|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 18, 2006 15:30:12 GMT
So what’s your bhoys best team as things stand? In a 4132 or 442 and writing off Petrov:
Boruc
Telfer Balde McManus Wilson
Lennon
Nakamura Jarosik Maloney
Magic Beat
We know Telfer is a liabilty so you could switch Wilson across and play Pearson, Mulgrew or Camara left back and the side wouldn’t really be weakened. If Lennon’s struggling to keep up with the pace then Caldwell can play the holding role. Riordan and McGeady (big season for him) could play off a lone striker if that formation is required and can be brought on to play on either wing. Miller is the other option up front. There’s also some good young midfield players like Ferry who has been mentioned and who might get some game time. It’s still clear as day though that the side needs strengthening.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 18, 2006 15:50:19 GMT
Irish television channel TG4 has obtained live TV rights to a number of attractive pre-season matches over the coming weeks, featuring teams such as Manchester United, Celtic, Everton, Arsenal and Ajax.
Celtic v Everton will be broadcast at 5.25pm on Sunday July 23, with Celtic v Manchester United scheduled for 7.40pm on Wednesday July 26.
Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial match, the first ever match to be played at Arsenal’s brand new Emirates Stadium, between Arsenal and Ajax, will be broadcast at 4.50pm on Saturday July 22.
The three matches will be broadcast under the generic title Sacar Beo.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 18, 2006 15:55:27 GMT
So what’s your bhoys best team as things stand? In a 4132 or 442 and writing off Petrov: Boruc Telfer Balde McManus Wilson Lennon Nakamura Jarosik Maloney Magic Beat We know Telfer is a liabilty so you could switch Wilson across and play Pearson, Mulgrew or Camara left back and the side wouldn’t really be weakened. If Lennon’s struggling to keep up with the pace then Caldwell can play the holding role. Riordan and McGeady (big season for him) could play off a lone striker if that formation is required and can be brought on to play on either wing. Miller is the other option up front. There’s also some good young midfield players like Ferry who has been mentioned and who might get some game time. It’s still clear as day though that the side needs strengthening. I'd have Miller ahead of the Beat on current form (the Beat's, not Miller's) but other than that the team picks itself. Mulgrew looks awful and wasn't selected for the US trip so that says someting about his future (along with Ross Wallace's). Slim pickings at the back but McManus and Balde ahead of Caldwell though he'll push McManus for the place, I hope. Midfield is better served out wide where McGeady, Riordan and possibly Pearson are options. Sno can play that holding role too apparently. It could be a big season for Aiden because we're thin enough on options there which might force Naka to play centrally a bit more. Magic is definitely one up top. I'd go Miller next as I said, and I'd be inclined to have Riordan ahead of the Beat. I really like Beattie but Christ he's been awful so far this pre-season. |
|
|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 19, 2006 12:32:20 GMT
Apparently Peter Lawwell said today that Celtic will be signing 3 more new players before the start of the season with a left back and a replacement for Hartson the main priorities. Haven’t seen any quotes but the bhoys on the huddleboard are on about it. The other signing might possibly be a midfield player with Gravesen’s agent making noises today about a possible move. Tristan also ruled out a move this morning as he thinks Scotland is too cold!
Greater Manchester Police yesterday cancelled Bolton’s home friendly with Rangers. Apparently when the huns were playing away against Porto last season Bolton were over there for a UEFA Cup game against some other Portuguese team that I can’t spell (Guimaraes or something) and the two sets of supporters battered the fook out of each other. It’s strange because Bolton would have a very like-minded and ‘loyal’ following as far as I know and Johnny Adair and those boys fled to there when they were kicked out of Ulster. Anyway, the cops said they didn’t have enough resources to police the game and refused to let it go ahead. The huns are fuming.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 19, 2006 14:51:49 GMT
Cracking letter from a hun message board:
Letter to GMP
« Thread Started on Today at 12:29pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hope it's ok, not to great at writing letters, but i've sent this one so too late to change it.
letter sent to GMP
Dear Sir,
i would just like to register my disgust at you & your police force at the cancellation of the Bolton v Rangers match that was supposed to have been played next week. We are lead to believe by a certain newspaper up here that the reason for this is that you didn't want trouble makers & sectarian chanting in your city.
