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Celtic Diary Thursday April 7: No More Interviews, Please

Ronny Deila, ahead of Saturdays crucial league encounter, at motherwell, a game in which Celtic cannot afford to fail to register a win, has told the supporters he’s ready.

In an exercise on how to focus on the job at hand, which must surely inspire confidence amongst a support which is beginning to get a little nervous, he said’

“They have showed that they are the best team in the Championship and we are ready to take them on next year Of course it is a big club and when they are good enough then that can only be a positive thing for Scottish football.”

Who ? Motherwell  ?

Hang on….

He’s talking about, or been manipulated into talking about next seasons games!

So, before I continue, I’d like to ask the Celtic PR guy, you know, whoever sets up these sessions if he could do me a favour…

fuck off

What is he playing at ?

He did get round to mentioning the Motherwell game..

“Nothing has changed from our point of view. We would be going to Fir Park to get three points no matter what had happened with the game at Dundee or with Aberdeen on Friday night. We always want to win.

“Of course I believe we are going to win the league. There are a lot of positives here and I believe in my players. That has not changed. Yes, there is pressure but I enjoy that pressure. If you don’t enjoy working under pressure then you should not be the Celtic manager.” 

There are a number of reasons why someone should not be the Celtic manager, and as every day passes, Deila ticks another of the boxes.

Kieran Tierney, one of the few shining lights amingst the general gloom surrounding the east end of glasgow these days, was a little more interested in the Fir Park game;

“There will be a few hostile shouts probably, but I’m looking forward to that, I have played there for the U20s and so it would be my first time for the first-team.

“They beat us the last time at Celtic Park so we will be looking to get back to winning ways against them. They are playing well under Mark McGhee, have climbed the table and are pushing for a top-six place while we are pushing for the title so it will be hard game. But we have confidence and we are all motivated to do well.” 

How will it go ?

Well, Motherwell will employ their usual defensive set up..

venturing forward rarely to show a little enthusiasm.

whilst Celtic adopt their usual style of waiting for something to happen.. and then bringing on Colin Kazim Richards to make sure it doesn’t.

Whilst the overall theme here may be one of despondency, it doesn’t have to be that way.

When it clicks, Celtic are a fearsome side, way ahead of anything else in Scotland, its just that somewhere, the train appears to have left the tracks. Maybe we just need to make a few adjustments to set it back on the line.

Surely there’s no need for the heavy machinery just yet ?

4-2-3-1 can work, it just needs a bit of enthusiasm, and so now is the time to put it in there.

You see, we’ve got it all wrong.

Just as ali beat foreman back in the seventies, Celtic have been engaged in a massive game of rope a dope to keep us all interested until the end of the season. a bit of box office to keep us all interested.

Haven’t they ?

On Saturday, we’ll see the real Celtic, the side that will take us to the champions League groups…and guess what, we at Etims have been told how it will work…. except the defence, where it will just be a case of who hasn’t hurt themselves this week.

Gordon, Lustig , Mulgrew, Boyata, Tierney ( probably )

Then the back two midfielders….Scott Allan and Stuart Armstrong

Then the next three, Patrick Roberts, Tom Rogic and Kristoffer Ajer-oh wait, he can’t come yet, so We’ll get Ryan Christie in…all interchanging, none of them with a specific posotion. They will just go with the flow…

Leigh griffiths will be on hand to add to his tally, having been told there will not be a striker brought on to help him at any stage, because we haven’t got any.

On the bench will be Scott Brown, in case someone needs to be stared at, Stefan Johansen incase we need someone to run around a bit, Kris Commons in case we need to plant an obstruction in the middle of the park, emilio Izaguirre in case anyone wants a fight and James Forrest in case anyone gets tired.

Oh, and a substitute goalie, doesn’t matter which one. The lad from dundee will be sitting there next season.

All or nothing. Lets go for it.

It might actually not be as far fetched as you think. There’s a virus sweeping Lennoxtown, so a drunk guy told us, and on the coach back from the Dundee the other night, around half the players were feeling sick.

Not, if I may be so bold as to venture, as sick as some of those on supporters buses making the same journey …

So, all Ronny has to do, to justify a gamble and maybe see some players he wants to see play his way is blame it on the flu….

