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Celtic Diary Wednesday April 16

I caught a glimpse of that BBC series ” Who do You Think You Are ” the other day. Celebrities are encouraged to dip into their ancestry, and often discover a few surprises. For some reason, Prince Harry has declined an invitation to appear.

There were no surprises yesterday when Anthony Stokes took his turn to answer a few questions in front of the press. The obligatory “what about the Rangers ? ” was thrown in, and the Irishman duly toed the line with his response;

“Some fans may disagree but it will be good for the whole of Scottish football,” he said. “It can only benefit the game when they do get back up. But, for the time being, it’s a good chance for the other teams to try and compete. We want as much competition as possible. We want to push ourselves to improve; if that means other teams improving or Rangers coming back into the league, so be it.”

Some fans ? Very few want them back in any shape or form. And anyway, watching the new club over the last couple of weeks the only competition they will bring to the top league is at the bottom end. Is it too much to ask for our players to ignore questions about that lot ? Or just give a blank stare ?  

Stokes fell into the trap of talking about them positively, as there is very little to be positive about over at Ibrox, so the papers need these sort of headlines to try to stall their plummeting figures, which they blame on a lack of Rangers, when its simply a lack of professional, honest journalism that has caused the fall.

Stokes, though, according to the Herald, managed to find other stuff to talk about, with the nominations for the Player of the Year Awards due to be announced;

“We [Celtic players] are going to be biased but, seeing how well we have done domestically this season, I’d be very surprised if we didn’t get a couple in [this year’s shortlist]. You saw last season, though, that you just never know.”

It was suggested that, a year ago, Celtic had a number of candidates but no individual above all the others, which may have led to votes for their players being shared around to the detriment of all of them. “I don’t know if I’d buy that suggestion or not,” said Stokes. “If it’s true, it’s true. If it isn’t, it isn’t. I don’t have a clue, so I’m not going to comment.

“Players work hard through a season and it is nice to get the recognition from your peers in the league. It’s not vital. At the end of the day it’s about us winning trophies, but it’s a nice touch and something a lot of players would hope to be involved in. Virgil has been outstanding this year but I’d probably give it to Kris, just for his goals and influence in games.”

The POTY award is very prestigious. It can enhance a players career and and further his standing within the game, leading to fame, riches and success.

Last years winner, Michael Higdon, is now with NEC Nijmegan.

While Anthony Stokes has been getting a bit of flak from the Celtic support for toeing the line about the new club, its worth noting that Celtic themselves have also made a bit of a PR faux pas. I’d blame the PR man, but I’m fecked if I know who he is .

 

From the official website;

” CELTIC are today delighted to announce that we will be hosting a third cup final this season, with the City of Glasgow Cup final now scheduled to take place here on Monday, April 28 at 7pm.

The City of Glasgow competition is sponsored by City Refrigeration Holdings Ltd, who have shown tremendous support for this competition over a number of years and for youth football in the city overall.

The showpiece City of Glasgow Cup final will see Celtic’s Under-17s take on Rangers for the famous old trophy. ”

Simply inserting the word “The ” in front of the brand name associated with the old club would have eased a few suspicious minds about the attitude Celtic have towards our new neighbours south of the river…

By the way, if you fancy that game, its a fiver to get in and tickets will only be sold to season book holders. Though I think you can buy up to 25,000 each.

Reality show “Hotline “, the competition to find the next sycophantic sports journalist now that Traynor, Keevins, Broadfoot et al have exited the profession, has a couple more who could be destined to make the shortlist;

”  Vince Howey, Wishaw, said: “Everyone is going on about McCoist. I am a diehard Rangers fan and what McCoist has been though is terrible.

“Some of the criticism he has come in for has been ridiculous and I would like to say to my fellow Rangers fans to get off his back.”

To be fair, the wider than most McCoist could accommodate quite a few on his portly frame.

Gordon Hayden, Gourock, said: “I am sick and tired of Rangers fans complaining about the team. With a bit more luck we could have won against Dundee United on Saturday.

“I put on a bet a few years ago that we would win every division including the Scottish Premiership and I still believe it.”

Santa Claus and the tooth fairy are also regularly seen throughout the streets of Gourock. 

But there may be an early favourite. One of the biggest criticisms of the Scottish mainstream media is the unhealthy amount of time they spend plugging the English league, thus promoting a competition that is already overhyped on Sky TV and elsewhere, instead of building up interest and enthusiasm in our own game;

Charlie Goldie, Glasgow, said:  “I really hope Liverpool slip up in the league and that Manchester City go on and win it.

“The reason for this is not sour grapes but because Liverpool have been playing one game per week, sometimes one every two weeks.

“You look at Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal and they are playing three games per week.

“Jose Mourinho is quite right when he makes remarks about Liverpool having to do nothing but sit on their backsides.

