Adversarial statements, what to do with Anthony?

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Yesterday’s Scottish Cup final was head and shoulders above the insipid FA Cup final at Wembley. Newco scored two excellent goals, including one from our ex-play, Kenny Miller. But it was our current, on-loan, player, Anthony Stokes who decided the encounter.

What should we do with Anthony? His attitude yesterday was magnificent. He decided he was leaving Hampden with a winners medal, and he had the skill, strength and capacity to ensure no one could stop him.

For the first goal he collected on the wing, made a beeline for goal before slotting the ball into the far corner, although he was assisted by the most generous defending since Jersey in June 1940. [Can you believe two defenders stood off him?] Scoring with a header from a corner when your team is a goal down with 10 minutes remaining takes character and determination.

Brendan Rodgers would have been impressed, but it remains to be seen if that attitude can be tapped into day-in, day-out at Lennoxtown.

I watched Motherwell fans invade the Fir Park pitch the Premiership Play-off final last year. On that occasion their actions went beyond mere celebrations, fans were deep into opposition territory, taunting Newco fans behind the goal. To their credit, Newco fans took it on the chin and left the stadium without retaliating.

I can’t imagine what possesses fans of a losing team to invade a field already populated by thousands of celebrating fans. Whatever it is, it’s primitive and unlikely to be a considered reaction. As a result, Newco will be dragged into a disciplinary situation which would otherwise only have effected Hibernian.

What’s worse, the one perennial get out of jail card football clubs often use when fans let them down: “We always criticise and warn fans about this sort of thing”, was fatally undermined by a hasty press release in the minutes after the final whistle.

While every Hibernian person interviewed acknowledged the role of their fans and need for improvement, Newco issued an adversarial statement.  Compliant friends in the media were urged to drop the role of their fans on the field.  Adversarial statements create adversaries, football administrators know this.  Getting strategy wrong isn’t worth a few hours PR.

CharlietrailerBOGOF

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  1. kevinlasvegas on

    GERRYFAETHEBRIG

     

     

    Yeah Gerry I know, Most of my Sevco pals were fine yesterday if not all of them, Hibs were a better team and they were poor at the back but they said all the bother was hibs fans and they were at the games. The wagons are circled but as the season goes on they will all of a sudden get back into golf and hockey. ;)

     

     

    Long season ahead. We know the level of team ins spl and there are no mugs apart from killie who have sevco leanings.

     

     

    KLV

  2. The latest Sevco statement is staggering, even by their standards.

     

     

    Surely bringing the game into disrepute?

  3. A more cerebral statement from Hibs supporters

     

     

    HibeesBounce

     

    HibeesBounce – ‏@HibeesBounce

     

     

    Hibeesbounce Statement: Up Ye.

  4. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    TET

     

     

    That definitely looks like Tinfoil heed’s dramatic gibberish style.

     

    Numpty.

     

     

    HH

  5. KELVINBHOY

     

    I checked with my brother and he used a charge card which is treated the same as a credit card so and extra £15 for his and his 2 kids. I used a debit card and I’ve check my bank account and the £5 charge was removed before I paid, I can’t remember at which point it disappeared but its not the first time I’ve done it that way and the charge always came up but was removed before I paid.

  6. Unfortunately after yesterday scores of folk will receive chaps on their doors under the OBaF Act.

     

     

    Legislation already existed for what happened yesterday, football supporters shouldn’t be treated differently from the rest of society.

  7. An Teach Solais on

    HAMILTONTIM

     

     

    I agree with you that it is very sad. Doing a Walter No Surname judgement that his surname of Gallagher might or might not mean the conclusion which Walter would reach, someone failed in inculcating basic (Christian) charity to the guy.

     

    How, it does show that even among our own there are people who are deluded and copy the hatred based on colour. The Irish immigrants you would have thought would have known better . HH

  8. i'vehadtochangemyname on

    kid·nap

     

    /ˈkidˌnap/

     

    noun

     

    1.

     

    the action of kidnapping someone:

     

    “they were arrested for robbery and kidnap”

     

    verb

     

    1.

     

    take (someone) away illegally by force, typically to obtain a ransom.

     

    synonyms:

     

    abduct, carry off, capture, seize, snatch, … more

  9. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    TET

     

     

    As you know…the sevco directors are not the brightest.

     

    They will drive Mark2 into the ground shortly.

     

    Warchest….watch what happens when the daft sevco fans realise(very,very slowly) that there is no money.

     

    That should be hilarious:)

     

     

    HH

  10. Saint Stivs says SACK THE BOARD on

    the 2nd rangers blogs are in meltdown about the statement,

     

     

    apparanetly it doesn name enough names, and missed the culpabiliity of Glasgow City Council, The Vaticanabd Irvine Welsh

  11. DELANEYS DUNKY @ 7:55 PM,

     

     

    It shows how little self awareness they really have.

