A very personal Celtic

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After I mentioned the Overseas Season Ticket holders last week, Auldheid (an overseas supporter) pulled some thoughts together on what his relationship with our club is all about.  Here it is, well worth kicking back for five minutes and reading:

“The phrase “BeCeltic” intrigued me somewhat as we all have different ideas of what that might mean. For me there is something about being a Celtic supporter that goes way beyond football. Every Celtic supporter everywhere feels it to some degree or other and every Celtic supporter demonstrates it to some degree or other according to their circumstances and their life experience.

You meet a stranger in a pub and if he is a fellow Tim he is no longer a stranger. If he is a fellow CQNer he was already your pal even though you had never met before. This feeling of belonging to something greater than self… it ranges from a distant almost spiritual connection to the club and what it stands for, to attendance with fellow supporters at every game the team plays, home and away.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to BeCeltic (as I saw it) last season when I signed up for an Overseas Season Ticket.  You can read more about the genesis (and CQN’s part in it) here on Celtic Underground.

The concept on which the OST is based for me anyway reflects the Celtic ethos which manifests itself in the way we support not only the team but each other both in the official charitable work carried out by the Celtic Foundation and as everyday supporters doing mad stuff like a huddle on top of Ben Nevis for heavens sake!!! In support of our own deserving causes, like the Kano Foundation, which is but just one great example of the caring heart of the support.

The impact such work can have on people’s lives can never be fully appreciated until you meet someone, as I did whilst sitting outside a pub in Spain,  overwhelmed by the difference it made to their wellbeing.

Buying an Overseas Season Ticket was almost an act of faith in that I did not know if I had internet connectivity at my Spanish destination to watch Celtic TV. Initially I did not, but “God works” etc and a charitable neighbour gave me WiFi access that enabled me to watch ALL games home and away on TV, via connecting HDMI cable to the laptop, from the comfort of my flat overlooking the beach. (Hence the term life is a beach).

Even better, I had the option of watching games not televised by Sky or ESPN in local bars via WiFi on my mobile phone if the wife dragged me out for lunch in game time. (Bad stuff happens to good guys too you know).

Not all performances were great but both 4-3 victories over Aberdeen and Dundee Utd in the Scottish Cup were truly memorable. Luckily I returned home in time to attend the title winning game v ICT using one of my 4 OST match day tickets, which this season has become FIVE along with a £50 price reduction.

I was also very pleased to get a letter from the Celtic Foundation saying that my seat had been used in my absence by local organisations and as a Calton man I was delighted to see folk from organisations in my old stomping ground amongst the beneficiaries.

Personally I see last season’s OST initiative as simply another indication, along with the recent appointment of a Supporter Liaison and Service Officer, that progress is being made in an ongoing process of bringing the Celtic support even closer together using the wonderful communication tools we now have. I find that something to be excited about as a force for spreading good in a world where ethics (which is derived from ethos) seem to have been forgotten.

But lofty thoughts apart J : At  a very practical level the OST is a very good value for money way, especially at £250 for a Season Ticket with the ability to view all games on Celtic TV and attend up to five games when at home, given due notice, of not only being a Celtic supporter but of sharing the load of supporting Celtic across the full spectrum of the support wherever we are. From the Auldheids with grey or no hair to the younger gentlemen with too much and the Celtic ladies of all ages whom I find are even more passionate in their support (if you met my sister you would know what I mean).

So I have already renewed and if you are fortunate enough to be able to afford as well as able to make full or partial use of an OST, I would encourage you to do so via BeCeltic overseas season ticket.”

With fans like Auldheid, we’re in good hands. Trying hard to insist I’m not worried about preseason games……
[calameo code=0003901713852289beccb lang=en page=10 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]

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  1. EN

     

     

    That’s a very interesting theory:o)

     

     

     

    Not a place I’ve ever wanted to visit for whatever reason.

  2. A foot on the ball player at Celtic in the SPHell will soon have that leg black and blue.

  3. Estadio Nacional on

    bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers 19:17

     

     

    I’m not trying to be critical, all posts are suggesting how we can approve, if we ate talking Celtic without positive criticism there’s not a lot to talk about apart from reminiscing or talking about the accounts of some daft wee division 3 (three) club. To be honest I’m enjoying folk talking about Celtic on Celtic Quick News for once.

     

     

    I raised th question ‘where does joe Ledley play when all fit’ how was that critical? I want him to find a place, I can’t see where.

     

     

    Should we not discuss where we can improve?

     

     

     

    EN

  4. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    ESTADIO NACIONAL

     

     

    The more I look at that post criticising,nay,excoriating Joe Ledley,the more astounded I am.

