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.
1,057 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- »
The much-maligned House Of Lords was the institution that forced a re-think on the Tax Credits issue – the kiddy-on socialists of the SNP done nothing, similar to not even turning up to vote against the bedroom tax.
They underspend over £100 million on the NHS and yet had to be shamed into ‘shelling-out’ £50 million as they played political football with the bedroom tax.
The 500k core of the SNP does not have a socialist trace in its DNA, and the extra add-ons that it conned into voting for it on the back of the ‘thick’ ‘dodgy dossier’, can kiss goodbye to their benefits bonanza.
The case for separation has been shot dead economically as oil falls to $30/barrel, a world oil glut reaches the double figure billions, US shale oil makes them net exporters – together with a £10 billion Scottish budget deficit, we would be a bigger basket case than Greece.
So with Indy off the table and the certainty to be rumbled in the not too distant future, it’s noses in the trough and jobs for all the SNP boys and girls….and their spouses, partners and any other family members in need of a hand-out.
Glorious balance sheet …..look back and see how much FOOTBALL has been discussed over the past few weeks……
Carlson……. the Carlton is a pub on bognor seafront first pub we went to in 74 great place
dear MOTORCRAFT I DO NOT MANT MY OIL CHECKED ,NOR DO I WISH TYRE PRESSURE DONE ,SO COULD YOU PLEASE GET YOUR ADVERT TAE F###CK OF MY COMPUTER.
BIG PS TO PAUL.HOW MUCH DOES SITE COST TO RUN PER YEAR AND HOW MUCH REVENUE DO YOU GET FROM ADVERTS. …………………………think we might all want to pay whatever to keep site free.
Calton ….stupid kindle
Bognorbhoy,
No, my mistake pal, sorry! I.m from Forres.
As to tomorrow, I believe that Ajax are beatable. As to the team selection, in Ronny we Trust, but Tierney before Charlie anyday!
HH
” Nearly 800Kg of food collected on Saturday I believe, a fantastic effort by all involved. ”
~nearly a ton` sounds even better!! Well done to all involved.
JJ
Tierney for me as well
Herbo on 24th November 2015 11:09 pm ,
” I am a Celtic fan who hates Tories. Hold the front page.
I have outlined some of the reasons why. You disagree. That’s up to yerself. ”
————————————————————
Everybody is entitled to their opinions. I also do not embrace Tory philosophy but can I ask :-
Do you hate Celtic fans who are Tories ? And if you play the percentages game then there are some. I personally know some, and they are without doubt true supporters of Celtic football team.
Not looking for an argument, only an observation.
HH to you.
Greenpinata
I find their politics repulsive. I would never consider a Tory as a friend of mine.
On the other hand they have as much right to support Celtic as I have.
HH
I didn’t know the Celtic Lord who voted for the tax credits was Jewish. Makes no difference , he voted against the poorest in our communities, in a position of power. Not the type of person I want running our club even if he claims he was not in favour. What a cop out. Bankier is a disgrace to everything about Celtic , he cannot excuse his rant against Celtic supporters. Giving our enemies rope when they had none. I spent about a year in various kibbutz and lived the socialist utopia, which is just a dream, it doesn’t really work. Some amazing people in these places who want to live in peace, who think a lot about how they can bridge the gaps, Israel has as many socialists as right wingers. The problem is that they are surrounded by people who would kill them in the blink of an eye. Ian Livingstone’s religion/ ethnicity has nothing to do with his choice to vote against the most vulnerable in our society. The gap between the rich and poor, have and have nots is as wide as it has ever been.
67heaven,
“Canamalar
How simply is it to understand that the CT demanded evidence , got it, then silence…no apology , nothing ……”
Again, provide the source you use to show where the CT demanded anything, you continue to make this claim but as yet have failed to provide any evidence that the CT actually made the “demand”.
As for the squirrel, you believe excuses you from providing evidence to continue to make scurrilous claims about the CT to further your own agenda.
“and how difficult is it to understand that it was the use of the term ‘baby-eating trolls’ itself that I find disgusting , not whether anyone deserved to be called it or not”
As I said it suits them, if you find fairy tale characters disgusting thats your problem, but more likely your simply using it as I said above as a squirrel to distract from your attack on the Celtic Trust.
Now can you provide the quote and the source for the accusations you made against the CT ?
–
I am going to be as guilty as others I have criticised for relegating Celtic matters out of the blog BUT….
If Celtic fielded a team of eleven Tories against an old Rangers team made up of eleven players with socialist leaning, who would those of you who `hate Tories` support?
JJ
Morning Timland from a cold hun free mountain valley.
RTC twating again, interesting
https://twitter.com/rangerstaxcase/status/668784122186194944
Well our European performances this season have been overall poor when we have taken the lead we have been unable to keep that lead.In other games we have been unable to raise our energy levels and even compete.So while wanting to beat Ajax is one thing doing it is entirely a different matter. I dont see us winning on Thursday and certainly hold out no hope of qualifying from the group.Those who feel we will win the game and qualify for me are super optimists and have short memories about our poor European performances( of course I would love to be proved wrong). H.H.
