Do you remember the Green and Whitewash season? In 2003-04 Celtic dominated the league. After drawing their opening game away to Dunfermline they won their next 25 consecutive league games, beating every team in the league home and away. Across all competitions, they beat Rangers five times in four league and a Scottish Cup meeting.
This was as dominant as a team could get but there were vulnerabilities. Not only was Henrik Larsson out of contract, much of that team were in the twilight of their careers. Paul Lambert, Neil Lennon, Alan Thompson and Chris Sutton would never command the same on-field fear again.
The team that completed nine league wins in a row on Wednesday night could not be more different from the 03-04 vintage in one important aspect; only four are older than 23-years-old and none of them are veterans: Brown, 26, Samaras, 26, Mulgrew, 25 and Ledley, 24.
With an average age of just over 22 years this team will continue to improve for years; we can see evidence of progress. James Forrest has made a huge step up in form from last season. Victor Wanyama is almost unrecognisable from the player who arrived in the summer. Big Fraser, 23, still young for a keeper, inspires a lot more confidence than he did last season, and the baby of the team, Adam Matthews, is a scarcely believable 19-years-old. He’s so new to this environment you have to wonder if even the lad’s father knew he had a performance like Wednesday night’s in him.
Ki, 22, Stokes, 23, Izaguirre, 25, Kelvin Wilson, 26 and Mikael Lustig, 25 all fit the same profile. They are a squad full of improving players with the appetite you only get when your career is in front of you.
Rangers, and the rest, should be very afraid. Wednesday night might be as close as they get to the coattails of the young Celts.
914 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- »
Monaghan.
Like it or not the orange order are a group with a perceived religious affiliation. If you look up what constitutes a sectarian offense, you will find it an offense to abuse groups with a perceived religious affiliation.
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/west-bromwich-albion-fc/west-bromwich-albion-fc-news/2011/12/31/west-brom-albion-close-in-on-allan-as-hodgson-plays-it-cool-over-croat-striker-97319-30036071/2/
Interesting comments from Roy Hodgson on Wednesday’s game.
TBB take Yir hat aff and kiss everybody roon about ye, Nae add ons mind if yir hooping n hollering.
V
You have to hand it to McCulloch fooling Celtic fans into thinking his tackle had no malice
Once played with a guy who at fullback perfected to fall in front of an opponent to stop him
The yanks say never give a sucker an even break
It was malicious in its timing and aftermath, add in the Oscar winning injury feint from a serial cheat who has got away thuggery to many times
Sally took him off promptly, he would not get away with another
TBB take Yir hat aff and kiss everybody roon about ye, Nae add ons mind if yir hooping n hollering.
Vinny
The Honest Mistake
Again, I appreciate what you say about the law as it has been drafted – I have had occasion to glance at it. Is it not the case though that Rangers and its supporters have a perceived religious affiliation? Are we required by law to be nice to them?
Definetely a good idea to distribute old hoops shirts when you are travelling. I gave a couple away in Tanzania. Can lead to confusion though as one day in Iringa (a town in south Tanzania) I saw a guy in the hoops and excitedly approached him to tell him I was a Celtic man too and pointed at the badge and myself grinning. He just looked at me like I was aff ma heid. Which if I remember correctly, I was.
Vmhan
I asked Paul to send you my e-mail addy. It was SwanseaBhoy who suggested I get in touch with you to discuss whether you could occassionally help in getting to games. Please e-mail me when you can.
lionroars
100% correct re McCulloch
he is a thug …a bully
he tried to do Kayal because that`s what he does ..his immediate reactions disclose his guilt
he feigned injury as he knew he had done Kayal and was concerned that he was going to be red carded
those CFC fans trying to excuse his behaviour really want to wisen up to the attitude of McCulloch and his ilk
Watch the video and step it forward, Elbows did nothing wrong at all in the tackle, his histrionics after, well that is another matter.
PFAyr
Did you notice that after Ledley got the header away for the goal, McCulloch tried to elbow him in the ribs? He can’t resist it!
