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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kikinthenakas –
You betcha :-)
GCT
What a post that was. It will be a privilege to meet yourself and yer bhoys at the ole CQN corner. Looking forward to that. :-))) KTF
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
eddieinkirkmichael
23:53 on
12 May, 2014
Very moving account.
I hope it doesn`t become lost amongst the flurry of posts.
I guess I’ll need to change my CQN moniker again.
Now what should I call myself?
leftclicktic
Mate, I haven’t the time to read every post but I hope some took the time to click your link. That link just goes to prove that there is indeed more than one ‘Scotland’s Shame’.
I wonder if you noticed the name of the organisation that Denis Curran represents, I know it was an organisation close to the heart of Tommy Burns, maybe they knew each other. They definitely seemed to share the same values, and heartaches, and passion.
This is a link back to leftclicktics post.leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon
If you want to save time and just watch his link rather than going back to read his post, then below is a link. I really do hope you can find the time to watch it; it is something of a rarity, an honest man in parliament putting his heart and its aches on the table.
Denis Curran on Food Banks “People are getting penalised for being poor”
Loaves and fishes, it’s obviously bigger than just the Calton in Glasgow’s East End. I’m sure BMCUWP will recognise the name.
WeefratheTim –
Thanks mate.
What and where is CQN corner?
Gold Coast Tom great decision, I am sure you will have no regrets great post especially the last paragraph, nice to know you’ll be here for 10 in a row.
Great and moving post eddie , it was a pleasure meeting you at the weekend.
Gold coast tom good shout you can meet up at the pools office or as somebody
said wee oscar corner :-)
GCT
You will be well informed by the time you attend. It’s outside the Pools office at the mo, but will probably change when the reconstruction is complete. Looking forward to it. Cot now. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Gold coast tom
Very warming post,hope you stay in good health and good luck on your retirement and homecoming hh
on the anniversary indulge me with this we tale that I posted on ‘don’t shrink’ a couple of weeks ago……….hi tony, charliebhoy from cqn here I read about your journey to Glasgow with great pleasure, I think that storys like yours, told by you are very inspirational and after recovering from a near death experience, I often wonder why soldiers etc never tell their brave tales, it boosts the moral of anyone to hear how someone can fight the good fight. my battle started in may the 13th 1981 as a motorcyclist I collided with a ford capri, resulting in among other things a triple skull fracture, I was only 20 then but since then ive got married had four kids and now a wee grandson charlie too, the date I mentioned is also the same date that pope jp2 got shot and he came to Glasgow bellahouston to say mass as the popemobile drove past our eyes met and I thought : I bet he never asked “hows charliebhoy”? as soon as he regained consciousness ..you may be aware he was canonised at the weekend there.so the guy telling you this tale has actually looked into the soul of a saint, I will pray to him tonight for you and all the others affected with MND keep the faith tony and in a metaphorical sense, you know you’ll never walk alone
………………I attended the hootenanny but unfortunately the batteries on my hearing aids packed in on the train going through so in my wisdom I decided just to people watch, and you lot having a laugh was truly a sight to behold I did speak outside with hebcelt (where I could hear) but the noise inside just meant the odd nod and occasional hiya ……but I did enjoy my day specially getting to bar 67 and £2.50 a pint thanks lhads and lhassies h h
GCT and eddie heart warming and inspiring , making this blog what it is h h
I hear it’s the greek entry to Eurovision 2015….. https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10370827_895200877172207_6656547323881974274_n.jpg
GCT
Edinburgh???? Are you mad mhan?Big worn oot castle an nae chance of yir tea.
VP –
It’s only an hour from Paradise and I love brown sauce :-)
Anyway, I lived in Edinburgh for 15 years through the 80s and early 90s, so it won’t be a new experience for me.
Gold Coast Tom….
I really enjoy reading your posts. I admire your courage in adversity, taking big decisions such as retirement. Now, moving back to Scotland – that is brave. I have been away some 38 years and would never contemplate moving back. Love to visit, but that is plenty.
Mind you, going to Celtic Park every other week…..with your sons…..incredible.
I hope you will keep sharing these chapters of your life.
Hail Hail,
Ronnie
Zbyszek
22.21 12 may 2014
Got it thanks. So Legia are nearly there, 5pts clear with four games to play. Three wins and you’ll be champions.
Best of luck. Good of you to set it out.
I’m sure I remember someone, sometime ago put up a clip of Legia’s fans enjoying a Polish Hootenanny. It was a swirling sea of green and white.
Weeron –
Thanks for the kind words.
I reckon if I had been in Oz for 38 years, going back would not be an option, but as I have been here less than 9 years, it’s not such a big upheaval.
I will certainly miss the climate, but there’s lots I won’t miss, like getting up at 4am to watch the Celtic on TV. Now I’ll be there in the stands.
Tears were shed on hearing of wee oscar’s brave passing. And indeed for some of the other heartwarming posts on here. CQN truly is a unique community.
I probably missed it but was there any reaction on here or indeed from Yogi himself on the Telegraph’s hatchet job on Stein masquerading as a review which labelled Stein as “corrupt”…?
