Celtic went into the home first leg of their European Cup semi-final against Dukla Prague at 1-1. Two second half goals from Willie Wallace added to Jimmy Johnstone’s opener were enough to ensure a British team would eventually reach the final of Europe’s premier tournament. The return leg finished goalless.
The clubs met 14 years later in the Feyenoord Tournament, when two first half goals from Murdo McLeod secured a 2-1 win. Since then, European football has been robbed of its meritocratic principles, which allowed talented clubs a route to the top, no matter how rich or poor their domestic TV contract was. Nowhere has been so brutally robbed as east/central Europe.
The 1960s-through-80s saw teams from Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia and Poland regularly dominate clubs from Scandinavia, south-eastern Europe, France, and occasionally, all comers. Eastern Europe remains one of the world’s most productive areas for developing talented footballers, but even the average ones are stolen for a pittance while still in their teens.
In the 60s, Dukla were a genuine leading light in the game, producing seven of the Czech team who collected runners-up medals to Pele’s Brazil in the 1962 World Cup, with peerless midfielder, Josef Masopust, picking up the European Player of the Year award that year. They would have fancied their chances against Celtic in ’67.
Where great tradition and sporting affection exists, so too does commercial opportunity. The people of east/central Europe just need to figure out how to harness it. Uefa are Europe’s maker of competitions. Their job is to establish the structures which allows great and successful sport to take place. A modern-day Jules Rimet is needed.
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Bognorbhoy
Little by little great things leave your life and you think – Where did all the fun times go?
Tommy Ramone RIP
Last post today as out and about in the midlands which is so sunny.
The following shows how effective our Westminster government is as they spend the Multi Millionaires cash canvassing for the No vote and the union. Off course none of this is for profit reasons: they are just being nice to us Scots. Lovely isn’t it!
The previous week, Glasgow’s Evening Times newspaper reported from the Maryhill Foodbank, where they support around 140 people a week.
The Evening Times reported Foodbank worker Julie Webster saying, “I have worked in social work for 20 years, so I am pretty hardened but we had a family come in on a Tuesday at 3pm having not eaten since the ¬previous Friday. There had been a problem with benefits and because it was a Bank Holiday weekend the mum had no money for food for her or her two children. I watched the mum pick up and put down can after can, wondering what she was doing, before I realised she was looking for one with a ring pull. She ripped the top off and started eating the beans with her hands, she was so hungry. At that point I had to go to the toilets and have a cry.”
http://campbellmartin.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/independence-isnt-about-politics-its.html
Gordon J
Correct
Canvassers …..about as asinine a comment as has been made on here
How about this for the inscription on Billy Boy’s statue?
‘I live in Scotland which is a fantastic country and will improve a thousandful when we get rid of Unionists like yourself.’
Billy Boy
20:48 on 26 April, 2014
That’s the tickets in for Murrayfield, East 11 – Yippee, only 10 days to wait :-)
Hello Ernie
I would think those that continuously propound maintaining the present unionist state may not want to live in a country free of FOOD BANKS and Westminster rule.
Have a nice day and KTF
Morning Mick…What’s this all about?
living_in_the_love_of_the_commons_people
17:06 on 17 June, 2014
ernie lynch
Hi Ernie
Again, a snide and sarcastic swipe at those who post here. Your contempt for Scotland, your love of the Union, your dislike of anything Scotland and your very acrimonious exchange with Paul a couple of years back where you refused an offer to meet him.
Are you even a Celtic Supporter? C’mon now,
I’ll be in Spain therefore
Free ticket for Celtic v Reykjavik 22/07/14 – Murrayfield
bournesouprecipe@gmail.com
I’ll post it to you.
jamesmcn1974
09:08 on 12 July, 2014
Hail Hail, Paps! Formidable gentleman.
hebcelt
11:15 on 12 July, 2014
__________________
Yeah, thats my solution – anarchy.
As a great mhan once said – “We won’t play by ‘their’ rules, we’ll make up our own!”
Simples
HH
….PFayr supports WeeOscar
11:23 on 12 July, 2014
__________________
Agreed 100% fella.
Hail Hail
gorbalstam
10:54 on 12 July, 2014
Yes, from his Fields of Green BLOG …… ONE OR TWO THOUGHT I WROTE THAT ….. they obviously don’t know that I major in writing shoite …..hahahahahahahahahahahahaha !!
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon ….The angels are with Wee Oscar in Heaven.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
12:21 on 12 July, 2014
__________________
Ah, the ‘ghost’ writer finally exposed, eh?
Hail Hail ya, Hahahhahhahhappy Clapper :)
Billy Bhoy 05
11:18 on 12 July, 2014
There is a movement to get a statue erected in Parliament Square of Mahatma Ghandi.
The following is a letter in Today’s Times. ‘Forgive me my cynicism but if we are erecting a statue to the Father of India and former opponent of the British Empire could we not erect one to Michael Collins, who fought for freedom of English rule too?’