     

     

    Only in it f

     

     

    Oh,f… It,I give up.

     

     

    You don’t deserve quality,because you don’t recognise it.

     

     

    Just moan,moan,moan.

     

     

    Keep up the good work.

  5. as_i_thought on

    EN

     

     

    At the moment with Hooper looking like he’s away I don’t think Stokes will be playing upfront next week…. so I’ll go with….

     

    Brown, Ambrose, Ledley, Commons

     

    Rogic

     

    Sammi

     

     

    All being fit of course.

  6. Margaret McGill on

    Major CELTIC Shareholders

     

     

    Shareholder Type Amount % Holding

     

    Dermot Desmond – 32,772,073 35.95

     

    C D Trainer – 9,623,884 10.56

     

    Bank of New York (Nominees) Limited – 7,011,046 7.69

     

    James Mark Keane – 5,909,847 6.49

     

    Tom Allison – 3,357,505 3.68

     

     

    Shareholders

     

    Name Type Amount % Holding

     

    Peter Lawwell – 356,000 0.39

     

    Hugh Duffy – 229,694 0.25

     

    Eric Riley – 77,805 0.085

     

     

     

    that adds up to %65.095 of Celtic shares. Any ideas on the rest? For example, what % from

     

    the McCann “fan flotage”? that I was part of.

  7. Margaret McGill on

     

    Major CELTIC Shareholders

     

     

    Shareholder Type Amount % Holding

     

    Dermot Desmond – 32,772,073 35.95

     

    C D Trainer – 9,623,884 10.56

     

    Bank of New York (Nominees) Limited – 7,011,046 7.69

     

    James Mark Keane – 5,909,847 6.49

     

    Tom Allison – 3,357,505 3.68

     

     

    Shareholders

     

     

    Name Type Amount % Holding

     

    Peter Lawwell – 356,000 0.39

     

    Hugh Duffy – 229,694 0.25

     

    Eric Riley – 77,805 0.085

     

     

     

    that adds up to %65.095 of Celtic shares. Any ideas on the rest? For example, what % from the McCann “fan flotage”? that i was part of.

     

  8. Mike in Toronto on

    EN

     

     

    I like the looks of Rogic… I think he is going to be some player…as he develops and fills out.

     

     

    I agree about KB… there is a player in there …we saw it before… but its a make or break season for him… he has to hit the ground running this season.

     

     

    EDB

     

     

    Nobody was taking liberties with VW last season …. Efe is not big like VW (proverbial … s house), but not a small guy… and I think he could do the business for us…

     

     

    Rogic is going to fill out, and I like the aussies…. the ones I know dont take bs from anyone, and tend to retaliate first …. we need a bit of that in the team…

  9. Margaret McGill, absentee landlord might be a better title! 6% isn’t bad in a safe haven in these times of austerity. Makes interesting reading, another £10k to the £10k that we are paying in interest and you are looking at a £20k / week player!!!

  10. viewfaethewindae on

    Margaret McGill

     

     

    35% grouped together could be a powerful influence, although I doubt many would take part.

  11. as_i_thought on

    eldiegobhoy

     

     

    Ha, yes that might be an idea. Well that would be my front 6. Think the defence and keeper should pick its self just now.

  12. I don’t think we want Rogic filling out any further :o)

     

     

    I agree though, think he can be a player.

  13. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    as-i-thought. Ambrose is not available for next week he has not returned from his summer break as yet.James Forrest for me has to step up to the plate this season if he continues to throw his arms in the air and moan like a wee laddie when he loses the ball or cannot stay fit I think he is unlikely to make the grade with the hoops.Joe Ledley would allways get a place in my team I see him as mr.consistant.H.H.

  14. Getting £12.8 m for Wanyama was a great piece of business by Celtic

     

    He was offered a contract last year on terms a hell of a lot better than what he was on. He has effectively saved Celtic somewhere between £0.5m and £1.0m by not accepting that new contract.

     

    I believe we would not have got a higher transfer value even if he had an extra year on his contract. So thanks Vic for not accepting that contract.

  15. gherrybhoy57 on

    EN

     

     

    WTF? Joe Ledley is a good player. He “gets” Celtic. He has improved and, I’m sure, will continue to improve and become a Celtic great.

     

    If we had the best player in the world in every position there will always be someone to find fault. I think the condition is called “closeseasonitis”

     

    HH

  16. as_i_thought

     

     

    The defence certainly seems to be picking itself given recent results. Maybe the manager should select the defence.

