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
- »
Interested to see the JS chat.
Good to see that the transfer fee is now much closer to reality.
Regarding the proposed move in Aug — I fear JS was just a victim of circumstance.
BR wants a new high cost MF’er — budget won’t stretch someone has to go.
We have some depth at CB so If JS has suitors then needs must.
The high cost MF transfer falls through and JS can stay.
Won on just about every level.
The MF improves dramatically with SB returning to form and then some.
SA and CMcG show great improvement and the MF is not the weakness it was at the start of the season. Plus we keep JS who is a much better player than ES and has more potential than DB.
Interesting to find out who the two substantial signings will be this year?
My thoughts are a real DM and PR after a bit of haggling.
Hopefully we work the loans as well — a top quality wide MF would be a great addition.
SFTB-haven’t been on much recently,still reading back,so my thoughts are with you and your family mhate
SANDMAN on 10TH MAY 2017 8:22 PM
HE was the man who is supposed to organise. He was the man supposed to clean out the opposition and win the ball.
========
Why? The guy was 23 years old, the youngest member of the back 4. Why not the captain? Or the experienced goalkeeper who comes out flapping for the crucial 1st goal in Malmo? Why do the players who lost their man for the headers get a pass?
Goals from corners happen, there’s no foolproof plan to stop them. If you are attaching blame to anyone, then he’d be 3rd or 4th on the list. Were you one of the many on here who said they’d drive him to he airport for £5m?
If Jozo develops into half the player VVD was I’ll be delighted.
Jozo is an important player and doing well but he’s not yet near the level of VVD. The big man was imperious.
Wow. Some folk love getting lied to but also seem to like slagging the Hun for the same.
I mean who’d a thunk it?……
With regards to the stadium upgrade talk I hope we do it properly and go beyond just copying the North Stand.
I hope we build with a view of offering another 15K seats sometime in the future.
We should build a third tier which we can offer for sale as the season ticket numbers increase.
No need to flood the market and break our season ticket business model.
Given Euro games, TFOD2 games and the odd celebration we should be able to lift £200pa from these seats.
New main stand would be in the order of 28K seats — budget of £2K per seat.
Big money for sure but we could significantly increase the turnover of the seats we sell.
Better facilities, better sight lines, more premium seats / corporate– all these points will help.
Increase the number of Season tickets available by 5K to take advantage of BR and his growth agenda.
Probably looking at an extra £5mill in sales before we add in the £2mill from the third tier.
Then you have the non match day income that the new facilities will generate.
The optimist in me suggests £10mill after running costs.
Finally there in the naming rights potential …
“More Money than sense ME Airline” Stadium at CP.
I will still call it Parkhead so the issue will not affect me.
Consequently big bucks — £50 to £60mill build and fit our.
However this is the time to do it.
Get it opened for Season 20/21.
If you have any doubts then think about the problems I will be having trying to get 2 tickets for the 21st.
MADMITCH, I guess that the MM are thinking about the OC in the LT and are willing to spend on that, given that BR knows his LT and will be accorded with some BM.
RB @ 9.18
I give you MF = Midfield.
Can you help with some of yours …
RON BACARDI
Can I buy a vowel?
Im watching bbc prog about trafficking in Slovenia to Glasgow.
Shocking stuff
CLUMPS
Skeletor – Genius mate :)))
MARSPAPA-you cany sneak on at midnight and hit us with crap,your alowed the blue Nile but that other guy,?:-))
MARSPAPA-still reading back,so ment from last night,whatever you post tonight is your doing:-)))
NegAnon2,
Love ye,
Fearn iis gonnae have me crying like there is NO tomo.
Anyone been at child Burial/Cremation?
God Bless Dave/Lauren and being .
And fitba is important?
very annoyed.
I hope it Wakes up me
Isco going off now.
He has been superb.
Reminds me of Barry McKay.
Atleti fans, absolutely wonderful!
Checking in and out of the Madrid derby on BBC website.
There seems to be a fair old head of steam building up amongst commentators and contributors alike that Real pegging a goal back in the Vicente Calderon “has robbed us once again of a true spectacle, because of the ridiculous away-goals-count-double rule”.
I always thought that this rule was established to stop the kind of anti-football Cattenaccio espoused by Herrera, that we saw off so magnificently yon time, and which was dragged to an even deeper level of pulling-out-your-own-eyeballs toxic sludge ten years ago by Walter Smith. At least Herrera had quality players.
