Defining Cruyff is not easy but there are some objective facts to assist: three times European Champion, three times Ballon d’Or winner, voted Europe’s Player of the Century in 1999, and third place in the World’s Player of the Century at the same time.
On the field, the most damming criticism of him is that he wasn’t Pele or Maradona, both of whom won World Cups, but neither changed the direction of travel in the game as Cruyff did. Pele’s Brazil seemed out of sight as they strutted their stuff at the 1970 World Cup. By 1974 the Dutch, with Cruyff pulling all the strings, had tactically moved the game on a generation. It would be decades before Brazil won the tournament again.
The Dutch know all this and, rightly, place Johan at the pinnacle of the game, but there was more going on in the Netherlands at the time. Feyenoord beat Cruyff and Ajax to the European Cup by 12 months as a generation of players matured together.
While the Netherlands took hosts Argentina to extra time in the 1978 World Cup final, Cruyff was watching on TV. Of course they would have won had he played, but that they came so close without him is a testament to the rest of his Dutch generation, forever in his shadow, but great nonetheless.
So would the Dutch revolution have happened without him? Something would have happened, Luxemburg would not have beaten the Netherlands in the 1970s, as they did in the 60s, but it would have been a revolution you might not have noticed. Ajax’ European Cup adventures may have ended with the 1-3 home defeat to Benfica in the 1969 quarter final. Feyenoord may not have edged extra time in the final the following season.
Allied to his skill, speed and strength, Cruyff opened the eyes of all who played with and against him. After Cruyff, opponents knew the old rules didn’t apply anymore.
Yesterday’s story in the Guardian, citing “sources at a major Premier League club” would signal the end of the last pretence of meritocracy in football, where the most wealthy will only play each other in European competition.
Resist of wither like Miss Havisham.
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GG. Just got back and saw your comment on Glasgow being in Lanarkshire. Hmmm. i don’t think that’s what you really meant when you made your original remarks.
As far as I’m concerned Glasgow, home of the famous Glasgow Celtic, stands alone.
Lanarkshire is somewhere else.
SFTB
My bro, asked Martin to do a benefit for MOJO.
He had a gig in Milngavie…I went to see him….he nearly reduced me to tears…he was astounding.
We went for a meal afterwards…sound guy.
Iv never seen a better acoustic guitarist, and ive seen plenty.
He was awesome.
HH
HANS THEESSINK & TERRY EVANS – DELTA TIME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJb7dh71kKo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFWCx3BCdCo
This guy can play.
Easter 1916 W.B. Yeats
I
I have met them at close of day
Coming with vivid faces
From counter or desk among grey
Eighteenth-century houses.
I have passed with a nod of the head
Or polite meaningless words,
Or have lingered awhile and said
Polite meaningless words,
And thought before I had done
Of a mocking tale or a gibe
To please a companion
Around the fire at the club,
Being certain that they and I
But lived where motley is worn:
All changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.
II
That woman’s days were spent
In ignorant good will,
Her nights in argument
Until her voice grew shrill.
What voice more sweet than hers
When young and beautiful,
She rode to harriers?
This man had kept a school
And rode our winged horse.
This other his helper and friend
Was coming into his force;
He might have won fame in the end,
So sensitive his nature seemed,
So daring and sweet his thought.
This other man I had dreamed
A drunken, vain-glorious lout.
He had done most bitter wrong
To some who are near my heart,
Yet I number him in the song;
He, too, has resigned his part
In the casual comedy;
He, too, has been changed in his turn,
Transformed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.
III
Hearts with one purpose alone
Through summer and winter, seem
Enchanted to a stone
To trouble the living stream.
The horse that comes from the road,
The rider, the birds that range
From cloud to tumbling cloud,
Minute by minute change.
A shadow of cloud on the stream
Changes minute by minute;
A horse-hoof slides on the brim;
And a horse plashes within it
Where long-legged moor-hens dive
And hens to moor-cocks call.
