“The Away Club shall have the right to claim admission for its supporters of up to 20% of the spectator capacity of the Registered Ground at which the Match is to be played.” That, with a small caveat for the Safety at Sports Ground Act, 1975, is the simple rule which governs away ticket allocation at Scottish Cup matches.
It is uncontroversial and has stood the test of time for decades. At Celtic Park, which is the largest ground in the country, it means we are obliged to offer more tickets to away fans than anyone else. Fair enough.
Offering token ticket numbers for Premiership games breaches the time tested safe routes to and from grounds. At Ibrox, for example, 700 Celtic fans were expected to park alongside Newco fans, then walk through them to the top of Broomloan Road – the designated car parking area for Celtic fans was not sufficient to accommodate even a third of that number.
When I was there for such an occasion, we were fortunate that most of the other lot made an early exit from the game, other outcomes are possible. While inside the stadium, glass bottles rained down from the stands towering above Celtic fans.
Where was the Safety at Sports Ground Act, 1975, when this arrangement got the green light, you are entitled to wonder? The same scenario will hold at other grounds if a few hundred away fans are isolated among hostile opposition supporters.
You either make football safe, which Scottish Cup games are and having no away fans are, or you accept there will be actual harm to visiting fans.
Newco are boxed into a corner. They designated part of the stadium for their ultras group where Celtic fans were traditionally accommodated. This meant the ultras had to move for Celtic fans, which they really didn’t like and complained about for years.
With weak leadership, Newco relented, cut Celtic’s allocation and forever damaged the sport. Unwinding this would mean moving their ultras, which is no more possible than Celtic moving 8,000 fans in the Jock Stein Stand, many of whom have been there for 20 years, to relocate their ultras.
When I got home from Ibrox after our win in April last year, I was disturbed that the police were asleep at the wheel in permitting such a dangerous scenario. Event organisers are not the arbiters of what is and is not safe. Newco, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council have all looked the other way while Celtic acted on what was hard evidence of risk to life and limb.
This is why we have a board of professionals, not weak grifters.
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Taylors no good enough for celtic and McGregor is no attacking midfelider.
I will ask again,
what actually is success in europe now ?
What do we mean by that ?
A single win in the group stage ?
Getting 3 place for the last chance at dropping into the Europa ?
Is it just not getting beat heavily ?
Is it do a West Ham ? or get to a semi ?
If it comes at the cost of the league does that make it a good season ?
Seville in retrospect for me, and I might be the only one, I wish we hadnt got there and won the league instead.
We won feck all that season, and were runners up in a final and we got a day out, big deal,
Athletes. Technically gifted. Or have 1 superpower that makes you a freakish outlier.
We had one. Jeremie Frimpong. He could run with the ball faster than mostly anybody else in the game.
That superpower will mean an EPL club will pay tens of millions for him.
HH
BIG WAVY on 28TH JULY 2023 1:58 PM
None of the 5 goals we conceded against Leipzig were GT’s fault or would have been prevented by him being 5 inches taller.
BIG WAVY on 28TH JULY 2023 2:46 PM
Frimpong has one of the best scoring and assists records for any full back in the top 5 leagues. He’s not just a one trick pony.
Mediocrity laid bare.
Destined to become Accrington Stanley of the modern era.
Old Firmism alive and kicking. West of Scotland Punch & Judy shows forever.
Trapped in a world where 87% possession against a bunch of cluggers guarding their penalty box is the height of success.
Watching der hun, who might have more ambition, seizing the country’s Euro spot (and associated riches) that we have cast aside, to start claiming successive titles?
Utter insanity
HH
CELTIC40ME on 28TH JULY 2023 2:49 PM
BIG WAVY on 28TH JULY 2023 2:46 PM
Frimpong has one of the best scoring and assists records for any full back in the top 5 leagues. He’s not just a one trick pony.
====
Surely I don’t have to explain that his superpower contributed to successful outcomes?
On the downside, a pretty average defender.
HH
Good afternoon even to the Rabble assembled in the Shippy.
Couldnt make it as I had a Hospital procedure or it would have been an even bigger Rabble.
Timgreen – Yes Frankie and Elaine still there.
D :)
Just for the record, I never said that CalMac wasn’t good enough to play in Europe, if you had actually read the post you would have seen that I specifically meant as a def mid, and I will stick by that assertion, virtually every single Celtic supporter reckons he is a better player when he is deployed further forward.
CELTIC40ME on 28TH JULY 2023 2:47 PM
BIG WAVY on 28TH JULY 2023 1:58 PM
None of the 5 goals we conceded against Leipzig were GT’s fault or would have been prevented by him being 5 inches taller.
—
A very simple extrapolation of what I said and actually not accurate, but let’s not go down the rabbit hole. He was up against an athlete who was bigger, better and faster than him. That’s not GT’s fault. That’s ECL football.
We need to close the gap. That’s our measurement. Catching the big and mean earlier seems to be the challenge. Players built to compete against the modern ECL template. Selling them before their prime and replenishing the funds into a higher grade player.
