The glut of youth players we have lost to England and Germany in recent years is disappointing but feels far from critical. Great talent seldom emerges above the background noise in the teenage years. For some, it takes a lot longer.
Henrik Larsson was 25 and had endured a season spent mainly as a Feyenoord substitute in 1997. He contemplated returning to Sweden when Wim Jansen took him to Scotland. That development story seems inconceivable; Henrik always had talent, he played a World Cup semi-final three years earlier, but his value was far from obvious, even in a tier two league.
Kyogo was four months older than Henrik when he arrived in Glasgow and had been first choice at Vissel Kobe for just 2.5 years. Vissel took a £150k punt on him from the third tier. His reputation in Europe is still vastly greater than in Japan, where he is a national team outlier.
There is a lot of snobbery in football. Half the scouts in Europe had watched and overlooked Larsson before he came to Celtic. How good could a player that has been watched that many times actually be? He was just shy of his 33rd birthday when Barcelona eventually moved.
I am hopeful we hold onto our double Player of The Year for similar reasons. Kyogo has ‘done it’ in Scotland, but so has Kevin van Veen, the 31-year-old Motherwell great and Scunthorpe journeyman. Snobbery will count against Kyogo, as will his slight build, at least until he troubles goalkeepers in the Champions League.
That day could be here within four months, but before then, Michael Nicholson will want to address the biggest challenge he faces, extending Kyogo’s contract beyond 2025.
The Road to Seville cyclists are nearing the end of their incredible journey. After a greulling day through the Spanish mountains yesterday, they have a more modest 44 mile journey to Talavera de Reina, which is just about the middle point in the country.
More importantly, their efforts have already raised over £64k for the Celtic FC Foundation. That’s an incredible sum which will help the Foundation carry out its life-enhancing work. Today we hear from cyclist Clare Sweeney and Foundation chief executive, Tony Hamilton. They share the values which inspire them in their football and daily lives, and bear witness to what this Celtic thing is all about.
I hope you enjoy the interview. You can donate to the team’s efforts here and follow their progress on Twitter here. Thank you all your support.
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CMac,
did anyone ?
it was a freebie to season ticket holders, you log on you get a ticket with no payment due.
Good evening all from the Bon Accord. A pleasant view of North Street.
PRESTONPANS BHOYS & TOM McLAUGHLIN
Apologies, was off oot, thanks for posting the link TOM
Here again for those who missed it…
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.67hailhail.com/celtic-youth/celtic-sign-up-rated-youth-talent-after-reported-premier-league-interest/%3famp
Hail Hail
saint stivs
To season ticket holders.
Not available to other Celtic supporters. £8 per adult on Sunday.
Free to U 16s though. Good decision.
So what if the ladies game needs another push up the ladder..
So what if the Celtic End ultras have an extra incentive to showcase what an end would look like…
So what if Celtic want to get behind their investment in women’s football by rewarding ST holders and keeping a price point down for the rest..
So what if Adidas wants to do their bit for a bit of marketing publicity..
It’s how the world turns ffs.
If the girls win the league, the sun’s out and the crowd beats the old record, so what…..
We move with the times and terrific to see heroes and inspiration for the young girls, who could be our stars of tomorrow.
COYGIG
I see some discussion on SC about Harland and Wolff coming to Glasgow in 1912 and giving a £90,00 loan to the original Rangers, (equivalent to £13 millions today) which in effect allowed them to continue business but that they employed the same work practices as H&W themselves. in an often whispered masonic agreement that Rangers “owners” sold out to the craft (Primrose Ure and all that), it suited their empire business model. Keep the catholics out, keep the workers happy , but also cannon fodder always available for the flag, literally.
TT, i am sure told this in detail better often.
While doing much family research around the Port and Greenock and the archives and the British Newspaper archives I have become a little bit obsessive around the industrial history and the migration of my families, but also because and I dont mind mentioning it, my maternal side were Ulster Belfast Orange and came to the Port as part of that H&W takeover.
What is lesser know is that for 20 years – 1916-1936 h&w operated a yard at Greenock, buying out Cairds, for those who know the town, right at the east end of the esplanade, famously they moved the West Kirk church half a mile to accomodate the yard.
