Old Firm Derby

Don't know if anyone watched it earlier? I love this fixture although I admit the general standard of football has subsided hugely in recent times. Well today was a particularly dull game with Rangers adopting 'Rafa style' defensive tactics and Celtic trolling it. A couple of things stood out for me though...

Both clubs have abandoned the long held mutual agreement of allowing around 7500 away fans to attend. There were 800 Rangers fans at Parkhead today and there'll be a similar number at Ibrox later in the year. The reasoning appears to be that Rangers wanted more of the own fans to be at the home game, so Celtic have followed suit. Nothing wrong with that but it affected the atmosphere greatly and seems counter productive to me. A huge selling point of the fixture and indeed the SPL in general is the atmosphere created at these games. I wonder if they've shot themselves in the foot by damaging the spectacle somewhat. I even read that there were concerns that Sky may re-assess their bid to screen as much Scottish football if the spectacle of the Celtic-Rangers games is affected.

The other notable thing was the very explicit and loud pro-IRA chanting from the Celtic fans. I know both clubs have loads of songs that reference Ireland and the troubles, but it's the first time in a while I've heard clearly audible IRA chants from a huge group of Celtic fans. Given the PC nature of football policing and the clampdown on any song referencing political incidents or wars (England fans banned for German Bombers and Dambusters etc) I find it bizarre that in such a heavily policed game, Celtic get away with these songs. The content of football chants doesn't particularly bother me and I'm not offended at all, but I thought it was strange in the current climate.

What is for certain is that neither team are anywhere near Premier League class and would probably be bang average in the Championship. The argument for them playing in England seems to have gone away for now but it's hard to envisage a bright future for either team at the moment, despite phenomenal support. I'd love to see the Scottish game regain some standing in football. The recent Motherwell-Rangers game was a great watch and there's some decent football being played with plenty of endeavour and seemingly less petulance than we have in the Premier League. But it just seems a battle to survive for most of the clubs up there. I'm sure there's people on here who have more insight into the Scottish game than me, but when bottom end Championship clubs can easily prise away players from the leading Scottish clubs, you have to worry for the future up there.

 

The reduced allocation is pathetic by both teams, which is appropriate as it's a pathetic rivalry. Bringing religion into football in this day and age is embarrassing.

 

Micky Mouse league.
No interest whatsoever.

 

Good piece from you. Celtic / rangers games are over hyped. But both of those teams have ruined our game due to their desire to get involved with the riches your prem league offer. Neither will succeed in that but they still try.
Old firm derbies to me are a total bore

 

Unlike Barnsley/Walsall matches, which can prize the best bloke in Scotland to pay Oakwell a visit, Ian, old mate.

 

My alternative was an irn bru Cup tie v Alloa which basically involved resevey sides. No real decision to make there

 

Try to get Sparky to take a photo of you and Kieffer Moore together. You'll look like identical twins, honest(!)

 

Post a pic of kieffer and let me decide

 

Just checked kieffer has hair. Counts me out.

 

Just like you, he's 6ft 5 inches.

 

I'll give you that

 

Just to confirm a couple of things with you.
1. We haven't lost a league match so far this season.
2. We haven't conceeded a league goal in open play so far this season.
If either scenario is altered next Saturday when you're attending your first Barnsley game this season, then you're obviously 100% to blame!

 

Christ you dinna half put the pressure on me.

 

Hopefully I'll bring my Wembley luck with me along with my lucky white Heather

 

Your wife has a lovely name

 

The 1st time youve heard celtic with audible pro Ira chanting?

Dont take this the wrong way but have you watched Celtic matches previously on mute?

 

I listened to a debate the other day about weather we should scrap the league cup or not due to the fact that none is really arsed over it anymore. I reckon if we let the 12 SPL teams in it would hugely re-ignite the competition and make it a little more interesting for every one. The teams in Scotland would snatch our hands off at a chance like that, plus it would give Celtic a different challenge which they claim they are always after, as there is no one up there to challenge them.

 

I’d go along with ten of the spl joining but definitely not the ugly sisters.
It would be a logistical nightmare ushering their fans and hangers on to towns such as Barnsley, Rotherham etc.
Just look at Manchester a few years ago. Don’t want that here imo