Turn in Uefa’s rich and poor battle, Messi will be ready

520

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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  1. Kingoh

     

     

    An interseting comment from an old Rangers supporter on JohnJames that backs up your hopes..

     

     

    The Mensch says:

     

    September 7, 2016 at 10:49 am

     

    I do enjoy your Dear JJ articles. Very amusing.

     

     

    I checked out the Scottish edition of The Times this morning. There is a good piece in the sports section by Michael Grant (he writes well and is a superior writer, in my view, to the lazy style of Spiers). The headline is all about ‘A pivotal day for Rangers’ relationships’.

     

     

    Pivotal for Barton. Pivotal for Warbuton. And pivotal for King.

     

     

    Grant ridicules King’s empty promises and investment figures plucked from the air, starting at £50m, then £30m then…….nothing.

     

     

    King was outed on this site a long time ago and, before that, on the LSE share site which several of us here contributed to.

     

     

    JJ was outraged that a crook like King could be accepted by the fans. I waded in and we predicted that he would drive the share price down, have the club delisted and gain control for NOTHING.

     

     

    We received bundles of abuse on a site which was poorly moderated (I can’t bring myself to share with you what I was called).

     

     

    But we called it right.

     

     

    I shall not be watching the game at Celtic Park. I shall watch the Manchester derby.

     

     

    I haven’t seen either Celtic or Rangers this season. I expect Celtic to prevail.

     

     

    And if Celtic win by a hefty margin, the lenses will be firmly focused on King, his empty promises and his Dad’s Army of a team.

     

     

    This indeed could be a pivotal moment for King and his Bouffant Boy.

     

     

    It could finally be the moment when he gets found our and the gullible masses wake up. They won’t wake up smelling coffee. It will be something more noxious, a substance with which Dave King excels.

     

     

    MWD

  2. Hunderbirdsaregone.

     

     

    To paraphrase:

     

     

    “Look at the horror!

     

     

    And you’re going on about Sevco and Resolution 12 ”

     

     

    As Giant squirrels go, that one’s huckin’ fuuuuuuuuuge!

  3. GlassTwoThirdsFull on

    Caught a few minutes of Talksport earlier. Kelly and Quinn were on and Jim (insert own preferred rhyming slang) White came on to speak about his show. Maybe an interview with Joey Barton where he could ask him how he was so good?

     

    Anyway, Quinn said he had received some emails from Celtic supporters saying it was a new Rangers (liquidation / no relegation).

     

    Well, cue chaos and denial. Mr _hite said it must be Rangers – they were playing in blue. Presumably that must have been “Rangers” we beat at Perth a few weeks ago then.

     

    Kelly then posed the question of how could it not be “Rangers” if there were so many people going to the game.

     

    Well this one really had me stumped. Celtic supporters going to a game involving Celtic – who could they POSSIBLY be going to watch????? Would I be over-analysing the situation to suggest maybe – err – Celtic…..?

  4. VFR800A8,

     

     

    Thanks for the VFR800 info, looking for a good used one with luggage. Would go for a new one, but saving up for another Gold Wing, nothing quite like a ‘Wing…

  5. Hugh Bonkle fae Dallas on

    Trouble at t’mill with the EPFL statement this morning. Seems like the rest of the European leagues aren’t happy with the proposed carve up of the CL by the big 4 leagues. Interesting to see how that plays out.

  6. Loved the bit in the sky news piece…Rangers where Liquidated, and then reformed…

     

    Wut! Like Frankenstein’s Monster?

     

    Priceless am tellin Yi the depths they go to on continuation of a dead club is bottomless.

  7. G’day fholks.

     

     

    TTR…

     

    Happy birthday,many hoopy returns. \○/

     

    = = = = = = = = = =

     

    Norman Cook,DJ = Fatboy Slim

     

    BFDJ = Fat

     

    Speaking of corpulent huns…Sevco’s 2nd greatest and worst manager in their 4 year history says i’m a dafty.Good job I know he’s a cheeky chappy or i’d take umbrage with that.What’s he like eh?!McCoist-the man,the mirth,the myth. ;))

  8. IMG_0962.JPG

     

    Turn in Uefa’s rich and poor battle, Messi will be ready 511

     

    BY PAUL67 ON 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 CQN BLOG & COMMENTS

     

    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.

