Milan, the incredible Paul Murray, Tyneside No 1

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I never like to hear Celtic fans talk about weaknesses in opponents like Milan. They may be weaker than they were a decade ago but Milan have never been weak. The one thing Celtic have in their favour is the element of surprise, despite last season’s epic achievements. Milan will have read the screaming headlines, ‘spine of the team sold’. They will know little about how effective Celtic can use the vast open spaces of the San Siro.

After defending resolutely against Barca, Celtic looked like a far better team against a less effective Juventus but we found the limit to our abilities. Juve exploited the gaps in defence left as we took the game to them. I would rather defend in numbers and take our chances on the break than try to go toe-to-toe in midfield.

The San Siro seems to bring the best out of Celtic. Jock Stein went there three times, drawing after 90 minutes on each occasion; losing once after extra time. Gordon Strachan’s team were also level after regulation time, losing only after extra time, and lost narrowly in a Champions League group stage game. Martin O’Neill’s Celtic came within three minutes of securing a draw before conceding twice late on.

There can be fewer European grounds on which Celtic have performed as well. Wednesday will require another almighty and intense effort but that is something Celtic are never lacking. Milan may not fear us, but they have reason to be worried.

I listened to former Rangers director Paul Murray on BBC Radio Scotland over the weekend. I know books have been written on the downfall of that club but I could write one on his own contribution. As a non-executive director, Murray’s job was to be the eyes and ears of other shareholders, to ensure the business of the club was in order and carried out properly. He was in a position to ask awkward questions, in fact, it was his job to ask awkward questions and to ensure threats to the club were uncovered and addressed.

In this instance he failed absolutely. Despite this, he trumpeted the 50% decline in the club’s debt during his tenure as a badge of honour, he told us his namesake, Sir David, was exclusively responsible for the sale to Craig Whyte and for the consequences of the EBT debacle. We were informed that Rangers won their EBT case, despite the fact that during the First Tier Tribunal the club accepted they operated an illegal tax scheme for five players, and the remaining issues are a matter of appeal.

Most bizarrely of all he rejected Lord Nimmo Smith’s findings on the conduct of his board before telling us he is absolutely certain he would be judged fit and proper to be a director of a football club. No remorse, not even a hint of self awareness.

Well done to the Tyneside No. 1 Celtic Supporters’ Club who walked from Newcastle to Celtic Park in aid of 1254125 and the Sam Bradley Care Fund. You can support their magnificent effort here.

The new issue of CQN Magazine is out! Click here for a proper read (don’t try to read the graphic below). It’s another great issue, thanks to all who helped.
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748 Comments

  1. doc is supporting oscar and mckenzie.

     

     

    Hi Doc, i would like to run a scenario by you related to the CQN predictor champions league play offs, which i am currently involved in.

     

    Would it be possible, though not ethical, to look at your opponents predictions for the second leg, easy to do on dropbox, and exactly mirror your opponents predictions thereby maintaining your first leg lead?

     

    I ask merely out of interest, the fact that i may have a narrow lead over my opponent is coincidental.

     

     

    HH

     

    N

  2. DeniaBhoy in awe of wee Oscar's Courage on

    Green Lantern – The Spanish equivalent of Sky, Canal +, is showing every CL game live so if you are staying somewhere that has it then you are sorted. As Barca are playing, almost all Spanish bars in Denia will be showing their game. A couple of English run pubs, like the Railway Tavern (beside the railway station) and Cafe Olé, beside the hotel Port Denia, will show games involving British teams. I have watched a good few Celtic games in Cafe Olé but Pete will give preference to any of his regular clients – so if Arsenal or Chelsea fans are in then he will show their games ahead of ours. If you are in Denia before Wed, pop in and ask Pete what he intends to show – so ensuring you don’t waste your time later.

     

    Bombers In Javea, I would imagine, will be in the same position dpending on who comes through the door.

     

    The closest CSC bar than I am aware of is 30 mins drive down the A7 to Benidorm. By far the best place to be if you can be bothered with the drive would be http://www.shamrockbenidorm.com/# .

     

    Cheers.

  3. gordybhoy64

     

     

    Passport renewal:

     

     

    Take your old passport with you + 2 new photos and (if you’ve changed address) proof of where you live (Council Tax Bill/ Notice or Pension/ N.I. docs).

     

     

    Means you can do it there and then and you get a receipt (tracker number) that you can use to phone the Passport Office if you don’t receive it within the allotted time.

