Paul67: October 2008 Archives
Friday, October 31, 2008
Scott Brown Clydesdale Bank Player of the Month
Congratulations to Scott Brown, Clydesdale Bank Player of the Month for October.
I think it is fair to say that Scott found the move to a massive club like Celtic a bigger challenge than he was prepared for last season, but recent performances, including that against Kilmarnock on Wednesday evening, have seen him in the form of his Celtic career so far.
There is still plenty to achieve, but I am delighted for the player at this award.
I think it is fair to say that Scott found the move to a massive club like Celtic a bigger challenge than he was prepared for last season, but recent performances, including that against Kilmarnock on Wednesday evening, have seen him in the form of his Celtic career so far.
There is still plenty to achieve, but I am delighted for the player at this award.
Celtic play eight games in 27 days in November; a time when an already stretched squad will be tested to its limit.
Two Champions League games sit apart from the normal fare, but I could make a case that the six league games in the month are the more important fixtures.
Four of these six are at home games which even a depleted Celtic should cope with, against Motherwell, Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Inverness. A trip to Hamilton, who are in free-fall, does not pose the greatest challenge, however the month starts at Tynecastle on Sunday against a team who always seem intend in trying to erase past demons when facing Celtic.
A win on Sunday would be a significant result.
Two Champions League games sit apart from the normal fare, but I could make a case that the six league games in the month are the more important fixtures.
Four of these six are at home games which even a depleted Celtic should cope with, against Motherwell, Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Inverness. A trip to Hamilton, who are in free-fall, does not pose the greatest challenge, however the month starts at Tynecastle on Sunday against a team who always seem intend in trying to erase past demons when facing Celtic.
A win on Sunday would be a significant result.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Change of formation pays dividends for Celtic
As well as being an excellent away win, last night's performance was a bit different from normal for Celtic.
The quick passing game that Gordon Strachan talked about long ago was in evidence; two-touch pass-and-move football happened from kick off until Kilmarnock had lunged, swiped and elbowed their last.
For three years now I have been saying Nakamura (in particular) needs the rest of the team to be playing at on his level, or else he is likely to become a spectator, standing idly on the wing.
Last night he had McGeady, Maloney and even the oft-maligned Donati, all capable of bringing the ball under control with their first touch and moving it on.
Time will tell if this type of football is durable enough to grind out results week-in-week-out, we watched plenty of this in the 1990s during what we now refer to as one of the darkest periods of our history, so I suspect a more robust look will be required, but last night we got an important lesson in how to bring out the best in some of our talented players.
Even Massimo Donati, cut adrift for over six months, clicked into place in the company of others blessed with instant control.
On a different subject; Nakamura's goal direct from a free kick was outstanding, but did you notice the part Shaun Maloney played in proceedings? Combe in the Kilmarnock goal was covering his right post, where the ball eventually went, but Nakamura walked away from the ball seconds before hitting it, leaving Maloney in the most natural position to take the kick.
On seeing this, Combe shifted left, towards the post Maloney would most likely aim for, which gave Nakamura the space to score.
Two free kick experts are a whole lot more effective than one.
The quick passing game that Gordon Strachan talked about long ago was in evidence; two-touch pass-and-move football happened from kick off until Kilmarnock had lunged, swiped and elbowed their last.
For three years now I have been saying Nakamura (in particular) needs the rest of the team to be playing at on his level, or else he is likely to become a spectator, standing idly on the wing.
Last night he had McGeady, Maloney and even the oft-maligned Donati, all capable of bringing the ball under control with their first touch and moving it on.
Time will tell if this type of football is durable enough to grind out results week-in-week-out, we watched plenty of this in the 1990s during what we now refer to as one of the darkest periods of our history, so I suspect a more robust look will be required, but last night we got an important lesson in how to bring out the best in some of our talented players.
Even Massimo Donati, cut adrift for over six months, clicked into place in the company of others blessed with instant control.
On a different subject; Nakamura's goal direct from a free kick was outstanding, but did you notice the part Shaun Maloney played in proceedings? Combe in the Kilmarnock goal was covering his right post, where the ball eventually went, but Nakamura walked away from the ball seconds before hitting it, leaving Maloney in the most natural position to take the kick.
On seeing this, Combe shifted left, towards the post Maloney would most likely aim for, which gave Nakamura the space to score.
Two free kick experts are a whole lot more effective than one.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Kilmarnock v Celtic, Live updates, Co-op Cup, 29 October 2008
Live updates will appear below after 19:45 GMT.
I know the Co-operative Insurance Cup is the least of our concerns this month, but Celtic's record in this tournament is in need of some improvement.
The club recorded only two wins (one of which was the greatest winning margin in a 20th Century, British cup final) before Jock Stein arrived and reached the League Cup final in every one of his 13 seasons at the club, but although Stein won his first five finals, he lost seven of the next remaining eight.
After Stein's last win, in 1974, the memorable Hampden in the rain victory over Rangers in 1982 was the only bright spot until Win Jansen's team beat Dundee United 3-0 on a hugely significant day for Celtic fans in 1997.
There have been three triumphs since. Kenny Dalglish's win over Aberdeen in 2000, which failed to lift the gloom from the club, contrasting sharply with the feelings I remembered from '82 and '97, Martin O'Neill's first trophy in 2001 against Kilmarnock, and Gordon Strachan's first trophy in 2006, against Dunfermline, which came a few days after the passing of Jimmy Johnstone.
Since that day in 2006 Celtic have exited the tournament, almost without a whimper, at home to both Falkirk and Hearts, performances which undermined the confidence of many.
We are three games away from a trophy, it's time to improve on that record, Celtic.
The club recorded only two wins (one of which was the greatest winning margin in a 20th Century, British cup final) before Jock Stein arrived and reached the League Cup final in every one of his 13 seasons at the club, but although Stein won his first five finals, he lost seven of the next remaining eight.
After Stein's last win, in 1974, the memorable Hampden in the rain victory over Rangers in 1982 was the only bright spot until Win Jansen's team beat Dundee United 3-0 on a hugely significant day for Celtic fans in 1997.
There have been three triumphs since. Kenny Dalglish's win over Aberdeen in 2000, which failed to lift the gloom from the club, contrasting sharply with the feelings I remembered from '82 and '97, Martin O'Neill's first trophy in 2001 against Kilmarnock, and Gordon Strachan's first trophy in 2006, against Dunfermline, which came a few days after the passing of Jimmy Johnstone.
Since that day in 2006 Celtic have exited the tournament, almost without a whimper, at home to both Falkirk and Hearts, performances which undermined the confidence of many.
We are three games away from a trophy, it's time to improve on that record, Celtic.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Loovens and Hinkel begin to look settled
There was something reassuring about Celtic on Saturday. They opened brightly, something I cannot say often, and after losing a two goal lead, and the game's momentum, stepped up a gear and won the points.
Several areas of the team remain a concern. Any Celtic team without Samaras looks like a pale shadow of a team with him, Scott Brown finished the game strongly in central midfield but he must add consistency, and we did lose two goals at home to Hibs, but there were encouraging signs.
Hinkel played one of his better games for Celtic. He has been an enigmatic figure since arriving in January; seldom looking like a player who has 17 caps for Germany in his cabinet, but I'm sure we have not seen the best of him yet.
Glenn Loovens is also beginning to look the part having shaken off his early season nervousness. His goal on Saturday, the second direct from a corner kick in two weeks, is worthy of note on its own. A few years ago Celtic were criticised for scoring almost exclusively from set pieces but since the departure of The Swede we have looked elsewhere for our concerns.
Several areas of the team remain a concern. Any Celtic team without Samaras looks like a pale shadow of a team with him, Scott Brown finished the game strongly in central midfield but he must add consistency, and we did lose two goals at home to Hibs, but there were encouraging signs.
Hinkel played one of his better games for Celtic. He has been an enigmatic figure since arriving in January; seldom looking like a player who has 17 caps for Germany in his cabinet, but I'm sure we have not seen the best of him yet.
Glenn Loovens is also beginning to look the part having shaken off his early season nervousness. His goal on Saturday, the second direct from a corner kick in two weeks, is worthy of note on its own. A few years ago Celtic were criticised for scoring almost exclusively from set pieces but since the departure of The Swede we have looked elsewhere for our concerns.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Peat ready to tackle Famine Song
SFA president, George Peat, has spoken out on the subject of 'The Famine Song' after witnessing Rangers fans at Hamilton on Saturday, pledging to meet with the Police and SPL to discuss the matter.
The song, one of the more palatable parts (believe it or not) of which includes the phrase "The famine's over, why don't you go home," refers to the 19th Century Irish potato famine when over a million people died, leading to the first large wave of immigration from Ireland to Scotland.
Peat told the BBC, "At the minute, we've left it in the hands of the SPL to look into things and try to eradicate it.
"We know that clubs have tried hard. Listening to it again at the weekend, it would appear that there's still some way to go.
