It’s the battle of the Lennons at Celtic Park tomorrow with Danny enjoying the best run of form in his managerial career. St Mirren are on 20 points, joint with St Johnstone, who they beat in Perth last month, and have already taken a point from Ibrox this season. They are a technically sound team who will be more difficult to create chances against than Dunfermline were on Wednesday. They can also play a bit.
Team formation will be enormously important for Neil Lennon. This is the type of fixture he would previously select a 4-4-2, with two wingers, giving width to the game, but leaving a central two outnumbered by opponents who inevitably pack the middle of the field. If Celtic persist with this strategy they’ll need to tighten up in the middle.
There is an interesting subplot to this weekend’s games. Earlier this month there was a daunting 12 points between Celtic and Rangers. A win for Celtic tomorrow would see that gap shrink to 4 points, with Rangers playing their game in hand away to Kilmarnock at lunchtime on Sunday. As well as playing for three points tomorrow, Celtic have the opportunity to put pressure on Rangers.
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2010 Never Again
I wonder how long it will take Sone Aluko to get shot by a sniper?
My take is McCoist will be cluing him up as to the benefits of having the MIB on side. Any bets?
ElDiegoBhoy says:
26 November, 2011 at 06:35
Those were the words of James Forrest.
I stand corrected EDB it is indeed young master Forrest thanks
From The Herald:
HIS immediate future involves St Mirren’s visit to Celtic Park this afternoon, but Neil Lennon has not been neglecting the bigger picture.
For every manager, but especially those in charge at the Old Firm, there is nothing more pressing than winning your next match but, with the transfer window re-opening in just over a month, Lennon has also been poring over his options as he looks to reshape his squad for the second half of the campaign.
At least the Northern Irishman seems to have moved out of crisis management mode, in which every match could feasibly have been his last. Poor results and patchy performances had led to the suggestion that Lennon had been pushed to the brink but, if that was indeed ever the case, then he has shown great resolve to rescue a perilous situation. Statistics can always be manipulated to suit a particular argument or agenda, but the fact that Celtic can move to within four points behind Rangers with victory this afternoon – just three weeks after falling 15 points behind their great rivals – is surely proof that Lennon and his players are moving in the right direction.
Penalties continue to prove problematic for Celtic, however, with Ki Sung-Yueng the latest to miss from 12 yards. It is becoming something of an irritant to Lennon, but not something he is sweating over unduly. He raised an eyebrow in surprise at news that Daniel Majstorovic is supposedly prolific from the spot – “Is that right? He’s never mentioned that to me before” – and was confident that there would be no shortage of volunteers should they be awarded another penalty against St Mirren this afternoon.
“I’m sure there will be plenty of takers, or people sticking their hands up to take them,” he said. “I wouldn’t be averse to Ki taking them again, and I’m sure [Anthony] Stokes will put his hand up, and [James] Forrest. We’ve got a few candidates to take penalties, but it is still a source of annoyance to me that we are missing so many.”
There is some debate as to whether thumping them in on the training ground is of any benefit ahead of doing it under pressure on a match day, but Lennon is not in a position to offer much guidance from personal experience, in any case. “I took one in a shoot-out against Partick Thistle and I think it bounced four times before it reached the goalkeeper,” he grinned sheepishly.
Ki’s miss aside, Lennon declared himself satisfied with the team’s display against Dunfermline on Wednesday night, even if the nervy conclusion led to him and an irate supporter exchanging some frank and forthright views come the final whistle.
“I thought the performance was very good on Wednesday. It was the best we’ve played at home for a while, in terms of chances created. There was a movement and a variety in the way we attacked. We feel that a lot of our players are coming back into the sort of form that we know they are capable of. Our level of performance in the past month has been much better.”
And of the spat with the fan, Lennon seemed both contrite and slightly embarrassed, but hoped the supporters would continue to give the team positive backing. “We all understand the frustrations. No-one goes through them more than myself. But the players have given everything in the last four or five weeks to try and rectify the situation they find themselves in. They have done very well. Now is the time to really get behind the team. Whether the game is going the way we want or not, we need the support of the fans more than ever.
