The Old Firm Thread

[Big Gaz]

Dunno wtf game kenny clark was watching ...let them away with murder hopefully that will squash all the conspircy theories again stealing another match in "celtic time" but hey ho.....next sunday should be fun

[AJ]

Assuming Celtic win the next old firm game next week (and it's a big if) and all their other matches. Rangers would require 8 points from last 4 matches.

I can't see any way for Celtic to win this title, I'd rate Rangers chances about the same as Man Utds, but Rangers are trading at 1.23, whilst United are 1.05. Strange

Both teams have to play their only rival away from home, A Chelsea win puts them 2 points behind United, where are a Celtic win put them 2 pts ahead, but Rangers would have 2 games in hand against low grade opposition.



Sunday, 04 May 2008
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Hibernian v Rangers, 14:00

<!--Fixture ID: 2978579 Agg Fixture ID: --><HR class=greyline width="100%" noShade SIZE=1>Wednesday, 07 May 2008
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Rangers v Motherwell, 19:45

<!--Fixture ID: 2978567 Agg Fixture ID: --><HR class=greyline width="100%" noShade SIZE=1>Saturday, 10 May 2008
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Rangers v Dundee Utd, 12:30

<!--Fixture ID: 2978584 Agg Fixture ID: --><HR class=greyline width="100%" noShade SIZE=1>Sunday, 18 May 2008
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Aberdeen v Rangers, 13:30

[davidmphill]

I can see the Gers winning their home games comfortably there but they do face 2 tricky away days, if it goes down to the wire at Pittodrie then anything is possible as they dont exactly love each other.

[AJ]

maybe, but onto more important matters, who is the girl in your avatar ? I've been meaning to ask for a few days ?

[davidmphill]

Originally Posted by AJ

maybe, but onto more important matters, who is the girl in your avatar ? I've been meaning to ask for a few days ?

Rachel Bilson.

[Bell End]

Originally Posted by Big Gaz

Dunno wtf game kenny clark was watching ...let them away with murder hopefully that will squash all the conspircy theories again stealing another match in "celtic time" but hey ho.....next sunday should be fun

I dunno what game YOU were watching. Typical majority 50/50 decisions went your way but you get used to that living in this country. There were correctly 5 minutes awarded at the end of the game, McGregor constantly going down for treatment, the penalty decision, the countless subs (including McGregor taking half an hour to get off the field). Or would you rather it was Dougal reffed the game last night when only 3 minutes were added after Thomson went down with that "horrific injury" which took up 3.5 minuts alone. Ref had a decent game. Yes people may moan about Robson in the first minute but I thought Clark dealt with it correctly, it would be nuts for him to book somone after 20 seconds. It wasnt a completely horrific challenge and I think having a quiet word to calm things down was the way to go. Saying this however my only complaint was that he did get 1 big decision wrong in my opinion. How Dailly got away with that assault in the lead up to the Rangers goal is hard to explain, should have been a clear foul 8 seconds before Novo scored but all worked out fine. Celtic deserved that win last night, if you couldnt see that try taking up watching cricket instead.

[Bell End]

Originally Posted by jtw1

Great goal from NAKAMRA , one of those which usually ends up in Row Z but he managed to sklaf it into the top left corner

Anything but a sklaf for Gods sake. Sensational strike, something which he has done many time through his time at celtic. The amount of action he gets on a ball is scary. McGregor beaten as soon as it left his boot, what a goal. Possible contender for goal of the season, best goal in an old firm game by a long way since Maloney a few years back.

[Bell End]

Originally Posted by AJ

Aiden McGeady is more Scottish than me, born and raised in Scotland, with both of his parents also born in Scotland.

Should be a major part of the Scottish team, but instead he turned his back on his country to play for Ireland (he has one irish grandparent). I have zero respect for him, my view is he saw the state of the scottish team under Berti Vogtts and didn't fancy it and thought he'd do better playing for Ireland.

That the Irish team appears to be in freefall whilst Scotland is on the up and up amuses me no end.

I have to disagree AJ. Perhaps you are unaware of some of the true reasons McGeady along with Jim O'Brien (formerly of Celtic now dundee united) have chosen to play for Ireland. It is in main due to the fact that whilst growing up Scotland showed NO interest in selecting either player for the Scottish youth systems. Ireland did. Ireland stuck b them and supported them throughout the early parts of their career and they felt it would only be right to show appreciation for this faith by choosing to play for the Irish National side. Nothing to do with the state of the Scottish side at the time. I'm sad McGeady chose to play for Ireland, I think he is a sensational talent and arguably the best player in the SPL this season and I would have loved to have seen him in a Scotland jersey but I can understand and respect his decision for not doing so.

