Austria Wien have played three league games this season, won one, drew one, lost one. Scored six conceded eight. Stuffed 5-1 by Salzburg two weeks ago. They have only had to play one round of Champions League qualifiers so far, which they won 1-0 on aggregate against the Icelandic champions-cum-day-job-professionals. Send them over, please, Uefa.
Ludogorets Razgrad, from Bulgaria, knocked Dinamo Zagreb out of the Champions League qualifiers last season before going down to Slovan Bratislava in the play-off round. They’ve won two, lost one, of their three league games this season. Beat Partizan Belgrade home and away in last round, beat Slovan Bratislava on aggregate in round before that. They also have to play their home game for the next round at an alternate venue to due to a date clash with a concert. Happy to take this lot.
Legia Warsaw, won all three league games this season, scoring 12, conceding one. Eliminated Molde, after drawing both games, in last round, took care of The New Saints (Wales) home and away in earlier round. Would be a great European tie though not sure if Zbyszek can arrange the result for us.
Maribor, from Slovenia, have won all three league games this season, scored 11, conceded two. Eliminated APOEL Nicosia after two draws in last round. APOEL got to the last eight of the Champions League in 2012, so this team are no pushover. Maribor also have the distinction of being the last team to knock Rangers out of Europe. Ever!
Shakhtyor Karaganda, 12 points off the pace after 22 games in Kazakhstan. Beat Albanians, Korce, in last round and Bate Borisov (who recorded Champions League wins against Bayern Munich and Lille in 2012) in the earlier round. The travel would be an issue; Karaganda is farther east that eastern Afghanistan. If I can paraphrase an Ibrox legend, define Europe. The fact they are midseason and, like Celtic, they’ve won through two rounds already, makes this a less attractive tie, but they are surely not a Champions League team.
Preferences: Shakhtyor Karaganda are the easiest possible opponents but a trip to Austria or Bulgaria would be best.
Would rather avoid: Legia will be the most difficult draw. Maribor will be a similar challenge as Elfsborg.
Lots more to blog about: last night’s performance, Kelvin, Honest Dave King… maybe later.
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Greendreamz
Cheers for that wee happy “deid” reference……
Agree re the crowds…we were told that Ross County flag day was nearly a sellout, no where near it. EL games a few years ago there was plenty empty spaces too. Just feel we may have peaked for a wee while. The Huns don’t affect our other games, even with them a few seasons ago, I couldn’t give my investor seats away when I couldn’t make it. The economy doesn’t help, sometimes the footballs poor….but I do think Celtic are trying to address this, with wifi, the triangle, ST discounts,improved disabled areas, access to lounges etc…but…should it have been done sooner? Then there’s the GB issue….not an easy one to solve…there are issues throughout football, don’t know how many EPL games were on Sky with half empty stadiums.
We do need a wee spike….how we do it….I don’t know….the board could show the supporters that they are on our side (I believe they are) however the lack of statements regarding the SFA, Sevco, LNS etc haven’t helped supporters saying “if they don’t care why should we”, and a wee bums on seat signing wouldn’t go a miss after all that’s what we go to games for.
Kikinthenakas
Cant believe any celtic fans would welcome the cheating scab bangura back at celtic. .. I certainly wouldn’t and he would get constant abuse from me …
Looking forward to the draw, tomorrow, but a bit anxious about injuries and new recruits.
So far, our four new recruits this season have made negligible contribution in competitive games,other players are still recovering from knocks from last season, and others such as Broony, Forrest are injury prone.
Given that all four new recruits were regulars on the treatment tables in last year, we shouldn’t be too surprised.
I would like to see us get a couple of guys in who are first choice starters, are fit, and ready to hit the ground running.
Ideally, a striker who can get on the end of crosses, and an imposing midfielder, but, the more I think about it, the more I think the character and type of player we recruit is more important than the position.
Finally, I also think we need better back up in goals.
