I looked into the world of Scottish football betting yesterday. Betting on Celtic to win the Scottish Premiership is less rewarding than putting your money in an interest bearing account, which, I suspect, is an approximation of what bookmakers will do with any such bets. In short, our league is not so much a sport as a secure investment.
Betting gets really interesting if you meander onto what is referred to as the Without Celtic market, or who will win the league if Celtic are taken out of the equation. Favourites are Aberdeen, closely followed by Motherwell and then Dundee United and Hibs (hmm….).
Can you imagine what a league title like this would do for these clubs? Aberdeen, Motherwell and United actually vying to become champions?
Some hold a notion that Celtic are the great benefactors of Scottish football, which is dependent on you and me for the occasional home game and TV money. This is rubbish. Celtic inhibits Scottish football more than we can imagine. We are a competitive poison making it impossible for historically significant football teams to thrive.
Keeping a clean sheet away from home is an achievement for any team. Doing so twice, in Europe, and winning both games, is outstanding for St Johnstone. Well done. I can only imagine their absence from the top of the Without Celtic betting chart is a result of bookmakers anticipating their run to the Europa League final in Turin will hinder their league challenge.
I have to express my sheer delight at yesterday’s pronouncement by the chief executive of Rangers International FC PLC, Craig Mather. We can be confident of this guy’s credentials and that he is worthy of following in the footsteps of Charles Green, Tommy Cooper and other comedic greats.
Mather issued a statement on the club’s web site noting punishments handed out to Hearts and Dunfermline for entering administration were different from the punishment handed out to Rangers International’s predecessor club (the player registrations and current penalties Newco Rangers were allowed to inherit) – for a completely different series of offences.
Those penalties were imposed for a variety of misdemeanours, including failure to declare the club appointed a director who had been struck off, failure to comply with stock market rules and multiple counts of bringing the game into disrepute. The SFA disciplinary panel responsible for the penalties found that “only match fixing in its various forms might be a more serious breach”.
Would you not feel a wee bit embarrassed by this? Mr Mather asks for clarification but I suggest we don’t trouble him by directing him to the aforementioned SFA panel’s ruling. Better that he operates in the version of reality he is most comfortable with, and that he keeps his followers away from looking into the real issues……..
To that effect, our thanks to all the media outlets who unquestioningly reported the Mather comments without hint of irony, apart from those pesky online types at STV, who had the temerity to address the question. Cease and desist immediately.
Flag Day tomorrow, another historic moment in Celtic history. Get in early, or late afternoon, as it happens. Hoping to see some of our new guys make their claim for a start in Sweden.
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Humour is often seeded in contrasts, the old Bishop and Tart routines for example. Where incongruity arises, humour spills out.
Separately, young men are naturally wired for sex. It’s the default setting. (So are young women, but they’re a little more discreet about it).
Professional Football, despite recent developments in the Women’s game, remains a male environment. While there are a handful of female executives – Leeann Dempster for example – few women play a visible role in the game, with a limited number of female physios and a small number of emerging female officials the extent of female presence on and around the pitch.
In short, it remains unusual to see a female take an active role in a professional football match. It’s a contrast.
Take a large crowd of young males at a football match.
Lob in not one, but two, female physios.
Blonde, Swedish female physios at that, a classic stereotype from a top shelf magazine.
The default reaction of the crowd is humour laced with sexual inference, a collective Carry On film style phnarr. Or if you like, the classic eye-popping, mouth drooling, palpitation inducing cartoon caricature.
Doubtless some would take that theme to an extreme and a line would be crossed, causing offence.
If we want an equal society it is right to challenge expressions that cross the line. Fair play to Angela Haggerty on that.
If we want a sterile society, we would need to erase the line completely. I’m not sure I would enjoy living in that society.
Gender is a human characteristic. Sex is a human pre-occupation.
Surely we can act to promote gender equality and still laugh at sex?
Surely?
Matron!
TET
They are the veritable berries :-))))
HH
Just in to say….
