New Footy Season 2016/17 ..How's your team doing? [Archive]

struth

20-06-2016, 09:47

Marco

20-06-2016, 11:51

Thought i would start a new thread for this season. Was looking through the gossip pages and see it being reported that ex Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers is after Liverpool pair Andre Wisdom and Joe Gomez.(on loan)
The Merseyside club will be willing to let full back Wisdom go if Celtic can match their asking price of £3 million.

Would have thouht that wouldnt be a problem for Celtjc. Not heard many transfer rumours for them so maybe they are on watch at euro16 for talent...or possibly the Copa tourney ?

Yeah defo, although I've not heard of those Liverpool players, and I'm not really sure we need any full-backs. Tierney and Lustig are pretty solid in both full-back positions, so not sure what the thinking is there. Anyway, we'll see...

As I've said before, I like the look of Shaqiri, who would provide some much needed craft/playmaking in midfield, in the style of Lubo Moravcik, and feel we could prize him from Stoke City if he was willing to take a cut in wages. You reckoned he was on around £65k a week at Stoke, well as I said before Chris Commons is reported to be currently on £45k at Celtic, so not a massive difference, and Celtic can offer Shaqiri Champions League football and the chance to play in front of 65,000 fans every other week!

The stickler would like be whether he'd want to play in the SPL, but it'd be a new challenge for him, and have the added attraction of old firm games next season. That's the class of player I think we need to be looking at, not rejects from Liverpool, unless I'm missing something...

I've also been impressed with Bogdan Stancu, of Romania. He looks pretty impressive up front for them, and I feel would be a sensation at Celtic. Strikers we do need! He currently plays in Turkey, so I wouldn't foresee any ridiculously high transfer fee, and he may jump at the chance of playing for a club like Celtic.

He's scored some pretty impressive goals for Romania and Steaua Bucharest, including the second one shown in this video from the Euro qualifiers (you'll have to click the YouTube button and watch it directly from there):

1sEWXpO2ob8

Also in midfield, I quote like the look of Zoltan Stieber, who plays for Hungary, and who scored this cracker of a goal against Austria:

tIw5Y9WV4ck

There are a few others, especially from some of the other eastern European sides, who've caught my eye, and shouldn't cost Celtic a fortune. I'll discuss those later. What do you think of my choices so far? :)

Rangers i see have extended their policy of bringing in youngsters wbo add value by signing Clint(alas not eastwood) Hill who is 37...yes 37. Ah well he may be another late developer:scratch:

Yeah, that was funny (although not as funny as some of the antics of Joey Barton). Clint Eastwood would have a better chance in Old Firm games, of 'gunning down' the Celtic defence! :D

Marco.

struth

20-06-2016, 12:07

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 12:11

Marco

20-06-2016, 13:30

Problem is with some international managers, they dont like their players working in poor leagues, which is the case with Scotland, like it or not. Stoke may not be fashionable or huge but they will turn over more than Celtic and play weekly against the best players in world.. There lies the difference, and it matter to top players too.

I agree, which is why I think it's ridiculous that Celtic aren't allowed to play in the Premiership, (or even go in at Championship level and work their way up) as that's where a club of their stature and history deserve to be, instead of shackled to the poor man's pond that is the SPL, but that's an old story...

However, although you have a valid point, I'd don't think it's quite as 'doom and gloom' as you make out, otherwise someone such as Rodgers, with high ambitions as a manager, would've have taken the Celtic job.

Regardless of the relative paucity of the football standard in the SPL (although in some ways I think it's unfairly maligned), there still exists a significant 'pull' for any player or manager to come to Celtic, who are, SPL or not, still considered (and rightly so) as one of the biggest clubs in the world.

That, and the fact that they're not exactly 'skint', means that they still have the ability to attract some top players, and I'm sure we'll see evidence of that in the coming months :)

Be good for game and celts attendances if that were to happen but its a huge wedge for Celtic...too much i think. Big transfer fees and massive wages are on way out even at parkhead. We just dont make enough......and we dont play top sides often enough to learn how to do well in Europe either, a factor in our regular demises.

Yup, all undoubtedly true. However, it wasn't all that long ago that we were in the UEFA cup final, which Martin O'Neill took us to.

I certainly don't think that's beyond us again, with Rodgers at the helm, or perhaps even to go one better... And let's face it, plenty of top sides play in the Europa League, which is a hard tournament to win, and at the very minimum I can see us having a decent run in it, presuming that we don't qualify for the Champions League and/or get beyond the group stages.

All that, for me, is ample incentive for someone who currently plays for Stoke City, to come to Celtic, instead of playing for a team who realistically will win hee-haw (at Celtic you're almost guaranteed to win trophies every season, coupled with playing for some of the best fans in the world), and for whom playing in the CL, with Stoke City, is not far from being a pipe dream! ;)

Both old firm at their peaks currently or very recent times may still be huge clubs but because they play in Scottish league they are fast becoming dinosaurs i am afraid.

Maybe, but let's face it mate, unless a miracle happens, Rangers as you once knew them, are no more - certainly in terms of spending power. The fact is, the ONLY club in Scotland with any significant money is Celtic. The gulf, in that respect, between them and the rest of the teams there, is about as big as it is (probably bigger) between Stoke City and Real Madrid!!

However, that doesn't mean that Rangers won't have a good season, at the level they're currently operating at.... :cool:

Marco.

Marco

20-06-2016, 13:32

The problem with listening to any of the rumours surrounding Manchester City is that we're linked with just about every high ticket player that's available.
I just sit and wait for done deals to be announced on the club website.

İlkay Gündoğan should prove to be a good addition, once he recovers from his injuries.

Nice to be in that position, Chris. Let's hope though, that all the money you end up spending delivers the prizes that matter this season, as that's distinctly not been the case much so far ;)

This season will certainly be a rather interesting one in the Premiership - I suspect the best one for years - so bring it on! :)

Marco.

struth

20-06-2016, 13:59

Yes they are effectively same level as Celtic... You have better players, more money and bigger capacity which all helps to keep you strong. Trouble is most of that has been wasted and a chance to get your club at a level Rangers or any other club would struggle to get near. I put that down to lawell and co. Celtic have not been coming close to filling Parkhead because the footy on display has been woeful on the whole and wouldnt have been tolerated at any other time since Auld Jock(who i met twice) nice man. They are also paying huge amount of wages to players that will not get a game.
I have to say im surprised at them not going for jugular but its history now.
Rogers was a fan so he got an offer which was probably his only good one with a chance of winning something and with a good wage he rightly took it. He has not really won anything so doing well there and at least against even a weaker than normal rangers will count for his record. Good luck to him too. I thought him a good manager at swans and initially with pool. Think pressure got to him a bit though.

Id expect Gers to get top 4 at least. Dont think there are 4 teams better over season to what they will likely field although proof of that is in the eating. But you never can tell. They might get second which would be a coup. The fact that in ladt few seasons Rangers Hearts Hibs Dundee utd etc have all been or will be missing from the top league kinda says it all about the state of the game here. Stoke will get the boy plenty game time on camera v best players and if he does well then he will be off to likes of madrid or barca

Marco

20-06-2016, 14:28

Yes they are effectively same level as Celtic... You have better players, more money and bigger capacity which all helps to keep you strong.

I'd question the "same level" thing, but I know what you mean, as both currently play in the SPL. The major differences being that Celtic are financially stable, not continually teetering on the edges of bankruptcy, and have been playing at a far higher level of football for the last few years.

Trouble is most of that has been wasted and a chance to get your club at a level Rangers or any other club would struggle to get near. I put that down to lawell and co.

I agree totally, but perhaps that's only because, in the absence of Rangers, they haven't needed to? I'm not defending that mentality, though. This season, however, could be very different, and so Celtic may be ramming home their superiority in that respect...

The problem is that Celtic 'boardrooms' have always suffered from somewhat of a 'biscuit tin' mentality, and unless something changes, that will always be the case. Undoubtedly however, no real progress has been made since Neil Lennon was in charge (whom I was amused to see is now Hibs manager), and that's something I think will change for the better under Rodgers.

Certainly season tickets are flying out the door, as the fans sense something exciting is about to happen, and I suspect are now all but sold out. No doubt, therefore, that Celtic Park will be heaving this season, and that alone will make a big difference, trust me! ;)

Rogers was a fan so he got an offer which was probably his only good one with a chance of winning something and with a good wage he rightly took it. He has not really won anything so doing well there and at least against even a weaker than normal rangers will count for his record. Good luck to him too. I thought him a good manager at swans and initially with pool. Think pressure got to him a bit though.

Yup, I don't disagree. However, lets not forget that he took Liverpool to within the brink of winning the league for the first time in years, which many other arguably better managers than him (such as Benitez) couldn't achieve - and it was no accident either. It's *that* aspect of his managerial ability that excites me, and also other Celtic fans! This guy is certainly capable of creating something special at Celtic.

Id expect Gers to get top 4 at least. Dont think there are 4 teams better over season to what they will likely field although proof of that is in the eating. But you never can tell. They might get second which would be a coup. The fact that in ladt few seasons Rangers Hearts Hibs Dundee utd etc have all been or will be missing from the top league kinda says it all about the state of the game here.

I think they'll do much better than 4th, and fully expect them (along with Hearts and Aberdeen) to run Celtic close. Teams are always capable of beating each other during individual games throughout a season. At the end of the day though, the best team always wins the league, and the points tally accrued at the end, tells the true story of where any team is at.

Stoke will get the boy plenty game time on camera v best players and if he does well then he will be off to likes of madrid or barca

Sure, although I don't think he's quite Barca or Madrid quality. Anyway, it's all pie in the sky - I'm simply identifying the quality of players Celtic should be looking at in order to significantly improve the team and make them properly equipped for the CL qualifiers and Europe in general. Whether Celtic could afford such players or not, or they would want to come to the club, remains to be seen.

Can't wait for the start of the season, though. You lot have got a nice easy one (on paper) at home to Hamilton, whereas we're off to Edinburgh to play Hearts! :eek:

Marco.

P.S It'll also be interesting to see how Celtic get on in the forthcoming 'Battle of Britain" friendly against Leicester City, on 24th July....

struth

20-06-2016, 14:39

Not really a fan as such now. Like to keep my eye on things etc though. Was once though, but the bigotry in football, and its everywhere in Scotland, put me off. In rugby you support your team but dont attack opposition as without good opposition you cant have a good side to support. Simples really.. You used to split at gate to your side and meet again after game. Odd bit of banter but nothing nasty.
Tbh it used to be a bit like that in footy too once. Rugby may not be that way now of course. Not been to a Gala game for some time or my fav, the Melrose Sevens.

Marco

20-06-2016, 15:03

struth

20-06-2016, 15:09

Yeah, I hate all that bigotry shite too, but I guess it is what it is (and not as bad as it once was), but it's certainly not enough to stop me supporting a team I love dearly and have supported for years.

There's green and white blood running deeply through my veins, but only in a football sense! :)

Marco.

The way it should be mate. And by bigotry i didnt just mean sectarian bigotry... Bigots of same religious group can and do still have bigotry towards other teams.
I wont have that for thats sake. Same as those songs... And Rangers are worst, although not by any means the only offender.
Rangers have not done enough to rid this mindset, even at upper club level for my liking.

I am not and never have been into those songs on any side. Were all Jock Thamson,s weans.

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 15:13

P.S It'll also be interesting to see how Celtic get on in the forthcoming 'Battle of Britain" friendly against Leicester City, on 24th July....

It says it's on the 23rd on the Celtic website.

Marco

20-06-2016, 15:17

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 16:49

Our first game with Guardiola in charge is against Bayern Munich, at the Allianz Arena.
Followed up with 2 games in China, against Salford Rovers and Borussia Dortmund respectively, then back to Germany for a game against Arsenal.

The season kicks off a week after the Arsenal game.

struth

20-06-2016, 16:56

Sorry, yes, my mistook! :doh:

Should be an interesting tournament, the likes of which you don't get invited to play in unless you're considered as 'half-decent', lol! Details here: http://www.celticfc.net/news/10231

Probably end up getting well and truly cuffed! Still, it'll be an interesting (and probably) exciting one to watch! :cool:

Marco.

Usually Scottish teams do fairly well as there season starts a bit earlier normally.. Might not be case this time though. Fairly new tourney but remember man u winning a year or 2 ago in Mitchigan i think. 3-1 i think.. Big crowd.

struth

20-06-2016, 16:58

Might add one of the reasons our teams dont do well in qualifiers is they often play sides already up and running...it makes a big difference to have several meaningful matches under the belt b4 hitting euro football

Marco

20-06-2016, 17:10

struth

20-06-2016, 17:30

Marco

20-06-2016, 17:40

Lol... Well, the best recent example of such bias was last night when the referee bottled giving Switzerland a last minute STONEWALL (I mean this thing was beyond disputing) penalty against France! :doh:

Conspiracy theories undoubtedly exist, and will always be a part of football, sometimes justified, sometimes not, as indeed will the fact of bigger teams, or teams playing in more 'lucrative leagues', always getting the 'greater rub of the green'.....

Marco.

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 18:03

Indeed - how true is that!

I've also said before, and indeed Chis and I have discussed the matter a few times, it's utterly ridiculous the amount of CL qualifiers a club like Celtic has to play, compared with, say, the team who finishes (is it 3rd or 4th?) in the Premiership?

It's unfair and just doesn't make sense :rolleyes:

There's also a bias towards teams playing in the bigger leagues, who the 'powers that be' like to do well, and you can see evidence of that in many ways, including refereeing decisions in big games, which invariably go in favour of the former!

Marco.

