An article on STV this week brought an old memory to mind. Days before Rangers’ goalkeeper, Chris Woods, was set to break a Scottish shut-out record across all competitions he gave a media interview when he said, “I just hope when we do lose a goal it is not an important one”.
Woods duly broke the record in a Scottish Cup tie against Hamilton Accies but that game, 27 years ago last week, is not remembered for the achievements of Chris Woods, it’s remembered for the fact that Accies left back, Adrian Sproat, found himself in nosebleed territory as he thrashed the only goal of the game into the net. Records count for nothing when you’re knocked out of the cup.
Fraser Forster has demonstrated remarkable concentration in recent games, when he has been called upon to make incredible saves after long periods of inactivity, but there are only so many times he’ll be able to pull off ‘save of the season’ acrobatics. We need to protect him and close down space well away from the Celtic goal.
These records may matter little if they are recalled through an embarrassing defeat but, just consider how often and fondly we refer to the 25 league game winning run in season 2003-04. History is always worth making.
Many thanks for everyone who for getting your seats confirmed for our CQteN St Patrick’s Day Dinner at the Kerrydale Suite on 14 March. As we stand there are a few non-confirmed but from tomorrow we’ll be able to allocate seats to the waiting list. Will let you know if we have space available soon.
The dinner is to raise funds to build a kitchen for Mary’s Meals at the Kholoni Primary School in Mchinji, Malawi, which has 1200 students and no catering facilities. Children often are faced with the choice of working to eat of going to school. With a kitchen in place this dependency will flip, those who go to school and get an education, will also get a meal – often their only reliable meal of the day.
Marys’ Meals perform minor miracles, feeding each child in Malawi for £7 per annum, while employing locals to work in the kitchens (which will be used as a classroom outside of meal times). It will be a remarkable legacy to mark the first 10 years we’ve had out of CQN.
Two new badges will launch at the CQteN dinner to record the decade and raise funds for the Malawi kitchen. The designs have now been approved (see here) and they are about to go into production. If you would like to register interest, email Celticrollercoaster on cqnbadges@gmail.com
If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
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Official site
Blessed Fergus to be honoured at 1st match next season. I know splits support but he did exactly as he said he would do. Our club would not be where it is without Fergus and there wasn’t a queue of philanthropists waiting to bail us out. I personally had issues with the Bhoys against bigotry campaign which I felt tried to put us in the same bracket re/the sectarianism ingrained atOldco but time to rectify the injustices of the past re the unfurling of the 98/99 Flag. HH Fergus
Bada Bing!!
18:27 on 6 February, 2014
national bunnet day
corrib04 is Neil Lennon
14:17 on
6 February, 2014
Sorry here is the link
http://youtu.be/aFU8cU-cICs
Thanks very much for posting the link to this inspiring short introduction to the amazing life-changing work that is done by Mary’s Meals, every day.
ulysses mcghee is praying for Oscar 18:14
Seemingly he wants to know why they can’t have the Wimbledon final and he’s asked Mr Wallace to enquire after the Superbowl
Of course if the Dallas Cowboys got there it might be seen as an unfair advantage!
Good evening friends.
Fergus got his money and left….Thank you for stepping in after John Keane saved us….that’s all he deserves.
The way he treated a Tommy Burns and his promotion of Bhoys against Bigotry were big mistakes.
Fergus McCann…Hard nosed businessman who helped Celtic for his greater personal gain.
Never a legend in a million years.
That accolade belongs to others.
Paul67 et al
On hearing that the IAAF Diamond League Athletics meet was to be held at Hampden Park on July 12 this year Ally McCoist averred;
We would’a had that at Ayebroke but we are having the Big Walk that day. No running allowed, them’s the rules!
