There was an unusual reaction at full time last night. Some attempted to boo, but the applause from the majority in the crowd soon drowned them out. Not all defeats are the same, this one came after one of our best performances of the season, against an undoubtedly better team.
It was important to qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League. Bereft of domestic competition, Celtic need to test their abilities against top teams, they need to be stretched, forced to defend for long periods, parts of the game which simply never happen in Scotland.
It’s also important to see tangible signs of improvement. Those four weeks of summer, which saw defeats twice to Legia, to Maribor and Inverness, were signs of a team in crisis. They cost us Champions League football, and revenue, but finishing our Europa League group in second place behind Salzburg is the top end of where we expected to be three months ago.
I’m not happy with this morning’s line that we qualified thanks to the result in Romania; we qualified because we collected eight points from our opening four games, including a highly respectable draw in Salzburg. Win, lose or draw last night, the qualification work had been done. We can now start planning for the second half of the season.
Those three months since the summer crisis passed with only one defeat, an ultimately costless, if embarrassing, reversal at home to Hamilton. We can afford a similar episode on the next three months, but not this Sunday. The visit to Tynecastle is our most important game in the next two months, considerably more so than last night’s.
Commons and Forrest return to full fitness will be closer, while it would be good to see Denayer and Lustig available again.
It was kind of Rangers International to publish their accounts as a pick-me-up for us when we got home last night. More tomorrow, if we have time.
Shocked and stunned at the news Roy Keane has chucked it at Aston Villa. No way did I ever see his appointment as assistant to Paul Lambert looking like a pointless distraction so quickly. Next time we appoint a manager, cut the lines to Barbados and keep Martin’s mobile engaged!
Pre-orders are being accepted for the 2015 CQN Annual, which will be posted week commencing 8 December. Get your orders in now…
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Those scenes in shops across the UK yesterday shamed humanity and big business.
Ma wee wifee wummin is going back today for several job interviews and it is possible we will be separated for up to 18 months as we plan our gradual return to the Northern Colony. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry? I am really going to miss her, mainly because I am not in possession of a telescopic sight for my rifle ;-)
Both of us have been a wee bit tetchy over the past couple of days because although we both know it is the right thing for her to do we don’t really want to be apart. So I’d like to wish her good luck with the job interviews and hope she gets the job she wants and really deserves.
Son mes que un club….sorry about that mate after i posted it i thought it may have been inteperated that way…apologies.
Greetings from a dull Bangkok.
I missed the first 20 minutes or so of the game the other night but was woken by text messages coming in from my disgruntled brother and mate so watched the rest in my bed on the iPad via my trusty VPN
I thought we played well from the point I started watching and could easily have taken a point, got caught with a sucker punch at the end when chasing an equaliser.
Make no mistake Red Bull are a decent side so I cannot be too disappointed with the result or the part of the performance I saw. Still in Europe after Christmas so onwards and upwards.
Looking forward to catching the game tomorrow.
Mon the Hoops!
Good Morning All.
Jamesgang….
Ah… upstairs in the Peek cafe brings back many a memory of taking a child there and escaping the house at the weekend. Then again you were also escaping a long lie, or the Tappit Hen, and being subjected to several hours of coffee and caramel shortcake in between watching one spin class after another.
I never even tried the climbing wall when I was climbing the walls so to speak.
POG
What was that article you were quoting from re the elusive Mr Whyte?
There is something in there that is very interesting to us Res 12 tunnellers.
There is always a little devil in the detail.
Right I am off oot to talk Tosh at Waterstones in EK at 12 Noon.
If you live in the Bothwell, Rutherglen and Cambuslang areas watch out for a man with a parcel coming to your door.
Oh and Byres Road tonight with old friends and where talking tosh would be far too polite a description for the inevitable sh….Craig Whyte!
ffm – i’m the only conspiracy theorist in the village)
06:40 on 29 November, 2014
Agree with most of that, but for me their first two rock albums are much better than the folk stuff.
wish i could spell
robinbhoy
09:00 on 29 November, 2014
Greetings from a dull Bangkok.
