I hear that after Rangers abject result
yesterday moves were made today to extend the season beyond the Scottish Cup
final weekend for at least some of Rangers games.
The bluster from Rangers manager Smith
after yesterday's game had more than a hint of desperation about it, "It's
ironic that one association [the Russian] cancels four games but that's the
situation we are in.
"Everyone in Scotland has made it
quite clear they won't do anything for Rangers."
Not that it is anyone in Scottish football's
job to do anything for Rangers. I would
be disappointed if the SPL offered Rangers anything more than a level playing
field, although I am certainly not surprised that the Ibrox club find this
situation so unfamiliar.
Playing Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday ahead
of a Wednesday cup final is no hardship; it is part of the territory of being a
successful football team and is similar to how every major international
championship is arranged.
Rangers either have a squad capable of
competing in their fixtures or they don't; if they don't, it's not Scottish
football's fault. They have the biggest
squad in the country and were it not for Smith keeping injured players on the
field (McGregor, Naismith, McCulloch) more of his resources would almost
certainly be available to him.
Let them do what Celtic did in the oft-incorrectly
cited Celtic v Dundee game that was <b>brought forward</b> five
years ago; they can play Motherwell on Wednesday and Dundee United on Thursday,
giving them six days to rest before Manchester.
I am pleased to hear the undignified
nonsense emanating from the Rangers manager; he's running scared and is talking
the language of defeat. That's what
dropping 10 points in four games can do to you.
The colour of panic is blue.
Nearly a podium
Wrong, it was a podium.
The pies are on me.
Mrs Miggins famous pies.
Paul,
do you think they'll get their wish?
Why don't they ask UEFA to move back the UEFA cup final.
Kojo,
Are you saying Gordon has finally seen the light with regards the defence?
If push comes to shove and it's a straight chocie between Mick and Gary Caldwell for one place then Gordon will go for Gary Caldwell. He likes him you know.
opps should have put in my wee smilie after 'UEFA cup final'....:-)
Paul67,
Surely they can't get it? Surely our people will have something to say. SPL have laid their cards with regards the fixtures. It's too late to change it now. If it did happen then i would be tempted to withdraw from the competition and take it further. DD, PL and JR can't stand for this.
From the previous article:
Dubaibhoy, Novo’ s goal was not in their last five games (which was my reference) that was six games ago.
WGA, yes, Keegan is the reference, well spotted.
Neilybhoy, good call, I forgot about it! Thanks.
Gerry, I hope not, but the media have decided how to exert their influence and Motherwell and Dundee United would both be happy to play their games against Rangers after the Scottish Cup final.
WGS, it’s time for some strong advocacy.
WG...
Another Cooper substitition for that list.
04/04/87 Celtic...3 Rangers...1 - and Danny played that day too.
Edward, welcome back.
I don't ever recall Davie Cooper "running riot" with Danny however I will admit that he did score one of the most remarkable derby goals in the 1979 Dryburgh Cup final.
I thought that Arthur Graham of Aberdeen was Danny's most difficult opponent.
Extending the league even further than it has been already would be a slap in the face to all other clubs involved. It would also show, once and for all quite clearly, that the SPL had caved in to their pressure.
They've had their extension. Tell them to get on with it.
Just how long are teams participating in the EURO's supposed to wait before they can have a fully assembled squad at their disposal?
Anybody know who is on Radio Clyde tonight? Fancy a bit of debating on this issue. Going to take them to the cleaners. Is it Darryl King?
How much of an extention would rangers like? Poor poor walter smith. The whole world hates us and scotland wont help us. Why should they? It's rangers fault they have a fixture backlog. The gretna game called off for no reason, waterlogged pitch at ipox. Inabilty to beat a 1st division team 1st time. It's only fair that they play the games they need to play. They see it as a disadvantage professionally but what about the other 5 teams whos players have had to rearrange their personal life with no recrimination on rangers. There is one team with a fixture backlog so they should be the ones with the disadvantage. And why would any other team (and also the spl sfa or whoever) want to give one team an advantage in the league.
Get over it!!!
Get the games played and if they win them all then i guarantee no-one will mention it ever again. God help us all if celtic win the league, it'll be everyone elses fault but rangers!!
Paul
Think your Stevie 21 hyperlink on the article has not worked.
Kojo/Paul
Any info on summer spend? Think we know it will be bigger than last year, but by how much, and how much depends on automatic CL qualification?
Paul67,
Now is the the time for PL to respond. I think he has been biding is time? Now it's time to respond. What you reckon?
I am not sure if others share the view that the treble achieved by Rangers in 2003 had a very hollow ring to it due to Celtic's UEFA success.
Should Celtic prevail (and my mind is almost coming to terms with this as a real possibility) there are 4 reasons why winning the league for Celtic will be a monumental achievement, and feel so much better for it :
3 League wins in a row, the sequence is sure to extend beyond a tierd old Walter's reign.
Comming back from potentially 10 points behind, and written off by all and sundry.
