After a tenacious win in Paisley on Friday Celtic were back in the groove last night. Passing was swift and accurate, movement – perpetual. It was a quiet game for Kris Commons, which at an earlier time would have meant a game with few chances for Celtic, but the prodding of Johansen, Armstrong and Mackay-Steven ensured Thistle played much of the game trying to chase shadows.
The return from injury of two of our three right backs, Adam Matthews and Darnell Fisher, has given the team better balance, although Adam still looks to be finding his sharpness.
John Guidetti established his early season reputation against Thistle with a League Cup hat trick but that seemed like a lifetime ago last night. The striker had the odd chance but the terror he inspired in defenders a few months ago has gone.
Enormous thanks to winning bidder for our Open Golf Championship Hospitality competition, which finished a moment ago raising £2050 for our School Kitchen project for Mary’s Meals in Malawi. Thanks to Eden Mill Distillery and Brewery in St Andrews and all who participated.
It was a stunning effort and the money is now in place to complete the fourth CQN school kitchen! Well done to all who played their part.
Celtic sponsor, Magners, who have helped from the beginning of this recent school kitchen project, have a competition to play at Lennoxtown and Celtic Park. You can enter your 7-a-side team into the Magnificent 7s competition before 5pm Wednesday 15th. It would be good to see CQN represented. Qualifying round takes place at Lennoxtown on Sunday 26 April with the finals at Celtic Park.
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Winning Captains
Very sad news indeed.
I will remember you all in my prayers today.
May eternal light shine on Margaret. RIP.
The whole shortbread thing is subjective : it depends who’s saying it. From a Scot, its a self reference. From outside Scotland, it could be seen as offensive.
Would you dare call an Indian station radio Popadum? Nope. Me neither.
http://m.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/cat-saved-village-from-gas-explosion-1-3742389
Don’t know how to copy links but a wonderful story in the Edinburgh Evening news……
Paddy McCourt the cat saves village from gas explosion!!
Bravo the Derry Pele
Twas today in 1974: Celtic drew 0-0 with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the European Cup semi-final.
The game was marred by the disgraceful antics of the Spanish side who have three men sent off.
Atletico were fined £14.000 and had six players banned for the second leg for their terrible antics.
“The Game That Died of Shame”. (from celtic wiki)
By the time Celtic embarked on the European Cup campaign if 1973-74 only three of the players who had triumphed in Lisbon six years earlier were still regular members of the team. Billy McNeill was still a stalwart at the heart of the defence while Bobby Lennox and the mercurial Jimmy Johnstone could still hold down a place in the forward line.
Nevertheless, big Jock had once again put together a side which looked as if it was on the verge of European greatness. Danny McGrain, Jim Brogan, Davie Hay and Pat McCluskey had all established themselves in the defence. Not only were they tough and uncompromising, they could use their silky skills to trap, control and pass any winger in the country.
In midfield Jock could call on George Connelly, Steve Murray and a bloke called Dalglish (whatever became of him?) and in attack, to add to the lightning pace of Lennox and dribbling skill of Johnstone, he had the poaching instincts of Harry Hood and the gumsy grin of Dixie Deans.
In the first round of the competition Celtic eased past TPS Turku of Finland, who played like TPS Turkeys and who were gobbled up in a 9:1 aggregate defeat which could easily have ended up 90:1.
Danish champions Vejle BK were made of somewhat sterner stuff and managed to earn themselves a 0:0 draw at Parkhead after Celtic turned in what many described as one of our worst European performances ever. By comparison with what was to come during the 80s and 90s it was probably a class show! It was left to Kenny Dalglish to score in Denmark for a 1:0 aggregate victory.
The quarter-final produced a cracking match against last year’s nemesis, FC Basel. The Swiss won the fist leg in their home stadium by 3:2. They then showed they were no cuckoos by coming back from 0:2 down at Celtic Park to draw level. Tommy Callaghan put Celtic in front again but there were no more goals in a nail-shredding finish. Stevie Murray headed the decisive goal eight minutes into the first period of extra time, which was enough to see the Celts looking forward to their fourth semi-final in eight years.
Bayern Munich were drawn to play Ujpest Dosza and so, as fate would have it, Celtic were drawn against Atletico Madrid.
At the time not a great deal was known about Atletico. They had been living in the shadow if city rivals Real for years. However, alarm bells started ringing when it was revealed that their coach was the infamous Juan Carlos Lorenzo. He had been in charge of the Argentinian national squad at the 1966 World Cup who had been branded ‘animals’ by Alf Ramsey after their quarter-final match against England at Wembley.
