Proving that all goalkeepers do not have to be six foot beasts, Flo Leixnering has shown himself to be an excellent last line of defence on more than one occasion. Encouraged to return to the game by his flat mate and Celtic hotshot Martin Gloria Andrez, after a three years sabbatical, Flo’s instinctive reflexes have been Celtic’s gain.
Matt Watson-Broughton - Goalkeeper Some players are lucky with injuries, some players are unlucky and have a bad injury once in a while... then there is Matt. No other player in the league can boast picking up at least 3 fresh injuries per match... this can happen even when Celtic have won 5-0 and he has had to do nothing. The latest injury happened when holding the post and banging his boots clean, he stretched his thumb muscle.
Matt brings his experience of UEFA coaching to the team. Matt has produced some oustanding saves in match winning situations.
Joe McCann - Fullback Now he has a fellow Scot in the squad and a Celtic fan (and by god he lets people know his love of Celtic F.C.), Joe has brought his own knowledge of the game to Celtic and let it run free in his regular match reports. They have become so saught after now, that the team are just as intrigued to learn about the time of when the next one will be written more than when the next game kicks off!
Joe has gone from strength to strength in his favoured fullback position.
Gabor Harsanyi - Defender
The Budapest Beast, Celtic's very own Arnie Schwarzenegger, is a popular figure in the team with his own version of no-nonsense defending. After blocking and dismantling another opposition striker, he will make sure that the ball is put out of the danger area... either that or he is having his own personal game of 'how many streets can I clear with this kick'. Has the claim of the only defender in the league that the Vikings don't like playing against.
Laurence Coen - Central Defender Laurence 'Mother******!' Coen has thrived upon the opportunity of taking over the club along with Evans after it was left in disarray at the start of the season. His Action Man, all swearing front has earned him many plaudits hailing him the best swearer since Bernard Manning (look him up on google). Luckily whilst most refs just ignore him, the unfortunate fresh new blooded players for Celtic, feel the wrath of Coen after knocking a stray pass, missing a goal attempt or even worse... taking a foul throw-in (McCann beware)!
Laurence has yet to lose a header in the league and will not shirk a challenge. When he is unavailable, he is missed as he is part of a solid core to the team.
Paul Couling - Central Defender
Not only has Paul C brought his own unique style of no-nonsense tackling and full bloodied defending to Celtic, he has also introduced a touch of flair to the side. Away from the game C runs his own t-shirt printing business and his fellow team mates eagerly await the chance to see themselves on one of Paul’s excellent designs.
Mihàly Greiling - Central Defender/ Defensive Midfielder
Mark Ryan - Defender Mark is still not entirely sure if he is Irish as he still clings to the hopes he can play for Luxembourg, came to Celtic last year and has brought his no nonsense style of defending to A Liga with great results. Mark seems to have the uncanny ability to win the ball 100% cleanly from whichever angle he approaches a tackle, which is why he has probably settled quicker than most to the Hungarian style of refereeing!
Leo Kronberger - Defender/Left Midfielder
Leo “The Little General” Kronberger spent several years causing mayhem in The Austrian army, before arriving at Celtic last summer. An extremely quick learner, Leo only took up the beautiful game a few short years ago, after flirting with the idea of being an American footballer. Noted for his crossing and set-piece ability, Leo has established himself as an influential member of the Celtic squad.
Akhsar Sanakoev - Fullback
Johny Bennett - Midfielder Perhaps the only Norwich diehard in Celtic’s history, JB has brought his own special brand of Jeremy Goss like style shooting to the football club. JB's second game for Celtic almost never happened after he was held hostage by a female American student who refused to allow him to leave her apartment.
Neil Evans - Midfielder Neil 'I am showing an example as co-manager by arriving early to practices, games and social events' Evans - really doesn't live up to his nickname. Luckily his timing skills off the pitch, don't match those on it. His energy skills come from his copious amounts of drugs he receives from Bult but gets away with it pretending he is diabetic.
'El Machino' was named player of the season for his first 3 seasons with the club and is regarded as the engine of the team.
Sam Houlison - Midfielder
The toon teen wing wizard, Sam Houlison is currently the youngest player in the Hoops first team squad. On the field Sam is quick witted, posses lighting pace and can pick a pass with either foot. Likes to relax after matches by cracking open a few cans of Carling and sticking the Geordie classic Purely Belter in his dvd player.