“This is a young team. They are going to make mistakes, at times be inconsistent. I know it’s difficult to show patience at times, but that’s what’s needed at the minute.”
Lennon’s thoughts have also been drawn towards January and the options available to him in the transfer market. Mikael Lustig has already signed up – “a good bit of business by the club” – and the manager would hope to add a few more, preferably a central defender and a robust centre forward.
“We would like two more in if we can. If there’s an opportunity out there to bring in a good player for good value, then we’ll consider every player that comes our way. I’ve not been told [there’s money to spend] – it might be a case of wheeling and dealing again. I’m always looking for a different type of centre forward. A physical presence, we miss that a bit at times.”
Lennon was also hopeful that the situation with Scott Brown, who is out of contract in the summer, could be resolved soon. “We have agreed the terms with the player, but then there’s still an issue about the agent’s fee. If it can’t be resolved – like all players at the end of their contract – Scott will be free to speak to any club.
“I don’t want that situation to surface, so I hope we can have a meeting with his advisers as soon as possible and get this one bedded down. I’m pretty confident we can get it done positively.”
Bloody power cut so no bacon chit or tea for now. looks like morrisons for breakie. on top of that its a miserable morning. looking forward to 3 points today and the singalong with famous green brigade. Mon e hoops
Yehaa powers back. Breakfast time – tea, coffee or cider hmmm
Dry, but dark and blustery morning here in North Ayrshire.
I see that, “Ally”, is denying that Aluko paid his family’s life savings to sign for Rangers.
“It’s not that unusual”, he said, adding that the player only paid about 10% of the compensation.
And, he’s delighted at the commitment to the club that Sone has shown.
It’s all good!
That easy ride is still there for employees of Rangers.
Morning all from North Ayrshire. Wild, wet and windy here as forecast.
I asked a fair-minded Aberdeen supporter for his assessment of “Sean” Aluko. His verdict? “when he is good, he is very good and when he is bad he is embarrassing. He is bad 60% and good 40%.”
Why would he be willing to pay money to Rangers if they are going bust? Does he know something we don`t? Is it not true that, despite all the bluster on here, we all think Rangers will be well looked after by the Establishment in Scotland?
JJ
PS Dunfermline`s away record was better than St Mirren`s is before visiting Celtic Park.
Top of the morning to you all from a stormy Fife.
I received an E-mail today with two very large attachments from Lucy Tristram regarding the Sportscene coverage of the Scottish Cup Final. She says that all 27 appellants were given the chance to make comment on the factual accuracy of the Fran O’Brien’s consolidated appeal and these now will go before the BBC Trust’s Editorial Standards Committee (the “Committee”).
The Committee will consider the original appeals (as consolidated) and the objections to the completeness of the Fran O’Brien’s consolidation at its meeting of 1st December.
1/ The First attachment lists the objections to the consolidation by appellants is fairly large and seems to cover most of the points (in summary) that I have raised as being missing from the BBC’s consolidation.
My appeal did not go into the songs debate. I always saw this as a diversion. A contrived, stage-managed attempt, to widen the definition of sectarianism. On reflection I see this by the BBC, the Police, and the SNP government all happening at the time of this new legislation as part of the evening up agenda. Get Timmy arrested to even up the numbers of sectarian arrests that the sheets being fed into the COPFS shredder showed as shaming Scotland.
My views on this have been made known, but briefly I believed that the debate on what is or what is not sectarian in a song takes us on a never-ending journey of semantics.
My case against BBC Scotland has always been about the editorial propriety of reporting hearsay as fact. Worse reporting hearsay of criminal activity as fact. Sports commentators acting as social commentators and investigative journalists. Who authorised their upgrade since the CIS Cup Final and why were this team allowed to re-define the generally accepted meaning of sectarianism? These and the generic response to complaints were the matters I raised.
Needless to say all of these matters were ditched by Fran O’Brien and did not feature in her consolidation.
