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Post by therock67 on Jul 5, 2006 9:27:23 GMT
Watched the last 50 minutes or so of this yesterday evening. Some comments on individual performances for those who are interested:
Didn't get much of a chance to judge the back 4 but they got in around us a few times and we didn't look particularly comfortable.
Wallace (left back) and Thompson were culpable for their penalty in the first half which Marshall did well to save, despite it being one of those "clever" chips straight down the middle.
Ferry looked tidy when he came on. By all accounts this lad is the future of the centre midfield and he was very comfortable on the ball and had good feet.
McGeady was excellent - looks to be slightly bulkier and he was the fittest player on the park last night. Ran at them a lot and combined his jinks with a few excellent through balls. Man of the match.
Pearson was poor - showed well but brushed off the ball far too easily
Miller didn't have much success
Beattie should have scored twice but his touch was dreadful, also poor control on another couple of occasions. Having said that it was his first game in six months at least I'd say so he'll probably get some composure back. Big season for him.
Didn't see much of Jarosik because he played the first half but by all accounts he had a decent game.
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Post by bandage on Jul 5, 2006 11:23:41 GMT
Cheers for that. Struggling to get decent net access in work and have a feeling I’m on the clock so haven’t been able to read anything about it today. Saw the team last night and I know it’s only a first pre-season game and many players are either still injured or on holidays but would you agree that 3-4 more players are still required? I’m thinking another centre back (wouldn’t be satisfied going into a CL campaign with Balde, McManus and Caldwell – assuming Varga won’t be around and Kennedy will still be injured), a left back (I don’t think anybody wants to see Telfer play right back again this season – we need young Wilson moved across there into his proper position – and that leaves Wallace, Camara and young Mulgrew for left back – again not strong enough for Europe imo), a central midfielder (Lenny is getting on, Keane’s retired and Petrov may be off – only Jarosik has come in – I know Lawson and Ferry are promising players and Naka can also play inside but ideally you’d want somebody like Gravesen to come in) and a striker (I don’t think a combination of Zurawski, Miller, Beattie and Riordan is quite strong enough – I’d want one more top quality striker) However, from reading I’ve been doing especially E-Tims rumour mill which I find to be very good the talk is Strachan only has about £1m of his transfer budget left. This may explain why they wouldn’t pay over the odds for Kadlec and also why they’ve been signing and are being linked with Bosman players, e.g. Caldwell, Miller, Fortune, Hasselbaink. What I don’t understand, however, is why they don’t use the Champions League money in advance of the competition as they know they will be guaranteed to receive it – like it would be nice if they went out and bought a few class players to confirm their ambition and lay down a marker to the huns.
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Post by therock67 on Jul 5, 2006 11:47:30 GMT
Cheers for that. Struggling to get decent net access in work and have a feeling I’m on the clock so haven’t been able to read anything about it today. Saw the team last night and I know it’s only a first pre-season game and many players are either still injured or on holidays but would you agree that 3-4 more players are still required? I’m thinking another centre back (wouldn’t be satisfied going into a CL campaign with Balde, McManus and Caldwell – assuming Varga won’t be around and Kennedy will still be injured), a left back (I don’t think anybody wants to see Telfer play right back again this season – we need young Wilson moved across there into his proper position – and that leaves Wallace, Camara and young Mulgrew for left back – again not strong enough for Europe imo), a central midfielder (Lenny is getting on, Keane’s retired and Petrov may be off – only Jarosik has come in – I know Lawson and Ferry are promising players and Naka can also play inside but ideally you’d want somebody like Gravesen to come in) and a striker (I don’t think a combination of Zurawski, Miller, Beattie and Riordan is quite strong enough – I’d want one more top quality striker) However, from reading I’ve been doing especially E-Tims rumour mill which I find to be very good the talk is Strachan only has about £1m of his transfer budget left. This may explain why they wouldn’t pay over the odds for Kadlec and also why they’ve been signing and are being linked with Bosman players, e.g. Caldwell, Miller, Fortune, Hasselbaink. What I don’t understand, however, is why they don’t use the Champions League money in advance of the competition as they know they will be guaranteed to receive it – like it would be nice if they went out and bought a few class players to confirm their ambition and lay down a marker to the huns. Varga is signing a new deal tomorrow for 1 year apparently. I think this is a direct reaction to Balde's injury - he's out for a couple of months so it's not clear what role he will be able to play in the CL. Agreed that we need a defender or 2 (centre half and left back), central midfielder and a striker. The