Celtic transfer targets

[King_Henrik]

In January Gordon Strachan is looking to bring these 5 players into Celtic - 100% certain.

James McFadden (Everton) - Forward (Obviously well-publicised by now)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44113000/jpg/_44113005_scot3.jpg


Bernard Mendy (PSG) - Right Back

http://www.psg.fr/images/photo_content/cp_46e17195cda7bUNE2.jpg


David Murphy (Hibs) - Left Back

http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2007/SPORT/football/10/06/scotland.hibs/art.murphy.gi.jpg


Djimi Traore (Portsmouth) - Centre Back

http://www.carling.com/media/player_images/player-image-32384.jpg


Aruna Dindane (Lens) - Striker

http://img.skysports.com/07/09/218x298/Dindane_573242.jpg


From what i've been told the McFadden and Murphy deals are already signed and sealed, with both due to make their debut in the Old Firm game on Jan 2. Mark Brown will head to Easter Road as part of the deal too.

[saintdice]

i love McFadden. can't wait to see him in the Hoops

[hibby1875]

From what i've been told the McFadden and Murphy deals are already signed and sealed, with both due to make their debut in the Old Firm game on Jan 2. Mark Brown will head to Easter Road as part of the deal too.

Thanks for the Xmas story, Henrik. Made me laugh! :)

[Seany463]

Thanks for the Xmas story, Henrik. Made me laugh! :)

I agree with KH, those are done deals hibby.. ;)

I really dunno if they will play in the jan 2nd derby though.

[King_Henrik]

Thanks for the Xmas story, Henrik. Made me laugh! :)

I'll be proven right soon enough. ;)

£1.5m plus Mark Brown to Hibs is the deal.

[ihaveamullet]

I don't know how reliable goal.com is, but they have an article up saying that Everton rejected Celtic's loan bid for McFadden. I don't know how to just post the article here other than doing a copy and paste job, so here's the link. http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=524922

I'm hoping that Celtic don't get McFadden. That would would be bad, bad news for us :(.

[PortGlasgow]

I don't know how reliable goal.com is, but they have an article up saying that Everton rejected Celtic's loan bid for McFadden. I don't know how to just post the article here other than doing a copy and paste job, so here's the link. http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=524922

I'm hoping that Celtic don't get McFadden. That would would be bad, bad news for us :(.

McFadden hardly gets a game for Everton, if Celtic want him it'll take close to their entire transfer budget. Wont happen especially as their desperate to cover other positions in the squad.

In my understanding he's contracted till Aug 2010 so no cut price fee for Celtic :)

[saintdice]

mullet's right. celtic won't get mcfadden.

bbc link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/7158170.stm)


Celtic fail in McFadden loan move

Everton have rejected approaches from Celtic and Marseille to sign Scotland striker James McFadden on loan.

The 24-year-old's future at Everton is uncertain and he has admitted he would consider a return to Scotland.

Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told BBC Sport: "We have rejected Celtic's offer out of hand and we have left it at that.

"We are not actively trying to sell him, but there has been a lot of interest, not just from Celtic."

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan was tight-lipped on any possible move, saying: "January is when the cards are on the table and we will see what happens then."

Everton signed McFadden from Motherwell in a £1.25m deal in September 2003, but he has never been a regular under manager David Moyes.

He has started only three games this season, despite being one of the stars of Scotland's excellent, but ultimately unsuccessful, attemp to qualify for Euro 2008.

Wyness added: "We are in the Carling Cup semi-finals, the last 32 of the Uefa Cup and still have the FA Cup to come.

"We also have Premiership commitments, so we need all our top players around."

Everton have always insisted they will not sell McFadden, but he said: "I'd love to play in the Premiership.

"But, if it is not going to happen or if a chance to go back up to Scotland came in and I felt it was right, I'd do it."

McFadden has a year and half to run on his current deal at Goodison Park, but that has not stopped rumours that he will the subject of much interest in the January transfer window.

And a move back to Scotland would appeal to the international, who added: "Obviously it would be nice to be back with my family and back playing football again.

"But, until that chance comes, it is quite hard to answer that question. Hopefully it will happen one day, but I will wait and see."

McFadden's agent, Willie McKay, thinks a move away from Goodison is still a possibility in January as the player wants guaranteed first-team football.

Everton are looking to offer the striker a contract extension, but McFadden said: "The club have made it clear that they want to offer me a contract.

"But I have not gone down that road yet because I want to try to get into the team before I start talking about contracts."

[King_Henrik]

There's a long way to go until the transfer window closes yet, infact there's still a wee while until it opens!

McFadden will join Celtic on a 6-month loan deal during it.

