I have two significant concerns about Walter Smith’s comments yesterday. He spoke about the events which followed Rangers liquidation in 2012:
“There was no necessity for Rangers to be put down into the Third Division.
“That will always stay in Scottish football. There will be a bitterness in the Rangers ranks. It will be a massive motivation for the club. It would certainly be for me.
“How can they forget what happened to them? Nobody could forget that.”
I’ve spoken to people at Celtic about security concerns ahead of the weekend. The game itself will almost certainly pass off without incident, but what happens on the streets of Glasgow and surrounding towns is anyone’s guess.
You will hear nothing even close to inflammatory from Celtic, senior fans groups, or anyone who cares about the club’s fans and wellbeing. Justifying bitterness due to (mis)perceived persecution ahead of this fixture is inciteful. I’m astonished Smith said this.
On his subject matter, let me give you an alternative scenario:
Newco Rangers are parachuted straight into the Premier League, hundreds of creditors are abandoned, they have a full squad of players and are not a penny in debt. They would have been out signing players within minutes of registration (they even tried to sign a player while still in administration).
With Oldco having won the league accumulating debts they would never pay in 2009, 2010 and 2011, Newco, free of legacy financial commitments, would have an excellent chance of winning again in 2013 and beyond.
This plan was one strand of Craig Whyte’s lunacy and it would have killed Scottish football. Celtic, and others, would have been left to consider, do we pay these millions of debts, or liquidate and spend the money on players instead? I had this very conversation with a senior figure in the game in October 2011, when the realisation of what Whyte was planning became evident. Utter mayhem would have ensued.
The damage done to the Rangers brand of clubs by allowing Newco access only to the bottom tier was huge. It’s consequences are yet to be appreciated by most fans. Newco may never win a top flight league.
But the question was not whether to impose a trauma on ‘Rangers’ or allow everyone to carry on as we had before, this was not an option. It was whether to allow the existing rules and processes to stand, allow responsibility for the enormous mismanagement of Rangers to be carried primarily by Newco, and have other clubs deal with the fallout, with or without a ‘Rangers’ club in the league.
Whyte’s plan replicated what he’d done in other industries, but it would have devastated Celtic in particular. We were beaten for years on the field by a team who could not pay their bills or correctly register their players, then we would be beaten again as they walked away from debts without consequence, which is why I wrote this article in October 2011 on the Prepack route for Rangers Newco.
Pretty much all of what I wrote about in that article came to pass, it had to be stopped (and you’ll never know the key movers in doing so). Smith should consider if the boot was on the other foot, if he would be happy to allow his club to be subverted in the manner he suggests would be good enough for others. It was simply never an option.
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Great night of football, and isn’t it great to watch honest teams competing on a level playing field , as opposed to decades of corruption and cheating coming out of Ibrox and Hampden ….. SO REFRESHING AND EXCITING ….. Walturd Smith and co. , hang your heads in shame
Europa League
For a competition that gets slagged/ dismissed by the EPL – entertaining 2nd leg 1/4 finals. 4 ties = 20 goals and a penalty shoot-out.
CultsBhoy can not relate to Celtic Board ambitions on or off the park on 14th April 2016 10:47 pm
North East Doric speakers greet each other with ‘fas yer Neebs?’ Which gets a response of ‘ still chaffing awa’
I think the translation is -How are your neighbours – still chatting away…
The NE version of ‘ howz it gaun?’
————————
I’d have translated it as Howz you friend, and the response, still chaffing away (i.e. chaffing being living it up, joking around).
Strange that I’ve heard howz you neebs and I’ve heard chaffing away but can’t remember hearing them together
The huddle
What the ? …hahahahahahaha
The Huddle
I heard it first from one of my dad’s pals who was from New Pitsligo.. I then worked in Aberdeenshire for about 10 years and it seems to be commonplace with older folk in the North of Aberdeenshire. I agree your translation probably closer..
HH Neebs :-)
Justifying Bitterness? I couldn’t think of appropriate blog title to sum up CQN lately.
Foos yer doos?
Fascinating fly-on-the-wall documentary delving behind the scenes in Police Scotland currently showing on Film 4 and starting soon again on Film 4+1. Called ‘Filth’, amusingly…
A friend of mine who used to do a bit of ski instructing, was taking a group of Aberdeenshire School kids skiing for the first time.
As they were lining up to get their equipment on he was perplexed and puzzled when after asking if they had any questions, one of the kids asked, “fit fit fits fit ski?”
Took him a while to realise the kid was asking, “what foot fits what ski?” :)))
Just saw 2nd half, great game and looked great atmosphere.
Love klopp, the German Martin o’neil .. Likeable guy he seems anyway.
