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Celtic Diary Wednesday February 13: Interim Report Explained

Celtic released their half term financial figures yesterday, and it appears that everything is tickety boo.

You can read them elsewhere if you like that sort of thing, and you can absorb Iain Bankiers triumphant declaration as well, which is quite detailed but doesn’t really tell us anything.

However, between the lines it appears there is a major shift in policy.

The money men have decided , probably along with the manager, to reward the players who want to stay and place less emphasis on marquee signings who see the club as a stepping stone.

If we can get prospects in on a buy low sell high basis, thats even better.

On the plus side , that will allow the core of the team to grow together, but on the minus side it means we’re unlikely to move up a level in Europe.

It’s really quite simple.

Scotland may be nice to look at, and it may be a great place to lve, but when faced with the choice of a fairly damp climate or somewhere where the sun shines, Scotland will lose out.

The wages in England distort that generalisation, and until Celtic can compete with that, then we’re kind of stuck with what we have, and limited to what we can get.

Loan deals such as Benkovic and Weah may become more frequent, as a substitute for the permanent marquee siging, and we’ll have to get used to it.

However, football is about the next game and the next trophy, and thats what matters most to layers, supporters and the manager.

 

The next game is tomorrow night, a Valentines Day treat against Valencia.

From yokerbhoys excellent summaries of how they are playing, one could almost deduce that the way Celtic will play will be exactly what they don’t like playing against. Factor in the atmosphere and passionate support, and you begin to understand what their captain means when he says;

When you face a team like Celtic you are not just playing normal opponents you are playing against history. Everyone knows about the history of Celtic and their stadium and their supporters. They will be an extremely difficult rival.”

Daniel Parejo Valencia 

They are missing three players for the game, Mina, Rodrigo and new defender Roncaglia, who is suspended due to a red card he received a couple of years ago, and will take this squad to Glasgow.

For information and analysis of these players and how they will play, again, I refer you to the Eurowatch articles..

 

As for Celtic, Scott Bain may be inexperienced at this level, but he’s the man in form and more importantly, the players in front of him seem to be more comfortable with him around.

Jeremy Toljan has added pace on the right side of defence, and seems to have slipped into the side effortlessly, while Simunovic and Boyata are probably the best option at centre half. Johnny Hayes deserves to keep his place, and that gives the side pace on both flanks, not only going forward, but getting back as well.

As long as Toljan and Hayes keep their discipline level high, and don;t both go forward, we should be okay.

Scott Brown and Calum MacGregor in the middle, and Forrest, Christie and Sinclair provide the initial support for Oliver Burke, as long as they are all fit, with Weah, Edoaurd and possibly even Johnston providing options should it all go tits up with half an hour left.

Can we be confident ?

Probably not, given our propesity to make mistakes at this level, but the Leipzig game does give us hope, and a repeat of that intensity and effort could be enough to keep our interest in the competition.

 

Elsewhere, and the compliance officer has upset everyone again, and perhaps its not actually her fault..

5. Compliance Officer

5.1 The Scottish FA shall appoint a “Compliance Officer” who shall have general responsibility for observance by all those involved in Association Football in Scotland of the Disciplinary Rules, including offering Fixed Suspensions to players and Team Staff where provided in the Protocol and the pursuit of proceedings before Tribunals for enforcement of the Disciplinary Rules, except where enforcement is otherwise provided for in the Protocol. 

5.2 References in this Protocol to the Compliance Officer include his nominee.

5.3 The Compliance Officer may represent the Scottish FA as a Party in proceedings arising in respect of his functions.

5.4 The Compliance Officer may carry out such activities as are necessary for the exercise of his function.

5.5 All participants in Association Football in Scotland submitting to the Articles and Disciplinary Rules shall co-operate with any investigation by the Compliance Officer in respect of the Disciplinary Rules and/or the Protocol and shall provide such reasonable information to the Compliance Officer as the Compliance Officer may request.

5.5.1 Any Party shall respond to any request or correspondence from the Compliance Officer to enable the Compliance Officer to exercise his functions, including in the reference of a Complaint to the Judicial Panel.

5.5.2 Any failure by a Party to respond to requests or correspondence received from the Compliance Officer may result in a sanction by a Tribunal, as provided in the Disciplinary Rules and the Articles.

