After the unexpected victory over Celtic on the 29th December last year the Sevco High Command got all giddy.
For a moment they believed that perhaps Chairman Dave had discovered gold in Steven Gerrard.
That their new rookie manager could outwit a vastly more experienced rival across the Clyde.
Moreover, he could do this despite having only a fraction of Celtic’s football budget.
What had happened at Ibrox was that the “football gods” had briefly smiled on Mr Gerrard.
The Celtic squad had been badly hit by a vomiting bug in the week before the final match of the calendar year.
It was a huge slice of good fortune for Gerrard.
Sevco won the match and the Stenographers lost their shit.
In the afterglow of the victory over Celtic, the chaps in the Blue Room appeared to make a bold statement by strengthening.
The acquisition on loan of Steve Davis and Jermaine Defoe gave the chaps on the sports desks plenty to gush about.
Here is some award-winning analysis…
However, the reality is that it was another substantial outlay in wages for the loss-making club.
It made no financial sense, but that is the norm at Ibrox.
The plan in January was always based on selling Alfredo Morelos to plug the hole in the finances.
In the end, there were no offers for the Colombian despite the best efforts of the Stenography Corps to go along with the high-Level fiction that there was great interest in him from England.
Bringing in the Englishman from Bournemouth was meant to lessen the departure of Morelos.
Instead, now they are both now on the wage bill and the beginner in the dugout cannot find a formation to play both of them.
Mr Gerrard didn’t have that conundrum on Saturday.
So he played Defoe and pretended that he was the South American and hit him with long balls all day.
It is inconceivable that Brendan Rodgers would put young Mikey Johnston up front and then tell his back line to feed him Route Tone balls like he was Oliver Burke.
Gerrard will have the services of Morelos back for the cup replay against Killie.
The sporting invocation to “play the ball not the man” might have been somewhat misunderstood by the striker.
Of course, artificial surfaces can be a great leveller against a superior passing team.
In the end yesterday it was grit and determination that saw the champions prevail.
Scott Brown is a genuine leader.
Sadly, the behaviour of a minority of the away support at Rugby Park gave the Stenography Corps the back page focus that they craved.
My views on the indefensible atavism of seat breaking are well known to regular readers and anyone who throws a coin at a football match is a criminal.
Celtic supporters understandably detest being compared to the Ibrox klanbase.
Therefore, it might be an idea not to act like them.
An eight-point lead, plus better goal difference, is a significant, if not insurmountable margin at this point in the campaign.
Rodgers will keep his players focussed.
Meanwhile, the chap at Ibrox is only in his first season as a senior football manager and it shows.
Sevco now only have Scottish Cup hopes to cling to this season.
That is how it is with lesser clubs.
The Key Performances Indicators (KPI) for both the Admirable Warburton and Poor Pedro were identical:
- Come second in the league
- Beat Celtic in at least one league match
- Win a cup.
Despite the public pronouncements designed to please the Ibrox klanbase these are realistic KPIs for a smaller club like Sevco.
David Low was in the room when Fergus McCann saved Celtic a quarter of a century ago.
He’s a numbers guy.
When Celtic announced their interim results recently his response was all about their financial import.
As I have written here before, only Celtic can topple Celtic from their preeminent position in Scotland.
The historic events of 2012, despite the liquidation denial of the Stenography Corps, were seminal.
Rangers died and Sevco had the birth defect of the onerous contracts drawn up by Charles of Normandy.
This season Celtic have had more difficulty with the Rugby Park playing surface than with the cash strapped tribute act at Ibrox.
Have a great week.
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A bit shocked that Kris Boyd and the Scottish media were taken aback by the ‘sectarian’ abuse aimed at the Killie striker at the weekend.
Surely a lifetime of sectarian venom emanating from the Ibrox stands has not flown over the head of Boyd and the blue facing media?
I’m all in favour of calling out sectarian abuse wherever it raises it’s head but to take the weekend incidents as the benchmark whilst ignoring the fortnightly hate fest at Ibrox is just not on.
Is the media so ingrained with the Ibrox crowd’s behaviour that it’s become the norm and not worthy of calling out or are there other reasons why the fortnightly anti Catholic/Irish hatred is swept under the carpet?
Come on Joe……. you’re not even slightly shocked. To be fair, none of the rest of us are either! This double-standards-double-think by the MSM in Scotland is the norm. Ach, we’re all used to it.
The media is having a field day with Celtic fans vandalism, around 20 or so damaged seats, which Killie played up for all its worth.
Now, 2 weeks down the road, a story surfaces that the Dons have billed the Ibrox club for damage to 200 plus seats.
