{"id":11139,"date":"2017-04-25T08:38:41","date_gmt":"2017-04-25T07:38:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=11139"},"modified":"2017-04-25T08:38:41","modified_gmt":"2017-04-25T07:38:41","slug":"celtic-diary-tuesday-april-25-so-easy-really","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=11139","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Tuesday April 25: So Easy Really."},"content":{"rendered":"

No diary appeared yesterday, largely because I couldn’t see the laptop and my hands were shaking a little, making typing impossible.<\/p>\n

With Sunday matches the norm these days, perhaps it might be an idea to stop when the beer tally enters double figures, but its difficult to resist the temptation to have a few after the game as well.<\/p>\n

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Nevertheless, a good time was had by all, and it was refreshing to see that even the “rangers ” players at a post match Player of the Year do- I think Patrick Roberts probably won that as well- celebrated keeping the score down to just two.<\/p>\n

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No sign of a goat, which probably explains the function of the fat fellow.<\/p>\n

As you are no doubt aware, Celtic moved to within ninety minutes and stoppage time of a clean sweep of the domestic honours. Still undefeated, and still motivated.<\/p>\n

Even including fixtures against the original Rangers, its difficult to remember a more comprehensive victory than the one on Sunday, as the men in hoops showed that the gap between the two sides is much bigger than anyone in blue would care to admit.<\/p>\n

Though to be fair, just two things, a complete upgrade in playing staff and a new manager at Ibrox could change that, there’s no sign of that happening any time soon.<\/p>\n

It took just ten minutes for Calum MacGregor to pass the ball beyond Wes Foderingham, and although we had to wait for a Scott Sinclair second half penalty to double the lead, Celtic never had to really raise their game as they were already at a level that was way above anything “rangers ” could cope with.<\/p>\n

It finished 2-0, although it could have easily been more.<\/p>\n

It was disappointing to see Moussa Dembele pull up with a hamstring probem, but when you’ve got Leigh Griffiths ready to fill in, there’s little need to worry.<\/p>\n

Apart from that, I think its safe to say that “rangers ” will be more worried about next weekends league game than Celtic.<\/p>\n

Willie Collum, the referee, didn’t turn up for “rangers ” either, and as he was the man expected to be their main playmaker, they were always going to struggle, especially when he did the unthinkable and booked an Ibrox player early on.<\/p>\n

He relented a little later by not sending anyone off-Beerman and Halliday should have walked, and possibly even Tavernier after the penalty-but that penalty award, although the offence was blatant, means he’s unlikely to be offere a new deal at the club in the summer.<\/p>\n

Patrick Roberts, now entering the last few weeks of his loan deal, looks set to rejoin Manchester City, and may not even feature in the Cup final as he could be called away on England under 21 duty.<\/p>\n

More worryingly, his buddy Keiran Terney seems to be hinting that the Englishman isn;t going to go for a permanent move to Glasgow..<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has been brilliant for us and you saw what he brought to the game on Sunday,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe is a good team-mate and a good mate of mine but I think you have to trust him to do what he is best for his career.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat is something that he needs to decide for himself. Obviously I would love it if he stayed on here but that is really anything to do with me. He needs to make that decision himself but he has had a really successful loan spell here and I know how much he has enjoyed it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI think you can see why he has that price tag around his neck at such a young age. His technique and his movement is excellent and he has contributed so much this season. I don\u2019t know what will happen next because that is up to Patrick and to the club but hopefully there will be a few more afternoons like Sunday\u2019s to come.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Roberts himself has said on Twitter that “if I am to leave, a treble would be the perfect way to sign off ”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, at least he said “if “…<\/p>\n

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Manager Brendan rodgers seems pleased, but isn’t getting too carried away. He’s been noted in the past for some strange sayings, and post match he’s come out with another one.<\/p>\n

Never get too carried away in this game. I\u2019ll repeat it, a slap on the back is only six inches from a slap on the arse.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Before the game on sunday, the youth cup final takes place.<\/p>\n

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Well, a clean sweep isn’t a clean sweep without the Youth Cup, so if you can get along then please do so.<\/p>\n

If you can’t, its being streamed live…<\/p>\n

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Hampden has been busy of late, which perhaps explains why one poor chap was unable to find an empty toilet on sunday, and appeared to disgrace himself..<\/p>\n

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although he may have been miffed at someone reminding him of the score…<\/p>\n

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At least, thats what I think is happening here.<\/p>\n

And it seems that even a former manager has now lost faith in his favourites…<\/p>\n

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Yet they were so confident beforehand…<\/p>\n

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Er, no thanks..thats probably not even legal.<\/p>\n

Ah, legal…<\/p>\n

As you know, especially if you’ve been following James doleman on twitter, the trial of Craig whyte is ongoing in Glasgow.<\/p>\n

As you also know, there have been some doubts as to the validity of old Rangers being granted a licence to play in Europe in 2011.<\/p>\n

In court, however, there seems to be a little bit of a discrepancy between what the SFA\/Rangers told the world about the tax bill of \u00a32.8m.<\/p>\n

Previously, Stewart Regan had said this… regarding the unpaid tax bill…<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s our understanding that the requisitioners accept that there are no issues with the granting of the license to Rangers. Where they do have an issue is in what\u2019s called the monitoring period, immediately after the granting of the license to Rangers. Our position on that monitoring period is that we have fully complied with all of the UEFA regulations and requirements during that period.<\/p>\n

Oops…<\/p>\n

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Andrew Black<\/strong>\u200fVerified account<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>@BBCAndrewBlack<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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