Admit it. You’re getting bored of this whole new manager lark already. The sooner Davie Moyes tells us yes or no the sooner Roy Keane and Peter Lawwell can have their first punch up on the car park.
Forget about everyone else. It will be one of these two. Or should that be forget about these two, it will be someone else?
Graham Taylor, who gave us so much fun when he was England manager, has endorsed Malky Mackay, because he would know what is needed at Celtic.
” Were he to become the manager, I’d look upon that as a very good appointment.”
Er, thanks Graham. I’m sure your input will make all the difference. Malky thinks so too.
Look, should we just forget the whole thing and all meet up every Saturday in the pub instead for a sing song ? We could sing Roll of Honour , quietly though, in case someone is listening
Ludicrously, seven Celtic supporters will face trial for singing that particular ditty, presumably just as soon as the prosecution can come up with a case that makes some sort of sense.
They are believed to have sought advice on making the charges stick from virulent anti communist former US senator Joe McCarthy on how to secure a prosecution when the accused hasn’t done anything wrong, but even he is reputed to have told them to grow up.
Well, he would have done had he not died in 1957.
Back to the football, and now that we have accepted that it will be Moyes or Keane, we can also reveal the real reason why Michael Laudrup was never going to take the job, according to a chap on twitter;
With that sort of attention to detail, no wonder they don’t think their club died.
Theres a serious revelation in the Evening Times about illegal betting in football -something that reared its head last night when there were stories about a possible match fixing scandal between Scotland and Nigeria , who drew 2-2 in London.
A THIRD of Scottish footballers questioned in a shocking new survey have admitted breaking the rules on betting.
The study, carried out by FIFPro, the global union for professional footballers, exposes the extent of gambling within the game in this country.
Around 2,000 players from around the world took part in the poll, which revealed 32% of footballers in Scotland admitted breaking betting rules.
The study states: “The relatively large number of players (32%) who have knowingly bet against the rules is a cause for concern – especially as this may be an under-reported figure.”
So, lets try to work out exactly how many Scots players were asked. If it was 100, which would be a reasonable sample, and thus lend some merit to the survey, that means it was thirty two. They wouldn’t have had so many from such a small country if it was a world wide survey. . So, was it 16 of 50 ? Unlikely. 8 from 25 ? Has to be. Lower than that is four from twelve and a half. Thats quite high, but its a relatively small sample. Especially if they asked them when they were coming out of the bookies.
Matthew Lindsay, who wants to be a journalist when he grows up, tweeted;
So it looks like Rangers boss Ally McCoist was absolutely right – and illegal gambling IS widespread in Scottish football.
Heres a thought. You know when McCoist waved his list around when Ian Black got caught, why didn’t you ask to see it ? Or ask him to elaborate ?
Thats what journalists do, at least in other countries., when confronted by a scandal.
Perhaps the problem is one of communication, as Jack ross , from the PFA in Scotland , told the paper;
PFA Scotland official Jack Ross today said it was important to stress the difference between illegal betting and match-fixing.
He said: “Change doesn’t come overnight, but it is important to continue educating players about this issue.
“In the past, there was a general lack of awareness about the rules, but we have made a lot of progress in the last two and a half years.”
I had to read that twice. Two and a half years ” educating players ” that you cannot bet on the football in Scotland. The PFA are also believed to be behind the Scottish Governments new multi million pound initiative to inform people that if it is raining , there is an increased probability you will get wet.
Some days, perhaps more than others, I get the feeling that we are completely surrounded by fucking idiots.
I found a quote from the bold Neil explaining how he got the job with the SFA;
‘In terms of getting the Scottish Premier League Chief Executive’s position, my previous football experience was undoubtedly relevant. In this job I need to –
- think strategically and financially – there’s always pressure to increase the income available for the member clubs
- stand up and speak publically and make regular appearances in the national media
- negotiate skilfully – for example when renegotiating broadcasting deals with Sky, ESPN or the BBC and in relation to other commercial sponsorships.’
Right, so whenever you’re ready, Neil, lets make a start. And good luck with speaking “Publically ”
It sounds tough. Perhaps you could tell a funny story to get the publicals on side early doors.
Want a wee heart warming story ?
SUZANNE Grant stood on the sidelines at Recreation Park, Alloa, just over two weeks ago, feeling as nervous as she did when she was a teenager just starting out on her football career. For the 30-year-old, it was like she was waiting to make her debut as a player.
It was almost a year since the striker pulled on the Hoops in a competitive match, and she was set to come on for the second half of the League Cup semi-final against Hibernian.
And the reason for that enforced absence? She had taken time out from playing to have a baby. And with her son, Oscar, now almost six months old, Suzanne is now getting back to the level of fitness required to play in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
And she scored her first goal for the Hoops since returning to the club in last weekend’s 3-1 victory over Hamilton Accies.
Not that Suzanne had been out of action for 12 months. During her pregnancy, she still trained, although all form of contact was ruled out after three months. And then, just five weeks after giving birth, she played 90 minutes for Keynsham Town in Bristol, a team she turns out for during the winter shutdown of the Scottish women’s season. “
I’ve think I’ve just found the very person to fill the newly created “Attitude Coach ” position at Celtic Park.
Get her in charge of shouting at the players at half time. Compare her attitude to the game with that of any modern day professional , and its a stark reminder of how far the game has become removed from reality.
See when a player is whinging about a twang in his hamstring, get her in to tell them about how she had her baby -which I believe smarts a bit-and was back playing in less time than it takes most players to recover from a cough.
I’m not kidding, we need more people with her attitude around the club.
