Anthony Stokes has commited himself to Celtic for the next three years. He signed a new contract yesterday, and seems quite happy with his lot;
“I’m absolutely delighted and I’m just looking forward to the next few seasons,” he told the club’s official website. “I’m just glad to get it out of the way and I can concentrate on my football.
“I’ve been happy enough with the way it’s gone for me this season. I’d have liked a few more goals by now but that’ll come.
“Overall, I’ve been delighted. I’m enjoying my football and I’m hoping this just helps me kick on.”
Stokes, now back in the Ireland team, looked forward to the future with Celtic;
“As a striker you want to be getting over 20 goals a season and that’s always the aim, but I don’t focus on it too much.
“I didn’t realise this season that I’d scored my 50th goal. It wasn’t something that preyed on my mind until I thought ’that’s me halfway there’, so it’s something else to aim for.
“I’ve a long way to go to reach 100 so we’ll just take it game by game and see how it goes. At the moment I’m buzzing at signing the deal and I’ll be well up for Saturday’s game against Dundee United.”
Hopefully, he can now settle down and enjoy his football, and perhaps stop trying so hard.
Georgios Samaras has also reached a milestone with the club, his strike against Partick was his fiftieth goal in the league, and seventieth overall. All wel and good, but its not that many for a Celtic forward, considering how long they’ve been here. Samaras and Joe Ledley are the next two that Lennon hopes to get tied down, and after that, he will try to sort them a new contract.
Aiden McGeady, ( remember him ? ) will be leaving Moscow Spartak as soon as a suitable offer is received by the Russian club. Everton are interested, but don’t be surprised if he signs a pre contract in january with his first love. By doing that, he would get a decent wage, and Celtic would get a much more mature player than the one that left a few years ago. He is married now, and has spoken of moving closer to home. If he’s up for it, Celtic would be foolish not to at least try and get him.
Someone else who seems happy at Celtic, apart from Stokes, that is, is Amido Balde, who gives the impression that there is a decent striker in there somewhere struggling to get out. anyway, even without Jorge Cadete helping him out, Balde is looking to learn;
“I have spoken to the manager and he knows what I am doing,” he told the club’s official website.
“I am happy as the manager is doing a lot of work with me to make me become the player I need to be.
“Since arriving the manager has been working with me to improve certain things like my movement, finishing and, in general, being a better attacker. I am just here to learn and do what the coach wants.”
Although it is a bit worrying that when Celtic bought him, all that was needed was some work on his movement and finishing. You’d have thought he’d have already had those skills. To be fair, Cadete, who touted himself for a coaching job yesterday, was more than above average in both of those departments, and as a bonus, he speaks Portuguese, and so might have more chance of making himself understood to the big man.
The only problem, of course, is that Cadete is just as likely to start talking about spacemen and elves as he is football.
Jorge was having problems with his then girlfriend, and lost the plot a little. Wouldn’t have bothered me. Mainly because they would have needed a crane to get me off her in the first place.
The interest from Barcelona in Fraser Forster may well have dissipated with the Catalans agreeing a deal for Borussia Moenchengladbach keeper Marc Andre ter Stegen. He’s 21, a full German international, and will cost the tippy tappers £8.5m.
Prior to that , Barca midfielder Xavi had described Forster as “world class “, saying the big fellow would fit in at the Nou Camp, which shows how much the management tell the players over there.
Tony Vidmar, an Australian who used to play for former rivals Rangers-the first one-has given his opinion on the international future of Tom Rogic, the promising young midfielder learning his trade at Celtic.
Surely if an opinion on the lad is required, and it has to be an Aussie, why not ask Scott MacDonald, or Mark Viduka-oh wait, maybe Vidmar isn’t such a bad idea; ( from the Evening Times, a guy called John McGill-nothing to do with buses. Probably. )
” they ( Australia ) have a new boss in Ange Postecoglou and Vidmar – who is now manager of Australia’s youth teams – reckons Rogic is in danger of missing out unless Neil Lennon starts playing him.
Vidmar said: “He hasn’t had much game time and it’d be frustrating for him.
“It’s up to Ange to see if he’s going to throw him in there.
“Do you need to be playing regularly for your club as a prerequisite or is Ange going to go with the best players irrespective of game time?
