As the season and six in a row speeds towards us, there’s a chance tomorrow to take a bit of a breather and enjoy the Scottish cup.
The third leg of the treble is under way, and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, a thorn in celtic’s side over the years when it comes to knockout football, will be hoping they can cause another upset.
It’s unlikely, as they aren’t setting the heather alight in the league, but they may have a secret weapon in their armoury for the Cup.
Four of them, in fact; Kevin Clancy Dougie Potter Andrew McWilliam John McKendrick
Now, I’m not calling into question the integrity of any of the four officials for the game, as they are perfectly capable of doing that for themselves..
Referee Kevin Clancy, despite being called Kevin, which is normally a safe bet when wondering if someone you’ve just been introduced to is going to be drinking with you later that day, puts his career first and foremost..
( From Scotzine, March 2013)
The Third Division league leaders had referee Kevin Clancy to thank after the referee ruled a perfectly good goal for Stuart Garden’s Montrose side out, after what was described as a foul against goalkeeper Neil Alexander. However, replays proved that the goal scored Martin Boyle, should have stood as Alexander was fouled by his own team-mate.
Actually, scratch that about having a beer with him. He looks like he’d spend the time showing you photos of Katie Price or even Katie Hopkins.
John MacKendrick ?
He’s in his second spell as a referee, and has been around a while. He must have some great memories…some wonderful moments in sport that he can look back on fondly…
What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
Rangers Legends v AC Milan Glorie in 2012. Unique in so many ways, but particularly for the kiss and hug that John Gilmour (a particularly ugly specialist assistant referee) received from Andy Goram for correctly flagging offside a Milan attacker as he was about to score). If only more players were more thankful for the service we provide…
Andrew McWilliam ?
The first of two assistants looking to be promoted to category one, he’s already upset john Brown when he didn’t notice the ball going out during a Tayside derby cup match, so he’s got work to do if he wants to make it.
Dougie Potter ?
He’s relatively new as well And he might have a reason for anonymity…his last game?
| Wed | 01/02/17 | PRE | Hearts | 4 – 1 | Rangers | 2nd assistant | View events | More info |
I’d be expecting Celtic to attack more when he’s in the same half…although its more likely the two newbies will be a little more career minded tomorrow.
All of this is important, as we have seen how referees can influence games, especially against Inverness, and this in turn means Celtic must treat this game as though we were lining up against one of the better sides in Scotland, such as Hearts or Aberdeen.
If we do that, then the Caley jags should get a pasting.
The game hasn’t sold out yet, you can still buy tickets and print them at home, or for the more ambitious, print some off anyway and see if you can get through the turnstiles with them.
Tom rogic won’t be playing. He’s out for eight weeks, at least, after an ankle operation, and so we could see Liam Henderson continue in an advanced role. Or maybe one of the wingers will be asked to play more centrally.
Why are you asking me ?
I don’t know.
Anyway, with things all going so well, where can we find some negativity ?
The transfer window is shut, so we can;t sell anyone. Though the Telegraph claims Borissia Dortmund are ready to bid £40m for Moussa Dembele, a story which, happily for them, will have been forgotten about come the summer.
Have to be the manager then…
Brendan Rodgers: I can’t predict how long I’ll be at Celtic
“I never worry about that now,”
“Listen, when we took over at Liverpool they were eighth. In my second season we finished runners-up. The club wanted to be in the Champions League, they were desperate for it. We scored 54 goals more than we did the previous season, over 101 goals. We reached the Champions League, we were at the top of Europe because of our level of football and I signed a new deal for four years in the June. By September, people were saying I should get the sack. That’s modern football. So, it’s a lovely thing [for Davie] to say, but I never think of things like that any more.
“I will never sit and promise I will be here for 10 years, five years or six months. I just do the very best I can for however long that is. If that’s for the next six months or another two years, let’s see what happens. Modern football can change very, very quickly. You can make all the statements you want. As a manager, you’ve just got to win games. I like to win them in a certain way.
“The minute I’m not wanted here I’ll be gone. I will never sit about at a club that I love getting in the way. If people don’t want me here, I’ll be gone. So I can never promise either way. All I can promise is to fight to give Celtic the best I possibly can. I think we have made a good start and the exciting thing is it’s only a start.