I missed the first 20 minutes or so of the game the other night but was woken by text messages coming in from my disgruntled brother and mate so watched the rest in my bed…..
——
Are you Virgil in disguise?
;-)
HH jamesgang
BRTH
I’ve decided if she continues with it I’ll go to the gym while she’s there.
This morning was a combo of Sco govt policy papers on heart disease and stroke and CQN.
One of these things is fun. But neither will get me fit!
HH jamesgang
Nov 29, 2014 08:29 By Gary Ralston
THE fans group has hit out after details of the retail deal appeared to show the bulk of money generated would not go to the club but to Ashley’s Sports Direct.
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RANGERS fans have taken a look at the annual accounts and ridiculed claims Mike Ashley is an Ibrox saviour.
The Union of Fans have rounded on the board for trumpeting a 375 per cent rise in retail revenues from £1.6million to £7.6m.
They told supporters not to be fooled as only around £1.5m will go directly to the club with the bulk of the cash heading to Sports Direct.
And they even claim the club have been forced to buy more than £410,000 of club kit at recommended retail prices because they did not hit Sports Direct sales targets.
The Rangers board admitted they’ll be forced to seek a fresh share issue after announcing an operating loss of £8.3m for the year to June 30.
They’ll need a further bail-out as soon as January and have announced plans for a share issue aimed at raising £8m to keep the club operational in the medium term.
Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte released on bail after appearing in court over his purchase of Ibrox club
Union of Fans spokesman Chris Graham said: “The statement around retail revenues is disingenuous, to say the least.
“The true picture is £7.6m was the total sum of money made from all merchandise sales through Rangers Retail. However, inventory costs are listed at more than £4m – effectively, the cost to Sports Direct of supply and distribution.
“Under the terms of the deal between Sports Direct and Rangers Retail, the club receives only 50 per cent of profits, so that leaves only around £1.5m. This is approximately a third of the sum the club were making under the JJB deal.
“A section of the accounts, provision of liabilities, even lists £411,000 payable by Rangers Retail to purchase stock at a higher cost than its resale value.
“It appears Rangers had to purchase the stock at retail prices and sell it cheaper, presumably because they didn’t hit targets. Rangers are losing money from the sale of the shirts, yet Sports Direct are still being paid the full retail price.
“The whole commercial deal with Ashley appears a shambles. Many fans will see the headline figure and conclude the commercial deal with Ashley isn’t bad at all.
“Ashley’s plan is to make money for himself and he’s clearly a very successful businessman. However, he is no saviour of Rangers.”
Oh dear.Surely Delloittes were not so easily fooled.The UOF maybe have one or two on the ball.Massaging figures.Whod have thought it.
The bit about the huns having to buy the strips to make their targets is sooooo funny.
What a shower.
Thanks kevj…
If I’m feeling down it always helps cheer me to realise someone, usually you is feeling downer!
:-)
HH
BRTH, here are the reports about agent Whyte
http://www.clyde1.com/localnews/craig-whyte-in-court-over-rangers-purchase/
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-30242028
19 degrees and very very grey -way down south .
Book Club –
The Establishment ( And How They Get Away With It )———–Owen Jones .
Title says it all— highly recommended.
The Dylanologists –David Kinney .
A laugh out loud and a wee bit scary look at the world of obsessed uber fans .
Enjoyed this on the radio this morning ———–
Radio pundit ————” Depending on the results in December there could be as many as 6 Serie A teams in the Europa League”
Toto Schillaci ———-” True——sadly thats our level these days “
Morning all.
Dull down here at the moment.
Doesn’t seem to have been dull yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Did ole Craigy do any singing yet? If the ole Charlotte Fakes has any substance, he will turn out to be quite a crooner.
Jamesgang
You should have taken a copy of Caesar & The Assassin as there are some great memories in there.
Real Madrid
Sporting Lisbon
Ajax
Centenary Double
Love Street ’86
Joe Miller’s cup final ’89
Then there are some not so good memories
Patizan Belgrade ’89
Rapid Vienna
Nottingham Forrest
and a few others.
