Motherwell 1-2 Celtic, 3 May 2008

yee-hah

Setanta are crying foul yet again. Its great to feel their pain.

tamstered (from last thread): I wouldn't know - I've never seen Bobo with his lippy on.

At this stage of the game any win will do!

Gold medal to ML2 !!!

I noticed today that when Caldwell misplaced a pass there was no screaming from the stands. Good to see.

Maybe time to start singing his name???
He's been one of our best players for a while.

Heart attack stuff but time for strong hearts and minds.

Bring it on !

Great result today, a performance full of character and heart. Caldwell a to play and Robson typified that attitude, they gave nothing up all day. Bobo....Sorry big man but I have loved every minute of your time with us and you were unbeatable in the air in the past but that's where it lies now, in the past.

Good to see some of the boys who were screaming for him to play now realise and were big enough to admit his time has gone. The goal was a poor one to lose, just a lack of concentration by the big man and his man had the edge on him, but the start of it was when Artur didn't come to collect an easy through ball and left Lee Naylor to whack it out.

Still, its not a day for recriminations and no one would be happier than me to see big Bobo collect a winners medal at the end of the season and get a proper send off.

C'mon the hoops.

STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS.

I think a special mention must go to Barry Robson,i thought he was immense today again with
his never say die attitude.

Setanta definetly overplayed the corner incident.
After the handball that we didn't get, (probably accidental),
Aiden was hauled to the ground, yet the free was given to the mothers!
Why are Setanta not showing this ad nasuem ?
Very, very squeeky win.
I've given up on Bobo (last thread), loved him, but far to many loose clearances.

I just can't believe that there has been absolutely no acknowledgement of my prediction at 12.39pm! :o)

We now NEED Rangers to drop points in one of their three upcoming games to ensure we are still top going into our last 2 matches. They will then have three away games left in which to drop the other points that we need the mto drop. And surely they won't have their strongest team out against Dundee Utd next Saturday, with the trip to Manchester looming.

Looking at their fixture list (click on my monicker) you odo have to ask questions as to the integrity of the SPL. They have 2 home games and 4 away games, but by pure coincidence they just happen to have two home games in the week leading up to the UEFA Cup Final, then they have to conclude their league programme with three consecutive away games!

Only the SPL could contrive that scenario... in any other league in the world they'd have had away games in between their only two remaining home games.

Top of the league
CHAMPS 36 26 5 5 81 26 83 +55
CHUMPS 32 25 3 5 76 29 75 +47

Why do Setanta feel they have to analyze all our goals. They must of shown the Bobo header at least 8 times, even if it was a goal kick they still had to defend the corner.

When we win the league, we will look back at Robson flattening Un-Christian Dailly as the turning point of our season. He was full of spirit today, Robson, Hartley and Caldwell are the driving force for us. Wilson has to start for the remaining games along with O'Dea. Bobo thanks for the services but him and Lee should never come near the first team for the remaining games.

3 in a row

ugly win awful comentary....but 3 points....for me JVOH has become a passenger....i cant fault his effort but samaras looks much more of a threat and doesnt give away a foul every time he makes a challenge...pressure is now on the orc c'mon the hibbees

They didn't have the guts to ask Gordon Strachan about the jammy corner. Oh they are hurting though. Rob Mclean has dared to suggest that it might have come off the defender's back. His taxi and P45 are waiting for him at the door.

Agree One Star, Robson doesn't know the meaning of 'give up'. Incredible will to win. He was immense. If only he had been playing a couple of months ago....

Love listening to big John, can't we get him to replace that tool Booth?? He obviously still loves the club but keeps it as impartial as possible. Bigger and better things to come from the big man I think. Well you can't really go down from Setanta can you?

They had maybe 15 corners - return zero
We had 1 corner - return - 1 goal, 1 championship, 3 in-a-row

Two points to make here - Robson's excellent delivery from our single corner and Bobo&Caldwells excellent defending not once not twice but 15 times from theirs. Get off the big mans back. It's his first 90mins for a long time and he played his part.

STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS

I'm with you Bambi1 Always loved Bobo and always supported him. But today??? Maybe it was lack of match practice etc but he was a disaster waiting to happen. Why was Daren O Dea not in anyway? He did very well last week and I'd have thought was a certainty to start today.

As for Artur Boruc - I've lost count of the number of crosses he should come for and dosen't - even in his six yard box. He's 6'4" and weighs a thousand llbS!!! He should be commanding his area yet he remains rooted to his line!!!

BUT. Three points!!

Onwards and Upwards!!

Radio Snyde highlighting MIB Conroy's Celtic connection, that was his first Celtic game he ref and I think it will probably be his last, likewise the linesman Murphy who ran the line when we played the huns will probably never get another Celtic game and they call us paranoid.

Paul

"potential challengers"

Love it.

Hail! Hail!

Three points. That was all that mattered today. You don't get points for lots of corners, you don't get points for artistic merit. We won and that's what counts.

