Celtic Rumours Archive July 20 2012

20 Jul 2012 21:25:01
Looking at Champions League draw, although difficult, if we play as we can, we SHOULD? go through.
But some of the other ties are tasty, poor old Dutch Team Feyernoord got Dynamo Kiev and the Norwegian team ED007 was worried about Molde look set to play Basel, who just happen to be one of the teams we could get if we qualify.
Although Helsinki are bound to be match fit, our pre season games of Ajax, Norwich and Inter Milan will hopefully get us some much needed match fitness. hail hail Timalloy

I remember the last time we played Helsinki. MON had really just started to form the team. Scheidt was still with us so that says it all. If memory serves me well I think we got live coverage from an infant Setanta and the signal was intermittent and patchy, just like the performance! Sutton scored late on. We were pretty terrible on the night and it was embarrassing. Now fast forward 12 years and we have them again. We seem to be apprehensive and a little worried. Based on the last experience it is understandable but only up to a point. I personally think we could be a little more optimistic and upbeat. The Finns are a home based team, granted with some international players and a few foreigners.They have a decent manager and a stadium similar in capacity to St Johnstone's ground. I am sure the budget at their disposal is a fraction of Celtics. We all know a wee team can upset a big team; but IMHO not this time. Our pre-season has been planned well and after a decent performance against our old friends from the 70's Ajax, we will all begin to relax a little. We will comfortably beat Helsinki over two legs with or without a new centreback. KTF and Hail Hail. Sopot Celt

NL is good enough to win the SPL because of Celtic's buying power. However I think he is tactically too naive to make any progress in Europe.

20 Jul 2012 20:09:39
It's looking like a trip to Helsinki. Let's hope we kill them off with a good result in the home leg. They are a decent team, but we should do the business at paradise. Unfortunately, I think our SPL comrades will struggle to continue. Here's hoping we all do good this year to prove that Scottish footie still has it's place in European competition.

BigRab

Watched our two potential cadidates slogging out a 1-1 draw. both were crap and neither pose any threat. watch their decider live next week.

20 Jul 2012 19:39:06
i wouldnt believe everything you read in the papers regarding our lack of signings bhoys and ghirls.
why would we advertise how much we have to spend? it only pushes the asking price up if we do.
also, according to the media in scotland, the mighty rankers would never be liquidated. same old bad news stories about the hoops and sugar coated stories for the rankers fans!

20 Jul 2012 18:23:13
Hi fellow hoops,

Been keeping upto date with the site and still love 2 hear some of the names being linked to the mighty hoops. Don't know bout the rest of u but I'm a wee bit apprehensive about the forthcoming CL qualifiers. Every season we seem to get caught out against supposed lesser opposition and this season is see the same situation unfolding. Lawell is again selling the club and the fans short in terms of signings and it's clear for all to see we are in desperate need of a commanding experienced cb and the board as always are dragging there heels. I would also like to see a big powerful target man upfront for games when the backs are to the wall and we need an out ball. Anyway that's the rant for the day. Keep up the good work ed

Dannybhoy88 {Ed007's Note - Thanks Danny.}

Have a word with yourself peter lawell is doing a great job running our club look around europe and england clubs living outwith there means we dont have to look very far to see what bad management and iresponsable spending does to clubs, our signing policy works ki 2mill selling for 7-8 ,kyal , issy , hooper , wanyama etc peter lawell is a class any man that can sell aiden mcgeady for 10 mill knows what he is doing act you are a fool to think in this climate we can shell out millions and anyway how do you know that peter lawell is not being active if you want to rant do it when the transfer window closes

Fantastic article Danny..Hope we don't get caught out as in previous seasons Bratislava , Sion need i say more ..We have been looking for a commanding centre half since pre Loovens..

Jason

What happens to the valuations of players such as hopper izzy wanyama and ki when we fail to qualify for the best club competition in the world because again we have failed to have the foresight and signed the couple of players needed to guarantee a place in the CL proper. The sad truth is we will loose these players for a fraction of the price we all know there worth because our board will need to balance the books and sell through necessity. I'm a big admirer of the way our club is run and I'm proud to see that through all the trials and tribulations at the rankers we have lived within our means and did it honestly. I however like every other Celtic fan will be gutted not to hear the champions league anthem booming out over the tanoy system in paradise. I respect what ur saying but we have to speculate to accumulate and this is where we have failed in the past.

