Barca calling out Uefa, sympathy for Forrest

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My initial reaction to a Sunday 12:00 kick off time is not positive. It’s out of routine, so there’s an inherent objection, but as I don’t have a long journey to Celtic Park it may end suit me better than a later kick off.

Fans who travel from great distances will have the inconvenience of an early rise, but some, who are dependent on public transport, will be prevented from attending, which is never a scenario to be treated lightly.

I see a bit of angst against James Forrest over his decision to reject a new Celtic contract and opt instead to leave the club when his contract expires next year, if not before. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of James. When he arrived in the team in the wake of Aiden McGeady’s departure he was on fire, but the intervening years have not been kind.

Injury has robbed him of a regular starting place, and a fair bit of form when he does get in the team. Sean Maloney was in a similar position a few years back. Injured for long periods, even when he was fit he was often a substitute. He needed to leave Celtic Park for a fresh start. Had he stayed, I don’t think he would have rediscovered his early peaks. Putting all emotive issues aside, James Forrest looks like a player in need of a fresh start.

He’s not alone, of course.

Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu took a shot across Uefa bows when he told the BBC he wants big (trans: rich) clubs who fail to qualify for the Champions League to be given wild card access. Make no mistake, this is a follow up to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s recent utterances on creating a closed-shop tournament.

Bartomeu also said he views the FA Premier League as the biggest threat to Barcelona, which is 100% true. When teams like Bayern Munich and Barcelona coordinate statements on structural change you know that profound moves are underway.

I’m all for change, Celtic have much to gain, but we need to organise quickly. Find similar allies – big clubs from Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Turkey and Portugal – and plan accordingly. Europe’s major clubs are each leaving hundreds of millions of TV money on the table each year because of the existing league and European tournament structures.

England has opened their eyes to what is possible. Change of some sort is inevitable now the ball is in play.

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552 Comments

  1. Praecepta

     

     

    If you get aff yer high hoarse, ye’ll find I never mentioned arsenole wance.

     

     

    Their meeja is the target, the ones that charge £800 per year. £800 per year lifted right out of Scottish football into English football only then to have English pundits tell us all how rubbish Scottish football is.

     

     

    Yeah, like sure!

     

     

    It’s now getting on for a £3 billion transfer fee from Scottish households into the English Premier League’s wages over the course of Skysports EPL coverage.

     

     

    So! Yeah! I’m glad they got stuffed tonight!

  2. THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 23RD FEBRUARY 2016 10:05 PM

     

     

    PRAECEPTA

     

     

    I much prefer Barca.

     

    ________________

     

    Likewise – but it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be so narrow-minded that I can’t admire a decent performance by the underdog when up against Barca!

     

     

    Each to their own interpretation – caustic viewpoint!

  3. We’ll have back our £3 billion from subsidy-junkies England and once we have provided our professional clubs with that funding and sorted out our youth academies, English pundits can then fairly make a just comparison between the two nations.

  4. Jungle Jim Hot Smoked on

    I do not expect to see this selection on Friday but I would like to.

     

     

    ………………….Gordon

     

    Lustig Boyata Svietchenko Tierney.

     

    ………..Bitton Brown

     

    GMS…… Allan……….Forrest

     

    …………..Griffiths

     

     

    Then V Morton

     

    Bailley

     

    Janko Boyata Svietchenko Izaguirre

     

    Roberts Christie Brown Rogic Armstong

     

    Griffiths.

  5. Eldiego

     

     

    Good to see you on. You are like a protective blanket on here at times. :)

     

    Hope you and girls are well.

     

    Hail Hail

  6. Marrakesh Express on

    Did Wenger just say Arsenal were dominating when Barca scored? He looks a broken man. Favourites for the league but miles behind Barcelona and for all the TV fortunes, Arsenal will remain the biggest club in Europe never to win the Big Cup, and for the foreseeable future. Wenger knows it too.

