Yesterday’s result at Ibrox gave some welcome encouragement but it would be wrong to read too much into it. Rangers still have the kind of lead that would have Celtic thoroughly confident of a league win and, lest we forget, St Johnstone collected all three points from Celtic Park already this season.
The win at Inverness was much more important. The Highlanders are bottom of the league but that is a false position. Two points separate Hibs, Dunfermline, Aberdeen and Inverness, while Kilmarnock, who shipped six goals to Inverness at home two weeks ago, are only a further two points away. Even with 10 men Inverness remained well organised yesterday, don’t be surprised if they move ahead of the four teams above them in the weeks to come.
The league is remarkably tight from fourth place St Johnstone to bottom Inverness, where fewer points separate the teams than split Celtic and Rangers. Don’t, therefore, be surprised if points are dropped in the most unlikely places.
Treat yourself to Starting Tomorrow, by CQN Sponsors’ DMP. Our thanks to George and Gordon. Check out the band at their official site.
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Pre international break we went to Fir Park 15 points behind. Two home wins this week and they will go to Kilmarnock only 4 points ahead. Sqeaky bum time will officially arrive for Fat Sally et al. Interesting to see how they cope under pressure.
bournesouprecipe says:
21 November, 2011 at 10:23
I believe that St Johnstone actually had more possession in the last game at ipox.
The huns were hitting on the break against saints.
Imagine if we played like that at Celtic park,coronary’s all round.
Morning all
Reasons to be cheerful:
3 points to us
1 point to them
The Killing is back.
I’m off to daydream about Scandinavian women in woolly jumpers…
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo says:
21 November, 2011 at 10:24
Morning , did they back out of this game? I thought it was Celts who
didn’t want to go ahead.
Anyone seen the new ad at the bottom of the screen – claim a free treat from Nivea?
Are we all metrosexuals now?
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo says:
21 November, 2011 at 10:24
maybe ali russell is thinking more alabama
Pele’s stunning claim: There is no racism in Europe because the teams are full of blacks
By ASHLEY GRAY
Last updated at 8:34 AM on 21st November 2011
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Pele has made the extraordinary suggestion that racism does not exist in European football because ‘the teams are full of blacks’.
The world’s most celebrated player of all time claimed that allegations such as those made against John Terry and Luis Suarez were exaggerated.
And the 71-year-old Brazil legend even contradicted his autobiography by insisting he had never suffered racism as a footballer.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter was forced to apologise this week after initially claiming there was ‘no racism’ in football, comparing insults to other foul language, which could be settled at the end of the match with a handshake.
And Pele seemed to support Blatter’s original view by saying: ‘When I played, opponents in the domestic league would grab my ass, they cursed my mother and my wife, but I didn’t have racism.
‘I never had this problem. Now, any little thing is racism. It’s absurd.
‘When I arrived in Sweden (to play the World Cup in 1958) only Brazil had black players. Today, with the advent of technology, this fuss about racism has expanded.
‘I guess that it is necessary for the player to speak, for the press to report. Now any little thing is racism. They put much emphasis on this.
‘The European teams are full of blacks. How can there be racism?’
However, Tokyo Sexwale, the former anti-apartheid activist who was dragged into the racism row when FIFA’s PR machine released photographs of Blatter embracing him, suggested Pele had told him of different experiences.
‘Great players like Pele and (Cameroon striker Samuel) Eto’o have suffered racism in football,’ said Sexwale in the aftermath of the Blatter row.
‘I have had conversations with both players in my capacity as member of the (FIFA) anti-racism committee and they told me painful stories.’
And in his autobiography, Pele, the three-time World Cup winner recalls an occasion when Argentina supporters abused the Brazil team he was part of.
‘They chanted “Macaquitos de Brasil” (Brazilian monkeys) at us. It got our adrenaline going but I was never really that bothered by this sort of racist chanting.’
Liverpool striker Suarez is expected to deny charges brought by the FA over allegedly racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
Chelsea and England captain Terry remains under investigation by the police and the FA over allegations he racially abused Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon says:
21 November, 2011 at 10:31
I’ll give it a go.
