During the Gordon Strachan era I dreaded home games against Kilmarnock. Gordon was permanently under pressure and someone would always lob the “Do you know it’s been 53/54/55 years since Celtic have lost at home to Kilmarnock?’ question in his direction. The last thing the guy needed was a historical record for his many begrudgers to use against him.
Fortunately the record went in less pressing times but tonight’s game is still loaded with historical resonance. One more clean sheet and Celtic will equal their record of not conceding a goal in 10 consecutive league games, previously achieved in 1913-14 and again in 1921-22. It’s safe to assume none of us were there in 1922 to see the record met for the last time.
Celtic are now motoring towards the title but it took heroics from Fraser Forster to keep Motherwell and Hibernian out on our last two games. One moment’s slip in concentration and the record will disappear, like IPO cash at a Cowboy Football Club (not the Dallas Cowboys, or their Scottish partner club).
Kilmarnock have scored in eight of their last 10 games and have hit what passes for form in Ayrshire, tonight will not be straightforward. I want to be there when the record is matched, and beaten, so same again, please, Fraser.
There’s been a bit of frivolity in the comments section at the suggestion Newco Rangers rejected a £900k bid for a player, especially after their predecessor clubs’ claim to have rejected a £9m bid for a player, weeks before entering administration. Knowing the modus operandi of these people you should know better.
If £900k was enough to fix everything I am sure such a bid, if real, would be accepted. If it would merely buy a few more weeks, the only point in accepting it would be to look after creditors’ interests, and we know how that one played out at Ibrox last time.
I saw photographs of indignant Norwich fans reacting to Robert Snodgrass, who returned a verbal volley after being barracked during last night’s game against Newcastle. The sight of several grown men, on their feet, barracking and gesticulating, at being demeaned by a football player shouting back, is as great an indication that some football fans need to get a grip as anything you’ll see.
Well done to STV’s Peter Smith, who is one of three nominated by the Royal Television Society for the Young Talent of the Year award. Smith, aged 12, brought the nation to a standstill when twice interviewing Newco Rangers’ greatest ever owner, Charles Green, laying bare the absurdity of the man while others worked hard to support him. If you ever meet Green, watch him repeat the statuesque performance given to Smith if you ask him to produce those emails from the Dallas Cowboys. Hope Peter wins.
Best wishes too to Krishnan Guru-Murthy who is up for the National Presenter of the Year award. He once played a small but key part in media coverage of Scottish football.
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sixtwo
14:13
I’m sure someone posted the other day saying he was fine, sorry can’t remember who!
—
Estadio – was great to see you at the game on Sunday, it is even better to see you back on here posting again CQN is a much better place when you are posting!
—
Suppose I better go and get some more jelly and ice cream on the way home looks like our pal Craig is intent on keeping this party going!
BMCUW,
Re REM.
A few years ago i was working in Cologne. We managed to finish the Job early and i found myself sitting in an Irish boozer that i favoured over there, as was my wont, around 4.00pm. (The Corkonian – a good bar with Vinnie the owner and Neil bar manager being top guys, anway I digress).
Apart from my good self and a colleague there was only 4 other patrons in the bar at that time. American chaps as it turned out. So we ended up having a wee chat “what are you doing here etc?”. Guys were in a band apparently. So we bought each other a beer etc. Twas a nice wee hour or so chatting.
Anyhoo the guys were getting ready to leave and one of them says to me that they were playing a gig the next night and would i like back stage passes and after-party invite etc as we seemed good guys. Unfortunately I was flying home the next day so had to decline.
It was only an hour or so later that one of the bar staff – who also got back stage passes – said to me are you going to the gig then and when i said no i though id better ask who they were.
Only turned out to be Peter Buck and 3 of the REM back stage guys!!
I, not being that big a music fan, had no idea who i had spent the best part of an hour or so shooting the breeze with.
My brothers and mates ripped me to shreds when i told of this even to the point of saying that I shouldve extended my stay simply to go to the gig and the after-party!
What can I say? Footie has always been my first love. As one of my brothers said, only I could be sitting having beers with Peter Buck and have no idea of who he was.
