Danny

I said it in a much more articulate and succinct manner

Interestingly PLG's interview after the game is very, very positive about the performance. I wouldn't say I 'disagree' with him, but obviously they did exactly what he set them out to do - which wasn't exactly what I was personally hoping for in that game. I thought a bit more gusto was called for, but if PLG's happy, fair enough.

BBC report a 44 point deduction from last season's total, which is absolute news to me. Puts Milan a point below Empoli, but Empoli have no license to play in Europe so Milan still harbour hope they can be in next season's Uefa Cup.

As far as I know they didn't get anything deducted from last year. I'm led to believe all deductions are deficits for next season. I could be wrong.

It isn't. 2 different Alexes.

No he's not. http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/team/squad.html?team=JPN Same as the one for Japan. His name is: Alessandro Santos.

Parker's done little in his career to suggest he's a leader imo. He's a good player when he's not on the treatment table, but really, how reliable is it to have a captain who's constantly injured?

Good innit

Yup, and look how bad they were in the SPL last season. We were just even worse - one of the worst seasons in our history domestically and it took that for Celtic to win the SPL. Hearts would have won the league at a canter if they hadn't repeatedly pressed the self destruct button. Celtic these days are a weak, weak side and if we don't romp the SPL this season something's gone badly wrong.

Scudetto will go to either AC or Inter - remember if AC were as bad as the other 3 they'd have gone down as well. Inter are, admittedly the innocent party but they utterly do not deserve the Scudetto and it would be an outrage if they were awarded it. I believe Milan should get it, but I would say that...

Scotland - Rangers England - Chelsea Belgium - Brugge France - Lyon Spain - Barcelona Netherlands - PSV Germany - Bayern Italy - AC Milan Portugal - Benfica

Given should have received it imo - Parker is constantly injured and Given's a much more respected player. He must be slightly gutted not to have been given it.

I have reservations about the guy - he was, after all, a trialist, and very rarely are trialists genuinely good players - if they were, they'd have a club, right? In saying that he had a decent match yesterday if nothing earth shattering and I have faith in PLG as usual that he's a good player and worthy of playing for us.

We got off to a flyer when Boyd took his chance clinically, but I have to say our tactics weren't terrifically positive overall. It was honestly like we felt were were better than them and didn't feel the need to press home our superiority. We passed the ball around easily enough, and very rarely did we resort to long balls which was pleasing, but it wasn't the best test of the team and we created 3 chances in total. As for tactics, it was 4 4 2 with Sionko looking impressive but he didn't really appear to be playing as a strict winger. Made good runs but was well inside the touchline. Sunday's game will be the biggest test yet for PLG by far. It will be the first 'good' team we've played and we'll know a bit more about what progress we have made.

I am suspecting yet another thread has turned into Pete V Colsh. Can't you guys just make up and be buds? Re: the thread. I agree on the notion of 'if he's so good, why did Lyon let him go' - well the *only* reason is his desperation to join us and the fact that he wasn't a first team regular for Lyon. Many great players have been on the fringes of sides without really penetrating - it's down to the system the coach plays, and sometimes even his better players can be left out depending on circumstances. Watching Clement yesterday he seemed to have a nice touch and intuitive control of the ball, plus the 'snapping at heels' of opposiing players which we've missed since Rino left. He and Barry could be a marvellous partnership, given time.

Believe so.

Lazio deducted 7 points and down to serie B. Juve down to Serie B with 30 points deducted and stripped of last 2 titles. Fio down to B and stripped of 12 points. Milan lose 15 points and are banned from CL.

Lazio, Juve and Fio are all demoted to Serie B with Juve stripped of their last 2 Scudettos. Milan stay in Serie A and I presume are now champions for the past 2 years.

Truth be told we've not been that great tonight. We've had 3 chances and taken 2 of them but overall there's room for improvement. We've been as good as we needed to be.

Cosmos are completely rank. They're playing like Linfield. Passing the ball around but doing hee haw with it. Great goal from Boyd and fantastic ball from Buffel to set him up.

Yup, players on the pitch now.

One's critical. This game looks like being cancelled.

One thing; is this the same Alex as whom plays for Japan?

I didn't know half of that about the Glazers. I don't follow American sport at all.

I'm thoroughly enjoying Celtic's pre-season. Everything that could go wrong, is, and they still haven't scored a goal