Atletico Madrid, happy for them? Not an easy one. I remember listening to the radio commentary the night we lost to them in the European Cup semi-final of 1974. They, and Rapid Vienna a decade later, represented very unworthy competitors in European competition.
Both teams returned to Celtic Park in recent seasons. Rapid picked up pretty much where we left them, an odious lot, but Atletico and their fans didn’t seem to bother about the past, they came and left wanting to play football.
As a boy I remember chastising old soldiers who fought the Germans during the war for their persistent aversion to modern Germans and Germany. “They are a new people, nothing to do with the 30s and 40s”, I said.
It feels a bit ridiculous holding a grudge against Atletico. Their achievement last night, and this season so far, has been fantastic. Against the most powerful foes, they might just win the hardest league in the world and the Champions League. This late in the season, that is a stunning prospect to still be on the table. They should be an inspiration to us all.
I see the media is (responsibly) alerting Celtic shareholders to the threat of a share scam apparently being perpetrated against unsuspecting fans by spivs and criminals. Where were they in December 2012?
Seville – The Celtic Movement
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Hi
ginger @ 19.35
Tread gingerly -:)
Living in the and so on
So you’re saying that Salmond and his motley crew are un-reconstructed Bolsheviks. That’ll explain why he wanted to be bezzy mates with Murdoch, Fred the shred, Trump and the Weirs.
skyisalandfill –
Not swithering in the slightest and will renew as will my Bhoy. The reason I’m hoping that our date is late May or better still sometime in June is just to do a wee bit more ‘compare and contrast’ with “The Rangers”. The later our date is the more it may highlight just what a mess, in terms of cash flow, they are in. I suppose when you have no overdraft facilities this is what happens.
Pfayr, the sevco accounts are timed to be released when their crossbar challenge is won.
My friends in Celtic,
Have mainly been lurking the past week. Hope you are getting better Billy Bhoy 05.
One observation springs to mind : Have you seen the look of David Moyes?
If anybody has physically aged over a short period of time its him.
He now looks haunted, ageing and is sometimes almost incoherent in some of his interviews
Rewind 12 months : He looked young, fresh, and spoke eloquently with sense in his interviews.
Does he regret not staying where he was. ?
Does he regret going to the club of promised riches. ?
Does he regret a leap into the unknown ?
Is the job everything he dreamed it would be.?
Is the job footballing utopia?
Is he better off, all things considered. ?
Was he altogether better at Everton.
Can he go back even if he wanted to ?
In footballing life as in other scenarios look before you leap and one thing you can be sure of, is that the grass is not always greener.
Ask David.
HH, Always in Celtic.
PS : Is there also a message there to NFL. ?
pf
Too late, baby
poetic_champions
Thanks for your help, I will give it a try……
ACGR-VG
Auldheid @ 19:33
So true. Trust and respect is damaged, yet we are asked to keep paying into it.
I truly believe that proper governance where the integrity of the sport is paramount over commercial considerations is of paramount importance.
ginger
19:44 on 10 April, 2014
Hi
Hi Ginger
Are you a Hun?
This plc has proven time and time again it will drag the clubs name through the dirt if their is a quick buck in it. Any idea of vetting Leigh Griffiths is laughable. This is when the Tory thinkers amongst us. I.e those who care first and foremost about themselves either deliver the beg for forgiveness or he without sin sermon. This is why the plc can get away with it. Falling standards and a perverted idea what we are all about. The answer to any questions arising from this post is profit.
HH
There even
I can picture BFSDJ on SSB like McCroskey in the Control Tower in Airplane,when Sevco or Oldco/Newco mentioned….
lookslikeipickedthewrongweektogiveupbuzzinggluecsc
T M
:)
SSB in the last 10 mins – Priceless
Rats in a sack !!!!
An Tearmann.
I’ll be in the Blane Valley at 2.35pm tomorrow if yo fancy a couple of drinks.
I am a great reader of the American Civil War, to the point that I would happily discuss with anyone but the sevco civil war is now opening my eyes to how as, Paton said(claimed)” My feeling on war is that some men enjoy it, and the rest of us hate it”.