Good morning to the Celtic Family from a damp Central Scotland. As far as I can see there is only one thing wrong with the Green Brigade and that is the should be four times larger as a group.These young men and women bring a passion to the matches and add real atmosphere I certainly dont dislike any of the songs they sing.We must remember that football is supposed to be an entertainment and for me the Green Brigade add to the entertainment if I was fotry years younger I would love to count myself amongst there numbers that fat old blue nose carmugen Traynor is just trying to sell papers and get folk to listen to him on the radio let him rant on no one with any sense would take him seriously. Glasgows Green and White, Come on you Bhoys in Green. H.H.
glendalystonsils at 10:10
According to Knob McLean on last nights sportscene Motherwell are in joint second place with Celtic. Hhhhhhhmmmmmmmm
They must have scrapped goal difference while I wasn’t looking.
Coolio, should the records be changed to say we were joint winners of the SPL in 2003.
Mort
voguepunter says:
21 November, 2011 at 10:30
The huns backed out of it through security fears.
Rangers have pulled out of a potential summer friendly with Celtic in Boston – and may travel to Australia instead.
The SPL champions were due to tour the United States in late July with games in Washington and Dallas before a clash with their Old Firm rivals.
But a row broke out when a Boston newspaper criticised the behaviour of Rangers fans away from Scotland.
“We have decided not to pursue that [match],” said Rangers chief executive Martin Bain.
“Instead, there is the possibility of matches in Australia and an announcement on that will be made in the next couple of days.”
The potential for crowd trouble is rumoured to have influenced the decision of the Rangers hierarchy, a risk heightened by a recent Boston Globe article that highlighted a long list of offences outside of Scotland by fans of the club.
The match was due to have taken place at Fenway Park, the historic home of baseball’s Boston Red Sox, and would have been the first Old Firm match outside Scotland.
606: DEBATE
Can Old Firm meet outside Scotland?
The Glasgow giants were both believed to be planning North American tours in the summer, with Celtic tentatively scheduled to play Manchester United in Toronto in July, while Rangers were believed to be arranging games in Miami and New York.
Red Sox chief operating officer Sam Kennedy had said he was “aggressively pursuing the match”, which had been pencilled in for 21 July at the 37,402-capacity venue.
Earlier this week, the general secretary of the Rangers Supporters’ Association John McMillan told BBC Scotland that an Old Firm game played in Boston or elsewhere in the USA in the summer would be “quite a spectacle”.
A similar proposal was mooted six years ago, with Australia as the host country, but the match never materialised.
BNarrach O Bampot
I posted the Stokes story after finding it here last night
http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/?p=38713
Mort,
Didn’t you hear about the new inverse alphabetical order rule?
The Celtic supporter groups should maintain their stance of not speaking to anyone until the new legislation is introduced.
Hail Hail
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
It was the huns who backed out of the game… just like it was the huns who backed out of the joint TV deal a few months later, but not becasue of anything that they would be wise to admit to. None of what has been offered as an excuse so far is close to the truth. Chinese whispers are just that but what really speaks the loudes?
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo says:
21 November, 2011 at 09:47
Who wrote that utter pish?
Jelavic and Naismith have scored 60% of Rangers’ goals in the league this year.
Naismith is finished.
Jelavic will be sold in 5 weeks.
Their post Christmas strike force will have to be assembled form their existing players.
We have our key players almost back to full fitness with 3 derby’s to play.
This league is far far from over.
Gordon_J
Ah, so that’s what it is. Good to keep up with all the SPL’s rules.
Mort
Inverness manager Terry Butcher criticised referee Steve O’Reilly and the Scottish FA following the 2-0 defeat by Celtic.
Midfielder Greg Tansey was sent off following an aerial challenge on Georgios Samaras – a decision that infuriated Butcher.
“If anything it is assault by fingernail – and the player has gone down as if he’s been scratched by a jaguar,” he said.
“There’s no way it’s a red card.”
The game was goalless when the referee dismissed Tansey in the 36th minute and Butcher expressed frustration at the decision and the system for reviewing controversial red cards.
“I’m not happy. The usual happens, Inverness get a man sent off: we had a man sent off against Rangers, against Celtic and against Motherwell and end up losing the game,” he said.
“It’s the same old story. It happens because referees are rushed into making decisions. If they just step back and look at it then they’d realise it’s not a red card.
“I’m bitterly disappointed and I’ll tell you what happens now. We’ll have a look at the DVD and probably say we’re going to appeal.
“I, or someone who represent the club, will go down to Glasgow. We’ll do all the necessary work and ensure we’ve got the paperwok in place by Tuesday afternoon.
“The referee sees it; he then replies by Wednesday afternoon. Then I’ll sit down in front of the compliance officer and then in front of the SFA panel; which is three men.
“All of whom have never played football. And if the referee doesn’t change his mind then there’s no point in me going down.
