Celtic Rumours Archive May 23 2012

23 May 2012 23:13:26
Good evening folks, just caught up with the BBC documentary on our neighbours. All of our suspicions have been proved correct, many site regulars have said this day would come and now it has. Honestly can't believe they have lied, cheated and stole from Scottish Football for longer than we ever imagined. The SFA and the SPL must act and stop pussy footing around them and punish them. Porn Star Tax Advisors, Property Development Specialists and The Prince of Monaco, that kind of stuff couldn't be written.

Scotty Bhoy

Surely Ogilvie must resign or be sacked by the end of the week

He has to be sacked, time has run out and it is an abuse of power! He was aware of what was happening, he benefited from what was happening and allowed it to happen! Shocking stuff.

Scotty Bhoy

The prince of monaco! i nearly pi$$ed myself laughing!

Anyone got a link where i can watch it? im in Dubai and didnt get to see the docu. {Ed007's Note - http://goo.gl/228k1

23 May 2012 22:23:47
I cannot believe that @rsehole Neil McCann has sat in a television studio giving his expert opinion on the situation at Rangers, when he himself has had a side letter and benifited by £500k.

We've also had Alex Rae appear on a panel sticking his "expert" opinion in, and he had a side letter and benifited by £569k.

Then Mr Rangers, Barry Ferguson with his side letter and payments benefiting him by £2.5m.

Lorenzo Amoruso, playing in the so called legends match and giving interviews about the terrible state Rangers are in. Side letter and £639k.

Nacho Novo, turning up for the sponsored walk. Side letter and £1.2m

Sasa Papac. Played up until end of last season. Side letter and £319k.

Steve Davis. Current Captain. Side letter and £600k.

And these payments are all tax free and on top of the salary they received through payroll.

No one of these excuses for men have mentioned that they have had side letters. Disgusting, absolutely disgusting.

Then we have Souness getting £30k, many years after leaving Rangers, and just before Blackburn bought Tugay from Rangers, when Souness was manager at Blackburn. If this is not a backhander I don't know what is.

The evidence in tonight's programme clearly shows that Rangers players, dozens more than mentioned above had side letters.

The SPL must now come to a quick decision in relation to their investigation into side letters and throw what is left of this footbal club out of football permanently.

There is nothing good to save about this club, Scotland would be a far better off place without them.

K-Dot

Ive said for years souness was dodgy who gave rfc 7 mill for fergie and 4 mill for amo and 8 mill for a french dud who 9 months earlier the cheats got for hehaw the should all be in jail hh {Ed007's Note - The Souness involvement was no surprise. His dealings in the transfer market have allegedly cost him jobs in the past.}

Ive said for years souness was dodgy who gave rfc 7 mill for fergie and 4 mill for amo and 8 mill for a french dud who 9 months earlier the cheats got for hehaw the should all be in jail hh

K-Dot... Where exactly was the proof that Rangers players had side contracts? Did you see any of these side letters in this programme? Or any players,agents,lawyers saying that players did have side contracts? All i saw was a reporter saying it "APPEARS" there was side contracts. Overwhelming evidence?

Only new stuff i saw about EBTs in this program was who got what, nothing shockingly new.

If i said to you ive seen evidence that Celtic didnt declare Juninho's EBT to the SFA and that he had a side contract would you believe me?

You keep coming across as one of these Celtic fans that hates Rangers more than you love Celtic.

Stop hating and just enjoy being champions!!

BNB {Ed007's Note - I wouldn't believe you about Juninho. Show me the proof of it.......or the proof that CFC owe any money over it.}

Would like to think so called experts are now released from duties on sly as they cannot be trusted with anything including an honest opinion

Exactly ed you wouldnt. So why do people like K-Dot believe this program tonight? Where was the proof of side letters? I saw no hard evidence.

Also i didnt say Celtic owed money, my point was about side letters not being declared to the SFA which is against the rules.

