There is a degree of public interest in reading about, or listening to, spivs exploit the stupidity of some football fans to bring a club to its knees, but the sight of a tired and emotional looking Malcolm Murray stumbling away from an event is neither entertaining nor of interest to anyone with a sense of humanity.
Have you ever seen a drunk football player or official? I have. It has never been news before nor should it be now. If the man has an actual problem the first response from his club and the wider game must be to offer support for one of our national illnesses.
The fan with a phone camera probably knows no better, but passing-round a recording of when a Frankie Howerd impersonator confronted Murray about his alleged problem is truly awful.
The audio was almost certainly not uploaded onto the internet by ‘Howerd’ but it was his decision to make and distribute the recording. I hope he informed Murray the call was being recorded.
10 years ago today five of us filled a car and drove to Bristol Airport, the nearest available departure point for Scot’s leaving for the Spain; more-local airports were booked out within minutes of the event ahead being confirmed. Bristol is a small airport but the place was full of other Celtic fans who had travelled south for the same purpose. Every departure point in the land was filled by green and white.
A remarkable exodus was underway, it was a privilege to be part of it.
Great news, Willie Wallace has made the long trip from Aus and is now in the UK. Looking forward to catching up with him next week.
I see contributing to Willie’s autobiography has had a dramatic effect on Rod Stewart’s career! He’s just reached No. 1 in the album chart for the first time in decades. Hail, hail, Rod.
You can pre-order the autobiography in Willie’s own words, with Rod’s contribution, Brogan Rogan’s best writing yet, and Archie MacPherson’s fantastic scene setting (“the best team I’ve ever seen”) with the link below. Willie will be signing all copies ordered now just as soon as the presses roll.
Nostalgia overload. Need to hold it together for tomorrow.
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Btw any of you know a Leonard fae Carfin?
HH
Front Page Civil war
http://i39.tinypic.com/dgl26b.jpg
Zbyszek.
you have mail.
Right, off to bed. Night Night Timland.
Weefra HH
Cracker of an interview with Pat Stanton
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/4935903/Dixie-gave-us-6-of-the-best-and-it-STILL-hurts-41-years-on.html
BMCUWP
Pat Stanton, what a gentleman.
Used to go up to his pub in Abbeyhill after the games at Easter Road and always had time for us Celtic bhoys,
If he wants the Hibs to win the cup……I have no problem with that.
Teuchter ár lá
teuchter ár lá
Aye,a marvellous player for us,and a much-needed cool head in our defence.
Unfortunately,like so many others he succumbed to injury in Jock’s last season. We got Frank Munro as a replacement.
The irony being that Jock had just signed a decent centre-half with the pittance Desmond White allowed him,but didn’t realise it!
Small wonder,as Tom McAdam was signed as a striker….
BMCUWP
Also had a marvellous taste in testimonial half time bands:)
Agree re Tom McAdam, second only to McNeill.
Does this mean that I’m officially a moonhowler noo?
Teuchter ár lá
Goodnight Timland
Some numbers……….
FOUR-ZERO: the score for Celtic as they defeated Dundee United, who finished in sixth place in the SPL, 32 points behind league champions Celtic on 79 points.
It was Celtic’s first win in the past seven away games, thanks to goals from three different scorers. Two goals from Georgios Samaras, one from Kris Commons and one from Anthony Stokes.
It was the 16th game this season Celtic have scored four goals or more. In the last six games, Celtic won four, drew one and lost one. They scored 17 goals and conceded five, securing 13 points out of a possible 18.
Other numbers of note
Total league attendance: 891,415
Average attendance: 46,917
Biggest crowd:v St.Johnstone (May 11) 57,000
Smallest attendance: v Dundee (Feb. 24) 39,959
Goals: Gary Hooper, 19; Kris Commons, 11.
Assists: Commons, 11; Adam Matthews 8; Hooper, 7; Emilo Izaguirre, 7.
Shots: 549 on goal, 285 on target, 92 goals. Commons: 82 shots, 44 on target; Hooper 82 shots, 48 on target; Victor Wanyama 59 shots, 23 on target.
Red cards: Celtic saw red just once in the league, when Wanyama was sent off in the 1-1 draw with St Mirren March 31; the red card was later downgraded to yellow.
Yellow cards: 47 in the league, joint lowest with Motherwell, with Wanyama again the biggest culprit with nine.
Clean sheets: Fraser Forster had 15 in the league after 21 last term.
Appearances: Forster made the most league appearances for Celtic this season, with 34 starts. Lukasz Zaluska had just four league appearances.
