13 midfielders but will it be enough?

With Celtic bringing in Israeli midfielder Beram Kayal, some fans have been wondering why the club have spent more money on another midfielder?

Even before Wednesday night’s capitulation in Braga, the Celtic backline and goalkeeping spot were under close scrutiny and they failed the first test of the new season. This means that the need to bring in centre halfs, a left back and even a goalkeeper should be pressing matters for the club.

This is why there has been some concern over the fact that another midfielder has been added to the squad but Celtic may not be as overburdened in that area as you would first think.

A look at the Celtic website suggests the club has 13 midfielders in their first team squad.

3 of these players are youngsters so you can overlook Simon Ferry, who appears to be on his way to Swindon Town anyway, as well as Ryan Conroy and Charlie Grant. This takes the number of midfielders down to 10.

Aiden McGeady is on the list as well and it would appear that he will be leaving the club shortly. The official line is that Aiden McGeady missed the Braga match because of an injury but many believe he was removed from the match squad to prevent him from being cup-tied.

This leaves the midfield with 9 players and it has to be said that Lennon doesn’t appear to fancy Marc Crosas, with the Catalan player only featuring in emergencies or when the game may not be the most important in the mind of the manager.

So that leaves the Celtic midfield down to 8 players.

Of these, it has to be said that wide men Shaun Maloney, Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn have all suffered injury problems and it would be a brave manager that put all his faith in them. This leaves you with a core of five players:

Efrain Juarez
Scott Brown
Joe Ledley
Ki Sung Yueng
And new signing Beram Kayal

There is every chance that Aiden McGeady will be replaced, the rumours about Liam Lawrence refuse to go away, or there may be a hope that one of the afore mentioned trio of McGinn, McCourt and Maloney can step up to the plate to replace the Republic of Ireland international.

However, if Celtic are planning to play a 4-5-1 (or 4-3-3) or whatever variant is popular this week, they may find themselves short of numbers if injuries and suspension kick in.

It has to be said that Celtic’s top priorities are the left back, centre half and striking position so there needs to be action on improving these positions.

However, thinking that the Celtic midfield is settled is not quite true either. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a few more changes in the middle of the park for Celtic as well as the other positions on the field.

How many more changes do you think Celtic need to make?

Related posts:

1. Evening Times do their best to sell Celtic star Aiden McGeady Transfer window slow news day for everyone…including us var uri...
2. Celtic need to be above par to beat Pars Mowbray faced with more defensive restructuring Yet again, Celtic will...
3. McGeady a booking away from Celtic v Rangers ban Tricky winger facing a tricky Tynecastle trip After yet another...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Crushing blow for the Hibees

The green and white side from Edinburgh got the same result as their Glaswegian counterparts the night before but if Celtic fail to overhaul their deficit, they will enter the Europa League qualifiers.

If Hibs are unable to pull off a miracle at Easter Road, they will be turfed out on their ear and European football in Edinburgh will be over before the first week in August. It is scant reward for finishing fourth in table and makes the celebrations on the last day of the season seem wasted.

Finishing as high in the league as possible is its own reward, both financially and on a footballing level. Hearts fans will no doubt be having a chuckle to themselves at the moment but lets not forget that they never had the opportunity to play in Europe this season. Hibs are still the top dogs in the capital.

One of the tweets we noticed after the game was someone throwing John Hughes words back in his own face. Hughes, in the build up to the tie, hinted that he felt his side’s style of play would be suited to European football.

The worrying thing is, we agreed with him.

The key to surviving and progressing in Europe is to be organised and to retain possession. Under Hughes last season, Hibs were quite tidy with a passing game and looked capable of holding onto the ball. We never saw the game against Maribor but trawling the Hibs message board suggests that Hibs struggled to string passes together.

Part of the reason for this may have been the change in tactics used by Yogi.

Colin Nish up front by himself in a 4-5-1 was not how Hibs rode high last season and this may have played a part in unsettling Hibs. Footballers can be creatures of comfort and no matter how many times Hughes went over the European tactics in training, taking it into the European arena has proved to be a step too far.

