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Celtic Diary Monday April 10: Don’t Ignore The Warning Signs

Whilst Celtic fans-and players- basked in the news that Brendan Rodgers had signed a new four year deal and told us all how much he loved what he was doing, on the other side of the city, a man regarded as a bit of a joke by more than a few of us , took his troops to Pittodrie and turned over a side unbeaten at home for months.

Its worthy of more attention than simply congratulating them on reaching their mystical 55 point target.

There is a very much an attitude, at least on the surface, that Celtic are so far ahead we only need to turn up to clinch the treble.

Thats not the case, and somewhat alarmingly, a defeat in the Semi final, no doubt assisted by the officials, could well hand Pedro Caixinha and “rangers ” their first major trophy.

Onlookers may have laughed at his decision to remove three defenders against Motherwell during the half time break, but t looks to have been a case of one step back for two forward. Captain Lee Wallace was the biggest name to sufer, and now he’s sulking enough to have an operation that could easily have waited until the summer. They haven’t missed him.

 

We’ve a couple of games against them this month, and having seen their reaction to a draw, I don;t want to see how they react to a win.

It’s time to switch back on, and stop cooking each others socks.

Image result for let's get back to work quotes

Celtic beat Kilmarnock 3-1 to continue the unbeaten run, and it was watched by the biggest crowd in Britain, depsite there being nothing but pride to play for.

Over the weekend, players like Scott Sinclair, Janmes forrest and Liam Henderson have all been praising the manager, and rightly so, but there is an end of season feel to it, and the season isn’t over yet.

The final game before the split is in dingwall at ross county, and they are already making noises about trying to make up for missing out on a top six place. would a defeat for the hoops affect the sides confidence, or would it spur the players on ?

I’d rather not find out.

After that game, there is a big blank sheet while the SPFL computer works out how to make sure Celtic season book holders don;t get another 3pm Saturday game, although the sixth meeting with “rangers ” has already been given a date-April 29, apparently to allow the police to work out their work rota for the day.

No one believes that, and there is probably another reason for it, but the proximity of the cup game to this one means the authorities-football and civil-are anxious to get it out of the way as soon as possible.

Which flies in the face of their efforts to keep some sort of entity from over there in the league when the original club went down.

Which with a little bit of effort, could actually have been prevented.

All they had to do was ask around in Monaco, where Craig Whyte was based, and see what others thought of him.

Yeah, we can laugh and portray him as a hero, but in actual fact, he and his kind have fleeced thousands of football supporters and tarnished the image of our game up here possibly beyond repair.

An address in Monaco, either for your business or pleasure, is as prestigious as it comes, and for those who have been there for a while, that reputation is guarded jealously. Anyone who flaunts it with dodgy dealings is ran out of town.

Whyte wasn’t a favourite of the locals, and even those who shared an office block were reluctant to allow his lease to be extended.

That’s, of course , putting it politely. I’m still digging about on that one.

He was the latest in a long line of dodgy dealers to reside at Ibrox, and as we know it goes back a long, long way.

And its tentacles were quite far reaching…

Sunday Times business section, April 2, 2017…

One of Britain’s largest frauds, which destroyed hundreds of small businesses that banked with Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS), was covered up for nine years, according to an internal report seen by The Sunday Times.

The estimated £1bn scam was “concealed” by several HBOS executives, according to a report by a senior employee at Lloyds, which merged with HBOS months later.

Lloyds has claimed that it “could not determine” whether anything criminal occurred in HBOS’s Reading office until the trial that resulted in the jailing of two of its former bankers and four consultants, for charging small firms illicit fees in order to fund lavish holidays and sex parties with escorts.

Internal emails referred to in the report show senior executives discussed the “fraud” taking place in the Reading division of the bank as far back as February 2008, and that they were anxious “not to disclose” the affair to the bank’s shareholders. The email exchanges took place as the global financial crisis started to bite. HBOS executives discussed the need to “convince the audit committee we should not disclose — something we seriously do not want to do — especially at the moment”.

