Outrage over offensive chanting ahead of Uefa Final

can it be?

oh my god!

three's enough and thank you!

...is three enough? - goal diff!

Anyone know about the Algarve cup we are meant to be playing in according to the Cardiff web page. When I google it comes back with a ladies tournament. Ive not booked my holidays yet so this could be a deciding factor any help appreicted on the dates etc.

Tinytim too young for Lisbon.....more like you could not get time off your work....

Like it, Paul. Somtimes satire can be a very effective weapon.

Mind you, Scottish football is such a joke that sometimes you don't need to make it up.

I have an image in my mind of Saturday's game being commentated on by Stephen Fry. He has just the voice to lampoon McCurry and to add a few quite interesting facts about his previous in refeereeing their games!

Paul67:

with your indulgence, reposted.

"Football is a game played by people and people can make mistakes. It is always frustrating when decisions go against you - but this has been a part of football since the game started. We rely on our referees to make decisions in a split second and without the benefit of countless replays. I think that it is extremely sad that an honest, dedicated professional has been treated in this way."

Those are the words of a SFA employee by the name of Gordon Smith. I wonder who joined them up into sentences for him.

Now, I would have thought it was his responsibility, as the SFA CEO, to ensure the competence of these honest and dedicated professionals, employed within his remit. If their, the honest and professional referees, abilities are not equal to the task required of them, they should be relieved of their duties immediately. Failure to do so by SFA office holders is tantamount to negligence. Several precedence’s exist in several countries other than Scotland.

Out with Scotland, if an official, an umpire, or a referee, repeatedly displays incompetence he is often demoted to a lower standard; in some instances completely removed from the field where they can do most harm.

Gordon Smith has a duty to ensure that all Scottish Football Supporters get what they paid for.

They pay their hard earned money and they are entitled to watch a game of football devoid of personal bias. A game of football played between two teams, officiated by honest, dedicated, professional and competent referees. Referees, who have the courage of their convictions to actually call it as they actually see it.

Those supporters of all those clubs around Scotland pay their hard earned money in good faith and the hope that they might see their own team win. It is hard to take when your team gets beaten; it is even harder to stomach when your support and good faith is squashed in contempt.

Every football supporter in Scotland should have his good faith reciprocated in equal measure at least.

Every genuine football supporter in Scotland should not be advocating change… they should be demanding it.

Every football supporter in Scotland should not be rewarded in their support of the national game with transparent integrity and accountability by those acting on their behalf. They should enjoy that as a given and more so too.

After all, it is your hard earned cash that pays to get your own face smacked. Without your coin - there is no Football League. Not as we would like to know it anyway.

Every clubs supporters, Aberdeen, both Dundee’s, Clyde, Falkirk, Hearts, Hibs, all clubs supporters should be up in arms demanding that they get what they pay for.

I don’t care if you don’t like my club. As long as you share my desire to have our national game played, week in and week out, with each and every team subjected to the same set of standards as is written in sporting morals and the rule book.

In my opinion, every football supporter in Scotland is having his good faith, his sporting intellect and his battered wallet, grievously mugged by those in power with an agenda. And that agenda is most definitely not to the betterment of Celtic Football Club.

Say what you want about the likes of Dick Turpin at least he had the decency to wear a mask. Those who are mugging us all, week in and week out, in their contempt for all other Scottish football clubs, do not feel need for even that most basic disguise

Other football supporters not of my team (Celtic), may, or may not, be of the mind that Celtic benefit from refereeing decisions which are to their own team’s detriment. I can’t tell you how to think, nor can I tell you what to opine; but I will tell you this: every one of your concerns is mirrored in the minds of every Celtic Supporter. The equality and integrity of our national leagues is all we want. We share your concerns. We would welcome the introduction of referees not of this land. We crave a level playing field, just like you guys.

The only way we are going to achieve this is if we each and every one of us… talk. Discuss the problems at work, on the buses, in the pub. Where ever like minded, (irrespective of which team they support), football supporters meet they should be talking about how the rules of our national game are being prostituted, and we, each and every one of us, are being financially and intellectually raped, so as one team and one team only, gains.

In my most humble opinion Gordon Smith, you and your fellow office holders are not upholding your side of the contract.

No business can survive without ‘good faith’ and its mutual appreciation of all parties concerned You appear incapable of understanding, far less respecting, the concept and implementation of good faith.

The people you appoint to officiate are being proved incompetent in the least and your inaction to redress this problem does not inspire confidence in your ability to administrate and operate without bias.

To my mind, you sir - are also incompetent. You sir, should clear your desk right this minute; call security and have them escort you from the premises relieving you of the company credit card and company car keys (paid for by Scottish Football Supporters) as they, the guards show you the cold side of the door.

Not to resign Gordon would not be in the best interest of Scottish Football or Rangers Football Club, because this time Gordon, the product of your incompetence has had his ineptness shamefully shown and replayed on national TV channels all around the globe.

People are most definitely laughing at individuals in Scotland Gordon and most of those are engaged in incompetence under the same roof as you. Don’t be fooled dear Gordon, they are not laughing with you, they are falling about, creased up and laughing at you.

My opinion of you Sir is that you are a morally and ethically bankrupted Grub. You should pack your bags and go before the Genuine Supporters of Scottish Football Supporters are forced to show you, and all your incompetent associates, the door.

