Neil Lennons press conference yesterday showed exactly how the media can alter perception of an event by highlighting the bits they want to. (Hence the snarling pic, which is how the MSM like to think of him.)<\/p>\n
For many of us , the main point of his statements yesterday was this, when asked, predictably, about Rangers;<\/p>\n
“I told you before, I am not going to answer any more questions about Rangers and the fact that you asked Charlie the question the other day- that disappointed me as well. Charlie was there to promote PFA Scotland player of the year and he ends up answering questions on Rangers.<\/p>\n
Now I’ve told you before, if you want to pursue that line of questioning the press conference is over.”<\/p>\n
So, a few peted lips from hacks, and finally a line drawn underneath any more manipulation of Celtic employees to get them to join the newest Sevco to the SPL campaign.<\/p>\n
Headlines went to other things Lennon dsaid, including an “interest” in the “unlikely ” scenario of a B team in the lower leagues. Lennon said that he didn’t think the other clubs were much for the idea of the biggest club and the newest ones having this extra side , and more or less pased it over. But the headlines said he was in favour….<\/p>\n
And once he said that if Lawwell gave him \u00a310m to spend, the league would be won with 100 points, and he could make the last sixteen of the UCL on a regular basis, the dribbling journos went into overdrive.<\/p>\n
Except thats not really what he said, its not even what he inferred.<\/p>\n
“But am I going to ask Peter for \u00a310m-or \u00a312m? He will ask why, and if I say I want to get 100 points I will get laughed out the door.”, which means an entirely different thing. The low points total this season isn’t especially important. In the tightest league ever, its not surprising that Celtic have dropped a lot more points than usual, the Champions league campaign has seen to that as well.<\/p>\n
The other sides in Scotland are no longer standing outside their penalty area and playing a damage limitation game.<\/p>\n
New managers, with new ideas and less of a pre conceived mentality have subtly changed the game up here. With the departures of Peter Houston and next in line to go Craig Brown, it’ll be even more competitive next year.<\/p>\n
Speaking of \u00a0Mrs Brown and his Boys, they come to town tomorrow, and the impression given by Neil Lennon at his conference yesterday, not picked up on by the hacks, was that Aberdeen are going to get a pasting. and given the diarys uncanny knack of predicting how matches turn out, then you are probably better ignoring the last paragraph and sticking a quid on a 1-1 draw. But if you don’t want to ignore it, then a 5,6,7 or 8 goal drubbing is on the cards.<\/p>\n
Yeah, go for the 1-1.Even if a thrashing was on the cards, I’ve just put the knackers on it.<\/p>\n
Another little reported story from yesterday, it might even have been the day before, was concerning Victor Wanyama, or as he is already being described, former Celt Wanyama.<\/p>\n
Collins Okinyo, a close froind of Big Vic, and a journalist back in Kenya, has warned that Wanyama may not benefit from a move this soon in his career.<\/p>\n
Importantly, he also points out how much Wanyama loves it at Celtic, the club, the support, and the fact that they gave him his platform to make a name for himself. We already have seen victor say he is in no hurry to leave, but when this comes out as well, it makes you think.<\/p>\n
Okinyo also cites the case of MacDonald Mariga, another Kenyan who moved from Parma to Inter, but failed to hold down a place at the San Siro, and was shuttled of to Real Sociedad on loan before ending up back at Parma. All within twelve months. Vic will probably take heed of this.<\/p>\n
MacDonald Mariga is his brother.<\/p>\n
Nice to see the press jump on the fact that Scottish football might not neccessarily lose one of its best players next summer. Or that a young talent is happy with his lo, and grateful for the oppurtunity he has been handed, and wants to perhaps repay some of that faith.<\/p>\n
Not when theres a Charles Green about.<\/p>\n
Or this time, its Andy Goram. Strangely enough, the two goalies and their ghost writer may actually have hit on the something with their latest brew.<\/p>\n
The flying pig said-or his writer did;<\/p>\n
“In my opinion the only ones losing out on this deal are Rangers. The top twelve clubs would be happy because nothing is changing. Those twelve clubs who would form the championship would be happy because they are getting a bigger share of things financially, and the other 17 \u00a0clubs lumped in with Rangers would be rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of gate money from the gers. The same Gers who are not even allowed a vote. Its nothing short of scandalous.”<\/p>\n
I think he needs to have a wee look at the word scandalous, considering his own antics and those of his now defunct club.<\/p>\n
So, everyone but Rangers is happy, and all the full members stand to benefit from this reform?<\/p>\n
So, even if “Gers” did have a vote, they’d lose Forty One -One.<\/p>\n
Democracy in action.<\/p>\n
Still have an unnerving idea that I’d sort of read that article before, written by another Sun hack. Are they related?<\/p>\n
Now, last night saw an historic first meeting of Celtic and Sevco Rangers , albeit at U-17 level, in the Glasgow Cup. The game finished 2-2 , with a return at Celtic to come. Might be worth keeping an eye out for that. Also, its worth noting that its the first time Sevco have made a semi fianl at any level, no mean feat considering there \u00a0are five teams in the tournament.<\/p>\n
If you put the co-ordinates in yesterdays diary into , er, one of those machines you put co-ordinates into, then you would have ended up at Celtic Park, which I’m sure will be of use to some of you one day.<\/p>\n
Today, Aberdeen, tomorrows sheep to the slaughter hold what particular distinction during what we call the “Martin O’Neill Years?”<\/p>\n
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