I remember getting annoyed at the grief Gordon Strachan took after David Fernandez inspired Dundee United to a draw at Celtic Park. It was disproportionate, despite the poor performance, and ignored the sporting reality that weaker teams can get it right and leave Celtic Park with a point. As well as a lot of credit for their efforts.
Positives first. Many things didn’t work for Celtic yesterday but James Forrest looked to be back to his best. There was only one occasion he didn’t get past the Killie fullback all day, and he recovered to dispossess two opponents and win the ball back.
For James, it’s all about fitness and confidence. Right now, he has both.
I looked at the clock: 3 minutes had gone, Jozo Simunovic was still on his feet. ‘We’re breaking new ground’, I thought. Kilmarnock defended their penalty area all day, so we were seldom troubled, but you and I have seen enough football to know that’s not the whole story. Jozo was immaculate, didn’t put a foot wrong, covered ground with pace and precision. Threw himself into tackles and won the ball.
The contrast with recent defensive performances could have scarcely been more marked.
Elsewhere it didn’t go so well. Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton were both inhibited. Stuart Armstrong prodded but seemed out of sync with his team-mates. Passes regularly found an opponent. From my seat, it looked like our movement and use of space was inefficient.
The last 30 minutes of the game saw Kilmarnock clear their lines and regroup under sustained pressure. During this period, I was confident the goal would come, it usually does. Maybe the extra dimension we hoped we’ve recruited in Carlton Cole, out ill yesterday, would have given our wing play more of a target.
Since writing on the subject on Friday night I’ve seen some of the sectarian abuse left on Facebook about our director, Ian Livingston, amid a diatribe against refugees and all sorts of people who are minorities in the UK.
Years ago I wrote that there are few values we can anchor the club to. Scotland is changing, as are peoples’ sense of identity, no more so than when it comes to religious identity. We can’t, nor should we, impose restrictions on who becomes a Celtic fan. Our demographic is largely left of centre, but a Lisbon Lion went on to become a Tory councillor, so there’s no political bar to supporting Celtic.
I also know an Ulster unionist, who for several years joined his family and friends as a Celtic season ticket holder. He was always made welcome, and didn’t find the celebration of Irish heritage at Celtic incompatible with his identity. As the generations pass, we’ll see more of this. People will care less about 20th century politics (not to mention 17th century) and your view on transubstantiation.
Our founding value is that we are open to all. You will find a welcome at Celtic irrespective of colour, race or religion, you don’t need to care about Scotland or Ireland, we have Poles, English, Norwegians, Americans, Aussies and many more. Few of them had an Irish grannie.
These values are under threat across Europe. We should take every opportunity to reinforce them.
I took some advice on whether to out those behind the racist abuse yesterday, but I’m glad Ian Livingston did so direct on the Affiliation site (and apologies for the direct quote appearing on a CQN article, I pulled it as soon as I saw it).
I was also challenged over the weekend for criticising the chairman’s right to use any available platform to call out racism. I don’t feel qualified to say that’s not allowed.
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Canamalar – I was talking about this guy – https://www.bellingcat.com/
the glorious balance sheet on 24th November 2015 11:30 am
==================================================
Oh,god.
What a disappointing response.
Just a pathetic little succession of insults.
None of the issues addressed.
Just a few pathetic little “ad hominems”
The reason I didn’t log on with my usual hun free mountain valley today, was that a hun was a split second from running me over, he lives in a valley miles away, but we share the same post office, it’s a shed really, but there you go, anyways, it’s on a very narrow street, I stepped out of the shed, and his car hit me, the foot and leg is a bit swolen, but nothing much to bother about, he was going far too fast, there was a local polis there who saw what happened and wanted me to press charges, I didn’t, now the hun is beholding.
All because I let his Mrs go in front of me.
Counsel for SFA says they have “no duty to provide explanations” to Mike Ashley.