     

     

    img_1865-1.jpg

     

     

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    511 COMMENTS

     

    PAGES:«1…7891011121314

     

     

    MOONBEAMSWD ‘STAND UP ON 15 FOR THE GB’ on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:22 AM

     

    Kingoh

     

     

     

    succinctly in terms of ‘clearly put’ rather than ‘brief’ :-)

     

     

     

    MWD

     

    MOONBEAMSWD ‘STAND UP ON 15 FOR THE GB’ on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:28 AM

     

    Kingoh

     

     

     

    An interseting comment from an old Rangers supporter on JohnJames that backs up your hopes..

     

     

     

    The Mensch says:

     

     

    September 7, 2016 at 10:49 am

     

     

    I do enjoy your Dear JJ articles. Very amusing.

     

     

     

    I checked out the Scottish edition of The Times this morning. There is a good piece in the sports section by Michael Grant (he writes well and is a superior writer, in my view, to the lazy style of Spiers). The headline is all about ‘A pivotal day for Rangers’ relationships’.

     

     

     

    Pivotal for Barton. Pivotal for Warbuton. And pivotal for King.

     

     

     

    Grant ridicules King’s empty promises and investment figures plucked from the air, starting at £50m, then £30m then…….nothing.

     

     

     

    King was outed on this site a long time ago and, before that, on the LSE share site which several of us here contributed to.

     

     

     

    JJ was outraged that a crook like King could be accepted by the fans. I waded in and we predicted that he would drive the share price down, have the club delisted and gain control for NOTHING.

     

     

     

    We received bundles of abuse on a site which was poorly moderated (I can’t bring myself to share with you what I was called).

     

     

     

    But we called it right.

     

     

     

    I shall not be watching the game at Celtic Park. I shall watch the Manchester derby.

     

     

     

    I haven’t seen either Celtic or Rangers this season. I expect Celtic to prevail.

     

     

     

    And if Celtic win by a hefty margin, the lenses will be firmly focused on King, his empty promises and his Dad’s Army of a team.

     

     

     

    This indeed could be a pivotal moment for King and his Bouffant Boy.

     

     

     

    It could finally be the moment when he gets found our and the gullible masses wake up. They won’t wake up smelling coffee. It will be something more noxious, a substance with which Dave King excels.

     

     

     

    MWD

     

    BEATBHOY on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:35 AM

     

    Hunderbirdsaregone.

     

     

     

    To paraphrase:

     

     

     

    “Look at the horror!

     

     

     

    And you’re going on about Sevco and Resolution 12 ”

     

     

     

    As Giant squirrels go, that one’s huckin’ fuuuuuuuuuge!

     

    GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:37 AM

     

    Caught a few minutes of Talksport earlier. Kelly and Quinn were on and Jim (insert own preferred rhyming slang) White came on to speak about his show. Maybe an interview with Joey Barton where he could ask him how he was so good?

     

     

    Anyway, Quinn said he had received some emails from Celtic supporters saying it was a new Rangers (liquidation / no relegation).

     

     

    Well, cue chaos and denial. Mr _hite said it must be Rangers – they were playing in blue. Presumably that must have been “Rangers” we beat at Perth a few weeks ago then.

     

     

    Kelly then posed the question of how could it not be “Rangers” if there were so many people going to the game.

     

     

    Well this one really had me stumped. Celtic supporters going to a game involving Celtic – who could they POSSIBLY be going to watch????? Would I be over-analysing the situation to suggest maybe – err – Celtic…..?

     

    FIELDOFDRAMS on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2016 11:39 AM

     

    VFR800A8,

     

     

     

    Thanks for the VFR800 info, looking for a good used one with luggage. Would go for a new one, but saving up for another Gold Wing, nothing quite like a ‘Wing…

     

     

    In the process at the moment of trying to import a Goldwing Trike into Turkey.

