Scottish Soccer 2016-17: Smiling on Perils Past

fletcherpost

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http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Celtic-Soccer-Fans-Raise-Over-30k-to-Pay-Potential-UEFA-Fine-20160822-0004.html

Good to see the go fund me page now over 32 grand. Naughty Celtic for displaying an illicit banner at the game t'other day. I get that waving Palestine Flags at such a match ahs apolitical connotations, but the flags themselves are not illicit. There was a larger banner though.

Still say Celtic fans did the right thing. You cannae keep sport and politics apart fae each other. If you could the game in question would not have taken place.
 

CodPiece XL

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http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Celtic-Soccer-Fans-Raise-Over-30k-to-Pay-Potential-UEFA-Fine-20160822-0004.html

Good to see the go fund me page now over 32 grand. Naughty Celtic for displaying an illicit banner at the game t'other day. I get that waving Palestine Flags at such a match ahs apolitical connotations, but the flags themselves are not illicit. There was a larger banner though.

Still say Celtic fans did the right thing. You cannae keep sport and politics apart fae each other. If you could the game in question would not have taken place.
Personally I disagree, I don't like any politics being mixed in with football. Just the same way I don't like religion being mixed with sports. It opens up a can of worms, there were too many historical links with the IRA and PLO in the bygone days...I'd prefer it being kept out of Celtic park. If you want to protest do it outside the stadium. I know it's a show of solidarity etc..just my opinion and I'm probably in the minority.

On a lighter side, I'm pissed off tomorrows game won't be on any of the Fox channels over here, I was looking forward to kicking back on the sofa with a few beers. It looks like it will be some shitty stream for me...it's not the same as watching it on HiDef.

I have not missed a game this season, including the friendlies...I just love what BR is doing..
 

fletcherpost

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I respect your view. There's an article in todays national by Cat Boyd of Radical Independence.

http://www.thenational.scot/comment/cat-boyd-you-cannot-keep-politics-out-of-sport-uefas-ban-on-the-palestinian-flag-is-hyper-political.21485

Sport and politics are intertwined, not just in Scotland but all over the world. A lot of the folk i follow on twitter from glasgow are Celtic fans, so i read a lot of tweets and retweets, from Politicians and community activists, and in regards to the Celtic fans and the Palestine Flags, there's been so much support for the fans. And whilst i am not a Celtic supporter, i am more Celtic than Rangers. I don't go for any of the sectarian stuff, but I do have a problem with people who do not care for the underdog. Celtic fans seem to care for the underdog.
 

CodPiece XL

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Janko , mcgregor should never start a CL game ever. Craig Gordon's days are numbered. They need at least two more more players.

I'm really pissed off at how negative BR played this game. You are 3 up, go toe to toe with the tactics that got you there in the first place. If you lose a goal, then you change. I just didn't get it. Just a strange philosophy, it's not like this was B. Munich or Real.
 

mic99

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Janko , mcgregor should never start a CL game ever. Craig Gordon's days are numbered. They need at least two more more players.

I'm really pissed off at how negative BR played this game. You are 3 up, go toe to toe with the tactics that got you there in the first place. If you lose a goal, then you change. I just didn't get it. Just a strange philosophy, it's not like this was B. Munich or Real.
Janko should never play for Celtic again. McGregor is a solid SPL squad player and Gordon is completely done.

The joys of Celtic away in Europe. Wow. I just finished and can finally breathe again. They are through and that is all that matters but what a horrific performance.

Hopefully BR is backed and hopefully he can attract a few quality players.
 

CodPiece XL

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Well, one thing about Celtic qualifying for the CL is that my plan to attend the Motherwell game in October won't be affected by changing the day of the game. It it was Europa they move it to Sunday. Now the dilemma, if they are playing CL that week at home...the draw is tomorrow, but I have no clue when they schedule the games. How difficult will it be to get a ticket for a CL game that Wednesday or Tuesday? I have no clue if they have ticket sales distribution companies like Ticketmaster over there. I can't miss the chance to have my wife experience Celtic playing at home on a European CL night since we will be over there.

I'll pay way over face value for the tickets if need be...Fletch..any ideas? Of course, it's a moot point if they are away that week.
 

CodPiece XL

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Not that this club was going anywhere in the CL anyway, but that draw didn't do us any favors. Barca, Man City & Gladbach. Yeesh.
Well at this point no group is going to be easy. Best hope is 3rd place but you never know. An early red card for one team, backs to the wall defending,,,,I'm not holding my breath but just glad to be back. To quote a song from a band from Springfield MA: And it's been a while, since I could hold my head up high.

I'm glad for the Celtic fans, it's been two years of gross mismanagement and hapless signings. I think the tide has finally turned and they can have pride in the team again. They will get the chance to play Europe's big boys...no pressure, nothing expected. Just go out and enjoy.

