Halloween today, and Joe Hart, the England and Manchester City goalkeeper will not be out guising as a ghost tonight, as he doesn’t have enough clean sheets.
Aye, its all about creepy , horrible nasty things today.
SFA chief Campbell Ogilvie has announced the venues for this seasons Scottish Cup semi finals and finals. With Hampden out of action due to the upcoming commonwealth Games, he released a statement:
“We are fortunate in Scotland to have three world-class football stadia and, with Hampden Park due to undergo redevelopment work ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, it is natural that we would seek to utilise both Celtic Park and Ibrox Stadium as venues for Scottish football’s premier cup competition.”
When Hampden was previously out of action, back in the late 1990s, the decision on where to hold the semi finals was delayed until the teams contesting them was known. Now, some cynics might argue, the decision has been made purely to help crisis club second Rangers-who probably don’t even own their ground- get a bit of money in towards the end of the season.
Both semi finals will be at Ibrox, and the final will be at Celtic Park. No surprises there, then. Peter Lawwell, the Celtic CEO, is also on the board of the SFA. He said;
“A decision like that, where Celtic or Celtic Park are competing against other stadia for the final, I would excuse myself because I’m conflicted clearly, and a decision was made by other board members,” he said.
“There’s a lot of planning that goes into it. The sponsors need to know where they are. It’s the road to Celtic Park rather than the road to Hampden.
“There is a lot of preparation. There will be many permutations in there that will make sure Celtic Park is full and rather than taking the risk of delaying it, it gives us time to prepare. I guess there is no right answer, you just make the best answer with the facts available.
“I guess it’s a question of choices. Hampden is unavailable and the SFA have a choice where to take it.
“When you compare Celtic Park to other stadia around Scotland, it’s certainly the biggest. We cater for the Champions League, these are huge events, and we have every confidence of delivering a great cup final for them.
“It’s a great honour and it will be a fantastic occasion. We believe Celtic Park is the biggest and best. You can see on Champions League nights, the atmosphere that is created. No matter who comes from around Europe, whether it’s AC Milan or Barcelona, they say Celtic Park is the best.
“So we are delighted to have it and it will be a real thrill.
“There’s incentive to get to the Scottish Cup final and win it every year but this might give us a wee bit of an additional incentive for us to get there and play the cup final at our own stadium.”
No problem with any of that, its the showpiece game of the season, and its only right we should know where its going to be. Although I would have been equally in favour of Murrayfield. Which, after all, is in the capital, and completely neutral.
Second Rangers director Brian Stockbridge added his thoughts;
“The Scottish FA’s decision to play these ties at the home of Scotland’s most successful club underlines the fact that Ibrox remains one of European football’s elite arenas.
“Of course we hope to travel far in this competition ourselves but no matter who plays at Ibrox they can be certain of the warmest of welcomes.”
Can’t help themselves , can they ? Scotlands most successful club ? Good, that means that HMRC will have heard him claim that Second Rangers are in fact exactly the same as First Rangers, who are in a bit of trouble over their tax affairs.
Simon Bain, in the Herald, explained..
” HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has issued a thinly veiled warning to Rangers ahead of the taxman’s appeal against the oldco company’s ‘big tax case’ win after a Scottish firm settled a £7 million bill for tax avoidance.
Aberdeen Asset Management has lost a lengthy court battle over a scheme used a decade ago which paid £31m of bonuses to seven senior employees, including its founder and chief executive Martin Gilbert. In a statement, HMRC said: “This decision will be a big help when we come to argue other cases that are currently in the courts.”
The oldco Rangers, which was liquidated last year, won a £36m avoidance case on a 2-1 majority verdict in the first tier tax tribunal in November last year. The appeal is due to go to an upper tax tribunal in the new year.
However, Aberdeen Asset Management has had to settle a bill for tax avoidance in a case with similarities to the oldco Rangers’ legal battle. A tax expert said: “It can be inferred from the judges’ comments they strongly concur with the dissenting opinion in the Rangers case. I think they have half an eye on the Rangers case.”
