A sign that football, or at least football finances, are getting back to normal came from Hampden this morning, when the beaks declared the transfer window was now open, and would remain so until early October..
So begins twelve weeks of tittle tattle and the usual nonsense.
Kris Ajer has been the subject of a renewed bid from Milan, and as the player has clearly had his head turned, something he’s never been able to make it do when a ball goes near it, it’s time to see what we can get for him.
Celtic want around £27m, which seems a lot, but the odds are that he will be worth more than that one day, and although the club will probably settle for less, it’s early days and it’s only sensible to open the negotiations at a high level.
Although the report originated in the Sunday Post, it’s probably not far from the truth, as players will be used as makeweights in many more deals this summer, though it has to be stressed that taking players for the sake if it is not a path to go treading down.
The two mentioned are Matteo Gabbia and Mateo Musacchio. which won;t set pulses racing, but it is Milan and they very rarely sign bad players.
Gabbia has been described as a versatile player. Having started his youth career as a defensive and a central midfielder, he later switched to deeper roles, such as a centre-back, in either a three or a four-man defensive line. Besides his ball-winning abilities, Gabbia also retains playmaking attributes and tends to join the attacking play when opportunities present themselves.
Thats from wikipedia, but this, from Milan Talk, a fan website, tells us that there might be something about this guy, if we can get his head right…
After enjoying a great period in his young career prior to the lockdown, things haven’t been quite as smooth for Milan youngster Matteo Gabbia since the restart.
The 20-year-old initially caught the eye in pre-season, as he stood out at the back and showed real solidity to suggest that he could be an option to partner captain Alessio Romagnoli this year.
He had to bide his time and stay patient though given his first Serie A appearance only came in February, but he impressed for the most part in those games and capped it off by signing a new contract to extend his stay with the Rossoneri until 2024, as noted by the club’s official site.
However, his character and resolve will now be tested as things haven’t gone to plan since the season restarted, as he’s not only feeling the pressure of slipping behind Simon Kjaer in the pecking order, but question marks will be raised over his performance against SPAL in midweek.
Kjaer has really impressed after stepping back into the XI, with his experience, calmness and physicality offering a steady presence next to Romagnoli as the pair have shown positive signs of being able to forge an important partnership.
The issue with the Dane though is that he has been injury prone, and that allowed Gabbia to get another chance to impress but thus far, he has struggled to pick up from where he left off in February.
Having looked shaky against Lecce, he didn’t settle those nerves and concerns on Wednesday night as he was tested again and struggled to produce the necessary answers.
From being too hesitant in the build-up to SPAL’s first goal and failing to clear the danger to then being vulnerable thereafter when faced with the strength and know-how of Andrea Petagna and Sergio Floccari respectively, Gabbia didn’t put in a particularly good performance.
It was a big opportunity in many ways as Kjaer will now be expected to come back into the line-up to replace him against Lazio this weekend, and ultimately if the 31-year-old can stay fit and steer clear of injuries, he could very well start in the remaining nine games of the campaign.
That in turn means we need to see the right reaction from Gabbia. This is a big test for him in many ways as we’ll see his character, resolve and determination to put this setback behind him and try to force his way back into Stefano Pioli’s plans moving forward.
Furthermore, there is always the threat of Milan looking for another centre-half in the transfer market this summer, and so the youngster will have to try and find some answers and silence the detractors sooner rather than later, but ultimately that could now be out of his hands.
If he does feature again this season, the pressure will be on his shoulders to produce a much-improved performance and while he’s still young and needs time to develop and learn from experiences like this week, unfortunately with the never-ending and widespread talk of changes at Milan ahead of next season, it surely raises question marks over his role in the squad moving forward with MilanNews reporting on the latest Ralf Rangnick talk.
The hope is that he comes good and there is certainly plenty to work with given his defensive strengths and quality on the ball, but sitting on the bench for most of the season and being thrown in occasionally is going to create nerves, indecision and inconsistency.
We saw that on Wednesday night, and so he’ll have to show some steeliness to bounce back and further, he must be managed carefully to ensure we get the best out of him in the long-term future too
Have to say, though, we don;t really need a nervous type at centre half….
