Celtic Banter Archive April 24 2015

24 Apr 2015 20:13:10
If we are looking to get players that fit into RD` team/style, then I would not be to disappointed with the same caliber as GMS and Armstrong. Other than the striker we really do need a Goal Poacher another CB & a LB. Having said that I don`t think for 1 second that PL and the board will spend anymore than £4m ( with another £2m approx on wages) on any 1 player.

HH

25 Apr 2015 01:08:11
You are probably right as it doesn't seem as if we have that much money to spend and probably need three or four players in ( in addition to replacing any of our better players . )

24 Apr 2015 19:12:46
I have just been reading the reason why the disciplinary panel found Josh Meekins not guilty.
If I understand it right, his solicitor argued, that as one of the officials saw the incident, they were not entitled to hear the case, even though they didn't see the handball.
If this is the case, then does that not mean that no case can ever be dealt with retrospectively? .
In a case of violent conduct the referee will no doubt see a player going down injured, but may have missed what actually made him go down, whether it's an elbow, over the top tackle etc. Yet according to this ruling, no action can be taken, because the referee has seen the incident.

24 Apr 2015 20:03:37
Gerryc you have hit the nail on the head. Josh Meekins although has admitted handball offence, has been made a scapegoat by SFA for McLeans failings.

The correct decision should of been a red card and to be honest, he has no right to play in final no matter what.

Im beginning to think the SFA are starting to fear PL and will do anything not to cross his path. Never thought I would say this after amount of times I've slated PL, but i'm proud of his actions. Hope this fiasco is the change scottish football needs.

24 Apr 2015 21:18:44
I don't know what the procedure is to get change at the top of the game, but I wish someone would start the ball rolling.
Whether it's the clubs coming up with a vote of no confidence in Regan and Doncaster, I'm not sure, but the way Scottish football is run is getting more farcical as each day passes.
Incidentally, I wonder what Falkirk feel about this, their chances in the final have been reduced because a player will line up against them that should not be playing.
All the sympathy seems to be going to Meekins and Inverness, but the eventual losers in all this may be Falkirk, and they have done absolutely nothing wrong.

25 Apr 2015 17:57:11
It's time we forgot about Meekings hand ball or any other decisions , don't we know they will all even themselves out over a period of time.
The referee does his best

23 Apr 2015 22:08:28
ED

Do you think there is something to be said for the following; that the RD set-up and the demands it places on the loan striker (in terms of attributes and characteristics) is a mismatch in terms of what CFC can justifiably attract in the world transfer market.

We are effectively looking for a player who can hold the ball up
Someone who can bring others in to the game when the game is stretched
Someone who can tuck away cross balls with head and both feet
Someone who can get in behind and run away from defenders
Someone who can deliver goals when it is very often 2 versus 1 with jam packed defences.

These players do exist, but I wonder if there is any player that already fits this mould that would come to CFC?

2 up front means you can be more forgiving per striker when it comes to prerequisite credentials obviously

your thoughts ed?

{Ed007's Note - I've not really anything to add to that buddy but I do think RD has maybe sussed that switching to 2 up top is an option now lol. You're spot on about the type of player it takes to play the lone striker role and I thought Guidetti would have been ideal but alas it looks like it's not to be. Jordan Rhodes at £10 million?} (rofl)

24 Apr 2015 01:15:37
With the best will in the world we know that Celtic are limited in the amount we can spend on transfers and in wages. I would think that Paradisewon is talking about a player costing in excess of £8 million and wages over £30k per week . Paying those wages would probably result in a new wage structure at Celtic and a pay rise for a number of our players .
What could happen is the player could start out like Guidetti and score for fun , before his goals dry up.
No matter what we pay , should we push out the boat , or should we try a cheaper option it will always be a gamble . Scottish defenders although not necessary good footballers are very difficult to score against and many quite good strikers have been signed by Celtic and have found the expectations of playing for Celtic too much for them .
Amazingly the highest goal scorer in England this season is the much maligned by Celtic supporters Darryl Murphy .

24 Apr 2015 08:54:33
Doesn't Adam Rooney do that exact job for the sheep? I'm not sayin I what to bring him in just that these types of players are out there and don't need to cost the earth

24 Apr 2015 09:25:25
Chris, Always liked Darryl Murphy, remember he scored a cracking penalty at Fir Park with 5 mins to play when the score was 1-1. Doing pretty well at Ipswich for Mick McCarthy. Hail Hail

24 Apr 2015 10:53:22
Paradise you're right in what you're saying about us needing the 'complete forward'. Even I can admit that we can't go out and get that ready made article. What I think we should do is bring in somebody who may be viewed as being in their twilight years, as well as somebody who looks like they might fit the bill in the near future (Sure we could all name a few). Guidetti hasn't worked, although he didn't get so much a chance in Europe. Griffiths, as much as he's impressed, I feel is not the answer. I'd honestly take a punt on Kevin Kuranyi on say a 1 year deal with the option to extend. Then bring in the said other. Getting rid of Stokes, Scepovic, Balde, Pukki and Guidetti would make it doable, but is easier said than done.

