Celtic will not be shopping in Italy for new signings, admits talent chief John Park. The Hoops have been linked with Palermo goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. But Park told TMW: "Sirigu? Currently I have no information regarding this news. In fact we are not looking for a goalkeeper. "It is true that in your country there are good interpreters of that role. "But at the same time, I do not think that contracts with Italian players are within the reach of our club." Not looking for a goalkeeper would suggest we have already agreed terms with someone. Newcastle will not make a decision until July about Forster. Given or Westwood perhaps? Hail! Hail!
Would love to see Given back at the club but from a financial perspective there is no sell-on value so a deal to bring Forster or Westwood seems more likely. Mind you we did try and sign David James last season so you never know about Given.
in my view i think westwood be a better piece of business a mean no transfer fee and could be our no1 for years... i just dont see the point getting given for a year and giving him 3/4millon in wages when that could go to other positions in the team that needs strenghten. although if dermott desmond is willing to foot the bill thats a different story....
Given is possible, you need more than just potential in a team we lacked a bit of experiance last season and organisation. Foster isn't good enough for me and I think Chuck and Ronge whould have faired better with an experianced keeper. I suspect that there is already a list of keepers to try and get. We knew that Foster was only on loan and I think he might still be on the list but quite far down. The search is now focusing on other areas and its down to lawwell to get a keeper from the list.
I think we stand a good chance with Given. Man City probably would like to loan him rather than sell just in case they need him back. Plus they will be reluctant to loan or sell to any EPL club as he may come back to haunt them or even be at a team competing with them for CL places They might be more open to dealing with Celtic
And while i believe Given would be ideal - by the sound of things Westwood is very highly thought off. As he is on a free this fits in with Celtics plan to get players in for a year or two for cheap (cant get cheaper than free) develop and sell at a profit. So there is a very good chance we might get him. Same for Bothroyd too, i can see Celtic splashing out a decent signing on fee and wage and sell in a year or two to the EPL
I would sign Forster at any kind of reasonable money before signing Westwood. I would do that because we know all about Forster, all his strengths and weaknesses. Westwood would be a gamble. Remember Managers like Stein and O'Neil signed plenty of goalkeepers and none were any good. If you have or can get one that is between quite good to very good depending (on which fan) you talk to, you keep him until you are sure you have better.
I agree with you. I like Forster. People forget he's only 23 which is very young for a goalkeeper. His best years are ahead of him.
I don't rate Foster - not the best at crosses, low shots or kicking! I'd rather get Westwood in (from what I've seen in highlights)
Not a fan of Forster myself, some of his clearances in particular are dodgy to say the least. And for the size of him he looks very tentative coming for crosses. I would love to see Given but you're really needing him to give us a "boyhood dream team" discount to make it work which I can't see happening. Westwood probably fits best with how we are operating in the transfer market these days.
At first I thought you meant The Stables (the oak really!!) I'm a viewparker myself ... moved away about 6 years ago (after staying there for the 1st 28 years of my life).
haha no i typed it wrong good pub thot beautiful area..stayed here all ma life and prob be here til the end of it. someone said there started work on am area for jimmy johnstones statue to be put the bit rite next to central garage.
Probably because that was his old school (st columbas)... I'd say, even tho he didn't play for them, have it at Thorniewood - at leats it footie related!