It is no longer a case of ‘Our day will come’, the pendulum is on its downward arc and it is fast approaching the day your time will come. Some of that might just be spent the wrong side of the bar too.

Am I angry… you better believe it. I am angry for Craig Levein; I am angry for Dundee United; I am angry at the poisonous erosion of our national game; I am angry that Celtic Football Club is inexplicably being tarred with the same brush of shame as those others more deserving.

I am angry that I am even writing these words. Why am I doing it.

Simple really.

Too many others just can’t be bothered.

Craig Levein, Dundee United, you dared to speak the truth. For that you have my gratitude, my admiration and my support. As a football supporter first and as a Celtic Supporter second.

If you do start a legal fund… I will get my contribution to you. That is a promise from one Football Supporter to one Football Manager.

Good Luck Craig Levein. Good Luck Dundee United. Somehow I think you just might need it.

Bambi :- From last thread. Sadly I'm forced to agree with you, a lot of Rangers games in Europe this season have been far from entertaining.

from previous thread

Inkybhoy, I agree with mnost of what you posted earlier at 11.23.

However, purely from a financial perspective, I don't know if full time referees is the answer. Referees have to retire at 47 or thereabouts (I think) so they do need a way of earning a living after finishing. At that age, it is not easy to start a new career and they may think twice about trying to get to the top level since they would not be able to have a career in tandem that would continue to deliver a source of income after they retire from refereeing. As you say, many of them currently have decent paying "real" jobs and giving them up may be too much of a sacrifice to make.

The comparison with players being full time has to be seen in the light of the vast difference in the level of pay. Players nowadays (at the top level)can retire and never need to work again. I know this is not the case for all players but those at the lower end of the scale have been in a position to chase their dream and so they are probably more willing to make that sacrifice. I don't know if there are many who have the dream of being a referee....apart from that eejit David Ellery who was a heidie of a posh school (not in Carmyle, funnily enough).

Paul67 :- As Gordon said satire can be a very effective weapon however you missed out the quote from the Celtic fan. The one saying "We don't think immigrants should go home, we are more civilised and tolerant, we would just pray for them to die in their sleep. After all they deserve it, coming to this country and playing for Rangers"

Gordon J, indeed.

Kitalba, agree.

Edward, are you suggesting Broadfoot is an alien?

Pablo:

maybe, just maybe, pressure from within is being brought to bear on Craig Levein.

He oes have a family to consider after all.

In the cold light of day and all that.

However, in the spirt of the moment when he spoke from the heart and in his anger... he publicly put moral distance between Celtic and the 'Old Firm'.

His original words are out there for all the world to read.

A board inspired dilution is neither here not there.

Edward: I think your points are fair about the relative quality of opposition in our respective UEFA campaigns and actually getting to a European final is a major achievement. Rangers have definitely got passed some good sides.

I would also accept that managers have to come up with tactics for the players they have.

On the other hand, Rangers have played a game that football has tried to eradicate. When teams got any success with such ultra-negative tactics in the 80s, the rules were changed. Successful teams change tactical trends because others copy them.

Jack Charlton's Ireland, for example, did much to make tall powerful centre-forwards fashionable again. He made a very pragmatic decision to basically try to eliminate the midfield area and bombard the opposition back line with balls to Niall Quinn or Tony Cascarino or both. They weren't pretty to watch but it was at least exciting.

If Rangers win tomorrow (playing a similar game to the one they have adopted) it will seriously worry major clubs and football administrators, not because of the rise of the Bears but because the implications are that about 20 teams in European competition next season would probably copy their example.

If that happens, football will lunge back to the 80s when fans were frustrated that flair was being smothered and you couldn't win playing "the beautiful game" - and it made marketing very difficult. That was partly why the three-point win was introduced, the pass-back rule, the four-second instead of four-steps rule, new rules against professional fouls, etc.

I honestly believe that a Rangers win tomorrow - unless they actually go out to attack - will spark a lot of behind-the-scenes meetings to figure out how you can stop a team playing for penalties. In fact, the golden goal and silver goal were tried to do just that and I wouldn't be surprised if they are being looked at again right now.

Ed,

Not that it makes any difference, after all you're in the final.

It just makes me feel better '0)

Forza Zenit

Just in case it's been missed by anyone. Our New-Found Champion has now labelled these decisions an OF only problem !!! Didn't think he'd stick to his huns-only rant from Saturday. He even goes so far as to say Aberdeen were "Robbed" by the ref against us. Levien's credibility back to where it's always been for me.

pablophanque

EdwardU,

You got mail,

Martin.

I seem to remember quite a few years ago that a precedent was met when the Rearrangers complained about either a linesman or referee. I think his name, surprisingly, was Kevin O'Donnell. They complained to the SFA about his decisions and if I am right he was banished never to be heard of again. Any of the old timers (like me) care to assist?

Thank you Paul67. Hopefully scaramouche reflects the character of a certain Mr Moonbeam more than my own? ;-)

My own belief regarding refs is that both ourselves and rangers get slightly more of the decisions than the other SPL teams, purely due to pressure from the larger crowds.

