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Celtic Diary Friday June 1: Calm Before The Storm ?

Another Celt is on his way to pastures new this morning, as development squad defender Sam Wardrop steps up to senior football.

He joins Jack Aitchison over at Dundee United who appear to have ditched their own youth policy and just decided to use ours.

The Tannadice side have been out of the top league ever since Celtic plundered them for Armstrong, Mackay Steven and Ciftci, and this our way of saying sorry.

Although they should be held at least partly responsible for telling us Ciftci was any good.

 

As always, the transfer business is getting done quickly, and with Rodgers more or less saying he was having a bit of a tidy up, its not unexpected that one or two or going.

What is important is that the key players are retained, and the team continues to develop.

Brighton have expressed an interest in Leigh Griffiths, who would love it down on the south coast, which is almost entirely populated by senior citizens, allowing him scope to steal their false teeth while they are asleep and swap them with their neighbours.

You have to make your own entertainemnt down there.

It should appeal to the mischeivous striker though, who has no doubt upset the hordes again with his ready wit…

LG 9⃣Retweeted Rangers Football Club

What do their fans say at half time? 

👊  

Have a closer look at that hall of fame behind him, it stops in 2011… which , as we know, is roughly when the club stopped.

Griffiths, though, is exactly the kind of player Celtic need, so Brighton, and anyone else, can forget it. The striker wants to stay at Celtic, and injury permitting, there’s a host of records and achievements waiting for him to claim.

Another who seems to enjoy the idea of settling down is Scott Sinclair, who proposed to his actress girlfriend while they were in Disneyland..

OK magazine said…

Helen Flanagan27, is engaged to partner Scott Sinclair, 29, after the professional footballer proposed during a trip to Disneyland. 

The Coronation Street actress shares one daughter with her husband-to-be – two-year-old Matilda – and the couple currently have another baby on the way.

Scott shared the news of their engagement on Instagram with his 168,000 followers with a picture of the proposal and the caption: “She said YES!” 

From his career to relationship with Helen, here’s what you need to know about Scott: 

Scott is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Celtic.

He represented England from the under-17s to the under-21s and played for Team GB in the 2012 Olympics.

 
In depth analysis at its best.
And the bride to be ?

Helen is now engaged to Scott, after her proposed in Disneyland. 

Helen had previously told OK! magazine: “We both would love to get married and for us all to have same name.”

Congratulations to the three Scott Sinclairs and the little baby Scott to be when he arrives.
Of course, OK magazine, part of the celeb culture literature designed purely for people who are hard of thinking is not to be taken seriously. Its a bit of light relief for those who like that sort of thing, Happy wee feelgood stories to take readers away, even just for a moment, from the drudgery of their own existences, and perhaps even to allow them to dream for a while…
We have our own similar thing north of the border, collectively termed the mainstream sports media, and they often give a platform to those who, in their own way, help people to escape reality for a while..
The Evening times, for instance, has radio pundit Derek Johnstone, a portly funster with a cute high pitched voice, which prevented him from making the transition to the big screen when the industry introduced sound..
Image result for fatty arbuckle
Johnstone has been defending Dave King, who has been deflecting attention away from his ongoing financial issues this week..

IT has been good to see Rangers chairman Dave King standing up for the club this week. 

We haven;t seen him at all this week. He’s in South Africa.

For too long now, Rangers have been seen as a diminished force in terms of the power that the club has both on and off the field, and if the chairman sees something that he feels is unfair or against the interests of Rangers, then it is only right and proper that he calls it out. 

 

Rangers have been quiet on a lot of issues since 2012,

Image result for rangers coffin

but it seems as though that won’t be the case any longer, and the club will be fighting their corner whenever it is called for.

The statements have gone down well with supporters, as you would expect, but spare me the theory that King is only playing to the gallery to sell season tickets. In case it had escaped anyone’s attention, Rangers had already sold 42,000 season books.  

Which, as we know, isn’t enough to fund the Gerrard revolution, pay the Close Brothers back or any of the other financial issues that threaten the Ibrox club/company /clusterfuck.

And the HMRC demands from former players seems to have escaped analysis and comment..

Then there’s King with his accusations of conflicts of interest, which although laughable and immediately swatted away by the SFA, may give us a clue as to who is first out of the door at the new look  SFA, should such a thing come to pass.as Auldheid explains on SFM..

