Odsonne Edouard, who turned 20 in January, is at the pivotal season of his career. He scored lots of goals at youth level but was heading nowhere at PSG before Brendan Rodgers made the trip to Paris to encourage him to come to Glasgow.
His stats until that point were meagre: one goal in 16 appearances on loan at Toulouse, but Celtic scouted him thoroughly and all were convinced of his potential. After settling into life in Glasgow, he is beginning to fulfil some of that potential, Sunday’s winning goal being the clearest example.
In only two months Brendan will decide whether to spend €10m on him or let him return to PSG. For Celtic, this is a serious gamble, but I expect them to take it.
The club have money to spend right now, but being able to spend it as effectively as you would like is another story. €10m on a striker guarantees you nothing, not even a resale value. Then consider the contract a €10m striker would want. The club know well how difficult it is to sign anyone who has clearly demonstrated they are ready to take on the Champions League. To improve players at this level, we need to graduate them through the final phase of their development here.
If we are to break the €10m barrier, and I think we should, we need to be sure we can improve him and that he has the right attitude to the game. If Brendan is convinced on these questions, Celtic will exercise their option and sign him on a permanent deal. But even after a year’s trial, it is a huge gamble.
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Also, 77 years ago today, those who were lucky enough to wake up from the night before, discovered that their town, and in many respects their future and the futures of their children and their children’s children, had been destroyed or at least changed forever.
Today, everyone should remember Clydebank when gonig about their day to day business.
https://broganrogantrevinoandhogan.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/death-on-the-clyde-the-politicians-poppycock/
BRTH
Alistair Logan was indeed very much an unsung hero of The Guilford 4 affair.
Paddy Armstrong’s recent book Life After Life is well worth reading.
Logan was at the time of the bombings a Family Law Solicitor with no experience of Criminal Trials…and he ends up representing some of the accused in one of the biggest criminal trials in Britain.
Apart from that it was his town that was bombed and here he was defending the people who “Did it ” according to the police media and just about every one in England.
A brave man who looked after Armstrong after his release like a father/therapist/financial advisor/you name it.
A very decent and very English man..
BRT&H
The Clydebank article has been forwarded a number of times to expats with local connections. And your piece on the many miscarriages of justice is outstanding.
Both well worth a look,for those who haven’t seen them previously.
BRT & H
Where can I get a print copy of that article?
JJ
HOTSMOKED
Copy it and paste into an e-mail. Put it through your printer from there.
Parkheadcumsalford on 15th March 2018 8:05 am
Would the former St Mirren director being given airtime on Radio Scotland be the same person as the one who allowed access to their books by the deid team?
—————————————————————————————-
Aye – Stewart Gilmour was given PLENTY of airtime last night on sectarian BBC Scotland to get his propaganda across on the SFA appointment. He’s been at it non-stop on Twitter also – calling for non-exec directors to make a statement. The fact that he is so rattled/angry tells you something does it not? The other thing he was things allowed to spout pure pish about was the “sectarian issue” as the presenter described it. Apparently there is no issue at St. Mirren, which is a family-friendly club. You won’t hear any bad things there. No siree. All the problems are with people singing “IRA chants” – apparently these are now considered “sectarian”.
The one question that wasn’t asked and wasn’t answered was “Whit’s the goalie dain’, Tom?!!” – definitely a question that will still be on his mind after the weekend….
BMCUW
I haven`t got a printer !!
JJ
twists n turns on 15th March 2018 8:06 am
David
That’s ok. It just means the Scottish FA will now breach a regulation again too. Sorted.
—————————————————————–
To be honest, Glibby’s refusal to release the moths that are incarcerated in his wallet by the end of the month could render any SFA Licensing Committee decision pretty meaningless anyway.
