| When Auldbhoy sent me the results he suggested getting someone famous to help present the winners. Unfortunately my only claim to fame with regards to any Celtic players is I delivered Mikey Galloway’s paper when I was a teenager!
So I will let you, the people tell the story of season 2007-2008…… |
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First off those that were deemed so truly unworthy that they did not even get a single point….
Zurawski, Wilson, Riordan, Sheridan, O’Brien, McGowan, Killen, Kennedy, Hutchinson, Doumbe, Conroy and the man responsible for more of Auldbhoy’s voting headaches than the cheap wine he drinks…Brown (M). |
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11 further players got at least a point but did make the top ten….
20th=
Steven Pressley (1pt)
Says Auldbhoy: “He played 552 minutes out of a possible 4,890. His 3 MOTM points were for being named the KDS MOTM in the away defeat to AC Milan in December.
Hardly deserves a top 10 mention IMO, but it’s all about opinions”
It sure is and there are plenty more to come! |
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20th=
Kenny Miller (1pt)
Andysayscfc: “Kenny Miller – two goals at Pittodrie turning a 1-1 draw into a 3-1 victory. This came after Miller scored the second goal in a 4-1 victory at Falkirk which again looked like being a 1-1 draw. Thats four points attributable to Kenny Misser, if we are talking in terms of impact (and the papers were insinuating there was a crisis at the club after the 0-0 draw with Killie) he could be worth a mention” What about now he has gone back to the dark side? |
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19th
Darren O’Dea (2pts)
Bogsidetim: “Is this centre half of the year ? Darren O’Dea and Bobo get my votes” |
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18th
Bobo Balde (3pts)
craigmaclean: “I think we dropped about 9 points with Pressley in the team. I’m not saying we wouldn’t have dropped points had we played Bobo instead, but I reckon it would’ve been less than 9” |
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17th
Paul Caddis (10pts)
Bobby Peru: “Caddis, impressive as he was, didn’t play enough”
Paulfg42: “The closest full back to getting into my top ten would have been Caddis. His couple of performances overshadowed anything by his more experienced peers. I’d like to think he will get a few more opportunities next season.” |
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16th
Evander Sno (13pts)
Fitzpas: “I’ve just seen Sno at #8 on someone’s list.I’m away for a lie down ”
Mikebhoycfc: “He has ability, but is not suited to Scottish football IMO, kind of like Donati. More suited to European style football” |
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15th
Lee Naylor (16pts)
Madtim1967: “Naylor WILL not do. No matter how hard he tries” |
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14th
Jiri Jarosik (20pts)
Cdmcc: “Would rather have him than Robson tbh” Does this opinion still hold?
Cfc88: “i liked Jarosik but he was a bit of a fairy tbh” I could not agree more! |
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13th
Georgos Samaras (163pts)
Donkeyradish: “Mark Burchill was probably our most consistent scorer one year by that statistic. The question is, can Samaras impress for 90 minutes?” Not enough to get in the KDS top ten….loser.
Cuibono: “Samaras is a good player. He is a good talent with two good feet, a good finisher, has a good touch, makes intelligent runs and is a great header of the ball”
Pd1978: “He’s a far better striker than Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and should be played from the start in the run in” Thankfully you were not the man making the decisions…. |
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12th
Massimo Donati (205pts)
Marcp1967: “Donati was probably POTM in September as he started the season very, very brightly, when we were scoring a lot of goals and playing good football. Donati had a few good games on the spin in January; including an outstanding display against Kilmarnock in what was a shocking team display. Since January, however, everytime he has played his erse has been parked on the halfway line” |
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11th
Andreas Hinkel (296pts)
Belgrano: “Thankfully, we signed a German internationalist defender, who is pretty decent at going forward AND defending. Looked like to took him a few weeks to get to speed with the Scottish game (he hadn’t played regularly for Seville – so it was hardly surprising) but once he did, he looked more than a decent player. I look forward to seeing more of him next season.” I also agree that he impressed, so why did he get such pelters in the press? |
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| They can barely contain their excitement… |
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Here it is, the KDS Season 2007-2008 Player of the Year Top Ten…..
