GAME ON AT TANNADICE

According to the Dundee United website it's GAME ON today.

Visitors to the website are being greeted with the message: "GAME ON
22 November 2009 Today's match against Celtic is definitely on, following a precautionary early morning pitch inspection. "

You can't ask for clearer than that, on the Radio Clyde news at 9am they didn't even mention the possibility of a postponment or pitch inspection while Radio Scotland invited listeners to tune in again at 10am for the result of the 9.15am inspection!

Despite the heavy rainfall throughout Tayside and Perthshire Tannadice seems fit for today's game which will be shown live in ESPN with a 12.30 kick off.

Glenn Loovens trained on Friday and Saturday so it appears unlikely that Josh Thompson will be given his debut.

Up front Tony Mowbray will have some big decisions to make with Scott McDonald fresh from his double as a substitute at Falkirk in contention for a starting place alongside Georgios Samaras and Marco Fortune.

Tannadice's tight surface doesn't lend itself to wide players with the home side certain to go with a powerful midfield three or four.

That should see a reshuffle of the Celtic pack from the side that drew at Falkirk, as well as for the actual performance of course.

United's last home game against Rangers was abandoned at half-time as the pitch became waterlogged and a safety risk but all appears to be playable this morning.

UPDATED @ 9.30AM SUNDAY

Norwich face points deduction claim over Lambert deal

Colchester United have demanded that the Football League deduct points from Norwich City over the recruitment of Paul Lambert.

No compensation has been agreed between the two clubs following the move for the former Celtic captain who quit Colchester United for Norwich alongwith his management team of Ian Culverhouse and Gary Carsa.

Colchester are currently one point above Norwich in third place in League One with both clubs looking to be involved in the battle for automatic promotion or play-off places.

Adding extra irony to the situation is Colchester's opening day 7-1 win at Norwich which earned Bryan Gunn the sack and clearly brought the then Colchester boss Lambert to Norwich's attention.

With the quirky way that football loves to operate it would be no surprise if those three points on the opening day of the season turned out to be highly significant at the end of the campaign.

COMPENSATION

Colchester hardly seem to have suffered with the appointment of Aidy Boothroyd as Lambert's replacement but that hasn't dampened the Essex club's desire for compensation, or revenge as it's better known.

"A few points could be the difference between them and us come the end of the season and, if that means the difference between promotion and not going up, that could end up costing us millions of pounds," said Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling.

"I think football should now take a stand and set a precedent by deducting Norwich points.

"We regret that it has not been possible to settle compensation claims with Norwich City relating to Paul Lambert, Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa and therefore we have had to report all four parties to the Football League for breach of Football League Regulations and misconduct.

"The Football League will set up a Football Disciplinary Commission (FDC) to hear Colchester's complaint. The FDC has power to award Colchester compensation and deduct points from Norwich, a remedy which we are advised might be particularly relevant in this case.

RELATIONSHIP

"In the past the two clubs have always enjoyed an excellent relationship and, during the time they were at Colchester United, I had a first class relationship with Paul, Ian and Gary who did a wonderful job for us.

"We have genuinely tried to preserve those good relations and it therefore saddens me that we feel compelled to take this step. However, no one should doubt the resolve of the Colchester United Board to seek a fair outcome."

Cowling claimed that he has been unable to have a meeting with Norwich chief Alan Powkett to discuss compensation since Lambert moved.

Norwich responded to the move by saying: "City can confirm they have been informed Colchester United have made a formal complaint to the Football League against the Canaries and three members of our management team, Paul Lambert, Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa.

"The matter is now in the hands of our legal representatives and the two clubs will be called to a hearing of the Football Disciplinary Commission to resolve the matter."

Lambert's side travel to face Southampton today on the back of three straight wins.

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Keano goes tonto!

Roy Keane has waded into the controversy surrounding the France-Ireland match by saying that the Irish have no one to blame but themselves.

The simmering anger that has never been far below the surface since Keane walked out of the 2002 World Cup exploded again today at the pre-match media conference apparently to preview tomorrow's match with Sheffield Wednesday.

After the fall-out with Mick McCarthy in 2002 Keane retained a high level of sympathy and support throughout Ireland as he let rip with a string of complaints about McCarthy and the FAI.

That support has never left Keane through his career moves from Manchester United through to Celtic, Sunderland and now on to Ipswich.

However his criticism of the team that faced France, the defenders and goalkeeper Shay Given in particular, will surely bring about a sea change in opinion with few dissenters in Ireland over the injustice of Wednesday's KO inspired by the cheating of Thierry Henry.

Keane has never gone with the flow, he has often enjoyed the role of the rebel, but his barbed comments about the events in Paris are likely to push his supporters into a corner that can't be defended.

