Had a great time at the Celtic Supporters Association Rally last night. It was a great celebration of all that is good about our club, with thousands of pounds raised for the John Hartson Foundation. Neil Lennon spoke warmly of John, about his courage and ability. As well as recognising the great achievements of this season, CSA Player of the Year, Kris Commons, could not hide his disappointment that we are not going for a treble next week. Hibs will have their hands full with him at Hampden next week.
I’ve never heard a footballer talk as John Hartson did. He was clearly emotional as he took the microphone from the manager but soon go into his flow. He told us about the three hours spent in the car before telling his family the diagnosis of his illness. His achievements as a footballer are remarkable and John is very proud of them. His absence through injury in Seville clearly hurt. Did it pass a crucial advantage to Porto? John thinks so.
His own failings were put out there with the disarming confidence that only someone who has climbed a few personal mountains can do. The ‘hangers-on’, who filled his days a few years ago, had their cards marked.
Reamonn Gormley’s parents, Jim and Ann, were also guests of the Association. Jim asked me to pass on a thank you from him and Ann to all Celtic fans for what they have done for them and the Thai Tims in the last two years. Their world will never be the same again but the support they have received from the Celtic Family has overwhelmed them. Your community has done very well, but there is nothing new in that.
With supporters like we have our club is in good hands. Well done to all who carry out the thankless tasks running busses, organising fundraisers and keeping the moral compass pointing in the right direction.
Have you ordered your Willie Wallace autobiography yet? Signed copies available if you do so now……
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Sipsini…..
They’ll Have Tae Get Across The Crocodile-Filled Moat First……
sipsini
9.42 sorry it took so long grandkhids overnight so had to pay them a bit of attention, so will keep it brief, brother in law has made friends with some of the other parents & they have their own religious lessons in the evening, they all say catholic taught schools have higher morals & children on the whole are better behaved? must get back to bhoys now seans 8 connors 6 wil have to make do with watching game online.
HH
Tinmhan
Whatever my neighbour is he is not an idiot a bigot yes an idiot no. He is idealogical driven by an anti Catholic agenda of that I am convnced. He is not the usual seen on youtube knuckle dragging Neanderthal but a wealthy middle class bigot with influence.
He is cunning his wife is a lawyer they know how to do it without breaking the law
People like them will get motivated by independance to push forward their agenda under the cloak of majority appeal
Independence will end the schools Galloway is right on this one
up_over_goal
10:27 on 19 May, 2013
‘lionroars67
The comments below that article give a depressing warning as to what Celtic fans could expect if we ever became part of a British Premier League.’
Yes the Sunday Telegraph is the paper of choice for English football fans.
channelislandcelt
10:57 on
19 May, 2013
“….In the check in queue in front of us stood a Celtic Supporter decked out in head to toe Celtic coloured Red Indian outfit….”
+++++++++++++++++++
Hi there channelislandcelt – the Big Chief did indeed make it – see my post from 00:52 this morning –
“…Does anyone else remember the big guy with the dark green jacked, big drum, and red indian chief head-dress?? Met him 4 or 5 times over the course of 4 days – last time he was down because some eejit had burst his drum!…”
Magic 5 day trip – best of my life :-)
HH
BGFC
TBJ
Spoke to oldyin after nass game on …..
I haven’t posted for a while (probably a good thing)……
I know I shouldn’t be surprised about this country but I am.
So clear evidence is emerging around the collusion between Green and Whyte and there is now enough evidence in the public domain to allow us all to conclude. Does it need to be verified – yes of course. But are the MSM doing that? No they aren’t. Instead we see Tom English in full denial mode – criticising those of us who are reading the incendiary information and demanding answers.
Isnt that the job of the MSM?
Putting the inevitable death of Sevco to one side for a moment – I think Scotland is a text book case study into the power of the Internet. The power to democratise and destroy barriers of entry to journalism. Traditional journalism is dead. English and his counterparties are like the huns – zombies. They don’t know how to react to the stories being circulated. This issue is more pronounced in Scotland because sports journalists in Scotland have ever bent the knee to the huns. They have seen their job as protecting the hun – and so when damning evidence emerges they do what comes naturally. The problem is that the Internet does allow for the cover ups that have gone on in the past. So what do they do? Either ignore it or try to smear those who post and use the internet. Discredit those who tell the truth.
I have also noted that the media are desperate to criticise Celtic and the Celtic support. This is also an act of deflection. To attempt to take your mind and your eyes off of what is going on at Sevco. This will continue and get worse.
Widening this out a moment. I note what George Galloway said and the inevitable denial by the SNP. Those who support independence have claimed that secularism is a greater threat to catholic schools than the SNP. Does that make secularism a bad thing? The move away from religion is a good thing in my opinion. But that’s not my main point. My point is that those in denial about the latent anti catholic sectarianism in Scotland need only look at the offensive behaviour at football act and, from their own mouths, why they passed it. To even things up – in other words to outlaw aspects of Catholicism. I don’t think you need any more proof than that.
