ITK - Aidan McGeady / Robbie Keane

[Clydey]

13/07/2006 Celtic played against DC United attendance 15 thousand, Chelsea played there 31 thousand and the stadium hold 56 thousand. They play Real Madrid at another stadium ,attendance 66k
15/07/2007 Celtic against Chivas of Guadalajara 17 thousand same stadium
20/07/2006 Celtic played the New England revolution, attendance 16 thousand stadium capacity 68 thousand
20/07/2007 v MLS attendance 18k stadium hold 18k
22/7/2007 Celtic Chicago fire attendance 16 thousand stadium capacity 20 thousand.
So in those five games there were 218 thousand tickets available, they sold 66 thousand. Yes they have a massive following but even Fulham got a gate of 23 thousand.

Football will never take off in the USA becuase the yanks arent interested.No comerical breaks every 5 minutes,means no money from sponsors.let alone the concept of a draw is alien to your average American.The Mls is far behind The NHL,let alonethe NBA and NFL.
Its an immigrant sport that all i heard when i lived in Dallas.

Id have Mcgeady for 6 million, but then again,i have see him play in the flesh you havent.Swop him for Keano never!

Erm, I have seen him play in the flesh. I live near Glasgow. What on earth would cause you to state that I haven't been to a Celtic game?

 

[C0YS]

:think:

so this guy speaks to someone who is linked with Rangers and says Robbies going to Celtic. Thats like someone who is linked with arsenal saying I think that there is gonna be a swap deal for jenas and nakamura, this person who has conection with rangers says things involving Celtic, that makes no sence

 

[mkkid]

Erm, I have seen him play in the flesh. I live near Glasgow. What on earth would cause you to state that I haven't been to a Celtic game?

because if dont think he worth more than 3 million.if S Brown is worth 4 million and players that can play on the left are like gold dust.

 

[Clydey]

because if dont think he worth more than 3 million.if S Brown is worth 4 million and players that can play on the left are like gold dust.

Scott Brown has had a poor season. Personally, I think it had a lot to do with playing alongside Donati, who has been shocking.

Everyone knows how good Brown is. He's shown it at international level too. McGeady has disappointed against the best teams.

 

[mkkid]

You what they Rangers fans say K Thomson,twice the player half the price!

 

[pagevee]

Football will never take off in the USA becuase the yanks arent interested.No comerical breaks every 5 minutes,means no money from sponsors.let alone the concept of a draw is alien to your average American.The Mls is far behind The NHL,let alonethe NBA and NFL.
Its an immigrant sport that all i heard when i lived in Dallas.

However, the amount of kids playing soccer at the youth levels are massive. The MLS and other pro soccer clubs are young and growing. The local club here only started up in the mid 90s. A draw is an unfamiliar term for us, however, until the early 90s a tie/draw was still counted in College and Pro Football over here. The sponsors/networks decided it wasn't exciting enough and/or definitive enough of a result.

The part of soccer/football americans are unfamiliar with is the point system and relegation system of European football. The MLS playoff is a joke and the lack of relegation/promotion etc with the USL Div I and II is a joke. Too bad there are not enough professional clubs throughout the country yet to make that a reality. Hopefully that will change within the next 5 years with the MLS and USL divisions expanding. Also, the increase in coverage on Fox Soccer Channel on cable and satellite increases the popularity of the sport when watching Champions League, UEFA Cup, and EPL matches.

The MLS will remain behind American football, basketball, and MLB for at least 20 years. You seem to be giving the NHL too much credit however. The majority of the country does not watch/support hockey at the youth or professional level. The parts of the country (Northeast and midwest) that do support hockey and fanatics about it. I don't know when you where in Dallas but the NHL has slid big-time since they went on strike for an entire season. At the end of that season, the majority of my friends commented on how much they didn't even miss/notice the NHL strike (only one friend noticed/cared). The average US fan doesn't appreciate a millionare bitching about wages. ESPN hasn't even covered much this year until the playoffs started a little while ago. Come to think about it. I don't even know if they are over or who won...

