In the time I’ve been writing blogs, I’ve never, not once, called out a player before I’ve seen him play a match for the club, but this time I’m willing to make an exception.
Colin Kazim Richards ought never to pull on a Celtic shirt, and if he does I am appalled at everyone inside Parkhead who sanctioned the deal.
For one thing, his career stats do not inspire optimism. He’s not someone you’d bet on first goal scorer on Betfred.
For a striker, at 29, to have scored less than a hundred career goals makes his signing an absurdity.
For him to have scored less goals than Leigh Griffiths has in a Celtic shirt speaks volumes.
But even if he were ten times as prolific, I wouldn’t want him near Parkhead.
This guy has brought trouble with him everywhere he’s played.
He’s currently serving a ban in Holland for threatening a journalist; his signing comes days after this site, Fields and a host of others were banging the drum loudly in praise of journalistic freedom.
To say that’s an own goal, and a PR disaster in the making, is an understatement.
But it gets worse.
At Brighton he submitted a transfer request after being left out of one game.
At Fenerbahce, he left under a very big cloud after lying to the club about his whereabouts when he hit the town for a piss up whilst under a four game ban and then denied it, causing the club enormous embarrassment when they published those denials in a press release.
His antics at Feynoord are well known; after objecting to an article written about his performances he told the writer that he was “waiting outside” and that he would “put him to sleep.”
If he thinks the press in Holland was negative wait until he appears in the cross-hairs of Hugh Keevins and Chris “Union” Jack.
It’s unconscionable for Celtic to be trying to sign such a renowned trouble maker.
And it’s even worse than that.
In April 2014, he made football history in the UK by becoming the first ever player to be convicted, in court, of making a homophobic gesture to rival fans.
The words “more trouble than he’s worth” come to mind, but it goes beyond just getting a truckload of grief for what I suspect will be a minimal return at best.
What’s our reputation as a club worth, for God’s sake?
What price do people inside the walls place on our dignity and our social standing?
On the evidence of this, none.
Not only that, but as his career headlines make plain this guy will be a troublesome influence in the dressing room and probably incite problems in the stands, something he did at Fenerbahce by having a very public spat with his own supporters.
Is this the kind of guy we want at Celtic Park?
The people running our club … sometimes they show the starkest signs that they simply don’t get where we, the fans, are coming from.
At other times it looks as if they know full well and just choose to treat our wishes and views with utter contempt.
Dare I say this looks more like the latter?
In the meantime, Nadir Ciftci is on the way out on loan, a player who offered practically no sign at all during his time at the club as to why he was “the first choice” of the manager in the summer. Whoever sanctions deals like that, and like this one, ought to be the first out the door at Celtic Park.
Disillusionment is total today.
Our club is mired in mediocrity and we’re about to heap shame on it.
Interesting read. I heard much of the same said about Griffiths when he signed.
My thoughts exactly…give him a chance ffs
Leigh Griffiths sang a daft song in the pub. He’s matured since and regrets it. This guy is 29 years old and seems to get worse as he goes on. A thug and a homophobe. Is this really what we want at Celtic Park?
Nope!
Please God this is Deila’s playing one last joke on fans before he quitts..
I am inclined to wonder if this is his decision. I don’t usually buy into all the “the manager isn’t the one signing players” stuff, but this just makes no sense at all, at any level.
I can’t fathom who would have sanctioned this, or why.
I hope you are right
did he not also get investigated for social media comments (racists tweets) while at wolverhampton , and it wasnt just a song it was deemed a racist song. I was against the griffiths signing but if he behaves himself i’ll give him the same benefit of doubt that Kazim Richards deserves , you cant say its okay for griffiths to have just sung a song (in a pub) and hang Richards for the same sort of stuff . Give a fair chance .
james, leigh griffiths sang a song in a pub , also had a running fight with his own fans at murrayfield after the legia game , and if you noticed the halftime warm-up he walked about with a ball up his shirt in a huff. Not to mention the racist tweet while at wolverhampton , and im sure he was withdrawn from a squad going to perth “injured” after having a running twitter battle with fans while traveling to game last season . So it wasnt just one instance , but I’m hoping he has learned his lesson but I suspect if hes left out or playing poorly his attitude might return , please as fellow celt make it clear to the club that richards must mend his ways or he wont be here long rather than hang him before he starts!
Leigh griffiiths attacked a team mate last week?? Matured!? Na
That was after he came to Celtic, he done a lot worse before he signed, but yeah, he’s got the head down and improved under Calamity Ron.
Also, do you not know what Daila is all about ? Have you not looked into his background and saw his philosophy, he targets the rag-tag, vagabond, wayward players who have shown past glory and promise, he tries to coax the good back out while helping to suppress the bad bits, it what he is most proud of.
But IMO, he still can’t change it when things go bad during a game (red card etc) and it would be a real gamble if he were to be here at the CL qualifiers.
Welcome to Celtic Kazim, now get the head down, and name ae yer shite ma lad.
