This is the way to start the season. A competitive match, albeit one which is no longer puts us in direct jeopardy, to open what will be a lush green Celtic Park for the first game of the season. Neil Lennon will correctly press his team hard tonight, Elfsborg are reportedly the fittest team in Sweden and are only a week away. That prospect, is enough to get the blood pumping.
Kris Commons and Georgios Samaras took the plaudits in Belfast last week, just as they did in the European qualifiers last season. They are players who can be relied upon to deliver for the team, but it’s the new guys who always attract the most attention in front of the Celtic Park crowd, and tonight, that is likely to mean Amido Balde.
I’m not going to waste your time listing the considerable number of great Celtic players who have taken more than a few games to settle into life at the club. If we see him tonight give him your support. There will be plenty time to judge next month.
I’m delighted to hear John Keane has been asked to unfurl the league flag this season. John was one of the ‘rebels’ who stepped in when the old board collapsed but few in the Celtic support know him, he declined to be photographed on the steps with the others. In many respects he was merely one of the many Celtic supporters who stepped forward when we needed them, but in one respect, John did a whole lot more.
In 1994 the Bank of Scotland informed Celtic that they had to bring their account back under the agreed overdraft limit that same day, or the bank would call-in the overdraft and appoint an administrator. We’re not talking Duff and Phelps-type administration either, the bank’s men would have shredded the playing staff in an immediate attempt to bring costs in line with income.
The old board had no money but John Keane stepped forward. Without any security from Celtic, or from the Bank of Scotland, he paid £1m of his own money into Celtic’s account, bringing the account back inside agreed terms. The bank could still have called in the overdraft and John would have lost his money. We covered it here last year, when aghast at the lack of anyone stepping forward elsewhere.
Within hours Fergus was on his way to Scotland and in the days which followed the old board agreed to sell their shares (with the worthy exception of Kevin Kelly, who told Fergus he could rely on the support of his shares without needing to pay for them).
John has attended board meetings and AGMs for the last 19 years; I can think of no better hand on the tiller. In future, when our history is written, he’ll have a page to himself. Unfurling the flag will be a proud moment for one of the most significant fans in our history.
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From:
Jack Irvine
Date: 7 December 2011 15:04Subject: FW: thursday blogTo: Craig Whyte Cc: Ramsay Smith , “ianmckerron@gmail.com”, “gordon@hay-mckerron.co.uk”
THIS WILL BE GOING LIVE ON LEGGOLAND EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.
PETE
R LAWWELL’S best pal in football, Scottish Football Association chief executive StewartRegan, has been strangely quiet on whether there should be an investigation into whether Lawwell’s
boss, Dermot Desmond is a fit and proper person to be a Celtic director. Regan, you may recall, was quick off the mark to announce that he had ordered an SFA probe intoRangers owner and chairman, Craig Whyte after being bombarded by an avalanche of questions fromPhilmacgiollabhain, relating to events Whyte was involved on the edge of more than a decade ago.
But there has been no such reaction from Regan over Dermot Desmond’s financial involvement in a
story which has been given UK wide publicity and which has caused revulsion among all right thinkingpeople. It is scandal surrounding a company called Castlebeck Care and in particular a home owned by thecompany called Winterbourne View. The full story regarding what went on, and the cruel mistreatmentof so many vulnerable members of society, is detailed by the BBC and Guardian reports. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15924774
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/aug/17/castlebeck-care-homes-close-unit
There are further investigations taking place and it is believed the full horror will reveal other atrociousacts of cruelty perpetrated in anything up to 20 homes owned by Castlebeck Care. So who owns the Castlebeck Care Company? Well there are a number of investors. And one of themis said to be the secretive and sometimes even reclusive Dermot Desmond, the man whose majorityshareholding makes him effectively the owner of Celtic plc, on whose board he sits. Now, not for a moment am I even hinting that Irish billionaire Dermot Desmond had any idea of thecruelties being carried out in these care homes. But it may be argued in court at a later date that if hewas willing to trouser a profit from Castlebeck Care to add to his billions, then he had a legal duty tobe aware of what was going on in the care homes.
