All thoughts now turn to Thursday and possible progression in the Europa League.
what was initially viewed as a fairly uninspring grou has actually allowed us to see two fine teams in action, and if Celtic were to fail to progress, it would be no shame.
However, with one point required from the last home game, albeit against a team that made last years semi final and did that by not dropping any points in the group stage, it won;t be as easy as perhaps one or two of us think.
Seriously, who would have thought we’d be sitting here now anticipating what could well be a night to remeber, having already had a couple of those in this campaign.
And who hasn’t thought that if we do get through this group, we have a better than average chance of a decent run after Christmas ?
The evolution of the side this season has been a refreshing change from the sometimes dour football on show over the last year, and the new look Celtic could well be about to make their mark on a bigger stage.
John Hartson, in the Evening Times, seems to think that the new kids on the block can keep progressing, without Scott Brown, beginning against Salzburg…
Brown, and this is with every respect to a fantastic Celt, probably won’t be needed this Thursday for what is a huge match, one of the biggest this season, when Red Bull Salzburg come to Glasgow.
Since he got injured, his team have recorded eight wins, two draws, lots of goals, exhilarating football, a second spot at in their Europa League group and now top of the league with a game in hand and a few points to spare. Plus the first trophy of the season.
Brown has come back into the squad but all of this has, more or less, been won without the player of the year, the club’s longest serving man and rock of Rodger’s Celtic.
Before he got injured, and I said as much in this column, I would have had Brown in my team for every big game. So, too, would the manager.
But I don’t think Brown will start against Salzburg on Thursday night, a game he was born to play in.
He probably won’t start, but to say he won’t be needed is nonsense.
Should Celtic get into a lead, and you’d hope that after an hour or so , that would be the case, Brown would be just the man to come on and keep heads cool and close out the match. One thing he does do, often unnoticed, is break down opposition moves, and Salzburg will have plenty of them.
I’m heading up for the game, although a detour to Stirling is planned for lunchtime, so if anyone knows of a suitable establishment in Stirling, let me know.
One that purveys fine food and maybe refreshing drinks.
Well, the food isn’t overly important.
Former SPFL chief Roger Mitchell gave the Sun an excuse to laugh at those of us who consider Resolution 12 and the consequential search for justice, honesty and transparency in our game to be important.
Mitchell, who was at the SPFL during the cheating years, claimed that we should all move on and take the higher moral ground instead of harping on about actually finding out what happened, who was involved and punishing them accordingly.
Ex-SPL chief Roger Mitchell urges Celtic fans to stop Rangers ‘obsession’ as he claims Ibrox club is ‘hated’
The former top flight chief executive argued that Hoops supporters should put their ‘obsession’ with Rangers’ financial ‘armageddon’ in 2012 behind them
Mitchell may have his own reasons for his thoughts, and it would be wrong for me to speculate that he was implicated in the biggest scandal in sporting history, and neither should you.
He said, as you may recall..
“Since ‘Armageddon’ I’ve been relatively ambivalent about Rangers.
“Been openly a ‘move on’ guy, but still love to see them struggle, like today. So many bhoys are clearly obsessed by them. I mean obsessed.
“Their name, complex insolvency law, Res12, no Old Firm exists.
“Just concentrate on your own team and identity. Don’t define yourself in relation to others, especially when they are so far behind you.
“Take the moral high ground. Don’t drop back to a lower level. But no, every critical statement about Celtic needs a whitabootery defence.
“It’s so weak. If I criticize Celtic management over x, y, z, push back and say I’m wrong, ideally with rational debate.
“Don’t say they were worse. And don’t say I must be one of ‘them’. It’s pathetic honestly.”
Lets assume he had no part in any of it, and no knowledge of any wrong doing.
Yet during his time at the SPFL, 1998-2002, one or two things happened..
1999: Rangers open a discounted option scheme (DOS) specifically for payments to Tore Andre Flo and Ronald de Boer.
2001: Rangers begin making payments through an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), which was set up by Murray International Holdings (MIH).
2002: Sir David Murray quits as Rangers chairman but continues as owner.
Was anything else happening round about then ?
From this site, September 14 , 2018..
