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Thursday, May 1, 2008

Paris St Germain banned from next League Cup Paris St Germain have been banned from defending the League Cup next season after some of their fans unfolded an abusive banner during this season's League Cup final, the French League (LFP) said on Wednesday. (Guardian)

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Thursday, April 05, 2007
Archie MacPherson tells CQN about Jock Stein, how he changed Celtic and detested Rangers

Jock Stein changed Celtic from being one the most underachieving clubs in football, a club who had not won a trophy in seven years and won only three leagues in 40, into nine-in-a-row winners and European Champions with virtually the same squad of players

His biographer, Archie MacPherson, had a ring-side view of that transformation, “When Jock Stein arrived at Celtic Park he knew he had to improve the team, but there was also a political dimension under exploited.

“Bobby Lennox had great speed, but would run out of the park if you let him. Billy McNeill thought he was off to Tottenham, Jimmy Johnstone was in and out of the team. Jock sorted them all out.

“Jimmy McGrory [Stein’s predecessor] was the nicest man you would meet anywhere, but that didn’t help Celtic.

“John McPhail told me that he was playing badly and expected to be dropped. Jimmy McGrory and the directors had a meeting outside the dressing room after which McGrory read out the team, including John McPhail, but [then chairman] Bob Kelly was not with the other directors when the team was announced.

“After the game, Bob Kelly asked John McPhail why he was playing. McPhail said, “I was picked”, to which Bob Kelly replied, “You were not supposed to be”.

“It turned out the Bob Kelly had diarrhoea and was unable to get instructions through on who he wanted to play.

“Celtic were on their way to play Airdrie when Jimmy McGrory saw reserve goalkeeper Jimmy Goldie wearing his Celtic scarf on his way to the game. McGrory stopped the bus, brought Goldie on board and played him as a reward for supporting the team. Crazy stuff like that was going on.

“Some months after Jock arrived, Celtic played Dynamo Kiev [in March 1966] and he and Bob Kelly had a showdown over Jim Craig. Kelly didn’t want Craig picked but Jock was not going to be bossed around the same way as Jimmy McGrory.

“At a board meeting a few days later Jock laid it on the line, and told the board he would only do the job if he was allowed to do it without their interference. Bob Kelly never crossed the line again.

“Jock needed to do this. The trouble with Rangers at the moment is no one speaks up to Murray.

“Kelly initially tried to get Jock Stein as assistant manager to Sean Fallon, and then as co-manager with Fallon, but Jock only agreed to come if he was to be manager in his own right.

“Jock paid attention to Bob Kelly and never forgot what he had done for him. They were never great friends, but they got on well, both were great horse racing men, but Jock needed control of the team.

“Rangers were a hard team, they could always bully Celtic and Stein knew this had to change. In his first League Cup Final [October 1965] the Celtic right back, Ian Young, clattered Willie Johnstone inside the first two minutes.

“This was something new; we had never seen a tackle like that from Celtic. That was Stein laying virility and steel into the team. He sent out a message, ‘We’re harder than you’.

“Before Celtic signed Jock he was going through a hard time; he was unhappy in Llanelli. His wife was still in Burnbank and the house had just been broken into.

“He told me years later that if Celtic had not come in for him he would have come home and gone to watch Rangers. George Young was his all time hero, even later in life, and Jock loved to watch him play. There was something about the ‘centre halves union’ about it.”

Archie explained that Jock’s feelings towards Rangers soon changed.

“There might previously have been people in the Celtic dressing room who didn’t like Rangers, but no one hated Rangers as much as he did, he detested them.

“When he joined Celtic as a player he was shunned by his former friends in his home village. The boys at Burnbank cross would ignore him. He told me a man he regarded as his best friend walked out of his parents house when he heard that Jock was upstairs, and never spoke to him again.

“He was out on a limb when he joined Celtic, and he never forgot what the club had done for him. Even his own father never said, “I hope you win” before an Old Firm game, neither did his mother.

“The Celtic supporters loved him and the feeling was reciprocated. He respected that they came from a community used to breaking through barriers to get on in life.

“Jock Stein is the best ever British manager. When you look for the best of anything you have go back to see who stared it, who made all the new rules.

“He was the first tracksuit manager, he started that at Dunfermline. Before than managers wore suits; Scott Symon at Rangers would turn up to training for about 15 minutes a week, I don’t know if Jimmy McGrory spent that long, they were all the same back then.

“He was the first manager to take a chef abroad with him; he understood that players would perform better if they ate the same food, he was years ahead of his time.

“He also intimidated everyone, players, directors, the media and referees. Before Dunfermline played Valencia the referee was going to abandon the game as there was six inches of snow and the pitch was completely unplayable. Jock convinced him otherwise.

“He was tactically aware. He could talk me through the Rangers team as if he was their manager. Blow by blow, what they were going to do.

“[Sir Alex] Ferguson has copied him, as did [Jim] McLean, none of them would have the gall to act the way they do without Stein.

“Jock detested the BBC. When I joined, [the BBC] he didn’t know me, but he knew I was associated with Peter Thompson, a well know Rangers supporter. I remember when I discussed the BBC with him he told me, “The head of the house is a Rangers man”; he thought you were either ‘for us or against us’.

“He would not give the BBC an interview unless it was broadcast live in case it was edited out of context. I had to work at winning his confidence.

As well as being, “on my banker’s side”, Archie retains a genuine affection for Jock Stein, the players he moulded into greats and the gift he gave to our community. He also sends his best wishes to Celtic Quick News readers.
Posted by Paul67 at 12:10 PM :: 

348 Comments:
  • At 05/04/07 12:12, thismancraig said…

    Swept away!

    A good guy is our Archie, just talking to the godfather yesterday about how Ferguson sounds like Stein.

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:12, Belfast Bhoy said…

    Go on the big man

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:16, click the ads! said…

    Quite possibly the longest post I have seen on here Paul, so I'll print it out and digest it through lunch!!!

    cta!

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:23, Stephen said…

    All the Best to you too Archie, great stuff. Still my favourite commentator after 40yrs.

    Hail Hail

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:24, Tim_Bhoy said…

    Archie's biography of Jock Stein is a must read for all fans.

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:25, dontbrattbackinanger said…

    I think it's to Archie's credit that despite the hostility JS bore to BBC Scotland[discussed in more detail in Celtic's Paranoia,including one episode where JS publicly humiliated AM]he doesn't seem to have borne any grudges,and his biography of Mr Stein adds further to the argument that not only are we the Club with the best songs,we also stimulate the writing of the best books.

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:33, James at LEAPS said…

    This post has been removed by the author.

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:34, Frank from Bedlington said…

    The comments re. Rangers bullying us pre JS interest me.

    I think this will be Smith's approach next season. We are a lightweight team particularly in midfield and that is one of the points WGS MUST address!

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:35, Al Obundy said…

    Exceedingly good feature.

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:37, Michael__67 said…

    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOF

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:42, gweedorebhoy said…

    Just about to head off to lovely green gweedore via the journy from hell through stranrar but thought i would post a few things.

    Firstly happy easter to you all remember we are all celts so chill lads

    Secondly if you have not read archies book do so soon it's a great read.

    Thirdly as reagards keane yes he might manage celtic but please not for a few years. TMC not often i agree with you but you are right as regards keane six months is no track record for one of the biggest jobs in world football.

    Finally enjoy the motherwell game sad i have to miss the game but my season ticket is in good hands and a few pints in sean oigs will be just as good watching it on the big screen.

    Happy easter fellow tims and hopefully we can score against motherwell.

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:53, TheLeftWinger said…

    I still remember Archie MacPherson's commentary of the 1988 Centenary Scottish Cup final.

    First half, a great cross from the right gives Joe Miller an easy header from 2 yards:

    There's Miller.....It must be?....No?....Oooooh, Justtouchedawaaaaaaay"

    Only a week after my First Communion and that was the first Archieism i can remember

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:55, dontbrattbackinanger said…

    Of course!It's Easter this weekend-maybe next year the team will give up fags/drink/ekkies/burds for Lent instead of scoring goals`¬)

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:55, St-Gris said…

    “He would not give the BBC an interview unless it was broadcast live in case it was edited out of context"

    Nothing has changed in 40 years.
    We still live in a country where bigots are still occupying the controlling jobs.

    Its deep rooted and the SFA will never let it change.

     
  • At 05/04/07 12:58, Uncle P said…

    That was simply a great few minutes reading. Brilliant.

     
  • At 05/04/07 13:01, ayrshirecelt said…

    Paul,
    fantasic antidote to all the negativity that's been going around.
    Thanks.

     
  • At 05/04/07 13:02, pin76 said…

    Best Archie commentary is the 1985 Scottish Cup final for Provan's equaliser. "Just once in the history of the Scottish Cup final has a goal been scored direct from a free kick, is this a piece of history......it is!"

    My Dad picked me up and jumped about the living room, first cup final I remember watching us win

     
  • At 05/04/07 13:12, cyborgtr808 said…

    anyone for candy floss?

     
  • At 05/04/07 13:18, Dubaibhoy said…

    Jim Craig was talking me about Ian Young (and specifically on that tackle) a few weeks ago.

    Apparently it was totally out of character and even now he (IY) isn't prepared to discuss it...

     
  • At 05/04/07 13:20, Falkirkbhoy said…

    a lower one this time.... it must be ..........McAvennie!
    88 cup final.

     
  • At 05/04/07 13:20, Georgiebhoy67 said…

    I've had the good fortune to meet Erchie twice. First, when I was about 11 at love Street for what i think was Big Jocks last league game (We lost 3-1). Archie and his team were editing the first half highlights from a truck that was positioned close to the old main stand. I can't recall much of the conversation but he did give me a bit of video tape (wow!) that I kept with all of my other Celtic memorabilia for donkeys.

    Second time was in a Paris cafe the afternoon after the darnel lost to AEK back in 94. I had a couple of hours to kill between connecting flights and the bold Archie, spotting my copy of the Evening Times, decided to join me for a cuppa. He didn't sound too impressed with Walter Smith and his tactics the prrevious night and assured me they'd lose the return at Ibrox too. I bet Walter wouldn't dare try on Archie what he did with Chick Young.

     
  • At 05/04/07 13:27, lostrambling said…

    I don't want media folk like Archie pointing out Rangers problems.

    I'm very happy for the media to tell everyone everything is fine on Planet Ibrox.

    No change is good news for us.

     
  • At 05/04/07 13:50, arthurwasbetterthanarchie said…

    haven't posted in a long while....do I now have to rearrange my name?

     
  • At 05/04/07 13:58, surveyorcelt said…

    Leftwinger

    Did Jock (the co%%) Brown not do the commentary for the Centenary final? My memory from the game is the analyst commentating "They're going for the bold one Jock" just as we made a double sub with Mark McGhee and Billy Stark coming on when we were 0-1 down with 15 mins to go???

    Not really that important I suppose

    Pin 76 - totally agree with the Davie Provan free kick commentary. Class.

    SC

     
  • At 05/04/07 13:58, MolesRus said…

    Never met Jock Stein but I was thrown out of a hotel in Tillycootrie by his hero. There was me dancing away with the best looking bird on the dance floor when I gets interrupted by the local hard man. Before I could say what's up doc this guy head butts me full on the bridge of the nose. Blood everywhere, before I could say get me a doc this great big giant of a man - who I later found out was George Young - in fact I think it was his hotel - grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and threw me head first out the back door. Lay in wait for the culprit who headered me but no show - later found out that he got thrown out the front door, big George wasn't a novice at throwing people out. That had always annoyed me but I don’t feel so bad now knowing that this guy was a hero of big Jock's

     
  • At 05/04/07 14:05, surveyorcelt said…

    Does anyone have a link to a website that gives the players used for each Celtic game for previous seasons?

    CelticFC.net has information for the scores and competition etc but not the line ups.

    Cheers

    SC

     
  • At 05/04/07 14:08, Parkheadcumsalford said…

    Great reading, Paul. Archie's take on Mr Stein laying sown the law to Sir Bob is a wee bit different to that of Hugh McIlvanney's. But they both make the same point, so I suppose you have to allow for poetic licence.

    As regards Mr Stein making us harder, it was certainly needed in those days, when we were regularly kicked off the park. They still did it to wee Jinky particlualry but Mr Stein made us into a team that wouldn't just lie down. We had wee Bertie in particular, who eeked his own revenge on the more wayward of the opposition. (That is why he and not Charlie Gallagher was in the team, in my opinion.) As I said before the last rangers game, they have resorted to the tried and tested. We should be able to put out an 11 which won't be bullied by them (or anybody else in the SPL)and then play them off the park. It's no secret. Martin O'Neill's teams did it and were reviled by the old media for it.

    Now let us enjoy Saturday so that we can all have a very happy Easter.

     
  • At 05/04/07 14:13, scotcelt56 said…

    molesrus, I think it was the Tillietudlem Hotel on the Clydeside/Lanark Road that George Young owned. Somewhere near Crossford from memory.

     
  • At 05/04/07 14:18, VargasShampoo said…

    Archie's book on Jock Stein is a must for all Celtic fans. It will revitalise your feelings towards the club, of how an ordinary working class non catholic Coal Miner inherited a shambles of a Football club & transformed ordinary men into great players to become Champions of Europe. To acheive so much in a climate where he was ostricised by some friends & some of his local community because of his association with Celtic tells you more than enough about what the man was made of.

    I also think this post is very timely in respect to a section of our support who won't ever accept Gordon Strachan as Celtic Manager regardless of the success he brings us. This unfortunately has more to do with him being a non catholic/celtic minded (whatever that means?)rather than his ability/potential. A sad indictment of the bitterness that still exists amongst a section of our support, although the sinners will never hold their hands up to this because they're too busy patting themselves in the back & taking the moral high ground for supporting a club who allegedly embraces all faiths/religions. Is this really accurate? The club are innocent here, but a minority of the fans are guilty!

    These people should have a word with themselves & realise that the unique appeal our club has is all central to Jock Stein & Brother Walfrid's outlook in life about community, spirit, a work ethic, faith, good principles, promoting youth, succeeding in life against the odds etc.

    As for Archie MacPherson - well i have the upmost respect for him as a commentator, a knowledgeable football man, a fair & articulate pundit & someone who above all speaks the truth. When i hear people like Peter Martin (Maguire)on the radio with his affected commentary style to butter up both old firm audiences, it makes me cringe as he is so deperate to keep everyone happy & secure himself a safe haven in the process. Can you imagine someone like big Archie MacPherson ever contemplating such a shallow outlook.

    woooooofff! McClair...buries it!

    Good on ye Archie

     
  • At 05/04/07 14:20, CFC62 said…

    Scotcelt56

    Absolutely correct - Geordie Young owned the Tillie Hotel

     
  • At 05/04/07 14:37, vclxi said…

    Surveyorcelt,

    Try here:

    http://www.celtic-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadtmrs.asp?ssnno=135&teamno=246

    Sorry can't be ersed finding out how to do the link thing.

    vclxi

     
  • At 05/04/07 14:49, Dave said…

    Brilliant article, as per the CQN usual...

    Two "absolutely fantastic" Archie moments...

    Naka V Man U - Second Leg - "he can open up a tin of beans with that left foot - let's see which one of the 57 varieties we'll get here..."

    Uefa Cup V ??? - After a bad call - "I rrrrreally don't like these Frrrrench Referrrrees..."

    CLASS.

     
  • At 05/04/07 14:56, FrankieBhoy said…

    Anyone know how old Archie is, he seems to have been around forever.

     
  • At 05/04/07 15:01, TheLeftWinger said…

    Frankiebhoy,

    Archie will be 70 this year!


    Woooooooooooooooooffffffffff!

     
  • At 05/04/07 15:10, jinkyredstar said…

    Arthurwasbetterthanarchie (13.50)

    No need to re-arrange your name. Us Greenockians will always have a soft spot for Arthur. Archie has lasted longer but the 'Stramash' will never die.

    Didn't see much of Archie was I was younger because I had to stand on the mantlepiece with the ariel to get a BBC picture! See black and white telly!

    Jinkywhoiswatchingthesunonsweetrothesaybay

     
  • At 05/04/07 15:14, surveyorcelt said…

    vclxi

    Many thanks

    SC

     
  • At 05/04/07 15:16, Hanif Uno Dahistory said…

    Good article Paul - rise above blog handbags ( handblogs ? )and celebrate Celtic.

