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Celtic Diary Wednesday September 12: Suspicions About SFA Motives

The SFA finally came out yesterday and gave us the news we’ve all been waiting for.

They’re not going to leave Hampden after all, and are going to buy the place outright for £5m. Half of that money is coming from Lord Willie Haughey, who , along with sir Tom Hunter,for some reason, has decided to help with the purchase.

£5m ? Seems a little less than the market value, but Queens Park have explained that the guy who valued Ibrox for David Murray (over £100m, if you recall ) wasn’t available and wasn’t a surveyor anyway.

Its a single use structure, and they haven’t got planning permission for houses…yet. Which, of course, was factored into the price.

Ian Maxwell, the CEO at the SFA, said, without a hint of shame or irony;

Our mission is to inspire a nation to love the game and having a home that we can call our own is an important part of that,” 

“While we are now committed to Hampden Park we also recognise that it needs to change. We have heard the fans’ views throughout the process and agree with them that we need to improve access, transport links and the overall experience. We are committed to doing that.

“With that in mind, we need all of Scotland to pull together to make it Scotland’s national stadium. We have heard many voice their support for the stadium. We need collective action, driven by the Scottish FA, to ensure it remains the beating heart of Scottish football.” 

Effectively, he wants us to stop moaning about it. He likes his new office, and has no intention of moving to Edinburgh, as it would add almost an hour on his daily commute.

The real problem is not actually Hampden, its the people that work there, those on a mission not to inspire us to love the game, but hell bent instead on running it for their own benefit, and the benefit of those who covered up the problems at one of their clubs that went into liquidation.

As for the cost, it does seem a little low, although there are apparently £19m of liabilities in the deal as well. Though I’m reliably informed that they will probably be dumped on the old company, or something.

Thats what usually happens when stadia change ownership in Glasgow.

As for the involvement of Lord Haughey and Sir Tom Hunter, thats more of a mystery, as businessmen only tend to put money up when they expect a considerable return, and as yet, there are no plans for a new housing estate in the area.

If it was an altruistic gesture, an unpopular stadium and an organisation plagued by accusations of corruption seems an unusual choice when there are so many other ways to spend money for the good of society.

And why hasn’t anyone asked why the SFA needs help with the purchasing costs ? Its a strange deal, but then again, its the SFA, who tend to be a little bit less than transparent where their business is concerned.

As for the ground, and the whole Hampden experience, Scott Brown, Celtic and former Scotland captain, said;

 ‘Do I think staying at Hampden is the right move? No! Hampden is possibly one of the worst stadiums I have played in for atmosphere.

‘For Scotland, I think we should be playing at Celtic Park, Ibrox, then the smaller games – when you only get 17,000 crowds – should be at Hibs and Hearts.

‘The bigger games could be at Murrayfield as well. We have some great stadiums here but we choose to use the wrong stadium for a football match.’ 

So, its not great to play in, its certainly not great to spectate in, and its a nightmare to get to…but , as former manager and sectarian karaoke singer Craig Brown said..

“what the fans don’t see is the hydro pool and the indoor warm up area”,

Its not really surprising the SFA have decided to stay there, is it ?

Anyway, new SFA boss Maxwell needed a deflection, as the Tax justice Network revealed..

So, wrote to new chief exec Ian Maxwell in August to ask if he would be willing to discuss Scottish football’s corruption issues, and to support an independent inquiry…

TJN article

He has yet to reply, which again, is no surprise.

Mikael Lustig might have some explaining to do to his manager when he returns to the club after international duty.

He has admitted to playing on through an injury he got during the recent Sweden international with Turkey;

“It (the injury) was quite expected really. I already knew it in half-time. It started to cramp and I knew already in half that it would only take a few minutes. 

“Had it been a training match I would not have played. But I trained two days before and it felt so good.” 

Something probably got lost in the translation there, but it seems he knew he was going to get cramp and played on regardless.

Brendan isn’t going to be pleased, and may well follow up his initial interest in Kilmarnock right back Stephen O’Donnell with renewed vigour.

And Tony Ralston has been told not to make any plans for Friday night, as he’s working..

In fact, Friday may well see a new look Celtic, of sorts, as the second phase of the season begins.

Filip Benkovic could make his debut , and we might even see a new , all action 3-2-3–1-1 set up, with both Oddsone Edouard and Leigh Griffiths featuring.

That would mean Celtic starting with something like this..

