I remember getting annoyed at the grief Gordon Strachan took after David Fernandez inspired Dundee United to a draw at Celtic Park. It was disproportionate, despite the poor performance, and ignored the sporting reality that weaker teams can get it right and leave Celtic Park with a point. As well as a lot of credit for their efforts.
Positives first. Many things didn’t work for Celtic yesterday but James Forrest looked to be back to his best. There was only one occasion he didn’t get past the Killie fullback all day, and he recovered to dispossess two opponents and win the ball back.
For James, it’s all about fitness and confidence. Right now, he has both.
I looked at the clock: 3 minutes had gone, Jozo Simunovic was still on his feet. ‘We’re breaking new ground’, I thought. Kilmarnock defended their penalty area all day, so we were seldom troubled, but you and I have seen enough football to know that’s not the whole story. Jozo was immaculate, didn’t put a foot wrong, covered ground with pace and precision. Threw himself into tackles and won the ball.
The contrast with recent defensive performances could have scarcely been more marked.
Elsewhere it didn’t go so well. Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton were both inhibited. Stuart Armstrong prodded but seemed out of sync with his team-mates. Passes regularly found an opponent. From my seat, it looked like our movement and use of space was inefficient.
The last 30 minutes of the game saw Kilmarnock clear their lines and regroup under sustained pressure. During this period, I was confident the goal would come, it usually does. Maybe the extra dimension we hoped we’ve recruited in Carlton Cole, out ill yesterday, would have given our wing play more of a target.
Since writing on the subject on Friday night I’ve seen some of the sectarian abuse left on Facebook about our director, Ian Livingston, amid a diatribe against refugees and all sorts of people who are minorities in the UK.
Years ago I wrote that there are few values we can anchor the club to. Scotland is changing, as are peoples’ sense of identity, no more so than when it comes to religious identity. We can’t, nor should we, impose restrictions on who becomes a Celtic fan. Our demographic is largely left of centre, but a Lisbon Lion went on to become a Tory councillor, so there’s no political bar to supporting Celtic.
I also know an Ulster unionist, who for several years joined his family and friends as a Celtic season ticket holder. He was always made welcome, and didn’t find the celebration of Irish heritage at Celtic incompatible with his identity. As the generations pass, we’ll see more of this. People will care less about 20th century politics (not to mention 17th century) and your view on transubstantiation.
Our founding value is that we are open to all. You will find a welcome at Celtic irrespective of colour, race or religion, you don’t need to care about Scotland or Ireland, we have Poles, English, Norwegians, Americans, Aussies and many more. Few of them had an Irish grannie.
These values are under threat across Europe. We should take every opportunity to reinforce them.
I took some advice on whether to out those behind the racist abuse yesterday, but I’m glad Ian Livingston did so direct on the Affiliation site (and apologies for the direct quote appearing on a CQN article, I pulled it as soon as I saw it).
I was also challenged over the weekend for criticising the chairman’s right to use any available platform to call out racism. I don’t feel qualified to say that’s not allowed.
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Hi CELTIC40ME,
Noticed earlier today, in a response from a comment by TET, think it was this one…
Counsel for SFA ” I hardly need to remind you of difficulties Rangers, and Scottish football have faced” adds “this uncertainty must end”
That it would be – and I paraphrase – the Lawyer doing his job.
Surely it is up to the SFA to “Instruct” Counsel, therefore as TET stated, it was the SFA’s point Counsel was putting forward.
Hail Hail
Dallas
Nearly 800Kg of food collected on Saturday I believe, a fantastic effort by all involved.
Celtic40me, Going on about anti-semitism is pushing against an open door. Nobody is disagreeing with you on that one. If someone makes a racist post, the matter should be reported to the police and the perpetrator whether it be a Tim or a Hun Troll should face the music.
Nobody at the AGM made an anti semetic remark, they said they were opposed to Livingston because of his politics, Bankier if he felt he needed to defend Livingston had plenty he could say without introducing an outside toxic topic. In my opinion Bankier let the Club and Support down, he should resign.
SIPSINI on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 10:33 PM
BT…
I read Phil macs blog earlier on in the week, there was a troll on the comments page who made a derogotive remark towards another poster.
