Time for Celtic to withdraw from the league

first like Celtic

I agree wholeheartedly PAUL.

Paul67 :- Is there something about me wishing you a happy birthday that causes you to keep starting a new thread?
Either that or is it you have forgotten you are no longer on blogger but the habbit is still there.

Massive call Paul but I agree. I will still be a Celtic supporter tomorrow , next day , next month , next year but the SPL cannot survive without us.

The establishment are not thinking this through.

I agree also but is it really an option that Celtic would go through with?

I would support the club totally if this course of action was taken if the further cheating happens.

Paul67 :- Is there something about me wishing you a happy birthday that causes you to keep starting a new thread?
Either that or is it you have forgotten you are no longer on blogger but the habbit is still there.

Paul67

I know that you have a busy schedule ,but may i request a thread (in the not to distant future) to discuss a S.W.O.T. analysis on the potential of Celtic leaving the SPL and buying an English club ,that would allow us eventual entry into the EPL.

I am sad to say I've lost count of the times I've came on here to state I am ashamed of the actions of the establishment and of their team.

I've lost count.

To subtly remove competition from the competition.

To forego the right of every team in the competition in pursuit of them winning every competition.

To claim it all as a moral, righteous victory for football and an upwardly spiralling kudos driven profile raiser.

To, in effect, lie and cheat.

Lie and cheat.

As I have said before - If they want it that bad, then let them have it. Let's build the cult of Walter

DAILY RETARD EXCLUSIVE: SPL GRANT SECOND EXTENSION REQUEST

The Daily Retard can exclusively reveal the outcome of this morning's love-in between officials of Dignity FC, the SPL and the SFA regarding the request for a second extension to the SPL season in order to aid Dignity FC in their bid to be publicly humiliated by Russian giants Zenit Saint Petersburg in the UEFA Cup Final.

We can exclusively report that the SPL has willingly agreed to Dignity FC's request, and the final round of SPL fixtures will now take place as follows:

Thursday, 22 May 2008
Aberdeen v Rangers, 19:45:01
Dundee Utd v Celtic, 19:45:01
Hibernian v Motherwell, 19:45:01

(Note: These fixtures were previously
scheduled to kick-off at 19:45:00 BST)

Edward, old habits. Thank you.

Taurangabhoy, I expect the establishment would be delighted if we packed up and were to "go back home".

TT, I'm up for it.

From the last thread...

I was curious to know what Queen of the South fans thought about the incredible news concerning a possible date change for their cup final. Here are the reactions from a QOTS fansite from this morning. They’re not a happy lot.

Posted by hotrod on 06 May 2008 06:24

ASTONISHING
This is the lot that broke away from the sfl and they now want to switch the cup final to a midweek. I hope the sfl and Queens tell them to get to **** and if that is the case then Our chairman should refuse to turn up for the cup final It is probably going to be our only scottish cup final but our club has to be strong and not rolled over for this lot of moaning b@%#ards.

Posted by MUSKY on 06 May 2008 06:36

It just can’t be moved!!
People have made arrangements for the big day and there are people flying in from all over the world.
Rangers need to get a grip and Smith needs to grow up and stop moaning.
Get on with it.

Posted by middleagedirtbag on 06 May 2008 07:20

HUNBELIEVABLE!!
Now is the time for Mr Rae to show whether he is a man or a mouse. Already he has meekly bowed to the powers of darkness in his accepting of a meagre ticket allocation. Time now to say enough is enough and state quite catagorically..... NO WAY!!!

Posted by middleagedirtbag on 06 May 2008 07:44

As an afterthought, what is to stop Rangers putting out a "weakened" team? After all Queens are being treated as little more than "cannon fodder" Surely a Rangers second string could beat little old us? Problem solved!!
NO WAY TO A CHANGE OF DATE!!

Posted by RobQos on 06 May 2008 08:34

No way can they change it now. If they had done it a few weeks ago when the possibility of this scenario was starting to emerge I'm sure we would have all been fine with it. But it is too late now. Families have made their travel arrangments. Some have had to take time off work because they are travelling from far away. I'm sure businesses all over Dumfries will have had to draft in staff cover. Flights will have been booked. Buses will have been booked....

No chance. Its too late. Why should we pay for the incompetance of the 'powers that be' in Scottish football.

I'll tell you what. Lets do a trade with the SPL. We will change the date if they do the first division a favour and extend the league or at least allow 2 teams up and 2 down to stop making the top league such a closed shop.

Posted by veteran on 06 May 2008 08:46

Proof , if it was needed , that any regard for the integrity of the game is not required at the SFA. All that is needed is a nose of a light blue hue or one which is the same brown colour as your tongue. Justice might be served if Motherwell gub Rangers tomorrow and the Russians stuff them in Manchester. Then Rangers and the SFA can have a real bleat to themselves.

Posted by Alibi on 06 May 2008 09:02

Couldn't believe this stupid suggestion when I heard it on the radio. Queens don't have a fixture congestion problem, so let's keep it on a Saturday and if the huns fail to appear, Queens get the cup by default. There, sorted.

Posted by palmylad on 06 May 2008 09:08

No way can they move the game at this late stage. Who would pay for all the fans expenses etc if it was moved? All the buses , flights , hotel rooms etc are already booked. What a joke.

Posted by JRSLEFTPEG on 06 May 2008 09:28

Lets hope queens smash these odious b****** at hampden.

Posted by FTIVANO on 06 May 2008 09:33

My daughter phoned the SFA at 9.25am today and the woman on the phone said a meeting was discussing the subject this morning and there would be a statement at lunchtime.

Posted by JRSLEFTPEG on 06 May 2008 09:46

The worrying thing is that they are even talking about it. Why? It should be thrown out straight away.

Posted by RobQos on 06 May 2008 09:51

It is too late to change it. People can't change their plans with this much notice.

