SPL Discussion Thread

[tetsujin1979]

Livingston - Celtic highlights.
http://www.bolt.com/strocky/video/617652?cn=STREAM_strocky_video_large_PAGE1

[Poor Student]

See our old friends from G51 got Off lightly in their dealings with UEFA. To such an extent,UEFA now appealing against their own verdict!


Apparantly, wanted to fine them £25k & close a stand for a game. Wow!

Under the terms of this forum it's best not to discuss that.

[pineapple stu]

Check the rules of the forum.

[Hibs4Ever]

Looks like I'm not the only one that thinks Caldwell is pants. Celtic fans starting to see the light too



http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=27642

[Plastic Paddy]

Is it not just a question, of mentioning recent news items?

It's like ignoring the elephant in the corner of the room, but dem's de rules...


Looks like I'm not the only one that thinks Caldwell is pants. Celtic fans starting to see the light too

Aha. I was wondering when you'd appear from under your stone.

"Starting" to think Caldwell is pants? I don't think any of us are fooled for a second. Caldwell is ****e, end of story. Still, I'm inclined to give greater latitude to the judgement of a man whose side wins the title by a country mile in his first season. ;)

We're still all waiting for you to offer your congratulations on attainment of championship number forty, btw... :D

:ball: PP

[stickyjoe]

not a fan of Caldwell at all from what I`ve seen of him.

Sounds like Mowbray has had enough of Hibs job at this stage and seems to be throwing his hat into the ring very early for the Boro job

[Hibs4Ever]

It's like ignoring the elephant in the corner of the room, but dem's de rules...



Aha. I was wondering when you'd appear from under your stone.

"Starting" to think Caldwell is pants? I don't think any of us are fooled for a second. Caldwell is ****e, end of story. Still, I'm inclined to give greater latitude to the judgement of a man whose side wins the title by a country mile in his first season. ;)

We're still all waiting for you to offer your congratulations on attainment of championship number forty, btw...

PP



Under what stone:rolleyes: I posted a couple of weeks ago when Celtic beat Hertz;)

[Hibs4Ever]

not a fan of Caldwell at all from what I`ve seen of him.

Sounds like Mowbray has had enough of Hibs job at this stage and seems to be throwing his hat into the ring very early for the Boro job


Mogga will see out his contract at Hibs

[Hibs4Ever]

Unless of course, MacLaren gets the nod from the English FA.;)



As I said, Mogga will see out his contract at Hibs ;)

[drinkfeckarse]

The papers are making a lot of noises about Petrov handing in a written transfer request to the Celtic board soon. They say he feels he's done and won all he can with Celtic and feels it's the right time to take up a new challenge.

I hope it's not true because he's a fantastic midfielder who would be very difficult to replace. He's one of the best box to box midfielders about so won't go cheap anyway if he does leave.

Very different type of players but I'd take Kevin Thomson of Hibs to fill the gap if it happens.

[Hibs4Ever]

The papers are making a lot of noises about Petrov handing in a written transfer request to the Celtic board soon. They say he feels he's done and won all he can with Celtic and feels it's the right time to take up a new challenge.

I hope it's not true because he's a fantastic midfielder who would be very difficult to replace. He's one of the best box to box midfielders about so won't go cheap anyway if he does leave.

Very different type of players but I'd take Kevin Thomson of Hibs to fill the gap if it happens.


Kevin Thompson is a smashing player, better than Petrov (IMO) but word is Spurs want him and Scotty Brown from us:(

[Junior]

Stan is a great player, though has not been in great form this latter half of the season. I fully expected him to leave before he signed that new contract 3 months ago, so it was a great bonus fir us that he did.

He deserves to test himself in one of the more difficult leagues in europe, though I sincerely hope it is not with a Blackburn or Everton type team. He has given us 7 years great service and we stand to get anywhere between £4m and £7m for him if he decides to go.

I hope he stays, but if he doesn't then he goes with my best wishes. Replacing him will be the difficult bit. Keane/Lenny only a season at most from them 2, not really any prominent youngsters coming through, so unless you get very lucky with a young petrov type player from eastern europe or something, you are looking at spending a fair chunk of the money you get for Petrov on his replacement. We need players in plenty of other positions as well by the way!!