5.6 Where the Compliance Officer raises a Notice of Complaint he shall state within that Notice of Complaint: 5.6.1 The date upon which the Principal Hearing will be heard. 

5.6.2 The place where the Principal Hearing will be heard.

5.7 Subject to the terms of Paragraph 9.6, below, the Compliance Officer may seek permission from the Tribunal to delete from and/or amend any words or phrases from the terms of the Notice of Complaint at any time prior to the Tribunal issuing its Determination at the Principal Hearing. 

One of the major complaints is the inconsistency of decisions made by the panels who review the incidents, and perhaps one thing we have all overlooked is that we don’t actually know if its the same panel reviewing all of the incidents.

Referees are notorious for having their own interpretation of the rules, and if the panel changes it stands to reason the decisions will.

So, before you all moan when Alan MacGregor is let off with yet another assault this afternoon, please keep that in mind.

However, should he be banned, and  that would be the correct decision, the fallout from the already persecuted dark side of Scottish football will be immense.

Its already started, and its not just their support having their tuppence worth, the papers are at it as well, in the knowledge that it will shift copies and add weight to the wailing from the south of the city.

All any of us want is equal treatment for all clubs.

One club, however, always seem to want more..

 

The SFA are no friend of Celtic, and talentless SFA works team boss alex McLeish has already stated that he’s going to do his bit to help derail eight in a row.

Alex McLeish tells club managers they won’t get to withhold key players for Euro fixtures

McLeish may yet get Scotland to the next major finals, having stumbled on a few players who have the experience and ability to carry it off.

And the majority of them happen to play for Celtic…

Alex McLeish has vowed to ‘lean on’ club managers to make sure key players are released for Scotland’sEuro 2020 campaign.

Having secured the bonus of a play-off spot already through the Nations League route, Scotland kick off the regular qualifiers for next summer’s finals in March.

An away double-header against Kazakhstan and San Marino will be vital for McLeish’s side in a group also featuring Cyprus, Belgium and Russia.

Scotland plan to take the seven hour flight to Kazakh capital Astana on the night of Sunday, March 17. 

Earlier that day Celtic – with at least seven stars likely to be in the Scotland reckoning – are involved in a league clash at Dundee. That same afternoon skipper Andy Robertson will be in Liverpool’s team at Fulham as they chase a first English title in 29 years.

The next domestic fixture for Celtic after the international double-header is the potentially decisive Old Firm league derby against Rangers on March 31 

Potentially decisive ? Aye, okay..

But the point stands, and no doubt there will also be a press campaign to “encourage ” Scott Brown to come out of international retirement to help the cause..

McLeish is fully aware that he needs the Celtic contingent to have any chance of success so he can get another job after this one.

If he keeps on with his holier than thou attitude, I’d suggest an outbreak of flu or something straight after the Dundee game…

 

Tomorrow is Valentines Day, and one or two of you may get a bit of bother should you decide to take in the game as opposed to paying extortionate prices in restaurants or bars for that annual treat that never solves any matrimonail disputes, but certainly causes a few.

I’d suggest saying you’ve booked up for Saturday, or even sunday, as you are making a stand against yet another “Hallmark Holiday “, a term used to describe the main money makers at this time of year.

However, if you really want to annoy your significant other, and she is of a Celtic mind, get her one of these..

 

It seems our own merchandising people are missing a trick or two , as the other lot not only have that t shirt they can wear with pride, but a new Lego toy they can place on their mantelpieces..

 

Simply Staunch.

 

For those of you with a love of golf, an inexplicable love of golf, you could do worse than ask her to get you some of these, highlighted on twitter by Stevie Gallagher..

Though don’t leave them in grabbing distance if you are going to the game.

 

Gordon Banks, the legendary England keeper has passed away.

On his arrival at Heavens gate, he was told he wasn’t getting in.

“But St Peter, I was Englands World cup winning keeper “, he replied, somewhat bewildered.

The angel at the gate told him

“I’m not St Peter, its his day off. I’m St Andrew, so you can fuck off. ”

A testament to a man who we all wished had been born a little further north. May he rest in peace.