“When you’re an established player you’ve got a good chance of getting into the first team, but Tom’s at an age where he’s still developing.
“Is it the right environment where he can develop? I don’t know. We’ll know in the next few years.”
Er, thanks, Mr Vidmar. That was well worth the phone call.
The new ticket office opens this morning, which is the next step in the redevelopment around the ground. the old one and the school will be cordoned off and demolished, work beginning after the game on saturday.
Already, accident and injury lawyers are taking up their pitches near the building.
Just cover it with tarmac, Celtic. Thats a mess.
Congratulations are offered to Scotlands newest club, Second Rangers who reached a cup final for the first time in their history with a battling win over Stenhousemuir last night. Referee Bobby Madden created chance after chance for the nervous team, and they finally grabbed a winner in front of a live tv audience on BBC Alba that could have been numbered in the dozens.
It looks like the sudden success has gone to a few of their fans heads as they discuss possible venues for the final..
In that game they will face Turnbull Huttons Raith Rovers, which means the destination of the prestigious Ramsdens Cup is by no means certain. Raith will be more than up for the game, and should start as favourites. Well, for most of us they will be.
Speaking of Second Rangers, their pet poodle in the media was forced to slightly alter his story when the London Stock Exchange pointed out that it wasn’t entirely truthful first time round. This from the Guardians Roy Greenslade, a grown up serious journalist from England,
Daily Record changes Rangers story after stock exchange intervenes
The Daily Record’s changing online headlines over Rangers storyThe Daily Record scored an own goal with its latest story about Rangers football club. It was obliged by the stock exchange to alter its online headline and run amended copy.The paper’s article concerned the likely arrival at the troubled club of a former director, Dave King, who is eager to become its chairman.
But he has convictions in South Africa over tax evasion and there has been speculation about whether the stock exchange would permit him to take a board position.
The rest of the article is here;
Jack Irvine, at mediahouse has been rather quiet lately. Could there be another storm on the way ?
And then Charlotte Fakes released this;
Charlotte Fakes III @CharlotteFakes3 5m Rule I38 set to be invoked should Rangers not hand over £250,000.00 to the SPFL.http://spfl.co.uk/docs/067_324__therulesofthespfl_137 5800603.pdf … #EBT #RamsdensCashGrab
Heres the rule
I38
If any Club defaults in making payment of any sum or sums due to the Companyand/or to another Club the Board shall be entitled to apply any sums which,including in terms of Rules and/ or the Articles, would
otherwise be payable to the
defaulting Club by the Company in discharge of any debt due by such Club indefault to the Company and/or such other Club in such manner as the Board shall
determine.
Which could be this;
” Oldco Rangers have been handed a fine of £250,000 following an investigation into undisclosed payments to players but the club will not be stripped of any titles.
A Scottish Premier League-appointed independent commission – chaired by Lord Nimmo Smith – imposed the fine after finding the Ibrox side guilty of failing to make proper disclosure of side-letter arrangements during 2000-2011. ”
which could be the first steps toward this;
Sorry to mention that lot at such length, but its important to laugh at those less fortunate than oneself.
On the eleventh of February , 1983, a 40,000 crowd saw Celtic win 5-0 to go through with a 5-2 aggregate score.
Three first-half goals by Burns, McAdam and McClair set up a great second half and further goals by McLeod and McGarvey sealed a tremendous victory and a great ovation from the home support.
The Sporting Lisbon manager that night ? Jo Venglos.
The Celtic wiki has a great page on this game, one of my favourites from throughout the years.
Bit more difficult this one, but it was another memorable night from the early eighties. Who, what , when ?
Bonus point if you spell it right…
Incidentally, its Halloween tomorrow,and that means loads of bloody kids pestering at the door for sweeties. I’m going to see if this pumpkin puts them off.
Apparently it is Aberdeen and Dundee Utd pushing for the fine to be paid. Caltic are not.
Raymobhoy
Think you got the quiz wrong there mate. I know it looked like we were playing two teams at once then but that is definitely not Aberdeen & Dundee Utd. 🙂
H H
Well i dont see why not, we used to play the Old Rangers and the SFA at the same time.
