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

Lennonist · 23-11-2013 04:38PM

Great finish from Commons got over it and placed it perfectly

Antifa161 · 23-11-2013 04:53PM

Forster slightly at fault for that, he is a bit weak in the air for such a big guy. Saying that, Calvin Zola is a f***ing beast.

Not quite sure where the 4-5 minutes of injury time came from though, when do you ever see that in a first half that's had 1 goal and 0 subs??

Antifa161 · 23-11-2013 05:50PM

World class save from Forster after Izzy failed to clear his lines.

Heading into injury time here, going by the first half's metric we're looking at around 15 mins!

Get in there big Derk!!!

edit: and Commons. The Sheep can't handle 90 mins at Parkhead.

Lennonist · 23-11-2013 07:45PM

Didnt see the 2nd half. Good to see Boerrigter scoring, hopefully he can stay fit now and Commons we need him at his best v Milan.

Coillte_Bhoy · 24-11-2013 03:44AM

Antifa161 wrote: »

About as much as any of your posts to date then.

What posts exactly are you referring to? You do understand the question i take it?

Coillte_Bhoy · 24-11-2013 02:05PM

Well done Celtic, credit where it's due

Celtic hire Dutch legal team to investigate 25 claims of police brutality after Amsterdam clashes

THE club have received almost 200 complaints from fans claiming they were harassed or assaulted by police during violent clashes before the Champions League clash with Ajax.

CELTC'S Dutch legal team are acting for 25 fans who claim violent police officers were to blame for the notorious Battle of Amsterdam, we can reveal.

Jeroen Soeteman is investigating 25 written complaints and wading through hours of CCTV footage of violent clashes between Celtic fans and police.

Soeteman, 39, says criminal charges could be brought against some officers for their actions during the riots before Celtic’s Champions League clash with Ajax earlier this month.

The lawyer, a partner of Amsterdam-based firm Jebbink Soeteman, said: “There are many Celtic fans – up to now about 200 fans – who have contacted their club to send statements, to tell them they were harassed or assaulted by the police.

“It’s possible to take the complaints forward in two different ways.

“One can go to the Amsterdam police itself, who have a complaints commission.

“The other possibility is that one could go to the chief public prosecutor and press charges to ask him to summon an individual police officer to appear in court as a suspect.

“Out of those 200 complaints, Celtic have already handed over to me the first 25.

“My law firm are now evaluating those complaints to see how we can assist the individual supporters.”

There were 44 arrests – including 28 Celtic fans – ahead of Celtic’s game against Ajax in Amsterdam on November 6.

Police said trouble flared when Ajax neds snatched a flag from Celtic fans.

The atmosphere turned ugly, with bottles being hurled by both sides.

Riot police arrived and were joined by dozens of plain clothes officers.

Police claimed their officers were attacked but Celtic fans said Dutch hooligans and heavy-handed police tactics were at the root of the city centre violence. Five Celtic fans were handed jail terms after appearing in court in Amsterdam on Thursday.

Padraig Mullan, 28, from Belfast, and Damian Dobbin, 23, from Hamilton, were sentenced to two months for punching police.

Jozef Macpherson, 20, from Glasgow, was convicted of holding an officer by the neck and given one month.

Andrew Vance, 21, and Thomas Kennedy, 30, both from Lanarkshire, were convicted of throwing cans and face six weeks each. All were freed pending their appeals in a fortnight. A sixth fan, 49-year-old John Quigley, was acquitted.

Celtic have stressed that Soeteman’s work has no connection with those cases.

Judge Jurgen Piena rejected fans’ claims undercover cops had not identified themselves properly and they feared they were under attack from Ajax casuals.

He ruled police had used violence but that it was not excessive in the circumstances. But Soeteman says he has seven DVDs worth of footage which implicates officers.

He said: “What we are trying to do is make a connection between what we see and what we read.”

“To progress with individual complaints, we need to see if we can prove what happened. Therefore, we need witnesses as well as footage.

“Afterwards, via ourselves or Celtic, the individual supporters will be contacted, perhaps to ask them to give more information if they can, or to ask them to verify something and then to discuss with them which step they wish to take. So if people have information I would be really glad if they contact either Celtic or me and send that information through.”

