Blastronaut

I think you're right. He was clearly considering it but given the length of time talks stretched out though it's fair to assume he sussed the Celtic board to be a total shambles that wouldn't give him the autonomy to implement his vision. I think a look at the current setup backs that up a bit. No offense taken from me. I couldn't give a fuck about the old firm. They're like a past their best Blackpool Pleasure Beach in a world of travelling circus acts. I'd be happy to see them both go the same way as Rhyl.

Widely rumoured to the be case, yeah. But looking at the current setup there its not hard to believe it was the Celtic board fucking about rather than Howe or the folk he wanted to bring in with him. Ange has been in for a good few months and the only other changes to backroom staff from the former reign have been a former St Mirren manager brought in as Sport Scientist/Fitness Specialist.

It's that age old adage: Everyone wants the big time until the realise it means having to deal with Stirling Albion's fans advising you on your business when your trying to have a day off and enjoy watching Ajax pump Dortmund.

That was a joke btw. Don't fucking lump on Rafa.

Still can't see him "walking out" on Everton but hes still over priced at 12s..

Happens a lot up here tbh. I've had conversations with loads of folk in boozers who seem to be able to spend their Saturdays simultaneously watching their local team and also be in attendance at Ibrox or Parkhead. Edit: fully expect them to be the same cunts that phone Clyde1 Super Scoreboard. So basically just the Scottish version of that cunt you're taking about.

I got the impression that Rafa was their main target because hes already got the knowledge of the club and players to help them sort shit out on and off the pitch without needing much time to scope things out. With that in mind I seriously doubt they'd be giving him 18 months. They'd be expecting him to come in with a dossier of what he wanted to do under Ashley, which Rafa no doubt already has written down and ready to present to them.

Whats the mood amongst Everton fans? Everyone knew he was going to be resented there and while I'm sure it doesn't phase Rafa it's fair to say the board we're probably banking on him getting off to a flyer and changing the minds of the fans. If the fans are still calling for his head I wouldn't be that surprised if Moshiri might entertain the idea of telling Rafa "it's probably best for everyone if you talk to Newcastle and we talk to somecunt like Howe".

Aye, the length of time is the only real puzzling thing about that. The actual deal-breaker is rumoured to have been him not getting the all clear to come in with a few his own backroom staff (looking at the current setup there could be some truth to that) which shouldn't have taken 5 months to work out. I just meant to point out he could be a pain in the arse to negotiate with and inclined to drag negotiations out to if he thinks it might secure more lucrative contracts for him and his mates.

It took Celtic 5 fucking months of negotiating with Howe to realise he actually wasn't interested in the job.

As phenomenal a player as Bonamassa is he's just not really my cup of tea tbh. But if any of my kids heard him and said "I want to do that" I'd be happily blasting his Christmas tune in the car on the school run all year round.

My third born is autistic and still totally non verbal (nearly 5). He fucking loves that record more than me. And not through my over playing either, first time I'd put it on since he was born he just downed tools and stared at the stereo with this massive cheshire cat grin. I can't be arsed with Christmas songs for the most part. Bar that Tim Minchin one that I can't listen to without fucking crying.

Paul Gilbert is the only cunt I'd forgive for trying to plug a Christmas album in early November. Mate of mines recently got back into playing guitar and asked me the other what guitar albums he's missed since our teens. Without thinking I said Gilbert's "Fuzz Universe" and I've not heard from him for a few weeks. I like to think he liked it but it's more likely he heard the title track and decided on a different hobby.

A few months ago I'd have thought you were mental for saying this but I mostly agree. He's came out of that Celtic debacle relatively unscathed as time went on (mainly due to details of Postecoglu's contract emerging and the boardroom circus act hitting new levels of hilarity). Howe still strikes me as total wanker and someone who wouldn't be happy being a stop gap. He'd definitely fancy himself enough to not just phone it in and wait on his payout though, and could probably get youse organised enough to stay up. I just seriously doubt he's signing up for this for 6 months without a hefty payout that I'm not sure he's worth.

You've worded that weirdly but I think you've got it. Even if he was "Evens" that only makes up a quarter of a book that counts to 200%.

Bit jealous of even the shit Sky coverage youse got over the last few years tbh. Most important game of the season up here ended in a draw and the only real coverage we got was from this glory seeking Liverpool Fan wanker that's decided to follow Kelty for likes, seemingly unaware the Albion used to play at Annfield (not a typo) and had Bill Shankly's brother Bob on the payroll right up until his death.

Maybe not directly "asked" for it but let's not pretend that he wasn't aware this scenario was a short term possibility. I'm not taking a pop at him like, he's conducted himself in a way that suggests he's been preparing for this rather than being blindsided.

In a standard market that had pre-declared runners and a designated "off" time then maybe. In this market you probably just take the book up to 201%. But aye they know fuck all and aren't invested in the outcome of any market beyond balancing their books and securing their overround.

Just what you could expect of anyone that went broke in Fife. Could get worse like, thats now a relegation playoff spot with the winners of the Highland/lowland league placeoff, hence East Stirling no longer traditionally taking up that spot.

Wee village in Fife, they were a non league Juniors team until fairly recently, had a lot of money pumped into them and now look like they're trying to pull a Gretna. Tbf they're probably good money for a few more consecutive promotions but I'm on the other side and hope we fucking do them tomorrow.

Aye. For the hundredth fucking time: this market rounds to about 200%. Anything above 100% is house/bookie advantage (or "theoretical" profit margin) so 200% is pure pisstaking. A fucking roulette table only rounds to 107% and big horse races usually spike at about 135%.

Sure I've also had to endure that bastard tooth brushing version of Blitzkrieg Bop. Memories of those Vtech Leap-pads or something similar. Double edged sword like. On one had it's cool that there's more generations getting exposed to that stuff. On the other hand, it's hard not to pity the generations that hear the Ramones and think "fucking hell, that's a weird version of the toothbrushing song. Didn't know they had smartphones in the 70s."

Aye. "Right lads. We're up shit creek here. I get paid my 8 million either way but your careers are on the line. My jobs to make sure you all improve and perform to the best of your ability, so here's the plan: let's do less work"

Dunno like. From where I'm sitting it looks more like the only cunt that was fatigued by Thursday and insisted on the extra day off was Bruce. What I do know is that anytime I've had a fairly unfulfilling job, unexpected paid days off did fuck all to make me want to work harder or take it more seriously.

Most important fixture of the season north of the border tomorrow that I sadly wont get to see since my glory seeking daughter would rather go to Celtic Park over the delights of supporting her local team in the fourth tier.