: Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:31 pm  

Despondent Dave wrote:

I don't think United cried too much when they got knocked out of the Carling Cup.

To clubs like Celtic and Rangers it really is not a priority, as proven when the Huns lost at home to St. Johnstone last year and hardly anyone noticed.

The fact that Hibernian and Livingston have won it in recent times says it all!

Still can't resist the sectarian bull Dave, shocking.

: Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:36 pm  

mystic eddie wrote:

And, for that matter, how is the league a "farce"? OK, so the SPL is not the strongest league in the world but you can only do the best you can with what you have.

No, its a league run by the two Glasgow clubs, if they don't want anything it doesn't happen, the rest of the league is scared they'll run off to the EPL.

mystic eddie wrote:

People call it a diddy league as only two teams can win it, then call it a farce when other sides are making it more competitive. You cannot have it both ways.

The big two losing to Second division standard teams doesn't make the SPL competitive mate

: Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:46 am  

Big Graeme wrote:

No, its a league run by the two Glasgow clubs, if they don't want anything it doesn't happen, the rest of the league is scared they'll run off to the EPL.

Are they? Despite the fact that the Premiership clubs voted 20-0 against them joining? Despite the fact that they are not allowed to join anyway? What a load of garbage you spout.

Big Graeme wrote:

The big two losing to Second division standard teams doesn't make the SPL competitive mate

Despite your apparent complete ignorance of the subject, I assure you that the SPL IS getting more competitive these days. Hearts split the Old Firm two seasons ago, Aberdeen nearly did so last year, more teams are capable of competing with the Old Firm, performances in Europe are getting steadily better with the Old Firm fairing better in the CL and even Aberdeen making the group stages of the UEFA Cup.

For too long the Old Firm have been spending too much compared to the rest of the SPL and now their spending power is reduced, they have been forced to play more home grown players which has resulted in the League being nowhere near the two horse race it has been in the past and the National side has clearly benefitted from it also. I am sure one of the factors in an improving national side is the fact that the league is more competitive these days.

: Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:37 am  

mystic eddie wrote:

Are they? Despite the fact that the Premiership clubs voted 20-0 against them joining? Despite the fact that they are not allowed to join anyway? What a load of garbage you spout.

Doesn't mean the rest of the SPL aren't scared they'll take their ball home.

mystic eddie wrote:

I assure you that the SPL IS getting more competitive these days. Hearts split the Old Firm two seasons ago, Aberdeen nearly did so last year, more teams are capable of competing with the Old Firm.

Dragging the Old Firm down to their level does not equal competing mate

: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:02 am  

Big Graeme wrote:

Dragging the Old Firm down to their level does not equal competing mate

It is interesting you say that then. My team (Dundee United) have now beaten Rangers the last three times we have played them. It appears then that they have now been dragged down below our level. Clearly we are FAR more competitive, or else they would be beating us all the time.

I accept that the SPL is not exactly the best league in the world but it is getting better. You can only work with the tools that you have been given and it appears that the league is moving in the right direction.

Again though, as for "dragging the Old Firm down to our level?" Again, such a comment suggests that you do not have a clue what you are talking about. The Old Firm are both now feeling the pinch from years of spending silly money on rubbish players. Consider the money wasted by Celtic on.......

Brattback, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Scheidt, Balde, Juninho, Keane, Tommy Johnson, Ramon Vega etc etc and, also Rangers on......

Flo, Emerson, everyone Le Guen bought, Rozenthal, Prodan, Kuznetzov, Konterman, Porrini, Amoruso, Kanchelskis, Salenko etc etc (the list goes on)

Nowadays because of spending folly they cannot afford to spend big, as they have wasted so much in the past and the debts are rising, so naturally they will soon start moving back towards the pack. Quite how the remainder of the SPL can be at fault for the complete folly of the Old Firm management of player purchases is beyond me?

: Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:20 am  

Big Graeme wrote:

Still can't resist the sectarian bull Dave, shocking.

Huns?

Oh dear. Shoot me down for my bigotry! I'll be burning protestants next!

: Fri Nov 02, 2007 6:58 pm  

Big Graeme wrote:

Still can't resist the sectarian bull Dave, shocking.

This is the thing i hate about supporting celtic and scottish football in general.

When i used to be a cook, i work in a well known hotel in stretton in warrington, and there was a scottish waiter there who supported rangers who discovered that i was a catholic and i supported celtic.

I was then subjected at first to what i thought was banter, until it descended into sectarian songs about catholics and finians (Unsure of the spelling) being killed at the battle of the boyne.

It got worse, till eventually i had to report it.

So i just think sectarianism is out of order.

Rant Over.

: Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:02 pm  

Top marks to mystic eddie, couldn't put it better myself - the SPL is beyond recognition from a couple of years ago. Sure, Rantic are always most likely to win the league, but that's not exactly unique when compared to the rest of Europe. Unlike the Premiership, the gap in the SPL between the leaders and the rest is certainly getting smaller by the season.

: Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:26 pm  

saintyick wrote:

This is the thing i hate about supporting celtic and scottish football in general.

When i used to be a cook, i work in a well known hotel in stretton in warrington, and there was a scottish waiter there who supported rangers who discovered that i was a catholic and i supported celtic.

I was then subjected at first to what i thought was banter, until it descended into sectarian songs about catholics and finians (Unsure of the spelling) being killed at the battle of the boyne.

It got worse, till eventually i had to report it.

So i just think sectarianism is out of order.

Rant Over.

To be fair I have encountered the same thing. I too am a Celtic fan who has been singled out ironically in the catering industry where foul and abusive bullying seems to be thought of as acceptable. I never reported it. With a family from West Coast Scotland used to being persecuted for their "colours" I learnt to deal with it (clearly in a non violent way). never underestimate the power of a word. Calling someone a biggot usually shuts them up. Even when they clearly are - they hate being called it and it shuts them up. And never use a biggoted expression back to them as they expect you to.

: Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:40 pm  

Captain Jack Sparrow wrote:

To be fair I have encountered the same thing. I too am a Celtic fan who has been singled out ironically in the catering industry where foul and abusive bullying seems to be thought of as acceptable. I never reported it. With a family from West Coast Scotland used to being persecuted for their "colours" I learnt to deal with it (clearly in a non violent way). never underestimate the power of a word. Calling someone a biggot usually shuts them up. Even when they clearly are - they hate being called it and it shuts them up. And never use a biggoted expression back to them as they expect you to.

I didn't lower myself to their level.

I said i don't mind banter, but this is going too far.

Then one day i'd had enough and reported him.