Celtic recorded victories over Dundee and Hearts after their first two Champions League games but collected only one point from the two league games following the double header against Barcelona. They also won after only two of their four Champions League qualifying games, so there is no reason to expect a convincing win against Inverness tomorrow.
Inverness slumped to a freak 1-5 defeat at home to Motherwell last week but that was their first defeat since the same team beat them earlier this season. Like Celtic at the Camp Nou, they will be set on defending deeply at Celtic Park in order to prevent another collapse. This could be an occasion for Paddy McCourt to prize them open.
I had a look at the Europa League group tables last night. Udinese, who eclipsed us in the same competition last season, are bottom of their group this year, as are PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Athletic Bilbao (who beat Manchester Utd home and away last season) and Helsingborgs. Other recent opponents Rapid Vienna and Hapoel Tel-Aviv are also bottom.
If you’re on Facebook there is a story on the CQN Magazine page about Benfica implying Celtic only beat Barcelona because of cheating. Drop in and take a look. On a related subject, I’ve some good material from Spartak in reserve for the days before their visit.
The Annual Remembrance Service, held by the Celtic Supporters’ Association, takes place tomorrow, in memory of Celtic fans no longer with us, with prayers offered for those departed during the last year, including Joe McBride.
The Mass, at St Michael’s at 1350 Gallowgate just up from Parkhead Cross, will start at 12:30 and should be over in around 30 minutes, after which refreshments will be available in the hall to warm you before you head to the game. All are welcome to celebrate the memory of those who have gone before us.
Lost wedding ring alert! Someone found a wedding ring in Lisbon which was probably dropped by a Celtic fan. Let me know if you know who is walking around with their hand in their pocket this week.
Get your CQN Annual here, an enormous resource from the keyboards of Celtic fans!
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summa of sammi….
04:44 on 24 November, 2012
.
Looks like ALL of The Green Brigade bought Tickets to see their Other Team Elgin City play Neo Boys on the Block..:O(
Summa
Just incase u didnt know buddy
Spartak game on sbs 1
.
ProudBhoy..
Yea seen Your post yesterday..:O)
Great l can Watch in Bed instead of the Foxtel Room..Ha..
Summa
Last Chapter for today:
MICHAEL COLLINS’ OWN STORY ~
CHAPTER VII
COLLINS’ ESTIMATE OF ERSKINE CHILDERS
As so frequently happened during the feverish nine months of my association with Collins, his plan to have me meet Sean McGarry the following evening miscarried.
At that time McGarry was in charge of the detachment of National troops guarding the Amiens Street railway station. When I arrived at the place appointed for the meeting, I found Collins with his ear to a telephone receiver and a broad grin on his face. He motioned me towards another telephone instrument and with a gesture invited me to listen.
The amusing part of it was McGarry’s deadly seriousness. For he was explaining in as technically correct military language as he knew how to use addressing himself to the Commander-in-Chief of his army that Irregular snipers were at the moment making exit from the station ” inadvisable.” Only to one who appreciated that for ten years or more Collins had been ” Mick ” to Sean McGarry could the humour of the conversation become fully apparent.
Eventually Collins had me meet McGarry and it proved one of the most interesting and informative sessions of any at which I was present. And it was not until afterwards that Collins determined to go on record himself regarding the chief figure of McGarry’s tale Erskine Childers.
When Collins finally decided to expose Childers, whom he regarded as the evil genius of Ireland, he imposed the condition that it was not to be made public until every effort to effect a truce had been exhausted. He was planning then a last attempt to induce De Valera to end the senseless campaign an effort which, it will be recalled, he announced officially the day that Griffith died.
To the very end he clung to the hope that De Valera would have the moral courage to call a halt, to disperse the brigands and turn over their arms to the Provisional Government ; but the night he took me into his confidence regarding Childers he promised that it would be a short time only before either peace came or I should be free to let the world know the truth about the man Collins held primarily responsible for Ireland’s tragic plight.
Collins’ murder has removed that restriction as I see it and more than justifies my setting down here his denunciation of the man who, Collins believed, cared for no country and served none, but was consumed with a maniacal lust for destruction.
” Of all the many men who for hundreds of years have done Ireland grievous harm,” Collins began, ” none has managed to deal the Irish people such an overwhelming blow as Erskine Childers. This Englishman may be sincere in all that he professes, and so far as I am concerned it makes little difference what his actual motives are. The fact remains that he has worked steadily since 1912 inflicting damage on the Irish cause. The pity of it is that those of us who have known the facts have felt that it was inadvisable to make them public. The time has come when the truth must be told.
