Rangers<\/a>\u00a0fans and booed and whistled by Celtic fans but it was all in good fun.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n
One of the more encouraging things I’ve noticed ahead of the game is the amount of supporters clubs on social media announcing they are full for this one. They’ll be needed.<\/p>\n
It seems like a another lifetime where Oliver Khan overdid the celebrations because his Bayern Munich team secured a point in a Champions League game at Celtic Park. Life in the slow lane indeed.<\/p>\n
Well, we need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down, and stop talking in cliches.<\/p>\n
We need some inspiration, and who better to turn to than Stilian Petrov, who knows a thing or two about winning when the chips are down…<\/p>\n
\u00a0“I think the result last week will be just a blip for Brendan Rodgers and the squad. It\u2019s important to keep things in perspective.<\/em><\/p>\n“If the defeat last week had been by a few goals then there would be serious cause for concern, but that\u2019s not the case.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cThere will be a determination from Brendan and the players to put on a good performance and win the game by a few goals at Celtic Park.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cThe Celtic supporters will have a role to play. I was fortunate enough to play for Celtic for seven years and the feeling of playing in front of a packed Parkhead was always a highlight.<\/em><\/p>\n“The Celtic supporters generate an incredible atmosphere and it will be such an advantage this season to have that back again.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019m sure they will help the team qualify for the Champions League. The supporters haven\u2019t had this tournament for the past two years and they are desperate to bring it back to their club.<\/em><\/p>\n“The journey starts this week and they want to see it develop all the way through to December for the finals matches in the group stages.”<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\u00a0“I\u2019m sure Brendan and the new signings will be blown away by the support generated by the Celtic supporters. It\u2019s thrilling.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
“For example, the night we beat Juventus 4-3 in 2001 was a particular highlight. The atmosphere was unbelievable. It definitely brings the best out in players.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\u201cMore recently, Celtic beat Barcelona 2-1 when Neil Lennon was the manager and, again, that was just incredible.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\u201cWith Brendan as manager, I\u2019ve a feeling the magical European nights are on their way back.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0“I think his appointment is a huge statement from the club. He is a top class manager and I\u2019ve followed his career since he was at Swansea and then Liverpool.<\/em><\/p>\n“During my career at Aston Villa I played against his teams and the brand of football was always slick, entertaining and impressive.<\/em><\/p>\n“He is also an extremely good person and we had a few conversations during the years. I wish him the very best of luck at Celtic.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
All good vibes, and the players will be needing plenty of them tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Shall we talk about something else for a minute? From the Daily Mail…<\/p>\n
Scotland’s\u00a0clubs are poised to defy an ultimatum by justice minister Michael Matheson to tackle fan disorder via Strict Liability or face legislation.<\/em><\/p>\nClubs will discuss a resolution to take more responsibility for the bad behaviour of their own supporters at tomorrow\u2019s SPFL AGM at Hampden.<\/em><\/p>\nHowever, Sportsmail understands Matheson\u2019s recent warning to go the whole hog and adopt Strict Liability \u2014 or risk a Holyrood crackdown \u2014 has fallen on deaf ears despite the violent scenes which marred Hibs\u2019 Scottish Cup win in May.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nClubs will vote on a proposal to accept more blame for trouble before, during and after games, at tomorrow\u2019s get-together.<\/em><\/p>\nAngered by Matheson\u2019s lecturing intervention at the SFA AGM in June, however, the new proposals remain some way short of the full-scale adoption of UEFA\u2019s Strict Liability rules.<\/em><\/p>\n\n
The SFA are currently awaiting the findings of an independent commission into the Cup Final disorder chaired by Edward Bowen QC. The report is due to be presented by July 31.<\/em><\/p>\nThe governing body set the template for the SPFL by tightening up Resolution 2 of their rules and regulations to place more responsibility on clubs for the actions of fans.<\/em><\/p>\nAs a result, Hibs or Rangers face possible punishment if they are found culpable of failing to do more to prevent events at the Final before, during or after the game by the Bowen commission.<\/em><\/p>\nThere’s those words again, SFA, independent commission, punishment, clubs…<\/p>\n
The reporter needed merely to state that Hibernian are about to get a doing from the SFA for spoiling their day out. There was no need to say anything else.<\/p>\n
