At around 13:16 tomorrow afternoon Fraser Forster will hopefully break the 40-year record of Aberdeen’s Bobby Clark for not conceding a goal in Scottish league football. Clark’s record is next up for the Celtic keeper but the British and European records are not too far away.
Apart from Celtic Park itself there would be no better place to break this record than at Tynecastle, but the most important part of the day is to secure a win. Concede early but win the game and we have done our job. Break the record and leave pointless and we will have nothing to celebrate.
Clarity has never been a prominent feature when it comes to the analysis of football finances. 2012 threw up a slew of ‘experts’, practically all of whom swallowed lines from PR people instead of explaining HMRC’s published rules on voting for or against Company Voluntary Arrangements.
Journalists were briefed on HMRC’s intentions, which filtered to the ‘experts’, soon this PR version of events was accepted an a reality. The same was going on inside football. One journalist called me back then to dispute my challenge to his assertion that Celtic would have vote to allow Newco Rangers into the SPL, and that the SPL itself was absolutely certain to vote them “back” (sic.). Celtic were never going to that way and by then the SPL tide had turned.
It was not in Celtic’s interests to have Newco parachuted into top flight football, which has become clear in the subsequent years, although many in Scotland, including a sizeable chunk of the Celtic support, thought otherwise, and that the club would vote in favour.
It was, therefore, refreshing to watch BBC Reporting Scotland last night without the 2012 flops. A new expert was found to ask the pertinent question, a £1.5m loan is fine for a short-term fix but what about the enormous long-term problems?
Many thanks to everyone who participated in the CQteN Dream Team. We have now passed the 125 team target, which has triggered a £1000 donation from a longstanding CQN’er, who is a shining example of what Celtic is all about.
The Dream Team is your chance to select your team from those who have played 10 or more games during the CQN decade.
Select 11 players in either a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation; you’ll need a goalkeeper, two full backs, two central defenders, 3 or 4 midfielders and 2 or 3 forwards. You also need to select a manager from the decade.
The team judged as the strongest will be announced at the CQteN St Patrick’s Dinner on 14 March. The event is open to bloggers and lurkers but you can only enter ONCE. Closing date is 3pm, Sunday 9 March. There will be prizes!!
For a comprehensive list of players who are eligible for selection, see CRC’s comment here. Email your entry to Doc here, and remember to include a manager: doccqten@gmail.com
If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
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tom molach
09:45 on 22 February, 2014
tonydonnelly67
08:55 on 22 February, 2014
I don’t know if the Green Brigade were invited to the forum or not, but the following extract from the minutes seems to imply to me that they were not:
“The Club can confirm that, if a relationship with the Green Brigade can be
developed, then attendance of their members at future meetings would, of course, be discussed with them.”
____________________________
Or it may also mean the rubberd the invite tom, but no one seems to know, funny that?
The=they
Stairheedrammy
06:51 on
22 February, 2014
Macjay
Game set and match:
The Board.
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
If by that you mean no atmosphere in the ground and a diminishing number of people attending, then you are spot on
———————————————————————————————–
You`re right.I am spot on.
But just to spell it out again,actually what I mean is supporters abiding by the rules.
In spite of their wish to stick their agenda on Celtic and tarring other Celtic supporters with their selfish and divisive brush.
Morning, fholks….REALLY looking forward to the game….
WELCOME BACK, GREEN BRIGADE……PLEASE SUPPORT THE TEAM IN THE STADIUM, AND OTHER ‘CAUSES’ OUTWITH THE STADIUM……DON’T ‘FEED’ THE BIGOTS, AND SCOTLAND’S SHAME…….WE ARE BETTER THAN THEM….
Morning all.
Very disappointed, but not surprised, at the club’s response.
‘Everything is fine. Nothing to see here – move along.’
The only thing missing was Ian Bankier telling us to “behave yourselves!”
HH!!
petec
09:43 on
22 February, 2014
I get your point,pal.
:-)))
They probably don`t.