Second part of Cruel Britannia from “Fear & Loathing in World Football” edited Gerry Armstrong & Richard Giulianotti.
were involved in Freemasonry and Unionist politics. Excerpt from Cruel Britannia Continued:
Celtic’s success helped to sharpen, rather than provoke or create, the Rangers identity. Paterson (2000a: 181) notes, ‘Catholic players were being asked to leave the club in the early 1900s once their religion was determined’. ‘Bad blood was recorded between the two clubs as early as 1896, but management at both clubs ‘arguably encouraged sectarianism and its accompanying violence as a crowd-puller’ (Smout, 1986: 154). Football rivalry was part of a wider religio-ethnic tension in west-central Scotland before the Second World War.
Ranger’s supporters were numerous in skilled working-class areas that had experienced Protestant-Catholic riots during the nineteenth century, and which were religiously hostile to Catholicism, partly due to fears of unemploy¬ment engendered by Irish immigration (Walker, 1990: 140). Harland & Wolf, a Belfast shipyard company, opened in Govan in 1912, attracting Ulster Protestant workers to Glasgow, thus strengthening the Irish dimensions of Scottish Unionism. Murray (1998: 34-5) observes, ‘Like other giants of the heavy industries in Scotland the owners were happy to appoint foremen who favoured fellow Protestants when employment was scarce. It was about this time that Rangers’ practice of not signing Catholics became a policy.’
The interwar period saw the formation of the Republic of Ireland; and an
increase in sectarian content as Celtic began to fly the Irish free state flag at its matches and Rangers flaunted its Union Jacks and Orange supporters badges. The reply to ‘get stuck into them Orange-Masonic bastards’ was ‘Kill the Fenian shite’. (Smout,1986:154)
Some militant Protestant political parties in Glasgow and Edinburgh gained seats at local elections during the 1930s. Bruce (1985: 104) argues that militant Protestantism in Scotland was marginalized after the war; hence, ‘anti-Catholicism in Scotland is no longer a force … if Protestantism survives it will be in a “ghetto” in small isolated communities separated from the main culture’ (ibid.: 247). More caustically, Nairn (2000: 244) claims that zealous anti-Catholicism is now ‘the preserve of cranks and ideological gangsters in Scotland’. Hence, according to Jamieson (1997: 18), Rangers’ general ideology was rejected by growing numbers, including the ‘mass of decent Protestants’, from the late 1950s onwards. Alternatively, Finn (1991, 1994a) argues that anti-Catholicism and other forms of intolerance towards minorities remained within Scottish civil society, with these sentiments partly crystallizing in the practices and discourses of Rangers officials and their supporters.
Until the late 1980s, Rangers appeared to intensify their anti-Catholic employment policy. In 1950, Laurie Blyth was signed on the grounds of his Protestant father, but the scouting system had not uncovered his mothers Catholicism. Blyth was released at the end of the 1950-1951 season without playing for the first team, the only Scottish Catholic signed by Rangers until 1989.1 In July 1989, Scotland’s best-selling newspaper revealed, under the headline ‘I was Rangers secret Catholic’, that Don Kichenbrand, a 1950s Rangers forward who in his first season scored twenty-three goals in twenty-five games, had harboured ‘a dark secret’. Signed on the basis that as a native South African he would have impeccable Calvinist roots, Kichenbrand also joined the Masons to hide his Catholicism. When rumours about Kichenbrand began to circulate, he was sold in 1958 to Sunderland.
