One game from history

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1:17Hello brothers and sisters from different misters. Welcome to the Football Ramble. Man City beat Palace and Celtic, of course, are given a helping hand. It's Thursday, 14th of May. I'm Marcus Speller. And I'm Jim Campbell.

1:41Hello, everybody. Welcome to the Football Ramble. Blimey, O 'Reilly. the title races on the island of Britain are really heating up Jim Campbell. We're going to start with the Scottish Premiership race where there was huge controversy. Huge controversy at Fir Park. Celtic beat Motherwell 3-2. Of course, at Tyne Castle at the same time, Hearts beat Falkirk 3-0. There was a moment in the game where Hearts were leading and Motherwell were leading Jim Campbell. And at that stage, it seemed unlikely it was that the evening was going to end like that. But at that stage, Hearts were Scottish champions.

2:25But of course,

2:26Jim Campbell: games of football last longer than half an hour. Yeah, the scenes in the crowd during those periods were incredible, right? There was a guy that the camera focused on quite a lot who couldn't contain his emotions. He was in tears. You could see people kind of euphoric, not quite believing it, which as it you know turned out was was the smart way to process those feelings but they were beautiful moments and it is a real shame that the evenings ended in the way it has there and I know we'll come on to that but I think the really key thing right is that Hearts did do their bit and a 3-0 win is is significant potentially you know in terms of you know the momentum going into it of course if if that ridiculous penalty hadn't been given it could have been particularly significant because of the goal difference situation but that's now irrelevant um and yeah it's it's an absolute sickener it's an absolute sickener and it's one of those things where it's really important that they don't let the sort of you know perceived injustice of that get in their heads too much yes all agreed i mean yeah when when you as you say there was there was a couple of fans getting quite emotional at Timecastle when Hearts were winning and Motherwell were winning.

3:42Again, I don't think for one second they're like, oh my goodness, we've won the league and I'm about to do a pitch invasion. I think the reality has been slowly creeping into Hearts fans in the past few weeks, really, maybe month, something like that because the inevitability of the old firm yes is is is so evident and so seeped into scottish football i mean nobody's no other side has won um the title other than celtic or rangers of course for over 40 years last time hearts won it was 1960 so i think i think for for a few of those hearts fans individuals that i think i think it probably did finally catch up with them bloody hell we are still in the title race we are going to go to you know if we don't win it tonight which i don't think anybody really thought they were going to we are still in it on the last day and it's it's up for grabs now um that's really i think what a lot of them were thinking i know a few hearts fans up there obviously i grew up in indenborough and they've just been saying for the last i don't know even two months ago it was oh i can't believe we're still in it we're doing amazingly well yeah it would obviously be a bit of a sick now but you know sooner or later we'll get caught kind of thing yeah um and and so you can you can say these things you can say oh it would be a scene because of course it would but at the same time you don't know what it's like if you're in that position sure so the emotion suddenly kind of poured out there whereas of course when the evening would end the really um emotional scenes if you like in terms well jubilant scenes was of course from the the away end at Fur Park with the Celtic fans.

5:25But you're right. The fact of the matter is hearts have done that a bit. And I don't think anybody thought Celtic were going to lose that game despite motherwell's, you know, pretty decent form at home this season. But I did think if it was a draw, that would really go for hearts because clearly I'm sure a lot of you listening, know the permutations or, or would have the, the, the, the would have been permutations had Celtic not have got that late penalty. Arts could have lost 2-0 and still won the league at Celtic Park.

5:57Jim Campbell: And actually, Marcus, wouldn't in a way that have been like the most poetic way for a team outside of the old firm to win the league? Yeah. This is what we're up against. Yes. The inevitability of that has still happened and yet we've done it anyway. Well, I think the most poetic way of winning the league at Celtic Park would be to be winning it by a very, very controversial decision, which the home crowd can't believe has been given. True. But anyway, we'll get stuck into that in just a minute. But it is, look, obviously, I would have rather Motherwell drawn the game. Obviously. But it is slightly bordering on, if you will, loser talk.

