Celts show purpose with double swoop. Its time for the support to do likewise!

Last updated : 30 January 2008 By Clydebuilt

What a strange feeling this is, Celtic are not performing to there potential on the pitch, the board have a chance to assist and they actually help out! Whatever next? Building from a position of strength?

Seriously though the fact that the board have again backed the Manager with funds when he and the team needs it most is not something that we, the Celtic support are familiar with! The reasons why players with decent pedigrees flounder whilst others with less experience excel is an enigma wrapped up in a paradox that is best left for now in Pandora’s box. Now is not the time for finger wagging and blame mongering, now is the time for our support.

The capture of both the highly rated Japanese winger and the first Greek player in our great Clubs history shows that we are willing and able to consolidate and I for one think that it is time for the support to follow suit. Yes the team is performing below par; moaning about it is not going to help! Our support has been famously described as a "twelfth man" in the past, but at the minute sections of the support are more like an extra man for the opposition!

Georgios Samaras was in awe of the Club that he will call home for the next 6 months. "I think I'll like it here. It's a great stadium and I hope to be part of the team. Celtic are the biggest club in Scotland and they always want to win every game, in the Champions League as well, and I want to be in the side every week. This is not a step down for me. I have made a step up coming to Celtic. This club is bigger than some in England."

Samaras also stated that he would love to extend his stay beyond the scope of his loan agreement. "I'm on loan so the people at Celtic can see me. I hope in the summer I can sign a contract here, that’s my target"

Ok Georgios, statements like that are aimed at quickly ingratiating yourself into the club, a form of badge kissing before you have a badge to kiss but what can you offer the Club?

With a knowing smile, Samaras said: "Goals, goals, goals.

"I want more wins for Celtic, more goals, to do well in the Champions League and of course to win trophies.

Yesterday Celtic also completed the signing of Japan midfielder Koki Mizuno on a three-and-half year deal. Tommy Burns spoke of the talent that Celtic have un-earthed "He's a wide player with pace, a good level of technical ability and likes a one versus-one situation. He is a good crosser of the ball and that will suit the bigger guys, to see crosses come in from both sides. "When he came up to Lennoxtown for the day he was as bright as a button, a really lively guy and very different to Naka. He was right into the Playstation the guys have there.

"That's not Naka. He's sitting in a rocking chair, slippers on and reading some Japanese philosophy. "So Koki has a big personality and that's good for the dressing room."

Comparisons to Nakamura are to be expected, but I am more interested in where these two players are to slot in to the team and more importantly at the expense of whom? The Samaras signing would see many expecting him to play alongside Scott McDonald and I cant disagree but it would also be nice to see if JVH can perform without the pressure of being the ball winning target man that he looks so uncomfortable in.

And where would young Koki play? Would he be cover for both Naka and Aideninho or does Strachan have another idea? Only time will tell.

Yours in Celtic

Clydebuilt