Whilst Likasz is ok domestically, I am not sure I would fancy him protecting a 1 nil lead away from him in Warsaw or Vienna.
hankray
18:01 on
8 August, 2013
Silenced
Neil Lennon has transformed some of the lads who were deemed no-hopers into real players at the club. Perhaps he can work the oracle on Mo Bangura.
Thats where I was goin’ with that question. Altho, with the effort he put in lastnight & his attempts at the hand of God, along with his play acting last week, one can only assume he’s trying to buy his ticket out of Celtic Park.
As for scoring goals…not with Mini Me between the sticks & a net that would make a trawler man blush!
The most ill-informed buffoon makes his new season debut.
Amazingly BFDJ continues to pick up a wage spouting banal claptrap
Explosive stuff from scottish law blog spot.
Thursday, August 08, 2013
Media, political & legal links drive deep in Rangers fiddle as Crown Office order Police investigation of Charlotte Fakeovers Twitter email leaks
A SERIES of leaks of private emails, documents & sound recordings between individuals involved in Rangers football club and the saga which ultimately led to the club’s demise into insolvency has prompted the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to order Police Scotland to investigate the source of the damaging leaks – a Twitter account known as Charlotte Fakeovers (@charlotteFakes).
While Police Scotland are giving little away to media enquiries regarding the investigation, legal insiders have revealed the Crown Office became involved after lobbying from persons involved in the saga who have links to high profile political figures including First Minister Alex Salmond himself.
A legal insider called the content of the leaks “explosive”, and went on to describe the contents of one particular document which contained claims that knowledge of dirty secrets of newspaper editors could be used to block publication of stories relating to Rangers.
Other documents purport to relate to discussions about how to ‘go after’ and undermine journalists, bloggers, football fan forums and virtually anyone who may not see eye to eye with figures involved with Rangers football club and those around it.
While the Police Investigation into the leaks and their content has had little reporting in Scotland’s mass media, it has been revealed in the English media that a law firm acting for one of the parties identified in leaked documents now in the possession of Crown Office has forced the removal of some of the damning documents from the Scribd website.
The law firm involved is none other than Levy & McRae, who have among their clients, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, and his own personally appointed Ministerial complaints adviser & former Lord Advocate now Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (nee McPhilomy).
The Guardian :
Twitter email leaks about Rangers too hot for Scottish media to handle
An extraordinary story has broken in Scotland that has galvanised the country’s media elite. Though it is the subject of much chatter among journalists, none of the mainstream outlets has reported it.
For months, a Twitter account known as Charlotte Fakeovers (@charlotteFakes) has been running a series of snippets from private emails between people involved in Rangers football club during the crisis that eventually led to its insolvency.
According to a well-placed Glaswegian media insider, the tweeter should be regarded as “the Julian Assange of Scotland”. He said: “These revelations are explosive but I understand, in this post-Leveson atmosphere, why the papers are not publishing them.
“Though there is no proof either way, there is a feeling that the communications might have been obtained illegally.”
In fact, according to a source familiar with the situation, there is no way the emails could have been obtained legally and the publication of them is a possible breach of the data protection act.
Scottish police are now investigating the Twitter account, a fact reported yesterday by one online news outlet that has dared to highlight the CharlotteFakeovers story, The Drum.
A police spokesman told The Drum’s writer: “We can confirm that we did receive a complaint in connection with a Twitter account and police enquiries are ongoing to establish if there is any criminality involved.”
Among people named in the correspondence are the club’s former owner Craig Whyte, the man who masterminded its recreation, Charles Green, the club’s PR, then and now, Jack Irvine, and even the political editor of the Sunday Times, Isabel Oakeshott.
The revelations have been acutely embarrassing for Irvine, who declined to comment. But a former colleague told me he believes the emails need to be seen in the context of Rangers problems and the consequent frenetic atmosphere at the time.
Irvine, who edited the Scottish Sun for three years from 1987, launched a PR company, Media House, some 20 years ago.
A legal firm acting for Irvine, Levy & McRae, did successfully request the removal of some documents from the website being used to host them, Scribd.
