The Search For The Holy Grail Begins For The Juniors

ON Thursday night, the football-reporting branch of the MSM had a chance to look at something else. The draw for the League Cup had been made and mulled over. The usual suspects of former Old Firm "stars" had given their priceless (cough, cough) comments - the scribblers could move on.

Hell, they didn't even have to leave the pub, since the excellent Tom Johnston, Secretary of the unwanted children of Scottish Football - the Scottish Junior Football Association - conveniently arranged for the first round draw for the Scottish Junior Cup to be released on Twitter, as it was made.

Except, apart from the Scottish Sun's juniors expert - the terrific Scott Campbell, and the great Jim O'Donnell in the Evening Times, nobody was really paying attention to this, the most-important event of the year to the vast Real Fitba constituency, who follow the Juniors.

Any way, if you missed it - the outcome was:

Scottish Junior Cup 2015-2016

First Round Draw

Ardeer v West Calder

Ardrossan v Whitburn

Banchory v Aberdeen East End

Bellshill v Wishaw

Bonnyrigg v Thorniewood

Bridge of Don v Rosyth

Buckie Rovers v Hill of Beath

Burghead v Kilsyth

Crossgates v Lanark

Cumnock v Broughty

EK Thistle v Armadale

Glenafton v Newmachar

Hall Russell v Vale of Clyde

Inverness v FC Stoneywood

Irvine Vics v Camelon

Kilwinning v Dalry

Larkhall v Haddington

Lochee Harp v Tayport

Maybole v Broxburn

Montrose v Forfar Albion

Nairn v Oakley

Neilston v Dufftown

Newburgh v Kilbirnie

Newmains v Fraserburgh

Newtongrange v Edinburgh

Port Glasgow v Benburb

Stoneyburn v Dyce

Sunnybank v Yoker

Vale of Leven v Kennoway

Whitletts v Lochgelly

Ties to be played on 26 September 2015 with a 2.30pm kick off

Not too-many big names in there, the likes of  holders and perennial favourites Auchinleck Talbot will not make their bow in this year's competition until round two.

Speaking of the 'Bot; there was a huge sensation in auld Affleck on Wednesday night, when Talbot were dumped out of the Ardagh Sectional League Cup, losing at home to MAYBOLE JUNIORS, who won 2-1, AT BEECHWOOD PARK.

Now, I cannot remember the last time Maybole won at Beechwood. Indeed, I suspect even Alex Meek, who has been "Mr Maybole" since I was living there in the early 1970s, will be hard-pushed to recall the last time his side won there. The victory was a terrific boost for the small and hardy band who keep junior fitba alive in the Capital of Carrick.

This number includes a former class-mate of mine from Cumnock Academy, who lives in retirement in Maybole. Since said gentleman is a life-long Scumnock Juniors fan, who has now switched his allegiance to Maybole, I suppose I will have to call him a glory hunter.

Maybole's win was perhaps the biggest in a night of shocks in the Ardagh, with Troon beating holders Glenafton at Portland Park, The Buffs seeing off The Meadow and Hurlford needing penalties to get past Kilbirnie.

In the Euroscot Engineering Cup quarter-finals - the "Central League" equivalent of Ayrshire's Ardagh - the quarter-finals also threw-up a win for a "wee" teams, with Vale of Clyde beating Greenock on penalties at Ravenscraig.

Rob Roy beating Clydebank, the Peasie crossing the River to beat Pollok at Newlandsfield and Wishaw beating Lanark were less-surprising results.

Talbot losing was bad news for Shettleston, who travel to Beechwood in the League tomorrow - Talbot will be out to make amends for their midweek loss.



CELTIC got what I woud consider a favourable draw when the Europa League groups were settled in Monaco this lunch time. The Hoops came out in a Group A which reads:

Ajax, Celtic, Fenerbache and Molde.

OK, nobody really likes travelling to Turkey, but, rather Fenerbache than some Eastern European destinations. Ronnie Deila will surely relish a trip home to Norway to face Molde, while Celtic v Ajax will always be a cracking game.

This is a group which, at their best, Celtic can win. However, the pressure will be on them to at least finish second and qualify for the round of 32. This is surely the least the Celtic Family will expect following this draw.



JOHN Greig got some newspaper exposure this morning, with the news he has been appointed to the board of Rangers Youth Development Company. This company has come under some criticism from the usual, expected sources. To be honest I do not know how it all works, but, with a new manager who understands the importance, long term, of a proper, joined-up youth development system, Youth Development now is a very-important aspect of turning the RTA into proper Rangers.

Towards the end of the SDM regime, Greig was regularly to be found, going round the country with young Rangers teams, showing the flag in testimonials against junior sides and so-forth.

His stature and standing in Scottish football was all too obvious back then. I wish him well in his new role.

Greig, the now sadly ill Billy McNeill, Pat Stanton, Willie Miller, these are guys Scottish football should be using in a greater ambassadorial role.

