Confirmation yesterday that Adam Matthews will miss three months and undergo surgery on his collarbone after being on the end of a Keith Lasley tackle.
Last night, a club spokesman said;
“Adam saw a specialist and he will undergo shoulder surgery on Wednesday.
“It’s likely that he will be out for between 10 and 12 weeks.
“Everyone at Celtic sends their best wishes to Adam ahead of the surgery and for the weeks ahead.”
Thats all we can do , really. wish him all the best. He’ll miss the remainder of the group games in the Champions League, but will be back after Christmas for the knockout stages. Which is a fairly optimistic statement. He’ll be back, but will Celtic still be playing European football in the New Year ?
Sure we will.
Jackson Irivine, who shone in a pre season game against Liverpool, has been handed an international call up. The youngster is in Paris where he joins up with the Australian national side;
“It’s going to be a great experience I’m really looking forward to it,” said Irvine, who is on-loan at Kilmarnock for the season from Scottish giants Celtic.
“It’s a very nice surprise and wasn’t really something I was expecting so I’m just going to look to make the most out of it.
“There are so many boys that are in their very early twenties and even younger still that haven’t quite been given the chance for the first team yet but I’m sure they will eventually.”
It surprised a lot of us. I didn’t even know he was Australian. Still, its a great chance for him to book a place on the plane to Brazil, as the Socceroos have already qualified for next years finals.
Another youngster, Calum MacGregor is making a name for himself at Notts County, and is fairly keen to extend his loan there until the end of the season.
“I’ve not spoken about it (extending his loan), but if we keep climbing the table then there’s no reason why not,” said the midfielder.
“I’m still enjoying my football here. Maybe the club [Celtic] will come to an agreement that Notts County want to keep me and I’ll just see what happens.”
And for McGregor, Chris Kiwomya’s role as manager at the club could be key to any decision about his loan deal being extended into 2014.
He added: “He’s tireless and he has a great work ethic – you can start to see that with the performances starting to turn around.
“He’s been first class – he wasn’t getting too down and knew he had good players in there so he’s just trying to get the best out of them.
“That’s credit to him, sometimes when the chips are down then you can give in a wee bit but he never. It’s been brilliant.”
Maybe thats a policy which could pay dividends further down the line, sending players out to “toughen up ” with competitive football, and getting ourselves a better player back, and not having to break the bank.
All of this could soon be irrelevant , though, as Campbell Ogilvie, the SFA peppermint, has announced plans which could lead to Celtic becoming the worlds richest club within about an hour and a half. One expert gave us his impression of how revenue and profits would increase
Ogilvie wants to see drink allowed at the football again, and will hold talks with police, politicians and anyone else he can think of to push for a sensible policy on drinking at the ground.
‘Going back to 1980 when the ban first came in, this comes up every few years.
‘But over the years the corporate hospitality side within grounds has expanded and (alcohol is sold at grounds) within other sports, like rugby.
‘Football evolves, it has changed over the years, and a lot of issues in football are perceptions, or perceived problems.
‘Look at Friday night football. There were perceived issues but Friday night football came in and I don’t think there’s been any problems with it.
I’m sure if alcohol is ever brought into the stadia, it would be evaluated very carefully.
‘And if there were any issues thereafter it would soon be rescinded.
‘But the key issues is satisfying the safety authorities, the police, local authorities and government.
‘The only way it will happen is if collectively all the constituents are satisfied.
‘And if people were satisfied that all areas were covered then the SFA would be bound to consider it.
Ogilvie, who has lost an enormous amount of credibility due to his alleged involvement in the Ibrox financial scandal has had to do something to restore his credibilty (restore ? – Ed ) and seeing as how his snout is too far in the Ibrox trough, this customer friendly idea could help him stay in a job-at least until the police ask him to help with their enquiries once the old Ibrox board finally get invited to a chat about their accounting abilities.
Forster has the potential to provide a similar competition for Hart’s starting place, but the only way to ensure that he is a credible challenger is to give him the opportunity of playing some real competitive games.
People may claim that these qualifiers are too important to be making changes in key personnel, but the only way that Forster will seem like a realistic option is to play him in games that matter, not just friendly matches.
If Hart were to get a serious injury during or right before the World Cup itself, the options to replace him with a player who’s played for the Three Lions before are pretty scarce.
Forster has managed to become England’s number two goalkeeping option without ever playing. England are going to want to give him a game at some point – preferably at a moment of Hodgson’s choosing rather than when forced into it on the biggest stage of all.
Once again, if you really want someone you can rely on, someone whose England experience is useful, then that means that you have to play them in an important competitive match, not just a friendly.