No CL football for me when I'm in Scotland..it's actually an international week so it looks like the Motherwell game for me and the Mrs.

It will be interesting to see how Patrick Roberts plays against his own team when they play City.

Hopefully 2 more signings before next week's deadline. I'm hearing some interesting names being mentioned.

I'm praying that Barca beat every team so by the time they play Celtic at Parkhead perhaps they are not as motivated. Wishful thinking on my part.

I was listening to Radio Clyde sports phone in. "whits the point of playn in a competition you cannae win??". Clearly a Sevco fan.
 

mic99

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Jul 18, 2005
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Yeah, I will be in Dublin for the BC GA Tech game next weekend and was hoping to jump over for a Sunday match but no luck. It has been a chore watching Celtic league matches the last few years....feels good to wake up early and actually be excited.
 

fletcherpost

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Not that this club was going anywhere in the CL anyway, but that draw didn't do us any favors. Barca, Man City & Gladbach. Yeesh.
I watched the draw live, and had a total brain fart, I had them in an easier group (the team who came out before them in pot four, that group, and i was kinda hopeful, until i realized I was hallucinating.) And I guess it had to be a group of death for Celtic...so, I was thinking, what's the upside?

Well, the money, that's great, much needed. The fans are gonna have a blast, home and away, but especially in Glasgow. We need Champion's League in this city. There is no expecation to qualify from the group, so that, hopefully takes some pressure off and the lads can go out and play their game.
And we get to see where they are compared to the big boys of Europe and the good second tier hitters too (Gladbach). If Celtic come thirds and get Europa League, that's okay, since they are gonna walk the league this year and have a decent enough squad to rotate for the Scottish weekend matches. If they come fourth...focus on the league and the first choice players can further bond and gel with each other.

More money for Celtic might push up some of the prices for other Scottish players in Scotland when Celtic come looking. Rangers are gonna spend more money next season too when they see how far off the pace they are and that Kenny Miller, faithful servant that he is, is not a player for the future.

And if Hibs get promoted and Hearts strengthen and more kids get inspired to play actualy footie and not so much of the FIFA et al on their play stations and xboxes...

And then all we need is a balanced media, dismantling of BBC Scotland; Independence and a movie industry and the kids to start fucking like mad to get the population up to 6million - and maybe this shitehole of a country that folks love to love from afar will be a place worth biding in.

Sha cunt.
 
Having Rangers back is a good thing for Scottish soccer.
Apropos of nothing, my eight-year-old son (a budding goalkeeper) was recently scouted by Rangers and invited to train with their youngest development team - he had his first training session with the club on Tuesday, at a high school near Edinburgh. I was really impressed by the coaching and the whole setup; I'm under no illusions about the likelihood that my son will become a professional footballer, but still, no matter what happens I can say that my son played for Rangers (after a fashion), which particularly as an American is pretty cool.
 

CodPiece XL

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This Celtic team is going to be the fastest I can ever remember. Gamboa, Roberts, Tierney, Sinclair, Dembele and Griffiths is no slouch( I still think he's a bit of a ned), although I saw a recent interview with him and I was actually impressed.

I said prior to the Cup game that I thought Celtic could lose to Rangers last season, this will not happen next week. I expect them to run riot on them. Celtic have been playing some exceptional football, really fast on the attack. I've seen Rangers a few times and they are slow...like watching milk turn slow. Domestically, nobody will touch Celtic.

The CL is a different story, Celtic are way too light in midfield and their defense is pretty poor. This will be easily exploited by CL talented teams.

I'll be on the Isle of Lewis next month, the last time I remember being there, most bars had Rangers flags, scarves and pictures hanging up. Given that I never had much of a Scottish accent, most Scots think I'm American, I'm looking forward to playing the dumb American and getting into some football talk. "Wait a minute, how can Rangers still exist if they were liquidated?" "how can it be the same club if Rangers players were allowed to walk away? How can it be the same club if players had to TUPE over". Of course, this may not be "friendly banter" so we will see what happens.

So, I happened to be watching episode 2 of Scotland's Game. My wife was intrigued by it and wanted to watch the first episode. So I set her up with it in the living room. It's definitely worth watching although I have a few quibbles. it's also available on BBC iPlayer but Youtube is the best bet.


 

CodPiece XL

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For anyone interested, Scotland's WCQ game is going to be on Fox Soccer Plus today. I never know to cry or laugh when I watch Scotland. Anyway, I'm hoping to see the 15m flying winger Oliver Burke make an impact.
 

Dummy Hoy

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Nice 5-1 win.

Heard from some folk that Bannan was the engine today...obviously Snodgrass will get the accolades, but it would be great to see Bazza getting the recognition he deserves. Even if it's only Malta.
 

inter tatters

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Time to put my head back above the trenches.