We are one of the best behaved supports in the UK if not the world. Derby police will confirm this, as will Newcastle, Bradford & various other Police forces round Britain & Europe. Yes we have a small element of idiots as do many other club supports. Unfortunately the UEFA findings Re: our home game v Villareal shows us in a less than positive light with one of our songs, but steps have been made by our support on various message boards to eradicate the wording to this song & change it to something more suitable. I have to say though, if the cancellation of this match is down to this sort of thing, i have to ask why in that case were the Celtic support made welcome only a couple of months ago, this is a support, to a man, who glorify terrorist organisations, 1 in particular we all know about. This is a support who, when down in Manchester sang songs outside a pub that was bombed by this ruthless terrorist organisation & this support continued to praise them in a city that lost so many innocents that day. This is also a support that managed to have the most arrests at a British ground in 2003 at the Blackburn v Celtic UEFA Cup match, this is also a support that managed to get a flight redirected to a close airport thanks to trouble makers on the flight. So I can’t understand why you victimise a support who are clearly pro-British, behave ourselves impeccably wherever we go & have no issues & no desire to cause trouble regardless of what city or country we attend, yet are happy to let an anti-British support, a support who sing about killing British soldiers, sing songs celebrating innocent British dead civilians & are renowned trouble makers at most away matches they go to congregate in your city to attend a football match.
You have to understand that not only did thousands of us buy our tickets for this game the DAY it was announced but we also booked our travel plans so now thanks to you, most of us will be out of pocket by £100+ (not including our tickets which will be refunded). We had a wonderful relationship with Bolton fans when both sets of supporters were in Porto & we were hoping to continue that relationship at the Bolton v Rangers match, sadly that will now not happen & you are now seen in a less than favourable light amongst our support.
Best bits are:
"Derby police will confirm this."
"This is a support who, when down in Manchester sang songs outside a pub that was bombed by this ruthless terrorist organisation & this support continued to praise them in a city that lost so many innocents that day."
- There were no casualties "that day"
The fact that he can't name instances of hun good behaviour so talks about Celtic instead (including blatant falsehoods).
The fact he paid for his travel already. Quality.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 19, 2006 14:54:26 GMT
Regarding the 3 singnings I'd take:
Quedrue
Gravesen
I still can't think of a realistic striker for us. I've seen Borgetti mentioned but he's 33 now.
|
|
|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 19, 2006 16:12:06 GMT
Their letters never disappoint. I was reading another one there by a guy having a go at a few of the journalists who reported on the story. You could tell his blood was absolutely boiling but that's no excuse for the shoddy spelling and grammar.
Re the players, I'd take Quedrue - I've seen a bit of him and he seems like a decent player albeit a little bit of a hot head. Good in the air at corners too and good delivery. Would take definitely take Gravesen and like all summer I'm struggling to think of a striker. I see the guy Krancjar from Croatia is about to sign for Celta Vigo.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 19, 2006 17:59:36 GMT
Summary of Lawwell's interview from HB:
Part 1 of a three part interview.
Fuck the media. They are all talking crap. The tour and the 'Celtic Camp' are all dandy.
Preseason is designed to spread the 'Celtic Brand' round the world.
Any penny made from the tours goes straight back to Strachan, into the club.
Celtic tried to delay the start of the SPL, as the friendlies were pre arranged and they weren't expecting such an early start. They failed.
Part 2:
Looking for a Center Forward
Looking for a Left Back
Looking for one other player
Alan Thompson - no rift between AT and Celtic. His Agent is a tube.
We've refused two transfer requests for Petrov.
Portsmouths latest offer for Petrov was rejected out of hand, and came nowhere near our valuation.
We've had three offers for Pearson. He's not for sale at the moment.
Part 3:
He doesn't think we're fooled by 'this carry on and nonsense'
The board knows what needs to be done, and intend to 'go out and do it'
In the event that Stilian goes, we'll replace him with the best quality that we can get
Jimmy Floyd wanted more than we thought he was worth
Season Ticket sales have been great. Ahead of the last two seasons.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 20, 2006 8:35:41 GMT
One all last night. Again I only watched the first 30 minutes but from that I concluded:
- Virgo is not a centre forward. (I had already concluded that but it was very evident again)
- McGeady looks very sharp
- Miller needs someone alongside him, not Virgo - otherwise he looks lost
- Defence look to be improving
- Wilson works well with Aiden. They'd work even better together if they were both playing on the right hand side.
