Today, Brendan gave his pre-match press conference ahead of the Aberdeen game tomorrow, and for the most part, I liked what he had to say. Naturally, he was asked plenty about Clement and answered with his usual deftness and respect. He is a class act, our manager. He was just ruthless enough to suggest that Clement is a loser but just nice enough to admit he feels for him on a human level.
He was also asked about the defeat at Hibs and what it means for the team. He was very clear that it doesn’t mean all that much—he sees it as a bad game and a bad performance, and while we must step it up and improve, he’s not going to lose his head over it or single out individuals.
On the disallowed goal, he repeated exactly what he said at the weekend: it was a shocking decision and completely indefensible. However, he also said that as a club, we have to move on from it—and we have.
But he added something else.
He confirmed that the club has spoken to the SFA and asked for an explanation. But we’ve done it quietly, behind the scenes, in a professional manner.
There’s a lot to be said for the way we do things.
I wouldn’t want us to behave like the screaming, foot-stamping attention-seekers across the city—because that’s exactly what they are. That’s how they act. Hysterical, irrational, and almost impossible to take seriously. I understand why people don’t want to imitate that. I get that they’d rather Celtic handle things in a civilised and discreet way, and there’s merit in that approach.
Still, I appreciated Brendan’s little dig at them where he pointed out that “we don’t do statements.” We certainly know how to take a shot at them though, and we don’t do that enough. We don’t slap down their lunacy often enough.
Too many of their tantrums are aimed at us as much as the SFA, and sometimes it’s good to remind them that we see them for what they are.
Now, I know a lot of fans are frustrated because they feel the club doesn’t do enough. This constant “behind-the-scenes” approach annoys people because they want to see us being more vocal, more forceful. But today, Rodgers reaffirmed that we do raise issues, even if we don’t always do it publicly. And if we can take a wee dig at the maniacs across town while doing so, all the better.
One thing we should be doing more of behind the scenes, though, is alliance-building. That would be far more useful than simply sitting in silence most of the time, which is how it often looks. And I say “looks” because, as I’ve acknowledged, we do make our voices heard privately. But there are times when a public statement is necessary. There are moments when going on the record is the right move.
I said it on the podcast—I believe we missed an opportunity with Dundee United. I genuinely think they were looking for allies, for clubs to stand beside them and back them up. And we share every single one of their frustrations. We share every bit of their dismay at the way Scottish football is run.
Rodgers was dripping with sarcasm today when he talked about our cheap version of VAR and suggested that maybe the governing bodies have “other priorities” when it comes to spending the game’s money, which is the club’s money at the end of the day.
He knows full well that the SFA and SPFL have no other priorities beyond simply existing in their current form. They’re not investing in grassroots football. They’re not spending money on youth development in any meaningful way. They don’t have a centre of excellence worth the name.
There’s no proper reserve league where young players can develop. That’s why we have to go and play in the Lowland League instead.
Whatever their “priorities” are, they have nothing to do with improving the game. But I’d bet the executive expense accounts are nicely padded. I’d bet the top brass at the SFA and SPFL are still getting their handsome salaries.
If the SFA is spending clubs’ money on something else, I doubt even the clubs know what it is—because there’s no visible improvement. No tangible progress. We don’t even pay referees full-time wages like most other European leagues. And looking at the state of officiating in Scotland, these people certainly don’t deserve more money. The idea that higher wages would somehow improve the standard is ridiculous.
I don’t know what John Beaton’s day job is, but I wish he’d stick to it instead of wasting our time pretending to be a referee. The thought of making him a full-time official? No thanks. Frankly, I don’t care if the SPFL’s priorities are water slide holidays and building an executive golf course—it would still be a better use of money than giving more to these clowns.
Rodgers knows how rotten things are. He said it at the weekend after the game when he called out the embarrassing quality of our VAR setup. And he was at it again today, taking another shot at the governing bodies and their so-called priorities.
Their priorities certainly aren’t about improving the game. They aren’t about raising standards. This league is a laughing stock. And in some ways, our club contributes to that by not fully engaging in any real reform effort. We may not be completely silent—though it often feels like it—but we don’t go public enough with our frustrations.
And I know for a fact that we share every single one of Dundee United’s concerns. What I don’t know is why we didn’t back them publicly. Why didn’t we release a statement supporting them? Like I said, there has to be a middle ground between what we do actually do and Ibrox’s tantrum throwing lunacy.
And United extended us the opportunity. Why didn’t we extend an olive branch and agree to work with them and other like-minded clubs to push for change? United made the call. They asked for allies. And if there’s one club in Scotland that knows just how badly change is needed, it’s us. Things cannot continue like this.
Our manager certainly knows it. And he’s no longer willing to stay silent. He’s having his say. It’s time the rest of the club did too.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Our latest podcast is now up; we called it The Good, The Bad & The Funny.
Please like and subscribe if you enjoy what we do. We want to keep getting bigger and we want to keep getting better, and that’s why we need you to help us!