I would like to see awe the talk aboot, ahem – exotic signings etc…
dun away wae…
and get real – go for Billy McKay ICT – and get Stokes oot the door
asap. imo
Also – If Kelvin Wilson is the next player to be punted – I would like
to know the whereabouts of former Hibs CH – Rob Jones ?
Only trying to be reallistic but, will probably end up being booted
up n doon the blog – CSC
HH
TBB
The memsahib always laughs at sex. At least she always laughs when I bring it up. ;-)
TBB
As above ..also half p1shed ….
TBB
I agree entirely.
A bit of sarcastic wolf-whistling: Funny
Crude sexual barracking: Embarrassing.
..again… I wasn’t there so don’t know what occurred.
….PFayr
14:59 on
2 August, 2013
I take it you’re joking.
I note the phrase “off oot” is now well established in the CQN lexicon, something to thank kevjungle for.
Anyways, off oot.
Paul67 dont like the poisinous description either. Change it for the sake of posterity or at least leave it out until the Old Firm rouse is honestly exposed. Then I will back you up..
I would not recommend confronting anyone within Celtic park. Self policing the club are not interested in. You all know my story about confronting two overt racists giving Marvin Andrews abuse and that was before he played for the huns.
Being threatened by rock steady crew reprobates about being banned. In todays climate of anti social behaviour ….yeah you got it ….I blame the club …..dont do it.
A few rules about CQNers and huns was printer on here One by Kilbowie Kelt.
How many of these rules were contravened this week against the swedes? Blame the green brigade and set up a masturbation centre for the permanently frusttated ?
Its time the bored engaged with real Celtic fans rather than those that can afford it and/ or will not question them. If we are truly the global community club they espouse us as being.
Standards slipping everywhere.
Time to pull our socks up unless your name is Jinky.
More kids and women at Celtic park means cheaper prices. Especially for a stadium only 70% full.
HH
Malone Bhoy
Buy both players. We will need them!
LB
.
….PFayr
14:59 on
2 August, 2013
Women suffering crude sexual barracking at a fitba match …who’d have thunk it
This PC world bursts my trumpet at times
..
Maybe We just Have Daughters..x3..;-(
Summa
Ah am Grieved, but No Deceived.
Ah knew, awe the time when Ah wiz sayin’ that Neil widnae be so Daft as tae bring in
anither big Stiffy, that ..
Yep.. Neil Wiz So ..gonna bring in a New Big Stiffy!
Neil, hiz a weakness.
It’s Called .. He nevah met a Big Shamblin’ Stiffy.. whom he didnae want tae See in a Celtic Strip.
And, that goes Double..if the Big Stiffy..is an Irishman!
It’s jist wan o’ these inevitable thingys..
Neil, his bin bringin in a bunch o’ First Class..Noo Fellahs intae the Fold..
Everywan a Winner( whit aboot… Balde?…ed)( Gie me a Week of so..oan that. And Ah wull Get Back tae Ye.)
So he is Jist aboot, oan Schedule, tae bring in a Black Sheep!
It’s some kinda Law.
Like, when as a Teen-Ager, Ye hid bin Congratulating yersel.. in beating oot a bunch a fellahs tae Take the Best Looking gal tae the Prom.. and the Night afore The Big Dance..
Ye find the Beginnings o a Gigantic Plook that is beginning tae form…
Right oan the tip of Yer Nose!
Fur the Gods must hiv thur fun.
Sure,Neil ,is gonna Get the Egg treatment oan this..as sure as Bees Buzzzzzzzzzzzz.
You’ll See!
Kojo
Still Laughin’
goldstar10
15:08 on 2 August, 2013
____________________
Please don’t thank me for the phrase – I’m sure I read it on here before my arrival.
What I would like is that – yer not happy when I go – ‘Off-oot’ :)
But, thanks anyway :)
Hail Hail
malarkey
13:32 on 2 August, 2013I just had a thought…What if… Hearts survive liquidation (a big IF I know) but get relegated due to the points penalty.They then meet “The Rangers” in the 1st division the year after and then beat them to the SPL promotion spot…
…………
Post of the day.
WhatifCSC
MT – Thank you – I think she has gave up with me she has not replied since she accused me of attacking her on twitter, I merely asked the question why didn’t she report it before writing her blog!