The matters that will be considered as part of Fran O’Brien’s consolidated appeal centre on matters that I did not complain or appeal about, namely the songs debate, which no doubt will set the boards alight but I did notice one thing that struck me.
2/ The second attachment contains the BBC Scotland response to the matters that have been allowed by Fran O’Brien the great song debate.
It is interesting to note that BBC Scotland use events (Rennes, Hibs) that had not even happened at the time of the Scottish Cup Final as examples in their defence.
So may this explain why Match Commander Eddie Smith reported Celtic to Uefa and the SPL?
Are the police and the politicians acting in concert to show that we need the new legislation and are the BBC joining in with this contrivance?
The BBC Scotland response states:
“2. Disciplinary action against Celtic FC for ‘illicit chanting’ A number of correspondents note that Celtic FC nor its fans have ever been subject to investigation over terracing songs or chants. We would note that Celtic FC is currently facing disciplinary proceedings by UEFA for “illicit chanting” by its fans at the recent Celtic v Rennes UEFA cup match on 3 November 2011. It is understood the charges relate to the singing of pro-IRA songs (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15706740.stm ) (see appendix A)
The club is also being investigated by the Scottish Premier League for pro-IRA chanting by a section of the support at a home game with Hibs on 29 October 2011
(http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/11/15/celtic-to-face-spl-probe-over-pro-ira-chanting-at-game-with-hibs-at-parkhead-86908-23562830/) ”
Of course this may not be a contrivance or conspiracy on the part of the BBC, Police, SNP Government, and all of these groups may have decided independently of each other to widen the definition of sectarianism.
But all this happening at a time when we as a group are being increasingly attacked physically and verbally is worrying to me at least. Especially when the Convener of the parliament’s Justice Committee lets slip that the new legislation will “even up” the arrests.
I don’t hold out much hope that my appeal will succeed as the whole process seems to me to be biased in favour of BBC Scotland, but BBC Scotland’s defence to complaints seems to raise matters that are worrying if not downright sinister.
Ex-India coach Bob Houghton says Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua having trials at Rangers is “a step in the right direction” for Indian football.
However, Englishman Houghton believes it could take 10 years before Indian players make their mark in Europe.
The 64-year-old said: “What have Rangers got to lose by having a look at Sunil and Jeje?
“There is a big difference coming to play in England or the SPL from India but I wish them all the best.”
Houghton has managed in his homeland, Canada, China, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the United States and Uzbekistan and is best known for leading Malmo to the 1979 European Cup final.
The standard of the Indian Premier League is improving and there is money being invested
Bob Houghton
His spell in charge of India ended earlier this year.
“This isn’t the first time Sunil is coming to the UK in order to earn a deal,” said Houghton.
“It was a real shame things did not work out for him at QPR and Coventry due to issues like work permits and visas. He is a very talented player.
“Jeje is someone who broke into the national team just when my time was coming to an end.
“He is young so the transition will be much harder for him. He is one for the future. Out of the two, Sunil is the one who has the better chance of getting a deal.
“He brings with him international experience. Both are short in height but there have been good small players in Scotland. It will not be easy.”
Houghton believes Indian players can follow the example of their Chinese counterparts.
Houghton has coached India, China and Uzbekistan as well as many clubs
“When I managed the Chinese national team I would tell agents and managers to give them a try,” he said.
“I would be asked questions about their physique, cultural differences and more importantly if they could integrate into the British game.
“But when you had one coming through then others followed. Players like Zheng Zhi and Sun Jihai are two that come to mind straight away.
“Both played in the Premiership and Championship and were established members of their teams. They did not look out of place.
“In terms of development, the Indian players are behind the Chinese or those in the Far or Middle East.
“However, the standard of the Indian Premier League is improving and there is money being invested.
“It could take a decade before you begin to see Indian footballers coming over to Europe on a regular basis.”
Houghton accepts that European clubs signing players from Asia has commercial as well as playng incentives.
However, he added: “Players from India don’t cost that much and if Sunil, for example, scores a few goals then you have 1.2 billion fans [in India].
“Obviously there is a commercial aspect when you sign an Indian or Chinese player.