The other fellow, Mateo Mussachio, is almost ten years older at 29, and is described, in a press release of A.C. Milan as a “very physical centre back” with character and agility.[1] Additionally, the article highlighted his marking and blocking abilities, and that he liked to start moves and play short passes.
Last month, the official Milan site published this….
OFFICIAL STATEMENT: MATEO MUSACCHIO
Here’s an update on the Argentine’s physical condition
AC Milan announces that Mateo Mussachio will have to undergo keyhole surgery to his left ankle. The operation will be performed by Professor Ramon Cugat in Barcelona next week.
Both have their faults, it seems, though the former might be worth a punt. The latter, well, it doesn’t make sense to sign someone who has recently undergone surgery.
We’ve all seen the headlines and advice offered to Leigh Griffiths, so it’s only fair I add my own.
For instance, the sports bra players issued to players to record their activity, especially during a lockdown where they have their own training schedules, should be worn across the chest and not left on your car seat while you drive around town, as it might not give a reliable reading, you fucking numbnut.
We hear coaching staff had their suspicions aroused when Griffith claimed to be jogging at seventy five miles an hour over the Kingston Bridge.
Is it any wonder he’s been left behind to get himself into shape, which reading between the lines, when added to one or two other tales we have heard, is a clear message from Celtic that they really couldn’t give a toss what he does now ?
Though he might want to at least make it look like he does. that way he might get six months at Hibernian to prove he’s still got an appetite for football.
For Griffiths, the game may be finally up, as we hear that others at the ranch are not particularly impressed with him, both on and off the pitch.
We’re going to need everyone hand on the pump this season, because there’s a chance that Steven Gerrard will go to Bristol city in the next few days, which will surprise a few people, and a few more will be surprised to find that it will be as manager.
If Gerrard does go, there is a slim chance they’ll get someone who is actually quite good at the job, and that could make life difficult when the season kicks in.
Already we’ve seen a staunchly defiant attitude from one of their players….
And he means it this time….not like last time when someone else said it
Or the time before when someone else said it then….
They really mean it this time.
Meanwhile , training at Loughborough is set to conclude today, as the squad get ready to fly out to France, where they won’t be quarantined for fourteen days, despite being so close to locked down Leicester during a prevailing wind, without a mask on, where they play their first game on Thursday.
The Record outlined the itinerary….
Celtic will play three games in five days in France as they step up preparations for the new Premiership campaign. That kicks off with a mini-tournament in Lyon when they will play against Nice and the hosts themselves.
The fixture against Nice is on Thursday July 16 and has a 5.15pm kick-off time, with the Lyon clash on Saturday July 18, starting at 7.45pm.
The third game of their French trip is a game against champions PSG in the French capital. That is a 6pm kick-off on Tuesday, July 21.
Apparently “rangers ” are also involved in the mini tournament in Lyon, but they have made their own travel arrangements, at least for part of the way, whilst combining it with a bit of social bonding….
After which, their bus and driver will pick them up in Larkhall as soon as he’s finished getting a few finishing touches put to it ready for the trip.
Mind you, where they are staying looks nice…
On sunday, we had this….
Caption : ‘Billy, if it’s only for lighting the bonfire, I’ve got a box of matches.’
Today….
Caption: Spot the hun ?
Caption
Castore reveal their new superior quality third strip for ra bears
With players taking the knee to show solidarity with the BLM
James McClean will be once again hounded when poppygate comes round. Nothing will be said from the EPL to support the player, and the media will not address the issue of anti Irish racisim.
Double fuckin standards.
Its not just a Poppy season problem and happens all year round.
“James McClean: Stoke and Ireland winger says abuse directed at him is ignored”
bbc co.uk/sport/football/53393785
I just hope this leads to mutual solidarity and not divisiveness.
The usual suspects will continue their attacks on him claiming to be supporters of BLM, which is bollix, but supporters shouldn’t fall into the trap.
Billy mcchewbacca said he wanted to know what it really felt like to be rangers.
So they put him in a class of 8 year olds
Get a better, less stylized font as the one you have now is murder on the eyes. Also sort out the formatting, it’s way too big. You’re one of the few decent non hunfiltrated or ad-filled tic sites left, please don’t ruin it by becoming an unreadable nightmare!
At least you get posted. I’d be better off sending postcards.
HaHaHa! Puggy, to ‘charlie-ism’ this, ah concur……HaHaHa!
