The Scottish PL discussion thread

Erin Go Brath

Eirebear wrote: »

TBH i think we should have played gretna....going top of the league would have been a nice wee confidence boost before wednesday!

I think its very generous of Celtic to give Rangers a chance to go top for a week or two. Its keeps up the pretence of a competitive league anyway.

A Dub in Glasgo

McGeady picks up November Player of the Month

Well deserved

Eirebear

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

McGeady picks up November Player of the Month

Well deserved

He has been playing well, looking forward to the next installment of Hutton V McGeady on the 2nd, always a good battle.:D

Also what about Jarosik these days? Who put a rocket up his arse lately? he actually looks like he gives a toss now.

PauloMN

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

Question: Why didn't we put in for a weekend off to prepare for Europe, like Rangers did? It would've been benefical to have last weekends game v Hearts put back.

'Cause we're not big girls blouses like Rangers.

Actually Strachan muttered something about not knowing it was a possibility to change the game. Don't know if he meant "in general" he didn't know, or whether he was talking about the Hearts game in particular.

I also heard him say somewhere recently that he didn't know we had qualified for the last 16 last season when we beat Utd. :eek: I can understand fans not realising, but a manager?

As for Sno, I've all but given up on him. Good block the other day but I don't see what he offers really, and when he gets the ball, I get that horrible feeling of "just don't **** it up, just punt it away or give it to someone, don't try anything fancy". Which quite frankly is not what you want at this level. Yeah, I know he's only 19 or whatever, but I don't see much potential either.

Anyone know the injury status? I know Kennedy is out for 3 months at least, but surely Naka is due back soon? And where are Naylor, Wilson and Doumbe at?

eirebhoy

Naka's hoping to be back for the new year. Will most likely miss the Rangers game. I really hope he doesn't. I want to see him destroy the huns.

Eirebear

eirebhoy wrote: »

Naka's hoping to be back for the new year. Will most likely miss the Rangers game. I really hope he doesn't. I want to see him destroy the huns.

hmmm still waiting for this to happen, Im not sure it ever will

eirebhoy

Eirebear wrote: »

hmmm still waiting for this to happen, Im not sure it ever will

It has happened. We should have been 3 nil up at half time in the last game at Celtic park with Naka and McGeady running riot. Another game in his first season I think he set up 2 of the goals (Balde and someone else) in a 3-0 win. And when he came on for Keane in the 0-0 for the last half hour he simply dominated the rest of the game. Fantastic cameo. I think he's only played 2 more games at Celtic park against Rangers and did quite well. Ibrox though is a different story, I'll give you that.

kraggy

Boruc wants to leave.

Knew this already but looks more likely now.

We should try get at least 8m for him.

I rate him better than Gordon and he went to Sundernland for 9m.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1211/boruc.html

PauloMN

Hopefully he goes to one of the top 4 down south, or a big European club so we get plenty of wonga for him. Knew it would only be a matter of time before he'd be for the off, he's too good for SPL football.

Hopefully we'll see him put in some good performances against TFOD to see his time out.

Eirebear

Aww...well miss his charisma and charm...really.;)

TBH its probably about time, the guy has a screw loose and its getting worse by the week..maybe celtic are better off getting rid of him before he goes completely loony

A Dub in Glasgo

I would put him up for sale in the January transfer window

eirebhoy

Jesus if Naka leaves too we're pretty much starting from scratch, again.

Eirebear

eirebhoy wrote: »

Jesus if Naka leaves too we're pretty much starting from scratch, again.

Bit of an over reaction considering Naka has hardly played all season is it not?
Id be more worried about making sure i kept Riordan and Brown happy....theyre the players to build your team around for the future.

OhNoYouDidn't

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

I would put him up for sale in the January transfer window

on the basis of a herald story that was a translation of a polish one that was an unsourced 'friend'? :eek:

do not feed the hun fantasies that all is not well in the champions camp.

eirebhoy

Eirebear wrote: »

Bit of an over reaction considering Naka has hardly played all season is it not?

It's not at all. Out of the current squad I'd be happy if Boruc, McManus, Brown, McGeady, Naka and McDonald were in next seasons first 11. Boruc and Naka being the best of those players. Donati and Vennegoor may hit good form but atm they're not good enough. Jarosik is good to have but maybe not first team material. Hartley the same. Sno has a lot to do. O'Dea could maybe push for a place but it would have to be at the expense of McManus with a proven centre half bought.

If Boruc and Naka left that would leave McManus, Brown, McGeady and McDonald. That's a lot of positions to fill. At least if Naka stayed we'd have a strong enough midfield.