“So, I’ll waste £1,000 of the club’s money plus train fare and everything else and it’ll be a complete waste of time.” No wonder the game is going to the wall … if I was a Caley fan I would be asking for a financial breakdown
Referees went on strike last season over what they believed was unfair criticism but Butcher said he was frustrated with the decisions going against his club.
He added: “I feel like saying: ‘okay SPL, you go and sort out the referees and let’s get a bit of consistency’.
“Fifteen games played this season and not one penalt
PL must not help feed the hun.No more OF.
celtic *o* lennon says:
21 November, 2011 at 10:40
Johnathon Russell the editor of the Glasgow Herald
Hail Hail
Yes Terry as a Former Rangers player you liked your penalty kicks and now at ICT you struggle to win any games without them.Terry your a poor poor manager the fact you have a managerial job in the top league in Scotland does indeed show how poor our game is.H.H.
Kit
I think it is all bluster. I think it is a case of keeping all the huns on side until D day
Hail Hail
VP
A Celtic side that could hit on the break?
MON’s teaming at it’s peak, was about the best recent example.
Plans to hold an Old Firm derby outside of Scotland are back on the table, with Rangers keen to revisit the idea of arranging a game in the USA.
Discussions were held last year with a view to a pre-season game taking place in Boston, only for the Ibrox club to turn down the opportunity.
Now under new ownership, recently installed chief operating officer Ali Russell says he is interested in the idea of a succession of non-competitive matches being held to take the fixture around the world.
“I would like to see us take the Old Firm fixture abroad but we have to be careful because we don’t want Rangers to become the lesser brand,” Russell told the Mail on Sunday.
“We have a strong tradition at Rangers and we have to make sure we play on an equal footing. Boston was the right idea but maybe the wrong city.
“It might be that we take it to somewhere neutral or it might be that it’s more than one game which gives you an opportunity to create a home and away scenario.”
Although any match would officially be billed a friendly, Russell doesn’t believe the nature of the fixture would allow for a tame affair and says there is a big opportunity for both teams to work together to make it happen.
“There is no such thing as an Old Firm friendly,” he added. “It would be an intense occasion and that would have real mileage across the world.
“The clubs have worked together in the past in terms of securing sponsors such as Tennent’s.
“There’s no doubt there is a huge Irish and Scottish affinity in the US so that would suggest there is an opportunity for us to develop the brand there – in isolation and through collaboration.”
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
Without doubt they are clutching for straws, any straw… just as long as the straw that keeps them afloat is not wrapped in green and white, if it turns out to be so… then I would be most disappointed.
Rogueleader
The most remarkable comments on Sportscene in my opinion were when Maclean asked Billy Dodds if this weekend’s results meant that, maybe, after all, unlikely as it may seem, that Celtic were “not out of it yet”. Dodds conceded that, indeed, it was still possible for Celtic to win the league.
Two things. It’s November. If it was April and the gap was as it is Celtic would still be able to win the league (we’ve done it before and we’ll do it again, as the song says).
Secondly, and more importantly, if we all go about our daily business, do our jobs, feed our weans with the fruit of the sweat of our brows and we all know there is no way for the Motherwell-Born Billionaire to keep paying the bills for the rest of the season and that, even if someone subs him enough to pay the bills, the big tax case is going to hit, and that, therefore, an insolvency event at the Brox is inevitable, how can it be that Maclean and Dodds, whose jobs are to follow and report on Scottish football (that is, they get paid to find out things we don’t know and tell us what they are) are blissfully unaware?
How is it possible for them not to know?
So, fine, you don’t want Carter Ruck on the phone to put the BBC in its place again if Doddsy or Macleansy actually come out and say: “Well, of course, Rangers are unlikely to make it to the end of the season anyway. Maybe we could start a campaign for the season to be shortened, sort of in reparation for the sins of the past … .”
You don’t really expect them to acknowledge that. However, how can they make statements (“Is it STILL possible for Celtic to close the gap?”) that suggest this is a normal season?
HE removal of a 300-year-old law that prevents Catholics from taking the throne is to be the focus of a controversial debate at Holyrood this week.
MSPs are to discuss whether the Act of Settlement, drawn up by the English parliament in 1701 amid much furore in Scotland, has become out of date and discriminatory on sectarian grounds.
While the heads of 16 Commonwealth states recently agreed to modernise some of the legislation – such as allowing first-born daughters to succeed as monarch – the issue of faith has not been addressed.
Earlier this month Prime Minister David Cameron announced the UK Government planned to scrap the ban on the spouse of a Roman Catholic from becoming king or queen – but only a Protestant can take the throne.
