It’s been a mad season for sure particularly when you consider that since October Celtic have been top of the table for twelve whole minutes but these were the minutes that mattered. Indeed, until Daizen Maeda scored in the 86th minute (more VAR controversy as every inch was analysed to try and keep the title heading to Tynecastle) were Celtic finally top of the league and looking down on the rest. The joy Maeda displayed, the emotion said it all. He’s never lost that hunger, that desire, and he clearly loves Celtic FC. If he does leave in the summer (which seems to be the general consensus among Celtic fans) then he leaves with our blessing, wishing him well and with no bitter taste in our mouths. Daizen Maeda has written himself into the lore of Celtic and in a time when someone can be called a legend for creating a new sandwich we have what traditionalists would call a “real legend” of the club right here. In years to come his name will be mentioned alongside the Lisbon Lions, Henrik Larsson and Jock Stein.
Of course there was controversy, after all there needs to be, for the media and something for the fans of less fortunate clubs to moan about.
It began against Motherwell. At 2-2 and Hearts steamrollering Falkirk, it looked like the title was 99.9% in the hands of Hearts.
It’ll come as no surprise to readers of this column that I for one agreed with the decision.
The decision in question being to award Celtic a penalty for a handball.
I’ve heard all the conspiracy theories including Celtic pay VAR to make decisions in their favour and all the usual paranoia that comes crawling out of the sewer every time Celtic get a controversial winner.
The meltdown in the media led by McCoist, Boyd and Lineker was incomparable to anything we’ve seen in the Scottish game for some time - indeed as I watched West Ham capitulate to Newcastle United on Sunday it was brought up yet again - talks of conspiracy of backhanders, bribery and corruption along with the usual anti-Irish, anti-Catholic crap that floods the pages of social media in a tsunami of word vomit, it was there for all to see.
It wasn’t the decision that angered the rabid hordes of losers looking to deflect from their own clubs' failings but who got the decision.
As I’ve said before there’s an ever widening sectarian divide in Scotland and it’s shameful.
I too have let my emotions at times get the better of me but my words and actions whilst wrong aren’t requiring referees and their young children to be placed under 24hr surveillance by Police Scotland.
A nineteen year old lad was arrested in connection with the leaking online of John Beaton's family's details, and I for one hope they make an example out of him to show others that this behaviour won’t be tolerated.
It was much to Don Robertson's credit that he agreed to take charge of what was the title decider on Saturday.
A match again overshadowed with controversy as after Osmand scored in the last minute of stoppage time to secure the title for the Bhoys in green a few hundred over exuberant fans took to the pitch and in the melee that ensued the media were quick to pick up on “reports of violence toward Hearts players.” This was then downgraded to “reports of intimidation toward Hearts players” til eventual radio silence as videos began to circulate of Celtic fans being punched and assaulted by Hearts players and one fan having his phone knocked from his hand and stamped on repeatedly by a Hearts player (they’re easy to find on YouTube). Indeed, listening to callers mention it on Clyde etc and hearing them say “we have to be careful with these allegations caller” whilst only hours before hinting to the world that shadowy figures in balaclavas run VAR in Scotland smacks somewhat of hypocrisy. Never mind though it’s Celtic and next year will be just the same. These small clubs doing all the shouting should perhaps put more effort into winning a trophy than talking about their rivals. It must be awful when all you have is conspiracy theories to fill your trophy rooms with.
This Saturday (May 23rd) brings with it the Scottish Cup final, a match with more implications than first appear and for one day every fan of The Rangers will be praying for a Celtic victory.
Why? you may ask well let me explain
A victory for Celtic would see The Rangers enter the Europa League at third qualifying round and in the event of messing that up they’d still qualify for a Conference league play off and a chance to remain in Europe.
A victory for Dunfermline and The Rangers would be forced to play three qualifiers for the Conference league (starting in July) and defeat in any of those and it’s a season without European football for The Rangers.
Considering their business model is built on qualifying and or competing in Europe's premier competition and or its close cousin (the Europa league) a Dunfermline victory would throw a huge spanner in the works and give The Rangers a financial headache they don’t need.
As well as suffering financially this would mean a squad reshuffle and players needing to be sold to bring in lesser value players to fill these holes.
Rangers fans might like to shout from the rooftops that they’re the richest club in Scotland but Financial Fair Play matters, and given the history of the previous Rangers I suspect they won’t want to be caught in another monetary scandal.
So you see ex-Celtic manager Neil Lennon against current Celtic manager Martin O’Neill in a match knowing a victory for one side helps Rangers, a victory for the other hinders them. What could possibly go wrong?
The match itself kicks off at 3pm and I’m fairly sure it’ll be available somewhere, BBC Scotland, Premier Sports etc.
After missing out on promotion Lennon's men will be up for this and I don’t believe it’s as clear cut as you’d think.
Before that though we have the Premiership playoff final between Partick Thistle and St Mirren - first leg is on Thursday the second the Monday after the cup final.
Congratulations to Edinburgh City who retained their SPFL status in League Two by squeezing past Brora Rangers and Hamilton who retained their League One status in an enthralling 7 goal thriller v Clyde.
Til next time …. Enjoy the summer break. Now bring on the World Cup …
🐼 Gary Robertson is the TPQ Scottish football correspondent.
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