Emilio Izaguirre

Crow the Tim is saying on twitter that Rodgers wants to offer Izzy a new contract. He has quotes from Rodgers but not sure where he's sourced them from.

Edit: Scratch that - http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport...odgers_won__39_t_stand_in_way_of_Celtic_exit/

Northern Irishman has explained his continued hopes of keeping Honduran left-back Emilio Izaguirre as well as Sweden international right-back Mikael Lustig.

Izaguirre has fallen out of favour over the last year due to the emerging talent that is of course Kieran Tierney, however he has impressed recently with the young teenager ruled out through injury with ankle ligament damage.

His deal is up at the end of the season, along with fellow full-back Lustig, who has been a constant and consistent performer in green and white since he first arrived in Glasgow in 2012.

"When I came in there was maybe a general perception that he [Izaguirre] would go, but I spoke to him and I felt that he had a role to play,” said Rodgers.

"I think he has done extremely well. Kieran is a special talent, but Emilio came in and did very well for us in a tough run of games.

"I like Emilio - he's very robust.

"He trains every day, he works hard and is very professional and if I have Kieran and Emilio as starter and cover player then I'd be happy. We'll talk more on that between now and the end of the season."

Speaking of Lustig, the Celtic manager added: "He gives his all and is up for every game - and just as importantly every training session.

"He lives his life a well and has good focus now that he's been at Celtic for a few years.

"Obviously it has to be right for him and the club but I'd be hopeful we could organise that."

 

1 year deal.

 

Emilio Izaguirre – The Long Goodbye

When Gordon Strachan was drafted in to replace the outgoing Martin O’Neill, two things were made abundantly clear; players that had amassed a huge amount of fan loyalty and respect would no longer be adhered to with quite so much deference and the often utilised 3-5-2 formation would be swiftly discarded. This reversion back to the much more common 4-4-2 signalled the need for something that had not been required for a number of years – conventional fullbacks. This proved to be an area of concern for what seemed an eternity. The right-hand side proved to be the more stable of the two with players like Marc Wilson, Andreas Hinkel, Adam Matthews and more recently Mikael Lustig all deputising to great effect. The left-hand side, however, proved much more problematic (with the exception of Lee Naylor); a revolving door of Ross Wallace, Mo Camara and Danny Fox all came and went without creating a seismic impact. Things degenerated so much that by the time Neil Lennon’s tenure begun, the criminally underrated Joe Ledley, a box-to-box midfielder, was often forced to deputise.

This perpetual woe was finally broken on the 18th August 2010, with the acquisition of one Emilio Arturo Izaguirre Girón – Izzy to you and me. The decision to spend the modest fee of just £580,000, on the back of the 2010 World Cup, will go down as one of the shrewdest pieces of business conducted by the club in recent years. The Honduran’s debut campaign was a sight to behold. At times Izaguirre managed to singlehandedly occupy the entire flank through a combination of athleticism, aggression, intelligence and technical prowess. Domestically at least, it was not fanciful to make comparisons with Barcelona’s Dani Alves

Shining brightest in a team that at times illuminated the country, Izzy, and his teammates were to be left aghast as their 92 points would only be good enough to secure a runners-up berth. Winning both the PFA and SFWA player of the year would have provided scant consolidation for the compact fullback. Despite the demoralising conclusion to the league season, many fans were imbibed with a renewed sense of optimism; Fraser Forster was a soothing presence in goal, Scott Brown was maturing in his role as captain, a midfield of Ledley and Ki was as cultured as it was strong, while Gary Hooper plundered the net with a reckless abandon. Despite all this, it was the presence of Izaguirre that stoked the embers of hope the most. This was a feeling exacerbated by the continuous rumours linking him with a big money move south of the border –Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool reported to be the most smitten of admirers. The ability to hold on to such a gifted player was just as uplifting as the team’s performances.

Sadly, Izaguirre would suffer a nasty fractured ankle in the 1-0 win over Aberdeen in the embryonic stage of the 2011-12 season. In the Honduran’s absence, the Hoops struggled, at one point trailing Rangers by a 15-point margin. Things deteriorated so badly that Rangers striker Jelavic, referencing the league title in early November, said, “the 12-point lead we have over Celtic should be enough…”.

