Last night my brother reminded me of a comment he made after the 0-0 against Benfica on match day one of the Champions League, “I hope we’re not sitting with one point after five games”. Expectations can be as high as you like, but reality based on experience at that stage suggested Celtic would struggle to have more than a single point at this stage of the tournament.
A solitary point away from home in our Champions League history would lead the harsh realists to expect our trips to Lisbon, Barcelona and Moscow would be fruitless, leaving the enormous matter of tackling Barcelona at Celtic Park.
Two of those away games resulted in defeat, and we were behind in Moscow before one of the most significant fight-backs in modern Celtic history. It’s difficult to find perspective for the win over Barcelona. Suffice to say, they won 0-2 in Lisbon and 0-3 in Moscow. Celtic’s 2-1 remains the most astonishing result of this season’s Champions League.
Manchester City’s failure to qualify for the knock out stage, with their seemingly limitless budget, tells the story of how difficult this tournament is. England’s other mega-wealthy club, reigning European champions Chelsea, sacked their manager this week as the expectation they are likely to be eliminated at this stage dawned.
Beating Spartak and qualifying for the knockout stage will be suitable reward for a remarkable team.
The very first CQN Annual is NOW in stock and shipping order yours here! P.S. it’s great.
In case you missed the story, check out the Celtic Trust’s ‘Stand up for the Green Brigade‘ call on the 12th minute on Saturday. Full details on the Trust’s site.
P.P.S. Stand up for the Green Brigade.
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Two things
1. We should only play players who are 100% fit, anything else is just stupid
2. Does Jackass in the Daily Ranger not realise that BDOs inestigation will also be into the sale of Ibrox, MP & ther training ground for a ptiance and they have the power to cancel the transfer?
Up_Over..,
he’s had far more than four games and overall his distribution has been inconsistent
Tallybhoy,
the problem is, we’ve had better results with makeshift teams, having the full squad usually means all the favs play regardless of form and thats when we’ve suffered.
MSM hack Michael Grant leads the cHarge for Ogilvie to run the show
be warned it is vile
Throughout his 34 years in football administration, Ogilvie has been a largely unseen, discreet figure, uneasy in front of the cameras and rarely found pouring opinions into microphones. When it comes to visibility he’s neither a Sir David Murray nor a George Peat. That deep inclination towards keeping his own counsel will be abandoned soon enough, though. The SFA’s embattled president feels vindicated and exonerated by the outcome of the “big tax case” this week, and pretty soon he’ll come out and let people know about it.
Ogilvie’s SFA presidency has been unlike that of any of his predecessors. Criticism and innuendo comes with the territory for anyone at the head of the governing body but never to the extent that it rained down on Ogilvie, ironically a far milder, more unobtrusive character than most of those who occupied the role before him. He was seen as being up-to-his-neck in the Rangers EBT saga and it has obscured his presidency like a fog.
The disputed EBTs were in operation from 2001-2010. No matter how many times he stressed he had not been responsible for drafting or administering player contracts after the mid-1990s, or that he ceased to be company secretary at Ibrox in 2002, it was thrown back at him that he was guilty by association. Rangers stood accused of years of massive tax-dodging as well as breaking SFA and SPL rules – the latter accusations still have still to be resolved – and it was repeatedly said that, as one of their prominent administrators at the time, Ogilvie must have known all about the complexities and implications of the scheme. He signed off the company accounts in 2001, one of the years which was under investigation, and had an EBT himself, which was worth £95,000.
The calls for him to resign were endless. He was complicit in cheating and a cover-up, the accusers said. Compromised beyond redemption. Time and time again he was told the conflict of interest made his position untenable. The flak which came his way was nasty and personal and, by extension, his family suffered too. He voluntarily removed himself from all meetings and discussions about Rangers and the Scottish Premier League’s ongoing investigation into alleged undisclosed payments via EBTs. Only last month he admitted: “If I’m totally blunt, I believe in the last six months, in many ways, I haven’t been doing my job properly because I couldn’t take part in the debate.” The head of the SFA had been decapitated but continued to hold office.
