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

Dempsey · 09-03-2014 01:26PM

rosskind wrote: »

https://twitter.com/VirgilvDijk/status/442611429519425536

Do Chelsea have room for him? Even if they only plan to loan out that Zouma fella and sell him in a few years, there's a decent queue. Might be better than them all but still a big risk to go there without a guaranteed place. Maybe Spurs invited him to the game last night and he just ran into Luiz?

David Luiz is likely to be sold to Barcelona to replace Puyol & although Terry is having a good season he's the wrong side of 30 & a new CB needs to be phased in with Cahill.

I like to think he'd stay another season but I think his missus would swap Glasgow for London in a heartbeat! He wont have a choice in the matter :pac:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity-interviews/celtic-star-virgil-van-dijk-3171184

EDIT

The agent of Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk claims the Dutchman will move to England in the summer.

Full story: Scotland on Sunday

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/celtic-s-virgil-van-dijk-england-bound-says-agent-1-3333677

VIRGIL van Dijk’s agent said last night that he expects the Celtic defender to move to England in the summer.

The Dutch centre-back has impressed since his £2.6 million move from Groningen last year. He has been linked with English Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Manchester City, and his agent, Henk-Maarten Chin, believes Van Dijk could be on the move, although he admitted there had been no bid so far.

Chin said: “There is certainly interest. Many English clubs are interested in him – the absolute top clubs. They watch him and are very keen. There has been no official approaches for Virgil yet, but that will come after the season ends.

“There’s certainly far more interest in him than we could have dreamed of. I expect something will happen for him this summer – the intention would be for him to earn a top transfer.” Chin believes the Dutchman’s Champions League displays prove he deserves a move. “Celtic were outplayed by Barcelona, but Virgil was the only player who was OK,” the agent said. “Against AC Milan, he made a great impression in his battles against Mario Balotelli.”

Looks like Chelsea is nailed on at this stage. Might try to get a bet down on it

PauloMN · 10-03-2014 09:47AM

Dempsey wrote: »

It will be nice to see it when its done

I like the way Brother Walfrid is looking down overseeing progress and keeping an eye on the workers!

Dempsey · 13-03-2014 08:02PM

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26569593

Celtic's Nir Biton out for four weeks with groin injury

Celtic midfielder Nir Biton is facing a month on the sidelines with a groin problem.

The 22-year-old sustained the damage playing for Israel in last week's 2-1 friendly loss to Slovakia.

James Forrest, also 22, picked up a similar complaint while on international duty with Scotland.

The winger was hurt in training with Gordon Strachan's squad in Poland and is expected to miss two weeks of action in an injury-interrupted season.

Luckily enough its only 4 weeks

EDIT

Murrayfield will host UCL qualifiers during the Commonwealth Games

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/murrayfield-to-host-celtic-s-champions-league-ties-1-3339786

The Scottish Ruby Union released a statement confirming the venue will host the Glasgow club’s Champions League qualifying fixtures with Celtic Park being used for the Commonwealth Games along with Hampden,

It is proposed that the first two qualifying rounds will be held at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, and the SRU said Celtic Football Club has already had advanced discussions with the management of Murrayfield Stadium.

Scottish Rugby’s Director of Commercial Operations, Communications and Public Affairs, Dominic McKay, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Celtic Football Club to Murrayfield for their UEFA Champions League Qualifying matches this summer, one of the biggest annual sport competitions.

“Scottish Rugby is proud of the facilities we have on offer in Edinburgh. This is a fantastic opportunity for Celtic to work with us to promote Murrayfield as a venue not just for rugby, in 2014.”

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/neil-lennon-warns-van-dijk-agent-over-transfer-1-3339704

NEIL Lennon has told Virgil van Dijk’s agent not to get too presumptuous about the possibility of the Dutch defender departing Celtic at the end of the season.

Henk-Maarten Chin claimed the 22-year-old, a top performer for the Parkhead side since his move from FC Groningen last summer, could be on his way to England.

He was quoted as saying, “There has been no official approaches for Virgil yet, but that will come after the season ends. I expect something will happen for him this summer - the intention would be for him to earn a top transfer.”

The Hoops boss confirmed that Celtic had withdrawn their appeal of Van Dijk’s red card picked up against Aberdeen last month which leaves him sidelined for the Scottish Premiership clash with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Friday night.

However, not only does he expect to have him back in the side next week, he insisted that it will be down to Celtic as to whether the former Holland Under-21 player will still be in his squad next season.

Lennon said: “I was disappointed with the timing of it and I think Virgil was disappointed too because he had no idea that it was coming.

