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

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭bobmalooka


    I have a friend who's a Newcastle fan and I like to remind him about pardew belittling forsters clean sheets record while negotiating a price for him, he'd cut off his nose to spite his face.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 438 ✭✭Antifa161


    The Fraser Forster situation is a freat example of the stereotypical English footballing attitude. It proves that their set-up value being rubbish for an English team more than being fantastic for a foreign team. It also meant a huge helping of humble pie to all the eejits who dismissed him for "only playing against crap teams" when he went on and proved himself against the best in the world, while Hart continues to make a fool of himself against elite clubs like West Brom and Fulham.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,805 ✭✭✭Lennonist


    Antifa161 wrote: »
    The Fraser Forster situation is a freat example of the stereotypical English footballing attitude. It proves that their set-up value being rubbish for an English team more than being fantastic for a foreign team. It also meant a huge helping of humble pie to all the eejits who dismissed him for "only playing against crap teams" when he went on and proved himself against the best in the world, while Hart continues to make a fool of himself against elite clubs like West Brom and Fulham.

    It's been like that a long time. I remember when Blackburn played Celtic in the UEFA Cup in 02/03, Graeme Souness - who knew better - was trying it on when he said Larsson probably wouldn't do it in a "big" league. Larsson got a European Golden boot around that time under a weighted system where he had to score 3 for 2 scored by strikers in "bigger" leagues as I recall. Souness was only repeating a common inaccurate line about Larsson at Celtic, and was trying to wind him up. Didn't work, Celtic put them out and Larsson scored in both legs. Course after he spent his best years at Celtic he went to Barcelona and was influential in them winning the Champions League. Went to Man U after that as well for a short successful stint.

    Going back to Forster and if he leaves, if Celtic get to the CL Group stages again next season, they will need a seasoned goalie between the sticks. I think you can get a good experienced goalie at a reasonable price. Someone like Westwood if Sunderland were to go down would be a good 'keeper and shouldn't cost too much either, maybe about a 3rd of what we might get for Forster if he goes. Important that the club source an adequate replacement for Forster if they expect to sell him. A strong goalkeeper is vital for Celtic in the CL.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,091 ✭✭✭eire4


    Well its back to spfl duties now this weekend and the return of the Glasgow derby:D As we travel to play Glasgow's other team Partick Thistle. Looking forward to the game. Should be a good atmosphere. We will definitely need to be well up for the battle because you know Partick will be.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 438 ✭✭Antifa161


    I think he'll stay a while anyway. Goalkeepers tend not to move too often and I think he knows how much of his development he owes to Celtic and Stevie Woods. He had a shaky start but the club and the fans backed him. I can't see him leaving to some pish mid-table outfit like Hooper did, trading in one of the best atmospheres in Europe for sterile dross in tinpot stadiums and having to take trips back to Glasgow to watch us for your fix.

    From the club's point of view, he is too valuable a player to look at in terms of financial profit, not that that tosser Lawwell would understand. You could make £7m profit off some derisory transfer bid, or you could hang onto him and make much more than that in CL prize money won largely thanks to his goalkeeping.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,529 ✭✭✭✭Dempsey


    I dont see why Lawwell merits criticism in accepting the best prices available for players. If a big enough bid comes in from an elite club, Forster could ask to leave like Hooper did. I dont see Celtic flogging him like Hooper because its a different scenario, Hooper was in his final year and unwilling to sign a new contract and forced the clubs hand but when a players head is turned, its often best to sell as their form can plummet a la Hooper/Jelavic in their last 6 months at Celtic and Rangers before they finally did leave.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 438 ✭✭Antifa161


    Dempsey wrote: »
    I dont see why Lawwell merits criticism in accepting the best prices available for players..
    Lawwell is a businessman who wants the balance sheet to look as good as possible, I'm a Celtic fan who wants the team sheet to look as good as possible. The profits our club makes do not go toward improving the squad.

    In fairness that isn't entirely the board's fault as I believe we're in a peculiar position where even with a big transfer budget we wouldn't see much change, since £10m+ rated players are unlikely to come to Scotland anyway.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,529 ✭✭✭✭Dempsey


    I see nothing wrong with the current business model, its miles better than the ones employed under Strachan or O'Neill. Nothing wrong with a healthy balance sheet, it means we can afford to hold out for bigger bids for the players we want to keep rather than just living hand to mouth and selling to service debt.