It is constant negative spins, no female directors at Celtic Park, didn’t see her having a go at other industries. Riots at Dens Park I could go on but you got the hang of it this morning! The 2 women in question have not complained in fact the opposite they said how much they enjoyed their trip to Celtic Park
Anyway before any of you say it I better get back to the kitchen :-)
Kojo….you make me laugh….consistently.
Controversial as ever, but hey the blog is real stale without your amusing provocations.
This time I agree with you….and this from a genuine Irish man in Central Asia.
A bit of a blind spot with Lenny.
I’m off “outwith”.
DBB
Celtic v Ross County teamsheet latest…………
James Forrest
Minx
Take your ironing board with you, save the double trip.
Weeminger
Half …in my job I deal with real problems and significant ill behaviour
Stuff like Wednesday doesn’t really concern me …much worse goes on
.
Minx..
Get back in The Scullery..;-)
Summa of TheSteamieCSC
Wife just told me to “go stick the kettle on love”
Busy googling who to complain to.
Good heading p67.
Saw sally doing the dying poor swan on ssn…there is no shame in thems.
Looking forward to the game and the flag getting hoisted.
First time for myself and my bhoy in the north stand.
Doc, if I see you in 109 I’ll give you a nod.HH
BSR
Charlie Mulgrew
ASonOfDan
12:41 on 2 August, 2013
Paul67
Poisoning Scottish Football? Absolute nonsense!
If the glory hunting supporters of Hibs, St Mirren, Kilmarnock, etc supported their team every week and not just for a day out at Hampden and if these teams invested wisely maybe we would have a competitive league.
==
Absolutely agree 100%. Maybe the those teams outside the top 4 EPL teams should give up because they will never win anything. Scottish football is withering and it has little to do with Celtic. We need look no further than minty moonbeams – the ruination of Scottish football will his real legacy. Reckless spending of other peoples money in a failed attempt to put ‘Timmy’ in his place. Other teams followed this policy just to try and compete with the dead club. Remember Caniggia at Dundee – the Bulgarian internationals at Aberdeen the list goes on.
Celtic are a poisoning Scottish football ” me arse they are”
With all this talk about sexism can I ask, is still ok to indulge in a bit of allyism?
Aye, great.
Ally’s Useless by Billy Nowell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxJVr4GuII
His finest offering yet:-)
SSN trying to perpetuate the myth that Sevco were “relegated”, emailed telling them to get their facts right FFS.
.
….PFayr
15:27 on
Jeezo..
I Take it the Sexual Discrimination Act has Not Hit Ayrshire Yet..ffs..
Summa
bournesouprecipe
15:25 on
2 August, 2013
Celtic v Ross County teamsheet latest…………
James Forrest
===============================
Reported to be injured,so its 11 v 11
PF
May need to wait for his bouffon to die down a bit.
excath
It’ll need to be serious.
Summa
More serious things to worry about mate …..
Minx : “Anyway before any of you say it I better get back to the kitchen :-)”
That’s the most sense you’ve talked all day! ;-)
Did yer wummin not blog her outrage at the Open gowf, where women are barred from the clubhouse?! Naw?
T4
I glanced over the heading at first and thought it said ‘Celtic’ and ‘positioning’ and looked forward to reading about how regionalisation of leagues may help us improve our playing environment etc – poisoning is a bad choice of word, we may be miles ahead of the rest but at least we earned the right to be.
Are Man Utd poisoning the English Premiership, or Bayern the Bundesliga?! Both also won at a canter, and like us, deservedly so.
HH
Time for a summit I think.
We haven’t signed Doyle have we!!! We need a striker who can play up front on his own – Doyle can’t Stokes can’t Watt (probably can’t) What is our strategy signing strikers.
SlowontheuptakeCSC
Minx
Sense prevails ….
Wonder what the easily offended brigade would have thought of,
“Dig a hole and bury him”
Tell ye what Bhoys when minx has finished making the tea, sorted the ironing and put the beer in the fridge she will go nuts when reading back on those comments.