The Drum story quotes Channel 4 News’s chief correspondent, Alex Thomson, as saying that the reluctance of mainstream media to report the story is related to the Leveson report.
Thomson was one of the very few reporters outside Scotland to cover the Rangers crisis in any depth. Indeed, mainstream newspapers in Scotland were slow to cover it too.
Instead, all the central revelations to emerge came from Phil Mac Giolla Bhain, who runs a blog and published a book, Downfall: how Rangers FC self-destructed.
The Drum :
Police Investigate Mysterious Charlottefakes Twitter Account Exposing Private Emails
Police are investigating a fake Twitter account which has been releasing a wave of private correspondences between some of the major players in the long-running crisis surrounding Rangers Football Club, including PR guru and Media House founder Jack Irvine.
For several months, the @CharlotteFakes account has been revealing private email and audio conversations between some of the key figures in the drama engulfing the club, including Irvine, former club owner Craig Whyte – who led the club’s descent into liquidation – and Charles Green, the chief executive of the entity created from the assets of the liquidated club. The account has acquired more than 13,000 followers.
A police spokesman confirmed to The Drum that a probe had been launched: “We can confirm that we did receive a complaint in connection with a Twitter account and police enquiries are ongoing to establish if there is any criminality involved. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
It’s unclear how the information has been obtained but Scottish and national media outlets have steered clear of reporting it, while Scottish football fans have bombarded journalists with requests for coverage, claiming the information is in the public interest.
Media House executive chairman Irvine features heavily in the correspondence but declined to comment on the revelations when approached by The Drum.
Irvine founded Media House more than 20 years ago after a career spanning periods at Murray Media, the Scottish Sun, the Daily Record and the Glasgow Herald and the company has since expanded into London and New York. The PR man once described himself as “combative and aggressive”.
The PR firm was hired by Rangers in 2006 under Sir David Murray and kept on by Craig Whyte following his takeover of the club in 2011. Whyte bought the club for the sum of £1 and an agreement to pay off the club’s banking debt.
It emerged some time later that Whyte had used future season ticket monies at the club to secure a loan from lender Ticketus and claims of Whyte’s billion pound wealth were without foundation. Months of crisis and a PR battle followed before the extent of the financial trouble at the club was revealed when it was placed in administration in February 2012, and liquidation four months later.
Although legal firm Levy & McRae successfully requested the removal of some documents from the website being used to host them, Scribd, the anonymous ‘Charlotte’ has continued to reveal streams of information despite the police investigation.
A spokesman for BBC Scotland said the broadcast of any information relating to Rangers must comply with guidelines: “Having aired two documentaries already you can probably imagine that we continue to receive a lot of information from various different sources on the Rangers story as we do with much of our newsgathering activity.
“The editorial criteria which is laid out in our editorial guidelines on verification of sources etc. would apply to any future news stories or docs that we proceed with.”
Channel 4 News chief correspondent Alex Thomson, who covered the Rangers tax story in some depth, indicated on Twitter that the reluctance to report was related to Leveson, leading to speculation the information may have been illegally obtained in the wake of the recent hacking scandal at the News of the World.
The Rangers story has taken a new twist with the emergence of ‘Charlotte’ and the recent revelations, although the account isn’t the first anonymous one to cover developments at Ibrox.
The Rangers Tax Case blog was a thorn in the side of the club during the first-tier tax tribunal over Rangers EBT tax avoidance scheme for paying staff. HMRC claims to be owed tens of millions from the club and the case is ongoing and under appeal after the tribunal ruled in favour of Rangers in a number of the disputed cases. The row led to an investigation by Scottish footballing authorities, which found the club guilty of breaching registration rules earlier this year. The Rangers Tax Case blog was awarded an Orwell Prize in 2011.
just think,
the same council who are allegedly on the verge of closing CP down for health and safety issues (aye right) are over seen by the same group who permit orange walks in Glasgow to go ahead
it also seems to me that if the lateral movement is the reason the GB is to be disbanded (and not politics or rebel songs or any of the other nonsense that is being spouted on here)
that being the case the health and safety gurus should demonstrate why moving sideways is so dangerous that it merits shutting down a state of the arc stadium
IMO for what its worth, we should be questioning the rule makers and not a group of kids jumping around at a fitba match
incidentally I still feel that the club have acted quite strongly regarding this issue but have been embarrassingly silent regarding the shenanigans that have been revealed over the past few months
the clubs silence is almost as bad as the MSM silence
NFL comments that some of the players were already “running on empty” is astonishing, if that was said to give PL a shake then I hope it works, cos its frightened the life out of me.
