Want to face stronger opponents or go home after the coin toss

535

We have a recurring theme on here: never make excuses before an event.  Allow players, the manager, or anyone connected with a performance an opportunity to make an excuse for a failure, and they will take it.  Before a game, I don’t like to hear complaints about a plastic pitch, hopeless referees or injuries.  Be ready, or don’t be at Celtic.

Yesterday, Mick Beale told the media “We’re competing against the odds if you like. In general, if you look at any league in the world, the team that spends the most is first. So, we have to compete against the odds because we’re not going to spend the most money.”

This is sport.  If you want to compete with only 50/50 odds, go home after the coin toss.  There are some narrow openings for this kind of chat in football.  I would let Ange away with it in the Champions League, where we have no expectation of winning.  But here, in Scotland, I’d march any Celtic manager out of town for throwing excuses for failure around.

Losers lose not because they have fewer resources, but because they have a loser mentality – and that’s a few days after listening to a self-help coach who recently picked himself up from a cell bunk after a DUI conviction!  Can you imagine what they would the mood would be like if they didn’t have that pep talk?

While we’re on the subject of the other lot measuring themselves against Celtic….  John Lundstam gave a really nuanced interview yesterday.  “It is one game, they turned up and we didn’t. I think the combination for that didn’t complement each other well. It looks like there is a massive gap but I don’t think there is a massive gap.”

Compared to his manager, this is faultless.  To you and me, Celtic dominated, but there was only one goal in it, they hit the post and really should have converted the rebound.  By objective measures, the gap was narrow.

There is a problem here, though.  Being narrowly worse than the team you need to be better than is almost as bad as being miles worse.  Winners can have planned improvements, losers have a responsibility to break-up even good teams, sometimes sack even good managers that reach European finals, because being narrowly worse is to fail.

There is a combined message from these two interviews: a team that is worth less money came close against powerful champions, which is respectable.  Being second to this Celtic team is respectable.  It is where they are in the food-chain and where they are likely to remain unless something incredible happens.  Maybe the Qataris will buy them!  (Joke, honestly, no one with real money is interestined in Scottish clubs).  Ibrox has had a buyer from Motherwell, then Hamilton.  Can’t you see, it’s circling the Larkhall sinkhole!

There is a few years of this type of chat to come before someone levels with their fans.  Second place with a puncher’s chance is where they are.  Take it or leave before your side’s runner up medals are awarded.

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  1. QUESTION of the DAY…..

     

     

    Will Big LEGGY FACE ” RETROSPECTIVE ACTION” from the SFA, once they get to see The CCTV Footage of his BLATANT DIVE ?

     

     

    Where are BRRB LAWYERS when you need them….?.

     

    FREE the BIG LEGGY !

     

    LOL.

     

    HH

  2. Afternoon all.

     

     

    Cracking day out yesterday.

     

     

    BRRB, when Leggy went A over T, it was the quick witted Calton Tongues who shouted ‘Penalty to Rangers.

     

     

    Still sore from laughing. :)

     

     

    Baldy Brian.

  3. BIG JIMMY on 4TH MARCH 2023 11:55 AM

     

    LEGGY should should been Yellow Carded for ” STIMULATION”.

     

    ==========================================================

     

     

    O’er missus.

     

     

    Right admit it, who felt ‘STIMULATION’, don’t sit next to me in future. :0 :).

  4. BIG JIMMY on 4TH MARCH 2023 12:08 PM

     

    QUESTION of the DAY…..

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Will Big LEGGY FACE ” RETROSPECTIVE ACTION” from the SFA, once they get to see The CCTV Footage of his BLATANT DIVE ?

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Where are BRRB LAWYERS when you need them….?.

     

     

     

     

    FREE the BIG LEGGY !

     

     

     

     

    LOL.

     

     

     

     

    HH

     

    ——

     

    SFA – On this occasion means Shipbank Falling Auldies. 🤣

     

     

    D :)

  5. Raging former referee Des Roache reckons Liel Abada should receive a retrospective red card for diving in the Viaplay Cup final showdown with Rangers.

     

     

    Ange Postecoglou’s side were on course to win the first domestic silverware of the season when the flashpoint involving Abada occurred, as the Israel international looked to hit Rangers on the counter attack at Hampden to make it 3-1. The winger took on centre-back Ben Davies but fell to the ground at the edge of the box and threw up his arms to claim for a penalty.

     

     

    However, referee Nick Walsh was unmoved by the spot kick claims and instead punished the 21-year-old with a booking for simulation. Former whistler Roache backed up Walsh’s decision, as he admitted the official applied the correct punishment for the incident, but reckons the SFA must take a hardline stance over the dive by disciplining the winger post-match.

     

     

     

    Discussing the Celtic flashpoint, Roache told Grosvenor Sport said: “It’s a bug-bear of mine and I will be consistent. He should be given a retrospective red card for cheating He knew what he was doing and you could see how sheepish he looked when Nick Walsh brought out the yellow card, which is the current tariff for this offence. I really hate simulation and I think the only way you are going to get rid of blatant cheating is to make it a red card offence.”

     

     

    ouch ouch Baby.

  6. Good Day Fholks

     

    What a great day yesterday with a fine bunch of Tims in the Old Shipbank. Outstanding hospitality from Big Jimmy, very much appreciated by one and all, thank you Big Mhan. Brilliant craic all round. HH

  7. Tom McLaughlin on

    Earlier this season Kilmarnock were beating the Huns 2-1 at the dung heap when they buggers equalised in stoppage time. Still dropped 2 points though. More dropped points today? Who knows their state of mind after last week. I wouldn’t be surprised if they slipped up today.

