Celtic Banter Archive November 08 2011

08 Nov 2011 23:44:48
Ed / Celts
Don't know if you caught the article on Five Live earlier this evening ; a very scathing report on the perilous state of the SPL.
Rangers being hit for a £49m tax bill, all to do with how payments were made to players via off-shore finances going way back to the 80s. Potential administration.
Hearts owner Romanov wants to sell up, but with the club £39m in debt there are no potential takers.
Hibs made a loss of £900k last year.
St Mirren clear of debt but owners want to sell up. Yet again no takers though.
Very low tv revenue - I didn't realise it was as poor as that.
Celtic's financial situation was mentioned in a positive light. Although there was a case put forward that The Old Firm were actually the cause of "a failing business model (the SPL)" - buying up all the better talent in Scotland and thereby reducing the long-term competitiveness of the league and in doing so further reducing the attraction for TV / investors.
All in all, a very gloomy prognosis for Scottish football.
The Real KB {Ed007's Note - I never heard it mate but someone told me, sounds quite accurate I would say, it is dire KB.}

I was shocked tbh, although my lack of knowledge is probably typical of the English viewpoint. There has to be a UK league ed, surely. That's the only answer.
Never mind the separate F.A.s. Otherwise, Scottish football is..well, doomed maybe.
The Real KB {Ed007's Note - It isn't far off it mate unless something major changes, and soon.}

Damit wish i heard it myself. Gotta agree with Ed sounds about right.

Its happened for years that the old firm snap up the best players either nurtured in scotland or ones people have brought in from abroad and for a pittance at that. The old firm have shot themselves in the foot many times, when they could have tried to allow competition they have used their extra financial clout to nulify any challenge since the 80's, esp Rangers IMO. I think it has slowed more recently with the pick of our players chasing the money down in england and ending up mostly on the bench stagnating, with the obvious exceptions.

there is much wrong with our league and our overall financial clout, we are a small nation and it is finally hitting home to the likes of rangers especially that models of the 80's and 90's were never going to work long term.

In my view if it takes a few bigger clubs going into admin to wake up scottish football from bottom to top then i say bring it on, but i fear it could well be the beginning of the end unless we adobt a new approach, or well an old one like the 60's and 70's where as a whole we had sucess running through our game from club to national ( well national to an extent)

I feel in terms of the quality it is an attitude thing. Since the mega bucks down south young scottish players see if they can be just above mediocre then they will get a move to the championship or prem and be sorted for life without having to have the desire to be the best like attitude we had 30 -40 years ago.

Also doesnt help with things like, no ball games signs on every bit of grass with a window within 600 yards, goalposts removed from parks during the summer and the distinkt lack of walls ( due to car parks) for a good ol game of kicky off the wall any one remember that? Could spend hours doing that by myself or with a friend. Then again we do have xboxes and the likes where we can be Messi in our house without having to put the effort in.

Evinguu

You've hit the nail on the head there Evinguu. Wages. Scottish football is only ever going to get poorer. The players will have to re-adjust their expectations or, more likely, they'll go south as you said.
TBH, Celtic shouldn't be chasing an old man like Zenden. That's depressing.
The Real KB {Ed007's Note - It's worse than McFadden.}

About the only bright light the Five Live article did mention (apart from the clubs seriously reigning in their budgets) was if Supporters Trusts were founded. The fans part run and finance the club, sort of on the Barca model.
Ed, when's the current SPL tv deal up ? How much will be offered next time, even less than now ?
The Real KB {Ed007's Note - I think it is 2014 the current deal runs out. We made the mistake of jumping into bed with Setanta and then SKY had us over a barrel. Football is losing a whole generation of 'real' supporters up here, I was invited into CP the other week for dinner and a few pints before the game, half time hospitality and a few beers after the match, I asked my 19 nephew if he fancied it and he said he was going to his mate with a carry out. Because I'm on crutches I don't get to as many games as usual but still have my ST and if not at CFC away games I used to go down to watch Hamilton Accies, there are hardly any kids at games and if they are bored by the football and like alll the singing etc and dads up and down for hot dogs etc. My family always have sat in the Main (old) stand before I was allowed to go over to The Jungle myself, I watched the game and got a pie and bovril/kwenchy cup at half time, if I even needed a pee I was told to hold it in till HT lol}

