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Carlsberg don't do season run-ins...
... but if they did:
Thu 10 Apr UCQF Sporting Lisbon 0-2 Rangers
Sun 13 Apr SPL Motherwell 1-3 Celtic
Sun 13 Apr SCQFRep Partick Thistle 1-2 Rangers (AET)
Wed 16 Apr SPL Celtic 1-0 Rangers
Sat 19 Apr SPL Celtic 2-0 Aberdeen
Sun 20 Apr SCSF Rangers 0-0 St Johnstone
Thu 24 Apr UCSF PSV 1-1 Rangers
Sun 27 Apr SPL Celtic P-P Rangers
Postponed “for the good of Scottish football”, to
help Rangers’ bid to reach the UEFA Cup Final.
Thu 01 May UCSF Rangers 1-1 PSV (AET)
(PSV win 20-19 on penalties after 20 kicks each team)
Sat 03 May SPL Motherwell 2-4 Celtic
Sun 04 May SPL Hibs 1-1 Rangers
Tue 06 May SPL Celtic 1-0 Rangers (moved from 27th April)
Thu 08 May SPL Rangers 2-0 Motherwell (moved from Wed 7th May)
Sat 10 May SPL Rangers 2-0 Dundee Utd
Sun 11 May SPL Celtic 3-2 Hibs
Mon 12 May SPL St Mirren 1-2 Rangers (tbc)
Thu 15 May SPL Motherwell 1-1 Rangers (tbc)
SPL DAY OF RECKONING:
(sponsored by Sheffield Steel)
Sun 18 May SPL Dundee Utd 2-3 Celtic
(Hunt 90+6; De Vries 90+8)(Samaras 12; Hartley 37; Hinkel 56)
(Sent Off: Samaras 13; Hartley 38; Hinkel 57)
Sun 18 May SPL Aberdeen 0-6 Rangers
(Darcheville 3, 8; Thompson 45+4; Boyd 70; Novo 90+4, 90+6)
(Sent Off: Miller 27; Nicholson 49)
Wed 21 May SCSFRep Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone (AET)
Sat 24 May SCF Aberdeen 2-1 Rangers (AET)
FINAL SPL POSITIONS:
1. CHEATING AND DIVING F.C. P 38 W 28 D 5 L 5 F 87 A 29 Pts 89 GD +58
2. 9 YELLOWS IN A MATCH FC P 38 W 28 D 5 L 5 F 86 A 28 Pts 89 GD +58
NEWSFLASH: Dermot persuades Wattie to make the switch across the city!
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Walter Smith's problem has always been taking his team to the next level. At Rangers, Everton, and even the end of his short reign at Scotland he tended to struggle with the change in expectations (I know the last bit is a little harsh). After a while scraping wins on the counter attack isn't enough for fans and they end up expecting more quality. At the moment Rangers have a team in resurgence which gives their whole club a boost of confidence and generates momentum. There is a change in the kind of pressure between being the challenger to the champion which some players don't adapt well to plus teams can't rely on momentum forever as it is always temporary. Players who are playing with something to prove may struggle once they have proven themselves and when opposition learn to cope with their style is can be difficult to change. I think Walter has struggled to cope with these issues in the past and he has been guilty of standing by his favourites (more so than what Gordon is accused of) which has prohibited him from rebuilding his previous teams. It's alright at the moment as he is only just creating HIS SQUAD but when players form drops after a couple of seasons or when players get too old he struggles to phase them out and bring new guys in. Whether he has learned from his previous mistakes we're yet to find out. Walter is a good manager though and also one of the most experienced managers in Britain which people forget. We are up against a good team this season, if not spectacular, and yes they've looked unconvincing often but they get the wins and that's what matters. Plenty of big teams have struggled with them such as Lyon, Barcalona, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon, Stuttgart etc and to give them no credit does us a disservice. We have been disappointing but we have been up against a difficult challenge and we haven't coped well it's fair to say. If we lose the league this season as is expected then it will be interesting to see what happens next year when we are the wounded animal and they are the team having to cope with all the expectation. It will be interesting if Weir will be the key man in defence again and if they are able to keep Cuellar (who is wanted in England I believe) and if not how well do they do at replacing him. I certainly don't think we're a bad team just a bit short in some areas , if we can sort them out and get some self belief back I think we could have a really good team.
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Welcome Eric_Olthwaite.
Welcome also, macaroon bars n spearmint chewin gum, excellent name.
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Paul,
You're doing a great job churning out the articles. Any more news on the switch from the permanently broken Blogger?
The fixture position has now reached critical stage as you say. But is there any way the SPL will make them play 2 games in the week of a Euro semi final? But what alternative do they have?
Yet again our own failures are coming back to haunt us. In a closer race we would have had cause to object if even one game was to be moved beyond the scheduled last Sunday. But I can see the league moving the St Mirren game as it is unlikely to affect any final positions.
The Motherwell game is more difficult as it could affect 3rd place. Surely Hibs and Dundee Utd would object to this one being delayed as Motherwell could potentially go into it knowin exactly what they need for 3rd place.
Many of us opposed the postponement of the games before Lyon and the Scotland match. Talk about coming back to bite you on the bum!
I look forward to seeeing how the league squares this particular circle!
