Celtic’s valiant capitulation last night had a familiar feel to it. We took the game to Milan, bossed them in many areas while the tie was still close enough to be called a contest, created chances but had no cutting edge and lost heavily, at home, to what is clearly the weakest of four Milan teams we have faced in the last decade. It was a similar story when Juventus came to Glasgow last season.
Am I the only one who thought it was familiar from stirring European nights of the 80s? Take on one of the most experience teams in Europe with two out-and-out wingers, inspire for a time but only earn a lesson in how unforgiving the game can be at the top level. Or at least, hope we learned a lesson.
We loved it in the 80s, of course, but it was like going to school when Martin O’Neill arrived and taught us how to win in Europe. Despite the defeat, the 10 men got it right at home to Barca, and in the home win over Ajax, where we allowed the visitors the majority of possession and territory, but with four minutes on the clock and Celtic playing well last night, I noted the game was “worryingly open”.
In Europe, an open game means defeat. We don’t have the midfield or attack to win playing adventurously. When setup properly, we can defend as well as anyone in Europe, this is our irrefutable strength, play to it.
Paul McConville
The first thing I did when I met Paul McConville at the Columba Club on Friday was dig him up for not being in touch recently. This gave him an opportunity to wax enthusiastically about the consuming joy of being back on the tools as a solicitor in Glasgow. He was a man who had arrived exactly where he wanted to be in life.
He was so full of drive, clarity of vision and purpose that it was with utter disbelieve I heard the news of his sudden passing yesterday.
As anyone who read Random Thoughts Re Scots Law knew, he loved his family. He also loved practicing law and held Albion Rovers in high affection. He was not, as has been suggested, part of the Celtic family. Had the snake oil salesmen turned up at Celtic Park they would have endured the same forensic analysis from Paul as he applied elsewhere, but he was an important friend and resource to our community, and ultimately our club, during an historically important time.
To most of us he was a unique blogger. Cheerful, incisive and unrelenting. He charted the story of Rangers insolvency, administration and liquidation, then picked up the even more complicated events surrounding the phoenix.
When asked on Friday why he had been less industrious recently, specifically covering the leaks from Charlotte Fakes, he conceded he just didn’t have the time anymore; he was back litigating and loving it.
The personal cost of his blogging was often all too clear, he was out there, but Paul managed to retain his determination not to be browbeaten, while enduring the numptites with more good grace and humour than most of us could muster. Before taking up his new role in Glasgow he worked a few minutes walk from me. We collaborated on a number of matters in recent years and marked one auspicious afternoon last year by sharing a bottle of Champagne; a genuinely treasured memory.
The fragility of it all is breathtaking. Our condolences to the McConville family. May he rest in peace.
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Big Nan, are you seriously saying that what happened in Dam square equates to the events in Sharpsville?
I’m sure you saw what you saw, but in the heat of the moment you may have lost some perspective, and weakened your argument.
fanadpatriot- er, the stadium is half empty at the moment.
The decisive statement from PL significantly increases the likelihood of me renewing my season ticket.
Paul’s on telly!! Internet bampots are taking over!!! HH jamesgang
The only politics allowed in UEFA and Celtic Park
GREED IS GOOD
Well Said OOR PAUL.
Awerabest PJ
Oh dear I can feel a wave of ‘Green hun’ moral indignation heading this way. ” Green Brigade student politics, they don’t speak for me, how dare they politicise my team, yada yada yada.
Politics and Celtic – a big NO unless it happens to be a poppy of course – did UEFA miss that one!!
.
Did Prince Not have a Song title for Wee Sheena Easton Banned for Illicit and Inappropriate Lyrics..
“Yir Wee Bellshills and Glen”
Summaof ShouldaMarriedMoiCSC
The Long Wait is Over
Thanks fur the Reply,pal.
Ah respect yer Opinion, of Course..
But..
I did take great pains in My last Submission.. tae point oot..that
Besides,Having Great Physical Strength a Player must also Hiv in his Possession, the Required Skill Set ..in the Soccer Arts.
And.. Ah did also point oot that Ah wiz hard tae Say
If..
Amido, did Have the Required .. Set of Soccer Skills that Is Required ..besides, Hiving Great Physical Strength..
But.. Ah Simply do not know ,if He has or Has Not..
Fur..
Neil, Continues tae Keep Amido in a Tight Schedule of Short Appearances..usually in the last Few minutes..of a Game.
Amido, Looks Clumsy.. but.. There hiv bin Glimmerings , from him.. that are Promising.. at least . tae me.
Amido, Should be given a Run of …say..
‘
THREE NINETY MINUTE GAMES.. Playing agin.. S.P.L. Opponents..
That is the Only Certain Way, for us Tae .. Hiv Some sort of Guide..as tae Whether, this Big Strong Kid.. hiz Possibilities..or..No
As it stands,just Noo..’
We Simply.. IN MA OPINION..of Course..
Jist..
Don’t Know.
But..like Ah hiv said..