    St. Gris @12.55 - the bbc has lots of Celtic fans and a few "currant buns" - no different from most big employers. Your post is just reactionary.

     
  • At 05/04/07 15:39, whitedoghunch said…

    Many thanks Archie and Paul.

     
  • At 05/04/07 15:48, Spidey100 said…

    Does anyone know where I can find a list of players who are avaiable on a Bosman this summer?

     
  • At 05/04/07 15:49, fluffy bunny said…

    Paul

    Great article!

    Pin76

    Hey! what d'ya know it's my favourite piece of commentary too.

    Incidentally, got caught in the mad panic crush with the new turnstiles at the Celtic end that and had to take one shaken younger brother home. I did seriously consider abandoning him.

    Enjoy! "Just once in the history of the Scottish Cup final has a goal been scored direct from a free kick, is this a piece of history......it is!"

    Archie rules csc

     
  • At 05/04/07 15:53, fluffy bunny said…

    pin76

    only twice not once.

    A "play it again Sam" moment. Strange!

     
  • At 05/04/07 15:53, CaltonTongues said…

    Spidey100,

    Try www.samallardyceGIRUYcfc.org.uk :-)

    CQN Golf Day

    VCLXI, It looks like no one else from Glasgow is looking for a lift so, yerself and Timmy7 could be in luck.

    CaltonTongues

     
  • At 05/04/07 15:55, St-Gris said…

    hanif,

    If you ever have the opportunity.

    Ask Fergus McCann his true and honest opinion of the Scottish media and the SFA/SFL. If he can trust you he'll tell you.

    Now theres a guy who wanted to nail bigotry in Scotland.

    My view is not reactionary - its got more to do with following Celtic for 35 years.

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:02, vclxi said…

    Fluffybunny,
    I remember it well. Most of us got in for nowt as well when they opened the gates up top to relieve the crushing.
    Causing a further crush in the terraces.

    We were lucky we were not involved in another Hillsborough.

    I believe that was the last SC final that was not an all ticket affair.

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:05, vclxi said…

    Calton,
    Is that a definite or are you going to hold off for a bit?


    If it is a goer let me know how to get the money to you.


    vclxi

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:05, Ardoch said…

    The latest name in the frame, according to the rumour mill, appears to be Bayern's Dutch striker Roy Makaay.

    Let it be. He and big JV would run riot in the SP hell.

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:09, CaltonTongues said…

    vclxi,

    I'll give it till Tuesday (after holiday) then let you know for definite.

    As for the money, it will only be a nominal amount to cover the cost of deisel.

    CaltonTongues

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:12, shun_zoom_spark said…

    Surveyorcelt (13:58)

    Fairly sure both STV and the Beeb covered the final in those days - our household opted for Archie though...

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:14, Collie said…

    Paul....

    Yer interview wiz a gas....an' ah agree ...Erchie wiz in da top class...

    But,Ahm told da Brain o' Britain, had a style,which wiz mair fittin,
    tae be termed, the Maist Entertaining.... by a Mile!

    Noo, in oor pursuit o' a Striker...
    I hiv tae say da Rifle's no Mere Piker!
    An' tae get him, wull coast a loat o' Dough.

    Two Million has been proposed,
    but before da Deal is closed...
    It will tak a Million mair...tae mak it so!

    Fur Mr. Park wants Billy and BADLY.. an' the BAITH! ...will help us...but sadly,
    Wull the Board go alang wit' the newly added expense?

    But, in da opeenion o'us chickens,
    tae be Parsimonious,
    at dis time... wid be doonricht, dense!

    They BAITH can cover da TWO places,
    Where we're simply no at da Races!

    Tae mak an extra effort, to get THEM.....diz mak sense!

    Ah live in Hope that Pierre, will no be a dope....
    An' win them BAITH fur Celtic...
    in da end!

    collie,
    Tail's Awaggin', Awaggin'

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:23, martinobhoy said…

    1985 was my first Cup Final. An uncle took me and my two brothers on the bus leaving from the Coach & Horses in Coatbridge. On the bus he introduced us to our new "dads" for the day as the parent & child gate at Hampden was only for one parent and one child.

    So there was me standing outside Hampden as a 15 year old with a "dad" who could only have been about 10 years older than me while my two brothers' "dads" must have been collecting their pensions!

    Got to stand right in line with the flight of Davie Provan's free-kick as well. If there had been any neutrals there that day then they couldn't have failed to have fallen in love with Celtic.

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:27, TheLeftWinger said…

    ShunZoomSpark,

    Jim Craig was the BBC studio guest that day too, and it was the day Wimbledon beat Liverpool in the FA cup.

    I've still got the 1988 & 1989 cup finals on VHS and the 1991(?) 2-0 game where Hately, Hurlock and Walters all got sent off at Celtic Park.

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:33, Michael__67 said…

    Left Winger

    Naw you've no - Ive got them...

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:34, vclxi said…

    Cheers Calton,
    Can I suggest charging something like £10 or £15 a head and putting the change to the CQN charity fund?


    vclxi

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:39, thismancraig said…

    Are we getting our centenary cup finals mixed up?

    Both 85 and 88 were centenary cup finals if I'm right? Sure that the summariser in 85 was Big Billy.

    The crowd reaction to Hateley's red card was priceless...but not suitable for CQN!

     
  • At 05/04/07 16:44, FrankieBhoy said…

    '85 was the 100th final ? '88 was our centenary.

     
  • At 05/04/07 17:11, HHBhoy said…

    A great read Paul,

    Jock Stein was the man.

    This always comes across the more info I read about him from his contemporaries.
    Jock Steins strength was in his strength of character.

    I’m lucky; I grew up with Jock Steins Celtic.

    When I was very young I didn’t understand my Mothers concerns when some big game was coming up, and remember my Dad saying things like it’ll be alright.
    It must have been murder being a Tim before my time.
    Jock Steins name seemed to work like a tranquilizer, it was alright, he was there, and he was one of us.
    And then, Celtic played new football and Celtic started to win.
    This was not only a purging of previous disappointments which had dragged on from one season to the next, it was bathing in success.

    Archie MacPherson, as a commentator, is a bit of an erse, he has ruined many a brilliant Celtic game with his inept inexplicable “what the hell is he going on about”, “gonae shut up or gives a clue” commentary. Sometimes he doesn’t know the names of the players in the team, and often says “he”. Sorry, but he’s an embarrassment, like him or not.

    Henriks 50th goal; “and the youngster’s got it”….whit?

    Anyway, like I say great read

    Hail Hail

     
  • At 05/04/07 17:24, HHBhoy said…

    MolesRus

    Never met Jock Stein but I was thrown out of a hotel in Tillycootrie by his hero.

    Brilliant

    HH

     
  • At 05/04/07 17:28, Onlooker2 said…

    Memories of '85.

    A few weeks before the final we played the FoD at Celtic Park on a Wed night in a re-arranged league match.
    The Janefield Street incident followed (if I remember right )
    I was in the Celtic End and we got a free kick just outside the box. The Perm bent in round/ over the wall and hit the junction of crossbar and post on the
    top right side.

    On the day of the final I was standing in the same position behind the goal at Hampden when we got the freekick that led to Provan's goal. The freekick was
    in the same position as the Wed night game so I immediately turned to the complete stranger beside me and said
    " Davie Provan top left corner! " ( his right) with the surity of a pool hustler naming the pocket of choice for the black ball.

    Davie duly trotted up and put it right where I had said.
    The guy beside me just turned and looked at me with eyes like saucers, (if I had not been a Tim I would have been burned as a witch) he proceeded to squeeze all the air out of my lungs whilst we pogoed down 10 rows of terracing ....magic.

     
  • At 05/04/07 17:55, No Bread No Cakes said…

    Collie
    Ur guy in the the sights, is it Watty? or am I pandiering up the wrong barrel?

     
  • At 05/04/07 18:26, Cubist Funk said…

    17:55, No Bread No Cakes - I presume Collie's referring to Billy Sharp from Scunthorpe & Greg Dalby, an American midfielder we have on trial

     
  • At 05/04/07 18:34, the long wait is over said…

    Fluffybunny 1549(and others)

    Thanks for the link to Davie Provan's free kick.

    I was behind the goal that day and remember his and Squiggle's goal like they were yesterday.

    The memory can play tricks tho -- if you listen to the commentary again Erchie says "only twice..." not "Only once...."

    It surprised me when I listened to it again -- Id always have sworn on my childrens eyes the commentary was "once"

     
  • At 05/04/07 18:42, Collie said…

    No Bread No Cakes


    The Rifle has a Barrel whose caliber is a Big Fifty!
    for long distance and shootin' Bison,
    .... it's handy, it's nifty!

    Of Wattie, I made no mention, for he is a No Go,
    His name is not one, of the... TWO, THAT DID SHOW!

    THE TWO, that I mentioned, they are in all da Noos,
    Now, I can tell you about them...... for there is nuttin' too lose!

    If da money is forthcoming, I think we shall get 'em,

    They're much Bettah than who that we have at this time,

    One is a Striker who know nuttin' about Strikes.

    T'other replaces a man whose
    Talents are Aging......
    and who dithers around....

    and whose skill in da tackle
    is no longer Sublime!


    collie.
    Tail's Awaggin',Awaggin'

     
  • At 05/04/07 18:46, No Bread No Cakes said…

    IC
    Sharp Shooter

    I was thinking Walter Pandiani of Espanyol (El Rifle) and thinking is he no getting on a bit?

     
  • At 05/04/07 19:00, Deutsch_bhoy said…

    First post in a while but a post reminded me of one of my earlier Celtic memories, along with the penalties defeat to Aberdeen and the Joe Miller treble destroying final.

    I think it was St Paddy's and I was dragged to my grans on Dixon Ave for a family gathering, where i remember sitting in the small kitchen with my dad watching a tiny TV. I have a memory of Dariusz Wdowczyk scoring a free kick, but when I see it in my minds eye it is being hit with his left boot from about 40 yards! I was loved him and Jackie because our family has Polish roots.
    The other scorer was Crainey I think, and I think this was the cup quarters, but I dont remember the sendings off. Has anyone seen a link to this on youtube i dont get anything Celtic wise when I look up Dariusz Wdowczyk.

     
  • At 05/04/07 19:25, Collie said…

    Cubist Funk

    You picked up da clue.... and it wiz Good ye picked, BADLY!
    Ahm gled that ye goat it, or ah'd be lookin', so sadly!

    It is a smart lad(?) ye ur,
    fur it wiz no an easy clue,

    So congrats tae yer sel'...fur ye ur wan o' da Few!

    No Bread and No Cakes

    To continue about noo players,

    They ur so many we need that tae Celtic.....Say Nayers...

    Fur ye must know that the money in England, Flows ever sae, Easy,
    Tae get even a Tenth o' Oor Targets,wull no be Easy or Peasy!

    We are shootin' by Shotgun, which is as ye know scatters,
    If we miss Three and get Wan,
    then that's awe that it matters.

    The woid in the street, is that We dinna expect,
    Tae get a Box Office name,amangst da wans we Select!

    But accordin' tae the Wans who we goat... last time oot!
    Big names ur nae use if they never woik oot!

    We'll settle fur wans like the wan who's NAE GOW....fur that is a guy, who kin play some... an' How!

    Potential, is the feature that takes the foist place,

    'Cos it is always a Gamble,
    when ye bring in a noo face...
    .
    An' Big Money disnae guarantee he'll Light Up Da Place!

    collie.
    Tail's Awaggin', Tail's Awaggin'

     
  • At 05/04/07 19:43, JonG said…

    Vargas Shampoo;

    For the record,

    Jock Stein was and is my all time hero.He is Celtic to me.I'm not in the slightest bit interested in the religeous following of any member of playing staff, or management at parkhead.

    I still stand by my opinion for WGS to be replaced by Roy Keane.

    By the way,thought i'd throw in Michael Owen before the summer is out.

     
  • At 05/04/07 19:46, Stefan said…

    Deutsch_Bhoy know the game but cant help you with the vid but this ghuys vids will rekindle more memories I'm sure.

    Moravciks vids

    Noel90 will no doubt pull it out the hat as always and find the Dariusz Wdowczyk free-kick game, so keep looking in!!

    Hail Hail

     
  • At 05/04/07 20:28, BhoyinGott said…

    After Rome last night it is now kicking off big style in Seville.
    English teams banned from Europe again?
    Automatic qualification and Pot 2 please Michel.

     
  • At 05/04/07 20:37, noel90 said…

    BhoyinGott-


    English teams and Rangers......

     
  • At 05/04/07 20:41, BhoyinGott said…

    Noel90,
    Why is it that those two go together like (not so) Bonny and Clyde?

     
  • At 05/04/07 20:41, setting free the bears said…

    deutsch bhoy

    I saw the CL Volleyball on Eurosport tonight. Bit of a surprise to see a German team win, was it not?
    Have you played against any of those boys?

     
  • At 05/04/07 20:50, noel90 said…

    BhoyinGott-

    separated at birth ?

    or so some of the Ibrox hordes would let you think.....

    Nice to see Viscount Murray had to seek a banning order on The BBC to stop them disclosing "fraudulent activities" by employees at one of his call centres........

     
  • At 05/04/07 21:08, PFAYR said…

    Paul67
    A fantastic read and a good pick me up from the malady of the last few weeks.

    I for one am delighted that McDonald will not be playing on Saturday,i don`t think that well are half as good a team without him.

    As an aside , note the English fans are doing their level best to embarrass themselves with another dfisgraceful performance. Maybe it`s the same ringers who caused the problems for the Darnel in Pamplona and Utd in Rome . They must get about , of course it`s all the heavy handed Police` fault.Funny i have no recollection of the police illbehaviour in Spain or Italy when we were their.

    Maybe it`s a different CLASS of supporter .

    hail hail

     
  • At 05/04/07 21:15, Deutsch_bhoy said…

    Very big surprise for a German team to win, they beat the top two Italian teams and the top Russian teams (the 2 richest volleyball leagues).

    Its a long story what happened here to me. Team I was playing with before christmas went bust (probably fraud) but we played the second top team in Germany in the cup and went bust before playing the 2nd team of Friedrichshafen (Euro champs). It was gutting, we would have been promoted but now the team had to get rid of all the contracted players, never won another game and got relegated.

    So I secured a move to Giesen, a team in Hanover also 2nd division and we have won 10 out of 12 but we were in 9th when I arrived and even 12 out of 12 wouldnt have us in promotion contention. And thats the much shortened version.

    www.volleyball-bundesligia.de
    goto 2.Bundesligia then manner nord

    PS. Thanks for the video link Stefan

     
  • At 05/04/07 21:20, Deutsch_bhoy said…

    setting free the bears, you seem to know volleyball, I remember a question months ago but I think there was a new post very soon after I answered. I played for Glasgow Irish 4-5 seasons ago, do you have any connection to them?

     
  • At 05/04/07 21:30, No Bread No Cakes said…

    Collie

    I would take yer nae 'gow' one for the miller we have the noo.

    I'd have liked him to work out but unfortunately Kenny cannae get a smith at a goal.

     
  • At 05/04/07 21:38, ianinjesi said…

    That`s a pretty good showing from Spurs in Seville.
    I`ve noticed in the televised games over the past wee while that most crosses are played from deep and quite often with the right foot from the left and the left foot from the right. Seems familiar?

     
  • At 05/04/07 21:40, Sean South said…

    Old Archie's powers of recall are a bit foggy.

    Goldie was never a goalkeeper. He played left back, right half and right back in his fleeting appearances for Celtic between 1955 and 1957.

    I have heard this anecdote before with a different away venue mentioned, but Goldie definitely never played at Broomfield against Airdrie.

    And the date of the Dynamo Kiev matches are wrong they were in January 1966 not March.

     
  • At 05/04/07 21:55, shun_zoom_spark said…

    Oh aye - meant to say earlier, fine article today Paul.

    I remember (late 80s) the warm welcome Archie would get when climbing into the gantry above the Jungle, usually in the form of a "give us a wave" chant...

