the team of the decade

Andy Murdoch’s article in NTV 180 is followed up by CQN’s Paul 67, together with a selection of comments from the posters on Celtic Quick News.

 

I browsed through my copy of Not the View issue 180 and read the stimulating Team of the Decade article.

There have been dozens of players who have been first team regulars for a number of seasons throughout the decade, but there are likely to be remarkably few areas of contention as to who makes the team.

Artur Boruc edges out Dmitri Kharine and Magnus Hedman. Despite slipping below his 2006 peak Boruc on current form would still be my first choice over any others on their best form.

Andy Murdoch in NTV opts for a 3-5-2, but for me the three at the back experiment has been out-manoeuvred, so I would go for a conventional back four.

Andreas Hinkel gets the nod over Paul Telfer or Didier Agathe, who was never quite a right back anyway.

I’ve gone for Tommy Boyd at left back. Tommy was in his twilight years at the start of the decade but had the pace, experience and ability to make a telling contribution in a very good Celtic team.

Jackie McNamara held down a first team place for two seasons (2003-05) and came close to inclusion on this form.

Despite spending many years saying Bobo Balde is past his best he makes the team alongside Johan Mjallby. Greatness touched both Valgaeren and Caldwell but only fleetingly.

Aiden McGeady and Alan Thompson occupy the wide midfield slots. Thompson was an enormous player for Celtic who rose to the challenge against the most difficult opponents. His goals alone would be worth inclusion but his combative attributes were equally important. It was a big decision to leave out Nakamura but I feel McGeady is an equally effective out-ball and is the best player Celtic have produced in at least two decades.

Central midfield was the most difficult area. Lennon, Lambert, Moravcik and Petrov were all among the best Celtic players of the decade but I could only fit in two, Lennon and Petrov.

Moravcik made my original line-up but I pulled him on the basis that I was choosing a team to overcome a perceived current weakness (goals from midfield). With Petrov and Thompson both in the team an unambiguous defensive midfielder was more important. Neil Lennon got the nod over Paul Lambert.

Larsson, of course, with John Hartson were my choices up front.

Hartson and Chris Sutton shared many similar attributes but I regarded John was the better goal scorer so he edged it.

Paul 67’s Celtic Team of the Decade

Boruc
Hinkel, Balde, Mjallby, Boyd
McGeady, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson
Larsson, Hartson

By KrakowBhoy
Lubo in for McGeady for me I am afraid.

By BigSwee
Didier Agathe would get my vote as his ability to get back to defend when out of position through his pace I would have said was slightly better than Hinkel. Now if only he could have crossed a ball.

By blantyretim
I would change Sutton and Lubo for Hartson and McGeady..

By Ulster-Celt
4-4-2 for me:
Larsson
Larsson Larsson Larsson Larsson
Larsson Larsson Larsson Larsson
Larsson Larsson

By what is the stars
You can’t leave Chris Sutton out of the Celtic team of decade. You can’t put everyone in but no way can you leave Chris Sutton out

By Ellbhoy
Agathe for Hinkel.
Lubo for Aiden.
Lambert for Lennon.
Sutton for Hartson.
The rest I can agree on.

By Dontbrattbackinanger
The signing of Chris Sutton was the first real sign that the board meant business, and were prepared to back the manager’s judgement with hard cash.
We are long overdue a similar gesture from the board.

By Paul67
PeteTheBeat, while I think Sutton and Hartson shared the same strengths I also thought they could both have been more mobile.
BigSwee, aye, Didier came close.
What is the stars, Hartson scores more goals! Give me goals!

By Ellbhoy
Left back I think you could also make an argument for Jackie, Petta and Joos over Boyd but Tommy was a a fine servant.

By southbhoy
What about the flash in the pan that was Craig Bellamy? 9 goals half a season, not bad

By notoneofthepeepil
Boruc
Agathe Balde Mjallby Boyd
Lennon
Petrov Thompson
Moravcik.
Larsson Sutton

And today we are linked with St Ledger, and are talking about selling the likes of Caldwell and Flood.
How the mighty have fallen.

By SwanseaBhoy
You’re nuts! Get Lambert in there for Lennon and get Jackie in for Hinkel but without a shadow get Sutton in there for Hartson (despite BBJ being the original SwanseaBhoy)!!

