The stage is set. Dundee United, the club who were last to beat Celtic, stand in the way of their treble ambitions, as the clubs meet on three consecutive occasions next month. The first game, a Scottish Cup quarter final at Tannadice, is the most crucial.
United lost their best two players last week but they remain they will know that beating Celtic at home will make them favourites for the Scottish Cup. They will be far less confident at the following week’s League Cup final, Dundee United expectations are always low at Hampden, but pressure will be on the club to win their home game.
A note on the suitability or otherwise of a director of a public company. In the UK, only the courts can ban you from being a company director, HMRC cannot ban you, any more than they can ban you from driving. In the UK, public companies are held to a higher standard than private companies. If anyone presents to you claiming, “HMRC have never banned me from driving/being a company director”, you know your being misled. The same is true for most jurisdictions.
The AIM market requires companies to have nominated adviser (nomad), which carries out regulator duties on behalf of the market, and ultimately shareholders. The fact that UK, or other, courts have not prohibited you from being a company director implies nothing about your suitability as a director of a public company. When it comes to the AIM market, this suitability is judged by your effective regulator, your nomad. A recent history of financial criminal activity, for example, will give your nomad plenty to consider, as would a recent history of being a director in a liquidated public company. Far more would decline such a candidate than approve.
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How would Big Jock have Dealt with Elbows.. ?
And Who would he Get to Keep a Eye on Him..? Bertie..???
Personally I’m Suprised the Police have Not have Him a Verbal for continued Assaults ..
Ferguson got 3 Month in Barlinnie for basically He Hew..
MacAvrnnie and Woods got charges for Handbags..
Summa
.
Celtic boss Ronny Deila hopes misfiring striker John Guidetti can regain his focus
By Mark Wilson For The Scottish Daily Mail
John Guidetti has scored 11 goals in 21 appearances for Celtic
However the on-loan Swedish striker last found the net since November
Bhoys boss Ronny Deila wants the 22-year-old to rediscover his early season form which saw him become a firm fans favourite
Deila says neither the club nor Guidetti was to discuss the striker’s future at the present moment in time
It seems a prolific start to life in Glasgow may have dazzled John Guidetti just as much as the supporters he thrilled.
The mental side of what it takes to be a top footballer was a persistent theme as Ronny Deila assessed the fall from prominence of Celtic’s on-loan Swedish striker.
A lack of the right focus and intensity were highlighted. Having become lauded as the new hero of Parkhead, Guidetti may have forgotten exactly what it was that earned him that status.
+7
John Guidetti celebrates scoring Celtic’s second goal against Dundee in a win back in November 2014
Deila does not condemn him. To the Norwegian, this is often part of the process with younger players. Sometimes a step back is required.
The Celtic manager now feels the 22-year-old is working in the right way to regain his form. But he has some catching up to do.
Guidetti scored a hat-trick when Celtic routed Partick Thistle in late October, around the time when public demands for his permanent signing from Manchester City were reaching a crescendo.
Those calls have long since dropped in volume as the two clubs prepare to meet again at Firhill on Wednesday evening.
These days, it is Leigh Griffiths who is the preferred and potent striker within Deila’s squad.
Guidetti has only started one of the previous five matches and the last of his 11 goals – amassed in a 12-game spell – came against Hearts on November 30.
‘It’s a tough thing for young players to get all that focus,’ said Deila of Guidetti’s spell in the limelight.
‘When you score so many goals, he is a big star and it is so easy to lose focus on the important things.
‘The only important thing you have to ask yourself when you make a decision is: Is this making me a better player?
+7
The 22-year-old points out instructions to his team-mates during Celtic’s win over Kilmarnock in October
+7
Guidetti has scored 11 goals in 21 appearances for the Bhoys – but has failed to hit the net since November
‘If the answer is no, you have to stop doing it and start doing the things that got you progressing and doing the things that get you ready for games. That can be very hard for young players.
‘You are a big star at Celtic, but you have to understand why you are a big star.
‘You have a thousand offers to do different things and you have to choose the right ones.
‘That’s what young players have to learn. It’s my task to tell them this, but they have to experience it themselves.