COMMOTION

"I've been amazed by the commotion over the last few days," the Ipswich boss said. "Yeah of course Henry handled the ball but I'd be more focused on why didn't they clear it? I'd be more annoyed with my defenders and goalkeeper than Thierry Henry.

"How can you let the ball bounce about in the six yard box? How can you let Thierry Henry get goal-side of you? And if the ball is bouncing in the six yard box I'd be saying where the hell is my goalkeeper?

"They should have cleared it, the defenders let the ball bounce in the six yard box.

"If that was my team I'd go into the dressing room and I wouldn't even mention the handball I'd just say why didn't anyone head it? Defenders have to focus on the players, there is only one ball, just go and head it.

"Where is my goalkeeper? The ball bounced in the six yard box from a free-kick just inside the halfway line, that's what I'd be asking about not about the handball.

Keane added: "Ireland had the chances over the two games and never took them, in the first game they never performed, in the second half (in Paris) we had opportunities to score and didn't take them.

DECISIONS

"But it's the usual FAI reaction, we've been robbed, the honesty of the game. There was one of the group matches, I'm sure it was Georgia where Ireland got a penalty it was one of the worst decisions that I've ever seen, one which changed the whole course of the game.

"I don't remember the FAI saying after the game that we should give them a replay.

"There's a lot at stake, the Irish supporters deserve better, the manager deserves better probably most of the players deserve better but do the FAI deserve better? What goes around comes around.

"France were there for the taking and Ireland never grabbed it, usual stuff, afraid of that next step, mentally not strong enough, they can complain all they want its not going to change France are going to the World Cup, get over it

"I don't want the sympathy vote, the usual, the usual carry on, boring, bore you to death it would."

Keane's comments and the long standing grievances that he nurtures are far from boring, his comments today are likely to make him second only to Henry in popularity terms in Ireland with respect and sympathy for the stance that he took in 2002 likely to disappear as he appears to revel in the misfortunes of Paris.

THIS WEEKEND'S PADDY POWER SPECIALS

Other articles today

Ujpest Dozsa travel to face Vasas tomorrow in their final league game before the winter break.

Willie McStay's side are currently sitting in second place in the Hungarian league but trail leaders Videoton by six points after losing to Videoton in their last league fixture... CLICK HERE for more

Celtic's table-topping youth side face Falkirk tomorrow at Stirling University with an 11am kick-off.
Stevie Frail's side have won their last three league games and are unbeaten in the u-19 league as they complete the first round of fixtures with only the postponed Rangers game outstanding...CLICK HERE for more

Ujpest looking for Vasas win before the winter break

Ujpest Dozsa travel to face Vasas tomorrow in their final league game before the winter break.

Willie McStay's side are currently sitting in second place in the Hungarian league but trail leaders Videoton by six points after losing to Videoton in their last league fixture.

Ujpest did gain some revenge on that result with a 1-0 win over Videoton in the Hungarian Cup with the second leg to come in midweek before the season closes down for almost three months.

Loan Celt Mark Millar has returned to Budapest after receiving treatment for his hamstring in Glasgow with McStay hoping that the midfielder can feature in the second leg of the cup tie with Videoton.

Two wins against Vasas and Videoton would leave Ujpest in contention for the league and cup double when the season resumes and give the club a realistic chance of picking up their first silverware in over a decade.

Youth Match POSTPONED

THIS GAME HAS BEEN POSTPONED

Celtic's table-topping youth side face Falkirk tomorrow at Stirling University with an 11am kick-off.

Stevie Frail's side have won their last three league games and are unbeaten in the u-19 league as they complete the first round of fixtures with only the postponed Rangers game outstanding.

Falkirk have been a strong side at youth level in recent seasons and are currently sitting in third place with Hamilton Accies separating them from leaders Celtic.

The weather has already caused the cancellation of today's Hamilton-Motherwell fixture with a phone call probably a sensible measure before setting out for Stirling tomorrow.

Current SPL u-19 table

Six Months of SFA Silence

Back in May of this year, with the SPL title in the balance, Glenn Loovens and Scott McDonald were asked to appear in front of the SFA's Review Panel to explain incidents in games against Rangers and Dundee United.

Not unreasonably Celtic asked for clarification as to how these charges were brought about, in almost every game there are questionable incidents that could be reviewed and looked at differently.

With no answer forthcoming from the SFA Celtic finally went public on October 16 to explain to their supporters that their request for clarification hadn't been answered.

An incident between Loovens and Maurice Edu resulted in a one match ban for the Dutch defender.

Mistakes are part and parcel of football, two weeks before the Celtic statement Craig Thomson appeared to admit that he should have awarded Celtic, or the away team as they were referred to in the statement issued through Hugh Dallas, a penalty in a game against Rangers on October 4.