In the 1960s and 1970s marrying even a lapsed Catholic was sufficient still to damage a promising career at Ibrox, as evidenced by Alex Ferguson, Graham Fyfe, Bobby Russell and Gordon Dalziel. Rangers’ policy was also thought to have accounted for their failure to sign the goalkeeper Jim Leighton (who won 91 caps for Scotland, and played outstandingly for Aberdeen), and Kenny Dalglish (a boyhood Rangers fan who signed for Celtic, then Liverpool, and went on to win 100 caps for Scotland). Symbolically, Rangers also appointed Willie Allison as their Public Relations Officer. Allison was described by a prominent sports journalist, Alex Cameron, as about as bigoted as they come: the type who would have been in the Ku Klux Klan had he lived in America. He asked right away about my religion’ (Scotland on Sunday, 30 January 2000). Rangers came to deny the existence of an ‘official policy’ on not signing Catholics, but the period of 1967-74 saw officials trying to defend their position. In 1967, the Vice-Chairman, Matt Taylor, stated that the ban ‘is part of our tradition. To change now would lose us considerable support’ (Jamieson, 1997: 117). Rangers Chairman, John Lawrence, confirmed in 1969, ‘The policy of not signing Catholics has been with the club since it was formed’; and one board member, George Brown, remarked privately in 1972, ‘We will not sign a Catholic, Rangers are the Protestant team and always will be.’ In BBC interviews in 1985, the Chairman, John Paton, maintained, ‘It’s a case of signing the players good enough … Celtic are known as a Catholic club even when they play Protestants, so what’s the difference’ (Only a Game, BBCTV: 1986). Novelist William Mcllvanney commented acidly, ‘Perhaps the answer is the subtle difference between black and white’ (ibid.).
Ryecatcher
Had the debate before did exactly as it said on the tin. Fergus MC Cann Celtic legend. Deserved every “thin dime”
hen1rik
17:07 on 6 February, 2014
I could ask a family member when is it required by ?
RYECATCHER
What you say about Fergus and his treatment of Tommy Burns,and the BHOYS Against Bigotry is pretty much true.
He could have backed Tommy more,and I disagreed with way he handled the BAB situation. Such behaviour was rapidly dying out and would have withered on the vine in short order. Some encouragement of that rather than the condemnatory nature of BAB would have done the job.
Most of his bad decisions,though,were when he was in thrall to Jock Brown.
Apart from the above,he certainly deserves more credit than you have offered.
This item may have already been discussed on CQN, but I overheard an interesting interview with an English sports journalist on radio during the week with regard to the transfer value of some players with big clubs. There may be several anonymous investors in some of the most valuable players and if one of these footballers is transferred for big money very little benefit may accrue to the club. Seemingly this is the case with quite a number of the current Athletico Madrid squad. Interesting
Big Nan
Got to rush out but read Celtic’s response to your questions given to the OM.
On hearing it another CQNer and I immediately said to each why has that not come out.
Their policy of acting under the radar has negative PR effect imo.
Fancy Dress
Celtic advert on Snyde for Saturday’s game starts with”the Scottish Cup Final is at Paradise this year…..”bbbbbbbwwwwaaaaaaa
Spat me dinner everywhere…
Thanks Auldheid, I am Celtic through and through and don’t want to attack the board but when they are in concert with our enemies to persecute Celtic fans then I have no option.
Evening Timland from a cool hun free mountain valley.
Now the proud owner of two different styles of CQN beenies thanks to ACGR.
Had a great day with him yesterday, golf was poor but the craik was superb.
I see sleekit has been at it again, a total turd of a man.
HH
Ally McCoist will demand Fergus McCann visits Ibrox before Parkhead next. #AllysRants
Aye, Fergus wasn’t perfect.
He left that to people like David Murray.
Some folk are needing to take a good hard look at their present worldview of Celtic and what Fergus did for us…
U
HamiltonTim
In the particular context of dialogue with the GB my view is both sides have a bit of catching up to do.
That particular issue however should not however undermine the generality.
I have an item on dialogue that could be a starting point.
From memory it tells me that neither side is willing to participate as yet.
E mail me and I’ll send you it.
Emerging from the mist
– Celtic Park via Rutherglen/East Kilbride
On Fergus – last night BRTH mentioned in passing his uneasiness about the PLC structure that Fergus left us with.
I asked him today what he was on about.
Now suppose we get a move out of here and are invited to play South of the Border. How would this play out with the PLC shareholders – do they bow out for what may be huge profits or do they invest in the team etc on the back of a new improved business model?
