Celtic Banter Archive April 21 2015

21 Apr 2015 17:25:52
Hi ed heard on bbc that there was a dramatic twist regarding celtics non penalty award won't know till news at 6 30 have you heard anything.killy.

{Ed007's Note - Josh Meekings has been issued with a notice of complaint by the Compliance Officer over the handball with the option to accept a one match ban - the SC Final - but ICT are taking legal advice......??

21 Apr 2015 18:11:08
So they are going to ban the boy from the final for a hand ball that none of the FIVE officials seen and they can't prove was deliberate , just ridiculous. The boy took a chance it's not his fault the official's are no good at their jobs. I'm more interested in the punishment they get for being crap at their jobs .

{Ed007's Note - The lad's been made a bit of a scapegoat by the looks of things.}

21 Apr 2015 18:37:17
Guys, I honestly think the boy has cheated and should be punished. If he misses the final, so what? There are 11 celtic players not playing in it and they should be. If the Inverness player handles the ball it would have been a goal, it's that simple.

21 Apr 2015 19:20:06
Making the call as to whether or not it was deliberate is a tricky one. And is why I think we see so few indirect freekicks. However a decision has to be made and it looks deliberate so a retrospective red would be fair.

21 Apr 2015 19:22:21
Perhaps i'm thinking too much outside the box but after successful appeals against Sion and Legia Warsaw, could PL have another trick up his sleeve to force a replay? I know it sounds far fetched, but I geniunely believe PL has some sort of plan to at least get some justice at SFA expense

21 Apr 2015 19:24:38
I agree with you sack the board.
I don't think that Inverness, can have any complaints about it. They benefited on Sunday, by him staying on the pitch, when they should have been down to 10 men, and they can start the final with 11 men, so they are not really being punished.
I wish we had been able to keep 11 players on the park, when Craig Gordon was sent off, but that would be ridiculous.
It seems though, that that's what Inverness are asking for.
They should just be grateful for the good fortune they have already had.

21 Apr 2015 19:54:21
Let ICT and the SFA fight it out.

It was a very deliberate handball and prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity, everyone knew it including ICT and the player.

We were rightly penalised for Gordon and they are in the final now.

21 Apr 2015 20:01:57
Just heard that the SFA have apologised to CFC is this true? If so is this a first? On a more appropriate point is football the only sport left that allows errors during the game that EVERYONE knows about and sees to go unpunished/not corrected. This is 2015 and we still allow this to go on. No other sport I know about let's these things go without addressing it and try to improve it. Will our great grandkids still be saying same in 50 years or so. Eg the genuine injured player has to go off while the offender stay on the pitch, what's that all about.I said about 15 years ago I was dying to see a top Brazil/Italian player get injured in last minute for a penalty in the world cup final only to be told by the ref to go off when he was the designated penalty taker esp at home stadium. Can you imagine the outcry, only then will the football authorities address the real issues.

21 Apr 2015 21:59:02
I give up ed it's all a conspiracy let's play the game again and again and again until Gordon dives for the ball with his hands and our players score all of the chances they created in the first half . While were at it surley we could play All of the games we have lost this season until we get the result we are happy with . Then we could go through the season unbeaten.

{Ed007's Note - Ach there would still be something to moan about :) The SFA have tried to deflect the controversy onto Meekings. If I was ICT I would look at all available routes to fight this, Meekings handled the ball knowing that if caught he would be sent off, the referee didn't see it so Meekings got away with it. It's hardly fair to label the lad a cheat, Steven McLean is the guilty party in all this so why should Meekings be punished for the ref's incompetence at the time?
Will we all need to wait until Monday now to know if players have picked up a booking the ref missed? Where do we draw the line, it's hardly a violent conduct charge.}

21 Apr 2015 22:22:26
Rayman football has come to the point where video technology must be implemented. I think there is not one fan of whatever team who would disagree that all we want is an accurate judgement of each game.

Apparently McLean has been relieved of SPL referee duties this weekend and demoted to 4th official. A clear admission of guilt by SFA.

