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
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- ...
- 26
- »
Interesting if Johan does go back to Sweden. Maybe he fancies a job in his own right. Did we lose anything when Alan Thompson left? What does Johan bring to the table currently?
It’s purely speculation and he may only be going home for a holiday.
I must say following his Bhoy on Twitter I think he would be better out of Scotland. Came across as a wee fud!
Can you say that on here?
LB
WGS
Good player the ole Behrang, is he first choice at Anderlecht??
Hi All,
unfortunately can’t make tonights Q&A at Blantyre. No instead I’ll be running around Celtic park and up and down the stadium stairway from 6 till 8 tonight in week four of fans in fitness.
To date I have lost 6lbs and feeling great about it. Pure magic walking in the front door of CP every Friday for 14 weeks.
Just about to leave LIvingston and head there right now for this weeks weigh in.
On another note check out page 8 of the new CQN mag and if there is anybody in Central Scotland wanting to save a few bob on the cost of their car repairs give me a call or get my email from Paul. Seriously you’d be mad not to. Always happy to help any fellow tims.
Dim Sam, Queensferry tim, Terrytim, Bentsbhoy, Ryan O’D, Dave K, some that I know will testify to good prices and good service. Oh no what have I done no another list starting. Hail Hail
Mikeintotonto,
I agree. The stick Lenny has taken simply because he is an NI Catholic has been disgraceful and shows up the “best wee country in the world”for exactly what it is;a rancid, bigotted pile.
When I talk of Neil’s lack of grace I mean the way he often reacts after losing; generally always carping and seldom offering anything resembling congratulations to our opponents.
His bravery is unquestioned in my mind but I still have lots of reservations that he is the man for us in the long term.
As I said, I knew there would be polar opposite views. For me that’s the joy of this blog. We can all express our views without needing to agree with each other all the time.
MikeinToronto – Brilliantly put big fella. NFL deserves a sainthood for what he has had to endure in Scotland.
I hope to see you at the cup final amigo.
slainte
tony
Starry,
Been in and out this season. Sacha Kjeltsan plays for them the boy Oliver Derscharrt a good player.
Those Rangers supporters who own McGill’s buses in Greenock……who the hell are they? Bring back Western SMT. They weren’t run by VAT fraudsters and you got an upstairs on their buses
KDS reporting an offer has been made for Lennon by Everton.
“Who’s feeling hysterical?”
cavansam \o/
15:47 on
10 May, 2013
DBBIA
Send him on loan to the team most likely to be competing with the horribles for the 2nd Div title.
__________________________________________________________________
That’s particularly nasty and mean spirited…………………I like it A LOT
WGS
FC Basel have had a right good crop of players over the last few years, well run club..
Jimmci
Fair enough. I understand where you are coming from a bit better now…. and as it relates to his job stuff, I dont necessarily disagree, but I had though (wrongly, it seems) that you were making a comment on his character generally …..
I guess, all I would say, is that, given the qualification you have placed on your original comment, it doesn’t seem like a big deal to me…
But as you say, a blog is a place where people should be able to chat and sometimes disagree… so, fair do’s.
HH
and while I have criticized some things…. when I take the criticism of NL as directed at him the person, as opposed to him the coach (which is, perhaps, incorrectly, how I read your email), I think many of us would lead to his defence.
Starry,
They have so have Mexico, Chile and Uruguay. Brugges have a couple of crackers. One country not getting a mention but have the potential of stars are Denmark.
Wgs
Talksport saying Malky McKay has been approached.
Ye pays yer money….
Paddybhoy1888- i went once but it was a Wed afternoon 3-5pm. My work put a stop to leaving early alas so couldn’t continue. Didn’t know there was a Friday nite one! It was magic though knackering.
My mate kept going and at the end of it had a wee lunch followed by a game of fives at Lennoxtown, were he played against George McCluskey!
Keep up the good work.
HH
jimmci, I agree its a discussion blog and there has to be diverse opinions and we have to respect each others position. However there are acceptable boundaries and I honestly felt that you sailed close to the wind in describing our Manager as lacking in grace & class. I am not saying what Sandman said but I would have expected that type of comment on RM but not CQN.
Why is everyone saying Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager ever, ally Mccoist has just won 55 titles in one season
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.