Have we considered this?
hebcelt
Got some of that black and white pudding, superb, many thanks.
HH
We are rrrrangerzz sooper rrrrangaz nae-one likes us we dun care….
unless you hurt our feelings by calling us huns
winning captains
But we are not going to get an invite are we.
I still reckon I am 99% right with a brit cup coming soon, but an invite will not be happening, more chance of a new euro set up, where we may well get an invite to a lower league, but no way the top league.
Had it been strictly on bank balance, there would only be the German clubs, Arsenal Celtic and a handful of others eligible.
Did you get my e mail BTW.
HH
http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory?item=5390
CELTIC Football Club today announced that Fergus McCann is to be welcomed back to Celtic Park for the first home league match of next season as the Club’s Guest of Honour.
This year, 2014, marks the 20th anniversary of Fergus’s takeover of Celtic, the beginning of a period where he revitalised the Club and ensured Celtic’s proud history and tradition at the top of Scottish football continued.
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “We are delighted that Fergus has agreed to be our Guest of Honour at our first home match of next season.
“2014 is a very special year for Celtic, with a great deal happening for the Club, but not least it is a year of real significance, as it marks the 20th anniversary of Fergus’s takeover of Celtic and it is absolutely right that the special contribution he made to Celtic is marked in this way.
“Fergus’s intervention in 1994 delivered the current Celtic Park, at the time the largest club stadium in Britain and ultimately, he re-established Celtic as a footballing force by winning the Scottish Premier League in season 1997/98.
“He enabled supporters to take a stake in the Club they loved, to be part of something and once again have pride in their team. He energised and motivated our support and our supporters responded brilliantly by backing his vision.
“Fergus was also instrumental in revitalising Celtic’s charitable traditions, establishing a Charity Foundation which has now become one of the most successful in world football as well as personally delivering financial assistance to causes close to the Club’s heart.
“A true Celtic supporter, Fergus delivered huge personal investment, sound leadership and tremendous vision during his tenure at Celtic. He showed unwavering determination and resilience to ensure his Club could once again flourish and his contribution has led directly to the position of health which our Club is in today.
“I know I speak for thousands of Celtic supporters when I thank Fergus sincerely for all he achieved at Celtic and I am sure we will join together in August to remember and celebrate his magnificent achievements.”
Celtic Manager Neil Lennon said: “It is absolutely right that we show our respect and gratitude to Fergus McCann, someone for whom I have enormous respect. Fergus showed tremendous foresight and, indeed, courage to tackle the situation the Club was in at the time in 1994.
“No-one can deny that Fergus absolutely delivered. He did what he believed in and achieved all that he said he would.
“The first time I met Fergus was at Fenway Park in Boston. It was a pleasure to meet him and I felt it was very important that the players met him too on that occasion. He was very humble about all his achievements, something which says a lot about him as a man.
“There are many great figures in Celtic’s proud history and for me, Fergus McCann is right up there as one of our most important.”
Fergus McCann said: “It is very kind of the Club and supporters to think of me and to offer this gesture.
“I am sorry I can’t be with you at the match on the 1st of March due to unavoidable commitments in America but I will be pleased and honoured to attend a match at the start of next season. It is incredible to think that 20 years have passed since the takeover.
“It gives me great pleasure to see Celtic as such a successful and well-run club as it is today. That is credit to the faithful backing of the supporters, also the investors, and, since I left, the vision and management of the Board, Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon and their staff and players.”
The Club is already planning to mark Fergus’s contribution to Celtic at our home match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on March 1, 2014.
This date is our nearest home match to the date of the 20th anniversary of Fergus’s takeover which took place on March 4, 1994. Further details on the arrangements for this matchday will be announced shortly.
Unfortunately, due to unavoidable commitments in the United States Fergus will not be able to attend the match in March.
