08 May 2014 22:06:22
samaras is moonlighting as the Austrian Eurovision song contender
Celtic Banter Archive May 08 2014
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08 May 2014 19:53:04
WTF are Celtic thinking about accepting an invitation to play that scummy mob Rapid Vienna . Has Lawell and his fellow directors forgotten the events of 1984 of how we were cheated and even fined for an imaginary bottle . What next an invitation to the Ajax fans for a bonding session in George's Square . Lawell should have told them what to do with their invitation instead of taking the money option again . DH
Nice to see u have moved on mate
@1 . What does that mean . Forgive and forget? . I seen the same thing come up a few weeks back about Atletico Madrid . We were cheated and conned and treated like outcasts by UEFA who took the side of con men . Maybe I'm just old school from an era who won't forget teams and individuals who done our club out of a chance of glory . In 30 years time would you just brush aside a defunct teams cheating and misuse of EBTS . Doubt it . DH
09 May 2014 07:12:26
Maybe we should avoid.Ufea also then? Why bother with the CL and their cheating ways?
Aye, let's just not play any team which we feel cheated us.
30 years ago and I doubt anyone involved is still part of the structure. as another pster said, let's pull the plug on EUFA and while we are at it FIFA as well. can't change history and it's not like it hurt you or your family personally, just disgust at the lack of sporting integrity. Spitting the dummy won't change a thing and as for revenue, yes it will help so why not. It also let's us take on different opponents and measure any progress being made. I hate cheats as well but got to be a wee bit phylisophical sometimes.
09 May 2014 09:24:18
I am with Deeaitch on this, I too will never forgive Rapid or Atletico for their cheating.
I bet if we asked you to "move on" over a certain downmarket Govan club's cheating we would get a different answer.
I think the difference guys is a certain club in goven's antics are fresh and new. Rapid is 30 years ago
You're right Tim let's just forgive and forget what Oldco did . I like you was at the Madrid game and also at Rapids two games . There's still guys in my pub who still go on about Liverpool robbing Celtic in the 60s . Maybe as I say we are just Old School or dinosaurs to some people but it's what we grew up believing and it's in our DNA . Do fans not hate Mourinho and Porto for what happend over 10 years ago or does that not count . I guarantee 30 years from now supporters today will still hark back to EBTS .DH
I was at that game and the neutral venue game in Manchester, will never forgive them either
In 30 yrs time there won't be a professional team from Govan that plays in blue.
To compare athletic and rapid to rangers is ludicrous we have had over 100 years of hassle with rangers and an isolated incident with the other two and that is why we should remember the incidents but don't hate the clubs 30+ years later
Althetico Madrid and Rapid Vienna imposed on us in one year what Rangers tried to do to us every year that we were a threat to them winning .
08 May 2014 19:22:30
Right fantasy squad for next season time, within reason.
Forster/Zaluska
Lustig/Matthews
Virgil/Ambrose
Karim Rekik or Jonathan Tah/Mulgrew
Izzy/ Taylor-Sinclair or Robertson
Johansen/Bibras Natkho or Snodgrass
Brown/ Junior Malanda or Jordy Clasie
Aaron Hunt/Boerrigter/Griffiths
Commons/Armstrong
Choupo-Moting/ Forrest
Bendtner/Mame Diouf/Pukki
Loan:
Fisher (if he signs on)
Biton
Henderson
Balde
Watt
Fridjonnson
Out:
Kayal
Sammy
Stokes (bit harsh?)
Breaks the wage structure a bit but there's some class freebies in there. Regardless, it's a much better squad than our current one.
Outs. kayal, balde, pukki, derk, forrest, moyoloko, samaras, watt. ins. . Stefan de vrij, cb. (feyenoord) Soriano, fwd .( red bull Salzburg ), Snodgrass, Armstrong, McKay - stevens, may
Realistically I would like to see Armstrong and Snodgrass.
If Sammy goes this Summer (I'll miss him) then with his and Ledley's wages freed up - surely a bit of quality. Preferably a striker or creative player?
I'd probably keep Stokes and bring back Watt as well.
Making wholesale changes is unlikely to bring any meaningful improvement .
How'd you figure that one chris?
We need good results from the first week in August or is it earlier?
Can you imagine how a team with 6 to 8 newcomers would play against a team possibly mid way through the season . Lose out the first tie and the season is really over.
They can be integrated into the side at different times though chris. I know where you're coming from now, team dynamic etc. But if they're good enough they're good enough imo. Truth is we'll probably wait until after qualifying for CL before any real investment anyways.
08 May 2014 18:08:00
Ed do you know or can you please find out the details of snodgrass's relegation clause. and does he need to trigger it himself first.
