As recently as December, Sky Sports contributor and very, very, lapsed Celtic fan, Neil McCann, accused John Guidetti of cheating while simultaneously acknowledging that the player didn’t claim for the penalty McCann thought he didn’t deserve. The mental contortions required to allow McCann to accuse a Celtic player of cheating, while not cheating, was worthy of awe.
Yesterday the same open sore was evident. Craig Gordon fouled Jackson Irvine 23 yards off his line, to the side of the field. Virgil van Dijk was back inside the six yard line with other Celtic players storming back.
McCann waxed lyrical that the Celtic goalkeeper should have been ordered off, claiming “The new rules are simple. Is the Ross County player being denied a goal scoring opportunity?”
He’s half right, the Rules of the Game are clear, they note three sending off offenses for fouls:
Serious foul play
Violent conduct
Denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity
Referee guidance on the third offense is crystal clear; denying a possible goal scoring opportunity is not a sending off offense. Referees are only allowed to show the red card when an obvious opportunity has been denied.
Jackson Irvine could get an early shot off with his left foot (he’s right footed) but it would need to be a spectacular effort from a tight angle. The potential chance was never an obvious goal scoring opportunity. The yellow card decision was correct. These are the Rules of the Game and the guidance referees are given.
The only thing you need to know about yesterday is that if you have a career in the football media, and before you cite the Rules of the Game, you’d better read them. Otherwise you might appear to be a bitter clown who falsifies the rules to suit an agenda.
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Good morning from a dark, wet and windy North East.
Radio Shortbread reporting that the Qarabag pitch might be unplayable… More to follow.
Usual Monday gloom in darkest Lanarkshire, still we have lots to look forward to this week.
Massive game on Wednesday and it’s an early kick off so that should stop the worry beads getting worn out before kick off.
Can we do it? Of course we can, they do not score a lot of goals and we look solid at the back when we focus. I am concerned about current form of our ball carriers GMS and Jamesie. Neither of them look up to speed but we will need to take the ball up the park to create set pieces in good areas. Our own forward options are poor so we will need to use any set piece options wisely.
On another matter, looking to get a wee gym session in again today as part of the rehab, here’s hoping.
Good morning friends from grey, windy but currently dry East Kilbride.
Morning Bhoys.
Wet up in EK this morning.
Striker news after Wednesday if we get through. Would have my doubts wth what we have up top.
KLV
Not stepping on yer toes jobo.
It’s dreich bro.;)
KLV
Has anyone else received a number of unsolicited emails overnight from James Forrest and Celticrollercoaster? These odd looking one line web-links arrived in my spam filter and I deleted all without clicking on them.
Strange start to another exciting week for Celtic.
Appols. If already posted.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mhi5PlY0s4&feature=share
Bec news saying the game on wed. May be cancelled due to 1/3rd of the pitch being a disaster area?
Weather is unrelentingly gloomy in dunblane today.
Back to work.
HiHoCSC
HH jamesgang
Morning all.
Iffy down here once again. Cold and windy with the threat of rain.
Any word on the state of the pitch flagged up yesterday?
BBC said game could be called off?
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD
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From the Daily Record
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CELTIC last night demanded assurances from Qarabag over the state of their pitch after shock news emerged from Azerbaijan that Wednesday’s game could be in doubt.
Parkhead chiefs swung into action after the stunning information broke from Baku with security chief Ronnie Hawthorn on site to provide up-to-date bulletins.
Ronny Deila and his squad are set to jet-out from Glasgow Airport this afternoon for the second-leg crunch in the Azerbaijan Capital.
However, Celtic were shocked to discover the playing surface at The Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, where Qarabag will play the game, is in such a state the game could be in danger.
Local media in Baku reported that over 30 per cent of the National Stadium pitch is completely unplayable having been scorched by extreme weather temperatures.
With some other sections uneven and the company that maintain the pitch admitting it has no chance of recovering in time for Celtic’s visit, there are concerns.
Qarabag had already looked at moving the game to Baku’s Bakcell Arena stadium, but were denied permission as countrymen Qabala play a Europa League tie at that alternative venue the following night against Apollon Limassol and UEFA insist clubs must train in the same stadium 24 hours before the match.
Qarabag tried to move the game to the nearby Bakcell Arena but can’t due to Europa League game the following dayQarabag tried to move the game to the nearby Bakcell Arena but can’t due to Europa League game the following day
Hawthorne jetted out to Baku on Saturday morning and Record Sport understands he has confirmed to Celtic hierarchy that the pitch is in a bad way.