"Obviously, it's got to be stamped out and we'll be having a meeting soon with the SPL and the police to see what we can do about it."
After the police, the SPL and Rangers Football Club themselves have spoken out in recent weeks against offensive chanting by Rangers fans, it appears that a concerted effort is underway to effect a significant social change in Scottish football, and perhaps the wider society.
Peat has come in for some heavy criticism from Celtic Quick News in recent years, but he deserves credit today for tackling a politically-sensitive subject like this, especially on a day when few in the media outside the BBC seem to have recorded the events at Hamilton on Saturday.
The SFA, SPL, the Police and Rangers all deserve our encouragement and support in tackling this matter.
The song, one of the more palatable parts (believe it or not) of which includes the phrase "The famine's over, why don't you go home," refers to the 19th Century Irish potato famine when over a million people died, leading to the first large wave of immigration from Ireland to Scotland.
Peat told the BBC, "At the minute, we've left it in the hands of the SPL to look into things and try to eradicate it.
"We know that clubs have tried hard. Listening to it again at the weekend, it would appear that there's still some way to go.
"Obviously, it's got to be stamped out and we'll be having a meeting soon with the SPL and the police to see what we can do about it."
After the police, the SPL and Rangers Football Club themselves have spoken out in recent weeks against offensive chanting by Rangers fans, it appears that a concerted effort is underway to effect a significant social change in Scottish football, and perhaps the wider society.
Peat has come in for some heavy criticism from Celtic Quick News in recent years, but he deserves credit today for tackling a politically-sensitive subject like this, especially on a day when few in the media outside the BBC seem to have recorded the events at Hamilton on Saturday.
The SFA, SPL, the Police and Rangers all deserve our encouragement and support in tackling this matter.
On Saturday morning, despite treacherous weather in Glasgow, the Celtic Quick News community came together to do help those in need of assistance.
Our Charity Five-a-side competition was an enormous success, collecting enough stationary and equipment to keep an entire school in Malawi going for 6 months.
As well as immediate needs such as food, clean water, medicines and shelter, it is important that the world's poorest communities gain access to good education if they are to build a better future, and this starts with making sure kids have access to simple tools, such as paper and pencils at school.
When I opened the curtains on Saturday morning I wondered what the drop-out rate would be, but need not have worried, there was a 100% attendance; I couldn't believe the crowd of players and spectators who were there before I arrived.
The football itself was a great success and a much higher standard than last year. Holders, Pulse8, lost one of their group games before being eliminated in the quarter finals, despite the goal-scoring talents of Celtic legend, Frank McGarvey.
'Il Veridiblancos' beat 'Shut up Michael' 2-1 in a tight final with few clear-cut chances to take the magnificent Celtic Quick News Charity Trophy, donated by Trophy World Direct, who brought along a stunning array of rewards for both teams who reached the final, the referees and all the kids who participated in the penalty kick competition, thanks Pat.
We invited former Fifa referee, Kenny Clark, along to officiate in the final, but he insisted in participating in the whole day, which is perhaps just as well, as things got a bit 'competitive' on occasion, so we got to see how order is maintained by the top refs.
I am sure there are a millions things Kenny (and his son) could have done instead of getting out of bed at dawn on a cold and miserable Saturday morning to referee a crowd of Celtic fans; he was an absolute treat and added significantly to the occasion, thanks Kenny.
Our thanks also to legendary Celtic captain, Danny McGrain, who again presented the trophy and medals.
Thanks to Ultimate Soccer, who entertained and worked with the kids, and to our friends at Not The View, who donated magazines and copies of the Wee Green Book, to aid fundraising.
I am sure you will all join me in offering special thanks to Kevin, Des, Andy and families, three generations of who were there to make sure the day went as smoothly as it did. The amount of work involved in planning and running such an occasion is enormous and appreciated.
Glasgow the Caring City will take our donated school supplies, and cash, to Malawi and continue their work in building a better future for some of the world's most needy.
And as for everyone who donated, you are a credit to your community, an example to football fans everywhere and the living spirit of what brought Celtic into existence 120 years ago, thank you.
Our Charity Five-a-side competition was an enormous success, collecting enough stationary and equipment to keep an entire school in Malawi going for 6 months.
As well as immediate needs such as food, clean water, medicines and shelter, it is important that the world's poorest communities gain access to good education if they are to build a better future, and this starts with making sure kids have access to simple tools, such as paper and pencils at school.
When I opened the curtains on Saturday morning I wondered what the drop-out rate would be, but need not have worried, there was a 100% attendance; I couldn't believe the crowd of players and spectators who were there before I arrived.
The football itself was a great success and a much higher standard than last year. Holders, Pulse8, lost one of their group games before being eliminated in the quarter finals, despite the goal-scoring talents of Celtic legend, Frank McGarvey.
'Il Veridiblancos' beat 'Shut up Michael' 2-1 in a tight final with few clear-cut chances to take the magnificent Celtic Quick News Charity Trophy, donated by Trophy World Direct, who brought along a stunning array of rewards for both teams who reached the final, the referees and all the kids who participated in the penalty kick competition, thanks Pat.
We invited former Fifa referee, Kenny Clark, along to officiate in the final, but he insisted in participating in the whole day, which is perhaps just as well, as things got a bit 'competitive' on occasion, so we got to see how order is maintained by the top refs.
I am sure there are a millions things Kenny (and his son) could have done instead of getting out of bed at dawn on a cold and miserable Saturday morning to referee a crowd of Celtic fans; he was an absolute treat and added significantly to the occasion, thanks Kenny.
Our thanks also to legendary Celtic captain, Danny McGrain, who again presented the trophy and medals.
Thanks to Ultimate Soccer, who entertained and worked with the kids, and to our friends at Not The View, who donated magazines and copies of the Wee Green Book, to aid fundraising.
I am sure you will all join me in offering special thanks to Kevin, Des, Andy and families, three generations of who were there to make sure the day went as smoothly as it did. The amount of work involved in planning and running such an occasion is enormous and appreciated.
Glasgow the Caring City will take our donated school supplies, and cash, to Malawi and continue their work in building a better future for some of the world's most needy.
And as for everyone who donated, you are a credit to your community, an example to football fans everywhere and the living spirit of what brought Celtic into existence 120 years ago, thank you.
Strachan praises players' 'fantastic drive' against brave and dangerous Hibs Celtic in the past few years have clearly developed an acute understanding of the truism that, whatever heat they may feel in Europe, it is in domestic matches such as this that league championships are forged. (Scotsman)
Celtic storm to dramatic late win Wild weather buffeted Glasgow as Celtic stormed to a thrilling 4-2 win over Hibernian. What is usually an entertaining contest against the Edinburgh club lived up to pre-match expectations, with Stephen McManus and Cillian Sheridan putting Celtic two ahead in the first half. (Celticfc.net)
Celtic 4 Hibernian 2: Hoops prove too strong for plucky Hibs Goals from Colin Nish and Steven Fletcher were not enough for a battling Hibs side as they went down 4-2 at Parkhead. (Scotsman)
Celtic 4-2 Hibernian Celtic maintained their three point lead at the top of the SPL after overcoming a determined Hibernian side.(BBC)
Celtic - Hibs games have provided excellent entertainment in recent seasons and today's was no different.
Celtic opened well, with the majority of possession and territorial advantage but it was Hibs who created the best chances, including a deflected shot that Artur Boruc did well to get a hand to.
On 29 minutes Steven Fletcher was sent clear with only Boruc to beat but the ball bounced off him to safety. This was to prove costly as within two minutes Stephen McManus opened the scoring with a shot direct from a poorly defended corner kick.
Celtic were two goals up four minutes later when Scott McDonald dummied a McManus pass sending Cillian Sheridan clear. The young Irishman took the ball round Mc-Kalambay in the Hibs goal and shot into the empty net.
At this stage it looked to be a matter of how many Celtic would win by, however, a few minutes before half time Boruc could not prevent Hibs second deflected shot of the afternoon from passing him.
Five minutes into the second half Hibs were level when Colin Nish sent a first-time cross between the Celtic defence and goalkeeper for Fletcher to score.
Glenn Loovens replaced McManus at half time and, in his best performance for Celtic so far, put Celtic back into the lead with 14 minutes remaining with header direct from a corner, his second goal in two league games.
Scott Brown completed the scoring after 82 minutes with a fine left-foot drive from the edge of the box, a goal which must have done his confidence good, as he finished the game playing his best football of the season.
Celtic opened well, with the majority of possession and territorial advantage but it was Hibs who created the best chances, including a deflected shot that Artur Boruc did well to get a hand to.
On 29 minutes Steven Fletcher was sent clear with only Boruc to beat but the ball bounced off him to safety. This was to prove costly as within two minutes Stephen McManus opened the scoring with a shot direct from a poorly defended corner kick.