6:38If you go, well, we can lose 2-0 and still win the league.

6:41Jim Campbell: Yes. You know, that's, again, obviously take it because it's a better position. But actually, it's a bit, and almost, there's a teensy, tiny little shade of comparison with Arsenal in that, and I appreciate people going, what are you talking about, a different budget? No, no, no. What I mean is when Arsenal, I think up until that loss that the Etihad, I think Arsenal, the vibe I was getting from some Arsenal fans is, oh, if we just sort of squint our eyes and hold on to dear life, we'll be okay. And it's like, no, no, no. If you want to win a title, you've got to go and win it. Yes, you've got to go and win it yourself.

7:17Exactly, yeah. Which is, you know, what they are in the process of doing fair play to them. But yeah, with Hearts, it was a great way to end the home season as well. That was their last game at home. And I think one thing that I would, you know, take heart from, pun intended, is that the players after the game were there obviously with their families and whatnot, and they looked relaxed and fine. And I thought Derek McInnes, who's been magnificent all season, he was, you know, he called that penalty decision disgusting. and he talked about that and then he kind of moved on from it and then he just sounded like his normal self and he spoke about it and so on.

7:56And I think that's what hearts have to do as you mentioned a few minutes ago. You've got to go, right, don't worry about that. It's the same job essentially. The job's not over, is it? You don't go there to plan to lose 1-0, 2-0. Again, if it goes wrong, you've got that cushion. You don't have that anymore. You've still got a little bit of a cushion because you can draw the game and win the league. I mean, you know, go back to that quote that Rory McIlroy's caddy said to him okay you had a bit of a lead now the lead has been eaten into you'd have bitten your hand off you'd have bitten anyone's hand off to be in this position and as I say hearts are on the verge of history here the reality for them is

8:40the unbeaten run that Celtic have been on and not even the unbeaten one the winning run they've been on is quite something. And Celtic Park now, after that victory, is going to be absolutely pumping. It would have been anyway, but you saw the scenes at the end at Fir Park, the way they were all celebrating.

8:58Jim Campbell: Yeah, I mean, obviously I'm not, I'm very much a casual observer of Scottish football. Yeah. Everyone who is a neutral in this situation is behind hearts there. And that pitch invasion just seemed the meanest thing I've ever seen in my life. It really felt like dancing on the dreams of a very sort of likeable opponent. You obviously understand Celtic fans don't see it that way, and understandably so. But they were quite incredible scenes. Should we talk about, let's talk about that game. Obviously Motherwell gave them a bit of a scare. They go 1-0 up, and that's the point we were talking about earlier with the scenes in the crowd at Hearts.

9:38Jim Campbell: Celtic inevitably get it to 2-1. But then Motherwell pull it back. it's looking like it's going to be a draw and then that penalty decision Yeah well Celtic showed the quality they have so they've got players that can dig them out I mean Maeda's finish is a beauty Yeah Benjamin Nugent's goal was incredible as well Another beauty as well but you're right when it goes to 2-2 you're thinking hang on a minute when Blair Spittel scores for Hearts it's like oh okay the goal difference is played now in reality that third Hearts goal didn't actually change anything because Celtic would have won it, you know, a 3-0 victory would have got them a victory on goals scored, whereas that goal, again, just makes it goal difference.

10:22So I was thinking to myself, come on, lads, you get a fourth here. Celtic need to win 4-0. Celtic are not beating Hearts 4-0. I don't care what anybody says. Anyway, it's all by the by. Yes, that penalty decision, that will be talked about for years and years to come. kind of unless Hearts win the league. And even then it'll still be talked about in a certain way in parts of Edinburgh. A jokey kind of, oh my goodness how about that sort of thing. If Celtic go on to win the league and they win the game by the odd goal it would be one of those moments because for me it's never a penalty in a month of Sundays.