  7. Eddieinkirkmichael

     

     

     

    If your lurking , I can meet you at the “Vaults Pub ” diagonally to the right

     

     

    Of Hamilton west train station on Friday before the game to give you your

     

     

    ticket back , if that suits you .

  8. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    PRAECEPTA

     

     

    Hey, no worries.

     

    Decent performance from Arsenal, ok fair enough.

     

    Thought Barca were too good though.

     

    Although im not too fond of the rest of the teams in the EPL either.

     

    Disneyland of Football.

     

     

    HH

  9. Bournes. Well I don’t know what part of Scotland you live in but that avoiding the racism part isn’t my families of friends experience. And woe betide if you are a catholic who lives in parts of the north (segregation is alive and well on some of the islands).

     

     

    I do agree football is at the sharp end because this is where the nation attempts to display its superiority over their intended victims.

     

     

    I think Celtic have a moral obligation to fight corruption and the obvious cheating. Sure we will get attacked as the country circles the wagons but we have a very powerful story to tell and telling it will start the process of change. Quite how you don’t believe we have colluded amazes me. It’s perfectly clear we have.

     

     

    I am not sure what you mean by some of the supporters? Do you mean to say we are just a football club?

  10. ELDIEGOBHOY on 23RD FEBRUARY 2016 10:05 PM

     

    Googybhoy

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Passed by today. The school has been demolished and the pitch ripped up.

     

     

    – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/barca-calling-out-uefa-sympathy-for-forrest/comment-page-9/#comment-2782745

     

     

     

    Sorry to hear that had a good time there a great education in football and of course education.

     

    When we played on grass pitches our touch was always better than any of the other kids.

     

     

    Played at Millburn ,Vale Juniors in a final as well.

  11. Bob O’ Baldy

     

     

    No HIGH HORSE aimed at your post………………………..

     

     

    merely an observation that Arsenal have played decent/attractive football these past 18+ years (qualified/ developed/ built a new stadium etc).

     

     

    TV money aside – not the worst team to watch!

  12. Marspapa

     

     

    Eddie and I will see you in the Vaults pre match Friday.

     

    Hopefully HT too, wi a ticket for me.

     

    Helensburgh CSC is only running a mini bus to Hamilton, so I think we are training it.

  13. P

     

    With 18 years of CL monies, you would have thot that the Gooners could have given Barca a better game, No !

     

    I only saw the 1st half, dodgy French stream, Arsenal were forcing Barca to play it long, a bit like clubs are doing to us at the moment, but for all the cash Arsenal have, and has gone through their hands, they are pyoor pish in reality, imo.

     

    HH

  14. Jungle Jim Hot Smoked on 23rd February 2016 10:13.

     

     

    Get a grip man. One game at a time.

     

     

    I like your team v Hamilton but think Armstrong should get the chance in middle of midfield. Poor guy looks lost on left. Of course he might also be lost in middle, but give him a chance to find out.

     

     

    Allan certainly looks as if he can find space; unlock defences, so equally happy to go with that.

  15. Jungle Jim Hot Smoked

     

     

    Surprised that you include Forrest in our team. I don’t see Forrest being involved at all in the immediate future.

     

    One thing I do agree with Ronny on, is his statement that we should focus on those players that actually want to be here. So for me, Forrest is literally on gardening leave.

  16. Googybhoy

     

     

    There’s some sort of campus being constructed on the site due to open next year.

     

     

    DD

     

     

    Look in occasionally but clear off if certain clowns are about. See you at the Hilton?

  17. Neganon

     

     

    I live in the north of Scotland and your comment about segregation being alive and well is just completely off the radar and needs to be challenged . I actually find it offensive if I am honest.

     

    Just thought I would point this out as some people might think you are talking from a position of authority on this subject.

  18. JJ-Forrest in your team? A wee hand grenade before bedtime? A sub at best for me till end of the season. HH

  19. Midweek game v Dundee next Wednesday at CP. They play Sevco in the cup on the Saturday 12.30 kick off, interesting one for Hartley. Might rest a few against us.