  8. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    Can anyone tell me if there has ever been a poll on what is fair for discussion on the blog?

     

    I know football, other sports, gambling, drinking, religion, economics and on some occasions depending on who is posting, politics but never seen any poll on what people think are OK to discuss, I suggest we do so since there are no actual rules on what is acceptable;

     

    So I will simply list the subjects from above and put a 1 for yes and 0 for no discussion allowed, obviously all on condition that personal abuse and profanities are not allowed to be expressed in any of the subjects, is that fair?

     

    Football:1

     

    Other Sports: 1

     

    Gambling: 1

     

    Drinking: 1

     

    Religion: 1

     

    Economics: 1

     

    Politics: 1

  9. lets all do the huddle on

    Can anyone tell me if there has ever been a poll on what is fair for discussion on the blog?

     

     

     

    definitely shouldnt discuss what other names folk have for cheese n toast

     

     

    it brings out the worst in the blog and shows the muppetry of some folk on here with their ridiculous alternatives

     

     

    im mean ‘roasted cheese’ for example. what is that all about?

     

     

    and what kind of deranged individuals could come away with such depravity?

  10. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    Ooops I forgot about one of the most controversial subjects, thanks for the reminder, a travesty indeed.

  11. Tom McLaughlin

     

     

    I hadn’t realised that Kilmarnock had taken points from them this season. Was that at rugby park or Ibrox ?

     

     

    I kinda agree with you though Re today.

  12. Tom McLaughlin on

    BURNLEY78

     

     

    Sorry. My mistake.

     

     

    It was Livingston. They led Rangers at Ibrox from the 4th minute only for a red card for Livi on 78 mins and a Rangers equaliser in stoppage time.

     

     

    In my memory I thought it was Kilmarnock.

     

     

    Oh well. My second point stands.

  13. bigrailroadblues on

    Stuck a fiver on Kilmarnock, 14/1 at Hills. Wishful thinking as usual. 🙄

  14. bigrailroadblues on

    Sean Thornton 1.26

     

    Come along to the next one young fella. But don’t sit beside Leggy. He’s a jinx.

  15. Thanks for the link An Tearmann. All cup wins are special but there’s something more significant about this one – can’t put my finger on it- that second goal sums it up for me. Gonna enjoy watching it again.

  16. bigrailroadblues on

    Canamalar 1.14

     

    First 4 subjects are fine and dandy. Last 3 are a no for me since I’m a shallow barsteward. 😂

  17. Canalmar

     

     

    All 1s for me.

     

    Pretty much all topics are a 1, subject to the general blog rules you suggest.

     

    No profanities

     

    No personal attacks

  18. Topics ?

     

     

    Just my opinion …

     

     

    Celtic mainly

     

     

    Gambling (only if you can afford to lose)

     

     

    Hibs … terrific price today at odds against

     

     

    Easy money :-)

  19. Canamalar @ 1.14 PM,

     

     

    We should take heed of George Orwell

     

     

    football, beer, and above all, filled up the horizon of their minds. To keep them in control was not difficult….” George Orwell, 1984.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  20. WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 4TH MARCH 2023 9:06 AM

     

     

    “Aye, my wee yin said “why is everyone bald?”

     

     

    *or as we used tae say “moss disnae grown on a busy highway”

  21. Tontine, seeing as you are on, I passed by your Lane yesterday whilst gadding about in Glesga .

     

     

    Hope you are well. HH

  22. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    BRRB, no criticism your opinion is as valid as anyone’s, just gauging opinions.

     

    St Stives, I consider history implicit in every topic.

     

    Big Jimmy, cheers

     

    GFTB, it was your post at 01:22am telling Petec what he should be commenting on that inspired the poll.

     

    Chairbhoy, it was a prophesy eh.

  23. CANAMALAR @ 3:32 PM,

     

     

    It was indeed, managed to screw up the quote somehow…

     

     

    football, beer, and above all gambling, filled up the horizon of their minds. To keep them in control was not difficult….” George Orwell, 1984.

     

     

    So I’ll be down the pub with a few muckers watching the gemme tomorrow – Celtic must be odds on;)

     

     

    Hail Hail

  24. Canalamar 3.32pm

     

     

    Ffs

     

     

    Never read my posts at that time of any day

     

     

    But am glad to be an inspiration :-)

     

     

    I don’t think I have ever inspired anybody so your good self is a definite honour

     

     

    (By the way during the night I honestly think it’s just me & Petec corresponding and nobody reads our mince) :-)

  25. Today i will be thinking of Fergus McCann

     

    and his impact on breathing life into our club.

     

     

    God bless him.

     

     

    A Celtic man

     

     

    HH

  26. In a panic … I just read back

     

     

    Am ok with that …

     

     

    On CELTIC quick news .. I do think Celtic .. Reo & Callum are far more interesting than the other two

     

     

    Phew …. By the way am not dismissing any other subject only P67 and the mods can rule on that

     

     

    Mon the Hibees … easy money

  27. In their quest to bridge the gap, TheRangers have taken a leaf out of Ange’s book and are actively recruiting in the Japanese market.

     

    They have identified a likely candidate in Hikaru Doradango as they attempt to polish their turds 💩

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