Humiliate your rivals in the Cup Final by putting five goals past them and, if you don’t pay the piper, you pay the consequences. Winning trophies while running up debts you cannot afford to pay is not a viable strategy. The consequences, if you are fortunate enough to survive, has to be painful, otherwise football removes the moral hazard of failure, making Hearts recent experience more likely to happen to other clubs.
Hearts season at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership is the cost of pouring millions of pounds creditors will not receive onto the Hampden Park pitch to hit five goals past a Hibs team, who live within their means. Many other teams were denied progress in the cups, or higher prize money in the league, while the fantasists were building to their 5-1 glory.
Billy Brown’s nonsense about rescinding a punishment for a club who are still in administration is yet another fantasy, but it was fostered in 2012, by the notion that Scottish football can change insolvency rules on the hoof to accommodate a failed club. If you want to change insolvency rules, knock yourself out, but there is near-uniform agreement that you cannot change rules when a favoured club falls foul, in order to benefit them.
This notion that because the rules were not changed to help Newco Rangers into top flight football, Scotland’s reigning Third Division champions would be outraged, is hardly news. The 11 top flight clubs, most of whom appear to be enjoying a competitive ‘Best of the Rest’ league race, and a whole clutch of lower league clubs, would also be outraged if Hearts were advantaged.
In October 2011, when Rangers fate was privately acknowledged, Craig Whyte, Neil Doncaster and SPL chairman, Ralph Topping, discussed this rule change ruse. It should have been a 30 second conversation; declined when first proposed. Instead, Scottish football was put through the real trauma of a fantasy fear of Armageddon. Now everyone who can’t pay their bills think they have the same entitlement to campaign for a rule change – and why shouldn’t they, the tabloids told everyone that changing the rules on the hoof was acceptable.
Hearts fans know this. They are heading for relegation, those I have spoken to have accepted the situation. For them, it’s all about ensuring the club survives and sorting things out for the long term, SPFL results don’t even register. I don’t know any who want to see their club go cap in hand for rule changes, the way Whyte, then Green, did. It’s demeaning and lacks dignity.
This is turning into my favourite domestic season yet. All the ‘They’ve suffered enough’ merchants better get their strategies sorted for the next episode.
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BobbyRussell
15:32 on
13 January, 2014
Kit
same happened to me. Was playing in Pollok some years ago and a fan shot me through the brain, whilst another stabbed me through the heart. Then my legs fell off and I turned blind. Didn`t stop me rattling in the winner in the dying seconds. You should have seen the look on their faces. I couldn`t. A mans game right enough.
I take issue Bobby,lol, implying you were shot/stabbed once playing in that area.
sniperNchib csc :-))))
corkcelt- SUPPORTING THE DAM 5
15:44 on
13 January, 2014
What I’m looking for is share options etc made available to institutional investors that will allow them to bring their average down to the point where they’re not sitting on huge losses. Raises money, they can get out.
joe filippis haircut
15:47 on 13 January, 2014
Well, we live in hope and pray….hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Seriously, though, it’s imminent, imminent…..you hear….???….IMMINENT…HAHAHAHAHA
Cruzeman:
This string of posts began with Beram Kayal refusing to have his photo taken because he’d broken his nose. Ouch! but not exactly life threatening. Unlike BobbyRussel who was actually shot through the head and had his brains splattered across Scotland, but still picked himself up and scored the winner; you’ve got to take your hat off to that.
In life there are true stories and conversely there are not so true stories… but you have to be acute to know which are, and which aren’t.
Joe Filippis Haircut
In fairness to the CQn Auditors – they have been ‘on the money’ all along this sordid story so far. So I don’t think they should stay quiet until after the event as that deprives us all the opportunity to shout ‘I TOLD YOU SO!’ to SMS and other RIFC2012 followers…
MSM
Joe Filippis Haircut
Aye.
Yesterday somebody was bumping their gums that because VVD was substituted, in a friendly it might mean Celtic are selling him.
weeminger 15:41 on 13 January, 2014
“They’re clearly banking on Commonwealth Games Committee/Government coming in to fix the roof.”
I think they are as well, but I’m pretty sure that will not happen. Whoever owns the ground is responsible for the upkeep of it.
The budget will not stretch that far and funds from the Commonwealth Games Committee are only available for superficial work in the stadiums.
