Asked about his first start of the season for Celtic this weekend, former Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas has said in an interview with Scottish tabloid Daily Record that he is very satisfied with how things are going at the moment and that he's convinced he made the right choice:
"Some people in Spain felt I had made a mistake when I came to Scotland to play for Celtic. They didn't rate the style of football or the level but I think they are wrong. We may not have the stars that Barcelona have - Messi, Bojan and Xavi - but not many teams do. What we do have is a very strong side that is very much together. We can play many styles of football.
We can pass the ball to feet and score some great goals. We can get physical, we can play it down the flanks or when we need we can play along ball. To me that is the mark of a top quality side and not a team that doesn't suit my style of football. It also proves my theory that the ball is just as round at Celtic as it is at Barcelona or as it would be in Brazil. On our day we can be just as exciting to watch as any side and Barcelona would have been happy to play the way we did at Motherwell.
What makes it even more amazing is the way we were able to produce that level of football after a big defeat to Rangers. It didn't take us any time to recover from that defeat and again that shows just how strong this side is. It makes me believe we could have a really good season and I hope I get the chance to play a big part in it.
Starting against Motherwell has given me a real taste for it. I'm desperate to play on Wednesday in the Champions League - it would be an amazing night for me. But I know the manager has so many options and that just under-lines my point - this is a big club with big ambitions and I'm delighted with my decision to move to Scotland.
We have the potential to do well in Champions league competition but we will lose focus if we start talking about reaching the last sixteen or the quarter-finals. The only thing that matters now is a win on Wednesday.
I already have great experiences from this competition but most of them are as a fan, not a player. I was in Paris two years ago with my friends to watch Barca lift the trophy. I was playing for the Barcelona second team at the time so I went as a fan, wearing my scarf and singing the songs. They are my team, my first love, and to see them win the biggest prize in football was amazing. But nothing could compare to playing for Celtic at this level.
If I get the chance on Wednesday I will be very proud and excited to play in front of that crowd. I have said before I felt Celtic fans were up there as the best in the world. I can't say for certain they are the best in the world because I've never seen football fans in Argentina but they are definitely the best in Europe. Their support will be crucial in the Champions League. They can drive us on with their backing but we can't look beyond the first game against Aalborg."
Since Barcelona can buy Crosas back in the summer of 2010 for two million euro (read more here), this blog will follow the performances of the midfielder over the next two years. Read more on Crosas' performances this season here.
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Crosas thinks moving to Celtic was right choice
Friday, 29 August 2008
Crosas looking forward to Old Firm
Asked about his debut with Celtic Glasgow last weekend (read more here), former Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas (20) has said in an interview with Scottish tabloid Daily Record that he was very happy with the warm reception he received from the home crowd:
"I spoke about the atmosphere at Celtic before I came to the club but I never imagined how great it could be. I was delighted with the way the fans took to me as I came off the bench."
Crosas is already looking forward to the Glasgow derby against city-rivals Rangers on Sunday: "I know derby matches are special because I spent so long at Barcelona watching games with Real Madrid. It was the game everyone wanted to play in. I was no different but the closest I came was last December when I was in the squad. I thought I might get a seat on the bench but I had to settle for watching from the stand.
Being involved in those games is special and even if I'm not playing for Celtic against Rangers I will give my all as a squad member to help them win. But nothing can beat playing. I can only imagine what it would be like to play in a derby and when I do imagine I get quite excited. I've seen quite a few Celtic games on TV and was always impressed by the atmosphere but nothing beats the real thing."
In an interview with Madrid tabloid As, Crosas also said that he had a good feeling about his first official minutes as a Celtic player: "I could play for 20 minutes when the game was already decided. It was a calm debut but it was impressive to feel the unity with the fans when you enter the pitch.
After the game we went to dinner with several team-mates and the fans who we met congratulated us with the win but also made clear that the really important match was the one this Sunday. That was striking. I've seen images from the derbies on youtube and they are really impressive."