Some people also have to realise EBTs have not been proved illegal yet! What will these haters do IF the judges come back and say Rangers have done nothing wrong? {Ed007's Note - Like I said earlier, there was nothing included in tonight's programme that can not be backed up by documentation, they wouldn't take that risk. Look at their website and see the list, plus do you think they would quote a player's agent without being 100% sure of the legality of it? DM's lawyers have been all over the show for a while, there was nothing reported that they can not prove. Like the last report, wait and see what legal action comes out of it. Look at one of Whyte's statements, is this the words of a man confident of beating HMRC? Even mentioning Vodafone shows his desperation, all tax cases are different, Vodafone were not involved in EBT's so the comparison is futile.

Craig Whyte explains: 'It is simply not true to say that Rangers or I have reneged on paying these liabilities since the takeover. The truth is that around �4.4m of the �9m demand is, in fact, the 'wee tax case', including penalties, and which is in dispute. We offered to pay �2.5 million of the PAYE and VAT up front with the remainder at �500,000 a month, but HMRC flatly rejected that.

'On the big tax case - and, of course, no-one yet knows whether that has been won or lost or how much the liability would be - we wanted HMRC to confirm that they would accept repayments of �2.5m a year if we lost. But again they said, "No"'.

Given that HMRC had seen fit to reach agreements with huge corporations owing far more than Rangers - Vodafone, for example - it was difficult to understand why they were being so inflexible unless, of course, they were simply determined to make an example of Rangers.

"In these circumstances it would have been far too risky to pump further funds into the club while the result of the EBT tax case remained unresolved.

"People need to understand that the big tax case has had, and continues to have, a huge bearing on Rangers' future and that I have done everything in my power to safeguard the club against the possible outcomes which could have included the possibility of Rangers being forced into liquidation. Anyone who pretends that this has somehow been my goal is either a fool or has a particularly sharp axe to grind.

"Remember also, that HMRC had frozen some our bank accounts while we were in dispute. On top of that we had other funds frozen because of legal claims by certain former members of the board all of which contributed to why we fell into arrears on our monthly PAYE liabilities.

"Negotiations with HMRC about trying to reach a compromise on the EBT case continued right up until the very last minute, but HMRC would have none of it - if they had, that would have released further funds and we could have avoided administration. I understand why the fans are angry and believe that I am to blame, but in the position we find ourselves in meant that administration was the only option."

I've wondered about souness for many years.

Ed absolutely stunning reply to another deluded, Bury the head in the sand type from the darkside. Keep up the good work please !!

The Happy Turnkey {Ed007's Note - Thanks mate.}

This reminds me so much of the News of the World scandal. Day after day an embattled organisation has to fend off increasingly damning revelations until the weight of evidence becomes too great. Nearly time to lock the front doors.
CBP

BNB - There is no point in trying to present any argument to you. Ed had said it all.

You are still one of those bears whose head is placed firmly in the sand.

You criticise the BBC over "evidence" but you're then quite happy to say that I hate Rangers. Bit of a contradiction when you know nothing about me. Again, no point in going on here with any explanation other than to say I am a fan of football and am totally disgusted by what Rangers have done. That is not hate my friend, it is disgust.

But you will just have to wait and see your club crumble. Most Rangers supporters are preparing themselves for what is about to happen, you are still in denial. When matters are proven to your satisfaction it will no doubt be worse for you.

K-Dot.

I hope the BBC never again allow Billy Dodds near a microphone or studio again. I don't recall him ever admitting he had an EBT, in fact I seem to recall he said he was not aware of anything like that during his time at Rangers......

Surely the souness thing needs uefa investigation?
Rangers fans saying there are no side contracts, well what about the one that an certain ex-director showed to the papers?

I agree it is wrong and rangers should be sent packing, but the players etc are employees and you cant blame them, if it was you getting paid this way would you complain, its rangers fault completely

I remember years ago, when goram was going through a divorce and he told the court he was gwtting �1500 p/wk I thought at the time that wasnt much as they were spending bucket loads on fellas who never kicked a ball.