UEFA decided at some point following Rangers financial meltdown and subsequent kicking and backstabbing from every club in the Scottish league that there was not sufficient competition in Scottish football to warrant direct qualification into the Champions League.
Now that Rangers are back in the top flight this might change in a few seasons, and you might get back to the qualification position that existed previously https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%9311_UEFA_Champions_League

If Rangers had been in the English league they'd have been fined and docked 10 points.
In Scotland the powers that be got all holier than thou, and that was not deemed to be punishment enough.
So every club in the league quite publicly stuck the boot in.

What was that Grant was saying, something about being your own worst enemy?

Like it or not, Celtic need Rangers to be a strong opponent, and vice versa.
And you might get your UEFA rankings back.

In answer to the question, it's the 4th placed team, so this season it's Manchester City that have to play a qualifying round.
It's a pain in the backside, but it has to be done.
It's additional games, but it's early enough in the season for it not to cause problems - it might even be additional game time that's needed.

struth

20-06-2016, 18:34

UEFA decided at some point following Rangers financial meltdown and subsequent kicking and backstabbing from every club in the Scottish league that there was not sufficient competition in Scottish football to warrant direct qualification into the Champions League.
Now that Rangers are back in the top flight this might change in a few seasons, and you might get back to the qualification position that existed previously https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%9311_UEFA_Champions_League

If Rangers had been in the English league they'd have been fined and docked 10 points.
In Scotland the powers that be got all holier than thou, and that was not deemed to be punishment enough.
So every club in the league quite publicly stuck the boot in.

What was that Grant was saying, something about being your own worst enemy?

Like it or not, Celtic need Rangers to be a strong opponent, and vice versa.
And you might get your UEFA rankings back.

In answer to the question, it's the 4th placed team, so this season it's Manchester City that have to play a qualifying round.
It's a pain in the backside, but it has to be done.
It's additional games, but it's early enough in the season for it not to cause problems - it might even be additional game time that's needed.

its happened b4 but when rangers were to play eufa final, i think, they were forced to play several games before as other clubs and fa didnt want them to get a break. The fact that it would help them and the countries footy was no interest to them. Just one instance, but will be plenty on various sides I'm sure.
As I said earlier the bigotry in this country(and I am not even touching religious stuff ) is such that other clubs would rather lose money than help some clubs, and the fans are worse...lol
Until this little island attitude is got rid of, we will always be small time. England doesn’t want both old firm as they are trouble. They may take Celtic if there was no Rangers, although I doubt it. Rangers fans(a minority , but are always joined by a load of Chelsea mobsters etc) have themselves to blame as they have caused trouble pretty much everywhere at some time. Wasn't always there fault by any means, but never the less the club gets smeared. Memories are long and Rangers would not be wanted. Celtic are not as big a draw as make the English want to change anything, plus the English game is doing very well without them.
The answer is for people to put their dislikes away and start being a country of neighbours and friends overall. Have the competitive desires, but leave it at the sport doors.....alas there is more chance of me becoming Queen

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 18:52

I was having a chat with one of the other fathers at one of the games my son's team played last season, and he told me about the time he went to Celtic for a match.
The away supporters were in a caged area - to keep the locals out.
The locals' weapon of choice was the dart, as in stand up to the oche type of dart.

I've heard of other savagery by Celtic supporters on trips South of the border.
I'm talking Old Trafford, Stanley knives and various other choice bits of kit, and this was from a nurse who did voluntary work with St John's Ambulance.
Thankfully the Celtic supporters managed to keep to fighting amongst themselves.

To even things up a little there was the trouble in Manchester when Rangers supporters came down for the Europa League final.

That's 2 reasons why there ain't no way Celtic or Rangers are getting into the EPL.

Marco

20-06-2016, 19:07

Lol - so Chelsea or Liverpool fans, amongst others, all are angels and cause no trouble, then? Aye, dream on!! :eyebrows:

I very much doubt that's the reason, Chris, for Celtic's absence from the EPL, as these days Celtic fans are renowned, worldwide, for their good behaviour, hence why they've won awards for such and are the team many others choose to play friendlies against and/or invite to testimonials or tournaments!

Do you think they'd have been invited to compete in the forthcoming one soon, where they'll be playing Leicester City, Barca, etc, if their fans had such a bad reputation?

As for Rangers, no disrespect to Grant, but they're simply not at the required level, in really any area just now, not just footballing, to be considered for the EPL.

I'll get to your other post later :)

Marco.

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 19:49

The E in EPL stands for English.
Is that too hard to sink in? :)

Marco

20-06-2016, 19:51

Lol... Is that why Swansea City play there, then? :lol:

;)

Marco.

struth

20-06-2016, 19:58

struth

20-06-2016, 20:06

Lol... Is that why Swansea City play there, then? :lol:

;)

Marco.

Whales didnt have a league back then apparently. Maybe if we wind up the spl ???

Nice crack from that Swiss boy you fancy for Celts. after the team having 4 shirts torn to shreds on pitch, he said that he hoped Puma dont make Condoms :lol:

struth

20-06-2016, 21:14

In case Marco hasn't heard Celtic will face a trip to either Estonian side Flora Tallinn or Lincoln of Gibraltar in the Champions League second qualifying round.

The first leg, new manager Brendan Rodgers' first competitive fixture in charge, will be away on 12/13 July, with the return on 19/20 July. Fancy the Estonians might win that

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 21:29

We've been here before.
Swansea City and Cardiff City chose to play in the English league, not the Welsh League, for rather obvious reasons.
They're not the only teams from Wales to make that choice either.
They were given the choice because Wales is the Principality of Wales.
The whole of Wales was annexed by England and incorporated within the English legal system under the Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542, and it's that that gives the Welsh clubs the right to choose which league to play in.
As a concession to playing in the English league the clubs have had to give up the right to play in the Welsh league and competitions, which is no bad thing, because the FAW are a bunch of colloquial, petty buggers at the best of times.

The same does not apply to Scotland, with the exception of the SFA being a bunch of colloquial, petty buggers at the best of times.
Celtic and Rangers will not get approval from the SFA.
The discussion ends, because there's nothing to discuss.

Marco

20-06-2016, 21:30

Yeah, dude. I heard. Some right mad wee teams in these early CL qualifiers... Oh yes, that's right, we have to play THREE qualifying rounds, despite having WON our league, yet Man City, as Chris mentioned earlier:

In answer to the question, it's the 4th placed team, so this season it's Manchester City that have to play a qualifying round.
It's a pain in the backside, but it has to be done.

Oh, boo-hoo... See above. We've actually WON the European cup before, and yet still have to play three CL qualifying rounds. Mind you, that was a wee while ago, although certainly a year after when England last won the World Cup, which we're all reminded of at regular intervals!! :doh: :lol:

;)

Marco.

Marco

20-06-2016, 21:33

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 21:41

Oh, boo-hoo... See above. We've actually WON the European cup before, and yet still have to play three CL qualifying rounds. Mind you, that was a wee while ago, although a year after when England last won the World Cup, which we're all reminded of at regular intervals!! :doh: :lol:

;)

Marco.

You don't remember Celtic winning the European Cup, and I'm only just old enough to be capable of remembering (which I don't).
In recent times you have not had any proper league opposition.
Which is why UEFA decided to drop the Scottish League from having any automatic qualification spot.

History is exactly that - history - and it doesn't matter how many pots you've got in the cabinet.
You're only as good as your last game, and it has always been the case.

Joe

20-06-2016, 21:42

That may be the case. Doesn't make it right, though! .

But surely ...

"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way and the only way, it does not exist"

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 21:43

That may be the case. Doesn't make it right, though! It also shows that the 'E' in EPL, as you mentioned earlier, is somewhat of a misnomer... ;)

Marco.

Legally speaking it's absolutely correct.

struth

20-06-2016, 21:43

Marco

20-06-2016, 21:49

You don't remember Celtic winning the European Cup, and I'm only just old enough to be capable of remembering (which I don't).
In recent times you have not had any proper league opposition.
Which is why UEFA decided to drop the Scottish League from having any automatic qualification spot.

History is exactly that - history - and it doesn't matter how many pots you've got in the cabinet.
You're only as good as your last game, and it has always been the case.

I was less than 2 years old when Celtic won the European cup, so have no recollection of it whatsoever. It still happened, though - and they were also in the final again in 1970 :)

Yes, of course I understand where you're coming from, but equally, I think you know where I'm coming from, too! Celtic have long outgrown the SPL and deserve to be playing *somewhere* else, swimming in a pond with equally big fish.

Marco.

Marco

20-06-2016, 21:49

But surely ...

"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way and the only way, it does not exist"

:lolsign:

Marco.

Marco

20-06-2016, 21:51

Legally speaking it's absolutely correct.

Fuck that ;)

Marco.

Marco

20-06-2016, 21:53

I watched it on tv with my dad. etc. He opened a bottle of champers when they won. Was a great team.

An utterly amazing team, mate - and nearly all from Glasgow too, except Bobby Lennox, who was from Saltcoats, in Ayrshire. That will certainly never happen again!

Marco.

struth

20-06-2016, 21:55

The 3 teams from scotland who won euro competitions all had Full scottish players if memory serves. Oddly when Celtic had that side Gers had a super side too.

Marco

20-06-2016, 21:57

Indeed... Those were the days, until SKY and all the money men came in and fucked it up! :)

Marco.

struth

20-06-2016, 21:59

Indeed... Those were the days, until SKY, and all the money men, fucked it up! :)

Marco.

You look at the players Scotland had in 60's you have to wonder how we never did well in the world cup... Guess it was our famed international reputation for snatching defeat from victory:doh:

Marco

20-06-2016, 22:03

Too fond of the bevvy and fags, mate. Look at Jim Baxter... A world class player, but unfortunately also a world class smoker and drinker! A fine figure of a man he was, on 40-a-day, and that's not including the pints of beer!! :lol: :D

Too many talented others were exactly the same....

Marco.

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 22:21

I was less than 2 years old when Celtic won the European cup, so have no recollection of it whatsoever. It still happened, though - and they were also in the final again in 1970 :)

Yes, of course I understand where you're coming from, but equally, I think you know where I'm coming from, too! Celtic have long outgrown the SPL and deserve to be playing *somewhere* else, swimming in a pond with equally big fishes.

Marco.

So you're proposing that Scotland be annexed too?
Give Scottish teams the right to choose which league they play in?
It'll never happen, but that's what it will take.
And to think, I had you down as being pro Scottish Independence; either that or you want to have cake and eat it.

Don't forget that the SFA are not your friend either, with their somewhat colloquial attitudes and steadfast refusal to take a wider picture.
It's the same SFA that resists a Team GB for football in the Olympics, all because they don't want to give FIFA or UEFA any opportunity to diminish their right to have a national team playing for World Cup qualification or European Championship qualification.
The IFA have the same approach too.

Joe

20-06-2016, 22:24

Don't forget that the SFA are not your friend either, with their somewhat colloquial attitudes

When you write 'colloquial', do you mean 'parochial', or is there some meaning of 'colloquial' that I've not come across before?

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 22:35

When you write 'colloquial', do you mean 'parochial', or is there some meaning of 'colloquial' that I've not come across before?

Pedant :)

I mean parochial.
It would have also meant thinking less about how the word is spelt too.

struth

20-06-2016, 22:40

Pedant :)

I mean parochial.
It would have also meant thinking less about how the word is spelt too.

long dangly thing often made of string? ... right

Marco

20-06-2016, 22:40

Pedant :)

Lol - says Captain Pedantic himself! :D

Anyway, all this celebrating of Wales his tired out my wee napper, so I'm off to bed :goodnight:

Marco.

Stratmangler

20-06-2016, 22:40

long dangly thing often made of string? ... right

:D

Joe

20-06-2016, 23:01

Pedant :)

I mean parochial.
It would have also meant thinking less about how the word is spelt too.

'Colloquial' is a weird word when you write it several times. Mind you, so is 'parochial', and 'mind', and 'and'.

walpurgis

20-06-2016, 23:28

'Bottocks' is quite intriguing too. It's neither one thing nor the other. (quote from Benny Hill Show)

struth

23-06-2016, 10:00

Rangers have signed Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar on a two-year deal. Thats 1 from liverpool, 3 ex qpr players and 2 from acrington stanley...

Celtic manager said yesterday that no new players were imminent. I find that odd.

Marco

23-06-2016, 15:45

Just waiting until the right ones come along, mate, of requisite quality to genuinely improve the squad. Remember that the Euros are still on, so if you're not signing old has-beens, like Sevco, no major transfer business is gonna happen until the tournament is over:eyebrows: ;)

Marco.

struth

23-06-2016, 15:47

If your going to come away with this sevco shit then the conversation is at an end;)

Marco

23-06-2016, 16:12

Windy windy, uppy uppy...... :harp: :D

Marco.

struth

24-06-2016, 16:03

Thinking of post brexit now, this may well have an effect on the English league system. They wont find it so easy to bring in eu players perhaps and as pound falls even now many deals may well be cancelled by becoming too expensive. May there be a possibilty of the money they get from sky having been dealt a financial blow re values etc..
Will be interesting....can Scotland profit due to its reliance more on home talent?

Marco

24-06-2016, 16:34

An interesting way of looking at it, mate. We've certainly got to find some way of levelling the playing field and making things fairer for the Scottish teams trying to compete in Europe! :)

The current CL qualification system is a joke and weighted heavily in favour of money/prestige more than anything else, no matter how 'thinly disguised' otherwise!! :rolleyes:

Marco.

Stratmangler

24-06-2016, 18:03

struth

24-06-2016, 18:18

I guess it was always the champions cup then champions league but most of the champions don't get into it in preference of the big TVs audience sides in the rich leagues.
England Spain etc get lots but small countries got none mostly so it's basically a closed shop. Rich get richer

Marco

24-06-2016, 18:21

Exactly, and it sucks! It's not at all what football should be about...

Marco.