Many memories of Seville. One of next day in a fairly sombre bar in Benalmadena groups of Tims huddled around different tables holding post mortems on the game. Next thing a middle aged wee tubby Tim with a huge grin comes skipping into the bar singing “Have you seen a sun burned Hun Noooo Nooo”. Cue for immediate lifting of spirits and a defiant celebration. Many hours later rushing back to Hotel with my nephew to catch bus to airport, we got waylaid by a couple of elderly GlasgowTims,an impromptu mid street huddle, a rendition of “A Soldiers Song” as our bus sailed past without us on its way to the Airport. Luckily we flagged down a Donegal Bus later and they took us.
I hate remembering Seville.
For one of those Celtic fans who couldn’t make the trip to Spain, it was a pretty depressing experience. Everything seemed set up for a legendary night, one where the King of Kings would reap European silverware for his achievements. Celtic had transformed him, and he had transformed Celtic. The ‘fairy tale’ aspect to Celtic would come into play and ensure a memorable evening.
But it wasn’t to be.
Larsson played his part, but the team didn’t, and we lost agonizingly in extra time. A toxic mixture of poor defending and continental cheating brought the curtain down on the big-spending, glittering MON era. yes, he spent 2 more years here, but that was the night that should have crowned everything, and it didn’t happen.
I still can’t bring myself to watch that game.
I open with the above speech at all kids’ parties. Keepin’ it real.
Lucky you having the sharp toothed crocks.
Baseball bat will do for me.
Did you get my point though?
Never dreamed I would see Celtic in a Euro Final in my lifetime……
Privilege to be there.
Thank u Martin
BGFC
Thanks for that mate.I had every faith that our very own Geronimo would make it .
HH
got the Seville DVD as a present – but my memories and emotions of being there means I have never watched it – maybe some day
Seville — would be good to get a cqn book out .
Got loads of story.
Day of the game we had to meet my mates step son at the cathedral to replenish his liquid fund( he was there a week before us).
Anyway our coach dropped us at the ground at we took a local bus into the city and asked to get off at nearest stop for the cathedral .
When we got off the bus it seems we were walking the wrong way, then a smartly dressed young American tourist stopped us and asked why were so many people walking about with green and white stripes on (honest).well after politely pointing out that it wasent stripes. We explained why we were all there.
Just as he was about to leave my mate pipes up ” haw big man weres ra cathedral”.
He tells us we are on the wrong road( cue a song). The offers us a lift as he is going that way.
So we pile into his car and to be polite james decided to ask him what he was doing in Seville.
His answer will never be forgotten by any of us(4) in that car.
I am a protestant Christian missionary over here converting the locals. After a min stunned silence and me sitting thinking only fn us. James pipes up with “you’ll no be 2 busy over here then ”
No no says the yank and proceeds to hand us all leaflets about his work etc.
As luck would have it he dropped us off near a skip and when he turned the corner is leaflets were duly dispatched into said skip.
Plenty more happened on that wonderful trip but maybe keep the rest for another time.
H.H.
BT
Is that code for the celtic match is on in the kosc
They trash should not be allowed to walk down the Gallowgate or indeed anywhere near Celtic Park. Can you imagine any kind of Green and White march through Ibrox or similar. Just glad I do not live next to this.
TBJ
Yes… 8:-)♧
FTAOD, this would be my pick, not Lenny’s, for today:
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Zaluska :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ambrose :::::::::::::: Wilson ::::::::::::::::: Gershon ::::::::::: Izaguirre
::::::::::::::: Brown :::::::::::: Wanyama :::::::::::::::: Ledley :::::::::::::
:::::::::::::: Forrest :::::::::::::: Hooper :::::::::::::::::: Stokes :::::::::::::
Seville:
on the morning of the match I was waiting for the hotel lift, when the doors opened there was my best mate from school…it was that kind of experience…almost perfect!
Corkcelt
Benalmadena was rammed with Celtic fans. We arrived the day before the game and met up in the square. Couldn’t believe the number of Tims about.
I remember the free vodka with every 2 you bought!
The day after the game we went to a pub in the square and a few Celtic fans were sitting quietly till the barman put a rebel CD on. The place was jumping at 4pm! The bloke who gave the barman the cd told him to keep it but watch out when he played it. The barman told him if Rangers fans wanted to cause bother they could try and showed us a baseball bat behind the bar.
A great time, it was like a worldwide Celtic huddle and the fans enhanced the Celtic name wherever they went.
up_over_goal,
I can see a fair few of those players being kept for next weekend. Think we might see Rogic, Watt and others today.
DBBIA,
As regards your comments earlier on the current state of the Catholic Church in Scotland, I couldn’t agree more. I believe there is at least one reader of this site who is in a position to tackle matters. I hope something happens and urgently.
up_over_goal
10:32 on 19 May, 2013
Vmhan
I’m ‘tidying up’ this afternoon, therefore expect a blow by blow account.
……….
Cheers sir, your some bhoy
V
Gordon_J
What do you honestly think of Rogic? Honestly, I can’t see it, myself.