H4E - Why are you so certain Mowbray will see out his contract? How long has it left to run? what are the reasons for him staying, Boro must be a big pull for him?

Thomson has looked ok in the few games I've seen, I can't say it surprises me that you think he's better than Petrov..............................

[Hibs4Ever]

Stan is a great player, though has not been in great form this latter half of the season. I fully expected him to leave before he signed that new contract 3 months ago, so it was a great bonus fir us that he did.

He deserves to test himself in one of the more difficult leagues in europe, though I sincerely hope it is not with a Blackburn or Everton type team. He has given us 7 years great service and we stand to get anywhere between £4m and £7m for him if he decides to go.

I hope he stays, but if he doesn't then he goes with my best wishes. Replacing him will be the difficult bit. Keane/Lenny only a season at most from them 2, not really any prominent youngsters coming through, so unless you get very lucky with a young petrov type player from eastern europe or something, you are looking at spending a fair chunk of the money you get for Petrov on his replacement. We need players in plenty of other positions as well by the way!!

H4E - Why are you so certain Mowbray will see out his contract? How long has it left to run? what are the reasons for him staying, Boro must be a big pull for him?

Thomson has looked ok in the few games I've seen, I can't say it surprises me that you think he's better than Petrov..............................


For me its simple, he has said on numerous occasions he has a contract with Hibs that he will honour. I believe he will. Think its 2 more seasons him and Venus have on their contracts.


Petrov has looked ok in the few games I've seen, I can't say it surprises me that you think he's better than Petrov.............................;)

[Junior]

Petrov has looked ok in the few games I've seen, I can't say it surprises me that you think he's better than Petrov.............................;)

I presume you mean better than Thomson adn although I didn't actually say that...... you are right in your assertion, I do.

I think its the CL and International (including captaincy) experience, the fact that he is regularly shortlisted for player of the year awards not to mention playing a pivotal role in a club side that has consistently won trophies and achieved some (relatively speaking) good results in europe, his avg 10 goals per season contribution, that puts Petrov ahead of Thomson by some distance in my eyes.

Thomson may well match that in the years to come - but so far its a non contest and thats without any Celtic bias I can assure you.

[Hibs4Ever]

I presume you mean better than Thomson adn although I didn't actually say that...... you are right in your assertion, I do.

I think its the CL and International (including captaincy) experience, the fact that he is regularly shortlisted for player of the year awards not to mention playing a pivotal role in a club side that has consistently won trophies and achieved some (relatively speaking) good results in europe, his avg 10 goals per season contribution, that puts Petrov ahead of Thomson by some distance in my eyes.

Thomson may well match that in the years to come - but so far its a non contest and thats without any Celtic bias I can assure you.


Of course its is:rolleyes: ;) In YOUR opinion (and any other celtic fan thats gonna post here) Petrov is better, fare enough. In my opinion he isn't.

[Junior]

Of course its is:rolleyes: ;) In YOUR opinion (and any other celtic fan thats gonna post here) Petrov is better, fare enough. In my opinion he isn't.

I like to think I don't pocess the blinkered view on football that sometimes comes from fans who will not look beyond their own team.

I haven't seen enough of Thomson to know for certainty, but I have seen a lot of Petrov. This coupled with the other achievements in Petrov's career to date that I quoted, I think speak for themselves and don't need any celtic bias to support them.

[drinkfeckarse]

I haven't seen enough of Thomson to know for certainty, but I have seen a lot of Petrov. This coupled with the other achievements in Petrov's career to date that I quoted, I think speak for themselves and don't need any celtic bias to support them.

Well put, I think Thomson looks as if he CAN be a quality player but is only at the starting line.