Marco

29-06-2016, 06:14

Like the look of this young French player we've signed, and think he'll be good for us: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36652940

In action:

y-_ikcucqbs

:cool:

Marco.

Stratmangler

29-06-2016, 07:03

Like the look of this young French player, and think he'll be good for us: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36652940

:cool:

Marco.

Celtic have signed well.
Pat Roberts is delighted to be reunited with his Fulham team mate.
The pair of them should do well for you.
Talking of Pat Roberts http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/roberts-celtic-man-city-silva-11400192 , and Brendan Rodgers even manages to state the bleeding obvious
Patrick is different to Sterling although similar to him in that he is young

Genius :lol:

Marco

29-06-2016, 08:26

Lol - it's the kind of stuff football managers specialise in and trot out on a regular basis...

Yeah, I think that Dembele will be a major asset, and expect him to score plenty of goals with the high-tempo pressing game Rodgers wants the team to play, especially teaming up with Griffiths, and like you say young Roberts.

There'll be goals in this season's Celtic team, that's for sure! :)

How are things shaping up at City - any new faces in yet?

Marco.

Stratmangler

29-06-2016, 11:38

There are plenty of rumours, but nothing concrete, other than İlkay Gündoğan, and he's unlikely to make the start of the season.

struth

01-07-2016, 18:30

:eek: Ibrahimovic signs up with Utd. 1 year deal. Sure he will score goals, and dont think he is a Falco-esc disaster in the making. He didnt have a good Euro 16 but did very well last season, so dont see a major problem. Might be a few defenders worrying just a tad now. Utd's second signing after bringing in Eric Bailly for £30 mil. Sure there will be more.

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/2485/production/_90194390_zlatan-main.jpg

Marco

01-07-2016, 18:39

I rate him highly, as one of the best strikers in the world, and I expect him to do well at United.

You never commented on Celtic's new striker! ;)

Marco.

struth

01-07-2016, 18:46

Ah the boy Dembele? yes he is a decent sort, but young yet. may do well, but might have to bulk up a tad as he will no doubt attract the kickers. The older one, was the one I though they had got.. think he is Belgian and plays for Spurs. he's very good.
Sure they will make a profit on him if they dont push him too hard. Certainly got youth on his side as he's only about 20.

Marco

01-07-2016, 19:02

Yup, apparently quite a few Premiership clubs were after him, but he chose to play for Celtic, and having watched his interviews on Celtic TV, Rodgers was hugely influential in that decision - and indeed in identifying him in the first place! ;)

The boy is lightening fast and has bags of skill - an exciting prospect.

He'll be teaming up with his old team mate at Fulham, young Patrick Roberts (who's David Silva in style), and I expect them to score a barrowload of goals for the club :)

Marco.

struth

01-07-2016, 19:20

Yes he will get more game time at celtic, thats for sure, or at least the opportunity of it; the rest will be up to him if he plays well enough. If he does very well, dont expect him to be there next year though. Such is life at this end of the financial leagues.

Marco

01-07-2016, 19:25

Yeah I know, but we'll see. Much will depend on what Celtic have achieved, or not, at the end of the season! ;)

Marco.

struth

01-07-2016, 22:49

I also look forward to Ryan Giggs first gig as a manager, after being basically shown the door by Utd. Think Gigsy has all the attributes to be a very good manager ... Not sure if the Swansea door is still open, but it would be a nice club to start with if it is.

struth

02-07-2016, 17:14

Another Utd recruit looks to be on way... Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan . He is a good player, and should fit in well

Stratmangler

02-07-2016, 17:22

City signed Nolito yesterday.
There are a few other deals in the pipeline which will unfold in the next few weeks.

struth

02-07-2016, 17:26

I was intrigued with the signing of Mooy?

Stratmangler

02-07-2016, 17:44

I don't think you'll be seeing him pull on a City shirt anytime soon, if at all.
I think he'll be out on loan at the first opportunity, and sold on if he doesn't shape up the way City want.

The Youtube vids I've seen show him to be a decent enough player in the mould of David Silva, and we already have a player of a similar vein on loan at Celtic.

We'll have to see how he comes on.

struth

02-07-2016, 17:46

Thought he was 25. a bit old for development

Stratmangler

02-07-2016, 18:09

25 is prime development age.
He's been playing in the Australian leagues, and the European leagues provide greater competition.
They'll want to see how he copes.

struth

04-07-2016, 14:45

Leicester city are about to sign Ahmed Musa... He is good player and surprised none of the so called big teams went for him.

struth

06-07-2016, 14:53

Manchester United have signed Armenia midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund. The 27 year old was ply in Germany last season

Marco

21-07-2016, 08:45

Thank goodness we got the right result at home after the huge disappointment of losing 1-0 away, in what were rather difficult conditions. However, the team played superbly well last night in a packed ground, full of 60,000+ fans, and in what was Brendan Rogers first competitive match at home.

Celtic could've easily won 6 or 7-0, as they dominated and controlled the match from start to finish, however the third goal, from Roberts, was world class! :eek:

Next we face another difficult away tie in Kazakhstan - not the safest place to go these days for a number of reasons, against FC Astana, once again on a plastic pitch... I'd take 0-0 in that one all day long, and feel confident we could complete the task at Celtic Park, where the signs are we're going to be playing some exhilarating football this season, and so would be confident of beating anyone there.

Looking forward now to playing Leicester City, on Saturday, in the International Champions Cup, which I'm sure will be a great match! :cool:

Marco.

struth

23-07-2016, 21:16

See your getting the Kolo Toure. Not the spring chicken, but plenty experience, and can be used in Europe as a wildcard . hope its costing you's:lol:

Seaharrier

26-07-2016, 18:52

Rangers looking good so far, just need to put more of the chances away (maybe my shares will eventually be worth something again :) - first old firm game should be a cracker.

struth

26-07-2016, 19:28

Aye they are playing decent at mo. Missing a lot but better to at least to be making chances. Still preseason too

struth

27-07-2016, 20:47

Just looking at the prem betting, and best bet seems to be Ibrahimivich top scorer at 10/1. City favs to win followed by utd.

Marco

27-07-2016, 20:51

Rangers looking good so far, just need to put more of the chances away (maybe my shares will eventually be worth something again :) - first old firm game should be a cracker.

Which match are you referring to, Chris? :)

Oh, and you should be supporting Killie, not that new team that used to be called Rangers! :eyebrows:;)

Marco.

Marco

27-07-2016, 20:52

See your getting the Kolo Toure. Not the spring chicken, but plenty experience, and can be used in Europe as a wildcard . hope its costing you's:lol:

Yeah, mate, a quality signing no doubt... Good result for us away in Europe tonight, too (1-1), in a very difficult fixture :)

Marco.

struth

27-07-2016, 20:56

A good rescue, by what i heard, as they were lucky to get in at 1-0. Should easily get through now though barring an early goal, which could make things difficult. Scotland could do with the coefficient points of someone getting through

Marco

28-07-2016, 20:02

I watched the game live on Celtic TV, via my laptop, and aside from the goal Astana scored, and a couple of other small chances they had, Celtic controlled the game and could've scored another couple of goals.

Having watched them fairly closely, I'm not too concerned about them and would expect us to win at Celtic Park and get through to the next (and final) qualifying round, which will be the most difficult of all, as it'll undoubtedly involve a top quality team, with plenty of potential for slip-ups!

I thought Aberdeen were still in Europe?

Marco.

struth

28-07-2016, 20:04

Seaharrier

28-07-2016, 22:21

Which match are you referring to, Chris?

Oh, and you should be supporting Killie, not that new team that used to be called Rangers!

Any of the league cup section games - all followed the same pattern - should have scored a lot more goals - the scores didn't reflect the teams superiority.

Got a family of Killie season ticket holders here - even used to go to watch their games as I wasn't allowed to go to Glasgow when I was younger (and still go along sometimes as I only stay two minutes from Rugby Park, though recently the standard has been dire - so I tend to go and watch local amateur games which have the bonus of being free) - however there is a good historical reason why I follow the Queens eleven which I may share sometime.

Get a lot of that from friends and acquaintances who follow the darkside, however I just take the pragmatic route - if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then as far as I'm concerned - it is a duck ;).

Cheers,

Chris.

Marco

29-07-2016, 08:56

Any of the league cup section games - all followed the same pattern - should have scored a lot more goals - the scores didn't reflect the teams superiority.

Yup, I've watched a couple of the games and they certainly dominated the games and played well.

However, let's remember that it's largely lower league opposition you've been playing, so winning those games comfortably is exactly what you should be doing, if you've got notions of being successful in the SPL against the likes of Aberdeen Hearts and Celtic, which is where your team will be properly tested :)

You should try playing CL qualifying games, halfway around the world, away from home against teams who are already halfway through their season and trying to win those games, when the players in your team aren't fully fit yet... Not easy! ;)

...however there is a good historical reason why I follow the Queens eleven which I may share sometime.

Sounds intriguing, so do share sometime. The queen's eleven? Lol.... Don't bring that daft old bint into it :eyebrows:

Get a lot of that from friends and acquaintances who follow the darkside, however I just take the pragmatic route - if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then as far as I'm concerned - it is a duck ;).

:lolsign:

Marco.

struth

29-07-2016, 09:20

Aye, the imps were a top euro side :eek:

Any idea who they may get in 4th round. An all British battle would be good:)

Marco

29-07-2016, 19:41

No, I think it's likely to be someone like Croatia Zagreb, Rosenborg, Legia Warsaw, Fenerbahçe, FC Copenhagen or Olympiakos :)

Marco.

struth

29-07-2016, 19:57

probably take the Greeks or Copehagen

Marco

30-07-2016, 10:07

Yeah, probably me too - that's *if* we get through by beating Astana (or drawing 0-0) at Celtic Park. Unlike England supporters, we don't count our chickens! ;)

Marco.

struth

30-07-2016, 10:54

If he abandons that 3 at back, you,ll be ok. Scottish sides just dont handle that well.

struth

01-08-2016, 22:53

Utd, City and Chelsea, all having new managers, and have been, and still are buying in talent look to be the pick of this years crop for the title. City, and Utd especially, if their deals go through ... Arsenal, as per usual are not really interested in major improvements, and have stuck with Wenger and one buy so far. I dont see them in the mix unless they open their piggy bank. Spurs did well last year and think they can do well again, as will Liverpool, who's manager, Klopp will need to put up this year. Hard to Judge Leicester but as champs, they deserve to be rated again, with Mendy in in place of Kante.

Marco

03-08-2016, 21:53

Well, after a difficult game at Celtic Park, that's us through to the CL playoff round! :)

And into the draw on Friday with Celtic will be:

FC Copenhagen
Steaua Bucharest
Hapoel Be'er Sheva
BSC Young Boys
FC Salzberg
Ajax
Legia Warsaw
Monaco
FC Rostov

After the torrid trips abroad Celtic have had to endure so far, I'd prefer to avoid a journey to Israel to play Hapoel Be'er Sheva, and that aside, they'd also be another difficult and largely unknown quantity. FC Rostov, in Russia, come under a similar category, although going to Russia would be better than Israel, with the heat there that would involve.

Given a choice, I'd take BSC Young Boys or FC Copenhagen, the most difficult opposition in my opinion being Monaco or Ajax.

Get past this next round however, which won't be easy, and it'll be the Champions League group stages proper! :cool:

Marco.

struth

03-08-2016, 21:56

Dont fancy any of them tbh. All difficult ties. although Ajax and Monaco are maybe better sides, at least they are close bye.

Stratmangler

03-08-2016, 22:08

City are in Friday's draw too.

Marco

03-08-2016, 22:11

Yup, at one stage away from the CL group stages, you'd expect the teams you're going to be playing to be difficult :)

However, I can see Celtic getting fitter and stronger all the time, with every match. Kolo Toure came on tonight, slotted into the defence, and looked wonderfully confident, solid and assured. You can see that he's a top player, and with Dembele scoring his first goal tonight, that will give him a lot of confidence.

The team's shaping up nicely, and with more quality signings imminent (perhaps Scott Sinclair and/or Paddy McNair), it bodes well for the long season ahead. Hearts on Sunday next, away at Tynecastle, to kick off the league season... Not the easiest of starts for us, but one I'm sure that the players will relish :cool:

Marco.

Marco

03-08-2016, 22:14

City are in Friday's draw too.

Ah yes, I was forgetting about the English clubs! Another 'Battle of Britain', like Leicester City vs. Celtic, but more meaningful this time? Let's hope not (for us anyway), as I think you guys would be too good for us right now.

Marco.

struth

03-08-2016, 22:20

At least the ones like ajax etc are not any further forward in season I expect so it may be the time to get them. some of those sides far away are up and running

Stratmangler

03-08-2016, 22:22

Kolo was always a pretty solid player.
Apart from the communications cock up with Hart on Sept 11th, 2010 (we played Blackburn Rovers, and struggled to get the equaliser following a pretty calamitous defending incident), Kolo came to be one of the dependable players in the squad.
His fall from favour at ours was due to him taking slimming pills in a bid to lose weight.
With the subsequent ban it was always going to be difficult to regain favour with Mancini, so he was never more than a bit player thereafter.

If he was still with us he'd probably be training on his own at fat camp - Guardiola banned all overweight first team players from training with the first team until they reached their target weights.
Nasri was on the receiving end of that treatment, although I don't believe he was the only one :eyebrows:

Stratmangler

03-08-2016, 22:29

Ah yes, I was forgetting about the English clubs! Another 'Battle of Britain', like Leicester City vs. Celtic, but more meaningful this time? Let's hope not (for us anyway), as I think you guys would be too good for us right now.

Marco.