{Ed007's Note - How can he trigger a relegation clause himself? The team needs to be relegated to trigger it and there is no confirmation he has one.}
I heard someone say the other day that sometimes a player needs state that he wants to leave, for the the relegation clause to be triggered, but by doing that he may loose any bonus due to him, I had not heard of that before so wasn't sure, that's why I asked you bud as you knowledge to the ins and outs of contracts and clauses etc
{Ed007's Note - A relegation release clause will state the fee that the club and player have agreed to sell the player for and will either kick-in automatically or the player will need to inform the club in writing of his intention to activate it. I would think most players would put it in writing out of courtesy and to keep everything above board and traceable. It wouldn't affect any bonuses unless it was in the contract, you're thinking of a player requesting a transfer, that's a different matter altogether.}
Santa will be here in December, all these clause's eh!
08 May 2014 17:27:17
I really hope we take serious stock in the summer and totally scrutinise the whole squad if we are to improve.
Too many players started their Celtic careers with great potential and high level performances, but have fell away either through injury or plain mediocrity?
Established uys like Forrest, Kayal, and Mathews rarely feature over a whole season and have faded drastically in form.
Others like Mulgrew, Izzy, Ambrose and Stokes have been inconsistent over the whole season - especially in the CL where we were badly found wanting.
Boerighter, Moyoukolo and Balde have been poor signings with the jury still out on Pukki and Griffiths for different reasons.
(However I do think the arrival of Griffiths gave Stokes a much needed kick in the pants)
There are others that have come in for criticism and a number of youngsters like Watt, McGeough and Rogic have uncertain futures after rave reviews? Obviously a few will not be with us after the close season so in my opinion we do need to freshen things up and ensure we are better prepared next season.
Stand-outs for me have been Commons, Van Diijk, Lustig (before his injury), Forster and the addition of Johansen in January.
JJ
If we do not strengthen and don't get a favourable draw in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League, I fear the worst!
The only stand out in the group stages this season was Lustig and Forster. It was difficult to say with VVD as we conceded goals in every game and the qualifier with Karagandy was a shocker.
Domestically Commons has been great but not in Europe, same with Brown.
I'm confident Brown can step up and there will be no repeat of the Neymar incident and also Matthews if he can go injury free and regain form. I always like izzy.
All kidding aside, we need to strengthen in every position just to qualify I reckon.
Much as I like Brown and I rate him as one of our best players, but the one thing that you can't rule out is another incident like Neymer. One of Brown's best attributes is his combat nature and tigerish tackles . A smart diver like Neymer will draw fouls off a hard worker like Brown .
08 May 2014 16:13:22
ED007/ED001 surely I am not the only one who hates our pin stripe hoops tops, can we have a poll please along lines of.
Should Celtic go back to a more traditional hooped jersey?
{Ed007's Note - I've passed that on, Tim.}
I think they are just a bit of a 'one off' these hoops thankfully. I really liked the thin hoops last season.
I have never liked the current home shirt. It just doesn't look right.
Hail Hail
I would be more concerned in the quality of the person inside the top rather than the size of the hoops
08 May 2014 14:36:00
just out of interest Any Ideas Who Helena Costa Might have scouted for us when she worked for us
Might have done a bit background work on Crosas' time at Barca. Maybe Hinkel at Sevilla too (not that a player of his calibre needs much scouting). Of anybody else, no one we signed I don't think mate.
08 May 2014 08:12:13
Well after last night it has given us all some answers about who is good enough and who to let go.
Pukki I would keep as he has something about him, I am sorry but, Balde, Boerighter and even Kayal must go. I think we will have to cut our losses on them, take what we can get for the three of them and at least get them off the wage bill and free up spaces for more quality signings.
We should have been playing some of our talented younger players to see what they could bring to the team.
I was a Lennon fan but now think it is best he moves on and I would love either Clark or Mackay to come in with fresh ideas.
Exactly what I was thinking, Pukki I would stick with, manager not sure about your choice think someone from abroad might bring new ideas
I would keep Pukki and maybe Kayal as he is a combative midfielder who could be very useful if we had a number of injuries in midfield . I wouldn't have Balde and I cannot understand how we signed him in the first place . Last night I think showed us how poor a footballer he is .
08 May 2014 07:12:48
That's the 100 pts target out the window. Nothing but an ego trip for NL IMO. What he should have done is played the youngsters after league was sewn up. Another target was a 100 goals scored, sitting on 99 goals who would bet against a 0-0 on Sunday! Just hope if NL wants to team up with hooper again it will be him moving down there.
One by one these 'targets' have been shot down in flames as has the managers credibility.
The 100 points/goals along with the unbeaten run, (in a one horse league) was always a smokescreen for bigger failures and shortcomings in Europe and domestic trophies - not to mention some dodgy signings.
JJ
Och behave. Everone sets targets. He failed in cups and league was won so what was left? Maybe ifhe had thrown on the stalwarts in beginnining the 100 pts was still on. He palyed some fringe players and it did not happen. I believe our youngsters are the way to go but that's why we have a manager. Did he acheive ultimate target, yes. Could he have done better, yes. It is what it is. Under previous manager where we going anywher, no! I think he should have learned and I am willing to give him one more season to improve, if not, then its time to go.
The one hundred point target idea to try to keep the last half dozen games or so interesting . I think we have enjoyed some of our best attacking football and the fans were given more entertainment than if the team has just been going through the motions .
