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

Dempsey · 11-11-2013 05:11PM

Celtic are close to signing Holmbert Fridjonsson

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11781/9021406/transfer-news-celtic-expected-to-agree-deal-for-striker-holmbert-aron-fridjonsson

Celtic are expected to wrap up a deal with Icelandic club Fram for striker Holmbert Aron Fridjonsson.

Fridjonsson had a successful trial at Lennoxtown earlier this month and the Hoops have tabled a bid, believed to be in the region of £120,000.

Fram are yet to agree the January move, but are confident the switch will be rubber stamped soon.

Fram chairman Sverrir Einarsson told STV: "We have received an offer. We responded to Celtic last night and we are waiting to hear again from them. They are not far away [in terms of the transfer fee].

"I think we are hoping it will happen. It would good for him, Celtic would be a very good club for him.

"He was satisfied himself with the club and he was very happy to be there [when on trial].

"He has potential. He is a special type of player. He is a very good guy and he has his family behind him.

"I would be disappointed if he didn't go all the way in the game. I believe that he will."

The 23-year-old, who has represented Iceland at Under-21 level, scored 12 goals in 23 appearances for Fram in the 2013 season.

Another development player it seems

eire4 · 11-11-2013 07:39PM

Good performance overall and much needed after last weeks inept showings. It took us a while to really break down their massed defense but once we got the first we were never in any danger. The second half in particular we created a ton of chances. Not surprised to see Van Dijk scoring twice really. It was only a matter of time before he got on the score sheet. He has that look of being the type of center back who will chip in with a half a dozen or so goals a season. Total class act. Thought Biton in center mid looked pretty solid as well and it was great to see Ledley back on the score sheet and looking more like his normal self all round.

Antifa161 · 11-11-2013 10:05PM

Dempsey wrote: »

Celtic are close to signing Holmbert Fridjonsson

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11781/9021406/transfer-news-celtic-expected-to-agree-deal-for-striker-holmbert-aron-fridjonsson

Another development player it seems

Must be instead of Finnbogoson. Maybe our scouts communicate via chinese whispers. Would explain Miku as well :pac:

Antifa161 · 12-11-2013 06:21PM

Ajax have been fined £21k for their sectarian 'Fenian Bastards' banner. Basically the same as we got for "F*ck Uefa" :rolleyes:

Dempsey · 13-11-2013 12:21PM

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11781/9023600/transfer-news-alan-pardew-says-newcastle-had-hoped-to-keep-fraser-forster

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says Fraser Forster's ambition forced the club to reluctantly part with his services.

"Let's get one thing straight about Fraser, we didn't want to lose him. But he was absolutely adamant that he wanted first-team football and we couldn't provide him with that.

"At the time, we just felt that Tim had the edge. Since then, there's no doubt Fraser has progressed at Celtic.

"It was a great move for him because it's opened the door to a lot of European football. He's done terrific in a lot of those games."

"Fraser is such a big frame in the goal, and that's probably his biggest asset.

"He can reach right into the corners of the goal to make fabulous saves when others might struggle to get up there.

"We're all chuffed for him because we really liked him as a guy. Unfortunately, it was just a case of the timing not really working out.

"I only had him for a short period, but he was always a confident guy, very assured about his ability.

"I think he's a very intelligent boy and that will stand him in good stead if he is selected to play for England at some stage."

Pardew is sick of the slagging! :pac:

RoryMac · 13-11-2013 12:23PM

Dempsey wrote: »

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11781/9023600/transfer-news-alan-pardew-says-newcastle-had-hoped-to-keep-fraser-forster

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says Fraser Forster's ambition forced the club to reluctantly part with his services.

Pardew is sick of the slagging! :pac:

Ha ha bit of a turnaround from Pardew!

Dempsey · 14-11-2013 04:23PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24937566

Scotsman wrote:

Celtic have agreed a £100,000 fee for the transfer of Fram Reykjavik's Iceland Under-21 striker Holmbert Fridjonsson, 20, his club chairman has claimed.

Cant even find a youtube video of him in action! Hopefully, Celtic have found a bargain.

Herald Scotland wrote:

Celtic full-back Adam Matthews is convinced fellow Welshman Joe Ledley will sign a new deal with the Scottish champions, with the midfielder's current contract due to expire in the summer.

Hope he's right, no development with Ledley's contract is worrying.

Daily Mail (Print Edition) wrote:

Another Celtic right-back, Mikael Lustig, has revealed he will need hip surgery before the year is out.

