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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Cheers WDH
TWENTYFIRSTOFMAY1979 on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 6:56 AM
Adi Dasler
21051979
Mail sent from Adidasbhoy
Same old hun-loving SSN.
A short feature on Saturday’s game: they showed a clip from the 1928 Glasgow Cup Final.
The huns won 4-0!
Truly incredible.
Celtic need to tell them to gtf!
HH!!
Like everyone else I’m hoping for a thumping on Saturday. I think the players owe it to the fans for the cup semi last season for starters. More importantly it gives us the opportunity to lay down a marker that regardless of what they are told or believe they are miles behind us and likely to be so for a while yet unless something dramatically changes.
A small margin of victory, regardless of how comprehensive, can be managed with the ‘on another day’ , ‘not much between the teams’ type clichés. We need a victory which will send them into panic. Their board is having an easy ride. McCoist yesterday repeating what a wonderful job King has done to steady the ship and build the team. A heavy defeat will bring home to their ‘going for 55’ support a sense of reality at least for a short period. Some of their support will be slightly concerned already with their less than inspiring results so far in the league but again this is managed with ‘ new players, time to gel’ etc. There will be some of their support who will have expected this, they would have had no great aspirations this season but they are the silent minority. The rest get caught up in the hype. A heavy defeat, hopefully followed with at least 1 more this month at Aberdeen will see them turn on King and his board and cause a rift. Their friends in the media will struggle to control it.
This is why I want a big victory. It’s not just another 3 points. It’s a chance to send them spiralling into disarray again. That would be nice to watch.
BT
I just gave my CL package away on Tuesday. Won’t make it up .
WITS (Last night)
The best post to date on the hullabaloo surrounding Saturday’s game:
“There are more serious things happening in the world,than badly run football clubs being facilitated by corrupt organisations.”
Perspective CSC
If you haven’t completed the consultation survey on the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act 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 Complete Survey at the end or your views won’t be included!
If in doubt about whether or not your feedback is needed, see the statement from FAC detailing Police action against one of the only 2 FAC members to make his identity known; the other is Jeanette Findlay.
FAC the Act!
KTF
Has the wording of the FAC banner, to which the Police have seemingly taken exception, been published anywhere? Emdy know what it said?
TBB
Have a looky back on the FAC Twitter feed.
Disregard the authorities :-)
The Battered Bunnet on 8th September 2016 10:03 am
Think HT said that no further detail on the case will be released at the moment
HH
Sorry HT must have been someone else!
HH
8000 Hun-loving criminals visiting Paradise on Saturday.
Their hate and bile magnified by a wrongly perceived sense of injustice
If Celtic deal with them, as they should, on the park……….
……. Their acolytes will be crestfallen as they slink away.
I would like to see that…………..
………… And I will.
Trad
I’m not putting it on here mate but we’ve identified what it allegedly said.
In The Herald today:
1. “Life is good again for Ally McCoist after emerging from the darkness at Ibrox.”
2. “Celtic criticised over zero hours contracts.”
A good news story linked to the team playing out of Ibrox, and a bad news one about Celtic.
And a Celtic vs The Rangers game in two days.
Coincidence? You be the judge. personally, I wouldn’t wrap my chips in The Herald.
Hamiltontim on 8th September 2016 10:12 am
Cheers for clarifying
HH
TBB
I think it said: I am not in complete agreement with The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act.
The dreadful nature of the sentiment expressed was so shocking, it has taken the offended six months to feel comfortable enough to talk about the experience.
JJ
VFR800A8,
Motorcycle question: what does the A8 denote, and is it the one to go for? I am in the market. Tried a VFR1200 yesterday, not for me, like riding a whale (or what I imagine riding a whale would be like) and it looks like a cetacean as well.
That said, the buzz of a four does things to a chap.
Oo-ermissusCSC
Are police officers except from prosecution under this Act?
For instance, if I were to be offended by an officer of the Law arresting a supporter at a football match, could the officer then be arrested?
