I remember Scotland-England games being huge events. They were proper derby games, fired up by a balance – a vastly more resourceful England were in the ascendancy, but Scotland had more wins in the history books. Despite the odd hiding we thought we could take them.
The Home International Championships probably ended at the right time, just before Scotland lunged into mediocrity. No derby remains attractive if one side dreads the game coming round, while the other considers it a formality, but our former manager has given us reason for hope.
Gordon Strachan took time off from the game to invest in his stock of knowledge before becoming Celtic manager. Despite an, erm, memorable opening week, Gordon blitzed Scottish football as Celtic manager. He filled the boots of legend Martin O’Neill, and within 18 months eclipsed him by reaching what we used to refer to as ‘the next level in the Champions League’.
Despite going on to reach the knock-out stage of the Champions League again, and becoming our third manager to win three-in-a-row, Gordon stopped progressing. His time at Celtic petered out, while the entire Middlesbrough episode was a nightmare.
Gordon, like Martin before him, looked as though the game had passed him by. His resurgence at Scotland is evidence of his outstanding attribute – he’s a student of the game who continually learns.
Roy Hodgson has by far the better players, but never bet against Gordon.
Shaun’s goal on Friday
31 years ago in Sarawak, Malaysia, a midwife, Beatrice Lo, assisted in the delivery of a boy born to a Scottish family who lived in her community. Beatrice got in touch with a common friend after wee Shaun’s goal on Friday, very proud of the kid she brought into the world.
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Stringer Bell
A fine penalty – yes – but should have been retaken as the second player who scored was less than 10 yards away when the kick was taken (well within the ‘D’).
HH
TBJ
So who ‘deemed’ it offensive?
One can only assume that neither the police or any Scottish supporter was concerned by it, worrying in itself.
Does the statement from Police Scotland claim that they only act when someone else has reported that they’ve been offended?
We know that’s a downright lie.
Jobo Mobo Baldie 07:11 on 19 November, 2014
Good morning friends from a dry but otherwise uninspiring looking East Kilbride.
3 more sleeps… ;-)
————————————————————————————————
Six if you include afternoon naps which I suspect is now the norm for most here, including me.
i would be surprised if anyone complains to the police about the chanting – it would be interesting to hear someone try to convince them that it was an offensive chant in such a way that the charge would have a chance of standing up with the relevant authorities
Also, the comments on here about the 45%/55% singing FoS –
I have it on very good authority that 99.9% of the over 16s that were at the game last night were Yes voters, and so theres no hypocrisy in them singin FoS (the other 0.01% only turned 16 since the referendum)
No-one who voted ‘No’ goes to Scotland games as they dont recognise an independent Scottish team competing in sporting events – again this is totally consistent with their view
So both sides stood their ground – and that is an absolute fact
BarcaBhoy & BRTH.
very interesting analysis and comment on MIH & Rangers.
Let me ask if I may,
given the contrary statements of the “owner” in the annual accounts , does this in any way differ form what the auditors in turn say ?
Is there at any time, even one year, where the auditors make comment that is a warning, a disagreement m a heads up .
MIH , having had work experiences with then away at the beginning of their association with Rangers, I couldnt believe what was business pratice then, and it didnt sit well with me.
Now , the actual auditors who sign off both organisations accounts, who were they, and are they not ridiculed in the high finance sectors for getting it so wrong.
thoughts ?
Barcabhoy & BRT&H
Thanks for your two in-depth posts about MIH and the Rangers financial connections but isn’t it all just a little inconsequential now or have I missed something?
Surely Lord Nimmo Smith ( who was lauded on here for his integrity) put it all to rest when he declared ‘no sporting advantage’.
Morning LL.
Looking set fair for another good day down here.
Things are looking set fair for more entertaining revelations from Govan. Did I hear correctly that Charlie boy Green has been brought front stage?
BRTH,
When an appeal court overturns a conviction on the basis of the previous trial judge mis-directing the jury, is the trial judge held to account?
Something that’s bothered me for a while.
P
gillian on the bbc weather,
rather fetching in a wee celtic green top.
Do Auditors have a fiduciary duty to comment on the nature of directors’ statements from previous years’ accounts when they turn out to be wholly inaccurate?
HH
HamiltonTim:
When Celtic are not playing, The Offensive Behaviour Act (at football) Scotland, is suspended. FoCUS go on R&R, counselling, and attend – Get the Fenians 401.
All paid for by the Scottish Taxpayers.