“It is a bit premature. He is on a three-year contract here. I would guard against that.

“It is not on our horizon, as it were.

“He is one of our best players, we don’t need to sell. We have brought him in and put him in an environment where has thrived and prospered, he is our player.

“So whether they want to go or not, it will be down to us to make that decision.”

Hopefully the board back that stance. Players & agents looking at England the minute the hit a purple patch is a practice Celtic shouldnt allow to fester

RoryMac · 14-03-2014 07:17PM

Celtic team to play Kilmarnock: Forster; Matthews, Ambrose, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Brown, Henderson, Johansen, Commons; Stokes, Griffiths

It'll be interesting to see how Henderson & Johansen play tonight.

Lennonist · 14-03-2014 08:19PM

Scrappy stuff isn't it. Not holding the ball well and passing it good enough.

RoryMac · 14-03-2014 08:26PM

Lennonist wrote: »

Scrappy stuff isn't it. Not holding the ball well and passing it good enough.

Yeah poor stuff so far, haven't got out of 2nd gear. Impressed by Johansen so far though.

RoryMac · 14-03-2014 09:02PM

2 quick goals from Commons, I'm glad I didn't post what I thought of his first half performance

Dempsey · 14-03-2014 09:34PM

I didnt miss much by the sounds of it!!

RoryMac · 14-03-2014 09:41PM

Dempsey wrote: »

I didnt miss much by the sounds of it!!

First half was poor but much better in the 2nd. 3 nice goal by Commons with the last being the pick of the bunch.

Nice to see Johansen & Henderson get game time. Johansen was good first half and I thought Henderson got better as the game went.

Not a great game by any standards though

PauloMN · 14-03-2014 09:41PM

0-3 and a penalty denied for a clear foul on Stokes in the box. Honestly it's no wonder players go down easily looking for penalties, because you get no rewards for trying to stay on your feet.

Only caught the last 15 mins or so, how did Henderson do?

Dempsey · 14-03-2014 09:44PM

Anyone remember any odds given on Commons to be top goalscorer in the SPL at the start of the season.

I remember Stokes & McKay were the favourites to begin with but I think Commons could have been a nice price

rosskind · 14-03-2014 10:39PM

Henderson did well. Composed on the ball and not afraid to demand it off others. One time off Forster stood out in particular; on the edge of the D outside our box with three Killie players around him, draws them in, lays it off and launches a quick counter. Got around the pitch and threw himself about, more than I thought he would. He's bigger than I remember/thought him to be. Even had a few bites at Boyd that Broony would have been proud off.

RoryMac · 15-03-2014 01:50AM

Henderson did well alright, very comfortable on the ball and happy to take the ball even when under pressure. I did notice on a few occasions that he seems to lack a bit of pace though.

Charlie19 · 18-03-2014 02:20AM

http://m.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/neil-lennon-set-for-lierse-talks-over-tony-watt-1-3342933

Bizarre story here about Tony watt being slapped in the face for not showing respect to the manager Stanley Menzo. Watt is on loan at the Belgian side lierse.

bobbysands81 · 18-03-2014 02:08PM

Charlie19 wrote: »

http://m.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/neil-lennon-set-for-lierse-talks-over-tony-watt-1-3342933

Bizarre story here about Tony watt being slapped in the face for not showing respect to the manager Stanley Menzo. Watt is on loan at the Belgian side lierse.

By all accounts Watt is difficult but getting slapped in the face by your boss is madness!

Jelle1880 · 18-03-2014 03:35PM

Those are his words though, nobody else backs his story up.

Some of his quotes in interviews have been questionable at best, claiming he needs at least 15 consecutive starts to be at his best, admitting that he's not the best in training but 'that's ok', it's Menzo's fault and not his,...

eire4 · 18-03-2014 04:32PM

Good second half performance there from Celtic. Great to see 17 year old Liam Henderson having such a solid debut. Adam Matthews had easily his best game since returning from injry and looked much more himself getting forward well especially in setting up Commons's first 2 goals. Pitch looked poor it has to be said which did not help either side really as in fairness to Kilmarnock they were trying to play as well.

Dempsey · 18-03-2014 10:15PM

Imagine having Griffiths, Stokes & Watt in the same dressing room next season :eek::pac:

Not sure what to make of the incident, other players silence doesnt mean anything. They would certainly be fined for airing dirty linen, why would a player do that unless they are engineering something for himself.

Watt is certainly giving McGeady a run for his money for being a cantankerous git. Lennon will have his work cut out to get Watt to focus on football.

