Another autumn, another messiah across the city. They arrive with the regularity of the nights drawing in. As the shops sell Halloween tat, sections of the media sell similar quality stories of a new beginning under a brilliant new manager.
Unlike the last guy at Newco, Philippe Clement at least has more than 19 games as a boss under his belt. He won the Belgian league with Genk, against better funded rivals, then won two titles with an exceptionally well -funded Brugge. We can all look very messianic floating on a bed of euros.
He jumped ship to Monaco in January last year. Despite being able to pay players without having to worry about income tax (cough), Monaco were in deep financial trouble, pressing up against Uefa Financial Fair Play rules. Clement had to sell his best players, spending less than half of what he took in. Results crashed amid dressing room turmoil and he was sacked in June this year. A football messiah without money is a very ordinary thing, find a French football fan and ask.
He has not worked in a value market, Europe’s top clubs search Belgium and France for talent, so don’t expect a string of great budget signings others have overlooked. Just as at Monaco, Newco are under Uefa supervision, unable to pay their way out of inadequacy. Having sacked a manager in each of the last two years, Clement negotiated a lucrative three and a half year contract, so like Beale and van Bronckhorst, if/when the natives demand his sacrifice, he will at least have a bundle of cash to fall back on.
There is not enough information to know if he is an improvement on either of his two predecessors, but my biggest doubt about his abilities is that he has taken this job. A poor squad, mostly under long-term contracts with very low resale value, insufficent money to spend, a scouting network which is already earmarked for disbandment and a support which has yet to realise their place in the foodchain. He must have been without good options, but sure, the Saudis wanted him, just as Wolves wanted Beale!
Celtic’s position at the top of Scottish football did not come under threat yesterday, if anything, it was enhanced.
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Further attacks reported- Sky News
Wednesday will be the anniversary of the first meeting/battle between Celtic and Racing Club in 1967.
Celtic were at a physical peak that autumn evening, John Hughes was bearing down on the back four, Johnstone and Auld were creating chances, Wallace was not having his night but the team were moving the ball around quickly, over a smooth Hampden playing surface. Just seeing that Celtic team performing at that time is a pleasure in itself, you can see they are playing like they are the best team in the world. Racing hardly ventured forward in the first half.
Early in the second half Johnstone is callously scythed down and a second Racing player crashes into him. A melee ensues and everything is really lost from this moment on, with the Spanish official failing to send off Rulli for the waist-high challenge. Even Stein comes on the pitch to try to infuse some calm.
Celtic are incensed and attack more, McNeill heads a floated free kick from Auld onto the upright and then a few minutes later Hughes has a shot saved. From the corner McNeill heads in an amazing goal, however he almost does “a Broony”, celebrating the goal in the face of Alfredo Basile, who will one day be the manager of Argentina.
Celtic continued to press for more goals and on a counter attack Racing brought a great save out of Ronnie Simpson. There were very few handshakes at the final whistle and two weeks later Celtic would be thrown to the lions at “El Cilindro” stadium, also known as “El Coliseo”.
Hello again all you young rebels.
And a hail..hail and hearty good morning from rebel town.
Just packing up the wee caravan now, and heading back up
to our home at Cardinia.
Kept myself decently sober yesterday, declined the multiple
offers of joining in another Monday Club soirée so I’m able
to help the princess gather up various Celtic tops, scarves,
caps, etc, I must think I’m a model for Celtic f.c when I head
oot.
Good read back this morn, der hun have got another of the
brullientest managers in the world, better tie the caravan
down really good, coz they’re coming he..he..🤣
H H. Mick
Has Clement been mutually consented yet or is it a bit early for that scenario?
HH
Phil.
If Clement goes to the orange side, does that make
him a clementine ?
Just asking 🤣
H H. Mick
As their 4th manager in just 2 years, I see the Poundland Jaap Stam has masterminded thems winning the International Break Cup already !
Fenteshtic.
WAFFLEMAKERS RSC
rimtimtim
Celtic suffered in Argentina in 1967, in part from being seen as the British team, a year after Argentina not only had been knocked out by England in the 1966 World Cup quarter-finals but had been branded as “animals” by Alf Ramsey. Their manager was one Juan Carlos Lorenzo. Fast forward to Celtic Park in 1974, semi-finals of the European Cup and the visit of Athletico Madrid, the most brutal team ever to turn up at Paradise, (and the least likely ever to enter it) managed by one, you guessed it, Juan Carlos Lorenzo. Now they really were animals.