It wasn’t.

By the time calendars read 2012 Celtic were sitting pretty atop the league table. Neil Lennon’s men went on to win the league, with the Honduran making a welcome return, to deafening cries of “tainted title” that were as numerous as they were off the mark, following the SFA’s decision to deduct points from Rangers following their liquidation.

The following season proved to be one to remember; winning a league and cup double and making the wholly unexpected voyage into the last 16 of the Champions League. Izzy formed an unshakable pairing with Charlie Mulgrew down Celtic’s left-hand side. Izaguirre’s dynamism made up for the deficiencies in Mulgrew’s game, whilst also allowing the rangy utility man to tuck inside and bolster the midfield. It was a ploy that was routinely effective as the Hoops racked up an astounding 10 points.

When you go to see a Denzel Washington film you know exactly what you are going to get, dependable, high-calibre, no-frills action. And for the latter half of Izzy’s time at Celtic this is what we have come to expect from the Honduran. Despite racking up over 200 appearances for the club and winning a combined 9 trophies, it may prove to be the case that Izaguirre is remembered as much for his off-field contributions as any of his on-field ones. The instructive hand he has placed on the shoulder of the prodigious young Kieran Tierney will no doubt prove invaluable in helping to mould a player capable of representing the Hoops for the best part of the next two decades.







Tierney has acknowledged the importance of Izaguirre’s advice saying, “He has definitely been one of the most encouraging of the players. When I was just starting to train with the first team last season he took me under his wing, gave me a lot of tips and worked a lot with me on crossing. All that helped me progress.”

Watching Tierney improve exponentially must have been difficult on some level for Izzy, knowing that his own time as the undisputed left-back would be swiftly concluding. As we have seen countless times, with countless players, the prospect of facing your own vocational mortality is something that has driven folk into behaving in less than chivalrous manners. Fortunately for Tierney and the club as a whole, Izzy is made of a stronger moral fibre. Tierney confirmed as much when he said, “He’s a great player, a great guy and has been a good servant to the club”.

The manner in which he has filled in for his injury-stricken replacement this season has demonstrated once and for all just how valuable he has been. Without his presence either a major reshuffling of the pack, or a complete change in philosophy would have been required – something that would have severely smeared the pristine start to Rodgers’ tenure.

As the Bhoys return from Dubai, hopefully fully revitalised and ready to complete the long-desired treble, there are a number of players whose futures remain unclear. Does Nir Bitton have the mobility and mentality to embed himself into the starting 11? Will Eboue deliver on the much-hyped promise? And most intriguing, will Izaguirre commit himself to another Parkhead contract armed with the knowledge that his playing time will be limited?

Rodgers, when pressed if he would like to retain both of the talented left-backs, said, “That’s the idea. We need to have the competition. We have one with experience and one with youthfulness. So, it is the perfect balance. “

Personally, I would love to see Izaguirre commit to one more contract extension. The task of finding a defender as talented, who is accepting of such a reduced role, would push Celtic’s, admittedly strong, scouting system to its limits. However, should Izzy wish to venture off into distant climes in the attempt to extract every last ounce of a career that is now firmly in its autumnal stage, it would be rather churlish of us to deny him the opportunity. His quality and length of service should guarantee him a warm parting.

Years from now when we reflect on the career of Emilio Izaguirre I would hazard a guess that he would fall into the ‘cult-classic’ category. A lengthy career of pace, technique, astute positional awareness (that has been found wanting in many other defensive recruits) and a real winning mentality, that was protected and perhaps even enhanced with a real aggressive nature, blended to make one of the most consistent performers we have witnessed this decade.

Despite all this, I, and a plethora of other fans out there, will be forever irked by the question; just how good could he have been without that debilitating ankle break?


http://celtsarehere.com/izzy-celtic-transfer/

 

@PaulM1888 said they wouldn't be running on sand dunes tied to camels.

Seems like his contacts are drying up.

 

I agree with a lot of that.

Astute positional awareness though? Methinks not, the positional awareness was left to people like Ledley and Broony covering for him while Izzy done what he does best marauding up the field.

He will go down in Celtic history as a cult hero, a very good player too but mostly as a cult hero.

