SPL Discussion Thread

[Poor Student]

Hibs 1-2 Aberdeen today. WTF is happening to Hibs, barring last weeks cup game things have been really patchy lately.Aberdeen picking up after a dodgy spell themselves.

Hopefully Hibs can stun Rangers in the Cup though, twould be brill to have the old-firm out of the cup before the latter stages IMO, especially when you consider that, barring a big slip, the title will be staying in Glasgow.... And I aint talkin about Partick Thistle folks

You mean Queen's Park right? :D Rangers are now 1 point within Hibs now after a scrapped win at Motherwell. Kris Boyd looked useless for Rangers.

[Aberdonian Stu]

To be fair to Hibs Aberdeen have underperformed big time this season so they would have expected a tough game, and I'm not just saying that because of my obvious bias.

They've recorded a few good results against the top sides and went into the Hibs game on a massive high after an epic comeback in the Cup last week (beating Dundonians is always fun but that was something else).

[Hibs4Ever]

Quote:
Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse
No I've seen worse to be fair, Gary Caldwell for one.......


Yeah right
__________________

3 big grin smilies before the "yeah right". That was your reply to my post in a thread where you said Balde was the worst defender you've seen...

That is obviously implying that you think Caldwell is a good player.


No it OBVIOUSLY implies I think Balde is worse than Caldwell !!!! Not that Caldwell is a good player. You're clutching at straws mate.

Good luck with Caldwell, he fcuked up AGAIN at the weekend against Aberdeen.

[drinkfeckarse]

No it OBVIOUSLY implies I think Balde is worse than Caldwell !!!! Not that Caldwell is a good player. You're clutching at straws mate.

Good luck with Caldwell, he fcuked up AGAIN at the weekend against Aberdeen.

If I say "Caldwell is sh!te" and you reply back with ":D :D :D yeah right" what does that imply!?
I know who's clutching at straws and it aint me...

[Hibs4Ever]

If I say "Caldwell is sh!te" and you reply back with ":D :D :D yeah right" what does that imply!?
I know who's clutching at straws and it aint me...



But you DIDN"T say that!! You said Caldwell was worse than Balde. I disagreed, doesn't in any way mean I think Caldwell is a good player. How do you make that out? Caldwell is sh!t, as I've ALWAYS stated, Balde is worse.

[drinkfeckarse]

It's simple really. I said "I've seen worse, Gary Caldwell for one". That means I am implying that Gary Caldwell is sh!te.

You said ":D :D :D Yeah right" which to most sane men impies that you disagree....

When you're in a hole it's best to stop digging.....

[Hibs4Ever]

It's simple really. I said "I've seen worse, Gary Caldwell for one". That means I am implying that Gary Caldwell is sh!te.

You said ":D :D :D Yeah right" which to most sane men impies that you disagree....

When you're in a hole it's best to stop digging.....


What the hell are you talking about? Do you even know yourself?

You did say you've seen worse, yes, but you were comparing to ONE player, Balde. I said yeah right, because Caldwell isn't worse than Balde. They are both sh!t players. Balde is worse. But what you need to understand here is that the whole discussion was a comparison with BALDE, no other player. At NO point on this website have I EVER said Caldwell is a good player, only the opposite.

Think about what your arguement is, that just because I think Caldwell is better than Balde DOESN"T mean i think he's a good player, it means I think he's sh!t, but Balde is really sh!t

[drinkfeckarse]

What the hell are you talking about? Do you even know yourself?

You did say you've seen worse, yes, but you were comparing to ONE player, Balde. I said yeah right, because Caldwell isn't worse than Balde. They are both sh!t players. Balde is worse. But what you need to understand here is that the whole discussion was a comparison with BALDE, no other player. At NO point on this website have I EVER said Caldwell is a good player, only the opposite.

