It is one thing for football fans and administrators to be embroiled in the politics of the game but it’s no wonder that Neil Lennon tires of such subjects. His team are top of the SPL and in the knockout stages of the Champions League but he is being distracted by references to his club emanating from the lower leagues. Maybe he should limit his comments on this subject to those of Walter Smith, “We wish the new Rangers Football Club every good fortune.” Every “new” club deserves the same courtesy.
Can you imagine the reaction if Neil said the same!
Speaking of which, I see the man who has avoided trying to win friends among other clubs since his arrival in the game last year is now trying to influence people on league reconstruction. Good luck with that.
We spoke over the weekend about well-run clubs in the SPL (Inverness, St Johnstone, Ross County, Motherwell), where managers come and go but results tend to remain buoyant. Notably absent from this list was Dundee United, who have underachieved for years, but whose manager, Peter Houston, was today given permission to speak to English Championship side, Blackpool. Houston has been unable to sprinkle magic dust over Tannadice so, if offered the Blackpool job, I expect him to accept.
United need to ask some fundamental questions should they be forced to replace their manager, like why they have vastly more resources than Motherwell, and appear to be able to produce prodigious young talent, but consistently fail to match the Lanarkshire side the in the league table. They are a club in need of vision.
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“Things are going to be better this year” PL at the Celtic AGM 2013
“Oh no they’re not” shout the audience
“What about Magners?” he asks
“But there’s no method to your Magners?” they reply
ok definitely off this time. You guys suck!
Paul’s leader re politics of the game has resounded tonight.
I did not live or work in the UK during the Thatcher years.
However since I left in 1979 I obviously felt the effects of the prior years. Britain in the 70s was headed downwards in a death spiral as we were overtaken by Germany, Korea and Japan in industrial areas and were being choked by restrictive practices when attempting modernization.
My long departed dad is an ex miner who was retired from Cardowan in the 70s with pneumoconiosis, miner’s lung. He was a committed union member, a devout Carholic and an active worker on behalf of Abe Moffat in the 1950s. He canvassed on behalf of Margaret Herbison and her successor John Smith.
We had long political discussions when he was ill as I could not equate his espousing of communist leaders with his, and my, faith. He was able to separate his aspirations to improve the lot of the working man from his dedication to the Church.
He held no grudges or hatred for the Tories or Margaret Thatcher, or anyone for that matter, and indeed believed that her closure of the minefields was not a bad thing. He said the conditions underground were unfit for humans and that mining should be stopped unless it was done remotely by machine.
My point, at last. I cannot hate Thatcher.
I do hate that she left Scotland a basket case, presiding over the demise of heavy industries without making the necessary investments to retrain the workforce and prepare us for the industrial new age. I do hate that Scottish unions and industrialists could not come together to save us from the blight that has condemned parts of Scotland to perennial poverty and bleak prospects.
The hatred shown overnight on the blog is irrational and certainly not in keeping with my faith and the example of my father.
Fascism, capitalism, materialism, communism, totalitarianism are all thrown about as if they were cold, theoretical economic ideologies. Every one has extremes and a history of extremism. None is ideal, none is perfect and a few are outright evil.
The Church and faith has been suppressed by all points of the political spectrum. The answer is not to be found at the extremes which encourage intolerance and hatred, but in the centre where people listen with open minds and respect for other points of view and concern for their fellow human beings of any stripe, faith or philosophy.
Is there any difference in the hate for Thatcher and joy in her suffering and the hatred shown in protests in Northern Ireland where churches are petrol bombed and children are spat upon on their way to school?
‘GG
`GG
Wow!
Wish I had written that.
Morning Celts que pasa amigos?
Blog broke or working?
V
GG top post sir well done for reeling it all back in to something mair like a Celtic minded blog.
Personally speaking, I don’t hate her but can’t wish her well either, she destroyed too many lifes, my post from yesterday…..
………….
vmhan
18:26 on
14 January, 2013
Canamalar I won’t exactly be dancing on that auld witches grave, but I may do a jig or two, in memory of the ten.
Lest ye forget CSC
GG spot on
A very well articulated view delivered without rancour and embracing for me what humanity should encapsulate.
Whilst many have the right to feel anger with what happened in the Thatcher years ,the thoughts of many last night display a visceral hatred that demeans humanity.
gg
I’ve missed the blog this last few days and haven’t read back.
However! You have made this Bhoy stop and take note with that post.
Thank you and a big Hail! Hail!
MWD
.
GG..
The great thing about this Blog as When Someone like me tries to be Serious and Explain what the Want to Say.. And Fail..
Someone Comes along and Practically word for word.. Describes their thoughts/opinion..
People say Money and Religion are at times the Causes of Wars..
Hate..
If I ever Really hate Someone I will Hate myself More..
I’m called after my Grand Dad.. Who was a Steel worker and Hunger marcher organizer and ‘Commi’..He Learned me about the Hoops tho..
Thanks for sharing Your Post..
