At the front of Celtic Park on Saturday a statue will be unveiled to our greatest ever captain, Billy McNeill. Billy joins our founder, Bro. Walfrid, our greatest ever manager, Jock Stein, and our greatest player, Jimmy Johnstone, in being honoured in this way.
Achievers of this calibre are so rare I cannot imagine the circumstances under which another candidate for a statue will emerge. Even if we go on at some point in the future to win the Champions League, it will be nothing like what Billy and his team did. Modern European champions are the distillation of global scouting, money and big business. They don’t take the bus from the town they were born into training for years at the club they will collectively bring to the summit.
Without being distracted by contemporary issues, I have hope for the future, and for Celtic, but on Saturday we will peer through a telescope that looks back 128 years. Billy McNeill encapsulates the values and traditions which founded and nurtured Celtic throughout this period. Not only that, he is the man who led the team (in every sense of the word) to one of the most incredible sporting achievements in football history.
Get to the game early and be there for Billy. Be there for yourself. Our memories of Saturday will last. We’ll recall the first time we saw his statue, and that we were there to share his smile on the day.
Get your friends along. Bring the kids. Tell them who he is and what he did. You or they will never again get a chance to honour Willie Maley, Jimmy McGrory, Jock Stein or Jimmy Johnstone, but you can be there to share an important occasion with Billy McNeill. That, my friends, will be a precious moment.
On Thursday morning, near Shawfield, Glasgow the Caring City are loading their latest batch of aid bound for migrants camped in Serbia. Much needed winter clothes are being shipped. They are looking for four volunteers to help load the container. Starting at 9:00 they should finish by 11:00.
It will be physical work but they are offering tea and rolls in compensation. If you can make it along to help these great people with such a worthy cause, email Ross Galbriath, ross@glasgowthecaringcity.com and let him know. I bet you also get something out of the experience you’re not expecting.
Thanks.
Stocking fillers, books, DVDs and all sorts of wonders (actually, just books and DVDs, but they are great) are available at the CQN Bookstore.
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The Spirit of Arthur Lee
Wi’ The Christmas Season coming Wee Jamesy will need a baw-de-guard..
Celtic 10-1 Dundee United (March 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ-c4M-Scsg
Just catching up with earlier posts regarding posters’ three favourite games.
Mine are winning the title at Tannadice in 1981, the first league winning game I was at, beating the Huns (in their dazzling pin stripe strip copyright Scottish journalists) 3. 2 at Celtic Park in October 1982 and my first trip to Tynecastle in November 1976 when we beat them 4 3 , coming back from 2 nil and 3 1
Gary Hooper has eventually scored his first goal while on loan at Wednesday.
I see the powers that be are trying to make sure the tribute act win the Petrofac Cup. For the first time in its existence , its been moved to Hampden. Who says they are picked on by the authorities.
Any doubts that anyone would have had re the reach of the masons, surely can ponder no more.
The completely left field statement from the bench in the High Court last week when the Judge, Smith by name, announced that he was not a mason, but would be proud to be nominated by Greig the Legned.
For me, that was the response to the call.
Some of us held the hope that once the legal stuff went south of the border, justice would prevail. Silly us.
The recent announcement from his High Heidedness, the Duke of Kent, Grand Craft Meister, that he gave his approval to establishing a Football Lodge, incorporating anyone connected to the game,doesn’t bode well.
The Call is out and it will be answered,
Will the various club supports be able to thwart their intentions?
I don’t think so. What previously stopped them was the vote of all club chairmen, under pressure from their fans.The rules changed after that, so that it only requires the selected SPFL board, of about half a dozen placemen, with probably a built in consensus,to make a decision.
Having said that, I feel that the activist wing of our own support fell asleep at the wheel and instead of building alliances with their counterparts at other clubs, their guns were turned inwards. I fear the chance has gone.
In the words of the poet and balladeer, Roy Orbison. It’s over.
Didn’t see the Milne interview. How did the issue of (non) title stripping come about? Did it look rehearsed?
Thom
As ever…..
Nail on the Head mi amigo.
Thought the same masel for some time now.
HH
Sleep well Timland
HH
KTF
Paul, a timely and lovely article.
We have put our spin on Billy and Tony in this wee piece. They met in 2012 at Celtic Park.
http://wp.me/p6DYht-re
No One Walks Alone
“Moan get aff” – shouted the bus conductress Tricia Marwick.
The Ruglen MSP had to walk home in the dark.
OMO CSC
thomthethim for Oscar OK on 15th December 2015 10:56 pm –
On the other hand,I am led to believe that Charlie is the first heir to the throne who is not a mason.
Perhaps some progress.
SOAL,
thanks for all those brilliant goals. Fair cheered me up!
Night all.
HH
Thom
Having said that, I feel that the activist wing of our own support fell asleep at the wheel and instead of building alliances with their counterparts at other clubs, their guns were turned inwards. I fear the chance has gone.
