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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Gene
Was that a European match or friendly match
‘GG
There’s a wee Facebook logo at the top of your screen – this takes you to the CQNMagazine page. We are also working on an all new, all singing all dancing CQN for the new season.
You can check out the first stage of that at http://www.CQNBookstore.com – which is operational but we still have a few things to add and lots of other Celtic books too, old and new. Hopefully it will be popular.
And don’t forget Tommy Gemmell will be on CQN on Friday between 1-4pm and will answer questions. We hope to have other Lions on in the next couple of weeks.
Jungle Jim/ jamesgang,
Nice one, taking one into work tomorrow as I forgot to take it today…no wonder the huns call me PJ in there:))
Tallybhoy…..
No problem with Italy per se…..I used to visit frequently….mostly on business as it would never be my first choice for leisure.
Italian footballers in general…….Yes….big problem with them and their way of playing and coaching football.
That’s all I alluded to when I thought of how many of Italy’s footballers found their way to Ibrox over the years.
Don’t care much for any Southern European teams or their fans to be honest.
I feel sorry for Danny Lennon. What more did Gilmour expect from him? I don’t suspect Barry Ferguson will do any better. Danny Lennon is also a genuinely nice guy. Hope he moves on to something better.
Tbj
i must read the question
i must read the question
i must read the question
i must read the question
i must read the question
winning captains
20:38 on 12 May, 2014
Thanks for the feedback.
I’m looking forward to the facelift.
We have come a long way in the ten years of CQN.
The word in greenock is that Barry Ferguson is the next Morton manager.
Always had a soft spot for my home-town team but if this is true hell mend them.
SOAL
Good to meet you and your lovely lady on Saturday.
Rio Ferdinand has officially left man utd.
Wonder would he take a £100,000 a week pay cut and come to us for a year!lol
zeppelin 69 danish tv……..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu6FTAVRCMI
I see chelski are taking greg dyke’s concerns about home grown players to heart or maybe not
£32m for costa from atletico
The Unseen Fenian Hand strikes again
Come in Agent Subo, job almost done
EDB
Boris Becker was in longer than you
Love
Jamesgang
Hope the day went as well as these kind of days can go. I am sure there were as many ” she had a good innings” as there were years in the old lady`s life !
I like the photo but I wish you had given me time to do my hair 0:-)
RobinsoncrusoeCSC
JJ
mcdowellcelt god bless wee oscar
Maybe they didnae reckon he was worth the money.
Man U Quick News in meltdown.
FWIW,he’s been a busted flush for about three years,IMO.
Relied on pace. Once it had gone,so was his time at the top.
Gene’s a Bhoy’s name
“What is l’equipe saying on the ffp as far as PSG is concerned?”
Don’t really have much time to follow it up, but from what I can gather they say the sanctions on the “moneyed” clubs don’t go far enough and that Platini could do more.
Like most papers, they tread a fine line because after all when a club or clubs are doing well in Europe they get right behind them (even if they could be called Qatari United).
Big matches and good results sells papers.
However, there is big coverage of every club and they tend to treat all teams equally – Marseilles, PSG, Bordeaux… with no holds barred.
To be honest, footabll in France isn’t in a great state. You’ve got PSG and Monaco, who are bank rolled, and the rest who are struggling.
Lyon, Marseilles and Bordeaux are falling behind, and really should be more competitive.
Well run clubs like Lille and St Etienne do well to compete compete for the European spots.
Our old friend Rennes are languishng in the bottom half of the league this year.
Clubs like Auxerre, who were in the CL in recent years just escaped relagation in the SECOND division this season?
There is a lot of TV money but the end product isn’t there.
Mais … France is in the WC.
L’Equipe will get right behind the team, but woe beide them if they don’t get decent results. They are a demanding and unforgiving bunch.
;o)
SOAL
Headed back to Blane Valley.
McDowell
Do you actually rate Ferdinand … I always thought he was way over rated and was done about 3 years ago
.
From Jinky to Georgious..
Great Article Headline to wake up to..
The Sad or Worrying part of this Article is..
It was The Celtic FC Manager that Ended Jinky’s Celtic Career..
It is Our CEO that is Ending Sammi’s Celtic Career..
Our Current Manager has Stated he Wanted Sammi to Stay..
Who will get the Blame if We don’t Qualify for CL and lose out on 20 Million..?
Summa
jimmci,
St Mirren fans in the work are terrified he’s going to be their new manager.
My first time on the blog since yesterdays champions day. What a weekend. I met hunners of right good tims on Saturday. Canny remember any of them but I’m sure I did indeed meet them………………………..A smashing day out it was:_)
Yesterday was a great day in paradise and I’ve just watched a rerun of the game and celebrations. That was a very special moment when big sammi lifted the wee fella Jay out of the crowd.
Thanks to all at the hootenanny for making my day memorable, honestly, I was joking earlier.
For anyone who got one of the leather wrist bands from me on Saturday they were donated by my good friend the cavemiester, AKA TET. I was simply the messenger.
HH CQN and all hootenanniers and good luck to Sammi for the future.
BMCUW
Aye mate he’s done now! Somebody like QPR will take him.
EDB
Aye and left Lennybhoy
Cheers
sixtaeseven
thanks for the reply
jimmci @ 20:49
I can’t see whoever gets it doing any better than Danny did.
Tbj
Was only messing mate. He’s been done the last few years.. Just highlighting the wages these boys are on compared to what we pay! Think he was getting about £140,000 per week! Madness!
SIXTAESEVEN
There is a huge amount of TV money in France now which wasn’t there before.
It’s an enormous country with a huge appetite for football which domestically has been left behind.
New money has come in and kindled the interest.
Other money will come in to fuel that.
Don’t think for one minute that it will only be be PSG and Monaco who benefit. They will be foremost. Others will likely become a force to be reckoned with.
Once again,our paltry income from TV will put us at a disadvantage.
Breaking News………………..
Mo confirms he is on his way back to Glasgow!
Heid with a 60yd pass from a free kick -unfortunately he was only 40yds from the bye line – goal kick
Poppy debate
Pea, roast chicken and mint risotto with a very smooth Pinot Grigio Blush.
MmmmmmCSC
PRAECEPTA
FFS,I hope it’s Mo Johnstone!
Jungle Jim, great to see you flying the flag for us Angus tims. You do realise you’ll now be on the hun death list.
Can I get yer bike?
BMCUW
Hands on heid (heart-shape)!
praecepta @ 21:06
Is he going to a concert or something?
ACEILERGONOFRUST
If you spent more time with your lovely wife,you widnae need a bike!
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
I would take a French team in the Celts’ CL group in a heartbeat.
PSG, Monaco, Lille, St Etienne?
What’s not to like.
If it’s St Etienne, I’m sure we could find their bike for them before you can say “zadok le pretre”.