Ah hiv a strong feeling that Amido will Make it ..
Again.
‘
It he MUST be Given a Fair Crack at the Peerie..
Nice Chatting ,Pal.
Kojo
Still, Laughin
Neil canam…
Charity is love
So the GB banners are deemed political and nothing to do with football.
Can’t agree, the last 2 matches have been used to highlight the injustice of the offensive behaviour at football act.
Where else is more appropriate for football fans to voice their displeasure about their treatment at the football than at the game?
I take it Bobby Sands banner was the only one objected to?
If the GB were to stick a banner of Nelson Mandela up would it be treated the same?
As someone said earlier , the real disgraceful behaviour at Paradise is that of the boards refusal to pay a living wage!
Our club is betraying us not the support
The guys on the post seem to be getting off light.
Both Kayal and Izzy’s reaction pulled them away from the post they were guarding and actually created the space to allow the ball into the net
I felt confident going into last night’s match in the knowledge that we had a goalkeeper and back four that were the equal of anything in the Champions Lge and if we played it tight everything would work in our favour. What a slap in the the face when our much vaunted defence conceded the softest of scores in the opening minutes when we were starting to dictate and of course worse was to follow.
It’s a miracle that the team were still in contention for advancement in Europe going into last night’s game particularly after losing the heartbeat of the team without Wanyama and the absence through stupidity of Scott Brown and you could add Gary Hooper to the mix.
Milan made lots of defensive errors but were not punished. Derk was the only forward Celtic player who should have scored after Milan presented him with an early Christmas present in the opening minute. All other chances fell to our midfielders and a central defender. Where are our strikers?
I think NFL’s after match analysis, and the return of Sammi as a centre forward was a direct hit on PL and ‘the board’ and one of two official statements today.
Kilgore…,
What proof do you have anyone was asked to do anything ?
What proof do you have anyone except the GB knew what the banner was ?
Said it my son at the game last night….what the hell are these banners all about?
The SCOTTISH referendum and Bobby Sands getting big licks at a CL tie?????
Time to close and relocate 111 now – and no refunds either.
By the way lads we all get to vote at the referendum. That’s the time to have your say. Not at Celtic Park.
Gotta Split,Guys.
Seeya.
Kojo
Still,Laughin
The fields and let the people sing are non political right?
I don’t get the indignation of celtics refusal to pay living wage (which I believe us complete wrong of them to take that decision) and on the other hand support for people who time and time again flaunt the rules costing the club money, which should be payed towards living wage not fines!!!!
Justafan,
Love to see people worse off than you ?
Kinglubo
Don’t disagree with much of your post
Re Sammi …who else was there …Sammi has scored CL goals …
The biggest disappointment for me is that all the teams in our group were definitely beatable -yes even the mighty Barcelona.
Hankray,
And so were we
Burgb…
Well that’s OK then…bring uefa on…and any sanctions.
Pity the GB lied
Justafan,
Prove it
Neil
Sorry I didn’t explain myself properly…
Charity is love
bournesouprecipe
Talking of Lulu – ‘hits’ to get you OFF the dance floor faster than that big Jamaican chap
Simply The Best
Penny Arcade
Shout
C’mon Eileen
The top three are sevcoesque. I just hate Dexy, his runners and that bloody song!
fredastairecsc
Justafan,
Charity is not love and dont give me compassion drivel, charity is happy to align your politics with the greedy
The banners last night and on Saturday were a self indulgent circle jerk.
The singing of the GB in the second half last night was very good.
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire @ 18:57
Just going by this part of the Club Statement
With regard to last night´s display, the Club made it abundantly clear in advance to the group in question that only football-related displays would be permitted and that any political display would lead to a UEFA charge. We, in turn, received an assurance that all displays would be 100 per cent relevant to Celtic. Therefore, the actions of this group are clearly very disappointing.
If this proves to be the case, and I’ll wait until those involved have had their say, then they only have themselves to blame.
It’s not really a matter of content it’s a matter of trust.
I take it UEFA don’t like political statements at international matches in their jurisdiction.
Ah well, that’ll be the end of national anthems as well then???
What could be more political or offensive to someone than a rival nations national anthem?
And yes UEFA should be challenged
(Think I messed up the formatting above.)
Paul67,
Did I hear you right on BBC Scotland? Do you really think we had a whole lot of creative players on the park last night? Kris Commons (and briefly Rogic) is the only one I would see as creative.
nakasammi
Ha – she only goes where the poor buns dance.
Canamalar
Usually agree with you
Re this GB issue
The excuses the GB can have are if CFC sanctioned the banner or CFC didn’t advise them of the UEFA rules
Can you see either situation pertaining
That self indulgent circle jerk went rather pear shaped last night.
Centre midfield of Mulgrew and Kayal, with Samaras as the main striker?
Seriously how have we moved into the meaning of charity? In order to get an angle that’s its political therefore the GB were correct? Utter tripe!!!!!
Has the GB made a statement ?