The time must be fast approaching when safety certificates are in doubt. There has been too much tragedy in that place already.
67 Heaven. Living in hope is fine fella we all do it.However,writing about it every day for others to read without revealing any source or any figures or any clue becomes a bit wearing.H.H.
burgas hoops
15:27 on 13 January, 2014
My sister-in-law’s dog passed away years ago……I still recall fond memories of a wonderful pet, quite often actually…….
joe filippis haircut
15:58 on 13 January, 2014
Naw…it’s just to keep the bhun lurkers updated…hehe
Cruzeman:
And bottom line,
whether you condoned the tackles or not,
If you wanted to play the game,
you played,
You never dived,
because it had not been invented,
if you got hurt…
there was a bucket and a sponge that cured all.
Personally I very much support the Tories private members bill to name a holiday after Margaret Thatcher. It is a brillaint idea! I also think they should trial it in Scotland first….just like the poll tax! Fitting epilogue.
weminger , I agree that a rights issue would bring cash directly to the Club and those existing shareholders who would subscribe would maintain their Share ratio. However it smacks of throwing good money after bad and any rights issue would need to be heavily discounted even from existing levels. They would need to sell a lot of shares to bring in any kind of meaningful dosh. A much easier way for existing shareholders to bring in some money would be a sale/leaseback of assets. here’shopingcsc.
Bobby I jest at it only happening once.eejits with a sluggi were common place at cooglen
:-))
hail hail An T
All this talk of Pollok football has me reminiscing of the days we trained at Stans Den. Had to walk through a fug of smoke in the hall to get to the changing rooms as the bingo was on. I remember one day changing there then walking down to the pitch only to find a burned out car right next to the pitch. As we were warming up I remember my fellow centre back going as pale as a ghost when he seen the opposition centre forward. I asked him what was up and he said, ‘that’s the guy that stabbed me last year’….I think we were playing against the Niaroo team if I remember right. A team of nutters, but a bloody good side.
Ah, those were the days.
CultsBhoy. You are one of the posters on CQN I enjoy reading you dont follow the CQN party line you seem to have your own opinions and you stick to them despite lots of criticism I hope you continue to be your own man. I will say to anyone who wishes to listen that we have no idea of the Rangers income or there true expenditure and unless we have full details we cannot with an conviction say they will go bust any time soon. H.H.
Bobby Russel @ 1532,
I did actually laugh out loud at that mate.
However a guy I used to play against regularly and knew fairly well, was actually shot in the head whilst playing a Sat amateur game, a few years ago in Paisley.
Thankfully Chic was lucky and no real lasting damage.
Turned out it was a case of “mistaken identity” by the shooter(s) re drug turf etc.
Scary!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
PS – I should also mention the guy who was shot had nothing to do with the drugs stuff whatsoever!
Kit
You will no doubt remember the big 20+ a side games we used to play up in Victoria Park
or Whiteinch Park, as it was better known, of a Sunday afternoon.
A mixture of young and old good and bad with a fair smattering of professionals and juniors mixed in. No quarter asked…..
Now that was fitba!
Hope you and yours are all well.
67Heaven. Fond memories indeed.
I’ve been breeding Siberians for over 13 years now, and owned them as pets for 20 odd yrs, i have a few memories myself -)))
I emigrated to Australia
I came of the plane
I went for a haircut
I passed a shop with a dog
I bought it
It was the best friend I had in my life
I had to work so I bought my dog a dog
My first dog died of cancer a few years ago
I’ve never trusted anybody like I TRUSTED that dog
Christmas eve just past the dog that I bought for my dog died
I dug a grave for her Christmas Day
My kids cried the season.
It was not nice but they got through it so did I and it was my dog.
Why do we feel the need to bring our personal grief onto a public forum?
Should CQN have a garage for people who wish to post obituaries or sick notes?
corkcelt- SUPPORTING THE DAM 5
16:06 on
13 January, 2014
Or a combination of both. I’m not convinced institutions bought in at 70p without some form of guaranteed options anyway. An idiot with only the most cursory knowledge of the markets (ie me) could see which direction these shares would go in, so why would they invest at launch price?
jonnybhoy:
Yes I remember them, imagine a diver in those games, who’d’ve killed him first, the Whiteinch crew, the Scotstoun crew, the Yoker crew, the Partick crew, more importantly than that, I’m glad you’re still active.