Hope this helps

Bell

[Bell End]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

I can see the Gers winning their home games comfortably there but they do face 2 tricky away days, if it goes down to the wire at Pittodrie then anything is possible as they dont exactly love each other.

The two games Rangers have left at Ibrox are against 2 sides which have already proven they are capable of taking points off Rangers this season. I agree they should win, but by no means will it be comfertable. I think there is still a LONG way to go. Last night has given everyone inside celtic and their supporters a renewed belief that we can still pull this off. Of course this renewed belief will all matter for nothing if we f*ck up on Saturday which knowing us this season wouldnt surprise me lol.

KEEP THE FAITH!

[alexmac]

How can you 'respect' him? I bet the wee ned wished he had delayed his decision a while longer. Maybe Scotland didn't show any interest in him as maybe he wasn't good enough a few years ago...?

As for Robson's challenge. How you can say that wasn't a yellow card is beyond me. You and I have seen players sent off for less. What difference does it make that 20secs had been played, a foul is a foul. Thats like saying a goal shouldn't stand if it is scored after 20secs of the game.

Also, I am getting properly p!ssed off with the Setanta (Celtanta) coverage. I know it is an Irish channel, but does it really have to be quite so 'pro' Celtic. I turn off their commentary and listen to the BBc instead...

[ScottishBhoy87]

Originally Posted by alexmac

How can you 'respect' him? I bet the wee ned wished he had delayed his decision a while longer. Maybe Scotland didn't show any interest in him as maybe he wasn't good enough a few years ago...?

As for Robson's challenge. How you can say that wasn't a yellow card is beyond me. You and I have seen players sent off for less. What difference does it make that 20secs had been played, a foul is a foul. Thats like saying a goal shouldn't stand if it is scored after 20secs of the game.

Also, I am getting properly p!ssed off with the Setanta (Celtanta) coverage. I know it is an Irish channel, but does it really have to be quite so 'pro' Celtic. I turn off their commentary and listen to the BBc instead...

As if Setanta is more 'pro' Celtic than BBC is Rangers

HAIL
HAIL THE CELTS ARE HERE , WELL IN THE BHOYS

[Bell End]

Originally Posted by alexmac

How can you 'respect' him? I bet the wee ned wished he had delayed his decision a while longer. Maybe Scotland didn't show any interest in him as maybe he wasn't good enough a few years ago...?

As for Robson's challenge. How you can say that wasn't a yellow card is beyond me. You and I have seen players sent off for less. What difference does it make that 20secs had been played, a foul is a foul. Thats like saying a goal shouldn't stand if it is scored after 20secs of the game.

Also, I am getting properly p!ssed off with the Setanta (Celtanta) coverage. I know it is an Irish channel, but does it really have to be quite so 'pro' Celtic. I turn off their commentary and listen to the BBc instead...

Ok alec I'll go through this point by point.

I already said I'm sad he didnt choose Scotland, all I was saying was that I understood his decision and respected it. If Ireland were willing to stand by him throughout his youth development I see it as being honourable that he decides to repay that faith by playing for their national side. It can be percieved in a nasty West of Scotland way by many outsiders, but can you honestly tell me that such a fuss would be created it was a different player in the same position who chose a country like France or someone similar? The fact that its Ireland sadly is part of the main reason this causes such a fuss. Also before labelling people neds, have a look at your own captain before making such rash judgments.

As for Robsons challenge, the ref dealt with it correctly in my opinion. The comparison with a goal is a farcical one imo. I can look at it again on tv but when I saw it at the game it seemed to be that the contact with the elbow was unintentional. To say you've seen people sent off for less is rather harsh, although I would agree that its hapenned in an old firm game a few years ago (Thompson at Ibrox in Strachans first old firm game Lovenkrands went down as if he'd bn shot to get Thompson sent off, cheating scum) Everyone knows how charged up players are for these games especially so late in the season with so much at stake. The way Clark pulled him to the side to calm him down to try and diffuse the situation shows experienced refereeing in an old firm environment. Mind you saying this I do remember a few years ago Celtic took the lead in the Old firm game at Ibrox (apologies cant mind which one) and 2 minutes later Lennon went down for the most obvious penalty I've ever seen at the Rangers end and it wasnt given. there were quotes from individuals that Clarke was worried about creating a riot if he'd given lennon a pen in such a volatile atmosphere after celtic had taken the lead but I'm getting sidetracked here so apologies. If you book someone after 20 seconds in these kind of games you know as well as I do that the ref ends up with a long long night and you probably end up playing 7 a side by full time.