‘When you have been there and had the experiences, hopefully they will come back quick the next time they have a bad spell.’
So, does Deila feel all the goals and adulation ended up messing with Guidetti’ s head?
‘The worst thing in life is to have things going well – because it is so easy to use energy on other things and you’re not aware of why you are good,’ he responded.
‘In the period we are in just now, things are going good. But we still have to be very precise in everything we are doing, as if we had lost five games in a row.
‘That’s mentality, that’s professionalism, those who win trophies.’
+7
Celtic boss Ronny Deila has admitted he doesn’t know if the club will sign the striker at the end of the season
Deila revealed last month that Guidetti – a free agent at the end of the season – wanted to postpone talks over his future until he saw what his options were ‘in March or April, maybe longer’.
That lent weight to a theory that the striker may have already decided his next step would be elsewhere.
Southampton and Marseille are among the clubs linked who could offer more lucrative personal terms.
Asked if he had been given the impression that Guidetti didn’t want to stay, Deila replied: ‘I think a lot has been going on in John’s mind, but he now has the right focus.’
What, though, of Celtic’s position? Does Deila still want to sign the Swede on a permanent basis?
‘We work on that all the time,’ he insisted. ‘But we don’t want a player who doesn’t want to be here, that’s for sure. But if he wants and will come back, then we will start talking again.
‘But again, it is good for him that we don’t talk about it just now. He doesn’t want to talk about it and we don’t want to talk about it. We just go on and try to make each other happy.’
That outlook is one Deila feels can yet see the player return to his previous level as Celtic chase a domestic Treble and prepare to lock horns with Inter Milan in the Europa League.
‘In the last three weeks, John has been working really hard in training and I know he will come again,’ added the Parkhead boss.
+7
Deila shows off his footwork in a Celtic training session on Tuesday afternoon
+7
Kris Commons will miss Celtic’s game against Partick Thistle on Wednesday evening
‘Before that, the intensity wasn’t where I wanted it. But I think he now understands what it is all about. He will progress and come back at the level he was.
‘Everyone also has to remember that he had been out for two years before. He came here with a lot of energy and with nothing to lose when he went out on the pitch.
‘He started scoring a lot of goals but then he didn’t manage to play three matches a week because his fitness was not good enough. Now things have gone a little bit down but he will come again.
‘I know from my experience it is not just a case of coming back and things going one way. There are going to be downs.
‘Now we have to work on his mental aspect and to be a 24-hour athlete. It is about being prepared for every training session and prepared for every match.
‘When you are young, everything can feel okay and you are flying. But that is why young players have good spells and then bad spells.
‘Then you start to get conscious of why you are good. That helps you to do it over and over again. The more experienced players always know what to do to get ready for the next game.’
As it turned out, it was the arrival of Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven – rather than any progress with Guidetti – that became the focus of Celtic’s business in the January transfer window.
One or both of the former Dundee United players could make their debuts against Thistle on Wednesday evening, with Kris Commons sidelined by a thigh strain.
‘They are both in the squad and both fit,’ said Deila. ‘It’s nice to get two players into the squad who are so fit and ready and credit to Dundee United.
‘They have impressed in training. They have shown in training they have qualities which Celtic needs.’
Summa
The Telegraph on sky deal
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11403761/Premier-League-TV-deal-Sky-Sports-break-bank-to-dominate-5.136bn-contract.html
HH
Re: all the boo-hooing about McCulloch…we’ll probably never play against him again…but, Inter might just adopt Juventus ‘tactics’ against us…?…who knows?…thing is…would we be ready to rumble if they do…?…I’d be more happy with Celtic if…big ‘mind-games’ Mark McGhee was in our dug-out…we’d have a team of ‘skelpers’…but,…importantly…they’d be ‘cute-skelpers’…not, clumsy-combatants like…Broony…who leans with his chin…not street-wise…after, 7 years at Celtic…hmmm?…I say big Mark McGhee…knowing that I’ll, probably get a skelping on here with, CQN’s-Andy Roxburgh’s and, Craig Brown’s being wheeled oot to tell me about Mark McGhee’s managerial record…put Mourinho into the jobs MM has been in with, the same working tools and…what would have been the results….?…Put Mark McGhee into the Celtic dugout and, put Neil Lennon into the Aberdeen dugout on the 9-0 day…what would the score have been….hmmm?…would Mark McGhee have stayed silent about the McCulloch assaults on LG and, JG….hmmm?