By SheffieldBhoy
I think if you put Artur Boruc behind them a back three of Balde Mjallby Valgaeren actually works. I agree that Hartson was a better goal scorer but he didn’t bring goals out of Henrik in the same way Sutton did. While I think Lennon was a superb player deffensively he offers nothing going forward so to play the Celtic way I’d go with Lambert. Playing three at the back means I can also accomodate Lubo.

Boruc
Mjallby Balde Valgaeren
McGeady Petrov Lambert Lubo Thompson
Sutton Larsson

p.s. let’s never hear Valgaeren and Caldwell mentioned in the same sentence again.. Even towards the end lacking fitness and playing out of position at left back I’d take Joos over Cauldenbauer any day!

By Cadizzy
Much as I liked Neil Lennon, he was not in the same league,for me, as Paul Lambert. Who remembers (in his last season) a midweek game against either Motherwell or Dundee where he started a move just outside his own box and was the guy who finished off the move by scoring? And he got two in that game. Neil Lennon couldn’t do that but Lambert could do what Lennon could.

By Lubo
A team of the decade without Lubo and Sutton? You are obviously drunk. Sober up man!
Aiden and BBJ on the bench for me. Not sure about Hinkel either.

By weeminger
I’m going to stick my neck out and say Naka in for Thompson. Now I loved Thompson playing for us, but when I think about how we’d have played with Naka delivering to Larsson and Sutton, I get a wee bit excited. The reason being that Naka could deliver from wide, but also had a range of passing above that of Thompson. Better at free kicks as well, and would have stopped The King taking so many.

By Estadio Nacional
3-5-2 to avoid the full back issues.
Boruc
Valgaeren, Balde, Mjallby
Moravcik, Lambert, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson
Larsson, Sutton

Subs; Hartson, McGeady, Nakamura, Agathe, McNamara, John Kennedy.

by Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
Quite depressing to see, that none of the current squad are quoted.
Really does bring into perspective, that we’re being asked to watch a sub standard team, while still paying for the privilege.

By Garngad to Croy
3-4-3 (Works on the Playsstation)
Boruc
Valgaeren Balde Mjallby
McGeady Lennon Moravcik Thompson
Sutton
Larsson Hartson
Ah those were the days my friend!

By The Chief
Alternative Celtic XI - fringe players, forgotten players and utter crap players!

Kharine
Henchoz Virgo Vega Mahe
Juninho Miller Healy Petta
Fernandez Camara

Subs: Brown (GK), Camara, Varga
Berkovic, Scheidt

By BigSwee
I think the bond of understanding and talent that came from Thommo, Sutton and Larsson was amazing to behold. They were almost acting as if they shared a footballing brain at times so concise was their movement off the ball for the other. Dunfermline game sticks out in my mind with some amazing interplay between the 3 producing some great goals that night. Countless other games and I well remember Thommo holding Larsson aloft at one of the games beside us at the touchline and shouting “what a player, what a (Sweary word beginning with F)” and not one of us would disagree. Happy days!!!
Up front Sutton and Larsson for me are a far stronger ‘team’ than BBJ and Larsson.

By roberttressell
Moravcik and Sutton must be in any team of the decade. It is also hard to leave our Paul Lambert.
It is so hard to choose!

Boruc
Agathe, Mjallby, Valgaren, Boyd,
McGeady, Petrov, Lambert, Moravcik
Sutton and Larsson

How can you leave out Sutton? The King himself said he was the best he ever played with. With him in the team you can also play an extra flair player with McGeady, hence my selection of them both. McGeady, could actually play on the left and let Lubo roam because Agathe was the erchetypal wing back with the engine to get up and down all day long - it is a kind of fluid 3-5-2/ 4-4-2 formation.
Oh for that team now.

By pin76
I’d go with Paul67’s team, but...
Lambert would replace Lennon, I think at his peak he was better in that holding role and he offered more of a goal threat. Sutton in for Hartson, Sutton was the perfect partner for Larsson who is on record saying this. McGeady would make way for Moravcik. I don’t think McGeady has reached his potential yet. The number of assists he has provided this season has increased so he has definitely added an end product to his game. However Lubo scored more goals and did it in the big games.