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10th
Brown S (545pts)
Our huge summer signing creeps into the top in tenth. It never really happened for Scott this year. Sure, he ripped the pish out of the St Mirren left back for 45 minutes but he did not dominate games the way the fans expected. Maybe outside and personal pressures played into his performance this season but I am with timothy in hoping he comes back a better player for future seasons.
IainG: “I left Scott Brown out altogether from my top 10 as I struggled to think of a game he played where he contributed a great deal:
Timothyclaypole: “I think scott will be important player for us next season and many seasons to come…. I for one hope that he stays” |
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9th
McManus (1061pts)
Captain Mick brought home the league title this year but it was a below par season in some ways for the defender who finished 3rd in the voting last year.
paulfg42: “Big Mick seems to be getting a bit of stick but it has to be remembered that he is playing inside Naylor, who has probably been our worst performer this season”
boaby_wan_kenobi: “McManus has been steady all season, not his best season IMO – but nonetheless consistent with it” |
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8th
Caldwell (1293pts)
A spell at right back and the now expected howler in the champions league had people seriously doubting Gary by the turn of the year. His form as the season closed however shows he is capable of being a constant in our side.
desmondobhoy: “Am I right in Saying that he is still only 25? I think he has the potential to mature into a top class centre half, a lot may argue with that though”
murphio: “Caldwell was above McManus for a good reason – he’s been better at centre half for the majority of the season. Take right back out of the equation and Caldwell would have been even higher imo”
Elliott_the_tim: “personally i think Caldwell has shown recently to be far more reliable and consistent than McManus” |
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7th
JVoH (1629pts)
The man with the long name and most amusing picture spent the season splitting the support. On one hand he is lazy and slow they say, on the other without Jan there would be no SPL title. The arrival of Samaras seemed to invigorate his game, maybe with more competition next season he will continue his end of season form.
tiger_whoods: “JVOH to me still remains an enigma, but thanks for some very very big goals this season”
mj_hoop:” He is the kind of player we want to keep and build up quality round. Better to keep him and bring in some more quality than to get rid of him and have a Riordan/Killen as our only alternative option from the bench”
discoinferno: “If it wasn’t for big Jan, we wouldn’t have won the league” |
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6th
Nakamura (1954pts)
Last seasons POTY struggled with injury and form for most of the season. His absence forced a reshuffle of the side and dented the side’s form at the time. However THAT goal against the huns will be remembered for a LONG time.
mikeybhoycfc: “The guy is a genius. His touch, control, passing is incredible”
teddyb_nyc: “His performances are underrated almost every match. Pure class. Always a threat. Makes everyone around him better. The more years he wears hoops, the better. (And yes, as you noted, not at all a coincidence that our worst run of form came with him out of the side)”
garioch: “Even when he’s not on form his lows are better than many players highs” |
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5th
Hartley (2117pts)
I cant believe anyone doubted that Hartley was better in the team than out, shame on ALL of you that did not believe…..ahem, moving on. Early on his roles were limited but the ball screaming off his shaggy head and into the net in Moscow was just about priceless. Later in the season his partnership with Robson was a large part of the reason we are STILL the SPL Champions. Well done Paul, I never doubted you. (Honest)
jonathan1312: “Hartley has not been our most eye-catching player of 07/08 but in my opinion he was the most important, more crucial even than McGeady or Boruc or the strikers”
modest_mouse: “Glad to see Hartley getting so many votes. Gave him 1st place myself. I don’t know if he’s the outright player of the year, but an unsung hero nonetheless”
boaby_wan_kenobi: “I would say our decent form started in the Old Firm game at Ibrox – that coincided with Hartley’s return to the team. Rangers literally had one chance and scored…apart from that we completely bossed their midfield. Hartley was a notable absentee from the home Motherwell game we lost. I know it’s in vogue to ‘big up’ Robson, and sure he deserves a lot of praise – but for me the unsung hero of this campaign, when we REALLY needed it was Hartley”
Dr-optimist: “He’s not the best midfielder we have in terms of ability. He doesn’t have the physique of Sno, the energy of Brown, the long range passing of Donati or the vision of Naka. But what he has given us is a respect for the jersey, a willingness to play and work hard for the jersey, and the heart and willingness to perform a less fashionable role” |
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4th
Robson (2137pts)
Right now Robson is living the equivalent of a football wet dream. Debut for Celtic? Check. Scored with first touch? Check. Scored vs Barcelona in the Champions League? Check. Be a major factor in the run into the Championship? Check. Well Barry that wet dream just became the best fantasy you EVER had because you finished 4th in the KDS player of the year despite only playing half the season!
