Menu Close

Celtic Diary Saturday July 13

After a tour that couldn’t have been more disappointing if Will.I Am. had been the opening act, Celtic head back for home with one or two things causing a little nervousness among the support.

Union Berlin swept Celtic aside with a 3-0 win, which means the hoops have now played four, lost four scored three and conceded twelve . These games are all about fitness, and the players have proved that , based on these performances, they are not fit to wear the shirt.

At least the travelling fans seemed to be having more fun, beer and fags in hand as they watched the game, but Celtic need a wee kick up the arse here. the reason they get asked to these places, and paid well for it, is because the fans turn up in numbers.

Brentfords executives will be glad they have already sold most of the tickets for next weeks friendly. Especially as a lot of ‘tic fans are staring at the ticket, then the bin, then back to the ticket….

With the uncertainty over Victor Wanyamas future now settled, supporters had hoped that everyone could relax and get on with the job of preparing for the Cliftonville game.

Not quite. Eyebrows went up when it emerged the clubs main striker-that is, the only one who can really be counted on to score-wasn’t even on the bench.

And so it proved, after the game, Neil Lennon sounded like he was having a hell of a summer;

“There has been interest in Gary from two clubs, QPR and Norwich, and I think that will rumble on for a week or so.

“Can I convince him to stay? It’s a difficult one. He’s not featured much for us this pre-season. He’s got a bit of catching up to do and I don’t know where his mind is at the minute.

“I’ve not had the chance to speak to him yet but it could be difficult for us to keep him.

“Has he played his last game for Celtic? Never say never, but it’s looking more and more that way just now.”

Asked about bringing in any new players Lennon added: “I’ve not spoken to Peter yet, we’ve done a lot of work on the Victor deal and we got there in the end.

“But I’d doubt we would get anyone in before Wednesday. I’ve no idea how much I will get from Wanyama. I’ll maybe have a better idea next week.”

If  Lennon and Lawwell have been  caught out by sudden outward movement of key players at arguably the most crucial point of the season, then they should both be hammered. Its not as if they were unaware the two could be moving on. If Hooper wants to stay, and his demands are along the lines of £25,000 a week, then he should have been sorted. Seriously, if Lennon and Lawwell don’t have a plan here, plans which are quite advanced, they want their arses kicking. Admitting they haven’t spoken about it yet is real feckin scary.

The £5m or so that will be received from whichever English nonentity will not buy a player of similar quality. Especially as any selling club will look at the money Celtic have taken in over the last twelve months.

Can’t help feeling that someone has made an almighty arse of this whole pre season.

But, the squad that remains, even without Hooper, should be enough to get through the qualifiers. If not , then at least a run in the Europa League. Which, granted,  would feel like a step backwards, but would have to do. Anything else and the sight of tumbleweed blowing across the Parkhead turf may become the lasting memory of this season.

Yes. I am panicking. Can anyone else put their hand on their hearts and not admit to at least a little alarm at the way things are going – on and off the field ? Everyone seems to be making it up as they go along. Thats alright if you are penning a diary on the interweb, but not when running a club which is a big part of thousands of peoples lives.

Its all very well having a policy of buying low and selling high. Thats what successful businesses do. However, extremely successful businesses re-invest, and continue to grow.

If Celtic go out and replace Wanyama and anyone else who goes with “prospects”, the club will not move forward, as the same thing will happen next year. Anyone who is any good will have his head turned and be off down south to live in a nice house and become just another footballer.

That is why stability is needed, somewhat urgently, or we will lose the recognition gained last season in Europe.

A balance needs to be found between putting an attractive and entertaining product on the park, whilst still paying the bills. With Champions League money from last year, and the money in from Wanyama, Lawwell may be risking a public stoning if Celtic fail to make the group stages.

When things are not going your way, and despite the wonderful sunshine, its hard to be completely cheerful this morning, so its important to have a wee chuckle at those less fortunate than ourselves.

Sevco have been drawn away to Forfar in the first round of the new re branded League Cup. ( Thats the first round. The big clubs don’t come in until later. ) Well, not re branded as such,  it hasn’t got a sponsor yet. Neil Doncaster, who promised to hit the ground running says he hopes something will turn up in yet another spectactular failure to deliver what he promised.