Celtic seemingly did have juninho on ebt for 1 month, but cancelled it and paid tax etc due. EBT is believed to be legal if executed properly, but that was obviously income for players/staff etc.
The biggest prob with rangers is they are still skint after the so called tax savings. when vodafone etc got dug up they paid it off for big discount. If the media had the balls to stand up to murray maybe they wouldnt be in this mess with less titles and cups the cheats.

Ed... Are you telling me media outlets dont take risks? I think the massive enquiry in london just now proves that with anything that they can twist to make a story out of they will.

As for Craig Whytes quote. Are you telling me you believe a word he says? This man is a proven liar. Prince Albert just says how big a liar he is!! You also have to ask if Rangers knew EBTs were wrong then why did the show in their accounts what they were paying into them? Also if its so clear cut that Rangers are guilty then why have the judges taken so long to come to a decision?

As i said Rangers havent been found guilty of anything yet with EBTs but, if they are found guilty and we are demoted to div3 you wont hear me complaining!! My head is most certainly not stuck in the sand. If its proved Rangers have done wrong then yes they should be punished. Like i said before some people on here have to remember Rangers havent been found guilty yet. I dont worry about ifs and maybes, if Rangers are found guilty then ill worry but whereever we are i will still be there.

K-Dot... When someone comes onto a Celtic rumours page and constantly talks about Rangers then yes as i said 'you come across as someone who hates Rangers more than you love Celtic'. For crying out loud your team has just won the league for the first time in 4 years and looking forward to CL next season and all you talk about is Rangers!!

As i said to ed above my head is not stuck in the sand. What will you say IF the judges come back and say Rangers done nothing wrong? Ill wait till the judges decision before i have an opinion on the people who done this. And IF the judges say Rangers were wrong then i wont be complaining about any punishments.

Like i said stop hating and enjoy being champions!!

BNB {Ed007's Note - I have no idea what you are talking about?}

The point about ebt is they are a tax avoidance device. if a football player has one, it follows that the payment cannot be in his contract or it would be taxable. therefore he is ineligible to play.

Apologies ed. Had one or two too many jack d's at a funeral yesterday!! That was a bit of a rabble!!

BNB

23 May 2012 22:00:17
Former Rangers owner Sir David Murray was the biggest beneficiary of an Employee Benefit Trust operated by the Murray Group and Rangers FC, according to documents seen by BBC Scotland.

From 2001-10, Rangers put £47m in to up to 87 sub-trusts for players, coaches and staff. Separate contributions were made by Rangers'
parent company, MIH. Sir David received £6.3m via an EBT. He told the BBC he had never received any payment from any trust which involved contributions from Rangers FC.

The full extent of the scheme is revealed in a BBC Scotland documentary - Rangers: The Men Who Sold The Jerseys - screened on Wednesday at 20:00BST.

Rangers' annual accounts from 2001-2010 show the Glasgow club invested a total of £47.659m to the Murray Group Remuneration Trust. Separate contributions were made by Rangers' parent company, Murray International Holdings, of at least £10m.

Funds were deposited by Rangers and MIH into the Jersey-based trust, which then divided it into sub-trusts for the benefit of players, coaching staff, directors and other employees in the form of tax-free loans.

Sir David received more than a dozen payments from the trust over nine years totalling £6.374m, including the single biggest payment over the life of the scheme - £1m.

Former Rangers player/manager Graeme Souness received £30,000 from the trust in 2001 - 10 years after leaving the club. Mr Souness led the Rangers revolution in the 1990s, setting the club on the road to their
famous nine-in-a-row championship title-winning run, but he left the club in 1991.

Ten years later Mr Souness was managing the English side Blackburn Rovers, and, just five weeks after requesting a payment from the trust, he completed the signing of Turkey international midfielder Tugay Kerimoglu from Rangers.

The BBC has seen files which showed that HMRC suspected Mr Souness's payment could have been illegal in relation to the transfer of Tugay,
but it found no additional documentation to verify it. Mr Souness declined to respond to BBC Scotland's allegations.

