More on that later, because we’ve got a new player in.

Maybe we’ve misjudged him….

Celtic finally got their man yesterday after matching the asking price for Nadir Ciftci, which means that the questionable ability and attitude of John guidetti has been replaced. Hopefully not like for like.

It’s hard not to feel for dundee United, who have, apart from the three who moved to Celtic also seen the likes of Johnny Russell, John Daly and Ryan Gauld depart for pastures new recently, and it’s no wonder they think about what sort of team they could have had. However, that’s the nature of the beast, and Celtic fans too, could have the same thoughts when you consider the players now plying their trade elsewhere.

However, Celtic have accepted the financial realities, and have competently replaced the Forsters, Wanyama’s and others who have left.

The Dundee Evening Telegraph summed it up quite well;

And while it will be painful for Arabs to see another of their stars head for Parkhead, the size of the fee should soften the blow.

It’s a huge amount for a player entering the final year of his contract and who’d already indicated he would be leaving.

And he is still facing a lengthy ban if he’s found guilty of biting Dundee’s Jim McAlister in last month’s derby at Tannadice.

The fans seem to realise that and, despite the disappointment of losing another man to Celtic, the initial reaction has been that the size of the fee made it right to do the deal.

Most, though, also want to see a chunk of the cash re-invested in the squad for the coming season. 

Otherwise, Celtic will have to widen their scouting net for next summer.

Not many headlines about how Celtic are keeping money in the Scottish game, though….

The Herald reckon we have bullied them…

Dundee United are helpless as Celtic play the big man and lure yet another player away

At least the Record looked at it from the Taysiders point of view;

Ciftci has just one year left on his current contract and the transfer would represent a 
tremendous deal for United, who signed the player for free two 
years ago.

The possible ban that Ciftci will face may turn out to be a good thing, as it will allow him time to settle and develop a hunger to do well when he gets a chance. it will also give Leigh Griffiths and Stefan Scepovic a desire to keep him out of the team. Interestingly, Deila has never completely ruled out using two strikers from time to time. Remember, he has said that he will use different formations now that the players have mastered one.

The European media was full of reports last night that Celtic have won the race to sign Martin Odegaard for a year.

This is from Sports witness;

There are reports this afternoon Celtic have won the race to sign Real Madrid youngster Martin Odegaard. The Spanish side are looking to loan out the Norway international for next season in order for the attacking midfielder to get some valuable first team experience.

According to TMW, Celtic have seen off competition from several European clubs to sign the highly talented youngster on loan, although this has yet to be confirmed in the Spanish media. Odegaard only joined Real Madrid in the last transfer window but is obviously yet to play much for the senior team due to the competition for places at the club, although he did makes his senior debut as a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo against Getafe. Rather than playing for the reserve team in the second tier of Spanish football or being a continual bench warmer, Real Madrid would prefer for the player to head to another club outside Spain to get playing time, and it seems Celtic will be his destination if TMW’s claims are accurate.

This would provide the necessary cover for Stefan Johansen, allowing him a little rest from time to time, and would further enhance the chances of other quality “surplus ” players helping us out for twelve months. In what scientists call a symbiotic relationship, both sides benefit, although it would be better if we could keep them.

There is always the sense that loannees do not help to build a side, and that it keeps our own promising yougsters away from the first team, but the simple fact is that football is a results business, and the pragmatic Deila will be looking to get those results this season, and not in a few years time.

Odegaard is not a Wakaso, or a Berget. He’s a top notch player who Deila has worked with before. If there is an exception to the rule, this is it.

Reaction to Odegaard’s impending arrival has been low key, but we have heard that one former player hasn’t stopped screaming since he was told the news…

The club haven’t commented yet, and it could just be paper talk, but it is an awful lot of papers….

With the start of the new league campaign just a few weeks away, there is no word as to who will raise the champions flag.

There’s only one man in the frame this year, as far as I can see.