Just to clarify my position, I used to live in Minnesota, which along with Massachusetts, is the largest fanbase for Hockey. Too bad the NorthStars were moved to Dallas by the owners. The Dallas Stars can rot as an organization for all I care. I now only look at the NHL scores to see if the Stars have lost. It makes me happy still 10 years later
And I still just can't get motivated to cheer for the Minnesota Wild on a consistent basis. Unfortunate the direction that league is heading.

 

[DC_Boy]

I know next to nowt about US Soccer - but surely the fact that the MLS exists and has continued to exist for what 10 years or more now - proves beyond doubt that football has taken off in the States - if there's a professional league for summat it exists - it's obvious to me - but hey what do I know?

 

[The Apprentice]

I'd swap Robbie Keane for a ham sandwich.

 

[muffwah]

As I said on COYS shortly before they banned me (that's censorship for you) this smacks of bullshit. He isn't going anywhere.

 

[mkkid]

However, the amount of kids playing soccer at the youth levels are massive. The MLS and other pro soccer clubs are young and growing. The local club here only started up in the mid 90s. A draw is an unfamiliar term for us, however, until the early 90s a tie/draw was still counted in College and Pro Football over here. The sponsors/networks decided it wasn't exciting enough and/or definitive enough of a result.

The part of soccer/football americans are unfamiliar with is the point system and relegation system of European football. The MLS playoff is a joke and the lack of relegation/promotion etc with the USL Div I and II is a joke. Too bad there are not enough professional clubs throughout the country yet to make that a reality. Hopefully that will change within the next 5 years with the MLS and USL divisions expanding. Also, the increase in coverage on Fox Soccer Channel on cable and satellite increases the popularity of the sport when watching Champions League, UEFA Cup, and EPL matches.

The MLS will remain behind American football, basketball, and MLB for at least 20 years. You seem to be giving the NHL too much credit however. The majority of the country does not watch/support hockey at the youth or professional level. The parts of the country (Northeast and midwest) that do support hockey and fanatics about it. I don't know when you where in Dallas but the NHL has slid big-time since they went on strike for an entire season. At the end of that season, the majority of my friends commented on how much they didn't even miss/notice the NHL strike (only one friend noticed/cared). The average US fan doesn't appreciate a millionare bitching about wages. ESPN hasn't even covered much this year until the playoffs started a little while ago. Come to think about it. I don't even know if they are over or who won...

Just to clarify my position, I used to live in Minnesota, which along with Massachusetts, is the largest fanbase for Hockey. Too bad the NorthStars were moved to Dallas by the owners. The Dallas Stars can rot as an organization for all I care. I now only look at the NHL scores to see if the Stars have lost. It makes me happy still 10 years later
And I still just can't get motivated to cheer for the Minnesota Wild on a consistent basis. Unfortunate the direction that league is heading.

Probably showing my basis there,i love I Ice hockey,i use play it until i was 34.I use to live in River oaks near fort worth.
Its great here,you can now watch hours of Hockey,much to wife annoyance! I love the playoffs and thank god for sky+
One day the Rangers ,will win the Stanley cup again,they have to win game 4 tonight against the penguins.
I still love my hockey,the strike did put hockey back but im sure they had the same problem in baseball,when i was there.
As for the MlS,your in a better situation than me, to talk about IT!

 

[Clydey]

You what they Rangers fans say K Thomson,twice the player half the price!

Put it this way, Scott Brown is a first pick for Scotland. I can't remember if Thomson has even been capped. There's a reason everyone wanted Brown ahead of Thomson. One bad season does not make a bad player. Nakamura has had a rotten season, too.

 

[SpurSince57]

As I said on COYS shortly before they banned me (that's censorship for you) this smacks of bullshit. He isn't going anywhere.

I can't think of a single instance in which this type of 'ITK' (I was lunching with a club director/agent, I work at the Stock Exchange/Hatton Garden, etc) has turned out to be correct. Whilst we're asked to accept that information has been posted in good faith (and where people like BEN and Archibald are concerned that's fine), I don't see why this shouldn't be pointed out.

 

[Bill_Oddie]

I watch McGeady every week and he is absurdly overrated. He's a one trick pony and has proven himself to be out of his depth in the Champions League.

I'd love Robbie Keane at Celtic, but I'd hate for Spurs to be landed with McGeady. He's another Liam Miller, quite frankly.