This PR lark is a piece of piss…

The Scottish Cup semi final will see Craig Thomson in the middle, with Bobby Madden in one of the supporting roles. we hear Hugh Dallas and Bobby Tait are being called out of retirement to help due to a sickness bug ravaging the referees meeting the other day.

I bet they’d get away with that as well.

Told you, PR , a job anyone can do. Except whoever is doing it at Celtic, obviously…

Carl JungleBhoy noted the 1888 on yesterdays picture, and won when he wondered if it was Brother Walfrid being asked to move on after he was out to help the poor in Bridgeton…

Today, we have another vintage image…which is claimed to be the BBC sound effects department in 1927. but of course, it isn’t….so what is it ?

BBC Sound Effects department, 1927

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Monti
8 years ago

Caption:The Parkhead republican flute band warm up before the semi final!

Iancelt1967
8 years ago

Caption
Sound affects team reveal what’s really going on in John Collins head on match days

CarlJungleBhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt1967

Caption: SFA disciplinary committee practice punishment routine, for any official who fails to award The Tribute Act a semi-final penalty or insufficient red cards against hoops?

Iancelt1967
8 years ago

Effects not affects erm I think

Brian (not the messiah)
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt1967

Maybe the sound effect does affect the team

Iancelt1967
8 years ago
Reply to  Ralph Malph

Down at the tube station with broonie oh oh oh oh

mike
8 years ago

Caption,Its the Four Tops,reaching out,Ill be there,Ill be there.
Or the Green Brigades singing,Fur its a grand ole tim to see and when you ken the Historee its enough tae mack ye greet.

Iancelt1967
8 years ago

Look this may sound ridiculous and overly simple. But if you play weak sides week in and week out you drop standards to the level of an opponent. I think this is what has happened since the Huns died crowds have dropped reducing revenue thus the cheap option of buying average journeyman has ensued.

You get what you pay for our scouts are shite we need someone to scout good scouts Sounds farcical. We’re only a small country but we should be beating Norwegian teams in Europe It’s sad watching half empty stadium filled games when it wasn’t that long ago the stadium was filled every week
Let’s get this season over with a double and put it down to an overall bad season tierney and rogic being the exceptions

CarlJungleBhoy
8 years ago

Caption: Sunday 17th April – +/ Noon

Deep under the West Stand at Hampden, TV sound effects crew gear up to drown out sectarian chants by 20k “minority” above them. ♫…we’re up to our knees in.. BOOM, CRASH, BANG, KAPOW♫

Brian (not the messiah)
8 years ago
Reply to  CarlJungleBhoy

Love it!!!

elcormaco
8 years ago
Reply to  CarlJungleBhoy

Argh, didnt see this, sorry dude!

CarlJungleBhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  elcormaco

Nae borra mo chara. I didn’t notice lancelt1967 had already picked up on the sound effects thing when I posted mine. 🙂

charlie
8 years ago

caption the tim at the back tells the sons of strooth gie us the broad black brimmer or else

Iancelt1967
8 years ago

It’s a horrible hypothetical but I can’t resist asking it. Would you rather Warburton or della? Sure hector is beeling here and more convinced I’m a wank

Brian (not the messiah)
8 years ago

Caption: the green brigade’s first practice of their song repitoire before the 1916 scotish cup final complete with O’connell on the jungle drums.

Paul Mac
8 years ago

As someone who has to deal with press liaison officers from various clubs on a regular basis I am absolutely amazed at the lack of control that the Celtic officer has. It is absolutely normal for the guy to warn that some questions will not be tolerated but then thinking back … Remembering the time that Lenny answered a journo’s phone I dont remember seeing anyone from the club alongside him. Do we actually have one ?

8 years ago

Caption : The Govan Spiritualist RSC display the ancient voodoo ritual of waking the dead with a Jazz version of Voodoo Chile slight return by Hendrix

elcormaco
8 years ago

Caption:

Okay boys, lets try this again. As soon as The Billy Boys is audible on the sound effect mics at Hampden we begin the masking noises here…remember we must not let the people at home hear their singing.

And a one, two, a one two three four

Tex
8 years ago

Lancecelt1967,
If your playing against weak sides week in week out we should be rattling in 4,5,6 goals per game .We have the best team in Scotland but the worst manager and coaching staff,that is the problem ,and it is not helped by a board who do not seem to give a f***.