  4. jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ on

    I see all the away teams won the the SPL for the first time in 5 years. That was one the coupons my cousins boy had on. Bank transfer for 24G on its way.

  5. Geordie Munro/TET and others,thanks for the advice will give the passport office a bell tomorrow.

     

    Thomthetim,i am not sure if we will got to las Americas for the game,but will get your details before I go and meet up some day for a few

  6. tim in the chamber on

    RWE – Five of us went down in a car. We had just got into the ground about five minutes before kick-off.

     

     

    We were sharing a huge can of lager we bought out of a shop close to the park…it was like a hauf a firkin….anyway George scored, the can went up in the air and that was our carry out finished…in the first couple of minutes…..normally nae cairry oot wis like the end ae the world….But we didn’t bother that night.

     

     

    It was a great European night – followed of course a fortnight later by the brilliant Hampden victory.

     

     

    We weren’t supposed to beat Leeds but we did.

     

    Our bhoys should never be underestimated in any European ties.

     

     

    Looking forward to Wednesday.

     

     

    Hail Hail.

  7. All this gambling talk reminds me of the story of an Irish lad who was on visit to Vatican, he somehow got past the Swiss guard and was wandering around the private quarters when he stumbled into a room and found the Pope laid out stone dead. When the Vatican Officials found him they were aghast and they would only leave him out if he promised on his soul he’d tell no one until the official announcement was made on the Monday.

     

    Our lad was in a dilemma, but he had a plan he rang his pal back in Ireland, he didn’t divulge what he had seen but just asked him to go into the Bookies get the odds on the Pope being dead by Monday and put what he had on it and they would share the winnings. When he got back home, he called up to his pal and asked what had they won. Ah F*** it said the pal we were pipped at the post, I put him in a double with The Archbishop of Canterbury.

  8. Tet,

     

     

    He musta had an appointment. They’ll do it in 4hours but ye canny just turn up like the good ol days.

  9. thomthetim,

     

    no bother get my e mail from Paul67,or there are a couple of others have it,if they have yours they can feel free to pass it on

  10. leftclicktic oscar in our thoughts on

    Good night all

     

    and thank you for being here.

     

    Starry Plough

     

    in my thoughts my friend

  11. #Fearless Wee Oscar is on a Celticrollercoaster on

    CQN Predictor (week 5)

     

    Position Lst Week Team Manager Week 5 Sept Pts Total Pts

     

    1 (3) Koln Hoops Kolncelt 59 117 249

     

    2 (1) Gohome Yahuns stevenagebhoy 44 114 239

     

    3 (2) Celtic Under Ninety Team Paddy Turner 43 115 237

     

    4 (5) Kikinthenakas Kikinthenakas 51 127 233

     

    5 (4) Were on the one road Colts Cowiebhoy 47 104 231

     

    6 (16) Bayern Bru Twists n turns 58 120 231

     

    7 (10) Chocolate Bhoys McFudge 53 100 229

     

    8 (8) Hillend Rockies Slabhoy 47 107 225

     

    9 (7) Giffnock Old Bhoys gscbhoy 45 106 224

     

    10 (12) Mcdowells Bhoys mcdowellcelt 48 124 223

     

    11 (9) Del Monte Shamrock jammabhoy 43 90 219

     

    12 (20) 7-1 4-2 6-2 Travelbhoy 48 106 218

     

    13 (14) Maybe Next Year…………… Penfold 43 99 218

     

    14 (17) Kiwinning Dangers BMCUWP 43 105 216

     

    15 (26) Kayal33 Kayal33 50 112 215

     

    16 (31) The NoNames Kingoh 48 115 211

     

    17 (29) Norfolk Enchants Sponsored by Cheetah 47 105 211

     

    18 (24) Thom’s Sellick Thommybhoy 43 110 211

     

    19 (11) micktic 3mick3 35 86 210

     

    20 (13) Minx 1888 Minx 1888 35 105 210

     

    21 (27) iPaddys Plodders iPaddyMcCourt 44 97 209

     

    22 (23) celtic 67 Deccyrollercoaster 40 105 208

     

    23 (18) EK Green & White Army Kelvinbhoy 38 101 208

     

    24 (6) Green and Whiteley Murdoch, McGrain and Larsson 27 81 208

     

    25 (34) Hail Hail Rain or Shine FC Jobo Baldie 44 98 207

     

