Apologies for yesterdays diary not appearing. I watched the first Scottish cup semi final on Saturday, and had to undergo surgery to repair my injured sides, forced apart by continuous laughter. We’ll get to that later. Because if I start laughing again my stitches will come undone.
Yesterday at Anfield, Liverpool, tributes were made to the ninety six supporters who lost their lives in the Hillsborough tragedy.
Peter Lawwell, the Celtic CEO, paid tribute on behalf of the club and laid a wreath on the pitch at half time;
“On behalf of Celtic Football Club and our supporters we are humbled to be involved in this 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster.
“We have a close bond with Liverpool Football Club and feel it is important to remember the 96 people who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and everyone at Liverpool Football Club at this time of remembrance.”
Liverpool need to win their remaining four games to be crowned champions of England and somehow that would be the finest tribute of all.
Celtic didn’t play this weekend, so we all had to amuse ourselves in whatever way we could. Several decided to join the Fans against discrimination protest at the SNP meeting up in Aberdeen.
Don’t skip past that link. go back, click on it and read it.
And think about it.
In the twenty first century;
when another senior officer arrived, Chief Inspector Nick Topping. He called us over and advised us that Police Scotland were issuing a Section 12 Notice under the Public Order Act as he feared that a public procession might take place: he specifically mentioned the possibility that we might go to McDonalds along the road! He indicated that the effect of the Notice was that we could only move from that area in groups of ‘no more than 5 or 6’ . He was asked if any other protest group had been issued with this Notice, for instance UNISON who had been there earlier that day, and he replied no. He said that he was acting on the orders of Chief Superintendent Watson, Aberdeen division.
Section 12 ? Thats this one…
12Imposing conditions on public processions.
(1)If the senior police officer, having regard to the time or place at which and the circumstances in which any public procession is being held or is intended to be held and to its route or proposed route, reasonably believes that—
(a)it may result in serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community, or
(b)the purpose of the persons organising it is the intimidation of others with a view to compelling them not to do an act they have a right to do, or to do an act they have a right not to do,
he may give directions imposing on the persons organising or taking part in the procession such conditions as appear to him necessary to prevent such disorder, damage, disruption or intimidation, including conditions as to the route of the procession or prohibiting it from entering any public place specified in the directions.
So, who gave the order ? Seems it was this guy .
Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson joined Grampian Police in 1986. He spent much of his career in Aberdeen, undertaking various roles and ranks within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Adrian was seconded to the Scottish Business Crime Centre between 2001 and 2003. He has also spent time working with the Scottish Government, most recently within the review team for community planning in Scotland.
He has responsibility for operational policing of the North Sea oil and gas industry.
He holds a BSc (Hons) and MSc in Criminal Justice Studies and graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Aberdeen Business School in 2008.
Why would a full time police officer be studying a business course ? Being the main man in Aberdeen , one would have thought he’d be a little too busy.
Aberdeen division has asked the public what they worry about most. They replied
Your Priorities
- Acquisitive Crime.
- Antisocial Behaviour.
- National Security.
- Protecting People.
- Safer Roads.
- Serious and Organised Crime.
- Violent Crime.
Presumably a late entry at number one was the arrival of peaceful protesters against unfair acts of law. Especially if they wanted to cause a queue at MacDonalds.
On April 1, he announced;
“We remain focused on community policing and have listened to the public and targeted where we need to. We have reacted to this and challenged those who remain determined to spread misery among the public. ”
By stopping their buses on the way to a protest and preventing them from getting something to eat ? If he wants to challenge those who remain determined to spread misery among the public, he could start in here;
Police Scotland. It sounds more and more like an order every time I say it.
Of course, the police only follow orders, orders from whichever political party is passing the laws. Thats why its important to keep protesting, on the streets, in the media, and most importantly , at the ballot box.
But, enough of politics. Time to review the football news and action of the weekend.
Kris Commons, the top scorer in the SPL is wanted by Leicester City, who have won promotion to the top league for twelve months. Its nice he has been spotted by the midland giants, who have won the English league cup a couple of times. More interestingly, and one for the trivia buffs, they are one of only two English teams to have won the charity shield without ever having won the league or the cup. And no, i can’t remember the other.