Why not change an SPL game? Why should the Scottish Cup final be the poorer relation??? Is it because we are just a first division side?

Posted by Collin_Doonhamer on 06 May 2008 09:59

This is an SPL issue, not an SFA issue. If the closed shop want to have their fancy split to ensure they get some extra attendance money, then they can sort out their own fixture problems.

Queens fans have made all their arrangements, flights booked, trains booked, buses booked, holidays booked so they can't possibly change it at this late stage.

Just out of interest.

What do you think the chances are that George Peat is Freemason?
A Freemason ,out to help one of his brothers.

I don't bet often ,but i would bet on this one.

I totally agree with this approach. We are the greatest and finest institution in Scotland, though you would never believe it according to the scottish media. Unrepresentative minorities have successfully presented themselves as being the majority from time immemorial, that is the yoke we are under.

Remember it ain't necessarily so

Deliasmith, ouch. Thanks.

Tinytim

I'm sure we can all help Paul start off the SWOT analysis. I'm sure no one is that busy at work that they couldn't take 10 mins to do a bit of brainstorming.

I'll begin:

Strengths

Will be out of SPHell

Weaknesses

Might struggle to get players of the calibre needed to make quick promotions to the Premiership.

Opportunities

Promotion to the Premiership is estimated to be worth £50m.

Threats

UEFA, FIFA may not allow it to happen.

There are more but I might need a bit more time to think about it. Everyone else feel free to add to the lists.

Hail Hail

Mort

It's the nuclear option, Paul...but nuclear is the last line of defence however unpalatable.

As I said in the previous article, its so establishment. I can't imagine that Dundee United, Motherwell, Hibs and Aberdeen (particularly) would support the Hun in their 'plight'. What we are seeing are the old crooks of Scottish football creeping out of their disease ridden shadows to prop-up a rogue regime.

Mort

Three days and nights to go to an away game

bring it on

iwilltravel

Johnnyquest

Here is your earlier post. Mines an Anchor Steam!

By johnnyquest on May 6, 2008 9:54 AM
Even although i,like many other posters,am disgusted at this possible outrage,i sincerely hope that Celtic have some sort of plan to fight back,i don't pretend to know all the avenues open to us,that is not my remit,what worries me is our clubs history of non-action,when faced with similar injustices.Please Celtic,if they are allowed to manipulate Scottish football just to suit they're needs,make sure we,as one of the most powerful and wealthiest clubs in world soccer,do NOT take it lying down.Another thing,if smith did indeed say rangers would not be asking for an extension to the season,and,since no games have been cancelled since that statement,has ANY journalist asked him for an explanation as to the reason for this u-turn?.

Paul67,

The scottish cup has no sponsor. Celtic should threaten to withdraw from the competition from today onwards. There's not that much to lose with regards finance.

Peat and Smith will then be up the creek without a paddle. Seriously, if PL does this then they look stupid.

If Rangers fail to get their way today, will they just keep bleating until everyone gives in anyway?

I mean, how many times has this debate taken place already?

The fine point appears earlier in the discussion that the only thing to have changed since the last time is that Rangers failed to beat Hibs.

Could just be a coincidence, of course.

If Ran***s get their second extension I still think we will win the league. Ran***s getting more rest for the UC game surely means that they will be more tired for the rearranged SPL game. Or are we concerned that the distraction will be gone?? I do understand that too. Although I’m gutted that Celtic wont win the league on Sunday. HOWEVER - imagine them coming back from Manchester having lost another extra time game and going then playing on sat??? It’s the league that I care about! Let them have rest before the UC game

Also can someone confirm how many days Q of the S will have gone without playing a game as their manager was already complaining about waiting 4 weeks without a game!

Three in a row ;-)

VZ’s

This is absolutely unbelievable. It is disgraceful enough that it is even being considered. I agree with the nuclear option should it happen. Note there were no calls for a second extension after Rangers reached the final; they only started after they dropped more SPL points on Sunday.

Dr Reid - please speak up.

UMcG,while i agree with your overall thought process,i think you are wrong to feel ashamed at the actions of that lot,shame would infer some sort of culpability,we are not them,i can feel,rage,anger,intense dislike,revulsion,in fac, the list of negatives is endless,but shame,no,nor pity,these emotions i will keep for those more deserving.

One sure way to get Fifa and Uefa interested in this shambles is to take it to the courts in some form or another.

They reacted quickly when that happened in Greece and Portugal.

Celtic should resign from this league if the league is moved to help R*nagers.
No one forced them to play the same squad week in week out. Why didnt they reschedule their games on free midweeks like we did.

The had 2 games postponed outwith their control, one due to Phil ODonnels sad untimely death and one for a waterlogged pitch. Against that they already had the favour of Gretna moved (Aberdeens request for help denied)

Resign from the league, go to UEFA , join the championship. Any European League out there that would welcome the increase in income brought to them by admitting Celtic?

If the league becomes so tainted there is no point participating in it.

I would be favour of withdrawing from the final 2 games. If it means 2 CL qualifying rounds then so be it.

Paul67,

New site looks great. Finally registered.

As we have said previously it is better to voice concerns before decisions are made/announced. Can we not gain support from the other Top 4 SPL teams to come out with a clear statement on this? Also Smith says his club would not ask for an extension....so what has changed since the SPL already announced the 4 day extension for reaching the Uefa final?

Thanks Emu(i feel stewpit even typing that)your Anchor Steam awaits.

From the previous thread I mentioned that Rangers could have played Motherwell yesterday and DUFC tomorrow or Friday and I've been giving it more thought.

Of course this option has now passed and I do not believe for one second it is coincidence that the day after this we are seeing toys, pillows, dummites and covers oot the pram.

We brought a game forward before Seville, why wasn't this option explored by Rangers and the SPL?

Two days between games is unusual but not excessive for todays highly paid athletes.