Atletico’s arrival in Glasgow for the first leg of the European Cup tie did little to dispel growing unease that we were in for a similar kind Donnybrook. The Madrid players had been limbering up for the Wednesday night’s game by kicking the seven shades of **** out of each other during a training session. Things got so out of hand that two of their Argentinian contingent had a square go in the middle of the pitch, pictures of which appeared in the Tuesday night’s evening paper.
In front of 70,000 at Parkhead the teams lined up on Wednesday 10th April 1974 as follows:
CELTIC: Connaghan, Hay, Brogan; Murray, McNeill, McCluskey; Johnstone, Hood, Deans, Callaghan, Dalglish.
ATLETICO MADRID: Thug; Psycho, Punch; Spit, Hatchet, Bludgeon; Hammer, Thump, Wallop, Gouge, Axe-Murderer
The unlikely – and downright unlucky – referee chosen to officiate that evening was a hapless Turkish gentleman by the name of Dogan Babacan. He looked a bit like Arthur Lowe’s officious bumbling bank manager character, Mr. Mainwaring, from Dad’s Army. He probably felt greatly honoured being entrusted with such a major football spectacle. Little did he know, he stood as much chance of controlling this game as the last referee at the Rome final of 46 BC, Christians FC versus Lions United.
The first name was in Mr. Babacan’s notebook after only seven minutes following a vicious assault on Johnstone. It set the tone for the rest of the evening’s football extravaganza.
Babacan got a chance to practice more Spanish a minute later. Jinky’s bruises from the game against Racing in Montivideo seven years before had just cleared up the previous week when a lump nut by the name of Ruben Diaz – who had actually played in that match – decided to renew his acquaintance with the Celtic winger. It was merely the first of his many assaults that night.
With the crowd already worked up into a frenzy at the sight of the atrocities being committed by the Atletico players, Celtic had a goal disallowed after ten minutes. It did little to dampen an atmosphere which had taken a decided turn towards the volatile.
Neither did the antics of Atletico Madrid. It became clear very quickly that the remaining eighty minutes of the match was simply going to be replay of the first ten. Name followed name into the ref’s notebook, which he was forced to swap at half-time for a 200 page ring-binder.
Eventually, having flashed the yellow ten times, he sent off the first Atletico player midway through the second half. By this time Dixie Deans had been substituted and was soaking his bruises in the bath. Hearing the roar of the crowd which greeted the dismissal of the Spanish player and thinking it might be a goal, he decided to get out of the bath to investigate. Wearing nothing but a towel he was met in the corridor by an irate Argentinian – who proceeded to give him a kick on the way past!
Meanwhile, back on the pitch things were degenerating quickly. Jinky was being kicked around like a discarded lager can as well as being treated by his opponents like a red-haired punchbag. Dalglish and Hay were also being singled out for special attention. It was all too much for poor Mr. Babacan who must have wished he was somewhere on the Russian Front rather than at Parkhead.
By the end of the game Madrid had been reduced to eight players, five of whom, including the ‘keeper, had been booked.
They had achieved their 0:0 draw but they weren’t finished yet. On the way up the tunnel Jimmy Johnstone was brutally assaulted yet again. It was the final provocation for the Celtic players. A punch-up ensued which had to be sorted out by Strathclyde’s Finest.
Next morning a picture appeared on the back pages of the papers. It featured Jimmy Johnstone semi-naked showing off his bruises. He looked as if he’d been battered for a fortnight with a hammer then given a good rub down with sandpaper.
Although the first leg had been shown live on Spanish TV, Atletico quickly got to work after the match with their propaganda campaign. They claimed that they were the victims of a concerted and orchestrated campaign of abuse at the hands of Celtic, the referee and, of all people, the Glasgow Police. They alleged that the Feds had come into their dressing room and beat up their players. It was preposterous, as anyone who has ever had any contact with the Glasgow Police will know. As was the assertion that Celtic had bribed the referee. If only the Spanish people had realised how difficult it was to prize open Desmond White’s Biscuit Tin to pay our own players never mind find extra money to give backhanders to the ref.
Despite public clamour for Celtic not to play the second leg, the spineless board decided in their infinite wisdom that they risked retribution from FIFA should they fail to fulfil the fixture, so they travelled to Madrid to play out the remainder of the farce.
Training for the players in the Spanish capital was carried out under the watchful gaze of heavily armed police, while a death threat to Jimmy Johnstone added to the friendly reception. It was the ideal preparation for such an important match.
On April 24th 1974 the Celtic team which took the field for the second leg was: Connaghan; McGrain, Brogan; Hay, McNeill, McCluskey; Johnstone, Murray, Dalglish, Hood, Lennox
Celtic duly lost two late goals and the Atletico team, which bore little resemblance to the one which played in Glasgow – due to the fact that the hatchet men had all been restored to their shebeens in the back streets of Marseille – went through to the final in Brussels.