21 Apr 2015 22:35:32
Ed is it/ do you think it only needs to be violent conduct for retrospective punishment?

DN we really can't expect a replay over referees decisions. That is where you can't draw a line.

{Ed007's Note - It's really meaningless for anything else I think mate, you can't go looking at disallowed goals or stuff like that retrospectively, it won't change the result. That's where we need to bring in in-game video evidence, but again only for big decisions like a penalty or red card, a corner or a goal-kick isn't a big decision.
By the time everyone's calmed down after the initial incident the 4th official and someone else to verify it could watch a TV replay and decide what's what BUT if you go down that route football loses it's universal appeal tag, what about games that there's no TV cameras at. The basic rules of the game, in my opinion, must cover every level.}

21 Apr 2015 23:09:32
Football just still lives in the dark ages for me. The game was invented over 150 years ago when the average goalie was 5/9 or so. Now the average goalie is 6/3 yet the goals still same size lol. Do you think in basket ball when the average player is 7 foot and no longer needs to jump to put the ball in the basket they won't raise the height of the hoops. (No pun intended lol ).

21 Apr 2015 23:10:52
I genuinely think going down this route is the wrong way to do as where do you draw the line? I can understand retrospective action when someone has kicked out off the ball, put in a terrible tackle or dived because they are intentionally cheating to gain an advantage. If we had won through to the final and that was VVD or Scott Brown in the same situation would you think that retrospective action would be appropriate or would you count your blessings that they were available and Ambrose and Mulgrew missed out?

{Ed007's Note - It's called taking one for the team, Meekings knew the consequences if the ref had seen it and decided to go for it, I'd have done the exact same thing in his position.}

22 Apr 2015 00:03:33
What about Precedent, Thierry Henry incident from a few years ago, The rotting Sfa are just trying a damage limitation exercise

22 Apr 2015 00:15:20
Ed007 , I am not sure video evidence would make any difference in Scotland .
No amount of evidence will make a person see what he refuses to see.
Stephen McLean is pretending he didn't see Meekan's hand ball. We know he saw it.

22 Apr 2015 11:17:37
Ed exactly but what if it was an accidental handball like we see time and time again? I haven't watched the incident again beause it will just annoy me but if the handball is unintentional will the compliance officer be looking to take retrospective action? What is deemed as intentional and unintentional?

Too many grey areas for me and we all know how the SFA appeal process works or doesn't!

22 Apr 2015 11:40:59
Guess it would be the same as Rugby, Cricket and Tennis Ed, whichever leagues/levels/organisations can afford video evidence implement it. I think a (what looks) deliberate handball on a goal line should warrant a retrospective red. I don't know where to draw the line no but it would cover incidents like that. Clubs should get, like tennis to start with, a number of claims. Incidents deemed to be malicious or 'cheating' should be the ones covered. If we refuse to implement in game video evidence then more retrospective evidence should be used imo. The whole things a few days too old now so i'm going to stop adding fuel to any fire.

23 Apr 2015 01:30:40
I am completely neutral re Meekings suspension and missing the final. If the cheat Mc Lean had done his job Meeking would have missed the final .
What I don't like is the SFA seem to be trying to shift the emphasis from the three blind mice to Meekings.

Football in Scotland should demand that three Officals should be demoted to the bottom tier and forced to work their way up.m

21 Apr 2015 11:18:27
Had a few days to calm down after Sunday! And although I agree that the ref and his assistants were a disgrace I still feel it's papering over the other reasons we got beat! I feel and have most of the season that our forward line is the poorest it's been in years! I like we griffiths and he's a grafter but I feel there's a real lack of quality up top! I was astounded to find out that not one of our front players has reached double figures in the SPL! And I know there's not the money to splash on real top quality,and if there was chances are they wouldn't want to come to our league! But surely it must be a priority in the summer to buy a half decent striker! I never thought I would see the day when no celtic striker hasn't even hit double figures in the legue going into May! It's actually staggering!

