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Celtic Diary Thursday July 23: It’s All Turned Out Nice Again

Though when I got home at around eight thirty there was not a little swearing to be heard. In fact, I seem to recall at least three Celtic players turning to the camera as I offered an opinion on how they appeared to have been performing up to that point.

All of those memories of things not going to plan in europe resurfaced, and to be fair, a massive amount of credit has to go to the players, who despite losing an early goal, stuck to the plan and got on with it.

Although Nir Biton did admit to being a little perturbed that the plan hadn’t, well, gone to plan early on;

“I’m really happy. Not because of my goal, but because we won the game. The goal was a bonus – the most important thing was that we got through to the next round and stayed in the Champions League.

“We were all worried when they scored. We didn’t want to start the game like that and concede a goal so early.

“That wasn’t in the game plan, but sometimes you need to deal with this kind of thing. The most important thing is that we recovered and scored four goals.” 

He went on to mention the itch, which was in a shocking state, dry, bumpy and bare in pathces, casting doubts on the legitimacy of Stjarnans claim that it wasn’t real grass;

“The pitch was difficult, but it’s not an excuse for us. They play on the same pitch as we did. Okay, they are used to it, but as a professional, you have to be ready for this. We are not 100% yet as this is the beginning of the season, but we will get there.” 

There was another doubt as to the legitimicacy of the Icelandics club claim that a water pipe had burst, which prevented the ground staff from watering the pitch, which Ronny delat with fairly diplomaticaly after the game.

I always ask for the pitch to be watered everywhere we go but the bastards told me the water pipe was broken.

“Maybe it’s ready again now! 

I may have edited the actual quote here. Can you spot where ?

“It is very difficult to assess the performance because when you play on a dry artificial pitch it is very sticky and everything is slower than normal

“We were a little bit sloppy at the start and a little bit stressed in the first half.

“But we did better in the second half when there was really only one team on the pitch. It was very comfortable in the end.

“There is no problem to play on an artificial pitch but when it is not watered it is totally different.

“That’s how it was though so we just had to handle the surface.

“You have to deal with the circumstances of every surface you play on and we did that.” 

In the end, the 4-1 result, which didn’t flatter Celtic, was about right, but it would have made the evening a little less traumatic had the goals come in a different order.

Stjarnan opened the scoring by simply running at Celtic and shooting into the corner. With an ease that must have alarmed everyone watching.

However, Nir Bitons equaliser and in the second half Charlie Mulgrew’s low and precise shot into the corner were scored with equal ease, and that was the tie over as far it went.

Substitute Leigh Griffiths finished another off before Johansen completed the rout, but any observer will admit there were as many positives as negatives in the game, and we can only hope that they are ironed out before the visit of Azeri side Qarabag, who will be an entirely different proposition to the part time Icelanders.

Well, so everyone says, anyway. It’s remarkable how the media and support are already building the next opponents into being some sort of eastern European Bayern Munich on the basis of a few good results last season.

We’ll look at them in a bit more depth later.

We’ve a man in Baku, you see…..and he is a lot more reliable than our usual sources.

Apart from sticking to the plan, another encouraging aspect of last nights game was the level of fitness within the tea. It’s improving rapidly as each game comes around, as the two late goals testify. ronny isn’t afraid to change things either, and the introduction of Ambrose and Griffiths livened things up.

It was good to see Charlie Mulgrew take his time and pick his spot for his shot, too often recently shots straight at the keeper have been the norm, but he won’t get that sort of time and space in later rounds. His lack of pace at left back may also be an issue, but other wise he seemed to have a goood game.

Nadir Ciftci is trying a litttle too hard at this stage. He isn’t gelling yet, and with the importance of these European ties, and the fact he cannot attain match fitness or cohesion with his team mates domestically, he really shouldn’t be starting. He may yet turn out to be a valuable player, but there’s a worry that although he brings other players into the game, he isn’t doing the business in front of goal. I’ve no doubt he will, but it’s not worth the gamble when Griffiths is scoring.

Four in two games from the former Hibs man should leave Deila in no doubt who should start next week.

On Ciftci, Ronny seemed to agree, claiming that the Turk was a long term project;

This is not a project for three weeks,this is a project over months. We have a lot of training. We will get him fit,” 

On the training ground, hopefully.

 

Perhaps the weaker opposition of the Icemen was the perfect time to give him a run out before his ban kicks in, maybe that was the thinking behind it.

Another positive aspect was the team work last night. everybodys all pals again.

Leigh Griffiths (left) and Stefan Johansen put the gloss on the result with a goal a piece

When all is said and done, the record books will say it was a 6-1 aggregate scoreline. Which is a hell of a beating.