“ The Tax Liability
7. Between 1999 and 2003 the Club entered into an arrangement with some of its players providing that their salaries would be paid through a purportedly discretionary scheme thereby seeking to avoid liability for PAYE and NIC. There were two schemes in operation, the DOS and an Employee Benefits Trust Scheme.
8. The DOS was utilised by two players Mr Ronald de Boer and Mr Tore Andre Flo. The discretionary nature of this scheme was illusory. The Club provided side letters to the players dated 30 August 2000 and 23 November 2000 respectively identifying precisely when and how much would be paid through the Scheme. The payments to these players were not discretionary and payments were accordingly liable for PAYE and NIC (the “Tax Liability”).
One can only conclude that Mitchell, in his role as SPFL chief, knew about this scheme.
Is that why he wants us all to move on ?
He has reacted to the Sun picking up the story…
WoW. A pub conversation makes news? Good foto though. They missed my best line. “Hatred corrodes the vessel which contains it”. @EntertainedAre @ttmygh
It doesn’t matter where the conversation takes place…it matters what was contained therein.
In the sun article, there is contained a response to those Celtic blogs which are “obsessed ” with the whole Ibrox scandal..from Mitchell,
“I agree. And then this. They keep badgering in these resolutions.
“Which the board continually ignore. Rightly so. Why don’t they get the message.”
Oh, i’m getting the message.
I’m getting a message that an awful lot of people are now starting to realise that it isn’t going away.
I can assure you that whether or not Celtic decide to come down off the fence or not, this issue is not going away.
All that is under consideration is which way to proceed, not whether or not to proceed.
You see, those responsible don’t want us to move on for the good of the game, they want us to move on so that they can finally pick up a newspaper or watch the television without that creeping and nagging little thought at the back of their minds that they might be the lead story.
They are, and only ever were, in it for themselves.
And one day, they will be the lead story.
And frankly, I care how deep it goes, the cancer must be removed..regardless of where the tumour has spread to…
Otherwise, it will keep coming back.
But then again, so will we.
As one reporter put it…
@alextomoFollowingFollowing @alextomo
More
Replying to @DFoy15 @MickMcCahill
Of course. Obviously they cheated. Obviously these titles are void. Is there anything to discuss?
A proper reporter, that is.
Meanwhile, spare a thought for an old foe…
Scottish referee appointed for @slavia_eng v Zenit in the #UEL
The poor sods.
And how the fuck did Dallas get a European game ?
BBC Radio Scotland had Kenny Clark on the show last night, and his job as a referee supervisor is to help the current crop become better at their jobs.
clearly, he’s not fit for purpose either, and it showed on the show.
You can probably find it on the iplayer or some other modern device, but what is immediately obvious is that the refereeing community is closing ranks in the face of unprecedented, yet justifiable, criticism of their abilities.
Clark, of course, is beyond reproach..courtesy of VideoCelts, we can see , two minutes in, perhaps why the referees are so bad, if he himself operated the particular tactic he referred to in this clip..
Is Clark just passing on his own philosophy ? Or do they hire people who don’t need any help with gaining the mindset of the referee community ?
Yesterday, we had this picture…
Gav December 11, 2018 at 3:39 am · Edit · Reply →
Caption: High-flying Puggy’s winning run in the caption competition crashes in spectacular fashion
Today…
caption: David Murray holds yard sale for items no longer required
Caption: The David Murray range, Winter collection available now.
MONTI,BGBHOY
Continuing the theme,are you two joined at the hip?
Caption: Domino’s Pizza vacancies
RALPH
I think a few games this season have shown that Broonie is at his best when teams are coming at us. He destroys anything that comes near him.
Unfortunately,the reverse is true when teams sit off us. He doesn’t seem able to get attacks moving,which Callum can do when he plays quarterback.
So the question for Brendan is,does he think Salzburg will come out looking for a victory to maintain that 100% record and give their pals a chance? I think they will. I’d play him from the start in that case.
Mitchell is an arse. He should know better than to speak to a journo in a pub.