21 Apr 2015 12:21:36
Wiss67 we need a striker who is good in the air. i'm sure issue will be addressed in the summer and would not be surprised if club already had someone in mind.

Club has to keep pressure on SFA and its clear referees do not like the fact club has gone public, after hearing the pi$h kenny clark was spouting last night. At least something good can come out of this fiasco, referees get the message that no longer will we tolerate corruption

21 Apr 2015 12:52:33
Sadly we lack quality all over the park not just strikers. Our one man up front doesn't suit any of our strikers and when our midfielders have off days we struggle badly. For me the only system that works regularly in domestic matches is two up front,yes we would have to change for some euro matches but does anyone seriously think this squad will trouble any decent European team.

21 Apr 2015 13:22:19
DN30 what did Kenny Clark say last night ,I don't listen to shows like phone ins if that was were you heard it cheers.killy.

21 Apr 2015 13:37:18
Killy he was on BBC news basically saying it was a disgrace for celtic to go public regarding incident and that it should of been dealt with behind closed doors, through SFA specified procedures. That was main gist of what he was saying.

There is footage of McLean last year describing rules regarding handball. What he said in footage contradicts his decision for handball.

Have absolutely no faith in SFA and its time for Neil Doncaster to go. Its his responsibility to ensure all aspects of scottish game is developed and of a satisfactory standard. He has done nothing and no doubt the handball incident will be swept under carpet and McLean admonished

21 Apr 2015 14:07:36
Ironically I bet Doncaster is a secure as ever if not more so now. I'd say PL probably had him in his sights, as let's face it he's incompetent , but any move against him now and they will be shouting it was only for the good of celtic and it's just PL flexing his muscles and taking over! bla de bla, while clearly the member clubs should have turfed the lot of them out a long time ago.

21 Apr 2015 16:21:31
DN30, I think it's a bit strong to say that we are victims of corruption. I just think the officials aren't very good.
On Sunday, a terrible blunder by the referee played a big part in the outcome of the match, but I honestly think calling it corruption doesn't add up.
When we beat Dundee United in the league cup final, they had a penalty claim turned down, they had a man sent off, and we got a penalty. These decisions were made by a referee who is evidently a season ticket holder at Ibrox.
I don't think that if there was a conspiracy against us, that the referee would have given us these decisions.
Sometimes we find it easier to blame a howler from the ref, rather than be honest with ourselves, and admit that we didn't play very well on the day

21 Apr 2015 16:32:23
Weiss, you seem to not be able to wait to get the boot into the Celtic side . Sunday wasn't the day are shortfalls up front all came to light . If so we may not have that big a problem as on Sunday we were missing three attacking players . We were missing Stokes GMS and Armstrong .
Celtic have been trying unsuccessfully for years to sign the right striker and I am sure been cheated on Sunday hasn't changed that . I have no idea whether Deila will be any more successful than his predecessor in getting the right target as Deila is using nearly the same scouting team as Lennon . Managers cannot do all the work themselves even though some people hold them responsible, they do have to rely on the judgement of other staff .

21 Apr 2015 16:46:43
Wiss I agree with what you have said The thing that I can't get out my head is the fact that the penalty indecent was as clear cut as there penalty In my opinion there is NO WAY one or both the REF and the guy behind the goal never caught it hitting his arm /hand they BOTH had clear view. Any one can make a mistake and if there was video evidence to show both had obstructed view then fair play it was a mistake but that is not the issue here its because again in my opinion one or both could not fail to see the ball hit his arm that is the Issue

21 Apr 2015 17:08:35
Would never give Clark the time of day for obvious reasons.
However, the main points regarding our lack of quality up front is an ongoing concern.
From Pukki, Baldi and Stokes to Berget, Wakaso and Scepovic we have got it wrong for a couple of seasons running.
Guidetti is not our player and Griffiths has his limits and we have been depending on goals from other areas all season.
There will be a big turnover of players at the end of the season for one reason or another and I hope RD has identified better players and learned lessons from the signings/loans who flopped.
Armstrong and GMS are excellent additions and hopefully we can strengthen in the important areas and improve.