With the end of the campaign — bar the Cup final against Hibs on Sunday — Neil Lennon has managed 173 games as Celtic manager, winning 121, drawing 22 and losing 30 in his three years and two months in the job.
But more important, Celtic have now won TWO SPL titles in a row and could win their SECOND Scottish Cup under Lennon.
Andy Muirhead
Teuchter ár lá
Associate membership only,subject to a five-way agreement,haha!
The loss of various star players in that season due to injuries,allied to the departure of Dalglish,really hurt the team. A miracle we managed as well as we did,tbh.
Then after keeping his hand in his pocket when Jock needed to buy,White miraculously found nigh on half a million to give to Big Billy to spend…
Don’t get me wrong,he spent it wel,by and large,but what would Jock have done with that amount of cash?
Ach,hypothetical-we got our Ten Men Won The League as a result!
Morning Celts,
Terrible news from Oklahoma, God rest their souls.
At least 51 people, including 20 children, have been killed after a huge tornado tore through Oklahoma City suburbs, officials in the US state say.
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22604251
Morning v.
Saw it as a breaking story on ten o clock news last night.
Ill leave our weather report to our rexident expert.
We moan about our weather too. Such a shame
Whither the cash strapped scrofulous hillbillies the day?
Weather in ole shangri la very track 1 side 2 abbey road album, and not afore time.
Good morning from the open prison, where the weather is as site conditions and ground conditions are underfoot
John Doyle rip.. 21st May 1979…
Due to lack of Jobo weather update (he had a late yin last night), I’ll say that it’s going to be reasonably nice in and around CP today, partly cloudy but you’ll see the sun innaw, highs of around 14c
For and behalf of Jobo CSC
For and on behalf of Jobo CSC
BT nice one
John Doyle rip, your name will live for ever in the Celtic family.
Vmhan.
I was on the bus in route to training in Glasgow with Eastercraigs that evening when the news broke..
Those were the days BT,
http://t.co/uLtQkUQuiY
10 men won the league CSC
Got to go mobi on 1% aaaaaaaa!
Morning Bhoys and a Happy Andulucian Anniversary to All :o)
HH
Morning all.
THE EXILED TIM
22:54 on
20 May, 2013
emus
I have been thinking about it, not that it will help with my broadband width.
What is holding me back is the silence re the corruption.
Maybes I am asking for too much, maybes not.
Even if they spoke out about the referees, and pressed for transparency, I would buy one in an instant.
There is still an agenda against the club, and the club are bending over taking it, that doesn’t sit well.
I will probably end up buying one, but I do want to see the club standing up for the supporters.
Reassure me.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
TET
Don’t know if you are about, but I wanted to say that I am in agreement with your sentiments above.
I considered buying an Overseas ST this season, but decided against it in the end due to certain factors – eg the (mal)treatment of the GB and the, apparent, collusion of the club with the polis……..
I MIGHT buy one for next season – but I still need to be convinced that Celtic will stand up to the corruption that is poisoning football in Scotland!
HH!!
.
I see The Blackpool-Blantyre Brigade are taking over the Blog again..【ツ】
Summa
Ps.. Good to see the Sun again today..
Morning Bhoys on what is a very Seville like morning.
Hail Hail to all in cup final week.
Wee Johnnie RIP
10 years ago tonight i had a few memories that i will take to the grave.
I got to witness Celtic, at first hand, in a European Final, i shared it with my son & daughter. When Henrik rose to score our first, just before half time, the stadium was going wild. My daughter was pulling at me & telling me to look at my son. I turned to him & he was in floods of tears, tears of joy. A memory i cherish to this day.
Hx2
suttons volley – 00:28 on 21 May, 2013
“Btw any of you know a Leonard fae Carfin?”
Nope but I know a Leonard Cohen fae Canada if that’s any good to you?
Good morning friends from a blue skied sun kissed East KIlbride.
Only 5 more sleeps.
Jobo
Average attendance for SPL teams was down 1.73% or a total of 2110 SPL fans per week,
We were bad bhoys as our attendance was down 3987 weekly on average.
But then again it is Armageddon though, I suppose it’s to be expected.
The few bad memories of Seville.
The heat rash, oh my goodness, that was torture. And, the diving, feigning injury, time wasting Porto team. Oh & the referee. I am quite sure he had a big brown envelope, a couple of Rolex watches & other gifts shoved his way, by that mob. Grrrrrr.
Morning,all.
Split shifts today,bummer.
John Doyle,Jock Stein’s record signing at £90,000.