Finally with regards to your drole Celtanta comment. I have to TOTALLY disagree with you here. Obviously I was at the game, but when I got home managed to see the recording. It didnt show the panel in studio so cant comment on that but in my experience Rob McLean is one of the most biased commentators/presenters by a long way. I remeber whilst he was commentating for the BBC when they had the rights to live games. Celtic won 3-0 at Parkhead to pretty much kill off the season in January and you would have though McLean and Sandy Clarke were close to tears by full time their voices were so sad. Scott Booth I too feel is a bit of a tool tbh lol. Some of the crap he talks sometimes makes me wonder why he's in a job. In my experience of watching setanta (and like I said earlier I havent seen the full coverage from last night) I've always found Craig Burley to be rather fair and balanced considering his obvious allegiances. Dunno who else was in the studio, but if its Hately lol again another toally biased ex player. I remember wanting to fling things at the tv when he commentated on old firm games with that eejit Jock Brown who obviously still had an axe to grind with celtic after that fiasco in the mid 90's. I'm quite surprised you found the need to call them Celtanta because in my experience there has NEVER been ANY media organisation in this country which has been pro celtic. Just look in the past month 2 different tabloid newspapers acting in an outrageous manner. Firstly a Sun reporter, filing a complaint to UEFA to try and force them to conduct an investigation into the conduct of the Celtic fans, if I rember corectly when the Rangers fans were found out for sectarian singing in Spain the focus of the reporting was slamming the idiot who put it on youtube, NOT slamming the Rangers fans for sing their heinous songs of bigotry and hatred. Secondly we had the controversial incident which has stopped me from ever buying a Daily Record again, the caption under the celtic fans at the old firm game at ibrox which had sickening similarites to the "vile and repugnant campaign" against Celtics greatest ever manager. This, coupled by the said newspapers refusal to EVER criticise these morrons for this "vile and repugnant campaign" is by seen by the vast majority of Celtic fans (myself included) as this sad tabloid's support for the Rangers fans who indulge in this moronic behaviour. Finally, and I know this post has turned into a rant against the Scottish media and for that I apologise, I hear that there were sectarian comments piblished by a respected columnist in a Sunday Broadsheet on Sunday. Now unfortunately I was in England at the time so was unable to get a copy of the Sunday Herald but apparently their was a line from this article which has quite rightly not only infuriated the Celtic fans but many catholics within Scotland. 'some fans would probably rather have a bead-rattling Hoopy the Huddle Hound in the dug-out.' Frankly dispicable that the bigotry which many had felt had been eradicated from this country is still very previlent even within respected circles such as sunday broadsheets. It is of my opinion there never has been any pro celtic media outlets, and there never will.

fell free to come back to me on any points you feel I have missed

Bell

[alexmac]

Nice post big guy, its good to discuss these things I think.

Also before labelling people neds, have a look at your own captain before making such rash judgments.

Yeah, Ferguson is a ned. I don't deny it - never have done. All I said was McGeady is a wee ned, which he is, and surely you cannot deny that?


About the Robson incident. Yeah, maybe the comparison I drew isn't quite 100% accurate - but it is still a 'rule' of football. IMO, he led with his elbow, which is a foul and a bookable offence. I would imagine had that tackle been made in the second half then it would have resulted in a card at least, so IMO it should have merited a card after 20 secs.

I'm quite surprised you found the need to call them Celtanta because in my experience there has NEVER been ANY media organisation in this country which has been pro celtic

Come on!!! They are an Irish based channel, with strong, strong Irish links. Granted - they do have their fair share of ex-Rangers players but I cannot bear to listen to anyone on that channel. I just use it for the pictures.

I don't, and never will read any tat like The Sun, so I cannot comment on that. I am sure they publish plenty of inaccuracies about things far more important than this.

As for the 'bead rattling' comment, who wrote that??? I can understand why you feel that is offensive - but is it a bigoted statement? Surely, it is like saying Rangers would want an orangeman in their dugout...? I wouldn't perceive that as being a bigoted comment really... I am sure that there would have been comments published along those lines when Le Guen was in charge (although I do not have any evidence to back that up!!!)

[alexmac]

As if Setanta is more 'pro' Celtic than BBC is Rangers

That may well be true, but I wasn't talking about the BBC (who show a handful of games each season)... I was talking about Setanta who showed the game last night.

[Bell End]

Originally Posted by alexmac

Nice post big guy, its good to discuss these things I think.



Yeah, Ferguson is a ned. I don't deny it - never have done. All I said was McGeady is a wee ned, which he is, and surely you cannot deny that?