Thet are now really under pressure. Hibs need points tomorrow, Motherwell showing that effort will get something against them as they will tire at the end and Dundee Utd have played better against them this season overall than any other team.

Roll on next Sunday at Paradise. I have a feeling we will be going into our last home game of the seasin in a very much better position that has looked possible at any time over the last five months.

Beleiving CSC

Poor game.

Poor performance from some but thankfully not all of the team.

McGeady ,Caldwell, Robson ,Hartley and Macdonald at least all played as if they believe we can win the league.

Fir Park has been the burial ground for our league aspirations on so many occasions over the years so that was a MASSIVE three points for us , no question.

all we can and must do is keep winning.

Cmon the hibees

Hail Hail

TLWIO

I heard Hugh Keevins (well done!)standing up for the referee, I think that it was people who had telephone the radio station who had brought up the ref`s name.
Sad but that`s the way things are.

Bambi, Unfortunately for Bobo, I dont think he is elligable for a winners medal. I believe you need 10 appearances in the team to qualify. Perhaps they will cut an extra winners medal in a few weeks.

Mon the Hibees

I believe that Bobo had some scary moments but he is rusty from lack of action. However, Mick was missed and not just because of his play.
As for Bobo, that is the name that Christian Vieri has been known by and things have been better for him too.

Well done Bhoys on becoming the only team other than Hearts who have (or still can) take 6 points out of 6 from the swamp. Now given that Rangers have to finish their season with games away to St Mirren, Motherwell & Aberdeen, we can still believe in the improbable... Rangers have yet to record a victory at any of those three venues in this season's SPL!

Phew! Not pretty but it's all about the points at the business end of the season. We did seem to lack a bit of urgency,energy and direction at times, but a great response from the team after the tea cups looked to have crashed against the wall. Well done Lhads.

Still think a lot of hard work to be done this summer in terms of our direction and personnel. I'd like to think that we have a plan. Paul67, do you have any views on the direction of the squad - are we looking to get in any more players with searing pace and "physicallity". If I look at the CL semi finals, these teams are all big, strong and really fast, both in terms of acceleration and lasting pace. If I look around our team, I am not sure we have this in abundance.

Or will Tommy G bring this back? ;-)

Seems that name of the referee is being questioned as. Good grief, if ever that summed this place up it is that.

One down. C'mon the Hibbees. I am off to wet my nieces head with some Currant Buns. I think I will have a drink for every point clear.

Ibn Khaldun 4/1 4.25 at Newmarket

sorry for dissapearing half way through the second half bhoys n ghirls, but the digi box started workin... 10 mins before they scored. I thought it was bad luck and was about to switch it off when my names sake proved to be correct.

As i said (or profesised) i wouldnt be bothered if we were battered for the rest of the game as long as we won.

Then we get battered.. but still win!

hmmmm

i wouldnt be bothered if we win all our games by 5 clear goals and the filth dont win another game all season!

sayitfastanditsoundseasyCSC

Haven't read too many posts but that pitch is awful. It must be worth 20 points a season to Motherwell. Besides being a tight wee park, the surface is dire. Our Bhoys done great (and maybe Bobo wasn't sooo bad, seeing as even Booth said he couldn't be match fit).

Huns are getting twitchy now, queuing up to phone in about the scandalous corner decision
that led to our goal.No mention of the Mothers hand ball in the box though.
Going by some of the talk,apparently the Manchester police are just as worried.
Wishart trying to put a positive spin on the ''we dont want, you're not wecome' message from them.
I thnk we're in for a memorable couple of weeks one way or another.

What's with the critisimn of Bobo, the whole starting 11 were pathetic. Why do we have no spirit in a game of such importance? I think I know but we better leave it till the end of the season.

fantastic result and loved Robsons sheer determination to win this match. Caldwell deserves huge praise for his professional attitude.

I'm "angry" at Hugh Keevins - Before anyone called in today he primed callers on the Conroy name. No caller mentioned Conroy as an issue in terms of the name/connection but Keevins and clyde panel made the link.

The only reason this is mentioned is because the media published the names of Murphy and Conroy to antagonise people and create this conspiracy situation - its selling papers but completely irresponsible. The media are fertilizing bigotry in this country !!

c'mon the Hibees

3.25 even

I know it's late in the season, but doesn't anyone else notice that there is next to no pace about the side. Still 3 points today and the pressure only mounts up for Rangers. Let's keep dreaming of three in a row and hopefully the title will end up back at Celtic Park.

Miller

still dreaming

"H", how exactly do you wet anything with a currant bun? Presumably you have to steep said bun in liquid for a given period before-hand? Or do you wring out the currants?

Corrib04,

I think you are right but what I meant is I'd hate to see him leave like so many other great Celtic heroes, ie Chris Sutton, not getting a chance to say goodbye to the fans and vice versa. These guys who give us such pleasure deserve nothing less, no matter if they part on bad terms or not.

My abiding memory of Bobo won't be the bad times, it will be his performance against Boavista in the semi final 2003. He was immense and the joy on his face at the end will always convince me he became a real Celt.