However, I also believe that, for whatever reason, there is one particular ref who is getting it badly wrong and quite consistently in favour of one team. I don't even have too much of a problem with that. If the 'support' from the SFA wasn't there, it wouldn't matter. It is the fact that the SFA appear to have 'rewarded' him with so many games for one team is what I really think needs addressed.

The point of my statement (last thread) is to:

- support all the referees who are unbiased;

- avoid taking the moral high ground – if we are getting any slight advantage, I don't want it, and it could be removed by supporting refs to make the high pressure decisions (we can then just win as the better team). I sincerely believe that you will not find a significant SFA supported bias in our favour so we would not be disadvantaged;

- reject the lazy use of the old firm label with regards to this problem. I think it makes it harder for the 'meedja' to tie us into this if we show we would welcome an OPEN review – we have nothing to hide and if there is a problem, we honestly want it removed;

- and this is, of course, the intended (if poorly executed) main thrust of the statement: support Dundee Utd. in their quest to get things out in the open and put pressure on the SFA - surely this would be the best way for the SFA to demonstrate that there are no agenda's (I notice G Smith was using that word again while defending the ref, last couple of times he has used it I think he was saying that there were agenda's).

This may not be the best time to address this, but when is? I also think it is bigger than a one game issue so complaining at individual incidents only attacks the ref when the problem is really the people who decide who refs what and when.

Apologies if this sounds bitter, it isn't meant to and it is far too sunny for that so I will retreat back into the garden now.

Cheers,
IJAPoorBhoy (insane)

PS, re new article, same basic problem from the same basic people.

Paul67 :- Considering he seems to have two left feet you may be on to something there :-)

OSMM :- I agree with you. After the past couple of seasons I have to say I'm a lot happier with our position this year but as I've commented on a few times not so happy about the style of football. I would hate to see it duplicated by other teams and hope that next season with some of the pressure off a more attractive style will be played.

Cadizzy,

That's a fair point. I did say the plan wasn't perfect.

It's incumbent on any employer, even if they are based in Carmyle, to offer career progression, security, pension etc.

A lot of discussion on this matter involved pundits saying 'people won't want to become referees if they're being accused of things.'

Well, SFA, tidy this sorry mess up and make it an attractive career prospect.

Wait a minute...that'll cost money and actually owning up to things.

STANDING UP...beside the drawing board with a fresh sheet of paper

There is not a prouder man on Gods earth than me at this moment, winning was important, aye, but it was the way that we have won that has filled me with satisfaction. We did it by playing football. Pure, beautiful, inventive football. There was not a negative thought in our heads. Inter played right into our hands, its so sad to see such gifted players shackled by a system that restricts their freedom to think and act. Our fans would never accept that sort of sterile approach. Our objective is always to try to win with style.

Jock Stein, May 25th 1967

Paul, that article is far closer to the truth than the casual observer might imagine.

Right on cue, I see the RST have already made moves to claim their songs are not racist, merely 'banter'

Kit, mate, with ALL due respect, it's not an "OF" problem. You know it, I know it and there are probably some people who are not of a Celtic persuasion who also agree. If the man was sincere in his ascertain that it ALWAYS favours them, why didn't he stick to it ? He has resorted To type, board influence or none IMHO.

We can present all the facts that we want, our enemies will always chose to ignore them. Our "off-side" ? goal not being shown on that joke of a programme last night tells you all you need to know. Thank god I don't watch it. Anyone who has a shred of decency cannot deny the facts, ergo, those who do are complicit.

We probably get more than the other teams in the SPHell, (imo), but they get more than all the other teams (including us)put together, year on year on year on year on........................

pablophanque

EdwardUrsus: As far as Rangers are concerned, I suspect they will play more attacking football next year because they will feel that getting to the final (and, pity help us all, possibly winning it) will alleviate much of the pressure to get results.

I would hate to see more teams adopt these tactics though.

inkybhoy, in fairness to you and against my own argument, I think there are some full time referees down here in the greatest league in the world. Then again, it is the RICHEST league in the world which may be a more relevant factor.

one star means more,
please do not begin to compare Ireland under Big Jack to them lot. we played 4-4-2 for a start. Yes we did play long ball but with the aim of actually trying to score. We also had players like Houghton, Aldridge, Whelan, Sheedy, Mc Grath, Brady, Townsend who could play football and did so for England and europe's top sides. I see there is a campaign to get walter waistcoat knighted! For what, bullying kids? I'm off to croatia this summer, i'd love if we signed the Croatian midfielder!

I can't see anything being done about their behaviour this week. Even if they sing that song I will be amazed if the Press give it even the slightest mention. I don't know about anyone else, but this song gets my back up more than any other, including the billy boys. As everyone keeps saying, can you imagine a group of guys meeting in a public place and singing 'Muslims go home' or 'Blacks go home'? They would be in the nick before they finished, and rightly so.

I'm sure also we'll hear of no arrests in Manchester this week.

I can't say I'm surprised to see Craig Levein change his tone from Saturday to the more 'neutral' Old Firm tag, his Chairman was already doing it 10 minutes after the game when he quoted 3 decisions he felt went our way against other teams.

