Celtic Shorts 07.25.07–Naismith to Parkhead?

By: JT | July 25th, 2007

It seems that Rangers have dropped their interest in hotshot, 20 year-old Kilmarnock striker Stephen Naismith after having four “final offers” turned down, the last being of the £1.5m variety. Speculation is now rampant that Celtic is about to make a move for the man valued at £2m by his club. After perusing some of Naismith’s video highlights, the man can create and score some goals. But he’s stated that he’ll go wherever he’s guaranteed first team football, and that will never exist at Celtic Park. If the Bhoys were to buy him now and then loan him back to Killie for the upcoming season, then that would be satisfactory. While not overly impressive thus far, the strikers, especially the new ones, have to be given a chance before more money is shelled out to improve the front line. Some sweet goals from Naisy:

On the topic of Killie, Nottingham Forrest paid them a visit last nite along with the old captain himself, Mr. Neil Lennon. Not to anyone’s surprise, he was verbally abused by the fans. He’s lost it on a few occasions, but for the most part you’ve got to admire his restraint. I’d probably be paying a visit to the stands every other match if I had to deal with the shit that he does.

Seven first teamers are heading to Airdrie United tonite for what is supposed to be a friendly for the reserves. Gravesen of course will make the trip, as WGS seems intent on embarrassing the follicaly challenged midfielder as much as humanly possible before he gets cut loose. Derek Riordan will be there too, after Norwich dropped their interest because they didn’t know where they’d play him. Seems to me that if you have a good player, you find a way to get him on the pitch even if you have to adjust your system a bit. All the same, I’d like to see what he can do in the Hoops this year before he goes anywhere.

Category: Celtic, In the Press

Tags: Celtic, In the Press, Lennon, Naismith, Riordan

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• Cajun Nick |  July 25th, 2007 at 10:13 am

  
  
  

  Okay, thanks to the highlights, I see the interst in Naismith. However, two things:

  1) Do Celtic need another striker right now? Based on these three goals, I’m not really too sure how Naismith plays, but it looks like he’s pretty creative and can make do without too much midfield build-up. I like that. However, the Bhoys have got some firepower on the bench already.

  I know, I know: Celtic could just loan him right back to Kilmarnock solving any problems; but this leads me to the second question:

  Why, oh why, do teams buy a player, and then loan them right back to a competitor? Just so Rangers doesn’t get him?! No, if the kid’s that good that you’d be willing to pay £2 million, then either keep him or send him far away.

  Now, I’m going to ask a third question that will even further demonstrate my already apparent ignorance: On the message boards to the story you linked to about Naismith, some of the posters referred to him as a “hun”. I’ll admit - as a Yank who doesn’t follow the SPL too much, I’m mystified by that perjorative for Naismith. What did they call him a “hun”?

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• JT |  July 25th, 2007 at 12:01 pm

  
  
  

  Nick, “Hun” is basically a derogatory term for a Protestant. I think it originates in N Ireland and has been transferred to supporters of Rangers who are traditionally Protestant. When they say Naismith is a hun, they mean that he’s a Rangers supporter. He’s said so publicly. But I try to avoid all that stuff here.

  Now, do Celtic need a striker? No. They’re fine with what they have now. One of Zurawski, McDonald, Killen, and Riordan will complement JVoH quite well.

  Would Celtic buy Naismith just to spite Rangers? Its fun to think so, but no. If the player will contribute, its good business, PLUS it means outbidding Rangers, then all the better. But not solely for that reason.

  You have to figure Naismith will never be cheaper than he is right now. So it makes sense to buy him cheap. If he goes for 20 goals this season, what will he cost next summer and who will the competition be? Rangers may be able to afford him then, depending on how things go. If Celtic loan him back to Killie, he’d never be allowed to play against us and would still be playing first team football. It may even keep the current strikers on their toes knowing he’ll be in camp next preseason having proven himself in the league.

  If they wanted to buy him and loan him to a Championship club the fee would definitely be greater than if they agreed to loan him right back to Killie.

  I have some people down in Houma, you around those parts?

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• JT |  July 25th, 2007 at 12:18 pm

  
  
  

  Also, there is a great prospect named Cillian Sheridan who I’d like to see get some time at striker. He’s 6′5″ and has only been playing football for a year. Before that he was a Gaelic footballer back in Ireland.

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• Cajun Nick |  July 25th, 2007 at 1:30 pm

  
  
  

  JT, great answers. Really good stuff. Keep up the good work.

  I’m about 2h,30m northwest of Houma. Not much soccer happening down here in the swamps; luckily the offside can keep me up-to-date.

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