Celtic Diary Friday March 22

Kris Commons reckons Scotland should concentrate on playing Wales, and not just Gareth Bale, which gives an idea as to the amount of preparation going into tonights clash at Hampden Park. A win for Scotland would give any Celtic players involved a taste of victory at the national stadium, and unless its a draw, then its a win win situation.

Scotland sit firmly at the bottom of the qualifying group, and manager Gordon Strachan wants his  players to “click” straight away and give the fans something to smile about with an attacking, but not “gung -ho” performance, as he does seem to have done his homework on the Welsh, who last wek  beat England  33-0 or something to win the home international series. I think. ;

“The players are aware where there might be danger in the team, We’ve got contingency plans for everything. If we play to our potential , which they’ve shown throughout the week, we’re expecting us to cause problems.”

Which makes a refreshing change from Craig Levein telling us its not his fault because the players are shite. Or they didn’t do what he asked, or the heating on the bus wasn’t working. It won’t make the players any better saying that, but it will make them feel better, which is what management is all about.  Managing the situation.

Gary Caldwell , speaking as captain, dismissed the claims of former Welsh winger Mickey Thomas, when the latter said that this was “the worst Scottish team in history” Caldwell replied;

“I’ve been part of a few “worst Scotland team”  ever headlines in the past, so it doesn’t bother me ”

Wonder if he has spotted the connection.

Friday night is a ridiculous time to be playing football, and with the new don’t walk to the ground in more than pairs law, be careful when you come out of the stadium, as the police might misintrepet crossing the road with a march for independence, and you’ll all be kettled and in court on Monday.

Actually, with Scotland announcing 18 September as referendum day, (and if the result is yes, fully expect oil production to kick in the day after) , any singing of Flower of Scotland might be deemed offensive to the English, who could well be watching on television.

Although with todays spring weather, we’d all be better watching on tv, -bet no-one else noticed the new tax on snowmen slipped into the budget this week- Strachan deserves a decent turn out, if only to show him that he hasn’t got a job with a team where nobody really cares about them any more.

Ally McCoist has such a job, and last night he was involved in a question and answer session, along with his comedy sidekick Charlie Green. Fielding such tough demands like “What did you have for dinner?” and “Wheres the toilets”, the duo may not want to look to closely at any Rangers websites this morning. Apparently, the peepil were non too pleased that ~Chick Young, who works for the boycotted BBC, was allowed to chair the meeting. As opposed to James Traynor, who used to work for the BBC. Or indeed, why not just leave it to Ally McCoist, who used to work for the BBC?

Billy McBiggott, our Larkhall correspondent, summed it up as thus;

“Ah cannae believe they let Dung into the building. He’s part of the Timmy conspiracy that goat us relegated and tried tae take wur titles aff us. Him workin for the Fenian Broadcasting Company as well. Ah’m no payin ma licence for that shite. Should huv hud Traynor daein it, but he’s mare intrestit in writin a book fur Green. And see that ither pape, Guidi, helpin jig wi his book. Ah hink Green needs tae take a look at himself, he’s nothin but a shyster. They’re aw jist takin us furra ride, wheres my sash, ah’m away tae the ludge.”

Perhaps the scales have begun to fall from their eyes….

Meanwhile, Dunfermline edge closer to the precipice of liquidation, with Jim Leishman refusing to go down the newco route, and at the same time Sevco Rangers boss Ally McCoist wants his club to be be fast tracked “because Scottish football is in a sorry state and it would be for the good of the game.” .

I just figured that there are one or two other people he might feel like helping while he is in this altruistic mood, who are equally in a sorry state for having dealt with his bastard club in the past.

rangers-administration-full-list-of-creditors-1-2325870

Surprisingly, no-one in the media has asked him this. Probably because they always used to get their money from the club.

Surely Gavin Masterton is not about to crash his club, with Sevco buying up their membership…Hang on, then Spartans could take sevcos  place, and everyone is happy. Except Dunfermline. Oh, and everyone else in with a sense of honour and fair play.

Heres another interesting fact. Social network is seven years old this week. Which means that no Sevco fan, player or manager  has ever tweeted about winning a trophy or getting to a semi final.

Yes, Scotland beat Ireland 11-0 in the old days, and lost 7-0 to Uruguay in slightly more recent times. Last time on internationals, Kenny Dalglish is the most capped player, and what stopped him  from being the player with the most consecutive caps?