Good news for Darnell Fisher, bad news for Celtic & Sweden! I imagine the outcome of the playoffs will be a massive factor whether he takes it immediately or waits until Matthews is near match fitness again.

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/celtic-s-tony-watt-in-more-trouble-at-lierse-1-3188328

TONY Watt has been sent home from training for the second time during his loan spell at Belgian club Lierse S.K.

Manager Stanley Menzo reportedly ordered Watt off the training ground after the teenager refused to comply with training ground instructions.

Menzo sent the striker home last month after a row over plans to play Watt on the wing.

The 19-year-old striker, who famously scored Celtic’s second goal in their 2-1 win against Barcelona 12 months ago, has been involved in several run-ins with his new manager since his transfer deadline day move.

Menzo branded Watt unfit when he first arrived in Belgium.

Menzo said at the time: “I see him as the type who thinks by doing a little bit he can get a lot. I think that is wrong. I told him by doing more he can be a much better player.”

Watt scored in the game which followed his manager’s comments, and celebrated by taking off his shirt. Watt said: “I just wanted to show that I am not fat. I knew perfectly well that if I took my top off I would get a yellow card – it happens all over the world.

“But I just wanted to show everyone that I am in prime condition.”

Watt has played six games for Lierse, and was controversially sent off for violent conduct less than a minute after being brought on as a substitute in a game against Charleroi.

A stunning fall from grace since that Barcelona goal for Tony Watt. Would he play on the wing if Lennon asked him? His poor mentality is really starting to show.

Antifa161 · 14-11-2013 04:49PM

The fitness stuff is pretty bizarre considering he easily looked to be our fittest, fastest and most motivated striker last season.

Did anyone see the red card he got btw? The SFA will be headhunting the ref, it was a complete farce of a decision.

Dempsey · 14-11-2013 05:44PM

Antifa161 wrote: »

The fitness stuff is pretty bizarre considering he easily looked to be our fittest, fastest and most motivated striker last season.

Did anyone see the red card he got btw? The SFA will be headhunting the ref, it was a complete farce of a decision.

He was carrying a back injury during the summer so he wasnt the fittest going out on loan.

Any links to the sending off?

Antifa161 · 14-11-2013 06:40PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgeiSiHiEkM

Caught him with a trailing arm, on his shoulder.

On the bright side, he's not missing out on certain aspects of playing in the CL :rolleyes:

Dempsey · 14-11-2013 07:13PM

At full speed from behind, its easy to see why the referee gave it but it was the wrong decision. Arm high going across a player like he did is always dubious on the continent. The other guy milked it completely.

Watt wouldnt even be on the bench for UCL games going on his form of the last 6-8 months

EDIT

I see its between Forster & Ruddy to start against Chile. What are the chances they both get 45 minutes?

Lennonist · 14-11-2013 07:26PM

Hodgson making a pigs ear of that goalie position. Even if Hart didn't lose his form it shouldn't be a big deal to give Forster or Ruddy a start in a friendly match. In the last couple of years both have been in the squad, Ruddy has 1 appearance, Forster hasn't had a start yet. Why wouldn't he name who is starting when he said Hart wouldn't start while he was at it? Forster has played in huge CL games where he was under immense pressure and was well up for it, he'd have no bother playing for England at international level.

Antifa161 · 14-11-2013 07:38PM

Dempsey wrote: »

Watt wouldnt even be on the bench for UCL games going on his form of the last 6-8 month

Because we're such a dominant force up front?

Dempsey · 14-11-2013 08:09PM

Antifa161 wrote: »

Because we're such a dominant force up front?

We are lacking quite abit up front but he offers nothing that we dont already have. Cant say any match this season I thought we really need Tony Watt right now, UCL or SPL. He's barely good enough for the SPL or the Belgian Pro League at the moment and he needs to be playing regularly for his development which wasnt going to happen at Celtic this season.

Antifa161 · 15-11-2013 03:24PM

Celtic AGM today.

"Our" board opposed the motion to pay its employees an honest wage. Walfrid's dream indeed.

Interesting to hear that there were 0 Ajax fans arrested in Glasgow despite starting trouble prior to the match and everything they did in the stadium.

Lennonist · 15-11-2013 06:59PM

Forster starts for England. About time he got a game with England, fully deserved.

donfers · 15-11-2013 08:06PM

Lennonist wrote: »

Forster starts for England. About time he got a game with England, fully deserved.

he'll be tested too - chile are no mugs

eire4 · 15-11-2013 08:17PM

donfers wrote: »

he'll be tested too - chile are no mugs

Your right there about Chile. They have a pretty good team including Alexis Sanchez at Barcelona.