11:06The pundits, now people will immediately say well hang on a minute you've got ex-Harts and ex-Rangers players who are talking about it obviously yes Scottish football has always had that problem of ex-Rangers players will always favor decisions against Celtic and for Rangers and vice versa and so on and so forth but when you've got the likes of Gary Lineker and Jeff Stellan coming out on Twitter going this is an absolute disgrace you know I think you might

11:30Jim Campbell: have something there you might have a point I think to be perhaps fair to the referee when you look at the replay he's seen there's a point where the point where the ball hits let's be honest the player's head but his hand is up close to his head and there's a point where they and there's a point where they kind of do a very quick replay of it so it's repeating the bit where it hits his head in that moment which obviously doesn't reflect reality it does look like it's hit his hand but the point everyone is making and I think this is the correct point and very much a smoking gun is that if it hits your head and your hand, it doesn't fly away with the force with which it flies away.

12:14Jim Campbell: It's very much clearly a header. It's such an injustice. It is. And as Pat Nevin said, he's looking at it and he goes, it may have brushed his pinky, his little finger. But you cannot determine that with that angle. It's the only angle the referee had. So it's not a handball. The other suggestion was, was it a foul? Well, let's just put that to the end. It's not a foul. No, of course not. If you look at it, I know the player goes down holding his head, the Celtic player, but it's not a foul. So the only thing you could say is, is it a handball? But for the reasons you just said, the trajectory of the ball does not change.

12:55You simply, the referee cannot give that because there is no evidence. I've said before, is it clear and obvious? Forget clear and obvious. when they go to the monitor, they're seeing it afresh. So they're not going to go, oh, I see why I've actually given that. Probably not, but I see why I've given it. All right, that's not what the referee's going to think. The referee's going to see it with almost like a fresh pair of eyes on the monitor. And does the referee think it should be given or should it not? It's an outrageous call. He takes a glance at it as well.

13:25Jim Campbell: It's not like he spends a lot of time looking at it. Well, indeed. And that massively fuels the very, very age-old feeling in Scotland that the old firm get the decisions. Yes. I don't want to spend any time talking about that, but there is a massive feeling in Scotland with that. And I'm sure a lot of other supporters in England of not huge clubs may have a bit of sympathy there. But, you know, we're getting into perhaps unnecessary territory there. Some might argue necessary, given what's just happened. But look, I can't believe he's given that. And obviously, Iheanacho coolly, very coolly, dispatches the penalty considering the stakes.

14:07You've got to give him credit there. But another piece of evidence to me that suggests it wasn't a penalty was Martin O 'Neill immediately when he is talking in his post-match. He's barely asked about it and he goes, so was it given for the handball or the foul? And you go, oh, Martin. Oh, okay. Oh, okay. Yeah. Okay. And if you're Derek McInnes, you've got to think to yourself, oh, like that, is it?

14:34Jim Campbell: Yeah. Okay. Marcus, it's like that. We know it's like that. Of course it's like that. It can't be any other way when you're facing the old firm. So the way Celtic celebrated and the reason they celebrate like that is because it is more in their hands than it was prior to that goal. and they will be extremely confident. Again, if you'd have said to Celtic a couple of months ago, last day of the season, you win at Celtic Park, you've won the league. I think they might have taken that. Yeah, of course. Because they've been on a great run. I don't think they've lost. Would it be right in saying it was a 2-0 loss to Dundee United at the end of March?

15:13That may well have been the last time they lost a match in all competitions. So, you know, they've been on some run and you have to give Celtic credit for that. Yes, they probably should have had a man sent off against Rangers. Yes, Hart should have probably had a penalty against Motherwell. It's all, that's all done now. The focus is on Saturday at 12.30. Basically, isn't it? My goodness. And, you know... One that doesn't go to extra time. Well, indeed. One can be determined with a draw, of course. I think, again, you would take it blah-de-blah-de-blah. If Hart's win the league at Celtic Park...

15:51It's the best way to do it. We were saying it the other day. Yeah, it is beyond the stuff of legend. But you can forgive every single Hearts fan for going, ah, the inevitability of this.