[jimmy]

andreas hinkel signed n sealed, taking the #2 jersey with him :cool:
http://www.celticfc.net/NetFrame_Client/1_0_0/Pages/DisplayImage.aspx?resourceID=bc8c799c-fcbf-44ff-bff8-d20688e4e3f1http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44339000/jpg/_44339904_andreashinkelstrip270.jpg

http://www.celticfc.net/NetFrame_Client/1_0_0/Pages/DisplayImage.aspx?resourceID=4ed33bc2-68cf-412c-9aa1-398a5b665829 - http://www.celticfc.net/NetFrame_Client/1_0_0/Pages/DisplayImage.aspx?resourceID=71b89e56-a33b-4515-b47e-b9915203e202

[saintdice]

those are some goofy ass pictures on the stairs.

this should be good for us. the defense is probably the area that needed strengthening the most imo.

[jimmy]

aye little bit late but there's some talk going round about burnleys kyle lafferty joining the ranks at celtic

http://www.football.co.uk/shared/images/news/400x400_1192654762_spt_ai_swedenvnorthernireland_1 1.jpg

[Fenianbhoy]

aye little bit late but there's some talk going round about burnleys kyle lafferty joining the ranks at celtic

http://www.football.co.uk/shared/images/news/400x400_1192654762_spt_ai_swedenvnorthernireland_1 1.jpg

Thats been a 16 month rumour 404 under Strachen, after seeing his tackle against Arsenal , im sure he can rival Bobo at Cb. :D

But i do believe Lafferty has enourmous potential, definetly worth the gamble of what he can achieve at the value thats mentioned.

Hail Hail.

[jimmy]

Thats been a 16 month rumour 404 under Strachen, after seeing his tackle against Arsenal , im sure he can rival Bobo at Cb. :Daye true dat. on both accounts:D

still. alot of heat coming off this just now, lots of people picking up on it and running with the story, still, as ye say, could be spindle, one thing annoys me with dis is each and every report basically comments on his ambition to play in the premiership, he says he's young and wants to learn his trade, well fair do's but if ye just see celtic as a stepping stone, ye can piss off for all i'm concerned. total disrespect dat. nae impressed. but could be taken out of context. who knows. i've only seen him internationally. and that lunge the other day, missed the game like so dunno how he performed, he's looked alright when i've seen him on international duty, also, remember awhile ago when as ye say it's old news, when his name was being thrown around linked with a move, that burnley would hold out for in excess of 5mil. aye okay, and how much did his international striking partner david healy cost fulham? 1.5mil, so this guy can't be worth all that has been stipulated, as long as both parties are aware of dis, nae complaints from dis end, as long as the uvf, uff, ect and such clowns leave his family and him alone and there's nae abuse which'd imo would be inevitable if he were to move, on the international scene

[PortGlasgow]

looks a right fanny

http://www.celticfc.net/NetFrame_Client/1_0_0/Pages/DisplayImage.aspx?resourceID=71b89e56-a33b-4515-b47e-b9915203e202http://www.celticfc.net/NetFrame_Client/1_0_0/Pages/DisplayImage.aspx?resourceID=4ed33bc2-68cf-412c-9aa1-398a5b665829

[saintdice]

looks a right fanny

agreed

anyone know anything about this new japanese kid they're about to bring in?

[WeeJoe]

anyone know anything about this new japanese kid they're about to bring in?

i know he has the same name as my golf clubs (mizuno) and i already got some t-shirts with his name on the front apart from

that............no :p

[Yunichiro]

agreed

anyone know anything about this new japanese kid they're about to bring in?

search for Koki Mizuno on youtube, he looks half-decent :)

[jimmy]

^^ certainly does, looks alot more comfortable with the ball at feet and running at defenders than his japanese counterpart, nakamura

since it's a move over different continents and he's out of contract, his current club would not be due any fee, is this correct? but he's 22 so i'm not sure how this works

we're gonna be short of scott brown for the first leg of the last 16 match with barca through suspension, so aye a right winger with considerable skill and talent is most welcome

[slipperydave]

looks a right fanny

http://www.celticfc.net/NetFrame_Client/1_0_0/Pages/DisplayImage.aspx?resourceID=71b89e56-a33b-4515-b47e-b9915203e202http://www.celticfc.net/NetFrame_Client/1_0_0/Pages/DisplayImage.aspx?resourceID=4ed33bc2-68cf-412c-9aa1-398a5b665829

looks like jimmy!

[jimmy]

i was actually gonna post a load of unflattering bawwy ferguson pictures in retaliation, however i decided no, i'll be the bigger man for a change and not bother with these childish antics and hateful posts, i'll rise above it and be the better person because of it, however after being ever so nicely re-linked to this thread by the one they refear to as 'dogging dave rubels' on the streets, i just felt i needed to mention that.

[Yunichiro]

^^ certainly does, looks alot more comfortable with the ball at feet and running at defenders than his japanese counterpart, nakamura

since it's a move over different continents and he's out of contract, his current club would not be due any fee, is this correct? but he's 22 so i'm not sure how this works

we're gonna be short of scott brown for the first leg of the last 16 match with barca through suspension, so aye a right winger with considerable skill and talent is most welcome

right, but I wouldnt over rate a player only from some youtube videos, sure he looks good in J-League but in Europe?

