A proposed swap deal with Blackburn with Shane Duffy coming to Glasgow and James Forrest heading south makes sense for Celtic. Late last season we were talking about how Erik Sviatchenko was our only solid central defender, with Jozo Simunovic injured and yet to establish himself.
Duffy made his Euro 16 debut in the 1-0 win over Italy, before being red carded for a professional foul against France. I’m not expecting a van Dijk, but his performances in both games was of the standard Celtic only have with Erik.
James Forrest grabbed the space vacated by Aiden McGeady’s move to CSKA Moscow and made the most of the opportunity but injury has inhibited him in recent years. He’s also suffered from being part of what looked like a World Record attempt of squeezing wingers into a 23-man squad. We need fewer wingers and at least one more central defender.
Brendan Rodgers comments that Kris Commons is nowhere near ready for the first team is not encouraging. I’d have him limp to the bench for the forthcoming qualifiers. Even unfit, he’s capable of linking play like no one else in the squad.
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Neg
The sun is shining today. The temperature is likely to hit a high point for the year.
It can only mean one thing: It’s going to rain soon. And rain hard.
http://youtu.be/8O7heJ5ILvM
By the way, one of the main reasons we are falling behind is that young Scottish players are simply not good enough.
Celtic are partially responsible of course
AULD TAM on 19TH JULY 2016 10:19 AM
‘I see the North Brit Unionists’
###
Given that this whole argument is turning on the question of whether or not the UK stays in or leaves the EU, the expression North Brit Unionists is, at best,
a. confusing
b. silly
c. childish
But then, anyone who is as anxious to remain in a political and economic union with Germany, France and Italy as they are to leave one with England is likely to be confused, silly and childish.
I have English sister in laws, friends, cousins, aunts, family, my daughters boyfriend. I hope for Indy 2 . Not a single thought is anti English. This is about governing Scotland from Scotland. Actually making majority decisions that count. No slave to Westminster. Nothing childish about this. Scotland can be a Northern European socialist democracy. If we choose. Yes for a re reun now that England has unilaterally taken us out of the EU.
ERNIELYNCH
Notwithstanding the personal nature of posts from each of you,as I said earlier,Scotland voted to remain in a union with ALL of those you mentioned.
England then voted to withdraw that pleasure from us. It is perfectly natural that Scottish people should feel aggrieved about this.
The problem is that we never had the option to join with Europe without England. Whether England was part of the EU or not.
If we left the UK,we left the EU. If we remained in the UK,and it left the EU,we left the EU.
There is nothing Scotland can do about it bar cry foul.
Shafted,yes,probably. Shafted wi no way out of it,definitely.
@ ernie lynch on 19th July 2016 11:18 am
Given that this whole argument is turning on the question of whether or not the UK stays in or leaves the EU.
——
That argument has been had unfortunately!
It seems more likely than not that a 2nd referendum on Scottish Independence will take place before the end of the current parliament.
While some will vote according to their sense of identity, the majority will vote according to their self interest.
The issue will turn on whether voters in Scotland believe they’ll be better off inside the UK and outside of Europe, or outside the UK and inside Europe, and vote accordingly.
Painting the argument in the colours of the Nations will, once again, prove to be futile.
Self interest will win the day.
MATS NILLOC on 19TH JULY 2016 9:52 AM
PARKHEADCUMDALFORD@8:07
Do you know what a £15 billion deficit would do to the working class in Scotland, if not plugged by the Barnett formula?
>>
The facts show that, over the last five years, Scotland’s public finances, despite being in deficit, are estimated to have been relatively stronger than the UK as a whole by a total of £12.6 billion – almost £2,400 per head[32].
This relatively stronger fiscal position is consistent with a longer-term trend.
The Fiscal Commission Working Group (“the Fiscal Commission”)[33] has estimated, that since 1980/81, Scotland has run an average annual net fiscal surplus of 0.2 per cent of GDP, compared to an average annual deficit for the UK of around 3 per cent of GDP.
The Fiscal Commission has also illustrated that, had Scotland had control of our own resources, and assuming no change in tax revenues or spending priorities, our relatively stronger fiscal position from 1980/81 would have allowed us to not only eliminate a per head share of UK net debt, but actually accumulate assets worth between £82 billion and £116 billion by 2011/12[34].
This would have equated to an asset of between £15,500 and £22,000 per head. In contrast, by the end of 2011/12, the UK had accumulated net debt of over £1.1 trillion, equivalent to a liability of £17,500 per head.
——————————–
Do you know what withdrawing from our biggest market, the UK, would mean for the working class in Scotland?
>>
The question should be, how big a catastrophe it would be withdrawing from the 1000% larger market , the EU, as the UK will do?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Do you know what taking on and financing our share of UK debt of over £100 billion would mean for the working class in Scotland?