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posted on last article
Big Chips - I agree that Rangers aren't as bad as many Celtic fans make out - you definitely don't fluke your way to the semi finals of the Uefa Cup. The problem for me is by agreeing that Rangers are a good team doesn't take the pressure off Strachan.
Celtic were miles ahead of Rangers at the end of last season so strachan had a chance to build from a position of strength while Smith had to completely rebuild...Smith has built a better team than Strachan which leaves our man looking very limited. As for the question of whether he deserves another chance next season it depends on who we can realistically get to replace him...I wouldnt swap him for any of the SPL managers that are getting mentioned. In saying that, I am really really angry at Strachan this season and I think the only reason I've backed him until now is I don't have any time for the 2 groups that are always giving him a hard time: the Scottish football media and the Celtic minded brigade but I realise now that doesn't mean he hasn't cocked this entire season right up!
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Rangers are not a bad team by any stretch. They have players who know exactly what is expected of them and have a game-plan that has served them well.
We have a good basis in our squad of players but look to be very much a one trick pony. We also have a lot of dead wood that I hope will be moved on this close season.
There is still a chance and whilst that little light still flickers I'm quite happy to keep believing that the good guys can come back at the end of the movie!
On that point would you view Tony Soprano as a good guy or bad trying to do good?
Roll on Rollover Sunday
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Off Topic alert:
Hey Wise Guys, I’m only on series 4 of The Sopranos. Don’t be giving stuff away without warning
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When Celtic got to the UEFA Cup Final they had Hartson, Sutton, Thompson, Lennon & Bobo down the spine of the team. None of these were particularly spectacular footballers, but all were good hard professionals who wouldn't be bossed by the opposition. We had 2 or 3 class footballers alongside the brawn, who were thus afforded the protection needed to allow them to exercise their talents with the ball. And the net result was a successful, if not always attractive to watch, football team.
The current Rangers team has many parallels to that Celtic team. I just hope they are not as successful... after all, Cousin is no Henrik Larsson!
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Paul
As I have already said the decision has been made and is clear by Ian Blair's statement this week.
He said he always wanted the league season to finish before the Scottish Cup Final. Two things you can take from this statement.
1) The midweek after the last league game is now allocated for a league game for the huns. If it wasn't the Ian Blair would have said we always wanted to finish on the last league game day.
2) It is not a clear indication that no extention will be allowed and therefore if they are undecided it is only because they are waiting to see the outcome of last night's game and the Partick game. If they are waiting on the outcome then it must be that they are going to extend the season because if they weren't then they do not need to wait on these games. They would just say we are not extending. Waiting means agreement and the only way it will not be extended is if they got beat last night or against Partick (because it wouldn't need extending then). Or if they win the league at Celtic Park then no harm in giving them two league games midweek.
Kilmarnock have already been given the scenario this year of having to play 2 midweek games and only avoided it by winning the first of those league games and if Celtic were having Rangers' run in Europe we would not have been given the preference they are going to be given.
They are rotten to the core and if anyone believes the point about the hun ridden SFA secretly wanting the huns to fail in Europe to avoid the tough decision then they are deluded. They are praying for the huns to win the league quicker so that they avoid the tough decision.
tonybhoy
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lubo1977
Likewise, I also agree that Rangers are a better side than many care to admit. By extension almost, I don't think I agree with you, that we were miles ahead of Rangers at the end of last season. If you compare the two teams from the point that the Carmyle Cardigan took over, Rangers won more points than we did. Okay, at that point, we were already in a very strong position and maybe slackened off a bit but I do think that the mess at Ibrox when Paul Le Guen was there had a greater part to play in the gulf between the 2 teams around January 07 than the players he had at his disposal. In my view,there was not a huge gap at the start of the season.
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Hi All,
Infrequent poster – avid reader!! New member no 112445 of the long posters club
Been reading through a few of the posts and this article which seem to suggest that the extension is about to be granted. THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN!!.
Like most on here, I am unhappy at our failings this season and inability to transform our advantages into success on the park. There will be a time for a post mortem however with a very (very very) faint chance that we can perform a miracle, now is not that time.
I am a season ticket holder and go to all home games and a few (when able) away games. As a Celtic Supporter (not customer or fan). My investment is 100% emotional with the season ticket et al purely a vehicle to stand behind a social institution that represents me, where I come from and what I stand for - and against everything I believe is wrong in this bigoted little country of ours.
Everything that is asked of me by the club is given 100% and more. I continue to ensure I am an ambassador for all things Celtic when on my travels, I DO NOT indulge in tirades against the manager whilst he is undertaking his job and I steadfastly refuse to join in the baricking and abuse of players who have been considered good enough by CELTIC COACHING AND MANAGEMENT STAFF to do something that all of us on here would give their hide teeth to have done. BTW for those who do indulge in this, on behalf of the many who choose not to, we are capable of seeing when a player is struggling or not performing without the vitriol/bile to educate us.
This decision (if made) is right up there with the many that have been made to give the establishment club a lift up. We all know the many others. It is now time for the club to give something back to me and the many thousands like me (probably the majority of the Celtic Support) for the emotional investment we make.
FIGHT THIS ATTEMPT AT CHEATING ALL THE WAY!