A lot depends on the luck of the draw in Europe and it is unfair to compare the Hibs score-line with that of Motherwell’s.

The Fir Park side can consider themselves extremely unlucky to not have won in Norway but a lot of this comes from the fact that Motherwell are extremely well organised and drilled in their jobs.

The Hibs faithful will still be hoping that an early goal at Easter Road next week can see a turnaround but should European football be considered the aim for SPL teams?

If fourth place never carried a Europa League qualifier spot, would fans feel any less about grabbing that spot?

Do you feel Europe can be a distraction when focus should be placed on getting a good start in the SPL?

Related posts:

1. Hibs go Dutch to make a mark on Europe Edwin de Graaf to bring experience to Yogi’s boys Hibs...
2. Hibs have to be fully prepared this time in Europe Planning work must start now for Hibees The dropping of...
3. Hibs face Videoton or Maribor in Europa League Sunshine on Leith in the qualifiers? Given that John Hughes...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Will his experience tell for McGhee?

The signing of Paul Hartley by Aberdeen has the potential to be good for all parties. Hartley had expressed a desire to return home to Scotland after one year at Bristol City, which worries us but thats family living for you. Therefore, the return to the SPL is likely to be a good move for Hartley and Aberdeen definitely need some experience in their squad so it looks a shrewd move by Dons boss Mark McGhee.

There was talk of former club Hearts being interested in Hartley but for whatever reason, that move broke down and the Dons stepped in. So happy were they to land Hartley, they immediately made him club captain. At 33 and with a two year contract, this is likely to be Hartley’s last big contract and will give the player some more time at the top.

In his last season at Celtic, many felt Hartley’s legs were starting to go but if played in the right position, he is likely to be a key influence on the team. You can probably expect to see Hartley patrolling in front of the back four, reading and breaking down moves and tracking late running midfielders.

Perhaps Paul Hartley will still be able to add some of his swashbuckling box-to-box runs but they certainly won’t be as common as they used to be.

With six in and five out at Pittodrie, with one of them being captain Mark Kerr, there was a need for Aberdeen to give the armband to someone new. Some may have felt that Zander Diamond would have been given the opportunity, with the further responsibility perhaps spurring the player on to fulfilling his potential.

However, the new signing was duly made club captain and again, it makes sense. Paul Hartley is never one to shy away from a battle or confrontation but equally, he knows enough about the game to know when to walk away and shut up.

Aberdeen had an abysmal disciplinary record last season (at times unlucky, at times their own fault) and Hartley may be able to help curb some of the more youthful exuberance.

We can’t say we saw too much of Hartley at Bristol City but he always seemed to be involved in the brief highlights we caught. If his role is well defined and those around him do their share, the signing of Paul Hartley may be one of the buys of the season.

Hartley has a clean sweep of domestic trophies from his time at Celtic, as well as having a Scottish Cup medal with Hearts and a Division One title with Hibs. Add this to 25 Scotland caps and it is easy to see that Paul Hartley should know what he is doing when it comes to playing football.

It is also easy to see why Aberdeen have snapped up a player of Hartley’s experience.

Related posts:

1. Aberdeen hope signing frenzy is no act of Folly Two today, more to follow? Last season couldn’t end quick...
2. Killie and Dons follow the Celtic Derry-picker route The price is right for SPL clubs Everyone knows that...
3. Indiscipline hampers the Dons Five red cards in five games isn’t good The red...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Hoops have it all to do

Before we start, we appreciate it is still very early on and we are in no way ruling Celtic out of the running this season….or indeed for the second leg. Trophies and medals are never won in July so let’s not get carried away but based on the first competitive match of the season, Celtic do not look to be improved from last season.

The sponsor on the front of the shirt may change and some of the names on the back may be different but it appeared to be the same old Celtic as the 2009/10 season. The first goal they lost came from a shambolic decision by the officials, the second came from a corner that couldn’t have been defended in a weaker manner and the third goal was a huge blunder by Lukas Zaluska.

