{"id":6144,"date":"2014-12-11T11:18:32","date_gmt":"2014-12-11T11:18:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=6144"},"modified":"2014-12-11T11:18:32","modified_gmt":"2014-12-11T11:18:32","slug":"celtic-diary-thursday-december-11-fans-in-protest-to-fifa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=6144","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Thursday December 11: Fans In Protest To FIFA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Well, alright. Fan.<\/p>\n

Celtic are in Zagreb tonight for the final game in the Europa League group stages. The game is live on BT Sports, and it starts at 6pm.<\/p>\n

Which is the single most ridiculous time to start a football match that anyone has ever come up with in the history of the game. We’ve done the noons, the twelve thirties, the quarter to ones, and anything else the tv companies can throw at us, which are bad enough, but six o’clock on a Thursday ?<\/p>\n

Theres no time for a beer after work if you want to make the kick off, and afterwards you need to lay off it because you’ve work in the morning.<\/p>\n

The idea behind it is to allow as many games as possible to be broadcast and thus fill the airwaves with all manner of tripe from all over Europe. One day , some tv executive will sit down, look at the viewing figures and put a stop to it, replacing it with something far more appealing to the public , such as the World Snail Racing competition, or Synchronised Cycling.<\/p>\n

Anyhoo, I’ve written a letter to FIFA asking them to step in and tell UEFA to stop fannying about with our game;<\/p>\n

\u00a0Dear FIFA,\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Do me a favour and have a word with UEFA and tell them to stop fannying around with our game.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Yours, Ralph.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I didn’t get a reply, but it didn’t take me long to work it out. So, i tried it in arabic, so that they’ll think i know something…<\/p>\n

\u0639\u0632\u064a\u0632\u064a “\u0627\u0644\u0641\u064a\u0641\u0627 \u0645\u0646 \u0641\u0636\u0644\u0643” \u0642\u0644 \u062a\u0635\u0641\u064a\u0627\u062a \u0623\u0648\u0631\u0648\u0628\u0627 \u0644\u0648\u0642\u0641 \u0641\u0627\u0646\u064a\u064a\u0646\u062c \u062d\u0648\u0644\u0647\u0627 \u0645\u0639 \u0644\u0639\u0628\u062a\u0646\u0627. \u0644\u0642\u062f \u062d\u0635\u0644\u062a \u0639\u0644\u0649 \u0645\u0627 \u0632\u0627\u0644\u062a \u0627\u0644\u0635\u0648\u0631. \u0631\u0627\u0644\u0641.<\/p>\n

Which, if my schoolboy Arabic is correct, means<\/p>\n

Dear FIFA <\/em>
\n Please tell UEFA to stop fannying around with our game. I’ve still got the photos.<\/em>
\n Ralph. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

He got that one.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Manager Ronny Deila has left Scott Brown at home, so don’t put any money on Celtic winning. Without Brown in Europe we tend to get a little overrun and tonight will only be different if Zagreb manage to be even less interested in the meaningless tie than Celtic are. It would have been better for the two teams to pretend to have played and just phoned UEFA tonight and told them it was a draw.<\/p>\n

Staying behind with Brown are the ineligible John Guidetti, James Forrest, Charlie mulgrew, Mikael Lustig and Jason Denaayer. That does keave room for others to make a name for themselves, but its hard to see where the motivation will come from without Brown.<\/p>\n

Celtic\u2019s assistant manager, John Collins, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cScott Brown has been left behind. He is on a booking so we will rest him and I think he deserves a little rest. James Forrest stayed at home; he will be ready for the weekend.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut we will approach it the same as every other game, the exact same preparation. We will treat them with respect. We want a good performance and we want to finish the group on a high.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe lads have done terrifically well in qualifying. It is a nice position to be in but ultimately we want a result and we want a performance.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can go and enjoy the game but you only enjoy it if you play well and get a result. There is a chance there will be one or two changes but not too many changes, that is always dangerous.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Then again, if they can’t motivate themselves for a game, and grab a chance to impress, then perhaps they should consider their futures…<\/p>\n

Dead rubber game it may be, but one fellow will remember it for the rest of his life.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/p>\n

Kieran Tierney made his debut for the first team in the friendly against Tottenham in the summer, but hasn’t let that put him off. He’s continued to progress and deserves a chance to feel a part of the big squad.<\/p>\n

He made a bit of a name for himself earlier \u00a0this season when he did this against Hearts while playing for the development squad;<\/p>\n

Kieran Tierney scores from the edge of his own box<\/a><\/p>\n

Good luck to him. It is always great to see one of our own given a chance to make the grade.<\/p>\n

One who should make the grade but isn’t one of ours yet is Martin Odegaard, and the press are starting to wake up to the possibility that he will be a Celtic player soon. Not on loan, not on trial, but a fully fledged and commited player.<\/p>\n

Stefan Johansen has had a word with him as well;<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve talked a lot with Martin,\u00a0We keep in touch and speak on the phone a lot. I\u2019ve told him that Celtic can be a good choice for him.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe way we play would suit him. We have the ball a lot and that\u2019s what Martin likes. He wants to be on the ball and creating chances. Every team needs a player like that.\u00a0He also knows the gaffer at Celtic but it\u2019s difficult when so many clubs want you. What can I say? He\u2019s a patient boy and is very mature in the way he thinks.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHis father helps him a lot and I think the right thing for him is to take the best step for his career.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTo say that you are going to go and play at Real Madrid and compete against Ronaldo and Gareth Bale and those guys right away \u2013 for a 15-year-old that\u2019s going to be difficult. He would be unlikely to play right away at a Real Madrid or Barcelona. Of course it would be difficult.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI speak to him all the time and he knows the manager here at Celtic and also myself. But he needs to choose for himself.\u00a0I\u2019m sure he will make the right decision \u2013 although if he wants to take my position in the team at Celtic, he can stay home in Norway!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut seriously, Martin is an amazing talent and I hope he comes to Celtic. The gaffer has shown in Norway that he is very good with young players and he gives them a chance when they deserve it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/em>No doubt when he does come there will be a huge sell on clause in his contract, ensuring Stromgodset get a second pay day. Its all about who you know, I guess…<\/span><\/p>\n

Away from tonights game, look, i know the win is important for the co-eficient, and that would help to avoid starting the season in the middle of July in years to come, but its hard to work up a fuss over the game.<\/p>\n

Well, until it starts , that is.<\/p>\n

Away from the game, -I’ll try again- Fans Against Criminalisation, the group set up to combat the extraordinary bill , unique to Scotland, concerning behaviour at football matches, have launched a website;<\/p>\n

Fans Against Criminalisation<\/a><\/p>\n

You should have a look at it. You might need it some day.<\/p>\n

Things like this;<\/p>\n

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Your Rights<\/h1>\n<\/header>\n
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If charged under the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act:<\/strong><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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