Todays picture shows Neil Lennon reacting to the news of the Norwich bid for Gary Hooper. Try as we can, none of us sure what words he is about to say. Study the picture and see if you can.<\/p>\n
“Teams in England will have to acknowledge that Celtic players are not a cheap alternative to players from their own league. \u00a0Offers such as the \u00a35m tabled by Norwich City for Gary Hooper are nothing short of insulting. no offers below \u00a310m will be considered for any of our players so don’t even pick up the phone.”<\/p>\n
Neil Lennon or Peter Lawwell haven’t made this statement, but they are free to use it. However, the gaffer did describe the offer as “unacceptable” and added it would take a “substantially ” better one to force Celtic to sell.<\/p>\n
On Hooper, he said that “He’s not unsettled at all. He wants to stay. His take on it is that he wants to stay.”<\/p>\n
Deep down though, I think we are all less than convinced…<\/p>\n
With it seeming likely that Hooper doesn’t want to sign a new contract, then he should be sold. But not for \u00a35m, and not to Norwich. Like any good manager , Lennon will take Hooper aside and point out a few home truths to him. Norwich , which by all accounts is a great wee club in a lovely city, but unless he does something spectacular, it would be career suicide for Hooper to move there. Still, in fairness to the player, he hasn’t actually said anything on the matter, so its all just speculation. Even if the striker wants to leave, for the moment he is still one of us, and Lennon should still look out for him in the big bad world of football agents, who concern themselves with the folding green, and not the well being of their clients.<\/p>\n
Never mind. The footballs back. Those of you brave enough to venture out in the extreme weather conditions today, be careful. Especially the Lennon CSC who are hurtling north for the game in the old minibus. There is a red snow warning today, and if thats anything like yellow snow, then you will understand why I’m staying at home.<\/p>\n
Rami Gershon has been added to todays squad, along with Anthony Stokes, but Tom Rogic doesn’t have a work permit, so unless we register him as a ball boy or something, he’ll have to sit this one out. Hearts may include new loan signing Danny Wilson, another who came to prominence via the legendary Murray Park conveyer belt of talent. Thats unfair. Wilson could make a name for himself despite coming through on the Murray Park conveyer belt of talent. Other than that, Hearts will be missing captain Zaliukas, which lowers the insurance premium for Celtic players, but Andy Webster could be back, which probably puts it back up again.<\/p>\n
Just a thought here. Anyone else remember the fact that all the youth players from Rangers \u00a0were owned by a separate company from the parent club? Is that why they aren’t being touted around other clubs this window? Or is it because no-one wants them? Surely they would leap at the chance to play at a higher level, perhaps with a First Division side ?<\/p>\n
Anyway, four trophies are there to be won, and it all starts today.<\/p>\n
Full back Darnell Fisher and forward Bahrudin Atajic have both been awarded new contracts after their continued progresss with the development squads, and Stevie Frail, the head coach says;<\/p>\n
“We have been impressed with them, but the work gets even harder now”<\/p>\n
Which should not only keep their feet on the ground, but simultaneously fill their boots with lead. However, it shows that all players are closely monitored, and the policy of bringing through players will continue.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Neil Lennon has spoken about one or two conversations he had with more experienced managers at the recent forum he attended. He says he was talking to Fabio Capello, who told him Celtic have a chance against Juventus in next months Champions League game. Along with Roy Hodgson, Capello has given Lennon a few tips on how to beat them.<\/p>\n
We’re doomed.<\/p>\n
Tittle tattle now, and the word on the street is that Kris Boyd, the legend in his own lunchtime, could be off to Kilmarnock, before joining up with league new boys Sevco Rangers as a free agent in September. With Kenny Miller also bombed out in Vancouver , could the league new boys be about to re-unite the former Scotland duo as they attempt to climb up the league ladder?<\/p>\n
We hope so. Just when you thought the panto was over, we get a rare sequel that could be just as funny as the original. Still no word on John Greig coming back though, but Derek Johnstone is reportedly interested.<\/p>\n
Tom Rogic was the player described in the quote yesterday, which appeared in the Australian 4-4-2 magazine. Although a few of you were right, it could have been used to describe others, which was sort of the point of the question…<\/p>\n
Its hard , even a day later , not to mention Sean Fallon again. Younger readers will perhaps not associate the man with Celtic as much as us older ones. Fallon was a link with the old black and white newsreels, a part of the history of which we are so proud, and more than that, a really, really decent guy. He will be sadly missed. Pensionerbhoy added a wee story in the comments on Desis’ \u00a0tribute on the site, about how Sean saved a boys life during the Ibrox disaster. And I’m sure I remember a wee tale about him swimming out to save someone floundering in the sea.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You get the feeling there is much much more to this man than we ever knew publicly, and today, as a mark of respect and gratitude for the life of a true gentleman, if there are any personal memories you have, add them below.<\/p>\n
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