{"id":2751,"date":"2013-05-28T09:59:49","date_gmt":"2013-05-28T08:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=2751"},"modified":"2013-05-28T09:59:49","modified_gmt":"2013-05-28T08:59:49","slug":"celtic-diary-tuesday-may-28","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=2751","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Tuesday May 28"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, the season 2012-13 is finished. History will record that celtic won the league, the cup, made the semi finals of the league cup, and the last sixteen of the Champions League.<\/p>\n

Enough to be going on with.<\/p>\n

The cup was secured with three \u00a0well taken goals, and despite Hibernian giving us all an early fright when Eion Doyle headed \u00a0 \u00a0from eight yards , forcing Forster into a crucial early save, the result was never really in doubt.<\/p>\n

Kelvin Wilson was outstanding at the back, Scott Brown was, well Scott Brown in the middle, and Gary Hooper took two out of three good chances to make Neil Lennon only the \u00a0third man to win a double as Celtic captain and manager. (Stein and McNeill the other two. )<\/p>\n

The players have a break now, until pre season starts in three weeks time. Some will be on international duty, and will have less of a break than perhaps they need. This is where they will see the benefit of the time off they had after the league was won. you have to hope so. The Champions league qualifiers are not that far away.<\/p>\n

Scott Brown is already looking forward to next \u00a0season. He said;<\/p>\n

“Its huge, not just for me, for every single player and the management staff as well, for everyone at Celtic.”<\/p>\n

Actually, he could have been talking about anything. He’s been known to ramble.<\/p>\n

” Its a great club and the support we get week in , week out, has been fantastic, so its something to give back to them. We’ve got a great squad and hopefully we can keep the players. Thats what we are trying to do. We have had a great season this year but we need to try and better it next season. We have three qualifiers coming up and we are back in quite early. Hopefully the squad can stay together but thats not up to me. ”<\/p>\n

After Sundays game, two goal hero Gary Hooper was caught trackside. After the usual chat about the game, the BBC man couldn’t resist the company line of “Will you be hear next season ? ” , which prompted a change in hoopers expression, and the customary “We’ll see ”<\/p>\n

The change in expression, to one of \u00a0almost contempt, can be looked at two ways. He may have already decided to go, or at least listen to whats on off. Or he could be sick of the question, which seems to pop up every time he’s on air. Whatever the outcome, he seems happy enough with his lot;<\/p>\n

“It was a great win in the end and we’re delighted with the double. This, getting to the last sixteen of the Champions League, winning the league and scoring thirty one goals. I’m at the top of my career. At the start of the season my aim was to beat last years total and i did that two games ago. I was unlucky not to get twenty in the league, but I wanted to get past thirty overall and I managed that. This feels even better than the first time we won the Scottish Cup because this time we did it in style. ”<\/p>\n

Hooper called it his best season at the club, but didn’t add the words “so far “…<\/p>\n

Looking back at the season, manager Neil Lennon said;<\/p>\n

” Its been magnificent, we’ve played sixty games this season. We’ve been at the sharp end of every competition we’ve been in. I can’t speak highly enough of the players and supporters. ”<\/p>\n

With Gary Hooper not giving any clues to his plans for the future, Lennon was asked if he needed to keep him.<\/p>\n

“Of course. He’s a master. He’s been one of my best signings. He’s priceless. Hoopers the master, an absolute master. ”<\/p>\n

Right, so he’s in two minds about him.<\/p>\n

Perhaps he, and Lawwell when they make the Englishman their final offer should look at the statistics published online in the Celtic Journal. A fellow called Joseph Ruddy has given an in depth look at who did what for the team in 2012-13.<\/p>\n

stats<\/a><\/p>\n

That link will take you to the article, which in itself is excellent, and it opens the eyes a wee bit about Hooper.<\/p>\n

He scored 31 goals in 51 games. Add to that ten assists (hate that word-he set ten up sounds better ) and it turns out he was, when playing , involved in 80% of all goals. Put all that together and he is Celtics most effective player. Or as they say in the USA, Most Valuable Player.<\/p>\n

No doubt Hoopers agent is already aware of this.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So, the footballs done. What shall we talk about now?<\/p>\n