Dinnae forget, when ‘they’ allow the occasional post of yours, it disnae mean ‘they’re’ NO’ OOT tae get ye!
Schlaff gut! HaHaha!
FC not PLC, fuck the polis, the queen an’ the *RFC*
HH
I think the new font is much clearer and easier to read.
Caption : ‘Have you ever seen a grown man naked?’ (With an appreciative nod to Airplane)
And in a minute, children, Mr Gillespie is going to give us a fascinating lesson on how to knit a tank top from human hair.
Caption: SPAD agent goes undercover to prove Catholic schools are the problem
Caption: Pizza Express, woking.
Caption: Sevco unveil new creche facility for greetin’-faced huns
Caption
Sorry Billy this is not the class to get a free Castore Oil strip,
Now the transfer windae dips open be sure to see unbelievable offers for the Buffalo, Tav, Benny Hill and other luminaries at Ipox. Also Slippy will be signing the best in the world, the Daily Wanker will fall over itself printing pxsh.
As for Defoe another story that is created by our wonderful media, to boost the knuckledraggers after their hate fest.
Caption: sevco accountant attends a refresher course in basic arithmetic.
Caption: Russians begin early in ‘developing’ their young athletes. However, Russian Olympic officials deny any steroid abuse, despite photographic evidence.
Caption: Liam what did you do at playtime? I played in the sand pit miss. Very good Liam, now spell the word sand. S-a-n-d. Well done Liam. Mary what did you do? I played in the sand pit too miss. Very good, now spell pit. P-i-t. Excellent Mary. And Billy what did you do? I wanted to play in the sandpit but Liam and Mary wouldn’t let me. Why not Billy? They said it’s because I’m a hun miss. Billy that is unconscionable sectarianism. Billy spell unconscionable sectarianism.
“So begins twelve weeks of tittle tattle and the usual nonsense.”
Ah, c’mon Ralph, you’re better than that but perhaps not 😉
“but it is Milan and they very rarely sign bad players.”
They’ve signed some absolute stinkers, which is as you’d expect for a club that has vastly underperformed for a decade or 2.
Caption – Paul Gadd : Before The Glitter.
I supported Griffiths last time and will support him again. He is key to our ten-in-a-row and guess what, he is only good at football and scoring goals. Locked down has been hard on everybody. Griffiths may be stupid sometimes but look at our political leaders! Our best certain 11:
Bain
Elhamed/Ajer/Jullien
Forrest/Brown/McGregor/Taylor
Ntcham
Edouard/Christie
We also need to see what Soro, Bayo and Klimala can do. We need to sign Forster. We need at least one good central defender. I think Ajer will stay. Is Mckenna worth signing? Is Aaron Hickey?
devoy we should bring in shane duffy to slap the hammerthrow intae shape COYBIG
THROWERS excuse ma french
Devoy like many we don’t know the full story of the situation. But if he did return overweight and so much out of fitness than the rest if the squad then shame on him.
He represents not a football club but a cause that is very dear to all of us. He should be relishing every second of wearing that jersey.
Johnny Hayes, Mikel Lustig, Emmilo Izzaguri, would love to have still been part of our club they wouldn’t have turned up not fit for action.
He has to sort it or sorry to say he has to go.
Also well done to Lenny leading by example if that was el buffalo he would be in their squad and causing rift between the players.
Buffalo rifts. Nasty.
Watched Mussachio with Villarreal for good few years. Good player.
Billy’s wee maw wasn’t wrong when she said he’d be 60 when he left school
Would that be Kg or stones
the problem is they huns aint got stones they look for timmy on his own but alas sometimes they meet tims who have stones ae the whale aint tims wae stones ae the whale grand ha ha ha ha
Caption: Billy still trying to pass Primary 1 business class
Caption …
The drawbacks of home schooling….
Caption …
Who’s the bear in the hunderpants…
caption wee mairead tells the teacher a telt ye we shoulda left mixed shools wae the zombies
Miss Miss,Sorry is this primary one,I thought it was primary Hun.
