Heart of a Lion, Willie Wallace autobiography

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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.


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  1. FourGreenFields

     

     

    My old fella didn’t buy many records but he had all of the Clancy’s,

     

    took me to see Tommy Makem one time.

  2. FFM / FGF

     

     

    A few good few years back i was in the company of Lukes sister (Betty) on a few occasions

     

     

    also some chanter.

     

     

    sadly missed

     

     

    Hail Hail

  3. What’s the “Internationale” you ask?

     

     

    Well, I’m now on the Special Branch list for mentioning it to you…As you read this I might well be in a jail cell under charges of whatever they might find most effective.

     

     

    The song you’re listening to, is popular throughout Europe, and it take’s pride in every language attached to it. It’s about true humanity. And equality

     

     

    But for some reason, it has become demonised by the British MSM. The Aggressors. The dirty spy game players. The usurpers. The Users.

     

     

    FECK EM !!!!!!

     

     

    Spanish version is best…but, notice how hard it is to get a version in English, the big Democracy, the big fighter of “freedom” in the world…

     

     

    The “Internationale” is all over Europe.

     

     

    It’s what the SNP built their recent campaign on.

     

     

    Yet, no songs there?

     

     

    Just a consolidated rozzer force and a buddy up to the bankin pals from Alex.

  4. FourGreenFields

     

    00:44 on

     

    11 May, 2013

     

    http://youtu.be/61sMrJOI9_4

     

     

    Join in if you feel the urge .

     

    HH

     

     

    Quick hello/goodbye

     

     

    Love that song mate, so many memories thanks for that

     

     

    Up early work tomorrow

     

     

    Great night lots of fine CQN men

  5. butsybhoy @ 00:52

     

     

    Apols, I’m a bit steamin, and trying to keep up :((

     

     

    But dying to hear more from ye!

     

     

    What songs did Betty sing? My God! The voices of angels !!

  6. A big thanjs to all who came along to the KSC tonight.

     

     

    This staying sober isnae for me…

     

    For the bhoys who left early big Pat Rolink out on a good set. Hope to have a wee comedy night soon…

     

    To those new friends I met tonight and to all my old friends again I thank you.

  7. A very interesting, entertaining and enjoyable night in Blantyre. It was like CQN Live.

     

    One interesting snippet from Phil was the value of The Rangers to the Easedales as “cover”.

     

    When you see what SDM got away with from a media reluctant to ask questions you appreciate the point.

     

     

    Lots of doubts about Sevcos finances expressed by the panel and Paul as strong as ever on the need for Celtic to play elsewhere.

  8. I’d like to claim the crown of most George Galloway similar-sounding fud, Fortunes Favour Mibbes

     

    :@ 00:53

     

     

    But I’d also like to add that we are both right, ya shower of feckin muppets. The rest of ye are quite simply either:

     

    a) selfish, and protecting your own interests

     

    or

     

    b) continually trying to raise funds and find the time to help those less better off than yerself.

     

     

    Why are there people on this site trying to defend option A? Yous know who you are. You keep doing it. And why on earth, WHY ON EARTH, would you encourage other people to behave like that???

     

     

    I’ve seen the “nightshift” get some grief, but the only person who has put his heart out there from Australia, is Kitalba. Where are the rest of you? What are you doing??

     

     

    FFS.

  9. Glad to hear some snippets from Blantyre night. Seems a lot of fun and good talk went on.

  10. Fourgreenfields

     

    I had a couple of your fellow county men (Leitrim) call with me today, Celtic Supporters,

     

    They will be at the game tomorrow with their little lads.

     

    H.H.

  11. FFM

     

    some of the Dubliners old songs

     

    The town i loved so well

     

    Raglan Road

     

    The old triangle

     

     

    we were in a pub in Christcurch, just up from the Brazenhead

     

    and she took over the mike.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  12. Zimmerman

     

     

    Sorry, my least post should have been to you, not fourgreenfields,

     

    Apologies to you both!

  13. gerald766

     

     

    I’m going to the game with my 2 Bhoys , can’t wait .

     

    We stay in Glasgow but return to Leitrim and Donegal regularly .

     

    Unfortunately was born in Glasgow but my heart is in Ireland .

     

    HH

  14. Paul 67 was at his most eloquent best tonight

     

    when he was talking about Wispy Wallace.

  15. Auldheid

     

     

     

    The Easdales as cover is not particulary welcome they are true racketeers Si!r if they survive!

  16. When recalling the greatness of Willie Wallace

     

    we should never forget the magic that was

     

    Joe McBride.

     

    Two absolute Celtic legends whose fates were entwined.

  17. Fourgreenfields

     

     

    I hope you and your boys have a great day out! What an experience for them!

     

    Memories are made of such outings!

     

    God bless!

     

    H.H.

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