KR Reykjavík recorded a 0-2 win in the Icelandic Cup on Sunday and have one more league game, against bottom club Thor on Thursday, before facing Celtic on Champions League duty a week today.
Celtic have a game this evening against LSK Linz before facing a famous name from our past, Dukla Prague, on Friday. While the world will be coming through a World Cup climb down Celtic will be facing a committed team in the mid-Atlantic. There is no room for complacency.
Next week’s qualifier has all the potential to cause a fright. Ronny Deila will by now know all about Gordon Strachan’s competitive start at Celtic, which cast a shadow he never completely shook off, so it is absolutely critical the manager gets us playing the way he wants us tonight.
Ross McCormack’s route from Murray Park reject at 19 eight years ago to a player Fulham have just bid £11m for is worthy of consideration. It’s easy for us to point to how Rangers ruined young talented footballers but the stark truth is that for well over a decade Celtic had vastly better youth talent that Rangers but failed to graduate anything like as many as we should have.
McCormack had to go to Motherwell, a club well experienced at nurturing talent, to build his career, but he would have fared no better at Celtic. Having no space for youth is one of the many unhealthy consequences of having two massive clubs engaged in a football arms race. Our game was destined to destroy talent.
Fortunately, the man who loaned his name to Murray Park ensured that arms race would end in spectacular fashion, when he sold his club’s assets and liabilities to a liquidation specialist for £1. In a perverse sort of way, Scottish football should thank him.
Thank you to everyone who supported CQN’s efforts for Glasgow the Caring City and The Cookie Jar Foundation, especially the reader who paid an incredible £530 for the signed European Cup canvas. You are all a credit to our club.
Best wishes to Argentina tomorrow, I hope the overcome Netherlands for the memory of the first worldwide football hero they gave the game, Alfredo Di Stefano.
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lsk linz v celtic
coybig
hodor?
oh yeah
Morning
HAIL
off the post.
me no quick enough
From last thread.,,,,
Malarkey
Have you got Sky?
If so you can get the various bbc national channels that way. I watch nutters on the Nolan Show on BBC NI sometimes.
You kinda have to wade through all the porn channels to get to the end of the list so be sure to let any mrs of yours know what you’re about to do or it can look pretty incriminating!!!
HH jamesgang
BOGNORBHOY
From earlier,I mailed the fella yer talking about,over the weekend.
He hadn’t read the papers,but was effing delighted that ‘the genie is out of the bottle.’
He only wants justice for his brothers and sisters,and those like them.
I hope tf he gets it!
Paul67 –
I believe that Argentina face Holland tomorrow. You were doing so well too… ;-)
malarkey- not sure mate,trying to navigate their website to get Sportsound is a nightmare…
Jobo – ya big spoilsport!
Keep your teeth in :-)
jinky – sssshhhhhhhh
Jobo
You are indeed a sage. Or a pure smarty pants!
I could tell you my train is passing through a damp Linlithgow but you’ll know that already o wise one!
HH jamesgang
LISBON LION Tommy Gemmell today joined the world-wide tributes to Alfredo di Stefano who has sadly passed away.
The Celtic great remembered the Real Madrid legend as being an “extremely humble superstar.”
Gemmell told CQN this morning: “He was one of the first genuine big-name personalities in sport.
“The things he did in that fabulous Real Madrid side of the fifties and sixties had to be seen to be believed.
“His performance in the unforgettable 7-3 European Cup Final victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in 1960 was football heaven.
“As a player, I was absolutely delighted when Alfredo asked Celtic to play in his Testimonial Match shortly after we had emulated the Spaniards and conquered Europe in 1967.
“I know the club were just as delighted to have such an honour bestowed upon them
“There is a photograph of the Great Man in my new book – appropriately entitled ‘All The Best’ – when Celtic touched down at Madrid Airport.
“He was there in person to welcome each and every one of us.
“Alfredo could have sent an agent or a club representative to meet us, but it was so typical of the man that he took the time to turn up and make a fuss over us.
