Howe Soon Is Now? - Scottish Fitbaw 21/22

fletcherpost

sosh's feckin' poet laureate
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
12,139
Glasgow, Scotland
Now is the time to start the new thread cos the saga is finally at an end - Howe to Celtic is off. Howe did it come to pass?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57286385

"It is not clear why the ex-Bournemouth boss decided against the move, but it is understood the make-up of his backroom team could have played a part."

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live:
I find it odd, the backroom staff story, because surely, if they've been in talks for a long, long time - this seems to have been ongoing for weeks if not months, Eddie Howe would have nailed down his backroom staff and that would have been a done deal.

Anyway, congratulations to Rangers on winning the SPL, and St Johnstone on the domestic cup double. I hope we have a real go at the Euros.
 

fletcherpost

sosh's feckin' poet laureate
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
12,139
Glasgow, Scotland
Bit more on the Howe snub on Skysports.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/12319297/eddie-howe-talks-with-celtic-over-deal-to-become-new-manager-break-down

Howe was understood to have been keen to take Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone with him to Parkhead as part of his backroom team.

In a statement on Friday, Celtic confirmed the breakdown in negotiations and said they aim to announce a new manager "very shortly".

"Following very positive and detailed discussions with Eddie Howe, with the belief that he would be an excellent candidate for the position of Celtic manager, we allowed time for the process, given he'd previously made it clear he was not looking to return to management until this summer at the earliest," the statement read.

"We can now confirm that Eddie will not be joining the club, for reasons outwith both his and Celtic's control. We wish Eddie success for the future"


Lucien Favre is now the favourite.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucien_Favre
 

fletcherpost

sosh's feckin' poet laureate
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
12,139
Glasgow, Scotland
Celtic fans no getting over excited about the latest favourite in the managers race. It's a soap opera that's not been a good look for Celtic. Good thing their fans are very chirpy, trusting people and can take the banter.

Celtic are in advanced negotiations with former Australia head coach Ange Postecoglou as they seek a new manager.
The Glasgow club quickly turned to the Greek-born Australian after number one target Eddie Howe rejected the chance to take over from Neil Lennon.
Postecoglou, 55, currently manages Japanese side Yokohama F Marinos but could be announced by Celtic as early as next week.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57293750

Rangers should walk the league next season. Celtic fans want a name manager and a transfer budget, but it feels like no one wants the Celtic job, none of the bigger names anyway. Is it the lack of funds available for recruitment? It's crazy how the balance of power in Glasgow has turned about so dramatically.

I'd love to see Hibs improve again this season. Scottish football IMO needs a strong Edinburgh team. I know Edinburgh is on its way to being colonised by middle class wankers and we wish eternal pestilence on Underbelly and their ilk...but none the less there are some good real, working class people in Edinburgh...and they deserve to root for a team that has a chance of glory. Hibs or Hearts, matters not to me.

If any fans of English teams are bargain hunting. I'd keep an eye on Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent, at Rangers. Both have come on leaps and bounds under Gerrard.
 

mic99

New Member
Jul 18, 2005
490
A nightmare end to a nightmare season.

Celtic is just a clown show right now. The new manager will have a complete rebuild on his hands.

I was excited for Howe and thought he would bring a more progressive approach to the club. The entire Board should step-down. Celtic got fat and lazy with the Huns being punished. There was a real opportunity lost to be a forward thinking club.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
Celtic fans no getting over excited about the latest favourite in the managers race. It's a soap opera that's not been a good look for Celtic. Good thing their fans are very chirpy, trusting people and can take the banter.

Celtic are in advanced negotiations with former Australia head coach Ange Postecoglou as they seek a new manager.
The Glasgow club quickly turned to the Greek-born Australian after number one target Eddie Howe rejected the chance to take over from Neil Lennon.
Postecoglou, 55, currently manages Japanese side Yokohama F Marinos but could be announced by Celtic as early as next week.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57293750

Rangers should walk the league next season. Celtic fans want a name manager and a transfer budget, but it feels like no one wants the Celtic job, none of the bigger names anyway. Is it the lack of funds available for recruitment? It's crazy how the balance of power in Glasgow has turned about so dramatically.

