I have watched a bit of the Championship on BBC Scotland recently. It’s seldom brilliant football but almost always entertaining. For most of the season I despaired at the prospect of Arbroath picking up the automatic promotion spot. The last thing we need is another tiny club with tiny resources lining their entire team along the 18-yard line.
This is unfair, of course. What this tiny team have achieved to get within a whisker of the topflight is remarkable. With Premiership TV money, they could emulate Ross County and previously Hamilton. They would bring little interest to the league, but seven figure payments go a long way when you carry low overheads.
The alternative is Kilmarnock, a side with vastly greater resources and a truly terrible artificial surface. Inverness and Partick will likely compete with the Premiership’s 11th club for the remaining topflight spot. Raith seem to have lost their way since the Goodwillie fiasco.
Clubs only survive in the lower leagues so long before whatever local appeal they had fades to an insignificant level. Dunfermline have a history, a decent sized local population, with an affluent business community, but the Leishman days are gone for good, never mind the Stein era. Ironically, it could be Raith, newly relevant in Kirkcaldy, who are more likely to bounce.
Former Celtic central defender, John Hughes, is currently managing Dunfermline. He led Falkirk to the topflight 19 years ago, then onto the top half of the table and a Scottish Cup Final. When he left for an ill-advised spell at Hibs, Falkirk never recovered. They have lost more than they’ve won in League One this season.
I’ll regret whoever goes down of Dundee or St Johnstone. Both are sold clubs with enough fans to do better. Despite the pitch, a Kilmarnock would be welcome. It makes for a healthier league.
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By Joe Sullivan
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Here we take the opportunity to revisit some Celtic games and tales from this day in the club’s past.
How did the club fare on this day in the past?
1904
The club was first in action on this day in the league, with the Bhoys running out as 2-1 victors against Motherwell at Celtic Park. Both goals were scored by club great, Alec Bennett (below), who alongside Jimmy McMenemy, Jimmy Quinn, Peter Somers and Davie Hamilton formed one of the club’s legendary forward lines. The following season, 1904/05, Celtic won their first of six league titles in a row. Bennett played his part in four of those championship wins and also lifted three Scottish Cups during five years at the club
1905
Celtic legend Peter Wilson (below) was born on this day in 1905, and he went on to make 395 appearances in the Hoops between 1923 and 1934. A ‘cool, quick-thinking and shrewd constructor’, the Beith-born right-half was an outstanding performer in both defence and attack. He also showed nerves of steel in his 11-year spell at the club and on one occasion against Hearts, he stepped up and rifled home from the penalty spot after the referee had demanded two retakes. Wilson went on to manage Dunfermline and finished his career as a coach at Kilmarnock.
1927
Ibrox was the venue for Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final meeting with Falkirk on this day in 1927, with the great Adam McLean scoring the only goal of the match. In the first-round, the Hoops beat Queen of the South 4-1 following a 0-0 draw and went on to beat Brechin City 6-3, Dundee 4-2 and Bo’ness 5-2 before meeting the Brockville club. McLean, a left-winger was an inspirational figure in the championship winning sides of 1917, 1919, 1922 and 1926 and he had been sorely missed in Celtic’s defeat to St Mirren in the previous year’s final. With McLean in the side and on the scoresheet, Celtic went on to win the cup at Hampden in 1927, with a 3-1 win over East Fife.
1938
On this day in 1938, Celtic entertained Ayr United in the league after earlier drawing 1-1 with the Ayrshire side down at Somerset Park. That day a Willie Buchan penalty saved the Celts’ blushes against the newly-promoted side and in the Celtic Park game there was another 1-1 outcome, this time with Malky MacDonald netting the Celtic goal. Those two draws, however, didn’t stop Celtic’s march towards the title and in what was Jimmy McGrory’s final season, he didn’t play after October, the Hoops lifted the last trophy of Willie Maley’s reign as manager…
1977
Celtic took a massive step towards the 1976/77 championship on this day with a 2-0 home win over challengers, Dundee United. The game was the debut of former Morton keeper, Roy Baines, who had joined five months earlier. And he came up trumps with a piece of gamesmanship when opposite No.1, Hamish McAlpine took a penalty in the 25th minute. Following turning his back on the taker, he turned to save the spot-kick by the other keeper (below). The 37,000 crowd saw Joe Craig open the scoring just before the break and McAlpine’s penalty nightmare was complete five minutes after the turnaround. He sent a goal-kick straight to Craig who played in Johnny Doyle and the keeper brought the winger down. Ronnie Glavin confidently struck the spot-kick away and even with nine games yet to play and the Hoops only five points ahead, the smart money was on the men in green and white.
2006
Celtic took a step closer to Gordon Strachan’s first championship win as manager, with Maciej Zurawski and Shaun Maloney scoring in a 2-0 win over Livingston at Almondvale. The Polish striker’s 18th goal of the 2005/06 season was stabbed home from close range, with Maloney’s strike finished from the penalty spot five minutes later. Three days later at Celtic Park, John Hartson clinched the title with his fourth-minute strike in a 1-0 win over Hearts.
