So, 2023 is here.
Athbliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir!
Tomorrow Celtic travel to the stadium that Mr John Brown played for.
If the game is going well for the home side, then expect to hear the Ibrox klanbase celebrate the achievements of their favourite fascist and KKK member.
The featured image is my own Tweet today about what SHOULD be the story in the build-up to a potential title decider.
Of course, the local media will not go near this dignified elephant in the room.
Instead, this apologia for journalistic inaction is shamefully churned out.
The simple fact is this:
In order to build trust, you must first eliminate doubt.
This refereeing appointment for THIS fixture doesn’t do that.
Indeed, it is very unfair to Mr Beaton himself.
A recurring theme on this site since it began in 2008 is the need for the intervention of outsiders to shine a light on the darker corners of Scottish football.
Keeping on the themes of match officials, here is Hugh Dallas Exhibit A:
It did not escape the London-based media’s attention that it WAS a story.
Moreover, they were in no doubt about the identity of the journalist who got the scoop.
That’s why the Guardian commissioned me to write this piece about it.
Before that, there was the Bunnet and Jim Farry.
Consider this, the ONE time that a litigious Celtic chairman went after the SFA, something was found.
Fergus got Farry’s head on a plate for the Cadete registration scandal.
The SFA man tried to cling on, but the Bunnet was having none of that:
“In the interests of Scottish football, and to maintain its reputation for fairness and justice, this case demonstrates clearly that Mr Farry cannot be allowed to hold and exercise such powerful authority.”
Sadly, these Celtic have a different type of person in the chair.
Therefore, do not expect anyone in the Parkhead boardroom to address a scandal that is hiding in plain sight.
Consequently, the chaps at Hampden have nothing to worry about.
Dear reader, I hope that 2023 is good for you and yours.
Your humble correspondent makes you this promise:
I will continue my work here by doing what the Stenography Corps refuse to do.
Discover more from Phil Mac Giolla Bháin
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Another game another VAR decision against Celtic. Why was the ref not asked to go and look at the monitor at Goldson’s clear hand ball with his arms in an unnatural position? Why does this differ from the pens given against Bernabei and O’Reilly? I thought VAR was supposed to ask the referee, the final arbiter, to adjudicate and not make the decision themselves. This is now twice a clear hand ball in the box is not even passed to the ref to look at. If you can name a similar incident in England I’d like to hear about it. The pens given against Celtic clearly show that it does not need to be deliberate. The preposterous one against O’Reilly even leaves debate as to whether it was in the box. Clear hand balls in the box by hearts and sevco players aren’t to be reviewed? I think I see a pattern. As that clown Maxwell said, VAR is working as intended.
Never the less, no damage done today. Whilst we’d all have liked a win, to come out of there no worse off is not a bad day’s work.
Cheated again by Officials…I don’t think Starfelt fouled…but no hesitation…Pen to Sevco…Starfelt then connects in their box…Goldson clearly uses his arms to deflect the ball….No Pen to us…The game is rigged…Will we raise the issues ??…Don’t hold your breath.
Not a great display by any means but retaining a 9 points lead plus a huge goal difference advantage will be enough to retain the league title.
That says it all…Well done.
Just seen the team…New boy Johnston at RB….My main concern is the physical side of things…We are lightweight compared to them…But hopefully our skills will overcome that… ‘Mon the Hoops.
Tom, as Phil said, oh dear, you’ve taken the wrong medicine for your hangover through away the deludimol. Try realism.
The way I look at this fixture is that talent without courage will never win it. So I look around the team to see who might give me a little extra input if I needed it and I don’t see a Billy MacNeil, Bertie Auld or even a Scot Brown. Carter Vickers perhaps but ironically he seems too much of a gentleman in manners despite his brawn. I know I am in a minority but Calum MacGregor is not captain material and we know how polite the Japanese are.
I still think we will win but the players are going to have to find the bit extra after all they are playing 11 men and four officials.
There is nobody involved in football in Scotland who is genuinely neutral about Sevco or Celtic. Fixtures involving these clubs should have referees brought in from England or further afield. It is not the referees fault – they probably don’t mean to be biased and don’t realise they are. But just as the supporters ‘objectively’ judge every on-field situation through their own particular lens, the referees cannot help but do the same.
Keep shining the light, Phil.
Let me know when you get somewhere.
Happy new year Phil.
Let’s hope 2023 sees an end to many of the terrible things in this world, sevco included
I love how everyone blames the board for keeping quiet on all this.
Fergus wasn’t the board he was the majority shareholder when he went after the SFA. Who’s the majority shareholder now?
Interesting post Scott, I never thought of it that way.
Celtic Wiki describes him as Chief Executive / Managing Director…
The ‘Billy Boys’ has been sang for decades at Ibrox. Both fans and players regularly partook in this puerile chant. All of them fully aware of its Fascist/KKK background. With the apparent exception of guys like Mark Walters.
May 2023 bring you and yours health and happiness Phil, thanks for keeping us all updated throughout the year.
Happy New Year To. All The Celtic Family Worldwide Hail! Hail! 🍀
For various reasons, sevco can’t be allowed to lose tomorrow.
But maybe I’m just one of those ‘thick conspiracy theorists’?
Maybe, the match officials – and VAR officials – will have a perfect game tomorrow?
But, if there are further ‘inconsistencies’ in the match decisions which leave CFC supporters confused,
then, I fully expect my club/Board to stand up THIS TIME and be counted, for this particular match.
No point in complaining at the end of the season, if we have lost the league.
AND, this could be when all CFC supporters see CEO Nicholson as the future of the club,
or the emasculated puppet of the new “non-exec” Chairman?
I just want things to be kept simple tomorrrow: a repeat 0-4 win should do the trick! 🙂
Happy New Year.
Awe the best to you & yours buddy ❤️ var omg at least someone has their name attached to the iffy decisions is the only comfort I can find from var – & to think I thought it would help us – lol 😆 🤘💚🍀🏴
Happy new year Phil, keep fighting the good fight, long may your torchlight keep shining on they bastards, Hail Hail
Keep up the good work
Happy new year Phil, to you and yours, aside too this why is no one questioning the 5 stars or the 10 year liquidation and it’s final outcome?
Stuart it’s a lie you know I know it they know it and you know they know it and they know that you know it . Happy new year all 🍀🍀
You are banging your head of a brick wall. VAR is just further justifications off honest mistakes. The ref will aid sevco.themedia will smooth over any controversial incidents. And any dodgy decision pro sevco will be forgotten.
Oh dear, you seem to have missed the central point of the piece.
Happy New year Phil
Good on you Phil ,keep shining the light ,, happy New Year mate
Brilliant as always