     

     

     

    A novel approach but I’m for trying it.

  17. Margaret McGill on

    The issued share capital of Celtic listed on AIM at 30 June 2012 and 1st July 2013 in brackets is listed below:

     

     

    90,274,658 (91,152,276) Ordinary Shares of 1p each

     

    16,782,112 (16,253,051) Convertible Cumulative Preference Shares of 60p each

     

    13,972,737 (13,867,893) Convertible Preferred Ordinary Shares of 100p each

     

    496,923,897 (538,404,821) Deferred Shares of 1p each

     

     

    can someone splainit to me?

  18. prestonpans bhoys on

    Miss Prestonpans just said to me “when you are away on Hols you’ll miss the Hertz game at Tynie”

     

     

    “They will be flats by then” wiz my reply ………….

  19. as_i_thought on

    eldiegobhoy

     

     

    Not entirely what I meant but I’m sure you know that. Insert smiley here.

     

     

    Anyway for the avoidance of doubt I’d go with

     

    Fraser

     

    Lustig, Virgil, Kelvin, Izzy

  20. fan-a-tic

     

    13:10 on 13 July, 2013

     

     

    Personally I think we are poorly coached and fear for this season.

     

    Coaches one dimensional/ponderous style has been rumbled and he does not seem to have a plan B. .Hope I am wrong.

     

    Everyone knows we need creativity in the midfield but our system is not designed for this.

     

    Even a world class creative midfielder would struggle with the lack of off the ball movement that would reduce his options to the sideways or backwards pass.

     

    …………………………………………………………………….

     

    A Scottish team and we made the last 16 in Europe, beating Barca and eliminating Benfica who subsequently got to the final of the Europa League. God some of the crap on here makes me sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. Estadio Nacional on

    bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers 19:32

     

     

    Haha, I couldn’t begin to analyse what you are reading.

     

     

    I noted six players who impress me more than Joe Ledley, if you see that as a moan and me not recognising quality then so be it.

  22. lennon's passion on

    margaret mcgill

     

     

    18:48 on 13 July, 2013

     

     

    That is scary if true,went for walk pissed off we are selling or best players know we owe millions.

     

     

    Bought into buy cheap sell,keep club in good finicial health.Know I feel a right mug.

  23. as_i_thought on

    joe filippis haircut

     

     

    Didn’t realise Ambrose still wouldn’t be available. Well I’d either give the position to Forrest and move Brown inside or play Chas Mulgrew.

     

     

    Agree with you as regards to Forrest, I’m also slightly concerned about Dylan’s progress.

  24. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    I think we must go for the tried and tested at Centre Back on Wednesday Wilson and Mulgrew would be my pairing providing Charlie is fit I dont think we can afford to risk the unkown Virgil. This game is huge in terms of Celtics season we need a good result.H.H.

  25. Estadio Nacional on

    as_i_thought 19:32

     

     

    I like that line up but doesn’t seem to have many goals in it.

     

     

    My choice would be

     

     

    ————-Kayal——–

     

    Brown——————-Forrest

     

    ————-Rogic———–

     

     

    Stokes, Goalscorer

     

     

     

    I thought Stokes was great last night and towards the end of last season, he is good at linking up midfield with attack. But him doing that needs a goal scorer beside him, I hope Balde is that man.

     

     

     

    EN

  26. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    ESTADIO NACIONAL

     

     

    Your choice.

     

     

    He’s a bloody great player.

  27. as_i_thought on

    paolosboots

     

     

    I like JR but I don’t feel there’d be room for Stokes and him in our squad. Very similar players IMO. I know JR has scored a lot of goals at Dundee Utd but the step up to facing a team playing 8/9/10 men behind the ball can’t be easy. It would certainly be different from playing for Dundee Utd when everyone else in the league thinks they beat everyone else so do play as conservatively.

  28. paolosboots

     

     

     

    Exactly. And what division do they play in?

     

     

    Apologies if it is the EPL but I don’t pay attention to the dross at the lower end of the greatest league in the world.

  29. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    the-huddle. Its strange it wouldnt bother me if Commons was on the bench but for me Sammi must play the big guy when he is in the mood is unplayable. H.H.

  30. Estadio Nacional on

    gherrybhoy57 19:44

     

     

    Your right it is very closeseasonitis, just raising the question on how we fit these players into the team. I struggle to find a place for Joe Ledley when all fit, I’ve already said I like him but can he claim a place ahead of others when all fit? I thought it was worth discussion. The manager seems to be in the same dilemma.

     

     

    Geez a breakfurcrissakesman ;)

     

     

     

    EN

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