The Herald revealed in 2011 that the lower tax tribunal had ruled against Aberdeen’s “discounted options scheme”, a variant of the employee benefits trust used by Rangers and other employers until new legislation forced their closure. Aberdeen had avoided £7m of tax and national insurance due on bonuses, including £1.2m in respect of Mr Gilbert, by setting up what the judges called “money-box companies.”
HMRC has now proved that bonuses should be treated as cash payments liable for PAYE and National Insurance paid by the company.
In a statement, Aberdeen Asset Management said: “We are disappointed the court’s decision has gone against us, but we welcome the fact that we can now draw a line under this issue. All amounts assessed by HMRC have previously been paid and the decision has no further financial impact on the group.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to make an announcement today on tax dodging, saying that a register of the true owners of shadowy shell companies will be made public as part of the fight against tax avoidance. ”
Halloween. A time for all the nasty wee things in life. Even got Cameron in there.
Which brings us back to Campbell Ogilvie. The SFA twitter feed swung into action to defend the decision to play both semi finals at Ibrox;
-
Few points re today’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final and final venues to address your questions to come
-
It is important for fixture planning schedules to announce the venues as early as possible.
-
Hope this has helped clarify the thought process. Now let’s see who can #DefyTheOdds and make it to the season’s showpiece
-
In terms of non-football venues, the Board’s view was that revenue should remain within football
To be honest , it didn’t really need clarifying. While Lawwell claimed to have sat out the process which saw Celtic Park get the final, Ogilvie made no such claims, and its no surprise that Ibrox got the two semi finals.The venues should have been chosen after the contestants were known. If the last four are Aberdeen, Dundee Utd, Ross County and Inverness then its all going to look fairly stupid.The figure of 25,000 has been chosen simply to exclude the likes of Pittodrie, Easter Road, and Tynecastle. Which, at a time when all these clubs could have used the extra revenue, and fans could have been spared extra expense, reeks of short sightedness. Especially when you consider that Glasgow only has two teams at the top level these days.Short sightedness, or corruption ? You choose. Football is supposed to be about the fans, and it looks like Ogilvie has took some laxatives and is standing over them with his legs wide open.Which , of course, has nothing to do with supporters en masse vetoing the absolution of his favourite tax dodgers when they wanted to be admitted to the top level, and pretend they were the same club.Despite the stories concerning the condition of Ibrox, no reassurements were offered on safety. But, when they write the cheque to pay the rent, it’ll be interesting to see whose account it goes into. Or, probably more correctly, whose mums account it goes into.I think thats enough horror stories for one day.The Commonwealth Games mean that Celtic will be forced to play any Champions League qualifiers away from Celtic Park next summer, and Lawwell, anxious to move away from the Cup controversies, spoke of the North of England and Ireland as possible options.We’re actually in discussion with UEFA about what options we have.
“Then, once we’re happy with those options, we go and talk to the relevant owners of the stadiums.
“There are other options, probably less likely, that we’re looking at.”
Lawwell expanded on that when he said: “The Aviva, Croke Park or maybe down south, a northern Premier League club.
“There would be a big support in Dublin.
“The stadium was full there when we played Liverpool in the summer so that would be great and there is a precedent in that we played at Old Trafford against Rapid Vienna.
“We’re developing a few options and then we’ll take it to UEFA and see what they think. I don’t really know until we see the possibilities.
“Murrayfield is a big attraction because it’s near for the supporters, it’s a fantastic stadium and that would be a high contender. I think it would be the only Scottish option.”
Near the supporters ? That’ll never work. Ask Ogilvie.
Bizarrely, Lawwell also talked about the prospect of losing manager Neil Lennon;
“Being realistic, that is one of the by-products of success.
“Your people are courted and the most high-profile guy, the most prominent guy in that success, has been Neil.