” It may be recalled that Brugha in the last session of the Dail eulogised Childers and declared he had done more for Ireland than any other living man the eulogy accompanying his motion calling on the Dail to pass a vote of censure on President Griffith for having called Childers a ‘ damned Englishman.’ Brugha is dead, but Childers is very much alive. My own feeling is that Childers not only never worked any good to Ireland ; he consistently and continuously has done Ireland harm. Ten years ago, Childers then in the English Civil Service, and with more or less influence among a certain coterie in the House of Commons was urging in every way at his command that the British Government should grant the Irish people a measure of freedom that was as unthinkable from an English view as it was greater and more radical than the most advanced Irishman dreamed of getting.
” Then, as at all times since, this Englishman was damning any chance Ireland might have had of winning reasonable concessions from England by advocating an extreme course of action which must inevitably heighten English hostility against us.
” Down through the years, Childers’ record shows he never once deviated from his set purpose always to be more extreme than the most extreme of the Irish Radicals. I have said it makes little difference whether he is sincere the fact that every proposal of his has been impracticable when it has not been positively damaging being enough in itself ; but that does not mean that I have not a very definite opinion as to his sincerity. Twenty years ago Childers wrote a book in which he made out a perfect case for an astounding kind of super spy the agent provocateur. His ingenious scheme was nothing less than having the spy join the extreme faction in an enemy country, and lead them to excesses that would eventually bring about the desired war. That was the Childers of twenty years ago. Let us look into his activities as a champion of the cause of Irish freedom, keeping in mind this scheme he sponsored.
” Darrell Figgis went to Belgium in June 1914, and bought two thousand rifles and ammunition at Liege. A Belgian seagoing tug carried the purchase to an agreed rendezvous in the North Sea, where the cargo was transhipped to Childers’ yacht. Eventually we got possession of the guns and ammunition and the whole world presently learned of the gunrunning at Howth. Would anyone suggest that Childers’ part in this exploit is inconsistent with his professed belief in the efficacy of his super-spy system? What practical good could be realised from our getting possession of a relative handful of weapons ?
” On the other hand, the widespread publicity given to the exploit furnished England with a new and substantial ground for dealing sternly with the impossible Irish malcontents. But even more than this Childers may have had in mind.
” At that time Carson’s armed forces in Ulster were drilling and preparing to wage war upon us at least, that is what many Irishmen honestly believed. What could suit England’s wishes better than such a war ? How could it be precipitated more surely than by furnishing arms in discreetly inadequate quantities to the side which, unarmed, had no choice except passive acceptance of the Ulster menace ? Fortunately, for once we avoided making the error of doing what Ireland’s enemies fully expected. It was for Easter Week those guns were intended, and it was in Easter Week only that they were used.
” The English zealot in Ireland’s cause what do we find him doing next ? Within less than a month after the Howth gunrunning, Childers was enlisting in the English Secret Service in the world war, repeating the services he had rendered his Empire in the South African war. Many times in the past few years Childers has attempted to explain in conversations with me his reasons for voluntarily aiding the nation he swore he loathed always emphasising the fact that he had done no more than tens of thousands of born Irishmen had done, and, as he tried to put it, for the same reason his natural love of a fight and adventure. Always he finished by saying that he was sorry, but better men than he had made mistakes.
” Then in 1917 Childers met De Valera.
” It was an unhappy moment for Ireland when this illogical, incompetent, inexperienced schoolteacher came under the spell of Childers a genius as brilliant as De Valera is guileless. It was Childers who wrote the famous Document No. 2. It is Childers who has guided practically every action of De Valera the past five years. I was strongly opposed to Childers’ presence in the delegation of treaty plenipotentiaries, even as a secretary, but De Valera would not listen to my objections. There was no room for doubt that De Valera firmly believed that Childers was the only man upon whom he could depend.
” And what did Childers do in London ? I risk the charge of being indiscreet in revealing what I am about to reveal but considerations of that kind cannot weigh with me when the fate of the Irish people depends, as it does, on their knowing the truth about this man. He had told De Valera, Brugha, Stack and others in Dublin that he had a great scheme by which he could argue the British Government into recognising that there was no danger in her granting Ireland’s demand for a republic. Griffith and the rest of us plenipotentiaries had no such scheme, wherefore, in due course, it was decided that Childers should have a chance of putting his scheme into execution.
” He had been most secretive about it all along, and I had no idea what it was when we went together by appointment to the Colonial Office one day last November, and there met Winston Churchill and Lord Beatty. The latter had a huge map brought over from the Admiralty at Childers’ request. It showed Britain, Ireland and the European coast.
” ‘ Now, gentlemen,’ began Childers, ‘ I mean to demonstrate that Ireland is not only no source of danger to England, but, from a military standpoint, is virtually useless.’ This announcement staggered me probably more than it did the other two. It was such ridiculous balderdash, I felt like wanting to get out of the room, but I naturally realised that I must make a pretence of standing by my colleague. Churchill and Beatty exchanged glances, and then gave Childers their attention again. ‘ Take the matter of Irish bases for English submarine chasers,’ the latter continued. ‘ From the viewpoint of naval expediency Plymouth is a far better base than any port on the Irish
coast.’
