I didn’t realise until watching TV last night it was Keith Lasley that Anthony Stokes ‘did’ on Saturday, the player who put Adam Matthews out of the game for a couple of months. It’s a physical game, and I’m not going to concede violent behaviour is acceptable, but it would be super-human to not be affected by earlier violence. We need to rise above this.
On a similar theme…. Another incident I missed at the game was James McFadden wresting Fraser Forster, who was holding the ball, early in the second half. Minutes later Fraser threw himself to deny McFadden what looked like a certain goal.
Players need an edge to be able to summon their very best performances, and a wee nyaff climbing all over you is as likely to give you an edge as anything. McFadden has a few years left in him. He’s at a well-run club who will give him the platform to excel, if he can find the focus to deliver.
I see some re-writing of history today and over the weekend on where responsibility for Newco Rangers acute financial plight lies. Among throwing blame on convenient scapegoats, one-time-hero-though-transparent-chancer Charles Green, and financial director, Brian Stockbridge, few seem prepared to offer up the prized oaf.
They banked £22m from a share issue and cash from circa 30,000 ticket sales, enough to see them through to top flight football, as long as they didn’t blow it on football bling. So who was responsible for doing exactly that (if you can stretch the definition of bling to Jon Daly and even lesser appealing gems)?
Sure, Stockbridge and Mather signed off, and they certainly knew the financial situation the club was in, but we know enough of the story to explain why it happened.
Despite having a budget close to 100 times their opponents Newco suffered considerable humiliation at the hands of fourth-tier clubs last season. Without reinforcements their chances of progress from the third tier was far from guaranteed – if they continued to allow Ally McCoist to run football operations.
McCoist was unsackable. He played the fans perfectly, earning a ridiculous contract and shares a 1p each for his ability to put bums on seats. Mather had to throw enough talent into the squad to ensure promotion with McCoist in charge, then rely on Charles Green to pull together another share issue.
The question you have to ask is, once McCoist had his reinforcements, who torpedoed the Charles Green supply ship?
No one is going to tell you Charles Green is a man you would want associated with your club, but before mob-rule ensured his attempts to raise investment cash were quashed, should someone not have asked the questions, why did the board find it necessary to bring such a pariah back and what happens if we throw him and his investment plans out?
We’re about to find out.
If suggestions that Newco will come close to expiring cash in hand before season ticket income arrives are accurate I expect they will get there, even if players don’t agree to a wage cut. Companies can control when to pay creditors, even HMRC, who despite what is likely to be an acute interest in Newco, would take months to complete a debt recovery action.
Don’t get too drawn in the minutia of this, whether an insolvency event happens or not does not change the fundamentals, which we touched on last week. Newco had a gamblers chance of turning into something resembling Oldco.
Spooking the SPL into giving them a ticket into top flight football would have seen them debt free and competing for last season’s SPL. Three years of paying our bills while losing the league would have been pointless. I genuinely think only one of Glasgow’s big teams was ever going to survive the SPL decision on Newco.
Had they liquidated Oldco, then flooded Newco with talent and won the league, Celtic would not have recovered, a reality that should be remembered when journalists talk about Scottish football harming itself in 2012. It was them or us.
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Snake p @ 1103
So say Sid and Eddie. :-)
Richie and blantyretim.
As you can see I can post on the mobile, but I’ll pass on posting to much on the mobile,to much correcting to do.
OT
Hope your trip home was uneventful. Carrying all that cash and all!
Richie/Magnus
Do you believe NFL is being by-passed with a number of signing’s coming into Celtic, it does seem a wee bit strange, especially so soon after singing them that Balde and Pukki may be put out on loan!
HH
Natknow – a classic post
“I’d say the opposite was true. It’s been much more enjoyable to read reasoned debate and positive comment from those who prefer to support the team than the continual boring drone of people making the same dull and ill-thought out remarks that are usually detached from any form of logical argument and are in fact simply tightly held prejudices”.
Part of the anyone who disagrees with me is a fool brigade. Perhaps you can join Tony Donnelly in his campaign to call anyone who disagrees a hun and hopefully ban them from the site.
Brilliant logic
Snake Plissken
07:55 on 21 January, 2014
I’d love to see this AND a Striker brought in before the end of the window and then we can build a team ready for the CL.
Thoughts?
Here’s his Youtube –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms0azcVgPsM
___________________________________________
Initial thoughts are “Oh my fillipin’ God!” Certainly the most talented player to be linked with us in the past 10 years.
Well was nice dreaming.
Hail Hail!
I think McCoist is doing a fantastic job. He helped bankrupt the old club and he is well on his way to doing it again. Succulent lamb at 4 star hotels – keep racking up the expenditure Ally your doing fine.
Regarding Fraser Forster – would it not help his England world cup hopes (given English opinion of Scottish Football) that maybe we should loan him to a top club e.g. Swansea who have a goalkeeper problem for the rest of the season and get him back for next season.
Richie.