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Maybe in the fullness of time a statue will be erected in George Square to all those who have argued and canvassed for a YES vote and freedom from English rule.
PS
Not one country that got free of Westminster rule has ever wanted back.
=================================
Hahahahaha.
Do you need someone to sit with you, luv? Can you find your own way home?
ernie lynch
11:37 on 12 July, 2014
But he seems to be right ….. every bhun I speak to insists they are EMIGRATING (hahahaha) to England (poor England) if Scotland get independence……. Now what a bonus THAT is…… I’m voting yes now. and I tell every one of them that….!!!!!!!!
http://www.u.tv/News/Adams-reports-bonfire-lynched-figure/d7823158-fcb2-45ea-b2da-e288512f01a5
It’s part of their culture don’t you know..
BILLY BHOY 05
Have you asked the people of Zimbabwe?
Scotland is an independent country within a federation of countries.
It has its own government, its own educational system, its own healthcare system, its own legal system, its own police force, its own national dress, its own ports of entry & embarcation, its own road network, its own revenue raising, its own budget, its own currency notes, its own capital city, its own border with its neighbour, its own MPS, MEPS, MSPs, Councillors & local authorities, its own national football team & other sporting organisations etc etc.
The correct and real question in September should be “Do you think Scotland should withdraw from the Union with England, Wales & Northern Ireland?”
That question would not tap into the hyper emotionalism that the fatuous question does.
Ignore the traditional tribal implications of the word Union & ask yourself how much more more free you might feel or how much more control you might have over your own life.
If you dont feel British, then don’t blame the English or the Welsh.
I expect that none of the Yes campaigners will support/attend/watch on TV any part of the Commonwealth Games. It is after all a faux celebration of the highpoint of Unionism – the British Empire.
HH
kevjungle – murdo macleod is my favorit celtic player ever.
12:23 on 12 July, 2014
I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO EMULATE (or UNDERSTAND) YOUR POSTS…. that’s for sure…hehe
KevJ care to name this great mhan and when in what context it was said? Hail Hail Hebcelt
Teuchter ár lá
11:29 on
12 July, 2014
Bognorbhoy
Little by little great things leave your life and you think – Where did all the fun times go?
aye but the memories linger on
HH
gordon_j backing neil lennon
11:29 on 12 July, 2014
Billy Bhoy 05,
You’ve produced some really daft posts – but this one takes the Kit Kat and the Penguin.
If you really mean to equate the actions of a few canvassers with those of Michael Collins and Mohandas Gandhi, then I can only assume that you are totally ignorant of the history of at least three countries.
::::::::::::
Thanks for your comments but I can do without the lecture.
Read the book: Killing for Britain and then try an justify to me why Scotland should stay tied to that evil Government, which is continuously propounded on this site.
A simple statement for sure to follow, but Capitalism is what we are fighting against as the media is almost 100% against Independence. Go into the shop tomorrow morning and look at the anti independent message on the front pages of the so called newspapers.
Hail Hail
….pfayr supports weeoscar
11:23 on 12 July, 2014
FULLY AGREE ……. but, on principle, I NEVER agree with KevJ….hahahaha
Don’t know about the east of the province, but the rain is teeming down here in Derry.
That will cool the brethren down a bit..:-)
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon ….The angels are with Wee Oscar in Heaven.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
12:27 on 12 July, 2014
And you believe them?
Are all yes voters a bit simple, or is it only the ones who post on here?
England holds nothing for the huns, for the OO and all the rest of them. Offers them nothing other perhaps than a bolt hole for those threatened with assassination.
Their homelands are Norn Irn and Scotland.
sandman
12:27 on 12 July, 2014
Billy Bhoy 05
Funny!
bournesouprecipe
11:55 on 12 July, 2014
I’ll be in Spain therefore
Free ticket for Celtic v Reykjavik 22/07/14 – Murrayfield
bournesouprecipe@gmail.com
you going to PORTO pollensa????????i’m there next week.
FROM THE HERALD
FROM THE HERALD (HEHE)
IT is a month until Fergus McCann unfurls the league title flag.
Fergus McCann addresses supporters at the unfurling of the championship flag in 1998 as Tom Boyd looks on. He returns to Celtic Park next month to perform the task again. Picture: SNS
It is an appropriate moment to hear his thoughts on the future of the club he saved from financial ruin 20 years ago.
McCann, 73, is uncomfortable with any narrative that paints him as an individual hero but his reflections on other personalities are revealing and generous.
Speaking from his office in Massachusetts, the businessman talks of his gratitude to Dermot Desmond, businessman, his respect for Neil Lennon, former manager and captain, and his hopes for Ronny Deila, the latest coach at the helm of Celtic.
Desmond, who bought McCann’s shares when he sold his interests in 1999, has come in for criticism from some Celtic supporters for his perceived non-investment in the club but McCann answers this accusation briskly: “He has put substantial sums into the club and people should not forget that.”
