Going against my previous thoughts on the subject to speculate that Naylor might not be that bad. He has played all his career at Wolves but he has amassed a fair number of appearnaces for them at this stage so he should at least be competent, if nothing else.
I don’t believe the fee is 600k plus a player. That’s what Wolves requested and I imagine that the negotiated fee was less.
Also I don’t think Mulgrew is all that promising. I’ve seen him play for the reserves a couple of times (on tv, not live) and he hasn’t really impressed. Lovely left foot on him but he’s not a great defender at all. He was brutal for the half hour he played in Poland - lazy, ponderous and I don’t think he is Celtic class. I’ve no doubts that Naylor is a better defender than Mulgrew, Telfer or Camara and in that respect I think he’ll improve the team.
He should improve the team but not by much and largely indirectly too by facilitating Wilson’s switch across to right back. The phrase ‘Celtic class’ is overused but I just don’t think he’s got it.
JVoH missed PSV training today so the rumour is that a deal is imminent.
I have forgiven Stan and will make him captain once he apologises for the transfer request. Following on from a chat I was having with pagey a few days ago I am about to publicly state for the first time that I have serious doubts about Zurawski. Good finisher imo but not a great one. Very good movement though but not a lot of pace, not great in the air and doesn’t work all that hard at times. Over to you to defend him rock.
Tough ask bandage - he has been poor of late and was dropped at the weekend. He does lack genuine pace up front which is why Miller has been starting ahead of him. I think if Maloney was available then Zurawski might have been selected because he’s certainly better in the box than Kenny but he has not looked sharp recently.
I don’t have doubts about the lad as such. What you need to remember was that he cost less than a million I think. He’s 30 now I presume and he’s played in Poland all his life. He is a quality finisher (I disagree with you there) and he plays the channels very well. Excellent value for money and he would benefit hugely from having VoH alongside.
If VoH does sign it will be the signing I have been most pleased about since Sutton I think. I was in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, USA when he put pen to paper and I was chuffed. Can’t think of anyone since who I’ve anticipated as much.
I fooking love the lengths Celtic supporters go to.
There?s a few nuts on the HB who?ve been waiting outside Ross Hall hospital in Glasgow all day just in case he arrived for his medical. They weren’t even sure if he was in the country but turned up anyway! Lo and behold the big man has arrived and a few camera phone pictures sent to mates later the photos are now up on the HB. Fook, he’s huge and there’s one good one of him giving the thumbs up.
Very excited by this. He can be the focal point around which the ball players like Aiden, Naka and Shaun can flourish now. Keep the signings coming now please.
Just watched the press conference online. Jan ‘Better Value than Hasselbaink’ looked very assured and said all the right things, mentioning the 1-0 victory over Barcelona in 2004 and the atmosphere that night, the world renowned reputation of the club and how he’s a real team player and hopes the other players can successfully play off him.
Naylor just sat there with a huge fooking grin. He looked like he couldn’t believe where he was. I was genuinely happy for the guy and hope he proves me wrong.
I have decided to call the Jan, Jan, the big Dutch man Jan Vinegar Hill of Hesselink from now on to bring a Wexford link to things. Thank you one and all.
Cracking press conference wasn’t it. Vinegar Hill said “sure it’s a step up. It’s Celtic. Look at the shirt - that tells you everything.” Naylor looked thrilled to be there too but he looks confident also.
I see BBC gossip column says today that we’ve agreed personal terms with Tommy G and Newcastle have also so it’s down to agreeing terms with Madrid. I can’t believe it’s true personally.
Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce has blasted new Celtic signing Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Allardyce said: "We have been interested in him for a few weeks, but it looks like the attraction of Champions League football played a big part in him going to Celtic.
"I’m not sure why so many players insist in going to a club playing Champions League for it can be a short stint.
“Champions League football is important, but it shouldn’t be a priority. That should be playing in the best league you can play in and this is the best league in the world.”
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has given up on his pursuit of Stilian Petrov after revealing the Celtic midfielder is heading for Aston Villa.
Pompey have made repeated offers for the Bulgarian international.
But Redknapp told BBC Radio Five Live: “I think you will find Petrov has gone to Aston Villa. That is the plan and we wish him all the best.”
Villa manager Martin O’Neill was in charge of Petrov during his five-year reign at Celtic Park.
O’Neill has made a promising start to his career at Villa Park and has been given the go-ahead to strengthen his squad by new owner Randy Lerner.
Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has spoken to his predecessor about Petrov but claimed ten days ago that the 27-year-old would not be moving to Villa.
However, Petrov was not included in Saturday’s squad for the 2-1 win over Hibernian.
And, now that O’Neill has the confirmed financial backing of American tycoon Lerner, Aston Villa may be able to find the ?7m fee that Celtic are seeking.
Petrov is contracted to the Scottish champions until 2010 but submitted a transfer request at the end of last season.
You?d have to laugh at Allardyce. Who?s a nobody who has ?I have managed Limerick FC, Notts County and Bolton? on his cv to tell JVoH, who?s played for the Netherlands and banged in goals for whatever club he?s been at, where he should play? JvoH never once said he intended to join Bolton so it?s not as if he did what Didi Hamann did and changed his mind at the last minute. Celtic were tracking him for months and the quotes from JvoH going back over the last 2/3 weeks when the rumour became public always stressed his hope that a deal could be done with Celtic.
It?s probably only Big Sam and eamo from the old forum who think Bolton are a bigger club than Celtic. What is it about Allardyce though? His scouting system must be worst than Paul Le Guen?s given that any time Celtic are linked with a player he tries to come in and hijack the deal. He?s sniffing around Tommy Gravesen (please sign) now today. Go find players off your own bat you big stupid fook and sell them the ?greatest league in the world? where all your team does is hump long balls up to Kevin Davies who mauls and elbows to try win it with about 3 lads breaking from midfield to try win the second ball. Best league in the world my arse in your half empty little stadium with your shit support. It would be a massive compliment to say Bolton are half the club Celtic are but frankly, they are not.
Tommy Gravesen just arrived at Celtic Park according to people who have been waiting their all morning on the off chance a deal might be done today! Get him signed. Oh the fooking excitement of it all.
My contacts in Glasgow tell me Tommy Gravesen has agreed a 3 year deal at Celtic in the last half hour, is off to Ross Hall hospital for a 5pm medical and will be unveiled before the press after that all going well. This is a very good team in the making. That’s all this year’s budget spent but priority in the next transfer window is a centre back.
McGeady
Gravesen
Petrov (Pearson if Stan goes)
Maloney
Zurawski
Vennegoor of Hesselink
Away from home in the CL I?d nominally go with 5 in midfield with Naka coming in for Magic but it?d still pose an attacking threat with Shaun, Aiden, Pearo and Tommy G breaking forward at different times and Naka threading the balls through. There?s actually good depth in the squad now with the exception of the back. If they somehow got a decent centre back in this week I?d be over the moon.