Dannybhoy88

For every club to be a success you need players, we are short on numbers from last season i.e Majstorivic, Cha ,Loovens ,ODEA, Wilson ,Juarez, McGinn, Towell, Cervi .. At least 60k a week saved on wages .. Surely we could of bought a centre half. If we do beat Helsinki we are guaranteed group stage football either champions league or Europa ..We are not far off a decent side, and in my opinion the centre half position is the weak link

Jason

To poster No 2 you are wrong. yes, we have a good looking balance sheet but i go to watch football and my team winning. If I want to look at pretty P&L sheets I'll nip into my finance dept at work. We're short of quality bodies and again we're going to take a £15m gamble of getting through the qualifiers. Lawell has plenty of positives, that I cannot disagree with, but equally we are being sold short. Buy s/t even though we know the league is a done deal for at least the next 4 seasons. Keep supporting the club etc etc but wheres their commitment? Show us the sporting aspirations, make the significant signings we crave and more importantly need. This is a historical mindset and personally the last time we were faced with a similar scenario in terms of pushing on as a club came back in GS last season when we could have distanced ourselves from rangers and made 4 in a row + but took the cheap option and signed Willo Flood. I'm celtic through and through but hope this gamble does not ome back and bite us in the ass. stevo dundee

I don't get what some supporters want. We asked our club to listen to us and say no to newco which they did. There has to be some cost cutting and this is a part I it. I for one thing Peter lawell has run our club magnificently. We are in a healthy financial situation and are sitting on I would estimate 50 million pounds worth of players.

Junglebhoy33

Junglebhoy, thats all fine and well sitting on hypothetical vast sums of talent but what happens come 2nd week of aug if we're pumped out of europe? No real challenge for league, no europe. do you really think a) players will want to stay, b) we can influenece the values c)entice quality of player to the club. It will begin the downward spiral of our standing in the game believe me. we will end up an also ran like our compatriats that we've already decided are out of europe based on the draws today. Ed, what's your opinion? stevo dundee {Ed007's Note - If we don't get past Helsinki (I think we will) we will drop to to the play off round of the EL, Stevo but that's not the point. I am surprised that NL has came out and said there will be no signings, not only do we need them but 1/2 signings always freshens things up a bit and gives the squad in general a lift, unless the players that he has targeted are looking for CL football and will only sign for a CL club, that happens a lot. If Chelsea hadn't won the CL then Eden Hazard would not have signed for him, I don't mean we are chasing players of that calibre but it's just a thought.}

To stevo dundee
i am not wrong my friend , i love nothing better than hearing the CL music playing at paradise and i am sure the people running our club do to , but in these times of financial hardships worldwide i think it more important to look after the financial running of the club in a prudent manner as for historical mindset i dont think peter lawell is to blame for gordon strachan loosing a league on the last day of a season i do agree that willo flood was a nonsense and i do agree that we need a bit of quality at centre half and also centre forward but they dont grow on trees and teams with bigger budgets than ours are also looking for quality centre halfs and centre forwards , also season ticket money also has to go towards all aspects of the running cost of the club which i am sure you will agree will be substantial and another thing to bear in mind the lovely vat man takes 20% of the season ticket money before peter lawell gets to play with it so i think people sould lay off peter lawell and see the bigger picture

I get that the players would be worth less of we didn't get into cl especially with the lack of competition we could face this year in the league. I just thinkpeople need to reign in their signing expectations a little. We as the rest of Scotland need to cut back on the spending because of the situation we are in. We should have enough to beat Helsinki with the squad we have

Junglebhoy33

20 Jul 2012 15:57:29
While disappointed in Lennys statement,if accurate,on the signing of new players i think we need to be a bit realistic.The signing of Forster,plus his no doubt greatly increased wages,will have taken its toll on our budget.It should also be remembered we have not sold anyone yet.We have reduced the wage bill, but i think we have a few players who will be looking for a wage increase soon,Could the savings be used for that?Any player linked with us or a Premiership club,or indeed a good Championship side,we have no chance of getting,so who is out there?Lenny may also be paying the price of the strange signing of Darryl Murphy,Ipswich baulked at his wages so that tells you a lot.It may be we have to adopt a formation that covers the centre back positions very tightly,not too hard i would say given the midfield players we have.We have a tough qualifier ahead against Helsinki,well into their season already,so maybe not the optimum time to introduce a new Centre back.We now are the most important part in this i feel.Parkhead should be filled to the rafters,with plenty thunder,to drive us on and possibly spook Helinsinki,it's worked on bigger clubs!This is a big season for our young team,time to bring it and show everyone what this magnificent club is about. If i could quote one of our new friends "LETS BE HAVING YOU"!............green jhedi