 

 

And Here Celtic Is What You Could Have Won

IF you're Scottish, it is so often a case of - it never rains but it pours. And, it certainly poured on Celtic today, when the group stages of the 2015-16 Champions League were drawn.

 

Malmo, who dumped the Hoops into the Europa League on Tuesday night, were drawn in Group A, alongside Paris St Germain, Shaktar Donesk and Real Madrid. Cue shrieked renditions of: "It should have been Us" from the disappointed Celtic support, and probably Peter Lawwell - reflecting on what bringing Real Madrid - CR7, Gareth Bale and Co, to Celtic Park would have meant to the club.

 

Never mind, the Hoops can only hope they get a half-decent draw when the Europa League groups are drawn tomorrow.

 

But, before then, the Champions learned their next opponents, as they seek to defend the League Cup, which they annexed last season. There was a lot of the usual posturing on both sides, hoping for a tie which would have pitted the Hoops against the Rangers Tribute Act. I must admit, I could never see this happening, the old square and oval balls have not been entirely ditched at Hampden - if we are to get a clash of the Bigot Brothers, it will have to wait.

 

Instead, Celtic were paired with Raith Rovers, who, so-memorably beat them in the final all those years ago. Lightning could strike twice, but, I doubt if it will, particularly at Celtic Park. Mind you, with this Celtic defence, you never know.

 

The RTA meanwhile, will entertain St Johnstone, which will, I feel, be a stern examination of just how good this new-look RTA which Mark Warburton is assembling really is.

 

Tie of the round, however, might well be the meeting between Kilmarnock and Hearts. Gary Locke, the Killie boss, and Rugby Park goalkeeper Jamie Macdonald, certainly have every reason to put a spoke in the wheel of the Tynecastle machine which has started the season so well.

 

Also, for all that has happened since, not least the last game of the 1964-5 season, we older Killie fans still bear a League Cup grudge against Hearts. Mind you, to be fair, they were the innocent parties in an extremely-rare Tiny Wharton mistake in the 1962-3 final - the last time Hearts won the trophy - which saw that normally perfect whistler disallow a perfectly-good Frank Beattie goal. 

 

Killie still owe Hearts one for that - we bear long and deep grudges in God's County.

 

There are one or two ties which offer the possibility of shocks - Motherwell, for instance, will not fancy a midweek trip to Cappielow, while, having got rid of the 'Dee in the last round, Alan Johnston's Pars will surely fancy their chances of winning at the other end of Tannadice Street, when they take on the Arabs.

 

Also, Livingston, at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle will surely fancy their chances.

 

 

 

FINALLY, I long ago learned never to under-estimate a footballer's lack of intelligence, but, Shaun Maloney, swapping life in Chicago for HULL!!! Ffs, the guy's brains are clearly in his feet.

 

Nobody ever named Hull as his kind of town. 

Mingin In Malmo

ALL last night's car crash TV, on BT Sport Europe, live from Malmo needed was the voice of the late David Francey intoning: "Tragedy for Celtic". Mind you, old David, a fully paid-up member of the Microphone Loyal, would have delivered the line whilst smiling broadly.

 

Forget the disallowed goal, which has been seized on gratefully by the "Always Cheated - Never Defeated" Tendancy in the Celtic Family. The Hoops were horsed, second-best to a squad which, in European terms, is distinctly second-rate.

 

IF the teams should meet again, as well they could, at the Round of 32 in the Europa League, I think Malmo will win again, they showed, apart from the first half hour at Celtic Park, across three hours of football, they were faster in thought and deed and better technically than Celtic.

 

What really upset me last night was the relative anonymity of Scott Brown. Here was the Captain of Celtic, Captain of Scotland, making no impact on the game whatsoever. There is no way Billy McNeill, Danny McGrain or Roy Aitken, three men to have previously held both jobs concurrently, would have been peripheral figures in a match to the extent Brown was last night.

 

Elsewhere, it is one thing to be asked to defend against the efforts of the diddy teams in the SPFL Premiership, quite another to be asked to do the same job in Europe. Once again Celtic had to be grateful to Craig Gordon for saving their blushes in Europe. But, as so-often when Celtic are put under pressure: the cry was no defenders.

 

In reality, the Europa League is probably Celtic's European level these days, and, how they do there will largely depend on who else they draw in their group. The skies are dark and forbidding this morning, but, let's see what Friday brings with the European draws.

 

The comment threads on the online sites this morning are awash with two things, the gloatings of the fans of the favourites to win the Petrofac Training Cup this season, and the anguished cries of: "Bring me the head of Ronnie Deila" from the hurting sept of the Celtic Family. Getting rid of Ronnie would solve nothing. He has already worked wonders in beginning to change the dressing room culture to something a bit less traditional Scottish and a bit more European, but, this is no seven-day job.