It is clear Rangers have waited until the last possible moment before launching this strategy, leaving no option other than to accept or deny their request, no alternative.

The answer must be no.

Is there a notice period for leaving the SPL? - I thought it was 2 years. If the Rangers supporters at the SFA get their way this notice should be handed in.

Paul67,

Does that not mean the Phil O Donnel tribute game would be in doubt?

Hi Paul, and fellow Celtic Supporters,

I don't think refusing to play our remaining games is a viable option. We need to be seen to be 'playing by the rules' and then take whatever legal or other action is necessary afterwards. I think not to play these games would only lead to further points deducted from the 6 we would lose by not playing. Also, would our oppenents not also be able to sue for loss of revenue? Besides why give them a wonderful opportunity to for example deduct points from us at the beginning of next season or perhaps even try to relegate us? I am unclear on what the rules are but why give them any opportunity to increase an (already unfair) advantage? No, to my mind we have to positively channel any frustration, anger etc. into ensuring that we gain the maximum 6 points from our last 2 games. Something that many posters on here have reminded us won't be easy. I also think that we need to be incredibly disciplined for these last 2 games and not give the MIB any needless opportunities to undermine us.

Play the game, or rather the two remaining games and show them that we will still win it in spite of their shenanigans.

2 into 3-In-Row does Go!

Yours in Celtic,

Jim.

KeepTheFaithCSC.

Chisholm warning over final date (from BBC)

Chisholm said Queens were opposed to moving the final

Queen of the South manager Gordon Chisholm says the club will resist moves to change the date of the Scottish Cup final.

Chisholm told BBC Scotland he would be shocked if the 24 May match at Hampden was moved to ease final opponents Rangers' fixture congestion

Surely EURO 2008 has priority and in Papers this morning Samaras
is saying he will forfeit Greek game on 19 th may to play for us on the 22nd NOW we might be playing on the 24th the greeks next friendly .... BORUC and JVOH will be in same boat...I thought EURO squads had to be finalised a couple of weeks before it . What do Greece say we had George in Squad but had to leave him out in case he picked up an injury by playing in a Championship decider after SQUADS were finalised???
This can't happen Surely even SPL SFA can't out gun UEFA..
They might like to think they can.

Morning all,

Just back at work following a very enjoyable weekend in North Wales. I had the pleasure of meeting John67 and CelticFirst in the Chester CSC for the Motherwell game. It was really nice to meet both of you and hopefully I will be back in Chester for another game next season. As CelticFirst said to me on Saturday afternoon about watching a Scottish team in a supporters club in a different country hundreds of miles away "You wouldn't be able to do this if you supported any other team." I could not agree more.

With regard to the SPL/SFA/Rangers love in that has apparently been bubbling away all weekend (or should that be century), I am gob-smacked that Rangers are being allowed to profit from a situation that was completely and utterly of their own making.

v East Stirling (H): A water-logged pitch is an extreme rarity at the top level of modern football. Why were Celtic/Queens Park and Partick Thistle able to play games at that time.

v Hibs (A): Rangers could not score in 90 minutes and, knowing their commitments in Europe, did not throw caution to the wind and flood forward to avoid a replay. They were content to take the tie back to Ibrox (perhaps in the knowledge that the SFA/SPL would bail them out).

v Partick Thistle (H): Rangers field a weakened team and cannot buy a goal against a team that finished 6th in Division One. Another replay but rather bizarrely, one that the SPL/SFA elect to play on a Sunday instead of the outstanding game at Celtic Park. Could Rangers not have fielded a team of reserves and played this on a Monday night before one of their UEFA ties?

Add to this the quotes from Dignity FC back in 2003:

that Celtic should "stop bleating" and "just get on with it" as " this wouldn't happen in any other league" and Rangers "would love to be in their position",

and you can see how quickly minds change in this country when the "second most important institution behind the Church of Scotland" wants something its own way.

And in 2003 we were forced to play at Ibrox less than 72 hours after beating Boavista in Portugal. We also played Hearts before the Boavista tie and were pretty much forced to make a choice between UEFA Cup and SPL. We chose the UEFA Cup, our players were avoiding challenges and playing well within themselves, and we suffered a defeat that eventually cost us the league. Rangers can move fixtures around so much this season that they don't have to make that same choice.

Then we have the rejected request from Aberdeen and Dundee Utd to postpone their SPL tie after the Utd players witnessed Phil O'Donnell collapse at fir Park the previous week despite both clubs agreeing. The SPL seemed to think that this was all that was needed when considering Rangers request to postpone the Gretna v Rangers tie.

Do I even need to mention the shocking refusal by Rangers to move their tie against Hearts 2 seasons ago when they were about to play AEK Athens in a Ch Lg Qualifier?

If anyone wanted proof that the SFA/SPL are heavily invested in the fortunes of the debt ridden team from South of the river, just read the end of term reviews from season 2007-08. I can picture my grand-children looking at me in many years to come asking "How did the SFA get away with that?"

Craiginho (formerly Portpatrick Bhoy)
Chester CQN Clique

Looks like the request is a dead duck according to ITN.

I could be wrong but I'm guessing Rangers have really annoyed the SPL with this attempt at media manipulation.

B

Totally agree - Celtic must fight this every inch of the way. The establishment in Scottish football has been exposed for what it is.
These continued changes are to give Rangers and advantage over Celtic in domestic competition. If the authorities cannot be trusted to act with integrity, we have no place in these competitions.

If that means Celtic not playing and even other clubs going to the wall so be it. Gordon Smith has shown that he cannot be trusted - he is ignoring FIFA directives on crowd behaviour, leaving the SFA liable to suspension.

If Celtic roll over to this, I will be ashamed. Peter Lawwell has done a good job so far. It's time for Messrs Reid and Desmond to give him every support to defend Celtic's interests and the principles of fair play.

