Before we get down to less important matters, let me know, did you buy Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas?
There are so many reasons to be cynical about football people (players, directors and fans alike) in the modern era it is scarcely worth listing them but occasionally a pillar of strength comes along and changes all the rules.
This morning’s headlines that Georgios Samaras has attracted interest from an English slumbering giant is reason enough to highlight the dedication of this model professional. Georgios arrived at Celtic on loan in January 2008 and was instrumental in the historic league win that year. When he completed his permanent transfer from Manchester City he took an enormous cut in wages because he wanted to be a Celtic player.
Thanks for the great support for the CQN Annual. You can order online here, time is running out for shipping before Christmas!
His talent and effectiveness has meandered, a bit like those looping runs he would go on with the ball, since then and for a while he was subject to considerable abuse from ‘supporters’. At one point he had the chance to leave but his message to Celtic was simple, ‘If you want me to stay, I’ll stay and fight for my place. This is my club’.
The story of the rebirth of Celtic is also the story of the rebirth of Georgios Samaras. He is the epitome of the modern footballer: strong, skilful and intelligent, he would get into any top squad in Europe.
There is no chance of him going to England, Celtic will not sell him and even if they accepted a bid, the player shows no inclination of wanting to leave. He is currently prime candidate for Player of the Year and is our most feared player in the Champions League.
You have six days to buy Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas in support of Celtic Charity and Teenage Cancer. This is what we’re all about, don’t talk to me about football until I hear from you on the subject that really matters.
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Will we be spending these in May ?
http://www.royalmint.com/shop/u/uk13ugp2
WembleyCSC
I love big Sammy.
But surely cant be the only one who has missed a kickoff say at ICT and tuned in thinking that we had must have kicked off shooting the “wrong” way as first sight is big Gorgeous leaving defenders in his wake as he heads from one penalty box 30 yards towards the other goal.
Only to realise Sammy is just optimizing the space on the park
and being unselfish and giving some of our defenders a look at the ball.
There are very few players that pass through Parkhead’s gates, stay a while and do not become better players, and Georgios Samaras is a classic example of a signing who was developed and flourished because of the Gazebo effect.
Very much an acquired taste in style, he’s become incontestably a better player than when he arrived and went through a lengthy period of unique Celtic fan forbearance, along the way as with many before, better and worse, he’s a a Celtic player and Celtic fan.
Hail Hail the Grecian Celtic talisman, I love you to bits.
Paul 67,
Love the praise for Sammi…..found myself, now in my 40th year, wife and 2 kids at home, standing up to shout ‘Sammi, Ah feckin’ love you!’ after he rode a tackle, beat two defenders and got the cross away at the Celtic end on Wednesday….for what was probably the 6th or 7th time.
That’s why I still go to Paradise, to have moments like that. It’s never just about the goals at Celtic Park, it’s the pure, beautiful, inventive football that we go for. Think about how you watch fitba in the house….you might jump up at a good goal, you might let out a yelp at a near miss but you never break into spontaneous applause, chant someones name, turn your back on the telly as you do the Huddle or profess love for a sweaty Greek wearing shorts in front of thousands of others…….
When our manager not only refused to sell Sammi, he offered him a new contract, the support were incredulous……we understand now why he did so. It gives me real confidence that The Lennon Project will be getting talked about decades from now for what it has and will achieve for our team. Who knows, maybe Peter Lawwell might get an honourable mention in dispatches too, in 2030 and beyond……. ;o)
Long may our Greek Ghod provide these moments, a Pillar of Olympus and Celtic both!
And in case the wife is reading, it’s purely platonic, honest!!!
garcia lorca
Well said. Anyone who slated Sammi for being a wimp should’ve paid closer attention to the replay of the thug attacking Lenny at Tynescastle. First player to run over to help his manager? Big Samaras.
Well done to Lennon for getting the best out of Samaras.
I’ve always rated the big man but I’ll admit I was sceptical about converting him into a left winger.
When you think about it it makes perfect sense. He has all the attributes to play on the wing. Fast, skillful, strong, ability to beat men easily, strikes to ball well, good football brain. I think his 6ft4 frame made it harder for people to accept him there but his height is also one of his best assets.
