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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canamalar –
So you are now blaming the board for Adam Matthews injury because they don’t protect the players.
Of course you don’t have an anti-board agenda.
How could anyone think such a thing?
johann
I could restructure the catering services at the park making them customer friendly value and able to generate the club money. It would take a bit of work but they are so bad even small changes would show benifits very quickly
BT…………………….
Shading it whilst afloat………………
What’s the crack anyway…………..
Athinnerjoe
WDH
I agree- layout, staffing, pricing and sourcing come to mind as relatively short term but effective changes
jinkyredstar cuts it back for neil lennon
10:39 on 8 October, 2013
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’
Lat it up bud………. Where a boots are you Santa Ponsa ?
BifjoeLovestheBalearics
Good Morning All.
Go easy with the Sun Rays on the Costa Blanca Big Joe.
I noticed last night on that CL Highlights Review Program
that they where quick to point out that the CL Home Defeat
to Barcelona last week which is no disgrace nowadays
in any sensible ones reckoning that this was now the Hoops
100 Match Loss in all European Competition’s. Is that right
TV Program Narrator? Well if you also go over all the Hoops
results in playing in Europe over the years gone bye. I’m sure
that you will find that the Hoops have won more matches in
Europe in total than what they have lost. I would imagine out
of every three matches which they have played in Europe they
have probably won two and lost one which gives a ratio of two
too one or perhaps even a better ratio than two too one.
So one should get ones facts correct, before one starts spouting
off a negative, about our beloved football Team. What a numpty
are some of those CL Review Program TV Narrator’s.
Also, I don’t know how Charlie managed to miss that free
header @ the back stick when it looked more easier to score
than to miss with Valdez stuck in no mans land. If that one would
have went in, then that past result outcome would have been a
different story however we digress and move on to our next CL
match which I’m sure will be a more positive result instead of a
negative one come-on-the-Hoops.
Puerto Andratx Joe- roon the corner from Santa Ponsa
In last couple years been at Newcastle Liverpool and Everton with kids football.
No drink allowed up in stands.
Bars at Everton shut as soon as players on pitch before game and after half time.
Not sure about other two but presume the same.
Drinks served in plastic btls/glass
jinkyredstar cuts it back for neil lennon
10:50 on 8 October, 2013
Puerto Andratx Joe- roon the corner from Santa Ponsa
I ken it fine, been in a couple O times……..
Enjoy…………….
Bigjoewants2goback
I don’t understand why anyone cannot do without alcohol, or indeed food, for a period of 90 to 120 minutes. Why not just sit and enjoy the football and stop annoying everyone by constantly walking in front of them.
Why not eat or drink before or after the game? From what I’m hearing the food is cheaper and better quality outside anyway.
Cheers Joe
Enjoy your break
Just a thought…Could king be looking to buy and lease back ipox?
Scottishleaf
Can I suggest you pass that post and the information re the practices at Sunderland on to the fans liaison officer.
The searching of a group of school kids visiting the ground is shocking PR to be honest and it is something that the hierarchy at the club need to have drawn to their attention.
Football– and football support is moving in Scotland and things like this have to be pointed out I think.
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Oscar Knox, MacKenzie Furniss and anyone else who fights Neuroblastoma
That’s not a bad idea, I hadn’t thought of that to be honest but I believe JP Taylor is in that role and remember him as being a good guy/contact when he was ticket office manager. I assume his email is johnpaul.taylor@celticfc.co.uk
If someone can confirm his email I will send him the info.
charliebhoy
10:37 on
8 October, 2013
They might say that they need 5 years to get costs down, so £20M in -£10M in leaseback fees, leaves £10M in order to operate while costs are brought down.
I know these figures don’t match what’s going out just now, but it’s just an example.
sipsini
My thought too!
Otherwise how can he put money into the club?
Buying shares from other people obviously doesn’t work.
Another share issue whick king underwrites?
S and l looks the most likely route.
Fun and games!
Personally for me that is the difference between a consumer and a supporter. You enjoy the match day experience provided by the company, or enjoy the highs and lows of supporting your team.
Each to their own …bring back the good ole days “Get yer tablet and macaroon here :-) “
Is the blog broken?
Scottishleaf
yes that is the very chap and pretty sure that is the e-mail address too I think.
I just don’t get it, with all the resources of the establishment, the lodges, the professions, the media, at their disposal, how they can get it so spectacularly wrong, again, so soon, is mind boggling.
The ‘Wise men of Gotham’ (or Goats’ Town) may be abroad and royally shafting not just the Crown’s interests, but also that of the spawn of the lodges too. Well, they did it before and got away with it, why not again?
kitalba
11:20 on 8 October, 2013
The people in control are spivs with no emotional attachment to the club.
Murray, McColl etc are dyed in the wool huns who realise what the spivs are planning and are trying to stop them.
There is a difficulty in loosening restrictions on the type of containers from which drink can be consumed and in being less rigorous in searching people with bags.
It is a difficulty which has less to do with maximising profits from food & drink sales inside the ground, or aggressive stewarding, and more to do with Scottish legislation on Health & Safety.
I know we have come a long way from the days of “screwtaps keep falling on ma head” but it is, I believe, illegal, to have “strong” containers such as glass bottles, metal flasks, or even enclosed plastic bottles full of liquid. Each of these, if thrown deliberately with force, or, if dropped accidentally from upper tier to lower tier, are capable of causing severe harm. They may also result in official SFA or UEFA sanctions if a player or opposition staff are targeted, though I do accept that a CP pie in tin foil might also be harmful (especially if eaten as WDH might suggest). They may even prove costly to the club if a person seeks compensation from accidental injury from an injury sustained by a container which should not have been allowed into the stadium.
There is a good reason why drink should only be served in plastic open containers within grounds in Scotland and, it is largely down to our past behaviour as spectators.
I am all in favour of liberalising the laws to let the non-corporate spectator enjoy what is already allowed at football matches. I do not fear the return of mass drunkenness as that is already a possibility from people drinking strong liqueur quickly on the way to matches. People at the grounds will just be allowed weak beer at above average prices and are highly unlikely to get drunk whilst being served by Celtic plc barmen, given the potential H &S issues.
The only downside I foresee is the inconvenience of those patrons who do not wish to be any more inconvenienced by loads of supporters getting up and down at regular intervals. I do not think that has proven to be that big a problem in English grounds and it is a problem that US grounds have solved via vendors, patrolling the aisles.
However, I think the cub could reserve some small sections of the stadium as “drinks free” but , as they might be peopled by OAPs who require more regular bladder breaks anyway, the purpose might be defeated.
With the number of supporters now at two thousand, I would like to thank all who have contributed.
If we don’t complain they might think we are happy with things the way they are.
ernie lynch:
There is another associated group I chose not to include with the media, the professions etc. I thought even the most arrogant of spivs would be aware just how extreme this other group can get when aroused.
minx1888 praying for Wee Oscar
I understand where you are coming from and in the main yes the highs and lows of supporting your team should be one of most important aspects of the match day experience but;
It’s also important to get the other things right for any number of reasons.
Lots of money can be made from having the right facilities and providing a better experience for supporters.
fans who attend a game for the first time may be more inclined to return on a more regular basis if they have a positive experience outwith the game itself.
A lot of fans travel long distances to attend matches at Celtic park and if they are able to enter the stadium early and enjoy reasonably priced food that is of a good quality then that can’t be a bad thing can it?
I’ve been attending football matches since the early ’80’s, first at Roker Park and the Celtic Park and for a number of reasons the match day experience has changed greatly over that time. I still support my team (s) fervently and still love going to games but I would also like to support Celtic more by giving them more of my money for well priced good quality food and drinks etc.
I enjoyed the Kerrydale Bar
6 wins out of 7 at Foosball
SFTB
I agree there is good reason for drink being served in plastic open containers- in that case can I have a wheely bin full of Fustenburg please :-)
Question regarding the Kerrydale Bar……..
Do they have a dress code ………
Or can I get in with my wifebeater vest on and tattooes
BigjoethinkingofChangingHisImmage
@CelticNewsNow: Jose Mourinho slams Neymar’s #Celtic performance http://t.co/pwyLD5gZBq #Scotsman
PotcallingthekettleCSC
goldstar10..
if yer lurkin…. do you know of, are have heard of anyone playing with cleveland 588 altitude irons.
Looking to replace current TM’s and as body is getting older thought these might be a good option.
setting free the bears supports Celtic’s best fighter- Wee Oscar Knox
Yes the legislation in Scotland does determine the closed containers etc. and in fairness when I tried to buy a bottle of water at Hampden at the Robbie Williams concert (there for my wife only!!) I was told it needed to be poured into a cup because of football fans!
So yes past behaviour plays a part in these things but perhaps it’s time that this legislation was relaxed? It’s certainly worthy of further debate
In England you can only buy alcohol before the game, at half time and for a short period after so the issue of people disturbing your view is not going to be increased and it’s not like this doesn’t happen anyway with people coming in late, nipping to the toilets, and going to get food during the game or just before half time already.
For me part of the problem is that there are not enough stands selling food within the stadium etc. The main stand lower is particularly bad for this and I think Celtic could do something about that with a wee bit an investment. Anyone who has been to Murrayfield will know that in some areas you enter through turnstiles into an open concourse that has food and drink stalls etc. I wonder what would stop Celtic from extending out from the left hand side of the main entrance and having something similar? If it worked this could be put in place in other areas of the ground as well.
Anyway food for thought ;-)
if ipox is up for sale or lease
they will be looking for a good landlord with experiance of football stadiums etc?
know a eastend oufit wilh plenty of cash at hand and very exprianced at running a football stadium
just think some of the members of said club! clumpany thought craig whyte was a nighmare
stranger things have happend. ;-)))))
——————————————————
winning captains
23:52 on 7 October, 2013
SO FAR FOR INCLUSION IN CQN ANNUAL 2014
is this list fowarded to the FOCUS team?
well you can add
MICKYBHOY1888
KEV JUNGLE
KOJO
and just for the sake of it yours truly
who needs a. cqn get together organiser
just get the cops to pick us all up and bring together at a local station
what a night that would be
p.s only joking bhoys
enjoy all ur cotributions (thumbs)
—————————————
got talking to a zombies in work
things must be good over at ipox way as he wanted to talk about the ra gers
thinks they are going to win the league undefeated
i know i know……. talk about deluded
anyhow told him the last time he was saying this over 2 years ago his OTHER TEAM went bust
and the one he was supporting NOW would not finish the season
yeah funny says the zombie
not as funny as you will see me ever day with a large grin every day when it happens
feel the pain
right off to work for more zombie baiting
so good to be a tim
KTF
jam67
big joe
11:38 on 8 October, 2013
Question regarding the Kerrydale Bar……..
Do they have a dress code ………
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
No platforms big joe ;-))
Modren cleveland 588 altitude irons is rubbish.
Just in to say…
_____________
googybhoy ♥ Celtic
11:38 on 8 October, 2013
_____________________
I’m always interested in what ole Jose has to say – thanks for sharing.
I’ll never forgive Jose for Seville but, he is always top box office for me and
I think he’ll win the EPL this season. imo
Hail Hail
Any Italian Bhoys come accross this hotel in Rome? thinking two nights for big birthday, vatican, colliseum etc or else any other tips for early Nov. “The Hotel Primavera is located in a strategic position, in historic downtown Rome, south exit of Piazza Navona, on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II,”
No to drink at the fitba.
Yes to standing room.
The Jungle – The Kop – The Uncovered Cellic end at Hampdump
Bring it on – CSC
..Norwich keeper Ruddy John says Joe Hart deserves to be engerland #1.