Partizan, its just a habit I’ve got into over the years, usually the one I’m wearing at the time, lol.
In the context of India or Nepal though, yeah it does not mean much to the locals. But they knew it meant a lot to me, so I hope the appreciated the gift. But yeah, it is a little nuts when you think about it.
Kitalba
I deleted file yesterday. Can’t say what is my view on Kayal’s. I can only say I don’t remember it as controversial.
Monaghan1900 says:
31 December, 2011 at 10:46
‘Is it not the case though that Rangers and its supporters have a perceived religious affiliation?’
No.
For most of their history the basic requirement for their players was not that they were of any religious faith or denomination. It was simply that they were not Catholics.
If the requirement was that players had to be Protestants then they might be able to claim that hun = Protestant, though they would still have to convince me that Bertie Peacock, Jock Stein, Bertie Auld, Danny McGrain, Kenny Dalglish etc etc etc are huns and Amaruso, McCann, Novo, Gatusso, le petit merde etc aren’t huns.
For the gamblers amongst you.
Some might know that I am a member of the 23 strong syndicate who own 2009 Welsh National winner Dream Alliance. He has had his problems since that race and has tumbled in the weights. What isn’t known however is that the vet of our current trainer identified that the horse had been bleeding during races. This had been difficult to spot when routinely examined by vets a few days after racing as it is an internal thing.
He has been treated for this problem and the treatment has an 85 % success rate with the best results shown to be the first race back after treatment.
Make of this what you will but he is currently available at 14’s in places . I have had a much larger bet than usual although I am not confident enough to have driven down to Warwick ( it’s the 1.10 handicap hurdle). Actually I wanted to go but was too scared to ask Mrs gourockbhoy on Hogmanay.
Roy Hodgson has apparently noticed that the huns are in “grave financial difficulty.”
He must be incredibly astute as none of the Scottish media seem to hve noticed.
Happy New Year in Auckland New Zealand!!!!!!!!!
2 hrs Melbourne Celt …. 001 Bhoy
3 Brisbane … Ryan, Kitalba Tom, ST …. n aw n aw
and
5 hours to go if yir a Perth Australia Celt, Jonathan, Kano, Ramie and The Kane family!
I hope 2012 is a good un for ye all.
Vinny
HH
Monaghan.
It would be easier to find a catholic rangers supporter than a catholic orange nan to contest it in court.
Ernie
Are you seriously telling me that Rangers and its support are not perceived as being associated with Protestantism? Seriously?!!
Good article from wee Chick from the BBC website-
The old year is breathing its last: the question is, are so too Rangers’ title ambitions?
Celtic gave the champions a handicap start, at one point in early November 15 points in length, and yet within two months the distance had shrunk as surely as the Ibrox club were dragging a low loader while Neil Lennon’s men were in a fleet of Ferraris.
Before a ball was kicked I was adamant that Celtic had the swagger of potential champions and even as they were dropping points like autumn leaves as the first cough of winter approached, I can’t say I wavered at all.
In truth I wouldn’t faint now if Neil Lennon went on to secure the Treble, a rather awful state of affairs for Rangers who are already heading into 2012 like a lone swimmer into shark infested waters.
Tax men and court cases await. And a transfer window which threatens to create such a draught it will blow away Nikica Jelavic and maybe others.
There is no chance of Rangers coming out of January in a stronger state in terms of personnel: there is the near certainty that Celtic will this time not fail to embrace the opportunity to invest.
A short while back Celtic were a dot in the Ibrox rear view mirror: by Easter they may need a pair of binoculars to catch sight of them.
Already there are vultures in the air, Rangers supporters who want Ally McCoist off the premises, among them probably, the crazed fan whose infamous sound bite “P45 time, Walter” was recorded in the season yer man Smith took the club to the final of the UEFA Cup.
It is a ridiculous suggestion.
When it comes to patience Old Firm fans make Blackburn’s supporters look like saints.
