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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voguepunter on 25th November 2015
Brian Comerford R.I.P.
will include him in my prayers VP
My thoughts are also with you and G64 , its never easy when you lose a friend, you try to be strong for his family while breaking your heart in silence …………big cyber hug my friend in Celtic.
HH
On the Huns EBTs-
I think there is something shameful about the likes of the globetrotting mercenaries such as de Boer, Flo etc pocketing a whack of their wages in this manner;
But the worst culprit of all in my view is Walturd.
Walturd was born in 1948 into a generation that reaped the advantages of the UK welfare state to their full extent.
If he was ill the young Walturd could have got prompt treatment on the newly established NHS.
When he entered the workforce Walturd needn’t have worried about finding a house and funding the deposit on a mortgage as social housing was being built in huge numbers.
Had Walturd wanted to go to university he would have had his fees paid for him. And a maintenance grant to boot.
And when baby Walturds came along, govt assistance was forthcoming through child benefit.
When Walturd was between jobs he could sign on down the Labour Exchange.
In short Walturd could have and did take plenty from the welfare state paid for by Uk taxpayers. Walturd had a moral debt to repay this by meeting his full tax liabilities when he started earning the big bucks.
But Walturd didn’t want to do this. Paying tax, for Walturd, and many like him, was not a debt of honour to be paid to ensure that their children/ grandchildren had the same advantages they had.
It was something to be avoided and evaded if possible.
What legacy have the Walturds of the world left for their grandchildren?
An NHS that is creaking, huge waiting lists for treatment, treatment deadlines not being met;
A lack of social housing, an over abundance of private rented housing, some in awful nick, with inflated rents and the result that people are staying in the parental home into their 30s;
The provision of university education is now based on your ability to pay/ sign up to a lifetime of student debt;
Child tax credits – well they’re being cut;
Unemployed? Well you must spend 40 hours a week applying for non-existent jobs and hope that you don’t get sanctioned otherwise you will need to go find a food bank;
If well heeled people like Walturd, who in their younger days enjoyed the safety net of a comprehensive welfare system, paid their tax liabilities in full and if corporations did likewise then this country would not be a total state.
People like Walturd give me the boak.
VoguePunter
Sorry for your loss.
As outlined there perfectly by The Glorious Balance Sheet. This is a scandal of mammoth proportions.
A bigger scandal is the fact it’s not being shouted from the rooftops of every media outlet in Scotland.
It just shows you were we stand in this country. Where is Alex Salmond now who told HMRC to go easy on them? Where is our First Minister?
It once again will be left up to the ordinary fan to at least try and do something. The footballing authorities (all of them) are up to their necks in it and are only interested in saving face.
Scandal.
Voguepunter and G64
Sorry to hear your news.
Prayers said for those that remain.
RIP
Thoughts and prayers with everyone in The Vogue
TGBS
In a nutshell mi amigo.
HH
Counsel for SFA
” I hardly need to remind you of difficulties Rangers, and Scottish football have faced” adds “this uncertainty must end”
This looks more like a cry for help!
Anyone?
67heaven..,
it no a case of agreeing to disagree, I simply asked you to provide evidence to back up your claim, if you can provide said evidence all well and good, I will stand down and accept you were right. If you cant provide evidence then you made it up, or you accepted the word of someone pushing an agenda because it suits your agenda.
Now, provide evidence that the CT made the demands you claim of apologise to the CT for lying about them, its really that simple.
V .P. and G 64
Thoughts with you both at the loss of your friend
Philbhoy on 25th November 2015 11:39 am
Roughly translated, it means “haven’t they suffered enough? Sob, sob.”
Brian Comerford thoughts and prayers with family and loved ones
RIP
Voguepunter & G64,
Sorry to hear the news of the loss of your pal.
Go raibh suaimhneas siorrai aige.
Árd Macha
voguepunter
Sorry to hear about the passing of your friend , will keep Brian’s family and friends in my prayers.
YNWA
I’m looking at the last two lines on this STATEMENT and I was wondering if those two lines involved Lord Livingstone of Parkhead? It was a while ago I’ll give you that, so I’m assuming things have changed then?