[saintdice]

Either he's the greatest footballer ever...or I was just put in a trance by the Dance Dance Revolution music on his youtube clip.

can't tell which

[jimmy]

right, but I wouldnt over rate a player only from some youtube videos, sure he looks good in J-League but in Europe?aye, not disputing dat. but nakamura never does look too comfortable running at players and this guy seems technically skilled up with the ball at feet. alas nothing can be judged upon before he's in the green n white hoops n running rings around players or vice versa ;)

[King_Henrik]

Celtic interested in Daniel Van Buyten. :)


Agent: Celtic circling Bayern's Van Buyten

Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten is a transfer window target for Celtic, his agent has stated.

The Bayern Munich centre-back, who will turn 30 on February 7, has made just five starts in the Bundesliga this season.

Agent Christophe Henrotay told The Sun: 'It is true that Celtic are very interested in Van Buyten.'

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan could look to strengthen his defence if Bobo Balde moves on to Bolton, who are keen to take the Guinean.

Van Buyten, who at 6ft 5in is a commanding presence and strong in the air, has had previous spells at Marseille, Hamburg and, briefly, Manchester City, where he spent time on loan in 2004.

Henrotay said: 'Gordon has been on the phone to ask me about Van Buyten.

'Daniel would like to stay with Bayern, but anything is possible because at the moment he is not playing regularly.'

[jimmy]

that's interesting, that'd be quite the steal in my humble opinion

anyone remember his late showing against milan in the san siro in last seasons champions league quarter finals? amazing for a defender, fair strike too if memory serves!! still.. centre backs, was kind of hoping for a blossoming kennedy and mcmanus pairing in there, but, by all means add depth and let them fight it amongst themselves for the places should he arrive........

[WeeJoe]

We've also been linked with a fella from hertha berlin......another defender. sorry but cant remember which page i read it on this morning. will edit this if i can find it again.

[King_Henrik]

Josep Simunic from Hertha Berlin.

I'm just happy to see us going for some decent defenders for a change, we need to get one more in before the end of the transfer window if Bobo is on his way out that's for sure.

[WeeJoe]

Josep Simunic from Hertha Berlin.

I'm just happy to see us going for some decent defenders for a change, we need to get one more in before the end of the transfer window if Bobo is on his way out that's for sure.



thats the chap i was on about earlier and couldnt remember who it was or where i read it.

dont know anything about the lad at all, so ill just stick with "in gord we trust"

[jimmy]

Skysports.com understands that Celtic have rejected an approach from Osasuna to sign Evander Sno on loan.

The midfielder is frustrated at Parkhead due to his lack of first-team football this season as he has been forced to a bit part role.

Sno has been pushed down the pecking order at Celtic following the summer signings of Massimo Donati and Scott Brown.

The 20-year-old has admitted he is keen to move away from Celtic in a bid to secure first-team football and a number of clubs are thought to be interested in his services.

However, it is now understood that Celtic have turned down a bid from Spanish side Osasuna to take the Dutchman on loan.

[PortGlasgow]

Skysports.com understands that Celtic have rejected an approach from Osasuna to sign Evander Sno on loan.

The midfielder is frustrated at Parkhead due to his lack of first-team football this season as he has been forced to a bit part role.

Sno has been pushed down the pecking order at Celtic following the summer signings of Massimo Donati and Scott Brown.

The 20-year-old has admitted he is keen to move away from Celtic in a bid to secure first-team football and a number of clubs are thought to be interested in his services.

However, it is now understood that Celtic have turned down a bid from Spanish side Osasuna to take the Dutchman on loan.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahha hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahah ahahahah








hahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahaha hahahahah

[ihaveamullet]

Looks like we won't be seeing McFadden wearing hoops for awhile.

Goal.com

James McFadden has signed for Birmingham City for an initial £5m (6.7m euros.)

The Scottish international had largely been a fringe player at Everton since his arrival from Motherwell in 2003.

Now, new Birmingham boss Alex McLeish - who coached the player at international level - has swooped for the 24-year-old Glaswegian.

The forward has signed a three-and-a-half year deal, with a further two year option after that, joining compatriot David Murphy of Hibs in being a winter signing at St. Andrew's.

McFadden, whose wonder-goal against France in the ill-fated Euro 2008 qualifiers caught the headlines worldwide, scored 18 goals in 139 appearances (including 79 starts) for Everton.

Alex McLeish will give a press conference later with regards to the signing.

LINK (http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=551714)

[jimmy]

money best saved i reckon. glad he's stayed in england so he can further enhance his bank account. money can be saved/spent elsewhere. don't rate him as much as others seem too.. not to keen on grabbin players from the premiership, but one i am interested in is mark noble of west ham where i heard a little talk of, reckon he'd be a good addition to any team, can play all over the midfield, good forward thinking player and got youth on his side, also wouldn't be stupidly priced - or at least i hope not..

don't care how many players brummie sign, they're gonna get relegated, and hopefully, big feck'll get the sack tae.