I’ve got stuff that’s been in the freezer longer than McCoist has been in the job, and of course there will be Celtic fans who will be coughing nervously about suggestions that they once wanted Neil Lennon hunted because of his lack of experience.
As a manager he has not been flawless. You will recall that Europe and the League Cup are distant memories for Rangers even if the leadership of the SPL is a little more of a recent one.
And there have been some curious signings, players who are misfits of Lilliputian proportions. Bedoya, McKay and Ortiz have hardly been arsonists when it comes to setting the place on fire.
No-one said it was going to be easy for Craig Whyte, but for all his employment of spin doctors the real public relations operation has been done by the manager and his players who have persuaded fans, by the results, to turn a blind eye and whistle a happy tune at the prospect of the gathering storm
And Davie Weir. I have heard a whisper is that he is on one weekly payment if he plays, half of that if he doesn’t. But as you know, there is a little local difficultly twixt the Rangers hierarchy and the BBC at the moment in terms of, well, communication.
Actually the truth about McCoist is that he has done sterling – a touchy word round Ibrox these days, I do apologise – work in divorcing the machinations of the boardroom from the activities of the dressing room.
No-one said it was going to be easy for Craig Whyte, but for all his employment of spin doctors the real public relations operation has been done by the manager and his players who have persuaded fans, by the results, to turn a blind eye and whistle a happy tune at the prospect of the gathering storm.
Or at least until the trip to Parkhead that is.
The manager has handled it with great sang-froid. The support and the board would do well to acknowledge the fact. Maybe they could note it at the next board or annual general meeting although I am not quite sure when either is scheduled.
So all the best then, Rangers, Celtic and the rest of you for 2012, a year in which we will stack the fridge with beer and yet again adopt a team to watch in a major finals. And wonder at what Team GB might do to any chance of Scotland ever competing in another.
Brighter days coming for Scottish football? I’m not sure. But I guarantee this for the New Year.
There won’t ever, in our wee world, be a dull moment.
Whilst in Gourock……. Where I lived yolks ago, it’s still 19 canteen :>)
V
The Honest Mistake
It’s probably me, but I don’t get the point you’re making. (I know one “Catholic” Rangers supporter – he’s no right!)
Morning Bhoys
Wet and windy in the Channel this morning.
Anybody travelled with Royal Caribbean, any tips/info appreciated.
No crackerjack pencil for anyone responding ‘tip the waiter’! :-)
To NZ Tims –
AFRIKAANS gelukkige nuwejaar / voorspoedige nuwejaar
AKPOSSO ilufio ètussé
ALBANIAN Gëzuar vitin e ri
ALSATIAN e glëckliches nëies / güets nëies johr
ARABIC عام سعيد (aam saiid) / sana saiida
ARMENIAN shnorhavor nor tari
ATIKAMEKW amokitanone
AZERI yeni iliniz mubarek
BAMBARA aw ni san’kura / bonne année
BASAA mbuee
BASQUE urte berri on
BELARUSIAN З новым годам (Z novym hodam)
BENGALI subho nababarsho
BERBER asgwas amegas
BETI mbembe mbu
BOBO bonne année
BOSNIAN sretna nova godina
BRETON bloavezh mat / bloavez mad
BULGARIAN честита нова година (chestita nova godina)
BURMESE hnit thit ku mingalar pa
CANTONESE sun lin fi lok / kung hé fat tsoi
