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
- »
Just back from Tuscany, nice but the mosquitoes are a curse. Anyone any advice on how to avoid being bitten (maybe some of the bhoys who used to stand in the Jungle could help)?
ernie lynch
Agreed the SMSM didn’t report the statement, but equally the statement didn’t appear on the BBC Scotland website.
If it had, it would have created a zombie storm and the SMSM would have had no choice but to report it. As it was, we only got the watered down version.
The thing is, the message wasn’t heard in Scotland.
scullybhoy… don’t go near mike tyson
..or suarez
Wee James didn’t travel as he’s still on his mum’s passport and she couldn’t get the time off work this week.
Hen1rik
00.39
great post
hh
I read the side agreement between SPL and sevco yesterday, and have since read ecojohn’s view of it.
I’m not convinced ecojohn is on the right lines, and here’s why:
Shabby, sordid and disreputable as the entire episode is, I think looking specifically at the side letter, while it.doesn’t say so explcitly, it is referring to financial and other sanctions that may have come down from the commission looking into the whole EBT disgrace, and not the matter of title stripping, this being a resetting of the record rather than a sanction per se.
Clearly SPL was commited to a commission of inquiry.
Clearly those investing in the Sevco project needed certainty on future liabilities.
It seems natural to my mind, given that Sevco was a new entity entirely removed from RFC plc, that they should not be held accountable for the misdeeds of a different entity entirely.
I remain of the view that LNS and chums dealt with the case presented to them.
I remain of the view that SPL’s lawyers underplayed their case.
I am coming to the view that they did so under instruction, such instruction coming from an easy accommodation between SPL and SFA.
I don’t consider that the SPL side letter reveals this.
Plane boarding.
Later.
TBB
!!Bada Bing!!
09:47 on 17 September, 2013
‘ Brian Dempsey, Paul Cooney, Hugh Keevins, Charlie Nicholas, Gerry McNee and Davie Provan in the hall that night.’
____________________________
Just add – Murdo n MO’N and the ‘Jungle’
and my guidself would have been in dreamland :)
Is there a bigger ‘Cellic-mhan’ on the ‘bored’
than any of those mentioned above ?
Sorry CQNer’s – forget I asked that question
today is not the time – CL week afterall. Innit ?
My prediction for this season made @ June 2013
Celtic to win the Domestic Treble
Celtic to defeat Sevco in a Cup Competition
Celtic to qualify for the CL group stages
Celtic to finish 3rd and drop into the EL
Celtic to reach the EL Semi-Final.
For me – the prediction means – Happy – Hoopy – Days
Chew on that – ya shower a huns :)
Off oot tae the doctors – Hail Hail.
It was widely trumpeted in the rags last weekend that McOist had his 100th competitive game in charge of Rankers.
He was quoted as “I hope the next 100 are a bit calmer.”
Don’t think he’ll see it, TBH.
Vienna celtic rugby football club, anyone heard of before? Dusseldorf- Glasgow flight full of their fans – at least looks like a stag doo.
I have to admit I worry about Izzy in games like these. I would be tempted to play Mulgrew at LB. Dunno too much about AC, depends whether they have a pacey winger on the right, then I think Izzy is best or a big target man to fire diagonals to, then its Chaz.
By the sounds of it Ledley is struggling so Mulgrew may have to play in the midfield regardless. My team for tomorrow for what it’s worth.
Forster
Lustig Ambrose Vigril Izzy
Matthews Brown Mulgrew
Commons Samaras
Stokes
Tony Stokes to have his finest game in a celtic shirt and a memorable in the San Siro ;)
Chairbhoy 09:49 on 17 September, 2013
Surely this is McCoists third club and third season at three different clubs.
Rangers (SPL)
Sevco
The Rangers
The man has lots of experience in the lower divisions, but very little in cups.
tictaewin
10:14 on
17 September, 2013
I know Vienna Celtic Rugby Club – they are the club of choice for the english-speaking expats of that city. I think they were started by some irish guys. I know a guy who used to play there – he is irish, and said that when he was there they had a number of scots and irish playing for them.