[saintdice]

I personally want Noble to stay at West Ham...but I wouldn't be too disappointed if he ended up in the Hoops.

[jimmy]

I personally want Noble to stay at West Ham...but I wouldn't be too disappointed if he ended up in the Hoops.yknow if there is any truth in this, and the way things are looking at the moment, with the japanese lad looking set to arrive too, wgs seems to be stocking up in the midfield department, now this makes me happy cos i haven't been too impressed with our whole 4-4-2 system. i much prefered the 3-5-2 system of old, not the buy the big guys and bully our way to the top of the league that we demonstrated we could do under the guidance of martin o'neil, but at times under o'neil we played great entertaining football, and faily often too. knocking in goals for fun for the most part, then again we had a certain player back then who could score a goal blind folded ;)

hinkel could be used as a wing back on the right side, and mcmanus could play towards the left (or even, o'dea) of a three man central back line, so that we've got the option to revert back to a four man back line if the going gets tough, but hinkel seems like he's going to spend just as much time in the opponents half as our own, so that's good, added dimension to the game, and if naylor finds his form again and stays injury free that could be two forward thinking wing backs we could put to great effect,

alternativelyt we got naka on the left wing which he doesn't seem to be used at, since he's usually comin in from the right hand side.. hmm.. dunno how it'd work, but if wgs was to go with a 3-5-2 formation i reckon we could achieve alot more with it, and give barca are real run for their money in the champions league, and as well as that, pocket the scottish cup and spl title :D

i'm quite content with our front line at the minute, granted not that we have depth, but skippy n big jan seem to be doing the job, and big jan seems to finding his way more n more after alot of injuries, maybe come summer we can reassess the situation, but right now i think they can do the job, but wouldnt complain if we could get someone decent to challenge 'em for a starting place who'd be eligible for the barca games

[Seany463]

3-5-2 is for a big muscle team Jimmy. Its pretty useless against pace too, Martin O'Neill proved that. You don't have to be able to pass either, playing in midfield as its so overcrowded you just need to be able to tap it to the side, then loup it over the top, I cannot believe anyone thinks this is good football?!

Our side is not all that big, some key positions in a 4-4-2 have been muscled up however. if we were to play a 3-5-2 you have to be full of powerhouses willing to bully the opposition. We're quite simply not.

Wee Gordon Strachan will never play a 3-5-2, he's had plenty oppertunity when without full-backs and he hasnt tried it then, so he aint gonna try it, period.

I know we have an obundance of Centre Halfs, although how many of them are actually good enough? McManus, O'Dea & Caldwell(has played really well with big mick as part of the central pairing in the past). Someone will drop out of the team to let o'dea in then, but Gordon obviously disnae fancy him cos he's had plenty opportunity to play him and hasnt.

[jimmy]

caldwell is our weak link at the back. he's been nothing short of pish this season imo. yeah he's raised his game a little for some (but not all) the champions league games, however, more often than not he's underperformed.

[Seany463]

caldwell is our weak link at the back. he's been nothing short of pish this season imo. yeah he's raised his game a little for some (but not all) the champions league games, however, more often than not he's underperformed.

When has he played in his natural position this season? About twice!!! Give the guy a break, Gordon Strachan said just last week that Caldwell wouldnt get judged playing at right back so I think you should have the same respect.

He played fantastically well last season in the 15 games or so he played at CB. If I mind right, we went about 13 games of them without conceding a goal.

[jimmy]

Celtic have taken two players on trial at Lennoxtown with a view to completing deals before the transfer window closes on 31 January.

Polish international left-back Seweryn Gancarczyk is rated at £750,000 and has played most of his career in the Ukraine with Metalist Kharkiv.

Celtic have also invited American international goalkeeper Brad Guzan to their training headquarters next week.

Guzan, 23, is valued at about £1m and has played four times for the USA.

and in other news we've knocked back a 400k approach from burnley for riordan, could get triple that easily, or at least should, if he's to leave...

[Yunichiro]

Celtic have taken two players on trial at Lennoxtown with a view to completing deals before the transfer window closes on 31 January.

Polish international left-back Seweryn Gancarczyk is rated at £750,000 and has played most of his career in the Ukraine with Metalist Kharkiv.

Celtic have also invited American international goalkeeper Brad Guzan to their training headquarters next week.

Guzan, 23, is valued at about £1m and has played four times for the USA.

and in other news we've knocked back a 400k approach from burnley for riordan, could get triple that easily, or at least should, if he's to leave...


how old is the pole? sounds like his career is almost over :rolleyes:

[ihaveamullet]

MLS Goalkeeper Brad Guzan and Celtic Striker "Magic" Zurawski could soon be trading leagues as Celtic keep busy in the transfer market...

Gordon Strachan has handed American goalkeeper Brad Guzan a trial with a view to signing the Chivas USA star as cover for Artur Boruc.

