Menu Close

Celtic Diary Thursday February 7: Entertainment Without Integrity

Scottish football may be entertaining, but last night we had examples of everything thats wrong with it, which will be largely ignored in order to pretend there’s a new level of competitiveness.

At Celtic Park, the champions continued their dominant post break run with another win, 2-0 over Hibernian, but yet again, laissez faire refereeing led to a serious injury to a Celtic player.

Emilio Izaguirre was stretchered off after an assault, and he will take up the place in the doctors room vacated by Dedryck Boyata, who returned to the side last night.

“It was a clumsy challenge at best.

“He is over on the ball, the boy, and I think it scared Emilio a little bit in terms of he has had issues with his ankles before when he has broken them.

“But the medical team is telling me he thinks he has got away with it, it is a little bit sore and hopefully he will be okay in a few days.” 

We’ll see.

The Hibs player was yellow carded, as sooner or later the referee has to book someone, if only for appearances sake . should it have been a red card ? Rodgers weakly said he thought the ref may not have seen it…

“I think Craig is a very good referee, he maybe didn’t see it at the time, he was maybe blinded, but it wasn’t a good challenge at all.” 

Oh, come on. Say what you saw.

Harry Brady of Celtic Underground did…

Hibs players took it in turns to kick Brown for first 20 mins but he just went on to boss the game. However maybe if ref had booked a few at that point we wouldn’t have had a red card leap into Izzy challenge

 

Rodgers diplomatically avoided further comment on the matter, but he cannot possibly say the incident was exactly unexpected. Someone was going to get hurt, and this may not be the end of it.

On the game itself, Rodgers said;

It was a very good controlled performance.

“We scored a very good first goal. We could have been cleaner in our passes in the first half but the control was a lot better in the second half.

“A very good three points for us.” 

And importantly, another clean sheet. No one has scored against Celtic since the season restarted.

 

Up at Pittodrie, Aberdeen lost 4-2 to “rangers “, who again had a referee to thank for a game changing “honest mistake ” when , with the dons trailing 3-2, Alan MacGregor, the “rangers ” keeper, committed one of his trademark lunges on an Aberdeen forward.

Of course, with Alfredo Morelas having already been ordered off, Madden could ill afford for his team to lose another player.

Andy Walker on Sky said he thought Morelas was “unlucky ” to be sent off…

 

Clearly, with the penalty incident, the referee saw what the keeper did., as did MacGregors team mate in the picture..his open mouthed reaction  tells you everything, and decided no action was needed, which of course will be what the compliance officer says when she is asked to adjudicate.

Did MacGregor commit the foul comfortable in the knowledge the referee would take no action ?

I’d say its certainly a topic for debate.

A sending of for the keeper and a penalty would have changed the game, and we now have conclusive proof that a referee can influence a game when he feels the need.

As for Morelas, thats three times he’s been sent off against the same team in the same season.

Predictable ? Looks that way.

His behaviour isn’t that much different in any other game, but it just wouldn’t do to punish him all the time. He’s just a wee bit daft, I believe is the official line..

The motive, of course, is to make Scottish football a saleable product and those trying to sell it believe that the only thing worth selling is a Glasgow rivalry, a rivalry so fundamental to our game that those who run it are prepared to overlook all manner of rule breaches, on and off the field, to perpetuate this particular myth.

The only way to prevent this is for every club in the top division, and as many in the second as can be convinced, to form a breakaway league.

Like the English did with their Premier League.

A sort of article 50, if you like, where clubs can be free of an unelected body making all the decisions in the interest of an unelected body, and not in the interests of its members.

Otherwise, what we will see is a boom and bust cycle at one club, which will simply be airbrushed out of history, and the next “bust ” won’t even see them restarting in the lower leagues.

By the way, “rangers ” to get a penalty last night was 9/4.

Won’t be long before they refuse to accept bets on it, and that in itself will be an admission of corruption that can be taken as evidence when someone eventually grows a set in the media and highlights the issue.

 

 

But when you have pundits like Tam MacManus saying this..

Amid all the furore I thought Bobby Madden had an absolutely fantastic game. We slaughter refs but he got every big decision spot on. Only thing he missed was the poor McGregor tackle on Ferguson which for me should be a red card/pen. And then the subsequent bit back by Ferguson. 

An “absolutely fantastic game “.