That should whet his appetite.
On Saturday , an off form Dundee Utd swept aside minnows Second Rangers in what the BBCs Pat Nevin called the best game in Europe this season. The third division winners huffed and puffed, but couldn’t match the Premier league side for quality when it mattered, and despite the best efforts of captain Lee Mcculloch;
mcculloch kicks at Dundee Utd keeper
Ian black,
and Bobby Madden,
the Ibrox side were well beaten.
Poor Ally McCoist. He thinks that the first Dundee Utd goal should not have stood, saying that the striker returning from an offside postion had blocked the path of defender Lee Mcculloch;
Yeah. Okay. even Billy Dodds on Sportscene had to concede ;
“the referee could not find a reason to not give United’s first goal” which presumably upset Madden at the time
But we can be assured he would have tried.
Dodds also though that Rangers deserved a replay…. which would have meant another rule change at full time, as semi finals are settled by extra time and penalties if its a draw….
And they wonder why nobody watches….
Post match, Ally McCoist said;
“I didn’t speak to anyone individually,” McCoist said of his post-match team talk. “I spoke to all the boys. Every one of them is disappointed. You win and lose as a team, although of course they were individual errors.
One individual and his errors, , who picks and coaches the team, springs immediately to mind…
“I thought we were the better team for the majority of the game but poor decisions cost us. I thought we slit our own throat with the goals we lost and our level of finishing wasn’t what it should be.
It was exactly how I thought it would be.
“We couldn’t have asked for better chances. We even had a chance in the first two minutes with Bilel [Mohsni], but if you don’t take your chances, you run the risk, especially with the way we defended for the goals.”
Defensive coach Benny Hill was unavailable for comment, but it was the music from the old tv show that played in my head as the Ibrox defence ran after whoever had the ball.
“It has just confirmed what we have always thought,” he added. “I thought we had a side of top-flight ability and that was possibly shown to be the case today.
“The last two defeats confirmed what we need to do and add to the squad.
Er, so are they good enough , or not.
“I think we are better than we were 14 months ago, but we need to be better again next year. We need to keep improving.”
Er, thanks for clearing that up.
St. Johnstone beat Barcelona play -alikes Aberdeen in the other semi final, meaning that for the second time in three years three teams will share the major trophies in Scotland. Prior to what the press call “The Armageddon years, ” it had only happened once in twenty six years…
This new phenomena , of a level playing field and genuine sporting contest, is best explained in this tweet;
But, they are on the way back…… A new sponsorship deal has been announced with online gambling firm 32Red.
Only kidding. I think this is them;
Dave King is back on the scene ! In a statement about the Ibrox board the convicted fraudster questions their integrity.
Which means that the fun and games this summer is about to start.
Bless them.
Another caption competition, not so much what is he saying, but what is he thinking…
That’s twice in two years that we have beaten sevco in the cup.
ouch if we do the same next season do we get to keep them? Ugh!
Ralph,
That’s a relief i thought I was the only one who saw McCullough’s kick at the United keeper, the pundits never mentioned it,could make paranoid folks think there was a conspiracy.
I understand where McCoist is coming from now he does watches a different game from the rest of us. A statement along the lines “our plucky new wee club did OK for 20 minutes and then the big side took over would have had credibility.
However I share his faith in his team and his managerial skills,i feel he and they should have few years to gell in and be allowed to develop to their true potential,i don’t go for all this criticism bring in a new manager, bring in new players, they need time and loyalty.Just looking at them on Saturday, is there the makings of a Champions League winning team there? Only time would tell, so let us support Ally and his boys and see where he can take them. Too much criticism might bring major changes at managerial and playing level,do we want that?
I thought Andy Walker said something like “A bit naughty there”…could have been mistaken granted as i usually find myself falling asleep at his match patter.
Nice to see John daly remember his roots and knee McCulloch in the face mind
The SFA have heaved a giant sigh of relief now they dont have to try and explain why a Sevco team winning the Scottish Cup doesnt get Ally into Europe!