He said he was unable to disclose any detailed information about the individual complaints.

He said: “Celtic have asked me to give the evaluation of those first 25 complaints a high priority as they think it is very important that the complaints get to the desk of the right person as soon as possible.”

Soeteman could press for a criminal case to be brought but it would need to be given the green light by Dutch prosecutors.

He added: “What Celtic are looking for is the truth.

“This can be found through statements of people who were there, who saw something, or if they took footage with their phones.”

Celtic said: “We are continuing to work on behalf of our supporters with our Dutch legal representative in relation to supporters’ complaints. We have received numerous written complaints from fans regarding their treatment in Amsterdam and the lawyer we have engaged is currently reviewing these in order to assess whether they can be taken further through the legal system in Holland.

“We believe these to be credible complaints, with substance and therefore deserve further investigation.

“We would like to reiterate that the club is proud of the fantastic reputation which our supporters have earned.

“It is a reputation which we cherish and we will do all we can to ensure that this is protected.”

Lennonist · 24-11-2013 05:39PM

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Well done Celtic, credit where it's due

Delighted the club are not ignoring the list of complaints, good that they will be investigated.

bobbysands81 · 24-11-2013 11:26PM

I think the Dutch police will regret losing this case. Now that the 5 Celtic fans found guilty are appealing there's going to be a proper defence and hopefully work that Celtic's solicitors are doing will help overturn the decision.

200 complaints about Dutch police made already.

Dempsey · 25-11-2013 12:01AM

Considering the judge would not look at any evidence of police brutality in any of the 6 cases i think this is going to end up a clusterfúck for them. Those 5 on appeal wont see their day in court for about a year whilst the club and their Dutch legal representatives will have possibly processed 200+ complaints and a fair few will go forward for the commission. I'm sure all that information will be made available for the appeals of the 5 to give a very clear picture of what was going on when they get a proper day in court where all the evidence will have to be taken into account.

Lennonist · 25-11-2013 02:04PM

Milan are struggling in their own league by their usual standards this season, they are currently 13th. Their manager Allegri is under pressure with the Italian papers saying he'll be sacked if they lose to us.

All that aside our main problem will be who will score or us. Commons played well against Aberdeen so maybe he'll get a goal. Boerrigter could play a part - or even start - as well having come on and scored last Saturday.

Dempsey · 25-11-2013 04:19PM

Neil Lennon's press conference via Twitter feed

Neil Lennon speaking to media: 'A game we have to win to have any chance of qualifying.' (MH)

NL: 'I don't the players need much incentive or motivation for the game. Playing against a very good side despite their league form.' (MH)

NL: 'Not feeling pressure at all and will try and transfer that to players as well. Don't want any nerves or anxiety.' (MH)

NL: 'Have nothing to lose and everything to gain and that's a great position to be in. (MH)

NL: 'They (Milan) may have a point to prove to own supporters, don't have anything to prove to anyone else around the world.' (MH)

NL: 'They are a top-class team and their results in group have been solid.' (MH)

NL: ' A great game for players to be involved in. We have played in group apart from first half in Amsterdam. Want that to continue.' (MH)

NL: 'My whole focus at the minute is on how we play and with the great support we have here, it should be another great night.' (MH)

NL: 'James Forrest trained today so he is fit.' (MH)

NL: 'Cause for optimism for me is that we are at home and our home form is really good. (MH)

NL: 'Gives me a lot of encouragement. Fact it's win or bust as well in competition might give players extra oomph.' (MH)

Should be a cracking match

Antifa161 · 25-11-2013 06:04PM

I presume Milan have a lot more players back tomorrow than they did for the first game. We're a bit fitter too though.

Once again I really hope we go into this with an approach that can win the game, not some mad cautious approach.

            Forster
Lustig Ambrose Virgil Izaguirre
Forrest Mulgrew Ledley Samaras
                Commons
         Stokes

eire4 · 25-11-2013 09:27PM

Lennonist wrote: »

Didnt see the 2nd half. Good to see Boerrigter scoring, hopefully he can stay fit now and Commons we need him at his best v Milan.