boy Cannavaro looked decent last night but he's never played in the premiership so not sure he has genuine quality. I'm sure we could pick up a couple of decent defenders from Eastern Europe somewhere - preferably with pace. Don't think we should pursue Kadlec because it's dragging on and getting too expensive. Obviously if Petrov leaves we'd need a couple of central midfielders - don't know if you saw it but we're being linked with Joey Barton in a swap for Stan in today's papers. Either way once we sell Petrov we would have money available so I'd like to think we have a couple of targets lined up. If he stays then I agree we still need a quality player to play there and Gravesen would be superb. Up front I think we need a strong, pacy striker. Not an out an out target man like Hartson but with wingers/strikers like Aiden, Maloney, Zurawski, Miller we need to be able to offer something different through the centre. The Beat is one option of course but we can't expect to rely on him. Judging from quotes around Zigic and the Greek lad at City we do seem to be having a look for a tall striker. I would target: Hubschman (Czech centre half at Shakhtar) Obodo (Udinese central midfielder, though looking at him now I think he's out of our league) Some brilliant striker from South America. |
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Post by bandage on Jul 5, 2006 12:08:36 GMT
From the Celtic website:
MORNING reports that Celtic have been trying to arrange a swap deal with Manchester City involving Joey Barton and Stilian Petrov have been dismissed by the club.
It is claimed that Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell has made contact with the Premiership club to instigate the deal but the facts of the matter are that this story is completely untrue.
Peter Lawwell said: “Accusations in today’s press suggesting that Celtic had contacted Manchester City offering Stilian Petrov are completely false.
“We wish Stilian Petrov to remain at the club and this story is totally inaccurate.
“We have had no call at Celtic Park from any newspaper to check the validity of this story.”
Have heard of Hubshman but not Ododo - I like the 'brilliant striker from South America' call! I agree that a tall guy with mobility is required to offer something different to what's there already. Not necessarily just to play a long ball game but there will be occasions when that option will be needed. I don't know many out there though. Have had a quick browse of the huddleboard there and the amount of bhoys who are already laying into Strachan again is crazy. Give him a chance to get some more players in for fook sake - not sure I'd want Hasselbaink though.
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pagey
Joe Brolly
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Post by pagey on Jul 5, 2006 12:34:46 GMT
Apparently Hasselbaink has declined the offer! I'm glad, disappointed we offered him anything in the first place. Good to see this season that we have the chance to get in a few friendlies before the start of the new season. Good to see a lot of youngsters being tried out last night.
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Post by therock67 on Jul 5, 2006 12:36:15 GMT
From the Celtic website: MORNING reports that Celtic have been trying to arrange a swap deal with Manchester City involving Joey Barton and Stilian Petrov have been dismissed by the club. It is claimed that Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell has made contact with the Premiership club to instigate the deal but the facts of the matter are that this story is completely untrue. Peter Lawwell said: “Accusations in today’s press suggesting that Celtic had contacted Manchester City offering Stilian Petrov are completely false. “We wish Stilian Petrov to remain at the club and this story is totally inaccurate. “We have had no call at Celtic Park from any newspaper to check the validity of this story.” Have heard of Hubshman but not Ododo - I like the 'brilliant striker from South America' call! I agree that a tall guy with mobility is required to offer something different to what's there already. Not necessarily just to play a long ball game but there will be occasions when that option will be needed. I don't know many out there though. Have had a quick browse of the huddleboard there and the amount of bhoys who are already laying into Strachan again is crazy. Give him a chance to get some more players in for fook sake - not sure I'd want Hasselbaink though. Figured that Barton story was bullshit all round - I think it's odd that they denied the story though. They've done that a few times now and it means that you automatically assume that the stories which they don't comment on are true. Udinese have a cracking midfield at the moment with Muntari (Ghanaian) and Obodo (Nigerian). Obodo plays more of a holding role - looks excellent whenever I've seen him. Trying to think of a striker and I haven't come up with any yet. I don't particularly want JFH either but I haven't seen him play in a while - is he over the hill at this stage? |
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Post by bandage on Jul 5, 2006 12:59:13 GMT
He can still bang in a shot from 25 yards and can hold off defenders with his strength but doesn’t have any pace. To be honest he could be useful with someone pacy up front with him and Maloney and McGeady breaking off him but is it progressive signing a 34 year old Middlesbrough reject?
