FM13: Celtic - 125 Years Of Unbroken History

[McGeady10]

A thread in dedication to McCougan33 who has done such a great job on the official Celtic thread the last couple of seasons. I hope I can do even half as well

Celtic Football Club - Celebrating 125 Years Of Unbroken History

The Beginning

Celtic Football Club was formally constituted at a meeting in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church hall on East Rose Street (now Forbes Street), Calton, Glasgow, by a Marist Brother named Brother Walfrid on 6 November 1887.

The charity established by Brother Walfrid was named The Poor Children's Dinner Table. Brother Walfrid's move to establish the club as a means of fund raising was largely inspired by the example of Hibernian F.C. who were formed out of the immigrant Irish population a few years earlier in Edinburgh.

On 28 May 1888, Celtic played their first official match against a Rangers XI (dubbed "The Swifts") and Celtic won 5-2 in what was described as a "friendly encounter".

The first ever Celtic team

The Name

Celtic is easily one of the most recognisable names in world football. Say "Celtic" to anyone and the first thing that most people will identify with the word is our grand old football club.

So how did the name come about? In the earliest days of the club's history, the priority was obviously to simply set up a football club that was to play and attract crowds to help out the local charities. Anyhow, but a name was required. An obvious idea was to emulate Hibs and name ourselves Glasgow Hibernian (Hibernian is an archaic Latin term for Ireland). However, this was not going to be popular with some from Edinburgh, and it was decided to choose Celtic to reflect not only the Irish heritage of the club but also the Scottish origins and foundations. Celtic's ethos was to be an ecumenical institution, and the historical ties of Scotland and Ireland were to be reflected in our name, and no word better captured that than "Celtic".

It was at the inaugural meeting to set the club up, that the name was suggested by Brother Walfrid, and warmly received it was too. Celtic has since been a proud icon for the Celtic diaspora around the globe to take pride from in their roots. After centuries of oppression (both in the Highlands as well as in Ireland itself), this was a beginning for a rehabilitation to put the pride back into the name "Celtic", and the club has more than done the name proud.

The Roll of Honour

European Glory

Billy McNeill becomes the first player from Britain to lift the European Cup

The image of a sweat-soaked, sun bathed Billy McNeil hoisting aloft the European Cup has become a treasured icon to Celtic supporters. It symbolises the club's greatest ever achievement and provides a constant reminder and inspiration to younger generations of just how high this great club can reach.

The rightful reverence given to that famous night in Lisbon's Estadio Nacional is primarily in acknowledgment to the fact that a home grown team from the west of Scotland should achieve the seemingly impossible by lifting European football's greatest prize. That feat alone is of course worthy of celebration but in truth it is just part of what makes the story of Jock Stein and the Lisbon Lions so special.

Because what the Bhoys achieved on May 25th 1967 is something which was a cause for celebration far beyond Scotland, Ireland and those other traditional Celtic strongholds across the globe. The reason for that is simple. Celtic's victory was a victory for football. It was a victory for the so-called small people. The dreamers.

To fully comprehend the magnitude of this feat you have to understand exactly what Celtic had to overcome in the heat of the Portugese capital. Helenio Herrera's Inter Milan v Celtic should have been a mismatch. It wasn't so much David v Goliath as David v Goliath's big brother.

Inter Milan were no ordinary football team and Helenio Herrera was no ordinary football manager. But to the surprise of many they finally met their match in Celtic and Jock Stein.

Former Barcelona coach Herrera had moved to Italy where he had been lured by club president Angelo Morrati. An oil billionaire Morrati's dream was to build a club which would wrestle from Real Madrid the title of the most successful football club in Europe. His appointment of Herrera was the moment when that dream started to become a reality

With money no object Herrera and Morrati set out on building a team to conquer a continent. Money obviously helped pay for the finest material, but the real key to success was Herrera, the man who was to become the architect and master builder of a team which would be christened ‘Grande Inter’ – the Great Inter. With Herrera at the helm Inter soon became the dominant force both in Italy and Europe.

Between 1961 and 1967 the Milanese side won three league titles (63,65,66), two European Cups (64, 65) and two Inter-Continental Cups (64, 65). During this period they never finished out of the top three in Seire A. It wasn’t just silverware they collected though. Their success on the continent ensured the club developed a nationwide fan-base which saw Inter fans springing up in villages, towns and cities across Italy. As the lyrics to the classic Celtic song Willy Maley proclaim, this truly was "…the team all Italy adored".

There negative and defensive approach – Catenaccio – however won over few neutrals.

As manager of Dunfermline Jock Stein himself had travelled to Italy in 1963 to spend time studying Herrera's methods. Herrera was impressed by the energy of the man from Burnbank who he christened 'The Big Ant'. Stein's trip to Italy had been paid for by a newspaper and there is no doubt he took a lot from the experience.

Certainly come May 25th 1967 Herrera would be impressed with much more than just the energy of his rival.

Herrera's frequent boast that his team often won games before even stepping onto the pitch could so easily have applied to that beautiful day in Lisbon and the pre-match preparations. As Celtic arrived at the stadium to train on the evening before the final they were met by the Inter team just finishing their session. Instead of retiring to the showers the Italian players and their manager congregated on the touchline and there they stayed until Celtic's practice session ended. It was classic Herrera.

The next day, with minutes remaining to kick-off, the two teams were.standing together in the tunnel, waiting to enter the arena.The Celtic players couldn't help but be impressed by their opponents. Athletic and tanned they looked every inch the footballing sophisticates. Jimmy Johnstone commented to his team-mates that the Inter players all looked like movie stars. They didn't only look the part, they had the medals to prove they had the substance to match the style.