Only when he is as consistent as Stan can you hold him in the same regard. I find it strange that it looks like Thomson won't be heading to Japan with the Scotland team in a few weeks for the Kirin Cup, especially with so many absentees.:confused:

Does Wally not rate him:confused:

[eirebhoy]

If anyone is interested here is Petrov and Strachan's Press Conferences in mp3:
http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1J1WRZNBQPNYG0ZEN1R85LYTKK

Having been bought for £2.5m as a 19 year old he has gone on to get over 50 caps and currently captaining his country aswell as playing over 50 European games for Celtic and winning I don't know how many medals an awards. Since he's in his prime on a 3 year contract I hope that Celtic get £7-8m for him. £5m is a guarantee, I hope there's a bit of interest. Maybe Wigan will try to snap him up. :)

[stickyjoe]

The game yday was dreadful. Couple of very interesting matches coming up in the next 2 weeks.

Hearts v Celtic. I wouldn`t mind too much a Hearts win here ;) And the following week is Hibs v Rangers. AFAIK Hibs only chance of getting into Europe is if Rangers come 2nd in the League and Hearts win the cup. So for Hibs to get into Europe next season they actually need to lose this one....interesting to see this game

[Hibs4Ever]

The game yday was dreadful. Couple of very interesting matches coming up in the next 2 weeks.

Hearts v Celtic. I wouldn`t mind too much a Hearts win here ;) And the following week is Hibs v Rangers. AFAIK Hibs only chance of getting into Europe is if Rangers come 2nd in the League and Hearts win the cup. So for Hibs to get into Europe next season they actually need to lose this one....interesting to see this game



Thats what we need for the UEFA cup alright, we are guarunteed intertoto if not. Can't see Hibs giving too much of a game against Rangers alright, but likewise can't see Celtic trying too hard against Hearts next week, leaving Rangers out of Champions League spot

[Hibs4Ever]

Please, please, please Celtic, take Gary Caldwell NOW :mad: :mad:

[Poor Student]

Thats what we need for the UEFA cup alright, we are guarunteed intertoto if not. Can't see Hibs giving too much of a game against Rangers alright, but likewise can't see Celtic trying too hard against Hearts next week, leaving Rangers out of Champions League spot

Celtic were just crap as opposed to rolling over. I think it'll lift Hibs off the hook. Never have I seen it so directly beneficial for a team to actually lose.:confused:

[Hibs4Ever]

Celtic were just crap as opposed to rolling over. I think it'll lift Hibs off the hook. Never have I seen it so directly beneficial for a team to actually lose.:confused:


Its still not good for Hibs, they reckon beating Rangers tonight would cost us at least 3 million. Can't see Hertz slipping up now though, looks like Intertoto for the Hibees

[Hibs4Ever]

Begrudging congrats to Hertz.on coming 2nd;I would have preferred it to have been Hibees, despite some of their fanbase
Still the Hunz & Gretna are both in the UEFA Cup.....where they belong!



Hertz in champions league :mad: :mad:


Gonzo what wrong with Hibs fan base?:rolleyes:

[Plastic Paddy]

Hertz in champions league

Qualifiers. I expect they'll do as well as Everton did this season...


Gonzo what wrong with Hibs fan base?

Well, if they're all like your good self... ;)

:ball: PP

[Hibs4Ever]

Qualifiers. I expect they'll do as well as Everton did this season...



Well, if they're all like your good self... ;)

:ball: PP



Ah gotcha


So you don't like Hibs fans that don't like celtic.

No probs :rolleyes:

[Plastic Paddy]

I would never be so callow. Your assumptions, however, prove quite revealing...

:ball: PP

[Hibs4Ever]

I would never be so callow. Your assumptions, however, prove quite revealing...

:ball: PP



:confused:

[Hibs4Ever]

Should've expected an answer like that. MAkes no sense at all.

[drinkfeckarse]

[QUOTE=Plastic Paddy]Qualifiers. I expect they'll do as well as Everton did this season...
/QUOTE]

Exactly, very little realistic chance of qualifying unless the draw is very kind to them.

[Hibs4Ever]

[QUOTE=Plastic Paddy]Qualifiers. I expect they'll do as well as Everton did this season...
/QUOTE]

Exactly, very little realistic chance of qualifying unless the draw is very kind to them.


Hope you're right :D


Looks like Intertoto for us :( but better than nothing

[eirebhoy]

Ah gotcha


So you don't like Hibs fans that don't like celtic.

