There it is, all in plain sight.
It is difficult to see Mr Beaton’s choice for the derby match as accidental after the recent disciplinary hearing against Brendan Rodgers.
Indeed, many in the Celtic end will see this as a middle finger from the SFA to the Parkhead club.
I couldn’t possibly comment.
If you haven’t already, then this from ACSOM is definitely worth your time.
As Alan Morrison of Celtic By Numbers stated, there is a clearly discernible pattern of assistance for ONE CLUB over several seasons in the SPFL.
It is impossible to “Old Firm” this, so the local media will ignore it.
Alan explains the “pattern of assistance” as a manifestation of the culture within the SFA.
Like all organisations with a cultural problem, it cannot be fixed internally.
Consequently, an outside agency will be required to effect change.
I wrote this on January 1st last year, and sadly, it still remains relevant.
The role of outsiders in the SFA story is well documented but worth re-stating.
It was a litigious North American businessman in charge of Celtic who did for the late Jim Farry over the Jorge Cadete registration affair.
Once again, that was part of a pattern of assistance.
There was no conspiracy; Farry was merely obeying the implicit instructions of his culture.
I’m told that the Celtic’s high-powered legal team brought some uncomfortable facts to bear during the recent case against their Irish manager.
Firstly, they introduced comments from dear Philippe and the official position of Statement FC apropos match officials to set a precedent in the proceedings.
They also brought in expert testimony from VAR officials working in several major European leagues to assess the quality of the officiating at Tynecastle.
I’m told that the Continental consensus was firmly in Celtic’s favour.
Perhaps that was why Rodgers wasn’t banished to the stands for the majority of the title run-in.
According to my information, Celtic now realises that the status quo cannot be maintained and that the root-and-branch reform of the SFA is non-negotiable.
Of course, that will take more than just the Parkhead club.
Over at Easter Road they seem to have got the memo.
Any power structure that has not had any restrictions imposed on it heretofore will always resist change.
The SFA are no different.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Brendan is preparing his charges to play for most of the match at Ibrox with ten men and a goal down from the almost inevitable TavPen.
At this stage, anyone who doesn’t think Scottish football needs an independent regulator is either not paying attention or benefiting from the clearly extant pattern of assistance.
When this problem is finally fixed at Hampden, the vast majority of clubs in Fair Caledonia will wonder why it took so long.
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Phil, you are absolutely on the money with all of the above. Let us not forget, however, how cheaply the players, the coaching staff and the Board, collectively and severally, contrived to throw away a seemingly insurmountable seven point lead. As undeniable as your piece may be, it shouldn’t really matter. That said, let us rejoice at the splendour of our bank balance.
It is almost incredulous to grasp that the upper echelons within the Celtic board room have not changed since 2009/10 when they called out the outrageously biased refereeing which caused strikes and foreign referees to take temporary charge.
For the same personnel to preside over that moment to where we are today is the epitome of what “sleeping at the wheel means” and “dereliction of duty” because it’s the same status quo.
What has been the light bulb moment that’s woken them up ?
Paul your very own knight in shining armour Mr Desmond is as culpable as Mr unelected Director of Football
Dammit ,can you believe my luck Phil …I had 19 minutes !
At last
I’ve been bumping my gums about the penalties awarded for years…. I kept mentioning its not the amount of penalties but when they are given as the timing is the most crucial factor in point gained…I’d like to thank Alan at Celtic by Numbers for breaking it down. Even the most staunch supporters of the team in blue cannot ignore the data
“Don’t mention the VAR , I did once but I think I got away with it”
Turnbull Hutton’s, are thin on the ground!
Well to be honest Phil, I personally think, maybe not a majority, but a very sizeable minority of the fans of the rest of Scottish football, would not be particularly upset if the status quo remained in place. You are well aware of the reversible scarves. They permeate every club in Scotland – bar Celtic and Sevco obviously. Sixty years ago my long departed dad described the followers of my local team as, “Rangers fans without the bus fare!” Sixty years later, I can’t put up an argument that statement that would hold water.
Penalty to Sevco.
How do you change an organisation which holds all the power and will use every lever in its arsenal to resist change.
Most clubs simply don’t want the hassel. They are perfectly happy to be cheated year in year out and mumble about it while counting their cash.
I hope your right Phil but I doubt it
The Establishment, the BBC and the Refs are trolling the Celtic Fans and Celtic FC in plain site.
How the hell are they getting away with this.
Ocam’s Razor would tell me that it’s because CFC are happy with it all.
Maybe they need Rangers to get that Champions League Money to keep the old firm brand going.
Whatever happens at the weekend, no one will be allowed to hate the cheats, fraudsters and anti-irish racists
Only the calendar is changing ‘ another year gone ‘ all sorts of proposals and promises ‘but the craft workings remain the same ” would be very shocked if ANY other SPORT on the world SLAP you down for having the audacity to question their KGB guards in their Employment ‘ Yet the bias is becoming clearer to anyone willing to open their eyes ? Time is Up for the pointless rhetoric from cfc and others who refuse to CALL it OUT .id rather hoops withdrew from Scottish competition than be defecated on by the SFA