Celtic challenge the SFA for answers

It may not have the passion of the Fergus McCann v Jim Farry case but it looks like Celtic are on the case of the SFA with regard to their Review Panel.

Rejecting Glenn Loovens appeal against a one match suspension handed out by the SFA seems to have opened a can of worms that requires answering.

Celtic's question to the SFA seems quite clear cut: 'to ascertain the criteria for referring incidents to the SFA Review Panel'.

A look through the section on the SFA website seems to suggest that clubs can appeal against sendings-off to the Review Panel.

OVERTURNING

Video evidence is taken into account and a retrospective judgement made; some decisions are confirmed and some decisions are overturned allowing players to avoid suspensions with red card's rescinded or downgraded to yellow card offenses.

Fair enough, no argument there. You can't turn the clock back but at least players aren't being punished twice over for mistakes made by referees.

The more contentious issues are those that found Glenn Loovens and Scott McDonald called before the SFA for incidents in the matches against Rangers on May 9 and Dundee United on May 12.

Who made those decisions?

Why were those decisions made?

MISTAKES

There are lots of other questions that arise but in every single football match there are questionable decisions made, referees make mistakes just like players and managers.

Even in the two matches in question there were other decisions made that could be challenged.

The SFA are clearly taking their time in coming up with an answer that should be straightforward, surely the criteria for the Review Panel must be included in the SFA rulebook.

RE-RUNS

If a straightforward answer can't be found we are entering murky water. Do referees watch re-runs of their matches to see if they missed an incident that should have been punished?

Are televised games given extra scrutiny with the extra cameras?

Celtic have been waiting over a month for answers, interestingly the club clearly feels that other recent incidents are escaping the Review Panel.

Celtic's statement said: "We still do not understand the procedure by which Glenn Loovens and Scott McDonald were referred for review and other similar incidents in recent months have not been. The process seems to be disparate and arbitrary.

“Our objective is to ensure that these processes are applied fairly, consistently and in a transparent manner, for the benefit of all clubs and players.

“We will continue to pursue this objective and look forward to hearing from the SFA shortly."

MYSTERY

The SFA have plenty of problems to deal with not of their making, the mystery surrounding the Loovens and McDonald incidents have been created by themselves, only the SFA can answer the questions raised by Celtic.

Tomorrow's Celtic-Motherwell game will be refereed by Chris Boyle, a new name to me who has only refereed two SPL games this season and has never before handled a Celtic match.

After today's Celtic statement and the incidents at the Rangers-Celtic match a fortnight ago Boyle will find himself under intense scrutiny with every decision.

A good referee is one that gets through a match without being noticed, happy to stay in the background and let the players take centre-stage.

Recent events suggest that Boyle will have to have the performance of his life to get through tomorrow's match without being involved in further controversy.

The SFA have replied to Celtic's request by saying that they will reply in due course, whenever that is.

Loovens appeal rejected by SFA- defender misses Motherwell match

Glenn Loovens appeal against a retrospective one match ban has been rejected by the SFA.

The defender will be suspended for Saturday's home match against Motherwell giving the Gary Caldwell-Stephen McManus partnership another chance.

The original offence was reported by Craig Thomson after reviewing the Rangers-Celtic match on May 9, so far Thomson has failed to report any incidents from the October 4 meeting between the clubs that he feels are worth reviewing.

A statement from the SFA said: "A Disciplinary Appeals Tribunal met today at the National Stadium, Hampden Park, to consider an Appeal from Celtic FC.

"This was in respect of a decision made by the Scottish FA's Disciplinary Committee on 7th August regarding the player Glenn Loovens.

"Following a clash between the player concerned and Maurice Edu during the match Celtic v Rangers on 9th May of this year, the incident was referred to the SFA Review Panel. After consideration of the incident, the Review Panel then referred the matter to the Disciplinary Committee.

"The Committee found Glenn Loovens guilty of misconduct of a significantly serious nature and he was given a one match ban and had 12 points added to his 2008/2009 Disciplinary points total.

"Today the Disciplinary Appeals Tribunal refused the appeal. The suspension is effective immediately which will rule the player out of the Celtic v Motherwell match this Saturday."