16:05Jim Campbell: Yeah. But that's where Derek McInnes and his boys have got to earn their corn. Yeah. They have to keep cool heads. And you know what? The fact they're still top of the league. They've been top of the league for most of the year, most of the season. Sorry, well, most of the year as well. Yes, they had a bit of a lead and it's been eaten into. but that feels like a long time ago now that lead they showed their steal when they were one nil down against Rangers I think even getting a point at Fir Park when they were a goal down showed a bit there um it's it's it's such an opportunity yeah and I think they've got to go and try and win the game right as well because you'd say so you you essentially build up another lead to be eaten into you can't play for a draw that's absolutely reckless and mad and they won't do that but psychologically it might be difficult not to fall into that a little bit and they have to push through that.

16:52Jim Campbell: Yeah I mean yeah if you go there playing for the draw you're done for let's be honest it's not a great Celtic side we know this but they've got the individual qualities Maeda and Nigran showed last night with their goals so you're going to have to go there and you're going to have to win that title it is absolutely absorbing again that little voice of inevitability is there in the back of my head but there is another voice saying, bloody hell, is this a chance? The last time I remember this, something like this in Scottish football, I remember Aberdeen went to Ibrox and I think they may only have needed a draw.

17:30You're going way back, sort of early 90s now and Rangers won 2-0 and you worry about that. But look, this is the first time since 2011 it's gone to the last day in Scotland. The old firm have been split for the first time since McInnes' Aberdeen. blah, blah, blah. There's a lot to admire about what Hearts have done. And even if they don't win the title, they've had an extraordinary season. Yes. But come on, lads, come on. I mean, if they get it done, it's legendary stuff. It's absolutely legendary stuff.

18:02Jim Campbell: And indeed it is. Yeah. I mean, presumably it'll be business as usual next season. Who knows? But we don't know, do we? We don't know. Well, I mean, Tony Bloom, when he took his stake at Hearts, he was saying, you know, He wants to split the old firm and in, what was it, five years or maybe ten years or whatever, he's mapping out, you know, trying to win the league title. Well, I tell you what, Tone, you're currently way ahead of schedule. Let's hope that it is at the end of the season. People going, I can't believe how ahead of schedule we are, but we shall see anyway. Let's put that to one side now.

18:34We've got another title race to talk about. Coming up after this, Manchester City put pressure on Arsenal.

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19:39Welcome back, everybody. at Manchester City 3 Crystal Palace 0 pretty straightforward stuff at the head-to-head

19:45Jim Campbell: Jim it was wasn't it it was sort of what we were expecting but actually I think for City couldn't really have gone much better in terms of the prep for the FA Cup final and the run in in the league they've managed to rest key players they've managed to get vital minutes into players who need it Phil Fodham I'm sure will come on to had a really good game one that he badly needed you've got Omar Marmouch in there as well who knows how handy it could be to have him coming off the bench with a bit of confidence. Just a few players in there, you know, Matteo Kovacic's continuing his comeback who kind of probably needed some minutes in their legs.

20:24Jim Campbell: Josko Gvardhio coming back. It's all positive really for Man City. And they look like the city that kind of cruised their way to titles really, didn't they? At home in particular, you are so, so up against it when they're in that form. And you've mentioned the Etihad has been quite a nervous place and a little bit of a quiet place this season. And it actually did seem quiet without being nervous from what I could see on the TV, which was kind of interesting. But I thought apart from the moment where Brennan Johnson feeds Jean-Philippe Mateta early on and is flagged offside anyway, Palace didn't really look like they were ever going to make a significant threat to City in this game, did they?

21:08Jim Campbell: No, I don't think so. I think you're right. I think at the Etihad, the Man City fans, they are acutely aware of the situation in the Premier League. Arsenal have to slip up. So I think that's why maybe the atmosphere was as it was. I mean, I don't think it was particularly nervy or quiet because I think that's gone now. But it's not going to be roaring them into life because they didn't need it. As you say, it's kind of like, well, this should be a routine when it was. 2-0 up at half time. And so the job was really a good one. I think if you're a Man City fan, you're thinking, yeah, are Arsenal really going to slip up at home to Burnley?

