Another stumble Motherwell 1 - 1 RangersBy Alan Campbell at Fir Park AFTER AN afternoon of high emotion, Rangers must fear that the Clydesdale Bank Premier League has slipped out of their grasp. A second-half revival from Motherwell, which brought an equaliser for Chris Porter, completed a desperate few days for the Ibrox club.
Walter Smith's bedraggled troops must now lift themselves to win at Love Street tomorrow night, otherwise Celtic will go into Thursday's last round of games with an overwhelming advantage. Should Rangers actually lose to St Mirren, the title would be all but lost.
Excuse me, Motherwell might say, but we were playing yesterday too. That they were, and after looking down and out in the first half, they took advantage of Daniel Cousin's failure to put Rangers two up to come back strongly and fully justify the post-match celebrations which marked the end of an extraordinary season for Mark McGhee's side.
The players' t-shirts, dedicated to the memory of Phil O'Donnell, were a reminder of how much Motherwell have been through. Securing a Uefa Cup place has been a fabulous achievement.
The afternoon had also started movingly with the one minute's applause to mark another premature death, this time of Tommy Burns, and it was accompanied by the strains of his favourite song, Mack the Knife. That was the idea of his former Celtic team-mate McGhee, and the gesture was observed impeccably by the Rangers fans at the end of a week they'd prefer to forget.
With the Uefa Cup gone, and the league and its £12 million Champions League bonus no longer in Rangers' gift, Walter Smith said: "If you look at the effort Motherwell put in today, I'm sure the games against St Mirren, Aberdeen and Dundee United that the Old Firm have to play will be exactly the same.
"In the second half we had an opportunity right away to kill the game and we didn't take it. That gave Motherwell a bit of a lift and they played better in the second half. We didn't do enough to get another goal and that's disappointing."
Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. "In the referee's opinion it wasn't a second bookable offence," he said. "I've got no complaints about that."
McGhee said: "In the first half we were really poor and I think we were lucky not to be down and out. We didn't compete and gifted them a goal."
As far as the destination of the title goes, the Motherwell manager added: "Celtic still have a job on their hands. The two games Rangers have are a little more winnable than the Dundee United one for Celtic. That is the hardest of the three games."
Smith made five changes from Wednesday and opted for a 4-3-3 formation with Lee McCulloch and Nacho Novo flanking Daniel Cousin. That was matched by McGhee, with last week's substitute and scorer of the first goal against Aberdeen, Darren Smith, starting alongside Porter and David Clarkson.
The first indication of Motherwell's first half vulnerability manifested itself in the 18th minute. Smith flapped at a Novo corner and only just succeeded in tipping it behind for another. He looked no more clever under Charlie Adam's delivery and was lucky to escape unscathed.
Sensing the weakness, Novo and McCulloch combined on the edge of the hosts' box to set up a chance for Cousin, but although his shot was well struck, it was straight at the goalkeeper. After Barry Ferguson had squandered a half chance, there was an inevitability about both the arrival of their first goal and the nature of it.
Smith had again made a hash of clearing a Novo corner, and the ball fell to Kirk Broadfoot. His punt into the Motherwell area was nothing more than hopeful but Dailly got to the ball first and headed it into the unguarded net.
At that point, with Rangers' tails up, it looked like another step towards the title, although there was a portent of what was to come when Stephen Hughes and Darren Smith set up impressive full back Brian McLean for a shot which Alexander had to tip over the bar.
How differently the game might have turned out had Cousin not missed a great chance to make it 2-0 just after the resumption. The striker, who has sullied his reputation with two head-butts in recent weeks, did well to shake off Craigan and Mark Reynolds to leave only Smith to beat. This time, though, the goalkeeper atoned with a match-saving block.
The miss galvanised Motherwell, but even so parity was restored surprisingly quickly. Hughes, a constant thorn in Rangers' side, sent in a ball which Clarkson headed across Alexander. The ball hit the goalkeeper's left hand post and came out, but Darren Smith responded by sending the ball back inside, McLean flicked it on, and Porter bundled the ball home for his 18th goal of the season.
Adam, who looked far from match fit, had two good efforts on Smith's goal, but the first half ascendancy was no longer evident and Motherwell looked as likely to score at the other end.
Their best chance came three minutes from time when, in a quick break, substitutes Marc Fitzpatrick and Jamie Murphy found themselves facing only Davie Weir with the whole of the Rangers half gaping. It should have been no contest, but even with their fresh legs they couldn't capitalise.
Motherwell substitutes: Fitzpatrick for D Smith 66, Murphy for Clarkson 74 Not used: Daniels, Lappin, McCormack, Connolly, Meechan Booked: Craigan 27, Lasley 54
Rangers substitutes: Davis for McCulloch 66, Darcheville for Adam 77, Boyd for Novo 82 Not used: G Smith, Furman, McMillan, Fleck
Referee: J Underhill Att: 10,445
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Posted by: George on 12:12am Sun 18 May 08
Well done to Walter Smith for not trying to use the fact that Craigen should have been sent off as an excuse. Bad decisions work both ways.
I'm afraid the burden of being in four competitions has caught up with Rangers. That's not an excuse either - if you want to win four competitions you have to be able to cope with the burden. A situation strongly reminiscent of Celtic in 2003 of course.
Well done to Walter Smith for not trying to use the fact that Craigen should have been sent off as an excuse. Bad decisions work both ways.
I'm afraid the burden of being in four competitions has caught up with Rangers. That's not an excuse either - if you want to win four competitions you have to be able to cope with the burden. A situation strongly reminiscent of Celtic in 2003 of course.
Posted by: John McGuckin, Denmark on 12:13am Sun 18 May 08
He - he
Posted by: theballsoverthewall, An Lorghan on 12:14am Sun 18 May 08
So the SPL goes to the wire. C'mon The Celts!! History awaitin'!
So the SPL goes to the wire. C'mon The Celts!! History awaitin'!
Posted by: Alan Davidson, Glasgow on 12:19am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]John McGuckin[/bold] wrote:
He - he[/quote] Yes, very constructive. Past your bed-time I think.
I think things have caught up with Rangers now, and they will probably lose the league as a result of poor away SPL performances recently. And Sellick have been incredibly lucky in recent weeks!
John McGuckin wrote:
He - he
Yes, very constructive. Past your bed-time I think.
I think things have caught up with Rangers now, and they will probably lose the league as a result of poor away SPL performances recently. And Sellick have been incredibly lucky in recent weeks!
Posted by: Billy Mc Laughlin, Melbourne, Australia on 12:52am Sun 18 May 08
Not sure about incredibly lucky. Leagues are won over the 38 games played. A mid-season slump aside, Celtic have done enough to win most games they play. Not the most attractive football, but I think thats the price we all pay for the standard of the opposition. The football served up is predictable, just the same as the EPL,with only 3 teams having any chance of winning it and Liverpool fighting with a few others for 4th spot. Now thats boring!Same old story I'm afraid.
Not sure about incredibly lucky. Leagues are won over the 38 games played. A mid-season slump aside, Celtic have done enough to win most games they play. Not the most attractive football, but I think thats the price we all pay for the standard of the opposition. The football served up is predictable, just the same as the EPL,with only 3 teams having any chance of winning it and Liverpool fighting with a few others for 4th spot. Now thats boring!Same old story I'm afraid.
Posted by: Joe, Vancouver Canada on 1:07am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Billy Mc Laughlin[/bold] wrote:
Not sure about incredibly lucky. Leagues are won over the 38 games played. A mid-season slump aside, Celtic have done enough to win most games they play. Not the most attractive football, but I think thats the price we all pay for the standard of the opposition. The football served up is predictable, just the same as the EPL,with only 3 teams having any chance of winning it and Liverpool fighting with a few others for 4th spot. Now thats boring!Same old story I'm afraid. [/quote] I don't think he was serious when he said Celtic were lucky recently. After all, there was a game agianst Motherwell that we lost against a team who had one shot on goal the full game. This was a game we should have won by a very large margin. Thats not what I'd call luck, well, not good luck at least! The league isn't over yet but we are certainly in a better position today than we were a few weeks back. Two dominant games against rangers certainly helped. Rangers poor recent results are the prize for their defensive style and indifferent form. We can all point to certain games and decisions which cost us points but I think Rangers more than most have had the lions share of the "dodgy" ref decisions.
Whatever happens, thanks for the great season. God Bless Tommy Burns.
Billy Mc Laughlin wrote:
Not sure about incredibly lucky. Leagues are won over the 38 games played. A mid-season slump aside, Celtic have done enough to win most games they play. Not the most attractive football, but I think thats the price we all pay for the standard of the opposition. The football served up is predictable, just the same as the EPL,with only 3 teams having any chance of winning it and Liverpool fighting with a few others for 4th spot. Now thats boring!Same old story I'm afraid.
I don't think he was serious when he said Celtic were lucky recently. After all, there was a game agianst Motherwell that we lost against a team who had one shot on goal the full game. This was a game we should have won by a very large margin. Thats not what I'd call luck, well, not good luck at least! The league isn't over yet but we are certainly in a better position today than we were a few weeks back. Two dominant games against rangers certainly helped. Rangers poor recent results are the prize for their defensive style and indifferent form. We can all point to certain games and decisions which cost us points but I think Rangers more than most have had the lions share of the "dodgy" ref decisions.
Whatever happens, thanks for the great season. God Bless Tommy Burns.