John Colqhoun, well said. Walkers face was a picture when Colquhoun wouldn't say 100% that there are no refs in Scotland who don't cheat. I didn't realise he was Leveins agent, and after he admitted speaking with Levein yesterday morning I got the impression Colquhoun was being Leveins mouthpiece last night. Either way, good on him for standing his ground against Walkers attempts to get Colquhoun to backtrack. Would have been interesting if Scotsport was still on next year to see if he remained on their panel after that last night. I suspect he wouldn't have.

Another point, you would think after 2 years doing the job that Andy Walker would be able to read off an autocue! The coverage we get is a disgrace, especially for those without Setanta and for whom Scotsport is the only chance they get to see Scottish Football on the telly.

From the Guardian. Life imitates a Castlemaine advert

"An Australian motorist has been fined for putting a seatbelt around a case of beer instead of a five-year-old passenger.

Police who pulled over the man's sedan on the Ross highway near the outback town of Alice Springs found the child sitting unrestrained in the back of the vehicle with the driver and other adult passengers apparently unconcerned for the child's safety."

I have been pondering doing this for some time. So here goes. I am after all a Celtic supporter and believe in fair play, I am not unintelligent and have the interest of my footballing neighbours at heart.

"In the interest of Scottish Football I would like to wish Rangers all the luck in the world in their quest for the UEFA Cup"

Bad luck of course! Hope they get humped.

Nothing personal Edward. Enjoy! Until Saturday of course.

The reason why Dundee Utd are now talking about a Glasgow problem (I wonder if this includes Queens Park & Thistle) is to help them garner support from the rest of the SPL. Aberdeen have recent experience of perceived injustices at Celtic Park; having lived in Edinburgh for a number of years I know that there is a genuine and widespread belief that teams don't get a fair crack of the whip when playing in Glasgow.

They are trying to turn this into an "Us v Them", "Us" being the provincial club, "Them" being the "Old Firm" (their tag, not mine.) It makes sense really.

We have a very different perception but this doesn't make their position any less valid.

Jack Regan - Kevin O'Donnell was subject of a complaint from Wallace Mercer's Hearts and hung out to dry by the SFA.

Pablo - it would be absolutely ridiculous to suggest we don't benefit from bad decisions. All teams do. However, I don't think a case against an individual referee could be built, like the one against McCurry. Therefore these are far more likely to be classed as 'honest mistakes'.

If it could be show that an individual ref had consistently favoured us, I would happily see him booted out.

The reason the wee-er teams see it as both a Rangers and Celtic issue is that if thy come to the respective home ground they might only get a handful of chances. If, as on Saturday, two of those are removed it's more costly. We are more likely to be able to absorb the impact to two bad decisions and still come out with a result (as a general rule). Basically it's a much higher percentage of a wee teams chances that they're having chalked off than, so it looks far worse from their side.

An open, independent investigation could sort this all out.

I predict a riot

I predict a riot

I prefict a riot

Picture the scene.Saturday, 10th May 2008. The Rangers dressing room falls silent. You can feel the tension as the team talk begins. "
OK lads. We ned to win today. Destiny awaits. We are on the verge of an historic quadruple"

Then in walks the Carmyle Cardigan. "OK Reverend Mike, I'll take it from here"

Scottish refereeing seems to me to be a mixture of desperate incompetence (eg Brines, Dougie McDonald) and the biased (McCurry). All fans though have an image that their team is uniquely discriminated against: Falkirk fans are my personal favourites - teams from "big cities" get the decisions is the usual complaint...so handily that covers Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. Is it any wonder they can only finish 7th at best?

Jack Regan

I remember Walter Mercer and Hearts complaining about a linesman with an Irish name who made a decision against Hearts that favoured Celtic, he certainly disappeared, I think that might be the occasion you might be thinking off.

Pablo:

I agree with all that you have just said.

I concur inasmuch as we do get some decisions that go our way that maybe shouldn’t. But they are few, and to me, they are welcome. With no disrespect to any other Scottish Football Team, they only marginally offset those ‘dubious’ decisions that our city rivals abundantly enjoy.

I’d much rather we all played on the same level playing field and let the best man win.

However, that level playing field does not exist and never has done so in my life time.

And in that lifetime I have never heard an opposition manager speak such nakedly truthful words.

Not a one. Not even one of our own. Not Jock Stein and not Martin ONeill.

Commercial sense has now settled over the Dundee United boardroom. Commercial necessity dictates they water the bellicose outburst of their manager.

But the words of the moment by Craig Levein, were of the moment. They were not chocolate words – they were sincere words of unadulterated anger and frustration.

He sold the concept of ‘cheating’ within the Scottish game to the world. A concept that no Celtic employee could never be seen nor allowed to do.

Craig Levein did not mince his words and he, at the moment, did not include Celtic Football Club.

He has a family to support as does every office holder and player of Dundee United football Club.

The RST made their threat quite emphatic.

Commercial sense and the need to feed the family dictated that his original words be diluted.

But none-the-less he spoke those words and those words did go round the world.

He said on national TV, what nobody has ever said before him.

His dilution, for me, is not only understandable, it would be expected in the interests of his family’s stomach.

But his words are out there. His Words. Nobody elses. His words, his anger, his frustration.

I wouldn’t have to play with semantics too much to turn ‘Cheated’ to ‘Cheat’.

His words Pablo and no matter what the backtrack, he has my admiration and my support.

