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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dontbrattbakkinanger
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.
……………………………….
No I never said the events were equal to the events in Sharpville and it would be stupid to make that comparison as on that day in 1960 the South African police opened fire on the crowd of about 10,000, killing 69 people. You know fine well acting in a way that would not have been out of place in Soweto in the 1960’s. Soweto is about 40 miles away from Sharpville!
What I am saying is the police with Alsatian dogs were setting them on innocent people who were doing nothing illegal just as they did in South Africa which I had the misfortune to witness.
It was awful. And the same police were hitting innocent people with truncheons in an indiscriminate manner in the same way that the South African police hit black Africans with sjamboks.
The police were also kicking and punching defenceless men and women? while their colleagues restrained the victims for no apparent reason that we could see. It was not arrest it was assault.
Now the similarities are such that they bear comparison to the violence that I have seen in Florida, Durban, Cape Town, Luanda, Lorenzo Marques, Shanghai and Hsingkiang in the 1960s.
I wasn’t present at Soweto personally when the police went in on raids but saw footage of this and using a bit of licence I am able to make the statement I did without being untruthful.
Does it detract from my letter? I don’t think it does, but you do to the extent that you take issue with me. Fine.
How did you describe the violence in your letter to the Dutch authorities dontbrattbakkinanger?
Jobo
Too busy fighting this evening my friend.
Burghbhoy,
If I read your email correctly you are saying that the players motivation needs to come from themselves and their pride in the jersey, which I agree with.
I do however think that the fans can be the 12 th man and provide an extra bit of inspiration, as they have done on many occasions over 125 years (unbroken !).
The issue that perplexes me is that I really struggle to see how last night’s banner, could have acted as a 12th man.
Pfayr
A dodgy lot indeed :-)
Smoke and mirrors
I’ll get back to you once I’ve had my interpreter work on your post.
Tttt
I think the timing was more to do with the recent refusal to review the bill.
We’re not being dragged from our beds at 6am mate I think it’s important to keep that in mind when attempting to second guess the motivation behind displays like last nights.
Uly
I’d disagree but only because I’m unaware of any statement from the GB regarding a YES/NO vote.
I’d guess that there are a variety of views within the group about referendum/independence.
BSR
Unlike other European clubs …who have big tv and sponsorship deals …we rely heavily on income generated from match day attendances
burghb…
Agree to agree :-)
But last nights display wasn’t really about that was it? Unless I missed something. Not so easy to see from my seat!
Excellent goal Man U …well worked 1-0
TD
Actual members not guys who simply claim to be.
Bourne
Completely agree and glad someone said it.
glendalystonsils
Both zonal and man to man have their merits and deficiencies, but going back to my original comment you can have the best laid plans on the planet, but you need guys to execute them.
In their pre game preparation Milan had a plan to exploit our zonal defence system.
I am sure lots of other teams who face us have similar, however, Milan had players capable of executing the plan, unlike 95% of our domestic opponents.
.
In a generation or so fholk will talk of the GB in the
same way we romance about the Jungle….I stood
in the Jungle for the best part of 20 year’s, alter boy’s
we we’re definitely not……the GB are lightweight’s,
compared to some of the stuff we pulled.
oldjunglebhoysdontdietheypostoncqnCSC.
2-0 Man U
bournesouprecipe
20:00 on 27 November, 2013
Hahahahahahaha…..nothing has changed, then …. Has it got anything to do with my previous contention (rantings) that there was no way £22m changed hands…..!!??
HT
Yep, I agree about varying views – my point is it looked all the world to me like a straight forward dig at Salmond’s past ‘Braveheart’ junkets in direct proportion to his attendant dance to the ‘bill’
But this is just my opinion.
u
Justafan
My interpretation of last nights banner was that the GB wanted to again highlight the injustice and how ludicrous the offensive behaviour at football act is.
By using Willie Walllace, a Scots freedom fighter who is a hero celebrated in this country and comparing to Bobby Sands who was an Irish freedom fighter.
The GB were simply asking why is it fine to sing and eulogise Willie Wallace but not fine to sing about Bobby Sands?
Very nice of the SPFL to join in and investigate the banner displayed against Aberdeen on Saturday the one with the large H on view.
Were over at the zombie land they have artillery guns on the pitch
HT,
Thanks for clarifying the message behind the banner.
Our club takes another step towards being exclusive
Burghbhoy
The GB were simply asking why is it fine to sing and eulogise Willie Wallace but not fine to sing about Bobby Sands?
Easy to answer mate……..singing about Wallace won’t offend bigots; remembering Bobby Sands will.
