I don’t subscribe to the ‘Would rather face them with Messi’ world view. I’ve seen Lionel Messi a couple of times, it’s a bit like standing atop the Eiffel Tower, a breath-taking experience, but I don’t need to visit Paris every month to reinforce the view. Tomorrow will be an almighty challenge against one of the sport’s all-time great teams. Having pushed Barcelona to their absolute limits twice last season, we have no right to expect a second consecutive New Firm victory, but this is a home game at Celtic Park, we hope for a win.
The omission of Joe Ledley is a worry. Celtic need mobility and positional awareness in all positions tomorrow, Joe brings both elements to the party, how Neil Lennon compensates for his enforced absence in central midfield will be a key decision.
I also don’t subscribe to the view that, unlike a year ago, Barca will know what to expect this time. Celtic’s 2-1 victory last season came after they took Barca to added time at the Camp Nou before Barca got their winner. Barcelona knew exactly what to expect, they just didn’t know what to do about it. I see no reason why they will be any better tutored this time. Unless they’ve figured out a way of making wee guys jump higher than big guys.
We are fast, we’re tall, we defend when necessary and we run all game. Unless Barca decide to play for a point and defend deep, which they won’t, they will play exactly as they did last season.
On seeing an X Factor item on the news I complained, “That’s not news”, but I was challenged, “If that’s not news, what makes football news?” Sporting and entertainment events are news if those who produce the news determine it to be so, which places considerable authority on news editors.
Charlotte Fakes revelations have shown us how news professionals, keen to distract attention from a disaster zone of a club, tried to create negative ‘news’ stories concerning Celtic.
Three years ago the Green Brigade displayed a banner at Celtic Park which went largely uncommented upon for several days. Four days after the event, the banner became a nationwide news story, TV news reported it and it made a Radio 5 Live morning discussion programme.
The delay in the item becoming ‘news’ was the most important part of the story. It wasn’t news until the news editors had been convinced otherwise. The damage to Celtic’s reputation was considerable.
Today news editors who ran that story three years ago have an interesting dilemma. Do they run a story about an alarming message being displayed at a football ground, or without being lobbied, is that not a story?
Celtic don’t spend money trying to get negative stories about other clubs in the newspapers, but this is surely not exclusively the way the ‘news’ industry works.
We shouldn’t have to wait on a whistle-blower to shine a light on what happened three years ago, journalists know when they have been lobbied, and that’s the real story, which is not dependent on unfathomable leaks.
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Lots of concerns but no mention of sectarian behaviour from the BBC or Police Scotland.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-24333517?
Police probe ‘concerns’ over Rangers’ Armed Forces Day
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “We are aware of concerns raised regarding the conduct of a number of people attending the Rangers versus Stenhousemuir game at Ibrox on Saturday and these concerns are being investigated.”
cv
My own guess is that it will not happen again.
However, there must be an awful lot of Celtic minded folks with family and friends in forces who are feeling a bit uncomfortable tonight.
channelislandcelt
I was over last year for my brother in laws funeral….RS….has 3 sons all rabid huns unfortunately….he was the black sheep in the wifes family..
I don’t subscribe to the view…..
The story of our armed forces joining in the secetarian, racist songs at Ibrox is a huge story. But perhaps a bigger story is the lack of reporting. Nothing in the papers, stifled on the radio, more worrying is that it has been deemed ‘ off topic ‘, by The ScottishFootballMonitor, and all comments on the matter deleted.
What level of intimidation is at play here ?
PFAYR
I was hoping for a mix somewhere between Drogba and Adebayor.
So far it’s a cross between George Weah’s cousin and Bangura.
TT
Wonder how much sevco spent on bevvy to get service personell pissed enough to disgrace themselves and the uniform?
mihal
19:24 on
30 September, 2013
Spot on.
After all our media is Frank, Fearless and Free.
Except that is when it isn’t.
Mihal
Being seen as being anti Help the heroes is just not on for many.
TT
Sevco – a new entity but with the same old faces. Trying to be as positive as I can be, at least there’s no pretence on the part of the hordes that they are somehow an all-inclusive multicultural bunch.
If there was ever a photograph which encapsulates all that is wrong with the “institutions”, it is the soldiers holding the ‘keep Ulster protestant” scarf. One would expect the First Minister to denounce such proclamations. But don’t hold your breath…
Saint stivs…I love women (I even married one) and I enjoy watching women’s sport…well, except one…fitba. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with the ladies playing the game but I just can’t bring myself to watch more than a minute or two…it’s just not my glass of beer…I’m now in my 60s…am I a Luddite like Keevins?
