Dorus de Vries

Quick comment on his peformance from yesterday. Had no chance with the goal so no blame there but i thought his choice of passing at times was Gordonesque that put us under unnecessary trouble. One i remember was with Hendry and for a second i thought Gordon was back from injury.

Didn't think he instilled great confidence in the backline although the last two chances that Killie had to extend their lead he came up with two very good saves. I think he needs to make up his mind quicker what he plans to do as he delays the pass sometimes too long.

 

Got to give him a chance he's not played much..

I'd did notice at times v Killie he took too long to play the ball which was the same as watching Gordon.. needs to trust the likes of Ajer and Hendry to take the ball when pressed and be ready to receive the pass back to him when required.

For me we're crying out for this type of GK, a GK who has and good understanding with his defenders, instills confidence & can pass well.

Teams would soon realise pressing us deep would be a futile task and this in turn would allow us to build properly from the back. Difficult to find a keeper like that who can save the ball too, but should be the priority.

Also our midfielders need to show for the ball more and be willing to take the ball under pressure, this is an issue too. Lack of bravery on the ball especially in Europe.

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I thought he did well earlier on the season when he played a couple of games but we will certainly see for sure what he is made of over the next couple of weeks given the amount of games we have so no excuse about not being fully up to match speed.

 

DDV: "It's great playing to be fair, that's what you train for as a player. It's good to be playing. It is unfortunate for Craig with the long-term injury, and now it’s time for me to step up and show what I can do."

DDV: "I have been training hard since I got here, trying to maintain focus and standards, and that’s all I have done since I arrived. Now the time has come that I am playing and I need to make sure I am ready."

DDV: "You need to try and stay motivated but I’m really fortunate with the players we have here – they keep you sharp, they keep you going. Everyone here is so enjoyable to work with. They make sure you are really focused and that’s the good part of being here."

DDV: "I am looking forward to every game. I am not looking one game ahead. I take it game by game, making sure I am 100 per cent focused and ready."

 

DORUS de Vries is loving life at Celtic at the moment. He is playing in the first team at long last after taking over from his injured club mate Craig Gordon. He has big games coming up and trophies to play for.

But De Vries has revealed he was close to leaving the Parkhead club in the summer after a Premier League club in England showed interest - and was prevented from doing so by his manager Brendan Rodgers.

De Vries has replaced Craig Gordon, who suffered a serious knee injury, in goals in the Scottish champions last three games against Hibernian, Hearts and Kilmarnock.

His promotion to the first team has, despite the 1-0 loss at Rugby Park at the weekend, lifted the spirits of the Dutchman, who spent the vast majority of last season on the sidelines.

The 37-year-old, who has previously played at Swansea City, Wolves and Nottingham Forest, admitted he had serious considered returning down south in order to secure a regular first team start.

However, Rodgers, who he had worked under at Swansea, refused to even consider allowing him to depart, something he is now grateful for.

Asked if he had thought about departing Parkhead at the end of his first season in Scotland, he said: “Yes, of course. I did. In the summer, there was also some interest. I could have gone back to the Premier League, but, at that moment, I wasn’t allowed to go. Simple as.

“Besides the not playing bit, which always hurts, all the other bits were really, really good. The coaching staff keep you going. I’m really fortunate with my goalkeeping coach, Stevie Woods, who keeps me going.

“I’m really fortunate with my family, who are really enjoying where we live. It’s a great area. We have a winning team, being involved in a European-playing team. Winning trophies. Stuff like that. You take that on board as well and it keeps you fighting for more.

“Like I said, there were possibilities in the summer, but there was no option of going. You have to respect that decision and make the most of it. You can’t mope about it. You can’t go and sit the in corner and cry. That would be no use. You have to take it on the chin and try to make the most of the situation.”

De Vries, though, is glad he stayed. He has enjoyed being involved in the first team again and is looking forward to the big games they have coming up, including against Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League. He is also relishing working under Rodgers.

Speaking as Celtic announced their women’s team had secured a two years sponsorship deal with IT and Communications company Exsel Group, he said: You never know what’s going to happen when you move. There are a lot of teams down south and it might be you are fighting relegation. There might be a change of manager or a change ownership.

