Didn’t take him long, did it ?
Manager Brendan Rodgers says he is building up a dossier on referees north of the border. We’ve seen some of it.
Section 2: Good Referees:
Simply by letting it be known he’s keeping an eye on them may lead to less of the honest mistakes we have come to expect, one of which occured on Sunday when Hearts got a penalty when Jamie Walker spun around as if shot by someone in the stand-could happen, it’s Tynecastle-and fooled-or so he said later-referee John Beaton.
Rodgers explained..
“We study the referee. We look at the last 35 games of the ref and his form going into games. Does he give particular cards at a high level or not? Everything’s in there.”
Such as what school he went to, whether or not he has a surname as a first name, and , ost importantly, did he train as a referee with the SFA.
Last ones a giveaway every time.
It’s not actually as paranoid as it sounds. It’s all about preparation;
“It’s not homework but the players are given a document on the opponent. Everything is in there about the player they are playing against.
“We look at the offensive organisation of the opponent and the same defensively. So we study the opponent in depth.
“But then it is the choice of the player to read it. It’s never forced on to them.
“All of them will take away a document that will allow them to be 100 per cent prepared for the game.
“Some will read every letter on there. Some, I’m sure, will set it down after 10 seconds and not look at it again. But that is life.
“It’s about us knowing as a staff we have done absolutely everything for the players to gain that extra one per cent.
“Then they don’t have any excuses. Creating that no-excuse environment is very important.”
Suddenly, Celtic appear to have gone all professional, and we can already see the difference on the park.
As the media are anticipating the upcoming game with “rangers”, which is marketed as the salvation of Scottish football, has Rodgers seen anything in the Ibrox team to cause him concern ?
Doesn’t look like it.
The aftermath of the Hearts game, which was a great opener and sets us up for a great season, has led to one or two of the more controversial incidents being dealt with.
Jamie Walker, the cheating little shit who fell over when he thought someone might tackle him is to be investigated by the SFA..
Scottish FA compliance officer Tony McGlennan is weighing up whether to take action against Hearts playmaker Jamie Walker following Sunday’s controversial penalty incident.
McGlennan is planning to review footage of the 36th minute talking point before deciding if there is enough evidence to charge Walker with a breach of Disciplinary Rule 201, ‘causing a match official to make an incorrect decision by committing an act of simulation’.
The police are to investigate the fresh air swipe at Scott Sinclair by a Hearts fan after the new man scored.
‘Police in Edinburgh are investigating after a supporter attempted to confront a Celtic player within Tynecastle Stadium on Sunday 7th August.’
They are hot on his heels…
‘Hearts is aware of an alleged incident following a goal scored by Scott Sinclair during the Celtic match at Tynecastle on Sunday 7th August.
‘The club have been in discussion with Police Scotland and this matter is now the subject of a criminal investigation.
The club will work with the police and share all relevant information as necessary.
I can help…
Thats a quite terse and welcome statement, to be fair, although surely it “Hearts are aware.”.. and not is ?
No mention of the guy who tried to nick his shirt, though.
Sinclair seems more relieved than anything else to finally be at Celtic-the talk is that Villa didn;t want to let him go, but he had set his heart on a move north. Especially after a chat with former hoops favourite Stilian Petrov…
“Most players know about Celtic It is a massive club and they have probably got one of the most passionate sets of fans in football.
“I spoke to Stan before I came here, asked him questions and he basically told me you will never experience the atmosphere and what the fans are like (elsewhere).
“He thought it would be great for me to get my football back on track.
“He didn’t really give me a direct leave or stay but was basically talking about the club and his experiences.
“He said if I was going to play at Aston Villa then it is my decision.
“It is for me to enjoy the football again, the passion and desire.
“You saw that when I came on and sprinted from my half to get on to the ball (and score) and that’s what I want to bring back, the excitement of playing.”
“We have that relationship where he lets me go and express myself,” said Sinclair.
“The manager knows what I bring, I know what to expect from him and that’s why he led me to this club. I just want to enjoy my football again.
“I worked under him at 16 at Chelsea, coming from Bristol Rovers, and I played under him at Swansea and that was my best football which led me on to sign for Manchester City.
