“Look, just make sure the new club gets the money they need for a couple of new players ” , said an exasperated SFA official, tired of all the criticism that came their way after they forgot to ask Hamilton if they could use their ground for the upcoming East Kilbride -Celtic cup game.
“And get the Beeb to publicise it, they owe us one ”
Thats the League Cup, which isn’t being played for, held by Scott Brown, who won’t be playing.
East Kilbride chairman Mark horner seemed quite pleased with the decision;
“We’ve been in talks with various stadiums all day and put forward the Excelsior as the best, nearest and most suitable stadium to host the game against Celtic and we are delighted the SFA have agreed.
“The stadium is modern, a great size and the surface is similar to K-Park, which Billy and the players are delighted about.
“The stadium also has great disabled access, which is another plus point as we are planning to take hundreds of children from East Kilbride with ASN (additional support needs) to the game.
“We are all really looking forward to what will be a great occasion for the club and the town.”
“Billy “, in this context, is the clubs manager, Billy Ogilvie , and not a reference to anybody in any way connected with the SFA, whatever Timmy thinks.
And thats good that hundreds of children from East Kilbride with additional support needs can get to go. Though one wonders why such a high percentage from the town are in need of such support.
The SFA chose the Excelsior in accordance with their rule that the next closest ground must hold the tie, if you don’t count Hampden, presumably, which can’t be used because another club might need it at a moments notice if their ground falls down or something.
Tired of the whole thing, the beaks released a statement;
“Following discussions with East Kilbride FC, the Scottish FA board have approved the Excelsior Stadium as the host venue for the William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round match between East Kilbride and Celtic on Sunday, 7 February.”
Celtic released theirs, which was a little brusque;
THE SFA has tonight confirmed that Celtic’s Scottish Cup fifth round tie against East Kilbride will take place at the Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie. The game on Sunday, February 7 has a 3pm kick-off.
Though no doubt that will change again when we find out the fucking grass is being watered that day, or they’ve lost the keys to the car park.
The Hoops beat Stranraer in the previous round while East Kilbride knocked out Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale. But by now they’re probably wishing they hadn’t.
I’ve added a bit to that, as you can tell. Just in case you weren’t sure what time kick off was.
Celtic’s next game, for those of you, who like me, don’t usually realise when we’re playing until your mate rings you wondering where you are and if you’ve got any spare beers,or indeed who we are playing until roughly half time when you finally wake up, will be interested to know that it’s Scottish League cup semi final weekend!
At Hampden !
Well, maybe not. but there have been a few improvements to the ground since our last visit, when there were one or two issues with , er, restricted views.
so, the SFA have introduced a new arrangement, right down at the front with absolutely no chance of missing any of the action.
For those at the back, there is improved wi-fi so you can follow the game on twitter, though for those who prefer to watch live, I’m pleased to say there are improvements there as well.
Supporteres will be issued with a state of the art gadget designed to bring the game closerto them, like a sort of hologram, and it will feel as though they right up there with the action.
Opponents Ross County are not going to be a pushover, as they proved six years ago when they defeated Neil Lennons Celtic in his first semi final, which pretty much told us how most of his cup runs would end up.
However, could there be some sort of voodoo at work here ?
The Evening Times seems to think so…
Celtic surely won’t lost a FIFTH cup tie to a Highland
club…but only if they know and learn from their history
So they’ve lost four before, three to Inverness , and one to Ross County.
Its actually worse than that.
Not only in both cups, but also in the league, every time Celtic have failed to land the trophy, its been a Scottish club who have taken the honours.
But there could be a solution. According to the times, that is…
……..when you are Celtic in recent times as Mount Florida has proved to be a testing postcode for the club.
A testing postcode ? Even shakespeare would have struggling to get that phrase into general usage. and there were hardly any words around in his day.
Kilmarnock, Hearts, Caley Thistle and, of course, County came away with unexpected wins.
Let’s go back to 2010 when a Celtic team which now looks more than a little odd – Josh Thompson and Morten Rasmussen anyone? – hardly got a kick against a lower league side.