Gordon, Benkovic, Boyata, Teirney, Brown , Ntcham, Forrest, MacGregor, Tierney Griffiths Edouard.

Ryan Christie should feature as well, now that he’s up to speed after his wee break up at  Aberdeen. If Leigh Griffiths is injured, he may even get the nod behind Edouard, who at £9m is certain to start.

With the exception of Benkovic, here for 12 months to , well, I don’t quite know what he’s here for, but its probably around £40,000 a week, the recent transfer window seemed to be one of those with the future in mind.

Token Manchester city loannee Daniel Arzani is a bit of a mystery, though, as he featured in all of Australia’s World cup games. He’s not in the Europa League squad, and as a result , is unlikely to feature in the first team any time soon.

Having moved halfway around the world to come to Celtic, thats not exactly a surprise, and it is a two year loan deal, so there’s no rush. Its unlikely his fitness will be at the level of his new team mates, and as he hails from the land down under, he will find things different

Its a wild place, with sometimes unbearable living conditions, and there are all sorts of nasty creatures that can harm you.

Australia is just as bad, so at least he should settle in soon.

Not that the Scottish media would have you believe that, however, and the Australian national team manager, who has said he’ll pop by and say hello, is, according to our diligent hacks, concerned about his man..

The Evening Times, unsurprisingly, reported it as …

Australia manager Graham Arnold to meet Brendan Rodgers this week to discuss Daniel Arzani’s Celtic future

Australia head coach Graham Arnold is set to meet Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers this week to discuss the future of new signing Daniel Arzani. 

rising star Arzani, signed by Celtic last month on a two-year loan from Manchester City, will be a hot topic for Arnold after the 19-year-old winger was left out of the Hoops’ Europa League squad.

 

Sounds ominous…so what is troubling the Aussie boss ?

Young Daniel is in great shape. He’s looked excellent in training.

“I will be in Scotland on Wednesday or Thursday. I’m meeting Brendan Rodgers and probably will find out more [about Arzani’s progress].

“I do know Celtic rate him very, very highly.

“The kid has only been there two weeks and needs a little bit of time to let him settle. I’m sure the plans Celtic have will be great for him.” 

Oh, its not ominous at all, but thats the Evening Times for you.

The same story appeared on The World Game website…

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold will meet with Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and Brighton manager Chris Hughton, as he jets off on a whirlwind trip to Europe aimed at building relationships with the club coaches of Australia’s biggest stars. 

The former Sydney FC boss has just completed his first training camp in charge of the national team and has set aside the next few weeks to build strong relationships with the clubs of his Socceroos players.

Arnold will fly to Scotland on Wednesday to meet with Rodgers, with the progress of mercurial midfielders Daniel Arzani and Tom Rogic likely to be a key topic of conversation.

Joining Arnold on the worldwide charm offensive will be his Socceroos coaching assistant as they set out to lay the right foundations to avoid any potential conflicts between club and country.

“I feel one way to make life easier for the players and for ourselves is to make strong connections with the clubs in Europe,” Arnold said.

“They own the players and we are borrowing them for a few days at a time. If we can make that work well then the relationship will make the players even better.

“Tomorrow I’m off to Scotland to visit Brendan Rodgers at Celtic, then Hearts, Hibs with Neil Lennon and then I’ll shoot down to England.”

The 55-year-old revealed he was looking forward to meeting Rodgers and was confident the former Liverpool coach was the right man to get the most out of Arzani. 

 

One they haven’t got round to yet is the one where Moussa Dembele’s former Fulham team mate, Seko Fofana ( Who ?-Ed ) (I don’t know-Ralph ), claimed the French forward was a bit of a steal for Lyon..

“I am surprised that clubs didn’t come to take him [Dembele] before. I was told that he cost Lyon €20m (actual price was €22m), but Moussa is worth at least double.

 “He is a complete attacker, who can use his head, left foot, right foot and also defend. His delivery, he’s clean technically, he is a big, strong guy.” 
Oddly enough, he left out the bit about the constant injuries. As will the SMSM when the Striker hits his first couple of goals for Lyon, ahead of his winter hbernation.
Remember, stories to bring us down and bring them up are required, and the Sun duly obliged with a belter yesterday…
LIONS’ NEW LEADER

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard and Sean Dyche joint-favourites for England job – and Celtic gaffer Brendan Rodgers isn’t far off

Presumably Mark Warburton has already been sounded out and turned it down..