For info to everyone, here are the current members of the SFA Lincensing Committee:
Independent Members:
Allan Cowan (Chair) – former PTFC director
Donald McNaught – Johnstone Carmichael (expert in restructuring and insolvency…how apt)
Dick Shaw – Former QotS and Annan director
Roddy Morrison – Dunno…
Brian Urquhart – former Clachnacuddin director (I think)
Football Body Members:
Ewen Cameron – Alloa (always cheatin’) director
Anne McKeown – Arbroath director (and solicitor)
Craig Paterson – QotS director
John McCabe – Spartans director
That to me looks like the typical make-up for an SFA committee (a mixture of crusty old blazers and ladder climbers). We should expect a typical outcome.
Natknow
Some posts are hopeful that changes may be afoot at the SFA/SPFL which will allow for the arrival of something approaching integrity in those bodies.
Unfortunately, whilst we have the majority being `informed` by the likes of Radio Scotland,BBC Scotland and the trash that goes by the name of NEWSpapers, we will struggle to see meaningful change.
An opinion, obviously but I hope I am wrong.
JJ
St Mirren fans?
Those lovely people that used to chant “Paul Hartley’s gay”?
Family club indeed, traditional family values.
Staunch…
If Stewart Gilmour wants some example of St Mirren’s sectarian issues all he needs to do is Google :
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/ballboy-charged-over-sectarian-comments-1075906
https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/35512/cops-hunt-st-mirren-yobs-over-sectarian-songs/
BRHT
I met young Derm Farrell in Philadelphia last month, he is the grandson of Richard McIlkenney
He had a few stories to tell about their struggles after their release also
Davidopoulos
The names alone drain confidence that meaningful change is likely.
JJ
PS I got a wee bit more information on the Arbroath Director but my `source` was not able to say whether Ms McKeown was a Hun or not :-))
JJ
Hot Smoked on 15th March 2018 9:00 am
Natknow
Some posts are hopeful that changes may be afoot at the SFA/SPFL which will allow for the arrival of something approaching integrity in those bodies.
Unfortunately, whilst we have the majority being `informed` by the likes of Radio Scotland,BBC Scotland and the trash that goes by the name of NEWSpapers, we will struggle to see meaningful change.
An opinion, obviously but I hope I am wrong.
JJ
———————————————————————————-
No – you’re not wrong mate. The press is Scotland is Orwellian. Their inability to address the real issues in Scottish society are part of the problem.
HotSmoked
Jim if you e-mail me your address I will print one off and post it to you or can give it to you at Celtic Park or in Coia’s at some point.
jjow88@hotmail.co.uk
BRTH
CELTIC BY NUMBERS on 14TH MARCH 2018 8:13 PM
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/celtic-hoist-the-rangers-by-their-own-petard/
Defensive frailty all over the place in the Derby.
======================
How dare you mention anything negative in relation to a Celtic match!
You and your cohorts have successfully ended the party now.
Didn’t you know Dedryk Boyata is a composed, intelligent centre back showing incredible leadership to the youngsters on either side of him!
HH
Hot Smoked
Interesting. In reality I don’t think it matters regarding allegiances. I agree with you on the confidence in those names. The current SFA set up is populated with people who will NEVER rock the boat…
HOTSMOKED
BRT&H just beat me to that offer. A particularly generous one,as it will be too heavy for a standard First-class stamp(!)
Word of The Day
Relucent. /rɪˈluːsənt/
adjective
1. (archaic) bright; shining
Word Origin
C16: from Latin relūcēre to shine out, from re- + lūcēre to shine, from lūxlight
KTF
Natknow
” Their inability to address the real issues in Scottish society are part of the problem.”
I think it is choice rather than inability.
BRT & H
I sent an email but got this reply:
“Delivery to the following recipients was aborted after 1 second(s):
jjow88@hotmail.co.uk ”
I`ll try again
Davidopoulos
That ( The SFA Personnel ) is unfortunately true. I hope it is going to be at least shaken if not changed.
Traditionalist 88
I would say that exaggeration is even less effective than shouting .