A remarkable footballer.
I am with Garcia Lorca,
The similarities between Sammi & Big Yogi, one of the truly great Celtic entertainers, is quite remarkable. I posted just that thought when so many of our CQN ‘experts’ were giving the Big Greek nothing but abuse.
Sammi NEVER hid when he was struggling to satisfy the thick glory hunters in the stands, & he NEVER stopped trying. Nor did he ever go running to the MSM to vent his anger.
Great player. Great man. Great Celt.
Paul67 – purchased so we can chat now!
Delighted with Sammi this year, but there is one malcontent who sit in 406 who was screaming for him to get hooked on Wednesday night, as you know I am not a violent ghirl however I was wanting to hook him! I am not sure how much longer I can restrain my 12yr old though!
MWD Happy Birthday hope the hangover is not too bad!
Bought Rod’s Christmas song MP3 from Amazon – easy.
Big Sammy’s turn around has been quite remarkable – always knew he had talent, at least we figured out how to use it before it was too late.
Ernie Lynch,
Maybe sections of the Celtic support but not the whole Celtic support!!
HH
The acid test. Of the two players Hooper and Samaras which one wants to stay and play for the club.
Miki67
Some of the Celtic crowd can be unforgiving and that is simply the human nature of things.
I cringe at times when I hear some of the reasons given for holding a grudge against players or those in charge.
Life can be burdensome enough without the added weight of a grudge often caused by the failure of the one causing the grudge to make the person holding it happy.
Being happy is a state only a human being can arrive at of their own volition. Forgiveness is a path to such happiness. (in my experience of course).
Sammi at his best was summed up by his goal on his debut.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0GZ5UJ-E64
T4, Not all of us were giving Moonbeams a hard time, the big fella felt bad enough as it was:-)
Good night last night, ended too soon.
Happy Birthday Moonbeamsams, I’m still happy with the photo!
Mort – it was a domestic game a few years ago. Can’t remember if Neil or WGS was in charge!
The ole memories fading….!
T4
Paul67
Why when reading your Sammy article ,does my brain jump to the conclusion that it seems likely that Gary Hooper is going?
Can you put my mind at ease on that front ?
A67
In an earlier Sammy debate I used the word disinterested. On challenge and on reflection the right word for his poorer performances was lackadaisical in terms of lacking purpose and carelessness.
He now plays with real purpose and is a lot less careless.
Another poster referred to John Yogi Hughes as a 60s version of Sammy. Apart from the flowing locks it was spot on.
Andrew,
Get a grip. How does eulogising Sammi suggest the abandoning of Gary Hooper ?
Why are you ALWAYS so negative about YOUR club ?
GROW UP.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8zfU4LislM
More Sammi genius,big Ghuy always quick to praise assists unlike that moaning faced marsupial ,fare play to Greek Ghod for no stranglin him.
Samaras has always struck me as a confidence player if he’s feeling good about himself he will invariable play well.At 27 he has the time to improve his game and with Jim McGuinness on board who knows what he can acheive,then again all this psycho stuff is greek to me.
TonyG.
I honestly think both of then do, you cannot believe everything (anything) you read in the press.
Yes teams will show an interest, it’s only to be expected but I believe their hearts are at Celtic Parc
HH
Not been on much the last few days.
Looks like we’ve got our Celtic Quick News back!
Love it!
Now away to read back the last few days.
Auldheid
For me, Sammi has been our best player since 2011/12 – he hasn’t grown into the team, the team has grown around him.
Courage epitomizes what Sammi does – the courage to take pelters if things don’t work out. Whereas earlier his runs would often end in a last ditch tackle by the opposition, now he is able to feed other players because they’re there, where Sammi needs them to be. In other words, they have become more of a team, and Sammi ALWAYS plays for the team, not himself. That’s how booing has been replaced by adulation.
Loving Sammy getting the praise he deserves!
I think we all knew he had it in his locker, so Lennon and his coaching staff should be commended for getting the big man to produce it on a fairly consistent basis.