Penalty. A free unhindered shot at goal from ca. 11 meters from the centre of goal. The goalkeeper must stand on his line and he is not allowed to move until the player has struck the ball. Ok gamesmanship and pressure do come into it, but by and large a player who does not score is like a cook who can’t boil an egg.
I didn’t like James Forrests’ body shape as he struck the penalty yesterday, it was neither balanced nor athletic – he looked (looks) hunched and ungainly at limes (a lot in fact, and I’ve watched him play many times) and I am beginning to question his ability to get past people deliver a quality cross. Now that I come to mention it, his positional play isnt the best at times and his distribution is also questionable. I’m beginning to think he might not make it. Only an opinion I know he has his moments.
Kitalba. It obviously helps some people to discuss some personal issues on the forum surely there is no harm in that on CQN they are amongst friends.H.H.
tictaewin
16:15 on 13 January, 2014
Unpopular though it is, I agree with your summary entirely. Know he has been injured but all in all, I’m not convinced that he will fully make the grade. That said, I hope he proves me wrong.
Saint Stivs
weeminger
If I thought giving her a day in her name would tip the balance in favour
of a Yes vote I could live with that.
We could always call it something else post independence :)
It’s always been hard to breakthrough at Celtic.
Ask Willie O’Neill, John Fallon and Charlie Gallagher about trying to break through into a squad containing our golden generation at a time where, apart from our 4 world class players, Big Jock could have raided a very decent replacement from most other Scottish clubs for our goalie, RB, CBs and centre forwards.
Even with the Quality Street gang, the best group of reserves we have ever had, some, including one of the brightest rated (Vic Davidson), never made it and some (Wilson & Connolly) achieved for only a short time. Many good players like John Gorman, Davie Cattanach & Jimmy Quinn had to go elsewhere to flourish or not.
In the 80s and 90s as opportunities opened up for players from elsewhere in Britain and we introduced genuine foreigners like Edvaldsonn and Wdowczyk, we saw various players get chances and fail to establish (Simon Lynch, Mark Burchill, even Mark McNally).
It’s always been hard and it’s getting harder with the availability of players from all over the globe. Our youth are competing against the youth of the world for a Celtic berth.
We have seen various promising performances from Gary Irvine, Paul Caddis, Simon Ferry & Charlie Grant in both friendlies and competitive matches but no sustained Celtic career came from this promise.
It is tough, it always has been tough and, in many ways, it will be even tougher in future. We are now, for the last 12 years, expecting to compete in Europe at a level we never managed for 20 years prior to 2000. We are expected to do so against a background that demands, rather than aspires to, trebles. We are expected to do so in a league that is losing some credibility due to the financial corruption of several big clubs that affects the commercial viability of all.
So, while I am pleased with the performance of our young guns in a friendly tournament, I will not place an expectation on any coach that they all make it.
If they are good enough they will. If not, they will not deserve to do so. The only youth players of talent that we wanted to keep, in recent years, that have gone on to an elite club, were Liam Miller and Islam Feruz.
The others, Simon Ferry, Rocco Quinn, Paul McGowan, Graham Carey, Michael Tidser, Paul Caddis, Paul Lawson, Mark Fotheringham, Scott Fox, Stephen O’Donnell, Gary Fraser,David Van Zanten, Jim Goodwin, Chris Millar, David Wotherspoon , Scott Cuthbert, Darren O’Dea, Stephen McManus & Shaun Maloney are all enjoying professional football at a decent level somewhere in these isles.
Some of those who played well last night will not make it with us and some who did not feature might overtake them. If they do not make it with us, it will be because we have a better player blocking their spot. The only “lost legends” we have is Shay Given. Our track record on who to keep and who to let go (transfers aside) has actually been pretty good.
I have high hopes for Liam Henderson and I liked the earlier play of Paul George but our young defenders face some daunting Senior opposition for breakthrough. Even young Darnell would be 3rd choice RB in most fan’s preferences.