 

Celtic cannot operate at the top level when it comes to recruiting either very good European players or managers. I cannot think of a single Scottish manager who could step in and make Celtic immediately competitive in a Champions League context. Just as their friends across the city has had to, however reluctantly, lose their feelings of entitlement to win the prizes at the end of each season, so, the Celtic Family must adjust to a poorer world - it will be a few years yet, if ever, before they see another Seville, far less a second Lisbon.

 

Scottish fitba - we're in a raw state, the wind is in oor faces, richt enough. 

Deila's Squad Depth Is Frightening For The Rest

FIFTY years ago, just as the great sea change saw Jock Stein return to Celtic Park to rebalance Scottish football, as what would become the Lisbon Lions squad snatched primacy from the hitherto dominant Rangers squad, 'Gers boss Scot Symon made a comment which has been largely forgotten.

He revealed, his intention was to have Rangers in the position of having effectively two squads - one for Europe and one for the Scottish League. Symon saw this as essential in combating player fatigue and the demands of a season which,at that time, with 34 Scottish League games, 5 Scottish Cup ties and 10 League Cup ties, committed a team, as the Old Firm were, intent on winning all three domestic trophies, to a minimum of 49 games per season - before European games, and the then still-important Glasgow Cup ties were factored in.

Symon realised, to mount an effective campaign across all these fronts, you needed a large squad - he wanted two players vying for each position. He also realised squad rotation, although that term was never used, was vital.

Of course, in big games, barring injuries, that Rangers team picked itself: Billy Ritchie in goal, Bobby Shearer and Eric Caldow at full back, with John Greig and Ronnie McKinnon in central defence.

Jim Baxter was the midfield king-pin, but, with age catching-up with Ian McMillan and that maverick George McLean never quite fulfilling his St Mirren potential, a second central midfielder to help the imperious Baxter was Rangers' big deficiency.

Willie Henderson and Davie Wilson patrolled the wings, with the young Willie Johnston breaking through, while the goal-scoring was left to the tried and trusted Brand and Millar combination, with the young Jim Forrest there to bang them in as well.

Norrie Martin was a reasonably reliable back-up to Ritchie; Davie Provan was the third full-back, but further forward, few reserves really pushed themselves forward to pressurise the regulars.

Wilson Wood, for a short while, was a barely adequate stand-in for Baxter, after the great man's leg-break. Alex Willoughby had his moments but never nailed-down a starting slot. Kenny Watson filled-in for Henderson when his bunion bother struck, without coming close to carrying the same threat, but, in the end, Rangers were forced to, to greater and lesser success, get out the cheque book to try to counteract the tornado which hit them from the other side of the city.

Symon, before he was so-crudely and needlessly sacked, never did get to his goal of having two men contesting every jersey. He had a good 17-man squad, but, it simply wasn't as good as Celtic's similar-sized one.

Stein was probably better at squad rotation than any other Scottish manager. He knew instantly in which game to introduce the Quality Street Gang. He knew even better, when to leave them out and trust to the experienced guys.

He had strength-in-depth, but, even if the Lions didn't always play, when a match had to be won - Gemmell, Murdoch, McNeill and Clark, Johnstone, Auld and Lennox were in the team. But, like Symon before him, Stein was never in the situation of having two men vying for every position. Who could, for instance, be a one-for-one straight swap for McNeill, Johnstone or Auld or Murdoch?

What has this history lesson got to do with fitba in 2015? I hear you ask. Well, on Saturday, at Tannadice, Ronnie Deila left out several first picks, and Celtic still won comfortably.

This was a terrific result for the Hoops. Their Norwegian manager is I think now in a better place than Symon, or Stein, or even the other Scottish managerial giants - Maley, Struth, Waddell, Ferguson or McLean, were.

(For me, by the way, Walter Smith was never a great manager. Without SDM's cheque book, he'd have struggled.)

Deila showed on Saturday, he could rest the bulk of his squad and rotate them with players equally competent, at least in a domestic context.

This fact, merely underlines the strength of John Collins's recent argument and is why, notwithstanding the excellent start to the season made by Aberdeen and Hearts, I cannot see the title going anywhere other than Celtic Park come next May.



WEE Gordon Strachan has now named his squad for the upcoming Euro-qualifiers against Georgia and Germany.

The Scotland squad is:

Goalkeepers:  Craig Gordon (Celtic), David Marshall (Cardiff City), Allan McGregor (Hull City).

Defenders: Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town), Craig Forsyth (Derby County), Gordon Greer (Brighton & Hove Albion), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Hull City), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City).

Midfielders: Ikechi Anya (Watford), Stuart Armstrong (Celtic), Scott Brown (Celtic), Darren Fletcher (West Bromwich Albion), James Forrest (Celtic), Shaun Maloney (Chicago Fire), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), James McArthur (Crystal Palace), Matt Ritchie (AFC Bournemouth), Johnny Russell (Derby County).

