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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Off out but my Daughter drew my attention to this yesterday.
it’s just under 13mins long but worth a wee look
“No smile no entry”
kitalba
00:09 on 13 May, 2014
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.
EddieinKirkmichael
Great to meet you on Saturday. Wonderful, honest post last night.
Family is all!
Instead of puttin’ ourselves through the Camino Dolorosa of the ole fenetre d’ete, we should get it all over with in one day, like the NFL draft.
The Paclers took Ha Ha Clinton- Dix in the first round. The laddie must have the greatest name in sport.
You need Adobe Flash Player to watch this video.
Download it from Adobe.
.
Dohhhhhhhhhhhhh
.
Denis Curran on Food Banks “People are getting penalised for being
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-ZMwp1elXw#t=120
BRTH – Sammi & Barca.
Posted my thoughts about missing Sammi on Saturday – agree about him being heavily marked in the CL and in theory this should have meant space for others.
Myself, TET and ACGR were fortunate(?) enough to have Barca Club cards for the 6-1 game – we were 12 or so rows from the pitch on the halfway line.
The Ghuys will confirm that on several occasions in that game – Barca players formed a diamond (4 players) around Sammi when he got the ball in space with one player going at him and the others backing the Barca player up. They were well coached on Sammi’s potential danger.
We spoke with a number of Barca supporters (including during the game) – the only Celtic players they named were: Sammi and the Wall.
Me, TET, ACGR could probably have rhymed off the entire Barca team and a few on the bench for good measure!
GCT
Hope all goes well for you in the future Tom. Look forward to meeting you. Good luck.
BRTH
Absolutely
αντίο
Georgios
I agree with BRTH’s assessment of Big Sammi. Fell sorry for those Tims who are happy to see the back of him. They fail to grasp the romance of Celtic.
DBBIA
Me being a cheesehead .. I can tell you that ha ha Clinton Dix might have the best name in the NFL but he won’t replace the chant ” ha ha Chicago Bears “
bournesouprecipe
10:52 on 13 May, 2014
Ole Sammi must be the only Celtic player to have earned both meanings of unplayable.
————————————————————————
I never thought of Sammy in terms of unplayable/playable – more inflammible/flammable as he burned up the yards. :-)
TBJ the overall #1 pick was of course Jadeveon Clowney.
In the Sevco draft every player is called ‘Kyle’
leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon
just watched Denis Curran and will work with more purpose today towards
helping.
For all those slagging off Edinburgh I’d just like to say that, as one who migrated there from the West of Scotland, Edinburgh is a very fine place. In my experience the population here do not stand up to the stereotypical characterisation some have given of being twee and parsimonious. You should all hang your heads in shame at the improper use of certain stereotypes.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to wash my pini and attend to the washing – it’s a fine drying day for the teabags…
embramike remembering wee Oscar
We better secure a bigger table in the Roseburn Bar.
LB
Modern Britain – is this what we’ve come to?
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-27375752
Livibhoy @ 1126
Not yet. I hear that part of Gct’s early release is that he avoids licenced premises. ;)
NatKnow
Some fans even believe he won the ole EuroVision, and still nada contract.
If Lennie leaves and I think it is a big If it is not the end of the World there are a few good managers out there who could replace him David Moyes,Malky Mackie,Stevie Clarke to name a few. It might freshen things up as well Payers come players go managers come and managers go the one thing that is constant is the support.So it is going to be an interesting close season.We the fans are desperate to get into the group stages of the CL however,the board have shown that by leasing out Parkhead for the Commonwealth games and agreeing to play CL qualifyers at Murrayfield that it is not there top priority. H.H.
Darn the Hair
© Glen Daly ♬♬♬♬♬♬♬♬
BSR- did you read about the ole Eurovision vote riggin’ scandal?
It seems most folk preferred the bonny wee Polish milk maids,but the votes ended up with the Austrian Sami tribute act.
Gggrrr.
bournesouprecipe
11:33 on 13 May, 2014
NatKnow
Some fans even believe he won the ole EuroVision, and still nada contract.
——————————————————————————
Ah ken. Mostly those who take a tranny to the game. They have a valid point…
DBBIA
Wee Milkmaids
Dbia,
Was there not two parts to the voting? A panel and a phone vote? The former going for Sammy and the latter going for the wee maids.
I only caught one act. The polish entry.
It made me wish I was six weeks old again…..no idea why. :)
NatKnow
The Battered Bunnet took three trannies to the ole Aberdeen 5-2 slaughter.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
11:39 on 13 May, 2014
BSR- did you read about the ole Eurovision vote riggin’ scandal?
It seems most folk preferred the bonny wee Polish milk maids,but the votes ended up with the Austrian Sami tribute act.
Gggrrr.
————————————————————————–
I’m just surprised no-one (including our own ernie lynch) was offended by the Sammy tribut act’s name – Conchita Wust. There must be a zombie out there with Vincent Lunny’s number of speed-dial who could report this kind of bad language…?
Just seen Lenny on SSN there at the LMA awards last night.
Saying how it’s his ambition to manage in EPL.
Really beginning to think he won’t be our manager next season.
bournesouprecipe
she’s got a villa in PORTA POLLENSA.
tried to find a mates “Brick in the wall” on sunday (he did tell me where it was,but
after saturday i found it hard to remember my name.)
it was the Bertie Auld 1 wall 6 stewards i asked had no idea and i was sent from one end to the next finally phoned the mate and found it.
point being how hard is it to produce a card with the info on so stewards can
help lost souls like me… or maybe a board somewhere with stadium wall plan
HH
It made me wish I was six weeks old again…..no idea why. :)
bournesouprecipe
11:45 on 13 May, 2014
NatKnow
The Battered Bunnet took three trannies to the ole Aberdeen 5-2 slaughter.
—————————————————–
The ole belt, braces and suspenders approach is a wise move. You can never be too careful. Sounds like TBB carried out a full (and frank) Risk Assessment and selected an appropriate strategy. :-)
Bognorbhoy
A pleasure meeting you on Saturday.
Hope you made your Partick dinner date.
By the way… Dennis Curren …well said that man
just had the local news letter through the door….
FOODBANK GETS BIGGER
Bognor foodbank has moved to bigger premises
and will stay open longer..
HH
FAVOURITE UNCLE
*Suspect my lariat being pulled*
GlasgowFairMallorcans CSC
Delaneys Dunky
11:55 on
13 May, 2014
Bognorbhoy
A pleasure meeting you on Saturday.
Hope you made your Partick dinner date.
I did make it but was a wee bit late …ear bent …duly chastised…
sisters ehh
eddieinkirkmichael
Just read your post. Powerful.
God Bless you and yours…….
Delaneys Dunky
good to meet your good self also and everyone else…
Nowadays 4-5 years managing one club is a lifetime. Down south they’re lucky if they get 4-5 months. NL has now managed us for 4 years. I don’t think he’ll leave this summer but expect that he will next summer.
The appointment of the new assistant manager may give us a clue to who the next man will be.
If you want a laugh read this.
Their desperation is hilarious.
http://footballtaxhavens.wordpress.com/2014/05/13/celtic-park-built-on-made-ground-comprising-ash-rubble-sand-slag-gravel-even-timber-ranging-from-27ft-16ft-thick-in-places/
Be scared Timmy >}
HH