The real value of sport is that it can be a merciful distraction from the awfulness of the world around us.
Indeed, I think it was the immortal Hugh McIlvanney who coined it “our magnificent triviality”.
Of course, sometimes horror can come to the match too.
If you really must, you can search “Querétaro” and witness some unspeakable scenes of feral violence at a game in Mexico that left 17 dead at last count.
I wouldn’t advise it, though.
No one should go to a football match and lose their life.
Yesterday, the magnificent triviality provided your humble correspondent with some respite.
Actually, it was redolent of a good sci-fi mystery.
Somehow Celtic was able to navigate through the Livingston Triangle and emerge with three points.
Baffling.
I reckon if Asimov were writing a script for Planet Fitba, he would have something akin to the Three Laws of Robotics.
Hardwired into the little Positronic Brains Brains of the Stenography Corps is that there must be a crisis conclave if Celtic get a decision during a game.
Young Danny Boyle put it rather well.
The bottom line is that Ange Ball turned up at the Tony Macaroni Arena yesterday.
Across the city, as regular readers will know, Dave is agitating against the Sevco High Command.
There is nothing complicated here; just follow follow the money.
Essentially, he wants someone to buy his remaining shareholding and then he’ll be off.
The Club 1872 folk can’t provide the funds for such a purchase, so it will have to be one of the well-heeled directors.
That is why he has been briefing against the current occupants of the Blue Room.
Of course, with every new issue of confetti, his shareholding is diluted, thus lowering the asking price.
Football finance expert David Low keeps a keen eye on this corporate shitshow.
Meanwhile, all Dave can hope to do is make enough trouble for the Sevco High Command so that it is worth paying him to Do Walking Away.
This is always an uncomfortable situation for the local media.
Ordinarily, they want to remain obedient to however controls the home dressing room at Ibrox.
However, Dave King is always good copy.
That he is getting any traction in the press is, in part, down to a rather work experience PR strategy of DUPman.
The £25k admission price and the tilt towards fan media have left some in the Stenography Corps feeling unloved.
The poor dears.
Ultimately, the Dave King situation will almost certainly be resolved by money and nothing else.
Watching all that unfold will be a welcome distraction for the People who currently have to endure the somewhat turgid spectacle of Mr Giovanni’s struggling charges.
We should embrace good news if it arrives.
Today, I learned from my publisher that my new novel will leave the print plant ten days from now.
Patrick’s Day…
Sometimes, just sometimes, the universe has a sense of humour.
Stay safe and hug the ones you love anytime you can.
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Three separate questions and not necessarily rhetorical.
Is there anything more annoying than the ubiquitous photo of Lennon and McCoist hugging each other while their big “baw” faces sport manic grins? You can see the sub-plot in the latter’s beady little eyes.
Why did, Hartson buy into the non-corner “crisis” since, as far as refereeing “mistakes” are concerned, we have about a century to catch up?
If Man U or someone (Leicester’s name being used to do the unsettling today) comes in for Carter- Vickers with a bid of £20 million, not unlikely and more than justified, is “the baw on the slates”?
So the board at Ibrokes is essentially doing what DK has done to many in his wake? Dilution of his share holding, how many times did to poor punter in Klan 1872 put hard earned cash into his and others pockets? How many times was their holding diluted?
Now wonder he’s kicking up a fuss.
Although another thought pops into my mind about the south side circus.
Maybe the board want his feet planted firmly on Scottish soil in the form of his holding as down the line General Ashley will be looking to pick a pocket or two and as I understand his pocket is firmly on the dotted line in the Hummel et al debacle.
Who will budge first?
On the hoops games recently, our bhoys picked themselves up from a wee testy run and drove a stake through the heart of any Livingston doubts. I’ve even noticed that Taylor has turned up the last couple of games. 8 games to go in the league, a wee SC trip to Tayside next Monday and we’re looking good. HH
The only bad game Taylor has had this season was against Bodo/Glimt at Celtic Park
and he wasn’t alone that night. Taylor is a player who’s running off the ball and passing ability helps the players around him, and I’m pretty sure his teammates appreciate him a lot more than some over critical Celtic supporters.
Eight games to go, lets support and roar on this Celtic team to what would be a fantastic League Title after the debacle of last season.
It did look like someone was feeding Jackson gossip for his latest effort – having a clear pop at both the Ibrox PR expert and Bisgrove.
A bit of a surprise to read such negativity about Ibrox in the DR. 🙂
Celtic had hardly kicked a ball since the Rangers game till an excellent show against a Livvy team that has been a constant pain in the backside when we visit.
Also thought that Jota brought his A game with him which hopefully will still be there in a couple of weeks time when we visit Ibrox ,giving the winger the chance to terrify the Rangers captain and take home the 3 points which should all but see the league title return to Parkhead.
With the prospect of immediate entry to next seasons Champions League Groups and the financial windfall attached to it,which will create a £40m gap between the Glasgow clubs finances, it’s not difficult to understand why finding a fan with deep pockets to buy out King and underwrite the annual losses is proving difficult.
Who knows, perhaps there is another Craig Whyte out there ready to bring his fortune to Ibrox and blow Celtic’s challenge away, or perhaps not?