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<\/p>\nEfe Ambrose has been talking to the official website-and to anyone else who will listen.<\/p>\n
Withb the surprising-to me, anyway, omission of Virgil van Dijk from the most recent Netherlands squad, Ambrose has also expressed his bewilderment;<\/p>\n
“Every coach has his plan and the player who can fit into his plan and in time I believe he will get into the national team,” said the stopper.<\/p>\n
“I believe he is one of the best. I have seen the Dutch team and I believe he should play in the national team. From what I have seen of him, he has all the qualities to be there.<\/p>\n
“We have only played for a couple of months and the understanding is there,” added\u00a0Ambrose.<\/p>\n
“He\u00b4s like a brother to me now as on and off the pitch we are like brothers and speak to each other and help each other. The communication part of it is excellent.<\/p>\n
“In football, it\u00b4s all about learning and you can\u00b4t be perfect. You have to acquire knowledge from other people, and we just help each other out on the pitch.<\/p>\n
“But it\u00b4s not just me and him, we have Emilio, Mikael, Adam and Darnell who has come into the team. And this is the most important thing \u2013 all of us playing together, having that understanding and helping the team. We are doing great.”<\/p>\n
Ambrose also added his praise of Fraser Forster, who needs to keep his goal guarded for just 31 minutes tomorrow against Hearts, to set another record. He was asked whether the big Englishman should be in the England squad for the World Cup;<\/p>\n
“I believe he deserves to go as he\u00b4s a fantastic goalkeeper and is one of the best, so there is no reason why he shouldn\u00b4t be going to Brazil,” said the Nigerian.<\/p>\n
“He\u00b4s young and is hungry for success and right now he\u00b4s doing better than he was doing last year. He\u00b4s improving in every game that he plays and in a few years I believe he will be the best for\u00a0England.<\/p>\n
“He is doing great at Celtic, and it doesn\u2019t matter where you are successful, as even right here in Scotland you can be one of the best in the world and right now he\u00b4s one of the best.”<\/p>\n
Forster should be in the England squad. They need all the top level experience they can get, as only a handful of the players have played in the rarified air of the Champions League.<\/p>\n
Though to listen to their commentators, you wouldn’t know it. Four English based clubs from the “best league in the world ” appeared on the big stages this week, and didn’t muster a goal between them.<\/p>\n
Speaking of the European stage, anyone else have a little smile to themselves after Ajax were beaten 3-0 by Red Bull Salzburg last night ? If only we’d played it clever in our group. Still, its more or less a new team, and we have time to gell for next year.<\/p>\n
Back to tomorrows gane, a televised trip to Tynecastle, and Efe Ambrose offered his thoughts;<\/p>\n
“This time it is going to be a different ball game because we know this time they are going to give us a good fight after what happened the last time. They won’t want that to repeat itself. At the same time we want to do maybe more than what we did the last time. So it is going to be a two-way fight. But we are Celtic and we know how to win games.”<\/p>\n
He’s an enthusiastic big chap, isn’t he ?<\/p>\n
Michael Grant in the Herald describes the big Nigerian and his Dutch partner as<\/p>\n
Which is indicative of how the press sell the game in Scotland. Seriously, they all deserve a kick up the arse.<\/p>\n
The Sporting Life sees the whole Scottish set up differently;<\/p>\n
Some have even been talking about the Dons’ potential to mount a challenge to Celtic in the coming years. That sort of talk is not only ridiculous, it is pretty ignorant given that if Motherwell win their game in hand, they will overtake Aberdeen and move into second place.<\/p>\n
Well can temporarily move behind Celtic with victory against Dundee United on Friday night. if they manage to do so it will be their eighth victory in ten games.<\/p>\n
United are returning to form, though. They have won their last two, their Premiership victory against Kilmarnock last Saturday their first of 2014.<\/p>\n
It’s a hard one to call. United have the third best home record and Motherwell the third best away record.<\/p>\n
One thing this game has guaranteed in the recent past, though, is goals.<\/p>\n
Dundee United were 4-0 winners at Fir Park in November while the sides drew 2-2 back in September.<\/p>\n
Well’s last three have produced 14 goals and when United are in form, they tend to score plenty – they’ve scored four or more goals on eight separate occasions this season, six of them at Tannadice. ”<\/p>\n
Obviously, selling the tonights game between Dundee Utd and Motherwell suits their agenda-they want people to watch it and bet on it.<\/p>\n
But why don’t the Scottish media do the same ? Whats wrong with highlighting the good instead of the bad ? Or does it not suit their agenda ?<\/p>\n
The only time the MSM give positive news is when it surrounds the new Rangers club and their finances, even if the reader can clearly see its just window dressing. For instance, the press are highlighting the new Rangers campaign to “listen to their fans ” with an online survey asking for their opinions. You can find it at Survey Monkey (honest ) if you haven’t already had an email asking you to fill it in.<\/p>\n
Apparently 1.2m fans are going to be sent the form, and the dozy directors at Deidco think they are all Rangers fans. Anyone who pledged support for the last share offer will have got one, and I have a tiny suspicion that an awful lot of emails have been sent to names like Billy King, Wullie Hunn and Rab Ighoose.<\/p>\n