He pointed out that Desmond proved a strong ally. “He put in £4m,” he says of the Irish entrepreneur’s contribution to Celtic during the days of the pivotal share issue that changed the club forever.
He adds: “And that was extraordinary because he knew little about me. He had only met me a couple of times before. It was a lot of money to put up and he perhaps did not have the resources that he has now.”
This leap of faith was extraordinary but McCann neglects to mention he committed £9.4m of his personal fortune before launching what was to be a hugely successful share issue, raising more than £14m with more than £10m coming from fans.
McCann, too, attracted criticisms when he was at the helm of Celtic but he has become a revered figure as the club’s financial stability is traced back to his tenure.
“Dermot shares my belief in financial responsibility. Everyone now knows how things can work out if a club is not managed responsibly. It cannot be forgotten how much Desmond has invested and it really is substantial.”
He adds: “My personal thanks to him extends beyond his faith in the plan for Celtic. He was not an active supporter of Celtic before he came in and a lot of people do not know that. But I give him full credit for his support. His risk was substantial yet he did not sit on my shoulder.
“He did not bug me. He was a very supportive partner.” Of Desmond’s decision to invest further when McCann left the club, he adds: “He bought the maximum number of shares and his investment has raised in value. Good luck to him.”
McCann also has the best of wishes for Neil Lennon who left the club at the end of the season. Lennon famously introduced his players to the businessman at a friendly match at Fenway Park in Boston with the assertion that McCann was the man who assured there was a club to play for and a business that could give them their handsome contracts.
McCann says of the former manager: “He did an excellent job in difficult circumstances.”
He points out that Lennon overcame extraordinary outside pressure to bring trophies to Celtic Park. The Northern Irishman was subject to threats, intimidation and assaults and McCann has great admiration for how the former manager not only endured but overcame these problems.
“These impacted on his personal life yet he was professional throughout,” says the businessman, adding: “He understood the supporters, he understood the club and he understood the financial budget that he had to work within. Celtic are in a disadvantageous position as regards to other clubs in European competition but Neil overcame that.”
McCann, who watches matches on Celtic TV, now looks forward to the Deila era. He applauds the club’s innovation in taking the 38-year-old manager from Stromsgodset in Norway. “I am sure it is the right choice,” McCann says.
He brushes off concerns about the perceived inexperience of the coach. Deila won the Norwegian Premier League in 2013 and McCann believes that new thinking and a manager new to the top level can be a winning combination.
He is acerbic on the carousel of managers that seems to be in the frame for very job. “The more a manager gets fired, the more he gets hired,” he says. The Celtic fan who left Scotland to make his fortune in Canada had an international outlook that disdained the “closed shop” of managerial candidates. He points out that when he recruited Josef Venglos the cry of “who is he?” was raised. This of a coach who had already managed Czechoslovakia, Sporting Club of Portugal, Slovakia, Aston Villa and Fenerbahce. Venglos, in turn, brought in Lubo Moravcik who became a hero at Celtic Park.
McCann’s visits to Celtic Park have been restricted by personal and professional commitments but he has sold his limousine business and is now concentrating on his charitable foundation.
He is looking forward to unveiling the flag against Dundee United on August 16. “I have come back a couple of times, most notably to unveil the Brother Walfrid statue and it is always good to be at the stadium. I look forward to meeting up with old friends and introducing myself to the Celtic directors I do not know.”
McCann himself will need no introduction to anyone inside the packed stadium.
Billy Bhoy 05,
Thought you said you had given us your last pearl of wisdom for the day about an hour ago? Still, logic, consistency and truth aren’t exactly your strong points, are they?
Make your mind up – is independence about leaving the UK and its “evil government” or about abolishing capitalism? If it is the latter, can you point me to the section of the White Paper that explains how Scotland will become a socialist country after independence? And how does the policy of cutting corporation tax to attract more (capitalist) businesses to Scotland fit in?
KevJ FYI anarchists do’nt have rules that’s why they are called anarchists so make your mind up no rules or your rules.Hail Hail Hebcelt
hebcelt
12:34 on 12 July, 2014
__________________
Yeah, of course.
It was said by, Michael Collins when he was the mhan behind the force who brought the British empire to it’s knees.
Ye know what I mean :)
HH
My dad passed away this morning …. Rest in Peace James Griffin…..
ernie lynch
12:38 on 12 July, 2014
It’s just the one’s who post on here….including you….!!!!! ….you have certainly mastered the art of ‘making friends and influencing people’ ……hahahahahaha ……. !!!!!!!!
neustadt-braw
12:53 on 12 July, 2014
Awe, that’s awful ……so sorry for your trouble…
67Heaven
_________
I enjoy the deluded way that you
Hahahahahhappy Clap.
But, there are other times…..grrrrrrrr:)
HH
Neustadt-braw,
Sad news for you.
James Griffin RIP
Neustadt-Braw
12:53 on 12 July, 2014
__________________
So sorry to hear that pal.
Stay strong mate.
YNWA
Neustadt-Braw
Condolences on the loss of your Dad James Griffin.