24 Apr 2015 13:21:24
I hope we don't sign Adam Rooney!

24 Apr 2015 14:40:12
Re our Centre Foward/Striker needing to be the complete forward, I agree but it's also where out main problem lies.

To play that role to it's most effective (take Lewandowski for Dortmund last year or Drogba in his prime) you need to be a clinical penalty box striker, enough strength to lead the line with excellent hold up/link play, and the awareness to drop deep move into the channels when it can free up space for the other attacking players.

e have those skills- unfortunately, they are spread across 3 or 4 players.

If we were to combine the individual skills of Guidetti, Griffiths and Scepovic, we'd have a perfect lone striker. Unfortunately, these guys have one of the three strings (and sometimes two) to their bow, which means we come a bit short in that position.

Griffiths for instance, drops deep, runs channels, makes space AND is a good finisher. (Good not great) He lacks the strength to bully and lead the line. His link up play is good, but suffers from the above weakness as he struggles with his back to goal.

Guidetti can drop deep but his main strength is in his link up play. His strength, his lay offs. He's also a good finisher. He doesn't however have the pace to be great no.9, nor does he seem to be in the right place at the right time - classic penalty box play.

Scepovic lacks the strength, and the awareness to drop deep or lead the line, but he does seem to have that penalty box ability - or certainly had it.

My point is, we won't get a complete forward because they are in such short supply - and the price is astronomical. We need to decide which "strings" suit our system more. Case in point, the aforementioned Lewandoski isn't as potent at Bayern because they aren't set up to accommodate him in the same way as Dortmund did. And somewhat ironically, Dortmund failed to get the best out of his replacements Ramos/Immobile because they weren't set up to get the best out of those players.

To me, our best chance under the current system is to have two strikers - not necessarily Griffiths and Guidetti but in terms of what they offer - who are interchangeable depending on the opposition, their set up and how the match is going.

Deep defensive line. Need someone to rustle some feathers and hold the ball up? Get Guidetti on.

Opposition tiring? Need someone to run channels and cause a high defensive line problems? Get Griffiths on.

Both these (types of) strikers should be good finishers. The problem with a simple penalty box striker is that while we create a lot of chances, we aren't set up for a poacher, and in using one to convert chances, we may find that the chances dry up - because they are created by the movement, link up of the striker.

Our goals are so well spread out, I like our current system. Yes I'd love to have a number 9 who can tick all the boxes but the reality is we won't get one (or certainly can't afford one) so we should be looking for someone who ticks most of those boxes AND suits our system. and even then, we should have options.

As Meatloaf said - 'Two Outta Three Ain't Bad'

24 Apr 2015 15:37:00
@ PoeticPatient. Sure it was you who mentioned Yussuf Poulsen. My mate in the motherland gets to a lot of games over there (through work!) and likened him to Drogba. That boy has the lot. Or having watched him a bit now looks like he could have the lot. DN pointed he might be off to Gladbach but I'd absolutely live us to try. I genuinely think he could be the answer. Poacher, good with his head, quick, strong, incredibly skillful, can finish and plays in a wing forward role often linking up well. Think you should be stepping on Parks toes lad.

24 Apr 2015 17:53:56
@JimTim talking about Drogba, it would be amazing if we could get him for a season! he's getting on but still would be prolific lol

24 Apr 2015 18:28:03
Great point PW I have said for a while we should go with 2 strikers. I just think with 2 goalscorers we will score more. Now I don't necessarily mean 442. 1 striker could play in the Johansson role, I know he playin well there but I think he would play well anywhere. For EG JG could play here as his pace not the best and he is clearly a player who likes to link up with another striker. CG could play up top so we have pace and power and more link up play. Just a suggestion and obv subject to any signings.

24 Apr 2015 18:59:30
Soz LG, bet ed nearly had a heart attack there pmsl.

{Ed007's Note - Hahahaha!!! I never even noticed that mate, a Freudian slip no doubt.}

24 Apr 2015 19:57:22
Aye DN Ronaldinho too. I'd cream at that. Think he's in my all time XI. Bet he's still capable of a meg or two and bending one into the far corner. You never lose that if you have it.

25 Apr 2015 01:36:17
@JimTim

Yeah bud, mentioned Poulsen a while back. I do think he has it in him to go to a top top club. He's not the finished article yet, but he would be a great addition for us. That's the sort of player we should be breaking bank for. Not only would he immediately improve us, but he'd be able to be sold on. I doubt we'll stretch that far though.

Besides, we don't need him - not when we can stick Craig Gordon up front ;)