23-year-old ’keeper started his career with development (reserve) side Chicago Fire Premier. After moving to Chivas, he held off Mexican veteran Martín Zúñiga for the no.1 shirt and was recently named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.

"It's always exciting when a club such as Celtic are in for you," Guzan told the Daily Record.

"I know all about them, they are a world-renowned team with a great history."

Meanwhile, Gordon Strachan could be about to offload fringe player Maciej Zurawski to another MLS outfit, Columbus Crew.

LA Galaxy were previously interested in the 31-year-old striker, who is seeking first team football in a bid to get back into the Poland squad. The man they call ‘Magic’ failed to fill Henrik Larsson’s no.7 jersey since his £2.1million move from Wisla Krakow in 2005.

"Our offer is concrete. Zurawski is very interested in joining us because he wants to play in Euro 2008," Crew assistant Robert Warzycha told the Scottish Daily Express.

“His agent Mark Donaghy is now negotiating with Celtic over the transfer fee. We believe it will be between €200,000 and €300,000 (£150,000-£225,000)."

Celtic are also set to take 26-year-old Polish full-back Seweryn Gancarczyk on trial from Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv.

Link (http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=555397)

If they got Guzan cheap it would be a nice grab for a new back up keeper.

[hibby1875]

Link (http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=555397)

If they got Guzan cheap it would be a nice grab for a new back up keeper.

Guzan does sound like he would be an excellent signing, but why do Celtic need him? Boruc has just signed a new deal and Mark Brown (who I rate pretty highly) was signed from Inverness only a year ago. Surely Guzan would be wary of the possibility of not getting a game?

In a perfect world, this possibly means that Celtic are ready to sell Brown to Hibs. No complaints here if that was true! :D

[WeeJoe]

there are rumblings that brown is getting sold in the window but im not sure who to

[jimmy]

there are rumblings that brown is getting sold in the window but im not sure who toinsightful there joe, lol, which one? mark brown? scotty brown?:eek:

[Yunichiro]

insightful there joe, lol, which one? mark brown? scotty brown?:eek:

mark brown of course if we sign that keeper ;)

[jimmy]

mark brown of course if we sign that keeper ;)
aye, i knew dat :) but yknow y'never know, esp. with this talk of that young jap who can play midfield ;)

[WeeJoe]

insightful there joe, lol, which one? mark brown? scotty brown?:eek:

always glad to help with my unhelpful posts :D


soz was in college when i posted and couldnt really research it more....... :)

[jimmy]

Celtic have signed Middlesbrough striker Ben Hutchinson on a pre-contract agreement.

The 20-year-old has forced his way into the first-team at Boro and scored on his Premier League debut away to Manchester City.

Hutchinson has made seven substitute appearances in the league and started in the 2-1 win over Bristol City in the FA Cup third-round earlier this month.

The player is likely to join Gordon Strachan's squad in the summer.

Hutchinson, who qualifies to play for England and Jamaica, joined Boro from Northern Counties East Football League outfit Arnold Town in 2006.

[King_Henrik]

We're now in talks with Samaras of Man City about a loan deal until the end of the season according to The Herald.

Strachan was interested in signing this guy a couple of years ago when he played for Heerenveen so i wouldn't be surprised if it's true now that he's on his way out at Man City.

[Seany463]

Apparently rangers are after him too, I think they're sniffing about our targets, again!!!

Public knowledge that Gordon has been down to see him several times, he was at City's past 2 home games, shame he hasnt got the chance to see him!

Samaras is a good finisher, but thats about it. I dont really understand why we'd be after him as we've got Zurawski and they are so similar. Maybe Samaras is a better version of Magic, but I've yet to see it!

[ihaveamullet]

Apparently rangers are after him too, I think they're sniffing about our targets, again!!!

You guys can have him :D. To be honest though, I don't think either of our teams need him.

[Faxe]

Celtic just completed the signing of Koki Mizuno and Samaras will join us on loan. :) Both on the official site.

[King_Henrik]

Great stuff!

This has turned out to be a very good transfer window for The Bhoys indeed. :)



Georgios delighted to be one of the Bhoys


AN empty Celtic Park, buffeted by the winter rain, is a completely different proposition from a stadium filled with supporters ready to cheer on the team.

Yet the scale of the arena is something that is not lost of new signing, Georgios Samaras, who was happy to pose for photographs with the customary green and white scarf held aloft.

The 22-year-old striker has signed a loan deal with Celtic until the end of this season, with the club having the option of making the move a permanent one.

And in the process, the move has ensured Georgios Samaras becomes Celtic’s first ever Greek player.

Speaking exclusively to the Celtic website just after completing his move, the player explained the appeal of joining the Scottish Champions, not least the chance to help Gordon Strachan’s side make it three-in-a-row.

“I’m really delighted,” he said. “It’s the biggest club in Scotland and I’m looking forward to winning games and to win the title we have targeted.

“I’m here to help the team and to reach the targets you have. And, of course, a big team like Celtic wants to win everything and I’m here to do that – to win everything.”