I think I posted that conflicts of interest do occur and as long as they are known the rules can cater for it.
For example the SFA Licensing Commitee has such a rule and chances are Andrew Dickson used it in 2011 to stay silent on the decision to grant a UEFA licence to Rangers. Should he have done so is for SFA JPDT to now ponder.
But taking your point about non declaration, Dickson was involved in that for 6 years at least as admitted in his FTT testimony.
However LNS decided it was an administrative oversight only and imposed a fine.
My point being Dickson is still there and has not stepped down so why should the SPFL Chairman, unless he is being accused of being untrustworthy by DK regarding  what was a simple oversight?
If rules are in place to declare interests and the SPFL Chairman’s are now understood,   then why should he step down?
I’d thank DK for pointing out an administrative loophole, the impact of which is now negated as result of DK raising the point.
Dickson is now a Director at TRFC  I believe and has a position on an SPFL Advisory group. Should he be?

 

Another pundit who really shouldn’t be allowed to publish in the mainstream without an adult checking it first is Barry Ferguson, once captain of what was once Rangers…

For Rangers fans, this morning feels a bit like waking up on Christmas Day.

It’s hard to imagine a better present than Steven Gerrard starting his work as the club’s new manager.

Excited? I feel a bit like a schoolkid again. 

Is that legal ?

I still can’t quite believe a man of Gerrard’s stature is about to get to grips with the job of restoring Rangers and bringing back the standards I grew up with. 

I don’t think any of us thought he’d be that stupid

I can’t wait to see the changes he makes and the way he goes about bringing Rangers up to the kind of levels he demands. Who else will come in with him? Who will be the first out of the door? And most importantly, what brand of football is he going to play?

Right now it’s a guessing a game because no one can say with any certainty what his philosophy will be. The smart money says he’ll try to emulate the high-pressing style Jurgen Klopp has installed at Liverpool and I can’t imagine there’s a Rangers fan out there who isn’t drooling at the prospect of that.

I wish the first game of pre-season was this afternoon, I’m so excited to see it for myself.

I think a lot of us are looking forward to the latest performance of Scotlands most successful pantomime.
Just two examples of the demise of a once proud industry..
Of course, all of this hullaballoo surrounding Gerrard and stories about the persecution of all things “rangers ” is merely to deflect from the Takeover Panel, the secured loans, the directors resigning and perhaps most importantly, the furor that will come from one angle or another when the SFA pluck up the courage to tell us whether or not the “rangers ” have been given a licence to play in Europe next season.
The deadline was yesterday…
Incidentally, Gerrard will not be at Ibrox today, his first official day of his new job.
Do I win £5, or do we have to wait for him to hand in his doctors line ?

I’ve never seen a guy

Who wears the brown shoes

The Rangers tie and look as good as you

Oh Stevie You got me singing the blues

Came up her from Anfield

To take on the job Help us pump the Fenians,

the mhanky mhob

Oh Stevie You got me singing the blues 

On your first day you said Let’s Go

Were gonnae stop the fenians doing 10 in a row

Oh Stevie You got me singing the blues

Your going to put poor Brendan back on the buroo

But who gives a fuck

You got a King Billy tattoo

Oh Stevie You got me singing the blues  

Personally,

I Never Felt More Like Crying Again when I read that.

Away from all that, and its time for some local news, local to me , that is..

Stoke City legend Lou: ‘YOU will not stop me running the Macari Centre’

Toxic email warns: ‘We have to manage Macari away’

Stoke City legend Lou Macari has vowed to continue working for the homeless in Stoke-on-Trent – despite claiming there is clear evidence that certain people are out to drive him away.

The former Potters boss helped to found the Macari Centre for the homeless in 2016 and fears certain organisations oppose his presence because he asks too many awkward questions.

But he insists he remains so committed to helping rough sleepers that he will stand his ground and continue ensuring the 28-bed Macari Centre retains an open-door policy for those who need a roof over their head.

He said: “People had told me in the past that there were those involved in other organisations who wouldn’t accept me in the field of the homeless. To be honest, I didn’t believe them, but sadly I now have proof in the form of an e-mail.” 

Lou has declined to say who has written the e-mail, but StokeonTrentLive has seen a copy and in it there is one sentence which reads: “I think there is a tale still in this issue and we have to manage Macari away.’

Lou says this confirms the fears others had previously expressed to him. 

He continued: “I’m just so disappointed there are people out there who clearly don’t want the centre to flourish.