21:49You'd think not. And then with this Crystal Palace side, they'll be even closer to the Europa Conference League final. I understand as an Arsenal fan, Jim, you can't possibly allow your mind to go to these places.

22:01Jim Campbell: Part of the reason for that, Marcus, is we've all seen what hard work Arsenal can make of games. yes that is true that is the factor there and actually another massive positive for City on that front is they've gone ahead in the goal difference here um which is something they would have wanted to do as well so really they've ticked every box yeah I mean should Arsenal have a disaster and draw against Burnley for example or even draw at Palace on the last day you're right Man City goal difference wise have put themselves up there it shouldn't come down to that. I mean, this is Arsenal at Hunter Burnley.

22:36No, it shouldn't. At any point of the season, Arsenal should beat Burnley and Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace, clearly, a couple of months ago, are going to be a tougher opponent, for reasons stated. But Man City, they've done their job, and they've put themselves within the best shout that they have. You've also got the little factor of, Man City need to play Bournemouth and Aston Villa, which are two far harder fixtures. Now, Bournemouth away, that's tough because Bournemouth right now I think in bloody hell boys we can get Champions League you know if things go their way they are on for it and they want to cement their place in Europe next season whichever competition that is but it's still a possibility of Champions League Aston Villa will have played the Europa League final then I suspect they will win that Europa League So they'll be hung over they'll be absolutely hung over

23:24Jim Campbell: Yeah but if they don't win it then that will be very, very interesting indeed. They'll have to play for their place in the Champions League next season. So Man City have a tougher run in. There's no two ways about that. But look, they've also got a cut final as well to look forward to. And as you said, Guardiola made a lot of changes to the starting line-up. But what he will be delighted with was the performance of Phil Foden. Yes. For the first goal in particular, it's a beautiful assist. Yeah, really, really perfectly executed backheel, which is such a great way to answer your critics, isn't it?

23:58Jim Campbell: Because at that point, City were very obviously the better team, but they hadn't really crafted a clear chance. It felt like a matter of time. And he's done that with real panache. And obviously Semenyo's the type of player in the type of form where he's always going to put that away. And then the second assist is pretty good as well. More quick thinking, very, very deliberate, finds Marmouche in space and he does what he does. So this is the Phil Foden playing with the sort of confidence and with the sort of I suppose kind of automatic connection to the players around him that we've not seen as much of in this or a really even like large parts of last season so that is great timing for them ahead of the FA Cup final who knows if it will get him in the starting line-up we we don't know but obviously Pep loves him so there's a possibility of that but could really be again be better preparation for them going into that cup final and the cup final could be a big boost right you know like yeah you see what an injection of confidence winning a cup does we've seen it already earlier in the season with with the caribou cup and who knows i mean maybe that's enough to kind of spook your rivals a little bit they're going to be looking at every every little possibility like that and trying to maximize it i mean yeah i again i understand that that line of thought you're taking as an also fan there is no way if man city beat chelsea arsenal should go no but I'm more looking at it from their point of view because you know you need to just take advantage of every possible influence that you can fine again whatever happens with the cup fodder it shouldn't put Arsenal off beat it Burley but okay I just sort of take the and I suppose also winning the cup is better isn't it than that they're not going to be going oh we've got a slight psychological advantage going into these last two games now hey and we've got a cup yeah exactly I mean unless they can convince Burnley and Palace to wear Manchester City kits I don't think and there's almost certainly a ruling against that I'm really not sure yeah but look Man City they are in good stead you would fancy them to beat Chelsea who have not been in good shape of course for the cup final but we will preview that game tomorrow Palace are now without a league win in their past five games I mean they were never really in danger in recent months of relegation mathematically they are safe and have been for a little while now but they themselves have got a cup final and obviously Glasner is is going to leave at the end of the season but Jim what do you make of this?