John Mccloy in tasmania
8 years ago

Caption;smsm celebratory ruckus after the huns stole the championship.on a more serious note Ralph,how come when you print the winner of previous pictures captions it appears as a little blank square with no info.yoursinpuzzlementcfc HH

Iancelt1967
8 years ago

Tex I disagree we intermittently thrash sides then draw 0-0. With them a few weeks later. Ok you can factor in an inept manager Playing teams mostly at a lower level brings the level down. My biggest criticism of Deila is not following form. Inconsistent selection of his teams leading to inconsisten performances. I think he has an arrogance that it will be alright in the day and I think John Collins is not managerial material and has too much influence Chris commons outburst was aimed at Collins. I think Collins should fuck off. Every manager in football should pick his own management team and not let himself be micromanaged by non footballing men in the board. Deila sold himself here just to get the Celtic job and is paying for it with weekly criticism and fan backlash. I think there is more than meets the eye here.

Brian (not the messiah)
8 years ago

As I said before, I live in Barcelona and have to regularly put up with watching Barca playing in the company of my father in law, the other night he couldn’t understand that I wanted to watch Celtic v Dundee rather than barca v athletic M (after the game neither could I :)). Anyway the point is I watch Barcelona a lot and many of their great teams including Guardiola’s often failed to break down a team that parks the bus. Under lennon, strachan and O’Neill I saw this also and I have seen them all drop points. I thought callum mcgregor would have been a better sub than armstrong who for me offers very little.

mike
8 years ago

Brian,what a feckin shame,i live in Barcelona and have to repeat have watch the with my faither in law.Here is a suggestion, i will let you watch my Celtic tv H.D.and i will accompany your faither in law to watch Barca.
Ya pare we Bassa.

Brian (not the messiah)
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

aye right!!! Sounds like a fair swap, HD sounds good and he will be happy to have some company, I mean barca are alright but I find myself more interested in watching celtic games on livetext. 🙂

mike
8 years ago

Even if the games are rigged Brian?

btw can you come over and look after the sheep and the coos,cos if you kin i will pack ma bags and be there about beg. of june,send me your address please.He.He.

charlie
8 years ago

phil macs up wae an article about big dermot and res 12 sorry canny dae the link

CarlJungleBhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  charlie
8 years ago

Sally McCoist and the easybeats, prior to him being fired

Iancelt1967
8 years ago

I think the board at some level do give a fuck We missed out on a Cl spot at the last hurdle with a team capable of retaining the Scottish league. They’ve acted responsibly we would never have kept Virgil he was going regardless. Always was as was the other guys who went to Southampton in past years What they did wrong was not buy decent defenders while Virgil was still playing and have them there during the Europa games.

The club has to be managed within its financial constraints. I think if we had a good defensive pattern with capable players we would still be in Europe also think we would have been embarrassed if we made Cl stages. Because we play in a weak league and are barren of good competition to compete with the best It was a gamble that didn’t pay off. 3-1 against Malmö would have been enough After that we went into Europa with sub standard defenders and an out of form johansen and brown

8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt1967

How was 3-1 enough when we lost 2-0 over there.
We were 2-0 up we get a corner they score from it
Why the fuck in Europe at 2-0 up do you play the exact same corner as if it were 0-0.
Broomy was actually the guy who blew it,he had a chance to clear but didn’t,but we should never have over committed our defenders at that point.
Take it short ffs hold on to it. No the reason we are in this mess is the manager.
We had 3 decent match winning players,who should have spear headed the attack.Stokes Griffiths Commons.Thats where the team should have been built from. 3 in midfield Armstrong Rogic Johansen, Forrest Brown Mcgregor
Roberts,bitton Mackay Stevens. Any perm you like.
Back 4 of Lustig Boyats Mulgrew Tierney
Jose,janko effe Jose blackett Izzy.
Then you see how easy it would have been.
No matter injury wise.
Buy sacrificing Stokes and Commons he lost his goalden ticket.