I'd love to see Hibs improve again this season. Scottish football IMO needs a strong Edinburgh team. I know Edinburgh is on its way to being colonised by middle class wankers and we wish eternal pestilence on Underbelly and their ilk...but none the less there are some good real, working class people in Edinburgh...and they deserve to root for a team that has a chance of glory. Hibs or Hearts, matters not to me.

If any fans of English teams are bargain hunting. I'd keep an eye on Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent, at Rangers. Both have come on leaps and bounds under Gerrard.
I have no idea who the Australian bloke is, he sounds like Celtic found their own version of Pedro Caixinha. And we know how that turned out. Personally, I don't think the Howe deal was anywhere close to being done, they had season tickets to sell and kept the myth going. Which brings me to my point, I wonder if this Australian guy is just a big smoke screen, his CV makes Steve Clarke look like Pep Guardiola. So the Celtic board float that idea out there, Celtic fans go into full panic, and when they annouce Clarke, or Alex Neil for example, Celtic fans rejoice and thank their "lucky stars".

I think Celtic fans and expecially Glasgow's finest should be thankful for St Johnstone and St Mirren. Rangers could have had a treble, and George Square was saved from another two pastings.

I'm looking forward to the Euros. More hope than expectation of course. I posted in the new Euros thread where I extoll the virtues of the flare and talent and how Scotland have an embarrassing assortment of riches at every position. ( Go Denmark!).
 

mic99

New Member
Jul 18, 2005
490
Losing to Hearts to start the league campaign tonight sure didn't help the cause.

League and Europe likely over and we are still in July. Incredible mismanagement by the Board.

Can we bring Fergus back? I have seen a few "Board Out" protests being organized. I assume that will be the only interesting story line for Celtic this year.

But Joe Hart...
 

fletcherpost

sosh's feckin' poet laureate
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
12,139
Glasgow, Scotland
Celtic finally get win for the new manager. 2-4 was the score against FK Jablonec. I didn't see the game, but the old boy said Hart was rusty and at fault for the two goals conceded. I reckon the shirt is his to lose all the same. I have no idea what he has left in the tank.

But the real story is Perth side St Johnstone drawing away from home at Galatasaray 1-1. I'd love to see them getting it done at home next week. At the end of the day they are a good cup side.

Rangers were a bit leggy against Malmo and the side was much depleted with suspensions, injuries and Morelos still isolating. Hopefully Aribo will be back for the home leg on Tuesday. Morelos is back in training and available as well. I'd love to see Rangers in the Champions League group stage, but Kamara and Roofe will still be suspended, so that's not ideal.
 

fletcherpost

sosh's feckin' poet laureate
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
12,139
Glasgow, Scotland
They shat the bed. They were terrible in the second half against ten men. Lumping hopeful balls into the box was meat and potatoes for Malmo. Three losses on the bounce for Stevie G's men.
 

The Talented Allen Ripley

holden
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Oct 2, 2003
12,723
MetroWest, MA
Huge win for the NT tonight, coming back twice against Israel and scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. They're now 4 points clear of Israel for 2nd place in their World Cup qualifying group.
 
Last edited:

fletcherpost

sosh's feckin' poet laureate
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
12,139
Glasgow, Scotland
Huge win for the NT tonight, coming back twice against Israel and scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. They're now 4 points clear of Israel for 2nd place in their World Cup qualifying group.
I just noticed that the play offs will be the ten second place teams, plus two fastest losers from the Nations League, not already qualified, split into 3 semi finals with the thre winers going through.

The likes of Ukraine, Sweden, Portugal, Norway could well be in the hat. I reckon we need to improve to have much of a chance of getting to the finals.