“There is clearly a need for the Macari Centre in Stoke-on-Trent and I feel as passionate as ever about helping people off the streets.” 

The centre, in Regent Road, Hanley, has already been recognised for its good work and won awards in its short existence.

“Why anyone would want to hinder this work, I really don’t know,” added Lou. 

Maybe it’s politics, money, ego or envy. But whatever it is, it can’t be as important as the work the staff at the centre are doing.”

Lou fears outside interference was responsible for the loss of housing benefit support – which was vital to the centre’s finances – and left him footing the shortfall for a month out of his own pocket.

As you know, this site and our own CSC has been involved in a little bit of fundraising for the centre, which helps not only to shelter people, but to give them a base from which to turn their lives around.
Why would someone want to put a stop to that ?
I don’t know who he is, but he’s this weeks

Knob of the Week 

But I’ll try to find out.

If only to hit him over the head with the trophy.

Yesterday we had this to peruse…
Doesn’t have to be funny to be a winner, sometimes someone can make a great point..
jimmybee May 31, 2018 at 10:25 am · Edit · Reply →

Caption shows the spirit of John Clark wonderfully. Quiet unassuming but watching every fuckin thing thats happening and ready to deal with danger at anytime.
Why there isnt a csc in his name is beyond me.
Wonderful person and a true legend of the club.
Hail Hail to the Lions,Kings of Europe.  

today…fill your boots…

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Belfastbhoy68
5 years ago

caption: stevie g asleep on the his first day on the job

Puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: I was going to tell Ralph he’d used that pic before but then I bottled it.

Cortes
5 years ago

Stevie’s bottle crashes.

The bhoy with mcgrain in his side
5 years ago

E-tims’ pish-stained mole reveals the volume of err… research he consumes when writing up the rumour mill.

Desmond and the Dekkers
5 years ago

Caption: Stevie G: I need a drink after day one

Liftedinmoscow
5 years ago

Caption: Carlos Pena enjoys a wee nap after breakfast.

5 years ago

Caption….As the first Celtic v sevco game of the season fast approaches, Gerrard completely bottles it…

Corrib 04
5 years ago

Caption,
(The) Rangers News: Missing unemployed TRFC trophy photographer found at last!

5 years ago

He never felt more like singing the blues,when he found out that the guy to beat the fenians has a daughter named Lourdes

Auldheid
5 years ago

On the question of whether TRFC should be granted a UEFA licence this season I’ve tweeted the process beginning at

https://twitter.com/Auldheid/status/1002461590753632256?s=19

It’s is based on a case similar to that of 2011 involving the Greek FA and Giannina FC where the Greek FA did eventually grant a license but signalled comcerns to UEFA who immediately investigated and refused the application.

Refusing an application is not the only sanction. It depends on the individual circumstances.

UEFA can apply conditions to be met in subsequent years, if for example a club is acceptable but heading into dangerous financial waters, which if not met mean refusal.

5 years ago

Caption. Manchester the pre war Hun

George Lazenbhoy
5 years ago

The SFA pluck up some courage ahead of their announcement

Bognorbhoy
5 years ago

Caption…

Stevie g Friday drags on for smsm photographer…

5 years ago

Caption: Steven Gerrard the night he met Dave King. When he sobers up in the morning with a hangover, he thinks to himself “I hope I didn’t do anything daft when I was out of my face last night!”.

Mike
5 years ago

Can you imagine the “noise” if the SFA under Ian Maxwell register its
“concern” to UEFA that they do not meet the FFP rules and so should be
denied entry into the Europa’s, or has the “noise” already began.
This is a big test for Maxwell and therefore for the good Governance of Scottish football, if he says and does nothing and we receive no explanation, then it means carry on and hell mend you all in the SPFL.
At the very least WE should all demand an explanation, the status quo which began under Regan, is not acceptable, thank goodness we have supporters who are the “all seeing eye” of football governess.

Mike
5 years ago

Why anyone would want to deny the great works that Lou Macari carries out with the homeless in Stoke in Trent, is beyond belief. It is very difficult to understand the mind set of such individuals. Not only is it difficult to understand, it is difficult to figure out the motives
of why someone would wish to undermine Lou’s good heart and hard work,
he and the staff who run the shelter deserve much, much better recognition and the locals I have no doubt would surely vastly outnumber the gurning faced pricks who are trying to undermine their great works. We send our grateful thanks to Lou and his staff for all their sacrifice and endeavours. Hail Hail to you all.