How did RD get away with…avoiding comment…?…are the Celtic directors pulling RD’s strings…silencing him in the way that they made NL…play down McCullochs tackle on Kayal…?…RD seems to be getting it together over the recent period…big kudos to him for that…well done…I just hope that he isny being ‘conditioned’ to take it on the chin…we all know how that works…don’t we?
Eddieinkirkmichael – Stay safe fella – Hail Hail
Jude – Jackie Mac…sorry to read about yer sad news…stay strong.
Off oot.
From oor Phil
Consequential learning
Leave a reply
When any of The People wish to acquire gravitas they often try and invoke the legacy of Sir Winston Churchill.
They might then consider this quote from the British wartime leader:
“Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
The downfall of Rangers (1872) really should have been a cautionary tale for the fans, the Fitba administrators, but most of all for the media.
Instead it only took one presser for them to give entirely reflexive response from the Murray years.
It was like the good old days with a man speaking in grandiose terms about his aspirations for a team called Rangers.
These poorly costed ill thought out plans should have been dissected and ridiculed there and then.
However so many of the assembled stenographers want to believe that Dave King will deliver their favoured sporting brand away from the clutches of Sports Direct.
Now the news that the Daily Radar has been banned from Ibrox and Murray Park only adds to the bizarre nature of this sitcom.
Of course, when it comes to succulent stenography that particular Blatt has previous for sycophancy apropos matters Ibrox.
They provided an obedient PR service to David Murray back in the day even when it was clear that he was steering Rangers (1872) towards eventual insolvency.
In 2013 the Record openly backed the requisitioners before the inaugural AGM of Rangers International Football Club (RIFC).
Now they are cheerleading for David Cunningham King.
If they were being journalists rather than merely simpering stenographers then they would be telling their readers a rather different tale.
The arithmetic of Rangers (2012) only works if you are a beneficiary of one of the famous Onerous Contracts.
In the case of Big Mike he has several of them.
The others are out there in the Sevco Triangle making millions-and I mean millions-for Charlie and the boys.
At the recent presser Mr King stated that he had won his case in South Africa.
This was breath-taking stuff.
Here is what he actually said:
“…but ultimately what you are left with if it comes down to fit and proper is what was the final outcome and the fact is that the final outcome, the unalterable outcome of the litigation in South Africa is that my version prevailed over the eleven years…”
This was a strange kind of victory unless it was Mr King’s cunning plan all along to plead guilty to 41 criminal charges of contravening South Africa’s income tax act.
It is worth noting that The People have reached a point of desperation where none of this matters.
In that they are on the same page as the stenographers.
Neither the hacks nor the fans care much of King’s criminal past because they see him as their collective deliverance from Big Mike and on field mediocrity.
That they are now being opposed by a real billionaire with wealth off the radar is a nice plot twist.
I do not believe that the SFA chaps who opened the door to Charlie and the boys in 2012 will stand in the way of Mr King.
The stenographers are hoping and praying that the world class administrators on the on the sixth floor at Hampden give Dave the nod.
Of course Big Mike has yet to make his play.
I suspect that if he detects any fissure in the forces arrayed against him then he will apply the brute force that only a real billionaire can deliver on the corporate battlefield.
At the moment The People are revolting, but should Big Mike prevail and he brings in a higher quality of player from the Newcastle United reserve side then perhaps, in time, he will become “Mister Ashley”.
However, if David Cunningham King ascends the Marble Staircase in triumph then he will not be in control in any real sense.
I fully understand why the folks at RIFC are concerned about the staging of the General Meeting (GM).
It is obvious that they do not want ‘GM’ to stand for ‘General Mayhem’.
Sadly that is the preferred currency of much of The People as was demonstrated by the behaviour before and after the abandoned match against Hearts last month at Ibrox.