>>
UK debt interest payments are projected to rise by over 20 per cent in real terms between 2011/12 and 2016/17, reflecting higher levels of UK borrowing in recent years[42]. Based on such figures, Scotland’s historical share of UK debt interest is projected to be £3.9 billion in 2016/17 or £5.5 billion based on a per head share. Not a hysterical £100 billion share. How about getting shot of Trident, as promised by the SNP? There’s your debt wiped out in a stroke, without any need for oil.
……………………………………………………………………
Do you know what setting-up a new currency and new central bank would mean to the working class in Scotland?
Yes. More stability, I’d expect a currency union with the Euro, and the ECB, when England tries it’s usual bully boy tactics about Sterling.
…………………………………………………………
Do you know how long it would take to get into the EU and its impact on the working class in Scotland?
>>
Yes. Zero time in all likelyhood. An unbroken membership. Impact on working class? Excellent, as compared to Brexit armaggedon.
http://wingsoverscotland.com/our-friends-in-europa/
…………………………………………………
Do you know the ramifications of joining the Euro and what its impact would be on the working class in Scotland?
>>
The Euro is the single European countries adopted by 18 /28 EU countries. (though not the UK). It is the second largest reserve currency in the world, after the US Dollar. Euro notes and coins came into circulation on January 1st 2002. It was hoped that the Euro would confer many benefits on member countries.
1. Transaction costs
With a single currency, there will be no longer a cost involved in changing currencies; this will benefit tourists and firms who trade within the Euro area. It has been estimated that this benefit will be equal to 1% of GDP so will be quite significant. (this is sometimes known as frictional costs) Some studies have suggested that the Euro has led to a 6% increase in tourism, (though many other factors may be at work.)
2. Price transparency
With a common currency it will be easier to compare prices in different European countries because they would all be in Euros. This enables firms to source cheaper raw material and consumers to buy cheaper goods For example, arguably new car prices are higher in the UK than elsewhere, a single currency could help reduce these price differentials or make it easier for UK consumers to buy from the Eurozone. Within the Eurozone, there has been a degree of convergence in car prices since the Euro was introduced.
3. Eliminating exchange rate uncertainty.
Volatile swings in the exchange rate can destroy the profitability of exports (e.g. a rapid appreciation). This exchange rate uncertainty undermines business confidence in investing. Therefore with a single currency business confidence should improve leading to greater trade and economic growth.
4. Improvement in inflation performance
The ECB which sets interest rates for the whole Eurozone area will be committed to keeping inflation low; countries with traditionally high inflation should benefit from this greater inflationary discipline. EU inflation has been low.
However this point is debatable as countries outside the Euro have maintained low inflation, and arguably the ECB have concentrated too much on low inflation to the detriment of growth and unemployment.
5. Low interest rates
It was hoped membership of the Euro would help reduce bond yields as there was greater security belonging to a stronger currency. Initially this occurred with bond yields in Greece, Spain and Ireland converging on German bond yields.
But the credit crisis of 2008-12, saw Euro bond yield rise to record levels, suggesting that the Euro could be very destabilising for interest rates. (EU bond yields)
6. Inward investment
Inward investment may increase from outside the EU as firms take advantage of lower transaction costs within the EU area. Some firms have said they prefer to invest within the Eurozone area.
7. Benefits to the financial sector. The introduction of the Euro appears to have reduced the cost of trading in bonds, equity, and banking assets within the eurozone.
So, i’d imagine a very positive effect on the population of Scotland, if it is run fiscally eifficiently.
>>
Do you know what the impact of a ‘hard border’ between Scotland and the rest of the UK would have on jobs in Scotland?
>>
The answer is: A better impact than a hard border between the UK and the EU.
…………………………………………………………………..
Do you know what trade tariffs on Scottish goods could have on the working class in Scotland?
>>
What trade tariffs? The ones already in place around the world or the oncoming trade tariffs on the half billion EU market? Possibly you are talking about England putting up trade tariffs. Again, half a billion v 55 million isn’t really worth commenting on. When ‘Little Britain’ starts going bankrupt in 10 years time, you’ll see any trade tariffs miraculously disappear.
………………………………………………..
Do you know what impact ‘Little Scotlanders’ would have on the economy of Scotland?
>>
Difficult to say. First time I’ve heard the term and not sure what you are alluding to. We are perceived as being very welcoming; not sure anything will change. probably our tourism will boom more, as red tape makes england less attractive.
………………………………………………………………………
You don’t know any of the above because those (SNP) who would rip us out of the UK don’t know either – but they will still lie as they did in their ‘thick’ White Paper – Oil and Gas are a ‘dead duck’ – shipbuilding for MOD would cease and the Scottish financial sector would relocate south, where 95% of their customer base resides.
