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.
[calameo code=000390171853d2bfc4f69 lang=en page=1 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
748 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- »
Murdochbhoy supporting Fearless Oscar
06:18 on
17 September, 2013
Yes,I agree,the one source that you have chosen to highlight cannot be deemed impartial.However,I would appreciate if you could tell me what the source in question has stated in relation to the subject matter that you find to be inaccurate?
Also,out of hundreds of sources,you have only questioned the reliability of one.
MICKTT
Finishing at 7am?
Does The Eglinton in Irvine still open at that time for nightshift workers and,erm,insomniacs?
Furthermore,I believe that the Google search is only the tip of the iceberg.My reasoning being that the Western mainstream media are at best turning a blind eye to this particular issue,and at worst taking part in a deliberate cover-up.
**Correction** –
It wasn’t ‘grey’ but was in fact ‘dark’. It’s now looking quite bright and cheerful and I’m disappointed to be leaving now ;-)
16 ROADS
I mentioned this some time ago-unfortunately,the topic got hijacked,so I let it go.
Like you,I care little for the entrenched opinions of those who are reporting this;I’m more concerned that it is being largely ignored (at best)
Not so long ago,we saw videos of a War Cemetery in Libya being desecrated and destroyed. I don’t recall that ever being shown on tv or reported in the press.
Personally,I would like to know why that is.
Good morrow winners
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers forza oscar and mackenzie
06:44 on 17 September, 2013MICKTTFinishing at 7am?Does The Eglinton in Irvine still open at that time for nightshift workers and,erm,insomniacs?
Aye tis a nightshift ten till seven..
Eglinton no more, is now called the Carrick, all done up and is now one of those brewers fayre pubs…
Now home making porridge and bed, is a winters morning here.. off for four days noo..
HH
Don’t think I’ve put enough oats in…
Mmmmmm
HH
Micktt
Do you live next door to your work….impressed that you finished at 7am and by 7:04 were home with the breakfast on :))))
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers forza oscar and mackenzie
06:44 on 17 September, 2013
Oh and for future reference, The Turf still opens early seven I think..
For eh the workers…. you know off the nightshift….. !
HH
tbj praying for oscar knox
07:06 on 17 September, 2013MickttDo you live next door to your work….impressed that you finished at 7am and by 7:04 were home with the breakfast on :))))
I do, is only a three minute walk.. honest. I mean I wouldn’t lie…!
HH
tbj praying for oscar knox
06:29 on 17 September, 2013MickttYe cannae buy bears paroka at celtic park. …We should defo have a paroka bar in the north stand… chicken.. haggis.. fish. .. broccoli. . Cauliflower. .
With porridge..
HH
MICKTT
Always good to know that there is an early-morning oasis!
Canny believe The Eglinton is no more. But I wouldn’t have fancied the contract to clean it up.
Even a petrol bomb wouldn’t have worked.
MICKTT
In recent posts you have referred to yer blonde lass,porridge,and bed.
Hmmmmmm……
THE BOY JINKY
He got home so quick cos the streets are empty.
Everyone else is in The Turf…..
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers forza oscar and mackenzie
07:13 on 17 September, 2013
Petrol bomb Irvine…naw….! Delta..! Ehm
Yeah porridge, bed and Blonde lady sounds like a dream, she is currently in South Ayrshire and will be heading to her wee work soon. So porridge and bed it is..
Porridge turned oot fine, no enough though
HH
Murdochbhoy supporting Fearless Oscar
06:42 on
17 September, 2013.
Couldn`t agree more.
Make a stand against the culture of intimidation.
It can be dangerous,as Jim Spence has found out.
To his cost.
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers forza oscar and mackenzie
07:17 on 17 September, 2013THE BOY JINKYHe got home so quick cos the streets are empty.Everyone else is in The Turf…..
Aye there’s a lot of truth in that..!
HH
Bobby M – It is sad to see the carnage that is taking place in the Middle East today,and I am the first to acknowledge the part being played by the Western governments in this inhumanity.
The anguish and suffering that is also being bestowed upon the Christian communities seems to be forgotten,that’s all.
