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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I’ve read a few CQNers saying that NL will be scouting for players while working for the BBC at the world cup
Personally, I think he will just be working and would bet that we won’t sign 1 player who plays in the tourny
Not a criticism, just an opinion
Morning
Couple of posts eddieinkirkmichael and gold coast tom
My Aunt lost three year old James, a triplet, 14yrs ago to the same cancer as wee Oscar, eddieinkirkmichael your post is honest and in some ways dark, I’m sure it was at times, but light there is, now 18 both give great pleasure to their parents one being a big lazy sod that has to be dragged out of bed, the other dreaming of being an actress and might just make it given the right breaks. A photograph of all three greets you at the front door, with wee James smiling, it puts a smile on yer face in memory.
GCT best wishes on yor decision, could this be another excuse for a day oot….?
Ayrshire is Green and White
GCT
that’s nae use pal, ah wis hopin tae rent yer couch in 4 years time fur ra Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.
Good luck to you with the move etc.
Ryecatcher,
Mibbee Rio would settle for going out on a “high” with Celtic Park`s atmosphere ;))
hope yer no letting your Liverpool/Man.U rivalry souring yer opinion,
CL qualifiers might need all the help we can get,and a previous winner would fit the bill.
HH
eddieinkirkmichael
—
Brave and honest post buddy, take care of yourself
Dontbrattbakkinanger
As a youngster he once scored all 23 goals in a 23-0 victory?!!!!
I did not manage to score 23 goals in my entire playing days!
shuggiebhoy67
08:15 on 13 May, 2014
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Celtics atmosphere sadly isnt as consistent as it should be.. Espcially when the GB are not about.
Hopefully the standing section helps improve it even more. When were in the form there is no better fans at creating an atmosphere.
As a great man once said.. Everyone has his or her own part to play.
Morning all. Fairly brightish down here at the moment.
How’s the moodmusic on CQN today? Happy bunnies are we?
Good Morning,
Before I go any further, Eddie my friend, they were some heartfelt and passionate sentiments you posted last night.
Children are a god send.
I chose to change my lifestyle almost a decade ago partly so that I could spend more time with my children and elderly payments. The decision came with a whole mentality change —- and I have never regretted it for a second.
I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child, and am only now realising what it is like to lose a parent, though I had plenty of time to come to terms with that.
I still miss the conversations though, the snippets of wisdom, and the encouragement to stand on your own feet and be your own man — which I would do anyway, but sometimes you just like to hear that you are travelling in the right direction from someone with grey hair.
I have friends who have lost sisters and brothers who regularly go to the graveside and say hello.
I have never been a grave visitor, preferring to keep loved ones in my heart and mind as often as I can.
I sometimes see people’s lives like a movie — and rerun the highlights — does anyone else do that?
I even see my own meagre being that way — rerun the good bits, remind yourself of what you may have managed to achieve and to do right — and repeat.
I have no idea if any of that makes sense to anyone but me.
GCT — haste ye back —- Paradise awaits.
Am happy
Right chores to do
Naw am no…
HH
Have to agree with ryecatcher about Ferdinand. He was finished about 3 years ago as a top class player.
I recall a hooker selling a story to the papers about what he was like in their encounter…..she said he was like a pneumatic drill!
If a girl had said that about me in the papers i would cut it out and keep it, knowing that i would never need another chat up line again!
Just take the newspaper cutting out…..place it on the bar in front of the desired girl and away we go.
Simples.
GCT,
Sometimes the biggest decisions are the easiest to make.
Good luck. I suppose we had better start getting used to East Coast Tom!
We are not allowed victory parades because a of threat of hun violence.
But the time has come for this to be changed.The police should be able to handle this now. Was in Edinburgh when hearts were doing their cup parade and it was a great occasion for them.
Time to start pushing for a change.
lymmbhoy
08:00 on 13 May, 2014
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Not on my espn :-(
Was looking forward to a laugh
eddieinkirkmichael
23:53 on
12 May, 2014
————————————————————-
Just read back on last nights post.
Eddiekirkmichael , a very moving post .
Gold Coast Tom -Welcome home!!
Not really the time for lowering the tone.
Sorry.
proudbhoy
08:32 on 13 May, 2014
lymmbhoy
08:00 on 13 May, 2014
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Not on my espn :-(
Was looking forward to a laugh
——————————————-
It was called Destino Futbol
I’ll see if I can find a link.
HH
bamboo
08:32 on 13 May, 2014
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Mate i think we can see by now celtic dont push things or try too much to stand up for its fans.
Hate to say it but last few seasons have shown that.
lymmbhoy
08:40 on 13 May, 2014
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U in eastcoast ? Im over west, maybe they have slightly different schdules.
lymmbhoy
Found it, set for record at 5.30am tomorrow.
Cheers
Eddieinkirmichael 23.43
Near to tears reading that.
I could feel your loss.
I have buried my oldest sister Irene ,who was Downs,and both my parents ,Harry and Bella.
I speak to them every day .
I pass the graveyard everyday.
Time eases the loss ,but it never fully goes away.
Take care.
TT
To frame analogously Sammi’s exit in terms of jinky is a bit much.
proudbhoy
Seville was like all our victory parades rolled into one -even though it was a defeat.
Its something that needs to be addressed.
Unless of course one admits that Celtic have come full circle and have a new bunch of modern day Kelly’s at the helm then I guess it is ok
Morning,all.
This fella has his heart in the right place,for sure.
http://michaelgreenwell.wordpress.com/2014/05/09/play-this-everywhere/
In the history of Celtic sammy Is a average player and certainly no great he was rewarded well for the job he done and moves on with my best wishes to what ever club he steps down to .We have let much better players go in the past . I liked sammy as a person but strigfle to see him as a GREAT ??
Struggle *
gold coast tom
23:46 on 12 May, 2014
Hope you enjoy your return to Scotland and attending Celtic Park ( and the hootenanny ) with your Bhoys.
HH
eddieinkirkmichael
Love and respect friend. It was heartbreaking to read.
BRTH.
I know what you mean. Tho yer old Mhan would have clipped yer lug for calling him a payment rather than a parent!!! ;-)
HH jamesgang
Where in Scotland is GCT moving to?
JJ
eddieinkirkmichael
23:53 on 12 May, 2014
A very moving post mate , thanks for sharing .
jungle jim
He’s moving back to Edinburgh mate .
Thezombieslayer
I would strigfle to disagree with you…….and I certainly very much enjoyed Sammi`s talent.
JJ
FGF
Thanks. I saw East mentioned and wondered if he was coming to Arbroath to see tha fleg flying behind my house!
JJ
jungle jim
Seen the picture mate , very good.
The simple truth is we need as many champions league quality players as we can muster which is why letting one go for nothing is not a clever move. Sami was inconsistent but so is everyone else in our squad. He had the ability to raise his game to a level few others could reach. The frustration of him not reaching this level week in week out was IMO an unrealistic expectation. Yes he had shockers but so does everyone, however not everyone had the ability to raise their game at the highest level.
I guess we’ll replace him with yet another project, senseless.
HH!
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………Praying for our WEE HERO!
That, that you linked is an excerpt from this and unfortunately if you watch this is painfully obvious that things are worse than powers will admit.
Welfare Reform Committee – Scottish Parliament: 4th March 2014