Anyone who is in any doubt about who pulls the strings at Celtic should heed the words of Mikael Lustig, who is discussing a new contract with the club. Lustig, one of the few players allowed a new contract, didn’t say who his people were talking to, but they are talking;
“I have a year left on my contract, and we are discussing an extension.
“We will see if we reach agreement or what happens but there is no stress.
“I expect to be playing for Celtic next season.
“We enjoyed good times with Neil Lennon and he has done an awful lot for us.
“We have achieved great success in the two and a half years I have been there.
“It was disappointing he left but that is football. He had been at the club four years, and that is a long time for a manager.”
Or did he just make it seem like a long time ?
Tottenham are the latest club to show an interest in Fraser Forster, another Celt who was surprised that Lennon quit….
Ach, away from all that. Well, sort of.
Lennons departure means there is a gap in the calendar market aimed at the more discerning lady…
That devilishly handsome chap in yesterdays diary was a young Mick McCarthy in his Barnsley days. Some people don’t get better with age, do they ?
Others , however, would have loved a fast forward button when they started out on their careers. Like this guy. who is it ?
Elsewhere, we note that Malcolm Glazer , the owner of Manchester United has passed away. Thats the second Glazer to leave the club after the man who fixes the trophy cabinet was laid off last month.
Hang on, does this explain why Desmond might be hesitating over Moyes ?
Is it the bowld Davie Moyes??
David Moyes at Halloween?
I’m quite glad, in a way, that the managerial thing is still (publically at least) undecided. – Although I suspect the P L(awell) C already know. It gives us something to argue/talk about in the close season before the World Cup starts
Jeez, is that zombie Moyes
Thats the classic Photoshopped Moyes picture, shame on you Ralph.
BTW..’all form of contact was ruled out after three months’… her man must have some right hand on him by now!
“In the past, there was a general lack of awareness about the rules,
Aye for some of us!
It’s easy to have a go at Doncaster about a number of things and that’s why he get’s paid the great big hairy dollars, to be the public face to take the flak. However, it should be remembered that PL accompanied him on the TV deals. No one is going to tell me that when they deals were getting done, including the subsidising of Sevco games against junior teams that PL stepped out of the room.
C125
I agree he would not step out of the room but he did not have any decision making powers. Given the brainless logic of Doncaster (the only one even dimmer than the South Yorkshire town at night), he probably finalised the deal while PL was having a slash. But I guess that is why he is worth the big bucks, a man independent determination.
H H
Sorry PB but I don’t buy it. PL is the heavyweight of the two. He wasn’t invited along to make up the numbers or to keep Celtic in the loop. But as you have said on a number of occasions now, without transparency you get to make up what you like.
C125
Yes, the transparency things is a real bugbear of mine. That is why the Neil Lennon and many other issues of the last couple of years have created so many grassy knolls that cartographers are looking at naming a new range of Glasgow East End mountains after them. I will simply never understand why a club with the ethos of Celtic is so inscrutable.
“A face like a well smacked arse” as my auld da’ used to say.
Quasimodo.
That fella starred in Trainspotting?
Plug, out of the Bash Street kids
Oor next manager I hope.
Ralph diary was again, great stuff, keep up the good work, brilliant read. You are too good for that job.
Hail hail, keep the faith.
ps I hope we get the right one
Get yer laughing gear round this
http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/liam-kennedy/celtic-not-the-big-draw-some-think-1.392627
Ralph
‘In terms of getting the Scottish Premier League Chief Executive’s position, my previous football experience was undoubtedly relevant. In this job I need to –
think strategically and financially – there’s always pressure to increase the income available for the member clubs
stand up and speak publically and make regular appearances in the national media
negotiate skilfully – for example when renegotiating broadcasting deals with Sky, ESPN or the BBC and in relation to other commercial sponsorships.’
I have pissed myself really badly on many an occasion but never to the extent I did when I read this. The pea – wrong one – pee went straight through my incontinence nappy, flooded my impermeable armchair, saturated the carpet and is now forming a seriously threatening pool in the foundations. I firmly believe anything Doncaster says should be preceded by a government health warning. Or, even better, a government discrimination law (a favourite ploy to resolve any problem) as his words are an insult to all living creatures, even those with only instinct. When created, it would appear God stitched his brain somewhere up his arse – deliberately – so that everything that came out of it would be compatible with shit. The man is what is often referred to as a tool which is unfortunately quite an insult to a useful piece of inanimate equipment.
As for new managers, I am not very Keane, not ignited by a Coyle, not awakened by Loud Drops, not convinced he is the real McKay, terrified by the performances of Angelica Houston and not quite ready for The Return of the Magnificent Seven. That young highlander, who looks as though he caught the full blast of a Cumberland cannon at Culloden, might have done just enough porridge in the EPL to have learned a bit about wealing and dealing. He’s Moye best bet at the moment.
Failing that, Suzanne would light up many a dull afternoon at Parkhead just jumping up and down the touchline. Or Davy Moyes with a Suzanne facial could be the answer. I read her interview and we men really are wimps.
H H
You’re spot on Ralph,if Moyes knocks us back,the fall guy is Keane.If it’s Keano,fans have to reserve judgement and give him a chance.At least,he doesn’t suffer fools gladly.No favourites,selection based on consistency of performance.
How successful was Keane in his last job ??? I believe he is capable of creating havoc at Celtic. The MSM will have a field day with Keane in as Manager. Getting a bit tired of Dermot flexing his muscle when Celtic need a new Manager, will he back Keane with the ready’s like he did with O’Neill??? If not then Keane will walk out this time next year.
Celtic need a period of stable effective management and to keep the news on the back pages .Not convinced we will get that with Keane.There is a fine line between being strong and being arrogant and I know where I would put my money if they appoint Keane.