21 Apr 2015 17:15:10
Gerryc there was a clear line of sight in which McLean could see incident. It was a blatant handball which could not be anymore obvious or clearer to McLeans line of vision

21 Apr 2015 18:17:27
Could have had Rooney for peanuts, proven scorer in spl as well but our fans would have started shouting about taking the cheap option and he is not champions league quality , he will probably score 30 for Aberdeen this year a total our strikes can only dream of .

21 Apr 2015 18:25:05
Cheers tonybhoy! your obviously a real celtic fan! Unlike the clown who's name I won't even mention! Unlike this guy I actually go to the games and see these players in the flesh! I don't have to wait for the papers to come out in the mornin before I give my opinion! Uve still not told us all where u sit at castle grey skull mate! Or are u still tryin to convince urself your one of us! Hahaha!

21 Apr 2015 21:27:09
Thanks for that DN30.I wouldn't, have expected anything else from Clark close ranks brigade.killy.

21 Apr 2015 10:05:57
Just wanted all you guys that contributed to the Foodbank scheme last week at Celtic Park (over £30k raised in food donations) that it is now being delivered to foodbanks over West of Scotland, yesterday the one I help out in had lots of food supplies to be given to the people that need them, also it raised awareness and the local ASDA store also donated various food stuff including big bags of rice, about the size of a bag of coal, they were too big to give to even families so they were donated to the Sikh temples in the area who provide meals for the community, not just Sikhs most days of the week. So many people have been helped in the past week by everyone's genuine efforts, WELL DONE BHOYS AND GHIRLS

21 Apr 2015 16:45:28
I know there are idiots out there who just automatically click disagree to any post with my name on it, but maybe next time READ the subject of the post first, maybe even you anonymous clickers might need the help of a foodbank one day.

21 Apr 2015 18:54:26
Don't take it so pesonal, there's always wood three just for the hell of it. Good work, ignore the ignoramuses

{Ed007's Note - I can't even guess what you meant that to be Joe lol}

20 Apr 2015 22:58:39
Right it's almost silly season again when we will be linked with every man and his dog so I thought I would start us off with who I think we should go for!
Goal keeper Orjan Nyland - Molde
Right back Emil Krafth - Helsingborg
Left back Jonas Knuden - Esbjerg
Centre half Sandy Walsh -Genk
Centre half Bjorn Engels -Club Brugge
Midfield Centre Simon Tibbling - Groningen
Midfield Centre Iver Fossum - Stomgodset
Attacking Midfield Simon Gustafson-Hacken
Attacking Midfield Hans Vanaken -Lokern
Attacking Midfield Michal Zyro -Legia
striker Finn Stokkers -Sparta Rotterdam

21 Apr 2015 00:59:12
I admire you gazfc21 been able to think about future signings at this time .
Yesterda's match is still to sore for me to start thinking ahead. I know that I have to move on but I need a break .

{Ed007's Note - Get that chin up, Chris. It's not like you to be so disheartened.

"If you're good enough, the referee doesn't matter."

21 Apr 2015 06:03:53
Kevin Kuranyi (free) [ST]
Zakaria Bakkali (free) [AM]
Mustafa Amini (free) [CDM]
Atsuto Uchida (free) [CRB/LB]
Carlos Zambrano (free) [CB]
Sergio Romero (free) [GK]

Quality and pedigree that would improve our first team imo.

Recoup fees and wages from Boerrigter, Wakaso, Tonev, Pukki, Balde, Stokes and a few others and we won't have actually spent that much.

Also:

Yussuf Poulsen (ST/WF)
Karim Rekik (CB)
Mohamed Elyounoussi (AM)
Massadio Haidara (LB)

Could go into lists for every position but these would be my main targets.

21 Apr 2015 13:53:51
JimTim think Poulsen is going to Borussia Monchengladbach at end of season. Good player would of been ideal striker for us

21 Apr 2015 16:38:37
Scratch that one off then. I'd tip Gladbach to qualify for CL. It's our only real weight in attracting players to Scotland.