Posted by: kotb, glasgow on 1:26am Sun 18 May 08
Not too surprised about the result. I can't help but think (and I have been saying this to friends for months) that the forcing out of Alan Hutton has proved disastrous for Rangers. And I blame David Murray for that. Rangers were a much better team with the counter-attacking abilities of Hutton.
If Celtic do win the league - and it's far from over in my opinion - my only consolation will be the fact that some of the neds who shamed our club in Manchester will be gutted.
While I can never hope my team doesn't in I felt oddly nonplussed when the final whistle went at Fir Park.
Not too surprised about the result. I can't help but think (and I have been saying this to friends for months) that the forcing out of Alan Hutton has proved disastrous for Rangers. And I blame David Murray for that. Rangers were a much better team with the counter-attacking abilities of Hutton.
If Celtic do win the league - and it's far from over in my opinion - my only consolation will be the fact that some of the neds who shamed our club in Manchester will be gutted.
While I can never hope my team doesn't in I felt oddly nonplussed when the final whistle went at Fir Park.
Posted by: Big Michael, Carlisle on 2:05am Sun 18 May 08
I am delighted, Celtic have played very well this last few weeks. But the league is not over and having lost it twice in the last few years on the last game it will be so sweat if we now win it this way.
I am delighted, Celtic have played very well this last few weeks. But the league is not over and having lost it twice in the last few years on the last game it will be so sweat if we now win it this way.
Posted by: walshy on 2:26am Sun 18 May 08
John McGuckin wrote:
He - he
Yes, very constructive. Past your bed-time I think.
I think things have caught up with Rangers now, and they will probably lose the league as a result of poor away SPL performances recently. And Sellick have been incredibly lucky in recent weeks!
Yes very mature !
He pulls up Mr John McGuckin for He He ..
And then uses a bigot slur and calls Celtic , Sellick.
Yes , very mature.
No doubt he will come back will a very wise reply and say he was only taken the Mickey !
oh FF.com and there subtile ways.
John McGuckin wrote:
He - he
Yes, very constructive. Past your bed-time I think.
I think things have caught up with Rangers now, and they will probably lose the league as a result of poor away SPL performances recently. And Sellick have been incredibly lucky in recent weeks!
Yes very mature !
He pulls up Mr John McGuckin for He He ..
And then uses a bigot slur and calls Celtic , Sellick.
Yes , very mature.
No doubt he will come back will a very wise reply and say he was only taken the Mickey !
oh FF.com and there subtile ways.
Posted by: Tiree, Vancouver B.C. on 3:00am Sun 18 May 08
John McGuckin wrote:
He - he
Is there somthin wrang wi yoor heid son?
Yoor obviously in oot o yoor depth here. Get lost!
Congrats to the Gers management, players and staff re their tributes to a 'real gentleman,' Tommy Burns who rose above the crass stupidity of the few who try to bring Scotland down to their own level and attempt to keep animosity and hatred rampant to suit their own ends.
I don't know who will win the league, but I do admire the players and coaching staff, yes, and Smith and Strachen, who are true Scottish heroes, working against megabucks - with a pittance in comparison- Against, not a little stupidity from supporters who haven't a clue.
Anyone that says otherwise can go to hell as far as I'm concerned.
Both guys deserve a medal for putting up with the stupidity of the bloodthirsty bigots.
We will eventually wipe then out and say "Good riddance" Until that time I take my hat off to both managers. I'm sorry one has to lose at the others expense - but it takes nothing away from their class!
Just as an aside from my comments. There is a web site called "Keep the Faith" that I can't get on to. Let me just say that this web site is a disgrace to anything that remotely is concerned with Celtic.
The best thing Celtic supporters can do is to avoid it like the plague as the most bigoted, blasphemous site that attempts to represent a Celtic viewpoint. They are nothing less than a curse to all that Celtic stands for. The sooner we get rid of them the better!
Tiree
John McGuckin wrote:
He - he
Is there somthin wrang wi yoor heid son?
Yoor obviously in oot o yoor depth here. Get lost!
Congrats to the Gers management, players and staff re their tributes to a 'real gentleman,' Tommy Burns who rose above the crass stupidity of the few who try to bring Scotland down to their own level and attempt to keep animosity and hatred rampant to suit their own ends.
I don't know who will win the league, but I do admire the players and coaching staff, yes, and Smith and Strachen, who are true Scottish heroes, working against megabucks - with a pittance in comparison- Against, not a little stupidity from supporters who haven't a clue.
Anyone that says otherwise can go to hell as far as I'm concerned.
Both guys deserve a medal for putting up with the stupidity of the bloodthirsty bigots.
We will eventually wipe then out and say "Good riddance" Until that time I take my hat off to both managers. I'm sorry one has to lose at the others expense - but it takes nothing away from their class!
Just as an aside from my comments. There is a web site called "Keep the Faith" that I can't get on to. Let me just say that this web site is a disgrace to anything that remotely is concerned with Celtic.
The best thing Celtic supporters can do is to avoid it like the plague as the most bigoted, blasphemous site that attempts to represent a Celtic viewpoint. They are nothing less than a curse to all that Celtic stands for. The sooner we get rid of them the better!
Tiree
Posted by: Bill Dickson, Calgary on 3:27am Sun 18 May 08
If Rangers do not win the league it will because Walter Smith refused to play Kris Boyd. How can he justify bringing Boyd on with 8 minutes remaining and the same on Wednesday when he brought him on with only 4 minutes to go. Just what did he expect Boyd to do ? Surely it makes sense to bring on a goalscorer when you are losing.
If Rangers do not win the league it will because Walter Smith refused to play Kris Boyd. How can he justify bringing Boyd on with 8 minutes remaining and the same on Wednesday when he brought him on with only 4 minutes to go. Just what did he expect Boyd to do ? Surely it makes sense to bring on a goalscorer when you are losing.
Posted by: Archie, Argyll on 4:37am Sun 18 May 08
There are far too many strange refereeing decisions that I would imagine greatly frustrates the players and management who take the game seriously.
They say this evens itself out but if two wrongs don't make a right then neither can several hundred wrongs make a right, perhaps make a right arse of proceedings, but that's about it.
The offside law has to be clarified to an understandable level, like for example, as long as you don't play the ball you are not ruled offside, except when you are interfering with the goalkeeper by blocking his vision or influencing his action while in an offside position, i.e. attempting to play the ball.
For me that is what it is supposed to be anyway, however there are many cases that defy this.
It was ridiculous that Rangers did not have the option of a bit more time to prepare for the UEFA Cup final, and to have to play a game only 2 days after the previous one means there is a very high risk that many players will not have fully recovered in time.
So the Scottish football authorities and the referees have to get a grip for the good of the game and to be fair to ALL the teams.
Finally, Rangers don't have the players with enough vision to release the ball to the best positioned player in space quickly enough or even give the striker, particularly when there is only one, a decent 50/50 ball. Far too many aimless punts up the park after playing possession in the wrong direction and ending up giving the ball back to the keeper.
I am puzzled by this.
You may as well have a shot from the halfway line instead.
I could go on but I've got a game in a few hours so bye bye and all the best whoever you support.
There are far too many strange refereeing decisions that I would imagine greatly frustrates the players and management who take the game seriously.
They say this evens itself out but if two wrongs don't make a right then neither can several hundred wrongs make a right, perhaps make a right arse of proceedings, but that's about it.
The offside law has to be clarified to an understandable level, like for example, as long as you don't play the ball you are not ruled offside, except when you are interfering with the goalkeeper by blocking his vision or influencing his action while in an offside position, i.e. attempting to play the ball.
For me that is what it is supposed to be anyway, however there are many cases that defy this.
It was ridiculous that Rangers did not have the option of a bit more time to prepare for the UEFA Cup final, and to have to play a game only 2 days after the previous one means there is a very high risk that many players will not have fully recovered in time.
So the Scottish football authorities and the referees have to get a grip for the good of the game and to be fair to ALL the teams.
Finally, Rangers don't have the players with enough vision to release the ball to the best positioned player in space quickly enough or even give the striker, particularly when there is only one, a decent 50/50 ball. Far too many aimless punts up the park after playing possession in the wrong direction and ending up giving the ball back to the keeper.
I am puzzled by this.
You may as well have a shot from the halfway line instead.
I could go on but I've got a game in a few hours so bye bye and all the best whoever you support.
Posted by: Jimmy on 5:03am Sun 18 May 08
Celtic have won the league by postponing the Jan 2nd game and capitalising to reform their team & contribute to Rangers fixture congestion to play the game before the Uefa semi. Great decision - terrible morality.
Celtic have won the league by postponing the Jan 2nd game and capitalising to reform their team & contribute to Rangers fixture congestion to play the game before the Uefa semi. Great decision - terrible morality.
Posted by: Paul, Brsibane on 6:00am Sun 18 May 08
Tut tut Jimmy.
Posted by: Stephen, London on 6:57am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Jimmy[/bold] wrote:
Celtic have won the league by postponing the Jan 2nd game and capitalising to reform their team & contribute to Rangers fixture congestion to play the game before the Uefa semi. Great decision - terrible morality.[/quote] What nonsense!
It was a terrible tragedy that caused Celtic to request the postponement of the Old Firm game on 2nd Jan and commendable that Rangers instantly agreed to the postponement; but that cannot be used as an excuse for Rangers poor recent form.
Also, Rangers themselves requested a postponement of their league game against Gretna immediately prior to a European match which has also contributed to their backlog; you cannot be selective.