“that bastard madden better not show his face down the ludge the night”jimmy bell,the most expensive laundry worker in history,and resident chief bigot at ibrox.
Aye, but he’s not the kit man anymare. He just drives the bus. It’s his boy that’s the kitman noo! Guid Rangers men?
can they use yon section 12 on the orange waddles?
Just what I was thinking – describes them to a tee.
“Since Rangers were relegated to Division Three”
Eh naw they wurnae! Its sloppy journalism like this that perputuates the myth!
Good Spot. I was looking at the rest of the post and missed that. Correct word is liquidated.
Awww FFS…..Rangers were not relegated, they went bust. This is a new team that bought RFC assets and convinced the SFA to transfer the membership allowing them to begin life in the bottom tier of Professional and Semi Pro football. This after the rest of Scottish Football wouldn’t allow them to start life further up the tree.
Gies a break!.
Ralph
Excellent piece on the Aberdeen protesters. The fans did their best too. Reading the link you would be convinced it was a police protest against anything that moved as determined by the SNP for SNP (Scottish National Plonkers for Stupid Northern Police). It is really quite interesting to watch and hear about an unfolding police state. When we learned about such places in history, we all sniggered at how ridiculous the strutting jack boots appeared. Now we are seeing the same farcical behaviour in our own streets and, in spite of it being just as clownish, unfortunately, it is no longer laughable.
Saturday was a day for colourful displays and we saw them aplenty. There were the inevitable wisened commentators all for blue, the ever honest officials all in black and blue, the media all in a blue rage, supporters all with the blues and a team that got blew away. That just leaves ol’ blue eyes McCoist singing the blues at a karaoke night while making public statements that are turning the air blue. Then, of course there is the king of integrity himself, true blue Dave, continuing to make a hullab’lue. So, overall, the last few days have been a really blue do – though Ally would be better racing blue doos. He might just wing his way to a cup – naw!!
And, interestingly, our neutral media have Kris Commons turning blue in the summer. Ah well, that’s what happens when you get in the SUN.
But to things football. Congratulations to Jackie and Dundee Utd, and to St. Johnstone. Given the later’s result against the formidable new McInnes Aberdeen, Maybe the press prophets might reassess their predictions of a provincial invasion of Celtic’s league dominance next season. I would love to see it if only to trample the “Armageddonians” under foot – but not for at least another 7 years.
Caption “Even wae their shurts oan, that women’s fitba his tae be better than watchin’ this bunch a tits”.
Finally, prayers and thoughts are with Liverpool’s Hillsburgh 96, their families and friends. Such memories never die and are on a higher plain than just football. The weekend in football was a fitting remembrance by everyone everywhere. I am proud Celtic were an integral part of it.
H H
Meant to say. The Utd. goalkeeper is reported at hospital this morning grasping black and blue balls courtesy of “elbow’s boot”, a new virulent form of “elbows” that causes Madden blindness and incisive testicular removal – without an anaesthetic.
H H
JUST VOTE NO IN SEPTEMBER
To remain part of a union that doesn’t give a damn about the poor? Behave yirsel.
YES, i mean No, YES!
Cannae believe we sent a suit wae the wreath for the 96. How daringly inappropriate. PL that renowned bastion of truth and justice. It should’ve been a FAN. Jesus wept
The Hillsborough tribute did indeed make a mockery of Shankly’s statement that football is more important than life and death, its a game, one we love, but to send 96 souls off to watch their team and have them never come home puts the importance of the game itself into perspective.