The club should be on to the authorities right away stating that under no circumstances will we allow the pawnbrokers final to be played at Celtic Park
Diosgyor Miskolc – 6-0
If Lennon is teaching our strikers finishing, it might explain a few things …
Its worse, its Danny McGrain who is tutoring Balde!
Celtic 6, Good, Sick or Slimy (<anag) 0 . Do I get an extra bonus point?
Ramsdens Cup. If we are asking Ajax for 25 grand for the cost of damaged seats, is the 250k Charlotte quotes above being asked to cover the damage for any Sevco fans visiting Parkhead.
Its a competition for lower tier clubs, play it at a lower tier stadium. Tynecastle could do with the cash. Sorted.
Desi
Aye, and it looks like the SFA thought Ibrox needed a wee lift too with their choice of Semi final venue for BOTH!
I wonder if there will be a 50% ticket increase to cover for asbestos removal. Oh, forgot the poisonous material was removed in 2012.
H H
I did say in a podcast that I feared the SFA would try their best to help bump up the coffers and keep the cashflow going as the season money ebbs away. So thats 2 games near the end of season…handy that eh…with rental charges, hospitality and and pure cash catering profits…nice wee weekend for the Ibrox carpetbaggers and no mistake.
Why dod they not have various contigency plans for games around the country…Imagine if Dundee Utd are playing Aberdeen?…Caley vs Ross County..or Hibs v Hearts…is there any need for it to be at Ibrox?…not exactly the same “Major games should always be at Hampden” argument is it? Even worse, imagine if Sevco are there. Sorry, ive taken that too far.
Well done Campbell, managed to do the press release without collapsing in laughter at how yet again, its the same old same old.
Has Stokesy started his hair transplant treatment yet? In a couple of months he’ll come out the tunnel looking like Tom Huddlestone which may affect his heading ability, or maybe not as it doesn’t currently exist.
Congrats indeed to Sevco. A final in only your 2nd full season of professional football is not to be sniffed at. They may even be making a realistic challenge for a Europa League place in about 10 years time should they survive the current harsh financial climate. A suitable venue for the final? How about on top of Mount Everest?
I don’t want to ask what that is in the pumpkin’s mouth in the pic above. I’ll ask my old chum Jerry Sadowitz if he knows!
Whatever happened to Sadowitz? I always thought he was hilarious.
I would be quite happy for if Celtic Park hosted the ramsdens final, the repair bill could be the final nail in their coffin
He’s still going very strong Doc and still as jaw-achingly funny and sick as ever as you would expect. He always comes back to play his hometown (without the sentimentality) during the comedy festival. I would highly recommend going to see him but if you’re easily offended or prudish in the slightest way then get tae f*ck or go see Michael McIntyre.
And big Dave Robertson was on the bench – who he ? – well Celtic at the time had Packie Bonner and Roy Baines, 2
non jocks as goalies – and there was a limit on foreigners rule then.
There was a stroy in the Post about the scotsman, irishman and englishman – and sadly for dave that was this only exposure to glory . . .
Recommended films for Halloween
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6111/7024842477_61fb0f83f2_b.jpg
see were being sent to the lanarkshire bigot dome on a friday night,though they kept that slot for the diddy teams bloody ridiculous
Thought this might interest some of you:
http://www.ftadviser.com/2013/10/30/regulation/regulators/aberdeen-am-tax-avoiding-bonus-scheme-shut-by-hmrc-YooLt3n4xEFcu5FByr1sWO/article.html
HMRC quotes:
David Gauke, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: “The government has made almost £1bn available to HMRC to tackle avoidance and evasion and to ensure that the minority who try to avoid their responsibilities pay the tax due.
“This scheme, like so many others, was a waste of time and money. The tribunal decision sends a clear message to anyone who is tempted to use avoidance schemes: HMRC will pursue you and you’re likely to end up having to pay the tax due, interest and the promoter’s fees as well.”
Jim Harra, director general for business tax at HMRC, added: “This decision will be a big help when we come to argue other cases that are currently in the courts.
“We hope this success will encourage more companies to cut their losses and come forward to settle their EBT liabilities on the basis that this kind of avoidance scheme does not work.”