Shouldn't that be club?
I hope we don't get drawn together - there's a young man of ours up there in Glasgow who looks to be shaping up very nicely indeed. He could do well in your CL campaign. Here's to a speedy recovery :cool:

Marco

03-08-2016, 22:50

Yeah, young Mr Roberts.... He's really coming onto a game now, looking very impressive, so hopefully the injury he sustained tonight won't be too serious :)

I'm also looking forward to Boyata (and Jozo Simunovic) coming back from injury this month, which along with Kolo (not to mention Erik Sviatchenko), should make for a formidable defence this season.

Marco.

Stratmangler

03-08-2016, 23:18

I always liked Dedryck - I don't think he was given enough of a chance with City.

The high profile sending off by that idiot Clattenburg didn't do him any favours - a ref with any common sense about him would have took him aside, given him a proper ticking off and a yellow card, and that would be that.
Clattenburg makes a meal over a clumsy challenge with no malice, and Dedryck's on the end of the wrath of Mancini because he's sent on the long walk, with just five minutes on the clock :doh:

Dedryck didn't get near the bench for a good while after that, and when he did make the bench that was where he often stayed.

The following couple of seasons Dedryck spent most of the time out on loan.

Stratmangler

05-08-2016, 11:53

It's a fair old hike for Celtic - which idiot decided that Israel is in Europe, even though it isn't and never has been?
Unfortunately Celtic's home game is the first leg of the fixture.

City have something a bit closer to home, although it's still enough of a trek.
We have the advantage of a 2nd leg home game.

I don't think either Celtic's or City's drawn opponents are pushovers.

Marco

05-08-2016, 14:04

Nightmare - that's the last team I wanted us to face. Still, it is what it is, and we'll get on with the job accordingly.

One thing I like about having the home tie first, is you can get the 'losing the away goal' thing out of the way, and if that does happen, have a full 90 minutes and another game, in order to plan for and deal with the situation, rather than it happening in the middle of a home match, without enough time or a proper game plan to rectify matters.

So who did City get then, Chris?

Marco.

Stratmangler

05-08-2016, 14:11

Steaua Bucharest.

struth

05-08-2016, 14:12

Marco

05-08-2016, 14:44

Often think a 0-0 draw at home is the best result in many ways. All the pressure is on them at home not to lose a goal.this can be so strong that you often get one and they leave the door open trying to get 2 back, and you just pick them off

Indeed, and I've seen that happen so often to teams at home, including us! However, to do that job properly, you need to carry a real goal threat away from home - and make it count...

Marco.

Marco

05-08-2016, 14:46

Steaua Bucharest.

Cool. These games are never easy, but I think you'll comfortably progress from that one. Good luck, anyway :)

Marco.

Marco

07-08-2016, 18:04

Well pleased with the results in the SPL this weekend! :)

We beat Hearts today 1-2, with a superb winner from our new £5m signing from Aston Villa, Scott Sinclair, whilst both Rangers and Aberdeen drew their games. Hearts played well, and were arguably the better side overall, although they were awarded a penalty that never was, which they promptly scored :doh:

Still, it's a sign of champions when you're not at your best but still win. It's also obvious even this early on that Kolo Toure is a class act.

He just strolls through games, hardly breaking sweat, and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He's going to add some much needed solidity to our defence this season. With him in the side and Sviatchenko, Boyata and Simunovic all imminently coming back from injury, and the likes of young Tierney and O'Donnell doing well, I can't see us losing many goals this season, certainly in the SPL.

And with Dembele, Forrest, Griffiths, Roberts and now Sinclair, in the side (amongst others), the amount of pace in the team is frightening.... When they all settle into the team and start to click, we will definitely be worrying a few defences this season! :eyebrows:

Marco.

Marco

07-08-2016, 21:02

Nothing to say, Granty me old son? Normally you comment on discussions like this :)

Or are you in a bad mood because Rangers dropped two points? ;)

Marco.

struth

07-08-2016, 21:10

Not really been watching the news and only saw that result a few mins ago mate. Good win in an even game it seems and away too, PLUS a goal for your newstart lol. My Villa mate Larry, is less than pleased he was allowed to leave. Gers will take some time to acclimatise, of that there is no doubt. Playing against packed defenses and better orginised sides needs the key.... also needs a good, wide awake defense, which they do not have at the moment... that Hill guy seems to be a car crash as far as I can see lol...

struth

07-08-2016, 21:57

Also see Utd won the Shield with Ibrahimivich scoring the winner. Though Jesse Lingard s goal was good enough to be goal of the season. superb feet. Thought the Japanese Striker for Leicester, Shinji Okazaki was very promising too this season. if he keeps that up he and Vardy will be a handful. Not sure Leic didnt deserve more on what I saw

Marco

07-08-2016, 22:03

No worries, matey. Larry must consider Sinclair to be a good player then? I must confess to knowing little about him. Perhaps Chris could offer an opinion on him from his time at City? :)

Based on what I saw today, however, I think he'll do well for us.

The Rangers thing is interesting.... I fully expect them to get better as the season progresses and be up there towards the top of the table, but the Scottish media seem to be convinced that Rangers will automatically be Celtic's biggest challengers for the title this season, and I think that's a bit off and also somewhat of an insult to the likes of Hearts and Aberdeen, who IMO right now are much better than Rangers, never mind Celtic.

They also thought it was a 'shock' that Hamilton got a draw at Ibrox - a team who went to Celtic Park last season and won, defeating a Celtic side then that man for man was streets ahead of the current Rangers team... So no 'shock' for me at all. Hamilton are well established in the SPL, Rangers aren't yet.

I mean, here's a thing: can you think of any other time in history, for example, when not ONE current Rangers player would get into the Celtic first team? And probably not even into their second team! I don't mean to be disrespectful or nasty to any Rangers supporters; I'm simply stating facts.

The trouble is, the media are treating this current Rangers team the same as the 'old Rangers', you know the one who had players of the calibre of Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup in their starting line up?

Well, sadly (and I do mean that), the 'old Rangers' is long gone, and may never return, as Rangers now simply don't have that kind of money to spend, so they should be judged accordingly, as a recently promoted side from the lower leagues, because let's not forget that's where they've been playing their football for the last four years, instead of being touted as automatic SPL title contenders in the first season they've been promoted from the Championship, which let's not forget either, took them two seasons to win!

Therefore, as you correctly say, Rangers will take some time to acclimatise to a much higher standard of football in the SPL, particularly when facing defences that are much better organised than those found in teams from the lower divisions. In that respect, unless the main man at Ibrox releases millions of pounds for Warburton to spend this season on quality players (whom incidentally I think is a great manager and working miracles with what he's got), there's simply no way that the current Rangers squad is good enough to challenge Celtic for the title.

Perhaps next year it might be different, if significant investment is made on players. However, right now, aside from Rangers having the ability to beat Celtic in a one-off old firm match, or cup game, they are not, IMO, capable of competing with Celtic at the same level over the course of a season - and if Celtic get into the CL group stages, and pocket, what, £25m from doing so, to further strengthen the team - the gap between the clubs will grow from huge to veritably chasm-like...

Perhaps there's a big money investor, waiting on the wings, ready to plough millions of pounds into Ibrox (and clear their significant debt), to transform the team? I would welcome that, as a strong Rangers can only make Celtic stronger too, but I doubt that will happen. It's the only way, however, for me, that the glory days will ever return to Ibrox.

Marco.

struth

07-08-2016, 22:13

Dont think the millions will ever happen in near future, nor do I want it to personally. I'd rather they bring young hungry players in, but thats just me. Hamilton should have been beaten and it was a fairly poor performance up front with only 4 of their 20 shots on target. Losing a cheap goal too is typical but they will have to learn, and thats the best way. As to top 4, I would expect those 4 to accomodate the places come end of season.
Larry reckoned he was piss poor under last manager but felt the new one(RDM) would have got the best out of him and Ciaran Clark who he really thinks a lot of.
Di Matteo obviously didnt think enough of them to keep. Often horses for courses. Trouble Celtic have is too many players in squad. it is always detrimental to harmony.... and expensive tboot

Marco

07-08-2016, 22:28

Dont think the millions will ever happen in near future, nor do I want it to personally. I'd rather they bring young hungry players in, but thats just me.

Always the best way, but is that actually happening at Ibrox - who are the current young 'wonder stars' coming through the Murray Park academy? I don't see many...

As I've said, I'd love things to return to the good old days, when both teams were full of top-class international players and doing well in Europe, and where the title used to go down to the wire, but it largely takes big money to achieve that these days, and big money Rangers don't have.

Hamilton should have been beaten and it was a fairly poor performance up front with only 4 of their 20 shots on target. Losing a cheap goal too is typical but they will have to learn, and thats the best way. As to top 4, I would expect those 4 to accomodate the places come end of season.

Which 4 are you referring to - care to make a top 4 prediction for the end of the season? :)

I agree that Rangers should've won, especially as they were the home side, but it's the *automatic presumption* in the Scottish media that Rangers would win, simply because they were 'Rangers' that I'm disputing. Rangers have to realise that they're effectively starting from scratch, and so will have to work hard to EARN that type of reputation again.

I'm afraid that those are the cold hard facts. I had that argument with Derek Johnstone and Hugh Keevins, on the Clyde 1 Superscoreboard phone-in on Saturday! ;)

Larry reckoned he was piss poor under last manager but felt the new one(RDM) would have got the best out of him and Ciaran Clark who he really thinks a lot of.

Ah, I see... Interesting :cool:

Marco.

Marco

08-08-2016, 07:46

Which 4 are you referring to - care to make a top 4 prediction for the end of the season? :)

Ahem.... ;)

Marco.

struth

08-08-2016, 07:53

Oh, celtic hearts dons and rangers and st johnstone will likely contest top 4. At this stage its difficult to know for sure but they are best sides for me. Much will depend as to who will be where etc.

Marco

08-08-2016, 08:16

Lol... Go on, stick yer neck out and give me your FINAL top 5. I'll go with:

1. Celtic

2. Hearts

3. Rangers

4. Aberdeen

5. St Johnstone.

:cool:

However, Rangers will need to improve significantly, from where they are now, to finish in that position, and that means strengthening their squad by signing a top-class centre half and striker - someone capable of scoring at least 25-30 goals between now and the end of the season.

Marco.

struth

08-08-2016, 08:35

Marco

08-08-2016, 08:59

Theyve got some very good young players actually, but central defence is weak still. Need a quick reading player in there if they are ti persevere with those fullbacks, who canny defend when they are up the other end lol. Another striker was always a priority as Waghorn cant do it all, and more so if its a bad hamstring injury.

Indeed, but is Waghorn really Rangers class? Come on, compare him with some of the strikers Rangers have had in past - McCoist, Hateley, etc? Tore André Flo... Lol.... :eyebrows:

A lot will ride on Celtic getting into and doing well in Europe, as that could detract from their season, league wise.

I agree, but TBH, while Celtic are in Europe, they've probably got a big enough squad now, with the requisite quality, to play two teams: one in Europe and one in the SPL, thereby ensuring that neither group of players gets too tired, reverting to one main team again, when/if they eventually go out - and let's remember that they're now guaranteed of European football (minimum Europa league) until December...

Brendan Rodgers was regularly fielding two starting elevens, one in each half, during our pre-season matches, which worked well, and from what I saw there, either eleven would be good enough to hold their own in the SPL and act as a short-term back up, while the strongest team played in Europe. Even if they lost a few league points doing that, I'd be confident that they could recoup them later, once European football was no longer a distraction.

Failing that, I can see BR resting his main players for SPL games, certainly if Celtic get to the CL group stages, being reasonably confident that whoever comes in would be capable of doing a job in the league, so I wouldn't place too much emphasis on Celtic's European exploits overly harming their title credentials.

Dont agree re the Celtic players, and would any get into the Rangers team ;)

Lol - are you being serious? So who in the current Rangers first team do you think would get into the Celtic first team? Tavernier, IMO, is the only one that would have a hope, but I don't see him as overall better than Lustig, who's a full Swedish international.

And sorry, I see Joey B as a bit of a clown, and Kranjčar as a class act, but perhaps not best suited to Scottish football. However, I'll certainly be following the progress of both with interest.

Marco.

struth

08-08-2016, 09:01

Like audio, its all opinions.

Marco

08-08-2016, 09:09

Indeed :)

Marco.

struth

09-08-2016, 09:26

Utd have finally completed the protracted signing of Paul Pogba for £89 mil. Silly money for sure, and again shows the gulf, cross border football finances have attained.
As for his ability to help Utd win the league, well it going to make things interesting. City have brought in some good players and Leicester, the champs, have not been weakened, so wouldnt be surprised to see those 3 being the top dogs. Liverpool will have a big say too, and a chance I guess. Arsenal seem to be happy to just get top 4 again alas, but there is still time to make a statement signing, its unlikely to get them a winning mentality.

Still feel City have the best mix, but Utd are starting to look like Utd again.

Forgot to mention Chelsky. Silly me. Good manager, but after last season, when imo the players went on strike to get the manager the heave-ho, it is hard to say how they will go. With Stones now going to city, i dont see chelsea making top 4. But you never know as they have some great players so we shall see.

Might add the squad rules will of course play a part in all of this, and are quite interesting. Maybe why city have bought a few younger players.( note not sure how many are under 22) sure chris will know.

Stratmangler

09-08-2016, 09:51

Talking of City, I just spotted this http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37020275
It looks like the Stones deal is being ironed out for announcement

Stratmangler

09-08-2016, 10:01

I see Joey B as a bit of a joke

He's a lot better player than you give him credit for.
He was massive for Burnley last season, and they offered him a contract extension for this season.
He was obviously offered a better deal by Rangers, and you can't blame him for chasing a bigger pay cheque.

I've always admired the determination and commitment Barton displays on the field.
He has always been a difficult opponent.