Dallas's statement however fell short of explaining why the penalty wasn't given, was the referee unsighted or did he have a clear view and failed to notice David Weir's foul on Shaun Maloney?

These incidents apparently even themselves out over the course of a season.

The SFA rule book is comprehensive and thorough, there is a sub-paragraph and explanation for every possible action on the football pitch.

Strangely a month after going public Celtic are still awaiting a reply from the SFA for the criteria that brought Loovens and McDonald before the Review Panel.

It really should just be a quick reference to the rule book, there are general catch all clauses to cover anything not detailed in the rule book.

The longer that an answer is delayed the more suspicious it all becomes.

Celtic statement 16 October 2009: "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."

Cheaty Henry robs Ireland of World Cup place

Good guy Thiery Henry's halo slipped tonight as he helped to cheat Ireland out of a place in the World Cup Finals.

Robbie Keane's first half goal had levelled the scores and taken the game into extra-time in the Stade de France when Henry lent a hand to proceedings.

With two minutes left in the first half of extra-time a cross deep into the Irish box was controlled twice by Henry's hand before he stabbed the ball across goal for William Gallas to bundle the ball into the net.

Shay Given was furious at being robbed by Henry with Damien Duff booked for his protests to the Swedish officials.

Referee Martin Hansson generally had a good match but missing Henry's double handball is unforgivable.

How Fifa react to this mistake will be interesting, surely Hansson can't be rewarded, like Henry, with a trip to South Africa to officiate at the finals.

A few minutes before the handball incident Hannson again demonstrated his lack of judgement as Nicolas Anelka threw himself to the ground Eduardo style in an attempt to win a penalty off Given.

The mindset in these situations has you believing that it was a good decision not to award a penalty but perhaps if Anelka had been booked Henry might have thought twice before handling as he created Gallas's goal.

Aiden McGeady was thrown on in place of Liam Lawrence for the second period of extra-time but was unable to make a decisive intervention.

The fall out from the game will be long and loud but it won't alter the fact that France and not Ireland will be in next month's World Cup draw.

Michel Platini's views will be interesting on the controversy, the need for video evidence at showpiece games was highlighted tonight while the experiment of 'goal-line' assistants in the Europa Cup could have prevented tonight's injustice.

The bottom line however is that the highest standards are required from top players, officials should be no different.

Officials that can't see the ball being handled TWICE within six yards of the goal-line shouldn't be allowed near parks football never mind World Cup play-offs.

The World Cup Finals are a goldmine for players with commercial deals matching and surpassing their football earnings, any company wishing to use the Henry image to push their sales next summer can expect a backlash from Ireland and beyond.

No doubt Henry's PR people will swing into action highlighting his wonderful work for charity but the image of him cheating his way to the World Cup Finals will be impossible to replace.

MALKY MACKAY: Respect of the Godfathers

by Joe McHugh How does a rookie manager gain the trust of the football godfathers?

Through necessity in the case of Malky Mackay.

In his first managerial job in charge of Watford the former Celt has had to be imaginative and creative as he brings together a squad of players to make an impact in possibly the world's most competitive division- the Coca-Cola Championship.

Without spending a penny Watford are sitting comfortably in mid-table and earning positive reports with loan signings Tom Cleverley from Manchester United and Arsenal's Henri Lansbury catching the eye.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are the movers and shakers in management with chairmen hanging on their every word when it comes to recommendations and suggestions.

Mackay has used Sir Alex's Scottish, and Queens Park (Malky's dad was a Spiders team-mate of the then Fergie) connections, and the nearness of Arsenal's St Albans training base to convince Ferguson and Wenger that Watford is the right environment to develop the talents of Cleverley and Lansbury.

The Watford boss explained: “Both clubs have given us players which is pleasing, it's not something that I take lightly.

“I've been in touch with Sir Alex a few times, we spoke at a dinner last week and he'll phone me up to hear how the players are doing.

RELATIONSHIP
“We are next door to Arsenal and have developed a tight relationship with them and that hasn't always been the case between the clubs. Myself and my assistant Sean Dyche are promoting the club as a safe haven for them to send players.

“Manchester United and Arsenal feel that loaning their players to us will help their education and development.

“The players are coached by us and learn about the game in every way, especially in terms of discipline and professionalism. They are playing with and against men and reserve team football doesn't really provide that.

"The loan suits both sides, we hope that the players improve our team and the other club will get a better player back. There's a pay-off for both sides. It requires a level of trust and thankfully since the summer that has developed between the clubs.

"I send a monthly dossier to Manchester United and Arsenal of how their players are faring, it includes dvd highlights which keeps both clubs upto date with how their players are doing.”

As well as Cleverley and Lansbury Watford also have Craig Cathcart on loan from Manchester United. At the weekend Watford had players on international duty with Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.