“I love being here and I enjoy my life up here, so let’s see what happens. I can only be what I am – which is super ambitious. But my ambition is for the club. I want us to be the very best we can be in every competition, in every training day, and that is something that is inherent in me. When you are at the club that you love it is a different feeling, you feel an even greater responsibility.”
Some have interpreted those words as Rodgers refusing to commit himself long term, but thats merely wishful thinking on their part. He sounds happy, and he seems to want to take things to the next level..
“I’ll always be the same,”
. “I meet the board regularly and speak to [chief executive] Peter Lawwell just about every day. The best time to improve is when you are successful. As a football club you can’t sit and glorify about what you have done, on or off the field. You have to have one eye on today and one on tomorrow. We’ve made a nice start here but there is a whole load for us still to do. That’s the exciting part – because we have only just started.
“I’ll always look to bring the best possible players here and give my reasons why I want to do it. But I won’t bring anyone in for the sake of it. We’ve had players offered here who might sound great in terms of names but they aren’t going to help Celtic. I need players who are coachable, who are hungry and have quality, whether they are experienced or not. “The model has been to develop and move them on. I just think that will happen naturally. If someone gets offered a load of money then there is a timeline on it. But we need players who want to take Celtic forward . Whether they are a million quid, £6m, £7m or whatever, the club know I will bring that to them. Those figures this week demonstrate a really solid model of management, in a difficult climate. “There is risk and reward but you have to ensure the risk is worth it. We are very fortunate at Celtic with the intellect of the board.”
“We have only just started “-says it all, really.
All of this may be linked to the ongoing pressure bearing down on Mark Warburton, who is having a tough time of it at “rangers “, despite leading the newly promoted and newly formed club to a lofty third in the table, and without any serious investment. 
One third of his dream team, scout Frank MacParland is quitting/being sacked/shite depending on where you read it, and somehow the blame for recrutiment-or lack of it-is being placed at poor Franks feet, regardless of lack of funds or credibility
. Of course, the man with the magic hat has cited various reasons for the lack of quality signings, none of which are his fault, but then again , he’s been burbling along merrily this week about all sorts of things, none of which make any sense.
But Etims colleague Desi mond did spot something that appears to have been missed by the SMSM, or at the very least, ignored..
Warbs talking in the Herald..
“Listen, you can read the papers, you can read the media,” he said “I flew home on Saturday after the game. Had some great chats with some of the Rangers fan who were tremendous, they had great assessment, they could see the bigger picture.
Remember the stick Lou Macari got for not living in glasgow during his tenure ? Even though he did have a place in Bothwell ?
Warburton has been with “rangers ” for eighteen months now, and still hasn’t moved up north.
Ask him to explain that one.
Oh wait, don’t. We haven’t got all day.
Looks like it’ll be all change down ibrox way before long, and this time they want a staunch “rangers ” man.
Barry Ferguson, former captain and now manager at Clyde-the football team, not the radio station, despite what you may think with their editorial policy- threw his hat into the ring with this little anecdote, which shows he has all the Struthian qualities required…
Something else I noticed this week, concerning Blackshirts fanzine the “Daily Mail “
If wikipedia reckons you’re unreliable, its time to call it a day.
With any luck.
Knob of the Week
okay, but it might surprise a few of you.
Real fight starts now. Over next two years Labour will use every opportunity to ensure Brexit protects jobs, living standards & the economy.
I would have thought the fight was well and truly up and running, but hey, what do i know ?
Ineffective four day a week leader of the Labour Party doesn’t understand what opposition is all about, and with that statement, trying to close the door after the horses are halfway across the field, showed he’s not up to the job.
So, Jeremy Corben, you are this weeks
Knob of the Week
He’ll be happy to have won something.. 
We’d also like to introduce a new award, based entirely on this picture, but its more of an audience inspired one. Stolen shamelessly from Only4togo on twitter, is there anyone you feel is deserving of this ? 
Caption competition, from Wednesday, as i overslept again yesterday… 
Recognising the work that went into this reply…
