Back in the 80s I had a soft spot for Porto. Their 2-1 1987 European Cup final win over Bayern Munich, coming from behind in the last 15 minutes and scoring with a back-heel, against a vastly better resourced opponent, was something Celtic fans could relate to.
A decade later I followed Porto’s tribulations as they tried to recapture those heights in the Champions League with a new team. They remained an engaging team but when it came to the big clubs there was always one who would wipe the floor with them. Manchester United scored four without reply in the 1997 quarter finals. The following season Real Madrid hit six over two games without conceding as Porto exited at the group stage.
It was a group stage exit the next season, before Bayern Munich took them in the 2000 quarter final. Then what looked like a significant reversal as they failed to qualify for Europe’s top tournament, settling for Uefa Cup football instead in season 2000-01. They eliminated Celtic from the group stage in 2001-02 but were taken home and away by Real Madrid in the last sixteen.
All this time they were fine-tuning player development and recruitment strategy; buying marginally better players and selling for ever-increasing money. Real Madrid may have wiped the floor with them but Porto’s business model was fine-tuned by 2002. Real won their last European trophy that season but the gap with Porto was closed in an instant.
Celtic are less than two years into their current strategy and we’re miles ahead of where we should be. It will be extremely difficult to match this season’s on-field achievements next season, but the stage you exit the Champions League is only one yardstick available. It took Porto years of slow and meandering progress to learn what it took to reach the highest level. This is our task.
On Friday 1 March the Lisbon Lions will be at the Kerrydale Suite providing commentary and answering questions on their magnificent European Cup final win in 1967. This has never happened in 46 years since that game, to say it is a unique opportunity fails to tell the whole story.
The event is part of our 125 4 125 campaign – central to reinvigorating the charitable spirit which is part of the club we love. It will be a family occasions, tickets are available at £10 for adults and £5 for children. The night has been organised by several fans working in conjunction with the people at Celtic Charity, so please do your best to support this great occasion. Individual tickets or tables are available, details here.
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BRTH,
Went to Milan with St Margaret’s Clydebank, only a young BHOY at the time, did you know the McGinty’s
zbyszek
21:30 on
14 February, 2013
googybhoy
I can imagine what you and your family feel. I buried my Mum 10 days back and lost my sister- in-law last Saturday. I probably would not be here if not huge support I got here. I hope the company of friends will help you feel better in the circumstances.
Take care about your wife and family.
Rest In Peace, Maria.
…………………
Thank you zbyszek and all of you.
All your comments are really appreciated.
Thank you all.
brogan rogan trevino and hogan supports kano 1000
21:51 on 14 February, 2013
Googybhoy
condolences on your loss.
BRTH
Thank you
Well Mr Bale made my night….9/2 first goal and 12/1 for the winning FK
morethanafeeling csc
Ntassoolla
I lurk more than post. Given your last one and your general mingin’ demeanour and “sensitive” nature. You should too. Insulting women now? How very dare you.
Thanks
WITS, don’t worry, mate.
Just surfaced after the game. As far as im concerned Ambrose played virtually as per.Im bothered by our lack of guile,we failed to deal with the Italians defensive “tactics”which are not new to us.A few of the team didnt show up on the night yet we did enough to come away with a much better result.As far as porto as a template is concerned,they play in a much more competative league,they have the South American market to tap into,they have the support of their press and their FA when playing in Europe,and they dont have everyone and their uncle constantly selling any player they ever produce that reaches a certain standard. What have we got here,when is a penalty not a penalty…….When stv Wednesday 6.00pm dig out Dougal complete with slowmo replays, to illustrate that it cant be an offense if the ball is not in play,just think of the mindset behind this.anyway as the song says Win,lose or draw. Googybhoy sorry for your families loss,may your grief be short and fond memories long. yours in Celtic
Zenit v Liverpool and Spurs v Lyon were both really enjoyable games. There’s hope for the Europa league yet. Worth persevering with.
aye and porto are a mediteranian club, idiot :oD)))))
night night timland
hail hail
25th May 1967
Yes know Tony McGinty very well.
I was in Milan too– stayed out at Stressa on Lake Maggiore
So what happened to the breaking story today that was due to break today?
I have just liquidised a banana. It was still a banana in it’s liquidised state. But I wanted the banana to go back in the fruit bowl and sit among the other fruit as it had previously as I was a banana short to satisfy my burning desire for odd numbers of bananas in a fruit bowl.
It just didn’t work.
SO I have to buy a new banana to place in the bowl. It may look the same and do much the same but it is still a different banana and I am kidding myself if I think it isn’t going to be different from now on.
You know where I am going here…….
Right – saw the list of upcoming games on ESPN – that’s the last straw. Just cancelled ESPN via email as follows:
“I wish to cancel the ESPN HD component of my Sky package immediately. Reason – I have no interest in Scottish 3rd division football covering new teams of very dubious provenance.”