GodblessBayernMunichCSC
‘I’ll take you home again Kathleen’ was a song that came to mind today on reading of the service in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow, which Willie Haughey helped organise, dedicated to Lady Cathy Ferguson. One of my Mother’s favourites and occasionally heard sung at old style family get-togethers. Sounds like an Irish ballad but actually more German than Irish. Maybe the Bing Crosby effect. Another song which came to mind, not because of any particular relevance in terms of its’ lyrics to today’s service at St Andrews, the Beatles ‘Eleanor Rigby’, apart from when I read of Alex Ferguson, thanking Father McKenzie for conducting the service. He twice gets mentioned in Paul McCartney’s song, not only conducting the funeral service for Eleanor but the grave side eulogy too, a burial to which ‘nobody came’. Not a fate to befell Cathleen.
RIP Cathy
S – do not be silly at Ipox they get the new manager bouncy bouncy ffs are you sleeping sir.
D :)
Went to see the brilliant Billy Porter tonight…what a laugh.
I asked him if he misses Glasgow he said are awe right in the heed son.
Superb.
D :)
Celtic Mac – Lovely post about Cathy Ferguson, never forgot her routes and followed her mans dreams. Her family are all still in Glasgow apart from her Children, but Scottish society is horrible as sir Alex basicaly got told not to marry her.
Aaaaaggghhhh
D :)
Hun last night in Las Americas singing…
Oh my darling Clementine…🤣🤣🤣
D :)
This is genius…
https://twitter.com/Zeshankenzo/status/1713917398091227495?t=KIe0AE_B6qGytf6nO1e4Rg&s=07&fbclid=IwAR02D-O48_nuazbFJJPpDGfYOy1AwhN78LJwPlTqUDRvdQ-t1spzu6TWaLg
DAVID66 on 17TH OCTOBER 2023 12:55 AM
Went to see the brilliant Billy Porter tonight…what a laugh.
I asked him if he misses Glasgow he said are awe right in the heed son.
Superb.
………………
Billy Porter was appearing in my then local Pub in Bishopbriggs a few years ago.
Myself and my mate bought tickets including for our wives etc.
I was wearing a New T SHIRT that my wife had bought me, and as I stood at the Bar waiting to get served, Billy had just started his show.
He saw me right away and asked ” Hey big man, is that a SLOPPY JOE you are wearing ” ?
Many in the Pub laughed……
My IMMEDIATE Reply was…..” Aye son it is….but its NOT as SLOPPY as your FECKIN ACT” !
That quickfire response caught him on his heels, he didnt know how to respond, and the Pub audience were laughing like feck.
I think he may have regretted picking on me ?
LOL
The rest of his show was excellent, and we all enjoyed ourselves.
HH Mate.
MATES….NOT Mate.
There was about 14 or 16 of us in the audience .
MY DARLIN CLEMENTINE is one of the FINEST Westerns ever.
Directed by John Ford, and GREAT ACTING by Henry Fonda and Victor Mature and the supporting cast.
One of my favourite Films of all time.
A CLASSIC.
HH
Big Jimmy – 🤣. W was brilliant.
Askes where we were me and Sharon were from I said the Garngad, awe ffs watch yer bags ladies, usual stuff but funny.
Big Tom Rogic lookalike young boy (english boy) and his scottish girlfriend sitting at our table got it tight and got into his boy band🤣 The boy was dumbfounded by the patter but loved it so he said.
D :)
BIG JIMMY on 17TH OCTOBER 2023 8:39 AM
MY DARLIN CLEMENTINE is one of the FINEST Westerns ever.
Can’t argue with that partner!
Good morning all from Govanhill.
Good morning from a bright and dry North Staffs
Big Jimmy – not looked in much but caught your post from yesterday – thanks for asking.
We’re both fine – Jackie’s back to her normal routine but she’s always got the possibility of a further heart attack in the back of her mind.
Hopefully that’ll go through time.
She’s dragging me out to do some shopping this morning 😔
Look after yourself
Gene
You love it. 😂
GENE on 17TH OCTOBER 2023 9:34 AM
…………….
MAGIC my friend, I am just glad that you are both okay and that you and Jackie are so happy together.
Tell Jackie that I had Two heart attacks in late 2019….but I only fear another heart attack when its my turn to buy a round !
LOL
HH Mate.
I hope that CALMAC is left OOT of the Scotland team Tonight against France.
The BHOY needs a wee break from Fitba until Celtics game on Sunday.
HH
Test
new article posted.