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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HT,
I responded to the OB Act Consultation today…….assuming it may need to be edited as some young uns look in here but can you post what banner said that has gotten Police in such a fiddle.
TRADITIONALIST88 on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 2:58 PM
fan-a-tic on 7th September 2016 2:38 pm
Agreed – far too timid, and as hes not the creative type either it really begs the question about what he brings to the team,
Exactly what Busqets brings to Barca.
MNCELT on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 4:45 PM
I have a friend who is looking for 2 tickets for the Man City game, so I could look at getting a couple of 3 match packages and selling you the Borussia tickets (if they open it up to season ticket holders to buy extra packages). Then just need to offload the Barca tickets.
Thoughts?
FAC the Act
KTF
Turkeybhoy on 7th September 2016 4:58 pm
I think the physical resemblance is where the similiarity ends.
Otherwise we wouldn’t be looking for a first choice central midfielder to partner Brown.
HH
Tim Horton, just nipping in and oot today
Is there anything on in the Club on Friday pm ?
Brother in law called someone yesterday but didn’t know
Yip will be along
Hail Hail
What we all like to see,a Celtic player being slaughtered by Celtic fans.Nothing new there.I could give you a list as long as my arm for “Whipping boys”.
Its just what some folk do.
A lot easier than being constructive.
I love the old fallback,”I would play Henderson”.Yes you probably would.
Until the boy has a few stinkers like every player on the planet has.Then he will go onto the list.
Thank God Brendan just does not have to sit on a laptop,like these tactical team selectors on here.
VFR800A8 – That would work fine for me. I wanted to do the Man City game but it falls in the same week as the Ryder Cup which is in my home town here. Thanks very much, just let me know if it is going to work out
A crowd of us just booked our flights for Lisbon on the 50th anniversary weekend, to say that I’m a little excited would be less than accurate.
I’ll be that fat middle aged guy in the hoops sober pre 5pm probably drunk post 5pm.
Cowiebhoy – Looking forward to seeing ye Friday; did you call MIT yet? What about the game, are you sorted for that? Bramalea club?
slainte
tony
From a legal standpoint, there is nothing wrong with the police going back 6 months to look at footage. I personally think it sucks, but legally they are within their rights.
Let’s say someone robs a bank and gets away. The police have CCTV footage of the perp, but the identity is unknown. 6 months or a year later, a man is arrested and charged with another bank job. The police would be within their rights to scan historical footage of unsolved bank robberies and lo and behold, the guy they now have in custody is the previously unknown bank robber.
Not suggesting that displaying an insulting banner is comparable with bank robbery, which is why I believe it is complete overkill. Just pointing out that they are within their rights.
Turkeybhoy on 7th September 2016 5:11 pm
I’ve only made comments on his playing attributes – just an opinion.
ps. That would be the same Brendan Rodgers who has appraised the Celtic squad over the summer and come to largely the same conclusions as the consensus on here as to who should be cut loose.
And the same Brendan Rodgers who is still looking for a first choice midfielder to partner Brown despite there being a plethora of midfielders at the club.
Quality over quantity…
The Kerrydale Bar is not open to the general public brfore or after the game on Saturday.
Rocket man
I was in the time out place today, seems nice place and plenty of options .
Contacted o’gilins and they said they will show game on Saturday so hopefully they do. I don’t think it’s too far from city centre station.
Cheers for other info
VFR800A8@3-06PM
Wrong about what?
He runs towards player receives pass and immediately returns it to player with man on him forcing numerous turnovers or loss of possession.
31 OF 33 looks impressive as a singular stat.
But 2 yards sideways and backwards should be completed.
Of course he touched the ball more than others he is supposed to be our linkman.
How many times did he pass forward at Haoppel?
The reason we struggled that night was poor spacing and no forward supply which he is a huge reason for.
TURKEYBHOY on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:11 PM
What we all like to see,a Celtic player being slaughtered by Celtic fans.Nothing new there.I could give you a list as long as my arm for “Whipping boys”.