Iancelt1967
8 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmy going into a game 3-1 up is different to 3-2 we also had a good goal disallowed I think the extra goal warrants different tactics and a bigger psychological advantage

Iancelt1967
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt1967

Also agree with rogic playing every day of the week

Iancelt1967
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt1967

Yeah I agree but from memory listings injury and ambroses fuck up and johansen a petulance led to their second goal

Iancelt1967
8 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Also think we went into the season with a defence Falkirk fans wouldn’t stomach apart from Virgil and lustig.

8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt1967

Ian I respect your comments m8 we all want what’s best for Celtic. It has been plain for me since Malmo this guy is out his depth. I really wanted him to do well,but I can’t justify him as manager of our club.
Tierney apart every player looks fucked. Short of courage,and weak in fitness.
Their second goal at Celtic Park or over there.?

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Jimmybee

Since Malmo? I had a bad feeling after the Maribor game….and it hasn’t gone away!

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Jimmybee

Make mine Legia,it still remains in my sphinter
see the new signing K.Ajar is being retrained to be a striker for next season,be prepared for him staying.

Iancelt1967
8 years ago
Reply to  Jimmybee

Second goal here.

Iancelt1967
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt1967

See what I mean rebus

Rebus67
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt1967

Ian,

Meaning?

Rebus

Iancelt1967
8 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

Was commenting on making a comment after a comment isn’t published. Then it’s published and you look a twat if the comment is out of whack with the missing one

Rebus67
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt1967

Yep! Know what you mean. Keep it short, keep it short.

Rebus

andybhoy
8 years ago

Caption….. David Camerons PR team go into full denial mode when questioned on the PM’s possible involvement in the Panama Papers scandal.

stu67
8 years ago

What’s the odds on Brown being sent off in the first half against the tribute act ? #ordersfromabove

Devoy45
8 years ago

Craig Thomson? Very interesting! He has denied us two cups now and may have his eyes on a hat trick. However, Mibs are obliged to pretend to be impartial and objective, despite their orders from above and the pressure from their everyday family and friends. Anyone of Irish Catholic descent in Scotland knows how widespread that prejudice and pressure is. Thomson has a dilemma: he won’t dare score his ‘hat trick’ because that would be one step too far and will invite comment from the few friends we have. Thomson has the time-honoured way out though. Once he gives the Orcs a penalty kick and us a red card when he is sure the Orcs can win, he can then send one of them off and maybe give us a penalty kick as well ‘to even things out’. What we need is a friend in the media or someone from our club to comment that ‘the ref must be strong and keep in mind how damaging an early red card can be’. Big Jock would have done it properly. Lenny would have gone further and made it impossible for Thomson to even consider another ‘honest mistake’. We need to be vocal enough to make it impossible for Thomson to fuck us over a third time. However tempted he may be, it needs to be impossible for him to consider a ‘hat trick’ against us. One other far out possibility: to prove his objectivity,he may do his Mib magic on offsides and fouls, less obvious. I would be gobsmacked though if he tries any tricks. That would be blatant and prove our ‘Fenian paranoia’ is all too real.

Half_Fool
8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Due to his loyal service in the dark arts, C__T has been given this starring role.

I fully expect this to be the worst occasion we have seen in a long time, and I will be amazed if we see any degree of fairness, or 11 Celts to be on the field at the end.

8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

No disagree on that. I think he has just been warming up for the Semi-Final and will really pull out all his tricks.

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy, i am looking for some advice on trying to trace my Paternal Ancestory who hailed from Co Sligo,can you or anyone please advise me on how i can start my search,that would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks.

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

Apologies Devoy, Maternal family,Ballintocher,Sligo.
Paternal Family,Kildare,died in Newry.

Help me if you can im feelin DOOWWN and i do appreciate you being ARROOUUNNND.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

When I was younger I was brought up in Dundee,
Got my shell suit and Gola trainers stolen for me,
Now I’m older and I’m living in Fintry, ice cream van comes around and fixes it for meeeeeee
Now it’s 9 am and I’m flying aff ma heed..

Won’t you please, please, help me…….

Ken.