The 2nd Rangers cup semi final was really funny:
Home ground
Home ref – a lunging, dangerous tackle by their right back in the first half was not a booking, a stick on penalty for Utd denied, a dangerous tackle by Shields not punished, numerous other little “honest mistakes” working towards 2nd rangers
They made two chances in the game in open play and messed them both up
Handily beaten by a Utd team not near their best
An embarrassing post game interview with big ‘Sal where he claims first goal was both off side and a foul
…and hailed as a sign they are on the way back and dseerved more from the game by Sally and the SMSM. Your eyes must lie guys. Before the Pawn Shop Cup final Ally said the next seven days would define their season. I think they have and the definition is the Sevco: they are sh*te
And big Davey boy back making his big important statements. He seems to have moved from “I ll put £50m into Rangers” lap top loyal stories, with hearbreaking adoration from him of how people in Govan would let their kids go without shoes to see the bears right, and how he had told his kids he was spending their inheritance on 2nd Rangers, to “actually what I said was, 2nd Rangers need £50m but it wont be mine if I can help it” Funny how it took him over a month to notice thsoe fawning stories were factually incorrect and mis leadng isnt it? I bet he was raging when some one showed him all the back pages where he clearly states he was happy to put his own money in. Does no on proof read his PR statements before printing them?
And now he wants an integrity face off with the board. Integrity cant be turned on or off apparently, except of course when dealing with tax authorities. The omishambels goes on, the devil on one side, the deep blue sea the other, c3700k a month to be found to keep the mess alive, and all we have to do is sit back and watch them tear themselves and their new club apart. “a house divided can never proseper” Yee hah and Amen to that.
am lafin ma’ ass oph everytime ay’ bassas get gubbed,tee-hee orange scum
So,the polis in Glasgow (& SMSM in general) are not interested in infringements of the OB Act if it involves rascist, sectarian chants by Billy Boys, and the polis in Aberdeen will twist the rules to suit whatever purpose they have in mind, but feel that “protecting” global corporate giants McDonalds is more important than freedom of speech.
Nothing new there, then, eh?
Had to come back on as I think I ve just witnessed a miracle… a sensible article by Jangle Jangle.
read in a amazement as keith admits:
“Scottish football might be getting its act together at long last.”
Rub your eyes when you see phrases such as:
“Despite the financial earthquake which reduced Rangers to rubble two years ago and the predictions of a devastating tsunami to follow, football in this country has survived its Armageddon”
stagger in disbelief as Keith opines:
“It could even be reasonably argued that our national team and manager Gordon Strachan are feeling the benefit of the administration and then liquidation”
check the date on your tablets as you re read:
“Green shoots are everywhere. Everywhere, that is, except at Ibrox.”
phone the Record to see if keith is Ok as you see:
“What most certainly has not been missed are the most offensive ditties from this support’s historic song sheet and those Rangers fans who indulged in them on Saturday continue to harm their own club.”
But wait, all is not lost:
“Even though some wish fervently for this club to be officially declared dead, the more rational must surely realise that a strong Rangers is good for business”
And he was doing so well, he really was. Liquidated. Dead. An ex club/ company. No Tim has to wish it, its already happened. We just need you to remember it and report it acuarately. You even used the L word yourself earlier Keith. And how with all these green shoots does that mean that with a strong Rangers it would suddenly be even better, when while we had a strong Rangers it was considerably worse?
Ah well, a small step in the right direction, now 2nd Rangers, about these 5 stars you have on your jerseys and your right to wear them…
elcormaco
“Ah well, a small step in the right direction, now 2nd Rangers, about these 5 stars you have on your jerseys and your right to wear them…”
I get your meaning but I am afraid in the end it is a step in a vicious circle rather than any direction.
I think there might just be an empty syringe or bottle somewhere. On the other hand, perhaps our Keith is manuring a new plot in which to try planting his seeds of contradictions.
Thanks for pointing the article out.
H H
Jst clocked this on TSFM. The pen is indeed mightier than the sword.
ptd1978 says:
April 14, 2014 at 3:28 pm
Was asked last night if I was a diddies or a cheeks man…
Took me a while to realise it was a football question.
Pensionerbhoy I tried to post a reply to you,complementing
you on your wit,but it seems to have got lost in the ether.Well
said.
I would urge all Tims or Etims to read Michael Stewart’s critical
appraisal of Sevco.Under the heading ‘ Champions of Failure ‘
it’s in today’s Sun (PB,I don’like this rag but this piece by Stewart is worth a read)
It’s a very honest and brave article.He rips Sleekit and Sevco to pieces ( well,they are in pieces )
Not one brave MSM in.this country would have the balls to
write such a great and frank piece.