Celtic were two goals up four minutes later when Scott McDonald dummied a McManus pass sending Cillian Sheridan clear. The young Irishman took the ball round Mc-Kalambay in the Hibs goal and shot into the empty net.
At this stage it looked to be a matter of how many Celtic would win by, however, a few minutes before half time Boruc could not prevent Hibs second deflected shot of the afternoon from passing him.
Five minutes into the second half Hibs were level when Colin Nish sent a first-time cross between the Celtic defence and goalkeeper for Fletcher to score.
Glenn Loovens replaced McManus at half time and, in his best performance for Celtic so far, put Celtic back into the lead with 14 minutes remaining with header direct from a corner, his second goal in two league games.
Scott Brown completed the scoring after 82 minutes with a fine left-foot drive from the edge of the box, a goal which must have done his confidence good, as he finished the game playing his best football of the season.
Live updates will appear below after 15:00 BST.
Friday, October 24, 2008
CQN Five-a-side Cup 2008 Live Draw
Ladies and gentlemen, we can now go to Uefa headquarters in Nyon for the Celtic Quick News, Five-a-side, Charity Cup draw, in association with Trophy World DIrect.
Twelve teams have reached this stage of the competition, including holders, Pulse8, in what is sure to be the European sporting highlight of the year.
Entrance to the competition has not been easy, each team needs to provide school equipment, such as pencils, notepads, solar calculators, erasers, anything except text books, although light clothing is also accepted, for children in Malawi.
It is with pleasure I hand you over to your host, Alicia, for the live draw.
All matches will take place tomorrow, 25 October 2008, at Glasgow Green Football Pitches, between 10am and 1pm. Under no circumstances will the season be extended because one of the teams is feeling tired.
Twelve teams have reached this stage of the competition, including holders, Pulse8, in what is sure to be the European sporting highlight of the year.
Entrance to the competition has not been easy, each team needs to provide school equipment, such as pencils, notepads, solar calculators, erasers, anything except text books, although light clothing is also accepted, for children in Malawi.
It is with pleasure I hand you over to your host, Alicia, for the live draw.
All matches will take place tomorrow, 25 October 2008, at Glasgow Green Football Pitches, between 10am and 1pm. Under no circumstances will the season be extended because one of the teams is feeling tired.
Euro success a bonus for Celtic Club director Brian McBride says failure to reach the last 16 of the Champions League would not affect Celtic financially. (BBC)
The day's events will start at 10m when the first group matches kick off at Glasgow Green Football Pitches.
At 10.30am an accredited coach from Ultimate Soccer will be there to offer kids who come along a free coaching hour and a big thank you to them for their contribution. This will be a fun hour that kids can join in at any time and we'll finish with some penalties and prizes. Don't worry, 30 Degrees is forecast, although there's debate over which scale that's on.
The adults can pop into the building and upstairs to the conference lounge where we will have display boards of the projects in Africa, and Ross Galbraith, International Projects Coordinator of Glasgow the Caring City, will be there to talk you through these projects and chat about these with you. We hope as many as possible show some interest and support.
We may also have someone along from the Celtic Foundation who have recently formed a very meaningful and exciting partnership with the Caring City. Hot rolls will be available from early on at the van in the car park, and the owner has offered a donation from the takings.
The competition reaches its climax at around 12.40 when the final will take place and the prizes awarded around 1pm by Celtic legend Danny McGrain, leaving plenty of time to make your way to Celtic Park. Again our thanks to Danny, and to Trophy World Direct for sponsoring us with the trophy, the awards for the players, finalists and now also for the kids taking part.
So come along and support the event, the kids can hand in some school kit, get a kick about and you can have a look at what it all means in the visual display and talk from Ross.
The draw, live from Nyon, has been subject to veto, international incident and a UEFA general purposes committee emergency meeting but we now expect this to take place around noon on Friday.
Look forward to seeing you on Saturday.
At 10.30am an accredited coach from Ultimate Soccer will be there to offer kids who come along a free coaching hour and a big thank you to them for their contribution. This will be a fun hour that kids can join in at any time and we'll finish with some penalties and prizes. Don't worry, 30 Degrees is forecast, although there's debate over which scale that's on.
The adults can pop into the building and upstairs to the conference lounge where we will have display boards of the projects in Africa, and Ross Galbraith, International Projects Coordinator of Glasgow the Caring City, will be there to talk you through these projects and chat about these with you. We hope as many as possible show some interest and support.
We may also have someone along from the Celtic Foundation who have recently formed a very meaningful and exciting partnership with the Caring City. Hot rolls will be available from early on at the van in the car park, and the owner has offered a donation from the takings.
The competition reaches its climax at around 12.40 when the final will take place and the prizes awarded around 1pm by Celtic legend Danny McGrain, leaving plenty of time to make your way to Celtic Park. Again our thanks to Danny, and to Trophy World Direct for sponsoring us with the trophy, the awards for the players, finalists and now also for the kids taking part.
So come along and support the event, the kids can hand in some school kit, get a kick about and you can have a look at what it all means in the visual display and talk from Ross.
The draw, live from Nyon, has been subject to veto, international incident and a UEFA general purposes committee emergency meeting but we now expect this to take place around noon on Friday.
Look forward to seeing you on Saturday.
Strachan magnanimous after defeat Celtic manager Gordon Strachan refused to criticise match officials
following his side's 3-0 Champions League defeat to Manchester United. (BBC)
Man Utd 3-0 Celtic Manchester United strolled to victory to leave Celtic's Champions League hopes hanging by a slender thread. (BBC)
Celtic fans are praised by Manchester
Police CELTIC fans have been praised for their behaviour by Manchester
police as they provided another positive example to everyone on how to
support their team regardless of the result. (Celticfc.net)
When you face teams with £150m more to spend each year than you, you need to be at the top of your game and you need to get the breaks. Celtic played well in the opening 30 minutes, producing the only two attempts on target, but the loss of two off-side goals effectively ended the game as a contest, allowing Manchester United to relax and Celtic to consider what the extent of their defeat.
I am not one for complaining about poor refereeing decisions, we have benefited from them in the past, notably away to Barcelona when we earned our only away point in this competition, but after going 2-0 down I felt frustrated that the game was over as a contest as a result of two poor decisions from the officials.
Gordon Strachan was correct to suggest that Celtic's passing was not as good as it should have been and that the better team won.
I have complained for years about Celtic's central midfield but I thought that Gary Caldwell was outstanding in his new holding role last night. He won tackles and moved forward with the ball, always with his head up looking for options. This was an experiment definitely worth sticking with.
Chances for the first two goals came from defensive mistakes; Mark Wilson for the first and Scott Brown, who committed a reckless foul in a dangerous area for the second. Celtic lost away to Villarreal after conceding a free kick in a dangerous area and have to be alert to this danger against top opposition.
The evening ended with Celtic fans singing, "We hate Rangers more than you" to the good-natured Greater Manchester Police, many of whom seemed tempted to join in.
It was another disappointing defeat but there is still plenty to be achieved in the Champions League group stage; qualification for the latter stages of the Uefa Cup and an away win are required.
I am not one for complaining about poor refereeing decisions, we have benefited from them in the past, notably away to Barcelona when we earned our only away point in this competition, but after going 2-0 down I felt frustrated that the game was over as a contest as a result of two poor decisions from the officials.
Gordon Strachan was correct to suggest that Celtic's passing was not as good as it should have been and that the better team won.
I have complained for years about Celtic's central midfield but I thought that Gary Caldwell was outstanding in his new holding role last night. He won tackles and moved forward with the ball, always with his head up looking for options. This was an experiment definitely worth sticking with.
Chances for the first two goals came from defensive mistakes; Mark Wilson for the first and Scott Brown, who committed a reckless foul in a dangerous area for the second. Celtic lost away to Villarreal after conceding a free kick in a dangerous area and have to be alert to this danger against top opposition.
The evening ended with Celtic fans singing, "We hate Rangers more than you" to the good-natured Greater Manchester Police, many of whom seemed tempted to join in.
It was another disappointing defeat but there is still plenty to be achieved in the Champions League group stage; qualification for the latter stages of the Uefa Cup and an away win are required.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Manchester United v Celtic, Match Reports, 21 October 2008
Leave your match reports below.
Live updates will appear below after 19:45 BST. A new article will appear shortly before full time for your post-match comments.
So there is no point in turning up. A nervous performance against the Highlanders on Saturday with yet more injuries was enough to convince many that Celtic are beaten before they take the field tonight.
Manchester United were apparently impressive on the same day, allowing Sir Alex Ferguson to invoke the warning, "We're European champions", a proud boast indeed, for a club in more debt than any other in history.
For a Celtic player, a Caldwell or McManus, Maloney or McGeady, today presents a world of opportunity. No point turning up? Nonsense, every game as a Celtic player has the most profound purpose, the screeds written on Celtic Quick News each day testifies to that.
