Lots of credit to the USA and Switzerland, who bowed out of the World Cup in dramatic fashion yesterday, leaving four European and four Latin American teams fighting out for the spoils. Europe has recovered from its shaky group stage performance, keeping the door open a little longer for smaller European nations.
While plaudits for a fine tournament will be spread far and wide, the tournament has not provided a breakthrough credit for Africa, Asia, or the USA, none of whom will find the going any easier when the bandwagon reaches Eastern Europe four years from now.
Surprised it’s taken this long to get a deal sorted for Craig Gordon. Considering the player’s lengthy injury history, Celtic have perhaps delayed to allow fitness tests over an extended period. I’m treating tabloid comment that the potential arrival of Craig is linked to Fraser Forster moving on as idle mischief. We need three keepers and usually have three, as do most top clubs.
So, a day after Luis Suarez issues a heartfelt mea culpa, Barcelona let it be known they are in talks with Liverpool over acquiring the player. He is without question one of the most gifted players of our time but the phrase “transparent charlatan” seems appropriate. Brand Barca is slowly slipping, with tax scams, directorial bungs and contrived contrition.
His actions caused enough dissonance on Merseyside to damage brand Liverpool, he’ll win Barcelona football games but stands a high probability of doing the same in Catalonia. The commitment to reform is meaningless, as he is not in a position to make good on it. Yet.
Barcelona led the way on establishing an ethical, aspirational, football brand. I think they’ve forgotten what I’m hoping we learn.
The 10-in-a-row CQN Charity Golf Day takes place at the magnificent Aberdour course on Friday. This year we will hear from Celtic legend, Frank McGarvey, and former Glasgow lawyer after dinner specialist, Len Murray.
This year we are raising money for Glasgow the Caring City and The Cookiejar Foundation. We have two copies of this magnificent canvas, signed by Billy McNeill, one is available to the highest bidder on ebay here.
The other is available for raffle. Every donor to this JustGiving page gets an entry in the raffle. The minimum donation is £1, which we can all afford to participate in, although you can donate as much as you want. Our thanks to @BarryMcGonigle for the image on the canvas and OPG Graphics for creating the work.
Glasgow the Caring City said, “Glasgow the Caring City is Glasgow’s people’s charity. As well as working with the underprivileged in our own city the charity has delivered literally millions of pounds of overseas aid and development gifts-in-kind on a shoestring budget.
“From educational supplies to soap and medicines, from tents and warm clothes to prescription glasses. We once delivered a donated fire truck! Having provided emergency relief to war, famine, flood and earthquake victims in the past the charity would love to take this relatively quiet time in terms of world emergency to invest in its development projects, taking children out of war and teaching them in agricultural sustainability projects.
“The support of the CQN community has always been received with huge gratitude, thank you once again for supporting us this year.” Rev Neil Galbraith.
The Cookiejar Foundation was set up in memory of Christopher Coutts who died from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 19. Money raised from this raffle will go towards the Cookiejar’s providing of vein finders for the Chemotherapy wards at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy & cancer wards in the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
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1st?
ONE DAY TILL THE CELTIC PLAY
H.H
2nd?
J.T.T
\\O//
Messi and Suarez together would be quite a combination
And on a different note: An old idea – but should we take another look?
Income Tax and National Insurance: Is It Time For A Merger?
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
12:50 on
2 July, 2014
Hamiltontim
12:38 on
2 July, 2014
Does that support extend to his racism and use of the ‘N’ word?
——————————————————————————————————————–
Judged guilty by Hamilton.
Judge not lest ye be judged.
That`s a serious accusation.
You`re always asking for proof.
Would you ,in this instance ,care to provide proof?
———————————————————————————————————————
No answer then, to a nasty slur on a fellow Celtic supporter?
All football teams including us bend ethics to suit their own needs sad but true
tonydonnelly67
13:01 on 2 July, 2014
Macjay1
Aye well kinda along those lines you just posted I suppose.
Bognorbhoy
Cheers, just wish I had something worthwhile to contribute to the blog.
I’ll keep lurking.
HH
End London rule. YES.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
12:58 on
2 July, 2014
tonydonnelly67
12:46 on
2 July, 2014
Mate.
I wouldn`t waste my time giving it another thought.
Unless you feel the need to conform.
No?
Didn`t think so.
Never forget that the conformists,who are unable to survive on their own are always threatened by those who don`t toe the party line.
They`re always more comfortable in the gang. Which gangs up.
Celtic all inclusive……unless you don`t conform to the party line.
Individualism ,my fellow Tim.
Here`s tae us.
tonydonnelly67
13:03 on
2 July, 2014
Cheers,pal.
macjay1 for neil lennon
13:02 on 2 July, 2014
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
12:50 on
2 July, 2014
Hamiltontim
12:38 on
2 July, 2014
Does that support extend to his racism and use of the ‘N’ word?