Stratmangler

09-08-2016, 10:02

News just in - John Stones is now a Manchester City player http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37020275

struth

09-08-2016, 10:16

Saw that and added to original post. Great buy for city, and one in eye for Chelsea. Imo, both sides needed a ch like him. Home grown, and epl experienced plus young and skies the limit to how good he can get.

struth

09-08-2016, 10:22

Marco

09-08-2016, 11:11

He's a lot better player than you give him credit for.
He was massive for Burnley last season, and they offered him a contract extension for this season.
He was obviously offered a better deal by Rangers, and you can't blame him for chasing a bigger pay cheque.

I've always admired the determination and commitment Barton displays on the field.
He has always been a difficult opponent.

Fair enough. In terms of the joke thing, I was mainly referring to his antics off the field.

There are hilarious Tweets/videos of him confessing that he's a Celtic fan (before he signed for Rangers), in which he seriously takes the piss out of Rangers, and their links with the Union Jack/Queen, and nonsense like that, 'we are the people', etc, and now he's signed for Rangers, he's turned round and said that he was just joking!! :doh: :eyebrows:

That kind of shit, along with the farce of him kidding on he was French, in that hilarious (funny for all the wrong reasons) TV interview, when he played for Marseille, is for me what makes him a joke. I don't see him as being sincere or loyal to anyone but himself, and I dislike that, including how he likes to stir things up with opposing players off the field and the whole 'circus act'/PR machine he seems to bring with him.

I'll judge him as a footballer properly when I get to see more of him, but in my experience the best players tend to keep a low profile and do their talking on the pitch! ;)

So, what's your views on Scott Sinclair? I now he wasn't exactly a big hit at City, but felt that was more Mancini's problem than his. The boy clearly has talent, along with blistering pace. If he does what he did at Swansea, at Celtic, I'll be more than happy :)

Marco.

P.S Had to look up John Stones. Is he any good? I don't know him at all.

Marco

09-08-2016, 12:28

You don't come out with provocative nonsense like this, I'm afraid, unless you're a self-obsessed idiot, with a grossly-inflated (and unjustified) opinion of yourself:

sp56tdI3cyI

I don't see Messi, Ronaldo, Bale (really genuinely talented footballers), or even in the past, Hateley or Larsson coming out with that kind of shit.................

He's odds on to get sent off in the first old firm match - and I can see it happening!

Marco.

Stratmangler

09-08-2016, 12:34

8sWksyCsquI

Marco

09-08-2016, 12:38

Cool - I'll watch that.

Scott Sinclair? :)

Marco.

Stratmangler

09-08-2016, 13:13

Cool - I'll watch that.

Scott Sinclair? :)

Marco.

Never fully gained the confidence of the manager.
On the rare occasion he was on the field he never really looked comfortable.
It happens sometimes.

Marco

09-08-2016, 13:23

Indeed... Looks to be a very different matter with Rogers, at Celtic - both seem to know intimately what the other is about :)

So who have you got this weekend when the EPL kicks off?

Marco.

Stratmangler

09-08-2016, 19:48

We are playing at home against Sunderland this coming Saturday.
It's a 5:30pm kick off.

Marco

10-08-2016, 06:43

Good result in the cup last night for Rangers... Granty'll be pleased that the Krankster's coming on song. And Vince Hill, sorry Clint, scored, too!! :eyebrows:

Marco.

struth

10-08-2016, 07:46

Can only beat who's in front of you mate. Did ok, but it should have been more according to the reports. Just need Clint to learn how to defend again ;) . Kranjcar improved a bit which was important, as he is still carrying an injury. Young Rossiter ex of Liverpool, is some player, and will be a permanent in team soon. He looks like a player who will go back to the epl soon and for a lot of money.

Marco

10-08-2016, 09:46

Can only beat who's in front of you mate.

Absolutely... 5-0's a great result against anyone.

Kranjcar improved a bit which was important, as he is still carrying an injury. Young Rossiter ex of Liverpool, is some player, and will be a permanent in team soon. He looks like a player who will go back to the epl soon and for a lot of money.

Yup, old Kranky will defo do a job for you, if he can handle the physicality of the Scottish game over the course of a season. I also like the look of Rossiter - seems to use the ball well. I just need to see Rangers play one of the top teams in the SPL, to get a proper handle on where they're 'at', as it were :)

Did Joey-boy play last night?

Marco.

struth

10-08-2016, 10:11

Played an hr i believe.. Still to get full fitness too, but uses ball well. Rossiter never once lost or passed ball to anyone bar a teammate. Thats what rangers aim for, as if youve got ball, then opposition havent... And the Scottish disease is giving the ball away cheaply.

Marco

10-08-2016, 21:27

Well, we've ended up doing the same to Motherwell... A quite phenomenal performance from the team tonight, and there could've been even more goals, but for some heroics from their goalkeeper Samson - it could've finished easily 7 or 8 nil. And that win was achieved without Griffiths, who was out tonight suspended!

Rogic, and in particular Sinclair, were absolutely brilliant - Sinclair is just so exciting to watch, with his awareness, reading of the game and blistering pace. I think he's going to be the best singing Celtic have made since Henrik Larsson. Early days yet, for sure, but this boy has real quality, and we've still got Patrick Roberts to return from injury - what's it going to be like with those two rampaging down either flank! :eek:

Dembele was also excellent, scoring a brace, with his first goal from outfield play, which will really boost his confidence. At only 20 years old, he's still rough around the edges, but is getting better with every game, and I think has the potential to become a major player for us.

So it's Alloa Athletic now at home in the quarter-finals of the League Cup, and I see Rangers have drawn Albion Rovers at home. Good ties for both teams, hoping to progress and win their first trophy of the season. I think we might see an old firm final.

Anyway, the performance tonight from Celtic bodes well for next week when we play Hapoel Beer Sheva, in the playoffs for the Champions League. Let's hope for Celtic, and for Scottish football (and the co-efficient) that Celtic can win the first leg with a clean sheet, preferably by a couple of goals, in order to give them a good chance to win the tie and progress to the promised land of the group stages! :)

Marco.

struth

11-08-2016, 10:41

Must have missed it. Soz!

A quick read of stats and a few reports, it appears Motherwell tried to frustrate Celtic like they did when they played Rangers. Gers were not sharp enough that day, and didnt seem to have the nuance to open them up or to provide the finishing touches when they did. Conversations with some friends came to the conclusion if they try that against a good and sharp side they will get humped.....and so it came to be :lol:

Good result against a side that has no drive or will to compete v bigger sides , at moment anyway. I hope this is a lesson to the Fir Parkers. New signings for Celtic seem to be settling in well enough, so if they can keep that tempo up, they have decent chance of a positive result in Europe. Will be a better side though, so may not get the time on ball, or as much of it either, and a side that can score v goodish teams too. Its maybe the most awkward tie they could draw, so good luck.

struth

11-08-2016, 18:31

Waghorn, fortunately is not gonna be out as long as feared apparently.. 2 weeks is the thought. Windass is back in training too, so all positive bar the lack of new players needed to fill some gaps. would ideally like 3 or 4 but looks like 2 is tops at moment.
They have put a good few players out on loan, so thats great for their progress; St Mirren being one of the beneficiaries

Marco

11-08-2016, 19:01

Good news on Waghorn, mate, you'll need him for the tough games ahead. I also think that Joey-boy 'I'm way out of Scott Brown's league' needs to start exercising his feet more than his mouth! ;)

I agree with you about Motherwell, but they went to Parkhead in December last season and won...

However, Celtic were *really* impressive last night, in a way I've not seen since the O'Neill era, especially the intensity of their play and how the players controlled the game and dismantled Motherwell's initially stubborn and uber-defensive formation with relative ease. On last night's form, the team would've been a match for anyone....

It's the kind of game we'd have struggled to win last season, under Ronny Deila, but Rodgers has made a MASSIVE difference to player confidence levels, but especially in terms of injecting pace into the side. I feel he's on the way to building something special, and am just enjoying the journey, and of course the inevitable ups and downs! :)

Marco.

Stratmangler

13-08-2016, 13:57

Well done Hull City :)
You've no appointed manager and you managed to beat Leicester City 2-1.
Your caretaker manager Mike Phelan will always be remembered by me for this incident ....
http://www.b3ta.cr3ation.co.uk/onsite/gif/351czv6.gif

struth

13-08-2016, 14:00

Aye they shit a brick there lol... Good win for them, and Leicester really need to look at themselves in mirror.

Marco

13-08-2016, 20:58

I note that Rangers secured a good 2-1 away win at Dundee today, taking them to the top of the league, in the absence of Celtic playing in the International Champions Cup against Inter Milan.

The good news for us is that Aberdeen and Hearts played out a 0-0 draw at Pittodrie, so it keeps things tight at the top, whilst we have a game in hand. St Johnstone are doing well as expected, and are in second place. It'll be a very difficult game for us next week at McDiarmid Park, especially coming off the back of the first leg of our CL playoff in midweek.

Celtic's squad size and strength in depth was clearly showcased today in the International Champions Cup, where our second team lost 2-0 to a strong Inter Milan side, full of Italian and Croatian internationalists, and Celtic were unlucky not to get a draw, with Nadir Ciftci hitting a spectacular shot off of the bar and Ryan Christie, who had a very good game overall, missing a couple of sitters.

Our third choice Italian goalkeeper, Leo Fasan, also pulled off a string of superb saves. We controlled the game for long spells, although Inter were a class act and had more cutting edge and fluency upfront. They were certainly taking this game more seriously than Celtic, as it was their last one before their season kicks off next week, and being in the Europa league this season they, unlike Celtic, didn't have a CL qualifier in midweek to worry about.

I certainly saw enough quality in our reserve team, against a quality Inter Milan side, to feel confident that Rodgers could comfortably play that team in the SPL, whilst Celtic are in Europe, thus keeping the first team's players fresh for that challenge, and they would do a good job if used in that role.

I suspect that the manager may adopt that policy, or certainly give the bulk of the first team a rest for league games, and try and achieve as much progress in Europe as possible, whilst they are in that position :)

Marco.

Marco

14-08-2016, 07:00

2-1 against Sunderland at home. Happy with the win, Chris? :)

Arsenal vs. Liverpool today should be tasty! And we'll see if 'The Special One' can get his first league win away at Bournemouth....

Marco.

struth

14-08-2016, 08:57

Fancy liverpool to get something, and maybe all, as i do with Utd. Early days though.

As for rangers, they were as superb in first half as they were crap in second. Old failings of not taking chances and poor defending.

Stratmangler

14-08-2016, 13:54

2-1 against Sunderland at home. Happy with the win, Chris? :)

I'm always grateful for taking all the points on offer.
It was a bit of a mixed bag for us yesterday.
We have players that are leaner and fitter and hungrier than we've seen for a while, so the Guardiola effect has shown from the off.
We had something like 75-80% possession, and should have put the game to bed by half time.
I lost count of the number of near killer passes that didn't reach their target.

Sunderland were well organised defensively, and on the occasions when they attacked our goal they exposed our defensive frailties.
Their goal was as much due to our poor defending as it was their attacking brilliance - we had 3 players ball watching when they should have dealt with things.

I was impressed with John Stones - the lad has ice running through his veins, and reads the game very well.
Sterling looks to be back where he was at the start of last season, and put in a decent performance.
The negatives?
It's early days, and I'm pretty sure that we'll get stronger as the season progresses, especially as players get used to working multiple positions.

Looking forward to playing Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday.

struth

14-08-2016, 17:57

Liverpool win at Arsenal 4-3. 1 down then 3 up. Great game I think and Utd win 3-1 away too so got those right
Going to be an interesting year I think.

Utd, City, up top, wonder if they can set the pace all the way?

Marco

16-08-2016, 17:27

Fancy liverpool to get something, and maybe all, as i do with Utd. Early days though.

Liverpool certainly did, as did Utd.... Liverpool will definitely be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, but for me, the top three teams will be Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea - and think it'll go right to the wire between those three as to which one takes the title!

As for rangers, they were as superb in first half as they were crap in second. Old failings of not taking chances and poor defending.

Yup, I'd agree with that analysis. They look good in spells, but often fail to push home their superiority and turn their dominance into goals, and subsequently look vulnerable at the back. Much to be done yet, I feel, before they can be considered as genuine title challengers to Celtic.

The first old firm clash on 10th September will be the big test of where Rangers are truly at, not just because it's a Celtic vs. Rangers game, but because until then Rangers won't have played any of the bigger/better teams. In the meantime, I'd expect them to beat Motherwell and Kilmarnock fairly comfortably. The other big tests will come at the likes of St Johnstone, Hearts and Aberdeen.

Good start, Chris, with that win under your new manager. The last thing you've have wanted was to have lost while your major rivals won, as even this early in the season the psychological effect of losing your opening game, and having to chase things afterwards, is significant.

Marco.

struth

16-08-2016, 20:54

Gers have a few players in the pipeline I believe, so it may strengthen the team, but deffo the squad.

on euro business, I see City demolished Steau 5-0, with Aguero also missing 2 pens... so they are through

Stratmangler

16-08-2016, 20:58

I see City demolished Steau 5-0, with Aguero also missing 2 pens... so they are through

The Fat Bird ain't singing yet ;)

Marco

16-08-2016, 21:02

Well done! Just as I predicted.... :eyebrows:

I'll settle for that scoreline, for us tomorrow night, with Sinclair scoring a hat-trick!

Marco.

struth

16-08-2016, 21:03

The Fat Bird ain't singing yet ;)

If they aint, then I will mod the forum in my undies ;)

Marco

16-08-2016, 21:06

So what's new? :lol:

Marco.

struth

16-08-2016, 21:09

So what's new? :lol:

Marco.

They were not undies, just a tide mark ;)

Marco

16-08-2016, 21:18

A tide mark in a sea of skidmarks? :D

Anyway, pics or it didnae happen!

Marco.