That may prove be a difficult legal point and when m’learned friends are involved who knows what a
tangled web will be weaved. However, I leave it to others to decide whether Dermot Desmond had amoral duty to know what was happening in the homes the company he invested in ran.
But maybe Dermot Desmond’s employee, Peter Lawwell’s best pal, Scottish Football Association
chief executive Stewart Regan, is not interested in the moral mores of the matter. Not that the fact hisclose relationship with Celtic chief executive Lawwell, whose wages are paid by the scandal hitCastlebeck Care company investor and Celtic director Dermot Desmond, will have had any influence
on Regan’s thinking.
And, to reca
p, Stewart Regan’s thinking is, that the SFA must probe Craig Whyte for something which
happened a decade ago, but ignore a far more serious and sickening scandal that Dermot Desmondis at the heart of in the here and now. That is the way the Scottish Football Association works since Stewart Regan arrived, sacked Hugh
Dallas and then invited Peter Lawwell to take a seat at the boardroom table of Scottish football’s
governing body.
———- Forwarded message ———-From:
Gary Withey
Date: 25 May 2011 16:20Subject: FW: Rangers -strictly private and confidentialTo: Craig Whyte Gary Withey
Partner
From:
Jack Irvine [mailto:Jack@mediahouse.co.uk]
Sent:
25 May 2011 12:31
To:
Gary Withey
Subject:
Rangers -strictly private and confidentialDear GaryFOR YOUR EYES ONLY
–
NOT TO BE COPIED OR FORWARDEDThe events of the last couple of days will have by now convinced you that the business side of Glasgow-based football clubs is a snake pit of rumour, innuendo, lies, intimidation, fraud, corruptionand these are just the good points.You are aware that since November I have had a rather delicate conflict in that I had a contract withRangers but my 15 year old relationship with Craig is on an on-off, situation-specific basis. This is
why I put in a substitute team to handle Craig’s PR. Happily that confl
ict is no more. I thought you alldid a magnificent job on the takeover but now the hard work of building begins and my over-ridingimperative as a) PR advisers to Rangers and b) personal adviser to Craig is to make sure that Craigis protected from the kind of lunacy that you saw this morning in the Scottish press.
I handled the hostile Celtic take over in 1991, Sky’s negotiations with
Manchester United, an abortivetake over attempt for Man U, the News of the World brothel scandal at Newcastle United, theMotherwell takeover and various soccer relation investigations and takeovers.Currently I am engaged on a fraud investigation into former directors of a Championship club and I
am acting as a media facilitator with the UK press for FIFA’s corruption
investigators.If I have learned one thing from all of this football involvement it is that normal rules of business do notapply. Sir David Murray was one of the worst examples of this. He spoke to the press every day of hischairmanship, (often 20 c
alls a day!) He would brief behind his manager’s and chief executive’s back.
When life was good, in the first decade of his chairmanship, this was sustainable but when money gottight and success on the pitch diminished, it all fell apart with a vengeance.Craig as you know believes the Rangers profile can propel him into other much bigger deals, very
probably with a City focus. Murray failed in this mainly because he didn’t court The City and visited
London rarely. I found him quite parochial in his business outlook.(His social outlook was another matter)
However Dermot Desmond manages to combine his majority shareholding at Celtic with amyriad of other hugely successful business interests in the UK, Ireland and West Indies. He is seldomquoted in the media on Celtic matters and leaves the plaudits and flack to be handled by Chairman,CEO and manager.
I believe one of Desmond’s secrets to a vast business portfolio and a solid, highly respectedreputation is that he doesn’t get dragged into the tacky
world of Glasgow football, the media hysteria,the blogging insanity and the daily vitriol that surrounds the two city teams.The statement I proposed this morning is an attempt to cancel out
yesterday’s silliness and
projectCraig more as a serious business player who understands the protocol of the boardroom and thus willbe a suitable business partners for major City players.
BOBBY 13:30
M – People – Hi BM
Not many that olde………
Kojo
I believe Mr Doyle is a good honest pro who works extremely hard, but, he is no longer an out and out penalty box player, and if Hooper goes, then replacing him with KD would not cut the mustard in my opinion.