If I survive without it, Sky Sports’ jaikit may well be on a shoogly nail.
HH
BGFC
I am a banana short of a fruitbowl……
Zbyszek & googybhoy – sorry for your sad losses, take care
Big Georges fan Club – believe me, it ain’t hard to live without ESPN. It’s like giving up brussell sprouts for lent.
….PFayr- “at least 2 penalties “said Juventus legend Gianluca Vialli,”at least 2 penalties ” said ex huns Ray Wilkins and Andy Gray….,ex SFA Grade 1 Referee Stuart Dougal move along timmy nothing to see here.We actually done unbelievably well to win anything, when he and his like were refereeing Scottish football.
….PFayr
21:52 on
14 February, 2013
Compare and contrast ……Dermot Gallagher and Graham Poll
Goodnight dudes…
BGFC
you should have phoned in …i had a wee laugh with the phone operator ….clearly a Hun …I got on my soapbox about them not showing the champions etc …..he didn’t like my password either
STV giving yet more airtime to their favourite dead team at 10.40 pm
Biggest scandal is why were Rangers docked 10 points when it was the holding company- not the club- that went into administration and subsequent liquidation.
Yet to hear 1 single Clive Dunn ask that question of the SPL.
Q, Who has blonde hair, a 40 inch bust and lives in Buenos Aires?
A, Lord NS, after he gives his verdict on the EBT inquiry.
No insider knowledge I’m afraid :-( just guessing.
George Galloway on Question Time
Should be fun …that twat Fraser Nelson is on too
Googybhoy
Good to see you remember the good times….thoughts with you and your family…
25thmay1967
21:38 on
14 February, 2013
BRTH
I did’nt know you where a Clydebank man, did you know Fr Cairns ( wee Joe ) from OHR, did your dad run the trip to Milan in 1970, 1st trip abroad.
———————————————————————————————————————
Father Joe Cairns was (one of) the parish priest at St Benedicts, Drumchapel when I knew him.
Not the first time I stood next to him in the Celtic end in he early 1970’s……a true son of the soil.
He passed away a few years ago now after a serious illness
RIP
Just came in,my wife said Whytie Bhoy was on TV,what was it about,anyone knows.?
Up the Ra.
greendreamz
22:22 on
14 February, 2013
Father Cairns used to come to our door to go to the games with my faither. late sixties maybe?
He would have a polo neck over the collar and a half bottle in his jaicket pocket!
After the Traynor revelations, does that mean that the floating park, retractable roof and casino are all make believe? Surely not…..on Valentines day as well……..
are lyrics about the IRA bad for advertising income streams
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000
22:04 on 14 February, 2013
25th May 1967
Yes know Tony McGinty very well.
*I was at St Pat’s with Tony
I have a cousin and so does Googybhoy who is married to one of his sisters.
che
21:16 on
14 February, 2013
Thomthetim
Where’s this from?
*********
Sorry for the slow reply.
The BBC cancelled Paul Mc.Conville’s scheduled appearance on Sportsound tonight, allegedly after calls and Tweets from the ANGRY Mob.
Paul’s blog discusses it.
I hope that was the question you asked.
Canamalar
Ask PL,or the SPY in the stand.
Bada Bing
Dougal was ref at Ibrox when Thomo sent off for “intending” to foul Novo and Lenny for a bit of verbals after giving them his usual wee spot kick gift before FT. As you said only makes our achievements at thay time more deserved. At least it’s good to think he is hurting!
Tontine Tim
Again My old man knew Tony’s dad and Tony himself.
I have known Tony since my teens ( and that wasn’t yesterday! )– one of his daughters had a summer job in my office many years ago.
Apparently you can’t beat motivation, then again if you are zombie FC there’s not much you can beat:
Rangers chairman Malcolm Murray maintains manager Ally McCoist is the best man to lead the club back to the top following a turbulent year at Ibrox.
The past 12 months has seen a spectacular fall from grace for the Scottish giants, who entered administration on February 14th last year.
The months that followed saw the oldco club liquidated while newco Rangers, under the new ownership of a consortium fronted by Charles Green, were consigned to start life in the third division of Scottish Football.
Murray, who was appointed chairman of the club in June, is concentrating on the rebuilding process after a nightmare year for the Glasgow side.
The Gers’ recent Scottish Cup defeat to Dundee United has seen pressure on manager McCoist increase from some sections of Rangers’ fans but Murray is adamant he is the right man to take the club forward.
Asked if he was the best man for the job, Murray told Sky Sports News: “Yes. Because he’s got more motivation than anyone you could bring in from outside. Motivation is the one thing.
“The players have got massive respect for him.”
19lisbonbhoy67
22:05 on 14 February, 2013
So what happened to the breaking story today that was due to break today?
********
It was fixed!
PFayr,
See my reply to che above.