As expected, Fraser Forster made the plane to Brazil yesterday, and though none of us were surprised, the announcement seemed to have shocked Sky TV , as they managed to get his name wrong and didn’t know what team he played for:
Roy Hodgson said it was down not only to the big mans ability, but also his professionalism. Forster has impressed the coaches when he’s been with the squad, and that is what got him the final vote. John Ruddy, the Norwich keeper who has dropped to standby, thought that ” playing in the Premier League would be enough” ( to secure a place ) which at first was interpreted as a dig at Forster and Celtic, but later suspicions were aroused that he was more annoyed that Ben Foster, who had “retired ” from international football , had only returned because Hodgson was always going to pick him, and despite sitting on the bench in all the qualifying games, he felt he deserved the third place.
Still, who gives a toss ?
Playing in a league that so many south of the border look down on Forster has done well to get on that plane.
The media south of the border put the SPFL on a par with their Conference league-seriously, they see Celtic as a Birmingham or a Southampton at best, and only a few wiser minds-such as Hodgson- fully grasp the size of the club, and the level of football played. Well, theres a quite few chairmen as well who are absolutely terrified that a club that would dwarf all of them in appeal and within a couple of years, financial muscle, ever comes near their league.
Forster now is responsible for me-and probably many others-who will waken sweating and screaming at four in the morning- having dreamt that somehow England have stumbled to a World Cup final, and Joe Hart just got injured…..
I should be fairly easy to spot on that terrible day should it ever come.
The English last won the World Cup in 1966, and haven’t shut up about it since. Let it go, it was nearly fifty years ago. Its not like we’d keep harping on about something that happened that long ago.
Oh.
Gordon Strachan named his squad for the friendly against Nigeria at the home of Fulham on the banks of the Thames, which is a little outside the capital Lagos, and anyone flying out to the game should check the bus times.
Come on, surely we should have played in Scotland ?
Anyway, three Celts made the squad, Mulgrew, Brown and Griffiths, and Strachan took time out defend Griffiths before the press got a chance to bring their knives back out.
“What’s he done now? We’re rather sensitive in the whole of Britain at the moment over anything.
“I suppose if you could put a tax on stupidity then it might have cost him a few bob. He would be a very poor man.
“I’ve no concerns. He enjoys playing football and he’s no problem to me. I’m glad it’s not retrospective because I used to go to Hibs games and sing silly songs too when I was a kid.”
“He is in the squad. We are all very sensitive in the world these days. Even Gary Barlow has taken a bit today. He was meant to be a Sir last week now they want to him to send his OBE back. How ludicrous. If all the world was like Gary Barlow it would be a better place.”
A better place than what ?
Still on international football, its been confirmed that Celtic Park will host the Scotland -Ireland game on November 14. The game will kick of at 7.45, just five minutes after the whole Irish support is ejected for singing an unacceptable song by enthusiastic stewards who thought it was a league game.
Ronnie Cully explains the thinking behind the decision not to use Ibrox, which was also under consideration, but they didn’t know who to ask for permission.
Cully continues;
“But, after long deliberation, the SFA are set to announce Celtic Park will host the game – and spark a rush for tickets from both sides of the Irish Sea.
It will mean a return to Paradise for Martin O’Neill, now in charge of the Republic side, who was manager of Celtic from 2000 until 2005.
His assistant at international level, Roy Keane, also has an association with Parkhead, having played there for half a season before hanging up his boots.
With several of the Irish squad also closely associated with Celtic Park – including Hoops striker, Anthony Stokes – the SFA considered whether or not staging the game there would give the away team some kind of advantage.
Several of the Irish squad ? Stokes is by no means a regular, McGeady hasn’t been here for years, and Robbie Keane wasn’t here long enough to unpack.
However, the current Scotland side is managed by another former Celtic boss, Gordon Strachan. And the squad for the tie is likely to include a handful of current Celtic players, including skipper Scott Brown, Charlie Mulgrew, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths.
There are also others in the Scots squad with strong links to Parkhead, including Gary Caldwell and Shaun Maloney – both recalled for the friendly against Nigeria at the end of this month -plus keeper David Marshall. “
Cully also mentions what could become a serious problem;
” Celtic Park has a bigger capacity than Ibrox. And, with demand for tickets expected to exceed demand, this is another reason why this venue has been selected. “
If demand exceeds demand we are all in trouble.
Neil Lennon now says that as a “British born manager , its an ambition of his to manage in the EPL, ” . Is he paying the press lip service, in case he ever has to, or is he playing mind games with Lawwell ?
It would be nice if he came out and said what he means, if only to give Paul Lambert a chance to ring Lawwell and ask him if he fancies a game of golf.