:-)))))
embramike supporting wee Oscar and Res 12
23:34 on 21 February, 2014
leftclicktic
If UTT hearing is public (sure someone on here said it was) might pop in for a wee visit and report back!
——————————-
Seen this reply on TSFM site last night
‘.What is the protocol JC? Can anyone attend and would I need to bring ID or anything?…’
——–
I’ve not been past the reception desk in the George St premises of the Appeals Tribunal, but it won’t be any more formal than the Court of Session, probably a whole lot less formal ( like going into the library or city chambers).
Anyone can walk in off the street, and go through any security check there may be ( bags, coats and such like) and take a seat in the back rows, and just behave himself quietly. You can get up and go out quietly at any time, and come back in again, quietly.
You don’t need ID.
=========================================================================
Oh and don’t let your mobile go off like one of Phillips crew did. The judges frown quite scarily. Apart from that as John says airport style scan, and your in. Just ask where the court you want is. After all you paid your taxes you can watch what you want.
In Aberdeen later this morning…any North East Celts (Curly/Lurcy?) with advice on where to watch game?
CelticBars say Regents Quay or Malones but can sometimes be out of date….
HH
Anyone who thinks the green brigade don’t deserve praise for the barca Tifo which was seen all over the world isn’t as keen on hearing both sides of the argument as they let on .blokes I know who follow lesser teams like Leeds and Everton were raving about it .pedro was quick enough to sell prints in the superstore and nothing wrong with that.one of our compadres said on here that the club didn’t even give the gb plastic bags
Petec
Mr Donnelly has thoughtfully provided me with the original passage to which I was referring.
—————————————————————————————
tonydonnelly67
08:01 on
22 February, 2014
Although no members of the Green Brigade were present at the meeting, given that this issue is a source of much discussion amongst supporters it was felt that it was appropriate to answer the question. The Club can confirm that, if a relationship with the Green Brigade can be developed, then attendance of their members at future meetings would, of course, be discussed with them. There was a breakdown in trust and confidence following the matches against Milan and Motherwell. However, the Club welcome dialogue, as it does with all supporters. The group are a colourful addition to Celtic Park; however they must abide by the same rules as all fans. These include the Ground Regulations, the law and the competition rules such as those set out by the SFA, SPFL and UEFA. The Club considers this an entirely reasonable position. In all situations the reputation of Celtic and our supporters is paramount and must be protected.
——————————————————————————————————————
What reasonable Celtic supporter could disagree with that?
Step forward the Conga line.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
09:52 on 22 February, 2014
petec
09:43 on
22 February, 2014
I get your point,pal.
:-)))
They probably don`t.
:-)))))
_____
The Celts are very intelligent. It is Why we are probably the Best Run Club, in the World.
Still worried though macjay1.
Get that offensive Bill to feck.
I hate politics,
ginger
09:56 on 22 February, 2014
Anyone who thinks the green brigade don’t deserve praise for the barca Tifo which was seen all over the world isn’t as keen on hearing both sides of the argument as they let on .blokes I know who follow lesser teams like Leeds and Everton were raving about it .pedro was quick enough to sell prints in the superstore and nothing wrong with that.one of our compadres said on here that the club didn’t even give the gb plastic bags
__________________________
You seem to know a bit about the GB ginger, did they get an invite to that meeting with JP Taylor through the week?
“Given that no charges were brought against ANYONE WITHIN THIS GROUP , the suspensions were lifted at the earliest opportunity.”
Funny how for WEEKS the impartial newspapers/radio phoney -ins and the rest of the SMSM took great delight in telling the world it was caused by the evil terrorist organisation a.k.a the green brigade!Even ex Celtic players were involved in the lies…
Poor show Celtic
Jack Irvine would be proud of that PR
HH
U.T.L.R
Gold Coast Tom
07:32 on
22 February, 2014
Powerful stuff,pal.
I hope Lenny gets a chance to read it.
——————————————————————
Welcome back to godzone,Tom.
Although I feel a wee recession beckons.
