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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Timabhouy All signed up
would my learned legal friends on here tell me if this new legal reform that is being passed to cover the royal family will protect them under Scots law
gordybhoy64
17:35 on 12 July, 2014
Where are they both running?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Neustadt-Braw,
Sincere feelings of grief for yourself & your family on the loss of your father.
Rest in Peace, James Griffin.
Neustadt-Braw
condolences to you and yours
HH
Lennybhoy
Never forever is runnin 2nite at Hamilton 8.45.. It’s currently 6/1
Awe_naw- I hear you had a visitor. Did he behave? Did you?
Hope you’re good.
HH
ghirlghirlghirlbhoybhoybhoybhoybhoyghirlghirllbhoy…..I am the second bhoy from the right ,No 8 like Willie Wallace ….we were always the fitba team and twa reserves….my Mum and Dad loved every one of us without fear or favour ….and sitting here on my own in Germany ,planning the next weeks ……the probable last Clan gathering on this scale …I am overwhelmed by the support of all of my fellow Celts …..thankyou …..my Dad was a huge Celtic man….I will be in awe of him my life long ……he always said we are family ,and we do good …that is who we are ……….may your god bless each and everyone of you …Celtic ghirls and bhoys on behalf of all Griffins and Macnaughtons…from Cushendall to Clydebank and to the Fyfe Jamieson in the toon….my heart felt thanks ….this is indeed a braw braw place and Big Jim Griffin is with you …hail hail ..
Braw
amawaytogetplasteredootmaheidcfc
mcdowellcelt god bless wee oscar
18:03 on 12 July, 2014
Just found it, ta. Colebrooke running 15:45 at Southwell tomorrow, no price on Betfair, just SP, don’t know if I should wait until tomorrow?
Never Forever fancied, who was it that put it up?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
I had a great night with Doc last night. Charming great company and well you know a right good tim. He can keep a secret he never let me know anything about you guys. Well the CQNers he knows and I asked about. A word of caution though he influenced me away – for one night only – from my healthy life style, fitness, my body is a temple regime.
A word of caution though and the first time I have ever seen this in my life. It will probably mean my return to the chapel. The man has a halo. No Kidding. It is the first time I have ever witnessed such a phenomenon. You know in movies when a heavenly body enters reality and your blinded and nothing can be see due to the bright white light emanating from the presence of the heavenly body turning everything of colour even dark hair into a white greyish colour . This happened to me last night .
Angel Doc me and the family look forward to seeing your return. Anytime.
Hail Hail
two words of caution … is that a red card ?
Lennybhoy
Somebody put it up last nite can’t remember! I stuck a score on it. Seems to be fancied on a few sites! Fingers crossed!.lol
R.I.P. Mr Griffen
Auldheid
13:51 on
12 July, 2014
So far our politicians have just turned a blind eye or legislated (badly) to deal with the symptoms and not the causes, of which elements in our media are a major part.
*As I said earlier this week it’s always been this way even as far back as Jimmy Quinn’s time……he however had the great Willie Maley in his corner fighting for him…..the Lions had Big Jock….who have we now.
don’trocktheboat csc
Lennybhoy
what’s in the stars gave never forever,
twists n turns gave Colebrooke
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
Cannae be the same Doc I know .hh
lennybhoy
whats in the stars posted it last night….
Runny I’d imagine will go for (eventually) a passing defensive mid to take the ball from the back and break up play, a midfielder with vision and goals and another fairly defensive but capable passer who is more box to box. Brown might not have a spot eventually although he could fill in the latter category.
Ronny (autocorrect)
Timabhuoy 16.59…….if you were tae ban them sectarian marches…….them big double deckers would never get their annual run out……then again their mode of transport of the past…..falls in line wi their beliefs
voguepunter
You may be right cause at 11:55 A.M today local time. The weather over here changed from, Why does it always rain on me ? to Come on over, have some fun, dancing in the morning sun.
HH
gordybhoy64
18:15 on 12 July, 2014
mcdowellcelt god bless wee oscar
18:12 on 12 July, 2014
Bet Never Forever, 5/1 now.
Might wait to bet Colebrooke, do you know if I bet it at SP will it give my return on the opening price or what it finishes at?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Neustadt-Braw
A lovely song for you and yours.
And for anyone else who’ve lost someone recently or are just remembering.
All about family and how Life Goes On…
An unborn child
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqyc7lWi9xc
KTF & HH
charliebhoy
18:16 on 12 July, 2014
Cheers mate.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Weather was very nice today……..!!
Lennybhoy on line might give you best odds guarantee, in shops you have to take one or other
Awe_naw, that was just the sun bouncing off his baldy napper…..or so I’m told as I’ve never met him I think! :-)
For those who like me remember their long gone parents
Rest for the Weary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmfN_mov0pw
My mother stood beside him
She did what she could do
You look at some old photographs
She looks tired too
I hope there was some laughter
Cause I know there some tears
Now All I can say is Pray to God
After all those years
One day there’s love for the lonely
They can walk in the sun
Rest for the weary ones
HH
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/scottish-government-ban-all-sectarian-marches-in-scotland
Thanks to all who have signed the petition and more importantly passed it on , only 181 more signature needed
Hoping that for first time in a number of years our preseason was actually used to develop a playing strategy for the coming season.
Generally it always felt it was about gaining fitness and giving the odd youngster a game before returning to previous seasons player’s to continue where previous season left off.
This time there was different tactics and formations with a learning strategy.
In the modern free agency and tv created environment development of homegrown talent is essential.
I am optimistic and hope we as fans stay patient with this new coaching strategy.
Timabhouy
Signed and should be 177 to go.
HH
Lost my father at a young age.I now realise what an incredible effect it had on my life at the time and since.
R.I.P. Mr Griffen
Your pain will ease one day and great memories will replace it.
In my thoughts.
Signed twice (me and the missus)
Hx2
Awe Naw, Doc a halo? Are you sure it wisnay just the glare off his napper:-)
hebcelt
16:59 on 12 July, 2014
Most quotes attributed to present day Celtic staff on here are lifted directly from the MSM . When did you last read a quote from any present players or management that were given directly to the author of the blog in an interview afforded by Celtic FC
I don’t know of any the so called new Celtic media who are afforded press facilities at Celtic Park
timabhouy
Signed mate.
Art of War
18:38 on
12 July, 2014
That what is was !!!!!!!
Thanks …
mickbhoy1888 and your point is? Hail Hail Hebcelt