Another currant bun

Sir Paul

Missed the game... blame it on the Bossanova!

Too much dancin'....an' no enough sleep!

These early games are startin' jist as Ah get tae bed!

From the comments...looks like the final outcome of the Match... was a real Sphincter Squeezer.

And....oh! oh! looks like Georgios scored the match-winner... AGAIN!

I am afraid I shall have to re-think my ill timed condemnation of this young man... if he keeps insisting on performing these Late, Late, Show Heroics... then, I expect that I shall have to prepare my famous back-tracking prestidigitation speech!

Oh! Well....what else it Noo?

My Fair Haired Bhoy... Gary.... seemed to be continuing to gather Converts.

He deserves his accolades... after all of the slings and arrows that showered in his direction, for many months...and most unfairly so...

Bobo...according to popular opinion... was ...well....what you and I have always said...he is a great tackler, he is fast...he has a commanding presence.. he...well what is not to like?

HE HAS SEVERE AND UNPREDICTABLE MENTAL LAPSES...which lead, at the most inopportune times to a loss of a goal.

I, of course did not see the Motherwell goal..but I have a sneaky feeling that Bobo was on the wrong side of his man... at the wrong time.

Anyway... THREE POINTS!

S'awright?
S'atsa okay!

Kojo.

Three (3) more points

Right at this moment they (the huns) are all rabbits in the headlights.

We have the points in the bag and every team, bar one, that Rangers are yet to play, desperately need the prize that points make.

The persuasion/affiliation of the officials who will police the remaining games is rapidly becoming a question of … which one is dispensable.

What price your integrity or what price your membership.

Which man in Black is gonna be sacrificed.

I’m glad I kept my towel ‘cause this season ain’t over yet

Rocking a wee bit... but I'M STILL STANDING.

ugly win but three points on the board, hoping hibs can do us a turn tomorrow

ON THE SETANTA THING

I AGREE THEY HAVE FLOGGED THAT HORSE TO DEATH RE BB CORNER/BYE KICK

ANYONE GIVEN THOUGHT TO THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE OF NOTE IN THE WRETCHED GAME

ANYWAY I LOVE IT WHEN THEY HURT LIKE THAT

BTW sorry for the caps

BigChipsUk

Ha ha. Good point. It certainly does raise an interesting mental image.

Perhaps I could try reverse engineering the buns to the original state and use the milk..or I could ask for an advance on the tears that will be shed by them when they end up with only the CIS cup in the Boo Room.

I cannot believe a decision to award a corner is being highlighted and now joins our freekicks against St Mirren and Aberdeen on the podium as the three apparently most scandalous refereeing decisions of the season.

Make no mistake - this is a poorly disguised attempt to justify at least one more properly scandalous decision favouring Rangers in their remaining games.

Patsean,

If you consider that performance one of no spirit then I think you watch a different game to me. The whole result was built on spirit. Our football was awful at times but at no point did I think we were beaten and more importantly neither did the players.

Giorgos' celebration at the end where he ran straight to JVOH shows that team spirit is superb, this is the guy who's keeping him out of the starting line up and that's who he runs straight to.

Kenny Miller scores for Derby away from home - 6th goal of the season for him - same as Samaras for us

missed a bit near the end..Baby got out of the cot and was running amuck upstairs...when I cam down, ref talking to police and 4th official I think?

Was there an incident?

Samaras and MacDonald to start next sunday and robson hartley continue in the midfield..

Bobo..was delighted when I heard his name in starting 11 but now agree with people that said he was past it..no passing ability and slow to pick up...O Dea to start if Mick not available.

Midfield going well, McGeady not his best but with 3 men on him what do you expect..Naka will play a hell of a lot better next week..Hopefully as I've booked my flights and all for my first game of the season...Fingers crossed..Might have a few pints in BB after the game so I'll give a big shout out when I get in to see who is celticquicknews posse..

Kojo.....

I must admit, I agree with you on Samaras. It seems his quick feet and change of pace are effective when coming on late in the game but from the start, he looks pretty poor.

The jury is still out on the lad and probably always will be for as long as he wears the Hoops. I'm hoping that for the money, our scouting team can find better value out there.

Does anyone know how often SPL teams are subject to drug testing and whether the players are subjected to random tests at training and after matches?

I'm thinking of performance-enhancing rather than recreational, more Tour de France than nose powder. If there is no testing, or it is minimal, then the temptation to use drugs that aid recovery, such as co-corticoids, and boost physical stamina, such as EPO, must be a temptation for any team doctor to administer - especially one whose team has a packed fixture list.

A jag here and a tablet there can put life back into the most jaded limbs. It is common in most endurance sports, any reason to believe it doesn't happen in the SPL?

I wonder if anyone down Ibrox way will be asked to pee in a pot any time soon. Or are they running on Irn Bru and Mars Bars?

Ghuys and Ghirls - a bit scary today, but the 3 points will do.