Strikers: Steven Fletcher (Sunderland), Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Chris Martin (Derby County), Steven Naismith (Everton).

Given WGS has of late achieved that rarity in Scottish international history, consistency of selection, there are no shocks, either major or minor - other than, I am concerned that Allan McGregor has become a wee bit accident prone during 2015. However, he is now our Number Three goalkeeper, so, maybe a few days away with Scotland will help him - he has worked a lot with Scotland goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart, so, maybe Big Jim can sort out his problems.

I would like to see Leigh Griffiths getting a run from the start against the Georgians. For me, he's ahead of Steven Fletcher and I like the notion of a Griffiths/Naismith front pairing.

Well done too Stuart Armstrong, for getting his first inclusion. He has been playing well with Celtic and deserves his chance.

If I have a criticism of the pool, it is in the continuing absence of Lee Wallace. I know he is playing in the Championship, but, he remains a class act and I don't think any of the possible alternatives at left-back are as good players in the position as the RTA captain is. 

Vee Are Ze Masters Now Billy

I HAVE previously on this blog made reference to my wee mate "Billy" - a very good journalist who quietly worked away for over 30-years on the Sports Desk of the (Glasgow) Herald.

 

Billy used to say, when he began his career there, just before the move from Mitchell Street to Albion Street, there was an unofficial role on the sports team of "Token Tim" - the guy who covered Celtic. Even then, in the days of Jock Stein and the Lisbon Lions, the Herald was more Rangers than Celtic minded, regardless of the efforts of a hard core of Jags fans, including the great Ian Archer.

 

When a relieved Billy finally skipped down Renfield Street to freedom, he joked his post was that of "House Hun", inasmuch as the previously true-blue Herald sports desk now had a distinctly green hue. This he in part put down to the paper from which he retired had a Sports Editor who was, in Billy's not-altogether neutral view: "The worst kind of Celtic supporter - a Protestant one".

 

Hopefully, some day, this brand of institutionalised sectarianism will vanish from Scotland, but, I fear I will not live to see it.

 

Any way, if Billy, or any other bitter Bluenose needed confirmation of how the Herald, the one-time Journal of Ra Peepul has changed, it surely comes in this morning's on-line Herald.

 

There are no less than six stories from last night's Champions League qualifier at Celtic Park:

 

A "Quotes" piece and a post-final-whistle overview piece, both  from Stewart Fisher

A "Quotes" piece and a post-final-whistle overview piece, both from Matthew Lindsay

A virtual "Run-of-play piece from Graeme MacPherson

A minute-by-minute run-of-play piece, unbylined, but, I think from the Press Association.

 

Nary a mention online of the Ayr United v Rangers Petrofac Cup tie at Somerset Park, other than the pre-match interview with United boss Ian McColl.

 

I have no quibble with the way the Herald's news values judgement has operated. It goes without saying, the Celtic Park game was, by a few miles, the more-important fixture. It merited the greater cover, but, six pieces to nil. Once again I am left scratching my head at how the Herald's online section works.

 

As I write this, I have not seen the print edition of the Herald for Thursday, 20 August. I am assuming, there is a match report from Somerset Park in there somewhere.

 

But, to last night's game at Celtic Park; and: forward tho ah canna see, ah guess and fear, as regards next week's second leg in Malmó.

 

OK, Celtic won, but, sheer sloppiness has left them facing a much-more-difficult game next week than might have been. Both Malmó goals were the result of sloppy defending by Celtic. As John Collins pointed out, to much criticism the other week, they get away with this in Scotland, but, not in Europe.

 

I thought Celtic were on top for the first half-hour, but, in the following hour, the longer the game lasted, the less-comfortable they looked. They are now, at half-time in the tie, leading by a single goal, but, with the opposition having home advantage.

 

Remember, if Malmó score first next week, to level the tie - Celtic have to score again to restore their overall lead. They may have to score three away goals to be sure of going through; and, while I do not doubt their attackers' ability to do this, I most-certainly doubt their defence's ability to keep Malmó in check.

 

For all Celtic's good play last night, and there were many such passages, Craig Gordon was the goalkeeper last night who had to make the more-difficult saves. Leigh Griffiths took both his goals well, but, he lacked support in the Malmó "Red Zone" and, regardless of who plays up-front in Malmó, Celtic are going to find goal-scoring opportunities harder to come by than in the home leg.

 

I sincerely hope they can advance to the group stages, but, slackness last night may yet condemn Celtic to another season in the second tier Europa League, rather than at Europe's top table.

 

 

 

MY old mate Graham Spiers has a wee piece in today's Herald, in which he speculates that Jackie McNamara's jaiket might be hingin oan a shoogly nail at Tannadice, following United's indifferent start to the new season.

 

Well, it is hardly surprising, given the turn-over in players of first-team class at the club since January. To sack a manager who has nurtured talents such as Gould, Mackay-Steven and Armstrong, who had to be let-go cheaply to help balance the books, would be folly in the extreme.

