The Scottish Cup quarter final long weekend continues today, with Celtic in Edinburgh to face Hearts.
.
The game kicks off at 12.15.
This follows last night’s game, and is ahead of games tomorrow lunchtime and Monday night.
The SFA sure know how to sell a product.
Having said that, with at least two lower tier clubs in the semi finals, they’ll be praying that both Glasgow giants make it through to join them.
I’ve a feeling Robbie Neilson, the Hearts manager, could well explode on live television this afternoon. Whilst referees usually struggle to even give Celtic a level playing field, their wages probably depend on income from the tournament, and everyone needs to pay the bills.
I’ll be at work so it’s BBC Radio Scotland for me, where fortunately the presenters don;t have the integrity of their colleagues in England. North of the border they adhere to a strict agenda, and as we saw when Michael Stewart spoke his mind, solidarity flies out of the window.
The chaps at Sportsound don’t need any encouragement to toe the party line, as they were hand picked because they not only agree with company policy, they enthusiastically support it.
In England , though, they’re struggling to get anyone to turn up at the Match of the Day studio for tonight’s show, such is the support for Gary Lineker, who likened the language of the government to the language used by another right wing mob who were hell bent on destruction back in the thirties.
The bad news is there is no word from Michael McIntyre. Miranda Hart or Brendan O’Carroll that they will stop making shows for the BBC to support their colleagues.
for the BBC, there is some good news…. Gazza is on his way with some beer and a fishing rod.
Back at the ranch, and it’s been another quiet week for the squad, who are simply getting on with the job of preparing for the trip to Tynecastle.
This could prove to be the closest and most difficult game of the season, with an angry Neilson claiming all sorts of hurdles are being placed against him. Which of course, deflects from the injury sustained by Daezen Maeda when the Hearts keeper tried to take him out rather than concentrate on actually stopping the ball for the Celtic equaliser……
He’s moaned about pretty much everything he can think of this week, after his side were beaten comfortably by Celtic despite altering their style slightly, perhaps because he felt the changes in the Celtic line up meant he had half a chance of getting something.
That was his best shot last week, and it seems to have upset him that his charges were well and truly beaten.
Still, his bubbly personality and effervescent charm should lift them for todays game….
Celtic stories, as ever, have filled the papers, with the usual Postecoglou wanted in England line leading the way.
This week, it’s Tottenham Hotspur who want the Aussie, but the desire doesn’t appear to be reciprocated.
We’d have asked Ange what he thought of going to London, but it’s clear he isn;t thinking of it.
At all.
Which is why the English media aren’t linking him with the job, they don’t have the same agenda as their northern counterparts.
For today’s game, Daezen Maeda is doubtful, which leaves only Liel Abada and Saed Haksabanovic as possible replacements, showing just how paper thin our squad can be.
Haksabanovic scored a great goal in the last game against Hearts, and looks to be straining at the leash for this one..
There is space in my cupboard for more medals because I only have one!
He may well need a bigger cupboard one day.
Haksabanovic typifies the attitude of the what used to be called fringe players at Celtic, ready and willing to make his mark whenever called upon.
When Ange came in, one of his priorities was to change the culture at the club, he hadn’t failed to notice that things were a bit laissez faire under the Lennon system.
As we can see, whatever he’s doing is working.
Although I expect Celtic to win today, and probably comfortably, you might well hear a sigh of relief when the game is over.
Elsewhere, reports yesterday indicated that chunky superstar Alfredo Morelos was “halfway through the door ” at Ibrox on his way to Sevilla.
A hearty shove has removed the blockage, and he has signed a pre contract with the Spanish side.
Seville is known as the orange capital of Europe, which will come as a surprise to anyone who has ever been to Ibrox, and we wish him well as he seeks to rebuild his career and reputation.
that just leaves around a half dozen of their first team squad to lift off the wage bill.
Soon be time for those European licences to be handed out, and one is led to believe there will be more cuts…..if it isn’t already too late.
Maybe they’ll get Andrew Dallas in….he might not be fit enough to be a referee but could probably do a job up front for them.
On tuesday, we had this….
Caption: ” OH the rangers are shite “
Today
Caption: Look boss, this is the hair product I was on about! They’ll not call you a baldy prick anymore…you’ll just be a prick!