Can't say I'm looking forward to this one...at all. Too early in the season, too many new players who haven't gelled and, as CP said, ponderously slow.

As I said up-thread, in the Cup Semi Rangers were the team playing the Football, that won't be the case on Sunday, that's for sure. If we can hold it to the odd-goal I'll be pretty satisfied.

Oh and for the record, these deluded Rangers fans that reckon we are going to challenge for the title this season, are exactly that, deluded. Getting into the battle for 2/3/4 with Hearts and Aberdeen, bringing some much-needed money in and ensuring stability should be thought of as a very successful season.
 

The Talented Allen Ripley

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This was brought to my attention by our dear departed @LTF , there's a new quarterly periodical devoted entirely to Scottish football:

Nutmeg Magazine

Subscription only. Advance scout @SydneySox provided me with some interesting data: 33 articles, 196 pages, not one of them about Celtic or Rangers. That's almost boldly refreshing in a way, perhaps bordering on suicidal, so it may be a symbolic salvo. I'm curious to see what the next installment brings on that front.
 

CodPiece XL

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Time to put my head back above the trenches.

Can't say I'm looking forward to this one...at all. Too early in the season, too many new players who haven't gelled and, as CP said, ponderously slow.

As I said up-thread, in the Cup Semi Rangers were the team playing the Football, that won't be the case on Sunday, that's for sure. If we can hold it to the odd-goal I'll be pretty satisfied.

Oh and for the record, these deluded Rangers fans that reckon we are going to challenge for the title this season, are exactly that, deluded. Getting into the battle for 2/3/4 with Hearts and Aberdeen, bringing some much-needed money in and ensuring stability should be thought of as a very successful season.
The thing about that Scottish Cup game was that it was a blessing in disguise, if Deila wins the Cup and the league, I doubt he walks. It was a Mo Lewis moment. I guess one can speculate that he would have been gone anyway given that Rangers would be in the PL and the budget would have been increased..I just don't think it would have happened if they win the double. Deila was one of the luckiest Celtic managers ever, with Rangers being gone and a massive budget advantage over the other teams in the league. It was a cake walk to win the PL .

Delia was clueless, that Cup game was epitome of how unprepared he was tactically. Rangers bossed Celtic in midfield, their forward thrusts caught Celtic totally off guard. Why the hell he played Boyata I'll never know. I could mention Celtic hitting the wood work , Patrick Roberts missing a sitter...open net practically...but that's not the point. Celtic were shit. Don't get me wrong, I give Rangers credit, they were in Celtic's faces from the get go...they were missing Waghorn, Forrester and I think 2 other players were cup tied. Hell, Magic Hat could only name 5 subs..so credit to them. Rangers were fitter , faster and better prepared.

I'd like to think that if Celtic had BR for that game ( same squad obviously) Celtic win. He would have had his players up for the game but of course that's pure speculation.

Your expectations for this season seem more reasonable than most Rangers fans, I actually think Rangers have taken a step back. Although I'm very optimistic for a Celtic win , it was Jock Stein who once said only a fool would predict the result of an Old Form game. I noticed that Celtic fans are already buying into the conspiracy theory that there will be an "honest mistake" from the ref that will favor Rangers. The reality is that seldom happens at Parkhead. But you never know..all it takes is one early red card and the whole match can swing.

This Celtic team is fast...very fast..I have a funny feeling that they may break the single goals record for a season. I am of course assuming that Celtic will get better as the season goes on and BR will keep his players hungry. However, I don't think keeping a clean sheet will be their strong point. They are very weak at set pieces..and it would not surprise me to see Rangers score from one. I'll predict a 4:1 win for Celtic. But they will get gubbed by Barca next week 4:0. I heard some Celtic fans crowing about Messi being out...the last time that happened...it was a 6:1 slaughter. Neymar hatrick.
 

fletcherpost

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Fuckin SKY TV, now I know we've all heard YNWA a million times, but, if this is the first league Old Firm match between Celtic and Rangers in a while, you could maybe stay on crowd and pitch shots and soak up the atmosphere whilst we listen to the song we've heard a million times.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Brown's gotta keep a lid on it, only Kranjčar's first foul since his booking

edit: wow, he went out a minute later and lunged in again
 

fletcherpost

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Good corner by Sinclair and Dembele nods it in with a powerful header. Poor defending by Rangers who've been pretty well organised in defense. Barton still having a mare.
 

PedroSpecialK

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What a finish with the outside of the foot, right after a blown counter by Rangers.

2-1 - Could see that coming prior to Celtic's second goal, back line is real creaky
 

PedroSpecialK

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Kiernan should probably be off for that challenge. Absolutely no chance at the ball, one foot elevated straight into the back of Dembélé