Close the gap. Not looking to beat Madrid. Close a gap. This year, compete. No drubbings and at least 3rd. Move to Europa, get as close to the final as possible. Bank on players who catch the eye, buy better teenagers, go again.
HH
The Huns have more ambition do they? How’s that working out for them? Worst team ever in the history of the champions league
Here’s a list of the top 5 clubs in the EPL and their right wingers:
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah 5-7”
Man city mahrez 5-10
Arsenal sakha 5-10
Almirón 5-10
United Antony 5’ 9
Rewatch the highlights of our champions league games last season. The main difference between the teams is technical ability not size or power
BIG WAVY on 28TH JULY 2023 3:06 PM
“A very simple extrapolation of what I said and actually not accurate”
100% accurate. Rewatch the highlights like I did
You’re making a connection between the wingers height and the results. His height advantage had nothing to do with it
CELTIC40ME on 28TH JULY 2023 3:10 PM
WTAF…why don’t you read the bloody thing.
If we regress, treat Europe as a distraction, IN THE FUTURE, then the hun has a free reign at it.
WTF is the list about ? All of them are miles ahead of our players on technical ability, pace, power and every other measure beyond a good scottish accent !!
CLOSE THE GAP……..
Jaysus wept.
HH
BIG WAVY on 28TH JULY 2023 3:06 PM
You’re mansplaining the way to success to someone who’s seen the need for it for as long as we’ve been doing it.
I disagree with the sort of players we need to sign within our model. Big and strong isn’t the way, quicker technically better is.
Two different things
SAINT STIVS on 28TH JULY 2023 2:43 PM
I will ask again,
what actually is success in europe now ?
————–
Success is progress and playing to our full potential with no regrets.
Realising our aspirations that our well quoted brand deserves.
That can be doing well in the CL. Reaching a semi or final in the Europa or Conference.
Making others sit up and notice us. Making Parkhead a fortress again.
Great European nights where memories are made and legends are formed. Games that we still remember and reminisce for years to come.
Regarding the Seville season. That wasn’t just a big day, it was a magnificent journey. Blackburn and Liverpool et al. What a journey.
It is probably the best season I can remember. And yes we won nothing.
We took a record number of well behaved fans on a football participation never seen before. The Celtic family were as one.
Imo, European football reaches the parts that domestic football cannot. It takes us from a poor domestic environment to the top table.
It must be our top priority.
HH.
PS : The 10th richest team on the planet celebrated their first Euro trophy with gusto. So would I if Celtic were there.
BIG WAVY on 28TH JULY 2023 3:16 PM
My point was none of them could be described as being powerful. We need technical full backs against them, or mudryk, or Vinicius Jr. The best at the best clubs
Why do you equate not signing big guys with lack of ambition or regressing in Europe?
It’s not the only way.
The PL Loyal out in force,without his name even getting a mention,probably paying him rental,to promote him….
So,
some would sacrafice domestic dominance to experience a run deep into europe.
Seville season,
Scottish Premier League 2nd
Scottish Cup Quarter-finals
Scottish League Cup Finalists
UEFA Champions League Third qualifying round
UEFA Cup Finalists
WE LOST THE LEAGUE BY A SINGLE GOAL.
I dont look back now and say oh but we beat Liverpool.
We had a world class forward (smallish in height) that was my highlight.
We still won feck all, and while stuck in this environment I dont want to experience it again.
Not old firmism, it is the reality.
PS : The 10th richest team on the planet celebrated their first Euro trophy with gusto. So would I if Celtic were there.
who was that ?
We’re one post away from “Jimmy Johnstone was only 5ft 4in” territory now that Henke’s getting rolled out.
We are a broad church. The groundhog day of Celtic 5 Ross County 0 will be the height of some’s ambition.
Makes no sense to me. Makes no sense to the young Hungarian teenage prodigy in the future who has never heard of Celtic…..
HH
CELTIC40ME on 28TH JULY 2023 3:17 PM
We’re in the era of mesomorphs fella.
We need more mesomorphs.
As I’m sure you’ll agree.
HH
BIG WAVY on 28TH JULY 2023 3:37 PM
Szaboszlai was in the Red Bull system from age 16. He was never coming to Celtic
aye, that hungarian that nobody knows who he is.
SS,
You asked the question and it was answered. The answer may not be to your personal liking but so be it.
I would swap European progress / success to domestic success in a heartbeat.
HH.
Sorry, first euro success since 1965.
mcgrory was only 5ft 6.
CELTIC40ME on 28TH JULY 2023 3:42 PM
BIG WAVY on 28TH JULY 2023 3:37 PM
Szaboszlai was in the Red Bull system from age 16. He was never coming to Celtic
—
Homework marked again eh ?
Let’s pack up and go home then if that’s the result. And as you know, I’m talking type, not exact.
Where we waited until 60 games and age 20/21, do we now go earlier?
At least we moved on from heightism :)
HH
When Brendan was asked about Mikey Johnston and what he needs to do now that he has returned to the club.
“He needs to be more robust”
Now I take that as being physically stronger.
You don’t need to be 6ft to be strong on the ball or strong in the tackle .
