Simply by letting it be known he’s keeping an eye on them may lead to less of the honest mistakes we have come to expect, one of which occured on Sunday when Hearts got a penalty when Jamie Walker spun around as if shot by someone in the stand-could happen, it’s Tynecastle-and fooled-or so he said later-referee John Beaton.<\/p>\n Rodgers explained..<\/p>\n \u201cWe study the referee. We look at the last 35 games of the ref and his form going into games. Does he give particular cards at a high level or not? Everything\u2019s in there.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Such as what school he went to, whether or not he has a surname as a first name, and , ost importantly, did he train as a referee with the SFA.<\/p>\n Last ones a giveaway every time.<\/p>\n It’s not actually as paranoid as it sounds. It’s all about preparation;<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not homework but the players are given a document on the opponent. Everything is in there about the player they are playing against.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe look at the offensive organisation of the opponent and the same defensively. So we study the opponent in depth.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut then it is the choice of the player to read it. It\u2019s never forced on to them.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n “All of them will take away a document that will allow them to be 100 per cent prepared for the game.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSome will read every letter on there. Some, I\u2019m sure, will set it down after 10 seconds and not look at it again. But that is life.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about us knowing as a staff we have done absolutely everything for the players to gain that extra one per cent.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThen they don\u2019t have any excuses. Creating that no-excuse environment is very important.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Suddenly, Celtic appear to have gone all professional, and we can already see the difference on the park.<\/p>\n As the media are anticipating the upcoming game with “rangers”, which is marketed as the salvation of Scottish football, has Rodgers seen anything in the Ibrox team to cause him concern ?<\/p>\n Doesn’t look like it.<\/p>\n The aftermath of the Hearts game, which was a great opener and sets us up for a great season, has led to one or two of the more controversial incidents being dealt with.<\/p>\n Jamie Walker, the cheating little shit who fell over when he thought someone might tackle him is to be investigated by the SFA..<\/p>\n Scottish FA compliance officer Tony McGlennan is weighing up whether to take action against Hearts playmaker Jamie Walker following Sunday\u2019s controversial penalty incident.<\/em><\/p>\n McGlennan is planning to review footage of the 36th minute talking point before deciding if there is enough evidence to charge Walker with a breach of Disciplinary Rule 201, \u2018causing a match official to make an incorrect decision by committing an act of simulation\u2019.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The police are to investigate the fresh air swipe at Scott Sinclair by a Hearts fan after the new man \u00a0scored.<\/p>\n ‘Police in Edinburgh are investigating after a supporter attempted to confront a Celtic player within Tynecastle Stadium on Sunday 7th August.’\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n They are hot on his heels…<\/p>\n \u00a0‘Hearts is aware of an alleged incident following a goal scored by Scott Sinclair during the Celtic match at Tynecastle on Sunday 7th August.<\/em><\/p>\n ‘The club have been in discussion with Police Scotland and this matter is now the subject of a criminal investigation.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The club will work with the police and share all relevant information as necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n I can help…<\/p>\n Thats a quite \u00a0terse and welcome statement, to be fair, although surely it “Hearts are<\/em> aware.”.. and not is<\/em> ?<\/p>\n No mention of the guy who tried to nick his shirt, though.<\/p>\n Sinclair seems more relieved than anything else to finally be at Celtic-the talk is that Villa didn;t want to let him go, but he had set his heart on a move north. Especially after a chat with former hoops favourite Stilian Petrov…<\/p>\n “Most players know about Celtic It is a massive club and they have probably got one of the most passionate sets of fans in football.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n “I spoke to Stan before I came here, asked him questions and he basically told me you will never experience the atmosphere and what the fans are like (elsewhere).<\/em><\/p>\n “He thought it would be great for me to get my football back on track.<\/em><\/p>\n “He didn’t really give me a direct leave or stay but was basically talking about the club and his experiences.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n “He said if I was going to play at Aston Villa then it is my decision.<\/em><\/p>\n “It is for me to enjoy the football again, the passion and desire.<\/em><\/p>\n “You saw that when I came on and sprinted from my half to get on to the ball (and score) and that’s what I want to bring back, the excitement of playing.”<\/em><\/p>\n “We have that relationship where he lets me go and express myself,” said Sinclair.<\/em><\/p>\n “The manager knows what I bring, I know what to expect from him and that’s why he led me to this club. I just want to enjoy my football again.