It’s the first time I have heard a concerted call to revoke the away goals rule.
Just thought it was interesting, a bit, while the wait for Friday evening drags on….
Does wee Barrie own one half of Whyte & McKay? Just asking.
THE GREEN JEDI on 10TH MAY 2017 4:32 PM
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.
Only if he stays fit?????????????.
He is a CH,FFS.There are numerous times in a game he can be injured.Making a tackle,going over on an ankle.Getting clogged.Hamstring stretching.Landing badly.
God help the boy if he gets injured playing for Celtic with fans like these around.
GreeninbingleyinOslo
I think it’s cos english teams have been on the receiving end of the rule, had it worked to their advantage they would be saying feck all, I personally don’t like it but it’s there and everybody has to abide by it, the game was over as soon as Real scored tonight, pity as it was turning into a very decent game, but them’s the rules.
HH
NEGANON2 on 10TH MAY 2017 6:57 PM,
The chocking stat of yoor spiling in thtt pots nows no bounce.
Do you ever read back when you post your bilge?.
I’m sorry that Real won.
I’m happy that Atletico lost.
Conflicted in Jersey.
Enjoyed the CL semi (2nd leg) despite the fact that I despise both teams – it was a good competitive match.
Who to support in the Cardiff final? Both clubs have manipulated/ bent rules and conspired to fec# FFP rules/ bribes etc!
Difficult choice! I’m going with Buffon – nice guy, great GK – deserves to complete the set; WC/ EChmps/ Serie A/ etc., etc!
Gigi H!H!
Human trafficking….Slovenia-Romania….to Glasgow.
Selling human beings….right here,right now.
But lets ignore that, and go after those evil people that let off flares and sing songs
WTF is going on.
TTR,
Pretty Sure peteC owns HaHalal (dinnae get me started) of that.
PARANOIA is………
Its like the Tories want to bring back the 19th century…no human rights whatsoever, everything for sale, human beings, organs….anything
turkeybhoy-my two granddaughters are coming out to Lara beach nxt wk,with their mum and dad obviously,i know it’s not your cup cup of tea,but hopefully they will enjoy
The Green Man says SACK THE Board on 10th May 2017 9:51 pm
Its like the Tories want to bring back the 19th century…no human rights whatsoever, everything for sale, human beings, organs….anything
………………………………………………………………
Are you just realising that :-)
HH
Life is hard. You work tirelessly to …
– fleece taxpayers
– rip off shareholders
– plunder pension funds AND
– irrevocably corrupt the national game
And what do you get for it?
A KNIGHTHOOD !!!!
TET
No…i could give you chapter and verse on it.
However….this is vile.
Makes me angry.
Try Dyncorp for example….Kosovo etc
Miami transplant boats etc
HH
Turkeybhoy. Watch that cloth cap. It’s looking so worn.
Maryhill fc 0-1 Girvan fc , Mon the seasiders !
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD
The poor are being harvested..
Haiti etc etc..
And cloth cap wringing turkeybhoy I was posting on my phone without my glasses.
Sue me.
Or perhaps engage your brain rather than your prejudice.
NEGANON2 on 10TH MAY 2017 7:44 PM
TET well I can’t argue with that. But when a site claiming not be be lazy journalism is selling fake news and claiming the morale high ground that really does take the biscuit.
I have no idea why people on this blog pander to you.Tiptoe around you.You are a whingeing trumpet.If I felt as strongly as you about CQN,the last place I would be,would be on it.Your only aim on this blog is to sow discord,thinking you are being a smart ass.TRUMPET.Always have been,always will be.
‘GG on 10th May 2017 9:48 pm
I’m sorry that Real won.
I’m happy that Atletico lost.
Conflicted in Jersey.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
You Sir, have Helped Every Celt. Religiously.
Hearing a hardcore Presbytereeeeerian Praise Francis so much 07:25ish Rafio Scotland FM. he…
Francis didnae want to liv3 in Luxury.
Park Rd 67. 9.58
Thanks for that.
Girvan can win the league, yes? I’m pleased as my bhoy plays for Cumbernauld they are 5th bottom and Maryville are one of the teams below them.
Hail Hail
Starry Plough
Yeah….Haiti,—Miami right now.
Ive seen the organ pricelist…..heart, lungs, the lot……1/2 a million dollars per cadaver….bone marrow by the gram.
Nobody gives a fk.
Fk up world.
HH