A real legend, who gave his all to the club, man and boy.

and yesterday, he handed aover twenty seven years worth of medals…

Peter Lawwell, who seemed to be a little over awed himself, said;

 “It’s an incredible gesture and an honour to receive them and display them at Celtic Park.

“It’s really a measure of the man, a fantastic Celt and someone who was voted Celtic’s greatest-ever captain.

“He’s just a true great and it’s just a measure of him that he has decided to put his medals here on display at Celtic Park, and we are so grateful for it.

“He was an inspiration not only to me but to thousands of our supporters.

“He carried the Celtic values and standards on and off the pitch and he epitomises everything great about Celtic.

“The amount of medals are just incredible.

“It’s a fantastic piece of work and we thank Willie Haughey for his involvement, and we thank Billy and his wife Liz for giving us the honour of displaying the medals here at Celtic Park.”

McNeill will be seeing a statue of himself unveiled at Celtic Park soon, a testament to what he did for the club.

We should be given the chance to thank him in person on August the first.

Some of you may have tried to order a new Celtic top using an online discount code which you may have come across unwittingly on social media. Several orders have been cancelled due to a lack of stock, and instead of taking one on the chin, and milking the free publicity, New Balance have stepped away from the fiasco and simply wiped their hands of it.

However, it appears John Paul Taylor, the supporters liason officer is on the case….

@thejock1967 @demonskot @CeltsAreHere @NewBalanceUK Send me details please Scott to jptaylor@celticfc.co.uk thanks

 where New Balance are concerned, marketing seems to be, along with producing quality products, not exactly their strong point. They need to have a look at themselves. so far, it’s not impressive on any level.

I know I may be harping on about this a little, but when these tops cost as much as they do , it’s only fair to ask for quality. At the price they ask, it’s little wonder that fans will try to take advantage of a little bit of discount. And anyway, who are these people the codes were really meant for ?

Why should non Celtic fans get them any cheaper ?

It’s time to have a wee look at this deal, this time with guys representing Celtic who know a bit about sales and marketing.

Meanwhile, the club formerly known as Rangers are back in court. The original Big Tax Case decision is under appeal, and the BBC are spot on again with their reportage;

“The scheme in this case was established in terms that had effect so that, on appointment of the funds to the individual sub-trusts, the sums in question were ‘paid’ to the employee.”

The use of employee benefit trusts relate back to Sir David Murray’s time in charge of the Ibrox club before ownership changed.

The company which owned Rangers was subsequently forced into administration while under Craig Whyte’s control and later went into liquidation.  

 Funny, you never hear of the company that owned Woolworths having been liquidated, or the company that owned Enron.

Anyway, surely if it was all the company’s fault, then the club has no case to answer ?

Wonder why the barristers aren’t going down that path ?

Then again, with the BBC, it’s not just the football….

Chief Executive of #Barclays Antony Jenkins has been sacked with immediate effect   

Barclays says its chief executive, Antony Jenkins, is to leave the bank  

Twitter, of course, has a limited character usage for each “tweet “, so presumably there weren’t  enough left for the Beeb to add “with a boot up his arse “

We’re used to the media talking shite, and it seems to be spreading, but that’s an argument for another day.

After all, it seems the Evening Times have gone off message….

The author got a memo…  and lo, we read that

( Thanks to the clumpany for the graphics )

Rangers have been operating without a scouting team for several years and the problem was repeatedly highlighted by former manager Ally McCoist.  

And without money, which is probably more important when signing players.

Phew. That was close !

As the month of July goes on, it gets ever closer to possibly the only celebration based on hatred and exclusion of others…

All that’s missing is the Zionist flag.

Oh, no, there it is.

Which part of this doesn’t deserve a chap on the door from the law ?

Central Park , Cowdenbeath was the venue for Harry Hoods goal in yesterdays picture, which had a few of you fooled, but not all.

Two strikers… name them and any wee stories or memories ….