The siege mentality which Celtic endured two years ago now feels like a different world. The pursuit of £3.5m defender Jozo Simunovic was a significant statement of intent, but even that was mocked by many now close to the club. A critical assessment from a Balkan writer for The Guardian was enough for the club’s critics to tell us how ridiculous Celtic were.
For months I endured one character repeatedly imply we had bought a crock who would never complete a season. This story had what all good conspiracy theories have, a curious fact which, when revealed, was enough to inspire fantasists.
Jozo was injured when Celtic signed him. The club sent him to London for an assessment from the top man available. The verdict was clear: the injury would heal, but while personal medical details are kept private, speculation was rife.
The truth is we did remarkably well recruiting Jozo. If he wasn’t injured, we may have been priced out of the market, but we scouted him (a John Park player), got the best medical advice available and put money on the table, while others read The Guardian and pondered knee injuries.
Many have spent the last two weeks marvelling at the tacking ability of Jozo.
Lisbon Lions Raffle
Last year we got this retro Celtic top signed at an event by several Lions: Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell, John Hughes and Charlie Gallacher. Willie has told us he’ll ask the others to add their names, when he’s over later this month. I intend pinning the Original Holy Goalie before then. Former captain, Paul McStay, was also kind enough to add his name.
We’re raffling the top, all proceeds will be spent on the Lions, or descendants, where appropriate. The objective is to give the Lions and their families a memento to mark the 50th anniversary of their greatest achievement. Many no longer have their medals, strips or keepsakes from that era.
£2 each, you can buy a bucket-load HERE, if you like. I guarantee you the winner will cherish their prize.
323 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- »
James Doleman @jamesdoleman 14m14 minutes ago
Authorised signatories for Colloyer Bristow is Gary Withey and Paul Sillis,
Bank is C Hoare and Co
A Cute Hoare?
Surely not.
mullet and co 2
I knew it. I knew all along that despite winning everything and everything being positive that things were actually rubbish…
“If we all knew that Jozo Simunovic was a player why was there no outcry when we tried to sell him to Torino?”
A Stor,
Plenty on here voiced their misgivings at the proposed move and plenty more were glad when the deal fell through.
HH
DAVIDOPOULOS:
go to image No. 20. That puts it into perspective.
GEORDIE MUNRO:
I don’t remember that,I remember an air of apathy.
GEORDIE MUNRO:
I do remember the club being proactive at facilitating him moving on.
Good afternoon timland
Just popped in to offer my heartfelt condolences to the gentleman that is SFTB.
I only caught the sad news when skimming the blog last night.
Requiescat in Pace
YNWA alone T.
Hail Hail
I worked in the fire station close to CP for 23 years,which included the re-build.We had plans in the Fire Safety office, which included the main stand having 2 tiers to match the rest of the stadium..
“I don’t remember that,I remember an air of apathy.”
A Stor Mha Chroi,
That’s what often happens on footy blogs with fickle fans.
But trust me, the guys on cqn who know their stuff and spotted him as a player from the off weren’t overjoyed at the proposed move. ;)
Also some weren’t keen on the move as we were a bit short in that position at that time.
HH
WITS
For the avoidance of doubt dear WITS what do you mean?
Makes you lose faith in humanity. Ticket touts taking advantage of some generosity. Scumbags.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-39870107
Free tickets given to Swansea City supporters have appeared on ticket selling websites for more than £60. The club said it was “extremely disappointed” as players had paid for 3,000 tickets to get as many as possible to the game at Sunderland on Saturday. The free tickets had been snapped up within hours, officials said.
in Bales first season at Spurs there was talk of cutting their losses.
He was not performing and they had a ridiculous stat of winning only one of about 20 games he played in.
He was initially played at left back but when pushed forward and renewed confidence he became one of the best in EPL and subsequently sold for a world record fee.
Jozo looked tough and raw in first season.
He had no settled partner and played through injury until it sidelined him for most of season.
He has been carefully restored to the team and is progressing really well due to coaching and fitness being carefully monitored.
It was understandable that Brendan and the club were willing to let him go due to his first season.
Through good fortune for us he stayed and has the potential to be an excellent player.
Jozo looked fragile anytime he played last year, and the Club looked to offload him.What a difference now he is match fit, BTW i’m not convinced he will be with us next season.
Good Afternoon.
Here is something about stopping the 10.
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2017/05/09/9-in-a-row-20-years-on-billy-mcstaunch-tells-us-what-happened-next/
Fanatic…
Bale took 24 games before winning at Spurs.
Made his debut in August 2007 and didn’t win until September 2009!
Lot of injuries in there obviously.
“(John Park Player)”
Like the vast majority of players who have played this season por cierto.
El Madrigal
I did not know exact number but knew it was around 20.
Thats a less than impressive stat though not all down to him.
It was a combination of position, injuries and team.
When scapegoating players people often overlook that it’s a team sport and many factors can impact performance,
Maggie
What do I mean about what ?
Rafael Scheidt ?
Phil Mac Ghiolla ?
They were my 2 posts this afternoon
For the avoidance of doubt though….I am just a soul whose intentions are good,oh lord please dont let me be misunderstood
Fan a tic,
Totally agree.
Both posts.
HH
JOZO’s NO BOZO !
My mate accidently had a vacum cleaner up his bum….he was admitted to hospital,
The next day I phoned the hospital,
I asked..” How is he nurse” ?
