Before we get down to the business of the day, thanks to The Clumpany for alerting me to the incredible actions of SPFL main sponsor Ladbrokes, who on the eve of today’s big game, Tweeted speculation about Ronny Deila losing his job.
Let’s be clear on this one. Any muppet can Tweet what they like about Ronny’s job, but it’s not the role of the league sponsor to engage in this kind of speculation.
If you don’t remember any actions like this previously from a league sponsor, it’s because it hasn’t happened. Ladbrokes retained PR consultancy Level 5, who are up to their knees in the business of another club, to manage their engagement of the SPFL. This is a clear conflict of interest, bringing wholly inappropriate pressure on the Celtic manager at a critical stage of the season.
Never forget the game going on behind the Game.
A few hours before an important game is also probably not the time to say I’m really disappointed Jozo Simunovic is out injured, but it’s impossible to look ahead to this game without that thought creeping to the fore. Erik Sviatchenko had as good a debut as we have seen from a defender in some time on Sunday, but he needs to move from Crisis Management mode into Partnership Building mode as soon as possible.
My hope is that a Sviatchenko-Simunovic partnership allows Celtic to return to the kind of defensive performances we saw so often last season. Until then, we’ll need a bit more protection from midfield.
The return of Scott Brown will go a long way towards this. He has the menace required to get a foot in the way before threats reach the defence.
Aberdeen will be ready for tonight. They lost four games in five weeks, culminating in a defeat at Celtic Park in October, but they haven’t lost a league game since, and they won their first 8 Premiership games before that period. Whatever was going wrong inside the club at that time is resolved. They are not quite on our heels, but a win tonight would change that.
They will also contrast our performance at Hampden with 10 men against Ross County to theirs in Dingwall a few weeks back, when they bosses the game, came from behind and left with three points.
For Celtic this is the perfect opportunity to dispose of whatever regrets they have from Sunday. A win away to your title rivals is the perfect tonic, it will also need no motivational words.
Colin Kazim-Richards and Patrick Roberts are both fully fit but unlikely to feature in the starting line-up. This is a job for those who know the script.
Three points please, Celtic.
Two other important points before you go……….
The Celtic Foundation Zip Slide last year was more fun than you can imagine. It’s happening again, this time longer and higher (top corner of the Jock Stein-North Stand to bottom corner of the Lisbon Lions-South stand).
To participate you need to do two things:
Ask your friends to sponsor you for the Foundation.
You’ve had many great times at Celtic Park, this will be another, promise. Book now.
I see an 18-year-old Motherwell fan (with no prior record) was jailed for 5 months for releasing a flare at New Douglas Park last year. Sentencing sheriff said:
“Smoke bombs are noxious and potentially toxic. They are dangerous to those with respiratory problems, particularly asthma, and there is the very real potential of causing panic in those confined to the immediate vicinity who have no knowledge of what has been ignited.
“This presents a clear and obvious danger, and immediate action is needed from those charged with ensuring the safety of all those present, especially young children.
“You knew what you were doing and made efforts to conceal your identity. The court takes a serious view of this type of conduct which seems to be on the increase.”
Four months in jail! The 18-year-old soldier will almost certainly lose his job and carry the consequences for a lot longer than he carried the flare. It’s a life-changing action, no matter if you pull your pants up over your eyebrows.
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Paddy Power!
How far have we fallen as a support when WE are doing the Huns work for them by trying to get OUR manager, who’s team are SIX points ahead in the league SACKED!!!!!!!
Be ashamed of yourselves.
PAUL67
I said earlier that it is past the time where we ignore,or quietly make representations about,slurs like these which are damaging to our club.
Fight back,fight dirty,fight to win.
Seriously,batter seven shades out of these scumbags who are after us. They are only newsworthy while they can get away with it.
Mark Farren RIP
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/other-soccer/great-player-even-better-man-james-mcclean-leads-tributes-to-mark-farren-33-as-former-derry-striker-loses-cancer-battle-34420017.html
Looking forward to game. Hopefully bounce back. Will be tough considering our unsettled defence. Would be surprised if we saw PR or CKR start tonight but may be on the bench to make an appearance. Thinking 3-1 but rarely get these correct!
