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.
520 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- »
Never heard of Nishikori before tonight, Presumably he has been around for a while.
If I watch Tennis I get into the game & get excited about the outcome.
However I annoy myself by rooting for one multi millionaire against another so I just avoid watching it like the plague.
Anyhow I just feel a bit rattled tonight so I know I’m making little sense so I’ll quit while I’m behind & just go to bed.
I have to mind my 3 yr old Grand Daughter tomorrow & while I love her to bits she never stays still for a second and talks incessantly in a language I find difficult to decipher. She refuses to be fobbed off by trite replies. So she will comes up and say something that I won’t understand and refuse to budge until I give her an intelligent answer.
It will be just her & me for 4 hours, holy God if Tennis would distract her I’d gladly watch a re run of Murray & Nishikori for the entire 4 hours.
Sipsini
It’s his Scottish roots that is the cause. He doesn’t really believe he should be winning. Just thinks he should be a plucky loser.
MWD
MOONBEAMS…
Lisbon Lions! :)
Andy Murray is the best ever Scottish tennis player, and the best British player for 3 generations. Currently number 2 in the world, twice Wimbledon Champion, once US Champion, twice Olympic Champion, holds the record for most consecutive appearances to at least semi final in Grand Slam events. Captained the GB team to Davis Cup victory, the first in living memory. All that with no national mentor, no history of excellence in the country, truly trailblazing. All in an era generally agreed as unsurpassed with quality in numbers.
I absolutely love it when folk give him advice on temperament and how to improve his career. If only he’d listen, he could achieve something.
BEATBHOY
They can shove it, that includes Celtic.
Had I not got caught up being to busy over summer I’d have a ST minus this new fixture.
Have we signed Roscoe Tanner yet?
BLANTYREKEV
Good shout – Ivan
WITS
You’re being honest about how you see it. I accept that.
I could more readily come around if there was a challenge from the club to the nonsense being spouted by Sevco, which is then backed by those ‘running’ (ruining?) the game in Scotland, exemplified by Dungcaster and his SPFL website.
Until then, CL only for me.
And EL, later on , if we’re good enough to get there.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:26 PM
MacJay
Umpire looks like Gary Lineker?
============================================
You mean the lady with the French accent.
Skating on thin ground there, mate.
The blog thought police will be on your case.
Just watched Josh’s goal on Celtic TV Play him Brendan!!!
BABASONICOS71 on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:32 PM
Have we signed Roscoe Tanner yet?
=====================================
No , but Ilie ” nasty ” Nastase is on the radar.
A better fit for the hun game.
Beatbhoy
Yes
I would like to see someone publicly contradicting the 54 titles etc etc
Aberdeen did the right thing…be nice to see the match programme saying something like ” first league meeting” or “we welcome our new city rivals”
Barcelona Tuesday is the bigger game,no doubt about that,great to be involved and lets hope we are involved again next year.
So lets win this league .Dont give anyone else a look in.These clowns think they are contenders….Lets dispel them of that notion
Bet you will watch that a fair few times Jude. Brilliant for you & your family, hope the lad goes to the very top of his profession.
Hail Hail & a definite Good Night & God Bless to All.
BLANTYREKEV on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:30 PM
I wasn`t advising.
I was observing.
BSR
You predicted what’s been occurring on the blog as Saturday approaches about a year ago. There was a wee, er , discussion about playing Sevco, and I remember you posting something along the lines of, “Wait till this time next year, if you think this is bad!”.
So, you wurnae wrang!
http://www.celticfc.tv/tv/video/vod/3879
The goal I hope H H
MACJAY…
This was a favourite t-shirt of mine
https://goo.gl/images/vnRhcO
I like my sportsmen to have a bit of rebel about them.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14726583.Leading_opponent_of_controversial_football_laws_facing_charges_under_the_Act/
Looking to see if any supporters buses around cambuslang or Rutherglen have 2 spaces for my son and his pal for the game on Saturday.
Email me at bobbypetta@sky.com
Just got my ticket for Saturday’s game.
North Stand upper. Area 408.
Is this a restricted view ??
JUDE2005 IS NEIL LENNON \O/ on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:46 PM
http://www.celticfc.tv/tv/video/vod/3879
The goal I hope H H
= = = = = = = = = = =
Brilliant mhate.You must be floating every time you watch it.
All the best to young Josh,hope to see him in the big team in future.
HH
BABASONICOS71 on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:47 PM
I remember the Wimbledon of Dan ” Oh, I say ” Maskell.
There was an Aussie Tennis player in the `60s who bucked the trend and disputed line calls.
He was the first rebel tennis player I remember seeing.
Talking about Wimbledon, who won the 1988 FA Cup?
AFC Wimbledon or MK Dons?
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:54 PM
BABASONICOS71 on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:47 PM
Bob Hewitt
Came to a sticky end.
MACJAY…
I’m a 70s kid so my first tennis memories are of Borg,Connors and McEnroe.Recall Natase and Vitas Gerulaitis (just for his name).
Not into the game though,prefer cricket.
Nothing comes near watching the bhoys,though.
Maria Bueno fair lived up to her name!
MACJAY…
Bob Hewitt,just had a quick read up on him there…deary,deary me,that’s horrendous.
BlantyreKev
Imagine how good he’d be if he could control his temperament and emotions.
MWD
MOONBEAMSWD ‘STAND UP ON 15 FOR THE GB’ on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:08 AM
BlantyreKev
Imagine how good he’d be if he could control his temperament and emotions.
= = = = = = = = =
Imagine how good he’d be if he had a magic hat. ;))
Always thought Dr.Otto Octavius should’ve tried tennis.
BABASONICOS71 on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:08 AM
MACJAY…
Bob Hewitt,just had a quick read up on him there…deary,deary me,that’s horrendous.
==============================================================
The doubles pairing was Hewitt and Stolle.
Yep.
He took rebellion to a shocking extent.
Mind you, he emigrated to R.S.A. during the apartheid years.
Did Australia a huge favour.
Affoot , mate.
Good chatting.
Babasonicus71
Nah, fitba’ was always his first love.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/04/23/17/27BCFDF800000578-0-Meekings_was_not_sent_off_and_no_penalty_was_given_as_Inverness_-a-8_1429807897935.jpg
Babasonicos even.
Cliftoncelt
You could use the stadium seat viewer to gauge the view from your seat, if you are on a pc ?
BEATBHOY on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 12:35 AM
Babasonicus71
Nah, fitba’ was always his first love.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/04/23/17/27BCFDF800000578-0-Meekings_was_not_sent_off_and_no_penalty_was_given_as_Inverness_-a-8_1429807897935.jpg
= = = = = = = = = = =
So it’s Orange Otto!? ;))
BEATBHOY…
There’s a DC villain called King Snake,who happens to be blind.Was he the ref that day?
X-ray vision.
Is it a bird? Is it McLean?
http://i4.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article4849555.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/JS53377176.jpg