{"id":13646,"date":"2018-11-21T10:08:18","date_gmt":"2018-11-21T10:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=13646"},"modified":"2018-11-21T10:08:18","modified_gmt":"2018-11-21T10:08:18","slug":"celtic-diary-wednesday-november-21-its-now-or-never","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=13646","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Wednesday November 21: Its Now Or Never"},"content":{"rendered":"

But before we go into that, a wee note to James Forrest..the fresh faced but battle hardened winger who has done something only four other Celtic players have ever done.<\/p>\n

He scored a hat trick for Scotland last night as they beat Israel 3-2.<\/p>\n

It was all a wee bit tense, for those who actually care towards the end of the game as had Israel equalised then Scotland would have exited the tournament.<\/p>\n

So, you can imagine my disappointment when Forrest didn’t score an own goal and then run towards the bench shouting “fuck you , ginge “.<\/p>\n

Still, there’s always next time.<\/p>\n

Only four Celts had scored three goals in one game for Scotland before..<\/p>\n

1889: Willie Groves v Ireland <\/em><\/p>\n

1893:\u00a0 Johnny Madden v Wales <\/em><\/p>\n

1901: Sandy McMahon v Ireland <\/em><\/p>\n

1908: Jimmy Quinn v Ireland\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Even Jimmy McGrory didn’t do it, but he only managed seven caps…and six goals.<\/p>\n

McGrory was shamefully overlooked by the national management in those days, because he played for Celtic.<\/p>\n

Hang on…some things don’t change, do they ?<\/p>\n

Forrest is rapidly ticking off a number of achievements as he continues to perform consistently. The press are saying he’s finally arrived, which is bollocks.<\/p>\n

He’s been here all the time.<\/p>\n

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Today…there’s an AGM.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

Yes, there is.<\/p>\n

There appears to be a little bit of a media campaign to put some sort of feel good factor into it…<\/p>\n

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Celtic contributes \u00a3165MILLION boost to Scotland\u2019s economy every year as Hoops ranked 25th strongest brand in world football<\/em><\/h1>\n<\/section>\n
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The Hoops and their fans contribute the mammoth figure annually – which is the equivalent of 2,820 full-time jobs in Scotland\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Lawwell said<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cWe commissioned this research because of a feeling that the economic contribution from football in general and Celtic in particular is consistently under-valued.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile a huge amount of attention is rightly paid to one-off events like the Commonwealth Games and other activities which attract interest to Scotland and Glasgow, football\u2019s economic contribution tends to be overlooked \u2013 yet it brings people here from around the world.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a great deal in this report for the club and its supporters to take pride in.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe also hope that the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council will recognise that Celtic and football more generally are significant economic players when it comes to issues like transportation links and tourism promotion.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Celtic commissioned the report ?<\/p>\n

Released the day before an AGM ?<\/p>\n

Oh, I’m trying hard not to be cynical.<\/p>\n

The report into the Janefield underpass crush has yet to be published, although we hear it’ll be done next month.<\/p>\n

I’d have hoped an announcement about fan safety and measures to be put in place to prevent a recurrence would have been pretty high up the agenda…<\/p>\n

But no…lets publicise our bid for rate rebate from the council.<\/p>\n

Here we have the essence of the disassociation between fans and the board.<\/p>\n

They actually think we give a toss about how much money they’re making.<\/p>\n

Perhaps that will be how they try to explain away their shameful inaction over the Resolution 12 issue.<\/p>\n

One way or another, today we will know who will be taking that issue forward.<\/p>\n

Which allows me a moment to thank Fans Without Scarves for their contribution to the replies to yesterdays diary.<\/p>\n

Celtic need the support of other clubs to bring about change, otherwise it is sold to the public as another Celtic Rangers issue.<\/p>\n

We should be extending the hand of friendship, we should be encouraging others to examine the evidence that is out there.<\/p>\n

The Resolution 12 scandal is about the SFA and its people and policies.<\/p>\n

It affects all clubs, and so all clubs should be encouraged to assist.<\/p>\n

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Today, at the AGM, we need to know whether or not our club is on the side of transparency and justice, or if its in it for the money.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I’d like to think there’s still enough of Celtic on the board to make the right decision.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

So that we can remember them with a little more respect and affection than the last board that forgot what Celtic was all about.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I know that they are concerned, so much so that security at todays meeting have been given this picture..<\/p>\n

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and told not to let him in.<\/p>\n

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Elsewhere, and the new Sky tv deal seems to be getting a bit of praise in the papers, which is odd.<\/p>\n

Neil Doncaster, a man who would struggle to negotiate a packet of fags from a newsagent with a twenty pound note and a debit card, was the main man again at the table.<\/p>\n

This Neil Doncaster… the one who paid tv companies to cover “rangers ” games in a frantic bid to protect the brand and perpetuate the myth that nothing happened at ibrox<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Rangers ceased to be a member of the SPL, broadcasters had the right to terminate the contracts immediately.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Can I be so rude as to ask why there was a clause that nullified the deal ? And if there’s a similar clause in this one ?<\/div>\n

\u201cThe consequences of the deal falling would have been catastrophic for every team.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Which kind of explains his “we will take whatever you offer ” negotiating tactic.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Doncaster confirmed figures reported by us yesterday while pointing out that the \u00a3725,000 \u201ccashback\u201d payments account for less than three per cent of TV revenue since liquidation put Rangers to the fourth tier.<\/em><\/div>\n

He said: \u201cGiven broadcasters would incur increased costs for erecting gantries, building rigging and establishing other facilities at smaller grounds \u2013 a significant additional cost \u2013 we agreed to make a contribution.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe extra costs were reflected in a small reduction in the deal with one broadcaster.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPut into context, the costs of covering the extra games were less than three per cent of the annual value of the deal.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

We hear that in the current deal, the SPFL will provide televisions and subscriptions to anyone who hasn’t got one, firstly on a trial basis in a number of areas in Scotland.<\/p>\n

To be considered, all those wishing to be considered must simply forward their Lodge membership details.<\/p>\n

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Keith Jackson in the Record says that we should all be grateful for the Sky deal.<\/p>\n

Ralph Malph on Etims says “Bollocks “.<\/p>\n

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Another investment in another player we are well aware of…Mikey Johnston has signed a new deal.<\/p>\n

Though his squad number does hint that perhaps we do need to trim the playing staff a little..<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Well done\u00a0 to him, and, in training, keep your eye on the other wingers in the squad, learn from them…one of them is going to be a legend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Meanwhile…any takers ?<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>@ETimsNet<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
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