Crosas says that he has been advised not to meet this week with Glasgow Rangers attacking midfielder Aarón, who joined Raingers last week on loan from Valencia and who Crosas knows well from their time together with the Spanish youth teams, because the fans of both clubs wouldn't understand that.
Since Barcelona can buy Crosas back in the summer of 2010 for two million euro (read more here), this blog will follow the performances of the midfielder over the next two years.
Read more on Crosas' performances with Celtic here
Friday, 8 August 2008
Crosas to close Celtic deal this weekend
Asked about his upcoming move to Celtic Glasgow (read more here), Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas (20) has said in an interview with Scottish tabloid Daily Record that he's looking forward to joining his new club:
"It's the biggest move of my career and I'm very excited about it. It's sad that I'm leaving Barcelona after so long but I couldn't have picked a better club to join than Celtic.
I have spoken with my agent and everything is on for me to sign for Celtic. A fee has been agreed between the clubs and my agent is dealing with all the personal terms. That means I should be in Glasgow on Saturday and I hope to finalise everything and undergo a medical before they play on Sunday."
The tabloid claims that Barcelona asked French champions Lyon, who wanted to make last season's loan deal permanent this summer, a fee of 2,5 million euro°. Celtic will only pay 0,5 million euro° (with 0,9 million euro° in variables) but the Scottish champions accepted to include a 2 million euro° buy-back option in the deal (read more here).
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is today quoted by British sports site Setanta Sports as confirming that Crosas is on the verge of signing: "Chief executive Peter Lawwell is looking after all these things and we left him to tie up the loose ends. My part comes when he joins us and we try to make him a better player. And anybody who joins us hopefully makes us a better team."
Read more:
OFFICIAL: Crosas to Celtic
Crosas could stay in Lyon
Crosas agent confirms deal with Celtic close
Monday, 4 August 2008
Crosas agent confirms deal with Celtic close
Asked about the rumours about a 2,5 million euro° deal between Barcelona and Celtic Glasgow on the transfer of Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas (20) (read more here), Crosas' agent Angel Castell has confirmed to British sports site BBC Sport that a deal is close although not finalized:
"As of close of business on Friday, a deal was not done and I have had no confirmation since from Barcelona. There are only a few small details still to be agreed between the clubs. Barcelona were thinking of a loan, but the player is keen on a transfer and is waiting to fly to Glasgow."
Crosas' agent nevertheless stressed that the player had yet to discuss personal terms with Celtic, from whom the player would be hoping for a deal lasting at least three years.
Angel Castell repeated to British sports site Sky Sports that a deal is near: "I know the two clubs are still in communication about a deal. We are waiting to conclude everything and we are waiting on Barcelona. Celtic are very keen on signing Crosas, but there is also interest from clubs in Spain and clubs in Italy.
I think it could be a permanent transfer as Marc does not want to go on loan again. Celtic are a very good possibility for him as they are always challenging for trophies and they also play in the Champions League. We hope to resolve his future soon."
British tabloid The Daily Mail claims that Crosas is expected to sign for Celtic early this week after an agreement on a permanent deal could be found soon and is now awaiting the green light to fly to Glasgow.
Barcelona sources meanwhile confirmed the Celtic interest for Crosas to Catalan sport paper El Mundo Deportivo although it wouldn't be very likely that a deal will be found soon. Scottish tabloid Daily Record claims that Barcelona is almost certain to insist on a buy-back clause in Crosas' contract, with a deal to be possibly sealed before the end of the week.
Read more:
Deal with Celtic on Crosas
Contract renewal for Crosas
Barcelona and Celtic negotiating Crosas deal
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Barcelona and Celtic negotiating Crosas deal
Scottish tabloid Daily Record claims that Celtic Glasgow has entered talks with Barcelona about signing Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas (20) on a permanent deal.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Celtic leading tight race for Crosas
Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Celtic Glasgow (read more here), Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas (20) has said in an interview with Scottish tabloid Daily Record that he has received proposals from Celtic and Sevilla and that he would be ready to accept a loan deal:
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