Its just what some folk do.
A lot easier than being constructive.
I love the old fallback,”I would play Henderson”.Yes you probably would.
Until the boy has a few stinkers like every player on the planet has.Then he will go onto the list.
Thank God Brendan just does not have to sit on a laptop,like these tactical team selectors on here.
=============
Turkey
There was a wee debate on the positives and negatives of one or two players today.
But alas you turn that into general misrepresentation as is your norm.
It’s bird feed for you!
Your posts are generally worthless much like giblets.
But keep on keeping on. It’s interesting watching you see the seeds of dischord.
MWD
Turkeyboy
Comparing Busquets to Bitton is laughable.
Like mssm comparing Boyd to Larsson.
I hear there’s a big game this weekend, kicking off at noon & i’m looking a couple of tickets.
are there any Man Utd fans on here that could help me out?
NoPretenderCSC
TRADITIONALIST88 on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:18 PM
Turkeybhoy on 7th September 2016 5:11 pm
And the same Brendan Rodgers who is still looking for a first choice midfielder to partner Brown despite there being a plethora of midfielders at the club.
Quality over quantity…
=======
Rodgers said he was looking for a creative midfielder, at no stage did I hear him say it was to partner Brown.
In my view 50/50 which one would get the chop, Bitton is more like the deep lying ‘quarterback’ Rodgers turned Gerrard into.
BSR
It’s sinister and it stinks to the high heavens.
RoyC
We couldn’t have run with this had it not been for Paul Q’s determination, resilience and courage. This legislation is appalling and has been from its inception.
Kelvinbhoy
Sorry but for legal reasons we’re not publishing the content of the banner for the moment mate.
Moonbeams,
were you born a twat,or did you just pick it up as you went along.
The guy the other night had you to a tee
“A horrible person”
I would go further than that,if I had the inclination,if I for a second thought you were worth a “Flying F—“,but I dont.
Refrain from reading my posts.My parents did not spend a fortune on my education to enlighten morons like you.
Reggie on 7th September 2016 5:27 pm
100% it is to partner Brown, you’ll have read comments from the manager about Brown you won’t see about Bitton. The intrnational retirement was discussed with the manager too. Think Brown would do that for a boss who isnt going to play him?
We don’t need a ‘deep lying quarterback’ in domestic matches and if we do I’d prefer one who likes the physical side of the game and doesnt jump out of 50/50s a la Bitton vs Ross County.
HH
FAN-A-TIC
One of my pet hates in football, ever since I was a boy, is a player in possession with no opposition within 10 yards, who makes a ground pass to a team-mate who is free and clear about 20 or 30 yards away, and the pass is intercepted by an opponent. It does my nut in, much to the mirth of my sons.
In recent years, the worst culprit in a Celtic shirt was Stefan Johanssen. There are others, including Brown and Bitton, but Stefan was by far the worst.
It smacks of laziness and/or a lack of concentration.
HAMILTONTIM
Was just about to post that legal reasons woukd preclude any info re alleged statement on alleged banner. But you beat me to it.
If there is need for crowd funding to augment legal team representing Paul, please post. This insidious Act must be repealed.
For those yet to respond to consiltative document please see very helpful VFR800A8 post at 12.08pm today. Whatever anyone’s opinion of GB or the Celtic Trust or whatever this is a vital matter for ALL football supporters. HH
AuldTam
You’re absolutely correct there is nothing wrong, or indeed unusual, for the police to trail through CCTV footage to identify possible culprits.
The issue here is threefold.
Firstly, from our information, and we have lots, no individual has been charged under the Act any more than 6 weeks after the alleged offence. This was over 6 months ago.
Secondly, the alleged crime in this instance was a young man displaying a banner at a football stadium. It’s not an assault, it’s not a murder, it’s not a robbery and it’s only an offence that would be prosecuted if it occurred within a regulation football game in Scotland.
Finally, it is absolutely no coincidence, in my opinion, that this charge has arisen at a crucial time in the consultation process to have the Act repealed.