For all Celtic's domestic dominance that wonderful season it paled into insignificance in comparison to the achievements of these men who had conquered Europe and the World. It is no idle boast to say most teams would have been beat before a ball had been kicked. Celtic were not most teams.

Bertie Auld's response to this moment of apprehension and tension has of course gone down in Celtic folklore. His leading of the players in singing 'The Celtic Song' as they began the long walk up the tunnel sent not just a message of defiance to Inter but one of inspiration to Celtic. Inter may well have been Grande, but Celtic were also a grand old team to play for.

Stein struck a psychological blow when he got reserve keeper John Fallon to claim the bench nearest the halfway line. This did not impress the Inter officials. It was a small, seemingly trivial act of defiance. But what was clear to all was that this club which had for so long represented the underdog would not now, in its finest hour, be bullied by anyone.

When the players emerged from the tunnel the Celtic players appeared blinking in the sunshine like miners emerging from the bowels of the earth after another shift in the darkness. Stein, who followed his Bhoys out of the tunnel, would have been forgiven for thinking back to his days as a collier. He had come a long way. From toiling underground at Earnock pit to guiding Celtic to the summit of European football. He was close to completing a most remarkable journey. But the giant of European football - Helenio Herrera - stood between him and this majestic peak. Was it really possible?

Of course it was. What happened over the next 90 minutes is written in the heart of every Celtic fan. Indeed of everyone who appreciates and loves attacking football. Stein and Celtic did not defeat Grande Inter. They destroyed them. The score line was 2-1 but the reality was that this was a beating which left Inter and Herrera battered and broken. Catenaccio was savaged by what Big Jock described as 'Pure, beautiful, inventive football'.

After Inter took the lead with an early penlty they sat back and defended. And defended. And defended. How sweet that it was a rampaging full-back who hit the cannonball shot that eventually breached Inter's resiliant defence. That fine Tommy Gemmell strike was of course followed by Stevie Chalmers late winner. It was a goal which brought justice.

What Celtic and Jock Stein achieved in the Portuguese capital was much more than win the European Cup - fantastic achievement that it was. They heralded a new era in football. They were a green and white whirlwind which blew away the football establishment and their old, negative ways. Almost 80 years from the day they were founded to feed the poor in Glasgow's east end Celtic FC had struck another blow for the underdog. The football world celebrated the end of Catenaccio and the victory of football the Celtic way.

The Lisbon Lions

Rivals

For years Celtic battled with old rivals Rangers on the domestic scene.

The two clubs were the most successful in Scotland, between them having won 97 Scottish League championships, 68 Scottish Cups and 41 Scottish League Cups. Interruptions to their ascendancy have occurred infrequently, most recently with the challenge of the New Firm of Aberdeen and Dundee United in the first half of the 1980s. Since the 1985–86 season one half of the Glasgow giants has won the Scottish League.

Rangers were liquidated following gross financial mismanagement in 2012 leaving behind a tax bill in the region of £90m. Celtic released a souvenir magazine, Derby Daze, in memory of the final Glasgow derby which Celtic won 3-0 on 29 April 2012.

Gary Hooper had the honour of being the last ever player to score in the Glasgow derby.

Celtic players celebrate the final ever goal in the Glasgow Derby

Records

Victories & defeats:

Record victory: 11-0, against Dundee in 1895.

Record victory against Glasgow Rangers: 7-1 in the Scottish League Cup Final 1957.

Record victory (Cup final): Celtic 7 - 1 Rangers, Scottish League Cup Final 1957; still British record for the highest score in a domestic cup final.

Record defeat (all): 0-8 against Motherwell in 1937.

Record defeat (home): 0-5 against Hearts in 1895.

Record defeat (post war home): 1-5 Aberdeen 1947.

Record points earned in a season: 72 (Premier Division, 1987/88, 2 points for a Win);

103 (Scottish Premier League, 2001/02, 3 points for a win), which is also the SPL points tally record.

Attendances:

Record attendance (home): 92,000 against Rangers in 1938. A 3-0 victory for Celtic.

Record attendance (Scotland): 146,433; The Scottish Cup final win against Aberdeen FC in 1937 was attended by a crowd of 146,433 (unofficial attendance 147,365) at Hampden Park in Glasgow, which remains a record for a club match in European football

Record attendance (Europe): Hold the record for the highest attendance for a European club competition match: Celtic v Leeds Utd in the European Cup semi-final 1970 at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Official attendance 133,961. Which remains a record for a club match in European football

Appearances

Record Appearances: Alec McNair, 604 from 1904-1925.

Youngest Appearance: Mark Fotheringham, 16 years 204 days, 13/5/00 -StJohnstone

Scorers:

Most goals in a season:Henrik Larsson, 53.

Record scorer: Jimmy McGrory, 397 (plus 13 whilst on-loan at Clydebank).

Service:

Longest serving player: Alec McNair, 21 years 1904-1925

Longest serving manager: Willie Maley, 43 years 1897 - 1940

Unbeaten runs:

Longest unbeaten run (all): Celtic currently hold the UK record for an unbeaten run in professional football : 62 games (49 won, 13 drawn), from 13 Nov 1915 until 21 April 1917- a total of 17 months and four days in all (they lost at home to Kilmarnock on the last day of the season).

Longest unbeaten run (home): Celtic also hold the SPL record for an unbeaten run of home matches (77), spanning from 2001 to 2004 (this run was ended by a 3-2 defeat to Aberdeen on 21 April 2004), and the record for the longest run of consecutive wins in a single season (25 matches).

International Caps:

Most Capped Player: 80, Pat Bonner: Republic of Ireland

Most Scotland Caps: 76, Paul McStay.

Transfer fees:

Record Transfer fee received £9,500,000 Aiden McGeady, Spartak Moscow, 13 August 2010

Record Transfer fee paid £6,000,000 Chris Sutton, Chelsea, 11 July 2000

Europe:

1967, the year Celtic achieved the feat of winning every competition they played.