The Scottish Parliament will now debate the issue, following a motion from Nationalist MSP Jim Eadie who said the 1701 Act was an “ancient anachronism”.
It will be the second time in 12 years Holyrood has discussed royal succession, after a debate in 1999 concluded the Act had “no place in modern society”.
Papers released under Freedom of Information two years ago revealed then First Minister Donald Dewar felt the ancient ban on Catholics was “no longer acceptable” in society but had grave doubts over whether it would ever change.
In a Cabinet briefing paper he told colleagues that abolishing the 1701 Act of Settlement might even be impossible and said its repeal would create an uncontrollable “ripple effect” through the constitution, and “certainly” lead to the disestablishment of the Church of England.
Mr Eadie’s motion at Holyrood has already received crossbench support from both Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs but as a reserved matter, only David Cameron’s administration can amend legislation relating to the royals.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s debate, the SNP MSP said: “It is a disappointment that while some discrimination is being removed, steps have not been put in place to end the bar on a Catholic becoming monarch. While there are not that many people with the prospect of becoming monarch there should be no discrimination in any of our institutions on the grounds of religion.
“The concerns of other faiths could certainly be met, as they have been in the case of marriage and gender and I hope all parties will once again endorse this call to lift the bar and end this discrimination.”
The 1701 Act of Settlement ensured the Crown did not fall into Catholic hands after the death of Queen Anne, and stated: “Any person reconciled with the See or Church of Rome, or who shall marry a Papist, shall be excluded and be for ever incapable to inherit, possess or enjoy the Crown.”
In Scotland the parliament drafted an alternative piece of legislation, called the 1704 Act of Security, which demanded the line of succession be given to the descendants of the Scottish kings instead.
However, as part of the Union three years later, Scotland was forced to abandon its own Act or face trade sanctions.
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo says:
21 November, 2011 at 10:46
Guy is a rocket of the highest order!
I’m off to watch LUBO MORAVCIK- A GIFT FROM GOD, to remember the best technical player I’ve ever watched in the flesh.
Why they had to get that wee Currant Bun Dougie Donnelly to do the voice-over I’ll never know.
The following initiative has been remarkably under-reported:
THE MOTHERWELL REVOLUTION
After 13 years of service, John Boyle has decided to stand down and leave the club. He has generously agreed to gift his shares to an independent trust which will be administered by four trustees, who are directors of the Club’s board. In addition to this, a society which allows fans to participate in the ownership of the club will be established; “The Well Society”.
There will be a variety of memberships available, which will allow fans to elect members of the Well Society to the board of Motherwell F.C. providing fans with a means of voicing their opinions at board level.
The Board has said on a number of occasions that ultimately we wish to be owned by the Community and this proposed new structure is a huge step towards setting out to achieve this goal.
The membership fees of the Well Society will be used to purchase shares in Motherwell F.C. with the aspiration that through time the Well Society will acquire a controlling shareholding in the Club.
•We will introduce a membership scheme that will enable our loyal fan base to participate in the ownership of the club – The Well Society.
•Provide the opportunity for local businesses or individuals to become patrons of Motherwell Football Club
Our aim is to run the club on a break even basis and any funds that are raised from the Well Society will only be used if a cash requirement arises. None of the trustees or other directors of the club will benefit financially from John’s gift.
A COMMUNITY CLUB
Motherwell Football Club was founded in 1886 through an amalgam of two local teams Wee Alpha and Glencairn. Since then, the Club has grown into one of Scotland’s most famous and successful teams, securing the Scottish Division One Championship during season 1931/32, winning the Scottish League Cup in 1950, the Scottish Cup during 1952, and the Scottish Cup again famously in 1991 against Dundee United in what is generally regarded as the best ever Scottish Cup Final.
Motherwell Football Club has always enjoyed superb support from its loyal fan base during the good and difficult times. In return the Club has always sought to engage with its fan base to help alleviate social problems affecting local communities.
In 2009, an internal restructure saw the club confirm its vision to become Scotland’s best community club, placing itself at the very heart of the community. To achieve this, we expanded the Club’s Community Programme to include a dedicated Head of Department and three additional permanent community officers.
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY CLUB?
A community football club is part of the fabric of the community. The Club believe that long term success is dependent upon a strong fan base and a structure which allows supporters to voice their opinions.
Through the Well Society, members will be entitled to elect members of the society to the board of Motherwell F.C., where these opinions can be discussed at regular board meetings.