Eirebear

eirebhoy wrote: »

It's not at all. Out of the current squad I'd be happy if Boruc, McManus, Brown, McGeady, Naka and McDonald were in next seasons first 11. Boruc and Naka being the best of those players. Donati and Vennegoor may hit good form but atm they're not good enough. Jarosik is good to have but maybe not first team material. Hartley the same. Sno has a lot to do. O'Dea could maybe push for a place but it would have to be at the expense of McManus with a proven centre half bought.

If Boruc and Naka left that would leave McManus, Brown, McGeady and McDonald. That's a lot of positions to fill. At least if Naka stayed we'd have a strong enough midfield.

McDonald is on fire at the minute...TBH i dont see it lasting, i still say that riordan is a much better striker.
it would be a far better "hun fantasy" to see riordan going for good in my humble opinion.

Naka..while obviously a great player on his day has not performed all season, be that through injury or whatever, and celtic are still doing ok.
he has always been a luxury player in my eyes.

eirebhoy

Eirebear wrote: »

Naka..while obviously a great player on his day has not performed all season, be that through injury or whatever, and celtic are still doing ok.

We could badly do with Naka back mate. Since he's been injured:

Celtic 0-2 Hearts
Kilmarnock 1-2 Celtic
Celtic 1-0 Benfica
Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen
Celtic 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Hearts 1-1 Celtic
Milan 1-0 Celtic
Celtic 1-1 St Mirren

As I said a few times I wasn't proud after the win against Shakhtar because the performance was the equivalent of Northern Ireland winning at Windsor. We're better than that and all it would have taken was Naka to be on the pitch for us to outclass an (on the day) ordinary Shakhtar team.

And the luxury thing again. I can't remember what you're explanation of a luxury player was again?

eirebhoy

Anyway, you could be forgiving for not knowing Celtic were playing in the SPL tonight.

Team:

Brown
Caldwell - Pressley - McManus - Conroy
Brown - Hartley - Donati - McGeady
Vennegoor - McDonald

Hopefully it's Brown in the centre and Hartle on the right actually. Surprised the front 2 stay the same. Good luck to Conroy! Usually plays on the wing I think.

eirebhoy

Half time, 2-0 Celtic. McDonald scored the first with a peno. McGeady got the 2nd when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box to slot home past the defenders (don't know where the keeper was - dodgy stream). Both teams excellent on the ball and crap off it which is making for an exciting end to end match.

Eirebear

2-0 celtic.

"Their are two differences between Celtic and Falkirk tonight, Aiden McGeady and Dougie McDonald"
Not my words but Murdo McLeod in reference to a penalty decision and a couple of dodgy shouts from the man in the middle.
I reckon if the ref had given the penalty (im listening on the radio BTW so it might be rubbish) then Conroy would have ended up with an extremly short debut!

I must say, Hughes has got Falkirk playing some great football this season, its just a shame they cant defend!

EDIT: Just to balance it up, kenny Milne gets away with clearing the ball off the line with HIS hand, see thats all we ask for from referees...a little consistency:rolleyes::D;)

eirebhoy

Another goal for McGeady! Cut in from the left and curled it in far side. He's destroying Falkirk to be perfectly honest. Got one of their players sent off a few minutes ago too.

btw, Falkirk are outplaying Celtic when they have the ball. Such a great team to watch. Celtic are on form too. Fantastic game.

Eirebear

McGeady sounds like he is on fire at the moment...i am really looking forward to seeing him and hutton go at it in january.

eirebhoy

And McGeady's hattrick. Through one on one with the keeper and slots it in.

Eirebear

34 out of 85 hat tricks scored by Celtic players in the since the SPL was formed.

at least 25 of them must have been larsson eh?

eirebhoy

Probably.

As for Hutton v McGeady. yeh they're both usually at the top of their game for these matches. It's actually Hutton's form against Celtic that had me wondering why Rangers fans didn't rate him not so long ago. Although that's completely changed now.

Eirebear

eirebhoy wrote: »

Probably.

As for Hutton v McGeady. yeh they're both usually at the top of their game for these matches. It's actually Hutton's form against Celtic that had me wondering why Rangers fans didn't rate him not so long ago. Although that's completely changed now.

Rangers fans didnt rate him because of his off field problems and attitude at times. Which eventually went on to affect his game, we all thought he was gonna be another Mo Ross.

He always does well against celtic though, so its gonna be interesting with both players on top form in the lead up.

EDIT: Gordon Strachan on the radio just as the interview starts. "Dont ask me about Artur or ill walk away ok?" hmmmm...

A Dub in Glasgo

Good result tonight. Great for McGeady as well. 5 points clear with Rangers having 2 away games in hand.

Erin Go Brath

McGeady was on fire, incredible show from him. McGeady and Brown make this Celtic team imo, the same way Gerrard and Torres do for L'Pool, and Rooney and Ronaldo for Utd.

Strach is great with the young lads. Good to see Conroy getting a run out tonight.