What would an actual member be, and how would he be any diff. From the 5,000 who hold the banners, do you mean the leaders who never get lifted, or who are never there when teenagers are being kettled n our City, those ones? The ones with the hidden agenda? The ones who make the bullets? That would be the University guys righ? Do I know them NO, but I have seen them in action, at Celtic Park, Hampden, George’s Square, so I do know what I am talking about, they are more or less organisers, they have there little teenage runners dashing about all over the place like extras from the movie Oliver, this is not an opinion, it’s a fact, and make no mistake the cops see it to.
Is it too much to ask that Celtic supporters just support Celtic , who make their attitude perfectly clear?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25127707
Perhaps some time in the “wilderness ” will actually prove to be a good thing.
Tonydonnelly
Wtf is a ” university guy “?
Hopefully a time in the wilderness will get rid of the glory hunters that are trying to turn our club into a nondescript soulless PLC
I’m getting sick and tired of the club’s good reputation getting dragged through the mud by these attention seeking clowns with their IRA obsession. Have they not heard the war in Ireland is over? What has historical Irish republicanism got to do with a champions league football match in 21st century Scotland?
Selfish, pig-headed idiots who couldn’t care less about harming the club. Only a matter of time until s111 is closed once and for all and they’ll have no-one but themselves to blame.
Bhoys and Ghirls,
“The Celtic jersey does not shrink to fit inferior players”
I think we can all agree that that iconic statement does not apply to all. We see it on a weekly basis.
We have some players that are simply not at the races. I fully support NFL however we do not seem to be learning. Last night our tactics were wrong, our fitness was suspect and our motivation / inspiration seemed to have gone AWOL. To be beaten and go out with a whimper to a decent but definitely not a great Milan team was disappointing in the extreme.
We have endured and tolerated poor away results and displays for years, but at Parkhead we are used to punching above our weight and being a match for anyone. To witness Celtic players and many supporters counting down the clock for an embarrassing defeat can never be acceptable.
Although Geography is against us ( Where we ply our trade ) we must learn and move forward. We have spent a lot of money ( In a Scottish context ) and to be honest I do not see the fruits of this. Now is the time to give our own youth a chance, if we cannot do this now then we may as well shut Lennox Park.
Who knows, this may prove to be a watershed.
There have been many debates on CQN ref the Green Brigade. Yes they provide inspirational support and atmosphere, but at what cost.
While the aspirations and views of William Wallace and Bobby Sands may appeal to a section of the Celtic support it by no means represents all, and why should this even be a talking point after a CL game. The following points must be considered :-
Do the GB care about the club.?
Is their political agenda more important than the team.?
Are they deliberately bringing the club into disrepute with UEFA.?
What is wrong with witty ,colourful Celtic banners.?
Do they think political banners motivates the team ?
Are they deliberately provoking a reaction from the club.
As all on here know I am a great advocate of free speech and freedom of choice ( Within acceptable parameters ) but I cannot agree, see the need for or accept divisive and controversial themes on a Champions League football match. WHY???
We have one of the best supports in football why would “Celtic supporters ” want to jeopardise that. WHY ???
HH, Always in Celtic.
Not agreeing or disagreeing with the GB banner last night…
However… I must disagree with Peter Lawell.
Sporting Integrity
Scottish Football Association
Administration/Liquidition
Newspaper/Media Market
Editorial decisions.
Advertising.
Banking
Politicians
Offensive Behaviour Act
Policing
Champions League windfalls
PLC board members
Coaching
even…
Family
Community
Identity
Communication.
and even
Customer Satisfaction
NONE of the above is apolitical. They all have a political dimension.
Politics is inherent in determining relationships and their functioning.
Only Banks, multinationals, corporate interests and their representatives (politicians) would I consider apolitical….They all have the same agenda. The bottom line. Period.
But maybe that what Peter was refering to.
Re club statement, if they have zero tolerance approach to so called Political banners and if we believe there were assurances given prior to Aberdeen game that no Political banners were to be displayed, is it only me or are others asking why did club allow GB into section 111 last night?
All those that are of the opinion that politics has no place at Celtic Park, can I ask if you joined in at 87mins last night with that all time Celtic classic “Let the People Sing”.
For me the issue is about whether every political display etc is deemed as breaching UEFA rules. I have studied several games in UEFA competitions both this season and over the previous 2 years. It is very evident that there is no clear guidelines on what is deemed to be offensive.
The banner in Amsterdam was only deemed offensive after many complaints from Celtic fans. The UEFA delegate either couldn’t read English or didn’t have a problemwith it. The Dutch authorities(ie Police) also chose not to inform the UEFA delegate about the banner.