I can also tell you, though it appears you may already know, the Wolves fans, of whom many work for me, will be happy to take any offer for Kevin. In fact, they say they’d take Tony Watt AND give US money. What does that tell ye that ye didn’t already know?
Balaclava….Tricolour………Parkhead ? Surely he has to get a pull on this statement…..if looked into and proven to be true
it is shocking and beggars belief.
Paul67 – from your blog on 2nd May 2012.
“John kept his money in Celtic and received a seat on the new board, which he retains. He declined to appear in the publicity photos on the steps of Celtic Park when the club was rescued and although he attends the AGM every year, he remains a quiet and largely unknown figure. He has since invested more in Celtic, money he will never see back, but which has ensured his family can block a Glazier-style takeover of Celtic.
I have spoken to him once or twice, although he doesn’t know who I am, but I have often thought he deserves a standing ovation at the AGM for what he did all those years ago. Maybe this year.
We can only wonder why there was not a John Keane across the city.”
——————————–
Looks like he will receive a bigger ovation on flag day from a WHOLE stadium and not just an AGM. Did you use your unseen fenian hand to influence this? :-) Ahead of the game as always!
ps. does he know who you are now???????
*** the SNP all the way to Majorca and back…
Joseph Cairns, 20, was acquitted after a
sheriff questioned the evidence of police
officers who claimed he had been singing
songs in support of the IRA at a match
between Ross County and Celtic.
Mr Cairns, from Glasgow, was previously
cleared of the same charges by Sheriff Jamie
Gilchrist after a no case to answer submission
was made.
However, in the first move of its kind under the
Offensive Behaviour at Football Act,
prosecutors appealed against the decision.
Judges at the Justiciary Appeal Court in
Edinburgh recalled the acquittal and sent the
case back to the sheriff to proceed with it.
Yesterday, at Dingwall Sheriff Court, Sheriff
Gilchrist ruled the case against Mr Cairns was
not proven, saying he was not convinced
beyond reasonable doubt by the evidence of
two members of the Football Co-ordination
Unit Scotland (FoCUS), Constables Barry Inglis
and Colin Stevenson.
.
Paul67
Do you know if the club plan to honour Lawrie Reilly tonight with a minutes applause?
LB
Sorry mighty tim.
Phone on silent.
Well said Paul re John Keane and also Amido Balde.
Let’s give Balde and indeed all the players great support tonight. Let him feel the warmth from the Celtic family and lets hope he gets a couple of goals.
Looking forward to another successful season. Hopefully there is a decent crowd there tonight. Hail Hail the Celts are here !
” When you pull on that jersey, you are not just playing for a football club, you are playing for a people and a cause ”
“It is not fitting for a club of their size”
Celtic need to prove that against Elfsborg.
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers
13:31 on 23 July, 2013
How you doing me auld son…!
HH
Kojo
Wan of these days olde Kojo wull post a track,
TSD cannae help himself and lets CQN into his Audio Lifwi.I am looking forward to the SFTB and TSD battle royals. Two of the finest Celts ever, boxing mentally.
twists n turns 13:37:
Kevin Doyle will be a last resort choice if all other targets are not secured in my opinion.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
tonydonnelly67
13:12 on
23 July, 2013
‘How does this Jack Irvine get away with this,’
He and Peter Watson of Levy & McRae are joined at the hip.
Between them they make it their business to know a lot of stuff about a lot of people that said people would rather other people didn’t know.
It’s a very lucrative business.
Just imagine what influence they would have if Scotland left the UK.
Big fish, wee pond.
Unew Mike, no this is a real bus, not an insurance job:-)
CRC, don’t choke on the sangria! Oh and Lunch a week on Friday, CowieBhoy has confirmed.
Usual time and place.
White Crook, I mentioned Mr Dempsey. He may be a lovely man but he sold his Celtic soul. I cast no aspersions on him otherwise as I don’t know him.
Paul67
Over the years I’ve read most of your tributes:
On John Jeane you have excelled.
A mighty Celt of the highest order is our JK!
Cheer extra loud for this bhoy…
HH
unionbearBhind
Thanks. So Leggo was used by Irvine to put out unofficial club press releases.
Wow, no wonder that club went under!
MICKTT
Showing my nephew some of the cultural hotspots of Southwest England and Wales.
