There is an unusually sombre tempo head of tomorrow’s Champions League last 16 tie, a consequences of the 0-3 reversal at home three weeks ago and the general sentiment around Scottish football this week, but this match is an excellent test for both manager and playing squad.
We are a Champions League team again with aspirations to achieve at this level next season. Having finally overcome the hoodoo of never having won away from home in the competition, we must use occasions like tomorrow to continue our growth in the competition.
We defended our 18-yard line in the Camp Nou and almost got away with a point. The plan was wrong in Lisbon, where a talented Benfica controlled midfield and recorded a narrow win, but the win against Spartak in Moscow was deserved.
Celtic might not be able to qualify for the quarter finals but they can win the match tomorrow; this is an achievable objective which would sweeten the inevitable medicine.
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SFTBs
It’s anti- Independence and anti- Yes campaign NOT SNP specifically. It does not amount to the same thing.
The BBC are interpreting opinions as facts to suit an agenda. I don’t think that is disingenuous in the slightest.
I put in the story about Slovakia to show people that it can be done – that’s the positive because Miroslav Lajcak said next to nothing about Scotland’s position in the event of a yes vote. As a small country they were supportive, that’s about the length and breadth of it. Nothing more, nothing less. There is a notion that somehow Scotland is unique in Europe and it can’t be Independent while small countries across the continent are showing they can. the Czechoslovak separation IS a success story and it is one which people should look to for a reference point.
The YES campaign have a fair amount of evidence building up to suggest that there is bias especially at the BBC. Glenn Campbell’s latest “interpretation” of the words of the Luxembourg minister being case in point.
When Minister’s themselves are saying that their words are being misconstrued by the BBC after every piece of spin put out something is wrong.
Don’t believe me?
In January it was claimed on QT by an audience member that Nicola sturgeon had gone to Ireland and was told “you won’t get into the EU” which was how it had initially been spun. The BBC’s Raymond Buchanan stated that Lucinda Creighton’s comments had “Chimed” with Michael Moore’s about Scotland’s position within the EU who said that Scotland would be outside trying to get back in. Journalist following the party line?
Lucinda Creighton had in fact supported the SNP’s view that Scotland would be able to negotiate it’s position from within but the BBC refused to broadcast it as it was her response to their initial spin.
“I was asked about the future of negotiations with the EU in the event that Scotland votes for independence. I thought that my reply was largely in line with that of the Scottish Government. I certainly did not at any stage suggest that Scotland could, should or would be thrown out of the EU. Scottish people are citizens of Europe.”
Is that bias or lazy journalism?
I know what I think.
Greetings Jonny.
Kurking, lurking it’s all good. :-)
I see they are out in force now, the “Move On Brigade” I mean.
What the Move On Brigade do not appear to understand is that by their actions the SFA have created a belief amongst all other clubs that the SFA see The Rangers survival so essential to the commercial success of Scottish football that anything goes in preserving The Rangers fate.
Imagine an unfortified by financial steroids (The) Rangers are involved in a game against a well organised opponent on which promotion or their own relegation depends.
The match officials, appointed under the auspices of the SFA appoint a referee (lets call him McCurry) who sends off an opponent and disallows what looks like two perfectly good goals for them. Hard to imagine I know but without a victory The Rangers top flight future or ascendency to it is in jeopardy.
Now the chances that the team being denied a result is Celtic are remote, but it could be any other club in Scotland played on the way up or in the top flight who simply cannot win because of the SFA belief, AND their ability to bring about that belief through picking match officials who probably subscribe to it, that The Rangers survival is all that matters.
So whilst personell changes like removing Ogilvie & co might help, it is even more important that the ability to influence results (known as match fixing when others do it) is removed from the SFA and placed with the new one league authority that emerges, on the basis that clubs will watch each other for appointments to important games (or even -gasp – appoint an official from elsewhere.)
As a Celtic supporter who has felt for years that Rangers benefitted from decisions either on field or disciplinary when it mattered to their results, a belief that there was a fix in place, reinforced by the latest shennagins, I do not think I could be bothered reliving that experience.
