I remember some disparaging comment from sections of the Scottish sporting media regarding Mikael Lustig’s performances for Sweden at Euro 2012. Mikael had only recently joined Celtic and was still finding his feet in Scotland. In short, we didn’t have enough information to make an informed judgement before the Euros. We do now.
His energy levels, speed, height, crossing and general levels of performance has been remarkably high and consistent. Sweden handed him the job of subduing one of the world’s top three players at their recent World Cup qualifier in Portugal, Ronaldo was shackled, scoring only when he left Mikael’s area of the field.
There is a notion that this type of player, who can perform solidly at Champions League and international level, but who we can convince to renew his contract, is more important than the more stellar performers, who have an eye on the exit door.
Adam Matthews timely return from injury will compensate for Mikael’s absence as he recuperates post-op, but we’ve never looked as effective on the right since both of them were fully fit.
The reaction to yesterday’s AGM at Ibrox has been surprising, mostly as it surprised anyone. The outcome has been a forgone conclusion for weeks (if not months), while the realisation of what the future is going to look like for Newco has finally dawned on a few.
A generation brought up to believe in sugar daddies will have to learn: expenditure must equal or be less than income over any given business cycle.
In this respect, I cannot figure why fans are so unhappy with the Newco board, whose central failing has been to spend far too much money on wages for a manager and players. From what I hear, no one at the AGM demanded football budget is cut to an appropriate level.
As their new chairman said, costs will be cut; doing so is a financial imperative. The current Rangers might play in the same colours as its liquidated predecessor, but things will never – eeeeeeeever – be the same again.
This afternoon is the final pre-Christmas posting time if you want your CQN Annual before the day:
Willie Wallace, Heart of a Lion:
[calameo code=000390171ece27dd9e54e lang=en page=98 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
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Malorbhoy and to you and yours! Safe trip up to Paradise!
When HT said he had some night with S&M I won’t deny I was a tad concerned! I’m more concerned that he’s been duping all of us can’t believe it’s taken S&M to out him! Thank you S&M on behalf of everyone here on CQN ! Jeez HT’s not a Celtic fan and not one of us guessed!
Sorry S&M you better cancel your dress fitting!
timomouse
Thanks for that. Cleared my hangover.
Aweeeeee, hate these early KOs, ma fekin heeds bumpin, I could just lye here and kip, awwwww the price of being a Tim.
Good luck to the GB today on their food collection.
Put aside your like or dislike for them today and help them help others.
It’s who we are.. Celtic
Minx
Ought we be concerned?
timomouse
Good read that, fairly brightened up my day that The Broxy Hoards will be the ones who kill off their poxy club at the end up…
Bring on the Minis for another skelping!!
Good day CQNers and lurkers, holiday season is upon us all, enjoy and be happy and no falling out on here!
Me, I’m now on holiday until 6th January, bliss.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
On my way to the match from Monifieth on the Arbroath bus. Yesterday had drinks in the office for Christmas and the blaggards (translation required. ..!) got me a “deid club” piggy bank as my secret santa pressy. Raging so I was but, on reflection, ddecided to give it to my brother in law (aye, he is one of them, but not all that bad anyway) with a donation of £2 to enable him to approach their new board with a takeover proposal at 100% profit. What’s not to like!
HH
Miss BGFC says:
“Keep Big Gorgeous George, and bring back the Holy Goalie”
Sounds like a plan to me :-))
HH
BGFC
Good Morning,
As Max Bygraves used to say – let me tell you a story — and if you are too young to know who Max Bygraves was then go look him up.
I spent the better part of last night in the hospitality of a chap whom we will call—– Billy—- mainly because that is his name.
Billy is a guitar playing, fun loving, son of a gun who is shacked up with– sorry lives with— the daughter of a well known, but now deceased, singer of Scottish and Gaelic songs who used to appear on ra telly. Said singer was a keen fan of the Rangers…… unlike Billy who has a passion for all things Green and White.
However, Billy has also spent over 20 years doling out advice via the Citizens Advice Bureau and last night he was holding court in his kitchen with a supply of beers when he calmly revealed that in over 20 years he had referred perhaps one or two people to a food bank…….. until recently.
In contrast, over the past 6 months he has recommended the food bank to more than 20 “clients”!
