Planet fitba has entered a new space time continuum.
Later today Celtic will attempt to edge past their Finnish opponents in the Champion’s League.
I won’t get to see the game as I’ll be over the Atlantic on my way to Philadelphia.
On Saturday Celtic will play Real Madrid there.
The term “glamour friendly” is routinely misapplied by sports hacks.
However, this is a genuinely glamorous event.
In Scotland now only Celtic inhabits this footie firmament.
The landscape has changed and we are now in an age of unipolarity.
Despite the best efforts of the establishment Rangers are in liquidation row with no chance of reprieve.
Only the final paperwork remains to be processed.
I am amused, but not surprised, that the SFA’s “fit and proper person test” has been passed.
Moreover the “future financial information” forms completed by Sevco would, no doubt, make for interesting reading.
Once Rangers finally flat line the Post Mortem, which will be carried out by the BDO boys, is likely to be rather grisly.
Sevco has purchased the belongings of the condemned club and they seem to have convinced the Ibrox klan that nothing has changed.
That is not how FIFA and UEFA view things.
On planet Fitba, all IS changed, changed utterly and in Philly this week end and wherever green is worn we will know and the world will know that the good guys won.
Our day has come.
weeandybhoy
No Iain,
purely stating that the old Fiorentina amassed huge debts that couldn’t be paid & they ended up being liquidated.
They ended up with an oldco/newco scenario.
What eventually happened was the debt belonging to the old club was cleared & as a result they were entitled to ‘link/merge the 2 clubs/businesses together.
The history was with the oldco, which they were entitled to transfer (for want of a better word) to the newco.
But it’s the newco that play today & the players contracts for example, belong to the newco.
August 9, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Ó Maolmhuaidh
Great piece-as usual Phil.Enjoy Philly well it is the City of Brotherly love after all.Glasgow is still the city of Brother Mason etc.
August 9, 2012 at 8:42 pm
SamBrowneBelt
Iain,
For some reason you appear to object to a famine memorial – can’t think why though, seems an odd stance to take.
What about an annual St Patrick’s day parade – you know, the kind of thing that happens in cities where a lot of descendants of Irish emigrants live? They’re also joyous affairs, where all are welcome and none excluded – a strange concept for this part of the world, admittedly.
I assume you don’t object to parades, marches etc?
August 9, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Greenjedi
Its amazing that Glasgow (indeed Scotland), which probably has the highest % population of Irish descent of any city (country) in the world doesn’t have a Memorial to the Famine or an annual St Patricks Day Parade.
I wonder why
August 9, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Thomas
who jerseys is Charlie selling?
will there be Rangers BDO and Sevco ‘taps’ in competing stores?
August 9, 2012 at 1:31 pm
John Reid
Enjoy your trip Phil, should be an awesome game! I truly believe we are in a fantastic position to mount a decent assault on the CL! no need to fret about deadco, just cos they think they are the same club, does NOT make it true! Phil train your sights on c og, his continued presence at the head of the sfa is an embarrassing joke?? Hail Hail
August 9, 2012 at 12:14 pm
St Peter
A very worthwhile campaign and long, long overdue. Is there anyway that we, the descendants of the imigrants can get involved possibly even asking for Celtic’s assistance.
My dad always said that we had the greatest memorial to An Gorta Mor and it dominates the skyline of the east end of glasgow.
Always liked that thought.
August 9, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Frankier
Cahill67 – I agree entirely
August 9, 2012 at 11:22 am
Stevo
Our day has come, oh yes. Great blog Phil, can’t wait to read your book.
August 9, 2012 at 4:38 am
Thomas
I found myself shouting at the ‘wireless’ tonight for ‘Murderwell’ to “go for it” It had the usual effect, it was the way it came out, It was a natural reaction damit! not since Aberdeen and Dundee Utd back in the Euro heydays had I felt this Scottish fitba passion, I tell ye it felt good, I’ll slate them in the league, as you do as a Celtic man, no quarter asked etc. however from today in Euros I’ll even stop ‘hating’ Heart o M. Something good is happening, by th fans, SFA & Doncaster are holding us back, fech it good luck Hearts!