Apparently the BBC have sat on this story whilst quite happy to get stuck into Celtic.
To be clear there is no place in a football stadium for eejits that throw coins or whatever, they should be locked up.
Just another example of that BBC bias I suppose as claimed by the new club’s fans.
8000 Celtic fans, 20 seats damaged.
1800 Sevco fans, 200 seats damaged, do the sums.
Cast your mind back to the reign of the knight of the realm at the crumbledome. He once went public about seats being damaged after an old-firm game – back in the days when there was an old-firm. Our Chairman at the time, I can’t actually remember who it was, rebuked him equally publicly. He stated that there had ALWAYS been a gentleman’s agreement that the bill for any damage caused by visiting fans would be covered by their club and it would be kept between the clubs. He further stated that over the years this had cost Rangers, (RIH), many times the amount it had cost Celtic. He further stated that if anyone doubted this then he would be prepared to go public with all historic invoices as long as Rangers, (RIH), were prepared to do likewise. Nothing more was heard.
Oh aye, in case anyone didn’t get it. (RIH), Rot In Hell!!
Today’s Herald sport pages give a lot of coverage to the Killie game. Kris Boyd states that he was called an “orange b——” and as the Herald puts it “subjected to sectarian abuse”. [On several levels, this does my head in]. A few guys jump the barrier and it’s a “pitch invasion”. A few broken seats makes a great photo opportunity for a “vandalism” claim. All the press needs is the slightest excuse and they will embellish the story, and not in favour of Celtic.
Whether it is supporters on the pitch, using flares, throwing objects or sectarian language it does our club no favours and earns us fines, repair bills and bad publicity for weeks to come.
I remember Charlie Nicholas after scoring for the Dons at Pittodrie always used to run along beside the Merkland stand and give the youngsters who congregated there a slap on the hand – they loved it. I think sensible players should be able to judge a situation and realise the possible consequences of certain types of interaction with supporters.
I’m not condoning the behaviour of the fuckwits who broke the seats at Killie in any way, in fact if identified they should get lifetime bans from all grounds.
Tonight I heard a part of the BBC sports program and Richard Gordon stated at one point that the last time sevco played at Pittodrie THREE HUNDRED seats were damaged. I do not recall hearing or reading a single word about this. ANYWHERE!!!!
Sorry, but the fact that a coin thrown by the Killie end has completely passed by, just because it hit Boyd doesn’t mean to say it was aimed at him, could’ve been aimed at a Celtic member of staff…? jumping on the thought bandwagon methinks, sure, seat damage was done but by accident, not deliberate due to already dodgy safety issues with that stadium. #Operationdeflection appears to have suckered in a few of our fans, like a pie pulls towards Boyd’s belly. For shame.
Pedro, that end of the ground was occupied by Celtic fans. There were no Celtic members of staff anywhere near Boyd. No one should be subjected to that sort of physical abuse in their work place (or anywhere else for that matter). You would want to be some weight to accidentally do that kind of damage to those seats and if you were of that physic I doubt you would fit through the turnstiles. That sort of behaviour is not what Celtic supporters should aspire to. Phil and especially Pat Nevins’ Barnet cover the episode superbly
Pedro, that end of the ground was occupied by Celtic fans. There were no Celtic members of staff anywhere near Boyd. No one should be subjected to that sort of physical abuse in their work place (or anywhere else for that matter). You would want to be some weight to accidentally do that kind of damage to those seats and if you were of that physic I doubt you would fit through the turnstiles. That sort of behaviour is not what Celtic supporters should aspire to. Phil and especially Pat Nevins’ Barnet cover the episode superbly
You have to wonder what the thought process is of the ordinary Sevco fan.
Did you know that the world was against them?
The SFA/SPFL obviously biased, just look at the treatment of McGregor and El Buffoon.
Not forgetting how they were demoted 3 divisions for a wee financial problem despite the best efforts of our football authorities trying to squeeze them into the SPL or Championship.
The same football authorities who transferred the trophies won by the club in liquidation to the new club.
The media is getting pelters as well. If it’s not trial by Sportscene its the BBC bias just oozing from every pore, despite the fact that most of those called up by the beeb have an EBT or a previous connection to the Ibrox club.
They absolutely detest the SNP, blaming them and the Catholics running GDC for the loss of being the predominant football club in the land.
It’s never ending. With 8 IAR now staring them in the face their desperation knows no ends.
A treble treble will be too much for many of them.
Did you know that if they had won all their games this season they would be well clear in the SPFL?
Just one wee snag with that thinking!
The answer for investment in the squad is to sell El Buffoon and Tavernier, their two saleable assets, for a combined £30m, and add quality to the squad.