McGeady46: “Last night i was watching the highlights of the game vs well, and it occurred to me that Robson looks to have the attributes to be Celtic captain, after all he done well as Dundee United captain so why not here”
Remy_mcswain: “Shouldn’t even be in the first team next year”
TK57: “I think the lad has been a pleasant surprise to a lot of guys on here. I was delighted when we got him because he could do exactly what we needed and so far hasn’t let us down”
Lubomirmoravcik: “I have to say that I’m really warming to Barry Robson as a Celtic player” |
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3rd
Boruc (3157pts)
KDS European player of the year starts the top three. Not under as much pressure in the SPL and had a few speed bumps this year with injuries and a wee blunder but in all honesty we have a player in Boruc that is considered one of the worlds best in his position. Its not very often we get to witness that at Celtic.
madtim1967: “we lost more points than anything , when Boruc and naka got injured , especially Boruc and that other clown went in goals”
boaby_wan_kenobi – “the holy goalie; worth 18 points a season IMO. Point proved when he was out the team coincided with our poor run of form at christmas. Plus, his Spartak performance made sure we had a decent European campaign”
jinkys7: “In my eyes he is the best keeper in the world”
markiebhoy7: “Buffon might be a better goalie but he doesn’t hate the huns as much”
Before we get to the top two I wanted to add this. I wanted to put in a range of opinions on each player in the top three and there were more than enough to choose from for the top two but I could not find negative quotes on Boruc. I guess that is testimony in itself. As for the top two lets just say there are some trilby suppers to be made and eaten! |
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2nd
McDonald 3370(pts)
Rolling into Celtic park over the summer with black Sunday and questions being raised over his signing hanging over him, McDonald was behind before we even started. Then he was suspended to further dent his cause. Once he got in the team though he became a fixture. Tireless runs, harassing opposition defenders and of course the eye for goal turned him into a real fan favorite and erased any doubts over his signing.
Potsdamerplatz: “Elsewhere on this board I’ve made no secret of the fact that I don’t rate Scott MacDonald. He is a decent squad player who will no doubt bang in a few goals in the SPL, but he is not going to do anything in the CL. On the other hand, I rate young Stephen Naismith as one of Scotland’s most promising talents who is possibily on the way to our biggest rivals. I feel it will be a terrible mistake for him to slip through our fingers”
Pedro_agathe: “MacDonald is a fat-arsed fluky bassa”
Jamkat: ” McDonald is a niggly wee pest and probably a good squad player at best”
Jinky67: “cant believe weve signed this donkey”
Aiden67: “It’s in the Record we’ve bid £750,000 for the wee tosser. I hope this isn’t true. He’s rotten and he’s built a career on one game. Let the Huns have him”
bankybhoy: “He’s had a great season and it’s a great return, especially considering he cost next to nothing”
gonga: “We wouldn’t have a chance if it wasn’t for McDonald’s goals this season.
He has been immense and I fancy him to score every time he is on the teamsheet”
pablo5: “30 plus goals in his first season, the winner against the European Champions and a couple past the Huns means he’s good enough to wear it(no7). He’s got to do what he hasn’t so far and that’s score at Ibrox”
Bhoy_wonder1980: “For me McDonald got top spot for the goal return, an exceptional tally for a player who is still young and new to the club.” |
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POTY
Aiden McGeady (3842pts)
We all knew he had it. We all wanted him to develop and mature into something special. People of KDS we got our wish. I give you Aiden McGeady, Kerrydale Street Player of the Year.