“He’s done a fantastic job and if he continues to progress, as he’s still a young manager, I’m sure he will be courted at some point.
“I don’t think fearful is the right word but we need to be realistic and accept that.
“I actually take a lot of pleasure in that, for him and us, and plan for the succession.
”Generally, no matter who you are talking about, commercial director or marketing director or finance director, as chief executive you have to be looking within the organisation for people to take over.
“There is nothing specific. We’re not looking for a manager.
“We’re hoping that Neil will be here for years and years but it’s just in a general sense you have to think about it.
“You can’t bury your head in the sand.”
When it comes to Lennons next pay rise, the Ginger Guardiola should strike out a deal that links him to Lawwells own salary. Bonuses included. If Lawwell doesn’t go for it, it’ll not be his head that wants to bury in the sand. He’ll be looking to build a bunker in there.
Celtics visit to Motherwell has been brought forward to Friday December 6, to satisfy the demands of television. Football should not be played on a Friday night. Full Stop.
In order for the Lennon CSC to make the game, for instance, we’d have to leave here on the Thursday morning, such is the traffic on the M6 on a Friday.
For those in and around Glasgow, factor in finishing work, getting ready and heading even just a few miles south will be a massive pain in the arse. And Motherwell will undoubtedly lose gate money, but seeing as how its them that doesn’t matter so much.
Nothing personal against Motherwell, and I’ll change my mind about them when Tam Cowan decides to answer my email.
See, Halloween is all about nasty things. David Cameron , Second Rangers, Motherwell, televised football, Campbell Ogilvie…
Have I missed anyone out ?
Nope. Not now.
Good memories from the picture poser yesterday. Celtic hammered Diogyoeri Miskolc 6-0 in a cup winners Cup game back in 1980 . Or DVTK, as the programme said they were when the tyesetter realised he couldn’t fit the whole name on the cover.
One particular memory that came from yesterdays replies was about the Greek referee in the following tie away at Romanian side Politechica Timisoara. Like I said, halloween is about the nasty things in life.
Today, does this picture prompt any thoughts ?
Elsewhere, I’ve had a letter from Scottish Gas which explains in detail exactly why my bills have gone up.” Its because we’re greedy bastards who don’t give a toss. “
-
Scottish FA @ScottishFA
Looks like the Partizan Belgrade game when Jackie scored 4.
This was back in the days when English clubs were banned so the BBC sent their English commentators up – I seem to remember Barry Davies going nuts on commentary when number 4 went in.
Always liked Barry, his commentary on The Road To Seville DVD is good too, reckon he’s a closet Celt.
PR
Can you publish your book so ‘s I can get one right – pleeeaaase?
How do you remember all that? Even if wrong your knowledge is worth the trophy.
H H
Scotland’s most successful club….Celtic (ask the global football community). Scotland’s second most successful club…..St Andrew’s, the home of golf or Clatty Pat’s…
The Huns are still delusional.
…. Ireland’s most successful club…
http://www.irlonline.com/shillelagh/shillelagh.jpg
When Wembley was out of order they wen to Cardiff for Finals. So why can’t we have our’s at the Millenium Stadium or Wembley, these are neutral grounds.
But like you I really favour Murrayfield for both Semi’s and the final.
greenmaestro
Sorry, I am afraid it is Murray’s field for the semis and any other stuff they can put on there. All part of the survival programme put in place last year and it sounds as though oor Peter has put an apron on to hide his lack of balls.
