CELTIC1CALEY3

Procter failed a fitness test just before the game.

http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/referee_profil...;viewcategory=1 Refereed the first SPL game at the Caledonian Stadium!!!!

We could also ask 'How much is a Semi worth to Falkirk?' to see if they are hungrier than we are. The answer appears simple - they are heading for a financial crisis so will be desperate to win. http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/How-lo...k-FC.5018754.jp ''How long can Falkirk FC stay in the black? Falkirk FC chairman Campbell Christie ? Previous ? PreviousNext ? Next ?View GalleryADVERTISEMENTPublished Date: 26 February 2009 By Stuart Barber FALKIRK Football Club made a loss of ?152,000 last year. Despite increasing income by six per cent to over ?4.5 million, soaring bills and the credit crunch hit them hard. The Bairns are already bracing themselves to lose more money this season in the face of rising costs and are looking to raise ?300,000 to help balance the books ? with directors promising ?200,000. It has also been confirmed that to make ends meet the club has taken an ?80,000 advance on a payment due from the Scottish Premier League at the end of the season. Managing director George Craig said: "It's not a loan. Every member of the SPL qualifies for something. The final figure is dependent on where we finish in May." Club chairman Campbell Christie, blamed a "tough" financial year for the shortfall and promised a tighter grip on spending. He told shareholders at the annual general meeting running costs had gone up by 12 per cent ? but "disappointing" season ticket sales and gate receipts had failed to bridge the gap. He also admitted opening a new club shop in Falkirk's Kirk Wynd had not paid off. He said: "For the current season we have set our budgets to maintain our investment in the first team and youth academy to give us the best chance of success on the field, however it is already clear we are not going to achieve our revenue goals." Paying tribute to the investment of 'Super Fan' Sandy Alexander, who has paid for the pavilion at the Bairns' Stirling University training ground and is building the south stand at Westfield Stadium expected to be ready for the new season in August, the chairman warned: "The credit crunch has affected our sponsors and advertisers as well as our supporters. These shortfalls will be partly offset by increased income from the SPL and by our success in reaching the semi-final of the CIS Cup, but until we see recovery in our major revenue streams the board will need to adopt a policy of tighter budgeting and more- controlled investment levels." Finance director Martin Ritchie stressed the club is debt free and has no borrowings. He said: "The company's position is satisfactory especially as the current assets exceed liabilities by ?281,000, but we have to create a bit more breathing space to break even by 2010." With the side now dangerously close to relegation, Mr Ritchie said finishing as high up the SPL table as possible is the key. He added: "Even finishing seventh last year we made a loss and that's a warning to us all. The higher you finish the more money you make, but our success has not translated into profit and it's been a disappointing year. We are forecasting losses, but taking steps to protect the business." The club's money man also predicted the plan to dissolve the partnership with Falkirk Community Stadium Limited and team up solely with Falkirk Council would be a positive move. He said: "The business model with FCSL did not stand up. Breaking it up will be a positive thing for the football club and give us control of our future." Team boss John Hughes told fans: "The figures are a bit scary, and might mean we have to sell a player. But if that has to be done that will be done, that's the business we are in. It's imperative we stay in the SPL. We've been hampered by injuries and drawn far too many games, but winning three of them would have us in eighth place, that's how tight things are." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/...86908-21172570/ ''We budgeted for top six finish, not a relegation scrap, says Falkirk chairman Campbell Christie Mar 5 2009 By Neil Cameron ''

Celtic 1 InvernessCaleyThistle 3 InvernessCaleyThistle 1 Celtic 0 InvernessCaleyThistle 3 Celtic 2 Inverness 2 Rangers 1 Missed the two away victories over Rangers. Who will take the lead? The key fact is that we must beat Falkirk and Kilmarnock in the league in the next few weeks. These games are not hyped for their importance but they will mean a lot in the long run. Interesting medical point nonetheless.

One extra point needed for Lionel though. If you watch the reply of his cross in the last few minutes it is designed to disorientate. McGregor is completely bamboozled. Lionel can see Weir thinking about his contract extension which leads to him miscuing the header. The ball then drops into no man's land. Only Lionel could send in a cross to do that. In fact I feel a new Caley song coming on: 'Have you see the Lionel king,....' Another point to Procter for bravery. I am surprised that the SFA/SPL video panel has not taken action against Rob Jones for his fore arm smash on Procs. Procs is pretty brave given the bloody nose Kyle gave him so darting in between Weir and McGregor really desrves an extra point for him too. Essen played extremely well but we do not want him getting too confident after a couple of poor games. Sasha Papac nearly caught him out in terms of sleeping.

I have supported him from the beginning and latterly predicted he would out do Brewster in terms of his career. Others may have disliked the fact he has tremendous belief in his ability which for a small guy is tremendous on a football pitch. Many of his bookings were probably related to the fact he is a small guy in a big guys world. The best booking he ever got as far as I am concerned is clattering full pelt into Lee Wilkie. That took some guts. The interesting thing about the photograph is how the crowd and one time Scotland goal-keeper are silent in awe. Well done wee man and let's hope the Courier use this or a similar photograph for their Face in the Crowd Competition. A big bottle of whisky might cheer up a few!