Mr McCoist,you will have to stop coming to this class,you have already ate all the Jelly and Ice cream
mc moists da makes sure he passes the 11 plus
I’m not sure we can keep wee Billy back another year Mrs. Crawford
amno wan fur worrying but wers mike the crackpot fermer
Charlie,
He’s away for a nose job……..could take some time!
heh heh
(worse case scenario) waking up after a night on the lash
ffs last time he went oan the lash we got dolly the sheep ha ha ha ha aint crackpot fermers grand
the whole world thinks the ten is the end BUT its only the begining ……….. aint celtic grand
charlie, that’s why we’ve world-wide, GENUINE supporters, as there are more ‘humans’ whom like truth, as opposed to comforting lies (thanks PMGB) ; even the Germans (padlock yer sunbed) help us: “Fritz a grand auld team tae play fur…….undt der colours icht real fine, we schupport Das Celtic, from Das Ruhr up-to Das Rhi-i-i-ine, veel be rerr tae shprech the Bhoys gut, ven der League flagg fluchts, undt vee eine time ken, das dem Tims just like big ben, vill gang ooft……………. AND BAG THE TEN (Me-e-er tic cum zo)
Sorry Bhoys, if this is mince; just woke up from a hell-time of dreams……an’ it’s kinda midway, aye, just like an infamous battle……
FC not PLC
HH
Master Po Woods v Grasshopper Joe Hart?
There is a first for everything,
Supply of ganja has been restored I see, Port – was it the threat of granny knickers?
Portpower has been threatening to wear granny knickers!?
Oh youse of little woe betide. I
m knackered after getting them down to my ankles.s daThat
s foreplay Khids. Youll learn.Tis Sammys vision? Knickers!Caption: El Buffalo embarks on English lessons
Caption: Wayne Rooney’s transplant donor gives an awareness talk.
Makes perfect sense in this crazy world,Wee Burnie getting rehabilitated as a classroom assistant
Caption: Due to allergies Billy brought the closest thing to a pet he could get. Uncle Kris.
Some of you might have read Tangled up in Blue by Stephen O Donnell that was full of historical information that provided into how the culture at Rangers FC developed over the years to become what it is today.
Stephen has a new book to be published on 27 July that I’ve been asked to review called Fergus McCann v David Murray which focusses on the era of both at Celtic and Rangers and although I’ve only touched the surface it already contains some gold nuggets, which might be of interest to readers.
So to discipline myself to have a review ready by 27th I’ll try and post as comments some of what struck me as worthy of highlighting on here and other blogs over the next 12 days to stimulate discussion and perhaps entice readers to purchase. (I’m on no royalties btw, the truth has no price )
These paras caught my eye for reasons that made me think hmmmmm.
“The eventual outcome allowed Struth to continue as manager while increasing his stranglehold on power at Ibrox by becoming a fully waged director. However, as an almost
unnoticed consequence, control of the club had now passed from those who had a history of previous service with Rangers, or whose shares held a merely passive, emotional value, to investors whose interest in the company might be entirely pecuniary, with directors now likely to have a financial stake in the club or to have bought their way on to the board. One leading club historian later described Struth’s boardroom coup as ‘the day
Rangers became a business’, while Mason offered an insight into the far-reaching repercussions of the club’s change of direction:
‘In many ways, [Bowie’s*] fears were prophetic of the dangers that
would ultimately cause the club such grief in more recent times.”
*Bowie had argued passionately at the EGM that the proposed changes would cede control
of the club to those with ‘financial interests, as against an administration solely concerned with maintaining the [club’s]high sporting traditions’, but ultimately his pleas had fallen
on deaf ears.
If Carlsberg did irony.
Was good to see us playing after such a long time out, the new Adidas kit looks good. I thought both teams really lacked sharpness and a draw was probably a fair result, though I would have liked to have seen the VAR goal more.
Was impressed by Taylor in the first half and Ntcham in the second, Biton looked assured. Look forward to Saturday to see the Lyon game and how we do, defensively, against Dembele.
Not posted for a while so I will try to cheat with two captions:
1 – On day three Wullie began to wonder whether this was really part of the lodge initiation or had he been the victim of a prank. Later, a visit from the police would reveal the answer.
2 – Drag queen story time without the make-up.
I blame the schools
Skirting board Football.
Installing skirting boards is an easy job with the right tools and know-how. We’ll take you through the tools you need to measure, cut and install your skirting boards. You’ll also see how to cut a scribed joint to give your job a professional finish.