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Bet you didny ken that i have been merried 5 times,ah Monti.
No1 stole ma life savins, well £57.50 goes a long wie in Shitehill.
No2,she wizz German liked tp do everything by numbers,well ae canny count,so she wiz bombede oot.
No3 she wiz a lazy yin,she widna make the bed efter sex and if there is one thing ae canny stand its hard sheets.
No4 wiz Sweedish,she left me for a fitba player,ae widny touch efter ae fund oot he played fur Haugh/Spittoon.
No5 the latest yin,she is Russian,every time she reaches climax she shouts Nostrovia,its quite exciting really,she looks a lot like Raquel,thats her from Fools and Horeses btw not the big big Busty yin that looks like Bgbhoy.

8 years ago
Reply to  mike

http://www.rootsireland.ie/
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/Places/Europe/Ireland/Default.aspx?geo_a=r&geo_s=us&geo_t=uk&geo_v=2.0.0&o_iid=41013&o_lid=41013&o_sch=Web+Property
I have used Ancestry (3rdLink) to great use paid about £10 all in and got back 5 Generations to my Paternal start point in Rathmullan in Donegal.
Good luck!

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Thank you Charlie,will commence this weekend.

BroxburnBhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

Parish records Mike. You can write to the local government and they will try to help using the parish records.

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  BroxburnBhoy

Thank Choo, BroxburnBhoy,will commence the search over the weekend.

2–0 the Tic the morra.my optimism is gradually eroding normally it would start about 5-0,but now its down to any win will do.Have a guid yin.

Half_Fool
8 years ago

Caption: Level 5 are trained to make the biggest noise humanly possible if anyone dares to use the words “R**gers” and “liquidation” within the same sentence.

P.S. For all you Currant Buns out there in cyberspace, you know you weren’t relegated or demoted – you were liquidated; and you know it. Who can be relegated 3 divisions??

Deep inside you know you are a bunch lying cheating crooks but you can’t step away from the lies and into the truth. You have to keep on the party line about the “Auld Firm” and all the silverware you “have”. We know the truth and we always will, and I for one, cannot wait for your latest incarnation to be found out in due course for what it really is – A SHAM.

P.P.S. Neil Doncaster is a only useful as a scumbucket; and I mean that most sincerely folks.

basqueceltic
8 years ago

Caption;enoch powell(with pistol)you wanna be tories???get it right this time…1,2,3,4…it was old and it was beautiful…..sing damn it.

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  basqueceltic

HA.HA.Basque,WOW its feckin Steamin here in Bonny Dundee,temp. is reaching 25 degree,its that hot i will need to take mae wellies off.
btw congrats on your winning caption,wee shite.

basqueceltic
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

Thank you my good man,still fekkin pissin down here……but we’ve always got E-Tims to cheer us up…..even though our team doesn’t.Slainte

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

” Steamin in Dundee “?
That’s just the ones coming out of Boots after getting their ‘ methadone ‘.

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Jealoucee,that Montis Jealoucee,The sun here is fair reekin,the misses has got her bikini on and i am lying beside her with my Peroni,swiggin away.

Whats that Darlin,turn the heating down to 20.i ok then hen.

Iancelt1967
8 years ago

Why should their fuck ups derail our agenda? Our crowds are already shockingly low. There should be an impetus of crowds with their return and a vociferous protest in song against them and what they stand for four or more games of the year That’s the best way to protest. We have our own agenda to get to Europe and excel Do you think man city fans would stop going to games if United were caught cheating? Get to the games and support your team we need you

Half_Fool
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt1967

Well said. Good man.

Cartvale88
8 years ago

Caption the BBC ensure the lens cover is on the camera for the second half in 1957

Half_Fool
8 years ago
Reply to  Cartvale88

Oh Hampden in the Sun, Celtic 7 Rangers 1,
That was the score when it came time up, The Timalloys had won the cup!

Devoy45
8 years ago

Caption: “We were told to record some group called the Beatles but these Fab Four are the real future…”

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy,please see my post above,cheers,behind the sofa,so good.

