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Celtic Diary Sunday February 10: New SFA In The Blink Of A Handshake!

It’s Scottish Cup weekend, the drama , the thrills and all the other things that make knockout football the stuff of dreams are on display.

We’ve already Seen Hibernian, Partick and a reborn Dundee United surge into the last eight, whilst Kilmarnock and “rangers ” both live to fight another day after a week of tension between the managers which hasn’t improved Steven Gerrards siege mentality as he and his club sek to land their first major trophy.

Having said that, the Ibrox side haven’t had their problems to seek after compliance officer Clare whyte banned Alfredo Morelas for three games and offered a two match ban to goalkeeper Alan MacGregor.

When Gerrard complained privately, Whyte was heard to shout “Do you want some as well ?

Suddenly, someone at the SFA appears to have discovered a set of balls, metaphorically speaking, and the establishment doesn’t like it.

Older readers will remember that Margaret Thatcher, who rose to prominence in the late seventies within the Conservative party by trampling all over everyone else, a practice she continued when she became prime minister, would later say that being a woman was too much for her colleagues to deal with.

They were too entrenched in their own misogyny to take her seriously.

One wonders if the blazers at the SFA are having the same issues…

Whatever the reason, she has surprised a few people, and upset many more. Of the people , that is.

I was quite happy to to see someone at Hampden doing their job properly, and from now on I’m a fan.

Image result for clare whyte sfa

Following her decisions, there was the predictable call to battle from the outraged…

One man demanded a number, so he could give her the rough edge of his tongue..

Others simply resorted to type..

Dehumanised ? They call themselves Bears, for fucks sake.

Hang on, perhaps that logo “We Are The People ” is an attempt to convince themselves that are human, as its clear they can be a confused lot.

Needed.

Now is the time for the gaffer and management team to create one, it’s us against them all. The MSM, the refs, the SFA, the Compliance Officer, every player and manager of every other club.

Now is time to take the gloves off and show we are back. If you’re not with us, not one of us, you’re our enemy.

Go on the attack on field and batter the cunts by barreloads. Go on the attack off the park and use every means possible to highlight every injustice and lack of parity. Be it at pressers (do only what we’re contractually obliged to), be it to CAS, or UEFA.

It’s now or fucking never. And every bear needs to stand up and be counted and do our bit too. Whatever, however, don’t let cunts take an inch when having a go at our club. Step up and play club 1872.

Today is a watershed moment.

Let the battles commence. No one likes us, we don’t care, but by fuck they need to understand we’re back and will take shit as a club and support from no cunt.

Some however, turned to God, because He’s one of them..despite what they say about His representative on earth.

I know this has been a tough day, but fear not my fellow Bears! We will win the battle.

We will come out of this the better. As my old chum Isaiah says:

‘You became weary on your many journeys, but you did not say, “It’s hopeless!” You found a renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak’.

WATP. Never forget that we have God on our side:

‘For the Lord, your God, is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory’.

I want the players to know that we have been down before. Let them remember the words of Paul:

‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed’.

And to all, the words of Solomon:

‘If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!’

Prepare for the blessings to come, lads. 55 is near:

‘They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar’.

Join me in a recitation of Psalm 95, line 7.

‘For he is our God, and we are the people’.

AMEN

Whatever else you say about Scottish football, you can’t deny its entertaining.

I wasn’t overly concerned or interested in the Cup. I’m not going to any of the games, but thats a decision that may well be overturned soon if the delightful and fragrant Clare continues to inject this sudden sense of fair play into the organisation.

But there is a long way to go yet.

Back to the Cup, and there’s the Hearts and Auchinleck Talbot game to fire the imagination today, Aberdeen face Queen of the South and, of course, Celtic face St Johnstone.

Again.

Will familiarity breed contempt ?

It’s one thing to suggest the Perth side will play the same way as in the previous two games last week, but it also presents a dilemma for manager Brendan Rodgers.

How should he approach the game ?

“We have played St Johnstone four times this season, it is only human that you can maybe be blase going into these games having won the games and played well in them.