Stewart Robertson in, Neil Doncaster faired.
Canny.
Watched most of the game earlier, (missed Eddie’s goal but saw the replay and VAR fukks up yet again!!!) The LRA will fukkin’ love it. The pre-season games are fukkin’ awful in general and with our long lay-off it was even worse at times, but we still bested them. Anyway, I thought Taylor was about our best man playing LB but forward as often as poss. Wing-back. This Bhoy’s got real potential. Anyway, pre-season is ALWAYS much the same but the Bhoys got some playing time against a shower who kick at will and drop like shot game-birds at every chance (remind you of anyone?)
Pre-season FFS!!! Nice????? Anything but.
However, as I searched for any decent opinion/comment on the match I got to the written scoreline at FT, and it put me straight into 10 IAR mode. It was this: Nice 1 Celtic (and I stopped there and then). Nice 1 Celtic, nice one sons, nice 1 Celtic get the 10 and fukk the huns.) 🙂 (Rangers 1872/3 whatever TF, and deid in 2012, equalled our 9. Well sort of. If it wisnae EBTs it wiz Lanarkshire referees, but THAT is history now, gone. And we’re ALL the better for that.
FC not PLC
HH
Caption:
The pre-order sevconian Castore flex.
Comb one, comb all.
VAR,pfft.
Some of you might have read Tangled up in Blue by Stephen O Donnell that was full of historical information that provided into how the culture at Rangers FC developed over the years to become what it is today.
Stephen has a new book to be published on 27 July that I’ve been asked to review called Fergus McCann v David Murray which focusses on the era of both at Celtic and Rangers and although I’ve only touched the surface it already contains some gold nuggets, which might be of interest to readers.
So to discipline myself to have a review ready by 27th I’ll try and post as comments some of what struck me as worthy of highlighting on here and other blogs over the next 12 days to stimulate discussion and perhaps entice readers to purchase. (I’m on no royalties btw, the truth has no price )
These paras caught my eye for reasons that made me think hmmmmm.
“The eventual outcome allowed Struth to continue as manager while increasing his stranglehold on power at Ibrox by becoming a fully waged director. However, as an almost
unnoticed consequence, control of the club had now passed from those who had a history of previous service with Rangers, or whose shares held a merely passive, emotional value, to investors whose interest in the company might be entirely pecuniary, with directors now likely to have a financial stake in the club or to have bought their way on to the board. One leading club historian later described Struth’s boardroom coup as ‘the day
Rangers became a business’, while Mason offered an insight into the far-reaching repercussions of the club’s change of direction:
‘In many ways, [Bowie’s*] fears were prophetic of the dangers that
would ultimately cause the club such grief in more recent times.”
*Bowie had argued passionately at the EGM that the proposed changes would cede control
of the club to those with ‘financial interests, as against an administration solely concerned with maintaining the [club’s]high sporting traditions’, but ultimately his pleas had fallen
on deaf ears.
If Carlsberg did irony.
Another snippet from Fergus McCann v David Murray
This one is about Fergus showing he was already looking to invest in 1989 which I wasn’t aware of.
To provide context the EGM referred to was on 30 March 1992 following which The Board circled the wagons against attempts led by David Low to buy up shares.
“In the days running up to the EGM, the press had
introduced the Scottish footballing public to Fergus McCann,
dispatching their intrepid reporters out to doorstep the Canadian
businessman at his hotel in Glasgow and splashing their profiles
across the tabloid back pages. McCann, it was revealed, had
his own plans for the future of Celtic, which involved injecting
£17m of new capital into the club – £5m from fans who would
take up shares in a rights issue, £5m from outside investors
and £7m of his own money through a separate company called
Celtic’s Future plc. It was a similar package to what McCann
had offered back in April 1989, where minutes from Celtic board
meetings at the time state: ‘Proposals put forward by Fergus
McCann to provide finance for various capital expenditures …
were unanimously rejected by the Directors’; and then again in
August of the same year: ‘Mr McCann’s latest proposals were
discussed and it was hoped that this was a final discussion on
the subject. Latest proposals were rejected by Directors.”
Taken from those that were forsaken their wanted position…
More appropriate to referee, such as a way of life.
