Greek tragedy, angry man narrative concludes

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The world likes nothing more than an idiot to make us all feel better about ourselves.  The World Cup has duly delivered.  An otherwise intelligent, multi-lingual, footballer, has debased the game, and himself, despite twice before facing the world’s censure.

I feel for Italy, who should have seen an opponent sent off before they conceded the goal which put them out of the tournament, for Giorgio Chiellini, the victim of the assault, and manager Cesare Prendelli, who resigned after leading a large nation to failure in a group which Uruguay and Costa Rica progressed from.  Few in our game are selfless enough to resign from any job, so he deserves credit, but the prevailing narrative on the offender sits uncomfortably.

Instead of asking “Why?” the most obvious question is “Why did anyone think he wouldn’t?”

A man loses control of his emotions, gets angry and reacts in an inexplicable way he has repeatedly done so before, despite calmly delivered assurances he would never do so again.  It’s not exactly a unique human tale.

What if he was a wife beater, would anyone be surprised?  Some men repeatedly lose control, get angry and indulge in an inexplicable act of violence against the person they are most dependent on (women have been known to regularly ‘lose it’ too, of course).

I don’t know what the treatment programme for wife beaters is, but I’m pretty sure it’s completely separate from any punishment.  Does fear of punishment, condemnation, or of hurting yourself or your loved ones, matter the instant before an attack?  I suspect not.

Suarez is not repeatedly beating a helpless victim, so I’m not equating him with those who do, but his case is more difficult to resolve.  You can tell a wife beater not to get drunk (etc.), but Suarez’ trigger is the tension which arises on the football field.  He will feel this tension again and we should expect him to react in the same uncontrollable way.  In fact, opponents are now more likely to provoke him, so, if anything, the rate of incidence is likely to increase.

Like the bully who is not fit to be alone with his loved ones, Suarez is literally not fit to be on a football field.  To protect him, and others, from himself, he should be removed from the game until that rage is under control.  This may also rob him of his mojo, which is a very great pity.

The other narrative of the week is that the game should not only value people who lose control of their emotions but should put them in charge, as it takes anger to get results.  Watch the adherents to this doctrine line up to condemn the logical conclusion of their strategy.

Dreadful news that David Taylor, one of our own, former SFA chief executive and latterly one of the top men at Uefa, died.  Our condolences to his family.

I was delighted when Greece were awarded an injury time penalty when needing a goal against Ivory Coast but the trauma when Georgios picked up the ball!  Things are still raw….  Fortunately Georgios is not prone to letting his emotions get out of check.  The coolest man on the planet acted like he was training at Lennoxtown.  So pleased for him.

Cast your memory back to the “Greek tragedy” goading the player received from ITV commentators during World Cup 2010, based on his limited exposure at Manchester City.  They’ve all learned now.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Celtic Graves raffle, which was drawn by Celtic FC Foundation chief exec, Tony Hamilton.  First name out of the Celtic carrier bag and winner of Scott Brown’s boot was Edward John Gavin Whyte.  Second name out and winner of Virgil Van Dijk’s boot was Erin McCafferty.

Just over £1,000 was raised and half of this will go to the hospice who looked after Wee Oscar.

Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his book, All the Best.

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  1. HT

     

     

    Well if you wouldn’t pi88 on them if they were on fire you shouldn’t have to put up with that… ;-)

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  2. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    HT

     

     

    I dont think it matters really. It will be mixed all over the place.

     

     

    HH

  3. I have so much time for England and English people but even my hackles rise at the phrase, ‘you can see why some English clubs have taken a look at him..,,’

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  4. Delaneys Dunky on

    HT

     

     

    Your hairstyle was similar then as now. I was the now bald Tim with a near afro then. :))

     

    Was a regular at the time you drank there.

     

    Bought over by a local wrong wan and renamed Bears Den with the accompaniement loyalist juke box and colour scheme. Temple Tims ensured that venture didnae last long in Scurvyland. ;))

  5. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    HT

     

     

    a mate sorted them out for me so I dont want to start complicating matters for him.

