It took until 5th October but Celtic are top of the Scottish Premiership for the first time. The valiant stand by the Highlanders went the way of Culloden but whereas the competition for first place us over for the season, the league has a promising look to it.
The SPL suffered for many years not exclusively because Celtic and Rangers dominated but because those teams who should have been snapping at their heels – the city clubs – were hugely underachieving.
Motherwell have done enormously well finishing ‘best of the rest’ for three years but they are inhibited by being the third best supported team in Motherwell (population 30,311). Their coaching and scouting infrastructure would provide a completely different platform if they were one of the top-flight clubs from Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.
Below Celtic sit Motherwell, and the other very well run SPFL club, Inverness, but behind them are Aberdeen and Dundee United, who for once sit above the detritus (sorry, Kilmarnock, but you are a terribly run football club) and plucky upstarts (Ross County, from Dingwall, population 5,026). Even Hibs are rallying. They will return to the top half of the table if they beat Partick Thistle tonight.
Of the big city clubs, only Hearts (in Administration) are off the pace, and even their league status is bound to be rescued when Kilmarnock’s name is inevitably written with the accompanying parenthesis.
As we’ve noted here often before, when the Daily Record finally acknowledges the reality Celtic websites have long explained about the Rangers group of clubs, you know it’s too late to do anything about it. Today’s piece in the newspaper confirms what we’ve known for a long time, the white flag has been raised. If they were more circumspect before declaring the unquestionable business acumen of the Ibrox key-holder, at any point over the last 15 years, the spivs would have been unable to fill their boots.
All those fawning pieces simply enabled the misdeeds.
While we are on the topic of enablers, what is the price of loyalty? £825k, apparently.
Congratulations to all who participated in the Great Scottish Run for 1254125. It turned into a great Celtic day with participants ranging from the dedicated athletes to those on the high side of 20st who grabbed the chance to make a different to their own lives, as well as others.
It’s happening again next year, so you have plenty time to get ready. The sooner you start preparing the better.
My sincere thanks to the many people who contributed to the 1254125 MyDonate page I put up on Friday. It now sits at an incredible £935, I’ll leave it up for a few days more to see if we can break into four figures.
Thanks for all your help.
Order Sean Fallon, Celtic’s Iron Man, below.
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Morning all..
Just on the topic of alcohol being allowed again, it’s bad enough waiting in 20/25 min queues for the crappy overpriced food (pizzas are nice, when hot) how long will it take to buy a couple of pints..
HH
Good morning fellow Celts from mild dry Renfrewshire
See the chat on Lasley- I had a worm’s eye view (from front South stand West). of that tackle on Matty. My thoughts at the time were that it was a sharp tackle, no more, and that Matty had fallen clumsily onto his shoulder. At no point was anyone around me shouting for a penalty – although we were very concerned for Matty as he was clearly hurt.
We were all fizzing about the earlier challenge on Stokesy.
Which leads me to my point. All the Celtic players know about Lasley- that type of player can be dealt with in the normal course of the match. I don’t like the suggestion last nite that someone should be breaking his leg , that type if comment really does no-one in the Celtic family any favours.
The type if injury Matty received is common with cyclists coming off a bike- it is sore as hell but not an unusual injury when coming down in a straight arm or hunched shoulder
My only criticism of Lenny would be that he should have one or two lads who know how to handle guys like Lasley – they don’t need to be very big or even outwardly aggressive
Auld, Hay ..Barry Robson..
It’s all part of the game and suspect Lenny’s lack of direct condemnation is due to his expectation that his players need to learn how to handle that stuff out on the park…
But they are not learning ! Sooo Lenny needs to address that in the next window
Refs will never protect our players.
The best Celtic teams knew how to look after one another…then they got on with the fitba
Roy Keane said something like this-
‘ sometimes you need to win the battle before you can get to play football..’
He knew how to look after his mates!!
Many Celtic fans still appear to think Newco will go into liquidation if that club worked with the same set of rules that apply to every other club in question I would perhaps agree.However,Newco work in my opinion outside of normal rules surely we have seen that clearly over the past couple of years I believe that it has always been the case but at the moment it is partly out in the open I say partly as we are only seeing what they want us to see the rest is still covered in a cloak of secrecy £4 or 4 million will make no difference they are receiving assistance and will continue to do so unfortunately I still expect to see them back in the SPL two seasons from now. H.H.