Here’s the picture from yesterday…

charlie September 11, 2018 at 10:03 am · Edit · Reply →

caption eck tries to touch his nose to prove he isnae drunk after his team selection 

Today, whats this ? A works do ?

 

 

 

 

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D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

CAPTION

Tory party gather round for a shot on the London Eye.

Terry John
5 years ago

caption

they spin the wheel at Ibrokes for the half time draw

5 years ago

http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/are-celtic-refereed-differently-in-scotland/

Using Possession Adjusted Foul analysis I attempt to objectively assess whether Celtic are refereed any differently in Scotland.

puggy67
5 years ago

Even a screenshot of a spreadsheet gives me the boak but this is a really good insight into something you just know is correct

5 years ago

All that money the SFA has wasted on Hampden – what was wrong with keeping their offices at Park Gardens? If they didn’t own that property, surely it would’ve been a damned-sight cheaper than the £5 million they’ve just spunked up the wall?!!

Probably, their main reason for choosing to stay at hampden is that, to shift their entire offices (including documentation) to murrayfield, would mean that certain documents would become a security risk if the van transporting them was to be hijacked, and these documents stolen, then used as leverage to clean up the cabal. Imagine the headlines… RES12 HIJACKERS STEAL TRUTH FILES (obviously not a headline that the smsm are likely to use). So, that’s the 5-way agreement safe for a few more decades, then!

Spudscave
5 years ago

Sevco submit their plans to Glasgow City council for new fanzone

Monti
5 years ago

Two Tierney’s? If only……..

Spudscave
5 years ago

Caption

Monti
5 years ago

Caption: Official video of Johnny Cash’s ‘ ring of fire ‘

Spudscave
5 years ago

Caption Jimmy bell is over the moon with his new spin dryer

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

Not a fuck given for Hampden due to those who run our game and it won’t change until it’s been cleaned out.

Caption…. Where’s my heavy industrial toolkit?

5 years ago

PS in the line up. Dropping Ajer is…….unfathomable!

The real Anton Rogan
5 years ago

I have a feeling Ajer might take one of the Tierney places which leaves Rogic out of the team.

The Cha
5 years ago

Plumbing the depths.

Spudscave
5 years ago

Caption.Jimmy bell is over the moon with his new spin dryer

Spudscave
5 years ago

Jimmy bell is over the moon with his new spin dryer

jimmybee
5 years ago
Reply to  Spudscave

Spud is disnae matter how many times you say it m8 it won’t make Ralph give you it out of sympathy. 🙂
Caption Free pokey hat with every spin.

JTT
5 years ago

Caption: Glasgow City Council to consider application for new Rangers’ fan zone.

Daziekanowski's nightclub child
5 years ago

I wish there was 2 Tierney’s

Billybear
5 years ago

Caption: Jimmy Bell is over the moon with his
new spin dryer.

Luke Warmwater
5 years ago

the circle of strife

Frank McGaaaarvey
5 years ago

Caption – “Whit are you spooks daein’ oan the big wheel? Get back take the ghost train and dae yer joabs”.

Una
5 years ago

Caption

The generation wheel of racist bastards

alan
5 years ago

Gerrard for England????? does the MSM ever stop with the hilarity?

2 months in to his first ever job. some mediocre results and now he is going to take over England?

even the English are not that stupid.

The Cha
5 years ago

It’s actually 2 different players, Teirney and Tierney.

A transfer deadline Day masterstroke by P&L and shame on all of us who thought he was an incompetent, lazy, money-grubbing arschloch.

George Lazenbhoy
5 years ago

The new sevco fan zone – all welcome. (skin tone may be checked prior to entry)

broxburnbhoy
5 years ago

Caption: Fancy dress Rats on a Rat wheel

Mike Annis
5 years ago

Caption: Latest half time draw at Ibrox…..Pin the tale on the fascist. Sadly no one won as there were far too many options, not just on the wheel.

The Cha
5 years ago

Caption “SFA reward Appeal 3 Man groups with fun day out to thank them for their sterling work”

jimboh
5 years ago

CAPTION….

The Crumbledome’s Knights In White Satin on a Team Bonding Session. The former Lite Blues have recently been re-Launched following the Liquidation of the original Rangers Football Club.

Following recent over the top emotional public utterances by their new manager and players the new club will now be known as The Moody Blues.

