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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Even if we brought in ” one or two” players for the qualifiers, would they be of sufficient quality to make a major impact on the squad, given the short time scale.
Other factors are, a new coaching set up, who have to get to know the existing squad.
Wouldn’t ‘t it be better to work with players who know each other, than trying to integrate lads into a new squad and environment from scratch.
Add in the Murrayfield factor and, for me, it is a case of going with who we know until we get the early rounds out of the way, or not.
January was the time to bring in players for the CLQs, and that is almost impossible to do, if you want quality.
KINGLUBO
10:35 on
26 June, 2014
You cannot punish the whole Uruguayan team for an act which was missed by the match officials on the day
The player should be dealt with by FIFA in accordance with their rules
The MSM love whipping some of you into a frenzy, endless posts about Suraez
And anyway….Does anybody truly believe that independence will be allowed, never mind voted for.
Its quite clear to me,that if the people of Scotland vote for independence….the powers that be(The British State) will simply rig the vote….this is the reality of so called parliamentary democracy.
You may think you live in a democracy and have a free vote, I beg to differ.
Politicians are not to be trusted….you would think in this day and age, that peoples understanding of politics would evolve slightly, yet….people still want to push the ideology of political elites….wake up.
HH
Thindimebhoy
10:39 on 26 June, 2014
So if the SNP won’t be ruling Scotland, their white paper, produced at taxpayer’s expense, doesn’t actually provide any answers to what would happen in a separate Scotland ?
Is that what you’re saying, or have I misunderstood you?
I doubt Suarez getting his teeth into anything would be big news if England were still in the world cup
Sure he done wrong and should be punished according to the rules of the game but we have seen worse from elbows mulculloch
I’m just amazed players managed to keep their teeth intact when tussling with him
I am inclined to agree thomthethim, whatever about previous years, I would think with new Management team we will be best served with going with what we have for the first few weeks. When we do open the cheque book, I’d rather we buy 2 quality players than 4 or 5 projects. We have plenty of decent squad players, no point in adding to the numbers. The problem is that the Club has two agendas, one to put a quality team on the park and two to make money by converting projects into quality players.
Thindimebhoy
10:47 on
26 June, 2014
If opponents take measures on pitch to deal with Suarez or referees now watch him very closely punishing any misdemeanours he does, then no need for media frenzy, it is the consequences of Suarez previous behaviour, he is a big boy if he can dish it out then he can accept what he gets in return
Mansgame.csc
ernie lynch
10:46 on
26 June, 2014
No. It shows what they might hope to do if they were in power after Yes. It’s a document that needed to be produced to at least give an indication of the way forward. It would be damning on their position were they not to produce it.
On the other hand there are some criticising Labour et al for not producing even a hint of a plan on how they would shape things in the event of a Yes. However, you’d hardly expect them to hole their own case below the waterline by doing so, would you.
I suspect all parties involved have some very concrete plans for either outcome.
thomthethim for Oscar OK
I think that is the club strategy.
It has worked before and they won’t change it now.
I just hope we buy wisely. Rather than buy 2 players like Derk and Pukki it may make more sense to just splash out on one player who will be a CL quality player and hit the ground running. To be fair all signings are a gamble and I hope our new coaching team can get Derk and Pukki up to speed and playing like they can. They have been hugely dissapointing so far. I expected much from them especially Derk who by all accounts was a very fine player in the Dutch league.
I think Griffiths will have a huge season. He will rattle in plenty goals for Celtic. I know he has issues away from the ground. He is a daft Bhoy but on the pitch he is alert and hungry for goals. If you look back at his catalogue he scores a rake of diffferent goals. he can score free kicks and long range efforts as well as in the box and headers as well. I would prefer him not to take the corners though. It always bugs me that a centre forward takes the corners. He should either be in the box or at the edge of the box for cleared balls.
It’s an exciting season ahead. We should see something different. We have a new management team who will change things around. We may have a different style of play to go with it. Hopefully it means goals. I’m looking forward to it already. I hope our Bhoys in Brazil get back injury free. The only concern I still have with the new season round the corner. Praise for big Efe yesterday thought he had a fine match.