And then he goes on to say apart from the game changing refusal to send off a player for a blatant assault.

Like when Jackie Kennedy said,

“It was a lovely day out and the bullet through my husbands head was the only thing that put a dampener on things. ” 

The real problem here is that the ineptitude-or cheating- if the referees is going largely unremarked upon.

This is going to have serious repercussions sooner or later.

 Many years ago, I went to my first Celtic game with this lot, and they need new members.

Anyone in the Johnstone Howood Spateston Elderslie Linwood area needing transport to and from Celtic home games,the Johnstone no 1 supporters bus are taking new members, nice friendly bus some older members too. We park at the stadium bus park so great for kids and O.A.P’s DM me  

All supporters clubs are facing tough times, and yet its still the best way to go to a game.

Get in touch with one near you, and make a day of it. Make travelling to the game something to look forward to, instead of a routine car or train trip.

There’s nothing better than being with your own , especially when there’s something to celebrate.

Ask the Argentina CSC, who were in town for the game last night..

Or from Hong Kong..

There’s been a change in the attitude of West Brom manager Darren Moore regarding Ollie Burke…he’s now saying that if there’s an agreement to purchase the player between Celtic and West Brom then its something agreed between the clubs…

A slight, but significant change from his previous outburst on Burke being his player who he’d sent to Celtic to get him up to their level.

We may find yet that all our loannees want to hang around for a bit.

Yesterday, we had this picture…

George Lazenbhoy February 6, 2019 at 7:53 am · Edit · Reply →

Caption : Russian bodyguard trys to shoot protestor with his fingers

Today…

0 0 votes
Article Rating
56 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mcklintop
5 years ago

Caption: Helpful Aberdeen fan helps Hunny G with his numbers. Now Stevie how many figures in £1m?

StevoCFC
5 years ago

Caption: Martin Compston goes undercover in Aberdeen to send subliminal message to Sevco manager

5 years ago

Once again Brendan the shithouse steers away from openly criticising the referees, he and Celtic have a duty of care to all it’s employees, and their not providing that to the player’s, their allowing their playing staff to be physicaly assaulted in their work place on a weekly basis. Rodgers comments on last nights tackle almost put the blame on Izzy, how long before there’s a career ending tackle on a Celtic player before Rodgers says something, the refs are allowing this in full veiw of everyone, yet nothing said, be it on their heads, if God forbid, one of our brilliant young talents like KT, CHRISTIE, MCGREGOR,AJER,MIKEY, suffers such a tackle…Speak up Celtic, and defend your players before it’s to late…HH

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  KEIGHLEY BHOY

” Brendan the shitehouse “?
Fuck off ya bellend!

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  KEIGHLEY BHOY

Well said. 🙂

The “honest mistakes” are so endemic, not just referees but supervisors, assessors, head, CO and CE of SFA that managers speaking out is simply pissing in the wind.

This needs to be addressed professionally behind the scenes by the club hierarchy away from public hysteria.

Luckily we have a £5m per year CE, who’s tailor made for the job. 😉

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  KEIGHLEY BHOY

What a poor contribution this is. Just daft thinking that BR blamed Izzi – nonsense he said nothing or implied nothing of the sort.

Fra Stone
5 years ago

caption: hey stevie heard you are great at maths, how many fingers am i holding up

Monti
5 years ago

Caption:
” Hey Gerrard ya dick “

5TB
5 years ago

Caption

How to confuse an idiot. Spot the difference.

Ralph, the board and Lawwell especially, earn too much money to rock the boat. Clearly the well being of the players means nothing to them/him.

Compliant in everything they do.

How many more horrific instances of on the field abuse do we need to endure?

Is it something to mearly expect every game now? How must the players feel?

This shouldn’t be tolerated.

Why should we or the players need to put up with this complete disregard for wellbeing and fairness?

Southside Bhoy
5 years ago

Caption
Brendan “You need to move out of that seat son, The ref has told me that one of the Celtic players will be in there in the first 10 minutes”

VooDude
5 years ago

Caption: Here, Gerrard, look how clean My nails are you filthy Hun.

As for Rodgers, absolutely fucking shameful. How can you try an excuse that maybe he didn’t see it? He gave him a fucking yellow card so he must’ve seen it!