“How many times have we seen that happen? Football is crazy like that and I had to take into account what I have here. I have great support and the respect of my team mates and the coaching staff.

“I’ve worked with the gaffer in the past and he’s been great for me. I really enjoyed working with him at Swansea. Am I happy how it’s gone? At the moment. I’m always happiest when I am playing and right now I am playing.

“There were a lot of things to think about. Did I want to move again? What are the possibilities? You weigh the pros and cons and think what’s best for me and my family. Then there’s loyalty to the gaffer and I also had a point to prove to him. I wanted to fight for him as well.

“He said he didn’t want to lose me because of my experience and the type of guy I am in the dressing room.

“If you only have a couple of weeks left in the transfer window, who are you going to get in? It can be tricky and I understood how he felt. Sometimes because the window is so time sensitive you can’t let players go.”

De Vries picked up three winners’ medals last season as Celtic won the Betfred Cup, Ladbrokes Premiership and William Hill Scottish Cup even though he only featured in five first team games. He is hoping to earn any honours he may pick up this season on merit.

“If we do it again this year then it will feel different, feel better,” he said. “You want your club to be successful whether you play or not but, if you are in the team, then you really feel as though you’ve made a contribution.

"Don’t get me wrong; being the type of guy I am, when I was out of the side last year then I made sure that everyone else around me was focused and ready.

“That’s the role you have when you’re not starting games and I made sure that I was prepared for every single game in case I was called upon. I always try to help the guys around me because that’s what I’ve always done – I’m a team player.

“But, of course, when you’re taking part in the games, you feel as though you’re helping even more; it’s as simple as that.”

 

Brendan Rodgers believes that Dorus de Vries brought out the best in Craig Gordon last term when he briefly displaced the Scotland internationalist from between the sticks.

De Vries has taken the gloves as Gordon recovers from a knee injury, with the expectation being that the No.1 will be out for up to three months.

“He came in and, along with Craig’s appetite to want to work and improve himself, I think both of them have really pushed each other on,” said Rodgers.

“He has been a loyal support for Craig and showed incredible professionalism in how he has looked after his body and his mind to make sure he was always ready to play. Obviously Craig is out of the team and there was a point last season where a Premier League club wanted to take [De Vries] but I was able to talk him through and convince him to stay. He loves being here at Celtic and now he gets the chance to play.”

And the Celtic manager maintained that the Celtic fans have yet to see the best of De Vries.

“He is certainly a better player than on what people are judging him on really,” said Rodgers. “He is a goalkeeper who has worked in the Premier League and worked at a level that tells you he is a really competent goalkeeper. Of course, Craig coming out of the time was a decision of mine, not a decision of Dorus’ but ultimately it was a decision that really helped Craig.

“Dorus knew how I wanted my goalkeepers to work and Craig could see that on a day to day basis.

“But he comes off in the Kilmarnock game and Craig didn’t look back.

“Both have been outstanding in their different ways and have experience, while we have some good young ones below that with good talent.

“There’s a great run of games for him to play now.”

 

Nervous start but save he made with his legs was a great save

 

*.

Husnae goat the minirolls

 

Must have the worst shot to goals ratio in our history.

An absolute diddy.

 

Defence, mainly Simunovic, has only hampered his chance here. Not covered himself in glory at all but the defence has been shambolic for weeks now.

 

New keeper required. Just no confidence in him to be honest.

 

Hes a bit *

 

Got real concerns v Zenit, keeper needs to be vocal and have a calming influence on his defense big Doris hasn't, give him a chance against Zenit if he * it up then we need to turn to Scotty Bain v St.Johnstone.

 

I dont particularly rate the guy but it feels like at least half the goals we are conceding at the moment comes from terrible defending that he cant really be blamed for.

 

every time i see him , first thought is " naw you'll no dae " and i cant imagine that changing .

 

We need to add a quality GK in the summer..

 

Not sure how people can blame him for anything today? I think we need to sign a top draw keeper deffo but this poor * did nothing wrong today

 

I agree. Was two defensive blunders. * all any keeper could have done about them.

 

30 million in the bank and we couldn't sing a first team keeper..... says it all.

He is not the answer and we need to get someone in come the summer.