Celtic FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014/15 Mod Warning post #6011

Dempsey · 17-07-2013 07:19PM

Celtic starting to cruise now. They are banking on a Efe Ambrose brainfart to get back into this now!

EDIT

How did that stay out?

Lennonist · 17-07-2013 07:24PM

Good stuff this from Celtic, get the job done, let the fans have the party.

RoryMac · 17-07-2013 07:27PM

Unlucky for Commons, really looks a mistake playing Ambrose again, I know the stakes are high but surely we have a better option for a game like this than throwing him in with no preseason.

I felt the game against Juve ruined his confidence after a good start, I hope Lenny isn't making the same mistake again

PauloMN · 17-07-2013 07:37PM

Delighted with that first half performance, expected it to be a bit tighter tbh, but Celtic cruising at the moment. First 10 mins was a bit sloppy but Celtic settled into it. Neil Lennon might not like such early competitive games, but on the other hand it gets the team into the right frame of mind for the next round, where we'll face much tougher competition.

blahfckingblah · 17-07-2013 07:56PM

Defence is very very sloppy tonight

Oat23 · 17-07-2013 07:59PM

Hope ye don't take it down a gear now. I've got a 6/1 treble riding on a win by 3 or more!

blahfckingblah · 17-07-2013 08:02PM

Oat23 wrote: »

Hope ye don't take it down a gear now. I've got a 6/1 treble riding on a win by 3 or more!

just because of your sig i hope it stays the same

Oat23 · 17-07-2013 08:05PM

blahfckingblah wrote: »

just because of your sig i hope it stays the same

I changed it just for you, happy thoughts please.

PauloMN · 17-07-2013 08:06PM

Would like to see Celtic coming back into this game, have been on the back foot a bit for the first 15 mins of the 2nd half. Another goal or two please.

Nice block by Wilson a few mins ago. He give me a lot more confidence than Ambrose, but that's damning with faint praise of course.

blahfckingblah · 17-07-2013 08:24PM

Oat23 wrote: »

I changed it just for you, happy thoughts please.

you deserve it mate

PauloMN · 17-07-2013 08:25PM

Lousy defending, nice finish from Forrest. 0-3 to the Hoops.

RoryMac · 17-07-2013 08:25PM

Tie over now, nice goal

Oat23 · 17-07-2013 08:26PM

Only been watching since HT but Forrest looks class. I don't remember seeing him before. Bit like McGeady but better.

Just don't let them score now.

Thank you for the happy thoughts.

PauloMN · 17-07-2013 08:28PM

Oat23 wrote: »

Only been watching since HT but Forrest looks class. I don't remember seeing him before. Bit like McGeady but better.

Just don't let them score now.

Thank you for the happy thoughts.

Nice sig. Welcome to the fold.

blahfckingblah · 17-07-2013 08:30PM

PauloMN wrote: »

Nice sig. Welcome to the fold.

you didnt see the old one...

looks like a deadly atmosphere in Belfast this evening

PauloMN · 17-07-2013 08:32PM

blahfckingblah wrote: »

you didnt see the old one...

looks like a deadly atmosphere in Belfast this evening

Great atmosphere. Let's hope there's no trouble with the loyalist scummers afterwards.

kksaints · 17-07-2013 08:32PM

blahfckingblah wrote: »

you didnt see the old one...

looks like a deadly atmosphere in Belfast this evening

That could easily be misinterpreted after the last few days.

blahfckingblah · 17-07-2013 08:36PM

hey now less of that haha

RoryMac · 17-07-2013 08:45PM

Job done, good performance first half slipped a bit after the break but the result is the only important thing tonight.

Early days but our defence looks dodgy, Ambrose poor in 1st half and Wilson in the 2nd. Also thought we lacked a presense in the opposition box. I like Stokes & Sammy but if Hooper moves we need to sign a similar player that will get on the end of the play

cardwizzard · 17-07-2013 08:52PM

Good pro job done by Celtic tonight. Have to say had a few concerns with the pre season form but delighted with the performance.

Crowd looked like they had a ball....

Hail hail.

Lennonist · 17-07-2013 09:20PM

Happy with that performance, good professional job. Bar looking a bit dodgy defensively from time to time, the team was well drilled and up for it tonight. Important qualifiers coming up shortly and the team should be in good nick for those vital ties.

A Dub in Glasgo · 17-07-2013 10:05PM

Easy for us with some nice goals as well

eire4 · 17-07-2013 10:05PM

Good solid performance tonight. Good attitude and concentration showed by the players turning what could have been a tough fixture given how early during pre-season it is into a comfortable win instead.

BohsCeltic · 17-07-2013 10:41PM

Job done but i'm still not convinced. Defence is questionable (most notably ambrose) and kayal is suspect.
Hopefully we'll sort it out over the next couple of weeks before the opposition gets a lot stronger

bobmalooka · 17-07-2013 11:58PM

BohsCeltic wrote: »

Job done but i'm still not convinced. Defence is questionable (most notably ambrose) and kayal is suspect.
Hopefully we'll sort it out over the next couple of weeks before the opposition gets a lot stronger

+1 on Kayal, I really tought he was quality when he first came to Celtic and even though he seems to play well sometimes he is never in control and always liable to do something rash.

Our whole game is based on control.

Controlling the ball and strangling teams in the SPL and controlling shape and discipline and spotting when teams are vulnerable in Europe.

Kayal isn't dependable in either situation.

