Usually we head straight home, but that day we stood around the front door of Hampden Park, waiting to see the players emerge with the trophy. It was big Billy’s last game, it also provided an enduring memory of Paul Wilson, but it was the unused Jimmy Johnstone who engaged the fans most. In the days which followed Jock Stein had ‘the chat’ with Jinky. Celtic’s greatest ever player, still only 30-years-old, was released from the only club he’d ever been at.
Jinky later acknowledged he expected the news. Jock had been using him increasingly sparingly, and mostly as substitute, and these were the days before clubs supported large squads. It was the end of an era, a sad time all round, but this is football, and football is ruthlessly harsh to everyone eventually.
Georgios Samaras has come through the wringer at Celtic, often target of the boo boys and denied the support and encouragement he needed to flourish. His languid style implied a lack of urgency, for some, but Georgios stuck to his beliefs on how the game should be played and had a late spell in the sun during the last two years.
He was instrumental in the incredible league win in 2008 but the Champions League campaign of 2012 will be his most memorable contribution to the club. Goals away from home against Benfica, Barcelona and the last minute winner against Spartak Moscow, for our first away win in the tournament, are his hallmark goals.
It wasn’t just the goals during that campaign, Celtic were fourth seed, up against three considerably stronger teams. Neil Lennon set out to defend and used Samaras physical attributes, as well as his natural desire to hold the ball, as his first stage in building attacks.
Celtic tried the same in this season’s Champions League but, not surprisingly, Sami more often than not, found three defenders around him whenever the ball approached. He was ineffective, as was Celtic.
In domestic football, Georgios, our main Champions League attacking weapon, was often regarded as a blunt instrument. Scottish teams defend deeply against the champions, who would, therefore, never ask Samaras to hold the ball up and bring others into the team. On these occasions his languid style frustrates those wanting a more urgent approach to their football.
The lack of an offer from Celtic will be a blow to Georgios, but I’m sure Peter Lawwell can more than stand the ‘blame’ for this one.
Very best wishes, Georgios. I hope you have a great World Cup and have your choice of next destinations.
The Celtic FC Foundation badge sellers had enormous fun before yesterday’s game. Many thanks to all who joined in, and who bought a badge. It was an easy way to feel part of this great club’s reason for being.
Issue 20 of CQN Magazine, CQLisboN, is out and enjoying great reviews. Click here to read for FREE.
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Scotland 17s hold on to beat Germany1 – 0!
Gary Locke sacked…for Robbie Neilson and that cretin Levein…..bonkers
Danny Lennon …contract not renewed….what do St Mirren expect
Madness
Meanwhile McInnes is lauded for limping to a LC win and finishing third in the league ….
More madness
TWISTS N TURNS.
That,I doubt.
However,I find it difficult to believe that Stevie Clarke will not be on the radar of a decent team.
This time,I hope he is employed by a decent company too.
His achievements at WBA,and before,deserved better than he got.
There are far too many knee-jerk reactions now in the EPL. Good coaches and managers are fired on a whim.
But to be fair,sometimes it’s their own fault.
They sign a contract for x years. If successful,they get a new one.
If really successful,they get head-hunted by a bigger club.
Their original club then demands a payment from that club,usually huge,and base on the terms of the existing contract.
Yet if they are fired from a club,they are left to negotiate a severance agreement.
Simple way to stop the merrygoround is for the LMA to hold clubs to the contracts of their managers.
If you don’t want him anymore,sack him and pay the balance of his contract immediately.
It would certainly concentrate the minds of some hire and fire can I get my name in the headlines owners.
Hebcelt
Many thanks for your kind gift
Mrs and daughter tried some today …excellent
Thanks again
Lennybhoy…Supporting the DAM 5, Neil Lennon, Wee Oscar Knox, and CFC until I die
We meet up that often I’m starting to think were related :)))
Thank you for your help on occasions this season my friend.
off out
thunder road- 450k i think.
What is the full story regarding Georgios moving out of the club. You could say he has the X factor when it comes to genuine European class and I cannot for the life of me see why he is being released by Celtic particularly when he wanted to stay and he had the blessings of Neil Lennon – is it money? what sort of salary is he on? Let’s not forget he is also a World Cup international player heading for Brazil.
Congrats to Fraser on his call-up that makes it four Celts are Brazil bound, I doubt if many
clubs down south will have that kind of representation in Brazil. Great celebrations yesterday. People may talk about doubles and trebles but the Championship is the big one and it’s good for the Scottish game to see trophies going to other sides.
leftclicktic we are all neil lennon
18:45 on 12 May, 2014
You are most welcome, anytime. And I have to thank you as well for the help and generosity you have given to me this Season. You are true Bhoy.
More of the same to come.
Right off to a RCIA meeting, until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
PFAyr- looks like Levein has stabbed Locke in the back.
Seems the mint is hiving of the profitable assets of MIH to Murray Capital which is conveniently 100% owned by the Murray family
Plus Murray capital is in no way responsible for the debts of MIH
Isn’t that a bit incestuous or just plain crookery
Meanwhile his once loyal employees get no pension
Get Sounness & Ogylvie to pay back there EBT’s along with the rest of them problem solved
PF
Aye the typewriters will be rattling as we speak. ( can you still buy typewriters?)
Was just looking at our final attendance figures for this season. Average home gate of 46,917 rendering us the 15th best supported side in Europe. Should we ever get back to sell out crowds every season, we would climb to 7th.
That 15 k shortfall is worth what? 15,000 x £ 450 = £ 6.75m plus merchandising. Call it £7m for argument sake.
Is it the SPL opposition that’s driving fans away? Or is it Celtic fans unhappy with the quality on show from Celtic? Or other factors? New criminalisation, minimum wage issues, disgust at lack of action re Sevco? Combination of all of these?