CATALAN bon any nou
CHINESE xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao
CORSICAN pace e salute
CROATIAN sretna nova godina
CZECH šťastný nový rok
DANISH godt nytår
DARI sale naw tabrik
DUALA mbu mwa bwam
DUTCH gelukkig nieuwjaar
ENGLISH happy new year
ESPERANTO feliĉan novan jaron
ESTONIAN head uut aastat
EWE eƒé bé dzogbenyui nami
EWONDO mbembe mbu
FAROESE gott nýggjár
FINNISH onnellista uutta vuotta
FLEMISH gelukkig nieuwjaar
FRENCH bonne année
FRISIAN lokkich neijier
FRIULAN bon an
GALICIAN feliz aninovo
GEORGIAN გილოცავთ ახალ წელს (gilocavt akhal tsels)
GERMAN ein gutes neues Jahr / prost Neujahr
GREEK kali chronia / kali xronia
eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos (we wish you a happy new year)
GUJARATI sal mubarak / nootan varshabhinandan
GUARANÍ rogüerohory año nuévo-re
HAITIAN CREOLE bònn ané
HAOUSSA barka da sabuwar shekara
HAWAIIAN hauoli makahiki hou
HEBREW שנה טובה (shana tova)
HERERO ombura ombe ombua
HINDI nav varsh ki subhkamna
HMONG nyob zoo xyoo tshiab
HUNGARIAN boldog új évet
ICELANDIC gleðilegt nýtt ár
INDONESIAN selamat tahun baru
IRISH GAELIC ath bhliain faoi mhaise
ITALIAN felice anno nuovo, buon anno
JAVANESE sugeng warsa enggal
JAPANESE akemashite omedetô
KABYLIAN asseggas ameggaz
KANNADA hosa varshada shubhaashayagalu
KASHMIRI nav reh mubarakh
KAZAKH zhana zhiliniz kutti bolsin
KHMER sur sdei chhnam thmei
KIEMBU ngethi cya mwaka mweru
KINYARWANDA umwaka mwiza
KIRUNDI umwaka mwiza
KOREAN 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (seh heh bok mani bat uh seyo)
KURDE sala we ya nû pîroz be
LAO sabai di pi mai
LATIN felix sit annus novus
LATVIAN laimīgu Jauno gadu
LIGURIAN bón ànno nêuvo
LINGALA bonana / mbula ya sika elamu na tonbeli yo
LITHUANIAN laimingų Naujųjų Metų
LOW SAXON gelükkig nyjaar
LUXEMBOURGEOIS e gudd neit Joër
MACEDONIAN Среќна Нова Година (srekna nova godina)
MALAGASY arahaba tratry ny taona
MALAY selamat tahun baru
MALAYALAM nava varsha ashamshagal
MALTESE is-sena t-tajba
MANGAREVAN kia porotu te ano ou
MAORI kia hari te tau hou
MARATHI navin varshaachya hardik shubbheccha
MARQUISIAN kaoha nui tenei ehua hou
MOHAWK ose:rase
MONGOLIAN Шинэ жилийн баярын мэнд хvргэе (shine jiliin bayariin mend hurgeye)
MORÉ wênd na kô-d yuum-songo
NDEBELE umyaka omucha omuhle
NGOMBALE ngeu’ shwi pong mbeo paghe
NORWEGIAN godt nyttår
OCCITAN bon annada
ORIYA subha nababarsa / naba barsara hardika abhinandan
OURDOU naya sar Mubarak
PAPIAMENTU felis anja nobo
PASHTO nawe kaalmo mobarak sha
PERSIAN سال نو مبارک (sâle no mobârak)
POLISH szczęśliwego nowego roku
PORTUGUESE feliz ano novo
PUNJABI ਨਵੇਂ ਸਾਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ (nave saal deeyan vadhaiyaan)
ROMANCHE bun di bun onn
ROMANI baxtalo nevo bersh
ROMANIAN un an nou fericit / la mulţi ani
RUSSIAN С Новым Годом (S novim godom)
SAMOAN ia manuia le tausaga fou
SANGO nzoni fini ngou
SARDINIAN bonu annu nou
SCOTTISH GAELIC bliadhna mhath ur
SERBIAN srećna nova godina / Срећна нова година
SHIMAORE mwaha mwema
SHONA goredzva rakanaka
SINDHI nain saal joon wadhayoon
SINHALESE ශුභ අළුත් අවුරුද්දක් වේවා (shubha aluth awuruddak weiwa)
SLOVAK šťastný nový rok
SLOVENIAN srečno novo leto
SOBOTA dobir leto
SOMALI sanad wanagsan
SPANISH feliz año nuevo
SRANAN wan bun nyun yari
SWAHILI mwaka mzuri / heri ya mwaka mpya
SWEDISH gott nytt år
SWISS-GERMAN es guets Nöis
TAGALOG manigong bagong taon
TAHITIAN ia orana i te matahiti api
TAMAZIGHT assugas amegaz
