The moment Scott Brown threw himself into a challenge on the edge of his own penalty area, laser-like in precision, to dispossess Barry Robson, brought the memories flooding back. Barry was regarded by many as a journeyman when he signed for Celtic alongside Georgios Samaras in January 2008. A month later he scored against Barcelona in the Champions League knock out stage and was well on the way to convincing the Celtic support of his ability.
At the time, Scott Brown’s fortunes were different. He’d arrived the previous summer, a £4m buy from Hibs, but had yet to acclimatise to the central midfield role at Celtic. In the spring of 2008, Celtic were well behind in the title race, and playing poorly. Robson was on the bench with Brown given midfield responsibility.
The script for that season was written by a gifted hand. As the season reached a climax, Scott was suspended for three games, punishment for a rash of misjudged tackles throughout the season. Gordon Strachan turned to Barry, who was made for the moment.
Seven years ago Barry Robson could tackle, in fact, he could foul, without being noticed. He brought determination and menace to a team which was questioned in the CQN comments section for an apparent lack of leadership.
Two of our last five league games that season were at Celtic Park against Rangers. Rangers had a games in hand but the effective gap was 10 points, Celtic needed five wins, and even then their chances of winning the league were regarded as remote. Towels were thrown everywhere.
The first, a midweek game, memorably started with Barry Robson putting a thumping challenge into Christian Dailly in the opening minutes. The tone was set, Celtic were there to fight for everything. Rangers thought they had the point they needed, their manager offering high-fives in the technical area as they cleared the ball late into added time.
I still can’t quite believe what happened next. In the 95th minute Gary Caldwell threw a long ball into the Rangers box, which was won in the air by Scott McDonald, the smallest player on the field. McDonald headed across the face of goal for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to head into the net. Celtic survived to fight another day.
11 days later Celtic Park saw an equally dramatic game. Scott McDonald (scorer of incredibly important goals) put Celtic ahead but the season looked to be in tatters as Rangers struck back with two goals direct from corner kicks.
1-2 down in a must-win game it was an uphill struggle, but McDonald struck again two minutes from the break to level the game with the assistance of a deflection. The second half was a tense affair, so much was invested in one game of football, but one man was made for the moment.
McDonald broke free inside the box and was hauled down by Broadfoot. Barry Robson stepped forward to take the penalty, it was the defining moment of his career. If you’re in Celtic Park early enough before kick-off these days you can still hear the echo of the roar that went up when his penalty hit the net. His celebration was unforgettable.
It’s remarkable that Barry is still performing at this level so many years after his peak but yesterday’s decisive challenge by Scott Brown demonstrated the enormous leaps our captain has made since becoming a Celtic player. We need players with that fight and craft.
Many of us are still telling stories of the 1985 Scottish Cup Final. A goal down, Celtic roared back to beat Dundee United with a Frank McGarvey diving header. Frank’s offering the jersey he wore that day for auction to raise funds for Maryhill Foodbank. It’s a genuinely unique piece of Celtic history, for a very worthy cause. Check it out here.
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Aye
I remember that Hun Vic Davidson
Whit a Hun
And alfiie conn whit a Hun
And Kenny misser whit a Hun
And on and on and on
Huns all of them
Maggie
Yer a gas man in fairness
But I like ya .ya big daftie
a wee question for you musical folks….Dad was born in 1923 where would he have heard and learned the song ..I,ll take you home Kathleen ….
braw
he was from Cushendall..
This video is well worth a watch for James Connolly.
http://youtu.be/KG85FziMdPEq
Not a bother Mouldy67,privilege chief.
Great idea the text option, allows the degenerate “keep losing the bankcard crew” the option to contribute as well.
Have to say also – the LMS competition has been the best sport that I’ve had in ages – nothing serious, just a wee bit of fun that didn’t involve those wretched bookmakers for a change.
Naps competition is another blessing.
Serious post for once.
God bless the CQN.
Hail Hail.
Why do people start a sentence with,”i read the record/mail/sun” with the caveat [i know,iknow].
you either believe it or troublemaking?
which is it?
neustadt-braw
00:21 on 12 May, 2015
a wee question for you musical folks….Dad was born in 1923 where would he have heard and learned the song ..I,ll take you home Kathleen ….
braw
he was from Cushendall..
………………………………
I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen and When You Were Sweet Sixteen were my Dad’s two favourite songs. He would often sing them at parties. I’ve got both of them on my iPod. I’ll Take You etc was sung in. John Wayne film by The Sons of the Pioneers. I think it was Rio Grande.
You’ll hear it about a minute or two into this clip. They also sing The Bold Fenian Men in the film.