Gold, Blair, Peat and Smith - Celtic - out!

Gold, Blair, Peat and Smith - OR Celtic - out!

Paul67

Maybe ,as a collective group of minds we could present Celtic with a proposal that they haven't thought about,or rekindle a old interest.

I am an ideas man.I rely on others to put the detail behind them.

We have some great brain's post on here.

We could have some look at objection's from UEFA and FIFA.

Some look at how we would challenge these objection's legally and win.

Some look at if we would be welcomed by The league.Although i don't see what they could do if we purchase outright ownership in a club.

Some look at the best club's to aquire.

Some look at the loss of revenue that we would incurr.

Some look at the realistic potential for new income stream's.e.g TV income for a Nationwide or first division side.

A realistic expectation of how long it would take us to get into the EPL.

A realistic projection of the type of spend on players required to get out of the Championship and into the EPL.
I actually think that our present squad would not automatically guarantee us promotion to the EPL.

Some to establish Celtic's attitude towards making this happen.

Once the detail has been established i often don't proceed with the idea.

However, there have been some wondefull nuggets over the years,that i have made work.
Once the detail has been established.

What troubles me here ,is that i think that DD could do this for himself .I just don't think he wants to.

I firmly believe ,where there is a will,there is a way.

Not sure if anyone currently on here is qualified to answer this but,here goes,can we insist that we are allowed to play our fixtures on the dates given after the first league extension?.

How about a quiet wee offer to QoS that they can have their pick of our best young players on loan next season if they stick to their guns and refuse to accept a change of date for the Cup Final? If QoS dig their heels in and refuse to turn up if it's moved, DD should offer his best lawyers to help them fight their corner!

I agree Paul, Celtic should withdraw from the league. Enough is enough.

I never saw Mr. Peat come out and berate Motherwell for not cancelling their game with Aberdeen for the good of Scottish football. You know why ? because it was good for Rangers SPL title challenge ? Why did we not hear from Mr. Peat when the first extension fixture list was announced ? Why did we not hear from Mr. Peat the evening or the morning after Rangers had beaten Fiorentina ? Why does Mr. Peat wait until two days after Rangers draw with Hibs to start concerning himself with Rangers´s preparation for the UC final. Everything to do with the league and nothing to do with Europe. In fact Murrays last throw of his loaded dice last summer is exactly the portfolio to sell. Would anybody like to buy a club that has just won an historic quadruple.

I have never been to a Scotland game since Jock Stein was manager. I relented and went to the Scotland V Italy game in fact I met WG the night before it and I agree entirely on his stance but I was weak and thought I would check it out. It was a big game after all.

They wont get another penny from me and we should withdraw from playing in the SC or make it a competition for our U19´s. No Celtic player should be easily released for Scotland games especially world cup qualifiers. If the players dont like it thats tough. I help pay their wages. We should even make it contractual.

Onwards and upwards

Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo:

Withdrawing from the Scottish Cup is the least they should do. That way the only sponsor they will get is Pound Shop and the SFA becomes even less relevant.

tinytim - my understanding is when we had a big push to get into the english league a few years ago (ending in a 21 - 1 vote against us joining the Coca Cola Championship) DD invested in time and money of is top bean counters and lawyers to look into it...Brian Quinn did some tireless diplomatic work (wining and dining may english club chairmen / owners) but ultimately came to the conclusion it isn't going to happen...

Craiginho that was my memories too . I was at the Hearts game and after didier crossed over to Henrik to slot in the whole team stoped challenging , the only reason was to available for selection for boavista. Heart started getting in with heavy tackling , won every 50/50 and scored. We then woke up and threw everything at the Hearts goal only to have a sucker break up the park and a wonder goal , shocking. We lost three points then lost the league in goal difference. Even a draw against Hearts would have given us the league that year. No favours from the SPL/SFA then.

I'm all in favour of Celtic pulling out of the SPL if fixture change request is granted. But, then again, if a Glasgow team is to leave the SPL, it really should be TFOD. After all, according to the SPL's own website, one of the league's Aims and Objectives is to:

"Organise a league competition, adhering to rules and regulations set down by the governing bodies of the game and - encouraging attractive and entertaining football."

One SPL team's aim has definitely been to NOT play "attractive and entertaining football." Out they should go!

Maybe it is time for UEFA to get off their sorry asses and insist that in the interests of not only Scottish competition, but European competition too, the SPL for the sake of all national league credibility, and out of respect for all other teams playing in Europe, they (the SPL) fulfil their published fixture list (sic).

To do anything less is to demean all competition, theirs (EUFA’s) included.

This is farcical and does indeed show all of Scotland as being weak and impotent when faced with the power of the proxy establishment.

If Bob Kelly or Fergus McCann were still at the helm things might just be slightly different.

Whatever it takes Celtic, whomever it takes Celtic, the stance you take will reverberate for years to come.

Your stance may well be lauded and supported for evermore, by the legions of true Celtic supporters, your lack of a stance will no doubt attract the opposite. You will be held in contempt.

You are in office in my name too; in my name I encourage you to get aggressive. Get mean. Get in amongst the cheating gits. Do whatever it takes but for the love of God do something and be seen to do it.

And don’t on my behalf hold back either. Get them gloves off and booting in the baws is allowed too. Glasgow kiss, poking in the eye. No holds barred

Not very diplomatic I know but are we just going to lie here and let them do it to us.

WITH IMPUNITY

Precedence cannot be allowed to be set. In the interests of fair competition for all the teams in Scotland, let me say that again, all the teams in Scotland, the league should not be extended by one minute more.

If it is, I would forfeit, whatever the consequences, I would forfeit.

Please Celtic, please I implore you. Have the strength of your convictions and the guts to act on them.

And I would ask that every other club in Scotland take a good, long look in the mirror.

Just out of curiosity but when did the SPL decide to move Ranger's game with St Mirren from Tuesday 20 May to Monday 19 May?

