Celtic Diary Wednesday January 8 -The Way Forward.

A wee bit of other news first, before we get to the Etims Guide to putting the band back together again.

The team have arrived-finally-in Turkey for the prestigious Antalya Cup which opens tomorrow night against Trabzonspor in the 7000 or so capacity local stadium.

Fraser Forster was delighted that someone was there to take his photograph. Judging by the look on his face, he must be signing on back in Glasgow, and is worried he’ll get his benefits cut.

The match kicks off at 6.30, and is being covered by Turkish television. Which means supporters will pick up a stream somewhere, and all the action will be disjointed and the flow of the game will be constantly interrupted, so praise is due to those who have put so much effort into recreating the match day experience. I’m going to nip out at half time for a pie and a scratchcard, which will make the whole thing scarily real.

Kris Commons, on course to be the thirty goal striker we thought we didn’t have, is relishing the break;

“There´s nothing like getting away with the lads and going to a foreign country for some sunshine,” he told this week´s Celtic View.

“We want to recharge our batteries and get ready for the second half of the season because we have the unbeaten run to keep going and the Scottish Cup will be starting up again soon.

“It´s vitally important to go away, rest and come back ready for the second half of the season.”

Meanwhile, several Celtic supporters continue to make up excuses to their wife for the money spent on flights that won’t be used and hotel beds that won’t be slept in. God help anyone who has a hotel receipt somewhere and has to explain to his wife that Celtic cancelled the game to go on a beano to Turkey.

Virgil van Dijk is the subject of unwanted attention from Arsenal and Manchester City, who are reported to be about to make £1om bids, which should give us all a couple of sleepless nights, while on the other side of the coin, Calum MacGregor wants to know if he has to come home or is to stay at Notts County for the rest of the season. No-one has phoned him to tell him, and he needs to know because his landlady will have to let the room again.

The van Dijk story is in the Star, which has him on the verge of a move, which should actually bring a sigh of relief. That particular paper doesn’t usually even get the date right. Its the low grade stablemate of The Express, which kind of says it all. The owner, Richard Desmond, also owns Channel 5, so its obvious he’s aiming for the more highbrow  customer.

Defender Efe Ambrose, van Dijks partner at the back , has warned against selling all our best players as soon as someone waves a chequebook in the air;

“The way the manager talks, keeping the team together is going to benefit the club. Last year some players left and you need continuity in the club to make it better. Long term, it makes you much better and stronger than selling one player every year and bringing one new. It is not going to help.” (The Sun)

He’s right. We’ll never be a successful European side if we keep selling those who excel. At least hang on to them long enough for them to get to know the neighbourhood. this admission we cannot compete is disheartening, and for the support its an admission of failure.

Theres no more news on anyone joining Celtic as yet, Steven Fletcher was taken off injured against Manchester Utd last night, proving he can fit in at Celtic. On his way to the tunnel, Davie Moyes told him that the shadow of Alex Ferguson is not hanging over him, but he would prefer it if the old gaffer wouldn’t wear a cape and carry a scythe when he attends matches.

We still want Jordan Rhodes, Ross McCormack is on the list, and that Egyptian bloke is in one of the suitcases the players are taking off the conveyer belt in the top picture. Which will be a nice surprise for someone.

Over on the KDS site, the Iron tim has already come up with a banner for the new Trezeguet if he does join, which raised a chuckle;

Speaking of the transfer window, Second Rangers boss Ally McCoist has been told that he will have to offload a few of his high earners after “budget talks ” with this weeks CEO. Lee Wallace and David Templeton are said to be at the top of the list, but the real high earner is obviously not under threat, especially as he is trying to lure pop star Miley Cyrus to Ibrox to do a benefit gig.

Still with the poisoned club, a publication called the Rangers Standard-(surprising title, I didn’t think they had any. Or morals ) has published this, read it, and see what you think…

Celtic representatives have been in Brussels as part of a preliminary investigation by the European Commission into land deals between Celtic and Glasgow City Council. The probe relates to question marks over the purchase of various plots of land, including their Lennoxtown training complex, which it has been alleged constitute State Aid.

