I’m as interested in a good game of football as you, but when Atletico Madrid’s comeback was stopped in its tracks late in the first half of last night’s Champions League semi-final, I was happy for some old friends.
Despite a complete lack of empathy for them, it is impossible to dispute that Atletico are an incredibly well run football club which has achieved beyond all reason for several seasons now. They won La Liga in 2014 against two of the finest teams ever assembled. This was achieved despite an exhausting run to the Champions League final, which they lost in extra time, after allowing a lead to slip away in the final moments of the regulation 90 minutes.
A year later their Champions League adventure ended at the quarter final stage, but they were back in the final in 2016, this time losing on penalties.
For any team this period should be remembered throughout their history with enormous pride, but there’s a sting in the tale for Atletico: it was neighbours and rivals, Real Madrid who eliminated them from the Champions League on each of these occasions.
Atletico have great players, an incredible manager, have humbled many of Europe’s finest clubs, but city rivalries are zero sum games. In years to come fans will largely look back on this era with frustration and regret.
Were it not for their fiercest rivals strength, Atletico would be part of the European Champions club, instead of being multi-times losers.
What I’ve admired most of Real during these seasons is their appetite to get the job done against a formidable opponent.
With six-in-a-row under our belt, this is a trait we’ll need. I know you think that this is easy, but human nature doesn’t work like that. If you want to be ruthless when merely efficient will do, you need to work at it.
This season there is every chance we’ll inch ahead of the record-breaking points total we achieved when we destroyed all before us in season 2003-04. 12 months later an appetite for success was the last observation evident on a field in Lanarkshire. The end of every great season is the time to up your game.
I’ve incredible respect for those who left Celtic Park early this morning bound for Lisbon on their bikes this morning, and for the others who will join them along the way, led by our very own Mouldy67. Read about them here.
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BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 11TH MAY 2017 5:43 PM
BIG JIMMY on 11TH MAY 2017 2:01 PM
PORTUGAL “PINK STREET”…..BMCUWP….You better wear your PINK Celtic Jersey mate..just to blend in you understand ?
hahaha.
HH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jimmy,I won’t need a pink top to blend in. I burn in a blizzard,I’ll be like a lobster come Thursday.
………………………….
Sounds like you should spread some MARXist Factor ’67 on yourself ?
HH
JAMESFORREST
Very good article,mate. I think the SFA are 100% correct to say they won’t strip titles.
Because they won’t!
As a result,we will have to get rid of the hierarchy at the SFA and SPFL,and have the replacements get it organised.
PS-are you sure JD works for the BBC?
BIGJIMMY
I’ll keep my white bits white,mate. Best way.
Damn near hospitalised wi third-degree burns when I was a kid-after a few hours playing football in Germany! No,sun and I don’t get on…
Bateen Bhoy, you are correct. I assumed a one hour time difference thus almost proving that assumption is indeed the mother of F U.
K.O. is at 15.00 local time
A CEILER GONOF RUST on 11TH MAY 2017 4:50 PM
KO for cup final should be at 3pm, same time zone at Scotland
“Dad”
“Yes son?”
“Why is my sister called teresa?”
“Because it’s an anagram of easter, and your mother loves easter”
“OK, thanks dad”
“No problem alan”
ACEILERGONOFRUST
I reckon most of us will be there well before KO. Prime seats wi a good view and a short stagger to the bar,it’s the future I tell ye.
Big Jimmy
That is the problem with communion now-a-days. It’s about How Much Did You Get? rather than What Did You Get Out of Your Communion (and I don’t mean financial or presents other than Rosary Beads)? Sad but generally the way of the world now a days.
I’m not saying that many don’t get something out of it spiritually.
I lived my first communion. My gran bought for me my first suit from a shop on Vicky road for the occasion. My gran also bought my sisters dresses and my brothers outfit for his. It’s what she did as my parents at that time were like most working class parents, strapped. Massive flares :-@)) but that aside I received a bible and two sets of rosary beads. I loved the experience and took a lot out of if spiritually as a kid. Lost most of that spirituality later mind.
Maybe if I git £800 I’d still be spiritual. :-@)((
MWD
BMCUWP,
Delahunt had a Horse Racing Tips page in the feckin SUN Hun rag every week, for a few years, I don’y know if thats still the case today ?…..Nuff said.