I wasn’t drunk,just a bit iffy with the diabetes.managed to get home okay, but went to bed after taking medicine.
JHJ
Loan him to a top club? You nuts?
If a club want to sign the big man they can pay top dollar and buy him.
LB
Tourtenay – read some of the recent posts by Paul 67 – he is telling you its not NL’s job to buy and sell (or loan) players. He is simply there to coach what he gets.
The rest is down to PL.
And I do like the desparation to sell FF. We would get money for him is the cry! And the other excuse is he wont get in the England set up without moving. Rubbish – he will be in the world cup squad.
NegAnon2
11:45 on
21 January, 2014
I don’t understand people’s need to only see one sided arguments either. From either side. It’s burying your head in the sand, and we’ve all seen what can happen if you do that.
GlassTwoThirdsFull
11:16 on 21 January, 2014
Chairbhoy,
Forgot to say. If it’s the same club, why any need for a “transfer of membership”? To transfer membership from one club to the SAME club??????
_________________________________
This conversation been going on for nearly 24 hours. We know it was the great Scottish Swindle so put it to bed already. As for Sporting Merit; if Sevco win a Cup, it will not be on Sporting Merit therefore thy ain’t gonna be playing in any European Competition. Infact they ain’t gonna win any Major domestic Trophies. If they do, I’ll run through the Gallow Gate naked!
Neg Anon2
The only reason I said sell Fraser Forster would be to get Djurcic if a swap was required t get him.
I’d rather watch him than a keeper who for the majority of our matches sits bored with little to do.
As Benfica were after him it would be a god deal as in my opinion we won’t Wanyama money for him.
Asset management can work on occasion
NegAnon2
11:52 on 21 January, 2014
Don’t think FF will be in the England WC squad irrespective of whether he leaves or stays. Hart is obviously number 1, Foster who has decided he wants to play for them again will be number 2 (he was Hodgson’s keeper at WBA) and Ruddy will be third choice. FF, along with Butland who is now getting a game at Stoke will be back up. FF be will probably number 4 choice, and possibly even number 5 in Hodgson’s plans.
Weeminger – agreed – I think some people dont get the point of a blog……..
Fraser Forster will not be at the world cup. Our league is not rated down south.
Sorry
should read won’t get and good deal
Tourtenay
11:41 on
21 January, 2014
Richie/Magnus
Do you believe NFL is being by-passed with a number of signing’s coming into Celtic, it does seem a wee bit strange, especially so soon after singing them that Balde and Pukki may be put out on loan!
HH
————————————————————
To be honest, I have absolutely no idea how the recruitment process works at Celtic Park.
I would guess that the scouting department check out players then inform the manager, who then decides if it’s worth pursuing based on videos and reports from the scouts.
Only when contracts and wages are to be discussed/agreed, PL gets involved.
I don’t deny that some of the foreign signings could have been instigated for commercial reasons, but surely NL has the final say on who actually turns out for the team.
But, as I said before, I don’t know and can only guess.
Weeminger
Enjoy Mogwai last night? I missed out on the tickets but caught it on the wireless. VG.
Snake – not when the ONLY objective of asset management is to make money and who cares about the team. Seems we only buy midfielders now.
Kayal – I disagree but then only Mr Hodgson knows the answer. In any case if I follow your logic moving to England would make no difference to FF’s chances?
“Part of the anyone who disagrees with me is a fool brigade. ”
Neganon, Ironically you are the only person I’ve noticed on here who acts like that.
“At last….someone who is not an idiot” was the line I believe.
Natknow – a classic post
“I’d say the opposite was true. It’s been much more enjoyable to read reasoned debate and positive comment from those who prefer to support the team than the continual boring drone of people making the same dull and ill-thought out remarks that are usually detached from any form of logical argument and are in fact simply tightly held prejudices”.
Part of the anyone who disagrees with me is a fool brigade. Perhaps you can join Tony Donnelly in his campaign to call anyone who disagrees a hun and hopefully ban them from the site.
Brilliant logic
I have to say that it was a brilliant post. See, to me the people who post random negative nonsense although they think are for the cause of Celtic and might win some favour somewhere are just like the unhappy guy who sits near everyone at the game. They stand not clapping or cheering at the beginning, never applaud brilliance or skill, only ever moan and hurl abuse (usually at the player on lowest form who needs support most of all). From this I often conclude they aren’t too knowledgeable on the game itself and when things aren’t going their way, storm out of the stadium early like a petulant child. I always think these people open their bills on the way to the stadium or take the route with most traffic jams.
That’s how I see the random haters on here and everyone, like those who sit next to them at the game wants to tell to p*+# off and let others enjoy themselves, but, as good Tims we never do and just try and understand the hurt and pain which must lead to the constant negativity. Please lighten up HH
If they were the same club all this austerity would be them saving up to pay the tax owed.
Zombies no more no less.
Follow following a tribute act.
Dignity in cheating and stealing from Her Majesties Revenue.