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

What struck me was the comment that they want Macari away not that they want the shelter closed or don’t support the staff.

Sounds like an old fashioned battle of egos and, if the outcome is no more Macari but the centre thrives I don’t see any problems.

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

“I’m just so disappointed that there are people who clearly don’t want the centre to flourish”.
“The centre lost its housing benefit-support which was VITAL to the centres finances”. He is paying the shortfall from his own pocket.

Another centre or the council, but if they were complicit in getting the housing benefit stopped then they are not just undermining Lou they are affecting the centre.

He helped to start it, he puts his own money into it, it bears his name, his name means something, people donate because of his name.
His name brings in donations, if some petty dicks are worried about his questions or his success, why should HE leave, I admire him greatly for his good deeds and his generosity.

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

“Certain organisation’s oppose his presence because he asks too many questions”. “The centre lost its housing benefit support which was vital to the centres finances”. I’m just so disappointed there are people who don’t want the centre to flourish”.
He dipped into his own pocket to support the centres finances, his name means something, it draws in donations, someone in the council or another centre is jealous of the work that Macari and his team at the centre does, it is affecting the centre already by getting the housing benefit’s stopped, putting the centre at risk.

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

That is his claim but there are 2 sides to every story so it would be good to hear that rather than rushing to judgement.

Of course if this is down to petty jealousy then he’s got them bang to rights and can sue the asses of them.

50 Shades of Green
5 years ago

Zombie gets pished waiting on Stevie G turning up for Stevie G day…..

JIMBO
5 years ago

Caption “Minimum unit pricing hits Scotland hard!”

The Cha
5 years ago

I bet the club are hoping they conjoin their surnames.

All that lovely revenue from the extra lettering on strips (assuming the Sinclair-Flanagan of 2 years ago reappears).

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

Yeah, gotta compete with the Stevie G revolution somehow.

Loved this from Bazza the bassa “Who will be the first out of the door?”.

Not who do they want to sign but who they can get rid of!

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

He probably considers it a free hit; if he succeeds he’s the messiah; if he doesn’t then he’s not a naughty b(h)oy as it will be their fault.

Hypozeuxis Hoops.

Mike Annis
5 years ago

Caption: Rangers chairman busy raising funds for Gerrard’s New team.

The Cha
5 years ago

Caption: “I never felt more like sinking the booze,

Cause I never thought we’d ever lose our club, s”

Una
5 years ago

Caption

linfield fans eventually hit leigh griffiths with a buckfast bottke

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

Caption…. Stevie G tanks Squint MacGinty’s fabled wine cellar. Jim White is bealin.

Lavvy1888
5 years ago

Griff Tweet is a parody account

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago

I’m interested in a few assumptions Ralph. That Gerrard has “stature” and that he is “clever”. He was a good football player that’s for sure and that said made some pretty nasty challenges and was prone to niggling his way through games. Involved with gangsters, caught on Camera fighting down the pub and generally kind of an arrogant individual based on what I can see, read and suppose. As for being clever. He took the Sevco job and that is a very strong indication that he may have very few neurons banging around in his head. I think he may be just another numpty that was good at football.

Devoy45
5 years ago

Maybe like Alan Shearer for example?

broxburnbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Quite a few fit into that category. Were good footballers and generally speaking that’s really about it. Shearer is similar a numpty that could score goals.

R.St.Parsley
5 years ago

You can see us in the street
Knuckles scraping by our feet
As we make our way through Govan to the ground.
We’re all here for Stevie G
And in each thick skull a pea
Makes a rumble as it rattles round and round.

We’ll tip our hats to the blue institution
Make a bow to the Gerrard revolution
Smile and cheer at each player he signs
Hope that some of them can play
Better than the team today
Then we’ll get on our knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again.

Honest Hoops
5 years ago

Caption; it’s “honey g” day wake up dafty!!!

SteveNaive
5 years ago

Agree about Gerrard but I think Shearer has a bit more about him generally and when analysing a game. Doesn’t miss players when they don’t work or make poor decisions and made a decent documentary about the dangers of heading a ball. Was a scoring machine and I never liked that bit about him being a wanker in the Henrik song.

