Mish Mash

By: Matt | August 8th, 2008

-Despite being on the bench for Barcelona’s ~~friendly~~ target practice against ~~football playing energy drink advertisements~~ Red Bull New York, Sky has supposedly talked to Marc Crosas’ Sharp Suited Man and the SSM (thanks for teaching me that, Kevin!) has confirmed that Crosas was at Parkhead today and has signed a four year deal. Most people in the know seem to think that Crosas will be unveiled to the public on Sunday. Speaking of the Red Bull-Barca friendly, fellow The Offside blogger Dave Martinez got a press pass for a Barca 4v4 tournament to help support the fight against Malaria. Dave did it all, stepped on Bojans’ expensive foot, knocked in to Puyol and Xavi, got ignored by Thierry Henry, and had Rafa Marquez duck his questions, among other things! Check out his summary of the day!

-Peanut headed Martin Jol (if that reference does not make sense, click here and thank me later) has apparently decided that HSV Hamburg need a new striker and is trying to pony up £7million quid for big Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. First of all, I guess this shows that HSV gives fuck all about the supposed partnership with Rangers (really Rangers, a friendship with a Hamburg team? Where did you get that idea?). Most importantly, Gordon Strachan has said today that Big Jan is not for sale and is an important part of his plans for the season. The big Dutchman scored twenty goals last year and has been one of the bright spots this preseason, scoring a couple goals and being very impressive, espeically with his aerial play. So it seems like Martin Jol will have to look elsewhere.

-There had been hope that Bobo Balde and his obese salary might be ~~suckered~~ sold to a English team of the likes of either Sunderland or Birmingham, but it seems Bobo rather likes making money that he no longer deserves. Birmingham gaffer and old pal (Cheer up) Alex McLeish has said of Bobo “At some stage we have to say no to certain demands. I’m not saying he’s greedy, it’s up to Bobo to ask for what he thinks is right for him. But it’s too rich for us.” It’s ok Alex, if you don’t want to call him greedy, then I will. Bobo is greedy and had better figure out that we are releasing him and he’s going to be out of a job unless he lowers his expectations.

-Finally, despite being only the youth teams, Celtic were victorious in this year’s first derby with Rangers. The Youth Celtic team defeated the Youth Rangers team 3-1 today in the final of the Glasgow Cup. Controversy surrounded the match before it started as three foreign members of the Youth Celtic team were not allowed to take the field, meaning that Celtic were thin before the match even started. It looked even more bleak 13 minutes in when Rangers took the lead first. Celtic were able to respond moments later with an equalizer and then added two more goals in seven minutes to go out to a lead that they would hold the rest of the game. A promising start for all those in green and white for the season. As we all know, the big Bhoys start up the season this Sunday. Check back tomorrow and I will summarize St. Mirren and give a bit of a season preview!

TAL!