I would not hold my breath regards police scotland .
I saw AT link and there was not a single copper to be seen ,funny that .
Were they told to stay well away or did they all need a slash at the same time .
TinyTim
19:30 on
30 September, 2012
Just how can telling the truth be anti Help the Heroes?
malceye
19:31 on 30 September, 2013
‘If there was ever a photograph which encapsulates all that is wrong with the “institutions”, it is the soldiers holding the ‘keep Ulster protestant” scarf. One would expect the First Minister to denounce such proclamations. But don’t hold your breath…’
####
‘Blood of our blood, bone of our bone.’
Have the Zombies posted their financial accounts yet?
Barca manager
“Reason why we bring players from second team is we need centre backs, have many injuries.”
The outrage regarding Saturday is understandable but with 24 hours to kick off it’s a pity that it’s dominating the agenda.
As for tonight’s (ahem) big TV double header, it’s Aberdeen and Everton for me.
omacelt & barcaskelpers
19:34 on 30 September, 2013
No, and if they don’t do it his week, they cannot have their AGM……dooo doooooooooooo
Galloway ripping them a new one and reporting their sites such as RM for threatening an MP. Lovely jubbly…
mibbe The St Mirren Fan will phone Bawface and clarify the issue at hand………….
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy
17:46 on 30 September, 2013
Jim Delahunt is a Tim.
—————————————————————–
So is Keevins ;)
Jobo Baldie
Everton v Newcastle for me; it’s a mediocre appetizer as I await the phenomenal main course tomorrow.
HH
Found this on another site Paul:
The Celtic FC fan website that isn’t trying to get a job at the club. Also home to the longest running Celtic podcast on the internet.
You must be doing a good job. BTW how’s yer da getting on, he hasn’t posted for ages.
Philmac.
Journalist questions media silence after military day ‘sectarian chanting’ at Rangers game
General
SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2013 22:27 24 COMMENTS
By a Newsnet reporter
A former editor of the Daily Mirror has questioned apparent media reluctance to report what he claimed were scores of uniformed soldiers taking part in sectarian singing at a so called Armed Forces Day event at Ibrox stadium.
Roy Greenslade, who now writes for the Guardian newspaper and the London Evening Standard, described the events which took place after hundreds of military personnel had marched onto the park before Rangers’ game against Stenhousemuir on Saturday.
According to the journalist, a group of soldiers were filmed dancing, clapping and singing along with the crowd. Mr Greenslade suggested that chants were sectarian in nature with references to IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands.
A video posted on Youtube appeared to support the claims and showed scores of soldiers joining in with fans as they sang and chanted No Surrender. At one point soldiers rushed towards fans with some breaching safety barriers.
In other images posted online, troops wearing full army fatigues can be seen holding a scarf which reads, “Keep Ulster Protestant”.
Greenslade then implied a media blackout of the episode, describing as “odd” the lack of reporting by any Scottish media outlet.
He wrote: “Two media reports about the events that have been published – one here on the STV site and another here on the Daily Record site – make no reference to the soldiers’ antics.
“The STV report mentioned that an army band ‘entertained fans’ and quoted Major General Nick Eeles, general officer commanding Scotland, as saying it was hoped to make it into an annual event.
“The Record did write that ‘the match-day experience began in dramatic circumstances’ but only because ‘two marines abseiled down the Govan stand ahead of kick-off, before delivering the match ball to the referee.’
Criticising both the Record and STV, Greenslade added: “How odd that both outlets missed the story? Or do their reporters think soldiers chanting jingoistic sectarian songs in unison with football fans is unworthy of comment?”
Others to criticise the behaviour of the troops and the lack of coverage from the Scottish media is online magazine ‘Bella Caledonia’. It’s founder Mike Small described the episode as “mass manipulation and exploitation”.
“You can see how the custodians of the new club trading as Rangers can make short-term capital by pandering to jingoistic sectarianism. But what do the armed forces get out of it?” he said.
Joining Greenslade in questioning the logic of allowing the event to take place at a football match, he added: “This was an event where military chiefs were in attendance and was sanctioned by football authorities. That simple reality must have consequences.”
The episode has resulted in considerable controversy and criticism on social media sites. However figures associated with Rangers have defended the event.
Andrew Dickson, who presents the club’s official TV channel – Rangers TV – suggested detractors should “take a look at their passports and remind themselves of where they come from…”.