“We have always tried to train the players with the attitude that every game is different, you have to respect every game.

“We work very hard on excellence in our work and that is not easy.

“Anyone who has been in my position will tell you with respect of how difficult it is, when you are playing well and winning games, how to sustain that.

“But the beauty of these players is that they are very focused, the culture we have is based around that.

“That is the mentality we take into this game and our objective is to get through.” 

Several players are returning to fitness, but its unlikely that the manager will make any radical changes.

Scott Bain will continue in goal, presumably until someone scores against him, with Toljan, Boyata, Simunovic and Johnny Hayes making a rare start in place of Izaguirre should he have not recovered from Wednesdays injury.

Keiran Tierney is back in training, but you get the feeling that was just to give him something to do while he rests his hip in the hope it will mean he avoids surgery.

Scott Brown and Calum MacGregor will no doubt keep their places, but its the flexiforwards that hold the key to success.

Most of them will play, but only Rodgers knows in what particular order.

The most important thing today is a win.

The Scottish Cup is the SFA’s own showcase, and they really don’t like it when Celtic win it.

Especially if it seals a treble. Sorry, another treble..

We’ve all seen the look on their faces at presentation time in the last couple of years, and it is terrifying them that they may have to do it again.

Secret weapons Bobby Madden and Andrew Dallas have been exposed as not so secret, leaving Nick Walsh in charge today, and although he likes to wave a yellow card around, he’s largely unblemished by the reputations and allegations surrounding his colleagues.

Still, there’s time yet.

his relatively high card count, just under four a game, may actually be a good thing.

Too often this season, fouls against Celtic players have gone unpunished, and it cannot be denied that this is a contributory factor to the long injury list.

Walsh needs to stamp his authority on the game early, which in turn will stop players stamping on other players.

Back in February, he was the subject of a Daily Record headline..

Scottish football’s worst referee revealed and it’s not Willie Collum .

However, in keeping with the traditions of this paper, what it actually refereed to was a couple of complaints about him on the hotline, the sports pages  equivalent of the Agony Aunt column, and equally as fictional.

Only the horiscopes are given less attention to content than the Records phone in page, and its rather a distorted view of events as quite simply whoever “takes the calls ” will only pick the ones he agrees with.

Try phoning up and saying that Rangers are dead, that Resolution 12 deserves an investigation or that Dave King is about to wash his hands of Ibrox and leave the poor sods who support them open to another round of “send us your money ” and see if it gets printed..

 

Walsh will be ably supported by his assistant referees, Broome and Templeton, and we can only hope that they have do not wish to be tarred with the same brush as their somewhat compromised colleagues.

Scottish football will need good referees when it eventually gets rid of john Fleming, and some of them will be smart enough to realise that there will be a place for them in that brave, new world.

 

Prediction ?

Celtic should win, though again it depends largely on whether or not the game is put beyond Saints early. Flexiforwarding has meant that the manager has more options, but perhaps there might be a surprise and Celtic decide not to be patient, and go for it from the off.

If they do, it could be five, six or seven.

But Rodgers will stick to what is working, after all, we need the win to keep our treble dream alive, and i’d expect another 2-0.

 

I’m not great at predictions, but I would venture that I’m better than this guy..

 

As you know, the diary often calls out the mainstream media when it goes more mainstream than media. Its job is to tell the truth, to report and inform on what goes on, and above all, hold those in a position of power or influence to account.

Gordon Waddell of the Sunday Mail deserves praise for his piece today, which criticises the SFA and its inconsistency in upholding the rules of the game…and he mentions the treatment of John Beaton, who is still in a living nightmare after horrendous text messages put him in fear for his life.

A process that tells us you can’t re-referee games over incidents seen and dealt with by the match ref.

Example: John Beaton in the Old Firm game, still blowing in the wind the SFA hung him out to dry in.

