Football has been tribal and jingoistic for over a century. Where it succeed in penetrating beyond the scope of a mere sport, it is inherently primitive. This can be a healthy way for people to remain in contact with all that is important in life but it’s often not.
Writing in today’s Sun, former Celtic player (good grief) , Ian ‘Wrighty’ Wright said: “The next young player who says he does not want to play for England should be ordered to ring the parents of a soldier who has died serving his country in Afghanistan and tell them his reasons”.
To invoke the memory of those who have sacrificed their lives in order to rebuke reluctant footballers is beyond primitive, it is debased and ugly. Bereaved parents would surely be sickened at attempts to equate their sacrifice with a football game. Football and our media have lost their way. Wright should be ashamed, but he won’t be, it’s nonsense like this which newspapers pay for. His media value will have increased.
Harry Redknapp’s ill-made comments about Spurs players not wanting to travel for England games are also a nonsense. There’s not a top-flgiht manager in the game who’s yet to experience players reluctant to fly to Tbilisi, or some other distant destination, for a friendly instead of resting at home with his family. If you are a top pro, these games hold little excitement or value and come at a fitness cost, to pretend otherwise is being duplicitous.
Players with imposing club demands can see these games far enough. Those involved in European football often have two games per week for months, depleting resources and adding strains to muscles. A flight to the back of beyond before a thankless task of a game is simply not an attractive offer. Most players go, but let’s be honest, almost all will choose times to back out occasionally.
England are hurting after an awful World Cup but it will be counter-productive to hand the stage over to jingoistic lunatics. And ‘Wrighty’, if anyone asks you to pull the Paradise Windfall one day, don’t feel obliged to pitch up.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his book, All the Best.
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When all is said and done, Sammi diz the biz. Well done to him.
•-:¦:-•** -:¦:- sparkleghirl :¦:-.•**• -:¦:-•
03:01 on
25 June, 2014
http://www.soccer-training-info.com/roberto_rojas_razor_blade.asp
•-:¦:-•** -:¦:- sparkleghirl :¦:-.•**• -:¦:-•
03:01 on
25 June, 2014
55 -1.05
Chilean player giving the Latin American vicky.
:-)
Nice one,Peter.
http://www.celticfc.net/news/6104
Morning all from a cooler but bright and calm Laich of Moray.
Feeling rather chuffed about this post from last night.
Get in roon ye EPL pundits
……………………………
skyisalandfill
20:56 on 24 June, 2014
Lininker, shearer and the usual clowns dissing old Georgious. Hope he has the last laugh.
HH
Good morning friends from a slightly duller and greyer than of late {but still dry and mild) East Kilbride.
And a big thank you to Sammy for last night’s late late show.
skyisalandfill
06:46 on
25 June, 2014
Morning all from a cooler but bright and calm Laich of Moray.
Feeling rather chuffed about this post from last night.
Get in roon ye EPL pundits
______________
Morning,
And every right to feel chuffed! Nice one,
lilys
Thanks Lilys and also Sandman from earlier who noted the fullfillment of the premonition.
HH
skyisalandfill,
Hope you backed your premonition with a small wager? ;)
lilys
Samaras was probably the most maligned Celtic player since Tommy Callaghan. He was the Celtic support’s number one whipping boy week after week. 3 successive managers were regularly slaughtered on CQN for continuing to select the Greek enigma.
Yet now that the club has decided to let him go rather than give him a new, increased contract, it’s open season on Peter Lawwell. How are he let the genius walk away?
Pure hypocrisy and all so boringly predictable.
lilys
Naw
The one vice that that hasn’t consumed me.
Yet
HH
tom mclaughlin
If you focus on the part that 3 successive managers continued to select Sammi, especially for the bigger games, rather than the opinions of supporters, then it puts Celtic’s decision not to offer him a new contract in an altogether different light.
Sammi wanted to stay.
Celt for Life –
Apparently season ticket holders will be allocated seats “similar” to their Celtic Park seat. Eg if you are behind goal to the left of tunnel, that’s where you will be sitting at Murrayfield.
Hamiltontim –
I understand that. My point was about the apparent unpopularity of the player among the support during his Celtic career, compared to his sudden and mysterious elevation to hero status when it was time for him to leave.
TOM McLAUGHLIN
It may have been somewhat sudden,but it did not coincide with the end of his contract.
SAMMI blossomed under Neil Lennon,becoming the player we knew he was capable of being.
From his outstanding display against the huns,through his unplayable performance against Rennes,his worth to the team soared in parallel with his appreciation by the fans.
But you call it as you see it,Tom. Don’t let the facts get in the way of the pleasure you get from sticking it to your fellow fans.