During the early days of CQN, I was a big advocate of the loan system but felt that spells in the Scottish lower leagues were not as useful as in the English Div. One and Two set ups. Callum McGregor is doing something to prove that theory right though Simon Ferry and Paul Caddis also earned us money from this route. At the risk of attracting the same anger as Neil Lennon received, I agree with the statement that Callum McGregor will either come back a better player to enhance us after his loan OR we will make more money from his transfer than we would playing him in the lower leagues of Scotland in clubs where no player fetches a transfer fee when he stars there.
All our young players are, unlike the CQN view, not going to be discouraged by hearing that they might be sold. By coming this far, they have shown great belief in themselves and have a steel about them. They know how long the odds are on becoming a Celtic first team player but being talked about as a potential sale is a lot better prospect and boost than being let go to take your chances on a club willing to take you on and prove yourself.
Don’t get me wrong, like Neil, I would prefer that Callum is good enough to do it here with us but, if not, I’d rather we made money on him to fund a Lennoxtown place for someone who will make it. Callum is a right good prospect but he is going to have to be better than Nir Biton, Tomas Rogic, Liam Henderson, Filip Twardzik, John Herron and others vying for that spot.
Good luck to the young boy, however it goes. Let’s see some of our young defenders try to kick on at English lower league clubs which will test and develop them.
Manager hails success of winter break
By: Mark Henderson on 13 Jan, 2014 13:13
NEIL Lennon has declared Celtic´s winter break in Turkey a resounding success and is optimistic that it will provide fresh impetus for the second half of the campaign.
The Hoops return home today in buoyant mood after a youthful side had proved a match for a star-studded Galatasaray outfit in the Antalya Cup final less than 24 hours earlier.
Nine players from the Celtic Youth Academy featured in the game against the Turkish champions but weren´t overawed in the slightest, deservedly drawing 0-0 with Roberto Mancini´s men before going down 5-4 in the resultant penalty shoot-out.
It was an appropriate ending to what been an excellent six-day exercise for the Bhoys in which they also impressively dispatched Trabzonspor and achieved a number of key objectives.
The mainstays of the side throughout a gruelling first part of the season had a chance to recharge and refocus in a secluded setting, while those recovering from spells on the treatment table got some much-needed game time under their belts.
For the young Celts among the party it had been an invaluable learning experience. It had also been a welcome period of respite for the manager.
“I really enjoyed it,” he told the Celtic View in an exclusive interview. “It has been tough for everyone, and the phone was still going as it´s the January transfer window, but it was good to switch off a little bit and get away from what has been a very hectic schedule.
“The weather isn´t great back home and it´s always nice to get a bit of sun and a change of scenery. We had a really heavy schedule over the festive season and the boys didn’t have much of a Christmas.
“We weren´t out partying but they were relaxing and bonding – which is important as well. The facilities there were second to none – there was a gym and a spa for the players – so while there was a bit of work there was also relaxation, which is exactly what we wanted.
“We all had a good time, and the lads got plenty of work in and plenty of recovery as well, and the weather was conducive to what wanted to do. We got everything out of the trip that we wanted.
“The majority of the young boys know the first-team and they have trained with us for quite a while so it´s a good experience for them, and it certainly was against Galatasaray on Sunday.
“It was a hell of an experience playing in front of that crowd and against that opposition. We wanted them to thrive on that, and regardless of the result, we wanted to see their character come through and their quality of performance as well.
“We won´t know the benefits of it until we get back, but if we go by how we approached last season in Marbella, and the way we went into the second-half of the season, then I am hoping for similar sorts of performances as we were very good after we came back from the break there.”
For any doubters about Scotland becoming independant, hmmmmmmmm…
@BizforScotland: “#indy Scotland would be the 8th wealthiest nation in the world by GDP.” Read the proof: http://t.co/c9TaR7IMcv http://t.co/PjyruCrYlL
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar
tictaewin…16.15
” … he looked (looks) hunched and ungainly at limes…”
Amazingly that’s how the Celtic history books tell us Patsy Gallacher was described!!!!!
Here’s hoping!
HH
Corkcelt and a.n.other–I mentioned O’Connell from the game yesterday because he looked twice as good as anybody playing for Man U at the moment–and I include Vidic in that statement. To the poster who asked was I a Celt/Man U hybrid–yes. I always looked for the Celtic results,but I grew up supporting Utd, My late brother in law took me to the matches from the age of 8. My son in law is the MD of a large company in the Manchester area, I can go to Old Trafford whenever I want as the company has a block of 6 seats right on the halfway line,
However,from the time of Martin O’Neill I was more interested, When WGS became manager that was that,
But, the main reason was my daughter living in Scotland. I’ve been going over for 12 years or more now, and reading the papers and seeing the television with their sheer bias and hatred of the club turned me into a Celtic supporter, Iwas on the verge of moving there when my wife caught the details of NL and the Edinburgh incident.
