Spurs have dispensed with the man once thought Europe’s hottest guru manager (don’t believe in guru managers). Villas Boas was a failure as manager but he was a mere symptom of their problems. Splurging circa £100m on vagrant misfits should be enough to disguise the fact that you don’t have a sustainable strategy. For a while. But primary responsibility lies with whoever authorised the budget in the first place.
Selling that chap with the funny hair to Madrid went some way towards offsetting the cost of this summer’s acquisitions, but Spurs wage bill for the new arrivals will dwarf the money paid to those who departed. This is the more serious problem.
They are left with players on long and expensive contracts who look like they auditioning for a West End show. Forget about Spurs recouping their ‘investment’, the chances of players attracting contract offers which match the cash the Cockerel coughs up each month is zero.
The Bale money is gone and those new contracts written in the summer will inhibit the club for years. What next: downsizing, or another visit to the roulette table, gambling with even bigger stakes next time?
Here’s what happens when you sell your star player: everyone and their grannie wants the money spent. “The [Insert club name] board need to show their ambition”. This comes from fans, the media, the manager, scouts, family members and every taxi driver in a 30 mile radius. And why wouldn’t they spend an apparent windfall, that’s what the money’s there for, after all.
It’s at this point clubs lose all self-awareness. Reinforced by the success which led to the development and profitable sale of a prime asset in the first place, the organisation’s view of its reach, not to mention competency, is obliterated. “We have spent money well in the past, look, here is the evidence, therefore we can spend this even larger amount of money well now”.
With this belief now orthodoxy, every pore in the organisation secretes an intoxicating scent attracting the club to market. Unfortunately, the rewards for spending big are heady and instant, though they seldom last as long as the hangover.
Directors are celebrated, ticket and merchandise sales get a short-term kick. The manager and coaches get to play with more expensive toys; quite literally, everyone is happy. This is narco-football, only accommodated by ever-bigger hits. For some, this narco-football offers proof that management share wider stakeholder aspirations. I contend otherwise.
The heresy to this orthodoxy reads differently:
Clubs should mistrust their successes, they are evidentially more random than most are prepared to accept.
Windfall transfer income is more likely to draw clubs away from the part of the market they are most competent in. It is an acknowledged fact that sellers and agents literally see them coming.
Don’t go searching for the instant hit, you’re more likely to miss. If necessary, take some short-term pain while using resources to enhance recruitment infrastructure.
Heresy in any area of life is seldom met with quiet contemplation. Narco-football heresy is more likely to be met with a rationalisation that the heretics don’t share orthodoxy’s core values – sustainable success of the football club – no matter how many references to “sustainable success of the football club” they make. It’s Salem-esque.
The orthodox-heretic analogy is evident where three or more are gathered in any club’s name. The first club who manage to unite everyone behind the heretic’s charter will clean up/reach nirvana/find salvation/achieve ultimate enlightenment/do lunch with Tom Cruise.
CQteN St Patrick’s Day Dinner is now FULLY BOOKED. Many thanks for everyone who responded so quickly. We are well on the way to raising the money to build a kitchen and shelter at the Kholoni Primary School in Malawi (for details check here).
Just a few posting days left to order your CQN Annual before Christmas, £5 from every sale goes to the Malawi appeal:
Sean Fallon: Celtic’s Iron Man:
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ok offsky guys!
laterz
Margaret McGill
In addition, if the huns were to win the league, their Euro Co-efficient would ensure they would have virtually no chance of reaching the CL group stage and thus no cash bounty.
The new firm is a long, long way off.
justafan
00:35 on 18 December, 2013
Sad that you are signing out, you are one of the guys that I have conversed with over the short time that I have been ‘contributing’ on the blog, we don’t always agree but if we disagree it is done politely. Remember that there are still guys who want to debate here, scroll past the others and get back into it. We are all striving for the same end, well most of us.
Hail Hail
AR
JUSTAFAN
Flouncing? Another one who won’t post the evidence of tutu-wearing!