H H
Ralph
I am definitely staying in tonight. You have released more bogies in today’s diary than Bram Stoker could have conjured up over a glass of blood. What depths of depravity brought you to such a level of horror? And, sadly, the biggest Dracula of all is our own CEO. If ever a man used bypasses it is Peter Lawwell. One has to ask why he was dragged into the media interview in the first place given the other longer serving, higher profile artful dodgers (should that be rangers) at Hampden (or should that be Ibrox). Aye, nice little deflection for our SFA chief there. No awkward questions for our Campbell or why his towering frame is leaning toward the South West of Glasgow instead of straight up. I guess it is all in the way he has been designed and constructed since inception (or should that be conception). No, it was all let’s target the new fella and catch him out. Well, they did a good job on Peter. He gave them everything they wanted to hear from Ibrox bias to King’s ok with a bit of SFA satisfied us about Rangers and Europe thrown in. I was always prepared to give celtic the benefit of the doubt regarding the stance on Rangers. I always had sympathy for playing it safe and silent. But now, I have real doubts about where we stand or have stood with regard to Scotland and Scottish football. The aprons remain washed and ready for use once more. We may feel cheated by others but I have a sickening feeling we may be being betrayed by our own. Yes, Ralph, it is a night for ghoulish monsters to go on the prowl and it looks like not a few have emerged already from Celtic Park. A night in looks safest.
I would recommend the same for the Lennon Bunch. That camper van will have no wheels left when you come out of the game if you leave it in Motherwell on a Friday night – that’s provided it survives the Thursday night in Larkhall. Paint it Volkswagen orange for camouflage. And if you think you will see ghouls tonight, you should see the Motherwell talent when it gets dressed up. We are all Tam Cowans as they say in Strathclyde Park of a weekend.
On a night of shocks, frights and fangs (Ally’s looking for pies), there may be one Van Helsing in the making. His name is Hector. The latest news from Aberdeen is the silver lining that has finally appeared on the dark clouds over Greyskull. Isn’t it ironic that the people who are so fond of the military may in the end be done by the Camerons, that fine Scottish regiment now resident in Westminster. Where did that bit of backbone come from? Or is it just like the dodgy clans of old, the Salmonds for example, who looked the part but never really got in the fight? At least it will provide pleasant thoughts when that ‘horrible knocking start after dark tonight. deep down I love the little b****rds as long as they stick to the neighbours. It will be right in the middle of Eastenders too and I know that will ruin your night, Ralph or was it Desi or Hector?
Anyway, thanks for cheering us all up today!!!
Quiz: I wish you had washed the windows before taking that photo. I had a few foggy nights at Parkhead but not that one. It may be a St. Mirren strip but I have a feeling it may also be a European tie (I don’t mean the design of the strip). It looks like Andy Walker may be the player running away after scoring. It may be just a load of b***ocks from me.
H H
Fear not Arthur….im taping Emmerdale tonight…out for a wee rendition of
“The Huns were blue, the hoops are green,
Gaunnae gies a swatch for ma Halloween”
Hope you are wearing that steel helmet you got in the war, Desi. Maybe a body protector would be advisable too. Some of they primary kids can aim well when targeting between the legs. Wouldn’t like you to lose anything precious. Not a problem I have now. My periods stopped years ago.
H H
If any of you think two sparsely attended Cup semis at Ipox are getting The Second Div Tenants of that Sh*thole back into the black, then you don’t know how complicated the accounting is on an event of that stature. The TV money is only in the final, and I imagine it’s significantly less if neither Celtic nor said 2nd Div new team is present. Also, SFA would count on these fixtures as a significant source of annual revenues, they’re not going to suddenly fork all that over to the neutral venues. Ibrox may get to keep the money from pies sold (which, I concede, might raise the billions they require), but this isn’t a cash windfall for them.
Under normal circumstances, i’d agre with you. but these are not normal times. Ibrox Ltd is owned by someone else these days, and the price will be well over the odds, then there will be the repair bill, the stewarding, the maintenence and anything else they can think of to add on.
I knew the SFA would help the Ibrox club out. One showstopper was on my list, not 2. WIll they get extra cash if cameras are there too?
You missed Lawwell being asked about Dave ‘Fit n Proper convicted liar’ King. “Its a ecumenical matter” was the style adopted by the SSM, seems its “very complex” and he might do the “just stepping outside” excuse again. He defended the club (in)action when Sevco got the license and also Gers got Euro license.
