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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Glasgow Libraries
@GlasgowLib
Our More Than A Game exhibition featuring Scottish football archives is now open at the Mitchell Library, it’s open to all and free.
Beram Kayal @beramangela
Big day for celtic’s family today ..so excited to collect the medals and meet our big fans.
Not really fair he is leaving the small ones out…
Kris Commons
@kcommons15
On route to stadium now but not be involved. Been sick all night!! Not guna stop me collecting my medal though. Hope u all enjoy the game.
MickTT;
Posting from phone, no worries.
Enjoy your day mate.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Missing my 1st home game of the season due to a ruptured Achilles have a great day buoys there in spirit.
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers
10:25 on 11 May, 2013MICKTTSeconded,we owe them ALL big time.Off to Bristol-betcha I find a good curry there!Enjoy the match…..
No to hot mind….
Jumped in on the guys comments, my error. Think am ok though…!
Enjoy HH
Season tickets renewed this morning (mine and nephews) saving of £175 compared to last year. Really, really looking forward to the party today -Glasgow’s Green and White.
Part of my season renewal saving (Thank you Celtic) will go on sponsoring myself to do some healthy special activity and I will contribute £125 for the 125 appeal to help others in this special year of celebration for Celtic. Happy Birthday Celtic !
Oh and I really, really want a SIGNED copy of Heart of a Lion so post match purchase will be made to secure SIGNED copy.
COYBIG and onwards to the cup final (ticket secured but sadly my nephew missed out)
Need to dash…………….
Top of the morning to you all from a wet and windy Fife.
But weather won’t spoil our party.
On this day 60 years ago Celtic beat Arsenal. Bob Kelly was demanding a British League and so was the sports correspondent of the Evening Times.
They had a point then and it applies to this day:
Evening Times, 12 May 1953
Celtic have brought back the “chicken bree”
We Will Demand a British League After This!
(BY ALAN BRECK)
Will somebody please tell me how I am going to stick, suffer, thole, or endure the average Scottish League game after seeing the Celtic and Arsenal game at Hampden? There was more sparkling football here than in a dozen of our own matches.
I think too we are entitled to ask Celtic to give and account of themselves!
Here was the team – and the presence of Neil Mochan does not account for it all – who drove their supporters to despair just a few weeks ago coming up, and putting on a display which was a credit to themselves and the Scottish game.
They must have been giving them chicken bree or some such delight.
“The match showed that we have the football, and if we don’t win any more Coronation games the victory over Arsenal must give our players all the confidence in the world” said Chairman Bob Kelly, of Celtic.
“It was the worst game we played this season,” said Alee Forbes, “but we were without three of our regular men.”
But Celtic were without a number of their established players too.
The Real Forbes
Celts refused to be daunted by the leisurely, almost lordly, ways of the Arsenal. They could pass the ball just as well too and hey could pass it and make for it at twice the speed of the London men.
One or two of the Arsenal players did not like the wholehearted tackling of the Celts.
There was one stage too when Roper did not seem to like the colour of Evans’ hair and Forbes stepped in to comfort Evans and reassure him that Roper really liked Scotsmen quite well!
Hampden saw a new kind of Forbes last night. The man who has the reputation of being a “tough guy,” put on some of the most delightful touches of the match.
The sort of thing one imagined the selectors had seen from him in which case we do not blame them for putting him in the Scottish team.
What a Man!
THERE was not a single weakling in the Celtic side but one cannot get away from them without paying yet another tribute to Evans. Arsenal must have thought a cyclone was at right half.
It was Evans and McPhail who executed the best move of the game. The ball came right out of the Parkhead defence and thence McPhail and Evans, who passed to Collins whose cross was picked up by Walsh.
The inside right gave the ball all he had only to see Swindin bringing off a wonderful save – wonderful considering the keeper had been injured earlier.
The goal which took Celtic into the semi-final on Saturday against Manchester United or Rangers was not one of those great football goals, but it seemed to emphasise the Celtic relish for adventure.