Ghuys & Ghals who have tickets for tomorrow night, can you please tell me what section(s) we are in ?
Currently in Milan and hoping to buy at stadium tomorrow for me and my boy.
Also, for Awe Naw,
sorry for late reply but thanks for the invite to Molly Malones tomorrow, but as I am currently working in Milan, my boy made sure he was down visiting me this week.
He’s not daft !
Hopefully we can do it some other time !
HH
Kev,
After reading your constant moaning about our unambitious, penny pinching clueless bored (sic).
Then reading your predictions…..
I’ve come to the conclusion that you should maybe spend more time at the doctors and less on the blower to the record.
Hello,
Thanks again to the many posters yesterday and throughout this period, once again very touched by the kind words.
Miki67 was laid to rest yesterday in Wimbourne, which is the family home of his wonderful wife Viv; the service was a very emotional occasion for all involved. It was a tremendous send off for Michael and again made us feel very proud. Whilst these occasions can be very sad, it was a special tribute to his life and had some very uplifting moments.
A good few references made to his passionate support for Celtic, and his time spent on CQN; as promised, a small selection of the tributes on here were printed and there were several people who read these and were very impressed. Very true that Celtic is “much more than a football club”; and very fitting, then, IMO, that one of the “Celtic family” attending provided a Celtic and Barcelona scarf to be placed atop Michaels resting place. Viv did make a wee joke in her tribute re Michaels happiest day of his life, and not being sure if it was their wedding day or when we beat Barcelona 2-1 last year, which Michael attended. Its a tough call that one !
As a final tribute, JInkys Bhoy is organising a message to be displayed on the big screens at Celtic Park, which is again is very much appreciated.
All the best,
Larrybhoy
Horrendous dream last night, about her from Eastenders……..Bianca?
shouting at me, wakened up in a cold sweat.
Mcmoist on the AGM
He said: “I hope (there is an end to the acrimony in sight). I don’t want to get involved in that and it’s not my job. I would be very, very hopeful come the AGM that we get a clean bill of health, we get a tick, and everybody can move forward.
“I think that’s the dream and hope of every supporter and indeed every member of staff and shareholder.”
…………..
What does getting a tick mean ?
My dream is to win the lottery Celtic to win the champions league and the bank to phone me today and say I don’t need to pay my mortgage the bill been settled as a thank you for my custom here’s hoping ally HH
lilys grandpa-me and lily backing oscar
07:43 on 17 September, 2013
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now that would work were drink not involved…..
Geordie Munro
10:31 on 17 September, 2013
_________________________
Goerdie – stop getting yer knickers in a twist M8
Ye see – I don’t buy the record any more cause
Murdo isny in it any more – so, why would I phone-in to it any more ?
Plus the fact – there’s a certain do-gooder oan here who would delight
in ‘grassing’ me up to the blog if I did – like he did before – cause that’s
what he / she does.
Hopefully that’s of some help ?
Right – Off oot tae the doctors this time – Hail Hail
Larrybhoy
Delighted that Michael got a fitting send-off.
My thoughts are with you and yours, and Viv.
He will no doubt be looking in tomorrow night.
YNWA!
HH!!
Larrybhoy
Lovely post Mate about a great member of our Celtic Family, Miki’s posts often brought a smile to my face and brought me to thinking at a time when it would have been easier to run away from my feelings, he will be missed.
Best thoughts to you and yours at this time..
Starry
LarryBhoy,
Michael will be missed here.
Pleased to hear he got a good send off, that is how it should be.
As TallyBhoy said, I’m sure he will be watching the Hoops tomorrow night.
I also share his dilema, Wedding, childrens births or Barca, its a close call.
HH.
Kev,
They ain’t in a twist.
I think your predictions would be an outstanding achievement for Celtic. Easily topping the Seville season imo.
What I’m interested in is how different would those predictions be if we had bought 2 or 3 of the players you asked for.
hun skelper
10:36 on 17 September, 2013
” a clean bill of health” ???????…. whit ur ye like, sally……. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha……an utterly incredible statement !!!!!