Her verdict? –That place is worse than N.Ireland.
Oh!–and the Norwegian Blues love-in.
That seriously takes the biscuit.
As a Republican I can easily tell when you’re a marked target.
Lenny is a target,and so are the supporters and the club.
Joe Filippis Haircut:
Yeah! fair enough but not everybody wants to be brought down.
In the papers they too make the distinction by having and obituaries page.
You don’t know what grief I’m going through on any given day, the reciprocal is a given,
I don’t come on CQN to read about the death of others, far from it, and if some wish to globally share it, would it be so much to ask if such posts could be accommodated in an obituary?
cultsbhoy
13:19 on 13 January, 2014
Never mind the ‘fare dodgers’ of Scottish football have our honest mob signed
Ryan Gauld, Ryan Jack, Stevie May and Taylor Sinclair yet?…
More imortantly have they got shot of Sami (he goes with best wishes), Joe Ledley (thanks – purely business), Scott Brown (wishful thinking), James Forest (rather have the money than the player) and Fraser Foster (much rather have the money than the player…not to mention Pukki ( somethings just don’t work out), Baldi (I still think he has something which I have a sneaking feeling will emerge at his next club), Rogic (awya back hame tae the sun) and any others taking a wage and not contributing.
Oooh and while I’m at it extend and improve contracts for Commons (new captain), Matthews, Izzy, Mulgrew, Lustig, Kayal and others who are the future?
…none of the above – thought so!
*************
Cultsboy
Catching up on way home from work.
Found myself reading your post quickly in an impatient voice ad tho you were some kind of Jungle version of Sir Alan on the Apprentice!!
Made me smile mhate. Agree with many of your sentiments and almost all (kayal)of your picks!
HH jamesgang
Ferguslie Park, Paisley is a nice venue for an away cup tie.
Once the referee has introduced to the local “team”, hostilities can quickly commence.
Routine things like thigh high tackles from the local lads go unpunished while any appeal to the referee regarding possible infringement of the rules result in an automatic caution for the visitors.
To reinforce the efforts of the lads on the park a local marksman is deployed from the adjoining tenement. His task is not to injure the opposing goalie, merely to distract his attention somewhat by pinging the odd lead pellet off the frame of his goal. The task is complete when the visiting custodian is dismissed for verbally abusing the petrified referee for refusing to do anything about the sniper situation at hand.
This my friends is an accurate recollection of an actual game. As my team mates were all not JohnnyRussell or Kitalbaesque, we succumbed to the superior strengths of our Paisley playmates but not before the rifleman was suitably chastised by the leader off, or manager, of the Paisley crew.
Our sharpshooter, having succeeded in his original role and having our custodian dismissed, thought he should then proceed to unsettle some outfield players also. The downside of this was that the referee, who had disbelieved our keeper’s screeches, “some bassa is shooting at me”, (well they would you’re a goalkeeper), now realised what was afoot and threatened to abandon the game.
Step forward the coach of the year, ” haw you ya pr@/k, if you don’t stoap firing at they f@%€<rs I'll come up there an' put awe yer windaes in, fae the inside".
No further incidents occurred. Game complete, nice invite back to their place for post match pie and pint. Strange we all misheard the directions.
EC67
raumac…
Your endorsement of young O’Connell is obviously genuine but I think the assertion of being twice as good as anybody playing for Man U at the moment is a bit…er…OTT????
HH
Thanks for all the positive comments about my forthcoming book launch, folks. The support from CQN is always very much appreciated.
To answer a couple of specific questions: the launch is not a ticketed affair, just turn up on the night. It would be great to see a few CQNers there.
And on book v e-book, it makes little difference to me. The author gets a higher percentage of an e-book sale but they are usually cheaper, so it’s swings and roundabouts really. I will be very grateful to anyone who buys a copy in whatever format suits.
Sftb,
Well said and well written. (as usual)