Don’t get mad… get even… If only there was a way… there must be a way. There must, surely there’s a way….
To me Celtic have a ‘ Sporting advantage’ on every team in Scotland as we have more money than any other team.
Old Rangers had an ‘ unsporting advantage’ because they fielded players through offering them tax free wages. A wage that was proved they could not afford.
What exactly I am missing that LNS saw?
Open & shut case in my eyes.
Get the titles stripped
Police Scotland and its pals in Holyrood, don’t ye just love them. Just shows once again that Scotland’s shame is imbedded in their genes. Hilairious that the FA apologise for what everyone viewing could hear but our Police don’t find offensive.
Who cares what they sung?
The tight-ripper culture is alive and well on here, aye.
Mr Stein once described the O## F### game as a ‘useful social lung’ and so what?
The fans of any team should be able sing what they want inside the stadium. imho
The Famine Song
The Billy Boys
Ths Sash
Derry’s Walls
Soldiers Song
The Boys Of The Old Brigade
The Merry PloughBoy
The Roll of Honour
Ooh Ah Up The Ra
Roamin In The Gloamin
Billy Reid
etc…etc…blah…blah.
Who cares?
What happened to – “We don’t care what the animals say, what the hell do we care?”
I know none of the above would be allowed now but, I’m in the Mr Stein camp who I assume, was of the mindset….”Ach, put the ba in the net, then ye’ll no hear them!”
The thing is….Mr Stein’s Celtic teams put the ball in the net to spark off such scenes of unbridled bliss at the Celtic end that had the huns, on the pitch rioting trying to get the game stopped! They were the days indeed.
As for opposing fans sing stuff that is not nice – I say do what Mr Stein would have his teams do – shut the bassas up!
The reason Celtic fans have been criminalised for singing some of the songs mentioned above is coz….Celtic’s kow-towing ‘bored’ allowed themselves to be summoned to a Govt summit based on the ‘shame-game’ in which Celtic had 3 players booked!!!
3 players booked and, yer called to a Govt Summit???
Celtic’s ‘bored’ – at that point – should have held their own media conference with ‘NO’ local media permitted just national media and had a QC outlining ‘WHY’ Celtic FC and their fans would not be on the recieving end of ‘ANY’ blame for the ‘shame-game’ instead of getting a QC(Paul McBride(RIP) and getting him to, publicly back Neil Lennon but, privately sell-out the Celtic support to the hun establishment. Never mind coming on here and elsewhere, moaning about the police harassment – YOU allowed the ‘bored’ to sell YOU out!!!
What part of YOU’VE been had by the kow-towing ‘bored’ don’t YOU get.
Look in the mirror FFS.
Grow a pair and get the ‘bored’ to do what YOU pay them to do – fight YOUR battles.
Till then…with the hun-establishment knowing full well that YOU are sheep who follow a kow-towing ‘bored’ then, they’ll have YOU as well.
Wake the fuck up for yer own sakes.
Morning Timdom
Thoroughly pleasant here today.
Lovely blue sky beckons.
If – or when – the MIM can of worms finally explodes into public view I can well imagine many on the MSM complimenting the club on having done so well in the nineties and noughties IN SPITE OF having been associated with such a poorly run business. ‘Just goes to show what a great job Walter was doing at that time…….’
What kind of a name is Walter anyway?
HH jamesgang
kitalba
06:32 on 19 November, 2014
________________________
Respect Amigo.
But, let it go….they ain’t worth yer time.
With that….I’m Off oot – take care fella
YNWA, bye.
kev j
long post for you,
what does it actually mean ?
Good day CQN
Catching up with the aftermath of last nights big regional friendly
The away end sang GSTQ, rule Britannia, F*** the IRA etc etc, IMO no coincidence in these two being connected, game at Celtic park and the choice of song sheet, on this hallowed site during the referendum such a song sheet with the accompanying mindset was the preserve of the best wee bigoted country in the world apparently, our friends in the UK’s largest region did not indulge in such behaviour, just who was in the away end ?
The only national anthem played last night which was applicable to both regions was roundly booed last night, couldn’t have been NO voters doing that ?
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/nov/18/fa-forced-to-intervene-to-stop-england-band-playing-anti-ira-songs?CMP=twt_gu
Dominic Fifield at Celtic Park
Follow @domfifield Follow @guardian
The Guardian, Tuesday 18 November 2014 23.52 GMT
England fans
England supporters unfurled a No Surrender banner during the first-half of England’s victory at Celtic Park.
