Celtic Banter Archive August 18 2013

18 Aug 2013 23:19:49
Now Pukki has been ruled out as Hooper's replacement, do you think Celtic will make a fresh approach for Finnbogason?

~seamus~

18 Aug 2013 21:40:28
I trust that Celtic will sign at least two quality players right after the Shakhter game on the 28th. Peter Lawwell might be receiving a bit of abuse for not loosening the purse strings as of yet, but he's not an person. He knows as much as anyone else that we need a couple of quality additions.

You only loosen the purse strings when you have a target who wants to come, not to put a name in the team to attempt to please the fans. The club has run well up until now so let's give the team the chance. I am concerned about ripping the centre of our team out but it is what it is. I am sure we will attract some more quality when we qualify for CL group stages.
TinyTim

18 Aug 2013 17:12:01
Celtic should now invoke the right to move due to non competitiveness of the league, therefore finances strangled.we can use the words of rudnevs finabogason, pukku and the Austrian who have all categorically stated they would not consider a move to Scotland .there is a precedent set with the Russian Ukraine league gathering momentum due to the same reasons we are pissing against the wind

Whilst there is a case that could be pursued by lawyers I believe that celtic would rather be invited to join by clubs in England rather than forcing legal action. There is a compelling case but I fear a lot of English clubs know the financial pull celtic would have would make them worse off.
Also if you use a sledge hammer to crack the nut there would be resentment from clubs and fans which would be counter productive. I believe that there will be friendly negotiation within the next few years till they see the light.

Well said tenerifetims, its time all those celtic bashers who post on here criticising the board took heed of what those signing targets said.What decent players would want to come to a third rate league.jimbhoy

Hey, we can demand all we want. Bottom line is that EPL don't want us as they see the potential threat to their cosy system.

Agree with you all, the English couldn't handle the passion we bring to games and would be bitter about it. English football these days is sit down and clap pathetic they are the least creative fans in world football they know we'd take over and be the voice of the league. English B*******. Gandalf the green

One of the daftest posts on bere if that were the case the whole of scotish football would move. how many wee teams have lost players to move to a more competetive league. how many of these teams have lost out on players because the standard of our league. a damn site more than celtic that's for sure

Think your the daft 1 also nameless I note the reason these players left was to better themselves without restriction, European law, Celtic aren't being allowed to do that

Hi all arsenal fan with a soft spot for celtic I think celtic and the big clubs from other leagues in a similar position such as Ajax, PSV, Porto, Benfica and Sporting with some of the big Belgian clubs and a few Scandinavian clubs should form that Atlantic league can you imagine those clubs with an operating budget similar to the Epl no more loosing players to small Epl teams. Ac Milan president is fearful that his team will end up like Celtic and Ajax as a big club who once one the Champions league. My only worry is that if it went too well. The big leagues in Europe would push for a European league.

18 Aug 2013 14:00:42
Arnautovic, Pukki and Finnbogason all failed. BUt some peterborough reject is on the wish list instead, what the hell is going on here?

What is going on in the background that won't allow a decent replacement for hooper at least even though a replacement is also required for wilson and vic.

Joke.

Ridiculous post. Arnautovic is not interested in playing here.Finnbogason is of the same mind And Schalke's first choice is injured so it is doubtfull if they will let Pukki go. Replacement for Wilson? Mouyokolo looked good yesterday and we have Big Virgil as well. Your tag is correct you are a. green jhedi

If your talking about Lee Tomlin. He must have to train every day and eat through a straw as to me in his google images he looks fat. But I think everyone and their auntie will be linked with celtic I believe it's nothing more than journalistic penmanship.

Celtic have tryed, arnautoic rejected us, alfi doesn't want to play in Scotland (his words) Nd shalke won't accept our bid. What more do you want. The board have got money but what player of a decent caliber wants to play in Scotland. Accept its hard to get a player from a good league to come to a terrible league. Champions league 6 decent games a season just isn't worth it when your playing dortmand, munich and leverkusin every week. It's time we accepted that's our level and adjusted our attidudes to signings accordingly.
Darrenbhoy

Sorry about the spelling

There you have all the reasons why these guys have not materialised.
We are trying to attract players to a poor quality league and so far have not guaranteed CL qualification.
However I do share some frustration too, as we are well into the transfer window without signing a class striker when we were only to happy to let 3 main players leave effortlessly.

