Defending in Europe

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As news of the goal deluge from the Bernabeu arrived last night it must have caused some reflection at Celtic. Real Madrid thumped Malmo, our eliminators, 8-0. Malmo are not, after all, this season’s surprise packages.

European football is an unforgiving environment, not just for the minnows. Roma, who are currently second in their Champions League group, lost 6-1 in Barcelona two weeks ago. That result came on the back of Bayern Munich taking a 0-5 lead inside 36 minutes in front of 70,000 fans in Rome in last season’s tournament. Bayern went on to win 1-7 in what was supposed to be a game which changed Roma’s ways.

Roma are a good team, currently fourth in Serie A, but their expansive tendencies have earned them humiliating results against teams capable of exploiting them.

Rule No. 1 in Europe is to be defensively disciplined. If you don’t have that aspect of the game figures out, you are as well not competing.

While John Collins was no doubt sincere in saying he could see tonight’s game far enough, he should be relishing the opportunity to test his defence against a European team. This is our last chance before next season’s qualifiers. It is a precious occasion to test tactics.

Thanks to everyone who has bought Winds of Change, and for the fantastic feedback on what was an incredible era to be a Celtic supporter.

Winds_Caesar

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660 Comments

  1. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 52 secs53 seconds ago

     

    Judge notes that this case has already cost both sides “north of £400,000”

  2. Judge notes that this case has already cost both sides “north of £400,000”

     

     

    Judge using Kings ‘north of’ patter. Hmmm.

  3. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 1 min1 minute ago

     

    Counsel for Rangers says their costs so far are around £300,000

  4. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 20 secs20 seconds ago

     

    Judge asking why Ashley and King met on same day as Rangers EGM. Was Ashley “just trying to cause trouble” he asks?

  5. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Well looks like SD and Mike Ashley are not as in control as they thought they were if you take on the Rangers you take on the whole Masonic Establishment . I think what has happened and is happening at Ibrokes is shocking but those who believe it will all come tumbling down are kidding themselves in my opinion. H.H.

  6. Judge asking why Ashley and King met on same day as Rangers EGM. Was Ashley “just trying to cause trouble” he asks?

     

     

    This is hideous. Is the judge there to preside over the law of make the case for the defence?

  7. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 24 secs25 seconds ago

     

    Judge notes that King did not criticise Ashley during the Sky interview “I can’t see what the harm is here” he notes

  8. The SD team now know what it’s like to take on Sevco with Wullie Collum in a wig in charge. Waste of time.

     

     

    They would be as well flinging their papers in their satchels and flouncing off for a pint.

     

     

    This country is beyond the pale sometimes.

     

     

    Pathetic.

  9. Seems like the judge must have read the Guardian’s SD expose yesterday.

     

    I smell Fish.

     

     

     

    HH

  10. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 43 secs44 seconds ago

     

    “What is so damaging about revealing the existence of a meeting that a man should go to jail?” judge asks SD counsel

  11. Looks deffo that Ashley will have his ass kicked on this one. The fact the Huns have repaid the loan though the source of the repayment has not yet been established changes the dynamic of the situation. Presumably the Sports Direct deal on merchandise etc still stands.

  12. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 17 secs17 seconds ago

     

    Judge pressing SD counsel on issue of what “harm” was done by King’s comments

  13. eddieinkirkmichael on

    This judge is amazing, what does it matter what the harm is, he broke an agreement made in court sanctioned by a judge. Doesn’t this judge want to adhere to law?

  14. Judge pressing SD counsel on issue of what “harm” was done by King’s comments

     

     

    Surely it’s s question of whether the order was breached?

  15. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 2 mins2 minutes ago

     

    Judge gives counsel “one last chance” yo answer the “harm question”

  16. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Dont make any agreement with King and his mob because they can break it at will.If you break it you can bet it would be a different matter, level playing field your having a laugh. H.H.

  17. Danger now is that Judge is likely to award both sides costs against Ashley.

     

    Can’t ever remember a judge intervening so heavily on one side as the case proceeded. Fine if he heard all evidence and then came down heavily on one side but this guy had his mind made up from opening moments.

  18. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 2 mins2 minutes ago

     

    Judge “Mr Ashley is an investor in 2 football clubs, that attracts comment, often critical”

  19. lennon's passion on

    Looks like 2 court case’s going Sevco way. Justice will never be done. We can all wait on superb pieces from John James, Phil and James Forrest.

  20. Maybe I’m confused I think there are two motions, one about damages and one about the order. This one is about damages I think.

  21. Well fellas, we were definately not paranoid enough as it’s turning out.

     

     

    I hope Ashley’s next shit is a hedgehog, he is a horrible creature.

     

     

    However, should he get his danglies handed to him for his dinner here (as it would appear is happening), I imagine he will be mightily pee’d off.

     

     

    Gloves deffo off.

  22. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 44 secs44 seconds ago

     

    Counsel says concern is not about Ashley personally but the commercial agreements made by Sports Direct

  23. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 38 secs39 seconds ago

     

    Judge to counsel for SD “3 out of 4 of your complaints are just Mr King discussing existance of meetings”

  24. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Biawsman. Ashley is being made and will continue to be made impotent by the Masonic Establishment. He has sat down and supped with the Devil.There is only one winner and it aint SD. H.H.

  25. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 42 secs42 seconds ago

     

    Judge says Ashley may not like being in the public eye bit could “just ignore” press speculation

  26. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 1 min1 minute ago

     

    Counsel for SD says cant confirm if Ashley and King have had further meetings ‘are you worried your client is going to sue you?” Judge quips

  27. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 2 mins2 minutes ago

     

    Counsel for King tells court there have been no further meetings between Ashley and King

  28. Joe Filippis Haircut…………….The has been concerted actions against Sports Direct over the last couple of days.

     

     

    Only this morning I got a petition to sign (on phone) to highlight SD treating their workers as scrouge would have done.

     

     

    I signed it of course as Sports Direct are disgusting but you wonder at the timing of all of this.

     

     

    Personally, I think there’s a lot of jealousy amongst businesses against SD. They seem to get away with stuff other businesses only dream of.

  29. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 57 secs58 seconds ago

     

    “you’ve made your bed and you have to lie in it” judge tells counsel for Sports Direct

  30. Jungle Jim Hot Smoked on

    To someone who is very much a layman, the Judge in this case seems biased. Any of the legal Bhoys on CQN able to clarify why he is saying the things he is saying?

     

     

    JJ

  31. eddieinkirkmichael on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman · 1 min1 minute ago

     

    Judge says that he has still not been told what part of the meeting with Ashley King is alleged to have revealed.

  32. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Bawsman. So the Rangers and SD make good bed mates but they are making a mockery of the legal system.Scottish football im afraid is in a serious situation why would you pay good money to watch football containing major cheating without retribution ? H.H.