If those wearing green tonight have a whiff of the will-to-win or the unquenchable Celtic spirit you and I have, Manchester would be advised to send out both of their teams, for that spirit is truly the spirit of champions, as Ferguson's team found out the last time we met two years ago.
Anyway, I can't sit here chatting all day, I'm off to see Celtic, and as it's Celtic fans leaving Glasgow for Manchester this time, I don't predict a riot.
Don't forget about our charity five-a -side competition at Glasgow Green Football Pitches on Saturday from 10:00 until 13:00. We are looking for pencils, notebooks, rulers, erasers, for school kids in Malawi, and as well as a Fifa referee, legendary Celtic captain, Danny McGrain will be along to present the prizes.
Look out for new articles before kick-off and shortly before full time, I'll not be around to leave a "new article posted" note.
Manchester United were apparently impressive on the same day, allowing Sir Alex Ferguson to invoke the warning, "We're European champions", a proud boast indeed, for a club in more debt than any other in history.
For a Celtic player, a Caldwell or McManus, Maloney or McGeady, today presents a world of opportunity. No point turning up? Nonsense, every game as a Celtic player has the most profound purpose, the screeds written on Celtic Quick News each day testifies to that.
If those wearing green tonight have a whiff of the will-to-win or the unquenchable Celtic spirit you and I have, Manchester would be advised to send out both of their teams, for that spirit is truly the spirit of champions, as Ferguson's team found out the last time we met two years ago.
Anyway, I can't sit here chatting all day, I'm off to see Celtic, and as it's Celtic fans leaving Glasgow for Manchester this time, I don't predict a riot.
Don't forget about our charity five-a -side competition at Glasgow Green Football Pitches on Saturday from 10:00 until 13:00. We are looking for pencils, notebooks, rulers, erasers, for school kids in Malawi, and as well as a Fifa referee, legendary Celtic captain, Danny McGrain will be along to present the prizes.
Look out for new articles before kick-off and shortly before full time, I'll not be around to leave a "new article posted" note.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Crucial period ahead for Celtic
Celtic have only one midweek off until December and that is an international week, so our would-be league challengers will hope that the strains of playing on heavy pitches without the opportunity of spending time on the training field will expose weaknesses.
This is always possible, especially if they lose players to injury at the rate they have this last week, but a glance at the fixture list provides some hope.
The eight games in this series include only two away in the league, at Hearts and Hamilton. Heats in particular will be a tough test but winning both games is certainly not beyond Celtic. At home, Celtic play Hibs, Motherwell and Kilmarnock, games we would expect the champions to take full points from when they are playing to their potential.
There is, of course, a sprinkling of Champions League and Co-operative Insurance Cup games in the mix, but if Celtic come through this period with 15 points they will be in excellent shape to retain their title.
This is always possible, especially if they lose players to injury at the rate they have this last week, but a glance at the fixture list provides some hope.
The eight games in this series include only two away in the league, at Hearts and Hamilton. Heats in particular will be a tough test but winning both games is certainly not beyond Celtic. At home, Celtic play Hibs, Motherwell and Kilmarnock, games we would expect the champions to take full points from when they are playing to their potential.
There is, of course, a sprinkling of Champions League and Co-operative Insurance Cup games in the mix, but if Celtic come through this period with 15 points they will be in excellent shape to retain their title.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Inverness 1-2 Celtic, SPL, 18 October 2008
Celtic went three points clear at the top of the SPL after winning 1-2 away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle this afternoon.
Scott Brown opened the scoring three minutes after the break before Glenn Loovens put Celtic two ahead but the game ended tensely after Inverness pulled a goal back when Garry Wood steered a loose ball past Boruc from inside the six yard box.
Boruc kept the scores level on 36 minutes when he got Scott Brown out of jail by saving when Wood was released with only the goalkeeper to beat when Brown had been caught in possession.
Referee Ian Brines had another controversial afternoon when he failed to show Inverness player Ian Black a second yellow card. Black, facing Aiden McGeady, kicked the Celtic player a few inches below the knee in the centre of the field with an impact so loud, television microphones picked it up.
Two minutes after taking a two goal lead Celtic almost made things comfortable when McGeady drifted right before crossing for Barry Robson who only-just failed to reach the ball in front of goal, but Inverness scored within seconds.
The final 28 minutes, including seven minutes of added time, made for torturous viewing for the travelling support as Celtic seemed unable to retain possession, win 50-50 challenges or boss Inverness.
Scott Brown opened the scoring three minutes after the break before Glenn Loovens put Celtic two ahead but the game ended tensely after Inverness pulled a goal back when Garry Wood steered a loose ball past Boruc from inside the six yard box.
Boruc kept the scores level on 36 minutes when he got Scott Brown out of jail by saving when Wood was released with only the goalkeeper to beat when Brown had been caught in possession.
Referee Ian Brines had another controversial afternoon when he failed to show Inverness player Ian Black a second yellow card. Black, facing Aiden McGeady, kicked the Celtic player a few inches below the knee in the centre of the field with an impact so loud, television microphones picked it up.
Two minutes after taking a two goal lead Celtic almost made things comfortable when McGeady drifted right before crossing for Barry Robson who only-just failed to reach the ball in front of goal, but Inverness scored within seconds.
The final 28 minutes, including seven minutes of added time, made for torturous viewing for the travelling support as Celtic seemed unable to retain possession, win 50-50 challenges or boss Inverness.
Live updates will appear below after 12:30 BST.
That was an enormously long two weeks, but at long last, Celtic are back.
It all fell apart in the Highlands last season. Two goals up and cursing, then a few mistakes, a goal incorrectly chopped off, and Celtic were on the receiving end of a defeat and on the back foot in the league.
You and I spend much of last season looking over our shoulder at the points dropped in Inverness and a couple discarded needlessly at Tynecastle, thinking that this was when it all went wrong.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle have, of course, hurt us before this; twice, so my regular mantra for games against teams from the provinces, 'guard against complacency' will not be needed today.
We owe them one.
It all fell apart in the Highlands last season. Two goals up and cursing, then a few mistakes, a goal incorrectly chopped off, and Celtic were on the receiving end of a defeat and on the back foot in the league.
You and I spend much of last season looking over our shoulder at the points dropped in Inverness and a couple discarded needlessly at Tynecastle, thinking that this was when it all went wrong.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle have, of course, hurt us before this; twice, so my regular mantra for games against teams from the provinces, 'guard against complacency' will not be needed today.
We owe them one.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Robust AGM for Celtic
Celtic's AGM kicked off in a particularly robust fashion this morning with chairman, Dr John Reid, putting his tackity boots on to deal with the "vile", "vicious, racist song" which "combined racism and sectarianism" and "goes beyond what we've seen in the past", heard during Rangers recent visit to Celtic Park.
And this was in the prepared video shown at the start of the meeting.
He went on to say that Celtic were "proud of their Scottish and Irish heritage" and that "the name Celtic stands against those who would divide those entities".
"We speak out when we see racism and sectarianism".
"I don't know any Celtic fans who engage in racist behaviour, we greet all the same".
Dr Reid added that the club hope to reach the United Nations target for countries to allocate 0.7% of their income to under-privileged people.
Peter Lawwell told the meeting that in recent years the club have "de-risked" much of its commercial income into long term deals, which he hopes will protect it against some of the potential downside of an economic slowdown.
Lawwell also asked fans to desist from political singing at away games and reiterated Dr Reid's earlier commitment that the club would continue to oppose "racism and sectarianism" by visiting fans.
A question was asked about exploiting the Celtic diaspora, which the club hope the appointment of Jason Hughes as Overseas Development Director will aid.
Gordon Strachan was given a warm applause and congratulated by several speakers for winning his third consecutive title, on finance, the manager said:
"In terms of finance I know how we work and where we work. The future of the club long term is going to be safe", before speculating that this was not true of all clubs.
He reiterated his belief that he now has the calibre of squad to be able to rest three or four players "and still be as strong", "when it has happened, it has worked out and the players have come back stronger."
Tellingly he said, "When I came here I thought, Celtic are an attacking team, let's go for it, then I thought, you need to win to keep yourself in a job." He went on to admit that the entertainment on show has not always been what he wants for Celtic, but that he believes this has improved recently.
The votes were carried overwhelmingly, one by 99.99%, or "the Coatbridge vote" as Dr Reid called it and the meeting concluded with a call for the club to invite composer, James McMillan, to write an anthem for Celtic and the chairman calling for "four-in-a-row".
And this was in the prepared video shown at the start of the meeting.
He went on to say that Celtic were "proud of their Scottish and Irish heritage" and that "the name Celtic stands against those who would divide those entities".
"We speak out when we see racism and sectarianism".
"I don't know any Celtic fans who engage in racist behaviour, we greet all the same".
Dr Reid added that the club hope to reach the United Nations target for countries to allocate 0.7% of their income to under-privileged people.
Peter Lawwell told the meeting that in recent years the club have "de-risked" much of its commercial income into long term deals, which he hopes will protect it against some of the potential downside of an economic slowdown.