    The reception that Joke Brown got on the days STV were in Parkhead, however, was somewhat less cordial and rather more profane...

    Btw - does anyone remember the name of the book (not sure of author, Crampsey mibbe?) published about 20 yrs ago abt the Lisbon Lions? Each chapter covered one of the games before going into a mini-bio of a squad member. Really fond memories of this book but can't find it in my house anymore, nor online!

    Anyone shed any Lisbon light?

     
  • At 05/04/07 21:58, Sean South said…

    Just watched Celtic beat Hearts 3-1 in a 1966 Scottish Cup tie at Parkhead on Celtic TV.

    Made me squirm just after Steve Chalmers scored the third and the Celtic fans burst into an embarrassing chorus of "Follow, follow, we will follow Celtic....

    Up to our knees in Orange blood we will follow on."

    Has forgotten about this sad episode in our history and can actually remember singing it myself along with "There's not a team like the Glasgow Celtic, no not one etc."

    Oh how things have changed.Thank God.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:01, No Bread No Cakes said…

    Sean South

    What was the song we had that went to the tune of Georgia as used by them for billy boys. I can only remember the last line of the chorus
    'Big Jock manager of Celtic' I was only a nipper when BJ was in charge.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:01, VargasShampoo said…

    JonG - dunno about the Michael Owen one, but your other hunch would not be a shock especally if he brought with him an ex bhoy who has a get out clause.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:06, noel90 said…

    Roy Keane -Celtic Manager ?

    Are you off your heads ?

    Behave.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:19, Sean South said…

    Shun_zoom_spark

    I have a fairly large library of Celtic literature.

    My collection includes the many books which are fully or partly dedicated to Lisbon 1967.

    My guess is that the book your refer to is Celtic Triumphant by Ian Peebles which exactly fits the format you outline.

    I have two versions: the original was published in 1967 by Stanley Paul and Co, London.

    The second published by The Sportsmans Book Club, London, in 1968, cost 8 shillings and 6 pence.

    You will now pay £20-plus for the Stanley Paul version and £12-15 for the Sportmans Book Club version.

    For a good read on the Lions triumph I can also recommend:

    The Lisbon Lions by Andy Dougan (Virgin)1997 (£14.99)and Celtic in Europe by Graham McColl (Mainstream) (£14.99).

    Hope this helps.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:22, Sean South said…

    No bread no cakes: Know the one you mean but can't remember the lyrics (maybe just as well).

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:23, greenlion2 said…

    A good wee video

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:25, greenlion2 said…

    NBNC I am sure I have it on a record in my mothers house. I will be in over the weekend and I will look it out if no one has came up with the words by then

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:26, WGS said…

    Collie,

    £3.25 million on the table for a Petrov return. It's up to Villa whether they accept!! Stanley wants oot ASAP, but Villa wanting most of their money back. Ball in Villa court.

    If i was the sharp suited man i would put Balde as part of the deal and get shot of him of the wage bill.

    STRIKERS:

    Who is the marquee blue chip striker we are in for? Names are getting banded about right left and centre.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:28, Bhoy_Molloy said…

    Nice read Paul67,

    I think when MON took over he put missing steel into Celtic just the very same as Jock did. I cannot remember any team that could out muscle O'Neills team, outplayed yes. As for the current incumbents team its an obvious weakness and signing 5'8" strikers is not going to help.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:28, shun_zoom_spark said…

    Thanks for the info Sean, it's much appreciated. I'll try and hunt some of yr suggestions down at the weekend.

    If it was the Peebles book I was thinking of, I'm rather surprised at it being out of print - I do recall it being a fine read, but I guess that's why callow teenagers don't call the shots in literary circles...

    Anyway, much obliged again.

    Cheers, SZS

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:28, Sean South said…

    Noel90: Can't believe you wouldn't want Roy Keane. He is going to be a truly great manager. Mark my words.

    I have not been so impressed with a manager since I first saw his mentors Brian Clough and Alex Ferguson in their early days.

    Jong: Michael Owen- thirty minutes league football for Newcastle in 16 months- couldn't be touched until he has played at least half a season and proved his fitness.

    There are Celtic fans in his family (I knew his late uncle a huge Tim) but at £100,000-a-week you can forget him.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:33, Bhoy_Molloy said…

    Roy Keane is already a manager that demands 100% and is getting it. You can just tell he is going to immense.

    Manager of Celtic, tomorrow please.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:39, finbar42 said…

    Shun Zoom @ 21:55

    The book you mean is called 'One Afternoon In Lisbon' by Kevin McCarra. It was published by mainstream in 1988. A brilliant book if you can still hold of a copy.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:43, Collie said…

    No Bread No Cakes

    Nae Gow ,is a lad who knows da way tae goal,
    He played for the G.A. when he wis young, or so I am done tole,

    I''ll nae haud that agin him, fur he is Quick and he is Tricky,
    Ah've seen him play agin us, an' he seen him Slyly tak da Mickey!

    A man who has One Gless Ee...an' wi' his ither... Canny See!...
    Kin see whit Gordo's Master Plan is.... an'it's no bin missed, by me!

    It's catch 'em Young a tak a Chance,
    Jist like Matt the Busby did..
    Fur, even if only Wan woiks oot....

    We'll save 10 Million Quid!

    Nooadays, there's no a chance in da place that rhymes wi' Bell,

    That we kin compete in the Transfer Stakes,
    wi' the teams of the E.P.L.

    Pierre and Gordo and ye kin include da Board...
    Know that we must master de art... in sneekin' Potential Kids,
    IT'S AWE WE KIN AFFORD!

    So, when ye see we're in fur YOUNG Un's....
    Like Roy or Billy or Moe,
    Remember whit ah done tole thee,
    It's da ONLY WAY TAE GO!


    It's a well known fact tae every Tailor,
    an' any one, who's ever cut a Swath,
    Ye kin only Cut a Suit tae Suit... the quantity o' yer Cloth.

    collie.
    Awaggin',Awaggin'

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:44, shun_zoom_spark said…

    Top man Finbar, that's the one. A brilliant book indeed. Thanks for the info.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:44, newtagggsybhoy said…

    Back to Archie, If you haven't read the Jock Stein biography, you are in for a treat. Its up there with "glory and the dream" and "one afternoon in lisbon". Quality.

    It is such a ripsnorter that my mother in law has read it.

    My MIL is a church going Prod from Larkhall. Mining stock, moved to Fife just after general strike.

    Not knowing Larkhall that well, apparantly, Burnbank (where Jock comes from) runs into Larkhall, hence my MIL interest.

    She usually has no interest in football at all. Anyway, Archie's book is so good, my MIL thinks big Jock is the bees knees!

    Usually my MIL and FIL humour and tolerate my Celtic supporting antics. Now, I actually think they are on my side!

    I cannot believe my MIL reading a football book. But, this is more than a football book, as you know. and what a read it is.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:45, Gordon said…

    sean south....I believe the story about Goldie the goalkeeper is true.

    William Goldie played in goal at Broomfield in October 1960 when we lost 2-0.

    Apparently he "gave away" both goals.

    It was his only first team appearance.

    NBNC...I think the Jock Stein song you refer too goes along the lines ...

    Celtic have a manager Big Jock Stein is his name.

    He is the greatest name in sport he knows the football game.

    Without a doubt he has the brains he made the Celtic great.

    Big Jock manager of Celtic!

    Another line I recall is

    He took over Celtic and he gave the Rangers hell (Sorry Paul!)

    Chorus...Hello big Jock we'll hit this team for six.

    Hello Big Jock for you know all the tricks.

    We'll beat them all around the field we'll really have a go.

    Big Jock manager of Celtic.

    They don't write songs like that any more (thankfully!)

    shun_zoom_spark...I think you may be referring to the book "One Afternoon in Lisbon" by Kevin McCarra & Pat Woods.

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:48, setting free the bears said…

    Deutsch Bhoy @21.15 and 21.20

    Sorry I had to go out after I posted. It must be an amazing experience to have played against teams at that level. I toured twice in Germany in the late 70's but the teams I played against are mostly defunct now. I remember Korschenbroich VC from near Moenchengladbach and I also toured in the Saarland and played against Saarlouis VC. (If your the polish descended boy I think you are, you might find your Uncle Thomas was on that tour with me). My main memory is of the many micro breweries they had and how their lagers left you speechless or croaky in the morning. After a week of training, playing and drinking we all sounded like Lee Marvin. I'm guessing that, if you play semi pro, you'll have to behave yourself a bit better than we did.

    I know some of the Glasgow Irish VC boys but mostly the older generation of players.

    Back to Celtic. As you said you were a physio, can you tell us this, Is JVOH ever gonna escape the treatment room?

     
  • At 05/04/07 22:57, ValeBhoy said…

    Sean South

    2140

    I bow to your superior knowledge of the Hoops.

    I am not aware of a Jimmy Goldie, but is it possible, that the Goldie you refer to is Peter Goldie, who I think made a few appearances for Celtic in the 50s.
    He was our old Assistant Head at St. Pat's Dumbarton, with a very good managerial record of his own at schools under-18 level

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:10, Collie said…

    WGS

    The Petted Pet is no fur us, we ur Bettah aff withoot him,

    In da last Five months when he wiz here....his play wiz rank an' GRIM!

    When we goat shot o' him .. we wur laughin' awe da way tae da Bank....
    Noo, If ye asked me tae take back he...
    I'd gie ye a Big NO THANK!

    Ah know da thur ur still many oot there,
    who dinna agree wit' US,

    Ah am sorry, but ah must tell ye...
    straight......
    WE DINNA RATE HIM!
    ...so please don't rant and Cuss!

    Yet,if ye feel ye must.... Go richt ahead.....ye kin let da steam hiss high.
    But tae us it'll no mak the slightest impression...
    An' in this we dinnae, lie!

    Pet da Pet...... ?Ye surely must JOKIN??
    It's much bettah tae leave him where he is...
    An' let da Villa fans enjoy his MOPIN'!

    collie.
    Tail's Awaggin', Awaggin'

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:12, Sean South said…

    Valebhoy:Yes the Goldie I am referring to is Peter, an outfield player between 1955 and 1957.

    Gordon:Spot on, Willie Goldie played in goal in a 2-0 defeat at Airdrie on October 1, 1960.

    Archie calls him Jimmy Goldie but that must be who he meant.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:15, Deutsch_bhoy said…

    I have no idea whats going on with JVOH, it doesnt seem to be like Beattie, as in the same injury every time. I had heard a rumour similar to one someone brought up recently and that was he never played more than 3 games straight with PSV. It is possible that he is as they say in Germany ''Ein weiches Ei'' literally translated as ''a soft egg''.

    I found a great Irish bar in Hanover to watch the Milan game but they never showed the Rangers game because Ireland were playing in the rugby, however I wasn't so dissapointed to miss it when I read about it here.

    And yeah there's not many Polish decended volleyballers in Scotland, you got who I am in one. And life isn't quite one huge party here compared to when you and my uncle graced them with your company, but the management dont frown on you having a good time after the game on a Saturday.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:15, tinytim said…

    Collie .

    E Tims rumour Mill Roy Makaay.

    He doesn't fit the young,cheap and (hopefully) improving mould.

    Any chance?

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:15, WGS said…

    Collie,

    Would not normally make statements like this but i got the tip off a no bad source. I aint saying he is right, but it's a pretty bold statement to be coming away with.

    Also got told a wee story regarding Mr Molly after the Scotland game. Looks it hasn't taken him long to realise what a bd career move he just made.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:19, WGS said…

    Collie,

    Blue chip marquee striker anything?? Even a wee tease perhaps.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:23, El Diego Bhoy said…

    WGS

    I thought Collie said earlier that there won't be any big money buys as they don't necessarily work out.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:26, tinytim said…

    EDB he did.


    I was hoping that it was a red herring.However i very much doubt it.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:29, sospan said…

    Hi,

    Just come across the thread - searching about my home town Llanelli. We still have the "Jock Stein" bar in Llanelli AFC in respect of the man

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:29, sospan said…

    Hi,

    Just come across the thread - searching about my home town Llanelli. We still have the "Jock Stein" bar in Llanelli AFC in respect of the man

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:29, sospan said…

    Hi,

    Just come across the thread - searching about my home town Llanelli. We still have the "Jock Stein" bar in Llanelli AFC in respect of the man

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:33, El Diego Bhoy said…

    tinytim

    Somehow I can't see us NOT bringing in a proven goal scorer this summer. Just a hunch I suppose.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:36, greenlion2 said…

    Interestingly reading that the RST have offered man Utd fans support in their fight (no pun intended)against the big bad polis.

    Is this not the same Man utd fans who ran riot at the bigotdome according to them.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:38, Tom the Tim said…

    NBNC,
    My father told me of a day when he was about ten years old, returning from a prize winning competition with the St.Mungo's choir.
    It was around 1924-5 and we had beaten Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi by 5-0.

    To the tune you mentioned, were the words ;

    A-ONE, A-TWO ,A-3, A-4, A-5, repeat,
    WE BEAT THE rANGERS IN THE CUP,
    AS SURE AS YOU'RE ALIVE,
    BY A-1,2,3, A-4, A-5.

    takes you back a bit, eh!

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:45, hoopla said…

    I'm in favour of the plan of bringing in a few youngsters and seeing how they go.

    However, if we don't bring in a proven goalscorer come the summer, I think there will be a serious amount of fan discontent.

    We sold Stan for a packet, we got to the CL group stages, we've taken serious steps to reduce the wage bill, and we didn't spend much in the last transfer window.

    The revenue has come in, and people will want to see it go out. Even I, a staunch supporter of the current manager and general setup, would be very dissatisfied if a proven quality striker wasn't brought in.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:46, greenlion2 said…

    EDB/Tinytim im not looking for too many singings as I hope we start bringing through the Bhoys.

    We need to either move a lot of players off our books soon as there seems to be an awful lot of very succesful players who need to make it in the first team or else moved.

    At the begining of the season I said that a good season would be a domestic double not embarrassing oourself in Europe and a few young players establishing themself.

    It has not worked to bad.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:48, El Diego Bhoy said…

    hoopla

    I agree to some extent with what you say but we can't drag quality goal scorers screaming and kicking to CP.

    These top quality guys can command top dollar and we can't compete with the EPL for example.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:55, greenlion2 said…

    Hoopla this not a leading question but who do you think realistically would come to us as a proven scorer at our level. i.e. Not a proven scorer in a league below us.

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:55, greenlion2 said…

    I still have faith in Majiec

     
  • At 05/04/07 23:56, greenlion2 said…

    I still have faith in Majiec

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:01, hoopla said…

    Well I think the draw of Champions League football is still considerable - and the fact we got to the knockout phase won't be lost on players & agents.

    I agree the SPL is a big handicap in terms of draw, and also that we can't expect to compete with the Premiership on the cash front.

    So when I say a proven quality striker I'm not talking about Villa or Torres - even the likes of Roy Makaay would surprise me - but someone of the general calibre of JVoH, only a faster more nippy style of player...

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:04, El Diego Bhoy said…

    hoopla

    Scott McDonald :o)

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:05, Collie said…

    Tiny Tim

    You know me an' ah know you,
    Ye're are lad who will no be deceived by a deceiver,

    So if I say, I dinnae think DAT Roy is de ROY we'll get,
    Fur Makaay wull cost too much Beaver!

    I'll backtrack a bit, fur whit ah said may escape the notice o' yer ee.....

    Da Roy we're efter resides in da South..
    O' da land dat's across da sea!

    Oor Roy is no in the guid auld U.S.A....He's no even in Timbuktu.
    He'll no be found in an Oslo Ground, or even, in a cage at da ZOO....

    But this much ah wull tell ye... he is slick an' is quick, an' intae da bargain... has Fight!

    But maist important tae da Celts...
    His price and Age ur jist right!

    So tae mak myself so poifectly clear,
    Mr.Maakay wid break da bank,

    An furthermore,tae express myself... I wull continue tae be frank...

    Naw... his kind o' fish is oot o'oor reach, an' must remain ensconced in da tank!