Anyway, I’m digressing, but the results are in;<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There are signs that the nd game is in place-this “loan ” from two directors is still being discussed, and isn’t finalised. A loan from their own directors which sounds more like a whip round on the car park than anything legitimate. Presumably its being announced to keep financial regulators away as it counters accusations that they are trading while insolvent. The odds are that the loan will fall through, and pave the way for administration. Or, of course, for a saviour to come in at the last moment…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Whatever happens, its clear they’ve taken their eye off the day to day running of the club;<\/p>\n
![\"Embedded](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bg-5mpLIcAAnzsL.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Are they not that bothered who is coming to Ibrox on the ninth ? Is that because there’ll be no-one there to greet them anyway ?<\/p>\n
Well, almost no-one.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CEO Graham Wallace has kept cool all through the current crisis, assuring supporters there is no chance of a second administration. you have to admire him for keeping so calm, especially while his pants are on fire.<\/p>\n
Anyway, digression over, and Joe Ledley has told \u00a0Sarf Lahndan Today that he was ready to sign a new contract with Celtic, just six months after he was offered it;<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a contract offer there and I was just weighing up my options,\u201d he explained. \u201cNot long before in January I\u2019d said to some of the boys I was going to re-sign. Then a week later I\u2019m signing at Palace. That\u2019s football.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was sat at home and my agent rang and said a bid had been accepted and it is down to you to talk to them. At first I didn\u2019t know what to think. But if a club has accepted an offer then it is time to go. Your mind is sort of made up. I ended up coming down and speaking with the gaffer. I felt it was a fantastic challenge. They sold the club to me. I thought it was time to go and play in the Premier League.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palace boss Tony Pulis tried to sign him on two occasions while in charge at Stoke, failing with multi-million pound bids.<\/p>\n
\u201cI spoke to him before I went to Celtic but things just didn\u2019t work out,\u201d said the Welsh international. \u201cSo this is third time lucky to play under him. I\u2019m loving every minute. He\u2019s a good manager, very professional.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is very organised with the squad. Everyone needs to give 100 per cent. It\u2019s a great squad, everyone is down to earth and works hard for each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was difficult for me to leave Celtic. I\u2019m not going to lie. It is a fantastic club. I had everything there. I\u2019ve got great memories and it will always be in my heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of my favourite moments has got to be winning 2-1 against Barcelona in the Champions League at home. It was a fantastic achievement for the team. I got Xavi\u2019s shirt afterwards – which is not bad! He is one of the best passers of the ball. It is the best competition in the world – without a shadow of doubt – and I\u2019m lucky to have had two seasons in it. You face your heroes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother would be when I scored against Rangers at home. We were 15 points behind at the time but we won and it gave us the lift we needed to go on and win the league.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut now it is time for me to go and show the Premier League what I can do. It is a short career and it is every boy\u2019s dream to play there. This is my time to do it. I don\u2019t have any regrets.\u201d<\/p>\n
He then revealed that his granny gave him a Palace top when he was four, and the unique shirt captured his imagination, and his delight was doubled when he was given the replica subbuteo team. He always used to look for their result when he was in Glasgow, and when he stood on the hallowed turf at Selhurst Parkm it was hard not to shed a tear.<\/p>\n
Alright, thats a load of bollocks, but surely not as far fetched and ridiculous as this bit;<\/p>\n
\u201cSo this is third time lucky to play under him. I\u2019m loving every minute. He\u2019s a good manager, very professional. ”<\/p>\n
He is referring to Tony Pulis, but I suppose if you gave me a massive fee and forty grand a week I’d tell you he was Pepe fucking Guardiola.<\/p>\n
Ledleys statement that he was going to sign reminds me of when I came in from work last night, and my teenage son, who is going through a difficult stage healthwise, as any sudden exercise, such as putting on his socks, leaves him exhausted , said he was just about to take the dog out.<\/p>\n
Joe Ledley was a good player for Celtic. Its time for him to move on before he spoils the memories.<\/p>\n
Stuart Gray, who used to meander down the flank like an empty can rolling on the bus, \u00a0was the forgotten hero in yesterdays picture, so we’ll balance that with a man who should never be forgotten.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Finally, David Bowie has announced “Scotland , stay with us ” which has caused pandemonium as five million people try to book flights for New York.<\/p>\n
Well, I’m trying to be cheerful. My idea for a new android phone game, Flabby Birds, never took off.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
By the way, if anyone has anything they’d like to get off their chest, any articles they feel they’d like to write, feel free to type it up and send it to us at the usual address. That way, that audible groan throughout cyberworld when the people see theres only the diary on the front page will diminish in volume.<\/p>\n
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