Eventually tonight on Clyde Superscoreboard they got around to discussing the scandal…
Ex Sevco player Halliday sayin it was inconclusive so goal should have stood – so fair enough…
Some guy Rodger Hannet sayin it was very inconclusive and should definitely have stood –
That guy Hannet whoever he is seems to have a good football knowledge and says he ‘cannot wait’ to see what Collum comes up with in his next Radio Review…
Neither can any Celtic supporters wait I’d imagine…
Wonder what Lord-Lucan Nicholson will make of it all –
Will he even fuckin well know !
Clach, Shirley you’ve clocked the script with our version of the Silent Man, he will make of it what the Master Puppeteer tells him to.
As for his public vow of silence on all matters professional, it should be obvious that any marionette that has to suffer the indignity of a big, greedy haun jammed up his erchie as part of his contract of employment, regardless of the considerable financial recompense, must be deserving of even at least a soupçon of our empathy.
Imagine what it must be like to turn up for your work every day and enter a room devoid of any of the modern technological communication devices available to even the lowliest strata of Celtic’s workforce and sit at a desk with no ubiquitous. ‘In & Out Trays’ or writing implements.
Imagine sitting there alone, day after day, silent and full of dread awaiting the arrival of some minor flunkie from the Chairman’s office requesting (sic) that you hand over your ‘personal Mobile’ and sit and watch as your call log for the previous evening and early morning was scrutinised and you have to account for each number as it is checked against a list of known ‘SMS Meedjia influencers and second rate auld hacks. At this point the SIM & Battery are confiscated for the duration of the working day and you are left alone to your thoughts. Principally about the circa £700,000 wedge in your bank account and the stash of shares held by the Club and only redeemable at retirement subject to compliance with an extensive set of restrictions and the requisite signature and implementation of an exhaustive NDA.
Human interaction with co-workers. Job satisfaction. Feck that he growls while reaching for the rubber gloves and tub of Vaseline hidden in his executive Leather attaché case, a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. Just hope Chairman Kim gets this over before the Board meeting he grumbled . “ Why can’t I just work or not work from home?”.
Pretty certain there will be an admission that “VAR got it wrong”. I’m also pretty damn sure that the focus will be on “VAR” and not the official, unlike the decision earlier in the season when Sevco and the press had the focus on the 2nd official on VAR (naming and implying…).
Should be able to table a vote of no confidence in the SFA and get shot of the lot of them , they’re absolutely useless in everything they’re involved in , tv deals , youth and promoting the game in Scotland, more interested in sticking their useless snouts in the trough.
The quicker reform in Scottish football by getting rid of these empty shirts the better.
Beaton works for scotrail in case you wondered. I only know that because my pal from work applied for a job there and John Beaton was training him.
Wonder if he travels to a game by train will he put expenses into The SFA despite free travel…
Maybe a learning curve for an MP’s salary and career in the future like D.ROSS –
For Butchers Apron loving Labour, Tory, Reform, And Lib Dem of course !
Didn’t really think Brendan said much on the matter tbh not much more than I’m guessing the board said or write to the SFA. Why? Stopping well short of a fine or sanction is the sensible professional action. A shouting and bawling angry man looks immature and irrational. Brendan and the board know it’ll change nothing nothing and it certainly won’t change the result of the game. An enquiry by the board into why the VAR operator acted in the way he did and a bit of innuendo and sarcasm from Brendan is wiser than a hun cursing statement or the rankings of an irrational now ex manager. We move forward to our next match towards title 55 with our integrity and our manager still in place. HH
If truth be be told, I don’t mind Celtic not backing up Dundee United, or any other club for that matter in the SPFL. History has shown us that none of them would ever ride to our rescue and none of them are to relied upon. They way they treat the Celtic travelling support, particularly now, with their measly allocation of away tickets, sticks in my craw, and Celtic, as far as I am concerned, should stand alone in any dealings with the football hierarchy, we do our own thing for we don’t need any of them. In an ideal world James what you are saying is the logical way to go, but in our great wee bigoted country common sense goes out the windae!
If the ball over the line cannot be proved by Var and is inconclusive surely the official who made the decision has no excuse.
The goal should have stood.
In other words Alan Muir has to resign.
I note that Alan Muir has been dropped from Var duties this midweek and at the week end.
Does this mean that he has been punished for doing something wrong?
If this is the case it is not good enough as his guess on Saturday had a lot of implications throughout the league.
He should resign.
Regarding Beaton’s day job, he’s worked as a journalist, and for the police, as well as refereeing.
You couldn’t find 3 more H*n dominated jobs if you tried! ?
From his wikipedia page:
“Outside of football, Beaton started his career as a journalist before becoming communications officer for Strathclyde Police. He is currently media relations manager at ScotRail Alliance, having previously been a communications officer for the University of Strathclyde.”
I hope the board made it clear also that It’s not the first time a VAR operator has cancelled out a goal for us using this so called technology from an out of line camera. At best it’s an ‘honest mistake’, at worst it’s being used as a vehicle to change a ref’s decision and that a pattern is now emerging