TAMIL iniya puthandu nalVazhthukkal
TATAR yaña yıl belän
TELUGU నూతన సంవత్శర శుభాకాంక్షలు (nuthana samvathsara subhakankshalu)
THAI สวัสดีปีใหม่ (sawatdii pimaï)
TIBETAN tashi delek / losar tashi delek
TIGRE sanat farah wa khare
TSHILUBA tshidimu tshilenga
TSWANA itumelele ngwaga o mosha
TULU posa varshada shubashaya
TURKISH yeni yılınız kutlu olsun
TWENTS gluk in’n tuk
UDMURT Vyľ Aren
UKRAINIAN Щасливого Нового Року / З Новим роком (Z novym rokom)
URDU naya saal mubarik
UZBEK yangi yilingiz qutlug’ bo’lsin
VIETNAMESE Chúc Mừng Nǎm Mới / Cung Chúc Tân Niên / Cung Chúc Tân Xuân
WALOON ene boune anéye, ene boune sintéye
WALOON (“betchfessîs” spelling) bone annéye / bone annéye èt bone santéye
WELSH blwyddyn newydd dda
WEST INDIAN CREOLE bon lanné
WOLOF dewenati
XHOSA nyak’omtsha
YIDDISH a gut yohr
ZULU unyaka omusha omuhle
Hail! Hail!
Ulryc
Good morning fellow Celts from wet Renfrewshire (is it ever onything else? :-)
Still luxuriating in the warm afterglow of results in the last week.
Week 52 has been a bit of a trial for our freens down govan way: – suddenly all those timmy stories and rumours are coming true- whit nay money? -nae billions to buy hunners of top class players? and refs sending off two blue shirts in one game …and got beat by buddies and timmys …..with the mothers to come on Monday…jeezo
Oh aye ..this is the ‘bleak mid-winter’….at least for the currants it is ….magic;-)
On the last day of 2011, I would like to thank Neil Lennon and his young team for never giving up when it must have seemed at one point that all was lost. Lesser men would have crumbled and fallen…or run away. Not NL and his young lions. Lenny in particular, stood up when he was needed and Celtic fans everywhere should pause for a moment at some point over the next day or so, to reflect on what he has endured in 2011. To bring us to the point where we have a real chance of taking the main prize this season, will stand alongside the greatest achievements in our long history of great achievements.
There is a long way to go, but it is looking very promising indeed.
I have been fortunate to see a few league flags won by great Celtic managers over the last 50 years, they were all special, for different reasons. Some were more special than others: ’66 the first in soooo long; ’72 record 7 in a row; ’74 for 9 in a row; ’79 the 4-2; ’86 and that wonderful push to glory at Love Street; ’88 for 100 years double; ’98 wee Wim ending the dreaded 10; 2008 and the title for Tommy….wonderful times with a mixture of sheer joy tinged with some sadness…
For me nothing will compare …nothing…to seeing the joy on Neil Lennon’s face when he wins that flag in 2012
As we celebrate with him, I will not give a single thought to ‘thems’ or their troubles and woes.
Happy Hogmany to Paul67 for providing this wonderful site, to all CQNers and yes, even you sad, miserable hovering huns ;-). With very best wishes to you and yours in 2012
Hail Hail
M
Monaghan
didn`t notice that …wouldn`t surprise me tho ..that`s the type of cheapshot he engages in
give me 30 secs in a CFC shirt and i`d boot that fecker 6 feet in the air
then again i`m a rugby player :¬))
Ampersandal
:) I dont think its nuts, spread the love :)
In Tanzania and Malawi I wore a Brazil shirt with Ronaldhino on the back which caused much merriment with tha locals cos Im wee, fat and white. Gave my 2 hoops shirts away, one in Dar es Sallam, one in Nkhata Bay, Malawi.