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/216514/Rio-Grande-Movie-Clip-Regimental-Singers.html
Neustadt-braw
My old man was born in 1912.
My old mans party song .he had a good voice also could play the piano. and the Harmonica. I’ll take home again Kathleen. Oh how I miss my father.taken to quick and me so young when he died. I have never forgotten him after all these yrs he is always in my mind .
16 roads – celtic über alles…
Yup
Kenny misser was shite
Still is
But you have to buy into that whole “Celtic are we really that Shite that we need shite like that” philosophy.
Ken.
To plagarize that old eighties song
“The politics of shite”
Is it true that Celtic have struck a deal with Korean tech giants?
Samsung and Diela?
Just askin
Magill – The monkey Miller wasn’t that Sh@ite when himself and his “partner” NaeSmiff inflicted some serious damage against various Celtic teams at the Hate Factory.
It should never have been within a million miles of wearing a Celtic jersey.
Even the zombies can’t abide the pair of them.
Ken.
HH.
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy
00:41 on
12 May, 2015
Neustadt-braw
My old man was born in 1912….
……………….
thankyou………………it mends the soul…..I will never be as my father and all I do is to do him proud………and for Mum double ,….smiley thing …
braw
I see the MSM are punting VVD to all and sundry again,and many Celtic fans will jump on this,although they never read the media.Aye right
The only way VVD will be going anywhere this summer,is if Celtic have a replacement lined up,and the price suits Celtic.I believe RD,not the speculating hacks.If you want to believe otherwise,go ahead,although most dont read the press.
Ahem
Ya mad crazy bassa ye.
HH.
timbhoy2
00:51 on
12 May, 2015
My old mans party song .he had a good voice also could play the piano. and the Harmonica. I’ll take home again Kathleen. Oh how I miss my father.taken to quick and me so young when he died. I have never forgotten him after all these yrs he is always in my mind .
…………………….
aye ….and that is the love that we felt and usually they wouldn,t show …I hug the peeps I love at every opportunity…
I wish you and yours all the best ….
braw
Neustadt_Braw Much appreciated nite nite.
clogher celt
22:10 on 11 May, 2015
Read this in the Irish newspapers today.
I am not sure if it has been reported in the Scottish press.
It concerns Pope Francis and his attempts to settle the issues in Cuba. The following is a quote from the President of Cuba, Raul Castro.
“I told the Prime Minister ( of Italy, Matteo Renzi) if the Pope continues to talk as he does, sooner or later I will start praying again and I will return to the Catholic Church, and I am not kidding.”
I thought it was an amazing statement.
Clogher
———————————————————–
And why wouldn’t Brother Raul return to the Church since it is now run by his Brother Francis.
One thng for sure it is not the real Catholic Church, but a Masonic one.
Still, that’s what Vatican II was all about.
viva cristo rey
It’s hauf 2 and the RA is getting upped.
Thought I’d post cos I love Ye all.
This is Herbo. Live.
At a party. For CQN News
.
Paul67..
Said:
I still can’t quite believe what happened next. In the 95th minute Gary Caldwell threw a long ball into the Rangers box, which was won in the air by Scott McDonald, the smallest player on the field. McDonald headed across the face of goal for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to head into the net. Celtic survived to fight another day.
Hmmm..
Here is What Really Happend..
All of Us knew What was going to Happen Next..
In the 95th minute the Greek Gods were looking down on Us.. Georgious Samaras our Number 9 Won the Ball on his own 18 Yard line Casualy Chested down Gary Caldwellinho Who threw a long ball into the Rangers box, which was won in the air by Skippy aka The Moaning Marsupial the smallest player Marsupial on the field. Skippy headed across the face of goal for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to head into the net. Celtic survived to fight another day.
https://youtu.be/zy5XsLLIb0U
Summa of Samaras
Ps.. I Wonder if he (Sammi) would come back to Replace Virgil as out Center Half Playmaker..?
Gorgios the Libero!
I think it’s a goer maself
http://youtu.be/uYl8CEzaom8
chris torey
02:46 on 12 May, 2015
——————————————-
Have to admit,I have been influenced by some of your posts on here over these past few years .
Then again, if you have the courage of your convictions – ye surely wouldn’t have a problem identifying yourself, and explain your opinions.
Fed up with your tripe, honestly ye read like a cowardly b@stard.
Sorry about that.
HH.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc9umVadKw8
Slan.
HH.
Gaun yersel 16 roads
In 66 this country, sang the praises of the dead. We didn’t call them rebels then we used, patriot instead.
http://youtu.be/3rK_280ebIY
Treat for you Night shift, can’t sleep and restless folk..
Margarita Carmen Cansino dancing to the music of the Beegees.