Tbh,I think the blog is better with dissent than without. I also think that it is over the top and personal on a lot of occasions recently.
But flouncing ain’t the answer,bud. Get back on and spout arrant nonsense,or even say something I agree with!
Losing good posters is to the detriment of the site,mate. Don’t do it.
MARGARET McGILL 0157
Interesting that the seven charged are identified as members of The Green Brigade.
I think their lawyer has a right to point out that this information being made public is prejudicial to their right to a fair trial before an impartial jury.
If they have criminal records,this is not made known to the jury beforehand for the same reason.
bmcuw,
Makes you wonder kinda where they might have garnered such information?
AR
ANTIPODEAN RED
You know,that hadn’t occurred to me. But you’re right enough.
That in itself is worrying.
Celts are poised to make a move for Huddersfield midfielder Norwood
By ROBERT THOMSON Published: 3 hrs ago
CELTIC are poised to move for Huddersfield Town star Oliver Norwood.
SunSport understands Hoops boss Neil Lennon plans to go for the Northern Ireland midfielder after being impressed during two spying missions to Yorkshire last month.
He watched Norwood score in matches against Burnley and Bolton so is now lining up a bid in January to snatch the 14-times-capped 22-year-old.
Lennon attended the matches to watch striker James Vaughan but the Championship club have since slapped a £6million tag on his head — pricing him out of a move to Celtic Park.
The former Manchester United kid, who played for England at youth level before switching his allegiance to Northern Ireland, is more within their price bracket.
The Terriers don’t want to lose Norwood, who is under contract until 2015, but could be tempted to cash in as he heads towards the final year of his deal.
And it’s understood the player is keen to head to Scotland and work with Lennon as the Celtic boss rebuilds his squad following their exit from the Champions League.
By ROBERT GRIEVE Published: 2 hrs ago
CELTIC will play in a friendly tournament in Turkey next month — and could face Champions League rivals Ajax.
The SPFL leaders have agreed to take part in the Antalya Cup which will see them play two matches.
Neil Lennon’s side will take on Trabzonspor on January 9 with the Dutch side facing Galatasaray the following day.
The two losing teams will meet on January 11 in a third-place play-off, with the final scheduled for Sunday January 12. All of the matches will be held in the Akdeniz Universitesi-Stadion in Antalya.
Celts have postponed their league clash with Kilmarnock to allow them to take part in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Scott Brown has become the latest Celtic star to claim they can be INVINCIBLES this season.
The Hoops are undefeated in 15 league games and Virgil van Dijk admitted at the weekend that they aim to keep it that way.
Broony backed up the Dutchman’s target and believes the champs will take some stopping between now and May.
He said: “We are a tight group and we are strong. I think if we put our minds to it we can definitely do it.
“We have a run of games coming up, especially over the festive period which will be hard.
“The gaffer will make a few subs here and there, change it up and freshen faces, but the lads enjoy playing week in, week out and two or three games a week.”
Celtic bounced back from last week’s 6-1 mauling from Barcelona with a 1-0 win over Hibs on Saturday.
Brown insists Lennon’s squad have put that Euro humbling behind them.
He said: “It was a hard game. Barcelona have done that to a lot of teams. But we’re back in our normal league position and going about the job the way we should be.
“A lot of teams have been spending £50-60 million to get to the last 16.
“Our budget isn’t as big as that and we managed to do it last year and it shows what a good team we have here.
“We’re just working hard and going back to square one really.
“We’re letting the new lads coming in know what we do — week in, week out. How we won the league and how hard the league is to start with.
“They are starting to understand the Scottish league now.”
Japan international midfielder Hiroki Yamada has started training with Celtic. The 24-year-old plays with Jubilo Iwata in the J-League and is on trial at Lennoxtown.
Finland boss Mixu Paatelainen believes striker Teemu Pukki can become a proper goal-hero at Celtic.
“He’s been fantastic for me. He has scored important goals and he’s confident” – Mixu Paatelainen
The 23-year-old ended a sequence of sixteen games without a goal with the winner against his national boss’ former club Hibernian at the weekend.