Devoy45
8 years ago

Mike, pleased to help.
http://www.sligoroots.com/
If you’re good with computers, just enter “County Sligo Genealogy” (same for Kildare) in the search engine.Every Irish county has a genealogical centre so you can do this for every county. “Family Search” is a free service, especially good for relatives who emigrated. Some services charge but are worth it if you don’t get over to Ireland in person.A lot of records were destroyed in the Irish Civil War. The best way to start is to get names and dates from your older living relatives. They have papers, scrapbooks and so on.”Irish Roots” is a good site. You pay but in return you get lots of birth, marriage and death record information.But start closer to home: aunts, uncles and cousins. There is a lot on the internet now. You have the most important information already: you know the parish and county where your ancestors come from. That’s the first thing everybody wants to know (and I didn’t know)so you keep going round in circles. You’d also be amazed to know how many different ways people might spell a name or how many Tom Murphys lived in the same township! Your local library can help too. They can get you started.l Let me know how you get on. Man, we have to beat Motherwell on Saturday!

mike
8 years ago

Thank you Devoy,that is very much appreciated,i have been going round in circles with this,the centeenery celebrations rekindled my interest and Elcormaco post also,i will give it another try.
Will let you know how i get on.
Murderwell now takes on huge proportions,i hope the team,wakes up and smells the glove.

Devoy45
8 years ago

Local libraries in Sligo will have lots of info. if you can get over to Sligo. Some local Irish priests also have parish records. The Sligo website should help.My ancestors were all around the time of An Gorta Mor, not a good time to track folk down. Later than that might give you a better chance. Good luck man.

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Cheers ma Deers.

Rebus67
8 years ago

Hi Everyone,

It seems to be a slow news day. Anyone know if the team wear computers that monitor what they do during a game……distance travelled, speed etc?

Finally, is this used as part of team selection?

Rebus

8 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

Dunno Rebus, but maybe the reason why we are shite.
If you run about like a headless chicken without contributing it would look good on a monitor. Just the same as stats don’t tell the picture
I always think they look as if they have coat hangers in their backs. Look at the shirt on Saturday, it will look as if it’s still on the hanger. Too many play with those back straps as they are spineless.

Monti
8 years ago

I see Mark Mcghee is the latest to welcome Rangers ” back to where they belong “???
What the fuck is going on?

8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

He was on the sfa pay roll m8 he’s going to say that.
This whole thing isn’t for the good of the game,it is for the benefit of one club. It reeks to the high heavens.

BondiBrian
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Neil Lennon yesterday “…with rangers coming back up ….” Indeed WTF is going on.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

True, but it’s Lennon so let it go,I love this man!

bgbhoy
8 years ago

fuck the huns, fuck the sfa, fuck the queen, fuck david cameron, fuck the british army, fuck adrian durham, fuck any ‘believers of the myth’ and fuck off ronny!!!

BondiBrian
8 years ago
Reply to  bgbhoy

Adrian durham? who he??

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

He’s an irritating bell end….you two would make a good pair!

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  bgbhoy

Bgbhoy,
…..and fuck the Judean people’s front! 🙂

8 years ago

Turnbull Hutton lest we forget RIP
Hutton emerged as a supporters’ hero when he bluntly and disparagingly criticised the blundering, and sometimes mendacious, efforts of the Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Premier League to parachute the newco Rangers into the first division of the Scottish Football League. Speaking on the steps of Hampden during a highly charged summer, he made the “dead parrot” remark which, to many, summed up the SPL and its hopelessly fudged reaction to the financial disaster at Ibrox.

“It wasn’t my intention to be a mouthpiece for Scottish football, or to be seen as taking on the establishment,” he points out. “I just want a quiet life. But I suppose you reach a point where worrying about being diplomatic becomes less important. You’re better telling it as it is; at least folk know where you’re coming from.”

For Hutton, events got personal in April when one of his directors, Eric Drysdale, was subjected to death threats. That was followed by Fife police foiling a plot to torch Stark’s Park. Small wonder Hutton was burning with indignation by the time Stewart Regan and Neil Doncaster had fanned the flames of Scottish football’s summer of discontent.

Four months after these initial events in Kirkcaldy, and with Rangers having started their new life in the third division, Hutton is holding court at his house. He and his wife Margo have just returned from holiday to discover their home has been broken into. It appears, however obviously distressing, to have been a criminal act with a financial motive rather than the more sinister connotation of being connected with the events of the summer.

It would, one suspects, take a lot to disturb Hutton’s equilibrium. Born and brought up in Burntisland, he is not the hick from the sticks some of his detractors might like to portray him. Before retirement he was joint managing director of Diageo Operations Scotland, and in that capacity he helped pave the way for the Bells sponsorship of Scottish football. At one time an employee called David Longmuir, now the SFL chief executive, reported to him.