It will not change the fact that the league is almost certainly a lost cause. It will set down a marker that this type of favouritism cannot be allowed. More is at stake than just this season.
If not, then all that will remain for me is a feeling of anger, resentment and shame towards Messers Desmond, Reid and Lawwell that when the custodians of our club were needed to stand up on our behalf, they were shown as a group of GUTLESS, IMPOTENT and PATHETIC individuals.
The P&L sheet is not the only barometer by which great Celtic men are measured.
HAIL HAIL
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At 11/04/08 11:38, Gordon_J said…
The Motherwell game is more difficult as it could affect 3rd place. Surely Hibs and Dundee Utd would object to this one being delayed as Motherwell could potentially go into it knowin exactly what they need for 3rd place.
Agreed, I don't think the SPL will schedule this match for after the season finishes in case Motherwell do need something from this match to qualify for UEFA cup. i don't think the SPL would care that it wouldn't be fair on Hibs or DU but that it would be a harder game for Rangers.
Why else do you think they are playing Aberdeen in their final(?) league game. I think the St.Mirren game will be played the midweek before the Scottish Cup Final.
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Cadizzy - fair point, you're right gap was closed after Jan 07 but I think that is even more damning against Strachan as "Walter" had even less resources at his disposal at that point.
I think all indications would be he has to go (as long as we are ambitious with his replacement) but I will obviously back the team and him until the season is over....3 in a row would be some send off for him. I thought it was over after that appalling Motherwell result but if the SPL play fair (aye right!) and make them play their games within the defined league season they could collapse.....Let's get the prayers in to St Jude immediately!
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BhoySean - I think the only level Wattie took Everton to was Down, then Further Down.
Although much was made in this country of the chairman allegedly selling players without his knowledge.
I remember reading a hilarious comment from Sally - "Notice that it's only disgruntled Everton fans who have a bad word to say about Walter".
Yes I'm sure fans of the other Premiership clubs were perfectly happy with Wattie's stewardship of the club.
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If the season is extended to help Rangers it will be the most disgusting act of blatant bias in Scottish football since the Jim Farry affair, and I hope Celtic will fight it all the way.
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What really worries me is GSs assertion that we should have won the last 5 games, it implies he thinks theres nothing to fix, I think apart from the enforced change we will see much the same team as last week
He is in denial!
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Would be an interesting debate if they do indeed try to do so.
Celtic can obviously oppose and as you say it would be an interesting puzzle for the Motherwll, HIbs and Dundee Utd chairmen.
Is there not a margin that need to agree to this for all the teams involved in the league (including those in the bottom 6)
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Call me cynical.
Rangers will NOT play 2 games a day apart.
The establishment will not allow it.
If i could bet on it - i'd put a large wedge down.
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Gordon J, there have been a couple of snags that have delayed things. Still not resolved.
Lobo1977, there was little to chose between Celtic and Rangers at the end of last season, if anything they were the stronger team.
The devil play…s, it was Peter Lawwell who first publicly invoked this debate and stated his views. Arguing against, or voting against if it came to that, is the only option I can see open to the club, not sure what else you have in mind?
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St Gris,
You got very belated mail,
Martin.
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A few thoughts.
Who is to say that we still wouldn´t be in the UC if we hadn´t FAILED to make it to the second phase of the CL.
I wasn´t in the least bit surprised to see Rangers get passed Sporting. Having witnessed how lucky they were against EPL relegation threatened Bolton second string team. How devalued is this tournament honestly ? not that I am belittling Rangers achievement far from it. I stated after Lyon lost 0.3 to Rangers that if they stick to Wattys pragmatic and only approach they could do very well. They have and they have.
Bayern are also very lucky to still be in the tournament. They are the Liverpool of the UC this season when it comes to fortuitous decisions. Uefa´s remit is to generate cash worldwide through football, never forget that. Fenerbahce and Rangers in the those finals is not what UEFA desire. Liverpool and Bayern yes ? money makes the world go round.
I really wish that we could shake off our obsession with Rangers. GOD 3 in a row even was because our focus is on bettering Rangers we all hope for a new dominating era... another 9 in a row. Which is fine if your one of Europes top teams but a poor return for a team such as Celtic and Rangers if your not making your mark in Europe.
Celtic and Rangers have both been improving in Europe recently as the coefficeint proves.As I have stated before the quality in the Bundesliga is not what it used to be. Its fair to say that Serie A is going through a lull as well and both Real and Barca are not what they used to be. Hence why I dismissed Bremens chances against Rangers. What was illuminating was seeing Schalke play 3 up front in the Nou camp and make a game of it. If you had asked me two months ago I would have said that we could take Schalke. Are there lessons to be learned there ?
I´d also like to touch on the comparisons being made between the 02/03 season and this one. Again our obsession raises its ugly head.
I would love to beat Rangers to the title on account of having scored more goals than them. As my priest used to say "it would be right and fitting". I would celebrate and enjoy more than any of you. I do fear however that it would allow our obvious deficiencies to be masked from those people that run our club.
If we compare the last 14 months then we have to question our lack of progress. We waited on Rangers to make a move last summer. Rangers did move and then by the time we started to move it was too late. Too busy counting the pennies. We took our eye of the ball and we simply cannot afford too. We are either going to have a summer of change and a radical rethink or the same old predictable Celtic.