Concerns over sectarian chanting and behaviour at football matches has led to controversial anti-Sectarianism legislation being introduced by the Scottish government. The legislation followed a summit held at the request of Strathclyde Police after trouble flared after an Old Firm game.
Last month a Celtic fan was convicted at Dundee Sheriff Court after being caught on camera singing a song which the prosecution claimed glorified people associated with terrorism.
Speaking after the hearing Prosecutor Vicki Bell, who is football liaison prosecutor for the North of Scotland, said: “Attending football matches should be about enjoying the match itself and not be used as a platform to show support for proscribed terrorist organisations.”
quonno
19:22 on 30 September, 2013.
I wouldn’t tar everyone that fought or fight in the forces with that embarrassment.Hail Hail
Quonno 19.30
I said “being seen” ,not that people are.
We both know that any criticism of “our heroes” will be jumped upon by our enemies.
They will choose to portray it as betraying those who fight to retain our freedom.
TT
Delahunt and Keevans tims?
Give me strength.
Matthew 7:16
Somehow I doubt that anything will come of the bile at Ibrox.
masty
Was racking my brains there ….tx the big man and he put me right. Yeah I know them ,the boys although huns seem to be decent lads .
HH
Re. Women’s Football. Last year, my wife and I took our grandson to Hampden to watch the Olympic women’s football between France and Sweden. Excellent match and excellent standard. France won 3-1. There are some very good players in the women’s game which should be encouraged. I wouldn’t spend time watching some Men’s games as the standard is very poor e.g. East Stirling v Stenhousemuir wouldn’t float my boat but they should be encouraged.
Ernie Lynch – the blood of our blood quote was used in relation to Scotland sending water over in a crisis.
Was it only Protestants that were getting it or would Catholics also have been amongst the blood and bone?
Speculation on rm about the club not owning the assets, but owned by the company, so ….. ipox could well be rented to the club by the compny … hahahahahahaha
Saturday was the shape of things to come in an independent Scotland. This you can be sure of. Hopefully never in my lifetime.
Jude
Got wee Tart E/W. Another nice return today my friend :)
Sky News
The Army and police are investigating reports
that military personnel sang sectarian songs
on the Rangers pitch during an Armed Forces
Day event.
Some 400 personnel from all three forces were
invited to Ibrox stadium to attend Saturday’s
match against Stenhousemuir.
Rangers organised the event as a club
celebration of the military as the annual
Armed Forces Day takes place in June, during
football’s close season.
At half-time, the military personnel were
invited on to the pitch to be applauded by the
crowd.
Video footage posted on YouTube appears to
show some of those on the pitch clapping
along as Rangers fans sing sectarian songs.
A number of chants praised the Northern Irish
paramilitary organisation the Ulster Volunteer
Force (UVF), say reports, which is illegal under
new Scottish anti-sectarian laws.
Police Scotland has told Sky News that a
number of “concerns” have been raised with
them following the Ibrox event.
Chief Superintendent Andy Bates said: “We are
aware of concerns raised regarding the
conduct of a number of people attending the
Rangers v Stenhousemuir game at Ibrox on
Saturday. These concerns are being
investigated.”
A spokesperson for the Army in Scotland told
Sky News: “We are aware of a number of
complaints of against members of the armed
forces at the Armed Forces Day match at Ibrox
Stadium at the weekend.
“The Army and Police Scotland, assisted by
Rangers Football Club, are investigating these
complaints.
“Sectarianism is a breach of the Army’s strict
values and standards.
“If any personnel are found to have fallen
short of these values and standards they will
be dealt with by administrative or disciplinary
action by the chain of command and, if
necessary, by the police.”
weeminger
19:54 on 30 September, 2013
I think we both know what he meant.
Just as we both know what his predecessor meant by this.
“Wheresoever knives and razors are used, wheresoever sneak thefts and petty pilfering are easy and safe, wheresoever dirty acts of sexual baseness are committed, there you will find the Irishman in Scotland with all but a monopoly.”
The Comfortable Collective
19:50 on
30 September, 2013
Delahunt and Keevans tims?
Give me strength.
Matthew 7:16
=================================================
Next they`ll be telling us Andy Walkers a Tim……..
Tiny Tim ;
I take your point about the anti Help for Heroes patter. It could be a political minefield. I suppose thats why they were commandeered in the first place.
But even if we leave the forces out of it. Could such a high profile story serve to highlight the nature of the songs themselves ? Does this illegal chanting happen at every sevco match ?
Down in the lower divisions they are off the radar for many of us. But these embryonic upstarts must still be on probation.