Larrybhoy,
Lovely post.
His funeral has echoes of my mate’s, a couple of weeks ago.
Unbeknown to his family, a tribute was displayed on the big screen at CP before last week’s Petrov. game.
It will also be a fitting Celtic farewell to your brother, who shared a very personal journey on here, with many, who were both inspired and humbled by his humanity.
May he Rest in Peace.
TBB
The guarantee for me only produces what I thought would be the case anyway i.e Oldco would be penalised.
However there are questions on the commissioning and how it allowed LNS to reach his eye brow raising decision that more than support your final conclusion of SFA/SPL collusion over the whole issue.
The fact is Rangers used an illegal tax scheme to pay 2 players from 2000 to 2003, hid the side letters referring to the arrangements, lied to HMRC when asked about the existence of those letters and in those 2 cases cheated the game.
The fact they then had SFA help to continue to avoid paying the tax payer on the tax due on those payments just adds to the weight of evidence that the enquiry was fixed.
If HMRC win then the amount to tax payer has lost will soar but the SFA have played their part in aiding and abetting Rangers in tax evasion in the wee tax case and possibly in the big tax case if the UTT give decision to HMRC.
I say this because of the Rangers officials on SFA committees and the fact that Campbell Ogilvie set up the first tax evasion payment.
They knew what was going on ok and LNS was set up to protect them in general and CO in particular as much if not more than fear of reprisals of title stripping.
Bent as a nine bob note.
KevJ
I hope I ain’t the “do-gooder” you are referring to.
Just to jog your memory, I asked you if you were the poster in the Daily Record hotline as I noted a lot of similarities in your views and because the town in Lanarkshire, that you had already stated openly that you came from, was the same as his.
You, then admitted that you were, indeed that person. Nobody “grassed” you. You claimed that persona with pride.
Glad to hear you have now given up the DR. Better late than never.
Larrybhoy
Wonderful words about the much missed Miki.
He is worthy of that Celtic screen tribute to come.
LARRYBHOY
MIKI67 will be much missed on here;he will be missed much more by those closest to him.
In all his posts,he didn’t complain once-well,except about hunnery,he could be quite vocal on that!
You,Viv,and the rest of the family have my deepest sympathy.
hen1rik @ 00.39, great post, take a break bhoys and ghirls and invest 5 mins in having a good read
Larrybhoy
I have never met your brother, only once exchange opinions with him here. I have no doubts that he was passionate on all things that belong to Celtic and this community. I was very saddened to hear that he passed away. I remember the day when he informed us about bad news and remember that he said : “I must call to my brother”. Thank you for your post and for beeing with us.. Miki67 passing is big loss to this place. He is missed but not forgotten. RIP Michael.
macjay1@07:55
“The older I get the more cynical I become, it’s becoming an affliction….”
It is a good thing to be sceptical but you should try to avoid becoming cynical.
“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.”
The reason that TSD gets called out for fascism or racism is not because he comments on these atrocities which deserve all the condemnation they get, but, because he only comments on atrocities committed by Islamists (and Commies or Non-whites). He is unwilling to condemn the atrocities of Breivik or McVeigh as they were committed by guys who preached the same philosophy as he does, used the same language on multiculturalism and the Frankfurt School as he does, and linked to the same Planet Tinfoil sites that he does.
You, as a poster I disagree with, have shown a much stronger tendency to be willing to consider and evaluate an opposing view, whilst still holding to your own position. I see no comparison between your world view and TSD’s and I do not think you should seek one.
English refs get £50,000 hush money when career is finished!!
http://footballisfixed.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/mark-halsey-referee-of-integrity.html
Please Please Please .
2 wide players .
Samaras inside the wide left [ and running at Muntari ]
Pukki up front..
3 of their likely team are prone to giving the ball away —–
Muntari / Mexes / Zaccardo
Larrybhoy
A lovely and fitting tribute may Miki67 rest in peace.
SoT
Who else would you have in a wide position on the opposite flank from Sammi and don’t you think that Stokes deserves a start as the lone striker?
Wee James out of AC game – taken ill (travel sickness?).