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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AN TEARMANN
Sadly,Murray has yet to be officially declared guilty of anything.
His day will come.
Thunder Road
Last seasons or this seasons???
Kojo
I am of the opinion that TR is too afraid of the physical game to succeed in Scotland. He is quite a big lad but doesn’t use his size efficiently and to his advantage.. Wonderful ball control though.
He started out as.. well a futsal player.. that says it all really..
THUNDER ROAD
Aye. They will.
The same one who bombed at the mighty Bristol City.
Btw,great to meet you in Saturday. Glad you managed to get yer bus but surprised you had any room for a fish supper,ya gannet!
an tearmann
16:11 on 12 May, 2014
Afternoon Champions.hope this note finds a smile on your faces.
I see The Champions goalkeeper is included in the England squad.a big well done to Fraser Foster for the hard work you put in and thanks for the kudos it brings Celtic.HH
On the peerage patter front.:-))
Is there a correlation between the title bestowed and how much you dip lizzys pocket for?
davie murray skanked the taxpayer for millions, purveyor of distressed ‘paper’ companies with a side habit of failing to meet pensions promised-gets a knighthood! !
Take that- millions made damaging our sense of hearing and they avoid tax-get mbe’s
Reward and patronage for failure abounds around us.
HH
An T
SirFraserFosterCsC:-))
………..
Sounds like that Jim Goodwin (?) guy from RBoS
Well done, big Fraser,
You’ve worked hard,improved and matured in your time with the Celts and the coaching staff must take a lot of credit as well.
Have a great world cup and – I never thought I’d ever say this – hope you play an absolute blinder for England when you play in Brazil.
Jist don’t win the damned thing…
;o)
Kojo
I see that one of your other transfer tips, Esmail Goncalves, was let go by Apoel Nicosia in January because he broke curfew and refused to reduce his cigarette and alcohol intake. He is now with Veria in Greece,. They are know as the Queen of The North.
Anyway, I know how much store you place on a clean living boy- so why the enthusiasm for Goncalves (to add to your criticisms of NFL over handling of another troubled player, Tony Watt)? Did you, or your cousins, not do their research on that one?
desertbhoy
16:09 on 12 May, 2014
TSOB…..
Whatever happened to Tina??
……………………..
Whose Tina ?????
AikiBhoy
at 16.17.
Yes.. Sireee.. Ye HIv goat that Correct..pal..
Tom Rogic,is a wee bit ….Too Canny( whit? Whit diz THAT MEAN?..ed)
Like alwiz…
Ah Dunno!…
but… collie, uses it.. so it must Mean Something.. tae a Scotsman.
Right?
Ah figger that there is Something That is Haudin.. Young Rogic Back..so..
Mebbe it is THAT!
Nice Chattin’ ,Pal..
Kojo’
Still, Laughin’
Samaras is the type of player that scores the goal that qualifies Celtic to the champions league. For that reason I would have offered him a one year contact with option of one more. His stock may rise in World Cup and we could have listened to offers at Xmas. Silly to let him go for free at this juncture.
I am looking forward to seeing Len Brennan’s list of transfer in/out links this close season.
Must be a couple of pages long already.
Kayal33
Yip.
See what i mean.
Neil must be way down the list being headhunted.
DESERTBHOY
Goodwin’s knighthood was cancelled two years ago.
Nice precedent.
Setting Free the Bears
Ah remember.. Email Goncalves.. Sure Ah dae..
Great Prospect.
Didnae Know whith Happened tae Him..
Thanks fur the Info..
Shame.. fur the Lad…
Well.. Like Ah alwiz Say,..
Ye canny beat Clean Living.. N.. Evidentaleee… he Didnae Listen.. tae
the Wisdon o’ .. Kojo.
So ..whit has Happened tae Him..
jist Proves Ma Point…
Ah loatta good Youngsters ruin thur Ain Chances by
Too Much Drinkin..n.. makin Poor Choices in Thur… Wenchin’…
Let whit Happened tae Esmail.. be a Lesson tae Any ither Youngsters of the Pitfalls o
Too Much Drinnkin.. Smokin… n.. Not tae Mention.. But. Ah wull!
Getting wan of They .
Godamn Awfull..
Tatoos ..
Kojo.
Still Laughin
stephenpollock
16:26 on 12 May, 2014
Fully agree with that but it makes me think there must be an unknown unknown that we don’t know about that caused this decision. If you know what I mean…….
Tosb@16.00
Wash your mouth out with soap tsk tsk
stephenpollock
16:26 on
12 May, 2014
Samaras is the type of player that scores the goal that qualifies Celtic to the champions league. For that reason I would have offered him a one year contact with option of one more. His stock may rise in World Cup and we could have listened to offers at Xmas. Silly to let him go for free at this juncture.
===================
He was a good player to have around as he offered something different and could carry the team up the pitch- a great outlet at times.
He could also frustrate the life out of us.
If Celtic are comfortable with the situation then the time to judge will be when the qualifiers are underway amd we see what we have.
