Celtic Diary Thursday March 14

All of Celtics attention is now on securing the double of League and cup as the season builds to its climax.

“We want to wrap the league up as quickly as possible so we are all 100% focused on the job. We can’t be complacent , though. We have got to go out and keep trying-a lot hasn’t changed in the league, we still have to go out and perform well. A few times we’ve had a gap at the top of the table and it hasn’t meant we’ve dipped in form so hopefully that doesn’t start happening now. We all want to win the Scottish Cup, especially after the disappointment of losing the League Cup semi final, so its vital we get to the final this time. Its important we’re fully focused because we know it will be a tough game against Dundee Utd when it comes around. We’re going for the double so we’re still very motivated.”

Goalkeeper Fraser Forster, there, telling the Celtic View that he doesn’t think he should be dropped despite his recent run of aiding and abetting the forwards in the opposition team.

With Aberdeen boss Craig Brown retiring at the end of the season, presumably to spend more time pursuing his musical career, the Dons  might well give a few more problems than usual on Saturday, so the team need to be on their toes.

Welsh full back Adam Matthews misses the game, as well as the upcoming internationals, and so we might see this scenario the tv, as the commentator announces the team at the start

“Forster, Ambrose and its one nil to Aberdeen.”

There are medals and trophies up for grabs now, and the players have to be seen to earn their places in the side, as there is no doubt one or two have switched off. Its been quiet from Lennoxtown this week, and that may be because all the players are getting a reminder of what it means to play for Celtic, and all the responsibilities that  entails.

Or they could be in the pub.

That silence has been all our own though, ever since Charlie mulgrew was tripped by a few headline seeking hacks. Elsewhere the printing presses have benn clanking away merrily.

The Evening Times sends a dire warning of a “win or bust ” qualifier in next season Champions League. The extra qualifier , probably against a team which no-one can pronounce who no-one will remember by Christmas, could, according to the paper, wreck the season. Sure, thats a risk, but not really one that should be in the headlines the previous March.

The subject of “colt ” teams, notably those of Celtic and New Rangers being admitted into the lower echelons of football has been roundly and soundly abused by proper football men, such as Turnbull Hutton (Raith)  and Stewart Gilmour (St. Mirren), and with that , perhaps the notion will die a death. Pretty much like the 12-12-18 set up is rumoured to be about to, as a couple of SPL clubs-it only needs one-will be voting against it.

Speaking of dying, Jim Leishman, speaking for beleagured Dunfermline, who face a winding up order from HMRC for unpaid taxes, has said they will not bump the club, stiff its creditors and reform as a new club. Nobly, they will face up to their current crisis. Strange really, as it seems to be an easier way just to pretend it never happened and start a new adventure in the lower leagues. With Coventry City in England the latest to look into the financial abyss, perhaps all these clubs should get Charles Green in for a bit of advice. After all, if its that easy, all nice and legal and could see your club debt free with a predicted £100million turnover, you’d have to give it a shot, wouldn’t you?

Andy Kerr, head of the Rangers supporters Assembly, has claimed that Rangers fans will boycott away games next season if  reconstruction goes through and they are stuck in the third tier of the structure. no, he wants no reconstruction so his team can be promoted to the , er, third tier.

Its not entirely unexpected that the spokesman for the hordes has gone down the usual road of threatening anyone who doesn’t do what they want, and with the campaign to get them up to the top as soon as possible in full swing already, expect a large part of the MSM to be discussing all the ramifications. Armageddon, meltdown, etc, etc.

For them to boycott away games will at least see a sort of uniformity, as it looks like they are starting to boycott the home ones already.

Speaking of boycotts, is it true that Campbell Ogilivie is writing to FIFA to tell them Scotland fans will boycott further qualifiers if the national side are not fast tracked to the next finals in Brazil? He, taking advice from Charles Green, also quotes freedom of trade laws within the European Union, and if he can come up with a tax free payment method , then there is no law preventing Ronaldo, Messi and anyone else who wants to lining up for Scotland.

Well, he hasn’t, but this might help one or two people see how ridiculous they sound when they start gushing forth in the press with tales of doom and disaster.

PR was spot on with the answer to yesterdays odd one out, with only Kenny Miller playing for Rangers, while Simpsons dad, and MacAdams brother suffered that “indignity”.

Geography, now, and what would you find at  55 50 59N and 4 12 20 W?