Hold the record for the highest attendance for a European club competition match: Celtic v Leeds Utd in the European Cup semi-final 1970 at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Official attendance 133,961.

Fastest hat-trick in European Club football - Mark Burchill v Jeunesse Esch of Luxembourg in 2000.

First and only Scottish club to reach the final of the European Cup.

First British club to reach the final and win the European Cup.

First Nothern European club to reach the final and win the European Cup .

Four club record European victories

9-0 KPV Kokkola (Finland), 1970.

8-1 Suduva (Lithuania), 2003.

7-0 Waterford (Rep.Ireland), 1970,

7-0 Valur Rekjavik, 1975.

Club record European defeat: 0-5 against Artmedia Bratislava on 27 July 2005.

Kits

[McGeady10]

Celtic in Football Manager 13

Club Info

Board Expectations

[McGeady10]

GOALKEEPERS

Lukasz Zaluska ★★★★★★★★★★

Former Dundee United goalkeeper is decent back up and is happy to be so. His weekly wage of £8,000 per week would lead to the question of whether you would prefer a younger, less expensive back up. Should you stick with Zaluska though he would not let you down nor cause any problems in the club as long as given the odd game in the League Cup.

Nation: Poland | Age: 30 | Position: Goalkeeper | Number: 24

Fraser Foster ★★★★★★★★★★

A very solid number one for the club. At only 24 years old his best years are ahead of him but he's accomplished enough to take the number one jersey from the very beginning of the game.

Nation: England | Age: 24 | Position: Goalkeeper | Number: 1

Lubos Kamenar ★★★★★★★★★★

On loan from Nantes to provide a third keeper in the first team squad. Although he does provide a third keeper he does not provide competition for either the first or second choice place in the squad. Consider terminating the loan.

Nation: Slovakia | Age: 25 | Position: Goalkeeper | Number: 24

DEFENDERS

Kelvin Wilson ★★★★★★★★★★

English centre back has good physical attributes however suffers from a lack of concerntation and aggression which see's him making too many mistakes. Can offer decent back up in the SPL but is found out in Europe. With a relatively high weekly wage he's one you should consider moving on.

Nation: England | Age: 26 | Position: Centre Half | Number: 6

Mikael Lustig ★★★★★★★★★★

Swedish international right back who can also play at wingback and centre half if required. Brings good depth to the squad and can play in a variety of roles. Although maybe not first choice could add something over the season.

Nation: Sweden | Age: 26 | Position: Rightback | Number: 23

Charlie Mulgrew ★★★★★★★★★★

Utlility man who can play at centre half or left back Charlie is a free kick specialist who can definately bring something to squad. Will do a job at SPL level at centre half with the right partner but his lack of aggression can be exposed against the best Europe has to offer.

Nation: Scotland | Age: 26 | Position: Leftback | Number: 21

Thomas Rogne ★★★★★★★★★★

The young Norwegian is entering the final year of his contract as the game starts and his future will be decided by how you plan to play. Should you wish your defenders to just defend then the rugged Norwegian could slot in well. Techncially though he can be found wanting and his lack of pace can be exploited in an overly attacking formation with a high defensive line.

Nation: Norway | Age: 22 | Position: Centre half | Number: 25

Efe Ambrose ★★★★★★★★★★

The twenty three year old centre half recently signed from SC Ashdod in Israel is a limited defender who could improve and offer decent back up both in defence and as anchor in midfield. Does not appear to be cut out for the first eleven, however.

Nation: Nigeria | Age: 23 | Position: Centre half | Number: 4

Emilio Izaguirre ★★★★★★★★★★

Scottish Player of the Year in 2011, Izzy, has struggled with injury in the last 12 months. He should be given time and matches in order to get back to his full potential where he will shine as your left back offensively and defensively.

Nation: Hondures | Age: 26 | Position: Rightback | Number: 3

Adam Matthews ★★★★★★★★★★

Young Welsh football who can be sold on for a large fee in a couple of seasons. Offers pace, creativity and technique down the flank as well as good cover defensively. Should be a regular starter the first season and then either secured on a long term deal or sold for a large fee to fund new purchases.

Nation: Wales | Age: 20 | Position: Rightback | Number: 2

MIDFIELDERS

Victor Wanyama ★★★★★★★★★★

You are faced with a decision straight away over the Kenyan powerhouse as he's attracting interest out of the gate from some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Should you chose to you could receive up to £10 million to boost your first window spending. With plenty of good midfielders on the books at Celtic Park it may be an option worth taking. Should you keep Wanyama though he will provide your midfield with pace, power, aggression, workrate and outstanding tackling.

Nation: Kenya | Age: 21 | Position: Centre midfield | Number: 67

Beram Kayal ★★★★★★★★★★

A tigerish ball winning centre midfielder who offers you a perfect replacement for Wanyama should you decide to cash in on the Kenyan. Has pretty much everything you would want in the modern day midfielder and will be a certain starter in your team.

Nation: Israel | Age: 24 | Position: Centre midfield | Number: 33

Scott Brown ★★★★★★★★★★

The club captain. Brown is another midfielder who you inherit who is a bundle of energy and a nightmare for the opposition boasting good attributes in aggression, workrate, determination and stamina. The problem though is that although a good player in his own right Brown is the third best ball winning midfielder in the squad behind Wanyama and Kayal and is also your highest paid player. May be worth moving the club captain on.

Nation: Scotland | Age: 27 | Position: Centre midfield | Number: 8

Kris Commons ★★★★★★★★★★

A sold if unspectacual wide midfielder. Commons can fill a number of rolls in an attacking sense but a lack of killler pace stops him from becoming a must have fixture in your first team pool. Certainly worth keeping around the squad however and over the course of the season will provide enough goals and assists from the bench or on the odd start to justify his place at the club.