After Thomson's performance in the recent Rangers-Celtic match this weekends referees will be under even greater scrutiny than ever despite an apology of sorts being issued by Hugh Dallas regarding one of the penalty incidents that Thomson missed on October 4.

Supersonic Peter Latchford interview

by Joe McHugh For any 40-something like myself the Supersonic 70s will be remembered as the era when we discovered the club that dominates so much of our life.

Too young for Lisbon, the seventies provided a glimpse of the past, some incredible successes and a look into the future with Roy Aitken and Tommy Burns.

Some of the Lions were still around, big Billy, Jinky, Bobby Lennox and Bobby Murdoch, new heros from the Quality Street Gang such as Danny McGrain and Kenny Dalglish came through and a host of others who made a significant input into the club such as Dixie Deans, Harry Hood, Stevie Murray, Ronnie Glavin, big Shuggie and Peter Latchford.

Gerry McDade has recreated the action and attitudes of the seventies skilfully mixing the football with popular culture and current affairs weaving the miners strike and the birth of punk in with the footy.

BROTHERS

In goals for Celtic throughout the second-half of the 70s was the laid back Peter Latchford. One of three brothers who made their name in the game, brother Bob earned 12 England caps whilst at Everton with Dave, also a goalkeeper, playing for Motherwell and Birmingham City.

Peter had a special relationship with the Celtic support, no pre-match build-up was completed without the supporters calling for a wave with Latchford duly responding to the chant of 'Give us a wave, give us a wave Peter Latchford'.

Latchford spend 12 years at Celtic before moving on to Clyde for a short spell and was back at Celtic Park for the launch of the Supersonic 70s book.

"The terrible clothes? The terrible hair? I don't know where to start," the keeper laughed when asked about his top memory from the seventies.

"We just played the football, we didn't really care about the era, it was just a great time to be involved in the game and this club.

MEMORIES

"There are great memories from that time, I could talk about the 4-2 game for hours on end. I looked through the book and found a lot of things that I'd forgotten about, it twigs the memory and I was away remembering things that I'd virtually forgotten."

Latchford was initially signed on loan from West Brom by Jock Stein in February 1975 and finished the season with a Scottish Cup winners medal as Celtic beat Airdrie 3-1 in Billy McNeill's last game as a Celtic player.

Englishmen moving to Scotland was very rare in the 70's with Latchford overcoming the initial culture shock to make Scotland his home for over 30 years.

He added: "My boss at West Brom, Don Howe, asked me if I'd like to go on loan to Celtic. I said 'yes, great, where is it?' That was my very words.

"He said 'no, Glasgow Celtic you fool'. I asked to go out on loan and anywhere locally would have suited me, Scotland was the last thing on my mind.

"A few hours later I spoke to wee Bud (Willie) Johnston who was at West Brom at the time and he said 'Go, do it, you'll love it, it'll be the best thing that you've ever done, it's fantastic'.

ENCOURAGED

"There were a couple of other Scottish lads at the club and they said exactly the same. They encouraged me to go although I was going to go anyway. For first team football, I'd have gone anywhere."

Latchford added: "It was a bit of a culture shock when I got up here, the bin strikes were on, that was another seveties thing, Glasgow wasn't at it's prettiest as I arrived, I remember wondering around the city thinking 'what the hell have I let myself in for here'.

"I soon settled in, I fitted in easily, my wife found it much harder, but the boys at Celtic were brilliant and I fitted in quite easily. Once I got my bearings the football was great and I really enjoyed it."

Joining Celtic didn't just have an effect on the 'keeper, thirty years on from taking the journey up the M74 the Latchford family are still reminded of Celtic.

Deep in the Amazon jungle (not the place for buying books) is an unlikely outpost for football but Latchford's daughter Rebecca found that her famous family name brought her instant recognition.

The keeper added: "It doesn't matter where you go in the world there are always people that come up to you and want to talk about Celtic.

AMAZON

"My daughter Rebecca was in Brazil, up along the Amazon on an eight month field trip as part of her university course.

"She was working at a logging camp, a third of the way up the Amazon before her group went into the jungle.

"There were two guys there that she met, one was an Everton supporter and the other supported Celtic, as soon as she mentioned her name that was it- she never bought another drink on the trip!