“When I look back now, two or three years, the football hasn’t been great for me and I just wanted to be at a club, enjoying it and playing for a manager who knows me and gives the confidence to go and play freely.
Two more signings this week ?
So we hear, one is Paddy McNair, a defensive midfielder, the other is Michel Vorm, a goalkeeper currently at Tottenham.
Then there’s Jason Denaayer, the badly spelt Belgian who is unhappy with his lot at Manchester City, who has been linked with a return to Celtic by people who don;t know any better.
Steven Davis of Southampton has also been mentioned, as a sort of deflection as its really Alan MacGregor who is on the radar. The idea is that if Craig Gordon hears we are after him, the shock of finding out will spur him on to greater performances, because lets face it, if thats who someone reckons is better than you, you need to take a good look at yourself.
On the way out, to Rotherham could be forgotten man Darnell Fisher, as Alan Stubbs continues to raid the reserves at Lennoxtown and save a fortune on his player budget.
As with Scott Allan, a loan move has been mentioned, which would probably suit everyone at this stage.
With all of these arrivals, we can be sure that there will be some more leaving. although we all have our own opinions on who should go, and who should go quickly, we’ll try to deal with what we hear, as opposed to what we want.
James Forrest, as we said last week, will sign with the club again. already much improved under Rodgers, we can only hope that this time the contract isn’t snatched from under his nose before he gets a chance to sign it. From where I’m sitting, if Rodgers does get his way here, then Lawwell is certainly no longer in control of team affairs, and that is a significant and welcome change.
Meanwhile, a little peculiarity has cropped up on twitter…
Have a look at this..
When the new club were beging Mike Ashley for a few quid to tide them over until, well, whenever, they had to put forward some security…and according to this, they offered as security, something they don’t actually own.
The now defunct “Oldfirm trademark is listed as owned by Celtic and Rangers plc, who are currently in liquidation, and therefore its an asset that would be in the hands of liquidators BDO.
Isn’t that fraudulent ?
I wonder of someone at Celtic, who have a duty to protect the assets of the club and its shareholders, is willing to ask the question.
I also wonder of someone reading this, a shareholder or two, is willing to ask Celtic the question.
Just to clear things up, as it wouldn’t do to have any misunderstandings here. after all, to paraphrase Shakespeare, theres no chance there could be any wrongdoings, as Dave King is an honourable man…
Celtic and Rangers took control of the term back in 1998.. so it seems, and Rangers are currently in the process of liquidation, with a new club using their assets to try to make a name for themselves.
I think this needs to be looked at. Unless , of course, its all above board and anyone can use the term “OldFirm ” as an asset to get a secured loan….
don’t forget, had they defaulted, that would mean that Ashley would own something that Celtic part owned, despite having had no part in the deal, or did they give permission for a few quid in the old back bins ?
Questions need to be asked, and questions need to be answered.
If you are out and about in the merchant city today, and its busy, the Olympic games fanzone has plenty of space if you need to sit down. for some reason, it hasn’t taken off yet, and organisers could use a bit of, well, support..
If you think thats bizarre, have a read of this…
...But Rangers, too, should be reprimanded for the significant role their supporters played in the disgraceful events which marred the end of what had up until that point been a classic Scottish Cup final.
The Ibrox club appears to be suffering from a serious bout of selective amnesia about what took place in Mount Florida on Saturday, May 21.
In a statement released on their official website Friday night they expressed hope the SFA would “remember vividly what actually occurred” and added that “Hibernian fans were allowed to invade the field of play and attack Rangers players and staff, who were offered little protection”.
That was fair enough. But only in as far as it went. What Rangers omitted to mention themselves, and not for the first time either, is that their own fans also engaged in some truly horrifying acts of brutality. During the course of the game there were also incidences of sectarian singing and flares were set off.
As Edward Bowen QC wrote: “When the pitch invasion occurred the overwhelming majority of Rangers supporters behaved properly and many simply left the stadium. A small number allowed themselves to be taunted by the Hibs fans to the point of invading the pitch for the purpose of physical confrontation.”