    26 (37) celtic1888 Murdoch, Auld and Hay 45 103 206

     

    27 (33) Dougies Donkeys DougC 43 98 206

     

    28 (25) Nitrams 11 ncmjc 38 93 205

     

    29 (21) Looney Tunes Celticrollercoaster 35 98 204

     

    30 (32) Evergreen The Lurker 41 96 204

     

    31 (45) The Exiled Tim The Exiled Tim 48 119 204

     

    32 (41) ruggyvogue c.s.c. voguepunter 46 99 204

     

    33 (39) Imran’s Maw Dick Byrne 44 105 204

     

    34 (30) Diamonds B-Boy 40 104 203

     

    35 (38) Hopeful Hoops Bobby Evans Superstar 43 96 203

     

    36 (51) epl overated hmack 54 98 203

     

    37 (28) Rodfather Rovers Row Z 39 91 203

     

    38 (35) Hurdles Huddlers bognorbhoyle 40 97 202

     

    39 (48) Set Phasers to Malky Jeez_I_thought_blinker_was_pants 49 106 202

     

    40 (22) Jessica Rabbit Mrs CRC 32 83 201

     

    41 (42) MARCELONACELTIC F C Mhark67 43 94 201

     

    42 (56) FC Pasch(ing) praecepta 55 109 199

     

    43 (50) ColleensBhoys Leftclicktic 48 93 198

     

    44 (19) Meiklehill Rovers Mayanman 28 101 198

     

    45 (43) Billys Boots Lionsroar67 38 98 196

     

    46 (44) lubosleftpeg castlebhoy 38 95 195

     

    47 (40) Acacia Milan Doubting Thomas 35 103 194

     

    48 (59) Rossini Sammi the Hun Skelper 52 109 194

     

    49 (52) Dim Sam’s Tims Dim Sam 45 108 194

     

    50 (58) Setting Free the Bears Setting Free the Bears 50 109 193

     

    51 (36) Angola CSC thecelt45 29 70 191

     

    52 (49) Death or Wamba? Ard Ri 40 90 190

     

    53 (46) Donny Gaels Bradbhoy 35 80 190

     

    54 (55) Somerset Harp Gherrybhoy57 43 105 190

     

    55 (57) thebhoyfromoz thebhoyfromoz 42 87 186

     

    56 (64) The Dukes of Montrose Celtic Mac 55 98 185

     

    57 (60) Athenry bhoys stpatricksbhoy 42 100 183

     

    58 (53) Celtic rose Caityrollercoaster 32 73 180

     

    59 (54) Weißbier X Pogmathonyahun 32 79 180

     

    60 (15) Bada Bing Bada Bing 0 62 174

     

    61 (66) Frank’s Frantic Eleven Celtic Soul Brother 46 96 172

     

    62 (65) Heaven Albert Kidd 43 81 171

     

    63 (71) Lennys Bhoys Lennybhoy 54 84 169

     

    64 (61) Lennys Lions The Lizard King 29 92 169

     

    65 (63) Dark Horse FC Stephen Black 35 88 168

     

    66 (70) Bannockburn Bhoys Doc is Neil Lennon 44 78 159

     

    67 (62) Dan City Dan 21 68 159

     

    68 (72) Jonny the Tim Jonny the Tim 43 93 157

     

    69 (69) Glasgow Brazilian Mouldy67 38 86 156

     

    70 (47) Roughrigg Brushers GG 0 49 154

     

    71 (74) Belfast Celtic cliftonville celt 42 42 152

     

    72 (73) Googys Globetrotters Googy Bhoy 39 55 151

     

    73 (67) Gordybhoy Rovers Gordy Bhoy 64 29 86 150

     

    74 (68) RalphWaldoEllison X1 RalphWaldoEllison 27 67 148

     

    75 (76) Jinky’s Giants Johnbud78 39 39 143

     

    76 (75) Dreamchester Athletic Blantyre Tim 28 28 136

     

    77 (77) Patrick Missal Patrick27 29 29 123

     

    78 (79) Sipsini Sipsini 37 37 120

     

    79 (80) Port Brigade Saint Stivs 51 51 102

     

    80 (78) Berocca Juniors The Pips XI 0 0 87

     

    81 – Real Ale Madrid The Token Tim 50 50 50

  12. Geordie Munro

     

     

    I assume he did, it’s a good service.

     

     

    Mine runs out in about 9 months, have to get it from Madrid, another very good service, within a week, but 180 euros, a total rip off, I have no other choice.