Tom McLaughlin
07:18 on
25 June, 2014
You are confusing CQN posters on match day with the Celtic support on match days
Sammy is a frustrating player, he is not a genius, we dont keep very talented players, 30 clubs in England offer more money
I am sad to see him go as i believe the club is downsizing in terms of top wage being offered, Hooper, Ledley, Samaras………..Brown and Commons could be next
I like Samaras and thousands of Celtic supporters love him first time i jumped out my seat at this world cup what an effort that was i have to tell you when Sammy scored that Pen, why because he is a Celt
Tom McG
I don’t agree. The supporters I know have largely stuck to their original opinions.
Those who liked Sammi wish he’d been offered a new contract and those who didn’t have wished him well for the future.
Anyways happy 13th birthday to my beautiful daughter Rhiannon. The convent awaits you :-)
HT
Happy birthday to your daughter.
HH
Hamiltontim
07:34 on
25 June, 2014
Happy birthday to the beautiful Rhiannon, remember Rhiannon you can chose your friends you can’t choose your parents……………have a brilliant day
Samaras, well done big man and good luck in the future. Hopefully you’ll get a decent club that plays counter attacking football that suits you.
The only time we play counter attacking football is in the CL group stages. Sammi might have been an option there but it’s a lot to shell out for three games, nor would last season give you much confidence he’d make a difference.
Nothing against the big man, got some great memories from his celtic days but they’re few and far between.
Can anyone see sammi fitting in to a high tempo pressing team?
kdc
07:47 on
25 June, 2014
We haven’t played a game yet under the new management team
High tempo pressing game
I will wait till i see us play
HAPPY HOOPY BIRTHDAY,RHIANNON.
That’s you a teenager now. Yer Dad’s praying you don’t turn out like this!
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dLuEY6jN6gY
Happy Birthday young Miss Hamiltontim, have a cracking day Rhiannon…
As i say, good luck to him but I’ll not be shedding a tear over him leaving
LR
What other style of football do you think is suited to us in Spl?
We’ve been playing it for God knows how long and it didn’t suit Sammi.
What’s his goals and assists stats on last three years? That’s all he contributed
Sammi gone – check
The right decision – check
Sammi was good v’s the huns – check
Sammi played 7 good games in CL – check
3 managers who continued to play Sammi gone – check
Sammi played in team who blew the League v’s ICT – check
Sammi played in jelly&ice cream sundae loss at ibrox – check
Sammi played in LCF loss to Killie – check
Sammi played in LCSF loss to St Mirren – check
Sammi played in SCSF loss to Hearts – check
Sammi played in LC loss to Morton – check
Sammi played in SC loss to Aberdeen – check
Sammi played in team skelped by Juve – check
canny be bothered any more – check
off oot – check
Hail Hail – check
kdc
08:02 on
25 June, 2014
I don’t do stats KDC, they are only an advisory tool, not the end all and be all in assessing a player
I have no inside knowledge what led to Samaras having not played so many games this season, only Neil knows the real truth
He is an option in C/L to stretch defences, we get approx 20 mill in C/L some financial return for 3 games
Morning all. Drab again here.
Bring back Sammi. We need someone who can link up play like he demonstrated last night.
HT,
Many happy returns to yer wee/ Big girl.
It’s my decent jambo work mates birthday too.
Is it not something mad like, broonys. Lennys and nakas b-day too. She’s in good company :)
GEORDIE MUNRO
The first two,yes.
Naks’s was yesterday.
HT
Hope you and your daughter have a fantastic day and enjoy it while you can.
Kikinthenakas
Bobby,
I shoulda checked before asking eh?
I knew there were a few.
On another note embdy watch the Columbia game? James Rodriguez….whit a player.
Been a long time since I have posted and I don’t know if this has been previously covered but on the theme of reducing costs at the club, can I ask Paul67 why we need a EPL board and associated salaries when we have a management and player budget for the spfl? Surely we should be looking for a younger, hungrier CEO on a third of the wages? Maybe not the finished article, a rough diamond that can be polished?
Also, I believe the living wage could easily be covered with the huge bonuses PL etc are currently paying themselves!
hamiltontim
07:34 on 25 June, 2014
Hoopy Birthday Rhiannon, have a wonderful day…yer auld Dad will be feeling even older today…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Morning bhoys and ghirls. Can you say a wee prayer for my sister this morning or if you don’t pray keep her in your thoughts for a moment. She is going for some biopsy this morning at 10.00 am this is after being at the Beatson last week.
KTF
HH
On Sammi, I do not need to say anything really; those of you lurk or post here know my love of the Mhan. He wore the Hoops with pride, he came, he saw he conquered.
From the day of his debut at Rugby Park when he came off the Bench and passed the Ball in to the Net you could see he had talent.
I wish you well Sammi Bhoy and thank you for your contribution….
Hunskelperappreciationsocietycfc
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
I’m confused.
I’ve seen lots and lots of posts telling us that the club’s signing policy should not be based on the balance sheet. I’ve also seen lots of and lots of posts saying we should have kept Samaras, he would have had a great re-sale value for the balance sheet. Most of them made by the same people.
Happy birthday Miss Rhiannon I know you make your dad proud. Have a great day and make sure he spoils you rotten.
KTF
HH