Counsel for SFA asks for hearing on 11 December were he will move to dismiss Mike Ashley motion, ” no need to put it off”
Counsel for SFA ” I hardly need to remind you of difficulties Rangers, and Scottish football have faced” adds “this uncertainty must end”
Who instructed the SFA’s Counsel? Those arguments show what an unaccountable, arrogant, self serving and Sevco serving bunch of hades the SFA really are.
Still the Judical Review is great news, it means the SFA can be called to account on a plethora of dodgy dealings, the 5 way agreement, The LNS enquiry, Res 12… WTC, BTC…
Hoppy Daze
Hail Hail
Listed building!!??
If it lists any more the whole shiteheap will fa’ doon.
TGBS,
As I found out round about the time of the terrible pitch conditions at Hampden earlier this year, whebn the SFA were trying to distance themselves from any blame – the directors of the “independent” company sound familiar.
Afew councillors, past SFA high heidyins and interesting and unusual surnames…
https://companycheck.co.uk/company/SC200222/HAMPDEN-PARK-LIMITED/directors-secretaries
TET…………….that mob has been usin’ Hampden to…………..
…………….. *cough*………
……fulfill its fixtures for decades.
HH
eddieinkirkmichael
http://youtu.be/-8hbUqhKM38
the glorious balance sheet on 24th November 2015 11:51 am
The Exiled Tim 1140-
Hampden is I now believe no longer owned by the SFA or queens park, it’s an “independent” company called hampden stadium limited that owns it.
*it’s actually a company called “hampden park limited” and both ogilvie and regan are directors.
Any word on Scott brown ?
Injury worse than first feared someone said .
TET@ 11:57
Glad to hear you’re okay after your little incident.
I’m sure you’ll pardon many of us for having a wee, quiet chuckle, too.
I mean: what are the friggin’ odds on that happening … !
VIP
Tontine Tim,
I’ve provided a link to the names of its directors, above.
TET,
If you let his Mrs go first, does that mean she got run over by him?
I should’ve written that I’m glad you’re ok.
sorry
CHAIRBHOY…………………..”Still the Judical Review is great news”, what is the Judical Review to look at mate?
Whits that ye say NAE STATE AID,
yon loonball fae hun media will be vomiting at that officil news
•VIP
• Dharma Bam on 24th November 2015 12:05 pm
Tontine Tim,
I’ve provided a link to the names of its directors, above
*saw that after I posted my offering. peat and duffield were directors tae. wonder who Thomas Kelly is
Dharma Bam/ Tontine Tim-
Thanks, I had a feeling that some of our old goat fiddling friends were involved in this so-called independent company.
Mates rates it is for the Huns.
Hampden park limited
a “gravy train” company set up for an old boys network earner IMHO,
Smith ,ogilvie and peat must be run aff their feet to earn a wag
Flip sake
wag = wage
Today’s Clumpany is a belter.
Chairbhoy
I think, and stand to be corrected, that the judicial review is concerning the sanctioning of Glibby as fit and proper.
HH
Morning everyTim
Last night I watched (again) “Total Larsson”. It realy got me thinking of just how far we have gone down since those heady days and also just how many real quality players we had at the time> The list is endless but guys like Andy Thom, Reggi Blinker, Paul Lambert, wee Jackie and of course my all time hero “LUBO.
What the hell has happend? How come we don’t have that quality now when our income really hasn;t changed drastically.
When I lived in Scotland I and my mates went to everyhome game without exception and most away games no matter how the team was playing. I have no time for the glory hunters and fair weather supportrs. Go to the games every week, increase the clubs income and take it from there. If we don’t then like Private fraser would say, we’re doomed, doomed.
KINGLuBO
Thanks for your concern, I laughed masel, more in relief than anything else, the foot is sore tho, feckin huns eh, canny even get away from them in the mountains ffs :-)
Kinglubo,
We haven’t got (much) smaller – it’s just the other leagues have become obscenely wealthier than us. To the EPL, I would say we are the equivalent of a juniors team, in terms of spending power.
It will be ironic if an Englishman is the one who inflicts the most damage to the sfa, while the scottish clubs are taking it while bending over pleading for more.
KINGLUBO on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 12:22 PM
Morning everyTim
– ================================================
Well.