Celtic too had importatnt games postponed when they would rather have played them, notably Motherwell, and had the disadvantage of having to play the first two Old Firm games at Ibrox knowing that defeat in the second game (which eventuated)would almost certainly cost them the league.The loss to Motherwell the following week was probably a hangover from the Old Firm game, but Celtic lost the game pure and simple - no excuses.
The league rules are the league rules and were in place when the first ball of the season was kicked 9 months ago and there's no point in whingeing about them just because they don't work in your favour (all the time). There was silence from Rangers when Celtic had to go to Ibrox 3 days after returning from a certain Uefa cup game in 2003. What goes around..............
.
Rangers form slump has more to do with teams having sussed them out with their anti football (this is the SPL for goodness sake) defensive formations and upfield punts. The goal they scored yesterday was shocking - primary school football - and reminiscent of 70's style. A good Rangers team would have swept Motherwell aside yesterday and the same in the previous 5-6 league games; that hasn't happened and they have no-one but themselves to blame.
More besides, as has been proved twice in the last 5 years, the league is neither won nor lost and is unlikely to be until the final whistles on Thursday and it can still easily go either way - it is very 50:50 and whoever holds their nerve will emerge as champions.
Assuming of course that St Mirren don't turn Rangers over tomorrow night...............
stranger things have happened......Berwic
k Rangers, ICL, Clyde..............
Jimmy wrote:
Celtic have won the league by postponing the Jan 2nd game and capitalising to reform their team & contribute to Rangers fixture congestion to play the game before the Uefa semi. Great decision - terrible morality.
What nonsense!
It was a terrible tragedy that caused Celtic to request the postponement of the Old Firm game on 2nd Jan and commendable that Rangers instantly agreed to the postponement; but that cannot be used as an excuse for Rangers poor recent form.
Also, Rangers themselves requested a postponement of their league game against Gretna immediately prior to a European match which has also contributed to their backlog; you cannot be selective.
Celtic too had importatnt games postponed when they would rather have played them, notably Motherwell, and had the disadvantage of having to play the first two Old Firm games at Ibrox knowing that defeat in the second game (which eventuated)would almost certainly cost them the league.The loss to Motherwell the following week was probably a hangover from the Old Firm game, but Celtic lost the game pure and simple - no excuses.
The league rules are the league rules and were in place when the first ball of the season was kicked 9 months ago and there's no point in whingeing about them just because they don't work in your favour (all the time). There was silence from Rangers when Celtic had to go to Ibrox 3 days after returning from a certain Uefa cup game in 2003. What goes around..............
.
Rangers form slump has more to do with teams having sussed them out with their anti football (this is the SPL for goodness sake) defensive formations and upfield punts. The goal they scored yesterday was shocking - primary school football - and reminiscent of 70's style. A good Rangers team would have swept Motherwell aside yesterday and the same in the previous 5-6 league games; that hasn't happened and they have no-one but themselves to blame.
More besides, as has been proved twice in the last 5 years, the league is neither won nor lost and is unlikely to be until the final whistles on Thursday and it can still easily go either way - it is very 50:50 and whoever holds their nerve will emerge as champions.
Assuming of course that St Mirren don't turn Rangers over tomorrow night...............
stranger things have happened......Berwic
k Rangers, ICL, Clyde..............
Posted by: Alex, Glasgow on 7:01am Sun 18 May 08
What we have here is the Advocaat syndrome,i.e. the king has no clothes. Smith is an average manager tactically unaware, his success is built on the back of the signings made by Souness, Smiths own signings were and are poor, with a couple of exceptions, because you are lucky, which Smith undoubtedly was does not mean you are good.It just means you are lucky, I can see many dark times ahead of Rangers, Celtic are superior on and off the field.
What we have here is the Advocaat syndrome,i.e. the king has no clothes. Smith is an average manager tactically unaware, his success is built on the back of the signings made by Souness, Smiths own signings were and are poor, with a couple of exceptions, because you are lucky, which Smith undoubtedly was does not mean you are good.It just means you are lucky, I can see many dark times ahead of Rangers, Celtic are superior on and off the field.
Posted by: Craig Levien, dundee on 7:12am Sun 18 May 08
.........It all depends on how many celtic score against dundee united in the last game. I might even try out my 5th choice goalie that day?....well see how many penalties Mike Mc Curry gives his beloved Gers between now and then, before i decide.
.........It all depends on how many celtic score against dundee united in the last game. I might even try out my 5th choice goalie that day?....well see how many penalties Mike Mc Curry gives his beloved Gers between now and then, before i decide.
Posted by: FOOTBALLAGAINSTRACIS
MEUROPE on 7:15am Sun 18 May 08
Tiree,
I feel your comments regarding Keep the Faith are somewhat strange.One, at least of the proprietors of this site are Protestants and as a regular user of the site and forum i would suggest you evidence such claims.Incidentally i have no doubt on every football forum there will be examples of religious and racial intolerance and in that regard it will have some totally distasteful comments.That said to single it out seems odd.Regarding blasphemy who is persistently blasphemed.[italic]italic[/italic]
Tiree,
I feel your comments regarding Keep the Faith are somewhat strange.One, at least of the proprietors of this site are Protestants and as a regular user of the site and forum i would suggest you evidence such claims.Incidentally i have no doubt on every football forum there will be examples of religious and racial intolerance and in that regard it will have some totally distasteful comments.That said to single it out seems odd.Regarding blasphemy who is persistently blasphemed.
Posted by: Stephen on 7:18am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Alex[/bold] wrote:
What we have here is the Advocaat syndrome,i.e. the king has no clothes. Smith is an average manager tactically unaware, his success is built on the back of the signings made by Souness, Smiths own signings were and are poor, with a couple of exceptions, because you are lucky, which Smith undoubtedly was does not mean you are good.It just means you are lucky, I can see many dark times ahead of Rangers, Celtic are superior on and off the field. [/quote] Aw c'mon Alex, be fair!
I don't like Smith's dire style of play either but you have to be fair - you make your own luck and you don't win 6 consecutive championships and reach a European final on luck alone. His man management cannot be challenged and he has worked wonders with a team of duffers.
I agree that the current side is dross and, on paper, Celtic have better 1 on 1 players, but equally, just as Smith has created Ranger's "luck" Strachan has created Celtic's.
In terms of player signings Smith's included Gascoigne, Laudrup, Albertz (all class acts) and others, while Strachan's include Virgo, Gravesson, Jarosik, Zurawski, JvH, Donatti (all duffers).
If Celtic do win the league this season it needs to be taken as a big wake up call - Rangers should never have been able to get this close this season. That they have is down to one man - Strachan!
Alex wrote:
What we have here is the Advocaat syndrome,i.e. the king has no clothes. Smith is an average manager tactically unaware, his success is built on the back of the signings made by Souness, Smiths own signings were and are poor, with a couple of exceptions, because you are lucky, which Smith undoubtedly was does not mean you are good.It just means you are lucky, I can see many dark times ahead of Rangers, Celtic are superior on and off the field.
Aw c'mon Alex, be fair!
I don't like Smith's dire style of play either but you have to be fair - you make your own luck and you don't win 6 consecutive championships and reach a European final on luck alone. His man management cannot be challenged and he has worked wonders with a team of duffers.
I agree that the current side is dross and, on paper, Celtic have better 1 on 1 players, but equally, just as Smith has created Ranger's "luck" Strachan has created Celtic's.
In terms of player signings Smith's included Gascoigne, Laudrup, Albertz (all class acts) and others, while Strachan's include Virgo, Gravesson, Jarosik, Zurawski, JvH, Donatti (all duffers).
If Celtic do win the league this season it needs to be taken as a big wake up call - Rangers should never have been able to get this close this season. That they have is down to one man - Strachan!
Posted by: Alex, Glasgow on 7:24am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Stephen[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Alex[/bold] wrote: What we have here is the Advocaat syndrome,i.e. the king has no clothes. Smith is an average manager tactically unaware, his success is built on the back of the signings made by Souness, Smiths own signings were and are poor, with a couple of exceptions, because you are lucky, which Smith undoubtedly was does not mean you are good.It just means you are lucky, I can see many dark times ahead of Rangers, Celtic are superior on and off the field. [/quote] Aw c'mon Alex, be fair! I don't like Smith's dire style of play either but you have to be fair - you make your own luck and you don't win 6 consecutive championships and reach a European final on luck alone. His man management cannot be challenged and he has worked wonders with a team of duffers. I agree that the current side is dross and, on paper, Celtic have better 1 on 1 players, but equally, just as Smith has created Ranger's "luck" Strachan has created Celtic's. In terms of player signings Smith's included Gascoigne, Laudrup, Albertz (all class acts) and others, while Strachan's include Virgo, Gravesson, Jarosik, Zurawski, JvH, Donatti (all duffers). If Celtic do win the league this season it needs to be taken as a big wake up call - Rangers should never have been able to get this close this season. That they have is down to one man - Strachan![/quote] Two words one name.......Kris Boyd.I rest my case..man management ?
Stephen wrote:
Alex wrote: What we have here is the Advocaat syndrome,i.e. the king has no clothes. Smith is an average manager tactically unaware, his success is built on the back of the signings made by Souness, Smiths own signings were and are poor, with a couple of exceptions, because you are lucky, which Smith undoubtedly was does not mean you are good.It just means you are lucky, I can see many dark times ahead of Rangers, Celtic are superior on and off the field.
