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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So, Barca can still win La Liga…????????
burghbhoy
The edge of the centre circle wasn’t in much danger either
Burghbhoy
The edge of the centre-circle wasn’t in much danger!
tbj
Thought Caldwell was the best out of the three.
That wouldn’t be hard mind you.
Kayal33
Snap!
praecepta
Great minds and all that!!
up_over_goal,
Hair wise I agree.
I wouldn’t want sammi to get a new contract unless he stopped warming the bench.
He has enormous talent and obviously loved Celtic, the amount of times he looked uninterested frustrated me.
Just my opinion.HH
kayal33
21:39 on 12 May, 2014
burghbhoy
The edge of the centre circle wasn’t in much danger either
praecepta
21:40 on 12 May, 2014
Burghbhoy
The edge of the centre-circle wasn’t in much danger!
Quick news cyber twins?
burghbhoy
21:37 on 12 May, 2014
It would take Naka to put the Ball in the Boot…the Car is safe until we bring back the Naka Ghod…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Not a bad pass to naka – one of gary’s better games
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uwNWBB8F3XQ
Lennybhoy
Did you ever see the clip of Naka putting a ball through a window of a moving bus?
Brilliant stuff.
winning captains
Great stats for one of the first internet bampot blogs!
Dreamed a dream, by The Celtic Way
EDB
I done that trick 40 years ago
only to get a size 8 up my erchie
Aiden Bhoy
Tend to block out memories of Heid apart from……………..
Heid to Naka………… http://youtu.be/ybx7CHKa2_8
I liked it when Sammi and the other subs started to have a shot at the car boot challenge. Sammi was just about to have another go when the lass closed the boot. Just think if he’d won the Honda it might have made him reconsider.
Evening, think I’ve just recovered noo from Sat.
The blonde one arrived about half five on Sat to see me safely home, kinda said to her yesterday she was a bit early.
Reply…..”I counted six women coming into the pub taking their men away, in the time I was in”
She’ll no be getting telt about the next one.
eldiegobhoy, was a pleasure having a few beers, can’t remember a thing….! ;-)
Ayrshire is Green and White
Really enjoyed the occasion yesterday (I deliberately phrased it like that so as to exclude the actual game!)
It was a special ‘Celtic’ day.
The tributes for Wee Oscar – before, during and after the game from players, wags and supporters was incredible.
Sammy and Lennon giving a young child another chapter under ‘best day of my life’ story.
Wee Gallagher innocently presuming his daddy had dropped a particular flag by mistake as opposed to deliberately after daddy spotted an entourage of media making a beeline for him within 2 seconds of having picked it up, giving more than a soft hint the wee fella wouldnt be a stranger to said particular flag…
£2.50 pints in Bar 67
Kris Commons and his partner were on the same flight as me to Belfast this morning and were obviously going to see the Knox’s – a real nice touch, I have a lot of time for his Mrs in particular who seems like a thoroughly good person.
Amongst others – there was more than enough on display to remind all of us that we do not need the other mob, there is so much to celebrate from within the Celtic family which is positive, good and humbling.
I love the fact the world is seeing Celtic for how I and how we see Celtic – and not nonchalantly simply tarring us with the same brush as being two peas from the same pod.
praecepta
That was one of his better games.
Mega clear out at Man utd. Rio off now.
Would they take a risk on our VVD?
Shaw for £30 million, the English market is crazy.
Sure they did that challenge last year too and stokesy hit the car
Remember seeing the guy winning the rugby challenge … Looked drunk and wearing his good shoes
up_over_goal
21:30 on 12 May, 2014
From Georgios Samaras to Leigh Griffiths.
No greater illustration could be given of Celtic downsizing, in terms of skill on the park and class off it.
————————–
I’m sure you’ll frown disapprovingly as Griffiths surpasses the average Samaras season tally by about the end of September….
Falkirkbhoy #teamoscarforever
As long as his dutch sidekick goes with hymn
Love
micktt,
A fine looking wummin wish one like her would drag me home:)
MickTT
But I can:o)
Seventeen you said LOL.
Must catch up soon and make sure the blonde bombshell is there!
eldiegobhoy
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sdO733POGDYl
iPaddy McCourt
21:51 on 12 May, 2014
‘I’m sure you’ll frown disapprovingly as Griffiths surpasses the average Samaras season tally by about the end of September….’
###
Which, lets face it, will mean little as we’re going to win the league anyway.
It’s Europe that matters.
2-1 QPR
2-1 qpr
London huns 2-1 up.
$6m dollar man scores again for QPR.
sorry if this has been posted already but reading it has helped me through today
The light it shone bright, then someone took my hand –
He said “hi, my name’s Peter, welcome to Neverland” –
I looked around in amazement, at the sight I did see –
Then I quickly realised, there was something very different about me,
There were no tubes or needles, no sickness, no pain –
I suddenly felt healthy, like a wee boy again – I grabbed Peter and i hugged him with all my might –
looked at him and said “my mummy was right”,
I told Peter I’d watched him on my TV, but hadn’t read the book –
Asked him where he kept the boxing gloves, and the whereabouts of Captain Hook –
My excitement was incredible, and it wasn’t about to stop –
As Peter pointed across a field and said, “there’s the doddi shop”,
It was rather far to walk, that hill was very steep –
And just at that I heard ‘beep beep beep’ – I looked around behind me, do you know what I seen – It was old McDonald smiling, in his tractor of green,
I told him I was 5 years old, and I ‘aint no sucker’ – Said my name was Oscar, me daddy’s best mucker – I told him of my story, of my battle to survive – Before telling him one more thing, it was my turn to drive,
We laughed all the way to the shop, I got the nicest one they had – But then Peter told me, some people back home were sad – So we looked down from above, Newtownabbey we did search – Then we found you all together, at the beautiful St. Bernard’s Church,
We could see the sorrow, but my spirit did linger – Old McDonald was huffing, I wouldn’t give him a fish finger – Mummy, Daddy and our Princess Izzie, I say this aloud – I love you with all my heart, you made me very proud,
This place is awesome, it’s exactly as you said – ‘I just can’t get enough’, I go ‘outta my head’ – Someday we’ll meet again, my wee hoops jersey, I’ll be adorning – Remember, it’s the second star to the right, then straight on til morning.
Wigan need some shaun magic
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e-L2PRK3AUQ
Did Charlie green not introduce a half time challenge
Marines absailing from the roof of the govan stand … They think they survived the drop but give it a few years until the asbestosis kicks in and see who’s laughing then corporal
dena29
beautifuly touching
eldiegobhoy:
Sure did!
micktt
21:49 on 12 May, 2014
It was good to meet your acquaintance and the blonde, she must have got the wrong impression of me as I was getting there by the time she came to drag you away. Must look you up the next time I am down in Ayrshire that is green and white.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Gene’s a Bhoy’s name
Cheers bud.
Yawn
Trolls keep on trolling