The SPL turned down £45 million from Sky back in 1997 when the league was set up. They thought they could do better elsewhere, even set up SPL TV.
Now it's a tenth of that, with the prospect of less next time ?
The Real KB

Ed..was looking at your comments regarding Kids watching Scottish football. My son comes with me (we both have season tickets) but I think the greatest lure for him is the Green Brigade & the singing. If we're in the house & there's a EPL match on, then thats what he watches. He's a wee Gunner & if Arsenal are on the telly then that wins. Kids would far rather watch Robin Van Persie, David Silva etc than anything Scottish football has to offer. Best match last season was Scottish Cup at Ibrox 2-2. The big favourite is the El Clasico...if this was the same day as an Old Firm, I know which one would win. - Mrs E {Ed007's Note - I agree Mrs E. I tend to lean toward Real Madrid more as my dad took me to the Bernabeu just after the '82 World Cup and it's refurbishment for that, but the last few El Clasico's have been terrible adverts for football I have thought. As for your son's allegiance to Arsenal all I can say is tut tut ;-) Man Utd man here, my dads family stayed in Ashton Under Lyne when they came over from Ireland when he was a youngster so he brought me up to have Utd as my English team, which was dire in the 80s but it's been great since. Old Trafford is a fantastic stadium to visit.}

Don't know where the Arsenal thing comes from but after the 8-2 gubbing..it only got stronger. I like Liverpool (your 'big' rivals) & have been to Anfield, love going to Liverpool.

I cannot believe the abuse Neil Lennon gets when I watch these Real Madrid v Barca games, they make last season's 'shame game' look like handbags, Mourinho poking the Barca coach in the eye etc..From a female point of view Pep's the man :) - Mrs E {Ed007's Note - I said at the time if a derby match over here ended like that there would have been a state of emergency declared! As for Pep, I'll take your word for that lol. Moneypenny likes LFC as well but I think it goes back to when Jamie Redknapp was playing for them for some strange reason ;-)

Ohhh...we like Jamie Redknapp xx If he ever cheats on Louise, i'll be devastated !

Do you think Jose is waiting on Sir Alex to retire ? I think he has his cold eye on Man Utd job... I miss his quotes ('the better team lost') - Mrs E {Ed007's Note - Moneypenny can have Jamie, I'll 'make do' with Loiuse, although she is no Martine McCutcheon ;-) One of the English Eds, knows the RedKnapps their marriage is very solid (so far anyway) and they are a lovely genuine couple, no heirs and graces. I used to think Jose was a certainty for the Utd job one day, now I'm not quite so sure, at one point it looked like an ideal partnership, Utd and Mourinho, woukld Jose keep up the clubs long standing traditions?? Pep is leaving Barca in the summer....}

I know, he's taking a break isn't he ? Can't see him being away from Barcalona for long though.

I also like Steven Gerrard (in a footballing sense) esp as a Captain, he single handedly pushed Liverpool to win the CL in 2005. Why England have that horror John Terry as captain, I will never know - Mrs E {Ed007's Note - Stevie G is NOT a nice person Mrs E.}

According to reports his wife wouldnt win a popularity contest either {Ed007's Note - Definitely not, but let's not get into gossip.}

Is he not...I did see a documentry thing on him & his other half once...lets just say its a good thing he's good at football as brains were not their thing lol ! He's surely better than that John Terry. - Mrs E {Ed007's Note - Stevie G has always been made to feel 'special' since his youth, started believing his own hype and is very very arrogant I have been told.}

Seen as its the International break..I think we should discuss the gossip, do spill ?

