I remember the days (as a kid) when I’d get excited about Scotland-England games. At the time the countries were neck-and-neck in the number of wins each had over the other, we knew we’d punched well above our weight for a century. Since then, the inevitable verdict of demographics has taken its toll.
Now we know we’re a small nation, inconsequential to the football world, and we’ve even starved of developmental resources compared to the riches that ploughs into the English FA from Premier League TV deals each season.
The historical rivalry remains but I don’t feel it anymore and surely English fans care even less. They will have to dig deep to muster anything more than an interest in the three points available tonight, having long since moved onto Argentina and Germany for their rivalry. And Iceland, of course (forgive me).
Great sporting rivalries can endure for generations but that doesn’t mean they’ll last forever. Circumstances can change causing both sides to lose interest and find others to do battle with. None of our 20th century rivalries will survive. If we could bloody the nose of Barcelona for a third time in the 21st century later this month, our hit rate would place the Catalans in the crosshairs. Bring it on.
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Jim Payne, my dad and his brothers disliked Bob Kelly as they thought he interfered with the team to much and I’m sure one of my Uncles told me that Sean had publicly defended Bob Kelly which didn’t go down well in some quarters.
A friend of mine from school stayed a few doors along from the Fallons. I had the great fortune through my school pal to meet Sean and young Sean a number of times.
Meeting Sean and him calling me by my name when I next met him was incredible. He was a great man and Celt,.
Lou Macari has had his own tragedy to deal with.
He is an example of a player who is not too fondly remembered for the manner of his leaving and his nonchalant manager of the club.
Yet, what he is doing for the homeless shines a light on the character of the man.
In that Big Book in the sky, what will he be judged on?
Parkheadcumsalford, thanks for confirming that about Sean
Through the course of time , Sean and Tommy Burns epitomised Celtic to me.
Dallas Dallas
I knew Sean towards the end of his life and doing so was one of the highlights of my life. One of the great Celts.
As for Bob Kelly my dad was kinder about him than my uncles is the best I can say though they respected his stance on some things as well as his recruiting of Jock. Obviously a major figure in the club’s history though.
Jimbo67
You’ll all be glad to know that I solved the BT Extender issue.
Only ONE should be connected via Ethernet to the Hub.
Cue lots of people here saying ‘Pete – I was wondering when you’d find that out. I was going to give you till 8 and then I would tell you.’
Jim Payne, Sean really was an incredible man. If more in this world had Sean’s values and humanity, the world would be a far better place.
I last met him the Sunday before Tommy’s funeral.
I had taken my family up to see the tributes to Tommy when we bumped into Sean, young Sean and his son.
Sean had on his Celtic suit and looked as smart as ever.
He chatted with us for about five minutes and told me some stories about Tommy.
I still cherish the memories when I had the chance of listening to Sean talk about our club.
Thomthetim, any previous ill feeling I had towards Lou , is gone.
The former Stoke kit man had various health issues and Lou treated him very well .
Thomthethim & Dallas
Celtic players are just footballers, I used to dislike Steven Naismith……but am afraid young Naismith has done more for the homeless in Glasgow & Liverpool than Inwill ever know……
Dallas Dallas
I last met him when he was recording an interview for Celtic TV that was broadcast just before he unfurled the flag in 2012. He was fading but he remained convivial with his humour intact.
I never spoke with anyone who knew more about football but there was so much more to him than that. I sometimes drink in Bar67 on the Gallowgate and there is a mural of some of the real greats of Celtic’s history- tte creme de la creme of our club- and it makes me proud that Sean is there.
Jimbo67
Gearoid 1998, Dena 29,
Thank you for the kind words.
HH
Good evening all,
BRTH, I really liked the way you understand the plight of the homeless and articulate it for others to appreciate. Well recorded J.
Pyoor murder no’ having any any fitba’ for so long, so roll on Friday and our visit to Kilmarnock.
The best eleven Celtic players seen might not add up to the best ever Celtic team, though if we give SFTB enough goes he might get to name every player he has ever sen in every formation!
For me, it is an impossible task, as the criteria for selection is so random.
However I would suggest that any best eleven MUST contain Danny McGrain, Kenny Dalglish, Jimmy Johnstone and Henrik Larrson. All four totally, utterly world class players. (Nothing subjective in that assertion).
The ole green tinted specs of a personal variety can then take over.
I loved Ronnie Simpson and the good Artur and FF gran muralla, so which one?
Then the formation, 442, 433, 352, 4231?
If you play a left back then it’s got to be Tommy Gemmell.
Two centre backs ? Billy McNeill and George Connolly. 3 centre backs, add Van Dijk.
Two defensive mids? David Hay and Big Vic, sorry Neil Lennon.
Midfield three, Jinky, McStay, Nakamura. Four add Murdoch.
Me, I have to go 442, to get my top four in their correct positions so
Simpson
Danny Billy, George, TG
Jinky, Maestro, Hay, Nakamura.