001Bhoy
Ps.. Breaking News.. Samaras in POAK Talks.. My Bhoy will Return Home one Day.. Just not Now..;-)
Tom Rogic move edges closer ….. Source The Australian:
http://m.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/tom-rogic-move-edges-closer/story-fn63e0vj-1226554433953
HMV going into admin.
Away to work ……..
V
Good morning friends from a dry and almost frosty East Kilbride.
jobo, has it to snow today? have not seen a forecast.
Gourockemeraldbhoy if your around? text sent re the elusive Greenways :>)
Thanks again Blantyre Tim.
V
ticketbus –
I would respectfully remind you that I only REPORT the weather, I don’t forecast anything ;-)
SoS
You got that worked out right, hate is a word I rarely if ever use.
V
Jobo
We know that from your on line betting results …… Bwaaaaahaaaaaa!
understood jobo, no problem.
Good morning fellow Celts – fffrreeezing in Renfrewshire
gg – superb post earlier
Juventus away game!!
Spare seats available on our bus to Juve game- (no tickets) Leave Renfrewshire on Monday 4th March with pick-ups en -route. 1 x overnight in Lyon Tuesday 5th March £175 and bus straight back after securing QF slot.
Not authorised by Senate to cross Rubicon -but who cares about permissions eh? :-)
contact.
tullylish@googlemail.com
HH
morning all
GG
A post of quality.
George HazlettFootballer;
Footballer; inShare.0
Custom byline text:
Born: 10 March 1923; Died: 22 December 2012.
George Hazlett, who has died aged 89, was a real Scottish footballer – a tricky winger whose career spanned the British Isles, playing for the Navy, guesting for Plymouth Argyle during the war and then continuing at Glasgow Celtic, Belfast Celtic, Bury, Cardiff City and finally Millwall.
He was born in Pollokshaws, Glasgow, a miner’s son, brother to Francis, Cathie, John and Helen. He was attached to Celtic from the age of 17, a product of St Mary’s Boys Club which was a rich source of talent for the club. He made his first team debut in 1945 substituting for Jimmy Delaney who was playing for Scotland against Wales. Celtic asked permission from the Navy for Hazlett to be available for the Celts and he was flown in from Scapa Flow. The game was against Motherwell; Celtic won 3-0 victory.
After the war, Plymouth Argyle were keen for Hazlett to continue his football career with them, although he wanted to return to Glasgow and play for the team he had supported since his childhood. He was signed full-time for Celtic by Jimmy McStay and his second debut was at Ibrox in front of 85,000 fans who were attending the Ne’erday Old Firm clash in 1947. Hazlett scored the opener in a 1-1 draw and this was a personal highlight in his playing career.
Unfortunately a serious leg injury curtailed his Celtic career and he was signed by the “Grand Old Team” Belfast Celtic in 1948. This was a cataclysmic season in Belfast Celtic’s history. Hazlett played in the Boxing Day match against Linfield which ended when a mob attacked and seriously injured Celtic legend Jimmy Jones.
Belfast Celtic disbanded at the end of that season after sailing to the USA for a 10-match tour. During that tour Belfast Celtic had a historic 2-0 victory over Scotland, a game which Hazlett unfortunately missed with an ankle injury. He played and scored in Belfast Celtic’s last ever Irish League match, a 4-3 victory over Cliftonville on the 21st April 1949.
Hazlett then moved back to the mainland where he played for Bury, Cardiff and Millwall. The dockers at Millwall were enthusiastic and sometimes intimidating supporters, but liked their football and insisted their players were totally committed. Hazlett fitted the bill and played five seasons for The Lions and had many great memories, including victories over Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Millwall also knocked Newcastle, the FA Cup holders, out of the competition 2-1 in front of a record crowd of 48,000.
Hazlett set up home in South London with his wife Shirley, and their children Lynne and John. He became a PE teacher and then an education welfare officer for the Inner London Education Authority.
Initially living in New Cross, he maintained his love for football by taking his FA coaching badges at Lilleshall in the company of coaching giants Malcolm Allison and Bobby Robson. He continued coaching local youth and senior teams into his late 70s. As he said many times: “I was brought up in Glasgow and all I ever wanted to do was kick a ball.”
Latterly, Hazlett and his wife moved to Farnborough in Kent, still only a train stop from Millwall, and welcomed a grandson, Oliver, into their lives. Visiting Hazlett was always a great experience with photos, mementoes and stories about Bury, Cardiff and Millwall , but the two grand old teams – Belfast and Glasgow Celtic –- were always close to his heart. Generations of family and friends loved to visit the Hazletts in London.
One of his proudest moments was in 2001 when, along with other Belfast Celtic legends, he was invited to meet Martin O’Neill to celebrate the book launch of Paradise Lost and Found: the History of Belfast Celtic. Hazlett was introduced to the Celtic fans at half-time and noted how lucky players are today to play in front of fantastic fans, in a brilliant stadium and to be handsomely paid for the privilege.
He is survived by his wife Shirley and family, Lynne and Stuart, John and Jill and grandson Oliver.
Morning,
WGS to be confirmed as Scotland manager.
G.O.T.
Always magical to learn a little bit more about our heroes and those whom our parents and perhaps grandparents would have known.