However, Paatelainen stated that a slow start is not untypical of the player at various stages of his career but that he is certainly worth the wait.
“Teemu has every single attribute you need as a striker, except perhaps physical strength,” he said in the Daily Record. “He has everything else but it takes a wee while for him to blossom. What has happened at Celtic is something we have seen before with Teemu.
“When I took Teemu into the national team it took him a year. Then I realised he might be the type of character who needs time to really settle in,” Paatelainen continued. “Once he started producing he’s never looked back. He’s been fantastic for me. He has scored important goals and he’s confident. My experiences tell me he’ll do terrific for them when he feels fully at home.”
Nigerian defender, Efe Ambrose has revealed that he hated playing as a defender earlier in his career.
The 25-year-old began his professional football education at Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Kaduna United Football Club in 2006 as a midfielder.
He was however asked to change his game and his position altered by one of his former coaches, Ben Duamlong.
“The first coach who asked me to play as a defender was Ben Duamlong. Initially, I hated it but he saw something in me and today, I thank him for helping me make the change,” Ambrose told supersport.com.
Ambrose also identified former Nigeria international, Samson Siasia and Henry Nwosu as coaches who helped him grow and develop as a professional footballer.
“I also want to use this medium to thank my former coaches Siasia and Henry Nwosu for helping me grow.
“When I first started, I was just running around the pitch. I did not understand the rules of positioning or tactics.
“These coaches helped mould me and made me the footballer I am today,” he said.
Ambrose is currently on the books of Scottish Premiership club, Celtic following a move from Israeli club, Ashdod.
The defender, who is almost certain to make Nigeria’s 2013 Fifa World Cup squad, has been capped 33 times at international level.
Slow news day bhoys so that’s yer lot. Lot of space taken up today by some impending AGM where the carcass of a deid animal is being fought over. Must be money in skeleton bones.
Well, one more piece of older news, but still published today for anyone who wasn’t aware.
——————————————
Japanese trialist Hiroki Yamada bids for Celtic deal
JAPANESE international Hiroki Yamada has arrived in Scotland in a bid to win a Celtic contract.
By: Scott BurnsPublished: Wed, December 18, 2013
The midfielder is on trial with the Premiership leaders at Lennoxtown.
Hoops manager Neil Lennon could offer Yamada a January move if he impresses, with the 24-year-old available on a free transfer from homeland club Jubilo Iwata.
It’s always good to get them in, see them up against the rest of the players and see how they cope with it
Neil Lennon
“[Chief scout] John Park has watched him a couple of times now and we’ve seen some footage,” said Lennon earlier this month.
“It’s always good to get them in, see them up against the rest of the players and see how they cope with it.
“He can play left side or off the striker.”
Yamada, who has two caps after breaking into Japan’s national team, is looking to follow in the footsteps of Shunsuke Nakamura, who had a successful spell at Parkhead from 2005 to 2009.
Yamada came through the ranks at Jubilo, with whom he lifted the 2010 J. League Cup. He has scored 20 goals in 70 games for his club.
In July, he helped his country win the EAFF East Asian Cup.
If Yamada impresses enough to secure a deal, it could reopen the door for Celtic to get a foothold in the highly lucrative Asian market. They saw shirt sales and interest in the club rocket during Nakamura’s time at Parkhead.
Celtic are also looking to make inroads into China after the SPFL struck a major broadcast deal there with PPLive TV.
Beijing Guoan attacking midfielder Zhang Xizhe, the country’s young player of the year in 2012, is on the radar.
The Hoops previously had Chinese internationals Du Wei and Zheng Zhi on their books but neither made an impact and quickly departed.
Lennon is actively looking to add to his squad in January.
Talks have already been held with the agent of Partick Thistle left-back Aaron Taylor-Sinclair and a deal has been agreed for Icelandic striker Holmbert Fridjonsson.