 

Yesterday, we had this..again, it seems…

Hartson’s Comb February 12, 2019 at 12:00 pm · Edit · Reply →

Caption:

Ralph recycles a caption photo again. 

Today..

 

 

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Monti
5 years ago

Caption: TicToc on his way to the Mensa club

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti.hahaaaaa

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

🙂

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

That photo is actually scary. I guarantee that if I’d walked onto the tube and seen that for real,I’d have given up the drink on the spot.

5 years ago

2 old guys in seats next to me on Sunday…
End of Sundays game..I said “See youse on Thursday” and one ever so proudly states “You wont see me, I will be at a Valentines day meal with my wife!” and his mate snorts and says “Fuck that, I will be here, every day is Valentines Day in ma hoose!”

Monti
5 years ago

Was it Ralph?
Oh no, he’d be in the golf club in Morningside or Clermiston.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

On our game against Valencia, I suspect they might find CP a bit hot tae handle. Coupled with our good run, I’m really confident we can do them. I can’t go to the game due to work commitments, 12 hour shifts, so have given my ticket free to my big African brother Mo from Mombassa to let him sample CP on a Euro night.Ive tried to explain too him that it’s different from the league matches he’s attended but just said, you’ll know what I mean once you’re there.

Caption…. inbred Ibrox divas returning home on the subway after another doon at the WilliamDome.

5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

So, Mo is a Kenyan fenian?

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Steven R

The big man and his son get my tickets or my friends tickets when we can’t manage. Him and wee Solomon have bought right into Celtic. So, that’s an aye, Stevie. Kenyan Fenians…had a wee laugh at that.

5 years ago

Caption: sevco reveal their contingency plans should Morelos be sold to another club, willing to match Shenzhen Rengzhe’s £11 million transfer bid.

Mike A
5 years ago

Caption: The Boris Johnston Fan Club preparing for Brexit.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike A

Mick, they’re the love children of oafish Boris on a bike, quick, knock the cunt over and that ugly harridan and racist cow Katie munter Hopkins.

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago

Caption
The John James Protection League head out on a man hunt after yet another John James related post on the Caption Comp by Charlie Saiz

Alzyerpal
5 years ago

Caption : Jorg Albertz’s children, on the way to their first game at the club their daddy used to play for, discover that they are actually going to watch sevco instead.

puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: Carnage at Prince Harry’s stag night when Granpa Phil asks to drive.

VooDude
5 years ago

It’s surprising (or not actually) when reading those points regarding the compliance offer how many times he/his is mentioned rather than they/their etc.

[Tongue firmly in cheek] I expect Sevco to appeal all compliance officer related charges on the document being null and void.

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago

So is anyone else experiencing Moderation on their posts?

Hartson's Comb
5 years ago

Caption:

Dave King and the 3 Bears spotted on their way to court, wondering why the Takeover Panel treats them like babies.

Raymobhoy
5 years ago

Just listened to the podcast last night.
You were talking about dodgy players coming from Germany to Celtic (as opposed to just Germans).

You missed out Moravcik.
Definately not of the dodgy variety.

Una
5 years ago

Caption

kris boyd sells the clothes off his childrens back to fund his pie addiction

Bongo
5 years ago

Caption: Monti and his brothers head to Parkhead to demonstrate about Celtic’s Interim accounts and the possibility of Boyata signing a new contract

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Bongo

Bongo,
I have eleven big brothers & they are not as aesthetically pleasing on the eye as this lot 🙂

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

🙂

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Pish, – and that’s just what I have done at the thought of more than one Monti DNA!!

H H

Brian (not the messiah)
5 years ago

Caption: quadruple my arse!!!!

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago

6 cheeks – OUUUCH!!

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

Fucking algebra!!!!!!!!! Could never get X = right 🙂

Arsene Parcelie
5 years ago

Caption:
“Ah’m gonny be King Billy the day…”
“No, am ur…”
“You’re baith wrang, it’s ma turn…”
“Right ya bastards, if I don’t get to be King Billy, am getting aff at Kinning Park and gawn tae Novo10…”

Monti
5 years ago

CS,
Is it because you’re a twat?