JM1888, perhaps banter is what you call racism when you can no longer control it.

Paul67

Had to start reading the thread over,satire is it
The long wait for Celtic fans has begun, we hope and
pray for justice, and in the end Football wins

I like to think of wee dicks team as Leningrad,
sounds more formidable.

Jack et al - At the time I'm sure it was written up as withdrawing from the role due to abuse from fans. That's not to say he wasn't removed but at the time linesmen were on petrol money + tea and biscuits. So it's very possible he just couldn't be bothered with the hassle.

Can anyone recommend the best place to sit for the game at Tannadice if I can only get a home ticket?

The big differenec to me is in the media attitude to refereeing decisions.

In the old days, you got ten minutes highlights of one game with slow motion replays from the same angle. With every other game all you had to go on was what the Sunday papers said.

Now every game is televised and it is easy to get multi angled replays, so refs are under more scrutiny than ever before and mistakes are shown up.

But when a mistake goes in our favour, as by the law of averages some must, there is media fury. A corner, a free kick, how we suffer.

However when it is the other way around and they get the benefit, as seems to happen far more than the law of averages would suggest, there is no comment. Or worse: anyone who comments is roundly attacked.

Now when it comes to McCurry, I don't think he is a bad ref. I've seen him referee games not involving us or them without incident. So why does he make so many "honest mistakes" in their games? Can't just be coincidence, can it?

Yet the moment the truth is show up the SFA and the media close ramks around him.

Anyone else feel that the City seems more civilised all of a sudden?

Paul: Did you notice that on the BBC's "Bear trek" story they mention the "Dubai Loyal", who are pictured decked out in orange? On their website, which the BBC links to "but takes no responsibility for" they have amongst the "funnies" a picture of guys in orange jump suits holding a card saying: "Daniel Cousin Gabon Loyal - Big Jock Knew". They also have a pic of the "funniest tshirt ever" which reads: "I'm as full as a Catholic primary school".

Now that, to me, is sad. The other night I met a guy who was born in Scotland but came over from Canada for the game and couldn't help thinking that, probably because he was coming from that environment, he was like any other football fan, just interested in the game and wearing his team's colours.

Then we see that idiots - obviously well-off - take this crap as far afield as the middle-east.

Incidentally, on their forum was one Alan Carson who wanted to get in touch with the group's admin.

Looking for some help identifying this player

I’ve won the European Super Cup, I’ve won the European Cup, I’ve won the Uefa Cup, I’ve won the English Premiership and the FA cup, I’ve also been relegated from the Premiership, yet I’ve never [played in the championship. I am still playing today. Who am I?

I don't know the answer but hopefully someone out there will know.

Banter and Tradition seems to cover a whole spectrum of things over
Ibrox way.

I wonder if the Russian's and their own preference for non coloured players is covered by banter and tradition.

Scottishleaf, it's Kanu.

Porridge,

Again, re the new Hit single from the RST...I couldn't be more disgusted.

I felt worse after it was directly aimed at Noel Hunt & Willo Flood at the Weekend.

Mucker
Actually Nervous about tomorrow

I think porridgeand bananas is right with Kanu. He also won an Olympic gold medal!

Edward - your comment

Paul67 :- As Gordon said satire can be a very effective weapon however you missed out the quote from the Celtic fan. The one saying "We don't think immigrants should go home, we are more civilised and tolerant, we would just pray for them to die in their sleep. After all they deserve it, coming to this country and playing for Rangers"

Yes a very small number of fans sing that song but they are regularly shouted down - I shout it down myself there is no place for it.

Every big club has this sort of problem with some offensive songs occasionally being sang by a minority.

Your club is built on hatred and thrives on hatred.
Within your club this hatred and bigotry exists at all levels - it is not just reserved for a small minority of fans.

The BBC don't bat an eyelid at the Rangers entourage. As the said supporters are well pocketed this fits in with the Queen Margaret Drive approach to reporting i.e. People with money are alright. It is not only to do with religion you know, this anti- Celtic crusade. Boycott BBC.

Slight change of topic from biased refs but I wondered if anyone else held this dubious record.

A manager who has managed 5(I think) teams.
He's finished in a relegation position with 3 of them and walked out on the 4th. The 5th team he won the treble with.

McLeish

Relegated with Hibs
Finished bottom with Motherwell but stayed up on a technicality due to Falkirk's stadium.
FOD - won treble while we were in Seville
Scotland - resigned
Birmingham - 3rd bottom and relegated.

Interesting career to say the least!

On the subject of refs - would it be possible for someone to come up with a few excellent examples of controversy and a letter template so we could all write to SFA/SPL en masse?
The controversy would probably have to be more than just a few examples over a few years (unless it's McCurry where all his favour TFOD) and involve several teams.
What we don't want is to be seen to be merely claiming we're hard done by but that everyone is due to incompetence or partiality.

Question...

What do We do for the 120Min's plus... Tomorrow night...?

Do the Ironing...?

Hide behind the Couch...?

Walk the Dog...?

Stand out the back Counting Stars...?
OR
Have a Internet Sing Song...?

Post your all Time Fav Celtic Moment...?

Name your Best ever Hunskelper...?

Tell your Funniest "JUNGLE" Moment...?

Recall your first ever Hoops Moment...?