HH
BMCUWP …. I did even worse in the Dominican Republic one year … went in February … when we got there it was grey and raining … next morning, I woke up and it was still grey and raining … but I thought, ‘screw it, I paid to go to the beach, and I’m not going to spend my holiday in the hotel’….so, I put on my swimming trunks and away I went to the beach (in the rain) and found a nice beach umbrella to read under …. of course, I fell asleep ….
I woke up about 3 hours later or so … the rain clouds have gone… it is hotter than hell, and the sun is beating down from one side of the umbrella …one side of me was covered by the shade, but the other side had been burning in the sun for those three hours ….
the half that was under the shade was pure white (scottish curse!) … and the other half was so badly burned, I looked like a cartoon villain from Batman … the burned side was redder than any lobster …over the next few days, the burn turned to bruising down one side of my body … it looked like I had been hit by a car (or Mike Tyson)!
now .. SPF 100 … and a hat!
In March 2015, Delahunt resigned from his job at Radio Clyde after being found guilty of drunk driving. He wrote a column for the Scottish Sun, but was axed in 2015
BRTH
Again great job of organising this epic trip. Chapeau sir !
And think we’re going to need a bigger ‘former 17th century palace’ for dinner !
Q: Is there any plan for transport from airport (Embra plane 23rd) to hotel (Turim Terreiro do Paco) or do we make our own arrangements ?
MIKEINTORONTO
Doesn’t take long,mate-quicker than a flash-fried steak. Feel for you there…
Loose t-shirts and jeans for me. The swarthy element can do as they please.
MOONBEAMSWD on 11TH MAY 2017 6:10 PM
£800….AND spirits ?….sounds good to me !
Sevco after M’Wells HUNegan ……………sorry Heneagan ?
Ipox LEAKS ?……Pedro has confirmed the leaks today…that is usually the 1st sign that ALL trust between Manager and Players and/or Staff has been broken. FACT !
HH
Looking forward to game tomorrow.
Can’t see the slump ending.
Sheep 1-4 Celtic
MWD
BRTH
What are we meant to do from 4am?
Sometimes i wonder if you have given all of this enough consideration, i really do.
Big Jimmy
Leaks. He needs to worry more about us taking the piss. :-@)))
MWD
Best wishes and a prayer for the safety of all those gallant Supporters cycling to Lisbon. A wee prayer said that they will be safe every mile/kilometre of the way. Brother Walfrid and those with him at the table when they decided to set up a football team would be proud that their dream lives on and the Celtic family always rise to the occasion when others are in need. Se you in Lisbon lhads. .
EMBRAMIKE SUPPORTING RES 12
Airport transfers
http://suntransfers.com/
Other transfers are available…
Over the years whenever I meet someone called ADAM, i will ask ” Do you know where your name comes from ” ?
Every Adam that I have asked have all stated the same answer ” Adam was the 1st man etc”
I then ask them ” Whats the 1st words a toddler will utter/speak” ?
answer ” MA ,,,,,,, DA”….which is…………… Adam backwards !
Just a wee observation over the years.
HH
In Merchant City on one of my infrequent visits from Germany. Here for my daughters wedding this weekend. Just about to go out for a pint and a bite to eat on my own. Any cqnrs around?
HH
Gerry
Been a long tim since i was in sunny climes but like some of you bhoys i dont take the sun too well.
On a holiday with the ex missus i tried really hard to get through the fortnight without getting burnt.
Made sure i had lashings of suncream on at all times.
It worked and i gradually went a kinda redish brown shade.
The missus used factor 2 oil and was brown as a berry(are berries brown?)….anyway…..on the last day i decide to give the stuff she has been using a try in the hope that i will suddenly go the same colour.
As you can imagine it didnt quite work like that and i basically fried like an egg!
For a number of family related reasons haven’t been able to log in or lurk for a few weeks, so, apologies if this suggestion has been aired previously :
Could we crowd fund a letter to all clubs qualified for Europa League and advise them of the reasons why one of their number allegedly granted Silver Status in ineligible under UEFA rules?
Or, if someone could post a concise expose of the regulations which the “club without a line of credit” should be deemed ineligible anyone who chooses could write to a number of the participants in Europa League. I feel up to so doing, possibly using Google Translate to the Secretary of the Supporters’ Association of these clubs.