The unbelievable, and unprecedented, level of anti Celtic / pro Rangers media spin / hype / propaganda which Celtic have had to contend with.
Overcoming the pathetic, and negative, significant element within Celtic's own customer base who have no real idea of what being a REAL supporter is all about, and who could still be Celtic's own worst enemy as we seek to wrap the league up on Sunday at Home !
Getting right behind the team 'European style' or 'Old Firm style' is going to be vital on Sunday. This could give us a platform for the team, and the away fans to finish the job on the 22nd, to give us all one of our greatest ever Celtic memories !
Paul,
I was under the impression that Eddie Thompson had already expressed his disapproval regarding the current extension. Am i wrong or has his stance on this subject reversed?
The last round of games would all need to be played together - the SPL has at least agreed to that. So any extension beyond the cup final would bring us problems with players off to Euro 2008. Can't be done, sorry!
And Chelsea and Man Utd are not complaining about having big games next Sunday ahead of a long trip to Moscow for the Champions' Leagie final on the Wednesday.
Paul,
What do you think Celtic will do if rangers get their wish??
Would pulling out of this year league be a option for us? (tell them if the need/want it that bad then have)
Do the last games of the season not have to be played on the same day?
Walter seems to be giving his players a ready made excuse not to win the SPL. Cheers Walt.
from last post...
Paul67 - I don't know if you spotted this stunning figure. From bbc.co.uk - Stoke City's promotion to the Premier League will earn the club between £50m and £60m.
Don't know if this figure includes add-ons or what but just how much longer do we have to be in the SPL for us to earn that little sum?
Is there any development on us getting out of the SPL or has it gone quiet?
mcgrain
To me it would make this season a void. They could say they won the quadruple but it would be under he shadow of a cloud.
Wlater knows if he loses the league and ends up losing out of the UEFA his reputation will be destroyed along with 9 in a row era.
Any one who thinks that SPL will not extend the league to suit THEM is deluded. They have done that much squealing about an extension ("Never asked for an extension" copywright Sir Wattie of Govan)that the league will bend over backwards to help them out.
Paranoid?
Moi!
Ah, new post, th4....
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN - A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE HAS BEEN SHORT-LISTED BY GRAND DESIGNS (CHANNEL 4) FOR BEST NEW-BUILD ON TONIGHT'S (MONDAY 5TH) LIVE PROGRAMME. JIM AND BECKY (DYER) ARE GENUINELY AMONG THE NICEST PEOPLE YOU CAN MEET, AND GOES WITHOUT SAYING JIM'S A HUGE CELTIC MAN. AM A BIG BELIEVER THAT GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE, SO PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO MAKE THE CALL AND VOTE FOR JIM AND BECKY. I'LL OWE YOU ONE BIG TIME - THANKS GUYS AND APOLOGIES FOR POSSIBLE MIS-USE OF THE SITE. I'LL RE-POST THIS LATER TODAY TO ENSURE MORE READERSHIP, UNLESS PAUL TELLS ME TO SLING MY HOOK!
Jim, if ur reading, nothing ventured and all that....!
MMC
Hey there ! What a great day ..... great to back in the mix for the title, great to be hearing some extreme paranoia from TFOD and the Meeja.... even if this doesn't work out for us, at least we are causing a right old stir for the next few weeks. Excellent.
Paul, given the position established by the SPL, can they seriously consider granting any further extension ? The SPL have to take a lot of blame for the current situation. The decision on postponement of the Gretna game, then not allowing others, even when both clubs agreed, is one example of their mismanagement, but there are several others.
Interesting that the SPL did not take a long hard look at this in previous years (2003 springs to mind, but then it only affected one club, who just got on with it) and come up with a set of rules which were clear, and have a set of contingency plans in place.
But no, blunder on in a league where clearly there are 2 clubs likely to be involved in all domestic competitions in the latter stages (and might be successful in Europe, but hey, when has that ever happened in recent memory,,,,, oh yeah, 2003); let it go, it will all work out in the end.
Allow a club with a quagmire pitch to have games played every week, and when a problem arises, simply ignore it. Until.... it becomes blindingly obvious there is a crisis developing. And then.... keep allowing teams to "play" there.
Allow your constitution to have an override clause which gives extraordinary powers to 2 individuals to decide on fixture scheduling, again with no consultation with the member clubs. But don’t do that until it again gets to a crisis situation.
Granted there was one set of postponements which were the result of tragic circumstances, however you have to have some contingency plans for postponements, whatever the reason.
Consultation with all member clubs on the way forward ? bit of forward planning ? contingency plans ? Can we hope that any of this will be in place for next season ?
How about the SPL and SFA having ALL clubs, with fan representation through Supporters clubs included, sit down for a series of consultations, and try to resolve this. Before it all happens again. That would be progress. That would be fair. That, I dare say, will not happen.
Kenny Miller will be back in the SPL next year. Watch out Peter, he's out for revenge.
WGS
Yes, Miller may have his banjo, but the cows can rest easy.