- Jarosik is tidy on the ball and gets stuck in but I think he is constrained when playing with Lennon because he has to come deep to use the ball.
From reading reports it seems that Sno had an excellent game when he came on for Lennon. Beattie went off injured again (having come on as a sub) which doesn't bode well for his fitness this season.
|
|
|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 24, 2006 9:03:40 GMT
Strachan’s on about re-signing Dion Dublin as they’re struggling to get a striker in. What’s that all about? That’s really going to strike fear into the rest of their champions league opponents. I saw the game from the 30th minute on yesterday and I thought Celtic looked decent enough to be honest. I very much like the look of Evander Sno (my first time seeing him). His passing is very sharp and crisp and was typified by the ball through to Aiden for the goal. Petrov actually looked like he was trying too and seemed to be enjoying himself. I think he might stay. Mark Wilson will be a Celtic great, of that I am sure.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 24, 2006 9:55:58 GMT
1. Smashing goal from Aideninho and he's been excellent all pre-season
2. The re-signing of Dion Dublin would be truly, truly awful. If we choose him over JFH on a value-for-money basis I'll be fucking fuming.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 25, 2006 10:36:19 GMT
Portsmouth confident over Petrov
Petrov is under contract at Celtic until 2010
Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric aims to have signed Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov by the weekend.
"We are in close contact with Celtic and are talking to them about Petrov," he told the Scottish Daily Mail.
"I am very hopeful that we can conclude those talks over the next few days and he will come to Portsmouth. Perhaps even by the weekend.
"He's the guy that our manager Harry Redknapp really wants and I think we are getting closer now on the fee."
The 27-year-old Bulgaria international had a transfer request rejected by Celtic at the end of last season.
Petrov is under contract until 2010 but has made public his desire to play in England's top flight.
The Scottish champions are keen to hold on to the player and have already turned down at least one approach from Fratton Park.
"He is a good player and I totally understand Celtic's position on this," Mandric added.
"I respect their demands and their desires and I would be doing the same if I was them.
"But I am an optimist on these matters and we feel we will land Petrov."
|
|
|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 25, 2006 13:30:15 GMT
A bid of €4m was made for Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo according to reports. Espanyol apparently turned it down. Don't know much about the guy but more encouraging than Dion Dublin all the same. I wonder are they bidding with cash from the kitty or is the money that will be available from the imminent sale of Petrov?
|
|
|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 25, 2006 16:19:41 GMT
I see Chick Young on the BBC site has tipped Rangers for the title in his SPL preview. Reminds me of the articles therock posted up here ages ago. They were last season’s previews by the main football writers in Scotland where they all said Rangers would stroll to the title. The inherent bias of all of them towards Celtic was blatantly obvious so it was quite amusing to see the title wrapped up before the split. It’ll be interesting to see what they say this year because if Rangers get anywhere near Celtic then Paul Le Guen is a much better manager than I believe he is. Celtic simply have far better players than Rangers in midfield and up front and a better keeper too. Thye also have a better squad and better young players coming through. Defence is the worry for Celtic but with Balde and Wilson there and hopefully another addition (left back) they will look more secure. In fairness to Caldwell and McManus they looked okay on Sunday also. Looking forward to seeing how they get on against ManU now (beo ar TG4 amárach).
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 25, 2006 18:45:46 GMT
A bid of €4m was made for Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo according to reports. Espanyol apparently turned it down. Don't know much about the guy but more encouraging than Dion Dublin all the same. I wonder are they bidding with cash from the kitty or is the money that will be available from the imminent sale of Petrov? From the official Celtic site Celtic dismiss Tamudo claims Newsroom Staff CELTIC today dismissed newspaper reports which claimed the club had failed in a £2.5million bid for Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo as "absolute rubbish." The reports claimed Celtic had made a bid for the 28-year-old but a Club spokesperson said today: "There has been no bid from Celtic for Raul Tamudo and reports claiming otherwise are absolute rubbish. No-one from the club has even watched the player in relation to any possible move." |
|
|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 25, 2006 20:16:32 GMT
A bid of €4m was made for Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo according to reports. Espanyol apparently turned it down. Don't know much about the guy but more encouraging than Dion Dublin all the same. I wonder are they bidding with cash from the kitty or is the money that will be available from the imminent sale of Petrov? From the official Celtic site Celtic dismiss Tamudo claims Newsroom Staff CELTIC today dismissed newspaper reports which claimed the club had failed in a £2.5million bid for Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo as "absolute rubbish." The reports claimed Celtic had made a bid for the 28-year-old but a Club spokesperson said today: "There has been no bid from Celtic for Raul Tamudo and reports claiming otherwise are absolute rubbish. No-one from the club has even watched the player in relation to any possible move." I think it's funny that they're almost issuing a statment every time they're linked with a player. Back to Dion it is then.  |
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 25, 2006 21:44:44 GMT
Dion would break my heart. I actually thought Tamudo was a cracking shout for a striker.