The documents reveal that 63 players, 24 staff and a further 24 of the Murray Group employees benefited from the scheme, which is currently subject to a First Tier Tax Tribunal at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Playing by rules BBC Scotland has also seen evidence, which was submitted to a court, suggesting that 53 Rangers players and staff had side-letters giving undertakings to fund their sub-trusts with cash.

Scottish Football Association rules state that all payments made to players in respect of their earnings from football must be declared by their club.

In a letter to HMRC in 2008, the Murray Group insisted they were playing by the rules of the EBT scheme. The letter stated:

"There is no trigger for the chain of events that led to an employee being
told that they can apply for a loan from the trust � the company has no control over the funds in the trust."

The Ibrox side, currently in administration over debts - including unpaid PAYE tax and National Insurance, made payments to players through
the trust ranging from £7,500 for Belshill-born defender Steven Smith to £2.494m for the club's former captain Barry Ferguson, who is now at Blackpool FC.

When Dutch goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus negotiated his contract to join Rangers, in 2005, his agent questioned the tax scheme.
Mr Wattereus' agent was told by a club representative in correspondence seen by BBC Scotland that using the trust was "...in the interests of Ronald as it enables him to receive funds tax-free".

The representative added: "I can confirm that we will not pay these amounts to [Ronald] unless they are made through the use of the
remuneration trust."

Alex McLeish, who managed Rangers from 2001-2006, received £1.7m over five years from the trust, while his successor, Paul Le Guen, received £200,000 over one year.

'Not aware' Other beneficiaries of the trust include the former Rangers chairman John McClelland, who received £200,000 over five years, and ex-chief executive Martin Bain who received a £100,000 loan in 2003.
Mr Bain's total payments over five years amounted to £250,000.

The current president of the SFA, Campbell Ogilvie, received a total of £95,000 over five years, but said in a statement that he was never
involved in negotiating, drafting or administering player contracts.
"I was not aware of which players received EBTs," Mr Ogilvie said. "And, having been advised that the scheme was being operated in accordance with the regulations, I therefore did not raise any aspect of this with the Scottish FA."

Paul Baxendale-Walker, a tax advisor who brought the EBT scheme to the Murray Group, said: "The problem as we all know is how Rangers implemented the structure, how they drove the bus.

"But then again it's only a problem if HMRC win. If HMRC don't win, then hopefully you're going to come back and say Paul, all the Rangers fans in this country want to thank you because you single-handedly saved Rangers FC £50m. You're a hero."

hail hail

Marco1888

23 May 2012 21:36:33
All I have to say is that Rangers are rotten to the core. Financial doping and cheating on an industrial scale.

This excuse for a football club should be closed down and never allowed to play the beautiful game again.

Scotlands Shame - never a truer phrase been coined.

K-Dot.

Its so great to have sat and assumed that Rangers were fixing things up for years and then to find out they actually were.

Agree m8 the Cheated the way to titles a cups that they couldn't afford.henke7

We should really double the pressure on Neil Doncaster and the SFA after this! It is disgusting if they get away with this and Ogilvie should be thrown out the door tonight! A disgrace and shame awaits the SFA and thier corrupt members if they dont do the right thing now!
T

Looks like they have been found out but what will happen?

So Timothies....how did Rangers cheat. Please explain?

.....because that documentary certainly didn't prove ANYTHING.

TTG

Fantastic revelations from the BBC? Don't think so...What did the programme REALLY show? Everything on it has already been covered elsewhere by others apart from some superfluous details regarding individuals and some conjecture. A review of the EBT details on BBC Website shows that a significant number of so-called EBT's are NOT covered by 'Side Letters' as well as others which are or may be. Count up the value of these and it's clear that the combined values doesn't amount to the total poseted in RFC Accounts as being set aside for Trusts, not to mention the contributions from MIH. Everyone is still awaiting the results of the FTT and the fact that each case may need looked at individually might be the reason for any delay to date.