No probs :rolleyes:
I don't see the problem with that tbh. :)

If Hearts get lucky with the draw they could well make the group stages. They'll certainly be strengthening their squad, we're talking about a chairman that said they'll win the CL within 5 (?) years. :D

[Hibs4Ever]

I don't see the problem with that tbh. :)

If Hearts get lucky with the draw they could well make the group stages. They'll certainly be strengthening their squad, we're talking about a chairman that said they'll win the CL within 5 (?) years.



Did you see the picture in the EEN of mad Vlad and his son Roman at the Hib v Rangers match on Tueday night in the main stand wearing Hearts jackets.

The man is LOCO :D

[eirebhoy]

Did you see the picture in the EEN of mad Vlad and his son Roman at the Hib v Rangers match on Tueday night in the main stand wearing Hearts jackets.

The man is LOCO :D
Yeah, the Setanta camera focused on them a few times. I was wondering whether I had seen them on the Hearts highlights before the game until they were mentioned again. :)

[OwlsFan]

Not qualifying for the CL will hurt Rangers' rebuilding programme under the new manager - makes it harder to attract decent players.

Hearts could do ok depending on the draw. Everton were unlucky drawing an eventual CL semi-finalist. Hearts appear to being built on old eastern block players.

Saw the Hibs vs Rangers game. The former lack a Keane like player in midfield. Otherwise they competed well.

[Stuttgart88]

I think it's great that Hearts have come second, and not just because it consigns Rangers to UEFA. Fair play to them even if their owner is an idiot. I wonder what would have happened if Burley had stayed.

[Junior]

Qualifiers. I expect they'll do as well as Everton did this season...

Thats not an impossibility for Celtic as it stands (Come on Barca!!!!!!!) and who's to say we won't fall at the first hurdle again if we do have to play a qualifier?

IN: Caldwell & Miller so far:rolleyes:
OUT: Who knows but poss Hartson (though he's said he's staying), Keane, Naka???

Nothing to be overly confident about as it stands..................

[drinkfeckarse]

But Celtic fans aren't the one's dancing about the place with "Champions League here we come" t-shirts. Celtic fans know only too well what could happen if a qualifier has to be negotiated first....especially after Artmedia.

[Hibs4Ever]

Anyone else seen this:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/4970138.stm

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov says midfielder Rudi Skacel wants to leave the Tynecastle club.
In an astonishing interview with BBC Scotland, Romanov also criticised Andy Webster's parents and the hygiene of the club's medical staff.


:D :D :D

[eirebhoy]

IN: Caldwell & Miller so far:rolleyes:
OUT: Who knows but poss Hartson (though he's said he's staying), Keane, Naka???
I can't see any of those leaving. Hartson said he's now staying, Keane said he'll do what's best for Celtic and Naka will probably want to test himself in the CL. There should be a lot of money available to Strachan. Clarke said that the club were willing to pay £6m for Samaras in January if he felt he was worth it. Petrov should fetch a good fee too (plus he was on very high wages) so Strachan should have at least £10m to spend in the summer. It looks like they're in negotiations to sign Czech left back, Kadlec.

[tetsujin1979]

It looks like they're in negotiations to sign Czech left back, Kadlec.
Also looks like talks are ongoing with Nico Kranjcar of Hajduk Split, for about £2.5m

[Junior]

I can't see any of those leaving. Hartson said he's now staying, Keane said he'll do what's best for Celtic and Naka will probably want to test himself in the CL.

As I said, Hartson should be staying based on what he has said. Keane, injury/fitness will dictate in the end, If he stays but is on the sidelines that doesn't assist our CL chances. Naka, I hope you're right, I really do, but he's allegedly found it difficult to settle in Scotland and so who knows if CL football (not guaranteed at this stage, but hopefully will be come May 17th!) will be enough.


There should be a lot of money available to Strachan. Clarke said that the club were willing to pay £6m for Samaras in January if he felt he was worth it.

Well it will be the first time I can remember 'lots of money' being available in the close season but I like your optimism.

I read the Clarke comments a little differently, 'we might have bid for him if it was in the region of £2m what we think he was worth' or words to that effect. On a side issue, Samaras was pants last night!!




Petrov should fetch a good fee too (plus he was on very high wages) so Strachan should have at least £10m to spend in the summer. It looks like they're in negotiations to sign Czech left back, Kadlec.

