At 1:45 yesterday afternoon the prospects of Celtic stretching their lead at the top of the table by the end of the day appeared slight. The tide has turned in Celtic’s favour in recent weeks but leagues are hard to win and we need only think back to how many chances St Mirren peppered Fraser Forster’s goal with to appreciate the difference between winning games and dropping points.
Teams in the SPL are well organised, even eighth place St Mirren, who are on a run of poor form but apart from a couple of lapses defended well, created more chances than Celtic and played with adventure and confidence.
Celtic are the best team in the league but there will not be a single game before the end of the season in which they will be able to take anything for granted. The result from yesterday we should pay most attention to is bottom of the league Dunfermline’s 0-3 win at Kilmarnock. This is a league without whipping boys.
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Sanna:
I never touched it mate, that is as is which is that which passes for professional writing.
001:
mate what he writes is a measure of him and his heart, I’ve thought him a plonker since way back and I know he harbours no love for me, thank God. I remember about five years ago he asked me not to converse with him and he would just ignore me, how me and the twenty others in the office laughed that day. Now I find it easy to ignore him and his haverings. I don’t think our Captain losses too much sleep over him and his opinions. He is a self-confessed bigot, racist and hypocrite, possibly colour blind too. He has the grace and charm of a cold and congealed Sunday roast chicken’s carcass.
I sent this,without any expectation of action,to the BBC.
“Celtic win away;Rangers drop points at home. There has been a 19 point swing in the last few months to take Celtic 4 points clear of Rangers but yet again, the BBC (Scotland) site headlines a positive concerning Rangers. The pro-Rangers bias from the BBC (only in Scotland)is shameful.
Incidentally, I still await a response to a previous email on a similar point concerning chosen highlights from the Celtic V Hearts game ”
I am going to a party down in Engurland in February. Provided he is in the country, a Radio Five correspondent who was best man at the Party Host`s wedding will be there and I will make sure I talk to him about this bias. I believe we should all do all we can to bring injustice to the eyes of the English media . Obviously, it is a waste of time in Scotland as we (Celtic Supporters) are all paranoid .
I think the hun media have finally realised they are ready for the fork to be stuck in them!
Traynors piece in the record today is unbelievable, but for some reason it doesn’t mention the guy who gave him a beautiful dinner!
Kittoch,
I knew of a family who lived in Blackhill and kept a HORSE in the bathroom. They lived on the SECOND floor!!! True story. Blackhill made Garngad (where I spent the first four years of my life) seem like St.Tropez.
JJ
PS I have a sneaky feeling Victor comes from Garngad o:-)
If Neil had a 15 pt lead and dropped that amount of PTS then they would be calling for his head.
Bright, pleasant morning here in North Ayrshire.
Watching the game in the greenhouse was brilliant, but one odd thing happened.
I went into the kitchen to put the sausage rolls in the oven and, as usual, switched on the radio to keep up with the game.
Delighted to hear our goal go in.
Back to my seat I was giving my wee wife a celebratory hug, when I noticed that the score was still at 0 – 0.
Imagine my bafflement when James Forrest then took the pass from our captain and swept the ball into the net.
I suppose you laptop types are well-used to this time-lag phenomenon, but it was my first experience of it.
Must remember to leave the radio off in future.
greenjedi
Can you post that Traynor article? I enjoy reading THEIR stuff on a Monday where we have won and Rangers have dropped points over the weekend. I don`t enjoy it enough, though, to actually BUY a `paper . Well, maybe if Aberdeen had won!
JJ
Ibrox on the brink
By jim Traynor on Jan 23, 12 07:30 AM in rangers
The arguments have been heard and more than 1700 pages of written evidence neatly filed. Rangers can do nothing now but await Judgment Day.
After a year of speculation, rumour and fear, the truth, finally, is about to hit the fan.
And it could be so messy even that super-scrubber Aggie MacKenzie wouldn’t touch it with a lavvy brush tied to a 20-foot barge pole.
This will be a clean up way beyond Domestos and Marigolds. Perhaps even for Rangers owner Craig Whyte.
Unless, of course, the Ibrox club is tipped into administration. Or something even worse.
The prophets of doom and blogheads have had Rangers dead and buried many times yet the club continues to hobble along underneath a bloated cloud of negative headlines.
It’s as though they’ve been determined to defy the circling vultures rumour but Rangers cannot keep going like this for much longer.
The burden of mounting debt since the takeover and uncertainty has become so heavy that Rangers are buckling. Calling in an administrator could be this club’s best option.
It might not happen this month but Rangers could be tipped over the edge in February – even if they win their battle with HMRC.
Some of the people in and around the Employee Benefit Trust wrangle expect the decision to be announced within the next few weeks and if the taxman wins he’ll be at the Ibrox front door straight away with a bill for £49million.
Rangers, of course, could not pay such an amount and if ordered to do so the worst case scenario, liquidation of some kind, closure, albeit a brief one, would surely have to be confronted.
It’s believed the tax authorities are so committed to winning this case they’ve said in private they’ll appeal if the judgment goes against them and that could lead to two or three more years of arguing and doubt.
