Last word on the Josh Meekings handball from last week, because it’s time to move on now, comes from the SFA, who are now saying that the referee did see the incident after all.
“Further to the judicial panel hearing yesterday involving Josh Meekings, the panel considered initial submissions from Mr Meekings’ solicitor.
“In particular, it was argued by him that under protocol 13.4.1.1 the judicial panel was not entitled to determine the matter.
“The panel considered that as the incident (but not the actual alleged sending-off offence of handball) had been seen by one or more of the officials, it was not entitled to consider the matter further.
“It accordingly dismissed the complaint without any consideration of the merits of the incident or the decision arrived at by the referee.”
Shortly after the incident, Meekings was snapped explaining what happened. Which goes some way to helping us make up our minds as to whether or not he’s a cheat, as well as the referee;
Before explaining it to fans….
The problem isn’t with the player. He knows what he did, and got away with it.
It’s with the referee and his assistants. and a governing body determined to adopt a policy of inertia.
Celtic face Dundee United again tomorrow, and thankfully MacLean isn’t the man in the middle.
Instead, it’s Willie Collums turn to try to derail our season.
At least we won’t have to worry about him not seeing a controversial episode. He doesn’t need to see an incident to make his mind up about it. In fact, we hear that new technology will be used tomorrow, and Collum will referee by remote control from his living room, simply making decisions based on telepathy.
Like he usually does, but without the self important strut.
Celtic boss Ronny Deila has spoken out about referees, and also gave us a little insight as to why he sometimes tends to ramble at press conferences;
“The referees have been good. But, when my team has a bad performance, I have to stand in front of newspapers.
“If it’s good, it’s good. If it’s bad, it’s bad. But I have to stand up to it. I can’t understand what the problem is with the referees doing it as well.
“They could say, ‘I made a bad mistake, I’m so sorry, I’m irritated at myself, I should have done it better, I should learn from this’.
“What could you say to them after that?
“But when you don’t get an answer you never get finished with it.
“It’s not important for me to speak with the referee. It’s the press.
“If the press has a question and I say, ‘No comment’, it never stops.
“If I say what I think, you move on.
“It would be good for them too.
“We all know refs will make mistakes and do good and bad things.
“We’ll do the same, but just to be open and honest gets you much more respect.
You may have spotted the problem with the idea, when Ronny mentioned the words “open ” and “honest “
You have to be able to handle it through good times and bad times.”
Though not an outburst, it’s a significant statement. Ronny hasn’t been through the years of systematic honest mistakes, and he may well have had his eyes opened as to how bad the problem really is. Referees have to explain their actions , especially when they are as bizarre as the Meekings incident.
The “official ” line, now that everyones had time to get their stories straight, is that the officials thought it hit the defenders face.
The reality is that they thought they could get away with saying they thought it hit his face.
And thats what has happened.
There’s little Celtic can actually do about it, but I’d be very disappointed if the club allowed MacLean to officiate at a game of ours again. And I’d take whatever punishment was handed out, because a stand does have to be taken.
MacLean is a cheat, and thats that.
Transfer news, and Sports witness is quoting a report in the Spanish press that Celtic are making moves to freshen up the squad;
Spanish newspaper AS have revealed this morning that Celtic are interested in signing Espanyol winger Juanan Entrena. The youngster has been in impressive form during the past few months which has brought him to the attention of a number of clubs, including the SPL side.
It has been claimed by AS that Celtic’s chief scout David Moss has been in contract with the Spanish side over the availability of the 18 year old, and an offer has come in from the Scottish club. Entrena has been the key player in Espanyol winning their youth league, and they still have a chance in picking up more silverware this season in the cup competitions.
However, Celtic will face competition to sign the winger after reports several Spanish side are also interested in signing the player. Entrena is unlikely to move on in the summer transfer window as he has a desire to remain with his current club at least until his contract runs expires in 12 month’s time.
