I heard Leigh Griffiths was being damned in a Scottish newspaper with a wide-eyed wonder about how many goals Steven Fletcher would score against Hamilton Accies, Ross County and Kilmarnock. Not Fenerbahce, Aberdeen or Malmo, who Leigh has scored four times against in four games, but didn’t rate a mention. Not even his goal against the mighty (cough) St Johnstone was recalled.
Leigh is the great underdog of our time. The Tea Cake Warrior who has reached above this allotted station. Hostile journalists are not alone in dismissing his potential, ask around, there are some in our own ranks.
Yesterday he responded, with wonderful understatement, to Paul Dykes tweet (below), noting the return he’s given compared to some of the more successful strikers we’ve had over the last dozen years of so, with “Not too bad I suppose…”
Goal scoring stats don’t tell you everything. Griffiths, Hooper and McDonald have a better goal return in their first 50 Celtic games than Henrik Larsson, but they are nowhere near the player he was, but if you are paid to be a goal scorer, this is a pretty important measure.
What Larsson did after those 50-or-so games was kick on with impressive style, eclipsing the exploits of Dalglish, and gave a return only McGrory could match. It’s totally unfair to ask Leigh to emulate Larsson, but there are comparisons with the immaculate Swede, Hooper and McDonald he achieve. All of them scored big goals for Celtic in important games.
When given a chance, Leigh has delivered in Europe. He never played for Celtic against Oldco Rangers, but he opened the scoring in an important League Cup semi-final against Newco last season, and he shows none of the complacency one or two on the above list were, on occasion, accused of.
A “bunch of Scots wrinklies” are walking through the Grand Canyon from Friday to raise funds for St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie. The Hospice costs thousands of pounds each week to carry out the work they do. Have a look here at what one of the “wrinklies” has to say about it. You’ll no doubt read more from Weeron inside.
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WHITEDOGHUNCH
Would have been my suggestion too but duff info from my Dad-said it has changed hands.
JUNGLE JIM HS
Mailed it to you,mate.
It’s at 1048 am yesterday.
.
Bobby..
Is it the Blane Valley near Lennoxtown..????
Summa
“It is a pity that big VVD has made the comments about learning more at Southampton after 5 games than he learned in all his time at Celtic.”
Joe,
Did he actually say that and mean that or is that what the daily record headline is and you’ve took it hook, line and sinker?
bankiebhoy1
The love child of a cowboy and a Presbyterian.
SUMMA OF SAMMI
Blane Valley is right beside Bacchus. There is one near Lennoxtown though,so try the town centre one!
https://www.zomato.com/glasgow/blane-valley-merchant-city
As for tonight,the company of your nearest and dearest,and a gaggle of students-or us lot?
No brainer,mate. Wise choice. And I hope you all have a great time. I’ll contact you tomorrow re 22/10,either way.
Bob
it hasn’t changed hands but I know Ross would sell it very happily for a decent offer
BK
………………..;0
A hun-handle worthy of a “Grimmond McCrummoch esque” impeachment!……….
;)
HH
Summa
WDH is always spot on but another option I enjoy is the Horseshoe Bar. Not everyone`s choice , I know and certainly not a quiet option but I feel it still has the Glasgow Touch about it ( and it sells Real Ale).
JJ
Good morning all.
Lovely morning it is too.
I have had an email from Gary MacAllister inviting me to become a Scottish football supporter. Anyone else received this? I am all for their aims but I’m wary of anything involving such a diehard follow follower.
BMCUW
Thanks for that, M ( or Bob !),
JJ
JUNGLEJIM HS
Horseshoe still far and away my favourite pub in the town.
Ah well,bang goes it’s great rep…
JUNGLE JIM HS
LOL!
What wi my real name,blog persona,confirmation name,name used by my mates,names used by not-my-mates(same initial as my Dad,hah!)it’s nae wonder I get confused…
I got the impression Virgil was hinting at the quality of the opposition, rather than a slur against Celtic.
Geordie M at 9:59
Just what I was thinking.
It would, though, be interesting to hear what he actually has learned! I have a feeling it would not stand up to any scrutiny 0:-)
” I learned to win the ball in a tackle. Before coming here, I used to let the opponent keep the ball.”
JJ
Scotland can indeed catch Poland but it’d mean Ireland finishing second.
Play off is best Scotland can hope for.
HH
The comparison of Griffiths McDonalds and Hoopers goals for ratio in their first 50 games for Celtic against Henrik doesn’t stand with me
The standard of opposition faced by Henrik then was a lot higher than the dross that occupies the SPL now also in Henriks time we had a whole team who were capale of scoring goals
JFH & Geordie Munro,
I posted my take on the VVD comments below, the Dutch can seem somewhat arrogant, but I’ve known quite a few and to me they are just rather abrupt and too the point.
“Interesting comments by VVD regarding playing in the English Premier League.
He certainly didn’t look as accomplished when he first arrived a Celtic from Groningen, he was not International class.