"She was amazed. Anywhere in the world that I've gone I've seen the Celtic shirt, that strip is so recognisable that you see it everywhere.

"Folk come up and chat to me, there isn't anywhere in the world that you can go and not be aware of Celtic".

CLICK HERE to purchase Celtic The Supersonic 70s

PART TWO coming soon, the great 4-2 match and the modern pressures on players

What on earth was going on at Cliftonville?

Results in friendly games barely matter, it's not wise to comment on a game that you haven't been at, to quote James Sanderson, but tonight's 3-0 defeat at Cliftonville is a poor result whatever the circumstances.

Wearing a Celtic shirt at any level should carry a strong element of pride, for various reasons playing for Celtic in Belfast should bring out an extra effort regardless of the friendly tag.

Facing up to Neil Lennon, Danny McGrain and Tony Mowbray after a 3-0 defeat in a heartland that is starved of Celtic isn't recommended.

Amongst the Celtic side tonight was Lucasz Zaluska, Barry Robson, Marc Crosas, Zheng Zhi and Koki Mizuno. Zhi can mainly be excused but the others should have been putting on a performance to impress.

OPPORTUNITY
With a lengthy injury list, international fixtures and a two-games-a-week schedule underway, fringe players had the perfect opportunity to show that they are worthy of first team consideration.

Again without being at the match it's difficult to comment but the Celtic side that played Cliftonville should have put on a better performance and will have no-one to blame but themselves if they aren't given a first team look in the coming weeks.

With all respect to Cliftonville the Irish League is currently one of the weakest in Europe with their teams regularly hammered in the opening rounds of the European competitions.

Champions Glentoran lost 10-0 on aggregate to Maccabi Haifa while Randers of Denmark beat Linfield 7-0.

After 13 league matches Cliftonville are sitting in sixth place in the 12 team league with 19 points so far this season, nine points behind leaders Crusaders.

FAVOURS
It will barely register in the chip wrappers but tonight's result won't have done any of the players any favours.

Mowbray must have been hoping that someone would shape up and provide him with an option for the weekend game with Motherwell.

Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt have made the most of their recent first team opportunities, it is possible to play your way into the first team. I wouldn't hold my breath on any of tonight's team making the bench against Motherwell on Saturday.

Celtic team: Zaluska, Towell, Thompson, D Gallagher, Conroy; Carey, Robson, Crosas, Mizuno; Zhi, McGowan

Larsson's management hint

Sweden's defeat by Denmark on Saturday has virtually ended the top flight career of Henrik Larsson with the former Celtic striker hinting about a future in management.

Larsson doesn't tend to do anything without careful thought and is bound to be in demand to start out in management.

Wednesday's game against Albania looks like being Larsson's 106th and last international appearance which has covered the 1994, 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

Speaking after the defeat from Denmark he said: "It's over now, it's a pity it ends like this. But it's time to say goodbye now.

"I'm still hoping for us to reach the play-offs, but if we don't, then it's not a hard decision. Like I feel now, it won't be realistic playing next summer.

"I have gathered a lot of experience and I see a lot of football and have a clear idea on how I want to play.

"If I choose to be a manager, you'll see what the idea is."

It'll be interesting to see if the 38-year-old decides to start out in management in Sweden or accept an offer from abroad.

By quitting Barcelona for Hellsingborg, and then leaving Manchester United in mid-season, he has demonstrated that he is most certainly his own man.

Management is an entirely different discipline to playing but throughout his career Larsson has shown a dedication to improve and the single-mindedness to succeed.

Only Henrik knows what direction his next steps will be in, like all things Larsson it will be watched closely by Celtic supporters with inevitable speculation that one day he'll return to take charge of Celtic.

Swedish interview

Larsson international stats

Managers Sutton and Lambert on the winning way

With the weekend spotlight on international football two of the Seville Bhoys were working away at the gritty end of the game steering their sides to away victories.

Paul Lambert and Chris Sutton helped Norwich and Lincoln to wins away from home at Carlisle and Macclesfield to keep up their impressive starts after taking over at their new clubs with the season underway.

Lambert will be expected to take Norwich back to the Championship after effectively ending the management career of Norwich legend Bryan Gunn with a 7-1 win on the opening day of the season at Carrow Road.