Aw c'mon Alex, be fair! I don't like Smith's dire style of play either but you have to be fair - you make your own luck and you don't win 6 consecutive championships and reach a European final on luck alone. His man management cannot be challenged and he has worked wonders with a team of duffers. I agree that the current side is dross and, on paper, Celtic have better 1 on 1 players, but equally, just as Smith has created Ranger's "luck" Strachan has created Celtic's. In terms of player signings Smith's included Gascoigne, Laudrup, Albertz (all class acts) and others, while Strachan's include Virgo, Gravesson, Jarosik, Zurawski, JvH, Donatti (all duffers). If Celtic do win the league this season it needs to be taken as a big wake up call - Rangers should never have been able to get this close this season. That they have is down to one man - Strachan!
Two words one name.......Kris Boyd.I rest my case..man management ?
Posted by: Stephen, London on 7:46am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Alex[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Stephen[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Alex[/bold] wrote: What we have here is the Advocaat syndrome,i.e. the king has no clothes. Smith is an average manager tactically unaware, his success is built on the back of the signings made by Souness, Smiths own signings were and are poor, with a couple of exceptions, because you are lucky, which Smith undoubtedly was does not mean you are good.It just means you are lucky, I can see many dark times ahead of Rangers, Celtic are superior on and off the field. [/quote] Aw c'mon Alex, be fair! I don't like Smith's dire style of play either but you have to be fair - you make your own luck and you don't win 6 consecutive championships and reach a European final on luck alone. His man management cannot be challenged and he has worked wonders with a team of duffers. I agree that the current side is dross and, on paper, Celtic have better 1 on 1 players, but equally, just as Smith has created Ranger's "luck" Strachan has created Celtic's. In terms of player signings Smith's included Gascoigne, Laudrup, Albertz (all class acts) and others, while Strachan's include Virgo, Gravesson, Jarosik, Zurawski, JvH, Donatti (all duffers). If Celtic do win the league this season it needs to be taken as a big wake up call - Rangers should never have been able to get this close this season. That they have is down to one man - Strachan![/quote] Two words one name.......Kris Boyd.I rest my case..man management ?[/quote] Not sure what point you're making Alex?
Boyd was signed McLeish not Smith and he gets found out in big games. He's a very average SPL player of which this league currently has plenty.I don't see even any English "Championship" teams queueing up to sign him let alone a Premiership one.
Like I said, Smith won 6 consecutive league titles and you can't take that away from him. Like it or not (even though the football was dire) he also took over the Scotland reins from Berti Jokes and at least made us credible opposition - he started the recovery.
Give credit where it is due.
Alex wrote:
Stephen wrote: Alex wrote: What we have here is the Advocaat syndrome,i.e. the king has no clothes. Smith is an average manager tactically unaware, his success is built on the back of the signings made by Souness, Smiths own signings were and are poor, with a couple of exceptions, because you are lucky, which Smith undoubtedly was does not mean you are good.It just means you are lucky, I can see many dark times ahead of Rangers, Celtic are superior on and off the field.
Aw c'mon Alex, be fair! I don't like Smith's dire style of play either but you have to be fair - you make your own luck and you don't win 6 consecutive championships and reach a European final on luck alone. His man management cannot be challenged and he has worked wonders with a team of duffers. I agree that the current side is dross and, on paper, Celtic have better 1 on 1 players, but equally, just as Smith has created Ranger's "luck" Strachan has created Celtic's. In terms of player signings Smith's included Gascoigne, Laudrup, Albertz (all class acts) and others, while Strachan's include Virgo, Gravesson, Jarosik, Zurawski, JvH, Donatti (all duffers). If Celtic do win the league this season it needs to be taken as a big wake up call - Rangers should never have been able to get this close this season. That they have is down to one man - Strachan!
Two words one name.......Kris Boyd.I rest my case..man management ?
Not sure what point you're making Alex?
Boyd was signed McLeish not Smith and he gets found out in big games. He's a very average SPL player of which this league currently has plenty.I don't see even any English "Championship" teams queueing up to sign him let alone a Premiership one.
Like I said, Smith won 6 consecutive league titles and you can't take that away from him. Like it or not (even though the football was dire) he also took over the Scotland reins from Berti Jokes and at least made us credible opposition - he started the recovery.
Give credit where it is due.
Posted by: billylion67, Glasgow on 7:54am Sun 18 May 08
Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. "In the referee's opinion it wasn't a second bookable offence," he said. "I've got no complaints about that."
Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!!
Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper
Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face
Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field
Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. "In the referee's opinion it wasn't a second bookable offence," he said. "I've got no complaints about that."
Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!!
Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper
Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face
Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field
Posted by: David, Edinburgh on 8:17am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]billylion67[/bold] wrote:
Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. "In the referee's opinion it wasn't a second bookable offence," he said. "I've got no complaints about that." Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!! Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field[/quote] Very simple - appalling refereeing all round! Since Dallas went we don't have a decent referee in Scotland - they are all p*ss poor. Clarke, Dougal, Rev. McCurry, Underhill, McDonald, Brines, et al - all MUPPETS!
Craigan did deserve to go - he was very late 3 times.
Cousin would have got a straight red in Europe, possibly England too after what happened to Peter Cech and he was also late 2-3 times prior to that.
It was Cueller who deliberately elbowed Porter who could easily have lost an eye - disgraceful. As the referee, apparently, didn't see this incident, and despite Gordon Smith's empty rhetoric, the rules say that Cueller can be brought to book post match as he should be for violent conduct.
How is it we expect supporters to behave when footballers behave in the way that Cuellar did?
billylion67 wrote:
Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. "In the referee's opinion it wasn't a second bookable offence," he said. "I've got no complaints about that." Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!! Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field
Very simple - appalling refereeing all round! Since Dallas went we don't have a decent referee in Scotland - they are all p*ss poor. Clarke, Dougal, Rev. McCurry, Underhill, McDonald, Brines, et al - all MUPPETS!
Craigan did deserve to go - he was very late 3 times.
Cousin would have got a straight red in Europe, possibly England too after what happened to Peter Cech and he was also late 2-3 times prior to that.
It was Cueller who deliberately elbowed Porter who could easily have lost an eye - disgraceful. As the referee, apparently, didn't see this incident, and despite Gordon Smith's empty rhetoric, the rules say that Cueller can be brought to book post match as he should be for violent conduct.
How is it we expect supporters to behave when footballers behave in the way that Cuellar did?
Posted by: triumph, australia on 8:30am Sun 18 May 08
Do you think SCOTLANDS SHAME threw that game coz they like finishing second , thet don,t deserve to win anything , the world got to see what we have known all along on Wednesday night
Do you think SCOTLANDS SHAME threw that game coz they like finishing second , thet don,t deserve to win anything , the world got to see what we have known all along on Wednesday night
Posted by: DM on 8:58am Sun 18 May 08
It's been a season of slip ups for both sides. Judging by rangers style of play, they are only inviting the more average sides of the SPL to come and have a go. Way too defensive for the SPL. The defensive style has worked in Europe because without it they would have been routed in most games due to the obvious class gap. They shouldn't have to play like that in Scotland, but if they didn't, I don't think they would be challenging for the title now.
In what has been an average season in football terms, only now do we get a bit of nail biting at the end. To be honest, it'll be a season to forget, but for the sad passing of two of the finest gentlemen in Scottish football, Phil & Tommy, R.I.P
Celtic's football hasn't been fantastic this season although when they've clicked they have looked awesome. But Celtic's play has been a lot more honest in terms of how the game should be played, and let's hope honesty is the best policy.
It's been a season of slip ups for both sides. Judging by rangers style of play, they are only inviting the more average sides of the SPL to come and have a go. Way too defensive for the SPL. The defensive style has worked in Europe because without it they would have been routed in most games due to the obvious class gap. They shouldn't have to play like that in Scotland, but if they didn't, I don't think they would be challenging for the title now.
In what has been an average season in football terms, only now do we get a bit of nail biting at the end. To be honest, it'll be a season to forget, but for the sad passing of two of the finest gentlemen in Scottish football, Phil & Tommy, R.I.P
Celtic's football hasn't been fantastic this season although when they've clicked they have looked awesome. But Celtic's play has been a lot more honest in terms of how the game should be played, and let's hope honesty is the best policy.
Posted by: Richardinho, borders on 9:10am Sun 18 May 08
I am very heartened at how Celtic have came back from a point when it seemed that all was lost.
I never doubted that we were capable of coming back, but you still need some luck as well as ability and heart and things have gone our way in that respect.
Celtic need to carry that same strength of character into the remaining game against dundee united so that at the very least we can have no regrets regardless of what happens at the end.
I am very heartened at how Celtic have came back from a point when it seemed that all was lost.
I never doubted that we were capable of coming back, but you still need some luck as well as ability and heart and things have gone our way in that respect.
Celtic need to carry that same strength of character into the remaining game against dundee united so that at the very least we can have no regrets regardless of what happens at the end.
Posted by: Stephen, London on 9:22am Sun 18 May 08
I agree up to the "awesome" point - c'mon, we've been rank for the most part and it's been a very very poor SPL this year - full of huffers, puffers and duffers and that's just Celtic & Rangers!
Agree also that, put in perspective, even if we win it will be overshadowed by the tragic loss of Tommy & Phil. Their sprirt will be at Tannadice on Thursday for sure and I'm certain that's what Big Mick will be saying in the Huddle. C'mon Bhoys you owe it to Tommy big style to win that game and with style!
I agree up to the "awesome" point - c'mon, we've been rank for the most part and it's been a very very poor SPL this year - full of huffers, puffers and duffers and that's just Celtic & Rangers!