She is Rita Hayworth and she and Fred Astaire (nee Austerlitz) in particular are awesome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz3CPzdCDws
Shawshank CSC
burnley78
15:16 on 11 May, 2015
BMCW
I think the financials tell a very different story.
In the 4 year period the annual football wage bill was reduced by 47%.
Granted he had the legacy of Sutton, Bobo, and Thompson to clear out plus dear Thomas Graveson who was never his player in the first place
Yet still achieved the last 16 in the CL on 2 out of 4 attempts.
By year 4 his job was done and he knew it. Pit was a pity he did not get that wee bit of help in the Wilo window to see us over the line and complete 4 in a row.
~~~~~~~~~~++~~~~~~~~~~~
By the time Gordon took over from Martin,the wage bill had already been cut by the following departure.
Martin O’Neill and his staff
Paul Lambert
Craig Bellamy
Joos Valgaeren
Juninho
Jackie McNamara
Lurking Laursen
Stefane
Damn,
Stefane Henchoz
and probably one or two others.
Here’s the wage bills for you to see how successful Gordon was at further cuts.
2001/02 £32.75m
2002/03 £33.08m
2003/04 £40.50m
2004/05 £37.39m
2005/06 £32.49m
2006/07 £36.42m
2007/08 £38.98m
2008/09 £38.75m
2009/10 £36.48m
2010/11 £32.66m
Where is the success in that strategy,much less the 47% you suggested?
MWD
I’ll get back to you regarding the road shows, I think we may be coming at this from different angles, hence some confusion.
BMCUW
The wage bill remained the same as PL picked up the salaries of the high wage earners after all we go to Celtic to be entertained by high earning superstar CEO’s
Get with the picture big man 8))
Morning Cqn
Good morning all. A rather blustery start to the day in ole EK but that appears to be helping by blowing the ole grey clouds away and allowing the sunshyyyyyne* through.
Jobo
* – sponsored by Liam ;-)
BMCUW
Is that wage bill for all staff or just players?
HAMILTON TIM
I couldn’t find any breakdown,just the overall wage costs.
Bearing in mind how many of our staff were on NMW at that time,I doubt certain people at Celtic would be too keen on greater transparency.
Good morning CQNers,
Those damned overarching adverts you get when accessing CQN are becoming an annoying interference, even adblocker doesn’t work on them. I understand the need for advertising revenue to fund the site but they’re still a bloody nuisance.
Chris Torey @ 05.22
This it would appear, like so many of these conspiracy theories emanates from the good old US of A, I’ll bet you also believe man didn’t land on the moon, ha ha……
Martin O’Neill competed v’s a Rangers team which was the most expensively assembled football squad in the history of the Scottish game.
Gordon Strachan competed v’s a Rangers team which was ‘downsizing’ just like his Celtic team, so comparisons are always used in an attempt to show O’Neill in a bad light.
In his five years in control of Celtic’s footballing dept, O’Neill signed ‘3’ blue-chip players ie: players who cost £5 million or more.
Chris Sutton – £6 million
Neil Lennon – £5 million
John Hartson – £6 million
And yet, cheap re-writers of history will try their best to, diminish O’Neill’s running of Celtic, some saying that the level of wage payment couldn’t be maintained and yet, these same re-writers of history will look the other way when the mere mention of the club’s CEO’s level of payment is brought into question?
Rangers announced during the 2003/4 season that they’d be ‘downsizing’ their recruitment of players from that point on, cue the return of PL to CP, O’Neill not being backed in his request to sign Kilmarnock’s rightback – Peter Canero and, Celtic informing O’Neill that the recruitment of players to further Celtic’c ambitions on the European front would have to be curtailed, after Celtic were knocked out of the Uefa Cup at the last 8 stage by, Villa Real having dismissed Ronaldinho inspired Barcelona in the previous round, promting O’Neill to inform the Celtic support that – “From this point on, Celtic fans will have to be prepared to travel in the slow lane, in terms of European football.”
Were I would point the finger at O’Neill would be, in his efforts to replace Henrik.
The signings of, Juninho and Henri Camara at considerable cost, were flops.
O’Neill trying to replace Henrik, which was mission-impossible IMHO, was on a par with Mr Stein trying to replace Dalglish with, nowhere near the same money, when Mr Stein bought Dundee Utd’s Tom McAdam, a signing which bombed but, in fairness to Tom McAdam, he turned out a decent centre half.
The last time that the stadium was full for the entire season at CP was when, O’Neill was in charge, a manager who ‘demanded’ that quality was put on the pitch for the fans to treated to a Celtic-level of quality.
When O’Neill had to, sadly leave….the Celtic-ness, left with him.
Gordon Strachan, got all the luck in Europe that, O’Neill didn’t IMHO.