Let's not forget his Ross County pedigree. They developed him, toughened him up in Germany, and suggested to Brewster that he should be brought on slowly. Vive le France!

Clearly one of the best results in our short history but if we get carried away we could be out of the cup Sunday night and well back in it in a few weeks time. History shows us to be calm at this time. Great result lads!

Malky Thompson's mate at Chester ended up ay Grays Athletic a team in the bottom four of the Conference. I wonder where Malky will end up?

Did St Mirren install purpose designed undersoil heating and finish the playing surface off with grass or did they put in a Heath Robinson heater and plaster the playing surface with mud?

'Yogi's memories of the 4-3 Ayr cup defeat-Players involved - where are they now?' reminding the current team that if they go three down, they may not score four to win. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/match/232895

The guy is a parasite living off the fortunes or misfortunes of others!

I think you will find Yogi and his supporters will turn up for the battle of all battles at the Caledonian Stadium.

Given the breakthrough with Lionel, imagine our joy if Barrowman could be trained to get the ball in the opposing net again - or is he on a Dingwall curse!

BBC highlights show Russell definitely took the ball, not the player. Interesting decision for the club whether they risk a ?1,000 appeal. As an aside, Essen made an absolute dogs dinner for the Dundee equaliser. He has nevertheless, saved some good goals so perhaps we cannot be too unkind.

The boy done good again - le garcon cet bon!! From the Scotsman ''MAN OF THE MATCH A few contenders in the Inverness ranks and Danny Swanson made a late bid for the accolade when he came on, but Lionel Djebi-Zadi was impressive at left back for the visitors and largely responsible for his side taking something from this match.'' Vive le Lionel!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=1619 BBC 5 day forecast would suggest Dundee United should sweep the snow off tomorrow and prepare for a really good game. Undersoil is the least of their worries. '' Friday Sunrise 07:44 (GMT) Sunset 17:07 (GMT) 2?C 1?C 2 moderate 1026 83 Saturday Sunrise 07:41 (GMT) Sunset 17:09 (GMT) 5?C 2?C 6 very poor 1025 94 Sunday Sunrise 07:39 (GMT) Sunset 17:11 (GMT) 9?C 7?C 12 very poor 1024 85 Monday Sunrise 07:37 (GMT) Sunset 17:13 (GMT) 9?C 5?C 15 good 1022 83 Tuesday Sunrise 07:34 (GMT) Sunset 17:16 (GMT) 10?C 7?C 9 good 1026 74 Nearest weather observation station: Latitude: 56.38, Longitude: -2.87. Observed: Thursday 12/02/2009 at 1900 (GMT)''

Hearts also played a wrestler at the back in Zaliukas.

Falkirk beat QOS 4-2 then did very well against Hearts and generally do well at the Caledonian Stadium. Who would take two wins against them in the League and survival but a further Cup exit similar to the CIS Cup exit?

Procter is not into self harm so the question should have been 'Did Kevin Kyle break Procter's nose?' ''Proctor said: "My nose isn't broken. The physio had a look and says it's just a bit swollen. "It's hard to say what happened. Kevin's a big lad but I would hate to think it was intentional. "He puts his elbows up to protect himself and I headed his elbow. "The next thing I know I'm on the deck and there's blood pouring everywhere. "He's not a dirty player but I can't complain with the referee's decision - he's there to make the call. "Fair play to Kevin, he has apologised which is fine by me.'' '' Procter should have added, 'In days gone by my shoulders used to dislocate as quickly as Boruc punches McGeady at a training session but they have been mended now - well my shoulders have but I'm not sure about Boruc and McGeady.''

It would be nice to beat them again in the Quarter and turn the clock back and beat Aberdeen in the Semi. The next critical match is the league match against Dundee United and a point away would be far more important at present.

The draw for the quarter-finals, which was due to take place after Sunday's match, has been rescheduled for 1715 GMT on Monday at Hampden Park.

Very short cameo performance againgst Killie that would have helped him settle. In a few weeks he will be producing the goods I suspect.

Ever since Stevie Archibald produced a bunch of mercenaries as a completely unrecognisable Airdrie team for their debut on Scottish soil at the Caledonian Stadium, Fernandez has repeatedly whinged after games. I also think he is quite skilful at falling to the ground and the caption competition photograph from our last match at Kilmarnock as he fell like a shot ballerina near Rossco shows his attention seeking behaviour is used to influence decisions. In honesty I could not see where he dived today but I certainly felt Pavels tackled him fairly. Does anyone know if he injured himself in this latest dive which meant he was unable to turn out in the second half or did Jim Jefferies just decide that his whingeing influence was not helping their cause?

Lionel seems an absolutely decent guy. All the players want big hugs and positive reinforcement. Butcher is treating big Lionel with great decency. He also gives the players the hugs and support they need after the dreadful treatment they have had recently. The previous authoritarian regime was cold, humiliating and demotivating. Lionel is the first of the heroes Butcher called for in our fight against relegation. Not that Richard Hastings sees him as a hero. Fair play to the big Frenchman and long may he improve.