The important thing is we're back in business after a bad week. Really looking forward to the old firm now, especially as i'm heading over for it. C'mon the Celts!!!

PauloMN

Fair play to McGeady, delighted for him and great to see a good response to the poor draw against St. Mirren.

We'll still be on top when Rangers drop points away to the sheep. Guaranteed.

As for Boruc - we all knew he'd move on eventually. He's too good not to want to ply his trade at a higher level. Celtic can offer him CL, but he'll get that in any club he goes to because he's good enough for top 4 EPL or other top euro clubs, and he'll get more cash and better league experience elsewhere.

Fair play to the guy, I'd like to see him stay until the summer and I hope he does, but either way I hope we make a few quid on him. You need characters like him about the place, I hope we have someone else to hate Rangers that can take over the mantle.

We do need strengthening though, I think we could do with 1 up front, 1 in midfield and 1 in defence. I hope we can pick up some of our targets in January, but we might need to get by with what we have until the summer. :eek:

eirebhoy

10 minute highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09SxsLQ_k6A

Mr Alan

Liverpool-Reina.....no go.
Chelsea-Cech....no go.
Utd-VDS/Foster....no go.
Arsenal-Almunia/Lehman....only option really?

redspider

A good result for Celtic in the league last night. And yet another man-of-the-match performance from Aiden, and this time the goals as well. Falkirk had a few good chances as well it has to be said, and had a fair no. of attempts at goal, equal to Celtic, so the result perhaps at 4-0 was flattering.

I know I'm repeating myself, and I dont want these comments to come across as a criticism of McGeady, but if he could spend a few weeks/months with a shooting coach specialist who concentrates on improving his shooting power, he will be a much greater weapon. It seems strange that he cant hit the ball with power, although I realise his style is to use his forward foot jinkily and "twitching" and he uses very little backlift. But a more powerful shot in his repetoire, avail of the backlift when he has the time, would make him a world-class player, I think. Overall though, he has come on leaps and bounds this year, proof that players are never too 'old' to develop and improve.

Redspider

PauloMN

redspider wrote: »

Overall though, he has come on leaps and bounds this year, proof that players are never too 'old' to develop and improve.

I reckon he's better than Ronaldo.

Seriously, I wish he'd show some of his talent when playing for Ireland. He's definitely got better but has been average at best for country. Here's hoping he'll come good for the WC qualifiers.

eirebhoy

redspider wrote: »

A good result for Celtic in the league last night. And yet another man-of-the-match performance from Aiden, and this time the goals as well. Falkirk had a few good chances as well it has to be said, and had a fair no. of attempts at goal, equal to Celtic, so the result perhaps at 4-0 was flattering.

I know I'm repeating myself, and I dont want these comments to come across as a criticism of McGeady, but if he could spend a few weeks/months with a shooting coach specialist who concentrates on improving his shooting power, he will be a much greater weapon. It seems strange that he cant hit the ball with power, although I realise his style is to use his forward foot jinkily and "twitching" and he uses very little backlift. But a more powerful shot in his repetoire, avail of the backlift when he has the time, would make him a world-class player, I think. Overall though, he has come on leaps and bounds this year, proof that players are never too 'old' to develop and improve.

Redspider

It's interesting because all his goals are hit low with not the greatest technique but I can think of maybe 4 or 5 superb shots which have either hit the bar or were a few inches over. So he definitely has it in him and you're probably right, he just needs to specialised coaching. Anyway, you'll be happy to read his after match comments.


“It wasn't one of my best performances but in terms of end product I can't argue with three goals. That's my first senior hat-trick and it makes it extra special.

I'll probably never have another game like that in my life with three goals from three chances. Normally my finishing is not the best part of my game but everything I hit seemed to go in.

“I think there is a different side to my game now and I'm adding goals and assists. It's good to be seeing the fruits of my labour.

Any time I play I'm relied on to create or score. The onus was on Shunsuke Nakamura last season but he is out of the team and it has shifted to me. I'm thriving on that.

You are always going to have doubters, but I hope I've silenced a few who say I've no end product. I still have a long way to go though. Three goals does not paper over all of the cracks and I still have loads to work on.”

PauloMN

eirebhoy wrote: »

I can see Rangers losing their last 3 games, honestly.

It's all your fault, O'Donnell and Eirebear will be 'round to your place later with burning torches and pitchforks...

eirebhoy

Wehay!

Eirebear

ah well...that was complete and utter ****e!
I'll comment on it when im less pissed off

PauloMN

Eirebear wrote: »

ah well...that was complete and utter ****e!
I'll comment on it when im less pissed off

Bad luck mate, genuinely. Hard to believe Rangers were 6 points up after 2 games and ended up on 7.

ziggy

This post has been deleted.