Someone made an enquiry Babout a Europa League tie being on telly earlier, not sure who tho; Swansea vs Malmo on ITV4 at 6:30 followed by 20 years of the Champions League
TBJ
I thought the same of Paul Hartley, after kicking Ross Wallace, making gestures to theTic fans etc, I didn`t want him anywhere near CP, however once he pulled on the jersey I got behind him. He did a good job for us.I don`t want Bangura back, but if he did would you still give him abuse if he scored a last minute winner against the huns? Oh, wait a minute……… :-)
Murderwell still in the tie after 20 mins with a 0-2 aggregate …. manager of the year looking to get a cup result for first time in over a year
I see a few posters suggesting football is no place for politics- well according to Charlotte, Alex Salmond and the rest of the Scottish establishment disagree
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
16:39 on 8 August, 2013
jungle jim
16:31 on 8 August, 2013
We are all there to support the Celtic, and to celebrate our Irish roots ….. leave politics to the politicians…..they make a bad enough job of it…. there are a number of ‘platforms’ available to influence politics, one of them is not a football match ….. we are there to cheer our team on to victory …..
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“We are all there to support the Celtic, and to celebrate our Irish roots ….. leave politics to the politicians”
Oxymoron ? Bigot buck? wtf?
Bobby russell
Bangura is football equivalent of a scab crossing union picket line .. and feigning a head knock on way through
I would kick his haw maws given the chance
TBJ
You’re in a cheery mood tonight:o)
benjybhoy mul
17:56 on 8 August, 2013
I’ll tell you how stressful it was last night…….It aggrevated ma back problem bigtime……LOL
Margaret McGill
18:24 on
8 August, 2013
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
16:39 on 8 August, 2013
jungle jim
16:31 on 8 August, 2013
We are all there to support the Celtic, and to celebrate our Irish roots ….. leave politics to the politicians…..they make a bad enough job of it…. there are a number of ‘platforms’ available to influence politics, one of them is not a football match ….. we are there to cheer our team on to victory …..
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“We are all there to support the Celtic, and to celebrate our Irish roots ….. leave politics to the politicians”
Oxymoron ? Bigot buck? wtf?
Now now Margaret don’t you be indulging in one of your anti-irish rants…..Please :D
YNWA
On the subject of lateral movement why haven’t the board issued a warning to Neil and the team?
Mo Bangura is no where near the quality of player required a Celtic i’d go as far as lump him in with the Wayne Biggins, Tony Cascarinos and other such numpties who we have had the misfortune to see pull on a Celtic shirt. IMO he was a poor last night. Our defence was in the main nervous and prone to mistakes the whole game, any decent striker would have made much more of the situation – Mo did hee haw apart from bundle into Efe and Kelvin a few times – return to CP? I bloomin’ well hope not
margaret mcgill
18:24 on 8 August, 2013
Irish heritage (both parents from Donegal) ….. Where’s the politics there, wtf….
Cheers croppy
Jeezuz
Somebody askin that balloon Derek Johnstone about finances!!! The big fat prick trying to answer him and sound like he knows what he`s talking about. The only knowledgable conversation he could have on an equal basis about finances would be the cost of steak bakes and pies from Greggs with the current currant manager.
Hrvatski Jim @18.02
Superb post, I suspect that some of what you highlight wasn’t put the GB in the meetings with Celtic.
There are clearly mistakes on both sides of this issue, not convinced hanging the GB section lateral movement, wasn’t akin to Al Capone being jailed for tax evasion.