Now it’s no huge secret that Ronny Deila and Lennon are not huge fans of one another, but the current manager would do a lot worse than to call his predecessor and ask him about what happened six years ago.
Not a secret ? Really ?
Lennon would most likely tell the Norwegian to get his players to do exactly the opposite of what his team, in the loosest sense of the word, did in that semi-final which was an awful day for the club, although in the long-term actually turned out not to be the worst thing that happened.
Astonishing.
This report contains an imaginary conversation between two people who apparently don’t talk to each other about a bad result for a team which bears no resemblance to the one playing on Sunday getting beat, which didn’t turn out too badly anyway.
Summed up with this bizarre statement;
A case of ‘if you know the history’ as it were, and if they do, then the present players have to ensure they don’t repeat past mistakes.
The players can’t repeat anything they didn’t do in the first place.
We asked one of the more established and celebrated writers for his thoughts on this article.
Look, even I sometimes read back what i’ve typed just to see if it makes sense. Maybe they could try that at the Times.
Although, in their defence, most of what usually goes out is proof read by a PR agency…
If you don’t fancy the game, or a trip to Hampden, you could always pop to Philadelphia;
THE third Annual East Coast Celtic Supporters’ Féile takes place this weekend January 29-31, 2016 at the club’s home, The Plough & Stars at 123 Chestnut Street in the Old City section of Philadelphia. Celtic supporters from all over the world will gather in Philly for the biggest Celtic supporters’ weekend this side of the Atlantic.
This year the club will also be having its first Annual Tommy Burns Supper during the Féile on Saturday, January 30.
The full timetable of Féile 2016 events are as follows:
Friday, January 29
4pm-12am: Gathering of the Celtic Family
5pm: Live Smell the Glove Podcast Radio Show with Dr. John, Chris Long, and Gary ‘The Rev’ Bodnar
6pm: Live Celtic Dreams show with Gerry ‘Big G’ McNabb, all the way from Scotland.
7:30pm: Live Music with Derm Farrell all the way from Dublin.
Saturday, January 30
10am: Blessing at the National An Gorta Mór Memorial with Father Brady from Saint Anne’s Church.
11am: Liam Kelly book launch and Q&A – Our Songs & Our Stories.
1pm: Live Music with Plough Bhoy Tim McMahon.
2pm: Q&A with John Paul Taylor from Celtic Football Club.
6:30-10pm: Tommy Burns Supper
The venue for the supper will take place in Philadelphia’s premier Irish Pub, The Plough & Stars. This will be a very special night as the Celtic family from across North America and further afield will gather for a night of memories, songs and stories in honour of Tommy Burns. The night will feature a three-course carvery dinner with live music from Raymond Coleman all of the way from Ardboe in County Tyrone. Celtic Football Club’s Supporter Liason Officer, John Paul Taylor, will be our very special guest for the evening. Following in the finest Celtic family tradition for charity, $5 from the sale of every ticket will be donated to Celtic FC Foundation. Cash Bar. All attendees are asked to proudly wear their Celtic colours.
I’m going to write to the club and see if they’re looking for an assistant to john Paul Taylor, who must have one of the most strenuous and difficult jobs in the world, and is surely in need of a wee bit of help.
The Lennon CSC will not be attending, as we had a lot of difficulty in explaining that Philadelphia is a city, as well as a not a soft and spreadable cheese product.
Which , incidentally, is why we don’t go to Dundee any more.
Transfer speculation ?
Okay, James Forrest will stay, mainly because we thought he’d go, and his new wage deal includes some paper money as well as coins.
Theres all sorts of rumours surrounding the loan offer to this seasons “can’t get a game for Man City ” addition to the squad, and as far as we can make out, its for four months if we qualify for the UCL, but they’ll let him stay for longer if we don’t. And if he turns out to be any good we’re not to play him in any night matches in case its cold, or any daytime fixtures if the sun’s out.
Loannees.
They stay a while, charm and seduce you, and then bugger off when they find out you’re not paying for their breakfasts.
Lets be honest, we’re all more comfortable in a long term relationship with someone who wants to be with us.