Cheats Request Help from their Official Site

They are trying to cheat at all costs. From their official site

Happy Birthday Paul.

None of this will help Barry Ferguson to rediscover his goal touch – missing since 30th Jan.

RFC midfield has stopped scoring goals - Chris Burke is the one that carries most recent goal threat – postponements may allow him to rejoin the fray.

RFC could have used the status quo to develop the siege mentality – perhaps that is what they are banking on if this last (?) attempt fails. They have come a long way on spirit - perhaps it’s the point of this attempt.

Cheats Request Help from their Official Site

From their official site....

Just a small thought on this disgrace.

The European competitions are all designed as midweek competitions to be played throughout the season. So why does any team need to get games postponed to allow them a free weekend before any match. Eufa should get involved here to stop prevent further damage to the integrity of their competition.

I have a feeling that this season will forever be tainted by these hunanigans and we must ensure that we do not lower ourselves. Protest about the cheating, demand resignations from Smith and Peat (if Daily ranker story true) and be willing to withdraw from league/cup if the integrity of the compettions is not guaranteed.

We will face a media backlash no matter what on this one. It is time for Celtic fans to support each other and to do the daily ranker what the Liverpool fans did to the sun after Hillsborough and boycott. Don't buy it, don't listen to the radio snyde.

Finaly on Setanta, if they do not change their pro rankers stance in favour of a more evenly based approach then we should boycott them. Even delaying rebnewals for 2 weeks at the start of next season will give them a warning.

Very angry about all of this but I think in Peter Lawwell and The Doctor we have men who will be willing to stand up to this- don't let us down.

I would be all for a withdrawal from the Scottish cup,it is not an avenue to Europe for us,and,while it is always nice to be involved in the final,(in fact,my favourite ever match was the 88 final),i would willingly forego the competition to make a statement of intent.

even if the cheats don't get their way,this is going to fester

celtic should express their lack of confidence in the SFA and the SPL their handling on the matter, and call for heads to roll

i would love to see celtic walk away from the SPL, even if we were to join the english conference league

unfortunately , with shareholders,sponsorship deals etc, i don't think this would ever happen

more's the pity

I have a solution!

All Celtic supporters chip in a couple of hundred quid and buy them out, successfully purchase them then bankrupt them and put them out of business - Job done!

Worthy use of a couple of hundred quid in my book.

We all know that this has absolutely nothing to do with the UEFA cup final. Playing the DU game on the 24th is about helping Rangers on the domestic front. From Gordon Chisolm's comments, it is clear that Gordon Smith has not considered QOS in any of this. It shows complete disrespect for that team but also favouritism to their cup final opponents since it gives them far more time to prepare for the SC final (as well as UEFA and league games). As Paul suggests, the DU game could be played on Friday but since that would put pressure on Rangers on the league front They do not want to have to choose on which trophy to focus on so they will not go for that. Rangers want their cake and eat it and somebody else to pay for it. I think getting players back from injury is also a big factor.

We should not withdraw from the league. That would only hurt us in the short and long term. Besides, we can still win this league regardless of which dates Rangers tell the authorities to arrange their games for.

kitalba: 100% right.

For years we have said the authorities do this and that to help Rangers while the media are all on their side and been dismissed as paranoid. But these issues were minor in comparison to outright naked corruption

If Celtic allow this to happen today, where will be be in a year's time or in any other year after that. I thought Jim Farry withholding Jorge Catete's registration so he couldn't play Rangers was the worst act of cheating I would ever see in Scottish football.

This sham dwarfs that. I agree with you - whatever the consequences for Celtic, I am up for it. If they want a Scottish football by Rangers, of Rangers for Rangers, let them have it. We need no part of it.

robsonsfirsttouch: I was defending Scott Booth last week but the forensic analysis of a corner changed my mind. I'm giving Setanta the heave - and will be telling them why.

Cadizzy: Something tells me that after this Rangers will be wishing they had just given themselves an excuse.

Mort .
Thanks for your response.

Spirit of Arthur lee.

I too would pick my games a bit more carefully and make a family trip out of it,or a bhoy's weekend away.

We have always made a special trip out of our longer trips to Aberdeen over the years.There would be new places to travel and visit.A real freshness to all that we are doing.

Actually this would allow us to grow the size of our English fanbase.It would be easier for fan's based in England to attend a live Celtic match.

They would bring along friends and relations and our support would grow.
Once in th EPl our worldwide profile increases and we grow even more.

At least we now know that Queen of the South are opposed.
http://tinyurl.com/5qfa7h
"Chisholm warning over final date

Queen of the South manager Gordon Chisholm says the club will resist moves to change the date of the Scottish Cup final.

Chisholm told BBC Scotland he would be shocked if the 24 May match at Hampden was moved to ease final opponents Rangers' fixture congestion."

Portsmouth defender Noe Pamarot is wanted by Celtic, who are prepared to pay £2m for the 28-year-old. (The Sun)

Burnley 78

How do you think our shirt sponsors view us withdrawing from the SPL to play in the Championship?

Would it mean Coors reducing what they pay us for shirt sponsorship etc.
Also could we even do this as,we may be contractually obliged to be a participant in the SPL?

Derby striker Kenny Miller is set to leave the club and return to Rangers, who will pay £2m for him. (Daily Star)

Sir Paul,
Desperate men take desperate actions.
Could this be a red ( or in this case a blue ) herring to give them an edge over the next two weeks ?
Damage Limitation
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is a bitter pill to swallow .... they need to prepare for the backlash that will occur .....they have started .......Does anyone really believe the SPL can be that biased by extending the league twice ?

