WE had a look this morning at what both Hearts and Aberdeen have had to say about the decision by Neil Doncaster and the SPFL to stage both semi-finals at Hampden on the same day at the end of October.
We also provided you with this reaction from John Paul Taylor, Celtic’s SLO to the news…
— Celtic FC SLO (@CelticFCSLO) September 27, 2018
However, other than that there is nothing else to report from Celtic on the official website, other than a quote from the SPFL statement…
“The crowded fixture calendar means that this is the best and most practical solution as any alternative had the knock-on effect of causing major fixture congestion.
“We met with representatives of all four clubs earlier today and explained that this was the only feasible outcome.”
Maybe Celtic will say something further today.
The Rangers, who it is fair to say are inconvenienced least of all by this scheduling decision have nothing on their own website. Apparently it was Police Scotland who decided that the Rangers game should be the early kick-off, despite Aberdeen fans having the furthest distance to travel to get to the National stadium.
Talking of The Rangers, they are away to Livingston this weekend – the match is on Sunday with a 1.30pm kick-off and that is going to create a problem for the biggest selling newspaper in Scotland – the Scottish Sun.
Yesterday the West Lothian club issued a statement of their own, in which they announced that they have banned the paper from their stadium – the Tony Macaroni Arena – with immediate effect, after the Sun ran a story about an incident that happened at the club.
“This follows a salacious and factually misleading article featured in the newspaper and online titled: “Suspected cocaine stash found in toilet of Scots Premiership outfit Livingston’s stadium,” the Livi statement explained.
“The West Lothian Youth Foundation manages the stadium on behalf of the club and exists to promote community participation in sport. One of their stated aims is to “encourage disadvantaged youths and youths at risk of adverse experiences to take up worthwhile opportunities and to divert them from unsocial activities”.
“The Scottish Sun’s article makes the following false and contradictory claim:
““A suspected cocaine stash was found in a toilet at Livi’s stadium”.
“Despite admitting an empty bag was handed to a WLYF member of staff, the Sun chose to publish a stock photo from Getty Images of a bag full of white powder. The club views this as a despicable misrepresentation of the facts.
“The Scottish Sun then quotes a source at the club, but in the very next sentence states “Livingston FC would not comment.”
“It’s a disgraceful piece of scaremongering over an empty bag. The reporter was issued with a statement from the WLYF but chose not to refer to it. No one at the club was asked for a statement.
“The Club regularly feature “Kick addiction out of your life” advertising on behalf of Narcotics, Alcohol, and Gamblers Anonymous free of charge and we have a no tolerance policy within the stadium.
“The Sun and its group newspaper reporters are barred from the stadium with immediate effect. Livingston Football Club is also preparing a formal complaint to the press regulator.”
Livingston, believing that they have been wronged by a red top, has taken decisive action. The number of times that Celtic have had reason to complain themselves about inaccurate and damaging press stories is almost limitless, yet nothing is ever said or done.
Let’s hear from you. Join in the debate on the new Celtic fans forum Celtic Noise.