Played in the TMWTL match 34 years ago today,indeed he was famously sent off!
Went on to score against Real Madrid,with a superb header.
Died in October 1981.
May have gone too soon, stokesy style, and strayed offside weatherwise. It’s now gone a bit Joni Mitchell.
The rangers position explained. I cud get a silver glove surgical mask, move into never land ranch an start singing smooth criminal. The real Michael Jackson wud still be dead i wud just be a tribute act. Same applies to sevco
Sorry for the misinformation this morning bhoys..
John Doyle did indeed pass away in 1981.
I blame the meds….
Top of the morning to you all from sunny Fife.
Last night’s documentary on Hillsborough was an eye-opener. Terrible.
Good article in Scotsman this morning about 6-1 game and other things:-
Scottish Cup final 1972: Unlucky Hibs beaten 6-1
Published on 21/05/2013 00:00
The goalie in the second-greatest Hibernian team never to win the Scottish Cup is not keeping too well and the other day had to go into hospital.
As he prepared for various tests at Wishaw General including an ECG scan, one of the nurses noticed a familiar name on the admissions board and couldn’t resist asking: “You’re not the vet, are you?” The patient laughed and said: “No, I’m the original Jim Herriot.”
Now 73, Herriot is revered by Hibs fans as the first name in the roll-call for Turnbull’s Tornadoes and remembered by everyone else as the goalkeeper who blackened his eyes with goal-line mud to combat glare – and from earlier in his career it was some televised heroics for Birmingham City which inspired All Creatures Great and Small author Alf Wight to adopt his name as a nom de plume.
“It’s funny how I still get asked about that,” says Herriot. “I mean, the TV series was a long time ago now. I met Alf once. He told me it was after I’d played quite well in a cup-tie against Manchester United that he decided to borrow my name. I gave him one of my Scotland shirts and he gave me a signed first edition. I’m not much of a reader although I quite enjoyed the TV show. Pets? I’ve never been one for animals and Ann was the same.”
This is Herriot’s wife who died three years ago. “She was my biggest fan; I miss her an awful lot,” he adds, and breaks into another chuckle. “When I was at Dunfermline, playing against Rangers, I had to come off with concussion. She was out front at East End as I was being carted into an ambulance. I was in my usual green jersey and a Rangers fan who was passing said something derogatory. Ann bashed him on the head with her brolly.
“Then there was the England-Scotland game at Wembley [1969], the first evening Home International between the countries, and unfortunately we lost 4-1. Afterwards Ann and I were with Jock Stein and his wife; they’d been guests at our wedding. Big Jock was blaming me for one of England’s goals and Ann wasn’t standing for it, no matter the man’s reputation. She gave Big Jock what for.”
Ann wore Jim’s medal round her neck, the badge from Hibs’ December 1972 League Cup triumph, the year’s third Hampden final between the greens. Hibs took the Drybrough Cup as well but in the May, in front of a crowd of 106,101, a Dixie Deans-inspired Celtic ran out 6-1 winners for an 18th Scottish Cup. Stein vs Eddie Turnbull was the classic dugout confrontation of the age and Herriot, who lives in Larkhall, Lanarkshire, played for them both.
“Jock was a great manager and Eddie was a great coach. Jock knew how to motivate and psyche you up, whereas Eddie’s man-management was virtually non-existent.” Herriot had a few fall-outs with the boss, wartime veteran of the Arctic Convoys, and was once reprimanded: “Don’t you dare f****n’ swear at me!” He adds: “But Eddie wasn’t the least bit daunted by the Old Firm and always thought we could beat them with our flair. In training, if the guys made three or four square passes in a row, he’d stop the session.”
Herriot recalls the Tornadoes by nickname: Onion (John Brownlie), Shades (Erich Schaedler), Niddrie (Pat Stanton), Cilla (Jim Black), Sloop (John Blackley), Mickey (Alex Edwards), Biffo (Jimmy O’Rourke), Tosh (Alan Gordon), Nijinsky (Arthur Duncan – “or the Roadrunner; there was a guy in the Easter Road enclosure who aye shouted ‘Beep, beep!’ whenever we sent Arthur away from our kick-off”). Pung (John Hazel) deputised for the injured Alex Cropley in the Scottish Cup final, but Sodjer was back for the League Cup. And Herriot? “At Dunfermline I was Kookie after the detective in 77 Sunset Strip [a hotrod-driving hipster with a heavy personal grooming regime] because I was aye combing my hair like him. At Hibs I got another name. Alex Edwards said: ‘You walk just like Robert Mitchum – dead suave.’ So I became Big Bob.” Edwards is one of the old team-mates who regularly checks on his well-being. “I aye know it’s him on the phone. He’ll go: ‘Is that the world’s worst goalie?’ I’ll tell him: ‘And you’re the crankiest wee bugger there’s ever been’.”