Isn’t it ?

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While Celtic were on champions League duty, Sky sports, robbed of being able to show the game, sent out hard nosed reporter Jim White to speak to Second Rangers chairman/owner/director/liability Dave King at his family home in South Africa in order to at least keep themselves in the news.

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Well, apparently it’s a family home because it’s in his wifes name to avoid it being nationalised for non payment of tax reasons. As far as a comedy support act to warm the audience, probably mostly tims, for the big event, it did the job.

King, noted for sometimes not quite having the level of accuracy in his statements that would be desired by an interviewer, told the fawning White

The Rangers supporters have consistently, for more than a century, spent more money in supporting their club than any other team in Scotland. They have outspent Celtic and that’s why Rangers have been the number one club over time.

“If we can’t get the supporters back to outspending the Celtic supporters and I put that simply, we will be the second biggest club in Scotland.

Presumably he’s seen what the rewards are when the Ibrox support dip into their pockets;

In terms of how the retail contract is structured, it is not working for the club and, in my view, cannot be working for Sports Direct either,” 

“At the moment, the fans are of the mind that the current arrangement does not support the club. People are very concerned that by buying Rangers merchandise or other memorabilia they are supporting Sports Direct more than they are supporting Rangers. 

If we go to Sports Direct and say that ‘you have a contract with our football club where the terms of the contract, for whatever reason, are not working Rangers and we believe it is not working for Sports Direct. 

No, clearly not;

“Rangers fans still support the club, even in tough times they have a reason in their minds as to why they shouldn’t be doing it, but they actually want to do it. We have got to realign what they want to do, with why they should do it as well and that’s the gap that I’ve got to bridge.” 

“Myself and my co-investors have agreed to reimburse any shortfall that the club may have while it is rebuilding itself and we have done that. 

“Rangers Football Club will only be the number one club in Scotland again when the Rangers fans start outspending the Celtic fans. 

A new twist on the “For every fiver they spend, we will spend a tenner ” -except he clearly has no intention of spending “one thin dime ” -to quote a man who actually did put his money where his mouth is.

If the Rangers fans stop doing that, or continue to withhold the funds, they will never be as big as Celtic. No matter whether an investor puts in money or not, we are not sustainable without the supporters.” 

Then he appealed, well, begged, Mike Ashley to look at the contracts Sports Direct has with the club;

Any businessman has to respect what Mike Ashley has achieved,” he said. “You have to respect it because we are all in business for the same reason and that’s to make money and be successful.

“Mike Ashley is still a relatively young guy, so to have gone in and done what he’s done, he’s obviously a very smart retailer. He couldn’t be in the position he is in without being a smart retailer.

“So, I don’t think this is necessary an issue of whether Rangers should be doing business with Sports Direct. They are a very smart retailer. It comes back to: can we do it in a way that works for both parties?”  

Now on a roll in his walk through fantasy land, he decided to have a go at David Murray, who he blames for the demise of the old club. A few years too late, well after the time when he could have done something about it;

“I sat on the board under David Murray for most of that period, so I was aware what we were doing with the money. ” 

Everyone else was as well. It was thought prudent not to mention it , though.

“The only thing that was disappointing for me was, at the end of it, when the Murray Group was getting in trouble and David Murray was losing control of the situation,he should have fronted up with people like myself a lot sooner and we could have taken action at that point, early enough, before the banks came in and took control, it would have averted what happened from the Craig Whyte era onwards.

“For David’s own reasons, whether he didn’t want to come and admit to people that things were getting out of control, David maybe felt that he would turn the thing around and make it work, so he was trying to keep it close to his chest.

“Maybe if he had opened up to some of us earlier and said, ‘look, this is what’s happening, I am losing control of my businesses, you have invested with me in this and we must look at other alternatives’, but he didn’t do that.

“I think that’s a great pity, how he as a person behaved to someone who had supported him,” King added. “I think I put more money into Rangers than David Murray did. I don’t think he ever put £20m of his own money in. I thought it was his money, it turns out it was the bank’s money. 

I’m quite sure the Scottish sports media will be banging on the doors of Murray’s house to get his response to these accusations….

laughter

“So I have probably put more money into Rangers than any single person in the history of the club.” 

Well, if he says so, it must be true.

Enough of them.

Their own support must be able to see through them now, and in time the new club will go the same way as the old one.

Which reporter Mihir Bose clarifies, in the London Evening Standard, thus ending any hopes of a plum job in Scotland.

