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. is this the lennon fan club ? or a site for celtic fans with different views on things ? i will ask you the question do you think he should have won more ? a yes or no answer please

  2. Glendalystonsils likes a mr whippy with his lime green jelly on

    Almost forgot my main point.

     

    If Hooper is worth 10 million plus, what would a Willie Wallace or Joe McBride be worth in todays market?

  3. Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on

    Yes or no

     

     

    Do we consider we were cheated out of more, quite definaty.

  4. The Boy Jinky on

    Dixiebhoy

     

     

    Its football. .. win more than you lose and your doing ok

     

     

    I wish we won every game … every trophy … but what nfl has achieved is ok by me

  5. croppybhoy & clunks

     

     

    Well said to both of you. It’s party time so let’s ignore the MSM.

     

     

    I’m heading up to Glasgow early tomorrow and nothing is going to get in the way of the celebration.

     

     

    As for anything else – what will be, will be.

     

     

    StandupforthechampionsCSC

  6. 67 European Cup Winners on

    The boy jinky @ 18.10. Would that be KoSC in Moodiesburn ??

     

    67ECW

  7. Elboy

     

    Not yet, not yet.

     

    We still need an aggressive winner at the helm imo. Another season at least to even stay at this level to see in which direction Scottish football and Celtic are going.

     

    The “old firm” model is Humptey Dumpteyed with no kings horses or men in sight. This is not Celtic’s fault but it would be a shame if their demise led to our decline.

     

    Its up to supporters to do what it says on the tin and up to the club which includes Lenny to see the transformation out.

  8. Timabhouy –

     

     

    BBs is at 16-18 Blackfriars St, Glasgow G1 1PE.

     

     

    I won’t be there this year ‘-)

  9. Bada

     

     

    Sorry just back on. I’ve replied mate and thank you very much for thinking of me.

  10. WeefratheTim on

    Good evening CQN

     

     

    Have a great night at the ole Blantyre KSC club. Would love to be there but health not allowing it.

     

     

    BT

     

     

    Brilliant speaking to you and I cannot believe how small a world we live in. Have a brilliant night.

     

     

    Weefra HH

  11. What time is the event in Blantyre at? (and I do not mean the ice cream eating competition BT and OT are indulging in at Equis.

  12. Auldheid,

     

     

    I understand the doors open at 7. I am driving if you’d like picked up? Hope to leave my house around 7.

  13. Afternoon all,

     

     

    I feel like I am in a minority of Celtic fans who hope to God that Lenny stays for a few more seasons.

     

     

    I would love to know who people would expect to take over form Neil when he does leave, given the pressures required to successfully manage Celtic in the Scotland (and the hell that that entails), win the league, win the Treble every year, and go far in the Champions League.

     

     

    That is some ask but it is expected of Lenny…if he (or any manager) does not succeed then he is deemed by so many fans as a failure. Pretty crazy, in my opinion.

     

     

    Also, talk that Lenny lacks class is laughable and, in the context of Scottish football, pathetic…again, in my opinion.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  14. Burgas Hoops on

    Any of the guys attending the Knights in Blantyre tonight if you meet a guy called Peter Mc Sorley say hi to him from me, lost contact with him many moons ago and i’m not sure if he still frequents the place.

     

     

    if you say his “old neighbour” he’ll get the picture.

     

     

    Many thanks.

  15. Auldheid –

     

     

    I appear to have mislaid your address but I do have your mobile number so I’ll call you when I’m leaving

  16. Stairheedrammy on

    It wiz me who broke the Fergie story last Tuesday and that Moyes would be taking over at Man U- though I might have written it in code in case the bookies were looking in- I’d been told by the wumman who used to sit next to my grannie at the Bedford bingo- and who used to hold her place in the puggie queue- a MRS Coyle- I think her grandson was at school with me- a boy called Ownie- not much of a football player from what I remember. Anyway I thought I’d break cover to let you know that the same wumman just confirmed that Lennie will be takin the Everton job, and that he is taking the head steward and two of the wummin who run the pie stall at 105 with him. How can we cope with that- its the end I tell you

  17. charles kickham on

    I can’t make it to blantyre tonight so I’ll just watch it online :-)

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