Think about what your arguement is, that just because I think Caldwell is better than Balde DOESN"T mean i think he's a good player, it means I think he's sh!t, but Balde is really sh!t


Just keep convincing yourself that your right, I'm not bothered really;)

[Hibs4Ever]

Just keep convincing yourself that your right, I'm not bothered really;)

Good arguement:rolleyes: At least now you realise I never said he was a good player.

And you must be someway bothered, you've been trying to convince yourself of it all morning:p

[drinkfeckarse]

At least now you realise I never said he was a good player.


Of course I do:rolleyes: I've never said that you said he's a good player (you'd see that if you read my posts more carefully).

All along I've said that you've IMPLIED that he's a good player. That was there for all to see...

[Hibs4Ever]

Of course I do:rolleyes: I've never said that you said he's a good player (you'd see that if you read my posts more carefully).

All along I've said that you've IMPLIED that he's a good player. That was there for all to see...


Tell me though, how i IMPLIED he's good for all to see, because I think he's sh!t, but not as bad as Balde???


I thought Gary McPhee was SH!T for St Patricks, but he was still better than other players I'd seen, that does'nt mean I all of a sudden think McPhee is good, just that there is worse than him, but he's still sh!t

[Junior]

saw the highlights of the hibs game. Two big defensive clangers cost them. Hibs looked to have most of the play and missed a few sitters and a peno. Can't say Im too fussed as I had Aberdeen on my treble (at 4/1) which came in....wooohooo!!!!

Celtic were good going forward. Naka was quality. Defensively we were ****e again. Keano at fault for Killies 2nd goal, Boruc was flapping again and poor old Ross Wallace is not a defender!!! (did well going forward though). Still 3 points is the improtant thing.

Watched the rangers v Motherwell game yesterday. Motherwell had 3 or 4 very good chances, outplayed Rangers in the first half and equally matched them in the second. They should have at least shared the points. McLeish will no doubt be happy to take 3 points from that sort of game.

Good win for Hearts away, scoring a few these days. Skacel on the scoresheet again.

[sligoman]

I didn't see the Celtic game but why was Keane playing in defence?:confused:. He's a midfielder ffs!

[Hibs4Ever]

I didn't see the Celtic game but why was Keane playing in defence?:confused:. He's a midfielder ffs!


He was centre back, and yesterday the Sunday Mirror had him in their team of the day at right midfield, they'll do anything just to include him:rolleyes:





Junior, it was a really bad result for us alright, we had plenty of chances to take the game even aftr going 2 down so early. Zibby hasn't been doing himself any favours with the fans lately with his recent performances. Would personnaly love to see Alan Combe sign for is, he's a die hard Hibee to, and a quality 'keeper.

Rangers were very lucky to get that result yesterday I felt. :mad:

[Poor Student]

Hibs4ever and drinkfeck, drop it will you? This is becoming a silly circular argument and is dragging down the thread.

[drinkfeckarse]

It was dropped at 12.17 when I left it at that. Chill out, it was no big deal and I don't think either of us were taking offence like!;)

[Hibs4Ever]

It was dropped at 12.17 when I left it at that. Chill out, it was no big deal and I don't think either of us were taking offence like!;)

I certainly wasn't. We were having a football debate, is that not what this site is for? Then again, maybe not;)

[Poor Student]

Celtic have signed Mark Wilson off Dundee United in a £500k deal. I rate him and thank God there's finally someone to make Telfer redundant! I hope he slots straight in at right back. Celtic will have more defensive headaches against Motherwell next week though as McManus is suspended. For better or for worse it seems Celtic are heading back towards a majority Scottish team.

[Hibs4Ever]

Hibernian's Dean Shiels is to undergo surgery to have an eye removed.
The Northern Ireland international has been sightless in the eye since a domestic accident when he was eight years old.

Shiels, who can play in midfield or up front, said: "It was always envisaged that there might come a time when the damaged eye might have to be removed."

The 20-year-old has been backed by manager Tony Mowbray to continue his Hibs career after the operation.

Shiels, a former Arsenal youth player, has not played for the Scottish Premier League side since early December.