Ah yes Delia!
I used to fancy her (too many) years ago to mention.
Wonder if she's still cooking these days? Imagine her biscuits would be tasty too.
Since the old big biscuit tin appears to be back at CFC... Let's be having you!
P.O.B.

GJ we have saved nine players wages so far with possibly more to follow. We Celtic fans are not asking to break the bank but for Lawwell to show committment to all us Celtic fans putting money into the club, we will as usual back the club, but they must also back the Celtic fans.
POB now you are stalking Green Jhedi..
I agree up to a point being prudent with cash, after all look at your own club for a perfect example of spending above your means. But Celtic must strike a happy medium between saving cash and buying new players.
So POB while you are on have you spent any of your cash on an ex club season ticket yet or are you also too tight? Timalloy

Well POB when we are at your level of begging with orange buckets then that's the day I will feel truly ashamed. We, unlike your DEAD team have a structure in place that means if we need to buy a player then we MAY have to sell one. It is great business sense and one that your dead club sadly didn't have. Let's hope your NEW team( if you will support them) will have the same level of business savvy stowed upon them by mr murray and mr green.

Briggs

GJ love reading your posts but I think your wrong here, we know how injury prone rogne is and if he gets injured again and wee need to play Kevin Wilson they'll score a few over there. A big commanding centre half is priority now.

Alan

Your posts are getting shorter as well as lacking substance T.
We had a few "discussions" just the other day,when i predicted this outcome.
Got shot down for being realistic.
You can't really argue wuth logic...well you do...but then it's usually just a rant.
Perhaps you should try following people who offer a more balanced viewpoint from time to time,you never know you might get something right now and again.
P.O.B.

POB one of these days you will actually answer a question I ask, you neatly sidestepped my season ticket question, have you bought yours yet and if not, why not. We Celtic fans support our team, why can't you ex bears support your team?
Next question as your embargo now lifted, do you think Green will give Sally money to buy some players. You are quick to post about Lawwel, well now your team is on spot. also which club would be foolish enough to sell you a player without getting money upfront?
What type of player will want to sign? only young inexperienced guys or guys like Black desperate not to go on dole.
I await with interest your answer.... Timalloy

Tim te tim te tim. I like to wind up Tim.
You always get a bite
Cos old Timalloy knows your right.
He just goes off on rants
And posts a load of pants.

You'll know when the Gers are back
Cos old Neilly will get the sack
The Celts still have to win
Despite the biscuit tin.

We'll follow Charlie Green
And his lean mean Rangers machine
It's back to living the dream
And supporting our football team.

Now Tim don't be a fool
Just try and keep your cool
The big hoose will be full
When the Rangers come back to rule.
P.O.B.

Yeah p o b a new tesco superstore down govan way is bound to be full shoppers every sat afternoon


bhoba

Aye nae bother. Rabbie burns must be s**ting himself in the afterlife after that. Maybe you should stay true to form and do what your fellow bears do mate and wait for one of us to post our latest efforts, maybe even the chords to the chorus so you don't get lost AND THEN add your uninspiring words and sectarian spin to it and pawn it off as your own.

It's worked for years mate, why change the habits if a lifetime.

Stevensee88

Stevensee88.

Does sharpening a pencil with a knife make you feel really manly?

P.O.B.

Depends what i'm sharpening it for soft lad!

Where are you just now? just out of curiosity lol

Your condescending posts and rhymes
are a constant irritation

Your own fans site is doom and gloom
so i see your fascination

In coming here and fooling folk
you've a higher education

Ive read them all and i'd conject
theyre verbal constipation...

I'll beat you up with thoughts and words
cos its clear your not a fighter...

TAKE YOUR POSTS AND DODGY RHYMES AND STICK THEM UP YOUR SH*TER LOL

F.A.O P.O.B


Stevensee88

A literary masterpiece.Well done .
I for one will be nominating you for the
No Well gies peace prize!
P.O.B.