Published on Monday 8th November, 2010 by Celtic Trust
Concern over the coercive atmosphere around the wearing and display of poppies
Celtic Football Club was established by Irish immigrants in Scotland. Its founders instigated a club that would forthwith be open to players and supporters regardless of ethnic, national and religious background. Our supporters include people who have a broad range of community and national backgrounds and histories and all are welcomed into the Celtic family thus enriching our cultural environment. Mindful of the variations in how war can be understood, interpreted and remembered and sensitive to the multiple experiences and perceptions of those that constitute the Celtic community as well as beyond, the Celtic Trust has been against the forced and manipulative nature of poppy wearing in latter years, not least amongst the football community in Scotland. We are particularly against the practice of using the team shirt to promote this symbol and we welcome the news that this practice will end this year. We note that a broad public debate appears to be opening up on this question and that other individuals and organisations outwith football are concerned about the coercive atmosphere around the wearing and display of poppies. We further note with dismay the demonising of those people who exercise their right to free speech and dissent on this question and we oppose any action which may be taken against anyone who chooses to peacefully demonstrate their point of view, whether in a football ground or elsewhere.
Tags: The Celtic Trust
Vogue punter
Sorry for your loss.
Vogue punter & G64
_____________________
Sorry to read of yer loss, stay strong fella’s.
Thoughts and prayers for all who are close
so sad.
Brian Comerford
R.I.P.
Voguepunter/G64
Thoughts and prayers on the loss of your good friend Brian Comerford RiP.
HH
VP and G64
Sorry for your loss.
Just seen the news here in Perth oz
2 young Irish lads died on construction site, huge concrete slab fell on them. 21$23 yr olds. Derry and Tyrone they were from.
One was due home next week for Christmas.
Heartbreaking news , a couple of families wakening up to tragic news.
Livigstone, Bankier….get rid of them all!
If, what Bankier says is true?…Let him provide the evidence.
If he can’t….he is unfit to operate at the level he does.
No matter what….dont be fooled by these conveniently placed ‘smoke-screens’….the kowtowing board ‘must’ be removed.
A Celtic board who take the easy way out and, look the other way whilst Celtic fans are put to the back of the bus….has to go.
I’ve been brought up to believe that it was Celtic FC and their fans v’s the establishment.
It now looks like it’s the Aberdeen FC fans v’s the establishment!
When the Jungle was flattened that proved to be the end of the rebellious Celtic supporter.
Had there still been a Jungle…the ‘surprised’ board would have been emptied within weeks of the LNS announcement.
Bankier, Lawwell, Livingstone and all the rest of them kidding the erses aff yeez.
The ghosts of the old Jungle will be turning in their graves
….going for a sleep…..
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
proudbhoy
____________
That is tragic.
Thoughts & prayers for all concerned.
Why has it taken so long for big Billys statue to be erected?? Shld have been done years ago imo!!!
Marys meal founder is on Radio Scotland at 1.30 today :-)
HH
So King Billy will finally have a statue erected outside Celtic Park.
Absolutely fabulous!
Proudbhoy
Tragic. God help their families.
Prayers said.
proudbhoy on 25th November 2015 12:05 pm
very sad news indeed
puts some of our rantings into perspective
HH
Voguepunter and G64
Small payer said for the repose of the soul of Brian Comerford andtor the comfort of you and his friends and relatives that remain.
KevinBhoy.
new article posted.
TEST POST – IGNORE
aGAIN, TEST – IGNORE ;-)
A wee reminder of something I posted a couple of days ago.
There are 2 scenarios that will definitely see Celtic qualify.
Plan A – win both our remaining games, finish on 8 points and (as we’ll have won both head to heads against Ajax and Fenerbahce) we can’t be caught,
Plan B – beat Ajax and get a high scoring (2-2 or more) in Turkey and we’ll qualify – so long as Molde also beat Fenerbahce in Norway this week. By way of explanation if this week’s games are won by us and Molde 1-0 the table will read as follows –
Molde 10 pts (goal diff of +6 being 10-4)
Celtic 5 points (goal diff of -2 being 7-9)
Fenerbahce 5 points (goal diff of -2 being 4-6)
Ajax 3 points (goal diff -2 being 3-5)
In summary if we win on Thursday we only (!) have to win in Turkey. better still if we win on Thursday and hear that Molde have done the same then a 2-2 draw in Turkey would also be good enough.
Come on Celtic. And come on Molde.
And breathe….