Shuggie Edvaldsson, character and experience

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It is almost impossible to explain the excitement generated ahead of Johannes ‘Shuggie’ Edvaldsson in 1975.  He was the first non-Scottish born Celtic player in my lifetime and his arrival marked a philosophical shift at the club; the development plan that secured the European Cup only 8 years earlier was no longer fit for purpose.

1975 was also the year we lost the league for the first time since Jock Stein arrived a decade earlier, almost certainly prompting the manager to broaden his search for reinforcements after the retirement of Billy McNeill and release of Jimmy Johnstone.

His first season at Celtic brought the harsh experience of Rangers winning the treble; the glory years were well and truly over, but Shuggie tasted glory as part of the double winning side in season 76-77.  Kenny Dalglish’s departure that summer dealt the club another blow as it finished fifth in the Premier Division, failing to qualify for European competition just 11 years after reaching the summit, but Edvaldsson was one of that campaign’s highlights, finishing top scorer at the club.

Season 78-79 is remembered for its climatic conclusion, but it was a dogged campaign.  Celtic were poor for much of the season with painful reversals, exactly the kind of attrition Edvaldsson had the character to overcome.  He was provided crucial experience to a young Celtic team who beat Rangers 4-2 with 10 men on the final game of the season.

It was good to see him back at Celtic Park with visiting Motherwell teams in the 80s and good to remember him today, may he rest in peace.

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319 Comments

  1. Tim Malone Will Tell on

    Swansea have a reasonably good track record wrt “progressive” managers – Rodgers, Martinez, Potter.

     

    The current incumbent Cooper is also doing pretty well – but I would guess too big a risk for us.

  2. Judging by his record in the Europa League it’s probably a good thing, they needed extra time to get past Aberdeen in the qualifying round

  3. CELTIC40ME on 25TH JANUARY 2021 5:41 PM

     

    what am I missing with graham potter?

     

     

     

     

     

     

    10th in the championship

     

     

     

     

    15 in the premier league

     

     

     

     

    now 17th in the premier league

     

     

     

    ——————————

     

     

    it is anyone but lennon.

  4. TIM MALONE WILL TELL on 25TH JANUARY 2021 5:55 PM

     

    Swansea have a reasonably good track record wrt “progressive” managers – Rodgers, Martinez, Potter.

     

     

    Potter had one season at Swansea and they finished 10th in the championship

  5. Brighton are easy on the eye and have a good defensive record but they didn’t win enough football matches. He’s been there 18 months and he still hasn’t worked it out yet

  6. St Johnstone versus Livingstone in the league cup final,

     

     

    no chance of a ticket for that.

  7. I’ve actually lost that much interest, I see it’s Hamilton we’re playing on Wednesday…..

  8. gargillespieshamstring

     

     

    Caffeine? What about a wee whisky just before kick off?

     

    It was good enough for Ronnie Simpson….

  9. @ CELTIC40ME on 25TH JANUARY 2021 5:50 PM

     

     

    Think you are overestimating Dyche’s wage. All sources seem to say £2.4m, not £3.5m.

  10. I think EPL manager minimum would be around £2.5-3 million basis, bonuses for staying in the league are huge,plus more for whatever position they finish ,I think it’s £10 million extra per place.

  11. If he does appoint a DoF,what an admission of guilt that would be……and even then he would still interfere

  12. ROLLING_STONE on 25TH JANUARY 2021 6:18 PM

     

     

    All the newspaper reports had his new deal being worth 70k a week.

     

     

    I

  13. Would only take Maloney, if he’s coming as part of a Martinez set up

     

     

    Been given enough chances at Celtic and walked out each time

  14. garygillespieshamstring on

    Celtic mac : I don’t think he was the only one either.

     

     

    There was an article in one of the papers that Liverpool players take caffeine drinks before games to give the players an energy boost.

     

    The Celtic blog alluded to the possibility that sevco might be up to the same tactic, aiding them in their pressing game.

  15. Did Sevco have fans in the ground on Sat ?

     

    Being reported on VideoCelts, with photo’s provided by Willie Vass

  16. Thought Lampard was doing a good job at Chelsea.Bought a couple of top German players who have not totally settled in yet,but will come good,brought a lot of fringe players into the 1st team.Did a great job at Derby,who have plummeted since e left.

     

    Would I have him at Celtic.In a minute.

  17. “!!BADA BING!! on 25TH JANUARY 2021 6:56 PM

     

    Big Judith looking wonderful in tartan…”

     

     

    You sexist pig ! :-))

  18. Turkebhoy

     

    I, too, would be happy with Lamps IF Lennie has to go.

     

    Lampard and Gerrard were kind of rivals for the attacking midfield role for England so that would add a little extra spice :-)

  19. Judith@weather

     

    @JudithRalston

     

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    23 Jan

     

    This always cracks me up – I have met the funny lovely

     

    @MarcJennings90

     

    he told me it was true! #bigJudithafftheTelly