LB
corkcelt
10:49 on
26 June, 2014
Club is IMO downsizing top wage offered
Converting projects into saleable assets to the EPL
I am sure we will succeed in the SPFL, and with a bit of luck in the draw in which we are seeded make the group stages of the C/L
However i am concerned that we will suffer in C/L group stages with a lack of quality
hoopy-do
10:20 on
26 June, 2014
Glad Luis is not our responsibility.
Don`t want to reopen the case but I`m told his early development ” situation ” would provide mitigating circumstances.
corkcelt,
Thanks for the response.
There is no point, on the one hand, the coach saying that he will assess each player in his squad, then preempting that by bringing in new players, before completing that assessment.
The CLQs will be an ideal arena to assess the qualities of his players and every one of them will bust a gut to make the cut.
Our immediate strength is in having a cohesive squad, where everybody knows your name!
cheerscsc.
ernie lynch
A yes vote as you well know changes the whole ball game
There will be a Scottish general election after independence
For the first time in Scottish history the majority of Scots votes will always mean they vote the party in government
What’s not to like about that…?
I agree about Leigh, LiviBhoy, I’m expecting 30 plus goals from him. I hope I’m wrong but I can’t see any hope for Derk, Amido or Dylan and I also feel Beram needs new pastures as he has gone a bit stale on us. Maybe Ronny can work the oracle on them, we will have to wait & see. I don’t expect to see much movement of players in our out for the next month or so.
Be honest now….what is the difference between the SNP clique, and the Unionist clique?
Either way, Independence or not….Its still rule by a minority political elite.
Im always amazed, considering the obvious intellectual power of many many posters on this blog…how its possible, to promote the ideology of careerist politicians.
If there is going to be political debate on this blog, lets drop the ridiculous notion that voting for independence or not, will change anything….it wont.
The problem….is that people divest their power in idiots in parliament, because they cant be bothered to get off their arses to change things themselves….they then promote the views of the venal hypocrites who claim to represent the people.
So please…think for yourself….I don’t want to hear about the SNP/LABOUR/TORY lies and distortions….because they are all lies.
Thank You:)
HH
LiviBhoy
10:52 on
26 June, 2014
Derk who by all accounts was a very fine player in the Dutch league.
I walked with around a dozen or so Ajax fans to Celtic park on the night of our C/L fixture, they like us struggle to hold on to any quality they produce, they stated that 1 million euros a year was top salary at Ajax beyond that salary peak the players moved on to the big 5 countries, i asked about Derk ? they all laughed, called him the glass man, after last season i share their view
lionroars67
10:55 on
26 June, 2014
As Paul67 as alluded to in the past, I think our ability to generate revenue has more or less plateaued, but footballer wages are still rising, whereas the ordinary persons have at best been frozen for a while (in general).
When the current plan was in place it was roughly CL = profit, EL = break even, SPL only = loss. Now it’s only CL that generates profit.
I bet the improvement in quality whereby wages dictate that even CL = breakeven isn’t that great.
I really think it’s a horrible situation for the club to be in.
Bankiebhoy @ 9.04
Was baptised and married in St Paul’s Church. Started primary 1 in 1970 in the old school adjacent to the Church. Have gradually moved west since, now living in Dalmuir.
livibhoy,
Can’t disagree with anything you said.
I just have a feeling that there Pukki has something and progressive attack minding coaching can unearth it.
Also agree about Leigh. It’s his ability to drive a head high cross, with pace, that has him taking corners.
Ideally I would prefer him in the six yard box or lurking at the edge of the penalty area, where his quick reflexes and accuracy would pay dividends.
Lionroars
Yeah, harsh as I say but punishing the entire team would most certainly put an end, once and for all to all the nonsense methinks. Otherwise, the silly wee arse will just get on doing the same thing over and over again.
Dare I say it but Woodburn of der hun lost his livliehood for a damn site less.
Bottom line LS behaviour is just not acceptable and if unpunished then some other twat will do it .
So if Uruguay were to be punished by being eliminated then all the ramifications of that would certainly get the point across. Harsh but fair.
KINGLuBO
Oh but it feels good to be talking about the Celtic Football Team, there are about 6 having a say at the moment, you never know this could catch on.
Is LS the love child of Janet Street Porter and Ken Dodd
HH
So lhads….if you don’t mind….I will reserve the right to roll out The Green Man’s Virtual Guillotine, in the event of any party rhetoric fused with lazy journalism.