Agree also that, put in perspective, even if we win it will be overshadowed by the tragic loss of Tommy & Phil. Their sprirt will be at Tannadice on Thursday for sure and I'm certain that's what Big Mick will be saying in the Huddle. C'mon Bhoys you owe it to Tommy big style to win that game and with style!
Posted by: Frankie, London on 9:50am Sun 18 May 08
Rangers supporters, please stop saying you could lose the league. It is not yours to lose. The title is Celtics. It is only yours to win, not lose.
Rangers supporters, please stop saying you could lose the league. It is not yours to lose. The title is Celtics. It is only yours to win, not lose.
Posted by: Numpty, Dublin on 9:54am Sun 18 May 08
FWIW, the gesture was not "observed impeccably" by Rangers fans. Many were witnessed turning their back to the pitch during the minute's applause, and many more with their arms staunchly folded throughout. I hate to think what their reaction would have been had the more traditional and appropriate minute's silence been observed.
FWIW, the gesture was not "observed impeccably" by Rangers fans. Many were witnessed turning their back to the pitch during the minute's applause, and many more with their arms staunchly folded throughout. I hate to think what their reaction would have been had the more traditional and appropriate minute's silence been observed.
Posted by: Patrick O'Shaunnessy on 10:09am Sun 18 May 08
All the jaunty triumphalism of radio clyde and the Scottish media in general has suddeny gone quite flat within the last 24 hours ...has something happened ?
There was a lull after Rangers drew at Easter Road, but it seemed to return to full voice after McURRY carried Rangers over the line at Ibrox last week.
Then midweek, it went a bit flat again...especially after all those aliens dressed up as Rangers fans - all half dozen of them - rioted in Manchester (but hey, it was all manchester council's fault, and that of the police).
And now today, the headlines lack the mighty hyperbole that we have seen so much of these last few seasons.
Are the media just losing interest for some reason ?
All the jaunty triumphalism of radio clyde and the Scottish media in general has suddeny gone quite flat within the last 24 hours ...has something happened ?
There was a lull after Rangers drew at Easter Road, but it seemed to return to full voice after McURRY carried Rangers over the line at Ibrox last week.
Then midweek, it went a bit flat again...especially after all those aliens dressed up as Rangers fans - all half dozen of them - rioted in Manchester (but hey, it was all manchester council's fault, and that of the police).
And now today, the headlines lack the mighty hyperbole that we have seen so much of these last few seasons.
Are the media just losing interest for some reason ?
Posted by: Frank on 10:27am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]David[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]billylion67[/bold] wrote: Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. \"In the referee\'s opinion it wasn\'t a second bookable offence,\" he said. \"I\'ve got no complaints about that.\" Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!! Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field[/quote] Very simple - appalling refereeing all round! Since Dallas went we don\'t have a decent referee in Scotland - they are all p*ss poor. Clarke, Dougal, Rev. McCurry, Underhill, McDonald, Brines, et al - all MUPPETS! Craigan did deserve to go - he was very late 3 times. Cousin would have got a straight red in Europe, possibly England too after what happened to Peter Cech and he was also late 2-3 times prior to that. It was Cueller who deliberately elbowed Porter who could easily have lost an eye - disgraceful. As the referee, apparently, didn\'t see this incident, and despite Gordon Smith\'s empty rhetoric, the rules say that Cueller can be brought to book post match as he should be for violent conduct. How is it we expect supporters to behave when footballers behave in the way that Cuellar did?[/quote] What hysterical drivel. Could have had his eye out? Give us a break. And Cousin was just clumsy.
It seems some Celtic fans' world would collapse if they thought the balance of the refereeing decisions went against Rangers in a game and they have to go trawling through the match turning run-of-the-mill incidents into unspeakable outrages.
David wrote:
billylion67 wrote: Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. \"In the referee\'s opinion it wasn\'t a second bookable offence,\" he said. \"I\'ve got no complaints about that.\" Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!! Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field
Very simple - appalling refereeing all round! Since Dallas went we don\'t have a decent referee in Scotland - they are all p*ss poor. Clarke, Dougal, Rev. McCurry, Underhill, McDonald, Brines, et al - all MUPPETS! Craigan did deserve to go - he was very late 3 times. Cousin would have got a straight red in Europe, possibly England too after what happened to Peter Cech and he was also late 2-3 times prior to that. It was Cueller who deliberately elbowed Porter who could easily have lost an eye - disgraceful. As the referee, apparently, didn\'t see this incident, and despite Gordon Smith\'s empty rhetoric, the rules say that Cueller can be brought to book post match as he should be for violent conduct. How is it we expect supporters to behave when footballers behave in the way that Cuellar did?
What hysterical drivel. Could have had his eye out? Give us a break. And Cousin was just clumsy.
It seems some Celtic fans' world would collapse if they thought the balance of the refereeing decisions went against Rangers in a game and they have to go trawling through the match turning run-of-the-mill incidents into unspeakable outrages.
Posted by: Frank on 10:28am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Numpty[/bold] wrote:
FWIW, the gesture was not "observed impeccably" by Rangers fans. Many were witnessed turning their back to the pitch during the minute's applause, and many more with their arms staunchly folded throughout. I hate to think what their reaction would have been had the more traditional and appropriate minute's silence been observed.[/quote] Witnessed by whom? People equipped with a viewer into a parallel universe?
Numpty wrote:
FWIW, the gesture was not "observed impeccably" by Rangers fans. Many were witnessed turning their back to the pitch during the minute's applause, and many more with their arms staunchly folded throughout. I hate to think what their reaction would have been had the more traditional and appropriate minute's silence been observed.
Witnessed by whom? People equipped with a viewer into a parallel universe?
Posted by: Zegazoid, Dunblane on 10:29am Sun 18 May 08
To add to Numpty from Dublin's point.. You say the silence is more appropriate, but one of the reasons for having the appaluse is precisely so the morons don't get to spoil it.. Unless you are looking for these people during a minutes applause you won't know they are 'protesting', if you have a silence these fools have a forum to vent their vile filth..
Tommy was an obviously, kind and gentle soul, you've got to wonder what these idiots had against him... If it is only that he played for Celtic, well you have to wonder when did a game became more important than someone losing their life???
To add to Numpty from Dublin's point.. You say the silence is more appropriate, but one of the reasons for having the appaluse is precisely so the morons don't get to spoil it.. Unless you are looking for these people during a minutes applause you won't know they are 'protesting', if you have a silence these fools have a forum to vent their vile filth..
Tommy was an obviously, kind and gentle soul, you've got to wonder what these idiots had against him... If it is only that he played for Celtic, well you have to wonder when did a game became more important than someone losing their life???
Posted by: Aodh Gallchobhair, Paisley on 10:45am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]George[/bold] wrote:
Well done to Walter Smith for not trying to use the fact that Craigen should have been sent off as an excuse. Bad decisions work both ways. I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'m afraid the burden of being in four competitions has caught up with Rangers. That\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s not an excuse either - if you want to win four competitions you have to be able to cope with the burden. A situation strongly reminiscent of Celtic in 2003 of course.[/quote] Rightly so - the 'reverend' mike gave him all his jokers in one go last weekend againt the Arabs! Hail.hail!
George wrote:
Well done to Walter Smith for not trying to use the fact that Craigen should have been sent off as an excuse. Bad decisions work both ways. I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'m afraid the burden of being in four competitions has caught up with Rangers. That\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s not an excuse either - if you want to win four competitions you have to be able to cope with the burden. A situation strongly reminiscent of Celtic in 2003 of course.
Rightly so - the 'reverend' mike gave him all his jokers in one go last weekend againt the Arabs! Hail.hail!
Posted by: Patrick O'Shaunnessy on 10:48am Sun 18 May 08
At the moment, Celtic have an advantage which will only kick in in the event that both teams win their remaining matches.
Any Celtic fan who thinks that all we need to do is turn up at Tannadice should cast their minds back to 2005.
So, it's far from over, but I feel that this Celtic team is on the up, whereas the Celtic team that went to Fir Park on helicopter Sunday was 'done'.
Dundee United , despite what happened to them at Ibrox, will be out to win this match and Celtic will need to be at their best to get the three points.
However, I have a feeling that Rangers could come a cropper at Love Street on Monday night...and I don't mean a draw, I mean a defeat. Saint Mirren have lost only one match at home in the spl this season, and Rangers looked like a bag of merd in the second half yesterday. They have very little time to recover , and with all the disappointment they've had recently, I'd say there's a better than 50/50 chance that they could go down by the odd goal.
At the moment, Celtic have an advantage which will only kick in in the event that both teams win their remaining matches.
Any Celtic fan who thinks that all we need to do is turn up at Tannadice should cast their minds back to 2005.
So, it's far from over, but I feel that this Celtic team is on the up, whereas the Celtic team that went to Fir Park on helicopter Sunday was 'done'.
Dundee United , despite what happened to them at Ibrox, will be out to win this match and Celtic will need to be at their best to get the three points.
However, I have a feeling that Rangers could come a cropper at Love Street on Monday night...and I don't mean a draw, I mean a defeat. Saint Mirren have lost only one match at home in the spl this season, and Rangers looked like a bag of merd in the second half yesterday. They have very little time to recover , and with all the disappointment they've had recently, I'd say there's a better than 50/50 chance that they could go down by the odd goal.
Posted by: Archie, Argyll on 11:12am Sun 18 May 08
I cannot agree that Walter Smith and Gordon Strachan are average managers when they manage the best two teams in Scotland.
Part of the problem lies in the scouting system, because many naturally talented two footed players are missed while the misconception that all the best players are mercenaries exists.
