Big news this morning, as google ban certain words from their search engines to discourage paedophiles. Now I’ll never find out whats on BBC One tonight.
The Evening Times reckons that Celtic boss Neil Lennon is “pining for the resumption of Old Firm hostilities after an enforced ceasefire. ”
“You miss the competitiveness and, of course, you miss the games because it’s one of the greatest derbies in the world and everybody wants to see it,” he said.
“There is always drama and energy in those games and they will happen again in another couple of seasons and the excitement will start building again.”
“You think the whole world is going to collapse on you when you lose an Old Firm game,” he said. “There is just that intensity and that expectation and the build-up and the fall-out from afterwards lasts days and weeks.
“When you play you are part of a team but when you are a manager you are baring your soul out there – that is your team out there. When you lose all eyes are on you and you get debates in the pubs, on the internet and you have to try and step away with that.
“I don’t get too involved in the praise and I try not to get too involved in the criticism because it is a weakness. But it does hurt. ”
“After the game all you feel if you win is relief but two games later you are preparing for the next one.
“Earlier in my career it really ate away at me for two or three days and got under my skin but now I’m a bit more experienced I’ve got better. You always want the perfect but it’s impossible.”
Our manager has been through a lot for this club, and perhaps, if he misses it so much, we can recreate the “hostilities ” for him.
Next time he’s out for a meal, a couple of us could abuse him , then someone else could follow him home and give him a kicking, whilst a few more of us send some bullet laden parcels to his house. Throw in the odd bomb scare, random sectarian and racist abuse and we’re almost there, we just need someone to draw a hanged man woth his name and RIP underneath, say at his mums house.
Which bit in particular do you think he misses ?
Of course, there cannot be a repeat of those matches, as the original Ibrox club passed into liquidation last year. Despite repeated denials from all involved, that is , and remains the case. A tribute act , in the spirit of the old club is still doing the circuit, but the original has gone. And isn’t missed.
Its difficult to understand the motive of reporter Alison McConnell, since Lennon couldn’t really say what he probably thinks of the old adversary, since if he did , he might well get to live all the old nightmares again.
But it is international week, and theres nothing else for them to talk about.
Although they could do themselves a favour by covering the story emerging from Ibrox, where the Worthington Group will announce that they have now raised the funds to contest the ownership of Ibrox et al, which they say is Sevco 5088, which we say is Craig Whyte.
This all comes from a statement, originally released in April, which contains this shot to the head;
The assets of Sevco 5088 Ltd include a claim, which has been independently reviewed by Leading Counsel who is also a Deputy High Court Judge, to all of the business and assets of RFC 2012 Plc which were purchased by Sevco 5088 Limited or Sevco Scotland Ltd from the administrators of RFC 2012 plc in June of 2012. Sevco Scotland Ltd was subsequently renamed The Rangers Football Club Limited and its share capital was acquired by Rangers International Football Club Plc, the shares of which are now traded on AIM.
It is the position of Sevco 5088 Ltd that it is the rightful owner of the business and those assets. After examination of the evidence, Leading Counsel’s advice is that there is a prima facie case to answer. It has also been agreed that, pursuant to the agreement certain other related rights, assets and causes of action will be transferred to the Law Financial Group or directly to Worthington. Those assets include the Book, Film and Television rights to the two takeovers of The Rangers Football Club in 2011 and 2012 as it relates to Craig Whyte.
It is intended that these rights will be commercialised in due course
This, if true, would mean a massive shortage of jelly and ice cream nationwide as the googly eyed crusader returns to finish what he started.
Now, you would think that with that story out there, the press would jump on it. Budding Woodwards and Bernsteins could actually have a career changing story here, something that they would forever be associated with, and something to be rightly proud of.
So, what are they saying ?