Definitely on Boerrigter. Hopefully not just scoring but getting a late winner in a big game like this will be the shot in the arm he needs. There is no doubt there is talent there. You just feel he has been a bit short on confidence. Plus no doubt a new league and a new country. It can take time to settle into.

Smithwicks Man · 26-11-2013 02:45AM

Well lads, yas missing many for tomorrow? Readng that Samaras should start up top and of course Brown is suspended.

We're still missing a few... El Shaarawy (huge miss) and De Sciglio at LB so we'll be pretty weak down the left.

Pazzini is still not back and Muntari picked up an injury too. Nocerino isn't back either but at the end of the day you can only play 11 so I'd say we're only missing 3 starters if we had everyone. The club is in turmoil, the dressing room atmosphere is awful. A huge game is due.. The fans have demanded it and the players know it themselves.

Could be an absolute cracker but I'd settle for a nail-biting 0-0 draw and a point to go home with.

Dempsey · 26-11-2013 03:00AM

Mexes dropped out according to BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25096230

Defender Philippe Mexes and midfielder Sulley Muntari are the latest to drop out for Milan after weekend injuries.

Forward Stephan El Shaarawy, full-back Mattia De Sciglio and goalkeeper Marco Amelia had already been ruled out.

France defender Mexes underwent a scan on an eye injury picked up in the 1-1 draw with Genoa, while former Portsmouth and Sunderland midfielder Muntari limped off with a groin injury.

Neither were in the party of 19 that arrived in Glasgow ahead of the Group H match against Celtic.

Brown & Biton are suspended. Matthews & Mouyokolo are injured. James Forrest trained today so he's available.

Looks like Samaras is to lead the line if Lennon's public comments are to be believed

If thats the case its likely to be

(4-4-1-1) Forster; Lustig, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Forrest, Kayal, Ledley, Mulgrew; Commons; Samaras;

Boerrigter could be in contention for a start to add pace to the left wing with but I think Lennon doesnt like to play 2 left footers in central midfield, i.e. Ledley & Mulgrew. Ledley is extremely consistent & Mulgrew is extremely versatile and both usually start when fit. Again, the issue for Celtic is taking chances as Samaras is not very good through the middle.

Celtic bottled it in Amsterdam and only came out of their shell when 1-0 down. Its going to be a game both teams wont want to lose but Celtic have to win if they want any chance of progressing. A draw isnt much good for claiming 3rd place either.

Smithwicks Man · 26-11-2013 03:02AM

Mexes out is a big, big blow. We'll have a makeshift defence and attack now and team spirit is at zero.

I expect Celtic to come all out in the first 15 mins and it could really rattle us, especially if ye go ahead.

LiamoSail · 26-11-2013 06:38AM

Am I correct in saying that if celtic and Barca both win this week, celtic are guaranteed at least third place, irrespective of the final game?

Would be a great achievement in such a difficult group. While obviously the CL is where the money and prestige is, there's a lot to be said for the clubs prospects in the Europa lge, particularly given the European experience the group have accumulated over the last number of years

While I don't think the side is as good as this time last year, the defence seems more solid, and given Celtic's traditional European home form, they're certainly capable of good run in the Europa. It would be great to reach the latter stages of such a competition, given that the league should be won at a canter

shanered · 26-11-2013 07:47AM

Dunno if this is the place but im travelling over in hope of getting a ticket, so if ye know any going lettuce know plaeese thanku!

Hagar the Nice. · 26-11-2013 10:23AM

LiamoSail wrote: »

Am I correct in saying that if celtic and Barca both win this week, celtic are guaranteed at least third place, irrespective of the final game?

Would be a great achievement in such a difficult group. While obviously the CL is where the money and prestige is, there's a lot to be said for the clubs prospects in the Europa lge, particularly given the European experience the group have accumulated over the last number of years

While I don't think the side is as good as this time last year, the defence seems more solid, and given Celtic's traditional European home form, they're certainly capable of good run in the Europa. It would be great to reach the latter stages of such a competition, given that the league should be won at a canter

Correct,and it opens up the chance of us beating Barca and AC losing at home to Ajax therefor us making the last 16,tough but it can be done.

Hagar the Nice. · 26-11-2013 10:27AM

Another Dike.!!!

Nigerian international striker Bright Dike could be set for a training stint at Celtic.