That’s just the player we need we need a nutter to show the worst team I’ve watched in 39 years county could have scored 10 get rid off Gordon know he is getting worse every game
You will never be a top team in europe if you dont learn to defend a lead, celtic leave to much space for teams to exploit because they are caught out time after time with the counter attack, sit back and bide your time, the other team has to score, its not bloody rocket science its just good old fashioned common sense, if we hit them on the counter attack it would make life a helluva lot easier, look at europe, 2 goals up and still get beaten, why, because they dont appreciate that to win games, you have to defend your lead
The guy would achieve demi God status at the tribute act across the city! Not Celtic class in attitude or ability
Well for one he’s not a striker so probably shouldn’t be judged on goals. He likes to cut in from the wings and, despite his off field issues, is more talented than what we’ve got in that department.
Were a shambles just now Bhoys and Ghirls, even before yesterday’s embarrassment.!!
Franco spot on were a disgrace fk help us in Europe next year if we even get there. I dispair HH
Been saying it for months pal. It’s a good job rankers didn’t get promoted last season as they would be on our tails already
Is that the issue? I already said if he was ten times as prolific this would still be a dreadful idea and a diabolical signing. This is about more than what he brings on the pitch. This is about attitude and example and our social standing as a club.
So he doesn’t deserve a chance to redeem his character? If he’s willing to be contrite then he’s definitely worth the gamble imo.
I blame only 2 people for all that’s going on at Celtic Park , Ronnie Deila and Peter Lawell , forget Richards, any manager who thinks Efe Ambrose is not an accident waiting to happen in every game had no place running our football club. Seriously why did we get rid of Tony Watt ? I’ll bet it was no where near the reasons of what Richards has done in the past. Lawell has to sanction these buys so who’s doing the homework. Let’s look st some of the more recent transfer debacles, Cifti, amido balde, skepovic, boyata, Scott Alan (this one really baffles me he never plays) boerigta, and so on. All these transfers Maybe with the exception of Scott Alan who seems to have something to offer but as I said never gets a game is a poor reflection on these two guys. Deila has to go, Lawell needs to read up on his job description. And if we don’t start turning the corner quickly European nights will become a thing of the past.
give the guy a chance. its a move like this that could be benificial to both parties.he couldnt do any worse than what was on the park at Hampden on Sunday.
I don’t care if he’s Cristiano Ronaldo. What part of this isn’t clear?
Is this the kind of character you want at Celtic? A 29 year old ned?
Seriously?
His behaviour his lack of committment to any club he has played for tells you everything you need to know. A journeyman at best Is this the standard our so called manager and guardians think will improve our squad or get fans excited. Dont think so.
You have hung , drawn & quartered him without conviction [whilst in Celtic’s employment] or trial . Innocent until proved guilty . James , I enjoy reading your posts but I hope you’re wrong with this one .
What the fuck are you talking about “without conviction”?
HE HAS A CONVICTION. FOR HOMOPHOBIC ABUSE. HE HAD A TRIAL AND EVERYTHING.
What is a homophobic gesture? (seriously)
Ok, silly question, my apologies. Regarding this possible transfer, I would give this lad a miss also. At 29 if you are still causing trouble than you have to wonder whether this fella is able to change his attitude. Interseting to see that the living dead have had a bid accepted for Michael Francis O’Halloran. Good player imo. I am sure he will be adored by the all inclusive sevvy support!
fair point about Griffiths …………..although this guy at 29 seems sh!te with less goals than Griffiths in a Celtic shirt…………so he does sound like a bad buy imo.
Dont think we need him anyway, waste of space as far as im concerned, we have an abundance of attacking midfielders at the club.
Were a shambles just now Bhoys, and that was before yesterday’s embarrassment
Celtic as a club that welcome’s those from every background, this is now at risk. Spot on James.
We are a football club , plain and simple
Boardroom full of Tories , ex chairman a war criminal
They’re all here to make money so your choice is wether you give them yours or not
Me?, couldn’t care less who wears the jersey as long as they produce the goods , the days where you felt affiliated to this club are well gone , sad but true
We are a football club plain and simple but you come on saying the end justifies the means, in other words according to you anything goes and you then go on to defame a good man by calling him a war criminal .maybe you could expand on that and give us details of where and when he was convicted of the crime you have stated.
30 goals since 2004 is good enough reason not to sign him.
While he should be given every chance to prove he has turned the corner, his goal scoring exploits leave a lot to be desired, I would prefer it to be somewhere other than Celtic Park. If we are to strengthen our attack, there must be a better alternative out there.
Turned the corner in what way? He’s 29. He’s not a kid.
18 months ago, he was in a courtroom. He learned so much from that experience Feynoord have let him go for threatening a journalist.
In the meantime, we let a genuine goalscorer, at least in the SPL, Anthony Stokes, go because of “attitude issues.”
Who the fuck is kidding who here?
Who the fuck is really running our club?
Are you for real? Stokes has been charged with assault (amongst his many misdemeanours) – I never heard your arguing he should be binned. Maybe you were to far up on the moral high ground for us mere mortals to hear.
Lol you never read the article I wrote on why Stokes was better off leaving?
Cause I said all that and more.
Oops. I missed that one. ????