"Since the accident, I have had no sight at all in the eye despite several operations when I was younger," he told Hibs' website, speaking publicly about the problem for the first time. Dean has shown us that he is a young man of remarkable spirit and determination

Hibs manager Tony Mowbray

"In the past few months, the condition of the eye has deteriorated and it has been causing me other problems, such as severe headaches.

"I have had specialist advice and, after talking this over with my family, I have taken the decision to have the eye removed now.

"While it is important that the fans understand the reason that I am not involved at the moment, I don't want people to make too big a deal of this.

"I will be very happy if I am just allowed to get on with the operation and then get back to playing football once I have fully recovered."

Shiels, who earned his first senior cap for Northern Ireland when he came on as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw with Portugal at Windsor Park in November, hopes to undergo the operation within the next few weeks.

Hibs chairman Rod Petrie said: "Everyone at the club is behind Dean and the Hibernian family will support him throughout his recovery.

"Dean is a talented player and we all look forward to seeing him back playing again as soon as possible."

Mowbray added: "Dean has shown us that he is a young man of remarkable spirit and determination in achieving all that he has done already in the game.

"He earned his first full international cap in recent months - despite having no sight in one eye.

"That same spirit will see him achieve even more in his career in the future.

"What is amazing is that Dean has adapted so fantastically that people who don't know him well have been entirely unaware of this."


Best of luck Deano, will see you back in the Green soon

[drinkfeckarse]

"What is amazing is that Dean has adapted so fantastically that people who don't know him well have been entirely unaware of this."


Very true, I had no idea he had no sight in one eye. Best of luck to the lad.

[OwlsFan]

For better or for worse it seems Celtic are heading back towards a majority Scottish team.

With Rangers buying Boyd from Kilmarknock and Celtic signing a contract with Miller from Wolves (ex Rangers:eek: - Alfie Conn and Mo Johnson being the only other two to play for both?), both clubs seem to concentrating more on Scottish players.

[Hibs4Ever]

With Rangers buying Boyd from Kilmarknock and Celtic signing a contract with Miller from Wolves (ex Rangers:eek: - Alfie Conn and Mo Johnson being the only other two to play for both?), both clubs seem to concentrating more on Scottish players.


Lads its ONE Scottish player each, not a big deal

[OwlsFan]

Throw in Wilson from Dundee Utd, that makes two for Celtic. Wasn't it not long ago in an Old Firm game you'd be doing well to spot a Scottish player ?

[drinkfeckarse]

Lads its ONE Scottish player each, not a big deal

You can't deny that Strachan wants a more Scottish feel about the team. McManus, Wallace, Maloney and Beattie are all regulars and now with 2 more coming on board it definately seems as if that's the way Strachan is looking at it.

[Poor Student]

I think it reflects the limited funds available to both clubs. Consider your team was entirely Scottish, you could only be as good as the national team and well that's not really very good.;) Rangers have signed a never ending string of decently performing young Scottish talent from other SPL clubs to see them wither away and leave the club, a certain Kenny Miller being one of them himself. I'd imagine Boyd will fall the same way. He looked pretty useless against Motherwell and with Prso fully fit I don't see where he fits in. I think 1998 was the last time Celtic had a significant Scottish contingent in the team with Gould, Boyd, McNamara, Burley, Lambert, Jackson and Donnelly and to a lesser extent O'Donnell. Celtic have also agreed a £700k free for a Hungarian left winger.

[drinkfeckarse]

I think it reflects the limited funds available to both clubs.

Strachan has spent approx £7m since he took over though which is decent money in this day and age especially in Scotland.

[OwlsFan]

I think 1998 was the last time Celtic had a significant Scottish contingent in the team with Gould, Boyd, McNamara, Burley, Lambert, Jackson and Donnelly and to a lesser extent O'Donnell. Celtic have also agreed a £700k free for a Hungarian left winger.