A recent loan move involved young Nathan Oduwa spending some time with Scotland snewest club, Second Rangers, and after he returned home to London last week, Ibrox nemesis Phil MacGhiollabhan claimed to have heard a few stories from a colleague that all was not well with the Tottenham man, who apparently pointed out that certain things he would have expected from a big club, were not in place.
Baths (hah, you surprise me) were not always available, food at hotels had to be paid for himself, indeed , one claim stated that he had to move hotels three times.
The gist of MacGhiollabhans article was that the player wasn’t treated very well, and he called upon journalists in Scotland to at least ask if the stories were true.
Which prompted a reply from Jonny Mcfarlane, who is the “rangers blogger ” at the Daily Record. ( Yes, I know most of them are Rangers bloggers, but apparently thats his title.)
Honest.
Phil MacGiollabhain telling hacks about journalism is akin to Jimmy Saville lecturing about child safety!
In what sense ? And to compare him to jimmy Saville ? A refence to a child abuser-from a Rangers minded individual ? Surely not ?
I decide to pursue the matter ,
@Jonnyrmcfarlane In what sense? Thats a ridiculous statement. What are you saying?
@Richiestoke no it’s absolutely not. He has a flagrant disregard for every tenant of journalism. He’s a disgrace
Presumably that includes their use of the word tenant in this context.
Bartin Main © Retweeted Jonny McFarlane
It’s ‘tenet’, mate
Then I wondered….
@Jonnyrmcfarlane And the comparison with Saville?
@Richiestoke I didn’t compare Phil with Saville – don’t be naughty
@Jonnyrmcfarlane Is this obsession with child abuse axiomatic within supporters of the now defunct Rangers?
@Jonnyrmcfarlane No. I’ve never written for the Record.
Then, as Phil wasn’t around to fight his corner, MacFarlane continued…
@Richiestoke he claims to be a journalist but uses his column to mix rumour, speculation, lies, reporting and opinion.That ain’t journalism.
Which alerted the big boys, sensing an off the radar scoop…
Been busy. So what’s all this about Nathan Oduwa and the mysterious deleted blog? #oops #developing?
But Jonny wasn’t finished, reverting instead to the default superiority complex inherent in his kind…
@Richiestoke I tried to have a serious conversation and educate you but sadly you seem a bit limited….Tara
Tara ? Is he talking to someone on plenty of fish ?
Just in case he wasn’t, and in fact meant me, I pointed out his limitations… as it seemed only fair.
@Jonnyrmcfarlane Educate me? Dear God save us . You couldn’t teach my dog how to jump out of the fire.
All good fun I suppose.
But someone at the Record, or at least associated with the paper , is criticising someone who suggests that maybe a journalist should ask a few questions, and even gives them a subject to ask about.
I wonder how their sales figures are doing….
I wonder if any of them will be asking why…oh, they don’t do questions.
Croatian midfielder Luban Crepula has spoken about his recent trial at Lennoxtown, and he hasn’t given up hope of a move to Celtic, even though his club have refused to allow the Hoops to take a longer look at him.
“For me it was a fantastic experience to be part of Celtic, even if it was just five days.
“Oh, naturally (I’d like to join Celtic). Celtic is a big, well-known European club. Therefore going into the ranks of such greats my career would be in another may. But, I say, the details are not allowed to speak publicly.
“Look, I am still a player Slaven Belupo , I remain firmly on the ground. And I will have no problem. I’ll be back training at any given time will maximum work, giving my best.”
I have to use this opportunity to thank Jozo Simunovic, who was a real host in Glasgow . He greeted me, I spent the whole club, met with everyone, we hung out every day. He’s really a big thank you, he was a real host. “
I think its fair to point out that English is not his first language, which is why his words are perhaps a little disjointed. This quote is not from the Evening Times.
I saw something on twitter last night that may be of interest to any hacks reading this who might fancy earning themselves a few quid… while we are on about the Evening Times…
Hyper specific request klaxon: looking for an academic who might be interested in co-authoring a chapter on intersectional transhumanism RT?
I’m pretty sure that RT means re-tweet, after that you’re on your own.
Trickier caption competiton today, and hopefully susan murphy will have a go, regardless of what other readers think.