Throw in a degree from Harvard, and Hutton might just know what he’s talking about, even if he admits that keeping Raith Rovers solvent would tax the combined wisdom of the world’s top accountants and entrepreneurs. Like the other directors, he bails the club out with short-term loans when required, so he is only too aware of how football finances work in this country.

He’s not so sure the SFA’s chief executive knows what makes Scottish football tick. Hutton’s disdain for Regan is evident. It is withering. But the Raith chairman is also critical of a wider cast, including Doncaster, Ally McCoist and Walter Smith.

The chairman accuses McCoist of “grandstanding” in demanding to know the names of the three-man judiciary panel, including Drysdale, who handed Rangers their original 12-month transfer ban. Their identities were already known to the Ibrox club. “That was quite serious for Eric. Then the police contacted us to say there was a credible threat of our stadium being torched because of Eric’s involvement. They had information that two guys in Kirkcaldy had already been paid to do it.”

8 years ago

Turnbull Hutton Rip
Raith Rovers director Turnbull Hutton.
SNS Group
Raith Rovers director Turnbull Hutton says clubs in the Scottish Football League are being “lied to, bullied and threatened” by the Scottish FA and Scottish Premier League to accept a newco Rangers into the First Division.

Hutton says the attempts to force teams to bypass a formal application process for Charles Green’s company are “corrupt”, following threats that finances from the SPL would be cut off and a breakaway league formed.

He said: “It is not an SFL issue. We’ve been lumbered with this. There are rules we feel they should be followed. They [newco Rangers] should apply for the Third Division.

“[We are being] bullied, railroaded and lied to. We are being lied to by the Scottish FA and the SPL. We are being threatened and bullied. It is not football as I know it.

“It was a ridiculous document which came out last week whereby the threat was there that if you don’t vote for an acceptance into the First Division, a breakaway SPL2 will come along and those who didn’t vote wouldn’t be invited.

“What kind of game are we running here? It is corrupt.”

When asked if he agreed with the SFL’s assertion that Scottish football would face financial meltdown without Rangers, he replied: “I don’t believe that.”

The 30 member clubs of the SFL are meeting at Hampden on Tuesday to discuss proposals which would see Charles Green’s newco parachuted into the First Division, as opposed to applying to enter at Third Division level.

A presentation sent out by the league to its members last week warned £16m could be wiped out from the Scottish game if Rangers had to play in the bottom tier.

It promised an additional £1m would be divided amongst clubs in TV money if the club were to participate in the First Division, with play-offs and a change to financial distribution also proposed.

mike
8 years ago

The fixs are in,the press are cranking up,the lads who have made there living out of the game and who want to continue in the game,are spouting their same old pish.Craigie hun has been appointed (this was predicted 2 weeks ago) as semi final ref.
The sfa and the spfl are on board to continue the myth,the gutter press contiune with the propaganda.
Sit back and take your medicine at the back of the bus or,come together and protest peacefully at the semis,i liked the idea mooted that the support drop there keks at the twelth minute.
Me im not going,that is my way of objecting.
I will wait till the trials are passed and see what the Boards reaction is and decide whether to cash in my shares and not renew my lads and mine season tickets. We will not purchase anything from the club until this is dealt with,we will not encourage a corrupt game.
H.H.

BondiBrian
8 years ago

Celtic 3 – M’well 0. That’s ma prediction.

no a caption, a question…is that War of The Worlds sound effect pic?

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

Aaah Bondibrian, the surfer patroll!

BondiBrian
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

eh,….aye awrite Monti. Yer patters brilliant.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

Stop trolling me then, it’s that simple.

8 years ago

Hearts 1-Aberdee 1 that’s my prediction tonight.
Tomorrow cant see us winning if he continues with the same sideway midfield players.
Time to bring In drive.
Gordon Lustig boyata Mulgrew Tierney
Forrest Rogic Johansen Roberts
Commons Griffiths.
Subs Izzy MacKay Stevens bitton Macgregor kazim Richards.
Drive them back with two proper wingers without our full backs trying to do both jobs.