Mo Bangura is set to return from his loan spell at Elfsborg, while the Parkhead club could lose Georgios Samaras and Joe Ledley, who will both be free agents in the summer and have yet to agree new deals.
Meanwhile, Celtic will take part in the Antalya Winter Cup in Turkey next month.
The four-team tournament also features Galatasaray, Trabzonspor and Ajax.
The money-spinning competition is scheduled for January 8-12.
Celtic have already been given permission to postpone their Premiership fixture with Kilmarnock that weekend.
The Hoops will play Trabzonspor on January 9. The big-spending Turks boast former Chelsea stars Jose Boswingwa and Florent Malouda as well as ex-Hibs defender Sol Bamba.
Roberto Mancini’s Galatasaray, who have Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder in their squad, face Ajax in the other semi-final on January 8.
The two winning teams will meet in the final in the Akdeniz Universitesi-Stadion on January 12.
The two losing semi-finalists will square up to each other in a third-placed play-off on January 11.
That means Celtic could end up locking horns with Champions League foes Ajax for a third time this season.
The Dutch pipped them to third spot in Group H and a Europa League place.
Celtic amassed their only three points at home to Ajax in October, courtesy of a 2-1 win.
But the following month the Dutch gained revenge in Amsterdam, triumphing 1-0.
Celtic have been able to get time off to participate in the mid-season tournament as a result of new SPFL regulations which allow clubs to apply for two weeks off in January.
They used a similar rule at the start of the season to play Liverpool in a glamour friendly in Dublin.
BMCUWP
As you know, I defend the board more often than not, but if, as seems likely, somone from Celtic has given information to the cops about our lads, I will not be pleased. The charges, as I understand, are that the boys were singing RoH. WTF is the board playing at? We should demand an explanation from John Paul at least. This is not on.
I used to sing songs far more overtly republican than RoH, including the odd expletive. I wouldn’t sing them now but the boys should not be criminalised and the board should be campaigning against the act, not actively helping the authorities. Shameful!
Looking forward to Sandy Easdale appearing on the steps of Ibrox after the AGM and shouting
” the battle is over – the rebels have lost”
That’s sure to confuse the zombies. Boo or cheer?
GER57
Aye,mate. I know,and that is the problem.
I want to be on the board’s side too. Most of us do.
Because that would mean that the board weren’t being perceived as behaving contrary to how we believe a Celtic board should.
I give great credit to the board for steering us through difficult fiscal waters,believe it or not. I take issue with their stubborn resistance to pushing the boat out,but I can understand it,even if I disagree with it,here and elsewhere.
It’s their job,it falls within their remit,and backs up what PAUL67 said in his leader.
Doing down the fans does NOT fall within their remit,and that they are being perceived as doing so should worry them,and an explanation forthcoming.
That there is no attempt to do so should worry every Celtic fan,cos it sure as hell worries me!
Top of the morning from a dark and cold South Staffordshire.
Ryecatcher is up early this morning and ready to live the dream on tour.
He bears gifts of golden liquids in bottles for customers in exotic locations today.
An early start will bring great rewards of breakfast in Burnley,coffee and biscuits in Preston,lunch in Sheffield,ending with a final stop in Walsall on the way back home where I might get treated to a pie and a pint.
The thing that all these gloriously exotic towns and cities have in common,is that they all have senior football teams that would easily beat Sevco these days and that makes me smile.Their civil war council meeting tomorrow will be the final nail in the coffin of a team just over 1 year old.
Bye Bye Sevco…….You won’t be missed down here as not many have even heard of you.
Great to be a Tim….Hail Hail.
RYECATCHER
It’s yer lucky day!
As well as a wee trip to these glorious Northern holiday resorts,you got post 777
Just stay clear of the 666 on the road and you’ll be fine!!
The more things change the more they………
EXCLUSIVE: Neil Alexander launches Ibrox legal fight
GOALKEEPER Neil Alexander is considering taking Rangers to court over a claim for breach of contract.