Hate to say it,but the recent endorsement of our current incumbent …..one Ronny Deila…………by Peter Lawwell…….is,for me sadly a sign that Peter has lost focus or understanding .
Deila has to go.
I know it .
You know it.
C.L. is the only game in town………………..Ask Jim Craig.
Morning Celts :-)
Tontine Tim
how you doin mate,i got your reply when i was lurking regards Patrick o’Connell,I dropped an e-mail to Dumbarton asking bout your info and have not heard anything back.ps i asked if he was a former player but was sorely tempted to use your description and ask if they can confirm he is indeed a ‘fenian fae the rock’ lol:-) i will let you know if i get a reply.
http://irishpost.co.uk/irishman-patrick-oconnell-to-be-inducted-into-fc-barcelonas-hall-of-fame/
Thomthethim
Harps v Celtic 1975
Thanks for posting bout that match,i recall heading of to that match but not getting there as the roads roundabout Ballybofey were chockablock,the place was totally ‘timmed’ out.
ach you’ll see them when your back in glasgow was said to me which i did :-)
http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1975-07-27%3A+Finn+Harps+0-0+Celtic,+Friendly
:-)
HH
Must say, I thought there would be more discussion than this about the fact that Walter Smith is alleged to have received an EBT.
Tontine Tim
I have no idea who Thomas Kelly is, although I’m sure there are probably a few rabbitholes to go down, via other companies of which he may be a director or fellow directors of those companies. I have no deisre to do that, as, hypothetically, I believe innocent enquiries might end up as checking up on their personal details and harassing inocent people. I think having one bunch of loonies doing that already is one too many.
TET,
Hope you didn’t damage any
Of the packages.
Seriously hope your ok. You’ve got him
By the er throat now
HH
conclusions on issues relating to the Lennoxtown initiative.Report
http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/uploads/docs/um/conclusions_lennoxtown_151124.pdf
apologies if already posted Celts,
PZJCsc:-)
Proudbhoy, There is an article on CQN saying that Brooney should be OK for Ajax game.
Question to the floor – if we are to make a comparison between ourselves both as a team and for the league we play in and others in Europe – in terms of size and spending – who would it be? Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal?
Solmick
I do, and I will be expecting a few bottles from his vast cellar, he has by all accounts a superb collection, just what is it with huns and collecting vino :-)
The packages are safe, thankfully.
HH
Putin’s accused Turkey of financing ISIS via oil purchases. That’s going to work out well.
TET
Glad to hear you’re OK!
Luck it didn’t happen in Scotland……………….. Plod would likely have charged you with ‘attempted breaking-in and entry’. :-)
All that mischief making with Audit Scotland cost the tax payer £300,000 , shocking.
Audit Scotland have published their long awaited report on allegations of fraud or corruption surrounding Celtic’s purchase of its Lennoxtown training complex.
The investigation, which lasted nearly a year, found no evidence of fraud or corruption but did raise a number of issues in the financial monitoring arrangements by the public bodies involved.
The report stated: “There is no evidence of fraud or corruption. However, poor management practice on the
part of the LI and the relevant public bodies involved in it has at the very least allowed accusations to be made and valid questions to be asked.”
The allegations were made hot on the heels of the European Commission dismissing any hint of state aid involving Celtic and Glasgow City Council. Allegations were made by the same individuals bent on what they deemed as a ‘social justice crusade’, but in reality it was nothing more than a hate filled vendetta to gain some sort of revenge on Celtic, following their own club’s demise in 2012.
Their hate filled vendetta has cost the public over £300,000 between the two claims.
You can read the full report via the Audit Scotland website: http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/uploads/docs/um/conclusions_lennoxtown_151124.pdf
P
Aye, they sure would :-)
HH
………………………..
Huns, how fecking thick are they, they believe virtually everything that the media tell them, wealth off the radar, Chucky is going to save them blah, blah, then along comes a real billionair, and they feck him off, thick is an understatement.
……………..
DB
Yip, on another day Walturd being a recipient of an EBT would be a major talking point, strange so it is.
HH