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  SteveNaive

Not a fan of Shearer myself – agree with CS. I’m in retry sure that most of us probably all of us could sit in a studio and pontificate about a game. Entertaining yes and no certification required

Cortes
5 years ago
Reply to  SteveNaive

A young relative witnessed Shearer in full-on “Do you know who I am” mode.

Not a pretty sight, apparently.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

Did anyone see that bigoted roaster Mark Dingwall talking on Sky Sports about our finances? What a load of shite he was spouting.

Mike
5 years ago

“There are lies and there are damned lies” but there are also lie tellers that broadcasters wheel out on pish stained blankets, that spout the most outrageous shite. Its fair to say that we are currently witnessing some of the most outrageous guff ever heard at the moment.
From the lying King,
Barry button up the back of his heed,
Level 5 and its fat balloonic owner has taken pish talking to a completely new level 5.
While Sky, the BBC and STV, produce more mince than 50 butchers ever could.
Ding-ball, being the latest, which sanatorium is providing these clowns with the platform to talk mince. The comments from the peepil are sounding more and more desperate. Fitba. has always attracted the most moronic moonbeam wallopers but my ears are bleeding profusely because of these recent statemental stories.

Level 5 plant
5 years ago

Caption, Griff off his head on hair restorer

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago

As Dave is coming out and making accusations that involve shareholders at Celtic,just a thought,could Celtic Plc fight their corner and produce a massive dossier that factually states just how crooked this “fit and proper person” is ?…..

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago

Ralph? Nice to see you mentioned,yesterday,that training methods were being looked at.I seem to remember that your go to guy(me) told you this months ago…..contacts,contacts…..We haven’t Gone Away….fore….play…..

charlie
5 years ago

ffs sodgerboy wants tae police the blog fae his loft ha ha …………..dry yer fuckin eyes

charlie
5 years ago

if ye dont want tae watch a video dont watch it ffs its no rocket science

charlie
5 years ago
Reply to  charlie

aye mine ….he he

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Red, Port is sound as but in honesty, I’ve not a fucking scooby what our Aussie Tim is on about. Port of yer reading this pal, no offence intended.

5 years ago
Reply to  charlie

I get port. But I need four Xanax 2 lsd pills a bit and Ben on the tip of the Himalayas and the sound of no hands clapping. It’s word salad it’s pretty clever. His song picks are brilliant

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Just homogenous viscosity Khids. 🙂

Andy Muirhead
@andymuirhd

So hold on a second, Steven Gerrard is still studying for his UEFA Pro Licence… and he will complete it this time next year…. But you need a Pro licence to manage longer than 12 weeks in any European nations top flight and in the champions league as well as Europa League.

Puggy67
5 years ago

Blame It on the Boogie https://g.co/kgs/tW66zH

Mike
5 years ago
Mike
5 years ago

I try to keep a breast of the times. 😉 Off to watch the Bridge, a Scandi programme, it has nothing to do with the robotic Swedish cop, who likes to…. I may watch it again.. later, after the 6 foot tall blonde Flemish cop programme, its gonny be a busy night.

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago

I’m amazed that Ally, The Magic Hat and Pedro have yet to
be mentioned for any open job at all! Wonder why given the press they all got in Scotland?

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

Just saw the news that Big Arlene Fester will be attending an OO bigot fest in Fife. I wonder if she’ll be wearing the new orange tramp top that’s made in Turkey? I feel sorry for the good folk of Fife that have got to put up with both monstrosities on that day.

charlie
5 years ago

big arlene festers identical twin

charlie
5 years ago
Monti
5 years ago

I see Arlene Foster is to attend an orange parade in cowdenbeath…..
I hope he enjoys his day out!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

The Forth bridges are nearby 🙂

5 years ago

Caption
Wake me up when skrtel signs

5 years ago

Caption.
It all started with the Ronny Deila diet

Monti
5 years ago

Charlie Saiz,
Shut the fuck up Donny

Mike
5 years ago

A good story in todays Scotsman about Lou Macari reflecting on his career playing for Scotland and his motivation (losing his son) in helping the homeless by starting the Macari Homeless Shelter.
His journey to Argentina with Ally’s Tartan Army…. “Scotland 78 A Love Story BBC 1 6th June”.

Mike
5 years ago
5 years ago

https://wp.me/p8p6sl-Fd

Defensive Action Success can be measured across a number of core capabilities to assess overall effectiveness. Earlier in the season Ajer was reaching Van Dijk levels of defensive performance. Did he maintain that to the end of the season?

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