The man chairing the inquiry, Edward Farquharson Bowen was also chairman of the \u00a0Northern Lighthouse board, which shows he’s not averse to a job or two which has very little to do with , say his hobbies, the primary one being golf, as golf and lighthouses go together like, well, like the SFA and independent inquiries.<\/p>\n
I love this bit, from the same report, which implies something a little different from the reality…<\/p>\n
Tomorrow\u2019s AGM will also see Hearts owner Ann Budge take her place on the league board at the second time of asking.<\/em><\/p>\nCeltic\u2019s Peter Lawwell, Budge and Partick Thistle\u2019s Iain Maxwell are standing for election for the three Premiership slots after Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson decided against standing.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nDecided against standing…on account of being told to fuck off every time he asked someone if they would support him.<\/p>\n
Which brings me neatly round, a description I also use in my \u00a0social media profiles, to an interesting story from Italy…<\/p>\n
It is being reported that Juventus have been fined \u20ac2million for allowing the release of unauthorised official merchandise.<\/em><\/p>\nSupposedly, the club permitted the sales of shirts featuring three gold stars above the badge.<\/em><\/p>\nIn Italy, teams are allowed a gold star for every ten Serie A titles won and a silver star for every ten Coppa Italia victories.<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0When Juventus won the league back in 2012 they requested shirts with three stars to be produced by Nike to commemorate their 30th Serie A triumph.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n\n
Nike denied this request as Juventus were technically stripped of two Serie A titles after the Calciopoli corruption scandal.<\/em><\/p>\nYou\u2019ll remember The Old Lady were also relegated to Serie B as part of their punishment.<\/em><\/p>\nDespite Nike\u2019s rejection, Juventus commissioned the production of three-starred shirts anyway, which could be purchased by fans but not worn by players for games.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nThis led to Nike\u2019s mutual termination as Juventus\u2019 kit provider in 2013.<\/em><\/p>\nNow the club have been forced to pay Nike \u20ac2million in damages, although the sportswear giants initially demanded \u20ac80m.<\/em><\/p>\nJuventus themselves claim the fine is \u2018considerably less\u2019 than \u20ac2million.<\/em><\/p>\nThese days Juventus\u2019 Adidas kit does feature three stars above the badge as they have now legitimately won 32 titles.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nJust as well that sort of thing could never happen here, with Help for Heroes written on it, and even if it did the press would be all over it.<\/p>\n
Message to Brendan.<\/p>\n
As much as I would have been happier never to have to face that mob again, do us all a favour, and put them in their place.<\/p>\n
signed, those with a sense of fair play.<\/p>\n
There was confirmation yesterday from one of the games greatest analysts that their side isn’t up to much…<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/CnoTlXNWIAET0Rt.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
And if he says they’re good, then they must really be , er , good….<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Perhaps the strangest news of the week, nay the summer and probably the rest of the season is that concerning Mo mo Massimo donati, who has just signed for Hamilton.<\/p>\n
No, I don’t know why either.<\/p>\n
With news that the Westminster government have voted in favour of renewing the Trident defence system, instead of going for the \u00a0cheaper option, such as \u00a0anthrax, Ebola or popular nerve gas Sarin, as a way of solving the worlds economic issues by removing anyone who might use any of the words resources, it appears we need a hero to save us from all this madness.<\/p>\n
Punch magazine, though clearly using this picture as a way of re-assuring a nineteenth century readership they were vastly superior to their apparently simian neighbours, may well have hit upon an idea for a comic book hero, or at the very least, someone who could inspire someone else to carry on a historical figures good work…<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/CnkVJLzXYAQ6f79.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Going back to sundays caption competition… which is actually L. Ron Hubbard testing tomatoes to see if they can feel pain.<\/p>\n
L Ron Hubbard uses his Hubbard Electrometer to determine whether tomatoes experience pain, in 1968. He founded Scientology, which is considered a cult by some, and is based on the premise that the human race is descended from Thetans, an exiled race from another planet\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\nBet you I can guess what team he supports…<\/p>\n
![\"L.](\"http:\/\/www.oldpicsarchive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/L.-Ron-Hubbard-uses-his-Hubbard-Electrometer-to-determine-whether-tomatoes-experience-pain-1968..jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Again a topical reply wins the accolades, which I \u00a0believe are a group of islands in the south Pacific with what could be a suggestion for the manager..<\/p>\n