Alexander Tonev, according to the Record, has signed, or will sign, or somthing. Actually, other sources say a deal is virtually done, and that does seem to be the case. Celtic will now have to struggle by with only Samaras, Forrest, commons, McGeouch and now Tonev in the wide spaces, while Kelvin Wilson does a fair impersonation of General Custer at the back.<\/p>\n

Notice Paddy McCourt not in that list ? He was handed the captains armband when he came on for a cameo at Hampden, and clearly is for the off. The support managed a half hearted chorus of “Don’t sell McCourt “, but stopped when they realised there was a chance they could convince Lennon to keep him.<\/p>\n

Its a terrible shame. McCourt is a gifted footballer. The type you pay to see. But it just hasn’t happened for him at Celtic. He will no doubt grace a new club for a few months before fading away again. ( Known as a Regi Blinker in the trade. )<\/p>\n

But whatever he does, we wish him well.<\/p>\n

Fraser Forster looks like he’ll be next to break rank. The World Cup is in Brazil next year, and he wants to be there. With England, who actually don’t look that certain to qualify. Forster told the Sun his hopes rest on Celtic getting champions League football. He could do a bit of work on crosses, but hey, what do I know? His take in the last England squad was taken by the Reading keeper, which must have frightened the life out of the big guy. \u00a0The Sun kept its impartiality with the \u00a0article, describing Forster as a “former Newcastle fring man “, and not the colossus who performed heroics against Barcelona.<\/p>\n

Going back to thethe support on Sunday, they did it again. After the debacle of coughing out the tune of Boys of the Old Brigade, after pointing snipers rifles at Rangers supporters, and other disgraceful antics, this time they raised embarassment to a new level.<\/p>\n

This flag, clearly in support of Islamic terrorism, was on full show at the Cup Final.<\/p>\n

\"islam\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Even though it was actually this flag, with a crease in it.<\/p>\n

\"island\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Scotsman, online, was quick to cite EDL members who were outraged-although it was obvious just which group of \u00a0misfits were really offended. Just another example of some people looking for an excuse to have a go.<\/p>\n

Good job they didn’t hear anyone singing “Say Hallal to the Provos ” or Tiocfadh Allah ” Then they’d have been upset.<\/p>\n

One hundred and twenty fives years ago today, Celtic played their first ever game, against Rangers, and won 5-2.<\/p>\n

1; Michael dolan<\/p>\n

2; Edward Pearson<\/p>\n

3; James McLaughlin<\/p>\n

4;Willie Maley<\/p>\n

5; James Kelly<\/p>\n

6; Phil Murray<\/p>\n

7; Neil MacCallum<\/p>\n

8; Tom Maley<\/p>\n

9; John Madden<\/p>\n

10; Michael Dunbar<\/p>\n

11; Charlie Gorevin<\/p>\n

Worth raising a glass to sometime today.<\/p>\n

If only they knew how it would all turn out. Pensionerbhoy, a regular reader currently away for his holidays, will do an eye witness \u00a0match report when he gets back.<\/p>\n

Keep an eye out for events down Govan way this week. Its about to get very messy.<\/p>\n

John Daly, Nicky Law, Cammy Bell have all joined the Second Division club, but will the club still be there in August? Time, of course , will tell. Lets hope Daly wins something with his new club, and a delighted fan throws him the flag of his country to parade around the ground with.<\/p>\n

Actually , thats unfair. Sevco proved beyond any doubt they are a new, totally different club when they distanced themselves from the original clubs no Irish policy. After all, manager \u00a0McCoist would have been aware he was Irish, just as he is fully aware of how many players he is allowed in his squad, and when he is allowed to play his new players.<\/p>\n

Their internal investigation appears to have cleared the, which is what internal investigations do. If they really wanted to get to the bottom of the issue, they’d have rang the police.<\/p>\n

Who are allegedly already looking into things anyway.<\/p>\n

On Friday we showed legendary midfielder George Connelly making John Greig look stupid in an old Cup final before colour was invented. Another monchrome picture showed Charlie Nicholas before he made himself look stupid by signing for Arsenal.<\/p>\n

Today, what has surprised this guy-and who is he?<\/p>\n

\"sullivan11\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Thers a new podcast on the front page, as myself, Desi Mond and Bedford Falls struggle desperately to find something intersting to say, so if you’ve got a spare hour, have a listen. Its great for getting the kids off to sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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