I hope he signs a new deal.

 

Keep Izzy.

 

a new 1 year is expected apparently.

 

Wednesday's in for him apparently.

 

I'd be quite happy to keep him as long as he understands that he's n.2 to Tierney in the LB position. He's a good back-up to have

 

Both, unless they go into aministliquidation

 

aministliquidation My new Sevco word invention. Heading over to the thread to use it.

 

Not right should be adminiquidation

 

Emilio Izaguirre on his love for Celtic after marking his 250th game for the club
IN a series of recent landmarks for Celtic one understandably passed most people by in the delirium of the Hogmanay win at Ibrox.

This was the day when Emilio Izaguirre, a player who seemed so certain to leave last summer, chalked up his 250th appearance for the club he joined six-and-a-half years ago now. There won’t be too many foreign players who can boast more appearances. Certainly no other Hondurans.

The left-back has been through a lot. There have been plenty of good times, he was Player of the Year in his first season, many medals have been one, but there has also been a bad ankle break and then the emergence of Kieran Tierney, which appeared to signal the end of his time in Glasgow.

Indeed, last season at Perth, in one of the final games, he threw his jersey into the crowd. By all means it looked like a farewell.

Who could have blamed him? Tierney proved himself the real deal and what experienced international wants to sit on the sideline, hoping his rusty body gets a brief run out here and there, while the new star shines in his position?

Izaguirre decided to stick it out. Not only that, he dedicated himself to helping his young apprentice; Tierney has never been slow to sing the praises of the man’s how place he took. This does not happen all the time.

Then the teenager got an injury himself, old faithful was brought back in and he has served his team well. There were low moments against Barcelona, he gave away a penalty, and he didn’t last to half-time at Fir Park having been given a run around by Motherwell winger Chris Cadden.

However, his form really picked up and after an unconvincing start to the Rangers game, this familiar old face went on to have a superb game. He hopes there will be many more to come.

“Celtic is a big part of my life,” he said. “My family and I will always be supporters of the club. * and Celtic gave me the opportunity to play for a big club, and the supporters and everything around Celtic is a blessing for me.

“My 250th appearance in the win at Ibrox was a blessing as well. I say thank you to Celtic and the supporters for always backing me and to get 250 appearances for Celtic is great.

“I will always try my best for the club. You’ll never forget these moments. I’ll never in my life forget that I played a few times at Ibrox and won twice.”

But even the most professional player, and nobody can doubt this man’s dedication, must wonder what to do when some young whipper snapper comes from nowhere and takes his place.

Too many would kick up a stink. However, it is hard to imagine such a polite and quietly spoken individual banging down any manager’s door.

“I work hard but if you don’t play, there’s no drama,” said Izaguirre when speaking to this week’s Celtic View. “I’m a professional footballer and I know the situation can change tomorrow. When you have the opportunity you have to show your best.



“We play for the same team and when he plays I still support the team.”

Brendan Rodgers has even spoken about offering the 30-year-old a new deal. Given he would be such a willing and reliable understudy to Tierney, who is due back over the next few weeks, then it makes a lot of sense.

“The best moments have been winning” he said when looking back at what he’s achieved. “We want to give the fans happiness. Winning trophies has been a blessing for me and I want more, and I’ll keep working every day to get that.

“The next trophy we win will be my tenth at Celtic and I’m looking forward to it. I always need to focus on why I’m doing it. My dream was always to play for a good club and a big club in the Champions League.

“I love Celtic because of the opportunity they gave me. I’m not looking to the future, I’m just looking at it every day.”

 

Great stuff. As cliché as it sounds, he's
been a fantastic servant to Celtic.

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/talkingbaws/status/826174938105024513/video/1

 

He really has, I wouldn't mind seeing him stay here for a while yet, judging by his engine he could play well into his mid 30's.

People slate his crossing and positional play but the thing I've always liked about him is his willingness to receive the ball even against CL opposition who press constantly. He never hides on the pitch.

 

He * loves Celtic and its class to see!!!!

Rare for a player to be so loyal these days, he's not daft he knows he's behind KT but if he's happy to be a squad player....Absolutely we should give him a new contract IMO.