One Star means more

I have had issues with Booth's bias all season as his comments are all from rankers perspective but I also find that the commentator Crocker has started to be influenced by him. On Saturday Terry the butcher was in the studio offering pre match analysis and i honestly couldn't believe that he was allowed to spout his pro rangers agenda that included slagging of hartley for a tackle on Fergushun that he claimed was a deliberate attempt to take the Rankers captain out of the game. Craig Burley is an *rse licker and the great martin did us all proud by kicking the imposter out of Celtic park- which he remains bitter about.
It is subtle but it is there, if you look at the media over the past couple of weeks, they have built a conspiracy to give celtic the title based on a corner decision, a tight offside goal and a disallowed goal that came froma throw that should have been ours ( still don't know why samaras goal 2 minutes earlier was dissallowed). They are creating frenzy amongst the dark side.

The league will be ours. Oh yes, it will be ours.

Burnley78

Last post should have the word (would) inserted between sponsors and view.

tinytim,

they´d be delighted the championship is by far the bigger animal.

I am sure that there is enough evidence to legally and irrefutably cast doubt on the integrity of the SPL competition so that any legal challanges would be just bluster

Celtic cannot wait for the outcome of the discussions before making their position clear.
A clear statement must be made now. This has to be a statement of intent to quit the SPL.
The EPL is a pipedream, it won't happen. The Championship - won't be allowed.
The only thing left for us is to stay in this rotten little country.
We would have to reapply for membership of the SFL. Tough choices ahead.

Football is an industry and while Scottish football might be the corner shop compared to the behemoth of the EPL Glasgow Celtic are a PLC like any other.

I work in industry as I’m sure many CQN posters do. Imagine this…

The DTI arrived on your doorstep and said “Listen your No1 competitor is having a bit of trouble developing their new product, key design engineers off sick that sort of thing – when they do get this new product out it’s going to make them a load of cash, bring in jobs, and the whole economy will benefit. A couple of Cabinet Ministers have links with this company and reckon they are a jolly good bunch of chaps. With all that in mind we’d like you to stop trading until they get themselves sorted out? Kind of seems a it unfair that you guys are doing so well.”

Fair Play Please.

robsonsfirsttouch: It was Dalglish who kicked Burley out for his part in undermining John Barnes. Burley's agent was, ahem, Gordon Smith.

Mrs miggins ,i fear that you make be correct.
However if we purchase a championship side .How can they stop us?

if rankers are desperate not to play on Saturday then fine, don't play and forfeit the three points.....

oh sorry, they want their cake and eat it, my mistake

kevoh25

How about a compromise. The match is cancelled and both Rankers and Dundee United get 1 point each and a 0-0 draw recorded.

How many goals are scored from corners? 1in 10? 1in 15?

How many goals are scored from situations were a players is one-on-one with the goalkeeper? 1 in 2? 1 in 3?

What is the greater advantage? Seems quite clear to me.

Referee mistakenly awards a corner to CELTIC [1 in 15 chance of scoring]. Result = meltdown in the media (see Evening Times coverage below)

Hoops in Credit but Crunch Still Looms at the flag margins
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2247271.0.hoops_in_credit_but_crunch_still_looms_at_the_flag_margins.php
Celtic completed a gritty comeback in controversial circumstances by scoring their second, and ultimately winning, goal in 79 minutes.
Balde headed the ball out for a goal-kick, but referee Steven Conroy ruled that Porter had got the last touch and awarded a corner to Celtic.
It was not the only error the official made and the home team could justifiably feel aggrieved not to take a point and move a step closer to the Uefa Cup after all their efforts.

How did the referee do? Steve Conroy had a bit of a stinker. His poor decision led to Celtic's winning goal.

Fresher legs for Gers but Mark's eye on Dons tie
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2247304.0.fresher_legs_for_gers_but_marks_eye_on_dons_tie.php

McGhee refused to blame referee Steve Conroy, who wrongly awarded Celtic the corner which led to the winning goal, for the narrow defeat.
He argued: "I think we weren't helped by one or two refereeing decisions.
"It was a massive decision for us because we know it's our Achilles heel, so we want to avoid corners.
"I could clearly see it was a goal kick from where I was.
"I thought it was a really, really poor decision that put us under pressure and ultimately led to the winning goal."
"He got small decisions wrong, but ultimately it was our poor defending which cost us the game. We have to look at ourselves."

Referee/linesman mistakenly pull back Dean Shiels for offside against RANGERS when clean through on the goalkeeper. Result = not mentioned in the media.

Prophet and loss of points as Walts words ring true
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2247348.0.prophet_and_loss_of_points_as_walts_words_ring_true.php

Referee watch: Calum Murray got one or two decisions wrong but managed to control the game throughout.

CONCLUSION

Number of words in the Evening Times devoted to a refereeing decision that benefited Celtic (slightly) = 210

Number of words in the Evening Times devoted to a refereeing decision that benefited Rangers (greatly) = 0

Coverage of Motherwell-Celtic leaves us in no doubt who benefited most from refereeing mistakes in the opinion of the journalists. It even merits a mention in a story that is effectively a preview of Motherwell's next game with Rangers (i.e. nothing to do with Celtic). The referee is roundly criticised for his performance. Apart from the corner kick decision that was incorrect (and not obviously so on viewing the incident in real time), I'm struggling to recall another mistake the referee made in the game. I'm sure he got a throw-in here and there wrong. Hey, he might even have made a mistake awarding Motherwell one of their 10 corners!

Coverage of Hibs-Rangers mentions "one or two decisions" that the referee got wrong. The journalist does not explain what they were and does not mention that fact that Rangers were the main beneficiaries of a denied clear goalscoring opportunity for Hibs.The logical assumption for the reader is, that these "one or two decision" were of a trivial nature and were evenly distributed between either side. The journalist goes on to indicate that the referee's overall performance was competent. Now, can we think of any other instance recently, where TV evidence showed a goal to be offside in an important game? Say.... oh I don't know..... an O*d F**m game perhaps? Was this then mentioned in the media just the 74 times since? I know it's difficult, but can you think of a reason why one offside decision would be mentioned 74 times and another would not be mentioned at all? Go on... the answer is not as difficult as you think.