It has been fun reading about them though whilst atop the league and still in Europe.
I am hopefully back on the exercise bike this week after my knee bashing escapades.
Rawhide playing on Radio 2 at the moment. That brings back memories of a Thursday night many many moons ago Gawn yersel , Frankie.
Song for jobo ;))
http://youtu.be/slXr7PqkgPk
HH
2nd last day of Movember for Downs & Proud Plz donate
https://www.justgiving.com/Tommy-Melly
Thanks
Morning bhoys. Sorry for not posting last night and thank you for the good wishes and prayers for the bhoy. I had a hot date with a tall blonde for a nice Italian meal and some drinks.
We were at court from 9.10 am until about 3.30. After being bounced around courts 16,18 finishing up in court 10. My bhoy eventually got called and due to a load of cases over running it was agreed that his case would be put back until the 29th of May 2015. This actually suits us as my son’s witness was not allowed time of work to travel over from Belfast. He will however be able to come on the new date.
Again apologies for not updating last night but Mrs MT had me on a prior arrangement. Thanks bhoys and ghirls your support is very much appreciated.
HH
KTF
UTLR
kev J…you Craig Levein post was a hoot you surpassed yourselve there although Spain did nick his 4..6 formation to great success.
Mighty Tim
The adjournment is no bad thing.
Give me a shout sometime and we can meet up in Milngavie to discuss and have a blether.
best to the family.
BRTH
Mighty Tim
All the best to you and yours fae the Starry Valley..
A legal eagle I most definitely aint,but I just cannot see how CW ended up in court.
He bought the club.Was it not his to do with as he pleased?.
The deal with Ticketus.How was that a problem?.Surely he can fund the deal anyway he liked?.
All this “He said he would do this,pay that”to Murray.He did not,but how is that illegal?
Surely if he had the intention to do these things,then was caught up in the sh!tstorm that was the huns,then could not fulfill his aims due to a cash shortfall,that is not illegal.
I know there are some on here who know a great deal more than me on this subject.Can someone please explain how CW finds himself in court.
One notes that Stephen McGowan, esteemed reporter in the The Scottish Daily Mail, considers the liquidated rangers to have been ” A VENERABLE SCOTTISH INSTITUTION”
3 questions, Stephen…..
1) …..WHY ….!!??
2) ….. WHEN …. !!??
3) ……WHAT PLANET HAVE YOU JUST RETURNED FROM …. !!??
Let them go, FGS ……. THEY’RE DEED …… and we’re all better off for it …..!!!!
I heard the Deila after-match interview on shortbread .
He was under the impression that Griffith had scored our first half goal.
Is this an indication that he doesnt have a clue about whats happening on the pitch or an insignificant oversight?
BBC FFin’ Scotland:
“I don’t know if anyone else has noticed(maybe it’s just me and my hatred of that place at pacific quay). Everytime they report on googly eyes, they never ever say ‘alleged fraudulent takeover’ just ‘takeover’ and the clip is always that one of him walking down Edminston Dr to applause.
As I said maybe its innocent but that organisation is infested and I just feel they are desperate to keep the truth away for as long as possible.”
——
“Most of the staff in the sports section are [Sevco] haters – so it comes as no surprise they look to demonise every article they do on anything associated with our Club and the support.”
——
“Without a doubt it is the biggest chapel in Glasgow….. Never forgive, forget or move on. I want revenge on all those [bad people] who tried to kill R*ngers.”
——
“Of course it would be nice to think that our national broadcaster, tax funded broadcaster, would report the news fairly and impartially”
——
“wouldnt be surprised if some bodies from BBC Scotland were implicated in crime for this whole debacle”
——
“Honestly bbc Scotland makes ma [blood] boil. Their treatment of our club through all this has almost been as damaging to our brand as green and [W]hyte.
I have not one ounce of respect for any of the bigots in that poison edifice, they have strategically engineered to undermine us at every twist and every turn of the story.
From initial positions at the bottom of the lowest tier, to the allygate stuff, from twisting every story about a ne’er do well into a story about ‘a man wearing a [Sevco] scarf’ they have screwed us to the wall time and time again.