Any more ideas would be good as I/WE Need to take our minds off IT...?

As a Youngster We would Run a Bus to Blackpool every year on the 12th... So I have Fond/Funny Memories of That Date...

o1bhoy

P.S. I try not to use the Word "HATE" But my CQN Name "o1bhoy" is abhor... So i would "o1bhoy" it if they win on Wed...

Edward Ursus

Nacho Novo

I don't believe 'Nice Goal' Nacho has ever been abused for being an immigrant (temporary or permanent), nor for being Spanish, nor for his religious beliefs, nor for being enchanted with Rearrangers FC.

It is quintessentially for his prolonged and consistent abuse of supporters of our club from his position on the park, added to by an alarming ability (for a very average player) to score against us.

I think that draws some clear blue(?) water between your example and the need for some people to go 'home' immediately as TESCOS is now open for business.

There is a test of import here that can easily be used:

If I or 5,000 other people (or perhaps 80,000 this week) systematically sang 'why don't you go home? The holocaust is over, why don't you go home?' to a selection of Jewish People do you think this would be described as meaningless 'Banter'?

notquiteonaparcfc

Should say o1bhoy on Spellcheck is abhor...

o1bhoy

whoabhorsspellingmistakesCSC...

If your going down south on the motorway
you're in for a serious fright
you'll meet hordes of the stinking and ugly
If you have a green car they'll throw sh***
But truth be told (If I may be so bold)
As they've brought your colours and flag
and loved Queen England since old
You can keep them cos We don't ever want them back

porridge and bananas:

Thanks very much, that looks spot on. I have passed the answer on to my buddy.

Cheers

I'm hopeful that the 'other lot' fall flat on their faces tomorrow night (cannot contemplate anything else), and then - on the rebound - drop points to the mighty Well on Saturday.

Just wondering what will happen if we do manage to pull it back, and clinch the title a week on Thursday. I think, under normal circumstances, to become champions this season would be almost as big a celebration as in '98.

But, because it is a mid-week game and away from home, I am slightly worried about an anti-climax. Would they bring the trophy back to Paradise that night or the following weekend? What the hell do we do if we achieve the biggest come-back since Rocky Balboa knocked out big Dolph Lundgren, and we're all at (f*%%ng) work the next day?

Freebirdsfly

I'm not interested in the final of a competition we were too good to enter this season. I'm more interested in the outcome of McGhee's next match. Motherwell have a poor history, of abject deference to their warlord club. I'm from that neck of the woods and would take great heart from a change in attitude by the steelmen.

fairly decent and interesting email answer from Hugh Keevins on celticminded, in reply to an email with a list of McCurry incidents like what was posted on here.

DA,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR E-MAIL.
I CALL ALL SUPPORTERS PARANOID FUNDAMENTALISTS. BUT IN A GOOD WAY.
YOU'RE ALL OBLIGED TO SEE ONE SIDE OF THE STORY BECAUSE YOU LOVE YOUR
FOOTBALL TEAM SO MUCH. NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF MICHAEL MCCURRY IS DOWNRIGHT INEFFICIENT OR WHATEVER. I
CAN'T PROVE IT SO I CAN'T SAY IT OR WRITE IT.
BUT I DID SAY ON SCOTSPORT THAT CRAIG LEVEIN SHOULD REFUSE TO PAY ANY FINE
THAT COMES HIS WAY FROM THE SFA. THE REFEREE HAS ADMITTED HIS CULPABILITY
SO CRAIG'S ANGER WAS UNDERSTANDABLE.
HOW DO YOU FINE A MAN FOR BEING RIGHT?
YOU CAN POST THIS ON WHATEVER WEB-SITE YOU WANT. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE
TIME TO WRITE.
HUGH KEEVINS.

madierabhoy

I think he misses the point, which is, that this is not an isolated incident, but that there is a firm pattern. Like absence at work a pattern must be established before it becomes grounds for action. A pattern exists. It is time for action.

Anyone noticed that the ref for the Lanarkshire darkside v Rankers game on Saturday is John Underhill?

This is his last ever game as a referee!
Whats the odds on another debacle like we all witnessed from the "Reverand" on Saturday?

It appears to be some kind of tradition that Refs are given a game of their choice for their last one!

Anyone remember Bobby Tait?

Indeed I know from the horses mouth that Dallas asked for Skippys shirt after Black Sunday as this was his last game as a ref.

What chance Mr Underhill walking away with a bag full of blue jerseys on Saturday!

Is that John Underhand?

w33bhoy

some of that is awful and uncalled for

Sorry Paul, but your site now seems to cater solely for the basest instincts of our support.

You, and the majority of your posters, seem obsessed with Rangers, especially the activities of them, their supporters and their supposed helpers in the authorities off the field. You come at it from a number of different angles, but the underlying message is directly related to them.

In the recent Ed resigning situation, you wondered online if some of your, then recent articles, had contributed to the atmosphere of the blog. I thought at the time that this was a very insightful self observation on your part. Sadly, in my opinion, you seem to have come to the conclusion that it did not, as there has been no real let up on the tone and nature of recent postings.

It's your choice of course, it's your game and your ball, so you set the rules, and I'm well aware of the options I have as a reader/sometimes poster. However I beleive you are someone who might value feedback, and I hope you take this in the constructive manner it is intended.