“I would always tell the players that when you take care of business on the pitch then business off the pitch will take care of itself.”
The high point Houghton’s time on the Indian sub-continent was taking India to the 2011 Asian AFC Cup for the first time in 27 years.
“Overall I enjoyed my time in India,” he reflects.
“I am looking to get back into management.
“I have taken three months off but I am looking at national rather than club level. Hong Kong is one option.”
However, he added: “Players from India don’t cost that much
Thats it folks,they don’t cost much
Ensuring that Neil Lennon has been given approval to buy a centre half and a powerful striker in January?
Any early contenders?
Surely John Sutton of Hearts fits the profile and budget? His presence and SPL experience would surely unlock stubborn SPL defences in those stodgy away games in January and February with packed defences and give Celtic an out ball to hold up play like Sutton and Hartson used to give us allowing time for players like Brown, Forrest, Commons, Ledley and Ki to bomb forward and pepper the shots in?
One of the things that struck me watching the Dunfermilne match on Wednesday night was that we are now always looking for the ‘perfect goal’ in our jinky build up play. Quick one two’s are great but when you face a penalty area of 10 opponent players and another 2-3 Celtic players there isn’t much room!
Also we’re woeful at penalties and set pieces too. When are we going to score a goal from a free kick? A corner headed in? This is a major element of our game that needs fixing and pronto as it’s costing us goals and momentum in games. I seem to remember a certain Mr John Sutton coolly stepping up and slotting a penalty home against us at Murderwell last season!
Mr John Sutton, fits the profile, wouldn’t break the bank, is surplus to requirements at Hearts as he was sold a lemon and am sure a gentle word in the ear from his brother Chris wouldn’t go amiss. He cannot be worse than Daryll Murphy or Sammi as 3rd/4th striker choice! Not impressed with Bangura one iota! I hope we get Baba Diawara from Maritimo in Portugal as we’d planned to originally before work permit issues as he’s been knocking them in for fun all season in Portugal. Part exchange with Mo Bangura please!??!
Good morning friends from a very wet and very windy EK.
Jobo
Big Nan says:
26 November, 2011 at 09:20
Good post Nan
As you state from ludicrous statements from a BBC presenter and a supposedly expert pundit has now turned into a semantics exercise to the Nth degree
How poor the original case is on behalf of the BBC as they now present so called evidence of incidents in a time frame after the Cup final
Keep up the good work, congratulations on your efforts
>> One of the things that struck me watching the Dunfermilne
>> match on Wednesday night was that we are now always looking
>> for the ‘perfect goal’ in our jinky build up play.
That worked in the first 10 minutes when Dunfermline left gaps at the back but when they tightened up it became more difficult. Commons and Ki like to shoot from distance but I agree that a strong presence at a set piece would be useful. The problem is that when _we_ have a Hartson-type he is likely to give up foul after foul as we are not allowed to be as physical as those we play.
A very good morning to you all this very sunny and crisp morning. Looking forward to the game today, hope we keep up the progress and momentum and I suspect somebody is going to get turned over and hit for six soon.
Morning bhoys, warm and hun free.
So according to RTC, the hun are not paying their dues to HMRC nothing new there then, this time though it sems he is using the unpaid taxes and Ni to stumble along till he can stumble no more.
What gets me is the lack of action from the sfa/spl, can’t touch the hun at any cost seems to be the mantra.
Bodes well for our future does it not, getting to the giving up stage masel, how will we ever be treated fairly in sectarian land.
Big Nan says:
26 November, 2011 at 09:20
More power to you
HH
Big Nan;
I had sent both documents to Paul hoping he could host them on the site for fholk to see.
It is entirely disingenuous of BBC Scotland to use incidents that post date the cup final as part of their commentary; more so least since neither charge has been proven.