This might be the reason behind the shift of venue in London.
It would appear that The People require more consequential learning and that 2012 was not a strong enough lesson for them.
David Cunningham King is peddling the same old hubris and it is clear that the Ibrox clientele have not kicked their Herrenvolk habit.
Meanwhile the rest of Planet Fitba looks on at this freak show populated by those who are apparently unable to learn and move on.
Business means I’m away this evening and won’t get to see the local derby against Thistle. Another 2-0 with no injuries will do just fine.
On the upside, I’ll be getting a first hand view of Fraser Forster and Victor Wanyama (if fit). Look out for the hoops scarf in the crowd.
Hail, hail.
Good morning friends and Happy derby Day from a dry, calm, uneventful East Kilbride.
Dena/Mrs Weefra
I’ll say a wee prayer for you both today.
Looking forward to the game 2night.. line will be interested.
Id like to see armstrong or gms start in place of commons.
Or maybe even stokes in behind griffiths
Weefra
Hope all goes well today for your good lady.
Eddieinkirkmichael
Stay strong buddy.
Good morning CQNers,
Tit-for-tat
Now that Lee McCullough (tat) has finally been censured we can expect the citing officer to charge Scot Brown (tit) in the very near future, in that way the SFA continue their preferred way of dealing with transgressions by rangers, i.e. tit-for-tat.
Even with his limited appearances this season I had Mikael Lustig head and shoulders above anyone else in my estimation for this year’s player of the year and I foresaw the Inter game an opportunity for him to cement his credentials.
With him I thought we’d have a solid back four and someone giving us balance on the right when he ventured forward. More crucially, someone to provide the necessary accurate crosses that’ll be essential to unpicking the Milan defence.
Without him I see the inclusion of Efe Ambrose into the team at some stage during the games and with Efe I’m afraid pessimism returns.
Good morning, Jobo / Proudbhoy …….. heading out for a wee swim, then off oot for a few days ….will need to remember to take the iPad to catch the game tonight… priorities :)
If Listing is out Who will lead the line against Milan, and of Commons isn’t fit who’s going in goals?
Eddieinkirkmichael
From your posts I’ve discerned you’re someone with more than enough mental strength (for you and your good lady) to deal with the Neanderthals, good luck to you sir.
A little bit out of date perhaps but now that the record has been banned from poundland its worth another airing, Greenslade from the Guardian- enjoy
Daily Record football writers were stenographers for spin-doctors
Roy Greenslade
Wednesday 6 August 2014 08.30 BST
Here’s the Daily Record on Craig Whyte in November 2010:
“Financial whizzkid Craig Whyte stands on the brink of pulling off the biggest deal of his life…
Record Sport understands self-made billionaire Whyte has entered into the final stages of negotiations to buy control of the club he loves from Sir David Murray…
A deal worth around £30million is now believed to have reached such an advanced stage that sources say Whyte, a high-roller who splits his time between a home in London and the idyllic Castle Grant in Grantown-on-Spey, could even have the keys to Ibrox in time to fund a major refurbishment of Walter Smith’s top-team squad in January…
By the age of 26, Whyte was already Scotland’s youngest self-made millionaire. Now, 13 years on, and in charge of a vast business empire, his wealth is off the radar.”
Here’s the Daily Record on Craig Whyte in October 2012:
“A private investigation commissioned for Rangers showed Craig Whyte had a record of tax avoidance, failed companies and double dealings – before he was sold Sir David Murray’s majority shareholding…
The report, prepared by private investigators Titon, described Monaco-based Whyte as a ‘fuyant’ – French slang for an evader or manipulator.
It warned there was no evidence to back claims circulated by Whyte’s spin doctors that he was a billionaire with plenty of cash to finance Rangers.
In fact, it said, there was no evidence he was even a multi-millionaire. The report talks of “the questionable source and extent of his reported wealth”.
