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.
[calameo code=0003901717b11f6e50af4 lang=en page=2 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
1,108 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- ...
- 27
- »
eyes wide open
21:49 on 12 May, 2014
In some ways Lisa Hague is as big a star as her partner, Kris.
Long may we be privileged to have them amongst us
sipsini
21:53 on 12 May, 2014
micktt,A fine looking wummin wish one like her would drag me home:)
———————————————–
Och if ye’d said I would have let her, I’d have got yo stay longer…!
HH
Re Rio Ferdinand
Would anyone take him at CP on a one season deal ?
I think his experience could do a job for us, and with all his injury history, he would be able to coast through most games, and only need to bring his A game in the CL .
Whether he would come or not is another matter, particularly with the stupid cash that an EPL team will throw at him.
Also , another thought on Fraser Forster.
– We have a dedicated goalkeeping coach, who managed to transform a guy who was nobody into a World Cup Squad player
– Similar we have a defensive coach in big Johann who manages to transform the careers of guys like VVD, and even Charlie Mulgrew
– We have midfield coaches who help nurture Ki , Wanyama into EPL players.
– Anyone spot a trend ? …… Maybe we should have a forwards coach ??
@dena29
So sweet where is that from?
Dena
Cheers pal .. Thought the tears had dried up … Back again now after reading that
jimmci
22:03 on 12 May, 2014
Agreed – something tells me both will be around long after Kris has hung up his boots.
Enjoyed the celebrations on the park and thought they were very good and well run….the players and staff showing what it’s all about by their tributes to Oscar…
Ended up blootered til daft o’clock and renewed my ST in the investors for next season…after my week in Espana…no a bad ten days all in…..
Kikinthenakas
Who scored the Scotland goal?
Good wee programme on about copacabana palace there. Even though I’m an ipanema man myself. Good times!
Jude
no8
Jude-Craig Wright,played well ,not sure what club he is with.
Not another penny. Go Ahead and liquidate us.
https://twitter.com/Vanguard_Bears/status/463964396138409984/photo/1
lennybhoy…supporting the dam 5, neil lennon, wee oscar knox, and cfc until i die
22:00 on 12 May, 2014
eldiegobhoy:
Sure did!
micktt21:49 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!
———————————————
That’s about six large and small event’s I’ve attended via this blog, none and no one has let me down.
A club like no other, superb people.
Lennybhoy, BMCUWP has my details.
HH
Its cold and dark in Maulbronn.
Samaras was so classy off the park he demanded a 3 year £20k per week contract or he was going to say “It’s aw Petuur Lawwell’s fault by the way”.
Despite being a striker he hasn’t averaged 10 goals a season, even though he is playing Ross County, Inverness Caley, St Johnstone, Motherwell 4 times a season, and three of those are perennial top 6 material.
If he was the second coming of Zlatan as he thinks he is, and many of the people on here think also, he’d have scored 250 goals by now and he has barely managed 1/4 of that, if even that many.
He’s a lucky bhoy his surname rhymed with a well known song or he’d barely be mentioned in dispatches.
Another player who managed to demonstrate that Celtic fans rival only Newcastle in the effectiveness of a player kissing the badge as opposed to bursting the back of the net. Kissing the badge earns far more brownie points than is deserved in a Celtic jersey.
The fact that Samaras share the same sentence as Jinky is an embarrassment. Jinky took more punishment in 45 minutes than Samaras would be prepared to take in an entire season hence why he pulls out of challenges and prefers to land on his arse than take one for the team.
TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels
22:07 on
12 May, 2014
Dena
Cheers pal .. Thought the tears had dried up … Back again now after reading that
I know me too but it really has helped me feel I can now think of Celtic
HH
Morrissey, they are so eloquent.
They are Shakespearean in their prose.
;-))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
micktt,
Must admit, I saw your petted lip as you left, many more good nights out to come mate.
Enjoy your time off. HH
sipsini
Celtic’s problem is they’re European minnows, which is why they need a Sammi. Against the diddy SPL teams (League 1/2 standard), that’s where you want your Stokes, Commons rat-a-tat risky passing up front, as it becomes a numbers game.