 

For as long as football's management culture allows a club's finances, relative to those of the other teams in the same division, to slant the playing field, Scottish football will struggle.

 

Bad enough to have cash-rich English clubs, underpinned financially by the difference in what television is ready to pay for coverage of football north and south of the line twixt Solway and Tweed, making things difficult for hard-up Scottish clubs. Far worse that a single Scottish club (or even two of them) can afford to cherry-pick the best of the rest.

 

We need the guys who run the other clubs to collectively grow a pair and insist on some sort of North American-style leveling of the financial playing field, or we will never again see Scotland as a major player in football.

 

And, to suggest, as Spierso does, that the slow gelling of a largely new-look Dundee United should cost a fine young manager his job, is to show the short-termism and lack lack of foresight in Scottish football in all its shabbiness. 

 

 

I READ a good wee piece in the Guardian yesterday, about Partick Thistle's new mascot 'Kingsley'. The sort of piece one hopes the Scottish media will find space for, but which they seldom do. Like many media folk, I have a soft spot for the good old "Harry Wraggs", trips to Firhill have, over the years produced some wonderful wee nuggets of off-the-wall copy.

 

Certainly, to be sent to a Thistle game during the John Lambie years, was always a joy. I recall, after one match played in combined Monsoon/Typhoon conditions, the bold Lambie informed the assembled press: "Play fitba, ah widnae send oot ma doos in they fuckin' conditions ".

 

I used to wonder too, how come the erudite, wine-quaffing and loving Glasgow Warriors fans, who sat in front of the press box at Firhill, on Friday nights, could, less than 24-hours later, sitting in the same seats, become monster raving looney Jags fans . I think it was the lack of drink on Saturdays which changed them.

 

Aye Firhill, the Bermuda Traingle of Scottish football - strange things happen there.

 

Anent Kingsley, he may be a wonderful mascot, but, for me THE mascot in Scottish football was and always will be Paisley Panda, when "Andy" was inside the suit. Andy took his role so-seriously, when interviewed by the Paisley Daily Express at his Monday-to-Friday job, he conducted the interview wearing his business suit and Paisley's head.

 

The day he brought out a four feet high air freshener tree, a jubo version of those ones you tie round the interior mirron in your car, and put it behind the goal at Love Street, in front of the Morton fans - well, I honestly thought we were going to have a break-in, as the Greenock fans went ape shit.

   

It's Not Just Ally MacLeod Who Has Been Short-Changed By the Football Hall Of Fame Selectors

I PROBABLY spend more time than I should, and that is good for me, on-line, reading the comments on a couple of pro-indendence political websites. These are the home of those genuinely interested in politics, and in particular whether or not Scotland should be independent, the occasional pro-unionist troll, and, the political anoraks. Well, it keeps us/them off the streets.

One of the mainstays of such sites, a weel-kent Scottish broadcaster, in his latest post, touched on the thorny subject of the Scottish Football Hall of Fame - and Ally MacLeods absence from its alumni.

I have no connection with the SFHOF. I annually submit a couple of names for consideration, and, I know one or two of the journalists on the selection committee. I think it is a fine concept, but, I occasionally wonder at some selections, which definitely show which journalists are in the Lap Top Loyal, and which are not.

Induction to the SFHOF is made by a selection committee, so, immediately you have such a body, personal prejudices come into play. There are one or two guys in there whom I feel have been inducted before their time, while there are, in my opinion, one or two glaring omissions from the ranks of the inducted.

For instance Scotland's greatest feat by a club XI - Celtic's victory by the Lisbon Lions, over Inter Milan, to win the European Cup in 1967 has helped propel seven Lions: Ronnie Simpson, Tommy Gemmell, Bobby Murdoch, Billy McNeill, Jimmy Johnstone, Bertie Auld and Bobby Lennox into the SFHOF. No argument from me on these individual players' right to be in there, but - this magnificent victory was won by 11 Celtic players. They won as a team, so, in my view all 11 ought to be in there.  The missing four: Jim Craig, John Clark, goal-scorer Stevie Chalmers and Willie Wallace all played just as big a part, and in Chalmers' case, more of a part, than the other seven.

Yes, we laud magnificent individuals, but, football is a team game and induction should reflect this. All 11 ought to be in there.

Similarly, Hughie Gallacher, Alex James and Alan Morton, who would have worn numbers nine, ten and eleven, had numbers been worn when the Wembley Wizards were tearing England apart back in 1928, in what is still considered Scotland's finest international display, are in the SFHOF. But where are the guys who would have wonr numbers one to eight?