I have always enjoyed this site as a fount of information about Celtic, and even on occasion, a good laugh at the expense of our biggest rivals,( to which I have happily contributed) but sadly obsession with them, and some great conspiracy, appears to have taken over. I miss the humour, the rumours and the downright bonkers,off the wall, contributions that first attracted me to the blog

Hope it changes, and we can get back to discussing Celtic and one of the most exciting league campaigns in years, but I'm not holding my breath.

Don't expect much agreement from others on this, but there you go....

All the best

I am outraged at reports that Zenit St.Petersburg fans might make racist chants at Rangers players, who will not be used to that kind of abuse. Ibrox fans are irate.
Apparently these mean minded Russkies have a song which translates as,...........
The slave trade's over....Why don't you go home ?

w33bhoy,

The 6th stanza should get that deleted.

I think it would be an act of charity towards brother McCurry if the SPL recognised the difficulty he has fallen into and helped him out by never asking him to referee a Rangers game again

w33bhoy at 1.48. Think you've just made my case.

Ta.

Gordon et al -

I'm at work so only have limited reference (nothing for 20002-03 until 2006-07 inclusive) but unless any of these seasons had more than six then we are currently just one own-goal away from the most in our favour in one season ever.

I feel two own-goals ( a record-breaking one for us by Dundee United and one by the darnel in their remaining league fixtures) will be what wins the league for the good ghuys.

I also expect the darnel to concede at least four own-goals tomorrow.

A bientot

WinninGoal

regarding the refereeing debate

in my humble opinion there are two issues here

1. cheating ,biased, dishonest refereeing

2. referees who are swayed by making decisions for big teams and in front of big crowds

referees are influenced by home teams, and crowds all over world football, not just in scotland, that's a reality of football

IMHO if we get non-scottish referees in place,this deals with the cheating problem ,thus helping celtic

but I don't think dundee united and other will gain much from this.

w33bhoy,

That post of your's is mince.

Post it on the BBC boards where you get that kind of not funny, not clever, drivel.

You're as bad as...

Well, work it out for yourself if you can.

STANDING UP...

Also I always used to think of Own Goals when people mention Owen Coyle. I find it difficult to separate the two in my mind even though I don't remember Owen scoring any own goals. It's the same wi Michael Owen's goals.

I might well be in need of a pint in the darnel-diluted ambience of The Voucher-addled Teser.

Hell knows I deserve one(...........and a pint tae!)

BeijingCelt,

Your last post strikes me as being something akin to asking the kids to be quiet on Christmas morn while opening their presents.

I thought the core of this site was to help counteract the proponderance of lazy journalism against Celtic.

Have you been keeping abreast of the SPL recently and the politics and incidents that are affecting Celtics chances of the league this year ?

I dont expect you realised that or you wouldn´t have posted your last post or did you think this blog was so you can chat about all things Celtic ?

Its not what I thought.

All the best

yours in Celtic´s welfare

Awe Naw

Syd Owen

Owen McGhee

Owen Archdeacon

Owen Ness

Oweny ithers ?

Back tae work, WG

Syd Owen

Owen McGhee

Owen Archdeacon

Owen Ness

Oweny ithers ?

Back tae work, WG

http://www.rightresult.net/

interesting web site.

Everton would have been in the CL this year if they hadn´t been diddled out of it by favourable refereeing decisions shown towards Liverpool. Mind you they got into the semi finals of the CL Solely on poor refereeing decisions

a downright bonkers, off the wall, contribution from cqn's favourite but well-known multi-millionairess (covered)?

Chris

Abmucker

I not nervous about tomorrow night, I resigned myself that they were going to win it after Fiorentina 2 weeks ago. It's all set up for the perfect script (from their point of view), the guy discarded by Rangers beats the guy who was to come in and take them further than he could. I'm just dreading it as I'm out in the taxi tomorrow night and really can't face it when they win. I'll probably just park up for the night.

I would rather be in deepest darkest Peru tomorrow than on the streets of Greenock, unless of course they get beat! Holiday coming up though so really need to do it.

scottishleaf
no problem, that question seems to do the rounds from time to time as it got me the first time I was asked it. Another good one is who is the only player to have played in the CL, UEFA, all 4 senior Leagues in England and the Conference?

WG...

GarryOwen...

o1bhoy

w33bhoy

What was the need for that post?

Mike McCurry should be relieved of his refereeing duties with immediate effect.

This should have been done years ago. The fact he is still in the job active and not suspended pending investigation tells you everything you need to know about the governing body of Scottish football.

Corrupt beyond contempt.

...royal blues

Chris

Got another

Owen McNally (CFC 1927-30 (from Denny Hibs), 11 apps 4 goals, no bad)- he then went to Bray Unknowns where he was largely anonymous

Zenit bomber jaickit.....

Awe Naw, by incidents affecting Celtic's league chances do you mean failure to close out a win against ICT, or to take chances at Christmas time against Hibs or St Mirren?

As for everything else, it's an irrelevance, if Celtic do the job on the park, and the fans do theirs off it.

There is clearly a combination of dodgy behaviour and downright incompetence going on, but is it necessary to go on and on and on about it?

