At 21-years-old Tom Rogic should be strongly staking his claim for a central midfield berth at Celtic. The fact that he’s not is a disappointment to the player, and apparently the nation of Australia. It’s also a disappointment to you and me. He has the physique and the passing ability but after some tentatively positive performances last season he hasn’t kicked on as hoped.
There could be lots of reasons for this, it’s not necessarily the ‘fault’ of the player, his ability or the club, but football careers wither on the vine when clubs hoard talent. If Tom can get some game-time under his belt at Melbourne Victory, and potentially get to Brazil in the summer, we will have a better indication if he is the real deal.
Someone just text me, “Rangers need to be a long-term sustainable business and that’s the bottom line. The club needs to change”, from that memorable Craig Whyte interview to The Scotsman in 2012. Groundhog Day….
So Fifa presidential candidate, Jerome Champagne, has proposed the introduction of a sin-bin, to be invoked by the referee brandishing an orange card. What’s your view on this, is there a universal association between sin and orange, or is this another subversive plot by Celtic fans? I have my suspicions.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2543447/Odd-man-McGeady-Hooper-Wanyama-make-line-misfit-XI.html
tom
04:07 on 22 January, 2014
Morning Tom
I can’t take the credit for it, I was sent it but don’t know the author.
It sure does take you back and your penalty analogy was exactly how it was growing up in Drumchapel
Cheers
My boss is Peter Principle –
My late grandfather used to regale me with stories of his childhood.
One that sticks in my mind is how, while walking through a street in a neighbouring scheme in Motherwell, he was asked if he wanted to join in a game of fitba to make up the numbers. He was happy to accept and was soon involved in the game.
After a while, he saw a few of his mates appear at the end of the street. The game immediately stopped and one of the guys in his team was heard to shout, “Lift the baw. Here’s the Kaffliks!”
CELTIC are ready to make a last-ditch bid to sign Rhys Williams after his move to Swansea stalled.
SunSport can reveal Neil Lennon has been tracking Middlesbrough’s Australian international all season.
The Swans looked set to land stopper Williams, in a £1.5million move last week, but a deal with Michael Laudrup’s men still hasn’t been sealed.
As high-level Parkhead talks continue over whether to push ahead with a bid for Norwich star Robert Snodgrass, the Hoops have now turned their attention back to Williams.
Swansea chiefs remain confident they can prise the versatile 25-year-old from the Riverside before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
But the delay has seen other clubs — including West Ham and a side in cash-rich Qatar — alerted to Perth-born Williams’ availability.
Celts boss Lennon has made no secret of the fact he’s in the market for a centre-half and Williams would fit the bill.
The Boro fans’ favourite, who can also play as a holding midfielder or right-back, is keen to remain in British football.
The 6ft 2in ace has been at Boro since being spotted playing for a Western Australia Under-16 select.
Despite suffering several injuries he has made more than 100 appearances since a loan spell at Burnley in 2009.
His form on his return saw the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle linked with moves two years ago.
But Williams chose to stay and work with former Celts boss Tony Mowbray, who made him captain.
He has remained a mainstay under new gaffer Aitor Karanka this term, but his spell in the north-east of England now looks to be nearing the end.
Williams’ mother is from Mumbai while his father hails from Kent, leaving him to choose between representing Australia, England, India and Wales.
After playing ten times for the Welsh Under-21s he switched nationalities and linked up with the Socceroos in 2009.
He was included in Australia’s preliminary squad for the 2010 World Cup but missed out after picking up an injury.
By BILLY McNEILL Published: 21st January 2014
NEIL LENNON deserves enormous credit for constructing a defence that doesn’t just superbly keep out the opposition — it also CREATES.
Look at the back four against Motherwell to see what I’m talking about — each player more than capable of sparking lightning quick attacks.
Darnell Fisher, Efe Ambrose, Virgil van Dijk, Emilio Izaguirre are all comfortable bringing the ball out from the back and producing penetrating passes.
It’s an aspect of Celtic’s play that I feel hasn’t got the accolades it deserves and that’s why I’m anxious to try and redress the situation.
Mikael Lustig and Adam Matthews are currently sidelined, but they are also modern-day defenders who are skilled in the art of defending and attacking.
Of course, when Charlie Mulgrew has to drop back his style of play also fits in with the others I’ve mentioned.
I thought Motherwell played very well on Saturday and were a little unlucky to go home with a 3-0 defeat to bother them.
Celtic merited their victory, no question but how Well didn’t at least manage one goal is beyond me.