What was to be done? Rangers had been banned from Europe a mere two years previous to this following the performance of their lunatic fringe in Barcelona when they won the Cup Winners Cup, events over which the club itself had no control. Atletico had actually sanctioned the atrocities which they passed off in the name of football which themselves could have started a riot.
Surely UEFA would have to take drastic action? Not a bit of it. Atletico were fined £14,000 – little more than the average bribe for a match official in those days – and six of their cloggers were banned for a couple of games. Only if Babacan had been forced to abandon the match at Parkhead by sending off another of their players, and God knows he wasn’t short of candidates, could the football authorities have been expected to take stronger action.
An article in World Soccer provided as good a summary of events as any: What a shame it is a team from Madrid who have to leave the fans with such cruel feelings and agonising memories.
Up until the Parkhead first leg fiasco Madrid had always thrown up visions of the legendary Real with di Stefano gliding through the centre, Gento sweeping magnificently down the wing, Puskas and his lethal shooting power, the towering defensive work of Santamaria. One giant, ugly, clumsy foot has trodden these cherished memories well and truly into the dirt.
Postscript
Atletico went to Brussels to play Bayern and for a while it looked as if they were going to win the trophy. 0:0 at the end of 90 minutes, the Spaniards scored with six minutes of extra time to play. But, mercifully, the Germans scored in the final minute to take the game to a replay, which Bayern won by 4:0. Ten years after the Parkhead fiasco we eventually got our chance for revenge against Atletico, this time in the Cup Winners Cup. However, thanks to another shower of cheating bastards – in this case Rapid Vienna – the match was ordered to be played behind closed doors. We’ll have to nurse our wrath for a few more years yet.
Celtic:
Connaghan, Hay, Brogan, Murray, McNeill, McCluskey, Johnstone, Hood, Deans (Wilson 70), Callaghan, Dalglish
Subs: Hunter McGrain Lennox
Athetico Madrid:
Reina, Melo, Diaz, Benegas, Overjero, Eusebio, Ayala, Adelardo, Garate (Quique), Irureta (Albert), Heredia
Attendance: 70,000
Referee: Dogan Babacan (Turkey)
burghbhoy
09:53 on 10 April, 2015
…as many times as he likes ….hahahahahahaha
Don’t you just hate it when you are on your phone and someone posts an article that goes on forever?
8))
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
Celtic reveal £2million cut-price season ticket reward for fans as Bhoys pledge giveaway for third year running
THE average season book for next year will be the same as 10 years ago and will include a range of new benefits such as access to the first European match.
CELTIC last night revealed another £2million-plus giveaway to their fans.
They have pledged to reward their supporters for continued backing by offering cut-price season tickets for a third straight year.
Having cut prices by as much as £100 for the last two terms, Celtic are again offering a discount for 2015-16. While there will be an increase on adult season books from last year, Record Sport understands the standard season ticket will still feature a £50 reduction on prices from three seasons ago.
Next term, the club’s average season book price will be the same as it was in season 2005-2006. Child prices remain unchanged from last year.
In addition, season tickets will include a range of new benefits such as access to the first European match of next term as well as two free tickets for friends or family over the season.
A Celtic insider said: “There is no doubt the Scottish game is continuing to experience difficult times but through the club’s careful management we have been able to do all we can to keep prices as low as possible.
“We have given back £8m in reductions over the last two years. At the same time, as ever, we aim continually to improve the team, hopefully strengthen our squad and bring our fans the success they deserve.
“We also understand the contribution our fans make and how they have stuck with us throughout these times.”
BT-DR not letting me c&p,reading between the lines,i think it’s £50 rise,Kids prices stay the same,Euro game included.
Paddy McCourt 1, Broxi Bear 0
Thanks Burgas
I’m heading out to Side mid June for a wee break
Bada
No probs , see Burgas hoops above
1000th post.
What do I win?
A radio and some shortbread.
Woop Woop
MWD said AYE
Bada bing
Had to smile at that
Female economics …..
Spending more money but implying it’s good value because you spent less than you did previously
I really am amazed at the “shortbread” furore. For me, it’s a very lighthearted jibe at the station’s parochialism. Most of the employees will recognise it as such.
BBC Scotland’s reporting of the sevco issue has been very poor. Something happened in the aftermath of “The Men who sold the Jerseys” and their abject failure/refusal to support Jim Spence was cowardly in the extreme.
Their continued employment of the likes of Young and MacIntyre makes them fair game for many an insult. Democracy to me involves debunking institutions, especially the national broadcaster.
