We’ve a bit of catching up to do today. With the possibility of “rangers “-or whichever incarnation of them starts next season -testing the water via the press to see if there’s a chance they can skank a licence again I felt that issue, and that issue alone should take precedence.
Just the thought of them, and their buddies at the SFA, getting away with it again makes me angry, and therefore its necessary to pounce on any reference to it whatsoever.
The petition got a kickstart yesterday, and in itself shows that when faced with the SFA and their wrongdoings, complacency is our biggest enemy, and their biggest ally. If you’ve not signed it, sign it below, and then send a link to everyone in your email adress book. Ask them to sign it and then do the same thing.
Another serious issue, and one that demands to be dealt with sympathy and sensitivity, is the possibility of the abuse of youngsters who were, and are, learning to play football in a structured and safe environment.
The priority here is to identify those who have been abused, and offer support and help to them in dealing with how it has affected them.
A piece in the Record today by Barry Ferguson stresses his admiration for those who have stepped forward in England to draw attention to the abuse which has taken place at some of their clubs, and praises their bravery of their public actions.
Admirable, yet the headline still leaves something to be desired. a responsible and mature attitude, perhaps;
The headline’s language and tone is unacceptable.
We are dealing with the victims of abuse of such magnitude that it cannot begin to be fully understood by the rest of us that the whole focus, at this stage at least,should be on them, and not on the guilty parties.
The use of language such as “nail abusers ” who are “sick depraved animals ” is not appropriate here. Whilst jingoistic rhetoric may sell papers, it isn’t going to lessen pressure on the victims, an indeed, may have an effect on abusers, who having already scared their victims into silence once, may attempt to do so again.
I applaud the Record’s stance, but not the way they are doing it. Being seen to tackle an issue is not the same as tackling it correctly.
Back at the ranch, as we promised, and let’s catch up on whats been going on.
In the Premier League international cup, qualification is still in the balance for Celtic. with the six group winners going forward and the two best runners up, the Celts need to wait on other results before its determined if they will continue to take part. Two convincing 3-0 wins, over Aston Villa and Valencia, the latter earlier this week, and a 3-0 reverse to group leaders Norwich is a decent enough campaign, which barring a 6-0 win for Villa over their fellow Englishmen will see them finish second, there’s a lot of other groups still with plenty of games to play.
Meanwhile, the senior side have been called a bunch of big heads. Apparently. Sure , a few of them have stated their desire to win the treble, or not lose a game this season, but thats surely more of a confidence and self belief issue ?
The manager seems to agree;
“You should always retain humility in how you work, The trick is in the ( It’s from the Evening Times, who seem to be doing a missing words competition. I’ve no idea what the “trick “is in, but as long as he does, it doesn;t really matter. )
“They’re obviously on the back end of doing well and confident. But I’ll always keep a lid on that for them.
“There is always something just around the corner that you’ve got to be ready for.
“But look, it’s nice. I want my team to play with a football arrogance.
“Off the field it’s all about humility, but I have that. I don’t think there is any arrogance in what’s been said.
“Sometimes they’re quoted and it’s blown into a headline that’s different to how it was presented. But I want them to have a football arrogance.”
This appears to be more about hurting journalists and commentators unhappy that not only are Celtic doing well, but they look as though it isn’t going to change anytime soon, and coupled with the usual Christams pantmime run over at Ibrox, the wailing was always but a few moments away.
Brendan did try to console them, though, He told them that we will lose a game again, someday, somewhere….
At some point it will happen, Listen, if you could tell me that every player would stay fit, that we wouldn’t have any injuries, that the pitches would remain first class then….
“But there are so many variables. It’s not about the players’ lack of ability.
“It’s just that so many different things could happen. We could be up against a goalkeeper like the one we faced in Inverness, who has an unbelievable game and we just don’t get the rub of the green.
“We could get a man sent off or something else could happen.
“But if everything stayed the same then we may have a chance. But at some point we’ll lose.”
Anyone know how that could happen ?
Ah yes, the indominatable Craig Thomson.
I understand that the man in the middle has a difficult job. Sometimes it must seem like the whole world is leaping onto his back, begging for a ride.
Before we criticise, or even attempt to criticise him, lets live life a little in his shoes.
For instance, you have to make on the spot decisions, and you have to be spot on all of the time these days, woith tv cameras and Chris Sutton watching.
Before you judge him, can you honestly say you, too, would be absolutely certain that in the heat of the moment, you could have called this incident exactly right ?
Thomson gave a throw in to “rangers “.
This was during the Ibrox clubs 2-0 defeat to Hearts on Wednesday night, a game that also saw “rangers” have a goal chalked off due to a player being in an offside position.
Manager Mark Warburton seemed a little confused by that particular decision;
The linesman did take his time in putting up his flag, perhaps he was in discussion with the referee, or perhaps he just wanted to make sure the decision was correct.
After the match, Warburton still moaned about the decision, whilst admitting his player was offside, a sure indication that the job is getting to him. you have to feel for him, but can you imagine how much worse the flak would be if he was manager of, say, Rangers ?
The cup game with albion rovers will be moved from the Republic, and i thought for one moment yesterday that the credibility of the Diary was at stake when this appeared on twitter. Had we finally got something right ?
However, the tweet was a fake, seemingly put together by Level 5’s man on twitter, the Phantom, though I am quite chuffed, as imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.
Happily though, our credibility remains intact, and we are still further away from being right than Warbsy is from still being at Ibrox after the Hogmanay Humping. ( note, if Celtic use that title for the dvd, which is set for release as soon as the final whistle goes, I want ten per cent. A refusal to acknowledge this claim will be seen as acceptance of the deal. )
Except on Resolution 12. We’re bang on about that, but thats only because someone else told us about it.
Where thats concerned, every word is a prisoner, because we don;t want anyone to get the wrong impression, that can turn out badly… or hilariously, I suppose
Its a big decision in a town called malice, as Paul Weller sang about in 1982, to either cut down on beer, or the kids new gear.
Well, in 2016 , its an even bigger decision whether or not to cut down on christmas or go to the football.
Look at the games in December…
Fortunately, there are no real big games, as Celtic are already out of the UCL, and the other teams are already out of competition for the league, so maybe the kids will get their usual stocking filler, an apple, a hoola hoop and probably a tennis ball or something, but I have to confess, its going to be tricky.
The last team on that list are about to make one of their swoops to give their legions a wee bit more faith in them, as they’ve been under a bit of pressure now that its become apparent neither the players or management have come to terms with handling life at a higher level;
The player himself has asked if we could show them this picture, from his time at another club…
…in the hope it would put them off.
No need to go that far, Jaoa, all you have to do is say you want a decent wage and signing on fee. That’ll scupper the deal.
Of course, this is merely the latest exercise in playing to the gallery. They’ve no money, no real ambition save keeping the lights on, and little chance of things ever changing.
Where did it all go wrong ?
They could raise money by selling a few of their better performers, but even the usually dependable Craig Thomson let them down the other night, and frankly, they haven’t got anyone else worth more than enough to pay for a good night out and a taxi home.
It comes to something when they have to explain to outsiders that Dodoo and Crooks are players, and not an advert trying to say what the club is all about these days.
Though one fan thinks he has the answer…
Al @RangersFC just liquidate again, this isn’t fun anymore
Knob of the Week
Knob Of The Week
Oops. My bad.
Caption competition now, and Wednesdays picture…
was explained thus..
Caption:- New “quickie divorce” legislation put into practice by the brains of the Scottish Parliament.
Today, we have Warsaw , in 1946. but is everything what it appears to be ?