Kojo
If players always followed their manager's instructions with total fear, we would never have scored the equaliser in Lisbon.
WGS
People will have their favourites between Stephen and Gary but, if we're evaluating them over the course of this season, there has been no clear standout. Gary has been better in the last few games while Stephen was carrying an injury to which he has finally succumbed.
They are 2 young Scottish internationalists. Neither is a waste of space and neither is neaar a finished article. We would all like to have a good Centre back to play alongside either one of them but, I would not bet yet on which of them would make more appearances if they were vying for one place only.
As for comparisons with Hannah and Riseth, that's close to nonsense. David Hannah was a midfielder who played RB in emergencies. Riseth never performed well in a weakish Celtic team but has had a long and illustrious career before and after Celtic. He won 51 caps and played CL with Rosenborg last year in a team that qualified for Uefa cup from group B beating Valencia home and away, and drawing with Chelsea in London.
I turn on the tube and what do I see
A whole lotta peeple cryin' "Don't blame me"
They point their crooked little
fingers at everybody else
Spend all their time feelin' sorry for themselves
Victim of this, victim of that
Your momma's too thin; your daddy's too fat
Get over it
Get over it
All this whinin' and cryin' and pitchin' a fit
Get over it, get over it
You say you haven't been the same since
you had your little crash
But you might feel better if I gave you some cash
The more I think about it, Old Billy was right
Let's kill all the lawyers, kill 'em tonight
You don't want to work, you want to live like a king
But the big, bad world doesn't owe you a thing
Get over it
Get over it
If you don't want to play, then you might as well split
Get over it, Get over it
It's like going to confession
every time I hear you speak
You're makin' the most of your losin' streak
Some call it sick, but I call it weak
You drag it around like a ball and chain
You wallow in the guilt; you wallow in the pain
You wave it like a flag, you wear it like a crown
Got your mind in the gutter, bringin' everybody down
Complain about the present and blame it on the past
I'd like to find your inner child
and kick its little ass
Get over it
Get over it
All this bitchin' and moanin' and pitchin' a fit
Get over it, get over it
Get over it
Get over it
It's gotta stop sometime, so why don't you quit
Get over it, get over it
Test
mcgraininspain
The Stoke numbers appear to be about right. How much they can leverage from matchday / merchandise and corporate will not alter significantly in the context of these numbers, so it is obviously mainly down to the TV income.
Sadly my, reasonably informed view, is that this is one area which Celtic's current leadership has not done such a great job. For 5 years it has had a great platform to build on, and a fantastic product to sell, but the club has not focused enough on the wider, and bigger picture.
IMO There are many options and avenues which might have been explored. As the Dutch and Belgians are currently reviewing. The current leadership of UEFA is certainly not change averse, it is having the skills, and voice to harness these changes which Celtic has lacked. Just because we don't like the current noise from UEFA should not prevent us from having constructive dialogue. heaven knows we have enough politicians around our place, maybe not enough business folk with Celtic's full interests at heart ?
It should be unashamedly at the top of every board agenda in my opinion.
SettingTheBearsFree,
I have been a big critic of both. However, over the last few games i seen more potential in GC than i have with Mick over 3 years he has been in the team. Sums up for me really. He must be replaced along with Mr Naylor.
See if a new manager was to come in and assess what he has at the back with regards centre half i would say only O'Dea would survive possibly GC. The rest would be punted.
Paul 67,
problem with the blog ??
e.g If I enclose all my paragraphs below with one set of Italics or bold. Only the first paragraph is italicised or bolded.
HTML lessons ?
My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear Friend... WGS.. @6.16.P.M
Na!
I am still of the unflinching opinion, the because Mr. Strachan had insisted in appointing Big Big, as Team Captain, the Manager has now crossed the Rubicon, in that respect.
No turning back!... NAE MULLIGANS!...the DOOR/RIFLE Bolt, has firmly been shot!
Mister Strachan's Folly .... just Like McCaig's... is sticking oot, by a mile!
He shouldnae have committed himself tae that Dreadful Appointment, which he so innocently, nevertheless, naively, made.
In the event...which, frankly, is highly unlikely.... that a choice must be made between ....My Fair Haired Bhoy and Mick, Mick...then the choice will fall to Big Mick.
The only way that Mick will be prised from his present Team berth ...will be by surgery.
We can seek solace, by praying to the Almighty.. that Big Mick will mature into a more ...well ... mature performer.
The present signs, however, are in denial, that such a thing could be achievable... in our Life- time.
One never can tell, however...( C.Y.A. Time,pal?...ed)(Dae ya blame me?)
KOjo.
yer pal.....who likes ye mair and mair.
Panic on the streets of Govan, panic on the streets of Manchester, panic on the streets of Motherwell, panic on the streets of Paisley, panic on the streets of Aberdeen I wonder to myself......hmmm
....because the music that they constantly play, says nothing to me about my life........
According to this article we're playing at Southampton on Friday July 18 for Claus Lundekvam's testimonial.