Meanwhile,here’s an article on racism,for anyone who is interested.
https://sentinelcelts.com/2018/12/11/a-sterling-lesson/
As for Dallas this man(?) has already called me a Fenian b”””d, what chance do we have when he referee’s our games, although he did give us a penalty, which was not a penalty, then did not punnish the game for coming three feet of this line before the ball moved. Justice I suppose, but like father like son. He is a bigot!!
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/celtic-speed-towards-a-future-without-brown/
Scott Brown deserves the utmost respect and must be curated as a bona fide Celtic legend. However, the team is transforming before our very eyes. It’s a cruel sport. And the numbers have no feelings.
Billy’s Jeans, run for cover,
out all day in any weather,
Billy’s Jeans are not my lover,
I prefer the four leaf clover,
But who is the one, the one for Billy’s Jeans…
Troosers where’s yer Donald?
That has to win it.
How?
You could try the Portcullis Hotel, Castle Wynde in Stirling, 01786-472290. Mind you the last time I was in, Mary Queen of Scots was in residence in the castle..
No, Your thinking it was Mary’s Meals, on Wheels. 😉
Mitchell another well paid crook who should be jailed for his part of the criminal conspiracy of football in jockville!
Woooft
Try the Kilted Kangaroo, Port Street. Food’s not bad and good selection of beers. Otherwise Molly Malones in Maxwell Place, nearest thing to a Celtic bar left in Stirling.
Caption: Black Friday: Cowdenbeath
Caption: Larkhall sperm bank offers a selection of frozen jeans.
Nice one Gav D but your on my spot.
I assume betting’s been suspended on KOTW.
As long as Rodgers isn’t Rodgered then all will be well as the bard of Lochee used to sing.
Vinny’s Bar used to be the Celtic pub of choice in Stirling. I’m not sure if it still is but @celticbars should be able to advise.
Agree about Brown; we’ll probably need 14 players fully committed on Thursday.
caption: the new investors in the deadco make themselves known
– How you liking the invisibility cloak Hermaione?
– Get yer hand off mah tits!
Regarding Res 12. Why have the board been so unwilling to engage? When all is said and done, what level of responsibility can be feasibly aportioned to them, if eventually we see some form of resolve? Are we talking heads will roll? Its being mooted the board are well over considering the ramifications and have moved on long ago. As in, the whole res 12 movement is a moot point to them. Considering their collective mentality, being worried regarding sporting integrity doesn’t appear high on their agenda. In
Therefore, if the board are not considering any accountability, to what ends are we to be satisfied?
STB
Good question and perhaps the answer is so damaging not just around events in 2011 but the lengths the SFA and SPL/SPFL, which includes Celtic, have gone to in order to prevent the truth emerging that the only answer is no answer.
Folk can make up their own mind on what to do but there is no evidence sufficient supporters will walk away based on suspicion that the Board could confirm but for fear of the consequences.
I see the Gay’s are now all offended at the lyrics to ‘ A Fairytale of New York ‘?
Fucking hell what is going on in this fucking world?
” Cheap, lousy FAGGOTS “
Easy mary, you’ll break a fingernail
“The Gays”?
All of Munter’s sickening homophobia on here simply disguises a closet homosexuality from within him. Come out the closet my dear, you’ll feel a lot freer with the weight of concealing your secret identity lifted from your shoulders.
Ssshhhhhh fuckwit
More maturity from the site’s resident Mensa member and kiddy-on Irishman. What a wit you are. Making any more desperate pleas for tickets “fur ra big games innat, know?” you glory hunting, pretend rebel when posting drunk on a website airhead?
These jeans huvny a leg to stand on.
Kenny Clark epitomises the mind set in Scotland.
Anyone but Celtic.
A sad horrible individual making money out of cheating Celtic.
Take it away Axl, you’re one in a million!
SFA …no charges Hearts v Hibs as « didn’t stand up » Truly frightening level of incompetence.
Res.12. It looks like the Celtic board are not interested in pursuing the cheating, it seems like they have once again put profit before accountability. To me, a fraud was perpetrated when “Rangers” IL. lied to the SFA about their social taxes, (how much were the SFA involved? a lot I think, but proof of that must be shown), to gain a licence to play in the C.L. qualifiers, at the expense of Celtic. But the board aside, there are other avenues to be explored, my preference is to explore the avenues of law. But the people behind Res.12 will never let it drop. It says an awful lot that Mitchell is still concerned enough about it to raise the issue once again. Oh yes they want it to go away, but it aint going away any time soon, board or no board… Persistence will overcome Resistance. “Move on” No chance..