This week, Ogilvie has been in Switzerland in his role as a member of Uefa’s National Team Competitions Committee. He will likely face the media at the Scottish Cup draw early next month. He will cut a more relaxed, open figure than he has for months. More than anything, he will seem relieved.
He could not have survived at the SFA if the tax verdict had gone the other way this week. The perception of guilt and culpability would have engulfed him and brought him down. Now, even if Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs decides to appeal the decision and are successful, a verdict would probably take so long to be reached that his reign would be over before the outcome was overturned.
What’s more likely is that he will now be able to involve himself in important issues, such as trying to cajole the SPL and SFL towards compromise and agreement on league reconstruction, having felt uncomfortable about putting his head above the parapet for more than a year. He never will be an opinionated or forceful figure – he was just about the last person likely to be at the centre of a massive controversy – but there is some influence in the position he holds and it can be wielded shrewdly. Too often there has been no-one other than chief executive Stewart Regan speaking on the SFA’s behalf and now Ogilvie can pipe up too.
As things stand, his two-year presidency is due to end at next summer’s SFA annual meeting. It is normal for the incumbent to seek re-election and serve the permitted maximum of four years. While the big tax case hung over him it was highly unlikely that he would have had the stomach for staying any longer than the bare minimum. Now, with the prospect of a second term being more enjoyable and rewarding than his first, he may decide to seek re-election.
Those who know and work with Ogilvie were pleased for him this week. Now, having been freed from innuendo, he must grow in the SFA presidency and be defined by his strengths rather than baggage from his past.
Favourable ‘cover’ like that…………costs a fortune…………….
Lionroars67,
that is funny, trying to sanitise two stinking scandals with one article.
His family suffered too, did the huns threaten them
Hail Hailstones in EK.
So Kenny Shiels wants the taxpayer to subsidise the wages of footballers so they can run around in their Audi TTs and keep their plush houses in Thontonhall and Newton Mearns?
Aye, sure Kenny. What planet are you on?
From the Campbell Ogilvie Article:
“If I’m totally blunt, I believe in the last six months, in many ways, I haven’t been doing my job properly because I couldn’t take part in the debate.”
What a slimy, sycophantic piece that is. The SFA’s head honcho admits that he couldn’t deal with the biggest crisis in our game because he was conflicted and that is not seen as good enough reason for him to have resigned. And yet again, no mention of the moral issues involved in being implicated within a massive ‘tax avoidance’ scheme – tax that the SFA would have been lobbying to government to get invested in the grass roots. The advice from the article being that if you hold a senior position of authority, and you are involved in something that may be questionable, just hang about in the shadows on full pay doing half a job, just in case you get off with it.
Increasingly, I’m getting tired of this shabby little country and its lick-spittle media.
S
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
08:45 on
23 November, 2012
Lionroars67,
that is funny, trying to sanitise two stinking scandals with one article.
His family suffered too, did the huns threaten them
It has been a co-ordinated orchestrated attack this week from the WOS MSM
This verdict was leaked and the day of the Benfica game was picked deliberately, if Celtic had got a result we would have qualified for the latter stages of the C/L
The more you read of Dr Poon’s section in the FTT, the part played by the other two in reaching their decision becomes unfathomable, i admit i have no legal training whatsoever
The ongoing war between Internet bampots and the MSM has been stepped up this week
The Celtic Supporters Association Mass of Remembrance will take place this Saturday at St Michael’s RC Church, Parkhead at 12.30pm.
The Mass, to remember the passing of those in the Celtic Family in the last year, is one, if not the most important event in the Associations calender.
Fathers Liam McMahon and Francis O’Rourke will celebrate the Mass with readings from Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell and former Celtic captain Tommy Boyd.
Lisbon Lion John Fallon will conduct the Bidding Prayers and will serve the offertory with former team mate Charlie Gallagher.
All the Celtic family are invited to attend.
Complimentary tea, biscuits and sandwiches will be served in the Chapel hall after the Mass.
We hope as many of you will attend this celebration.