——————————————————————————————————————–
Judged guilty by Hamilton.
Judge not lest ye be judged.
That`s a serious accusation.
You`re always asking for proof.
Would you ,in this instance ,care to provide proof?
———————————————————————————————————————
No answer then, to a nasty slur on a fellow Celtic supporter?
——-
Again, this is tiresome in the extreme. Either you’re willing to answer my initial question or not.
Ps what evidence have you that Kojo is a Celtic supporter?
Gordon j,
Neymar and messi does not work as well as it should imo.
Suarez and messi would be a frightening combination. In the goal scoring sense. ;)
trad 88
“Where Scotland holds an advantage over other similiary sized markets is that we have a number of clubs with significant supporter bases. This alone ensures that we have a stronger bargaining position compared to most other small nations. I am sure this has helped bring Mr Lawwell to the table for these discussions and indeed I am sure he has done a lot of the pushing.”
We have a stronger representation than Faroe Islands and Andorra for sure. But how would I know that we have more influence than Lithuania? Slovakia? Austria? Poland? Belgium? Portugal? We certainly seem to have less influence than Ukraine and Scandinavian countries as they have already secured approval for federated Cups and leagues. You need some willing partners, sponsors and influential people to champion the aim. So far there is no great sign that we have been any more influential than any other country.
“That there have been discussions is no sign that change will occur in the short to medium term and I think we have to be mindful about the damage caused to the domestic game the more this is brought to the fore publicly on a regular basis.”
Nor is it a sign that there won’t be (in the short, medium or long term). There is a balance to be struck between the Ratner effect of calling attention to your rubbish and the Clive Sinclair C5 Effect of failing to recognise that you have a rubbish product and scrapping it.
“Until it is imminent lets work to improve what we have. It is far from beyond the realms of possibility that we will see a strong Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts and Hibs in the ~short term future…probably more likely than seeing structural change in European football.”
It cannot become imminent without working for it. Meanwhile we make the best of what we have but let’s not dream we can recreate the 60s again. I would offer you odds of 50 to 1 against your two scenarios i.e. I am saying there will be structural change in European Cups and Leagues before United and Aberdeen thrive in Europe while limited to the SPFL. If war had not broken out in the Ukraine, I would be collecting the money from our bet next year.
I love Suarez, but when he gets up to those larks you have to say whoooaaaa forget it, shame actually, what a player.
Geordie Munro,
Naymar had a difficult first season at Barce. It might have been to do with suddenly not being the one star player that everything revolved around. His form in the world cup has been good though.
I have a feeling Suarez would fit the Barce style very well.
Hamiltontim
13:07 on
2 July, 2014
Sorry,my fellow Tim.
You have accused Kojo of racism.Serious charge.
Can you back it up with fact?.
What is the “n” word to which you refer and which you accuse him of using?
Your current evasion is unacceptable.
Forward line of Suarez, Messi & Neymar. Barca playing fantasy football with money they don’t have. FFP my erchie!!!
macjay1 for neil lennon
Apologies but this will be boring the Bristol Cities off everyone else and engaging you in conversation is beginning to feel like painting the Forth Bridge.
I’m happy to allow others to decide their views on your refusal to answer.
Enjoy your day.
I don’t watch enough European football to make an accurate assessment but why has Neymar been more effective for Brazil than he has for Barcelona?
WOW,
Sporting Lisbon have slapped a € 60 million price tag on Ryan Gauld after signing him.
Seen a short clip of Gordon Strachan on World Cup Punditry talking about no morales or ethics in football. Dont know when it was on but an absolute must see for everyone who thinks anyone in football or any football club has any morals.
Brand Barca and their pursuit of the Vampire? Shown up to be as bad as all the others
Hamiltontim
Probably because Messi is king and nobody else gets to work on his patch. Neymar is too similar. I have no idea why Barca signed Neymar. Thought they would sell Messi when they did to be honest.
LB
Hamiltontim
13:17 on
2 July, 2014
It was you who decided to enter into discussion and to slur a fellow Tim ,Kojo,as you did.
Now you choose to evade and bluster.
Your accusation:
Hamiltontim
12:38 on
2 July, 2014
macjay1 for neil lennon
12:31 on 2 July, 2014
Kojo must be flattered by the attention he receives.
Any publicity is good publicity.
Viva Kojo.
——
‘Viva Kojo’?
Does that support extend to his racism and use of the ‘N’ word?
——————————————————————————————————————-
An apology to Kojo would be appropriate.
No?
MACJAY
Sadly it is true. He followed it up by a comment about Obama saying that you wouldn’t cross a carthorse with a racehorse.
Miscegeny was how he termed that one.
TONY DONNELLY
Sorry-just seen your reply,bud.
IMO,if someone dishes it out,they should be prepared to be answered in similar fashion. Hollering ‘foul’ is a bit off.
But then most people on here abide by the former.