Mike,
If our board has been complicit in the Hun undead shuffling it’s way into the top division, the board must be forced out.
If Celtic football club is accepting cheating & our fans being fucked over, year after year after year, we must take action.
Sack the fucking board!
Monti,
It always amazes me, that a thing that should be so pure, like sport can be tarnished so much by the brush strokes of corruption. When I look back and think off the many different crooks that tried to get into and are in situ. at many different football clubs, it makes you sick. Of course in modern times the agent has become the latest pig to eat at the trough, paid so handsomely for doing so little, another scab on the back of many players. All sports have greedy pigs feeding at their troughs, the “yellow raven” being a case in point. So to me it is worth all the time and expense to try to retain some kind of sporting integrity, for what is sport, without it…..
Surprised your amazed Mike. Sport has been corrupt from the minute there was money in it. Sadly in Scotland you add in sectarianism and you have twice as many reasons for corruption.
Ps I always have, and stil do, suspect our board in some way complicit as suggested by its silence and inaction on Res 12
Macca and yet here we still are, that just show’s you the pull of Celtic. Playing in a corrupt game, surrounded by sectarianism, so what are we supposed to do? We try to change it for the better..
In one of his Tweets Mitchell says something along the lines of not reading material that had he made the effort, might better inform his opinion.
His defense re knowledge of ebts with side letters will be better than what worked for Ogilvie (who knew about both types of ebts but failed to correct LNS but has escaped censure) but now Roger has lifted the lid on the can of worms perhaps, out of self defense, he will look at material and then provide The Sun with an informed opinion.
Which is precisely the reason that they are still looking over their shoulders to see what’s coming up behind them. Can they sleep at night are their dreams interrupted by corrupt memories? One or two of them perhaps, perhaps Mitchell is one of the sleepless ones. So, it is very important in many different ways to maintain the pressure.
I always think back to the assassination of JFK and all the conspiracy theory’s. If one was true then we would have heard about it, how could so many peepil keep it quiet. Same with Res.12, one day someone will be forced or pressurised to spill the beans of truth, I hope that day comes soon…
Also, keep up your great works, never think that we undervalue your contribution to sporting integrity, we are extremely lucky to have you on our side…
Caption: Freddie Mercury & George Micheal do a Christmas special, one off!
My head tells me we’ll need to perform out of our skins and probably require a huge slice of luck (or 3) to get any sort of a result against Salzburg, but my old shamrock-shaped heart has already been looking at flights & hotels in Baku (really! around about May 29th 2019 .. We can but dream.
Caption: CarlJungleBhoy Snr & Jnr on the road to Baku. All troosers, nae mooth!
Dis ma bum look big in this,,
Shut up ya dafty yir invisible.
Caption……
It isn’t just the SFA that have frozen balls.
Caption…
Claude van dammes washing line
Caption: findley Where’s your troosers
That clip of Clarke is unbelievable! This guy is employed to improve refs? How does he define impartiality?
The attitudes displayed in that clip illustrate the institutional bias and idiocy that exists in the governance of Scottish football. A backward league governed by backward men.
Rebus
Caption:
2 spectre-Rangers supporters anchor themselves to the pavement.
PS: Woger`s a Wobber.
Caption:Dinnae buy these defective Ukrainian blue jeans? Why not? Because “Yur knob’ll fall oot…”
However, “troosers where’s your Donald…” Clear Winner!
Devoy,
Chernobyl fall oot?
Looking at the waist size on those jeas on tbe left….must be Weereds 🙂
“I’m telling ye, Invisible Billy boy, the greatest sports shop in St Enoch’s Skwerr had nae XXXXXL wans left. That’s how we’re tapless.”