Democracy….Oh my sides are killing me…stop it:)
HH
weeminger
11:03 on
26 June, 2014
I agree the financial reality of ever increasing wage levels of clubs in the big 5 countries, who have clubs that can combine sugar daddy ownership and increasing TV revenue is very unfair on Celtic, and a host of clubs in many countries from outwith the big 5. It is a situation UEFA have still not got to grips with yet, FFP is not the answer
TTT,
Pukki, given the chance, will double his tally from last season. Fact ;)
Livibhoy
Thought the performance of Efe yesterday was the best of our Bhoys at this World Cup so far.
The Green Man
I agree. Do you honestly believe that the owners of big business would leave any important decisions to clowns like Cameron, Osborne, Blair, Obama etc. NO CHANCE!
All important decisions are taken in the boardrooms of the big corporations. The politicians, of whatever hue, must work within those restrictions.
Scottish people have a chance to bring SOME decision making closer to home if they vote Yes. The same restrictions will apply but we won’t have to put up with the Old Etonian/Oxbridge posh boys for half of the time. Plus there’s a chance we can get rid of WMD from Scotland.
WWW
:))) Well there is a Liverpool link. :)
Dd,
Plus 1 neebs.
corkcelt
11:09 on 26 June, 2014
Oh but it feels good to be talking about the Celtic Football Team, there are about 6 having a say at the moment, you never
**********
Amen to that.
Imagine if we infested the blog with our parochial political problems!
thomthethim for Oscar OK
If everyone in that squad can’t take a decent corner then it should be first on the list of actions for the new coaching squad. JC was a fine striker of a dead ball so hopefully they are all being drilled on it. Hopefully we can vary our corners and free kicks a bit. Reading the secret footballer the players are given dossiers on each player and are drilled on dead balls for a week before games. Probably more in depth for big games. The opposition know exatly what the other team are going to do. Even if they change their signals before the game they can work them out quickly. We should be mixing them up and trying different things. Keep them guessing.
As far as Pukki goes he definitely looks a player. I don’t know what’s wrong with the Bhoy. He never looks happy.
Hopefully our new management team can get something from these guys. Derk just looks scared. I can’t tolerate a player not going in for the ball. Saw him jump out of things a few times.
LB
If Ronny turns pukki into a 1st eleven player , he will turn out to be one of the best managers in Europe. Pukki has had one ok season ( not great ) season in his career He has failed outside Finland He should be punted ASAP. He was a last minute signing cause PL would not release funds to Neil
Derk. Indeed a few Dutch guys that I have met say useless
Amido. Well what can u say
Over 6m of money down the drain
Money would have been better spent on one player who had actually proved it before
The 3 duds never have or never will be top class players
geordie munro
11:15 on 26 June, 2014
TTT,
Pukki, given the chance, will double his tally from last season. Fact ;)
*******
He may even treble it! : > )
ger57
As long as we allow these corrupt politicians to run our lives….things will never change.
People have to be educated to the reality of the political class.
A small group of people run this country, its been that way for centuries, I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
People are too lazy and comfortable in this country to effect real change, they cant be bothered, so they are quite happy to ignore the inhumanity….they cant be bothered, they are too busy.
HH
HH
CL dates confirmed on club website murrayfield 07:45 on the 22nd. Reykjavik 07:15 on the 15th.
THE dates for Celtic’s UEFA Champions League second qualifying round games against KR Reykjavic have now been confirmed and the first leg, new manager Ronny Deila’s first competitive game in charge, will be played in Iceland.
The away tie will be played on Tuesday, July 15 in the Icelandic capital and the game there has a 7:15pm kick-off time.
The home tie, due to be played at Murrayfield will go ahead on Tuesday, July 22 with a 7:45pm kick-off.
A three-day package from Celtic FC Travel is available to season ticket holders wishing to travel to Iceland, departing from Glasgow on July 15 and priced at £785 pp based on a twin share
Due to the peak holiday season a limited number of places are available.
Season Ticket holders booking through Celtic FC Travel are guaranteed a match ticket. Match Ticket pricing will be confirmed at a later date.
For more information and to book your place please visit http://www.celticfctravel.com
delaneys dunky
Ok,wit about Bella Lugosi wiz his sire ; )))
HH
TTT,
That’d put him over 20 goals, which a sellic striker should probably get, but double will do me.
Baby steps :)