” ‘ You really think so ? ‘ asked Beatty.
” Childers insisted he did, adding, ‘ For instance, supposing Ireland were not there at all ? ‘
” ‘ Ah, said Beatty, with a smile, ‘ but Ireland is there.’
” ‘ And how many times,’ interjected Churchill, ‘ have we wished she were not ! ‘
” And that was Childers’ great idea, and it was all of it ! The argument with which he was going to persuade the British Government to recognise the Irish Republic got no further. I never felt more a fool hi my whole life. Yet to this day De Valera and others believe that Childers’ scheme failed only because we of the delegation did not back him wholeheartedly.
” From my own experience in dealing with British Ministers I am convinced that nothing could more surely weaken any cause in their eyes than ridiculously stupid espousal of the cause. Lloyd George, Mr. Churchill all of them were responsive and reasonable so long as we put forward our points with rational argument, but Childers was a member of the secretariat, and well known by Lloyd George to be De Valera’s personal representative.
” Was this merely another instance of Childers’ doing Ireland grievous damage unwittingly ? For my part, I find it difficult to believe that Childers ever did one unwitting act in his life, but, having said this,I repeat that it makes little difference. The only important fact that the Irish people must fully appreciate is that Erskine Childers wittingly or unwittingly has already done, and is now doing, his utmost to effect Ireland’s ruin.”
Had Collins lived he might have extended the prohibition regarding the release of this interview, but now that he is dead and who will say that it was not Childers’ brain which conceived and organised the Bandon ambush ? I take upon myself the responsibility of showing up the man Michael Collins counted worse than despicable.
summa of sammi….
05:06 on
24 November, 2012
.
ProudBhoy..
Yea seen Your post yesterday..:O)
Great l can Watch in Bed instead of the Foxtel Room..Ha..
Summa
Thats good..always good to see some action in the bedroom
I could still be in the outback so will only see 1st half.. Could sneak a wee sleep in maybe but usually i dont have the dangly bits for that carryon.
Tohonestcsc
John Ross Jnr AKA Larry Hagman. Brown Bread.
Good morning CQN
Here we go again we’re on the road again
we’re on the road again we’re on the way to paradise
we love the jungle deep
That’s where the lion sleeps
for then those evil eyes they have no place in paradise
Enjoy the game
Keep the Faith
Hail Hail
Top of the morning to you all from a still dark Fife.
Having slept on the BRTH post I am still of the opinion that he is wrong in his 8,273 word well-written hypothetical synopsis – complete with fascinating tales of the retiring sheriff – as to why the two Glasgow lawyers acting as judges let Rangers off the hook, while Heidi Poom didn’t.
I have since read a much shorter hypothetical summary which chimes with my views on the matter. It comes from sipsini who at 20.09 said more to me in 29 words than BRTH did in his Magnum opus.
Sipsini said: “I looked at the smug smile on sallys face today.
I felt it told the usual story…try as we may but watp was written all over his face.”
That gets my vote for post of the month.
They got away with it!
Their brethren helped them in their hour of need.
Anyway support the GB and hopefully the team won’t need them today.
HH.
morning tax payers
“…let’s take dem titles back………..”
Scoundrels!
Morning jackie mac,
Hope that wasn’t a wee dig at RFCil…
Heard Chris McLaughlin saying on 5Live this morning that OldCo didn’t owe any tax.
Strange cos I thought they owed…
The EBT tax money already admitted
The WTC money
The NI money for the C Whyte tenure
The PAYE money for the C Whyte tenure
The VAT on the TicketUs money
Any monies due on the FTT appeal
Wee bit forgetful sometimes the aul MSM.
Morning all from a bitingly cold ML3.
Went out the back for a smoke about 15 minutes ago and there are bits of my extremities that are tinged with a shade of blue. I’ve just checked.
Never a good look if you’re going to watch the Celtic.
Wrap up well today Bhoys and Ghirls!!!
After 12 weeks off the bike enjoying being a first-time dad it’s time to start training again – 3 hours scheduled by the coach for today. Sun is shining 18 degrees is the forecast, not bad for November.
Hope the weekend is kind to you all and that ICT get a Motherwell-like whipping. I wonder if big Terry has any loans to repay?
Whither Wamont?
Been having a look back at my timeline on Twitter there since yesterday and I must say that it makes for rather depressing reading.
A Celtic supporter having a bit of a go at Neil Lennon because he believes that the manager should be doing more to highlight the harassment of the Green Brigade, a slagging match between a member of the GB and a prominent Celtic supporter and another Tim, not sure if he’s in the GB, mocking the manner in which some other supporters go about ‘supporting’ the team.