|
|
|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 26, 2006 15:58:42 GMT
Today marks the 1st anniversary of the Artmedia Bratislava debacle. I suggest we all stop, bow our heads and engage in a quiet period of reflection at approximately 9.30pm, the same time as the final whistle was blown, as we remember all those who suffered terribly on that fateful night.
|
|
|
|
Post by steamboatsam on Jul 26, 2006 16:21:36 GMT
Today marks the 1st anniversary of the Artmedia Bratislava debacle. I suggest we all stop, bow our heads and engage in a quiet period of reflection at approximately 9.30pm, the same time as the final whistle was blown, as we remember all those who suffered terribly on that fateful night. that exact moment could well be marked by many of the same players losing to the man u reserves  |
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 26, 2006 21:20:45 GMT
How right you were Sammy.
|
|
|
|
Post by steamboatsam on Jul 26, 2006 21:29:20 GMT
indeed, i'd like to say it was a quality performance by another bunch of supremely talented utd youngsters but it was more a case of a woeful Celtic display. the big guy Sno has potential though if he shows a bit more urgency
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 27, 2006 8:21:17 GMT
These would be sensational signings but I can't see them happening:
Exclusive Celts target big two but they'll need to splash..
By Keith Jackson
CELTIC are ready to launch a massive £10million summer spending spree to clinch Ukraine midfield ace Anatoliy Timoshchuk and Dutch hitman Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Boss Gordon Strachan wants the stars to fill the gaping holes in his attack and midfield left by the summer departure of John Hartson and the imminent exit of Stilian Petrov.
Record Sport understands the Parkhead club have opened negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk for Timoshchuk and an official bid is believed to be imminent. Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell is preparing the package for the 27-year-old who was a stand-out in his country's run to the last eight of this summer's World Cup finals in Germany.
But Lawwell may have to come up with closer to £5m for the player who is also wanted by Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Feyenoord - who have had bids of £2m and £2.5m rejected. The Parkhead chief is also set for talks with PSV ace Vennegoor of Hesselink's father and agent Jan tomorrow.
The Holland striker is wanted by Porto who are trying to negotiate a deal for £8m but Celtic believe the player is more keen on Glasgow and will enter the bidding at £5m if they can agree personal terms.
Shakhtar general director Sergei Palkin confirmed the move for Timoshchuk and said: "Peter Lawwell called me. It was just an introductory call to express Celtic's interest.
Advertisement
"We are now waiting for them to send us an offer in writing. If we get one which meets a real valuation of our captain's worth we will not stand in his way.
"I told Mr Lawwell about an offer from Feyenoord which was not acceptable and he now knows the price that would be."
Ponytailed Timoshchuk is regarded by many in Ukraine as even more vital to Oleg Blokhin's national side than £30m Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko.
Timoshchuk first came to Celtic's attention two years ago when he starred for Shakhtar in a 3-0 Champions League win over Martin O'Neill's side. He was red-carded in the return clash at Parkhead which Celtic won 1-0.
Feyenoord sent a delegation to Donetsk at the weekend for talks with the club and player but head coach Mircea Lucescu ridiculed the Dutch side's attempt to sign his star man.
He said: "If we sell our best player for the sort of money they offered the market value of the rest of our squad would collapse."
Timoshchuk issued a statement last night denying reports he has already signed for Feyenoord.
He said: "If you're asking whether there has been interest from the Dutch team and whether we have held talks, the answer is yes. But I've not signed anything."
Vennegoor of Hesselink's father confirmed he would meet Celtic to discuss terms.
He said: "We have a meeting with them tomorrow. Both parties know what is on the table and I think it looks good.