However, we are delighted that he has agreed to be our Guest of Honour in August and we are sure this will be a day when we can celebrate the wonderful 20th anniversary of his achievements and herald a man who is undoubtedly such an important and influential figure in Celtic’s history.
One of the most shameful days in our clubs history was daily record reading “fans” booing Fergus.
Still feel the rage thinking about it.
There would be no strong celtic now if it wasnt for fergus respect to the man he was totally honest with what he planned to do and he did it to the letter ….. The zombies would bite youre hand off for a fergus … He deserves his cheers and yes i agree he didnt handle tommy well but he saw right throught the greedy jokers that where the 3 amigos and in time was proven right to get rid of them
jungle jim
17:18 on 6 February, 2014
Someone suggested the other day that we should always refer to the Sevco manager (sic) as Sleekit McCoist. I believe that is a fine and deserving epithet for him. Let`s do it.
JJ
……………………………………………
Ahem. That was me. You may also have noticed i had first post today. Yesterday as well.
TOSB on a roll. :-))
On Fergus
Did what he said he would and left with a handsome profit
He ran a tight ship and stood up for his investment and club
Don’t agree that he treated TB badly
TB was a good man but a poor football manager for a club our size – perhaps he was unlucky in being given the job before he was really ready
However he made plenty of mistakes -he was far too close to some of the players like McStay with the result he was trying to get him a new contract when he knew that physically he was well past it
He was also too ready to listen to the likes of Keevins and give him stories about things that should have been kept in house!
Fergus did a great job but was well rewarded for his efforts!
HH
The walking dead over at the “crime scene” must look a Fergus, then think of Murray,Whyte,Green etc then collapse weeping with envy.
Till later all
I love saying to the sevconions if only yous could have had a Fergus McCann type looking after yous instead of all the useless thieving b*^&%$£”s .
The pain it inflicts on them is a joy to watch :))))
Meeting time
weet weet weet(GBWO)
18:19 on
6 February, 2014
jungle jim
17:58 on 6 February, 2014
sixtaeseven
“Sleekit looks doped up to me.”
He just looks dopey to me.
Cheerio.
JJ
To be fair,he could be any one of the seven
HH
……………………………………………
:))) braw ….
The exiled Tim – never got email – can you re-send please?
David@cqnmagazine.com
NatKnow – Supporting Wee Oscar
18:22 on
I don’t crave recognition as a proper journalist ;)
I noticed a few posters on here saying that giving season books away is hard to do.
Anyone who has a couple spare for the 1st March, my young fella wouldn’t mind them, he is taking his lady to see Celtic for her birthday, she has never been to a match before.
HH
Paul67 et al
What Fergus’s critics need to realise is that he devoted seven years of his working life to Celtic Football Club, two years in preparation and five years hands on day to day control and management from a modest office at Celtic Park. He did not have to do it, he did it because he was a bone fide Celtic Man and Bhoy, and he wanted to guarantee our future. In the period he devoted to Celtic, he could have made far more money, with far less grief, than he ever made from his efforts in Glasgow. Call it if you will, the opportunity cost, of not investing his money and his efforts elsewhere. He is up there with the Greats. And in case you doubt me, let me tell you, I knew his father!
ryecatcher
18:36 on
6 February, 2014
Fergus got his money and left….Thank you for stepping in after John Keane saved us….that’s all he deserves.
The way he treated a Tommy Burns and his promotion of Bhoys against Bigotry were big mistakes.
Fergus McCann…Hard nosed businessman who helped Celtic for his greater personal gain.
Never a legend in a million years.
That accolade belongs to others.
Fergus never ever tried to hide the fact that he was in it to make a profit.
As I understand it, to do so he put up around £9,000,000 of his own money.
Before he left he was willing to put up more if the fans were willing to match it.
Again, as I understand it, Tommy Burns subsequently admitted that Fergus was right.
None of the above detracts from John Keane.