McGeady is no good, he is not a good player to buy, no way fellow irish man or not we have to get better players in than him

McGeady has disappointed against the best teams.

Very interesting comments. I have seenMcGeady play once. He looked pretty good. However, I have some quasi-ITK of my own on this. It'd be interesting to see what you boys think of it...


Last night, I was sharing a few beers with a mate in my footy team. He used to be on the books at Hibernian. His best mate back home plays for Partick Thistle. This mate told him that McGeady had walked not only the Young Player of the Year award in Scotland but the Players Player before he did. It was his contention that McGeady was quite simply the most impossible player to play against. He would either totally surprise you or - worse - you'd know exactly what he was about to do, but get absolutely nowhere near him. He said that McGeady was the best player he's ever faced in the SPL.

However, lest we get excited about him coming to the Lane, he also said that McGeady has told him personally that he does not want to leave Parkhead. He also stated his opinion that if McGeady is sold that the Celtic fans will go apeshit and force out WGS, not to mention barrack the board. Regardless of the cash involved.


COmpletely off topic, but another interesting tidbit for Old Firm-ites was the news that Barry Ferguson has recently had his 25th cortisone injection of the season (when he was rested against Partick after their UEFA Quarter Final). One more in the near future and he'll have to hang up his boots. Basically, he's fucked and will be lucky to play any kind of role for the blue-noses next season.

Obviously, given the Ledders situation, I'd take this knid of news with as many salt pinches as your fingers allow, but thought it was interesting enough to share. :up:

 

[Dougal]

There's no doubt that McGeady has ability. He was teaching the Brazilians a few tricks when they were in Ireland a couple of months back. I'm just not convinced he is quite good enough. I don't know why, I've heard nothing but good things in the last year.

 

[mkkid]

Put it this way, Scott Brown is a first pick for Scotland. I can't remember if Thomson has even been capped. There's a reason everyone wanted Brown ahead of Thomson. One bad season does not make a bad player. Nakamura has had a rotten season, too.

As i said m8,watch him last night twice the player half the price and D Fletcher and C Dailly,K Miller plays for scotland and that says it all!

 

[Bill_Oddie]

Sorry, but come on. 3 years ago, fine. Have a pop at the Jocks, but they've got some fine, fine young players now. One of whom plays RB for us and is likely to be our best player in that position for years.

I really am going to have to start watching Scottish footy next season as I bet there are plenty of the top players who are better than many of their English equivalents.

 

[mkkid]

There only 4 posters on this board,who regularly praise The spl and im one of them!
I was praising Hutton before he broke his leg on this board and people,took the piss,we could have bought him for 250k,under Le guen.
Look out for S Smith,if he can get fit what a player he`ll be.

 

[Bill_Oddie]

Fair dos. I don't think anything else you've said is off the mark, I just think listing Fletcher, Dailly et al is a somewhat cheap shot (are they really worse than some of Englands players in the past 10-15 years?). :wink:

You really think McGeady isn't good enough for Spurs? My mate is adamant he's quality. I trust his judgement as he's a big Celtic fan and as an ex-Hibs man, he's played the game and knows his onions. Mind you, he was also telling me that Cudicini was probably the 2nd best keeper in the EPL so he has his moments.

 

[sloth]

i have the misfortune to watch a lot of Scottish football and i can tell you the standard, outside of the old firm, is about League One. As a result the players at Celtic and Rangers are rarely tested and so while there might be some good youngsters in those teams they don't develop properly because they don't have the back-drop to develop against.

The style of football in Scotland doesn't help either. It's all blood and thunder, the tackles are often like something out of the 1970s and the refereeing is far more lenient. This again leads to their being a premium on clever, skillfull football, with the most required traits, old-fashioned stamina, bloody-mindedness and strength.

There are of course the diamonds, but when you watch it you can't help think that they seem to sparkle so much because of the dross around them.

 

[AngerManagement]

If we are going to raid one of the Scottish clubs again why not Carlos Cuellar at Rangers?

He and Woodgate could help make us more solid and if King was fit we would have 3 to choose from. Plus an extra experienced head to help with the developement of our young prospects in that postion