Paul67,
Very interesting. The attitude of the Other Four is key I think. If Rangers are smart, they will try to get Murderwell, Utd, the Sheep and Hibs to agree to some sort of re-arrangement. Thus offering the SPL a way out- "we are a democracy etc etc".
In such circiumstances I would expect us to go nuclear, perhaps even threatening to refuse away tickets from those clubs next year or even forfeit our remaining games in protest.
Hopefully it won't come to this. But you can feel the pressure building...
Perhaps its time for Lawwell or Reid to nail the inaccuracies that are flying around, try to stop the momentum before things get out of hand?
Kojo,
It's easy mate. You phase him out and be honest and say players who replaced him have taken their chance. MON done it with Tom Boyd, then in Lambert's final season. Might be club captain but if your sitting on the bench you take the hint.
I'll be straight up and say if another coach is appointed then it wouldn't matter if your captain or know. If your not good enough you get punted. Look at Ramos at Spurs. Simple!! Football is a cut throat business. If you don't make bold decisions that will make your life easier then you get the sack yourself. Decisions are easily rectifyed.
Gordon has to got to weight it up. Do i stick with a player that is a weak link in the hope it will get better, which we have seen hasn't or drop him and make the team better as well as keeping myself in a job i enjoy. Quite simple really!!
Ask Super Mac what he thinks about McManus:)
ItaliaBhoy,
Given that i reckon Eddie Thompson is friendly with our man, Rod Petrie detestes Rangers and Mark McGhee at Motherwell i would hope they stick the two fingers up to Rangers.
Only Tango and Sash would probably help. However, given how Aberdeen are performing and the fans getting angry i doubt if they would raise their heads just now.
WGS,
are your stating that Skippy thinks that Mick is crap due to the shove that he gave him during the last Rangers game after scoring or have you actually had a chat with him ?
For all the Smiths fans out there - I'm actually listening to The Puppini Sisters' album Betcha Bottom Dollar which will be my soundtrack for the title run-in, other tracks include Jeepers Creepers. and Heebie Jeebies
I know nothing. He haw to do with the shove though.
Paul67,
You better inform Laporta that according to one of Murray's poodles that he expects an announcement tomorrow and a "sting in the tail".
This can't happen. It's laughable!!
WGS,
Just had a peek on FollowFascist (I know, I know) and they are all very excited about an imminent Jingle Jangle exclusive about "movement" on the fixture issue. Might just be what Paul has reported- that Rangers have requested a rearrangement...
The thing is, I cannot see how they can rearrange league fixtures now. Postponing Wednesday is surely out of the question at this stage, postponing Saturday leads to the question of when exactly that game would be played...
Could they postpone the Cup Final?
Rangers could always just concede the Scottish Cup!
Paul,good post.
Ive been listening to a bit of the phone ins tonight.
The Real guy Cameron and one of the Keiths ( Jackson i think) banging on about
their game against Dundee Utd being cancelled.
Worringly Cameron saying watch out for a big decision regarding that game tomorrow.
Now is it just me or is the thought of them getting to play that game at Ibrox
after the SCF with say our old friend Rev McCurry officiating his last game, a deeply
concerning one for us all.
They surely can't postpone the Cup Final. Queen of the South already have a huge wait between their last league fixture on Saturday and the Cup Final. How can they be expected to keep their squad paid and fully fit for any longer? It's already a stretch.
Annoncement on fixture change expected by 8pm.
Kojo @6.52pm
Too true!
I like Mick a lot as a player, but he has a long way to go.
Brave decision on Gordon's part (easier choice was THG).
When John Terry, as a relative newcomer, got the captaincy at Chelsea, there were more than a few murmours, however it paid off since the guy quickly grew in stature. I can only surmise that WGS had similar thoughts with Mick. Howevah!! (like that)??,by extension he's tied his own hands, since big Mick now has Carte Verte!!
Wouldn't part with the big fella mind you...just think he's no more of a first pick than the other guys.
If their game on Saturday is to be postponed when could it be played? There is no way to do it uless it is played on Thu 22nd and the three final games scheduled for that date are moved yet again.
That could also mean the cup final being moved. Surely the SFA wouldn't agree? Or the sponsors of the competition?
Oh, yes ... there are no sponsors and an ex Rangers player runs the SFA.
Would the SPFA not be angry about this ... hmm another ex Rangers player...
There was a u missing. so I'll add it now. GIRUUY SPL
LIARS AND CHEATS
Off to The Teser
laters amigos
Gordon J - My thoughts exactly. Mr Smith will enter this pantomine soon enough.
Anyway, how can a decision taken just a few weeks ago now be revisited. Two sets of fixtures were announced: one if they got to the final and one iof they didn't. Surely nothing has changed apart from that we now know which set to play?
Celtic First-
Its not the cup final but seems to be their game on Saturday against Dundee utd they are trying
to put back to after the SCF.
Sir Minty has just announced a beamback from Manchester at the Bigot dome.
