On watching Celtic on Tuesday I wondered, ‘What will Juventus learn from this performance?’ Their scout will have left with a few notes.
Celtic can break quickly and effectively. Both Hooper goals came as a result of moving the ball the length of the field, mostly on the deck, at pace.
Their threat from corner kicks was re-emphasised. Charlie Mulgrew delivers the ball with sufficient pace to benefit from unpredictable movement, beyond the anticipated swerve. This will be difficult for defenders, keeper and attackers to meet, but Celtic players clearly put a lot of work into practicing getting onto the end of these crosses.
Hopefully the scout will have learned nothing about how we will defend against Juventus as we were somewhat erratic early on against United and were not pressed thereafter.
Juventus are rightly favourites but this this is a thankless tie for them, especially when the first message delivered is ‘Don’t concede corners or free kicks in wide positions’.
They will also be alert to the dangers of being caught forward when Celtic can break effectively. Celtic conceded through this mistake against Spartak last month but I wouldn’t expect us to leave as much empty space in defence at any point against Juventus.
My main worry about Celtic is over how much practice they are putting into penalty kicks….
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Greeting’s Great Timlord/Paul67,
My machine has alerted me that you have reset your recent timline malfunction, thanks for saving me the journey. A 5 stone bag, whatever that is, of potato’s shall be deposited in your garden next traversable wormhole post, if the post office dont lose it that is!
To Infinity & Backwards!!
rotit j
Celtic first
One of the issues in the tsfm draft resolution Alex T reports on is a tightening of club licencing precisely because it is difficult to see how one was granted, especially in 2011.
ASonOfDan
13:51 on
24 January, 2013
AFC Wimbledon have been training their ballboys ahead of their clash with Port Vale tonight.
In response to Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard’s dismissal for kicking Swansea ballboy Charlie Morgan, the League Two side cheekily posted a picture of one of their ballboys replicating last night alongside the message: “We have had the ballboys in early for training today ahead of tonight’s televised match.”
lol!
~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~
I expect my ould pal Ivor Heller was behind that-he disnae like Chelsea either.
HH,wee man (he’s five fit on his tiptoes….)
Anyone know if the Swansea ballboy pulled through?
bigbones8867
16:50 on 24 January, 2013
Corkcelt, Proudboy.
The Roddies is an amazing club,I live nearby.
As for the funeral,yes many hundreds of IRA men and Sinn Féin members will be there.
Irrespective of present political differences,we all fought a 30yr war together,many are still
friends,some bonds can never be broken.
BB
—-
Aye really enjoyed my two visits to roddys. The republican plot was great to visit aswel. Credit to those who keep it in great order.
I was chatting more about carrying the coffin as her family are very much against the sf stragety.
Not sure how political brendans family are but was great to see all shades allowed to take part. Just wondering what the feeling is in belfast regarding dolores funeral. Maybe too early to say.
Any talk of marian being allowed out for funeral ?
Disgrace what She is currently going through and now having to cope with loss of her sister. Tragic
Auldheid
In terms of club licensing, there’s nothing wrong with the current policy – the various levels of licence are dictated by UEFA, and cascaded down across all nations and leagues in Europe. Good old centrally directly Quality Management.
The problem we had (have) is a collective mindset bordering on reckless determination to prevent the application of the licensing rules from adversely affecting one of the SFA former/conditional member clubs.
Bigbones
Proudbhoy
Who does the trips to the ten graves? Would like to go…
Don’t talk to me about bubble-wrap.
A coupla weeks ago,we were unloading a lorry and one of the lads came in with a huge roll of it.
“What will I do with this?”,he asked.
“Pop it in the corner over there!”,I replied.
Never saw the wee sod again all day,but he was helluva relaxed for the rest of the week…………
BIGbones8867, A busload of us went up to the Ardoyne a couple of years ago, they gave us a grand tour of all the famous areas of Belfast, Murals etc. A visit to the Roddy McCorley Club and grand tour of the Museum, we also got a tour of the H Blocks and got to visit the cell where Bobby Sands died. We ended up in the local GAA Club in the Ardoyne and the drink music & craic flowed into the early hours. Over the day, Guys turned up in vans & cars at every hands turn & ferried us all over the place and noone would take a penny off us. Great people and great memories.
Just as well Joey Barton wisnae’ playin last night – he would probably have stubbed a lit cigar in the ballboy’s face!
Btw, is it ballboy or ball boy?
BMCUW
Love the name Ivor!