Please, spare me this utter drivel about these brave warriors taking to the field with the intention of gallantly protecting the players. Their team had long before left the field when they willingly became involved in the unrest. The likes of Wes Foderingham, Andy Halliday, Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace were nowhere to be seen.
The provocation they experienced, while extreme, was no excuse, none whatsoever, for the acts of barbarism they engaged in. I, along with many others inside the stadium, was genuinely concerned for the safety of those they set about. Custodial sentences may well be forthcoming against the individuals involved. So should sporting penalties against the club.
David Martin, Rangers head of security, has written letters to all of those fans arrested at the cup final informing them they have brought the Ibrox club into disrepute and are banned from attending both home and away matches. They have also been told their season tickets will be forfeited and no compensation paid. That hardline stance should be warmly applauded.
But it will not absolve the Ladbrokes Premiership club from further censure from the judicial panel. Nor should it. Rule 28 of the competition rules clearly states, unlike in the senior leagues in Scotland, that “clubs are responsible for the behaviour of their players, officials, members and supporters”.
Rangers will, then, have to accept whatever retribution is meted out to them. They can have little cause to complain when it is.
and I follow it with an urgent and heartfelt appeal…
Oh, you’ll need a picture…
Either someone has kidnapped him and has forced him to write that article at gunpoint, or Matthew Lindsay, Herald journalist, has undergone an operation which has seen a large pair of testicles placed between his legs.
Well done, Matt. Seriously. you’ve said what needed to be said.
Not like your pal, Chris “Union “Jack, who is still towing the party line..
IT has been the taboo topic for seasons now but the point will be proven in the Premiership over the next few weeks, months and years.
Scottish football and our top league needs Rangers. It has been the elephant in the room but now the Glasgow giant is back where our game needs it.
Clubs up and down the country benefitted from the Gers when they came to town on ‘The Journey’ and now they are a welcome addition to the Premiership once again.
In the top flight, some clubs have impressed in the league and lifted silverware. They were deserved triumphs, memorable days for those involved and they should inspire players and managers to strive for success this season and beyond.
( Can anyone else hear the theme from the Dambusters playing, whilst Jack, sitting below his picture of Winston Churchill, types away furiously ? )
But there is no question that the product overall, not in every case, has diminished in the seasons that Rangers have been making their way back from the Third Division. It contributed to the malaise that has set in here.
SPFL chief Neil Doncaster has spent recent weeks talking up the new campaign and now he has a ‘box office’ product to sell. With four Old Firm games ahead, people from outside these shores will look in with interest once again.
For four years, we have hyped up a title battle that was more handbags than a fight to finish. It has been a phoney war where the winner was known before a ball was kicked.
Celtic may well go on and make it six-in-a-row this season, but hopefully Brendan Rodgers and his players will have to work for it this time out. The last thing Scottish football needs is another canter to the finishing line and a one-horse race…..
……But now we have normality restored in the Premiership and hopefully a title battle to match some of the great head-to-heads of yesteryear. After four low-key seasons at the top end, it would be more than welcomed.
Presumably Union hasn’t seen his team play yet…
And “normality “-it’s strange that this man, who is clearly as far away from normality as it is possible to get without being given a room with carpets on the wall, should use this word- is not what we have.
What we have is a desperate attempt to excuse the greatest scandal in footballing history, and pretend nothing happened.
It must not be allowed, and trust me, the battle isn’t over yet.
Yesterdays caption competition seemed to have the general consesnus that this..
was some radical form of kettling to be introduced by Police Scotland at football matches. so there were plenty of winners yesterday, but can someone forge ahead of the pack today, with this rare colour photo ?
Is mcnair a player we need? Scott browns doing a great job in defensive mid so why do we need to play another one beside him. Would rather see henderson given the chance , he is ready
Good point, but as good as Scott is, he is suffering with tendinitis of his hamstrings and cover will be needed and can McNair be extra cover who can learn from the Captain?
According to talk sport m8 Davie Moyes has now came in for him to hijack the Celtic deal.