:eek: Don't mention O'Donnell. He and Donnelly came to Wednesday and barely kicked a ball between them due to injuries.

[Redtop]

"Since the accident, I have had no sight at all in the eye despite several operations when I was younger," [/B]
imagine what he would have been like if he had sight in his two eyes

[Stevo Da Gull]

Best of luck to Dean, he had no problems picking out the corner of the net in a Edinburgh derby last season unless I'm mistaken so hopefully he'll be right back in the action for Hibs when he's recovered. While talking of Hibs, they got back on track today with a 3-1 win at home to Dunfermline today (2 for Riordan and 1 for Steven Fletcher). The big wins of the day were for Inverness and Rangers who both won 4-1, Livingstone one of those teams beaten 4-1 when they played at Ibrox- ill see if Wes Hoolahan played when I check the text later.

[superfrank]

I talked about Dean with SDG yesterday, will he be wearing an eye-patch when he returns?

[Hibs4Ever]

I talked about Dean with SDG yesterday, will he be wearing an eye-patch when he returns?


Deano will most likely get a prostetic eye

[Hibs4Ever]

Very good win for the Hibees on Saturday, 3 quality goals.

Bring on the derby next weekend (although Setanta find Inverness v Rangers more thrilling:mad: )


A win in the bus shelter and we're 2 points behind the Jambos:D



GGTTH

[stickyjoe]

agree with you there H4E. How do Setanta find Inveness v Rangers at that 3 sided stadium more attractive then the edinburgh derby(2nd v 3rd) !

[Hibs4Ever]

agree with you there H4E. How do Setanta find Inveness v Rangers at that 3 sided stadium more attractive then the edinburgh derby(2nd v 3rd) !


Setanta say its because they can only show 4 games from each ground per year. What that means is all celtic and rangers away games:mad:

The Edinburgh derbys great matches with amazing atmospheres

[drinkfeckarse]

Setanta say its because they can only show 4 games from each ground per year. What that means is all celtic and rangers away games:mad:

The Edinburgh derbys great matches with amazing atmospheres

Agree totally with you and both points. I'd much prefer to watch the Edinburgh derby this weekend and it should be no contest as which one to show.

Realistically though, Setanta know they are likely to get a lot more people paying for pay per views with either of the Old Firm regardless of who they are playing.

[Stuttgart88]

Just a general comment but I think Chris Sutton has already shown his class in 2 games in the English Premiership. Much underrated player in England, I hope he continues to do well.

[Junior]

Agree totally with you and both points. I'd much prefer to watch the Edinburgh derby this weekend and it should be no contest as which one to show.

Realistically though, Setanta know they are likely to get a lot more people paying for pay per views with either of the Old Firm regardless of who they are playing.

Yep but would you agree if it was Celtic playing @ Inverness? I know I'd want to see my team.

However, the only way Setanta are going to get more interest from Non Celtic or Rangers fans is by gradually showing a more balanced choice of games. Edinburgh, Tayside derbies etc... any clash involving top 5 teams.

Its would have to be a gradual transition though, as undoubtedly the SPL Financial Model for Setanta is largely weighted towards revenue from celtic and Rangers supporters.


Just a general comment but I think Chris Sutton has already shown his class in 2 games in the English Premiership. Much underrated player in England, I hope he continues to do well.

IMO apart from Larsson, Sutton was Celtic's most important player during the MON era and definitely his best signing.

I don't know how he has not had another call up for England, when you think Crouch is now 3rd or 4th choice striker? The 'B Team' snub was moons ago and under another manager. I can't believe this has had any bearing on Sven not considering him, and its not as if the FA have any control over Sven:D in who he should select or not.

Having said all this, He has been injured a lot in the last 12 months and was not showng the interest levels as in past seasons. I've seen highlights of his first 2 games for Birmingham and he's causing defenders all sorts of problems - good luck to him.

Classic Sutton Quote on signing for Celtic. "Im here to put Rangers in there place":D

[drinkfeckarse]

Yep but would you agree if it was Celtic playing @ Inverness? I know I'd want to see my team.