Yet had it been a second division footballer I’d have known who he was, who he played with and how many goals he scored, if indeed not where he was born too!
“shrugs shoulders”
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
The Battered Bunnet 14:11 on 29 January, 2014
OG
Anyone doubting Craig Whyte’s credibility regarding his ownership of Sevco should consider how he is described in the Scottish media.
His name never appears in print unless the words ‘disgraced former Rangers owner’ are written in front of it.
There is a very good reason for that.
Yogi on one wing and Jinky on the other being fed by ,Tommy G, Bertie and Bobby Murdoch were a sight to behold. The most exciting sight anywhere in European football at the time.
Paul McStay was an absolutely wonderful player but he wouldn’t have got into the Lions team.
Token
If Rangers3 hear that Peter Buck is available he may well end up being a 2nd division footballer….albeit in a few years time!
HH jamesgang
Interesting debate about youth academies here today.
Anecdotally, FWIW etc, sometimes it seems like the chelski academy has had every other lad round here on their books at some point, judging by the amount of times you hear of it from proud hopeful parents. The success rate must be lottery winner fractional stuff.
Got to wonder if there is some other motivation at play – ‘We are now a big club, look at the size of our yearly intake’ – Academy Envy, if you like:)
Reminds me of the Hunter S Thompson line below – substitute music for football?
““The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.”
Why is nobody screaming about us not signing Konstantinos Mitroglou?
Labour Party to retain and upgrade
Trident.
Rule Britannia!
God Save Our Royal Queen!
Ah spoke a wee bit,on here, yesterday.. aboot
The Extreme importance of a Fitba’ Player hivin’ the “Right Attitude”
N, Today.. Still Clinging , Stubbornly.. Ah Suppose…tae
That thur Theme…
Ah wull Continue.
Let me Bring the Following tae Yer Attention:
Among theYoung Celts who hiv bin Gien a Chance at Grabbin’ the Brass Ring..some only a fleetin’ wan..ithers..being allotted Mair than a Fair Crack at marchin’ oan tae Glory…
Young Dylan McGeough springs tae mind.
This Kid seemed tae Hiv it Awe..
Yep, Ah must say that Ah thought that he wiz the real goods.
Howevahhhhhh…
After, Ah hid watched him over a period of time..
Ah ,sadly,concluded.
“Na.. It’s A Pity.. but.. Dylan Wullnae Mak it..
He .. DISNAE HAE THE ‘RIGHT ATTITUDE’.
Whit a Waste o’ Natural Talent..
Och, he may mak it elsewhere.. Mebbe the Pressure of Playing fur Us.. is Too
over-whelming.
Heck.. Ah kin understaun that..
Fur.
The Pressure of Playing fur such an Illustrious Ootfit,as the Celts..
Kin.. be.. and Is..
A Very Daunting Affair.
Ah mention , Dylan, because… Ah wiz pretty convinced for a while that he wid
Mak the Jump.. from the reserves..
But,as it turned oot… Ah wiz wrang..
fur, He Wullnae..
No at Celtic. He wullnae.
This ..”Hivin the Right Attitude”,Ability.. is a very rare n wondrous thingy.
N.. in Some Players.. It Takes a wee Bit of Time n Study..
Tae Spot it.
Some Successful Players ,of the Past, who hid it..
Such as Hoops.. N Wanyama…. to name a couple..
Reveal this Elusive Ability.. fairly Early,in their Celtic career..
Presently, of course.. So hiz… Virgil.. n in Spades!
In Ma Opinion.. The lack of hivin it.. is the Paramount Reason, why so many of oor
Youngsters.. fail tae Mak aSuccessful transition from .. Fresh Aff the Farm..tae Broadway Billing.
So.. It seems tae me.. Neil is Being UNFAIRLY Criticsized.by those who claim
that He diz not gie oor Young Hopefuls,, enuff First Team Chances.
N.. let me admit. that Kojo, should be included among those Critics..
But, Ah am Happy tae say that Ah No longer hold that False Opinion.