     

     

    HH

  13. cliftonville celt from belfast praying for Oscar the wee legend on

    Raging

     

     

    That week on holiday when i missed my predictions has sunk me !!!!!!!

     

     

    Was going well too now I’m 71st

  14. leftclicktic oscar in our thoughts on

    Think I’m 48-46 up against Celtic Soul Brother in the play offs.

     

    goodgamecsc.

     

     

    #Fearless Wee Oscar is on a Celticrollercoaster

     

    Apologies again for being brain dead and giving you extra work :((

     

     

     

    thank you for all your efforts and those that help keep you right :))

  15. Re the predictor…got 5 results correct last week, nearly fainted when my pal gave me rough odds on it….had to get blootered and feel sorry for masel just like I did whe I put them on!

     

     

    Kikinthenakas

  16. cliftonville celt from belfast praying for Oscar the wee legend on

    Had to subscribe to sky sports today

     

     

    Horrible smug cockneys answering phone now – I preferred it when it was a scottish bloke and you could torment him to find out if he was a Hun

     

     

    No fecking special offers for me either

     

     

    I hate them !!!!!

     

     

    Anybody know why RTE doesn’t work on freeview in the occupied 6 counties ? Do you need a saoirseview box ? All RTE channels come up but it says this service is unavailable

     

     

    I thought this would have been covered in the Good Friday Agreement ……I’m ringing Gerry Kelly in the morning !!!

     

     

    Night all will check back for suggestions

  17. cliftonville celt from belfast praying for Oscar the wee legend on

    Left click

     

     

    Aye but I know I’m gonna get gubbed !!!

     

    Away to check email from CRC and cry myself to sleep B-(

  18. kikinthenakas

     

     

    Wish you hadn’t mentioned that – just checked and I got 7/10 results correct (not scores).

     

     

    Not going to try and work out the odds. :-(

  19. cliftonville celt from belfast praying for Oscar the wee legend on

    Yep getting beat 50-42 by setting free the bears !!!!

  20. #Fearless Wee Oscar is on a Celticrollercoaster on

    Bhoys & Ghirls

     

     

    Been thinking about this for a while, due to work,charity, family and predictor committments, but I think it is a good time to retire the Friday nite quiz or indeed for me to stop running it.

     

     

    At one point there was a couple of deputies that would give me a break, however these bhoys have had their own pressures and have not been able to provide this great support. I also do not want to let anybody down with not providing this event.

     

     

    It’s been a good innings over the last couple of years and hopefully been a lot of fun for all those involved directly or indeed the many lurkers that follow indirectly.

     

     

    As they say “All good things must come to an end”

     

     

    Predictor rules ok :-)

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  21. @ cliftonville Celt

     

     

    if you get the HD version of freeview box you will be able to get RTE on that. (and the other Irish channels). you might pick one up cheap enough in Argos or curry’s. adh mor a chara.

  22. CRC

     

     

    Probably a good shout given your workload.

     

     

    Must get more difficult to come up with a different set of CFC questions each week (after a long run) + you have Friday night TV footy competition now.

     

     

    It was a good run – its what converted me from lurking to posting (for what that’s worth)!

     

     

    Only ever managed 2 wins – but enjoyed it. Many thanks!

     

     

    H!H!

  23. cuchulainn

     

     

    I don’t suppose you, or any other bhoys from the North have an old freeview card that you are not needing ?

     

     

    I have a couple of spare boxes, but only one Irish card, which the wife has control of, another card would allow me to see the football.

     

     

    HH

  24. kikinthenakas

     

     

    Ouch! :-(

     

     

    I only got 2 correct scores – 7/10 results (but can’t get a 5some on-line roll up)!

  25. So looking forward to Friday night can quiz.

     

     

    Highlight of the week up here at osprey heights.

     

     

    Its all I’ve got.

  26. Evening Celts, great weekend in Doire with some top Bhoys n Lassies, according to wee Derryghirl I have my mojo back, she’s right enough I need to get back home to Doire more often.

     

     

    Cheers to Coorslad for the all incl up the Creggan and to Seamus kennedy for the invite and excellent party on Sat night, brilliant stuff and a week off work to recover (thumbs up).

     

     

    Solidarity to the BBC employee who forgot to stand by the lie that ignores rangers are dead and that the corruption continues.

     

    Scottish football needs to come clean CSC