The Football Association is to consider breaking off its relationship with the England supporters’ band after an evening which saw Wayne Rooney move within three of the national side’s goalscoring record was marred by anti-IRA chants from the visiting fans.
Large sections of the 5,000 English travelling support chorused “fuck the IRA” during the first half of the team’s 3-1 win over Scotland having latched on to the song – a regular called “Follow England away” – being played by the band in their midst. The chant was persistent thereafter, prompting the FA, who lobby rival associations for the musicians to be allowed to bring their instruments into away games, to contact band members at the interval and request that particular song was not played again. That request was carried out and there was no repeat of the incident in the second half.
The band usually attempt to drown out offensive chants with their performance, though the numbers joining in this particular chant had clearly made that impossible. The FA intends to speak again to the supporters’ group, who first performed at England games in 1996 having initially emerged at Sheffield Wednesday, to discuss how to proceed but will consider its options, including the possibility of breaking off its relationship.
“I don’t condone any chanting, I’ve got to say,” said Roy Hodgson afterwards. “My concentration was on the football match entirely, even if I was aware the crowd were tremendously supportive. But unfortunately chanting and people singing songs which no one in football condones go on. I don’t condone it.
“If anyone was offended, I’m sure the FA would apologise to them. All we can do is play our football and hope our fans behave themselves and enjoy our football.”
There was much for the visitors to enjoy at Celtic Park with Rooney’s brace taking his goal tally for the national side to 46 – two shy of Gary Lineker and three from Sir Bobby Charlton – to secure a sixth successive win since the traumas of the summer’s World Cup finals. Hodgson went as far as to suggest his captain, who celebrated his 100th cap against Slovenia last Saturday, is still improving and relishing the added responsibility brought since his appointment in the summer.
“His game is improving all the time with that responsibility,” said Hodgson, “and there was more to his play today than just the two goals. The records and milestones are important.
“It must be nice for him to think he’ll see his name at the top of the goalscoring list, and possibly with a record number of caps in his sight too. He must keep his fitness but he won’t be the first one to retire from football. He did terrifically well tonight but many players took responsibility out there.”
Rooney now has 18 goals from 28 appearances under Hodgson. “I’m enjoying my football,” said the forward. “I’ve always loved playing for England, I’m on a good run of goals and I hope that continues. If that means I break the record, then I’ll be delighted. Scotland started quickly but we showed our ability with the ball and our mental strength. After we scored the first goal I thought we controlled the game. When Scotland got their goal back it could have been a bit edgy, but we responded fantastically and it was very special for me to score two goals for England in Scotland at Celtic Park.”
Gordon Strachan admitted his players had been “spooked” by England’s energetic opening as they slipped to only a second defeat in 11 games to douse some of the optimism generated by Friday’s victory over the Republic of Ireland. “When we met 10 days ago, the point of the exercise was to get three points against the Republic, which we did,” he said. “But the intensity and pace England played at, without the ball in particular, was fantastic and spooked our players a bit.
“I think my players were expecting England to sit back and wait, but they didn’t. They’re a team full of Champions League players, and they showed that. Maybe we were mentally fatigued from Friday, too, which we need to look at. But we let ourselves down, to be honest. We haven’t over the 10 days. Just in this game. We know we can play better than that.”
David Conn
@david_conn
On the subject of Football fans and police corruption i have been following David Conn twitter feed from the Hillsborough inquiry, seems the most bigoted wee country in the world is not alone with unacceptable policing behaviour
Terrific reporting, below is a few examples of his tweets
David Conn @david_conn · 23h 23 hours ago
Hillsborough Inquest saw Inger Shah pic. In April daughter Becky said: “My Mum was loving, caring, devoted & loyal.” http://gu.com/p/3zjmb/tw
David Conn @david_conn · 23h 23 hours ago
Hillsborough Inquest saw Marian McCabe pic. In April, Mum said: “Good, generous; no words will ever do her justice” http://gu.com/p/3z5ng/tw
David Conn @david_conn ·
Hillsborough Inquest yesterday: Supt Greenwood denied failing; Ch Supts Duckenfield & Mole were freemasons http://gu.com/p/43cgd/tw
Phils Up
Title of new piece called the “The Liquidation Game”!
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/the-liquidation-game/
Hodgson starting XI in club transfer fees: £143m
Strachan starting XI in club transfer fees: £9m
Did the result reflect the transfer fee ? never seen the match
“I think my players were expecting England to sit back and wait, but they didn’t. They’re a team full of Champions League players, and they showed that. Maybe we were mentally fatigued from Friday, too, which we need to look at. But we let ourselves down, to be honest. We haven’t over the 10 days. Just in this game. We know we can play better than that.”