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

🙂

George Lazenbhoy
5 years ago

Caption : rangers send their contingent to meet with sfa review panel

henkesdreadlocks
5 years ago

Caption……..

Union bears brainstorm their next Tifo.

Monti
5 years ago

Amazing that with the interim results being produced, you can’t shut Ian Bankier up…..yet ask him to comment on years of cheating…..nothing?

Monti
5 years ago

Edinburgh is such a nice place, spoiled by Faggots, nonces & skagheeds.

Ken.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Weered,
Chinese, Italians, Indians & Pakistani’s…..it’s like a fucking menu.

Monti
5 years ago

Celtic v Valencia
4-2-3-1

Bain

Toljan
Simunovic
Boyata
Tierney

Brown
McGregor

Burke
Forrest
Sinclair

Edouard

bgbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

no Griffiths? 😮

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  bgbhoy

no Christie!? 🙁

I think it’ll be as you were or perhaps Eddy for Burke depending on fitness, although coming on later would be best.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

Cha,
That’s the team i’d play m8!

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Tierney’s out but Izzy’s available, so:

-Izzy for Tierney
-Christie for Burke
-Burke for Edouard

then we’re good to go. 🙂

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Cha,
Ryan has done well but he doesn’t need to play every game.

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Agreed, just the big ones. 😉

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  bgbhoy

Don’t think you’ll see Griffiths back m8

kenthehorse
5 years ago

caption;Halloween Houston & sons of Strewth subway loyal

Cartvale88
5 years ago

Caption
New SFA referee cloning programme exposed, as they board the subway for Ibrokes

Love the media trying to belittle Celtic, unlike the great Sevco and it’s Genius leader King.
Mind you when Bankier opens his gub, his mantra is do not invest to grow, small minded board.
Don know if Tierney can be match fit Monti, maybe Johny for this one,

PeteCon
5 years ago

Caption: “Scottish management team receive Parkhead sick lines 2 months ahead.”

puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: Oh ah’d rather wear a Pampers than a crowm,
Oh ah’d rather wear a Pampers than a crowm,
Oh ah’d rather wear a Pampers,
Rather wear Pampers
Rather wear a Pampers than a crown.

Ah the old ones are the best.

flinker
5 years ago

In Aussie rules football if your appeal is rejected you get extra penalty.

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  flinker

It used to happen in England, if the appeal was considered frivolous but not sure if that’s still the case.

Given the Huns appeal everything (Candyass ‘mistaken identity’ when there’s no one else involved etc) then they’d be prime candidates for additional bans.

The problem is can we handle all the laughter from yet more permarage?

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

7 years ago today, the most loyal and staunch reprobates let their club die. I have a warm glow while typing this. Never let them forget it. An absolutely fabulous day.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

McGregor gets a two match ban, things are on the up.

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

One swallow and all that.

Let’s see if it lasts AND the refs start acting fairly.

When you cut through all the hysteria, if Madhun had done his job properly the Huns would’ve been down to 9 men and Aberdeen would’ve drawn if not won the game.

So, despite everything there still quids up on the last week.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

You’re absolutely right Cha, and thanks for bursting my happy bubble. I was on a roll today with it being seven years today since Rangers died and seeing the knicker ripper receiving a two game ban, long overdue might I add, things were looking rosy. As you rightly say, they should be out of the cup and I’m sure we’ll get our usual honest mistake as a leveller from the Sevco refereeing supporters club. Speaking of Madhun, he’s in the middle for our game away at Killie. What’s the chances of a contentious decision going against us?

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

Better it happening today rather than tomorrow. 😉

Hopefully, the trihunvirate of Beaton, Dallas & Madhun are also feeling the heat and, even if only temporary, start to ref fairly for a few games at least.

jimmybee
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

She must have thought it was Callum m8

jimmybee
5 years ago

Caption: Dunno why you lot are greeting How am I the only one who is red headed I mean oor royal family dont have redheads. Forget the oor Harry boy.

5 years ago

caption,the new sevco players on loan from Liverpool kindergarten f,c

Westendtim
5 years ago

Award winning Daily Rectum sports journalist’s on their way back from covering 2018-2019 Scottish League Betfred League cup final after Celtic defeat Aberdeen 1-0 to win their 7th Trophy in a row!