Maintains the family link.
ASonOfDan
07:30 on 15 January, 2013
A crack in the door of regime change?
Remains to be seen.
I ventured into Rangers home site (I was in the ECA site confirming their associate membership and clicked the link) and what did I find………On Rangers TV I was presented with an incongruous site of Chuckles Green in front of an impressive wooden backdrop against which somebody had parked a push bike ………………Ha ha ha
Jabba really needs to hone his presentational skills.
Lennon ready to throw weight behind securing WanyamaRonnie Cully
Senior Sports Writer.NEIL LENNON is preparing to intervene in the talks to persuade Victor Wanyama to sign a new contract.
NEIL LENNON is preparing to intervene in the talks to persuade Victor Wanyama to sign a new contract.
Neil Lennon suspects Victor Wanyama is not ‘driving the bus’ in contract stand-off Custom byline text: Ronnie Cully
The Celtic manager knows the Kenyan’s agent, Rob Moore, and is willing to speak to him directly in an attempt to restart negotiations, which have reached an impasse.
Wanyama is under contract until 2015, and the club are comfortable that, even with widespread interest in the 21-year-old midfielder from top clubs in England, they remain in control of the situation. However, Lennon can see the benefit of having Wanyama tied down for longer, and is ready to throw his weight behind this.
Contextual targeting label: Sport
“I think we can always reopen negotiations with Rob on Victor’s situation,” the manager said. “Obviously, the longer we leave it, the more vulnerable we become, or the more he becomes an attractive proposition for a bigger club. That scenario will be a reality probably later on down the line. In the meantime, we will keep plugging away at it.”
Ultimately, chief executive Peter Lawwell will remain the man leading the negotiations with Moore on Celtic’s behalf, but Lennon is happy to use his influence, as well. “I don’t phone Rob, but I have bumped into him on European trips,” said Lennon. “Rob knows where we’re coming from, and certainly where I’m coming from, as does Peter, but these things are always difficult.”
Celtic already have made what they believe to be a generous offer to the Kenyan, who signed from Belgian club Germinal Beerschot 18 months ago but Lennon accepts Wanyama may want to test himself in the Barclays Premier League, no matter what Celtic put on the table. “That’s the reality of the job sometimes with players,” Lennon explained. “He has never intimated to me he wants to leave, and I’m not too sure who is driving the bus in this situation, whether it is him or Rob.”
Despite all the speculation, Lennon insisted they have received no offers for any of his other players, including Gary Hooper. The Celtic manager is very happy about that situation, although he does anticipate the bulk of any transfer action will happen in the final week of the January window. Celtic already have brought in Rami Gershon on loan, and have Tom Rogic, the Australian midfielder, with them here.
Anthony Stokes will play some part against Steaua Bucharest tonight after being out since August, but James Forrest, Miku, Paddy McCourt and Lassad will sit it out due to various slight ailments.
macjay1
Yep… Sounds like a class guy…
Luv reading about the old yins….
Thank God for Glasgow Celtic.
That is all i have to say.
Reports that Rogic wants to sign for Celtic.
I wonder what Cameron would use as a bribe for Unionists and/or Scottish Nationalists to get his way in the constituency boundary review ?
Cameron will make a final desperate effort in the Commons before the end of the month to reverse the Lords decision, but has only a fragile hope that he can offer something to nationalist MPs in order to win their support, which is needed to defeat the Liberal Democrat/Labour majority. If Cameron fails to win over the Democratic Unionists or Scottish Nationalists, he will be defeated in the Commons, so irrevocably depriving him of a boundary review that most experts believe would give the Tories an extra 15 to 25 seats.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jan/14/lib-dems-peers-boundary-review
@ Moonbeamsnomore
HMV lookin set to go into administration. Thats all we need, another Newco claiming to have all sorts of records…
lol!!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pq9lc
Listen to the pain still felt in those mining villages
Remy going to QPR ….Newcastle thought they had the deal done
Newcastle are in a precarious position in the EPL …have lost Ba…they are desperate for a striker
I wouldn’t be surprised if they offer for Hooper ….I like Hooper , but if he isn’t going to sign a new contract then I’d sell him ..come the summer he is very much in control of the situation being able to sign a pre contract the following Jan
We are in danger if another contract balls up
Top of the morning to you all from a Fife where the dark brooding sky hints at snow or something like it.
Great post by GG and a first class obituary to ex-Celtic player George Hazlett
GG
Top class..the true spirit of Celtic …
The power is all with the players
Club can’t force a player to go
Relationship between club manager and player may have an effect, otherwise player can sit it out till his contract ends
Any other interpretation is tabloid/SKY transfer speculation pash
PFayr
I agree with your post on Hooper
I stated last month that if he didn’t agree a new deal by the beginning of this month, then we had to sell him in January. Allowing him to run down another 6 months on his contract whereby his value will drop by £2-3m will be bad management.
He signs now. Or goes now
‘GG at 05:16 on 15 January, 2013 – beautiful post – I am minded of PJBhoynyc’s advice to me on this blog some years ago – ‘don’t take the poison’