“I would like to hear the thoughts of other members of the Hotline. Come on Manchester City or Chelsea.”

You can have mine. I really don’t give a toss. 

The show is hosted by Chris Roberts, who may even have designs on the position himself, but has yet to prove to have the unique skills required at the highest level. In fact, he might even have shot himself in the foot with this unusually positive couple of lines when another entrant got a plug in for paying on the day at the Etihad stadium, home of Manufactured City ;

John Moss, Paisley, said: “I don’t understand why you can’t pay at the turnstiles at Celtic Park any more and you are encouraged to buy a season ticket.

“Why can’t you just pay about £20 if you fancy it? I recently went to the Etihad to watch Manchester City and paid on the day.”

Roberts promptly put him right;

” You probably doubled the attendance at the Emptyhad. And John, you can buy a ticket on a matchday from the ticket office. ”

He’s not going to last long….

With that nervy Champions League qualifying campaign just a couple of months away , theres a bit of good news regarding seeding, as it now looks like the Celts will be seeded in all three matches. Which helps.

Mark Walker in the Scotsman explains;

Celtic currently have six teams with a higher co-efficient than them that could be seeded in the qualifiers, but it would take a bizarre set of circumstances for Neil Lennon’s team not to be seeded.

Out of the six teams, the likely Swiss champions Basle are almost certain to go directly into the group stage and the five other teams would have to win their title for Celtic not to be seeded.

Although Salzburg have 
already won the league in Austria, and Steaua Bucharest are well clear in the Romanian League, three other teams are struggling to win their titles.

FC Copenhagen are third in the Danish league, Viktoria Plzen are second in the Czech league and ten points behind Sparta Prague with six games to play.

And APOEL are second in the Cypriot league, three points behind AEL Limassol with six games left. ”

Oh, for those days when we went straight into the group stages….

Thats why the other Scottish sides need to step up their game in the Europa qualifiers. The sooner we drag ourselves into the top nations the better. If Gordon Strachan can do it with the likes of Alan Hutton in his team, theres hope for us all.

Afrikan Soccer, which is a magazine to be trusted despite the spelling, has Celtic ready to move for Osasuna and Cameroon midfielder Raoul Loe, who is valued at £2m, and seems fairly interested in coming;

“It has always been my dream to play in the Champions League,” he said. “If a club like Celtic wants me to play for them then i would be very honoured to play for them and wear that special jersey.”The club has such a great history with one of the best football fans in the whole footballing world.”

One of the best football fans in the whole footballing world ? I wonder which one he means… 

Celtic face competition from Hull, Swansea, Barnstoneworth United, Gasworks XI and a whole host of glamorous names. Hopefully, there are still some players who want to play the game to win things…

He looks strong, and is a big lad. More Victor Wanyama than Neil Lennon, for the same role.

Personal information
Full name Raoul Cédric Loé
Date of birth 31 January 1989 (age 25)
Place of birth CourbevoieFrance
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Playing position Defensive Midfielder
Club information
Current club Osasuna
Number 23
Youth career
Paris Saint-Germain
CS Brétigny
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 Manchego 31 (3)
2009–2011 Ceuta 62 (1)
2011–2012 Osasuna B 28 (0)
2012– Osasuna 47 (2)
National team
2013– Cameroon 1 (0)

 

Lennon wants to get him in before the World cup, in case he plays well and his value soars… and Peter Lawwell agrees, presumably so he can sell him on shortly afterwards.

Elsewhere, there are rumours that Ally McCoist has approached the board at Sevco, ready to open negotiations on a severance package. For him, that is. The board are going nowhere. The cash strapped minnows refused point blank, and it looks like the rookie manager will join the list of creditors when the club has its first insolvency event.

The stories that he has decided to leave have prompted massive protests at Ibrox, and Police Scotland have been called in to remove supporters of Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee United and several other clubs who have been demanding he stays…

Jackie MacNamara promotional photo  for his new single “What the fucks that coming over the hill ? ” , taken shortly before kick off at Ibrox , was yesterdays caption competition, todays picture is a straightforward id question.

Who is this ?

 

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wurzie82
9 years ago

scott Marshall

wurzie82
9 years ago
Reply to  wurzie82

and he was proper shite.

Danboo
9 years ago

Stokes

Gagsybhoy
9 years ago

Tony Stokes

jas
9 years ago

Charlie George?

Danny Bhoy
9 years ago

Anthony Stokes in the days when he had hair and was considering having a style like Elvis; but he soon found to his cost that Elvis is in fact not dead unlike R@*&*£s. So Anthony even if you want R@*&*£s and your hair back it’s not going to happen.

jas
9 years ago
Reply to  Danny Bhoy

FFS if that is Stokes he’s changed beyond all recognition,I’m not just talking hairline either,would never have spotted him.