    Fur his pay alone, we'd need tae hiv much mair gelt, so we'd hivtae, float a Loan!....
    which wid mak da bankers very upset.... an' oor Directors cuss and moan!




    collie.
    Tail's Awaggin', Awaggin'.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:09, hoopla said…

    EDB -

    Aye, like we'd sign Scott Mc... [eek]

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:10, greenlion2 said…

    Hoopla when we signed Jan I spoke to a few Dutch guys I work with and they said he would not score goals for us but would lead the line and I said that is exactly what we need.

    Someone who could bring Majiec into the game or any other player beside him.

    2 things I believe that have went wrong is that Jan has not got a run of games due to injury and also when he has been fit he has never had a settled partner due to injury of the rest of them.

    Probably a third we (unless Paul Telfer has been playing ) we do not create a lot of goal scoring chances. A bit controversial but I think he gave us a good balance to the team.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:12, greenlion2 said…

    collie are we bringing back the bear?

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:15, greenlion2 said…

    Hoopla you need to remember we still have to qualify for the CL next season.

    Also if i was a player looking in ans saying in reality you are going to a pot 3 team maybe pot 2 then you are taking a gamble for a potential 6 game season. Especially if we do not pay top dollar.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:19, hoopla said…

    Yes, what I got from the Dutch contingent at the time was similar: he won't score a bucketload on the ground, but a) he will score regularly with his head if you get the delivery into the box, and 2) he will work hard and make space and goals for other players.

    So far that's be borne out for me, and I'm confident he will come good given an injury-free run.

    Majic is a player I admire - good skill, good vision, and can bang them in against quality opposition when in the mood. But he seems to lack a certain something in the drive/energy/enthusiasm end of the scale - which I think Scott McDonald would provide - but I'm not convinced he has the ball skills to be top notch.

    I still want to see Riordan get a run in a strikr's role, but I'm being forced to the conclusion that may never happen...

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:21, hoopla said…

    Sorry - instead of a) and 2) that should of course have read b) and 1)...

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:22, El Diego Bhoy said…

    hoopla

    Widnae worry about it. There's only 3 of us here!

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:24, WGS said…

    Collie,

    Tell me you don't mean Roy O Donovan?

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:24, greenlion2 said…

    and noen of us can tpye

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:25, El Diego Bhoy said…

    I cannot stand David Pleat.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:25, greenlion2 said…

    EDB did you go to St Pats? I think I ahve aksed you before

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:26, big liam said…

    Collie ,


    Roy O'Donovan?




    P.s Add Bellamy , the REBEL will come.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:26, hoopla said…

    El Diego Bhoy said...

    "I cannot stand David Pleat."

    :) There's times when you just have to get these things off your chest, innit?

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:29, hoopla said…

    Was "Pleaty" doing the Spurs match tonight?

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:30, El Diego Bhoy said…

    GL2

    I went to St.Pat's Dumbarton, not the copycat in ML2 or whatever it's known as these days by WG and his cronies :o).

    Chennaiseabird attended at the same time. I believe he is in Sri Lanka at the minute with Mrs Chennai but unluckily the Tamil Tigers are a bit stroppy just now!

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:33, El Diego Bhoy said…

    hoopla

    Watching the "highlights" now and Pleaty is chipping in with his tuppence worth.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:35, BhoyinGott said…

    WGS,
    I'm afraid your right. Along with Sharp,Naismith, McGowan and A.N. other they comprise the cheaper, nippier option for the other WGS to choose from.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:38, El Diego Bhoy said…

    Bhoyin

    So there are 2 WGS'sssss?

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:39, greenlion2 said…

    EDB I knew a few guys who attended there and an ex celtic (fringe) player who taught there and then found the light to come over and teach in the bright lights.

    This would have been around the mid 70's.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:40, WGS said…

    BhoyinGott,

    McGowan is already ours. He is on loan at Morton.

    I don't doubt Collie about O Donovan and Sharp, one of them may yet come. However, there will be a top notch proven scorer as well.

    Remeber Magic, Miller, Beattie will be gone.

    At the moment that only leaves McDonald AND JVOH.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:43, El Diego Bhoy said…

    GL2

    By which time I was long gone!

    Anyhow I've been well depressed with the majority of posts this week. Think Paul's post earlier today (yesterday) has been helpful in picking things up again and thankfully a home game ahead this weekend.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:43, hoopla said…

    Aye, Bleaty used to play for Spurs I think - or he was their manager or summat.

    The thing that annoys me about him is that he could genuinely aspire to the class of Ron Atkinson - but he's just that wee bit too circumspect. It's a wasted potential if you ask me.

    After all he is the man who brought us "It's a cat-and-carrot situation"...

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:46, BhoyinGott said…

    This post has been removed by the author.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:48, El Diego Bhoy said…

    Anyone got any music things to post?

    We really miss Pablophanque.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:48, ants said…

    i think we need to face reality, "proven goalscorers" from decent calibre leaguescommand a 8 figure fee, just look at kuyt for example and thats in the dutch league.

    proven to me means guarantees goals.

    i think we need to try young lads in the hope they turn out to realise their potential as when the strt realising it near the top they go out our price league. bellamy is all the rage yet he could not be classed a proven goalscorer, people like bent before he went to charlton etc

    perhaps a proven goalscorer in a lesser enviroment in the hope he can step up, like magic for example.

    roy makaay is e-tims pants as is metzelder he has been heavily linked with real madrid!

    however the old addage you get what you pay for normally, i say normally, bears true.

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:48, BhoyinGott said…

    The REAL WGS,

    I agree that there will be a more proven striker as well as the young un, but I think McGowan is in the running for that slot.
    He seems to have impressed the imposter(as opposed to the poster!).

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:50, Collie said…

    WGS

    Afore ah go fur ma Kibble 'n' Bits...oh! Ah forgoat they are no longer safe or recommended!...

    So I'll just steel mysel' an' go tae tae dinner wi' da Boss,
    'cos if ah don't... he'll be mortally offended!(????)

    Noo, tae get back tae yer tale aboot Molly's regret o' leavin' the Nest in high dudgeon,

    It wiz sich a shock tae me and also, that Un-named... but Lovable, Curmudgeon!

    I hiv been informed of da reason dat caused the young fledgling, to flee from da nest....

    The reason is sound!....... an dat's awe ah wull say...
    for I'll nevah break a shared Confidence,

    So, my dear pal.... I must tell you..that your rumour's a rumour and just that..
    And who spread it is wrong, and it disnae belong, for it jist a thing brought in by da cat!

    For tales such as this, one should take, with some salt,
    For it's nonsense.... and must be brought to a Halt!

    collie,
    Tail's Awaggin', Awaggin'
    Good Evening, Dear friends....
    For ma Tale's at an end.

    Adios!

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:51, greenlion2 said…

    EDB thanks for that im starting to get to the middle age of the blog rather than the aul hauns.

    I have been uplifted by blantyrekevs and someone elses (apologies I cant remember who) posted yesterday about their dads as it brought back many outstanding memories of my dad and also I had an e-mail from TinyTim which also was very uplifting and showed his love for our club and his family.

    Pauls lead today was also great leading into a great weekend for me when my 2 oldest cubs come back form being away, we see hopefully us winning the league and we have the end of Lent......

     
  • At 06/04/07 00:58, El Diego Bhoy said…

    GL2

    Maybe we'll be meeting up in the near future!?

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:00, greenlion2 said…

    David Bowie

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:03, greenlion2 said…

    Party fears

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:07, greenlion2 said…

    EDB I agree with missing Pablo the DJ.

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:08, hoopla said…

    But GL2 steps up to the plate...

    I've always wondered if Party Fears One was any good?

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:11, hoopla said…

    Martha & the Muffins

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:11, greenlion2 said…

    Watchow gave me this a while ago and its good

    ESG

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:13, El Diego Bhoy said…

    GL2

    I've been a great fan of David Bowie since day one, and Lou Reed.

    Not sure what that says about me.

    In a different sense my almost 20 year old daughter is a huge fan of Queen and also these days is heavily into Joni Mitchell.

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:18, hoopla said…

    Ahh, good call on Joni

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:21, greenlion2 said…

    Hoopla I always have a bond with Party fears as I was in a pub listening to them singing it and then the same week they were on TOTP singing it. I still class it as 1 of my top favourite songs ever....and I never even got my gnats that night...but thats not unusual unless you are Tom Jones

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:24, El Diego Bhoy said…

    hoopla

    Didn't Joni become disilluisonned and pack it in for a while?

    You don't have Big Yellow Taxi per chance?

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:29, fluffy bunny said…

    Celtic Passion!

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:30, greenlion2 said…

    EDB I was talking to Pablo the other day (I say talking through e-mail) and I said at the time of Queen night at the opera im sure band on the run was out and a an album by a group called fox. I thought Night was the worst of the 3.
    Also with their leanings toward south africa at the time they stuck in my throat along with most bands who done live aid. (the original for all you youngsters)

    Most of them made their careers on it.

    But I wont go there as it is something that really gets me when a billionare tells me I have to give my money to charity. Buts thats just Bono for you and no he and U2 did not move their office off shore to escape taxes.....

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:31, hoopla said…

    Greenlion - Yeah it's a cracker, and I think Martha of the Muffins plays the kybd line on it. She certainly sings on the album...

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:35, hoopla said…

    EDB -

    Yeah I think like Captain Beefheart she packd in the music for a while to concentrate on painting...

    The Taxi

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:36, greenlion2 said…

    Someone order a taxi

    Taxi for someone

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:38, hoopla said…

    Here, that's another thought..

    Ee-lec-tri-ci-tee

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:39, greenlion2 said…

    Yet another classic CQN song

    Rod and Amy

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:43, El Diego Bhoy said…

    Thanks gents

    Very much appreciated. I'll convey these clips to No.1 daughter later.

    Goodnight and God Bless.

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:45, hoopla said…

    "Don't worry about the football team, you can sing darlin" :)

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:50, hoopla said…

    Night edb...

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:51, greenlion2 said…

    Hoopla not to keen on them

    As I cant find Rod doing it on youtube

     
  • At 06/04/07 01:53, El Diego Bhoy said…

    hoopla

    Some lager and wine yet to quaff so I'll be around for a bit yet.

     
  • At 06/04/07 02:00, El Diego Bhoy said…

    GL2

    Happy with the Stereophonics.

    Cheers nate.

     
  • At 06/04/07 02:09, greenlion2 said…

    I need to get to bed soon as Kissing the cross is under 10 hours or maybe for me 15 myself. Please dont tell WG im drinking into Good Friday as I still class this as Holy Thursday as no one washed my feet.

    WG did you get your feet washed with the gout


    Back to the music

    The Verve

     
  • At 06/04/07 02:10, hoopla said…

    Heh.. been chuckling away a bit ere -

    Eddie Izzard discusses HM the Queen

     
  • At 06/04/07 02:13, hoopla said…

    More Verve

    Vid a trifle cheezy, but some song...

     
  • At 06/04/07 02:21, hoopla said…

    And More Stereophonics

     
  • At 06/04/07 02:25, greenlion2 said…

    Hoopla I watched the EI stuff I think he is very clued up but not laugh out loud funny.

    Im on 1 more drink and bed...Honest.

     
  • At 06/04/07 02:27, hoopla said…

    I've been saying that for the last hour or so.

    The problem of YouTube addiction has not been fully studied yet...

     
  • At 06/04/07 02:40, greenlion2 said…

    And I give you the manics

     
  • At 06/04/07 02:52, hoopla said…

    Ah good call again -

    Right that's me had my chips, gnight & Happy Easter...

    Manics Live

     
  • At 06/04/07 02:56, greenlion2 said…

    Hoopla and anyone else who are lurking i hope you have a great weekend.

     
  • At 06/04/07 03:03, greenlion2 said…

    Last 1 before bed. The greatest sermon I ever heard from a priest when he played this
    1 of the best songs ever

     
  • At 06/04/07 06:24, noel90 said…

    E-Tims Rumour Mill

     
  • At 06/04/07 07:03, James said…

    LOL

     
  • At 06/04/07 07:04, JonG said…

    Morning;

    Collie:

    Roy Keane and the prospect of Stan Petrov back? The dream team,leader and captain.

    Can't wait.

    Have a nice Easter bhoys three points on Saturday will set us up nicely.

    Now,back to the abyss.


    Hail Hail

    JonG

     
  • At 06/04/07 08:26, timlord said…

    So, according to Collie our forward line next year will be drawn from JVOH, MacDonald, Roy O'Donovan (the Cork striker) and maybe - if we're really lucky - Billy Sharpe from Scunthorpe.

    There's a line-up to have European CL teams quaking in their boots.

    Sounds like Sharpe is the "top big name" striker we are after. Well, I suppose he has appeared on Soccer AM.

    So it's goodbye to Bobo, Lennie, Magic, Miller and Beattie.

    We ain't going to raise a whole lot of cash to service the debt there.

    So you can prbably wave goodbye to Boruc and Naka as well.

    Our only saleable assets. That should raise around £10m to offset failing to qualify for Europe.

    And of course Naka's departure will finally give Deeks a starting role in the team.

    Oh I'm looking forward to it.

    Team 3 - don't make me laugh

    Down the hill and into the mineshaft.

    PS

    BIG TIP

    If any of you want to know who Collie will be promoting as our next signing - READ the papers. All of them. You can do it on the net for free.

    It's a lot easier than trying to decipher his rhymes and you'll have heard it long before his wee doggy brain gets round to making a poem up about it

     
  • At 06/04/07 08:43, Zbyszek said…

    Good, eventfull days and real Passover to all.

     
  • At 06/04/07 10:43, VargasShampoo said…

    Timlord - you sound a bit gloomy mate & i concede that our playing style hasn't been the greatest this year but it's another succesful season in terms of honours, so although there's plenty of room for improvement, one really can't grumble.

    I know what your saying in terms of trying to sign players from teams like Scunthorpe but if i told you that 2 of our biggest underacheivers this season have been players we signed from Real Madrid & Chelsea, then i'd much prefer the club & it's supporters to have faith in the scouting network that has unearthed players like Boruc, Nakamura, Naylor etc. When we signed Boruc - did you say 'Oh i'm sure that this unknown Polish keeper will turn out to be World Class?

    The financial reality we're in means that we have to unearth gems before they hit their peak & whilst they are affordable. All playing staff have a shelf life & should be considered sellable assets & we have to capitalise on acquiring the best SPL players & Bosmans we can & try & bring through our own youth. That is the kind of formula that serves teams like Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Porto, Benfica etc well & that's why they are consistently able to perform well domestically & in Europe.

    The days of players playing for the jersey or committing themselves to Celtic for a number of years because of their affection towards the club are long gone. You can either head down the Mineshaft or accept reality & get right behind the team

     
  • At 06/04/07 10:45, TerryO'Neill said…

    Collie Naegow(Naesmith)isnae the type of signing to excite the fans.

    If as you say we are going for up and coming then i can see the sense.

    Nevertheless a bluechip recognised name should always be on our shopping list as well.

     
  • At 06/04/07 10:54, thismancraig said…

    It's like a carbon copy of last year, 'Dublin the big name summer signing'. Just as a reminder to the mineshafters (on Good Friday - I suspect the same will be needed on Fair Monday as well) last summer we signed players for greater than and circa to £2m from:

    The English Champions Chelsea;
    The Dutch Champions PSV; and
    Real Madrid.

    For these players we competed with and beat Premiership sides. That they haven't worked out is not the fault of Peter Lawwell or the board.

    We need a pool of 4 strikers - if two of them are Naysmith and McDonald then fine, as long as the other two are JVofH and someone of similar / better pedigree and ability (the big money buy and not Bellamy).

    I think the possibility of playing 3 up front should be considered with Riordan wide left. This is the only way I see Riordan in the team as he offers half of what Aiden offers in the left midfield slot.

     
  • At 06/04/07 11:27, mgm78 said…

    pity he was nuts, what a finisher, just what we need the now

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qck6xdMqmqM

     
  • At 06/04/07 11:32, watchow said…

    timlord

    we made 17m profit in the last half year. the debt stands at 9m.

    we dont need any money from transfers to service the debt.

    i look forward to 1 september when we can look back on the transfer window and see you're talking total mince.

    i think you may well we looking forward to the summer to see just how right you are about the big bad board.

    ps BIG TIP

    give the personal insults a rest - collie's a good guy.