Lawwell also asked fans to desist from political singing at away games and reiterated Dr Reid's earlier commitment that the club would continue to oppose "racism and sectarianism" by visiting fans.
A question was asked about exploiting the Celtic diaspora, which the club hope the appointment of Jason Hughes as Overseas Development Director will aid.
Gordon Strachan was given a warm applause and congratulated by several speakers for winning his third consecutive title, on finance, the manager said:
"In terms of finance I know how we work and where we work. The future of the club long term is going to be safe", before speculating that this was not true of all clubs.
He reiterated his belief that he now has the calibre of squad to be able to rest three or four players "and still be as strong", "when it has happened, it has worked out and the players have come back stronger."
Tellingly he said, "When I came here I thought, Celtic are an attacking team, let's go for it, then I thought, you need to win to keep yourself in a job." He went on to admit that the entertainment on show has not always been what he wants for Celtic, but that he believes this has improved recently.
The votes were carried overwhelmingly, one by 99.99%, or "the Coatbridge vote" as Dr Reid called it and the meeting concluded with a call for the club to invite composer, James McMillan, to write an anthem for Celtic and the chairman calling for "four-in-a-row".
Ben Hutchinson has been talking about his return from injury and more on his icons.com page.
"I'm back from injury and I've had no hamstring problems at all since coming back. I've got a few games under my belt and I've scored a few goals for the reserves too, so things are going really well for me now.
"There is never a good time to get injured, but I suppose getting my injury in pre-season was the best time for it to happen. I'd rather that than halfway through a season. That's one way of looking at it. Hopefully that'll be it for injuries now. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.
Read more about Ben's trip to Derry and thoughts on defeat to Rangers at icons.com.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
AGM questions
Tomorrow, as owners of Celtic, we get our opportunity to ask questions of the club's directors about the recent past, their plans for our club and inform them of our concerns and experiences, at the Celtic PLC, Annual General Meeting.
Celtic are very well run, champions again with a sustainable financial platform, but many of us have frustrating experiences dealing with one or more elements of the club and the AGM is the place to raise these issues.
The fine tuning of the club is of interest, will new income streams open up, will expenditure change, will more resources be averted to ticket, stadium, or commercial services, but I would like the club to be prodded into life on one of the more challenging subjects.
Our domestic domination becomes ever more solid with each passing season but our resources look increasingly marginal on the European stage. Celtic need a strategy to move beyond the confines of the SPL. We need to look for alliances with other clubs with similar problems until the opportunity presents itself to change the football landscape.
Half of Europe live outside the 'big five leagues', so finding some kindred spirits should not be too difficult.
Most importantly, I would like to hear how the club plan to raise £350m to transform the land around the stadium into a latter-day Shangri-La. OK, perhaps we should leave fantasy to the fantasists, but I am keen to find out what we are going to do with all the derelict land acquired around the perimeter of Celtic Park.
See you there.
Celtic are very well run, champions again with a sustainable financial platform, but many of us have frustrating experiences dealing with one or more elements of the club and the AGM is the place to raise these issues.
The fine tuning of the club is of interest, will new income streams open up, will expenditure change, will more resources be averted to ticket, stadium, or commercial services, but I would like the club to be prodded into life on one of the more challenging subjects.
Our domestic domination becomes ever more solid with each passing season but our resources look increasingly marginal on the European stage. Celtic need a strategy to move beyond the confines of the SPL. We need to look for alliances with other clubs with similar problems until the opportunity presents itself to change the football landscape.
Half of Europe live outside the 'big five leagues', so finding some kindred spirits should not be too difficult.
Most importantly, I would like to hear how the club plan to raise £350m to transform the land around the stadium into a latter-day Shangri-La. OK, perhaps we should leave fantasy to the fantasists, but I am keen to find out what we are going to do with all the derelict land acquired around the perimeter of Celtic Park.
See you there.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
CQN Fives, 25 Oct, benefiting school in Malawi
Not long before the champions take the field against Hibernian on
Saturday, 25 October, just 10 days from now, the major football event
of the month kicks off, the Celtic Quick News Five-a-side Tournament at the Glasgow Green Football Pitches,
sponsored by Trophy World Direct, who have provided the magnificent cup
pictured above, and trophies for each player who reaches the final. After a record-breaking fund-raising year, we are not asking for money on this occasion, instead, we are looking for educational equipment for a school in Kaponda Village, Malawi.
So if you are a player in the tournament, or simply a Celtic Quick News reader, come along with:
Pencils, rulers, erasers (rubbers, vern.), chalk, jotters, notepads, rucksacks and solar calculators. Ask your friends if they can contribute, if you're feeling up to it, ask your local supermarket or stationer's if they are able to make a donation.
Electrical equipment and text books are not appropriate for a variety of reasons.
Children in Malawi also need good quality, light material, clothing, so if your kids have grown out of their clothes before they have had a chance to wear them in, please bring them along.
Items will be given to Glasgow the Caring City, take a look at their Football4life project to find out what will happen to your donations.
We will have a penalty kick competition for kids and we will have a bounce game for those who turn up without a team but looking to enjoy themselves.
There will also be complimentary tea and coffee, so come along and participate in what will be a great Celtic occasion. The competition starts at 10:00 sharp, teams are asked to arrive no later than 9:30, and we'll finish at 13:00 with a celebrity presentation, which will leave you plenty of time to make your way to Celtic Park for kick off.
Look forward to seeing you at some point during the day.
People seldom surprise me but I was stunned by the altruistic generosity of Willie Haughey in donating £2m to allow the Scottish Government to brand the Scottish Cup for two years.
I've seen the former Celtic director put his hand in his pocket at many fundraising events before but the size of this donation is unprecedented in Scottish football.
He is an example to us all.
I've seen the former Celtic director put his hand in his pocket at many fundraising events before but the size of this donation is unprecedented in Scottish football.
He is an example to us all.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Italian FA act on errant fans
The Italian FA have taken decisive action after a few dozen of their fans were involved in fighting and made Nazi-style salutes at a game in Bulgaria on Saturday; Italy will refuse tickets for future away games until further notice.
Refusing to provide tickets to fans will not cure social ills, but they remove some of the manifestations from football. Some people in Scotland should take note before they get a name for spouting empty rhetoric.
Refusing to provide tickets to fans will not cure social ills, but they remove some of the manifestations from football. Some people in Scotland should take note before they get a name for spouting empty rhetoric.
Monday, October 13, 2008
English football dominoes still standing, for now
Whether or not reports that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich lost £12 billion last week are true I cannot say, but he and pretty much every other high net-worth individual, will have lost a considerable amount of money; so too will BSkyB and Setanta Sports shareholders.
Football clubs are not the most vulnerable to recession, their TV deals are established years in advance and season ticket money is banked in the early summer, but with debt in English football reported at £3 billion, what happens at the margins is important.
If a small amount of that debt cannot be renewed when due, or the credit-worthiness of a few major shareholders, such as West Ham's Icelandic owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, are no longer able to provide collateral for lenders, dominoes could fall.
And if BSkyS catch a whiff of the disease that took ITV Digital, English football will make the Scottish banks look like temperate enterprises.
Football clubs are not the most vulnerable to recession, their TV deals are established years in advance and season ticket money is banked in the early summer, but with debt in English football reported at £3 billion, what happens at the margins is important.
If a small amount of that debt cannot be renewed when due, or the credit-worthiness of a few major shareholders, such as West Ham's Icelandic owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, are no longer able to provide collateral for lenders, dominoes could fall.
And if BSkyS catch a whiff of the disease that took ITV Digital, English football will make the Scottish banks look like temperate enterprises.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
JJB bounce will disappoint Rangers
Thursday and Friday saw stock markets plunge across the world as billions were written of the value of companies; this at the end of a week when JJB Sports were refused credit insurance and we reported on Wednesday that this may provide Rangers with a financial shaft of light, as I suggested the securitised merchandise deal JJB have with the Ibrox club may have a clause which terminates the agreement in the event either party went into liquidation.
But, just as Sir David Murray told the Rangers AGM that the club would recover its retail rights if JJB Sports went into liquidation, the retailer became a stock market star, seeing its Wednesday closing price of 12p double by the end of the week as rumours of their imminent demise proved to be unfounded.
Sometimes you just cannot catch a break.
In these troubled times it was unusual to hear Murray blame JJB for not delivering on the spirit of their agreement; commercial partnerships are hard enough to get, so you might expect positive noises about the relationship between the parties.
The unpalatable truth is that the liquidation of JJB Sports is in Rangers best interests. Murray stopped short of calling for a boycott, but his sentiment towards the retailer was clear.
But, just as Sir David Murray told the Rangers AGM that the club would recover its retail rights if JJB Sports went into liquidation, the retailer became a stock market star, seeing its Wednesday closing price of 12p double by the end of the week as rumours of their imminent demise proved to be unfounded.