I think a replacement will be signed before then, hopefully a Gallowgate bhoy called Snodgrass:)
HH
TOSB…..
Apologies…. noted some time back you were mentioning Phil Cole’s bus from C’bridge. She is Phil’s daughter. Must be 40 years since last saw her and just wondered……?
Salary for Snodgrass may be a bridge too far for us.
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers ………praying for our wee hero!
16:30 on 12 May, 2014
DESERTBHOY
Goodwin’s knighthood was cancelled two years ago.
Nice precedent.
……….
Yes, I like precedents.
BMCUW
It will do.history will take care of davie murray.patience my friend.the merde polishing only spreads the stain and no amount of revision/redaction/relegation or demotion will alter what follows on from the 9 minute meeting on 14th june 2012.
HH
SFTB- Ditto,it was only when i read the link and said he was with St Mirren.
SFTB-‘ Dilo did not even register with me.’
– are you the new Jim Farry?
More worryingly his height stat is classified, preumably by the DepHomSec/CIA/FBI/USAF.
An Tearmann
16:11 on
12 May, 2014
Afternoon Champions.hope this note finds a smile on your faces.
I see The Champions goalkeeper is included in the England squad.a big well done to Fraser Foster for the hard work you put in and thanks for the kudos it brings Celtic.HH
On the peerage patter front.:-))
Is there a correlation between the title bestowed and how much you dip lizzys pocket for?
davie murray skanked the taxpayer for millions, purveyor of distressed ‘paper’ companies with a side habit of failing to meet pensions promised-gets a knighthood! !
Take that- millions made damaging our sense of hearing and they avoid tax-get mbe’s
Reward and patronage for failure abounds around us.
HH
An T
SirFraserFosterCsC:-)
Why no Sir Walter yet?
SETTINGFREETHEBEARS
To be fair,KOJO’s signing suggestions haven’t been any worse than some from our scouts.
Difference is,the ones from the scouts have sometimes cost us a right few quid.
The only scout we had in recent memory who didnae seem to offer bad advice was Davie Hay.
I’d have him back in a heartbeat.
BMCUWP
It was my pleasure and thank you for organising it!
I didnt get a chippy.
I only had about a tenner left so it was a chippy or a few more beers.
As much as sipsini’s looked and smelt amazing the few more beers option still had more appeal.
Kind of regretted that decision on Sunday morning though!
After everything i said in charcoals i barely made the last bus!
Kojo
Do you never judge the effectiveness of your tipping (Goncalves, Lawrence, Mark Millar etc;) against the confidence with which you make the next pronouncement of a signing that you slate NFL for not making?
I would have thought a wee bit more appreciation of how hard it is to spot and develop talent might be in order.
BTW You did not answer the question of whether you and the cousins who inform you do the research on the issues you cite as important. Surely we should not be basing our signing policy on touting players who played one good game against us?
DONTBRATTBACKINANGER
Any time I saw Dilo in action he was like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
Coat on,leaving.
THUNDER ROAD
Haha,you chose wisely!
Many a good intention has come to naught on days like that.
It’s why I miss so many trains!!
Christopher Dilo-age 20 -played last 8 games for St Mirren-kept 3 clean sheets and is 74 and a bit inches tall[well [13/32 of an inch]
Could be another young diamond for Stevie woods to polish up -HH
* FF call up is a reflection of the excellent work done by Stevie Woods our Gk coach.*
BMCUW
Stop spoiling the fun :o)
Mr K is a dancer so deft on his feet – or so I hear.
HH
Ole Murray Skint is leaving a trail of destruction behind him.
Nae pals, a busted flush and things will get worse for him.
Karma CSC
BMCUWP
I had bought a packet of branston pickle topped pork pies from asda on friday so i scoffed them when i got home.
They were only £1 and i think it is THE best £1 that i ever spent!
I realise others have managed to buy football clubs for the same amount though.
Anyone bought something for just a quid and thought…..WOW?
desertbhoy @ 16:34
Yes, I like precedents.
—————-
Me too – my favourite was JFK !
Congratulation to big Fraser Gerard Forster
His achievement while playing outwith England should not be underestimated
Well done big man:)))
thunder road
16:49 on 12 May, 2014
BMCUWP
I had bought a packet of branston pickle topped pork pies from asda on friday so i scoffed them when i got home.
They were only £1 and i think it is THE best £1 that i ever spent!
I realise others have managed to buy football clubs for the same amount though.
Anyone bought something for just a quid and thought…..WOW?
Wee Craigy Bhoy ?
embramike remembering wee oscar
16:51 on 12 May, 2014
desertbhoy @ 16:34
Yes, I like precedents.
—————-
Me too – my favourite was JFK !
“………
Yes, he did set a precedent…. Wasn’t followed through by others though.
“Anyone bought something for just a quid and thought…..WOW?”
Not exactly TR, but I have on the odd occasion bought something out a pub toilet for a quid and made someone else go ‘wow’.