Over and above the number one priority for the club – to retain the league title won the past two seasons – Samaras is also looking forward to playing his part in Celtic’s UEFA Champions League campaign, with a last 16 clash with Catalan giants Barcelona looming on the horizon.

The Greek internationalist is clearly looking forward to the prospect of facing up to some of Europe’s top players.

“It will be my debut because I’ve never played in the Champions League before,” he explained, “and I will do my best to get to the next round.

“It will be very difficult against Barcelona but in football you never know. I try to give 100 per cent in each game and, of course, to have the mentality to win every game.”

And while the challenges of club football are the most immediate ones he faces, the 22-year-old goalscorer is hoping that moving to a club of Celtic’s stature and reputation will also help his own prospects at international level.

Having already been capped 12 times for Greece, with three goals to his name, Samaras is aiming to win a place in the Greek national squad for Euro 2008.

Greece will be defending the trophy they won four years ago in Portugal and Celtic’s new Bhoy is hoping to play his part.

He said: “One of the reasons I signed here is because I will use the games to help Celtic, and, of course, for the chance to be in the squad for the national team of Greece for the summer.

"I’m here to help Celtic and for Celtic to help me.”



http://i30.tinypic.com/2vi2tjt.jpg

[jimmy]

Apparently rangers are after him too, I think they're sniffing about our targets, again!!!

Public knowledge that Gordon has been down to see him several times, he was at City's past 2 home games, shame he hasnt got the chance to see him!

Samaras is a good finisher, but thats about it. I dont really understand why we'd be after him as we've got Zurawski and they are so similar. Maybe Samaras is a better version of Magic, but I've yet to see it!
very interesting! you got to remember how dire man city actually were after the stuart pearce reign- they could hardly score let alone draw or win at manchester of city stadium!

nice goal record, dunno how he'll do, only time will tell i guess! no one starts to bang in goals when they jump ship to the premiership, plus he's came off the bench probably just as much as he's feat. in the starting 11, so i wouldnt read to much into that, anyone remember his brace vs. everton? and everton aint a shabby team either;)

it's fresh blood seany! young blood! not a bad thing cos he aint fully commited as yet, but if he shows us he's sufficient then who's to say the deal won't be permanent? :)

[King_Henrik]

Any thoughts on what our strongest XI would be now lads? Though there's talk that there could be even more transfer business done before the end of the month, so there could be more to come yet.


I'd go with ;


Boruc

- Hinkel -- Balde -- McManus -- Naylor -

- Naka -- Brown -- Donati -- McGeady -

-- Samaras -- McDonald --

[Seany463]

very interesting! you got to remember how dire man city actually were after the stuart pearce reign- they could hardly score let alone draw or win at manchester of city stadium!

nice goal record, dunno how he'll do, only time will tell i guess! no one starts to bang in goals when they jump ship to the premiership, plus he's came off the bench probably just as much as he's feat. in the starting 11, so i wouldnt read to much into that, anyone remember his brace vs. everton? and everton aint a shabby team either;)

it's fresh blood seany! young blood! not a bad thing cos he aint fully commited as yet, but if he shows us he's sufficient then who's to say the deal won't be permanent? :)


I'll eat my words if im wrong, but Jimmy just because City were shite under Pearce doesnt mean Samaras wasnt shit. Nobody starts to bang goals whern they hit the prem? Benny McCarthy recently, Berbatov, erm, there's more, tonnes more...

And City werent always shite under pearce, his team's workrate was questionable to say the least, Samaras included.

Samaras is average at best, its a pitiful signing on loan. I know one things for sure, i've probaby seen pretty much all his games for City(look at my userbars) and he doesnt impress me.

Interesting the Koki Mizuno deal, I wonder why nobody else came in for him if he's, that good!?

These signings are critical & if Gordon doesnt hammer the huns back to where they came from its because of the players he bought this window when our financial might is evident for all to see.

We still need a center half............

Henke, anyone that goes with Balde is a fucking eejit. Seriously, are we that desperate? :confused:

Been smoking too much of the green stuff?

[WeeJoe]

Been smoking too much of the green stuff?


no such thing lad......no such thing :D:D:D

[King_Henrik]

I'll eat my words if im wrong, but Jimmy just because City were shite under Pearce doesnt mean Samaras wasnt shit. Nobody starts to bang goals whern they hit the prem? Benny McCarthy recently, Berbatov, erm, there's more, tonnes more...

And City werent always shite under pearce, his team's workrate was questionable to say the least, Samaras included.

Samaras is average at best, its a pitiful signing on loan. I know one things for sure, i've probaby seen pretty much all his games for City(look at my userbars) and he doesnt impress me.

Interesting the Koki Mizuno deal, I wonder why nobody else came in for him if he's, that good!?

These signings are critical & if Gordon doesnt hammer the huns back to where they came from its because of the players he bought this window when our financial might is evident for all to see.

We still need a center half............

Henke, anyone that goes with Balde is a fucking eejit. Seriously, are we that desperate? :confused:

Been smoking too much of the green stuff?

