Posts Tagged ‘Neil Lennon’

A Window To The Future

Posted: February 1, 2012 by thebhoymcclay in Celtic Football Club, Football, Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
1

New Striker Pawel Brozek

Celtic completed their transfer dealings with a day to spare as Pawel Brozek joined on loan from Trabzonspor until at least the end of season having already concluded deals for cover in midfield and defence in the Winter window.  Rabiu Ibrahim, a young Nigerian midfielder, has vowed to wow the fans with his flamboyant and skillful game which he models on a hybrid of Zinedine Zidane and David Silva, (a cross between the two would be just fine!) and the view from the manager and my Lennoxtown scout is the boy is something special. Denied any quality game time at PSV, Lennon has taken a worthwhile gamble on the twenty year-old who has received nothing bar glowing reports along the way – and the next few years at Celtic will hopefully be a productive one for player and club.

Rabiu Ibrhahim out to impress

Announced back in November, Mikael Lustig was the first player through the door arriving on a pre-contract from Rosenborg. There is still much debate surrounding this right-sided defender given the abundance of riches at the sides disposal in this department – Adam Matthews & Cha Du-Ri are already vying for the first team position, whilst the experienced Mark Wilson and young development player Andre Blackman also work towards a starting role. A fully fledged Swedish international in his prime playing years will not be arriving at Celtic Park for a place on the bench, however comfortable.

There were three heading the opposite direction with fringe youngsters, Paul Slane, James Keatings and Lewis Toshney going on loan to MK Dons, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock respectively for some valuable first team experience. The one disappointing story of the frantic final days proceedings, was that of Mark Wilson and the breakdown of his move to Leeds United. Disjointed & frustrating are words you would use to sum up the defenders spell at the Hoops since joining in 2006 – long-term injuries and rehabilitation being the route cause. And with additional back-up in Lustig his playing days with the Bhoys may now well be at an end. The opportunity of some game time in the Championship on the road back from his latest knee problem would have been essential if Wilson is to ever play competitive football for a sustained period.

Lustig in the Classic "Signed" Position

The main purpose of this window in my opinion, was for Celtic to maintain their current squad and especially their prized assets such as the striking combination of Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes.  As I mentioned last month in “When The Saints Come Marching In” http://thebhoymcclay.com/2012/01/18/when-the-saints-come-marching-in/ - No good could emerge from Celtic letting their star striker leave at this point in the season, for any amount of money. Polish international striker, Brozek is waiting in the wings for an opportunity but again, how long will it take to get an understanding with another partner? Will he adapt to Scottish football in the short period he has to impress Lennon before he makes a decision on whether to make his stay permanent? Current squad members, who some may have not lost sleep over moving on to pastures new, such as Samaras and Ki – will prove their worth in the coming months also. Both players have individual styles of play with a lot of fans struggling to comprehend what they bring to the team. The Greek is direct and pacey, meaning the team can quickly switch to counter-attack or when struggling to break down a well parked SPL double decker. The Korean Player of the Year on the other hand, is able to command a game with the ball at his feet – his vision to pick a killer pass or dictate the play when under pressure could be vital.

Growing the side from a position of strength is something relatively new to Celtic, there is usually a diminution or two within the playing staff as has been seen in the last few windows. Rangers on the other hand, have adapted a polar opposite and not only let go of their most prized possession in Nikica Jelavic, but allowed another dozen or so players leave on loan or for good – if Celtic to fail to deliver the knockout punch in the coming months, it would have to go down as the most disappointing and unbelievable league campaigns of recent history. It is sport, human nature and one man versus another and of course, anything can happen – but to have such a dominating & dynamic young squad and positive mental edge, the forecast for green and white ribbons to be fluttering in May looks a sure thing.