Had nice 20 quid accum turned into 193 so that was good aswel :-)
While working in Edinburgh I remember telling someone to hawd their wheest that went down well :0)
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/partickthistle/7076262/Partick-Thistle-launch-Scottish-footballs-first-bio-banding-experiment.html
Interesting article
CULTSBHOY CAN NOT RELATE TO CELTIC BOARD AMBITIONS ON OR OFF THE PARK on 14TH APRIL 2016 11:29 PM
Yes it is interesting and worth pursuing. Our big guys philosophy hasn’t been successful.
But….”We noticed two players at Under-15 level. One of them was double the height and weight of another”.
I find that hard to believe.
Terje Vigen
I coach U 14 football at boys Club A league and also coach Regional development squad at same age.
It’s heartbreaking in trials watching talented small players being muscled out by players who have hit puberty a year younger. All the boys are talented at this level but really hard for small talented players who are often giving away 12-18 inches in height and perhaps 1-2 st in weight.
CULTSBHOY CAN NOT RELATE TO CELTIC BOARD AMBITIONS ON OR OFF THE PARK on 14TH APRIL 2016 11:29 PM
I’m sure you are right and I see your point. I suppose my trivial point was that Jags guys were pushing a scientific approach, yet suggesting a player at 14 could be twice as tall and double the weight of another of the same age. Not 18 inches. Not 2 stones. Can they be right? I still find it hard to believe.
Watched the Liverpool Game Tonight, Gotta Say i Never Ever Saw That Coming…One of The Greatest Performances i Have Ever Seen, or Expect To See in My Life….Unbelievable…Their Support Must be So Proud of Them…WELLDONE….LFC…
CULTSBHOY CAN NOT RELATE TO CELTIC BOARD AMBITIONS ON OR OFF THE PARK on 14TH APRIL 2016 11:52 PM
Big issue in Rugby League in Oz.
Particularly in relation to Islander kids ( Fiji , Tonga ,some Maoris ) , some of whom are huge at a comparatively young age. There`s also an issue with birth dates.
Not so much unfair as dangerous.
Local authorities now , I believe , have introduced criteria other than age when matching up sides.
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My Dear Macjay,Do You Hiv BBC i-player,Or Tune-In Radio….
So You Can Listen To The BBC Folk & SPL Football Programmes In Skippy-Land….?
John McCusker,Folk Musician, From The Battlefield Band and Lau….
Was the Featured Guest in yesterday’s weekly edition of Radio 2 “The Folk Show With Mark Radcliffe”….
“John McCusker’s latest album is called “Hello,Goodbye…Cambuslang!”,and it’s full of waltzes,jigs,new pieces,and traditional airs.
John,a multi-instrumentalist,joins Mark Radcliffe to talk about the album,and many of the stars he’s worked with,and to give us a live studio session.
John clarified a popular ‘misconception’ that he was from Bellshill.( Perish The Thought! )
Like a third of Scotch Bairns,he was born in Bellshill Maternity,but hailed from Bothwell…
He has happy memories of being in Barry Ferguson’s Gang, chasing Catholic schoolkids doon the Bothwell streets,tae steal their Lightbody’s Date-Slices…Mmmmm !
Ah’ve seen him playin’ for the Battlefield Band at a few Folk Festivals…
And with his band,’Lau’ (with Chris Drever),eight years ago, when he played oor local Folk Club….
You can certainly get the show on Tune-in Radio for the next five days…
BBC Scotland Sportsound Podcasts are available on the free ‘Stitcher’ app,from Google Play Store….
Now ‘Day2’ Of The CQN ‘Spartacus Revolt’….?
Bed beckons….
~~~~
THE DONALD on 15TH APRIL 2016 12:41 AM
Many thanks for the info.
BBC i player is available on subscription , I believe.
However I get most of my music and info from other sources.
Foxtel (Sky channel ) and Be IN sport for the footy and occasionally through an alternative method ( ! )
Digital radio provides access to many U.K. stations.
In reality , when I want access to anything , I just get my kids to do the needful .:-)
I saw the Battlefield Band when they were out here , but was quite some time ago.
And of course Eric Bogle.
Cheers for now ,my fellow Tim.
KILL ULTRA:
My little exchange with Canamalar had hee-haw to do with you. I have no idea why you choose to stroke your own ego by thinking it did… but let me assure you of this, you were not in my thoughts one iota.
Before now, never an iota, not ever.
Sorry!!!
Women doing the job
The Jungle for Kev-Jungle
Celtic goals v rangers in the 70s
Adrian Durham on Rangers return to SPL
Hey,Kit.
How are you ?
Enjoyed the “Ladies ” game.
No prisoners .:-)
Eddie and I are hoping to see a good number of Sydney Tims at Cheers bar in the city on Sunday night.
Hope all your mob are well .