I understand where you are coming from in your distaste for the ‘journey into semantics’ viz the ‘songs debate’ but, for me, like it or not this is the very territory on which the cup final issue and, more importantly, the wider attack on the Celtic support will focus. Equally, I’m not sure that the crucial distinction between political songs of and those sectarian or racist in nature is fairly described as semantics. The fact that the establishment whataboutery agenda is keen to equate the former with the latter strongly implies the importance of continually highlighting it’s blatant inaccuracy
Good morning fellow Celts from a mild, dry North Hampshire.
3 points today. Let’s keep all the focus on delivering that vital requirement.
The talk about moving to 4 points behind is all very well, but really just ‘froth’ and temporary. Remember Killie lost 6 goals at home to ICT recently! Sad to say.
If we secure those critical 3 points today, it means Lenny’s bhoys have halved the deficit that caused all the stushie and the despicable ‘Lennon must go’ crap, from people who should have known better (and not just by the hovering huns btw).
Now, halving that deficit, that is something to be very positive about. A sign that a corner has been turned.
C’mon you Celts
HH
M
… not least when 17 year olds are being imprisoned
MadraRua says:
26 November, 2011 at 02:10
Hey MadraRua, Very good and interesting history lesson. I’ve lived in Ennis for 12 years and wasn’t aware of much of the stuff you mentioned even tho i read Sean Spellesy’s(sp?) book about the region when i first arrived. Where do you watch the Celtic games?
Cheers Phil
apologies for oddities in my text – its a struggle to write posts on an iPhone…
Much as i thought
Dearie me!
I pity the poor soul who will be cleaning out my cage (before she disappears with the girls to Killarney)
;)
A two bottle blog?
I blame it on the boogie.
Mon The Hoops, 3 points please.
Big Nan
I have set the ball rolling on a new complaint relating to the consolidated summary.
It appears that BBC Scotland have been afforded the opportunity to include comments attributed to Neil Lennon on the 17th of November directly into their submission while the rest of us were told in no uncertain terms any new evidence would not be allowed and that a new complaint would have to be raised.
They are also stating that there is an on-going investigation with regards Celtic V Hibs which I am sure is incorrect as the SPL have, I’m sure, found there was no evidence requiring an investigation.
I also asked for the points you complained about to be submitted to the trustees for consideration after Ms O’Reilly excluded them as well as this I question the accuracy of their submission with regard to around 15 points.
Next it’ll be the Omnibusman.
MWD
Anyway. Keep complaining.
West Wales Celt says:
26 November, 2011 at 09:49
apologies for oddities in my text – its a struggle to write posts on an iPhone…
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Your post is fine and we will agree to disagree on the songs.
I complained about the programme comments and the “songs” that were spoken of then were not named. This diversion only came in response to complaints.
However I did mention in passing that the re-defining of what is considered sectarian by Nevin and McLean was not in their remit as broadcasters. They are not employed to interpret anew or widen the generally accepted definition of sectarian. These matters may be debated on “Brains Trust” type programmes which Nevin and Co are unlikely to feature on.
Scotland’s all-time top pop music album compilation seemed to be the limit for pathetic Pat, the scourge of the racist bigot at Chelsea, Motherwell, Sharpeville, Little Rock, etc.
The Battered Bunnet—-
Ciao—–
Not so much the man with the Gen -more of a man who lives in a country where the Sion thing was seen to be potentially rather interesting . It has been covered by the mainstream and the football media . I simply do the second hand reporting thing.
Today’s speculation is that CAS ‘s difficulty with the complexity of the case and their request for more evidence is more of a problem for UEFA than it is for Sion..
There are suggestions that Sion might pursue Rennes re allegedly ” legally prejudicial ” comments made by a representative of Rennes FC. There are further suggestions that Sion’s owner might pursue the owner of Rennes for alleged defamation.
Olives ? —— harvested / pressed / sold . Yield down this year —–pesky fly borne disease which causes the olive to fall to the ground before it is fully ripe was to blame..
Inundated with Persimmons and Pomegranates -[good year for them ]
Todays second hand reporting —- Heard Tevez’s agent on the radio this morning — He said that Juve have offered Tevez 4 million euros for 6 months and then 9 million euros a year for 3 years . He said that Tevez would rather sign for AC Milan —–I assume they are offering more.
