Billy Celeski signing adds key final ingredient to Jets midfield
By JAMES GARDINER
Aug. 6, 2014, 10 p.m.
COACH Phil Stubbins added the final piece to the Jets jigsaw puzzle yesterday with the signature of former Melbourne Victory midfielder Billy Celeski.
Celeski, an A-League championship winner, put pen to paper on a one-year deal and will join the squad when they resume training tomorrow.
The 29-year-old has spent the past 12 months in the United Arab Emirates and China and completes the Jets’ playing roster.
He will help fill the hole left by the departure of Josh Brillante, Zenon Caravella and Ruben Zadkovich and provide support – and competition – for Ben Kantarovski at the base of midfield.
‘‘He is a mobile, modern-day footballer,’’ Stubbins said.
‘‘Technically excellent, always wants the ball, and is a player who is able to link from back to front, which is something we desperately need.
‘‘In terms of filling the void – when Josh went as well it really made for a gap there to be filled. Billy will do that.’’
A graduate of the Australian Institute of Sport, Celeski played 91 games in five seasons for the Victory from 2008.
He made 24 appearances in his maiden campaign in Melbourne, highlighted by the 1-0 grand final triumph over Adelaide, and went on to feature in four finals series.
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Before the Victory he had two seasons in Perth.
‘‘That is exactly what attracted us to him in the start,’’ Stubbins said. ‘‘He can play as a No.6 or a No.8 equally well, and he has experience playing for championship teams.
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He has good engines and is certainly someone who is confident in looking for the ball.’’
Celeski, who has represented the Socceroos, Olyroos and Young Socceroos, has been in Melbourne since being released by Chinese Super League club Liaoning Whowin in May.
‘‘Playing in Asia is not easy and it can get very difficult very quickly,’’ said Stubbins, who had two years in Thailand before joining the Jets.
‘‘The good thing is that he has had a good six weeks off. He is fully rested ...’’
After rejecting the Jets’ initial offer, Celeski said in a club statement that he was ‘‘looking forward to meeting the boys’’ and was ‘‘confident of a successful season’’.
‘‘I spoke to Phil before making the decision and I’m really excited about what’s happening in Newcastle and what he wants to do with the players at the club, so I just wanted to be a part of it basically,’’ Celeski said.
The Jets have used a different formation in each of the opening three pre-season hit-outs, the latest a 2-0 loss to Perth Glory in the FFA Cup round of 32 at Magic Park on Tuesday.
‘‘We had to throw players into positions that were a bit foreign and we came up against a pretty polished outfit in Perth,’’ Stubbins said
‘‘In the second half we acquitted ourselves in good fashion and on another day could have had a goal or two.
‘‘But overall it was not the game or performance that I am looking for.’’
The Jets started in a 4-3-3 formation against the Glory before switching to a 4-4-2 late in the first half.
‘‘We have had a look at everything now in terms of systems and formations,’’ Stubbins said. ‘‘We will start to nut one out now and put detail into how we want to play. I think we are more potent with two up front, a hybrid 4-4-2. There is some chemistry between Joel Griffiths and Jeronimo, even though they have played limited time together.
‘‘There is Celeski, Marcos Flores, Dave Carney, Andrew Hoole, Mitch Cooper – we have not seen any of those guys. Once they become available, on a technical front, it will add a bit more potency.’’
The Jets are also still waiting on a visa for Ecuadorean striker Edson Montano.
‘‘Billy will be the one probing and helping assisting players like Flores and the other guys I mentioned,’’ Stubbins said. ‘‘It has been a bit frustrating not having these players available, but we still have a long way to go and time on our side to jell everyone together.’’
The Jets’ next play a nine-day tournament in Townsville with Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC from August 22.
Flores (knee) and right back Scott Neville (knee) are due back at full training tomorrow.