I;m not normally one to pass these things on, and I initially didn’t really care that the CoE had voted against female bishops. Until I was reminded that there in the House of Lords and are lawmakers. So while I don’t think they should be in there at all, if they are going to be there I don’t think they should be allowed to be so discriminatory. Sign this petition and force a parliamentary debate on the subject.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/42117
lionroars67
yes, i read the article about Ogilvie this morning.
It seems that “having been freed from innuendo” he can now come out and start to actually do a wee bit of work.
I think the innuendo is still sticking to the soles of his shoes, and incredibily he is still in situ influencing things in favour of his aul’ friens.
lionroars67 – 08:56 on 23 November, 2012
One of the parts of the MSM onslaught that has disturbed me most has been constant implication that we should not have been debating, discussing and dissecting the evidence. None of it actually points to the FACT that 33% of the highly educated most learned people involved agreed, and agreed strongly, with the Internet bampots.
From reading the MSM, you would have thought that this was a unanimous decision that was easily and quickly reached. Rather than 2 against one following months of analysis and discussion.
I feel there is more to come although I fear that HMRC may decide not to bother given that they are getting no support from the courts. It reminds me of those cases where a carefully put together case falls apart in court because one of the forensic guys forgot to complete some paperwork properly. Freed on a ‘technicality’ ?
S
lionroars67
If there’s any space left in the place, for its sheer cringeworthiness, that piece by Michael Grant deserves a place in the MSM’s Hall of Fame.
In fact it’s so bad, one is tempted to conclude that Grant is either after Ogilivie’s daughter or shortly up for the 3rd degree in Ogilivie’s ludge …
FF
Good morning CQN
Stand up for the Green Brigade
Tomorrow
Come on you Bhoys in green
Keep the Faith
Hail Hail
Lionroars67,
its probably a media house statement.
written by dawel broadfoot and handed to a skivvy for publication
Ogilvie`s a great guy …aye right
stop buying and participating in the Scottish MSM ..poisonous huns the lot of them
Ogilvie is the benchmark of their corruption if he is slinking back out from underneath his rock they must think it’s safe enough for him to do so…
Sickening what they are trying to get away with here..
Let’s hope there is one honest man or woman somewhere in the midst of the Hunswampthings that can get to the truth and bust their bubble..
MSM – not so much the Huffington Post more like the Hunnington Post
starry plough
not so much slinking ..as marching forth in a WATP ,12 th of July stylee
Good Morning,
As promised yesterday– some thoughts on the FTT decision.
My apologies for the length and the length of introduction but there is quite a lot to say and delve into about judges, decisions and the detail of why that decision says what it says.
The Hoover, the runaways– and a judicial nod is as good as a wink on the Rangers Tax Case!
http://wp.me/p1G95H-I
….PFayr
What they don’t know is secret agent Starry Plough will be touching down on Monday to kick some hun ass!!!
Whither the cash strapped scrofulous hillbillies, and their scrofulous cash strapped cuzz, the day?
Is Campbell Ogilvie aka Mr Elgin?
bankiebhoy
media house will be on overtime
Traynor,Grant et al…will get a decent Christmas bonus this year
fortune is right ..but SDM wants his reputation back
..when they gonnae ask him why he sold assets worth £50m for £1
and
why he offered HMRC £10m to settle
We still got a result. The toxic club are playing in the 4th division. Rejoice!
Have they all forgotten that Nimmo Smith could still find them guilty of breaking football’s rules on a large scale – while Ogilvie was in charge?
Or do they believe their own spin and expect him to give up and go away?
canamalar
No. Ambrose has played 2 games at CM.
Kayal33
The first thing we need v Spartak is our first choice defenders playing in defence. Stop them scoring and we’re half way there to victory. Forster, Lustig, Ambrose, Wilson & Matthews (assume Izzy won’t be fit) should be our defence.
The case for Ambrose and Wilson as our 1st choice defenders grows weaker with each passing game. Behind 3 central midfielders their job has been easier, but we are unlikely to have 2, never mind 3 regular central midfielders fit for the Spartak Moscow clash. Their record at 4-4-2 is appalling – 9 games, and only 14 points accrued, and I see no difference in the errors they have been making and those of past centre backs.