The emails include a paper prepared for the bank’s executive committee, led by then chief executive Andy Hornby, which referred to a “fraud” in the Reading office that had cost the bank more than £160m at that time.

The corrupt financiers avoided justice until February, when they were jailed for a total of 47 years. The judge described the fraud as a “grotesque” crime that had “ripped apart” small companies.

The fraud began in 2003 when Lynden Scourfield, a senior HBOS banker, forced small firms that needed to borrow money to use a turnaround consultancy led by his corrupt associate, David Mills. The cash was then siphoned off in inappropriate fees by Mills and three associates, including his wife. They would then use threats and extortion to seize control of the businesses.

In return for the help given by Scourfield and another HBOS banker, Mark Dobson, the two men were paid kickbacks, enjoyed luxury holidays in Barbados and Thailand, trips in the Mediterranean on Mills’s yacht and sex parties attended by porn stars. About 200 HBOS business customers were victims of the plot; many subsequently went bankrupt.

This weekend Lloyds is facing new questions over its failure to pay any compensation to the small business owners at the centre of the fraud, many of whom now live below the bread line. Anthony Stansfeld, the police and crime commissioner of Thames Valley police, which investigated the fraud, said: “It is quite clear that both the senior management of HBOS and Lloyds Banking Group have known about this for the last nine years.”

“I have a responsibility to the victims of crime and I am determined to see that they are properly compensated.” It is understood Stansfeld has discussed the report’s implications with senior figures in Downing Street.

Lloyds said the internal report “contains many unsubstantiated allegations” but stressed it had been shared with the police and financial regulators in 2014. The bank said it is “now taking action at pace, to review the cases of all those who may have been affected and, where appropriate, to ensure they are fairly recompensed”. 

 

There’s something big in that report. Something that is going to rip the financial sector apart. This may only be the tip of the iceberg.

To me, it appears the the HBOS was where all the dodgy people worked…

As many of us have pondered, just how far did the Ibrox collapse reach ?

 

Maybe the SFA are trying now to distance themselves from any shennannignas, as this interesting little snippet from Ranger sMedia, via Kerrydale Street, implies..

Quote:
 
My understanding is that there is a present danger and that we were not immediately granted a licence by SFA.

According to my colleague, it wasn’t an outright refusal and that more evidence is required.

 

Reading between the lines, this could mean the paperwork has been passed to UEFA, as the SFA know they can’t get away with it for a second time..

 

From Saturday’s picture…

After accusations of favouritism-there really isn;t any of that, how the fuck could Monti, as ovable as he is, be anyones favourite ?-I’ll indulge myself today by declaring myself the winner with this wonderfully witty response..

Is he here yet ?  

Today, concentrate fully or else I’ll win it again…

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Una
6 years ago

Caption: Im sevcos manager get me outta here.

6 years ago

Bomber brown angered as The hunt for ‘ra deeds’ leads to ‘The jungle’

6 years ago
Reply to  Dominic Pless

hahaha Spot On HH

SteveNaive
6 years ago

Calm down Ralph, we will turn up, fight to play better football and our better players will win. McInness is a dick and we took three off the sheep in a final. Full strength and full on for the whole game and we’ll do it.

john young
6 years ago
Reply to  SteveNaive

I have said for a long time now,Aberdeen are garbage I have never seen a team with so little to offer and that,s from their better players,McGinn,Hayes,they do not have one player that would get a game on a sunday “jaikets doon” no control no movement slow ponderous in everything,trying to be objective the huns were not much better but could at least attempt to play the ball,if we do not have another “grey day” then we should wipe the floor with them,their 1 redeeming feature is that they will compete,we still have a couple of players that cannot compete and that,s a couple too many.