     

     

    Okay, all Football Clubs have their moronic element.

     

     

    It’s just that some don’t allow them to publish the official Club statements.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  12. Truly staggering statement penned by a semi-literate buffoon who obviously failed their English Standard Grade.

     

     

    “Snaw fair so it is! We arra peepul!”

     

     

    Feck the lot of them!

     

     

    Roll on tomorrow and St Brendan (Rodgers) day.

     

     

    HH!!

  13. Gerryfaethebrig on

    KLV

     

     

    The stepdaughter came in the house today with the granddaughter, she supports Sevco, her first words “Gerry what were the Hibs fans all about ? I think the Rangers (sic) only reacted because they saw our players getting assaulted” ….. I said heehaw, her mum changed the subject, as she saw the look on my face, Level5 are earning their lucrative contract

     

     

    HT

     

    Pretty disappointing to read that, it bugs me that my educated sisters still say “do you fancy a chinky tonight” rips ma knitting, maybe the old boy was an ignorant racist who likes walking, as for my sisters they don’t like walking and I despair at their ignorance

  14. Saint Stivs says SACK THE BOARD on

    Hampden riot: Rangers launch scatter-gun attack on Hibs, the SFA, football pundits and Nicola Sturgeon

     

    20:12, 22 MAY 2016

     

    BY GARY RALSTON

     

    THE Ibrox club repeat their call for a full investigation after their players were assaulted by Hibs fans and hit out at ‘apologists’ for the violence.

     

     

     

    36

     

    SHARES

     

     

    Enter your e-mail for our daily newsletter

     

     

    PA

     

    image: http://i4.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article8027926.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/riot.jpg

     

     

    Stewart Regan and Rod Petrie have been slammed by Rangers over Hampden riotStewart Regan and Rod Petrie have been slammed by Rangers over Hampden riot

     

     

    RANGERS have launched a blistering attack on everyone from Hibs to Nicola Sturgeon as the fallout from the Scottish Cup final goes nuclear.

     

     

    The Ibrox club have rounded on their Easter Road rivals for failing to condemn the fans who attacked Mark Warburton’s players in the aftermath of the 3-2 victory at Hampden.

     

     

    They are particularly angry at Hibs chairman Rod Petrie, the SFA vice president, who claimed the pitch invasion by his support was a result of “over exuberance” and that police and stewards deserved praise for their handling of the mayhem.

     

     

    An entire team of Rangers players and backroom staff, including Wes Foderingham, Lee Wallace, Kenny Miller and Rob Kiernan, were assaulted as thousands of Hibs fans poured on to the Hampden pitch and initial excitement gave way to violence.

     

     

    VIDEO LOADING

     

     

    Rangers also rounded on SNP leader Sturgeon, MSP for Govan, after she tweeted her congratulations for Hibs after the match, but failed to condemn the thuggery of the fans of her husband’s favourite team.

     

     

    Rangers even defended the “tiny minority” of their own fans who came over the top and on to the pitch to trade blows with rivals, claiming they were only acting in defence of the attacks being meted out to their favourites.

     

     

    In a fiercely worded statement, Rangers also reiterated calls for a full, independent investigation, echoing the statement they made in the immediate aftermath of the appalling scenes on Saturday evening as mounted police eventually moved in to quell the chaos.

     

     

    READ MORE: Appeal launched after Rangers fan knocked unconscious at Haymarket station

     

     

    It said: “Rangers finds it incomprehensible that no one, either from within the Scottish FA or Hibernian Football Club, has condemned Hibernian’s supporters following the violent scenes when Rangers players and members of our backroom staff were physically and verbally assaulted.

     

     

    “We have not even had the courtesy of any contact whatsoever from Hibernian to ask after the wellbeing of those who were attacked by their club’s supporters.

     

     

    “There must be a full independent investigation into the shameful scenes. Rangers is also at a complete loss to understand why certain individuals have hastily attempted to gloss over the appalling events which unfolded at the end of Saturday’s final.

     

     

    image: http://i2.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article8020555.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/JS90677863.jpg

     

     

    Hibs fans invade the pitch during the Scottish Cup Final between Rangers and Hibs

     

    “No matter how many times Hibernian’s chairman and Scottish FA vice-chairman, Rod Petrie, and certain other biased commentators wish to play down Saturday’s mayhem and violence, the truth must not be distorted.

     

     

    “What unfolded on Saturday cannot and must not be put down to exuberance. That is a complete insult to Rangers, our supporters, and those individuals who were intimidated and attacked.