If David James’ agent has anything about him, he will march into Celtic Park and ask for an extra few grand per week after that showing from the Polish stopper. In all fairness, Zaluska had nothing else to do all game apart from pick the ball out of the net three times but it’s hard to put a positive spin on that.

In trying to look at the positives, Efrain Juarez had a strong debut although he may have dipped later on as tiredness take over. Apart from that, it was hard to see any positive signs from Celtic…Cha Du Ri never really let anyone down but too many players once again failed to show when it was required.

Celtic captain Scott Brown managed a performance entirely fitting of his Celtic career to date, as did Glenn Loovens. In the middle of rebuilding his squad, Neil Lennon should listen very carefully to any bids made for these players. Jos Hoiveld was no great shakes alongside Loovens but he still managed to stand well above the Dutch defender.

Charles ‘Charlton’ Mulgrew….or Charlie Brown as one wag at the bar had dubbed him….lived up to all expectations placed upon him. A sweet left foot cross, a shot that will have goalkeepers scrambling but absolutely no defensive talent or nous to speak of.

However, it would be harsh to single out any player as being particularly worse than the others. It would have been easy for many to quip during the second half that they never knew Maloney, Ledley, Yeung or Samaras had been brought on.

3-0 down probably suggests that Celtic have too much to do in the home leg, even if Braga showed they had nothing special about them. The problem was, they still managed to look far more cohesive and together than Celtic.

It’s early doors but the 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 hybrid didn’t work for Celtic and the tactics or formation will need to be worked upon…and quickly.

The Emirates tournament gives Neil Lennon two more opportunities to tinker before the home tie and who knows, if Celtic grab an early home goal, they could set up an almighty European comeback.

If that happens, the thunder may be back at Celtic Park. On tonight’s showing though, it may be more damp squibs and weak showers than thunder!

Are Celtic bound for the Europa qualifiers?

Related posts:

1. The curious exit of Willie McStay from Celtic Another one out at Celtic Park People lose jobs at...
2. Celtic have been a charity act at times this season Oxfam Scotland and the club are teaming up You could...
3. When will James Sit Down with Celtic? Touched by madness? More than a few are. Let’s make...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

At the moment we are saying no…but who knows.

Right, it hasn’t broken on any of the major football gossip sites but it’s Monday night, the first day of the working week is over and we’re lazily browsing all the football sites..because its about the only thing our brain can do right!

So…the line is “reports suggest” that Blackpool are after Derek Riordan and could be available for £400,000.

Riordan has been in fine goal scoring form for Hibs in Holland on their pre-season tour and with a Europa League qualifier this Thursday night; Riordan is likely to have more than a transfer on his mind.

You get the impression that Riordan respects Hibs for bringing him back from Celtic and giving him the chance to play top team football every week again. You also think that he has done well under John Hughes, a boss who likes to get his attacking players involved in the game at all times.

Add that to the fact that the player became a dad last week and we can’t see him being for the off anytime soon.

No matter what he does in the game, Riordan is going to have the tag of a “daft laddie” hanging over him but he has built in more consistency to his game. Riordan may not be the sort of player who would get a guaranteed start for the national team but if he can maintain a good level of form, he can definitely be an asset to the squad.

All of they reasons would make us think that Riordan will be staying where he is. Then again, there is always another side to consider.

As for Blackpool, the challenge of playing in the English Premier League is a major draw. That and the Pleasure Beach!

Many pundits are predicting that the seaside club will come straight back down but they are likely to have a great season regardless of where they finish and they appear to be building for the future.

This means a player who moves now may be back in the Championship next season but they will then be playing for a club equipped for promotion and will have a years experience of playing English top flight football behind them.

A lot of high profile Scottish players have moved to England since January but have Middlesbrough got what it takes to get out of the Championship? We’re not convinced they will. This means Riordan could be a step ahead of former team-mates Kevin Thomson, Scott McDonald and Stephen McManus.