When the new version of Rangers defeated us at Hampden , they beat us in a penalty shoot out.
They had the better possession stats.
Meanwhile we , despite playing crap still managed 33 shots during the 120 minutes.
They conjured up 14.
The problem was only hitting the target 12 times from our 33. Including missing a proverbial sitter.
History is , I hope, unlikely to repeat itself.
The stats above are all from my dodgy & mentally scared memory from watching it in the boozer.
torontony
trying to have it on at the irish club, a lot closer for everyone especially at 7.00am.
if not we will head up to bramalea.
would have liked to join you on friday but have to shuttle a friend for tests at hospital.
pity as i think mit would have loved my stephen harper t shirt.
Barton,Halliday and Rossiter will kick anything near them , McGregor? No thanks.Roberts ahead of Forrest every time for me.
TRADITIONALIST88 on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:34 PM
Reggie on 7th September 2016 5:27 pm
100% it is to partner Brown, you’ll have read comments from the manager about Brown you won’t see about Bitton. The intrnational retirement was discussed with the manager too. Think Brown would do that for a boss who isnt going to play him?
We don’t need a ‘deep lying quarterback’ in domestic matches and if we do I’d prefer one who likes the physical side of the game and doesnt jump out of 50/50s a la Bitton vs Ross County.
HH
===========
I’ve read comments from the manager praising Gordon, O’Connell and others. Doesn’t stop them getting dropped. Rodgers wants the centre backs to split wide in and the ‘deep lying quarterback’ to be come back between them, take the ball and spread it around. That isn’t something Brown excels at.
You have your opinion. I have mine. Until the manager either says something or drops one of them then nothing is 100%.
ANGELGABRIEL on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:40 PM
You sure the 33 is not a memory from your local Masonic Ldge after party?
An Teach
Very kind and thoughtful of you but financially we’re in a comfortable position right now.
The most effective thing anyone can do is to complete the consultation paper and encourage friends, family members and fellow football supporters to do likewise.
AULD TAM
A lot of reason our passing looked poor in recent seasons was our poor off the ball movement.
We made it easy for opponents by having only one option.
Signs Brendan is changing this so hoping our positive possession stats will improve.
Sinclair has shown excellent movement off the ball.
It forces opponents to alter position and creates space for team mates.
An Teach Solais.
Thanks for the info. Will check out the post later. HT.
Keep keeping us informed. They’re showing their desperation.
TURKEYBHOY on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2016 5:34 PM
Moonbeams,
were you born a twat,or did you just pick it up as you went along.
The guy the other night had you to a tee
“A horrible person”
I would go further than that,if I had the inclination,if I for a second thought you were worth a “Flying F—“,but I dont.
Refrain from reading my posts.My parents did not spend a fortune on my education to enlighten morons like you.
========
A very grown up mature reply.
But not unexpected.
I’d like to say organic in nature but I’m pretty sure it’s all battery fed.
I’ll continue to laugh at your attempts to sew dischord. It is interesting.
MWD
TimHorton – good call, closer the better for a 7am start. I was in the Bramalea club last week after the Jock Stein Memorial Golf Tourney; club looks really nice. Waiting to hear from MIT but he might be in court, hopefully defending somebody else:)
Chat later.
slainte
tony
Aroraborealis79
Eh naw. What makes you think I would attend such an event ? I’ve heard different accounts from the SMSM around the game. I’m positive that the shots on target / not on target stats from my memory bank ain’t that wide of the mark .
Heading aff oot as they say. Will check later.
The way I see our manager wanting us to play, I would imagine Bitton is likely to be picked before our captain. Far too often against Aberdeen, when Brown got the ball from our goalkeeper to distribute it, he made a real hash of it. Imo, Bitton doesn’t make that mistake.
HT
Could the banner be deemed offensive, even by the easily offended on here? Or would you need a DEGREE in the the easily offended?
MWD
VFR
I’ll take Barca tickets then u are done if u want