Remember, he got the job because he was good at this sort of thing. well, so he said.

Craig Mather has told Sevco fans that the club is on a sound financial footing, explaing that the £7m losses have been offset by the £22m share issue. And happily for the huns, Walter Smith has phoned him every day to ask him if he’s alright. Smith is currently on holiday, but it shows how commited he is when he rings up.

Meanwhile, Tam Cowan, who , along with equally unfunnyman Stuart Cosgrove hosts Radio Scotlands saturday lunchtime show “Off The Ball” also has a column in the once popular Daily Record.

Today he wants to know what the best piece of business in Scottish football was, after , in fairness, giving a decent and honest assessment of the Wanyama transfer.

His own thoughts drift to the signing of Davie Cooper, the liberal minded catholic loving winger who graced Fir Park when old club Rangers had no further use for him. He signed for £50,000, and according to Cowan, was instrumental in developing the likes of Tom Boyd, something which frankly, most of us would find unlikely-though if it is true, I would stand corrected. Absolutely flabbergasted, but corrected.

The best bit of business-well there are two-would be firstly the above mentioned Boyd leaving chelsea for Celtic, with Tony Cascarino heading the other way, and of course, Craig Whyte buying all that prime real estate for just a pound.

 

Benisgreenandwhite was correct when he attributed yesterdays quote to fruitcake forward Jorge Cadete. Today, I’ll tell you who said it, you tell me who he is on about.

Richard Steadman : “He is the bravest sportsman in the world. ”

 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
9 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Craiginho
10 years ago

I think that is Dr Richard Steadman, knee specialist, talking about John Kennedy. Big John should’ve been Celtic captain and that little bassa who stamped on him should’ve been jailed.

Krislowe
10 years ago

…and relax Ralph…..

lets not get too carried away wi some bad results with a squad of reserves and players trying to bed in, add to the fact he’s clownin wi that 3 at the back nonsense again(hate it) agree this is nt the build up we would have wanted, but this team regularly turned it on when needed last season

They ve earned some time and real games before we judge them at least

bhramblejelly
10 years ago

John Kennedy is the answer. I think Gordon Strachan said the same about him.

Slight (cough) undercurrent of panic in the diary today. Chill! The important result will be the aggregate at the end of the CL game.

With Hooper on his way we shd let him go & push out the boat for Rhodes. Now.

Maloolm
10 years ago

If we loose Hooper now we may as well shut Celtic park, try to push through a CVA and retire to the third division.

Charlie Saiz
10 years ago

Russell to Derby for 750k……

10 years ago

Ralph , I agree with some of your points, and I am also a wee bit worried, however I do not think for one minute that both Lenny and the smart suited one knew Who would be Leaving and also who they have in mind as RE placements. I hope I am correct in my assumption, also wanyama had to leave before he was replaced, he has only been gone a couple of days, hooper is still with us at the moment. I think Lenny and the suit deserve a lot of credit and we should keep the faith. They have done us proud so far fingers n toes crossed that they actually have a plan H H

Frank McGaaaaarvey
10 years ago

If Hoops doesn’t want to stay, as is clearly the case, then just get him out the door to the highest bidder of a team who will never ever compete on the European stage. Just like big Vic has done. I don’t mean that to sound like a bitter comment as I genuinely wish him all the best, but you either want to be at Celtic or you don’t and if you don’t then get to feck and let the rest of us get on with it.

We will get past Cliftonville and then the al challenge begins. I just hope Lenny can settle on his strongest XI and, injuries permitting, stick with that. Let’s please have less of the Mr Tinkerman squad-rotation chaos.

All this aside, the time for judgment is when the REAL stuff begins next week.
COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN.

10 years ago

Could,nt agree more, come on the hoops

willie tim 67
10 years ago

just read that twat keevins in mail he can’t even get his facts right,claims the zombies are playing albion rovers in league cup when it’s forfar what a fanny

Follow us on Twitter @ETimsNet