Could Celtic ban the Green Brigade for good? – Graeme McGarry
There has, for years now, been a narrative that the Celtic board are out of step and out of touch with their fans. The recent banning of the Green Brigade from matches seemed to have furthered that notion.
At least, that’s what members of that particular section of the Celtic support and their backers would contend. But at the club’s AGM, it seemed perhaps there is a growing number of fans who have had just about enough of the Green Brigade and the baggage that comes with them, suggesting there is a hitherto silent faction – if not a majority – out there who are, in fact, behind their board’s hardline stance.
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CELTIC IN FOR £4M ACE AND HIS CLUB ALREADY PLANNING FOR POTENTIAL HOOPS MOVE
Bologna are already in the process of identifying potential Sydney van Hooijdonk replacements as Scottish Premiership champions Celtic eye up the £4 million-rated Serie A misfit.
Out of favour in Italy and open to a fresh start in the New Year, the prospect of Sydney van Hooijdonk following in his father’s green-and-white footsteps appear to be growing, almost by the week.
According to Corriere di Bologna, Celtic recently lodged initial ‘enquiries’ about Van Hooijdonk’s availability ahead of the January transfer window. The £4 million-rated frontman – the son of ex-Hoops poacher Pierre – has barely kicked a ball in anger this season, and Bologna are leaving nothing to chance as they line up a variety of potential mid-season successors.
Celtic in for Sydney van Hooijdonk
Il Resto del Carlino, the publication who first made us aware of Celtic’s interest back in the summer, are reporting that Valencia starlet Hugo Duro is one name under consideration. Ditto his Ukrainian team-mate Roman Yaremchuk.
Szymon Wlodarczyk of Sturm Graz is another to keep an eye on. And if that is a familiar name to you Celtic supporters, that is probably because – back in January – Fabrizio Romano reported that Wlodarczyk had admirers at Parkhead.
Whether that admiration still exists to this day is anyone’s guess, though Van Hooijdonk ticks more boxes than most. At a rumoured £4 million, he would not require a bank-busting fee. Bologna and the player himself both appear open to offers. What’s more, after scoring 19 times on loan at Heerenveen in 2022/23, Van Hooijdonk has also proven himself capable of being a more-than reliable marksman in a similar-sized league to the Scottish Premiership.
Serie A exit on the cards
“I’m fine (at Bologna). I’m at a good team and I like life a lot. But I have to do what’s best for my growth. For my career. I also have to play,” Van Hooijdonk tells Corriere dello Sport.
“In football, things can change quickly. There are two months left until January, and who knows what will happen?
“Do the rumours about my possible transfer bother me? It’s normal when you don’t play. In the last year-and-a-half, I’ve played a lot and also scored a lot.
“We will see what happens.”