This could all have beeb avoided, and we have live long law abiding, health and safety obeying Celtic fans giving up season tickets.
Celtic will be harmed in the long term.
stairheedrammy
18:24 on 8 August, 2013
You’re assuming salmond is a politician …… LOL ……..people like him is what’s wrong with politics…
*for lateral movement*
ElDiegoBhoy
17:20 on 8 August, 2013
hankray
Our throw-ins have been hopeless even going as far back as to the Lions.
*corners tae, I remember taking my oul da tae task when he mentioned that. Whit aboot Charles Patrick at Brockville or big Billy against Dunfermline and Vojvodina I said, his response was that was the only time we took good ones which is why we remember them.
Vmhan 22:21 on 7 August, 2013
Hail! Hail!
tonydonnelly67 08:28
Is it right that most CQNers trust the board? Is that blind trust like the Huns had or based on the dream we have plans in place to join the EPL?
I need educated.
Those pesky GB bhoys are not Celtic supporters or are some supporters better than others?
I am not GB. I was kettled on the Gallowgate and have been harassed by the police for making a complaint about the actions of the police that I witness.
Celtic should embarrass the GB by releasing all correspondence with them and minutes of all meetings about them, including those where the GB were “not invited”.
Broad Church CSC
macjay1 for Neil Lennon 09:19
I also loved to see that passion.
jgk67 09:44
The unclassy klan are right. That is enough evidence that being left of left is a good place to be.
CultsBhoy loves being 1st forever & ever 10:04
I hope that neither the club or the fans give them any money again ever.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon 10:23
Capitalism has failed too. It’s time for a new world order. I’m dreaming of one that cares about our fellow man and planet.
I also hope that the Celtic support remains a wide range to include a wide range of views and beliefs, united together. I know, I just a romantic, idealistic fool.
LiviBhoy 10:28
Never stop reminding people that Sevco are a new club.
Taurangabhoy 10:29 on
I also look forward to their inevitable administration but it is very likely a CVA will be agreed.
KevJungle – “C’mon the Cellic !!!” 10:42
I have met JPT and I think you are absolutely correct. I will say this for him though. He has a good reputation with most Celtic fans and is possibly the best person to be in that buffer role.
However I cannot resist posting that he once claimed every Celtic season ticket holder who wanted a ticket for Seville got one, yet he personally prevented me from getting one. Thankfully I had bought six direct from EUFA earlier in the year, which enabled me and a few from this board to go.
weeminger 10:52 and 11:36
Good points.
WGS 11:08
newradbhoy 11:42
This is an example of how the lack of communication from the GB damages them. Then again when they do make a statement, they get accused of being elitist fans.
Genuine LOL but I hope not. Lets piss them off by investing in a team that will do well in Europe. I was born after 1967. I want to see us win the top trophy in Europe before I die.
Rioskorrie 12:12 on
I’d hate my face on the front page of CQN but I would love to be in the middle-of-nowhere in Brazil and be getting paid for it. Of that I am jealous.
traditionalist88 12:28 on 8 August, 2013
Let (all) the people sing.
Saint Stivs 12:44
Never stop reminding them.
!!Bada Bing!! 12:53
Belter of a link. Of course I clicked believable.
falkirkbhoy 12:56
They could get round that by buying materials in the way they do such a wee championship flags in the family section last week.
They do plan to replace the GB displays with their own. I bet you these sanitised displayed will not be half as good as the GBs.
NegAnon2 13:23
Good post.
owen 13:25
I don’t think broken seats is acceptable. There are MANY cameras on section 111 (some with facial recognition technology) and many stewards too. They should be checking people entering that section have a ST to do so.
I could see the person who set off the last banger and a steward was very close to them. Not sure why he couldn’t identify him. It was at the rear of the section. The GB cannot police that, nor should they try.
Of course members who have been victimised have and are in the process of taking action against unfair treatment. I do think the taking legal advice statement was not wise. However I do welcome transparency from all.
Just as not every mister-meaner in section 111 or at an away, or reported on social media/MSM blaming the GB is their fault. They and people such as Vmhan should not be blamed/punished when the real culprit is not identified.
