Anxious about defeat is not being greedy or unappreciative

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Do you remember the midweek game against Dundee in April 2001? Win that game, and Martin O’Neill could win his first league title at the next game, home to St Mirren, but it was a fraught evening. Dundee equalised midway through the second half, before Johan Mjallby scored a winner six minutes from time.

Afterwards Martin O’Neill complained that the crowd was unnecessarily anxious. Celtic were well ahead, the title was not in doubt, but Martin didn’t appreciate how much we all wanted to be there when it was won, a few days later. To the manager, we seemed to be demanding too much. But while Martin was guaranteed a ticket to wherever the league winning match would be, Celtic needed to beat Dundee and St Mirren to ensure season ticket holders would be in attendance.

Similar themes are evident now. It is not that Celtic fans don’t appreciate the exceptionality of our season-and-a-half unbeaten domestic run. We do, but it’s that exceptionality that makes the prospect of the run coming to an end after being two goals ahead at Easter Road so disturbing. We know that when this run ends, the chance of anything similar starting up again is remote. The cost of defeat is meaningless to the outcome of the league title, but when it happens, you are going to feel it. Rightly so.

Celtic Foundation Auctions

The Foundation has several auctions which close at 7pm tonight. There are some exceptional prizes, currently at very competitive prices. Including a ‘Lisbon 67’ golf club, signed by Ryder Cup player, Stephen Gallacher.

Funds from these auctions will help around 300 local families living in poverty, who will have a mean on Christmas Day and presents for the kids. And you are bound to be struggling for a gift idea for someone, so take a look at what’s available…….

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  1. Oops. Not that much of a glass half full SC Final v Dunfermline 0-0 in 1961

     

     

    Sorry boys…memory not quite what it was.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  2. First Hampden game….

     

     

    65 Cup Final

     

     

    Taken along by my oldest sisters then boyfriend. He had taken me to the Q-final at CP against Kilmarnock. He decided I was a lucky mascot and promised he would take me to the Final if we got there.

     

     

    He was as good as his promise but because I was only 9 my dad insisted that he had to take me to the stand….don’t know if dad paid for it or not. Probably not….he was hard on the boyfriends of all his daughters lol

     

     

    Anyway after the match we were walking to the car and the boyfriend noticed I hadn’t said a word since we left the stadium but one of the older guys had it sussed….”it’s simple….he can’t believe that Celtic have actually won something”!

     

     

    Although i was so young I do remember being awe of the stadium. Beautiful day and the enormous terracings and another stand on the other side! I didn’t realise that it was already not fit for purpose.

     

     

    HH

  3. It’s a controversial equaliser. Kris Boyd went down after already being yellow carded. A second yellow card wasn’t given and now he has scored the equaliser

     

     

    Nae guessing who the mitb was, not fit for purpose and still gets games.

  4. JimmynotPaul, thanks I forgot it was getting played at Hamilton,just wish that Celtic could redevelop, A Barrowfield,and open it up ,as the fans could see the young hoops,

  5. I just read long article about Zenit St. Petersburg. The managers are going to change the squad aduring the winter break. There will be two defenders replaced, at least one midfielder. Their striker Artem Dzuba will lose the place in squad too. Today they signed Anton Zabolotny-the striker who does not score many goals.

  6. Favourite Hampden SC opponents, Dundee United, ’74, ’85, ’88, ’05, 100% record, all won in 90 minutes.

  7. embramike says ” Yer team’s deid…Beat it!” on

    Scotland fines from FIFA for WC qualifiers …

     

    MLT v. SCO 04.09.2016 – Delayed kick-off (1st half) – warning

     

    ENG v. SCO 11.11.2016

     

    . Improper conduct among its own group of spectators (throwing objects, political banners and flags, booing the national anthem)

     

    . wearing non-approved armband with political symbol – CHF 20,000 + Warning + Reprimand

     

    SCO v. SVN 26.03.2017

     

    Delayed Kick-off (either 1st half/2nd half or both) – CHF 5,000 + warning

     

    SCO v. ENG 10.06.2017

     

    Improper conduct among spectators (booing the national anthem) – CHF 5,000 + warning

  8. Brilliant day on the blog!

     

     

    Thanks to all who contributed!

     

     

    HH

     

     

    YNWA

     

     

    UTLR

     

     

    and nite nite!

  9. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Was chastising myself for cashing out early when Burnley scored in 89 th minute as Watford where leading at Palace then wallop Palace score and first coupon of the year up…

  10. Philbhoy on 12th December 2017 9:55 pm

     

     

    agree

     

     

    I couldn’t contribute as couldn’t remember games I’d attended in detail

     

    but enjoyed reading all the posts

     

     

     

    HH

  11. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    PCS

     

    I think he recovered and was maybe assistant at Swansea when Michael Laudrop was in charge

  12. embramike says ” Yer team’s deid…Beat it!” on 12th December 2017 9:53 pm

     

     

    You’d think they would have bigger fish to fry.