THE Rangers fan who pretended to hold a knife to Neil Lennon’s throat has apologised to the Celtic boss for his “stupid joke”.Colin Gillespie said his stunt was meant to be private “banter” with a pal – but he posted the photo on a public Facebook page by mistake.Gillespie froze a TV image of Lennon after last Tuesday’s game against Barcelona then posed in front of it grinning and holding a large knife to the manager’s neck.He put the photo on Facebook, where it became public.Lennon, who has faced years of abuse and violence while at Celtic Park, said last week that the “disturbing” image had upset his family.And Ulsterman Gillespie, who has a 16-year-old son, insisted yesterday that he never meant to “cause harm or upset anyone”.He said: “I thought I was sending my friend a private message. It was only supposed to be a joke. It was a stupid thing to do and I regret it.“When I heard it upset Lennon’s family, I felt terrible. I’ve spent days thinking about how I could make it right.“On Sunday I sent a letter to Celtic addressed to Neil Lennon, apologising for my actions.“Hopefully he will see it. I’d like to sincerely apologise to Neil Lennon and his family for the pain and stress I’ve caused.”Gillespie, of Gosport, Hampshire, said he took the photo to have a laugh with a Celtic-supporting friend who lives nearby.He added: “We constantly give each other banter and it’s always very harmless. When I posted the picture on his Facebook page, I thought he was the only one who would see it.“Obviously the picture doesn’t make me look great but I’m not like that at all, I’m a huge joker and I like to have a laugh.“At first my friend thought it was funny, but he’s since deleted it from his Facebook page.”Lennon has suffered physical attacks because of his job and has been sent fake bombs and bullets in the post.He spoke about Gillespie’s photo last week, saying: “It is upsetting for my family more than anything else.“It doesn’t affect me all that much but what’s concerning is the mindset of some people.“Whether it’s innocent or they think it’s funny, for me it is disturbing. You like to think those days have gone but obviously not.”
Now that’s it all sorted, och nice to get a bit of coverage to show what a nice guy he is.!
HH
micktt
09:25 on 8 October, 2013
THE Rangers fan who pretended to hold a knife to Neil Lennon’s throat
Oh is from DR….just noticed why is the, the….. as THE…..
HH
micktt
09:25 on 8 October, 2013
“Lennon has suffered physical attacks because of his job and has been sent fake bombs and bullets in the post”
Only fake bombs that us ok then……
Morning all
marrakesh express
that was my first thoughts too,anything that corrupt get does is only to benefit one team,as regards the alcohol in stadiums i think if its stewarded/policed properly like the kerrydale bar it will be a success and due to this beeing a kind of test case we will see more when the Celtic triangle is complete,Celtic have now realised the amount of supporters near the ground on match days is worth the investment to create new facilities which in return generate income for the club,i used the bar prior to the recent morton game had two pints and a chicken burger all excellent quality and didnt even think of the cost as i know its going straight to the club.remember the club has been selling alcohol for dome years albeit to restricted clientele in restaurants or private lounges .the Champions lounge for example ran for several years opened only to affiliation members at £40/season and was very well run the kerrydale bar is a continuation of this only opened to fans with matchday tickets..whats not to like
Chairbhoy,
Have to disagree on responsibility to protect our players, the board are fully responsible for the health and well being of all the club employees, they are duty bound to ensure the players are protected. There is no conflict of interest nor is anyone needed to be drafted in to do the job. The board are fully responsible and need to be reminded it appears. Formal complaint needs to be made to the SFA and UEFA. I also believe they should be encouraging the insurance company to consider litigation.
Potentially on grounds of incompetence charges against the ref and SFA.
But in the end the board are responsible for placing employees in danger.
sixtaeseven
08:38 on 8 October, 2013
”However, I can’t understand why they postponed their only home match in October: the money-spinning top of the table clash against the mighty Pars.”
####
Unless the plan IS to tun out of money.
That then paves the way for a sale a leaseback of the stadium and training ground.
Micktt
its ok he was only joking with his m8 and thought it was a private message..we slap on the wrists..nothing to see here timmy
If ipox is in a state of disrepair how much could they expect to sell it for?
Surely a survey would be required?
tommysbhoy
09:40 on 8 October, 2013
Mickttits ok he was only joking with his m8 and thought it was a private message..we slap on the wrists..nothing to see here timmy
Yeah, Mr Gillespie is from the six counties, so he wouldn’t understand how his actions could be taken for nothing more than a laugh. A character he is…
HH
Micktt
as funny as peter sutcliffe at a an avon party
Joke, Bombs.
Joke, Bullets.
Joke, Knives.
Joke, Threats.
Joke, Songs about us all going home to Ireland because the famine is over.
Jim Traynor said if we can’t take a bit of fun we should simply Go, in his Ditty Vacant piece in the DR he concluded.
“So, to all those, of any religion or race, who think Scotland is such a bad, twisted place full of bigots and racists there is only one thing to say.
Go.
Go on, just gather up your prejudices, take your suspicions and pack your loathing of Scotland.