If that was the case then Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United, Hibs, Hearts, etc. would never have beaten the likes of Inter & AC Milan, Juventus, Manchester Utd, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona etc.
Also in Scotland, in the modern game, far too many players lose possession trying to beat players instead of passing the ball to an available team mate. And the heavy injury inducing tackles that go unpunished in Scotland where as in Europe you would be booked or sent off don't help anyone.
Also the diving and cheating by opponents that goes unpunished in European games obviously costs Scottish teams. That's not to say there are no divers and arm wrestlers in Scotland.
The grassroot facilities in Scotland are an absolute joke, and quality pitches are, lets say, almost non existent.
So you cannot blame Walter and Gordon for that.
I never met Tommy Burns, but I know he was a quality guy by hearing him speak, and the way he defended Berti Vogts, quite rightly in my opinion, while most people were sticking the knife in for him only doing what people wanted by trying to find new younger players which in my opinion he done rather successfully despite the results which were totally understandable in the situation at the time.
So if you want to be a good player, you have to ignore all the nonsense and don't allow anything or anyone to knock your confidence, for the simple reason skill and confidence are a lethal combination, no matter what age you are.
And if you have the skill it is generally easy to get fit enough.
It is not so simple the other way round.
Managers in Scotland should pay particular attention to that, as this is an area where they definitely fall short at times, in my opinion.
All the best.
I cannot agree that Walter Smith and Gordon Strachan are average managers when they manage the best two teams in Scotland.
Part of the problem lies in the scouting system, because many naturally talented two footed players are missed while the misconception that all the best players are mercenaries exists.
If that was the case then Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Dundee, Dundee United, Hibs, Hearts, etc. would never have beaten the likes of Inter & AC Milan, Juventus, Manchester Utd, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona etc.
Also in Scotland, in the modern game, far too many players lose possession trying to beat players instead of passing the ball to an available team mate. And the heavy injury inducing tackles that go unpunished in Scotland where as in Europe you would be booked or sent off don't help anyone.
Also the diving and cheating by opponents that goes unpunished in European games obviously costs Scottish teams. That's not to say there are no divers and arm wrestlers in Scotland.
The grassroot facilities in Scotland are an absolute joke, and quality pitches are, lets say, almost non existent.
So you cannot blame Walter and Gordon for that.
I never met Tommy Burns, but I know he was a quality guy by hearing him speak, and the way he defended Berti Vogts, quite rightly in my opinion, while most people were sticking the knife in for him only doing what people wanted by trying to find new younger players which in my opinion he done rather successfully despite the results which were totally understandable in the situation at the time.
So if you want to be a good player, you have to ignore all the nonsense and don't allow anything or anyone to knock your confidence, for the simple reason skill and confidence are a lethal combination, no matter what age you are.
And if you have the skill it is generally easy to get fit enough.
It is not so simple the other way round.
Managers in Scotland should pay particular attention to that, as this is an area where they definitely fall short at times, in my opinion.
All the best.
Posted by: David, Edinburgh on 11:17am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Frank[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]David[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]billylion67[/bold] wrote: Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. \"In the referee\'s opinion it wasn\'t a second bookable offence,\" he said. \"I\'ve got no complaints about that.\" Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!! Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field[/quote] Very simple - appalling refereeing all round! Since Dallas went we don\'t have a decent referee in Scotland - they are all p*ss poor. Clarke, Dougal, Rev. McCurry, Underhill, McDonald, Brines, et al - all MUPPETS! Craigan did deserve to go - he was very late 3 times. Cousin would have got a straight red in Europe, possibly England too after what happened to Peter Cech and he was also late 2-3 times prior to that. It was Cueller who deliberately elbowed Porter who could easily have lost an eye - disgraceful. As the referee, apparently, didn\'t see this incident, and despite Gordon Smith\'s empty rhetoric, the rules say that Cueller can be brought to book post match as he should be for violent conduct. How is it we expect supporters to behave when footballers behave in the way that Cuellar did?[/quote] What hysterical drivel. Could have had his eye out? Give us a break. And Cousin was just clumsy. It seems some Celtic fans' world would collapse if they thought the balance of the refereeing decisions went against Rangers in a game and they have to go trawling through the match turning run-of-the-mill incidents into unspeakable outrages.[/quote] Which decisions went against Rangers?
I suggest you watch the re-run of both incidents which were quite deliberate, I have. Cousins veered around the defender and followed through with his knee into the keeper when the ball was long gone - you cannot consider that merely to be "clumsy". He was also very "clumsy" with two other tackles. The Cueller one is a shocker - watch it in slow motion. The blow landed in the middle of Porter's face - no accident.
Set aside your prejudice and look at the evidence.
I also said that Craigan should have gone.
BTW - I'm a Hibee.
Frank wrote:
David wrote: billylion67 wrote: Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. \"In the referee\'s opinion it wasn\'t a second bookable offence,\" he said. \"I\'ve got no complaints about that.\" Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!! Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field
Very simple - appalling refereeing all round! Since Dallas went we don\'t have a decent referee in Scotland - they are all p*ss poor. Clarke, Dougal, Rev. McCurry, Underhill, McDonald, Brines, et al - all MUPPETS! Craigan did deserve to go - he was very late 3 times. Cousin would have got a straight red in Europe, possibly England too after what happened to Peter Cech and he was also late 2-3 times prior to that. It was Cueller who deliberately elbowed Porter who could easily have lost an eye - disgraceful. As the referee, apparently, didn\'t see this incident, and despite Gordon Smith\'s empty rhetoric, the rules say that Cueller can be brought to book post match as he should be for violent conduct. How is it we expect supporters to behave when footballers behave in the way that Cuellar did?
What hysterical drivel. Could have had his eye out? Give us a break. And Cousin was just clumsy. It seems some Celtic fans' world would collapse if they thought the balance of the refereeing decisions went against Rangers in a game and they have to go trawling through the match turning run-of-the-mill incidents into unspeakable outrages.
Which decisions went against Rangers?
I suggest you watch the re-run of both incidents which were quite deliberate, I have. Cousins veered around the defender and followed through with his knee into the keeper when the ball was long gone - you cannot consider that merely to be "clumsy". He was also very "clumsy" with two other tackles. The Cueller one is a shocker - watch it in slow motion. The blow landed in the middle of Porter's face - no accident.
Set aside your prejudice and look at the evidence.
I also said that Craigan should have gone.
BTW - I'm a Hibee.
Posted by: G Ward, Belfast on 11:32am Sun 18 May 08
a minutes applause "observed impeccably" by the Rangers fans! My God are you joking? You are writing about it as if it was a minutes silence. Also pictures on the BBC website clearly show the majority of Rangers fans standing arms folded or hands in their pocket. In dignified protest maybe. Give us all a break Mr Campbell.
a minutes applause "observed impeccably" by the Rangers fans! My God are you joking? You are writing about it as if it was a minutes silence. Also pictures on the BBC website clearly show the majority of Rangers fans standing arms folded or hands in their pocket. In dignified protest maybe. Give us all a break Mr Campbell.
Posted by: Frank on 11:58am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]David[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Frank[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]David[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]billylion67[/bold] wrote: Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. \"In the referee\'s opinion it wasn\'t a second bookable offence,\" he said. \"I\'ve got no complaints about that.\" Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!! Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field[/quote] Very simple - appalling refereeing all round! Since Dallas went we don\'t have a decent referee in Scotland - they are all p*ss poor. Clarke, Dougal, Rev. McCurry, Underhill, McDonald, Brines, et al - all MUPPETS! Craigan did deserve to go - he was very late 3 times. Cousin would have got a straight red in Europe, possibly England too after what happened to Peter Cech and he was also late 2-3 times prior to that. It was Cueller who deliberately elbowed Porter who could easily have lost an eye - disgraceful. As the referee, apparently, didn\'t see this incident, and despite Gordon Smith\'s empty rhetoric, the rules say that Cueller can be brought to book post match as he should be for violent conduct. How is it we expect supporters to behave when footballers behave in the way that Cuellar did?[/quote] What hysterical drivel. Could have had his eye out? Give us a break. And Cousin was just clumsy. It seems some Celtic fans' world would collapse if they thought the balance of the refereeing decisions went against Rangers in a game and they have to go trawling through the match turning run-of-the-mill incidents into unspeakable outrages.[/quote] Which decisions went against Rangers? I suggest you watch the re-run of both incidents which were quite deliberate, I have. Cousins veered around the defender and followed through with his knee into the keeper when the ball was long gone - you cannot consider that merely to be "clumsy". He was also very "clumsy" with two other tackles. The Cueller one is a shocker - watch it in slow motion. The blow landed in the middle of Porter's face - no accident. Set aside your prejudice and look at the evidence. I also said that Craigan should have gone. BTW - I'm a Hibee. [/quote] I've watched the re-runs. "Cousins [who he?] veered around the defender and followed through with his knee into the keeper when the ball was long gone"? Nonsense. He didn't "veer" and nothing happened "after the ball was long gone". As for Cuellar, players jump with their arms raised all the time. The kindest things I can say about your interpretation of events is that incidents often look worse in "slow motion" than they really are and that you were desperately looking for balance for the Craigen incident.
