Celtic Rumours Archive April 16 2013

16 Apr 2013 20:34:53
I was just looking at the Cardiff City team for tonights game against Charlton Cardiff: Marshall; Taylor, Turner, Barnett, McNaughton; Gunnarsson, Mutch, Kim, Noone; Bellamy, Gestede
they are a point away from clinching a place in the holly grail of the English Premier leauge and to be honest I only think about 2 of there players would get a game for us!
My point is people down south say Celtic would struggle to get out of the championship if we ever were allowed down there I personally think we would walk it! It gets to me that there will be 2 welsh teams in the EPL next year a club our size is stuck in Scotland where we can't agree on how our leauge's should be structured! Why are Welsh teams allowed to play in England and we aren't?

Its a precedent that has stood for over a century with the welsh clubs my belief is that celtic will never kick a ball as an epl side in our lifetime
Gally

I think its because Wales is a principality of England much like Monaco is of France and Scotland isn't.

I quite agree with the OP, I think we would be around the UEFA cup places every season in the EPL. I think the league is very over rated. La Liga and the Bundesliga are far superior, and Serie A is not far behind them, all better than the EPL.

Cardiff Swansea and Wrexham joined the FA over a century ago as there was no Welsh league at the time.

G93

Albeit it would increase our financial figures dramatically, Scottish football would die and I wouldn't like the name Celtic football club with Irish roots being bragged about playing in the English mob, just a no go and i'd quite happily keep it that way

Greenbhoy67

OP in regards to the Cardiff squad I agree totally, the fact that there big signing target for the summer and the Premiership is apparently Joe Ledley backs it up imo.

Agree with most of the above. But come on why oh why do we need to go to England. Money? We are a Scottish club. let's sort out our own house and by that I mean the SFA and support the Scottish game. What will happen if the English solution proves to be a disaster? Where then? The fans want to see competitiion. Quality is the cherry on the cake.
Look at England some of thier games are rank rotten and are the most physical of any big league but they still make huge amounts of money. We must start by developing competition and if that means taking less money then so be it.
I am not a fan of the ticket money being shared equitably regarding gate reciepts that is nonsense, but how about giving the lesser clubs ( no disrespect intended) a block of seats at CP for their away game dependant upon demand and letting those clubs sell that block to thier own away supporters. Ie Partick are going to bring 2000 fans to CP. CFC give Partick 2000 free seats for Partick to sell to thier own fans. As long as the block shall we call it "giveaway" does not impede a CFC fan from getting a paid seat then what's the problem? There also would have to be a recognition of administrative and security costs and this could be deducted. Of course the away fans buy stuff. Pies programmes etc so there will be some cost benefits. CFC fans would still pay for thier away tickets directly to the opposition club but one would hope without the standard CFC supplementary penalty. Standing in the Pi***** rain at Tynecastle comes to mind! All fans are paying for tickets its not a free game but the opposition may actually bring some supporters along to CP creating a better atmosphere than the obligatory 125 Dunfermline fans I had grown to expect on matchday. They know this is like a home game as far as money is concerned. If the seats are empty anyway I don't see how this affects us detrimentally and it will increase the money the other clubs make. It will also show our charitable and decent side and those who enjoy baiting CFC may have less fence sitters and a harder time justifying thier bigoted position with us taking up, this knd of initiative and showingmunselfish leadership in Scotland. I would be interested in the opinions of other fans on this. Sopotcelt

16 Apr 2013 17:54:48
I personally think Neil Lennon will be given money to strengthen in the summer because there will be several departures.

Out - Rogne (unless he signs a new deal), McCourt (same reason as Rogne), Miku (end of loan), Hooper (100% going in July/August), Daryl Murphy (contract expires) and Mo Bangura will still be out on loan in Sweden.

Reckon we need about five new players. I can see Gershon and Noring signing on permanently. Then need another two strikers and one centre half.

~seamus~

I would also like a new CB. just don't like ambrose and wilson, think we can get better players. wilson and ambrose are actually both great players but wilson makes too many dangerous fouls and ambrose makes too many mistakes even tough I find he could be a class player.