    Sacking Mowbray, hiring Lennon & investing in the players he wanted at the time all cost money the club didnt have, it was done by loading the club with ~£9m of debt. McGeady was sold to finance alot of changes. Now we have cash in the bank from selling Wilson, Hooper & Wanyama, it means Celtic has more flexibility to do what it wants when it wants to and not doing things because needs must.

    No, we are not going to be spending that much on any player in the near future. The economics of it just dont add up especially when we have the facilities, scouting network & people to develop the players that other clubs are willing to pay £10m+ for.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,805 ✭✭✭Lennonist


    Dempsey wrote: »
    I see nothing wrong with the current business model, its miles better than the ones employed under Strachan or O'Neill. Nothing wrong with a healthy balance sheet, it means we can afford to hold out for bigger bids for the players we want to keep rather than just living hand to mouth and selling to service debt.

    Sacking Mowbray, hiring Lennon & investing in the players he wanted at the time all cost money the club didnt have, it was done by loading the club with ~£9m of debt. McGeady was sold to finance alot of changes. Now we have cash in the bank from selling Wilson, Hooper & Wanyama, it means Celtic has more flexibility to do what it wants when it wants to and not doing things because needs must.

    No, we are not going to be spending that much on any player in the near future. The economics of it just dont add up especially when we have the facilities, scouting network & people to develop the players that other clubs are willing to pay £10m+ for.

    The model is working well, but it's time that a little flexibility was applied, time for a bit of tweaking.

    If we get to the CL Group Stage next year again that will be 3 on the trot. We'll need a fairly experienced, good goalkeeper in Europe if Forster leaves. They didn't adequately replace Hooper even though they knew he was leaving from a long way back. With a goalkeeper it's arguably more important to replace Forster if needed with someone who is seasoned and can step in and do a job at CL level straight away.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 438 ✭✭Antifa161


    Our squad is worse than it was last year (ignoring player form). It's fair to assume that if the bids are made, it will be the same story next year too. No doubt we'll once again snub some fantastic SPL talent in favour of raiding an obscure league for an unproven shítehawk we can pass off as "unpolished" just like Amido cant win a header Balde (snappy huh?).


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,529 ✭✭✭✭Dempsey


    Lennonist wrote: »
    The model is working well, but it's time that a little flexibility was applied, time for a bit of tweaking.

    If we get to the CL Group Stage next year again that will be 3 on the trot. We'll need a fairly experienced, good goalkeeper in Europe if Forster leaves. They didn't adequately replace Hooper even though they knew he was leaving from a long way back. With a goalkeeper it's arguably more important to replace Forster if needed with someone who is seasoned and can step in and do a job at CL level straight away.

    I was frustrated with this summers business aswell if you remember. I never said it was perfect but it is better now than it has been in a very long time. Even best laid plans can be scuppered. Losing Kelvin Wilson was not part of the plan and I'm sure 1st choice targets are hard to get. Remember that buying Victor Wanyama wasnt Celtic's first choice midfielder in the summer of 2011.
    Antifa161 wrote: »
    Our squad is worse than it was last year (ignoring player form). It's fair to assume that if the bids are made, it will be the same story next year too. No doubt we'll once again snub some fantastic SPL talent in favour of raiding an obscure league for an unproven shítehawk we can pass off as "unpolished" just like Amido cant win a header Balde (snappy huh?).

    This model is cyclic and is very hard to have year on improvement.

    As for fantastic SPL talent? Who would be this? The likes of Billy McKay & Johnny Russell? They are barely better than Niall McGinn and he couldnt get near the first team. When did the Primeira Liga become an obscure league? Thats a ridiculous claim! I wouldnt be writing off Balde yet, not every player hits the ground running.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 438 ✭✭Antifa161


    Dempsey wrote: »
    As for fantastic SPL talent? Who would be this? The likes of Billy McKay & Johnny Russell?
    McKay no. Russell for £750k absolutely yes. He is better than strikers that we've paid over double for. Mackay-Steven and Gauld will probably be two more good young players we ignore before they end up going for millions in England just like McClean.
    When did the Primeira Liga become an obscure league? Thats a ridiculous claim!
    Aside from the big 3 it is. Tell me anything about the club Balde came from.
    I wouldnt be writing off Balde yet, not every player hits the ground running.
    I'm not asking him to score hattricks I'm just expecting a 6'4 striker, supposedly signed to address the aerial threat we badly needed, to be able to get a single header on target in 9 appearances. Maybe he will come good, but how long did we have to hear that about Bangura before people accepted he was pish?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,529 ✭✭✭✭Dempsey


    Antifa161 wrote: »
    McKay no. Russell for £750k absolutely yes. He is better than strikers that we've paid over double for. Mackay-Steven and Gauld will probably be two more good young players we ignore before they end up going for millions in England just like McClean.