Chairbhoy
“as it stands only Alister Johnston and Maik Nawrocki look like improvements and then only marginally.”
————————————
How do you “look like” an improvement or “not look like” one? At least Alistair has played 20 games for Celtic but judgements as to whether he is better or poorer than his predecessor are just judgement calls. I am happy with AJ’ opening spell at the club; he has proven to be an adequate replacement but Better??? If he attracts a bid of over £10 m then that case may be made but just now, I am withholding any judgment.
But Maik hasn’t even played in a Celtic shirt. How do we judge his improving us? On the size of his transfer fee? On his showreel? On his performances for Legia- how often did you see him? Against whom? I have seen CCV, Starfelt and Jenz in a Celtis shirt- I know what they can do for us; I know nothing about how Maik will perform in a Celtic shirt in either SPFL or Europe. My assessment of whether he is (or looks like) an improvement will start on his first appearance and won’t finish till he’s played a right few games (otherwise who would have judged Larsson passable).
As for the huns having more ambition- how have they demonstrated that? Reaching a Euro final wasn’t planned but it was achieved. Did their “ambition” for Euro success lead the to abandon their ambition to win SPFL titles and domestic cup? No- they wanted to win those too but failed in that ambition. Their failures of ambition far outweigh their success in losing a Uefa final.
I don’t see ambition in their approach but I do hear bombast in their proclamations
How do supporters of Hibs, DUFC, Bohemians, Derry City, Brentford, St Pauli, Athletic Bilbao and in fact pretty much every team that isn’t one of the ‘big’ clubs in their league feel about ‘ambition’?
In fact how do the second biggest ‘also ran’ clubs feel?
How do the Real Madrids feel about winning the Big Cup so often and battering teams like Celtic? Do they want something more than routine 5-0 wins against Real Betis in La Liga and then going out for a routine 5-0 win in the CL group stages the following Wednesday?
This goes to be the fundamentals of why we follow a team. If it’s just about winning and beating ‘bigger’ clubs then as Celtic supporters, in the current reality of the world of football, we will be forever disappointed. Like the vast majority of football fans all over the planet.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to progress but if that’s the only reason anyone is in this thing then crushing and continual despair await you
SFTB,
As for the huns having more ambition- how have they demonstrated that?
—–
Jaysus. Not you and all !!!!!!
Arrrrggggghhhhhhh
HH
GREENPINATA on 28TH JULY 2023 3:43 PM
SS,
You asked the question and it was answered. The answer may not be to your personal liking but so be it.
I would swap European progress / success to domestic success in a heartbeat.
HH.
————————–
Ok,
lets play it out.
Celticget 3rd in the group stage of the cl by beating another team twice.
and a wee draw against a big team at home hurrah.
prestige and on european tv screens.
e go into europa and march all the way to the final i think it is in dublin.
we beat another couple of decent names along the way, success.
all ireland finds it celtic soul again.
we lose the final like us and thems in seville or manchester.
they win the league, we lost the league cup and we went out of scottish early.
they have direct entry to Champions league, we lose the qualifier but safety net of Europa groups.
THEY GO INTO THE RICHEST CL COMPETITION EVER – AND A GAURANTEED 4 HOME GAMES.
THE PIVOT POINT as they say in bullshit business jargon, that is it right there.
madness to say Europe over domestic league, madness.
—————
Like walking and chewing gum, winning the league and doing well in Europe can be achieved, at the same time.
Especially for the biggest, richest club in the country.
Just sayin’
HH
GREENPINATA on 28TH JULY 2023 1:01 PM
—————
Agree. Wish they’d hurry up with these European leagues we keep hearing about. As the Scottish game is on a steady decline.
Celtic need a bigger stage to flourish and as it is just now, we can’t compete. The odd draw or surprise win maybe, but mostly defeats and the odd heavy one to boot.
The Scottish game is not in decline.
In spite of Celtic winning everything , every other team, except 1 is enjoying highest attendances in 70 years.
If you look at last 20 years and any success we had ..( in Europe) there was definitely a physicality about those teams …you could argue MONs was built on power ….fecking enjoyable
Not only is it possible to win domestically and do better in Europe, it is desirable and we all want it.
However…
You only get a chance to do better in Europe IF you win your league (or the Europa final). European improvement could be regular CL and regular 4th places- cos we are not regular qualifiers at present, I don’t think that would make us happy.
If we got past a last 16 stage in CL or last 32 Europa, that would be progress, but would anyone celebrate a last 16 Europa defeat?
We all want to do better in Europe but not at the expense of losing a league. A season without a league win is now a failure that even a last 8 CL appearance or a last 8 Europa would not compensate for.
Better in Europe = More income = Even better players = Bigger gap domestically = Better chance of winning league = Qualify for Europe = More Income = Even better players = Bigger gap domestically = Better chance of winning league = Qualify for Europe = Even better players = Bigger gap domestically = Better chance of winning league = Qualify for Europe Even better players = Bigger gap domestically = Better chance of winning league = Qualify for Europe……..
HH
we should spend ALL OUR MONEY on BIGGER PLAYERS
that my closing notes for today.