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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Canamalar
Nice to see you in a mellow and forgiving mood
Sad day in our house today as my Morher in Law, Maria passed away last night.
She was 74 and had been ill for a few months. She went in her sleep in her own bed. It was still a surprise and heart rending.
She was such a big strong woman that was much loved by her family and all the knew her. As the say in Manchester “she was a rum bugger”.
Wherever she was she attracted attention. All my mates treated her as if she was their own mother. Her house and heart was open to all.
She was a big character who brought up five children on her own more or less. Always sharp witted and a sharp tongue and always a laugh and a joke. She looked like Elsie Tanner when she was younger and just as feisty.
My life has been enriched by knowing her.Good woman and a sad loss.
RIP
Sorry for your loss Googy- the memories will always be there
http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/731912396.jpg?key=640396&Expires=1360875185&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=lPWZ44uQZEY221Elv3RoOLa1gBfpiTsNkKS-6iIhnaEYUyLRc8vIgYmLGcPrusDUfJyBHPr0paDLI5lwWpfqZO0NZ4lny5Jh2SVJSFT4ztPRgacGjQ4dCwo9U11LD-0P16P7aOTvF6Ki1Y2ZyEcfkCIh8AUo2xlzhftPXmH9wew_
wits,
its scum end of, I noticed it waited till I was half way round the world before it raised its ugly head again, looks like anal stools is back to stinking up the blog again.
Porto a Mediteranian club ffs, what a clown.
Googy,
Thoughts with you and the family
RIP Maria.
googybhoy
thats sad
now if it was my mother in law …..
no sorry,shouldnt joke about such things
may she rest in peace
I meant to say the GB thought they had it bad!
googybhoy ♥ Celtic
Sorry to here your sad news Googy, may she rest in peace…
Raspberry if your lurking, I understand we may have a mutual acquaintance,
Joe and Mary M.
HH
googybhoy –
condolences on your sad loss and may Maria rest in peace.
googybhoy ♥ Celtic
now how you feel ,lost mine during the summer, me and the missus where there with her at the end……………very tough indeed.
be brave and think not so much of the loss but the great things that she gave and it’ll soon bring a smile.
RIP
Parkheadcumsalford,
Well said, sir. I agree with every word. We’re a Scottish club with an Irish heritage, open and welcoming to all.
Googy
My sincere sympathies with u and your family
googy..,
condolances with yours
Bale : sitter of season
Sad news Googy. Prayers offered .
Googybhoy
Sorry for your loss your mum in law sounds an amazing character may she rest in peace HH
Parkheadcumsalford 19:32 on 14 February, 2013
As a direct descendant of one of those for whom Celtic was created, I find the occasional attempt by some of the Irish on here to rewrite our history appalling
‘Rewrite our history’. In what way?
SPF
Googbhoy – Keep yer chin up amigo, God bless Maria and may she rest in peace.
slainte
tony
Sorry about your loss Jim, how’s your own mum doing. I have only 2 aunties left in the Vale and both are McG’s
Gareth Bale looks to have mastered the Ronaldo technique!
Paul McConville, I think it was all just an administrative oversight, the BBC having forgotten to clear the programme with the Sevco press office first.
I’m sure they will do it right next time and those nice people at Sevco will be only too delighted to let you back on the air.
How could such a thing happen?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21455792
Get your St Valentines hug from Wee Oscar here
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9981/imageooer.jpg
MWD
Googybhoy
Sorry for your loss. She sounds quite a lady.
RIP Maria
Jimbo
Googybhoy
So sorry to hear of your big loss
HH
tontine tim
20:49 on 14 February, 2013
Sorry about your loss Jim, how’s your own mum doing. I have only 2 aunties left in the Vale and both are McG’s
She is great. Was up at the weekend. She was 81. Still as sharp as a tack.
I stayed at Dumbain Farm. Lovely in there. Walked down past Shannon Crescent. Still the same.
Sorry about your loss Jim, how’s your own mum doing. I have only 2 aunties left in the Vale and both are McG’s
She is great. Was up at the weekend. She was 81. Still as sharp as a tack.
I stayed at Dumbain Farm. Lovely in there. Walked down past Shannon Crescent. Still the same.
*That’s great, best street in the Haldane
Googybhoy-condolences,sounds like you all will have a lot of great memories.HH
P67
Apologies if this is inappropriate or has already been done……..
CQN. 1 year ago today…..
Hector scores to give Celtic commanding 14 point lead
14th February 2012
428
Craig Whyte’s representatives have seen more court time than Andy Murray in recent months and were able to make the most of home territory at the Court of Session in Edinburgh today by gaining permission to appoint their own administrators, Duff and Phelps.
Scottish Premier League tables across the world will now be updated to reflect the new position which gives Celtic, who scrupulously pay all debts, a 14 point lead at the top of the table.
The hours and days ahead will be worrying times for the many employees of Rangers, not all of whom are on superstar wages, who await to hear if they still have jobs. Worrying times also for suppliers to Rangers, including Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Police and the many small traders, who will be asked to provide services if Saturday’s game at Ibrox goes ahead.
————-
I might post some of the comments, if anyone is interested?
if it wasn’t for the James Forrest piece and Parkheadcumsalford comments tonight, for me this blog was going the same way the rotten mob and all scottish media … consigned to history.
Good evening CHAMPIONS
Googybhoy, so sad to hear of your loss. Maria RIP.
Weefra HH
Googybhoy,
My your mother in law Rest in Peace.
See the latest currant bun to infest CQN was active earlier. Typical cur, snapping and yapping for the little he’s worth.
Hard on the heels of yesterday’s confirmation of the DR being under the editorial of Ibrox, comes evidence of BBC Scotland being under the same spell.
Shameful.
editorial control.
googybhoy ♥ Celtic
My thoughts and prayers are with you at your loss…….