Henke, Kenny
Eurochamps67
kENNY Miller is the landlord of an extortion suspect accused of demanding £40,000 for earrings the Rangers star’s wife lost.
The Sunday Mail can reveal that Billy Steele lives in a luxury home owned by Miller and wife Laura.
Steele, 35, is accused of trying to extort £40,000 from the daughter of a gangland figure after she was blamed for losing Laura’s diamond earrings.
Police are also investigating a late-night attack on the home of the alleged victim’s dad a week ago.
The jewellery was ripped out during a brawl outside an Italian restaurant hours after Rangers lost 5-1 to Celtic in September.
Steele was released on bail at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday after spending eight days in custody.
He made no plea or declaration to two separate extortion charges and will appear again at a later date.
The brawl took place at posh Bothwell bar Da Luciano’sThe brawl took place at posh Bothwell bar Da Luciano’s
And it has emerged that he lives in a £585,000 house bought by the Rangers star on a plush estate in July 2014.
A source said: “A lot of top players have invested in property and this is an example of it.
“The house is amazing – it’s got a detached garage the size of some people’s homes.
“It’s in a quiet spot where anyone would be happy to live. The rent must be a fortune.”
Miller has been identified as a key witness in the alleged plot which led to Steele’s arrest.
Police are examining two mobile phones they believe are linked to the striker – who was a TV pundit during Scotland’s World Cup clash with England at Wembley on Friday night.
Steele is alleged to have visited the woman and her boyfriend at their home in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, on November 2 and demanded cash as compensation for the diamond earrings, which were lost during a rammy at Da Luciano restaurant in the village.
READ MORE
Rangers star Kenny Miller named as key witness in alleged gangland extortion plot
Kenny Miller and his wife Laura were at posh Lanarkshire nightspot Da LucianoKenny Miller and his wife Laura were at posh Lanarkshire nightspot Da Luciano
The alleged extortion victim – whose father is a notorious gangland figure with links to the vice industry – raised the alarm with police.
Last week, her father’s home was targeted by vandals who smashed a window.
The incident is understood to have been caught on CCTV cameras which recorded a male carrying out the attack.
Our source added: “It was thought the earrings were going to be covered by an insurance policy.
“The claims about an extortion attempt have taken everyone by surprise.
“The woman who was threatened called the police.
“But her dad had a window smashed last week. He’s raging.
“The fight outside the restaurant was over with within a few minutes. It looks like the fall-out from it will last a lot longer.”
The brawl on September 10 involved up to 20 people. Miller stepped in after Laura, 28, was slapped in the face.
The suspect’s houseThe suspect’s house
READ MORE
Rangers striker Kenny Miller reveals one call is all it would take for him to make Scotland return
She suffered a black eye and a scratch to her forehead. He was arrested in connection with the bust-up and a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.
Mum-of-two Laura later posted photographs on her Instagram account showing the scratch above her eye.
She also posted a picture of her ear, captioned: “My substitute earrings are not very cool.”
Miller scored his 100th goal for Rangers, in his third spell with the club, against Inverness last month.
Steele refused to comment when approached by our reporter at his home yesterday.
Miller and Rangers refused to comment.
A police spokeswoman said of the extortion investigation: “A 35-year-old man was arrested on November 4 in connection with alleged offences including attempted extortion.”
Police also confirmed they were investigating alleged vandalism at a property in Bothwell on November 6.
A few mentions of Lou Macari tonight. A car crash as a manager but a great human being. If in doubt watch Marvellous – a film about his time at Stoke City and how he looked after Neil Baldwin. A fantastic story.
Gooooood evening CQN
And very well done to those who had the sleep out last night
I also see the Sporting Integrity Iniative is now up on Celtic news now
Hail Hail
Gerry, very true about Steven Naismith.
No more bad words from me will be aimed at Steven.
I’m sure he will doing the same in Norwich also.
Eurochamps away and fling excrement at the moon
Wanyama couldn’t lace our Neil’s boots… FACT
Dallas
He does….. I don’t like praising the wee bam, but credit where it’s due, he done the loafs & fishes charity when he was an apprentice with Killie ….loads of respect for the wee Hun :-)
Portugal v Latvia on Itv4
Jim Payne, the Thursday before Sean raised the league flag, which he should have been asked to long before he did, I by chance met young Sean.
He told me his dad was very excited about raising the flag then going on to enjoy the 90th birthday party the club had laid on for Sean.
Sean also told me why Keevins had his press privileges for Celtic Park, withdrawn.
Keevins had misreported the reasons why Sligo Rovers and Celtic had cancelled a tribute match to Sean in Sligo, by blaming us, which wasnt the case.
BRTH, fantastic post earlier, it is humbling to read the articulation of the thoughts of many on here, in such a descriptive and evocative manner, and to appreciate, deeply, that people do care for others in a much worse position than themselves.