Or get a guid draw.

On the bright side, Billy Gilmour has so much potential.
 
Last edited:

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
Maybe for better context and full disclosure. I’m not exactly in a metropolis. I’m in a small town on the Isle of Skye. Hotel didn’t have it or one bar I popped into. One bar tender “ Scotland are playing? On a Monday ? Why?”

I watched some of it on a “ streaming service” on my iPad. Loved the second goal. A fast paced counter attack , with a clinical finish .. by Scotland? Nahh, can’t be.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
Isle of Skye used to be good for a few sheep not sure what the bridge has done but it can't be good.
The bridge has turned Skye into a trash tip . Far too many visitors. Heavy traffic . Litter everywhere. The only reason we are here is because the ferry going from Ullapool to Stornoway was canceled due to Covid infecting crew. So we drove south to get the ferry from Uig across to Harris since they didn’t know when Ullapool ferry was going to run again. We weren’t even notified until we showed up after driving from Edinburgh.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
I was on Skye a few weeks ago...and let's just say that this wasn't my experience. At all. (I bet the Antlers restaurant in Portree would have had the game on - they had the Arsenal match on when I was there on a Monday evening.)
It was Portree I was in. But I didn’t go bar hopping. I was just in two places, down by the harbor . As I said , one bar tender had no idea Scotland were playing. I must admit having to drive from Ullapool to Uig on Skye at a moments short notice, I didn’t try too hard. It wasn’t a priority. I mentioned the game after it was finished to a Scottish lad working at reception at the hotel, he too was in the dark about Scotland playing.

Edit: as far as litter, it’s far worse than it used to be. I think there is talk of charging non locals a fee for using the bridge. Part of which would be used to offset the cost of waste and litter removal.
 
Last edited:

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
I can't imagine traffic in Skye but I guess I have to now. Litter used to only be sheep droppings.
Keep in mind that up until around 1995 most people crossed from Kyle of Lochalsh to Skye via a small ferry. It could only take 28 cars at a time and lines in the summer to cross were crazy long. I can’t remember how many times it ran but it was really frequent. I don’t think they allowed you to book in advance , I think you had to take your chances but I was a kid the last time I was on that ferry. Compare that to the ability to just drive across on a whim and you can see how traffic can explode.

Roll on 20 years and the next time I was there was as an adult. We were shocked at how much litter was left strewn all over at parking lots at beauty spots. I compare that Lewis and Harris, the next island up and you can barely find a cigarette butt.

Anyway, I digress.

I’m not shocked that “ yehhhh… course “ has left for the EPL . Talked to a couple of Rangers fans yesterday …. Pretty bitter. Bronckhorst looking likely .
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Where do you think the bitterness lies? Is it just in the fact that he left mid season? I'd assume Rangers fans are thrilled about last season and had an understanding that this was always going to be a stepping-stone job. Is it the fact that it's Villa and not Liverpool (that the expectation was he'd leave for Liverpool but maybe not another PL job?)
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
Where do you think the bitterness lies? Is it just in the fact that he left mid season? I'd assume Rangers fans are thrilled about last season and had an understanding that this was always going to be a stepping-stone job. Is it the fact that it's Villa and not Liverpool (that the expectation was he'd leave for Liverpool but maybe not another PL job?)
Without question it’s the mid season timing. They have a semi final with Hibs coming up. The league table is relatively close. They still have unfinished business in the Europa. Plus the sounds bytes from around 2 weeks ago where said he was happy and looking forward to taking Rangers to a new level.

But as we know in football, circumstances change really quickly.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
I was in Edinburgh last week. I thought I’d go along to the Hibs-Rangers game. I called the ticket office up. Inquired about tickets. Ticket guy explained that because it’s a category A game, even though plenty of tickets were available, Polis Scotland wouldnae allow them to sell me tickets. Dodged a bullet a suppose. Hibs lost and it was Baltic cold. Spent the night in a warm pub instead.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
Celtic are absolutely battering Rangers 3:0 at half time. If it wasn’t for Allan McGregor it could be 6-7. Not kidding. Games is on CBS sports. Rangers look shell shocked.
 