Absolutely spot on, stokes sends an offensive tweet and is banished to Edinburgh and believe me this guy is average at best with an ego that doesn’t match is ability, a desperate signing off a manager who is clearly out of his depth, ffs Celtic do not sign this man another el hadj diouf in the making
Fair comment James! Sounds like another Shifty!
Not willing to give the guy a chance? Griffiths antics and behaviour were as bad as Kazim-Richards and don’t give me any bollocks about being younger. That’s a ridiculous excuse. He didn’t sing a daft song in a pub – he sang a racist song in public. Kazim-Richards suggested he was just having a bit of banter with fans from a former team with the homophobic gesture. I don’t buy that either.
Scott Brown lying pished on a pavement is hardly a great example either (not that I am judging or condemning him.
Point is – we all make mistakes but if we were judged on them for the rest of our lives, it would be s very harsh world.
Get over yourself and let’s see how it pans out
Griffiths screwed up ONCE in a boozer singing a daft song. And he WAS just a kid.
You can dress this up all you like. This signing is a PR catastrophe that damages our reputation.
I’ll make a prediction right now; this starts, and will end, the same way; in disgrace.
We will regret this 100 times before it’s over.
Just when I thought our club couldn’t go any further backwards we are close to signing this homophobic idiot, he’s not 18 he’s 29 and will never learn, we are a family club and all these principles would suggest we wouldn’t even allow this thug in to parkhead to vie the stadium, never mind let him pull on the jersey, I’m totally lost and to be honest sick to my stomach at the ongoings at parkhead on and off the field, I feel like I’ve lost a loved one, with that being sad it could be worse, I could have been born a blue.
Surely it is a new management team we need.look at the players Ronnie has signed then look at the tactics he comes up with for European football and the league he is out of his depth get him gone and bring somebody in whospital has a clue about tactics
Ronny’s not signing any of these players. This a transfer by committee, namely Park and Lawwell. Ludicrous and bonkers until you see who Kazim Richard’s agent is. Yes Lawwell must owe Dudu Dahan a favour.
I’m not going to comment on the guy’s personal shortcomings, they’re easy enough to see.
What I will comment on though, is the absolute ridiculousness of this transfer in business and PR terms (again not regarding his personality).
Why do we insist on bringing these guys in? We must have spent well in excess of £15m on this type of forward all the while a host of young laddies, some bought and some from our youth system, are watching from a distant field just that little bit more disenchanted and disillusioned with their efforts.
They might not have turned out World beaters, but when guys Simon Donnelly, Mark Burchill and Tony Watt were given their chances, was there not a massive buzz about the place? A thought and a hope for another bright young thing?
To sign another Bangura, another Brozek, it’s just a kick in the balls for the youth system and a very poor indictment on those running our club – do they even have a plan?
If this is what we’re going to do, if our so called plan is to spend money, hand over fist, on dross who’ve never made it or who will never make it, even in 15 years of trying, then hell, why not just scrap the youth academy and let Hibs, Dundee Utd and Hearts bring the young lads through.
At least they’ll get a chance.
The issues go deeper than just the personality and history of this guy, and you’re 100% right.
There are big problems at Parkhead right now. Bigger than I can remember since the days of the old board.
Winning the SPL won’t come close to hiding them.
The whole club stinks from the top down, we have an owner who doesn’t care, and a chief executive who has overseen the downsizing of our club during the last few years. I don’t believe the manager has any say in who we sign, its time for the fans to act, boycott the club till lawell and co resign, and Mr Desmond decides if he really cares about the club
Calm down James,we are ALL Celtic fans on your blog,not everyone will agree about everything,having said that i agree that we dont need trouble with this guy,heaven only knows what the manky mob would lap this up and chuck it in our faces,as you know any wee bit of crap they can get on us is big news eg the wee lassie that supposedly said something on facebook,as i said before.DONT give them any excuse to mar our great club and fans.
Agree brother.
Well said mate
I’m not so sure about the argument that his previous goal scoring record suggests he’s not good enough. Henrik had score 26 goals in four years for Feyenoord when he joined us. (I’m not comparing the players, merely pointing out that ‘scoring records’ are blunt instruments).
Nor do I think his age mitigates against him. 29 is hardly over the hill and for me represents a refreshing move away from the ‘moneyball’ mentality.
His behaviour is an issue. But let’s be optimistic and hope the boy can find redemption at Celtic Park.
This guy is as toxic, if not more so, than Diouf was when he signed for Rangers. The last 18 months has seen Celtic’s recruitment plummet to a total shambles. They are signing players unfit to wear the jersey. Loaning players out whom they’ve just signed, bringing in loans on the basis that if they’re at Man City, they must be good. The one good player they get they don’t give a game!
Any old nearly was out there, just get yourself up to Glasgow, they’re desperate.
James, totally agree with you on this one. I fear we are spiralling out of control under Ronnie, the high tempo, pressing game we were promised has gven way to gutless and shapeless football which threatens to drive fans away in numbers. Yesterday was 90 minutes of torture at Hampdump yesterday, our recruitment policy is showing no signs of halting the slide.