Ambrose is comfortable with bringing the ball outof defence
That they didn’t, however, is also down to a defence that has magnificently achieved nine successive league clean sheets and is now seeking ten in a row against Hibs on Sunday.
Don’t bet against them managing it. I’m not interested in those cynics who claim that the Premiership’s a mediocre standard and that it’s no big deal Celtic have conceded so few goals.
That kind of comment is both unwarranted and disrespectful.
Motherwell posed enough questions of the Celtic defence and got no joy.
Whenever their frontmen got beyond the back four Fraser Forster delivered, especially with the point-blank save from James McFadden.
Forster’s terrific and he fully deserves to be on the England plane heading for Brazil and the World Cup finals. Believe me, the goalkeeper and defenders feel precisely the same way about clean sheets as strikers do goals and the more they achieve the more determined they become to keep it that way.
I was delighted with the attitude of the back line against Motherwell. Even at 3-0 and the result clearly in the bag, they were every bit as fired up to keep out the visitors as they had been at kick-off.
Ambrose and van Dijk are excellent. Sure, Ambrose remains prone to creating the odd moment of panic but he’s essentially playing very well.
Van Dijk’s proving a brilliant buy. A typical Dutch footballer, he is very confident on the ball and never afraid to stride forward.
He produced one fantastic bit of skill in the Motherwell box that you just DON’T expect to see from centre-halves.
The full-backs get up and down the flanks with ease and are ever willing to put balls in the box.
James Forrest played the 90 minutes and I was delighted for him. I’m worried by the fact he can’t seem to go decent periods without injury. It must torment him.
But Neil Lennon’s managing him extremely well, protecting him as much as possible.
The fitness issue is one thing, but his ability is another. There’s never been a question mark over that.
Forrest was flying against Motherwell, playing with great expression and freedom — and it was a joy to see.
I especially want to see the lad become successful for Celtic because he’s come through the academy.
It makes it all the more special for the fans when a hero is homegrown.
I really hope the time will come soon when Forrest can withstand the extreme demands of the game and be able to consistently showcase his talent.
I agree with his manager, when the winger’s on top form then he definitely adds a new dimension to Celtic’s performances.
Forster can book Brazil World Cup ticket in Glasgow, says former England boss Taylor
By MARK WILSON
PUBLISHED: 00:09, 22 January 2014 | UPDATED: 00:09, 22 January 2014
Fraser Forster stands as a giant barrier to any striker within the little sphere that is Scottish football. Nine successive clean sheets on domestic duty confirm that beyond question.
However, the concern nagging away at the Celtic goalkeeper is more global. With Neil Lennon’s side now out of the Champions League, will his impressively miserly record against teams often dismissed by English sneers be enough to secure a place in his country’s World Cup squad this summer?
One former England boss believes Forster has no need to fret. Graham Taylor feels the idea that the 25-year-old needs to bolster his claim with a switch to the Barclays Premier League this month is misguided.
Brazil bound: Former England boss Graham Taylor believes Fraser Forster doesn’t need to leave Celtic to make the England squad for the World Cup
Having picked a host of players from Rangers during his own time in charge of the Three Lions two decades ago, Taylor believes continuing to shine for Celtic in their pursuit of the Double will be enough to convince Roy Hodgson of his merits.
‘It does not naturally follow that if Fraser were to get a move to a club in the English Premier League it would automatically cement his place in the England team for the World Cup finals,’ said Taylor.
‘I would be very careful if I was him about leaving Celtic. If Fraser is going to get a move away from Celtic he would have to go to an equally top club down here which will be difficult, especially during the January transfer window.
‘It is clear that Fraser is a very good goalkeeper who has done very well at Celtic – so much so that he has been brought into the England squad. Roy Hodgson will have been able to have a good look at him behind the scenes and he’ ll be keeping tabs on him in Scotland.
‘The fact that Roy has got him on his list of players earmarked for Brazil while he is playing in a Celtic shirt says it all. Things are going fine for Fraser at the moment. So is there a real necessity for him to move to an English club? I don’t think so.
‘I doubt that moving to England would increase his chances of being on the plane with Roy, but he is already on course for Brazil.’
Hard man to move: Forster (right) jokes around with Motherwell striker James McFadden
Forster made his England debut in a 2-0 friendly defeat from Chile last November, but knows that Joe Hart remains the country’s No1 despite his wobbles at Manchester City earlier this term.
Two back-up goalkeepers will be included in the squad, with Taylor believing Forster has the edge over both West Bromwich Albion’s Ben Forster and John Ruddy of Norwich.