He developed a great deal at Celtic and left a much better player. The fact he has adapted to the much higher standard in the EPL says much for the big man’s talent, determination and ability to raise his game. But the fact that someone can leave Celtic and within weeks look like a top quality CB against teams like Chelsea say a lot about the coaching and conditioning he got at Celtic.
Victor took a season to bed into the EPL.
I believe his recent comments are directed towards Danny Blind, saying I’m ready to be a Dutch International Player.”
If you actually look at VVD’s comments, it was far more about where he is now, than looking back to disrespect Celtic.
I cannot see how anyone, without a jaundice eye, can see anything in VVD’s performances anything other than a positive for Celtic.
Hail Hail
.
Whitedoghunch..
Cheers for that Looks Perfect..
Funny enough l Mentioned You to My Daughter on Monday..When asking her what Her thoughts on Glasgows Restaurants that she had tried so far..
She is a Wee bit of a Foodie being brought up in Melbourne..
But that place will do the Trick..
Thanks again..
Summa
MICKBHOY1888
Pretty much agree with that,but that whole team capable of scoring goals were pretty inept after he broke his leg.
JJ
lol:)
The article was used to have a dig a Celtic.
A bit like when they tried to start a spat with Ronny and Lenny.
One comment I read was that he said he learns more in games than he did at Celtic.
It takes some stinkin thinkin to turn that into a slight against the coaching set up at Celtic Park.
HH
Sumbdy start a campaign………………
Campbell Dallas for SFA Prez………….him an’ the Big-Wig,with “Brandy Syphon” sortin’ oot the ………………*cough*…
…………………………………..paperwork……..
Dream ticket.,
and in an ole parallel universe Henrik doesn’t break his leg; John Barnes stays in the job, Martin O’Neill doesn’t come to Celtic.
Excellent photo of a billboard in Dundee here,just below one of Anto.
http://etims.net/?p=7890
mickbhoy1888 on 8th October 2015 10:17 am
Ah, yes. Those were the days 0:-)
JJ
JFH
Big VVD did NOT make those comments about Celtic, I posted the interview yesterday, it was Level 5 putting spin on the interview.
DONTBRATTBAKKINANGER
Aye,there’s a thought…
But as always,there is one constant. Scheidt would still be Scheidt.
Summa
Glasgow is really back on its feet with quite a number of quality eateries to choose from now after quite a long lean spell but miles a way from the depth, range and top end dining that Melbourne enjoys.
have a good night
.
If Ally Macloed Didn’t Flog Carpets before the World Cup in Argentina Scotland would have Won the World Cup..;-)
Summa of ShagpileBurnsCSC
Mickybhoy,
We’re the teams really worse?
utd out of Europe in qualifying. Killie out in first round.
The article is about the first 50 starts.
I’m not so sure the goals were all spread throughout the team in the Kings first 50
Bobby @ 1031
In all my time reading blogs I think I’m the only person that canny mind Raphael playing all that badly. :)
His time in Scotland was an expensive disaster though. No denying that
HH
TD67
Just as I thought. Thanks.
Cycling time for me.
Cheerio for now.
JJ
Leigh has always been a goal scorer
If given the chance in our team he would score for fun He has been and is
You must look at our scouts and ask them why are they not scouting goal scorers
Pukki, balde etc were not goal scorers and were woefully scouted
Our striker policy must change. Only goal scorers
We’re = Were
What do Chelsea, Norwich, Luton and Hearts have in common?
The real interview with VVD before Level 5 and the SMSM get there hands on it, he doesent mention Celtic at all?
Former Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk has revealed the pace of Premier League football is much faster than Scottish football.
Since his deadline day move to Southampton, Virgil van Dijk has dealt well with the steep learning curve under Ronald Koeman.
Given the talent the 24-year-old possesses, it wasn’t going to take him long to adapt to the English game. The Dutchman spent two years at Celtic having joined from FC Groningen for around £2.6 million.
Celtic fans were drawn to him instantly as a defender who was comfortable on the ball, powerful in the air and even had the ability to score from thirty yards. Like his current manager Koeman, he could also strike a stunning free-kick from distance.
Van Dijk has made five appearances so far already, scoring against Swansea and helping Southampton beat Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea 3-1. It was the Portuguese’s second ever home defeat as Chelsea manager.
Speaking to NU Sport van Dijk says the English game is far superior to the Scottish game.
I’ve been in five games at Southampton learned and have much more than in the previous years, so I’m definitely going forward as a football player.
The game is much faster in England than in Scotland.
The midfield is sometimes like pinball, I had to get used to it.
The centre-back made 76 appearances for the Hoops over his two-year stint at the club, scoring nine goals.
they are all wee clubs…………………..?
OH WOULD SOME POWER THE GIFTIE GIE US …….http://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2015-10/6/7/enhanced/webdr05/grid-cell-12128-1444130209-17.jpg