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On the site today we have a couple of articles from other writers, and if you feel that you have something to contribute, then don’t hesitate to contact us at the mailbox address on the homepage.

 The more the merrier.

Don’t worry if you’re writing skills are a little rusty, we’ll tidy them up if need be, and original, interesting and funny articles on matters Celtic ae always welcomed.

 Though to be honest an original, interesting and funny article on this site would be a first.

Yesterday we asked you to identify the match in the picture, which was the legendary cup final betwen Celtic and aberden, which was attebded by somewhere in the region of eight million people, if stories are to be believed. Officially, it was 148,00, but at least a dozen turnstile operaters moved to the south of France after charging a shilling or two to let people in er, unofficially.

Today, there’s a programme from the seventies to jog your memory. What happened in this game, and what happened after ?

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Daviebhoy
8 years ago

We won they got beat we are happy they are not. HH
The Lying King is about to be exposed to the hoards

Jerseybhoy
8 years ago

I think that was the game where Celtic rested most of the first team and played the Quality Street Gang instead.Celtic won 4-1 if my memory serves.We all had a laugh when at 4-0 up the huns scored and the whole Celtic support cheered.

jpm 88
8 years ago
Reply to  Jerseybhoy

You’re a wee bit out with the time Jerseybhoy 😉
Prog says May 75. By then 2 of the QSG (Macari & Hay) had played for and left Celtic for England,Connolly was walking out on us , and Kenny was about to become captain , after McNeill’s retirement.
Can’t actually remember this game ,though.

Jerseybhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  jpm 88

Your right jpm it wasn’t that game. Anyone remember the game im referring to ?

jpm 88
8 years ago
Reply to  Jerseybhoy

Just looked up QSG on internet ; they refer to Glasgow Cup Final 69-70 and a 3-1 scoreline.
A lot of interesting reading on the QSG and what might have been .

Dougalarse
8 years ago
Reply to  Jerseybhoy

Remember the game well, pretty sure it was in 71.

Chris
8 years ago

Games was a 2-2 draw the replay never happened if I am correct. Also I think Paul Wilson may have retired after this game…Huns had won the league!

Admin
8 years ago

Though to be honest an original, interesting and funny article on this site would be a first.

HOW VERY DARE YOU!

wholly cross
8 years ago

Scottish Amateur Cup Final was played after this game.Cambuslang team Morriston lost 2-1 to Star Hearts.Morrison won the final 2 years later

Baku Bhoy
8 years ago

Not sure how many of us will get to travel over to Baku since visa’s will be difficult and the Qarabag ground is small, but I know Baku very well so allow me to become everyones mun and share some comments.
On the surface Baku is fantastic with the money spend recently improving the city, but under this it’s can also be a bit crap and very frustrating.
Due to the oil industry and the construction industry this funds there are a lot of Scottish expats working in the city and lots of good bars open into the wee small hours, we regularly hit 5am and then suffered for days after.
It’s got a bit of a wild west (or extreme east) feel to it so there will be some friendly banter among most of these expats but also some trouble makers.
There is an EXCELLENT Baku Bhoys Celtic Supporters Club in the Mexicana Bar which is very well organised, very welcoming and kept me both sane and entertained on many long trips. I have no doubt they will be planning some sort of reception for our fans (just stay away from the Greenock Jaeger bombs!!). I also recommend The Garage as a particular favourite bar of mine (ask for Jimmy The Gent – honestly).
There is also a very big Sevco Supporters Club in the basement of The Clansman Bar. The majority of them are good guys and this is a good bar, but its their bar and so best avoided once the drink starts flowing.
This is former Soviet Union Eastern Europe so its different from what we have experienced in other European trips.
It’s an oppressive and corrupt government so sadly you will see arrogant wealth and desperate poverty. This also is reflected in the local police force so please be vary of them. While there have been many international and club football matches played in Baku they will have seen nothing like the unique size and passion of the Celtic support, unfortunately this lack of experience could easily lead to some heavy handed policing akin to what we saw in Amsterdam.
The locals are OK, still a bit isolated in their international experience and they will most likely avoid us, but like every other big city there is also a level of crime and violence (albeit a relatively low level) they want what we have so watch out for each other and don’t get isolated. Part of the survival process under the Soviet regime was corruption and this still exists at every level, they will all be out to shake you down for small amounts of money where they can – customs, police, shops, taxis, bars & restaurants – so be wary and just play their game where needed, its part of their culture, its only going to be a few quid and its not worth arguing over.
However a serious point is the traffic, its mental and its dangerous!! Every local will become a taxi driver and this is a real danger. Avoid the beat up Ladas as these are dangerous and corrupt. Always use the purple London style taxis where possible. I can’t stress this point enough.
It’s a Muslim culture, this was repressed under the Soviets so there are bars and bacon rolls everywhere, but it can still be a bit conservative. The best example are the local women, very feminine and very polite but still very conservative. The working girls round the bars are a different matter, there are many of them but as always just watch your wallets and passports.
From my many European trips with Celtic we like a square and ideally one with a fountain to play in. Baku has a massive and very nice one conveniently called Fountain Square with some good bars & cafes on the edges.
The weather will be in the high 30’s so all you gingers get the factor 3000 emulsion paint slapped on!!
I am being a little bit negative & over cautious so people are informed. This can be a nice city, you can be safe and you can most definitely have a lot of fun, just watch out for each other, respect the local culture, don’t get isolated, find the local Celtic Supporters club & seriously DO NOT drink the Greenock Jaeger bombs!!!!