Keevins has just called it 'imaginative'.. i can think of another few things you could call it.
Lord Martin of Mossend
You have mail.
Gordon_J 7:27PM
You've hit the nail firmly on the head.
All of our players will be away on international duty if they are trying to get the Dundee Utd game put back. They are running scared as i think they believe Dundee UTd will take something of them.
I know Paul said that you can't take legal action against your league as you are kicked out but there must be something.
This is what lawyers are paid the big bucks for. Our legal team should be pouring over the documents as we speak, because if there is going to be an announcement at 8pm, the clubs should already know.
I know I'm getting my knickers in a twist before we know what the score is but I've got a bad feeling. If it happens after them dropping points at the weekend then we have every right to wear our paranoia badge with pride
My dear,dear,dear,dear friend... Dobbo...( Now, that is what I call a SERVICEABLE... NOMME DE BLOG.... DUOSYLLABIC! DAT'S DA TICKET!)
I am glad you asked...regarding, the monetary strength, of our summer transfer kitty,
I was talkin' the Mr. Skeetzick... t'other day ... and this is what he Promulgated( Whit?...ed)( Ah hiv tae use that woid,pal..Hiv ye ever spoken tae Mr.S? ... he nevah jist tells ye... He ..well ... Promulgates!)
Anyhow... this is whit he said... I have done my best to paraphrase His thoughts into the every day, Vernacular.
"This summer should see the possible departure of Mr. Boruc...
in the totally expected event, that that Unhappy Happenstance, takes place... here are my thoughts.
However,in the Happy Event...that that Unhappy Event, does NOT TAKE PLACE... then ...Please Ignore the following.( C.Y.A.?...ed)( Is the Pope a Catholic?)
I expect that Mr.Boruc's Departure will bring in at least Ten Million...mebbe more... but using that as a starter... plus the additional and USUAL .... Seven Million,which is already Budgetted... then that should bring us up to a Total... Piggy Bank..of, say...Seven Teen Million...although, I would not be in the least disconcerted to find that that figure had become Twenty Million.... So...
We should be looking at a Bumper Basket of Spendable TRANSFER FUNDS.
I therefore Propose that we should be able to enter the upcoming Transfer Market...Primed, and well armed for success."
There you have it straight... well...almost straight!...from the lips of our venerable Financial Advisor.
Thankyou Mr. Skeetzick...I well remember yer last illuminating advice to Za Za...
Which, in essence advised the, Perennial Bewildered and Benighted Knight..this..
"The answer to your Financial Problems...because of the bottom dropping out of the Pumpkin market...is this...
Get A Bigger Truck!"
Kojo.
yer pal...who likes yer style.
Dobbo, I don’t believe the budget depends on CL qualification, although I don’t know what it is.
Burnley78, welcome back.
I agree on the point about three in a row being a significant issue. Celtic were clearly in the ascendancy when Rangers won the 2003 treble but three in a row is difficult to argue with.
Remember too that Rangers are an old team which will need major surgery for next season.
chris sutton is a legend, he did, but he is now in a situation where moving the Rangers - United game suits the interest of United.
Gerry, pulling out is not an option, all the work needs to be done to prevent this. Once it happens it’s too late.
SouthLondonTim, agree.
Mcgraininspain, I see no immediate prospect of change in league status.
Larry.bhoy, I think it’s unlikely the SPL will cave in, but they are likely to have Motherwell, Dundee United and Rangers all agreeing to postpone their games “for the benefit of Scottish football”.
The place that we call Paradise, 6:43, :-)
Awe_Naw_No, if you’re looking for html lessons you’re asking the wrong one.
Italia Bhoy, I believe our man has been animated on this subject.
Lynott67, worrying time indeed.
marcella
Strange you've mentioned John Terry in this discussion about Mick. I also really didn't rate the guy in his early days but look at him now.
Of course Mick isn't nearly as good as JT but I still think/hope he will grow to be a good player for us.
He hasn't been done any favours by being made captain this season but that's not down to him.
I would be suprised if rangers don't get an extension.
There is a lot at stake for the "establishment" if Celtic become the dominant club in Scotland in the modern era.
Champions league money, when spent wisely, can perpetuate a clubs success ad infenitum.
How embarassing for the Masons et al on the various governing boards of Scottish football to see tens of thousands of Scots following their club around Europe, waving Tricolours !
On a completley different note;
Check out the official site.
15,000 fans turn up at Paradise, to watch a TRAINING SESSION.
Makes me feel warm all over.
why does moving the game on Saturday suit the needs of Dundee Utd?
Bring back Fergus to sort this out!!
I can't believe that Celtic will take this!! Were is our fight??
Pastyface, because United would then know exactly what was required for a Uefa spot – just as Hibs knew a 0-1 defeat was enough against Rangers in 2005.
There is the possibility that Rangers might only need a point, or none at all, by then, a slim possibility but one that United will not be averse to.
STV teletext have reported that Rangers have had their bid for the Dundee Utd game to be postponed rejected!!