>>
Leading us up a garden path are you not? Likelyhood is that a significant amount of the London financial sector will relocate to Edinburgh, to ensure ‘tariff free’ access to the 1000% EU. The FTSE is 80% foreign owned. To think of the financial sector in UK terms is ridiculous. Many multinationals are thinking about pulling out of England. Scotland is well placed for a financial services boom on a scale never before seen.
The MOD? They can eff off as far as Im concerned.
………………………………………………………..
Leaving the EU is not my choice, however leaving the UK would spell disaster for the ordinary person in Scotland.
>>
If Scotland has EU membership, this argument is deader than the dodo.
……………………………………………
Your spurious point about the Orange Order and the likes – if you feel that they have too much power in Scotland whilst we are part of the UK – just imagine how that power would be increased and exercised in a smaller and more concentrated area, i.e. an independent Scotland with our ‘kind’ having only a 16% say in all things.
>>
Perhaps you missed the Birmingham 6 and Guilford 4? Perhaps you’ve missed the rise of racist assaults on our immigrant brothers in England? The racism directed at the Irish and traveller community in England all throughout my life? The OO is in it’s death throes. We have nothing to fear.
By the way, the one thing that’s distressing about modern politics is the use of catch-all terms like “Red Tories”
Trying to strip away the views of an individual and apply the views of an imaginary evil collective
TIMALOY29
There’s an argument that Thatcher is to blame,tbh.
MACJAY is probably firing up the lappy as I type,but it’s not just Scotland which was affected. So too has England.
Their shortcomings have been masked by the money coming in and the foreign megastars.
We don’t have that option.
Thatcher? The teachers were no longer allowed to use time spent coaching the school teams as part of the working week.
I can’t remember the details,but I know someone will.
I’m kidding when I blame thatcher for it,but it was her government policy at the time which caused a problem which has never been resolved.
And also sold off school playing-fields for housing development. While shutting down leisure centres.
Ernie
The Scottish people are being denied their democratic rights. A Tory Govt, Brexit and austerity have all been imposed against their will. I accept that the Indy Ref was a decisive vote for the union with England in2014 but how do you suggest that our “settled will” for devolution and continued EU membership can be achieved? Its not sufficient to simply slag off the “gnats”. There is no easy answer but something must be done to address this democratic deficit.
Can’t believe that anyone on here is still reading the stuff that creep Wings over Bath is spouting, never mind quoting it.
Neganon2 “we are all fools” please do not generalise I do not consider myself a fool – have done some foolish things admittedly. If you are referring to yourself fill yer boots there are many clever people on this blog who do not deserve to be called fools, difference of opinion yes -fools never. H H Hebcelt
THEBATTEREDBUNNET
You left out one choice-a reality-while including another-a falsehood.
We will not be part of the EU either way. There is no likelihood of convergence.
GER57 on 19TH JULY 2016 11:34 AM
Brexit hasn’t happened yet, and it may never happen.
Which will no doubt be very frustrating and disappointing to the one third of SNP voters who voted in favour of it.
BMCUWP
Teachers used to take football at schools on a voluntary basis. One evening per week plus the Saturday morning game. Some games were after school in midweek. Thatcher came in and froze teachers pay while giving cops and soldiers whacking rises. Teachers stopped the football. It was as simple as that.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 19TH JULY 2016 11:32 AM
TIMALOY29
I’m kidding when I blame thatcher for it,but it was her government policy at the time which caused a problem which has never been resolved.
And also sold off school playing-fields for housing development. While shutting down leisure centres.
_____
Your right about a lot of that.
There is a disconnect in Scotland and England between the grass roots and the final product.
It’s inevitable that after ANOTHER sorry exit from a tournament, a lot of England fans are calling for a big money coach to come in and sort it all. I heard a lot of mentions of Sir Alex Ferguson on the radio phone-ins.
Local Council’s have seen their budgets slashed and slashed again. Grass roots sports have suffered. Iceland have better facilities available.
So we have a lack of investment and an SFA not fit for purpose. Is it any surprise that we will continue to rely on foreign imports?
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 19TH JULY 2016 11:32 AM
Whit ?
Aye times have changed alright
You’d have a hard time telling a young guy it was fun to stay at the YMCA
nowadays.
ERNIE LYNCH on 19TH JULY 2016 11:34 AM
Can’t believe that anyone on here is still reading the stuff that creep Wings over Bath is spouting, never mind quoting it.
….
Perhaps you prefer The Daily Mail?
Morning All.