Clean out the Blazers in the SFA give us a forward thinking bunch, a ten team league (sorry we have too many teams). and ffs Doncaster stop with the short hair gell thing, you look like an grannies fandago!
August 9, 2012 at 12:31 am
beeegajay
Happy landings Phil! European football until Christmas – Lovely!
Bring on Real Madrid
August 9, 2012 at 12:09 am
Ben McGinlay
Mason,you are delusional. You should maybe go and get professional help.there is no old f##m.that died with the Oldco. I dont miss your mobs ideals, sectarian hatred,politics and aggressive ways.All fans i know feel the same. Your lot have shown no remorse or humility. That is why you are in the position you are in. And oh aye.breaking the rules and dodging your taxes and paying your bills.and bringing the game into disrepute..which you still are.
August 9, 2012 at 10:34 am
Cahill67
Phil, you say that’s now how FIFA & UEFA view things. However, to date both these organisations have stood back and allowed the soon to be liquidated club to start again, rejoin the Scottish League while playing under the same name – only change is they are now debt free and are able to sign players they previously could not afford. Can we really expect FIFA & UEFA intervention once the season is up and running – I fear not.
August 8, 2012 at 11:23 pm
iain
HAve FIFA or UEFA had anything to say about the situation in Italy? Where liquidation and re-birth seems to be an annual event for half a dozen teams now?
The reality is FIFA and UEFA don’t “step in”. It’s pie in the sky to think they do
August 9, 2012 at 9:47 am
weeandybhoy
Iain,
Fiorintina eventually paid there dues & I mean financial ones.
Oldco do that, their welcome to all the history that was earned previously, if not…..the history stays where it is, in limbo.
Newco – played 2, won 2.
Thats the NEW history
August 8, 2012 at 11:00 pm
iain
So you are saying history can be bought and sold?
An interesting concept.
August 9, 2012 at 9:44 am
Fexca
Just back from Moscow (Russia) every statue, shrine or bit of memorabilia in their great struggle is guarded by the government, it only takes one policeman, it would not take much in our small community, lets get our history put in place…….now.
August 8, 2012 at 10:49 pm
Pete Stack
Phil,
I seem to recall when White took over at RFC it was reported that a significant amount (well in excess of 1 million) was spent on new catering equipment. Seems a strange use of funds given the situation he inherited.Any thoughts?
August 8, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Pete Stack
Thanks Redversbodkin. I think Walfrid would be proud.Isn’t this why he started the club in the first place? I would also like to see the Celtic {or Famine) Cross back on the shirts instead of the four leafed clover (a watered down shamrock) or indeed a proper shamrock. We don’t know where we’re going if we can’t acknowledge where we came from.
Hail! Hail!
August 8, 2012 at 10:11 pm
sammybhoy
Hav a gd time and enjoy ur break! Uv workd hard 4 it ma carra!! Tell our brothers u put the phill in philladelpia haha! Hail, hail let’s all laff at sevco na na na na!
August 8, 2012 at 10:07 pm
Greenstrawman
It’s good to be going to the States with our place in the draw for the next hurdle of the CL. We should sit back and enjoy our place at that esteemed event, where our achievements on all fronts will no doubt be recognised. Got some US born cousins (NY/NJ) going to the game and they can’t wait to give Lenny and the bhoys a warm welcome. Our manager may even be able to go for a stroll without people watching out for him, I hope all have a great time. HH
August 8, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Ben mcginlay
Good luck in Philadelphia Phil, I’m very much looking forward to your book. Your articles have been a revelation and vindicated everything I have thought about the so called Establishment and their underhand ways. I really do hope once the finalising paperwork for the liquidation process is done that FIFA make a statement and in no uncertain terms reiterate that the Old club is dead. The Newco should not be allowed to lay claim to the range s name or allowed to talk as if it has just been bought over. All the Huns I know and work with insist that this is the case. Our old fiends at the MSM should be investigated for their involvement, because I think they have a bigger hand in this most people think. I think they knew there was drama in the pipeline and tried to cover it up. This let the Huns think everything in the garden as rosy. That is why they are all in denial. It has been as Regan said ‘a long slow lingering death’, but for range s not Scottish football. Hope we do it tonight. Hail Hail
August 8, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Auldheid
How can UEFA not get involved Phil? The SFA ignored and continue to ignore a kep plank of UEFA policy ie Financial Fair Play.
