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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I don`t know enough about Scott Allan to make a fair assessment but, had he gone to New Rangers, I am confident that the MSSM would have been gushing about his class and some on here would have been bemoaning the fact that we had missed out on a star!
Cheerio for now,
JJ
I put this team up yesterday; now that Toure is in the squad and Bitton is injured I’m more hopeful:
Gordon
Ambrose, Toure, O’Connell
Roberts, Brown, Ajer, Johansen, Tierney
Griffiths, Dembele
Definitely think this attacking formation (that can fold straight into a 4-4-2 will win us the game in the first half.
KTF
COWIEBHOY on 2ND AUGUST 2016 4:44 PM
Incidentally the question n London RD being closed
There is major works going on out front of the Emirates stadium, where the road ( under ground) has been collapsing into the old mine works, similar issue to what caused the old London RD school to be demolished ????
So that part/section is closed in one direction, coming from Springfield junction
Hail Hail
————–
sorry Cowiebhoy, but I think you will find the old school demolition was caused by Peter Lawell.
Mineshafters CSC
Dia duit CORKCELT
I’m grand,thank you for asking.
I hope you enjoyed your day in Dublin,my brother is the proprietor of a trio of bars in West Belfast.
They had 4 buses going to the game and by all accounts they had a great time.I had work commitments so couldn’t make it.I was heading over for the game tomorrow but just heard our sailing back is at 4am! I couldn’t hack 4 hrs stuck in Stranraer.So I’ll watch it with a few pints in the Suffolk Inn instead,I’m a light weight now.
I was reading back on Sunday and seen you mention a CQN bhoy with the moniker BHOYLO83,I have a feeling he is my cousins’ bhoy,does he reside in Kildare by any chance?
HH BB
No place for Lustig?
SS- Indian and Chinese teams will be in the Champions League soon……
– Indian and Chinese teams will be in the Champions League soon……
….and 67 will be prawn chow mein.
BARNEY67 on 2ND AUGUST 2016 5:04 PM
No place for Lustig – too slow; a pacy, pressing midfield in front of Ambrose and O’Connell (both of whom have pace) being marshalled by Toure. Pace up front with Griff and Dembele.
KT can drop into a flat back four when needed with Efe slotting over as RB.
Paddy Roberts can also push forward to create a front 3 with a 3 or 4 man midfield behind. A fluid formation that can adapt to game conditions on the night.
Re Parking..the answer is MONORAIL! MONORAIL!!
Springfieldcsc
Blantyrekev (mcgoo),
Park on Allen street off Dalmarnock Road, it’s the red brick house area just after the commonwealth village just after where the millerfield used to be. Easy egress into Dalmarnock Road. Over the river bridge and past tesco thru the lights at bottom of farmeloan road , cambuslang road straight onto the M74. Bish bash bosh .
Got to admit slight regret in Scott Allen moving on loan.
Thought he had a lot to offer but obviously 2 managers that don’t, so I’ll take their judgement over mine.
Hopefully he can come back and challenge .
Looking forward to a packed Paradise tomorrow , hopefully no booing.
On a Wee day off so me and the Burgh Bhoys will meet for a Wee pre match bevvy.
Tally Ho
HH
CAESER1967
Cheers, but any route home works for folk like your good self who leave with no more that 83 minutes on the clock :)
Why on Earth would anybody want Toure in the team for tomorrow night?
He wasn’t fit enough to go to Dublin and has played 0 minutes with his teammates. Why would he be in the starting 11 for one of our biggest games?
He’s in the squad because Erik and Biton haven’t made it. He will be a last resort and nothing more.
We should be going with the exact same 11 and formation as the fourth leg. Let’s not confuse things at this stage.
The only change I’d tolerate is Armstrong dropping out. He had a poor game over there so you could justify the inclusion of Rogic.
*first leg
”
Hibs boss Neil Lennon handed five-game European ban for ‘acts of violence against the referee’
I’m guessing but cant see Neil ever having to serve that ban, certainly not whilst he’s in Edinburgh.
Appeal it anyway Neil…
JOHANN MURDOCH on 2ND AUGUST 2016 5:27 PM
Re Parking..the answer is MONORAIL! MONORAIL!!
