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Sporty Salmond refuses to salute Celtic’s success

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Alex Salmond Hearts newsFirst Minister Alex Salmond has refused to publicly congratulate Celtic on reaching the group stages of the Champions League.

The attention seeking Hearts fan is never slow to associate himself with sporting success with Chris Hoy’s Olympic gold for Great Britain prompting him to say: “Congratulations to Sir Chris Hoy on his fifth gold medal. A legendary performance by Scotland’s greatest-ever Olympian. Truly inspirational.”

Despite predictions of Armageddon and a slow lingering death from the drama queens handsomely paid to administer Scottish football Celtic have qualified to reach the lucrative group stages of the Champions League without recourse to financial doping at the expense of the public purse.

The visit of Barcelona to Glasgow in October will provide the city with priceless publicity with hotel rooms at a premium for the visit of Lionel Messi and his multi-titled Spanish team mates.

As recently as February Salmond was expressing his concern for Celtic’s ability to survive the crisis that put Rangers into liquidation stating in an Al Jazeera interview: “Obviously HMRC have got to pursue in the public interest, taxation.

“Equally, they’ve got to have cognisance of the fact that we’re talking about a huge institution, part of the fabric of the Scottish nation as well as Scottish football, and everybody realises that.

“The most diehard Celtic supporter understands that Celtic can’t prosper unless Rangers are there.

“The rest of the clubs understand that as well. Therefore you have to have cognisance of these things when you’re pursuing public policy.”

That fantasy prompted a quick response from Celtic stating: “We are very disappointed with the first minister’s claims that Celtic ‘need’ Rangers and that Celtic ‘can’t prosper unless Rangers are there’.

“This is simply not true. In a series of interviews given just three days ago, we made it abundantly clear that Celtic has a well-defined strategy and a business plan independent of the fortunes of any other club. That remains absolutely the case.

“The predicament of Rangers is clearly a serious and complex matter with a whole range of possible outcomes.

“However, we are extremely well-qualified to make our own position clear and have no wish to see this being misrepresented for political reasons.”

Celtic’s Champions League success has brought SPL clubs a £1.5m payout from UEFA which is almost equal to the reduction in television money following the demise of Rangers.

Despite that boost- which should see Hearts receive over £100,000- Salmond hasn’t gone public to congratulate Celtic.

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When it came to success for Rangers, and in particular Walter Smith, there was no holding back with Salmond gushing in his praise.

The retirement of Smith brought an especially emotional response from the First Minister who wrote a letter stating: “I am writing to offer you my warmest congratulations for leading Rangers to a third successive Scottish Premier League title on what was your last day in charge of the club.

“Your distinguished career has been nothing short of truly remarkable, and that this league title win took your tally at Rangers to twenty-one trophies is testament to your ability to bring the very best out of the players and staff around you.

“However, it is not just your achievements on the field which will remain uppermost in my mind it is also the way you have conducted yourself off the pitch that is so impressive.

“Football, as our national game, as we both know only too well can sometimes be all consuming but your ability to rise above seemingly insurmountable pressure is an inspiration for any young manager or player involved in the game.

I told you once that I thought that taking an under-resourced side to a European final in 2008 was one of the finest examples of management that I have ever seen -a true test of ability.

“I would like to wish you every future success as the next chapter in your life begins.”

In June 2009 in a personal letter to his friend Smith, Salmond wrote: “As First Minister of Scotland and on behalf of my ministerial team, I am writing to congratulate you on winning the Clydesdale Bank Premier League Title at Tannadice last weekend and the Homecoming Scottish Cup at Hampden on Saturday.

“Everyone at the club must be delighted that the triumph ended the club’s four year wait to clinch the championship. Rangers has a remarkable history and winning the Homecoming Scottish Cup to secure the club’s eighteenth domestic double must be the icing on the cake of a memorable season.

“However, I know that in addition to the players and coaching staff, everyone at the club will have contributed to the team’s success so please pass on my congratulations to all involved

“May I wish you all the very best and continued success with Rangers next season.”

