Looks alright to me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This , of course, won’t help the Celts play their high pressing short passing game, but to be fair, neither do the players at the moment, and there is the added risk of injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Rutted pitches can cause all sorts of physical damage. I remember watching an amateur game some years ago, and because the pitch resembled a ploughed furrow, and the game quickly descended into a farce, \u00a0I decided to head to the bar for a little light refreshment. Afterwards, I was so refreshed I fell over on the car park and hurt my knee.<\/p>\n So you can’t be too careful.<\/p>\n Celtic fly out to Baku today, and should be there in time for kick off. They are aware of the issues regarding the pitch, and are seeking \u00a0re-assurances about the playing surface.:<\/p>\n \u2018We are aware of the issue as regards the pitch in Baku. At the moment, we are seeking reassurances over the quality of the surface.\u2019 <\/span><\/em>said an unimaginative spokesman\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The Mail quoted the rule book;<\/p>\n UEFA rules state that if there is any question of a match being called off, the Azerbaijani champions should notify Celtic before their departure from Glasgow Airport at 2pm this afternoon.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n UEFA\u2019s Article 11.01 states: \u2018If the home club finds that a match cannot take place, for example because the field is not fit for play, the home club must notify the visiting club and the referee before their departure from home and the UEFA administration at the same time.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Neil McCann, the tortured soul who does the comedy squealing on sky TV consulted his rule book;<\/p>\n If Celtic don’t sort the state of the pitch out before the game they are denying Qarabag a clear, goal scoring opportunity.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n McCann, who likes a rant at the expense of Celtic, was on form during Saturdays season opener against Ross County. Celtic won the game 2-0 with an early penalty from Leigh Grifiths, and a second from Stefan Johansen, but by including a goalkeeper and some defenders, the hoops were<\/p>\n guilty of denying Ross County a clear goal scoring opportunity\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n At least, thats all I could see. There was one instance when Craig Gordon ran out, bumped into Jackson Irvine outside his box, causing a somewhat theatrical roll when the County man realised he was not going to get to the ball, but that cannot be what McCann was on about,<\/p>\n Can it ?<\/p>\n Maybe he was discussing rules of another type …<\/p>\n Willie Collum, who has improved considerably as a referee over the last two days or so, gave Gordon a yellow, for the foul, which was fair enough.<\/p>\n \u00a0McCann, as he did last year with Derk Boerrifter and john Guidetti, seized the chance to harp on about another red card Celtic should have had, hilariously quoting from the new rule book which says you can be sent off for having the number 1888 on your shirt.<\/p>\n \u00a0Or something like that.<\/p>\n As ever, someone in the media who feels his views are important is shouting loud enough to keep his name out there in footballland, which means his contract must be going into it’s last year, and therefore is up for renewal.<\/p>\n \u00a0And as ever, he’s full of shite.<\/p>\n There are, according to FIFA, seven offences that are “cautionable ” . Eight if you count “being Gary Hooper “<\/p>\n a player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he:<\/em><\/p>\n 1. Is guilty of unsporting behaviour.<\/em><\/p>\n 2. Shows dissent by word or action.<\/em><\/p>\n 3. Persistently infringes the Laws of the Game.<\/em><\/p>\n 4. Delays the restart of play.<\/em><\/p>\n 5. Fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in.<\/em><\/p>\n 6. Enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee\u2019s permission.<\/em><\/p>\n 7. Deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee\u2019s permission.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Unsporting behaviour is a reckless tackle, a technical tackle, to impede an attack, dissent, handball, holding or simulation. Other examples are verbal distraction of a player, changing places with the goalkeeper without permission, and using a deliberate trick while the ball is in play to circumvent law 12, rule 3. Look it up if you care. I don’t.<\/p>\n Unless you are a substitute or substituted player-presumably still on the bench, where there are only three. Four if you count being “Gary Hooper.<\/p>\n There are three offences for which a substitute or substituted player can be cautioned and shown the yellow card if he: <\/em><\/p>\n 1. is guilty of unsporting behaviour <\/em><\/p>\n 2. shows dissent by word or action <\/em><\/p>\n 3. delays the restart of play\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \n There are seven offences for which a player, substitute or substituted player can be sent off and shown the red card if he: ( eight, Gary Hooper, etc. )<\/p>\n 1. Is guilty of serious foul play.\u00a0Any player who lunges at an opponent when challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force and endangering the safety of an opponent, is guilty of serious foul play.<\/em><\/p>\n 2. Is guilty of violent conduct.\u00a0A player is guilty of violent conduct if he uses excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball. Violent conduct may occur either on the field of play or outside its boundaries, whether the ball is in play or not. He is also guilty of violent conduct if he uses excessive force or brutality against a team-mate, spectator, match official or any other person.<\/em><\/p>\n 3. Spits at an opponent or at any other person.<\/em><\/p>\n 4. Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area).\u00a0There are two sending-off offences that deal with denying an opponent an obvious opportunity to score a goal: \u0014 If a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball. \u0014 If a player denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player\u2019s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick (direct or indirect) or a penalty kick.\u00a0Criteria for deciding when to penalise for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity: \u0014 The direction of the play. \u0014 The location of the foul. \u0014 The proximity of the player to the ball. \u0014 The probability of controlling the ball. \u0014 The location and number of opponents. \u0014 The opportunity for the attempt on goal.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 5. Denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player\u2019s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick.<\/em><\/p>\n 6. Uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and\/or gestures.<\/em><\/p>\n 7. Receives a second caution in the same match.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Let’s look at the criteria for defining an obvious goal scoring opportunity;<\/p>\n \u0014 The direction of the play.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Irvine was heading towards the left flank, he was attempting to round the keeper.<\/p>\n The location of the foul.