I remember hearing how some guy we signed from Feyenoord called Larsson was an utter dud with an appalling scoring record and he turned out to be not too bad a player for Celtic, or what about the 33-year old Slovakian has-been who was languishing at the bottom of the Bundesliga before arriving at Parkhead once upon a time?

The moral of the story, wait and judge a player on how well they play for Celtic. There can be any number of different circumstances that make it difficult for a player to show his best form at a certain club, maybe Paradise will give them the same type of platform that the dreadlocked Swedish nobody and veteran Slovakian dud thrived on. :)

And, in a straight choice between Balde and Caldwell, it's Bobo for me every time.

[Seany463]

Bobo is a dumbass who came back and had 2 good games. McManus is a tackler and can only hit semi-decent 60-yard passes tbh, so the person you pair him with has to be able to play it out. Bobo? :confused:

The fact he sold his house in Scotland ages ago speaks volumes, he doesnt want to be here.

The guy played well under MON and has had his time. £28,000 per week is not justified on said player. Thats almost top-tier wages at Celtic, im surprised wgs/pl hasn't taken the shotgun to him already!

Still no backup LB & CH, tell me why we're wasting money on another striker when those other positions are in dire need of strengthening? Its not up front we're lacking, its at the back.

Peoples perception of Caldwell has taken a knock because he's been played at right wing back for so long now, it wasnt so long ago that people were singing his praises for his ability to play it out from defence.

We have immense financial dominance over the rest of the Scotland and we havent expressed it properly. Its the first time in a long time i'm very disappointed with our manager/board.

We'll probably still win the league, but only because the rest of the SPL is dire and cant afford to bolster their squads, whereas we have 3 average teams!

[Faxe]

Samaras is only 22 and his record in the Eredivisie wasn´t too bad. The scottish league ain´t the premiership. So I´ll wait to judge him. But with the loan deal don´t think we have much to lose there. Same for Mizuno.
But I agree, we need a CH and a LB. Not too fond of any of our CHs, with the exception of O´Dea, who at least has some talent.

[Seany463]

The Scottish league is not the Premiership, but its also not the Eredivise.

The pace of the game in England spoiled Samaras, just like it will in Scotland, sigh.

[WeeJoe]

according to the dailymail today barry robson will sign later for 1.25 million. not sure how he will get on although at the very least its a good squad strengthining signing.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=511431&in_page_id=1779&ito=newsnow

Celtic have also added the services of Ben Hutchinson half a season ahead of schedule. the deal went through when celtic agreed to pay 250,000 instead of waiting till the summer to get him for free.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/7221285.stm

.................................................. ...........................................

have to say not a bad transfer window at all, :)

[jimmy]

in
Andreas Hinkel [Sevilla]
Ben Hutchinson [Middlesbrough]
Barry Robson [Dundee Utd]
Koki Mizuno [JEF United]
Georgios Samaras [Manchester City] Loan

out
Jiri Jarosik [FC Samara]
Jim O'Brien [Dundee Utd] Loan
Craig Reid [Queen of the South]

kinda disappointed we didnt manage to offload bobo tho. hoping for o'dea to get more first team starts since there wasn't any other incomings other than hinkel in defensive line, but perrier-doumbé can't be too far off a come back now adding a little more depth there, also mark wilson will hopefully make a return before the end of the season, although i'm not sure what the current situation is with him. just incase any of you bhoys are forgetting, we still have those two long term casualties on our payroll, hoping wilson returns to our first team and demonstrates the kind of form he had towards the end of his dundee utd career and start to his celtic and under21 capataincy duties :) pretty satisfied overall, since wgs doesn't seem satisfied with any of the other strikers we had prior to the transfer window (other than skippy n big jan) at least know we have further additions to that, and a new wing back and added depth to our midfield.

onwards n upwards. 5 in 1 out (european players) i'm just now sure what the rules are to how many new additions can be registered / and or players taken out the squad. will be interesting to see which of these latest recruits feature some part in the barca games and who knows, onwards too :)

[Seany463]

3 Jimmy, 1 of which can have already played in another UEFA Tournament this season other than the Champions League.

[jimmy]

3 Jimmy, 1 of which can have already played in another UEFA Tournament this season other than the Champions League.
oh aye,forgot about hinkel. first i enlighted ye he had already featured for sevilla (when the transfer had just completed) and now ye return the favour ;):p -must be all that weed i've been smoking!:o

so one of the new guys'll miss out.. is it 3 changes/amendments to the list? know if we could add a fourth since jiri is now offski? hmm,will be interesting to see..

seany ye any the wiser about the mark wilson and perrier-doumbé injuries/comeback timeframes? the later is registered for for europe, but i doubt mark wilson will have been:confused:

[Seany463]

Mark Wilson & JJPD are both due back soon, very soon. Wilson is training already.

I think Wilson has had a better time for us in the Left Back position, so I wouldnt be surprised if wgs has him in mind as the backup player for Naylor, or even put him under pressure for a starting place.