Bobo had a howler, but lets not jump in too heavy handed. The guy has been a great servant for the club. As a penalty box defender, when we are absolutely under pressure, he is one of the best at winning headers, tackles and getting in the way.Some of his penalty box defensive performances on the way to Seville were outstanding. With the ball at his feet.....er well??

Remember Colin Hendry used to be the same for Scotland and always looked like a great defender. When he played for Rangers under Advocaat and had to push up and do a bit more he got found out.

Point here being that its always easier to be a defender in defensive formations, when you don't have to think about being progressive whilst keeping your defensive shape. Wonder how Cuellar will really shape up when he has to do more that just win headers and tackles in a crowded penalty box??

Anyhoo, did anyone notice that the near miss Motherwell had at the end (when a header from a Motherwell player went right across our goal mouth)resulted in a corner for them that never was?? Surpisingly no big how do you do from Setanta there!! Wonder why??

Someone has Radio Snide on in the background and I can hear the nasal monotone of Artur Jorges favourite journalist. The very definition of an Uncle Tim this fella.

I could get wound up by this phoney Clydebank supporting (!) eejit, and recall the after dinner auction he made with a Celtic shirt that he kissed "just to let you know who I actually do support", or I could just listen to Let the People Sing on my ipod.

"so join us hand in hand...."

On the ref. He failed completely to curb the aggressive and fouling tactics which Motherwell used to smother the danger of McGeady and particularly Nakamura.
Nakamura was fouled constantly in the first 10 15 minutes and became ineffectual, losing his appetite for the game.
We can expect Hibs and United to adopt the same tactics.

Disappointed that we allowed ourselves to be bullied off our game today, and after they scored I was think back to three years ago.
Same venue, same need for a vistory, but thank God for the change of script.

'GG

Can I set the record straight on the Keevans/Conroy issue.

Hugh Keevans stated BEFORE the game even started that their were conspiracy theories circulating because the Refferee, Mike Conroy was of the "CELTIC PERSUASION" and just incase anybody had been sleeping for the past week, he added "AS WAS LINESMAN MURPHY FROM LAST SUNDAY'S OLD FIRM GAME"

I heard him on the car radio. I thought that the statements were scandelous and that Hugh Keevans was doing nothing short of incitement.

The man is the lowest common denominator in this war on our CLUB.

STANDING UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS,

Martin.

Come on guys, when Samaras came on he added a bit of pace to the team, which was more than JVOH had done for the preceding hour. I would agree that he should start the game next Sunday at Easter Road.

Radio Clyde at the moment bleating as ever. The only one talking any sense would appear to be Hugh Keevins (shocker there). Has Fraser Wishart defended Artur Boruc for his T-shirt last week. I'd have hated to miss it.

The more I look at the replay of the corner award, the more I see it coming off the defender's back. I think the ref called it right. Even if he did, Setanta have decreed it was another big wrong decision going our way. They did not show any more replays of the Motherwell player diving/cheating/simulating . . . wonder why?

When all's said and done, that was just about the perfect game for us:

Good kick up the a*se after the highs of 2 wins against Rangers
Mothers showing they are a very decent team
Bit of luck with the corner for the winner just to annoy "potential challengers"
No injuries/suspensions
Great team spirit shown by Samaras&JVOH

Other miscellaneous thoughts:

Thought Bobo started very well but got worse as game went on.
GC an absolute rock.
Nothing went for Aiden today but he showed in that clash of heads at edge of our own box that he has guts in bucketloads.
JVOH - very poor.
Why did WGS not give GC the armband, & why did GC not accept it when JVOH went off?
Bob Malcolm Giruy....

Thought I needed to add:
Gary Caldwell
Man of the match by a country mile.
He has become a clutch player in recent weeks.
"C'mon the heid"

'GG

Martin 42

The man is a clown with zero credibility. His brains went with his moustache.

Honestly, put on some good music and drown him out - the world is a happier place. Deny him the oxygen.

If that does not work, think of the Currant Buns (ask BigChipsUK) in a liquid state, or certainly the sound of stolen plasma tvs, pint glasses and bottles crashing as Our Favourite Greek scored that goal.

It certainly works for me!

quick question for american bhoys.

got given a giants jersey with manning on the back....is this expensive? have to buy a present back but not sure of the value?

thanks

The new Ireland manger, Signor Trappatoni, gave us a nugget of his immense wisdom in his first interview yesterday,
"a beautiful game is remembered for 24 hours, a result is remembered
for ever."
Could have been talking about today's game !

All i can is happy days, a hard earned 3 points. One other thing, Lee naylor is shocking, people on here are saying that Bobo had a stinker but if naylor was a horse he would've been put down.

Afternoon Bhoys and Ghirls.

The other mob will be raging with that result. Great news! Motherwell were worth at least a point, probably three but we squeezed out the result once more.

And would I be exaggerating to say the big Greek dancing pony has garnered maybe 9 points for us with his late contributions this season? The jury's still out I know but I'd vote for taking a punt on him with a contract in the summer.

Hinkel was disappointing for me. Late in the game he lost possession a few times and went into a couple of tackles like a shandy drinking ballerina. Naylor and he would benefit from some rotation me-thinks.