As for Sammi, Lawwell has been speaking to samaras’ representatives since October, when he stated to journalists Celtic’s intention to re-sign their client. He said the same about Ledley but I guess it became clear the Joe was happy to move so.we.sold him to Palace for a fee. Why didnt we do that with Sammi? Lets not kid ourselves, a player with value leaving for free is a blot on Lawwell’s copy book. Sammi can say he never received an offer, but what about his agents? There are many on here, probably as many as on some blue sites, willing to believe Peter Lawwell is some all-powerful, manipulative eminence grise, rather than a guy doing a job. If Celtic’s valuations dont meet Samaras’ agents valuations then he leaves. No matter what the quotes in the press…
Oh well, I suppose it was inevitable with a transfer window looming;
CELTIC target Alfred Finnbogason last night confirmed he will quit Heerenveen this summer.
Neil Lennon has been a long-time admirer of the Icelandic striker, who is the top scorer in Holland with 29 goals this season.
He injured his knee as Heerenveen beat AZ Alkmaar last weekend to line up a play-off with Groningen for a Europa League place.
And Finnbogason, 25, said: “I will take three to four weeks to recover so I have played my last game for Heerenveen that’s for sure.
“I will listen to every club who comes to an agreement with Heerenveen and then we will see.”
The Dutch club rejected a £7.5million offer from Fulham in January but his value has since dipped.
And that could open the door for Celtic who are desperate to strengthen for next season’s Champions League campaign.
The Hoops are also considering a move for St Mirren goalie Chris Dilo.
The 20-year-old French ace has impressed for the Buddies and is now available on a Bosman.
Clubs in England and France are keeping tabs on Dilo but Celtic lead the chase for him as they expect No.1 Fraser Forster to leave this summer and are on the lookout for new keepers.
jocky bhoy –
The Telegraph headline was indeed discussed on here after it was highlighted by a few posters, myself included.
Excellent point re Samaras.
Good morning from a bright and sunny Glasgow that’s green and white
Just read a quote from Ronaldinho
Says he has one season left on him and after playing at Celtic park with Barcelona .. He compared our fans with Brazilians and stated he would love to end his career this year playing for Celtic
I would love to see him play for us but am sure there would be many who don’t agree so what’s your thoughts on that
St Mirren reject Ronaldinho brought out his own range of condoms in 2013, called Sex Free.
As a youngster he once scored all 23 goals in a 23-0 victory.
He could be the bhoy to replace Amido
Morning Bhoys , just reading back the night shift.
GCT
Welcome back buddy. Hail Hail
Eddie
God bless u sir and your family
tbj
The bhoy Robaldhino sure has good taste if he said that
DBBIA
23 goals in a 23-0 victory … Greedy bassa … Does he not allow his MATES a chance to score
gold coast tom
04:00 on 13 May, 2014
—
All the best with the move back home.
Im in perth nearly 3 years, hopefully another 2yrs max and will then move closer to home.
Too far away here from family , couldnt see myself bringing up children here either.
Goodluck with the big move and im sure trips to parkhead will now be plenty.
Good morning friends from a dry, bright and almost sunny East Kilbride.
MasterCard Priceless Memories – Ep 7 Larsson
Rio Ferdinand at Celtic?
Yer havin’ a laugh…….
Truly World Class operator until about 3 years ago.
Been finished since it became more difficult to avoid blood testing…….
ShouldhavegonetoSpainwiththerestofthemRioCSC
GCT
Sounds like a good decision to me.
TT
Filip Twardzik
has previous
Wed 27th July 2011
friendly
Celtic 0-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
……………..Jamie o’hara…..26mins
……………..Filip Twardzik….og 73mins
Stipe Pletikosa
Adam Matthews
Daniel Majstorovic
Scott Brown
Cha Du Ri-Filip Twardzik 68mins
Shaun Maloney-Kris Commons 62mins
Charlie Mulgrew
Daryl Murphy-Georgios Samaras 75mins
James Forrest
Victor Wanyama
Katlego Mphela-Milos Lacny ht
hail hail
hail hail
eddieinkirkmichael
That was a brave post buddy. Every parents worst nightmare and I can’t even imagine how that has been for your family and you.
As a parent though sometimes mundane tasks get in the way of life and we all could miss what could be the most important goodbye from one of our loved ones at any given time. It is probably a battle you struggle to deal with daily. In your heart you know your daughter Lyndsey will know that everything in life that went between you from her birth to that dreadful day far outweighs that one moment.
MWD
I watch this and I think Celtic should buy a new center-half and give Virgil Van Dijk, Victor’s old jersey. I think he’d be a sensation playing in the middle.
Virgil Van Dijk – The Dutch Master (Updated)
eddieinkirkmichael:
I hadn’t read back until I just saw MWD’s post, then I’m glad I did.
Respect Sir, you have mine.
So there we have it. Pitch invasions and open top bus parades all over Europe in celebration of triumph.
We got predictably slaughtered by the Smsm for a few hundred running onto the Firhill pitch, and as for a victory parade? Not a chance. We couldnt even get one in 67 for winning the world’s greatest club trophy.
I told the story before about my old man witnessing two nightshift cops trampling through the Lisbon floral tribute in George Square, a few weeks after the game. Thats what we’re up against.
It really is a sad indictment of this country, the same country by the way who like to lay claim (with the English) to be the home of football.
The common denominator of course is you know who.
Just another dirty little Scottish secret.
TBJ, it will never work. We dont have the climate in Glasgow for Brazilians:-)
Oz based bhoys,
Documentary about to start on ESPN……… The Downfall of Rangers FC
HH