Jungle Jim

@Jungle Jim: I don't think we were happy to let them go mate the fact is we had to.They wanted to leave and we got decent cash for them. Frustrating I know but it's where we are at the moment. green jhedi

18 Aug 2013 12:35:05
After yesterday, I'm a bit concerned about where our goal threat is going to come from against Shakhter Karagandy.

Certainly Aberdeen never threatened much and I don't think they would have got all 3 points had Langfield not conceded the penalty anyway.

We have a few attacking players who like to get forward, Commons, Samaras, Forrest also Matthews and Izzy will bomb up the wings. What I don't want to see is too many players trying to get forward for that away goal or to compensate for the lack of an out & out Centre Forward leaving us exposed at the back.

By all accounts Shakhter are quite a physical team but after the Juventus experience, this is not worrying me too much. Celtic have also been grinding out results recently whereas in the past they have shied away from overly physical teams or gave up early on trying to break down stubborn teams.

Mouyokolo has looked not too bad in the 2 games I've seen him, yesterday and last week in Dublin. Friendly or not, Liverpool had a very strong team out and I would not take anything away from the team Neil Lennon put out.

I think Neil Lennon might go with much the same team as yesterday maybe bringing on Stokes, Balde or Watt if we haven't scored by about 60 mins. If this team are physical, I reckon Stokes is the one who is easily bullied and as a lone striker, the game would not suit him.

Matthews has looked lively since coming back from injury but Lustig has started the season well, Man of the Match against Elfsborg and scored against Clifftonville. It will be interesting to see who starts at right back.

Izzy definitely needs competition for the left back position.

No matter how many posts I read about getting off the boards back, we need a Centre Forward. Neil Lennon is crying out for one so I'm just hoping the board support him. He has kept up his end of the bargain given he is on a one year rolling contract and is still learning. He brought in over 22m last season in CL cash alone, I do not think its unreasonable to expect Gary Hooper to be replaced! ~ Mrs E

We do need a penalty box player unfortunately every club is after the same.I have defended the board in the financials but I do have a gripe on the time scale.

Everybody knew Hooper was not going to sign a new contract and as such would have to be sold.The disappointing thing is we never had targets identified and seem to be going on to our third choices.

Another problem is our youth players.I was under the impression that Watt and Atajic are strikers, why are they not given, or have been given, a chance.We only need someone who knows where the goal is.Someone who plays on the last defender and can finish.Age is not important in this position as numerous goalscorers over the years have proved.

On the CL tie, I would hope we stiffen the team up a touch.I think Lustig will start as this team seem to favour the back to front approach and he is capable in the air.In my opinion that would leave a space for Matthews to play right midfield instead of Forrest or Sammi. Lenny will earn his wages on this one I think. green jhedi

I would never diss the board either GJ as its not me trying to balance the books and we don't know all the facts about what the wage demands etc are of these 'targets' but with the Centre Forward issue I'm the same and do have a gripe.

Yesterday almost looked like a 4-6-0 and that's not on for a million different reasons!

I think Lustig might just get the nod over Matthews, just for the way he has played in the last 2 rounds and his height.

A win on Tuesday and I will be well pleased. Don't care who scores! ~ Mrs E

Are our youngsters never to get a chance? Last season with the Rangers no where to be seen, was a perfect chance to give our best youth players a chance, but we did not take it. if the scouting system is succeeding, then our coaching system, or management, is failing spectacularly.

Love commons but as a striker he doesn't do it for me, far more effective behind the striker, would like to see watt in striker role and not out wide left, agree Sammy more suited out there, is stokes fit?

Ska bhoy

@3 I wouldn't say its failing and it depends what you mean by 'never to get a chance'.

When it comes to the Champions League then Neil Lennon has to play his best team available.

The last couple of season Celtic's U20's have taken part in the Next Gen competition which has seen then up against the likes of Barcelona youth.

Neil Lennon was also bold enough to name some of the youth in games against Rennes in the Europa League. Some have also picked up horrible injuries, Paul George - breaking his leg, Dylan McGeouch being stretchered off against Real Madrid etc. Quite a few did play last season in the SPL but you cannot just drop first team players on a regular basis.

Maybe this season we might see a bit more youth players come through ~ Mrs E

Take your point Mrs. E, but Jock Stein managed to introduce the Quality Street kids into the best Celtic side of all time. he had Rangers to contend with, and had only Barrowfield to develop young players.

Yeah and those players went onto become the best in Europe sadly, those days are gone.

If we had youth players capable of winning the Champions League, they would be long gone. Islam Feruz a prime example.

Celtic make the most of what they have but are realistic to know the limitations of today's Scottish football ~ Mrs E