By Burleysfrontteeth
If Agathe could cross a ball like Hinkel, what a player he would have been..
My team
Boruc
Agathe Mjalby Bobo Boyd..
Petrov Lennon Thommo
Lubo
King Sutton

By Dontbrattbackinanger
My 21st Century Bhoys:
Boruc
Mjallby Balde Kennedy
Agathe Petrov Moravcik Lambert [c] Thompson
Larsson Sutton

Subs: Broto Lennon Nakamura Hartson Valgaeren McGeady
Manager- Martin O’Neill.

By Dobbo
Youth team of the decade (players “produced” by Celtic who have made a first team appearance in any game, competetive or otherwise)
Marshall
Caddis McManus JFK Wallace
Maloney L. Miller
TBA (i have no idea... Gary Caldwell may count as at Celtic Boys Club) McGeady
Feruz (does he count? my rules so yes) Sheridan

By Emjay
Agathe instead of Hinkel easily. Sutton instead of BBJ. Agathe did it against the big boys. The feeling of watching him absolutely roast the Juventus left back with his pace that night was truly exciting. His performance in Ajax and Stuttgart. His tackling/tracking back was top notch for a guy who wasn’t a right back. Yes he was frustrating at times but not much got past him. Hinkel has not reached anywhere near Agathe’s performances yet.
Chris Sutton over BBJ. On effort, dig, smartness (sly you could say). His partnership with Henrik. His thundering all out “I’m getting this ball” goals and most importantly his goal celebration! The GIRUY from Sutton was my favourite. Even over Henrik’s.
A player who’s name did not get sung enough during his time with us. How I wish Elbows and Laffable had tried it on with Sutty.
Agree about Lennon. For the simple fact he could change the tempo of a game with a tackle/a shout/a disagreement in our favour. He protected the back line more than we care to remember. A leader.
I think Paul Lambert said last week in an interview about “that team” that it was full of men. Not afraid to dig deep together. Not be bullied by anyone. That’s what made the difference.

By savo01
Pure Mince XI
Sends a shiver down the spine folks. Only 2 Barnes signing’s make my starting line up. I have not included anyone who came through the ranks and gave Donati, Jarosik and Doumbe the benefit of the doubt. The laughable thing is they’d probably give the current side a game .
Hedman
Telfer Camara (M) Du Wei Scheidt
Juninho Gravesen Sylla Camara
Killen Bonnes

Subs Kharine Fernandez
Aliadiere Gray (Michael) Berkovic
Henchoz Virgo Sno

By tommytwiststommyturns
Hinkel would be a good defender....if he knew how to defend !!
Balde could be a bombscare on the deck, but his aerial prowess combined with Mjallby’s sweeping up would be a perfect combo. God how we need another “Dolph Lundgren”!
Lambert was just about the ultimate midfielder and should be included with Lenny. Thommo had as many bad years as good, but a total Hunskelper.
Aiden can only aspire to the footballing genius that was Lubo....I hope he becomes a Hoops legend.
Hartson was a great scorer of goals, but Sutton was a far better footballer and could bring others into the game. His partnership with Ghod was the best part of the MON years.

Boruc
Agathe Balde Mjallby Boyd
Lambert Lennon Thompson
Lubo
Larsson Sutton

By savo01
Sellic XI
Simpson
Stein Stubbs Sutton
Sylla Stark Smith (J) Slater Stanton
Samaras Sheridan

Subs Sullivan Sno Shepard Smith (B) Scheidt

By Eustace P Merryweather
What’s the point of having so many set piece threats when there’s no one in the side that can hit a dead ball? On that basis alone Lubo gets the nod. I do hope young(ish) Aiden learns to deliver a cross like Lubo could - either boot, instep or out, remarkable technique.
As for goal scoring midfielders, well, Lubo again I’m afraid. 76 games, 29 goals Vs Thommo 158 games 37 goals, and Petrov 228 games 55 goals. Don’t have the stats to hand for assits, but I know who I’m backing!
Furthermore, Agathe was the best full back we’ve had at the club since.... well mibbe the Beard himself. 4 games v Ronaldinho, and the best player in the world got past him once. Once! Unfortunately Didier had the same final ball shortcomings as Aiden does now. Ah well.
Touch resonant that the best left back we have had at the club since 2000 was a right back signed in 1992 at age 27.

By GM
I’m not saying BBJ is a wimp, but Chris Sutton was tough as nails. He’d be in any team of mine.
IMO he still has unfinished business at Celtic Park - A LAP OF HONOUR.