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Right hand side of the box, maybe twenty yards from the goal line.<\/p>\n \u0014 The proximity of the player to the ball.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n he was in possession, but it was travelling at a pace which meant he probably was losing control<\/p>\n \u0014 The probability of controlling the ball.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n He’s a Ross County player, for fucks sake.<\/p>\n \u0014 The location and number of opponents. \u0014<\/em><\/p>\n Virgil van Dijk was steaming towards the goal line. He would, in all probablilty have made it to the line before the ball.<\/p>\n \n The opportunity for the attempt on goal.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Irvine may have been able to reach the ball and attempt a shot. However, given the pace of the ball he would have found it difficult to hit the target first time, and had he taken time to control it , van Dijk would certainly have covered it.<\/p>\n Conclusion ?<\/p>\n After careful consideration of all the available images, comments and other evidence, and carefully sifting, analysing and evaluating these over a not inconsiderable period of time, I can only say, in conclusion, without doubt and fear of recrimination, Neil McCann is a tit.<\/p>\n As far as the rest of the game goes, Celtic won. The players appeared to have switched off after an hour or so, but when there’s a difficult journey and an important game ahead midweek, they can be forgiven for not bursting a gut to win a game that’s pretty much already won. no-one wants to see any injuries, or any rash red cards, so the more professional attitude is welcome.<\/p>\n \u00a0Ronny, I said it’s welcome.<\/p>\n Ronny ? Chill, man…<\/p>\n \u201cYou always want to play better and today we played ok for 55-60 minutes but the last 30 minutes were sloppy and messy. We weren\u2019t together as a team and lost the ball all over the pitch and that was a little bit disappointing.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201c It was two-and-a-half days since we played and it was a big match with a lot of intensity and you could see a lot of the other players were tired and there were a lot of changes.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n There were a lot of misplaced passes, there was a recurrence of the old trouble, as Celtic failed to capitilise on corner after corner, and there was a little nervousness at the back, but again, there’s an important game on Wednesday, and at this stage of the season, it’s only results that \u00a0count.<\/p>\n \u00a0Google images isn’t working today.<\/p>\n I said “count “<\/p>\n \u00a0As you know, Ive been in correspondence over the quality and workmanship of the New Balance kits. As you know, i’ve been waiting for a reply from the company and the club.<\/p>\n \u00a0The company have replied, and i reproduce it below.<\/p>\n Make your own mind up if you want to buy their tat.<\/p>\n I have.<\/p>\n My own opinion is that it’s difficult to decide whether it’s the attitude or the product which is worse. , and from now on I’ll be digging out the old umbro tops, as a testament to when kits lasted longer than a month.<\/p>\n And you could wash them and everything…<\/p>\n first, my questions ?<\/p>\n Many thanks for your email and continued support of Celtic Football Club.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n I would like to reassure you that New Balance, in partnership with Celtic, share an unparalleled dedication towards providing fans and players with apparel \u00a0that is both high in quality and inspirational in design. The rate of sales for the new kits are performing favorably versus previous years which we believe represents a positive start to the relationship between Celtic fans, the club and New Balance.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The kit fans buy is exactly the same as the jerseys worn by the players. Rest assured, if the quality wasn\u2019t up to the standards required by Celtic and other iconic clubs such as Liverpool, Porto and Sevilla \u2013 the players would pick up on it immediately. This has not happened.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n We do take all fan and merchandise enquiries very seriously. Yes, there have been returns which vary in nature but nothing more than previous years with other kit manufacturers and currently the volume of returns remains within normal tolerances.\u00a0 Many of these have been down to washing and drying instructions not being followed properly but Celtic and New Balance have still offered an exchange or a refund for all legitimate complaints.\u00a0 As we strive to deliver the highest level of customer service, we are continuing to monitor the nature of all returns and carry out regular product testing in relation to these.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Together with our partnership clubs, we aim to do everything we can to provide the expected level of service for fans.\u00a0 With this in mind, we would reiterate that if anyone experiences a problem with a New Balance product you should return it to the point of purchase.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Thanks once again for your email.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n to which I replied, this morning….<\/p>\n \n I’ll keep you posted with any replies.<\/p>\n \n Meanwhile, with all the hassle Celtic fans have been getting from the police, and also to deal with one or two issues regarding stewarding at the ground, we hear of a man , a quiet and polite clerk and non matchdays, who has made it his sole purpose in life to make the match day experience a pleasure for one and all.<\/p>\n \u00a0After eating a scotch pie that was left in the microwave for to long, he developed strange powers, incuding an overdose of common sense and an ability to deal practically and calmly with safety issues.<\/p>\n \u00a0Ladies and gentleman, bhoys and ghirls, we give you Glasgows latest and greatest superhero…..<\/p>\n \u00a0Andy Ritchie, one of the finest scottish players I ever saw, was in Saturdays picture. He left Celtic to join morton, who all of a sudden became a top side! Ritchie, though , had his demon, and joins the ranks of that great Sciottish side who would have won the World cup if the pubs were shut.<\/p>\n Whats the story behind this picture, of another great Scottish player who would have been in that side ?<\/p>\n \n \n \n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Before I start, I’d just like to pay my respects to sixties songstress and latterly tv presenter Cilla black, who passed away yesterday. she arrived…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7573,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/etims.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/hot-weather-thermometer.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2J7If-1Y8","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7572"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7572"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7574,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7572\/revisions\/7574"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"http:\/\/newsimg.bbc.co.uk\/media\/images\/42370000\/jpg\/_42370945_02ghanachelsea.jpg\")
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