It pains me to say it, but Newco’s run in Europe this season has been exceptional. We can make whatever excuses we like about the merits of Braga and Red Star, but this didn’t matter to us in 2003 when we eliminated Boavista, then 10th in the Portuguese league, and it should not matter now.
For much of the game last night, Leipzig looked ordinary; unable to get into the Newco box, never mind create a chance. The goal came from a low percentage shot by a left back who moments before mis-controlled the ball to let it run out of play.
Leipzig, though, are anything but ordinary. Defeat to two late goals by Union Berlin on Saturday was their only reversal in 17 outings, a run that includes wins away over Atalanta, Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and Real Sociedad. They remain favourites to progress to the final, but the game did not go to plan for the Germans and their place in the final is not assured.
Four years ago today we beat Newco 5-0 to win the league on our way to being the first Scottish team to retain the treble. That day, that season, was enormous fun, but it was one in a long line of seasons when Celtic were not pushed. Strategically, that treble did less for us than I hope the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat two weeks ago will do. You and I now know we need to improve for next season.
To win this league we will need to better a team who reached a European semi-final. If we do, it would be a remarkable achievement for a new manager and overwhelmingly new playing squad. For the remainder of this season and almost certainly next season, we face-off against a very competitive outfit for a Champions League bounty that would be transformational to whoever wins.
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Boring subdued bassas :-)
Push and Pull – Rufus Thomas
https://youtu.be/2g79WLeSBUI
Friday Night, Saturday Morning – The Specials
https://youtu.be/QHKsa3DuQWU
As a cancer patient, I would not wish it on any human being, but:
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Remember, it is barely a year since Goram, when opening a pub, spoke of an altercation with Pierre van Hooijdonk in an Old Firm match in 1996. He told a cheering group of Rangers fans that when he saved the Dutchman’s penalty in that game he went up to him and called him – and he was paraphrasing here – “a non-white, unclean, non-Protestant with no father”. And Goram is going to be lauded at a benefit dinner?
What about Billy Wright, then? We all remember Goram and Wright, aka King Rat, aka leader of the extremist Loyalist Volunteer Force until the Irish National Liberation Army murdered him in the Maze prison in 1997. Goram and Wright met on a flight to Belfast. Goram claimed he hadn’t a clue who he was until somebody told him. Police pulled Goram in for questioning about his contact with Wright.
As he says in his book: “Rumours and innuendo started to paint a picture of me: Andy Goram, hard-drinking, hell-raising bigot, friend of the UVF. I’d unwittingly add to that perception by wearing a black armband in a match against Celtic soon after Billy Wright was shot three times and killed by an Irish National Liberation Army assassination squad inside the Maze prison.”
Ah yes, the armband. Worn at an Old Firm match five days after Wright was killed. Goram claimed he was wearing it for his aunt Lilly, who died four months earlier. Goram says he loved Lilly dearly, which begs the question: Why did he wait four months to pay tribute to her?
His explanation for his association with terrorists in the past are weak. The armband defence remains risible. The account of his meetings with Wright and Big Sam should trouble those who are about to pay tribute to Goram at the benefit night. The abuse of Van Hooijdonk, I’m guessing, doesn’t get a mention anywhere in the book.
His supporters will say that they are going to celebrate the goalkeeper, but in this case you cannot separate the goalie from the man. And the man has left many, many unanswered questions about aspects of his life.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
So please don’t try and draw the Celtic support (60% of whom you believe are riven by blind sectarian hate) into a debate about AG. You know what you are doing. Celtic supporters are socially and politically astute. We will not take your bait. Indeed, I wish (as will the vast majority of Celtic supporters) AG success in his journey, but we know what he said and did.
HH,
Glasgow Hibernians (ditch the Irish connection) CSC
SIONNAIGH on 29TH APRIL 2022 11:19 PM
An Tearmann, it’s a well know secret that refs predisposed to a der hun predilection make known in advance their strategy to those that might carry favour.
Every rule can be circumvented for those in the know.
Yeh wee John Beaton just left Crown hovel in Bellshill at 11.33° 🤣🤣
We play we win my friend,👍
HH
An Tearmann mo chara, I don’t just want the win, I want revenge for the 5 -0 settlers :-)
Celtic plus 5.5 goals, Ave Ave.
It Had To Be Celtic – Wully Malloy Experience
https://youtu.be/DAhpmixGPVw
Remember there’s 2 Andy Gorams….?
“Smuggling the Tin” – Mary Wallopers
https://youtu.be/rycBb8VDx9U
Building Up and Tearing England Down – Mary Wallopers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB7YrggKNA4
Something Stupid (From “Better Call Saul”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8dKVbP1Nzo&ab_channel=LolaMarsh-Topic
Good morning all from Govanhill. Another day fun and larks await me.
Of ffs. Dozy old git.
Slip of the tongue there from radio news reader.
‘Boris Johnson receives 2 1/2 year jail sentence .’
If only.
Good morning all from another beautiful morning in the Garngad
1 more sleep to a beautiful Sunday Hun skelping
Big Jimmy/BRRB how did you get on at the shipbank swaree, hope all had a good time and behaved especially that Leggy.