Sometimes you just cannot catch a break.
In these troubled times it was unusual to hear Murray blame JJB for not delivering on the spirit of their agreement; commercial partnerships are hard enough to get, so you might expect positive noises about the relationship between the parties.
The unpalatable truth is that the liquidation of JJB Sports is in Rangers best interests. Murray stopped short of calling for a boycott, but his sentiment towards the retailer was clear.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Murray gets Pythonesque about Scotland's Shame
Sir David Murray: "I have gone on record in the past as saying Scotland's shame is not sectarianism, it is drugs and obesity."
It took me a second to place this sentiment, before I remembered:
American tourist: "What I'm suggesting is that this place is the crummiest, shoddiest, worst run hotel in the whole of Western Europe."
The Major: "No! No, I won't have that, there's a place in Eastbourne...."
One of John Cleese classic Fawlty Towers moments seems to have inspired Sir David Murray into authentic Pythonesque logic. There are at least two more shameful aspects to Scottish society than sectarianism.
What a relief.
I do, though, have some sympathy for Murray. His claim that "In the 20 years I've been at this club there has been a vast, vast improvement on sectarianism at the club," is irrefutable. He ended a sectarian signing policy which stretched back decades and even recruited a Catholic manager, an act which was unthinkable before his time.
19 years after taking the first of these steps, Rangers are still facing the same (17th Century) internal battles, but unlike 1989, when Murray was an imperious figure in Scottish football and could confidently challenge the Rangers support, he has lost most of his authority and will find his pronouncements opposed at every turn.
News coverage this morning will enrage his opponents, who will recoil that he has associated the words 'Rangers' and 'sectarian' again, and will certainly not comply with his wishes.
This will not end well. Or soon.
We have so much to ponder. Obese people are certainly not the healthiest, but are they worthy of shame? Sounds a bit fattist to me. Anyway, it's lunch time so better not overindulge, just in case there is a whole new avenue of prejudice about to open up, even if you are offered a"wafter-thin mint".
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Debt spectre looms ominously over football
I am in complete agreement with Uefa general secretary, David Taylor's suggestion that part of a club's licence requirements to participate in European football should be an inhibitor against allowing debt to spiral out of control.
The announcement earlier in the week that English football clubs, the most lavishly rewarded in the world, are some £3bn in debt should be enough to terrify fans that an income blip could bring the entire edifice down. Even at 'super-rich' Chelsea, where £736m of debt hangs ominously over the club's future while the owner prefers only to service the debt, not invest enough money to pay it off.
I know it is clichéd to suggest that football club's are 'more than just a club', but their cultural and social links to their communities mean that failure could potentially be devastating for thousands of people.
Now that the tax payer has set a precedent by stepping in to assist the banks , if things carry on the way they are, perhaps 'Rangers on the Rates' will be necessary to keep the Glasgow derby alive. I suspect a fantasy along these lines will emerge from an AGM before the day is out.
The announcement earlier in the week that English football clubs, the most lavishly rewarded in the world, are some £3bn in debt should be enough to terrify fans that an income blip could bring the entire edifice down. Even at 'super-rich' Chelsea, where £736m of debt hangs ominously over the club's future while the owner prefers only to service the debt, not invest enough money to pay it off.
I know it is clichéd to suggest that football club's are 'more than just a club', but their cultural and social links to their communities mean that failure could potentially be devastating for thousands of people.
Now that the tax payer has set a precedent by stepping in to assist the banks , if things carry on the way they are, perhaps 'Rangers on the Rates' will be necessary to keep the Glasgow derby alive. I suspect a fantasy along these lines will emerge from an AGM before the day is out.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
JJB troubles could help Rangers
Shares in JJB Sports were trading at 132p only last month but at the time of writing were below 14p on the news, yesterday, that credit insurer, Coface, refused to provide cover to the company's suppliers.
Suppliers in many industries insure invoices against default which covers them in the event of a customer failure, so a lack of credit insurance could make it difficult for JJB to acquire new merchandise, leading to inevitable problems.
I am pretty sure that Rangers securitised merchandising deal with JJB will have included a clause that terminates the agreement in the event of either party going into liquidation, which would leave the club free to resell rights already sold to JJB.
The rights will be worth much less in the current climate than they were two years ago, and Rangers have disposed of their own retail operation (at some cost) so would be unlikely to take merchandising back in-house, but the demise of JJB Sports is likely to provide good news for Rangers.
Maybe it's time to reverse that boycott campaign.
Suppliers in many industries insure invoices against default which covers them in the event of a customer failure, so a lack of credit insurance could make it difficult for JJB to acquire new merchandise, leading to inevitable problems.
I am pretty sure that Rangers securitised merchandising deal with JJB will have included a clause that terminates the agreement in the event of either party going into liquidation, which would leave the club free to resell rights already sold to JJB.
The rights will be worth much less in the current climate than they were two years ago, and Rangers have disposed of their own retail operation (at some cost) so would be unlikely to take merchandising back in-house, but the demise of JJB Sports is likely to provide good news for Rangers.
Maybe it's time to reverse that boycott campaign.
It's just over two weeks until our annual Celtic Quick News Charity Five-a-side tournament, which takes place on Saturday 25 October at the pitches on Glasgow Green. The event was fully booked within days of being announced, however, if you are heading towards Celtic Park for the home game against Hibs that day, you are very welcome to get into town early and watch the finale of the tournament, which is due to finish at 1pm.
The generosity of Celtic Quick News readers reached new limits over the summer, when you raised over £5700 for a number of very worthy causes, so this time we decided not to ask for money.
We are looking for educational equipment for a school in Kaponda Village, Malawi. Rather than a cash fee each player is asked to bring with them a donation consisting of items such as packs of pencils, rulers, erasers, chalk, jotters, pads, solar calculators and, if possible, some good quality, light material, children's clothing, although our focus is on educational equipment.
For a variety of reasons, including import duties and availability of power supply, electrical equipment and curriculum specific items, such as text books, are not appropriate.
Donations of equipment from spectators are also very welcome.
We are delighted to again be running the tournament in conjunction with Glasgow the Caring City, who do a tremendous amount of good work in Malawi and in many other places throughout the world. Take a look at their Football4life project to find out more and to see pictures of kids in Malawi wearing Celtic tops donated in recent years.
Our thanks also to Trophy World Direct, in Inverkip, who have donated awards for the winning and second placed teams.
The generosity of Celtic Quick News readers reached new limits over the summer, when you raised over £5700 for a number of very worthy causes, so this time we decided not to ask for money.
We are looking for educational equipment for a school in Kaponda Village, Malawi. Rather than a cash fee each player is asked to bring with them a donation consisting of items such as packs of pencils, rulers, erasers, chalk, jotters, pads, solar calculators and, if possible, some good quality, light material, children's clothing, although our focus is on educational equipment.
For a variety of reasons, including import duties and availability of power supply, electrical equipment and curriculum specific items, such as text books, are not appropriate.
Donations of equipment from spectators are also very welcome.
We are delighted to again be running the tournament in conjunction with Glasgow the Caring City, who do a tremendous amount of good work in Malawi and in many other places throughout the world. Take a look at their Football4life project to find out more and to see pictures of kids in Malawi wearing Celtic tops donated in recent years.
Our thanks also to Trophy World Direct, in Inverkip, who have donated awards for the winning and second placed teams.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Pace quickens for Celtic after international break
When Celtic players return from international duty they will do so to one of the most crucial periods of the season.
Nine games in four weeks, including some when the rest of the country is at home watching TV, will be a period with little opportunity to try out new things on the training ground.
The most important six of the nine games are in the League, including visits to Inverness and Tynecastle, where points were shed needlessly last season, but these are the challenges champions ultimately rise to.
Six wins from those games will set an impressive pace for any would-be challengers.
Nine games in four weeks, including some when the rest of the country is at home watching TV, will be a period with little opportunity to try out new things on the training ground.
The most important six of the nine games are in the League, including visits to Inverness and Tynecastle, where points were shed needlessly last season, but these are the challenges champions ultimately rise to.
Six wins from those games will set an impressive pace for any would-be challengers.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Saints make Sinners fire-sale a little more likely
As I walked away from Celtic Park on Saturday, as well as being pleased at a comfortable win, I was a bit disconcerted at the paucity of opposition. If we were to get back to the top of the league proper, we needed Rangers to drop points to middle of the table teams like Hamilton.
I should have known better.
Results like yesterday's happen in football, and in normal times, they tell us little about the big picture (as I keep telling you when they happen to Celtic), but these are not normal times at Ibrox. The prospect of losing four-in-a-row will horrify Rangers, which makes the gap between having confidence for the season, and blind panic, very small.
And clubs in blind panic do not prosper (remember that the next time we have a result like yesterday's).
Under normal circumstances the state of the league table only matters in May, but this season may yet be different. Rangers face the prospect of having to secure approximately a 50% increase in their year-end debt levels just to stay in business. This might be easier to secure if the prospect of Champions League football next season is looking likely.