IlovesevcocivilwarCSC
ernie lynch
17:58 on
10 April, 2014
Turkeybhoy
Are you a member or supporter of the SNP?
Not at all Ernie,never have been ,never will be.I was a Labour activist from the age of 18,right up until the late great John Smith.Years of betrayal by his successors,made me give up my love for the party.I have no love for Alec Salmond,I have some admiration for some of the policies his government have managed to implement,while still shackled by Westminster.
I want the country of my birth to be independent.I want it to join the other independent nations of the world,which is every countries right.
I really do think that in an independent Scotland,the elected MPs would be much more answerable to the people.My main point is that the people of Scotland will get a government that they themselves have voted for.Not a Tory/Lib Dem/UKIP,alliance,foisted on us by England.I know it was a short question with a long answer,cheers mate.
I wrote a few words about the captain via Hail Hail Media – apologies for length of post:
For a sustained period after signing for Celtic in May 2007, Scott Brown divided opinion among Celtic fans, his approval barometer swinging violently back and forth, season after season.
His first few years at the club were characterised by highs and lows, occasional controversy and infuriating inconsistency. On the one hand capable of dominant Gerrard-esque performances, while on the other prone to misplaced passes and poor positional play, he inspired, frustrated, disappointed, succeeded and failed, often all in the same match
He had already demonstrated his substantial potential at Hibs – though many queried whether he would live up to the £4.4m transfer fee Gordon Strachan paid for his services. Detractors argued that he played the game with undue haste and lacked the refinement required to play centre midfield for Celtic, often these arguments were not without merit.
At one point around 2011, with rumours of interest from Tottenham and Newcastle, few fans would have quarrelled with the board had they accepted a big money bid. Neil Lennon responded to the speculation by offering him an improved four year contract.
Now, as he approaches seven years at Celtic – he has been the recognised club captain for more than half of that period – assessments of his contribution from the manager, team mates and supporters tend towards the positive. While Kris Commons and Virgil Van Dijk are the star turns, Brown is immediately recognisable as the leader of the current team, dictating the tempo of matches, cajoling, encouraging and chastising where necessary, never giving less than his maximum domestically or in Europe.
With maturity has come consistency, and despite those early misgivings, he has developed very well technically. He has improved his discipline, (Neymar incident aside – more of that later), while losing none of his trademark effervescence.
So what has been the catalyst for the transformation from callow youth to Celtic mainstay?
Experience
It’s stating the obvious of course but there’s no substitute for it and Brown has accumulated plenty. He has made 274 appearances for Celtic, 48 of them in Europe. He also played over 100 times for Hibs and is the captain of Scotland, for whom he is currently enjoying a rich vein of form.
Consider the midfield players that have come and gone in his time at the club, many of whom were unable to dislodge him from the midfield slot when fit; Gravesen, Robson, Donati, Crosas, Nakamura, Hartley, N’Guemo, Jarosik, Ki, Ledley (and probably Kayal,) and you get a sense of his impending longevity at Celtic.
Responsibility
Despite butting heads occasionally during their playing days, there is a clear and mutually beneficial affinity between manager and captain. Throughout his tenure Lennon has never tried to contain his admiration for Brown and while perhaps the Lurgan man holds him in slightly higher regard than most other observers, if anyone is qualified to judge a Celtic midfielder it’s the manager.
And it is not just Neil Lennon who rates him, he has invariably been an automatic selection for Mowbray, Collins, Strachan, Smith, McLeish, Burley and Levein when fit.
Brown approaches his media duties seriously but with a typically mischievous relish and a glint in his eye, indicative of a player relaxed with the responsibility he carries. He has curtailed – but not lost – some of his youthful impetuosity and going by the accounts of his team mates, he combines a ferocious work rate in training with a notorious fondness for high jinks.