Springfieldcsc
—————–
i know i am getting daft in my old age, but some retired engineers have put forward a proposal for a mono-rail from city centre to airport via braehead and renfrew.
i actually did think, it just needs extended out to celtic park, and selfish me would be onto a winner.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/14525337.Glasgow_monorail__Plan_for_rail_link_at_airport_thrown_out_after_being_deemed__not_viable_/
Listening to Brendan Rogers. On Sky News.it looks as if he is quite happy with the current squad.
ROCK TREE BHOY on 2ND AUGUST 2016 5:41 PM
”
Hibs boss Neil Lennon handed five-game European ban for ‘acts of violence against the referee’
I’m guessing but cant see Neil ever having to serve that ban, certainly not whilst he’s in Edinburgh.
Appeal it anyway Neil…
This has Dallas’ mucky mitts all over it……
Out of the blue yesterday the name Dixon Blazes came into my head. Was it a steel works or brick works and is it still around..??
TIMALOY29 on 2ND AUGUST 2016 5:36 PM
Why on Earth would anybody want Toure in the team for tomorrow night?
__________________________________________
Quite simple. Because of his experience that will allow him to marshal and guide the defence.
Which channel is showing the game tomorrow?
Big Bones, Bhoylo, just said he was from Derry, he was with a big young lad from Belfast named Aiden. Didn’t mention Kildare so I don’t know whether he has any connections there. Two grand lads they were.
I’m ooofff ooot to a grand-daughters Birthday party so see ye ghuys later.
Barney67
CelticTV only. Available to all subscribers worldwide.
HH
BLANTYREKEV (mcgoo)
I stand my ground until the end, don’t suffer from early leaver syndrome lol.
Are you a member of the dalmarnock train station ‘loyal’.
WEEMAN67
FYI…………..
http://www.theglasgowstory.com/image/?inum=TGSA01148
TBM
THEBACAMOLE
Thx, it was driving me crazy, didn’t think to Google it……..HH
Lymmbhoy cheers pal.
I expect BR to start tomorrow with his chosen XI from 1st leg
………………….Gordon
Lustig…Ambrose…O’Connell…Tierney
………….Brown…….McGregor…………….
………………….Armstrong……………………
……Roberts……………………..Griffiths…..
…………………..Dembele…………………….
Maybe start Rogic in place of SA?
Toure on bench as back-up.
WEEMAN 67……….. Welcome; as an ex-foundry man, its history fascinated me since a young(er) age!
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Weeman67
Dixon Blazes:
Was the site of the old Govan Ironworks (went burst in 1960) top of Crown Street (behind Brazen Head) parallel with the railwayline.
The molten slag was shunted at night and dumped on Mols Myre (site of the ASDA store) at Toryglen. Reason why the supermarket was built there (on a concrete raft) was due to the extensive soil contamination – hence no housing.
‘BBC article driving home ‘OF’ myth written by Dickie Wilson….
Warburton has been less pragmatic, although he may have to consider tweaking his 4-3-3 to accommodate Jordan Rossiter, an accomplished ball-winner and reader of the game’.
‘Accomplished’, dear oh dear.
Corkcelt,
Perhaps we are waiting for our transfer business to conclude before issuing the definitive squad photo.
Jamesgang
Happy Birthday,mate. I hope you have wonderful day.
Celtic U20 v Annan Athletic
Scottish Challenge Cup 1st Round
Tonight @ 19:45 Premier Sports / Premier Sports HD
HH
My father worked here…………
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/steelworks/Steelworks%20Blochairn.htm
Them car dependent yanks have made inroads in Scotland it seems.
Novel method of getting in and oot of Paradise….hoof it.
If my 80 year old uncle can walk from Central Station to his seat, so can you lazy lot.
Numerous alcohol serving Tim establishments along the way to add a bit of spice to the stroll an awe. Lost count of the number of entertaining nutters I’ve had the pleasure of meeting pre and post game.
PRAECEPTA
Oh the history, Thx………HH
Does anyone know how to watch tomorrow’s game on tv?