     

     

    HH

  6. Awe Naw

     

     

    Not a problem, I would have stolen CT’s if you’d been looking for a Celtic end ticket!

  7. A few posters have bemoaned the fact that we have not bought anyone . They suggest we are taking a gamble by not buying now. This implies that any purchase would make qualification less of a risk. If you think Celtic should spend to make CL qualification more likely, then obviously we need to buy better than we already have.So to the big question. Who do we buy to replace whom and how much would that cost?

     

     

    JJ

  8. leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon on

    Delaneys Dunky & Eldiegobhoy

     

     

    :))))

     

    Keep yer mam & bampot lives seperate:)))

     

     

    Mine is still HIGHLY suspicious of me talking to strange men from all over the world on that thing(laptop)

     

     

    Even more so when a certain somebody from Swindon:)))) phoned me and asked for her.

     

    The look on her face when I handed her the phone and says “it’s one of those men for you”

     

    You would have thought I was handing my arachnaphobic daughter a tarantula :))))

     

     

    She still talks about men phoning the house. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm :))))

  9. Margaret McGill on

    I believe there is a FIFA blood rule to protect players from hepatitis, AIDS and other infectious blood borne diseases that they need to leave the field of play. To excuse Suarez for his cannibalistic thuggery and comparing it to plain Pepe type thuggery is ignorance in the extreme. Whats the alternative excuse? That opponents will all need shots when playing against Uruguay or Liverpool?

  10. leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon on

    Long day

     

    Gooooood night all

     

    Missed first half as was watching Panorama on the phone hacking.

     

    “nest of vipers” is the nicest phrase I can think of.

     

     

    Sleep well all

  11. Delaneys Dunky on

    Leftclick

     

     

    Common theme here!

     

    Both our Mammys suspicious of BMCUW? Mmmmm. :))))

  12. !!Bada Bing!! on

    Uruguay FA blame Italy & England,predictable nonsense,which will enable Saurez to do a runner to Spain.

  13. Delaneys Dunky on

    HT

     

     

    The Lock was where you took the Temple ladies. The Lindin was the gang hut. :)

  14. DD,

     

     

    Is the Mamma Mia still on the go?

     

     

    That was the nearest to B&S when I was there.

     

     

    I know the Esquire has changed, had an engagement party in there. :(

     

     

    I always thought the lindenit was called the London…had one off my first pints in there as a sixteen year old apprentice.

  15. !!Bada Bing!! on

    JJ- The board have scaremongered (hope that’s a word) the support about the death of the hun through reckless spending,total nonsense of course.If PL says it’s vital to qualify for the CL,why don’t we give ourselves the best possible chance in doing so? We need a striker,a back up LB for Izzy, a playmaker from midfield IMO HH

  16. Delaneys Dunky on

    Sipsini

     

     

    Mamma mia is now BJs (nae laughing) No my fave bar. Too many thems.

  17. ulysses mcghee - a demographic of one on

    Paul67

     

     

    Bit late but I’d have urged you earlier on to take down this post.

     

     

    You don’t have enough knowledge (Overall) of domestic abuse to use it as a counter balance.

     

     

    And if you do, then you’re selling Women down the drain with one of your comments.

     

     

    Ill conceived, and ill displayed mate.

     

     

    There’s no context will fix it.

     

     

    Poor choice.

     

     

    Pull it.

     

     

    U

  18. Margaret McGill on

    ulysses mcghee – a demographic of one

     

     

    22:44 on 25 June, 2014

     

     

    Naw I disagree. I think many Celtic supporters cannot wait to be sodomized by Huns again.

     

    Yes you read it on here first.

  19. eddieinkirkmichael on

    Should have been 2 french red cards tonight for violent conduct. As the ref never spotted them we will now have an inquiry and everyone will be putraged and call for bans, will be interesting if any of these players have ever been used violent conduct before as this will mean they should expect longer bans as they have previous for this type of thing.

  20. leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon on

    jamesgang

     

    Yes sir it was.

     

    A day that will live long in the memory.

     

     

    This time

     

    Good night all (promise).

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