By: Scott BurnsPublished: Wed, December 18, 2013
0Comments
Neil Alexander feels confident that he can win his case against Rangers [WILLIE VASS]
The 35-year-old, who left Ibrox for Crystal Palace during the summer, has sought legal advice on his case, with PFA Scotland also involved.
Express Sport understands that Alexander’s case centres around his contract, which had clauses in it that should have seen him handed a wage rise and a higher appearance fee after Allan McGregor left the Ibrox club in the summer of 2012.
PFA Scotland lawyer Margaret Gribbon, of Bridge Litigation, confirmed she was representing Alexander.
Neil is very keen to try to resolve this matter directly with the club in the first instance
Margaret Gribbon
Gribbon said: “I can confirm there is a contractual dispute between the two parties.
“Neil is very keen to try to resolve this matter directly with the club in the first instance, before he considers any other options.”
It could be another damaging blow to Rangers, who are already gripped by infighting ahead of tomorrow night’s AGM. The club are also running short of cash and if Alexander was to win his fight then it could well push them over the edge – as the alleged loss of earnings runs into a significant six-figure sum.
The shot-stopper’s case relates to last season when Alexander showed loyalty to Rangers by staying at the club after most of the club’s other top stars – including McGregor, Stevie Naismith and Steven Whittaker – decided to walk out on their contracts after the Light Blues were forced to start life again in the Third Division.
Alexander was a key player for manager Ally McCoist as Rangers romped to the Third Division title, but his five-year spell ended on bitter terms over the way his contract renegotiations were handled.
The keeper had wanted to remain at Ibrox but was seeking a two-year contract similar to that which had been handed to club captain Lee McCulloch.
Alexander had initially been offered a one-year deal by former chief executive Charles Green on roughly £10,000 a week, but that was then taken off the table by the Yorkshireman.
Green then added insult to injury by going back to Alexander with another 12-month contract on less than a third of his initial offer. The Scotland cap rejected it point-blank and knew the writing was on the wall when Green sanctioned the pre-contract signing of Cammy Bell from Kilmarnock.
McCoist and goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart tried desperately to convince Alexander to sign on again, however the player refused and left Ibrox last summer even though he didn’t have another club lined up.
He has since won a contract at Crystal Palace as back-up to first-choice keeper Julian Speroni.
Alexander views his dispute with Rangers as more of a matter of principle than a money issue, particularly after the way he was treated by Green.
23-57…Neganon
Just about the size of it
CFC take your cash …as much as they can get …
Product is moderate at best
That’s it….
BMCUWP…..
This time last year I got to visit customers in Thailand and Malaysia.
No difference,ey?
Know what?Rainjurz were pan breed then, too.
Send you an email at the weekend,mate.
Ryecatcher
That’s quite a hike you have today, mate. The folk you’re seeing in Sheffield may well have heard of oor Chuckles, defo if they’re Blades fans.
We complain about our board but if we look to ipox, we should be quite grateful, notwithstanding the last 3 weeks.
RYECATCHER
You don’t wanna be visiting those exotic places. They’re full of bloody CQNers,mostly from Ayrshire!
Honest,you’d be amazed how many mails I get saying “just off to/back from” and not a bloody postcard from any of them…..
Have a nice wee jaunt,bud. Fill us all with takes of how Lancashire Black Pudding compares with other more celebrated types.
Take our minds off the infighting for a change….
ger57…..
The guy I’m going to see in Sheffield is a Rotherham fan and can’t stand any of the Sheffield teams,but he knew Chico Green years ago and just found him a clown as he had no axe to grind over what he did to Sheffield United,as he doesn’t like them anyway.
Green is just seen as an absolute feckin clown in England,but a hero and a saviour in Govan.
You just can’t feel sorry for the Orcs though.Google would have told them everything to know about Mr. Bighands.
Ah well,that’s the couple of hours desk-driving done. On wi my work now!
Have fun,y’all….
BMCUWP….
You been playing Scalextric on the desk again?
From all reports it would appear that the winners at the Govan AGM will be the (I saw this before, I love it – the spiveratti!)
