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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Tricoloured Ribbon…
Good morning, good to here you had a grand night.
Yep, there are some grand bhoys to party with on the blog.
Paul, it’s time to speak up on Res12, unless you are holding fire!
Must have put my clock forward by a day instead of an hour. Where the feck did Sunday go to. Two empty wine and one empty poteen bottles, and a half empty mango juice carton… My couches are arranged in an L Shape…and today I am imitating them …. I’m in An L of a shape.
Mango juice is bad for you.
Happy Easter rising day…I’m celebrating it by RISING from the wee bit of the L and collapsing on the big bit of the L.
The fact that I can do this at all is a greater miracle than the biblical resurrection.
Grand67 has just suggested that I need Lp.
So I’ve decided to get a home delivery of some more mango juice…
The road to L is paved wae good intentions.
HaiL hail
Matt
Matt,
A solution.A decade of the Rosary, a bit of breakfast and a nice wee Easter Monday swally.
Yeah
Clogher
Me, the Mrs & the wee yin just watched your link from last night, I must have thought it was a programme or film last night so waited till today to watch it, the wee blade started singing along, hope you are having a wee peaceful day after your very busy weekend, will get a beer with you soon
Hail Hail
on 28TH MARCH 2016 9:55 AM
Right back at you mate.
Take care & god bless.
Mr Pastry on 28th March 2016 10:27 am
I want those that cheat punished after all it’s the same club right ?
I want the SFA punished for helping cheats & I want a fit for purpose governing body in this country not one that is in cahoots with cheats at Govan.
Is this too much to ask for ?
Henrik
How dare you/we seek justice !
Back of the bus for us pesky tims
HEN1RIK even
When some celtice supporters told uefa what they thought of them. . The club were fined and advised the support to behave .
Now they want supporters to complain to uefa
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on 28th March 2016 10:51 am –
Exactly.
MRPASTRY
May I also add I want the world to know they are cheating b***ards and have been for years against my club.
Hen1rik & BT
Fair play to the Res.12 Bhoys but for me why doesn’t one half decent lawyer chase them on TOGC laws, any other business in the world who ditched their debt was chased by HMRC, it’s against the law to use the same brand after breaking the law…….the matter what excrement the flies are flying around its against the law……
T Hutton could speak out but Peter Lawwell couldn’t ? I pull the other one.
SFA/SPL Liars Cheats and corrupt Hun conmen.
Listen to the man in the background at 57 seconds in. Rail roaded by who ? The masons ?
http://youtu.be/Al64cnSZZH0
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/celtic/14387183.Former_Celt_Paul_Caddis_on_scary_Strachan__marking_Ronaldinho_and_quitting_Parkhead_to_get_himself_a_personality/?ref=rss
One that got away?
Morning folks, who fancies swapping 1 adult and 2 kids tickets for 2 adult tickets versus sevco.
Good Morning
Lots of racing today
Few snippets for you
2 horses at Cork that I like
Miracle at Medinah 4.10 ( had word for this last time out,was well backed into 15/8 and finished ……last)
today its 10/1 ( you never know)
Roryslittlesister Cork 3.00 ( 14/1) This one is owned by the owner of the Gravediggers Pub in Glasnevin so maybe a sentimental shilling each way ( not without a chance,won this race last year)
Flyball 4.55 Redcar ( got a tip for this one,not sure about the source,bit hit and miss like all tips I suppose but its 25/1 so cant resist)
Isleofhopesanddreams 3.50 Fairyhouse.The name alone would make you want to back but with Ruby Walsh gettng down to minimum weight for the ride it has to be worth a bob or two 5/1
Also there is word for 2 at Cork
Theatre Princess 3.35 and Blazes Peg 5.55,both have been well backed.Trainer is shrewd and had a very easy winner yesterday..Another Rebel it was called
How did we miss that
Anyway best of luck
Jarob may not run if ground gets too soft in National
WITS
Not all of us missed Another Rebel…..by the way it lead from start to finish
Not sure if/how this has been publicised on here, but I thought it might be worth drawing attention to the fan survey that has recently been launched by
Supporters Direct Scotland, in conjunction with the SFA And SPFL.
