{"id":6832,"date":"2015-03-20T09:18:30","date_gmt":"2015-03-20T09:18:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=6832"},"modified":"2015-03-20T09:18:30","modified_gmt":"2015-03-20T09:18:30","slug":"celtic-diary-friday-march-20-pressure-mounts-on-sfa-and-sky-tv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=6832","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Friday March 20: Pressure Mounts On SFA and Sky TV"},"content":{"rendered":"

Celtics upcoming semi final against Inverness is scheduled for a 12.15 kick off on April 19.<\/p>\n

The showpiece Hampden event kicks off an hour before the days first train from Inverness gets into Glasgow. Inverness manager John Hughes isn’t happy;<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI can understand it from a policing and television perspective but I feel for the supporters because it\u2019s going to be very difficult for them to get down there.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Notice that the people who actually pay to go to the game are prioritised below the police and the tv people.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just need to get on with it. I don\u2019t know if there\u2019s travel arrangements laid on and I would like to think all that was and will be taken into consideration.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel for my supporters. The SFA should never neglect their customers no matter what. I\u2019m hoping they get together and help Inverness out \u2013 and make sure our fans get there.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut no matter what, mark my words, they\u2019ll get there. They\u2019ll not be defeated by travel and they\u2019ll find a way to get there \u2013 all true supporters do.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

And thats the crux of the matter. supporters will find a way to watch their team, and the SFA know this. So do Sky.<\/p>\n

So we are the last people they consider.<\/p>\n

David Balfour, who is in charge of the CaleyJags fan group, is fed up of the way Inverness fans are treated. AndIi’ve a lot of sympathy for him, as would anyone who also has to travel a long way to get to a game, especially a semi final which might not come around too often.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cThis is the third time this has happened to us and it\u2019s a good thing they can\u2019t change the Scottish Cup Final time. Whatever happens that is 3pm on the Saturday.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOur supporters will be annoyed but hardly surprised by this. It\u2019s just another obstacle set in the club\u2019s way and it makes us even more determined to do what I believe we can do and that is go down to Hampden and win the game.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s a missed opportunity for the SFA because I\u2019d rather be talking about a great football occasion in store rather than issues such as this.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

He’s touched on the other problem there.<\/p>\n

The SFA .<\/p>\n

They negotiated this deal, they cast aside the wishes of the fans, and they too, should be forced to resign.<\/p>\n

Theres only the support who can do it. We , indirectly, pay their wages, their expense accounts and feed their egos as they continue to lord it over their “own little feifdom” , to paraphrase one club CEO.<\/p>\n

Time to take action, but one step at a time.<\/p>\n

Cancelling the Sky sports package is first on the list.<\/p>\n

The number you need is 0344 241 0266. Pick up the phone and do it.<\/p>\n

While you do that, heres a picture of someone else making a point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Done ?<\/p>\n

If you have done it, then thank you. you have stood against the corporate monster that is destroying the game north of the border.<\/p>\n

You have taken a stand against the continual drain of talent south that sees Celtic-and others-unable to build a consistent and settled side able to compete in Europe, and you have made a stand against the treatment of supporters forced to attend games at ridiculous hours of ridiculous days.<\/p>\n

And you’ve told them where to stick their four pounds eight shillings and sixpence contribution where the sun doesn’t shine, appropriately on a day when the sun won’t be shining for a while.<\/p>\n

If you haven’t done it, or don’t intend to, have a look at these pictures.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Your sky subscription pays their wages now. Wages that Celtic, despite being on television at least once a fortnight, cannot match.<\/p>\n

If that doesn’t make you think, look at what moving to Crystal Palace has done to Joe Ledley.<\/p>\n

He’s gone doo lally.<\/p>\n

And it’s all your fault.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

0344 \u00a0241 0266 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can stop this cruel abuse of the football supporter.<\/p>\n

That number again….<\/p>\n

0344 241 0266\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Removing Neil McCann, Jim White and David Tanner from your living room is a delightful bonus of your actions, and it will remind Sky, and the SFA, that football without fans is nothing, and that the customer is always right.<\/p>\n

I’ve done it, and I’ve told them that I am no longer prepared to pay towards the demise of Scottish football.<\/p>\n

Over to you.<\/p>\n

One other thing you could do is start a thread on any forum you are a member of to encourage others to do the same.<\/p>\n