By roccobhoy
Rocco’s team
Boruc
Agathe Bobo Johan Boyd
Aiden Lambert Petrov Lubo
Sutton
Can anyone guess who the other player in my team would be? :)

By gietheboyachanceman
I’d go 3-4-1-2 with
Boruc
Mjallby, Bobo, Valgaren
Mcgeady, Petrov, Lambert, Thompson
Lubo
Sutton, Larsson
There’s goals aplenty in that team.

By Mort
This is team of the decade:
Artur Boruc
McNamara Balde McManus Agathe
Thompson Lennon Petrov McGeady
Hartson Larsson
In their position, each has made the most appearances (starts and off the bench) for Celtic this decade:
Artur Boruc 195
Bobo Balde 211
Stephen McManus 197
Jackie McNamara 171
Didier Agathe 158
Neil Lennon 277
Stilian Petrov 252
Aiden McGeady 221
Alan Thompson 201
John Hartson 181
Henrik Larsson 176
The top 20 in terms of appearances in the decade are:

Neil Lennon 277
Stilian Petrov 252
Aiden McGeady 221
Bobo Balde 211
Alan Thompson 201
Stephen McManus 197
Artur Boruc 195
John Hartson 181
Henrik Larsson 176
Shaun Maloney 175
Chris Sutton 172
Jackie McNamara 171
Shunsuke Nakamura 162
Didier Agathe 158
Joos Valgaeren 153
Gary Caldwell 143
Paul Lambert 137
Robert Douglas 137
Lee Naylor 125
Scott McDonald 120

By roccobhoy
Leabrannagh
Totally agree mate, flair and power. No player epitomises flair more than Lubo! I would feel the need to go to confession if I omitted Lubo (the absolute genius) from my team like some others did. All opinions I suppose.
You don’t get player of the century for Slovakia and then be omitted from Celtic’s team of the decade! You dont be described as “the best player I’ve ever played against” by none other than Zinidine Zidane when Zidane played in France and be omitted form Celtic’s team of the decade.

By Drunken_Lullabies
Team of the decade? Well, okay...
Boruc
Agathe Balde Mjallby Thompson
McGeady Petrov Lennon Moravcik
Sutton Larsson
Subs: Marshall, Varga, McNamara, Lambert, Nakamura, Hartson, Bellamy

By Click the Ads!
Roccobhoy
To add to your list if I may: and you don’t control the ball with your arse and be omitted from celtic’s team of the decade!

By the BIG OWL
my bhoys of the decade
artur
stubbs bobo vega
agathe lennon stan thommo
lubo
the king sutty
subs broto, lambert, bbj, jackie mac, bellamy, mjallby, naka

ones to forget
hedman
tebily du wei scheidt virgo
gravesen juninho donati j smith
de ornelas bonnes

subs. douglas, gray, pressley, jarosik, k miller, m camara

By pflan76
McNamara for Hinkel, Sutton for Hartson, Lambert for Lennon and definately Moravcic for McGeady.
McNamara was a tenacious and consistent player plus he scored a few goals.
The Sutton/Larsson partnership was unstopable.
Lambert won the Champs League doing what Lennon did, but he was also a phenominal passer and scored a few goals too.
And Lubo is probably the most gifted footabller we will see in our lifetime playing for Celtic.

By Coneybhoy
For a Scots(not based on national team they play for) team of the decade, here is my quick bash:-
D Marshall
Boyd Caldwell Kennedy McNamara
McGeady Lambert Pearson Maloney
Beattie Burchill

Subs: Douglas, S Brown, McManus, Wallace, Telfer

By penang_bhoy
Got to be Sutton up front, alongside the incomparable Henke, for me. Big bad John was a great player, and a better goalscorer no doubt, but I always thought the team was more effective with Sutton and larsson in tandem than it ever was when Hartson played.
I’d also go for Agathe, even in a 4 4 2, at right back ahead of Hinkel, and although Lubo was nearing the end of his career by the time the decade started, would have to include him ahead of aiden, who to be frank, I don’t think has done a great deal to merit inclusion in any team of the decade.
It is a bit depressing that of our current side, only Boruc (unquestionably), Aiden (possibly), & Hinkel (another possible) are getting mentioned by most guys as contenders for a team of the decade, with most of our current squad not even being considered as contenders for a place on the bench.