Aye good comeback mate. I cant believe i've just waited half an hour for that.

Im aff to put my suit in the dry cleaners for the awards ceremony.

20 Jul 2012 12:59:18
Hey Ed! Neil Lennon said in the paper today(if its to be believed) that we will only make signings once we know if we playing in the champions league group stages or not. With us drawing helsinki surely we have a great chance of qualifying now...i have heard the rumours of us making a loan move for guidetti from man city on loan(mainly on here) have you heard anything about this? imo i think this would be a great move especially seeing as there wouldnt be a great cash outlay and then we could spend what budget we do have on a cb and maybe another fb, i hope we dont sell ki as henriksen is no better from what i have seen. Keep up the good work ed's {Ed007's Note - Guidetti's representatives are in talks with Galatasaray.}

We have another qualifier after Helsinki remember......Stevie

20 Jul 2012 14:46:32
Hi Ed, am new poster but long time follower of this excellent forum and am equally as disgusted as Alan and yourself with the NL statement about no more signings. WE NEED A CB NOW or he can forget about CL. Milk turns quicker than Wilson and don't get me started on Blackman (woeful in German friendlies). Sorry for first time rant but I think that Rogne could be a great player with the right experienced partner.

Tull {Ed007's Note - Welcome to the site Tull.}

Also, new to the forum. Good stuff and can't agree more. Art media happened due to lack of preparation for and Helsinki, will be be tough

20 Jul 2012 13:35:31
celtic to sign robert snodgrass from leeds for 1.5 m plus paddy macourt
100%

Robert Snodgrass is not what we need.....If we have little funds to get players in go and get me Ciani please PL!

Jamesy Bhoy

We cant be that thick paddys better than snoddie agree wae Jamsey Bhoy we are desperate for a CB...jimthetim

Leeds have already turned down 2.5m for the boy from Notts forest can't see us getting in a bidding war for him

20 Jul 2012 12:54:24
Bit gutted to see in one of today's papers lenny being quoted as saying no new signing unless we reach the champions league group stages, hopefully this is rubbish cause we clearly need a centre back to get thru

Alan

20 Jul 2012 11:43:32
Looks like we'll be playing HJK Helsinki seeing as they are 7-0 up from the first leg against KR Reykjavik (they do have the return leg still to go..).

HJK Helsinki are half way through their season and sit 2nd in the Finnish league. Here are their table position and stats:

2: HJK Helsinki P17 Pts30 W9 D3 L5 GF27 GA15 GD12

TRP.

20 Jul 2012 11:19:25
Celtic are drawn at home first with either HJK Helsinki or KR from Iceland .

20 Jul 2012 10:43:22
After the draw today can anyone tell me how many qualifiers we will have left or do we go into groups if we progress or as in recent seasons is there an arsenal type tie we need to overcome first {Ed007's Note - There is still a play-off round after this round.}

Thanks ed, do you know if we will be seeded for that {Ed007's Note - Yes we will be seeded.}

20 Jul 2012 09:44:01
Good Morning ED007 I wanted to raise a few points today, firstly according to today's papers Lennon is quoted as saying that nobody will be signed until we know we are in Champions League proper.
Myself and other fans have posted previously that we thought Lawwell was again not backing the team, and this seems to back it up. We were told that Lennon had a transfer budget, regardles of ex club's plight or even not selling a player to fund this. Once again the board appear to be very short sighted and could again cost us dear, this time Champions League football. Come on Peter back the team with transfer funds, Celtic are asking us the fans to back them with hard earned cash, yet are slow to release monies we need for players. We are not asking for silly money but surely £5m is not beyond our finances and would not cause us too many money problems, especially if we sell Ki or someone else.
Also all the talk about lack of tv money.. Now we hear that SFL want a tv deal also.
Sly/ESPN have too many subscribers in Scotland to pull out and both have hours of tv to fill every day. To prove my point SLY had hours of FISHING on a couple of days last week. They need our games for their schedule, so let's get best possible deal. Timalloy

Timalloy I couldn't agree more mate. I don't think we would have a better time to spend wisely on a couple of decent players. I would have thought the wages we have saved by offloading the players we have already would be a decent saving. C'mon Peter we have backed the club all the way.

Hoopey67