Whenever he does get around to offering belated congratulations to Neil Lennon and his side it’s sure to contain all the sincerity of a manifesto promise.

CLICK HERE for Salmond and Rangers correspondence.

CLICK HERE for Celtic v Helsingborg Champions League gallery

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0 comments

  • Ed Dunne says:

    Salmond is a sleekit little fat closet hun. Like most politicians must be kept at arms length. I woud hate to think that this rat of a man should gain any publicity from acknowledgeing any achievements of Glasgow Celtic.

  • KevinBarry says:

    He’s a wee fat f**k and the reason why I’d rather see my country STAY in the union with England and not gain independence!!!! He already believes he’s king of Scotland without independence so could you imagine what he’d be like should we gain it?!

    HH

  • Greenjedi says:

    Is the the new editorial policy to make stuff up?

    Reading your article, Salmond hasn’t been asked, so how could he refuse to salute Celtics success. Also is he perhaps not occupied by the fact that his wife is ill?

    This is a great site and hopefully this poor article is just a one off and not the start of a sensational ill informed period.

  • paul mcCann says:

    once a hun reserves supporter always a hun i hope that when the referendum time comes all celtic fans
    tell him where to go and give him directions how to get there and dont give any tickets for champions league one team in europe

    • Fionn says:

      Pathetic you would hope Celtic fans vote NO in a referendum just to spite ONE man. That kind of chat is usually heard from the other side of Glasgow.

  • paranoidandroid says:

    Who cares what salmond thinks? We know we’ve done a thousand times more for Scottish football than any other Scottish club has ever done, or will ever do.

    And personally, there’s nothing I like better than when Celtic, the team and the supporters, rise above all the pettiness and bigotry and keep Scotland alive as a footballing country. Some people will never give us any credit for it, but again, who cares?

    I’d also like to congratulate Hearts on their performance against Liverpool. To survive as a footballing country, we desperately need more clubs to be able to compete in Europe.

  • Fionn says:

    Pathetic article from an otherwise excellent website. I’ve never heard a First Minister congratulate one of our sides for qualifying into the CL.

    I find it heartbreaking that so many Celtic fans won’t vote YES in 2014 because of Salmond. It’s not about Salmond or the SNP ffs!

    I thought the gers fans would be the ones to hold our nation back.

    Saor Alba

    • paranoidandroid says:

      Your right. People should remember that Salmond and the SNP are up against the full might of the British establishment. They should also remember that this campaign is getting really dirty, and it will get even dirtier as the British establishment use every dirty trick in the book to discredit independence and to keep us tugging our forelock to westminister.

      Make your descision to vote based on logic, the political issues, and what you think is the best course for your country- not because you think someone favours ex-ragers over celtic. There are a lot of people in this country biased in that direction. But being biased is not necessarily the same as being a bigot.

    • Gerry says:

      Whilst it is likely that AS has congratulated Celticin private, there is no doubting that Alex is a loathesome character with no personal itegrity.

      He canvassed HMRC on Rangers behalf to have their tax liablity mitigated, no such concessions were offered to anyone else. He did this on OUR time and taxation is not even a devolved ,matter.

      He spoke about retainimg Rangers “proud tradtions” which for a man who claims to be streetwise was appalling. Almost as appaling as his support for Kenny McKaskill after he warmly congratulated rangers support on their racist sectarian singining.

      Then of course there was the Neil Lenon asault, which he again plead silence. Shameful!

      And to think the only time he got involved was to include Celtic in the shame game where an out of control rangers had players sent off, disobeyed police orders causing disruptions in the crowd and acros the country so that he could be seen todo something.

      After bombs and bullets had ben sent to Celtic staff and prominent catholics, the liitle merde’s most influential involvement was to DESTROY crime figures which would have shown the racist and sectarian problems Scotland has. That said the crime figures may well have shownmore Celtic offenders if blessing yourself became a crime to the masses not just Artur Boruc.

