Celtic’s run of 27 games unbeaten in domestic football came to an end yesterday as Kilmarnock surprised even their own fans, who bought fewer tickets for the final than they did for the semi-final, perhaps anticipating a reversal.
The bedrock of that magnificent run has been incredibly strong defensive performances; even when Aberdeen scored to take a point earlier this month, their goal benefited from an enormous deflection and the interaction of two debutant defenders.
Kilmarnock’s goal yesterday benefited from no such fortune. Ki didn’t match the forward run of Lee Johnson and Kelvin Wilson didn’t attack the cross. It was, however, a good goal, exploiting the expansive Hampden pitch with some fine passing and excellent movement.
Cammy Bell deservedly won Man of the Match but none of his many saves were spectacular. It could be argued that the stop from Gary Hooper five minutes in turned the match but it was a gift to Bell’s highlights DVD.
Celtic looked like a team who have run out of steam. Profligacy in front of goal and a momentary lapse in defence was all Kilmarnock needed to secure the cup.
I didn’t get a good view of the Anthony Stokes penalty incident at the game, it was Hampden after all, but on the radio going home I heard the evidence clearly confirmed it was not a penalty, which Neil Lennon would realise after he calmed down a bit, despite his initial reaction on seeing a replay.
Television evidence could not be clearer. Michael Nelson went to ground to tackle Stokes and didn’t come within 2 feet of the ball but clipped the Celtic player’s ankle while he was in the process of controlling a fast moving ball.
There was no dispute that Stokes ankle was clipped. No claims were made that Nelson played the ball, or even got close to playing the ball. The incident was an indisputable foul.
When you are running at speed the contact required to force you to lose to lose control of the ball is slight, more than enough contact was made on Stokes to hugely reduce his chances of scoring. Nelson made a rash and ill-timed challenge which should have resulted in an injury-time penalty.
Our sincerest condolences to the Liam Kelly, his family, Kenny Shiels and the Kilmarnock players on the death of Liam’s father Jack in the minutes after full time.
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All parents wish the best for their children and all think that their own are special, but few have the privilege that Mr Kelly had of seeing his son achieve greatness in sport with millions watching.
How sad then that his special day should end in tragedy.
Liam did his dad proud especially for the last hours of his dad’s life.
Re; Rangers administration fail.
Think back to the day HMRC forced RFC to go into administration and it was a battle to see who would decide who would take the administrator role.
Now that its come out that the full process wasn’t met due to the FSA not providing consent, I think HMRC have failed here as this could’ve given them the opportunity to seek for the original decision to be over ruled.
I’m not sure what would be differences between Duff & Phelps to HMRC’s own administrators but if HMRC were so keen to appoint they’re own this would’ve given the a second chance of doing so.
AGENT CRAIG 1347
Bit harsh,I think.
I know he’s no’ the brawest,but calling him a gremlin is a tad too far,IMO.
Bet his ex-wife calls him worse though…….
Agent green
does this help
http://www.slideshare.net/rm2shares/employee-benefit-trusts
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 19 March, 2012 at 14:00 said:
AGENT CRAIG 1347
Bit harsh,I think.
I know he’s no’ the brawest,but calling him a gremlin is a tad too far,IMO.
Bet his ex-wife calls him worse though…….
HaHa.. does read not quite right but im sure no offence was taken…i hope.
Green tide on 19 March, 2012 at 13:46 said:
I’ve never had any problems, I use MSE (microsoft security essentials).
Kraljski on 19 March, 2012 at 13:59 said:
Re; Rangers administration fail.
I may be wrong here but I believe it was misreported that HMRC had challenged MBB’s choice of administrator. They merely threatened court to force his hand into going into Admin right away. As far as I know it was all agreed on the steps of the court.
Like I say, I could be wrong but that is how I remember it.
Morning all,
While the thought of the Treble was great and if anyone deserved it, it was Lenny. But…
I have always said winning the league this year is imperative and anything else is gravy. We are, what, 4 points away from that goal so I am happy. Sure I would’ve loved if we won yesterday but it was Killies day. Well done to them but I’m sure they know they were lucky…very lucky when the penalty-that-never-was is taken into account.