3. His Form is Extremely Consistent
While Hart has shown an alarming lack of consistency over the last few months, Forster has been a solid and reliable presence in goal throughout his career.
Whether at Norwich in the Football League or Celtic in the Scottish Premier League, Forster has always kept clean sheets. His entire career record is 211 games and 106 clean sheets, meaning he doesn’t concede in 50% of games.
Of course you could point to how Hart is competing in the higher standard English Premier League, but let’s not forget that Rickie Lambert was able to carry his good League One scoring record up to the Championship, the Premiership, and an England career that features two goals in three games.
Stepping up a level doesn’t automatically mean a decline in quality of performance.
Looking at the one competition in which both Forster and Hart competed together, the Champions League in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, Forster has kept 9 clean sheets in 20 games, conceding 19 goals, while Hart has kept 2 in 8 games, conceding 14 goals.
This gives Forster a 45% clean sheet record to Hart’s 25% and all this with Hart playing behind a much stronger defence.
2. He Comes Recommended By The Best
In the build up to the Champions League match between Celtic and Buffon’s Juventus last year, Buffon suggested that Forster had the potential to be one of the best young keepers in the world, describing him as a keeper with authority and confidence who didn’t look like making any mistakes.
With mistakes being the big talking point after Hart’s performance against Bayern Munich, Buffon has once again weighed in this week to say:
“I think it is time now for England to give Forster a chance. He has proved he can handle the big games and the pressure situations. If the England coach is picking his team on form then Fraser is his only option
1. He Has Performed Exceptionally In Big Games
The biggest argument against playing Forster in the games that will decide whether England make it to the World Cup is that, with no previous England caps and a regular job in the Scottish Premier League, he doesn’t have the necessary big game experience.
Sure, the Scottish league has managed the remarkable feat of being even less competition for Celtic since Glaswegian rivals Rangers were forcibly relegated in 2012, but Celtic’s Champions League campaigns have allowed them to compete at the highest level.
While Hart’s Man City crashed out of the 2012-13 competition without winning a single game, it was Celtic that progressed from the Qualifying Rounds to the Last 16.
In particular last season’s campaign was memorable for a brilliant 2-1 victory against Barcelona. Forster was the hero on that occasion, making a string of superb saves to preserve the Bhoys’ lead.
Forster was so unbeatable that the Spanish media dubbed him “La Gran Muralla”, “The Great Wall”.
This wasn’t a one off performance either. While Hart was blundering his way through the Bayern Munich game, 10 man Celtic were given a rematch against Barcelona.
Barca dominated possession but were held to a single goal, winning 1-0. It could have been more but for Forster whose impressive double save from Neymar and Alexis Sanchez in the dying minutes strengthened the case for his England inclusion at just the right moment.
Given this kind of major international experience, the ability to handle Neymar, Messi and company, Forster should be pretty prepared for whatever Montenegro could throw at him.
Thats a very , very good article which, apart from the bit about Rangers being “forcibly relegated ” , should set minds thinking down south.
Whilst I want Forster to succeed internationally, at least as long as he is with Celtic, I fear for him being thrown in as a desperate replacement for Hart. If it all goes wrong, he would be the scapegoat.
However, if it goes right for him, he would be the hero. And I guess thats what all footballers want.
You can read the full article here-Forster article , but if you do, don’t show it to Roy Hodgson.
Those of you who like to be more cerebral about the game might be interested in an evening with Spanish football expert Graham hunter, who will be at the Glasgow Film theatre to talk about his new book, and other things. Details here-graham hunter event
The three players pictured in yesterdays diary, Paul Lambert, Henrik Larsson and Kenny Dalglish all won the big cup with other teams, as well as serving the hoops with distinction as players.
Today, heres some more with a common link..
Finally, one or two of you may have noticed a debate raging over the content of the Daily Mail newspaper, which has been acused of being overly right wing, bordering even on racism. I had a wee look today to see if theres anything in it. Adnan Januzaj burst onto the scene this weekend with a couple of goals for struggling Manchester Utd. So, who is he ?
Daily Mirror – “Januzaj can play for England”
The Sun – “Januzaj can play for England”
Daily Express – “Januzaj can play for England”Daily Mail – “Mass influx of foreign Muslim youths threatens England National Team”
Speaking of the extreme right wing, I see Prince William has played in a football match at Buckingham Palace to celebrate his family doing FA for the last 150 years. Or something like that. Surprised the game didn’t get more publicity, really.
All played for Middlesbrough and the hoops
All it needed was a pic of Rolando Ugolini
Mike Anus?
that would have made it too easy.
