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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bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers
15:56 on 14 June, 2014
Sorry mate I have witnessed it on numerous occasions…I recall vividly one Peter Grant doing so after he scored against the dead lot. Whilst I do not doubt his Faith; this was not foremost on his mind at that moment, in my opinion of course.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Ernie
Aristocrats!!!! Holding hands in head shaking it vigorously wondering what nonsense is to follow? Give me strength!
MWD says AYE
Glad I’ve been out and missed another 4 hours of Yes/No doss!
For anyone interested in football – big Sammi starts.
Moonbeams
Don’t you know it’s England’s aristocrats who call the shots, not the City of London?
2 Celtic mhen oan the BBC panel……….though it took me a while to get the wee Brazilian :O)
Just checked into my hotel ,after a long boring drive from Hull, via a visit to Argyle St Celtic shop, had a brief conversation with mein host the excellent Mr Paul 67. It was roasting in the room where the Lions were but they were holding up well, especially the irrepressible Bertie.
Got my copy of TG’s book signed and a couple of photos with yon Big Cup :-) What’s not to like.
A big thank you to Paul, WC and BRTH for organising occasions such as these. Knackered but happy.
Out for a few beers and a curry in Maw Inja’s.
Hail! Hail! PMTYH
Hey, the England preview panel has Lennon and Juninho on it.If you want a erudite view get an ex Celtic player.
79caps
I’m learning. Ernie is guiding me well.
Bless him. In a non aggressive manner mind. :))
MWD says AYE
ernie lynch
16:09 on
Ernie just because we all the know the rumours about your wife and your brother doesn’t mean you should be starting rumours about others. They aren’t even rumours just made up lies by sad little people with sad sad lives.
MWD
So next the north east asks for independence then Wales then Yorkshire.
There are trade offs in life costs and benefits and the costs are not always in money.
Peace between nations being a big benefit.
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
16:21 on 14 June, 2014
So which part of the establishment would be opposed to there being a Catholic PM if it’s not the aristocracy?
Ernie
Tony Blair was a practicising Catholic in all but by official baptism. I think you are intelligent enough to understand what I mean by The Establishment. Unless of course I afford you too much credit for your intelligence!
MWD says AYE
Had a quick scroll through the last 5 pages.
Am I wrong in saying that an SNP minister stated that making the sign of the Cross could be perceived as a sectarian gesture and result in prosecution?
Buffon does not start for Italy, is this good or bad for those that have bet Italy!
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
BBC start their build up to the England game six-and-a-half hours before kick-off.
I’m guessing ITV started their build up to the match two days ago.
ernie lynch @ 16.09 hrs.
“Talking about leaders fiddling with things what’s the rumour about Salmond and McAlpine?”
Spill the alleged beans. You know it makes sense.
Would this be the same Joan McAlpine who preached family values.?
HH, always in Celtic.
Ernie
One aristocrat from how many hundred is a Catholic? CAN YOU LIST ME THE FULL ARISTOCRACY AND THEIR RELIGIOUS AFFINITY PLEASE? You are aware of the Establishment? Royalty, politicians, Free Masonry (their big HOOS is just along the road from Covent Garden with a nice wee shop across the street selling their regalia), the City, bankers. Do I need to expand more?
MWD says AYE
GOOGLE TIME FOR ERNIE!
MWD says AYE
HT
Not sure where this has come from but there’s no way on earth this could be enforced and no credible political party would try;-))
Eddieinkirkmichael
So you abandon your socialist brothers darn sarf on the basis that they will only miss out on two opportunities to have a say in the direction England lurches?
It matters not that the Scottish labour vote only got Labour in twice.
What matters is what was achieved when it did. Quality over quantity.
I’m not peddling any myth but I am pointing out the eff u jack I’ll be all right hypocrisy in the anti Tory argument.
Make the UK socialist, not give up the job any time the Tories get their grubby hands in power.
I am guilty of pointing out the hypocrisy of the Yes argument that is based solely on separating from a Tory England when in a couple of years, if Labour gets its act together we could have another Labour government again.
Our energies would be better spent on healing than dividing.
HT you are not wrong.
MWD says AYE
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
16:31 on 14 June, 2014
‘I think you are intelligent enough to understand what I mean by The Establishment. Unless of course I afford you too much credit’
###
I don’t know what you mean.
So be specific and type a few words to clarify what you are referring to by the establishment.
ernie lynch,
If the rumours are just unsubstantiated gossip and you cannot put any credence to them, then should you have mentioned them ?
HH, always in Celtic.
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
16:31 on
Unfortunately it is true and it was a catholic who said it though she roundly condemed by all and we never heard of this again. Her statement did though highlight how badly written this legislation is though, you could also get arrested for aggressively waving a baloon using her analogy.
TGCW
So the furore at the time was a figment of my imagination?
Who was the politician?
“Seems like the Pope has commented on Scottish independence”. . .
“All division worries me”
——————
Don’t tell me the Pope is advocating merging the championship and premier league is he.
Typical Pope. Trying to give sevco a helping hand.
Auldheid I didnt even mention scotlands reaction to their establishment team being in trouble.
You gotta laugh at the likes of Hoopy Do claiming that anti catholicism is ancient history.
Hebcelt – agreed – I am boring myself too and I have too much work to do – time for a CQN sabbitical. As for celtic – well we are all in waiting mode now. So not much to say.
Eddie
Doesn’t it concern you that a politician, in Scotland in the 21stC, would even mention this?
Simply because no individual has been prosecuted for it doesn’t necessarily mean it couldn’t happen.
ernie lynch
16:09 on 14 June, 2014
79caps
16:07 on 14 June, 2014
Talking about leaders fiddling with things what’s the rumour about Salmond and McAlpine?
Has he no paid his ginger account?
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
16:35 on 14 June, 2014
‘Ernie
One aristocrat from how many hundred is a Catholic? ‘
###
He’s the most senior.
Questions of rank matter to the aristocracy.
So I think we can assume he wouldn’t have been bothered if the PM was a Catholic.
That leaves me wondering which elements of the establishment you think would not be prepared to accept a Catholic as PM.
NegAnon2 called it right earlier.Cambuslang BBQ cancelled due to peeing wet weather.I was even planning to invite HT so I suppose it’s not all bad:-)))
Ernie
I’m way ahead of your obfuscation. Read my last post to you. Good luck with google. :)
MWD says AYE
Ernie you’re wobbling. MWD has turned the tables on you he,s the dog you’re the bone. Hail Hail Hebcelt
Joan McAlpine?
I leaped to the conclusion that it was Alfred McAlpine?
Who is going to pay for the years of therapy to rid me of that newly corrected image?
Wee Lenny ..still a bhoy..” WE came up against him (Balotelli) twice this season.
Good on ye wee Mhan.hh
hebcelt
I think the dog and the bone have both forgotten their allotted roles.
It’s now like a crisp poke is chasing Scott Brown
.
Settings..
‘on Your Own Can’ was Independance and ‘Wealth’ while Still staying with Yer Wee Maw..
Just paying Dig money meant it was Her rules and she bought Yir Clobber..
Summa
Ps..l didnae leave My Mammy to be the 51st State..l ‘Visited’ the First 50 First..;_
C’mon Ernie. Are you sure he is the most senior member of the aristocracy?
MWD says AYE