The “Roar” Too
COLLINS, from one of his side’s 13 corner kicks—Arsenal had five—must have “cut” across the ball.
Assisted by the wind it flashed into goal so suddenly that all Swindin could do was help its progress into the net.
That was after 23 minutes play and one has to hand it to Celtic for not holding on to that goal. Right to the very end they attacked with refreshing zeal.
And let it be recorded that the Hampden roar was turned on in a volume we have not experienced for many years.
In comparison the effort at the Scotland-Sweden game was not even a whisper.
Now Then Parkhead!
IT was an astonishing evening, for it had been so difficult to see a Celtic team which had won only three league games this year holding up the English League champions.
In congratulating Celtic may I express the hope that next season they will cease their “kidding” and take their proper place in the game. I will not forget to tell them if they do not!
Never was a match of this standard more needed. It was a game which lifted Scottish football from the doldrums.
Just leaving drying-up EK (sorry Jobo) to pick up my mate and head for Paradise (it’ll always be Paradise to me). Mrs. Emeraldbee will take home the car and after The Party with my fellow Tims my mate and I will walk in to Babbity’s for a glass or three of Gwinness. What a day!
Have a great one guys.
Great night last night. Never met any other Cqn,ers but was trying to guess who was who from the questions that was asked. I asked about Sevco losing 1£m per month and when can we expect them to go bust!
For later everyone after we celebrate :)
Read it and weep #Sevco fans: What if a club fails to reach an agreement? (No CVA, Liquidated)
A club may try… http://t.co/a3UEoV6bPv
Via twitter from STV but the boys on twitter still denying its the club that died.
quantum
most of the cqn brigade sat along the glass panels next to the bar…
oldtim and I sat at the door going into the lounge..
steinruledsupreme first table on dancefloor…
celticbhoy
near fire exit…
Via twitter.
SPL Trophy day today, and not a single EBT to be found. That’s what you call no sporting advantage.
Punters round the world eating up contributions from you lucky guys on the spot.Trying to
relive our experiences.
Hail Hail one and all.
Saint Stivs
21:56 on
10 May, 2013
it was written by tommy mackem himself.
Is he from Sunderland?
Neil Lennon @OfficialNeil 2m
125 years of unique history will be celebrated today with another championship. Enjoy today
The Thunder @TheThunderZine 10m
Bags at section 111 being searched by cops with torches. Cops reply to questioning with “did you see what happened in Boston?”
Wee barman at hotel …… Aaah Celtic! I like them, Henrik Larrson magnifico!
Good start to the day for him tip wise :>)
V
Peligrini 1/33 odds for Man City job.
TinyTim
just browsed the clubs on line ticketing system. Hardly a ticket to be purchased.
Oh to be in Paradise today
To hear The Celtic Song
And swim in a sea of green and white
To feel the butterflies flutter
As the teams run out to the roar
Oh to be in Paradise today
To see The Hoops form
This years Champions Huddle
To feel the stands shake
With the weight of anticipation
Oh to be in Paradise today
To be Celtic in my core
Remembering the men
Who stood with me before
Those who are with us no more
Oh to be in Paradise today
To see the other net bulge
And our player wheel away
As a joyous myriad of hands
Touch the Glasgow sky
Oh to be in Paradise today
To see the trophy
Decked once more
In ribbons green and white
Passed among deserving hands
Oh to be in Paradise today
To join in a mass Huddle
The smiling faces and sheer joy
And the ultimate blessing
To have been born a Bhoy…
Starry Plough
Parading the Coronation Cup along with the young Bhoy’s trophies and the Championship trophy is a nice touch.
ContinuinghistoryCSC
Good to see Broony back.
email I sent to my son
Q&A session at ksc Blantyre they say sevconia totally skint the fans only bought 1.8m & not the £5m IPO & they said, also last few home games they gave approx 10/15,000 free tickets to schools, because they wanted it to look as if they could still fill ipox.