David wrote:
Frank wrote: David wrote: billylion67 wrote: Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. \"In the referee\'s opinion it wasn\'t a second bookable offence,\" he said. \"I\'ve got no complaints about that.\" Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!! Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field
Very simple - appalling refereeing all round! Since Dallas went we don\'t have a decent referee in Scotland - they are all p*ss poor. Clarke, Dougal, Rev. McCurry, Underhill, McDonald, Brines, et al - all MUPPETS! Craigan did deserve to go - he was very late 3 times. Cousin would have got a straight red in Europe, possibly England too after what happened to Peter Cech and he was also late 2-3 times prior to that. It was Cueller who deliberately elbowed Porter who could easily have lost an eye - disgraceful. As the referee, apparently, didn\'t see this incident, and despite Gordon Smith\'s empty rhetoric, the rules say that Cueller can be brought to book post match as he should be for violent conduct. How is it we expect supporters to behave when footballers behave in the way that Cuellar did?
What hysterical drivel. Could have had his eye out? Give us a break. And Cousin was just clumsy. It seems some Celtic fans' world would collapse if they thought the balance of the refereeing decisions went against Rangers in a game and they have to go trawling through the match turning run-of-the-mill incidents into unspeakable outrages.
Which decisions went against Rangers? I suggest you watch the re-run of both incidents which were quite deliberate, I have. Cousins veered around the defender and followed through with his knee into the keeper when the ball was long gone - you cannot consider that merely to be "clumsy". He was also very "clumsy" with two other tackles. The Cueller one is a shocker - watch it in slow motion. The blow landed in the middle of Porter's face - no accident. Set aside your prejudice and look at the evidence. I also said that Craigan should have gone. BTW - I'm a Hibee.
I've watched the re-runs. "Cousins veered around the defender and followed through with his knee into the keeper when the ball was long gone"? Nonsense. He didn't "veer" and nothing happened "after the ball was long gone". As for Cuellar, players jump with their arms raised all the time. The kindest things I can say about your interpretation of events is that incidents often look worse in "slow motion" than they really are and that you were desperately looking for balance for the Craigen incident.
Posted by: Ian M, North Ayrshire on 12:12pm Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Patrick O'Shaunnessy[/bold] wrote:
All the jaunty triumphalism of radio clyde and the Scottish media in general has suddeny gone quite flat within the last 24 hours ...has something happened ? There was a lull after Rangers drew at Easter Road, but it seemed to return to full voice after McURRY carried Rangers over the line at Ibrox last week. Then midweek, it went a bit flat again...especially after all those aliens dressed up as Rangers fans - all half dozen of them - rioted in Manchester (but hey, it was all manchester council's fault, and that of the police). And now today, the headlines lack the mighty hyperbole that we have seen so much of these last few seasons. Are the media just losing interest for some reason ?[/quote] For us Celtic fans the constant 'quadruple' talk regarding Rangers has been hard to bear. If they had won the UEFA Cup they would surely have been the most undeserving winners of the tropy ever. I see others talking about luck, and Rangers had it in spadeloads all the way to the final. Thankfully football won through in the end, and we can only hope the outcome of the league title has the same scenario. Rangers fans thought it was all over when they beat us at Ibrox a few weeks ago, but you should never say never where Celtic are concerned.
Come on the Hoops!
Patrick O'Shaunnessy wrote:
All the jaunty triumphalism of radio clyde and the Scottish media in general has suddeny gone quite flat within the last 24 hours ...has something happened ? There was a lull after Rangers drew at Easter Road, but it seemed to return to full voice after McURRY carried Rangers over the line at Ibrox last week. Then midweek, it went a bit flat again...especially after all those aliens dressed up as Rangers fans - all half dozen of them - rioted in Manchester (but hey, it was all manchester council's fault, and that of the police). And now today, the headlines lack the mighty hyperbole that we have seen so much of these last few seasons. Are the media just losing interest for some reason ?
For us Celtic fans the constant 'quadruple' talk regarding Rangers has been hard to bear. If they had won the UEFA Cup they would surely have been the most undeserving winners of the tropy ever. I see others talking about luck, and Rangers had it in spadeloads all the way to the final. Thankfully football won through in the end, and we can only hope the outcome of the league title has the same scenario. Rangers fans thought it was all over when they beat us at Ibrox a few weeks ago, but you should never say never where Celtic are concerned.
Come on the Hoops!
Posted by: JCL, Glasgow on 12:57pm Sun 18 May 08
3 up front and Scotland's best goalscorer not among them. Kris Boyd must start the last two SPL matches - we need goals and he's by far the best around in getting them.
3 up front and Scotland's best goalscorer not among them. Kris Boyd must start the last two SPL matches - we need goals and he's by far the best around in getting them.
Posted by: JCL, Glasgow on 1:00pm Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Numpty[/bold] wrote:
FWIW, the gesture was not "observed impeccably" by Rangers fans. Many were witnessed turning their back to the pitch during the minute's applause, and many more with their arms staunchly folded throughout. I hate to think what their reaction would have been had the more traditional and appropriate minute's silence been observed.[/quote] What nonsense. I was there and it was observed impeccably. The proper respect was shown and that would have been the case had it been a minute's applause or silence. Don't create fiction when the fact is presented by both this reporter and the live television coverage yesterday which I have since watched back.
Numpty wrote:
FWIW, the gesture was not "observed impeccably" by Rangers fans. Many were witnessed turning their back to the pitch during the minute's applause, and many more with their arms staunchly folded throughout. I hate to think what their reaction would have been had the more traditional and appropriate minute's silence been observed.
What nonsense. I was there and it was observed impeccably. The proper respect was shown and that would have been the case had it been a minute's applause or silence. Don't create fiction when the fact is presented by both this reporter and the live television coverage yesterday which I have since watched back.
Posted by: jo, glasgow on 1:44pm Sun 18 May 08
its funny celtic fans are hyper critical of their team and rangers fans are not critical enough....as has been mentioned on this thread selling one of your best players midseason and not playing your top scorer do seem really poor decisions..
its funny celtic fans are hyper critical of their team and rangers fans are not critical enough....as has been mentioned on this thread selling one of your best players midseason and not playing your top scorer do seem really poor decisions..
Posted by: Andy Dewar on 2:31pm Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Stephen[/bold] wrote:
I agree up to the "awesome" point - c'mon, we've been rank for the most part and it's been a very very poor SPL this year - full of huffers, puffers and duffers and that's just Celtic & Rangers! Agree also that, put in perspective, even if we win it will be overshadowed by the tragic loss of Tommy & Phil. Their sprirt will be at Tannadice on Thursday for sure and I'm certain that's what Big Mick will be saying in the Huddle. C'mon Bhoys you owe it to Tommy big style to win that game and with style![/quote] I disagree. Outside of the top 8 or so clubs in Europe who hover up the top talent, I think the SPL is easily on par with the leagues outside of the Spanish, English, or possibly German. There's not a Portuguese, Greek, Danish, or Dutch side who could easily beat our form clubs.
Celtic have twice made the knock out stages of the Champions league and been knocked out by two top sides in Milan (eventual winners) and Barcelona (arguably the best attacking side in the world) with out having the likes of Larsson, Sutton, Petrov etc.
Rangers have punched above their weight to reach the UEFA cup final.
An average Aberdeen side made the last 32 of the UEFA cup and I've no doubt Motherwell can eclipse their achievements next season if they keep Mcghee and their squad together, another fine passing side, along with Hibs of recent years.
Throw in Scotland's Euro 2008 campaign and things are looking a lot brighter than the immediate post-bosman era.
Stephen wrote:
I agree up to the "awesome" point - c'mon, we've been rank for the most part and it's been a very very poor SPL this year - full of huffers, puffers and duffers and that's just Celtic & Rangers! Agree also that, put in perspective, even if we win it will be overshadowed by the tragic loss of Tommy & Phil. Their sprirt will be at Tannadice on Thursday for sure and I'm certain that's what Big Mick will be saying in the Huddle. C'mon Bhoys you owe it to Tommy big style to win that game and with style!
I disagree. Outside of the top 8 or so clubs in Europe who hover up the top talent, I think the SPL is easily on par with the leagues outside of the Spanish, English, or possibly German. There's not a Portuguese, Greek, Danish, or Dutch side who could easily beat our form clubs.
Celtic have twice made the knock out stages of the Champions league and been knocked out by two top sides in Milan (eventual winners) and Barcelona (arguably the best attacking side in the world) with out having the likes of Larsson, Sutton, Petrov etc.
Rangers have punched above their weight to reach the UEFA cup final.
An average Aberdeen side made the last 32 of the UEFA cup and I've no doubt Motherwell can eclipse their achievements next season if they keep Mcghee and their squad together, another fine passing side, along with Hibs of recent years.
Throw in Scotland's Euro 2008 campaign and things are looking a lot brighter than the immediate post-bosman era.
Posted by: Stevie Mac, Hove, East Sussex on 2:45pm Sun 18 May 08
I think this result is testimony to the Motherwell of the eighties and nineties. I never thought I would see McGhee do this well, especially in his first season and with little resources. As a team they show determination but the gulf is obvious. That is why the result at this stage of the season is more of an achievment. If McGhee continues in this vein it is to the benefit of Scottish Football.
I think this result is testimony to the Motherwell of the eighties and nineties. I never thought I would see McGhee do this well, especially in his first season and with little resources. As a team they show determination but the gulf is obvious. That is why the result at this stage of the season is more of an achievment. If McGhee continues in this vein it is to the benefit of Scottish Football.
Posted by: fairdoes on 3:07pm Sun 18 May 08
The silver fox, Walter Smith failed strategically because -
he could not bring himself to choose between the league and the UEFA Cup because he did not really believe that if he put all his eggs in one basket he would definitely win either
They have won 2 of their last 10 games. For all the bleating about packed fixture schedules that has gone on for weeks there are no real signs of not being able to play through tiredness - just a failure to win due to a lack of basic skill.