You also have to consider the fact that Charlie Adam is the big man at Blackpool, the former Rangers man being an absolutely indispensible part of Ian Holloway’s squad. This may have convinced Hollway to return to Scotland for more talent and Riordan could well be thinking if Charlie Adams can be a star there….what is there to stop him?

We’re not sure of what level of wages Blackpool are offering, last season it appeared to be a reasonably low basic wage but bonuses for promotion rocketed the end of season take home pay to great heights. Being in the top flight will likely see a bit more money for the players, and more than Hibs would offer….but is it enough for Derek Riordan to uproot himself and his family?

Okay, we’ve argued both sides and there are reasons for both decisions being taken…..if it ever comes to the situation where Blackpool bid for a player.

As we said, it was listed as “reports suggest” but if the reports we produce at work are anything to go by, you shouldn’t believe everything you read in them!

If a bid comes in, should Deeks go?

Related posts:

1. Hibs start early, Riordan strikes late Easter Road upheaval doesn’t prevent win The loss of the...
2. Riordan wants his goal. No, that’s not rhyming slang. Hibernian striker Derek Riordan has...
3. Hibs rout Hamilton at Easter Road Revenge for New Douglas Park defeat var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(img)g(18327164)a(1741564)'...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Two today, more to follow?

Last season couldn’t end quick enough for Aberdeen fans and their place in the bottom six, as justified as it was, was a harsh reality for the Dons fans. There was talk of Mark McGhee maybe being relieved of his duties but this came from the knee-jerk fans and the media….probably including this site!

However, with a turnover in staff from Jimmy Calderwood’s team, McGhee does deserve to at least start this campaign and see how his team gets on this time around.

Don’t get us wrong, if the Autumn sees an early League Cup exit to a lower league team and the team does not find itself in the top half of the league, McGhee may find his jacket on a shaky peg.

Two new signings today – Yoann Folly and Scott Vernon – takes Aberdeen’s summer signings to five, a good number of signings for any SPL club. There have been a few players out of the door at Pittodrie so these numbers are needed in but Mark McGhee’s spending may not be over yet.

Aberdeen are in the running for Lee Hendrie, with the ex Premiership player currently without a club after leaving Derby County. We must admit to being impressed with the performances of Jodie Morris for St Johnstone last season, so we definitely think there is a role for players to come up to Scotland with something to prove.

Hendrie would be an addition to Aberdeen’s midfield but if this move breaks down, there could be another midfielder waiting in the wings. Of course, both could find themselves at Pittodrie.

It looks as though Aberdeen are now in the driving seat to grab Paul Hartley with news that Hearts have withdrawn their interest from signing the player. The Sun stated the reason that the Edinburgh club’s interest stalled because of issues relating to the Riccarton 3 episode.

This was when Paul Hartley, sat alongside Steven Pressley and Craig Gordon, issued a statement criticising the reign of Vladimir Romanov…which is clearly something insane when you think of the success Hearts have had under Romanov? Who can forget the joyous scenes when the Gorgie club brought the Champions League trophy to Edinburgh for the first time?

Anyways, that may not be the reason for Hearts in ending their quest for Hartley, with Craig Bryson still on their wish-list, which sees Aberdeen sitting pretty in the race for the ex Scottish international.

In his last season at Celtic Park, Hartley’s legs appeared to have gone but he seemed to excel in the highlights programmes of the Championship for Bristol City. If he is allowed to play to his strengths, Paul Hartley could be a handy extra line of defence for most SPL teams.

Dons fans, are you confident of improvement this season?

Dons fans, we have some new Aberdeen t-shirts in the WeKnowSFA shop including the Shine on You Zander Diamond t-shirt!

Related posts:

1. Aberdeen and Hearts in top six shootout Today could define the end of season Aberdeen have not...
2. McGhee is at Aberdeen…and in his own wee world He should maybe keep quiet for a wee while. What...
3. Aberdeen’s season could still go either way If form continues, they can be dragged down Aberdeen have...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Touched by madness? More than a few are.

