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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Fairhill Bhoy.
You are correct. It is and it could kill me but I have my medicine and Epi pens at the ready. Incidentally at the risk of being sycophantic, I thoroughly enjoy your posts. Not sure if Turkeybhoy does though :-)))
RPMCELTICFAN.
Check out the urban dictionary and go to cruising.
Hail Hail.
Fairhill Bhoy jeez rumbled already
MOONBEAMSWD on 11TH MAY 2017 8:06 PM
Wee CQN poll
Just out of interest.
If Supreme Court find in favour of HMRC do you have enough confidence in Celtic PLC that they will step up and fight for proper justice re. Huns cheating?
Yes or No?
MWD
And its a massive NO from me.Much to my pyoor rage.
Dallas.
If you are lurking I caught your post about the Bankies, I hope they win again on Sat.
Ok all.
I’m nearly out of charge, so night all and enjoy.
Hail Hail
Jimmynotpaul Think I will try an alternative and ignore it :)
Some chance for Guidetti there
There’s only one John Guidette, can’t put the ball, in the netty….
Poor miss by the ex Man City striker… ;-)
I think we dodged a bullet when we failed to sign Guidetti although I was a cheerleader for signing him at the time.
JIMMYNOTPAUL-the bhoy a work with has epi pen at the ready every bloody day-:)).Turkeybhoy likes the sound of his own voice:-)))
Goal!
Guidetti was popular with the fans and had a good relationship with ‘us’ i think.
A pity he wasn’t as good as he thinks he is, and probably wouldn’t have been worth the money we might have paid for him…
I wanted him to be the next Henrik, but he was more like the next Harald.
And the Celtas score. !!!
Get in there, right do wot Jobo said :-)
FAIRHILL BHOY on 11TH MAY 2017 8:50 PM
GORDYBHOY64-we were in cancun,wee stayed and got hitched in moon palace
Was there for a wedding also.Not mine.Fantastic setting.A bit far out,but Champagne on the AI list made up for it.
You were asking yesterday about Lara Beach.We go down every year to Antalya for a break.Luv it.
Have heard it will be quite quiet this year as bookings have taken a hammering.
Propaganda from the MSM.
John Guidetti – Fanny.
Turkeybhoy,
was in Lara Beach at end of March,
hotel staff say it was very quiet for the time of year
6 minutes of Scottish time added
TURKEYBHOY-?????????????
FAIRHILL BHOY on 11TH MAY 2017 8:50 PM,
As a matter of fact,I do love the sound of my own voice,
brilliant singer me.
Think we dodged a bullet with that dud Pogba
How much did they fuds pay for him?
Jose doing what Jose does, glad I am not a United fan
John, John, John….ya diddy!
Karma for diving Guidetti – open goal missed with last kick.
nae luck…
United go to Stockholm to face Ajax – streets will run with blood.
That’s why you are crap Guidettie
Glad Pretty boy Guidetti got nothing.
Non-Trier.
FAIRHILL BHOY
Mind bring me back a “Stock of Rock “.
GORDYBHOY64 on 11TH MAY 2017 9:52 PM
Turkeybhoy,
was in Lara Beach at end of March,
hotel staff say it was very quiet for the time of year,
Yep,its a fekin liberty.About 60% of the Cruise Ships have cancelled their stops in Turkey.All the resorts going to get hammered this season.As I say,the MSM putting out scare stories about terrorism.but only it seems Turkey.A lot of people going to lose their jobs.
So the European finalists are everyone’s favourites – Juventus, Ajax, Real Madrid and Man Utd. Hope they all lose!
Off now for my One More Sleep cos tomorrow night we get to see The Champions play.
Gordy
Was good to bump into you in Clydebank today,then my sis, then my cousins, then my daughter. Half hour shopping trip lasted 3 hours. :)
The most unconvincing European trophy win of all time is alive and well.
Freaky
I was going to ask GORDYBHOY if he had bumped into or spoke to “The Whitecrook Fenian ” and low and behold he appears .
Hows things with your family DD?
TURKEYBHOY-no being a dick,our posts got mixed up,tho you could af told me about Lara when I first asked you,apologies for my out of order snide comments
MWD
As a proud Yes voter…..it’s a sad wee No for me!
HH jamesgang
I remember that Gordon Dalziel saying we should spend £10 million on John Guidetti after he played about 5 games. My overriding memory of him was the League Cup Final 2015, we were given a penalty wee Jamesy took the ball off him, and duly missed! For the reminder of the game and during the celebrations he sulked the whole way through. Good riddance.
MARSPAPA-will do pal,only get it when we get that beer,rite bed time,god bless this place:-))
Aye,naw?
I think the board will step up to the plate if things keep going as they are. Court revelations and SC judgement for HMRC will be the impetus for that.
But only if we keep pushing them,otherwise I think they’d quite happily pretend it never happened.
I liked Guidetti and wanted him to stay, one thing he was very good as, was knowing where the TV cameras were, a poser.
Timreaper
Plus 1. I could see his fekin petted lip from the other end of the ground!
The Celtic shirt does not expand to fit a petted lip……….
HH jamesgang
I think we could do well in Europa League next season.