Marco

17-08-2016, 11:09

This would be a good signing for Rangers if it comes off: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37099771

Marco.

struth

17-08-2016, 11:21

He might be, although he didnt do well with Villa apparently. 34, so may be over the hill and far away. Time will tell, but like Senderos, who is training up at Auchindowie they need to prove they still have it. Joe Garner is having a medical soon too... Coming from PNE. I know Warburton likes him. Guessing it will come down to cash, although Villa are going to pay off Lescotts 35k a week salary. He will have to take a big reduction to come up.

Marco

17-08-2016, 11:28

Yup, but even at 34, Lescott is an English Premiership standard footballer, much in the way of Kolo Toure, who's 35, so I'd expect him to be of a similar standard - and if he's as good as Toure, you're onto a winner.

When you're used to playing against some of the best strikers in the world, in a league of a much higher standard than the SPL, even if you're a little 'over the hill', you can still cut it, simply by using your experience! ;)

I hope he does sign, along with Garner (if he's a good player. although I know nothing of him), as the stronger Rangers become, the stronger Celtic have to be - and that can only make competition for the title exciting! :)

Marco.

struth

17-08-2016, 11:41

He would certainly provide right cover for Tavenier as he is always pushing forward. Lescott would cross over there to cut out danger, if he is quick enough.
Hill was brought in to add experience and steel to defence, but he is worse, so far, than the kids. Still hoping he will improve as he was a decent defender a few years ago. My worry is both old older guys are as bad as him due to age etc. I would rather wait a couple of years and get the lads up to speed than take old guys who cannot do it, but have a NAME.
TIME WILL TELL

PS good luck tonight.... Think they put Olympicacos out so should stretch you

Marco

17-08-2016, 12:50

Yup, and cheers. It's going to be a very difficult game. For me, we need to either win by a couple of goals, and keep a clean sheet, or by two clear goals, so for me, either 2-0 or 3-1 would be preferable, to give us a good chance in the second leg in Israel. It could well be neither, though! :)

Nir Bitton, our Israeli international midfielder, if he plays, who's apparently given Rodgers some useful info on Hapoel Beer Sheva, could be instrumental on us getting the result we need.

Marco.

struth

17-08-2016, 13:57

Good write up here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37098242) re opposition

Marco

17-08-2016, 14:06

Cheers, I'll check it out :)

Marco.

Marco

17-08-2016, 21:45

OMG - a seven-goal thriller... What an amazing game of football!! :eek::eek: :wow:

My nerves are still in tatters from watching a very clear three-goal lead, where the first half Celtic were phenomenal, carrying on from their clinical destruction of Motherwell (and where they could've led 5-0 at half time), be reduced to 3-2 early in the second half, due to some slack defending and lack of concentration from some of Celtic's younger players, and also Craig Gordon.

For me, there's still a question mark over Craig Gordon, as although he's a very good keeper, he's prone to making mistakes at crucial times, especially in Europe, and that's something Celtic will have to cut out if they're to make good progress in Europe this season. I suspect that Rodgers will have seen enough of Gordon now to have concluded the same thing, which is largely why Dorus de Vries was signed from Notts Forest, and I can see him taking the goalkeeper's jersey from Gordon sooner rather than later.

Young Eoghan O'Connell has been magnificent recently in central defence, covering for some experienced International defenders, out through injury, but with Boyata and Sviatchenko now both fit and ready for first-team action, I can see one of them coming in to partner Toure, who once again had an outstanding match tonight, perhaps this weekend against St Johnstone, to properly shore up the defence.

However, some inspirational second-half substitutions from Brendan Rodgers, who knew that 3-2 wasn't going to be good enough, and a never-say-die attitude from the team, together with incredible mental toughness and physical fitness (once again Sinclair was outstanding), saw them score two more goals to make it in the end 5-2, which gives them a great chance now of going through to the CL group stages.

For me, Hapoel were largely disappointing, not living up to their pre-match hype, and completely overrun by Celtic in that first half, where they had not one shot on goal. But for some great saves from their keeper, they could've lost even more heavily. They'll still pose a danger over in Israel, and have shown that they can score goals, but then so did we (and then some), so I'm confident we can do so over there and put tie to bed.

I said that I'd take having a two-goal lead to carry forward to the second leg, but we've got a three-goal one, albeit I'd rather we'd won 3-0 than 5-2.... Still, we can almost smell the CL group stages now, and I think that after Tuesday's game in Israel, which I predict will be another thriller, we'll be able to sample its full flavour, and take Celtic back to where they belong! :cool:

Marco.

struth

17-08-2016, 21:58

sounds like a good game, even if it about gave you heart failure ;)

should be through now

Marco

17-08-2016, 22:06

Lol - nerves are shot to buggery, mate! At 3-2, too many bad memories of Malmo at home last season in the CL playoffs came flooding back... The difference this season is that Celtic have the mental/physical strength, and extra quality, to go the extra mile and punish teams properly.

It's really encouraging, not to mention pretty thrilling, watching what Brendan Rodgers is building here slowly, but surely. If the team can maintain this level of progress under him, I predict that there will some rather exciting times ahead...! ;)

Yes, we *should* be through now, but I think we need to score first over there to make absolutely sure. We certainly won't be sitting back and defending our lead, as I feel that would be counterproductive and isn't the Celtic way. We need to be on the front foot, aggressive, not give them any encouragement at all, and put the game to bed as early as possible.

Marco.

struth

19-08-2016, 12:47

The Lescott transfer has fallen through as he failed his medical. Good to see they are being stringent on this. Better none than someone who has a major problem... Onwards in the search

Marco

19-08-2016, 13:47

Oh dear... Agreed, but remember what happened with John Hartson? ;)

Marco.

struth

19-08-2016, 13:51

Dont think rangers are financially able to take risks at moment, but its supposed to be a fail, fail. Maybe why Villa were keen to move him out
Hartson was an odd one, and i would have taken the risk, as it was a small one. It wasnt really the reason

Marco

19-08-2016, 14:40

What was the reason then, mate, as that one didn't half come back to bite you on the bum! ;)

Anyway, it looks like Lescott wasn't worth the risk - I'm sure that you'll end up with someone as good, or even better :)

Marco.

struth

19-08-2016, 15:00

Villa are saying it wasnt the medical, which is par for course. It was political and financial. I liked big John at time but it wasnt to be... A bit like mo jo in reverse ;)

struth

19-08-2016, 15:11

Marco

19-08-2016, 15:14

Villa are saying it wasnt the medical, which is par for course. It was political and financial. I liked big John at time but it wasnt to be... A bit like mo jo in reverse ;)

Lol - they (both Villa and Rangers) need to make up their minds what the reason is!

Anyway, yes, the Mo-Jo thing was purely Celtic's fault, parading a player to the media as 'theirs', when they hadn't even signed him! :doh: I didn't blame Mo Johnston one bit. His mum was catholic and his dad protestant, so in that respect, had divided allegiances.

He was probably more of a Celtic fan, but in those days Rangers were paying the better wages, so money talked. You couldn't blame him. But of course that was the shambles of the old Celtic board (and their notorious 'biscuit tin' mentality), when Celtic were so close to going the same way Rangers unfortunately did, until the intervention of Fergus...

Marco.

Marco

19-08-2016, 15:18

They decided to go with de boer who got an easy medical. Hartson got a hard one that 95% would fail on something. Murray also wanted to pull off a coup so also went for the big divvy taf. Hartson was wanted by advocaat but not by murray.

Interesting... I'm struggling to understand, though, why you would give different players easier or harder medicals? Seems like a foolhardy policy to me :scratch:

Marco.

struth

19-08-2016, 15:21

Murray! Plus rangers medicals were notoriously shit, thats why we had a load of crocks. I heard the doc took one look at de boer and said he had passed.;)

struth

19-08-2016, 20:57

Decent 2-0 home win v Soton for Utd. Zlatan with both strikes; well a header and a pen tbf. :D Tidy enough it seems without being super. quiet crowd again, as the majority of spectators are too rich to cheer ;)

Stratmangler

20-08-2016, 13:36

Nice to see Mike Dean coming down on players grappling in the box today, even if we did come down on the wrong side of it later on.
It's about time.
I'm very happy with the result - there was some very unselfish play from Iheanacho for our third goal, and from Sterling for our fourth.

struth

20-08-2016, 13:42

4-0 was it? Last i saw was the pen for 2-0. Looking good for a manchester standoff at moment.

Stratmangler

20-08-2016, 14:10

Stoke 1 - Man City 4
Aguero scored twice in the first half, the first goal was a penalty, the second was a header.
Stoke had a penalty in the second half and got one back.
The 3rd and 4th City goals were put away by Nolito, who came on as a late substitute.

struth

20-08-2016, 14:56

Ah,right. I like Nolito.. Good lad

Stratmangler

20-08-2016, 18:17

He (Nolito) looked a bit out of sorts last week - I can't recall him getting past anyone, or making a pass that got past the first defender.
Today he just had to be in a position to redirect the ball, which he did, twice.

Sterling was a real nuisance today - he has improved immeasurably and blossomed under Guardiola's brief tutelage. His touch on the ball has improved too.

Marco

21-08-2016, 07:14

Good result and start to the season, Chris :thumbsup:

The three 'big guns' that I predicted will fight it out for the title have all so far taken maximum points. It's amazing what new (good) managers can do for a team, which said three teams are all benefiting from, especially Man Utd, who much like Celtic, look to be a different team now, and completely reinvigorated, compared with last season.

We got an excellent result yesterday, beating St Johnstone 4-2 away from home, especially considering the rigours of our CL playoff match last Wednesday. We got sloppy in the second half, conceding two silly goals (much like on Wednesday), but for 80 minutes, especially in the first half, played some scintillating football.

To get through to the CL group stages, and do well there, we'll have to cut out the silly defensive mistakes, but I'm sure that Brendan Rodgers will sort that out. For me, he needs to bring in one of our more experienced centre-halves to partner Toure, such as Sviatchenko or Boyata, but I can understand why he's persevering with young O'Connell, as he's done very well in their absence through injury.

However, sooner rather than later, we need to start putting our best defensive players back in their best positions, including I feel giving Craig Gordon a rest and putting De Vries between the sticks. I'm almost certain that will happen if Celtic defeat Hapoel and make it into the CL group stages.

Rangers did well yesterday, too, coming back from a goal down to beat Motherwell, but they were at home and they really should be beating teams like that. I'm just looking forward to Celtic playing a league game at home for a change! ;)

Away to Hearts and St Johnstone was about as difficult a start to a season as we could've had. Still, thankfully, we've managed to win both games - and convincingly, too :)

Marco.

struth

21-08-2016, 08:46

A word of praise for Hull under Mike Phelan. 2 wins from a side in turmoil, and expected to be cannon fodder.

Celtic are on fire at moment, but are having too many of those 2 goal lapses.... Gers still not playing well enough, and it shows.

Chelsea are working hard to achieve and so far succeeding. City look comfortable so far, as do Utd to an extent... Liverpool found out at back again, but this time no end product; alas I fear they will once again come up short.

Marco

21-08-2016, 10:12

Celtic are on fire at moment, but are having too many of those 2 goal lapses....

Yup, but it's easily eradicated. At the moment Rodgers is keeping faith in the players who've got him this far in Europe, and have done well in the league and cup, which I can understand, as playing the psychological game with players, and keeping folk happy, plays a big part in a manager being successful - and of course he's still in the process of sussing out the strength of the squad.

Therefore, I'm not surprised, with all that going on, that the defence currently isn't as solid as it should be. Rodgers' priority at the moment is winning games any way he can, in order to to ensure that Celtic remain safely in all competitions.

Once that's been achieved (and we win our game in hand in the SPL), and find out whether Celtic are going to be competing in the Champions or Europa League this season, Rodgers will start to shape the team in the way he's envisaged he wants them to play, and bring in players to do that job - and then you'll see a BIG difference in Celtic's performances at home and in Europe...

TBH, it's rather daunting for the other teams in the SPL that they're *this* good now, at such an early stage in the team's development, and so I can see a right few hammerings being handed out to opposition teams before the season ends, when Celtic really start to click! :eek:

Marco.

struth

21-08-2016, 10:37

Maybe's Aye, maybe's nah ;) beware possible false impressions is my motto

Marco

21-08-2016, 11:11

Lol - nah, you can see what Rodgers is building and trying to achieve, and indeed making very good progress with... However, that doesn't mean there won't be some ups and downs, as there are in any season - and I'm sure that will be no different this season.

However, the impact all Rodgers' signings have made so far has been immense, not to mention how he's transformed the confidence of some of our existing players, and there are still more new signings to come, especially if we get the £25m from reaching the CL group stages - all of which will make Celtic even stronger than they are now...

Marco.

struth

21-08-2016, 22:36

Looks likely the Champions league is going to be altered by end of the year. A few options are on the hidden table but it certainly looks like it will find resistance whatever they do. Favourite is less places for smaller leagues so the bigger leagues get more representatives, and the possibility of weekend matches.
The big euro leage system seems unlikely at this stage but is possible...... It will be interesting whatever happens.

Marco

21-08-2016, 22:48

They should concentrate less on what are perceived as 'big leagues' and more on what are perceived as 'big clubs' - and what specifically makes them such: primarily the size of their world-wide fan base, home support, and history.

In that respect, Celtic (and Rangers) are as big as any team in the EPL, yet play in what is perceived as a 'minor league', which is why, under the current rules (and the new ones proposed now seem even worse) it's only going to get harder and harder for us to mix it with the 'big fishes', and be where we deserve to be, in terms of the status of our clubs, based on the aforementioned criteria, whilst swimming in such a tiny pond....

However, unfortunately football is going ever more in the direction of appeasing the interests of the 'money men', more so than those of the fans, which is sad - and you can ably see the detrimental effects of that in many areas of football today.