JFH
I believe we will beat Ajax but I don`t believe we will beat Fenerbache. Does that mean I lose the `super` tag on my optimism ? 0:-)
JJ
herbo,
Cant argue with that.
Cheers and Hail Hail.
TET
I liked this comment from your link about EBT payments:
” Jimmy Bell thought he was quids in but it turned out he got a BCG.”
JJ
JUNGLE JIM. Fella your an optimist. H.H. :- )
Excellent article by Phil Mac this morning.
Herbo 9:11
The newest revelation says, it must be goose walking Poles.
http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/2015/11/25/poll-should-dundee-fc-play-a-league-game-in-america/
Yes.
Zbyszek
I prefer the dancers :-)
My friends in celtic,
Personally I think there is good and bad in all sections of society. As a player I appreciated Paulo Di Canio, I even sang the song. I didnt think of his politics when he was on the park. As did thousands of us.
I am well aware that some Sunderland fans did not think he was a fit and proper person to manage their club though.
On a slightly different note : I detest policies that affect the poor disproportionately, but even more I detest politicians who use office for their own gain.
HH to all Celtic supporters.
Canamalar
Didn’t know it was a fairytale characters …… Hahahahahahaha …… You, and the CT, are reading too many fairytales….
When this all ‘broke’, Ian Bankier was asked by the CT to provide evidence of social media racist ….you say, he wasn’t …..fine, we’ll agree to differ …… HH
Som Mes
76% in favour.
One of the reasons I would like it is that the referee would probably be more even handed in his decision making.
JJ
So, it would seem Russel Latapy received an EBT when he signed for Rangers. He had other clubs chasing him at the time, he chose Rangers. They were able to offer him more money. He turned down the champion – and the chance of Champions league football to sign at another club.
NO SPORTING ADVANTAGE.
really?
From the BBC ….
Tuesday, 3 July, 2001, 17:51 GMT 18:51 UK
Latapy signs at Rangers
Controversial Russell Latapy has finally ended the speculation about his future by signing on at Rangers in a £10,000-per-week, two-year deal.
The Trinidad and Tobago midfielder finalised personal terms on Tuesday after passing his medical.
Latapy left Hibernian under a cloud and recently quit international football after a serious of misdemenours with friend Dwight Yorke.
The 32-year-old had appeared most likely to join Celtic but has now joined their city rivals, immediately firing up Glasgow passions by saying that Rangers are a bigger club than the new Scottish champions.
“The season is going to start pretty soon and I need to play football,” he said.
Good addition
“Hopefully, I can help to improve the club. Hopefully, we can do better than we did last season.
Russell Latapy will travel to Holland
Russell Latapy will travel to Holland
“Obviously my qualities are offensive, so that’s the quality I want to take to the club.”
Rangers manager Dick Advocaat told Rangers’ website: “He showed at Hibs he is a good player and will be a good addition to our squad.”
Latapy played for four seasons in Portugal’s top division with Porto and Boavista before his successful spell at Hibs.
But his spell at Easter Road ended more quickly than he had himself anticipated as he was effectively sacked for off-field unprofessionalism in the build up to the Scottish Cup final with Celtic.
JUNGLE JIM HOT SMOKED on 25TH NOVEMBER 2015 9:53 AM
Hahahahahahaha …… and, just for the record, I have no time for all politicians and sevco. :)
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie
The longer the hun sage goes on, the more smell it eminates.
It would be easier to produce a list of who didn’t have an EBT.
Cheating scum
67Heaven
Mate you’re now going back on what you initially said which was that we ‘demanded’ answers.
No we didn’t, we’ve asked. There’s a huge difference.
TET
was just thinking same myself
maybe easier to make a list of who didn’t as
in recent Days Walturd and Shota Avarladze two previously
missing have been added as they
have just been on different lists
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
THE EXILED TIM on 25TH NOVEMBER 2015 10:26 AM
The longer the hun sage goes on, the more smell it eminates.
It would be easier to produce a list of who didn’t have an EBT.
Cheating scum
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/saturday-agm-afterblow/comment-page-26/#comments
67heaven 0924
That’s a feeble attempt to deflect. You said that a particular person was pushing a political agenda on here. I asked you to back up your claims, you couldn’t.
I thought that passing off lies and unsubstantiated opinion was the domain of the SMSM.
JC2
Barcabhoy has been tweeting,
“If an EBT was set up for Mr A and money ended up with Mr B, wouldn’t that be interesting ?”
Rumours are Walturd didn’t draw down his EBT, but putting 2 + 2 together, and getting 5, whit about the fat boy
And they said we were paranoid :-)
Just not enough.
HH
Is it true that Dave King’s new nickname is Perry? – a Mason who spends all his time in court.
JJ’s new blog, I don’t think he likes glibby.