‘Roy knows all about him,’ added the 69-year-old. ‘He has seen him close-up and had someone watching him on a regular basis. I just don’t think that moving in January would make a difference
‘It is vital that Fraser is not distracted by any transfer talk and focuses on his football to give himself every possible chance of keeping his place in the England set-up.
Faith: Taylor believes Forster has the edge over Ben Forster of West Brom and John Ruddy of Norwich
‘There is an argument that because of who he is playing for in Scotland that he does not come under as much pressure as one would like to see – so he can show how good he really is.
‘I am not being unkind but, sadly, with Rangers on their way back there are not going to be many teams in Scotland who really over-run Celtic so in many respects it will be tough for Fraser to really impress.
‘That could be a question that is put against his World Cup credentials but that is not Fraser’s fault.
To play for Celtic and to play regularly for their first team is a fantastic achievement in its own right. That’s a reality.’
The long run without conceding suggests Forster’s focus hasn’t wavered. Surviving Sunday’s trip to Easter Road unscathed would create a double-figures run of clean-sheet appearances and edge him closer to the club record of 13-in-a-row set a century ago.
‘It’s a shame that Celtic are no longer in the Champions League because that would have been great for Fraser and the club to stay involved in the knock-out stages,’ added Taylor.
‘But there is still a lot to play for domestically and from what I can make out there will be no slipping of standards when Neil Lennon is in charge. That’s why Fraser has come on leaps and bounds since he left Newcastle.
‘He just needs to keep his head down at Celtic, work harder than ever and make sure that he is ready for England. It will be a fantastic World Cup to part of. It would be great for Fraser and will be a reminder of what a great club Celtic is.’
Forster’s presence in the England set-up sparks memories for Taylor of the days when he recruited players operating on the opposite side of the Old Firm divide.
‘It’s funny to look back on my days as England manager, because some of my key players were based in Glasgow: Mark Hateley, big Chris Woods, Trevor Steven, and Gary Stevens,’ he said.
+7
Happy in Glasgow: Forster leaves Celtic Park with girlfriend Leah Totton
‘Rangers were a real force. It is different now. Walter Smith was the Rangers manager and as patriotic a Scot as you could get but he could not have been more helpful to me.
‘Walter was a top-class manager and he was tremendous from an England point of view. He was an absolutely first-class man to deal with.
‘I bet Neil Lennon will be the same. Now Fraser just needs to make sure that he knuckles down because this horrible injury that has ruled Theo Walcott out of the World Cup is a reminder of what a cruel game football is. Sadly, injuries are an occupational hazard.’
Good morning and wakey wakey from East Kilbride where, as of late it’s a damp below but dry up above start to the day. And still above freezing.
MY BOSS IS PETER PRINCIPLE 0348
Thanks for posting that,bud.
Very funny,haven’t read it for a while.
For that reason,I can’t remember which book it is from,but it is by Christopher Brookmyre.
I’m in full agreement with that appraisal by Billy McNeil. Fans are quick to round on the defence when it’s leaking goals, but always overlook them when their team’s playing well.
Van Dijk, Mulgrew, Ambrose – three players who can easily vie with Commons in terms of their importance to Celtic this season.
We have a very rare situation at the back for Celtic – two excellent CBs who can run with and pass the ball out of defence. We’re a much more fluid attacking side as a result.
If he stays, Samaras’s role will have to change. He’s been our only decent out-ball, but with the team playing better passing football, putting him in the team (with the resultant temptation to lump the ball forward) stops Celtic playing that style of football. He’s an intelligent player, however, so I’m sure he ‘s capable of adjusting.
Bmcuwp
On your recomendation, I am on the last jack parlabane book…. It’s no in any of them….will move on to the rest soon.
HH PC67
PEDROCARAVANECHIO67
Good man. They are excellent. Very funny,IMO.
Try Carl Hiaasen next,if you have the taste for satire.
“As a condition of supporting Charles”:
http://www.scribd.com/mobile/doc/201292857
My rather long post of earlier that some seem to be having difficulty understanding the relevance of was in part a report commissioned by the Scottish government.
It reported that Catholic Schools are no the source of sectarianism.
It reported that politicians have to set aside their own allegiances when dealing with issues of a sectarian nature.
It tried to present a litmus test for sectarianism.
It asked that the media not sensationalise sectarianism but report it accurately and honestly.
It asked that comprehensive data banks concerning sectarianism and sectarian issues be populated and collated.
It asked that the SFA introducing sporting penalties against clubs whose supporters are responsible for sectarianism.
It asked that the whole populace of Scotland shed the apathy and do their bit.
