{"id":11497,"date":"2017-06-01T09:22:57","date_gmt":"2017-06-01T08:22:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=11497"},"modified":"2017-06-01T09:22:57","modified_gmt":"2017-06-01T08:22:57","slug":"celtic-diary-thursday-june-1-making-it-up-as-they-go-along","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=11497","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Thursday June 1: Making It Up As They Go Along"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you read the papers, listen to the radio or watch the telly, please bear in mind that the players and management are away on holiday.<\/p>\n

That should make things easier when you assess such stories as “Celtic in for Ings ” or anyone else for hat matter.<\/p>\n

Although Rodgers will have given Lawwell his list of things to get this summer, the only one being worked on just now is the pitch.<\/p>\n

The rest can wait until everyone gets back to work.<\/p>\n

There’s no rush. Top players tend not to sign deals this early in the window as they like to wait to see if anything better comes up. Sure there’s always one or two who can;t wait to land their dream move, but in general, anyone signing up now will be a loannee happy with where he went to-such as Efe Ambrose to Hibernian-or an over the hill defender anxious for a last pay day over two years.<\/p>\n

I think you \u00a0are aware of to who we are referring.<\/p>\n

however, Scott Brown had his wee break when he was suspended, and Brendan has told him to keep an eye on things while he is away. \u00a0though there is a great big alsation sitting next to him, with instructions to bite if Brown touches anything.<\/p>\n

However, he can talk to the official website, who can stop him saying anything stupid.<\/p>\n

Instead, Brown gave us a sort of “this is how we won the treble ” ramble…<\/p>\n

\u201cI am proud, but it\u2019s down to the lads who are at the club that I am still playing.<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cThey worked so hard throughout the season and dedicated themselves throughout. <\/em><\/div>\n
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\u201cWhether that was having nights out, or going into training because there were not that many days off.<\/em>\u201cYou don\u2019t see your family as much, but the dedication has paid off.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the first six months, we had to get as fit as possible. We came back not the fittest and the gaffer was on about everyone\u2019s body fat.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe managed to get that down 10 or 12 per cent in the whole squad.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat shows the dedication and effort that was put into it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe gaffer stuck to his ways and he\u2019s wanted us to play good, attacking and attractive football.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe managed to do it through the season and got ourselves a lot fitter than we have ever been.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTurning up on big occasions, we thrive on them.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that, no matter how fit anyone else is, our fitness is better.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe showed that all through the season in various games and we\u2019ve dug ourselves out of a few holes.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Its been a fantastic season, and now everyone can take a moment, pat themselves on the back, and look ahead.<\/p>\n

The break is important, as is reflection. There’s no point in achieving anything if you don;t stand back to admire it for a moment or two.<\/p>\n

But that in itself leads to more ambition , and the work will start all over, from a higher level, as soon as the players report for pre season training.<\/p>\n

With no one around to confirm or deny stories, the media, both mainstream and online, can allow their imaginations to run wild.<\/p>\n

Like we do at Etims every day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

We’ve heard of Arab investment, leading to a name change for Celtic Park.<\/p>\n

We’ve heard of several players in, and nearly everybody out.<\/p>\n

In fact, put the two together, and we’ll be seeing a different eleven start next season at a different ground, whereas it will only be the pitch that is different.<\/p>\n

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What seems likely is that should Celtic sign Patrick Roberts on a permanent deal, which cannot be completely ruled out, the bulk of any fee could come from Manchester City, which will save a few quid on bank transfers.<\/p>\n

Virgil van Dijk, who left Celtic to join Southampton, is the subject of a bit of haggling between the wealthier English based sides , with a fee anywhere between \u00a050 and \u00a370m the likely outcome.<\/p>\n

Celtic are due around ten per cent of any fee, cleverly inserted by whoever negotiated the original sale of van Dijk.<\/p>\n

A nice wee windfall, ensuring that Virgil van Dijk is possibly the first player Celtic have sold to give us his true value at the time of sale.<\/p>\n

Another feel good story concerns Keiran Tierney, who took to social media to prevent a young fan getting skanked…<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

When he saw this, the player checked his wardrobe-just to be sure, and replied…<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We’ve plenty of things to feel good about just now, and its all positive stuff.<\/p>\n

In fact, there’s no need to poke fun at our friends over the river, as they combine with the mainstream media to shift season books.<\/p>\n

And anyone who tells you they are on course for a record, ask them where the pictures of the queues are…<\/p>\n

There’s no need to, but we’re going to.<\/p>\n

Here’s something to save for the end of the season, or whenever Alves breaks down…<\/p>\n

\u00a0New “marquee” signing…director of football sounded out…<\/p>\n

For a long time, the nedia have been accused of bias towards whichever entity is in place at Ibrox, but they have, in fact, found a way to please both sets of the Glasgow divide.<\/p>\n

For the blue side, its football pornography. Driving them wild with unrealistic fantasies.<\/p>\n

For the green side, its comedy gold.<\/p>\n

Whereas Billy says “Have you seen this in the Record, ” and touches himself vigorously where he wee wees, Timmy is afraid that the appendage in question will leak another type of fluid due to incessant and uncontrollable laughter.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

Just \u00a0by adding the word “shite ” to that sentence uttered by Billy.<\/p>\n

Its not confined to the media. The gullibillies are trying to cheer themselves up as well…<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Council funded trees ? How the mighty have fallen….<\/p>\n

Incidentally, trees tend to be green, but they could adapt…<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

And they keep coming up with marvellous little ditties..<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Something else, on a serious note, that should contribute towards the general good feeling that we have right now is the imminent collapse of the trial against Craig Whyte, who is charged with fraud…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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James Doleman<\/strong>\u200f\u00a0<\/span><\/span>@jamesdoleman<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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