{"id":6507,"date":"2015-02-03T12:52:39","date_gmt":"2015-02-03T12:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=6507"},"modified":"2015-02-03T13:03:43","modified_gmt":"2015-02-03T13:03:43","slug":"celtic-diary-tuesday-febraury-3-third-attempt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=6507","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Tuesday Febraury 3; Fourth Attempt."},"content":{"rendered":"

Celtic supporters are feeling a little more contented than usual after a couple of late signings as the January transfer window was replaced by a much more secure and thermally efficient one. One that keeps everything in, at least until June. Which is another reason to be pleased. None of the key players left, as Ronny promised, and the ones who came in are at least as good, if not better, than the ones we already have. And we won’t have to worry about whether or not they will adjust to the climate. Gary Mackay Steven, already on a pre-conract, was signed up early, and he was joined by his team mate from Dundee United Stuart Armstrong, Michael Duffy from Derry, he was the first to join-I feel a song coming on -and even better, Robbie Muirhead, the Kilmarnock youngster, opted for Dundee United instead. Muirhead might have had a little trouble adjusting to life at Celtic Park. \"Embedded \"Embedded \"Embedded Yes, some things are probably for the best. All inclusive club or not, signing Muirhead may have stretched the tolerance a little bit. Mackay Steven and Armstrong were delighted to finally join the hoops. The former said; “It’s amazing to finally be here and for it all to be done and dusted.<\/em> “The pre-contract happened a few weeks ago and I was delighted back then but I was unsure if it was going to be now or if I’d be joining in the summer.<\/em> “But to get it all done and dusted is great and I just can’t wait to start.<\/em> “It was a crazy couple of hours. I wasn’t sure at the start of the day whether it would go through but thankfully it did and the medical got done so it’s great to sign on the dotted line<\/em> “Everything is just a dream. I can’t wait to get started. I’m just buzzing.”\u00a0<\/em> and the latter concurred; “I’m really happy to be here. It was a great five-and-a-half years with Dundee United but this opportunity was too good to turn down.<\/em> “It’s not quite sunk in. There is still a lot to think about and to get used to and I’m really looking forward to that.<\/em> “Hopefully I can provide a bit of excitement and goals going forward.<\/em> “The fans probably know a bit about me but I would like to show them a bit more.<\/em> “I take each game as it comes and I will aim to get off to the best possible start here and do my best for the club.” \u00a0<\/em> Fair play to Dundee Utd, as well, who explained the sale to their shellshocked support; \u201cFollowing the close of the January transfer window last night, the board of directors of Dundee United Football Club believes that supporters of the club should have a complete understanding of the club\u2019s current position.<\/em> \u201cFirstly, the club has brought in six new high calibre signings. Henri Anier, Paul Dixon and Ryan McGowan are all internationalists with Ryan having played in all three of Australia\u2019s games at the most recent World Cup in Brazil.<\/em> \u201cAdditionally, our ongoing commitment to identifying and developing the best young talent in the game continued with the signing of one of the country\u2019s top scorers, Simon Murray, Scotland youth international striker, Robbie Muirhead, and an extended deal for Nigerian U23 internationalist, Ola Adeyemo.<\/em> \u201cGary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong left for Celtic FC and while we understand the initial negative response in some quarters to their departure from Dundee United, it is very important to keep this in context.<\/em> \u201cFirstly and most importantly, it is the board\u2019s duty to balance the short, medium and long term interests of the club at all times.<\/em> \u201cWhile being an emotional wrench for the club and the players, the transfer of Gary and Stuart was reluctantly, albeit undoubtedly, the right thing to do in the circumstances.<\/em> \u201cThose circumstances, for absolute clarity, are that both Gary and Stuart made it clear to management that they wanted to leave Dundee United to further their careers elsewhere.<\/em> \u201cGary had signed a pre-contract agreement with Celtic.<\/em> \u201cThe board had no desire to sell the players however when it was obvious that they both viewed their futures elsewhere it is the board\u2019s responsibility to do the right thing for the club.<\/em> \u201cThat then meant ensuring that the club realised optimum financial value for the players \u2013 one of whom had only 17 weeks left on his contract.<\/em> \u201cIt should also be appreciated that in reality, players decide where they will play and not their current clubs.<\/em> \u201cDundee United has no control over their destination club. On this occasion the lure of European football and increased personal financial reward and security are major draws to young players. Both players ultimately go with our best wishes.<\/em> \u201cSuch deals are negotiated at all times in the longer term interests of the club. This is also a very important point as the club remains focused off-field on being debt free. The transfer fees received will have the incidental effect of assisting the club to become completely debt free ahead of schedule.<\/em> \u201cOn-field we are still challenging on three fronts and have no intention of being diverted from our short term aims for this season. We can say that safe in the knowledge that the manager himself is happy with the result of this transfer window and fully supported the board\u2019s actions.<\/em> \u201cWe have some of the best players in the country and we have the best management team for attracting the best young talent. We trust in the manager, his coaching staff and the players as an entire squad.<\/em> \u201cAs a board, we are optimistic about the club\u2019s future as we know the structure of the club and the personnel that are committed to the club, both on and off field, are acting in the best interests of Dundee United at all times.<\/em> \u201cFinally, the board of Dundee United Football Club has been made aware of media reports suggesting Dundee United is interested or is involved in talks to buy a football club in Australia.<\/em> \u201cWe can categorically state that Dundee United has no intention of purchasing any other football club.\u201d\u00a0<\/em> I’ve included all of that as an example of a board keeping the fans in the loop. Michael duffy tweeted his delight at being the new Derry Pele;<\/p>\n