Out of all the fixtures I did not see Dundee Utd taking points off Rankers at Ibrox.
Utd have ran them close and matched them all over the park and big de vries, in particular, has really given their defence a run for their money but I think that Utd have, quite literally, played their final against rangers.
I have a feeling that St Mirren may just be the undoing of rangers.....
Pastyface-
The feeling im getting is they are trying to get their game against Dundee utd
put back and to be played on its own. That seems pretty fair or cancel the Utd game and
play it when they are supposed to play St Mirren and play the saints game after the SCF on its own.
It they manage to pull this off its one of the biggest scandals in Scottish football ever.
I hope Celtics legal team are watching this closely.
Just received this text from a current bun.
The Scottish league have confirmed that they will extend the season until July.
"As a result of the extraordinary circumstances, surrounding Rangers fixture congestion.We feel that it it only right that we support them in there plight to make Scottish footballing history.
This extension will allow them to win Wimbledon aswell."
I honestly think Watty believes that Celtic will in all likelihood retain the SPL which surprises me actually He knows that
Motherwell will lie down. The Arabs they are scared of and I dont mean Eddie Thompson I mean on the pitch. If Dundee Utd can cut out the silly mistakes they should beat them by two clear goals. Watty does not want to go into the UC final knowing that the SPL is more or less up. He knows then he´ll end up with just the domestic cups. Not enough for Murray. By doing this they keep the pressure off for the UC final appearance and when they come back ... probably losers, there is still something to play for. If there is nothing to paly for it even makes the SC final a whole lot more difficult. It´s plain to see but will Dundee Utd. agree as it suits their UEFA cup agenda. It will be interesting to see what the SPL come up with and who is saying what.
Under these circumstances and if somehow Rangers and Dundee utd are allowed to play a singular fixture that can determine two European places or alternatively Samaras, JVOH, Boruc, Skippy, Naka´s participation is up for question then I would expect UEFA to get involved.
In fact if UEFA do not become involved then season tickets sales may be hit if we stay silent or meekly protest and accept. The support will feel they are being fleeced.
Paul,
Thanks for the reply but I'm wondering how much it would benefit Utd.
Wouldn't Levein want to play a team on Saturday that look as if they're on their last legs?
Wouldn't he want to play a team on Saturday that are there to be got at?
Wouldn't he want to play a team on Saturday where quite a few of their starters will be casting more than a glance towards a once in a lifetime chance to play in a european final and possibly not showing quite as much conviction in challenges and 50/50 balls?
I'm getting more than a bit 'ticced off regarding talk of an extension upon an extension balderdash.
Paul,
This a shambles.!
Shambolic Pandering League..!
Anymore tinkering with fixtures at this stage of a major league is rediculous. The Russian League has many months ahead in which to accomodate Zenit. To even consider Ranjurs bleating managers blah just confirms the obvious about integrity.
I detect PL knew this was a real possibility and thats why he made such noises last week.
Would this be the case had we lost on saturday and they won yesterday.?
Ironbhoy.
I reckon the SPL will give in. The concept of everyone's last game kicking off at the same time is suddenly going to be disposable. If they do extend the season further for them and we go on to win the title, its going to be so sweet that they'll need to attach a health warning to it. They really are a pathetic bunch - do your job ya work shy bunch of cretins.
Paul67- Have I missed something or has Dr John Reid been pretty quiet during the extension debacle? on the one hand you want the chairman to take a, and i use this word cautiously, 'dignified' silence but on the other I want to know that we are using his political skills to the fullest in influencing the decision makers. The real ones that is - not the keevins of this world.
Kojo
thank you. I do believe we should be looking at a big spend this summer, i am hoping for a new look strikeforce, as well as some special young players. I am assuming that (Boruc aside) summer 08 will see the end of the Celtic road for Lee Naylor, Bobo Balde, Stephen Pressley, Massimo Donati, Tomas Gravesen (loan or otherwise) Chris Killen, Deek Riordan and Chris Killen. I can't imagine both Vennegoor and Sameras will stay. That is a fair whack freed up to re-invest.
I am hoping the scouts have found the stars of the future for us, as well as a bit of experience that i feel we need. As for the first team places that need strengthening, i would say Left Back, Centre Back, Centre Mid and striker. £20m spent on those would be a great start...
My dear,dear,dear,dear, friend...Marcella..
I am delighted to read that you are Pinkety, Pinkety...with my good self... in our mutual non-admiration of Mr. Gordon's no mean, Faux Pas!
Now that, Kiddo, get's you into the Will, right away!... well, mebbe ...no exactlee IN, the Will!...but, will at least get ye an honorable mention!
Thanks fur your most agreeable concurrence of sentiment... That has got us off to a Flying Start... in our foist, Communication.
And by the way,kiddo...
I did Luv the "Howevah"... nice touch!
Kojo.
yer pal...who is no to sure if ye ur of the gender that I luv tae.... well, we wull leave it at that.
But I like ye... whatever, ye may be.
tinytim
The 12th of July perhaps?