The head of security has spoken with Qarabag over the issue and a Celtic spokesman said last night: “We are aware of the issue as regards the pitch in Baku.
“At the moment, we are seeking reassurances over the quality of the surface.”
With prestige and a £20million jackpot on the line in the second-leg, Celtic must now anxiously await updates on the levels of repair and UEFA will also be involved.
Celtic are still scheduled to go today, but concerns over the playing surface are the last thing Deila and his players need with searing temperatures and a hostile home crowd also to contend with during the game.
UEFA have regulations in place for the cancellation of matches in European football both before the visiting teams depart or if it is called off when they are in the country.
Their Article 11.01 states: “If the home club finds that a match cannot take place, for example because the field is not fit for play, the home club must notify the visiting club and the referee before their departure from home and the UEFA administration at the same time.
“In this case, the match must be played at another venue and/or on another date as decided by the UEFA administration after consultation with the home club (for the venue) and with both clubs (for the date).”
And if UEFA’s refereeing team wait until Celtic arrive in Azerbaijan and then call it off, UEFA state: “If any doubt arises as to the condition of the field of play after the visiting club’s departure from home, the referee decides on the spot whether or not it is fit for play.
“If the referee decides that the match cannot commence, for example because the field is unfit for play, the match must be played either the next day, or on a reserve date or other date set by the UEFA administration.”
Daily RecordCeltic’s Nir Bitton should be fit in time for the second leg against QarabagCeltic’s Nir Bitton should be fit in time for the second leg against Qarabag
But it would be difficult to see an unplayable pitch recovering in 24 hours, plus Celtic have to face Partick Thistle on Sunday in the Premiership.
It’s not the first time Qarabag have had problems with their pitch.
Last year, they had to urgently call in an English turf company in Maryport to sort it out ahead of a Europa League tie with St Etienne.
Deila, meanwhile, will make a late decision on Charlie Mulgrew’s travel plans as he fights to recover from a knee injury.
The defender has missed the last two games and is a big doubt for Baku.
According to the rules,earliest it can be played at the alternative venue is Saturday. That would cause the postponement of the Thistle game.
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Next midweek we have Kilmarnock so problems with that date too.
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Bigger problems of course for the unfortunate fans who have forked out for tickets and travel,etc.
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I doubt Qarabag only noticed theroblem yesterday,btw. So it should have been sorted right away.
Theoreblem,the problem.
Morning all.
I’m in good spirits and happy to be alive. Stopped for a fortnights holiday going to London for 6 days later in the week.
However reason I say happy to be alive,I had a health scare on Saturday. Sitting watching T.V. on Saturday when out of nowhere felt really unwell, dizzy, nauseous and all my body turned bright red,think of really bad sunburn. I really thought my time was up. Phoned 111 who sent ambulance, to cut a long story short I had taken anaphylaxis shock, paramedics injected me with adrenaline, as blood pressure was through the roof. They then took me to Monklands( big reddy) as,all the neighbours watching. Anyway after 4 hours and a few tests allowed to go home and if no recurrence ok for London. I will have to have further tests but it looks as if it might have been caused by a certain type of chocolate biscuit, so for now no more chocolate biscuits which as for all you know me is a hardship for me.
However I would rather be alive so happy to have that choice.
Was going to say looking forward to watching the hoops on Wed. Fingers crossed game goes ahead.
The beeb website is reporting that a second division, second rate, second life, second best team stormed and surged to a victory over a third division team
Who was this second rate mob?
answers on a postcard to
I luv Sevco
They urnae deid
BBC scotland
Sevco dept
Ulsta
1690
JIMMYNOTPAUL
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Glad to hear you’re on the mend,mate. A chocolate biscuit? Blinkin’ flip.
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Still,coulda been worse. Imagine it had been a pint that caused it.
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Enjoy your holiday,bud. The weather is better down here for a start…
Jimmynotpaul
Good to hear you survived a trip to the monklands( it was them who buggered my leg and subsequent football participation)
Take care mate
Hail Hail
Why am I being redirected to games in cqn ?
Jimmynotpaul on 3rd August 2015 8:40 am
Glad to hear that you are ok.
Two weeks ago, i had eaten mackerel with a stir fry which had been done in sesame oil and had a terrible headache, fever and went deep red all over. I had never had a reaction like this before,. thankfully, it calmed down within an hour after an anti-histamine injection.