Let’s make something very clear…we don’t like James the band, their music or their smug annoying faces. However, it’s a cheap pun for us to use and that’s always going to make it likely to be used.

The news that the proposed talks between Celtic and David James, said to be taking place today, have been postponed will leave many saying “I told you so.”

There has been a suggestion by some that James, like others before him, was using Celtic to drum up interest from other clubs. We don’t see that as the case, we hardly think the English number one keeper being available on a free transfer needs to drum up more interest in himself.

Some will panic and moan, others will point to the teachings of Don Draper and lecture about how you must always “seal the deal” but they key word, at the moment, is postponed.

Not cancelled, shelved, laughed at or shot down in flames, but postponed.

It appears to be a busy day at Celtic Park with Efrain Juzarez being unveiled at around 1430 and Gary Hooper looking to be on the brink of signing. All this and preparations for Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier against Braga may have really stretched Neil Lennon’s time.

Also, as David James got married yesterday, he may have one or two other things on his mind.

So….if Celtic can start talks with James on Thursday or Friday, there isn’t any real need for concern but of course, that’s a long time in football.

We’ve had some discussion about David James already and the opinion appears split so not everyone will be dismayed at this delay but with such a public courting of a high profile keeper, how will Lukas Zaluska react to having the spotlight back on him in Wednesday’s crucial match?

Also, what’s more annoying about James (the band)? The music or they t-shirts?

Related posts:

1. David James wouldn’t be a calamity for Celtic Will the English number 1 be the new Celtic keeper?...
2. Hamilton to lose James McArthur Another talented youngster to leave the Scottish game? var uri...
3. Celtic trip to Kilmarnock postponed A number of games forced off by bad weather The...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Season book holders get in for free

Celtic have just announced a pre-season friendly at home to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday 8th of August. This game will feature as part of the season book package, giving fans two free games (well, its part of the ticket price, two non league games if we’re being pedantic) before the SPL season kicks off.

The lessons of last season when Celtic had to arrange a late end of season friendly with AZ Alkmaar to meet the contractual requirements of their season books have clearly been learned.

The thing is, it was said that Celtic were playing Real Vallodolid at Celtic Park as part of the preparations to the SPL campaign but this match appears to have dropped off the radar. The Blackburn Rovers match may be instead of the game against the Spanish side.

Either way, it means Celtic will be pitting their wits against the silky total-football skills of Big Sam Allardyce’s team. Hold on…it means Celtic will be pitting their wits against the uncompromising and unpleasing on the eye Big Sam Allardyce’s team.

Say what you want about Sam…and we usually do…but he gets results and work rate and apart from that spell as Newcastle manager has marked himself out as one of the most consistent managers in the EPL.

Best league in the world my erchie…..

Anyways, this completes a Glasgow doubler for Blackburn as the English club are set to face Rangers in Australia in the next few days. You may recall a few years back, Rovers then captain Gary Flitcroft remarked (after a 1-0 defeat) that a game versus Celtic was like men against boys.

With the Rangers squad down in size, in the eyes of Martin Bain, being limited to 13 players, Blackburn may be facing the boys of Rangers in Oz!

Related posts:

1. Celtic to face Manchester United in Toronto Canada the setting for the Battle of Britain clash Now...
2. Celtic drawn against Braga Tricky start for Lennon and the bhoys Celtic have been...
3. Celtic lie in wait for Victoria Park winners Land of hope and glory-aah for Ross County or Hibs...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Is this the change strip for Craig Levein’s men?

Well, trawling the internet usually turns up something of interest and today we found this little number skulking about on a few pages.

Yellow has been a regular colour in Scotland away kits so it is not as if this is a huge surprise if it turns out to be the away kit but what do you all think?

On first glance, it seems a bit bright but then again, is that a bad thing? It certainly seems to be the in thing with many kits these days and it will certainly add a splash of colour to proceedings.

No doubt it is the sort of top that will be worn in its thousands when the Tartan Army march on Spain…and who knows, maybe even Poland and the Ukraine.