============================================================
Always painful to see the possibility of opportunities for progress being missed.
And so it came to pass.
Just randomly followed some of the chat re: freemasons, and in particular the stuff about a new Football Lodge. Lead me to some links attesting that Big Jock, and several Lions, were Freemasons – I never knew that. Is it only me that didn’t know that?????
HH
BGFC
I agree that to some extent we have lost the initiative with regard to the Save Sevco at all costs PR machine but all is not yet lost if we can mobilise support from all right thinking supporters of other clubs to ensure that the cheats do not win.
I wont bore the blog by repeating my post of 8.17pm but merely wish to thank Mike in Toronto at 8.21pm and Cowiebhoy at 8.59pm for their responses. If Auldheid or Paul were to open a bank account into which either 1,000 of us contributed £100 (or 2,000 put in £50) to have the readies for a Judicial review of the matters in Resolution 12, think of the effect that would have on the weasels in charge of SFA. I am sure that an office junior at Hamdump would be despatched to Boots for dozens of packets of Imodium/Pepto Bismol/Diocalm.
I appreciate that money is tight at this time of year but feel that we have to be proactive. HH
I am of course interested and concerned by any prejudice shown to Celtic FC whether it be through Masonic or general hunnery…..
However I find it frustrating that fellow Celtic fans are more preoccupied with this aspect than they are with the damage that is being done to our club from within Celtic Park corridors of power.
It sickens me that we have squandered a once in a lifetime opportunity to bank £10m’s over the last few seasons that would have positioned to be so far beyond the influence of establishment prejudice that we need not concern ourselves with it.
I’m not saying Huns can challenge us any time soon but I can foresee a trajectory that means we will be on the same level in 3-5 years. We could have been £100m better off in 5 years time.
So let’s not accept establishment prejudice but more importantly let’s keep an eye on Lawwell and co… They should be controlling what they can control…
AN TEACH SOLAIS on 16TH DECEMBER 2015 12:32 AM
Don’t tell my wife, but I’d be happy to contribute in principal – however, given that I already spend a significant (ridiculous) proportion of any ‘spare’ money I have on Celtic, I’d much prefer to see our Board do the right thing by its fans, and shareholders, and go on the offensive re: the cheating that has gone on for many years. Far too much of the load has been borne by individual supporters.
HH
BGFC
Lads
From memory,P.L. at the A.G.M. made a statement about action having been taken on a number of fronts about these specific concerns which our support had raised in relation to these matters. Viz financial doping.
Now,I happen to believe him.
Why would our Board feed the Scottish media information about any action they have taken or concerns they have raised with the footballing powers that be?
Basically,if you haven`t read about it in the Scottish media,you assume it didn`t happen ?
I don`t.
PRAECEPTA on 15TH DECEMBER 2015 9:45 PM
3 out of 4 ain’t bad!
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/be-there-on-saturday-for-yourself/comment-page-6/#comments
quite brilliant memories,
ta for sharing
keep it lit
MacJay1
Here is the statement made at the AGM.
“I’m going back now to the 2013 AGM, Resolution 12, which concerned licensing practices.
I would like to provide an update on progress regarding Resolution 12 from that AGM, relating to football authority licensing practices, which was adjourned indefinitely at that meeting.
In the past year shareholder representatives have worked with the Club to seek to achieve a satisfactory resolution to their concerns. The shareholders have engaged independent solicitors who are in correspondence with the SFA, having provided them with documentation for consideration.
This is an important matter of governance for the football authorities to deal with and the Club will continue to work with its shareholders in this regard.”
Note. This is an important matter of governance (which the SFA would rather wasn’t looked into).
It is still very much a live issue and until that and other issues of governance are investigated the game cannot move on no matter how many Chairmen want an easy life.
(BTW the Aberdeen CEO was mystified at the LNS Decision but on legal advice – itself flawed by being based on incomplete evidence – had no option but to accept)
Auldheid on 16th December 2015 1:30 am
Brilliant,Auldheid.
My memory is relieved to accept that vindication.
I hope Thomthetim doesn`t miss your post.
Cheers.
Auldheid
You are obviously up against a wall of silence on Res11.
How long do you think the SFA can continue to give you the deaf ear?
Are you able to circumvent their obstruction in any way?
It was depressing.
Sevco winning the Champioahip by a country mile.
The GASL wining and dining Spanish, German and English internationalists and signing them up on eye watering contracts for a push on the Premiere League.
Investors queueing up to buy into the share offerings to rebuild the team, the stadium and the morale of the entitled marching masses.
TV and newspaper headlines triumphantly screaming out their progress to the top of the SPFL.
Gloating becoming an art form in offices, factory floors and at celebrations of their cultural marches.
Then I woke up laughing at the complete absurdity of the notion.