Cheerio for now,
JJ
BMCUW
As you can see above, you might be forking out for that 1st Class stamp after all :-))
Definitely off now.
JJ
Re: the SFA appointment. I believe the reason for people like Gilmour squealing like a pig is that he sees a shift in power away from Petrie etc. – the faction he prefers, but which has been seen to be utterly useless in progressing the governance issues over recent years.
BROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN on 15TH MARCH 2018 9:09 AM
HotSmoked
Jim if you e-mail me your address I will print one off and post it to you or can give it to you at Celtic Park or in Coia’s at some point.
jjow88@hotmail.co.uk
BRTH
that offer got to be worth a BOX OF SMOKIES or 2 doz BRIDIES.
Hot Smoked
I think it should be:
jjoe88@hotmail.co.uk
Hot Smoked on 15th March 2018 9:31 am
Natknow
” Their inability to address the real issues in Scottish society are part of the problem.”
I think it is choice rather than inability.
—————————————————————-
You’re probably right.
Rangers director yet to be passed ‘fit and proper’ by SFA
Andy Coyle
Businessman Alastair Johnston has been in position at Ibrox since June 2017.
The businessman returned to Ibrox last year to take a seat on the board and was present at the club’s AGM in November.
However, the position has not yet been rubber-stamped by the authorities at Hampden, with an investigation into the UEFA licensing process holding up a decision.
Companies House documents show Johnston was appointed as a director on June 12, 2017 and a document from November last year states he holds a position that “has the right to exercise, or actually exercises, significant influence or control over the company”.
Johnston’s past as a member of the Rangers oldco board has led to his application being put on hold by the governing body, pending the outcome of an investigation into the Scottish FA’s handling of Rangers’ UEFA licence application in 2011.
The US-based Scot was appointed as chairman of Rangers on August 29, 2009 and was removed from his position on May 24, 2011, following Craig Whyte’s takeover. He had already criticised Whyte and said he would stand down at the end of the season.
Johnston was chairman when the club applied to participate in UEFA competition that year but there are questions surrounding Rangers’ tax obligations at that time and what was declared on their licence application.
UEFA rules state clubs applying to play in Europe should have “no payables overdue” to tax authorities, but do allow applications to progress if amounts are in dispute.
Rangers said at the time of their application in 2011 they had no overdue payables but that they were in dispute with HMRC over their liability from a Discounted Option Scheme, known as “the Wee Tax Case”, which was in use from 2000 to 2002.
However, in court testimony given during the Craig Whyte trial, Rangers and Murray Group directors stated the club knew the tax bill was overdue in November 2010, months before their UEFA licence application.
Following the court case, the Scottish FA took legal advice from a QC before referring the matter to their compliance officer to investigate whether the governing body had acted correctly when processing the licence application.
Former Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan noted in a letter to clubs, informing them of the investigation: “There seem to be contradictions between those [court] statements and written representations made by oldco at the time of the licence application and during the monitoring period”.
Johnston is the third person to join the Rangers board who had been a director at Ibrox before the financial collapse at Ibrox in 2012.
Paul Murray was a director from 2007 until May 2011, leaving the club after Craig Whyte’s takeover was complete. His status as a “fit and proper” person was approved by the Scottish FA ‘ Professional Game Board”.
Rangers chairman Dave King became a non-executive director of the oldco in 2000 after becoming an investor in the club but ended his association in 2012.
Following the takeover of the newco in 2015, King became chairman of the club after being approved by the full board of the Scottish FA, who said that the decision had been made after “unprecedented” due diligence and after it “sought and received specialist independent legal advice, both in Scotland and South Africa, in respect of Mr King’s conviction further to the South African Income Tax Act and in relation to his previous involvement as a director of the club.”