    Aside from the big 3 it is. Tell me anything about the club Balde came from.


    I'm not asking him to score hattricks I'm just expecting a 6'4 striker, supposedly signed to address the aerial threat we badly needed, to be able to get a single header on target in 9 appearances. Maybe he will come good, but how long did we have to hear that about Bangura before people accepted he was pish?

    Russell isnt a prolific goalscorer by any stretch of the imagination and if Celtic wanted him they would have bought him but didnt because they didnt rate him good enough. Why didnt we go for Higdon altogether? Top goalscorer and a target man! Win Win, no?

    Mackay-Steven & Gauld would be backup at Celtic. These sort of players are the type that Strachan used to pad the squad up with. We have youth players that can do that job for a fraction of the cost.

    I know Vitoria play in a league that is of a better standard than the SPL, I know that Balde played against a better standard of defender that what Russell did in the SPL. Played against styles that you are more likely to see in the UCL than you would in the SPL. Do I need to know much more? Just because you or I dont watch the league regularly doesnt make it obscure, certainly no less obscure than the SPL.

    I didnt see many brilliant crosses for him to attack tbh, our crossing from wide positions is fairly poor in general so its not a stick I'd use to beat him with. You can write him off after 9 appearances if you like , I wont be.

    As for Bangura, injury ruin his first season and he's been on loan ever since to get his fitness back. As useless as he was, he kept Wilson & Ambrose occupied and brought Elfsborg up the field when he could in the qualifiers.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,805 ✭✭✭Lennonist


    Dempsey wrote: »
    I was frustrated with this summers business aswell if you remember. I never said it was perfect but it is better now than it has been in a very long time. Even best laid plans can be scuppered. Losing Kelvin Wilson was not part of the plan and I'm sure 1st choice targets are hard to get. Remember that buying Victor Wanyama wasnt Celtic's first choice midfielder in the summer of 2011.

    I didn't say you said it was perfect, in fact I'm largely agreeing with you that the current economic model is working well. My point would be if Celtic keep qualifying for the CL Group Stages, they are going to need to tweak that model. Winning points in the CL is worth money to the club as well as prestige and media attention and maintaining supporters interest etc.. Forster's displays in the CL have been directly instrumental in us winning points in the CL this season and last season. If they know he is going to be leaving, they should be earmarking a good chunk of his potential transfer fee to get in an adequate replacement who has a bit of experience and not expect or gamble on a rookie or squad player like Zaluska to step in.

    After getting to the CL Group stages for the last 2 seasons, Celtic have to keep qualifying now and they have to keep playing well and winning points when they get there too, otherwise momentum will be lost. If they get 12 to 15 million for Forster they should be looking at spending at least 5 or more of that to directly replace him. The relative success in getting to the Group Stages and doing well at that level puts the club in a new place and they have to adapt their financial model accordingly. Time for changes and significant modifications to the economic model.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,529 ✭✭✭✭Dempsey


    Lennonist wrote: »
    I didn't say you said it was perfect, in fact I'm largely agreeing with you that the current economic model is working well. My point would be if Celtic keep qualifying for the CL Group Stages, they are going to need to tweak that model. Winning points in the CL is worth money to the club as well as prestige and media attention and maintaining supporters interest etc.. Forster's displays in the CL have been directly instrumental in us winning points in the CL this season and last season. If they know he is going to be leaving, they should be earmarking a good chunk of his potential transfer fee to get in an adequate replacement who has a bit of experience and not expect or gamble on a rookie or squad player like Zaluska to step in.