Keith Jackson, of the Daily Record and the BBC , he reckons that Peter Lawwell was out of order to brand Second Rangers ” Rory Bremner FC “-and not because the talented satirist would be horrified at the association, but because it was
” a nod and a wink to the most extremist element of his club’s support and, in a way, a green light for them to pursue their own dubious agendas. ”
Extremist element ? Dubious agendas ?
Thats one way of playing down the fact that Lawwell had actually told the truth, something that poor old Keith has a bit of difficulty with himself.
He compares Lawwells words to those of to Charles Green, who came, skanked and scarpered with his wallet full of misled supporters cash. Jackson says;
” it was not that long ago that a certain big-handed Yorkshireman was doing precisely the same thing to win over the masses at the other side of this never so deeply divided city. ”
Actually, its difficult to recall Green telling the truth about anything. Though he arguably did have big hands.
Jackson then made the jaw drop;
” The sooner this pair remember that their purpose in life is to play the game, not the galleries, then perhaps the rest of us might be able to get on with the business of helping Scottish football back towards a state of good health rather than constantly being forced to rubberneck by these ceaseless attention seekers. ”
Read that bit again. If Jackson genuinely believes that he has done anything for the ” good health ” of Scottish football then he really is beyond help.
Further into the article, with absolutely no hint of shame, he again attempts to absolve himself from the headline he will be forever associated with;
” It’s almost as if the current remnants of this Rangers board are being given PR advice from the very same strategical experts who presented Craig Whyte to the world as a billionaire and told him how to go about winning friends and
influencing people. ”
Just a quick correction needed here. The strategists didn’t present him to the world. They presented him to Jackson, who, without checking, then enthusiastically presented him to the world.
You see, if you want to get a result, don’t pay someone to do it for you. Just find someone who doesn’t need paying..
Then, a quick bit of double-speak;
” Whyte was a near-death experience all right but Rangers live on. The real nature of the problem facing Rangers today is not that they have ceased to exist (they are still here after all) but rather they have become unrecognisable from their former selves.
“Lawwell had a point. Like Bremner’s Tony Blair, today’s Rangers are a flimsy impersonation of the real thing. ”
So, Jackson isn’t going to tell us anything, how about his colleagues at that paper ?
The Record Hotline, which is where normal guys like you and me, can ring up and offer their views to the likes of Hugh keevins, covered the row over Lawwells jibes. Quite why anyone would want to talk to Keevins is in itself one of lifes great mysteries, but they do.
Again the chance for insightful comment is passed up, and instead we get the editorial line that both sides are as bad as each other , and the flames are fanned once again.
For some reason, despite Scottish football beginning to get a wee rosy glow, both on and off the field, including an upturn in finances, the paper deems it necessary to keep the old firm tag-now gone and thus robbed of capital letters-in the public eye, when there are at least two big stories out there.
Perhaps other papers cover it ?….
Well, the Herald reports that Rangers have confirmed a matter has been reported to police concerning alleged links between Craig Whyte and Charles Green, which was investigated internally, details of which were never made public. A statement from the club reads;
“Incorrect stories concerning the company have appeared in the media today and yesterday concerning allegations that Craig Whyte still has links to Rangers, which the company would like to clarify.
“Pinsent Masons has not reported to the police that Craig Whyte has any connections to the company.
“A separate matter was reported to the police by Pinsent Masons, on behalf of the company.
“That matter related purely to director appointment form which purported to appoint Craig Whyte as a director of Sevco 5088 Limited.
“One of the reasons the investigation report has not been released was because a matter was reported to the police.
“The company did not wish to do anything that may undermine any police inquiries into the issue.
“The board of directors have at all times acted to protect the interests of the company and the company’s ability to take legal action.
“The company regret the need to disclose this issue but it is necessitated by the incorrect and speculative articles that have appeared in the media.
“There has also been speculation in the press on the impact that a police investigation has on the club’s SFA licence to play football.
“To confirm, there are no grounds for the SFA to withdraw the club’s membership.”
Someones a little worried, but there is no follow up.