I raving about him after the Moscow game to my girlfriend, his skill and strength. When balls are pumped up to him, rather than trying a hopeful knock on to a team mate, he controls it, turns and either runs at opponents or passes to a team mate´s feet. His ability to win and retain possession high up the pitch has been crucial for us in the CL.
MWD
Happy birthday my friend!
I hope you have a great one.
You deserve it.
Georgios Samaras
On the day that Udinese drew Celtic in a Europe League Group —- Francesco Guidolin , the Udinese Manager , said this —–
” I don’t know a lot about the current Celtic team but I do know that Giorgios Samaras plays for them . He was sensational at Heerenveen . He is a great player . “
I’ve always been a fan of Sammy. He’s a big strong player and a joy to watch when he gets the ball, accelerates and just shrugs off those defenders.
It’s obvious that he loves Celtic and enjoys being in Glasgow. Off the pitch, I can’t remember ever hearing any negative stories about him either.
He’s a star and long may he continue to shine.
Andrew67
Not even Paul67 can put your brain at ease.
Paul67
Nice article on Sammi the enigma – a technically gifted player that’s always a pleasure to watch. We’ve always had players who on their day could beat 3/ 4/ 5 only to take on one too many and lose the ball – can’t ever remember them getting the same level of stick.
Got into a heated argument with a guy in the stand (who I have known for 10 years) – he was slagging him (during Lenny’s interim period in charge) – couldn’t believe he never spoke to me till the start of the next season. Think it was his embarrassment (and a few others around him) that they failed to grasp that you always support the player even when they are going through a rough patch – and bhoy I have seen some (in the past 60 years) that would have had you tearing your hair out!
Have often wondered had he been given any other number than the no.9 would he have come in for so much stick?
I re-watched the spartak game at the weekend and Sami’s contribution was immense, between him and CM they practically saw out the additional 5 minutes on their own. However one piece of skill stood out, from a long ball from FF he not only killed the ball and brought it down, but turned the Russian defender all in the same move, sublime…..
Interesting watching some of Sammys goals on you tube most of the players hugging the big guy are no longer at Parkhead praise indeed for the mans strength of character.
My brother put me straight on a couple of things. He did. Because he has one very sharp brain. Believe me.
If we sell anyone….so what? The players we sell right now will bring in millions and millions….we have strength in depth, we can buy with confidence because we have an unsurpassed scouting team (how else could we have such a literal wealth of talent at our disposal?).
So….if someone goes, so be it. We will still be Celtic. And all of us will still be there….
…..including Georgios Samaras.
Paul67
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” purchased from the Celtic shop in Coatbridge. There seems to be plenty left there for those in ML5 who, like me, prefer a CD to a download!
Ernie..,
Disagree, what it shows is that supporters don’t see the same things, it also shows how infectious frustration can be
I’ve holiday’d in Greece a few times. Primarily in Pefkos, Rhodes. The last time I was there, 2 years ago, the missus and I were drinking in one of the many bars in the resort.
The son of the owners asked if we were English, I replied Scots.
He asked Celtic or Rangers and when I said Celtic he said
Ah Samaras. I immediately gave him the thumbs down and he kinda
nodded his head. I do hope I get back there soon and see him to
let him know how he has changed the opinion of so many of us.
I just wish he’d crack a smile when he scores though. lol
One of sami’s under appreciated skills is his first touch control. Unlike hoops and Broonie the ball rarely bounces 10 yrds off him. Whether head, chest or toe ball immediately under control. This should be the standard for all our players.
Only izzy demonstrates the same touch.
HH
Ive always told summa of sammi that he gs was a top player… He eventually came round to my way of thinking :)))))
Seriously… My one word to describe sammi has always been FRUSTRATING … I knew how good he can be … Wanted him to be the superstar he is… But would tear my hair out when he fell on his arris or ran up a blind alley.
So happy he is now shutting the doubters up…. Keep it up
And i would sell hooper stokes or lassad before sammi or watt
How much do you think it would cost to buy a forward who had scored in 5 successive Champions League fixtures … ?
FF
MSM feeding frenzy when Celtic have a side – Where are the bids from Arsenal and Man Utd for Izzaguirre or Beram Kayal?
It just doesn’t sound as good as “McGrory of the Celtic”
1888 CSC