    After getting to the CL Group stages for the last 2 seasons, Celtic have to keep qualifying now and they have to keep playing well and winning points when they get there too, otherwise momentum will be lost. If they get 12 to 15 million for Forster they should be looking at spending at least 5 or more of that to directly replace him. The relative success in getting to the Group Stages and doing well at that level puts the club in a new place and they have to adapt their financial model accordingly. Time for changes and significant modifications to the economic model.

    I cant see Celtic spending even £6m on a player, never mind a goalkeeper especially when there is a risk of not qualifying. Buying players with high transfer fees doesnt negate the risk. I think the tweaking you describe will only come when the amount of qualifiers we have to play is reduced tbh. I think Celtic should implement a policy of getting a deal in place themselves before sanctioning the sale of prized assets. We did sign 3 players before selling anyone but the sales of Wilson & Hooper werent properly managed.

    Look how Daniel Levy conducted Tottenham's business this summer. Got all the players he wanted on the strength of what Madrid were prepared to buy Bale for. If he sold Bale first, he would have been held to ransom on every player afterwards. Celtic should be looking around Europe (e.g. Porto) and indeed South America (Argentine/Brazilian clubs constantly selling to Europe) at how other clubs do their business and dealt with the inherent footballing instability it can cause. They definitely need to improve their acumen when it comes to this business model. I dont mind what way they do it as long as the results improve the balance of the squad whilst not putting an unsustainable risk against failure to qualify for the UCL.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,805 ✭✭✭Lennonist


    Dempsey wrote: »
    I cant see Celtic spending even £6m on a player, never mind a goalkeeper especially when there is a risk of not qualifying. Buying players with high transfer fees doesnt negate the risk. I think the tweaking you describe will only come when the amount of qualifiers we have to play is reduced tbh. I think Celtic should implement a policy of getting a deal in place themselves before sanctioning the sale of prized assets. We did sign 3 players before selling anyone but the sales of Wilson & Hooper werent properly managed.

    Look how Daniel Levy conducted Tottenham's business this summer. Got all the players he wanted on the strength of what Madrid were prepared to buy Bale for. If he sold Bale first, he would have been held to ransom on every player afterwards. Celtic should be looking around Europe (e.g. Porto) and indeed South America (Argentine/Brazilian clubs constantly selling to Europe) at how other clubs do their business and dealt with the inherent footballing instability it can cause. They definitely need to improve their acumen when it comes to this business model. I dont mind what way they do it as long as the results improve the balance of the squad whilst not putting an unsustainable risk against failure to qualify for the UCL.

    We have 3 qualifiers again next summer. The first of those is usually an easy tie v a semi professional side. The worst thing about qualifiers is if you get caught cold playing a team who play their football through the summer. In a funny way, the early qualifier could help to get the team match fit for the later 2 qualifiers. Of course the best place to be is to get to a situation where there is no need to qualify and Celtic go straight in as SPL champions, I don't know how many years of constant CL presence and decent results at that level that will take, maybe 5 years?

    I think modification of the economic policy needs to start straight away. We need a strong goalie with a bit of experience for the qualifiers and for the Group Stages if we get there. If Forster is leaving and we get 12 - 15 million for him, we should be spending a good chunk of that on a direct replacement. If we were to get say 15, 5 million at least should be put aside for such an important position on the field for Celtic in Europe. We should be able to get a good goalkeeper with experience at international or European level for 4 or 5 million if Forster has to be replaced. This is not a position on the field that Celtic should muck around with and hope for the best with a rookie. They're going to have to change the financial model things a bit to adapt to maintaining the relative success Celtic have had in Europe over the last couple of seasons, and to keep progressing.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 438 ✭✭Antifa161


    Lennonist wrote: »
    We have 3 qualifiers again next summer. The first of those is usually an easy tie v a semi professional side. The worst thing about qualifiers is if you get caught cold playing a team who play their football through the summer. In a funny way, the early qualifier could help to get the team match fit for the later 2 qualifiers.
    I've always quietly liked the qualification route we're in now. As a fan, it means 4-6 extra European nights (I know it's not CL proper, and half of hem aren't even on TV but it's still better than most league games) and for the club it's 3 extra matchdays with decent attendances. Obviously there's the risk of getting sent packing early doors like you said, but as long as you're in the Champions pot most of the teams you play are very poor and if you can't beat them you have no place in the CL.