The meeting struck me as a standard PR exercise, I’ve witnessed dozens of them throughout my life. There was a little more clarity around the “safe standing” plans, but I’m still not sure that they have grasped the nettle in respect of improving the match day experience and bringing the crowds back. In fairness to the Club they are restricted in certain areas by TV Deals and by Police Scotland. Overall, I do commend them for starting the process and I would summarise progress as “a little done, a lot more to do.”.
Believe me, I’ve never watched this or listened to this before NOW.
Live Cooper
Opposingviewpoints.csc
Macjay:
All these rules and regulations that the PLC demand the Green Brigade adhere to, are they going to demand the same of all visiting supporters, especially when The Rangers play their maiden game at Parkhead?
Is the board going to admit they screwed up with all their precautionary suspensions post Motherwell and retract all subsequent allegations against their own supporters following that game and the game in Dundee?
I starting watching the Melbourne Victory match at the start of the second half and Tom Rogic lasted two minutes before being substituted after getting a nasty ankle injury. :-(
Lucky fitba socks = check
usual wee bet on Efe to score :( = check
Let the people sing = check
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhkdy0AOpaM
Petec it is grand to see you shining brightly bro :))
petec
10:00 on
22 February, 2014
Still worried though macjay1.
———————————————————
I know you`re not the only one,Pete.
Tell you what,mate,I don`t worry in the slightest.
We are run by smart professional achievers.
I do,as you know,have concerns about others.
I mistrust their motivations and their priorities.
Let`s not get into that.
Big cup winners
Going to meet a couple of Tim polis to watch the links you sent with them. One of them is a confirmed Yes and the other one you know well from this site is a No. I can assure you I am looking at this with an open mind.
Enjoyed your quiz last night
Top of the morning to you all from a wild, wet and windy Kingdom of Fife.
Not a great day for the game unless the weather eases but it is variable and there are breaks in the cloud and the sun can even be seen at times. Here’s hoping it clears for the bhoys at Tynecastle.
Take care those who are travelling, we are not liked Gorgi way.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
10:13 on 22 February, 2014
petec
10:00 on
22 February, 2014
Still worried though macjay1.
———————————————————
I know you`re not the only one,Pete.
Tell you what,mate,I don`t worry in the slightest.
We are run by smart professional achievers.
I do,as you know,have concerns about others.
I mistrust their motivations and their priorities.
Let`s not get into that.
_____________________________
Please listen to the Cooper Lecture I have pushed on CQN @ 10:08.
Fantastic.
kitalba
10:09 on 22 February, 2014
Macjay:
All these rules and regulations that the PLC demand the Green Brigade adhere to, are they going to demand the same of all visiting supporters, especially when The Rangers play their maiden game at Parkhead?
Is the board going to admit they screwed up with all their precautionary suspensions post Motherwell and retract all subsequent allegations against their own supporters following that game and the game in Dundee?
__________________________
We are all under the same rules, just because the GB thought they where above the law, and the rules didn’t apply to them, ergo, enter the politics, oh and who are…The Rangers?
bobbycfc
00:33 on 22 February, 2014
Pedro, agree wholeheartedly but also must be able to follow our faith with full faith in them. What has happened in the past, in Ireland and places like Fort Augustus (where I used to regularly visit when the Monks were still there) is shocking and should never be covered up.
Recently we have had Keith’s lies and deceit and, as with many catholics, that actually really shook me up, my dad knew him and was at his ordination in Rome and he had basically led a merry dance with all Scotland’s catholics.
It is so much easier just now to walk away from Catholicism, there are so many excuses, reasons, evidence to back that decision up. Like many of our predecessors, it is more difficult to stand in the face of adversity and continue to publicly follow your faith.
………………………………………………..
Great post. I agree with you entirely. Priests who have committed crimes against children must be brought to justice instead of being sent to other parishes to attack other unsuspecting, innocent children. The bishops who allowed this to happen were guilty of aiding and abetting them. They were accessories after the fact when the crimes came to their attention and accessories before the fact when they sent them away to reoffend again. Charges should have been brought against them.