It would be surprising if that figure could be achieved given the Morelos lack of discipline and Tavernier’s inability to defend, time will tell.
I see that Mr Kings delaying tactics plus his iffy share issue have allowed him to wriggle out of the ToP order.
I hope the shareholders lose everything when it all goes ‘critical mass’ after the triple treble…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47290051
Killie on the synthetic surface was always going to be difficult but we got there in the end.
Hearts is the next domestic away hurdle. Another 3 points there will be a big step towards 8 IAR and will leave the Scottish Cup as the final step to a historic treble, treble.
Great article but why when condemning those for bad behavior do you used low class rhetoric like “the stenographers lose their shit” not really something that a first class journalist would write, is it? Can you not find a better word to express what you are trying to convey, than shit.
A Frenchman once said.
“When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.”
Sadly Phil,I totally agree with your sentiments,re.pitch invaders.’We see them do it,so why can’t We?’ Is their only defence and a piss poor one at that.We have to hold Ourselves to the higher standards set by Our Own fans.
Pitch invasion was common place many moons ago and when I saw that lot do it multiple times recently it occurred to me that Our fellow fans will probably do likewise given the opportunity,only then will it become ‘news.’
However,it doesn’t make it right to do the same and those who ‘invaded’(encroached would be a better description) the pitch and celebrated with the players will say it was adrenaline,heat of the moment,type stuff.The ‘sports meedjah’ in Scotland,a shameful bunch,will run with comparing them to Us to them and We shouldn’t even be on the same page,still,they have the ammunition they craved.
I commented to a friend who is afflicted with ‘sevcoitis’on this when it saw it repeated and said if it were Celtic fans they’d have been batoned back into the crowd.Thankfully,I was wrong on that score.But,how long will it take before that is reality,I can comment from my own experiences at CP and sometimes it really doesn’t take much before the ‘polis’ get heavy handed,very heavy handed.
Cheers Phil.
I,m a celtic supporter and shareholder of some 53 years and counting, my grandparents family where mayo born and bred so the ‘celtic thread’ is as they say ,’in with bricks’ I think there are some obvious points that need to be said re ‘the green brigade’ and running into the crowd ,pitch invasions/throwing coins, 1/ there is no need whatsoever for ANY player to leave the field of play after a goal is scored (or at any other time during play) if players want to interact with fans start by taking off your headphones pre and post match and sign some autographs and actually acknowledge them, better still attend some supporters functions and ‘interact’ properly. 2/ fans invading/encroaching the pitch is simply extremely dangerous ,it can cause injury ,fans crush/stampede or in extreme cases fatality (ibrox disaster, hillsborough, estadio monumental argentina 1968) to name but a few . also once on the field high numbers of fans are nigh impossible to control so players themselves then are in danger of injury due to certain over zealous individuals, but unfortunately in all probability due to this era when people do not seem to take responsibility for any of their actions some fan /fans or player/players will be seriously injured killed before someone finally takes ownership of this situation and finally ends this stupid nonsense ,imagine George connelly leaping over the hoardings and jumping into the crowd after scoring at elland road in 1970 fans then running on causing mayhem during the actual game and then Connelly being sent off for it and jock stein stating that he couldn’t fault his actions, ? yes the answer is we couldn’t imagine it , big jock had gumsion time for Brendan rogers to demonstrate he has also,he should not be excusing this nonsense and scott brown shoudnt be doing it plain and simple. 3/ the ‘green brigade’ are going to keep dragging Celtics name through the mud until theres no way back ,lawell has got to stop indulging these ‘clowns’ and stamp out their unsavoury behaviour, but I wont hold my breath as ‘saint peter’ has demonstrated that he,s a man who only likes to take responsibility for the stuff that makes him look good he’s nowhere to be seen when there is trouble afoot.
Valid point about players engaging with fans pre/after match,,..
I’d imagine there’s not even music running into those headphones most of the time and is actually their way of detaching themselves from the fans.
The Ibrox disaster was nothing to do with the pitch. It was an Exit staircase safety issue at fault.
The Hillsborough disaster was not a deliberate pitch invasion. ( In fact the pitch was the refuge)…
It was caused by poor management of fans and overcrowding in sections of the ground.
This was seriously exacerbated by the fenced ‘pens’ introduced to stop the sort of pitch invasions common to the 70s and early 80s…
These invasions (while regrettable) never lead to any deaths.. the fences did.
I’d hate to think that things could ever return to those days.
There’s good reason that the fences came down.