Go find a better place to live and leave us to get on with the job of making something good of this country.”
Wonder what happened to Traynor?
GourockEmeraldBhoy “Supporting Wee Oscar the Warrior”
09:08 on
8 October, 2013
Morning all..
Just on the topic of alcohol being allowed again, it’s bad enough waiting in 20/25 min queues for the crappy overpriced food (pizzas are nice, when hot) how long will it take to buy a couple of pints..
—Good point-however if bars are designed properly and staffed correctly then it is easily achievable-other large venues do it-committing the correct investment in the right dispense equipment, bar layouts and staff is the answer. HH
BT
they were meant to hold back £7m for stadium repairs from the ipo money..dont think they put as penny into it..dont know how it even got a safety certificate..oh wait i we do
Johan
Know of any one?
If Awwy Wamont is on the case with the colourful Sith Efrican……
…….then there must soon be
……………….. another round of rockets
havin’ a go at the Edmiston Casino “Royale” roulette wheel……….
“PutAwyou’veGoatOanBlooSpin” CSC
canamalar prays oscar can do it again @ 09:39 on 8 October, 2013
I take it you missed out a ;-) at the end of your post; that your tongue is firmly in your cheek.
I suppose the board could protect their employees (the players) by ensuring they never take to the field. Oh! wait. What about training? They should cancel that too.
I’ll not miss out the ;-)
Scum holds knife to tv with Lennon he is a ‘football supporter’ in the Daily Ranger.
Comes out all contrite and apologetic today and he is now a ‘rangers supporter’.
One Nation…
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
09:41 on
8 October, 2013
If ipox is in a state of disrepair how much could they expect to sell it for?
Surely a survey would be required?
………………………………………………………………….
depends who the buyer is.. you never know; handshake is a good as a contract for thems…..
Knives, fake bombs and bullets? Banter about famines and going home?
Really funny bunch that lot, aren’t they?
Ledley at junior huns(in admln).
Wanyama at st midden.
both red cards!.
lasley nowt! says it all lads.
keep the faith.
big sean.
I have decided to boycott all Scottish cup games after SFA allowed a man who told us to go home and called us paedos on line to make draw.
Thought long and hard about it because I am missing watching the team I love but I can no longer line the SFA pockets.
GooooooooooooooD morning……….
C……… Q……… news……….
Bifjoeindaaaaaahouse
Cracker O A day in the Costa Blanca………
Must be 28 in the shade……
BigjoechillinintheShade
BT..hold Ill get back to you on that one :) hh
Rangers fan who pretended to hold a knife to Neil Lennon’s throat in sick Facebook photo apologises to Celtic manager
Why use the word….. ” pretended”……….
He blood deny well did……
BigjoeindaaaaaBoat
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
09:41 on 8 October, 2013
“If ipox is in a state of disrepair how much could they expect to sell it for?
Surely a survey would be required?”
Depends on the intentions of the buyer. If you were looking to buy it with the intention of maintaining a football stadium on the site then surveys would be important. If the the buyer sees it as a land transaction with no intention of using it as a football ground then surveys of the existing buildings are of lesser importance.
Joe
Re you in the shade or on the boat? 8)
Tommysbbhoy
I have still to get to the figures part of their Annual Report ( got stuck at their absurd statement on the cause of reduced sponsorship) but they did say the in the IPO that around £5m would be spent on ground purchase and stadium maintenance.
I’ll need to look out for what was actually spent. Cheers
Big Joe
10:24 on
8 October, 2013
It would need to be “held a knife to the throat of an image of Neil Lennon” to avoid the pretended part.
PedantCSC#1
Gordon_J
Anti social networking?
I have suspected for some time that any serious safety or structural issues with that ground may be dealt with by the commonwealth games fund…….as it is in the best interests of the whole commonwealth that the rugby 7 be held there…..it is isn’t it? I mean there is no other venue available…………built by Glasgow council, maintained by Glasgow Council…….hope I’m wrong but worth a watch.
Canamalar @ 09:39,
“Have to disagree on responsibility to protect our players, the board are fully responsible for the health and well being of all the club employees, they are duty bound to ensure the players are protected. There is no conflict of interest nor is anyone needed to be drafted in to do the job. The board are fully responsible and need to be reminded it appears. Formal complaint needs to be made to the SFA and UEFA. I also believe they should be encouraging the insurance company to consider litigation…”
Well as usual you make good coherent points, if there was a process that worked without fear or favour I’d be with you.
It’s not the way I see it though.
Some mentioned the Dougie Dougie penalty, well that was reviewed by 7, yes sevem experts, all o them said it wasn’t a penalty.
I showed it to a dozen neutrals ALL said it was a pen.
