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.
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Neil Lennon will be on the Ray Darcy show on RTÉ Radio 1 after 4 o clock.
RTE Radio 1 is on Sky 0160
Paul67
Absolutely correct regarding Jozo there were even a few on here who questioned what we had ‘really’ paid to get him, and knocked the fee as being ‘the board inflated’ to include his wages, I recall.
Change days especially since he launched old Kenny Miller.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens should a Torino come calling, ( clubs call for all our stars – Don’t they? ) The number of games he has been fit to play, and TinyTims stats do not lie, there was clearly a previous willingness for Celtic to offload the player.
Jozo is the new Erik, and Brendan is on record as seeking a centre back this summer.
“TinyTims stats do not lie”
Bsr,
Well, maybe just a smidgen. Celtic have only played 100 competitive games since he signed.
Still, far from ever-present admittedly.
HH
HCTS is a must. I learned the hard way being a new ST holder.
Back in the day ye just jumped on a bus to the Cup Final.
with regards to Jozo been a great signing for us. I would say yes, but only if he stays fit for an entire season, if not, then yes, we’ve been sold a pup.
But if he starts and maintains next season the way he’s currently finishing this one, then he will prove himself to be a great defensive signing
Almore
Thanks for the heads up… always enjoy listening to Neil
B-)
The Green Jedi,
Jozo is my kind of defender.
Rest assured, we were not sold a pup.
He is easily the best CH we have.
St Stivs: I’ll take two badges off you at the corner on the 21st.
Bhoylo83: You are welcome. Was pretty much run of the mill stuff but good publicity all the same. Hope you are keeping well, good to see you posting
You can Drink, Dance, or Reverse around a Roundabout
I can’t remember who we were playing, but I remember the very premeditated “tackle” in a European tie that laid Jozo off initially. It was very early in the game, and was a very crude tackle aimed at his ankle.
I found that strange at the time (the fact it was so targeted). I think it was during recuperation for that injury that his long term broken bone became apparent.
Timalot29
I think you implied ( or even stated) twice that Celtic were trying to influence the uptake of Season Tickets by releasing `information` that was positive but not actually trues.
Is it not the case that there is a Waiting List for ST for next season?
Geordie Munro
” Still, far from ever-present admittedly.”
The `stats` might be overly influenced by his overall game time since his arrival. Of late ( and I am guessing) I would feel he has turned out rather regularly.
I have always rated him and I have always rated CalMac. On the other hand, I am regularly proven wrong in my unfavourable assessment of Scott Sinclair every time I see his stats.
JJ
Timalot is not a new Celtic dog food. Obviously, I meant Timaloy 29 !
You are Cordially invited
Almore
But he did say Rangers (1872) were liquidated and had to start again…
B-)
JJ,
30apps this season. Boyata much less but doesn’t need to prove himself to some.
I’ve read your musings on Sinky and find myself in total agreement.
Must dash. Swimming lesson calling.
HH
The bairns lessons. Not mines :)
HH
Hunderbirds are Gone on 10th May 2017 4:40 pm
I can’t remember who we were playing, but I remember the very premeditated “tackle” in a European tie that laid Jozo off initially. It was very early in the game, and was a very crude tackle aimed at his ankle.
I found that strange at the time (the fact it was so targeted). I think it was during recuperation for that injury that his long term broken bone became apparent.
………………………………………………………………………………
Jozo is a very big Laddie.
I’d have him one of the first on the Team Sheet.
Hopefully he stays.
All the Boring CL teams want a player like Jozo.
MAGICAL that Jozo is………… Hopefully STAYING with us.
HOT SMOKED on 10TH MAY 2017 4:48 PM
Timalot is not a new Celtic dog food. Obviously, I meant Timaloy 29 !
___
Haha, I have seen a few things about a waiting list. If you are a cynic like me, you can assume that it’s also a ploy from our corporate overlords >:-)
I wouldn’t be surprised if we are actively trying to sign the Chelsea lad due to his links with Brendan.
I just don’t buy the stadium redevelopment. I don’t doubt that the PLC have looked into improving facilities and the image of Celtic park. The dressing rooms and the Jock Stein lounge are both small by modern standards.
The capacity is an issue. Despite waiting lists, I see plenty of empty seats at the majority to league games. I’m not convinced there is a demand.
I’ll be honest, I’m not familiar with Kerr.
https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/brighton-close-to-signing-celtic-defender-after-deal-is-agreed/
According to HITC Sport, Brighton and Hove Albion have agreed a deal to sign Celtic defender Josh Kerr.