Nation: Scotland | Age: 28 | Position: Left midfielder | Number: 15

Joe Ledley ★★★★★★★★★★

Yet another all action midfield to add to your selection problems in the middle of the park. Unlike the other guys you have in midfield, however, Ledley likes to get into the box whenever possible and comes up with a number of important goals. Have found he is particuarly useful in making late runs into the box when used as a wide midfielder on the left and given the insruction of cutting inside.

Nation: Wales | Age: 25 | Position: Left centre midfield | Number: 16

James Forrest ★★★★★★★★★★

A young winger with the world at his feet. with pace, skill and an eye both for a pass and a goal he could be your main man if utilised correctly. Needs to be given a place in the team, minus defensive responsabilities, to shine.

Nation: Scotland | Age: 20 | Position: Winger | Number: 4

Dylan McGeogh ★★★★★★★★★★

Should be given games in the first season to continue his development. At the age of 19 he's already part of the first team squad and needs matches to fulfill his potential as a Premiership class Advanced Playmaker. If you are not in a position to give him game time he must be sent out in loan for the second half of the season

Nation: Scotland | Age: 19 | Position: Attacking midfielder | Number: 46

Paddy McCourt ★★★★★★★★★★

The maverick Irish midfielder has came to the end of his time at Celtic Park. Does not offer enough to the team and is in the last year of his contract. Should be sold if at all possible as he is very unlikely to feature having slipped down the pecking order behind Forrst and McGeogh.

Nation: Ireland | Age: 28 | Position: Winger | Number: 20

ATTACKERS

Lassad Nouioui ★★★★★★★★★★

If you plan on using two strikers then the big Tunisian will offer good foil for either Miku or Hooper. Should you be planning on playing with one man up top then it would be perhaps best to move on Nouioui. Do not be tempted to use him in the attacking midfield role where he often flatters to deceive.

Nation: Tunisia | Age: 26 | Position: Forward | Number: 11

Miku ★★★★★★★★★★

On loan from Getafe and a player of great skill and technique who can offer a lot to your team in the first season whilst you are still waiting for Watt to live up to his potential. Should be used as back up to Hooper throughout the season or even as a partner to the Englishman should you go with two strikers up top.

Nation: Venezuala | Age: 26 | Position: Forward | Number: 7

Anthony Stokes ★★★★★★★★★★

Will vie for the position as your number two goal getter behind Gary Hooper with Miku. The Irish attacker though can struggle when he steps up a level from the SPL and does not have as much to his game as the Venezualian.

Nation: Irelad | Age: 23 | Position: Striker | Number: 20

Giorgios Samaras ★★★★★★★★★★

An enigma of a player who can do well if given a position on the left wing where he drops depe to pick up the ball before driving at the opposition. If played as a striker he can infuriate with his lack of goals.

Nation: Greece | Age: 27 | Position: Left sided attacker | Number: 9

Gary Hooper ★★★★★★★★★★

A must start for any big game. Hooper guarantees goals and is the best finisher in the squad. Will also improve over the first couple of seasons and become the main man in your team.

Nation: England | Age: 24 | Position: Striker | Number: 88

Tony Watt ★★★★★★★★★★

A young striker with bags of potential. You must make the decision on whether or not to blood him with 20-30 appearances either from the start or from the bench in the first season or send him out on loan. If he is given games in the first year he will already be good enough to fight for a first team place in season two. A long term successor for Hooper.

Nation: Scotland | Age: 18 | Position: Striker | Number: 32

[McGeady10]

RECORDS

REMEMBER GUYS IF YOU DONT PROVIDE ME WITH A LINK TO YOUR SCREENSHOT I CANT UPDATE THE RECORDS

Team

Highest Home Attendance - McGeady10, 60,355 vs Red Star & Debrecen (link)

Largest Away Attendance - McGeady10, 60,361 vs Arsenal (link)

Biggest League win -

Biggest Away League win -

Biggest win in a domestic Cup game -

Biggest win in European Competition -

Biggest Aggregate win in European Competition -

Zombie bashing - biggest win against Newco Rangers -

Highest scoring game -

Highest european scoring game -

Most goals scored in one league season -

Least goals conceded in one league season -

Largest goal difference at end of season -

Most points in one season -

Biggest points difference at the end of one season -

Most games won in a row -

Most games without defeat -

Most games without conceding a goal -

Fastest goal scored -

Most 1st team goal scorers in one season -

Most different goalscorers in one match -

Most team goals scored in a season -

Most League Titles in a row -

Most Champions League Titles in a row -

Highest Gate Receipts -

Players

Most debut goals -

Most goals scored in one game -

Most goals scored in the league -

Most goals scored in europe -

Most goals scored in domestic cups -

Most goals scored in one season -

Most goals scored by player of the month -

Most assists in one season -

Most MotM awards in one season -

Fastest hat-trick -

Youngest player -

Youngest goalscorer -

Oldest player -

Oldest goalscorer -

Highest average rating over 1 season (30 games+ needed) -

Fastest Red Card -

Transfers

Most transfer fee`s recieved in a season -

Most transfer fee`s spent in a season -

Most spent on one player -

Most received for one player -

[McGeady10]

Tactics

Please upload your tactics that you are using in your Celtic game and I'll provide a link to them here...

Coming soon

[McGeady10]

Transfer Targets

Please provide details of good signings for the Hoops in the following format and I'll keep a track of them on this part of the thread:

Player name -

Age -

Current club -

Transfer value -

Position -

[McGeady10]

Okay lads... Any feedback appreciated...

Now get posting and Hail Hail!