By twists n turns
Can we get serious here, a team of the decade without Moravcik? Thats like a list of the best singers of the 70’s without Leo Sayer.
Seriously, Lubo is a MUST in my humble opinion.

By bambi
Have to agree with the majority of posts on the subject, Sutton every time for me. He was without doubt the best big man I’ve ever seen in the hoops. Absolutely loved his celebration and his hunskelping tendencies. There fore
Boruc
Agathe ( his pace was a major contribution to that teams success) Mjallby Balde McNamara
Lubo (most talented Celtic player I’ve seen) Lambert Petrov Thompson
Henrik (The best Celtic player I’ve ever seen) Sutton
Subs: McGeady Lennon Hartson
Valgaeren

By tonybananas
Might as well chip in. Based on players who produced the goods when it mattered -
Boruc
McNamara Stubbs Mjallby
Petrov Lennon Thompson Moravcik Nakamura
Larsson Sutton

SUBS Balde, Lambert, McGeady
Hartson, Bellamy

I went for 3 at the back, simply because this is where we have had fewer outstanding players over the last decade. Which is strange when you consider the laptop loyal have been accusing us of grinding out boring wins based on solid defence throughout this time, particularly under MON.
You went for Bobo and I went for Stubbs. I just think Stubbs was a better allround player. A good defender who could also pass. Bobo was a colossus but sometimes a bit of a bombscare with the ball at his feet.
I went for Petrov over McGeady. I think Aiden is possibly our best player at the moment but I don’t think his achievements match Petrov (outstanding for at least 4 seasons in a row), Naka (free kicks against Man U and to win the league etc), Thompson (goals against Liverpool, Stuttgart, Bayern, Huns etc), Lubo (simply world class magician), Lennon (absolute rock of midfield for 4 or 5 seasons).
Sutton ahead of Hartson because Sutton was that bit more versatile but not much in it. And as someone said earlier his GIRFUY celebration! Oh, and also because of his interview at Rugby Park when he said what most of Scotland was thinking but was pilloried for it.

By saint stivs fp
My team of the decade for what its worth ... Our current goalkeeper, plus the starting 10 outfield players at Seville
Boruc
Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren, Agathe, Petrov, Lennon Lambert (Capt.)Thompson,
Larsson Sutton
Simples.
Subs : Lubo, Naka, Hartson, McNamara and McGeady (just).
Hunskelpers one and all.
Unfortunately none of the rest of our current bhoys gets anywhere near my top 50 players for the last 10 years.

By Auldheid
In Goal: Larsson
Back Four: Larsson,Lubo,Larsson, Lubo
Midfield: Lubo Larsson Larsson Lubo
Up Front Larsson Larsson.
or
Boruc
Agathe Balde Mjalby Boyd
Petrov ,Lambert,Lennon,Lubo
Larsson, Hartson
Och any team as long as Larssson and Lubo are in it.
The goalkeeping position over the last decade(Boruc excluded Thankfully) mirrors our centre back position at the moment? Not to much to pick from!!

By Oglach
Boruc
Agathe Balde Mjalby Boyd
Petrov ,Lambert,Lennon,Lubo
Larsson, Sutton.

Subs Aiden, Hinkel,Hartson.
No reserve keeper as everyone was total dross prior to the coming of THG. Chris the Hun skelper gets the nod over BBJ due to his being able to play in defense or attack. I believe that Ghod and the Hun Skelper were a better pairing up front, that and the fact he said he had come to Celtic to put TFOD back in their place

By Exiled Hoop In Yorkshire
I’d have Naka, Thommo and definitely Lubo ahead of McGeady for either of the wide berths. My only dilemma is having to leave one of that 3 out.
As it is I’m going to go with Naka just ahead of Thommo, as with better players around him he’d flourish even more. Thommo gives steel but my side isn’t short of that so I think can afford the talents of both Naka and Lubo. Both born entertainers with vision and so much ability. And imagine the supply to the front two! There would also be a bun fight for every direct free kick.
I’m fully in the camp of those backing Sutton and Lambert too, for the same reasons already plentiful.
Team of the Decade:
442
Boruc
Agathe Balde Mjallby Boyd
Naka Lambert Petrov Lubo
Larsson Sutton
Subs: Marshall, McNamara, McGeady, Thompson, Hartson