Others, too, have contributed to this wonderful human effort, HT and Minx amongst them, and the magnificent support to wee Shay (from CRC? et al), and not forgetting the Green Brigade also, in the pursuit of better lives.
Such endeavour and spirit fills me with immense pride, HH to one and all.
Good Evening.
Second new piece of the day. This one is about how to ensure Scotland win the World Cup. It may include Sevco-based satire… https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/11/13/scotland-how-to-win-the-world-cup/
Just read the Clumpany’s latest piece on Scotland qualifying for the World Cup – well up to standard in parody terms! I wonder, though, if the SMSM might have decided to latch on to the “get rid of Regan idea” as a deflection tactic from other potential revelations?
HH
Oops, Scotland winning the World Cup. How could I get it so wrong…!
Dallas…
Slug Keevins crossed a line, it’s easy to have a pop, but the the stuff with Sean Fallon didn’t sit well with our custodians, Keevins was a shock jock who can no longer shock so he plays the panto villain, a joke of a journalist like,most of them, Scott “rangers shell suit” McDermott is another……probably used their pencils to clean their ears more than writing
BROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN on 13TH NOVEMBER 2016 2:42 PM
You sir are an excellent wordsmith! Wonderfully evocative.
Congratulations to you, HT, Minx and all who took part. Humbling indeed!
Winning Captains, IMHO that post should be published as an article so no one misses it!
KTF
The Night Of……..watch it , very very good
Friesdorfer
You are allowed to get things wrong, more important things in your life this weekend :-)
Give your daughter a big hug from ML5…. Wee Mollie will take care of herself :-)
Gerryfraethebrig,
The sad thing about Keevins is that he was originally a good journalist, in his Herald days. Sold out and now is not even a joke.
GFTB
:-)
Parkheadcumsalford
He is a joke journo these days, he likes his boxing, and one day on SSB he was speaking of a young Ricky Burns, he was brilliant (Keevins that is) but now he chases the pay cheque and pays his daughters weddings……aye right, he is a joke figure and now buys into the joke figure persona
I listen to SSB for my sins, Mark Guidi once said, “the EBT stuff is boring let’s move on”
A journalist with the biggest sporting fraud case….let’s move on ????
By the way I don’t need Guidi or Keevins…. Thankfully I know my own mind :-(
Gerry, I may be wrong here but did Keevins not make out that he was banned fromCeltic Park ?
If he did that was not the case.
He could still get into Celtic Park but had to pay.
No facilties available to the press were available to him free of charge.
!!BADA BING!! on 13TH NOVEMBER 2016 12:39 PM
Turkeybhoy- bottle on the head with that post…..
What for?.Because I dont know what the scandal is with Miller?I said his partner was very fragrant?Which she is.Sorry,I have a life,and I am just back in,and read your reply.
My question was an honest one,as I have no idea WTF that is all about with Miller.On the other hand,if the question of who is the best Celts is more important,then fill your boots with this sort of childish drivel.FFS,considering the age gap on this blog,just what is the point of such guff.Some were not born when Jinky played.But ask an honest question?.
Lots of names were missing from the EBT list remember, just saying.We got players, managers, former managers board members but not a complete list why is that and who could they be?
Simpson, Craig, Gemmell; Murdoch,McNeill and Clark; Johnstone, Wallace, Chalmers, Auld and Lennox.
Why mess with perfection?
Pushing hard for a place, though, obviously, Joe McBride, Danny, Big George, Paul, Kenny Dal and Henrik.
God, I’ve been lucky to have seen such talent,over so many years, ‘live’ on the pitch.
Hail Hail!
BRTH at 2:42 on Page 25 – now THAT’s what I call a post!!!!
Hope you don’t mind but I’ve just copied and pasted onto Facebook.
Bada Bing, the night of was a great watch.
A crime show done in a different way to the norm.
I noticed on the credits , the late James Gandolfini , was an executive producer for the series.
I wonder if he was going to play the part of John Stone?
A few HBO regular actors appeared in it especially the prison kingpin who was Chalky in Boardwalk Empire.
Ha! ha!
Right on cue!
Dallas
You may be correct…..he did mention he wasn’t allowed in, nothing about him paying to get in
He is one of the worst, a Celtic fan who has never anything good to say bout Celtic, fair play we can all have our own mumps and moans but for me why follow the hoops if they make you that unhappy no wonder our own Kevj likes Shug & McNee,,Celtic fans that think the world owes them, me, am happy when Celtic don’t win…..?
KevJ apologies for referencing you with your heroes but in your own words you’d do love them both
KevJ before I hit my kip do you think Callum Paterson would get a game with Sweden if he was Swedish, how are John Daly & Michael Higdon getting on…… I hope if Brendan reads Cqn the squirrels might distract him from your diatribe
The Jungle wasn’t as good as you write about it….. In fact I think you use the jungle to get attention
Keep well and Hail Hail …… Kev