There were times during the season when Aiden was simply unplayable. The domination in Europe with the Benfica game and the mesmerizing display he put on against Aberdeen were performances players dream of in a lifetime of playing the game. Yet Aiden delivered those days and many more. He was consistently our creative force, his trickery refined to yield an end product, his physique and pace improved through a tough off season workout program and important goals rounding out his game. We have been lucky enough to witness the growth of a huge talent on our own turf. Before the adoring eyes of Celtic Park he has taken his skill and combined it with hard work and coaching to emerge as a true superstar.
There were times when it seemed Celtic had stalled during a game and the fans and players always looked to Aiden to provide that spark, rarely did he disappoint.
There were times the kids in the youth setup wanted to learn an Aiden move and the coaches complied rewarding them for their skill. There will be plenty more kids doing exactly that in the future!
There were times when Aiden got the ball and Paradise fizzled with expectation. As the season went on it became EVERY time we got the ball to him.
There were many full backs going without sleep on a Friday night knowing that next day there was a definite possibility that Aiden was going to make them look stupid. Then do it again. And again. And again.
I have no doubt that Aiden’s future will involve playing at the very highest level but for now the Celtic fans need do nothing more than appreciate the best home grown talent of this generation.
Mikebhoy: “McGeady is not a winger, and never has been. Unless he gets the opportunity to prove himself more centrally, he’ll wither”
Murphio: “Maloney was the double player of the year. McGeady has been nowhere near that yet”
Lubomirmoravcik: “I really hope I’m wrong but I have an awful feeling that we’ll still be debating McGeady’s potential in another two year’s time”
Zurawskiego “Maloney should be the example to any young player wanting to break into the first team. He has set the bar very high though, and Aiden failed to come close to the impact Maloney made. I hope just Aiden has more competition this season because he is never consistent enough to hold down a first team place.”
Bobbybhoy: “I think the number of MOTM’s he got from some people last season were just for having his name on the team-sheet. Give me an example of one scintillating display over 90 minutes by McGeady last season. You’ll struggle. Tricks and flicks aren’t enough, IMO”
Djr: “I do not see him being a first choice pick this coming season but being used a lot as a sub to turn games or change of tactics UNLESS he can stamp authority on EVERY game he get”
WalfridsDream: “When he starts he is rarely consistent and is too easily bullied off the ball. He is far more effective coming off the bench when teams tire in the last 30 mins. Until he gets stronger I would use him mostly this way
Jimmy_mac – “McGeady won out due to some of the best individual moments that I’ve seen at CP in a while (Benfica, Barca, Aberdeen!)”
Tiger_whoods: “McGeady finally arrived this year and we got i would say great performances early on until he started getting double and triple teamed, make no mistake more protection for him and he WOULD be world class”
Madtim1967: “every player has their price, altho in Mcgeadys instance I would hate if the club sold him anytime soon. Hes only gonna get better too . Must keep him for a few years yet”
Hybrid_moments: “I wouldn’t take £15m for him. He’s the only player who has entertained more or less throughout the year really. Could you imagine how dour Celtic would have been to watch without him this season?”
Nacho Novo: “I don’t know what happened there. I had him (Aiden) in my back pocket probably. But I didn’t tell him that. It’s not a problem. For me, nothing happened. It was a football game and these things happen”
Desmodobhoy: “football is about entertaining, and thats what Aiden is best at”
StefMcDef: “Inside, outside, over the top, for pace, tracking back, putting in tackles, leathering in stinging shots near the end, putting in crosses, scoring the winner. Arguably the best individual performance I’ve seen in the Hoops since Larsson in Seville” |
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( Figures collated by auldbhoy, words by please_remain_calm, from KDS) |
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