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
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 27
- »
Geordie Munro
14:02 on
12 May, 2014
Damn you macjay.
———————————————————————————————————————–
Yer no the first and ye`ll no be the last.
V.happy for the big man
Chuffed for Fraser. Well deserved
Geordie
Hart drops a clanger vs Italy and who knows…
HH
macjay- he sure is.
Did I tell you the youngest is off to work in Oz for a year starting in September?
She’s got fixed up in Hervey Bay [ tough break, but someone has to do it…]
I’ll be going over to see her and [fingers crossed] hoping to meet up with young Kitalba.
GEAROID 1998
Sorry,mate. I couldnae even focus yesterday.
I talk bollix at the best of times but I would have surpassed myself had I attempted to reply.
hendrix67
14:08 on
12 May, 2014
traditionalist88
I don’t think Fraser will need much rest after the World Cup, I doubt he’ll get a game unless Hart gets injured.
—————————————————
He still needs to train..
Fantastic news for Fraser Forster, I’m delighted for him. He thoroughly deserves it.
DBBIA
If you need a bit of R `n R` after Kit,give us a shout.
So how many Celtic players (players registered with Celtic) are going to the world cup?
Izaguirre
Forster
Ambrose
Samaras
Rogic (tbc)
VVD (unlikely)
Any others?
Our first CL qualifier ~16th July I believe,
HH
The Comfortable Collective
14:13 on 12 May, 2014
Jackson Irvine?
STEINREIGNEDSUPREME. 1401
True. I was gonna chat up one in particular,but I tripped over my tongue…
ernie lynch 14:07 on 12 May, 2014
“Guidi, and all the other expert pundits, GIRFUY.”
Ernie Lynch turns into Tony Dolally right before our very eyes
macjay -deffers, are you in Sydney?
traditionalist88
14:05 on 12 May, 2014
‘even though he may require a rest period that covers a CL qualifier.’
###
He can have a rest on the plane.
Besides, they’ll be home before the postcards.
Trad88
You’re right…who knows.
But even if ff plays in every game I don’t think he’ll be exhausted or unfit.
That said, if he’s given an extended break, lz and our best outfield 10 should be enough to see us past our first qualifying round or we shouldn’t be there.
ernie lynch
14:14 on
12 May, 2014
traditionalist88
14:05 on 12 May, 2014
‘even though he may require a rest period that covers a CL qualifier.’
###
He can have a rest on the plane.
Besides, they’ll be home before the postcards.
============================
I have no problem with that:)
HH
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………Praying for our WEE HERO! 14:14 on 12 May, 2014
“True. I was gonna chat up one in particular,but I tripped over my tongue…”
I think you’ll find it was my tongue you tripped over…
Praying for Malmö cos it’s just down the road from me.. and that would make it a hat-trick of Celtic games in Sweden for me. :)
Joe Filippis Haircut
14:07 on 12 May, 2014
Sammi might have wanted to stay, but only for what he reckons he’s worth. That is fair.
Neil might have wanted Sammi to stay, but not at any cost. That is fair.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
14:14 on
12 May, 2014
Yep.
Kit has my details.
GEAROID 1998
I missed the hootenanny on Saturday as I was travelling back from Spain…I made the game and the celebrations….didn’t read the blog yesterday and spoke to a few cqners in the lounge…most who were out on the Saturday couldnae see straight never mind talk….so that may have been the reason.
Also posted a number of times and had no response….disnae bother me as I am ignored in ma ain hoose as well…..
Kikinthenakas
Oo-ah-Samara, will go with most peoples best wishes, because fundamentally he is one of the good guys.
On the park, the turning point for Sammy was after 3.5 years when lennon started to understand his true effectiveness as a wide left forward…
Not as a Striker / goalscorer, where the burden of scoring goals regularly was always too much of a burden for Sammy.
But ultimately he was the ideal man for the Champs league set-up, where Celtic played Hooper up top on his own, Brown, Ledley, and Wanyama patrolled the midfield, and Forrest wide right, Big Sammy wide left.
The system fitted the player, and the player fitted the system. The rest is history
Well done FF
Not an overly inspiring squad for the country which hosts the best league in the world ….
I dont think we need to concern ourselves wither big Fraser needs a rest after the World cup he will be an EPL player by then just ask big Peter. H.H.
Fantastic news about Big Fra going to the world cup.
I wonder if he’s the first ever player from a pub league to represent his country … ?
FF
Macjay, no worries.
You’re just 5 minutes down the road ;/)
Tom Molach
It will help the yes or no vote. What do you mean if England win the world cup? We are certainties.
Tom Molach. My understanding of what Sammi is saying he was never offered a contact what so ever. H.H.
Well done to big Fraser.
Have to say, overall I’m fairly underwhelmed by that England squad in comparison with what they have had at previous tournaments. They’ll probably go on and win the bleedin’ thing now…
gearoid1998 @ 13:57
I personally have not been on CQN since pre-hootenanny. However everyone will get another chance to meet up with each other again soon. Billy No’Well wants to get CQN’ers together then speak to them on one-to-ones which he will record then edit into a radio show. People can talk to Billy No’Well about whatever they like. A charity you’re involved in; a funny story; whatever you like. I’ll post more on here at a later date.
Also:
A CQNer will soon be invited onto Billy No’Well’s Desert Island Tims as a guest.
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ @ 12:24
Hotdog?
Hodgson kicks off the press conference ‘hopefully picked a squad that will not let the country down’
Aim high ! I have no idea who they will are playing however tackling a job with that attitude I put them down to go out at the first hurdle.
Well done the Gran Muralla on his England call up!
Gau yer’sel big fella.!
Enjoy the world cup experience.
traditionalist88
14:05 on 12 May, 2014
‘even though he may require a rest period that covers a CL qualifier.’
He’s 3rd choice so its highly unlikely he’ll play. A month’s holiday in Brazil should have him refreshed ready for CL qualifiers
Geordie Munro
14:15 on
12 May, 2014
Trad88
You’re right…who knows.
But even if ff plays in every game I don’t think he’ll be exhausted or unfit.
That said, if he’s given an extended break, lz and our best outfield 10 should be enough to see us past our first qualifying round or we shouldn’t be there.
==========================
Yes, you’d hope we’d have enough to see us through, though there were a few nervy moments last season in the early rounds!
Still, not a bad ‘problem’ to have when your keeper is called up for the World Cup. Hope he gets to play too.
HH
Gaun even………….
whitedoghunch
14:24 on 12 May, 2014
Hodgson’s no fool.
I suspect he knows what he’s doing.