  20. DD…

     

     

    Helensburgh CSC is only running a mini bus to Hamilton, so I think we are trainering it.

     

     

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~

     

     

    That’s one hell of a jog. :)

  21. sipsini on 23rd February 2016 10:25 pm

     

     

    I see Dundee won 5-0.

     

     

    huns next, keep it up to keep our skys clear of the flying monkeys. Aka… The wizard of oz.

     

     

    *saw a report this morning that sevco are targeting greg stewart (who scored a brace the night) for next season.

     

     

    Tampering again, effin notorious for it.

  22. No problem mate .

     

     

    Pity you couldn’t get here early , both of you could’ve come up to mine for a few beers

     

     

    Pre match.

     

     

     

    Sipsini

     

     

    I wouldn’t head to much into the Dundee score , Rangers beat them 8 or 9 nothing at

     

     

    Dumbarton , :))

  23. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Willie Collum been found under Blackfriars Bridge yet?

     

    Better watch his back….The DR wants blood.

     

    Willie…if you are out there.

     

    Emigrate son…It would be easier:)

     

     

    HH

  24. ElDiegoBhoy on 23rd February 2016 10:26 pm

     

     

    Googybhoy

     

     

    There’s some sort of campus being constructed on the site due to open next year.

     

     

    *both Haldane and St Kessog’s will be located there.

     

     

    The best school in the Vale opened in 1933 is still standing.

     

     

    Didnae have a pitch so we had tae walk round tae the Emmett Park (where Googybhoy’s uncle once ran a juvenile team) tae play.

  25. Didnt think asrenal did much wrong tonight.

     

     

    They lost to the 10% extra that the money that Barca has can buy?

     

     

    100 mill was the difference tonight…..

  26. TET

     

     

    Don’t disagree with your analysis.

     

     

    Pity is – Arsenal can be good to watch. Sometimes you wish they had more bite. Wenger would drive me mad if I were a Gooner – so many chances to step it up.

     

     

    I confess – I like watching them when they spray the ball about – I like their free-flowing attitude – I frequently cringe at their lack of ruthlessness.

     

     

    I’m no lover of Juve – but you can’t help but admire (unlike Arsenal) their ruthless climb back to the top of Serie A after a poor start (15 games undefeated).

     

     

    CFC are and always will be my team however – sometimes you have to ‘doff your cap’ to other teams (whether you like them or not) when they do the business.

     

     

    God! How I would love to wind the clock back 40-50 years and be able to compete in the same arena – fat chance!

     

    H!H!

  27. from BBC REPORT

     

     

    THISTLE 2 ST J 0

     

     

    Nesbitt was making his debut after signing on loan from Celtic, and he made clever darting runs, had quick, intricate footwork and was always willing and able to release team-mates with his passes. He was a bright spark in the opening half, but the team was more productive after the break.

  28. kinda like watching us against ICT, we go 2-0 up and most people wondering why/how that happened.

     

     

    We got more cash to buy better players

  29. Tontine Tim

     

     

    I’ll read the big sign more clearly next time I pass. Think there’s a bit more to the campus.

  30. From We Are Thistle forum

     

     

    Young Aiden proved tonight if you are good enough, age doesn’t matter. If he keeps his feet on the ground, Celtic have some player on their hands once he gets a bit of experience.

  31. Neganon2

     

     

    On the broader racism in Scottish society, we’d need to agree to disagree, because I trust good Protestants who live by and large, along the lines of – “We’re all Jock Tamson’s bairns”.

     

     

    The sharp end, is very much where I believe I live, and agree that the sporting field is where ‘they’ve’ flexed their muscles over general Catholicism perceived in Celtic.

     

     

    This of course, is a grave distortion and misconception, my vision of Celtic is the same as the mission statement in that it is a non denominational football club, – like all other football clubs?

     

     

    A lifetime by others of obscuring reality, and painting Celtic as ‘rebel FC’, didn’t wash with some good men before us, and we’ve prevailed.

     

     

    Yes, we are just a football club.