Seems to be a stunning coincidence that our neutral media have hawkeye vision and a 300GB memory when it comes to any refereeing decisions that go Celtic's way.

For mistakes that favour Rangers or go against Celtic, there is a black hole waiting for these memories to be consigned to, never to be mentioned again. Forget the orange specs, the season's latest media fashion accessory is the orange blindfold, don't see what doesn't suit your agenda. Allows you to see wrongly disallowed goals for Aberdeen against Celtic but not Celtic goals disallowed against Aberdeen in the same game. Viewers of BBC, STV and Setanta, need not adjust their TV sets to receive this effect.

One star really does mean more

I bow to your superior knowledge on this one. Thanks.

just to cheer everyone up on what could be a dark day for us...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwgT0FbW9TE

Tinytim,
I don't know how they can stop us, but I can't see that buying out and killing off a club fits in to the Celtic Way. I would feel uncomfortable about it somehow.

Mrs Miggins,

when 15k turn up for a training session I dont think we need to worry about finding somewhere to play.

What we need to realise and that this is all about the CL and not the SPL. It is about a guaranteed 15m pound for entry into the CL next year. Spartak Moscow will not be lost on them. Watty fails in a pre qualifier all the old question of doubt come back to haunt him? even if he wins the UC

Of course, when Rangers' last rule change request was granted, there was another option available to Corruption FC, giving them ample rest ahead of the UEFA Cup Final...

As they only needed to win 5 of their last 6 games to clich the SPL Title (even if Celtic won all their remaining games), Corruption FC could have simply withdrawn from their game with Dundee United and conceded the points.

But having forgotten that the game against Hibs wasn't a European game and consequently played (incorrectly!) for a 0-0 AET & penalty shoot-out, they cannot now afford the luxury of that defeat. Hence all the whining now.

Hopefully Motherwell will do everyone a favour on Wednesday and beat Corruption FC good and proper. Then I reckon we'll see Corruption FC putting out a reserve side against Dundee United next weekend, accompanied by a very large (and very wet, after all their blubbing) towel being thrown into the proverbial ring.

There might be some complaints from other teams if Corruption FC reserves do play against Dundee United, but who in the corridors of corruption cares what Motherwell, Hibs or Aberdeen say... or Celtic, Dundee United, Hearts, Falkirk, Inverness, St Mirren, Kilmarnock or Gretna, for that matter? In Scotland there is only one voice that matters!

I sure hope we're offering QoS the full use of Lennoxtown in the build up to the Scottish Cup Final, you know for the "good of Scottish football"

Mort,TT, excellent idea. Come back when the business at hand is done.

Bigtrainpete, agree. The nuclear option should be on the table.

WGS, that’s my next article.

McManus69, cheers.

WGS, yes, the Phil O’Donnell Tribute game is under direct threat – got that straight from CP this morning. Livid all round.

Cubist Funk, thanks.

Once a Tim, I don’t think this is a blue herring; they know the league is slipping and they will do anything to tip the balance.

Am i missing something here?

All Celtic need to say is that whilst we were (and still are) against the initial extension... any further extension is clearly impossible due to the twin problems:

1) All league matches end at the same time - a fitting and necessary finale to the SPL to ensure appropriate sporting integrity.
2) We have to release players for the UEFA/FIFA endorsed Euros... This will have happened by any further extension. Clearly nobody is expecting us to have players withdrawn?

As an aside.. If Rangers really require the DU game delayed... How about Thursday 14th? Is that a problem?

B

What with Rangers now playing St Mirren on Monday 19th May, they could play Dundee United on 20th or 21st May.

I say give them the postponement on Saturday but that this game must be played on either the 20th or 21st May thus having all SPL fixtures played before the Scottish Cup Final.

Everybody's happy (well except Dundee United)

We will not leave the SPL unless we have somewhere to go. If that destination already exists and we have already agreed terms & conditions then so be it – we were going anyway.

We will not refuse to complete our games as that risks punishment resulting in financial loss. We will not risk undermining the structural advantage we have worked so hard to build.

If the SPL move the last day of the League to 24th May then RFC fixtures may look something like this

Saturday, 17 May 2008
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Motherwell v Rangers, 12:30

Monday, 19 May 2008
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Rangers v Dundee Utd, 19:45

Thursday, 22 May 2008
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
St Mirren v Rangers, 19:45

Saturday, 24 May 2008
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Aberdeen v Rangers, 15:00

Advantage to RFC

1.RFC no longer are required to play 3 away games to close out their season
2.We have no game for 14 days – DU get to play RFC a few days before they face us
3.RFC have more time to get injured players back
4.International call-ups may diminish our squad

The SPL will not budge – they can’t.

As I posted earlier RFC are doing this to try to build siege mentality and condition their supporters to lower expectations for the UEFA Cup Final (I presume they will prioritise the league). Perhaps there is some unannounced injury news from RFC that triggered this further attempt.

Once a Tim on May 6, 2008 11:15 AM – with you on this one.

Paul

I hope you have the ear of the Celtic Board on this one?

Proof if ever was needed that they are the establishment team!

Let them do waht Celtic did bring forward their game to the Friday.

I hope Dundee Utd do not agree to this request. It is not in their interest either.

How dare they use the line "For the sake of Scottish Football" - a team that under Walter has always withdrawn players from the national team for "injuries".

They are a hypocritical disgrace.

If you can't ride two horses at once you shouldn't be in the circus.

I really must get some work done.

However, when I said previously that I thought that we would not be allowed to win this league, I had no idea as to what lengths they would go to.

Short of disqualifying us, everything else has/is being tried.

This is a direct attack on Celtic Football Club, it's directors, shareholders, players and fans.