Neil, is jist Mair Bettah at Spottin that Elusive Ability ,in a Fitba’ Player ,which we hiv bin discussing..
THAN KOJO.. Diz!
N.. Ah must Keep reminding Masel..Oh That!
Like Ah say..n . wull Keep oan sayin…
” Being a Success,at..well. Anything..is
AWE aboot.. Hivin’ the Right Attitude… Virginia… n don’t ye Evah
Furget it!”
So…noo..
When the Next Celtic Rookie ,gets his shot a GLORY.. Remember,
Whit we hiv tae Look Fur.
N.. By the By..
Rogic, DISNAE HIV the Right Attitude.
In MA opinion, of course.
Neither.. Dis.. Boeriggter..
Biton?
Ah am Still Studyin him.. Let ye know.
Darrell, like Ah done tole ye..yesterday….
DIZ HIV THE RIGHT ATTITUDE.
He wull Mak it..,. Easily.
Pukki, Diz Hiv the Right Attitude..
n the Skill tae go wi it..
So.. Ah am Confident that He wull Mak it , wi Celtic..
He is jist wan o they Fellows who are a wee bit oan the SHY Side..
Yep… Ah am sure that his Shyness, is the main reason,why he is takin so long tae settle in.
But.. He Soitenly Hiz.. The Right Attitude.. awright.
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
Whyte has put his money down,more than the “glib and shameless liar ” has done :))
“Peter Buck is like a new signing,at least he brings some money with him…”-Mark Hateley.
minx1888 praying for Wee Oscar 14.36
thanks, that’s good to hear. I thought of him when i heard that our ‘googly eyed hero’ might be about to make a comeback!
Bmcuw
I would guess from your postings that your sister wins the arguments: and the reason she does so is because she is cleverer
Billy Bhoy 05
14:39 on 29 January, 2014
From all the players I have seen playing in the Hoops Henrik has to be the best footballer to have graced them and I saw the Lions play
Would Henrik have gotten into your Lisbon team
Billy Bhoy 05
We could upgrade Trident and export it to North Korea and some of those Arab countries.
The balance of payments would be sorted at the press of a button.
Sir Danny would have got in the Lions team IMO…
Steinreignedsupreme
14:38 on
Who knows, but the phrase ‘disgraced former Rangers owner’ may yet have to be rewritten (not the disgraced bit, of course)
The Token Tim
14:36 on
29 January, 2014
I’ve been in Cologne a few times with work. The Corkonian is my drinking den of choice. Good pub. And if I remember rightly there’s a picture of the Lions on the wall somewhere.
Bada Bing @ 1446,
hahaha :-)
love the big hateley “quotes”
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Humblest apologies to Walter Kidd for thinking he was a hun.
Kojo
” Neil is Being UNFAIRLY Criticsized.by those who claim
that He diz not gie oor Young Hopefuls,, enuff First Team Chances.
N.. let me admit. that Kojo, should be included among those Critics..
But, Ah am Happy tae say that Ah No longer hold that False Opinion.
Neil, is jist Mair Bettah at Spottin that Elusive Ability ,in a Fitba’ Player ”
Going by your previous track record, that resolution will last right up to the announcement of our team line up tonight.
Your football opinions suggest a butterfly mind where yesterday’s orthodoxy is today’s idiocy.
Today, Eurasia is our friend and Eastasia is our enemy. Tomorrow the reverse will be equally true.
weeminger 14:43 on 29 January, 2014
Why is nobody screaming about us not signing Konstantinos Mitroglou?
——-
I think the €12M price tag that Olympiacos are looking for might be a bit of a stumbling block mhate! ;)
He’s also been linked with a few EPL mid-table dros (Fulham, Stoke etc)
HH
/Bishop B
Kitalba
On youth your points are completely relevant. I’ve made this point before that in the good old days we had a pre season game, which was taken seriously, between the first team and the reserves. Most of us also went to the odd reserve game and therefore we knew what players were coming through.
And on the whole they were given opportunities, which a lot took.
Our youth teams have been winning the leagues for years but we rarely see a player coming through. Beating Dundee United and the rest with ease, and yet their players are now playing regular first team football, and also appreciating in value.