The real route to long term success is to grow our resources, our fan base and strength collectively. Rather than the ideas of a few directors, it will be the ideas of thousands of supporters, residents of North Lanarkshire and beyond.
As part of aspiring to become a community club we want our football club facilities to be used for a wide range of community events and activities, for all ages and interests.
This should be an important resource in attracting new fans as well as becoming valuable income stream.
A community football club helps to bring the community together and, through mutually beneficial links with local business, should be an important part of the social and economic structure of the local area.
The people of the community should have pride in the club as a responsible representative of the region, regardless of whether or not they attend the games on match day, and they should genuinely wish to see the club succeed and flourish, building on our already rich heritage.
The clear intention of the directors of the club is to move towards a community owned model and this is the first step in that process.
It is possible, although we believe unlikely, that at some point in the future an individual or consortium will seek to acquire the club.
As in any business any offers would need to be considered carefully and a collective decision taken on whether a sale is in the best interest of the club and its fans.
If a decision is taken to sell the club in the first 2 years following establishment of the Well Society, the proceeds would be distributed to the current shareholders of the club, including John Boyle on a pro rata basis.
At the end of the 2 year period the beneficiary of any proceeds raised from the sale of the club would be the current share holders and Motherwell Football Club Community Trust as beneficiary of the Trust.
THE VISION
The vision is to increase the involvement of the local community in Motherwell F.C. and the establishment of the Well Society will allow us to realise this vision.
The long term aspiration is that the Well Society will acquire a controlling shareholding in Motherwell F.C. and allow the people that have sustained it for 125 years; the fans and community of North Lanarkshire to continue to show their support to the Club
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
•For the Well Society to acquire a controlling shareholding of the club.
•For the Club to act as a community asset to be run for the benefit of all.
•To provide a variety of memberships which will allow supporters to elect members of the Well Society to the board of Motherwell FC.
•Grow the club sustainably.
•Revitalise and improve relationships with businesses, sponsors, and the local Council.
•Enhance the social and cultural impact of the football club.
•To play at the highest level possible, without risk of going into administration.
THE WELL SOCIETY MEMBERS’ RIGHTS
The Well Society offers a range of membership packages and is open to anyone who has an interest in Motherwell Football Club or the community.
Members enjoy the same influence no matter what membership package they purchase.
In addition to a raft of benefits offered by the Club, being a member enables you to vote members onto the board of the Well Society and elect members to stand for the Board of Motherwell FC.erwell FC.
MurdochauldandHay
Thanks. “Illicit” chants get news headlines but a footballers house getting attacked by a mob (again) doesn’t? This is a high-profile example of sectarianism and the Scottish media shame themselves again by not covering it.
“There is no such thing as an Old Firm friendly,” he added. “It would be an intense occasion and that would have real mileage across the world.
“The clubs have worked together in the past in terms of securing sponsors such as Tennent’s.
“There’s no doubt there is a huge Irish and Scottish affinity in the US so that would suggest there is an opportunity for us to develop the brand there – in isolation and through collaboration.”
In your dreams matey NO old firm and NO collaboration, you can stick that nonsense where the sun don’t shine!
Bit difficult to hit on the break if teams set up for the draw.
Those 2 counter-attacks at Ibrox last January did us pretty well, though?
Kit
if we dont rush to their aid I will start to doubt whether the earth is flat and that earth is not indeed at the centre of the universe. It is going to be a highly illuminating time in Scottish football. I am really looking forward to it. All Celtic historians have their eyes firmly fixed on our custodians.
Hail Hail
Barrach Obampot says:
21 November, 2011 at 10:57
MurdochauldandHay
‘Thanks. “Illicit” chants get news headlines but a footballers house getting attacked by a mob (again) doesn’t? This is a high-profile example of sectarianism and the Scottish media shame themselves again by not covering it. ‘
The Green Brigade didn’t do it so it’s obviously not newsworthy. I wonder if the collapse of the euro, greece going down the pan and the banking crisis can be pinned on the Bhoys somewhere down the line as well
Rob McLean wasn’t even at Invernes to do the commentrey he just did a voice over for the game later, his script was written even before the match was broadcast last night
He was actually in Paisley doing the St Mirren v Dunfermeline game
My earlier comment about a campaign to shorten the league season, being for the benefit of Mr Whyte (that was for Pablo, by the way), was meant to be frivolous. But I realise I have now suggested a way in which Rangers can, in fact win it. Expect the campaign to get going any time soon. It’s all my fault. I hate myself.