[Link] james mcfadden

Ah, so we aren't actually talking about if someone is religious or not?

Then yes, probably.

However, that wasn't the point you were first making. That is you bringing Nationality, then religion into it. Which backs up the point I'm making really.

 

As highlighted earlier, I adapted the question.

But just to be clear, if you had to choose between a Scottish player who had went to a Catholic school or a Scottish player who had attended a non-denominational school you would pick the 'Catholic' player?

 

Nope, I'd pick the player I liked better.

For example, I wanted Broony instead of Kevin Thomson while they were at Hibs, even though they were rated very similarly because I preferred his attitude.

 

Can I just ask, why are you so obssessed about bringing religion into this? I still think whether you are catholic, protestant, muslim, hindu or a * scientoligist it just doesn't matter who you worship.

 

Sorry, I'm misunderstanding this.

What is it that you answered: 'Then yes, probably' to, in your previous post?

 

That the majority of people in Catholic schools inside Scotland are probably Tims.

Why do you want this to be about religion? Still can't see how it relates, in anyway shape or form.

Infact if they were that * religious I wouldn't sign them, not wanting to work on the sabaath and all that would be pretty shocking in a football player

 

:smiley-laughing002:

Okay, I'll try to be as clear as I possibly can.

I think nationality is as important as religion when judging a Celtic player- completely irrelevant. But people seem to be arguing that nationality is relevant, and that there is a correlation that suggests Scottish players are more likely to succeed or understand what it means to play for Celtic (or however you want to word it), on the basis that they're surrounded by the 'culture' of Celtic. Now, given that there is an obvious correlation with religion and football teams in Scotland (whether we like or not), and given the logic highlighted above, surely it is then only reasonably to assume that those who follow that logic will think Scottish Catholics will be even more likely to be surrounded by Celtic (given that the facts and figures and all the historic links and connenctions etc). And yet, if someone was to suggest Celtic should be more inclined to sign Catholics as oppossed to Protestants, they would, quite rightly in my opinion, be told where to go and how that's irrelevant. Now why is nationality any different? It's ultimately the same logic.

I hope to * that makes sense! It's late and we've been talking about this * for ages! :smiley-laughing002:

 

I've explained about a million times why it's not the same logic and I can't be bothered explaining anymore.

Only thing I will say is there is a big reason why every single successful team in history have had a core group of players that know what the clubs all about; and there is a vey good reason for that.

 

I agree, but the Celtic team that played in Seville (for example) consisted of only two Scotsmen, so to suggest that nationality is relevant in that context, is misguided in my opinion.

 

McFadden fsfsfsfsfs geese peace

 

Paul Lambert, Jackie McNamara, Rab Douglas, Shuan Maloney were all in that team. Neil Lennon ticks all the boxes I'd previously mentioned, as did Stillian Petrov who signed at a young age so he'd grow into it.

All I'm saying is it's more likely for a Scottish person to be like that than it is someone from the Phillipines or something like that.

The Seville team were also amazingly talented and had a phenomenal attitude and that cost us a * of a lot of money to assemble.

It's not 100% but it's more likely the qualities that you want in the core of your team, are from the people who grew up knowing what is required at the club.

 

I don't think you're quite getting it.

The wider argument (at least my wider argument) is that the Celtic team at the moment, while packed with quality, could do with a few more 'leaders'. They are still a relatively young side, and the nature of youth is that you will get inconsistency.
We've seen it so many times this season. We lift our game to beat Barcelona, and complacency/inconsistency sets in and we drop more points domestically than we have in a long time.

The Seville team was packed with experienced players. Douglas, McNamara and Lambert (as Dev mentions) all had a great understanding of what it meant to play for Celtic, as a result of growing up in Scotland.

The likes of Lennon, Thompson, Sutton and Hartson all had a similar mentality. They'd all been involved in challenging for trophies and playing in relegation fights. Playing in the Premier League, playing in the lower Leagues and playing in Europe.
They were bought as much for their attitude and experience as for their talent on the pitch (maybe more so). To buy that mentality and experience, it cost upwards of £20m on 4 players.
Celtic just can't (or won't) do that nowadays.

The foreign players all grew into their role as established, experienced first team players. That took time. Mjallby, Petrov and Larsson had all been there a number of years, learning from the British & Irish lads to an extent.
The foreign players in our team might grow into that role in time.

In Strachan's time here, he leaned heavily on Scottish players who he knew could cope with the demands of Celtic. Caldwell, McManus, Pressley, Robson and Hartley. Some, as you say, didn't work out. Flood, Killen, Miller and Riordan failed because they were - essentially - not good enough.
Wilson was injured too often, and Brown was too young at that point, but we can now see how he's developed into that type of player.

The point is that buying 'leaders' who can help cut out complacency and inconsistency is expensive. Buying players to grow into the role takes time.

Scottish players often provide a 'quick fix'.

 

Absolutely bang on Kieran.


Except Chris Killen is as far from Scottish as you can get! He's a Kiwi

 

I know, but y'know what I meant

Played for City, Oldham, Hibs etc. Wasn't a 'foreign' player in those terms.

 

I know mate!

 

Like i have said a good few times now look at my posts did i just say scottish.... no i did not, clearly it's not just me seeing you have a wee agenda here, but i get the feeling it's like banging ma head against a brick wall so there is no point going on about it after this.

Also to the part with Caldwell and Big Mick you brought it up and it back fired to be fare, facts are they were at the heart of our defence when we done 3 in a row and the last 16 twice.