If and when the Spiveratti win everything will be done to arrange quick stripping and quick departure. That is why they are here. Sally knows this. He also knows that the bears know it, hence the gesture to RSC EK.
This for me this is one of the more enjoyable Christmas presents. Drawn out. Stretched.
Could anyone have written a more just outcome (ok I know a few of us would like to add some additional enhancements to their discomfort.)
Its not quite Stephen Kingesque but in its own way it is highly satisfying, truly just, truly karma – esque (does adding esque to everything piss everybody off?)
Some TV production company would not have to spend much to come up with drama that even the bears would go to due to its historical significance. At Parkhead it could run as long as the ” Mousetrap”.
I am glad I’m not a Blue nose (sung to “It was on the Bridge at Midnight”)
Altogether now ” I am glad \I’m not a Blue Nose”
Forget to insert some “Fitba Stuff”
sorry. I forgot to put in some Fitba.
Just looking at Mourinho in the post match presser.He looks so bored with football these days.I reckon he’s had enough of club football and waiting for an international gig now.
What Chelski probably need is an up and coming young 51 year old manager who is capable of putting together a 15 match winning run of games.
Right,suited and booted and ready to fire up the Quatro and point it in the direction of Burnley.
RyecatchersbigdayootCSC
if on your way to work this morning you have a moment to absorb the vibe in the City you will detect, if early, a small but perceptible level of bealingness. As the morning moves along don’t you feel that level of bealingness rising at the same rate people come out onto the street.
Thistle fans don’t feel it. Its the most Wonderful Feeling in the World except for you know, you know – having a pint.
ryecatcher,
I don’t think he’s bored. He’s one of those Latino types. Moody, Sullen – that’s his Schtick – he knows fitba. Simultaneously he is nurturing his PR persona. Its a long career. Get ready to be a colour commentator further along.
Mungolian Bhoy….
I see it different re Mourinho.
He failed in Spain,except for one La Liga,as Barca probably had better players and allegedly a better ahem…..club pharmacist……shhhhhhhh
He will fail this time in England as Man Shitty have better players and more money than Chelski.
His Latino machismo will not accept 2nd best,and if he can’t win he gets bored.
DrugsandmoneykilledfootballCSC
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC
08:18 on17 December, 2013
Sorry for the delay in replying but I usually access CQN in the morning just to catch up on any developments in the Celtic sphere.
I’m somewhat mystified by your post as my reading of it suggests you’re being a little supercilious.
Maybe the head honcho in the GB went home after the match,realised that his defiance of UEFA was being overlooked and phoned some media contacts.
Not sure where you’re coming from here – my question simply posed the question why the ‘head honcho’ (term used as I didn’t know who actually makes the GB decisions and sets the agenda) would decide to make a political statement about a Scottish issue at a European game, especially in view of the on-going discussions between the GB and club representatives and Uefa’s clear stance on political displays at matches under their auspices.
You, it appears have put your own interpretation on what I wrote.
Equally, ‘You’re right. These GB types are devious, and should be strung up.’
Again, I’m unsure where you’re going with this. My conclusion questioned the motivation behind the GB’s statement and who was the intended target of their message. Did they choose the right action and consequences, did they desire a consequence without thinking through which was the appropriate action or did they simply want to make a statement without contemplating the consequences – adolescent bravado?
The GB are Celtic supporters and as such have a responsibility to the rest of the wider support and I believe they should be held to account for their actions.
Why you should you say the GB should be strung up? Hmm…. I think you’re being condescending and for that reason I won’t qualify that with a reply.
I tend to lurk more than post and I’ve read many of your abundant posts and always held the view you were a moderate character, I may have to rethink that.
Man City – Chelsea Too close to call.
MURDOCHBHOY 0604
The point I was making.
That the banner was displayed about four hours before anyone here or elsewhere realised there was an issue about it. You,however,reckoned that the GB knew full well what they were doing.
One of the more popular cheapshots aimed at the GB is that they are just silly wee boys. I think it is a tad unfair to then expect them to have full knowledge of sanctions which none of us knew existed.