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Post by therock67 on Jul 5, 2006 13:13:37 GMT
No I don't think it is. I think we'll end up signing him though.
To be fair to Strachan he generally casts his net fairly wide when looking for signings. JFH is a typical MON signing really.
Also forgot to mention Sno as an addition to defence/midfield earlier but nobody has any idea whether he's any good or not.
Finally in my review of last night's game I forgot to mention that there is no way in this world Virgo should ever be asked to play up front again. He came on as a striker last night and he was awful. Missed a sitter from 8 yards because he barely made contact with a pass rolled perfectly to him.
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Post by bandage on Jul 6, 2006 8:12:46 GMT
Was meaning to post about this the other day. See below – any other bhoys concerned at the pre-season programme? I know it’s a big money spinner and Celtic require as much money as they can get to strengthen but going to Japan for a friendly in between the first 2 league games especially when the second’s away to Heart seems a bit ridiculous. And this coming on the back of a trip to the US that only ends a week before the first game and is followed later that week by games against Everton and ManU. That’s not even taking into account the Chelsea game on the 9th August. Too many games?
04/07/2006 Friendly Legia Warsaw 17:00 a 0 - 1
06/07/2006 Friendly Wisla Krakow 19:00 a -
13/07/2006 Friendly DC United 00:30 a -
15/07/2006 Friendly Chivas of Gaudalajara 02:00 a -
20/07/2006 Friendly New England Revolution 00:30 a -
23/07/2006 Friendly Everton 14:00 h -
26/07/2006 Friendly Manchester United 19:45 h -
29/07/2006 Premierleague Kilmarnock 12:30 h -
03/08/2006 Friendly Yokohama F Marinos a -
06/08/2006 Premierleague Heart of Midlothian 14:00 a -
09/08/2006 Friendly Chelsea 19:45 a -
12/08/2006 Premierleague St. Mirren 15:00 h -
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Post by therock67 on Jul 6, 2006 8:46:10 GMT
JFH not coming - he turned us down. Glad of that. I'd say we offered him an appearance and trophy based contract (like everyone else gets with Celtic these days) and he was probably looking for loads more cash. Happy he turned us down because it suggests we weren't willing to do business on his terms.
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Post by therock67 on Jul 6, 2006 8:59:59 GMT
Was meaning to post about this the other day. See below – any other bhoys concerned at the pre-season programme? I know it’s a big money spinner and Celtic require as much money as they can get to strengthen but going to Japan for a friendly in between the first 2 league games especially when the second’s away to Heart seems a bit ridiculous. And this coming on the back of a trip to the US that only ends a week before the first game and is followed later that week by games against Everton and ManU. That’s not even taking into account the Chelsea game on the 9th August. Too many games? 04/07/2006 Friendly Legia Warsaw 17:00 a 0 - 1 06/07/2006 Friendly Wisla Krakow 19:00 a - 13/07/2006 Friendly DC United 00:30 a - 15/07/2006 Friendly Chivas of Gaudalajara 02:00 a - 20/07/2006 Friendly New England Revolution 00:30 a - 23/07/2006 Friendly Everton 14:00 h - 26/07/2006 Friendly Manchester United 19:45 h - 29/07/2006 Premierleague Kilmarnock 12:30 h - 03/08/2006 Friendly Yokohama F Marinos a - 06/08/2006 Premierleague Heart of Midlothian 14:00 a - 09/08/2006 Friendly Chelsea 19:45 a - 12/08/2006 Premierleague St. Mirren 15:00 h - I think Strachan was a bit concerned about our fitness and sharpness at the start of last season - considering the disastrous start we made - so he's trying to make sure we hit the ground running come the start of the season. I think the Chelsea and Yokohama games are a step too far however. We should never be agreeing to play Chelsea, seemingly it was part of the Jarosik deal but why would they want us to play them - they hardly need the money? The Yokohama game is a pure money spinner and I presume and hope it will be Nakamura plus 10 reserves versus Yokohama. |
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Post by bandage on Jul 6, 2006 10:13:49 GMT
Not too bothered either but it probably confirms that there’s little if any transfer money left in the kitty. Can’t see them unearthing some super striker on a free transfer between now and the start of the season.