     

    Still at the investigation part as its like walking through treacle with boots on here.Sooooo much “Red tape”.Have seen some really beautiful ones for sale.

     

    Perfect climate here for it.Even the wife is keen on the idea.Shock.

  9. bhoywithseethrougheyes on

    Paul67,

     

     

    Your blog on 2nd Sept states “Aberdeen get it right, will we”.

     

     

    This is in relation to the promotion of Saturday’s game.

     

     

    So far the club website lists the game as Celtic v Rangers and features both clubs crests.

     

     

    Do you think we will ever ” get it right” on this issue or have we long since lost the chance?

  10. CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 04 results (Sep 3rd)

     

     

    Winners:

     

     

    Cathal (Intense Tango) @12/1

     

    Nye Bevans RS (Quiet Reflection) @7/2

     

    16 roads (Ducky Mallon) @3/1

     

     

    Losers:

     

     

    21-5-79 (Shrewd)

     

    Angel Gabrial (No Selection)

     

    BIGBONES8867 (No Selection)

     

    BMCUWP (Dungannon)

     

    Bull67 (Magical Memory)

     

    Burgas Hoops (Carry me Home)

     

    call me gerry (No Selection)

     

    Cosy Corner Bhoy (Von Blucher)

     

    Dim Sam (Lady Macapa)

     

    Eurochamps67 (Swaheen)

     

    Fastbhoy (Wondersnevercease)

     

    Fin 15 (Stargazer)

     

    fleagle1888 (Mustallib)

     

    Gerryfaethebrig (Shakopee)

     

    Graffitionthewall (Marmajuke Bay)

     

    green T (Robin of Navan)

     

    Gweedore Celt (With One Accord)

     

    hashadenough (First Selection)

     

    leftclicktic (Fast Play)

     

    ohits (No Selection)

     

    Onemalloy (Mitchum Swagger)

     

    Raymac (Englishman)

     

    Rockon (Kilfinichen Bay)

     

    Som mes que un club (Midnight Malibu)

     

    TheBarcaMole (Mr.Lupton)

     

    twists n turns (Sirius Prospect)

     

    voguepunter (Magical Memory)

     

    What is the Stars (Dutch Masterpiece)

     

    WWW(GBWO) (Shrewd)

     

    Zihuatanejo (Bastille Day)

     

     

     

    Cheers, fleagle1888

  11. CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 04 Standings

     

     

    Cathal</b sprints clear of the chasing pack, with Intense Tango at 12/1, the first double-figure winning nap of this season…

     

     

    Week 4 Table:

     

     

    +9.00 > Cathal (1)

     

    +2.38 > WWW(GBWO) (2)

     

    +2.00 > twists n turns (1)

     

    +1.50 > ohits (1)

     

    +0.50 > Nye Bevans RS (1)

     

    +0.00 > 16 roads (1)

     

     

    -0.50 > hashadenough (1)

     

    -0.75 > leftclicktic (1)

     

    -1.00 > Graffitionthewall (1)

     

    -1.00 > Rockon (1)

     

    -1.13 > Onemalloy (1)

     

     

    -4 > 21-5-79 (0)

     

    -4 > Angel Gabrial (0)

     

    -4 > BIGBONES8867 (0)

     

    -4 > BMCUWP (0)

     

    -4 > Bull67 (0)

     

    -4 > Burgas Hoops (0)

     

    -4 > call me gerry (0)

     

    -4 > Cosy Corner Bhoy (0)

     

    -4 > Dim Sam (0)

     

    -4 > Eurochamps67 (0)

     

    -4 > Fastbhoy (0)

     

    -4 > Fin 15 (0)

     

    -4 > fleagle1888 (0)

     

    -4 > Gerryfaethebrig (0)

     

    -4 > green T (0)

     

    -4 > Gweedore Celt (0)

     

    -4 > Raymac (0)

     

    -4 > Som mes que un club (0)

     

    -4 > TheBarcaMole (0)

     

    -4 > voguepunter (0)

     

    -4 > What is the Stars (0)

     

    -4 > Zihuatanejo (0)

     

     

    Cheers, fleagle1888

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