No surprise there. Saddest thing was the way big Raman from STV was slouched over the interview chair…shocking posture. Every time i see him though i smile, i remember his 13 takes to film from the balcony about the pub in Seville “Okay lads, when i step out, shout HOORAY!”…nothing like spontaniety on the news!
Wasn,t it the away game where we lost 1 nil and big billy banjoed a drunken gerry mcnee after he got stroppy about celtic losing the away leg,the turd has never had good word to say about us since
Really!
I was eating my lunch when I read your comment about Ogilivie and the laxatives – my appetite has vanished quicker than a tray of pies spied by Sally.
Its farcical really that two games are at Ibrokes, but are you surprised? I doubt its gonna bring in enough money to keep the good ship dignity afloat long term, especially as pesky issues like the rules keep coming up to block Davie “the King” King’s ascension to the throne at Greyskull, despite the Record doing their bestest best “if we keep telling people its true, it’ll happen” spiel.
I disagree with Pensionerbhoy, if he was implying as I think he was that Lawwell is already onside with King’s appointment. I felt he was giving the only answer he could – “Its not for me to say”. It is complicated, the alreaday raging bears will be completely Tonto if their latests savious- who of course didn’t want to buy the club when its was there to be bought, adn everyone esle will go tonto if the rules are bent again to help the 2nd rangers, so best all round of the Celtic CEO isn’t the guy anouncing any decision, and there is likely to be a bit of a period of preparing the way for the decision whichever way it comes down, the record piece a perhaps hasty, hopeful flier with this aim, now shwoen to be just that
elcormacp
If you think my first comment was bad my first reply to you must have been really crap. Ralph or probably Desi flushed it down the loo again (I just know Hector would not be so vindictive – he’s a nice guy!). Just because I mentioned they would miss Emmerdale tonight. I do a PL with that programme and swerve onto the bypass straight to Strictly to miss it. I love watching has beens as old as me making pure idiots of themselves just like me.
I really wanted to say you were right but I think Desi has kind of explained my reaction somewhat in his comment above. A’ ra best and post more often. There are some good discussions developing and the diary’s not bad at times either 🙂
H H
Aplolgies for many typos, first time in ages my post has actually gone up, so Im writing quick and crossing fingers!
anyone in amsterdam without a ticket
I emailed thhttp://oreillys.com/amsterdam/sports.htmlis pub their showing the game and celts are more than welcome
the pub url didn’t work
its O,reillys just off dam square
Try this…
http://oreillys.com/amsterdam/
Scottish FA @ScottishFA18h
Member clubs (we are a members’ organisation) preferred to know in advance where s/f and finals would be held.
That’s it right there, once again!
Is it vacillation or just business as usual?
Didn’t know Scottish Gas operated in T’Potteries, Ralph!
I think the quiz was ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ when we won 5-4 and went out to Partizan. it was the first time I ever doubted Big Billy, a bit of time-wasting might have made all the difference. He should have done a Bismarck and deployed a sub or two!
I agree with you about Murrayfield. If the French can do it with the Parc des Princes we should be able to do it with our national sport. The Jammy Farts might soon be playing ‘Championship’ football there against their western cousins, after all!
Ramsden Cup Final at trainspotters home. Why not swinecastle? They need the cash. Same capacity.
The newco are losing supporters money hand over red fist and get 2 cup semi’s! I hope the inversneckie loyal play Ross gadgey County in one tie, they’ll be less than ten thousand at the match.
Lawell GTF oot o’ there.
fekin m.h.bs
the tragic news of Fernando Ricksen illness and think of how the dark side celebrated the the illness of tommy burns and stan the man that is the difference between us and them
while we can cast aside the fact that the guy was a total dick head or even worse the fact is we would wish no ill heath on the guy while they just see a guy in a hoops top an that means he is the devil an gets what he deserves