<\/em><\/p>\n “I worked under him at 16 at Chelsea, coming from Bristol Rovers, and I played under him at Swansea and that was my best football which led me on to sign for Manchester City.<\/em><\/p>\n “When I look back now, two or three years, the football hasn’t been great for me and I just wanted to be at a club, enjoying it and playing for a manager who knows me and gives the confidence to go and play freely.<\/em><\/p>\n Two more signings this week ?<\/p>\n So we hear, one is Paddy McNair, a defensive midfielder, the other is Michel Vorm, a goalkeeper currently at Tottenham.<\/p>\n Then there’s Jason Denaayer, the badly spelt Belgian who is unhappy with his lot at Manchester City, who has been linked with a return to Celtic by people who don;t know any better.<\/p>\n Steven Davis of Southampton has also been mentioned, as a sort of deflection as its really Alan MacGregor who is on the radar. The idea is that if Craig Gordon hears we are after him, the shock of finding out will spur him on to greater performances, because lets face it, if thats who someone reckons is better than you, you need to take a good look at yourself.<\/p>\n On the way out, to Rotherham \u00a0could be forgotten man Darnell Fisher, as Alan Stubbs continues to raid the reserves at Lennoxtown and save a fortune on his player budget.<\/p>\n As with Scott Allan, a loan move has been mentioned, which would probably suit everyone at this stage.<\/p>\n With all of these arrivals, we can be sure that there will be some more leaving. although we all have our own opinions on who should go, and who should go quickly, we’ll try to deal with what we hear, as opposed to what we want.<\/p>\n James Forrest, as we said last week, will sign with the club again. already much improved under Rodgers, we can only hope that this time the contract isn’t snatched from under his nose before he gets a chance to sign it. From where I’m sitting, if Rodgers does get his way here, then Lawwell is certainly no longer in control of team affairs, and that is a significant and welcome change.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a little peculiarity has cropped up on twitter…<\/p>\n Have a look at this..<\/p>\n When the new club were beging Mike Ashley for a few quid to tide them over until, well, whenever, they had to put forward some security…and according to this, they offered as security, something they don’t actually own.<\/p>\n The now defunct “Oldfirm trademark is listed as owned by Celtic and Rangers plc, who are currently in liquidation, and therefore its an asset that would be in the hands of liquidators BDO.<\/p>\n Isn’t that fraudulent ?<\/p>\n I wonder of someone at Celtic, who have a duty to protect the assets of the club and its shareholders, is willing to ask the question.<\/p>\n I also wonder of someone reading this, a shareholder or two, is willing to ask Celtic the question.<\/p>\n Just to clear things up, as it wouldn’t do to have any misunderstandings here. after all, to paraphrase Shakespeare, theres no chance there could be any wrongdoings, as Dave King is an honourable man…<\/p>\n Celtic and Rangers took control of the term back in 1998.. so it seems, and Rangers are currently in the process of liquidation, with a new club using their assets to try to make a name for themselves.<\/p>\n I think this needs to be looked at. Unless , of course, its all above board and anyone can use the term “OldFirm ” as an asset \u00a0to get a secured loan….<\/p>\n don’t forget, had they defaulted, that would mean that Ashley would own something that Celtic part owned, despite having had no part in the deal, or did they give permission for a few quid in the old back bins ?<\/p>\n Questions need to be asked, and questions need to be answered.<\/p>\n If you are out and about in the merchant city today, and its busy, the Olympic games fanzone has plenty of space if you need to sit down. for some reason, it hasn’t taken off yet, and organisers could use a bit of, well, support..<\/p>\n If you think thats bizarre, have a read of this…<\/p>\n ...But Rangers, too, should be reprimanded for the significant role their supporters played in the disgraceful events which marred the end of what had up until that point been a classic Scottish Cup final.<\/em><\/p>\n The Ibrox club appears to be suffering from a serious bout of selective amnesia about what took place in Mount Florida on Saturday, May 21.<\/em><\/p>\n In a statement released on their official website Friday night they expressed hope the SFA would \u201cremember vividly what actually occurred\u201d and added that \u201cHibernian fans were allowed to invade the field of play and attack Rangers players and staff, who were offered little protection\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n That was fair enough. But only in as far as it went. What Rangers omitted to mention themselves, and not for the first time either, is that their own fans also engaged in some truly horrifying acts of brutality. During the course of the game there were also incidences of sectarian singing and flares were set off.<\/em><\/p>\n As Edward Bowen QC wrote: \u201cWhen the pitch invasion occurred the overwhelming majority of Rangers supporters behaved properly and many simply left the stadium. A small number allowed themselves to be taunted by the Hibs fans to the point of invading the pitch for the purpose of physical confrontation.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Please, spare me this utter drivel about these brave warriors taking to the field with the intention of gallantly protecting the players. Their team had long before left the field when they willingly became involved in the unrest. The likes of Wes Foderingham, Andy Halliday, Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace were nowhere to be seen.