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Feck me we are all mystic megs,well here is Mystic Mikes prediction,2-1 to the Tic. My usual optimism has been curtailed somewhat by the Keech,we are currently watching.
btw Jimmy like your team,back from seedy Brighton are you,hope your heed wisny turned doon there.

charlie
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

morning mike have you found your auld rogue ae a granda yet ha ha

charlie
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

i bet they all turn out to be flim flam men

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

Charlie, i did find a picture of the auld rougue,he i was told faithered 6 from 4 wimmin,i am looking forward to finding mair aboot him,reminds me a wee bit aboot you,his patter was pish inaw.See your having a wee rest from the caption comp. i think you have been pickin the bhoys in the vans brains,admit it,its there attempts in tit.
Did awe tell you awe wiz merried 5 times if you dinny believe me look at my post earlier to Monti,he is the original Flim flam man.HE.HE.

charlie
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

whit only 6 fae 4 thats what we calla jaffa roon ma wae ha ha as for the caption i shall return

charlie
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

mike are the 5 ae thum still locked up in the barn ha ha

charlie
8 years ago

hearts will hump aberdeen and the tic will murder murderwell and pay back mcghee for his hun chat ime always optimistic on a friday aint fridays grand

Devoy45
8 years ago

charlie, no predictions from me. Anything can happen. jimmybee I like your lineup. We have to try something different. Mike, also try: http://www.RootsIreland.ie
The Sweet County Sligo.I was last there in 1975!

mike
8 years ago

Devoy you are a big pal,good sense of humour,witty intelligent and an exceptional Tim,a bit like masel.
Thank you,will keep in touch and let you ken how i get on.
H.H.
P.S. i like jimmys line up also,is he free at the moment,efter his trip to Gay Paree.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

Devoy,
Beware those bearing Peh’s as gifts 🙂

Monti
8 years ago

On the Hearts v Aberdeen match at Tynecastle tonight, has anyone else noticed the absence of the words, tinderbox, powderkeg or explosive fixture for this game.
I mean I know I’m a bitter Fenland n’all but these words are what we generally read before we visit that shithole, that’s Tynecastle, Mike, not Dundee.
Add to that the STV news spoke to Professor Hugh Pennington about the recent flu virus that affected the Hearts squad, for him to inform us that the Hearts players won’t be 100% fit?

Read that again and think about it, STV spoke to a professor to tell us Hearts players won’t be fit for this game.

WTF?

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Fenian not Fenland!
….and proud to be!

Monti
8 years ago

Celtic 4-4-2 v Motherwell

Gordon

Lustig
Kelleher
Mulgrew
Tierney

Forest
Brown
Johansen
Mackay-Steven

Mcgregor
Griffiths

Mcgregor just off Griffiths not alongside.

Rebus67
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

Why McGregor shadowing Griff? I’d have in for either Brown or Jo Hansen. No Forrest, rather Roberts. I hope both Chritie and Allan are on the bench to tackle the lack of creativity when it happens.

There might be a case for CZR to counteract the industrial CHs that Well have, but there are pluses and minuses on that one.

Each game from now on in is a cup final for Celtic, assuming thst Aberdeen do not fold.

Rebus

Devoy45
8 years ago

Monti, don’t know much about Kelleher so would put Ambrose in! (Quick, Monti is gagging on his oatcakes) Otherwise, your selection makes a helluva lot of sense. I’d forgotten Griffiths wasn’t in the loss at Parkhead.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy,
NAW!

Devoy45
8 years ago

Yeah, Professor Pennington is usually asked about Ebola, Aids and Yellow Fever. He’s based in Aberdeen though so maybe even the professor is biased!

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy,
I just can’t believe they went to that much trouble to suggest basically, that Hearts would lose.
It just goes to show how much they fear us…

Delbhoy
8 years ago

Ralph that’s along the lines of the side most of us want to see but it won’t happen it will be brown biton and Johansen for a master class in how to bore everyone to death , give the baw away , run and try and catch it then repeat!

Monti
8 years ago

Motherwell 0 Celtic 5

Because there’s something inside so strong…..

COYBIG!!!!

Monti
8 years ago

I love it when I see Huns hurting, it feels so good man…..
Especially Mcinnes!

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