If Rangers win a qaudruple or a treble and we spend little this summer then I fear for the early season mood of the support. We´re going to have to get the helmets and flak jackets on ...and that´s just amongst ourselves. The enhance and maintain mantra will be seen as the blatant lie that it is. God forbid that they come out as part of the Walter Smith fan club or that we cannot expect to win the SPL all the time. If they come out with that line having compared the clubs relative positions last summer. Then they need to go we cant have such incompetent uninspiring men running our club
I will want to hear reasons why we are peddling the support lies about "enhancing and maintaining" the quality of the squad. When we are not. Why our scouting networks are failing. Why our youth systems are failing. Its been 5 years since Seville. 5 years since our new prudent approach. Is it working? Have Rangers been poor for two years and have only came back from the ashes due to a 10m pound spend? 1m if you include the loss of Hutton please nobody come back and say well Hutton might only prove to have cost 7m ...its irrelavant
Why three years into our new direction we can be trumped by a 10m spend?
If there is not some frank and open admissions this summer and its a case of more of the same then we need to question seriously if we are in the proper hands and I´ll need to question if the money that I am spending in Celtic today is only extra money in the bank for the major shareholders tomorrow and do they really need it that much more than a continually improving Celtic? If they do then we are not supporter but just customer and you can write that in stone.
And if you know your history .... you´ll know that we never strengthen from a good position only a bad one. When is this historically damaging mindset going to stop and when are those that are in charge going to realise that?
answerthequestions&cutoottheflannelCSC
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sean south - 2 articles ago.
"Real Celtic fans" Jog on you total bafoon of a man.
If your going to Motherwell on Sunday perhaps we could meet up before the game and you could explain to me how Im not a "Real Celtic fan".
I defend the board, think they are doing a great job, I have defended Strachan.
Ergo im not a "Real Celtic fan".
If your not going to the game on Sunday, perhaps we could meet before the game against rangers on Wed and again, you can tell me how Im not a "Real Celtic fan" .
You have peeved me off more than any Celtic performance this season.
Your actually pathetic in your constant attacks on others. I happen to agree with some (just some mind, dont go getting all moist) of what you say, but the way you say it... Deary dear.
Away and catch yerself. If you want my seat details for discussing this further, please dont hesitate to ask.
Yours, just an ordinary Celtic fan, cant be a real one obviously, because I dont agree with ALL the crap that comes out of sean souths bahooky of a mouth, Bazzabhoy.
Hail hail
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Italiabhoy from previous thread.
Spot on regarding our underestimation of the enemy.
Paul67, I have refrained from butchering you as I have been so disgusted with what Celtic have offered this year, I just could not be bothered.
Thought you might be a bigger man and finally agree. Your wrong. The GOD is DANGEROUS. It's a first class ticket to complacency.
Walter's team shows we don't need a big name in charge to win the SPL. Hiddink is a pipe dream. Reality is we would struggle to tempt Mowbray if he goes to the EPL.
I agree with Kojo. It's got to be Celtic minded this time for the next 2 years. Would be interesting to see what Collins would do
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If we were in Rangers position I would want Celtic to play twice a day (OK on consecutive days) to prove a point.
It doesn't matter if the season is extended by a week or a day, they will be able to field fringe players and not worry about the results.
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If an extention to the SPL fixtures is arranged to allow a team, that postponed games earlier in the season in order to give themselves an advantage in domestic and European competitions, a further advantage in those compeitions, then the SPL is dead in the water.
It would be beyond farce.
I will never set foot inside another SPL ground if this were to happen.
To ensure the integrity of the league the powers that be at Celtic must threaten, in no uncertain terms, that they will walk from the league if it happens.
Anything less and they will have at least one less season ticket holder. Football will be as good as dead to me.
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Bienex 12.15
I happen to agree with Strachan that we `should ` have won the last five games. Had we taken an average amount of chances created , we would have one those games.No manager will ever think that matters cannot be improved so I disagree with your `implications`.
Devil plays etc. I liked your post and think that most of us would like to see a more agressive boardroom in matters concerning favouritism shown to Rangers in all aeas where it occurs.
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Lubo @ 11.40.
Agree totally with your post except that I really don't think we were so far in front of Rangers last season. Therein lies the problem. Too many - Gordon Strachan and probably more importantly the board thought we were so far in front we didn't have to worry about a Rangers resurgence perhaps for a couple more years.
I say Gordon Strachan thought this but I can't be sure. Gordon's "problem" - if that is the correct word is that he is a "board" man. He shares their policy of friscal prudence. He has been successful in getting the age of the team down, getting rid of the big earners - and winning two titles to boot. So the board love him. MON wasn't a borad man - hence his sticky relationship with Brian Quinn. His only concern was on the field and he was prepared to put players on huge contracts no matter the long term effect on the club. Hence Gordon Strachan's predicament when he took over.
Anyway . No matter who thought what the reality of the situation (Gerry Adams spake) is that we were in an advantageous situation last season. It was tenuous to say the least but nevertheless it was there. Lack of foresight, lack of forward planning, complacency, taking so many things for granted have led us to this most miserable of seasons. Anyone can take not winning. God knows I have esxperienced enough trophyless seasons in my time to be pragmatic about another. But thats not even close to the point. The point is. This season should not be happening. It could and should have been avoided.