No sign of skipper Jimmy McMullan, one of Scotland's greatest captains. What of Alec Jackson, who scored a hat-trick in Scotland's 5-1 win. What of Jack Harkness, not merely the goalkeeper, but, in later life one of Scotland's leading football writers? I reckon these players have a better case for inclusion than some already there, and, if they get in, so too should the other "Wizards", full-backs Nelson and Law, half-backs Gibson and Bradshaw and inside-right Pat Dunn.

One or two who are in the HOF, got in because they were seen as "entertainers". They didn't have a great international record, their club form was erratic, but, when they were "hot", they entertained us.

Well, Ally MacLeod doesn't have a managerial record, at club or international level, to rival those of the giants of Scottish football management - Struth, Stein, Shankly, Busby and Ferguson, but, during his short spell as Scotland boss - Ally made us feel good about ourselves, he put a smile on the face of Scottish football, and, he gave one or two of the veteran journalists who sit in judgement as to who gets into the SFHOF some bloody good copy.

That in my view is a better case for inclusion than can be put forward for some who are already in.

I am something of a football history buff. I think that makes me more qualified than some already on the selection panel, to have a say in who gets in.

I want to see Bob Gardner of Queen's Park - Scotland's very first internationalist and captain, Tom Vallance of Rangers, Dr John Smith of Edinburgh University, Alec Raisbeck of Liverpool, Charlie Thomson of Hearts and the afore-mentioned Wembley Wizards, particularly McMullan and Jackson, inducted fairly soon. Their exclusion is an embarrassment to the selection committee. 

That Cameo Was More Vital Spark Than Showboat

NATHANIEL Oduwa is flavour of the day this Monday morning as far as the MSM is concerned; with more than a few column inches being taken up by comment on his "showboating" during the RTA's 5-1 defeat of Alloa Athletic yesterday.

 

That his outrageous flick over the unfortunate Alloa defender should be the cause of such a minor stooshie simply shows the paucity of opinion-forming in today's media. OK, the move was cheeky in the extreme. However, it did demonstrate the young man from Spurs, currently on-loan to the RTA has a guid conceit o' himsel' and no lack of belief in his own ability.

 

But, the fact is - he didn't quite pull it off, inasmuch as he didn't get away from his marker and go on to set-up a goal-scoring chance for his team. This sort of play may well be a piss-take; it might be perceived as demeaning and showing a lack of regard for his opponents. It might equally be seen as an example of an outrageous talent - but, it didn't totally come off, and as such, more work is clearly required.

 

This Old Fart wonders what might have become of him in the old days of square-rigged, Clyde-built Scottish full-backs, with legs like those on a full-sized billiard table, two-day's growth, halitosis and perhaps a centre parting.

 

Such creatures would occasionally allow a winger to get past them; equally rarely they would let the ball get past them; but, only once in a blue moon did man and ball get beyond them together. In such cases, the winger, particularly if he was a callow youth would be told in no uncertain terms: if he wanted to walk out of the ground at the end of the game - he should cease such outrageous behaviour forthwith.

 

It was the ability to accept such threats and continue to show-off their skills which separated the likes of Willie Henderson, Jimmy Johnstone and Davie Cooper from the rest. Master Oduwa would do well to learn, it is against the performances and entertainment produced by the likes of Wee Willie, Coop, Brian Laudrup, Davie Wilson and Bud Johnston that his term - however long it lasts - at Ibrox will be judged.

 

He made a good start on Saturday, during his late in the game cameo, but, he has to show more.

 

 

 

ODUWA'S cameo has taken some of the focus away from Celtic gazumping the RTA to take Scott Allan to Celtic Park, from under the noses of the RTA. This wasn't quite a Mo Johnson II moment, but, it gave the Celtic family something to smile about.

 

By the way, Master Allan, as a "self-confessed Rangers fan" is not the first Celtic player to merit that description. I personally know a couple of Ra Peepul, who wore the hoops with pride and distinction. These guys are professional, watching Rangers, or even the RTA, may be fun, but, playing for Celtic pays the wages - which comes first.

 

I honestly thought the Ibrox club would get their man, but, I am still judging by the standards of "real Rangers". Clearly these do not apply for the Rangers Tribute Act. We should also applaud the determination of Leeanne Dempster, NOT to sell a prime asset to her club's biggest rivals in the Championship.

 

Given selling to the RTA would, regardless of the compensation, have hurt Hibs this season far more than selling him to Celtic would, the decision to turn down the RTA's offer, but accept Celtic's was a no-brainer.

 

 

 

 

Sometimes - Shit Happens

LAST things first; if last night at Rugby Park, it had been a case of Kilmarnock leading 2-1, with less than two minutes to play, and Celtic had got that penalty - I would not have been at all surprised. We know such decisions in favour of either one of the Bigot brothers have been made in Scottish football for over 100 years. Nothing to see here, move along.

But, when Crawford Allan pointed to the spot, I was gob-smacked. Quite honestly, I didn't think it was a penalty; but, as a Killie fan who has endured over 50-years of such decisions going against us - "Dancer"!!