To all other clubs who will be affected by “The Rangers first and foremost” belief system of the SFA, watch paranoia does not get the better of you.
To the “Move On Brigade” you mean move back do’nt you?
Starry
Not seen it yet. On my ‘to see list though.
Kurking? I think even our Ernie would struggle to make a sentence using that word!
theweegreenman
Decent movie, I watched it with my girl she’s 12 and we enjoyed it..
Auldheid.
They need to play European football to survive. Imagine the mess when they return to the top flight.
For that reason, Celtic have two seasons to extract themselves from the mess that is Scottish football.
Auldheid
Commercial success under the present model and leadership will always eludes Scottish Football, we have almost reached the nadir and it will be reached should the tribute act be fast tracked to the top.
The lack of vision and business nous has turned football in Scotland into a backwater within a backwater for the few to make the most out of the very little created..
A more depressing scenario James Forrest couldn’t make up for his novels!!
Auldheid
I am now waiting for the introduction of an announcer like Tony Schiavone to start all games.
‘IN THE GREEN SIDE WEIGHING IN AT 1500 WINNERS OF THE LEAGUE yadda yadda yadda.
Closely dollars by the introduction of ‘tagging’ replacing substitutions.
Improve the entertaient value no end………
SFARIPCSC
Auldheid @ 10.43
Right. Celtic need to be watchful. They also need to speak out. James Forrest made a good point on here the other day when he asked why Bryson was still at the SFA after his part in cheating us over the Cadete registration.
After Fergus the Celtic board allowed the SFA to become even worse. They never spoke out. Why didn’t they ask about Walter Smith leaving the Scotland job to join Rangers without being pursued for breach of contract or without compensation being paid? (Contrast Celtic and Tommy Burns joining us from Kilmarnock.)
Why didn’t they speak out when McCurry was allowed to officiate at a ridiculuous number of games involving the now dead club?
Why didn’t they question the appointment of Gordon Smith as CEO, a man who was spectacularly unqualified for the job?
Celtic allowed the SFA to become infested with these people, from Peat and Smith at the top down to communications officers like Broadfoot.
In this light, last week’s decsion by the commission is no surprise.
Apologies
Bloody iphone
Snake
“Is that bias or lazy journalism?”
My final word on politics for today.
You have ignored my question. The BBC did report the Slovak story you found positive. In fact they did more than report it; they sourced it and broadcast it when they could have buried it if it was against some notion you have of bias. It was also fronted by Glenn Campbell the guy you later accuse of spinning, presumably, pro-Union stuff.
Instead you cite an audience member on QT and say that was “how it was initially spun”. Now that spinning was not done by the BBC (unless you think the audience member was a plant). You then say Raymond Buchanan used the not-very-pejorative word “chimed” because the reported (by the audience member) comments did accord with the views of Michael Moore. Unless you are stating that Raymond Buchanan unequivocally stated that the Fine Gael politician had uttered those words, then you are conflating an audience member’s inaccurate statement, accepted at face value and offered to Nicola Sturgeon as rebuttal, as being somehow an official BBC position.
Hardly, a devastating example.
Do you ever hear Labour, Liberal and Tory spokespeople being interviewed by BBC Scotland? They are subject to the same tired interviewing standards. Interrupt their prepared PR guff, twist their words, and try to provoke them into an angry petulant outburst. It is the standard shock jock form of modern day political interviewing and it is very tired.
If you are pro-Independence you will take offence when they do this to a pro-Independence spokesperson and cheer when they apply it to a Unionist spokesperson. A pro-Union listener will do the opposite.
I can discern no part bias at BBC Scotland, merely a middle class, lace curtain, tartan cliche, outlook from them. That does no service to Scotland, GB, Europe, the World or the universe (think that covers all potential Unionist positions).
My last word on politics today.
I’d prefer you’d reassure me on my Juve pessimism.
BRTH , or anyone who can, can you drop me a line to sannabhoy@gmail.com – I’ve lost your moby .
Sanna
Well sai Auldheid but the board ain’t listening to that view.
Snake
“as rebuttal” should be “for rebuttal”
“part” should be “party”
Did anyone check to see if Sandy Bryson held any shares in the Ibrox outfit??
