Ketchup

By: Matt | August 10th, 2009

So, when you don’t have a computer, are driving all across the Midwest of the United States and are meeting LeBron James (Yeah, suckah!), it is tough to blog about Celtic. There’s been some news, a friendly, and a previous pouty Italian midfielder who seems to be in a better mood since I’ve been gone. Hopefully this will be the last time I have to do this, but let’s “catch up” (see what I did with the title?).

-First, Celtic and Arsenal’s first leg of the Champions League playoff will take place on Tuesday, August 18th. Strathclyde Police and Celtic were rumored to be asking UEFA to move the match to the next day. U2 is scheduled to perform Tuesday at Hampden Park, and there was concern if Bono’s massive ego would be able to fit with Arsenal in town, but they apparently found out that Emmanuel Adebayor was sold, so despite Bono’s massive ego, there is still some ego space available.
-Celtic sent out a mostly reserve side to face EPL side Manchester City. Celtic were defeated 2-1, though Chris Killen continued to score as he wished, netting the only goal for Celtic. Paddy McCourt had a good game, putting in some great runs and beating some EPL defenders. Massimo Donati also had a good match in a sort of sweeper role that Tony Mowbray sent out in a seemingly 3-5-2 formation. More on poopy pants Donati later, but the Celtic fans also added their own twist on the “Welcome to Manchester” billboard story with Man City and Carlos Tevez (as seen on the picture at the top of the thread).
-Celtic have “beaten out top EPL sides” (take that phrase however you wish) for the signature of 18 year old Josh Thompson from Stockport County. He was considered one of the best prospects in English football and this seems like the type of signing that Celtic need to make in this financial climate. It is believed that Thompson chose Celtic because he will be in contention for the first team right away.
-Celtic have also made a bid for Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon. Celtic are believed to have put a bid for £4 million, but Sheffield United are allegedly looking for £5 million. Many believe that Celtic will be able to boost this bid if Wolves continue to be interested in Celtic defender Stephen McManus.
-Celtic also have interest in Indian striker Sunil Chhetri. The 25-year-old Dempo Sports Club forward has scored 15 goals in 34 internationals and had a trial with Coventry earlier this year. Agent Yogesh Joshee said: “Celtic are having a serious look at Sunil. Celtic would prove a great chance to prove himself in Europe.”
-Finally, it seems that Tony Mowbray has cleaned Massimo Donati’s diaper and the Italian midfielder has declared that he is happy at Celtic again and wishes to stay after crying into a microphone that reporters were able to interpret as the Italian saying he wanted out of Celtic under the rule of Gordon Strachan. That has all changed with Donati getting a chance in the first team, and to be fair, Donati has been making the most of his chances. Donati had a solid game in the away leg of the match against Dinamo Moscow and continued that great play in Manchester.

This is it, the final week of the “offseason” (though I guess we had a real match already in the Champions League). Next weekend will see Celtic take on Aberdeen to start the SPL campaign. As always, Keep the Faith!