Auldheid
behan on KDS reported it.
hen1rik
I have said many times before. You let them break rules and let them away with it they will carry on as they started.
Does the UEFA requirement for 3 years membership before European football entry include accounts?
LB
I had a wee look into hunmedia to see if news of AT filming outside Le Stade De Bigot had reached them. Boyoh boyoh boy, it has indeed reached them and they’re foaming at the mouth and scraping their cloven hooves in utter outrage.
So far in a two page thread they want him dealt with, run over by three different modes of transport (bus, train and taxi), shot, assassinated by the SAS and last but not least, booted in the baws.
Such a friendly bunch the old sevconians.
Never trust a hun.
Auldheid Clyde news also said that Everton have approach Cardiff for big Malky
HH
Kenwright of Everton has said they are going to take their time and listen to their fans before deciding who to approach. Lenny said a few hours ago there was no contact and I believe him. Lenny will lead us to glory again next season. Last 8 plus domestic treble.
youhearditherefirstcsc
Any historians on CQN?
Anytime we have had any success, what tends to happen?
The MSM try to unsettle us and the squad. They have had a right good crack at it this season with BigVic, Hoops and Forster among others.
Up until now we have refused to take the bait.
Now we have the Champions Presentation and a huge party to happen after it. The the SC final and another (hopefully) huge party. We also got confirmation of the upgrades around Parkhead. What’s not to love?
Now they wheel out the NFL to Everton story just before we celebrate and we fall to pieces.
I thought we were above that.
Ghuys enjoy the party and stop fecking worrying.
Life’s great. It’s gonna get even better regardless.
Stop listening to the numpties please.
Anyone know if @NoToNewco2013 is any further forward with 5 way agreement ?
Not to worry guys like @STVGrant @GrahamSpiers will be on it (NOT)
James Forrest is up…
http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/the-great-pretenders/
Frank de Boer of Ajax won the award for manager of the year in Holland. His team won the league, but didn’t reach the Cup Final and didn’t get past the group stage of the CL.
So!
Is Neil thinking – “Should I stay, or should I go?”
Is Johann heading back to Sweden with his family?
Only they can answer those questions.
While I, personally, would be disappointed IF they did, it would not be the end of the world.
Managers, coaches and players come and go all the time. The fans are the ones who stay!
The club has been here for 125 years – and will STILL be here long after we have departed!
Life goes on.
HH!!
Another point to remember is we are Celtic!
We have the best squad in Scotland, the best management team, the most financial prudent and richest club.
You think the MSM are gonna write about that?
Or do you think they are gone try to find holes and unsettle us.
The old divide and conquer is at work.
Get behind the squad, management and directors and lets party.
We had a few hundred posts yesterday about the parties of old.
Who do you think are gonna provide the parties for our younger generations to write about?
We are.
Don’t let the nonsense get to us.
Randolph not signing a new contract at Motherwell. I think he is worth a punt.
Cadizzy- Doug and Dinsdale Piranha will shortly be bringing their unique management style to the Blue Room.
There are no, repeat no, gangsters in Greenock.
Something not quite right about the Malky MacKay reports.
His price on Betfair has now gone out to over 6/1, admittedly only for small sums.
Curiouser & curiouser…………..!
Mike in Toronto @ 16.21
Excellent post mate – reflects my views and opinion of NL too.
He did however,on SSN, miss a couple of chances to hammer home just how huge a club Celtic are – which disappointed me a wee bit.
Do you think that might have upset Everton people?
Hail Hail
Teuchter ár lá
Our club out of the Barnyard was called the Wallace Celtic Supporters Club after W W.
A Ceiler Gonof Rust
16:51 on
10 May, 2013
So far in a two page thread they want him dealt with, run over by three different modes of transport
===============================================
Just like the scumbag who ran over the old woman after their last game, then reversed over her and now up for murder, alledgedly
Help required,
trying to print flight details but when I print, part of the right hand side is missed,
anyone any ideas,i am using outlook express,there are stupid twitter ads down the right side I don’t know how to remove
Did Willie ever scored agin thawn defunct club?
So, Neil Lennon has refused to snub the Everton job that he hasn’t been offered and some of us are coming over all of a flutter.
Onedayatatimecsc.