Another poster commented for him to expect the police at his door as he had been reported and his remark was found to be offensive.
Why didn’t Livingston/Bankier persue it in the same manner if they felt so strongly about it.
———————————————
Perhaps they have and we just don’t know. That’s a question I’ve asked.
67Heaven
Ask me what sir?
Sipsini at 10.46, maybe a sequined Che Guevara beret also.
Good night all and sleep well.
Please remember we are all Celtic fans on here, at least I hope we are, despite differences in outlook on what is best for the club,
“Move along Timmy nothing to see here”
SFA Counsel
Macjay 1040pm-
To be honest, chunder seemed like the most appropriate word for me to describe your outpouring of comments decrying the “socialist Celtic Trust” over the last few days. These have followed previous musings decrying the “socialist Green Brigade”.
The executive committee and active members of the Celtic Trust are people that spend much of their own free time on matters relating to Celtic. They are involved in tracing missing vulnerable missing persons from within the Celtic community, arranging legal representation and emotional support for Celtic fans in trouble (see Amsterdam for example), and other things besides in their own free time.
You might not think that they speak for you, that’s fair enough, but to continually slag them for having a political agenda – that you cant substantiate – is more than a bit off.
67 Heaven 1057pm-
No, I don’t think so. I think you inaccurately said that someone was pushing a political agenda on CQN and you can`t back it up. Fair enough.
Herbo
You didn’t defend anti-semitism, but you didn’t condemn it. You said you didn’t care how much he was hurt by personal abuse because of his faith because he’s a tory.
You’re right about the common ground, but wrong about encouraging diversity, what you’ve posted tonight proves that. Its not just a badge. Tolerance, acceptance and understanding. Hopefully it beats hate more often than it loses.
As I understand it antisemitism is racisim aginst Jews. Well all racist behaviour is something I’m against.
But critisim of Israel government policies and actions is well justified.
Hamiltontim, incredible amount collected .
I’m not expecting any recognition from the Scottish media about Saturday’s collection,surprisingly enough.
Definitely bed time for me now.
NatKnow…
I’ve not read much of the blog lately, so not up to speed.
I don’t think there would be any perhaps about it, they have have contacts in high places, one phone call would have sorted it without the puppet show for the smsm to jump on to deflect from the obvious show in town.
Kip time, night mate. HH
Billy McNeill’s statue on The Celtic Way will be unveiled before the Motherwell game on 23rd December.
corkcelt
i’m not going on about anti semitism, I was commenting on what HERBO posted about having no sympathy for Livingstone suffering racial abuse because he’s a tory peer. It makes me sad and angry that anyone can have that much anger that they can’t feel sympathy for someone who is attacked for his faith
Celtic40Me
I did condemn it. Many times. I do condemn it now if you missed it earlier.
I am a Celtic fan who hates Tories. Hold the front page.
I have outlined some of the reasons why. You disagree. That’s up to yerself.
Hail Hail.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE @ 11:03 PM,
Quite, the defence from the SFA were the same old high handed nonsense they consistently use. Unfortunately for them, it doesn’t quite cut it in a Court of Law.
Though aul Mike’s Lawyer got them when he used the word – substantive..,
Hail Hail
SIPSINI on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 11:08 PM
NatKnow…
I’ve not read much of the blog lately, so not up to speed.
I don’t think there would be any perhaps about it, they have have contacts in high places, one phone call would have sorted it without the puppet show for the smsm to jump on to deflect from the obvious show in town.
Kip time, night mate. HH
——————————————————
Yep.
Whether they have reported it or not – I think it needs to be reported and the police investigate in order to identify them. I want to know if they are Celtic fans or not. I think it matters not only to Lord Livingston – I think it matters (arguably more) to Celtic fans to have that established one way or another.
BAMBOO on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 11:06 PM
As I understand it antisemitism is racisim aginst Jews. Well all racist behaviour is something I’m against.
But critisim of Israel government policies and actions is well justified.
—————–
Agreed.
Not only is Ian Livingston an unelected Tory Peer of course. He’s a member of Friends Of Israel.