I’m sorry that your view of events is different from mine. But if we all agreed,it would be boring. I do as you suggest consider myself to have moderate opinions.
But they are firmly held. And chief amongst them is fairness. What is happening at the moment is far from that.
Good morning friends from an Un-Christmaslike rainy and grey East Kilbride. Where’s a light smattering of frost when you need it?
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC
I do have some sympathy for the GB and believe it or not I’m more or less in line with their thinking on most matters and I delight in their rebelliousness, so refreshing in the modern age . However, their actions bring consequences and if they are to be taken seriously, or if you will ‘grown up’ then they must pay more heed to those consequences.
Fir Hill was a good example where they acknowledged they were responsible but failed to control the situation.
My fear is they are a loosely affiliated group without clear leadership and as such the question that must be asked is do they have the hierarchy to control any given situation.
GlaagowRoad on Twitlonger
Around this very week
last year within the
confines of Celtic Park it
was let slip to myself
that the club backed The
Offensive Behaviour at
Football and
Threatening
Communications
(Scotland) Act 2012. At
first it came as a shock
and I waited on the
punchline, then further
details were given of
how QC Paul McBride
had advised Peter
Lawwell and ‘The Club’
that they should back
the Act. Today
@MinogueTom has in
one tweet exposed all
that myself and certain
others have known all
along – http://t.co/
n72XLcJQSv the truth
always comes out,
especially now as there
is no hiding place from
‘The Freedom Of
Information’.
We were told not so long
ago that the club
‘backed’ the fans in our
campaign to see this Act
smashed, this was a
one-liner via another
rushed and prompted
‘Club Statement’, they
lied. Stories of internal
meetings in which Celtic
PLC staff gathered
personal details of Celtic
season ticket holders
from Section 111 with a
view to “getting rid of
them” were denied as
“untrue and false”, they
lied.
The myth and set up
that was the ‘Battle Of
Dens Park’ was a joint
operation between
Celtic, Police and
Dundee FC. I sat during
an ‘evidence gathering’
video production
compiled by David
Brannan and shown to
myself and one other in
the presence of
Hawthorn and Lawwell
on a projection screen in
The Boardroom, at an
estimate 90% of this
video was focused
footage of Section 111
and Green Brigade
members, as the video
finished we moved
through to the ‘meeting
room’ where tea was
poured and Lawwell
made a call to The
Ticket Office Manager
and asked for the
“seating details of all
season book holders
from section 111 who
have a ticket for Dens
Park” , Dundee was the
next away game
(26/12/12) and it was
clear he was planning
something. Where the
information went once
he received it doesn’t
take a genius to work
out, luckily probably
around the same time it
was also relayed to a
Green Brigade member.
There was no riot at
Dens Park, there were
no Celtic Supporters
“urinating where they
stood”, there were no
“scenes that harked
back to the 70’s” ,
Lawwell lied, again they
lied. This is just one
example of many
instances and situations
witnessed by myself of
Celtic PLC’s agenda
against a section of our
own support, The Green
Brigade were kept a step
ahead, that was only
right, they were called
liars, they never lied.
You have to wonder why
our CEO was so hell
bent on criminalising a
section of our support,
was it figures? Was it to
justify ‘The Act’ at our
end, was it a personal
agenda against The
Green Brigades’ politics,
displays, Ultra motives
or the fact he couldn’t
control them? After all
he described them to me
as “neds and
cancerous”, make your
own mind up, but there
is one thing for sure, he
lied.
So the PLC back the
fans in our campaign
against this legislation,
really? As our
supporters were ‘kettled’
in The Gallowgate, lifted
from their homes in
dawn raids, criminalised
for songs that are not
criminal, harassed,
filmed, over searched,
vilified in the media and
somehow seen as a part
scapegoat to a sectarian
issues, just remember
they backed it and they
lied.
The PLC Board of Celtic
Football Club need to
remember one thing, we
can replace you, you
cannot replace us.