He is far better than Henderson m8. He would be a great addition.Last night Celtic were confident of getting him,but it seems Moyes has came in at the last minute.
Still hopefull champions league will be the key to getting him.
great shout delbhoy
Brown will get cricked sooner or later. And anyway in the meantime he needs the competition. And then there’s away games in Europe with tight defense and counterattacking – ergo we need McNair.
I’ve nae intrest in aw that caption palaver, but I’ll tell yi whut that above “diary” is why ah hink E Tim’s is the best Celtic site oot there, (and there are a couple of crackers) so… HAIL HAIL Ralph, dunno how yi do it. MON THE HOOPS!
The carpet isn’t big enough to sweep, the facts that Rangers were liquidated, under it.
Caption: Lee Wallace is finally laid to rest.
In response to the colour photo:- ‘Come on King, how was I to know that when you told me to sweep our dust under the carpet, it would create a mountain outside my backdoor?’
Caption
We’ve had the Celtic Way now over at Hampden the finishing touches are added to the SFA Way brought to you in association with the SMSM
The root and branch reform of Scottish football gets underway at last
I often use the term Old & Firm – sometimes in reference to Big Mac’s reaction to photos of Helen Flanagan.
Caption: McCoist reacts to Ali Crawfords goal at Ibrokes
Welcome to the land where the biggest sporting crime of all time was swept under the carpet “THEY THINK”
As the search for ‘the warchest’ goes on and on and on…… hh
Caption..
So the mythical floating pitch is real after all.
Dermot Desmond finally starts looking for the wanyama cash beside a heated driveway
Sir David Murray’s floating pitch comes back to earth with a mighty crash.
ah, this is where the SFA have swept the EBT paperwork!
Caption
The glib and shameless one desperately looks for his ibrox war chest in his south African retreat.
” I’m sure I left it under here?”
Caption, Tom Rogic,gets ready to take his penalty.
PMSL!
Caption
Still can’t find King’s £30 million
HH
Caption:
The original floating pitch which inspired Davie Murray to consider installing one at owebrox!
Caption…”Joey Barton still looking for where the ball went.”
HH
Sue
Surely Nir Bitton is ideal for the deep lying midfield role, his range of passing should be perfect for releasing Sinclair, Forrest and Roberts in wide areas
Re the allegedly fraudulent trademark, surely Mike Ashley would wish to know if he had been conned into parting with his cash by way of a glib and shameless lie.
Anyone got a line to Big Mhick?
Could someone put up the video of Jim White, live on SSN that told the world ” Rangers have gone into administration”?
Was just a happy day!
I’ll tell you a better day would be if you did one.
ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Bob, I’ve no dog in this fight between you & M. But pal your comin across as an aggrieved teenager that’s been chucked. Get back to commenting on the Tic rather than focusing upon some slight real or imagined against yi. In other words… grow up.
Say it as it is BondiBrian.ok pal point taken thought I had a point though.
Nice one Bob. MON THE HOOPS !!!!!!!!!!!!
caption i see the morbidly obese jim traynors exessive wind problem has not been cured
after mcglennons probe they will bring back hanging ………for kiera n teirney
ralph can you no gie us any more information aboot were the battle is the noo mate
caption ‘The Rangers new floating pitch goes tits up’
See your point guys but hes not our player i would rather see us develop henderson who is our own and if you rrmember was a first team player under lennon, played for rosenberg and done well, also at hibs. He has served his apprenticeship and deserves his chance
Del,
Totally agree, or agree totally.
He more than deserves a chance. If we let him go, in a couple of years we shall regret it.
Rebus
not good enough do you think the likes of Henderson will take us forward,we need far far better than him to compete in Europa.How about playing Eric in the middle,good engine strong /technically ok.
John,
I thought he was impressive when Lennon brought him into the team at the tail end of the season. Good engine, strong tackler and an eye for a pass. Since then he has been sent out on loan a couple of times and has done well.
Our future is going to be partially dependent on bringing players through the youth system. Why else would we have one?
Now i have not seen him in training, perhaps you have. There may be something that BR has seen that has convinced him he is not a starter. I judt do not know. But on the basis of what I have seen, he looks like a player who could develop into an exceptional talent.