Smashing lad,but hard going. Thought I had him on the ropes last night,but he got a second wind!
How was the trip wi yer lads? Did they let you on the rollercoaster with them?
ernie lynch
13:52 on 23 July, 2013
Just how big is the Budget? ;)
asonofdan
another bloody nose for Focus,SNP and the craven Crown Office …this farce must end ..
JOHN O NEILL
Brian Dempsey has never once disparaged Celtic fans the way you do.
Don’t really like doing this but………….wee request on behalf of my brother who is off to Lanzarote on Thursday………………could any of the Bhoys who are currently there name a few decent Celtic pubs in PDC. Thanks
HH
the honest cover up
i must admit to feeling pleased that Leggo was the best that they could do
PF AYR
Never thought I would see Leggat and best in the same sentence.
Without the obvious alcoholic link….
PFayr
proves beyond doubt we weren’t paranoid enough, with snakes like Irvine feeding msm pro rankers, and anti Celtic at every opportunity!
HH
Thank God John Keane didn’t buy a couple of big buses
with his million pounds.
A smashing tribute Paul
TwistsnTurns
Hiya,pal.. Nice tae talk.
Sure, Ah came/come..and WULL COME.. Doon, pretty hard oan Mr. Doyle ,in Ma last submission..
but,..ye know me.. Ah wiz nevah a Wan tae Split Hairs.( Whit diz THAT..Mean?..ed)
(Ah Dunno! Ah always Use it.. when Ah canny think of Whit tae say..next!)
Howevahhhhh.. It jist Bugs Me. .that Neil is under the Mistaken impression that We
Need a Big, Shambling ..Seldom Scoring Striker.. tae Complete our Far Fae Crack.. Cadre(Sans Hoops,of Course.) of Strikers,which we, already..unfortunately.. Possess!!
Ah wan Anither Striker.. Sure.. .Don’t we all
And.. Ah Shall Neil’s Anxiety fur us tae Go oot and Get Wan..
But.. Ah soitenly do not share Neil’s Confidence in his Blind Belief that Mr.Doyle wid be the Answer, tae oor.. Chronic? .. No to harsh a woid, really..Strike Problem
…. fur iF Hoops Goes.. so diz oor …Goals Fur, Bank Balance… right doon the Park.
Nice Chatting.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
missed out stories
Afternoon bhoys from a very hot, 44 deg. hun free mountain valley.
I recall Lenny saying he wanted someone in either yesterday or today, have I missed it ?
Bobby I “disparage” those with closed minds. The type who call people Nazis. Which football team they follow is irrelevant. Their personality matters most. Your point about the support shows you select certain points but not others which don’t fit with your perception. I have commended our support often.
Does the OWL signify Death
?
Bobby Sands wis a keane Ornothologist just like My Dad is.
We have nae Swifts or Swallows now, we huv Gulls marauding the skys. :(((((( Sea Gulls. I have nothing against the Gulls really but they are domineering from the SKY.
Bless the digital age……..there is only the truth in the end.
We have John Keane…..
They have Jack “aye” Irvine…….
Just saying like!
Brian Dempsey
Did a wonderful job of rousing the rabble of rebels.
He spoke at several Save our Celts and supporters meetings.
He was a fantastic orator.
I know in the end he didn’t have the cash to invest as he would have wished, but he was instrumental in ousting the old board and bringing wee Fergus in.
Hail!Hail! To John Keane and Brian Dempsey.
TT
seen on another site
I dont have Sky tv so cant check
BBC 2 NI is on 969 (Freesat) or 972 (Sky) – anyone with only Freeview is stuffed.
COYBIG
party atmosphere without pitch frolics tonight, have to agree with NFL re flares, not our finest moments, we add colour and dash without them, an accident waiting imo.
HH
John O Neil.
Friend… Keep Saying it .. Jist Like. . YOU see it.
that is how it should be… tae..
Trouble wi A Loata Guy oan Here..
They Only wanna Hear or Read..
The way Things Ur..
The Way… THEY SEE Thum!
Nuts?
Sure it is.
But,that is Jist the way how some Folks Oan here…
Well.
See It!
Kojo
Still , Laughin’