The last time we were under such a direct attack, Robert Kelly threatened to close down the club. That would be a drastic measure, but due to different circumstances, Belfast Celtic and Derry City were forced, one to fold and the other to relocate to a friendlier league.

I just can't see them getting away with this, however, the ultimate answer to them is the same as it has always been. "The ba' in the back o' the net".

While I'm at it, will all you pompous prats who insist on posting your cosy we Latin phrases, please desist.

It is extremely annoying to those of us unfortunate enough not to have been educated in the Classics and in some cases, smacks of an ingratiating demeanour.

Paranoid ? Moi?

Sack Them All

but this was so predictable.........and it's not over yet.

WG

Good point Kevoh25, concisely put (11.20am). You had the same thought as me and posted as I was typing my tome!

The entity that is Celtic football club is not tied to one country, we may be founded in this country and have a stadium in this country, but if Celtic(Scotland)became no more and became Carlisle Celtic for instance due to a takeover from former Celtic(Scotland)owners then the league we would play in would be in England and there could be no argument against it from the FA/UEFA/FIFA. The only downside to this scenario is we would have to buyout another club upsetting for that clubs support, a merger could solve this to a certain extent.

I would suspect that in the near future a lot of clubs in England will find out that their American owners like the franchise system and teams will be playing out of the cities that offer the best deals, Celtic are the perfect franchise team in a sense, we have a worldwide fanbase - not a local one, if Celtic re-locate to practically anywhere we would still have a substantial level of match day support.

Well, it has been a busy morning, hasn't it? What is even more ridiculous than a farce - only Scottish football.

Firstly the SPL produced two sets of potential figures, which everyone seemed OK with at the time. Indeed many on here (myself included) had said that's exactly what they should do.

Yesterday they approached the SPL and asked for another change. The league said no.

Now they have "exclusively revealed" to the Record what they plan to try for next. Get the SFA involved, get them to help. That will be their old friend, Duffield then?

The final line of the Record article: "Rangers were staying tight lipped last night, although Bain is hopeful the saga will finally be resolved today."

Tight lipped - giving a newspaper an exclusive??

So now just move the Cup Final. Why not? It's only a wee club and we can just bully them. Whatever happened to the usual romantic claptrap we hear this time of year about the final being the showcase of the season? The wee team's chance to play David? Their big day out at Hampden?

Smith and Peat should be held to account by their members. They already have failed to find a sponsir for the cup, and surely it will become more difficult to sell if the final is suddenly a movable feast?

We as an SPL member club should now be seeeking an emergency Board meeting so that this farce can be examined in full. No backroom deals between Gold, Blair, Peat and Smith. One motion on the agenda: the published fixture list stays.

We need to show leadership within the spl by getting the other clubs on board and blocking this nonsense once and for all. How many people do they want to inconvenience to help them in the league - make no mistake that is what this is all about.

I think that Mr. Peat should be brought up on a disrepute charge. Who is allowed to initiate this ?

What would Barcelona or Arsenal do if they were in our position?

They would behave with chilling courtesy and diplomatic free confrontation. They’d shake the very establishment with their contemptuous indignation.

What will you do Celtic. What will you do Hibs? What will you do Aberdeen? What will you do Hearts? What will you do Q.O.S. What will any of you do?

Aggressive response Celtic; you’ll carry the support.
Insipid capitulation you will no doubt incur their wrath.

I make the SPL a promise today. This is my solemn promise and I am a man of my word.

You extend this league by one minute more, just one poxy minute, and I will never, ever, again, as sure as God is my judge, ever step foot inside a Scottish football ground other than Parkhead again. I will never again buy their crap pies and I won’t buy their gash drinks. I will put even more of my money, little as it is, into Celtic.

In isolation - not exactly much of a threat - is it SPL? Well what would you say if every other Celtic supporter, in solidarity, were to think likewise?

What would every other team in the SPL say if they were guaranteed to lose the away Celtic Supporters dollars?

If I were you I would think quickly because ‘you’ are on the very edge of destroying Scottish Football.

As for any Celtic supporter who would still buy that rag after today – give yourself a smack, open your mind and see the deceit.

Hail, hail

With all the whining about Celtic getting decisions in their favour, I'm reminded of what I've heard from everybody who isn't a Hoop for the past 30 years.."It evens itself out over the season..."

Well Rangers poor away form and inability to win in 90 minutes is also evening itself out in this part of the season, so get it right round yees.

And so to the Carmyle Cardigan's "dignified" response to fixture congestion and the institutionalised bias against Rangers.

This extension nonsense is getting portrayed as an SPL/SFA U-turn. Who has done a U-turn? Did Baldy Bain and Smith not both say that Rangers had not and would not ask for an extension?

Let's not expect too much from the Scottish football bosses. And why is the Record the preferred media outlet for all this effluent? Simple, the Record editor used to work for Moonbeams Murray and they are still pals, who will be speaking daily right now.

Nice to see Greater Manchester Police battening down the hatches, because a terrible storm is coming in from the north for those people.

STANDING UP...painting our side of the 6ft lap panel fence the neighbour put up.

Craiginho

Great to see you on Saturday. I'm glad you had a good time and got home safely.

Hope we do see you again.

You have to feel very sorry for the good burghers of Dumfries. If they do move the Cup Final, the whole community will be out of pocket. Dumfriesians have, apparently, booked flights and hotels to come from all corners of the world for the big day.

How can they have a change enforced on them now?

How could that be fair?

Mrs Miggins.

I understand your sentiments about shutting down a club.

Howeva!

Celtic conived to get get players from Hib's, to get us started in the first place.

I would not let the sentiment stop me ,if i were in charge.

Celtic_First,

Fair simply does not come into this! ANy change that is now made is clearly for the ebnefit of one team and one team onyl, and to the detriment of everybody else in Scottish ffotball.

Cheats!