      Psychiatric help should immidiately be called for by anyone of a Celtic or fairminded persuation loking to vote ror this chump and you have to laugh at his tawdry attempt to lure the loyalist bigot-vote which has ended up in them hating him as much as theor saviours Whyte and Murray!

      It is Salmonda great good fortune that Scotland is at a low ebbe for able politicians. John Smith wouldhave eaten him with a fork and spoon!

      • Fionn says:

        Not saying who you should and shouldn’t like, mate. Just responding to comment that suggested not voting AYE in 2014 to spite one man.

        I personally don’t mind Salmond or the SNP. Would rather a socialist party in power. However it’s all about the bigger picture and until after the referendum I’ll be voting SNP as it’s our best chance.

        Some posters on the Celtic forum I am on reason for voting NO is because of their Republican opinions on Salmond. It’s petty as it’s not about him. But it seems like Irish Republicanism may save the Union.

        Heartbreaking.

        • Gerry says:

          Salmonds personal credibilty is a huge issue given that the arguement for Independence wil be based on his utterances.

          The bigger pictue fo me is that Independence is a baxkwad step, as nonsensical as taking milk out of white tea.

          The big arguements on the Economy, Europe and NATO are all sidestepped by the SNP in a ‘lets deal with that later’ fashion. Thats because they dont have any answers.

          Fionn hs fallen into the rap that many do, inciting anti British rhetric upon an ‘irish’ onstituency.

          Some people haved moved on Fionn, this isnt 1916 and its not Ireland.

          Its a diferent country and a vastly diferent world.

          A simple unfathomable contradiction is retaining the pound and being economically governed by the B of E whilst being a seperate nation with no pull whatever.

          Its shortbread box simplemindedness.

      • paranoidandroid says:

        You make a lot of good points there, and some of his actions, like destroying the sectarian crime fgures, are unforgivable.

        However, I feel like we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place: do we want Alex Salmond or do we want, possibly, another 20 years of NHS destroying, Etonian, English Tories? Do we want to retain some of our socalist principles or do we want lie down to this evil form of, unrestrained capitalism that’s taking over the world? I can’t decide.

    • SJY says:

      Pathetic response Fionn.

      Whenever there’s a Scottish success wee Eck is usually out of the blocks faster than Usain Bolt trying to claim a share of the reflected glory.

      Not this time though.

      No doubt there will be a big red light flashing in St Andrews House now and some wee cyber nat will be preparing a statement.

      How much do we need Rangers now Eck?

      • Fionn says:

        Is it the done thing for a FM to congratulate a team for qualifying into a tournament? I don’t know. The likes of Hoy and the other Scots at the Olypmics were different, they actually WON gold medal beating off contenders from all over the world.

        It’s great we qualified but it’s not on the same scale as it is for those Olympians. Should Celtic win the CL or EL then I would bet Alec would be one of the first to congratulate.

    • happyhoopbhoy says:

      It took a Channel 4 English Reporter to bring the Bigotdome cover up to the wider public’s attention and question the indolent role of this country’s establishment and third estate. As a former staunch supporter of Independence, I now fear how scary this country would become when it can put into overdrive it’s innate anti-Catholic and Celtic antipathy with greater impunity without higher, external scrutiny to keep it in check. SNP’s policy to retain lizzie as head of state helps give the game away.

  • paul,c says:

    why should we care?if he did congratulate THE CELTIC he would probably be lying anyway.

  • BeijingBhoy says:

    Fionn you are bang on. I would never vote for the “butcher’s apron”, a vote NO to independence is a vote for that.

    Salmond is a smug git, but it is NOT about him. I think some fellow Celtic fans revel in the idea about everyone being against us.