     
  • At 06/04/07 11:40, monteblanco said…

    Timlord

    Collies posts are at least entertaining and without malice. Yours are, however a long way short of either.

    Repetitive negative claptrap.

    Boring
    boring boring.

    Somebody PLEASE board up that mineshaft with wee timdwarf inside, his catchphrase "down the hill and into the mineshaft" has got to be the most utterly pathetic rallying call of all time.

    If supporting Celtic is such a chore why bother, your happiness should come first. Give yourself and everybody else a break.

    Go read the news of the world, or do you write it?

    Walk on with hope in my heart - My erchie! Youre heart is a wee knarly black twisted poisonous organ, you feed off of doom, that obviously makes you tick - how sad for you.

    Oops, I just attacked a fellow poster, a big no no in my book, however I will happily make an exception in your case and take whatever. I should actually thank you, you make me feel glad.

    Thank god I am not as sad and miserable and pathetic as you.

    You are more than in your element when you predict (bordering on hope) that Celtic have no ambition. This is an absurd standpoint.

    Not only because you were proved a complete and utter fool last year when we spent serious money on Hesselink and Graveson. But you continue unabashed this year again. There is no fool like an old fool.

    You do your team a disservice Sir.

    Happy Easter Timlord.

    For "happy" see dictionary.

    oopsdidIjusttypethatoutloud.CSC

     
  • At 06/04/07 11:43, jimtim said…

    hi paul, fellow celts . been busy all week ,just caught up with the posts. paul may i go back to your last start re gordon strachan. we my friend have discussed this on a few occasions.i am not a lover of gordon ,imho we could do better in that dept. i feel we are playing dreadful football .and as far as i am concerned had it not been for the state of our friends across the city ,and mr romanov,s carry on we wouldnt be running away with the title.i see in a few of the posts.the authors feel we are too light,and that they feel walter will realise this and as is the rangers way ,build a big strong rough outfit ,paul i highlighted this downside on here months ago , the bhoys who sit near me at the games see it too,.i understand gs is not responsible for tg not doing what we bought him for .i also see a 6ft 4 inch jj getting pushed about the park,(he could do with the heart from anyone of 60,000all around him)i also feel that he holds onto guys who imo will never do a job for celtic , we all know who they are. and i ask my fellow celts do you not think we need a clear out,some of the one,s i would like to see going may hang on due to their contracts but i would make them aware that unless a huge improvment is made there will be no future for them. i also look at our team, and see downsizing on all counts. our defence is not as good or as safe in the air as our previous sides .imo we have not replaced mjallby..joos yes even big ramon vega with better, i look back on a midfield of lambert,lubo, and an interested stan petrov .and yes a younger nl as well .then my word the k.o.k ,and big sutty, i know i am going to get slated by my fellow celts for my thoughts but i honestly believe we could buy better than what we have struggling in certain positions.all i ask is that if we have erred in our buys and they are not doing the job then wgs move them on and use your highly rated mr clark to get you better.they ARE out there and wouldnt cost the earth .
    hail hail

     
  • At 06/04/07 11:45, inthedark said…

    11

     
  • At 06/04/07 11:49, inthedark said…

    monteblanco

    I think you will find TimLord and others myself included were proved correct last summer. Thomas Gravesen and JVOH were paid for by the sale of Stan Petrov. Go away an calculate the net spend last summer.

    This summer will be more of the same. I gaurantee you that any 'BLUE CHIP' signings will be payed for by large incoming transfer fees probably Naka Boruc or both. Again I would ask you to look at net transfer spend at the end of the summer.

     
  • At 06/04/07 11:58, Pob said…

    Jimtim,

    Thats a fair enough comment except I think you ignored or forgotten one important fact.

    WGS had to operate with less money than MON had.

    We did, as you pointed out, downsize. So yes some of the quality on show this year will not be the same as the seville season.

    It is either our good fortune or good planning that we have downsized but still remained bigger than every other club in the league.

    Now we are on a firm financial footing, as you say I'd be hoping to start upsizing as much of the team as finances allow.

    Hail Hail
    Pob

     
  • At 06/04/07 12:01, Belfast Bhoy said…

    Paul,

    Just a quick question/note in relation to the recent violence at the euro matches and its affect on either the atlantic league idea or the extended "super" "champions league! Now while I think we have certainly put quite a lot of distance between ourselves and the view in some countries that "here comes another british club" thinking. I dont think it will have put to bed any UEFA thinking on an extended champions league involving any england, spain or italian teams. However teh idea of an atlantic teams league with big clubs from smaller nations who dont have the same national histories together might have benefitted. Even the commentator asked (909) last night why can celtic fans go somewhere...yet english teams cant... italian fellas response was... reputation (rightly or wrongly) and the status a hooligan give to fightin wit hthem

     
  • At 06/04/07 12:04, CambuslangisaReality said…

    In the dark: How would you prefer the club to be run?

    We can only spend money that we have. If you preferred us to adopt a risky transfer policy then you should take a wee look at what's taking place at Snake Mountain. After years of kamikaze spending, gambling with money that is not theirs & taking on comedy loans. They are now paying the price. Would you rather us we went chasing Fool's Gold as well?

     
  • At 06/04/07 12:04, Chairbhoy said…

    Paul,

    Great Article – interesting insight from Archie MacPherson - Not really into biographies but I may well get me’sel’ a wee Easter present!

    Some great anecdotes………..If Gordon spots one of oor SIX(6) in a row reserve strikers on his way to CP on Saturday he could do worse!

    Happy Passover Zbyszek!

    Chairbhoy:theygaveuudannymcgrain&williemcstayCSC

     
  • At 06/04/07 12:07, watchow said…

    in the dark

    i think you will find that all signings up to and including jvoh were paid for out of the budget

    as peter lawwell said we did not need to sell petrov to pay for any of the signings.

    you remember that we did not have to sell petrov unless we got the amount we thought he was worth, and until we had a replacement lined up.

    tommy g and the differfence in wages between him and stan was paid for by the sale of stan. we had money left over which paid for harltey and pressley in the winter with some money still left over perhaps.

    jvoh wasnt paid for by petrovs transfer fee. we were in the market for a striker - it looked like we had 2 options, a cheap one and a more expensive one. when hearts were knocked out of teh cl before the group stages that guaranteed us more cl tv monsy - hence we went for the more expensive option.

    as i said pawwell said we didnt have to sell petrov to pay for jvoh. are you calling him a liar?

    thats some sort of statement - you "guarantee" that singings will be paid for by large incoming fees. lets wait until 1 september. see if your "guarantee" holds up

     
  • At 06/04/07 12:18, Chairbhoy said…

    in the dark,

    IF!!!!!!!

    Petrov’s fee was used to fund the summers transfer budget,HOW do you explain the bottom line?????????

     
  • At 06/04/07 12:27, thismancraig said…

    I personally hope we sell a player for close on £8m every summer and spend the money we get in.

    Isn't that how sustainable, successful football clubs like PSV Eindhoven and Ajax operate?

    Och I forgot, we're Celtic - financial realities don't apply to us. Into the mineshaft then.

     
  • At 06/04/07 12:38, jimtim said…

    pob. thank you for your reply and your courtesy . although all the names mentioned were all mon men .it was meant as a general example, i accept we will probably never ever see another henrik,or jinky or kenny etc.but i dont think that we should drop from grade 1 players to grade 4 players to occupy the vacant positions,i also understand that gs didnt have the budget mon had and i also appreciate he took us to a level that mon didnt .ie cl last 16. i am maybe guilty of wanting constant improvment and not wanting to pick up a paper or listen to the tv pundits telling us that man u or ac milan will thump us , but i feel we need better players than we have at the moment to prevent that .

     
  • At 06/04/07 13:33, MolesRus said…

    Where is everybody - lurking?

    Timlord / Montblanco

    Big thanks to both of you for livening up this thread, if we had everyone all in agreement with each other, this board would be dead in the water.

    Keep it going guys, just dont get too personal.

    Big game coming up tomorrow, whats the odds we get the same starting 11 - maybe one change - Mick on for young Darren. Whats the odds we get the same outcome? Hope not.

     
  • At 06/04/07 13:42, thismancraig said…

    Moles

    Is Mick not out for another 2? Usually 3 games for violent conduct.

    Zurawksi to start and maybe, just maybe no Lennon tomorrow.

     
  • At 06/04/07 13:43, Burnley78 said…

    Blantyre Kev 4/4 14.07pm

    Best post I have read in months, puts it all in context.


    Does anyone know how the youth league is standing just now ? Are we ahead of Rangers or still behind going into the last 4 games ?

    What about the Pot 2 scenarios, Milan / Munich / Ajax / AZ fortunes are all linked to our hopes in the next few weeks. Anyone done the homework on this ?

     
  • At 06/04/07 13:44, thismancraig said…

    Burnley

    Youths are 1 point clear with 4 games to go and have just booked a place in the Youth Cup Final. Once again, it's a massively inexperienced youth side.

     
  • At 06/04/07 13:53, MolesRus said…

    TMC

    You could be right, in which case I would place my money on the same starting 11. I think thats it now until we get across the finishing line, dont expect to see too many changes if any before its wrapped up. Of course his hand could be forced if results go against us, hope it doesn't come too that.

     
  • At 06/04/07 14:02, VargasShampoo said…

    Lennon has been a great player for Celtic but i think it's time to say ta ta. For the remaining games why don't we simply go all out attack:

    Boruc

    Caldwell O'Dea Naylor

    Hartley Gravesen McGeady
    Nakamura

    Zurawski Venegoor Riordan

     
  • At 06/04/07 14:03, Paul67 said…

    Jimtim, those players you mentioned from a few years ago, cost a whole lot more in wages than the ones we have now, but console yourself with two points:

    We can afford the players we have now, we could not afford the team from a few years ago, as we were losing money every year.

    Those players only finished above Rosenborg and Anderlecht in all their Champions League adventures, they never kept out Milan for 180 minutes in the knock out stage.

    I agree there needs to be a clear out, but I think that will happen; that we will win the league again and have money to build on our success, unlike a few years ago.

    I know that made you feel better.

    Belfast Bhoy, I considered the reaction to violence in Europe this week, but think that money will out for all decisions. Can you imagine English clubs being excluded from anything these days? Me neither.

    Chairbhoy, Archie has enjoyed reading all the comments too.

     
  • At 06/04/07 14:04, Pob said…

    Jimtim,

    We can always hope fer the next Larsson (Jordan?) or Jinky or Kenny (take it ye were not refering to Miller).

    Again perhaps it was great planning or just good luck that we downsized when we did and invested the money in BobbyLennoxTown whilst our rivals were at their weakest.

    Having the best / better facilities will then help us to recruit better quality players when we do start spending our vast sums of money in the transfer window.

    In the past it's been difficult to sign players to come to Celtic due to many factors, the climate, the training facilities, the relative strength of the SPL.

    Celtic would seem to be doing as much as they can to improve those items that they have a control over. The stadium, the training facilities, the coaches, the scouting etc etc.

    I think we all want to see constant improvement we want to see our team do better than we did in previous years.

    Last year we did the double. This year we have a chance of doing the same (this time with the SC rather than than the CIS).

    We did better in Europe.

    Last Season McManus made the step up, this season O'Dea has done like wise. And judging by the success of the reserves and youth team this will go on for years to come

    We've put more players out on loan - to help them improve, gain experience and increase their value should we choose to move them on.

    Comparing squad numbers
    Summer 06 to Summer 07

    Camera - Naylor
    D Wei - Caldwell
    Sutton - Miller
    Hartson - Veneegoor of Heselink
    - M Wilson
    Aliadiere - D Riordan
    - E Sno
    - Graveson
    - Jarosik

    Yes some of our Signings haven't been great or worked as well as we'd have liked. But we've not spent a great deal on them - so if they get moved on we could make a profit or at least break even.

    Theres many reasons to be happy.

    The Media is the media - they're always going to write the stories to try and knock us of our game and undermine the good things that have been achieved.

    Hail Hail
    Pob

     
  • At 06/04/07 14:18, stpatricksbhoy said…

    Paul,great article sets us up for tomorrow.Happy & Holy Easter to all.

     
  • At 06/04/07 14:32, Druiddude said…

    Timlord
    My little sunbeam,is it not early for you to be out of your coffin?

    In Celtic mythology the God of the underworld is Donn Firinne..the God of dark truth.

    His followers never emerge unscathed from the underworld..in fact many are never seen again...which may explain the steady disappearance of the followers of the left hand path on CQN(it is hardly the quality of the football that has lured them to the path of righteousness)

    Remember me to them when you come into your kingdom

     
  • At 06/04/07 14:37, Seville Bhoy said…

    Any news on the American boy?

     
  • At 06/04/07 14:46, big liam said…

    Seville Bhoy ,

    The Evening Times thinks Dalby has done enough to earn a contract but it will require a little work to get a work permit.

    Maybe a loan to belgium for 6 months will be required. Without doubt he has potential and maybe a resale value in future years. Plays a defensive midfielder or Centre half.

     
  • At 06/04/07 15:07, ianinjesi said…

    Mark Wilson is in the squad for the game tomorrow. Kenny Miller has returned too.
    Jarosik and Sno are still recovering from injury.

     
  • At 06/04/07 15:21, Weeron said…

    Game tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it. Especially that first 15 minutes, as we look for a glimmer of hope that we can perform to our potential and hit a rich vein of form. I still get excited at the thought of watching Celtic.

    Try it guys. You might like it.

    As for Archie McPherson....I laugh at some of his vocabulary, but there are few people that I'd rather have commenting on a game. Archie has always had the knack of describing things with a wee bit of a flourish.

    I also enjoy the fact that he tends to operate without a 'colour' commentator. God, I hate these guys. They have the ability to watch replays and have time to reflect before opening their mouths, yet they come away with the worst stuff on the box.

    I remember davie proven at a Celtic v rangers game at CP. The ref halted the game for a moment as the linesman fixed his flag. We were watching a close up that clearly showed the ref and linesman laughing at the fact that the top had come off his wee stick.

    Provan had gotten it into his head that something had been thrown, and he said 'something really has to be done about these people'. At no point in the remaining 70 minutes did he correct himself. He and the others are just annoyed wee twats that spend their lives trying to make up something offensive.

    Archie, however, is a different breed altogether. I also enjoyed David Francie on the radio, many moons ago. He could make any mundane match sound like the most thrilling thing.

    But back to my original point......enjoy watching Celtic win the league, guys. Sometime in the future, we'll miss times like this.

     
  • At 06/04/07 15:45, irishcol said…

    Was this post as a result of an actual interview with Archie McPherson or is it just a series of quotes taken from his biography of Jock Stein. I've read the book myself and all the quotes seem to just come from the book!

     
  • At 06/04/07 16:05, Kojo said…

    Irishcol,@ 15.45

    I suggest you re-read your ultimate submission.

    It comes across as perniciously insinuating and is unfairly critical of Our Leader's Integrity,

    Of course, it is possible that you have couched your comments in a manner that came across, in a way that you did not intend.

    If that is the case, then all is forgiven, but otherwise...

    We shall take your criticism as being overt and intended, and with that, my friend, we take umbrage.

     
  • At 06/04/07 16:57, Chairbhoy said…

    Pob,

    ’Again perhaps it was great planning or just good luck that we downsized when we did and invested the money in BobbyLennoxTown whilst our rivals were at their weakest.

    The transfer strategy/downsizing debate brings out a plethora of conjecture - personally I think it’s fairly straight forward - MO’N was allowed to overextend the NORMAL transfer and Wage budget on justifiable speculation that we would get a place in the FA Premiership!

    Once this became unlikely the Board v.quickly pulled their horns in, Good management IMO!

     
  • At 06/04/07 17:16, JonG said…

    KOJO;

    The very man.

    What's the verdict on Stan and Roy Keane.The dream team!Great stuff.

    While on the subject how can WGS be excused for his reluctance to unbench Derek Riordan, when we have cried out fr a goalscorer on the pitch.
    Bad assett management or what.

    He has been very lucky in being here when there has been little or no threat from accross the city.

    No,i'm afraid he as you well know he is not the man to take us to the promised land.

    I will be right behind him and the team tomorrow and until the deed is done.Then however no holds barred.Roy Keane and Stan in as quickly as you like,before the war chest is plundered.

