Celtic Quick News

Opening salvo in offensive chants fired

2008-05-13T21:36:36Z

We've had to endure the most unwanted attention this season from what often appeared to be a hostile media culminating in March, when a mobile phone video of Celtic fans in Barcelona singing add-ons to songs received headline news in the Daily Record and Sun.

Both newspapers gorged on the footage, incorrectly describing the vulgar, and offensive to many, lyrics as sectarian, raising the suspicion that they had gone beyond merely reporting news and were involved in a relentless pursuit of the good name of Celtic fans.

This evening the BBC One's Reporting Scotland broadcast Rangers fans in Manchester singing the proscribed 'Billy Boys', a song which caused Uefa to fine Rangers fans two years ago. If you were a paranoid Celtic fan you will no doubt consider that the Daily Record and Sun will ignore the evidence presented by the national broadcaster tomorrow, as their only interest is to sully the name of Celtic, not to report a fair and balanced view of news.

You will be proven right or wrong in a few hours.

Outrage over offensive chanting ahead of Uefa Final

2008-05-13T11:01:35Z

Scottish football has been outraged by the revelation that news coverage will not be extended to allow chanting by Rangers fans at and before this week's Uefa Cup final to be reported.

Standing on the steps of Hampden Park, SFA chief executive Gordon Smith, who over 25 years has consistently denied hearing offensive chanting said, "We met with the decision makers this morning and looked at moving reports on what Zenit St Petersburg fans did last year, but it just wasn't possible.

"There will be no space in the newspapers or the broadcast media to cover this chanting.

"Yes, we are the laughing stock of world football.

"YouTube is certainly going to be an issue, I'm glad you asked the question, but we're looking into that.

"We're doing all we can, I believe the Pakistan government arranged something earlier this year. We are talking to the Chinese authorities as well; there is a lot we could learn from other parts of the world."

SFA president, George Peat said, "We should be trying everything in our power to help a Scottish club" (this one is an actual quote, although slightly abridged).

"Reports on incompetent referees can and should be moved."

UK Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said, "My ministerial schedule is far too busy discussing Zenit St Petersburg fans to allow me to get involved in a problem we can turn out attention to any week of the season."

No one from the media was available for comment apart from one journalist who, off the record, asked, "Well, why don't you go home?"

2008-05-13T02:47:04Z

Wilson Hoping For Gers Slip-up. Full back says Celts are ready to capitalise on rivals dropping points in their 3 away games. (Teamtalk)

2008-05-13T02:31:13Z

Levein Still Rages Despite McCurry Climbdown. Levein, Manager of Dundee Utd., dismissed Gordon Smith's comments and said: "These remarks by Gordon Smith don't surprise me in the slightest." "At Ibrox on Saturday it was about a basic level of competence, and my club and my own livelihood have suffered as a consequence. But what will the SFA do about it? Absolutely bugger all, I can assure you.

"People have wanted me to say that I was deliberately cheated at Ibrox. Well, I haven't said that. But I can tell you this, I felt as if I've been cheated."

EU man the barricades against Blatter

2008-05-12T22:41:16Z

The European Parliament fired a shot across Fifa president Sepp Blatter's bows on Friday by voting against his suggestions to limit the number of non-nationals allowed to play for a team.

The motion voted for read: "The parliament calls on the member states and sports associations not to introduce new rules that create direct discrimination based on nationality, such as FIFA's 6+5.

"It calls on the Commission to recognise the legality of measures favouring the promotion of players who have come through training schemes, such as a minimum number of locally-trained players, irrespective of their nationality."

The motion was carried by 518 votes to 49.

Dutch MEP Toine Manders said: "In the jungle of sport we need clear legal guidelines. If you ask if these gentleman's agreements will hold, you are very wrong. We are talking about big business, powerful clubs who will go to court if necessary. Mr Blatter will only open up another pandora's box like Bosman."

Caesar's whores at the SFA

2008-05-12T11:28:10Z

Julius Caesar once said, "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion", a sentiment that has resonated ever since due to its striking clarity. Those in authority must not only dispense that authority unscrupulously but must be seen to do so.