I think Lawwell HAS shown some ‘token’ discipline towards the GB st times…. bans due to flares , section closed due to seat damage etc …
He definitely does need to start getting a grip and start representing the majority of the fans who pay the majority of the bills.
Show who really ‘bangs the drum’ so to speak!
Matches without banners and a bit less atmosphere would be something I could happily live with if it meant an end to the negatives of the experience.
I find the behaviour of some Celtic fans in away matches quite depressing…
A few kids running to a player through over exuberance is excusable but coin chucking and flares are inexcusable and OUR club needs to stamp it out right now.
We need to be seen to do something and not leave ourselves exposed to a media and SFA who would just love to see heavy sanctions dished out.
We abhor this behaviour from the Sevco animals , so how can we possibly hold ourselves up and criticise them.
Nothing short of utter eejits who do the club no service. They need rooted out , banned forever and dealt with by the police.
I think (as with all good examples) it has to start at home. I’m not talking about with family – I mean … at Celtic Park.
While I admire the ‘Green Brigade’for the liveliness they bring to matches …
(I’ve been at games during the RD years where they were the only noise that could be heard!)
… and their charitable work etc…
….. unfortunately they bring a lot of negatives to the experience which now outweighs the positives heavily and is seriously spilling into away games and ruining the hard earned reputation of our club.
It won’t be popular with some but for me it starts with the name ‘Green Brigade’ … the paramilitary overtones and inferences are enough of a warning sign. The banners, dolls and other accents don’t help.
We despise the ‘Union Bears’ and ‘Blue Order’ tc for their similar alliance to orange and loyalist groups, so why should we tolerate it within our own club?
Indeed going by the general age demographic I’ve noticed…. the GreenBrigade seem to be singing about (and modelling themselves on) an armed struggle which not only has no relevance in a football ground, but is one which they won’t remember if even born prior to 1999. I very much doubt few if any of them fully understand it or have families directly affected by it.
We have to hear Sevco fans singing en-masse week in week out (whoever they are playing) about killing catholics and the might of long dead race hate criminals….
Rightly we complain – not that anything is done.
Sky and BT sport turning the ground mics down is about the most reactive action ever taken…. And I genuinely feel that is only done to not focus any negative attention on the new club.. not because it is the right thing to do.
However , Celtic have their own share of this vocal stain on the game.,, Singing pro-ira and rebel songs are not sectarian in my book – they are just stupid and irrelevant…
For me they have absolutely no place at Celtic Park in the 21st Century.
If we ever want to seriously have ambition to rid ourselves of association with the bigoted neighbour it has to stop.
If we want to break free from the SFA and join the English leagues or a European league.. it has to stop.
Not only will it not be tolerated. It will just look pointless and pathetic.
As I mentioned above….., the numpties at Rugby Park have just given the media an excuse to brand Celtic supporters as the main problem….
I’m listening to the BBC Scotland Sportsound programme right now…
Carefully choreographed by Kenny McIntyre whose football allegiance is veiled in wet tissue paper..
Usual sevco apologist pundits (and Scot McDonald) all tearing into the coin throwing issue and sectarian abuse as if Celtic fans are the only offenders.
I don’t remember such detailed in-depth examination when Griffiths was hit by a battery and narrowly missed by a bottle.
In fact – not a mention.
Otvthe 50,000 strong bigots choir that meets every 2 weeks or so and has a travelling branch.
But now… 10 minute hotline call to poor Kris Boyd to see how he’s feeling.
Leading questions carefully scripted to ‘draw’ just the response Kenny is looking for.
The ‘active player’ also monlighting as pundit has alwYs sat uncomfortably with me and this is a clear situation confirming my thoughts.
Not so easy to phone Griff up for his thoughts.
It was guaranteed to happen.
Very angry at these idiots that wear our colours. They have no right to cal themselves Celtic supporters.
Agree
You have just said everything I was going to say…..well done.
Great post.
Hail hail
Excellent
PNB – You’ve said everything going through my head, just more succinctly and eloquently… There was one fat git in the mob around Broony who had his hood up on his jacket, scarf around the face and sunglasses on. WTF are you dressed up like that for at the football – to throw flares, smash seats or throw coins?
Are you a joiner perchance? I ask because rarely have I seen a nail hit so squarely on the head. An EXCELLENT post!
I love the fact that some of the BBC commentators refer to him a Steven G’rrard in an effort to make him sound more Continental and exotic !
You rightly state that Celtic fans do not like to be compared to the Sevco support but there were Celtic fans who acted like Sevco fans on Sunday, which was hugely embarrassing. We need to stop this as it will only bring shame on Celtic if we have 2 years of this as we head towards 10 in a row.