\n
Michael Duffy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>@michaelduffy_<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

<\/i>Follow<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Delighted to have signed for @celticfc<\/b><\/a> its a dream come true, thanks for all the messages to much appreciated, cant wait to get started \""<\/p\"<\/p>\n

Another, less heralded signing was the extension of centre half Eoghan O’Connells contract until 2017, which means that the coaches have spotted something worth keeping, and he’s got a few months to iron out any rough patches before geting a shot at the first team. I’d like to think the reason Celtic haven’t acquired a centre half last month is because they feel they already have one.<\/p>\n

\u00a0There was a late night rumour surrounding the return of Aiden McGeady, but that apparently will wait until the summer, providing ronny deila can come up with a system that allows for the inclusion of six wingers. James MacLean, the Wigan Provo, was also the subject of another story, this one hinting that a move to Celtic was blocked by his club.<\/p>\n

\u00a0There was one move that caught the eye down in England, as Ishmeal Miller moved from Blackpool to Huddersfield after a considerable amount of negotiation.<\/p>\n

\u00a0It started when udderfield made the enquiry, and blackpool said<\/p>\n

” we will not let him go. “<\/p>\n

Huddersfield tried again-“let him go “<\/p>\n

To which lackpool responded;<\/p>\n

“Ishmael Miller? No, we will not let him go.”<\/p>\n

And so on.<\/p>\n

Filip twardzik has joined Neil Lennon at Bolton, presumably becuase he didn’t get Kris Commons.<\/p>\n

Jim White, who chairs the deadline day show on Sky sports News handled everything with his usual aplomb, so to even things up, we thought we’d show you this.<\/p>\n

\"Jim<\/p>\n

You have to ask what he was actually trying to do.<\/p>\n

\u00a0On the other side of the city, Second Rangers have brought in the first five players from Newcastle who are expected to form the team next year. Nearly all of their current players are out of contract in the summer, so Mike Ashley has dropped off the first instalment in Newco’s new side. Newco, of course, meaning Newcastle Colts.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The only thing they arguably have left is that the players still think they are Rangers players, now thats being eroded.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The afternath of Sundays League Cup game continues, with a shocking report of a ten year old Rangers fan suffering horrific facial injurues when a Celtic supporter-well, a guy in Celtic colours-lobbed a bottle into a minibus , and caught the wee fellow square in the face.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Disgusting.<\/p>\n

Whoever knows who this guy is should simply euther turn him in, or persuade him to turn himself in. Think about it, even if he is your mate, do you really want to be drinking with a guy who has caused serious disfigurement to a child at the footballl ?<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Get it done.<\/p>\n

Last word on the Hampden match, and police are keen to interview a fat chap who was seen in and around Hampden the night before the game….<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0Away from all that, and Tom Campbell, the Celtic historian is asking for your help. He’s putting together a book on legend Bobby Evans and he would be interested in anyone who has any personal memories of the man.<\/p>\n

\u00a0In particular, he is trying to place a date on the Lucozade adverts seen at the cinemas featuring the great man.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0We’ve got the first exclusive pictures of the young men sent from Newcastle, after a little persuasion , to continue their careers at Ibrox;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Get it done.<\/p>\n

Last word on the Hampden match, and police are keen to interview a fat chap who was seen in and around Hampden the night before the game….<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0Away from all that, and Tom Campbell, the Celtic historian is asking for your help. He’s putting together a book on legend Bobby Evans and he would be interested in anyone who has any personal memories of the man.<\/p>\n

\u00a0In particular, he is trying to place a date on the Lucozade adverts seen at the cinemas featuring the great man.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0We’ve got the first exclusive pictures of the young men sent from Newcastle, after a little persuasion , to continue their careers at Ibrox;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Get it done.<\/p>\n

Last word on the Hampden match, and police are keen to interview a fat chap who was seen in and around Hampden the night before the game….<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0Away from all that, and Tom Campbell, the Celtic historian is asking for your help. He’s putting together a book on legend Bobby Evans and he would be interested in anyone who has any personal memories of the man.<\/p>\n

\u00a0In particular, he is trying to place a date on the Lucozade adverts seen at the cinemas featuring the great man.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0We’ve got the first exclusive pictures of the young men sent from Newcastle, after a little persuasion , to continue their careers at Ibrox;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Thanks to the bunnet done it on twitter.<\/p>\n

and finally, who has just scored, who against, and when ?<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

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

Celtic supporters are feeling a little more contented than usual after a couple of late signings as the January transfer window was replaced by a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":6509,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/etims.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/baby-shocked-face-02.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2J7If-1GX","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6507"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6507"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6507\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6514,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6507\/revisions\/6514"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}