<\/em><\/p>\n The provocation they experienced, while extreme, was no excuse, none whatsoever, for the acts of barbarism they engaged in. I, along with many others inside the stadium, was genuinely concerned for the safety of those they set about. Custodial sentences may well be forthcoming against the individuals involved. So should sporting penalties against the club.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n David Martin, Rangers head of security, has written letters to all of those fans arrested at the cup final informing them they have brought the Ibrox club into disrepute and are banned from attending both home and away matches. They have also been told their season tickets will be forfeited and no compensation paid. That hardline stance should be warmly applauded.<\/em><\/p>\n But it will not absolve the Ladbrokes Premiership club from further censure from the judicial panel. Nor should it. Rule 28 of the competition rules clearly states, unlike in the senior leagues in Scotland, that \u201cclubs are responsible for the behaviour of their players, officials, members and supporters\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n Rangers will, then, have to accept whatever retribution is meted out to them. They can have little cause to complain when it is.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n and I follow it with an urgent and heartfelt appeal…<\/p>\n Oh, you’ll need a picture…<\/p>\n Either someone has kidnapped him and has forced him to write that article at gunpoint, or Matthew Lindsay, Herald journalist, has undergone an operation which has seen a large pair of testicles placed between his legs.<\/p>\n Well done, Matt. Seriously. you’ve said what needed to be said.<\/p>\n Not like your pal, Chris “Union “Jack, who is still towing the party line..<\/p>\n IT has been the taboo topic for seasons now but the point will be proven in the Premiership over the next few weeks, months and years.<\/em><\/p>\n Scottish football and our top league needs Rangers. It has been the elephant in the room but now the Glasgow giant is back where our game needs it.<\/em><\/p>\n Clubs up and down the country benefitted from the Gers when they came to town on \u2018The Journey\u2019 and now they are a welcome addition to the Premiership once again.<\/em><\/p>\n In the top flight, some clubs have impressed in the league and lifted silverware. They were deserved triumphs, memorable days for those involved and they should inspire players and managers to strive for success this season and beyond. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n ( Can anyone else hear the theme from the Dambusters playing, whilst Jack, sitting below his picture of Winston Churchill, types away furiously ? )<\/p>\n But there is no question that the product overall, not in every case, has diminished in the seasons that Rangers have been making their way back from the Third Division. It contributed to the malaise that has set in here.<\/em><\/p>\n SPFL chief Neil Doncaster has spent recent weeks talking up the new campaign and now he has a \u2018box office\u2019 product to sell. With four Old Firm games ahead, people from outside these shores will look in with interest once again.<\/em><\/p>\n For four years, we have hyped up a title battle that was more handbags than a fight to finish. It has been a phoney war where the winner was known before a ball was kicked.<\/em><\/p>\n Celtic may well go on and make it six-in-a-row this season, but hopefully Brendan Rodgers and his players will have to work for it this time out. The last thing Scottish football needs is another canter to the finishing line and a one-horse race…..<\/em><\/p>\n ……But now we have normality restored in the Premiership and hopefully a title battle to match some of the great head-to-heads of yesteryear. After four low-key seasons at the top end, it would be more than welcomed. Presumably Union hasn’t seen his team play yet…<\/p>\n And “normality “-it’s strange that this man, who is clearly as far away from normality as it is possible to get without being given a room with carpets on the wall, should use this word- is not what we have.<\/p>\n What we have is a desperate attempt to excuse the greatest \u00a0scandal in footballing history, and pretend nothing happened.<\/p>\n It must not be allowed, and trust me, the battle isn’t over yet.<\/p>\n Yesterdays caption competition seemed to have the general consesnus that this..<\/p>\n was some radical form of kettling to be introduced by Police Scotland at football matches. so there were plenty of winners yesterday, but can someone forge ahead of the pack today, with this \u00a0rare colour photo ?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Didn’t take him long, did it ? Manager Brendan Rodgers says he is building up a dossier on referees north of the border. We’ve seen…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":9523,"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\/2016\/08\/referees-225060407.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2J7If-2tA","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9522"}],"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=9522"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9522\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9524,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9522\/revisions\/9524"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.imagebon.com\/postpic\/2013\/12\/blank-notebook-paper-printable_428741.png\"){kind=spacer}
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