I was genuinely concerned that this would happen, boycotts are divisive by their very nature and as soon as I saw that the GB were going it alone on this one I worried how it would be perceived by the rest of the support.
I wonder though that in the absence of the Green Brigade from Parkhead for the next two home matches, will the rest of the Celtic support discover their voice?!
HT
that doesn’t read particularly well…..especially from a man in your profession…:-)))
PFayr
Us jannies can write what we like but which post are you referring to? :-)
You feeling any better?
What’s all this craic about oldco getting away with it
They’re feckin dead ,burst,finished…they’ve won jack
And, in their defence of a meaningless tax case ( meaningless insofar as their survival was concerned) they’ve provided irrefutable evidence of dual contracts
There has never been such a Pyrrhic victory …they’re just too stupid to realise …and that includes the worst manager in Scotland
HT
exposing your extremities , even in ones own garden ….is not to be recommended :-))
Morning, New Messi?
Ghanaian hugely talented
midfielder Frank ‘Messi’
Acheampong is on a verge of a big
move to Europe as he has arrived
in Scotland on trial with Celtic.
Acheampong, who is seen by many
as the most talented player out of
Ghana since Abedi Pele, is on trial
with Celtic, the club’s manager Neil
Lennon has confirmed.
The 19-year-old, who has one cap to
date for his country, arrived at
Lennoxtown on Friday to try his
luck with the SPL side.
Acheampong is currently with Thai
Premier League side Buriram United,
having joined from Berekum Chelsea
in his homeland in 2011.
Ghanaians were hugely disappointed
when the talented player moved to
Thailand when several clubs in
Europe where chasing him.
But he is now on the verge of
making the fans happy by playing
against the best in Europe, a move
that is expected to put his career on
good footing.
His first appearance for Ghana in a
friendly draw with China in August
this year, playing 60 minutes before
being substituted.
Morning CQN
Back to paradise to watch my first love today
Can you imagine losing our club …. IF that happenened would we understand ans accept their demise or rant threaten and refuse to accept it
Re manflu
Just an annoyance …as long as it doesn’t develop into a chest infection i’ll be fine
Red wine is a very good soother for sore throat ..although I was clearly not up to my game as I could only manage 3/4 of the bottle
No going to g to the game today ..saves me from a difficult decision re boycott etc…however I was very encouraged with the statement from Govan Emerald last night
The boy jinky
It would never get that far with us ….we have always looked after ourselves…never had to rely on the assistance of others
The oldco hillbillies continued to expect that others would save them ….just as has always happened ..
PFayr
Having just returned from another excursion to the back door I can confirm that the extremities, despite being under wraps, are beginning to resemble a Ribenna carton!!! :-)
We’re on the road again…………
Morning all!!
Expecting a good performance and result today.
Stand up for the GB!
…PFayr
Was the red wine in question a ‘nice’ Nero d’Avola perchance?!
HH!!
Good morning friends. A little damp underfoot in ole EK this morning but clear skies overhead and therefore just above freezing. Might need the long johns for this week’s ParkRun.
Pf ayr
They are in denial …. But thats what being one of the people is all about
Ht
My da always warned me to stay away from the back door
Jobo
I needed long johns just going from the back door to the bin!!!
Admittedly they would be more like short johns for me ;-)
TBJ
A man of wisdom then I take it?!
Hamiltontim
I’ll be packing some cold weather gear then will I, long johns, parka, wooly hat!!
Starry
Tis bitter here this morning!!
Hope you got my reply to your email.
Are the zombies genuinely stupid? What does the FTT have to do with not paying their creditors or tax/ni last season?
Did not realise they now want the transfer ban lifted.
Stupid, cheating zombies…
Hamiltontim
I just saw it now, it’s mild and sunny here but winter will be on us soon in the valley, it went down to -16 last year!! Brrr not a day for the extremities!
Mon the Hoops give us a Butcher spanking..
ASoD
I take it your first question was rhetorical?
Good morning CQNers,
Thanks to ‘Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000’ for the comprehensive insight into the FTT, it’s exactly what ignoramus like me was waiting for.
A sorry day I’m afraid where we’ll see supporter’s boycotts and demonstrations against the boards collusion, real or otherwise.
Still, its what differentiates us from the zombies.
Goodoening from a cold and frosty Manchester. Should I scrape the frost off the car or warm water?
Starry
It gets colder than -16 here but that’s usually the frosty reception I get when I roll home from Bar67!!!
Not his biggest fan but it’s essential that Kayal gets a start in any of the games preceding Spartak at home.
He looked good when he came on in Lisbon but he needs time to build up his sharpness and gain an understanding with those he’ll be alongside in the CL game.