    Your long time amigo

    JonG

     
  • At 06/04/07 17:25, El Diego Bhoy said…

    JonG

    Suggest you refer to Collie's post at 23.10 last night on the subject of Stan.

     
  • At 06/04/07 17:37, Pob said…

    Chairbhoy,

    I'd agree with you that the board have a plan and are sticking to it.

    The good luck element was that our rivals are so weak and the required downsizing has been able to happen and yet still keep us top of the league by some margin.

    Did the board know that rainjurs were going to be so financial worse off and that we could retain the titles. Or was it case of having to bite the bullet and, potentialy, having to write off a couple of seasons while we went through the transition from MONs Generals to players who fit within the new wage structures.

    100% we had to go through the downsizing. We have probably been a bit fortunate aswell that others have been poor.

    Now lets built on our advantage and make sure we leave them further behind. (but not to far behind that it weakens further the SPL)

    Hail Hail
    Pob

    ps. Rather than moan / complain about this season ... what would 'Success' be next season? what would define a successful season?

     
  • At 06/04/07 17:46, Weeron said…

    Pob,
    good question. Success next season? Champions. One of the domestic cups. And now for the tough part.....a respectable, hard-luck, 3rd place in the CL, preferably on 9 points (including some away from home) followed by a Uefa Cup win (with me getting a ticket).

    All this would result in decent money, excellent coefficient points, and much happiness. Except for mineshafters who will tell us that failure to hit the CL QF is a disaster.......:)

     
  • At 06/04/07 17:59, Pob said…

    Weeron,

    I'd take that.

    We are going to need more co-efficient points next year.

    Pob

    Could we start letting the reserves play in the CIS Cup and let the 1st team concentrate on the SC?

     
  • At 06/04/07 18:16, Chairbhoy said…

    Pob Success next season?

    Well – as far as Trophies are concerned don’t mind – certainly League Champions, Cup winners & Quality European campaign would be good - Reserves Seven(7) in a Row and the CIS Cuyp certainly!

    More important for me is the FACT that WGS said it would take him three years to build a team, WELL next season is his third - I’d like to see LESS Downsizing! Rebuilding! Transition periods And have a quality team with the nucleus of future long term success.

     
  • At 06/04/07 18:35, Martin42 said…

    Testing

     
  • At 06/04/07 18:43, Martin42 said…

    Weeron,

    Where are you this weather?

    Are you in Scotland or across the pond?

    Please let me know.

    JonG,

    Stan WHO?

    Surely you do not mean that

    "Stan, One Good Game In Twenty, Petrov" who just happened to be one of only five people who have actually wanted to leave our club in the last seven years.

    Let him go, he did not want o be here, if he cannot hack it where he is then that is nothing to do with us.

    NEVER LOOK BACK.

    Cheers,

    Martin.

     
  • At 06/04/07 18:51, Weeron said…

    Martin,
    I'm in Canada. Coming home at the end of July for 2 and a half weeks. Spending most of it on Islay, but hoping to catch Celtic anmd some pals at either end of the trip.

    Maybe we can find a pub.....:)

     
  • At 06/04/07 18:58, Martin42 said…

    Weeron,

    Thanks for the info.

    I am organising something for the start of May, I really hoped yoy might be able to be there.

    My other good friend, Hugh from the subcontinent will thankfully be here for it.

    I am sorry that you will miss it.

    I will post the event next mid week.

    When you do arrive in Glasgow I know a good pub, you me and whoever from C Q N will all meet for a pint otr two, that's a promise.

    Cheers,

    Martin.

     
  • At 06/04/07 19:02, Martin42 said…

    Irishcol @15.45,

    Agree with Kojo,

    Your comments were quite pathetic.

    Where in the autobiography, and I have read it does Archie wish all C Q N readrers well?

    If you have to ask those questions, you probably would not believe tha answers.

     
  • At 06/04/07 19:03, Weeron said…

    Martin,
    excellent. Looking forward to it.

    Have a great weekend.
    Ronnie

     
  • At 06/04/07 19:15, El Diego Bhoy said…

    Martin

    I believe Shug just gets home that very day so he'll likely be knackered!

    He's out of contact at the minute. Believe he and his missus are dodging the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka.

     
  • At 06/04/07 19:34, Martin42 said…

    E D B,

    Not too knackered, I hope.

    Kevin's mother in law Pat is from Sri Lanka and her husband Mike hails from India.

    They live in K L Malaysia.

    Got a few ideas I want to discuss with Noel, W D H, TT and yourself.

    Cheers and enjoy tomorrow,

    Martin.

     
  • At 06/04/07 19:35, hail hail said…

    Hoopy Easter Celtic

    mon the hoops

     
  • At 06/04/07 19:38, noel90 said…

    Dignity .

     
  • At 06/04/07 19:46, timlord said…

    druiddude

    I have a place reserved for you at my right hand side.

    Keano oh keano
    bring it on home
    to me

    Celtic 1 Motherwell 2

     
  • At 06/04/07 19:50, noel90 said…

    Timlord-

    you just crossed the line.

     
  • At 06/04/07 19:51, lostrambling said…

    Noel

    Absolutely brilliant.

    I will be inspecting peoples's shoes at the game tomorrrow.

    Any broon brogues and they're oot!

     
  • At 06/04/07 19:55, noel90 said…

    Lost Rambling-

    there are Rangers fans posting on that site who actually believe it is a genuine Struthmeister tribute site.......

    Doh !

     
  • At 06/04/07 20:02, watchow said…

    that will have them going mental on ff

    a work of genius, looks like one of the celticminded boys. oxblood brown brogues indeed.

     
  • At 06/04/07 20:04, Martin42 said…

    Timlord,

    Seems that a defeat would make you happy anf justified.

    If that is the best/worst you can post, just stay down your mineshaft.

    Martin.

     
  • At 06/04/07 20:13, timlord said…

    Martin and Noel

    Just a riposte to the endless celtic 60 oppostion 0 that usually gets posted around now.

    Important to be balanced. Although I suppose MacDonald isn't playing tomorrow so perhaps we wil get a win after all.

    God knows we need it. Imagine the meltdown if we draw again or god forbid lose.

    Prepare for Armageddon.

    Some rooms still available down the mineshaft but filling up fast.

     
  • At 06/04/07 20:13, timlord said…

    Martin and Noel

    Just a riposte to the endless celtic 60 oppostion 0 that usually gets posted around now.

    Important to be balanced. Although I suppose MacDonald isn't playing tomorrow so perhaps we wil get a win after all.

    God knows we need it. Imagine the meltdown if we draw again or god forbid lose.

    Prepare for Armageddon.

    Some rooms still available down the mineshaft but filling up fast.

     
  • At 06/04/07 20:34, chennaiseabird said…

    Look, here, I'm back from Sri Lanka where they wouldn't let me take a picture of All Saints Church in Pettah founded 1910 because it was a security zone. The man telling me this was carrying a big gun which may have been an AK 47 so I agreed that I didn't need the picture, the memory itself would remain sacred. Probably will now, as well.

    Martin, EDB, home (India) safely. Shame about all this usual cack about our current team and manager.

    Timlord and all, for which point in our history would you exchange this one? Not many, unless you revel in glorious failure.

    Could it be better than this? You bet it could. Nobody, but nobody, would disagree with that. Just watch it go that way.

    And (he said with a well meaning smile) have you tried therapy? The football obviously isn't working. Could be worse though, you could be an Indian cricket fan.

     
  • At 06/04/07 20:37, chennaiseabird said…

    PS

    Paul,this and the last post, first class, although as you know I'd be a bit more positive about Gordon from the start.

    Good night for now, it's late here.

     
  • At 06/04/07 21:00, EdwardUrsus said…

    Hi Paul,
    Congratulations on the interview, it gives some prestige to the site and deserved kudos to you. I wonder if any of the posters imagined this sort of thing when you started. Martin42 excepted, he is allowed to think you are the best :-)

    P.S I'll no doubt be back to disagreeing with you next post in case anyone thinks I'm going soft lol

     
  • At 06/04/07 21:27, WGS said…

    Watching the Everton Fulham game tonight.

    I reckon Heidar Helguson would be ideal player to supply back up for Jan. I know he wasn't playing for much tonight however i reckon he is good in the air and link up play is good. Having seen him for a few years now at Watford and now Fulham i reckon it would be a decent signing. Would come cheap as well.

    First Choice strike pairing:
    JVOH
    (Marquee signing)

    Back Up Pairing:
    Scott McDonald
    Heidar Helguson

     
  • At 06/04/07 21:38, Martin42 said…

    Evening Edward,

    Thanks for your nice words.

    Does any C Q N poster have an address for you?

    Talk later,

    Cheers,

    Martin

     
  • At 06/04/07 21:41, chennaiseabird said…

    Here are some thoughts, after reflecting on paul's interview with Archie McPherson.

    Jock Stein was, is, a huge figure in my life. I suppose I first became aware of him when Dunfermline beat Celtic to win the cup in the early sixties. I was at the pictures on the night of the replay, and the result was announced from the stage (yes, it was that long ago).

    I was about 11 at the time, and had been to see Celtic no more than a handful of times, so to be honest it didn't upset me too much. Or so it seems now. But the name Jock Stein stuck with me then.

    When he came back to us a couple of years later it was a new arrival for me. I didn't know our history, or his.

    I lived through that great period of course, and have the same richness of experience that so many of us have.

    For me, it was a seminal time. That's how I really got to know Celtic. That was our rightful place in the game. That's one reason I have no problem accepting our current flawed ascendancy. We have THE right to be there.

    But it wasn't until last year, when I read Archie's biography of Jock Stein, that I fully appreciated what Jock Stein, the player, the manager, the man, did for Celtic. Maybe there are others, older, who knew barren years before the glut, that appreciated it better. They never told me at the time, or maybe I never listened.

    Wouldn't it be a great thing, if someone from a Celtic background could be to Rangers what Jock has been to us?

     
  • At 06/04/07 21:42, chennaiseabird said…

    PS

    Archie, if you read this, thanks for the memories.

     
  • At 06/04/07 21:50, Paul67 said…

    Weeron, too have watched that game a few times and despair when Davie Provan suggests a missile was thrown when the linesman’s flag came off his pole.

    Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback on this article. Archie was in touch today and I think really enjoyed reading over the comments.

     
  • At 06/04/07 21:58, WGS said…

    Paul67,

    Any idea what the script is with Doumbe? I see he isn't in the squad list for tomorrow according to BBC site.

    The manager alluded that he didn't want to throw him in at Tannadice because of the conditions. I reckon giving him a debut at Parkhead in perfect playing surface would be the time to blood him. Surely he got to be a better option at right back just now considering Wilson aint firing on all cylinders since returning and Caldwell aint excatly Cafu.

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:15, Paul67 said…

    WGS, I would be speculating if I was to say why Doumbe has not made an appearance.

    So if I may speculate, I suspect that he has not been too outstanding at Barrowfield.

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:27, BLennon said…

    Great article, Paul.

    Can you make this a regular feature? i.e. talk to journo's etc on their Celtic memories?

    Brilliant!

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:29, WGS said…

    Paul67,

    I see Teddy Bjarnson in the squad for tomorrow. Here's hoping intouducing him may see him sign the contract that is on offer. This guy is a player. I would be gutted if we lose him in the summer

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:30, JonG said…

    Hi Martin;

    Yes, He's the very one who could drive us out of the rut we are most certainly in.

    Kojo;

    Where forth art thou?

    Break your silence,you know the promised one is coming!

    Your friend in sport

    JonG

    Hello all other CQNrs its not just as dark down here as you think.Come on down.........

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:33, El Diego Bhoy said…

    Paul

    Can't wait to read your interesting conversations with Broadfoot, Keevins, Leckie, Guidi et al :o)

    BL

    just having a fun moment!

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:33, JonG said…

    WGS;

    Teddy is the real deal.

    From the horses mouth.

    Hail Hail

    JonG

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:38, Paul67 said…

    BLennon, you have a point about looking for regular material like this, but as EDB alludes to, there are not too many journo’s I would make space for.

    WGS, agree, let’s see Teddy.

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:40, thismancraig said…

    tinhat on

    I'll bet Keevins would be a great interview - on occassions when he is honest (i.e. not on Radio Clyde) he is excellent.

    Back to the golf for me:-)

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:45, El Diego Bhoy said…

    tmc

    Keevins needs Clyde I suspect so honesty from him in an interview with Paul would be highly unlikely.

    I guess Archie is now comfortable with his situation and there's the difference.

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:49, thismancraig said…

    EDB

    You might be right on that one, which is a shame - deep down there somewhere Keevins can perform. Particarly on the night of Jinky's death, he was excellent.

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:53, Martin42 said…

    JonG,

    Yes we may well be in a rut, just now but I do not believe Stan Petrov is the man to change that situation.

    By his own admission he was bored with Scottish football, with Celtic, with our opponents and by his very public actions, by winning league titles.

    By what stretch of the immagination do you think his thoughs and feeling will have changed?

    Apparently he is still as huffy and bored at his new club as he was at our club.

    He has very publicly told the world he did not want to play for Celtic.

    Why oh why would or should we want him back.?

    He is gone, Jon, move on, look elsewhere for a new midfield dynamo.

    I am sure there are plenty of players who can more than fill his boots.

    Hugh,

    I have great memories of Celtic before Jock Stein and of course Celtic with and after Jock.

    I have read Archie's book and throughly enjoyed it.

    I did not quite realise Archie's dislike of Rangers.

    Paul had very excitedly told me about his meeting and was full of praise for Archie and his friendship.

    He certainly made a great immpression on Paul.

    I will maybe one day post my thoughts on Celtic 1955 onwards.

    MON THE HOOPS,


    Martin.

    PS,

    I will look forward to listening to Archie's Monday night T V commentary on Celtic's victory tomorrow.

    Martin.

     
  • At 06/04/07 22:53, Gordon said…

    Paul, Great article about Jock.

    He made a surprising remark after the great 4-0 victory over St Etienne in the 68/69 European Cup.

    He said that "this victory was even greater than our European Cup win in Lisbon. We started level in Portugal, at Pparkhead we were two goals down."

    Not surprisingly, he went on to say that "an awful lot of people have decided to detract from our victory."

    "One prominent pressman was embarrassed by the refeering of the match". (I hope that it wasn't Archie!)

    "But why worry, at Parkhead we are used to this type of criticism and comment".

    Plus ca change!

     
  • At 06/04/07 23:10, JonG said…

    Martin;

    You make a very persuasive point, however, i for one believe things were not all one sided when he lost his apetite to play for us.

    Yes, he needs a comforting arm around him at times but who doesn't.

    He has the attributes which single him out and bhoy do we sorely miss him in the middle of our midfield.

    I believe rightly or wrongly, that he is the man our next incumbant would take with open arms to build our next phase around.

    Yours in Celtic

    JonG

     
  • At 06/04/07 23:14, EdwardUrsus said…

    This post has been removed by the author.

     
  • At 06/04/07 23:31, Kojo said…

    My dear friend, This Man Craig...@22.49.

    Shug Keevins?......

    Next time ye hear him.... remember, his moving and honest tribute to the memory o' Jinky.

    Read whit ah hiv tae say...and think aboot it!


    I have said this before,but it is worth repeatin'.....

    Shuggy is a Celi'c Man....thro' and thro'

    Noo, pick yersel'up...and pey attenshum!

    He is only doin ' his Job...

    In this big crazy world, we have to do, what we have to do, in order to make a Buck!

    What he does, pleases his Bosses.... creates the BIG "C"( Big "C"? Whit is that all aboot?....ed)( I'll gie ye a hint.... the Big "C"... DISNAE, Staun' fur.. ANY o'the following: Consonance,Concordance nor the seldom seen, Comity.!)

    It pays da Bills and Feed da Babies!

    It is ALL Show Biz, Pal!....

    Live with it!

    Take it from me, his act is as Phoney as a Two Dollar Bill!( Wait a minute.... There Are TWO DOLLAR BILLS IN CIRCULATION!...ed)( Bein' in Circulation.... don't mean they ur no Phoneys...right? But in case they're no..... Check dat....)

    Shuggy's Act is as Phoney as Murray's Hair!