I also agree with you Kitalba on projects. At times I feel NFL is not a Football Manager but a Project Manager.
thebhoyfromoz
22:34 on
27 January, 2014
Over the last few days on the blog, one of our esteemed posters has been teasing us with non to subtle hints thar news will soon be breaking that will delight the Celtic support.
Tonight another esteemed poster has also hinted that big news is in the offing.
These two posters have remaine tight lipped, or at least the keyboard equivalent of tight lipped, about the nature of this news.
One poster, winning captains, tells us that Paul67 has been dropping hints in his lead articles about the nature of this news.
What might the nature of this news be?
Using powers of deduction I would like to put forward a theory.
For at least the past year, Paul67,has been making the argument that Celtic playing their football outwith Scotland would not only be good for Celtic but for Scottish football as a whole.
Celtic are as big as we are likely to get whilst playing our league football in Scotland.
There has been a slight change in tone in Paul67 lead articles over the past week or so.
For instence, when responding to Chris Suttons newspaper column, that Neil Lennon should leave Celtic and go down to England to manage, Paul suggessted that Neil could soon be managing HIS team in England.
Does Paul67 have the ear of Peter Lawel, and is being fed news on Celtics efforts to find an escape route?
But what of winning captains and neil canalmar, who have been hinting at good news?
I can remember, a few days before the agm, Canalmar making a series of excited posts, in the late evening, giving the heads up that incredible news was about to break.From memory he posted twice in close succession about this news and gave the impression that the news was imminent.
Sadly nothing happened that night, I wondered at the time if the poster who responded to his posts by asking Canalmar to phone him, had perhaps told Canalmar to keep quiet, ( I know that sounds paranoid).
The day or so before the agm, Canalmar again posted hinting at news that would change Celtics relationship with the sfa.
I was thinking at the time that Canalmars,and others, resolution had set the cat amounst the pigeons so to speak and that Celtic, through the actions of a small group of shareholders, were finally going to expose the corruption at the heart of Scottish football.
Of course we now know that, following a meeting between Celtic and the resolutioners, the resolution was deferred.
Now here is my theory, Celtic are at an advanced stage in negotiating our way out of Scottish football.
The resolutioners have been told this and accepted the deferral of their resolution in order that negotiations were not put at risk.
I may be spouting complete mince and wishful thinking, after all what is the mechanism for Celtic to move leagues?
How many bodies would have to agree to it?
One thing I’m sure of, Paul67 knows something but for the moment, other than hints, he is not telling us.
=========================
Interesting post from the other day.
Maybe this is all linked together and Craigy bhoy’s reappearance will bring about the downfall of newco AND the SFA, leading to us federating with another ruling body as Paul67 has mentioned once or twice as being a good idea ;)
HH
Len Brennan
14:59 on
29 January, 2014
We could have had him for £3M in the summer.
14:39 on 29 January, 2014
From all the players I have seen playing in the Hoops Henrik has to be the best footballer to have graced them and I saw the Lions play
Would Henrik have gotten into your Lisbon team
—————————-
No one gets in that team, NO ONE.
Mickbhoy 1888
Aye, in place of Stevie Chalmers.
My humble apologies to Walter Kidd for thinking he was a Hun.
still a hun name though.
Hail Hail CQNers
Billy Bhoy 05 14:39
That post reminded me of a day in (I think) 1964 when I and 3 pals dogged school in the afternoon to go and watch Celtic play Rangers.
My school teacher at the time was the wonderful Bob Crampsey and he hauled us out in front of the rest of the class just before the lunch break the following day to harangue us about taking time off school to watch “..a refugee from Snow White’s team on one wing and Last of the Dinosaurs on the other”.
It was the only time I can remember chuckling inwardly while accepting 3 of the best to my outstretched hands, one on top of the other.
Still chuckling now.
Hail Hail
Tony, greetings to you. Henrik would certainly have got into that team or any other Celtic team. He was a complete player.
Kojo
14:44 on
29 January, 2014
Attitude is what makes the difference, whether that be in terms of a player’s development over years or on any given match day.