2014
Celtic’s most recent game on this day was in 2014 when a trip to Firhill delivered not only a 5-1 win over Partick Thistle and the three points, but the club’s third title of the nine-in-a-row run. Aberdeen drew 1-1 with St Johnstone the night before, meaning the title could be won in Maryhill in midweek instead of Celtic Park at the weekend. Anthony Stokes opened the scoring in the fourth minute, but most of the action arrived in the second half with goals from Liam Henderson and Stefan Johansen making it 3-0 before Thistle pulled one back in the 85th minute through Christie Elliott. However, Stokes again, and Kris Commons both scored in the 90th minute to make it 5-1 and the first ever title known as the Scottish Premiership had been won.
AN TEARMANN
Played at the KGV for the 94th cubs on a Saturday morning, one of the best times of my life. We changed at a hut at Thornliebank train station! and walked down Boydstone Road to the KGV singing like linties! por cierto
GFTB
Congrats on the new laid back style- classy response to MM’s non-debate!
There are some posters who do not want debate – just acclamation and do not deal well with disagreement.
You made a sensible point about under age players being tested with older age groups because they were good enough. We went years with our reserve teams horsing the reserve league and not producing enough quality. If you prioritise winning leagues you would field a team of your most fully grown players in the upper half of the age cohort. So what? You earn no valuable money or prestige from that title and a constant flow of success is not the way to breed a winning mentality.
As for National team representation, there has always been a blindness towards Celtic players and and a bias towards Anglos and Sevcos. James Forrest got 13 U-10 caps and 4 at U-20. Callum McGregor got 8 and 5 respectively. Christian Dailly got 35 apps. at U-21 level. Rory Loy(now at Dumbarton but playing for Rangers when capped) got as many as Callum got.
It is hard not to believe that the voices with most certainty on how to develop youth players have never ever had to do any of this work. God save us from armchair theorists!
U-19 not U-10
Burnley78 1.21pm
You are correct… think sometimes some memories merge into one :-)
SFTB 1.49pm
It’s too easy to pick holes in youth systems, I need to admit if I had a young son (or daughter) who had the potential to make it as a player I would love them to be a Celt but would try and advise against it at a young age, I think you need to be exceptional (KT / Callum / Jamesy F) to break through at Celtic … probably better odds going through the David Turnbull / Greg Taylor route, only using these bhoys as they are current or in KTs case the recent past … and KT is exceptional :-)
listening to Donegal beating Armagh on Highland Radio and watching Monaghan giving Dublin a doing on Premierr Sports.
There are other sports when there is no fit
jeez monaghan sftb
Agree you have to be exceptional to get a game with Celtic. Both Mikey Johnston and Karamoke would already be first team players at any other SPFL team because we did not prioritise development when we were aiming for the 10.
There are certainly talents there in Summers. Lawal, Vata, Oluwayemi and Kelly but they need more than Lowland League competition to jump the gap to the first team.
It looks like Ange has decided to encourage talent to stay- he gave game time to both Doak and Dembele but Ben Doak’s representatives still preferred to jump to Liverpool. Karamoko has not said anything yet. I hope he stays. He has a very good chance. Injuries have prevented him making the breakthrough already but he is far from being finished. It is all still in front of him. I hope he stays for a few years but, if he turns out as good as he looked then he will leave eventually.
Women playing in men’s football.
I had to check that it wasn’t the 1st of April.
SFTB 2.15pm
Definitely, think Ange has the charisma to get players and the kids to buy into his ideas, I think we will win the league but have prepared myself if we don’t to still give Ange the time he needs, there has been major improvement on the field and his signings have been nothing short of amazing … but, as we all know things can change … if Ange wins this league and fancies a good few years at Celtic then we might see big changes and I’d be delighted if our youth players (if good enough) start breaking into first team as starters
Mikey J is an easy target for some fans, but Brendan, Neil and now Ange must see a lot in the Bhoy, 3 very good managers can’t all be incorrect
Half time scores in GAA Div 1 would see Dublin & Kildare relegated if results stay the same
POR CIERTO on 27TH MARCH 2022 1:45 PM
AN TEARMANN
Played at the KGV for the 94th cubs on a Saturday morning, one of the best times of my life. We changed at a hut at Thornliebank train station! and walked down Boydstone Road to the KGV singing like linties! por cierto
Haha,not heard the term linties for yonks 🤣
We used to change in school,the vinnies,or Carnwardric primary and come thro the shops.
There was changing facilities built in the 70s,knocked down in 90s,part of kgv sold as an access road to regents park(the old coca cola works)- 300 beezer homes in there.
Those were 5 good pitches subject to seasonal variations 🤣 but the deterioration started when “the shows/fair and their trucks ploughed through then from 74 onwards.
I used to play a lot of football on kgv,the lights from kennishead flats allowing variations of ‘3 and in’ til all hours.sadly wouldn’t walk a dog in it.
By the time I was old enough the 94th was split into A and B teams,with arden and carnwardric,good rivalry 🤣.
