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.
[calameo code=000390171e05b9b63a832 lang=en page=34 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
CQN Annual:
1,130 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- ...
- 30
- »
Kilgore..,
Released after the fact, you can obviously show me where that statement was made public prior to the game, I remember a charge of sectarianism against the support that was not defended a trumped up charge with no validity.
So Ajax Banner last night is non political so ok then….?
https://twitter.com/ChrisGraham76/status/405480693431427072/photo/1/large
Burghbhoy
Nail on the head.
HH
On the matter of banners when can we expect Ajax to be hammered for their fans Israeli flags?
Also why were we never punished by UEFA for flying the Basque flag above the jungle ?
So is it ok for an Israeli flag at Ajax games but not a Palestinian flag at Paradise?
Confused
Auldheid @ 16:58,
“I mentioned game changing moments not that we were unlucky because of missed chances, although I did say Finboggason was not some magic wand that would have compensated sufficiently to raise the overall standard to a last 16 level.
A good striker would certainly have changed the focus on what we complain about though.
My point about the misses was that we are like a darts player in the final who has to throw a double to win and misses. His opponent has a three dart finish to win and does simply because he is a better darts player.
Apply that across the two teams and the question is how do you get to that higher level as your opponent with a wage budget much less than he has?”
Well that’s certainly right, sport is all about moments, keeping your nerve and taking your chances at crucial moments are key, no doubt the quality of AC Milan’s individuals and the way they took their goals was the difference.
I just feel that Mulgrew and VVD have been amongst our best performers this season, a season when a lot of our regular/big players have been missing in action (for one reason or another) and our new bhoys have failed to perform.
Putting them in the frame for our failure seems a bit harsh, especially when it’s not their specialist area – of course a Finboggason (loved that line) would not have guaranteed progression but it would have shown intent.
Was it me or did you think VVD was chasing a goal and it impacted his defensive performance.
Hail Hail
PF
“who else was there”
Does this mean NFL has jettisoned his two main summer signings, or are they
just for the SPL because Sammi was thrown in at CF, against the Dons.
*Not to mention Stokes who came on and threatened the corner flag with a shot*
Neil c…
Oops!
Before politics or anything else…charity equals love
Till later all
A wise old man once told me “people will always let you down because it is impossible to live up to the expectations you put on them”.
be good now :))
Prayers offered for the repose of the soul of Paul McConville, his family and all his friends on here.
Having difficulty understanding what is being reported about the banner and UEFA? Has it been reported to UEFA and by whom? Or has PL shot himself in the foot by allowing the statement from the club about possible UEFA reaction to be the cause of UEFA possibly taking action in the first instance?
Burgbhoy…
Do they play anthems at CL games?
NFL will always be a hero of mine for the great job
he’s done at Celtic,not to mention all the sh#t he had
too endure……MON and GS stayed at Celtic 1 year
too many, it cost us title’s………I hope NFL does not
make the same mistake,win the double and move on
Neil….let Sammy and Joe Ledley go Celtic….time for
a change.
wewatchthemcomewewatchthemgoCSC.
BSR
Lenny clearly doesn’t trust any striker …so much so he has to play Sammi
Pukki isn’t trusted…..he’s been given a great deal of game time of late in order to get on the scoring trial …he’s lost
Stokes…proven NOT to be CL quality
Balde isn’t trusted even in the SPL
So we’re left with big Sammi …who, unfortunately can’t be relied upon to score …still living on last seasons CL achievements IMO
King Lubo
Good points made especially about big Georgios. I believe our best players should be played in their strongest postions. Some players can play in several positions, I don’t think he can. Looking for Sammi to provide a physical presence against any Serie A team would never work. Using his pace running at someone is him as his most effective. Not something you can do with your back to goal. Alos, I wonder if the Turkish ref knew he was Greek!!
Connaire..
Maybe you’re right…it was such a little display the uefa observer might have missed it.
Lets make this clear green brigade huns with tricolours FACT
connaire12
From the official Celtic website;
FOLLOWING Tuesday´s UEFA Champions League match at Celtic Park against AC Milan, UEFA have confirmed that they have opened disciplinary proceedings against Celtic for an incident of a non-sporting nature (illicit banner).
Pretty clear?
PF.
No statement yet. Just had a quick reax on site. The posters are not happy. (Not TGB)
John Reid Brian Wilson and ian livingstone are also non political current and former board appointments of course..
Chairbhoy.