You’ve consistently offered witty comments on the pictures and we’d miss them if they weren’t there. Oh, by the way, Dad says can you pick him up a pie on your way home tonight.
Have a go at this one…
Is the dog the smart one in the family?
Caption “Dogs with new tricks”
Your caption picture brought back the memories of a real event back in the mid 80’s. Myself and a couple of mates were driving up Ayr High street one beautiful summers day and we spied an XR3 convertible with four long haired blondes in front of us and as you would, we tailed them (no, not in that sense, but that was the plan) all round town.
Now, as there was no area were we could pull up beside them, or get passed, this stalking went on for quite some time.
Needless to say, many miles later, but still in the cofines of the town, we finally got alongside them down the sea front and low and behold, as we made our first gallus contact with these beauties the two rear occupants turned to us revealing long snouts and big teeth.
Were the two in the front pigs 🙂
Aye.
Sounds like a scene out of animal farm
they were from kilmarnock?
Where’s my brush?
The Robbie Savage appreciation society has tripled it’s numbers this year.
Even the dog’s collar didn’t match the cuffs…
Caption
Dog “Wish she would stop gabbin I,m dying for a pish”
Caption: “OK, who’s gonna enter the next round then?”
Caption: Dog – “Oh, Jeeezzuz, is that what I’ll look like when I get older?”
Great diary, really enjoyed it today.
Prefer it when you use the full title; “The Ibrox Evening Times”, it’s a perfect fit.
We all know as we’ve all said it, it really is time to turn off the ‘life support’ of the whole SMSM and let them slip away quietly whilst, in our blissful ignorance, we don’t even notice.
They’re not worth a jot between the lot of them.
HH
Orc like comments….
“Though one wonders why such a high percentage from the town are in need of such support”.
Caption .
So is this your older or younger sister .
Dog Caption: Oh once she shaves her face she’ll look just like us. Said the dog in the middle
Off the radar comment from KJ when he thought you were on the ropes. Typical of him always looking for scraps from the table.
“Then he said let’s do it doggy style hen..”
“Michelle Mone prepares for another hard day in the House of Lords”
Caption….
Don’t fancy yours much.
I too had a wee run in with Johnny last night.
I should say this firstly, I take people as I find them and he is far from the worst of them on Twitter. He will get into a bit of a debate rather than deploy the big red “obsessed” button most of them use when they are struggling to counter what you’re saying. He’s a *Rangers fan who wants to defend his club, and I get that.
To quote Johnny, Phil’s brand of journalism is “very dangerous” as “it blends reporting, opinion, rumour and gossip”
Whoa there, let’s break that down.
The sports section of any MSM paper will have a mix of exactly those elements!! They just spread them across different pages!
Reports – on the game, how many flares were let off by Celtic fans, how loud the Billy Boys was being sung, okay not the last one, but you get the idea.
Opinion – the “big name” journo writing a weekly column about how terrible Scottish football is but it might be coming out of its long dark winter, or how magic Warbiola is – see anything Keith Jackson has ever written ever.
Rumour – transfer rumours – Rangers (sic) are about to spend the “guts of a million quid” Yep, Jacko again.
Gossip – Scott Allan is to hand in a written transfer request to get a move to his boyhood heroes.
So Phil is doing nothing unique there in writing his mix of “reporting, opinion, rumour and gossip”.
“He gets it wrong” said Johnny – “Jackson told youse the boy from Brentford was signing” said I – sports journos get stuff wrong.
“all papers / TV have an ethical code of conduct” that Phil doesn’t follow said Johnny. Now Johnny I believe did some kind of sports / media degree type thing so it was strange I had to point out to him that Phil operates online where such codes of conduct are not in place to the same degree, as Johnny the blogger will know, and has to date not been sued by any party connected to this story.
What irritates them in my opinion is that Phil, and his writing style does lay it on thick, clearly hates them and doesn’t hide it, so when he delivers unpalatable truths it’s a double blow – its bad news bears time and its coming from some one who relishes telling them it.