Josh Kerr has been attracting lots of interest from England and Scotland but it appears that Premier League new boys Brighton and Hove Albion have won the chase for him.
Even though he has been offered a new deal by the Scottish Premiership champions, the talented teenager is keen to pursue his career in England.
Neil Lennon talking last night on mental health issues.
Hope the link works.
https://twitter.com/TV3SportIreland
Geordie
Problem is, once a player gets on a plane looking to sign for another club doubts will linger in the football supporter on any Blog.
Hopefully now that he’s established himself the status of club and player has changed summer to summer.
TIMALOY29
Josh is the grandson of Jude who posts on here
Think we signed him from Accies when he was about 14( I’m sure Jude will confirm)
He played in cup final at Humpdump couple of weeks ago..
Court adjourned at lunch time?
BADA BING @3-24
Think you are misinterpreting my post.
I never implied anyone was scapegoating anyone in particular but was just in context of players in general who don’t succeed in a particular environment and are subjected to harsh treatment.
I have been accused of such in Bittons case on this blog.
I gave reasons and it was not personal more to to do with how he failed our system and was detrimental to the teams performance.
To many i was scapegoating him and while i disagree i can understand why they felt that.
Whitney Houston.
WH – awesome
I think Joe McHugh over on Video Celts is being unkind on Brother Pedro.
Shoorly it is time to drop the “Fifth best Coach in Qatar” jibes…
… now that he is the third best Coach in the esspeeeffell. :)
Friday is going to be so hard.
Aiberdeen are a guid team, they are Nothing really.
Truth be told.
Who determines things?
I just wish wee Fearne was still alive. A wee Baby like that definitely deserves to Live on this World a lot longer.
IBLEEDGREENANDWHITE1 I remember that glass fronted proposal as it was a friend of mine who drew the architect drawings for it , he showed them to me at the time but it was only a proposal it was never followed up , as I said in a previous post it doesn’t make sense if you where considering upgrading the stand or facia to release plans for a hotel etc , right next to it , unless of coarse it was all combined .
Fan a tic,- i get you now HH
Its a little known Fact that Jozo had to go via Rome on his way to Torino , BMCWP says Paul McCartney wrote a song about it :) Song for Big JOZO ( yellow submarine ) Jozo sailed across the sea … cos the clubs had… agreed a fee , But they tried to change the deal , so let the big man know how we feel ….. and We’re so glad that Simunovic came home , he didnae go to rome , Simunovic came home , we’re so glad that Simunovic came home , he didnae go to rome , Simunovic came home …..
Big Jozo – caught his live SKY interview when sitting outside a cafe in Turin as his transfer failed.
Remarkable focus and calm, stating emphatically he did not mind going back to Celtic to fight for his place and prove his worth. Realised then we had a consumate pro on our hands, no petulant wean, and the transfer falling through might be a blessing.
As long as he’s fit, he is probably the opustanding centre back we’ve had in a decade – his positional sense, command, and coolness under pressure are absolutely top-drawer; and we know he’s no shrinking violet when there’s a 50-50 :)) – He also makes Boyata a player.
VVD – people get misty-eyed about his legacy. He was a fine Celt – tremendous attacking dimension to his game BUT he failed in the departments Jozo is natural to. Switching off, and not displaying a strength in the air commensurate with his stature – anyone who witnessed his abject failure to organise, then win crucial headers, at Malmo’s Parkhead goals ( and then over there to) must accept he played a major part in our failure to reach the promised land. Scooping circa 5 million from his next big move will be the second greatest transfer result for us this century, behind Moussa’s eventual departure for megabucks.
Always
Sandman on 10th May 2017 6:27 pm
Hit the nail on the head there mi amigo
HH
Good evening, friends.
Bourne at al . This so called article from paul67 is guff even by his standards (and they get lower by the day). We bought jozo on the same day we sold vvd.
The daily record carries a story about how much we got for vvd and how much we paid for Jono.they quotes 5.5 million. It was clearly bolloks. I called Paul out on it at the time. Now’s its 3.5 m and I still don’t believe that.
My main ire at the time was that Celtic were clearly using the record to get lies out.
And as others have pointed out if Jono is so fab why did we try to sell him?
Itsjust propaganda push
Something ourhost is now synominois for.
Can? Not even lazy journalism. Just propaganda.
I mean we laugh at the him for stuff like this.
Hats off paul67. Your hypocracy knows no bounds.