Billy is a gentle soul but became somewhat heartfelt when he said that he was amazed at the astonishing con trick that has been pulled by Osborne, Cameron and even Alex Salmond re this. He continued ” How have the Westminster and Edinburgh governments succeeded in persuading our society in the 21st Century into believing that Food Banks are ok? That bewilders me! How?”
I stood and listened to this and opined that we should take to the streets — we should march on Edinburgh and demand an end to this. Either we have a proper welfare state or we don’t and folk being dependent on food banks in this day and age is a disgrace.
Listening also was a journalist ( a St Mirren fan ) from the Herald, an accountant from the Royal Bank of Scotland ( a Big Celtic fan from the Highlands ) and a Professor of Engineering ( a Gers fan ) who also happens to fish for Scotland— literally!
A very middle class, professional, safe bunch.
However, having listened to Billy, it was my pal the Gers fan who piped up ” I have no idea why we are not taking to the streets! I have no idea why we are not protesting about this and other issues, having marches and effectively kicking up merry hell about this and other things which are a disgrace in the 21st Century. We are approaching a huge national election where each side is very conscious of any swell of opinion so if there is an issue get out there and let the buggers know about it!”
And I agree– it is time for a revolution of sorts– it is time to absolutely point out that food banks are a disgrace– not the folk who organise, work for, support, donate and rely upon them, but the very fact that they are deemed necessary.
So all of this is a long way about saying support the food bank today and take something along — but beyond that this has to stop– same way that the Offensive behaviour Act also has to stop— and I know of one or two other pieces of proposed legislation that are ill thought out and which just make no sense in a modern society.
So– Big Nan and others— time for the good walking shoes for Christmas — it is time to get off our arses, leave the keyboards alone and to go and cause a bit of commotion and protest.
2014— a time for change methinks.
If barrowbhoy is lurking best wishes to you and your daughter for Christmas and hope 2014 brings everything you hope for. Thanks for your company in Vegas. Hail! Hail!
http://twitpic.com/dpdeec
Right I need to go and get the Bannockburn Celtic Supporters Bus
Please get behind the above, I have a full bag to pass on
hail Hail
Dear Celtic,
You cannae sell Big George.
You could however, bring back the Holy Goalie.
Sincerely,
Miss BGFC. HH
connaire12
21:51 on 20 December, 2013
Vmhan
Great to see you back posting. Hope you caught my message that I posted sometime ago to thank you for the Annual. Wonderful read, though I need the hankie a great deal during the reading of it.
…………
Just read this post, you’re very welcome, the pleasure in the gift is the giving and I very pleased you’re enjoying it.
Hail Hail c12
I am :>)
Greenpinta-thanks for reply last night.HH
Certain Festive Songs come along with a certain feelgood feeling.
Off to the game shorty with a spring in my step…
http://youtu.be/PrfGKPnYWEI
Has dawn actually broken here in west central Scotland, an utterly vile morning, far worse than last Saturday.
Sub 20k today without doubt.
Right Ghuys, time for me to split, got to give the Bookies my weekly contribution, a couple of pints of the black liquid gold and off to Paradise…
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
T&T ,ryecatcher
Great to hear about TB. Like to share my personal memories of a great man.
I first met Tommy on the night of 3rd May 1986 at our supporters club dance in Drumchapel ,for the Celtic historians among you that date will ring a bell .It was the day Albert Kidd wrote his name into Celtic folklore . Tommy along with Petit Merde where due to be our guests of honour ,I cant recall who organised the do ,but they sure had a great sense of timing.
Tommy,true to his word attended along with the lovely Rosemary, the merde without as much as a phone call failed to show. Anyway a great nite was had by all.
Fast forward 3 years later I had since moved to Jersey and Peter Grant was due to come here for a supporters function ,alas Peter was a late call up into the Scotland squad to face England . Tommy heard of our disappointment and put himself forward to take the place of Peter. He made such an impression that he went on to become the honourary president of our club .What struck me most with Tommy was his ability to remember peoples names on his annual visits to the Island. I recall bumping into Tommy one saturday afternoon on the High Street in Jersey . He greeted me with a warm “Hi Gerry ,How ye Doin “, I thought my heart was about to burst through my chest !