And here’s the Daily Record on Craig Whyte in August 2014:
“The taxman was chasing Craig Whyte for £3.7million before he took over Rangers. HMRC focused on Whyte’s personal finances and made several failed attempts to get him to pay his dues before, during and after his catastrophic reign at Ibrox…
Documents seen by the Record show:
* The authorities instructed debt enforcers to chase Whyte with a bill for almost £4million and threaten him with bankruptcy in May 2011, the same month that he bought Rangers…
* Yet when he struck the notorious deal with Ticketus for funds to finance his Rangers takeover, he gave the firm a personal guarantee he was worth nearly £33million…
At the same time he was able to run up a further £15million in unpaid taxes and penalties during his nine months in charge of Rangers.
Whyte had bought Rangers for £1 from Sir David Murray in May 2011, while agreeing to wipe out the club’s £18million debts…
A sizeable proportion of Rangers fans still hold Murray at least partly responsible for the club’s demise, arguing he should not have sold to Whyte, whose reputation had already been questioned.”
Perhaps the fans should be holding the Record to blame as well. When the paper was reporting on Whyte’s hyped wealth it failed to mention the fact that serious questions were being asked in the blogosphere about the veracity of his claims.
How could the Record know that Whyte was a billionaire with “a vast business empire” and wealth “off the radar”? And when it did know otherwise, why did it take so long to inform Rangers’ fans? And why no apology to its readers?
Note that 2012 reference to spin-doctors, as if it was all their fault rather than that of the paper’s journalists for accepting what they were told without checking.
The age-old problem of sports reporting was the willingness of journalists to act like “fans with typewriters” (or, nowadays, fans with laptops).
The reporting of the Rangers’ saga over the past five years has been a classic example of reporters being no more than stenographers for PRs offering them stories they didn’t care to verify.
Kittoch
Griffiths has to in the box-seat to lead the line against Milan. His work rate is phenomenal and, more importantly, he’s scoring goals!!
This is becoming a familiar tale:
Bitton said: “I had a conversation with the coach in November and he told he what he expects from me and what I was required to do.
“It wasn’t a matter of a pep talk or criticism, but a professional conversation.
“It was about what I could change in my game to make me a better player. He told me why I wasn’t playing as much as I should.
“From then on, I understood what was expected of me and it’s pushed me on.
“Since then I have played 90 minutes every week and I think I have become a better player.”
Oh Ronnie Ronnie, Ronnie, Ronnie, Ronnie, Ronnie Deila!
Celtic have been coasting in games lately and it would certainly appear that the Parkhead dressing room is a happier place.
However, Inter is a massive step up for us regardless of how poor they’ve been of late. Serie A is no SPFL and we only need to remember back to a ‘poor’ AC Milan side to recall how difficult it can be to make that step.
But Thistle first. 3-0 Celtic in Maryhill.
Dena29/Mrs Weefra
The best of luck today.
YNWA
Morning all.
I was just wondering if the quizzical Mrs Budge had had any answers to those questions she said had to be asked. Has she even asked those questions?
H/T,
Couldn’t agree more about Inter. But, as you say, Thistle first. If you’re going (which I presume is tautology), give them a wee cheer for me.
HT,
Absolutely neebs.
Partick first. Then the saints.
This place has been like imqn for some since the draw was made back in December.
parkheadcumsalford
I shall indeed give them a cheer for you sir. Hail Hail
GM
To an extent I can understand the hype/anticipation/excitement regarding the Inter game. It’s a tie with huge historical significance for all Celtic supporters, it’s under the lights in front an expected full house. These are the type of games that got many of us hooked.
But yes you’re right that we have two big games first.
Still think we are that little bit shy of whats needed for the likes of inter etc
Really impressed with griffiths lately but dont think he has the cutting edge needed for next level. Hopefully he proves me wrong
Anyone have any inside info on guidetti.. is he still hoping to get better offer elsewhere or is he being sensible and waiting until the season is finished before concentrating on contract talks ?
Hopefully his bad form puts others off and we get him on a resonable contract. Theres a really good goalscorer there.
proudbhoy
08:43 on
11 February, 2015
If the photos of him training in the dark the other night after the game are anything to go by it looks like he’s just concentrating on being a better player at the moment.
