Ignoring the distraction that is FIFAs corruption taking place in the land of the free, providing you’re white and Christian, back home the Premier Sports Cup/League Cup group stages got underway with sixteen matches taking place on Saturday. Perhaps the biggest shock being Lowland League winners Linlithgow Rose beating Championship Morton by a solitary goal in front of nearly 1100 people at Morton’s Cappilelow Park.
Sadly though for fans of the Rose their promotion to the Scottish Second Division was blocked by the SFA due to club not holding a SFA Bronze licence.
It's all official red tape I won’t bore you with details of what this entails as it’s all very dull, to be honest. For instance, the manager and at least one first team coach must hold a UEFA B licence. I'm sure some people find this stuff fascinating so I’ve added a link here where, if you’re a nerd or insomniac you can investigate this yourself. I wish you well.
Suffice to say, I feel sorry for the players and the fans who won’t get to watch their club competing at a higher level, this season at least.
Other results of note include Dundee United relying on a penalty to get past Stirling in the 93rd minute.
Who says the bigger teams don’t get preferential treatment eh? 🤣
Other Premiership clubs took care of their opponents with wins for St Mirren by four against Dumbarton, Falkirk putting five past Edinburgh City and Dundee coming out victors with a 4-2 win over Airdrie
In other news: finally Celtic have made a signing, not a contract renewal but, no, not one, but two new faces. Camilo Duran, the 24 year old Colombian forward landed on a five year deal from Qarabag. A potential replacement for Daizen Maeda who whilst is still a Celtic player, fans are resigned to the fact that he’s likely to be gone soon.
The other new face is a brand deal with Christophe Duchamp luxury watches - the official timepiece of Celtic FC
Yes, while other teams rebuild, the Celtic board continue to look for money making opportunities.
I know it’s a business etc etc but FFS, seriously, Celtic what are you doing?
Your average fan couldn’t afford one of these watches, they’re clearly for “monied people” and while us peasants look for players, the Celtic board through their official X account “are pleased to announce”… fancy fucking watches.
I gave up alcohol for a number of reasons, and despite my son buying me whisky and a decanter for Father's day I’ve so far managed to avoid drinking it even though right now it may be the only way to get through the day. It’s draining being a football fan, it’s certainly draining being a Celtic fan.
As I finish writing this I’m acutely aware that in the last few days we’ve had the 45th anniversaries of the passing of Joe McDonnell and Martin Hurson. On July 8th and 13th respectively. I extend my condolences to their family, friends and former comrades. May they rest in eternal peace.
Til next time ….
🐼 Gary Robertson is the TPQ Scottish football correspondent.
Soccer - The World Cup final will not have France in it. A piss poor performance against Spain. Think it is Spain's to lose. Could be a Spain -England final in a rerun of the Euros
ReplyDeleteFrance by all accounts were awful. I put the radio on this morning and the few times they mentioned the Spain - France game was to bemoan the fact that France didn’t turn up. Obviously I’d like a Spain - Argentina final but I suspect the stars might align to give England their second trophy in their 60th anniversary. Sadly the same can’t be said for Celtic who were worse than garbage against Sporting Lisbon.
ReplyDeletePossibly my most controversial comment here, but I wanted England to win the world cup. If ever a nation needed some good news and a reason to be positive, which would be good for the whole of the UK and Ireland.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fair comment but they are just not good enough to win it. I said on TPQ about four years ago that I thought they might win it but they haven't improved enough.
DeleteTheir supporters and pundits are what make them not winning it so attractive for many
England have improved dramatically over the past 20 years, especially the preponderance of players who are travelling overseas for big clubs. The older in the tooth of us will remember how few englanders went overseas. I predict they will win either the Euros or the WC within the next 20 years. This will be a direct result of the FA investing in grassroots football after so many barren years.
ReplyDeleteFrance became flaccid in the time it counted, Argentina sprang alive when Tuchel tanked the tactics. Spain played amazing football when it appeared unlikely and I reckon this final could be one for the ages.