Return to SNP sender, when one becomes six

658

I’m not taking the SPFL- face recognition plan too seriously but that’s not to say the politics behind the suggestion should be ignored. Scottish football has no hooligan problems, compared England or the Continent our game is orderly and sedate. Until recent years there was no such thing as a flare problem, and offensive signing was a thing of the past.

All that changed when the SNP government got involved in 2011. Two managers shouted at each other after a game, three Rangers players were ordered off, and First Minister, Alex Salmond decided a summit was necessary to reign in the game’s wilder elements. What utter tosh.

Three weeks later, Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill congratulated fans on creating a great atmosphere at the League Cup Final, which was notable for the re-emergence of the previously eradicated Billy Boys song. At an instant MacAskill rebased what was acceptable behaviour at Scottish football.

Since then the game has been trying to put the genie back in the bottle. The arguments were rehearsed in the CQN comments pages and elsewhere, “They are congratulated by the Government for singing The Billy Boys and we can’t sing about nationalist politics”, or words to that effect. Songs which had disappeared from the Celtic support lexicon were soon back and remain. Incalculable damage done by two incompetent clowns.

Since then the Scottish Government and a very small number (very small indeed) of senior officers at Police Scotland decided to subject football fans to the kind of surveillance that would make a military junta of a banana republic blush.

It’s a mess. Officers on the ground readily complain in private, all other political parties pledge to repeal the Offensive Behaviour’ Act, while sheriffs line up to mock cases arising from the Act. Football has been left to pick up the pieces left from a Scottish Government created problem. The Government refuse to accept any liability, will not repeal the Act and having celebrated a new, low, standard for spectator behaviour, seem quite happy with the situation.

Scottish football was doing very well before the Government decided to rebase what is acceptable behaviour. No football authority will succeed in any endeavour if the government is working against it. What the SPFL did was make a clear, if clumsy, attempt to return the problem to sender – the newly disinterested in football Scottish Government.

When one becomes six

I’ve scoured the internet today but cannot see any complaints about Celtic’s alleged “one up front” tactics. This season hasn’t gone to plan, but we’re making an incredible number of chances and scoring a remarkable number of goals.

One up front leaves space for, what is in effect, two wingers on each flank, and an attacking mid able to work inside the box.

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658 Comments

  1. It would explain his drop in form TD67 but if he is being chased why put off your suitors with bad form? I think if 5m is on the table for Jo, Ronnie wont have any say Greenman and tbh he has been very poor all season.

     

     

    I think the club now sells people on form right away because of the likes of Kayal, Izzy and Efe were all at one point priced 5m+ but due to form and injury have now dropped dramatically in worth. So i wouldn’t be surprised if they did sell Jo, are we not looking at another MD just now.

     

     

    It’s a striker we need.

     

     

     

    KLV

  2. Btw Jo was one of my favorite players last year, Shadow of himself this season. Would like to see him back to his best rather than sell him. But every time we break and he gives the ball away with a stray pass i get a bit more disheartened with him. I expected him to stand in for Brown when he was injured but he has dropped right out so far this season.

     

     

    KLV

  3. Gordon & Choccys pans to revamp Scottish football

     

     

    NFL-style draft youth system considered by Scottish football

     

     

     

    By Chris McLaughlin

     

    BBC Scotland

     

    Scottish football could be moving towards a player draft system under new proposals put forward by the Scottish FA and backed by national manager Gordon Strachan.

     

    Its aim is to get younger players more competitive game time.

     

    The plan foresees Scottish Premiership clubs providing around five under-20’s players for a lower league draft pot.

     

    Club representatives were told about the plans during a presentation at Hampden Park on Wednesday.

     

    It was headed up by Strachan and SFA performance director Brian McClair.

     

    The SFA will now look to set up a steering group and invite club representatives to take part before reporting back with a firm proposal.

     

    In a system similar to American Football’s National Football League college draft, club picks could depend on league position – with the team at the bottom of the Championship possibly having first pick of the player pool.

     

    Speaking to BBC Scotland, one Scottish Premiership chairman described the proposals as “innovative and interesting” and said all ideas on the table should be listened to.

     

    The draft plans were one of many proposals discussed as the SFA pushed forward with its review of the game’s youth development system.

     

    It is understood that the SFA is also keen to cut the number of so-called elite players in the current youth academy system in an attempt to create better competition and a best versus best environment

  4. TD67

     

     

    Maybe the Croatian lad is his replacement.

     

    Changes in the squad….makes sense, we have a big season next year.

     

    Hopefully we can release those who are not in RD’s plans.

     

    Derk is long overdue the exit door.

     

     

    HH

  5. The Green Man

     

     

    Maybe he does. I think it would suit everybody.

     

     

    The club have signed Allen for the number 10 position and are offering Rogic a new deal. If they sign the Croat in midfield, it would seem that we are preparing for life after Johansen.