Monaghan1900 says:
31 December, 2011 at 11:01
‘Are you seriously telling me that Rangers and its support are not perceived as being associated with Protestantism? Seriously?!!’
Probably less so than we are associated with Catholicism.
By that logic any words used to refer to us as Celtic fans could be constued as being sectarian. The idea is a nonsense.
Good Morning,
and so here we are! Hogmanay– New Years Eve or whatever you want to call it.
Perhaps, it is just me, but I have never really placed any importance whatsoever on the switch from December into January. The Roman God Janus had two heads, one for looking back and the other for looking forward, but for me once you get to January you simply look forward. In fact each and everyday you just look forward mostly because there is really bugger all you can do about yesterday.
So, as we face this 31st of December, the first thought in my head is not Hogmanay or New Years eve– it is more– well— Just Another saturday!!!
For those old enough to remember, ” Just Another Saturday” was the title of a BBC1 Play for today that was aired back in 1975 which focused on a young Glaswegian “looking forward” to leading his band in the Orange Walk— and his gradual but steady disillusionment with all that the “Walk” came to represent. The play had a great cast, with John Morrison, Bill Anderson, Eileen McCallum, Billy Connolly and a host of others. It won the Prix Italia as best drama the following year.
There is much to consider about 2011, and the post by Che at 08:19 is worth the reading and a pause for thought as he talks of some of the issues of the year gone by with eloquence and feeling.
All sorts of emotions spring to mind when you look back, but last year, last week and even yesterday are –today at least– only a springboard for tomorrow, next week and next year!
A few weeks ago, I posted my strident belief that Celtic should appeal the fine imposed by Eufa for the charge of illicit singing. That post can be found here:
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=7235&cpage=7#comment-1215976
Subsequent to that post, the renowned, upright and praiseworthy Moonbeams – ( yes I know it is early in the day, and no I have not been at the Sherry as yet )-asked me for my thoughts on Celtic PLC rolling over and choosing not to make any appeal.
Until now, I have not had a chance to answer that question but do so now– partly out of politeness to my fellow poster, but also to highlight my view in today, yesterday and tomorrow– and the link between them.
My view on the basis of Celtic having a really good right of appeal in legal terms has only strengthened over the last three weeks. The very fact that the song can be purchased openly surely declares that there is nothing illicit about it at all. Further, I have since learned that the promotional video for the Celtic Symphony was filmed ( with Celtic’s permission ) in and from the tunnell at Celtic Park– thus making the film and the song ( with the original lyric ) a song specifically related to Celtic Park.
Now, that being said, a wise old man once told me that when you feel that you are in the right, when you feel you have a case, when your spirits are up and flying and there is thunder in your heart that almost drowns the sound of everything else, well when it comes to legal matters in such circumstances, get your thoughts down on paper, with all the passion you can, prepare them for sending away– and then put them in a drawer and forget about them for a couple of days or more! Then come back and have a fresh look and ask serious questions as to whether you really want to send off all that passion or do you want to do something else?
That has been and always will be good advice.
A Number of years ago, my mother and father were to be prosecuted at Glasgow Sheriff Court for breaking the law. Their crime was to fly a plane load of Celtic fans to Buenos Aries in Argentina at a price that was below the Statutory price set by the Government via The Civil Aviation Authority and the then state owned B.O.A.C– The British Overseas Aircraft Corporation.
They were defended by the legendary solicitor, Mr Lawrence Dowdalls, and the bold Larry was all set to to hold BOAC and the various Government departments up to ridicule in the court. He would argue, that the law as it stood was unenforceable, that it was bad law, that it breached various fundamental principles, and was a charge and a law that could not be allowed to stand.