The problem is, however, if the BBC has got hold of EVIDENCE that was presented to tbody?he Tribunal then RFC could argue that any possible appeal has been compromised by such evidence being put into the public domain.........If that was to be the case then where would that leabe every

It doesn't prove anything William.................................................................OK then! Time For Bed! Night Night and maybe when you wake up it will all be a bad dream and you can go to school like any other day!

TTG - if you don't get it now, you never will. There is no point in wasting my time explaining it to you.

K-Dot.

Am in Russia so didnt see it but LOVING the aftermath.....I even see one here we have a wee person toy to play with....run along now!!

Bring on the Jelly & Ice Cream and wipe this blot on the landscape out of existence please?
:)

Iain

K-Dot. I do get. What I don't get is how you lot are convinced that borrowing money is cheating. Nothing about that program proved anything about double contracts.

Please K-Dot, explain HOW Rangers are cheats?

TTG

TTG I don't think anyone has said borrowing money is cheating (though borrowing it and never paying it back is distinctly lacking in, well, dignity). If you truly believe that the vast number of payments RFC players received over 9+ years were not only non contractual but fully declared to the SFA, if you truly believe the 30 odd side letters (that we know of) weren't crucial to the signature of these players and therefore effectively contractual, and if you truly believe your club was generous enought to pay vast sums such as �2.5M to a single player who wasnt entitled to it then thats up to you.

Any of these constitute an illegal registation, and all of these were done for the purposes of avoiding tax and paying for better players - those you couldnt afford otherwise. If you can't see that this is cheating on an industrial scale then as K-Dot says above, theres little point trying to explain it to you. I think its fair to say any club could mistakenly register a player incorrectly. The punishment that would generally follow in a single case like that is harsh. The difference is this was vast in its scale and it was done for financial gain. Thats why it's cheating. As one of the posters above says, I actually sympathise with some of the genuine RFC supporters - you've been failed by your board even more so than we were by the Kelly/White dynasty (see no Whyte, whatever the spelling is any good!). where I lose that sympathy is the constant denial, abuse of those who bring the facts to your attention (those you should have listened to earlier), the ludicrous outrage and demand for special treatment. Lets be clear, RFC are already getting special treatment. Were this one of the smaller teams they would not be considering a NEWCO parachute and the side contract issue would have had them expelled.

23 May 2012 21:13:17
What happened on the docu tonight just finished fives, my mate who is a bear just said d+p showed up pretty badly
Nevis {Ed007's Note - Have a read at these:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-18169501

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-18148818

23 May 2012 18:20:19
Tv news reporting that Forster is close to completing a deal to join the Hoops permanently. Hope so, could do with having the keeper situation sorted once and for all and good to see the club getting business done early!

Also, what's happening with the big pole, fojut? Is he still coming?

Cheers
Green surfer {Ed007's Note - The deal for Fojut was cancelled last week after CFC's medical staff examined his injury.}

23 May 2012 18:10:58
If Fraser Forster doesnt sign we should get Craig Gordon and the money that we would have spend on Foster could go to buying Cox , i think Stokes will be on his way out to get more money so we can get Rhodes and Henriksen , that would make our midfield and forwards very strong for Champions league also we need another centre back to flood the back and we could go very far

What you think ed? {Ed007's Note - I am not convinced by Simon Cox.}

I think cox is a crackin forward

The Cox transfer doesn't excite me what so ever. I'll give the plan and the guy himself a chance though should it materialise.

Yeah i think Cox is a great forward from th WBA and Ireland games i saw

23 May 2012 17:31:45
celtic 2 sign simon cox for 2.5m and swap stokes for grant holt,,,,,and also heard we may b making a bid for highly rated cb Angelo Ogbonna {Ed007's Note - Ogbonna only signed an extended contract in February until summer 2016, I doubt he will leave Torino this summer.}

23 May 2012 17:11:03
Ed have you heard anything about Jordan Rhodes apparently saying he wants to join Celtic? {Ed007's Note - Yes, two years ago. We signed Hooper instead.}