Hail Hail
My preferred line up for sunday would be:
Forster
Matthews Rogne Mulgrew Emilio
Brown Ki Victor Ledley Commons
Samaras
I had always given Levein the benefit of the doubt and even felt sorry for the guy who i had thought was balanced and fair.
I remember trudging over the tarmac to the SFA plane back from Prague after his 5 5 0 formation had come up short vs Czech….no one else would walk with the guy and the journo’s on the flight were baying for his blood, along with the support….. I really felt for him…..
Not after his shocking performance on BBC yesterday. The odious little omnipresent Nevin gave us what we expected, Hartson lets us and his mate Lennon down often but for me Levein was a disgrace in blatant disregard for what the pictures were showing us at the penalty….
ASonOfDan on 19 March, 2012 at 13:42 said:
Gutted to hear that.
Personally speaking im done with Scotland.
Id join in at League 2 level if we had to – 4-5 years of pain in the pursuit of greater things is pain well worthwhile in comparison to continuing as we are where we are
Rieperman on 19 March, 2012 at 14:04 said:
Wasn’t aware of that, cheers for the updates. HH
think it really tells you, that HMRC weren’t bothered who the huns administrators were. Whyte tried to call their bluff about going into admin within 10 days, HMRC said OK, lets do it now
Henrik’s Golden Boot on 19 March, 2012 at 14:05 said:
What has Commons done in the past 6-9 months to give you the confidence and faith to start him at Ibrox out of interest?
Kraljski
Honestly don’t think HMRC gave two hoots about who the administrators are. They know they aren’t getting much back that they are owed and that’s not the point. They want to see football clubs who fail to pay tax punished and if that means liquidation then so be it.
Better to let one big club fail and lose £100m than let them off and lose many more 000s of millions over the years as other teams do their best to avoid paying tax. We only have to look at Spain where over half the teams owe substansial amounts of tax. It has recently got so bad, the taxman was under pressure to wipe all slates clean. It’s unlikely this will happen now as other EU countries have got involved but there is far more at stake than Rangers.
HMRC wanted Rangers in administration and when Rangers announced their “intent”, HMRC acted quickly to get their own petition in, possibly afraid Rangers would try to pull a fast one and not actually enter administration.
Mort
The worst thing today is I now have huns in work wanting to talk about football again after avoiding eye contact for 3 weeks.
I HATE the fact, we have put a smile on their stupid faces…
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 19 March, 2012 at 13:53 said:
ST STIVS 1340
Fear of flying?
Absolute nonsense.
Statistically the safest form of transport by a mile.
———-
ah know, ah know
and i meant a fear of crashing
enmac, a bampot stands shoulder to shoulder with Neil Lennon on 19 March, 2012 at 14:06
Mort on 19 March, 2012 at 14:07 said:
Cheers for the updates bhoys, makes sense. HH
ASonOfDan
Just smile and say at least we’ll be in more finals to lose, you boys won’t see Hampden again.
Don’t let them see they have annoyed you.
Mort
sixtwo on 19 March, 2012 at 11:31 said:
You’re absolutely right about Craig Paterson’s voice. I was thinking that myself yesterday with regard to his pitch and tone. It was setting my nerves d and at one point I had to lower the sound. He has a strident voice that is not suited to TV commentary.
Saint Stivs
:-)
I once remember someone saying that falling out of a building won’t do you any harm, it’s the landing that’ll get you.
Mort
I have the day after the St Johnstone game off.
Remembering the atmosphere at the motherwell game last year when we had lost the league, it gives me goosebumps to think how good Celtic Park will be that day.
Not even that bothered about next week, it will be made out to be a hollow victory if we win and if FPLG avoids defeat they will turn it into a glorious achievement.
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on 19 March, 2012 at 14:02 said:
Agent green
does this help
http://www.slideshare.net/rm2shares/employee-benefit-trusts
Yes, again cheers.
