Several years ago, long before CQN, I was fortunate enough to be in the company of 10 of the 11 Lions who took the field in Lisbon. It was a great to see them interact with each other. A grinning Jinky walked in late, “Am I in trouble again?”, bringing a playful shout from all the others.
I’ve since met the rest of the squad who didn’t make the field, but Willie Wallace remained an unknown quantity, until this week. I occasionally wondered what role Celtic played in the life of a man who left for Australia circa 40 years ago.
As anyone who read Willie on the blog this morning will realise, he was cut from the same wood as the rest of the team, with a deeply set Celtic grain. When I met him on Saturday he had all the playfulness and spirit the other Lions had, but there was no hiding his sharp competitive edge when talk go around to matters on, and sometimes, off, the field.
Many thanks for chatting this morning, Willie.
If you can make it to Waterstones in Stirling tomorrow evening (late night shopping), I’ll be there with Willie, who will be signing copies of Heart of a Lion. See you there.
I missed out on the preparations and commemorations yesterday by Celtic Graves and so many Celtic fans. Caught up with it late in the day online. Things about this club blow you away sometimes. I know there is some traceable linage from Celtic Graves, though Jungle Bhoys and all the way back to Celts for Change. With supporters like this, your club is in incredibly good hands.
At any other club these events would be remarkable. At Celtic, they are just another chapter in a very special story.
Which takes me onto the next point………
All of these great things are underpinned by you, me and thousands of others buying season tickets each year, no matter who survives long enough to compete in the league, no matter how many times newspapers try to tell you Everton want (and will get) Neil Lennon, no matter if we win, lose or draw.
The Jungle Drums tell me sales are up on the equivalent period last year, which is great news, but it is absolutely necessary. I want to see Celtic back in the Champions League next season, competing as effectively as they did last season. I want to see us mature the development strategy which is already delivering such bounty.
This is your club, claim your seat and make it happen.
Stunning response to our ebay raffle and auction. Sincere thanks to those who bought tickets and bid. You have two days to buy a ticket for the framed Celtic top signed by the Seville squad, and a few days more for the signed and framed Messi top……..
Heart of a Lion available below, or see you at Waterstones, Stirling tomorrow evening (times will be confirmed tomorrow).
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Enjoyable first half, we are doing well. James McCarthy having a great game, breaks my heart that Celtic didn’t sign him.
Andy Townsend ….ex republic player…. Aye like andy walker is an ex Celtic player …..jeez he spouts some pash
Apart from the hand of Dallas, how does this man Collum keep getting these games?
Destroyed a Europa League QF this season and looks determined to ensure he will be the focus in all the papers tomorrow.
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy 20:41:
That’s why I posted I know who it would not be, alluding to D&P.
I have met him a few times as well, he does like to tell his football stories.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Irish boys playing very well. I think they can do it tonight.
Masty
James is £10-12 million player as you say. So is Victor. I want one or the other to be playing in The Hoops. If Victor leaves we could buy James and sell him on again after a few years for even more!
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy
As an alter bhoy in the mid fifties,had the honour to serve mass with the great man when he was a Curate, Holy Family and St Ninians Kirkie.
Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.
Awerabest PJ
England aren’t playing ver well……. With a bit more belief, Ireland will win this friendly….. Good game, though ……Rooney doesn’t give me the impression of being a World Class striker….
A 10-12 million player will demand wages far in excess of what we would be prepared to or could afford to pay.
Game is being spoiled by collum.
I reckon big Fraser could have stood on his line and scooped that ball into his hand, Hart number wan, what a joke.
And then we have engerlands best in Rooney and Sturridge, dearie me, what has Hooper got to do to get a call up ?
He could have scored in every round of the CL and still no get a cap.
Stuff them Ireland.
TOSB
don’t take it as read that big vic is off, far from definate
Wot no review or discussion of the penalty claim?? Hmmm now had it been the teams reversed do you think that would still have been the case??
Big FF will have watched that Shane Long goal and thought to himself, if I played for even a mid table EPL club I would be challenging Hart for England No. 1 jersey. Sadly Woy, and whoever else is in charge of the most overrated, underachieving national team will never show trust in a SPL player to play him regularly, if at all.
CmOn the Republic of Islam get them beat.
Defo stonewaller yet again denied by The Evil Baby
papa john
Only been in St. Ninian’s Church a couple of times but been in Holy Family PS and St. Ninian’s HS lots of times when I was a heidie. Knew Fr. Conway well from his time there and from All Saints, Barmulloch.
I’m sorry Bish Devine is hanging up his mitre. I’ve met and worked with a lot of the hierarchy during my teaching days. Bish Devine was by far the best as far as I’m concerned.
Bish = Bishop. Typo not disrespect.
masty is neil lennon
20:42 on 29 May, 2013
I was also thinking that earlier….not as good as FF, though…!!
67h
any info on the bhoy?
his kicking is far superior to big fraz imo
Masty
I he you’re right. Don’t want any of our Bhoys to leave but don’t want them to run down their contracts either.
“Manage your assets”
Paul67CSC
Bulgarian media say that Aston Villa is another club who want Tonev and made an offer. I can’t check how reliable is the news.
Evening Celts
Hail Hail KANO
Vinny
And our Legia lion!
V
Zbyszek 21:06:
Somebody on Twitter earlier saying he was talking to Swansea.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
zbyszek
can you check re: tonev, I read elsewere he has chosen Swansea..
Gollum at his usual useless level
Sorry to see what is probably the finest left back in world football just go off.
;>{
Don’t know if this has been discussed, a bar in London selling Sunday bloody sundae cocktails, with a wee toy soldier on top, scum!
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22702787
V
Zbyszek
Let’s hope someone else signs him and keeps him away from Celtic:o)
googy
totally agree on Ashley cole, he was sensational in last years champions league final.
Seen any hoops at Wembley? My young brothers there with his family.
V
vmhan
totally disgusting.
Vmhan
Ha, Ha. Celtic won championship and Cup and Legia won championship and cup. Quadruple?
TOSB
Fr. Conway a Saint of a Man,so sad how he passed away, on his own on Holiday,spoke to him before he left.BTW he loved Kirkie and St Flannans that much, he asked to be buried here, impressive headstone in the Cemetery worthy of the Man.
Awerabest PJ
McCarthy playing some game.
Is Robbie Keane still playing or was he subbed ?
I have been watching (and driving) aiden since he was 6 years okd, and I cannot tell how disappointed I am at the player he has become.the talent he has is frightening.
Zbyszek
21:15 on
29 May, 2013
Celtic v Legia 4th qualifying round of CL, who would win (current squads)