True, you'd always want to see your own team but if I'm being honest then I think an Edinburgh derby would appeal more to the many neutrals than Celtic/Rangers away to Inverness.

[ColinR]

is there not some clause in the setanta contract that they can only show something like 2 or 3 games a year from each ground, which is generally when the old firm come to town.

it was mentioned in the papers earlier in the season (and probably earlier in this thread), when hearts where flying, and how it could make things awkward later in the season when choosing which matches to show.

[Poor Student]

is there not some clause in the setanta contract that they can only show something like 2 or 3 games a year from each ground, which is generally when the old firm come to town.



Yep. The clause is quite restrictive. It leads to things like Celtic v Hearts being on a Saturday while Rangers playing a less important team away being live at the weekend.

[Aberdonian Stu]

That's ridiculous. Surely a subscription based deal (which the SPL have effectively bet its future on) would give them a free enough reign to maximise ratings.

[Junior]

If you recall though The TV deal had to be agreed by all the SPL clubs (Celtic & Rangers wanted to agree their own packages but were unable to unless they broke away from the SPL). I'd imagine this was one of the clauses that all grounds got an airing. It just happens to suit Celtic & Rangers fans that its always their away games.

[Poor Student]

That's ridiculous. Surely a subscription based deal (which the SPL have effectively bet its future on) would give them a free enough reign to maximise ratings.

I think it may also be to protect the clubs as too many of their home games on TV would eat into attendances. Or is it to suit the Old Firm ensuring that only OFs can be shown from home protecting their attendances? Don't remember but I think it is something along those lines.


If you recall though The TV deal had to be agreed by all the SPL clubs (Celtic & Rangers wanted to agree their own packages but were unable to unless they broke away from the SPL). I'd imagine this was one of the clauses that all grounds got an airing. It just happens to suit Celtic & Rangers fans that its always their away games.

Actually there was a period where the other 10 teams in the SPL had handed in their notice of resignation from the SPL over the OF's demands over TV money.

[Aberdonian Stu]

I assumed that as the reason as well PS but surely then the more logical course of action would't be to limit the number of times they are at a ground but instead the number of games shown per weekend (which I assume is already in place). If they want it to succeed surely they know that the best way to do this is to rely on the per weekend limit as this will mean he best/most relevant games are broadcast live.

[Hibs4Ever]

What about that rubbish last night lads? The worst Scottish semi attendance ever. Can't beleive these team were in it. Old Firm, Hibs and Aberdeen would have easily sold out asemi final, the other clubs could well have done the same. Pars and Livi fans should be ashamed of themselves:mad:

[Poor Student]

I wouldn't blame Livy too much but you just wait and see how many tickets the Pars demand for the final if they play Celtic.

AS, they only ever show one game a week. Whether that is the limit or not I couldn't tell you.

[eirebhoy]

Rangers have banned Hibs fans from bringing flags to Ibrox.:eek:

http://www.petitiononline.com/0762/petition.html

[Hibs4Ever]

Rangers have banned Hibs fans from bringing flags to Ibrox.:eek:

http://www.petitiononline.com/0762/petition.html


This petition has been going on for a few days now, we have gone through all the channels for this, and still getting nowhere. Our SC flag has a tricolour on it so I expected that to be a problem. But some of the other bans are ridiculous. The Hibs fans website www.hibeesbounce.com have a HUGE flag with their name and a Gold Harp in the middle, the people at Ibrox won't allow it because they say its "advertising" the website.

With all the Union Jacks and Northern Ireland flags they bring to the away end at Easter Road this is a joke, we'll just have to make do with our scarfs in the air.


Feel free to sign the petition against this madness everyone

[eirebhoy]

http://gersnet.info/fmrangers/blueorder/images/banners/4.jpg

[Poor Student]

Alright lads, you know where this will inevitably lead so we should probably skim over the Hibs' flag ban issue.