{"id":8054,"date":"2015-11-03T11:57:44","date_gmt":"2015-11-03T11:57:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=8054"},"modified":"2015-11-03T11:57:44","modified_gmt":"2015-11-03T11:57:44","slug":"celtic-diary-tuesday-november-3-mid-morning-special-biton-signs-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=8054","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Tuesday November 3: Mid Morning Special: Biton Signs On"},"content":{"rendered":"

As it was our local CSc meeting last night, certain administrative and other matters took a litle longer to resolve than we thought. And i went to the pub after, so I’m a tiny bit behind schedule today.<\/p>\n

The headlines , ahead of an important game for Celtic, are resoundingly clear about the importance of Nir Biton, the \u00a310m rated midfieilder, signing on until 2020 at Celtic.<\/p>\n

In fact, I’m so sure of this, theres no point in reprining them here.<\/p>\n

With several English clubs poised to sign a cheque for \u00a315m , the capture of Bitons signature is a great piece of business and a sign that Scottish football isn’t so bad after all.<\/p>\n

When the hoops can secure a man worth \u00a320m , then we should be shouting it from the rooftops.<\/p>\n

Well, Biton at least was happy about it. \u00a0According to the Brechin Advertiser…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0“As soon as I got a new offer from Celtic I had no questions about signing. When you play for a club like Celtic you don’t think twice.<\/em><\/p>\n

“It’s a huge club, the best fans in the world and Celtic Park is one of the best stages in Europe so I’m just delighted to extend my stay here.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Celtic is a special club and every time I go to the pitch I get goosebumps. When the fans sing You’ll Never Walk Alone it’s like something from a dream and these kinds of things make my life easier and happier – I’m just happy to stay here.<\/em><\/p>\n

“As a player, when you get the trust of a club it gives you confidence and you appreciate it. You just want to give that back as much as you can and like I say, when you play here you don’t think twice.<\/em><\/p>\n

“I enjoy every minute at Celtic and my wife is very happy here so there was never any need for change. This is where I want to be.<\/em><\/p>\n

“I have a great relationship with the manager and the backroom staff at Celtic who have all been magnificent with me and I have a group of team-mates who I respect so highly.<\/em><\/p>\n

“I am so pleased to commit my long-term future to Celtic and I now look forward to doing everything I can to bring the club and our fans more and more success.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Brechin Advertiser ?<\/p>\n

Yup.<\/p>\n

Over in Seville back in 03, one of our chaps near got a kicking when he asked for the names of clubs featuring the names of body parts. Liverpool and Hearts were easy. After several minutes he gave Brechin as the one they couldn’t get.<\/p>\n

We were lucky to get out alive.<\/p>\n

Anyhoo, there is a good news story in the Record.<\/p>\n

\n

‘Leigh Griffiths is as good as any of the best strikers I’ve played with’,<\/h1>\n

says former Wolves teammate Kevin McDonald<\/h1>\n

KEVIN McDonald has played with a trio of top class strikers with a combined value of \u00a335million.<\/em><\/p>\n

And\u00a0the Scotland midfielder<\/a>\u00a0says\u00a0Celtic\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0bargain buy,\u00a0Leigh Griffiths<\/a>\u00a0, has the potential to be as good as any of them.<\/em><\/p>\n

McDonald is currently starring alongside Benik Afobe\u00a0at Wolves<\/a>\u00a0, a player who had a \u00a314m price tag slapped on him in the summer.<\/em><\/p>\n

The former\u00a0Arsenal<\/a>\u00a0kid was the subject of interest from Alex Neil\u2019s\u00a0Norwich City<\/a>\u00a0but they were soon scared off by the asking price.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And during his time\u00a0at Burnley<\/a>\u00a0, McDonald played\u00a0with Steven Fletcher<\/a>\u00a0who did move to Sunderland for that whopping fee from Wolves in 2012.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jay Rodriguez was also at Turf Moor during McDonald\u2019s three years in Lancashire before\u00a0<\/em>
\nSouthampton splashed out \u00a37m on the England man.<\/em><\/p>\n

McDonald has been spoiled with the talented frontmen he\u2019s played with but says 25-year-old Griffiths is right up there with those three strike stars. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I think I preferred it when they were doing the bad news.<\/p>\n

Incidentally, Griffiths has scored 43 goals in 78 games for Celtic.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Speaking of statistics, what has Nadir Ciftci done more than James Forrest, Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay Steven put together this season ?<\/p>\n