     

     

    “It was clear to most of those who watched in horror that the Scottish FA’s security procedures failed when Hibernian’s fans went over the top in their thousands.

     

     

    READ MORE: Rangers fans launch petition to get Hibs kicked out of Europe following Scottish Cup violence

     

     

    “It is to be hoped all of Scottish football will share Rangers’ disgust and any attempts to attach blame to our supporters for the disgraceful and violent behaviour, which led to our players and fans fearing for their safety, will not be accepted or tolerated by this club.

     

     

    “We acknowledge that a tiny minority of Rangers fans also encroached on the pitch but only after having been faced with prolonged and severe provocation and in order to protect our players and officials who were being visibly attacked in front of them.

     

     

    “Any club’s supporters would have done the same. This distressing and deeply disturbing episode would never have happened had Hibs fans behaved properly but as they swarmed across the pitch it became immediately obvious that the security procedures were inadequate and had failed.

     

     

    “These fans were allowed to rush, unchecked, towards Rangers supporters at the opposite end of the stadium – all the while goading and threatening them.

     

     

    image: http://i4.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article8019715.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/IMG_0190JPG.jpg

     

     

    The Hibs fans invade the pitch at the end of the gameThe Hibs fans invade the pitch at the end of the game

     

    “This makes it preposterous to suggest Rangers fans were somehow to blame as some commentators appear anxious to do.

     

     

    “This thuggish behaviour must be investigated and as many culprits as possible brought to book and formally charged. This is the second time in a year that Rangers fans have had to endure attacks by another club’s supporters.”

     

     

    Rangers are raging with Sturgeon, who tweeted her congratulations to Alan Stubbs’ side after the game, but declined to comment on the ugly scenes afterwards.

     

     

    She tweeted: “Congratulations @HibsOfficial – my other half @PeterMurrell is just one of thousands of happy Hibees tonight. #ScottishCupFinal.”

     

     

    Rangers added: “It must also be said that it was not at all helpful to see leading members of the Scottish Government, including the First Minister whose parish is Govan, passing comment on social media without any attempt to condemn the behaviour of Hibernian’s fans. These failures are unbecoming of our elected representatives.

     

     

    “Let everyone be clear on one thing – Rangers demands that players, staff and fans be protected from the violence and hatred of supporters of other clubs.

     

     

    “Rangers fully expects the Scottish FA and Police Scotland to take action to provide our people with a safe environment.

     

     

    “When players are unable to accept medals at the end of a final because of fears for their safety and our supporters are alarmed and extremely concerned for the women and children among them, then surely every step must be taken to ensure that this is never repeated.”

     

     

    Reuters

     

    image: http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article8019970.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Hibs-v-Rangers-Scottish-Cup-Final.jpg

     

     

    Police move Hibernian fans off the pitch as they celebrate at the end of the match after winning the Scottish Cup FinalPolice move Hibs fans off the pitch after regaining control

     

    Petrie declined to be interviewed at Easter Road yesterday amid suggestions he did not wish to detract from his team’s parade through Edinburgh as they celebrated their first Scottish Cup win since 1902.

     

     

    However, in the aftermath of the worst scenes seen in Scottish football since the Old Firm cup final in 1980 ended in a riot, Petrie had defended his club’s fans and the reaction of security.

     

     

    He said: “The police and stewards and everyone at Hampden Park deserve great credit for the manner in which they dealt with the situation at the end.

     

     

    “I am not playing down anything that has happened. A team won the cup and the over exuberance of a number of supporters took them on to the pitch which is unacceptable. I am sorry it happened and it had to be dealt with but I think it was dealt with in a professional manner.”

     

     

    READ MORE: Police confirm 11 arrests in the aftermath of Scottish Cup final pitch invasion

     

     

    Hibs boss Stubbs, speaking after his side’s parade today, said: “I was gutted they didn’t get the chance to have a lap of honour.

     

     

    “But a really unfortunate set of circumstances happened that no-one wants to see. No-one at this football club condones it whatsoever.

     

     

    “I am sure once the people in charge come together, it will be with a decision we don’t see things like that again and we learn from it. Whatever happens we will have to take it on the chin.”

     

     

    The SFA also declined to comment, although insiders deny chief executive Stewart Regan did not condemn the scenes, which he said had brought shame to Scottish football.

     

     

    Regan said after the match: “It’s embarrassing for Scottish football. I want to apologise to the Rangers board, the Rangers players – and to the Hibs players as well, because the gloss has been taken off their achievement.”