If Rangers end the season as losers again, their debt projections for 2010 will be so spectacular, I better not put a figure on it, as none of us will get any sleep tonight due to over-excitement.
If when the January transfer window opens, this looks likely, their credit worthiness all the more untenable as they seek funding to allow them to complete their fixtures for this season.
The prospect of a January fire-sale may well depend on how many days like yesterday they have between now and then, but who buys losers in this business climate?
Perhaps Sir David should get himself onto Dragons' Den pronto.
I should have known better.
Results like yesterday's happen in football, and in normal times, they tell us little about the big picture (as I keep telling you when they happen to Celtic), but these are not normal times at Ibrox. The prospect of losing four-in-a-row will horrify Rangers, which makes the gap between having confidence for the season, and blind panic, very small.
And clubs in blind panic do not prosper (remember that the next time we have a result like yesterday's).
Under normal circumstances the state of the league table only matters in May, but this season may yet be different. Rangers face the prospect of having to secure approximately a 50% increase in their year-end debt levels just to stay in business. This might be easier to secure if the prospect of Champions League football next season is looking likely.
If Rangers end the season as losers again, their debt projections for 2010 will be so spectacular, I better not put a figure on it, as none of us will get any sleep tonight due to over-excitement.
If when the January transfer window opens, this looks likely, their credit worthiness all the more untenable as they seek funding to allow them to complete their fixtures for this season.
The prospect of a January fire-sale may well depend on how many days like yesterday they have between now and then, but who buys losers in this business climate?
Perhaps Sir David should get himself onto Dragons' Den pronto.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Crosas moves up the pecking order
I was pleased Marc Crosas got his first 90 minutes for Celtic under his belt yesterday, even though he visibly tired midway through the second half, but I remain curious as to which central midfield combination we would deploy against a more serious challenge than Hamilton Accies.
Paul Hartley got the nod against Villarreal, which, due to his experience, didn't surprise me, but conversely, he is far from an automatic choice and would have been a surprise inclusion against Hamilton.
Central midfield remains crucial to our prospects this season and despite the plethora of choices available to the manager, remains my greatest concern.
Paul Hartley got the nod against Villarreal, which, due to his experience, didn't surprise me, but conversely, he is far from an automatic choice and would have been a surprise inclusion against Hamilton.
Central midfield remains crucial to our prospects this season and despite the plethora of choices available to the manager, remains my greatest concern.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Celtic 4-0 Hamilton Accies, SPL, 4 October 2008
Celtic strolled past Hamilton Accies with two goals in each half without ever looking extended.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink managed to injure himself with only 25 seconds on clock, so the planned rest for Gallus Giorgios Samaras didn't materialise as he was brought on to replace the Dutch international.
Aiden McGeady crossed for Shunsuke Nakamura to open the scoring, though quite why Nakamura was left in so much space eight yards from goal will worry Hamilton boss Billy Reid.
Samaras made it 2-0 before the break shortly after Scott McDonald hit the upright.
The second half produced more of the same. McDonald created space inside the box to score before late substitute, Shaun Maloney, produced a cameo dribble and cut-back to McGeady who found the corner of the net.
Hamilton's best chance came from the penalty spot. With the score at 3-0 Artur Boruc made an outstanding double save to keep a clean sheet.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink managed to injure himself with only 25 seconds on clock, so the planned rest for Gallus Giorgios Samaras didn't materialise as he was brought on to replace the Dutch international.
Aiden McGeady crossed for Shunsuke Nakamura to open the scoring, though quite why Nakamura was left in so much space eight yards from goal will worry Hamilton boss Billy Reid.
Samaras made it 2-0 before the break shortly after Scott McDonald hit the upright.
The second half produced more of the same. McDonald created space inside the box to score before late substitute, Shaun Maloney, produced a cameo dribble and cut-back to McGeady who found the corner of the net.
Hamilton's best chance came from the penalty spot. With the score at 3-0 Artur Boruc made an outstanding double save to keep a clean sheet.
Live updates will appear below after 15:00 BST.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Celtic - Rangers finances compared
While income and expenditure both turned slightly against Celtic last season, it was bonanza time at Ibrox where Rangers published record turnover as a result of the double bounty; Champions League group stage income followed by a run to the Uefa Cup final in Manchester.
Celtic turnover (t/o) was £75.237m compared to Rangers £64.452m, but Rangers outsource their merchandising operation, including only a licence payment from JJB Sports in the figures, whereas the Celtic figure includes total income from merchandising sales.
Celtic earned £16.092m from merchandising sales, contributing a margin of £4.8m in a financial year without the release of a new home shirt. When Rangers signed the JJB deal in 2006 they revealed they would earn £3m each year, plus £1.45m amortised in the Profit and Loss account (P&L) but paid at the start of the contract in 2006, criteria was in place to provide for bonus payments should unspecified targets be achieved.
It was, therefore, with some astonishment that no bonus payments were earned, despite the unprecedented proliferation of Rangers merchandise walking the streets ahead of the Manchester riot.
I understand that the bonus is dependent on progress to the latter stages of the Champions League, which ironically would have sold a lot less kit for JJB; it appears Rangers had overlooked a clause for Uefa Cup progress.
The big area of interest from a financial statement is the indication of where a company is heading next. Celtic will earn at least £70m this season but if they finish higher than bottom place in the Champions League group stage they should reach £75m.
By contrast, Rangers are looking at financial Armageddon. In 2004-05 they earned £34.48m (from continuing operations), a whopping £30m less than last season, but 2004-05 included four home European games, each with TV rights, compared to only one this season.
£34m will be the upper limit of their income potential this season; it will be less still, unless a good run in the domestic cups includes high-earning home games, a whole £40m less than what I expect from Celtic and still £28m less than the Celtic figure adjusted for comparable merchandise income.
Celtic salary costs were £38.981m, a £2.5m increase on the previous season, compared to £34.339m at Rangers, up a massive £10.1m on 2007. The latter figure will in part reflect incentive payments for European progress, although the clutch of new signings who arrived at the club in 2007 will make up the bulk of the increase.
In a masterstroke of business acumen, Rangers chief executive, Martin Bain, appears to have included the Uefa Cup in bonuses to be paid, but not on bonuses earned.
I was delighted to learn that Rangers pay more for the remarkably unpopular Bain (£668k) than Celtic pay for 'Self Appointed Football-Integrity Judge and Jury' (W.Smith), Peter Lawwell (£514k). Although perhaps Bain's remuneration also reflected Uefa Cup progress. You would think that with such big numbers flowing into his own bank account the whole 'What will be get if we do well in the Uefa Cup?' question would be at the front of his mind when he negotiated with JJB.
Football club's P&L income figures do not include player sales, with are recorded on the balance sheet, so Rangers sale of Cuellar will bring in £7.8m more than the income figure, which itself will be offset in cash terms by the £1.45m banked back in 2006 from JJB.
Before they start to spend on extravagances like footballers, clubs have considerable costs to pay. Rates, electricity, property maintenance, policing, to name only a few, cost Celtic £15.395m. Rangers figure was higher than this, perhaps as a result of exceptional items resulting from the run to the Uefa Cup final, so the previous year's cost of £16.262m will be a better indicator of costs this year, which is just £18m less than their anticipated income available for football and other operations.
By comparison, Celtic will have in the region of £45m available for football and other operations when adjusted for the merchandise sales difference.
Net bank debt at Celtic was £3.52m compared to Rangers' £21.559m but while Celtic are set to come out of debt in May (barring an exceptional expense in January), Rangers net year-end debt is likely to rise beyond £30m unless significant steps are taken to sell players in January.
Celtic are in an exceptionally strong financial position. They can survive the vagaries of football fortune, or economic downturn, without the threat of cutback should income dip.
Conversely, Rangers are in dire trouble. This year will not be financially the worst Sir David Murray has bestowed on his club, but it will make for horrendous reading to any prospective buyer of the club and provide further evidence that they are hopelessly adrift of financial security.
Winning the league this season and qualifying for next season's Champions League will not provide succour from their structural problems, it would only result in a temporary slowdown in decline.
Rangers debt has risen inextricably, and is set to continue to rise, at a time when bank facilities have become more difficult and expensive to acquire.
Should new HBOS owners, Lloyds TBS, take fright at the property-to-football conglomerate, Murray International Holdings, which includes Rangers, frankly, the consequences are so dramatic, I don't think we should discuss them, as I have trouble sleeping when I get too excited.
We live in a time when things which simply cannot happen, happen. When some of last year's most credit-worthy companies in the world have gone into receivership; when one of the centuries-old pillars of the Scottish business community crumbled in days.
No company dependent on a significant increase in its debt is safe.
Rangers Football Club, 1873 - 20??
