You will note the most right-winged, left-wing government in history was yesterday resisting attempts to repeal the Offensive Behaviour Act. The Act was sheer populist electioneering by Alex Salmond, who decided after watching several Rangers players dismissed at the end of a game at Celtic Park that something should be done about the 60,000 spectators who attended the game, and its aftermath, left the stadium in an orderly manner.
Football was well covered by policing and the existing legal framework, but Christine Graham MSP hoped to “equalise” non-criminal behaviour at football, specifically by Celtic fans, with criminal behaviour. It was the most uber-right-winged, thought-police, actual-police-backed policy on these shores in decades. Political capital was poured into policing this law, as was significant financial capital.
All other political parties in the Scottish Parliament oppose the Act, due to its fundamental flaws, so on the face of it, yesterday’s initiative by James Kelly MSP, to repeal the Act has a chance, but no more than that.
The Scottish Greens, who have historically opposed the Act, are prevaricating. They are in a position to vote through SNP policy, so hold leverage over the government.
Meanwhile, police numbers in Scotland have dropped to their lowest levels since 2010 and Police Scotland can no longer afford to man traffic signals when tens of thousands of fans leave football grounds. In 2016, we can’t afford a police officer to oversee traffic signals to allow vast volumes of traffic to proceed in the same direction. In Scotland!
We must be the only country in the developed world who can’t afford traffic-signal policing for major events (if you hear someone yelling this on London Road post-game it’ll probably be me, I’ve been known to go on about it).
You are being taken for granted. Don’t be. You can participate in the Proposed Football Act (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill by letting your views be known here.
Scott Brown did well to acknowledge that Aberdeen and Hearts are our most likely challengers this season. The notion that a newly promoted team will come close to Celtic next season is a fantasy.
The Telegraph today run an article on pressure from Spain and Italy to revamp the Champions League. There is a real danger that the already wealthy large leagues will look to further secure their positions by tipping Europe’s top competition in their numerical favour. We should be OK while the current TV deal is in place but all bets are off next time.
The root cause of the demand for change is the pre-eminence of the English and Welsh Premier League cartel, which is slowly colonising not just Scotland, but Spain, Italy and elsewhere too.
The football model is broken pretty much everywhere. Change will happen; let’s hope it’s benign when it comes, as it threatens to finish the game outside of the “top five leagues”. Your clubs will be impoverished and irrelevant, your infrastructure will be denied investment, even the trickle-down of resources to kids football will mean your children are disadvantaged.
Bear that in mind when you cheer Barca and Real Madrid.
I think we’re going to have fun with this Shitov character tomorrow, who thinks there’s nothing new to see about Celtic Park, but needs to dry his eyes because Leigh DIDN’T punch him!
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Dia daoibh uilig
Corkcelt,when are arriving in Belfast? If its tomorrow and you’d like to hook up to watch the game I can pick you up from where ever you are staying.If not,no problem
And if you are interested I can organize a tour ect for you and your good lady.
HH BB
Billybear…
I don’t think you are a hun but if you are mind and get one of those hard hats that were all the vogue when when we were pups, hopefully it won’t be needed. HH
jamesgang
Hope you had a happy hoopy birthday, hope to catch up with you @ CQN Corner soon.
HH
ACGR
Talking to Big Roy in Montrose last week, sends his regards
see you tomorrow in BV
Nite Nite
praecepta…………………………………..:_)
My kinda burd.
HH bruv
Feckin fu’ o’ roaster in here the night!
VP is the modern sharp suited Mhan btw JamesGang, dapper was what we would have called him in bygone days! He is old enough to remember those days of course! I just listen to the stories:-)
Enjoy the game tomorrow, and the BV banter.
Any Tim pubs in old towm Edinburgh?
Miss Doc has my ticket, I’m working till late o’clock.
goodnight Timland
one more sleep
C.O.Y.B.I.G.
HH
Fess19, I’m the young looking guy wi hair that looks like Brad Pitt’s wee brother. You’ll have no bother recognising me among the speccy auld baldy wans. In fact when I go into the BV I drag the average down by app. 76.3%.
Who the F is big Roy, and do I owe him money?
HH
DOC on 2ND AUGUST 2016 11:39 PM
If you are in the old town you could head to Malones on Forrest Road.
A CEILER GONOF RUST on 2ND AUGUST 2016 11:42 PM
Fess19, I’m the young looking guy wi hair that looks like Brad Pitt’s wee brother. You’ll have no bother recognising me among the speccy auld baldy wans. In fact when I go into the BV I drag the average down by app. 76.3%.
Who the F is big Roy, and do I owe him money?
_________________________________________________
Everbody’s BIG to me, Roy worked with you in the Glaxo. Don’t know about your monetary problems but we can discuss tomorrow . I’l bring the average age up to normal
HH
aff tae bed
Evening/morning all. Who`s Macjay fighting with tonight? Sorry if it`s already been asked,but is the game on telly anywhere tomorrow?
Doc, are you a hun?
…………………………….. :_) Hope you find a Tim friendly boozer in not so fun city to watch the hoops romp to victory tomorrow.
HH bruv
ABURNTOUTCASE on 2ND AUGUST 2016 11:51 PM
Evening/morning all. Who`s Macjay fighting with tonight? Sorry if it`s already been asked,but is the game on telly anywhere tomorrow?
——————————————————————————-
Q1………………………huns in Tim clothing. :-)
Q2……………………..Sydney
international bar,
on the meadows.
where james connolly became a radical
GARY67@10:14
Enjoyed seeing the goals from Under 20 game – good to see Brendan there.
Your point regarding some of the first team squad being moved on is well made – maybe Brendan is the man to give our youngsters a decent shot at it.
The overall picture is rather unclear at the moment – let’s hope after good win tomorrow, we can push on with the ins and outs.
