Heart of a Lion, the autobiography of Lisbon Lion, Willie Wallace, went to print this morning and will be out the day before the Cup Final. It is a joy.
Willie starts with a remarkable 17 days in April 1967 when the takes us through five games, Dukla Prague, home and away, in the semi-final of the European Cup, England v Scotland at Wembley, a tense league encounter with Aberdeen and the Scottish Cup final. Before you get into the substance which made the man, or his more famous achievements which were to follow the next month, you are immersed in sense of possibility, of sheer wonder, and of incredibly hard games of football, that encapsulated these times.
His story is genuinely unique, being the only Lisbon Lion Jock Stein went out of his way to buy, for good reason. His pace was unparalleled in the game. His scoring rate at Hearts was excellent but at Celtic he outperformed his peers – and that was an incredible team of peers.
We learn a valuable insight into how a team who had won nothing in seven years before Jock Stein’s arrival were transformed and swept all before them. Willie gets right into the detail of tactics and preparation.
The Great Event is there in all its intricate detail. Neil Lennon should make every player in the squad read it before Champions League duty commences next season. It would inspire the most desolate soul.
Willie asked CQN to publish the book, which we did. There are contributions from our own Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan, who believe me, does not disappoint. Close friend of Jock Stein, and the most influential broadcaster in Scottish football history, Archie MacPherson, wrote a chapter giving historical context to this extraordinary career. Archie’s range and insight is priceless.
We tentatively asked our very own A-lister, Rod Stewart, if he would write the foreward. Willie has been away from Scotland for a long time, a lot of football has been played since, and Rod’s been busy in the intervening years, but he was delighted to be asked. Rod explains his father’s Hibernian roots and through his “star-struck eyes” tells us Willie “might as well have had a four-leaf clover as a heart”.
Rod finished by saying “Bless you, Mr Wallace”, which I’ll echo. I can’t tell you the sheer joy it’s been in participating in this project. My enormous thanks, Willie.
You can order online NOW by clicking below. Willie is coming over this month and we’re getting a pile of books signed by him, so fill your boots.
964 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- ...
- 26
- »
Lennon has done a great job with Celtic. I’d hate to see him leave but such is the price of success.
I’m a wee bit disappointed with his statement. It could have been stronger in outlining his desire to remain at Celtic. Referring to Everton has a huge Club with huge fans just doesn’t sit well when you’re the manager of a real huge Club with real huge fans.
Off to get ready and hope I have this right. Bowler hat and brown brogues, yes?
auldheid
I agree with regards to needing an aggressive winner but listening to Neil today he sounds like a man with one eye elsewhere. Perhaps this is him trying to negotiate a better contract and transfer budget, prior to his meeting with DD.
My own view is he’d be silly to not take the job if Everton were to come calling. From our perspective. While I also agree in that it would be better for us to wait until we see which direction our game is heading (if Neil wants to go) we may not have the choice to do so. For me Neil has done a remarkable job and who knows what kind of team he could put together with a decent budget. However, I would really like to see Celtic bring in some top coaching talent at all levels. Using Barcelona as an example but not necessarily using their methods. I think we have a unique opportunity while Sevco languish to create an untouchable brand of football. I’m torn as I have much respect for Neil, Though I’m not sure if he is the right man to implement such a set a set-up.
Regards to their demise leading to our decline, I’ve always thought this could be a possibility. Therefore standing still/stagnating may not be the best way to keep our fans interested. I think Celtic and Neil have much to think about in the coming weeks. I just hope for everyone’s sake, whatever may happen we start to see positive changes out on the park..
On May 10, 1941, Rudolf Hess parachutes into Scotland to try to negotiate a peace deal between the United Kingdom & Nazi Germany and goes on to Father Alex Salmond…
asonofdan
Never a truer word spoken. Salmond is power crazy.
Weefra HH
If the Everton opening carries on for a couple of weeks then I would fear that Neil would be leaving .
The others in the frame are available in the next week or so.
Martinez has A Cup Final and at least one more game in a relegation battle.
Malky Mackay could be decided quickly.