We can not always buy better. We are not Man City etc.
Regards,
Rebus
Just been watching the game at the end of the season against motherwell and rogic was sublime in midfield setting up chances and scoring
Caption: Fir Park surface ready for new season.
Does anyone think the guy who went for Scott Sinclair looks a wee bit like Deila?
Caption!the bouffant,s roots are showing.caption! Aussie colloquialism,the Huns are rooted.(look it up)HH
Kilmarnock claim pitch is world class for game against Celtic
Caption: Charles Green and Craig Whyte have the bodies removed before Ally McCoist reveals where they are buried to Level 5.
Caption: Brendan Rogers instigates his new tactic to lessen the chances of Celtic conceding from corner kicks.
Corners one a winner for me!
Brilliant
HH
a 4 year deal for forrest would mean a a benefit game for 10 years service would it not? sure all the hair stylists in our support will be spewing? maybe the monies raised from the game can go to funding under privileged kids to get haircuts in ayrshire???
Bgbhoy would the money not be better spent in buying the kids tickets out of ayrshire?
not a better place to be than walking through ayr wearing nothing but a smile on your face after the correct result
Dirty, Dirty Bhoy,get yer claes on.Its baltic in Ayr.
I just can’t get enough!
Haha what a carry on about the boys hair , who gives a fuck what style it is , in the last few games he has put in more of a shift than anyone by starting the pressing from the front , and scored a goal.
Delbhoy,
I think James is going to have a great season this year, i have total faith in him.
Rodgers will get him playing…..
That he will.
Caption ‘ the zombies have risen Again, team handed’
Happy that we are looking at Vorm, could give Gordon palpitations, has made too many errors recently.
McNair would be a good addition, also pleased that Jamsie is getting an extension, too many fans badmouthing him, but he can turn a game with his movement.
The joy of watching the presen manager is he believes in moving the ball forward quickly unlike previous that liked pass the ball back. Still we are better off with Rogic in the team, he adds strength.
Shocked at Lindsay’s article, normally sevco and magic hat can do no wrong.
Hampden park has been relayed again 3 days b4 showpiece final and sfa say it’s ready to b played on
STV Breaking news:The Rangers football club* announce new playing surface ready for the big kick off.
Other news:Residents in the Ibrox area of Glasgow baffled by the disappearance of their lawns.
Sad to see that Commons has not been included for the C.L squad,it seems to suggest that his days like Mulgrews are numbered.The common link being,that the disunity is being remembered and acted on.
McNair and Vorm would be welcome additions,however Henderson and Christie are young yet and it seems to suggest that they are not being considered yet for the first team,hopefully there time will come.
We have to recognise that Brendan has a big responsibility to win title no 6 and that he lives or falls by his decisions.
His proffessionlism is superb and the Dossier on refs. is a reminder of that.We are lucky to have him.
Young Fisher I always liked but is he good enough for the first team,not yet methinks.Hope he does well with Allan at Rotherham.
Good things hopefully look like happening.In Brendan we trust.H.H.
Is it wednesday yet, can’t wait for Celtic games to come round now, last season it was getting to the stage i wasn’t bothered.
Real positive energy about the place again, word of advice to the board tho….do not let the momentum go….
Monti got to agree m8, taking the grandson last season it was even hard to get him to go, But now he can’t wait for match day to come round again. And for all the media out there it’s not because they are back,but because we have a manager we trust. Also sitting near to the green brigade he loves it,and usually ends up in it,with his big Cousin.
Not once as he mentioned the games with them, I won’t be going to them,but he will. I couldn’t farce playing them again,they just make me sick to the stomach.
But hopefully we will wipe the floor with them.
Onwards to Victory.
Monti do you think there will be a few changes tomorrow or just kick on with the same side. I reckon with griff being out dembele will lead the line with sinclair and forrest either side , possibly rogic behind dembele
Delbhoy,
A few changes i think, maybe put Ciftci up front with Dembele.
Sinclair and Forrest out wide in a 4-4-2
The mighty ‘Gers, will leave no turf unturned in their search for players!