And so when the case called— my folks plead Guilty! Accepted a fine and walked away……. No fight, no argument, no great publicity– and it had been suggested that the press be lined up to see the authorities take a kicking!
The reason for this apparent climb down?
The CAA was a licensing authority, and had they been held up to ridicule then my old man would in all likeliehood never have been given another licence to fly another plane– not without difficulty, and not for a long time anyway. Celtic were on a prolonged march then and there would be many other planes to fly— Milan, Rotterdam ( If Dixie had only scored ) and so on.
Now, I don’t like backing away from a legal fight when I think you are in the right but football politics is a bit of a dirty game. Anyone who listened to the recent BBC drama “The Bid” surrounding England’s failed bid for the world cup will have gained a feeling for the dodgy dealings that go on within FIFA or EUFA or perhaps even closer to home.
In 2010, Paul67, in a post revealed that he thought some of the fall out from the Dougie Dougie affair was a really dirty fight.
The decision not to appeal may well have been legally “wrong” but politically correct. Who knows when Celtic PLC will next need to bend the ear of EUFA on certain Licensing issues? It may well be that whatever voice Celtic have must be heard without that same voice having last been used to make EUFA seem foolish. There may be very good reason to be bending the ears of the football authorities in relation to certain undoubted nefarious dealings by others in the near future.
Further, as the late Jimmy White MP used to say,– make sure you pick your battles. Don’t always pick the ones that you can win as some of them may not be that important. Perhaps your amunition is best kept for your strongest argument– and where you want to make the biggest impact! That might just be in relation to the conduct of things down Ibrox way over the last twenty years and the impact that such conduct and legal status should have going forward!
When the announcement came that there would be no appeal I have to stress that I was annoyed. Annoyed that the statement was made so quickly. Annoyed that it was a poor statement from the board with no explanation as to what they were about and so on. Celtic could have done better there!!
Later, it was corrected slightly and made more palatable, but I was still annoyed both at the board and at another group who I will come to later.
The most recent minutes from the after match meeting between the police, the club and the support seems however to be encouraging. There is police praise for the Green Brigade. There is acceptance that some elements of the press have an anti Celtic agenda! That in future there will not be comment or report which does not involve the Club representative being present, or spoken to in advance and given the opportunity to comment. When you see that officially recorded than that is real progress.
In short, it seems that proper procedure has been established– possibly because someone somewhere has pointed out that somebody will run a legal coach and horses through such shoddy procedure. So maybe something has been achieved without the formaility of appeal?
However, for me, we the support can do something that the club cannot. Something that is in keeping with the spirit of the club and its history. Something that might just be fun and a little cheeky.
I said earlier that there was a group that I was annoyed at– and that group is The Wolfe Tones!
Now I have seen Derek and the boys more than a few times– and mostly in Ireland. But I am annoyed that they have made a record– from which they make money— and which record’s lasting memory and purpose is to link my club with the phrase ” Ooh ah up the ra!”. They could have written about the history, the charity work, one day in Lisbon, Hampden in the sun, or any number of things– but the thing that stuck was that Grafitti on the wall. How dare they? If they want to piggy back on the success and the histoty of Celtic Football Club, then they have a duty to do nothing– absolutely nothing– that in any way can been seen to sully either the football club or their connection to it. The Celtic shirt does not shrink to fit inferior men…. or bands for that matter!!!
So let’s test the power of this blog. Someone, somewhere will have a link to someone who has a link to the Tones. I know they have internal differences but I find that money goes a long way to heal such …..and this idea involves money!
Why don’t the Tones re- record the bloody song with the words ” Ooh ah up the celts”. Re-release it, and we will buy it. Give half the money raised from sales to The Kano Foundation or to The Good Child Foundation and it will fly out of the door. Put the bloody thing in the charts and belt it out from Celtic park!! Let’s see what Eufa and anyone else makes of that small phenomena?