EDB,
I do agree.
Like I said, I do think it was a brave decision on the part of the manager. Truth be told...at the time I thought "that's the type of appointment that gets managers the sack". Not Mick's fault I know.
I've never been the type to advocate splashing the cash just for the sake of it, but I really think a top class CB alongside any one of Mick, Gary or Darren, would make a big difference.
Just to clarify...I do rate Mick highly, just not an automatic starter (which his status confers) for me.
Anyway, a bit late in the day for these things. Let's see in the summer.
McManus bullet header to clinch "3 in a row" at Tannadeechae!!
This where Chairman Ried should start to show his mettle and ensure that "integrity" is upheld no matter what Lord Sith in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh is up to, rest assured the 'Lamb Chops' and a fine Chardonnay will be laid out for his poodles in the "friendly Scottish meedja" to ensure the bandwagon for an extension / postponement of Dundee Utd. match begins over the next 24 hours......Celtic hierarchy for once please let's be prepared and don't let Minty Moonbeams steal a march in the PR battle which lies ahead....Lawell / Reid / Desmond man the barricades and meet fire with fire, soundbite with soundbite...THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT A BATTLE FOR US TO LOSE!!!!!!
test
test
test
WGS/ Kojo
One of my favourite definitions of the phrase "common sense" is that it means "someone who agrees with you."
You are taking no more than a 50:50 punt in opining that a new manager is bound to favour Caldwell over McManus or O'Dea over Caldwell. They might agree with Gordon that Mick is the better prospect. WGS may not be the only one with that view as some recent Scotland managers have seemed more likely to pick Mick over Gary.
For me it is too close to call. Most good defenders are 26+ years of age. Many promising young defenders sold for big bucks have not fulfilled that early promise (e.g. Kevin Hoflund and Younes Kaboul) because their big move came too soon.
There may be some cheaper options for a mature defender in the countries where defensive arts are valued (Italy, Serbia and Spain). Look at Cuellar! Then again best not to look for too long or without a clove of garlic around you.
chris sutton is a legend (Previous thread, 4.23)
Thanks for posting that- marvellous!
(Darrel King being moligated by Davie Provan yesterday- if anyone missed it).
Let's hope there is no pandering to this tripe. As you so rightly say, Paul, this is the norm for successful teams, most of whose players play even more games, due to International committments, something I seem to remember Ed's team opting out of just recently. I still can't bring myself to believe that we are going to win the SPL but I do soooo hope that we do.
Someone asked this morning about Phil Gordon. I am as sure as I can be that he is one of the good ghuys. He is the first journalist to mention to perfectly good goal that Samaras scored and had chalked off, which Brines declined to mention. Paranoid? After 50 years following the Tic, you can bet your life I am.
Who is considering this ludciorus matter of any further fixture change?
Is it Gold and Blair on their own? Or is it the SPL Board, in which case don't we have a rep on that body?
My dear,dear,dear,dear,friend... Dobbo.
Thank You for your reply.
I am just about to ankle down to the Strip with my Lady Love...
Tiffin calls..
Will get in touch..when we return to the office.
Kojo,
Yer pal...who ayeways liked ye bettah than maist'
Burnley78 6.36
I have posted similar views to yours on this matter, several times on CQN.
The issue of trying to get into the EPl or forming a new Euro league is THE most important issue the board should have.
Cutting your cloth can be done by accountants.
Cutting costs is easier to do than increasing reveune.
The real challenge is to make something happen on this front.
There needs to be a real will to make this happen,and i just don't see any evidence that ,that ,will exists,within our boardroom.
chris sutton is a legend, perhaps.
Ironbhoy, agree. That is the point, this is only an issue because they keep dropping points.
Rudi vata, I have no knowledge of what chairman has been doing on this, although PL is a considerable force on his own.
FYI
The old blog would italicise/bold everything you wrote inbetween the italic/bold tags. Now there is a break between paragraphs. So if you have 6 paragraphs and you want to mark all 6 paragraphs you now need 6 sets of tags between paragraphs as supposed to one pair across the whole post as this will not take. Interesting that the blog only marks the first paragraph and does not complain.
SPL snub Rangers' request
The Scottish Premier League has rejected Rangers' request to have Saturday's clash with Dundee United postponed ahead of the UEFA Cup final.
The Light Blues, who are embroiled in a hectic end to their season, take on Motherwell at Ibrox on Wednesday then welcome the Tannadice side to Govan in the SPL just three days before their European final against Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester Stadium.
After Rangers' goalless draw against Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday, which began a run of eight games in 21 days for the Govan club, Ibrox boss Walter Smith again criticised the SPL for not offering them any help to prepare for their first European final in 36 years.
A further plea for help on Monday by Rangers was knocked back although it is understood that SPL executive chairman Lex Gold and the Ibrox club are still trying to find a solution.
A spokesman for the SPL said: "We had a request from Rangers earlier in the day to have the Dundee United game postponed.
"We have not been able to agree to that request.