Hopefully, these things will never happen again. It is disturbing, however, to read reports in the media that a couple of priests are being victimised by their bishops for complaining publicly that no action has been taken against other members of the clergy for sexual offences which they committed.
It would appear that there is still some way to go and that there will be painful days ahead for us.
An Dun
You’ll have to travel far and wide to find a politician in any country who polarizes opinion more than Gerry Adams. The man is loved and loathed, there’s seldom a middle ground.
For me, the man is a political colossus and will take his place alongside O’Connell, Parnell, Collins and De Valera as playing a key role in the shaping of Ireland.
Polls show a continued and sustained growth for SF, government in both of Ireland’s political jurisdictions is now a realistic goal. They say all political careers end in failure, I feel Adams will be the the exception that proves the rule.
—————————————-
Thanks for the answer. I guess some people’s lives are a complete personal and political struggle from childhood to death. He reminds me of Ho Chi Minh. Most impressive aspect for me is the willingness to engage with all sides- no consensus, no peace.
What is the future of Ireland? Do you think there will be a united Ireland, or do you think power sharing in the UK is the best hope for nationalist politics?
theoriginalsadiesbhoy
10:22 on 22 February, 2014
I agree 100%
Have a look at my comment of approx 01:30 this morning
for the readers….
Isralestine</a.
kitalba
10:09 on
22 February, 2014
Macjay:
———————————–
Mate.
You know where I stand on these issues.
I`m not sure there is anything to be gained by regurgitation.:-)
Nevertheless,you say:
All these rules and regulations that the PLC demand the Green Brigade adhere to,
———————————————————————————————
This was the statement:
These include the Ground Regulations, the law and the competition rules such as those set out by the SFA, SPFL and UEFA. The Club considers this an entirely reasonable position. In all situations the reputation of Celtic and our supporters is paramount and must be protected.
—————————————————
These are not simply P.L.C.demands.
These are competition rules.
I ,very simply, believe that the Board have proved to be marvellous custodians of our Club.I trust them to do what is in the best interests of our Club.
Others don`t.
Never the twain shall meet.Sadly.
What more is there to say?
Unlike some who spit their cornflakes every time the independence thing is discussed, I quite like it. Don’t agree with everything, but arguments on both sides are helping me clear the mental fug I have over the whole thing.
I’ve been compiling a list of reasons for No and Yes, some serious, others even seriouser, which I will take with me to the polling booth, and perhaps leave for the enlightenment of some unsuspecting mortal.
Here’s what I have so far. If you feel so inclined, why not add a few more? (providing you keep them short for my ever-decreasing attention span, and the cornflake to mouth ratio).
REASONS FOR NO
* I’m a bit worried that we wouldn’t stick to our guns, England would be perpetually right-wing, and politicians here would give in, keep corporate and personal taxation too low in a ‘race to the bottom’, meaning public services would be obliterated/privatised. (What did we vote for, again?)
* ‘Intellectuals’ like Alan Bisset and Pat Kane would consolidate their positions, and would never be off the airwaves. Yikes!
* I’d have to risk enduring phrases like “He’s came, he’s went, he’s gave 100% etc” being enshrined in the grammar. Also the world ‘people’ would be banned and replaced by ‘folk’ (sorry, pet hate – no problem when people speak like this naturally, but too many affect this way of speaking in order to sound down with the commoners, including not enuncia’ing their ‘t’s).
I know, I’m a bit snobbish like that.
REASONS YES
We wouldn’t have to concern ourselves with 1.5 trillion UK debt and an austerity-led government.
Lose RBS – yes, please!
Small countries tend to do well.
Opportunity to take up regulatory framework as countries like Switzerland (although we’d need our own currency for this – keeping the pound is the dumbest decision we could make).
We wouldn’t be expected to fawn to people like ‘Lord Coe’ – yuck!
We have always been a talented bunch – when we were semi autonomous in 19th cent we produced some of greatest individuals who ever lived (I know it’s un-Scottish to be arrogant, but if I may, we basically created the modern world).
Right, that’s it.