23 May 2012 16:13:51
why not try for dos santos from spurs don't know what kind of wages he is on but would be good on the opposite flank from forrest fast and tricky player

wee1888

23 May 2012 15:06:16
according to ssn we have contacted west brom re availability of Simon Cox. what do you think SEd

23 May 2012 11:24:16
Hi ed, just a thought. Whats your opinion on the 3-5-2 that lenny was using towards the end of the season. brought back memories of the martin oneill era in which we where most successfull in europe. and izzy and matthews seem to suit this. Hopefully he uses this in europe this season. with a top class cb i reckon we could do well {Ed007's Note - I think it will be used more in Europe. The thing is, with the players we have just now, playing Matthews and Izaguirre as WBs with three CMs there is no place for players like Forrest, Commons, Samaras or any wingers/wide players.}

Think forrest and commons can play a more central/roaming role off the striker though

It works but it is a bit more defensive minded than MON's 3-5-2.

Commons does well in the hole behind the strikers but Forrest is much more effective on the wing IMO.

I would like to see a 4-2-3-1 in the rotation a bit more this season, its a very fluid attacking system and would suit the current crop of players.

Forrest and Sammy on the wings with Commons in the hole behind Hooper (or a successor) would be a very dangerous set up. It can be changed into a very solid 4-5-1 when we are defending and if we are struggling to break down teams Commons can move out left and Sammy can go up front to offer a more physical approach.

I'm a big fan of Lennon's current 3-4-1-2 though, it takes advantage of us having two excellent ball playing centre halves. Ed you do raise a good point though about not having space for Forrest in that system.

Do you have a system in mind for next season considering Lennon certainly seems to be looking for Number 10 type attacking midfielders (Henrikson, Melkison) Ed?

Mac {Ed007's Note -

.........................Forster/GK..........
Matthews........Rogne......Mulgrew......Izaguirre
...........................Wanyama.................
.................Brown.....Kayal........Ledley.....
........................Commons/No.10?......
...........................Hooper/ST??.......

.........................Forster/GK.......
..............Rogne....Wanyama/CB......Mulgrew.....
Matthews.................................................Izaguirre....
................Brown.......Kayal........Ledley......
...........................Commons/No.10?......
............................Hooper/ST??........

Who needs coaching badges....no wonder Largs closed down! Seriously IMHO some good stuff here. Sopot Celt {Ed007's Note - :-)

Like it Ed.

The one problem I think with the 4-4-2 diamond is that Commons or whoever plays in the hole has to play really well or it is ineffective.
I think that is why Lenny tends to use that lop sided 4-4-2 with a winger on one side and a tucked in midfielder on the other side. The thinking behind it being that easier to get in behind a full back than to play through the middle of the defence (unless you're Barcelona!).

The space that Mulgrew and Wanyama get in a back three is unbelieveable, any formation that gives Mulgrew time and space to use that magnificent left peg is fine by me!

What would you like to see Lenny try Sopot Celt?

Mac {Ed007's Note - TBH I don't know if Commons could do the No.10 job. I think Ibrahim was bought for in there, and obviously that is the interest in Henriksen.}

Need I say more. Sopot Celt {Ed007's Note - Is that it??? That is your input! Gary Neville must be sh1tting himself lol.}

Commons was outstanding in that role against Rangers and last season when he was on fire although nominally on the left wing with Izzy bombing forward he spent most of his time in behind the strikers, if he is fit next season I think we could see him back to his best playing off the front.

Ibrahim is a very exciting prospect though, hopefully he will provide competition for Commons and whoever else comes in.

To be fair Ed Sopot's input there is probably more useful than Gary Neville would provide!

Oh and I now realize that its not a 4-4-2 diamond you were suggesting, I was ever so slightly distracted by a certain BBC documentary!

Mac {Ed007's Note - Was that the one about penguins? I can't watch anything to do with them :-)

Next we'll have the dailly record telling us that the latestt penguin has "pilchards off the radar".

Mac {Ed007's Note - If the Daily Rag told you penguins can't fly, would you believe them......

