{"id":15300,"date":"2020-02-27T07:00:46","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T07:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=15300"},"modified":"2020-02-27T03:23:50","modified_gmt":"2020-02-27T03:23:50","slug":"celtic-diary-february-27-copenhagen-channel-4-and-catch-a-thief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=15300","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary February 27: Copenhagen, Channel 4 and Catch A Thief"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Europa League comes to town tonight and the Copenhagen game takes on a little more bite as new club\/company “rangers ” overcame Braga to book their place in the last 16.<\/p>\n

It would be unthinkable for that lot to advance further in the competition than Celtic.<\/p>\n

Though we’re all thinking about that now.<\/p>\n

By the way, at 1pm today on this site, we look into the behaviour of their travelling support, which featured the usual songbook on a catholic holiday in a catholic country. A step too far ?<\/p>\n

In the meantime, have a think about this…<\/p>\n

“rangers” quite possibly recorded their best ever result tonight. Well done. First time ever in the last 16 of a European tournament. Could they be the first team ever to win a major European trophy without ever winning a major domestic one?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Actually, no.<\/p>\n

Bayer Leverkusen did it, so the tribute act look to be condemned to always being second as well….if they win it, of course, which they won’t.<\/p>\n

but then again, they keep digging out the results….or maybe Scottish football is a little bit better than we thought.<\/p>\n

It’s certainly better than we are constantly told…<\/p>\n

I’d be happy for them, but as you will see at 1pm, I just cannot….<\/p>\n

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Scott Brown and James Forrest should start, although if there are any doubts about them, Lennon must make the difficult decision to leave them out as this is not the sort of game where we need early substituions or below par performances in the EFe ambrose style…remember when he got off a plane after a party that followed his country winning the African Nations Cup, and declared himself good to play against Juventus ?<\/p>\n

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It’s probably worth not telling Simunovic or Biton they’re playing until as late as possible either, that step down from the team bus can put unnecessary pressure on the ankles…<\/p>\n

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Celtic have seemed more comfortable in a flexible 3-5-2 of late, and with Greg Taylor, who is improving with every game on one side, and James Forrest on the other of a three man defence-any three that are fit, to be fair, as long as one of them is Julien, then that should make Forster, who will be a key player tonight, a little more confident.<\/p>\n

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He always looks happier with three in front of him.<\/p>\n

There’s no Olivier Ntcham or Ryan Christie, so Brown, MacGregor and Rogic will start, with Brown MacGregor and probably Elyanoussi finishing,<\/p>\n

Edoaurd , and if fit, Griffith will be handed the job of making any Copenhagen strikes irrelevant.<\/p>\n

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I’m expecting Celtic to win, but not expecting it to be easy, or dull.<\/p>\n

As i’m leaving shortly (it’s 3am )\u00a0 to spend the day in Renfrewshire\u00a0 for a family funeral I may yet end up listening to it in the car on the way home tonight, and could do without any drama.<\/p>\n

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Belfast Celtic, our cousins over the water, had a connection with Copenhagen…<\/p>\n

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Elsewhere, and Alex Thomson produced his report on child abuse and how Scottish football is dealing with it, which was preceded by a statement from Celtic…<\/p>\n

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In light of recent speculation and to seek to avoid any confusion, the Club wishes to confirm its position regarding the historic abuse that took place at Celtic Football Club and Celtic Boys\u2019 Club.\u00a0 Celtic Football Club is appalled by any form of historic abuse and has great sympathy for those who suffered abuse and for their families.\u00a0The Club is very sorry that these events took place.\u00a0The abuse of young people is an abhorrent crime.\u00a0Unfortunately it has affected many areas of society.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

With regard to the allegations regarding historic abuse at Celtic Boys\u2019 Club (which, so far as we have been made aware, relate to the period prior to 1997), although Celtic Football Club is a separate organisation, we take these extremely seriously because of the historic contacts between the two organisations.\u00a0Police investigations were given support, so as to seek to ensure that those individuals who abused young people were brought to justice.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Club has been at the leading edge in Scottish football of putting welfare and safeguarding protections in place for our young people and continues to work with Scottish football to make it a safe place for young people.<\/em><\/p>\n

These are very sensitive matters. There are ongoing legal proceedings which prevent us from discussing any case in any detail.\u00a0It would not be appropriate for the Club to comment in the media about any individuals or events.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

In summary, these are historic issues, which the Club is dealing with in a responsible manner and in conjunction with its advisers. The Club reiterates its sincere sympathy, regret and sorrow for those affected. As we have said repeatedly, the Club will stand by its responsibilities, respecting the due process of law.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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There really is little else they can do at this stage, and we’ll have to trust that they are dealing with it in a responsible manner.<\/p>\n

They know what the right thing to do is, but they must do it for the right reasons, at the right time and in the right place, and not because the media and the rancid support of another club demands it.<\/p>\n

Celtic hopefully are taking a lead on this, and if so, must do it the way they think is in the best interests of the victims.<\/p>\n

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A “rangers fan also made a statement, though it was. as you would expect, lacking in sympathy…<\/p>\n

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Then again, with the trickle of nonsense growing to a flow from an Ibrox “insider “, it restores their feeling of superiority…<\/p>\n

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Recently, a rare and coveted matchworn Celtic away top was stolen from a museum in Manchester.<\/p>\n

This one…<\/p>\n

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It was worn by charlie nicholas, but dont let that put you off, in the 91-92 season, and it was this guy that took it…or at least the police want to talk to him about the possibility he took it..<\/p>\n

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Keep an eye out for it, Ebay, gum tree etc…no doubt it’ll be for sale somewhere, and if you see it, arrange to meet the guy, or get some kind of way of identifying it, and hand it to GMP.<\/p>\n

Then kick his fucking head in.<\/p>\n

But not while the police are watching, obviously.<\/p>\n

In fact, don’t kick his head in.<\/p>\n

Let them do it. They like that sort of thing.<\/p>\n

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Here’s a conundrum…..<\/p>\n

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Yet…..<\/p>\n

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Arthur Trubshaw<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n
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@OllytheG<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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If you\u2019re all about fairness and accuracy, why do you keep reporting that a club that liquidated and died in 2012 is still in existence?<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n

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Caption competition from yesterday…<\/p>\n

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Charlie Saiz<\/em><\/div>\n