But here’s a funny thing. Instead of picking the ball out of the Hibs net six times 43 years ago, Big Bob could have been Celtic’s ’keeper, replacing Ronnie Simpson. “Big Jock had saved my career at Dunfermline. We had five goalies and I was heading out the door but he decided to keep me and Eddie Connaghan. Then he tried to sign me for Celtic when I was at Birmingham, only they wanted a bigger fee than Stoke paid Leicester for Gordon Banks, and he eventually cooled on the idea. I was amazed when he went for Evan Williams, who at that point was in Wolves’ reserves.”
Williams smiles at his rival’s recollection when I track him down in Dumbarton. “I wouldn’t doubt Jim’s version of events. Yes, I did wonder why Wolves had bothered buying me [from Third Lanark] but when I was out on loan to Aston Villa, Sean Fallon told me not to sign for anyone else because Celtic would be coming.” Was he intimidated by having to fill Simpson’s gloves? “No, because I’d had to follow Jocky Robertson at Thirds, while at Wolves all I heard was the name Bert Williams.”
To show Stein what he was missing, Herriot always wanted to put on a show against Celtic. “Sometimes that was my downfall. I did have some good games against them but other times I tried too hard and made a fool of myself.” In May ’72, he was undone by an old trick. “Billy McNeill scored from a header from a corner. Jock knew from Dunfermline that I liked to come for crosses so he had Bobby Lennox block me off. Exactly the same thing happened when Billy scored in the ’65 final [Celtic 3, Pars 2] and if I remember right it was that bugger Lennox again.” Alan Gordon equalised but Celtic regained the lead before the interval. Herriot again: “In the second half Eddie had us really attack them, leaving just three at the back. We had as many chances as them, possibly more, but they were so clinical. I know this might sound daft, given it finished 6-1, but we were quite unlucky.”
Williams would not disagree. “Hibs had a great team back then. Even before that final, after I’d played my first ten games for Celtic and we’d won them all, we went to Easter Road and they beat us with two Joe McBride goals. That brought us down to earth. I can name their entire ’72 side. [He does]. Not bad, given I’m 70 this summer. It tells you the quality they had, at a time in the Scottish game when every team had some rare players. I’m not being patronising, but even at 4-1 Hibs were still in that final. I was pretty pleased with my saves from wee Jimmy O’Rourke and that bag of tricks Alex Edwards. Even at 5-1 they kept coming at us.”
Celtic had a great team, too: five Lisbon Lions plus Kenny Dalglish, Lou Macari, George Connelly, Tom Callaghan and Hibee nemesis Deans (18 goals in 13 games against them). “We were lucky back then,” continues Williams. “Well, not lucky, but we had Jinky who could beat the opposition on his own and Dixie who on that day couldn’t stop scoring.” For one of his goals Deans seemed to have been fired from a circus cannon to connect with a wayward Johnstone shot with his head. His next trick was impossible but – rounding Herriot twice and dumping three international defenders on their backsides – he pulled it off. The somersault celebration was less Olga Korbut, more Harry H. Corbett.
At Hibs’ post-final dinner, Turnbull took the blame for the defeat through his gung-ho tactics and vowed the Tornadoes would be back; they were. At Celtic there was no real celebration, as was customary. Williams again: “The club won so much at that time and Jock didn’t want us getting blasé. I won four league championships but never once got to hold the trophy and my four medals were given to me in a oner. Maybe that’s why, until recently, every one I won was kept in a Safeway bag. Sorry to Hibs fans for that!”
What’s in a name? Evan Williams was christened Samuel. Dixie Deans is really John. The Hibs goalie in ’72 has been called many things, and seen “Jim Herriot” grow into a highly successful literary brand. He hopes Hibs will win on Sunday, writing their own famous story, and his old opposite number agrees they’ve got a chance.
Celtic: Williams, Craig, McNeill, Connelly, Brogan, Johnstone, Dalglish, Murdoch, Callaghan, Macari, Deans.
Hibernian: Herriot, Brownlie, Black, Blackley, Schaedler, Edwards, Stanton, Hazel, Duncan, O’Rourke, Gordon.
Referee: A Mackenzie. Attendance: 106,102