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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BMCUW
The number of drunken bums around on Saturday night .. It would be impossible to avoid them all ;)))
Great result for Scotland Under17’s today, beating Germany 1-0.
Hope there isn’t a double whammy in the air for Germany tonight because I want Uwe Rosler’s Wigan to get past QPR in the chase to the EPL.
After leaving Reading top of their league, he’s taken Owen Coyle’s relegation fodder into the play-off contest in five months.
Think he’ll be a manager in EPL next season, even should Wigan not complete the mission.
Also think he’s only in the lower divisions here because his background at home is from the East.
Sftb
I caught 20 seconds of the BNP ppb then found my remote
Was fortunate my bathroom is close by and managed to shower quickly
TBJ
I couldn’t remember her name :-))
BMCUW,
It would have been hard to avoid drunken bassas on Saturday as no one was sober:)
Thanks again for a great day and the opportunity to meet so many cqners…every one to a mhan are down to earth gentlemen.HH
Sftb
Thanks fir the info re BNP broadcast
At the start I thought it was a wind up ….crazy sad people
PF
An embra wifie can be a very scary wench …. A millionaire embra wifie … Horrendous ;)
Evening all …
wonderful weekend..great people…was a pleasure to meet auld wans and new wans
got back to Bognor in one piece but very fragile….had to do a shift as well :-((
the view from J.S 440 bb 18
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=776591465708797&set=pcb.776591772375433&type=1
the climb up nearly killed me…
H.H.
Armageddon
Sipsini
Do you think I managed to disguise the fact that I won £66m on the euro millions yet still pass as a common and garden schemie ;)
TBJ
You manage it better than THE TOKEN TIM.
He won a few bob,told his wife he had a job which might take him round the world at short notice,and lives the high life.
Good thinking. Allegedly.
I was at the barber’s today, and a DR was just lying there (honest…):
“CELTIC striker Georgios Samaras bowed out of Parkhead yesterday – by making brave 11-year-old Jay Beatty’s day.
Jay, who has Down’s syndrome, was plucked from the crowd by Samaras as Celtic lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy.
Other Celtic players, including PFA Scotland player of the year, Kris Commons and Scotland striker Leigh Griffiths also brought their broods on to the pitch to help them celebrate.”
Had to look up “broods” – doesn’t sound too complimentary.
Can anybody enlighten me or was it just another hurting SMSM writer?
TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels @ 19:33
An embra wifie can be a very scary wench …. A millionaire embra wifie … Horrendous ;)
Thought you were talking about my ex wife – until I read the second bit – third bit – plead the 5th !!
Bmcuw
The money doesn’t change who I am .. Just others attitudes to me :)
Embra mike
Looking forward to turning your gaff into the CQN gazebo when we play at murrayfield
Good luck wigan
sixtaeseven
The Brood
and yes just another hurting SMSM writer
ryecatcher
You say that Roberto di Matteo would be better employed at ibrox ‘like the majority of his countrymen’.
Care to elaborate on that statement?
Do you have a problem with ‘Tallies?’
DBBIA – from earlier. Genuinely didn’t know that. Will file that info with another fact I learned today which is related to the Nagasaki Memorial and the expression “destruction from above” – still trying to verify that one though.
DoubtingThomasCSC
Anyway
What about the DJ in McChuills the same age as PF but playing my CD’s
Legend
SOAL
You’re older than me ya roaster
SOAL
I asked for Joy Division …said he couldnae find it …
It’s interesting that Man City can have a celebration in the city centre yet it’s something that would not be considered for us.
I agree with other posters regarding the crazy decisions made at Hearts and St Mirren today- complete madness.
Tbj,
Ye kin take the man oot the scheme, bit ye cannae take the scheme oot the the man.
Ask The Battered Bunnet… He’s an ex chateau man:)
Saw a wee quiz question on FB
Last team to score 4 at Celtic park .. Excluding oldco .. Celtic and European or friendly games
1-0 wigan, against run of play
Sipsini
Just had a wee flashback to the band called the scheme … Kinda liked them
1-0 Wigan
did someone mention Joy Division……..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVc29bYIvCM
Good evening .
sixtaeseven
The Daily Record are brooding over this – Circulation DOWN 11.76%
and
The Sunday Mail are brooding over this – Circulation DOWN 12.68%
PF
I only said he was the same age as you young man
no need for the roaster comment
Love
TBJ-Partizan Belgrade?
My previous post Reading instead of Brentford?
Don’t know where that came from. I still have the programme from going to the game last summer.
SOAL
A term of endearment ….
SIXTAESEVEN
Brood is gratuitously pejorative,IMO.
Thanks for pointing it out. Another reason to avoid paying their wages.
They keep playing to the gallery yet diss the only show in town.
Too late. Bridges burned.
It would be interesting to know how many players heading for Brazil are free agents like Sammi.
Also , with the CL qualifiers only a few weeks after the World Cup I hope we don’t regret losing the services of an experienced and proven European campaigner.
Whoever replaces him will have to hit the gound sprinting!
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger is poised to launch a stunning £8million bid for Scotland keeper David Marshall…
The Spirit of Arthur Lee @ 19:50
‘What about the DJ in McChuills the same age as PF but playing my CD’s
Legend’
Nicky is a Legend. He brought The Pogues to The Mucky Duck in Shotts for their first Scottish gig. He has a lot of Celtic stories to tell. Billy No’Well is hoping to have him on as a guest sometime in the future. He also donated £100 to the Oscar Know appeal on Saturday.