I guess a lot may depend on whether he wants Commons getting some game-time today, or being kept in ice for Hampden. The inclusion of Commons would necessarily dictate formation change, namely to a 4-3-1-2 with Commons feeding the strikers. I have to say, though, that, although I was never a big fan James Forrest, that front three of For/Hoo/Sto looks awesome.
Celtic run to Seville when you put it up against now defunct clubs run in ’08.
CELTIC P 13 W 8 D 2 L 3 F 27 A 12
HUN P 9 W 2 D 6 L 1 F 5 (yes 5) A 4
Go Compare
HH
ItaliaBhoy, 09:02
I don’t think he really knows what’s going on.
But then as a journalist he should be trying to find out
I to am disappointed in Galloway’s opinion on Scottish independence, however it does not suprise me. Just as there is much fear from Scottish Catholics about what will happen should Scotland vote NO. Equally the Orange order have their own fears about what it will mean. This must be one of the very few times where some Catholics will agree with the stance of the orange order. I have stated in the past that I do not see voting YES as a cast iron return to socialism however i think most in Scotland would like to see a labour party that returns to its founding principles, and one that would likely appeal to the scottish electorate. It is both sad and slightly worrying that England and to and extent Wales are more comfortable voting for UKIP, but as i say not suprising in the least that Scotland has rejected them. As has been stated many, many times voting Yes is not a vote for the SNP, myself and others in the Labour party membership have called for debate on the parties policy re. independence and at each turn this has been rejected. It would seem that westminster Labour feel more comfortable supporting the tories and lib-dems than having the option to return the values of Thatcherism to the dustbin in an independent Scotland.
http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/politics/scottish-independence-orange-order-s-no-vote-plan-1-2905564
up_over_goal,
From what I’ve seen, he has a few nice touches, a few good runs but fades from games.
I’m not sure where he is in terms of match fitness. Perhaps with a good pre-season we might see more from him after the break.
Allgreen, My nephew & myself were part of the Hooped throng in that square. Michael Carruth Irish Olympic Gold Medal winning boxer resplendent in his Hoops was standing along side us in the pub we were drinking in.
Paddy getting to sign off with a start. Nice.
Good morning CQN
How are we all this very mild morning. Some craic last night eh?
Weefra HH
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 4m
#Celtic: Forster; Lustig, Wilson, Ambrose, Izaguirre; McCourt, Brown, Ledley, Commons; Samaras, Hooper.
Celtic: Forster; Lustig, Wilson, Ambrose, Izaguirre; McCourt, Brown, Ledley, Commons; Samaras, Hooper.
Celtic subs: Zaluska, Gershon, Rogic, Atajic, Stokes, Fisher, McGeouch.
Could either be 4-4-2 with Commons and McCourt either side, or Paddy could make up a 3 man central mid, with Commons behinf the strikers.
Either way, I’m not convinced by Hooper and Sammi up front. They have a crap record in either formation.
One thing that worries me about independence is just what is in the heads of Salmond’s “blood of our blood, bone of our bone” brethren will view an independent Scotland.
I’m of the opinion that a significant chunk of them will migrate from the Six counties when Ireland is united. Where ? It’s a horrible prospect but I believe that a significant chunk of the most intolerant people in western Europe could end up here.
The demographics would suggest that a unification vote is possible and soon.
Getting to Seville:
Have previously posted about our escapades after the Boavista game – trying to charter our own plane from a Swiss company – once we sobered up it was a mad scramble to get flights to Seville.
We had got our 3 match tickets via the UEFA.com ballot – think between us we had submitted about 20 applications via various family and friends credit cards. Next step flights.
We got sorted out with a Liverpool crowd (who had pre-booked flights before we knocked them out) – 3 day trip including a hotel in the rue de los Catolicos Seville – brilliant or so we thought!
Then the problems started – the charter mob couldn’t get flight slots swapped to Glasgow or Prestwick – then they lost their slot into Seville. Nightmare – they gave up and returned our payments a week before the game leaving us a mad scramble to get there. My daughter fought them ‘tooth & nail’ over the hotel bookings – threatening consumer law etc and they finally conceded we had booked and paid for them and confirmed we had beds for 2 nights in Seville.
Match tickets – check! Hotel – check! Flights – none! We finally managed to get a charter flight with a Dutch company (only confirmed 36 hours before we were due to fly out) – Glasgow to Jerez (more on that later).
Everyone remembers the scenes at Glasgow Airport. Do any of you recall the bhoy who was kitted out with; water-wings, flippers, snorkel, a duck rubber ring, bucket and spade?
Saw him in Seville the afternoon after the game – blitzed and burnt to a crisp. He was getting directions to the station from two local cops – absolutely hilarious as he staggered off with the remnants of his kit (minus flippers) – the cops stood for ages waving him goodbye as he stopped every 100 yards or so waving back to them.
I can honestly say that anytime I feel a little down about the score that night in Seville – the mental picture of that bhoy still in his hoops heading home makes me smile.
…………. and there’s more CSC!