Cortes
6 years ago

Caption: “There’s only one Willie Fernie.”

schoosh71
6 years ago

There is no way the SFA will NOT award a license to Sevco. None. That ‘quote’ will be nothing but a rues to keep the Internet Bampots off their case. Let it never be forgotten that Regan was taking “guidance” from Whyte over ‘Press Releases’, he is prepared to LIE then, now and FOREVER. HH

Stephen
6 years ago

Then I said, “Take me to your paradise, I want to see the jungle!”

mike
6 years ago

Ralphy the whole Banking/ wanking sector is corrupt, with investigations going on into the past CEO of Barclay’s and we read that Lloyd’s have put aside £100 million pounds to compensate the small businesses affected by the HBOS corruption, even the Bank of England we read today is involved in the manipulation of the Libor rate.
These corrupt cunts caused the banking crises a World wide recession and got away with it scot free.
Good advise re the semi’s play it smart, but bet you Brendan has everyone prepared for it and on their toes.
Let them fear us. Be up for it Celtic.

6 years ago
Reply to  mike

THIS!!

Remember Fred the Shred..got his knighthood annulled..would it ever happene to David Murray?

Best one of all is former Private Eye scandal regular and FORMER PRIEST – HSBC Lord Green (Baron Green of Hurstpierpoint)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Green,_Baron_Green_of_Hurstpierpoint

The Cha
6 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Don’t forget Brian Quinn or Patrick Sheehy who ‘oversaw’ the Bank of Crooks & Cocaine International”.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Alex Salmond’s enthusiastic backing of RBS’s disasterous takeover of ABM Amro returned to haunt him.
Salmond wrote to Fred Goodwin to “offer any assistance” and to throw his weight behind the Bank’s disasterous purchase.
Signing the note, “Yours for Scotland”.

In a separate letter John Swinney said that he would like to offer his “every assistance” and that the deal was an “enormous achievement”.
Duck Mike ffs.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

” Bang ” man down, ocifer requires assistance, hurry up ffs.

6 years ago
Reply to  mike

hahahaha

Im sure Fred in his wisdom included the caveat

“by the way Alex we haven’t actually bothered carrying out any due diligence on AMRO but we are scared Barclays will beat us to it so we’re just gonna jump in and buy them up with all the bad debts regardless. You as a qualified economist will be shocked when you here how I’ve totally went maverick ran roughshod over ever piece of financial banking common sense for my own vanity”

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Due diligence, the sex toy for bankers.

mike
6 years ago

Feeling better now that he’s signed,
feeling better now he’s not resigned,
i’m glad he could stay,
he’s staying around like he alway’s do,
cos if he went away,
there’s no better place that he could go to.

Keep our eyes and ears open, watch out and then shout out at SFA collusion and then apply severe pressure, in anyway that we can.

Monti
6 years ago

Ralph,
Quite correct about the upcoming games v the Orcs, we need to get our attitude bang on!
The way we apply ourselves in this game will determine the outcome!

HH

mike
6 years ago

Caption, instead of zombie spice high’s, brother Pedro takes Chinese knot weed.

Cartvale88
6 years ago

Caption
The Lions are not in the jungle they are in Paradise.

Aberdeen were the better team, they lost the plot when they scored a goal, no spirit or drive. The SMSM will build them up into world skelpers, all the better as we take our biggest tally of them in the semi,fear not Ralph the future will always be green.
There is a long way to go in the soothside saga and more jelly and ice cream coming.
Loved how there was no mention of the vitriol sung by their masses again, disgraceful.

6 years ago
Reply to  Cartvale88

I think McInnes made the classic error of playing the occasion rather than playing their own game. Aberdeen were flying into every tackle like maddies in first half and getting nowhere fast bar yellow cards.

Settled down in second half and were all over Huns until that late collapse. If they had applied same composure in first half they would have been out of sight.

Defo a lesson for us there..take it easy and turn off from hysterical crowd baiting and keep cool..the chances will come and we have the class that Aberdeen do not in final 3rd to kill them off within first 45 BUT we must take our time and play our own game, no huff and puff but quick pass and move.

I fear the Hampden pitch could be a worrying factor in that plan too come 2nd game in 2 days.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Desimond,
Spot on!

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

canny remember Celtic playing in the first game ever in the semi’s, another honest mistake.