I still think Leigh Griffiths is rubbish (that’s not about independence, unless the SNP came up with a ‘parity of esteem for badly-balding baldies’, in which case you can add that to the ‘No’ section.
up_over_goal
in Politics scandal.
HH
Just watched the highlights on ITV 4 of the Bundesliga.
The ‘entire’ League has ‘huge’ standing areas with, my
favorite German team Borussia Dortmund giving the
most spectacular atmosphere – especially their version
of YNWA being spine tinglingly brilliant.
So – to get to my point….I hope the following comes to
fruition. From the minutes posted by Twists n Turns(bless)
____________________________________________
Safe Standing has been regularly discussed, what is the current position?
We are still in discussion with the safety team and a further meeting is due to take place shortly. We have produced plans for safe standing and it is planned to be situated in the North East quadrant of the stadium and could incorporate 2,797 spectators. Should this be successful, we are also looking into the possibility of extending the area.
_____________________________________________________________
Sooner – the better imho.
Bring back the Jungle NOW!!!
Pharrell ‘HAPPY’ Williams – CSC
Off oot.
Thank god even the talented dutch coaches make mistakes, it certainly increases our chances of keeping the player at Celtic park
Celtic: Virgil Van Dijk’s Dutch snub surprises Neil Lennon
Neil Lennon has expressed surprise that Celtic defender Virgil Van Dijk has failed to make Netherlands’ provisional squad for the World Cup finals.
Asked if it would be a blow to the player, the Celtic manager said: “I’m sure it is, although we haven’t really spoken about it at length.
“I’m surprised because I think he’s good enough to be in the provisional squad of 33.
“I don’t know why. You’d have to ask the coach of Holland about that.”
Van Dijk has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United after impressing in his first season with Celtic, having joined from Groningen last summer.
“He’s played very well and been very consistent domestically and he was superb at the highest level in the Champions League,” said Lennon.
“
He is only 22, so he’s got a lot of scope to be even better
”
Neil Lennon
Celtic manager
Van Dijk was a replacement for Kelvin Wilson, who moved to Nottingham Forest, and Lennon admitted that the Dutchman had exceeded his expectations.
“We knew we had a good player having seen him and then looked at him in pre-season, but it’s his temperament you don’t know about beforehand – he’s got a fantastic attitude to the game as well,” said the manager.
“Kelvin was an excellent player here and had a big bearing on the Champions League last year – he had some great games.
“We felt it might take a little time to replace him, but Virgil’s been a very good fit.”
Lennon stressed that Van Dijk, who has represented his country at under-21 level, should not dwell on missing out on Dutch coach Louis van Gaal’s initial squad.
“He is only 22, so he’s got a lot of scope to be even better,” added the Celtic boss.
“But he’s what you want in the modern-day centre-half.
“He’s big, he’s got great timing in the air, tactically proficient with both feet, he’s got good pace and reads the game very well.”
All over the world its accepted that Ultras are a “little mad”. What a bloody awful boring world it would be if everyone simply conformed to the status quo. You cannot totally sanitise a group like The Green Brigade, to try and do so is a contradiction. I do understand there are limits of tolerance but if you over legislate and over police you simply destroy the product. I would hate to live my life in the sterile, “safe” environment which macjay extolls. The problem is not The Green Brigade its the Assholes who criminalised Football Supporters and who are squeezing the joy & life out of Football.
Oh….Gold coast Tom
I’m so sorry for being off-hand with you earlier – so sorry pal.
May God’s light shine upon you and yours.
Take Care fella n KTF.
Hopefully you’ll know by now that I’m joost an eejit :)
Off oot.
Macjay:
Simply as I asked, which you never answered, are Celtic going to enforce the same rules on away supporters that they enforce on their own? That’s not really such a hard question is it?
Oh! and I’m not the one who ‘regurgitates’ it, I think you’ll find if you read back it was you and the bold TD.
I always thought it said “2 rifles” deaf as a door Knob.
2 rifles Questions must be asked, Tavistock or The Institute of Noetic Sciences? :D