 

I remember, at one stage, when I was covering Killie at Rugby Park on a regular basis - the incumbent press box "Stato" informed the rest of us: Kilmarnock hadn't been awarded a penalty at home for some ten years. So, I definitely, gratefully and happily accepted last night's award - but still expected Kallum Higginbotham to miss the gift.

Of course, some this morning are using last night's dropped point as a stick with which to beat John Collins for his widely-reported comments of a few days ago. This reminded me of a now senior member of the Scottish Sun's Sports Desk team recalling his first casual shift on that desk - as he set out to prove himself worthy of a permanent berth there.

This was in the days of Steve Wolstencroft, the legendary "Mad Geordie" who broke some of the biggest stories in the history of Scottish Sport, back in the Kinning Park days.

Anyway, my mate admits - he had only just kept pace with the rest on his first shift, which covered a midweek match night. They had got first and second editions away, then, mindful of the fact Rangers had lost at Aberdeen, Steve whipped out a blank back page page-planner and asked (in his broad Geordie accent): "Haway lads, now, who do we crucify"?

My mate said, the next half hour was a blur as the previous back page was ditched and the entire Rangers team were hung-out to dry. Times have changed, but, how I long to see what the Mad Geordie would have made of last night's gift, to have a go at poor wee John.

In truth, on another night, Celtic might have won by about six goals - they were so-far ahead of Killie. The match, apart from the result, was further proof of the truth of Collins's assertions. The trouble is, in football, as in life - sometimes Shit Happens!!

For Celtic, it did last night.

Celtic dropping that unexpected point was, however, good news for Hearts, who now sit atop the table. I think this will have surprised even Robbie Neilson, but, it is terrific news for everyone connected with the club.

It will be interesting to see how long the reigning Championship Champions can hold onto top spot. For the sake of this season - the longer the better.

 

 

John Collins Is Right - Live With It

IF I was John Collins - I would be wondering why I bother. In his long and distinguished career, JC was one of the few Scottish internationalists to make an impact outwith the United Kingdom.

 

He could well have settled in Monaco, where he had a successful playing spell; he might have gained a managerial or coaching role in England, after his spells with Everton and Fulham, but, no, he came back to Scotland - to lead Hibs to one of the great League Cup wins, before the players rebelled at his methods.

 

JC then had a wee spell in the media, before he did a good job as a Head Coach in Belgium, then a less-praised one at Livingston, before taking up his current role as Number Two to Ronnie Deila at Celtic.

 

Collins's career to date, as a 50-times capped Scotland internationalist player and a successful coach and manager, should mean, when he speaks, people listen and pay attention. However, his much-commented on interview last week, has brought a tsunami of disapproval down on him.

 

I reckon its the old Scottish lack of respect for one of oor ain who has done well - the "Ah kent his faither" syndrome. You know, I agree with what Collins said, and cannot understand why his comments have generated such heat.

 

This current Celtic squad is, by the club's high standards, a pretty average one. All things being equal, I would expect the Lisbon Lions to be able to give the current Celtic squad two goals of a start and a beating.

 

But, this current squad has far-less bother in winning the League than the Lions ever had. Rangers won practically nothing during Jock Stein's tenure as Celtic manager, but, they kept the pressure on their greatest rivals during this spell.

 

And, when Rangers had a bad season, Celtic had Eddie Turnbull's Hibs "Terrors" and Aberdeen taking-up the challenge of pushing the Champions all the way.

 

I decided to check-out the distances by which Celtic's nine titles were won; back then, it was in an 18-club league, two points for a win, one for a draw, so, to make the comparison fairer, I recalculated their points tally at three points for a win. This produced the following figures:

Celtic's nine-in-a-row League titles between 1966 and 1974 were won by 4-5-4-7-20-3-13-1-and 7 points. Only twice, in 1970 (20 points clear) and 1972 (13 points clear), did their final margin of victory get into double figures.

Rangers nine-in-a-row League titles between 1989 and 1997, in comparison, were won by 14-10-4-15-15-8-15-4-and 5 points. Only four of these wins were accomplished by a margin in single figures. During this spell too, Aberdeen finished runners-up five times, Hearts and Motherwell once each and Celtic twice.

Six of Rangers' nine wins were in a ten-club league, the other three in a 12-club league.

Celtic's four-in-a-row run to date has seen their winning margin being 10 points in 2011-12 (before Rangers' 10-point deduction is taken into consideration), 16 points in 2012-13, 29 points in 2013-14 and 17 points last season.

The nine-time Champions Celtic teams of the Jock Stein era won an average 73% of the available points - and were on average, 6% better than the opposition.

 

The nine-time Champions Rangers teams of the 1990s also won an average of 73% of the available points - and were on average 9% better than the opposition.

The current Celtic run, chasing a fifth straight title, has seen the club win an average of 80% of the available points - Celtic have been, on average, 16% better than the opposition.