See here:
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm
No matter what you think about any of these 3 groups, it still represents an opportunity for us to make a small contribution to the ‘debate’ …
VIP
Morning all from Dubs. Great craic here with the CQN bhoys n ghirls. Feeling good and seriously hung over at the same time. How can that be?
Many thanks to the guys who organised the weekend.
Cup semi final tickets now for sale online if you meet the criteria.
AYRSHIRTIM. 1121
Funny you should say that(!)
Have a good flight. See ya later
Btw,huge respect for all our posters in this wonderful country. How the hell they manage to get online beats the bejaysus outa me…
WITS,
Wae a cloudy hungover head,kinda hard tae take that lot on board.
Anyway,the Redcar wan gets the vote.
Up the Dubs comrade.
Mary Lou or Pearse in charge shortly.What’s the odds there fella?
Boaby,
Get the troops assembled and march them to the GPO..
Ayrshirtim
Back in Clydebank for lunch. Was great to catch up with you again over the amazing weekend in Dublin. Loads of great photos, souvenirs and memories.
HH
TCR
The Sinn Fein march to Glasnevin Cemetry was very poignant yesterday. Your neighbour Martin McGuinness was looking very well. :)
The Maidstone?
The Kesh.?
Mountjoy?
Hang on there till we slip oot.
Legends..,
O’Hagan,Twomey,Mallon ..lifted up the Provies and took them over the wall..
Oh yes!
SIPSINI 10.33
Totally agree , the silence on here regarding res 12 is deafening ,an issue to me anyway, more important than winning title this year . I live in hope that our leader Paul is holding his fire for a reason ……………although im not confident in that front. Paul , maybe you dont realise it but you have a huge influence on a large number of fans , the power to mobilise the Celtic support through your blog to MAKE Celtic act on res 12 , if you are not holding fire why not mobilise the troops !!
Afternoon Celts
2016 is a good year for a revolt.
Might do some the world of good to show some solidarity with their fellow supporters.
A level playing field…or nothing.
Its an easy choice.
HH
DD
Great to catch up wi you and yer boy.
Smashin weekend. Hangover gettin worse by the minute mhate…….Boaby n CCB sluggin pints. I’m on the clear stuff and it’s no vodka!
DD,
God bless ma Bankie pal
Afternoon all.
Delighted all those who went to Dublin had a great time, as I knew you would.
Awrabest to AYRSHIRTIM. Long time no see. Same to BMCUW and faither.
Bon voyage back to sunny Kilwinning!
HH!!
Ayrshirtim
H2O is my drink of choice today. :)
The green man,
Oh yes my Maryhill Reb.
Yep.God bless pal.Hope the Tricolour is flying high.
Kev j on his way tae Maryhill.
Four province flags wae him…Yes?
TCR
Hows it going bud.
Hope you are well.
We shall prevail like the Hero’s:)
UTLR
HH
Just bought ticket for the game against the dead mob. Tickets must be purchased online. Still being charged £7 for special delivery. Obviously the numpties at Hampden have never heard of e-ticketing. Only in this wee country!
DD
Welcome back bud.
I know you enjoyed the history with the comrades:)
HH
TCR
Great to read that you had a good night out in Doire.
Looking forward to a few pints in Clydebank with you soon.
God bless D.
HH
TGM
Thanks pal. Spending time in the company of Almore over the 3 days in Dublin was an education indeed. Fountain of knowledge. The Irish bhoys were perfect hosts and tourist guides.
HH
Neganon,Green Man,Exiled Tim,,
Noo,dont know any of them.Hopefully a beer in the future.TAL.
Time tae walk the dugs and a bit of contemplation.
Griff and Tierney.
Eh…that’s it…..