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…….

CQNbookSQUAD2

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  1. IANBHOY929 on 13TH DECEMBER 2017 7:11 AM

     

    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.

     

    ———————————————————————————————————————————————————–

     

    Was there with my dad and remember it like it was yesterday. In my formative years, I’d always been told that most Scottish officials were biased against Celtic but that day Bobby Davidson (may he still be rotting in hell, if there is such a place which I know there isn’t) did everything he could to stop us winning the cup. There were enough “honest mistakes” in that one match to last a life-time. The daft thing was Aberdeen were a bloody good side and could possibly have won without any help from this cheating bar steward. Without doubt the worst I have ever seen though others have run him close since. I don’t think I’d even seen Jock Stein lose his rag as much as he did at the final whistle.

  2. VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on

    Word of The Day

     

     

    corollary /kəˈrɒlərɪ/

     

     

    noun (pl) -laries

     

    1. a proposition that follows directly from the proof of another proposition

     

    2. an obvious deduction

     

    3. a natural consequence or result

     

    4. an immediate consequence or easily drawn conclusion

     

    5. Mathematics. a proposition that is incidentally proved in proving another proposition.

     

    adjective

     

    6. consequent or resultant

     

     

    Word Origin and History for corollaryExpand

     

    n.

     

    late 14c., from Late Latin corollarium “a deduction, consequence,” from Latin corollarium, originally “money paid for a garland,” hence “gift, gratuity, something extra;” and in logic, “a proposition proved from another that has been proved.” From corolla “small garland,” diminutive of corona “crown” (see crown (n.)).

     

     

     

    KTF

  3. Uxbridge letter of the day is J :-

     

     

    Jacobites: Michael Jackson’s range of snacks

     

     

    Japanned: Similar to a european hand but rather more yellow.

     

     

    Jasmine: A very short piece of jazz music.

     

     

    Jigsaw: Injury caused through Irish dancing

     

     

    Judicious: Hebrew crockery

     

     

    Juggernaut: Empty beer tankard.

     

     

    Juniper: Did you bite that woman?

     

     

    Justice: Nothing other than ice.

     

     

     

     

    And one that I missed when doing F :-

     

     

    Five-a-side : Killing a Boy Band

  4. Highland Paddy

     

     

    It’s funny how as kids we, for the flimsiest of reasons at times, can adopt a favourite other team. My choice back then wouldn’t be at all popular on here, but it had more rationale than liking the name/ strip or whatever.

     

     

    When I was still at primary school, my parents somehow cobbled together the money that enabled me to go on a school trip to London. After doing the usual sightseeing destinations on day 1, the following day we ended up being given the choice of a visit to Madame Tussaud’s or a tour of Stamford Bridge. No doubt some Chelsea supporters would tell you that at times it would have been hard to spot the difference with some players they’d had, but at that time they had a good mix of fouls and flair, with ‘Chopper’ Harris, Dave Webb, Charlie Cook, Alan Hudson and Peter Osgood, or Osgreat as we were told.

     

     

    I looked out for that team’s results for a good few years, and always bought a copy of ‘Shoot’ magazine, ( no, the fitba’wan!) if I saw them on the cover.

     

     

    Great trip for one so young, culminating in a night out at the cinema to see Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’.

     

     

    Hal Hal, the Celts are here!

  5. Celtic by Numbers just read yet another of your excellent articles, have to say one of the highlights of the blog. more power to your keyboard. Hail Hail Hebcelt

  6. What is the Stars on

    SFTB

     

    Watched Channel 4 news preview of the Alabama election last night. Focus on a Moore rally. All the usual “Make America Great Again ” nonsense.

     

    However 2 things jumped out..

     

    A black lady with a Blacks for Trump T Shirt who thought the sex allegations were no big deal “Hell,my grandmother was married at 12” and Moore’s wife addressing the rally to deny they were “Ant Eye Jew”…her proof being that ” ONE of our Attorneys is a Jew”

     

    Strange people.

     

    One of my butlers was a Taig by the way

  7. M6Bhoy

     

    Davidson of Airdrie, a true Hun with a whistle, I was sat in the centre stand that day, got a complimentary ticket from a Queens Park player.

  8. SFTB

     

    All good but I particularly liked Judicious and Five-a-side :-)

     

     

    Surprised that you would be `shocked` at such predictable behaviour from many of the denizens of Alabama.

     

     

    JJ

  9. Beatbhoy

     

     

    ” My choice back then wouldn’t be at all popular on here “.