It asked that the Orange marches get sorted and the concerns of the community take priority over the traditions of the marchers.
It asked that police Scotland be impartial and police the whole country and all demographics with equality.
It asked that research be done to determine whether sectarian motivated prejudices in employment applications are still active today.
It acknowledges that the Catholic community in Scotland ‘were’ historically hard done by in the past, by religious, commercial, institutional and social bodies.
And on, and on, and on, and so much more too; how much of it is relevant to Celtic and Celtic Supporters? well that is up to you how you prioritise your own values and principles and apathies.
Over the years, on CQN, I’m sure I’ve read tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of words related to the above, is the report relevant to you? I would say so, though I’m sure it’ll take six months before it sinks into one or two heads just like it took the same dullards six months to acknowledge we desperately needed/need a striker.
Okay, now it’s my smoking jacket on and I’m off to the opera in town. (sic)
Morning Lhads….just on for a quick moan while I pretend to work.
Id love to see Robert Snodgrass in the hoops, good lad by all accounts, loves the hoops
I would also love to see us sign the Serbian kid from Benfica….these lads would make a huge difference, and we would be strong going in to the CL next season….However, cant see it happening, its probably all just talk.
Cant see PL sanction a 5-6 million transfer…..pigs might fly sooner
I doubt he is clever enough, to understand the value of exciting the supporters by signing a few special players……
HH
The school football rules came from Written In Blood and Black Pencil i think. Funny how boys all over scotland had similar rules with no obvious way of comms. Same with jokes. ‘Cannae penalise a goal’ was always a strange one at my school, plus goalie touching the ball on the deck meant the striker had to walk away(think this happened in real footie in 70s but never saw it in the rule books)
kitalba
08:18 on 22 January, 2014
That report is actually relevant to everyone in Scotland, particularly in the West of Scotland……what I would say is that poverty, unemployment etc brings anger, and sectarianism is one of the many outlets for that anger…but it is a complex subject…could never understand, though, how me feeling Irish in my heart and soul should result in other people hating me…strange? (Hope Alex Salmond reads that report)
Would signing Ryan Gauld at probably half the price of Filip Djurcic not represent better value for money? Not seen much of Djurcic so difficult to say either way but we know what Gauld can do.
Or is it the usual case of he’s foreign so must be better, he’s Scottish so no thanks?
Benfica say Celtic have not made a bid for Djurcic more MSM nonsense ? I wonder just how many names we have been linked with this transfer window ? H.H.
Kayal33
Id love to see us sign that kid…..doubt it will happen though,…I just get the feeling that it will be the same old speil after the window closes( we tried etc).
But…I live in hope.
HH
67Heaven:
One could be forgiven if one thought it was commissioned with him and his club mates in particular mind. And yes, I think the report does have the potential to impact everybody in Scotland in some way. It could also be used as an academic reference point when being subjected to one of those perpetual hun tirades about Catholic schools, or that Irish Catholics were never subjected to discriminatory practices. It can be used to rebut a host of hun myths if required and the authors of the report are equitable and objective.
Didn’t see it reported much in the Scottish press, did you?
Whose keeping Stevie May oot the Sellic team ?
……oot.
Andy Murray serving at 2-5 to stay in the first set.
Tyre hoops
Morning bud , I never said Steven was a Celtic fan , I said his story was similar being that
Both Celtic and Rangers were after him , he chose Rangers because they offered a better
Package and. Btw I thought the boy mccunnie was a better prospect anyhow off oot .
First set Federer 6-3.
Cheerio for now.
JJ
Hardly surprising that the players have rejected the concept of a wage reduction.
Just over a year ago, and only days after the IPO cash had landed, Mr McCoist makes his move.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/201292857/One-year-ago
Not only was he looking for a return to his former salary level of £750,000 (reduced to £600,000 for 6 months) he also demanded a refund of his previous deductions amounting to another £62,500.
It is interesting to note Alistair requested that his salary be concealed. Whilst privacy of financial matters should be afforded, it’s not on to deliberately mislead the fans and potential investors. His £200,000 masking attempt was rightfully denied.
Charles later confirms that the club has no option but to accept the pay rise and arrears.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/201293323/Charlie-Says
One final point. Ally received 1 million shares at a price of 1p each (anticipated float price of £1.20 – £1.50). At this moment in time I have no confirmation that the £10,000 payment has been made. Perhaps, and similar to Charles, this deduction will be made from his final salary?
Morning all.
Sorry to hear about the plight of Jorge Cadete one of my favourite Celtic players of the 90s, whose goals to game ratio stands comparison with many great strikers of the past.