<a title="El sueño cumplido de Gohan” href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EubTOGR3PWk”>El sueño cumplido de Gohan
El sueño cumplido de Gohan
macjay1:
I ‘m good, tired and trying to stay awake until it gets dark at least, but good. I hopeit’s the same with you and yours.
You should watch the Spanish one I just screwed up above.
There is class even in cancer.
Interview with Rio Ferdinand about the Maestrio charity match
Very kind to Paul McStay.
Celtic FC – Phil Neville Maestrio Interview
Very kind to Celtic and the Celtic Support
The Lisbon Lions and the Celtic double winning team of 1988 on ‘Hearts of Gold’
Just another one of us and we are legion but we keep it quiet.
Kitalba,
Thank You for the links tonight.
I was very lucky to watch Paul at his very best – The Jungle was the best SEAT in the place to watch that guy, Xavi is just ahead of him as a midfielder in my view as being the best ever.
Hopefully the Standing sections will expand.
PETEC:
You’re welcome. I don’t personally get the opportunity to get on so much anymore, and when I do I don’t like too much what this place is evolving into. More and more the debate is becoming plastic and it resemble a global trumpet on a huge soap box for every ego-tripper who ever heard of Celtic.
So many good guys have gone, okay some we have lost to their makers and may they get the Angels drunk on stories of paradise, but more, so many more, have just had enough of the perpetual pish.
I used to love this place because it used to be pure honest and pure compassionate, all credit due to Paul for that but more and more and more and more the honesty is being smeared with hubric agendas. For why I don’t have a clue and it bores the proverbial arse off me.
I care about our club, I care about individuals within our club, our club is global, literally global and it is wrapped in heart and soul and respect for the poor. Or at least it was. More and more and more our very reason for being is being orphaned at the expense of hatered. Hate for other clubs, hate for others beliefs. Hate for the sake of hate almost.
Where have the good guys gone. London Dave, DBBIA, Dick Byrne, Mags, Awe-Naw and on and on and on. Where did they go? Did they fall out of Love with Celtic (the club, the support) or did they fall out with CQN.
At great expense to himself in coin, and more importantly, time, Paul keeps this place going but this place is nothing without honesty. Paul is a credit to his parents and his friends and his upbringing but Paul can’t be all admired if he is neglectful of the hard issues, our own domestic dirty washing, the honesty to admit that we have a need to look in and clean and be seen to be clean. Wasn’t that the reason it was started in the first place? Honesty? Honest honesty in all that is said and debated???
Was not here conceived to counter lies and deceptions with honesty and transparency?
Doesn’t seem so much so now. The soul has gone on vacation. To where I don’t know and I don’t know if it’ll ever come back again.
By all means debate should cover the spectrum but equal respect and encouragement should be extended to the least educated of those amongst us, much more so than those who elevate themselves to intellectual heights which give their conscience the vertigo puke. And all because they think grammar is a prince of wisdom. It is not, it never will be. Men are what they do, not what they say and would like others to believe they do in their intellectual compassionate vacuums. One day they have to think back on their falsehoods and address their own lies and own agendas because their selfish lies and agenda’s detract from Celtic. And they can’t fool their makers.
Respect is a two way street. Right at this moment in time all I’m doing is fighting sleep and trying to once again find my faith in the context and substance of CQN posts. But it is hard work and I am not too sure I am up to the task. The CQN gospel, the litany, the narrative, stinks of individual obsessions and curious deflections of the issues that affect our club and the harmony of our family. And sincere concerns are rubbished at trouble making. Please my God save me from such obnoxious, intolerant fools.
Remember Reamonn Gormley. Remember Kano. Remember Pablo. Remember Celtic First. Remember our crest, and our motto, and our history, and our very own Magna Charter, and our raison d’etre and remember respect but don’t ever forget how to fight for all that you hold dear. Sorry if that sounds like a long distance Celtic Supporter telling domestic, match going Tims how best to behave, it is not really meant to, no matter how it reads. It is only me wishing we were really what we think we are.
I’m tired.
The Bible (The Word) is Never wrong.
So Many are cashing in.
If the Word is not God – well then, I Am a Hun.
I AM is the New Age crap I have been warning about.
Shunsuke Nakamura Part 1
kitalba on 15th April 2016 5:47 am,
Kit, the Villareal video was awesome m8. I hadn’t seen it.
I’m becoming a hermit because of what I know about symbolism – And that ain’t Christian to be a hermit.
Guys like yerself and so many others are helping me.
Good morning folks from Alicante airport, just waiting to get home from a sun ladened week in Benidorm with the family.
Not been posting much recently but still reading away in background. Saw that the cardigan made a reappearance this week. Now there is a bigot if I ever seen one. At least McCoist is sleekit enough to hide it.
Hoop you all have a great Friday!
HH
CRC