Celtic turnover (t/o) was £75.237m compared to Rangers £64.452m, but Rangers outsource their merchandising operation, including only a licence payment from JJB Sports in the figures, whereas the Celtic figure includes total income from merchandising sales.
Celtic earned £16.092m from merchandising sales, contributing a margin of £4.8m in a financial year without the release of a new home shirt. When Rangers signed the JJB deal in 2006 they revealed they would earn £3m each year, plus £1.45m amortised in the Profit and Loss account (P&L) but paid at the start of the contract in 2006, criteria was in place to provide for bonus payments should unspecified targets be achieved.
It was, therefore, with some astonishment that no bonus payments were earned, despite the unprecedented proliferation of Rangers merchandise walking the streets ahead of the Manchester riot.
I understand that the bonus is dependent on progress to the latter stages of the Champions League, which ironically would have sold a lot less kit for JJB; it appears Rangers had overlooked a clause for Uefa Cup progress.
The big area of interest from a financial statement is the indication of where a company is heading next. Celtic will earn at least £70m this season but if they finish higher than bottom place in the Champions League group stage they should reach £75m.
By contrast, Rangers are looking at financial Armageddon. In 2004-05 they earned £34.48m (from continuing operations), a whopping £30m less than last season, but 2004-05 included four home European games, each with TV rights, compared to only one this season.
£34m will be the upper limit of their income potential this season; it will be less still, unless a good run in the domestic cups includes high-earning home games, a whole £40m less than what I expect from Celtic and still £28m less than the Celtic figure adjusted for comparable merchandise income.
Celtic salary costs were £38.981m, a £2.5m increase on the previous season, compared to £34.339m at Rangers, up a massive £10.1m on 2007. The latter figure will in part reflect incentive payments for European progress, although the clutch of new signings who arrived at the club in 2007 will make up the bulk of the increase.
In a masterstroke of business acumen, Rangers chief executive, Martin Bain, appears to have included the Uefa Cup in bonuses to be paid, but not on bonuses earned.
I was delighted to learn that Rangers pay more for the remarkably unpopular Bain (£668k) than Celtic pay for 'Self Appointed Football-Integrity Judge and Jury' (W.Smith), Peter Lawwell (£514k). Although perhaps Bain's remuneration also reflected Uefa Cup progress. You would think that with such big numbers flowing into his own bank account the whole 'What will be get if we do well in the Uefa Cup?' question would be at the front of his mind when he negotiated with JJB.
Football club's P&L income figures do not include player sales, with are recorded on the balance sheet, so Rangers sale of Cuellar will bring in £7.8m more than the income figure, which itself will be offset in cash terms by the £1.45m banked back in 2006 from JJB.
Before they start to spend on extravagances like footballers, clubs have considerable costs to pay. Rates, electricity, property maintenance, policing, to name only a few, cost Celtic £15.395m. Rangers figure was higher than this, perhaps as a result of exceptional items resulting from the run to the Uefa Cup final, so the previous year's cost of £16.262m will be a better indicator of costs this year, which is just £18m less than their anticipated income available for football and other operations.
By comparison, Celtic will have in the region of £45m available for football and other operations when adjusted for the merchandise sales difference.
Net bank debt at Celtic was £3.52m compared to Rangers' £21.559m but while Celtic are set to come out of debt in May (barring an exceptional expense in January), Rangers net year-end debt is likely to rise beyond £30m unless significant steps are taken to sell players in January.
Celtic are in an exceptionally strong financial position. They can survive the vagaries of football fortune, or economic downturn, without the threat of cutback should income dip.
Conversely, Rangers are in dire trouble. This year will not be financially the worst Sir David Murray has bestowed on his club, but it will make for horrendous reading to any prospective buyer of the club and provide further evidence that they are hopelessly adrift of financial security.
Winning the league this season and qualifying for next season's Champions League will not provide succour from their structural problems, it would only result in a temporary slowdown in decline.
Rangers debt has risen inextricably, and is set to continue to rise, at a time when bank facilities have become more difficult and expensive to acquire.
Should new HBOS owners, Lloyds TBS, take fright at the property-to-football conglomerate, Murray International Holdings, which includes Rangers, frankly, the consequences are so dramatic, I don't think we should discuss them, as I have trouble sleeping when I get too excited.
We live in a time when things which simply cannot happen, happen. When some of last year's most credit-worthy companies in the world have gone into receivership; when one of the centuries-old pillars of the Scottish business community crumbled in days.
No company dependent on a significant increase in its debt is safe.
Rangers Football Club, 1873 - 20??
Thursday, October 2, 2008
SFA helpless as sponsorless Scottish Cup gets underway again
I switched the radio on earlier this week to hear the tones of SFA chief executive Gordon Smith, and it being the week the Scottish Cup got underway, I thought he had actually come through and signed a sponsor.
Alas no. For the second season in succession the country's premier cup competition is unbranded and the SFA is without its main source of income. Instead he was announcing that Argentina had lowered their asking price to play Scotland after he had tried to sell the deal to the Tartan Army at a higher price in the summer.
Smith is not chief executive of the SFA in order to give sound bites on the laugh-ability of the SPL; he is there to bring the business in. His failure is an embarrassment and reflects his equally embarrassing. shrapnel strewn, record at Companies House.
The SFA must set specific targets for him to deliver before the Scottish Football Association goes the way of most of his other companies, into dissolution.
Alas no. For the second season in succession the country's premier cup competition is unbranded and the SFA is without its main source of income. Instead he was announcing that Argentina had lowered their asking price to play Scotland after he had tried to sell the deal to the Tartan Army at a higher price in the summer.
Smith is not chief executive of the SFA in order to give sound bites on the laugh-ability of the SPL; he is there to bring the business in. His failure is an embarrassment and reflects his equally embarrassing. shrapnel strewn, record at Companies House.
The SFA must set specific targets for him to deliver before the Scottish Football Association goes the way of most of his other companies, into dissolution.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Positives, but Villarreal ultimately too strong
I have been asking for McGeady, Maloney and Nakamura to play together in the midfield with one up front since August so I was pleased when the team announced.
The plan started well; for most of the first half Celtic held the ball and played in the opposition half more than I recall away from home in the Champions League. All that was missing was the goal which would have made all the difference.
If there was one player in Scotland I would want on the end of a one-on-one with the goalkeeper it would be Giorgios Samaras. Two minutes before the break he harried a defender into a mistake before moving into the box but his shot was blocked by a goalkeeper who made himself big and got his position right.
All strikers miss chances and the best learn to forget about them quickly and move on, which I am sure Giorgios will do.
Villarreal are not joint-top of the Spanish league on charm and closed down the space around Nakamura in particular, who faded from the game and as a result, the early possession that Celtic enjoyed became increasingly difficult to find.
The free kick which brought the goal was poorly defended. The ball sailed over Samaras' head and within range of Boruc who could not get across his line quickly enough.
Celtic played the last 10 minutes with three strikers, which allowed Aiden McGeady to find Scott McDonald who could have equalised with a well-taken volley, but that chance aside, the lack of personnel in midfield made it more difficult for Celtic to get possession; Villarreal held the ball very well throughout the second half.
When the draw was made I suggested this one would be beyond us; the European Champions and a team who finished 10 points ahead of Barcelona last season both operate on a plane beyond Celtic. But there were positives, even progress, after an entertaining but fretful game on Saturday.
My objectives for this season are four-in-a-row and European football after Christmas, so I was pleased with the result from Denmark. 167% commitment in our two remaining home games and the elusive win away to Aalborg is required .
The plan started well; for most of the first half Celtic held the ball and played in the opposition half more than I recall away from home in the Champions League. All that was missing was the goal which would have made all the difference.
If there was one player in Scotland I would want on the end of a one-on-one with the goalkeeper it would be Giorgios Samaras. Two minutes before the break he harried a defender into a mistake before moving into the box but his shot was blocked by a goalkeeper who made himself big and got his position right.
All strikers miss chances and the best learn to forget about them quickly and move on, which I am sure Giorgios will do.
Villarreal are not joint-top of the Spanish league on charm and closed down the space around Nakamura in particular, who faded from the game and as a result, the early possession that Celtic enjoyed became increasingly difficult to find.
The free kick which brought the goal was poorly defended. The ball sailed over Samaras' head and within range of Boruc who could not get across his line quickly enough.
Celtic played the last 10 minutes with three strikers, which allowed Aiden McGeady to find Scott McDonald who could have equalised with a well-taken volley, but that chance aside, the lack of personnel in midfield made it more difficult for Celtic to get possession; Villarreal held the ball very well throughout the second half.
When the draw was made I suggested this one would be beyond us; the European Champions and a team who finished 10 points ahead of Barcelona last season both operate on a plane beyond Celtic. But there were positives, even progress, after an entertaining but fretful game on Saturday.
My objectives for this season are four-in-a-row and European football after Christmas, so I was pleased with the result from Denmark. 167% commitment in our two remaining home games and the elusive win away to Aalborg is required .