The Toronto FC player, who netted in his country's recent 2-2 draw with Italy, may join up with Neil Lennon's squad at Lennoxtown within the next seven days.

The 26-year-old's proposed spell in Scotland would be subject to approval from Major League Soccer and his current club.

Reports in Canada on Monday said that approach is yet to be made but it is understood talks will take place in the coming days.

Dike netted once in seven starts in Major League Soccer in 2013, having only returned to action in August following a cruciate ligament injury.

He was then traded by Portland Timbers to Toronto in September having netted six times in 23 appearances across two years.

He came to Major League Soccer via the SuperDraft in 2010 after leaving University of Notre Dame. He was picked by Columbus Crew but was then waived, before joining Portland Timbers.

Dike has two caps for Nigeria and scored his first goal for his country in the 2-2 draw with Italy at Craven Cottage.

premierstone · 26-11-2013 02:58PM

Dempsey wrote: »

You're not setting the bar very high, Long isnt a good striker and certainly not good enough for Celtic.

premierstone wrote: »

Long not good enough for Celtic?? Come off it who exactly have we? Our no. one striker a the moment has a record in England of 6 goals in 63 appearances, and Long has scored 75 in 264 games - as you say not exactly prolific but certainly and unquestionably good enough for Celtic.

He has scored against United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City and Everton among others at club level and Russia, Denamark and England on the intermnational scene if you think we have four even three strikers anywhere near capable of doing that you are very wrong.

I can only assume you have seen the folly of your ways Dempsey in light of recent performances in both the SPL and EPL??

Dempsey · 26-11-2013 03:43PM

2 goals last night to bring his tally up to 3 for the season, that certainly has me told!

Long would struggle to outscore Stokes consistently. We have enough workhorse forwards, they are dime a dozen. We need a better goalscorer than Stokes in the squad and Shane Long doesnt fit that description. Then you have to consider what you are getting for £25k+ p/w, Celtic would have to break its wage structure to get him, it would be a bad buy for Celtic no matter which way you look at it.

Antifa161 · 26-11-2013 03:49PM

Dempsey is overly harsh on Long but he is right in that Long isn't a very talented player but makes up for it in workrate. In that respect I think he's like the opposite to Stokes, who is more talented but doesn't put in the graft. I would prefer Long for that reason, but as with all Premiership players they are spoilt and used to being paid much more than they're worth. No thanks.

premierstone · 26-11-2013 04:07PM

Dempsey wrote: »

2 goals last night to bring his tally up to 3 for the season, that certainly has me told!

Long would struggle to outscore Stokes consistently. We have enough workhorse forwards, they are dime a dozen. We need a better goalscorer than Stokes in the squad and Shane Long doesnt fit that description. Then you have to consider what you are getting for £25k+ p/w, Celtic would have to break its wage structure to get him, it would be a bad buy for Celtic no matter which way you look at it.

Shane Long is on £10k a week no where near the £25k you have quoted a few times and that or even the likely slight increase would not break our wage structure, 3 goals in 5 starts in the premier league with a below average team is well clear of anything any of our current crop are capable of that is a fact, it took Stokes 3 years to score 3 goals at Sunderland and only one of those was in the EPL how you come to the conclusion he would consistently outscore Long is strange to say the least.

Antifa161 · 26-11-2013 04:09PM

premierstone wrote: »

Shane Long is on £10k a week no where near the £25k you have quoted a few times and that or even the likely slight increase would not break our wage structure, 3 goals in 5 starts in the premier league with a below average team is well clear of anything any of our current crop are capable of that is a fact, it took Stokes 3 years to score 3 goals at Sunderland and only one of those was in the EPL how you come to the conclusion he would consistently outscore Long is strange to say the least.

I struggle to believe any EPL player is on as little as £10k a week, especially a first-choice striker. Championship players get paid more than that.

Also the comparisons with Stokes at Sunderland are unfair, he was a very young and completely different player then. IIRC he was played on the wing a lot. He's come on leaps and bounds in recent years and I think he's come in for a lot of unfair criticism as a result of having no proper strike partner. He was banging them in with Hooper.

