Amid the noise ahead of our Champions League duties the most important news in European football went largely below radar. Angel Maria Villar Llona pulled out of the race to become Uefa president ahead of next week’s election. This leaves former Ajax chief, Michael van Praag and Slovenian FA president, Aleksander Ceferin, left in the race.
This is good news. The big Spanish clubs have been prime movers in clawing as much power for Europe’s richest leagues, their cause would have been boosted if Villar Llona was elected. By contrast, van Praag’s Ajax heritage reflects those marginalised by smaller TV deals, including Celtic.
We don’t want an inextricable slide towards a Champions League where meritocracy is replaced by the rich looking after themselves. This is the desire of rich clubs in Spain and Germany, who worry about the commercial drift towards the FA Premier League.
Instead, regionalisation of Europe’s leagues is a far better option, even for the Spanish, who if they want to earn commercial deals comparable to the English and Welsh league should team up with Portugal and France.
Every month I’m asked by an 11-year-old, “Will Celtic win the Champions League in my lifetime?” If we want to be champions of Europe again we need to end the national league structure which has disenfranchised more than half of the continent already, including many former powers in the game.
News that Leonel Messi has returned to light training after injury means he is almost certain to start against Celtic on Tuesday. His base fitness and lifestyle is such that a few days training is all that he’ll need to be match ready.
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Howdy,troops!!!
In this mob on Saturday
HH
INTO!
Alex McLeish has been spouting off again. That Alex ‘EBT’ McLeish … https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/09/06/alex-mcleish-trophy-winning-genius/
Very poor blog today ( with the obvious exceptions). Those attacking Tony Donnelly are using the very same style as that which they apparently abhor in Tony`s posts.
What about the team for Saturday?
?
Lustig Toure Svietchenko Tierney
Roberts Brown Rogic Armstrong Sinclair
Griffiths.
http://www.celticfc.tv/tv/video/vod/3878
Brendan on Saturday
Hot Smoked on 7th September 2016 12:19 pm
I really struggle to see what Armstrong has done to merit inclusion in any Celtic team – a very limited player. That aside, looking good,
HH
PAUL67
Meritocracy was originally coined as a derogatory term,I think. But it sure sits better with me than the-rich-get-richer-bugger-the-rest that vested interest is attempting to foist on us.
Bad enough in life,without it happening in football.
CelticFC SLO @CelticFCSLO 31m31 minutes ago
If attending Barca match advice is take very few items to match, no perfume in bottles, lighters or drums these will not be admitted
Come on own up who carries there bottle of unisex perfume to the match :-)))
Enjoy your day CQN
JJ
See my reply to TTT,last article.
HOT SMOKED
TD67 gives as good as he gets.
Nobody is ‘Attacking’ him
He likes to blow off steam, and wind posters up….posters respond in kind.
No need for violins surely:)
I assure you….he will be fine:)
HH
DDV
Gamboa Toure Erik KT
Brown Rogic McGregor
Roberts Griffiths Sinclair
VF- re tickit issue, we were told yesterday that if you had a Rail Seat ticket, you needed a paper ticket also for Saturday,phoned Ticket Office ,’you should be ok…’ was the best they could do.I’m guessing paper tickets may be required for juvenile tickets, in case an adult tries to use it? Maybe JPT could clear it up if anyone is on Twitter with him.HH
For those asking about Gamboa’s fitness and perhaps suitability for Saturday, he played on Friday (Saturday in Europe) in Haiti. CR needed a point to qualify to the next round, which they did by beating Haiti 1-0. Last night (this morning here), he was rested as with the team already qualified, the manager wanted to try other players. He should be fit and raring to go.
FAC have released a statement today about prosecution of a FAC spokesman.
In the meantime, if you haven’t completed the consultation survey please click this link and complete it now. If you are unsure about what to write, this crib sheet will help. Remember you are agreeing that the act should be repealed. Also remember to click SUBMIT at the end or your views won’t be included!
If in doubt about whether or not your feedback is needed, see this article referenced by HAMILTON TIM earlier in the Herald outlining Police action against one of the only 2 FAC members to make his identity known; the other is Jeanette Findlay.
FAC the Act!
KTF
Can’t believe the UEFA Presidents have not been handpicked in the past and regardless of who is put forward he will ensure that there is much of the same. They are corrupt and the corruption will continue.
I thought DDV was poor at his passing against Aberdeen but Gordon has been shaky although I thought he did well in Hapoel.