So far this season Mackay's young side have had an up and down season with a 5-0 defeat at West Brom coming soon after a resounding 4-1 home win over Sheffield Wednesday and an impressive 1-0 win away at Middlesboro.

EXPOSURE
The Sheffield Wednesday result was especially significant with Sky Sports giving it the Friday night slot to ensure maximum exposure- and feedback.

“That performance was obviously very pleasing, after the match I seemed to have text messages from everywhere!” Mackay added.

"The fact that the game was live on television was great for the club. It was the only game in town on the night and it seemed that everyone in the football community was watching us.

"It was very pleasing that we played so well against a fairly experienced Championship team in Sheffield Wednesday. We were able to show our home fans and the bigger audience what we are capable of.

"At that stage I would say that it was our best display of the season but in our last game, against Preston, I felt we played better. Again that was satisfying because Preston are a strong Championship side."

Club fans may be missing their fix at the moment due to the international break but with an unrelenting schedule of 46 games, plus possible play-offs, any break is welcome for Championship managers.

Two weeks between games is a rare treat to patch up the walking wounded and get some work done on the training ground.

Despite beating Preston 2-0 in their last fixture Mackay is grateful for every break that he can get as he puts his stamp on the Watford side.

He explained: "These pockets of time at the international breaks are great for us. We've got quite a young and light squad and the break gives everyone time to recharge, patch things up then prepare for the glut of games coming up from now right through the Christmas period.

"The breaks are definitely appreciated."

PORTRAYED

With the Scottish game on it's uppers English football is often portrayed as the land of milk, honey and Sky Sports cheques.

Outwith the Premiership there are a few areas of wealth where owners chase the Premiership dream but for every Ipswich Town and QPR there are also fall-out clubs such as Southampton, Leeds United and Norwich City.

After two seasons cushioned by parachute payments from the 2007 relegation from the Premiership Watford are living within their means whilst striving upwards towards the Golden Ticket of the Barclays Premiership.

Matching expectations with realism is the task for everyone at Vicarage Road with Mackay well briefed about his club's finances.

He added: "There's been a transition period at this club in terms of finances. I know exactly what is involved, it's the same as the job that I was sold in the summer.

"I've been at the club for nearly five years and have an in-depth knowledge of what is going on, when I go to the boardroom for meetings there are no big shocks, I know how things stand.

"The situation might have come as a shock to others but not to me."

Mackay added: "It's a rebuilding job where we have to give young players their chance, there are going to be some tough times ahead, my budget is restricted but I've been able to bring in my own staff, people I trust to do important jobs and I have to delegate.

"That has allowed me to put my mark on the club, to create the sort of atmosphere that I want on the training ground.

"I am enjoying management, there are a lot of challenges day to day, my phone never stops and obviously it's a very results driven business. You're judged on a week to week basis and that effects how you feel but overall I'm enjoying it."

Rangers Trust to knock-back Dermot Desmond!

Maybe it was an attempt at some light humour but almost a month after the appointment of Lloyds TSB directors on the board at Rangers the Rangers Supporters Trust still have their thoughts trained on Celtic.

With around 130 fans reported to have turned up for the widely publicised Gers Pride meeting on Saturday there appears to be no fresh ideas or direction to help steer the club out of the clutches of the bankers.

The mythical Florida based billionaire hasn't surfaced with rumours once again turning around to the fabled Graeme Souness consortium.

In their current plight Rangers really can't be too fussy about who invests in the club but right on cue the RST know who they don't want involved in the club, even if they are unable to put together any sort of investment vehicle themselves.

"In terms of representing the Rangers support we'll work and talk with anyone short of Lucifer and Dermot Desmond," Stephen Smith of the RST told the Daily Record. "We'll meet anyone who has the best interest of Rangers at heart."

A month on from revelations about the club's financial plight there hasn't been any stampede of interest in Rangers.

The level of debt alongside the lack of borrowing available to even the biggest of big hitters has left Rangers vulnerable although it looks like the bankers will remain in control for the foreseeable future.

As he pours over his various international investments over the cornflakes at one of his worldwide holiday homes it's unlikely that Desmond will raise an eyebrow at the slight from Rangers.

It may be contradictory to highlight Rangers discussing Celtic people on a Celtic blog but the fortunes of both clubs will always impact on the other.

Rangers current plight is an incredible opportunity for Celtic where a modest investment could be rewarded very lucratively in terms of the balance sheet and football pitch.

As Rangers identify who they don't want to rescue their club from the financial abyss, hopefully Celtic are planning and building to ensure that if Rangers are rescued financially there is plenty of clear blue water between the clubs on the park.

Unfortunately, on the pitch at the moment, it's difficult to tell which club is in the better financial health.