Entrena signed for Espanyol in 2013 after arriving from the famous Barcelona youth academy. Before his moving to Barcelona he had stints with the youth set ups at Sevilla and Granada. AS say the youngster has good speed and is comfortable with both feet.
He looks like he’ll be able to handle the rough and tumble of Scottish football.
In between his stints in a boyband.
Two Celtic players, Emilio Izaguirre and Jason Denaayer have said they are happy enough to stay at Celtic Park.
The popular left back has made no secret of the fact he loves life in Glasgow, and confirmed his wishes for the future by saying;
“My future is here at Celtic. I would find it very difficult to leave Celtic.
“Celtic have given me everything. I have six winners medals and I am about to win a seventh. The fans love me and I am grateful to them.”
Thats no real surprise, but more interestingly, perhaps even a little surprisingly, Jason Denaayer has said he wouldn’t be averse to the idea of spending another year in the hoops.
Of course I would be happy to do that. I’ve had a very good year at Celtic so far. I would be happy to come back.”
“It has been the best year of my life because I’ve made my first professional start at club level but also for the national team”
The ball is in Manchester city’s court, but as it is unlikely he’ll get much game time down there, it certainly raises hopes that we won’t need two centre backs in June.
Especially reading between the lines in Virgil van Dijks words from the official website;
“Everyone wants to play at the highest level and the highest level if you are playing for Celtic is the Champions League.
“So we need to go though the qualifications first and that’s going to be tough like last summer. But if we’re ready for it and prepare well, there’s always a chance to go through and we’ll see what happens.
“Those games are the ones you want to play in as every player wants to show that they are capable of playing at that level. That’s a big challenge for everyone if we reach that level but first we need to win the title.
“We need to be champions again and we’ll be on our way but the next game is on Sunday and we need to focus on that.”
He thinks we are good enough to compete in the UCL;
“I see it in the games, I see it in training
“I know that if everybody is fit and everybody is 100 per cent then we have a very good team and a very good squad to compete with the good teams in the Champions League.”
Those aren’t the words of someone looking to leave as quickly as he can.
A number of fans of Second Rangers could well not have to worry about booking their summer holidays, after they admitted singing naughty songs at a recent match at Livingston. At least, thats what I think they have done. according to the BBC;
Three Rangers fans have admitted causing a sectarian disturbance at a football match.
Ryan Maclellan, 17, Brian Robertson, 18, and Gordon Cruickshank, 29, had all been due to stand trial at Livingston Sheriff Court.
But they pleaded guilty to engaging in behaviour likely to incite pubic disorder in a designated football ground.
Sentence on the three men was deferred until 24 June.
Thats an interesting charge.
Whats pubic disorder, and is it infectious. ?
I’d ask google, but I’m worried about what sort of images would come up.
Speaking of Toxic FC, the ISDM, which was to be their point of refuge after the AIM delisted them, have decided not to allow them anywhere near them.
Remember Paul murrays words…
“One of the platforms keen to take us is ISDX. This is an exchange that Rangers used to trade on and it is also a trading platform for Arsenal.
Not that keen, it appears.
No ISDX For Rangers
The RSL understands that RIFC PLC has been refused a listing on the ISDX.
The toxicity of the club due to heightened investor activism and inability to meet exchange crtieria are contributory factors. Given the ISDX is considered to have a low suitability threshold in relation to other exchanges, this is a further blow to the new board’s credibility.
“We are not a market for AIM rejects” the ISDX said.
As one City observer said, this is like being refused entry into a drive thru at McDonalds.
Theres also a story doing the rounds that the club will have to borrow from Mike Ashley again, as the wages are due, and they’re a bit short this month.
Again.
But fans of the beleagured basket case club need not worry.
Their number one fan, the staunchly staunch Mark dingwall says they don’t need Ashley at all…
followfollow@hotmail.com
RED AND BLACK SHIRTS – http://www.redandblackshirt.com
BLUE SHIRTS – http://www.thelionbrand.co.uk
THE RED AND BLACK SCARF – http://www.redandblackscarf.co.uk
It’s truly a mystery as to why the Ibrox club haven’t utilised the great mans talents for their own ends.
Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon has joined in with the Parkhead clubs initiative to help the homeless, the out of work, and the less fortunate in society. The club recently held a dinner for five hundred homeless to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the passing of founder Brother Walfrid, and Lennon followed this up by taking to the streets and greeting someone who is clearly in need of a bit of help.
Some funny and frighteningly accurate answers to the You Are The Ref puzzle yesterday, now its time to play
who is the youngster watching his idols from the side, all those years ago ?
Jim McCalliog?
I will take a guess at Stevie Chalmers HH
More importantly; what’s ‘swally’ doing sporting one star on his XXL track suit top?
I still feel the same as I did on Sunday…cheated!
The officials and Meekings are to blame, utterly fucking shocking.
I hope meekings scores an own goal in the final or rips his hamstring before the final.
Good luck Falkirk and Fuck the SFA!
Bet the highland huns lie down to their fellow sheepshaggers today
acheat says i saw it but got it wrong and the compliance guy canny dae a thing about it its a cheats charter
Doesnt Ashley have a deal where Rangers2 need to pay him regardless of sales figures so boycotts actually mean more pain for Murray and Co.( But not King of course)
Is that Billy from Billys Boots in the picture?
Is it Danny McGrain?
Still laughing at “like getting a knockback from a McDonalds drive thru.”
Boyd head butts an opponent and the compliance officer says not proven, even though the incident was caught on camera.
Elbows McCulloch deliberately elbows an opponent on the face and although it’s caught on camera, not proven.
Aiden Connolly dives to win a penalty and it’s caught on camera – not proven. Boerrigter get a 2 game ban for the same offence as his was proven
Ciftci kick Broonie on the side of he head and it’s caught on camera – not proven.
The ref sends off the wrong United player, even though his assistant took the guilty player aside, nobody suspended.
Tonev accused of racist comments – no witnesses / no video evidence – guilty.
But remember they were all correct decisions and were just paranoid,
Well stated A.D.
Is it the one and only Tommy Burns in the pic? A point on the shambles at shamden last sunday, we lost the keeper and first goal from yet another shite commons corner where he couldn’t get the ball past the first defender. ICT should have been down to 10 men before this but our corners have been woefull for years, commons, stokes n mulgrew all have the same problem, they can’t clear the first defender.
What chance a commons hat trick at tanadice on Sunday??
Stretching it a bit to blame Commons. Losing the game was secondary to the shenanigans that has taken place this past week. The SFA are not fit for purpose with their current incumbents which goes down from top to bottom including Refs.
Thanks yet again Ralph.
Looks like Danny McGrain fer me an aw.
George Connely
Elvis Presley.
HH
Notice how the clone Rangers use the Lion Rampant on their shirts while a huge part of their support sing Rule Britannia, wave the Union Jack and tear the Saltire out of wee lassies’ hands? They are truly a club of paradoxies…don’t know their arse from their elbow.
I had a gut feeling we were going to have a bad day against ICT, but even in my worst imagination I didn’t imagine it would be such a blatant example of in your face corruption by the ref and his officials. If they hadn’t got us at that incident they would have got us later. I will celebrate like a dafty when their club loses the playoffs and has to stay down, and I’m gonna be thinking of how they cheated us last weekend…what rhymes with GIRFUY?
The photo looks like Paul Lambert…but I think time-wise I’m wrong.
Willie Fernie.looks like his nose.talking of honest mistakes I was at Love st early sixties not long after he came back to Celtic.it had been snowing and they had cleared the lines a couple of feet either side.he was running down the left wing and the ball went over the inside snow line but still well in play.the linesman was up with him cos willie wasn,t the fastest runner and he flagged for a shy to saints.the look of disbelief on his face said it all.another incident in the league cup around the same time against the jags at park head losing 2-1 needing a draw to go through shot from distance went in and was disallowed as the mob reckoned he blew full time while the ball was travelling but before it went in.plus ca change.
M.i.b