Hail Hail. Mon the Hibbees!!

Jinkybhoy,
If it is Bernard Manning it shouldn't be too difficult to get something out of The Pound Shop.

delighted with the three points today and glad we have a rest again this week and they dont. Opening up the eight point gap really heaps the pressure on them and we will know by this time tomorrow how they will handle it. For all the negativity thrown at this Rangers team, if Celtic finish on 89 points but come second then you've got to say rangers deserve to be champions, I thought Rangers were taking a backward step appointing Walter Smith but he's made a swift turnaround, however in the long run unlike Strachan who's team are full of young men like mcgeady, Brown, McManus, McDonald etc., Rangers will soon have to find replacements for a large chunk of their team, I'd rather be in our position than theirs.

The Narrowbhoat Tim: They've always done that - FF Huns have been claiming that he is a closet Celtic supporter for a couple of years. Funny how the media give short shrift to any suggestion of pro-Rangers bias. Talk about hypocrisy!

Lurgan53: I'm pretty sure O'Dea didn't play because of the surface and the fact he is just back from a hernia op. I suspect he will start the next game.

Jinkyboy

Around 80 bucks retail. 40 pounds or so.

NY Giants Online Store

'GG

Bambi
I have been watching Celtic teams for a very long time, some excellent some not too good. What almost everyone of thase teams had was what I call spirit, like if they were in a situation when they had to win their last 3 games to get the title they would cleary give their all from the first second to try and overwhelm the opponents and make sure the goal difference was not going to be a problem at the finish.To get our first corner and our first proper attempt at goal when we did against a team of honest tryers and decent professionals is unacceptable to me considering what most of our players cost and how much they are paid. And as for our players congradulating each other when they score, I would think it very strange if they did not.
Like I said, I think there is something very wrong at our great club at the moment but the end of the season is when it should, and will be, discussed. Please do not take offence at me disagreeing with you, we are all Celtic supporters and want the same thing at the end of the day.

By Kojo on May 3, 2008 3:16 PM

Are you sure you were not watching the game?

". . . a sneaky feeling that Bobo was on the wrong side of his man... at the wrong time."

I have always been a big fan of Bobo but those who have been calling for his return as if he would be our saviour have been clutching at straws. As has been said so many times, he regularly wins balls in the box but more often than not punts them back to the opposition.

Bobo is a Celtic legend and we should rightly remember him for everything he did for our club. However, we shouldn't let the past cloud our view of the present - he is not the player he was.

I wanted to reply to you a few weeks ago but was prevented by a faulty connection. Regaring your Budapest question, my office is in Buda and my home is in Pest. I'd happily have this the other way around but real estate prices have determined my coordinates, at least for the time being.

My dear,dear,dear friend... geebee1978

I am glad that we are in accord, regarding our mutual skepticism of Georgio's monetary worth.

If his quoted price was...say.... 2 Million...Tops...Na... make dat... 1.5 Million.....check dat... say, 500,OOO pounds...then mebbe, I would look on his joining us, on a permanent basis... a little more kindly.

Howevvvvvvvvvvvvahhhhhhh!

The Figure Mentioned, for his transfer... seems to be 3 Million Pounds...for that figure, I would demand a far more finished Article.

That being said......

Here it comes,pal.... hold onto your Bunnet!

HOOOOOOOOOOOWWEVVVVVVVVVVAH!!!!!!!

He is rapidly proving to be an Expert Puller of OOR Chestnuts from the Flamin' Flames...

And that rare ability,pal...cannot be ignored!

So....

Well, let's say... I have decided to Scratch my Head..er ...Chin... and keep my Powder in an immaculately arid condition,as to what may or not be, my FINAL OPINION as to his Monetary Worth.( Ye dinna fool me,pal... I see the beginnings o' "The Gentle Art o' Back- Tracking 101," written all ower that!...ed)( You wid.. ya wee clype!)

Nice chattin'...palomine.

Kojo.
yer pal....who likes ye.

Martin42

I agree with you, Hugh "Bonkers" Keevins is just stirring it up, he is trying to portray himself as defending the ref and the linesman but he has just made their lives difficult. I have never heard him defending any other MIB by highlighting even though they supported R*ngers as kids they are only making honest mistakes. He has never highlighted before the MIB team preference in who they supported but he clearly pointed out today that Steve Conroy supported Celtic. That is outrageous and I am sure Conroy is going to get a doing over in tomorrow's papers.

My cousin use to be a neighbour of Bonkers Keevins in Parkhall, Clydebank, next time I'll see my cousin I am going to give him a slap next time I see him for not sticking the heid in Bonkers.

Paul67 - i know you are partial to passing on the information on the economics which govern the football industries.

widny want to owe these guys money right noo!!

considering the impending credit crunch, the downturn in the property markets and the subsequent attempts to raise liquid capital amongst the financial institutions - who would want to owe them £600m and have all their assets in property?

