Our top team don’t flinch as they meet the big
Scenes from the Celtic AGM which was cut shortThree tournaments out of four – does that qualify ‘Sir’ Steve Clarke for a knighthood?
KEITH: Absolutely. Clarke probably wouldn’t care one way or the other but his contribution to Scottish football over these last six and a half years has been historic and deserves royal recognition.
ANDY: Yes, Sir! Clarke inherited a broken squad and a Tartan Army that had run out of hope – but he’s changed all that with his masterful management. Yes, the style of play might not be the most adventurous but we’ll take a bit of pragmatism if it gets us to major tournaments.
CRAIG: It probably does, yes. However, Clarke won’t be worried about that. Just ending that 28-year World Cup exile will be a big enough honour.
SCOTT: It certainly qualifies him as one of Scotland’s greatest ever managers. That is all that matters. I’m sure like many others, he probably couldn’t care less about a knighthood because Scotland are going to the World Cup.
It was pandemonium at Parkhead as the Hoops AGM was cut short – are we now in a full on Celtic civil war?
KEITH: Yes. It’s truly a sad state of affairs but it’s hard to see how this situation can be resolved without whole scale resignations. Peter Lawwell has been a behemoth of a leader for the club but, for the second time, it looks like he’ll have to leave Parkhead out the back door with a blanket over his head. After 13 titles in 14 years the whole thing is madness.
ANDY: It’s hard to see it any other way. An ever increasing section of the support are now in open revolt against a board who seem determined to antagonise the punters with every step they make. Peace in our time? Don’t bet on it…
CRAIG: Yes. The disconnect between club and fans is massive at the moment and it’s not going to be sorted quickly.
SCOTT: It is looking that way with neither side backing down.It’s hard to see where it ends! It is going to get worse before it gets better. Could we see disenchanted fans going down the United of Manchester route?
Callum McGregor snatched a late winner at St Mirren – should Clarke be asking the Celts skipper to come out of international retirement?
KEITH: Clarke probably won’t ask the question but that doesn’t mean McGregor can’t make it happen. Scott Brown did the same under Gordon Strachan and Scotland’s midfield options would be significantly strengthened if McGregor was to take a leaf out of his old skipper’s book.
ANDY: Yes. Tuesday’s Hampden rollercoaster was a thrill ride but Scotland could have made life an awful lot easier for themselves had they taken better care of the ball. Someone with McGregor’s calm and composure would be of huge benefit to the national team.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor celebrates with Luke McCowan
CRAIG: No. McGregor is a brilliant player and a leader, but that decision has been made and both parties have moved on.
SCOTT BURNS: I would always have Callum McGregor in my Scotland team. The thing is he is going to have to want to play. The other issue is what midfielder would need to drop out because most of them have played big parts in qualification?
Rangers boss Danny Rohl made it four from four in the Premiership – but should Livi have had an Ibrox spot-kick?
KEITH: It’s a penalty all day long. It does seem as if Rangers very publicly throwing the toys out of the pram may have got into the heads of the officials involved.
ANDY: Davie Martindale has every right to be furious. Ok, Manny Fernandez didn’t throw his arm out miles from his body but he left it dangling and it stopped a goal-bound shot. Referee Ross Hardie should, at the very least, have been told to take a look himself at the monitor.
CRAIG: Looking at some of the spot kicks that have been awarded this term for similar incidents in the box, it looked an obvious award.
SCOTT: For me, it was a stick-on penalty kick. The ball is going towards goal and it hits Emmanuel Fernandez on the arm. It was a penalty and Livingston have every right to feel aggrieved.