Rangers would look at that situation and probably conclude that rather than struggle on for a few more years with uncertainty continuing to dog them, administration would be the more tempting option.
They’d argue it would be too difficult, if not impossible for them to secure sponsors and corporate clients, who might insist on buying boxes and seats on a game-by-game basis only. They’d also be worried players might refuse to commit if the club’s future remained in serious rious doubt.
Of course such a scenario would resent the SPL and SFA with their wn difficulties because punishments would have to be handed down to prevent other clubs with crippling debts from doing the same thing. But the problem is the game needs angers, just as it must have Celtic.
It’s this pair who bring in the TV money and their travelling fans help the finances of the other clubs. Without them the Scottish game would wither because of an even more chronic lack of money and that’s why the governing bodies will have to be careful about the level of sanctions should Rangers go under.
If they do call in the administrator then of course they should be punished and at the very least hit with a points deduction – it would be a 10-point penalty – but there are SPL clubs who would want a more severe outcome. A few would want to see a deduction imposed at the start of each season over a period of three, maybe even four years as a deterrent to others. But that would create problems for more than just Rangers.
If penalties are applied at the start of each season Celtic would have a clear run to three or four titles and the door to Champions League football would remain shut and bolted against Rangers while they were serving their time.
But if this happens Rangers fans wouldn’t buy as many season tickets as they do just now and that money – around £13m is brought in through renewals – is vital to help meet wage bills. Of course Whyte could decide against strengthening the squad while under sanction but then he’d risk even more fans refusing to buy tickets.
And would they all return when Rangers had served their sentence? If they didn’t and Rangers were weakened to such an extent they couldn’t make up any of the ground lost to Celtic the entire game would be in trouble. Celtic fans, sure of success every year, wouldn’t buy tickets in the same numbers either because competition has to be fierce for the Old Firm brand to be successful.
Not only for themselves but for the entire game.
The SPL, though, are already considering sanctions against Hearts, who have failed to pay players wages when they were due, and it will be interesting to see if they are as gung-ho with the Ibrox club if they do seek away out of paying their mounting debt s.
There are outstanding bills, including not only the smaller tax debt that started at £2.8m and is thought to be nudging £4m because of penalties.
There is also widespread talk about other bills that may not have been paid. But fact will be separated from rumour and speculation in a matter of weeks.
Rangers fans have been living in fear of their club sliding into administration or worse and those fears are, I believe, about to become reality.
Then again, if closing and starting up again gets rid of all debt these same supporters might actually warm to the idea, although they’d have to suffer many years of ridicule from others, especially Celtic fans.
The problem Rangers have always had in this saga is this isn’t just about them. The taxman has to come out on top if he is to send a clear message to every other club and, probably more importantly, every business outside our little game.
HMRC believe there has been some kind of scam to avoid the payment of taxes and that’s why they’ve committed so much time and effort to this one case. It will give them the platform from which to launch other actions, even if they end up winning the case but receiving nothing from Rangers.
They know they wouldn’t get a penny if Rangers are pushed into some kind of liquidation and that’s why that path will remain an option for the club should they lose and be faced with a bill just short of £50m. It would, however, be a treacherous road and, along the trail Whyte could be bushwhacked by other parties who might be waiting to get their hands on the club, or rather, the new debt-free club.
Oh, and one other thing. Ally McCoist can forget about getting serious money, even if Nikica Jelavic is sold for £7m. Any cash isn’t going to be handed out again and the manager may have to make do with what he has right now.
Faster than an aeroplane……
More powerful than a locomotive…
Able to balance a Victor Wanyama on the end of each little pinkie…..
All we know is Darren dines on Special Mallum Porridge……
The Choice of Champions.
Cheers Kit
Disgraceful decision to chalk off our legitimate goal.
Why, though, were three of our players off side when the kick was taken?
Doesn’t matter, of course, if a Rangers player’s off-side. He’s obviously not interfering with play.
Rules are different for us.
Need to sort that out, Bhoys!
I had the feeling you weren’t too happy at posting it so I did it for you. Don’t want to steal your thunder but neither would I a stampede to certain URL’s.
Kitalba – thanks for posting that. I was nearly sick on my shoes. “the problem is the game needs Rangers”
Paid my company corporation tax, on time, paying my self assessment this week, on time, paying my comapny VAT this week, on time. I wonder if any footballing institutions would like to follow follow my lead?
midfield maestro says:
23 January, 2012 at 09:53
Paid my company corporation tax, on time, paying my self assessment this week, on time, paying my comapny VAT this week, on time. I wonder if any footballing institutions would like to follow follow my lead?
share
Peach matey ha ha ha
Good morning again CQN
A wee bit of advice/opinions being sought, would appreciate your help.
A wee incident in my office this morning.The office manager came in and after 5 mins of arriving, told the office (while I was at my desk with my back to all my “colleagues”) a “joke” about 10 priests dying and Paedophilia.