 

 

From Basle with Love

Posted: December 9, 2011 by thebhoymcclay in Celtic Football Club, Football, Manchester City, Travel, Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Chris "Evil Genuis" Sutton wants the ground to swallow him up after Basel defeat

In 2002, Celtic looked on course for the Champions League group stages after overcoming a shock 1st minute goal against the “supposed lowly” FC Basle, they took a three one advantage over to the Swiss side for the return leg.  What occurred next was a shock which at the time shook the club to its core, but by the end of the year had galvanised the team on a European run of some pedigree – The team managed by the former Spurs manager, Cristian Gross, took full advantage of their Celtic Park away goal to go through with a two nil triumph which added to the Parkhead side’s unwanted European record which, has not improved of much accord since.

Almost a decade on, Manchester United, having failed to beat the Swiss Home & Away, were dumped into the Europa League last night as their red & blue adversaries marched through as Group C Runners-Up with Benfica. The last time the Red Devils failed to advance through the groups back in 2006, Sir Alex Ferguson, dumbfounded and confused said “We probably lacked that experience and ability and when we needed top players they weren’t there”.

Basel fans in a sea of Red celebrate United's elimination

Since the humbling against their City rivals, United have stuttered and failed to impress in the League and been knocked out of the League Cup by Crystal Palace – the six one defeat has severely knocked United’s’ confidence and they have looked far from convincing in any matches since. Injuries have taken their toll in defence and an unsettled front line has shown as the Red Devil’s have only scored more than once in their last nine league matches. When probed or challenged this season, they have been unable to rely on their experienced players such as Giggs, Rooney or Ferdinand to inspire them to victory and the whole team has looked frail and disjointed. I do foresee a bright future for this squad – a great plethora of the finest young talent has been added – and this learning curve of defeats & eliminations will stand them in good stead for the coming seasons and their hunger for success will grow.

Manchester City also joined them in the Europa League second stage, after an impressive win against a depleted Bayern Munich side which ultimately meant nothing due to Napoli’s win at Villareal which sent Mancini’s men into third position. Ten points have been enough in most seasons to guarantee a passage into the last 32 of Europe’s elite, and this number or lower has also seen CSKA Moscow, Lyon, Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan, Marseille, and both Apoel and Zenit in Group G progress through safely this time out – Nine was also enough for Celtic in 2007 & 2008 to go through to the knockout stage, but just not enough in Martin O’Neill’s first Champions League adventure in 2002.

City’s group appeared on paper – and on the park – much harder to navigate and it was a valiant attempt by them in their first full Champions League season – United are one of the old guard and to finish above their three opponents should have been easily achievable for a side managed by Ferguson. Manchester City have built on last season’s FA Cup triumph to remain unbeaten and unchallenged at the top of the Premiership with the immense array of talent they have all over the pitch. I feel Mancini now will not just want to concentrate on the League – but also send out a message to Europe in the form of a Europa League final win to showcase their presence on the big stage, much like Mourinho did in Seville before Porto went on the next year and won the big prize.

Celtic travel away to Udine next Wednesday knowing a win in Italy will send them past the group stages at their opponents expense due to their head to head record, and into the draw which will contain both halfs of Manchester & Stoke City and possibly Fulham, Birmingham City & Spurs. Atletico Madrid dispatched the Bhoys at Celtic Park last Thursday and despite a promising start by Lennon’s men, they could not convert their early pressure into a crucial goal. Udinese Calcio sit joint second in Serie A with AC Milan thanks to a dogged, determined and luck ridden performance at the San Siro last weekend to take the spoils against Inter Milan. Celtic will need not only to overcome a top side in Udinese, but also an unbeaten home record in all competitions this season. The Bhoys themselves have gone thirteen games domestically unbeaten, and with Gary Hooper & Anthony Stokes in rich veins of form in front of goal – aswell as competing in a healthy goalscoring dual – both teams go into the tie high on confidence.

The Parkhead sides away form improved markedly in France away to Rennes, combating two previous defeats in Sion and Madrid which proved a cakewalk for the home sides. Hopefully the lure of European football post-Christmas can galvanise the Bhoys to a special win – the confidence which can be generated from a convincing win at home to Hearts on Saturday could also assist with the mindset. Two weeks later a depleted Rangers visit, low on confidence in recent weeks, Celtic’s continual progression in improving points and performance should see them sweep aside their rivals like Hurricane Bawbag did to my neighbour’s garden shed. The Italian Job could therefore propel the Hoops juggernaut to greater things on the domestic scene, and I do predict an inspired side will go into the game with nothing to fear with long-term absentees through injury also rejoining the squad to add more depth, options and dimensions.