    Anyway I think people are reading too much into the Forster thing. It's not like the Hooper situation.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,919 ✭✭✭RoryMac


    Lennonist wrote: »
    We have 3 qualifiers again next summer. The first of those is usually an easy tie v a semi professional side. The worst thing about qualifiers is if you get caught cold playing a team who play their football through the summer. In a funny way, the early qualifier could help to get the team match fit for the later 2 qualifiers. Of course the best place to be is to get to a situation where there is no need to qualify and Celtic go straight in as SPL champions, I don't know how many years of constant CL presence and decent results at that level that will take, maybe 5 years?

    I think modification of the economic policy needs to start straight away. We need a strong goalie with a bit of experience for the qualifiers and for the Group Stages if we get there. If Forster is leaving and we get 12 - 15 million for him, we should be spending a good chunk of that on a direct replacement. If we were to get say 15, 5 million at least should be put aside for such an important position on the field for Celtic in Europe. We should be able to get a good goalkeeper with experience at international or European level for 4 or 5 million if Forster has to be replaced. This is not a position on the field that Celtic should muck around with and hope for the best with a rookie. They're going to have to change the financial model things a bit to adapt to maintaining the relative success Celtic have had in Europe over the last couple of seasons, and to keep progressing.

    It's not as simple as paying 5 mill for a keeper to replace Forster you have to factor in that a keeper commanding a 5 mill fee will probably want decent wages to go with it and that is where our problem lies. We have a tight wage structure at the moment which has worked very well so far. I'm sure the limit on this can be raised a little but it will open the floodgates for current players looking for a new contract.

    I think we are at a bit of a crossroads at the moment in regards to getting guys like Ledley & Samaras resigned without breaking the financial model that has been the basis for success over the last few years. An increase in the upper limit of wages we can offer will help with new signings but I can't see any major changes on the front.

    It has to be said as well that we are not in a great position imo at present for attracting quality players, the SPL is poor and not going to help us attract many, the Champions League helps but until we get closer to automatic qualification that not a given and add in the wage structures above I'd imagine it is very hard to attract players that would improve our current team.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,805 ✭✭✭Lennonist


    RoryMac wrote: »
    It's not as simple as paying 5 mill for a keeper to replace Forster you have to factor in that a keeper commanding a 5 mill fee will probably want decent wages to go with it and that is where our problem lies. We have a tight wage structure at the moment which has worked very well so far. I'm sure the limit on this can be raised a little but it will open the floodgates for current players looking for a new contract.

    I think we are at a bit of a crossroads at the moment in regards to getting guys like Ledley & Samaras resigned without breaking the financial model that has been the basis for success over the last few years. An increase in the upper limit of wages we can offer will help with new signings but I can't see any major changes on the front.

    It has to be said as well that we are not in a great position imo at present for attracting quality players, the SPL is poor and not going to help us attract many, the Champions League helps but until we get closer to automatic qualification that not a given and add in the wage structures above I'd imagine it is very hard to attract players that would improve our current team.

    Hit the nail on the head there with the bolded bit. Wages - not just the price tag - would of course always be factored into account when signing any player, outfield or not.

    Celtic are doing well financially at the minute, and in lots of other ways during the last couple of seasons, qualifying and getting results in the Champions League.

    What are they prepared to do to maintain this progress?

    It gets to a point where the financial model has to move to the next step and be tweaked according to changing circumstances.

    One thing is certain; if Celtic sell Forster, they need to replace him with a quality goalkeeper with some experience at international or European level.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 438 ✭✭Antifa161


    We could swap him for Joke Hart providing City compensated us with cash on top of the deal.


    Looking forward to the Glasgow Derby tomorrow, but to be honest I just want to avoid injuries first and foremost. Would like to see some youngsters get a go, iirc they play(ed) their youth fixtures at Firhill so will be a familiar environment.

    Forster
    Fisher Ambrose Virgil Izzy/Chalmers
    Brown Kayal Rogic Samaras
    Atajic Pukki


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 438 ✭✭Antifa161


    Hoops leading 1-0 at Firhill. Sammi heading in from, gasp, a corner. We must have had a good 40 or 50 since scoring from one.