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The most galling thing for me in all of this is that even after having a bad month in December had it not been for the points meekly surrendered at home to Motherwell and Dundee Utd recently we would be in a position to really put pressure on them, even after being beaten by them the other week.
I have a nasty feeling about the way things are going to turn out this year. As I said last night on the previous blog at least they won't get a holiday out of it. A 3 hour bus ride down the M74/6 will be as exotic as it gets for them.
We really must win our next three games. By doing so we will be in a better position than they were in 2005. then they were 5 points behind with 4 to play. If we do what we are more than capable of, we will be 4 behind with 5 to play. If the players and management still believe it's possible I believe we can do it.
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Aw Naw:
Not trying to rain on your parade, not at all, your post was better than good and asks some awkward questions that deserve an answer. However, I won’t come back with 7 million I’ll come back with Enic. Rangers owe Enic – a lot more than 10 million too.
Don’t believe the One pound buy back the thirty million pound debt (or there abouts) that Rangers owed Enic.
And who owns Spurs. Dodgey dealings possibly. After all, the serious fraud squad do seem to be knocking up quite a bit of overtime these days.
If Hutton was worth 10 Million I’m worth 20.
Dodgy dealings in football… would never happen.
Still hoping and still standing up.
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St-Gris said "Rangers will NOT play 2 games a day apart."
roybainestache said "If we were in Rangers position I would want Celtic to play twice a day (OK on consecutive days) to prove a point."
Celtic did indeed once have to play two games in one day, and won them both, I believe.
And the way things are going for Rangers and Celtic at the moment, Rangers might ask the SPL if they can play both Celtic games on the same day. They'll fancy their chances of beating us twice. And it'll cut down on the travel expenses for the fans too!
Remember that game at Ibrox just before the 2003 UEFA Cup Final... all the Beach balls, sombreros, etc.? It won't be quite the same colourful spectacle at CP if all the Rangers fans turn up with umbrellas and inflatable Eccles cakes! And Manchester doesn't rhyme with "The Bill" either, thankfully!
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Jamie,
Jock Stein said that if was given the choice betwen two players of identical ability, one Protestant and one Catholic, he'd sign the Protestant because that would be 2 players that Rangers couldn't sign. He said this to highlight the ridiculous and obscene signing policy at Ibrox that ruled out for them a large part of the population (though as we know, they never found a Catholic good enough1)
Insisting on a "Celtic minded" manager moves us perilously close to that same model. It may not be as morally reprehensible and repugnant (though it is morally dubious to say the least) but it is just as daft since it limits our catchment area to a mere handful of candidates.
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I agree with Bieniex at 12.15. GS seems to be in denial, publicly anyway.
My buddy from Liverpool says rumours of DM for the offski are building.
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on the 'we should have won the last five games' claim
by gordon strachan, and the talk of all the chances celtic made i'd like to know what chances he is on about.
certainly if we look at the last game in particular celtic made very few if any clear cut chances against motherwell
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It's the last round; the referee is poised over the pole-axed champion, Beginning to count him out. All round the ring the Champ's anxious supporters are hushed- desperate for him to show a flicker of resistance; some sign that he will get back up off the floor and somehow start fighting again. Suddenly, from the back of the hall a chant begins that works its way round the Arena-
CHAMP- GET UP! STAND UP! DON'T GIVE UP THE FIGHT!
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dontbrattbackinanger - Adriaaaannnnnneeeeeee!
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We have liitle or no chance of winning all our outstanding games considering our current form.Therefore those seeking solace in the fact that the huns Euro run means more games for them and in turn this wiil enhance our chances of winning the league are kidding themselves on .
The reality is that the huns are making evermore money from this run and are racking up ranking points by the hatfull.They will be sustantially ahead of us in the seeding system,particularly if they win this league and get into th CL unchallenged .
An exit from the UC after being beaten twice is now a must for us .
Unless our manager wakes up and realises that we have been more than unlucky in the last five games we have no chance .We have been rank awful and the managers refusal/failure to see this is mystifying at best and intransigent myopia at worse .
Wake up Gordon we have a slim chance but changes must be made .
From the hun game lastnight they looked very vulnerable at crosses, this even considering that SL were not a big side.For sheer presence alone BB must play , as must MW , GS and PH..
hail hail
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Kit,
Of course I dont believe it. Murrays spin a go go.
The heart of the matter is this;
Murray who is 500million in the red can afford to throw another 10m at Rangers. His last throw of the dice and every man dog and farm fly knew except for our conceited back slapping bunch that those dice would be loaded. They thought they knew better and they didn´t. Considering how utter rank we were after Milan last year you have to ask yourself why?
What´s the difference between being 500m in the red or 510m in the red ? again its irrelevant as is Alan Hutton´s transfer
How much is DD in the red ? any chance of an interest free loan?for the love of Celtic?
Now for all the scaremongers that are going to mention Leeds all I will say is that they were mentioning Rangers along with Leeds last summer.
Scotland would give up its national identity before Rangers would be allowed to go to the wall.
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Paul - thanks for the reply.
if this is all about lobbying and vote gaining - maybe we will see Dr Reid start to earn his salary.