After a difficult start at Norwich Lambert has steered the club to three consecutive victories with yesterday's 1-0 win at Carlisle coming thanks to a first half goal from Wes Hoolahan who played under Lambert at Livingston.

Next Monday Lambert faces his biggest test of the season when he takes Norwich to face Leeds United.

Down a division Chris Sutton made it two wins out of two with a 1-0 win at Macclesfield which seems to have ruffled quite a few feathers in the home dug out.

Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander had previously managed Lincoln and had three former Lincoln players in his side and didn't mess about describing the penalty that defeated his side.

"It was a diabolical decision," Alexander said. "What was worse was that the free-kick given against Lee Bell on the halfway line that led to the goal was a nonsense."

Some straight talking there!

Sutton typically was keeping things low key saying: "I'm obviously happy with two wins but we've got to keep a lid on things. We are still a long way from where we want to be.

"But that said, since I've been here the boys have given me absolutely everything they've got."

Elsewhere Celtic connections were thin on the ground due to the international break.

Simon Ferry and Ben Hutchison were in the Swindon Town side that managed to draw 1-1 at home to Millwall, that's the sixth time in their last seven fixtures that Swindon have drawn 1-1. Scott Cuthbert scored the Swindon goal.

Cillian Sheridan played the full match for the Ireland u-21 side that drew 1-1 with Georgia on Friday night with Plymouth team-mate Alan Judge scorng the Irish goal. The Irish side also included Wigan's James McCarthy whilst Chris Hughton's son, Cian of Lincoln, made his international debut as a late substitute.

Killen and N'Guemo on course for South Africa

Chris Killen and Landry N'Guemo took major steps towards the South African World Cup finals yesterday whilst Aiden McGeady faces the play-off lottery next month after Ireland's draw with Italy.

New Zealand drew 0-0 away to Bahrain in the first leg of their play-off leaving Killen's side requiring a win at home in Wellington on November 14 to qualify for their first World Cup since 1982.

Things look even brighter for N'Guemo even if details of Paul le Guen's side are thin on the ground after Cameroon beat Togo 3-0 at home, a win away to bottom placed Morocco on Wednesday will see Cameroon qualify for South Africa.

Celtic's Landry was the only N'Guemo named in the original squad but according to the FIFA website Joel N'Guemo was replaced by in the 69th minute

Led by Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o World Cup regulars Cameroon eased ahead of Togo into top place in Group , who included Emmanuel Adabayor, Cameroon are virtually a Premiership select and will be expected to do well if they get through Wednesday's final qualifying match.

Information on New Zealand is a bit easier to come across with the FIFA site carrying some details of the goal-less draw in Bahrain.

With his international career on a high hopefully Killen will get a chance now at Celtic to recapture the form that he showed at Hibs where he was more than a match for SPL defenders.

PARTIZAN

Over in Dublin it was agony for Ireland with a 'Partizan-type' moment as Ireland snatched a draw from the jaws of victory against Italy.

McGeady had a varied performance, Italian defences are the hardest to break down but the Celtic midfielder didn't go into hiding and constantly took the ball to right-back Gianluca Zamborata.

Liam Lawrence on the right provided a steadier defensive influence to the midfield, McGeady's final ball was at times disappointing but out smarting Italian defenders with the scent of the World Cup finals in the air is no easy task.

In the second half McGeady was given greater scope to attack but again found it difficult to deliver the killer pass before he was replaced by Stephen Hunt in the 78th minute.

Hunt won the 87th minute free-kick that allowed Sean St Ledger to head Ireland into the lead but the Italians equalised in stoppage time through substitute Alberto Gilardino.

Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni must have been devastated by his side's play after taking the late lead, instead of keeping possession and killing the clock Ireland continued to push forward leaving their defence open to the counter attack which Gilardino ruthlessly punished.

Unlike Celtic's ko blow in the 5-4 win over Partizan Belgrade 20 years ago Ireland get another chance with a play-off looming against France, Portugal, Greece or Russia.

It'll be tough to get through that stage especially after sharing four draws with Bulgaria and Italy in their qualifying group but with Trapattoni in charge they have the knowledge and experience to negotiate that obstacle