McCulloch to jobby neilson
“Boss have you seen that Lana Wolf’s only fans, didn’t think I’d see a bigger fanny than you!”
I don’t get all this ‘de-fund the BBC’ and ‘don’t pay the license fee’… the right wings governments we’ve had have ALWAYS de-funded the BBC, and they have gained more and more de-facto control over it as time goes on. Would we say ‘de-fund the NHS’ (rediculous) or even ‘stop paying national insurance’…?
Surely the message should be ‘save the BBC’, and ‘Give us back our BBC’?
Make it the independent quality broadcaster for the people of this country that its supposed to be – what’s the alternative, media empires controlled by Murdoch-esque types? Don’t fall for it.
#GiveUsBackOurBBC
Totally agree with one caveat. Take away the first B and change it to an S. Don’t want my government or my state funded broadcaster in London.
Totally agree with one caveat. Change the first B to an S. Don’t want my government or state broadcaster in London.
Great comment and that’s exactly what the Tories want.
The BBC has never been an independent organisation and has always been state funded and influenced.
Reith agreed that it would self censor to avoid overt control, so it’s never been totally free and independent.
Witness Blair and WMD, despite the Beeb calling the bullshit, the government exacted it’s pound of flesh.
Phil Mac’s latest shows the hypocrisy of untouchable Tory appointed sleazebag management and independent journalists and presenters.
We need to fight to support the latter else it’ll be a total right wing company ala the press.
Anyone know anywhere I can watch EPL highlights later while boycotting MOTD (I don’t have Sky)?
The BBC was founded as the British Imperial State’s propaganda arm and has never been anything less.
It never belonged to the people of Britain but has been used repeatedly as a weapon against them.
Now all they do is employ ex Rangers players, preferably those who used EBTs, to further exemplify their vile distaste for all thing Irish, Catholic or in any way related to Celtic.
The BBC should be dismantled from top to bottom but of course that would require a nationwide revolt that the people of Britain have proven they’ve been too beaten down by the BBC brainwashing to even begin to contemplate far less succeed in.
It was never ‘your’ BBC.
They just made it appear that way to entice you in.
I Agree. You’ll see where I said ‘supposed to be’.
Apologies for the misunderstanding but that’s not the overall tone of your message as you say ‘Save The BBC’ while I want the whole sick edifice dismantled brick by brick, starting with its sick memorial statue to pedophilia on the front of the building.
Again, no argument from me on this – please understand that I am trying to articulate the concept of what it should be…. not what it is
(‘Save it from what it is, and deliver it to what it should be’ is perhaps a better way of putting it?)
Caption : ‘Ye see that. Bastard took the corner feh ootside the quadrant. Phone VAR.’
Mornin all..
From what i seen of Hearts on wednesday we’re in for a game today.Hopefully Taylor and Johnston back and a start for Haksa if Usain Maeda isnt fit.
I really hate hearts wi a passion and that bloody manager of theirs is greetin faced kent.so come on Celtic on the front foot right away and be ready for a battle
Hail Hail
Caption
Robbie…. “look closer lads, my hair must be down there somewhere”
No a Gary Lineker fan but bloody ridiculous the way the beeb are trying to silence him.good on him for taking a stance.
Caption
Lads get the s pen out draw an imaginary offside line, then bluetooth to dallas in the var room,job done goal offside
Hey guy’s it’s no just us getting pumped!!!
Caption:; what do you mean hibs have scored already, let me know when we equalise fae a penalty..
Caption: Canny believe it boss, a daily diary twice in a week!
Caption: Canny believe it boss. A daily diary twice in a week!
Caption: Hey boss, the Etims diary is all about you the day.
Caption: Your Uber eats driver is on his way, Kyogo will meet you at the front & back post with two special deliveries”
“Still, his bubbly personality and effervescent charm should lift them for todays game” 🙂
Caption “He’s decapitated oor player”
“He’s only given him a tap on the ankle”
“That’s what I said, decapitated”
Caption;:
‘Fashion Sakala looks on fire tonight.
Mon the rangers’.
Caption “he’s gone and done Maeda, he was specifically told Kyoga. gatekeepers are thick, he can’t tell them apart.”
Hooray no Grey, or black bars because I am on the computer. It’s the link with mobiles that’s the problem Ralph, are you guys trying to sort?
Tynecastle will be tough, but Ange’s teams are mentally strong, and the Hearts crowd will get on their back at best or at worst to stimulate the Celts.