  6. MurdochauldandHay & Wee Oscar

     

     

    Bad news for Celtic.

     

     

    If it was adopted we might as well give up on giving youth players a go. Getting last pick every year.

  7. TIMALOY29

     

     

    Yeah…SJ is good, but dont think he will be missed too much if he goes.

     

    Tom Rogic is a very good player…id say he is one we want to keep.

     

    We need some changes in the squad, thats for sure.

     

     

    HH

  8. Draft system only works in a closed shop where the players are actually tied to the league organisers, rather than the teams.

     

     

    Wouldn’t work here without adopting the entire US system of franchises etc.

  9. In all walks of life….there will be….

     

    Good folk – Bad folk

     

    Happy folk – Sad folk

     

    Lost folk – Found folk

     

    Dodgy folk – Sound folk

     

    Up front folk – Sneaky folk

     

    Poor folk – Rich folk

     

    Clappers – Complainers

     

    …and so on.

     

    Thing is….if, yer door isny open to all then, yer cliqued…imho.

     

    Cliques

     

    Wee gang huts

     

    Secret societies

     

    …are all anti-Celtic…imho.

     

    I have always been, well….at least during my years of actively supporting Celtic since, the early 70’s till, 2005, an suspicious, questioning, rebellious Celtic fan…who was, always bursting with the club’s driven, underdog status that, so reflected where I stood in life….they have given me, hope, belief, strength, determination and, an uppitty Tim desire to stick it right up all of those folk who won’t rest until there is no Celtic. Indeed, the fact that there is any Celtic at all in Scotland, has to be one of the unclaimed miracles…imho.

     

    Since 2005, when MO’N walked….I’ve had this gnawing feeling that…the folk at the top of the club…are in bed with the Hun establishment and, that feeling began to grow when, the shame-game scenario was played out. I’m of the opinion that, Celtic’s hierarchy struck a deal with the hun establishment that would see the, establishment go easy on Celtic in the condition that, Celtic would sell out their fans to the polis…the Green Brigade specifically.

     

    Subsequent events have strengthened my views on this.

     

    The stepping back and saying hee-haw when Neil Lennon took the fall for the entire shame-game scenario.

     

    The looking the other way with nothing to say at a succession of LCF’s v’s the huns with the song book.

     

    When the huns were put out the league….Celtic said hee-haw when…the back door was left open for the huns to work their way back….and, negotiating a tv-deal to give the cheating, thieving huns a chance to re-start…..leaving Turnbull Hutton to fight for justice as, Celtic’s billionaires looked away.

     

    When the huns return….these, super Celtic supporters who question me for, repeatedly airing my suspicions…will be the 1st snow off the dyke.

     

    When will the res:12 stuff bear fruit ?

     

    Will the huns be back in the same league as us whilst all this stuff is still going on in courts ?

     

    Will the Celtic supporters who chipped-in for the ‘statement’ in the anti-Celtic Herald…feel let down when, the huns return and…Celtic’s directors look the other way….they’ll probably try to spin it as….”It’s not Celtic’s fight.”…well, if….they do and, still….Celtic’s fans don’t get it well…..you’d be as well taking up Gaelic fitba.

     

    HH

  10. THE GREEN MAN on 21ST JANUARY 2016 10:53 AM

     

    I can see Stefan being sold if a decent offer is received. In my opinion he would be no great loss. That said I simply cannot see him going to Villa as they are good as relegated and think Stefan has ideas of playing in the EPL for far more longer than 5 months.

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  11. The Green Man

     

     

    Rogic is a good player for sure. However, he needs to sign the contract.

     

     

    If he doesn’t, he will also be off. The below story is from the 13th of Jan

     

     

    http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35308221

     

     

    Celtic are keen to extend Tom Rogic’s contract, with manager Ronny Deila playing down the prospect of losing the Australian midfielder.

     

     

    The Norwegian manager was asked about reports linking the 23-year-old with Leeds United.

     

     

    “I haven’t heard so much about that,” Deila said. “We want to re-sign Tom Rogic and have him here for the future.

     

     

    “He has had great progress and we see a lot of potential in him. He needs time and he’s going to stay here.”

     

     

    Rogic, capped 13 times for his country, has been a regular in Deila’s side this season, scoring six times. He is currently contracted until 2017.

     

     

    “He can be much better because he’s only played for six months and been out for a year [injured] before that,” explained Deila.

  12. LENNYBHOY

     

     

    Who knows whats going on.

     

    I would be surprised to see SJ go…but thats football.

     

    I be happy if we sign another couple of Danes or Norwegians….seems like thats the way to go.

     

    Get good professionals who already play at a decent standard, rather than projects.