Yet also a process which has done exactly what they say they won’t do on at least three different occasions now. And it’s hard to see which part of the incident Bobby Madden didn’t see clearly from his completely unobstructed view. Again, that’s not

to say the decision arrived at by the compliance officer and panel wasn’t the right one. But it’s the “make it up on the hoof” aspect to what gets dealt with and what doesn’t that’s earning the system the caning it’s getting. 

With the police ignoring Beatons predicament, and still failing to find the evil perpetrator behind his ordeal, Waddell at least reminds us of the life that Beaton is forced to lead until this person, or people are found.

And the media need to keep reminding us, and put pressure on the police to apprehend the villain , so that John can return to his everyday life, so that he doesn;t have to look out of the window every morning and wonder if today wll be the day…

 

On Friday we had this picture..

 Pensionerbhoy February 8, 2019 at 12:30 pm · Edit · Reply →

Caption:

“LRA Training Instructions. Can be opened on sunny evenings in a blink of a handshake.” 

The blink of a handshake…now there’s a title..

 

Today…

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highseastim
5 years ago

So the BBC that the Huns reckon are biased, analyse Broadfoot playing handball in the penalty box, but don’t analyse Tavernier playing handball in the penalty box. No analysis of yet another Defoe dive, they’re so desperate to get back inside Mordor!!

TC
5 years ago

The BBC Strictly Come Dancing producers finally reach the bottom of the very deep barrel

5 years ago

Caption: “you look sexy when you’re angry, Alfredo!”.

BJF
5 years ago

I could not understand folk last week wanting the Board, the Chairman, Lawwell,Rodgers, the UN, God to deal with the SFA over refereeing. We even had a hun creeping into the site abusing Rodgers. Don’t get me wrong Rodgers and his players are not above criticism but abusing the manager or a guy wearing the hoops is hunlike in my opinion. Celtic played it perfrectly, they stayed away from something so blatant even the Scottish media had to react. I do not recall any Board ever commenting on matters on the pitch, although I am sure folk will come up with some if they go back a bit. The only Chairman I recall commenting was the Hamilton guy defending his pitch. When the media need to take the pressure of Rangers they look for something at Celtic, by staying largely out of it that left others to comment and even the media had to do something, well played Celtic. Morelos and McGregor pushes the boat out too far but there will be a Celtic “ hunt” to even the score.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  BJF

BJF,
You talk some shite son, the point is if the referees did their fucking job & gave red cards for red card offences, nobody would have a problem.
Some of the tackles are out of order, Brendan has had his say on them & he has to be clever with dealing with them.
The problem with
The problem i have with Lawwell is he is quick to condemn our own support, but ask him to comment on years of fucking cheating & stolen CL & Prize money, not a fucking word!

Lawwell out!

Tourtenay
5 years ago
Reply to  BJF

BJF, I do think there is merit in what you say as the press/media always lok for a reaction especially from Celtic and if a reaction were to come then that would be twisted out of context adding fuel to a fire in it’s dying embers.
Monti, you also have a point(playing devil’sadvicate)but I think this is being dealt with at the right level and the management staff have pitched it just right in that they are being called out for their abysmal performance and maybe now something is moving in the right direction at the SFA, how long that will continue nobody knows.
HH
Big game today, looking forward to seeing New Bhoy Bayo perform.
Allez Les Blues a Twickemham aussi.

Honest hoops
5 years ago

I see the BBC hun forum has opened early on the website…inviting comments on Bain being the new number 1 at Celtic….very shallow and lazy jouranlism……c’mon the Hoops!!

John mccloy in tasmania
5 years ago

There was no picture on Friday,only a little square.this is a regular occurrence.ffsfi.forfuckssakefixit..

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

Bloody annoying,mate. Nearly as bad as replies being held in moderation.

portpower
5 years ago

Caption:
The fingers never lie.
An incident involving…mozzarella shat in shorts.

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago

Wow Broonie! Candidate for goal of the season!

Puggy67
5 years ago

Caption:Listen kid Mr Traynorioni say that if you don’t pretend a Chinese team wants you I gotta break another one. Come on kid you’re bustin’ my balls here.