    Their keeper has saved a few Pukki one-on-ones. Scott Fox his name is, I think he used to play for us.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional North East Moderators Posts: 10,887 Mod ✭✭✭✭PauloMN


    Ambrose ffs, he's a liability. Lucky to get away with that. Not the first time today either.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 438 ✭✭Antifa161


    PauloMN wrote: »
    Ambrose ffs, he's a liability. Lucky to get away with that. Not the first time today either.
    Great tackle by Emilio after though, he's having a stormer.. and typically getting a complete battering. Another injury for us no doubt.

    1-1 this has dropped points all over it, especially after not getting that clear penalty on Brown


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 438 ✭✭Antifa161


    2-1 Balde.

    Players getting injured left right and centre once again. I'm not sure which is worse, the diving and theatrics in Europe or getting booted around the park in Scotland.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional North East Moderators Posts: 10,887 Mod ✭✭✭✭PauloMN


    Antifa161 wrote: »
    2-1 Balde.

    Players getting injured left right and centre once again. I'm not sure which is worse, the diving and theatrics in Europe or getting booted around the park in Scotland.

    Samaras and Izzy both with bad injuries after today. Having a nightmare with injuries at the moment.

    Glasgow derbies were always fiesty affairs though. ;)


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 438 ✭✭Antifa161


    PauloMN wrote: »
    Samaras and Izzy both with bad injuries after today. Having a nightmare with injuries at the moment.
    Been the case for a few years now. I know every fan thinks it but our luck with injuries has been atrocious for a long time, it's very rare we have a first XI available.

    Izzy was my MOTM but Brown was a close second, covered every blade of grass and didn't stop running all game. Should have had a penalty too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,681 ✭✭✭ColeTrain


    Amido Amido ****ing Balde :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,919 ✭✭✭RoryMac


    Stokes signed a new 3 year contract, good news.

    Hopefully get Samaras & Ledley signed up soon


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,529 ✭✭✭✭Dempsey


    Good to hear that contracts are getting sorted.

    http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/439393/Kris-Commons-earmarked-by-Neil-Lennon-as-future-Celtic-coach
    “Kris is a player we want to keep.

    “In fact, he is a player I would like to keep around for quite a while if I could.

    “And maybe with a view to staying on here afterwards as well in a coaching capacity.

    “That is something I would sit down and discuss with him because he has got the talent for it and he has certainly got the personality as well.

    “We could give him the start I had. It’s important we keep players on here who understand the club.”

    “I had a chat with Sammy last Friday night before the Hibs game and I am going to speak to his representatives pretty soon,” said Lennon. “Hopefully he will stay.

    “It has never been about money, as he said himself recently, instead it is all about his own happiness and being successful.

    “And there have been talks with Joe. He is aware of the offer on the table and I think he is mulling it over at the minute.”

    I think Samaras's contract is a formality at this stage given his comments about his contract last week and hopefully Ledley wont be too far behind him.

    Interesting that Lennon has Commons earmarked for a future coaching role. Safe to say that he'll be offered a contract extension in due course! Also Jorge Cadete wants to be a strikers coach at the club, I think it would be a good idea. There is only so much Danny McGrain can teach a striker!

    EDIT

    http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11781/8999320/celtic-have-opened-talks-over-new-deals-with-georgios-samaras-and-joe-ledley
    "We're talking to the representatives of both players. We'll be doing that over the next few weeks.

    "It's the first meeting we'll have with Georgios' representatives. We've been talking regularly to Joe's and hopefully we'll get something tied up before the end of December.

    "Before the window opens, that's our objective, to have things clear before then.

    "Ideally you'd like it done by then. Hopefully they stay and hopefully they commit themselves to Celtic.

    "But if not, you need to make arrangements and that will be the right time to get clarity there."

    "We haven't done anything on Kris," Lawwell said. "He has a year-and-a-half

    to go and I think he is quite happy with that.

    "Mikael has a year-and-a-half to go and we are hoping to start conversations

    with his people as well. He has been fantastic, a great buy, a great find, and

    he has done really well for us."

    Hopefully Samaras & Ledley commit before christmas and Lustig & Commons have new contracts by the end of the season. 4 players that every Celtic fan wants to see stay long term i think


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,750 ✭✭✭iDave


    Celtic could possibly move next years Champions League preliminary's to Ireland due to all stadiums in Glasgow being used for Commonwealth Games. Murrayfield and venues in England also being looked at.

    http://thescore.thejournal.ie/celtic-champions-league-ireland-game-1153671-Oct2013/

    Good news for Irish based fans if it does happen


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