That would be interesting to know if his self interest outweighed the good of the game…
SFTBs
I disagree with you and can’t be bothered going back to trawl the net for the first reporting of Lucinda Creighton which was biased. Not an interview, spin. End of. that’s where the audience member got it from.
Anyway,
I am philosophical about tonight. Whatever will be will be. We’ve done great on a fraction of all the other teams in the last 16’s budgets.
I remain hopeful but that’s it.
Snake, you accuse the BBC of bias yet ignore the fact that Salmond and Sturgeon flat out lied about having legal advice on Scotland’s unbroken membership of the EU.
Even now I am not sure exactly what the SNPs understanding of our membership of the EU actually is.
This lie has blown apart their credibility on a matter of critical importance to every man woman and child in Scotland.
SFTB
Stick a wee fiver on the Bhoys. You know you want to. :-)
Lying? It didn’t do Tony Blair any harm.
Bonjour CQN
http://www.fcsion4ever.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=2
79dsys. Yes it did. It destroyed his premiership and will haunt his reputation for decades.
Politicians spin- that I think we accept. But flat out lie? That is usually the beginning of the end.
theweegreenman
Gambling??
With money??
Mammy, I’m being led astray on the internet.
Paddy power is grooming me.
Morning from a cold and grey Kingdom of Fife and the
weathers not too good either.
Looking for a good performance and result tonight
to put a smile back on my face, and god knows
I need cheering up.
HH
Was reading the various pundits take on the Nani sending off and other than Roy Keane they are all saying that it was never a sending off , yellow card max.All backing Sir Alex to the hilt .Now if that had been Celtic and Neil Lennon had reacted the same way , the pundits take on it would have been ‘I can understand where the referee is coming from’ or shocking tackle , definate red card.
As long as they play well tonight. Last 16 of the CL? I thought the Europa League would be our limit this year.
Well done to Lenny and his lions.
Italiabhoy
When do you think labour will mount a credible challenge down South?
Eastleigh did not reflect too well on Labour. I think our system is broken and there is mo-one down there capable of fixing it. IMO of course.
The SPL website:
“The SPL Board notes that the Commission has upheld a number of complaints against Rangers OldCo and that Rangers OldCo has been found to have breached SPL and Scottish FA Rules over an 11-year period in relation to the non-disclosure of financial arrangements involving many of its Players”.
So let’s leave it at that, eh?
Another sex ring in England attacking kids. What the feck is going on. FFS
The weegreenman. They will win the next election. Certainly be the biggest party, so possibly coalition with lib dems (minus Clegg).
Uk Polling Report predicts a majority of 114 based on aggregated opinion polls and uniform swing. but I’d imagine that will narrow…
Eastleigh was actually good for Labour. They were never going to win but the emergence of UKIP in seats the Tories must win or hold narrowly, makes a majority conservative government almost impossible.
Aye well the Celts are up against it tonight, but if:
Juve score an early own goal against the run of play
Hooper then scores a penalty and juve keeper gets sent off for manhandling
And then big Vic scores in the last minute
Then we only need to score 1 more in extra time to win. Simples!
Now you might the above scenario is very highly unlikely, but Charles Green and his MSM blowhards get away with spouting more non sense than that every day, so why don’t we all just join in with them.
Actually I don’t expect that the scoreline will be much different from the game at C.P. but in a season where we desperately needed a good Euro run, we certainly got one. The same again next season will go a long way to securing Celtic short term future
I know that we are in the last 16 but even so, I don’t reckon we are in the top 16 teams in Europe. I do remember during our Seville run, (I was out of the country) and watched CNN sports for a glimpse of the hoops, I think we got to number 9 in the world (or Europe)on a CNN rating table. I wonder where we stand now? If a new European wide league was to begin tomorrow, where would we be?