     

     

     

    Read more at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hampden-riot-rangers-launch-scatter-8027787#VWDM5JmFoVhcJhDz.99

  15. glendalystonsils on

    CHAIRBHOY on 22ND MAY 2016 8:21 PM

     

     

    Most clubs don’t have them on the board either.

  16. Neustadt-Braw on

    Ma sombrero has been sevcoed !!!

     

     

    Braw

     

     

    Tikki Takki coming up …I bet it will be close….4 to1

     

     

    Smiley thing

     

     

    Braw

  17. GFTB

     

    Sorry , you miss my point…I could not care less if James Traynor banger the Lambeg Drum for 6 weeks in the summer.

     

    I don’t know the guy or care what he says in private. This statement , and I give the ramshackle assembly of words a lot of credit by calling it so, in my opinion is not the work of a professional journalist.

     

    Anyway, football about to start again…Hail! hail!

  18. Thats as irresponsable a statement as i have ever seen.

     

    The police,government and football authorities in an honest law abiding country would call them to order.

     

    Will not hold my breath.

  19. DUSHANBE BHILLY BHOY on

    “Hibernian’s fans went over the top in their thousands”.

     

     

    Any co-incidence that this is a similar description of the brave men who fought and died at the Somme, the 100th anniversary of which is almost upon us. . … i.e Scottish, Irish and Welsh canon fodder.

     

     

    Shame on them for using such an allegory.

  20. Joost afore a go…..

     

    A wee slip of the tongue fae McCann on Sly sports after the game yesterday

     

    when he said that it would be Hibs ‘goal’ to get back to the top flight next season

     

    whatever way they get there, by getting promotion or, league reconstruction ?!?!?

     

    What does he know ?

     

    And, is this part of the 5 way agreement ?

     

    And, did Celtic – under Lawwell’s watch – agree to this ?

     

    Restructure the leagues if the sevco are gonna be relegated ?

     

    Sold all the souls to the devils in hell….imho.

     

    Watch yer back Brendan!

     

    Be back the morra.

     

    ….oot-zzzzzz…….

  21. 2 things odd about McLeans performance yesterday, one it was excellent, however in the 2nd minute of injury time, he could have gave Sevco a free kick to launch into the Hibs box, but he gave the free kick to Hibs much to the astonished commentary team. Hobs players and viewers. It was like he had been told you’re been watched

     

    Very odd.

  22. TGM

     

    I dunno about that, they control the sfa, they have half a billion supporters world wide that drool over their every word and throw money at them, the media print what they want……….I could go on and on.

     

    HH

  23. If the tone of that hun’s statement doesn’t alert the Celtic Board of the necessity to pursue Resolution 12 then nothing will.

     

    BTW huns if you’re not happy in Scottish football resign and allow the club that should have taken your place, Spartans, replace you. W&NKS!

  24. Gerryfaethebrig on

    KevJ

     

     

    Stop trying to play to your alter ego Brendan will be fine, El Moustacio has produced the cash line card….

     

     

    Enjoy the good times my fellow Celtic fan

     

     

    God help that Mrs of yours when you are a cantankerous old Tim…..

     

     

    Just now your just a cantankerous Tim

  25. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Evening all.

     

     

    Slightly surprised that some on here are gobsmacked by the latest from Lord Haw Haw.

     

     

    Its simple – the orange pound is needed more desperately now than ever.

     

     

    Can’t celebrate success? Fine – play the outrage card. It always hits the mark with these people.

     

     

    Speaking of marks, what odds on Warburton getting his half million bonus now there’s no European money?

     

     

    Hail hail / ho ho

  26. JMCCORMICK

     

    the criteria to be a journalist employed in Scottish sport is so low that the huns statement could well have been written by one.

  27. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Cowiwbhoy 8.31pm

     

     

    Wait until you see the sleekit Hun that tries to sneak up on a wee Hibs fan and tries to grab him

     

     

    Police Scotland do your job and hunt this bam down

  28. In that post a minute ago sad = Say, although Sad also fits

     

    Watch the young fan in the full Hibs strip, at end of post as he runs through the technical area

  29. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    TET

     

     

    I think their control is under threat.

     

    That statement came from the mind of an idiot.

     

    If that is how they wish to represent themselves, i hope they carry on.

     

    They make themselves look incredibly stupid.

     

    And i reckon they had a go at the ref as well….because he didnt carry out their wishes.

     

    They really are beyond contempt, and doing a fine job of exposing themselves as clowns.

     

    They will come unstuck.

     

    People in glass houses shouldnt throw stones:)

     

     

    HH

  30. Gerryfaethebrig

     

    I seen it, the one I posted I haven’t seen again since last night

     

    Let’s not forget what footage there is, and if possible use to apprehend the real culprits of assault, and those bringing our game into disrepute

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