Minute by minute they live:
The stone’s in the midst of all.
IV
Too long a sacrifice
Can make a stone of the heart.
O when may it suffice?
That is heaven’s part, our part
To murmur name upon name,
As a mother names her child
When sleep at last has come
On limbs that had run wild.
What is it but nightfall?
No, no, not night but death.
Was it needless death after all?
For England may keep faith
For all that is done and said.
We know their dream; enough
To know they dreamed and are dead.
And what if excess of love
Bewildered them till they died?
I write it out in a verse —
MacDonagh and MacBride
And Connolly and Pearse
Now and in time to be,
Wherever green is worn,
Are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.
goodnight Bhoys, Dublin bound HH
WITS: Lovely to meet you and as you said, never met a CQNer I didn’t like.
Jobo: I lurked for many years before I got the courage to post. I try to contribute to those topics I have particular knowledge/opinions of. Less is good imho.
Oíche mhaith. Long day ahead tomorrow. I will do the Irish Citizen Army walk tomorrow from Liberty Hall to Stephen’s Green starting at 11.30am. Then down to the GAA club to prepare for tomorrow night.
It will be nice to renew friendships and create new ones while at the same time honouring those who inspired Irish people to achieve independence and self determination, at least for 26 of our 32 ancient counties.
The Flaming Lips – She Don’t Use Jelly
https://youtu.be/cvfxKbpoxRE
Quiz Answer
Henrik Larsson, Harald Bratbackk, Marc Rieper and Morten Wieghorst
HH
BSR
Hail Hail bud…get what you are saying.
When you are 6 years old…and you see Bobby Lennox run riot.
You can never ever forget that.
I know…that whatever happens…Celtic supporters will stand together.
We might bicker and slag each other off…thats sheer frustration.
But that frustration…will soon turn to outrage.
PL must be aware that he is playing a very dangerous game.
If he goes against Celtic supporters, he will go, make no mistake.
HH
the_huddle on 25th March 2016 11:16 pm
Been a while this should be posted every day shame on you P67
Celtic by moravcik67
https://youtu.be/C2ZKQfp7D6U
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I reckon that is a good idea. Hopefully Paul can embed it into all his musings – and somehow – Twice daily.
PJBHOYNYC on 25TH MARCH 2016 11:05 PM
As I said earlier to another, I think you’re wrong, but I hope you’re right.
Bourne
With PL some of his actions are very, very personal.
—–
My Dear,Dear,Dear Friend,KevJ…
Speaking of Miss Havisham…
Where’s Ol’ BMCUPW the Nicht…?
Don’t tell s(he) missed the train AGAIN..!
—–
My Melania in High-Heels could wipe the floor wi’ him….
Without breaking sweat.
Even Wee Ivanka could mollicate
him…
Noo she’s hid the wean.
Black-Belt…She is…..
A Kick in the Gonad….
An’ they’ll still be huntin’ for it…
Long after NASA locate the ball that Dixie put o’er the bar against AC Milan…
Hidin’ Oan the Dark-Side o’ the Moon.
Right..? Darned Right..!
——
TGM
I think Pedro is uefa bound.
HH
GLENDALYS
Nice one.
I have never managed to get to grips with finger picks.
Bare fingers for me.
Sure toughens your hands though.
HH
Pixies – Where Is My Mind
https://youtu.be/5iC0YXspJRM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqcvuJ3LhNg
Naughty Miranda.
HH
TET
I think you could be right.
Surely nobody could be that stupid.
The ‘Glamour’ Tournament is significant.
He obviously thinks thats his ace in the hole.
I have my doubts.
Btw…Hope you are well:)
HH
THE EXILED TIM on 25TH MARCH 2016 11:28 PM
TGM
I think Pedro is uefa bound.
HH
Provided he passe s the ‘corruptablity’ test he presently faces.
http://youtu.be/SAqmzmirixg
Richard Pryor
Naughty wurds;)
HH
Mr. Big – To Be With You
https://youtu.be/5QD5n98R_nk
—-
My Dear,Dear Indefatigable KevJ…
I had a smart wee autograph book once upon a time..
