Brilliant Oranje, notorious Franz

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Absolutely delighted the Dutch injected some swagger into the World Cup last night.  Diego Costa continued the pattern this week of Brazilian born players profiting from a tumble inside the box, gifting Spain an early lead from the penalty spot, but the Dutch were irresistible.

Exactly how they managed to improve their performance against Spain, four years after losing the World Cup Final with the imperious Edson Braafheid, is a mystery of the modern game.

Netherlands scored all those goals and created even more chances with a meagre 36% possession.  If they were German, we would be reverting to the national stereotype that they were the epitome of ‘efficiency’.

Speaking of the Germans, I’ve always had a lot of time for Franz Beckenbauer, but to find himself banned from football for coming up short in a matter with the words “Fifa” and “ethics” in it, must make him the most notorious German since, erm, well, in quite a long time.  With his former Bayern Munich teammate Uli Honess due to be jailed this month for financial maleficence, it’s better to assume no one in the game is above sticking his snout in the trough.

The soul of football depends on the outcome of this Fifa investigation; no one should be above its reach.  Beckenbauer’s provisional ban should be verified.  Kick him out the game.

Fantastic stuff on the blog yesterday from Bertie Auld; what an honour to have these great guys among us.  I’m heading to the Celtic Shop on Argyle St today where Bertie, Tommy Gemmell and John Hughes will be signing books between 13:00 and 16:00.  If you’re in town I’ll see you there.

The Big Cup’s going to be there, so bring a camera.

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2,184 Comments

  1. "mouldy67" supporting the fearless Oscar Knox on

    Team,

     

     

    I just wanted to give you an update on something

     

     

    During April, had received some communications from the folks at NCCA, neuroblastoma children’s cancer alliance

     

     

    these are the folks that we worked closely with on the #weeoscar4life campaign

     

     

    Cutting a long story short I have agreed to take part in a cycle from london to Edinburgh, onto glasgow then Belfast

     

     

    As part of the cycle, the Cycling Santas will also deliver some joy to little kids like wee oscar in hospitals, by delivering presents also

     

     

    The reason for my message !

     

     

    We are still looking for more folks to sign up for all or just some of the legs 4th to 8th December 2014

     

     

    This is a nice way to remember wee oscar and to create a positive legacy

     

     

    Additionally looking to raise some funds for NCCA, link below

     

     

    http://www.justgiving.com/cyclingsantaspaulmuldoon

     

     

    looking for any help you can….

     

     

    1. Passing word on about neuroblastoma , NCCA

     

     

    2. joining cycle

     

     

    3. or even just tweeting above link

     

     

    All help is sincerely appreciated

     

     

    @67mouldy67

     

     

    #teamoscarforever

  2. I was amazed, and truly greatful that both Paul McStay and John Collins stayed WAY longer at Celtic as players than we could have expected of them.

     

     

    With Paul injured quite a lot latterly John Collins carried the team, he deserved to play on a better stage and fair play to him for doing his ‘own thing’ for him and his family.

  3. Paul67 is going to feel so silly when he come’s back from his champagne lunch and realises he forgot to hit the big button to actually post the new article

     

     

    i think we should get our revenge by not posting any comments under it when he eventually realises his error.

     

     

    We shall not be taken for granted in this way and need to take a stand

     

     

    I am not just a moniker, i am a real internet bampot with feelings

  4. jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ on

    Paul will be of the 2-3 hour lunch breed!!! Just like all the hi heed yins!!!!

  5. The podium scramble for this pending article will resemble the zombie pile-up at Israel’s walls in World War Z…

  6. jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/

     

     

    12:55 on 16 June, 2014

     

     

    Paul will be of the 2-3 hour lunch breed!!!

     

     

    =================================

     

     

    Hmm. He must have some stamina…