Minty is a clever chap!!

the Dons beating Dundee Utd 1-0 at half time

Patsean,

I would never deny anyone their right to an opinion, i just disagree with yours mate.

I really don't think we could have overwhelmed them today, they completely changed their formation today to try nd deny us space in midfield, basically the reason we won 4-1 in our last visit. Our goals in that game came from wide areas, mostly on counters because they played a pretty open game. This one was a slog and our expensive footballers as you put it would not have been able to play football on that surface with them playing in such a defensive formation.

As I say spirit was the one thing that pulled us through today.

DeniaBhoy: I raised this some time ago and will keep flogging it. Even legal drugs used to mask injury purely for the sake of competition is banned by FIFA.

You can be sure that this would be highlighted if it was Celtic. It is clear to see that Gordon Strachan looks after his players even when it puts him under pressure. Walter Smith, on the other hand, assembled the third-smallest squad in the SPL and doped them to the eyeballs, ignoring their welfare and in contravention of FIFA and UEFA policies. The result is an unfair advantage to Rangers for ignoring the rules, which are quite explicit on this.

If you are interested, click on my name for my take on this and some relevant documents.

By DeniaBhoy on May 3, 2008 3:27 PM

I have been wondering about this scenario all season. I would not be surprised in the slightest if performance enhancing drugs were widely used in football and, in particular, across the city.

jinkybhoy
where are you flying back to on Sunday and what time? I will be going to the airport from BBs after a few post match pints.

Ian-In-Budapest.

I'm sure drugs are being taken to get them through the pain. But performance enhancing? I would be asking for my money back.

Dons 2-0 up on United, good result for us it keeps United, Motherwell, Hibs and Aberdeen in the hunt for 3rd place.

Come on the Hibees tomorrow.

Bugger it's 2-1 now.

Dons now 2-1 up against Dundee Utd.

Looking like all the teams will be looking for something from their forthcoming games which can only be good news

Gordon J - HA! had a good laugh at that one!!

Hopefully the dons can hold on to beat dundee utd. means that the hibees can pull themselves into Euro contention with a win tomorrow!

C'mon Mixu, you owe Walter the assaulter from the last time!

1 0 to the Dons the noo - surely good for us if each team the rankers have to play has something to play for!!

Oops, a wee bit behind the time, but they're still on top! Go the Dandy dons!

Paddy29, singing Gary’s name would be an excellent idea. Just make sure Noel90 isn’t sitting behind you.

BigChips, contrats.

May67, aye, only “potential”.

The Provocative "H", apart from expecting considerable change, I don’t know if this will mean pace or physicality.

Lynott67, 3:11, they sure are.

Kojo, oor good friend Canajunbhoy set his alarm at 4:15 this morning to make his way to a Canadian green place. What a trooper.

Keep on dancin’.

stoir mha chroi, see Lynott67, agree.

Larsson62, good point. Motherwell are not a team I would like to have to play twice before the end of the season.

hoof hearted minty moonbeams, it could get v scary indeed.

Hoping for a win for Willie Miller’s bushy tache’s boys.

By AdamTrask on May 3, 2008 3:43 PM

"For all the negativity thrown at this Rangers team, if Celtic finish on 89 points but come second then you've got to say rangers deserve to be champions"

Hard to disagree with your comment. However if they scrape it by a point or two then there are sure to be many who will justifiably take issue with the fixture list shenanigans and the toleration of foul play on the part of Barry Ferguson. These represent two clear reasons why they don't deserve the flag even if they win all their remaining games. It's been a long, long time since a Rangers side won the championship without some help from the authorities and it will be at least another season before they do.

Fulham have taken the lead against McLeish's Brum in a relegation tussle

Fulham 1 Birmingham 0

YEE HA

I've just come up with what I think is a brilliant idea. Why don't we have our own celebration on 14th May?

As the RST are insisting that 100,000 (for every 80,000 you bring, we'll bring 100,000) Huns are to descend on Manchester, there can be no better day to be in Glasgow.

So how about it? Working title: Civilisation Day!

apologies if this has been posted already but you've got to love the Russian Federation for this
Bain goes potty

I look forward to Radio Clyde announcing the "football club-persuasion" of all referees from now on. Hugh Keevins has set a precedent that I look forward to being followed .... starting tomorrow.

patsean 3:11 PM

"What's with the critisimn of Bobo, the whole starting 11 were pathetic. Why do we have no spirit in a game of such importance? I think I know but we better leave it till the end of the season."

Eh? Thought spirit is exactly what the team did show to come back from 1 down at a difficult venue against a team desperately fighting for a UEFA spot and liberally sprinkled with knuckle draggers? Would you have preffered it if we'd hadn't scored any?

Bobo - thankfully I had my GTN spray and defibrillator to hand so could sit back and relax and enjoy your performance today.

Setanta - any chance you could subject every goal by rangers to your gross over-analysisisation too?

