I’ve never treated the Ballon d’Or seriously, but would you be alarmed if your manager overlooked two of the most outstanding footballers of all time, to vote for one of the poor relations in an outstanding, if waning, Barcelona team.
England manager, Roy Hodgson, is entitled to his opinion but in nominating Javier Mascherano, he’s started a debate which will not reflect kindly on him.
I remember when Martin O’Neill was in charge of Celtic, he could do or say anything and no matter how incongruous it seemed, we all looked for hidden wisdom. Martin knew much more about the game than all of us but this authority was uniquely evident. I don’t remember any other Celtic manager being regarded with such awe, and I go back to the latter Stein days.
Whether Mascherano is fit to pass the ball to Leonel Messi is beside the point, Roy’s opinion is a prisoner of fortune. He’s dead meat to his critics.
For all of Martin’s brilliance he wasn’t one for cutting edge tactics. He knew what worked for him and stuck to it. So when Gordon Strachan came along with some new, ‘ideas’, the reaction was not appreciative.
Gordon’s early days (years) were remarkably hostile but it’s what I’ve regarded as The Ross Wallace Deployment which remains in the mind as an unfinished debate.
Ross was a left winger. But, five goals down after a first leg capitulation in Bratislava, Gordon deployed him on the right. The outcry was palpable. We’d never heard of playing a left footed player ‘out of position’ like this. What is now commonplace – to mix a left and fight footed full back and winger on the same side – was both new and proof positive that Gordon Strachan was a deluded simpleton.
There’s value in the opinions of the outliers, so my vote for the Ballon d’Or would have gone to Efe Ambrose. Gordon Strachan was a better manager than any of us knew at the time.
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I hope waldo realises the damage he inflicted on 1872 club, by blowing millions that would have been better spent on the tax bill, and by backing Chuck in his time of need, puts him in the ‘the men who destroyed Rangers’ gallery.
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
14:54 on
13 January, 2015
Happy birthday Favourite uncle
Sadiesbhoy
That’s yon SOS thinking people read his comments now
See u in the summer 001bhoy
..
001
JR67
I know the place …. its not far from my office, and you pass by it going to the stadium. It does have the reputation for good beer and, as you say, ‘top totty’
Could you not have reminded me about this place before I went off and got engaged?! (Sigh)
Ah, well… I’ll keep telling myself that the top totty wouldn’t be in there for the 10 am kick offs anyways!
HH
BT
Sounds like they are sorted then.
Condolences if the person was someone with whom you were close.
Sounds like you are overdue for another visit to the GWN (great white north) … but wait until it is a bit less polar!
HH
Did Walter receive some cut price penny
shares from Chuckles ?
Has no one asked him ?
If we sign GMS will Ronny play him on the
left or use the cunning plan of playing him
on the right wing ?
Sanna
Almost certainly not me on the train from Edin mhate. I’m thro in the Burg often for meetings but my office is in Weedgie-ville.
So there’s some other ugly bassa on the scotrail network as well as me!
:-)
HH jamesgang
001
Saw your post to Oldtim yesterday and you mentioned that you would be over in summer
I spoke to Oldtim this morning he has told me as usual it’s an open invite on Friday for a swally in the valley
I’m sure Richie will be there to keep us on our best behaviour
I expect Thompson will be rubbing his hands if Celtic don’t pay and sign on a bosman, how much did he have to pay throught the compensation tribunal for a less experienced player ?
delaneys dunky
Seemingly it is a tradition that runs in his family, with his old English Uncle called Neville Neville :-)
HH
CRC
Canamalar
18:46
GMS was a youth player at Liverpool, then went to Airdrie before United. Not sure if they would be due any development fee.
Frantic07
Good to hear from you, great reading bout your emails and wishes, sentiments and prayers are echoed mhate.:-)
HH
Oops, looks like BBC Scotland have incorporated ‘The Queueing Dead’ preview into the news.
Oh, no, sorry, it’s a bunch of Huns mooching for tickets. No handsome ones spotted.
Frantic07.
Hope the treatment is successful.KTF.
Sarah Ferguson backing a benefit scrounger on US tv.
Jonnyerambo..,
Fair enough, I never realised he was so old 24, old eh :)
Inept ,clueless tactically useless I cant see anyway we will win any trophies with this guy in charge,just take a look at this pic just look were our full backs are ridiculous !