In recent months, the European Commission Directorate General for Competition State Aid has announced several formal investigations into allegations of State Aid involving Spanish and Dutch clubs – including Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSV Eindhoven. The latest club to become embroiled in an investigation, over an arrangement with their local council regarding the Liberty Stadium, is Swansea City.

The situation with Celtic is not yet at the same stage as the Spanish and Dutch investigations, but preliminary meetings have been held and information has been requested by the European Commission. When contacted by the Rangers Standard, an EC spokesperson said:

“We have indeed received complaints about alleged aid in land deals between Glasgow and Celtic and we have requested and received detailed information from the UK authorities, lastly in December 2013.”

“There is no legal deadline to conclude a State aid investigation; the duration depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of the case”.

It is understood that both Celtic and Glasgow City Council are extremely concerned at the possibility of the preliminary investigation leading to the type of full investigation which has been initiated in respect of Spanish and Dutch clubs.

Celtic have purchased several plots of land from State organisations, which have historically been Labour controlled, at low prices. These include the purchase for only, £497,000, of the land their Lennoxtown training ground was built on. It is believed that the recent sale of London Road Primary School may also now fall under examination.

If you are interested in more forensic detail on the various purchases and valuations then you should visit the excellenthttp://footballtaxhavens.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/state-aid-assembling-the-case-for-the-eu/

The European Commission has wide ranging powers if there is found to have been a breach of the regulations. The Commission can require the Member State to recover the aid with interest from the beneficiary (in this case Celtic). This could lead to a potential bill of over £30m for Celtic, which would have to be repaid over a maximum period of ten years. Any finding of guilt would put pressure on the SFA to probe any sporting advantage that discounted deals brought. It may also fall foul of new UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations. ”

Now, the club should act on this, and issue a denial. Its quite obviously another case of deflection , as one likes to think that our board, for all its faults are a little more savvy to use the methods that ultimately ended in the death of old Rangers to get what they want.

And now, the important bit.

Speaking of our board, there have been a number of articles in cyberland, none finer than Etims own contribution, penned by the Doc yesterday, which have explained why the feelgood factor has gone from the ordeal of visiting Celtic on matchdays.

I’ve tried to sum them all up in the next few paragraphs, and , based on replies to this site-and others, offer a few solutions that will hopefully bring the fun back into football.

First, lets pause to remember these words, taken from a popular pre match ditty;

” We’re on the one road, sharing the one load,

A road to God knows where.

We’re on the one road, it maybe a long road,

But we’re together now , who cares ? ”

And together we must be. Supporters, both those who attend and who cannot, for whatever reason. Players, staff, management , directors. All of us.

There are enough people out there who don’t like us, so we must create our own virtual huddle, and sort out our little problems.

Are you sitting comfortably ? Then I’ll begin…

First, and foremost. The club must remember that ” a football club shall be formed to feed the poor. ”

Thats us.Thats our raison d’etre. . Its why we are here.

The initiative of the Green Brigade in collecting food for the local foodbanks is to be praised. Over five tonnes of food,and around £700 were raised, and it all went to where it was needed.

Forget all the talk of people using foodbanks so they can spend their money on beer and fags. To even go to a place like that and ask for help would take a tremendous amount of courage and humility. It is a last resort for the vast majority of those who use them. Here in Staffordshire, there are several, and the most common user is the man who has recently started work, and will not be paid for anything up to six weeks. His benefits have stopped, and there is no money coming in. This fact is also worth bearing in mind when some ignorant politicians decry the charity work that is being done. In the 21st century, there is no reason for these establishments to exist. But, due to changes in the rules, they have to, and those involved should be commended, not condemned.

So, when Celtic refused to publicise the last collection, it was a shock to many, many fans, for whom the very ethos of the club is of primary concern.

But , whats done is done, and we need to make sure it doesn’t happen again. On the sleeve of a Celtic jersey, there should be displayed an advert for these foodbanks. It should also be in the match programme, free of charge , and similarly on one  of the trackside billboards, where the tv cameras can see it. If space is not available, then pre match, the players should hold up a banner. Get the message out there.

After all, the club was formed to put food on the table. Its about time some people remembered that. And a contribution or two from the better paid memebrs of staff wouldn’t go amiss. They could even write it off against their tax. I don’t care how they do it, as long as they do it.