Against such standards the appropriateness of referee Mike McCurry must be judged. It is, of course, not just Celtic who have grave reservations about McCurry, other SPL clubs feel the same:

"ABERDEEN have made an official complaint about referee Mike McCurry after their 2-1 defeat by Rangers on Sunday.

Match official McCurry angered Ebbe Skovdahl, the Aberdeen manager, with some of his decisions, including not awarding two penalties and a challenge by Fernando Ricksen on Darren Young."

"HIBS left Ibrox with a raging sense of injustice once again, convinced referee Mike McCurry had robbed them of a point as he waved aside claims for a penalty.

There was little doubt that John O'Neil's cross had hit the hand of Bert Konterman - which was far above his head - as the Dutchman tangled with Mixu Paatelainen."

"Hearts will argue that the crucial opening goal by Barry Ferguson should not have stood because the Rangers captain handled in its execution."

"Dundee United are to lodge an official complaint about referee Mike McCurry's handling of Rangers' 3-1 victory. United appeared to be denied a penalty and had a goal chalked off for offside in an explosive second half. "We had a blatant penalty and he bottled it," said United manager Craig Levein after Saturday's game."

Almost half the clubs in the SPL (possibly more) have questioned McCurry's handling of fixtures against Rangers. Whether McCurry wilfully awards key decisions in favour of Rangers is irrelevant, he may be impartial but is certainly not seen that way and therefore fails the Caesar's wife test.

The SFA must demote him without delay. Having a perceived incompetent repeatedly award controversial decisions in favour of Rangers is unfair on all clubs, including Rangers, who must surely want their wins to be untainted by accusations of bias.

Then there is SFA president, George Peat. On Rangers proposed second extension to the season he said, ""We should be trying everything in our power to help a Scottish club win in Europe.

"The Dundee United match can be moved and should be moved.

"The SPL have to tell the SFA when they will finish their season and we agree to that so we can then agree to another extension."

Peat is a unique figure; he is the only Scot alive to guide his club, Airdrieoneans into oblivion. He retained his SFA blazer after that giant of the football world, Stenhousemuir, stepped in and offered him a seat on their board.

In a month when we have been told that the world is laughing at Scottish football it is beyond comprehension that Peat, Scottish football's most abject, complete and unequivocal failure, placed himself at the centre of the controversy.

I cringe when I write this as I know that people in other countries will read it and think we are some kind of medieval backwater, where it is considered appropriate that the only man, out of a population of 5 million, to have led a club out of existence, is made president of the football association.

We have put the captain of the Titanic in charge of navigating big ships around icebergs.

The day before Peat despatched his chief executive to meet the SPL to discuss a second extension to the season, he briefed Rangers "exclusive" media partner on what he thought the SPL should do, even though the SPL remain unchallenged on the specifics of the matter: that it was not possible to extend the season again.

As I have said before, full disclosure on this issue is required:

Did Peat speak to anyone at Rangers on this matter, and if so who, when and how often, or did he act alone?

Did he confer with Queen of the South before publicly offering to reschedule the Scottish Cup Final?

Did he establish if there was support for this motion among the member clubs, and if there was, who supported it?

Like Caesar's wife, the president of the SFA must be above suspicion and this character from a White Star Line farce, has been holed below the water line. He must go before he further damages the SFA, undermines the SPL again, or gets another opportunity to treat clubs like Queen of the South in a reckless manner.

Peat's line was echoed by SFA chief executive and Rangers fan, Gordon Smith, who despite accepting that, "A range of options and issues were explored, including the date of the Scottish Cup final.

"However, it was felt that, at this late stage, it was not a viable move as it would not open up any room for change in the SPL programme," still deemed it appropriate to stand on the steps of Hampden Park and echo the lie that the football world was laughing at the Scottish game.

There was no holding Scotland national manager, and Rangers fan, George Burley from getting in on the act either, he felt it necessary to wallow in the perceived injustice bestowed on Rangers at a Scotland press conference.