HOT SMOKED on 15TH MARCH 2018 9:31 AM
I think you meant over-exaggeration :)
Shouting just makes you look like a fat Chelsea fan on holiday in Spain trying to order a beer, veins poppin oot yer heid ;)
ShoutLouderThat’llWorkCSC
Folks,
Various moves afoot I suspect within the SFA and as has been pointed out we are in the midst of licensing season.
As someone who spent a big part of my professional life dealing with licensing systems, processes, applications, appeals and judicial reviews of all of the same, it has always been my contention that it will be the issue of “licenses” (note the plural) which will be the undoing of the SFA and RFC in any of its guises.
A licensing system of any sort is wholly dependent on applications and processes amongst applicants and a licenisng body being conducted in the utmost good faith. A licence is a permission, a legal privilege which says that you are different to any other group of people because you have been given permission to ………. whatever. But you have to earn the right.
When many differenent people apply for the same type of licence it is vital that their applications are all treated equally and in the same manner and face the same legal and adminisitative tests, checks and balances.
It is also vital that a licence application is presented in good faifth, is accurate and legally compliant. If the very application fails these tests, or is later shown to have failed these tests, then any subsequent licence which is granted as a consequence can be viewed as invalid and as if it had never been granted at all.
In the world of sport, this has been confirmed by the Court of Arbitraton for sport, which has also confirmed that part of its function is to “expunge sporting records” which were created wrongly as a result of any kind of cheating or illegality or irregularity which should not be allowed to stand.
I understand that last year, the RFC UEFA licence was granted by the SFA but was severely scrutinised by UEFA with the result that many questions were raised about the granting of the licence, the evidence produced and relied upon in granting the licence, the accuracy of what was submitted and the appropriateness of the tests applied when considering the licence application as a whole.
I am told that the result of the game against FC Progrès meant that these enquiries were halted in their tracks as they were deemed “no longer necessary” by UEFA and this in turn led to a huge sigh of relief from Hampden as the enquiries were making some uncomfortable.
In January, all clubs capable of securing a European place will have been asked to submit information to the SFA for pre application checking prior to the key date of 31st March.
It could be, and I stress the “could be”, that some within the SFA have felt it would be a good time to move on rather than face an issue which is inevitable and which may well be made worse and of greater significance and interest as a result of the forthcoming COO review of events in 2011/2012.
Equally, there are others who have questioned both past and current events and records, who may, and I stress the may, want to ensure that there can be no repetition of past failings or poor practice relative to licensing issues as has happened in the past and which is likely to be highlighted by the same COO review.
There are those named on the list of individuals on the licensing committee posted earlier who have, to my knowledge, questioned how the current Ibrox organisation can continue to trade in the future and who have also raised the issue of why their clubs should attempt to be rule compliant in every way while another club would appear not to be rule compliant yet retain the same permissions or licences as those clubs who do play by the rules.
As someone once said, we live in interesting times …………. and they appear to get more interesting almost by the day!!
Saint Stivs
Johnston will be getting nervous of any buses that pass him by…
CELTIC BY NUMBERS on 14TH MARCH 2018 8:13 PM
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/celtic-hoist-the-rangers-by-their-own-petard/
Defensive frailty all over the place in the Derby.
Don’t think Boyata was getting himself in positions he’s not used to. When we play a back 4 Tierney still plays like a wing back, the right back (usually Lustig) stays back to give us a three. I thought the problem on Sunday was Simunovic wasn’t moving across closer to Boyata (as you highlighted) and as a result Ajer was too wide. In addition Ajer had 2 on 1s continually as Forrest wasn’t tracking John’s forward runs. Boyata just made stupid mistakes, nothing to do with positioning, just bad decision making, poorly executed. Lustig will return for the semi final, hopefully Compper gets enough game time before then and is fit enough to partner Ajer. Time to ditch Boyata and Simunovic as first picks, they’ll most likely be leaving in the summer anyway.
The Daily Record this morning runs a story about how G Murty Esq may not last in his job, even if Sevco win the Scottish Cup.