The Scottish badge is fairly prominent in the main body of the strip, standing out (in this picture) more than the same badge in the current adidas home kit.

Oh well, the away kit has to be a change and this is certainly a lot more vivid than the home kit. We’re sure it’ll sell in its thousands and if it is worn when the team manage to pick up a few points on the road, it may just become a huge favourite!

What choice of colour would you choose for the Scotland away kit?

Related posts:

1. Get your hands on the new Adidas Scotland kit It’s not all new World Cup strips this summer Remember...
2. New Adidas Scotland kit unveiled A dog is doing a s….. Out with the Diadora...
3. Rangers stars dominate Scotland squad Some new faces as well for new boss Levein New...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Will the English number 1 be the new Celtic keeper?

The internet
Batman movies
Skoda cars

All of these things were a bit rubbish and naff in the 1990s but through hard work, proper marketing or us all forgetting the bad moments, they’ve managed to gain a level of respectability. It just shows how opinions change over time…if you let them.

We’ve been keeping an eye on the David James to Celtic stories because we’ll let you into a secret here; we think David James is an excellent goalkeeper.

Yes, we remember the Calamity nickname.

Who could forget the gaffes in FA Cup finals for Liverpool and Aston Villa resulting in 1-0 defeats.

Of course the blundered goals that James puts down to playing his Gameboy for a silly amount of consecutive hours on the bus stick with is, of course they do.

Thing is, how long ago were all these mistakes?

We are not going to say we know English football inside out or follow their national team that well but when did James last make a big mistake? (And we don’t mean the musician James Last, he’s made a lot of mistakes!!)

Yes, he played in goals for relegated Portsmouth last season but anytime we saw him, he was keeping a defeat from being a hiding.

As for the national team, if James started against USA, he would not have blundered in the manner Green did, England would have won the group, avoided Germany and faced a Ghana team they would have had a better chance of winning against.

Not saying they would have went further than that because there were a lot of problems with that team but David James in goals for the first match would have saw England top their group. His experience would have made the difference over a nervous Robert Green.

From the top of our minds, Robert Green, Ben Foster, Paul Robinson and even David Seaman have made more recent blunders for the English national team than David James. David Seaman is still regarded as a safe goalkeeper even though Ronaldinho and Nayim have both lobbed Seaman from distance in high profile matches, so why is James saddled with past mistakes?

Celtic need experience in goals and they need presence.

Lukas Zaluska is not a bad stopper but he lacks presence and him rushing off his line isn’t going to frighten a striker as much as a Boruc or a James would. Scoring goals and making saves has a lot to do with the players mind and if the goalie is a big name, the striker may just wobble a bit before shooting…and that could make all the difference.

Aside from that, we like David James.

He is an intelligent man, his weekly column in the Observer was a great read and showed him to have a good understanding of the game and football’s standing in the community and society. He also does a lot of work for charity and he is respected in the English media.

Sure, he was a daft boy and some of his haircuts are more than questionable but David James is a credit to his profession and is the sort of personality Scottish football could do with.

Whether you think he is the answer to Celtic’s problems, whether he can justify the wages or is he fully over the injury problems that have plagued him of late….who knows and all of these questions need to be answered by Neil Lennon.

However, David James is a long way removed from the keeper once known as Calamity…and maybe those that don’t see it are too busy playing their SNES or Megadrive, drinking Hooch and buying Loaded magazine for the latest pull-out poster of Yasmine Bleeth.

See…Yasmine Bleeth…some things that were brilliant back in the day are not so great now…much like some things that were naff in the 90s may have changed it around quite a bit.

What’s your take on David James?

Related posts:

1. Will Celtic get David O’Leary back in the bloody game? Capello and Mourinho rate O’Leary, do you? WeKnowSFA was involved...
2. Hamilton to lose James McArthur Another talented youngster to leave the Scottish game? var uri...
3. Celtic home game versus Motherwell moved to new date Cup semi forces a date change As Kermit sang, “It’s...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.