HH
http://etims.net/?p=8583
BAWSMAN on 3RD FEBRUARY 2016 12:21 PM
How far have we fallen as a support when WE are doing the Huns work for them by trying to get OUR manager, who’s team are SIX points ahead in the league SACKED!!!!!!!
Be ashamed of yourselves.
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Why would the huns want Ronny sacked ?
Here we go, 10-in-a-row…
HH
BAWSMAN
Aye,I know there’s a groundswell growing,but I think RD is viewed as far from the top of the list in the blame game. Just from reading here,and talking to Celtic friends and family.
Bawsman & BMCUWP
Well said
Pulling one’s pants over one’s eyebrows has been a staple tactic of Celtic defences down the decades.
I hope Giggs was told he only has the job till the summer, when Michael O’Neill takes over…..
I hope flares being let off in grounds increase.
Would be a great way to protest
HH
MACJAY
Nice one,stiletto to the ribs while no-one was looking.
Proud of you(!)
Auldheid
Auldheid
The reason we expect to be able to qualify for the CL say 2/3 times in any 5 year period is the new Champions Route, which leaves us playing the likes of Maribor and Malmo in Play-Offs as opposed to the likes of Arsenal.
Is it next year we lose the seeding for the play-off round? It is then your analysis will certainly become more apt.
So what are we doing about it? Theres been a few positive murmurings that the bigger clubs in the smaller leagues will be accomodated a bit more when it comes to CL qualification. Then there was mutterings that there will be automatic places for the likes of Man Utd and Milan. The next CL TV deal is due to be signed in 2019 I believe so if there is nothing to balance things out a bit then it’ll be 2022 before we can realistically hope for change.
Paul67 has stated that a legal challenge is an option open to clubs like ourselves as the big money leagues are a closed shop. When does this become a viable option, assuming its the last resort?
Are we content that via the ECA beneficial change will come, and not just for the Man Utd and Milans who have struggled to qualify for the CL recently?
HH
I fail to see how Ladbroke’s would benefit from the tweet. If someone at Level 5 was being malicious……then should be fired.
I don’t think Celtic have a chance tonight with McClean being there.
A draw would be a great result given what we are up against.
Hail Hail
Paul67
5 months wasn’t long enough in my opinion!
There is an everyday threat that IS or similar will soon be in our midst and they won’t be throwing smoke bombs.
Imagine the panic and potential crush scenario if one of these things didn’t reach the pitch and landed in the middle of the Kano section full of kids.
Just as well I was not the sitting Sherriff.
These things will cause a tragedy eventually and action, serious action, needs to be taken now to prevent that happening.
AWE NAW
Flares and protests?
The Strawbs?
Celtic manager Ronny Deila was presented with the Ladbrokes Premiership Manager of the Month award for January yet the bookies are touting other managers for the Celtic job?
You couldn’t make this up but it’s true, and some of our ‘support’ are buying into this Level 5 PR stuff and running with it.
If they cannot get enough good news Sevco stuff, they are to print bad news Celtic stuff, that is their game plan.
Every single game now is a Rony make or break game, it’s ridiculous.
BMCWUP
A lily the pink chaser
HH
I resisted posting earlier following Sunday’s result and the closure of the transfer window.
I have boycotted Hampdem for several years now and glad I never changed my mind again.
On newspapers (yes I boycott them too!) how much do Celtic pay them annually for advertising? and why?
Ladbrokes enjoy access to the stadium, if they can’t get their twitter act together why continue granting them access (there are other bookies).
Glasgow Herald’s actions last week were disappointing (in light of last years CQN advert) but probably committed corporate suicide.
BBC commentary… pitiful
Interesting to see the performance tonight (especially the man in the middle, good to note his colleagues helping hand last night ) in light of the McInnis comments on the radio this morning…one way or another we may be players missing after this game.
Those going to the game safe trip and enjoy yourselves.