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=414179635399006&set=gm.10152695384068983&type=1
eurochamps67
I’d asked for one for vmhan but thankfully he’s managed to get one. The guy I get extras from is currently in Gran Canaria so I won’t find out for sure if I’ve got a spare until later in the week when he gets back.
I’ll text yer buddy if I get it and he can let you know.
I struggle to remember a game where GMS shone against us, would much prefer to be linked with Armstrong.
Also just listening to Mark Wilson on Shortbread and it seems he’s had a bad rap with Dundee United. Always liked him as a player and still only 30 he could possibly be an asset for someone, who knows maybe even us.
HH!
Signing GMS is a bit of a no-brainer. Get Boerrigter off the wage bill (no one will buy him so a loan deal is all we can hope for), return the loanee wingers who never play and bring in GMS as alternative to the perma-injured Forrest.
He is a typical winger, inconsistent, but on his day can destroy any defence in the SPFL.
Mlauldnhay
Glad we didn’t score that goal in Scotland – 2 offside and interfering with play ;-)
Thankgoditwadabroadcsc
Just what we need another winger
“Gordon Strachan was a better manager than any of us knew at the time.”
GS had to follow MON who walked away from Celtic for professional reasons.
GS was never, ever accepted by some fans because he was not one of “us”, and because his style was built on tactics rather than wow signings. He accepted and worked within the new business model that MON rejected.
He was not just a better manager than any of us knew at the time.
Arguably, he is a better Tim than any of us knew at the time.
HH
One loanee away
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30803163
In my experience the one thing that really irks the orcs is reminding them that “Walter” and “Alistair” had their noses in the trough as deep as anyone else, Charles Green has many people to thank for allowing him to rip off the Rangers supporters and top of the list would be these 2 legneds.
murdochauldandhay & wee oscar
19:08 on 13 January, 2015
One loanee away
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30803163
Two to go…
I’d keep Wakaso
Hamiltontim
Thanks, noted.
Anyone got a letter re semi final tie?
EC67
MapostarrivesatfouroclockwhitsthatallabootCSC
This thing of changein over to B T or Virgin.fine but we would still have to watch sky.because I think lease out there platforms for them to broadcast football .I
to is getting fed up with the pro Rangers presenters .on sky sports.does anyone have some info on Barney Francis the chief sports editor.
Canamalar
Funny in wakaso first game I thought he looked a smashing player ( away in Europe it was) but I hear nothing but bad reports about him now ( if he plays)
canamalar
I also thought Wakaso showed promise, and was worth another try. But, then again, what do I know? Based on the first 30 minutes or so of his Celtic career, I thought Boerrigter looked a world beater
Hard as nails, fast and scores goals, oh and can kick a ball
Wakaso went to Rubin Kazan for over £5m less than 18 months ago. I would guess they will be looking to recoup a fair chink of that back if selling. He’s done nothing since signing for us. Generally injured, then suddenly fit in time to disappear for 6 weeks with Ghana.
EC67-I signed in to the website online today and got mine mate,i am on the Home Cup Ticket Scheme btw
m6bhoy
Ha – you reckon Celtic would listen to offers for wee Jamesie?
When he first hit the big time at Celtic, he was always going to Spurs according to MSM at any minute. They’ve gone quiet now, and wee JF’s injury record is lamentable.
To such an extent I agree with a poster (sorry can’t remember who ) that said it was a disruptive influence on the team. I wouldn’t be too sure RD won’t play him the minute he’s fit again, he’s been a lucky blue eyed bhoy under successive Celtic managers.
He retains the ability to beat a man as if he’s not there, just like his fitness.
Rare qualities.
eurochamps67
19:14 on 13 January, 2015
Hamiltontim
Thanks, noted.
Anyone got a letter re semi final tie?
EC67
MapostarrivesatfouroclockwhitsthatallabootCSC
——
Not a bother.
I picked up my semi final tickets this afternoon.
Wakaso looks a left MF not a winger,when he plays wide ,he wanders inside and leaves Izzy exposed a wee bit….
HT
Your not going to that semi final are you ?
8)))
bournesouprecipe for team doc.
wirebrush&dettolcsc