That is but one way by which you can take yesterday and whatever that brought and today turn it into something for tomorrow. It would be a laugh and a message to those who want to introduce daft legislation or who want to Police in a suppressive and an oppressive fashion. If the Tones are true rebels at heart then let’s have a little bit of innocent social and indeed commercial rebellion with them involved– it can do them absolutely no harm at all!
Oh and if the Tones don’t want to do it, then get Charlie and the bhoys to record it and we will buy their version, and in which case the Wolfe Tones in any guise they currently have should bugger off and never show their face back in Glasgow again! And they should definitely bin their original lyric!
Our team is top of the league on this fine Saturday. This season that is a first, but I believe we have a team who are capable of making that the norm in which case each week will bring “just another Saturday” when we are top of the league. That is where we want to be and where we can be with this young squad and manager.
Oh and finally ( you will be glad to hear ) may I wish all and everyone who dips in here all the very best for 2012. Everything that is good and fun and uplifting. There will be those who will worry about economics and health and all sorts of other things, but always remember that you are not alone and that there is always a helping hand somewhere. Things are never as bleak or as black as they seem– so do not despair and always remember that tomorrow is just another word for the start of something better. I am a great believer in the good tomorrow.
And when Governments and other officialdom, or any other form of enemy or opponent, seems to want to get you down, follow the example of the Celtic Support—- just turn the other cheek! On wednesday night we turned the other cheek en masse. Some call it the huddle, some call it the Posnan.
Personally– I call it the “Kiss my Ass!”— WE are top of the league!
Ooh ah — up the CELTS!!!!!!!!!
Partizan says:
31 December, 2011 at 10:49
Vmhan
I asked Paul to send you my e-mail addy. It was SwanseaBhoy who suggested I get in touch with you to discuss whether you could occassionally help in getting to games. Please e-mail me when you can.
……..
Partisan I’ll ask Paul innaw, he’s a busy Bhoy it may be a while amigo!
Good shout from Swansea Bhoy though.
Vinny
reading some papers this morning ..most hae a review of the year
this got me thinking about the Scottish sports fraternity and in particular how they have embarrassed themselves over the Whyte Hun takeover
we were subjected to story upon story of £20m warchests,£10m spends ,£5m spends
instead they brought in toppers like McKay,Beydoya and Ortiz for virtually F all
and any players who cost money were paid for by sales
they should be embarrassed with their lack of acumen or integrity or both
PFAyr
While few things in life are impossible, I am as certain as I can be that it is impossible to embarrass the Huns!
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon says:
31 December, 2011 at 11:00
‘Roy Hodgson has apparently noticed that the huns are in “grave financial difficulty.”
He must be incredibly astute as none of the Scottish media seem to hve noticed.’
I heard Hodgson on Radio 4 the other day.
Seems he’s an avid reader of high brow, literary, modern fiction.
PFayr,
And I’m sure the reviews of the year all mention Whyte’s failure to invest, the upcoming tax case and the huns’ imminent liquidation, don’t they?
Good morning friends from a damp but very mild East Kilbride.
A year of weather reports from EK completed. Everyone needs a little bit of OCD!
Jobo
Vmhan
Going back to the Kilmarnock v Celtic, live updates from 15/10/2011 was a seriously interesting read. Thanks for pointing me to it.
Us beating the Hun and going top was so much more of a GIRFUY to some of the contributions that day than even I thought.
Some posters really do need to take a good look at themselves after some of the commentary that day.
MWD
Zbyszek says:
31 December, 2011 at 10:57
Mate, you know me, if a hun was out of order, do you think for one moment I would stand up for him? Elbow’s tackle was fair; the consequences to Beram Kayal were unfortunate.
Paddy Gallagher
been with them a few times
two things
if you like wine buy the wine packages on offer …very good value and they are different grades suiting most tastes and budgets
re tip the waiter …take a fist full of 1 dollar bills …makes it easier to tip the bar staff and often ensures a generous measure …in fact Mrs thresatened to bar me from doing it such were the maesures i was receiving
also bring your gym kit the fitness facilities are superb ….also use the sauna and steam rooms ..excellent