“There was a genuine warmth about the character and you couldn’t help but be inspired in his presence.
“I recall Jimmy Johnstone being in awe of his great hero.
“If you knew Wee Jinky, you knew you had to earn that respect.
“As you would expect, the Bernabeu Stadium was absolutely packed the night of the game.
“They put out the official crowd as 130,000, but if you had told me it was 230,000, I would have believed you. The atmosphere was incredible.
“Alfredo actually kicked off and, at the age of 40, actually played the first 15 minutes or so. He looked fit enough to play the entire game.
“When he went off to a standing ovation, Wee Jinky decided to take centre stage. It was a bit like he wanted to put on a show for Alfredo.
“I was told later that Alfredo was applauding as warmly as any fan in the ground when Jinky opened his box of tricks.
“In truth, he was unstoppable that night. By the way, this was no friendly.
“We knew Real Madrid, who had won the European Cup the year before us, wanted to show they were still the best in the business.
“They had a couple of defenders who didn’t like playing second fiddle to Jinky, but that didn’t prevent him from putting on the sort of breathtaking show his big hero sitting in the stand would have enjoyed.
“Of course, we triumped 1-0 after Jinky set up the goal for his best pal Bobby Lennox.
“Everyone at Celtic was proud to play that special night for a special man and a special player.
“He came into our dressing room to congratulate us on a fabulous display. Quietly, he told the players we deserved to win and we were, indeed, the best side in Europe.
“Jinky, of course, was singled out for acclaim. I swear our wee genius grew to about 6ft 10in when Alfredo praised him.
“It was so sad to hear Alfredo had passed away at the age of 88 this week.
“I will always remember him as a fabulous footballer who possessed all the skills – and some more.
“Even more importantly, I will remember him as a wonderful human being who went out of his way to help people.
“He was a true gent and will always be remembered for all the right reasons.”
Friesdorfer, The Friars Walk Tavern is in my opinion the best Celtic Pub in Cork, you can Google it online and your best option for watching any Celtic Game. Cork is a charming City, lovely to stroll around by day, but like many places late at night City Centre, I would be cautious and stick to main streets. If you have a car and are moving around a bit there are some lovely wee spots not too far away. A trip down around Fota & Cobh, maybe lunch in Fota Golf Club take in Fota Wild Life Park and on to Cobh where Titanic sailed from would be a nice trip. Or on the South side a trip to Kinsale. Unfortunately I no longer live in Cork so I’m not up to date on latest trendy nightspots. There is a wee pub in South Main Street in City Centre called The Spailpin Fánach which has good trad Sessions but if you Google Discover Ireland or Cork Tourism you will get a list of what’s happening and Sessions in different Pubs on different nights. I hope you enjoy yourself and don’t bump into any langers. A langer is a Cork term for an eejit.
Great words from Tommy
Can I just say thanks to the dapper Dunblane quartet, they were great company at Aberdour. I thouroughly enjoyed my round with Owen & Sammy then the evening with all four.
Jinky and de Stefano playing 5s as we speak with TB drooling over their skills and Wee Oscar nicking the ball.
HH jamesgang
proudbhoy,
Best Wishes to your Good Lady tonight.
Where are you in the West?
AR
I think that Thor will hammer KR Reykjavík on Thursday.
Bawsman
Take it you’re only now sober enough to type after a night out with Hutchybhoy!?!
PinkElephantsCSC
HH jamesgang
Carrying on with the ole Jobo pedan(tics) there is no such team as LSK Linz, and Celtic are playing LASK Linz.
A search engine was used to aid this piece of useless information CSC
antipodean red
13:21 on 8 July, 2014
—
10mins from city.. Im up in newman at moment working thou. Half way through a 4weeker but could be heading home sooner . Waiting to hear from the missus as to whats happening.
While I agree with the point regarding youth development, I’m not sure Ross McCormack is a good example of the policy’s deficiencies at oldco.
I remember seeing him given a chance at oldco and thought he looked a pretty ordinary player, it was the right decision to let him go on the available evidence at the time. He started to improve at Cardiff but the fact it took him 8 years to evolve into a decent player, but still unable to attract a club above championship level, would tend to support that.