So it’s not just the poor of the UK he agrees with attacking.
As relevant now as it was then.
First they take your pride. Then turn it all inside.
Then you realise you’ve got nothing left to lose.
http://youtu.be/FO5-w3540H8
See other people’s faiths is still a topic of conversation tonight.
Still nowt being constructed to tackle the cheats.
I Couldnt care less What Religion Livingtone is, The Celtic Support Donate And Collect Food For The Poorest in Society While a Celtic Director Votes To Impose More Poverty on The Same People…Dress it Up What Ever Way You Will….Whats Wrong is Wrong..With such Diverse Ways of thinking, This Cannot End Well….Somethings Gotta Give..
http://youtu.be/POx2wkTlakM
THE GLORIOUS BALANCE SHEET on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 11:03 PM
Macjay 1040pm-
You might not think that they speak for you, that’s fair enough, but to continually slag them for having a political agenda – that you cant substantiate – is more than a bit off.
===============================================================
Well of course they don`t speak for me.
They don`t speak for Celtic either but the media use them as if they speak for Celtic supporters.
They speak for some Celtic supporters…….
Most certainly they do some good work and represent Celtic supporters who need assistance.
I`m well aware of that.
Hamiltontim is the best thing they have got going for them
I very much hope that he becomes,at the very least,their spokesperson.
There is a huge debate here on what our chairman said at the AGM, or what he meant.
One thing is for sure, it derailed any debate on EBT’s and title stripping.
Job done?
Neil Lennon & McCartney on 25th November 2015 12:32 am – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/saturday-agm-afterblow/comment-page-25/#comments
————
Very unhappy with Bankier’s comments (actual, not as represented by print / radio media).
Also, of course, not happy with the Facebook posts he referred to.
However, conflating those abusive, sectarian posts (the provenance of which remain to be confirmed) with the points made from the floor was a bad – sinister/sneaky/? -ploy.
It degraded still further the Celtic support’s good name (if we still have one) solely in the interests of deflecting from the points that were being made about Livingston’s voting record in respect of in-work tax benefits that would disadvantage poor workers.
He therefore actively harmed the broader Celtic support solely to deflect valid criticism of a fellow Board Member – he should resign.
As an aside – I am still irritated by his completely patronising “…behave yourselves…” remark from a couple of years ago!
HH
BGFC
BGFC,
“However, conflating those abusive, sectarian posts (the provenance of which remain to be confirmed) with the points made from the floor was a bad – sinister/sneaky/? -ploy.”
Dick Dastardly would have been proud of such a ploy.
But, it didnae really work did it?
Sure, Livingstone got re-elected, but the furore rages on.
As you say,It degraded still further the Celtic support’s good name.
Bankier OOT!
These people don’t give a toss about the supporters, they hold us in disdain. As if we dont get enough bad press in this country they’re always quick to give our loving press more ammo to shoot us down with. Didn’t hear much out of them when NL was assaulted (not proven) or indeed much about those cheating feckers from the south side. I couldn’t care less what religion livingston is, I totally abhor his vote re tax credits however and think it’s understandable that a vast majority would feel this way given our roots. There has been no verification that any of these remarks were posted by Celtic supporters. Anyway never mind, just behave yourselves and let them get on with it
HH
Wonder who Terry Hall had in mind with these lyrics
You’re wondering now
What to do, now you know this is the end
You’re wondering how
You will pay for the way you did behave
specialscsc HH
Terry Hall lyrics broke the blog ?
Is there anybody out there
It’s like livin’ in a ghost town
Podium 1+2+3
Bognorbhoy
Thought it was like a ghost town on here…..
Zionists ih?
Watch yerselves
:-)
Good morning to you Neil Lennon and McCartney
Bognorbhoy,
Why, thank you good sir, and I wish you the same!
do I know you?
HH
So with the injuries and suspensions who do we go with tomorrow night ?
Young Tierney or old Charlie ,Armstrong in the middle ?
Neil Lennon
P.B. are my initials .was born in the Carlton 55 moved to the barracks maryhill in 65 /66 then down to bognor 74 been here ever since .
Yourself?