11 Nov 2015 08:37:40
Nice to hear we're extending the deal for Stefan Johansen to add to Bitton and Rogic.
Hasn't quite shown the goalscoring form of last season but he's been playing through pain and we know what he's capable of.
To be honest he's been playing a lot better than some make out. When he's poor, we're generally poor and that speaks volumes for me. I'm not going to compare him to Brown entirely just yet but on his game he orchestrates things going forward. Gets asked to play all over the midfield and at the moment I don't want to imagine a Celtic side without Brown or Johansen in it.
11 Nov 2015 09:30:09
Great news, Along with Biton we also need to get Rogic tied up asap. I'd like to see Allan play beside Rogic soon to see how they pair up together. For me having Rogic Johansen Allan with Biton and Brown holding looks quite tasty and worth a try, that would mean Commons Armstrong Forrest and GMS on the bench all capable of coming on and changing a game. I think over the next few weeks Allan has to be given game time if fit to show what he can do.
On another note interesting to see we have linked up with a club in Saudi Arabia, having spent a few years there i was disgusted with Nike in that time, plenty Nike shops in Khobar yet not one Celtic top on show, Hope New Balance get our kits out to that market as there is plenty kids wearing Celtic replica shirts.
{Ed001's Note - New Balance are almost non-existent in terms of presence in the region.}
11 Nov 2015 09:46:46
Thanks Ed, Hope that can change over time.
{Ed001's Note - so do I as a Liverpool fan now living out here! It is almost impossible to buy anything related to New Balance clubs at all. It was even worse with Warrior as the brand.}
11 Nov 2015 09:55:10
I could understand it if the market wasnt there but the Arabs love their football as you'll know, Maybe a Liverpool/Celtic tie up would work. You'll be wearing a Liverpool top from the markets then haha. Saw the new celtic top recently and it had previous sponsor :)
{Ed001's Note - you can get last season's Liverpool kit in a few places now, but they never have the current one. It is odd. They had some Liverpool t-shirts and they sold out in days. They just literally can't get hold of the stock. Bizarre but par for the course with Liverpool. As for Celtic, I have not seen anything Celtic related for sale at all.}
11 Nov 2015 10:18:14
It's a strange one given the fan base of both, ex pats in the area + the locals love of the game. I was close to mailing Celtic and Nike over the shambles out there. To see Nike shops flaunting Man Utd, Barca, Arsenal etc etc and not us infuriated me. There's a chance for New Balance to change that given that they have 2 huge UK clubs to promote now but maybe just wishful thinking. What other Clubs are New Balance involved with do you know Ed.
Ps apologies for hijacking the initial comment i should have posted seperately.
{Ed001's Note - maybe we should start a new thread? In fact I have sent the original post and the first part of yours in to start a new thread with.
Off the top of my head there are a lot of teams, I have seen a couple in Spain, Stoke are another that come to mind and they have at least one in the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 plus Serie A teams. They are making a big push in that regard but their marketing of the replicas is non-existent.}
11 Nov 2015 11:01:43
Thanks Ed, Just had a look on the Website. Porto and Seville also done by New Balance. Not sure what influence Celtic have on getting kits to certain markets but I think with the friendship between Celtic and Liverpool maybe a joint venture in the Middle East would be a good way to start and also a way of promoting both Clubs.
{Ed001's Note - Sevilla was the one I was trying to think of. Liverpool's commercial department are hopeless, I have tried to speak to them on numerous occasions about this issue. Not once have I been able to get through to anyone within the club to speak to them. They seem quite happy to let the likes of Man City, PSG, Barca and Real Madrid just take over. It is even possible to get AS Roma's 3 new kits for the season from one of the main chain of stores out here, yet no New Balance kits except, like I mentioned, last year's Liverpool one. Even then it is only the yellow one.}
11 Nov 2015 11:41:32
Hard to believe really. I think i'll contact both Celtic and New Balance to see if they have plans now that we have a tie up with a Saudi Club. Still early days for us but if they haven't bothered to promote and sell Liverpool gear in the region over the last year i can't see them doing it for us. New Balance Store selling Celtic/Liverpool gear with an annual friendly now that would be exposure. Too much like sense though.
11 Nov 2015 17:00:46
Nike shops in Scotland hardly had any Celtic stuff.
11 Nov 2015 20:18:14
The thing with new balance ed001 they only make a limited amount I'm sure I remember reading so maybe that's why they get the left overs the following year.
{Ed001's Note - it could be mate, that is a good point.}