My bet would be that your informer was someone with whom you hadn’t engaged.
Either way,I doubt it has put you off your pint!
tonydonnelly67
I admit to being gutted that we didn’t secure that lad in January.
He looks like a top player.
LB
LB
Cheers for that. I’d heard commentators say it was because he preferred playing behind/alongside a target man, which has at Brazil in Hulk. However, most of his goals and creative play have come about through his own steam.
Anyways, chores to be done.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
13:27 on
2 July, 2014
Bobby.
You know where I`m coming from.
Can`t abide bullying and victimisation.
Scroll back.Casual insults directed to Kojo.
I know what you`re referring to.
He used imho inappropriate language and subsequently apologised.Profusely.
Jeez,pal.
Talk about holding grudges.
Paul,
Do you still feel African countries will dominate future world cups?
I think the Europeans and South Americans will battle it out for a long, long time. I’ve seen nothing to suggest an African nation is capable of winning the world cup in the next 30 years.
HT,
Neymar is the best player in the Brazil team by some distance. Not in the same league as messi.
I don’t think he was all that bad for barca. But never as good as we were told he was gonna be. Injuries haven’t helped.
That said….I canny stand the wee phud. Never liked him since the banana incident and he’s done nowt to make me change my mind since.
Haudingagrudge csc
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers
13:31 on 2 July, 2014
TONY DONNELLY
Sorry-just seen your reply,bud.
IMO,if someone dishes it out,they should be prepared to be answered in similar fashion. Hollering ‘foul’ is a bit off.
But then most people on here abide by the former.
My bet would be that your informer was someone with whom you hadn’t engaged.
Either way,I doubt it has put you off your pint!
___________________________________
The man above is a mind reader, off to the oasis as we speak, HH.
P 67
“transparent charlatan”………..what an eye-catching term!
There’s quite a lot of it abooot.
;)
HH
Oh aye just saw this, heheheheheh.
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Former Rangers board member Brian Stockbridge banks £215,000 cash windfall from the club
Jul 02, 2014 12:19 By Keith Jackson 22 Comments
THE former finance director has received a tranche of shares worth around £215,000 as part of a deal struck when he moved to Ibrox as part of Charles Green’s takeover.
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SNS GroupBrian Stockbridge received a rough ride at the Rangers agm
FORMER Rangers board member Brian Stockbridge has banked another huge cash windfall from the club.
The axed finance director has received a tranche of shares worth around £215,000 as part of a deal struck when he moved to Ibrox as part of Charles Green’s takeover.
In an announcement to the stock exchange Rangers have confirmed that Stockbridge is to receive 714,285 new ordinary shares as his bonus for floating the club on the AIM market in December 2012 – despite having his contract terminated earlier this year.
Stockbridge survived calls for his head after being exposed by the Daily Record for filming former chairman Malcolm Murray worse for wear at the end of a boozy dinner in London.
But he was eventually shown the door earlier this year after overseeing £14m losses.
The Rangers statement said: “The Company has made an application to the London Stock Exchange for 714,285 new ordinary shares of 1p each (“New Ordinary Shares”) to be admitted to trading on AIM (“Admission”).
“It is expected that Admission of the New Ordinary Shares will become effective and that dealings will commence at 8.00 a.m. on 7 July 2014.
“The New Ordinary Shares are being issued pursuant to an exercise of the options granted to Brian Stockbridge (a former Director of the Company) on admission of the Company’s shares to trading on AIM pursuant to Mr Stockbridge’s original contract of employment with The Rangers Football Club Limited dated 17 September 2012.”
Kojo causes controversy.
But Kojo is a very intelligent fella.
His posts I find frequently interesting, often debatable, sometimes mischevious, regularly worth consideration and ocassionally bollocks.
But in life’s broad canvas, total agreement is utter blandishment. So vive le difference.
One thing he most definitely is, is a Celtic supporter, one of us among many who has an unconventional background to the classic West of Scotland Celtic diehard; to reject anyone on those grounds is to walk the way of the Zombie peepil.
I see the ole Jelly Bean will read out a secret message what she wrote and put in the baton, when she opens the Games at Celtic Park. Wonder what it’ll say?
“Rainjahs are dead. One’s grandchildren will be Tims. Get used to it zombehs.”
MACJAY
I’m no fan if bullying,not by a long chalk. In fairness to KOJO,following the miscegeny incident he has largely done as advised by Paul67,‘stick to the fitba’
You acknowledge that the comments were made,yet earlier were demanding proof from HT,which I find puzzling.
Anyway,heyho.
IMO,it’s a blog,and dissent and disagreement livens it up. Outright nastiness and bullying,of the sort few of us would tolerate in a pub,is different.
I recall once being accused on here of being a cross-dresser. I didn’t lose my rags-!-I just checked that the negatives were still safe!
I think we can on occasion,almost all of us,be guilty of taking things too seriously. And most of the discussions don’t merit that….