Team for Saturday
Gordon
Lustig Toure Sviatchenko Tierney
Brown McGregor
Roberts Rogic Sinclair
Griffiths
3-0 hoops
Kikinthenakas
Paul67
At least your 11 year old asks the question!!!!
Good evening from what has been a very hot and sunny Brunei. Flying back to chillier climes on Sunday.
Be afraid, be very afraid
That is good news Paul. The push of the “elite” to make this divid even greater has to be stopped. Having someone like van Praag in control can only help!
Team for Saturday:
Gamboa Toure Erik KT
Brown Bitton
Rogic
Roberts Griffiths Sinclair
FAC the Act
KTF
!!BADA BING!! on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:25 PM
On to the ticket office just now (well in the reckon’ queue). Will post the answer shortly.
FAC the Act
KTF
VFR
That looks close to a starting line-up.
But….will Brendan pitch Gamboa right in?
And will he play Paddy instead of Jamesy?
HH
It was over in nine minutes…
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=27570
No game for a defender making his debut,Lustig every time for me
ThomTheTim\JJ
So what you two guys are saying that it is fair play for a poster to come on heere and attack a group with his ill educated, ill informed, baseless post but it is not ok to offer a right of reply based on his trolling and call him out for it personally by the same means.
Seriously guys. You truly have fallen in my levels of respect.
Nice day to you.
MWD
WC
Nice one.
Telling it like it is.
That will do me:)
HH
!!BADA BING!! on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:25 PM
Ok, spoke to the ticket office; only concession upgrades will need a paper ticket. Ordinary season tickets for the North Curve don’t.
FAC the Act
KTF
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:40 PM
VFR
That looks close to a starting line-up.
But….will Brendan pitch Gamboa right in?
Yes
And will he play Paddy instead of Jamesy?
Yes
FAC the Act
KTF
VFR
Rogic
Paddy Griff Sinclair
Wooft.
Lee Wallace is a grass wont be happy:)
HH
Good afternoon all,
My team for Saturday;
***********************************
DDV
Lustig Toure Sviatchenko Tierney
Bitton
Brown Rogic
Roberts Sinclair
Griffiths
***********************************
3-0, mon the Hoops!
HH EnnisBhoy
mini and my nephews have received their paper tickets because they had to pay the £30 surcharge as its against sevco.
others do not need to pay…
Not sure because this guy is an Ajax man anything will change if he gets the spot.
Usually power brings out the worst in people and a lot do anything the can to continue rubbing shoulders with the Rich and wealthy
Anyway in Lisbon having a lunch time beer… Got good info here on the trip to the other paradise .
Any other tips on things to do or where I will see the Celtic game on Saturday …. Thanks
VFR800A8 –
caught your post last night when I read back early morning. So you are either 2 rows behind me, assuming that at our park we don’t have a row ‘OO’! As to how you’ll recognise me, I suppose I could go bedecked in blue?
if I go at all…. ;-)
Interesting that the following are included in every selection:
Toure, Svietchenko, Tiernay
Roberts, Brown, Rogic, Sinclair
and Griffiths.
Debates are over Gamboa or Lustig; De Vries or Gordon and a midfileder from Bitton, McGregor, Henderson and Armstrong.
A core of eight outfield players seems good to me.
JJ
MWD
I have lost your email address. Could you send me an update, please?
JJ
Hot Smoked
Id have Henderson before McGregor,Armstrong, Bitton
I think this game would suit Liam, he has played a few times against sevco, knows what they are about.
I reckon though, Brendan will play Bitton.
HH
JOBO BALDIE on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 1:11 PM
VFR800A8 –
caught your post last night when I read back early morning. So you are either 2 rows behind me, assuming that at our park we don’t have a row ‘OO’! As to how you’ll recognise me, I suppose I could go bedecked in blue?
if I go at all…. ;-)
______________________________________
JOBO, BMCUWP told me to look for a tall, slim, dapper chap. So I’m looking for a guy in a snazzy whistle in front of me?
If you look behind you for shorter, more rotund bloke – longish grey hair, glasses – probably wearing a green hooped Fred Perry Tee and a red Harrington jacket.
You’ll be there!
FAC the Act
KTF
VFR
the oldest Mod in the standing section.. 8)
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 1:04 PM
VFR
Rogic
Paddy Griff Sinclair
Wooft.
Lee Wallace is a grass wont be happy:)
HH
_________________
But I will!
FAC the Act
KTF