Erin Go Brath

Rangers were completely outclassed last night. They gave it a right good go in the 2nd half in fairness, but out of their depth at this level you'd have to say. Not been a gloating bollix or anything, but theres no way the Celts would be brushed aside that easy at home!

Now for the last 16 draw. Here's hoping for Porto, although I'd really love us to get Man Utd. Don't think we should fear anyone, especially with the Parkhead x-factor - the grave of many a top European side .

The big question of course surrounds our defence and their ability to withstand an onslought. Going forward though, especially with McGeady and Brown in such form, with Naka coming back, and McDonald up front we'll pose a threat to most teams. Sort out that defence between now and late february and we've got a fighting chance against anybody!

Eirebear

Alright guys gloat away, after last night we deserve every little bit of it.

from the goalkeeper through to the strikers (or those pretending to be strikers) we offered nothing.
we flooded the midfield with 5 in order to soak up the pressure from them and stop them passing the ball around....and then tried to play a short passing game ourselves which led to us having 5 players (at least) standing in the centre circle and running into eachother.

Lyon done to us last night what we done to them over there.

In the second half we tried to go forward, mainly through Hutton who looked like the only person who wanted to run at his opposite number, other than him every second ball was either square or backwards.

Daniel Cousin should never play again for rangers, maybe if we had given him some Pizza and cola BEFORE the game he might have shown some energy.
Barry ferguson needs to take a good look at himself and figure out if he is the player he seems to think he is, or has he flattered to decieve all these years?
If Hemdani isnt good enough week in week out...why is he good enough for games agaiin world class opposition such as Lyon and Barca? could you imagine having to go to work every 2/3 weeks and being at the top of your game?
Carlos Cuellar...i rate him as a defender, but why oh why do you have (as o'donnell said in a text to me in the first half) need to have a complete howler around once a month?

All in all, when this group was drawn, i said third place would have been a success. but it isnt.
The manner in which we lost the game last night is the real issue for me, to show such little heart at home really hurts and i hope the players are hurting every bit as much as the fans.

Oh...and darcheville....HOW?!?!?!?!:rolleyes:

eirebhoy

A few whispers that Spurs are more interested than ever in Naka. Ramos is apparantly mad about him. Seville tried to sign him a few times. He has a good 6 or 7 years left in him at the top level and I could see Spurs going up to about £10m for him. I'd rather he stayed though.

PauloMN

Jaysus we'll be quids in between the £10m we'll get for him and the £10m we'll get for Boruc.

FantasyLand CSC :rolleyes:

Score predictions:

Rangers v Hertz: 2-1
Hibs v Falkirk: 2-0
Killie v Gretna: 3-1
St Mirren v Dundee Utd: 1-2
Motherwell v Sheep: 1-1
Celtic v ICT: 2-2

eirebhoy

PauloMN wrote: »

FantasyLand CSC :rolleyes:

Really? I don't really know how much is left on his contract but if Naka was to leave for Spurs in the summer I'd be surprised if the fee wasn't in or around £10m.

Eirebear

eirebhoy wrote: »

Really? I don't really know how much is left on his contract but if Naka was to leave for Spurs in the summer I'd be surprised if the fee wasn't in or around £10m.

I dont think youd get more than 6 for him to be honest mate...


Rangers v Hertz: 3-1
Hibs v Falkirk: 2-2
Killie v Gretna: 3-1
St Mirren v Dundee Utd: 2-1
Motherwell v Sheep: 1-1
Celtic v ICT: 3-0

eirebhoy

I don't know if it changes your prediction but that should be ICT v Celtic.

Rangers v Hertz: 1-1
Hibs v Falkirk: 1-3
Killie v Gretna: 2-0
St Mirren v Dundee Utd: 0-1
Motherwell v Sheep: 2-0
ICT v Celtic: 0-1

eirebhoy

Looks like we're signing Andreas Hinkel off Seville.

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/artikel/373197

€3m the fee.

ziggy

This post has been deleted.

Eirebear

eirebhoy wrote: »

Looks like we're signing Andreas Hinkel off Seville.

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/artikel/373197

€3m the fee.

Aye just seen that on the BBC too...good player.

And aye ICT 1v3 Sellik.
(Thats pauls fault)

Oh and by the way guys...im not gonna take offence to things like huns FOD etc etc...the predictions look awfy clean

EDIT:

Sons of William v Cousins of William 1-1

Thats better ziggy :eek:

Eirebear

Half time scores

Rangers 1-0 Hertz (playing well, could do with a quick goal after half time just to settle things down though)

Killie 1-1 Gretna :eek:

Motherwell 3-0 Sheep :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::D:D:D:D:D

Hibs 1-0 Falkirk (Where is Blackjack these days?)

St. Mirren 0-0 Dundee Utd