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Post by therock67 on Jul 6, 2006 10:20:27 GMT
I don't understand the interest in Samaras and Zigic if we don't have any money - it's not like we blew a fortune on Sno and Jarosik. I'd hope there is a few bob but it's lined up for a defender.
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Post by shankill on Jul 6, 2006 11:12:25 GMT
celtic are rubbish - plenty of dud signings by WGS
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Post by therock67 on Jul 7, 2006 8:34:08 GMT
Beginning to panic a bit already - beated soundly by Wisla Krakow last night. Didn't create any chances, midfield was overrun and defence was truly awful. It was hard to watch because we were so bad but I did notice the following:
Marshall is still brutal from shots outside the box
Ferry still looks tidy but he's very young
Petrov has no interest - punt him
Thompson is finished
McGeady is looking sharp and enthusiastic
Jarosik looks good
The Beat is a willing runner but his touch is awful - all the control of Jim McDaid on his way home from the races
McManus and Caldwell are poor together - McManus probably worse
Wilson still looks alright on the right
Wallace isn't good enough on the left wing or at left back
We need:
a left back
a centre half
to replace Petrov
a strong striker
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Post by bandage on Jul 7, 2006 9:05:10 GMT
The Jim McDaid analogy made me laugh out loud last night when you text – helped that I was tucking into a free bar too I suppose. I don’t think there’s a need to panic yet given that they’re barely back training. I know the Polish league is hardly the strongest in the world but is it correct to say their season has started so they’ll naturally be fitter and sharper?
Didn’t see either of the games so far but have read your comments and those of others. Don’t really think there’s anything new after coming out of the games though. We all knew a left back and centre back were priorities. I would be very disappointed if, with Balde injured, the back 4 to start the season from right to left is Telfer, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson. That’s not even good enough for the SPL never mind the Champions League. Do you know if Bobo will be back for the first CL game around mid September? The back four needs to be Wilson, Balde, AN Other x2.
I’m beginning to get a bit pissed off with Petrov. Initially I didn’t begrudge him a move because of his service but hoped he’d go to a serious contender for a new challenge. Not trying a leg because you’ve been refused permission to speak to fooking Portsmouth is not good enough. If nobody bids around £6m I’d still keep him there all the same – why should Celtic always be held to ransom when trying to sign players with others clubs attempting to get Celtic players on the cheap?
Re The Beat, he’s a game lad and a trier but his touch can be awful. He could still be a useful squad player because he’s powerful and fast but you can’t rely on him because of his chronic hamstring injuries. Agreed again that another striker is needed.
Like we said all summer get us a left back, centre back, centre midfielder and a striker please. If there’s still no more players in by this time 2 weeks then I will be worried.
Can anyone tell me when the draw for the group stages of the Champions League will be on? Could check UEFA website myself but limiting my net time to brief freekick flurries.
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Post by therock67 on Jul 7, 2006 9:25:22 GMT
I don't think there's a need to panic as such because of the performances/results but it's the signals that I'm interpreting that are causing me to worry. Caldwell and McManus played the whole of the two games together because Strachan is obviously trying to build a partnership in the pre-season. That suggests we're not looking for another centre half. (Hopefully the truth is Strachan wanted to give them a couple of games together to see how they'd cope and has now concluded that they're not good enough).
I wouldn't sell Petrov just for the sake of it but I do think we should have a replacement lined up because I'd bite anyone's hand off who met our valuation. He was dire in these games - and I know they mean nothing - but it suggests he's not bothered anymore. I'd hate to have him as a passenger - we've had too many of those at Celtic.