     

    No doubt Chelsea has its share of right-wing, Hun – loving supporters but, generally speaking, the Chelsea fans I know have no interest in Scottish football, are unaware of any Hun connection and are quite a fair bunch.

     

    As WITS might have said, some of my best friends are Chelsea supporters ( I lived in England for many years).

     

     

    JJ

  10. Celtic by numbers

     

    Your data is obviously about the facts of the game, fouls etc, however how many fouls did McGinn commit that were not given, watch the difference tonight against his direct competitor whoever that may be , he will not get away with the same and may in fact stand off his man.

  11. CBN- excellent work! Cap doffed.

     

     

    Can i also say that there have been some damn fine football stories these last few days.

     

     

    While I’m on….many thanks for the kind thoughts expressed re: my sister-in-law Alison.

     

     

    Long drive down to Newport on 21st for funeral next day. Intend to give her a good send off.

     

     

    RIP Al x

  12. AoW

     

    Pardon my ignorance been chokka with painting, my condolences to you and your family on the passing on Alison, may she rest in peace. Sorry again

  13. HOT SMOKED

     

     

    I knew a load of Chelsea fans over the years and never heard any of them talk about the huns with any interest, some with Irish background would at a stretch say we were okay and some of the older fans waxed lyrical about Scottish players they had had.

     

     

    The whole London Huns things gets right on my nellies..

     

     

    Right wing following now that can’t be denied but at several London clubs:))

     

     

    HH

  14. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    AoW

     

    Eternal rest to Alison, take care pal and we will get a beer soon, hopefully over Christmas break as long as you don’t wear that shirt

  15. Hate filled , Christians, Hillbillies,The South Bigot’s, Racists,in the name of God,chancers the lot of them,3_ 0 to the good guys to night.

  16. Imatim wants justice and the titles to be stripped from the cheats on

    My Mum passed away today. RIP Agnes and may perpetual light shine upon you

  17. Art Of War

     

     

    I had missed your sad news, may your sister in law res in peace and may your family find some comfort in each other and Alisons memory..

     

     

    YNWA

  18. IMATIM and Art Of War

     

    Sincere condolences on the loss of your loved ones they will be remembered in my prayers HH

  19. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    IMATIM

     

     

    A huge loss,mate. My condolences to all who knew and loved Agnes

     

     

    R I P

  20. Dessybhoy, nothing to apologise for and thanks. I miss stuff on here all the time.

     

     

    Starry- thanks mate.

     

     

    BT- yep been too long. As for shirt….missus put it in a charity shop. Probably still there :-)

  21. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    Seems Chris Froome has failed a drugs test. Could be interesting.

     

     

    I have no doubt he genuinely suffers from asthma,as a surprisingly high number of top cyclists also appear to.

  22. Imatim

     

     

    Strength to you and yours in the coming days,weeks and months

     

     

    Rest in peace Agnes

  23. Highland Paddy et al

     

    Re favourite other teams, when I was 11 I was sent to stay with my aunt and uncle in Wolverhampton and my cousin took me to see Wolves, this was in the days of Derek (the doog) Doogan, and a Bobby Murdoch type midfielder called Mike Bailey,also a wonderful left winger called Dave Wagstaffe so I’ve always looked for their results over the years. I’m from a big Irish family and have relatives all over ,one of my cousins and namesake lived in London and was a big Chelsea fan but an absolute rocket ,passed away in his 40s (rip joe) at a family funeral he told me of firing a flare gun at Leeds fans in the 70s but he loved the bhoys as did my oxford and Wolverhampton cousins. Looking forward too tonight’s game hope Brendan doesn’t make too many changes as the more games the likes of Jozo and Dedryck get together the better they will get. HH

  24. Hot smoked

     

     

    I was blissfully unaware of any of that stuff back then, just remember being treated kindly by those conducting the tour, with concomitant souvenirs.

     

     

    And, of course, Davie Hay and Tommy Boyd played for Chelsea.

     

     

    However, I can never forgive the behaviour of their fans in Manchester!

  25. Morning all

     

     

    Art of War and IMATIM

     

     

    Condolences on the loss of your loved ones.

     

     

    RIP

     

     

    Jimbo67

  26. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    Happy 90th to my sister’s Mother-in-law,Brisbane Beryl.

     

     

    And Happy 65th to the legendary John Francome. He had same sister literally spitting her cornflakes across the living room in the early 90s a,when asked if he could name a racecourse with a body part in its name-Chester and Yarmouth had already been picked-he replied “Scunthorpe.”

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