We
re to 10 nil the huns. Wont treat it as being cheap though.Looking,feeling & tasting?
sevco begging through choice rather than necessity?
Because of that, skip the general terminal.
Ryan has secondhand jets on the back of his nape.
We are the Propellers .
sevco comparisons FC.
Retaliation is 4-6 weeks FFA/SFA.
Take a texta to his posters sevconians.
If Ryan misses the first couple of games shall we call him Puddin`?
sevconian for another.
Celt Cognac on the coast.
Grass is Green at Ibrox.
How is Rogic?
If Ryan Kent gets the one game, take up.
Fortunate knee Kent.
What
s a ban blow?Is Gary talking with a masked Mark McDougall?
The former Liverpool winger is due accidentally or deliberately thatll put the ball into his own net.
sevco for top 6.
Huns are to the Celtic FC seasonal contract.
The Rangers placed 7th. What, I couldn’t.
Their`re the home game,though at.
Did you notice the left back tackler?
KoKo,
The pitch is full of right footers back passers.Left is right on the weather. Big goals Neil.
Tik Tok snaps Leigh.
Add salt.
Neil
ll youll have the two of us.Do they remember seeing the ball at that distance? Some.
If. No need to look at the ball.
I
ve a jacket...Kris Commons has the range,though hey, Roy Keane is within the size of James Forests jacket.
How long is the game?
All good upgrading the site, but nothing new to read in couple of days. Absolute joke!!
Do we play sevco FC in France?
Here is why with them though it is them that think it is them?
We are with them.Who wants a lift?
Una, views/comments tend to be ‘each has his/her own’ on here and are freely allowed to voice them, or at least WERE. It’s proven to work, although there WILL be disapproval/slagging off etc.
To criticise the ‘main mhan’, Ralph, who gives up his time freely to entertain us, bring us decent news etc. is fukking out of order. Apart from occasional, reasonable comment, what do you pay or offer to this site? As I do in life, I expect to, and do, pay for privilege in whatever manner I can.
E-Tims IS a privilege. And it’s FREE. Point being here, until if/when you make a reasonable, financial contribution to the costs of running a site like this then I think you should shut the fuck up (as should all free-loading complainants) from that perspective. I’m NOT misogynistic and hence truly hope this doesn’t ‘get on your tits!’ (but if it does then that’s okay too) 🙂 Love and kisses…………
FC not PLC
HH
Una… I’m sure you could write an interesting piece to amuse all here
Good shout Weered. I added a comment yesterday but it’s fkn disappeared…..not new on here. Una has a point but doesn’t make it well, IMHO.
Ralph can’t be expected to devote huge amounts of time without some reasonable compensation; i.e. some contribution for his work. I’ve done a few ‘bits’ of that already on here and expect more would do similar. Anything worth reading is worth paying for and yet, no doubt, some of you pay for hun-loving shit in the form of the SM.
Anyway, I’ve had my ‘tuppence worth’, except to say that if Ralph and co. received some financial aid, we may STILL have The Diary for years to come. It’s unfair and unthinkable that someone, A GENUINE TRAVELLING CELTIC SUPPORTER, can be expected to produce diamonds from coal. IMHO, free-loaders are just like the scum; absolutely without class.
FC not PLC
HH
A codicil to my above comment about helping to pay for this eminent Tim site:
Any financial CONTRIBUTION to eTims will have zero effect on editorial policy or content. That will be, as now, at the sole discretion of Ralph and Co.
FC not PLC
HH
PS I suspect, but can anyone confirm, that Sevco were ‘helped’ in to the friendlies taking place in France just now under the pretence of some trophy?
Helped by none other than Peter (the Bastard) Lawwell?
The new huns just suddenly appeared here, as far as I know. If Peter the Bastard is STILL helping ”them’, he HAS to be outed and burned. Just my view.
Caption:
Etims reader passes through puberty while waiting for new Diary post.
I cried when I read this. The tears flowed freely, overcome with emotion I retired to my darkened bedroom
Just watching Das Boot on Sony Movies Classic: wouldn’t’ve last 20 minutes in a submarine with ma Da’s boots.
If Aberdeen was a horse we`d all stick a hundred on it.
Though Derek McInnes never delights.
Hayes eats oatmeal.
Jonny for first goal? 10 poond.