I am not being totally serious here but it does show the arbitrary nature of the Act.
JJ
30 years old today, oh dear :))
Tactics for the hun game re . parking the bus.
I hope we do.
Good Morning Bhoys from a very wet and windy Central Scotland.Lots and Lots of old firm this an old firm that in the MSM they appear to think the more they write and the more they say old firm that we will begin to believe it.Well we will not accept it we know the rangers are a tribute act and on Saturday we will be meeting and beating them for the first time ever in the league at Parkhead.So tell everyone you know theres going to be a show and the Glasgow Celtic will be there. H.H.
So SkySports on the banned list then ???
But it was Rangers who created the bigger waves that season, dropping into a financial spiral that saw the club liquidated and then reformed in the fourth tier of the league pyramid.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10568309/celtic-v-rangers-the-ultimate-guide-to-old-firm-clash?
TTR
Happy Birthday mate and I’ll only kick you twice tonight! :-)
HT,
you on hols today?
Typical teacher!!
;-)
BTW I’ll complete the Survey later today/tonight.
Hope you well pal.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
thetimreaper
Happy birthday!
Really? 30? Damn, I thought I was the youngest CQNer…
I thought when posters say that kids read this site they were just referring to me.
TheTimReaper,
Hoopy 30th!
Im sure the Hoops will give you a belter of a belated Birthday pressie on Sat!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
PS – I can vaguely remember my 30th…..
FIELDOFDRAMS on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 10:17 AM
VFR800A8,
Motorcycle question: what does the A8 denote, and is it the one to go for? I am in the market. Tried a VFR1200 yesterday, not for me, like riding a whale (or what I imagine riding a whale would be like) and it looks like a cetacean as well.
That said, the buzz of a four does things to a chap.
_______________________________________
A8 merely detailed the model number; it;s now a VFR800F (click the link).
If going 2nd hand, go from A8 onwards as it’s a better model; new, get the current model. The 1200 is powerful but heavy! 800 isn’t exactly light as bikes got but is far more manoeuvrable and all day comfortable. I’ve done about 800 miles in 1 day on the VFR so for long journeys, it’s awesome!
FAC the Act
KTF
What’s this “old firm” people keep talking about? I vaguely remember a team from a few years ago who supported an almost apartheid signing policy for years, cheated it’s way to winning trophies and titles and wasted millions of pounds due to a chairman who was a law unto himself. I also remember they died.
Happy birthday TTR
For my 30th Celtic gave me the centenary season :-)
Morning Celts
The Tim Reaper
30!….you lucky, lucky, lucky bhoy:)
At 30, i was like a young Marlon Brando….and ffs, look at me now:)
Have a good one.
My one piece of advice…..Never bump into your Professor of History…..in Glastonbury:(
HH
For those in the UK. Wee heads up for half hour highlights of our 2012 meeting with Barcelona at mid day today.
Up until the 13th September 2016, this was our best result against Barcelona ;)
Greetings fae a scorchio Algarve
Bada Bing
Hate yer guts :) por cierto
I see Flamini is undergoing a medical with Crystal Palace. Shame. He gets to stay in the Premiership, doesn’t have to move, probably still on huge wages, maybe a signing on fee. Perfect for him :(
The Tim Reaper
My very last outing with the bhoys.
Fat Bhoy Slim at Rockness 2010…..check it on YT
Very wild and crazy night.
As usual. we arrive without tickets….pretend to be staff with suitable attire, and hey presto, we are in.
Fat Bhoy Slim was rocking.
Ah…to be young eh.
HH
TGM
I’ve got one of those jackets too.
KINGOH on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9:43 AM
Good post buddy. Sums it up succinctly.
Pump them and all Kings men won’t be able to put them back together again.
MWD
BIG-CUP WINNERS
Fat bhoy slim/Rockness Jacket…or Tesco day-glo jacket that you can blag your way in with(Helps if your pal is on the Road Crew:)?
HH