As could most others. Do not rule out MON 25/1.
If it is Lenny he will not want any publicity till after the Cup Final.
I do not think he will go but will become more fearful as every day passes up till the Cup Final.
Evening all.
Paul, good luck with your venture into book publishing. Would reserve a copy but don’t get paid until next week.
Reading Stevie’s book last year, having a tiny involvement in the forthcoming biography of Sean Fallon and just reading the comments about Bobby Murdoch and Charlie Gallagher on this blog the other day/night has really brought back to me how much I loved that team I first
saw and which was – until the League Cup victory over Hibs in 1974- the most entertaining team ( including Brazil 70) I have ever seen. I think as somebody brought up in that era I was both spoiled and privileged and although we have had some very good teams and some (Big Billy’s team of the early 80s) that were smashing to watch and some players from Tommy Burns, Charlie Nicholas and Paul McStay to Henrik, Lubo,Naka and Aiden McGeady who were proper Celtic players in the grand tradition but now things are though more prosaic and at times it can seem that only the fans and individual players (Sammi, Hooper and Adam Matthews) on individual days who are in the true tradition that intoxicated me as a child and adolescent.
Anyway as usual rabbited onto no great effect. Good luck with the book Paul!
Jimbo
hen1rik
16:47 on 10 May, 2013
From Sevco mouthpiece @stvgrant
@bh62bh @c_p83 Fully expect the SFA, in line with national club licensing rules, to waive requirement for audited accounts this year.
———————————————-
just catching up reading
quite sure the aim stock market has accounts rules?
that was how minty managed to hide all the oldco club debt
where as craigy boy just put all the debt letters in a locked drawer
were no one else could see them(allegedlly)
jam67
should NFL decide to leave us, a definite poss would be ole gunner solskyjaer.
any thoughts
HH
Best wishes to all going to Blantyre tonight– I hope you all have a good night.
Alas I had lunch with Winning Captain and thereafter have retired to a hostelry— no driving for me (hic)
Gregory Ioannidis @LawTop20 12m
I hear some Rangers fans are rather annoyed with the governance of their club. And they are taking advice…
Bit disappointed Neil did not quash speculation today. If he gets an offer I think he will take it.
Everton is a poor job, however. No money, squad likely to be cherry picked by Moyes, and no real history of winning anything or playing in Europe.
The smart lads over on the excellent TSFM blog have unearthed another possible move in the Sevco Switcheroo Scam.
They have discovered another company formed late last year, in the image and likeness of Sevco5088.
Directors named are Mc.Clelland, P.Murray and M.Bain.
Worth a visit and read back over the last hour..ish
Return of the Blue Knights.
I can’t believe it’s not Sevco 5089
st.j d
I can guarantee, as of last night owen coyle has definitely not been approached officially or un-officially by anyone or on behalf of anyone at C.P.
Everton are a club who are only going one way. They have over achieved due to the ability of Davie Moyes.
They are in a stadium they cannot develop even if they had the money. No chance of a joint stadium with Liverpool.
Little “relative” money to invest and at least three top players leaving in the summer.
No chance of European football in the long term.
Lennie should look at MON and see how his career has progressed since leaving Celtic.
Brogan Rogan on great form today – what a job he has done on his section of Willie Wallace -Heart of a Lion.
All copies sold on CQN this weekend will be signed by Willie Wallace. The book is a brilliant read and hopefully the first of many by CQN.
No MSM journos were involved in the production of the book!
Thomthetim,
Interesting. I was astonished to hear Bains name mentioned in connection with Sevco recently.
With the exception of Charles Green and Gordon Smith, it’s difficult to imagine a worse CEO.
canny get to the Q&A , got grandson in tow, appreciate all Qs and As posted here by one of you kind sirs…
thomthethim
TTT I’ve asked this question before but aren’t all those former bams banned as directors of any new zombie incarnation for a certain period of time?
The EPL is a cartel. There is no chance of the top four being broken by a club of modest means. Simply won’t happen. This is the fact Sky TV doesn’t mention…
SAF could not have got Everton into top four, far less challenge for the title.