As far as I can find out from official UEFA sources when Celtic were cited, and ultimate found guilty, for Offensive/political singing a couple of seasons ago. This was the 1st time a UEFA official had been made aware of offensive/political chanting/singing by a match commander at a game.
We can debate all night the rights and wrongs of Political songs and banners etc but surely if this is being used against us and some other clubs it should also be used against all clubs.
Also what is political is also something that we need to explore, is it now breaching UEFA rules to display a Palestinian, basque or the starry plough flag? The most political banner you are ever likely to see in any stadium in the UK is the Union Jack, is this now offensive?
I am not making a case either way for or against the GB displays but IMO to simply let UEFA impose a fine or sanction is not good enough and they must be challenged, cause not to do so will lead to even more trouble in the future.
Burghbhoy
20:19 on
27 November, 2013
Nope. According to this they were breaking an agreement reached with the club.
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/250613-peter-lawwell-hits-out-at-fans-disrespect-following-uefa-banner-charge/
Surely they knew what would follow? Is it a battle they think they can win? Do they think splitting the support helps Celtic?
The last time there was a problem the new SLO stepped in and some form of agreement emerged. This appears to have been broken, undermining the SLO in the process. How is he now able to discuss issues with folk he cannot trust?
If the folk who Okayed the banner were not aware of the internal fallout they should have been and in giving the OK they cannot escape the consequences.
valentine’sday,
I must go back a lot longer than you, as far as inhabiting the Jungle is concerned. I well remember the days when it was simply a place to watch the game. (I do remember the nutters taking over the spot I had grown up in: that was when the original Hayshed was replaced).
Celtic Park is not the place for the nonsense we witnessed last night and Saturday. I have said on here too too often, the loony left are using the young lhads for their own agenda, a big part of which is trying to embarrass the Board (since they can’t defeat them by votes).
Maybe the plc are disappointed that they can’t flog a pic of the tifo for £50 a pop..
Not pleased by last night’s GB banners but for the SPFL to have the nerve to go after Celtic after all the crap the previous bodies allowed our Southside friends to display, with immunity, really grates.
Next game , if they still exist by then, allow the same message. Substitute “H” by any letter of the alphabet and see if they can complain.
Petty, I know, but….in Scotland, at least, they are taking the p**s.
That said I would still close 111. A permanent embarrassment and and an occasional disgrace comes to mind.
Anybody notice oor Wullie Collum sent aff Sergio Ramos.
Awerabest PJ
eddieinkirkmichael
You make a point similar to mine. Is a flag not a form of banner? Where is the line drawn?
However if an agreement was made the GB should have checked with Celtic first before displaying.
You could argue Celtic should vet every banner (if that were practical) but trust was made and apparently broken.
I’m getting sick and tired of the fans good reputation getting dragged through the mud by these attention seeking clowns with their corporate image obsession. Have they not heard Celtic were formed to survive against an establishment who hated us? What has this hypocrisy got to do with a club formed in the face of economic and racist prejudice?
Selfish, pig-headed idiots who couldn’t care less about harming the club. Only a matter of time until folk turn away once and for all and they’ll have no-one but themselves to be hypocrites to.
PJBhoynyc
20:30 on
27 November, 2013
Uefa make the rules,not P.L.
Sadly we have to abide by them,unless you`re the G.B. or their political masters.
“Power without responsibility.The prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages.”
Comply or sell out ? It really is that simple. What’s your answer…………
right bhoys.to protest or not.
POLITICS HAS NO PLACE IN SPORT.!!!!!!!ok most people on here are in the grey brigade.remember a long time ago a wee boy wearing a duffle coat running on to a rugby pitch to stop a game involving SOUTHAFRICA ?????
well he was nearly hanged at the time.this is ENGLAND WHAT we were told.NO PLACE FOR THAT KIND OF THING HERE!!!
out of that protest a movement started,a great wave of public opinion formed.a few years later everyone with an ounce of decency had a FREE MANDELA t shirt.
remember what happened in SOUTH AFRICA?????
WAN WEE BOY WAN WEE DUFFLE COAT!!!!!!
PETER HAIN CSC.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
Rules that are wrong need to be challenged.
More than a club ?…….or just another club ?
Pfayr
You really don’t know that the GB are ultra extremists from the university crowd? Well they run them, it’s all ultra, all round Europe, when it gets right down to it, they don’t care about CFC, hence another fine and another black mark against us, if I didn’t know any better you would think they are acting like h………. Naaaaa surely not?