21 Apr 2015 17:37:15
He is a good player. Apparently knocked back a move to Tottenham to move to Leipzig. i'd take chance on Kevin Kuranyi

21 Apr 2015 18:10:21
Ed 007 . I have taken many , many bad and debatable decisions against Celtic over the years . I have also seen so many pro- Rangers and now pro - Sevco decisions that from time to time they just become too hard too take .
I thought Sunday's was so blatant it couldn't be a mistake .
What has the Celtic club and Celtic fans done to deserve this.
Ed 007 , I am certain you watch many more games in other leagues than I do , do you know of any top club in European leagues that are constantly treated like Celtic .

I am just about getting over Sunday now , maybe the age extends the hurt , but roll on tomorrow night against Dundee and to hell with the lot of them , they may cheat and fiddle but they won't break our spirit ( maybe short term but not long term )

{Ed007's Note - I see refereeing mistakes all the time but I put it down to a worldwide problem of referees incompetence rather than bias against any particular team - except maybe Serie A which is still as corrupt as it ever was.
I pulled this from twitter earlier, it highlights some of McLean's past errors not involving CFC.

Richie Foran on Steven McLean: 'We had a stonewall penalty on me turned down. I am expecting a phone call from him apologising.'

Ivan Galad (Slovakian u21 coach) on Steven McLean: 'I have never imagined that an international level ref can harm the game this much.'

Alllan Johnston on Steven Mclean: '"I don't think the sending off changed the game because we still looked like the team that was going to score, even with 10 men.

But obviously the referee has made a big mistake, because we should have been going into extra-time.

He has said Josh Magennis fouled the guy who was marking him but we have watched it back on the video and I can't see the foul, there is nothing in it, but he (the referee) didn't want to see it.

"I don't criticise referees and I know it is a big decision but you can't afford to make mistakes like that. It has obviously cost us the result so it is really frustrating.'

John Sutton fouls Aberdeen goalkeeper. No foul given my McLean - leads to Motherwell securing 2nd place:

22 Apr 2015 00:32:13
Of course Ed 007 .
We all know referees make mistakes . I think the referees job is the most thankless job anyone could have . Every referee makes mistakes , we should all concede that .
The thing is that Celtic is the only club in nearly all the Leagues in Europe who regularly get hard decisions awarded against it . At the same time what was our main rivals Rangers were awarded far more than their share of " honest " mistakes . In 2012 we all seen that every rule in the book was rewritten with the idea of getting Rangers 2012 in the SPL or the highest level possible .
I don't think any club has been treated as badly as Celtic compared to their biggest rival. Now if you can give me an example Ed 007 , I would be very grateful and in a weird way I think I would feel better , knowing Celtic wasn't alone .

{Ed007's Note - A better example of what, you? Try Mad Phil, the Sage of Donegal. His paranoid ramblings are on about a level with you - maybe even better/funnier/sadder, depending how you get your kicks.}

23 Apr 2015 01:06:31
Ed , you seem to be deliberately avoiding the point I am making . I am convinced even you, cannot tell me the name of another club in Europe who regularly have "honest mistakes " awarded against them , and for decades upon decades their chief rivals have had "honest mistakes" in their favour . On top of that their chief rivals cheated the Tax Authorites for years , were liquidated and the Governing bodies broke every rule necessary to get their replacement into the Top league , and due to fan pressure had to settle putting them into bottom league .

Please Ed , give me details of another club dealt with the same way as Celtic Rangers/ Sevco. Please give me full details and I will make a decent contribution to this forum or a charity of your choice .

{Ed001's Note - you have never made a decent contribution, so please don't make promises you have no way of keeping! Every country in the world has this same whine from fans of the team not winning. It is only that you are ignorant that you don't know about it. Fans of clubs other than Bayern in Germany will have these exact same bitter whinges that you do. When Liverpool were dominating in England all the other fans would moan about the decisions, then Man Utd fans got it when they were on top. It is just bitter people looking for something to blame. Like yourself.}