Nurse…” Yes ..he’s picking up” !
HH
GEORDIE MUNRO:
Mate I went back through the archives over that period, I searched for Jozo on 40 pages at random over 3 blogs, I found 1 (one) comment in favour of Jozo. Even in one of Paul’s leaders over the time frame he alludes to us failing in bringing in a ‘local’ (was it Denyar) central defender because the Jozo Torino deal fell through.
With regards Jozo I did not find any hostility but neither did I find much support. I do remember apathy reigning at the time.
Page 11 in the archives end of Aug. start of Sept.
POR CIERTO on 10TH MAY 2017 2:54 PM
“(John Park Player)”
Like the vast majority of players who have played this season por cierto.
_____
Sssssshhh don’t tell Phil.
Remember, Peter Lawwell signed all these players until Saint Brendan saved the day!
Bada Bing
I have hunted and hunted but cant find it.
A statement from Trfc distancing themselves from the overtly racist behviour directed
at Scott Sinclair.
A statement as suggested trfc keeper and future england great foderingham
Nup.no heard a peep either
HH
Resting.
It was just resting, Father
Andrew BlackVerified account @BBCAndrewBlack 52s53 seconds ago
Mr Withey says money sat in client account. Says he’s “not sure” for how long.
For the avoidance of doubt dear reader me and WITS were discussing Phil.:)
Maggie
I like reading Phil
Its real feel good ..2 legs bad 4 legs good,all tims go to heaven and all huns burn in hell forever stuff
Buts its not to be taken seriously,its just fantasy mainly
So,if i’ve read back correctly:
Craig Whyte and Barrie McKay (who is Fulton’s son) gave Murray a pound and Eric Bristow got a whore to sign for it so that Gareth Bale could look like Scheidt for over a year?
And Jozo nearly left us when he got an audition for a part in Gran Torino but got lost on the way and ended up in Wounded Knee instead so just had to come back and go to the Park with John?
Or something like that. ;)
HH
A STOR MHA CHROI on 10TH MAY 2017 3:05 PM
GEORDIE MUNRO:
Mate I went back through the archives over that period, I searched for Jozo on 40 pages at random over 3 blogs, I found 1 (one) comment in favour of Jozo. Even in one of Paul’s leaders over the time frame he alludes to us failing in bringing in a ‘local’ (was it Denyar) central defender because the Jozo Torino deal fell through.
With regards Jozo I did not find any hostility but neither did I find much support. I do remember apathy reigning at the time.
____
Jozo had barely played and had spent months injured. Not surprised.
Big Erik had also established himself alongside Kolo.
So given the useless twits don’t have the funds, it appears somewhat academic that those who thought that Whyte was the Whyte of Whyte and Mackay fame are and were not useless twits.
WHAT IS THE STARS on 10TH MAY 2017 3:14 PM
Maggie
I like reading Phil
Its real feel good ..2 legs bad 4 legs good,all tims go to heaven and all huns burn in hell forever stuff
Buts its not to be taken seriously,its just fantasy mainly
____
It’s might not even be the case that Phil is making stuff up. Maybe somebody at Celtic Park wants the fans to believe they are going to build a new stand and sign the lad from Chelsea. Just in time to sell some season books.
All you have to do is give Phil a nudge and he’ll put it out there.
The same goes for Sports Direct who are clearly selling him tales of “tanks on the lawn” of Dave King.
AT- Level 5 lies…
..
Fan a tic,- if someone gives his opinion of a player, -scapegoating- is a bit strong IMO
TIMALOY29:
Agreed, and that is probably why supporters were not too concerned whether he signed for Torino or not.
I think the guy is a good player. He is not VVD, Paul Elliot, nor even one of my all time favourites (maybe not the most skillful though) Bobo, but Jozo is still young and learning and he is only going to get better. As long as he doesn’t kop another bad injury. I pray he doesn’t.
What I remember about Jozo before this season was that
he was torn a new one as they say by Michael O halloran which
was basis (along with ST J league cup game at Ibrox) of his getting transferred
across the city.
Shortly after it was revealed Jozo had been playing with a fractured knee.
Personally when linked with Italy thought
In Brendan we trust probably going to reveal a new center half
I don’t understand this article.
It is Brilliant that Jozo is so hardcore in defending and doing it well.
The Champions League is beckoning, for once I have næ worries about Celtic qualifying for it…PROPER….lmfao.
A First.
19th May, I hopefully get CLOSER to the action, a lot mair so that Aidan does.
A Stor,
Can you find the page where the story initially broke?
Tia
HH
If Jozo was in Torino it means that Brendan and Jozo were happy for him to move on. The facts are he was unconvincing during his first season both in terms of fitness and performance. He has come back well from that episode which tells you his attitude is spot on. In relative terms he is still a baby at 22. His market value at present is easily in excess of £10 million, I’m sure Torino were looking to pay around £3m. If he stays fit and healthy he must be kept for the CL Qualifiers although i expect he will move on by 2018.
Thanks to Zico Maltese Bhoy for bringing this to my attention.
A national FA who have grown a pair and refused a European licence to a member club. Don’t think it will catch on here ….
http://www.mfa.com.mt/en/news/news/2868/birkirkara-fc-uefa-licence-appeal-turned-down.htm