our hooped heroes

class of 2009-10

George of the Jungle - a hard man to please at the best of times - runs his beady eye over this season’s squad.

A new season is upon us and my enthusiasm is underwhelming. Is it really only a few weeks since Celtic threw the 2008-09 league title away?

What has changed that is going to make 2009-10 a seson of success for the Hoops and all who follow them?

Well, a new manager in the form of Big Tony Mowbray has arrived. All hail the new Chief. Let’s hope he can bring attractive, league winning football back to Celtic Park.

WGS has departed. While I didn’t enjoy the football offered last season (or the season before to be frank) I still thought WGS did a terrific job in delivering the title in 3 out of his 4 seasons in charge plus getting us into the last 16 of the Champions League. All this on a relatively modest (in top European Terms) budget.

Arguably, the relative success that WGS delivered - and the profits that came from that - also paid for the construction of our sooper dooper new training complex at Lennoxtown.

Therefore, to WGS a big thanks for the good times his endeavours brought and a dose of amnesia to make us forget Artmedia Bratislava, Clyde in the Cup and last season’s league finale. WGS, I wish you all the best in the future. Despite the best efforts of the Laptop Loyal it would be the considered opinion of most of us at NTV Mansions that you had the support and backing of the majority of the fans. Hopefully you’ll be back some day as a supporter.

And so to this season. An oasis of footbaling delight or another barren year in the football desert, what is it to be?

Trusted with the task of restoring Scotland’s biggest and best team to their normal position as Champions are the following:

Goalies - Boruc, Zaluska and the American, Cervi.

On the early evidence of this season Boruc already appears to be heading back towards his best form. Perhaps that is because he faces a genuine challenge from Zaluska.

I haven’t seen Cervi play but if he is as good as other American keepers who have come to Britain in recent years, such as Friedel, Howard and Kasey Keller then he is more than welcome.

At the risk of tempting fate, as things currently stand, we look strong in this position.

(Please don’t let these words come back to haunt me)

Defence - Hinkel, Loovens, Caldwell and Fox have started the season as the 1st choice back four.

Not much to argue about with those, although if Caldwell keeps making basic errors his position must be up for grabs.

It’s early days but Fox looks and plays like a proper left back. On the early evidence he appears an excellent
signing.

McManus, once fit, Young Thomson who we signed from Stockport in the summer (another one of those ‘one for the future’ signings, and let’s hope some of them make the grade) Mark Wilson, Lee Naylor, Paul Caddis and Milan Misun when he returns from injury (and perhaps, Scottish youth player, Jason Marr) are the back up.

Letting O’Dea go to Reading on loan suggests the manager is happy with the defence.

Not sure I’d agree, but that’s it until January so I hope they all take aboard their Mother’s advice and strive at all times to keep clean sheets. Midfield - Like a well-known High Street travel agent, Maloney, N’Guemo, Brown and McGeady seem to be first choice, with Crosas, Flood, McCourt, Mizuno and new Chinese signing, Zheng Zhi, as the reserves.

I thought the midfield was poor last season and would hope for improvement this time round.

N’Guemo, like Fox, has made a positive impression in his first few games. He looks to me as though he has what it takes.

There may be quantity but do we have the quality? With McGeady and Maloney both playing in a midfield four I would suggest that leaves us lightweight, especially at a decent European level, particularly as neither Brown or N’Guemo are giants.

Hopefully young Ferry will make the most of his loan spell at Swindon and return ready to challenge for a first team place and Charlie Grant, one of the heroes of the Scotland under 19s who reached the European Final a couple of seasons ago, will complete his rehabilitation from injury.

Attack - MacDonald, Fortune, Samaras and Killen.

Perm any 2 from 4 and I’m still unhappy.

Last season’s Celtic attack was one of the worst I can remember seeing since the dark old days of the Kellys and Whites. They were toothless, insipid and, basically, awful to watch.

The only significant change from last season is that JVOH has gone and been replaced by £3.8m worth of Fortune. If Fox and N’Guemo have both made a positive early impression on the support the best that can be said for Fortune is that the Jury is still out. 180 minutes against Arsenal and we had one shot on target, Donati’s goal in injury time. Not good enough.

A few seasons ago we had Larsson and Sutton up front. Compare to today, how the mighty have fallen.

Time as always will be the judge. Let us hope time judges BTM as a success.

C’mon the Hoops!