One does not have to be an expert in telling the future to say that it will be cold in Aberdeen on Saturday. It always is – I have shivered there in August before now – and in the middle of this cold spell, there will undeniably be loads of brass monkeys going around looking for a welder.
So Josip, a little different from Qatar, but Ange might give you a day off. It is not that we are short of full backs! But, oh, no! There is the 3rd and 4th place play off on Saturday, so maybe the frozen north of Aberdeen is not for you. But maybe next Wednesday against Livi?
How long can we expect to keep Josip? Well, I would hope for the next ten years, but realistically, that is not going to happen. It is hard not to see a connection with the new Canadian import and an intention to unload someone. I have read all sorts of stuff about £25 million pounds, and as this comes from people who know what they are talking about and who are never wrong, it is bound to be true!
But let’s talk about Josip. Quite clearly, an excellent World Cup, and I would probably say the best World Cup campaign from any Celtic player ever. Paddy Bonner had a good World Cup in Italy in 1990 for Ireland, but it would be hard to think of anyone else to challenge for that position. Certainly no-one for Scotland, and I think that the best Celtic World Cup player should go to Josip. He had been incisive, determined, influential with a particularly good game in the previous round against Brazil.
In the past we have deplored the selling on of players, but now that the penny has dropped about re-investment in other players, it may not now be the worst idea in the world. Gone are the days when the money earned from Dalglish and Nicholas simply just disappeared, as it were, and was never really heard of again.
But I would hope that we might make some sort of effort to keep Josip until the end of the season. Medals are there to be won, and medals last longer than money does. Your agent might take all your money off you in any case, Josip!
So, probably no Juranovic on Saturday, but there is always CallyMac coming back! A lot to look forward to! Only a few “sleeps” left now before the real football starts again! And if you are not one of the lucky ones to get a ticket, well, there are advantages to be found in a good central heating system in your house or in a warm, coal fire at a hostelry! But be careful who you listen to! Unless, of course, you want Mr Boyd and Mr Walker and Mr McFadden to talk you through the finer points of the game!
Nine points ahead, 23 League games to go. Come away the Celts! And (clutching at straws) Hibs on Thursday night!
David Potter
David Potter’s bestseller, The Celtic Rising ~ 1965: The Year Jock Stein Changed Everything is now back in stock after selling out. Order a signed copy today and we’ll post straight away using first class post or alternatively The Celtic Rising is also available on Amazon Kindle, again link is below…
Bobby Charton disagrees! !