Shutouts, 900k and getting a grip

During the Gordon Strachan era I dreaded home games against Kilmarnock.  Gordon was permanently under pressure and someone would always lob the “Do you know it’s been 53/54/55 years since Celtic have lost at home to Kilmarnock?’ question in his direction.  The last thing the guy needed was a historical record for his many begrudgers to use against him.

Fortunately the record went in less pressing times but tonight’s game is still loaded with historical resonance.  One more clean sheet and Celtic will equal their record of not conceding a goal in 10 consecutive league games, previously achieved in 1913-14 and again in 1921-22.  It’s safe to assume none of us were there in 1922 to see the record met for the last time.

Celtic are now motoring towards the title but it took heroics from Fraser Forster to keep Motherwell and Hibernian out on our last two games.  One moment’s slip in concentration and the record will disappear, like IPO cash at a Cowboy Football Club (not the Dallas Cowboys, or their Scottish partner club).

Kilmarnock have scored in eight of their last 10 games and have hit what passes for form in Ayrshire, tonight will not be straightforward.  I want to be there when the record is matched, and beaten, so same again, please, Fraser.

There’s been a bit of frivolity in the comments section at the suggestion Newco Rangers rejected a £900k bid for a player, especially after their predecessor clubs’ claim to have rejected a £9m bid for a player, weeks before entering administration.  Knowing the modus operandi of these people you should know better.

If £900k was enough to fix everything I am sure such a bid, if real, would be accepted.  If it would merely buy a few more weeks, the only point in accepting it would be to look after creditors’ interests, and we know how that one played out at Ibrox last time.

I saw photographs of indignant Norwich fans reacting to Robert Snodgrass, who returned a verbal volley after being barracked during last night’s game against Newcastle.  The sight of several grown men, on their feet, barracking and gesticulating, at being demeaned by a football player shouting back, is as great an indication that some football fans need to get a grip as anything you’ll see.

Well done to STV’s Peter Smith, who is one of three nominated by the Royal Television Society for the Young Talent of the Year award.  Smith, aged 12, brought the nation to a standstill when twice interviewing Newco Rangers’ greatest ever owner, Charles Green, laying bare the absurdity of the man while others worked hard to support him.  If you ever meet Green, watch him repeat the statuesque performance given to Smith if you ask him to produce those emails from the Dallas Cowboys. Hope Peter wins.

Best wishes too to Krishnan Guru-Murthy who is up for the National Presenter of the Year award.  He once played a small but key part in media coverage of Scottish football.
[calameo code=000390171bffb0dd3dc4f lang=en page=128 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]