It’s fine on my Android phone.
It’s a Huawei, if that makes a difference.
It’s fine in my phone too. Umpteen people have complained but nothing happens – I don’t think the guys have a clue how to fix
It’s fine on my phone today but haven’t been able to read last 3 diaries as it was saying etims was using an ” unsupported protocol” so I emailed Ralphie and today it’s working woohoo!
Hi Owen hope all is well with you my friend great to see posts from you guys 🙂 Much love Cx
Hi Christina. Hope you’re well – Pat’s site has become a bit of a desert these days so I stick to etims (when I can get on the bloody thing…grrrr!!!)
Caption
Look some bloke from Balloch has won the Jambo lottery again
Caption “I can’t believe they’re not bitter. “
Caption
Look they get decisions in their favour.
See , Aitken given a throw in at Hampden…….
Caption…the reverent I am jolly leads the moaning once again.
Caption: Hearts management team prefer watching Sevco.
Well I hope Nielsen gives Celtic the credit we deserve for beating them again comfortably again. I doubt it though. Hearts have been on the mantle piece for years we have beaten them so regularly and without any high frame or effort. Very good showing today could have been a few more as well. Always good to beat this mob and send those hateful fans home with tails between their legs.
Totally superior to Hearts throughout with an exhilerating start to the game. Thereafter, the result never really looked in any doubt with the Gorgie toerags only looking dangerous on that one occasion when big Joe was forced into pulling off a first-class save midway through the first half. Even with a lull in tempo for a spell before the interval and a few times where we gave the ball away cheaply, we were always in control with some fine individual performances. I’d like to highlight Jota, who produced some wonderful football and looks like he’s getting back to his best form, but there were several other fine individual performances and three goals right out the top drawer. Monday night should be interesting as we go into the hat for the semis along with Inverness, Raith and Falkirk. Oh alright, Ayr might scrape through instead of Falkirk, 😉
Captin,Heh Boss.That was a great idea that we are the VAR refs today
Comments still obscured. Any explanation?
blob:https://etims.net/33bac002-a536-4c0f-b5fa-2eae7331344b
Great stuff yesterday from the Ange brotherhood, at least two quality goals, the first from Mooy when he pulled back slightly from the box, creating space as the dozy Hearts defenders follow, followed the ball, it reminded me of how Tom Rogic had that down to a fine art. Kyogos back heel flick goal was pure inventiveness from a clever player, a small reminder of Stevie Chalmers deft touch in Lisbon, talent always wins. A reminder perhaps of how football can be beautiful and rewarding. Who comes up with these special touches, like Naka always finding the net from set pieces, the answer of course is – practice – practice – practice. Like Antonin Panenka the Czechoslavakia player who placed his name in football history in the 1976 European Championship against Germany when he took that last match winning penalty and sent Sepp Maier diving foolishly as the ball went gracefully over his head for another football memory – The Panenka Penalty. As for Lineker – Wright – Jennas – Shearer, never has the mute button been more used than when their slavering deliberations hit the mic. BBC Scotland Sportsound – thank god for the off switch. as their blabbering speak brings forth the murmers of Celtic richness, funny how it was thrown in our faces when Murray was throwing it about like confetti. The boot’s now firmly on the other foot. Chip!
Was too long, so I’II split it. Enjoyed yesterdays game especially the two goals. Mooy’s reminded me of Tom Rogic, as he pushed forward he would check his run to just on the line of the box, the defenders were too occupied by the ball and left him plenty of space to guide it into the net. Kyogo’s back heel slip wrongfooted the defenders and voila, it too reminded me of Stevie Chalmers deft touch in Lisbon. Good attacking footballers will always be creative and overcome stubborn defenders. Was thinking about Naka and his laser like dead ball set pieces and how he must have practised taking set pieces till his left foot ached, practise makes perfect. That made me think about this …..
I looked at wiki to find him. Antonin Panenka, the Czeckoslavakia player who invented the Panenka penalty. Playing for his National team against the West Germans in the 1976 European Championship, the last West German player had ballooned his penalty over the bar, so, Antonin who was taking the fifth and last penalty under what must have been immense pressure, chipped Sepp Maier who dived one way as the ball floated above him, the Panenka penalty was born and history was made. I often wonder why and what made him think about taking a penalty that way.