[To blazes with] everyone who works in the sports and news section, bitter bigoted [chaps] to a man, woman and person of transgender post and pre op, **** you all, spiers, Gordon, English, Cowan, cosgrove, spence.
Every bear should never forget or forgive everything they have said and done to our once proud club.”
——
“In Scotland the BBC is a con run by Roman Catholics, pursuing a Roman Catholic agenda.”
——
“Opus Dei.”
——
“Everyone who sank the boot is in a dark place. They at this stage won’t admit they got it wrong at the time through either blindness, laziness or hatred. A blind man could see the CFC driven agenda. We were supposed to die a slow lingering death and even if we survived be completely unable to defend ourselves. And to an extent we can’t. This point has been reached through the work of BDO and when their work is done we need to be ready to pick up the baton…. they’re part of the plot and will be in a position to stand accused in a court of law themselves.
The libel cases here are abundant and concrete. Scary times to be a tarrier with a typewriter! Or the Sfa, or the Sp whatever they’re calling themselves this week. Last but not least, Harper McLeods conflict of interests should see them digging out the liability insurance certificate too.
Many many uses have been mooted for the RFFF, this is the one. The one it was designed for.”
bamboo
10:05 on 29 November, 2014
Naw …… He just needs his eyes tested..
TurkeyBhoy 1000-
I`m with you on this, I`m struggling to see why Whyte is in court on these particular charges.
The Lloyds debt belonged to Rangers. He went to Ticketus – an outfit that thanks to Minty Rangers had had prior dealings with – and got an advance on season ticket money from them to clear the Rangers debt to Lloyds. Borrowing against Rangers future income to clear their historical debts racked up by Minty.
Borrowing funds in Rangers name to clear off debts that were accrued in Rangers name.
Didn`t the Glazers borrow against Man Utd`s future income to purchase the shares that enabled them to take over the club? That sounds more shady to me than what Whyte did viz a viz Ticketus.
Minty is the one that should be on trial here. But then we all know that but the Huns can`t and won`t see it……..
bamboo- Johansen and Griffiths from a distance are quite similar, both have similar numbers, Johansen was where Griffiths should have been for the goal.
I’d give him the benefit of the doubt.
Bundoranbhoy, just saw your manly tash effort and left a wee donation on your page. Very well done to you bruv.
Hail Hail to you and also to your bro who I’ve not seen for a couple of weeks.
Off to play sclaffbaw in the carnoustie murk before getting back to slobbing aboot in ma punders in a very happy hoopy wife free zone.
the glorious balance sheet
10:12 on 29 November, 2014
To be fair, agent Whyte MAY just have pocketed a few bob
the glorious balance sheet
The huns have a blind spot re Minty because they dont want to have to admit that their 9inarow glory years were built on deception and corruption.
goldstar10
Yeah -take your point – but you would think that half-time in the dressing-room he would have found out who scored.
21:46.
Woo-hoo!
I seem to remember Minty saying he would only sell to the right person.
He rejected some offers to buy as they were not right for rangers.
Bamboo-
Also the rest of the board strongly advised Minty not to sell to Whyte. He rejected their advice. At best a reckless decision. But more likely an indication that he was in cahoots with Whyte.
You simply don`t sell a business without seeing proof of funds to meet the commitments agreed in the sale.
Minty is the closest thing Scotland has ever had to Robert Maxwell. A tax avoiding, pension plundering, credit drunk narcissistic spiv.
ACGR, sorry I didn’t get back to you last night, fell asleep.
Yes to the drams. I’ll email later.
BRTH/PFayr, is there anywhere you can direct me to where I can see the costs involved in an individual court case?
I.e. I’d like to know exactly how much of my tax money is being wasted in bringing the hardened criminal that is MT’s boy to justice for allegedly singing a song.
It would be good to have a rough idea of costs before I once again write to that really helpful Graeme Dey.
I’ll look back later to see if you’ve replied. Definitely oofski to smack a wee white baw into the fog.
HH