26:31Andoni Iriola has emerged as the favourite to take over as Crystal Palace manager next season and he's just emerged as the favourite doesn't mean to say that that's all odds on we haven't heard anything from the man it seems quite an odd one to me i know palace have won trophies of late yes i will include the community shield in there uh they will almost certainly win the europa conference league so they will have all going well in that cup final palace fans will probably be shouting at me shut up we still need to win the game yeah i suspect they will if they do win that game they've got Europa League football next season so okay there's there's there's an attraction there perhaps but Bournemouth could genuinely be in the Champions League next season or at least the Europa League I mean again Iriola hasn't said anything and bookies can say stuff and we can link anybody to any job but that would seem like quite a bit of a sideways step for a guy who is quite a coveted man in football at the moment.

27:35Jim Campbell: Yeah, which is why, if I'm completely honest, Marcus, I suspect that this is just complete nonsense. I'd be very surprised if this were to actually play out, but let's kind of take it at face value because, yeah, it would absolutely be a very odd decision for him to leave a Bournemouth team with Champions League football for a Crystal Palace team with Europa League football. I mean, I don't know the ins and outs of their budgets, but Bournemouth seem like a better run club. when they sell players they maximise the profit from that so they can reinvest that's a situation that Palace are in as well so in terms of quite often having to sell their best players to reinvest in the squad I think if this were to be his only option let's say there's a situation where Xavi Alonso goes to Chelsea and there's no landing spot for him there Michael Carrick gets the Man United gig he's apparently been ruled out of the Man United running yeah well there you go so that's not going to happen I wonder if he'd stay at Bournemouth in that situation.

28:30Jim Campbell: Because, I mean, what else are you going to do? Yeah, they're not going to say no. If he has a U-turn, they're not going to say no. But, I mean, it would be a tricky situation, wouldn't it? It'd be like, I thought I could do better. Turns out I couldn't. You're welcome. Yeah. Yeah. Well, look, you're absolutely right. I mean, unless, again, there's a job in Spain, which could be on the cards. Spain's a tricky one as well, because obviously he's not going to go to Real Madrid. because Jose Mourinho is going to end up there fantastically. He's a club legend at Athletic Bilbao. They've just hired Edin Terzic to take over next season anyway, but he's always maintained that because he's a legend as a player, he doesn't really want to kind of potentially tarnish that by taking over as a coach.

29:15Jim Campbell: So that's an obvious landing spot that he's probably not going to go to. Maybe there's another job somewhere in Spain, but I think once you're on that Premier League moolah, Moolah, once you're getting those Spondulics coming in on the regular, you probably want to stick around there or go for a big European job, don't you? Yeah, so I'm not sure that one of the smaller clubs in Spain would appeal. Get over to Saudi. You've changed your tune. Go to Hearts, man. Go to Hearts as assistant. Hey, they're going to get this done next season, one way or another. Andoni Arreira's assistant. Do the right thing, Andoni.

29:50Yeah, I think it will be interesting where he goes next season. could he do a U-turn and stay at Bournemouth?

29:56Jim Campbell: Yeah, like they qualify for Champions League on the last day and he goes, ah! I'm only joking. I'll introduce the new manager who is the old manager. Yeah, surely he ends up Chelsea from here though, right? That feels like it could be how that pans out. Who could be managing Chelsea next season? My goodness. I mean, it's a tombola at this stage, isn't it? Yeah. Sort of, you know, put all the names in there. spin it round and oh there's Callum McFarland again yeah Thomas Frank in at Bournemouth who knows you forget Frank's at large yeah you do forget that he would would he be yeah it'd be nice to see him down at Bournemouth again with his Arsenal Cup it was at Bournemouth wasn't it yeah yes ah yeah Thomas Frank at large um well we shall see um my goodness right I think it's time to go for a lie down and psych myself up for that game at Celtic Park on Saturday thank you very much for listening to the Football Ramble part of the ACAST Created Network we'll be back tomorrow with Luke for the preview show where we'll be looking ahead to the FA Cup final and more see you then, ta-ta

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