"Postponing that game would have a knock-on effect for the rest of the programme.
"We would have to move all the top-six fixtures to end the season with all the teams playing at the same time."
Reply With Quote
ironbhoy,
Where is that from??
ironbhoy,
that cant be right as nobody from Ibrox asked for an extension. They are not fatigued and they will just get on with whatever Scottish football has to get on with even considering the enormity of the situtaion and the benefit they bring to Scottish football supplying players and managers and doctors and coaches and chief executives etc. ;-)
Gordon_j,
Text 401.!
Ironbhoy
ironbhoy,
where did you get that from?
http://www.stv.tv/content/sport/football/display.html?id=feeddb:526249262
link to Ironbhoy post above
Kojo,
I've been here since summer 2005.
You may have forgotten that I took you to task a few times regarding the journeyman. I, at the time, was in the corner of the "baulking Bulgar".
You got that one spot on!
You can rest assured that if the league is re-jigged to suit he huns they will somehow manage to
ensure they finish the campagn at Govan after we've played our last game.
Arise Sir Walter!! You should get a knighthood for managing pull this one off.
Like a few others i fear the worst for us re this farce.
I ask again: what concrete suggestion have Rangers been able to offer? What are the options here, apart from them living with the consequences of their reluctance to play Gretna in December and of their successful run in the UEFA Cup.
The run-in looks tough on them, but they must bear part of the responsibility. One of the problems was that their pitch wasn't playable. Motherwell also have a backlog of fixtures because of this. Have Motherwell asked for an extension?
It seems impossible to give Rangers a break without compromising at least five other clubs. Why should five clubs, two of which have had requests to postpone fixtures this season turned down, suffer for the sake of Rangers?
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo,
Ah Know....
You cant trust anything in print these days.
Ironbhoy (who's away for a beer)
Thanks ironbhoy, Awe_Naw,
Sanity prevails for now!
So what do we expect next - an unexpected 24 hour virus down Ibrox way on Saturday?
Celtic_first,
not just the clubs
but the paying punter, the general public, sponsors, budgets, costs, wages. Greek,Dutch,Polish,Japanese,Australian national teams. Staff, playing as well as admin and logistics. The bookies???TV companies, Advertisers etc.
The comment: “… welcome the Tannadice side to Govan in the SPL just three days before their European final against Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester Stadium…” is another joke.
The game against Dundee United will kick off more than four days before the UEFA Cup Final.
How hard is it for the Scottish media to get this sort of thing correct?
Gordon_J,
took the words right out of my mouth ... and with Barry Robsons doctor prescribing the treatment
well if they do that lets hope the SPL penalises them like Middlesborough were in 98 (I think) when they refused to play a game due to having only 10 or so fit players they were docked 3 points which cost them their Premiership status :)
Gordon_J ,
I would'nt bet on it phal. Sanity that is.!
Insane Sunday is only a few days away.!
Ironbhoy.
Celtic First, they do have a really long travel to Manchester though, be fair...
burnley, tinytim - each year as the bounty for joining the epl increases and is shared amongst clubs such as Stoke or Wigan or Sunderland, so diminishes our ability to match these second and third rate clubs in the transfer market. Match Man U? Match Aston Villa? I have long given up on these goals, we'll be lucky to match Reading and the likes.
Apart from the obvious desirability of leaving behind the shambles that is the SPL, we have to join a market that can reward us with a piece of the action commensurate with our status as a global force in football.
A priority for Dr. Reid, in my view.
Paul67 - why so little action at the minute?
Just looking for some confirmation of the STV story, but I'm sure they would not post it if it was not correct.
I can understand why rangers are asking for some relief and i would like to think they should get it in "normal" circumstances. Unfortunatley the league authorities have already historically denied any relief for other competing scottish teams in European competition and due to this fact they cannot budge.
I do believe they need to look into this rule at the beginning of a season and give teams a fair chance in Europe , like other countries do.
Having said all this , this season Rangers have been a victim of their own failures (partick thistle, gretna cancellation, ibrox pitch etc..)
hail hail
Paul67,
interesting that STV get it first. Is it on the Rangers site ... I wont go there fear of viruses ;-) A dailyrecord hook up with Jingle no doubt having just been spoken to by Master Mc Bain .... has he sold them a dummy ?
Paul,
Gonnae no dae that..!.
As I said , nothing is confirmed until when..?
Does this mean Ranjur's are making an appeal..?
Ironbhoy.
GIRFUY
I was convinced that the SPL would grant their request.
For once the SPL makes a correct decision.
Quite frankly if a further extension is granted I would think that Celtic should refuse to play and withdraw from this years league, in fact if there are other clubs in the league with a strong view point on this it would be good to get them to do likewise as well.
Drastic action needs to be taken and if it means buying up a league club in one of the lower divisions, in england and re-branding them then so be it, enough of this nonsense, the time to make a break is now and has never been clearer IMHO, let us leave this sorry, corrupt, excuse of a league and seek competition on a l