Gone to join the Nobster at Celtic according to someone I know who works for the Bulls.

Personally I hope its not true.

I hope its not true aswell. Good cover, and however bad he can be, he can be quality aswell, he certainly went well at the back end of last season in a position he hadn't played before, he won't be on mega wages either. Wouldn't be a huge loss, but imo he will be a useful player to have around in 2010.

It was in League Weekly on Monday in the Nosey Parker column. He reckoned that he'd got his names mixed up and it was Platt and not Sykes headed over to the Crusaders.

Must say whilst I would not be devastated by his departure it leaves us a little short of cover in an area not exactly brimming with quality. I expected him to compete with Sykes for the right centre spot and all noises coming from the club pointed to a fresh start for him in that role.

If we had a replacement lined up then perhaps it would make sense, but if we're not planning anymore signings I don't see the benefit in letting him go now. That's my opinion purely on the playing front, whether there are other issues then I guess we'll have to wait and see.

One possibility is that Platt in not in longer term plans. He is contracted to 2011 and now might be an opportunity to move him on.
Tho agree we could miss his cover in 2010.

Couldn't blame him, given the level of kn.bhead behaviour towards him from a percentage of our suppor regardless of his performance.

If it's right, I would have thought it's a late decision.

The fact the club were making positive noises about him in the T & A coupled with him playing in the Friendly at Cas, to me, means they thought he was part of the 2010 squad at that point. Otherwise, why not make the good noises about someone else, and why not give someone else the chance to impress in the team?

If it turns out correct, it screams of Noble trying his best to find players and has fairly recently come and enquired about him. Presumably the club are either getting a transfer fee, or they've seen it as a way to get out of his contract.

Personally though, as I have said before, with the current squad, Platt would be my first choice right centre. I can only hope that if he does go, Sykes shows some big improvement there, or Crookes realises some of his potential.

Would be surprised if we let him go at this late stage as it would leave us a bit short, unless of course they have someone lined up to replace him.
Don't think i'd miss him that much if he did go, he had one or two decent games at the back end of last season but not enough to convince me he'll make a top centre. I'm not tring to knock the fella but i've still got vivid memories of many a howler he has made. Having said that i think he's our best option for right centre at the moment.

Perhaps a season-long loan rather than a transfer?

that would be the sensible option

Would be a brave player who moved to the Crusaders at this point, no?

Nosey Parker......not the most reliable source now is it!

Can't see it myself. As I understand it Platt is highly thought of by Steve M

From Sporting Life earlier this week

"Meanwhile, McNamara has dismissed speculation linking full-back or centre Michael Platt with a move to Welsh Super League club Crusaders.

"He is certainly part of my plans," he said. "He's training the house down and I'm really happy with him at this moment in time."

TBH I'd prefer it was Sykes going to Crusaders instead of Platt. He doesn't quite have the composure to be full back but he's a decent centre and Sherriffe needs more protection this year than he got from Sykes last year

do you think dosey parker will be able to get through the entire squad before the seasons over? So far he's had langley,sykes and platt all in imminent moves.

Looking at the balance of the squad I would be very disappointed if we allowed him to leave. He looks in great shape for this coming season and with a bit of confidence we may see the best of him in 2010. Hopefully the boo boys will realise that shouting abuse only heightens the symptoms of a lack of confidence.

I would be disappointed if he was moved on unless it was a move to free up cap space to sign a really good replacement.

Too right

I kind of hope this isn't true, Platt was/is always dangerous going forward although fair enough he had a few issues at full back, I thought he turned in some good performances towards the end of the season and deserves his chance.

I hope he stays he would be my first choice centre and a good squad member able to cover a few area's. Parker is not the best source of Bulls news.

I'd take this with a large gritter full of salt given that it's from Parker's column.

However if he does go I can see how he'd have few good memories of his treatment at the hands of the fekkwits. It'd leave us short so hopefully we'll hang on to him unless we have someone better lined up.

This quote is attributed to MacNamara, in League Weekly, in response to rumours regarding a move to Celtic.

"Michael has been training the house down in pre-season and there is no chance of him going anywhere. We see him as a vital member of the squad. He is contracted here and we have no plans to let him go and he has no plans to go anywhere."

Sounds fairly unambiguous and let face it Celtic aren't going to pay silly money that would cause a rethink.

Correct



Seems pretty clear cut to me. One of our best performers in the closing winning run last season at , and I hope he stays like McNamara seems to think he is.

As has been said you couldn't blame him for leaving after the treatment by some fans (booing him whilst stood on the sideline before he'd even come on as a sub?! wtf!), but I think he'll be here this season and I see no reason why he can't continue to improve. I don't think he'll ever be world class, but he's already a more than useful squad player and I'm glad he's here.