    Shuggy is awright in ma book ...in fact I love his act!
    Fur ye see ...ah guess he reminds me a loat, of someone Ah know!(Ah wonder who that could be??....ed)( Watch it,kid... yer joab is hingin' by a threeed!)


    Kojo.
    Yer Pal....who thinks yer swell!

     
  • At 06/04/07 23:32, Paul67 said…

    Gordon, it could be said that Jock invented the Celtic I know, the club which won only three titles in 40 years has no currency with me, it is like the history books are talking about another team.

    It took us 22 years to come close to replacing him which is a great pity.

    Here is a point for you to consider; I have a theory that all managers have a shelf life, after which, their methods become ineffective, and as a result, their teams fail.

    Jock Stein’s teams after 1974 went into steep decline, perhaps the revolutionary methods discussed above had become commonplace.

    Brian Clough won only a couple of League Cups after 1980, and seen his team relegated.

    Maybe Martin O’Neill’s methods dated after 2004.....

    Remember to drop me a note on your forthcoming feature.

     
  • At 06/04/07 23:40, El Diego Bhoy said…

    Paul

    So maybe MON was dismissed early doors as a possible future manager of Man.Utd?

     
  • At 06/04/07 23:44, Martin42 said…

    JonG,

    I do not believe returning to a club really works second time around, you never enjoy the same level of success.

    However, we will agree to disagree, we will not fall out over it.

    Edward,

    Thank you, I will be in touch soon.


    Cheers,


    Martin.

     
  • At 06/04/07 23:48, TommyTwistsTommyTurns said…

    Paul - enjoyed the article and glad to hear that Archie has seen some of the feedback. Hopefully it will make up for some of the abuse I have seen him receive from our fans at a few away games. I think it was Kilmarnock and St Johnstone where I heard him get pelters from a sizeable minority. It bordered on physical intimidation.
    Certain hacks actually deserve the abuse for their anti-Celtic agenda, but I've never thought of "Woof" in that way. Keep telling it like it is Archie!

    Martin42 - glad to hear that you are firming up your plans for a CQN title party.
    Having been at Fir Park on Black Sunday, I hope that you are not tempting fate! Is your wee soiree linked to a certain game down Govan way perchance?!!
    I look forward to meeting you and a host of CQNers again. Happy Easter to you and all your family.

    gl2 - so you were on here until 3am last night, eh! Did the Big Man fall off the cross when you bent down to kiss his feet?
    Yer breath would have probably melted a lamp post, never mind the cross!

    Never thought I'd say it, but I would bench Lenny tomorrow and go for a dynamic attacking formation, possibly including Deek. Neil will get the send-off he deserves at a later date, but WGS needs to be ruthless just now.

    TTTTlurkioCSC

     
  • At 06/04/07 23:53, Kojo said…

    Sir Paul...

    Sorta, kinda, like dat auld joke....what ye jist mentioned...

    "That is no Theory.... That is a Fact!"......

    Soccer Managers are like old and no longer successful Generals.... their methods and techniques are no longer fitting to the Current Circumstances...which... have a nasty habit of changing on one...just when one is getting in the groove!

    My opinion... in fact ..maybe it should be termed a prophecy....

    Martin's day in da Sun is at 2358hrs.......

    He is beginning to behave like a man who is lost, and doesn't know why his methods are failing.

    Witness, his clinging to people whom he admired...
    IN THE PAST!

    Not a good sign... and REEKING of LACK of CONFIDENCE, and the failure and fear of applying NOO and FRESH IDEAS ,in his approach to the game!

    So far, he has shown in his time at Aston....

    The Same Tactics that he used so successfully at Parkhead.

    But just as you wisely noticed....

    They are now out-dated.
    They no longer can be depended upon to work as they did in the past.

    So what else is Noo.....?


    Kojo.
    Yer pal ... 'til they capture da man in da Moon!

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:01, p8ddy said…

    On a CQN that's had it's fair share of contrasting views, and sometimes insults -

    George Galloway is a superstar.

    Fingers crossed we get a result tomorrow lest I go mad. And also for my young nephew, who's Celtic mad and visiting from France.

    /p

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:06, TommyTwistsTommyTurns said…

    Venerable Kojo - I have heard the same story about "Shug", but is his employer none other than that well known Tim, Mr Cooney?!!

    From your base across the water you might change your opinion if you heard some of "even-handed" comments on the Clyde phone-in. Mr Cooney appears to be quite happy to employ someone who is also in Minty's employ, i.e. the ubiquitous slimline Derek.
    Are we to believe that this is all part of the master plan to convince the GA that they are within touching distance of the illustrious Hoops?!
    Mum's the word!

    TTTTuncletomCSC

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:07, El Diego Bhoy said…

    Kojo

    Can't disagree with your comments on MON.

    What's your take on Ferguson, after a relatively poor couple of years, recovering to earn and enjoy success at Man.Utd?

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:12, Gordon said…

    Paul..

    You may have a point about managers having a shelf life.

    I think that Jock's near fatal car crash in summer 1975 drained some of his magical powers.

    Certainly our European performances were very poor after 1974.

    Mind you he returned to win the double in 1977.

    Will let you know about that feature.

    3 Points tomorrow and we're almost there.

    Good Night All.

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:15, p8ddy said…

    Kojo...

    Don't underestimate Martin O'Neill. Sometimes faces don't fit at certain clubs, Ferguson was dismissed from St Mirren, Le Guen from Rangers, and a few more besides, including one Brian Clough.

    Calling time on O'Neill after such a short time doesn't sit well with defending Gordon Strachan at the same juncture!

    My point is that managers don't just have "a tactic" and they change all the time, fine tuning, swapping stuff around.

    For me there are two factors in managers being successfull (apart from the skill factor which is huge too - but clever guys can bluff that one), namely ego and hunger.

    A successful manager will be successful for as long as he retains those two faculties. When one or other is gone, it's goodnight Aberdeen.

    To illustrate, why is Mourinho struggling this year? Because there is a bigger ego at the club, and Mourinho would, I suspect, rather take him down a notch and prove a point.

    Just my opinion, but O'Neill will prevail.

    /p

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:16, El Diego Bhoy said…

    TTTT

    I'm giving Keevins the benefit of the doubt by saying that his behaviour on Clyde towards all things Celtic related is geared to generaqting calls to the programme - without which the programme wouldn't survive.

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:20, HampdenInTheSun said…

    Just thinking about managers' lifespans ... I reckon
    their average must be about 5 years, Jock & Fergie are a freak ... what's Celtic's average now ... 10 years? I reckon in today's environment it's 3 years if you're lucky .. time for a change.

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:24, El Diego Bhoy said…

    P8ddy

    What would you regard as success for MON at his present club? And what would he regard as success given the opposition he faces?

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:27, Kojo said…

    My dear friend, El Diego Bhoy...@00:07

    Ferguson has the advantage of being in the position to Coast...rather, than to Build... a successful entity.

    His skill as a Entrepreneurial Instigator has vanished with age.

    In making a Hypothetical Hypothesis.... should Ferguson now leave the cozy niche, where he is residing ,at this time... and takes over the reins of a new entity, that is NOT, so fortuitously armed, either by unlimited financial resources or having a cadre of first class personnel already ensconced in the club...I am sure one would find that the "Theory" advanced by Sir Paul is a very valid one.

    To answer in a less convoluted manner defeats me.
    I am sorry.
    But that is all she wrote!

    Kojo.
    Yer pal...... 'til they have da guts to call Prairie Oysters, by der REAL NAME!

    God nite and .....god bless!

    Celtic 12345 Motherwell......?

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:32, timlord said…

    kojo

    sometimes i wonder if you watch football or indeed know anything about football.

    Martin o Neill is playing an entirely different game to what he played at Celtic. He has set the team out differently and they play to the strengths they have - which at the moment arent great beyond youthful pace.

    Maybe you think you can get away with your nonsensical statements because he has picked up a few Celtic players, but he isnt building a team around them. `he is in for the long haul and villa is a long haul job.

    so you think you can fool the usual followers.

    believe me he will get it right - because he is class.

    And as for you who think maloney was a fool heading for the premiership a wee guy currently bemoaning his fate sitting on the bench - the boy is class - we should have paid the money to keep him. Already the villa players are saying how good he is - they like him better than Stan - and they are correctand Martin was corect to get him.

    We however played the game where you push people to the limit, snap their love for the club, and then finally offer them the money they would have signed for. Too late and a big mistake.

    Down the hill and into the mineshaft - promote youth - no just lose them too soon.

    god help us tomorrow - GOD help us next season

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:34, TommyTwistsTommyTurns said…

    EDB - we all know Shug's leanings and supposedly his boss as well. I know that I shouldn't listen to the program, but being a saddo I tend to do just that when I'm washing the dishes of an evening!
    (Her indoors doesn't clean them right, partly to wind me up and also because she is a lazy mare!)

    Tell me you haven't sat and listened to Murray's apologist, BFDJ and felt your BP go up?! We know that BBC Scotland is still a Hun retirement home and don't expect any better from them. (Richard Gordon excluded)

    What's the poison tonight? I'm on Stella with a Dutch schapps chaser. Ithankyou!

    TTTT

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:35, setting free the bears said…

    p8ddy

    Hope your nephew enjoys a good game tomorrow. Part of our dissatisfaction on here is that Celtic have rarely opened up on any team this year. We keep waiting for the comfortable victory and the barrowload of goals and we've been spared such pleasures this season. Let me be superstitious and hope the young bhoy is a lucky mascot for tomorrow.

    If I can pitch in on Roy Keane while I'm here. He's done very well in his first season as a manager and deserves further respect for that but it's too early to acclaim him as ready for Celtic. He'll , at least, need to show that he can continue good form next year, hopefully tested at premiership level where his success cannot be, equally plausibly, attributed to the financial strength of his club as opposed to their competitors.

    Finally, I know timlord has annoyed a few posters today. While I am fully opposed to his views, I do respect his persistance, and his willingness to accept the persona of mineshafter does suggest a trace of good humour.

    Maybe the red wine and dark chocolate have just left me in a too mellow mood. I still believe he's talking mince, mind you.

    Timlord, just for you, Celtic 60 Burger King Motherwell 0. :-)

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:39, timlord said…

    Kojo

    So fergie is only good because of the infrastructure around him.

    He created it yah daft eedjit.

    Last year he was being hounded out of his job while Stuart pearce was being promoted as an England manager.

    Who prevailed - the man who made the job his own.

    Ferguson is class.

    If he had the energy to start again at his age hen I have no doubt he would. But he created his destiny - and its a fine one, with a legacy.

    Dont be so stupid to spread inadequate advice - some people on this blog think youre voice is important - try to act like it is

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:41, p8ddy said…

    El Diego Bhoy...

    What would you regard as success for MON at his present club? And what would he regard as success given the opposition he faces?

    Depending on how long he's there and he support he's given from Lerner (which will be a key fact) and the fans? challenging/winning the league.

    A few decent signings, a decent preseason and things will fall into place.

    The only cloud on the horizon, as I see it, is if his wife's illness has given him perspective on the real value of the game. That's not a criticism, as I think Jock Stein was affected the same way after his crash. Sometimes these things make people worse at management but better humans.

    /p

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:44, El Diego Bhoy said…

    TTTT

    I'm on a Saxenburg 2001 Shiraz at the minute. Very pleasant I must add.

    I unusually didn't listen in tonight - getting bored with it tbh.

    Timlord, you are completely hacking me off. I'm not blind to the failings within the club at present but I see nothing constructive whatsoever in your posts.

    Of course you have a right to express your views but I know a number of posters on here who always scroll past anything you post simply because they are boringly repetitive.

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:48, p8ddy said…

    timlord...

    We however played the game where you push people to the limit, snap their love for the club, and then finally offer them the money they would have signed for. Too late and a big mistake.

    To be fair, Maloney was telling people he was leaving regardless of what was offered before negociations got serious.

    Personally, I never much rated Shaun. He was 3/4 season wonder. And a lazy, poor training one at that. Before the injury he wasn't overly concerned with improving his conditioning beyond the minimum he thought he could get away with. Which is why he was used sparingly and McGeady was played regulary (what at the same time O'Neill didn't "give youth a chance??" (a wee joke for us both))

    Ultimately, the injury may have instilled a new work ethic, as Martin O'Neill thinks - what would I know? However, his fate at Celtic wasn't down (completely at least) to money.

    I suspect Paul67 knows more than he's letting on!

    /p

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:48, El Diego Bhoy said…

    timlord

    May I ask if you are going to the game today and if so will you positively support the guys in the Hoops?

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:49, timlord said…

    setting free the bears

    I might let some people leave the mineshaft to celebrate that result.

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:52, p8ddy said…

    On an unrelated note - And for the Kerrang CSC...

    Do any of you guys remember a band called "Creaming Jesus"? They played Glasgow a few times in the early 90's and did a ferocious version of The Cure's A Forrest.

    I've been reaquainting myself with their stuff over the last few nights. Very good stuff.

    And coming late into the debate on synths (for Cyborg808 primarily) - the Juno60 is the bomb!

    /p

     
  • At 07/04/07 00:53, El Diego Bhoy said…

    p8ddy

    Good to see some bold commenting on the site again. I can't as the girls are in bed!!!!!!!

    Can't ever see AV challenging/winning the EPL in my lifetime. Only my opinion though.

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:01, timlord said…

    El diego

    I was due to attend the game but I missed a flight so I can't
    However when I am in attendance I am one of the loudest celtic supporters - a cheerleader without pom poms,, tanned shaved legs and mini skirt.

    But a cheerleader nonetheless.

    P8ddy - interesting - I must admit I heard something else regarding contract negotiations - but any failings the boy had pre injury where surely exorcised on his return.

    I think we lost aplayer. But its true to say that Maloney, Naka, MGeady and Riordan would have made a great u-16s midfield and not much else together.

    But I'm still stunned as to why Strachan signed Riordan and why he chooses to sign lplayers in positions that are already taken while ignoring gaping holes in the team. That's why I am fearful of his tenure - not to mention the inabilty of his teams to look like a cohesive unit

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:05, p8ddy said…

    setting free the bears said...

    Hope your nephew enjoys a good game tomorrow.

    Thank you! I hope Neil Lennon's biggest enemy is missing (the guy who swears at him the whole game and who sits near me)

    Part of our dissatisfaction on here is that Celtic have rarely opened up on any team this year. We keep waiting for the comfortable victory and the barrowload of goals and we've been spared such pleasures this season. Let me be superstitious and hope the young bhoy is a lucky mascot for tomorrow.

    I've been trying lucky mascots already. Including a friend whose record 100% in eliciting great performances. Unfortunately, even he has failed this year.

    To be honest, I'm not expecting much to change, the problem is systemic, and it actually depresses me a bit as I don't think the manager is aware of it. Maybe that says much more about my own overblown sense of self importance, but really, I'd love Gordon to have a flash of inspiration. I really fear for his/our future if he does stay. I pointed out ages ago the stats on how tenuous our grip was to winning and scoring goals (this year is our lowest goal tally in years) and was roundly pooh poohed for it, now I'm thinking I wished I hadn't tempted fate. :-(

    If I can pitch in on Roy Keane while I'm here. He's done very well in his first season as a manager and deserves further respect for that but it's too early to acclaim him as ready for Celtic. He'll , at least, need to show that he can continue good form next year, hopefully tested at premiership level where his success cannot be, equally plausibly, attributed to the financial strength of his club as opposed to their competitors.

    I completely agree. Roy is showing great potential, but that's all. He needs to be viewed under real pressure. And certainly, he couldn't have picked a better club to come in and gee up. Quinn is never a manager and was messing things up right left and centre. Next season will tell a lot.

    Plus, if Gordon Strachan does leave there are a few great candidates out there who could do a wonderful job for Celtic - Co Adriansse is available ofter chucking it at Porto (he brought them success, but boardroom interferance wouldn't go away so he resigned)

    Finally, I know timlord has annoyed a few posters today. While I am fully opposed to his views, I do respect his persistance, and his willingness to accept the persona of mineshafter does suggest a trace of good humour.

    Again, agreed. We are a broad church and he has a point of view. His mineshaft is starting to sound like a des res (if Celtic should lose tomorrow) If nothing else it'll stop us seeing Celtic implode.