Enjoy your day CQN
Right bhoys off up to Glasgow to wait on my Daughter in Law giving birth to another wee tim . Wish me luck and if you can say a wee prayer .
HH
kevjungle – walk-on in the jungle is magic, just magic
08:18 on 19 November, 2014
Absolutely…..let them sing and do what they like….depravity rules ….. forget that it’s a sport families attend…..dooooooohhhh
ohits,
Gies a ring when you get the chance, and all the best with the wee ones!
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon ….The angels are with Wee Oscar in Heaven.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
09:19 on 19 November, 2014
_______________________
Meow.
Ohits
Will do.
Just arrived in the office. Few things are funnier than the guy who’s looking around to see where they want to get to and end up walking into a lamp post.
Makes me laugh every time.
The more so when he turns to me and says, ‘I just walked into #%^*% lamp post mate…..!’
Great start to the day!
HH jamesgang
ohits
09:08 on 19 November, 2014
________________________
Hope it all goes well for all involved.
Take care pal.
Hail Hail
Bye – things to do, fholk to see.
Kev………Mr. Stein took exception to some songs, indeed, he even weighed into the crowd to stop it happening.
On important happenings:
Rangers takeover by Green is probed by policeMartin Williams
Senior News Reporter.Wednesday 19 November 2014 POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding Charles Green’s takeover of Rangers.
POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding Charles Green’s takeover of Rangers.
Custom byline text: martin williams
It was confirmed last night that they are to probe the background to Mr Green’s Sevco consortium buying the club’s assets, for £5.5 million in 2012.
The move follows a separate inquiry into Craig Whyte’s alleged fraudulent takeover in May 2011.
Four men have appeared in court charged with fraudulent activity three years ago.
And an arrest warrant has been issued for Whyte. Last night a source insisted he would return from abroad to fight the case against him.
Whyte continues to claim he was the man behind the Sevco 5088 consortium that bought the liquidated assets of Rangers and that front man Mr Green was in cahoots with him.
Whyte has launched legal action that raises questions about the current ownership of the club, alleging that a transfer of assets from Sevco 5088 Limited to Sevco Scotland Limited was illegal.
Club auditors Deloitte previously raised concerns over an “uncertain outcome” of Whyte’s potential litigation which they said remains a key uncertainty hanging over the business.
Rangers have consistently said Whyte’s claims have no merit.
Whyte is abroad but an informed source close to him has revealed he is expected to return. Three of the four who appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday accused of fraudulent activity are David Grier, Paul Clark and David Whitehouse.
They worked with Duff & Phelps, the company appointed administrators after the Rangers operating company fell into insolvency under the reign of Whyte from May 6, 2011, to February 14, 2012. They also negotiated the purchase by Mr Green’s consortium.
A report sent to the procurator fiscal in Glasgow over the Whyte affair before the detentions related to alleged “incidents” between January 2010 and November 2012.
That period covers more than a year before Whyte took the reins at Rangers but also up to five months after Mr Green’s consortium bought the assets.
A police source said there is an ongoing probe into the Sevco takeover that is now being handled separately from the Whyte inquiry.
The insider said: “There is still an ongoing inquiry in respect of other things that went on and there may well be other individuals involved.”
A source who has been in regular touch with Whyte said he would be surprised if he did not return to fight the allegations.
“He will be defending it. I would imagine he would plead not guilty but he has not seen the allegations on the petition yet,” said the source. “I think they [the police] are bound to be looking at the Charles Green takeover too.”
Whyte and business partner Aiden Earley have been locked in a legal battle which is central to the ownership of the Rangers.
Sevco 5088 was the company identified by administrators on May 29, 2012, as being the newco that was “contractually obliged” to purchase the assets and business of former operating company RFC 2012 plc.
Mr Green denied last year that Mr Whyte or Mr Earley were involved in Sevco 5088.
He said director documents lodged at Companies House were not valid and it is understood they were referred to police by legal firm Pinsent Masons. The forms were dated May 9, 2012, three days before Duff & Phelps signed an offer letter and granted Sevco 5088 exclusivity to complete a takeover.
Mr Green admitted teaming up with Whyte in the early stages of his buyout but claimed he was fed information he wanted to hear in order to secure his shares
Rangers takeover by Green is probed by police
Martin Williams
Senior News Reporter
Wednesday 19 November 2014
POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding Charles Green’s takeover of Rangers.