D :)
I thought Tam was a shoe in for the put down of the season after telling Sky sports we’d been top for the last decade and could handle the pressure but Ange has pipped him to the award with offering to show the media our European cup. A brutal but very honest response to a loaded question.
DAVID66 on 30TH APRIL 2022 9:01 AM
……………..
LEGGY was LEGLESS !
LOL.
Only joking.
………..
BRRB…
I hope that you and the Bhoys got home safe and sound.
Did you remember to POST my letter ?
HH Bhoys
JHB on 29TH APRIL 2022 4:21 PM
Sunday IS the most important game in the season to date. What happens afterwards is for discussion Monday. Let’s hope it’s lighthearted & happy..
—————-
Showing your true colours there mate. 🤷♂️🍀
DAVID66…
Many Beers were sunk.
Thats all I can tell you except to say that YOU were missed.
HH Mate
Morning, does anyone know if the Irish centre in Newcastle will be showing the game tomorrow and do you have to be a member to get in ? Thanks HH
BBhoy
Still no ernie?
A couple of wee fears for tomorrow , ralston v Kent I am not confident tony will contain that wee corner boy , tony is lacking in pace Kent is not , hopefully a dull one from tony early doors will even it up . Midfield is a concern we will undoubtedly face the same approach from the old firm as it was such a success semi final day , and like madden Beaton will have been programmed to turn a blind eye . Last night I attended a sportsman’s dinner , only went as my good friend had set it up big mistake . Guest speaker was the infamous bobby tait . If anyone was in any doubt what goes on with these rangers supporting refs pay taits performance a visit . A scumbag of a man . Usual anti Celtic stuff how he treated us in the games he refereed us . And just as bad every second word that came out his mouth was either , c###s , f#####g , b######s , a pure I’ll bred character . I had heard about him ,it was all true . HH
No fears about Big Tony from me.Whoever is up against him better come prepared.
“Its Tweason,Tweason,I tells ye.
Just when I thought I couldn’t love Ange anymore he does a presser like yesterdays.
His European Cup answer was good enough but his final answer of gratitude sounded sincere and heartfelt.
I can’t wait for tomorrow and then the clincher hopefully next Saturday.
7-0 would be lovely tomorrow to atone for Brendan’s sins (he really didn’t know the significance of 7). Ange will know the history …. He won’t let up.
Celtoc POTY tomorrow night will be some party at the Hilton.
BBhoy
Ref Newcastle Irish Centre
I know a bus is leaving there at 7.30am for the game but I assume they are showing it. Can’t see why not.
Jimtim,
“Your friend set up a night at which Bobby Tait was speaking” By mistake?Really?
Your friend would not be an OF fan by any chance .Obviously a Hun event.
As Jim Royal used to say,”Gerra grip Lad”
Reminder that Superbru predictions are due in by 3 pm today- only 4 weeks left to win a prize.
Celtic
20/23
Draw
14/5
thems
17/5
BBhoy- i was down a couple of years ago, Celtic game was on,put a few quid in the tin at the door
Thanks BB & Burnley78 , will give it a try
HH
Blakey, heard that too re Boris jail sentence. Momentarily heart warming.
HOT SMOKED on 30TH APRIL 2022 10:00 AM
Still no ernie?
Appears to have a bottom lip since one of his politics posts got removed the other mornin.not seen since.
You should ask Paul when his anonymous one is coming back?maybe he will know,maybe he might know him!!
HH
Tomorrow’s game, yet again, is the most important game of the season. Lets all hope it’s the last most important game of the season.
Until next season.
And without being presumptuous if it goes the way we hope, what’s the chances we’ll see Barkas get a couple of games in before the end of the season?
I got bail, OK?
TURKEYBHOY on 30TH APRIL 2022 11:08 AM
No my friend is a season ticket holder beside my brothers and myself , has been for many many years . He is part of a committee who do great charitable work in the community and last nights event was a fundraiser . Unfortunately in deepest darkest ayrshire we are in the minority , had the guest been Neil Lennon say it would have been a flop , just something we have to put up with . He was appreciated by the majority of paying guests unfortunately .
Turkeybhoy.
By the way I sincerely hope you are right regards tony . And hope I am right by hoping he clatters Kent early doors
Grauniad — still allowing EM to talk tripe.
There coverage of Scotland at any level is a disgrace to an allegedly progressive newspaper.
SIPSINI on 30TH APRIL 2022 9:32 AM
JHB on 29TH APRIL 2022 4:21 PM
Sunday IS the most important game in the season to date. What happens afterwards is for discussion Monday. Let’s hope it’s lighthearted & happy. –
Showing your true colours there mate.
=======================
SIPSINI
Yeh Sips,team racist galloway are on spitting their unionist rage and promoting its symbols at every turn including inferring continuity to the sectarian ubend.
A liar
Promoting lies
Obfuscation on behalf of liars
A liar on promoting a racist and genocidal union..
Total silence from this so called left on Boris
Yeh the bannonite,Thatcher cancered individual left
Racism comes easy to the troll
Ask a romanian,they are all ceaucescus
Covid is a political weapon to its trolling as it showed at the time.world class death numbers
HH