One Hundred & Forty Character Army

Posted: September 22, 2011 by thebhoymcclay in Celtic Football Club, Football, Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

I am sitting on a Sunday morning agreeing with Joey Barton – not just regarding the running of Newcastle Football club but also of his own interpretation of footballer’s on Twitter. “It’s quite worrying that a man who use to run casino’s is now making footballing decisions”. The world of Social media now controls the interaction between club and fan & journalist and reader, so it wasn’t long before the professionals got in on the act.  The QPR midfielder’s justification for starting his account, was to clarify stories in the press from journo’s about his life off and on the pitch, and perhaps deny or comment on them so his supporters could see the real Barton.  You wouldn’t be a fool for thinking that the relationship between the two may have mirrored his previous idiocracy on nights out & training pitches, but Joey Barton has reinvented himself on the site.  He has shown more depth, intelligence and level-headedness than any of us have witnessed from him on a Saturday afternoon – and as well as football issues, he has tackled “The Big Society”, backed a petition campaign for the Hillsborough disaster and tried to analyze the psyche of the rioters in England just a month or so back. Which is all good and well…..but when can footballers and tweets go awry? As well as Barton putting the death knell in his Newcastle career by questioning the whereabouts of the Andy Caroll bullion there is also this example….

“Was fit and available for selection. Don’t know why I wasn’t picked but gotta work hard to get back in!!!”

This was Kris Commons following the weekend’s defeat at Ibrox. There are some good points from this message, mainly that he feels fit and also that he will work hard to try to regain his place – but the ins and outs of his non selection are in the managers head until he, and only he feels the need to air them. Neil Lennon has now went on record on a few occasions after Sunday to explain certain decisions and the tweet was not omitted from questioning  ”He is obviously frustrated he was left out of the squad and I accept that but won’t make a massive issue of that,I’d have preferred it to be kept in-house, but this is the modern way of it – social networking seems to be the way forward.”  So even @NeilLennon sees the benefits!! I don’t think the issue would have plagued me as much if the midfielder had started the season the way he had played since joining – and major concerns over his fitness and derriere haven’t been helped by drinking copious amounts of lager on a boys golfing holiday. So hopefully talk of fall outs with management and dietary issues are going to be put to one side in the coming weeks when Kris can back up his tweet with some performances on the pitch.

There are now twenty-eight youth, former and current Celtic players on Twitter  (http://twitter.com/#!/walshybhoy/celtic-players/members) all bringing their own aspects of life to the online community. The type of interaction can range from their feelings or arrangements before a match, family occasions, and interests and hobbies out with the beautiful game.  This instant interaction is like e-manna for mere mortals like us who idolize players, a glimpse or even a re-tweet can make someones day just like an autograph or picture outside the training ground. Just yesterday I was left amazed when John Hartson read my cousin’s blog – and then to add to it, he also replied as he had gone through a similar experience – this kind of relationship would previously be a one in a million shot and cannot be undervalued.  Thankfully this group of online Celts’ has not muddied the waters with the fans and everything so far has been extremely good-natured – this good nature can also extend to their involvement with charity ventures, and their retweets and endorsements can add so much to not only affiliated club charities, but ones close to their own and supporters hearts.

It’s hard to imagine what the reaction of past stars’ antics would have with their followers – Paolo Di Canio’s “leetle problem”,  Eyal Berkovic’s hand gesture to the Jock Stein Stand or even the intellectual musings of Eric Cantona after his kung-fu attack at Selhurst Park. Many managers and owners have questioned players involvement on the site, but in a day & age when the gap between the working class fan and board level hierarchy is ever-widening its refreshing for the fan to still be within tweeting distance.