Gribz

Things are obviously going to be slowed down with everyone in australia, by the time they get back will be early next week and that leave about 11 or 12 days to get 3 players in. Im not confident deals can be done that quickly when other teams are going to be looking at our level of player with higher budgets. If we have to get a few in on loan then so be it. 3 loans are going to be better than going into a must win SPL season and CL with 15 players.

Yip agree with that. No point selling him unless every penny can be reinvested in the squad. If not having Bougherra makes us stronger and gives us a better chance of the title so id say keep him. I can see Weir and Webster being first pick in the centre with Bougherra playing right back and Whittaker providing width in the midfield, although I hope this isnt the case. Id rather see Bougherra start in the centre or even an option as a holding midfield (he can have those driving runs)

Yip but this year (last night) is fine to cheer Braga as we will get more TV money, but we need the others to have decent runs along with ourselves and make sure we win the title this season and qualify through next year.

Was thinking that. It was a bit of the unknown who can be more dangerous. Ajax only drew at home last night.

They would have been aswell playing in Sydney Harbour, the pitch was awful. Last weekends game was a cracker for a friendly but this wasnt much on the eye. not good to see Lafferty and McCulloch limp off.

Massive smile on my face, similar result to Strachan getting humped in his first CL game 5 years ago. Looking at their starting line up I was wondering who half of them are! The likes of Dundee Utd, Hibs and Hearts must think they will have a chance of a top 2 finish this season. Ive said all summer our starting XI is still far better than theirs and if we can get this 2 or 3 players in then we will be stronger over the season. So looking at their team for the upcoming season and after hearing them being linked with so many players: Zaluska - If he only managed to catch Dundee Utd's eye he cant be that good. Juarez - This mexican is a good player but is at the wrong club, he wont settle there. Hoiveld - Dont have a clue who this is. Samaras - Shite Brown - Broon! Cha du ri - Who?? Maloney - Used to be decent but has been poor for 3 years. Ledley - never seen him play. Ki - Who? Mulgrew - I really thought this guy would have helped them be a success in the Champions League :fish: Loovens - Doesnt have a patch on our centre halfs. There is nothing to fear at all from that team. They may have been active with links all summer but Davis, Edu and McCulloch would easily run that show against that line up. You do have to worry about the long term of Scottish football though. Them not making it into the group stages gives us extra TV cash but the SPL rankings is going to drop every year and maybe in 2 or 3 seasons the champions of the SPL will have to qualify for make the CL.

Cant remember the rules on putting links up but here is the live link to Aussie Fox TV to watch the game now. http://www.iraqgoals.net/10505-sydney-fc-vs-rangers-fc.html

Whilst its nice to see us looking at some potential moves Im wondering why we are after a few strikers. Jelavic and the african striker would be needed but I still think midfield / wingers is the first port of call.

Next game is tomorrow evening my time so mid morning for you chaps. I'll be watching it again and half tempted to fly down to Sydney for the weekend to see the final match.

Dan, when is the next 2 games? are you going along? The game was as good a friendly as Ive seen but I seem to remember we did the same in pre seasons before. We played attack minded stuff and with a bit of freedom yet when the season starts we go defensive. If we approach the SPL like we did yesterday we will hump teams left right and centre. We just need those 3 additional players to have the replacements when needed. Ive stated on here Im not a fan of Naismith but if he starts the season like he did yesterday then I'll be pleased. He didnt so much hug the touchline it was more of a inside right position. Lafferty was getting central aswell and his body language alone looked more mature. Its only 1 friendly match but the opposition was a mid table Premier League team...so much for us being on par with Championship sides these days.

Its not so much these 3 individuals, its more so that Celtic are capable of getting EPL players, even if its the likes of Robbie Keane on loan.