23 May 2012 10:50:16
ED just seen it on TV that villa have released cuellar do you think he would be a target for lenny {Ed007's Note - I hope not.}

He'd ruin the team picture so NO.

23 May 2012 07:48:27
Hi guys, been reading the page on a daily basis for months and really enjoy it although I never post.

Just about Forster and Hooper. If I'm being honest I would happily let both them leave. Forster still looks like a liability. He had a good few month but let's be honest, he plays for Celtic. We shouldn't have any poor players in our first team squad - I mean in relation to the SPL. He is only average, if he wants to go back down south then Cheerio. Celtic don't need anyone that doesn't want to be there! Same goes for Hooper.

Hooper had only scored 19 goals in the league until his 5 against Hearts on the last day of the season. Well he won't get another chance to score easier goals than they 5 again. Where were those goals against them in the semi final? If you get the money that is getting banned about (£6-9m) then take it. Scott McDonald was a more prolific goal scorer than Hooper and he went and we survived and we will if Hooper leves.

My main concern is all this 'dead wood' leaving: m wilson, cervi, loovens, cha, mcginn etc. yeah it's great they are leaving cause they were a waste of time but we aren't getting a penny for them and have been paying wages for nothing. The majority of players are not even on the bench for us so that is just money which has been wasted.

For me a striker (30 a season) is essential, two bullying centre halves - why do rangers always find them and we can't! Everyone of their defenders will die to win the ball on the ground and in the air! A goalkeeper we can put our full faith in - Gordon or go back in for Given (he is getting linked away from Villa cause he of the uncertainty, teams like QPR & Stoke - he doesn't need the money anymore I'm sure he'd be happier in the CPL). A playmaker in the mould of Lubo is a must also. Ibrahim is possibly gonna be the man for the job but we will see.

We should be looking at Africa ad Scandinavia for players look at the likes of Drogba, Kalou, Eto'o, Ibrahimovic etc. these areas produce players that can play in scotland cause they are hungry to show their talent. I know they are all great players but they had to be given a chance somewhere. We could be that team. What better stage than the Champions League? I know they are too good for Celtic but when they were starting out they weren't!

We should be building teams to win the league without any sort of slip ups like after Seville when we should have strengthened and dominated. I don't want the shame even catching a breath!

Pepe1909 {Ed007's Note - Welcome to the site Pepe.}

We couldnt strengthen after Seville as the cost of that team was unsustainable. Strachan had to cut the wage budget by 60% when he took over.

Thats the difference between us and Rangers. We realised we had to have a sustainable squad and adjusted to suit AFTER Rangers had won the league. At Rangers they knew the big tax bill was coming and still spent 4 million on Jelavic because they would rather risk the very existence of the club than risk Celtic pulling ahead.

I would love to see Hooper stay and be partnered by a quality targetman. Imagine a striker as predatory as Hooper having flick ons to run on to and space being opened up for him. Then he would be a 30 goal plus striker.

Mac

I agree with Mac, Hooper with a quality targetman could be our ticket, and its what we need to be playing Champions League next season. Don't want to see him go just yet. As for Forster Im indifferent, I wouldn't want to keep a player who doesn't want to stay, but he is a good goalie.

23 May 2012 08:44:19
Not a rumour but what would be the possibility of getting Ivan Klasnic? Obviously wages may be a stumbling block but he is on a bosman?

Ahd rithur he wiz oan ah BUS MAN!
whit?

The same chance Rangers would have signing an 18 year old, none.

23 May 2012 06:38:33
Got an email from Celtic saying that my new away top will be delayed til the 18th of June because there supplier are not doing the unsponersed shirt first, absolutely fantastic!

23 May 2012 01:22:04
IT was party time as two Celtic midfield generals met for the first time in the dugout.

Now Neil Lennon hopes to get serious in his bid to hold on to last season's sharpest shooter.

Gary Hooper might not have had a sniff of goal in Adam Drury's testimonial last night as Lenny came face to face with fellow old Bhoy Paul Lambert.