Always wanted to meet an Ivor Biggun!
Coat on!
HH!!
Tim Tanium
16:48 on 24 January, 2013
‘Ernie Lynch
The fact that Joey Barton is in agreement with your assessment of the Hazard/ballboy incident gives me a warm feeling. :-)’
Never mind Joey Barton, Craig Bellamy has invited the little scrote to a round of golf.
kikinthenakas
17:05 on
24 January, 2013
Bigbones
Proudbhoy
Who does the trips to the ten graves? Would like to go…
—–
Sinn fein organised one about 4yrs ago, i went on that. 2 coach loads, mostly ex prisoners and sf members including alot of ogra sf members.
Great experiance , we were met at graves by some family members, lynches,hughes, conor murphy at ray mccreesh grave is ones i remember.
Had guy with us who played lament at each grave,minute silence and laid wreath.
Fantastic memory.
Tallybhoy, just as well you haven’t met Ivor Biggun, you wouldn’t like him. He is a terrible liar.
Proudbhoy
Gerry Kelly was caught with the Price sisters,he’ll be there,I cant imagine anyone being publicly asked to stay away,Sinn Féin hierarcy will be there.
Marion will most likely be released for the funeral,calls today are for her to be released unconditionally are gathering pace.and rightly so.
bb
TBB,
So, the SFA don’t deal in justice. Shiels tells the truth and gets done for it. How can Scottish football let such a nonsense go by unremarked?
A right pair:
https://mobile.twitter.com/davecameroon/status/294373558673604609/photo/1
What do you think of this article and the words used by brother Longmuir.
‘New dawn for Scottish football’ as 12-12-18 league structure agreed
Published: 08 January 2013
Scottish football chiefs met at Hampden today to discuss the proposals
515 comments
By STEPHEN HALLIDAY
STEWART REGAN hailed what he claims is a “new dawn” for Scottish football after agreement in principle on league reconstruction was reached by representatives of all three current governing bodies at Hampden.
The proposal for a 12-12-18 structure, which it is hoped will be put to a vote of all 42 senior clubs within the month, will see the Scottish Premier League disbanded and a return to a single organisation running league football for the first time since the SPL breakaway in 1998.
SFA chief executive Regan emerged in upbeat mood from more than four hours of discussions with representatives
from both the SPL and Scottish Football League.
Accompanied by his SPL and SFL counterparts Neil Doncaster and David Longmuir, Regan confirmed the plans for a top flight of 12 teams, provisionally called the Premiership, a second tier of 12 teams in a Championship and a third tier of 18 teams in a National League.
The 24 clubs in the top two tiers would split into three groups of eight after 22 matches of the season, then playing a further 14 matches. The top eight teams would play for the title and European places, the middle eight to contest promotion and relegation in and out of the Premiership and the bottom eight to decide who drops into the National League.
All three administrators conceded they face a challenge to convince sceptical supporters of the merits of the new set-up which has been tried previously in both Austria and Switzerland without any success. But they presented a united front in their belief that it is what Scottish football needs to address its
current malaise.
While the SFL had previously called for an extended top flight of 16 clubs, they are prepared to accept the SPL’s preference for 12-12-18 in exchange for a fairer financial distribution model
and the increased potential for promotion.
“It is a new dawn for Scottish football,” insisted Regan. “I think we have made the most progress I have seen in my time in Scottish football and it’s a real breakthrough today. It’s an opportunity to change the game for the better. Fitting in with the 12-12-18 set-up is agreement on some really key issues for the game – a more equitable sharing of finance for all 42 clubs, a governance structure which ensures parity for what are currently the SPL and SFL going forward and also a series of sporting changes.
“They include the introduction of play-offs and a pyramid for Scottish football – that is, the opening up of what is currently the bottom of the Third Division of the SFL. They are some
massive steps forward for the game. There is a lot of work still to be done and the clubs need to be taken through the detail. A plan will be worked out
collectively before the end of the month and presented to clubs for their views.”
For the proposal to go through, it requires an 11-1 vote in favour from the SPL clubs and the backing of 75 per cent of the SFL clubs. Rangers, who are still associate members of the SFL, are not yet eligible to vote, meaning 22 of the remaining 29 clubs are needed to support the plan.
It was also confirmed that there will be no short-cut back to the top-flight for Rangers, who would remain in the bottom tier even if they win the existing Third Division.
In advance of the meeting of all 42 clubs, the SFL will lay out the terms of the proposals to their 30 members at Hampden. in a fortnight.