Theres someone else it might be worth keeping an eye on. Helena Costa, the first woman manager in senior football. She hasn’t thrown her hat into the ring yet, but she is letting us know she wears one.
“Around that time there was the chance to start scouting in Portugal – so that was it and I started working for Celtic in 2008.They had the courage to bet on me – I only stopped working for them on Monday.”
She said: “Celtic, as a club, is amazing. They are special to me – I am a Celtic supporter and always will be, regardless of what my future holds.
“They gave me a chance to be the first woman scout in the world – and the only one as far as I know.”
“Scotland is beautiful – I toured the north on holiday when I was younger and I told my friends at Celtic this. They laughed and reminded me that we have good beaches and great weather in Portugal but I told them I found Scotland beautiful.
“I wish the club all the best next season – especially in Europe.”
I’ve made my mind up who should replace Neil Lennon.
Purely because she is supposed to be good at her job, of course. But she deserves a chance. And we deserve a manager who can sell calendars.
The transfer window will soon be open, and a a result desperate hacks will be trolling through each others ramblings in the hope that they don’t miss anything.
Christophe Dilo, a keeper on loan at St. Mirren ,is out of contract and has been linked with a move to Celtic as back up to the other back up keepers we’ve got.
Thats if Benfica decide they don’t want Fraser Forster.
And is this guy smiling because he might yet get a call from Celtic ?
As soon as we tell him his wages that grin will disappear…
Or will it….Isn’t he a pal of Fridjonsson ????
Thats Alfred Finnboggasson, of course, who set the heather on fire in the Dutch league, scoring over six hundred goals in just twenty two games. He missed the second half of the season to go to work with disadvantaged children in South America, and will speak to Celtic before spending the summer on an irrigation project in the Sahara.
At the moment t though, he’s injured, having hurt his knee carrying some old ladies across a busy road during some street riots in the Ukraine.
And Finnbogason, 25, said: “I will take three to four weeks to recover so I have played my last game for Heerenveen that’s for sure.
“I will listen to every club who comes to an agreement with Heerenveen and then we will see.”
Which probably rules us out. Although there were stories that we had a gentlemans agreement with him, for him to join this summer, but thats unlikely, since we made them up.
Speaking of things that are made up, Ladbrokes-who recently lost £500 to Mrs Malph when she played the online puggies, which made me feel better about this report, are sticking with the Fabianski to Celtic story, because suddenly Forster has been noticed down south;
” One such man is England goalkeeper Forster, who kept a whopping 27 clean sheets from his 51 appearances this term, and is poised to feature for the Three Lions in Brazil this summer.
His form this season has seen the 26-year-old emerge as the number one choice to succeed Tim Krul at St James’ Park, with the Dutchman set to take his pick from a host of top European sides following Newcastle’s disastrous end to the campaign.
So that was Forsters plan all along! Do well in the Champions League, succeed in the Scottish league and win international honours just so he could go back to Newcastle and replace Tim Krul . Seriously ?
Newcastle are keen to put a British slant on their recruitment policy and it appears Celtic are resigned to losing their first choice ‘keeper to the Premier League.
By the way, did anyone else see the protest by Newcastle fans before Sundays game ?
However, the number one jersey should not be vacant for too long, with Neil Lennon keen to wrap up a speedy deal for Gunners outcast Fabianski who has cut a forlorn figure on the Arsenal bench for much of the campaign. “
The author , writing like this, is presumably himself keen to wrap up a deal, perhaps with our own mainstream media, and with rubbish like this, he could be sports editor at the Sun before Christmas.
Neil Lennon is the only man to be player, captain, reserve coach, first team coach, caretaker manager and manager with Celtic.
Which former Celt is down and out here ?
Good old Murdo, the human shield!
He used to cry when Anton DuDek shouted “Bring on the wall!” every Saturday night.
I heard him at a Sportsmans dinner once, He said when he got back up( after the ball in the face) and was chasing the Brazilians, he asked big Roy Aitken “What way we shooting?”. Big Aitken said “Ah dont know!”
I know I’m being pedantic but it’s in my nature, sorryo! The capital of Nigeria is Abuja and not Lagos where I just happen to be posting from.
Hail, Hail
You’d have thought they’d have let me know.
Will be trying hard to get a ticket for the republic end,as they hump the sfa bigots team at CELTIC PARK
I’m not a devotee of international football but I think Scotland will defeat the Irish side.
I could not, however, give a shit either way.
I have nephews (late teens – early 20’s) who are Celtic daft, they assure me they have a blast supporting Scotland. I take them at their word for that. My teen Scotland supporting experiences were a marked contrast.
I, personally (like the boys), have no desire or instinct to support Ireland over Scotland.
It’s the Motherland all the way for me Baws. Looking for big things from St Martin and Keano and NOT the return of Stephen ‘Bampot’ Ireland.