The article talks about how they need new players and ‘may be able to bank on Dave King’s millions…’
They’re really not getting this at all, are they?
The article also talks about goalkeeper Foderingham’s weaknesses (poor with shots from distance, lack of awareness of his angles, etc etc). Just a minute – can this be the same Foderingham that the Daily Record touted for a England cap, under Mark Warburton? It surely can!
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan
Equally, there are others who have questioned both past and current events and records, who may, and I stress the may, want to ensure that there can be no repetition of past failings or poor practice relative to licensing issues as has happened in the past and which is likely to be highlighted by the same COO review.
There are those named on the list of individuals on the licensing committee posted earlier who have, to my knowledge, questioned how the current Ibrox organisation can continue to trade in the future and who have also raised the issue of why their clubs should attempt to be rule compliant in every way while another club would appear not to be rule compliant yet retain the same permissions or licences as those clubs who do play by the rules.
———————————————————————————–
As you say interesting times.
Of the Licensing Committee members, four are actively involved with other SFA member clubs. All four were members of the Licensing Committee in 2016 and 2017. If they are concerned about the fairness of their club being compliant with rules while another is patently not, then they should have perhaps made a bit more of a point of it last year.
I don’t doubt what you say though – I very much hope they have learned their lesson this year.
Is this the same St.Mirren “family club” Gilmour is talking about?
CELTIC ace Virgil van Dijk was targeted by a vile racist footie yob who made monkey noises and gestures as he lay on the pitch yards away.
The Dutch defender went down near the touchline at St Mirren Park when the lout hurled foul abuse.
Hoops defender van Dijk was said to be “furious” and reported the incident to cops at the final whistle. A source said: “Van Dijk made his feelings clear to the match commander and other police officers at full-time in the game.
“He was absolutely furious. It’s disgusting that this sort of thing keeps happening in football.
“The police went to one of the TV production trucks close to the stadium to request footage of the game.
“It’s now in the hands of Police Scotland — hopefully the guy who did it is quickly identified and dealt with.”
The abuse came as van Dijk went down near the west stand in the dying stages of Saturday’s Premiership clash in Paisley, which Celtic won 2-1.
A home supporter was seen mimicking a monkey and making ape-like gestures at him.
Van Dijk, who became a father earlier this month when girlfriend Rike Nooitgedagt gave birth to a baby girl, joined the Parkhead club last summer from Dutch outfit FC Groningen in a £2.6million move.
Last night he was not available for comment. St Mirren’s former ground at Love Street was the scene of another shameful racist attack, against Dutch footie hero Ruud Gullit.
The former Holland captain said the “saddest night of his life” was in Paisley when home supporters racially abused and spat at him during a game.
Gullit was a Feyenoord starlet when his side faced Saints in the UEFA Cup in 1983.
He recalled in an interview later: “It was the saddest night of my life. The Scots booed me because of my colour. I was even spat on.”
Cops are also reviewing pictures from security cameras at the ground following Saturday’s incident.
Police Scotland said: “Inquiries are continuing following a report of racial abuse of a Celtic player by a spectator during the game at St Mirren Park. We are liaising with the clubs.”
THE BEEB —
Banned hundreds and hundreds of choons –
Here are 3 of them —
https://youtu.be/9B-uWoYs3X4 -too political
https://youtu.be/Vimk3TB1ij0—–too anti colonial
https://youtu.be/CQqZAwwZ4Xs—– too libidinous
Not banned by the Beeb but the man wasn’t allowed to go drinking with the boys when Frankie was recording Strangers in The Night etc — tolerating a faggot playing guitar for you was one thing but hanging out with a faggot -No way !!!.
Great choon __
https://youtu.be/k_Yj9oHikgY
Liverpool for Broony testimonial?
HH
Celtic By Numbers……..
Great work, thanks for sharing, well played!
Haven’t seen hide nor hair of Clury………………lately.
HH