You know, I’ve been writing this diary for almost exactly seven years. Or it might be six.
Anyhoo, I was away for a few days out in the sticks, training the dug not to bark every time I say “Brendan rodgers “.
We’ll see if it worked when we record tonights podcast.
So, whats happened while I’ve been away ?
Celtic beat “rangers “, which came as no surprise to anyone who knows anything about football. apparently it was because Ryan Jack fell over his ankle when he was fouled by Tom Rogic in the lead up to the winning goal.
Stevie Staunch may have mentioned it once or twice to the media, and Jack himself has come out and demended the referee, Willie Collum , be demoted…
“If you’re making mistakes time and time again, why should you be refereeing top games?
I don’t know what’s in place if referees do make mistakes. It’s frustrating for players that you can’t actually approach a referee and ask for an explanation. That goes for most referees nowadays.
“I said, ‘Willie, I thought that was a foul’. You get nothing back. It’s ‘Go away, get out my face’, whatever.
“There’s nothing you can say. If you do try to approach to ask why, it’s a booking and another rash decision that’s going to be made on the pitch.”
“It makes you ask why the fourth official is there. He’s obviously watching from the side to give his input and advice to the referee.
“Obviously, the referee didn’t want to listen and wanted to go with his own decision and what he thought but it was us that suffered.
“At the time I felt that Rogic took my leg away when I was in the air and when I came down I went over on my ankle.
And here he is, holding that ankle immediately after the incident.
Oops…I suspect that Mr. Jack is not entirely being truthful…
As for Collum, look at his face when Celtic scored…
Th game also saw Alan MacGregor, now the greatest goalkeeper of all time, kick out at Kristoffer Ajer while the Norwegian was lying on the ground.
The SFA compliance officer decided that it was not a red card offence, and to understand why, we must examine the template for making such decisions..
The media and former players leapt to the defence of MacGregor, probably in case he saw them in the street and kicked them, as apparently a novel and refreshing defence to an assualt charge is that there was no malice in it.
Lee McCulloch: There’s no malice in Rangers star Allan McGregor – he should have no case to answer over Kris Ajer incident.
Next time you are in court, facing video eveidence showing you have kicked someone, use that as a defence. I’m sure you’ll walk a way a free man.
The obvious bias at the SFA, who now have shifted their “Anyone but Celtic ” policoy to simply “Rangers Only ” was further exposed when Michael Devlin of Aberdeen and Andy dicker of Kilmarnock had their red cards upheld, for far, far less a crime than MacGregor committed.
Looks like the authorities have now decided to focus on helping “rangers ” and not just stopping Celtic.
Ian Maxwell is still the SFA top man, but no one can find him for comment. They’ve closed the doors at Hampden, and none of them want to talk to anyone.
The game on Sunday was preceded by a crush in the Janefield St underpass, with fans unable to move for a period that may well have been as long as a half an hour.
I wasn’t there, but reports from those who were indicate that a tragedy was averted only by supporters refusing to panic, leaving that to the stewards and police to do.
Well, perhaps not panic, but certainly a stubborn refusal to accept anything was wrong and a complete lack of awareness as to how to deal with the situation in a professional or competent manner.
The Celtic Trust held a meeting with some club representatives, as the safety of fans is a priority, denanding a full independent inquiry as to what happened.
The club said they’ll get back to them.
Which kind of reminds me of the Resolution 12 issue.
Peter Lawwel asked for a smoking gun to take to the authorities, which proved the Res 12 guys were right all along.
They gave it to him, and he said he’d get back to them.
Frankly, if the supporters do not demand immediate action from the board, and take immediate action when it doesn’t happen, then they’ll just kick the can down the road.
There are cameras outside the stadium.
I don’t suppose anyone has thought of looking at the footage they recorded ?
And if they haven’t recorded anything, then someone is in serious trouble.
As far as i can ascertain, no one from the board deemed the meeting with the Trust important enough to attend, which leads me to think that the safety of the support is not as important to them as say, their season book money.
Once again, Lawwell seems determined to detach himself from the concerns of the ordinary fan, be it on or off the field.
He may leave a great legacy behind with his financial dealings, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be nominated for a statue on the Celtic Way when he’s gone.
The crush on sunday occured because someone fucked up.
We’d like to know who, how, and why.
And we’d like some reassurance that it won’t happen again.
And we’d like that now.
And not from the Police, who have been known to perhaps stretch the truth a little when it comes to football supporters.
We’d like it from the club, a simple message saying that they are actually going to do something about it.
Meanwhile, a disturbing rumour has emerged from the world inhabited by half witted public commentators.
Katie Hopkins and Charlie Nicholas. Are they the same person ?
Both talk shite, and evidence has emerged that once or twice there he/she has got dressed in the dark..
I think we should be told…
There hasn’t been a caption competition for a while.. last Sunday , in fact..
Caption: Morelos practising to speed up his diving.
So today, we have this..
Meanwhile, plans are afoot to help “rangers ” wreak revenge at Ibrox..