Jimy Hendrix

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 15, 2002
5,846
Celtic are absolutely battering Rangers 3:0 at half time. If it wasn’t for Allan McGregor it could be 6-7. Not kidding. Games is on CBS sports. Rangers look shell shocked.
SPFL US TV/streaming rights are absolutely confounding to me. I pay for Paramount Plus, which has the rights, but instead of just doing the thing every non-EPL league seems to be doing and letting those streamers stream every game, there are some exclusive to just the TV channel (not a popular TV channel either) and some that are not really on anywhere.

I've been trying to dip in here and there the same way I do with other leagues, but have been stymied at every turn. It is a very strange rights deal that seems 5 - 10 years behind where everyone else is.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
SPFL US TV/streaming rights are absolutely confounding to me. I pay for Paramount Plus, which has the rights, but instead of just doing the thing every non-EPL league seems to be doing and letting those streamers stream every game, there are some exclusive to just the TV channel (not a popular TV channel either) and some that are not really on anywhere.

I've been trying to dip in here and there the same way I do with other leagues, but have been stymied at every turn. It is a very strange rights deal that seems 5 - 10 years behind where everyone else is.
It took me a while to figure out that SPL games, which I assume would be on Paramount, because they have exclusive rights, games were also being shown on CBS Sports. So, for example, on the Paramount app I'll look at upcoming games I'll see there are only two scheduled in the next 2 weeks. But I've learned to look on the CBS sports channel as well and and I'll find an additional two games that will be shown. Annoying as hell. And I missed a few games early on because of this.
 

fletcherpost

sosh's feckin' poet laureate
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
12,139
Glasgow, Scotland
That first half was the best I've seen Celtic play in a while. They saw the game out in the second half without too much fuss. One point ahead of Rangers now, all to play for.

Got to give credit to Ange for the job he's doing. This is a much more exciting, dynamic Celtic than last season under Lennon.

They need to get the away fans back into the Old Firm matches. It's not the same atmosphere without them.
 
Last edited:

The Talented Allen Ripley

holden
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Oct 2, 2003
12,723
MetroWest, MA
That was a fucking asskicking. It was glorious.

Regarding what networks are showing what matches, I use the Live Soccer TV app, it's awesome. Tells me where every match across the globe can be watched. Granted, I don't have all of the options they list, but at least I'm informed. I've caught a lot of Celtic matches and Scotland NT matches on ESPN+ that I wouldn't have known were available to watch if I didn't have the app.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
I'll download that app. So if you look at Paramount Plus ( the home of SPL) , it's showing Aberdeen V Celtic next Wednesday. That's the only SPL game. However, CBS Sports is showing Celtic v Motherwell AND Rangers v Hearts on Sunday. It took me to December to figure this CBS thing out. Probably because on my Cable network CBS Sports is in the 300s and I never bother going that high.

My general rule of thumb now: Scottish NT games, Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup = ESPN+
Europe and SPL= CBS and Paramount

Also, BBC Scotand carries a few cup games live. I have a TV set up purely for UK TV via apps on Apple TV. I have BBC1 iplayer set to Scotland region and I have a UK DNS set up which is a heck of a lot better than a VPN to get around the geoblock.
 

candylandriots

unkempt
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Mar 30, 2004
12,327
Berlin
That was a fucking asskicking. It was glorious.