Liam Henderson on the other hand is showing alot of potential. Again, it seems keeping the kids grounded between 17-21 is not easy, especially when they show potential and get new contracts.

bobbysands81 · 20-03-2014 02:53PM

Dempsey wrote: »

Imagine having Griffiths, Stokes & Watt in the same dressing room next season :eek::pac:

Not sure what to make of the incident, other players silence doesnt mean anything. They would certainly be fined for airing dirty linen, why would a player do that unless they are engineering something for himself.

Watt is certainly giving McGeady a run for his money for being a cantankerous git. Lennon will have his work cut out to get Watt to focus on football.

Liam Henderson on the other hand is showing alot of potential. Again, it seems keeping the kids grounded between 17-21 is not easy, especially when they show potential and get new contracts.

Looking forward to seeing more of Henderson as the season finishes.

Anyone else looking forward to seeing any other young players get a run?

Would like to see Eoghan O'Connell get some game time, he's been on the bench a good few times this season. He plays centre half and is Paul O'Connell's cousin so hopefully a no nonsense bruiser of a centre half!

eire4 · 20-03-2014 05:22PM

bobbysands81 wrote: »

Looking forward to seeing more of Henderson as the season finishes.

Anyone else looking forward to seeing any other young players get a run?

Would like to see Eoghan O'Connell's brother get some game time, he's been on the bench a good few times this season. He plays centre half and is Paul O'Connell's cousin so hopefully a no nonsense bruiser of a centre half!

Really I had no idea they were related. Interesting tidbit there.

Charlie19 · 20-03-2014 08:16PM

bobbysands81 wrote: »

By all accounts Watt is difficult but getting slapped in the face by your boss is madness!

I didn't realise he was such a handful but yeah I agree it doesn't warrant a slap.

bobbysands81 · 20-03-2014 09:20PM

eire4 wrote: »

Really I had no idea they were related. Interesting tidbit there.

Yeah, Paul O'Connell said it on TV recently, can't remember what it was on but Eoghan making the bench a good few times is good.

eire4 · 21-03-2014 05:57PM

bobbysands81 wrote: »

Yeah, Paul O'Connell said it on TV recently, can't remember what it was on but Eoghan making the bench a good few times is good.

You would think given the amount of times he has been on the bench recently that he will make his debut in one of the games after the title is won officially.

Dempsey · 21-03-2014 06:54PM

eire4 wrote: »

You would think given the amount of times he has been on the bench recently that he will make his debut in one of the games after the title is won officially.

Unfortunately, its the u21 rule giving a false sense of progression.

He usually falls of the bench list when the squad is near full fitness, defensively speaking. He only made the last bench because van Dijk was serving a suspension.

I hope he alot and few more get a run out off the back of their display in the Antalya Cup, there was a good few admirable performances against strong opposition.

Dempsey · 21-03-2014 10:18PM

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11781/9225191/transfer-news-celtic-boss-neil-lennon-rules-out-federico-macheda-move

Neil Lennon says there is no truth in reports Federico Macheda is on his list of summer transfer targets.

The Celtic manager has identified "more than several" potential new recruits as he faces up to the possibility of losing a number of first-team players in the close season.

Georgios Samaras will leave at the end of his contract, while goalkeeper Fraser Forster and centre-half Virgil van Dijk are expected to attract bids.

How did anyone believe the Macheda rumour even if it was his agent saying it?? He is useless and has made a career so far from one goal!

Has it been confirmed that Samaras is definitely leaving?

Dempsey · 22-03-2014 03:47PM

Johansen Goal, Griffiths Assist

Great play by both in the setup of that goal

Dempsey · 22-03-2014 04:19PM

Griffiths, Stokes assist

Dempsey · 22-03-2014 04:49PM

Stokes, Samaras assist

Johansen voted MOTM and deservedly so

bobmalooka · 22-03-2014 04:57PM

Good win, good to see the new lad doing well. It's important the squad continue to develop despite having little to play for

Dempsey · 23-03-2014 01:59PM

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/neil-lennon-discuss-battle-depression-3274339#.Uy7mBTdt_iA.twitter

Celtic manager Neil Lennon will relive his battle with depression in a hard-hitting campaign launched tomorrow.

A film featuring the Parkhead coach and another footballer aims to highlight mental health problems in the game.

A huge thing for Lennon to do and will be a fascinating insight to what drives him on in the face of general abuse, sectarianism, death threats etc. Few would have the stomach for what he has endured never mind battling depression along the way.

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

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