I take it pg3 ‘as long as the beneficiares of the trust are not formally named at its inception’ is the main cause of the huns problems with them leaving the paper chase that they have.
Im hoping i wasn’t the only who reading the link who was thinking..’so thats what it is’..lol
Mort
if Sir David Murray gets away with his plan of “phoenxing” Rangers and them being parachuted straight back into a league by a body that has a vested interest in them remaining there (SPL) then the tax man will not get any money from footballs misuse of EBTs. It will be interesting to see if the courts are on the side of HMRC or on the side of the tax dodgers.
We are about to find out ?
I also think that if the SPL make up any kind of new deal that the fallout would be fatal for the professional game here in Scotland
We are about to find out :-)))))
Hail Hail
Agent green
Nobody has it in their name until the trust pays out on it.
The trust cannot pay out – lets say should not pay out – at the request of the beneficiary but at the request of the employer.
Naturally any money that comes into a UK bank account is suspect for tax.
Any money that goes to an offshore bank account should also be declared to the local authorities if it is income.
HAil Hail
Someone posted on here yesterday that Celtic were in negotiations to play in League 1 from next season and the source was a Coventry City website that got its info from The People newspaper. Can anyone put more meat on the bones of this report. I know that we can’t move until we have served and given two years notice.
The report seemed to think that Celtic were keen to fill the place of any club that might go out of business in the Footbal League and that we were an attractive proposition because our large support would fill their away stands.
A Son of Dan
Just say to tem that your glad the’ve already picked their new team
HH
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 19 March, 2012 at 14:21 said:
I know that we can’t move until we have served and given two years notice.
What IF the league was to restructure at the end of this season, would that give an opportunity to walk away?
Eyes wide open
Commons is a favourite of mine, he has previous at Ibrox and gives us good balance, Forrest needs a rest in any case, I can’t think of a better time for Kris to score his first goal of the season.
Awe_Naw
I agree. Time will tell.
Mort
Henriks golden boot
Quite like th look of th team except for izaguirre think it could be to fast and furious for him. Commons hasn’t done much to warrant a start but he has that shooting and passing ability that can pick open a tight defence or strike from distance
Just hope what ever team is picked make yesterday a distant memory by pumelling the huns from start to finish
HH
I’m curious about the vacancy below which went on the SFA website below.
It appears the main function of the role is to prevent match fixing….
JOB TITLE:
Security & Integrity Officer – 21 hours per week to be worked flexibly.
JOB PURPOSE:
• To advise, manage and report on all aspects of the Scottish F.A.’s Security and Integrity responsibilities ensuring that a safe and secure environment is provided for the National Teams and Supporters. Lead on all matters relating to suspected match fixing regarding the prosecution of corrupt, or criminal practices affecting football, monitoring disciplinary proceedings and coordinating all relevant actions. Lead and develop a programme of education to promote ‘best practice’ in order to combat match fixing.
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Director of Football Governance & Regulation
TJ
Awe_Naw
Once more cheers for taking the time to explain and make ebt’s clearer.
LET THE PEOPLE SING!!
Kraljski on 19 March, 2012 at 14:23 said:
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on 19 March, 2012 at 14:21 said:
I know that we can’t move until we have served and given two years notice.
What IF the league was to restructure at the end of this season, would that give an opportunity to walk away?
……………………………………………………..
I’m not sure. It would be too soon for next season I think but if there was to be a league restructure it would be a great opportunity for us to speed up the process.
Henriks Golden Boot
That is the line up i would go with. The only doubt is Izzy. More than likely Charlie will be at LB with Wilson partnering Rogne
Forrest, Hooper + Stokes all to the bench for me
School run calls. Back later.
mort
Certainly not letting them see me annoyed. Just saying we were unlucky and we probably have another two trips to Hampden this season.
Wipes the smile off their face reminding them we can win another Cup.
I meant to ask earlier if the Killie Cup win is tainted due to the mighty rangers financial difficulties this season?