Griff 1st goal and a 0-3 result 20/1. (50 Leva)
Problem is, it seems when we score the 2nd we ease up a bit on the opposition.
nottonightCSC.
Eddie Kirkmichael. Fella inside every bad un there is a good un trying to get out Eddie we all do daft things in our lives but usually we grow up and change and we become better for it.Look forward not back yesterday has gone tomorrow is the future today is a gift so enjoy today.H.H.
HT,
Oh aye it’s an exciting tie but not enough to get me mentioning it or thinking about it every day from December.
Dundee and to an extent Sevco were as important imo.
I think reports of them being gash are breeding a false confidence for some Would we be so cocky if it were dortmund we were playing? ;)
HH
Johansen is 55/1 for 1st goal and 0-3 result ………………………….hmmmmmmmmmm
I judge every Celtic team on how they perform in Europe, the Inter tie is the biggest game of the season so far, the interest amongst the wider support and the expected biggest attendance at praise reflects the importance of the game to the Celtic support, as has been pointed out earlier Neil Lennon found the Italian expertise and experience too much for him, RD will have to play against opponents way above anything he has experienced before
Important league games to play before then though, league points vital, as the title is far from being certain yet, not to bothered about local cup ties to be honest, mystified when they are described in the terms Paul67 has in his leading article
weeminger
08:50 on 11 February, 2015
—
Glad to hear it, i hope he decides to stick around for a couple of seasons. Maybe get the king of kings to chat to him.
Guidetti seems to have a good personality and like to get on with the support.. makes a big difference. Matthews brown and izzy are the same .. good to see it in a team.
Eddieinkirkmicheal
–
There’s an inner thing in every man,
Do you know this thing my friend?
It has withstood the blows of a million years,
And will do so to the end.
It was born when time did not exist,
And it grew up out of life,
It cut down evil’s strangling vines,
Like a slashing searing knife.
It lit fires when fires were not,
And burnt the mind of man,
Tempering leandened hearts to steel,
From the time that time began.
It wept by the waters of Babylon,
And when all men were a loss,
It screeched in writhing agony,
And it hung bleeding from the Cross.
It died in Rome by lion and sword,
And in defiant cruel array,
When the deathly word was ‘Spartacus’
Along with Appian Way.
It marched with Wat the Tyler’s poor,
And frightened lord and king,
And it was emblazoned in their deathly stare,
As e’er a living thing.
It smiled in holy innocence,
Before conquistadors of old,
So meek and tame and unaware,
Of the deathly power of gold.
It burst forth through pitiful Paris streets,
And stormed the old Bastille,
And marched upon the serpent’s head,
And crushed it ‘neath its heel.
It died in blood on Buffalo Plains,
And starved by moons of rain,
Its heart was buried in Wounded Knee,
But it will come to rise again.
It screamed aloud by Kerry lakes,
As it was knelt upon the ground,
And it died in great defiance,
As they coldly shot it down.
It is found in every light of hope,
It knows no bounds nor space
It has risen in red and black and white,
It is there in every race.
It lies in the hearts of heroes dead,
It screams in tyrants’ eyes,
It has reached the peak of mountains high,
It comes searing ‘cross the skies.
It lights the dark of this prison cell,
It thunders forth its might,
It is ‘the undauntable thought’, my friend,
That thought that says ‘I’m right! ‘
Reading this always helps me. Keep the faith buddy.
eddieinkirkmichael
Dena29
Mrs Weefra
My prayers are with you.
SPD1956
So no Commons tonight – could it be a start for GMS? What’s the odds on a Phil O’Donnell like double for the new bhoy?
Another clean sheet will keep defensive confidence high too. I’m sure a footballing expert once said that if the opposition don’t score and you do, you will win most of the time.
kevjungle@ 06 .32.
” Inter might just adopt Juventus tactics against us “.
I would be really surprised if they do.They simply do not have players capable of doing that .Inter fans have many concerns re their squad – a really common complaint is the lack of physical aggression , another is the lack of mental strength..
Inter will play on the front foot.
Proudbhoy. Brilliant post. Thanks for giving us all a lift up today. Eddie keep strong we are all with you.