Stevie D
5 years ago

Toljan had a great game today.

5 years ago

Morelos prepares to head butt gaffer.

Cartvale88
5 years ago

Caption
Start diving like DeFoe ya wank

Impressive today, Burke is really fast, let’s stick it to the knuckledraggers.
Looking forward to the visit of the people from Orangeland

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago

Ralph,

I have just burst a gut. I have not won a caption since I was in short breeks and yet I win Friday’s commenting on a wee multi-coloured square that I could not open :), :), :). I feel even cleverer than Willie Collum. I did not even use the eyes in the back of my hied. I guessed from other captions there was some kind of document involved. So, look out guys, it’s the same today but my ex-ray eyes have not woken up yet.

H H

jimmybee
5 years ago

Great stuff today. Toljan looks the real deal and good to see Hayes get a run out. Pace up front is what it’s all about but we have to raise our game again. Some of the play we did today we will get badly punished for against the best.
But we do look its coming together at the right time. 7 million for McKenna yer having a laugh.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee,
PISH

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago

Top knotch 5-star show today from the bhoys even though we were only in 2nd or 3rd gear for lengthy spells. Wonderful to see Forrest on fire again down the right flank, Broonie (fuck me what a goal) and Calmac in complete control in the middle of the park and a fine performance at left-back from Hayes, complete with a fantastic surge forward and great assist to set up Jamesie for the 3rd goal. Congratulations to MOTM Scott Sinclair for a mammoth effort throughout and, of course, for knotching up a memorable hat-trick. Let’s see what kind of draw we get for the quarters.

BTW, Man City are pumping Chelsea 5-0 right now with over 20 mins left to play.

HH

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago

Caption,

“Forget it boss. I know you said get them by the baws but Broonie’s pair are that hard, they’ve already broke two of my fingers.”

I have the picture today so no need for Collum eyes.

I have not seen the game yet but going by the commentary on CTV, even with the bias, it sounded like we not only hammered them but did it in style. Main protagonists mentioned were Broonie, Sinclair, Burke, Calmac with special focus on Toljan. I am really looking forward to a very early morning watch on CTV.

I agree with comments that we are getting back to where we should be. I am not convinced that means as yet challenging the better teams in the CL, but we are improving and it could be a different story in a season or two. I do believe that, if we turn up, we could give Valencia something to think about. What is most satisfying, is our current form should see us obliterate any slurry seeping out of Govan.

H H

jimmybee
5 years ago

PBit was a very professional performance m8.
Looking good and with Big Tom, Edouard, Tierney
Lustig Benkovic all to come back the squad is really looking strong. Who said January was a disaster. Looks good to me. HH and good to see you posting again hope all is well.

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

jimmybee,

Two reasons I restricted my posts. First I have become very busy over the last couple of years working with young people. As I have deteriorated from toes upward and head downward, the work has just expanded. I need a full time job to get a rest :).

The second reason was, I did not want dragged into some of the, shall we call it lower tone, comments that were on the increase daily. You see, I go back a long time to when the Dairy (my stupid wee joke) was subdued and pleasant with Ralph the only one who ranted or went into a rage, though he could get Desi started now and then. Things seem to have quietened a little these day with “banter” looking more like banter. I also have more “me” time now and then. I doubt I will be as regular (in spite of the laxatives) as I used to be but I hope to have my say on occasion. It was hard to avoid comment after today’s win. I confess to having been a teeny weeny bit apprehensive given the amount of meetings in such a short time period. They have proved tricky in the past due to complacency – or maybe it is utter boredom. A real weakness in the repetitive SPL. It is not so easy to judge when you are miles from reality, watching or listening from an armchair and, worst of all, relying on the Dairy for the news :).

Thanks for you kind comment.

H H

Iain in Alberta
5 years ago

Great display generally – Calmac, Christie and Brown running things. We gave the ball away too often (Boyata twice in first 17 mins) and against Euro teams will not win it back as quickly and will likely get punished. Burke made two goals with his speed and unselfish play. I think he needs to work on his left foot as he is very one footed. He got a kick just above his achilles which ref didn’t even call a foul! Hope he is fit for Thursday. Hayes gave his all as usual.