“We will try to engage the supporters through our clubs,” said Longmuir. “We had nine of our clubs represented today and we still have another 21 to speak to. In two weeks’ time, we now have some meaningful detail to present to the clubs in the SFL which I think is important. They will begin to see that these pillars of progress, pillars of success, the foundations which are going to stand the game in good stead are what is crucial about this. We have to bring clubs with us on this journey. Through clubs fully understanding what it is going to deliver for the game, it will far outweigh any issues we have over the numbers game.”
Despite the proposals effectively killing off the SPL as an independent league body, Doncaster shrugged off any concerns over his own position. “That is detail for another day,” said Doncaster. “This is not about individuals. It is about ensuring we have a plan in place for the system going forward which benefits 42 clubs. That is what matters.”
How the proposals will work
• Proposal put forward by the Scottish Premier League is for a 12-12-18 three-tier structure, coming into force for the 2013-14 season
• One league body to replace the existing SPL and SFL
• The top two leagues will split into three leagues of eight after 22 matches then play a further seven home and seven away games
• Leagues will be called Premier Division, Championship and National League
• The top eight teams in the Premier Division will play for the title and European places
• The middle eight teams post-split will contest promotion and relegation in and out of Premier Division
• The bottom eight sides will play to decide who drops into National League
• A vote will be taken on the proposals by the SPL and SFL clubs at their respective meetings. Eleven out of 12 SPL clubs would need to vote in favour of the plans, while the proposal requires a 75 per cent majorityapproval from the SFL clubs – 23 out of the 30 clubs.
Fans’ view: Supporters will need convincing – Goodwin
Supporters’ chief Paul Goodwin last night welcomed yesterday’s groundbreaking progress in restructuring Scottish football, but believes the game’s power-brokers face a challenge in winning over the fans.
Goodwin, head of the government-backed Supporters Direct (SD) Scotland, has been involved in discussions with the SFA, SPL and SFL in recent weeks and SD Scotland chair Neil Bone is due back at Hampden today for further talks on the way forward.
However, with an agreement on the principles of restructuring, including a merger of both the SPL and SFL, the consensus reached yesterday is being viewed as a step forward by Goodwin as Scottish football prepares itself for what SFA chief executive Stewart Regan described as a “new dawn”.
Goodwin said: “The positive thing is that bodies are coming together to reach agreements and people are showing they are willing to work together. Moving the discussions on is good for Scottish football and we are staying positive, but we would want to see the details.”
Supporters have consistently called for the establishment of a bigger top league and the SFA-backed National Football Survey, which ended on 2 January, is expected to repeat those views from the grassroots. The most recent figures available show that only 11 per cent of supporters wanted a top division of just 10 or 12 teams and that the vast majority favour a 16 or an 18-club top-flight.
Goodwin accepts that a charm offensive may be required to bring supporters onside with the latest model of a 12-12-18. He added: “Supporters have always wanted a bigger top league, but if the big picture is totally favourable then supporters will just have to look at the issue of league sizes and address it.
“That’s the interesting part for clubs, how this is going to be sold to the fans, and David Longmuir of the SFL has already accepted that.”
Proudbhoy
Sounds like a great day, albeit a very emotional one.
Have always wanted to visit the graves but not managed it yet…
Ernie
That will be the Cardiff/ Swansea rivalry kicking in (ouch). I think BBJ may not take too kindly to that.
bigbones8867
17:23 on 24 January, 2013
Proudbhoy
Gerry Kelly was caught with the Price sisters,he’ll be there,I cant imagine anyone being publicly asked to stay away,Sinn Féin hierarcy will be there.
Marion will most likely be released for the funeral,calls today are for her to be released unconditionally are gathering pace.and rightly so.
bb
—
Thats good to hear. Hopefully there is more done now for marion. Gerry conlon was protesting outside courthouse in derry for her couple weeks ago.
Anyway Im in oz so bedtime for me.
Unless there is wholesale change, and I mean wholesale, at the top od Scottish football governance, then all their proposals for reconstruction are no more than arranging the chairs on The Titanic.
Apart from the funny handshake brigade thing goin’ on, which is endemic in society anyway, the fact that Ogilvie is still there really is incomprehensible.
He has admitted to being coflicted, and basically sitting there doing nothing, but there he sits, playin’ the long game for self-aggrandisement and enrichment, all at the mug punters’ expense.
The Cardiff-Swansea rivalry?