When the Referees strike was on, that is when the SFA could not provide Referees for Scottish games and the SPL had to go to other federations to supply the match officials.
Celtic complained to UEFA and they were told it was a matter for the local Federation i.e. The SFA.
As for insurance companies, they are smart cookies and know how to price risk – guess Celtic’s premium in the SPL would be something.
No, for me we have to be smart…
Get in someone that comment after the matches…
We are hugely dissappionted we didn’t take our chances, but Morton put on a back to the wall ~ yada yada yada…
We started well but we allowed Kilmarnock back in ~ yada yada ~ 7 goals though what an entertaining game.
That was a disgrace, Lasley knew what he was doing, you could tell by how he got up an ran away, didn’t even go over to see how Adam was…
How the Referee does not see that is beyond me, he was in a great position, in Football’s major Leagues that would never be allowed, now while I’m at it yada yada yada…
Alex Ferguson did it Seaon after Season in England, while the rules allowed it he had Keane in there to stiffin’ a few but afterwards he protected his players by highlighting every inept display by an official and every dodgy decision or tackle.
Or manager is not going to get away with that, not in Scotland, so we need someone that can, someone to bring Scottish Football into the 21srt Century.
Once again thanks for the considered reply but the more the inner workings of The Scottish Football Establishment are exposed the more I look for Celtic to progress outwith the whole shebang.
Hail Hail
how can sevco afford to do the leaseback? surely any lender does the same checks as when anyone applies for a mortgage I. e. the stadium surveys up at twenty million,they sell it and lease back at 2m p.a. so on the basis that they are losing 1m per month the are skint again in fifteen months…..so what bank or institution would back this? ….happy birthday young charliebhoy (the driver :¬) )
On the subject of bars in the stadium
I get down to the Stadium of Light a couple of times as season at least and one of the good points is the ability to enter the stadium an hour and half before kick off and enjoy a refreshment or two.
Their is also a marked contrast in the way you are treated in a number of areas.
Entering the stadium:
Sunderland – if you have a bag etc. it is highly unlikely you will be searched, indeed you could be carrying a picnic with a thermos flag full of coffee, tea or soup and you will be allowed to enter the stadium unhindered! You might also have full sealed bottles of “pop” (juice in our lingo) that you have bought outside the stadium and are allowed to take it in.
Celtic – I witnessed a group of school kids from Alabama, around 20 or so, all carrying backpacks etc. all looking excited about going to a “soccer” game until they encountered our fascist stewards who searched them with a zeal that was quite unnecessary and seemed to delight in making them throw any bottles of juice etc. into the bins. If you have the temerity to walk towards the turnstiles with a Celtic shop bag you are searched, women’s handbags are searched and woe betide you if you try and sneak a wee cartoon of juice in for your child rather than paying for the warm, overpriced, flat liquid inside.
Inside the stadium of light within the concourses there are several different concession stands, some are alcohol only, some are food only and some are a mixture of alcohol, soft drinks, hot drinks and food. You can buy bottled water and bottled drinks and take them to your seat. Buy a bottle of water at Celtic park or any other stadium and it is poured into a cup. Alcohol can only be consumed within the concourses.
You can also pre-order a half-time drink and snack which cuts down on the queuing and I admit I might be biased but the quality of the food on offer is excellent, in sharp contrast to the over priced crap on offer at Celtic park. The cost of the food is also cheaper and due to the amount of stands and staff working on them queues are not too bad.
Sunderland sell Fosters, Strongbow, Guinness, white, red and rose wine. It’s fairly reasonably priced. If I remember correctly it is £1.50 for a 500ml bottle of coca cola.
Football supporters in Scotland are treated terribly in comparison to supporters in England which is fairly ironic in so many ways! The worst violence I have ever encountered at any of the hundreds of matches I have attended has been at the stadium of light for games against Newcastle and Middlesbrough.
I have seen families sitting in the stadium of light having a picnic at halftime and pouring coffee out of a thermos flask into cups. Can you imagine what would happen up here if you tried to sneak a thermos flask into the stadium?
I am all for improving the match day experience and allowing the sale of alcohol is a good step but more needs to be done for supporters.
Celtic have made some great steps for younger fans these days with the installation of the Xboxes and all the art work etc. as well as Hoopy being available and other fun things for the kids (mind you I wasn’t that keen on the snake on Saturday!!) but the food quality is still not great and also over priced in my opinion.
All in all I much prefer going to football matches in England for the overall experience but nothing beats paradise and watching Celtic, so I can put up with all the bad points to support my team but it would be nice to be treated better.
Roasting here in Majorca too Joe :-)
Got a pint in a wee bar and just enjoying catching up on the latest from the Rankers soap Opera – ‘Take the Fly Road’