     

     

    HH

  13. PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 12TH DECEMBER 2017 10:02 PM

     

     

    Weighorst is manager/head coach of Aalborg in his homeland

  14. BT- cashed out for £190 ,worth 260, had Palace both teams not to score, first lift for a while , enjoy amigo HH

  15. Went to Huddersfield for numerous weekends early 80s(long story), mad toon but well worth it , :)))))

  16. Gooooood Evening CQN

     

    FtSFA and that Hamdump – how on earth is Dickson, Reagan, Bryson, Petrie etc still in roles there ??????

     

     

    Now was sent a video earlier by a very proud CQN Grandha- his grandson winning a Scottish Youth Team cup this month with Stirling Albion Bhoys club, thumping some team called Rangers * 7 – 2 in the final

     

    I can assure you he would have been whistling like a linty at that – if he attended :-)))

     

    Well done to the Stirling Albion Bhoys club

     

     

    Hail Hail

  17. Hello again all you young rebels.

     

     

    Great reading back this morning in a lovely sunny Oz , 36 degs

     

    expected, need to slip, slap, and slop the tan cream on my napper

     

    and think about all those Hampden posts standing ( sometimes

     

    rolling ) in mud and glaur from the pouring rain but happy as a pig

     

    in shoite because the hoops had won another cup, funny i don’t

     

    remember any of the not so good ones :-))

     

    H.H Mick

  18. !!Bada Bing!! on 12th December 2017 10:34 pm

     

     

    So they didn’t get the manager they wanted………

     

     

    the caretaker ……. will identify potential signings ….. another will have final decision

     

     

    and if there is a new manager ??????? he may not want any of them

     

     

     

    deluded deluded deluded

     

     

    love it love it love it

     

     

    HH

  19. Dena29

     

     

    Not even that!

     

     

    Mr Caretaker’s remit is merely to identify the “type” of player they need, and describe to the DoF what “characteristics” potential signings require to play for Sevco. So maybe “wee, unplayable, Argentinian, CL experience”.

  20. DENA29/BEATBHOY

     

     

    Would the potential candidate have to be concomitantt

     

    to their kulture? just a thought :-))

     

    H.H Mick

  21. Melbourne Mick

     

     

    Nah, like Pedro, any non RRM would soon have a severe case of “Rangersitis” (sic) and be spouting WATP, and other such pish that they don’t understand!

  22. embramike says ” Yer team’s deid…Beat it!” on 12th December 2017 10:55 pm

     

     

    33 pages they have been busy :-))))

     

     

     

    beatbhoy on 12th December 2017 10:59 pm

     

     

    seriously “type of player” anyone deluded enough to want to go to ….. end of careerville

  23. !!Bada Bing!! on 12th December 2017 11:06 pm

     

     

    If they haven’t twigged now its because they don’t want to,,,,,

     

     

    even the best spin doctor couldn’t work his magic with that

     

     

    HH

  24. Melbourne Mick on 12th December 2017 11:14 pm

     

     

    Brilliant………

     

     

    they really are the gift that keeps on giving

     

     

    although to be honest I wish they would just cease to be forever

     

     

    HH

  25. Hi CQN, Long time lurker (never miss a day ! ) but rarely post. Was interesting to read the chat about Huddersfield Town last night, the reason being they are my favourite English team. While all the guys in primary school liked Liverpool & Nottingham Forest, for having great teams, I just liked the name Huddersfield so that was my English club ! While it will eternally be Celtic first, last & always, I do get down to see “Huddy” twice a year & would recommend a visit to any Hoops fans. It’s a nice town with a decent nite life, and pubs, clubs & restaurants are reasonable budget wise, it has nice buildings & nice scenic views. They host a really fab St. Patrick’s day parade in the town the week before 17th march, where thousands converge onto the streets to enjoy the happy music, costume and colour. There is a great atsmophere and not one police officer to be seen, just a few parade stewards & not one bit of trouble, (check it out on you tube) compare and contrast with trying anything similar in Scotland ! Huddy were in Division 4 when I became interested in football, so it’s been a long road to where they are today, & I’d love to see The Hoops play Huddy in a friendly sometime. I trust Celtic would do better than Sevco did in a charity game against Huddy in 1925 when the score was Rangers 1 Huddersfield 5 !! (22/sept/1925) though I’d like to think the gate receipts went to the beneficiary then & not used for working capital as would undoubtedly be the case with Sevco today ! Anyway, Merry Christmas to one & all when it arrives, to all lurkin Huns & smsm, remember, Sevco are 5 years & 137 days old today…. oh to be young again (me that is, definitely not ma footie club ! ) Hail Hail The Hoops ( And Huddy) !!

  26. Fed up being unwell.

     

    Fed up with broken computer.

     

    NOT fed up with the prospect of watching the Celtic hammer the Accies tonight.

     

    Team selection for tonight will be very interesting ……The GRIFF ?

     

    HH

  27. Good morning CQN from a much milder and damp East Devon.

     

    Three points tonight please Celtic.

     

    Hampden memories, Huns final ‘69, Hibs SC and LC finals early 70’s And the Leeds game.

     

    The 1970SC final against the Sheep, daylight robbery by Hun Mib.

     

    YNWA.

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