye..
Jist Some, regarding, Celtic’s Present and Indicated CONTINUING Policy
of being a Selling Club.
So.. Ah hiv bin Prompted.. tae Offer..
Some sort of explanation.. as tae Why
Ah.. believe that Yer Fears are Unwarranted..
Because..
Of whit Ah Perceive..
Hidden… BENEATH, the Surface…….
By the wey..
It is always wise… tae look ..UNDER, the Surface!
So.. in saying that…
Ah wull.
And whit dae Ah see?
Aha……..
Ah see that ..
Although,it wid appear that..
Sellin’ oor Clubs, up-and- soon-tae-be… Stars..is a First Class Ticket tae ..
Eventual..
Oblivion!… fur the Celtic.
Let me .. Explain..whit Ah kin readily see..frum Ma NOO Point of View..
Cosily, Ensconced….Beneath, the Surface.
Should, we Become a Sellng Club, and , instigate a Rigid Policy.. tae Accumulate Wealth.
Mair Wealth.. and ..well.. even.. Mair Bloody… Wealth..
Well..
Wance ,when Celtic, hiv Accumulated… Enuff..well… Accumulation…
Then we kin.. Relax.. Slow Doon oor Selling Activity..
Linger a While.. and no be in such a Hurry ,as we hid Bin afore.. tae
Push oor Stars ..oot the Door.
Fur..
Noo…that we hiv Reached a position where we are Financially Strong,because of oor Former Tactics..of ..
Buying Cheap.. Getting awe they Young, Undiscovered Kids, who hid bags o’ Bags of Potential..and Packin’ ’em ,tae the Hightest bidder..
We kin.. Noo… well.. Relax..
Take in a Movie.. Go tae Saltcoats wi’ the Family..
And , Enjoy the Fruits of Our Bounteous Success.. at the Selling Game.
and no be in any Hurry tae Sell any of oor Noo Present Star Performers.
Ah tell ye Pal..
That is Celtic’s Plan.. and ..ye Know Sumtin’??
It’s a Pretty Guid Wan!
Noo Ye know.
Kojo
Still… Laughin’
I watched what I considered to be a good movie the other day, it was called ‘The Way’.
It was about ditching your prejudices and breaking out of your cocoon.
Anyone know what players Celtic have released?
95% of tattoos look shite
#FACT
Medtim,
Hail Hail
Need all the help I can get, it’s not hijacking, this issue belongs to us all
New strip would look great with ole school black adidas boots.
BigYinMilan 16:23 on 20 June, 2013
“Anyone know what players Celtic have released?”
The Blanket Man, Lassad, Miku and Murphy have all gone and Rogne, is about to go.
canamalar1:
It has always been my experience in life that those who don’t rock the boat, who don’t speak their minds but drivel company/state/what the boss wants to hear rhetoric as a character default; they are the more popular ones.
There are of course exceptions to that rule.
corkcelt
Any players who are not having contracts renewed will not be free agents to 1st July I reckon.
McCourt I believe wasn’t offered a new deal. I hope Paddy gets a decent club to show off his talents because he is a player that will bring crowds in to watch him play.
Rogne refused a new deal and will be released on freedom of contract. Not sure if we get a fee for him though because he is under 23. Someone may know better than me on that one.
Murphy has signed for Ipswich and that may also not go through officially (registration wise) until July 1st.
Players from the UK who may be coming to Celtic or leaving Celtic will probably go through after the transfer window opens. Again I believe this is July 1st.
Could be wrong with some of the assumptions above but it’s my understanding.
LB
Steinreignedsupreme
16:23 on 20 June, 2013
95% of tattoos look shite
#FACT
—–
Aye, that eejit Beckham has a lot to answer for!
My ‘Scotland the Brave’ hasn’t looked the same since he ruined it all!! :ob
HH
/Bishop B
LiviBhoy,Kojo – Thanks for the responses,sound and sensible.
I am away now,in far better form than when i signed into the blog earlier.
Thanks again.
Slan.
steinreignedsupreme
16:23 on 20 June, 2013
…and the other 5% are hidden ….. LOL
Has the Derry Pele been released? Is that offishul??
If Virgil signs, his nomenclature among us fans just HAS to be ‘Hicks’.
And bournesoup’s Father’s Day T-shirt will take on a whole new value. I want one of those too, btw.
Canamalar
Good on you, but I think you’re trying to bite off too much in a oner. Your suggested resolution indicates as much.
I’d suggest you go down an information gathering route in the first instance. AGM questions give a good opportunity for a coordinated approach such that a series of questions can be asked in sequence by successive shareholders, each question determined by the answer given to the previous.
A wrap up question could ask, given the answers provided thus far, for a show of hands in support for a specific action.
In this way, you get the info you need to make a case, and you test the resolve of the shareholders to press the case, and thereby encourage the Board to recognise the issue.
I reckon you’d need only 4 or 5 folk to achieve this given the extent of the missing info, which is a heck of a lot easier than getting 100 shareholders to back a resolution that isn’t yet capable of being moved.
Moreover, if you go to resolution and it does get past the gatekeepers, you can be pretty sure the ‘proxy’ votes will kill it.
TBB
Not a fan of the new jersey. Number one rule when designing any Celtic shirt – don’t mess with the hoops !
Jings Crivens Help ma Boab
Sunday Post offices on fire.
Len Brennan 16:33 on 20 June, 2013
I know. Truly depressing stuff – there was a time when a tattoo signified something … now every Tom, Dick and Harriet have them plastered all over the place.
I’ve taken to hiding the lifelike image of my first-born’s face – boaking over a Swastika with her Irish name written in Hebrew above her head.
Maybe one those new long-sleeve Celtic taps would come in handy. I still think my tattoo falls into the five per cent category though.
Stein
Esp if they are on bingo wings!!!
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors 16:38
“…and the other 5% are hidden ….. LOL”
I’m in that five per cent…
An Dun
New Jersey is in America!! <:o)
canamalar
cheers.
In my opinion,to try but fail to see justice done on this issue would be no crime.
However,to not try at all would be.
As a support we have,for many years,known in our hearts that the dice were loaded against us.We now have at least enough evidence to prompt serious questions of the decision makers at the SFA.
As a shareholder I expect the custodians of our club to look after the best interests of supporters and shareholders.
If it takes a resolution to prompt them into action so be it.
Count me in.
Hail Hail
medtim
Has anybody posted that they like the new home kit?
*THE KING VIC 67*
No – print copies available from Magcloud.com only.
Cathedral House had the CQN Annual – we have them available if that is what you are after.
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ 16:44 on 20 June, 2013
“Esp if they are on bingo wings!!!”
My bingo wings have always been in a discreet place.
Dublin game sold out.
Case recalled?
This is pretty unusual. Any legal experts know if this is common practice?
http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/celtic-fan-s-sectarian-song-charge-recalled-to-court-1-2972307
LB
bournesouprecipe 16:51 on 20 June, 2013
“Has anybody posted that they like the new home kit?”
It’s great for covering up tattoos
#ChrisSuttonCSC
Strip looks like a golf shirt.