The world may well be laughing at Scottish football, but it is because we appoint Caesar's whores to positions of authority.

2008-05-11T23:22:53Z

Strachan: 'It's All About The Result'. Manager praises team performance but adds its all about the 3 points. (Football365.com)

2008-05-11T23:07:35Z

Scott McDonald: 'My Goals Mean Nothing If We Don't Secure Title'. Striker happy with his 31 goal tally this season, but it wont mean much if the team does not retain Champions title. Celtic did Motherwell a favour aginst Hibs, now Scott hopes they will reciprocate against their main rivals. (Times)

2008-05-11T22:58:44Z

Celtic Move Four Points Clear At Top. Match report. Celtic 2 Hibs 0. (Celticfc.net)

Celtic deliver the desired four point target

2008-05-11T22:55:32Z

Barry Robson has been an absolute revelation since moving into central midfield. This was a hard win today against a team who moved the ball forward quickly and accurately whenever they could, but more often than not they found either Robson or his partner, Paul Hartley, cover the necessary ground and close down the space.

We would probably have dropped points today if we deployed any other central midfield combination. For so many weeks we despaired at how ineffective Celtic were in this area of the field while Hartley and Robson were lucky to get a place on the bench.

Everyone played their part today, including the Celtic Park crowd, the bookmakers still make Rangers favourites, but we have done all we can; set a four point target and let the chasing pack know this one is going to the wire; just what they were not hoping for.

Celtic 2-0 Hibernian, 11 May 2008

2008-05-11T14:44:33Z

Goals from captain Stephen McManus and Scott McDonald won the points for Celtic in an entertaining match against Hibernian.

Despite wave after wave of attack in the second half Celtic had to wait until three minutes from the end before McDonald added to McManus' opening goal which came late in the first half. Hibs looked ragged in the second half but contrived to create several chances on the break that forced a string of fine saves from Artur Boruc who had his best game of the season.

Shunsuke Nakamura almost opened the scoring when he hit the post with a free kick from 25 yards after Hibs had the best of the opening exchanges. The opening goal came when Celtic's passing game began to break down. Lee Naylor raced forward but over hit the ball however he recovered well to charge down the resultant clearance which ricocheted for a corner. McManus headed home from the resultant Nakamura corner.

Hibs' Martin Canning received his second booking on 83 minutes which eased the pressure slightly on Celtic before Scott McDonald headed the second goal when allowed space at the back post following a Barry Robson free kick.

Hibs still managed to force Boruc into an excellent save before Ian Murray received a straight red card for a lunge at Aiden McGeady who had raced away with the ball.

Celtic v Hibernian, Live updates, 11 May 2008

2008-05-11T10:15:32Z

Live updates will appear below after 12:30 BST.

2008-05-10T23:17:48Z

Levein Fury As 'Ref Bottles It'. Dundee Utd. manager furious about refereeing in crucial game "I said to him we'd have been as well not turning up, what's the point?"
Levein said. "We'd have been as well going at that point, really. Mike could have phoned me this morning and said 'Rangers are going to get three points today, just tell your lads to stay in the house.' It is impossible to win here in important games, impossible to win. The referee has bottled it. He bottled it because he knew that if he's given the penalty he would have to send Davie Weir off. In this game who gives a toss about Dundee United, eh? Who cares? (Scotsman)

Decisions over Scott Brown and Balde only likely issues for Strachan

2008-05-10T16:15:15Z

Gordon Strachan will have made some interesting decisions today. Celtic have played well since he introduced Paul Hartley and Barry Robson into central midfield but they were less fluent last time out against Motherwell. I am sure Gordon will retain April Player of the Month Robson but wonder if he will be tempted to bring Scott Brown back?

Most interesting decision of all will be who partners Gary Caldwell in central defence. Bobo Balde got the nod last time out against Motherwell but I expect he will make way of the injury situation eases.

2008-05-10T13:43:47Z

Last- Game Title Decider Would Delight Strachan. Manager's hoping to be in the race for a title decider on the last game of the season. Reflects on the period in the season when the team went through a sticky patch. (Scotsman)