The Scotsman quotes former chairman-or whatever he was over there-Malcolm Murray, who said
“I don’t think there is any contractual relationship between Craig Whyte and Rangers. The assets are owned.
“Whether there is any side payments to Craig Whyte by any individuals is nothing to do with Rangers and that’s something none of us may ever know.”
So thats alright then.
Then theres the Evening Times, and Matthew Lindsay;
They may not say so publicly, but the Light Blues would love to go through the 2013/14 league campaign without dropping a single point. Rangers are no strangers to making history.
They have, after all, got a world record 54 national titles to their name. No other football club has won as many domestic Trebles – seven to be precise – as they have.
A “Perfect Season” would sit very well alongside the many other accomplishments they have achieved since they were founded back in 1872.
Rangers will win SPFL League One at a canter. They are already 11 points clear of their nearest contenders Dunfermline. Given their full-time status and the quality of their squad that is to be expected.
The only way they will gain any respect for the league success is to record an achievement that will resound around the world. So do not be surprised if they defy expectation and do exactly that. ”
Well, its Matthew Lindsay, so hopes weren’t high.
You may wonder, and maybe rightly, why so much attention is given to the new club in todays diary. Well, its a quiet week, and theres little coming out of Celtic Park, mainly because Lawwells comments skilfully deflected from the real issue that has arisen from the AGM.
The living wage, and the chance that Celtic have missed to lead the way, a chance to show that after all, we are different from other clubs.
Lawwell will be hoping that all the fuss dies down. Theres a game against Aberdeen on Saturday, maybe we should remind him how we feel.
Yesterdays picture was from the movie Oliver !, which has no connection with Celtic.
The film is set in a period where low wages and poverty were the norm, and employers ruthlessly and shamelessly exploited economic conditions in order to make huge profits and fund their own extravagant lifestyles, which was condoned by a right wing private school educated government.
Celtic play their football in a period where low wages and poverty are the norm, and employers ruthlessly and shamelessly exploit economic conditions in order to make huge profits and fund their own extravagant lifestyles , which is condoned by a right wing, private school educated government.
Oh.
Today, lets get back to the football with this picture..
Whats the story behind this grainy image ?
Mo Johnston being sent off and then the ref reversing his decision?
That was Tony Shepard, league cup final 1986. Le Merde was sent off that day as well, twat that he is.
“Hey is that Tony Blair over there?”. The cry was no it’s Bremner!
Going by the pic, I’d guess it’s a Doctor Who type thing where a Celtic player morphed into a ref?
johnny doyle being sent of for hitting the man in orange, oops sorry black with the ball?
Johnny Doyle getting sent off in the 4-2 game 1979.
Ten men won the league!
4-2 game when Johnny Doyle was sent off.
Ralph
Good stuff again today.
True there is nothing of interest football wise this week but you would think a paper that bore the full frontal of an Ibrox lashing would have concentrated on some form of defence rather than build a pillory for Celtic. Ach, naw. I suppose when it’s THAT paper.
“This, if true, would mean a massive shortage of jelly and ice cream nationwide as the googly eyed crusader returns to finish what he started.” With the amount of greetin’ going on at Ibrox and the floods of tears that are to come, Kleenex might find themselves in a similar stock situation. Pity some newspapers did not use absorbent paper. Or is that how they actually do collect so much p*sh? It has been so long since I held one now that Andrex is available.
Now for wee Lenny to come out with similar drivel is rather disconcerting. I guess when you are too young to have experienced too many of those old derbys, they might appear “attractive”. Sorry Neil, I have had my belly full of them. They were nothing but a sectarian riddled illusion. Among hundreds I have seen there were but a handful could be called a good game. The hype was created by a sh*t stirring media that wanted to guarantee an audience or readers even if they had to create a battlefield to do so. Then they could spend a month criticising the support for their terrible behaviour with extreme bias towards the green and white. We all have it confirmed now that these games, as many of us suspected in our paranoid years, were the zenith of “the fix” in Scottish football. How can anyone desire the return of an atmosphere, even though created by a tribute act, that will contribute nothing but vitriol and hatred with a bias both on and off the field, that could straighten the Tower of Pisa. No, if we are to exhume any coffins, let it be to check the nails are firmly secured rather than let the stench return.