Remember the game postponed against Gretna had to come with their consent. They had a chance to take on a team prior to a major Champions League game on their own ground and decided to play ball in the cancellation.
I have no figures to hand, however I am sure that there are stats to suggest that teams are more likely to lose points before (resting players, players not focussed/pulling out of tackles) or after (tired/injured players) major European games. History suggests that in this country, teams will forego their own advantages to assist the establishment team. We are and always have been pilgrims in an unholy land.
My honest belief is that this decision is a foregone conclusion.
At the risk of the men in white coats being called to take away another paranoid delusional - consider this:
There are 2 possible ways which this decision falls down. 1) Celtic have contractual commitments which make it impossible to play beyond the 24/05 or 2) 55000 season ticket holders at Parkhead express concerns that they purchased tickets with a view of the season ending as published (yes games can be moved to accomodate TV etc WITHIN SEASON - BEYOND THE 24TH IS OUTWITH PUBLISHED SEASON). Many thousands may not be able to attend due to holidays etc and demand a refund as have not been able to attend all the games that they purchased - Celtic in turn have a claim against the SPL.
In regards to 1) Celtic have denied any arrangements and 2) that funny machine of the SPL contrived to have Celtic AWAY (despite having 66% of the remaining post split fixtures at Celtic Park).
We need Fergus McCann back!!
bringbackthebunnetcsc
HAIL HAIL
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Gordon has stated clearly that he believes we haven't been clinical enough and haven't defended well enough when it matters (ie keeping a clean sheet in tight games). When he says we've been unlucky he means that we have been overall the better team clearly in these games and that we have created enough chances to comfortably win these games which is fair enough. He's certainly not saying that everything is perfect.
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pfayr,
from WGS Riordhans and JVOH´s statements recently and "substitued in a cup final in his last game for Celtic" return that I reckon Strachan has already made his move.
Did Strachan recruit Neil Lennon?
From all three statement I thought that Deeks was the most honest and worthy assessment of the current situation.
A situation that we saw last season as well although we managed a double.
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If only Gordon had some influence on our recent run of performances.
He should speak to the manager.
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The devil plays 4-5-1,
Extending the league would not involve Celtic. Our games will be finished by then.
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Cant agree tic talk
Think we have been playing defficient football, we certainly did nt deserve to win the TFOD game
and if we cant beat well with 10 men and not see that something is up then i fear for us
watch that team sheet on sundy
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Jamie, John Collins is a name that is not mentioned too often, but has been.
I will support GS and the rest of the team until they no longer are with the Hoops. John Collins is not a bad choice if Gordon were to leave, aside from using the Celtic minded reference(which does not need to be used Cadizzy),he probably has a lot of contacts in France and England.
Cadizzy I do agree the perception of using the statement "Celtic minded", because we all know what we would think of if hearing the phrase "Rangers minded".
BF
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Jamie, Rangers took a risk and have done very well, indeed they are a whisker away from our great 2003 glories. I fail to see why Rangers doing well means anything more than Celtic have stiffer competition to face. If they had another ‘Le Guen’ season, we would have three in a row and a CL last 16 behind us, which would not make us a better team.
I don’t buy into the theory that we have a right to win every league and never have; in fact despite my (accurate) prediction that we will win most, I have always said we would lose some.
I also don’t buy into the theory that this is “the worst Rangers team in living memory”, as they are now the first Rangers team to reach a Euro semi final in 35 years, results indicate they are clearly one of the better Rangers teams in living memory. So if we are going to lose a league, it is likely to be now, when they are at the top of their game.
Don’t confuse the simple assertion that we now have a structural financial advantage over Rangers (which we have) with a complacent assumption that we would win every league. We won’t and I never told you we would.
I could go further and suggest that some of the anger that is being expressed because we are behind a Rangers team that has won all over Europe indicates some people complacency think the league is the private property of Celtic (see what a period of domination can do for you).
As I mentioned earlier in the week, I write about the G.o.D. around twice a year, however, someone always digs me up about it when we lose, or now it seems when Rangers win.
My assertion is two-fold and simple:
Money decides who wins most things in football.
Celtic have a structural financial advantage over Rangers and will therefore win more leagues.
If you disagree with either point let me know specifically where.
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does anyone know if there's any truth in the rumours that gordon and john park don't get on and gordon had little say in the january signings? is this just rubbish i've read or is there more to it?
celtic park is presented as a united front all working together seamlessly- is that really the case?
i hope it's all nonsense but i'd be interested to know how things are behind the scenes.
here's to 7 victories!
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Bhoysfour, I used the term "Celtic Minded" because I was responding to Jamie's post which called for a "Celtic Minded" manager. So in the context of my post, it did need to be used. It is not a term for which I have a great love because of what it has come to mean to some people(and not just our enemies). For me the term should mean inclusive because that is what Celtic is as a club....which is very much the backdrop to the Jock Stein story in my first paragraph).