What’s that coming over the hill, its the Tax Man its the Tax Man
EvilGenius9
Very interesting piece. My only worry is it took about 5 minutes for the link to open. I only hope it doesn’t take HMRC equivalently long to come down this side of the hill. There could just be a third division team in Europe by the time they got to the bottom of it all. Annan are doing well, I hear.
H H
I was thinking that might have been the game against Politchnica Timisoara, but that was only memorable for the farcical away game. Anyone remember that? My mum let me stay off school to watch it. Never was a referee so obviously bribed as the Greek boy in this game. If I remember right Danny McGrain won the toss but he let them both kick off and pick which end they wanted to play first half. McGarvey and someone else got sent off for nothing and I seem to remember John Clark got banned from the dugout for a while because he nearly lamped the ref after the game.
btw was that really Cadete’s bird? What I’d give to get a shot of that, makes me depressed
Ralph
Thank you for the memories. If my mind has not gone altogether, we had a great night after the dancing at the Trocadero. She hasn’t changed a bit though she was less tanned. I only wish she had given up the cigars.
Well, at long last we have Stokes handcuffed – he should be comfortable with that – Sammy in a pipeline and Joe Ledley checking train fares to Cardiff while McGeady looks up flight times from Moscow to , well nearer home, you say. All good stuff and a bit more realistic than the paper exclusives. After all these years I now know why my mother cut the Record into hand sized squares and left them in the loo. It was obviously to get more news about the family. It makes the memory less rash than it was at the time.
That is what I call a ticket office. A building that looks more clapped out than the old school they are pulling down. It is obviously not quite finished given the surrounding midden isn’t ready yet. Just like Celtic to show a bit of class when accommodating its supporters.
Still, it could be worse. Just think of the poison we will be breathing should we get to the cup semis. I suppose you could always look at it as a final trip to the latest Glasgow mausoleum. As long as we have 22 Van Helsings for mascots we should be ok. The SFA could always buy it for £250,000 given there is a similar amount “floating” around Govan somewhere. On the other hand, they could ask the king for it.
By the way, there is nothing wrong with Murderwell on a Friday night. Well, nothing that isn’t wrong for the other 6 days and nights as well – and Asda’s open late.
Quiz: I remember the 6-0 and Dr. Joe being the manager at the time. But other than that, the mind is a blank, as usual. As for names, I hardly remember Rangers – well they have been gone so long now. I really admire you young guys that can recall the small details. I used to have to ask the score on the way out and I was T total – well when I was skint anyway and that was most of the time.
H H
Having looked at young Pukki over the past few games I cannot help but notice the similarity in style of play between him and Stokes?
One wonders who actually scouted Pukki and decided I know we are selling Hooper (a poacher and penalty box striker) why dont we sign Pukki (a supporting striker who prefers to drop deep and run at defenders)?
Stokes to my mind already does a very good job doing that and I feel both he and Pukki are tripping each other up playing the same game.
I would prefer to see Balde starting first with Stokes and playing the lead role with Stokes in attendance supplying the bullets and then Pukki just to see if we cannot get a better partnership forming with two very different styles of players which inturn makes the job of marking them both that bit much more difficult.
No feckin rocket science after all is it?
Pukki could be dropping back to try and get into the game. Im with Ralph, i think he has shown promise, ball just one bobble away at times, and needs more time, especially to appreciate the SPFL rough and tumble and also to comprehend what the Scottish referees allow in respect to “close marking”. Happy to judge him from January. I know, i know that we shouldnt be in such a state up front of course.
Pukki and stokes may be similar but not quite the same. Pukki isnt offside 20 time per half. Balde the work in progress will be interesting, hate that work in progress thought but he can shoot on target so fingers crossed hs isnt forgot about when Lawwell hands Lenny his pocket money next summer and says “Any striker from the bottom shelf”
I normally give strikers a good 3-6 months before making my mind up myself Desi but on early showing I just don’t get the feeling he is anything special in the making though his first touch is normally good which is a good sign I suppose?
I cannot see any of the current strike force matching Hoopers strike rat myself I think we need to be spending a bit more to achieve that level myself.
Time will tell of course…
Ok off top of head here but game v Hungarians Diosgyori Mysgolch or something similar in ECWC which we won 6-1
I like the Huns discussion forum. Can you make it a regular feature….Hun Havering, maybe?