Gershon hasn't been anywhere near the first team even with injuries etc. Why sign him?

I would give Rogne a bit more money than what's on the table. He's still young and has a long future in front of him.
Wilson and Ambrose are both accidents waiting to happen.
We need at least 3 defenders and 2 forwards, not midfielders.

16 Apr 2013 13:03:09
Anthony Stokes as of when we signed him:

*22 Years Old.
*Appeared to be an unsavoury "ned like" character.
*Total record at Hibs was 24 goals in 48 appearances (50. 0%) and his only full season at Hibs stood at 23 goals in 43 appearances (53. 4%)
*He's turned out to be our second choice striker.

Derek Riordan when we signed him:

*23 Years Old.
*Appeared to be an unsavoury "ned like" character.
*Total record at Hibs (1st time round) was 64 goals in 146 appearances (43. 8%) and his last season at Hibs stood at 20 goals in 42 appearances (47. 7%) - *Didn't work out. Arguably because of Strachan.

Leigh Griffiths as of right now:

*22 Years Old.
*Appears to be an unsavoury "ned like" character.
*Current total record for Hibs stands at 36 goals in 73 appearances (49. 4%) and this season stands at 25 goals in 37 appearances (67. 6%) - In comparison, Hooper currently has 26 goals in 45 appearances (57. 9%)

It's interesting to note the similarities between this particular trio.

Now for the record, I don't believe in an ideal world that Derek Riordan was ever good enough for Celtic Football Club, Anthony Stokes is good enough for Celtic Football Club and Leigh Griffiths will/would ever be good enough for Celtic Football Club. However, when you take inconsideration the lack of spark we've been devoid of for large parts of our domestic season and the fair assessment that:

1) Gary Hooper will be sold in the summer.
2) Peter Lawwell and the board will not give Neil Lennon a big budget for the total amount of players we'll need, never mind just the strikeforce.
3) Miku won't be given a permanent contract.
4) Lassad will see out next season in his final year of a 2 year contract (unless I'm mistaken) but hasn't shown the potential for a regular berth in the team.
5) Mo Bangura (thank Larsson) is out on loan in Sweden until January 2014.
6) Anthony Stokes' future is far from secure.
7) Tony Watt may be loaned out in the summer.

Going against my own judgements and standards for who deserves the honour of playing for our club, unless atleast 2 of the above 7 points turns out to be false, I wouldn't be against Griffiths' signing for a paltry 6 figure fee from Wolves.

Wolves are taking up their 1 year option on Griffiths.

Hence we would need to pay a paultry 6 figure sum

Derek Riordan is a fantastic finisher however is atitude and work ethic off the field and in training were the reasons he was never given a proper chance under Strachan.

Leigh Griffiths is also a good finisher but he also has dubious ethics/moral.

I've seen Griffiths a few times in action for hibs, he can be a bit greedy, he does wear his heart on his sleeve and can appear petulent or offhandish. He can also score great goals, has good movement and eye fr a pass. let's not forget he can also hit a mean free kick. For his potential fee and wages he would be a very good squad player to have in our armoury and I think he has the potential to be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Bizarre statement to blame WGS for Riordan. The first thing he did after signing for Celtic was get injured falling down nightclub stairs. How is it possible for a professional footballer to be barred from every club in Edinburgh? The guy was an idiot and you only have to look at the rest of his 'career' to see that.

Personally don't want Griffiths near the hoops as he definitely is a ned but if he does sign I'll give him my support. I would much rather Russell who I think will be much the better player as he's getting better all the time.
CBP

17 Apr 2013 13:02:35
griffiths is a good finisher but I don't think he would ever work hard enough for the team to suit NL

15 Apr 2013 23:14:00
Just back from boston in march, what a warm welcoming city, let's pray for boston,. ,. kbarry

Awful news from Boston hope they catch the perpetrators and punish them. On Boston I was there for a weeks holiday 3 years ago and was bored to tears. Julieghirl.

Julighirl you either didn't find the right places or you didn't go with the right person/persons,. ,. kbarry