Agree - but we'll need to replace him, not cheap and wont be on low wages!! unless of course we get lucky with a find.............

We desperately need a LB - though I have no idea what Kadlec is like.

[drinkfeckarse]

I read the Clarke comments a little differently, 'we might have bid for him if it was in the region of £2m what we think he was worth' or words to that effect.

We desperately need a LB - though I have no idea what Kadlec is like.

That's what I remember reading about Clarke's comments too and regarding the left back..I'd like to see Mulgrew get a shot as he's done very well at Dundee Utd. He's only been there 6 months and was voted their Young Player of the Year the other day.

[eirebhoy]

Clarke:
"We liked the look of him but his club were looking for something like £6m and a 25 per cent sell-on. It could have cost the club around 12m euros all in.

The club had said they would back me with the money if I thought he was the right player, but I felt it was a big investment on a player who is still relatively unproven at the top level.

It was a lot of money and I felt it was too big a gamble. If we could have got him for something like £2.5m then I would have told the club to take the chance."

[Junior]

Clarke:
"We liked the look of him but his club were looking for something like £6m and a 25 per cent sell-on. It could have cost the club around 12m euros all in.

The club had said they would back me with the money if I thought he was the right player, but I felt it was a big investment on a player who is still relatively unproven at the top level.

It was a lot of money and I felt it was too big a gamble. If we could have got him for something like £2.5m then I would have told the club to take the chance."

Thats not quite "the club were willing to pay £6m if he was worth it" is it?

I've heard the "the club have said they will back me with money" numerous times over the years, even after Seville when we failed miserably to bring anyone in to build on that period of relative success.

I don't meant to be so negative, but next season is going to be massive for Strachan and the club. I hope we can get a few of these relatively unknowns for a reasonable price that can add some strength to the squad (it will need to be before the world cup tho' otherwise prices will rocket!)

Agree re: Mulgrew seen a few clips of him on Setanta at Dundee Utd, had rave reviews in the 6 months (whilst also having an injury). Depends if we bring someone in or not but maybe another full year on loan would be the best thing for him.

[eirebhoy]

Thats not quite "the club were willing to pay £6m if he was worth it" is it?
I don't know but it sounds like that to me. Actually, I'm certain that's what he means. There's no other meaning you can take from what he is saying. :) He would have cost £6m. The club said they'd have splashed out on him if Clarke thought he was worth it but Clarke didn't think he was worth it.

[Junior]

I don't know but it sounds like that to me. Actually, I'm certain that's what he means. There's no other meaning you can take from what he is saying. :) He would have cost £6m. The club said they'd have splashed out on him if Clarke thought he was worth it but Clarke didn't think he was worth it.

I guess neither of us really know. But after our failure to reach the group stages of the CL this season, I am fairly certain Celtic would not have been splashing £6m out on a striker (worth it or not) especially after acquiring Zurawski in the summer. This is further confirmed to me with FREE signing of Kenny Miller.

[londonirish17]

Also looks like talks are ongoing with Nico Kranjcar of Hajduk Split, for about £2.5m


That would be a good piece of news...

[geysir]

Also looks like talks are ongoing with Nico Kranjcar of Hajduk Split, for about £2.5m
Nico is highly rated, his club have already turned down €4m.
http://www.footballrefugees.com/modules.php?name=phorum&file=read&f=1&t=197529&a=1
There are quite a few clubs making offers.

[geysir]

I was looking at the testimonial game (the event hype really doesn't interest me) for signs of life in Celtic. If there is anything to read into kickabouts.
Petrov looked happier in the middle after Keane switched sides. (haven't a clue if there was any issue about his playing role this season)
Lennon looks as good as ever.
A fit Balde with Varga might do.
Wilson is a strange one, a fit lad, full of enthusiasm and support play but some serious shortcomings, improvement?
Telfer goes awol, huge gaps left there at times for United. His positioning was shockingly poor.
On last nights game alone Hartson was an embarrisment to his own benchmark of professional standards. Clearly his injuries have handicapped about 90% of his game. In contrast, from a fitness point of view, Dublin looked in his prime.