Also, I cant wait to see McGregor cited for the challenge on Ferguson, and no doubt Ferguson too for his retaliation but more eagerly awaited is the McKenna red reduced to a yellow as no contact was made and also Morelos cited for simulation, pretending he was kicked in the face and rolling around the floor.

My breath is not currently being held.

5 years ago

Yeah look I’ve noticed in his efforts at diplomacy Rodgers can come across a bit mealy mouthed when talking about refs. Maybe it’s being smart on his part not weighing in like the other managers have. Teams chasing shadows are always going to throw in lunging tackles it’s just the way it is

Monti
5 years ago

Maybe he stumbled on one of Ronny’s tactical notes?

Cough.

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Hopefully he keeps stumbling, right into a Treble Treble. 😉

Bognorbhoy
5 years ago

Caption…

The guys maw there is thinking… aye son you give it tae the hun…but you wait take I get you hame.. you give pricks the vicky …fannys get the finger…

Bognorbhoy
5 years ago

Take should be tae …doh

Puggy67
5 years ago

Caption from yesterday never made it and I think Putin thinking ‘Fuck I forgot to pack my duffle coat’ deserves an airing. Backed 2 pens in the Sevco game at 22/1 last night. Unfortunately as part of an accumulator where Killie cost me £777. As Jim Diamond sang I should have known better.

5 years ago

Caption
Stevie look it’s my new divining rod it picks up dodgy refereeing

5 years ago

The only way to prevent this is for every club in the top division, and as many in the second as can be convinced, to form a breakaway league.

Like the English did with their Premier League.

Hows that Bryan Adams song “Heaven” go again

“We’ve been down that road before…but its over now..you keep me coming back for more..”

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  desimond

Desi,
” Everything i post, i do it for you ” 🙂

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Yer a week early with the Valentine. 😉

BJF
5 years ago

If I wanted to “ do” a Celtic player to even up a game I would “do” McGregor as most things come through him or Christie . The big lump who cane on at right back was doing his bit for the fuller figures among us but there was t anything between him and Izzy but he cane down with his studs doubt if he meant it. Izzy should be ok I hope for St Johnstone .The worst assult I saw was Allan McGregor’s on Ferguson because it was clearly deliberate and he has previous, remember his assault on Ajer and there was another high profile assault, he is going to seriously injure someone. Last season I honestly thought Morellos was a tit, couldn’t understand the fuss about him, in fact he I s a really good player. He is also a total liability and his coach cannot depend on him, take Burke he puts himself about but doesn’t run grudges or assault opponents, Weah got a superb tackle in right in front of me, Christie is amazingly whole hearted, takes it, hands it out and gets on with it, it is the Celtic way. The issue of referees is right up there after Dallas’s comedy show and Celtic arn’t Involved, Scottish refereees are simply either incompetent or too close to clubs( like “a”club). We need referees from further away because not only should they not be biased but they shouldn’t have the appearance of prior involvement with rival clubs.

Uralius
5 years ago

Nah he finally read the diary

puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: Isa from Still Game on the left -“Och that’s terrible that, geein’ the finger tae that nice young fella…..wait a minute is that that wee shite Gerrard? Well done son get it right up the wee baaastard. I’ll need to get ma varifocals checked, where’s ma diary, hawd on where’s ma bag…?”

puggy67
5 years ago

Johnstone bus Ralph! Yer no a Boot Boy FFS, ye canny be a Howwood Roader wi’ the writing an aw that…must be EYD 😉

Bongo
5 years ago

Great to have Boyata back – great game again, hope we can get a deal together to keep him at Paradise

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Bongo

Dick!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Oops…two Dicks!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Two pussies would….oh there you are again.

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Bongo

Mm, Jozo’s done well since the resumption but can we rely on him long term, I doubt it.

As soon as Benkovic’s fit, it’ll be him and Boyata until the end of the season, barring injuries and suspensions.

There’s more chance of Ben being here next season but I expect both to be on their way.

Will we therefore go with Jozo and Ajer next season or heavily invest in 1 or 2 CBs?

Probably none of the above and instead go for £1-2m projects. 🙁

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Bongo

Charlie Saiz,
Did his father comment on why Boyata refused to play against AEK Athens?

puggy67
5 years ago

Saw a video clip of the bold Willie ‘I took them for hay fever’ Johnstone getting sent off for the 14th time in his career. Stamped on a Aberdeen player’s throat. Different club, same traditions.