I see Liverpool have signed a young American - Marc Pelosi, do you rate him Ed or to early to tell ? Have Man Utd signed a 15yr old wonderkid as well- Mrs E {Ed007's Note - The site owners don't like going down the gossip road with things, it encourages our wives to join in ;-) woman and their gossip tut!! I can't comment on Pelosi, sorry. Utd have signed PSV's 15 years old attacking midfielder Andreas Pereira.}

08 Nov 2011 22:28:24
Lovin Coldplay's Song - PARADISE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6ZWlDks0nQ

Mrs E

Good to know Mrs E??

08 Nov 2011 20:43:13
why are we looking at Zenden? Winger? Maybe I'm watcging a different game but could swear that the problem area is central defence.
Smacks of another Freddie L, dont we ever learn?
As for NL if he thinks that the fix to the season then go now. What I do think it shows is that its the board making the signings

To be fair to Zenden he has a crackin left foot and could cover that areas & bring experience. However, CH a must in January & a decent one - Mrs E

08 Nov 2011 18:49:45
When we get everyone fit my starting 11 would be: Forster, Matthews, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izzy, Forrest,Ledely,Kayal,Commons,Hoops, Stokes.
Bench:
Zaluska
Brown
Samaras
Dan
Bangura
Mc Court
Rogne
M Wilson

So looking at our starting 11 we need a CB (if not 2) and a CF who's a target man, sign Brown up for another couple of years..he gets stuck in. The squad is fine (imagine our injuries happening to them!! They would be in bits!) So we now must look at quality..for me I would sell Ki for a good offer, good player but is a sellable and replaceable asset..say realistically we get 5mill. Buy a solid CB for 3 mill, a back up for 1mill and let's spend 3 + mill on a quality CF so we can change things when we need to: net spend for the board 2mill..not going to break the bank!other option is get rasmussen back!+sell ki and juarez who will unlikely to get a game...!Conchuir O'

Conchuir,

"(imagine our injuries happening to them! They would be in bits!)". What injuries?

Yous have had a full strength midfield and forward line all season so injuries aren't an excuse. You are forgetting that Celtic were the team with TWO squads yet yous are claiming yous haven't had a full team for months now....

Celtic's injuries aren't as bad as you lot are making out, so please give it a rest...

WE certainly ain't buying it.....

TonyTheGer

Isnt there a rule for players on the bench ie so many under 21s or the likes.maybe not. shaun h {Ed007's Note - 3 under-21 outfield players must be included in the matchday squad.}

So who are you suggesting is the two Center Halfs out of the above?? I cant see two ?

Sorry its Kelvin wilson, thought was mark my bad

What about wanyama? Brown,s had a contract on table 4 months and not committed himself.They r saying it's his agents but I think otherwise ( y has he got 2 agents anyway) could count on one hand how many good games he's had.Also think we would struggle 2 get 5 mill 4 ki......DH

I actually sent a post on the shame's site asking how they think they'd get on without Jelavic, most of them agreed they'd struggle. Personally i think they'd do more than struggle as I think if it wasn't for him they'd be finished!
CB67

CB67
You think if Jelavic wasn`t at Rangers we would be finished....
Oh the naivety of some people
Bosley

Ok then bosley who would score all ur goal Lafferty??
Who would be your made striker if yelavic was out then?

You probably said when Rangers lose Boyd we would be finished, when Rangers lose Miller the same.
Look both Rangers and Celtic create 15 to 20 good goal scoring opportunities in every match, thats why mediocre forwards do so well whilst plying their trade for the `old firm`

When Miller went...Jelavic was there ! And, Boyd..c'mon

Tony , your lot aint buying ANYTHING !