Now, what I have found out, the original Irish in the Port were lassies working in the Mills, they arrived even before the menfolk, and gained the lovely moniker of “hairies” being always covered in flax from the mills.
The men came as labourers, no trades employment allowed, but jobs a plenty in the expanding yards, but nearly always the tradesmane and forement would be protestant and orangemen.
The demarcation seen in the housing, the irish lived in The Bay George Street, Bouverie Terrance owned by Birkmyre, Vatican City around Chapel Lane, Fenian alley the original slums off the customhouse, ten Highholm Street.
The protestans lived on the new clune park estate owned by Lithgow, the foremen living in chapelton, the detached villas running up gibshill, and in the Glen , with two orange lodges, and two masonics
Further reading on the cappielow riot, 1922, press of the time report orange mobs from the shipyards, H&W and Kinkaids, attacking little dublin area (cartsdyke station behind cappielow) aremd with rivitos and iron tools.
So anyways, the huns name was in vogue back then,
if anyone wants to pass it on to them on SC.
‘It’s how the world turns FFS’
Your world clearly
Can I put my hand up and say I met Peter Lawwell?
At end of that meeting about a suggestion for a Membership Scheme his words were ” I wish more Celtic supporters were like you”
Not sure if he has changed his mind since.
Probably.
But like him I thought I was acting in Celtic’s best interests in trying to call SFA to account.
One day, sooner rather than later I hope PL will feel able to explain what Celtic saw as in their best interests not to take what Res12 requested to UEFA.
I think PL might benefit from an explanation of the pressures he was under not to do so.
The truth can be healing as well as setting free.
aye, so what ………………..
BIG WAVY on 16TH MAY 2023 6:08 PM
no googling now Big Wavy, can you name the starting eleven for the ladies team on sunday ?
that so what was not directed at auld heid btw.
I will be in a minority of one for this view probably.
I feel a wee bit saddened of the rise of an “old firm” ladies version, promoted , talked up, given “old firmisms” references and even bringing men coaches and violence to the table.
In my humble opinion, the womens game didnt need an Old Firm, and purely in a business sense I dont see that the PLC does either.
I will confess I liked the uniqueness of Glasgow City, grew on its own, true to itself, represented Scotland in Europe and got a lot of goodwill.
Now they find themselves locked in a 3 way end game to be Champions, each team scoring over 100+ goals, losing a few, meaning they are by far the better teams, the other ladies teams really not so good, and getting hammered by one of the big three every week.
It will come down to a point or a goal for who is champions.
By default, the Old Firm supporters will want their team to triumph, but will equally just hope if they dont then at least the other mob dont win it, so Glasgow City might still get some good will.
Anyways, Glasgow City, the pioneers of the Scotland Game, I think will go like Queens Park of the 1890s.
Lost to the rise of an Old firm generation.
I stopped attending Celtic B games and was never inclined to attend a Celtic Ladies game because I decided against my cash going to Airdrie (who I will always hate).
I saw the online highlights of Celtic Ladies’ win at Celtic Park last week. It was great stuff. My niece was in the crowd and I was happy to hear that, because I know she’d previously given up her seat in the Lisbon Lions’ Stand. Any road back works for me.
Watching those highlights, I didn’t see a Green Wall. I saw a green & white Singing Kettle Gangshow.
The ‘taps aff’ brigaders should explain to their own families and then their fellow troubadours why such a display of male aggression was appropriate for a women’s football match.
I read tonight the North Curve are aiming to fill 141 and 142 on Sunday. My seat is in 143.
The North Curve appear to believe, through subterfuge, they can muscle in to their preferred space at home games, just as they have done at away games. The concerted braggadocio across the Celtic internet about this is tiresome to me.
Sling yer hook, kidz. I’ll see you back in your corner.
The Singing Kettle gangshow, that did make me laugh.
As an aside, semi final at Hampden.
I was on the receiving end of the famed “double upper” at the turnstyles for upper section L.