3 points today . Apply some pressure !
Warm and sunny -lovely day -way down south.
Is there anyone from the Kano Foundation out there.I have a box of 50 figurines to get picked up,it’s getting near Christmas and the time for selling them for the Kano Foundation will soon pass.
Sannabhoy was going to pick them up,but he’s been waylaid by work commitments.If there is someone from Glasgow or the Greenock area going to the football they could pick them up onroute,e-mail me or phone me and I will pass on info to the supplier.
MWD; would like a copy of your letter to help draft my own…
Paul has my e-mail if you don’t want to post it here…
Cheers.
MWD go for it.
I should have also complained about Nevin misleading the Justice Committee –and potentially prejudicing my complaint–by stating that complainers were trying to get him sacked for speaking out against sectarianism.
We are all in for a long haul with this one I fear and my MP had better get ready once the BBC Trust have done their work.
We knew it would be like this however.
Hope the weather doesn’t get too bad as i am off to see the bhoys today. H.H.
Big Nan:
Fair comment my friend.
I think ‘agreeing to disagree’ on the songs is spot on.
There is an entirely legitimate debate to be had by Celtic fans on what Celtic fans should and shouldn’t sing but that is entirely different from the issue at hand.
We desperately need unity in the face of this campaign.
Michael Kelly has shown how that can be done; sadly, Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon have sadly taught us all valuable lessons in how to (perhaps inadvertently) assist the establishment agenda…
West Wales Celt
I sent an email to Lucy Tristram copy&pasting the comment fromMs O’Brien that any new information not previously included would have to be considered as a new complaint and asking why BBC Scotland were therefor afford the opportunity to include comments made by Neil Lennon on the 17th directly into their submission as this showed bias towards BBC Scotland over complainants by Ms O’Brien and the Trust. Asked the cirrect procedure to complain about this officially. Awaiting a reply to allow me to Lodge the complaint correctly after being misled previously with parts of our complaints.
This is going to drag on. Only costing me time but it’s costing them financially dealing with this.
MWD
Moonbeams WD. \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. C’mon the hoops. says:
26 November, 2011 at 09:56
My friend would like to send a complaint to Omnibusman m8 but she wouldn’t know were to start or what to put in this complaint, any help would be appreciated..
Careful with email sharing chaps. Better safe….etc etc.
MWD, et al
It is a poor show to use these games (Rennes & Hibs) and Neil Lennon’s comments. The latter being something I thought was poor judgement as it was always going to be used as a stick to beat the whole support with. A la BBC.
The complaints process is flawed and designed to put off complainers. This has been acknowledged by Lord Patten the D.G.
My hands are sore with typing all the responses and I think I need some help in this regard.
Do you know of anyone?
This man would certainly not do! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQJtQcMcYmU BUMP
I see the leader of the Protestant Party for the Protestant people (which is the BBC’s description) is making overtures to Catholics, with regard to education. Would this be because the numbers soon won’t stack up?
By the bye, where did this idiotic notion of another game against them in, e.g. the USA, take hold.
Morning from a howling Hebrides.
Big Nan, well said.
Are the BBC now using pre-emptive strikes in case a song may be deemed illegal in the future? What a laughable excuse considering the lack of condemnation to the League Cup Final bigotfest where illegal songs were clearly and loudly being chanted by the Rangers fans en masse.
I posted Graham Spiers comments in the Times on 22 March previously, but if the BBC want to put this song issue in context…
“Another week, another excruciating example of the problem Rangers have with a large section of their support. Walter Smith’s team, going into Sunday’s Co-operative Insurance Cup final as underdogs, won quite a few admirers for their gritty 2-1 win over Celtic.
Alas, no one who was at Hampden Park as a neutral, and who had any understanding of the type of songs that were being sung, could have found anything remotely appealing in the antics of the Rangers support.
For fully 120 minutes the Ibrox legions belted out stuff about the Pope, Fenians, and some of their other favoured subjects.
Quite a few of us have become used to “the Rangers problem” over the years but Sunday at Hampden was still quite an eye-opener. It was the consistent, incessant nature of the bigoted chanting that was truly shocking.