Bawsman
Exactly my experiences too I would think. The couple I was browbeaten into attending were like being boiled in a blue cauldron fired by nothing but hatred for anything green and the support were the same. How the grass in that ramshackle national stadium – pig pen more like – must have got right up their blue noses. I could never understand how a Celtic supporter could ever be part of it. Our national team? Just ask the Lisbon Lions how “national” it was. Scottish international football never related in any way to MY sense of Scottishness.
H H
If the whole world was like Gary Barlow what a biege, plastic, safe, unchallenging, middle of the road, hypocritical, fame-chasing, tory-voting, sensible haircut bland place it would be. Can’t see Sam Cooke fitting that line into his song somehow.
I’m afraid we won’t be signing any £5m players this window. We haven’t even had any of the press ‘leaks’ from PL and it’s still season book renewal time, so if we can’t be arsed to make up any tenuous links then it certainly won’t be happening in reality.
‘The English last won the World Cup in 1966, and haven’t shut up about it since. Let it go, it was nearly fifty years ago. Its not like we’d keep harping on about something that happened that long ago.’
Tell you what, Ralph…..I’ll stop harping on about Lisbon ONE YEAR after the English stop harping on about ’66…..deal? ;o)
Me too.
If Helena Costa was scouting for Celtic in Portugal for the past few years does that mean she is partly responsible for the signing of Amido Balde … persumably not something she’d want to boast about.
Looks kind of like Rod Stewart. How he sneak into the side?
I. Am sure that is one of the Dunfermline players on the deck, as he has just seen bobo heading his way and decided to go down before bobo put him down.
HH
Ralph
The Jersey sunshine must have boosted your sense of humour or maybe it was the moonshine. The diary really made me laugh today. Even when you were covering serious topics, the media quotes made them a joke.
I have to add my admiration of Helena Costa to yours. I would say she looks great in photos too, but I already know that’s another one of my wife you nicked. Still, I would go along with he managing Celtic someday. PL would have little worry about season tickets if that picture was hanging from the main stand. It’s such a pity managers don’t exchange clothes after games.
Speaking of photos, I hope nobody recognises me outside St James’ Park. Not that I speak Geordie, like, but I got the gist of the banner. Big Fraser would be signing a death warrant and losing my admiration for sure if he ever considered returning to Castle Drab. The support is a fantasy, historically hyped by the English media to explain the loud grunts coming from the stadium. They fail to realise that is the way they tak doon heya. That is actually unfair, I know two guys that don’t. It’s just I can’t stand the club but some of the fans are actually very good friends.
I am right behind Desimond on the picture quiz and I bet Murdo wishes he had been behind someone when he got smashed in the face. And, Desi, if that story about big Roy is true, it’s a cracker.
H H
” It’s such a pity managers don’t exchange clothes after games.”
Two words: Ally McCoist.
(I think I am going to be sick …)
Helena Costa was scouting for Celtic in Portugal,up until
recently.Em.. Amido F—— Balde anyone ? I would have
SACKED her ( then I would have gave her,her P 45 )
Never been to a Scotland game in ma puff, probably never shall. Howver being a Celtic supporting Scotsman, I always wish to see Scotland win. To be honest, I dont have much time for the Irish; then again that because Ive been exposed to their antics here in Sydney the last 15 years or so; most ( ‘course not all ) appear to be a complete embarressment to their country: drunken violent tossers. Anyweys…..
HAIL HAIL N aw that.
Maith thú Brian, go raibh maith agat. Thanks for carpeting an entire nation. Very constructive!
Away back to starring in your shite soap operas whilst chucking shrimps on the barby but most importantly of all make sure your hat has enough corks hanging from it
Apparently when Murdo had been hit by that free-kick the physio held 3 fingers infront of his eyes and asked
– “How many fingers am I holding up?”
to which Murdo replied
– “Tuesday”
Not only that but the story goes that he then had to ask Roy Aitken in what colour we were playing and in what direction we were shooting.
The amazing tactical and technical genius that was Andy Roxburgh then apparently took at least 20 minutes to decide that maybe his head was all that clear and finally sub him off.
Finnbogason was on a reported £12.5k a week in the Summer.
Makes you think we might be able to double that….
I did say ‘course but not all’ Still stand by my observations though. I dont really give a toss what they get up to in the bars and streets of Sydney but I does annoy the hell out of me heariing their ‘up the ra’ etc pish whilst wearing the Glasgow Celtic football top as they stoat doon the street at 10am.
Frank McGaaaaaaaaaaaaarvy, mon now: that yer best???
Anyweys, each to their own, ah suppose.
Didn’t want to try my best. I thought we were playing the stereotype mass-labelling game. You sound like a whinging pom!