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awe naw
a fair point
however what is he up to with the team selections and lack of substitutions at present ?
he has proven in the past ( Man Utd at home )that he can make tactically astute changes by way of substitution
his current performances on team selection and effective substitutions are awful
it is almost as if he is performing to his worst so that he will be sacked ...the recalcitrant employee
i am at a loss and football-wise at a very low ebb ....the huns continued good fortune is decimating such little optimism as i possess
miserable wretched me ..catullus
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bhoy sean
if you can`t score goals and can`t defend ...you don`t win games
WGS ....apart from not scoring and conceding poor goals we are playing ok and i can`t see why we`re haven`t won our games .....absolute guff...
otherwise
we would have won our games but we`re playing crap ....
not having a go at you BTW , but the manager really does spout some tosh at times
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On the subject of our coach and the often cited Celtic minded brigade.
I consider myself Celtic minded and purely for football reasons.
I can honestly say i am anti Strachan but also purely for football reasons.
His recent claims of deserving to win the last five games and surprise at those results are a reaffirmation as to why i don,t want him as coach of our club.
Surprised that we paralleled the second half of last season?
How many of the goalkeepers facing us in those games have had more than a few saves to make?The Motherwell goalie had only 2 decent saves to make on saturday,Donati first half and Samaras in the 90th min.How many saves did mcgregor have to make at ibrox,a few in first and one from a long range Hinkel effort in 2nd,
He is incapable of seeing that his tactics and selections don,t work and is now saying its bad luck when the truth is these have been fairly much the performances for most of his tenure.Except now the scraping of last gasp wins has dried up.
Have said all along that the defence backing up is the major problem of this team and again on saturday G Caldwell retreats from 15 yards inside his own half to his own penalty box before attempting to stop Motherwell player.Standard practice from our central defenders and aconstant problem that our coach doesn,t recognise.
We continually lumped diagonal balls into Motherwell box protected by 6 men and never once succeeded .It was crying out for someone out wide to get behind them and pull them out of position.Our coaches solution was to bring on Robson a left footer and play him on right forcing him to come inside and continue with the diagonal balls into box.
His system, tactics and baffling selections are the reason i don,t want him as Celtic,s coach.
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Paul67,
all rhetorical btw
have Rangers not just proven that having a "structural" financial advantage is not an advantage at all when running a football club but actually a disadvantage?
How does this structure dictate when profits (funds) will be spent and not?
Will Hibs out do us financially this year and if so will the Celtic board be jealous of Hibs structure?
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rangers on the road to oblivion.
Thats what we were led to believe.
They will out spend us again next year. Even though their alleged finances are in disarray. They will sell some of their best players for large profit but will replace them by spending on the right players.
They will upgrade their stadium , protect the interests of the fanbase locally as thats all they have.
We will not.
We do not have a structural financial advantage over rangers.
If we do , can someone provide proof?
We're sitting in the crux of a generational swing. Our board has led us to believe we're on solid foundations , in monetary terms and infrastructure , locally and in a fledgling business terms globally.
In reality , our stadium is becoming empty , lifeless , prices go up , we've a poor current squad of players , Scouting is at an all time low ebb , we lack direction and our stadium is lagging behind in its upgrades.
Fans are split , the football is dire , assets look as if they'll be sold with no re-investment and privately I cannot foresee any change on the pitch or off it. We'll strangle out summer transfers of average players , move in what we move out and still end up with a bunch of squad fillers and an unbalanced squad yet again.
Still , look on the bright side , we posted record profits last year and great profits this year. That cheers me up no end in this train wreck of a season.
For the first time Ever I predict a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Big Liam who is depressed.
Clinically.
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Z :- Firstly can I state I don't think the league season should be extended, I think it would be wrong.
Second can I point ut that Rangers asked for one game to be postponed, not games, the same number as Celtic asked to be postponed. I think the Celtic postponement was for a very good and undertandable reason, I was against the game Rangers asked for being postponed.
We have not piled up fixtures by asking for game after game to be postponed.
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'LUCK'
For all those who post about luck, Rangers lov-in with it and Celtic's lack thereof, I would like to explain something:
It doesn't relly exist.
'Luck' is where opportunity meets preparedness.
It took me a few weeks to get my head around it but once you do you will be enlightened and more effective.
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Aw Naw:
I know you don’t believe the spin that comes from south of the river. But a lot of other people, if not believe it, they want to believe it.
The transfer window is no more than an auction of men. Sporting men, but men none the less. Paradoxically though, quite often it is not the buyer who holds all the aces at auction, it is the player of their desire.
I have no doubt, and I mean that in all sincerity, that Celtic targeted certain players who would not only have enhanced our team it would almost have guaranteed progression. For whatever reasons those deals did not see the light of day. I’m sure it was not for the want of trying though.
Sometimes a manager is damned for what he does and sometimes a manager is damned for what others perceive he did not do. Same can be said for the board.
There is a lot more than Gordon Strachan and the board to answer why we are in the predicament we now find ourselves. Not that I am excluding them for any of the blame. Just saying, they alone, are not solely to blame.
A lot of the questions you ask are more than pertinent. They demand a quantifiable answer. If only to appease the legions.
I’m sure, that a lot more Celtic supporters would be a lot more tolerant of out situation if they at least knew that the powers to be at Parkhead were at least being aggressively proactive, and I cannot emphasise ‘aggressive’, enough.
Do something to reverse the decline and be seen to do it. Do not hide behind the curtain of commercial intent.
DD put more of his own money into the club?
Well that surely is one for him and him alone to ponder.
Murray’s gambles; Murray’s tribulations are his and his alone.