What is being allowed to happen by the SFA drives a coach and horses through Platini’s flagship.
Even in SFL3 they are paying wages that football income cannot cover.
August 8, 2012 at 4:52 pm
redversbodkin
hi phil totally agree robert stacks “kin” it has to be the HALLOWED PRECINTS OF CELTIC PARK HAIL HAIL PETER STACK
August 8, 2012 at 4:33 pm
whale oil beef hooked
Our day has come alright, but it’s barely dawn. And it’s going to be a very, very long day.
Last 2 articles, top notch Phil.
August 8, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Ralf
Perhaps you could answer this one Phil , why are players desperate to play for the newco ? in the past week we’ve seen Brazilian and top SPL players slgning on 4 year contracts, and theres more to come. I think they’ll get to the top again soon with this squad that they’re building.
August 8, 2012 at 3:55 pm
PaulMc
Some players want to play for that club, true, but look at how many left recently and try to balance the two facts together.
If you also take a look at who is signing they are hardly world beaters. They appear to be journeymen players who have spotted an opportunity of maybe getting to play in the SPL and eventually, by extension, in Europe.
August 8, 2012 at 5:34 pm
JimBhoy
money taking journeymen is not how it should have worked but a short term, fuk the youngsters is at play…. Check out how many new/young platers plated in the SPL at the weekend…. this is the plus….
August 8, 2012 at 11:42 pm
Frankier
There is a famine memorial in Carfin grotto although I appreciate the fact that not that many Celtic fans go there.
If ipox goes on the market soon, courtesy of BDO, then the base of the bronze Barney Rubble statue could be nabbed for a couple of punts, or a couple of pints even.
August 8, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
I am fully aware of the existence of the Carfin memorial. That does not address the lack of an appropriate memorial in the city centre.
August 8, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Ben mcginlay
There should be a memorial in the city centre for the famine, but that is down to Glasgow’s eternal shame that there isn’t one. I believe there are memorials in English and American cities. But not our dear green place…….
August 8, 2012 at 4:48 pm
iain
Perhaps they could put it beside the memorial to the hundreds of thousands of Scots who died, or migrated to Glasgow and abroad due to the same famine?
August 8, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Ally
Afternoon Phil,
Why are you talking about a memorial? Who do you think should pay for it, etc.
since no one in glasgow’s large catholic community has, why should someone else?
by the way – i’m a catholic who went to st matthews in bishopbriggs. i don’t really see why a memorial is wanted or needed.
August 8, 2012 at 10:34 pm
PaulMc
What does Catholic have to do with it? Do some research on memorials to the Irish Famine please and pay attention to where there are memorials and where there are none.
August 10, 2012 at 1:40 am
Frankier
cautious dave – I think you are being a bit too cautious. Was it not Tiocfaidh Ar La that we used to sing, or is that me being a bit under-cautious?
August 8, 2012 at 3:21 pm
SamBrowneBelt
From memory, it was “Tiocfaidh, Tiocfaidh, Tiocfaidh Ar La, Our Day Will Come, Our Day Will Come” – so you’re both right!
August 8, 2012 at 11:14 pm
lordmac
the next books about the SFA vol 1, 2, 3, could be made into a film phil, if you need any actors for any part please remember my name, I would make a good JR. Farry
lying come easy with me. lol
August 8, 2012 at 1:30 pm
cautious dave
When we used to sing “Our day will come” back in the early nineties, for me it was more out of hope than expectation. From that datum it truly is incredible how things have panned out.
Furthermore it should serve as a warning to the club and fans that just because things are so now, they might not always be so.
August 8, 2012 at 1:24 pm
redversbodkin
here here brother phil, how fitting you are off to the ‘CITY OF BROTHERLY” enjoy your stay & enjoy the game, the memorial to “AN GHORTA MOR”AW’ THE BEST WITH THAT ENDEAVOUR, A WORTHY CAUSE INDEED, my own folks left at the time of the famine {1845 LOUGHGALL CO ARMAGH,& DUNGANNON CO TYRONE BLESS THEIR MEMORY,
August 8, 2012 at 1:16 pm
Ian
Surely the Bears aren’t been taken for a stroll down the garden path again???? Great article.Patiently waiting for your Book A Rebel Journalist..can’t wait to read it…Cheers.