The Beat will come good but when he's bad he's awful.
Group stages draw is 24th August.
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Post by therock67 on Jul 12, 2006 8:11:54 GMT
No new centre halves for Celtic!
Story from official website
THE CELTIC players have been joined by a familiar and much-missed face on their preseason tour of America, with defender John Kennedy close to resuming full first team training.
The big centre-half, who has been missing since suffering a serious knee injury in March 2004, has this week been back on the training ground at Celtic’s base at Harvard University.
A popular and hard-working member of the squad, Kennedy has been warmly welcomed back by his team mates and manager, Gordon Strachan, who explained that he was delighted to see the centre-half edge closer toward full fitness.
“Running-wise he has been looking good,” said the manager, “so we brought him here just to be a part of the squad again and we are hoping to see him back next week in full training.
“He’s been back kicking a ball again, but I wouldn’t think that he’d be ready to feature in any of the coming friendlies (in America).
“He’s actually just had a wee tweak of his hamstring on Tuesday morning, but that’s only to be expected when his body has been out the game so long.
“Hopefully he will be back in training again before we leave here, but we are not going to rush him, he has not played in an 11-a-side game here yet, the most he has played has been nine-a-side.”
The manager also welcomed Kennedy’s defensive colleague, Stan Varga, back to first team training this week with the centre half having just agreed an extension to his Celtic contract.
“He was injured for a big part of last season,” commented the manager, “but I need good experienced people around me and I think he has proved that he can handle the pressure here.”
The manager will however have to do without Varga and left back Mo Camara over the coming few days with both players ruled out through illness.
“Stan Varga and Mo Camara have throat infections and they have both been to hospital here.
“Stan’s not been well for a couple of days and Mo since the weekend and I think Mo is a bit worse than Stan.
“That will rule them out of the next game, although hopefully they will be fit for the two after that.
“Especially big Stan,” continued the manager. “He has been back home in Slovakia for a long time, his wife has been having a baby, so he has missed a bit of training.”
However Strachan will not be looking to further strengthen his defence before the start of the league campaign and added: “I am happy with my centre backs. I won’t be looking for anyone else in that area.”
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Post by bandage on Jul 18, 2006 9:20:30 GMT
Celtic heavily linked with Ian Harte for £800k this morning. I wouldn't be happy with that but it's getting to the stage where he'd actually be better than what's there already and it would allow Wilson to go right back. Apparently it's a done deal according to reliable sources!
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Post by therock67 on Jul 18, 2006 10:02:58 GMT
I'm hoping it's not true. He would be better than Telfer (allowing the Wilson switch as you say) but there has eo be better options out there. I'd take him on a free if we can't find anyone else but I'd be disappointed to pay money for him.
Still don't understand why we haven't tried Pearson there - I think Strachan likes his full backs to have a good first touch, but that doesn't explain Telfer of course.
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Post by bandage on Jul 18, 2006 12:43:39 GMT
Are you Bhoys concerned yet? I was getting quite annoyed what with the League only 10 days from starting but then I figured that the transfer window is open until the end of August so there's still time to get in decent players for the European campaign. That said I would like to see some good players joining soon and not have the same scheidt that has happened in previous years with Celtic scratching around on the final day trying to sign the likes of Dwight Yorke.
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pagey
Joe Brolly
Posts: 102
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Post by pagey on Jul 18, 2006 13:04:39 GMT
So far I have to admit I've been disappointed. I don't mind losing in the friendlies (the two matches in the States were against teams who are half way through their season and the polish matches were exibitions). Its the lack of players that have been signed and the Petrov saga. IMO i'd get rid of Petrov now, I certainly wouldn't want him round next season if he doesn't have any interest. If he wants to go to Portsmouth and finish his career then far enough. I'm not going to jump to a conclusion of saying that Strachan should be sacked as you are getting at the moment on another forum, I'll judge him this season on how he does in Europe. The one criticism I do have of him is that he is getting in players who are of an SPL standard and seems to be building a team that will excel in Scotland but this current squad will make an impact in Euorpe. I hope I'm wrong but I feel that there are a few holes in the first 11 and certainly a lot of holes in the squad to keep with a gruelling European and Domestic schedule. I was reading up on a Celtic supporters forum there and there was a thread on Troure and people were saying they would jump at buying him for 600k I think, because he won a chanpions league medal. Now I can't believe that we have come to the stage where people would jump at the likes of Troure and Harte. Not holding out much hope for high profile or even unknown signings.Think Strachan will go and continue his trend of buying old folks such as Harte or even Yorke as bandage mentioned above.