[DKB]

Well done mate - it looks smashing

Like that last few years, it takes until Xmas until I post much in the thread, down to me needing a few things to put in the Xmas-wishlist, and FM13 will be one of them (that and it usually takes until mid/late December for SI to get out at patch that will make the game run half decent)

But I'll be following the thread on a regular basic

[slipknot67]

You've stepped up to the plate brilliantly there McGeady10. Thoroughly enjoyed reading that op, especially your comprehensive review of our finest achievement in Lisbon.

Am right in the middle of my third season of managing the Hoops, so will be posting a fairly lengthy update of how things have gone so far when I get the time to put it together.

[McGeady10]

Season 2012/13 - Double Winners!!

Transfers

League Table

European Dream

Domestic Cups

Top Players

88 Gary Hooper

49 James Forrest

Best XI

[Tommy_Styles]

Nice to see the Celtic thread up! Really tempted to give it a go, but a bit worried about the game becoming monotonous after a couple of seasons? It's not like there is a lot of competition domestically and if anything the team has gotten better since FM12.

[SRL88]

Nice thread .

[Ranquelme]

I managed then for a season on the beta. Won the league with ease, won the Scottish cup and somehow reached the semi finals of the champions league, remarkable considering my group was:

Valencia

Milan

Montpellier

Finished with 9 points, beat milan 3-1 at the San siro and 4-0 at home. Lost twice to Valencia.

Knocked out galatasary in the first round. Then followed that up by knocking out juventus on a penalty shoot out. Then beat Chelsea 4-3 at home in the first leg, but lost the return 5-0!

Miku is an absolute goal machine.

[slipknot67]

Here's the overview of my career so far as promised earlier, will mostly just be in the form of screeny's for quickness then a more comprehensive review from the season I'm just about to head into onwards.

Season 1 transfers

As you can see my first season saw the return of a prodigal son to the fold with me managing to bring back Marc Crosas to bolster our options in midfield (and to attempt to fill the void left by the inevitable loss of the brilliant Wanyama who I knew I wouldn't be able to keep from leaving for a bigger club sooner or later).

This next screeny is a bit of a shocker, the end of 1st season league table ended up looking like this.

(I struggle 1st season with Celtic in every version of the game, I put it down to rep as I always start with automatic, that and I always take ages to settle on a tactic).

Our European campaign went pretty much as I predicted it might, got into the CL group stages fairly comfortably and the 5-0 drubbing away to Barca apart I felt we acquitted ourselves quite well in a tough group, finishing third just 2 points behind Fenerbahce and dropping into the Europa league were we only went out after being drawn against Spanish heavyweights Athletico, by a single aggregate goal.

[slipknot67]

The one trophy we managed to secure in the first season which probably was the only thing saving me from an unprecedented first season sacking was the Scottish cup, Which on the way to winning also happened to include my most satisfying result of the season...can you guess which one that might be:D.

Signing of the season Nigel Reo-Coker signed on a free, 31 now but still going strong in the heart of my midfield.

[slipknot67]

Season 2 transfers. I concentrated on bolstering the defence in my 2nd season as the loss of the league last year was simply down to to many draws and a better defence I hoped would turn those draws into wins (in theory).

Xandao, De Laet, and Capuano all went straight into my first team in a new look defence with Viviano going in as my no 1 keeper with Rensing as his back up. All the others have proven to be solid rotatio options but need some work if they are to become first team regulars, this surprisingly also includes Sanogo who I'm struggling to get to replicate the fantastic perfomances of the last version of FM, despite using him in exactly the same tactic and formation.

The end of season table made for better reading this season although having ended the season with the same goal difference as Dundee Utd, I still fel we could do better defensively.

Having finished second in my first season we started our European campaign this year in the Europa league and having strengthened the squad a fair bit, felt fairly confident of a decent run. We managed to get all the way to the quarter final, which I felt having had to start all the way back in the qualifiers was a fairly respectable run, which was only ended by English Premership opposition in the form of Chelsea (who were the eventual winners of the trophy).

[slipknot67]

Signing of the season, although my new defenders and goalkeeper performed very well this season the outstanding signing this year would have to be Adryan, he's been a hugely creative force and seems to have started to form a lethal partnership with Forrest on the wings.

In the domestic cups we suffered a shock defeat at home to Queen of the South in the 5th round of the Scottish cup and got all the way to the final of the league cup, eventually losing 2-1 to Dundee Utd who are looking very much like becoming my bogey team in this version of FM.

[slipknot67]

MY season 3 transfers saw a couple of new faces coming in to strengthen from middle to front, Jean II Makoun, Mo Sissoko and Nathan Delfueneso all being hailed by the media as coups for the club.

Makoun, Sissoko, Crosas, Forrest and Adryan now make up my 5 man midfield with Delfueneso, Sanogo and Hooper all vying for the one space up top.

We absolutely smashed the SPL this season eventually winning it by 18 points and having the title wrapped up in time for the split (which was just as well as our post split form was atrocious).

In the domestic cups this year we got to both finals, lost the league cup 2-1 to Hearts but made up for it by stealing a disappointingly narrow victory over Rangers in the Scottish cup final, which we won 1-0 thanks to a late goal by Adam Mathews, who tbh is looking more and more of a bit part player in my side and time is now running out for him to improve enough to break into my first team on a regular basis. His cup heroics have probably bought him one last chance but if he isn't starting regularly by halfway through next season I'll probably let him go in January for the sake of his career.

Europe this season was I'm afraid the same old story. Easy passage into the CL groups, drawn against Bayern and Valencia, finished third and a decent run in the Europa league where we went out in the Quarter final to Athletico, who went on to win it. De ja vu anyone?