Dempsey · 18-07-2013 12:38AM

Kayal hasnt been the same since injury unfortunately, but hopefully he will turn the corner.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/neil-lennon-beram-kayal-ready-made-2034763

“Beram had injury problems last year, he had a lot of fluid in his ankle. But he’s had an injection in it and it has now settled down.

“He now looks like the player he was two years ago. He’s fitter and in training he’s now getting around the pitch much better.

“There is a real drive and aggression to his game again, which he had in his first two seasons here. Listen, he’s a fantastic player and if we can get Beram back to that level it will be like signing a new player this year.

“He’s good enough to fill the void if Victor goes, there is no question about that. He’s not as tall or as physically imposing but he’s strong.

“The main reason I bought him was he was one of the best I’d seen in a long time at getting the ball back – at seeing danger and recovering it.

“He showed all that in his first season but since the injury he’s struggled a bit. Thankfully he’s starting to show more of himself now and I’m hoping this will be a really big season for him.”

So hopefully the treatment allows him to train harder so he can up his game.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon hoping to make imminent new signings

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11781/8828816/Celtic-manager-Neil-Lennon-hoping-to-make-imminent-new-signings

"Hopefully we've negotiated the tie but we need new bodies in for the next round and we're going to do that," he said after the win.

"We're actively looking at strengthening the squad as there's money available from the Wanyama transfer.

"I'd like someone in before the second leg next week if I can so we can bed them in as quickly as possible. If we could get one in early next week, I'd be delighted but at the moment we aren't close to anything."

Meanwhile, the future of highly-sought-after striker Gary Hooper has been the subject to further speculation with QPR reported to have joined the chase for his services, but Lennon says there has been no progressions.

"Talks are still on-going between Gary and his representatives but no bid has been accepted by us yet," he added.

Hopefully a player comes in and Hooper signs a new deal, the lack of decent interest must have his agent running to Lawwell trying to save face. I cant see him lasting long managing Hooper if he ends up at Hull or QPR.

Lennonist · 18-07-2013 11:47AM

Dempsey wrote: »

Hopefully a player comes in and Hooper signs a new deal, the lack of decent interest must have his agent running to Lawwell trying to save face. I cant see him lasting long managing Hooper if he ends up at Hull or QPR.

I'd agree with that. I can't figure out why Hooper hasn't drawn interest from middle ranking EPL sides like Villa or Newcastle etc.. He is English, was actually named in an England squad last season and English players especially strikers usually cost more and have more interest in them, take Darren Bent for example who cost 18 million and doesn't even get a regular game at Villa. Hooper has Champions League experience, I don't buy it that playing in the SPL most of the time leads to a lack of interest from EPL clubs, if that was the case Wanyama wouldn't have went to Southampton for 12.5 million. Hooper must have a sh1te agent.

He should stay sign an extension and develop his career further. That would definitely be smarter than going to Hull who will likely be battered from pillar to post en route to relegation next season. It looks like a move of some kind is inevitable now though. Of the two QPR might be a better move, but neither move is what he wanted or expected that's for sure.

Beefy78 · 18-07-2013 03:45PM

I don't think Hooper has enough to his game to attract even mid-table Premier League clubs. It's sad in a way that there seems to be very little place in the English game for a Lineker/Owen style pure finisher. Even when I was watching Hooper every week at Southend he was obviously purely looking to get in the box and get on the end of things but we'd try to get him to link play and work the channels and he struggled. It's a shame.

Also Bent isn't not getting a game because of anything to do with ability and is a proven performer at that level.

Lennonist · 18-07-2013 04:44PM

Beefy78 wrote: »

I don't think Hooper has enough to his game to attract even mid-table Premier League clubs. It's sad in a way that there seems to be very little place in the English game for a Lineker/Owen style pure finisher. Even when I was watching Hooper every week at Southend he was obviously purely looking to get in the box and get on the end of things but we'd try to get him to link play and work the channels and he struggled. It's a shame.

Also Bent isn't not getting a game because of anything to do with ability and is a proven performer at that level.

Norwich tried to sign him last January and bid 7 million for him. Celtic rejected the offer because they wanted more money and wanted him to play v Juventus in the CL knockout game. Norwich switched their attention to other strikers after that and bought Van Wolfswinkel. Norwich would be a mid to lower EPL club, so Hooper probably thought other EPL sides of that level would show an interest as well.

It's a strange one and will be strange if he ends up at Hull or back in the Championship at QPR, because last season he was named in an England squad and was heavily linked with Norwich and Southampton among others.

Bent isn't getting a game because of his attitude which is part of the make up of a player and just as important as ability. 18 million is a lot of money to spend on a player that doesn't play much for whatever reason.

Dempsey · 18-07-2013 06:20PM

Beefy78 wrote: »

I don't think Hooper has enough to his game to attract even mid-table Premier League clubs. It's sad in a way that there seems to be very little place in the English game for a Lineker/Owen style pure finisher. Even when I was watching Hooper every week at Southend he was obviously purely looking to get in the box and get on the end of things but we'd try to get him to link play and work the channels and he struggled. It's a shame.

Also Bent isn't not getting a game because of anything to do with ability and is a proven performer at that level.

As said, Norwich tabled several bids for him and he was on Spurs radar too

During his time at Celtic, he has become far more than a poacher. His link up play with midfield has become very good

Celtic FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014/15 Mod Warning post #6011

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