August 8, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Stevie
Hopefully a truly seismic shift in the clarity and fairness of Scottish football is upon us Phil.You should be very proud of the changes taking place because whether the establishment like it or not some of it is a direct result of excellent journalism by the internet bampots.Take a bow son.A result tonight will be the cherry on the cake.HH.
August 8, 2012 at 1:06 pm
jjbhoy
hi phil,you caught my attention with the comment,this is not how fifa or uefa view things,how do they view this and mores the point how do they view the wearing of 5(solripe)stars by their current staff when playing brechin as surely this must be in breach of the law or as we have all seen before do they still believe they are above the law of the land? thanks jjbhoy and keep up the good work maybe even start a process whereby “we” can have mr ogilvie removed from office as this is long overdue!
August 8, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Pete Stack
Would Celtic Park not provide the most fitting site for a permanent memorial?
August 8, 2012 at 12:53 pm
stewart
Spot on on the need for a famine memorial phil we must be one of the only citys affected that don’t have one.the memorial should be a celebration of an event that has made our city and scotland what it is today. However I don’t see a certain group having this view, it maybe that to make it happen it may have to be self funded and not council funded. I feel the politics of this may be a dificult sell for glasgow district council.
August 8, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Castaway
I’m a natural optimist. I hope we don’t underestimate the power of the brethren.
The next step should be a running for cover by all involved, and bean spilling, as people seek to put distance between themselves, DM and blame.
My hope is while they’re about it, we might get some revelations on the phony match officiating. One consequence among many of that ought to be the reversal of the appalling treatment meted out to Stephen Craven for blowing the whistle on the 2 x Dougie disgrace.
Enjoy Phila and the game. My brother and 3 nephews will be there. You could meet them in Fado, if you go there of course.
August 8, 2012 at 12:31 pm
iain
“That is not hoe FIFA and UEFA view things”
Do we really need another link to the UEFA page on Fiorentina?
August 8, 2012 at 12:26 pm
keighley bhoy
CELTIC were the only show in town then, are the only show in town now, and will be the only show in town, period. although brechin v newco scum did definitely entertain me the other week, in a beautiful smug hun free way. Hail hail, GOD BLESS IE CELTIC+
August 8, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Anne Wilcox
“OUR DAY HAS COME” What a wonderful end to this piece. Totally captures the sentiments of many particulary me!! Thank you Phil for your part in exposing this cheating. Now what are you going to investigate next! The withdrawal symptoms are starting to kick in!!! lol
August 8, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
I will be speaking in Philly about the need for a permanent memorial in Glasgow City centre to An Gorta Mor.
That campaign will be getting most of my energies in the coming period.
I am also discussing my next book-every early days for that though…
August 8, 2012 at 12:17 pm
franco
Well put phil, as per usual;-)…have a ghood 1 in philly n enjoy the game n the craic…hh
August 8, 2012 at 12:09 pm
PaulMc
Glasgow City Council is controlled by people of Irish Catholic descent? I’ve seen this stated before, written by the most bitter Rangers supporters/members of the Orange Order/plain old Irish Catholic haters. Never yet after making said statement has one of them produced a shred of evidence to support this.
Many cities around the world have memorials to the famine, Glasgow is conspicuous in not having one. Would you object to one being erected? It would also honour the memory of the non-catholic Irish you speak of, who may have descendants among those who supported Rangers. You know them? Those people who mocked that tragedy every week with vile racist songs.
August 9, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Craig Whyte's Liquid Eyes
Think you’re confusing rivalry with hatred mason, how can you consider zombie gers to be rivals of Celtic when three leagues below?! There won’t be an SPL2 next season, and Scottish football, (and Scotland in general), can only benefit from the self implosion down Govan way. It’s become quickly apparent that the new club is happy to welcome the same sectarian bigots who besmirched the names of Rangers and Scotland for long enough, the rest of us live in hope that an extended spell in the lower echelons of Scottish football will finally see these pathetic individuals give up and go drag their knuckles elsewhere…
August 11, 2012 at 1:29 am