Absolutely delighted the Dutch injected some swagger into the World Cup last night. Diego Costa continued the pattern this week of Brazilian born players profiting from a tumble inside the box, gifting Spain an early lead from the penalty spot, but the Dutch were irresistible.
Exactly how they managed to improve their performance against Spain, four years after losing the World Cup Final with the imperious Edson Braafheid, is a mystery of the modern game.
Netherlands scored all those goals and created even more chances with a meagre 36% possession. If they were German, we would be reverting to the national stereotype that they were the epitome of ‘efficiency’.
Speaking of the Germans, I’ve always had a lot of time for Franz Beckenbauer, but to find himself banned from football for coming up short in a matter with the words “Fifa” and “ethics” in it, must make him the most notorious German since, erm, well, in quite a long time. With his former Bayern Munich teammate Uli Honess due to be jailed this month for financial maleficence, it’s better to assume no one in the game is above sticking his snout in the trough.
The soul of football depends on the outcome of this Fifa investigation; no one should be above its reach. Beckenbauer’s provisional ban should be verified. Kick him out the game.
Fantastic stuff on the blog yesterday from Bertie Auld; what an honour to have these great guys among us. I’m heading to the Celtic Shop on Argyle St today where Bertie, Tommy Gemmell and John Hughes will be signing books between 13:00 and 16:00. If you’re in town I’ll see you there.
The Big Cup’s going to be there, so bring a camera.
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Who does that Franz Beckenbauer think he is?!
I mean he hasnt exactly achieved much in the game, has he?!
Another uppity Tim.
HH!!
blantyretim is praying for the knox family
11:49 on 14 June, 2014
Cheers mate.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
.
Gary67
Do you remember the Motherwell 5-0 game? It started with a 3-4-1-2 and remained goalless until Lenny switched to 4-3-1-2. The best feature was the Ambrose/Van Dijk/Mulgrew defence, and Commons in the hole. Lustig didn’t suit the RWB role, however. Not sure I trust him as a CB over Ambrose.
Griffiths would need to show he has the defensive qualities of Samaras – he has the pace, maybe not the strength. Look at how Robben and Van Persie played when Holland didn’t have the ball – they peeled off to the sides and helped defend the flanks.
re. Forrest or Pukki – I loved the way Commons played up front with Stokes in the 5-0 Motherwell game, and hope Celtic try that again in 4-3-1-2. Forrest or Pukki are both great shouts for the no.10 role in that case. Neither would be as effective as Commons, but he and Stokes combined so brilliantly up front it would be worth it.
charliebhoy
a very incisive comment
Charliebhoy,
Post of the day for me.
Neganon and Ernie… surely the act of settlement is every bit as bad as the points you make with regards to the big bad wolf of the Yes campaign when it comes to anti catholic sentiment ?
When was the last catholic allowed on the throne of the “Great Britain” you are so keen to continue to be part of ? When will the next one be ? British state and monarchy are neck deep in anti catholicism so don’t make out it’s only the Yes campaign with any sort of anti catholic agenda and that only the sectarian british state will protect you. I think I read that the new prince will be allowed to marry a catholic.. nice of them to allow that eh ?
Knowyourplaceinsociety CSC.
NegAnon2
Understand what you are saying;however,I feel any future government in an independent Scotland would attack Catholicism at it’s own peril.Already the Catholic population is around 800,000 and rising.The SNP believe that an independent Scotland would need more inward migration rather than less leading possibly to a larger Catholic population.I would be looking at a law making it illegal not to bless yourself but that’s the Thomas Torquemada in me.
charliebhoy
12:01 on 14 June, 2014
======================
Steady…
Blantyremtim fair enough and apologies.
I am somewhat annoyed by the hypo racy of the cyber Nats. They are trying to control the debate through fear and intimidation. Then crying foul at every opportunity.
It’s failing though and the backlash has begun.
Today is Super Mario day. 2/1 anytime scorer against the knights of St.George, the Queen’s 11, the gallant Lions, the World Champions in waiting…
Just pump them into humility, Italia. Please.
Charliebhoy
So concise, yet sums the situation up perfectly.
Am I being overoptimistic in thinking a BBQ could be on the cards in the Cambuslang area? or will it be peeing doon by about 5 o clock?
Robcfc11 I completely agree. However despite these constitutional disgraces at least there is less rabid anti Catholicism in England and that has tempered the scottish hatred of Catholicism. Once we are independent I fear that tempering would be gone and we would get the hatred in spades. the OB act tells us that.
Also don’t forget wee necks gloriously creeping Elizabeth queen of scots guff. He ain’t going to change anything that’s going to upset his majority.
charliebhoy 12:01 on 14 June, 2014
——————
I suspect you may be Spanish…
Theglasgowcenticway way. Catholics are around 16% of the scottish population. We have been subject to racism for all of my life. Recently they outlawed blessing yourself. I fear the underestimate their latent and institutional sectarianism and the overestimate their intelligence in doing the right thing.
The track record is there for all to see.