Finished 2-1. Good run out and good performance especially first half. Blackburn came back into it once we tired and they got their goal but we could have finished them if Miller had put away his pen. First XI look good but we need a stronger squad. 10 Subs were allowed in this game but we didnt have that. Fleck and Wylde came on and I think young Ross for Bougherra. Whittaker sat it out thru injury and Papac didnt travel due to an knee injury. Front 3 of Naismith, Lafferty and Miller did well, Davis strong in midfield and Edu had a good game. But we need 3 players ASAP to come and replace those who did well. 14,100 at the game. Table: AEK Athens 8 pts Rangers 5 pts Sydney 3 pts Blackburn 1 pt It is 3 pts for a win and 1 pt for each goal scored. AEK beat Sydeny 5-3 in first game.

2-1 but should have been 3-0. Good move between edu and Davis, Edu was bundled. Miller blasted penalty off the bar. Blackburn go down the park and get a soft pen and dunn converts. Wylde and Fleck on for Edu and Miller.

2-0 Miller Good goal, Naismith picked up a good ball on the right, fed thru to Lafferty, pulled it back to Miller who lashed it home. Naismith moved out on the right and is playing well. The Bears are in fine voice.

BTW the team is 4-4-1-1 but changed to almost 4-3-3 going forward. McGregor Bougherra Webster Weir Broadfoot Davis McCulloch Edu Lafferty Miller Naismith Edit - front 3 looking good. Signings??? We dont need any!!!

If anyone is awake can watch the game live on Aussie TV. 1-0 Gers after half an hour - Edu. http://www.iraqgoals.net/10371-blackburn-rovers-vs-rangers-fc-.html

He isnt a bad striker but a bit slow. Im more concerned about midfield especially wide areas. It does look like Naismith could be first pick there and Lafferty, Fleck and Davis will be played there also.

TBH I think we have had that in the last week from Bain. His Q and A interview was good and honest. As they say lets wait until the end of the transfer window before mentioning if they are talking BS or not. The squad number at the end of the window will reveal all.

Despite James being 39 and makes errors, its still depressing to see Celtic being linked with premier league players as James, Bullard, Campbell etc.

I was surprised to read somewhere that Thomson wanted to leave. As for Boyds Salary if he was playing well he would be in the team and getting 22k a week, id imagine he would probably have got a scoring bonus aswell. Well Im glad he has moved on. The club cant afford that kind of money for better players than Boyd yet he was offered it. Obviously money spoke louder than his boyhood club. Boro wont be paying him much more than 22k a week in the Championship, id imagine it will increase if they get promoted. That move will come back and bite Boyd and Im one who is confident I'll be saying he is being shown up in the Championship and wont get near 20 goals. Id have given Novo a 2 year deal on 15k a week miles ahead of Boyd on 22k a week.

Yip Beasley and Smith barely kicked a ball for us. So whilst 6 have gone out the door if we do manage to this 3 players we are looking for it will be like maybe only losing 1 or 2. Its the midfield that worries me the most. Any squad needs at least 6 midfielders which includes wide men, at the moment we have 3 regulars and possibly Fleck who is also a striker. If we add 1 wide man and another good centre midfielder then the team will look stronger.

I think your underestimating Weir's personality and to help Wilson on during games. I dont think the likes of Skrtel or Agger will care about Wilson so much and Carragher is likely to just gob off at him if he makes an error. For centre half we have Bougherra, Weir, Webster, Broadfoot and even Papac. Plus McCulloch (who I hope never plays there again. If we sign Gonvales then he is another.

Good read and good answers from Bain who has improved a lot in the last year. Id really like to see the list (if any) of potential targets WS has at the moment. Id imagine Eagles would have been top of the list so I cant see anyone better than him. I still dont know why we dont look at eastern europe, the likes of the Croatians, Russians, Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Greeks are all technically sound and a lot of them wont be on high wages.

(To the tune of 'Rangers are the champions' by Pet shop boys) Post here if you hate Celtic...Post here if you hate Celtic...Post here if you hate Celtic... Post here if you hate Celtic...Post here if you hate Celtic...Post here if you hate Celtic... Post here if you hate Celtic...Post here if you hate Celtic...Post here if you hate Celtic... Stand up for the Champions....Stand up for the Champions....Stand up for the Champions.... Stand up for the Champions....Stand up for the Champions....Stand up for the Champions.... Stand up for the Champions....Stand up for the Champions....Stand up for the Champions.... HULLO HULLO :robbo: :drink: