Q. So you were a Rangers season ticket holder, when did you stop?
A. A few years ago. I work weekends and was seldom getting to games.
Q. How do you feel about how Rangers were treated in 2012?
A. How do any of us feel? It wasn’t our fault, one guy came in and did all the damage, then sinister forces took advantage. Every last one of us feel the same way.
Q. How do you feel about the League Cup semi-final, are you looking forward to it?
A. Not really, but we need to do whatever it takes to make sure we don’t get embarrassed. Years of being subjected to the effects of what Charles Green called “bigotry” means we need to fight with everything we’ve got. We can’t let Celtic embarrass us, need to stand up to them.
Q. Thanks, Robert. One more question, are you available to referee that game?
A. You know me, aye ready!
The forthcoming League Cup semi-final will be one of the most difficult games to referee and police in the history of Scottish football. The police will have their most experience Match Commander on duty. The SFA will not have their most experienced referee on duty, instead they have given the game to former Rangers season ticket holder, Bobby Madden.
The authorities must be independent and be seen to be independent. Former season ticket holders are acceptable and welcome as referees, but when you face extraordinary circumstances, take extraordinary care in selecting your referee. I don’t know a single ‘Rangers’ fan who doesn’t have animated views on what happened in recent years. They want to beat us next month more than at any time in original-Rangers 140-year history. Why is one of them the referee?
Craig Thomson is widely regarded as unaligned and Scotland’s top official. There must be a story explaining why he wasn’t given the game.
Our team selection for the League Cup semi-final doesn’t bother me. We can have Scepovic, Guidetti, Stokes or Griffiths up front, Efe and Charlie at the back, I’d still back us to win. Can’t say I’m too worried about the other lot either, even if they manage to hold onto all their, ‘stars’.
What does concern me is how the game is refereed. Before it, CQN will write about how important it will be to keep 11 men on the field, not to dive into tackles inside our penalty area, and not to get drawn into a levelling battle.
You can write the script about how this one is going to play out, we’ll be kicked, elbowed and incited, with liberal dramatic tumbles taken in and around our box. In a decade writing CQN I’ve only discussed referees around a dozen times but the selection for this one is alarming. Mr Madden will be scrutinised more than at any time in his professional life. He has an enormous challenge ahead.
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Don’t underplay the influence that a less than fair official can have on one of our games. Trawl back a couple of seasons and check the referees present whenever we drop points in the league or have been knocked out of a cup by a diddy team. More often than not Madden or his mate whose brother chose NI over Scotland will have been there. Remember as well the time we could have won the league at Ibrox, undone by the referee within the first 20 minutes, or Dallas and his virtuoso performance at CP to allow them to dance on our park. This is their chance for revenge, my guess is that they will try their dampest to take it.
Dampest=damdest, but you knew that
11 vs 12…. isn’t that the norm when the mighty Hoops take to the field.?
I have already told on here my one encounter with Bobby Madden, a nice enough guy, I met him at a football club prize giving dance for a boys football club. The father who had brought him was the one with King Billy tattooed one one forearm and the Rangers badge on the other. Bend over fellow tims, we are about to receive a going over.
Just received the sad news that a ghuy I was at school with passed away on Monday.
A Kilwinning native and a good Tim. Only 60.
John Quinn RIP.
HH!!
the battered bunnet.@ 16 05.
I can cite 2 similar tales .
My in his mid 50s brother induced a wowee flakey from a guy he has known since Primary School .Caused by my brother stating that Rangers died in 2012..
A PTFC pal related the tale of a long term ” good neighbour ” telling him to **** off and never speak to me again.Crime was pal’s use of ” Deady Bears “.
The worrying aspect is that in both cases, the irrationally outraged had previously been regarded as being OK guys.
This was never a game for me, not from when it was guaranteed in 2012, on the day of the license switch swindle.
I too was ‘a victim’ of volcanic eruption when an innocent conversation strayed to ‘The Rangers’.
Be careful out there, lord knows what the intervening years have did to festering semi dormant hatred of everything Celtic.
TBB and SoT
As they say, the truth hurts.
.
Je suis Charlie !!
green man
14:15 on 7 January, 2015
When the SFA pull strokes like this, and there is silence from the Celtic PLC, I just despair.
What is it going to take for these spineless cowards on our board, to challenge the blatant cheating.
No wonder CP is half empty.
It just makes me sick that they can get away with this.
The SFA is a putrid hovel of masonry and bigotry, its time something was done about it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Might be difficult to obtain legal evidence etc …… Wouldn’t like my SB money to be diverted to paying fines / defamation claims etc…….. having witnessed Truth & Justice with the liquidation of the football establishment’s favoured oldco, due horrendous corruption, best to sit back and enjoy the tribute act’s ‘tribulations’, pending their demise also …!?
SFTB – That’s fair enough comment.It’s pointless arguing about it.
We’ll leave it at that then.
HH.
“That was the most appalling refereeing performance I have seen for a long, long time,” the former Celtic boss said. “I mean, you can’t get so many big decisions so wrong, it is incredible.
“I see Kayal getting wrestled into the advertising hoardings right in front of the linesman and he doesn’t give a free-kick and two seconds later, I’ve got a man sent-off for nothing and the penalty that St Mirren did get was outside the box and there is no contact.
“So I am delighted that we got a point out of it but there is no doubt that the referee’s decisions ruined what could have been potentially a good game. The sending off was ridiculous and it changed the game.”
Wanyama’s red card was overturned to a yellow.
Neil Lennon
Incompetent Madden appointed referee. Debating over whether laughter, or weeping is the best response. Think I’ll stick with laughter.
Here is your line for the pre-match interview Ronny: “We look forward to an open and entertaining game, characterized by strong, fair and equitable officiating”.
Haw, Rio…….
moi aussi.
Paul67,
Good article, a real poor appointment for this game indeed.
Although i bought a season ticket this year, a major reason for me giving it up after the mogga year was the shocking bias from the refs.
All this, it won’t or shouldn’t matter, i just don’t buy into.
I’ve seen us lose far too many big games over the years due to blatant cheating.
Italian equivalent of the BBC broadcasting film of a big silent demonstration in Paris featuring people carrying Je suis Charlie notices. That was followed by examples of some of the purportedly offensive cartoons.
I’m not calling for a boycott here, but…
Imagine a half-empty Hampden. Only huns and Newco fans in the stands. On the park, Celtic destroy ‘them’ from the first whistle. Celtic go 4 goals up before half-time. The stands begin to empty as they do walking away. Celtic continue their dominance in the second half and continue scoring for fun. The stands are now empty… and Celtic and Ronny begin to relax, have fun and enjoy the surreal but pleasing silence surrounding the occassion. The final whistle blows and The Good Guys win, let’s say 7-0, and we never have to play ‘them’ again.
Imagine.
IMAGINE.
HH… -Tambo-
Tambourine Bhoy of 1967
If Carlsberg did first and last meetings………….
TCC.
Supporters of Rangers ( in whichever incarnation) would never claim to be ‘devout’ about anything.
They are ‘loyal’, ‘staunch’, ‘committed’ and some of the ones I’ve known admit to ‘bitter’.
Argumentative, confrontational, hard and cold types of words are the type they choose when discussing themselves.
We, on the other hand, are ‘faithful’, ‘ devoted’ and such like.
Open, friendly and caring type of language are what we choose to describe ourselves.
I think that says a great deal about the differences between us and them.
You see?
tambourine bhoy of 1967
17:14 on 7 January, 2015
I’m not calling for a boycott here, but…
Why not boycott? I decided from the off that I won’t watch the hun play Celtic in this game, or in any other in the future. Life’s too short.
Tambo
Imagine Guidetti being repeatedly fouled by Moshni, who eventually drags his studs down the Celtic players Achilles. The fourth foul results in a talking to from the MIB. Moshni then winks and smiles over to his bench, job done, Guidetti is now crocked. In reality this isn’t the first time this has happened.
I wouldn’t dream of attending another huns game. I’d far rather watch football.
glendalystonsils
I got a chance to speak to him in a social context just after Dougiegate and asked him what he thought of the whole affair. He was scathing about Neil Lennon and thought poor Dougie had been badly treated. Definitely one of the fraternity.
—————-
I was told that Dougie McDonald was one of us, so I don’t think it matters who refs our games
Evening,
He suits Charlie!
Lilys
the_huddle
As I say, being one of the fraternity of the order of Dallassians transcends everything.
Apologies,
Je suis Charlie
Lilys
Reading about the politics in Germany, and particular the Anti-Islam rallies I recognised a common trait. See last paragraph.
BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday warned the country’s citizens not to participate in weekly anti-Islam rallies that have attracted growing numbers of supporters in the eastern German city of Dresden
The chancellor used unusually direct words in her New Year’s speech on Wednesday for the rallies organized by a group calling itself Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West, or PEGIDA which have been attended by thousands. When the protesters chant “we are the people,” they actually mean to say “you don’t belong — because of your religion or your skin color,” Merkel said.
blindlemonchitlin
17:18 on 7 January, 2015
“You see”
I see old bean, I see.
Calm down old chap. I was being, how do you say, “tongue in cheek”.
Referees, that bane of my football life.
Madden, expected.
Paddy Gallagher
I think that was one of the worst things Big Jock said, why should we have to be better cos the referees will cheat us, shirly a level playing field is what he should have been asking for.
Just my take on it.
HH
………………………………….
west of ireland csc
14:14 on
7 January, 2015
Maybes if the west stopped bombing and killing innocent women and kids, stopped stealing their oil, got the eff out of their countries, we wouldn’t have the problems we have.
HH
San Diego Bhoy,
Why not boycott? Well, that’s up to each individual to decide. I understand why folk want to boycott this one, and if you’re asking for my opinion… well, I’d love there to be NO Celtic fans there, but not everyone will want to boycott and chances are we’ll just end up with a ‘poor turnout’ and the message wouldn’t get through.
If I could choose between:
A. No Celtic fans in attendance
B. A poor turnout of Celtic fans
C. Full house
… I’d choose ‘A’.
However, I feel attempts to call for a boycott will result in ‘B’ and I’d prefer ‘C’ over that.
Each to their own.
HH… -Tambo-
You do know of course that by attending the League Cup semi, you are condoning the actions of the SFA/SPFL in the whole Sevco fiasco.
Whether Celtic “say” anything or not, attending the game is similar to a betrayed spouse, whose partner has been caught in infidelity, then continues to remain with the errant spouse.
Way back, I bored this place with my BC or DC mantra.
It meant that there were only two honourable paths for Celtic to follow.
Belfast Celtic, close down.
Derry City, Relocate.
Neither is, of course possible or feasible, therefore the only option is to carry on, in the hope that change will happen within Scottish football.
However, in the meantime, all of us who maintain an interest in the game, and particularly Celtic, are condoning the behaviour of the football authorities….not matter how much we pretend that we are only supporting the lads on the pitch.
I include myself in that, as, of yet, I haven’t turned my back on football, bit it’s getting close.
Would I stay attached to an errant spouse?
Scottish MIB for Europe this year
FIFA has confirmed that all of the Scottish FA’s nominations for the 2015 International Lists of Referees and Assistant Referees have been accepted.
There is one change to the pool of Scottish FA’s male FIFA referees – Andrew Dallas replaces Paul Robertson, who has been absent from refereeing due to a long term injury.
Four new male assistant referees join the International List – Frank Connor, Stuart MacMillan, Douglas Ross and Graeme Stewart, all of whom step up from the Scottish FA’s FIFA Development group.
There are also two new women assistant referees – Hayley Irvine and Vikki Robertson.
The Scottish officials on these Lists are:
Referees
John Beaton, Kevin Clancy, William Collum, Andrew Dallas, Bobby Madden, Steven McLean, and Craig Thomson
Assistant Referees
Graham Chambers, Frank Connor, Willie Conquer, Alastair Mather, David McGeachie, Stuart MacMillan, Douglas Ross, Stuart Stevenson and Graeme Stewart.
Women Referees
Lorraine Clark and Morag Pirie
Women Assistant Referee
Hayley Irvine, Kylie McMullan and Vikki Robertson
Andrew Dallas’ inclusion continues the progressive work of the Referee Committee over recent years to ensure that the Scottish FA is able to put younger referees on to the international stage and to give them the chance to progress, given the way in which refereeing is structured at international level.
In order for four new assistants to be nominated, they had to take the place of others such as Martin Cryans, Gavin Harris, Alan Mulvanny, Derek Rose and Alasdair Ross. The Referee Committee wishes to record its appreciation of the service given by these assistants during their time on the List. Martin Cryans, who retired at the end of last season, is worthy of particular mention as he served 12 years on the FIFA List, which is a record for a Scottish assistant.
The Referee Committee is also very pleased that the Scottish FA has also two new women assistant referees in Hayley Irvine and Vikki Robertson on the International List. The committee considered that it was important that the number of women assistants the Scottish FA has on the List was increased. The committee is delighted that there are now five Scottish females included in FIFA’s International Lists. It indicates that the opportunity is there to progress on to international football – for officials of both sexes, as there are certainly tremendous opportunities open to all officials in modern international football.
HH
the comfortable collective
16:46 on 7 January, 2015
Craig Thompson was the referee who gave Celtic a very late and quite soft penalty at ibroke.
If Samaras had scored it Celtic would have won the league. Simple as that.
Thompson also raised the hackles of both the SFA and EUFA Two seasons ago by refusing to nominate Scottish linesmen as his assistants for Champions League games, as he thought they were all shite.
Instead he insisted on his linesmen coming from the Republic of Ireland.
Thompson us an arrogant sod and a not very good referee.
However, he is not a hun and I would rather have him than a devout rangers supporter like Madden.
……………………………….
I must take issue with your language. Celtic supporters are devout. Thems are rabid. :-))
Stairheedrammy,
I share your concerns, but I was trying to be positive :)
HH… -Tambo-
thomthethim @ 17.38
Good post
Tin hat on from incoming uber supporters.
I’m boycotting the match with the Sevcoites. The fact that a) I don’t have a ticket and b) I’ll be away for the weekend with the family has absolutely nothing to do with it.
Glendalystonsils,
I’m certain it’ll be at least partly accurate :)
HH… -Tambo-
Good evening friends.