The thing about technical ability and athleticism is that it is easy to spot as indeed is something less tangible like courage although that might take a few games before it can be assessed, but players signed will all have the first two to some professional level or other.
But attitude takes time to develop and manifest itself. I remember a true story told me by one of the guys who were in the old Celtic Cine Club (John McFadden RIP, I think) who was filming at the touchline of a game v Rangers at Ibrox.
A young Kenny Dalglish was battered into by Rangers and Scotland captain John Grieg and sent to the turf.
Rising, Dalglish confronted Grieg within ear shot of the cameraman and said “Do that again Greigsy and I’ll break yer effin leg”
Kenny was not the most athletic but he was technically very gifted and as regards attitude he had it in spades.
The thing that makes Neil Lennon different is his attitude. He had it in spades too, in fact watching him on TV with Leicester I asked my daughter ”
Who is the blonde haired nyaff in midfield for Leicester ?”
“Neil Lennon” she says
“Just the guy Celtic need” I said.
Yup when it comes to spotting attitude and perhaps even developing it Lenny is yer man.
From all the players I have seen playing in the Hoops Henrik has to be the best footballer to have graced them and I saw the Lions play
Would Henrik have gotten into your Lisbon team
—————————-
tonydonnelly67
15:05 on
29 January, 2014
14:39 on 29 January, 2014
No one gets in that team, NO ONE.
====================
Big Amido would surely, once the project has reached its conclusion
HH
billy bhoy 05
15:07 on 29 January, 2014
Mickbhoy 1888
Aye, in place of Stevie Chalmers.
—————————-
That’s it I’ve seen it all now, Angel of death take me NOW,
Henrik’s Sombrero,
yep theres a few pieces of Celtic memorabilia on the walls.
Vinnie is a Liverpool fan first, but a Celtic man not far behind (he was/is good mates with fellow Corkonian Colin Healey and used to come to afew of the games during Colin’s time here).
Neil is a Celtic/West Ham man.
Good lads both.
They were very good to me on my many trips there between 2001 and 2011.
In fact the night of the Shaun Maloney league cup tie v the huns at Celtic Park, I was over there and despite there being Bundesliga and EPL games on live that night also, Vinny put our game on the big screen, even although there was a grand total of me, my mate and a swedish guy who worked for volvo actually watching the game. In saying that, I still managed to drown out the 40 or so other customers watching the other games on the TV’s, when we Shaun rocketed that 30 yarder into the pokey :-)
I know that Barney Vallely’s (aka Charlie’s bar) round the corner is actually more of a Celtic pub, (and I have been known to occasionally pay a visit there) but i prefer the Corkonian simply because the guys in there have looked after me so well over the years.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
PS – Koln Celt of this parish is a regular in both of the bove boozers. Another good guy whom if you are next in ask for him and have a beer with. He’s originally an Ayrshire Bhoy, but thats not his fault ;-)
Tis the future you had told young sky walker.
The thing that makes Neil Lennon different is his attitude. He had it in spades too, in fact watching him on TV with Leicester I asked my daughter ”
Who is the blonde haired nyaff in midfield for Leicester ?”
“Neil Lennon” she says
“Just the guy Celtic need” I said.
Yup when it comes to spotting attitude and perhaps even developing it Lenny is yer man.
Dundee Celtic
Good interview with skoosh.
How many Jaffa cakes can scott brown fit in his mouth ? http://t.co/VqwT3Wp2sg
traditionalist88
” The resolutioners have been told this and accepted the deferral of their resolution in order that negotiations were not put at risk.
I may be spouting complete mince and wishful thinking”
Not so much wishful thinking as adding 2+2 and getting 5 or perhaps a good bit premature in terms the outcome of Res 12.
Celtic keep stuff so close to their chest its like another lung.
Tonydonnelly67
As is said on here often …It’s all about opinions, and I completely understand your position. IMO Stevie was only in the team because of injuries, and some might also argue that applied to Bobby Lennox.
The Lisbon Lions will never ever be forgotten, even after we win it again.
Hail hail