HH
Dublin are 2 minutes away from relegation- 4 points behind to Monaghan
3 points in it now but inly a minute or so to get the goal they need or they are down with Kildare
4 minutes injury time and guess what?- the Dubs get a penalty
Dublin level
Dublin wMonaghan score and Dubs are down
Monaghan score- Dubs are down with Kildare.
Donegal drawing with Armagh- not long to go
Donegal take the lead with seconds to go- they remain in Div 1
Both teams in Monaghan and Donegal end in fisticuffs.
Traditions are hard to let go of
Setting free the bears
Dublin are down? Mighty have fallen!
Donegal score check please?
HH
GaaControlcsc
:-)
Good afternoon all from the Victoria Bar. A glorious afternoon in downtown Govanhill.
Fight at gaelic :-) ah now! 🤣sighed and said in a mild Donegal accent.
I need to update my sky gaa knowledge,am more in tune with provincial titles then ol Sam at the end of August line.😁👍
HH
Dubs relegated? There will be a statement.
BIGRAILROADBLUES on 27TH MARCH 2022 3:35 PM
Good afternoon all from the Victoria Bar. A glorious afternoon in downtown Govanhill.
Stop in at cini ice cream,opp side of Vic rd(owners of ol Queens Park Cafe,before anarkali ) get your mum a wee tub of ice cream.
Gifts for mothers day csc,👍
tasty stuff 🤣
HH
AT, too late young fella. Went to Mum’s at 9am, cooked her breakfast and some lunch for later, washed, hoovered and polished her car. I’m a spent force, I can tell ye.
BRRB
Well done that man 👍
Jim Brogan Rip used to run a grand shop last time I was in it.
Enjoy
:-)
HH
Get young Toren Galloway signed up, six goals in one game, and loads of other goals as well. 👍
Or dilly dally and erse aboot till a “real” big club snatches him up. ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽🏆🍀
••••••••••••••
Maître Islam ⚖️ (@Islam_AbolNaga) Tweeted:
Toren Galloway. Remember that name 👏 https://twitter.com/Islam_AbolNaga/status/1507861942693675011?s=20&t=ehGIztN2ldWreDWt3xpfTQ
Jim Brogan( RIP ) ran a pub up the top of Hamilton can’t remember the name of it, I think a Celtic supporters bus used to leave from the pub??
Last time I saw Jim Brogan was in 1977 up at that pub to get tickets from my cousin and his mates who drank in there, for a game v the huns at Parkhead 1-1 it finished, we’d lost King Kenny in the summer, the club was on a downer, lost KK, then 7 or 8 players got injured after our first game of 77/78 season, including, Danny McGrain, huns went on to win the treble in what was, Mr Stein’s( RIP ) last season for us.
Ernie @1:05,
I didn’t know that. Was there a reason?
I’m sure in any sporting competition there will likely be periods where a small number dominate, what shouldn’t happen is the sporting body encouraging that outcome.
Ginesi’s on Victoria Road , the former owners of the Queens Cafe , my wife and I’s favourite ice cream in Glasgow.
Closely followed by the University Cafe on Byres Road.
https://thecelticstar.com/pundit-tips-ex-celtic-hero-to-become-one-of-worlds-best/
SFTB @ 1.49 / 2.15
Debate vs Excuse-mongering — Discuss …
We need to up our game all across the various youth levels.
The Academy at L/town + St Ninian’s is not delivering — well to me anyway.
It is a WAG playground / glee club / high school musical type of place — not a birthing pond for high quality / focused / dedicated youth footballers.
Its introduction would appear to coincide with a collapse in output / first team output.
If coming 9th in the SPL U18 league with 4 wins in 22 games doesn’t get alarm bells wringing / isn’t a much needed wake up call then you are a happy clapper that would have kept the old board in place ad infinitum.
Something is wrong regarding the set up of our youth system.
We can find talent but we let it go.
We find talent and we can’t hold onto it.
We find talent and we don’t develop it.
Same faces still run the show with the help of ex limited 1st team CB’s who don’t fall very far from the tree. Things need to change and hopefully AP can spark those changes.
To me we need change and we need it quickly.
An Tearmann , sad news about Jim Brogan passing away . May he rest in peace.
Another Celtic / St Roch’s connection . Jim and his brother Frank played for both clubs.
https://thecelticstar.com/ex-rangers-midfielder-hails-brendan-rodgers-as-best-manager-in-country-for-years/
https://celtsarehere.com/nakamuras-celtic-transfer-hope/
Well, it was good while it lasted. 🙄
BRRB 3.48pm
You deserve a pint after all that hard work
JVR 4.33pm
I owe you an ice cream after letting me know the game that Alan Thompson scored that goal :-)
Just watched the Ange interview with Mark Schwarzer (sic) … tremendous stuff, probably more about Australia than Celtic but loved the answer when Mark S asked “what’s your goals” and Ange answers “to not have to work” I am probably paraphrasing there but it made me laugh … also heard a bit of radio Scotland earlier, everyday a school day seemingly Graeme Murty’s dad is Celtic daft