And there you have it, my career so far as manager of the Hoops. My long term goal as always is to figure out some way of competing with the big hitters of the European stage and bring a long awaited CL or Europa league trophy to Paradise, fingers crossed and I'll do my best to keep you all up to date with my progress in here. To anyone who took the time, thanks for reading all that and I hope all those screenies weren't too much of a pain to look through.

[DKB]

MY season 3 transfers saw a couple of new faces coming in to strengthen from middle to front, Jean II Makoun, Mo Sissoko and Nathan Delfueneso all being hailed by the media as coups for the club.

Makoun, Sissoko, Crosas, Forrest and Adryan now make up my 5 man midfield with Delfueneso, Sanogo and Hooper all vying for the one space up top.

We absolutely smashed the SPL this season eventually winning it by 18 points and having the title wrapped up in time for the split (which was just as well as our post split form was atrocious).

In the domestic cups this year we got to both finals, lost the league cup 2-1 to Hearts but made up for it by stealing a disappointingly narrow victory over Rangers in the Scottish cup final, which we won 1-0 thanks to a late goal by Adam Mathews, who tbh is looking more and more of a bit part player in my side and time is now running out for him to improve enough to break into my first team on a regular basis. His cup heroics have probably bought him one last chance but if he isn't starting regularly by halfway through next season I'll probably let him go in January for the sake of his career.

Europe this season was I'm afraid the same old story. Easy passage into the CL groups, drawn against Bayern and Valencia, finished third and a decent run in the Europa league where we went out in the Quarter final to Athletico, who went on to win it. De ja vu anyone?

And there you have it, my career so far as manager of the Hoops. My long term goal as always is to figure out some way of competing with the big hitters of the European stage and bring a long awaited CL or Europa league trophy to Paradise, fingers crossed and I'll do my best to keep you all up to date with my progress in here. To anyone who took the time, thanks for reading all that and I hope all those screenies weren't too much of a pain to look through.

Did you receive an offer you couldn't refuse on Forster with the keeper coming into the club, or is he just not good enough - and sold on? Surprised to see you bringing in 2 keepers in the second season that both could be your nr 1 keeper, both of the new keeper must be on good money?

Shame about season 1, but guess that the Arabs are happy about that - they do tend to be my hardest opponent in the last couple of seasons in the FM-series

[DKB]

Could one with the full game say if

Okore - FC Nordsjælland

Helenius - AaB

Cornelius - FC Copenhagen

are interested in joining Celtic at the start of the game

[slipknot67]

I was always intending to move Forster on as although he's more than capable in the SPL I felt he couldn't be relied upon against the quality of strikers we're facing in Europe.

Viviano is on 27.5k a week and Rensing is on 22k a week. I've just had to transfer list Rensing though since Smithies became available on a free just before my current season started so he's now my first choice gk (on 25k a week). The plan is to sell Rensing, use the more experienced Viviano in Europe and domestic cup games with Smithies getting the majority of league matches (barring an unlikely injury or suspension of course).

Dundee Utd's fans were no doubt delighted to get one over on us and claim only their second top tier title of their history, I don't intend to let it happen again though.

[DKB]

I was always intending to move Forster on as although he's more than capable in the SPL I felt he couldn't be relied upon against the quality of strikers we're facing in Europe.

Viviano is on 27.5k a week and Rensing is on 22k a week. I've just had to transfer list Rensing though since Smithies became available on a free just before my current season started so he's now my first choice gk (on 25k a week). The plan is to sell Rensing, use the more experienced Viviano in Europe and domestic cup games with Smithies getting the majority of league matches (barring an unlikely injury or suspension of course).

Dundee Utd's fans were no doubt delighted to get one over on us and claim only their second top tier title of their history, I don't intend to let it happen again though.

How are Denny Johnstone progressed, can see in the demo that he could turn out to be a 4 star player - have you used him? Seems like he could be a really good player with some dribbling training and some tutoring - also Chambers look like he could be a good player in the future if given the right training and match experience

[slipknot67]

How are Denny Johnstone progressed, can see in the demo that he could turn out to be a 4 star player - have you used him? Seems like he could be a really good player with some dribbling training and some tutoring - also Chambers look like he could be a good player in the future if given the right training and match experience

Do you mean Joe Chalmers? Can't find a chambers in the game that is or even was at Celtic.

Anyway, if you did mean Chalmers him and Johnstone both got released early on. Johnstone is now at Norwich and Chalmers is at Raith. Neither were of a sufficient quality to have any chance of breaking into my first team.

[DKB]

Do you mean Joe Chalmers? Can't find a chambers in the game that is or even was at Celtic.

Anyway, if you did mean Chalmers him and Johnstone both got released early on. Johnstone is now at Norwich and Chalmers is at Raith. Neither were of a sufficient quality to have any chance of breaking into my first team.

yeah Chalmers - shame seems like good prospects in the demo. Johnstone seem like he could do a job as backup for Forrest at right wing, if he got intensive dribbling (or crossing training, can't remember which)

[slipknot67]

yeah Chalmers - shame seems like good prospects in the demo. Johnstone seem like he could do a job as backup for Forrest at right wing, if he got intensive dribbling (or crossing training, can't remember which)

my back up for Forrest at Amr is actually Hooper, his goals dried up in my second season and the board were on at me about it, so I converted him to play there and he does a very good job as an inside forward attack now when he plays there.

[McGeady10]

How did Dundee United get on in the CL?

I've just finished my second season and will post an update later on tonight...

Have you used Tony Watt much? I've tried to blood him and he's doing okay but I don't think he's going to quite have the quality to be my first choice striker.

Dylan McGeogh also showing decent potential but again feel he may stop just a little short of the quality I'm looking for in attacking areas.

Strange you said that about Hooper. He had an exceptional first season for me and wasn't able to re-capure it in the second season. Having said that he's still my best striker.