Monti
5 years ago

Bain -6 trying to emulate Craig Gordon by floating the ball over his own full backs head, tidy it up Scott.

Toljan – 7 supported well, looks decent but a wee bit slack in his passing, probably a bit rustiness, looks good.

Boyata 5 out.

Simunovic 6 – when i think of Jozo i see Kenny Miller in the air, will always be a favourite with me for that.

Hayes -6 grafted away & did well to set up James Forrest for his goal.
Never a left back tho.

Forrest – 10 he wasn’t but giving him a 10 will annoy a few on here.

McGregor – 7 steady, efficient, quality.
Broony – 10 immense, quality, what a goal.
Christie – 6 quiet but gives his all for the team.
Sinclair – 10 + back to the Scott Sinclair we know is in there.
Good stuff.

Burke – 10 for sheer effort, chasing back, hustling,energy levels great effort big man.

A good Celtic day all round!

HH

nick66
5 years ago

Caption
Alfie mate, you’ve got balls mate. Just make sure after 90 mins the oosition have none.

nick66
5 years ago

“Oposition”

BJF
5 years ago

Monti we are very very different people, with a different understanding of football, it’s politics and how to manage information, communication and image.Boyata was so far ahead of the others defenders today and you gave him 5 sad man, he was ahead even of the brilliant Toligan. So pleased for Jonny Hayes, a big pal of Joe Shaunessey’s, perhaps they will be reunited at Aberdeen next season? What was Broonie playing at where did the exorcet come from? Arlene said ( well have you ever seen them in the same room at the same time) that none of his squad would get in the Celtic second eleven, he then went on to praise the quality of the Celtic team over the
3 games. Here is my prediction, St Johnstone kick on to a good run starting with their next game with the pretenders.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  BJF

BJF,
If you rate Dedryck Boyata then fill your boots friendo.

the silent mafia assassin having a little holiday in Jockland, wondering if its a working holiday, or not
5 years ago

just seen comical defoes, cough, “fall” at Kilmarnock……………delighted that he was able to pick himself up without a nurse to help, and then let everyone know that at the age of (very old) he’s not a diver, he just occasionally cannot stay on his feet when its 0-0. Repeat – he is not a diver.

Verdict : comical

And to think that the SMSM got an erection over this old man’s introduction to Scottish football and completely ignored Oli Burke and what he is capable of for the Scottish National team, But the SMSM I guess support Engerlund just like the Zombies they suck up to.

Pray for John tonight.

Magdalena’s Chestnut Geldings Saddle Strap
5 years ago

Caption

“Women and children first!”

BJF
5 years ago

One thing we should not underestimate is the reason we get quality loans like Weah, Burke and Toljan is because of Brendan’s Rodgers reputation as a coach and the international reputation he has built. Even when we send them back, however reluctantly, their successful loan is a down payment on the next one. Of course like Charlie some don’t work out a bit like transfers. Footballers are funny, Sinclair misses a penalty or some chances and suddenly, to a vacent few, he is rubbish. But of course he isn’t Brendan watches how he fulfills all the aspects of his instructions, possession, covering back, passes made, passes intercepted, crosses,assists goals, non coaches see a mistake good coaches see quality and can improve players, do you know any other Scottish clubs that could do that, Kilmarnock, Hibs if they get Appleton .. ….

Macca
5 years ago

Good shout CS. Hayes is an honest pro who gets stuck in and gives 100%

Monti
5 years ago

Caption: ” Red card, Red card, Red card……rescinded, rescinded, rescinded “

5 years ago

caption,come in number 22.your times up

charlienich
5 years ago

guys shouting to players,” ball skelper is off so you can take the Kevlar out your shorts now”

FRANKIEBHOY67
5 years ago

Hibs in the cup. Time to look out and dust down the “we’re all Neil Lennon masks”
First time that Rab Douglas didn’t drop the ball.

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