Celtic Diary Friday November 14: The Unseen Fenian Hand Strikes Again

Some months ago. an alert supporter of another club in Glasgow-I can’t remember their name, because they got involved in some dodgy dealings and went into liquidation-contacted the European Commission to point out that Celtic had been the recipient of  some favourable land deals, and he wanted an investigation.

The commission is legally bound to investigate all such claims, however spurious and however much they are based on nothing more than rumour, gossip and innuendo.

He had his reply

Dear Sir,
I refer to your mail concerning the granting of alleged State aid to the Celtic Glasgow Football Club.

You allege that the Celtic Glasgow Football Club has benefitted from unlawful State aid, mainly in the form of advantageous land transfers.

The Commission has raised the issue with the UK authorities. Based on the observations received from them, the services of the Commission have not been able to identify any issue regarding unlawful State aid.

In light of that assessment the Commission services do not envisage to pursue the matter further. 

So get it right up ye, you numb hun nugget.

And yer clubs still deid.

Best Regards, 



State Aid Registry
European Commission
DG Competition

MADOU Office 12/59
B-1049 Brussels/Belgium
Tel: +32 2 29 61154
Fax: +32 2 29 61242
E-mail: Stateaidgreffe@ec.europa.eu
Competition website: http://ec.europa.eu/competition

However, there are suspicions that the inquiry may not have been entirely without a conflict of interest, but its difficult to see where.

No doubt there will be howls of anguish down Ibrox way. Speaking of which, the last time I went down that way, I paused at a sign that said “Look Right ” , so I had to go and hire a chimpanzee costume.

Here all week, try the veal etc..etc.

Speaking of dressing up, next to feel the wrath of the Rangers, they still think they are the same club, you know, whereas as its only the supporters who are the same, are the clothing retailer Burtons, who would have received this very angry email by now.

Its really upset them;

The offending item ? No, I don’t mean the author of the anti Catholic statement, the delightfully named Gub;

In case you hadn’t noticed, Celtic Park is in use tonight, hosting the European Qualifier between Scotland and Ireland.

The ground lends itself to this sort of occasion, and the atmosphere should help the Scots.

The ground lends itself to this sort of occasion, and the atmosphere should help the Irish.

Two ex Celts managing the sides, with two ex Celts as assistants. Two Ex Celts as captains, and a sprinkling of former, current and next Celtic players on the pitch.

Tonight presents an opportunity for Ikeche Anya to have a look at his next place of employment, and Steven Fletcher will be chatting to the medical staff.

For those who don’t like international football, the game should still hold appeal due to the large Celtic connection, and of course, theres always the occasion itself, which is being held at arguably one of the most atmospheric grounds in World football.

Talking about the venue, Strachan said;

“I thought the Scottish fans turned Ibrox into the home of Scotland for the day and we will do that tomorrow. 

Er, why ? The games at Celtic Park.

Perhaps he wants to fool old man Davie Weir into turning up for the game at the venue that Weir said the game should be played at. This was on Radio Scotland the other night when he was questioned by Chick Young , Craig Paterson and some other people who may not have been entirely against that choice, as they have their own seats at the ground.

“We will turn Celtic Park into the home of Scottish football and you will know fine well you are in Scotland tomorrow night.

“We are quite familiar with Celtic Park as well (as some of the Irish), most of our players have played there.

“But as I say, it is not going to be Celtic Park, tomorrow it is Scotland’s park.

“There will be 50,000 plus Scotland fans in there. That is Scotland’s territory and they are coming into Scotland’s territory. 

Whilst the Braveheart attitude is all very well, its a bloody good job Scotland will have to fight it out with Ireland to get a result on the pitch. If it was put to a vote then we’re doomed.

 What will be interesting is if Celtic Park can be quite the same intimidating venue when the crowd are singing doh a dear , as opposed to, say, Hail Hail, or Let The People Sing.

 Still, in a gesture of goodwill, we’ve lent them the Soldiers Song for the evening, or at least until the stewards chuck them out.

 The Etims team discussed the game in last nights podcast, which is worth a listen if you haven’t got anything better to do, because the one thing about our podcasts is that you will suddenly appreciate the value of the other things you do.

 Personally, I reckon both teams will be more afraid of losing than actually wanting to win, but if they get carried away with the expected atmosphere, then anything can happen. I’m sticking with 0-0 though, because at least I’ll be right for some of the game.

 Its a big night for Scott Brown, who will lead Scotland out at his club ground;

“To be perfectly honest it will be the proudest moment of my career,” he inisisted.

“To captain my country and walk out to hear the national anthem being sung by 60,000 Tartan Army fans means a lot.

“It’s emotional to hear everyone singing their heart out and know it’s for you to go out on the park and try to win for them.”

Asked if he still feels nerves, Brown replied: “Yeah, that’s what makes it exciting. It’s huge for any Scottish fan.

 “When you go out there you can feel the hairs on your back stand up. It’s a great occasion.”  

 Thats taken from Alison McConnells piece in the Evening Times. And so is this;

Brown expects the Ireland game to be played at a much more furious pace and agreed it will feel more like an Old Firm clash than an international tie. 

 What he actually said was;

 “Yeah, it’s definitely going to be like that.

“They’re going to try to come for us in the first 10, 15 minutes, so it’s going to be tough. Both teams have great players and great managers. Everyone knows what it’s going to be like.

“This will be different from a lot of international games. It’s going to start off at 110 miles an hour, especially with 60,000 fans getting behind us.

“That great atmosphere will push us on. As a player, you need to handle that.

“You have to relax and not let the whole Scotland-Ireland, Rangers-Celtic, whatever it is, get to you. You have to focus on playing your own game.

“I have learned that over the years in these games.

“In your first big match like this, everyone focuses on trying to win the battle and stuff like that. But it’s different for us, playing the Republic of Ireland on home soil at Celtic Park. 

Incidentally, Aiden McGeady , already used to being abused at grounds in Scotland, is apparently very , very nervous about tonights game;

Back to Brown;

“We have players who have all been in big games before and who all know what it’s about.

“They will get the ball down and pass it, get it forward.”

Note that he calls it Rangers Celtic, and not Old Firm.

Celtic are , according to the grapevine, ditching the OF tag, except in retrospect, which is perhaps an acknowledgement that the rivalry is deceased.

Theres no fixture against Second Rangers on the official website yet, although there are several scoops in the press suggesting the League Cup semi final will be on the first of February, a Sunday, but it will be interesting to see how the club markets the game.

And if the press force a statement out of Celtic as to thier views on the new club. Which wouldn’t surprise me, they love to stoke the flames.

Oddly enough, they’ve never pushed the question of identity with the new club itself.

 Gordon Strachan was the man in the phtograph yesterday. Well, not man, he was just a tiny wee fellow in those days. You can ad your own punchline of you want.

With regards to the national service question, Nir Biton has done his.

Stefan Johansen and Beram Kayal were refused theirs, and Bulgaria ceased the practice in 2007, or 2008. Anyway, they’ve stopped it now.

Teemu Pukki and Jo Inge Berget are both from countries which still have mandatory military service, but there is no evidence either way of any involvement in any military service or practices for either player.

I asked someone who is an expert in this sort of thing, and he assured me he’ll find something.

( This isn’t a recent picture of Blair. I was going to use one, but he’s aged so badly I wasn’t sure you’d recognise him. )

Looks like whatever devil he sold his sold to has come back to cash in.

( Thats not him either. Thats his facial double for the cameras. Probably. )

From the very old to the very young.

Who is this ?

This quiz is open to all, except reader Charlie Saiz , who has already answered it on twitter.