    Hail Hail

  • stubhoy says:

    Again another reason why you should not mix politics with football… Stick to CFC and support them and leave the politics to the pliticians a like most other people they tend to get found out for who they really are… HH

    • chickenmurry says:

      stubhoy, please don’t say silly things like:
      ”leave politics to the politicians” in a democracy a real democracy WE are the politicians and you cannot separate ANYTHING from politics. Its all interlinked and we need to be involved in some way if we are not to be trodden over again. As for voting for Independence. . .who could resist the opportunity of ever experiencing another twenty years of a Tory Government destroying the fabric of our traditions once again.

      The Union is precious to the Queen and the Orange Lodge and every sick-minded bigot that lurks in the shadows of our streets. I cannot personally stand Alex Salmond but Independence is an opportunity for us to make Scotland our own country based on Socialist principles.

      It will take time but the alternative is the politics of the playground. Brother Walfred would understand this. Its the first step towards Internationalism and a more just society universally.

  • Ciaran says:

    We don’t need anyone’s praise. Scottish football has become a massive pool of cheating and corruption. On Wednesday, we pulled ourselves out of it. Since Wednesday we can breathe the clean air of European success. (relatively speaking) Our success is ours and nobody else’s. Others will benefit, but we are going to reap what we’ve sown. Just like others.Will
    I haven’t felt so proud as a Celtic supporter in a long time. We truly are the Champions of Scotland.

  • Mac says:

    The old Labour administration held a bash at Bute house before our UEFA Cup Final and wee Lord McConnel declared Naka’s free kick against Man U wouldn’t have gone in if Scotland was an independent country.

  • James says:

    This is a pathetic, ill-informed, inaccurate, horrible and nasty article. This and the unjustified personal attacks in the comments from your paranoid posters are an embarrassment to Celtic.
    What is your problem with Salmond Joe? Why are you attacking him?

    As a Republican (both Irish and Scottish) I have followed Salmond’s career closely, and he has never said a bad word about Celtic.Politically he is a basically left wing socialist, who wants a free independent Scotland, but as SNP leader and First Minister has responsibilities to all Scots. HE IS NO HUN! Any one who tells you that is wrong. As an Edinburgh boy he supports Hearts but he has nothing to do with the scum which attach themselves to that club. He has always been anti-bigotry and very supportive of the Catholic Church. Ask the orange mob -they hate him!

    Give the man a chance!

  • Scott Mackenzie says:

    guys please remember a vote for independence is not a vote for the snp nor alex salmond.

    once we have independence you can still vote whomever you chose.

    rather stay in the union to spite him ? get a grip of yourself.

  • Mac says:

    The same orange order who have threatened to take up arms if Salmond and his party succeed in dragging Scotland into the 21st century. Guess most of the Tims living in Glasgow are quite happy to live in the dark ages, must be, because they keep voting for a party who at council level, keeps giving orange walks the go ahead. Must be hellish living in a Labour constituency, or maybe they’re quite optimistic about the Tories governing for another decade or more.

  • Peter says:

    Regular reader of your site for all things Celtic but very disappointed in this article joe.sounds like you may have something to lose personally if Scotland does vote yes as this is a very personal attack on AS.for what it’s worth I believe AS will be the one doing himself out of a job because if Scotland does vote yes labour will very quickly return to their more socialist roots and win back the majority vote.
    Ps cannot understand fellow Celtic fans with nationalist/republican sympathies who do not wish the same for their own country !!

  • mick1888 says:

    I honestly care not one iota what Salmond does, says or thinks. He is a jumped up individual who is so far up his own backside that when he dies he reckons he will ask God to get off his seat.
    Sadly he has far too much power and is in danger of alienating Scots with his attitude.
    So personally………..stuff him

  • Dougie Bhoy says:

    Wow! Been reading the comments above and thought it was only me that has a burning hatred for this man… Ive no idea why i dislike him so much but it was long before rumours surfaced about him being a currant bun!

    He just looks like an untrustworthy sort!!

  • jp says:

    would you even want a fat rat like that (see wot a done there) talkin to you never mind havin to sit and actually read a letter someone else wrote for him….. fuck sake if we get independance this clowns gonna write to you when your a 100 happy birthday

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