The doctor at Stobhill seemed quite amused by my glowing red colour.
Allergies and anaphylaxis can develop at any age so worth checking what you ate and if it could have been a factor.
Hope Wednesday gets sorted out quickly.
BMCUW.
Thanks.
I really did get a fright. The hospital report says Anaphylaxis shock cause unknown but as the only thing I had eaten for a couple of hours was the biscuits, they are prime suspect. Was stone cold sober so not alcohol lol.
It’s amazing how your perspective changes. When I arrive at Kings cross I have to get to Uxbridge, guess what?tube strike on Thursday when I arrive. Normally I would be going off my head as alternative travel will be 2/3 Times as long,but for now I’m super chilled and think hey at least I will be there. Although don’t know if I will be chilled come Wed at 5.30 if game goes ahead.
Jimmynotpaul enjoy your break and glad to hear you are well, at least it gave the neighbours something to talk about, my big reddy on Saturday was letting everybody in the pub know after 3mins that I had bet wee Griff hat trick, after 15mins I sheepishly ripped my line up, at least we won, would settle for another win on Wednesday
JIMMYNOTPAUL
Fffs,don’t take a Taxi!
Btw,you can take a train to Denham or West Ruislip from Marylebone. Both are fairly close to Uxbridge.
Blantyretim and Hrvatski Jim.
Blantyretim, yes a hospital with a poor reputation and indeed, when my youngest was born we insisted on going to Wishaw instead. However had no choice on Saturday and have to say paramedics, nurse and Doctor were brilliant.
Hrvatski Jim.
You are on the ball. 111 asked me if I had anti histamines, I did, they told me to take one, but no effect. The Doctor said same as you, that they can develop at any age, I’m 51, and never had a problem before.
Jimmynotpaul,
Glad to hear you are ok,
just hope its not Chocolate Fingers you have got cossed
Well, twenty four hours after I found the news about the pitch and posted it here, lazy journalists found it in Azerbaijan and gave it new life.
The news is not the news actually.
Managing Director of the company whose due is keep the pitch green said last evening – “There is no discussion, talk about the game called off. We will do our best to make quality of the pitch acceptable”.
Look after yourself Jimmynotpaul much more to life than chocie biscuits. I am sure that they will work out what you are allergic too so that you can watch out fir next time.
Jimmynotpaul
However I would rather be alive so happy to have that choice. Was going to say looking forward to watching the hoops on Wed. Fingers crossed game goes ahead.
——-
It’s not chocolate fingers you’re crossing then!
Glad you’re ok bud.
HH jamesgang
Jimmynotpaul on 3rd August 2015 8:40 am
Glad you’re OK – interested to know what biscuit it was and what makes it so different ?
Gordybhoy
Beat me to the punch(line)!
Arr in Glasgow. Rainmates at the ready!
HH jamesgang
CHARLES KICKHAM
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Probably an Orange Club. He shoulda known better.
Gerryfaethebrig,Gordybhoy and Tauranga bhoy.
Thank you.
Gerryfaethebrig I have a few good friends who work beside you, all good Celtic men. If we ever meet up I will tell you how they are. Dallas knows them all.
It looks if we are going to playing on a very poor pitch on Wednesday this can be a great leveler this game is looking like a huge challenge for the Bhoys.H.H.
Zbyszek on 3rd August 2015 9:08 am
Thanks for your update. Just tell them to flood it with water and it will be like a typical Scottish pitch for most of the year. No problem for Celtic.
The pitch in Baku is a NON-STORY – does anyone really think that this match will be postponed?
The match will go ahead as planned, with Qarabag saying that all has been ‘fixed’ and, “the pitch is in good condition”
It’s all PR/BS
Hi Bhoys and Ghirls. Great day out on Saturday and pleased to meet the lovely Dena29 for the 1st time. Hope you got home safely. Special thanks to Almore for the cracking badge. Donation to Mary’s Meals for that.
As usual, the crack with all the troops in the BV was mighty.
Train home was interesting too. Ayrshire Tim heard a few interesting tales.
HH
Jamesgang, BMCUW, Gordybhoy.
All very funny. Good stuff.
Charles Kickham.
The cause on my medical report is listed as unknown. However medical experts say they can only guess/ assume that it was the biscuits as I hadn’t eaten anything else.
I have checked ingredients on biscuit couldn’t see anything different. It was Tunnocks Caramel Wafers.
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/interview-with-jim-spence/