PO Box 306, Glasgow, G21 2AE, Scotland
video nasty
With regard to the video nasty released by Craig Levein and Hearts to try and prove that John Hartson was guilty of landing an elbow on Andy Webster, I think when you watch it it does appear that it's an elbow (arm up) as opposed to a shoulder (arm down) that's used. However, the video is not conclusive of the strike position, so although you can see the elbow going up and seemingly applied it cannot determine whether Webster got it in the face, the chest, the shoulder or the arm.
It would also appear that Hartson is provoked by something, as his body language indicates. It looks as if he moves to his customary offside position before clearly altering course with speed to return to Webster. Again, though, this might be more indicative of a verbal comment rather than a physical act.
I'm not up for trying to kid on that Hartson didn't do it if he did. If other angles can be developed from cameras (behind the goal might give an interesting perspective on where the blow landed - and it's conspicuous that Levein didn't use any other angles -which show he's guilty then the club should punish him. Celtic should now demand ALL the video footage now as a matter of course since Levein has forced it into the public domain.
It's about time we sorted out this culture of elbow slapping. It's clearly a cultural import form the world of American Wrestling. I would advocate a return of proper thumping, where a solid full punch or headbutt is used so that the recipient can in no way be claimed to be acting but is out cold. Now that's football!
Whether this video is proof of guilt or not, Levein's actions are reckless, since it now allows all managers and clubs the opportunity of using their own cameras to conduct trial by media. Levein should now be reported for this since his approach is wildly out of order and brings the game into disrepute. Although, having said that, this is the man who ignores the rules and doesn't pay the fines.
Does anyone remember the recent occurrence of a club using their own video evidence to present a case (motivated by improving the game)? Yes, that was Celtic and referees. The result? Celtic found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute and undermining the position of the SFA and referees. Celtic of course conducted this internally and not through the media.
So let's put Hartson's hand up for him and let's say guilty as charged. Let's take action (he's banned by the club from the last 3 games of the season). And let's then take Mr. Levein to task for bringing the game into disrepute. When he's found guilty and takes his medicine (along with paying his outstanding fines) then we can also apply sanctions against John Hartson.
Yours in
the Spirit of Smackdown
JOHN CLISHAM
by e-mail
it's miller time
Dear NTV
Miller's scandalous behaviour in negotiating his departure out the back door of Parkhead to the lofty heights of a seat in the stands at Old Trafford should provide several wake up calls. Wake up to the garbage that his type patronise us with when stating their undying love for the Club, the Fans and all the rest of it. Compare that waffle with the dignity of Larsson and Moravcik. Wake up to the fact the Man Utd. treat us as a feeder club. From an acquisition of quality players at no or little cost, to feeding their 'Celtic fan' players with big testimonial payouts when their ground is more filled with Hoops than their own lot.
The fact is that, to me, Man Utd resemble TFOD with their arrogant, bunker mentality, no-one loves us we don't care attitude. Other English teams' fans have been saying it for years, so why do we associate ourselves with that? If Celtic fans want (or need) to associate with a club in Manchester then consider Man City. A club and fans more like ourselves (apart from their current dire form)
The added benefits of an allegiance to City is that we can despise Miller even more and know that only really cool Manc celebrities support them just as only really cool celebs are Hoops!
Gothenburg and the KOK's last game? It's almost spiritual.
Hail Hail
TONY CARLIN
(ex-Coatbridge) Eccles Manchester
by e-mail
nae big spenders
Dear NTV,
No matter your views on Miller's staying or going, it still rankles that the, 'biggest club in the world', is getting him from Celtic for nothing. Surely there's more to running a PLC than simply not spending money and someone, somewhere at Celtic Park should be monitoring contracts and the strategic part they play in the running of a modern football club in the Bosman era.
As for Liam himself, what's to become of him between now and July? As long as he sells his weekly quota of Celtic pools tickets, sweeps the place after home games and cleans the under 21 team's boots, I think he can still play a full part in the first team pool for the rest of the season.
Yours in
Celtic,
C.D.
by e-mail
Ticket pricing for next season
Dear NTV,
The prospects for Celtic fans in the Scottish domestic scene are not exciting; at best next season ,assuming Rangers' act improves, domestic enjoyment will come only from Old Firm games and the odd uphill climb against other minnows, where the excitement is artificially created by the combined efforts of colour blind referees and anti-Celtic flag-happy linesmenen. A full house at Celtic Park will be left to savour only our European games - and what a joy that is. Thanks Martin!
In this scenario will the hitherto loyal 50,000 season ticket holders be prepared to continue paying ever increasing subscriptions to watch the weekly ritual of lions against christians with the almost inevitable result?
Some defections are likely, and the ensuing loss in atmosphere could discourage ever more leavers. For the club to justify retaining the fans' loyalty, and the funds, would it not be better to introduce a different ticket pricing policy offering cheaper domestic season tickets compensated by a significantly higher price for European games from where, in the main, the most exciting entertainment will come?
If the cheaper domestic pricing policy were to be extended to the visiting supporters their increased numbers might maintain and even improve the atmosphere at the domestic home games (currently we all must have sympathy for Jags' and Arabs' reluctance to pay some £25 to come to Celtic Park to be humped!).
A good crowd of vsiting fans are vociferous and the ensuing atmosphere exclusive to Celtic Park and, sometimes aided by televised transmission, encourages the spread of the Celtic gospel to the diaspora.
C'mon the
hoops!
TOM DOUGAN
by e-mail
atmosphere
Dear NTV,
Yet again the atmosphere for last weekend's home game against Dundee was poor, but not as bad as usual with some Celtic fans rallying round because Dundee were actually making a contest of it.
The point is, there must be a better atmosphere created. We should us something like the same system as FC Basle. Behind the goals they have an area were they have created a terracing but they also have seats that are bolted in on occasions such as Champions League games when it is compulsory to do so.
I also think more Celtic fans should make a stand and take more banners and flags to the games as well. Not the ones that you can buy for a fiver at the stalls - create them, big ones. Do it the way the Ultras do in Italy and France. We saw the Porto fans in Seville. That ceremony they had before the game was phenomanal and at times although outnumbered four to one they were outsinging us.
I have been trying to find the right place to promote this idea and it would be good if you could spearhead it on this website and in the programmes.
Hail Hail
ANTON MURRAY
by e-mail
sponsor rumour
Dear NTV,
I hear that Rangers are dropping Carling after only half a season and are going to be sponsored by the new Education department of French Connection UK. The shirt logo will be: FCUK:Ed
Hail Hail,
Sandy MacKay
Inverness
mortgage advice
Dear NTV,
There's something that's been bugging me for ages, ever since I first heard the Huns' Chairman John McLelland going on about the debt mountain they've accumulated at Mordor. He keeps comparing their debt to a mortgage and asking the rhetorical question, 'Who would want to pay their mortgage off all at once?'
I'm no financial expert, like the man in the funny hat, but I would imagine the answer he's looking for is, 'Anybody who could afford to.'
KELVIN
ALVIN HALL
Threadneedle Street