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
- ...
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- »
WeefratheTim
22:50 on
12 May, 2014
‘gg
100% agree. Griffiths will score a barrowload for us. His big test will be the CL. I wouldn’t put it past him to do the biz there as well. You are either a natural goalscorer or you aint. Simples. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Hope you are right about Griffiths I’m not convinced yet but happy to be wrong , my first thoughts were that he wasnt up to the job.
hope you and your wife are in better health
roll on next season
HH
Falkirkbhoy #teamoscarforever
22:59 on 12 May, 2014
No, can you point me to it please?
HH
CRC
BMCUW
Aye, D seems to have got over the wee issue yesterday, but not 100%. Will discuss it when I ring you tomorrow. Best time??? :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Jungle Jim
It went fine thanks. There was some chat among some of the fellow mourners about some chap on a bike who’d asked if they were going to a 103 year old’s funeral and were they from dunblane!?!?
When I got back to the house I told mrs jamesgang that I’d been making the acquaintance of another member of the cult! I told her where. I know! Says she…. You’re reeking of smokies!!!
SorryI’mNotJonnyDeppCSC!
HH jamesgang
CRC, thanks for letting us know.
I hope Steven and Leona find the strength in the times ahead.
I have no idea how.
Dena 29
Lovely words. More tears. Love.
HH jamesgang
CRC
It was reposted by Oscar’s Facebook page.
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.
Sammi reminds me of Big Yogi back in the 60s.
On his game he was a world beater, but the following week, everything he touched turned to mince.
Also, both players divided the support.
Both great entertainers.
Both very frustrating a lot of the time.
Both honest professionals.
People who accuse Sammi of not trying or “not interested” are so far off the mark and probably have never kicked a ball in their lives.
I played football and sometimes within the first 5 minutes I knew I was up against it, either because of the conditions or the style of opposition defence, or both. It happens. It doesn’t mean you are not interested.
Weefra – love n cuddles for you and the good lady.
HH jamesgang
James gang
Gary is a legend in his own mind
My favourite Oscar moment!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVyxi7ypT4Y
Doc,
Sorted.HH
Dena
Thanks my lovely. Mrsweefra is a bit better today which allowed me to go and visit my ole mum. Even she was in good spirits before she fell asleep. :-) I got about 20 mins with her and ZZZZZZZZZs. Hey ho, it is always good to see yer ole 94 yr old mum. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
jamesgang
Ah you speak of The Caldwell question!
I have found in my time, that fans feelings towards that player go hand in hand with their feelings of WGS.
Hard hat on, preparing to be shot down on CQN!
Sipsini, good stuff.
Jamesgang, you should also have mail, unless Cowiebhoy cannae spell, a schooling problem me thinks;-)
Past midnight here, so G’night.
jamesgang
Cheers for that buddy, soooooo looking forward to meeting you some time in the future. Hopefully next season. Take care kiddo and the very bet wishes to you and your lovely family. :-))))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
bet=best. :-)))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Every time I hear the Pixies now I will think of the wee mhan
I don’t know how to do the link thing but””””GIGANTIC A BIG BIG LOVE.
WeefratheTim
thats good to hear keep safe
HH
Falkirkbhoy #TeamOscarForever
23:02 on 12 May, 2014
I held it together today(mostly) until I read that.
That is fantastic!
HH
CRC
Dena
Thanks for that, you have a beautiful family to look after also, take care and see you next season. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
If Lg gets a decent scoring chance he will put it away about 50% of the time, he will do the same in europe as he will in the spl, goalscorers are goalscorers, irrespective of where they are playing.
It’s all about giving them the opportunity to put it in the back of the net, last season we made numerous goal scoring chances in europe, IMO, if LG gets the same sort of chances, he will put a few away.
HH
CRC
Sorry I missed you all yesterday, but domestic issues must take priority. Was with you all in spirit. See you next season. :-))))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
CRC, HT, MWD & Bundoran Bhoy
Thanks from all at CQN for representing us today,
Now I’m not getting into a Sammi debate, but I re- fuelled the car today :-)
Hail Hail
CRC-Was the Club represented today?
WeefratheTim
23:15 on 12 May, 2014
No bother. You take care of Mrs WeefratheTim
HH
CRC
TET
How are you this very mild night, for a change, over in yer ole country. Glad you agree with me re Griffiths. You can either score goals or you can’t. It’s instinctive. Hope the family are all well. :-)))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
!!Bada Bing!!
23:17 on 12 May, 2014
KC was there, an absolute gent.
HH
CRC
TET
Oops, forgot to mention the dugs. :-)))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
doc
23:06 on 12 May, 2014
Sipsini, good stuff.
Jamesgang, you should also have mail, unless Cowiebhoy cannae spell, a schooling problem me thinks;-)
Message rec’d. Many thanks. Hope to be able to….. Much appreciated.
HH jamesgang
Weefra
Doing good thanks, family are all well, dugs are enjoying the heat, very warm here, still mid 20s, hit mid 30s today, and rising by the day, hottest April and May since I have been here, hopefully bodes well for a hot summer.
Aye, you can either score goals or not, and I honestly can’t see why LG won’t score in whatever game he plays as long as he is given the chance to put it away, the fact that he is up against a defender that plays for a foreign club makes not a jot of difference, a chance is a chance, and he will put them away for us.
Take care mi amigo
HH
falkirkbhoy #teamoscarforever
23:05 on 12 May, 2014
jamesgang
Ah you speak of The Caldwell question!
I have found in my time, that fans feelings towards that player go hand in hand with their feelings of WGS.
Hard hat on, preparing to be shot down on CQN!
I may buck the trend and need a hard hat all of my own!
Mixed feelings about WGS. Lots I liked about him then and now, bit some pretty horrible footie at times if my memory serves.
Caldwell. No such equivocation. It was a ‘no’ from me, from pretty early on!
Right. Having read back thro every one of today’s posts I now need to make lacked lunches for the wee ones and hit the cot as the Weefra Mhan would say!
HH Timdom. Love n peace. And please can the new season start SOON!!!
Jamesgang
So I take Ciftci gets the OK????
TET,
When Leigh settles and finds his feet I’m hoping he will excell in the hoops and won’t be surprised if he does.
As you say he knows where the goals are instinctively, that is natural, and no matter what coaching you give….you’ve either got it, or not.
CRC- KC and Lisa are great people.HH
@dena
Thank you for reposting that
roll on next season till we meet again, Hugs to your lass :)))
Weefra,
It would be nice to catch up with you some day.
Hope your good lady is keeping well.HH