Top league of 16 ? – probably not. Reserved primarily nowadays for the big spenders and debt mongers of the world, such as Chelski, ManU, ManC, Arsenal, Barca, Madrid, Munich, Dortmund, Juve, Milan, Porto, Rich Russian team etc
Second league of 16? – Probably still some decent and respectable company at the second level, perhaps with the likes of Benfica, Inter, Liverpool, PSG, Lyon, Tottenham, Sporting, Ajax, We could find ourselves scraping into the bottom of this league
Third divisions of 16 – I would reckon we could be in here somewhere. No disgrace to be in the top 50, I guess but it really doesn’t seem that long ago that we won the EC, Runners up in the EC and semi finalists twice. (TV Money has distorted the game significantly and shifted the power to lesser clubs nowadays) And the harrowing thing is, do you think the third division of a Euro League would even have a TV deal? (Probably setanta on a Monday night, knowing our luck)
Italiabhoy
I wish I had your confidence.
Celtic and other clubs must DEMAND a complete restructure of the SFA. They have been controlling Scottish football to benefit one club and one club only for decades (at least)
Every influential post has been occupied by ex employees or sympathisers, sometimes holding posts at both the team and the governing body simultaneously. At the very least they are heavily conflicted, at worst…. Well we’ve just witnessed the lengths these people go to.
Even when their own rule book is broken. No matter how blatantly. There is always a way out. Are the other clubs happy with this arrangement. How can they be? Being cheated on the park and robbed off it.
Time to put down the white flags and reach for the baseball bats. Smash the SFA!
Rant over. Mon the hoops!
… a wee quick shuftie on shortie an’ ye’d be hard pressed to see that The Bhoys were competing in the ole champeeeens leeg……
…hurtin’ horribly….
Insee Canadian scientists have found the fossil remains of giant camel in the Artic.
Jeezo he was well lost eh? :-)
i’m neil lennon (tamrabam)
11:29 on
6 March, 2013
Aye well the Celts are up against it tonight, but if:
Juve score an early own goal against the run of play
Hooper then scores a penalty and juve keeper gets sent off for manhandling
And then big Vic scores in the last minute
Then we only need to score 1 more in extra time to win. Simples!
Now you might the above scenario is very highly unlikely, but Charles Green and his MSM blowhards get away with spouting more non sense than that every day, so why don’t we all just join in with them.
Actually I don’t expect that the scoreline will be much different from the game at C.P. but in a season where we desperately needed a good Euro run, we certainly got one. The same again next season will go a long way to securing Celtic short term future
I know that we are in the last 16 but even so, I don’t reckon we are in the top 16 teams in Europe. I do remember during our Seville run, (I was out of the country) and watched CNN sports for a glimpse of the hoops, I think we got to number 9 in the world (or Europe)on a CNN rating table. I wonder where we stand now? If a new European wide league was to begin tomorrow, where would we be?
Top league of 16 ? – probably not. Reserved primarily nowadays for the big spenders and debt mongers of the world, such as Chelski, ManU, ManC, Arsenal, Barca, Madrid, Munich, Dortmund, Juve, Milan, Porto, Rich Russian team etc
Second league of 16? – Probably still some decent and respectable company at the second level, perhaps with the likes of Benfica, Inter, Liverpool, PSG, Lyon, Tottenham, Sporting, Ajax, We could find ourselves scraping into the bottom of this league
Third divisions of 16 – I would reckon we could be in here somewhere. No disgrace to be in the top 50, I guess but it really doesn’t seem that long ago that we won the EC, Runners up in the EC and semi finalists twice. (TV Money has distorted the game significantly and shifted the power to lesser clubs nowadays) And the harrowing thing is, do you think the third division of a Euro League would even have a TV deal? (Probably setanta on a Monday night, knowing our luck)
No extra time if Juve score.
Hi raspberry man
you will note that the Juve goal was an own goal (making it 0-2 to Celtic)
though your dreams be tossed and blown!
theweegreenman
11:21 on 6 March, 2013
‘Italiabhoy
When do you think labour will mount a credible challenge down South?
Eastleigh did not reflect too well on Labour’
Eastleigh was a by election and it’s not wise to extrapolate too much from a by election.
Having said that, what the result might show is that UKIP is going to cost the Tories a lot of votes, thus making a Labour victory (which is what all the opinion polls were showing beforehand anyway) all the more likely.