Szilard Kardhordo - Fullback / Right Winger Faster than a speeding bullet but perhaps not as powerful as a locomotive, Szil's performances this season have been nothing short of majestic. He has quickly established himself as a winger who strikes fear into opposition defences and that isn't only down to the fact he loves Cradle of Filth. Szil has been a revelation and will help Celtic to achieve their goals.
Alan Porto - Midfielder/defender
Yoshi - Midfielder
Following in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Shunsuke Nakamura, Japanese wonder kid Yoshi Ikeda has also excelled in the green and white hoops. Yoshi’s cultured central midfield performances have taken A Liga by storm this season and the little man from Japan has been one of Celtic’s most consistent performers in the 09/10 campaign.
Seb Schneider - Midfielder A great lover of all things Bourissa Dortmund, the versatile and hugely influential Seb Schneider has flourished ever since his promotion to Celtic’s 1st team last summer. Unflustered in possession and confident in the tackle, Seb’s undoubted quality is there for all to see.
Stanislav Ryjov - Left Midfielder Stani is pretty much the envy of all the rest of the team. The playboy not only picks, goes in for the kill and takes away any girl he chooses with a quick cheeky grin, the same speed as he turns a defender and lashes a shot home, but he is the youngest member of the squad and knows how to make the older players feel old! He is also famous at training sessions for bringing the multi talented 'Stani's Mates' to see how the Celtic boys can face up to the youth of today, usually not ver well!
Stani is one of only two left footed players in the squad, and despite being the only player to arrive later than Neil, always makes a telling contribution.
Rodrigo Cota - Midfielder One of two Mexican marvels at Celtic, Rodrigo's journey from the streets of La Salle to Budapest has been a memorable ride. Rod was once on the books of Club Universidad Nacional A.C (Pumas) and The Club de Futbol Monterrey (Rayados), two of Mexico's biggest clubs and it's easy to see why when Cota produces his mesmerizing ball dribbiling skills. Rod even spent time playing for a side named Xtreme in El Paso, Texas a city that gave the world The Drive In.
Vladislav Panov - Forward Dimitar Berbatov learnt all his tricks of the trade from our very own Bulgarian resident Vlad. Never will you play with a more moody, sulky, argumentative player in the league unless the Spurs striker was to make a shock move to a Football Budapest club! Despite his unwillingless to smile on the pitch (even after he has scored!), he is a very valued member of the team and you will never misses a social event!
Vlad finished 2nd top goalscorer this year and when paired with Stani, the Bulgarian-Russian partnership can come to effect in a devastating way.
Felix Berger - Forward
The Cologne colossal signed for Celtic way back in summer 2009, before vanishing without a trace a few weeks later. After an extensive search, Felix was found in early 2010 before being unleashed on unsuspecting A Liga opponents with devastating results. Felix displays a raw passion, restless energy and breathing talent that has blown the league’s defences to bits.
Abdullah Saleh Alghanmi - Forward The Saudi Arabian hit man first touch in a Budapest Celtic shirt resulted in a miss of Chris Iwelumo proportions. However all was forgiven as his 10th touch saw him notch a goal on his debut. Abdul then went on to score 9 goals in only 4 appearances including a 4 goal haul against Hellas Cyprus. Unfortunately he has been sidelined for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury but hopes to be back for the Cup Final.
Jaspar Zebner - Forward The Hoops own Gerd Muller can often be seen traveling down the streets of Budapest riding his bicycle at 100mph, sporting a brown leather coat and a pair of black Ray Ban sunglasses no matter the weather. A deep thinker on and off the pitch, JZ recently coined the phrase "The Jas-trick" after scoring four goals in a sensational 45 min spell. With 20 goals to his name already this season and many more to come, Jasper is almost a certainty to claim A Liga's coveted golden boot.
Chris Dobson - Forward
Chris “The Elder statesmen” Dobson can often by found passing on his encyclopedic knowledge of the game, as he yet again rudely interrupts another MWB team talk as kick off fast approaches. Comfortable playing practically anywhere in midfield or attack, Chris’s experience is always a calming influence for those around him. Just don’t get him started on The Smiths.
Martin Abel - Forward
The former Stuttgarter kicker’s striker Martin Abel’s Celtic career has been blighted by a series of horrific injuries. Among the fastest players at the club, Martin’s pace, power and sensational technique has been badly missed by everyone at Celtic. A unique talent whose bass guitar exploits and knowledge of music is legendary in Budapest circles.