Enjoy your pints mate.
16 ROADS
Unfortunately,Swindon is not as civilised as Irvine.
Gotta wait till 9am!
There is one which opens at 8am,but it is on my way home rather than my way out.
Don’t want to confuse myself….
MICKTT
Goldilocks,ya choob,ye!
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers forza oscar and mackenzie
07:34 on 17 September, 2013MICKTTGoldilocks,ya choob,ye!
Never read it, as soon as it mentioned three bears it as binned.
HH
16 roads – Wee Oscar the Celtic warrior @ 06.42
Specifically I was addressing the use of Google as a tool for accessing information, as Celtic supporters we’re acutely aware of how ‘media management’ is used to sway public opinion.
The purge of Christians has been a fact of life for centuries and recent wars and other factors has undoubtedly seen a rise in the persecution of Christians in some countries but my inbuilt scepticism ( a direct result of being born a Catholic in Northern Ireland ) automatically questions the sources of information to detect who or what, if any, agenda the source has.
Having recently re-read Ciaran MacAirt’s ‘The McGurk’s Bar Bombing’ has only served to reinforced my scepticism and my need to challenge all sources.
The older I get the more cynical I become, it’s becoming an affliction….
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers forza oscar and mackenzie
07:34 on 17 September, 2013MICKTTGoldilocks,ya choob,ye!
But granted very witty… lol like my electric joints….. new jaicket on for me.
HH
MICKTT
Nice one….
BMCUW
, Morning,
May have a solution to your dilema.Walk backwards while heading for the 8o,clock shot!!that way you might think you just left the house, Im only trying to help, :)
lilys
Uefa rankings
Barcelona (1st)
Inter ( 8th)
Ajax (30th)
Celtic (58th)
Is it a realistic ambition to qualify for the last 16, of course it is.
Gotta go..
God Bless all.
Fresh Autumnal day in the Chilterns…
Interesting team selections posted yesterday.
It’s a tough one do we go with the tried and tested but ultimately not always successful Europe away set-up.
Or do we go for that extra pace that Lenny has introduced to the team to give us counter attacking options.
Of course it’s not even as easy as that, if we play Pukki &/or Derk from the start who do we drop.
Sammi’s a must, Commons a must, Stokes is the in form ghuy who certainly has earned his chance.
Also from a defensive point of view surely Matthews and Lustig are a shoe-in on the right.
Now Mulgrew gives us the extra height and options at set plays, do we drop Ledley and play him with Broonie in the role they played for WGS – or do we play him left midfield where we lose some pace or do we drop Izzy and play him at leftback, we certainly don’t want to mess around at CB again.
Och well, I’m glad I’m only the font of all knowledge and not a Football Manager.
BTW I’m not sitting on the fence here’s my team so far…
Foster – GK
Lustig – LB
In Lenny we trust!
Murdochbhoy supporting Fearless Oscar
07:42 on
17 September, 2013
The older I get the more cynical I become, it’s becoming an affliction….
It`s called maturity,mate.
I share your affliction.
T.S.D. regularly posts on that very topic and is condemned as a fascist or a racist.
Today`s anti-Christian pogrom.Southern Phillipines.
test
wots inter got to do with it??
West Wales Celt
07:55 on 17 September, 2013
test
………………………………………………………………
we back at school.. wots the question?
Not comfortable with the talking up of Scott Brown.
Yes, he has improved beyond recognition from the Strachan/Mowbray era, but his away performances in Europe have been nothing much to shout about.
If he shines in Milan, I’ll be one of the first to say so, but I still have doubts over the Brown/Ledley partnership. It’s too attack-minded, even though Brown’s game has become more defensive recently.
Lenny may indeed surprise us by putting Mulgrew in at the expense of Ledley, but he has little to go on as to how they play together in a competitive match bar the Scotland games vs Belgium and Macedonia.
Tenerife/passport:
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.
test2
West Wales Celt
08:05 on 17 September, 2013
test2
………………………………………………….
haven’t passed the first one yet!!
wwc…you’re not perchance trying the link url are you??
desert bhoy;
Practising all this changing font malarky is all…