 

Both the Stein squads and the squad over the past four seasons, played 38 league games per season. So, the figures back-up Collins's assertion - his team is not being adequately pushed in domestic games.

 

Those other managers who have rushed to disagree with  Collins are, basically talking shite.

 

Hopefully, they will realise the error of their thoughts, and get down to providing a meaningful challenge to the Champions, to better prepare Celtic for the Champions League, their own clubs for the Europa League and give us the better competition Scottish football so obviously needs.

 

 

Pwoud, Ah'll Gie Ye Pwoud!

MUCH as I hate to disagree with a good Paisley Buddie, I feel Derek McInnes was talking mince when he said he was proud of his Aberdeen team's European bid, which ended at Pittodrie last night.

 

I fear SAF would not have been "Pwoud, very pwoud" had his Aberdeen side tumbled out of Europe so-early in the season, to a definite "diddy" team from a "diddy" country.

 

OK, I have often said, we Scots perhaps have too-guid a conceit o' oorsels when it comes to fitba, but, Aberdeen had a higher Europan co-efficient than the team from Kazakhstan who eliminated them; Scotland has a higher club co-efficient than does the former Soviet republic from so far away, while Scotland has a higher international co-efficient than Kazakhstan. So, by these simple statistics - to lose to a team from Kazakhstan was NOT a performance to be proud of.

 

Once again, Celtic is left to carry the saltire in Europe. At least, they got a wee bit of a break with the draw for the Champions League play-off round, when they were paired with Malmo.

 

No Swedish team is ever easy to beat, but, it's not as if Celtic will have to make another lengthy trek to the other end of the continent. This one will be close, it will be hard, but, Celtic are capable of beating the Swedes.

 

And, it's a nice wee earner, potentially, for former Malmo player Robert Pritz, who will surely be dragged out to speak at length on the tie - given that getting an Old Firm old boy to speak on such occasions is the default position of the Scottish fitba media.

 

Of course, this being Celtic,  "The Magnificent Seven" will surely have his peace and sanity tested between now and the tie, by sycophants anxious to hear his views on Scottish-Swedish football relations.

 

 

 

PARDON me if I cannot get excited about BDO's latest look at football finances. The current model of Scottish football management, at SFA and SPFL level doesn't work - but, I don't see a willingness to change things being evident any time soon.

 

We will just, as we have always done, stumble along, from crisis to crisis, with our football product reflecting lack of investment, lack of imagination and an unwillingness to rock the boat of self-interest.

 

Doomed we are, doomed ah tell ye.

 

 

 

IN the course of researching what I hope will be a new book, I have been trawling through football match reports from 60-years ago. What a pleasure this is. We get all the necessary information, without the hysteria of today, and, mercifully, the writers back then were allowed to have their own opinions, rather than simply parroting the opinions of the managers and players.

 

Quotes from over-rated coaches and players were also, mercifully, nowhere to be seen. Aye simpler times, and, I think, the fitba was better.

 

Mind you, some things never change. One issue of the local paper, which I was looking through last week, had a report of a West of Scotland Junior FA disciplinary meeting, at which a local junior team's linesman was banned for a month, after it was found that, in site of his denials, he had indeed: "Advanced menacingly towards the referee, taking off his coat in the process and threatening the official". 

 

The linesman, one of my father's drivers, denied the charge. I was at the game, about 20-yards from the incident - you bet he acted as charged, I saw it all.

 

 

 

Mind you, the best bit of bare-faced lying I ever heard at a junior disciplinary meeting was by the Cumnock Juniors official who denied a charge of hitting an Auchinleck Talbot player over the head with a corner flag. 

 

Said official - who never got to be Cumnock president, because (amazingly) he could never win the Cumnock Village Idiot of the Year competition: first prize (allegedly), to be Cumnock Juniors president for a year - had claimed he had been holding the corner flag horizontally, and trying to edge the Talbot player and one or two others away from the club-house entrance at the end of a typically tousy Cumnock v Talbot game.

 

This outrageous claim was, however, undone by the match referee, who told the disciplinary hearing: "I felt the wind from the flag stick, whizzing past my nose, as the Cumnock official brought it down in an overhead motion to connect with the Talbot player's head".

 

Cumnock were duly fined £100 for the official's misconduct. Mind you, the consensus within the meeting was - he hadn't hit that particular Talbot player hard enough!!! I have to agree. Nae names, but, in the litany of wee, narky, annoying nyaffs in fitba, this Talbot guy was right at the top of the list.

 

 

 

TO return to long-ago incidents. In the course of my research I read an old report in which the go-ahead goal in a Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final was described as having been "prodded home".

 

Aye right. I was right behind the goal when the scorer shot, from about three-yards. It was the most amazing "erse-hole winder", the ball nearly burst the net and I was convinced it would come through the rigging and hit me in the face.

 

If that was a "prod", I'd hate to see a fierce shot.