One of the problems we have in tackling bigotry in Scottish football is the sheer ignorance of the subject that we have to put up with. For instance, Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish Justice Secretary, clearly didn’t have a clue what he was talking about, to judge from the fatuous statement he released after attending the match at Hampden.
After the prejudiced chants had boomed out, the following was MacAskill’s take on the whole spectacle. “This was the showpiece everyone wanted to see — it was a great advert for Scottish football,” he said. “The players, management and fans contributed to a memorable occasion, and I urge that their positive example inside the ground is replicated outside it over the course of the evening and beyond. Football is a force for good in society.”
Given the nature of what was chanted inside Hampden, this was an utterly ludicrous statement. MacAskill, clearly, is totally unfamiliar with the sort of problems given an airing at Hampden if he thinks that the sort of chanting which the Rangers fans kept up apace represented “fans contributing to a memorable occasion.” This is risible.
I didn’t expect a Rangers statement yesterday on the shocking tone of their supporters’ singing, and nor was one forthcoming. Rangers’ preferred position on their problem is this: let’s just have a general media silence on the subject, and let’s keep any fuss to a minimum. From Rangers’ point of view, the fewer headlines there are about their problem, the less need there is of any requirement to act.
But that is a tough scenario to hope for. The Ibrox club have already been censured by Uefa over bigotry, and more than that, a number of Rangers supporters’ songs have specifically been banned by European football’s governing body. So it is asking a lot for every newspaper to turn a blind eye (or deaf ear) towards songs which have repeatedly been outlawed.
What is more galling for those who want to be rid of this poison is the seeming ignorance — such as was revealed by MacAskill — or inability in government or police circles to be able to fix it.
Hampden on Sunday rang out to bigoted chanting from the Rangers end, yet the police statistics for “sectarian-related crimes” were paltry, never mind MacAskill’s absurd words about how wonderful it all was.
This isn’t government action. On the contrary, this is inaction, and even incompetence. The truth is, we are getting nowhere today with the problem of sectarianism in football. In fact, we are regressing, Edinburgh summits or not, at an alarming rate.
Rangers, in trying to fight their own specific problem, have lost ground. Indeed, if you were at Hampden on Sunday, with bigoted chant after chant ringing out, you would think that the club had gone back ten years in their quest to solve the problem. And for many others, meanwhile, it actually means very little.
OK, so there is sectarian chanting, they say. So what? What does it matter? Just let it go, let’s just concentrate on the football.
Rangers lack the guts to truly take on their own support on the issue, and the same applies for the Scottish FA.
The docking of points really would force the bigots to stop their chanting, and the SFA has the power to do this, but it is too scared to.
Meanwhile, too many other people won’t touch this problem with a bargepole, claiming the accompanying aggro that comes with such debate simply isn’t worth it.
So Scotland just goes on living with its embarrassing bigotry problem. Ignorance, incompetence and cowardice ensure it.”
The clearest example of racist and sectarian chanting ever, and the BBC response is?
Cue tumbleweed being blown along by the hot air of Campbell Corrigan and Kenny MacAskill.
If they are trying to use the proposed Offensive Behaviour at Football legislation to somehow justify their comments, it has to be pointed out that the efficacy of the existing legislation cannot be judged as nobody is privy to the statistics to show how effective it actually is!
Big Nan, I have been in correspondence with my MSP over this bill and the deleted COPFS data, which some may seem futile, but our dialogue shows an inability on his behalf to justify this proposed legislation. It may come in handy if and when this issue goes beyond the confines of Holyrood. MSP’s are blindly towing the party line here and can’t justify their stance to their constituents, while some, hello hello Christine Grahame, have already stated the real intention of this bill, and it isn’t tackling “sectarianism”.
Get writing CQN
http://www.celtictrust.net/?func=d_home_article&id=323
Anyway in case the electricity goes off because of the gales, just like to say
C’mon the Hoops!
threepointspleasecsc
Parkhead
What does your first paragraph relate to?