A recent interview with young starlet Liam Henderson was particularly illuminating as he highlighted the encouragement and advice he has received from the captain since breaking into the team and nearly all of Browns team mates have spoken highly of him in the past. Last season Adam Matthews paid this tribute to Brown after he had turned in a man of the match display against Kilmarnock:
“Scott was brilliant, he always is. He is the soul of the team really. When it’s someone’s birthday, he pulls a little prank on them, he’s the same behind the scenes as he is on the pitch”
Injury free
Brown has overcome a number of serious injuries in his playing days, several of which have threatened to set him back or even end his career prematurely; a broken leg at Hibs in a 2005 Edinburgh derby, fractured metatarsal in 2010 and chronic ankle complaints throughout his career.
When Neil Lennon revealed the severity of Browns degenerative hip injury eighteen months ago, there was real concern for his long term future, though he seems to have established a treatment programme to minimise the problem. During his first season, when he lost his place in the team to Barry Robson and Paul Hartley, he was coming to terms with the loss of his young sister to serious illness, though only he will know how significant an impact that bereavement had on his game.
2013-14 has been relatively injury free for the most part and his performances have benefited substantially as a result.
At his peak or more to come ?
If this is the peak of Scott Browns career and he maintains his current form in the hoops for a few years to come, he will likely be remembered as a very good and successful Celtic captain.
He is no Paul McStay – but then who is – and any comparisons with Neil Lennon himself or Paul Lambert seem a little off the mark for the moment as well. He is probably not quite at that level.
Yet, there remains a feeling there is more to come from Brown and if he is to be remembered in the same manner as those above, he must produce on the biggest stage of all, the Champions League.
His daft flick out at Neymar last season was not a course of action any Celtic fan could condone or endorse and it cost him three games in the tournament. He was left to regret his wildness but the reaction in certain quarters was over the top, bordering on hysterical and UEFA’s punishment also seemed disproportionate.
It should have been no surprise that the team subsequently under performed without him.
Like many players with long service at a single club, his qualities seem easier to recognise in their absence and the tempo against Milan and Ajax was noticeably lower without Brown around to swarm all over his midfield opponents. If Celtic make it through the qualifiers in 2014 we can surely expect Brown to be bursting to showcase his talents in the tournament proper.
He has a few years before he naturally regresses to become a holding midfielder and in that case, he must aspire to score a few more goals in the meantime. Considering the athleticism he possesses, a few more enterprising runs from midfield combined with better finishing could take him to the next level. If he could score 10-15 per season and maintain his current form, you suspect he would be the complete midfielder.
With four titles, two Scottish cups, a league cup and a player of the year award already under his belt, he is gradually laying claim to a place in Celtic’s history. Now is the time for him to summon all of his experience and turn in some commanding displays on the European stage.
He has now captained Celtic to three in a row. In seven years time he will still only be 35, the same age Neil Lennon was when he won his last championship. I know what you’re thinking, and considering he is on record as saying he never wants to leave Celtic, I suspect the thought has crossed Scott Brown’s mind as well.
TJ
C’mon Basel…
GreetingsTurkeybhoy,
Again with respect. used as a quick example, Have the peoples of these three countries bettered themselves after leaving Britain ?
War and division is evident as a legacy.
It is probably a silly conclusion and a simplistic response, but it was only used to illustrate the fact that not all countries have benefited by leaving Britain.
Your quote Not one has regretted it. Hmmmmmmm
HH.
I’ll support Cybil then…
oldtim67
I will write to you this weekend.
Porto v Seville ITV 4
Cheering on Valencia tonight
Just because my brother stays there
HH
Faulty Towers CSC
Pen Seville
morrissey the 23rd
17:19 on 10 April, 2014
Those against independence tell me how if could affect them financially or give me rather ignorant reasons. Mostly they give no real reason but give a poor criticism of YES voters instead.
I do believe a mixture of general ignorance, apathy and selfishness of too many will ensure Scotland will continue to be ruled over by multi-millionaire right-wing men in London.
Life in Scotland will then become much worse. The status quo wont continue as it is. The sinner must be punished for trying to take control of decisions by people who live and work here.