Regarding what networks are showing what matches, I use the Live Soccer TV app, it's awesome. Tells me where every match across the globe can be watched. Granted, I don't have all of the options they list, but at least I'm informed. I've caught a lot of Celtic matches and Scotland NT matches on ESPN+ that I wouldn't have known were available to watch if I didn't have the app.
Yeah - I second this. Some dude in a bar in Beirut told me about it and I’ve been using it every since. Works all over the world - telling you whatever local options available.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
Yeah - I second this. Some dude in a bar in Beirut told me about it and I’ve been using it every since. Works all over the world - telling you whatever local options available.
I just downloaded the app to see what's on today. I was looking at the Africa Cup game. I have never heard of Fanatiz USA which is the only channel showing it over here. I don't even know do I have it.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
For those interested, and have ESPN+. Celtic v Rangers tomorrow at 9.00 am eastern, Scottish Cup semi . Seldom boring. Maybe Fletch will grace us with his mercurial commentary. Here’s hoping.
 

Jimy Hendrix

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 15, 2002
5,846
Strange to me that the team in their second extra time game of the week are making fewer substitutions.

EDIT - post immediately made outdated.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
Despite all the plaudits for Postecoglou, one glaring weakness is that Celtic play only one way. They were too light and outmanned by the Rangers midfield. Celtic don’t adapt.

Time to turn on the snooker.
 

fletcherpost

sosh's feckin' poet laureate
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
12,139
Glasgow, Scotland
I have to congratulate Rangers on getting to the semi finals of the Europa League. It's been great to see. And not forgetting their contributions to the Scottish coefficient are gonna most likely gonna put about £30-£40 Million into the Parkhead coffers with the direct entry into next seasons Champions League for this seasons SPL winners.

Hearts will also get into the group stages of the Conference League, just by getting to the final of the Scottish Cup. They could get into the Euopa Leauge, but they'd have to win some qualifiers and that ain't likely.

We really need one more Scottish team that isn't the Old FIrm to step it up in Europe, just a wee bit. But that's going to take time and money and great coaching and player development. I often wonder; what is the long and short term vision for the owners of Hibs, Hearts and Aberdeen, respectively?

A two team league just isn't enough to sell our home product for more than sweetie money.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
Wow,.that didn't last long, Maloney sacked at Hibs. That was....what, 4 months? I was hopng things would work out. But I've seen Hibs play a few times and their "play it out from the back no matter what" had them in trouble when teams played the press. They gave away daft goals from nothing. Celtic do it all the time and have become a cropper against more talented, technical teams ( see getting knocked out of 3 European tournaments in as many months) . Hibs were trying the same thing with a far less talented team albeit in againts SPL teams. I thought he'd at least get a summer of recruitment. Digging deeper though, it looks like one league win out of 13. Maybe the writing was on the wall. Sacking Ross was a knee jerk reaction and it's been downhill since then.

I've been impressed with what Malky Mackay has done at Ross County but he runs the whole show up there, he wouldn't get that control at Hibs. And I did see an interview with him recently where he said he owes Ross County so much after taking a chance on him after 6 years in wilderness. Scott Brown and a more seasoned assistant manager perhaps? Is Lennon already at Larnaca with bags packed for a second stint? Dunno, I'm surprised but maybe I shouldn't be with Hibs.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
Saw a Hearts game live a couple of years ago. The fans were entertaining. The team tried hard but couldn't beat a team that has now been relegated.
My last two visits to Edinburgh coincided with Rangers playing either Hibs or Hearts. I was eager to go but they won't sell tickets unless you're a registered fan of both clubs for "hgh profile" games. Police Scotland and all that. But they will sell tickets if the team is playing St Johnstone, Livingstone etc. It's annoying but in hindsight, we had two great nights in the "Black Cat" instead.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
The Scottish National team have a busy couple of weeks coming up. At least 4 matches, possibly 5 depending on what happens today. It all kicks off with the WC qualifier at Hampden against Ukraine. Winner plays wales. I'm sure there are a lot of neutrals rooting for Ukraine for obvious reasons. Neither team scores many goals, it wouldn't surprise me to see a 1:0 win either way or the dreaded penalties. The cynic in me says Ukraine will get every 50/50 decison. Onwards...beer in fridge ready for kickoff.