    Hopefully, by tomorrow evening the mineshaft will be the place we are plotting next years domination rather than this years malaise.

    Timlord, just for you, Celtic 60 Burger King Motherwell 0. :-)

    No way, 67 - 0! ;-)

    /p

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:06, El Diego Bhoy said…

    timlord

    Where is home for you? Aside from the mineshaft? I mean which country so as not to intrude.

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:07, El Diego Bhoy said…

    GL2

    Where's the music?

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:09, setting free the bears said…

    timlord

    It cannot be stunning to understand why WGS signs players for positions already "taken" as he gave his reasons clearly. He wants competition for all places so that they cannot be "taken".

    He gives his view on Derek here:-

    strachan on riordan

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:14, TommyTwistsTommyTurns said…

    timlord - Take a chill pill

    EDB - you wanted music!

    TTTTapoorsubstituteforpabloCSC

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:16, p8ddy said…

    timlord...

    interesting - I must admit I heard something else regarding contract negotiations - but any failings the boy had pre injury where surely exorcised on his return.

    It's what Martin O'Neill believes too so you might be right. Maybe lazy trainers can change. Maybe the change of scenery and a career threatening injury have made him a changed man, either way, I wish him all the best. He's a professional player, careers are short and his family/life beyond football must be priority. And also must be valued beyond any tribal affiliation. Celtic will still be there when he retires, and bitterness will have faded by then too.

    But I'm still stunned as to why Strachan signed Riordan and why he chooses to sign lplayers in positions that are already taken while ignoring gaping holes in the team. That's why I am fearful of his tenure - not to mention the inabilty of his teams to look like a cohesive unit

    I completely agree. To be fair though, I think Dereks problems aren't on the pitch. His personal life is still.....patchy? Derek needs to decide what he values more, his drinking mates or his career. I have sympathy for Gordon Strachan on this issue. It's hobsons choice, pick him and ignore it (and thus open the door for all players to do likewise) or don't play him and not have his services?

    This being said the tactical failings frighten me.

    Onwards and upwards my friend. There is a closed season coming up that promises to be very interesting. Very interesting indeed.

    /p

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:17, barcabhoy said…

    negotiation is more than just offer a figure that you think the player will accept.....lets say maloney was offered £16k per week at the end by PL....that would have been the limit we were prepared to offer....so why would it make sense to offer it much earlier...given maloney's behaviour the strong likliehood is his agent would have touted that offer round the EPL at an earlier stage...he would have got a bigger offer,giving us no room to manouever...timlord your bitterness towards the board, shapes your opinions rather than a logical look at the facts.....maloney mislead the board and the support, and when he changed agents his decision was clear in his mind......he was for the off

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:21, El Diego Bhoy said…

    TTTT

    Not huge favourites but did like them to an extent. Think I was about 15 when they did See Emily Play. Was that their 1st big hit?

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:23, timlord said…

    setting free

    I have no issues with competition but when you fail to use the players that are suposed to create the competition then the edifice collapses

    El diego

    I live here there and everywhere - I was born in Ireland, my youth was spent in glasgow and now I jet set, mainly, underground.

    My home, of course, is 500t under the car park at celtic park

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:27, El Diego Bhoy said…

    timlord

    I'm kinda warming to your humour.

    I'm glad we had this exchange tonight/morning.

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:28, TommyTwistsTommyTurns said…

    EDB - how old are you?!
    old floyd

    Off to bed. Let's roar the bhoys on tomorrow and get that bit closer to a well overdue title.

    TTTT

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:32, El Diego Bhoy said…

    TTTT

    Ha ha. That's brilliant. Cheers mate. Hope to see you soon.

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:39, timlord said…

    El Diego

    Don't be going soft on me now...it wouldn't be right. Maintain the line - even if it's an imaginot line.

    Ever since i asked P8ddy for his celtic teamfrom the current squad I've been trying to draft mine.

    And you know what - I cant.

    I think we may have one of the most imbalanced squads in world footall history.

    While I used to gripe at Martins ability to put the same team out week after week even when we all knew they were dead on their feet (i thought he was trying to make a point to the board - which they always ignored) the current lineup don't make sense - and every signing Gordon makes seems to make it worse.

    I'm sorry - I just don't understand where he is coming from or where he is going to - well actually i do - down the hill and into the mineshaft.

    I think Keane is ready for us. If Billy Sharp is our top striker target then Roy Keane is definitely good enough to be our manager.

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:49, timlord said…

    barcaboy

    sometimes negotiations are all about respect and knowing who you are dealing with.

    And sometimes people will go with you for less because you made them feel important and wanted - even if you couldn't match the money elsewhere.

    Like Paul67 said Shaun left for money that wouldn't have changed his life.

    Sometimes people are happy to be offered a fair price at the right time.

    All you need is love - and a bit of praise - and a decent wage.

    EVEN DOWN THE MINESHAFT I welcome people with a cup of tea and some quality biscuits

     
  • At 07/04/07 01:51, El Diego Bhoy said…

    timlord

    Your constant referral to "mineshaft" is proving unhelpful to your viewpoint on where our club is going//or not.

    Drop that and you might find some support for your views.

     
  • At 07/04/07 02:06, timlord said…

    El diego

    I have the finest beams suporting my lovely mineshaft.

    It's built to last.

    Trust me - it's safer underground.

    Here's hoping it will be Celtic 67 Motherwell 0 tomorrow/today.

    It would serve me right for missing it.

    I wil settle for 4-1 - god knows we need it.

    The Pink Floyd clip was genius - predating youtube and then being reborn by youtube.

    Do you think it happens to us all?

    Maybe only people from termonfeckin...druiddude I miss you more than you will ever know

     
  • At 07/04/07 02:10, enrico_annoni said…

    Timlord ,

    To quote your esteemed self,

    All you need is love - and a bit of praise - and a decent wage.

    Talk some of your own advice were Celtics concerned.

    BTY , Wanting Celtic to lose is disgraceful.




    Keep the faith.

    (We missed your input when we have been doing well)

     
  • At 07/04/07 02:20, timlord said…

    Enrico

    if it makes you feel better

    Celtic 200 Motherwell 199

    Nothing disguises ineptness like small victories

     
  • At 07/04/07 02:48, The_ball_is_round_to_go_around said…

    I've no posted for a while but I've been reading...

    What a pain it is to effectively win the league in October

    Even getting through the Champions League to play Milan - and the very solid, if uninspiring, performances we put in against them - seems to have been tarnished with the "we're all a bit fed up "brush"

    It's all Henrik Larsson's fault you know. If he hadn't conditioned us all into believing that even the dullest football match could explode into life at any minute we wouldn't be suffering this 3 year (and counting) hangover

    At the start of the season if any Celtic fan was offered the league by a canter, the last 16 of the champions league, the scalp of Man U, and the possibility of a Scottish Cup win...

    But it's not enough for us anymore, to win things I mean.

    Victims of success

    The old tricky second album is about to become the 'have you still got it' third album

    I'm confident the wee fella has a few rabbits up his sleeve for this summer
    and signing mcdonald now might be further evidence of a media savvy celtic - avoiding the hysterics of bringing in a sub striker early in the summer when we're all tearing our hair out for box office

    As for Mr O'Neill - he has nothing to prove to us

    Nothing causes problems quite like boredom

    The ball...

     
  • At 07/04/07 08:47, JonG said…

    Morning bhoys;

    Just popping my head up out of the mineshaft.

    Only a wee man opening the front doors.

    Think i'll nip in and get WGSs autograph before the crowd gets here.

    Hold on, the wee man opening the doors is WGS well i never.

    Timlord;

    Well put,if Billy Sharp is our top target Roy Keane for manager.But not today.Today it's lets all sing for Gordon day and lets hope we put Motherwell to the sword.

    Celtic 3 M'well 0

    Hail Hail

    JonG

     
  • At 07/04/07 08:54, rimtimtim said…

    Just woken up and smelled the coffee....

    There was little Celtic participation in European games this week...
    Well done Robbie Keane; shocking decision for the Seville penalty, terrible penalty award in San Siro too.

    But on the domestic front our focus is on the league flag with the cup to play for to make a double.
    Curiously enough the same scenario is being played out in Can Barça with their playmakers, Xavi and Iniesta, talking up a league "doblete". Barça also went out of Europe in the last 16 and since then have had a stutter which they are now getting over.

    We have also been stuttering and none more so than our playmaker Neil Lennon. We still ardently hope though to see him holding aloft two trophies by the close of the season.
    In modern industrial relations parlance "closure" is a desired outcome when a punter is getting shunted. In Neil´s case closure should mean everyone at the club impressing on the players to split a gut for their midfielder who has been shunned and belittle away from Celtic Park during his time in Scotland. Guys have gone out to clock him and cheat him but although they have put him through the mill that grin is not long breaking out on that Northern Irish face as he has managed in the main to keep the head in outrageous conditions.

    Lenny must know and agree that he will be used sparingly at times and there will be different horses for different courses where team selection is concerned in the coming games. Lennon is special, he has tilled the great ship Celtica through murky waters and gave us possession football at a top European level. He has been the benchmark for this.

    The right closure will enhance his and the club´s reputation. Motherwell at home couldn´t have come at a better time. Let´s do it for Lennon, he´s like one of the Molly Malones....

    "We´ll never see the likes of him again"

    HEH!

     
  • At 07/04/07 09:04, rimtimtim said…

    Shurely shome mishstake

    THE MOLLY MAGUIRES

     
  • At 07/04/07 09:16, watchow said…

    This post has been removed by the author.

     
  • At 07/04/07 09:17, ianinjesi said…

    I think a 1-2 scoreline was predicted last night (couldn`t find it this morning) anyway 3-0 would be more welcome!
    Come on the Bhoys!

     
  • At 07/04/07 09:23, noel90 said…

    Celtic 4 Motherwell 1

     
  • At 07/04/07 09:24, watchow said…

    timlord

    maloney wouldnt talk. you cant negociate with someon who wont sit down at the table. no one was at "fault" for him re-signing.

    and your anticipation of a defeat makes me wonder about your motives. i'm not sure you are a celtic supporter at all, i think the minshaft or somewhere deeper and darker is probably the best place for an orc on the wind-up.



    p8ddy

    soft synths rule the world now.



    a fitter sharper jvoh and zurawski to do the job today. 4-1.

     
  • At 07/04/07 09:36, Parkheadcumsalford said…

    Martin42,

    I would really enjoy reading your memories from 1955 on. I really started watching regularly about 1958/9. I was at that replay Chennaisebird mentions. I was also at various other games at Hampden and we seemed to lose the lot. (Ibrox too come to that.)

    Here's to a result today no matter who plays. Let's get behind the Team and our manager.

    A very happy Easter to one and all.

     
  • At 07/04/07 10:13, aldo67 said…

    whooooosh> yo! peeps , what gives???
    day off from bedlam, unfortunately babysitting so it means live ive updates later....
    excellent article again paul,
    most impressed you spelt 'diarrhoea' correctly...:-)
    very common mistake with loose vowels...

    happy easter peeps
    slan
    aldo

     
  • At 07/04/07 11:09, aldo67 said…

    dont know if youse seen these before, about 2 mins 40 secs...jon gould doesnt look too clever..
    football comedy

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:11, setting free the bears said…

    Can anyone enlighten me?

    Did we have a poor result the last time the Villareal supporters made an exchange visit to CP?

    scouring the omens csc

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:13, El Diego Bhoy said…

    sftb

    I sem to recall a poor performance and either a narrow defeat or a 1-1 draw.

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:16, Gordon said…

    SFTB & EDB.. We lost 2-0 to Hearts on 2/4/2005.

    Brian Quinn booed at HT.

    All round bad day.

    No negative thoughts today, 3 points!

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:16, PjDali said…

    I wonder if today is the DAY that Mr Strachan finally gees up his troops for the assault on Motherwell today !!

    Surely there is enough craft and guile from the guys on Celtic FC playing staff to nail Motherwell. Surely theseguys can get their finger out and make it happen.

    I would like to see us play a real attacking game today as though it were a cup tie and we had to score goals aplenty. The biggest threat for them won't be playing as he's now on a pre-contract....so lets give it laldy!!!!!!

    In days gone by we'd have seen our team rise and roar at games like this. We shall not be MOVED !!

    I really hope Gordon does manage to get a good performance as I reckon it says a lot about him as a manager to motivate and make HIS team do it for him.

    I'm not a dweller of any mineshaft just a fan\support\customer of Celtic FC who needs an injection of good performance to bring back some good ol' fashioned entertainment. I miss seeing us play with style and having that hard gritty edge when we need it!

    I reckon a 2-1 win today but would much prefer a 4-0 whalloping of the well and soon to follow a SPL party one win away.

    Hail Hail

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:16, Martin42 said…

    SFTB,

    That game was the start of our worst period in 2005.

    We were 2-0 down to Hearts that day, the day our Chairman was booed at the half time presentation.

    Cheers,

    Martin.

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:18, setting free the bears said…

    EDB

    Thanks, that's what I thought.

    The omen I choose to take from that is that lightning doesn't strike twice (please do not become Stephen Fry and tell me that it's quite a common phenomenon).

    As well as winning the league for NL- well said rimtimtim- let's win one for El Submarino Amarillo.

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:20, El Diego Bhoy said…

    Heading out the door to Paradise.

    Have a good one everybody.

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:22, Celtic_First said…

    SFTB

    I think we lost to Hearts in the build-up to Black Sunday the last time the Submarí were here.

    Nevertheless, I must urge you to forget about omens and blind soothsayers. Take the existentialist approach, old thing. The manager, the players and the coaching staff and the fans on the day roaring encouragement from first to last are the architects of our destiny today.

    Don't let's get into another discussion about WG's pants.

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:24, fluffy bunny said…

    Help

    Will I be able to get a ticket up at the ground today?

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:26, fly_mo said…

    Can't help this notion that the "buddies" will lie doon tae the trolls tomorrow.......in a dignified manner, of course.

    Hail Hail

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:27, aldo67 said…

    jiri and sno still out injured, wilson and miller return from injury, mcmanus suspended....

    celtic first>
    wg's pants??????

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:29, setting free the bears said…

    Celtic First

    "Don't let's get into another discussion on WG's pants"????

    Would that be the pants belonging to WG or an opinion on his posting? :-)

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:30, aldo67 said…

    down with the pants!!!!

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:32, Celtic_First said…

    Aldo and SFTB

    It all happened in the build-up to the Milan games. I think McGrain in Spain reached the conclusion that we would only be able to go through if WG wore the right pants on the night. Both are certain to deny this now, but take it from me.

    What can we say about the eventual outcome?

    Perhaps WG wore the pants but they just weren't quite clean enough in the end.

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:37, fluffy bunny said…

    Enough of WG's pants!

    Could someone tell me what the situation is regarding getting a ticket for today's match?

    Are there any on sale or is it still possible to buy one from from a season ticket holder( I am unsure cos of the plastic card thing.)

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:38, aldo67 said…

    celtic first> thank you for airing wg's pants in public :-)
    you mean they only held out for 180 minutes?
    did the elastic break in extra time or was it something more sinister?
    i hope this unfortunate matter can be discussed frankly and openly in public....or i would guess an acrimonious split from wg and his pants...

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:40, aldo67 said…

    fluffybunny...im not sure what to do about a ticket...have you tried the ticket office? maybe trawl a few pubs? erm..viccy bar, herraghtys, squirrel...jeez im getting a thirst for beer now....

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:53, fluffy bunny said…

    alo67

    Thanks! Will head down to herraghtys on the off chance and then hang around Celtic Park.

     
  • At 07/04/07 12:56, aldo67 said…

    fluffybunny...theres also the hampden bar, queens park cafe,queens park bar...in the salubrious vicinity...
    good luck...

     
  • At 07/04/07 13:22, setting free the bears said…

    Are we dumbing down as a nation?

    The reason we celebrate Easter

     
  • At 07/04/07 13:31, Paul67 said…

    Yo! Aldo, "loose vowels" :-)

    new article posted.

     
  • At 07/04/07 13:32, whitedoghunch said…

    stfb

    shocking.

    You'd think by now folks would realise it is an ancient Pagan festival hijacked by the christians.

     

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