But the deadly hitman showed he's got the nose for goal 29 times last term.

Now boss Lennon has hinted he'll listen to demands for the Englishman to earn wages on a par with top earners Scott Brown and Joe Ledley.

Asked about Hooper, who still has two years left on his current deal, Lennon said: 'We had a preliminary meeting with his agent last week. It went very well and we made it clear we want Gary to stay.

'Gary likes it here and he's happy at Celtic. He's had such a good season and he's such a good player no doubt there will be clubs in for him, but we'll try and resist all offers that come our way.

'Gary is one of our best players and he should be paid accordingly. He has been magnificent for two seasons.

'He came as a relatively unknown player from Scunthorpe and is now one of the top players at a huge club like Celtic. Quite rightly, he will be looking to get a wage increase. We don't have a problem with that.

'I can't see us not agreeing to get a deal done for Gary.

'We have already had preliminary talks with his representatives and they will continue over the next few weeks.

'Fraser Forster's agent is in tomorrow so we are hoping to move things on pretty quickly.

'Fraser has been excellent over the past two years and we'd like to keep him for a few more.'

Lennon has also been linked with Rosenborg midfielder Markus Henriksen and added: “We haven’t made any contact with Rosenborg, but he is a player we admire.

“We have a bit of work to do trimming the squad before we can think about bringing players in.

“We have targets for three or four positions.

“I’m not going to sit here and lie, we like Henriksen, but I’m not sure if we will able to get a bid going or not.”

News that Hooper and Forster could sign new deals is is sure to boost the hordes of Hoops fans who never stopped cheering their side in East Anglia last night.

Before becoming bosses Lambert and Lennon had teamed up as the beating heart of the Hoops midfield.

Lambo’s last Celtic appearance had been as a second half replacement for his pal in a 5-0 Scottish Cup win over Clyde seven years ago.

Lambo is the man in demand down south after the Canaries’ 12th place finish on their return to the Premier League following back-to-back promotions.

It might have been a night reserved for Drury to celebrate 11 years at Norwich, but it was also a chance for both sets of fans to party after seasons to remember.

Nearly 3,000 travelling Hoops fans had packed into Carrow Road, some leaving Glasgow as early as midnight to make the 400-mile plus journey to East Anglia by bus. They had soaked up the

summer sun in beer gardens around the city centre and were determined to have one final knees up.

With several star names away preparing for the Euros, upcoming international friendlies and the Olympics, they saw a glimpse of the future in Lennon’s line-up — and perhaps even the past.

Highly-rated defender Stuart Findlay, just 16, was given a start alongside striker Tony Watt, who memorably netted a debut double as a sub against Motherwell last month.

Fraser Forster was handed the Celtic armband alongside possible summer movers Kelvin Wilson and Paddy McCourt.

Drury was denied a dream early goal by Wilson’s well-timed challenge moments as the sounds of ‘One Paul Lambert’ echoed from all corners of the ground.

James Vaughan smashed Norwich into a 20th minute lead and went close again soon after.

After the break both Kris Commons and Watt forced sub keeper Declan Rudd to tip over before Drury was given a standing ovation as he was subbed on 62 minutes.

Hoops starlets Lewis Kidd, Jamie Lindsay, Paddy McNally, Denny Johnson and Robbie Thompson were all given runouts in the second half.

Norwich doubled their lead after a poor Forster clearance eventually saw the ball finish at Henri Lansbury’s feet.

After his first shot was blocked by Wilson, guest star Lansbury rolled home.

Norwich boss Lambert reacted furiously after being asked about his own future — and that of star striker Grant Holt who has demanded a move.

Lambo said: “It is not about Grant or me. Tonight is about Adam Drury.

“This isn’t the night for those questions. Don’t ask me negative things about me or Grant.

“I am delighted I am at Norwich if that is what you are asking.

“I have never said I want to get away. Not a thing, and people jump to conclusions about what I say or don’t say.”

Jungle Bhoy.