Oh and that BBQ thought is also wayyyyyy to optimistic :)
well ive made my yes/no mind up
from what i read on here by people who definately arent scaremongering, if i vote yes then we will have alex salmond as fuhrer for the next 100 years and that he will be banning one particular faith
im not having that
its a no vote for me then
thanks cqn for such reasoned and balanced yes/no views to allow me to make up my mind
bt, im not a religious man but when they kick your door down at night when you are simply saying a night prayer then let me know and i will see if i can help
NegAnon2
12:18 on
14 June, 2014
Theglasgowcenticway way. Catholics are around 16% of the scottish population. We have been subject to racism for all of my life. Recently they outlawed blessing yourself. I fear the underestimate their latent and institutional sectarianism and the overestimate their intelligence in doing the right thing.
The track record is there for all to see
—————————————————-
what a ridiculous comment – you show me the evidence to say they have outlawed blessing yourself
it happens thousands of times a week in churches all over scotland – so why havent the police been arresting people as they leave their place of worship
the cybernats have been getting pelters on here, but comment is embarrassing
At precisely 10.50 pm tonight, in the tunnel in Manaus, Andrea Pirlo will address Wayne Rooney…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmNr5eh35iQ
neganon2 @12.15
unless you are in Lewes on 5th November
off out for an early father’s day treat
2015.
An innocent Scottish Catholic gets a visit from Alex Salmond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrhJiD3AEg4
Anti Catholicism is endemic in British society and will never change something we will need to challenge until the day we die.The BBC,national broadcaster, in particular is very biased towards Catholicism.In a modern news society in which every celebrity is scrutinised I find it a shame that Celebrities like All Murray can be seen on youtube walking down a street shouting,”F the Pope” and it’s not reported.Change that to the N word and he would have been ostracised from society and rightly so.
there was someone on here yesterday asking for all political/referendum posts to stop
i said it was unlikely that would happen, and because the outcome may have a direct effect on our club then it is something we should discuss
but i will take it back, there is so much utter brain dead pish being posted by both sides that its turning the blog into nothing more than a daily mail/daily star style site for extremist unfounded speculative comments
we should stick to soccer
hoopy-do
12:31 on 14 June, 2014
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Yup. Referendum debates should be kept for the sites where the majority of voters are to be found – the One Direction blogs and forums…
Robcfc11
12:09 on 14 June, 2014
I’m a republican.
I’m not bothered that a Catholic can’t be monarch.
I am bothered that we have a monarch.
The SNP have never had a Catholic cabinet minister.
A former leader of the SNO supported the Falklands war on the basis that Argentina was a Catholic country.
You saw what their founder member Dewar Gibb had to say.
I see a theme there.
That’s why the SNP used to be known by Celtic fans as Strictly No Papes.
Blessing yourself outlawed in Scotland?!
Neganon – can you point me to that law please?
Blessing yourself aggressively at a football match is outlawed and although I disagree with the OB act in total I do understand the reason for that. The number of times I have seen the sign of the cross abused at a football match aimed at opposition fans without a thought for religious observance or prayer – let’s say if I had £1 for every time I’d be a rich man. Blessing yourself when your team scores is in my opinion not a problem and likely a thank you to your particular god and belief system albeit I doubt god cares much what team wins a game or scores a goal. But standing facing opposition fans blessing yourself in their faces or making a cross gesture to them is a public display of sectarianism and an affront to Catholicism and every true Catholic.
MWD says AYE
NegAnon2
11:40 on
The person who made the remark about the sign of the cross is a Catholic, she was roundly critisized by all sides even her own for making that remark.
To try and use that as a basis for debate is simply laughable, you are trying to wind people up and aren’t serious are you?
Sandman
12:33 on
14 June, 2014
hoopy-do
12:31 on 14 June, 2014
==================
Yup. Referendum debates should be kept for the sites where the majority of voters are to be found – the One Direction blogs and forums…
——————————
well im not going to sit here and slag One Direction, the barmaid in my local is absolutely obsessed with them, so if slag them then i dont get served beer
principles and all that!!!
Lottie has landed!
Both fine.
Just off to see my first grandchild.
Hoops baby grow my next must purchase!
:-)
Ernie
the cos had to apologise for their anti catholic views, we have moved on, baby steps.
hoopy do
cheers, I’ll pray for you…o))
In club and received my wee gift from the unthank road, thanks mate..
Earnie Lynch
Forgive me if I am wrong but I believe Rossana Cunningham is a Catholic.
MWD says AYE
If you are a Satanist and you make an inverted sign of the cross would that be legal?I don’t even know if Satanists do that before someone replies.
MWD
“But standing facing opposition fans blessing yourself in their faces or making a cross gesture to them is a public display of sectarianism and an affront to Catholicism and every true Catholic.”
—————————-
thanks goodness for a sensible comment
Same old, same old on referendumquicknews i see.
Anyway todays predictions, results not scores…
Col-O-mbia v Greece. Greece win.
Uruguay v Costa Rica, Uruguay win.
Englandshire v Italy, Draw.
might actually bet them this time.
Oh! And she is also a Taekwondo 2nd Dan black belt.
MWD says AYE
This one for young TT !
“See that Ajen Robben ! Bottle Merchant !! ” ;)
Would have loved to see the author of that quotes face last night ;) !!
Now Thomas Muller ? That’s another story lol !!
Mon the Chile ! £50 @ 40/1 still on track OLE OLE !! Hail Hail NSNO !
McBhoy
12:41 on
14 June, 2014
Same old, same old on referendumquicknews i see
============
Wrong, its referendumquickpish