DD, I look forward to debating this further with you in a smoke filled room.
HH
PF
You on the nags today?
Seen on twitter someone suggesting it wasn’t a photo of jimmy Bell but that Michael Mols had let himself go :)))
KevJ …… You don’t half talk a load of old shoite …. :)
For anyone who is interested I have a pair of tickets for the ICT game tomorrow, can be picked up outside the ground. Hail Hail Hebcelt
Ger57
Re shortbread
Logged on last night ..saw the chat re this …shook my head ..logged off
henke.@ 10 19.
There is a mighty fine club in Bethnal Green called Poppadom Preach.A place where young Asians go to escape the dictates of custom and tradition.
Bada
It is. Amazing piece of spin on a £50 increase.
ger57
10:36 on 10 April, 2015
CORRECT
BT
Yep
Gardening this morning
Couple of consultations this afternoon…sneaking a wee break for coffee just now
McCoy for me today
Had jezki yesterday ..good bet on
Nina Carberry….what a performance
Nothing else but finished in profit
new article posted.
PF
Went against jezki took artic flight , done me for a treble
Ger57-a piece of nonsense,guys get offended at anything on here.Someone will tell me nonsense is offensive to…..guys with no sense maybe….?
Morning everyone.
A price rise would be unwise. We have no competition.
However, were we to prepare well and invest well for Europe, supporters may return. The economic situation may well also help.
Ref Shortbread.
Read roy croppie @ 09:54
I’m with you Croppie Lad.
One million %
HH jamesgang
LazyhyperboleCSC
New article ya big eejit
Lads,
an early shout for the CQN Saturday napsters – on here for National day!
I’m sure there will be many – myself included – hoping to nap the winner of the National just to get themselves back in contention with the leaders… :)
Good Luck y’all…
fleagle1888
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 34 standings (4th Apr)
Well done to Eurochamps67 who napped Virak @ 5/2 and leaps to the top of the CQN naps table… closely followed by twists n turns who napped Lady Dutch @15/8, and moves into 2nd place. Long time leader, TheBarcaMole is on the heels of the leaders in a close third !
+£34.25 Eurochamps67 (13)
+£33.38 twists n turns (8)
+£33.00 TheBarcaMole (5)
+£27.83 leftclicktic (9)
+£ 9.25 Raymac (7)
+£ 7.33 Gweedore Celt (7)
+£ 6.75 Zihuatanejo (4)
+£ 5.33 Burgas Hoops (7)
+£ 1.00 21-5-79 (3)
+£ 0.88 voguepunter (4)
+£ 0.13 Che (7)
-£ 1.50 Bada Bing (5)
-£ 1.80 Nye Beavans rebel soldier (5)
-£ 3.13 PFayr (6)
-£ 4.00 tommytwiststommyturns (2)
-£ 4.75 16 roads (4)
-£ 6.00 Hotel de Paris (3)
-£ 6.75 fleagle1888 (4)
-£ 8.00 BULL67 (5)
-£ 8.18 Rockon (6)
-£ 9.00 BMCUWP (3)
-£10.50 Cosy Corner Bhoy (3)
-£11.09 green T (8)
-£13.17 hashadenough (4)
-£16.40 Jobo Baldie (5)
-£16.52 What is the Stars (4)
-£25.25 som mes que un club (2)
-£28.50 Cathal (1)
*No selection posted (wk 34) : Che, green T
Cheers, fleagle1888
I watched Nina Carberry win the Fox Hunters, with ease, on Thursday over the National fences. So I’m going for her to upstage Tony McCoy in his final National and become the first female winner.
First Lieutenant @ 4.15 Aintree
Good luck everyone I’m sure I’ll definitely need it!
I’ve had an ante-post bet on Rocky Creek for the National since its last win, which was very impressive so I’ll go with that for my nap.
T4
Soll 4.15 Aintree … good luck everyone.
Nichols Canyon 13:30 @ Aintree.
Lads,
my nap runs in the Grand National… it was going to be Portrait King, have been watching out for this horse since it won the Eider… but it’s a non-runner !!!
Revised nap is Cause of Causes to prove that even AP is fallible (sometimes).
Good Luck… fleagle1888
16:15 @ Aintree – Spring Heeled – NAP!
Good luck everybody.
Morning all,I’ll go with National too…
Godsmejudge 4.15 Aintree I’m pretty sure if ma wee pal Petec did the hoarses
this would be his choice too.
HH Good luck .
Morning all
I too will stick with the national. Can I have all 8 that I have backed ante post? Oh…ok then.
Which one…decisions decisions……
I will plump for Al Co.
Gl all ..esp Nina Carberry who alongside Al Co and Across the Bay would be my biggest result.