About the Robson incident. Yeah, maybe the comparison I drew isn't quite 100% accurate - but it is still a 'rule' of football. IMO, he led with his elbow, which is a foul and a bookable offence. I would imagine had that tackle been made in the second half then it would have resulted in a card at least, so IMO it should have merited a card after 20 secs.




Come on!!! They are an Irish based channel, with strong, strong Irish links. Granted - they do have their fair share of ex-Rangers players but I cannot bear to listen to anyone on that channel. I just use it for the pictures.

I don't, and never will read any tat like The Sun, so I cannot comment on that. I am sure they publish plenty of inaccuracies about things far more important than this.

As for the 'bead rattling' comment, who wrote that??? I can understand why you feel that is offensive - but is it a bigoted statement? Surely, it is like saying Rangers would want an orangeman in their dugout...? I wouldn't perceive that as being a bigoted comment really... I am sure that there would have been comments published along those lines when Le Guen was in charge (although I do not have any evidence to back that up!!!)

Usually I would have defended McGeady, but the girl I've recently started seeing has had some bad experiences through her friends with Aiden so yeah I'll agree. Outstanding player but as a person bit of a tosser lol Apparently when hes on a night out he's a tool. However my opinions regards his choosing of Ireland reamin the same.

Robson incident, I think in any other game it would have been a booking so early, but it would have been irresponsible of the ref to book a player so early for a borderline bookng challenge. I still maintain that in such a highly charged old firm game (and lets be honest its bn years since an of game meant so much) i think clarke did the right thing trynig to diffuse the situation. I felt he dealt with the game for the most part well. Rangers imo got the majority of the 50/50 calls and the challenge by Dailly 8 seconds before Novo scored should have bn a free kick but apart from that I felt he had a gd game.

As regards the sectarian comments in the sunday broadsheet, Celtic have taken the matter further and have ensured that a full and unreserved apolgy will be printed next week with the coulmnist in question now no longer writing a column for the paper. Its the first time Celtic have bn active in response to the biased media which lies within this country and its a pattern i sincerely hope continues. I would say both "bead rattling" and "orange" can both be seen as being bigoted and sectarian. I can assure you there is no way the mindset of media organisations in this country would allow any bigoted or racist comments to be written against Rangers or anyone associated with them. Its called by some journalists as "Winalot journalism". They refuse to criticise rangers and their practices and in return murray feeds them with wee snipets of "exclusives" from time to time.

[Bell End]

Originally Posted by alexmac

That may well be true, but I wasn't talking about the BBC (who show a handful of games each season)... I was talking about Setanta who showed the game last night.

BBC radio are just as bad. Extremely anti-celtc/pro rangers

[Bell End]

Sorr forgot to metion about setanta. Since winning exclusive rights to the SPL there are very few irish connections still at the station, especially ith regards to their spl coverage. Jim Delahunt and Rob McLean are both ex bbc and stv resenters and their agendas dont seem to have changed that much snce their siwtch. Also the exec producer on the setanta spl coverage used to be the main guy on Scotsports coverage before setanta secured the rights to the spl, so the output contains the same feeling as what was shown by terrestial tv before setata came on the scene.

In my opinion the anti-celtic slant is still there, maybe not as much but I still notice it. The only pro celtic pundit i've ever seen is big John Hartson. lol the most biased pundit I've seen for a long time, and its ABOUT time we got one of our own. Theres bn too many pro rangers pundits sounding off as "impartial" for too long I cant be bothered listing them all

[ScottishBhoy87]

Originally Posted by alexmac

That may well be true, but I wasn't talking about the BBC (who show a handful of games each season)... I was talking about Setanta who showed the game last night.

That may well be true, you were speaking about Setanta, but you also mentioned you listen to BBC instead so I thought I was justified in pointing out that any BBC coverage is VERY pro Rangers, since you were allowed to share your opinion about Setanta (which I have to disagree with).

[alexmac]

Come on guys! I cannot believe you do not think Setanta is a pro-Celtic TV station. I am not looking for an argument, far from it. I am the first to admit that the BBC is probably a pro-Rangers channel if anything. You really do have to admit that they do swerve towards your half of the Old Firm!

About McGeady. It is a sorry state of affairs these days, wee neds like him get given vast sums of money for their talents and do not know how to act/behave in public. Charlie Adam is the same, a total bawbag when he is out and about. To balance the argument however, there are players who can behave. I know that Kevin Thompson and Steven Whittaker are decent blokes, as was Shaun Maloney. I knew Shaun quite well through a friend and he always seemed spot on when I met him.

[Pobby]

I know one thing, I'll be going "all in" on the bookings in the next encounter.

Heart breaking for spread buyers last night that two reds were shown after the final whistle and hence didn't count.