Celtic stats ’95-’97:
Games – 44+5 sub;
Goals – 38.
HH!!
kevjungle
08:58 on 22 January, 2014
We won at the weekend….is that why you were oot …. :)
Why would Lennie want to leave Celtic when he can go on to be the most sucessfull manager in the clubs history ? He can win the SPL for years to come and achieve 10 in a row he will get an annual CL challenge.Also he can through the current player policy at Parkhead build a cracking young team while earning the Club a fortune on the transfer market.Leave to join Norwich City he would have to be mad. H.H.
Barry Ferguson a football manager……if I’m any judge, he’ll emulate sally……..hehe
Kevjungle the fact that Stevie May is a St Johnstone player would have a great bearing on him being kept out of the Celtic team!!! Hail Hail Hebcelt
Has Big Virgil let Stevie May oot his poakit yet??
God,I loved Tommy Burns and still adore the memory of the man…Guessing I always will.
Just come across this piece on him and my admiration grows exponentially with everything I read and hear of him.
He had such foresight on the sanitisation of our club….Lawell take note please.
Tam Burns, you are sorely missed brother……………
Tommy Burns, the late former Celtic manager, felt that the club’s high-profile antisectarianism campaign was unnecessary and contrived, according to a previously unpublished article written shortly before his death.
Burns, who died from skin cancer last year, felt obliged to back the Bhoys Against Bigotry campaign despite his efforts to persuade Fergus McCann, the club’s then owner, that there was no evidence of sectarianism at Parkhead.
In the essay, to be published in a new book about the club later this week, Burns accuses the Canadian tycoon of alienating some of Celtic’s traditional supporters by trying to play down its Catholic Irish roots.
He also reflects on his own mortality and tells how he “talked to God often” and drew strength from his faith.
Joe Filippis Haircut
08:43 on 22 January, 2014
Benfica say Celtic have not made a bid for Djurcic more MSM nonsense ? I wonder just how many names we have been linked with this transfer window ? H.H.
——-
Of the ones I’ve managed to find we’ve been linked with 58 players so far.
A long way behind the high of Summer 2012 when we were linked with 117 players.
HH
/Bishop B
Andy Murray looking a bit leg weary compared to his older opponent even this early in the match.
Hope he wakes up soon.Come on Andy.
Separated at birth?……Have you ever seen Roger Federer and Quentin Tarrantino in the same room together?…..The facial resemblance is spooky.
ReservoirtennisCSC
hen1rik
22:45 on 21 January, 2014
From BonScott_1
Circumstantial evidence is mounting that it suits Rangers International to go into Admin before this season is over. We have seen games ..postponed for international call-ups. Need full strength side to ensure victory & increase points margin. The extraordinary lack of ….urgency to push thro’ McCoist’s wage reduction.The limp-wristed effort asking players to take a 15% reduction. The lack of players …freed. The ridiculously long amount of time Wallace has given himself to conduct a review. 120 days! Try 30 days in a financial crisis.
Yeah,it stinks all right.Take the likely 25 pts reduction right now rather than next season when such a reduction would kill promotion hopes
Yes – I picked up on the 120 days review quoted by Wallace in the interview in The Scotsman yesterday. If he’s talking standard office hours (Mon-Fir, 09:00-17:00ish) then that’s nearly 6 months. To conduct a review on a business that’s clearly broken and needs urgent action? The strategy must be to take the hit on Admin and points deduction. Given that Regan etc. have been in the press so much recently, I suspect the conversation has already been had about how many points will be deducted and the strategy is already in play to implement whatever has been agreed with the authorities to keep Sevco going.
Ryecatcher,
I think Fergus was unfairly portrayed as somebody who wanted to take away the Irish dimension of Celtic. Clearly there was a problem at Celtic Park as a memorial to the Omagh victims was disgracefully tarnished by a minority inside the ground. Tommy Burns was perhaps wrong in his assessment of Celtic’s own issues.
As a wee aside, another Glasgow club also abused the silence for the Omagh victims. Curiously though, this was not highlighted in the same way that Celtic’s supporters were highlighted. It was another blatant example of bias in the tabloids.
Ryecatcher
Guess I’ll always see TB as being a moral compass for CFC and one of the men I’ve respected most in life. I feel his spirit will always be with us.
And/but I’m quite happy to endorse the notion of Bhoys against bigotry as I see it as a declaration of the fact that all faiths, creeds and races are welcome at Celtic Park. I see it as throwing down a gauntlet to others of a less developed mindset. For me it puts the club on the front foot, not the reverse.
HH jamesgang