Second, still on social policy, the club must pay a living wage to all its employees. Again, the idea of paying Dickensian wages to some staff, and funding millionaire lifestyles for others is obscene. If Celtic wants to be seen as more than a club, then it has to act like one. If the club does not directly employ these people, then it has to look to do that as soon as possible. It is simply not right to use agencies or contractors who do not pay a living wage either, and that goes right across the board, including catering staff, cleaning staff, and even stewards.

Thirdly, we all go to the football, rather than watch it on television, because we love the atmosphere. Well, thats the theory. These days, no-one knows what we can sing, despite the club using  “Let the People Sing ” as a pre match anthem and there is a real fear of arrest or prosecution if anything is chanted that could offend anyone else. Bearing in mind its a football match we are talking about, virtually everything will offend somebody. Usually a police officer ( or steward )who has found a little guy to pick on.

There are a number of reasons on top of this as to why the atmosphere is a bit flat. And surprisingly, its easier to sort out than you would think. All too often, supporters clubs and friends are scattered throughout the ground. When renewals are being made, the club should allow for CSCs to block book, and for pals to be seated next to each other. That alone will bring the singing back. We could put all the miserable, negative people together as well, and make them sit next to the press.

Young people especially should be given whole sections to allow for their more exuberant methods of supporting the team. If they want to sing and dance and jump and shout then fine. They are not hurting anyone. The reason we go to the game is to have fun. Don’t take it away from them. If they want someone to tell them to shut up and sit down, they would have stayed at home. Lighten up on the stewarding, and tell the police to take it easy.

All sorts of genders, ages and backgrounds support Celtic. We need to cater for all of them.

Songs featuring the IRA should be left on the bus, or in the pub. There are enough Celtic songs, and enough songs about Ireland without any reference to a parent in the Provos or asking British soldiers where they live. Radical , I know, but we could even come up with some new ones. As soon as we find something to sing about , that is. ( Although a change to signing policy is needed. There are no words that rhyme with Virgil, Teemu or Amido. )

Which leads me on to the stewards, and their over enthusiasm when it comes to stopping kids from singing, but a remarkable lack of interest when it comes to going in where it hurts when visiting fans are throwing chairs into the family section-which should not be next to the away fans, whoever thought of that one should be sacked on the spot for gross negligence of duties and displaying a level of stupidity above and beyond the call of duty.

Whoever is head of stewarding should be asked to explain the inaction when Ajax came to call, and warned that his priority is the safety of the crowds.

Thats all a steward has to do. Show people to their seats, and make sure they don’t get hurt when they are there. And show people where the toilets are. They are not police, they are not a private security firm, and frankly they need to improve on their performance and image, or they too, should be replaced.

The club should employ and train its own stewards. That way, they are responsible for their behaviour, and any issues can be dealt with by the person in charge, who would be directly responsible to the board and the supporters liason officer.

Ther are other, some would argue, more minor points;

Toilets outside the ground for travelling fans. Peeing up against the wall is unacceptable, unhygeinic and renders one liable to prosecution.

A Celtic themed cafe with edible food, to replace the countless salmonella shacks selling overpriced and undercooked dog food in a bun.

We can’t do anything about the weather, but we could start the season earlier, and take a winters break when the group stages of the UCL finish. Then we could kick in again mid February through to maybe June or something. The finer points could be debated betweeen all the clubs, as no doubt there a few hidden problems, but surely nothing that can’t be sorted. But thats a separate debate really, for another time.

And if the club is thinking of going on a jolly, let us know before we book time off work to go to the game.

The latter four points may seem trivial, but to many they are indicative of the fact that the clubs heirarchy don’t give a stuff about the clubs support.

Thankfully, things have come to a head, and there is time to sort it out. It just requires dialogue and a willingness to work together. Celtic supporters will not lie back and think of Ireland while they are being shafted. Don’t compare us with any other support that just got royally ragged.

How does that song go again ?

Sure we’ve had our troubles now and then

Now is the time, to make them up again.

Sure aren’t we all supporters anyhow ?

Now is the time to get together now.

( Might have changed a word or two there. But you get the point. )