The ‘only’ media person whom I have read having a swipe at the masons and, certain media members cosyness with the huns was, hun-cage-rattler-extraordinaire and, greatest ever Celtic historian….imho…Gerry McNee.
McNee was forever ‘outing’ Dougie Donnelly and the rest of BBC Scotland for their, out and out hun bias.
McNee once quoted that – “Ibrox stadium is the biggest open-air masonic lodge in the world.”
….also – “Scotland’s referee’s are operating like a certain secret society, that is why they should now bring in a retired International referee to oversee the refereeing dept…preferably someone from, Italy or Spain.”
How many laptop loyalists would stand on the Hampden pitch pre a League Cup Semi Final between, Aberdeen and Celtic(1989) in the pouring rain and say – “The wide, uncovered areas of the stadium which will, in the main be populated by the huge Celtic support who’ll be in attendance tonight, will be exposed to the elements tonight with, heavy down pours predicted and, quite frankly…the way that the Celtic supporters are being treated by the footballing authorities in this, day and age is nothing short of disgraceful!”
Gerry McNee hurting Tim – CSC
KevJungle hurting Tim – CSC
….dont be duped by the silence…Celtic’s board are in bed with the ‘silent’ colluding establishment….
….You gotta ‘get’ it…or…you’ll never ‘get’ over it….dont say yeez wurny telt…..
….bed time zzzzzzzzzzzzzz……
BIG GEORGES FAN CLUB – HAIL, HAIL, WEE OSCAR on 16TH DECEMBER 2015 12:01 AM
Just randomly followed some of the chat re: freemasons, and in particular the stuff about a new Football Lodge. Lead me to some links attesting that Big Jock, and several Lions, were Freemasons – I never knew that. Is it only me that didn’t know that?????
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It would seem that you are either the only one that didn’t know that…..
OR
the only one prepared to ask and to discuss it here on CELTIC NEWS, NOT LAZY JOURNALISM
…..BTW ~ where did the “QUICK” go?
KevJungle hurting Tim – CSC ….dont be duped by the silence…Celtic’s board are in bed with the ‘silent’ colluding establishment….
=======================================================
On the other hand.
Auldheid on 16th December 2015 1:30 am
MacJay1 Here is the statement made at the AGM. “I’m going back now to the 2013 AGM, Resolution 12, which concerned licensing practices. I would like to provide an update on progress regarding Resolution 12 from that AGM, relating to football authority licensing practices, which was adjourned indefinitely at that meeting.� In the past year shareholder representatives have worked with the Club to seek to achieve a satisfactory resolution to their concerns. The shareholders have engaged independent solicitors who are in correspondence with the SFA, having provided them with documentation for consideration.� This is an important matter of governance for the football authorities to deal with and the Club will continue to work with its shareholders in this regard.”
If it comes to funding a judicial review … count me in .
I know cash is tight atm for lots of people but there are plenty who have more than a few Bob in the bank and a decent income.
£100 is £2 a week over the next year . .. take a piece to the match and save your pie money ;)
Macjay
I have every faith in the resolution bhoys but none in our own CEO and board who are feathering their nests whilst our fans are ridiculed as being obsessed and treated like second class citizens by police Scotland
Sunday being another example when 1 copper decides to go into the kids whilst the orcs throw bottles and coins at Morton fans( nothing to do with our board other than the difference in treatment)
And it should be our shareholders or are they trying to distance themselves?
Good morning from a dark, damp, distant Lincoln. Just not the same…..
Remember – it’s cqnpredictor@gmail.com if you fancy helping Wee Shay by taking part in Last Man Standing 6.
Morning KevJungle,
IT wasn’t only At Hampdump that we got soaked. At Parkhead we had a pathetic bitsy cover while the visitors had a full roof.
Couldn’t raid the biscuit tin just to stop tims getting soaked, could we? We’re waterproof after all.
HH
Morning all.
Still dark down here.
Radio Scotland has surpassed itself twice in the last 2 days. Yesterday, they gave air-time to that proven bigot, Dallas, and today they are letting his poodle, Collum, demand that he don’t be criticised, as it affects his family.
Gooooood Morning CQN
Jobo, forecast (note – forecast :-))), to be 11 degrees today in Bonnie Auld Scotland
From a dull and damp Bannockburn
Hail Hail
Got a new Samsung J5 mobile last weekend. Torturous getting on to the Blog now and some fairly shocking pop up ads to navigate past every time. If anyone knows any work arounds for this please please let me know at jobobaldie@yahoo.co.uk .
Work time, be nice now.
Jobo
What’s a MILF ? ;-))
Obsessed is the new paranoid…..
Bannockburns not dull, it’s Green and White!
Morning all, and goodbye all, off to the Big Smoke.
Last trip before Christmas.
Being proven right is the new paranoid:-)
Happy 50th to SOAL. Remember yer teeth auld yin! X