[slipknot67]

How did Dundee United get on in the CL?

I've just finished my second season and will post an update later on tonight...

Have you used Tony Watt much? I've tried to blood him and he's doing okay but I don't think he's going to quite have the quality to be my first choice striker.

Dylan McGeogh also showing decent potential but again feel he may stop just a little short of the quality I'm looking for in attacking areas.

Strange you said that about Hooper. He had an exceptional first season for me and wasn't able to re-capure it in the second season. Having said that he's still my best striker.

Dundee Utd got knocked out of the CL in the third round qualifier by Steaua Bucharest despite having smashed their opponents FK Rudar of Montenegro 6-0 on aggregate in the previous round, then in the Europa league were unlucky to get drawn against Sevilla in the play-off and were very unlucky in their games against them as well, only losing 1-0 on aggregate. It was at home they lost as well and for them to manage a 0-0 away draw with Sevilla is some result.

Tony Watt was loaned out 3 times by my DoF and he played regularly each time but Norwich offered me just under a million for him and I've too many strikers as it is so I had to let him go. Was robbed with only getting 875k for him mind you. As for McGeouch, he's out on loan at the moment but at 22 he's nowhere near getting in my team either so will be getting sold at the first sign of a decent offer.

[McGeady10]

2013/14 - The Double Double

2013/14 saw me hit the transfer market and bring in a good few players.

Was sad to see Scott Brown go but given his wages and his limited apperances I felt I had no option.

Was a similar story with Adam Matthews who we sold for £4.9m as the offer was just too good to reject. I feel as if he was more than adequately replaced by Scott Sutter, however.

Another blow to me came in January when Villa activated a £5m release clause in Alex Milosevic's contract. We had purchased him only 12 months earlier for £650k so although good business I was upset at losing him. Daniel Ayala was brought into replace him.

Most other signings (Hallberg, Baranek, Lawrence) were all for the future while the loan signing of Gignac turned sour as we had a falling out and he was sent back to OM after only two weeks.

Felipe Anderson was bought for a club record fee as a long term advanced playmaker and had a decent first season. Remy Cabella was brought in on loan to act as quality cover as I anticipated Felipe's form being up anddown trhought he season.

Anyway this is how the league finished up looking...

Another hugely successful league season scoring 100 goals. I am slightly concerned with our dire defensive record but won't be changing my phylisophy of attacking football as I beleive it's in line with the traditions of the club.

In Europe the falling Co-efficient of Scottish teams saw us have to play three qualifiers and luckily we came through them without any hassle to put ourselves in the Champions League proper where we played some truely fantasic football (a 4-0 defeat in Paris aside) to win our group. The group included current European Champions, Arsenal, who were bottom.

Victory over Ajax in the last 16 saw us go into a Quarter Final against Bayern where we came up just a little bit short despite putting in a fantastic effort over two games. It will be very difficult to live up to this next season but I hope our performances will encourage my star men to stick with us.

Domestic cup success came in the Scottish CUp where we beat Dundee United in the Cup Final to gain revenge for a 4-2 reversal in the semi of the league cup.

Team stats for the season shown below...

Star men for me this season have been:

Joe Ledley - 13 goals from midfield before picking up a season ending injury in March.

Felipe Anderson - First season in Scottish football and a star performer with 17 goals and 11 assists.

Gary Hooper - One goal shy of 30. Fantastic player for me.

James Forrest - What can you say? 25 goals in 33 games over an injury disturbed season.

But finally a big shout out for Giorgos Samaras. Although scoring at just over one in three he's the main man for me and his experience is key for my young team.

I hope next year Watt and McGeogh can get more game time.

[huntelaar19]

Not had a proper look yet but must be a good squad to work with this year, kept my eye on them throughout my Spurs save and they've just lost 2-1 vs Lyon in the Europa league final in the first season! That included coming back from a 3-0 first leg semi final defeat to Liverpool.

[McGeady10]

Just had three players called up for the World Cup in 2014...

It's Fosters first call-up to an England squad. Delighted for him.

Hope they all do well

[DKB]

2013/14 - The Double Double

2013/14 saw me hit the transfer market and bring in a good few players.

Was sad to see Scott Brown go but given his wages and his limited apperances I felt I had no option.

Was a similar story with Adam Matthews who we sold for £4.9m as the offer was just too good to reject. I feel as if he was more than adequately replaced by Scott Sutter, however.

Another blow to me came in January when Villa activated a £5m release clause in Alex Milosevic's contract. We had purchased him only 12 months earlier for £650k so although good business I was upset at losing him. Daniel Ayala was brought into replace him.

Most other signings (Hallberg, Baranek, Lawrence) were all for the future while the loan signing of Gignac turned sour as we had a falling out and he was sent back to OM after only two weeks.

Felipe Anderson was bought for a club record fee as a long term advanced playmaker and had a decent first season. Remy Cabella was brought in on loan to act as quality cover as I anticipated Felipe's form being up anddown trhought he season.

Anyway this is how the league finished up looking...

Another hugely successful league season scoring 100 goals. I am slightly concerned with our dire defensive record but won't be changing my phylisophy of attacking football as I beleive it's in line with the traditions of the club.

In Europe the falling Co-efficient of Scottish teams saw us have to play three qualifiers and luckily we came through them without any hassle to put ourselves in the Champions League proper where we played some truely fantasic football (a 4-0 defeat in Paris aside) to win our group. The group included current European Champions, Arsenal, who were bottom.

Victory over Ajax in the last 16 saw us go into a Quarter Final against Bayern where we came up just a little bit short despite putting in a fantastic effort over two games. It will be very difficult to live up to this next season but I hope our performances will encourage my star men to stick with us.

Domestic cup success came in the Scottish CUp where we beat Dundee United in the Cup Final to gain revenge for a 4-2 reversal in the semi of the league cup.