I also hope everyone in the Celtic family sort out this divisive issue together.
twists n turns 13:38
What’s that four line post Margaret McGill keeps posting?
I love Celtic and never could have imagined the death of RFC could lead to me giving up paying to see the team but I have had doubts over the last two seasons
MadraRua 13:47 (and anybody who want to hear from actaul GB directly)
http://www.spreaker.com/user/homebhoys/hmbhoys_extra_inside_the_green_brigade
croppybhoy 14:30
I am not GB. I was kettled in Gallowgate. I followed up Celtic offer of assistance. It was limited to “We can pass your details to the police if you wish’. I informed them that I had was already in the process of complaining about the police and asked for support from Celtic. I asked for a statement of from support from the club.
I told them that I felt I was no a target of the police for complaining even although I broke no laws. I said it was putting me off renewing my season ticket. The head of operations replied to say he hoped I continue to support the team. ie. I was given ZERO support or help from the club regarding being victimised by the police for supporting Celtic.
I do not believe GCC have threatened to close the stadium. I believe evidence to support that has not happened will come out. Of course Celtic could prove me wrong by releasing this threat from GCC.
weebobbycollins 15:57 on
I wont forgive you if your idea is taken up.
Big Nan 16:13
Thanks for the link.
leftclicktic 16:24
Every one of us can be a thorn in there side. Each of us are capable of taken action against the corruption. Each and everyone of us should be doing that and should stop until true justice has been served.
Jungle Jim 16:31
The break-up of section 111 is itself political. There is no escape from politics. For example, you can’t celebrate your Irish routes non-politically.
*************************************************************************************************
Sorry for the mistakes and posts I’ve missed. responding to speed-reading again.
http://thecelticnetwork.com/2013/08/08/safe-standing-poll/
To all: The Green Brigade have not gone away.
Some Celtic players ‘running on empty’?!
FFS!
It’s the beginning of August, and the club has played FIVE competitive matches.
If that’s the case there must be serious issues with pre-season preparation and the fitness of certain players.
HH!!
Its a pity that the GB & the board can’t kiss and make up, set some ground rules and move on. I find it sad that we have to close parts of the stadium if thats true, would the answer given that so many fans want to be in with the GB not be expand this area to accommodate as many fans as possible maybe a new jungle? That way the atmosphere is massively improved and maybe more fans will be encouraged to buy season tickets. Looks like we are going backwards in some respects….
Tally
He’s got to say that we’ve got a glamourous meaningless friendly to play in.
Gawd! I really should re-read my posts before posting. Far too many errors to correct.
*Breathe*
Oh my – the guardian picking up the zombies story – me thinks the cat is now out of the bag
Will the Tories use this in a dirty tricks campaign against independence vote ? They love a bit of corruption and scandal being exposed…….when it suits them
Could the intelligence services be involved ?
Sorry paranoid Fenian from belfast
Hun skelper @ 17;44,
Got to agree, the aul Jinky trick of beating your man,beating the next guy, coming back beating the first man again ad infinitum was a joy to watch for all of us old enuff.
But I’m not sure how effective it would be in the modern game.
Now
The aul Lubo trick of pass to a Jersey, that could make a comeback.
Hail Hail
Till later all
meeting time :))
Pass the ball to a team mate?
Even better – make a pass to a team mate and present him with a scoring opportunity.
Simple!
HH!!
Just watched a clip of young Calum Mc Gregor with a peach of a goal for Notts County last night. He also put in a delightful cross for Notts first goal. May pop along to see him sometime. Loan will do him good.
EDB
This is me in a cheery mood… fillet steak and chips… washed down with ice cold red stripe. .
Some guy on SSB just asking about the charity match. Asking we’re the £200k went cut off.
The trustees were the cardigan and Sandy Clark.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Why is it that if someone with a drug problem steals a whiskey bottle full of change from a bar he gets the jail.
If your an ex ranjurs star they just change the law.
Scumbags.