Cadizzy et all,
Just got a ticket for Sunday so will go to BB after the game for a couple.
Why did Ed leave? Seems strange.I must say, however, that I partly agree with Canalmar (?). I find it hard to weld intelligence,goodness and Rangers supporter.A good person can support them but surely an intelligent good person would go off such a sectarian club?
Anyway, poor game, great result today. A draw tomorrow?

By Gordon_J on May 3, 2008 4:03 PM

Gordon you are correct their performances have been quite insipid, I ought to have said results-improving drugs.

Paul67 & Kojo,

What's your opinion on Jan? You reckon we might be tempted to cash in on him in the summer?

With the cash maybe recruit Sammy as well as gettin in another to go with Skippy and Hutch?

I can't believe i am going to say this but if GC continues with this consistency maybe we might think of giving him the captaincy and buy a centre half to partner him rather than the present captain?

Any thoughts?

Kojo....

He's had City and now Celtic fans scratching their heads and can't make up their minds if he's full of potential or garbage. He will excite and frustrate in equal measure.

He isn't cheap and his wages wont be low and for that money, I'm not sure he'd be worth the gamble.

However, if we win the league, we'd be indebted to his goals and contribution, very much like we NEARLY were with Bellamy. Like Bellamy, I wonder if it'd be a case of "Thanks for the memories" and both going ways which would suit both parties.

What does Stoir mha chroi mwan?

My dear,dear,dear,deaf friend.....Ian who is in Buda and in Pest.

Happy to correspond, once again,pal.

We hiv missed yer shrewd and thoughtful contributions... which are always welcome.

I have a question.

Do the Lamp Posts in the Capital,still have two conveniently placed built in... "arms"?

I had a dear friend named, Pete... who was present in Buda, at the time, when the the first Insurrection took place against the Russian Occupation..circa 1956...
He was only 8 years old...But he told me that he remembers that every Lamp Post on his street had TWO VERY DEAD MEMBERS OF THE SECRET POLICE.. HANGING BY ATTACHED ROPES...it was a sight that he will never forget!
He and his family escaped... a few days later...just. as the Russian Tanks were rolling in,to re-take the the City.

Quite an experience for a young kid... We have been lucky,in a lot of ways.

Anyway...

It now looks like the League Winning Hopes of our dear Celtic, are still very much alive.

It's a very true saying, that Celtic are the Favorites of the Gods...
Yes, there is a Magical Aura that seems to cling to them.

They certainly enjoyed a generous sprinkling o' Fairy Dust,today.

Coming storming back... after losing an unexpected goal...which, to most other teams would have become a most debilitating and distressing blow.

But not the Celts, they just picked themselves up... and snatched a glorious equalizer, within a few minutes!

They may yet... square the circle.... confound their critics... and disappoint their rivals, after all!

Kojo.
yer pal...who likes ye a loat. and.. Incidentally, I soitenly did NOT See the Game... Bobo has done his time... and should be put out to pasture. And live the live o' Reilly.

Patsean
I agree with you totally. There are issues within the dressing room at our club. Skippy's treatment of McManus after the second goal last week was unacceptable. This is the club captain and we are playing our biggest rivals. Paul has made a case for the changed training regime/Lennoxtown, and there may be something in the training argument. We know that Riordan has gone, but is still around, we know that Bobo is going and is still around and earning megamoney, we know that Artur will go in the Summer,we know that Donati isn't happy to not even make the bench. I think the best thing we did recently was bring Lennon into the coaching side. Really good to see him telling the players to go to the fans at the end of the todays and last weeks games.
BUT whatever the issue(s) suck it up until the league is won then sort it out. Inspired substitutions from the manager today.

One thing's for sure regarding Samaras - right now I'm glad he is playing for us rather than Govan FC.

WGS.....

Caldwell has for long periods been a scapegoat when in actual fact, our defence has been the meanest in Scotland and the guy has played many games out of position. He has never hid and although he may not be the most gifted, I honestly believe that if the rest of the squad had his honesty and effort on the field, our lead would be into double figures now.

I hope he continues his form as his passion for the cause deserves it and it could also save us a few bob.

People assumed we needed someone in to partner Mick. Personally, I believe it's a case of finding a reliable partner for Caldwell.

Ian_in_Budapest,

Good comeback!

Wins for Aberdeen today and Hibs taking something tomorrow would leave four sides scrapping for 3rd.

McLeish's Birmingham in a lot of trouble right now in the south.

Inetersting point about McDonald and McManus. Scott does not rate McManus plain and simple. Frustration bolied over last week in the Rangers game.

tictalk, see you next week. Are you driving back to Arbroath the next day? Re Ed, I think one post tipped him over the edge. I think most of us cannot understand decent people supporting Rangers. I recall my dad could not understand how a trade unionist could be a Rangers fan (as opposed to someone who was just a unionist, obviously)because the trade union movement stood for everything that Rangers did not

COMRADES;
SORRY FOR SHOUTING, BUT I NEED TO KNOW WITHIN THE NEXT 10 MINS; EXACTLY WHAT TIME AND DAY WE ARE PLAYING HIBS NEXT WEEK.
A SLIGHT CHANCE OF GETTING A CHEAP RYANAIR FLIGHT OVER.