Bhoris
8 years ago

Did Paul Wilsons mum die the night before and the huns were singing where’s your mama gone little baby Paul to the middle of the road song? Think he scored both our goals?

deadhead67
8 years ago

Paul got a lot of abuse from the scum,because of his dark skin,he used to drink with my uncle in cumbernauld after he retired

yestim
8 years ago

I will stand to be corrected on this point but did I not read on this site or another Celtic minded site, Ranger’s IL accounts repaying King £18m a couple of weeks after he allegedly invested/laundered £20m.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  yestim

He did indeed it was in the Accounts he submitted in and around 2001.
He effectively laundered £18m through Rangers Accounts if you consider the original £20m actually belonged to SARS.

Spectrum is Green
8 years ago
Reply to  yestim

Yes, Yestim, I think I read something to that effect in Phil Mac’s book ‘Downfall’. King didn’t lose his £20m investment in the old club, most of it – around £18, as you said – was recouped.
When will those gullible Hun’s get wise to this wide boy? I mean, how can you trust a man who’s able to look in two directions at the same time!?

Devoy45
8 years ago

Baku Bhoy. Excellent and thanks.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago

” I thought it was his money, it turns out it was the bank’s money”
So say’s the crook who invested £20m of SARS money.

8 years ago

That jibe about 6-1, followed by the picture of gormless McCall, had me laughing out loud …

Bigbhoy
8 years ago

Ciftci is an absolute certainty to start against qarabag, he offers something that we badly need and that no one else in the team offers -a physical presence. He is able to hold the ball up and draw fouls from the opposition. Griffiths is far too lightweight to play as the lone striker and when he does he loses the ball far to often.

Funkyy
8 years ago

Where do you begin to describe the utter sleekishness of king and the utter stupidity of the hun fans? He arrives on the scene trumpeting about 20 million, 30 million quid was going to be invested by him. The huns almost have a group orgasm as the messiah speaks. Time passes and there’s still no sign of the 20-30 million, and the lying king starts changing his soundbites, now it’s the hun fans that MUST dip into their pockets OR ELSE they’ll “never be the number one club in Scotland again” (?). And the idiots cannae see it, it’s staring them right in the face that they’re being mugged yet again by a smooth talking vulture out to “invest” their money in his bank account.
As if that wasn’t funny enough, he’s gonna go to MA and try and cajole him into re-negotiating a contract that suits Sports Direct to a T. There is no reason whatsoever that MA would need or want to change the contract…he’ll piss himself laughing at this clown from South Africa visiting with his begging bowl.
Did any of us imagine that this comedy jukebox would still be playing hits after all this time?

Binkabhoy
8 years ago

Are you telling me that King ACTUALLY said all that? For real, not ‘edited’, exaggerated? Wow. How feckin blatantly obvious do things need to be…. And yet….

Aw what’s the use trying to explain to them.

Now he’s saying to Zombiehuns support ‘For every fever Celtic spend, YOU’LL spend a tenner’

Oh, my aching sides.

“It’s all the tim media’s fault, unseen Fenian hand, Craig Whyte caused all of it….Same club’s trophies different club ‘ debt… Celtic are a ‘newco’…. Egg went bad, newly laid egg, everlasting chicken… .NURSE!!!!

😀 😀 😀

yestim
8 years ago
Reply to  Binkabhoy

Big Bhoy did it and ran away…………..

8 years ago

I mentioned education yesterday and how it’s a waste of time even having schools and teachers in an area if there’s nothing for children to aim for. STEVIE Smith has issues a rallying call to his Kilmarnock team-mates as they prepare to face Ladbrokes Premiership pace-setters Celtic at Rugby Park tomorrow night.

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