"Personal terms will not be a problem and it's up to the clubs to agree a fee."
|
|
|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 27, 2006 9:36:08 GMT
I’m gone weak at the knees at the prospect of signing Timoschuk. Watched out for him in the WC based on his red card against Celtic a few years ago and had him backed to be first player to be yellow carded in the Swiss game. He’s a midfield lynchpin/dynamo (kiev) and would be just what’s required. As regards the striker we’ve all heard of Venegoor of Hesselink because of the name but I don’t know much about him as a player. Looked a little awkward when brought on as the Dutch were chasing the game against Portugal but it’d be harsh to judge a player on such short a cameo. I believe he has scored a lot of goals for them and would give a badly needed physical presence in the final third (Was just thinking last night about the MO’N team with Bobo, Mjallby, Joos, Sutton, Hartson etc – they had some physical presence but now’s it a far lighter side with the likes of Maloney, Magic, Riordan, McGeady and those. I know Bobo, McManus, Lennon are still around but I think Timoschuk and Hesselink would bring a great bit of steel to the side). From the quotes Hesselink seems very eager to join.
Interesting that this story has broken. Was reading yesterday that the Scottish football agent Willie McKay announced on radio up there the other night that Celtic would walk the league as they were in the process of making ‘two massive signings’. Apparently he’s done a fair bit of business with Celtic in the past so the thinking was that he might actually know something and maybe it wasn’t just idle speculation. This has given me a bit of hope and there still is 4 weeks until the transfer window closes. Ideally you’d like all your new signings in before the first league game but if they’re all in by mid to late August that still leaves 3 weeks odd to bed in before the first champions league game which would be ample time.
As for last night. Surprised Strachan didn’t go with the team he plans on starting on Saturday for the first 60 minutes or so. When I saw Varga, Camara and those lads I knew it was merely going to be a kick around. Naka only came back on Friday and he didn’t play him – that seemed strange. He gave Magic and Miller 45 mins together after playing as a pair against Everton on Sunday so they’ll probably start on Saturday. Lennon is suspended so not sure why he played last night. Maybe he just felt certain players were tired after the 3 games in the US and the 2 in Poland so he treated it as a chance to keep up the fitness levels of his back up options. Is Maloney fit for the weekend? I’m expecting something like this on Saturday: Boruc, Telfer, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson, Naka, Petrov, Jarosik, McGeady/Maloney, Magic, Miller.
|
|
|
|
Post by therock67 on Jul 27, 2006 9:49:33 GMT
Didn't see the game last night but it seems everyone is raging. To be honest it looked very second string from us anyway and I couldn't give a shit whether United's second string is better than our second string.
Don't think Maloney is fit for the weekend - but not sure.
I'd go with your team so with Aiden starting.
Re the singings Tymoschuk is quality. A couple of threads ago I mentioned Hubschmann as a possible signing - that was because I didn't think we had a prayer of landing Tymo - I'd be very happy if we got him and he can play centre half as well.
Venegoor of Hesslink is a class player. I think he is more unlikely because I really don't see him being attracted to Scotland - I would have thought he'd be moving to a much bigger club if he leaves Eindhoven. I'd be delighted with him - excellent in the air and quite mobile - but I don't buy it at all that we're in the market for him.
Interestingly the Tymoschuck story is on the Daily Record site but I can't find a mention of the Venegoor story anywhere online other than the HB.
|
|
|
|
Post by bandage on Jul 27, 2006 10:05:52 GMT
Haven’t been on the huddleboard yet today but I said to the lads last night that there’s probably idiots out there who want Strachan sacked because of the friendly last night. Some wanted him out after Alan Shearer’s testimonial in May after Celtic agreed to give away an injury time penalty so the injured Toon legend could hobble on and score! One fool ran on last night and fired his scarf at Virgo when him and Quinn when about to kick off after the 3rd goal. Calm down ffs.
Have you considered that the Venegoor story might be one of the bhoys having a laugh? The other day a lad had a story up posted that Baraja of Valencia had joined. He had written the story himself with all the usual quotes from the player, manager and Lawwell and it wasn’t a bad effort. He also fiddled around with a photo that made it look like they were pictures from a press conference. Loads of bhoys fell for it. Not me though as the writing in his report just didn’t cut it.
|
|