Gold-embossed,it was..
To get me started,a family member gave it to Wee Jinky…
And He took it into training…
And got the whole Lisbon Lions Squad to sign it….
I added a few other random autographs o’er the years…
Davie Hay,Johnny Doyle,Dixie Deans,Harry Hood..
As well as Doug Baillie,Donald Ford,Paul Sturrock,Frank Gray….
But then one Fateful Day in 1992….
It was swept away in The Great Spring Cleaning Tornado….
Along with TWO Decades-Worth of “World Soccer” and “Folk Roots”..
Oh,How I Wept…!
I would gie-up the Swindon Sleazer’s remaining ONE…
To get them ALL back..! ;-y
Gotta Go..Saul
Be Nice tae one Anither…
It’s Easter…Mind!
..—-
Why should I blame her that she filled my days
With misery, or that she would of late
Have taught to ignorant men most violent ways,
Or hurled the little streets upon the great.
Had they but courage equal to desire?
What could have made her peaceful with a mind
That nobleness made simple as a fire,
With beauty like a tightened bow, a kind
That is not natural in an age like this,
Being high and solitary and most stern?
Why, what could she have done, being what she is?
Was there another Troy for her to burn?
The Green Man says SACK THE Board on 25th March 2016 11:30 pm
Could never use them either. The missus keeps complaining about me borrowing her false nails though:))
I remember it…..Dublin in a rainstorm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMsayqHftPQ
GLENDALYS
Check this cat out.
Owns the Blues.
HH
Cornershop – Brimful Of Asha,
https://youtu.be/5LBnMRWeV-E
The late – great Stevie Ray Vaughan:
https://youtu.be/OEJh2FFUUoU
……….. this guy could play a guitar!
SID on 25TH MARCH 2016 10:13 PM
So here’s the bit I don’t get.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/resist-of-wither-like-miss-havisham/comment-page-9/#comments
=====
Now if PL says he will always do what is best for Celtic you just set out a very persuasive case for what that might be.
I’m hoping it’s on the lines you suggest.
TGM
As well as :-)
It’s a feckin chore being a Tim so it is.
HH
…………..
Glen
Oh I think that is a given, he is doing a sterling job, sadly :-(
HH
The Green Man says SACK THE Board on 25th March 2016 11:38 pm
Looks like you and me share a few heroes.
Whatever’s Written In Your Heart
https://youtu.be/aAJ2b5xExRQ
Watched The ROI game Tonight…
Jeezo …Horific…sorry..i love MON and How he Put us Back on Top, but That Was Horrendous….Just Saying.
.
HT
I think you are onto ‘supporter’ personal stuff?
Peter L is probably one of few proper generic Celtic fans on the board? – an ’off the radar’ Celtic supporter in comparison to Ian Bankier ( for want of an example )
PL now runs a business, he watched the same ( Green Man’s ) Bobby Lennox and went on a supporters bus, and landed his job from heaven.
He’s a business man, with no way near the required intellect too even think about never mind challenge the massive fraud that affected Scottish Football.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsB_cGdgPTo
The Daddy of bluesmen.
Delta Spirit – “Yamaha”
https://youtu.be/ZNcfn6HmNqg?list=PL891B88D786BD72DD
TET
Certainly hard being a tim.
I remember when the cheeky local bigots were telling me, that i wasnt Scottish because i was a kafflik, and wasnt Irish either, because i wasnt born there.
Fecking chancers:)
You can imagine my reply.
Had a headache for a week due to the amount of rapid headbutting of the hun.
And all these years later….they are still at it.
I will put a crash helmet on this time though:)
HH
HH
Johnny Cash – The beast in me
https://youtu.be/T8tGCVavS5s
Away tae ma bed before I inflict any mair of my music on my poor unsuspectiing fellow tims.