Scored goals. He’s 2-1 up, a narrow margin, but it makes you think.<\/p>\n

By the way, is it true the club have received a significant offer for Kris Commons ? We asked the management…<\/p>\n

\"Ronny<\/p>\n

Probably not. I made that up.<\/p>\n

So, if you can’t trust me, who can you trust ?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

“It’s not job done for Celtic and although Hearts are six points behind I don’t think they are equipped to challenge Celtic, although they have had a remarkable season thus far.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

“I really thought Aberdeen were the ones to challenge Celtic but they have let a five-point advantage slip to seven behind. A 12-point turnaround in such a short space of time is quite alarming.<\/em><\/p>\n

“It’s a different mindset when you are leading the league it’s a fine margin. Against Celtic on Saturday, Adam Rooney had a fine chance with header and he didn’t take it and then Leigh Griffiths scored with a wonderful header; he’s on fire at the moment and Scotland manager Gordon Strachan was saying how much he has improved.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

“Celtic putting Aberdeen to bed that was a big result without their captain Scott Brown. It was almost putting a marker down to Aberdeen saying ‘You still not there yet.’ Aberdeen had chances against Celtic and unlike Hearts in the League Cup in midweek, they gave it a go on Saturday. I still think if anyone is to challenge Celtic it will be Aberdeen.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah. they look like they’re up for it.<\/p>\n

\"Aberdeen<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

McCann also managed to mention the breathtaking battle at the top of the second division;<\/p>\n

“Possession does not win you games.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Thats right, Neil. But it does help if you’ve actually got the fucking ball.<\/p>\n

It’s people who want to go and get on the end of things when the chances come up, and show that extra willingness to go and make things happen as Paul Hanlon did for the set piece.<\/em><\/p>\n

“If Rangers had gone 11 clear it would have been done but now it’s down to five and it’s still game on. Stubbs before the game was really confident and that must have transmitted to the players. What a great game of football it was and these two clubs have to be back in our top league.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Just as soon as they are good enough.<\/p>\n

When I googled Neil McCann to get a picture for this piece, guess what came up ?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Oh, and this;<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The great deflection on the other side of Glasgow continues, as the Rangers roadshow , er, hits the road. With a clear vision.<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Fianally, ahead of the MSM, we have proof that there is nothing left in the kitty. ( Thankd to Skel Perobares )<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

But there is a plan, given the time of year, for another Armed Forces Day at Ibrox, and the response from the military has been outstanding.<\/p>\n

And the support. Here we see a Glasgow lass volunteering her son, William, for active service in Iraq.<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Apparently, the shipyards are not hiring just now.<\/p>\n

This lady has already seen no less than two of her kids ( they are allowed contraception ) join up, and can’t hold back the tears of joy as she is given a ticket for the festival of freedom, or whatever other name they come up with for it , to be held at Ibrox.<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

There’s talk abounding that Mike Ashley is sick of Dave King and his pals, and is about to ask for his money back.<\/p>\n

However, that cannot be true. Dave King has ploughed a fortune into the clubm as the accounts will show. When someone writes them.<\/p>\n

Oh, and we’ve another exclusive, or so the drunk who sent me this says.<\/p>\n

Apparently, and i really don’t believe this, Dave King was outside a Rangers meeting as long ago as 1970…<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

I’m away now, before the lawyers get here.<\/p>\n

But I’ll leave you with this.<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

It’s a new feature in the Diary, called Who The Fuck Came Up With That One?<\/p>\n

I’m just glad we didn’t play Israel, or Nigeria.<\/p>\n

And I’m even more pleased that whoever was behind the idea for the picture is no longer in his job…really, he can’t be.<\/p>\n

Anyway, time for a look at the charts, and theres a new entry in the top forty….<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Mr.Green<\/strong>\u00a0\u200f@<\/s>brianboru67<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/a>\u00a012h<\/span>12 hours ago<\/span><\/a><\/small><\/div>\n

By a\"\" lonely prison\"\" waaaall I heard\"\" an old man\"\" caaaalling Michael\"\" you have took our strips awaaayy\"\"<\/p>\n

Not getting much airplay on clyde though… we need to get this man on the case.<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Ach, bloody keyboard.<\/p>\n

I meant in the case.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

By the way, have you heard these rumours about the Dream Team managerial duo set to take over at Chelsea ?<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

Listen, I’m hearing the wages are good at Level 5.<\/p>\n

Now, it’s question time…<\/p>\n

Have a look at this guy. Why was he in the news, and why should Celtic take note of \u00a0this ?<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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