Now I am more than capable of handling any argument, however I’m unsure of how to deal with this. I find it offensive, uncalled for and not what I would expect to hear when arriving at work.
Thing is, I genuinely believe this guy doesn’t think he has done anything wrong – which is really sad.
Do I;
– Simply get up and go home – I’m more senior but do a different role so he is not my responsibility – and have a word with the MD (we’re a very small company)
– Take him aside and advise him that I found his “joke” offensive
– Do nothing
– any other options will be considered
hh
bjmac
I can’t find anything in Spanish media online linking Jorge Molina to Celtic.
ßjmac ♥ Kano 1000 °¿° says:
23 January, 2012 at 09:54
Kick him in the haw maws.
Diplomacy ,was never my strong point.
Ooh its good to be at the top bhoys n ghirls
Can anybody point me in the direction of the graph or tell me what it as about on sportscene last night as I didn’t see it. Thanks in advance
HH
Jim Traynor – the voice of truth and justice ???
Kitalba
Thanks…..I will read it AFTER I have been out cycling in case it make me cycle recklessly!
JJ
ßjmac ♥ Kano 1000 °¿°
You’d get sacked and probably arrested if you followed my advice so I claim the 1ST on this one.
Don’t let it ruin your day though mate.
The sad thing about Jim Traynor’s article apart from the many mistakes and delusion of it all, is that he probably thinks he is at the forefront of cutting edge sports journalism and is breaking the way.
By the way Jim I think you will find that the MBB has already said there will be no appeal.
SP
Talk is the huns are having trouble getting rid of Jelavic. West Ham have backed off after being told £6M wasn’t enough, QPR are looking elsewhere and Liverpool aren’t interested. Could be a last minute cut price deal is all they can get – but that’s what happens when you are desperate to sell.
And Sandaza wasn’t too happy at being offered only £5K wages.
(Disclaimer – it could all be just press talk …)
Should have added, I’m new, he’s worked here years and its friends with md.
bjmac
Option 2, but tell him you want a public apology in the same manner he told the “joke”
ßjmac ♥ Kano 1000 °¿° says:
23 January, 2012 at 09:54
Why should you go home from you place of employment because someone else is being offensive in the workplace, by the way are there any female co-workers on the job and what do they make about such humour.
I would suggest a quiet word and the suggestion should it happen again you will be reporting to management.
Stand Firm Mate.
Hail Hail
SP
Who does Traynor think he is- Celtic fans wouldnt go to games because there would be no competition without the huns.
Reality check needed Jim,you arsehole.
Is Traynor finally trying to read the writing that is clear to anyone who even glances at the wall.
What is missing from his piece, of course, is any condemnation of the financial doping and mismanagement that has got them into this mess.
bjmac
I would go with :
“Take him aside and advise him that I found his “joke” offensive”.
JJ
Paul 67
Spurs hammered Hearts 5-0 at Tynecastle without breaking sweat. Isn’t the truth that the SPL is full of whipping boys if you’re good enough to hand it out?
I was browsing through a wee Robert Burns book that came free with one of yesterday’s papers.
I like Tam o’ Shanter and was enjoying a re-reading of it when I came across these lines:
“Three Priests’ hearts, rotten, black as muck,
Lay stinking, vile, in every neuk.”
As I’ve said, I’ve read the poem many times before.
But I’ve never before seen these lines.
Are they generally omitted?
I can see why.
Wonder why they’ve made a reappearance.
Has anyone told Traynor that if the big tax bill takes Rangers into administration they still have to pay the big tax bill?
ßjmac ♥ Kano 1000 °¿° says:
23 January, 2012 at 09:54
Good morning again CQN
Take him to one side matey, best option.
Tell him if it happens again, you’ll be going above his head.
Kit
I couldn`t help myself…..I had to read it before going out!! Fortunately, it only made me smile at the glaring blatancy of it all as he tries to appear a paragon of reason and impartiality . The reality , of course , is that he is saying. “Well, I suppose they have to be punished but let
`s make it as light as possible (for the sake of Scottish football, you understand).
JJ
What do Aunt Sally and Craig Whyte actually talk about?
Aunt Sally states he has not been told anyone has to leave, Whyte sits upstairs telling fans that this is the case.
On Friday he said again, it is not a case of one out to get one in and then they loan Fleck for the wage and release Weir to pay the compensation fee.
Today, all over the papers no-one else will come in unless they ship someone out.
He really is a muppet…
HH
Ref Jabba Traynors comments –
If penalties are applied at the start of each season Celtic would have a clear run to three or four titles and the door to Champions League football would remain shut and bolted against Rangers while they were serving their time.
————————————-
I am searching now, but cant find anything similar when the huns were racking up 4,5 6, using an unfair financial advantage.
He , nor anyone, commented about this.
Also,
when the huns didnt win a title from 1978 till 1987, nobody cared as Aberdeen and United won leagues and cups and went all the way in Europe.
The only people who care about the Huns demise , and pretending its bad for all of Scottish football are Huns themselves.
Whether they are laptop loyalists, or Refereees Organists, they are going to miss them.