08 May 2014 00:29:23
Derk boerrigter is a shadow of the player he was starting out for Ajax we bought a pup there he must be moved on and take the hit. Amido balde just not up to the standard unfortunately . Beram kayal thank you for all your efforts in the hooped jersey I think your time has come to an end. Johansen played well as usual teemu pukki surprised me a bit tonight he's starting to look the part slowly but there is definitely a player in there! Good to see lustig back . Thought May was good again for st johnstone but if I could sign anyone from scotland it would have to be Armstrong he could do boerrigters job for a pittance . Looking forward to some new ins and the correct outs in Lenny we trust!
Celtic always!
Chalky bhoy I think I am almost in total agreement with you . If Kayal got and took a one year extension I would be happy enough . The rest, I am fully in agreement .
I'm almost entirely in agreement too. I'd give Boerriger another season.
You obviousy indicate, like I feel, that we're yet too see what he can do. After calling for him to get starts, last night was a real disappointment. But I've said before that hopefully next season he can almost be like a new signing, along with Pukki. He needs a run though, and to be fair to the lad it's now may and he hasn't had one. Not just through injury, but I get the feeling he doesn't have a good relationship with Lennon; which appears to seriously effect a players chances of playing.
{Ed007's Note - I was excited with the Boerrigter signing and thought he had put his injury problems behind him. I was that confident I had him earmarked as a possible POTY contender! I would like to see him given another year but if we could recoup our money this summer I'd jump at the chance.}
Being a POTY didn't so much cross my mind Ed but in principle I guess I was thinking the same. Thought he would have been a top scorer for us in SPFL and a key player, as a wing forward in Europe. If I was to draw up a relatively realistic line up for CL next season, he'd still be in it I think. I agree though, seeing as he's out of favour, recouping the money would be a good move.
08 May 2014 00:25:40
What I have learned this season
The 2 teams in the Champions League final are not Champions
Arsenal will always be in the top 4 - which is good as you qualify for the 'Champions' League. No prizes for 5th
An attacking football team also needs good defence tactics
Lennon's so called favourites may well indeed be our best 11
Some don't want a family section at Celtic but want to play with stickers
Hibs have rubbish songs/banter and might be relegated as a result of this
Mourinho is a legend but only at Porto
Celtic will win the treble next season!
Mrs E, I always love your comments. (as its anonymous I sincerely hope you are not a 6ft+ tattooed neanderthal with a beer gut which could block the Clyde estuary!) Mostly I agree and working abroad so many times I rely on the regular members comments,
No tim, i’m not 6ft with a beer gut and tattoos lol A vodka gut, maybe though.
Mrs E, you do post a lot of sense.
Especially re Lennon's favourites also the best . Every manager who has any ability gathers a team together that he can trust . Players repay his trust by going and giving that bit extra.
None of Lennon's favourites do give that bit extra though, quite the opposite. They're usually the under-performers in the squad.
Chris, I hope you and Tim don't think I've got money to leave in my will or anything!
HB I don't think Mulgrew under-performs, I just think this is his level and he does what it says on the tin (so to speak). He can play Centre half, left back and midfield and is alright.
I don't really know who his favourites are but I've seen Mulgrew mentioned a few times, I don't see much better than him on the bench. What reason would you have to drop him, who would you play and why?
I too mrs E have no problem with Mulgrew nearly always getting picked . Celtic have been far better defensively in Lennon's time with a big defensive midfielder . I think Mulgrew is very good shielding Virgil and Ambrose
{Ed007's Note - We'll just forget the 14 goals we conceded in the CL this season shall we?}
Ed I don't mean I think Mulgrew's a world class player. I just don't think we have better players on the bench - which I hope can be rectified.
If we could forget about this seasons Champions League and the Cup finals at Celtic Park, that would be great. Ta
{Ed007's Note - Have you ever considered a career as NL's PR, he'd love us all to forget about it as well. I'd rather see young Jack Breslin in the squad than Mulgrew, in fact I'd rather see you in the team than Mulgrew.}
Mulgrew's best season in a Celtic jersey was at CB. Anywhere else he's been a bland, average at best player domestically and out of his depth in Europe!
The Champions League I can get over but the Cup finals are Celtic Park are a right sair yin!
HB unfortunately, most of them looked out of their depth in Europe this season
08 May 2014 00:15:09
This is who I think we should buy and sell this summer.
Out
Forster - 7m
Toshney - Release
Mouyokolo - Release
Boerrigter - 1m
Kayal - 500k
Samaras - free
Stokes - 1m
Balde - (loan)
Griffiths - 1m
Irvine - free
In
McCarthy (Reading) - 2m
Maguire (Sheffield United) - 1m
Taylor Sinclair (Partick Thistle) - free
Armstrong (Dundee United) - 1m
Mackay Steven (Dundee United) - 1m
A good right mid - 2m
Hosiner (Austria Wein) - 3m
What do you lot think?
Hosiner would be a class signing.
Harry Maguire would be a great bit of business as well.