Coillte_Bhoy · 16-11-2013 04:26PM

So how did the big man do? Didnt see any of it.

Antifa161 · 16-11-2013 05:04PM

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

So how did the big man do? Didnt see any of it.

Neither goal was his fault, rather down to awful defending (nothing like what you'd expect from The Greatest League In The Universe :rolleyes:). He made a few good stops but generally had little to do. International friendlies are some of the most pointless fixtures in world sport.

Chile did get 4 shots on target though, so it would probably have been 4-0 had Ruddy or Hart been in goal.

Antifa161 · 16-11-2013 06:00PM

Forster gets his first taste of the English gutter press

Ten Premiership superstars schooled by Chile, better blame one of the few who wasn't to blame. Don't want to shatter the illusion!

Lennonist · 16-11-2013 06:52PM

Antifa161 wrote: »

Forster gets his first taste of the English gutter press

Ten Premiership superstars schooled by Chile, better blame one of the few who wasn't to blame. Don't want to shatter the illusion!

Hodgson is an ultra conservative type with little imagination. The right approach would be to give Forster a start v Germany and let him get used to playing with those defenders, to give himself an option at goalie position. Failing that he could start Ruddy.

Hodgson is going to put Harte back in. Its his own loss, cos it looks City are going to sign another keeper in January and Harte will be dumped. Even if they dont he should give himself options.

That headline is a good indicator of the lack of imagination that often prevails in English soccer circles and part of the reason that at best theyll never be more than also rans at big tournaments. Forster would be well up for playing for England, its Hodgsons own loss if he doesnt use him as an option.

Antifa161 · 16-11-2013 06:57PM

Ruddy is a little better than average keeper playing at a very low standard, conceding almost 2 goals every game. The English love to talk about whether players have been "tested at the highest level" but don't seem to mind if those players failed said tests.

eire4 · 17-11-2013 08:59PM

Antifa161 wrote: »

Ruddy is a little better than average keeper playing at a very low standard, conceding almost 2 goals every game. The English love to talk about whether players have been "tested at the highest level" but don't seem to mind if those players failed said tests.

It really is a joke when they bash Forster because he plays in the spl and make it out as if Ruddy is somehow a good keeper just bacause he plays in the epl. I have seen Ruddy play many times and he is at best an average keeper and thats been generous. But hey the way I look at it its typical English delusions of grandeur and long may they continue because they just make it all the more fun when they inevitably fall flat on their face.

Dempsey · 18-11-2013 04:44AM

Finally, an explanation about Forsters kicking! 25 years old and he learns that he's left footed. That bugged me for a good while!

Antifa161 · 18-11-2013 02:16PM

Dempsey wrote: »

Finally, an explanation about Forsters kicking! 25 years old and he learns that he's left footed. That bugged me for a good while!

I laughed at that. I don't actually know how you can decide somebody who constantly uses their right foot is actually left footed. He still uses his right all the time as well.

Dempsey · 18-11-2013 04:38PM

Antifa161 wrote: »

I laughed at that. I don't actually know how you can decide somebody who constantly uses their right foot is actually left footed. He still uses his right all the time as well.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24978810

"What our goalkeeping coach, Stevie Woods, found out was that he is naturally left-footed - Fraser didn't know," said the Celtic boss.

"Now he can kick equally well off both sides."

I dont know how so many coaches could have missed that!

Antifa161 · 18-11-2013 09:03PM

Dempsey wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24978810

I dont know how so many coaches could have missed that!

Ya I read the article too, I meant I laughed then when I first read it.

I still don't really understand what the basis for it is. Maybe his kicking motion is more natural on his left? Surely the fact you constantly use your right defines you as right footed though?

Being able to use both feet as a keeper is a big advantage when it comes to dealing with backpasses and clearances. He actually did another of his classic shíte clearances in the England match too, went straight along the floor but somehow made it to the halfway line. It was on his right foot too :pac:

Dempsey · 20-11-2013 04:43PM

Juan Agudelo failed to get a work permit for his move to Stoke. I wonder if that means the timing & economics of a deal are now better suited for Celtic to sign him. He can be got for a nominal fee now

Antifa161 · 20-11-2013 08:17PM

How would he get a WP for us then?

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

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