Two twenty somethings, worse for wear on something, one behond me, the other in the que next to me, i gets to the turnstyle and one boy goes “now”, i had the ticket in my hand to put against reader, but the boy pushed so fast i missed the scan, he said , mate cmon tae f let me double up with ye, i said you can try but i aint exactly slim, he tried to grab the ticket, i pushed him back, i scanned it went forward, put my arms staight up, he got in beside we pushed through, no stewards inside, his pal go tthrough as well,
i got a ta mate cheers,
and they went right on the phone, to find where there mates are, and tell them L Turnsyles nobody checking.
i was in twenty minutes earlier, i seen them again, now persuading a steward they got in the wrong area, and should be in the celtic end, hhmmm.
i seen similar tales on rangers media and follow follow, but mostly about overcrowding in the ultras areas, and passageways,
JIMTIM on 16TH MAY 2023 12:23 PM
If as they say ange is his own man , it won’t be long till we see who really is the boss . A big concern for Tim’s everywhere .
Heh JT you awrite? Who is this ‘they’ you talk of?
Who do you mean is ‘really is the boss’?
See JT I have thought that for years too.:-) y-you a-are m-meaning the(woe betide of talking openly on a blog bout it)….
Whispers quietly….The Unseen Fenian Hand…..
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Jim see yi after the SCF come in and have a pint
1 or 2 may be about hehe
https://twitter.com/antearmann1967/status/1525791248828751872?t=7GikCfFvgmfM7Zna3VfO0w&s=19
Hail Hail
Honest, I’m not being negative, not in my make up.
But I have given a bit of thought to this.
Let’s say the average SPL Scottish player rates 6 out of 10. Again, say the EPL average is 8 or 9.
The player we have bought are say around 7. My thinking is we should beat all in Scotland.
So a bit of perspective needed. How will we fair in the Champions League, or even the EPL when the average is higher than us.
Just wondering
KINGLuBO
SAINT STIVS on 16TH MAY 2023 6:30 PM
I will be in a minority of one.
=====
Nope.
My daughter was one of Glasgow City’s first signings from Falkirk Girls by Laura and Kass for whom I have the upmost respect.
I’m positive playing with City where she won League and Cup medals and got selected for Scotland U17s to play in Ireland , Israel, France ,The Faroe Islands and Wembley helped her become a citizen of the world where she currently works in Manhatten for the NBA.
Her teammates have all benefitted from what was the toxic free environment that was ladies football in early 90s.
I used to ferry players from Brigton (aye the girls dad came along too and The King Billy on his horse picture never got mentioned) then on to Maryhill, Bellshill and finally Cumbenauld to turn out for the Cosmos before moving to Falkirk and then City.
The last thing I wanted see was the toxicity emerge the other week in that head butt, but if the girls now are as sensible as back then perhaps it will never take hold.
As you can imagine I watch Celtic v City with mixed feelings.
SAINT STIVS on 16TH MAY 2023 5:20 PM
a slight annoyance but I am playing catch up on all things Celtic , so riddle me this, ……by what measure was Tillman chosen as Young Player of the year
*a hairy arsed youngster tae, btw he has a bro called Timothy
AULDHEID on 16TH MAY 2023 7:29 PM
I forgot that about your ghirl, you told us that some time ago.
well done that lass.
As an aside, a mutual aquaintence who you chatted with often in the Fiddler is retirng, Tommy D from Greenock, he loved to tell me he had met you on holiday,
someday we will get to meet in person roll on retirement.
Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting.
Another Treble.
WITZ: Was the Robert Tressell festival any good and was it well attended?
I wish to join SS and Auldheid in lamenting that Glasgow City will be overtaken by us and rangers when they could have been a common cause that all of Glasgow could support.
Good game in Milan.
https://youtu.be/Dgo8q2y5Sno
21 year old we may or may not have an interest in.
Looks composed, quick and confident on the ball
TontineTim
A Dumbarton sonic.
She’s my peery weeryweery weery winkle,
My Weelie and my Jam and my Bonnie wee bit Spam, She’s my bunch of souracks
And My Laughing Cock-a-Too
And I’ll be Maggies Cock a Leeky Loo.