Finally, good luck to the Lisbon cyclists. HH
I need to get out more.
sad…but true.
HH
What an effort and gesture from the Lisbon cyclyist’s
You put some of us to shame
HH
Does anyone know if I can watch Lyon v Ajax tonight, rather than feckin Manure and Mourhino The Cheat ?
HH
I’ m not too happy with the Lisbon Cyclists……i can’t afford to go to Lisbon the usual way, so I asked a few of them to give me a ” BACKSEY” on their bike ?
They told me to feck off !
HH
Big Jimmy
Man Utd are on BTSport 2 and Ajax are on BTSport 3 so if you can get the Man Utd game im sure you will get Ajax.
MIKE IN TORONTO, BMCUPW
The CALTON has been roasting ALL week !
Taps AFF TIME !
HH
THUNDER ROAD 6.46,
Silly me, I just scrolled down the menu and there it is !
Apologises.
Manure under Mourinho are just so boring to watch imo.
I was never a fan of them much anyway……. well maybe in 1968, but I was young and impressionable although my Da took me to see Celtic gub that Manure Team 4 – 1 at Celtic Park………Wonderful…Magical !
HH
Reading about the Huns latest tactic of bullying players, non-payment during summer and Caixhina’s threats to identify the leaks……….
Do the clowns not realise how attractive they are making a job there ?
Great so it is.
The fans were queuing from 2pm at the turnstiles in anticipation after Jock Stein informed the public that the game would start at 3pm regardless. This was because Man Utd had to leave immediately after the game for Europe.
There was a breathtaking opening 15 minutes when four goals were scored to the joy of the huge crowd.
Celtic impressed their fans with their intelligent running up front and the pace of their forwards.
Some of Nobby Stiles’ tackling was fierce to say the least and this did not endear him to the Parkhead crowd.
Celtic did not have a failure in their side and gave notice of the fine football that was to come for the rest of the season.
Teams
Simpson; Gemmell, O’Neill; Murdoch, McNeill, Clark; Johnstone, McBride, Chalmers, Auld, Lennox.
Scorers: Lennox (7), Murdoch (10), McBride (15), Foulkes (OG 61)
Man Utd:
Gregg Brennan Dunne Crerand Foulkes Stiles Best Sadler (Cantwell) Charlton Law Connelly
Scorer: Sadler 12
Referee: W Anderson
Attendance: 60,000
@celticwiki
Being a cyclist, although I haven’t been on my bike since Diverticular disease kicked in last January I am so proud of the Bhoys, and in equal measure jealous of them in their endeavours. I’d loved to have been able to take part. I had planned on doing the first leg today but the kibosh was put on that this in January when I had a mini-stoke (first time I’ve mentioned that publicly and almost fully recovered.
So I am 100% envious of the Bhoys and Ghirls getting sare arses on there bikes at the moment.
I am however grateful that my mini-stroke, however worrying at the time, has fortunately afforded me the expected full recovery. Having sat in the Strike ward I am fully aware of just how fortunate I was.
I plan to be on the 100 year anniversary or 49 year anniversary ride to Lisbon or whatever venue we win the Big Ears in next season. :-@)))
MWD
NOT a time for Crowdfunding any fight re the tainted titles, when this is played out, this is the time for our Club to step up to the plate.IMO
Bada Bing
Do you think they will step up?
MWD
MWD
Someone needs to step up, thats for sure.
We cant have these numpties blatantly ignoring reality.
Its not on.
HH
MWD
Feck sake big man, glad you are recovered and back at work
Big Jimmy
Re BMCUW he has a tutu so no need for a pink t shirt
BADA BING at 7.00pm
I completely agree when Big Tax case is over the Club should be standing up for our interests. There is an argument that since the “Wee Tax Case” is admitted to have been a breach of tax regulations then something should be said.
Apparently Alex Thomson is tweeting that Regan is opposing stripping of tainted titles even if Court of Appeal concludes that the practice was illegal.
However, there may yet be a time delay in the verdict being announced.
That is why that I am arguing that in the interest of fair play potential opponents should be alerted to the possible entry of a club which, irrespective of SFA chicanery, are not eligible under any reasonable interpretation of the relevant regulations.
If you care about something, sometimes individually you have to take some action. Not sure that Celtic would have a locus in this aspect of SFA corrupt practices. HH