Dempsey · 26-11-2013 04:18PM

premierstone wrote: »

Shane Long is on £10k a week no where near the £25k you have quoted a few times and that or even the likely slight increase would not break our wage structure, 3 goals in 5 starts in the premier league with a below average team is well clear of anything any of our current crop are capable of that is a fact, it took Stokes 3 years to score 3 goals at Sunderland and only one of those was in the EPL how you come to the conclusion he would consistently outscore Long is strange to say the least.

The media are claiming 25k p/w and he's in contract talks over a pay rise at the moment. If he isnt on what the media are claiming, what evidence do you have to support your claim?

Stokes went off the rails at Sunderland. He's an improved attitude since then at the minimum, albeit still not the best imo, so its a strawman argument to say Stokes is the very same player now as he was at Sunderland.

I prefer to look at it as 3 goals in 10 appearances (5 starts). His goalscoring record isnt prolific. His game is very much of a workhorse forward, Celtic doesnt need another one.

premierstone · 26-11-2013 04:25PM

Antifa161 wrote: »

I struggle to believe any EPL player is on as little as £10k a week, especially a first-choice striker. Championship players get paid more than that.

Also the comparisons with Stokes at Sunderland are unfair, he was a very young and completely different player then. IIRC he was played on the wing a lot. He's come on leaps and bounds in recent years and I think he's come in for a lot of unfair criticism as a result of having no proper strike partner. He was banging them in with Hooper.

Thats all he is on according to any site I have seen and it was one of the reasons why contract talks have been protracted and met problems.

Agreed Stokes has improved immeasurably since that time, both on the field and off it, firstly I was trying to highlight the inappropriateness of merely qouting how many goals he has scored when there are so many other factors and also Stokes is our clear number one striker at the moment we need at least 2 more of equal or better standard, Long fits that bill, just look at the post above re some unkonown Nigerian who can't score in Canada and some unknown Scandavian we are linked with, we are not in a position to be turning down players of Longs calibre, to say he is not good enough for Celtic is absurd and head in the clouds stuff.

Aside from anything I don't think Shane has any intention of coming to Celtic and there has been no inclination from Lennon that we are interested either, it was merely lazy journalism that connected the two.

premierstone · 26-11-2013 04:31PM

Dempsey wrote: »

The media are claiming 25k p/w and he's in contract talks over a pay rise at the moment. If he isnt on what the media are claiming, what evidence do you have to support your claim?

Stokes went off the rails at Sunderland. He's an improved attitude since then at the minimum, albeit still not the best imo, so its a strawman argument to say Stokes is the very same player now as he was at Sunderland.

I prefer to look at it as 3 goals in 10 appearances (5 starts). His goalscoring record isnt prolific. His game is very much of a workhorse forward, Celtic doesnt need another one.

No idea really what his exact wages are, but www.matchincome.com quote it at £10k and when the Liverpool transfer was rumoured it was reported they would offer him increased wges to £25k, there have been papers recently reporting that he is on £25k.

Dempsey Celtic don't have any strikers at all whether they be work horses or prolific, we have Stokes who is decent but limited and then nothing absolutley zilch.

Antifa161 · 26-11-2013 04:34PM

We have Pukki, he isn't bad he's just a very similar type of player to Stokes so it doesn't work. That new lesbian looking lad we signed could come good too.

Oh and there's always Bangura coming back from loan :pac:

Dempsey · 26-11-2013 04:53PM

premierstone wrote: »

No idea really what his exact wages are, but www.matchincome.com quote it at £10k and when the Liverpool transfer was rumoured it was reported they would offer him increased wges to £25k, there have been papers recently reporting that he is on £25k.

Dempsey Celtic don't have any strikers at all whether they be work horses or prolific, we have Stokes who is decent but limited and then nothing absolutley zilch.

According to that website, Stokes is on the same money as Long and Victor Wanyama is a Celtic player. I'm sceptical about their data accuracy tbh.

Jury is still out on Balde & Pukki but Celtic should maintain its philosophy of developing players. Its counter-productive to buy a work in progress player like Balde, which is what the management thought when they were buying him, then sign a player that would require a large fee & wages and make a development player redundant. Celtic does that all to often in the past and then we wonder why players dont develop well at Celtic. If we were actually considering spending big on a striker, Finnbogason would be a far better option imo.

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

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