Bognorbhoy
5 years ago

Caption …

The first four in the handsome hun competition head off to the ludge to celebrate…

portpower
5 years ago

Caption:
Greegsy gets 2 games…Club 1872 send out the cake punchers

BJF
5 years ago

I am feeling pretty positive about tomorrow night. Valencia are neither Barce or PSG, they make not even be Salzburg. So
much nonsense about the Celtic Park atmosphere as I have said before. Yes it is a spectacle but background noise to seasoned professionals. Where it is important however is the effect on our players who can be inspired also it stops the negativity and fear on the terraces flowing down to
to the pitch so on these two counts alone it can have an impact on the night, 2-0 to Celtic.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

BJF, it can work both ways either in a positive or negative way, I’ve saw plenty of seasoned professionals absolutely crumble at CP. I’ve just got this feeling its going to be one of those memorable nights on Thursday. HH

Martin67
5 years ago

Caption! Right to left. Ones called Ronald, ones called Frank, one missed his nap time the other ones a wank

Monti
5 years ago

Burke is out tomorrow which is a blow.

Revised 4-2-3-1

Bain

Toljan
Simunovic
Boyata
Izaguirre

Brown
McGregor

Forrest
Christie
Sinclair

Edouard

Valencia are no mugs & we’ll need to watch Cheryshev out on their left wing, Gameiro is another class act, no matter who plays for them they’ll be strong.

We just need to go for it, be clinical & defend well.

COYBIG

Monti
5 years ago

Refreshing to see the thug Macgregor get his two game ban upheld, he’s a dirty, sleekit cunt who should have seen red on a few other occasions this season.
Fuck him!

BJF
5 years ago

Niel
The only team I remember crumbling was an Icelandic one a few years ago in the preliminaries or maybe they were Welsh,I think, but anyway if we get behind the Bhoys and we may need to be patient I hope we have a good night.

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  BJF

Some of the Leipzig boys said they were affected by the atmosphere when we beat them.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  BJF

BJF,
Geography a strong subject for you at School?

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

It is certainly a lot stronger than my Algebra 🙂

H H

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago

CS

Is that possible between a dyke and a dick or am I barking up the wrong balls?

H H

BJF
5 years ago

Yup Monti surprised you have heard of a school but there you go.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  BJF

Bash st, Hogwartz, Grange Hill…..

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Thought you’d be more The Class of Nuke ‘Em High.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

Was that not a Clint Eastwood film?

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago

Caption:

“Four tits looking for their dummies”

H H

jimmybee
5 years ago

Sad to see a war of words with Cardiff and Nantes squabbling over the proposed transfer fee.
Why not just say lets compromise and give the two bereaved families half each.
HH

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

There’s nothing to compromise on, Cardiff owe Nantes the money and hopefully will be forced to pay up.

If either of them wish to donate some of theirs then fair dos but in Cardiff’s case, NONE of that’s the transfer fee.

portpower
5 years ago

Happy Valhuntine`s Day.

Beware of thy 7-year itch sevconians.

sevco effete FC.

portpower
5 years ago

Shall the Court of Arbitration for Sport ever decided if the 5-way polyamorous agreement is part of a free exercise within Scottish Football?

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

Today marks one of the most joyous moments in many of our lives, it could be up there with getting married, seeing the birth of your first born or any other special event in your life.

Personally speaking, today’s date sparks in me a day that I’ll never, ever forget, a day of unbridled joy and happiness that is up there with the special days in my life’s timeline. Today is the day that is now officially known as Administration Day. The day that those manky hun bastards ceased to exist. What a day. The tribute act klanbase know that they are dead, but will never cede this as the pain is too much for them to take, they let their club die, we know it, they know it, but they’ll never admit it. Happy Administration day my fellow E tims.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

” Married “?

Fuck that pish!

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Not married either mate, but have a lovely lady. Celtic is my first love. You’ve just reminded me to Whatsapp her a Valentine’s message as she’s currently swanning about the Phi Phi islands in Thailand. Happy Admin day, Monti Bhoy.

Monti
5 years ago

” Don’t let yourself get attached to anything that your not willing to walk out on, 30 seconds flat, if you feel the heat around the corner ” – Robert De Niro

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