The silver fox, Walter Smith failed strategically because -
he could not bring himself to choose between the league and the UEFA Cup because he did not really believe that if he put all his eggs in one basket he would definitely win either
They have won 2 of their last 10 games. For all the bleating about packed fixture schedules that has gone on for weeks there are no real signs of not being able to play through tiredness - just a failure to win due to a lack of basic skill.
Posted by: tam, toronto canada on 4:28pm Sun 18 May 08
even in toronto we get all the games live.rangers?walter'
s tactics have us all bewildered.very hard to figure out .does he hope no team will score against us and we will break away and and grab a goal? weir and cuellar will need some sort of rehab for exhaustion.both have been carrying the team almost all season. overall walter as a manager has a great record .maybe he has lost it a wee bit.very disappointing for us all. maybe he will play novo cousin d'archville boyd mculloch all up front on monday and we'll win 8-0??. we are still hoping.[bold]bold[/bold]
even in toronto we get all the games live.rangers?walter'
s tactics have us all bewildered.very hard to figure out .does he hope no team will score against us and we will break away and and grab a goal? weir and cuellar will need some sort of rehab for exhaustion.both have been carrying the team almost all season. overall walter as a manager has a great record .maybe he has lost it a wee bit.very disappointing for us all. maybe he will play novo cousin d'archville boyd mculloch all up front on monday and we'll win 8-0??. we are still hoping.
Posted by: jim, ayr on 4:48pm Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Bill Dickson[/bold] wrote:
If Rangers do not win the league it will because Walter Smith refused to play Kris Boyd. How can he justify bringing Boyd on with 8 minutes remaining and the same on Wednesday when he brought him on with only 4 minutes to go. Just what did he expect Boyd to do ? Surely it makes sense to bring on a goalscorer when you are losing.[/quote] [bold]bold[/bold] [italic]italic[/italic] i have it on good authority boyd turned up gassed at the st johnstone semi - final!! and was sent home ! no virus !!he can be caught any weekend in the fourways pub,mossblown! hes pishing his rangers career against the wall,take the boy out the village but not the village mentality out the boy!! no wonder walter doesnt pick him ! another gazza in the making!
Bill Dickson wrote:
If Rangers do not win the league it will because Walter Smith refused to play Kris Boyd. How can he justify bringing Boyd on with 8 minutes remaining and the same on Wednesday when he brought him on with only 4 minutes to go. Just what did he expect Boyd to do ? Surely it makes sense to bring on a goalscorer when you are losing.
i have it on good authority boyd turned up gassed at the st johnstone semi - final!! and was sent home ! no virus !!he can be caught any weekend in the fourways pub,mossblown! hes pishing his rangers career against the wall,take the boy out the village but not the village mentality out the boy!! no wonder walter doesnt pick him ! another gazza in the making!
Posted by: tam, toronto canada on 5:05pm Sun 18 May 08
good for wlter what a strict disciplinarian.does'
nt pick boydy but puts him on the last few minutes every game hoping he'll score and make wattie look like genius?absolute rubbish.[bold]bold[/bold]
good for wlter what a strict disciplinarian.does'
nt pick boydy but puts him on the last few minutes every game hoping he'll score and make wattie look like genius?absolute rubbish.
Posted by: tam, toronto canada on 5:05pm Sun 18 May 08
good for wlter what a strict disciplinarian.does'
nt pick boydy but puts him on the last few minutes every game hoping he'll score and make wattie look like genius?absolute rubbish.[bold]bold[/bold]
good for wlter what a strict disciplinarian.does'
nt pick boydy but puts him on the last few minutes every game hoping he'll score and make wattie look like genius?absolute rubbish.
Posted by: tam, toronto canada on 5:05pm Sun 18 May 08
good for wlter what a strict disciplinarian.does'
nt pick boydy but puts him on the last few minutes every game hoping he'll score and make wattie look like genius?absolute rubbish.[bold]bold[/bold]
good for wlter what a strict disciplinarian.does'
nt pick boydy but puts him on the last few minutes every game hoping he'll score and make wattie look like genius?absolute rubbish.
Posted by: tam, toronto canada on 5:08pm Sun 18 May 08
[bold]bold[/bold] good for walter what a strict disciplinarian.does'
nt pick boydy but puts him on the last few minutes every game hoping he'll score and make wattie look like genius?absolute rubbish.[bold]bold[/bold]
good for walter what a strict disciplinarian.does'
nt pick boydy but puts him on the last few minutes every game hoping he'll score and make wattie look like genius?absolute rubbish.
Posted by: tam, toronto canada on 5:08pm Sun 18 May 08
[bold]bold[/bold] good for walter what a strict disciplinarian.does'
nt pick boydy but puts him on the last few minutes every game hoping he'll score and make wattie look like genius?absolute rubbish.[bold]bold[/bold]
good for walter what a strict disciplinarian.does'
nt pick boydy but puts him on the last few minutes every game hoping he'll score and make wattie look like genius?absolute rubbish.
Posted by: Philip McCann, donkey sanctuary on 5:35pm Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Frank[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]David[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Frank[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]David[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]billylion67[/bold] wrote: Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. \"In the referee\'s opinion it wasn\'t a second bookable offence,\" he said. \"I\'ve got no complaints about that.\" Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!! Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field[/quote] Very simple - appalling refereeing all round! Since Dallas went we don\'t have a decent referee in Scotland - they are all p*ss poor. Clarke, Dougal, Rev. McCurry, Underhill, McDonald, Brines, et al - all MUPPETS! Craigan did deserve to go - he was very late 3 times. Cousin would have got a straight red in Europe, possibly England too after what happened to Peter Cech and he was also late 2-3 times prior to that. It was Cueller who deliberately elbowed Porter who could easily have lost an eye - disgraceful. As the referee, apparently, didn\'t see this incident, and despite Gordon Smith\'s empty rhetoric, the rules say that Cueller can be brought to book post match as he should be for violent conduct. How is it we expect supporters to behave when footballers behave in the way that Cuellar did?[/quote] What hysterical drivel. Could have had his eye out? Give us a break. And Cousin was just clumsy. It seems some Celtic fans' world would collapse if they thought the balance of the refereeing decisions went against Rangers in a game and they have to go trawling through the match turning run-of-the-mill incidents into unspeakable outrages.[/quote] Which decisions went against Rangers? I suggest you watch the re-run of both incidents which were quite deliberate, I have. Cousins veered around the defender and followed through with his knee into the keeper when the ball was long gone - you cannot consider that merely to be "clumsy". He was also very "clumsy" with two other tackles. The Cueller one is a shocker - watch it in slow motion. The blow landed in the middle of Porter's face - no accident. Set aside your prejudice and look at the evidence. I also said that Craigan should have gone. BTW - I'm a Hibee. [/quote] I've watched the re-runs. "Cousins [who he?] veered around the defender and followed through with his knee into the keeper when the ball was long gone"? Nonsense. He didn't "veer" and nothing happened "after the ball was long gone". As for Cuellar, players jump with their arms raised all the time. The kindest things I can say about your interpretation of events is that incidents often look worse in "slow motion" than they really are and that you were desperately looking for balance for the Craigen incident.[/quote] Oi bitter twsited N-U-M-P-T-Y did you catch rabies affie that poor dug that caught rabies affie that other squealing N-U-M-P-T-Y efter chewing his leg? Cos yer eyesight has clearly gone. Ja Ja Binks did elbow the Well guy deliberately.
Frank wrote:
David wrote: Frank wrote: David wrote: billylion67 wrote: Motherwell could have gone down to 10 men in the second half when Stephen Craigan looked like collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Cousin, but Smith waved that one away. \"In the referee\'s opinion it wasn\'t a second bookable offence,\" he said. \"I\'ve got no complaints about that.\" Meanwhile Motherwell have complaints with the following!! Can i ask what about Cousins attempt to run right through the goalkeeper Cousins potential jaw breaking elbow in Porters face Can anyone explain to me how Dailly escaped without a red card for rages at the referee at the end of the match, and after the match whilst he was leaving the field
Very simple - appalling refereeing all round! Since Dallas went we don\'t have a decent referee in Scotland - they are all p*ss poor. Clarke, Dougal, Rev. McCurry, Underhill, McDonald, Brines, et al - all MUPPETS! Craigan did deserve to go - he was very late 3 times. Cousin would have got a straight red in Europe, possibly England too after what happened to Peter Cech and he was also late 2-3 times prior to that. It was Cueller who deliberately elbowed Porter who could easily have lost an eye - disgraceful. As the referee, apparently, didn\'t see this incident, and despite Gordon Smith\'s empty rhetoric, the rules say that Cueller can be brought to book post match as he should be for violent conduct. How is it we expect supporters to behave when footballers behave in the way that Cuellar did?
What hysterical drivel. Could have had his eye out? Give us a break. And Cousin was just clumsy. It seems some Celtic fans' world would collapse if they thought the balance of the refereeing decisions went against Rangers in a game and they have to go trawling through the match turning run-of-the-mill incidents into unspeakable outrages.
Which decisions went against Rangers? I suggest you watch the re-run of both incidents which were quite deliberate, I have. Cousins veered around the defender and followed through with his knee into the keeper when the ball was long gone - you cannot consider that merely to be "clumsy". He was also very "clumsy" with two other tackles. The Cueller one is a shocker - watch it in slow motion. The blow landed in the middle of Porter's face - no accident. Set asi
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