3 players is the maximium changes you can make, thats why most clubs just register 22 players originally so they dont have to remove players from their squad. Hinkel, yeah, you told me we cant use him, so it looks like we'll just add Samaras, Mizuno & Robson to the squad. I think Wilson will be registered already, pretty sure he was fit when the decisions were made.

[WeeJoe]

a wee update that ive just stumbled across.........

Celtic have transferred out-of-favour striker Maciej Zurawski to Greek First Division outfit Larissa for a fee of about £500,000. The 31-year-old Poland international would have been out of contract with the Scottish champions this summer.
Zurawski, who had been linked with a move to LA Galaxy, signed for Celtic from Wisla Krakow for £2m in 2005.
He became a first-team regular under manager Gordon Strachan but has made just one start this season.
Zurawski will now attempt to help Larissa improve on their present 10th spot in the Greek top division..............bbcsport




not a bad bit of business for a guy who with the signing of samaras would probably not see much football at all as he would be at least 4th choice.

[vRS]

So thats the only work shy Pole in Scotland gone.......

[Fenianbhoy]

So thats the only work shy Pole in Scotland gone.......


Ho Ho original, i'm happy with the signing of Hinkel & Mizuno & Ben Hutchinson since he seems young enough though i've never seen him play.

But with the choice between Samaras & Lafferty ,i know who i'd prefere on a cold wet night in Scotland.

As for Robson an ex Rangers player, cmon now when has that ever worked out.

[buckfast_kid]

Mizuno & Ben Hutchinson since he seems young enough though i've never seen him play..

Mizuno I must admit I am interested to see, but the question beggars, why was he not tracked by anyone else? Interesting none the less.

Hutchy? Young enough so he must be decent? hmmm

[jimmy]

Mizuno I must admit I am interested to see, but the question beggars, why was he not tracked by anyone else? Interesting none the less.

Hutchy? Young enough so he must be decent? hmmm
scored on his prem debut :) bucktooth southgate none too pleased about losing the young'un since he just broke into the first team this season- liam miller anyone? karma.. time'll tell. hoping to see some of the new additions get a run out tomorrow so i can cast my eyes on 'em, tomorrows starting xi will be interesting, robson can't play (cup tied) so i wonder who will.. and maybe now wgs will be more fourthcoming to look towards the subs bench if things aren't working out, i hope so at least.

[Seany463]

Hutchy? Young enough so he must be decent? hmmm

Thats not what he said :p

Hinkel looks a decent purchase, Mizuno will depend whether he gets to grips with the physical rigours of our game.

With Zurawski leaving, im glad Samaras is there to fill his place, although im still unsure if he's any better. Who knows, if he shows the form Zurawski shown in the beginning, he might just take JVoHs' place in the team. Fresh competition for places is never a bad thing, JVoH has found it too comfortable being average in our side for some time now.

stilllookingforabettercentrehalfthoughcsc

[BostonRedBhoy]

I think we are all hoping that Samaras can play like Maciej did when he came to the team.

Samaras hasn't sparked anything in his previous stints with other teams. But I am hoping for a good form for him.

[Tubwa1]

is Mizuno still on international duty? i hope he's back soon if he is. i want to see if Celtic wasted time on him or he is a skilled young player

[WeeJoe]

haven't heard any news about the lad :confused::confused::confused:

[Seany463]

is Mizuno still on international duty? i hope he's back soon if he is. i want to see if Celtic wasted time on him or he is a skilled young player

Gordon Strachan stated when we signed Mizuno that it was highly unlikely that he would feature for the bhoys all that much(if at all) this season. It will take him some time to adjust to the climate/culture of Scottish society & there is no need to rush him into the rigours that is Scottish football.

He is a very little guy, way too lightweight for the first team just now. I will watch out for his name appearing for the reserves though, hopefully cap a couple of matches so people can have a look at him. If anyone spots that before me, feel free to pm me the details of the match and i'll see what I can do ;)

[ihaveamullet]

Looks like McGeady may be packing his bags...

Mike Maguire of Goal.com says:

Sunderland manager Keane is expected to be granted ₤50 million to work with in this summer’s transfer window as the Black Cats seek to re-establish themselves as a top-flight force.

The former Manchester United and Celtic star will use his considerable influence in an attempt to lure the Republic of Ireland international to Tyneside, offering doubled wages of ₤45,000-per-week along with the chance to star in the most popular league in the world.

But Keane will be unopposed in his bid to secure the 21-year-old’s signature as several Premier League clubs, including local rivals Newcastle, are also expected to challenge for the player rated in the region of ₤10 million.

Keegan has sent right-hand man Terry McDermott to Glasgow to keep an eye on McGeady several times this season, and there is no doubt that Toon, backed by multi-millionaire owner Mike Ashley, can match the Black Cats in terms of financial clout.

Source (http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=648681)

Not shocked by this at all. McGeady has had a great year.