Celtic And Their Fans Are Paranoid- Sure?

Jaemi · 26th April 2008, 12:37pm

Seems that Watty is losing the plot a little.

Quote:

Rangers manager Walter Smith launched an astonishing attack on Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell just 24 hours before the two sides meet in a crunch Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter at Parkhead.

Lawwell criticised the Scottish Premier League's decision to extend the season if Rangers reach the final of the UEFA Cup, claiming it compromised the "sporting integrity" of the SPL.

Whether or not the Ibrox side reach the Manchester final, Smith's side - who played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final against Fiorentina at Ibrox on Thursday night - will have to play four games in eight days in the title run-in.

Smith questioned Lawwell's motives in criticising the SPL, saying: "We have a 'sporting integrity' situation which gave me a good laugh.

"Peter Lawwell appears to be the person who is the chairman of the sporting integrity committee for the SPL.

"Peter would be better coming out and saying he wants Rangers to play four games in a week because it suits his team and helps their quest to retain the championship.

"If it was the other way about I would be hoping that Celtic had to play four games in a week. So he should be honest about it instead of trying to hide behind what he is calling sporting integrity.

"He's doing what he feels is the right for his club by saying the season shouldn't be extended, but he's doing it for his own reasons."

Smith believes Celtic have enjoyed plenty of preferential treatment at the hands of the SPL this term.

"The thing that bothers me most is that the SPL have this season acceded to every request Celtic have made," Smith continued.

"It's no coincidence that we are playing one of our biggest games of the season when they (the SPL) would have a fair idea that we would be playing it between two very important semi-final games.

"I don't mind playing four games in a week. Celtic are using that situation to their advantage, but that's what it's all about. We have got to overcome that if we are to win the championship.

"The most galling aspect is that they have given Celtic everything they asked for and Peter is still complaining."

Smith insists all the dissenters over the proposed extension of the season should instead focus on the good Rangers' European run is doing for the Scottish game.

"I don't take part in conspiracies. I thought it was a reasonably simple request to extend the season, but maybe I was being naive," Smith added.

"If Rangers are helping raise the profile of Scottish football, helping raise the co-efficient and giving us extra European places, then surely we should be getting a little bit of help.

"If the SPL think that's the way to treat their teams then that's fine.

"But over the piece, I think my own club has been treated unfairly."

What have we asked for? Games postponed because, poor us, we're playing in europe? And extension to the league because, poor us, we're playing in europe?

Rosco · 26th April 2008, 12:39pm

Aye, we're getting a raw deal out of it really. We've only had one game postponed at our request and now we have to play 4 games in 8 days. I don't see why they can't extend the league a bit longer, it almost seems like they want to make it harder for us the better we do.

Jaemi · 26th April 2008, 12:41pm

You act like you're the first team to ever play in europe.

Timmy · 26th April 2008, 12:42pm

Whats paranoid about that?

Syxx · 26th April 2008, 12:42pm

"Peter Lawwell appears to be the person who is the chairman of the sporting integrity committee for the SPL.

"Peter would be better coming out and saying he wants Rangers to play four games in a week because it suits his team and helps their quest to retain the championship.

"If it was the other way about I would be hoping that Celtic had to play four games in a week. So he should be honest about it instead of trying to hide behind what he is calling sporting integrity."

That bit i agree with.

Timmy · 26th April 2008, 12:43pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaemi

You act like you're the first team to ever play in europe.

Where does he act like that?

The SPL never expected a team to be in contention for 2 cups and a league title in may... so its their fixture schedule thats at fault, not ours.

Jaemi · 26th April 2008, 12:44pm

No, the SFA/SPL thought "there are two transfer windows to give teams the opportunity to build a squad capable on 4 fronts".

It's rangers fault that they don't have the players to play in all the competitions that they are faced with, nobody else's.

Rosco · 26th April 2008, 12:45pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaemi

You act like you're the first team to ever play in europe.

It's not really Europe that's the problem, it's the Scottish weather. Also there were postponed games for Phil O'Donnell's death. There's been more games postponed that normal this year because of these things and we've had no time to play the games. I don't see why they can't extend it under exceptional circumstances like the one we find ourselves in.

AWESOMEUS MAXIMUS · 26th April 2008, 12:48pm

Walter Smith in turning the tables by saying the exact thing we are all saying except replacing every instance of "Rangers", with "Celtic".

I'm no listening, is anyone else?

Rosco · 26th April 2008, 12:49pm

Lawell's stance in ridiculous though, everyone thinks that.

Jaemi · 26th April 2008, 12:52pm

It's not just rangers that have had postponed games though.
So the SPL extend the league to accomodate their postponements, the fact that rangers had cup replays and european games is of no concern to the SPL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosco

Lawell's stance in ridiculous though, everyone thinks that.

Everyone?
Dundee Utd have the same stance and nobody else, to my knowledge, has said a word.

Timmy · 26th April 2008, 12:53pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaemi

No, the SFA/SPL thought "there are two transfer windows to give teams the opportunity to build a squad capable on 4 fronts".

It's rangers fault that they don't have the players to play in all the competitions that they are faced with, nobody else's.

That's nonsense... should be at least 3 days between every game, to let all teams play on an even par. Don't see the EPL or La liga putting all their final games into the last week, even when they are in the champs league final. Wonder how they manage it? Because SPL is too focused on getting old firm games on telly, and never want to mess with that schedule.

Plus as mentioned, the weather hasn't helped at all.

This is the first time this situation has arose, and SPL/SFA have handled it awfully.

Rosco · 26th April 2008, 12:54pm

Aye but Lawell has effectively there's no integrity in the league now, which is total nonsense. I reckon 'integrity' is going to be as notorious as 'dignity'.

Westy · 26th April 2008, 12:55pm

Peter Liewell is a tosspot but. Well in Watty.

Syxx · 26th April 2008, 12:56pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaemi

It's not just rangers that have had postponed games though.

But it is just Rangers that are still in Europe. But really, this is just back and forth about a nothing subject.

Bottom line, Rangers have to play 4 games in 8 days no matter what. No slinging of arrows, accusations or counter-accusations from anyone on here or out there can change it. Bring it the fuck on.