It drips with irony!
SFTB @ 16 52 20th
How I wholeheartedly agreed with your post here (and many others) especially the last paragraph!
“The only fair route for all past, present and future clubs is to administer the rules as they exist at the time, interpreted without fear or favour”.
Which set me thinking back to the old flags and banners debate and what a superb one this would make. On the grounds of having fair play for all, rich or poor , big or small! Not just Celtic but all clubs. The right colours and slogan, that would be a cause worth fighting for, above and beyond nationalities.
I’m getting carried away with myself now!!
I haven’t had a cause I could believe in for years,political or national that had a chance of succeeding. Just maybe a start????
Think I’ll go out for a drink it’s 7pm here and I’m on the road again tomorrow.
tusker
Djokovic & wawrinka 5 each in final set.
JHJ 11:49 on 21 January, 2014
“Regarding Fraser Forster – would it not help his England world cup hopes (given English opinion of Scottish Football) that maybe we should loan him to a top club e.g. Swansea who have a goalkeeper problem for the rest of the season and get him back for next season.”
Surely a joke?
ttt…
Anoying isn’t it?
I doubt BT would for example confuse Jones and Evans at MU.
However…
In the Celtic Official History DVD set, disc 1, when the talents of Jimmy Delaney are being discussed and illustrated pictures of Willie Lyon are several times used instead of JD. Now in fact there were physical similarities but one picture had Lyon standing behind Delaney and still it was Lyon who was highlighted!!!
In fact, if I remember correctly, the DVD then soon moved on to a section on WL and, you’ve guessed it used the same photos!!!
So such mistakes can be made and although they are irritating, to err is human.
HH
JohnnyClash
11:59 on
21 January, 2014
Absolutely incredible. Possibly the best I’ve ever seen them, and I’ve been seeing them since the 90s. We got 3 more songs after the broadcast including Helicon2 and I think it’s the first time I’ve ever heard that live where you could still make out the individual guitar parts in the ‘noisy’ section. Perfect.
NegAnon2
11:45 on 21 January, 2014
Natknow – a classic post
“I’d say the opposite was true. It’s been much more enjoyable to read reasoned debate and positive comment from those who prefer to support the team than the continual boring drone of people making the same dull and ill-thought out remarks that are usually detached from any form of logical argument and are in fact simply tightly held prejudices”.
Part of the anyone who disagrees with me is a fool brigade. Perhaps you can join Tony Donnelly in his campaign to call anyone who disagrees a hun and hopefully ban them from the site.
Brilliant logic
——————————————————————————————————————–
I wasn’t making a logical point. Like KevJ, I was expressing a subjective opinion. I have enjoyed the blog more recently for the reasons I stated. KevJ prefers a bit of a barney.
I have no problem with people who hold a different opinion from me at all. I called no-one a fool and I’ve never called anyone a hun – unless in jest when a new poster joins.
Maybe you should’ve gone to SpecSavers.
Kayal,
I’m not disagreeing but how can you claim ff won’t increase his chances if he moves south?
Obviously it will come down to form.
But how many caps did your third choice (ruddy) get playing for the 10 non premier league clubs?
And how many caps did he get playing for motherwell?
We seem to be filling our squad with midfielders I dont know why ? when it is obvious that we need a tried and tested goal scoring striker.Celtic are either playing a blinder by keeping it quite about any probable striker signing or they dont agree with Lennie and the support that we need one. H.H.
tourtenay
11:41 on 21 January, 2014
Richie/Magnus
Do you believe NFL is being by-passed with a number of signing’s coming into Celtic, it does seem a wee bit strange, especially so soon after singing them that Balde and Pukki may be put out on loan!
Speaking for myself, I would be reluctant to give credence to the Sun’s Rumours.
weeminger/JohnnyClash
which radio station had Mogwai on last night? I love them and would check for a podcast…
Geordie Munro
12:14 on 21 January, 2014
Didn’t say he wouldn’t improve his chances by moving south, just that I don’t think Hodgson will pick him either way. His first and second picks are cast in stone, and given that Ruddy was in squad for the majority of the qualifying campaign, then being the conservative coach he is he’ll more than likely stick with him. Butland was ahead of FF in the pecking order before slipping back due to lack of games, his return to action with Stoke will boost his outside chances.
What’s the story with Djurcic, is there a story or just gum flapping. The guy looks too good not to be interesting “the big boys” but if we can get him then wow, sock it to me. What price would we be required to pay to get him and does he want to come to us??
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
Natknow – do you understand the concept of a blog such as this?????
Martim – what you are doing is following the logic of ïf someone doesnt do as I do are act as I do then there is something wrong with them”
I coould equally say those who blindly and happily accept everything said by celtic make the board complacent and therefore directly harm celtic.
Joe Filippis Haircut
12:14 on 21 January, 2014
We think we’re Spain. No striker, false number 9, loads of midfielders.
Craig Levein for manager is the next step ;-)