In the red(ex-blue corner) – Malky Mackay and Craig Bellamy;
In the white corner – Big ‘bad’ John Hartson.
Fight!
Know who my money is on!
Dinner.
Later.
HH!!
Kickinthenakas,
Where I come from (Ballymurphy) ExPOWs organise most tours in conjunction with local SF .
There is no set times for the graves of the hungerstrikers tours although there is for local area tours
I wiil make enquiries for you tomorrow and get back over the weekend,what numbers are you talking?it may be possible to organise one for a group at your convenience.
Proudbhoy
Sounds like a great day, albeit a very emotional one.
Have always wanted to visit the graves but not managed it yet…
—–
Aye it is, families were delighted because the group was so mixed in ages.
You should try organise the tour, even if u drive a car just im sure it would be easy enough to arrange someone to meet you at each grave.
What those men did should be told to every generation, sadly we were not taught enough at school about the leaders of 16 and obviously it was same for the heroes of this phase so its upto us to pass it on.
Our revenge shall be the laughter of our children
hen1rik
Did he have his trooser leg rolled up when delivering these Bon Mots???
There may well be a problem re the Dolours Price funeral.She did not take kindly to the SF strategy.Rather like the Dark’s funeral,GA and the rest will try to hijack it for their own ends.My view is that all the combatants and politicoes should make their peace.Whats done is done.I’ll not get my friends back,nor will a lot of others.Anyone looking for an alternative outlook on SF and the dissedents and all the rest of it should go to the “Pensive Quill” site.Plenty of discussion there.
Bigbones
Proudbhoy
No numbers, a few of us have talked about it, live in Scotland and would be no problem travelling over.
Their sacrifice is difficult to imagine and won’t be forgotten….a very moving time for all concerned….
I’m sure the surviving McConville kids share your point of view.
raymac
17:43 on
24 January, 2013
There may well be a problem re the Dolours Price funeral.She did not take kindly to the SF strategy.Rather like the Dark’s funeral,GA and the rest will try to hijack it for their own ends.My view is that all the combatants and politicoes should make their peace.Whats done is done.I’ll not get my friends back,nor will a lot of others.Anyone looking for an alternative outlook on SF and the dissedents and all the rest of it should go to the “Pensive Quill” site.Plenty of discussion there.
—-
Think hijack is very strong word, despite what happened brendan and gerry were once close friends.
Im sure if it was other way around brendan would have carried gerrys.
Anyway like yourself i too would like to see some sort of unity again but im afraid thats not going to happen i dont think.
TALLYBHOY
Ivor biggun? He was defo Ivor weeyin-but only in stature.
Best salesman I’ve ever met,a really funny fella,and a damn fine poker player.
I could fit him in my back pocket-after he had emptied it again!
To top it off,his burd (at least back then) was a TIM!
Hearing stories about Chuckles telling the gullible hordes that if they raise the money they can keep the name Ibrokes over the door .
Is he really going to milk the sevconians of their giro’s ,just to keep the name the SAME .
I am beginning to warm to auld Chuckles .
Friday Ibrokes called Ibrokes
Saturday the knucklerubbers hand over a cheque to chuckles for 1.5m
Monday Ibrokes is still called …..well …….Ibrokes
GENIUS .
hail hail
Anyone heard mccourt to leeds story ? Leeds mate of mine mentioned it.
Rioting clothes on bhoys
proudbhoy
17:59 on 24 January, 2013
‘Rioting clothes on bhoys’
People have gone to prison for posting stuff like that.
FERGUS SLAYED THE BLUES
The best thing about Green is that the hordes love him,and hang on his every word.
They believe!
Clearly they’ve learnt eff all,but this time I’m gonna laugh.
Last time I felt for the ordinary fan who had been ripped off bigtime.
Not now……
Rioting clothes??? Thought that was a ragers trackie.
miki67
They are only the tip of the royal scroungers!! Useless farts.
Starry, no trouser leg thing but I said at the time he posed for the cameras with 3 splayed fingers on the front of his trousers. AKA a symbolic display of KKK allegiance.
Have you not seen Mississippi Burning? ;-)
ernie lynch
18:00 on
24 January, 2013
proudbhoy
17:59 on 24 January, 2013
‘Rioting clothes on bhoys’
People have gone to prison for posting stuff like that.
—-
Heard thousands threaten to riot if mccourt gets sold … Im with them.
I’ll not really riot thou, would like to see him move on and play everyweek.