King’s Greenmail
“The following is taken from an STV article on the Court case which was later deleted by them on legal advice. Apparently the issue of who loaned King the money is sub judice and they were advised to wait until evidence is given in Court on the issue.
Here it is:
They make reference to his 41 convictions for contraventions of the Income Tax Act in South Africa. Mash further argue that the outstanding contempt of court case against King, which is due to call at court in London in December, also reflects upon the Rangers chairman’s suitablity. There is also mention of his conduct when he first came to power at Rangers.
It is claimed that upon becoming a director of Rangers International Football Club plc, King borrowed large amounts of money from third parties to then give the cash to The Rangers Football Club Limited. This was after Rangers had entered into a loan facility with Sports Direct.
Its the second paragraph which is interesting as it suggests that Ashley knows where King got the money from to fund his share purchase and all will be revealed. If shown in Court it will expose King as the liar he is and blow all his claims of wealth and kids inheritance out of the water. It will also expose his inability to transfer money out of South Africa due to Exchange Control regulations as a minimum and any other conditions imposed on him.
The bottom line is Rangers fans were about to be royally shafted and unless Rangers First and the RST have a change of heart on their position then so it will continue. The SFA are also in an invidious position and I would imagine Regan is looking for another job or contemplating how he can squirm out of this. There is so much happening here one can only guess at the final outcome. I do not for one minute believe that Douglas Parks re-appointment to the Board was for altruistic reasons. Rumours have abounded for at least 6 months regarding his dismay for King and Murray. Perhaps he has seen the light especially after todays Court case and he will make moves to throw King and Murray under the nearest bus. From there he can go to Ashley with a clean sheet and begin the process of negotiating with him as opposed to confronting him. I can see an out of Court settlement to resolve issues with the SFA piggy backing on to save their sorry faces.”
Chapeau to Moe Goe for the preceding text. Those of you who picked up the unexpurgated STV narrative, prior to their solicitors stepping in, will now know that King has lied to every Rangers fan. There is no place to hide for those who continue to say ‘let’s wait until January, or the close season.‘ Surely King is a Real Rangers Man? Surely he will do the right thing?
As I and those on the RSL have been shouting from the rooftops, King ‘s shares and the money attributed to him by way of his alleged £1.5m contribution in a soft loan, was borrowed. His pig-headed stupidity of thirteen years of evading tax and allegedly bribing a tax official, did not lead to a favourable result. The only upside for King was that he avoided prison, and that his co-defendant on racketeering charges, Greg Morris, allowed him to be a shadow director of their latest fraudulent corporate enterprise.
Every asset that King formerly owned went under the hammer. His houses have a £17m mortgage that is secured on the houses themselves and his preference shares in Micromega Holdings Group. There is no family inheritance as King spent all of it in £50m of legal fees. All that remains unknown now is the source of his loans. King could not borrow from anyone in South Africa. He cannot show his face in the golf clubs where those with appreciable wealth congregate. The money he borrowed probably came from George Taylor, George Letham or Douglas Park. He probably lied to them about his alleged wealth. They now know exactly what they are dealing with. King is engaging in greenmail.
Phil Mac broke the story that King attempted to sell his shares to Ashley on the day of the EGM in June. At that time, Bill McMurdo on the RSL, took the position that this was a malicious slur on the Rangers chairman that had no foundation in fact. This narrative now chimes true. The premise of greenmail is to acquire equity that others will have to pay a premium for to remove a hostile stakeholder. King was probably pitching his 14.57% at a figure north of £5m. That would have given him a profit of £2.5m for a few days work. Ashley did not bite, but knew immediately what he was dealing with.
It’s just a matter of time now for King. He can either go now or be publicly disgraced on December 9 and February 11. The word is out. Level 5 and their allies in the SMSM will do their utmost to put a lid on this. The STV however have let the cat out of the bag.
As for the SFA, they have approved a career criminal on the premise that he was wealthy. If they should continue with their arrogant position, Ashley will publicly humiliate them even if King has gone at that point.
King has never been an honourable man. Those who loaned him money to buy shares will not be repaid. He will find a way to line his pockets at their expense. As soon as they loaned him money he could not lose. They had broken concert party regulations. They had breached the 30%. If they took King on he could take them all down with him.
The AGM in 48 hours time is now a sham. Will Taylor, Park and Letham support the re-election of King to preclude the Financial Conduct Authority taking more than a passing interest in their underfunded hostile takeover.
There is also the position of the RST and RF to consider. When King goes, and it’s just a matter of time, are they prepared to loan Murray and Gilligan the soft loan that is required to keep the lights on?
A good friend of G64 and myself passed away last night,for those inclined would you be kind enough to say a wee prayer,please.For those not..spare a wee thought for a real Celtic legend who ran the vogue
C.S.C for many years and never missed a game till illness caught up with him…
Brian Comerford R.I.P. Love ye mate.
Thoughts VP
HH