The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

[Maguire01]

It probably would be a logistical nightmare to hold any event at Casement which attracts more than the seventy six strong crowd that turns up regularly to watch the Antrim Hurling team get a pasting from some team that Kilkenny will subsequently hammer seven shades of shite out of when the real All Ireland Hurling Championship gets underway. The empty terraces at Casement, witnessed during the tv reports of games or mismatches there, are an embarrassment, the only time the stadium attracts a crowd is when Armagh footballers play a Championship game there, every five years.

On a more positive note the first Celtic View of the new season is out and there's a great interview with Paddy Mc Court in it

Am i mistaken on thinking you were arguing for Casement over Clones with regard to the Ulster Final (largely on the basis of logistics)? I may be wrong.
Also, would it not be an even bigger embarrassment if Celtic were to fill Casement when Antrim can't even come close? Would that not just show up how cultural and Irish West Belfast really is?

[tyroneStatto]

The empty terraces at Casement, witnessed during the tv reports of games or mismatches there, are an embarrassment

the changing rooms in the place are an even bigger embarrasment.

[mhacadoir]

celtic have signed samaras permanently

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Samaras completes Celtic switch 
By Simon Austin 

Greek striker Georgios Samaras has signed a three-year contract with Scottish champions Celtic.

The 23-year-old impressed Bhoys boss Gordon Strachan when he was on loan from Manchester City last season.

City bought Samaras from Dutch side Heerenveen for £6m in January 2006 and have made a substantial loss in offloading the Greek international.

Samaras said the influence of boss Gordon Strachan and Celtic's "family atmosphere" had persuaded him to stay.

"Celtic are one of the best teams in Europe, with a very distinguished football manager," he told Celtic's official website.

"His unique way and unconditional desire to see me in his squad persuaded me to sign for the club.

"The same goes for the fans. They showed their support to me and with their dedication and excitement, they helped me decide that this is the right club for me.

"The important element for my decision, however, was the fact that there is a family atmosphere around here.

"We all respect each other and help each other, there is understanding and tolerance and these are all necessary ingredients for the success of a club and for the personal development of a football player.

"I am waiting for the start of the new season so I can help my team to repeat the successes of the last season. With the help of the fans, it is my view that we will achieve great things."

Samaras scored six goals for Celtic last season, although he failed to break up the first-choice strike partnership of Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

He played for Greece at Euro 2008 and was then given clearance not to travel with the rest of the Manchester City squad to Germany for pre-season training.

He was signed by former City boss Stuart Pearce and went on to score only 12 goals for the club.

Samaras quickly fell out of favour when Sven-Goran Eriksson replaced Pearce as manager last summer, making only five league appearances last season before moving to Glasgow in the January transfer window.

Stoke, Hull, Lazio, Besiktas, Feyenoord and Werder Bremen were also reported to have been interested in landing the forward.


If we got Samaras for 2 million (or the knock-down 1million - unconfirmed) which I heard, then good deal.

Also looking like Bobo's on the move and possibily Tamas coming in.


Also Celtic have signed 16 yr old Rochdale defending sensation Matty Hughes.

[the milkman]

Happy enough with the Samaras deal, I dont think we will get much better for the price!

Hopefully we can get Tamas in and then a LB.

[inisceithleann]

Can't agree with the Samaras signing at all. Saw him a few times for Man City and he offers very little at times. He's got a good touch but doesn't like the physical side of the game. Probably will be used as an impact player at Celtic.

[Yes I Would]

Thought he done rightly last year in any games i seen him.
He is realistically the calibre of player that Celtic are going to attract or afford, unfortunately.

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/7509396.stm


Bye bye Bobo................................


Celtic to release Balde on free 

Balde played just four games for Celtic last season
Celtic will allow defender Bobo Balde to leave on a free transfer, if he can find a suitable deal elsewhere.

The 32-year-old Guinea international has a year of his contract to run but has not been a first team regular under manager Gordon Strachan.

Bolton were keen on the centre half in January but Balde picked up an injury at the African Nations Cup.

This time last year, Balde turned down an approach from Sunderland, who were prepared to pay £1.5m for him.

Balde moved to Celtic Park from Toulouse seven years ago but has played just 14 times in the past two seasons.



Tamas looking more and more likely - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/7509653.stm


Celtic close in on defender Tamas 

Tamas was impressive for Romania at Euro 2008
Celtic are exploring a possible move for Romanian international defender Gabriel Tamas from Auxerre.

Sources close to the player have told BBC Sport that a meeting will take place in Paris between the 24-year-old and the clubs on Thursday.

However, Celtic have refused to comment on any transfer targets.

Tamas, who has 35 caps, signed for Auxerre from Spartak Moscow last summer and the French club are thought to be seeking a fee of around £3.5m.

Tamas, who played every minute of his country's three group matches at Euro 2008, moved to Spartak from Turkish side Galatasaray.

During his time with the Russian club he had loan spells with Dinamo Bucharest and Celta Vigo.

[mhacadoir]

nostalgia wise im sad to see bobo go, but it makes sense for both him and celtic.

Bobo's gonnae get ya!!!

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

nostalgia wise im sad to see bobo go, but it makes sense for both him and celtic.

Bobo's gonnae get ya!!!

Enjoyed some of his performances over the 7 years alright  , but he should have done the decent thing by Celtic last year when Sunderland offered him first team action, we could also have made a pound or two, instead of nothing!

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Young Aidaniho signs for 5 years, excellent news, great young player who is getting better and better - still only 22. 


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/7511614.stm


McGeady agrees new Celtic terms 

Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady has signed a five-year contract with the Scottish champions.

The new deal improves on the four-and-a-half-year extension agreed with the 22-year-old Republic of Ireland international in February 2007.

In April, McGeady was voted both Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year by his fellow professionals.

"We are delighted that he has committed his long-term future to the club," said chief executive Peter Lawwell.

"Aiden's performances in recent seasons have made him the outstanding player in Scottish football," Lawwell continued on the club website.

"Our priority has always been to try and keep our best players.

"It is particularly satisfying that Aiden has become such a success having come through the ranks of our youth development programme."

[the milkman]

Great news! the wee man's a star, with his best years all ahead of him.

[slow corner back]

After loosing Shaun Moloney so easily it is good top see Aidan signing on for a long tern deal. Perhaps he sees regular champions league football and wining trophies as being more important than upping his not inconsiderable wages. Good to see a footballer with a bit of sense.

[nifan]

Really thought McGeady would go, but he is probably doing the right thing all round.

[T Fearon]

Ticket secured for Flag day on August 10th, right on halfway line to complement the cheap easyjet flight I booked when the fixtures were announced