One Star Means More - thanks for the info., the quotes from Dailly would certainly raise suspicion if FIFA were interested in tackling doping in football, something which doesn't appear to be the case. When Dr Fuentes' (from Madrid) practice of blood doping was exposed last year and led to numerous cyclists being thrown out of the TdF, the doctor himself said he also aided football, basketball and tennis players. He questioned the reason as to why these other sports were not being dragged through the mud the way cycling was - too much money in them was the general consensus.

Would FIFA be prepared to see the reputation of the "beautiful game" questioned at a massive level the way athletics and cycling has been? Far better to expose the occasional coke-head (all the better when it is someone like Maradona) as a token gesture than to expose the Madrids, Barcelonas and Chelseas as being guilty of systematic cheating.

Players do not miraculously play through the pain barrier - they are assisted and most likely by illegal means, ibuprofen does not take away the pain of a broken bone.

Nor do average athletes find super-human reserves of energy at the end of a gruelling season after a pep talk from the coach and a bottle of Gatorade- it comes from a drip feed of chemicals that has been refined by the best labs in the world and tested on the best athletes.

I would be highly suspicious of any team, not just Rangers, being able to play their current schedule of games without giving their players more than a multi-vitamin and an aspirin. If there is no testing to be worried about then the rewards far outweigh the risks, at least from the club's perspective.

Geebee,

It's the whole left side of defence that is weak. Naylor and McManus are the weak links. As i have said to many people if you watch McManus closely during the game him and Naylor have terribly positional sense. GC ends up getting dragged across trying to cover them and by doing this he neglecting his own position to defend.

A lot of people have commented how Hinkel gets caught a lot in some games with the ball over the top. If GC is going across to cover in behind Mick then Andreas has do likewise to tuck in behind GC meaning that if we lose possession it's easy to drop a ball in behind specifically if the opposition are playing a 4 3 3 formation when in possession.

What has impressed me most about GC over recent weeks is his determination to win the first ball in the air. He also seems to be winning quite abit when the balls come into the box now as well. If we could recruit a big no nonsense defnder like Mensah, Van Buyten or Metzelder plus a left back then i would say Gordon would things a bit more easier. GC has also kept to the basics when under pressure. He clears his lines rather trying to play football.

Madrua

12.30 Sunday

Elbhoy - What about Lenny having a go at Aiden some time ago? There are always underlying issues with players and the one thing guaranteed to bring it out is losing - Skippy was just showing his absolute will to win when we lost that 2nd goal - plus he admits he is a moaner!

Lennoxtown - I do wonder about the choice of location. It is private, yes, but is just one of those annoying places to commute to. I hear brown is still staying in Edinburgh and it must be 1hr 30 to lennoxtown each day for training on a good day. Even from places like the Mearns and Thorntonhall it is no easy commute and the players had to adjust to that at a crucial point in the season.

Long term it will be a good move but our timing was off when we moved this season.

Never mind all the negativity. Am I right in thinking we can win the league next Sunday if the Huns lose their 3 fixtures between now and then?

In the unbridled optimism zone.

My dear,dear,dear,dear friend... Ian_in_Budapest,

"Calamity!... Catastrophe!...Will Robinson... Miss- Spelling Detected!"

"Right ye are,Robbie.... I will take care of it, right away!"

Sorry about that,pal... but my fore finger inadverently slipped doon wan key!

Will ye ever forgie me?

"Ready when you are,C.B.!"

Kojo.
yer fickle fingered pal!

Legal Tim - Now that is positive thinking! I am putting in for the Monday off work now!

madra rua

apologies for the wrong spelling details correct though

Fulham 2-0 up on Brum now

Fulham 2 - 0 Birmingham ..... YES

WGS....

You're correct although I wonder if O'Dea is in Strachans long-term plans.

I also believe that the introduction of Robson has given us more bite in the midfield and that has given us more balance and better protection for the back four.

A left-back MUST be Strachan's priority.

Rudi Vata,

The commute is no bother, Jackie Mac did it for his whole time at the club. My missus did it for 5 years as well.

I see St Mirren won again today, am I right in thinking tey've hit a wee bit of form recently, they couldn't do us a favour could they......Surely not.... Ah go on then Gus.

Aberdeen held on too, marvellous.

Queen/Bowiecsc

Dons 2 - 1 Utd FT

It's quite laughable how the pundits are watching all these decisions we get and scrutinising them closely.

How many games across the world involve incorrect corner or throw-in decisions? It happens constantly.

On Samaras, I like him. Remember, he is still young and we often talk about how McGeady and others have still some developing to do, so why not him? (£3m, I know, but that isn't excessive these days)
Another thing, I think he enjoys it here and wants to stay.

Big Eck relegated!!

So come the start of next season i would love to see

Boruc
New Gk
Hinkel
Doumbe
Wilson
New LB(?)
Caldwell
Cuthbert
O'Dea
New CB (Dunne, Van Buyten, Mensah, Metzelder)i wish
Naka
Miz