Caption “ Rangers” practice for zonal marking, not everyone on message! Well here’s my 10 pence, play Broonie in Thursday because we have to stop Salzburg first and Jozo is a weaker link at the back than Boyata.So who drops out is the dilemma It can’t be Mc Gregor, 4 weeks ago it would have been Christie but not now, Sinclair I really like but he is a bit up and down however I can’t see anyone from Saturday’s team fitting in wide on the left. Let’s try another route, who could come off the bench and bring magic if we were 1-0 down and 20 minutes to go, Tom Rogic. So that is my take, Brown on for Rogic from the off but Brendan says he is not sentimental, mind you putting Broonie on wouldn’t feel sentimental to the Austrians.
Solution BJF?
Gordon
Lustig/Jozo/Benkovic/Tierney
Brown/Christie
Forrest/Rogic/McGregor
Edouard
subs to figure: Griffiths/Ntcham/Sinclair
1-1 draw bhoys go through
A tense match.
I still think Rosenborg will draw in Germany. Gut feeling.
Rub o’ the green.
A fit Broony will lead the Celts onto the field again.
But i dont think hes fit enough to start on Thursday. The supporters will be up for it from the start. The GB want our presence felt from the time the team comes along the Celtic way. Put pressure onto Red bull right away.
So we need a dynamic start. The team has to be
Gordon
Lustig Benkovic Jozo Tierney
Forrest Christie Rogic McGregor Sinclair
Edouard
In whatever formation Brendan chooses.
They are a cracking side but so are we.
3_2 The hoops. On another magical night in paradise though I’m stuck in London.
COYBIG
See May is over in Dublin the morra begging for Irish help. I would love it if Leo just said
Give us back our 6 counties then you will have your border.The fuckin Irish sea.
He’s practically a half back
I’m singing Tenor right along with you. Brown will have to change his game even Boyata has better distribution at the moment. I believe brown can change his game, but he will need to be fully fit over the winter break to make an impact on it. He might have to have a word with Izzy if he doesn’t change.
Singing tenor you say, oh dear his knickers are on far too tight, its cutting of his blood supply…
Times they are a changing Charlie Saiz HH
Maybe even tonight?
“We”?
Caption
What it’s like to be Half Cut coming home from a New Years party in a Scottish winter,” How come nae fast blacks are stoapin..Whit? Are weez feckin invisible or summat.”.
Caption: Stand free? You shower of sheep couldn’t fill a pair o’ jeans; forget aboot Hampden.
Try Molly Malones in Stirling,Ralph.Right good Tim pub.SMH
Decoy did think about this, it’s just Sinclair creates a lot of pressure with KT on the left. even if the finished product hasn’t been as good as the first season, but Salzburg could never relax!.
Celtic v Salzburg 4-2-3-1
Gordon
Lustig
Simunovic
Benkovic
Tierney
Ntcham
McGregor
Forrest
Rogic
Christie
Edouard
Ralph,
Nicky tams or port customs were my favourites when I used to go out drinking in Stirling.
There is a wethersppons and brewdog side side as well.
Punk IPA all day long CS.
Uralius,
It’s a bit strong that shit m8
Ralph, fuck Stirling – it’s shite. Go to Linlithgow. I’m going up from Brum and heading to Lithgae- 12 pubs in the night street? What’s no tae like! HH
Linlithgow is a shithole!
Naw it’s no! And don’t say aye it is cos it’s panto time
Oh yes it is 🙂
Linlithgow’s is for poofs, Stirling’s the only place to go, where men are men and so are wo-men..
High st – fuck this predictive shite
Just keep driving and go to Perth.
Uralius,
Or anywhere, even 🙂
Molly Malones 11 Maxwell place is good for a bite to eat and a beer or 2
Eat you say? Hmmmmmm nom nom
Only place in Stirling for a Celtic supporter VINNEY’s in the Raploch.
Vinney’s in the Raploch, WOW many’s the time I was dragged out of there, sometimes even kicking and screaming.
Thuggery, having met you on more than one occasion, this revelation of unruly behaviour does not surprise me.
Do you have ‘ THUG LIFE’ TATTOOED on your belly?
Remember the Raploch from my playing days, the locals on the touchline weren’t too complimentary on my tackling style.
It was an odd thing that the more hostile a place was the more comfortable i felt.
I would have loved playing at the rat pit 🙂