6 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Its hard to play quick passing football if the pitch doesn’t suit. Players can adjust, the ball cant.

bobbles also lead to bad tackles and hesitancy and over aggression as annoyance rises.

Hence Brendan wanting a new super pitch at parkhead to remove another potential issue

Gerard
6 years ago

Caption- no sign of a war chest here!

jimmybee
6 years ago

Caption: Poppy season gets underway in April.

gogsybhoy
6 years ago

caption= Of course the secret of this magnificent vegetable growth
here on the Ibrox pitch is all down to the manure played on it every other week.

Patrick Street
6 years ago

In the year 2030 a property speculator looks at a bit of land in Govan and wonders what it used to be.

Tam the tim
6 years ago

Miller is their main man and he’ll have them fired up pre-match. Brendan will have them sussed out, plenty of pressure to win the ball and quick supply to the front guys who are a class above the Dons lot. Goals will come against their dodgy defence with the large pitch ther will be plenty of room for our wingers to go at them. No fucking about Tic, put them in their place.
HH

Paul
6 years ago

Caption

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Paul

Go on…..

Wufti67
6 years ago

Caption Paddy Roberts gets lost in flower bed

Morto
6 years ago

Caption:
Cutting back on the ground staff backfires spectacularly for Sevco.

The real anton rogan
6 years ago

Wee Jamesy Forrest gets lost in the fruit n veg aisle

Monti
6 years ago

But not the way to goal……fortuntely!

Stevie D
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

He’ll be out for about a month getting his hair fixed now.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Stevie D

Stevie D,
Is the ‘D’ for dickhead?

charlie
6 years ago

caption a wonder how big the hash plants ur in there ………..askin for a friend

charlie
6 years ago

ralph i detect a wee bit a sarcasm in your lovable monti comment i think thats unfair …..a bet montis dug likes him he he

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Charlie,
I’m a lovely guy!

mike
6 years ago

Try again ya daftie.

Feeling better now that he’s signed,
feeling better now he didn’t resign,
he learned his lesson right from the start,
now that we know that he wont depart,
were in love, were in love, were in love with Brendan Rodgers.

Ahh that’s better.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Saiz the bhoy who’s pipe is filled with Japanese knot WEE D.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Did you not ken that the Chinese knotweed is 50% more satisfying than its Japanese equivalent?

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

You should try the Thai version then….

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Weered has tried everything, he is on a permanent high, its the oirish in him, thank feck he disny take auld spice, the zombie drug of choice.

wulz
6 years ago

Think the draw @ Celtic Park was a wake up call and showed how much the officials will go out their way for the monkey’s
HH

Oneofthe70percent
6 years ago

Another hun not sent off.our biggest challenge will be the cunt in black

IRISHGUY
6 years ago

CAPTION…….

Pedro sent on Celtic spying mission, turns up at the wrong Jungle.

6 years ago

Are Sevco Still In Existance??If there Saviour Leaves The Glib Liar,Whos Going To Keep That Turd Afloat.You,d think by there Hun Supports reaction against Aberdeen,They,d Brought Oldco Out Of Liquidation.EMBARRASMENT!!!They finally got there GoinFor55 Points.There Pain Is Most Enjoyable.HH GIRUTOB

mike
6 years ago

Canny remember if Crystal Palace ever played in the C.L.

Sunday League mibbee.

charlie
6 years ago

this is fuckin hilarious

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie
Munichbhoy
6 years ago

Caption: Since I started buying my bullshit from Ibrox the results on my rhubarb are startling. The one area of expertise they have is definitely bullshit!

charlie
6 years ago
charlie
6 years ago
Davie Wilson
6 years ago

Aw this fitba talk is all well and good but cant we have mair photies of Helen Flanagan?

Davie Wilson
6 years ago
Reply to  Davie Wilson

I’m sure Scott well understands my point

Leões de Lisboa
6 years ago

Caption: A young David Attenborough is left flummoxed when he fails to find a single monkey in the jungle.