     

     

    HH

  13. TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels on

    Filters on cqn are as viable as filters on joints

     

     

    £5m for Joe Hanson would pay for erik and a couple of new additions – makes sense to me

     

     

    Flounces are for flouncers. …. real cqnrs don’t do flouncing away

  14. TIMALOY29

     

     

    Im slightly concerned about the Rogic contract situation.

     

    Even English Championship sides have financial muscle these days…..much better wages.

     

    Its all fun and games in the Transfer Window.

     

     

    HH

  15. As posted a couple of weeks ago my information is that if a suitable offer is tabled for SJ then he will be off. It has more to do than with his performances on the park…..

  16. I took in the stadium tour last summer with my family and the man conducting the tour told us that SJ was “bought to be sold on”.

     

    His words exactly, as he went on to talk about the way Celtic are now running.

     

    That same day there had been an emergency meeting and when we got to the board room there were recently used coffee mugs etc,

     

    The next day we found out that Scott Allan had signed.

  17. Unreal Green Man, I picked up a paper once in work (I know) and there he was posing with his burd as a fashion model, Yer man doesn’t do red necks it would seem. I think its an attitude thing as well not just injuries.

     

     

     

    KLV

  18. THE GREEN MAN on 21ST JANUARY 2016 11:02 AM

     

    I know Stefan got Player of the Season last time out but in my opinion he wasn’t. There were at least two others more deserving in my opinion, Denayer and VVD. What award did he get the Fans, Players Player or the Football Writers, can’t remember myself?

     

    As I say mate, all opinions but he is not my type of Player, not saying he ain’t contributed to the Celtic cause but not for me, he has shown too many moments of petulance, made some silly tackles that have cost us dearly in some big games.

     

    There is of course the rumours of him clattering you Tierney and the fallouts with other Players. Rumour again but VVD supposed to be one of his best mates last season, filling his head with what he can earn, emphasis on earn not achieve in the EPL.

     

    You will gather I do not have much time for Stefan but as I say I cannot deny he ain’t contributed but for me, all he does is run about for most of the time. As others have posted, we are well covered in midfield and again in my opinion they can contribute more than Stefan, young Allan for example. We are of course looking to bring in new Midfielders.

     

    £5 million, no Brainer for me but it won’t be Villa in my opinion but first decent offer, I believe we are prepared to sell him, Ronny included.

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  19. KLV

     

     

    Derk is a hoax player.

     

    A Trick played on Celtic.

     

    Chancer.

     

    Hopefully be gone soon.

     

     

    HH

  20. LENNYBHOY

     

     

    As Catman has said….seems SJ has a rather poor attitude.

     

    So…see ya.

     

    Wee KT is a Lion in comparison.

     

    Love that Bhoy, proper Celtic player.

     

     

    HH

  21. Macjay. 1043.

     

    I can understand that, but it still leaves him time to spill the beans and pass on all kinds of info?

  22. Hello again all you young rebels.

     

     

    Just back from a few days down the peninsula with the Oz

     

    wallopers, feeling hungover , depressed, paranoid, definitely

     

    thirsty but can’t wait to go back and do it all again.

     

    Just reading back a few posts and i see someone asked

     

    about the new t.v series Limitless where the main actor

     

    takes a pill and can achieve anything he imagines well don’t

     

    they know you can do the same thing with14 pints of

     

    Guinness, I’ve done it for years and it works :-)))))

     

    I Came in and watched the Hamilton game, very impressed

     

    with the teams movement all over the pitch and what a

     

    great result but as an auld fart that just loves the hoops strip

     

    can someone tell me why the players all have those long

     

    sleeved white tee shirts under short sleeved tops do they not

     

    have long sleeved hoops or am i an auld fusspot? i used to

     

    hate when players ( Lambert ) wore other colours under the

     

    hoops unless its more hoops ( the wee mhan ) interested to

     

    hear your comments.

     

    H.H Mick

  23. 67 European Cup Winners on

    Would I take £5m for Brown Bitton Rogic – no probably not

     

    But if I get offered £5m for SJ (with Allan/Christie/GMS/Armstrong amongst others in the squad)

     

    Yes I would sell

     

     

    Reality is we have lost revenue from no CL qualification in 2 years – so cut your cloth and all that

     

     

    67ECW

  24. Aiden Bhoy

     

     

    As with Erik, as soon as I get any info it will be on here.

     

     

    I hope that there will be at least 2 more

  25. traditionalist88 on

    `It has more to do than with his performances on the park…..

     

    ===========

     

     

    Catman

     

     

    Do you mean the money on offer is too good to turn down or there are other underlying issues we are unaware of(not interested in what they are, just wondering if its primarily a financial decision)?

     

     

    Can you clarify?

     

     

    For the record I’d jump at the money as he is a tidy player but far from irreplaceable and a bit limited at times.

     

     

    HH

  26. Im in the CQN Hootenany clique

     

    everyone is welcome to join though,

     

    being a roaster helps :)))))))))