Imagine Scottish elections where our vote could determine who is in government. Why would Scots want get rid of such things as the Bedroom tax or wish to keep such things as the NHS. Crazy! We’d also lose the unelected house of lords. Who would want that? Why would Scottish people want an economic policy aimed at economic stability and job security in Scotland? Think of the tax revenue London would lose. Why would Scottish pensioners want their incomes protected with the triple lock so that pensions increase by either inflation, earnings, or 2.5 per cent, whichever is highest? We’d miss out in the chance to fight in wars for oil all over the world…. I’ll stop.
If you are unsure of how you will vote. I urge you to do research, so when polling day comes, you are clear on why you should vote and want way is best to vote.
I do not support SNP. In fact, I’m quite the opposite. I am not patriotic or nationalistic.
What would Thatcher vote? I will be voting YES.
……………………………………………………….
You’re a rather superior being, aren’t you. Anyone on here who doesn’t get off their backside and vote Yes on 18 September is generally ignorant, apathetic or selfish and our reasoning thus far is based on ignorance or for financial reasons. My decision on which way I’ll be voting will be based almost entirely on financial reasons. I’ll want to ensure I have as much spare cash in my pocket as possible to be able to afford my Celtic season each year. In a couple of years, i’ll be due my Old Age Pension. Under the UK Government I know how much I’ll be paid. I have a rough idea how much income tax I’ll be paying as well.
As things stand, at the moment, I have no idea how much I’ll be paid as an OAP and how much income tax I’ll pay in an Independent Scotland. As yet, I have had no replies to my concerns about religious discrimination in an independent Scotland but have been dismissed – mainly by people currently living on foreign soil – as one of the scaremongerers over this issue. To be absolutely, honest most of the Yes voters on here are telling me, “Have faith. Trust us. Vote YES and everything will be all right.”
Where is the money going to come from to sustain free prescriptions, free bus travel for those of 60+ and free University fees. Is it going to be based totally on oil revenue which is a finite resource? Will income tax be increased and if so by how much? Can anyone definitely give reassurance that large companies who have threatened to withdraw in the face of a Yes vote, won’t pull out of the country. What about those employed in the defence industry? If the UK government pull out where will these workers be reemployed. Scotland will be a small country which means less opportunity for talented people to get top jobs within the country. You just have to watch any national news programme. Whenever, they wheel out someone to give an opinion on medical matters, the Police and other professions there are an inordinate amount of Scots involved. To go into Herald mode, these Scottish experts have needed to go ‘furth’ of Scotland to take up posts their talents are worthy of. There simply are not enough jobs in Scotland to satisfy the aspirations of the Scottish population. Where will Scots go then to find these jobs? Will there be a backlash from England if Scotland gains independence and barriers put up to prevent talented Scots going to England?
These are some of the areas I would like to have specific answers to before I ever contemplate voting Yes in September.
TJ , good piece on Broonie, pretty fair summary, hoping he goes on to be a Celtic great.
Tommy Joad
20:01 on
10 April, 2014
“With four titles, two Scottish cups, a league cup and a player of the year award already under his belt, he is gradually laying claim to a place in Celtic’s history.”
Marvellous. :D
1-1 agg
zbyszek.
No Problem, going into Glasgow for a wee drink tomorrow.
Seville level tie with Porto after 5 mins , game on
Hilarious Lord Haw Haw performance by Derek Johnston tonight on Clyde proving De Nile is not only a river in Egypt.
There was times his voice was so high pitched, only dogs could hear him
living_in_the_love_of_the_commons_people
19:05 on 10 April, 2014
Tremendous response and really enjoyed it.
Greenpinata
Thanks for your good wishes and I am beginning to improve. Had a bit of dinner but sleeping, or trying to despite the cough. Bloody awful thing to get and wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
KTF
Henry Clarson
18:43 on
10 April, 2014
I will never wish Athletico Madrid anything other than the very worst. I was there in 1974.
That was the dirtiest team I have ever seen or ever will see
……………………..
Was Igor McGregor,Hurlet,Shearer,Sourness,Elbows and Muscat playin for them?
My friends in Celtic,
I have forgiven Ath Madrid to the point of even wanting them to win a possible double.
Have I forgiven Porto and the cheating Deco. ? Or is all the blame going on their manager.
Come on Seville.
HH, must do some work.:-(