Night Timdom
HH jamesgang
aburntoutcase, Celtic TV are showing the game so if you have a subscription you can view it there.
See if it had been the new huns playing some lowly painter and decorators, it would have been all been all over BBC Alba.
Macjay, Q2 Answer. Nice one.
I’m off to my love chariot. I’ve an early morning call (very soon) with some tossers from your neck of the woods. Then its a frantic few hours work before heading to fun city for a couple of days of Tim fun inc. good company, bevvy, paradise, drams, more drams, even more drams and sclaffbaw if the weather holds.
Enjoy the game.
HH
Macjay
A1 Fair play to you. I know you always do.
A2 Where does Sydney live?
ACGR Thanks. Need to look for one of them stream thingies.
Is it thingies or thingys?
A CEILER GONOF RUST on 3RD AUGUST 2016 12:08 AM
Thanks , pal.
4.45 am kick off.
BIG test for Brendan and an opportunity to lay down his marker.
Under no circumstances should we fail to progress.
The big difference now. Brendan is a coach with a pedigree.
Irrespective of the result.
I`m dangerously confident.
Sleep well ,mate.
ABURNTOUTCASE on 3RD AUGUST 2016 12:10 AM
Macjay
A1 Fair play to you. I know you always do.
A2 Where does Sydney live?
===============================================
A2 Saint Denis ? With me . But we`re just good friends.
BILLYBEAR
Are you a Tim?
;)
Macjay
I`m sure theres a very funny joke in there. I missed it. Apologies.
ABURNTOUTCASE
This may help you out
Quality stuff with a guarantee
Much better than the Amazon stuff
https://www.entertainmentbox.com/
HH BB
Case.
The origin of the name Sydney is St Denis.
I blame the Norman Conquest.
Haven`t clicked on that link yet. I was thinking of “san deneey” as in the arrondisment in Paris.
Possibly our biggest game of the season later today.
A win guarantees us European Football until Christmas. The confidence gained from a positive result tomorrow, and the interest of Midweek European games, will do wonders for the players attitude, and sense of wellbeing, thereby enhancing our chances in the League.
A win omorrow will also give us eight more chances to really GIRFU the Huns.
I mean Hun fans of course, cos the Huns died.
I read it in the papers ;)
HH
Haven`t clicked on that link yet. I was thinking of “san deneey” as in the arrondisement in Paris.
ABURNTOUTCASE on 3RD AUGUST 2016 12:25 AM
Dead right.
San Denee became Anglicised to Sydney .
And St. Clair to Sinclair.
Macjay
You on commission for every box they sell?
Neil Lennon gets a 5 game ban by UEFA for remonstrating with a referee who disallowed by all accounts a good Hibs goal. Taking in to account Neil has never been sent off previously as a manager in any UEFA competition.
I smell the stench of Dallas at play here
Case.
No. But this guy may be.
In fact , I found his info. very interesting.
BIGBONES8867 SUPPORTS MO’N AND IRELAND on 3RD AUGUST 2016 12:21 AM
Macjay
Big pal o`mine (Den Haag supporter) insists Abel Tasman was Dutch. I believe he was Belgian. We both refuse to Google it. Your thoughts?
I keep hearing how important the champions league is for Celtic supporters.
Yet the stadium will only be 80% full for a hugely important game tonight.
Strange.
IMATIM on 3RD AUGUST 2016 12:33 AM
How are you , mate ?
Haven`t seen your good self on here for quite some time.
Re. Lenny.
Ridiculous imposition.
http://videocelts.com/2016/08/blogs/younghoops/celtic-colts-turn-on-the-fizz-to-see-off-annan-athletic/?
The future’s bright……It’s green and white
Celtic eased their way into the second round draw of the Irn Bru Cup thanks to a 5-1 win over Annan Athletic tonight.
Tommy McIntyre’s side recovered from losing a first minute goal to turn on the style with a double from Aidan Nesbitt and strikes from Regan Hendry, Jack Aitchison and substitute PJ Crossan making the difference.
It was Celtic’s first ever match in the Challenge Cup with entry into the competition giving the young hoops the perfect outlet to develop their skills in a competitive environment.
The second round draw will bring in clubs from League One with the road to the final involving seven matches including possible ties against Hibs, Falkirk and Dundee United.
There was a shock for Celtic in the second minute when Rabin Omar volleyed in off Ross Doohan’s post but McIntyre’s side weren’t put off by that set-back.
After carving out a few chances Nesbitt equalised following a mazy run through the Annan defence before finishing with a measured shot.
Worse was to follow for the visitors just four minutes later when Hendry netted from a cut-back after impressive build up play.
Despite losing two goals in quick succession Annan weren’t downhearted and created a couple of near misses around Doohan’s goal with play flowing from end to end but four minutes from the interval Aitchison extended Celtic’s lead with a header.
Any hopes that Annan had of causing an upset were killed off in the 70th minute when Nesbitt took a cross from Miller in his stride and fired into the net from 12 yards out.
Miller was again the creator in the 82nd minute when he presented a debut goal for Crossan who shot home six minutes after replacing Aitchison.
CLICK HERE for five young hoops to sparkle in the Irn Bru Cup
CELTIC: Doohan; Ralston, McCart, Wardrop, McIlduff; Ajer, Thomson; Nesbitt, Hendry, Miller; Aitchision
SUBS: Hazard, Higgins, Hill, Archibald, Crossan, Johnston, Murray
i had a funny wee encounter yesterday with some actors at loch lomomd shores
robert de bruis and isabel demar wandered by in full costume
the bold robert says out loud
“have you seen any english ?”
i said no but i am half erglish myself
he said
“you will do !
i said
“oh , listen to the french norman”
he didnt like it up him