Paul
Interesting comment about SDM.
Yesterday, someone posted the result of a poll on who the fans of Sevco blamed for the shambles.
26% blamed SDM
62% blamed Our Hero
As you keep repeating, SDM ran the club into financial oblivion and sold it for a GB pound to a liquidation specialist.
So let’s blame the guy who had a spare quid in his pocket when SDM caught his eye.
Denialisthebestrevenge CSC
HH
winning captains
13:08 on
Fantastic post from esteemed CQN’er Tommy .HH
Sons of Erin
There is a view that there is nothing to choose between the bottom half of the EPL and the top third of the Championship. Usually the same suspects yo-yoing between both divisions.
Fulham are well funded (as opposed to run on real business lines) and look like they are rebuilding to get by in the EPL.
McCormack is a good player and will get them the goals they need.
As for his value….he’s worth whatever someone will pay (to them anyway).
HH
winning captains
13.08
Thanks for sharing TG’s thoughts on the passing of Alfredo Di Stefano above.
It’s a meaningful connection to a man, I only from my Dad’s memories, when we can read the views of someone who played on a pitch with him.
I imagine his memory will be honoured at both semi-finals this week.
————————————————————————————————————-
Good luck again this evening, Celtic.
I’ll be satisfied for us to return from Iceland level in the tie.
Paul 67…….
Ouch….
“Fortunately, the man who loaned his name to Murray Park ensured that arms race would end in spectacular fashion,..”
…..the wee fullah ain’t gonna like that one.
Good points on the development of youth players, I’m hoping Ronny adds this into the mix. Soon see.
Keep slappin’ it into thum – they don’t like it.
HH
My friends in Celtic,
So Ross McCormack who is no more than a decent player joins an unfashionable team in the second tier of English football for £11 million.
This demonstrates again what we are up against. The reality is that any of our players will go if an equally generous bid comes in.
Once more I reiterate, we simply have to get out of Scottish football.
Although we may hanker back to the glory days, times have changed. We must escape.
HH.
proudbhoy,
Hope all goes well for her, I’m over in Karratha on n/s tonight, need to try and catch-up with you sometime, I’m due out of here early next week and heading back to Scotland for a couple of weeks at the end of July.
AR
The money on offer in the EPL distorts any reality based notion of value.
If Ross McCormick scores or provides assists for say 25 goals which result in Fulham being promoted, then there is no doubt he will have been worth £11m.
The problem is that he may score only 20 and they don’t get promoted.
The deid team signed Flo for £12m (imagine) to show WATP and to gain entry to the CL. It’s the front loading of the risk which can lead clubs into big trouble.
‘The Netherlands in its entirety is often referred to as “Holland”, which in strict usage, refers only to North and South Holland, two of its provinces. Since these two provinces are the most populous and famous of the Netherlands, they often serve as a metonym for the entire country. Referring to the Netherlands as Holland is technically incorrect or informaldepending on the context, but is more acceptable when referring to the national football team.’
-Lifted from Wiki/EWTB/EWLM
DBBIA/GoldenEarringCSC
BMCUW from previous, aye cheers pal. This time next week we will be on the way… Been an interesting 6 months and fortunate to have met some new good friends but the two-faced stench of ‘the what school did you go to? brigade’ is never far away… That particular downside is still very much in evidence… If only we could vote that away… Anyway pal, we will be back in a couple of months to tidy up some loose ends… Take care and God Bless… Regards & Hail Hail… TBM
On the plus side, if McCormack is going for 11m, what is the true value of the experienced Champions League stalwart and set piece specialist Virgil Van Dijk, or the real England no.1, Fraser Forster?!
HH
Well. I’m just happy in the knowledge the Old firm arms race has gone and downsizing to Motherwell’s level is on the horizon.
Woop! Woop!
MWD says AYE
rwe
of course sdm gave them a niar (all be it tainted) – whereas our hero gave them liquidation