Iljas Baker
5 years ago

Would love to keep Ollie Burke and Jeremy Toljan – with KT down the left and JT down the right that would be something to behold. Burke is doing great but he’s not fully up to his own level yet, you can see the rust at times. I love that there are so many Scots in the Celtic team. You definitely need a good core of Scots, preferably Celtic supporters. That’s one reason I regret that we let McGinn get away.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Iljas Baker

IIjas,
That’s what i’m talking about!

Konrad
5 years ago

Slippy wins the pre-match game of ‘guess how many penalties the zombies will get tonight’.

George Lazenbhoy
5 years ago

Caption : stevie is taught the international sign for greeting bastard.

George Lazenbhoy
5 years ago

I just realised I don’t know how to spell either.

BJF
5 years ago

Toljan is one class act, still bedding his way in and playing well within himself and don’t forget he can play on the left too if Izzy isn’t fit for Sunday. Bungo you make a sensible
point ( no room for that on Etims)and Boyata was class last night unlucky not to score but I think his time at Celtic will finish in the Summer, McKenna is way short of him but if the scouts who got us Burke, Weah and Tolgan are on the job there will be other centre halves out there.

Rosco
5 years ago

Haw Stevie ya zombie prick amma sheep shagger so we will call it a draw yeah 1 v 1

Leitrim Bhoy
5 years ago

Caption: Braindead Liverpudlian tries to shoot protestor with his finger

Cartvale88
5 years ago

Caption
Should have been two red cards you dick

Shocked at BR not raising concerns about two players being stretchered off in two games, or do we just bite the bullet. Someone at the club should get a pair of cohones, Thomson is a mankie that over the years he has cheated Celtic.
As for Madhun, presume lt balancing up the game sending off McKenna, but ignoring Greegsy a bitter Hun.

Monti
5 years ago

Disappointed with the timing of Nantes demand for the transfer fee of Emiliano Sala.
At least wait until the body has been found & laid to rest.

Jeez!

jimmybee
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Shocking m8

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Pizza sir?

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Don’t agree, the payment should’ve been set up to happen automatically and has got bugger all to do with the search for bodies.

It sounds like Cardiff have effed up on insuring a prized asset and want to welch on the deal.

To speak about wanting to check documentation is laughable, they agreed the deal and they, Nantes and the various FAs were all satisfied that everything was okay.

The only party that’s making this distasteful is Cardiff FC and any outrage should be directed at them alone.

jimmybee
5 years ago

With sevco appealing Morelos red card are they actually justifying his actions?
A disgrace of a player who puts me so much in.mind of that other ugly hun Diouf.

Stevie D
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

The only player I’ve ever seen fouling a physio coming on to treat an injured player. Diouf was the perfect hun.

5 years ago

Can someone settle an argument. Since the Huns only got one penalty last night, are they allowed to carry the other two penalties over to the next game? My mate says they are. I still think they are only allowed four penalties in the next game but my mate says its six. Can you clarify. TIA.

Fast Eddy
5 years ago

Can someone settle an argument. Since the Huns only got one penalty last night, are they allowed to carry the other two on to the next game? My mate says they are. I still say that they are only allowed 4 penalties and not 6. TIA

SFA unfit for purpose
5 years ago

Caption ;

Aye thats right slippy , i took £5 off you to watch yer motor. If you want the stereo back you can spin on these

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago

Brass neck of the year award to “Rangers” for appealing the Morelas sending off. What possible other conclusion can the mysterious 3 person panel come to? Unless of course they have some other footage form an alternative reality. Shameful

Monti
5 years ago

RIP EMILIANO SALA, GOD BE WITH YOU & YOUR FAMILY TONIGHT!

YNWA

Monti
5 years ago

Watching question time, my main thought is that i want to boot Micheal Forsyth in the ball sack, with the ferocity of a Dariusz Wdowczyk free kick!

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Mate, thats just a propaganda programme. Did you hear the failed UKIP candidate and orange bastard Mitchell harping on about the SNP? He’s never off that programme. They know their times up. I won’t be tuning in again.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

Was that the fat cunt in a red tracky tap?

Magdalena’s Chestnut Geldings Saddle Strap
5 years ago

Caption

Martín Compston tells Shakin Steven what we are really thinking

Follow us on Twitter @ETimsNet