Phil does write some nonsense, but has also got quite a few exclusives over this story in my opinion. He is currently the only one with an ear to the Ashley camp’s plans, and despite what they might want to be true he is still a very key player in all this. Phil also clearly had a source inside the boardroom when Wallace etc were there, and that really really annoys them. They find they have to read his stuff to get some info they would want to know, but then pretend they don’t read him because its all made up nonsense form a hater.
Guys like the Sons of Struth say they “demand the truth” but of course that isn’t true. The demand is for an acceptable truth delivered by a “rangers minded” person which glosses over any problems and accentuates the positive. Think of Chris Jack and you have their paragon of an acceptable journalist telling “the truth”.
Today their ire is directed at Graham Spiers again, some one who committed the highest high crime of all – coming from ”the rangers family” but becoming disloyal and calling them out for Rangers sectarian aspects. His “crime” this time is to question how committed to eradicating sectarianism the new board really are, his time line all day will be a decidedly unpleasant place as the mob jump aboard to add their two penneth worth of hate
I have posted on here before that some Celtic fans need to get real and leave off Sutton or Walker or others for criticising Celtic/ Ronnie, so I m not being too hypocritical in pointing this out I hope. People observe. People criticise. Feckin get over it.
Sorry for the long, off topic post, I appreciate most of you couldn’t give flying fig about them or the press, but I have found this story fascinating since Phil, along with Rangers Tax Case, was breaking it, and how the press don’t want to touch it, which is one of Phil’s main pillars, is certainly curious to say the very least.
elcormaco,
Good stuff again…..
Canny argue with that Elc… Well put.
The will always out itself just a matter of time.
Too many folk involved with talking about the Ibrox implosion with way too many agendas flying to make sense of it now so I just ignore the bulk of it now.
It died,they deny it died,the press want to perpetuate the myth it never happened? That’s it.
I moved on.
Meanwhile back at planet Celtic I await the next signing…
truth’ ffs
Ralph, you need to pre-warn before the next funny line in the diary,I burst out laughing about the evening times quote…that is was not written by them…fantastic diary today, well played!!
Spice Girls reunion?
Woof!
I don’t know about anybody else, but I would shag the three of them!
You know the dugs got a big pair a baws right? 🙂
Does it?
Maybe not the three of them then….
No coz THAT would be wrong eh.
caption guess which one is the natural blonde
if susan disnae comment it will be the first time ever a lassie dsnae want to commet on other lassies cmon susan you know you want to
Caption,
The three (daw)bears wonder how much that collar could ‘fetch’.
I’ll get my coat.
HH
I told you not to let your sister drink last night. She’s rough as a bloody dog!
Caption,
Dog on the left.. ‘I feel a bit ruff’
No more loan signings!!!!
Ronny IN
HH
Caption: Bitch donny tell me how to do my hair!
Caption:
That an Afghan?
Naw, it’s a cappucino
Or
“Between me, you and the dug I don’t believe for one minute that Ralph knew how to spell Mac..Maggeeol…Maggsjowila..aw fuck it, that guy Phil’s second name”
Caption “And anyway I hate the bitch, don’t much like that dog either.”
Elcormaco excellent post. I have no problem with Rangers fans loving (grieving for their club.) Speirs is Ok most of the time.
Susan please please don’t let the neanderthals win, come back Celtic sister.
Can I just make a fulsome apology to Basquecelt in particular but also to everyone at, on and reading the best Celtic fans’, supporters’ and dreamers’ site on the world wide web.
I was brought up with three elder brothers and nothing that has ever been said to me from whatever source could possibly rival what they used to say to me.
Yesterday in their words they pointed out ,‘if you don’t stop acting like a wee downtrodden fart of a lassie, we won’t let you come to karate training with us again’. I’ve actually paraphrased that and removed the expletives and anatomical references in particular the one about to ‘ripping me a third wan’
Anyway, I did needlessly take the cream puff and I feel ashamed that I didn’t just respond in the way that I would have with Pat, Mick and the Irishman (my collective nickname for my bros…..obviously it came from me constantly telling them when they upset me that they were all a ****** joke)
So sorry again and anyway I really missed the caption competition.
Just came on so now time to have a think about the picture….(although I must admit that the winner has got to be Jessica Rose…..that summed up exactly what two blondes and a dug would chat about)
HH
Sue
Welcome back Sue
HH
Or
So the next round involves sticking objects up your dugs arse, would you prefer I start with one of these brushes or my flask?