Marco.

Marco

23-08-2016, 20:52

WE DID IT!!!!!!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSS - YA FUCKIN BELTER.... CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGES, HERE WE COME!!!! :yay: :yay: :yay: :mex: :champagne: :champagne:

Now, I'm away for a lie down, as I genuinely feel physically sick, after watching that nerve-shredding, utterly dreadful (and in many ways disgraceful) performance from Celtic, and certain players in particular. We're *so* lucky to have got through.

My summary of this match will come later!

Marco.

struth

23-08-2016, 20:55

I noticed, but although lucky on the night, its you who go through, and thats what the record will say; the perormance will be forgotten.......probably

Marco

24-08-2016, 08:20

Waking up this beautiful sunny morning, after being emotionally drained last night watching that match, and the joy and enormity of what we've achieved has hit home!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/zUe0yY.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnzUe0yYj)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/sc0BVT.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmsc0BVTj)

Thank you, and well done to Brendan and the Bhoys :clap: :clap: :clap:

More later (including some critical analysis of what happened last night)! :cool:

Marco.

Marco

24-08-2016, 08:43

Read more: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/10549555/celtics-champions-league-berth-brings-cash-to-scottish-rivals

Great news for Scottish football, eh?

Granty, the £200k you guys are getting is a wee present from Scott Brown to Joey Barton, to help him get into the same league as him! :eyebrows:;)

Marco.

Marco

24-08-2016, 13:43

Surprised you haven't commented on any of this, Granty? :)

Marco.

struth

24-08-2016, 15:07

Thought i did. Lucky on day but over 2 legs the better side. Money means little, its how its used really. Think the new rules re euro teams will all be destroy this countries chances tbh, but you never know.
Tbh, it doesnt bother e that much now, footy, as its just a game. Support your side then go home happy they tried. If they win great...if they dont try, then hunt them down and sacrifice them to Apollo :eyebrows:

struth

25-08-2016, 17:13

Celtic and City have been drawn together in the Champions league, in the toughest group. BMG and Barca finish off the 4. 3 full houses though at C P, and, well you never know. Dont think City will be overly charmed with it either tbh.
Leicester got off lightly and sure will be chuffed to their knickers with their group

Stratmangler

25-08-2016, 18:10

My thoughts were along the lines of "bugger - that's two CL games Patrick Roberts won't be playing".

Marco

25-08-2016, 20:17

Never mind, we didn't need him anyway... :doh:

Very interesting draw. We may as well go home now, as we've got no chance!! :D

Still, all the home games will be sellouts, that's for sure. Bring it on, I guess (says he rather nervously)......

Marco.

struth

25-08-2016, 20:29

Might do better than you fear. Can never tell but you get a goal start at home usually. can see win in there at least..... and a new player supposed to be on radar

Marco

26-08-2016, 07:44

I know. At Celtic Park, with 65,000 hugely noisy and passionate fans behind us, and the team on top-form, we're a match for anyone, but it's away from home that's the big problem... In any case, it's going to be huge fun watching these games, and great experience for some of our younger players getting the chance to mix it with the best in the world.

It'll also be one of the few times ever when Celtic will be going into pretty much all these games as underdogs, so that should take the pressure off of the players and hopefully they can just relax and enjoy themselves, and any points won will be a bonus, which would've been different if we'd drawn some of the 'smaller' teams in the group stages and been expected to win.

Everyone talks of conspiracy theories, but Celtic rarely (if ever) get easy draws in Europe, and if I was inclined to believe in 'fixture fixing', I could put a case forward for the 'powers that be' wanting to get Celtic out of the competition ASAP, to ensure that the teams from the bigger leagues are represented as much as possible during the latter stages of the competition (thus reaping the profits), in line with the new CL rulings we discussed earlier... ;)

But, it is what it is, and we'll just enjoy ourselves, as there will be no disgrace losing to any of the teams in our group, and if we can beat one or two of them at home, then it'll give us something to cheer about :cool:

Marco.

Marco

26-08-2016, 07:48

My thoughts were along the lines of "bugger - that's two CL games Patrick Roberts won't be playing".

Seems like it's possible he might play: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-city-give-green-light-8706268

Much as I'd welcome it, that seems bizarre to me. What if he should score the goal that puts City our of the CL? Unlikely I know, but not impossible....

Marco.

P.S Will you be going to any of the games? I'd love to try and get a ticket for the one in Manchester, but I suspect they'd be like gold dust.

Stratmangler

26-08-2016, 09:31

I went to all the home games last season, and I'll try and do the same this season.
Glasgow midweek?
That depends on the work front, so unlikely.
Alex has school too, and it's GCSE year, so even less likely.

September 28th is pencilled in for the Celtic/City match.
December 6th is pencilled in for the City/Celtic match.
The fixtures are not firmed up on City's website, and I'd expect the same on Celtic's.

I hope Patrick Roberts does play.
It will be vital experience under his belt, and Guardiola will be able to have a good look at him before next pre season.
One thing that's become apparent with Guardiola is that he appears more interested in what players do without the ball, than what they do with it, and you don't get a proper idea of that without seeing the player in front of you.
The only thing that has me doubting is that loan contracts generally have a clause about not playing against a parent club, and there's been nothing said from our end.

Stratmangler

26-08-2016, 10:31

This was agreed yesterday http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11945/10552190/four-champions-league-group-places-to-be-guaranteed-for-top-four-european-leagues

struth

26-08-2016, 11:14

The makings of a cleek gets tighter. Those that have eh? Disgusting behaviour imo

Stratmangler

26-08-2016, 12:10

I'm not so sure about the makings of a clique. I'd be inclined to look at it from a perspective of knowing which side your bread is buttered.
The four leagues mentioned generate the most worldwide interest.
The Champions League winners for the last 20 years have come from the same four leagues.

struth

26-08-2016, 12:24

Thats what folk IN the clique are expected to say....:lol:

Stratmangler

26-08-2016, 12:27

struth

26-08-2016, 12:46

As the club was raped and pillaged a few times its not gonna happen just yet. Those responsible will likely get away with it too.. Might get the odd fall guy caught in the net but most will weasel out as per. At least its in the hands of folk who care for it now, so hopefully in time it will regrow to be even stronger than it was. I have nothing but disgust for the folk who abused their positions.

Stratmangler

26-08-2016, 15:55

I'm sure that they'll grow and be stronger than before.

On a lighter note, this is from today's training at City
wmhMGrbNXmA

Did you note the smiles on the player's faces? - ours looks to be a happy ship.

rmcin626

26-08-2016, 19:48

Not been great tonight, hopefully second half will be better

rmcin626

26-08-2016, 20:05

Back in it now

struth

26-08-2016, 21:08

Back in it now

Its a new team, so its going to take time to find its feet. Still there are hopeful signs. Barton, bar nearly getting a hospital challenge, was very poor. I think he needs rested. Finished 1-1 at Rugby Park. What was more shameful was the singing, again. This is the 21 century and it has to be stopped.

rmcin626

27-08-2016, 07:14

The singing is always worse at away games. But we should be winning these games - first half very poor.

Marco

27-08-2016, 08:14

This was agreed yesterday http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11945/10552190/four-champions-league-group-places-to-be-guaranteed-for-top-four-european-leagues

Pretty much along the lines of what I expected, and what Grant alludes to. However, this bit sounds intriguing, if anyone actually understands it:

Other changes implemented by UEFA, to take effect in 2018 when the new three-year commercial cycle begins, will result in clubs being judged on their own records, deleting the country share for the individual club coefficient unless that coefficient is lower than 20 per cent of the association's coefficient.

Que? :scratch:

The previous bit I like the sound of: "Other changes implemented by UEFA, to take effect in 2018 when the new three-year commercial cycle begins, will result in clubs being judged on their own records."

That, I approve of, which for Scottish football will mean that the team regularly doing best in Europe every season (currently Celtic) won't be 'dragged down' by the failures of the rest.

I also like this bit from the article:

Historical success in the competition will also be acknowledged in coefficient calculation with points awarded for previous European titles, while financial distribution to clubs will be increased significantly for both the Champions League and Europa League.

Well, we won it in 1967, so that's got to count for something! :D

Marco.

Marco

27-08-2016, 08:30

They were threatening to drop the EPL allocation a few seasons ago.
If Rangers can wrest the trophy from what has been a Celtic stranglehold in recent times, then there might be greater interest in the Scottish Premier League, and there might even be a return to one assured place and one playoff place.

That's a good point, which I certainly agree with, and I welcome that challenge, because as I've said before, a strong Rangers will help to ensure that Celtic are focussed to remain even stronger, so Celtic *need* a continual 'kick up the arse', from the likes of Rangers, in order to keep them focussed.

However, the EPL being given FOUR guaranteed CL places, with the fourth-placed team having won hee-haw, and so are being massively rewarded for what? Finishing fourth?? :doh:

That's failure in anyone's book, for any of the top teams, and could mean that there's less incentive for the teams in the top half of the league, (say safely sitting in third or fourth spot) but with no chance of finishing first or second, and who might've normally pushed for winning as many points as possible before the league finishes, resting on their laurels because they've guaranteed themselves a place in the CL.

Not good... Whilst Celtic, who've won their league outright have to play THREE extremely difficult qualifying rounds, mostly during pre-season, when the players aren't fully fit, to reach the same position in the CL. The same, of course, would also apply to Rangers, if they won the SPL.

Hardly fair, is it? :rolleyes:

Like I said before, they should concentrate more on accommodating the BIG CLUBS, as far as the CL is concerned, with the footballing history and size of worldwide fan-base that makes them so, as long as they win their respective leagues, not just pandering to the interests of the BIG LEAGUES, and massively rewarding teams that finish FOURTH!!

Also, even more importantly, it makes a complete mockery of the name of the tournament itself: Champions League! :lol: :mental:

No it fooking isn't, because a significant percentage of the teams represented now (and even more in future) aren't/won't be champions....!!!

Marco.

Marco

27-08-2016, 09:18

Its a new team, so its going to take time to find its feet. Still there are hopeful signs. Barton, bar nearly getting a hospital challenge, was very poor. I think he needs rested.

Like I said, he needs to do more 'talking' with his feet, than his mouth! He's still a self-obsessed, overrated balloon, in my book, until he proves differently. Judge him in the upcoming game against Celtic, and if he plays a stormer, I'll be the first to hold up my hands and say I got it wrong.

Even if that proves to be the case, he still needs to start performing more in the other games, and *show* everyone that he's as good as he says he is! As for being rested, sorry, that's a joke. How much football has he played recently, say, compared with Scott Brown (who of course is not in his league)? Lol... The only thing with Barton that needs resting is his gob! :D

What was more shameful was the singing, again. This is the 21 century and it has to be stopped.

I *so* abhor that shite! I'd adopt a zero-tolerance policy and impose life bans on any 'fans' caught signing sectarian crap, meaning that their season tickets (if applicable) would be cancelled and they wouldn't be allowed again inside Celtic Park or Ibrox - and that would apply to both supporters of Rangers and Celtic.

Like you say, it's the 21st century, FFS, so that pish should be totally outlawed. I'd also ban the waving of Union Jacks, etc, and references to the queen or pope, and bullshite like that too, as it has fuck all to do with football.

On a lighter note, that was an amazing free kick last night from Tavernier!! :eek: :wow:

Like I said, he's without doubt your best player, and the only one, IMO, who would make it into the current Celtic team.

Marco.

Marco

27-08-2016, 17:45

Excellent win today against Aberdeen, after a very difficult and energy-sapping match in Israel during the week, to put us top of the league, with a game in hand.

The win was especially impressive, as at 2-1, Celtic had the mental and physical stamina to score two more goals late on, and put the game to bed, when many would've expected tired legs to kick in, and the team holding on for a 2-1 win, or even conceding another goal, to secure Aberdeen a draw.

But the team (and manager) were having none of that, and Brendan Rodgers again showed his shrewdness and tactical awareness, by substituting the two goal scorers in the first half (Griffiths and Forrest), and bringing on Dembele and Roberts, both of whom made a significant impact on the game, especially Patrick Roberts, who's class and trickery is most impressive, and which been badly missed in recent games.

If he can stay injury-free for the rest of the season, he'll play a major role in helping the team win trophies, and in giving us a chance of getting some decent results in our games in the Champions League. However, once again Tom Rogic was outstanding, and arguably man of the match. Under Rodgers, the Australian international midfielder is really beginning to show his class. He's someone whom I expect will relish the challenge of CL football and will try to make a name for himself, with perhaps a view to attracting a big-money move to England at some point.

Chris, trust me, he's a player that Man City will have to watch rather carefully ;)

Sinclair was also once again excellent, with his pace and ball control causing havoc in the Aberdeen defence, so all of our new signings are doing well and making a positive impact. Also, as I predicted, once Celtic had resolved the 'European issue', in terms of whether they were going to be playing CL or Europa League football this season, Rodgers would drop Craig Gordon, in goal, and play Dorus De Vries, and that's exactly what happened today!

De Vries had a decent enough game, with a few shaky moments, but still needs to get to know his team mates in defence properly, in order to form a solid partnership with them. However, that will come with practice, and the signs are there that he will improve the team's style of play and effectiveness, by leading from the back. I reckon if we can sign a quality midfielder and right back, before the transfer deadline on Wednesday, we'll have a good enough team to do very well this season.

Anyway, now there's an international break, and some time for the players to relax, after having had to endure such a heavy schedule of games, before they play Rangers at Celtic Park on 10th September, and the current form and quality of both teams, with the amount of goals Celtic are scoring at home, I think that Rangers fans have every right to feel a little apprehensive approaching this game, and about what potentially could happen - shades of Martin O'Neill's first old firm game at Parkhead........

Your thoughts, Granty? :)

Marco.