I prefer to focus on looking forward and rising above the rest of the nonsense. Sadly I see a lot of wallowing going on just now.

I thought we were better than that....

That fool Hargreaves ?

One Star, shocking stuff.

W33bhoy, deleted. Disgusting.

BeijingCelt, apology accepted.

Awe_Naw that is an interesting website but I don't think it would work up here as few people are objective up here. Plus if only the issues which were raised in the media were counted then
you would find that Celtic will be denied a number of points and Rangers will have less dropped than they should do.

Paul -

Thanks for deleting that. There is no requirement for rubbish like that on here.

WG -

Owen Yerway??

Ryclu

Sub, before I click your links, are they both youtube or some other social networking site? The company cyber police are prowling and their response to my claim of accidental use will almost certainly be "Aye Right"

Awe Naw - What I find quite interesting about that site is how close to the actual table the right result one is. With the exception of Everton, the positions are largely the same. I guess there would be a pretty big difference in prize money for Fulham but overall there no material difference.

I'm not sure it would be the same if that happened with out league.

Cadizzy - always just hover your mouse over any link, and the url will appear on the bottom left of your screen. That tip has saved me from undeletable Rick Astley videos on many an occasion.

BeijingCelt: I think you're being a wee bit unfair.

Much of what is discussed is inevitably led by the context at the time.

- When we are relying on Rangers to drop points, the sort of performance from Mike McCurry on Saturday is bound to make refereeing a hot issue and one that provokes anger.

- Likewise, the approach of the SFA in particular, who do seem to have acted dubiously over the extension issue and a few other things. I know some people see the epitome of reason as never perceiving any bias but sometimes these issues do arise and people like Gordon Smith do nothing to help.

- Given that Rangers are in their first major European final for 36 years, it's unlikely that the issue wouldn't command the interest of most Celtic supporters, particularly given the response to our own final in 2003. It is also to be expected that most Celtic fans would hardly be overjoyed with the fact, and the comments from Ibrox and the media directed at Celtic have done nothing to promote goodwill.

- The continued whitewash by the authorities and the media on the "Famine's over" song has understandably caused a great deal of ill-feeling, as has the gusto with which this new diatribe has been adopted by Rangers fans.

I agree that sometimes people are too quick to get over talking about Celtic after a good win and then get round to complaining about Rangers but much of what has been read here in recent weeks has been a reflection of the above.

W33bhoy - if ever there was a case for deletion, it is your post. It's not big or clever.

Please think of me tomorrow everyone! I am in the unfortunate position of having to be out and about in Manchester and Salford where I am running a training course that has been organised for some time. To make matters worse it is being held in the NOVOtel. Lttle did I think when I arranged it all those months ago...

I think my nice pale green suit and a suitable tie will be the order of the day. And some earplugs too, of course. Ah well...

Sarcasm eh Paul, or maybe smartassedness? Not sure why, but I expected better.

Boltonbhoy: The course isn't anything to do with primitive anthropology, by any chance?

just recieved a text from my brother

Re-ararangers convoy heading south from george square

UPDATE 1 Hour later

Convoy last seen heading towards john o groats
with the holy goalie in the lead vehicle
in the popemobile

Re- routers csc

The good folk of Manchester prepare to make their visitors feel right at home

[It's pic 11/18 that paints a thousand words]

LeGrandPierreTheFrenchConfrere, many thanks for that tip.

Rick Astley! the only person more unplayable than Aiden McGeady.

Beiijingcelt,

I´m not having a go at you buddy honestly. I am just genuinely interested in your frustrations and just trying to get a handle on it ?

By your reckoning Celtic have to be absolutely perfect every match and any doting on external factors that may affect the outcome of such matches that you mention are the actions of those who should do and know better ?

"I am still furious about a goal and the offside decision that we didn't get at Inverness - so we are all furious. - WGS May 3 2008"

Or is WGS joining in with the rest of us with our ready made excuses to save his job?

Personally I think Celtic have had a few bad results as you pointed out. The fact that we dropped those points in December where we played 9 matches and Rangers played only 6 is irrelevant ready made excuses ?

We don´t need or expect a level playing field and how dare anybody get too bogged down on it ..... even the manager ?

Personally I see that as completely missing the point.

One Star Means More - unfortunately not! However, it is about equality and diversity so the upside is that I will have plenty of real life examples of how not to behave to offer to the participants! Every cloud and all that...

One star

Thanks for at least giving my post some serious consideration. I can't disagree with much of what you say, I think my main gripe is just the sheer volume and repetitiveness of the same points over and over, all largely focussed on them.

Don't get me wrong, I want them humped as much as any other Celtic supporter, and I'm likely to get arrested in Tiananmen Square if they crumble and we pull off a league win.

I'm also not oblivious to the sheer hypocrisy and double standards of those in authority and in the press. It's sickening, but it was ever thus.

I would just like to see more concentration on what we do and what the support, far and wide,need to do to get us over the line.

I've always said and will always believe, they and their support system are irrelevant unless they are on the same pitch as us.

All the best in Celtic

Antrim_Bhoy - Best place to sit would be next to me! How would you suggest that someone could go about aquiring a ticket for the home end? As a neutral observer of course ;-)

Hail Hail
Gogo

Owen and Mzee

o1bhoy