A dog with mutton and lamb
Caption …..
Finalists in the Agnetha Faltskog body double competition await decision.
HH
Sue
Caption
Channel 5 begins rehearsals for remake of ‘Roots’
HH
Sue
Caption
Kinning Park Tanning salon under Investigation into potential effects of new sunlamps
HH
Sue
Caption,
Bookmakers close the book on Miss Ayrshire 2016 final after a coffee drinking contestant appears to be massive odds on favourite.
COYBIG
Sue three older sisters, believe me 3 brothers would have been wee buns.
Really impressed with the support we have for Sunday, pretty nearly sold out. Went into the ticket office yesterday with it bucketing down and the Tims kept coming even as late as this I don’t go for “Celtic don’t do well in semis,” we have won the most cups, or “Celtic struggle against teams from the North view.” If we are good enough we will win and we are good enough and we will win. The one that i hate is the “Super Caley go balistic” nonsense, until last year’s cup final it was their “67” moment. I was there and maybe, just maybe, I could be generous to a club that says;”you know we once beat Celtic at their ground.”
What do the Statistics say about how many times we have beaten ICT since that “historic” night? Yet the commentators trot it out as if it has some bearing on the current game x years later It was historic for us too, we got beaten by a team from a lower league that hadn’t existed a few years before, that could happen at Ibrox the season after next or sometime in the future.
Caption……(not sure about this one……the eldest has just said I’ve got no way out of it)…
.
.
.
I am seriously not sure about this one
.
.
He is now urine soaked in the corner….’Hit Enter, Hite enter Sue FFS)
.
.
.
Here we go then….
Caption…..
.
.
,
“Kelly Maloney shows off the advantage of Doggy’s fashion.”
.
.
HH
Sue
Has anyone got anything on story on Scot Allan?☘☘☘
Yeah, have you not heard?
He said no to The Huns and signed for Celtic!!
Shhh, Monti, It was a serious question to the more enlightened on ETims.
I have seen to references to him wanting out but just wondered if it is paper talk.☘☘☘
utter utter nonsense
A bit like Dan’s I.Q. test result….
Isn’t it ironic that Dan is wondering about ” paper talk” while suggesting that some don’t like Deila because of what is written in the MSM?
Ho ho ho…..
i dont like deila because he has failed to reach the ucl group stages 3 times in 2 seasons, and also was in charge over the worst group stage attempt in europe by any celtic team in the history of the club.. he signs loan players for fun even though he promised not too and we play some of the most boring side to side football i have ever seen more often than we play well… but hey, we might win the scottish league cup again so lets give him an extended contract and 75 million to spend
Dan,
You posted a question asking if ANYONE had heard anything about Scott Allan.
Therefore expect ANYONE to reply……
You seem to take great pleasure in responding to anything I post…
So stick your Sshhhh up your arse Bawsac!
ive had zombies at work telling me how there brothers cousins unlces dog heard he wants to play for them… yeah sure, he would of ran down his contract for 6 months and signed for free!! why would he not do that iasked them…? and then i answered my own question straight away stating… because the team he supported as a boy are dead and your club are a shambles
No insider knowledge Bgbhoy? ☘☘☘
It was a serious question Monti , but you chose to take it down the usual mocking route. By the way it was not in The MSM but two Celtic sites so my view of MSM remains the same. Your responses on here place you in the same category as Andy Goram or is that Two Andy Gorams?☘☘☘
ma first and only lame attempt at the caption section Viz – ah mean E tims:
‘…so ah says to ma personal trainer ….ah may be a dug but am a Celtic dug…hence ah was brought up on Winalot’
BOOM.
caption
(dog) oh you two girls are refreshing. the last intelligent blonde i ran into was a labtador
Is the dog saying :
If you two had sang into the microphones instead of brushes we would have won Britain’s got talent. feckin dumb blondes
caption
ibrox cheerleaders get involved in club celebrations of the news that sevco will be competing at this years crufts
CAPTION
There’s only one blonde growler between the three of them.