Read you wrong. Apologies
Neil c…
Charity is NOT love????? Blimey! Reprint of scriptures ordered
UEFA and politics.
Is the current UEFA campaign not ‘ show racism the red card ?’
A very worthwhile campaign I may add but would it be considered political ?
Could they be accused of double standards ? Or is it the case it is ok for our politics but not yours ?
They definetely need challenged.
justafan
19:22 on 27 November, 2013
Burgbhoy…
Do they play anthems at CL games?
///:::::://://////////////////////////////////////////
No they don’t but they do at UEFA’s European championships
As our players and the opposition ran out on the pitch last night, could someone help me understand how exactly last night’s banner inspired and motivated our players?
PF
A majority saw NFL’s team sheet coming, and the same selection was posted since Saturday night.
It’ll be back to Pukki Balde and or Stokes come Sunday.
We’re doomed CSC
p.s. personally glad it’s all over in terms of Europe.
Zonal marking was not to blame for Milan’s first two goals last night, it was LACK of zonal marking that was to blame. Either no Celtic player had been allocated to the two wide open spaces that Milan scored from (highly unlikely), or somebody was not doing their job on each occasion.
The third goal showed up big Efe (who otherwise had a decent game) defensive frailties.
At the crucial moment when he could have got goalside of Balotelli he decided to have a hopeless swipe at the ball with his right (wrong) leg which allowed Ballotelli to get in front of him.
Much has been made of Neil Lennon’s team selection and tactics, but it’s players who will win you (or in our case) lose you a game.
Bhoys, it’s not Celtic it’s uefa.
They have instigated proceedings about the banner.
I fail to see how this can be used as a stick to beat the board?
Not signing a striker however……
valentinesday DAMands justice for the 5
19:22 on 27 November, 2013
Other than Wim Jansen every Celtic manager since Jock Stein has stayed on at least one year too long.
Bourne’s….
Really? Glad we’re out of Europe???
Kayal33
Billy first time round…l don’t think so!
Kojo
“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..”
—–
fair point.
Pretty sure that Stan Petrov is on record as saying that what made him at Celtic when he was young and lacking confidence was that Dalglish told him that , no matter what , he was going to play him in 6 consecutive games. That gave him the confidence to play without fear.
It’s got to be worth a shot giving Balde a run. IMO it would need to be once the league is , hopefully, won.
TLWIO
clashcitybhoy
19:29 on 27 November, 2013
As our players and the opposition ran out on the pitch last night, could someone help me understand how exactly last night’s banner inspired and motivated our players?
I would hope our players would be spurred on or motivated by the victimisation of a group of fans!!
Surely, the essence of our club at the very beginning was to be successful and raise funds for a victimised , persecuted minority . That was also a latter day motivation for the players.
Tommy Burns once said when you pull in the hoops you are playing for a people and a cause.
Again Tommy was spot on!!
It is bad enough watching Celtic play in Europe (as they are useless) but this constant getting taking to task as a result of silly banners etc, I am really p’d off supporting the Celts with all that going on.
I thought when the Huns were throwing out of all, as a result of their cheating, fraud, low-life antics etc that life was going to be great as was our due. What happens they are all together (siege mentality) and we, well I have said enough.
smoke and mirrors
19:24 on 27 November, 2013
Lets make this clear green brigade huns with tricolours FACT
———
Just catching up with today’s postings and amidst some brilliance that stands out as the most ridiculous, ignorant and stupid.
I said it before , Peter Lawwell got conned by the GB, Should have nipped it in the bud ages ago, now the 5 th. Columnists university mob are pushing the envelope, I heard them at the AGM TOO, giving it the shame shame shame shout, as if it was a parliament meeting, naw sorry not for me, as very one is saying the GB do not talk for me, and half the kids holding up the banners haven’t a clue what they are about, they have been told cut it out, it’s nothing to do with Celtic, the biggest attention seekers in Celtic Park, are the leaders of these kids, get them out, and the sooner the better, they have no place at our stadium , the only way they get attention is breaking the rules, and they will keep on doing it, they are like a boil on our backside, time it was lanced.
Burghb…
Sorry…what was the message re fan victimisation?
Kayal
Davie Hay…no
….PF…,
Do you believe they preempted a political banner ?
Burghb…
And what was Tommy’s cause???
Being a Celtic supporter is not just about following the team.
That’s what I believe anyway.
Standing up against injustice wherever it may be IMO is what makes our support special and not just any old fans