They are allegedly trying desperately to find cash for Craig Whyte pay off with gagging clause so they can issue season tickets again, only way they can survive? yet still talking about signing new players they cant afford so no change, still haven’t learnt too live on money they haven’t got. Seems like they have already struck some sort of deal with sfa as they still cant produce audited accounts, this would show what’s really happened & without them its another 3years with no prospect of European football? & that’s conditional on them having audited accounts next season. No team playing in sfa are allowed a license unless they can produce audited accounts but then when did the rules matter it is the rankers after all!
Italian cyberspace fitba rumor mongers claiming that 3 Serie A Managers were asked if they were interested in the Everton job .All said -No. No names . Probably fabricated guff ..
Lots of Managerial changes looming in Italy —–.
Allegri looks certain to be leaving AC Milan.[ he hates Berlusconi / Berlusconi hates him ]
Inter look certain to sack Stramaccioni.
Napoli’s Walter Mazzarri [ a right good manager ] wants a new challenge .
Conte wants out of Serie A ..
Fiorentina’s Montella is much admired by clubs way bigger than Fiorentina .
Warm and sunny /high 20s -way down south.
Can’t make the game today, Mrs RobinBhoy tummy bug and I’m fill of the cold.
Wrapped up on the couch for the game. Enjoy the day out!
RobinBhoy
Big Nan
10:56 on 11 May, 2013
Thanks.
Really enjoyed that account.
Alan Breck…..hee hee.
Tusitala.
RobiinBhoy
your warning last night buddy….
sober.com….
take care and get well soon..
Walker on SSN talking us down as usual. Cretin.
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 6m
#Celtic: Forster; Lustig, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Forrest, Wanyama, Brown, Ledley; Stokes, Hooper (LB)
Hope you all enjoy the party. I have got it on Sky Planner will catch up later. Off to work .
Vmhan
Good luck finding a pub with game on.
It is on Sky so am sure you find a few of the Bhoys watching somewhere.
Via @LomaxAnthony
Via twitter.
Cheeky chappie will be getting hounded http://t.co/PpMqqlFgDv
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 10m
#Celtic subs: Zaluska, Matthews, Ambrose, Samaras, McCourt, Kayal, McGeouch. Kick-off 12.15pm. (LB)
back to ksc for championship party…
Kojo
11:09 on 11 May, 2013
Neil, for Everton?
Don’t Mak me Laugh~
Neil, is no ready fur that kinda..Leap.
It wid be a Foolish Leap intae ..Oblivion..if he went ahead.
And.. Failed tae Tak a Look.. Afore He..well.. Leaped!
The Tough , Rough, Wild.. and Wooly
English Premier Leaguers,,
Wud Eat Him Alive .
Dinna ye kid Yersel..
The E.P.L. Has bin a Bridge too Faur.. fur Wan.. Former Successful Celtic Manager
No Names or Pack-Drill..
Neil, hiz neither the Guile, Nor the Experience, that wid be necessary tae Prevent
a Total.. Annihilation o’ whit . .. Based oan his.. Success at Celtic.. widda been a
Promising Career in Soccer Management.
Neil, is Fine..in His Element.. but.. wull be the Proverbial Small Fish.. oot it..
His Reputation Waxes in the S.P.L.. Fish-Bowl
But..
In the Shark Infested Waaters o’ the English Premier League..
He wid.. withoot a Shadow o’ a Doot..
Be Et Alive!
Where He wid ,indeed be.. a Wine that hud Bin …Uncorked…Afore it’s Time.
Kojo
Still Laughin
South of Tunis,
Montella for me should be sounded out if Lenny decides to go to Everton before it’s to late like Laudrup. Montella in a few year will be way out of reachj. Destined for big things.
The curse of the Zombie .
Sicilian Radio’s Film correspondent has just opined that Brad Pitt’s —–World War Z –some of which was shot in Glasgow —-looks set to create a new record making loss for Hollywood .
Another world record for the Zombies !
WGS
Montella will land one of the big Italian jobs, sooner rather than later I believe..