On the night we won the league for Tommy a memorial service was held in St Thomas’ Church here in Jersey ,this was attended by around 400 fellow channelislandcelts .
It was my great privilige and honour that I was asked to compose and present a eulogy to one of my all time heroes.
Tommy Burns One Of Celtics Finest
HH
Malorbhoy, say hello to John and Wullie for me on the bus.
It is chucking it Dow here in Glasgow , and I mean chucking heavy,.
Down
CQN annual just dropped through door
Page 21 get in :0)
Thanks lads
Must say, hugely considerate of the club and TV Co to schedule the match today with an early KO, allowing us the chance to see the game then do the Christmas shopping.
Any good cook shops where I can buy a pressure cooker? A deluxe one mind. None of your basic kit for the Shabby Chapeau.
TBB.. Theres a mighty pressure cooker on display on edmiston drive, just ask the locals for Celtics shadow.. dunno if its for sale just yet….
HT et all
Working this morning.
If the ohg puts food in tell him you know it’s from me..8)
Woof! Gettin worse, i will give it 45 mins. See if it clears up, if not, it’s the telly for me, I had enough of it last week, honesty guys it’s bad here.
channelislandcelt4dam5
10:22 on 21 December, 2013
Just caught your post. Tommy Burns is a legend, I could not begin to tell you what he means to me. On 18th August 1994 whilst at the The Walfrid Restaurant he took time to sign his book, Happy Birthday Lennybhoy, Tommy Burns. Oh and whilst he did so he kept Fergus and Billy Stark who were waiting in a Car, Fergus hurried him along.
Absolute legend.
Happy Christmas mate.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
just about to leave for the game…………..jesus h!
what kind of lunatic goes to a game at this time in this bloody awful climate…………
like a shitey wednesday night pishin rain and darkness!……………..
you got it me!
grumpy coppi!
Take more than a wee bit wind and rain to stop me from taking my seat at CP. The sun always shines in Paradise!!
Leaving in 45 mins, expect same team as last week except Matthews for Lustig. Think Hearts youth team will put up more of a fight but we will win by 3 or 4 by the end.
malorbhoy
09:10 on 21 December, 2013
67 HEAVEN
Awaiting the arrival of the Barrow Bhoys and Ghirls who are very kindly picking me up……….
Malorbhoy, Say hi to Barrow Bhoy Fae the Port for me.
HH
Lennybhoy
Cheers Mate . Seasons Greetings to You and Yours .
HH
channelislandcelt………brilliant read, thanks for posting.
I have a Celtic room in my house and one of the things I have is a big banner that I got made with the Maestro and Tommy’s faces on it with both their famous quotes:
Paul McStay- Celtic football club is the fans, without them there is no club.
Tommy Burns – when you pull on that jersey, you are not just playing for a football club, you are playing for a people and a cause.
It fair cheers me up every time I look at it( especially after a defeat)
HH
Billy Bhoy 05
08:44 on 21 December, 2013
‘The difference for you Ernie is the Irish don’t have a big bunch of Labour Luvvies filling the benches of the House of Parliament & the House of Lords.’
###
No, the differences between Scotland and Ireland in terms of their relationship with the UK are a good deal more important and complicated than that.
Please don’t take this the wrong way, but if that’s your considered response to the point I made then I’d lay odds that the sum total of your age and IQ can’t be more than about 110.
TD,
surely you want to get up the park today and meet the Green Brigaders ?
your chance to share all your worldy wisdom with them, put them right on what it means to be a real celtic supporter.
some of their “leaders” will be there.
you know they are easily led, you could lead them into a better place,
go on.
its only a bit of rain, they bhoys will be standing in it, in an unbroken line of 126 years of our supporters doing things for other people.
go on. dare you.
BRTH
Well said. I find myself thinking about food banks and the number of folks who will die in their houses this year due to them not being able to afford to heat their homes and despair.
Since when was it palatable to see an increase of 30 % in the number of vulnerable people dying in their own homes due to poverty?
Shocking. We need to follow the example set by the folk in Iceland. I’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone protesting about the unfairness and poverty that are abound in our society today.
Bag of food ready, Suited and booted and ready to roll…. 8-0 for the hoops as I took on the predictor…here’s hoping, fiver on it. Hail Hail