9 years ago
Reply to  Danny Bhoy

Stokes and Elvis….whats the chances that combination could be dodgy!

Sean South
9 years ago

‘I would like to hear the thoughts of other members of the Hotline’

Thats a plant, no doubt about it.

Losing readers/listeners they have to try something.

They can stick their unsustainable overhyped league where the sun don’t shine!

HH

Bartfast of Napoli
9 years ago

Is it not the case that the FIFA ranking if the national team determines the seeding of clubs in CL?
In the upcoming “Mondial” (copyright Mr G “arsehole” McNee) both Switzerland and Belgium were selected from the second pot. Having won feck all since ever they have managed to climb the rankings by organising a lot of friendlies over the last fee years. As a result good results fagainst shite teams have seen them and their club sides

Bartfast of Napoli
9 years ago

…. achieve higher seedlings in tournaments

Tommy
9 years ago

There is a co-efficient for each Association, which is a significant factor in calculating each team’s individual co-efficient. It has nothing to do with FIFA’s International Rankings, but is rather based on the results of each participant from the corresponding FA. That’s why we need other SPFL teams to do as well as possible, and can care about the Scotland team only when they’re doing well. 😉

Frank McGaaaaarvey
9 years ago

My nomination for POTY is ANY player who doesn’t mention the irrelevant 3rd division mob who are about as meaningful and vital to our future as Gala Fairydean or the royal family. Failing that, Commons and VVD can have a scrap at the Lennoxtown car park to see who gets it.

Iain McAllister
9 years ago

When sevco scored v the arabs on Saturday the camera flashed to a cheering fan – was it spewie hughie?

schoosh71
9 years ago

One of the best ‘CEO’ football fans in the whole footballing world. HH

elcormaco
9 years ago

Yeah, stokes it is. Commons for poty please. And I must say I’m not the biggest fan of his, he is just too slow at top level, but he has had a great year.
Heard a cracker on ssb last night.
2nd rangers were very unlucky against utd: “we missed our chances and our defending for the goals was woeful, but we played very well” ummm, I’ve only been watching football for thirty years, but my sense of it is that it’s about taking chances and stopping the other team from getting and scoring chances? I didn’t realise it was about running about and kicking folk. Enlightened and grateful. We have much to learn from our erstwhile rivals, like being liquidated doesn’t mean the death of a clumpany, and paying 5 million allows you to claim the history of another body and put five stars on your shirts like they are anything to do with the achievements of your new club. Or I’ll invest 50 million means you’ll invest 50 million but I can take the credit. Every day is a school day.

Celtic125
9 years ago

Anthony Stokes

I’ve been waiting for this moment for awhile. I never rated Stokes, always thought he was the big guy in the diddy team. In his time with Celtic he has consistently shown how poor a decision maker he is and I’m no talking about the funeral; he shoots when he should pass and he passes when he should shoot! Anyroad, his comments about how he’d love to be part of the arse again has presented me with the end result of a two year old straw poll. As from now I’ve changed my avatar from Markybhoy to Celtic125. My new moniker will be used as a reminder to all of the time when our suspicions became FACT.

Ask yourself this, how many Sevco players and staff have been asked, do you miss Celtic? It’s a natural order thing.

pensionerbhoy
9 years ago

Ralph

I think the most important summer signing has to be an interview coach. It is getting utterly ridiculous listening to our players and “others” continuously trumpet the nonsensical potential of Scottish football’s Chimpanzee Tea Party where all bets are on “black” tea from PG tips. Like you say, Ralph, it is time for all at Parkhead to simply ignore the inane attempts at eulogies for the dying. And so to rest.

As for the departure, or more than likely not, of the Michelin Tyre, if you have tears to shed, you need to see an optician or more probably a psychiatrist. Let him go. Let him tarry. Let him sink or let him swim but I’m going to tell you there’s no one else like him – thank God!

The photo is a young Stokes afore his head grew too big for his neck and he was a half decent footballer. “Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety…” Anthony (Anthony and Cleopatra). But the exception often proves the rule.

H H

Stevie
9 years ago

Why not run an etims poll on whether anyone wants to play the tribute act ever?

9 years ago
Reply to  Ralph Malph

get it done – you can have my vote just now – I never want to see them at CP again and if we are ever unfortunate enough to draw them in a cup game, I’d happily support the PLC if they scratched from the competition.

bondibrian
9 years ago

Stokes is a buken idiot. Ah think. Anyweys…

MON THE HOOPS!!

CarlJungleBhoy
9 years ago

Stokes – Apparently, John Hartson was his hair mentor

POTY – Toss up between Kris & Virgil for POTY. Apparently Charlie Nicholas is their tosser mentor

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