Tony the Ger , what injuries have Rangers had this season ? David Weir is the only 1st team regular who's been out long term , Naismith has only missed one game , Celtic have had Izaguirre out all season , Brown out for most of the season , Kelvin Wilson and Rogne out for half of the season , at this present time we have Mark Wilson and Bangura also out long term , and Ki , Ledley and Mulgrew out in the short term , Rangers have been lucky with injuries this season , as usual you are only interested in having a dig at Celtic and slink away when asked a question about Rangers financial woes (admit you're in denial) , once again i fear it will be time for you to sign off , you still havent picked a new name for Rangers yet i take it ? night night Anthony .

Lee Wallace, Sasa Papac, Kyle Bartley, Steven Naismith, Lee McCulloch, David Weir, Kyle Lafferty... there's an injury list for Rangers this season.

We had to play Perry, McMillan and Wylde at Fir Park and romped it 3-0

08 Nov 2011 14:02:25
Ed is your twitter name @celticrumours? Trickycelt. {Ed007's Note - No mate @JamesBonded007, but I only occasionally use it, it's a bit mind numbing at times using Tweetdeck, I'm getting a new phone though so will probably use it more often.}

ED007, as regards twitter heard more bears us it as they have more "twits" than anyone else ha ha Timalloy (I await the deluge LOL)

Timalloy,
I know modern technology is a bit `new age` for you old fogies and that Glasgow excels in humour....
but that was incredibly poor.
Bosley

Bosley, my self appointed chief critic, let us see a joke from YOU. LOL Timalloy

Timalloy...I have a Twitter but use it to stalk celebs & the odd footballer. Its not that great, I prefer facebook. - Mrs E {Ed007's Note - I use FB to, I set up a page for the site but got bored, so just started one as myself lol}

Facebook can takeover....I must check it a million times a day (don't want to miss anything) although, some folk can annoy me on it with their daily routine/drivel - Mrs E

I don't really know how to work Twitter... {Ed007's Note - Better that way Mrs E, Twitter was doing my nut in I had over 600 followers and hardly said anything, I used it instead of RSS feeds to talk to certain people and then felt compelled to follow people back. I am getting a new phone so might sort something on it but I prefer FB. I do charity work for the Thai Tims and for wee Jack Marshall (RIP Little Man.) FB was easier than twitter for that stuff.}

Aww do you...that's fantastic ! I never get to do anything & lost my Dad recently to Parkinsons (it was horrible) but The Jack Marshall charity is a great cause, puts all the football carry-on in persepctive really.

Seen the Thai Tim were on Welsh TV singing about Joe Ledley (I get updates on Facebook lol) - Mrs E {Ed007's Note - I only lost my dad in February after a 3 year fight against cancer, he was only 58. My grandmother on my dad's side had Parkinsons. Sorry to hear that Mrs E.}

Sorry for you loss Ed, its really hard isn't it ? My Dad was only 62, it will be 2yrs this December. It turned out to be an aggresive form he had - like cancer, a horrible disease. :(

Goodnight for me, before I start crying again..lol

Mrs E {Ed007's Note - Goodnight, sorry, I didn't mean to get you upset Mrs E, take care.}

08 Nov 2011 11:55:14
Why did they try and ban the hocky coaky?

Gazza72 {Ed007's Note - Look up its origins.}

Gazza72, I think what our ED007 is saying is that some Rangers fans use the song to mock Roman Catholics taking communion, this is why some people wanted it banned Timalloy {Ed007's Note - Even the Church of Scotland condemned it:

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3883838/Doing-the-Hokey-Cokey-could-be-hate-crime.html

I had never seen a rangers fan ding the hocky coaky untill this came out lol its a sad world.
Scotland the only place in the world were you can be arrested for singing the hoaky coacky. For this 1st time in awile am glad i live down south

gazza 73

08 Nov 2011 11:02:46
Hi Edd, any news on Diawara the boy from Martimo we where looking at in the summer, i hear hes tearing it up in Portugal. {Ed007's Note - Nothing new as far as I know, it was work permit/visa problems that stopped the deal.}