They say when we get Merried in a year or 2 or 3.
We’ll settle doon the Vennel or maybe doon the Quay,
And there we will sit and Yodel while the ebbing…………………………………………….
You can Dance if you wanna,
Another Treble highly likely. :))
the logon issues are spoiling the blog for me
SAINT STIVS, I use opera browser win built in adblocker. I log in about once a week.
What login issues you having St Stivs?
1. Are you having to login at the same time every day, or multiple times a day?
If its multiple times a day
2. What operating system are you using and what browser you logging in from? (windows, mac, android, iphone or a combination of them)
Anyone else having login problems, please answer the above 2 questions
Almore.
Yes it was good and very well attended.
Many of the old lefties,commie,radical types.
Saw this on BBC sport and it hit me like a brick. I used to live close to Selhurst Park in the 90s, went often. Always thought of them as a “local team with local support”:
– ——-
Wilfried Zaha may have played his last game for Crystal Palace after picking up a hamstring injury against Bournemouth.
Zaha, 30, will decide whether to sign a new £200,000-a-week Crystal Palace contract at the end of the season.
PETEC on 16TH MAY 2023 8:43 PM
TontineTim
A Dumbarton sonic.
We’ll settle doon the Vennel or maybe doon the Quay,
*My da was born doon quay pend that opening between the quay and the old Woolworths.
Another Treble highly likely. :))
*no tempting fate here
WITZ: 👍
I have admiration for Glasgow City\s achievements BUT…….
Young Celtic supporting girls want to have a Celtic team to play for and I’d assume that young Sevvie lasses will want to play for a Rangers Ladies team with an, as yet, unbroken history.
Sectarianism will not disappear from our game by preventing Celtic and Rangers Ladies teams from existing. The Celtic choirs last week brought Republican songs into the game but there was no sectarian bile directed at Glasgow City supporters nor did any come from their section of the stand across the aisle from me. They celebrated their first half goal and got no rebuke or reaction from Celtic fans sitting near them or among them. And they gave none when Celtic scored 3 times, There were plenty wearing the Tangerine jersey of Glasgow City bit no-one saw or gave off Orange connotations.
The so-called male aggression shown by “taps off” fans was put down by me, to it being a surprisingly warm night. I took my jacket off but I kept my composure and my T-shirt on so as not to frighten the horses or the ladies.
All in all, it was a good night. I was pleased that Celtic won and I would have been disappointed if they had lost. But it was much less important to me than if it had been the Celtic first team in Men’s football. I felt as strongly about the result as I do about Celtic B’s results- it matters but it matters much less than the fate of our main team.
Stivs and the other peeps having login issues
If you don’t answer I can’t help??
Bobby Madden on BBC Scotland 9 explaining VAR…..
No, that must have been an alternative universe I just found myself in….
A corrupt financial basket case run by an 31 year old kid and owned by his dad, a guy who would be in jail in most countries, reaches another European Cup final beating their better managed and financially robust and secure city rival opponents.
It must be sickening for most of Italy. I watched them at Bayern in November and they were really ordinary.
Auldheid
Like you I have huge respect and affection for Laura and the team at Glasgow City. Split loyalties too. It’s anyone but Rangers for me on Sunday.
SAINT STIVS on 16TH MAY 2023 6:30 PM
Your story mirrors the Vale of Leven where the womenfolk were head hunted initially from the likes of Perth and Argyll, where they had been displaced too as a result of the Highland Clearances, to work in the newly founded Printing and Dyeing industry due to the minerals in the River Leven washed down from Loch Lomond.
After a spell when more were required one of the owners, who had a holiday home in Donegal, noticed that the young girls there tended to wed late in life as they were required to help out at home so approached the parish priest at the time for assistance in persuading them to relocate to the Vale and Renton.
In all 3 cases the menfolk were offered jobs in the surrounding farms, of which there were plentiful, as well as public works, there’s hardly a dry stane dyke in the area that wisnae built by an Irishman, also it has been recorded that these sons of Donegal built the legendary Renton Road which links the Vale of Leven to Dumbarton.