Shite! I was gonnae say Middlesbrough but got beaten to the draw. However, I do like saying shite – I’m a big fan of Sellic & Toilet humour, but not always necessarily in that order, so I’ll say it again – SHITE! Also, the link between the 3 is also that 2 of the 3 playes pictured were keech or had refernces to shite in their name namely:-
a) Blobby Murdoch (not shite – but a wee bit plump)
b) Steven McANUS
c) Tollie Mowbray
Chilsish? Moi?
.
Surely Ogilvie is only pushing for alcohol in grounds in order to try and get money into Rangers coffers.
If its Boro…why no Juninho…oh he didnt ever actually PLAY for Celtic did he?
See huns 2 are trying to get some dough from a tax dodging South African, they should changer name to TAX DODGERS UTD
If we are going to be allowed a pint at the game
Celtic must install this system http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiu_IX14wLI
I don’t think this would work with my pint of Guinness!
Has anybody heard anything about a Mr watt not turning up to training? Don’t know if I’m helping to spread a vicious rumour or uncovering a story.
Also the royal family are the ideal representatives for English football! Overpaid elitists who have nothing in common with everyday people and are still worshipped by the public. Viva revolution
Murdoch,McManus,Mowbray – all begin with M – worth a try :0)
Have they all “taken it on the chin” or was that just one of them. From what I have heard of Bobby Murdoch if you gave him one on the chin he would rip your entire face off. Then go for a jovial pint with you after the match.
Whilst I am frustrated with Celtic’s strategy in the transfer market at times imagine how it must be for Lenny. He builds up what is beginning to resemble a Champions League quarter-final team at least only to have it all dismantled in front of him, albeit for a big return. A fraction of which he gets to replace those class players with. I’m sure he knew the stipulations of the job when he took it but it can’t make it any easier for him, especially with the pressure of yearly CL qualification hanging over him.
Since no one else has said anything and just in case it was intended to impress..Nice Font change Ralph!
On a more serious and depressing note I fear that in my old age I’m developing altzemerrs, alkiseltezrs, alkitimers, that disease where you can’t remember stuff, including how to spell the thing. The reason I have this fear is because I really really can’t remember the other first team player who left in the summer. I’m thinking Judge Hooper and the Kenyan Fenian but you mentioned them. I could google it but where’s the fun in that. I’m going to have to go run through the Celtic team of last year in my head over a coffee and a fag. Someone help.
Senile Dementia Rules O. ? erm, something or other. BTW I suspect you’ve already googled it, but …. Could it be?…
His 1st name is the same as a famous hall in Glasgow’s west end, opposite the Art Galleries.
His surname is the same as a Labour prime Minister from the 60’s who went Scilly (<sic) every summer
On the quiz is the answer that they are all grumpy, ignorant sods? Now I don’t know about McMannus and Mowbray but 20 odd years ago I used to work for an estate agent in Glasgow and was sent out to value Bobby Murdochs house in Bailleston. I couldn’t wait to meet him and look about the place but he was a miserable, rude, ignorant swine…very disappointing.
On the topic of coming face to face with Celtic players, the 2 most genuine, polite and down to earth blokes I’ve ever met, while they were still players were Tommy Burns and Andy Walker.
They all LEFT Celtic to join Middlesbrough. Bobby Murdoch had severe kidney trouble in his later years, maybe that made him a bit grumpy.
Is it that they are all still better than Gary Caldwell?
Nae daily diary the day. Is it internationals week or summit?
Ralph
Hope all is ok? Give us a hint. Very concerned as it is not like you.
H H
My cravings for hoopy gossip and news is abated by my concern for Ralph’s absence 🙁
Back tomorrow-one or two things required urgent attention today. Many apologies
Nae borra Ralph. No need to apologise for having a life. BTW. Kudos on the new font!
Er, what new font ?
DOH! It’s me being stoopid. It was only an extnesive quote in a different font. As I said earlier, sSenile Dementia Rools O. erm something or other
just seen it. It came out different from the others, and I have no idea why.
Phew! thought it was going to cost me for chocies and flowers!!
Glad it is nothing serious.
H H
Dinnae apologise Ralph, we’re spoiled to have the daily diary anyway, especially of such quality. Hope whatever it is has been all sorted.
ime juust off the SFM and they are talking about why the animals always got a covered end and we didnae well my auld da used to tell me was water or soap dont go with animalism GBTGB
I WISH MY DA WAS ALIVE TO SEE THESE LOVELY DAYS OF LAUGHING AT THE DELUDED GBTGB