It was confirmed last night that they are to probe the background to Mr Green’s Sevco consortium buying the club’s assets, for £5.5 million in 2012.
The move follows a separate inquiry into Craig Whyte’s alleged fraudulent takeover in May 2011.
Four men have appeared in court charged with fraudulent activity three years ago.
And an arrest warrant has been issued for Whyte. Last night a source insisted he would return from abroad to fight the case against him.
Whyte continues to claim he was the man behind the Sevco 5088 consortium that bought the liquidated assets of Rangers and that front man Mr Green was in cahoots with him.
Whyte has launched legal action that raises questions about the current ownership of the club, alleging that a transfer of assets from Sevco 5088 Limited to Sevco Scotland Limited was illegal.
Club auditors Deloitte previously raised concerns over an “uncertain outcome” of Whyte’s potential litigation which they said remains a key uncertainty hanging over the business.
Rangers have consistently said Whyte’s claims have no merit.
Whyte is abroad but an informed source close to him has revealed he is expected to return. Three of the four who appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday accused of fraudulent activity are David Grier, Paul Clark and David Whitehouse.
They worked with Duff & Phelps, the company appointed administrators after the Rangers operating company fell into insolvency under the reign of Whyte from May 6, 2011, to February 14, 2012. They also negotiated the purchase by Mr Green’s consortium.
A report sent to the procurator fiscal in Glasgow over the Whyte affair before the detentions related to alleged “incidents” between January 2010 and November 2012.
That period covers more than a year before Whyte took the reins at Rangers but also up to five months after Mr Green’s consortium bought the assets.
A police source said there is an ongoing probe into the Sevco takeover that is now being handled separately from the Whyte inquiry.
The insider said: “There is still an ongoing inquiry in respect of other things that went on and there may well be other individuals involved.”
A source who has been in regular touch with Whyte said he would be surprised if he did not return to fight the allegations.
“He will be defending it. I would imagine he would plead not guilty but he has not seen the allegations on the petition yet,” said the source. “I think they [the police] are bound to be looking at the Charles Green takeover too.”
Whyte and business partner Aiden Earley have been locked in a legal battle which is central to the ownership of the Rangers.
Sevco 5088 was the company identified by administrators on May 29, 2012, as being the newco that was “contractually obliged” to purchase the assets and business of former operating company RFC 2012 plc.
Mr Green denied last year that Mr Whyte or Mr Earley were involved in Sevco 5088.
He said director documents lodged at Companies House were not valid and it is understood they were referred to police by legal firm Pinsent Masons. The forms were dated May 9, 2012, three days before Duff & Phelps signed an offer letter and granted Sevco 5088 exclusivity to complete a takeover.
Mr Green admitted teaming up with Whyte in the early stages of his buyout but claimed he was fed information he wanted to hear in order to secure his shares.
Worth a C@P before i go
Lots of ticking time bombs for some individuals in the following, a 2 year old new club and the SFA
Requires men with integrity and honesty to steer Scottish football away from an unholy mess
Ohits
Safe trip, and the best of luck wi the new gran waen.
Our host P67 on 5 live.
Nick Campbell hosting comments from
jingoistic fuds with an agenda.
Not pleasant listening.
What was Paul talking about on Radio 5 , OB act?
Saint Stivs, The Onlooker,
Last night around kick off when I was at the turnstiles……..
The tickets had no bar codes, the turnstiles were manned, poorly. Took forever getting in.
Just so you know.
Hail! Hail!
http://etims.net/?p=6018
great wee picture of the new main stand , back in 71 i suppose.
Was there any trouble in glasgow before or after the scotland england game ?
Good to see republic get 4-1 victory. Only a Friendly but a win keeps confidence high. Few fringe players did well from what iv heard
I don’t get this Ashley is a wideoe, fly man, spiv, I’m supposed to believe he is ploughing in all this dough and he doesent know who owns the company he is ploughing it into?
Let’s be honest here, Ashley didn’t get where he is today to get gazumped by this lot surely, because when you get right down to it, no one seems to know who owns this club/company and its been like that as Phil sais in his blog this morning since Bomber was banging on about showing the deeds, has anybody seen them, and if not why? With all this arrests and warrants out someone knows some thing, it’s all right saying this guy has this percentage of shares and that guy has that percentage of shares, shares of what? This is a sting, a con, and authorities both in the financial and football business should have stepped in long ago and stopped this gross misconduct of business and sport.