“For some reason, despite Scottish football beginning to get a wee rosy glow, both on and off the field, including an upturn in finances, the paper deems it necessary to keep the old firm tag-now gone and thus robbed of capital letters-in the public eye, when there are at least two big stories out there.” Did they ever deserve a capital other than punishment?
I think the photo has wee Johnny Doyle about to hug the referee he had just blootered with the ball. Sadly he got back up again and decided that Johnny’s mis-kick was a deliberate sectarian (or it could have been racist or bigoted or political or – ach look up the “Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012”) attack. So he sent him off. I remember the night well and looking back, I still do not believe my eyes. Do you know, even if i am wrong, it was good to recall Johnny’s blow for integrity.
H H
It,s amazing that a section of society(all be it a totally dissfunctional section),cannot accept the truth or just choose to do so,as for the comedy tribute act wanting Lawwell removed from his position for telling the truth,they are quite happy to get favors from an ex employee, well their used to it their former incarnation have been getting favors from the authorities for over 100 years,suppose the not dropping a point garbage comes into the same area as the mythical unprecedented winning four trophies in a season tripe,now who did that first oh yeah a club with an unbroken history
Brian Glover – superb! The cry was no, its Bremner, first class!
And I know the quiz – it was the 4-2, shot on cameras which hadnt been used to shoot football since before the war, because there was a scottish journalism strike or something? And the 7-1 game had similar problems – conspiracy!
Re the Sevco / sameclub argument, in legal status it is a new club and new company, however in the hearts and minds (such as they are) of ra bears, its the same club, and really, getting into the technicalities with then is pointless because
1) Most cant understand
2) The rest dont want to
Having witnessed the SFA stumble through the process (more honest mistakes no doubt) we are left with this black or white point of view, and unless they clarify it definitively and publicly it will go on. Same club = over £50m of debts to pay, no debt = new club. Simple really
Honestly, if Celtic had been liquidated, I think I might have tried to cling to this company / club nonsense, so cant say I blame H*ns for trying, the problem,as I said lies with the SFA having no courage / desire to actually publicise the truth, supported of course by MSM. Truth is on our side, but dont expect it to get out there.
It would be intersting to see the perception of supportes of other clubs on this, the BBC debate on Saturday night was very much putting it forward that it is only Celtic fans who make the new club distinction, spinning it as an “OF”, both as bad as each other line, I’m not sure that is the case.
Those quotes from Neil Lennon were taken from Sky’s Goals on Sunday where he was interviewed by Ben Shepherd and Chris Kamara. He spoke really well and was a credit to the club and was talking up Scottish football in general which led on to the inevitable questions about Rangers. His answer was on the diplomatic side I think it’s fair to say and makes more sense when you see the context of the interview.
It’s the first ever picture taken by an i-phone?
Definitely the 4-2 game, just after Doyle booted that little shit McDonald.
Yeah I would say its defo 4-2 game & the late JD about to get his marching orders & miraculously turn the game in our favour!!!
Doyle and the 4-2 game, another ‘honest mistakes’ from those in charge of running (or should it be, ruining) our game.
Remember the ‘good old days’ of the old firm, the countless ‘honest mistakes’, the impartial media, the unregistered players and the ‘get out of jail free card’ that is the 5 way agreement and thats just scratching the, recent, surface. All in all, like a lance armstrong wet dream.
No right minded sport fan should want a return to those days
feckin’ munci honz
They were the people.
the best game I have ever been to, right in the middle of the Jungle. 4-2. yaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssssssssssss !!!!