(I Tried)

jimmybee
5 years ago

On this day Sept 12th
Formed and led by Major John Patrick Riley, was a unit of 175 to several hundred immigrants and expatriates of European descent who fought as part of the Mexican Army against the United States in the Mexican–American War of 1846–8. El Batallón de San Patricio, The Saint Patrick’s Battalion, deserted to fight on the side of Mexico. Major John Patrick Riley and his unit mostly made up of Irish and German Catholics had enough of the treatment of immigrant soldiers and had more sympathy with Catholic Mexico than they had with what they seen as Protestant USA.

Los San Patricios fought in five major battles from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon to Churubusco in Mexico City. They were an attiliary battalion and inflicted many defeats to the USA.They were hated by the USA.

Thirty San Patricios were later hung for treason by the United States Army at the steps of El Castillo de Chapultepec. In total, forty-eight San Patricios were sentenced to hanging.
Major John Riley survived the war but died in obscurity.

El Batallón de San Patricio is commemorated annually in Mexico and Ireland. In Mexico, on both 17 March and 12 September, the anniversary of the US Army’s execution of the San Patricios. On this same date, the town of Clifton, Co Galway, home of the Battalion’s Major John Patrick Riley, flies the Mexican flag over its city hall.

In Mexico’s Museo Nacional de las Intervenciones, a bagpipe band named after Los San Patricios honours their legacy in a monthly ceremony.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

I have a nice St Patrick’s Battalion t-shirt, JBee. David Rovic wrote a fine song about them too.

SteveNaive
5 years ago

Qatar…3. Palestine…0 good result after going a goal down in 3 minuets a la Celts,
36 degrees at 5 pm..!

rebus67
5 years ago

Caption:

The Big Wheel behind the Klan is finally revealed.

Rebus

portpower
5 years ago

O`though what we want to see,is above the ground game?

Keep Hymn.

There`s where you build,Scotland.

That`s over 3 years he`s his.

Callum McGregor,is he playing? That`s good.

portpower
5 years ago

The day.

sevco travel professionals FC.

portpower
5 years ago

Caption:Get,the big easy met and walked.

alzyerpal
5 years ago

Caption : Workers from the “Ghost Train” ride on their lunchbreak.

portpower
5 years ago

They`ll need imperial to to, to do.

Guess they`ve to?

portpower
5 years ago

Caption:It does not even snow here.

Puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: Hey Elmer did you see all those good old boys in the ghost train? Why that wasn’t fearsome at all!

portpower
5 years ago

Caption:who has not met up against one? No a minute.I`ve a hour.

portpower
5 years ago

First roots of sales:

Buddy Boys 2-1.

It means a lot.

jimmybee
5 years ago

Caption : Sevco get a new bus.

portpower
5 years ago

Fact:
sevco get a Birkin midlife crisis car bankroll`n cause.

I`ve a belief in science.Except there at Mount Florida.

portpower
5 years ago

Caption:
Excommunicated C of E turn Hubbard to fantasy the marvel both editions.

portpower
5 years ago

Goodwill hub goin` for 55.

sevco brexit lost tribe FC.

jimmybee
5 years ago

Caption: Yo Billy i can see an afro American young kid going into the Whitehouse his name is Barrack. Dont worry Sam just some kid shining shoes.
Don’t think so Hill Billy Boy your time is up.

jimmybee
5 years ago

For the horrible scum in the caption
https://youtu.be/XH25EUgFMmI

Honest hoops
5 years ago

Caption; the SFA reveal their plans for extra revenue during the purchase…

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

I see that Steve Clarke has been charged by the SFA for bringing the game into “disrepute”, stop laughing at the back. What’s now clear is that the SFA are showing that there’s one rule for the fuckwits over at Ibrox and one for the rest. Correct me if I’m wrong but hasn’t Slippy being rattling his big mouth about matters relating to footballing “integrity,” no laughing, and there’s not been a word said about this?

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

Ryan Jack?

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

That hun prick is another one mate, he was calling out Gollum yet he’s not in bother like Steve Clarke.

Monti
5 years ago

Caption: ‘ Musical chairs ‘ a Carlsberg production.

Spudscave
5 years ago

Caption Sammy gony tell the guy tae stop wee Alexander disny feel to good he’s turned as white a sheet

Spudscave
5 years ago

White as a sheet lol

henkesdreadlocks
5 years ago

Caption……..

Billy Bob and pals enjoy a day at the fairground. Big wheel and pokey hats, what’s not to like.

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