Frank McGaaaarvey
6 years ago

Stop press: Neil Lennon is the latest ex-Hoopee to sign up for the Henrik/Lubo charity game. Bet that took a hell of a lot of arm twisting and negotiations!

Monti
6 years ago

Frank,
I hear Richard Gough was asked……………………..to move away from the kerbside, not play in the charity game.

Frank McGaaaarvey
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

Yet another cover-up of a story involving a bun. If Gough had the slightest Celtic connection that would have been all over the front pages. Look at the beeb’s current attempt at regurgitating the torbett story for a bit of ‘parity’.

Susan Murphy
6 years ago

On being accused of spying Lee Wallace responds..”I may be a grass but it’s obvious to anyone that I’m not a plant’

HH

Sue

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Susan Murphy

Decent!

Paul
6 years ago

Caption: Dave King plants spuds around ibrox so he can tell their supporters they will have something to lift at the end of the season.

Una
6 years ago

By the way weered my husband Paul said ur mince

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Una

Una,
I didn’t realise you were a woman, i’ll moderate my language from now on.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Una

Or pinned?

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Una

A measured response

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Una

Scrambled maybe

Una
6 years ago

Caption: Dave King plants spuds around ibrox to reassure fans they will have something to lift at the end of the season

mike
6 years ago

hahaha stop it PLEASE!!!!!

Ralphy’s rhubarb plants make him go quicker than he came.

Monti
6 years ago

Caption: Glasgow city council health and safety officer surveys the copland rd end, otherwise known as the vegetable aisle!

Monti
6 years ago

Caption:
Campbell Ogilvie surveys just how much of the Amazon rainforest he will need to cut down, in order to issue side letters.

mike
6 years ago

Ralph, rubbishes rumours rhubarb remodifies reinvigorates reinvents rectum relief “Rangers” R relieved.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Great news Weered, as soon as you stop smoking the lung begins to repair itself 45 years is a long time, but better late than never. Even vapour seems a more healthier option, better still fresh air walks and an injection of mints, Werthers sir? and a daily Ralphy read, that is guarenteed to get your chuckle muscles going.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mibbee the bowels are deeper than we thought, mibbee they will fall further, one thing’s for sure Ralph will be watching and reporting, if he deem’s it proper, then mibbee crowd funding to see them hit the cesspit, where they belong, it’s the very least they deserve.

mike
6 years ago

Let us hope that because of the leaked emails between the SFA and Whyte that the SFA cannot get away again with the issueing of European licences, without adhering to the FFP rules and that they have passed the licences to UEFA for confirmation that they comply with all points of the rules.
Many people will be watching to ensure that they do, or will demand an explanation.

BondiBrian
6 years ago

We know the official are gonny make life difficult for us, nae doubt about that. But really there is nae excuse what so ever if the unthinkable happens against them. Nae excuses.

HAIL HAIL N aw that!!!!!!!

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

Bondi,
Well said, totally agree!

Big Tam
6 years ago

Is today the deadline for GASL to make his TAB ordered share offer? Just asking cos I’ve read nothing about it today. I believe he had 30 days to complete it.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Big Tam

Yes it is Tam, Will he slink of into the distance, I hope not, I had mair fun out of him than coco the clown.

Big Tam
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

And long may the fun continue. On the other hand an insolvency event would be quite funny.

jimmybee
6 years ago

Caption: Young Wullie McBride sees the Floures of the Forrest.

Caption: Aye big flowers right enough,but wait to you see the size of the bees.

uralius
6 years ago

Caption: Coisty Whit a garden you’ve grown.

Martin 67
6 years ago

Caption: Coming soon to a cinema near you. Indiana Brown in ibrox and the lost deeds.

jimmybee
6 years ago

Once again Scotland ignores anti catholic singing at a football match, yet it’s media is full of praise to a young girl who stands up to the edl.
I wonder if the songs were anti Muslim,would it be entertained here in this wee bigoted country. Scotlands shame right enough.

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