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Post by therock67 on Jul 18, 2006 13:22:27 GMT
I agree with most of that page but I do think there is a revisionism when looking at the past as far as Celtic supporters are concerned. Bar MON's first season we have never been big spenders and we've always had to make do with seeemingly average signings with the hope of uncovering a few gems. The days of us throwing money at Berkovic et al are over. Strachan is clearly not prepared to pay big money for individuals, preferring instead to spread the cash around.
I'd say it is likely that there is around 2m left for a striker and about 1m for a left back - based on bids for Tristan and Kadlec. This is in keeping with the signings of Zurawski, Boruc, Nakamura, Wilson, Jarosik et al. He is far more comfortable spreading the money available over a few decent internationals and I think that's the only way forward for us at the moment. Of the bargain basement introductions I think Telfer and Camara were poor acquisitions, Dublin was irrelevant, Riordan will be excellent I think. Not sure about Caldwell and I'd worry about Miller but I'd be delighted to be proved wrong.
I don't think there is a trend of buying old folks considering the likes of Wilson, Riordan, Caldwell and Boruc are all young. Jarosik and Zurawski are late 20s and Miller is mid 20s. The only veterans really were Keane (exceptional circumstances), Dublin (who was on a pittance I'd imagine) and Telfer. Comparable to MON signing Juninho and looking for Yorke, Desailly etc. Nobody to rival Ian Wright in the washed-up stakes yet though.
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Post by bandage on Jul 18, 2006 14:44:37 GMT
When you think about it the only time in recent memory that Celtic have had money was during O’Neill’s first season when they bought Lennon, Sutton, Thompson and then was it either that Christmas or the following summer when Hartson signed I think? Anyway, after that he was picking up the likes of Sylla, Fernandez, Laursen et al for very small fees. I remember reading somewhere that for Balance Sheet purposes Celtic write off their players (assets) over 4 years and that another chunk of money (again roughly £20m) would be available to buy another batch of players when the 4 years were up. 2004 came and there was no sign of substantial sums being available. Last year Strachan spent wisely overall by bringing in Naka and the Poles but there was no sign of the massive pot of cash being available as suggested previously.
Again this summer it appears that the ambition to sign world class players is affected by a limited transfer kitty. I know it’s over simplistic to say that due to the ground being sold out every week, Celtic’s huge merchandising operation (new international kit has broken all records already and is out of stock after being launched last week) and the champions league pot too that there should be much more transfer money available. I know they suffer considerably in the financial stakes because they only get £2m per season in TV revenue as opposed to the bottom EPL team gaining around £20m but equally for the other reasons noted above you would think that they’d have more money available rather than being linked with the likes of Harte. I agree Traore would be a disastrous signing by the way. I know players like Caldwell and Miller are more SPL signings but with the amount of cash being available I can’t really blame Strachan for not signing a higher standard of player so far. Hopefully Celtic are just being coy with their cash and are not willing to pay over the odds for players and wages and there will be movement on some deals over the next 10 days. Otherwise, as you say pagey there are holes in the starting XI and in the overall squad.
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pagey
Joe Brolly
Posts: 102
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Post by pagey on Jul 18, 2006 14:59:21 GMT
I stand corrected on the buying of old folks. Its just that he frustrates me when he goes out and tries to buy players like JFH and Harte. We possibly have a too young and inexperienced team to threaten this year (in Europe) and perhaps getting 2nd seed has come a season too early. Nevertheless I can't wait till the draw at the end of August and will be looking forward to being proven wrong.
I'd actually forgotten about Juninho!
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