Neil needs to be very cautious here. He is a young manager in a job which offers him silverware and European experience. He is in the unique position if being able to make mistakes and still be successful.
Celtic offers him much more over the next few years than a mid to bottom club like Everton.
There is however the personal safety aspect, which must be a factor sadly.
winning captains
book ordered for ma wee da’s birthday,, then I will get a looksee after him… HH
googybhoy liked mon great man management skills learnt from Clough but wage structure was abominable out of control & was unmanageable long term!
Never mind all that Lenny to Everton nonsense. More importantly, Jack Bauer is on his way back to a tv screen shortly. #24
Had discussion with City fan today. He reckons NFL could do a good job at Everton.
EPL club knocking on the door of the top four. Big club in the EPL doubt he would get any better.
“If Mancini left would you want him at City? ”
” Not sure about that. We would want a top manager like Mourinho. Someone who can manage a big club like City”
“Not a man like Neil who has taken one of the biggest clubs in Europe into the last 16 of CL”
” did Mancini do that? Have you ever won the European Cup? Do you have a 60,000 seater stadium?”
Get back in yer wee box.
In the Columba club not started yet it will be 7.45 kick off, but filling up nicely. Good atmosphere .
dixiebhoy
17:54 on
10 May, 2013
would lennon be a big miss ? i feel we should have won more during his time
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
He also has a first name – it’s Neil.
Yes we, arguably, could have won more – but in 2 and a bit seasons as our manager we have won 2 league titles and a Scottish Cup, with another SC to add to the haul hopefully.
Maybe you think we should also have won the Europa League and the Champions League?
Oh – and the Scottish diddy cup as well probably.
KTF!!!
HH!!
Masty is Neil Lennon
Thanks – it will be worth the wait!
They say Alex Ferguson was the most succesful manager, well that aint true. Sally McCoist won 55 titles in one season!
winning captains
19:06 on 10 May, 2013
No MSM journos were involved in the production of the book!
………………
Hope that always remains the case.
TMWTL
Great news. When is the programme coming back. And I guess there will be another Homeland.
At the columba club in Blantyre.
Oi wheres the burds.
:)
HH
Mike
celticbhoy
can you keep us up to date please?
italiabhoy
19:11 on 10 May, 2013
I agree. He should stay and build up his European status.
We need to build on our CL reputation.
We are so insular in this country.
If he eventually leaves then go to Spain or Italy.
Another few years at CP.
After all he is a young manager.
Although not a rookie like the fresh faced Aunt Sally.
Where is he in the betting???
Updates from the Columba Club will appear at 7.45.
Can someone update the site.
Joking
masty is neil lennon
19:22 on 10 May, 2013
celticbhoy
can you keep us up to date please?
—————–+
Will do my best..try and put up key points.
Italiabhoy / starry plough,
You must remember that they are real rangers men,to whom normal rules do not apply.
Nothing that they do is straight forward.
The underlying aspect of the whole scam is that, every controlling influence, from hmrc, the politicos,the courts and sfa/spl have all stated that they want a team called rangers, playing in blue at ibrox.
Where is the Sword of Truth and Justice going to come from?
A wee thought, should N L move on.
There is no doubt that his persecution, although they won’t call it that, will be mentioned as a factor, if he goes.
It will be seen as a victory by our enemies, who will have no compunction to treat the next manager in a not dissimilar manner.
Celtic will become an unmanageable club to many suitable candidates.
I do not blame OC for considering his families concerns when deciding to accept the job or not previously.
Operation Save the Hun was in full swing at that time and it is to his eternal credit that NL took it on, in the knowledge of how he had been and continued to be trested.
Not many managers of the required football calibre would take it on.
Found this on KDS
Mc stay the great one of the few guys on here wi a COUNTY CUP MEDAL :champions: :champions: ( wi the great st blanes team wi the FALLON brothers in the squad), played wi Hamilton district select,played wi LANARKSHIRE SELECT @ roseberry park against glasgow schools ((anybody remember that park and where it was ) western district champion , scottish champion ( meadowbank stadium)