Except Kerrydale Street, who discussed it last month.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Back to the football, and Paul Paton, the likeable rogue at dundee Utd, blamed Celtic for manipulating referees yesterday, which, according to him, is why the Tannadice players keep getting sent off.<\/p>\n

Like this ?<\/p>\n

\"Paul<\/p>\n

\u201cRonny Deila has an opinion on everything but we see things differently.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cRyan McGowan\u2019s challenge looked like a good tackle to me but that is only my opinion. I will have to see it again to see who is right.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t really read too much into what Deila has to say or who he puts pressure on but I think Celtic as a club can manipulate people more than Dundee United can.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat kind of thing has been happening for years.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have seen some injustices in the last few games we have played and that causes frustration. It feels we do not get any decisions \u2013 and that it is continual.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no edge between the two teams and I think it has been taken out of context as there were not really any bad challenges in Wednesday\u2019s game. It wasn\u2019t a game like that and I don\u2019t think Gowser deserved to get sent off.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I am being biased but it was a hard tackle and he clearly won the ball.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI might need to see it again but I don\u2019t think there was much in it and they seemed to make an awful lot of it.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Celtic face Dundee united again tomorrow, this time in the league, and a win is essential because while we’ve been focussed on the cups, Aberdeen have kept plugging aay, and are just three points behind again.<\/p>\n

\u00a0There is no room for complacency as the Dons, despite three defeats to Celtic, are clinging on in there, like little clingy things after a particularly heavy deposit after a heavy meal.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Celtic can freshen things up. Stefan Johansen will be back, and if he’s had a rest, it will be of interest to the more scientifically mnded among us because he will probably show us exactly how perpetual motion can be a reality.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Then theres Gary Mackay Steven and Stuart Armstrong, as well as in form Kris commons and a rejuvenated James Forrest.<\/p>\n

Adam Matthews might be back, but theres not such good news about Mikael Lustig;<\/p>\n

I have to put this season to one side, I have been out for six weeks now and the foot is still swollen. I have a stretched ligament on the inside of my foot and bruised the bone on the outside. It may take three months before I’m good again.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

“But I have to look on the positive side because I don’t require an operation. We will see how long it takes, but it looks like the season is over.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Thats the Swedish defender speaking yesterday, but his manager disagrees.<\/p>\n

“Hopefully he will be back for us after the international break That is the goal. But it is the same injury as Jason Denayer had and it can either be one week or two months. It’s so hard to say.”<\/p>\n

You can’t fault his optimism. Although he seems happier than usual with his lot;<\/p>\n

“We are in a very good place right now. You can see the players are happy, they love playing together.<\/em><\/p>\n

“They see the way they train and work benefits them on the pitch, the rhythm is coming more and more.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Players have to enjoy playing and look forward to every game, that’s the way it should be.<\/em><\/p>\n

“When you see seven or eight-year-old girls or boys playing football you can see their enjoyment and I think you see that in our squad.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0“The only way players get better is when they are enjoying it.<\/em><\/p>\n

“We’re one step closer (to the treble) but we have to keep performing and winning games.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Starting tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the drama continues over at Second rangers, with Dave King popping back to South africa, which leaves the other board memebers wondering who will pay this months wages, as they are, according to some sources, liable as directors. King, incidentally, isn’t a director, which is a happy coincidence for him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the support have other matters to worry about.<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

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In around a hundred years or so, social historians will point to the early twety first century as a time of changing attitudes, a time when old prejudices were seen as outdated and embarrassing. Prominent commentators of the era will point to the death of Rangers, and its subsequent entities, as a major event in the cleansing of society.<\/p>\n

Now theres a story I’d like to be around to read.<\/p>\n

Celtics Frank MacAvennie was pictured scoring against Hamilton in 1988 yesterday, today we are indebted to Celtic Colllectibles for this picture of Celtic Park \u00a0in the fifties.<\/p>\n

Who are the opponents ?<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

Sorry, oh you want that number again.<\/p>\n

Okay.<\/p>\n

0344 241 0266.<\/p>\n

By the way, can I just remind the more extreme religous bigots among the Ibrox support that todays eclipse is not, in fact , a natural event. It’s a sign that God is very angry with you and he demands \u00a0that you sacrifice yourself in his name.<\/p>\n

Well, if they believe they are the same club…..<\/p>\n

Actually, the eclipse will be at its best in Scotland, when the moon slides across the face of the Sun.<\/p>\n

You might have to google “Sun ” to find out how to spot it up there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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