We are repeating the same mistakes – a new CB pairing pops up, have a few good games, everyone thinks we’ve found the Holy Grail, and the narrative is set. Woe betide anyone who points out their deficiencies, particularly as they’re so tough and mean looking.
Look, I see what Wilson can do. Against Benfica, he was the better of the two, sure, while at the Nou camp, Ambrose stood out. What I don’t see is a consistent standard being set in defence. Until that happens, I see no reason not to chop and change. Neil Lennon has done that for the past 2 years, and has wrought the best SPL defensive record on both occasions.
It’s time give Rogne another shot when he is fit. I also see no reason not to use Wanyama as a CB now and then, in order to give Ambrose more experience in midfield.
Gordon_J
Definitely the latter. The hope is to build up a sufficient furore to make it unthinkable to strip titles and reclaim prize money.
Lance Armstrong tried the same thing.
It’s like that audible high-pitch gasp you used to hear at the Brox whenever a referee had the temerity not to give the ante-liquidation Rangers a decision.
We should not underestimate Daryll Broadfoot’s role in trying to smooth the path and working closely with former colleagues such as Michael Grant to get the message out.
What an appointment Broadfoot was at the SFA. Dear God almighty.
Regan, Ogilvie, Broadfoot
We have heard nothing from any of them since the start of the season, a critical season for Scottish football. The only person who has reported anything from them is Tommy In Glasgow.
No harm to Tommy (whom I love dearly), but what an indictment.
Celtic_First
Well said. The fact Grant + Broadfoot both worked for the same paper should not be overlooked
Broadfoot will have written the piece, and Grant being the lackey will have got it published
.
G’Day CQN..
Summer is on it’s way Down-Under..
What is this the Nightshift was Howling at the Moon..(Cant leave them for a Night)..:O)
Away back to Have a Read..Any Fights..?
Summa of SammaDaysCSC
Living Social doing deal for Dundee Utd game 12 Dec , Lounge access gig for £35 instead of £80
The disputed EBTs were in operation from 2001-2010. No matter how many times he stressed he had not been responsible for drafting or administering player contracts after the mid-1990s, or that he ceased to be company secretary at Ibrox in 2002 … .
Tiniest of wee flaws in the flow of the argument there, Daryll and Michael. Sorry chaps.
BRTH
Totally fed up with all the misreporting and media spin on the FTT decison i intened to try and read some of the judgement this coming week(i have a weeks holiday) ..you have saved me a tortuous experience ….very many thanks
your article is top drawer my man and explains the matter succinctly ..excellent job
btw ..you`re right …anybody who wants to be a sheriff should never get the job :¬))
Celtic_1st @ 10:00,
Incredulous stuff
CO admits he couldn’t do his job properly, this is true for two reasons.
The first comes down to competency
The second is that his position was and is untenable due to the fact he had a position at RFC that made him responsible for the registration of their players.
He admitted that he did not carry out this function but allowed a third party Company (albeit a parent Company) carry out those reponsibilities.
That is the least of his errors but it is more than enough to suggest he is unfit to hold the top position in the administration of Scottish Football.
I would like to know what we as a support are prepared to do if the stitch up covers the dual contracts investigation too?
It looks like the only body that can effect any proper sanction is the public/football fan and I also fear Tims will be the ones left cheated by it all at the end.
It might be unfair of me to expect or even to say this but if they win the dual contracts I don’t think any Celtic fan should go back to the midden when the time inevitably comes,I would also go as far as home games against them and it would be good to be backed by other clubs fans.
Don’t participate wherever and whenever they play and it goes for every fan in clubs and pubs not just the bhoys n ghirls who go to games,everybody.
If were going to have our guts ripped out by such a calculated,drawn out,media backed injustice then you really have the chance to show what being cheated so badly means to you.
Right folks, bita help needed
Going back to derry from oz for crimbo, only game looks like i can get to at parkhead is motherwell.. Wednesday 2nd @ 3pm.
Is there any chance this could get changed ? Or can i go ahead and book flights and try sort ticket etc
Hibs game suits aswel.. Chances of ticket for this ?
Any Oz bhoys on ?
Our game against spartak live on sbs 1.. Happy days