Delbhoy, would it be better to make sure we give them another full 90 mins,they can rest up then at the weekend. It’s still early pre season,so I would hope full strength.
But in Brendan we trust.
Cifti straight choice for griff.
Gordon
Lustig Toure OConnell Tierney
Forrest Brown Armstrong Sinclair
Cifti Dembele.
Caption Peter has to dig up his heated driveway as the Brendan revolution blows in.
Caption….
A lawn gets all uppity after hearing Lee Wallace and grass in the same sentence.
Big Toures slide tackle shows the limitations of the tynecastle pitch
Hearts, short for Heart of Midlothian FC, third person singular, so “Hearts is” is actually correct. 🙂
On serious matters, can’t wait for tomorrow and can’t remember the last time I said that about a midweek league cup fixture. COYBIG!!!
Jimmy your right , important to get ready for europe. Im not that keen on 442 to be honest , i think especially in europe most teams are deploying a midfield 3 and we will be a man short in there
Delbhoy to be honest m8 I just put the strongest players we have in there. The formation I leave to Brendan,he will prob change it anyway after 20 mins lol.
This event turned me and probably so many more youths like me into republicans overnight. A murderous act once more by the British government,which turned peaceful men women and children,into freedom fighters.
On Monday 9th of August 1971 Interment Without Trial was introduced by the British Government in the North of Ireland. This policy was implemented by the British Army at 4am on that particular summer morning. The British Army directed the campaign against the predominately Catholic community with the stated aim to “shock and stun the civilian population”.
Between 9th and 11th of August 1971, over 600 British soldiers entered the Ballymurphy area of West Belfast, raiding homes and rounding up men. Many, both young and old, were shot and beaten as they were dragged from their homes without reason. During this 3 day period 11 people were brutally murdered.
All 11 unarmed civilians were murdered by the British Army’s Parachute Regiment. One of the victims was a well known parish priest and another was a 45 year old mother of eight children. No investigations were carried out and no member of the British Army was held to account.
It is believed that some of the soldiers involved in Ballymurphy went on to Derry some months later where similar events occurred. Had those involved in Ballymurphy been held to account, the events of Bloody Sunday may not have happened.
The terrible events which took place in Ballymurphy in 1971 have for too long remained in the shadows. Here we, the families of those murdered, put the spotlight on how 11 innocent people met their deaths over a three day period in August 1971.
The Ballymurphy Massacre Families propose the appointment of an Independent Panel to examine all documents relating to the context, circumstances and aftermath of the deaths of their loved ones. Its focus would include: the investigation of the role of the British Government, British Army, criminal justice agencies such as the RUC, DPP, the Coroner’s Office and the significance of the media. The panel’s work would reflect the terms of reference of the British Government-funded work of the Hillsborough Independent Panel.
Six civilians were shot on 9 August, these were:
Francis Quinn (19), shot by a sniper (who had taken position at the nearby army base) while going to the aid of a wounded man.
Hugh Mullan (38), a Catholic priest, shot by a sniper while going to the aid of a wounded man.
Joan Connolly (50), shot as she stood opposite the army base.
Daniel Teggart (44), was shot fourteen times. Most of the bullets allegedly entered his back as he lay injured on the ground.
Noel Phillips (20), shot as he stood opposite the army base.
Joseph Murphy (41), shot as he stood opposite the army base.
One civilian was shot on 10 August, and another four were shot on 11 August, these were:
Edward Doherty (28), shot while walking along Whiterock Road.
John Laverty (20) and Joseph Corr (43) were shot at separate points at the Top of the Whiterock Road. Laverty was shot twice, once in the back and once in the back of the leg. Corr was shot multiple times and died of his injuries on 27 August.
John McKerr (49), shot by unknown attackers while standing outside the Roman Catholic church, died of his injuries on 20 August.
Paddy McCarthy (44) got into a confrontation with a group of soldiers. One of them put an empty gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. McCarthy suffered a heart-attack and died shortly thereafter
Ballymurphy Massacre Campaign for Truth and Justice: http://www.ballymurphymassacre.com/cms/massacre/