HH
GOTELLTHESPARTIM
Cheers,bud. Fed up wi the moral high ground. Not much use if the enemy are undermining us.
PHILBHOY on 3RD FEBRUARY 2016 12:31 PM
You should be writing hollywood scripts … great stuff .. is it snowing while this disaster takes place in your mind ?
HH
Our owner is a large player within ladbrokes … so nothing is going to happen to Ladbrokes except maybe getting a Brother Walfrid rebranding makeover
HH
What has been the reaction from the club following that tweet by the league sponsor?
Or is it inaction?
C’mon Celtic or the back of the bus is all we will ever get.
And if the club does do something about it I want in in the public domain and not the usual behind closed doors crap.
Stand up for your manager Celtic!
If you’ve got the balls!
Hope Giggs brings his boots – still a better bet than Armstong wide left.
Cheers Paul.
As I have said before, the position of Ladbrokes’ PR operation for the SPFL is a very ‘strange’ one. Far from satisfactory.
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/chinese-walls/
And here is another new piece. Something people shouldn’t really read as it might upset Sevco fans…
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/02/03/please-dont-read-this/
PHILBHOY on 3RD FEBRUARY 2016 12:31 PM
‘There is an everyday threat that IS or similar will soon be in our midst and they won’t be throwing smoke bombs.’
###
Probably best just close down football.
Just to be on the safe side.
Otherwise women and children might die.
You can’t be too careful.
Jimmnotpaul
Cheers for the LD update,much appreciated.its a pity he appears to be niggled by injury.I know when he went out to East Stirling it did his confidence the world of good as he was getting responsibility and taking it on board.i hope he makes it :-)
Re bellarmine,Aye big Ped done ok coming from it and makin a path to our board,ma wee primary done better as thats now 2 board members wi Chris Mackay our noo F.D takin over from Eric Riley so dont mess wi the vinnies hehe.
hope you well mate
hail hail to you :-)
GEORDIE MUNRO on 3RD FEBRUARY 2016 12:02 PM
“A similar comment could be made toward Young Aiden. Didn’t even make the Partick bench.”
To be fair, I don’t think Aiden was registered in time. I think you needed to be signed on before lunch.
GREENPINATA on 3RD FEBRUARY 2016 12:11 PM
“Newly signed players in England went straight in last night.
I would expect the same from us.”
—
Once again I dont think Kazim Richards was signed in time.
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on 3rd February 2016 12:37 pm
He certainly seems to have influence beyond his 2.8% shareholding.
Awe Naw @ 12:28 got to be one of your dumbest posts and you are usually pretty savvy – disappointed. H H Hebcelt
traditionalist88
Sorry I was out and about there.
Like the legal stance, if only.
The big money kicks in next year in England and I am afraid that we are already way out of touch with them now.
Love to see that bubble burst one day with a bit of referee corruption or something like that the way Serie A went.
Think a Champions League , League may not be far off for those with the cash as I think that was the master plan all along.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 3rd February 2016 12:23 pm
PAUL67
I said earlier that it is past the time where we ignore,or quietly make representations about,slurs like these which are damaging to our club.
Fight back,fight dirty,fight to win.
Seriously,batter seven shades out of these scumbags who are after us. They are only newsworthy while they can get away with it.
———————–
Well said.
Disappointed that Sunday highlighted we lack character again. We’ve won many games against the odds with 10 men. Let’s get some guys in the side who won’t accept defeat. Brown is the only tough nut we have. We’ll need more character when facing the deadboys next year.
Many people complain, rightly, about the whole situation surrounding the deadboys, but we will have to confront them on the park soon enough. No point in throwing the toys out in protest only for our support to dwindle as they think they are Resurging’.
Ernie Lynch
Beneath contempt.
Timaloy29
Ronny said yesterday that although our new signings were lacking match fitness they were available for tomorrow.
HH.
Paul67 – it’s think it should when commenting on the young Motherwell daftie that he also broke his bail conditions by not observing his temporary banning order. I suspect that may have had some bearing on the sentence.
Why don’t we sign fit fitballers?