PF?
Sipsini
BT took the pic of PF and the BIG fella …
BMCUW
Indeed. I was just saying on here last night that Roberto de Matteo is still out of football. I find that remarkable. He won the CL as manager with Chelsea. Surely he is worth a job? Or am I missing something??
murdochauldandhay & wee oscar
18:50 on 12 May, 2014
I would like to think that Monty’s misery would make me happy.
HOWEVVA (with a nod to Kojo)
He will personally not suffer. Nor will his family.
Unfortunately the fawning Scottish MSM will brush his shady dealings under the carpet and he will retain his privileged position in the minds of the majority.
Cheers tnt.
Keevins,one of Sami’s biggest critics,bemoaning the fact he is leaving.Any chance to have a snipe at the Club,he will do it.
Twists n turns……
Heard that Di Matteo (whose style at Chelsea makes Mourinho look like a cavalier tactician)has no incentive to find any other job for at least the next three years ,as Abramovich pours around 100k per week into his bank account as his walk away package.
Would never want such a negative tactician within 10 miles of Paradise.
Better off at Ibrox like most of his countrymen.
I see Hearts have released MacDonald, their goalie. I would offer him a contract. I think he was one of the best in the league this past season.
So when do we expect the verdict from the Upper Tier Tax Tribunal?
Has the hearing finished yet?
If it has what’s keeping the news?
Do any of the well connected CQNers have any insights?
So many questions, such a long summer with no CELTIC football.
embramike,
Great to hear the young Scots doing so well. Are they playing in a tournament?
GG
I have no insight……(period).
But from our perspective I fear no acceptable outcome on this.
I expect an “Edinburgh” outcome….
HH
Geordie
Welcome.
Ryecatcher
Ha, that’s what I’m missing! Explains a lot.
Incidentally, gutted for you mate re Liverpool. Gutted. Next season bud. Keep Suarez, 2 good defenders and you’re all the way.
Pcs
I thought Kello was a better keeper at hertz when McDonald was his understudy
Now he can’t even get a game for st mirren
Was great to see hammill get his marching orders .. Hopefully for his thuggery last weekend
Strange decision to free Ryan Stevenson and McDonald … Must have been financial
Tbj,
Think your right there…I’ll keep you up to speed re: carry on in work.
Cheers for the advice on Saturday, much appreciated.
Bhoys
Any of the Celtic bars in Marmaris worth going to ? Seen a few on the drive in but am staying a fair bit out don’t want to take a 2 mile dander for the bars to be crap !!!
Parkheadcumsalford @ 19:04
Great to hear the young Scots doing so well. Are they playing in a tournament?
They qualified for the 8 team UEFA U17 Championships in Malta.
Lost to Portugal 2-0 (2 goalkeeping howlers), beat Germany 1-0 today, and play Switzerland on Thursday to decide the 4 semi finalists. England have already qualified from the other group.
Games are live on Eurosport. Possible Scotland v England semi ??
Sipsini
BT took the pic on his phone but was trying to figure out how to send it to PF so I took the auld yins phone off him and sent it ;)
No worries about the advice … I’m still an unofficial shop steward ;)
Bada bing
Hearts fans have massive respect for Locke
The new wifey in charge perhaps didn’t feel comfortable competing with him
Bada
Typical of that quisling, – he’s maybe been reading CQN where Samaras is now nearing god status, and the board bashers queue up to post about how poor Sammi has been forced to leave having been offered nothing.
The decisions at Hearts are mental
Releasing their three most experienced players …..
Successful manager
Good Evening Timland.
Congrats to big FF,when yer a old man you’ll look
back and think signing for the famous Glasgow
Celtic was the best decision you ever made.
I see the donation to Oscar’hospice is now £33,674.89 – terrific effort and a fitting memorial to a very brave young boy.
PF
Calling ann budgie a wee wifie is a tad politically incorrect …. But funny as fook :)
SIPSINI
Which drunken bassas did TBJ tell you to avoid?
CID I think that advice should have been offered on Friday!
Valentino
I noticed that big frasers name was first on roys list ;)
Correction.
SIPSINI
Which drunken bassas did TBJ tell you to avoid?
Cos I think that advice should have been offered on Friday!
steinreignedsupreme
Just caught that BNP election broadcast you were on about.
Bizarre!
I did a wee bit of research on some of the things we saw and heard.
Their banned cartoon seems to be portraying Penguins trying to get into Britain; I think it may be a sly wee reference to Burqa wearing but who knows with these dafties.
The vicar that we saw is part of no church. He is (Rev.) Robert West who founded the Christian Council of Britain, which claims to be autonomous of any political organisation but constantly promotes the BNP (Where have we seen such claims to be apolitical on CQN? Hmmmm!). He is an ex-Tory councilor and claims to be an ordained elder of the Apostolic Church who deny all knowledge of him and dissociate themselves from his views.
The BNP desire to paint themselves as persecuted martyrs is a reason they gain much support from the Ibrox club.
….pfayr supports weeoscar
18:41 on 12 May, 2014
Gary Locke sacked…for Robbie Neilson and that cretin Levein…..bonkers
Danny Lennon …contract not renewed….what do St Mirren expect
Madness
Meanwhile McInnes is lauded for limping to a LC win and finishing third in the league ….
More madness
———-
Agree 100% Stuart Gilmour looked embarrassed when Raman tried to question him, Lennons record for the budget he is operating with is acceptable,even won them a trophy, bringing through some good youngsters, they are linking the Dumbarton manager with the job. I will not be surprised to see them in the Hibs position this time next year.
Gary Locke had a very young team playing some nice football he should have been allowed to continue. Jobs for the boys.