Stratmangler

27-08-2016, 20:14

struth

27-08-2016, 20:23

Gers need to shake up their ideas anyways, or at least their shape, which is not really good enough. Still, old firm games are very unpredictible, and not a indictor of much bar who handles it on the day. As I say, I dont follow the Scottish game all that much; in fact I dont follow footy that much at all, but I would expect Celtic to win the majority of the old firm games and should win league. Rangers are trying to make top 4, and at moment they are in there. As i said the other day, its a completely new team, and they all need to get the winning mentality, something the new guys aint quite clicked on yet. But things can change quickly in this game, and one or 2 bad results can change a confident sie to a bag of nerves quite quickly.

struth

27-08-2016, 20:34

It was a valiant effort today by Hull City, who sadly lost 0-1 to Manyoo.
A single lapse in the 2nd minute of added time cost Hull a point.
If they can play like that all season they'll be staying up.

Tough luck fellahs.

hard game, and kudos to Utd for winning a match they would have lost in other years. Hull are for now the Leicester of last year at moment, although if they dont get some players in i can see troubles ahead. as you say, if they play like that every week then there wont be anything to worry about. Nice to see Rashford getting on and scoring...I like the lad a lot.

Marco

29-08-2016, 20:31

Gers need to shake up their ideas anyways, or at least their shape, which is not really good enough. Still, old firm games are very unpredictible, and not a indictor of much bar who handles it on the day.

I *completely* agree with that - and also, as history dictates, the team who needs to win most, usually does... Therefore, a greater desire to win, combined with Celtic having an off day, is the only way I think Rangers could triumph on the 10th September, as honestly mate, there's a big gulf in class between the teams right now, which will be borne out over the course of the season. That's my honest opinion.

You just have to watch how Celtic are punishing teams, especially considering the start to the season they've had and the teams they've beaten in the league so far - and they'll only become more ruthlessly efficient at that, as the season progresses, and all the new players and existing ones start to click, especially when we have our first-choice defence fully fit and become tighter at the back.

Earlier I said that we needed to add a quality right-back, and it looks like Brendan agrees: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37214472

An interesting prospect, although I don't know much about the lad. He's certainly got plenty of experience and seems quite quick. Once the R/B position's filled, I fully expect us to add a quality midfielder, possibly Everton's James McCarthy, before the transfer deadline on Wednesday - and then watch us go........ ;)

Marco.

struth

29-08-2016, 20:43

Rangers are playing poorly at moment and have lost what made them good last season. They are not pressurizing the opposition. Also when in possession, thy are not moving the ball quickly enough, and in the right directions as far as I can see. Warburton, seems oblivious to this, as its not being fixed. as for Davie Weir? well, for a defender coach, you'd think he could teach them how to.... defend ;)
I kinda expect on current form, that celtic will win by 5 or 6, although form oft goes out window on such occasions, I dont expect it to go out this time, unless the 2 sides start playing in opposites. Sure you will enjoy it me, I never watch them.

Marco

29-08-2016, 21:06

Again I agree. The big difference is that last year you were getting away with things you're not getting away with now in the SPL, which is why you need more quality. The question is whether Rangers have any more money to spend, after having shelled out handsomely for the likes of Kranky and Gobshite (lol), both of whom will be on good wages!

If Celtic do win, however, I don't see it being by 5 or 6. I think it'll be closer than that. Anyway, may the best team on the day win, and it be a good clean match :)

Marco.

struth

29-08-2016, 21:20

Dont think the squad is not good enough tbh, its just they are not both playing well and not being told the right things to be doing. Shape is wrong too. Sure it will get sorted, but how long is the problem going to take. I'm more of a technical aspect person, and what they did last season can, to a point be done again, but it needs adjusting. Perhaps old Warbs will read this from a guy who just won trophy number 231 tonight :lol:

struth

31-08-2016, 21:44

Well the transfer market is about to bang shut, with Chelsea still trying to tie up Luiz. think they have deffo got a chance now and wont be far away. Over 1 billion has been spent in the top leagues in England... an amazing amount of cash.. Still think City have best side, but they certainly wont have it their own way.Leic also signed Islam Slimani for 29 mil and think they want to do well again, as do Arsenal after a twin spend

oh on Scottish front Gers have signed Senderos for 1 year. it doesnt really show much confidence from both sides tbh, but I dont think he can do worse than the current crop, who have been poor this, and tbh last season through the middle especially. He is a big lad though and has played at the very highest level so hope he does well

Marco

31-08-2016, 22:19

Stratmangler

31-08-2016, 22:23

I've been shocked at the number of departures from City today.
Seven players have gone out on season long loan.
Hart to Torino.
Nasri to Sevilla.
Bony to Stoke.
Mangala to Valencia.
Denayer to Sunderland.
Facey to SC Heerenveen.
Bryan to Bury.

struth

31-08-2016, 22:28

I'm sure he will - it's certainly an area of the team Rangers have been needing to strengthen for ages, going back to last season. We've also landed Gamboa, from West Brom, whom I like the look of.

He's another player with pace and the ability to pass the ball accurately, which will both help solidify our defence and add yet more 'menace' to our attack :)

Marco.

Aye, my Baggie acquaintances didnt seem to bothered about him leaving, but might be he wasnt getting played. Sure he will do a decent job, and has some experience. I see the 3 players you were hoping to offload have all ended up sstaying. Celtic could have done with thining out, but such is life and you never know, they might end up doing well

I've been shocked at the number of departures from City today.
Seven players have gone out on season long loan.
Hart to Torino.
Nasri to Sevilla.
Bony to Stoke.
Mangala to Valencia.
Denayer to Sunderland.
Facey to SC Heerenveen.
Bryan to Bury.

Its a lot, but if they are not in the plans then best they are not around I guess. Obviously no one was tempted to buy.

Stratmangler

31-08-2016, 22:48

Marco

31-08-2016, 22:56

Aye, my Baggie acquaintances didnt seem to bothered about him leaving, but might be he wasnt getting played.

Yup, exactly that.

Sure he will do a decent job, and has some experience.

Well, Rodgers seems to have a knack of plucking out-of-favour players from Premiership clubs and 'reinvigorating' them, so if Gamboa turns out to be half as good as Sinclair, I'll be well happy!

Also, some of these players thrive at a club like Celtic, playing in front of such a huge and passionate support, together with the added bonus of being in the Champions League. It tends to give them a fresh challenge and a new lease of life :)

I see the 3 players you were hoping to offload have all ended up sstaying. Celtic could have done with thining out, but such is life and you never know, they might end up doing well

Yup, Armstrong, Simunovic and Ambrose... And Charlie Mulgrew's away to Blackburn. I was surprised to see Simunovic in there, as he's a talented player, so for me that's a blessing in disguise, if he can prove himself to Rodgers.

I was hoping we'd land McCarthy, from Everton, as he'd make a big difference to our midfield, which hasn't happened in time for the transfer deadline, due I hear to Koeman's valuation of the player being the stumbling block, but I think the move will happen sooner, rather than later.

The fact is we've got a very big (and talented) squad of players now, which we'll definitely need to fight for trophies on all fronts this season!

Marco.

Marco

31-08-2016, 23:00

I think with the senior players it's a case of reduce the contracted wage payments down as much as possible.
That, plus they get first team action they'll not get this season with City - if they do well means they have better residual market value in a year's time.

The two at the bottom of the list need regular first team experience, and opportunities are thin on the ground in the EPL - there's too much at stake, and a fraction of a second lapse of concentration can be costly.

Do you think Denayer will ever break through into City's first team, Chris? For me, he's an excellent defender (as he showed at Celtic) and deserves better than every season being passed around from pillar to post....

Marco.

Stratmangler

31-08-2016, 23:28

Do you think Denayer will ever break through into City's first team, Chris? For me, he's an excellent defender (as he showed at Celtic) and deserves better than every season being passed around from pillar to post....

Marco.

I agree with everything you've said about Denayer, but I'm not the one he needs to convince.
A season at Sunderland won't do him any harm, and I hope it leads to better consideration next Summer.

struth

01-09-2016, 08:55

£1.165 billion spending from English top leagues...frightening really, as Scotland probably didnt spend much more than £10 mil, if that! You have to say its a topsy turvy system, and guarenteed to keep the strong, strong ...
Think English Prem looks to be quite competitive

struth

04-09-2016, 20:55

3 decent results for home sides tonight.. England and Scotland winning away, 0-1 and 1-5 respectively, and N Irn drawing 0-0 with the Chechs away. Late goal for England but they all count and agin a tough side. The Scots were 1-1 at halftime but went on to win in the end , scoring 4 second half goal; 2 late on.

Marco

04-09-2016, 21:41

Yeah, I've just watched the Scotland game on my new telly, and it was fab (both the viewing experience and the result)! :yay:

Marco.

struth

04-09-2016, 21:48

I dont have anything fancy like Sky. Way too expensive tbh. But I know you like the games so its a boon for likes of you. Good you liked the telly quality

Marco

04-09-2016, 21:58

struth

04-09-2016, 22:03

Cheers, mate. The thing for me, especially as a Celtic fan living in Wales, I don't get the chance to go and see many live home games, so bringing that 'live experience', as close as possible into your living room, and getting to watch my team that way, is really important to me - and great fun, too! :cool:

I'll be getting the old man round on Saturday for the Rangers game, so hopefully I'll have the whole AV-set up singing nicely by then :)

Marco.

is it as soon as that? not been following it too closely tbh. Much depends on the day really but I will expect a comfortable home win. If Gers come away with some pride, and a performance then thats all that can be asked at moment I think. After saying that the last OF game I expected same and got the result very wrong... Tough predicting footy scores, hence winning the pools etc aint easy.
Hope you and dad enjoy the day. I never watch them or even listen to commentary.

Marco

04-09-2016, 22:19

Yup, it's an 11.30am kick-off on Saturday, due to live TV coverage on Sky. As you correctly say, old firm games are always very hard to predict, so we'll see what happens :)

Marco.

struth

10-09-2016, 14:50

Forgot about game today.. Son in law is just away... He watched on a stream apparently... Celtic as i thought were to strong for gers defence and won 5-1. Senderoff,s first game and had to get set packing... Dick lol.

Utd were not good enough for Agueroless city at home too losing 2-1... So both my sides go down in city derbies....

Lol! Lol!

Ah well, its no skin off my nose :)

Well done to Marco and Chris

RobbieGong

10-09-2016, 16:56

Glad Man City got the result today. Simply because although I respect Mourinhos achievements, I prefer Guardiolas personality.....:)

Marco

10-09-2016, 22:48

Celtic as i thought were to strong for gers defence and won 5-1. Senderoff,s first game and had to get set packing... Dick lol. Lol! Lol!

Well done to Marco and Chris

Lol@Senderoff! Oh, and cheers :D

It was pretty much men against boys, simply because of the current gulf in class between the players of both sides.... As I said earlier in the thread, Rangers will have to spend BIG if they're going to have a cat in hell's chance of keeping up with Celtic, never mind taking the title from them!

As far as the match went, Rangers did a reasonably good job of keeping Celtic at bay for the first half hour, with Kranjcar pinging some nice passes around, until he 'tired' after 35 minutes! :doh: Then he simply faded from play, whilst Celtic had the bulk of possession, although without really troubling Foderingham in the Rangers goal.

However, once Celtic scored, through Dembele, there was only going to be one winner, especially after the second goal went in. Even Rangers scoring just before half time, after good work from Kenny Miller, and a mistake from Lustig, it looked no more than false hope for Rangers, who which the stats showed only had 30% possession in the first half - and I think virtually the only time De Vries touched the ball was to pick it out of his net!

Rangers had another bright spell for about the first 10-15 in the second half but never really threatened the Celtic goal, and once Sinclair scored Celtic's third and 'Senderoff' unfortunately lived up to his name, Celtic were totally dominant and could've scored 7 or 8. Joey Barton, as I had suspected, was a joke, and like the rest of the Rangers midfield did precious little, certainly in an attacking sense.

The funniest thing was, after Celtic had scored their second goal, to go 2-0 up, Scott Brown ran over to Barton to have a 'wee chat' (or a 'get it up ye'), no doubt about him not being 'in his league'.... :eyebrows: As I said, Barton's an egotistical balloon, with a mouth that's grossly overexercised, and indeed got up close to a rather nicely colourful balloon, after Celtic had scored their 5th goal:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/skLLt0.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pnskLLt0j)

^^ 'Balloon Boy' in action ^^ :D

Aye, that's about all you're good for Joey!! Rangers rather powderpuff attack and shaky defence needs to be sorted out, or they'll not only be playing second fiddle to Celtic and Hearts, but Aberdeen and St Johnstone, too! De Vries, in Celtic's goal, had a about two saves to make in the whole game, which tells it's own story - and not a happy one either for Rangers...

Anyway, a good result to set us up for our first Champions League game, away against Barcelona on Tuesday night. TBH, we haven't got a hope in hell.

Celtic may be far ahead of Rangers at this moment in time, but Barca are much further ahead of Celtic, than Celtic are of Rangers. Quite simply, Celtic aren't at that sort of level just now. Perhaps next season, after Rodgers and the new players have really made their mark, we'll get a little closer to being able to mix it with the really big boys - providing we win the league again.

Therefore, we'll have to guard against getting a right doing in Spain, as indeed happened the last time we played against Barcelona, in the CL, where we were beaten 6-1. That was our biggest defeat ever, or certainly in recent times, although by that time we were already out of the competition, so one could say that there wasn't much to play for. However, we were still royally cuffed, and that could easily happen again in the Camp Nou on Tuesday night.

If Celtic could get a draw, it would be a miracle, but I can't see it. Anyway, as underdogs, there will be no pressure on Celtic, so I'll just be enjoying the occasion and praying for something of a miracle to happen! :cool:

Marco.