I would hope that DD played his game his way and Murray’s shenanigans had no influence on his (DD’s) decisions at all.
A wee interest free loan would be nice though as would our fair share of the global TV treasure chest.
I won’t subscribe to SKY (Fox) and I have written and told them why not. Eighteen months latter I still have not had a reply. But if 50,000 Celtic supporters were to say we are cancelling our subscription to SKY, I truly wonder what their reaction would be then.
Aw Naw – I’m with you all the way. I just do it my way and I watch you do it your way, and I silently concur.
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Hi,
Not posted in ages but want to write a few thoughts so here goes...
1) Why do so many Celtic fans say that the Board did not back GS? As far as I'm aware in the last 3 years he has spent more than that of the whole SPL combined... indeed this season whilst Rangers pushed the boat out we invested a similar amount in one player... It should surely be a case of who has spent wisely?
2) How can GS possibly be a good coach? By the evidence of my eyes the football has steadily declined for the 3 years he has been in charge. He has consistently played players out of position. How many players has he signed that played in some way and he's found a new role for them. Next question... How many look better as result??
3) How many lightweight midfielders does he want? How many players will he sign and then barely play? How many senior players will be moved on after not cutting it under his management? Will he ever sign a solid defender who can primarily tackle and header a ball??? How many players will get worse under his coaching skills? Who in their right mind would give him more cash to burn???
4) For me the only man that would truly galvanise this squad would be Keane. Don't know if he'd take the post but he'd not accept this showers underperformance that's for certain.
B
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Paul 67
I heard that Celtic were once made to play twice in one day (before my time). Can you confirm this giving me a link to the match reports of both games (or a general point in the right direction).
Also can u confirm if its true that Celtic had to play 4 games in 8 days during the Seville run?
Sorry to take up your time for a trivial argument with a mate but its one that I really really want to win all the same. :)
Anybody else able to help on the matter would be greatly appreciated
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Cadizzy,
spot on in everything you've said.
We are an all inclusive club and should always be(unlike our neighbours), I agree with what a lot of others have said regarding the thoughts of a number of supporters towards GS, and this is no reason to sack the manager, but there are those of have never given him a chance from day one!
BF
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Bromlybhoy - no one could argue with a lot of what you say.
Gordon Strachan has acheived something incredible - he has steadily taken a team backwards whilst winning things at the same time.
As for Keane - then you need to do a bit more research into his signings, the value and success of each. If he were to do the same here - you would be calling for him to.
Mark Hughes is the only clear answer - anything else would be a risk.
Our biggest problem is that we haven't replaced players with similar quality i.e. Sutton, Petrov, Lennon,Hartson, Maloney, Miller!!, I could go on.
The repalcements have been, without doubt, inferior in quality, spirit and determination. The overall effect is clear to see. No rocket science, just plain evidence.
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Guy's,
Trust me on this one the league will be extended to help Rangers. This is Scotland after all and we are talking about Scotland's team. My only hope is that as a club Celtic fight it all the way. My feeling on that is that we won't.
Hail Hail.
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Hi TT,
On Keane... I think his biggest mistake was on promotion getting given a big chequebook and wanting to spend it. Foolish.. he should have stood by the team that had served him proudly in the Championship and brought in a couple of quality players to enhance that squad.
However, when his team have really needed to win they have delivered and not just by Luck but by overall performance. That is something where GS's team constantly fails.
B
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Surely the league season can only be extended beyond the scheduled closing date with the agreement of all the member clubs? i.e. Including Celtic.
And Celtic should only agree if no more than one game is put back beyond the scheduled end date, and that said game is to be played on the weekend following the Cup Final, and that said game is Celtic v Rangers at Celtic Park, and that Celtic get to select the match officials, from the SPL registered list, and that Rangers get no tickets for the match (i.e. it is a 100% home crowd).
Unless the SPL agree to all these demands then the answer from Celtic should be a resounding "No extension!". And if they then try to ride rough-shod over Celtic, then Celtic must mount a legal challenge to have the 2007-8 SPL title declared void... unless we win it of course!
TrueTim, for me we either get Jose Mourinho or stand by GS for at least another season or two. I posted previously on the pitfalls of constantly changing the man at the helm... we did that in the 90s, and Rangers will be praying that we do the same again!
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Edward said, "Firstly can I state I don't think the league season should be extended, I think it would be wrong"
Again you have support an approach which may well be not in in the interests of your team. More power to you for being principled. In the interest of fairness, your second point should also be highlighted (Rangers only asked for one postponement). However, though you may think an extension is wrong, I truly believe that work is afoot right now to bring about that situation. I doubt that the SPL would seek to bring that about without being asked so I do believe that your club is in discussion, if not in collusion, with the SPL on this matter. If it does not happen, it won't be because the SPL didn't consider it. As someone else has said, if they were not going to extend the season, why have they not said they will not extend the season under any circimstances"
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So our defenders are not defending well? And our attackers are not scoring enough goals? That leaves the midfield and we all know how that area of the team is doing.
There have to be changes for Sunday. A good win is the only outcome that could at least bring a bit of pride back and instill a little confidence before next week's game.
I still think even 7 wins, which would be something of a miracle in itself, would be too little too late, but we can only go for it and see what happens.
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