Celtic Diary Friday December 20

We’ve had a note from a Mr. Jock Tamson asking if we could refrain from claiming to be his bairns. He’s having a bit of trouble with the CSA.

An SSN reporter had an embarrassing moment at the Second Rangers AGM ( more of that later-I like to finish on a high note ) when he asked a young lad outside the ground what Father Christmas was bringing him

” I’m sorry, ” said the wee lad ” what do you mean ”

” You know, Father Christmas, presents ”

” You’ve lost me. Whats a Father ? ”

The guy in the picture is the highly rated  USA striker Aron Johanssen, targeted by Neil Lennon as the club look to rake in money from having players with great big long names on their shirts. Since Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink left, the club shop has seen a downturn in profits, and the PLC has made it a priority to replace him. With Hombert Fridjonsson already here, it looks like the exit door for the scarcely lettered Balde and Pukki.

Johanssen is an old pal of Alfred Finnbogasson, who still may be on Lennons radar, -they came through the ranks together, but he is unpopular in Iceland, having chosen to play for the USA where he was born after learning his trade in the little country in the north.

In the latest edition of Voetbal International in the Netherlands is an interview with Alfred Finnbogason player Aron Jóhannsson Heerenveen and AZ Alkmaar midfielder. deals with the fact that they grew up together in Grafarvogur at the time. Alfred was born in 1989 and Aaron is a year younger. They both entered against the Netherlands, but Alfred’s top scorer in the league with sixteen goals while Aaron is number four with ten pieces. The magazine also published a funny picture of the companies with Gianluca Zambrotta former Italian national team player but the picture was taken when Italy Iceland could Laugardalsvelli 2004

The picture has proved impossible to copy, so you’ll have to use your imagination.

The text  has been google translated , so might not make a lot of sense. a bit like Celtic being in for a £5m player, really.

The Record seems to think he’s valued at £2.4m, and that AZ 67 boss Dick Advocaat is reluctant to sell, but his team needs money in desperately, and old pal David Murray isn’t answering his calls.

Advocaat, of course was formerly the boss at First Rangers, but is reluctant to discuss it.

Although he did offer his thoughts on current boss Ally McCoist;

Lazio sporting director Igli Tare says his side are not interested in Georgios Samaras;

“I have not talked to British newspapers,” he told Lalaziosiamonoi.

“We are focused on the challenge of Hellas Verona this weekend, there is time later for the (transfer) market.

“But Samaras? Currently, he is not a goal of Lazio.”

So, Hull it is then.

In one of his increasingly rare ventures into the papers, former captain Tom Boyd says Celtic should cash in on the Greek, and avoid losing him for nothing;

“Sammi is being linked with other clubs and is coming to the end of his contract.

“If he’s not going to sign a new deal then we could find ourselves in the position of not having a replacement.

“So if he was to go just now then it would bring in money and give the club time to bring someone in. If that can be done in this window then it gives the player the chance to bed in for next season’s vital Champions League qualifiers.

“It’s a similar situation to Gary Hooper where the club earned money by selling him rather than let him run down the last year of his contract.

“So if someone comes in with decent money for Samaras then we’d just need to accept it. Joe Ledley is in a similar position and you can’t risk losing players as good as them for nothing.”

Notice the way Tom still refers to the club as “we ” ! Which is probably why he isn’t on the telly more often. I have this image of him lamping Pat Nevin or Craig Burley after one of their burbling rants firmly in my head. Or being caught swearing about a referee when his mic is still on.

Celtic face Hearts in the Saturday lunchtime game for the benefit of Sky TV tomorrow, which means an early early start for those of us travelling. I’ve been assured by the club that the game will not be cancelled to accommodate a friendly somewhere on the other side of the world. These days its wise to do that before you fill up with diesel.

( Craig Swan in the Record actually makes a good point about travelling fans, or those who have had tickets for cancelled games as Christmas presents, , but its so far into a piss poor article that you might have missed it – craig swan article )

Before the game, I’m going to toddle over to the foodbank collection as our CSC adds its  wee bit to the cause. What foodbank collection ? I hear you holler .

This foodbank collection. And if you could do your wee bit, and tell everyone you know, the organisers would appreciate it.

Strangely enough, this event hasn’t been given the same amount of publicity that the recent dawn raids have, presumably because theres no mileage in praising the Celtic Support.

Or is it our own fault for not tipping the press photographers off, like either the club or police did when they arrested those lads for breaking the seats at Fir Park ?

I’m not condoning the vandalism, its completely and utterly inexcusable, but press photographers outside the house at dawn ? Thankfully, I live in North Staffordshire, and not North Korea. Which is apparently where they woke up yesterday morning.

Strathclyde police have released pictures of their new football task force, as they increase pressure on fans to watch the game on telly instead.

There is also a specialist Air Support vehicle at the ready, should it be needed;

Back to the game, and Assistant boss Johann Mjallby warned his players that it won’t be as easy against the Edinburgh side as it was last time. Which means James Forrest is in line to play, presumably. Mikael Lustig won’t be playing. In fact, after his operation he will be out for at least four months, which is a blow. The big likeable Swede has been arguably our best player this season, and we can only hope he picks up where he left off when he comes back.

Mjallby said, of the game;

“the main thing is not for us to go in and think it’s going to be 7-0 all over again. That’s the worrying thing and something we need to press home, as we can’t go into the game thinking it will be easy.

“It’s never easy to win football games. We really need to be spot on, try to play with the tempo with which we have done lately away from home, make sure our passing is right and our full-backs are going forward.

“Goals change games, so obviously if we are solid at the back then we can push forward and focus on going ahead attacking-wise.

“We will really have to work hard and make sure we earn the right to play our football.

“We always respect everyone who comes here to play us. But we know we have good enough players, and if they play well enough, we should get the three points.”

He sounded like he didn’t enjoy giving that interview. Judging by his hair he was not given any notice of it either.

Really, where is the dignity ? We all know that a short back and sides and a shave makes all the difference in management, and when you face the fans its important to make the right impression.

In this video, a smartly turned out Ibrox board and manager face their fans. Who don’t seem to appreciate the effort they have put in.

Second Rangers first AGM

One of their wannabe directors gave us this  brief summary of what happened.

” The bawz burst ”

It certainly is. The current board, currently running the company/club/traincrash at a loss of £1m per month has been given a whole hearted vote of approval from the shady investors, largely because they are merely fronts for them.

If they are being backed , it is because they are doing exactly what the investors want them to do.

So, whats next ?

It appears that there is a bit of confusion in the papers.

Lets clear that up with a series of pictures, which also doubles as todays quiz. See if you can work out exactly what I’m predicting will happen down in Edmiston Drive…

We shouldn’t laugh. Its a scandal. I can’t think of anyone who has done well out of this mess.

Today is our office Christmas party, which gives me a fantastic chance to catch up with people I haven’t seen for nearly an hour.