I’m on to thank everyone for all their best wishes and even prayers during my illness. The good news is after over 9 long weeks, I’m returning to work on Thursday. I’ve not had a mast cell attack for 3 weeks now and I feel strong enough to return. I know there is no cure for my illness, Mast cell activation syndrome/ Mastocytosis, but I feel great not having had any recent attacks and things you think you would never say, I can’t wait to return to work, as it means my health has improved,enough. Life will never be quite the same but the most important thing is I have life.
On that note, some of you might have read in the papers and,seen in the news about Tam Lamb being missing, sadly Tams body was found at Palacerigg golf course yesterday. Tam was a gent, he was a roofer many a time he fixed my roof for the price of a pint, that was the kind of guy he was. His wife had died quite suddenly, they had been married 48 years and two days after the funeral he disappeared.
I know other posters knew Tam and they all agreed no one had a bad word to say about him.
My thoughts are with his family in this sad and difficult time, having lost both their parents in a short space of time.
Hopefully in time they will be able to remember the good times, of which there will be many.
Hail Hail.
Ernie, that is so typical of you. No answer to a genuine question. The PM has said Brexit means Brexit. You know better. Answer the substantive question. What’s to be done to address the democratic deficit in Scotland?
COOLMORE MAFIA on 19TH JULY 2016 11:40 AM
Certainly the right wing tabloid press has recanted, and apologised for the lies and slurs they printed about Hillsborough.
How genuine that change of approach was I can’t say.
But it makes them paragons of virtue compared to that weird creep you seem to be in thrall to.
BMCUW
I disagree. Scotland would be a shoo-in for membership. Although it remains to be seen what the EU will look like post-Brexit. And indeed, what Brexit means at all. And thereafter, whether Scotland would want to join the EU having seen the colour of the grass on both sides.
COOLMORE MAFIA on 19TH JULY 2016 11:40 AM
While Ernie and I disagree on many, many things Wings in one thing where we are in accordance. A man that refuses to change an opinion on the basis of new evidence (see his disgusting Hillsborough comments) cannot be trusted to present a balanced view, or be taken at face value.
Now the same is true of the Daily Mail but WoS has put himself in the same category, albeit from the other side.
GER57 on 19TH JULY 2016 11:42 AM
Is the democratic deficit in Scotland any different to the democratic deficit in Liverpool or London?
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 19TH JULY 2016 2:32 AM
CLOGHER CELT on 19TH JULY 2016 2:26 AM
“Run it and rule it.”
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
The above was Macjay’s response to a question about Australia’ membership of MIKTA,
“MIKTA is an innovative partnership that brings together Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea (ROK), Turkey and Australia….we also share important fundamental values, including a commitment to democracy and human rights, and shared support of free trade and open economies.
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Run it and rule it indeed. It’s a pity Macjay doesn’t spend more time lobbying his own government about their international partnerships and human rights. Maybe he could start with the 26,000 Missing people in Mexico or the current events in Turkey?
http://qz.com/519412/thousands-of-people-have-gone-missing-in-mexico-and-the-world-is-finally-noticing/
Looks like we will be missing out on Gunter.
Hull City have lost their RB Moses Odubajo to injury for 6 months. Gunter is now their target.
Times are tough but you can get a Rolex watch for 15 Euros at Alcudia market. At least my brother in law will for his Christmas, if it’s still working by the weekend.
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 19TH JULY 2016 11:45 AM
BMCUW
‘I disagree. Scotland would be a shoo-in for membership.’
##
Scotland would have to apply for membership though, and meet the qualifying criteria, which would involve catastrophic cuts to public expenditure.
It wouldn’t remain a member on the existing terms.
Not even ‘in terms of the debate’.
JIMMYNOTPAUL on 19TH JULY 2016 11:40 AM
RIP Tam Lamb, thoughts and prayers for family
Good post well done
Timaloy
What height is he?
CLOGHER CELT on 19TH JULY 2016 11:46 AM
God , mate.
My response was jocular.
200,000 mill Indonesians
23 mill Aussies.
Well aware of the situation in Mexico.
That`s where my wife comes from.
Wasn’t aware of a Hilsborough issue with Wings over Scotland. Just read his views and have to disagree completely. However, i don’t believe his views are born out of malice or a cover up, unlike the tabloid press. He actually believes Liverpool fans pushing their way in were ultimately responsible. Personally, i think it was a health and safety and Police/stewarding disaster, who should have foreseen any problems.
Doesn’t effect my political arguments.
All WOS are doing is posting factual links to european politicians who are perfectly willing to allow Scotland to continue EU membership unbroken, when the UK self destructs from Brexit. Playing the man and not the ball perhaps?
Pop. of Indonesia also jocular.
:-)
Clogher Celt – read El Narco about Mexico. Totally shocking. Criminal state basically.
It’s All Change Ernie. If you know how things will play out, you are J Titor and I claim my €5 prize, index linked back to the year 2116.