Team stats for the season shown below...

Star men for me this season have been:

Joe Ledley - 13 goals from midfield before picking up a season ending injury in March.

Felipe Anderson - First season in Scottish football and a star performer with 17 goals and 11 assists.

Gary Hooper - One goal shy of 30. Fantastic player for me.

James Forrest - What can you say? 25 goals in 33 games over an injury disturbed season.

But finally a big shout out for Giorgos Samaras. Although scoring at just over one in three he's the main man for me and his experience is key for my young team.

I hope next year Watt and McGeogh can get more game time.

Do you play Sammy upfront or as a left winger

[McGeady10]

Left winger but way up top... Not attacking midfield.

[McGeady10]

Having a really tough pre-season... Can't get Wanyama tied down and he's in the last year of his contract. Nobody is offering big money and his agent won't speak any sense. Wants 50 grand a week

[redhawk]

I have to say slipknot, struggling in your first season could be to do with bringing in so many players! A total of 38 over just 3 seasons!

[slipknot67]

I have to say slipknot, struggling in your first season could be to do with bringing in so many players! A total of 38 over just 3 seasons!

It's always been my biggest failing on FM, can't resist a bargain and now that we get badgered by agents offering us their clients I find I'm getting worse for it...need to stick a post it note or something on my screen with 'I can only use 11 players at a time' written in big bold lettering.

[redhawk]

It is a temptation, I have to admit.

[Tommy_Styles]

Has anyone managed to bring in any decent Scottish players?

On a side note: I'll start playing properly and writing updates here after full release, am expecting some sort of update on release day.

[DKB]

Having a really tough pre-season... Can't get Wanyama tied down and he's in the last year of his contract. Nobody is offering big money and his agent won't speak any sense. Wants 50 grand a week

on the demo, I got Wanyama tied down to a new 5 year contract at the start, think I paid £28k a week. Have any of you used him in central defence? He look like he could ba a class central defender + it would leave room for Kayal and Ledley in the central midfield roles

[McGeady10]

on the demo, I got Wanyama tied down to a new 5 year contract at the start, think I paid £28k a week. Have any of you used him in central defence? He look like he could ba a class central defender + it would leave room for Kayal and Ledley in the central midfield roles

I've used him in defence quite a lot with Ledley left mid, Forrest right, Livermore in the centre and Kayal holding.

He is a class centre back.

My third season has gone badly pear shaped because of his agent though

[slipknot67]

My first league match against Rangers since they got back into the SPL went quite well.

[McGeady10]

Zombie bashing

Love it....

[McGougan33]

Really impressed and happy with this thread, You`ve done well mate, even brought a slight tear to my eye reading about that glorious day in lisbon - Passion, Pride and Class, equally describes this thread and club alike!

[McGougan33]

Has anyone managed to bring in any decent Scottish players?

On a side note: I'll start playing properly and writing updates here after full release, am expecting some sort of update on release day.

Gary Mackay Steven is incredible in this on the left or right wing

[McGeady10]

Glad you like it mate... Very hard act to follow. Just wanted to give Hoops fans a place to share their FM experiences and I think you've done the hard graft for long enough. Hopefully you find time to play the game and let us know how you get on

[McGougan33]

Cheers bro, got so much on these days that, today is the first time ive played the beta, since the first day it came out!

Made some signings:

Gary Mackay Steven 3.5 mil

Sebastian Squillacci - 675 k

Martin Hinteregger - 1.4 mil

Biggest outs:

Kris Commons - 2.5 mil

Thomas Rogne - 1 mil

Paddy McCourt - 180k ( Stupidly put the chairman in charge of this transfer, that was swiftly taken back off him )

[McGougan33]

Just into January, sitting top of the league by 4 points ( Lost some daft games )

And qualified from my europa league group 2nd behind OM

Playing a 4-3-2-1 with a dm and 2 cms, Happy with my tactic, but i may tweak it soon and see if i can improve it

[McGeady10]

And qualified from my europa league group 2nd behind OM

Do you mean CL or were you dumped in the Qualifiers?

[McGougan33]

Dumped in the qualifiers mate!

[Hagi_07]

Reluctant to start my Celtic save until the full game comes out. Got a Fenerbahce save going on at the moment, don't ask why.

I've had a look at Celtic though and I think some of the players are a big underwhelming. Centre half is still a real problem area. Midfield forward is decent as expected. Biggest question is Wanyama. Sell or not? Whats the maximum people have got for him to date? Also, Brown is Brown but his wages are so high and he's not gona get a game in the centre I don't think even if Wanyama goes. Roll on the full game!

[Decadoice]

Reluctant to start my Celtic save until the full game comes out. Got a Fenerbahce save going on at the moment, don't ask why.

I've had a look at Celtic though and I think some of the players are a big underwhelming. Centre half is still a real problem area. Midfield forward is decent as expected. Biggest question is Wanyama. Sell or not? Whats the maximum people have got for him to date? Also, Brown is Brown but his wages are so high and he's not gona get a game in the centre I don't think even if Wanyama goes. Roll on the full game!

I managed to get 12.25m for him in jan 2013. About half of it was over a period of a couple of years though.

I highly recommend Ryan Gauld from Dundee Utd. I put him in left mid opposite forrest and he's been doing great - kept ledley and commons out of my team, and I rotate him with Ibrahim Afellay in 13/14 to keep him developing.

Ruben Rochina from Blackburn as a striker is also highly recommended - He has 16 goals and 5 assists in 23 appearances for me so far in 2013/14. Adryan as someone mentioned earlier in the thread is also great. I play him as AMC and he's doing a great job there - he tends to grab a goal every 3/4 games and an assist about the same. Considering i mostly play down the wings he's very impressive.