His mistakes were more noticeable because he stands out. It looks embarrassing somehow when this big lanky Greek guy with long hair makes a hash of it. The results are no different when any other player loses the ball, yet Sammi gets it in the neck. Why? I’m not sure. All I will say is a lot of ugly bald guys support Celtic.
iPaddyMcCourt
Sammi brought far more than goals to Celtic, as anyone who has seen many of our important games will have noticed. For those with shorter memories, I refer you to the evidence of the last 30 minutes of yesterday’s game.
Scoring goals against diddy teams is what Griffiths did before he came to Celtic. It’s what he does now. No comment on his character – we’ve been there and I’ve no wish to return to that debate. Suffice to say any frowning from me will have nothing to do with his goal tally.
HH
Doc,
Could you give cowiebhoy a nod mailed him earlier.
Been having a problem with ants, rather than kill them I have a genius way to get rid.
And it works believe it or not.
Write them a letter asking them to leave, tell them when you want them gone by, and tell them where they can go.
I heard about this on talk radio many years ago while stuck in traffic in Ireland, thought it was bollix, tried it a few years ago and it worked, did it again tonight, so they will be gone by wednesday.
And I am as sober as a judge >}
HH
ACGR
I will give you another batch or bands next time I see you.
HH
micktt
22:13 on 12 May, 2014
e-mail me at lennybhoycfc@gmail.com and I will send you my Moby etc.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
GuyFawkesaforeverhero at 13:35
„I was having a look on Wikipedia at the teams in the hat for this summer’s 2nd Round CL Qualifiers and there’s an empty space against Poland.
Have Legia not secured their place alongside Celtic, Cliftonville, St Pat’s and the rest?”
I don’t know if you are still around?
We play new system this year. After first phase, when each team played two games against all, they made two groups of teams. Top eight play playing for champions title while the other eight play to secure place in top league for next season. Before they made two groups, they divided points by two. After first phase Legia were top of the league with 10 points advantage against second best Lech Poznan. We are now in the middle of the final round. After three games keep 5 points advantage in hands. There are still four games to be played this season. Last game we play against Lech at home in Warsaw.
If we are the champions, we will be seeded in the second round and probably in third (not sure). We could meet in Champions League knock out stage (maybe in third round). Last year we were seeded until knock out stage.
Drambowiecelt
22:07 on
12 May, 2014
@dena29
So sweet where is that from?
written by a paul o neill big Tim and a friend of mine
not my work sister posted it to me
HH
eldiegobhoy
21:53 on 12 May, 2014 MickTT
But I can:o)Seventeen you said LOL.Must catch up soon and make sure the blonde bombshell is there!
————————————————
Nope I’ve just remembered another occasion a few months earlier when I was….. eh aye 17.
Ayrshire is Green and White
DENA29
You rescued me from a dilemma once,as you know.
And I am forever grateful.
I’m not sure I can ever be as grateful as I am for those words about Oscar.
Stunning,and my thanks.
Sipsini, Im in Germany, my neck aint that long bhuddy;-)
I can text him though, do you want a reply?
dena29
21:57 on 12 May, 2014
What can I say?
Welling up here
Text sent, he’ll be here in a minute if he is around.
Doc
Wi fi in the Reeperbahn
Caught
up_over_goal,
Mistakes I can live with but a lack off effort no matter who it is in the hoops is unacceptable.
I thought sammi was magic and would love him to stay, if he gave it week in week out. Playing when the mood took him frustrated me.
I know that will not be a popular opinion on here…just the way I seen it off late.HH
Awe_Naw, if you are on, never had a chance today mhate.
Arrived at Frankfurt, straight into the Limo(:_)) and of to Maulbronn.
So who is Lenny managing today?
@dena
Thanks mate. Paul should be so proud of that piece,
it touches every emotion in this heart.
Sleep well wee mhan.
QPR THRU TO £60M POUND FINAL
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Come on the Rams
Night all
play nice
Doc,
There’s no rush mate, it’s not urgent.
Are you on a spying trip?
See if if you can find an Andreas Thom over there.